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Britain

Britain
The latest breaking news and stories on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the world’s sixth largest economy. Also covering the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) post Brexit, as well as with China, plus commentary and updates on the UK’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
London
Head of State
King Charles III
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
The sites at 86, 88 and 90 Peak Road sold in 2017 for about US$255 million. Photo: Google Map
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong businessman expected to take loss on Peak sites he bought for US$255m

Tender for three Peak Road lots follows sale by Chan King-wai’s family of another Peak property last year at estimated 56 per cent loss.

China consumption

How record F1 crowds are accelerating Shanghai’s bid to be a global sports hub

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump warns he ‘may delay’ China visit in demand for countries to secure Hormuz

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Israel-Iran conflict

Police arrest 12 as hundreds join banned pro-Palestinian march in London

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood agreed to ban the march after police said it was organised by a group ‘supportive of the Iranian regime’.

Police arrest a protester for not removing a face covering during a protest held by pro-Palestinian group Al-Quds in central London on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong society

Influencer Andrew Tate, facing rape charges in 2 countries, parties in Hong Kong

Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are facing rape and human‑trafficking charges in Romania and UK, visit Lan Kwai Fong and restaurant in Causeway Bay.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Eddie Burns, Olivia Dean’s rumoured boyfriend

The Chicago native, who has worked with indie singer Clairo, keeps his romantic life private, although the pair was seen in matching outfits at Wimbledon.

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China-EU relations

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

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This week’s summit of EU leaders in Brussels is supposed to be about the bloc’s competitiveness, widely understood as a response to China’s state-backed industrial expansion. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: Trump urges China, other nations, to send warships to secure Hormuz

The president insisted that Iran’s military capability had been eliminated but admitted it was still able to attack the strait.

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Hong Kong

My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job

Episode has cost China not only a British politician prepared to work for better ties but also potentially a prime minister willing to do business with it.

Former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson sits in a vehicle in London on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
UK economy

UK eyes ‘targeted’ support for households amid rising energy costs

Finance chief Rachel Reeves says there are plans to help those vulnerable to sharp rises in energy prices, especially those who rely on heating oil.

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Cars refuel at a BP petrol station in London, Britain, on Tuesday. Global oil prices have risen sharply amid the conflict ⁠in the Middle East. Photo: EPA
China travel

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

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Jeffrey Epstein

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

Science

Deadly strike on Iran primary school raises questions about AI use in war

While cutting-edge technologies process vast amounts of data, human decisions remain the focal point when systems fail, observers say.

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Coffins for children killed in a February 28 missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school in Minab, southern Iran, are prepared for a mass funeral on March 3. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

UK says Russia, Iran trying to ‘hijack global economy’ amid Hormuz closure

Foreign Secretary Cooper said Moscow and Tehran ‘benefit together’ from soaring oil prices.

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Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Crime

‘The Witch’: British mum who kept woman as ‘house slave’ for 25 years is jailed

The victim, who has a learning disability, was deprived of food, forced to do manual labour and assaulted by Amanda Wixon, the court heard.

Keir Starmer

UK PM Starmer admits his ‘mistake’ in appointing Mandelson as US ambassador

Starmer faces fresh questions about his judgment over the appointment despite being warned of Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

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Science

Israel’s 90 nuclear warheads make any strike on Iran ‘really dangerous’: expert

Policy head of Nobel Peace Prize-winning group sounds alarm over possible intentional or accidental use of weapons.

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Experts estimate Israel has a nuclear arsenal of 90 warheads, though its plutonium stores could theoretically fuel double that amount. Photo: Getty Images.
My Life

Jane Houng: musician, author – and mother of a murdered child

The founder of Becky’s Button tells how she channelled the grief from losing her daughter into tackling gender-based violence.

Law

Legal Tales | Graham A. Harris, a giant of the Hong Kong Bar

Harris, who died on March 10, joins select group elected as Life Members.

Scams and swindles

150,000 Meta accounts shut down in Southeast Asian scam centre crackdown

Meta has also launched protective tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp alerts for suspicious friend requests and activities.

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Workstations used by scam operators are seen after a police raid in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Jeffrey Epstein

UK PM Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson

The concerns were raised in a document sent to Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson as US ambassdor.

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Peter Mandelson leaves his home in north London on Wednesday. Photo: via AP
Insurance

Hong Kong marine insurers gain edge over London with cheaper war-risk cover

Hong Kong’s special pool offers cheaper war cover for 10 Chinese ships in the Gulf, bolstering the city’s role as a marine insurance hub.

Crime in Hong Kong

Chinese embassy warns nationals in UK of scammers posing as Hong Kong ICAC staff

Fraudsters posing as anti-corruption officials targeting Chinese nationals into transferring funds, embassy warns.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to extend stock trading hours to keep up with rivals

Competitors moving towards near 24-hour trading to capture liquidity, Our Hong Kong Foundation’s Kenny Shui tells SCMP forum.

The Hong Kong stock exchange currently has 5½ hours of trading on weekdays. Photo: Jonathan Wong

‘Like the Blitz’: vape shop blaze closes Glasgow railway station

The fire also led to several businesses being wrecked amid the collapse of most of an ‘iconic’ four-storey building by the transport hub.

Smoke rises following a major fire at a building in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: BRUNA GOMES via Instagram/Reuters
Crime

Northern Ireland’s Gerry Adams, 77, in UK court for trial over IRA bombings

Adams has always denied being an IRA member, although he has ‌long faced accusations that he was involved in its killing campaign.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump and Starmer hold call on Middle East after rebuke over Iran

Phone call came after Trump mounted his latest criticism of the British leader over a perceived lack of support for the US campaign against Iran.

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