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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
People refill their water bottles from a fountain in Green Park, London, during a heatwave on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Extreme weather

Heat dome over Europe scorches UK, France, Italy and Spain

The UK’s Met Office said Monday was the hottest May day on record, with the mercury hitting 33.5C at Heathrow near London by 1pm.

Crime

Estranged husband of ex-Scottish leader pleads guilty to embezzlement from party

United States

Trump’s overseas application for US green card rule unnerves Asian workers

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US, Israel war on Iran

Netanyahu increasingly isolated as Trump pursues Iran peace deal

The lack of a decisive victory in the Iran war has led Trump to lose confidence in the Israeli prime minister, analysts say.

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US President Donald Trump points towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Badly behaving visitors push Thailand to remove 60-day visa entry

Only 54 countries and territories will get a 30-day visa exemption as authorities aim to curb illegal activities involving foreign tourists.

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Hong Kong transport

Exclusive | Hong Kong airport set for volume shift after flights rejigged amid fuel crisis

Some airlines say they will operate all scheduled flights beyond June after initial consolidation efforts to offset higher jet fuel prices.

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Science

China’s desire for endless youth is wiping out donkeys – can scientists help?

Brazilian researchers are developing a lab-grown alternative to ejiao, a traditional medicine made from donkey skin.

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Almost the entire global donkey population faces being turned into medicinal jelly over the coming decades, two academics have argued. Photo: AP
China society

My Take | Chinese orchids bring a message of hope to Chelsea Flower Show

Exhibits carried a deeper meaning about conservation and the ability to bring people from around the world together.

Hong Kong society

Nearly 10,000 Hongkongers granted permanent UK residence under BN(O) scheme

British National (Overseas) visa pathway was launched five years ago.

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Nepal

2 climbers die on Everest as record breaker warns of overcrowding

Both climbers had successfully reached the peak but died while descending. At least five climbers have died this Everest season.

Climbers walk in a long queue as they head to summit Mount Everest in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong trade office in London can continue ‘legitimate activity’: UK official

UK government resists calls to revoke Hong Kong trade office privileges after spy case, but insists it will act against any threat to security.

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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office building in London. Photo: Google Maps
Investing

Why more Hong Kong and mainland Chinese companies are building cash buffers

Cash holdings rise among traditional firms listed in Hong Kong and Shanghai as productive places to deploy capital dwindle, analysts say.

Cathay Pacific

Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals

SIA can capture more Asia-Europe traffic due to its strong oil hedging strategy and balance sheet, and the Iran war’s impact, analysts say.

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Royalty

Queen pushed for ex-prince Andrew’s appointment as trade envoy

Emails released earlier this year suggest ‌that Mountbatten-Windsor, while serving ‌as trade envoy, forwarded reports to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Queen Elizabeth (left) and former prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey in London in 2022. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Snaps of 1970s Hong Kong, what to eat in China’s Chengdu: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From the best food in China’s Chengdu to the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ stress, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Wild mushroom tofu with guokui, or crispy flatbread, at Mi Xun Teahouse. Photo: Mi Xun Teahouse
Keir Starmer

Starmer’s leadership challenger Streeting floats UK ‘wealth tax that works’

The former health minister has proposed equalising capital gains levy with income tax, aiming for a ‘fairer’ UK wealth system.

Chen Zhi

Cambodia raids sites linked to Chen Zhi, Chinese tycoon accused of scam empire

82 Chinese nationals among 104 people detained in Phnom Penh raids as governments around the world crack down on Chen’s scam business.

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Law

Legal Tales | The weight of silk: what the honour means for the Inner Bar as an institution

Why the rank of senior counsel is not a reward for commercial success, but a public declaration of a barrister’s paramount duty to the court.

(Front row left to right) Bernard Man, Victor Dawes, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen and other guests attend the ceremony for the admission of the new senior counsel. Photo: Jonathan Wong
King Charles III

UK radio station mistakenly reports death of King Charles

Radio Caroline has apologised after a computer error triggered the so-called death of a monarch procedure.

Science

SMILE: China-EU satellite to study Earth’s solar defence defies trade tensions

Launch of satellite to study Earth’s magnetic shield hailed by lead scientists as result of ‘true 50/50 collaboration’.

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Ukraine

UK relaxes sanctions on Russian oil, leaving Ukrainians ‘very let down’

UK inventories of diesel and jet fuel are set to shrink to their lowest since 2023 this month.

Planes stand on the tarmac at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 as concerns grow over jet fuel supplies linked to the Iran war. Photo: dpa
India

Trump’s H-1B visa squeeze paves way for Indian tech exodus

India’s tech workers helped build Silicon Valley. Now, rising H-1B barriers are sending the next generation elsewhere.

An applicant looks through H-1B visa application documents. Last year, Washington raised the H-1B application fee to US$100,000. Photo: Bay Area News Group/TNS
China-EU relations

Chinese investment in Europe surges to 7-year high despite rising trade tensions

But study warns that new project pipeline appears to be drying up, as Chinese investors face pressure from both Beijing and Brussels.

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London

Dozens could face criminal charges over 2017 London tower inferno

Police seek prosecutions nearly a decade after Britain’s worst modern residential blaze killed 72.

US, Israel war on Iran

Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war

Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines.

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Aluminium prices have surged since the start of the Iran war and is the metal most exposed to the conflict. Photo: Shutterstock
Yuan

As the world retreats from US Treasuries, will the sell-off deepen?

China is one of several nations trimming their exposure to US debt, as inflation drives Treasury yields to levels not seen since 2007.

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Kevin Warsh was confirmed as the next chairman of the US Federal Reserve earlier this month. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

More than a missile? Why the Philippines wants Japan’s old Type 88

Manila’s military already operates superior weapons, but analysts say Tokyo’s Cold War-era hardware still has something to offer.

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Yuan

China joins global sell-off of US Treasuries in March as Iran war prompts panic

Seven of the top 10 foreign holders cut their exposure to US government debt, led by Japan, which offloaded US$47.7 billion.

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