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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
Doubts are already surfacing over whether the EU-China trade ceasefire can hold until the next round of negotiations in January. Photo: Shutterstock
China-EU relations

Who blinked first? Fragile EU-China trade peace sparks new war of words

As European officials flag more trade restrictions, Beijing bristles at the idea it can be pushed into yielding to Brussels’ demands.

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India

Why does India need 4 large amphibious warships?

SCMP Highlights

Chinese runner’s 20,000km quest, Hong Kong comfort food: 7 Lifestyle highlights

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong watchdog joins global agencies to warn of web scripting hack risks

Cybersecurity watchdog urges website operators to install updates immediately to fix two critical PHP flaws that could let hackers take over servers.

Two critical flaws in PHP, a widely used programming language that powers websites, have prompted an urgent warning from Hong Kong’s cybersecurity watchdog. Photo: Getty Images
France

Letters | Young Westerners are wondering whether democracy delivers real change

Readers discuss the insecurity facing young people in democracies such as France and Britain, and the Trump administration’s immigration policy.

South Korea

South Korean publishers raise alarm over bulk book buys linked to AI training

Kyobo Book Centre says 10 overseas businesses have approached it since early this year, each seeking only one copy of roughly 100,000 titles.

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Hong Kong society

Suspicious letters containing white powder sent to 2 Hong Kong media outlets

White powder, believed to be crushed oatmeal, sent from Britain to offices of online media outlets HK01 and Dot Dot News.

Online media outlet HK01 received an airmail letter at its Kwai Chung office. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
South Korea

‘Mourning run’ or clout chase? South Korea divided over runner’s death tributes

Runners have been posting their track records with hashtags commemorating South Korean running influencer Yoo Ji-won.

Hong Kong society

On This Day | Queen Elizabeth visits Hong Kong for the last time in 1986 – SCMP archive

On this day 40 years ago, Queen Elizabeth reassured Hongkongers of their future on her second and final visit to the city.

Myanmar

What’s behind the quiet US diplomatic thaw with Myanmar?

Talks between US officials and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing signal a pragmatic policy shift driven by rare earth demands and cybercrime.

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in Hanoi, Vietnam in September. Once heavily sanctioned following his 2021 coup, Min Aung Hlaing is now seeing signs of a diplomatic thaw with the United States. Photo: Reuters
BBC

BBC slashes 100 jobs, pulls channels amid ‘immediate cost pressures’

Cash-strapped UK public broadcaster will pull BBC Three and BBC Scotland from traditional airwaves as licence fee revenue falls.

BBC headquarters in London. Photo: AP
China-UK relations

Opinion | Burnham’s Britain can learn from Trump in engaging with China

While an IPAC report accurately notes that Britain is woefully unprepared to get relations with China right, the audit’s ideological framing is unhelpful.

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Singapore

Southeast Asian families tying house move to top schools spur privilege worries

In Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, a family’s residential address is one of the factors determining admission into schools.

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Israel-Gaza war

As I see it | Britain’s ban on pro-Palestinian author Sally Rooney makes it a laughing stock

When Western governments try to suppress protests against Israel’s alleged genocide, readers end up with the censorship of leading authors like Rooney.

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Irish author Sally Rooney’s books are displayed at a bookshop in London on October 15. Photo: AP
Iran

UK rearrests duo on suspicion of aiding Iran in alleged plot at US-run airbase

The 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national were arrested under the National Security Act.

A B‑1B Lancer bomber is seen at the RAF Fairford airbase, which hosts US Air Force personnel, in Gloucestershire, Britain, in September. Photo: Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong child sex sentences remain far below maximum life, report finds

Average sentences for sex with a girl under 13 drop from 10-12 years in mid-2000s to under five in recent years.

Saudi Arabia

‘Defensive role’: UK to deploy fighter planes to help ally Saudi Arabia

‘These aircraft will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis,’ the British government said, referring to Yemen’s rebel group.

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China exports

China warns UK of ‘firm countermeasures’ if it joins EU import curbs on EVs

Ministry of Commerce responds to British minister’s call for London and Brussels to ‘work together’ on measures targeting Chinese carmakers.

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A BYD Dolphin Surf electric car on display at the Everything Electric North show in Harrogate, England, in May. Photo: Reuters
China-UK relations

China protests UK border searches, phone seizures amid growing spy claims row

Chinese citizens reportedly targeted for questioning under counterterrorism laws, drawing strong response from Beijing.

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Myanmar

Detained Suu Kyi receives package from UK’s King Charles: Myanmar government

The former Myanmar leader has not been allowed to meet any foreign leader or envoy since her detention in February 2021.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Woman tells UK court Russell Brand dragged her into bar toilet and raped her

Third complainant says actor told her ‘don’t be a spoilsport’ during alleged 2004 assault; defence insists incident ‘did not happen’.

British actor and comedian Russell Brand leaves Southwark Crown Court following his appearance. Photo: Reuters
Palestine Action

Opinion | Palestine Action, Sally Rooney’s books and the absurd fallout of a UK ban

Books withdrawn. Elderly supporters arrested. The issue concerns the extent laws purporting to protect national security curb free expression.

Protesters holding signs lie on the ground during a rally challenging the British government’s proscription of Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws, in London, August 9, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Germany, France harden ‘Made in Europe’ stance, pressuring China’s auto sector

To qualify for public subsidies, a new proposal from Paris and Berlin says foreign automakers must shift manufacturing and R&D to the EU.

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Hong Kong property

The big office divide: why prime buildings are thriving while others sit empty

The global office market has become deeply divided, with rents in prime buildings rising while others sit empty despite cutting rates.

High Jewellery

How Brazilian designer Silvia Furmanovich is redefining jadeite for Asprey – interview

Her collaboration with the British luxury house sees the Brazilian designer blend jadeite with bamboo, wood and horsehair for nature-inspired creations.

Brazilian designer Silvia Furmanovich. Photo: Handout
Keir Starmer

UK deports Romanian convicted of arson at ex-PM Starmer’s homes

The court found that the men had acted on the orders of a Russian-speaking contact on Telegram.

Police officers stand outside then prime minister Keir Starmer’s private home, after it was damaged by fire in a suspected arson attack in north London in May 2025. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

China cuts US Treasury holdings to 18-year low in August as debt fears mount

Japan also offloaded US bonds in that month, although increases in holdings by Britain and Canada partly offset sales from the two Asian countries.

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Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong touts key advantages over London in bid to become global gold hub

Financial services minister Christopher Hui says government backing, integrated settlement and Shanghai ties will distinguish city’s gold trading ecosystem.

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