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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
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (right) gives her opening remarks as she hosts a virtual meeting with the foreign ministers of the signatory countries on securing the Strait of Hormuz in London on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Middle East

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

Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage via its blockade of the waterway, said the UK’s foreign minister, who hosted the meeting.

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US, Israel war on Iran

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

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Japan

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

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.

Anti-BBC protesters in 2024 as former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards (not pictured) arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for his sentencing hearing in London. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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.

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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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Bill Yuen arrives at the Old Bailey in central London earlier this month. He has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and with foreign interference in violation of the UK’s National Security Act. Photo: AFP
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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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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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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Trump singled out Britain and France as unhelpful in the month-long war. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
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.

Bryn Terfel, the bass-baritone. Photo: Rolex/Elisa Haberer
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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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’.

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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A Chinese biotech company is hoping AI technology will help to boost profits and speed up chromosome testing which is a vital part of In vitro fertilisation. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
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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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a session of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in Jerusalem. On Monday, the Knesset will meet to discuss a bill seeking to revive the death penalty for people convicted of acts of terrorism. Photo: AFP
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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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.

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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.

Errors have been found in the official hearing transcripts into Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po blaze. Photo: Jelly Tse
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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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.

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.

Families who lost fellow members from suicide due to social media addiction react after a jury found Meta and YouTube liable in the trial in Los Angeles. Photo: EPA
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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Francois Penz, former architecture department head at the University of Cambridge, has joined Nanjing University on a full-time basis. Photo: Handout
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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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.

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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People walk near Iranian missiles in a park in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
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.

A view of a residential area in Sham Shui Po on May 28, 2025. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong slams UK for undermining rule of law with calls to release Jimmy Lai

City government accuses Britain of interfering in local affairs after UK publishes report on Sino-British Joint Declaration’s implementation.

Singapore

As haze returns to Singapore, is crisis ‘quietly accepted’ by Asean?

Some Singaporeans are resigned to tolerating the annual occurrence despite the health risks and higher electricity bills.

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