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

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

Crime

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

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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US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September 2025. Photo: No 10 Downing Street via dpa
Japan

80 years on, gender gap persists in Japanese politics

New research shows there has been little change since women in Japan first exercised their right to vote nearly 80 years ago.

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Fame and celebrity

Timothee Chalamet faces the music for saying ‘no one cares’ about opera, ballet

Performance groups around the world clapped back at the Hollywood star’s remarks, while a German minister invited him to watch a show.

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US, Israel war on Iran

4 US bombers land in UK as Iran war continues

British PM Keir Starmer has granted permission for ‘defensive’ US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.

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A US Air Force bomber comes in to land at RAF Fairford in south west England on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Crime

UK child killer Ian Huntley dies after prison attack

Huntley murdered 10-year-old best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002 while they were on their way to buy sweets.

China-EU relations

From rivals to partners, China and Europe are retooling ties, adviser says

A succession of leaders have beaten a path to Beijing with pragmatic cooperation in mind, according to former ambassador Wu Ken.

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Hong Kong economy

As Iran war closes Middle East skies, how high can Cathay Pacific fares fly?

Cathay fares to Hong Kong surge 93 per cent on average for Saturday departures compared with typical prices over past 12 months.

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Cathay Pacific has been adjusting routes to redirect capacity after suspending services to and from Dubai and Riyadh, the SCMP has learned. Photo: Eugene Lee
Canada

Canada’s PM wants Andrew removed from UK line of succession over Epstein ties

The prime minister called the former prince’s association with the paedophile financier ‘deplorable’.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Photo: AAP/dpa
Australia

Opinion | Australia needs to make its stance on the Iran attacks known

By refusing to condemn these legally baseless strikes, the Albanese government risks choosing ‘might is right’ over the UN Charter.

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Cathay Pacific

Exclusive | Hong Kong authorities rule out chartering Cathay Pacific flights to Middle East

Sources say officials discussed with carrier to fly home stranded residents, but option deemed fraught with uncertainty.

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US, Israel war on Iran

UK counterterrorism police arrest 4 on suspicion of spying for Iran

The men are suspected of helping Tehran’s intelligence service by spying on people and places linked to London’s Jewish community.

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Police in London have arrested four men accused of spying for Iran. File photo: EPA
Iran

How far could the war with Iran spread beyond the Middle East?

From Turkey and the Caucasus to South Asia, analysts warn the war could ignite new flashpoints along regional fault lines.

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The sun sets behind a plume of smoke from a US-Israeli military strike in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Keir Starmer

London risks becoming a ‘childless city’ as families flee record costs

With the highest housing and childcare costs in the UK, raising a family in London is simply out of reach for many.

Jimmy Lai trial

Jimmy Lai will not appeal 20-year sentence after national security trial: source

Legal source confirms 78-year-old Apple Daily founder will not file application to Court of Appeal before standard 28-day deadline.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US submarine strike on Iranian warship near Sri Lanka rattles the region

Experts say the strike highlights the risk of the conflict spreading into Asian waters and tests India’s careful diplomatic balancing.

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Iranian warship IRIS Dena is seen in the Bay of Bengal during the International Fleet Review held at Visakhapatnam, India, on February 18. Photo: AP
Malaysia

‘I am not Jho Low 2.0’: Malaysia Arm chip deal probe turns political

The probe into a flagship chip-design deal has sparked criticism, with Prime Minister Anwar’s allies questioning the investigation.

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Artificial intelligence

Alibaba recruits Google DeepMind contributor to join Qwen AI team: sources

Zhou Hao to join as head of post-training research, sources say, as technical lead Lin Junyang departs in reshuffle.

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Espionage

3 arrested in UK on suspicion of spying for China, including MP’s husband

They are the latest in a number of arrests in the UK of people accused of spying or causing political interference on behalf of China.

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People walk along the River Thames in London. Counter-terrorism ​officers arrested a 39-year old man in London as well as a 68-year old man and a 43-year old man in Wales. Photo: EPA
Singapore

Hin Leong founder OK Lim has Singapore jail term cut to 13½ years on appeal

Once considered a ‘legend in Singapore’s oil industry’, Lim was convicted of cheating HSBC and abetting forgery in 2024.

Hin Leong founder Lim Oon Kuin arrives for sentencing at the Singapore State Courts on November 18, 2024. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump slams European allies, praises China and continues to justify Iran attack

US president blasted Spain for denying access to its military bases for his bombing campaign, but boasts of ‘good relationship with China’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

China and France agree to help de-escalate US-Israeli conflict with Iran

The world must not return to the law of the jungle, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang tells France’s Jean-Noel Barrot.

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Hong Kong society

What Hong Kong travellers stuck in the Middle East need to do as war spirals

At least 432 residents are stranded in region as dozens of flights between city and Middle East are disrupted by conflict.

A plume of smoke from an Iranian strike rises behind planes parked at Dubai International Airport on Sunday, March 1. Photo: AP
Tourism

Gripping samurai exhibition explores Japan’s warrior class, cuts through myths

From armour to art, ‘Samurai’ at the British Museum traces the Japanese elite class’ evolution and cultural impact, from anime to Star Wars.

A samurai suit of armour and helmet are seen at “Samurai”, a new exhibition at London’s British Museum running until May 4.
Sony

US$2.68 billion class action claims UK PlayStation users overcharged for games

The antitrust claim accusing Sony of levying ‘unfair’ charges on downloads from its PlayStation Store will be heard in London next week.

France

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

France’s Macron says eight European countries have agreed to a ‘forward’ deterrence plan to bolster continental security.

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