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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
About a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies usually pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
China-EU relations

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

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Crime

After car crash, Tiger Woods told officer he was ‘talking to the president’

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US, Israel war on Iran

Immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz demanded at 40-nation talks

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US, Israel war on Iran

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

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US Navy sailors load onto an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli on March 26. The Tripoli arrived in the Middle East last week. Photo: Handout
Japan

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

Sexual harassment and assault

BBC defends action in new sex abuse scandal involving DJ Scott Mills

The BBC has been rocked by multiple sexual scandals involving top personalities in recent years.

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Malaysia

Malaysian anti-corruption body offers to pay for witness’s flight in chips probe

Ex-government aide James Chai, who is in London, said he was a ‘nobody’ who did not influence the US$250 million deal with Arm Holdings.

Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency is seeking the help of former government aide James Chai as a witness over a US$250 million deal with Arm Holdings. Photo: Facebook/James Chai
Indonesia

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

Hong Kong-UK spying row

Hong Kong trade office manager in London denies running spy network

Bill Yuen is accused of hiring UK Border Force officer Peter Wai to gather information about politicians and Hong Kong activists.

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s anticipated stablecoin licence by end-March does not materialise

Analysts say the delay is most likely administrative and that the overall plan is still on track.

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Hong Kong’s stablecoin initiative is part of efforts to become a global digital-asset hub. Photo: Getty Images
United States

King Charles to visit US in late April amid Iran war concerns

The decision comes despite calls for the trip to be cancelled or delayed in light of the Iran war.

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US President Donald Trump (right) and Britain’s King Charles inspect the Guard of Honour during Trump’s state visit at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Trump urges countries seeking oil to go to Strait of Hormuz and ‘just take it’

Amid high prices of fuel during the Iran war, the US leader urged nations to buy American oil or ‘just take it’ from the Strait of Hormuz.

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Art

A legendary opera singer on playing the ‘bad boy’ on stage

Bryn Terfel’s journey as one of opera’s most commanding voices, from singing at King Charles’ coronation to Verbier Festival’s inaugural China edition.

The Philippines

Filipino singer’s Golden Buzzer win stokes #SEAblings’ Southeast Asian pride

The reactions to his breakout moment on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ highlight how regional audiences increasingly champion one another’s artists.

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Left: ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Simon Cowell stands next to Filipino singer Matty Juniosa after awarding Juniosa the coveted Golden Buzzer for his performance on Sunday’s episode of the talent competition. Right: Youtube comments on the video mentioning SEAbling, which is shorthand for “Southeast Asian siblings”. Photo: YouTube / Britain’s Got Talent
Crime

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

A link to Iran is suspected due to similarities to ‘recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for’.

Private security members work next to a police van outside Bank of America’s Paris offices on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Chinese company to use AI-powered testing to boost profits and fast-track IVF

China’s falling fertility rate sees spike in demand for assisted reproduction as biotech firm raises US$101 million from Hong Kong listing.

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Israel

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

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Middle East

UK’s PM Starmer to host industry leaders for Middle East war talks on Monday

Participants at the talks will include government and military officials alongside energy, shipping, finance and insurance sector leaders.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Yong Zheng Xi on the ‘95% hard work’ behind his Bridgerton fame

Yong talks about his journey from law school to starring in Barbie and Bridgerton, revealing the real hustle behind showbiz success.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Errors in Hong Kong Tai Po blaze hearing transcript raise transparency concerns

The South China Morning Post finds multiple factual errors in official transcript, leading to calls for future proceedings to be live-streamed.

Mainland China

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Art

Love and mythology drift across artist Faye Wei Wei’s dreamlike canvases

The British-Chinese artist’s monumental oil paintings blend love, mythology and lush flora, inviting viewers into immersive fantasy worlds.

Untitled (2022) by Faye Wei Wei. Photo: Handout
My Take

My Take | Verdict finds what any parent knows: social media is designed to be addictive

Jurors also decided Meta and YouTube either knew or should have known their products posed a danger to children and did not do enough to warn of the risks.

Science

Cambridge top architect Francois Penz relocates to China from UK

Pioneering French professor who blended architecture with film joins Nanjing University in a full-time position after 45 years at Cambridge.

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Indonesia

Indonesia begins social media ban for children under 16

Indonesia is now the first country in Southeast Asia to ban children from having accounts on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.

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Teenagers use their mobile phones to browse social media in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 16. Photo: AP
Hong Kong Sevens

On This Day | First Hong Kong Sevens rugby tourney held in 1976 – SCMP archive

50 years ago today, the city hosted its first international rugby sevens tournament at the Hong Kong Football Club.

Hong Kong players run out on to the pitch at the first sevens in 1976. Photo: HKRFU
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Hormuz closed for shipping to and from ‘enemy’ ports

The Revolutionary Guards said that they had turned back three vessels seeking to cross the transit point.

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Hong Kong property

Hong Kong home prices surge to 22-month high, but Iran war clouds outlook

Price gains accelerated in February, according to official government index, but interest-rate risk looms, analysts say.

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