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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
Count Binface speaks to members of the media during the vote count for the Makerfield by-election in Wigan, Britain, in June. Photo: EPA
Nigel Farage

Farage vs Count Binface: how UK hard-right leader’s poll gambit could backfire

With other parties sitting out the by-election, Farage could be going head-to-head with the joke candidate and self-described space warrior.

Donald Trump

Trump switches back to old Air Force One, raising questions about Qatari jet

Hong Kong

Hong Kong rail operator taps star power to promote safer escalator use

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong survivors push to close ‘consent loophole’ in reforms to sex crime laws

Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women and survivor group We Are X say ‘genuine but mistaken belief’ defence must be restricted.

(From left) Doris Chong and Chelsea Ma of the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women hold placards alongside We Are X members Janelle and Tsz Ching during a joint press conference at the NGO's office in Ho Man Tin. Photo: May Tse
Robotics

‘Space race of our time’: can Europe compete with China, US in humanoid robots?

At the 2026 Machina Summit, European executives identify severe data training bottlenecks as a major obstacle – and urge policymakers to act.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD’s EV tech in the spotlight as it challenges Porsche’s 911

With the Denza Z electric sports car, featuring DiSus tech and blade batteries, BYD aims to compete globally and challenge its German rival.

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Indonesia

How cheap AI is undermining Indonesia’s academic credibility

A fraud scandal at a medical conference in Denmark exposes the underground WhatsApp groups and paper mills helping lecturers buy promotion.

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Observers say the rise of AI in Indonesian academia has “altered the cost structure of dishonesty”. Photo: Reuters
Architecture and design

Rolex Oyster: From English Channel to Shanghai, a century of innovation

Discover how Rolex’s 1926 Oyster revolutionised horology with waterproof durability, self-winding Perpetual movement, and iconic tool watches.

Banking & finance

Beyond a bridge: Hong Kong digs in to shore up fragile ‘moat’, anchor growth

Officials deploy multipronged strategy – from tax incentives to new gold clearing system – to recalibrate city’s global standing amid shifting capital flows, regulatory changes.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s war-risk pool testament to collaboration, insurance leader says

Five local insurers built marine war-risk pool to address uncertainties over unstable conditions in the Middle East.

Selina Lau, chief executive of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, says the industry is helping to secure the city’s future. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Nigel Farage

UK’s Nigel Farage to quit as lawmaker, seeks re-election to clear name

He faces a probe by parliament’s standards watchdog over a £5 million (US$6.7 million) gift from a Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage makes a statement to the media at the party headquarters in Millbank, central London, on Tuesday. Photo: via AP
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Prince Harry loses privacy lawsuit against Daily Mail publisher

Harry called the result, which scuttles suits filed by others including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, ‘⁠a complete and obvious whitewash’.

Education in Hong Kong

14 of 27 top IB scorers from English Schools Foundation plan to study medicine

Some ESF students attribute their success to discipline, miso soup and using a Nokia phone.

Singapore

Singapore is world’s most expensive city for luxury spending for fourth year

Zurich, Monaco, Hong Kong and London rounded out the top five in Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer Group’s Lifestyle Index.

A small motor boat passes by luxury waterfront condominiums in Singapore’s Sentosa Cove. Photo: Getty Images
Banking & finance

Beijing unveils policy enhancements to give ‘vitality’ to Hong Kong markets

The governor of China’s central bank says Beijing is set to increase capital allocation to the city to 800 billion yuan under the Bond Connect scheme.

Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China gives a keynote speech at Hong Kong FIC & Bond Connect Summit in Admiralty. Photo: Sun Yueng
Royalty

Prince Harry arrives in UK with Buckingham Palace stay in disarray

Duke of Sussex’s spokesman hits out at ‘last-moment’ withdrawal of palace accommodation after missing response deadline.

TV shows and streaming video

ITV and Comcast’s Sky reshape British TV landscape with US$2.1 billion deal

US telecoms giant Comcast will buy ITV’s free-to-air channels and streaming service to create the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster.

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Thailand

Thai PM warns may ‘shut down’ cannabis industry after global smuggling spike

Four years after decriminalisation, a wave of international drug busts could force Asia’s only legal cannabis market to recriminalise.

Customs officers stand next to packages of seized cannabis buds during a press conference in Gresik, Indonesia’s East Java province, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong International Airport

On This Day | ‘Goodbye and thank you’: Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak Airport closes - SCMP archive

Lights go out for the last time as army of staff works overnight on move to Chek Lap Kok.

Hong Kong handover anniversary

Letters | 29 years since the handover, Hong Kong is charting its own course

Readers discuss the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, Malaysia’s revision of child sexual abuse law, and Centra Asia’s complex ties with Russia.

Wimbledon

Wimbledon: Djokovic makes history, Osaka sends Sabalenka crashing out

Djokovic’s victory over Russia’s Roman Safiullin took the Serb past Roger Federer to 106 men’s match-wins at the grass-court grand slam.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates his win against Russia’s Roman Safiullin on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Reform UK party

UK’s Nigel Farage faces new allegations over gifts

Reform UK leader referred to parliament’s standards watchdog after a report that he failed to declare some benefits.

Britain’s Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Photo: Reuters
My Take

What have the Americans ever done for us?

For its 250th birthday, it is worth remembering some of the greatest contributions that the US has made to humankind.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Nearly 60% of Hong Kong parents mistake deadly disease for a cold, survey finds

Doctors urge greater public awareness of deadly meningococcal disease as survey exposes low knowledge and vaccine uptake.

China trade

Why is a Chinese-made portable AC selling out across heat-stricken Europe?

Popularity of Midea’s PortaSplit fuels resale mark-ups and expedited shipping as renters favour plug-and-play cooling amid installation barriers.

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A Midea PortaSplit air conditioner is pictured at Midea’s German R&D Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
Keir Starmer

Vance hopes Burnham delivers ‘structural change’ amid ‘broken’ UK politics

The US vice-president said the next prime minister must figure out ‘how to ‌get Britain back on track’.

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US Vice-President J.D. Vance walks on stage during an event in New York on Saturday. Photo: EPA
Banking & finance

Why has China lowered its own ranking in global financial competitiveness?

A Beijing think tank dropped China’s world ranking to fifth place, behind the US, Japan, UK and Germany following stock market volatility.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Minefields, stalled talks keep Strait of Hormuz in strategic limbo

Iran’s grip on maritime traffic through the strait remains both ‘real’ and ‘strong’ even amid the cessation in hostilities, analysts say.

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