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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
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron after the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council at Augustusburg Palace in Bruehl, Germany, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
European Union

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

The Philippines

‘Something beyond science’: Philippine school for exorcists draws Asia’s priests

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong’s 5-year plan must focus on what the city does best

Japan

Helicopters and hashtags: Japan’s mounting problem with unprepared hikers

Locals make up the vast majority of Japan’s mountain rescues, yet internet anger is largely reserved for ill-equipped tourists.

A traveller walks past an image of Mount Fuji in the arrivals terminal at an airport in Tokyo in May. Photo: AFP
Crime

Influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate arrested in Miami as UK seeks extradition

The brothers, who were arrested in Romania in 2022, face rape and human trafficking charges.

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European Union

Opinion | As the UK discusses an EU return, Hong Kong offers lessons

Like Hong Kong, which functions as a special administrative region of China, could the United Kingdom rejoin the European Union with a special administrative name?

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Religion

My Take | Churches must ensure that complaints of sexual abuse are taken seriously

As the city prepares for a sex crime legislation overhaul, every community sector should work to ensure that people are free from harassment.

St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, regarded as the heart of Catholicism. File photo: Reuters
Education in Hong Kong

Where can DSE students turn if they don’t get into a public university?

The SCMP looks at the options for DSE students whose exam results fall short of university entry requirements.

US, Israel war on Iran

UK’s Burnham faces test as Trump seeks British bases for Iran attack

The incoming PM said that he planned to be ‘upfront’ with the US president, who has threatened to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure.

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Japan

Officials’ lavish travel sparks scrutiny of political spending in Japan

The Fukuoka prefectural government admitted it spent more than US$2 million on the excursions, triggering public anger.

The Fukuoka prefectural government office in Japan. Photo: Google Maps
Fame and celebrity

Meet Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan’s wife and producer of The Odyssey

The power couple went from their US$6,000 first film in 1998 to Oppenheimer, Dunkirk, Interstellar and Inception ... and received a knighthood and damehood from King Charles in 2024.

Christopher Nolan and his wife, Emma Thomas, have been working together on film projects for almost three decades. Photo: AP
China’s military

Opinion | China’s missile test from a submarine is no guarantee of regional stability

Beijing’s ICBM test from a nuclear-powered submarine is a win from a defence perspective but comes with greater responsibilities.

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Human rights

J.K. Rowling condemns Amnesty for branding her women’s crisis centre anti-rights

The ‘Harry Potter’ author, who has spoken in the past of being a survivor of domestic violence, set up Beira’s Place in 2022.

Keir Starmer

UK’s next prime minister Andy Burnham vows to ‘give hope back’ to Britons

The ex-Manchester mayor will become the UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade when he takes office on Monday.

Andy Burnham waves as he leaves Labour’s special conference, where he was confirmed as the party’s new leader and the country’s next prime minister, on Friday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippines’ plan to fortify coastal defences: deterrence or target?

The plan to establish coastal defence assets in Palawan is unlikely to close the country’s military gap with China, analysts say.

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Oyster Bay naval facility in Palawan province, the Philippines. Photo: AFP
IPO

Shein clears Hong Kong IPO hurdle as valuation halves to below US$50b: sources

Regulatory headwinds, alongside prolonged IPO delays, have severely dented the unicorn’s valuation.

Ukraine war

Is Europe’s anti-missile move with Ukraine ‘insurance’ against unpredictable US?

Europe is ‘quietly planning for the day it might have to stand on its own’ while aligning with US calls to do more on defence, analysts say.

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South Korea

Why South Korea is racing to build a sovereign AI model for cybersecurity

Fears over access to foreign AI models have accelerated Seoul’s push to control the systems used to defend critical infrastructure.

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Officials at the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) check internet systems at the KISA situation room amid reports that several computers were struck by a new type of ransomware the previous night, in Seoul, South Korea, on June 28, 2017. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong transport

Is Hong Kong kicking the can down the road with ride-hailing quota?

Authorities expect 10,000-vehicle cap will meet demand but critics warn it may lead to shortages, higher fares and public dissatisfaction.

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Crime

UK court jails young hackers for massive London transport cyberattack

The pair, aged 18 and 20, hacked into the transport network in 2024, gaining access to around 7 million customers’ names and contacts.

Indonesia

Indonesian migrant fishers lured by big pay but caught in modern slavery

Abuse and mismanagement are ‘systemic’ across the Chinese distant-water fishing fleet operating off West Africa, an NGO says.

Crew members unload their catch at the Nusantara Fishing Port in Kejawan-Cirebon, West Java, on June 11. Photo: AFP
Celebrity Families

Meet Jobe Bellingham, younger brother to Jude and rising football star

The 20-year-old midfielder is signed with Borussia Dortmund and carving his own path – but what’s his connection to Love Island’s Mica Harris?

Jobe Bellingham (right), the younger brother of English football superstar Jude Bellingham, is carving his own path to fame. Photo: @jobebellingham/Instagram
Hong Kong

Mainland schools for Hong Kong pupils beat city average in university entrance exams

Shenzhen’s Pui Kiu College reports 87 per cent pass rate, while ASJNU in Guangzhou says its rate was 71 per cent, compared with 42.7 per cent for Hong Kong.

Art

Inside Ai Weiwei’s gigantic UK art show, including China detention recreation

Huge works star at Ai’s largest ever site-specific show, while July 3 and 4 saw a 24-hour live performance of his 2011 detention in China.

South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

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The China Coast Guard vessel Dong’an patrolling in the South China Sea on June 22. Photo: Xinhua
Reform UK party

UK police arrest man over threat to shoot Reform leader Nigel Farage

The killing of Ann Widdecombe, who was a member of Farage’s party, has sparked concerns over the security of British politicians.

Nigel Farage lays flowers near the home of former government minister and Reform UK party member Ann Widdecombe on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Keir Starmer

‘End of my political journey’: UK’s Starmer takes last questions session

The prime minister, who steps down next week, says he is leaving Britain ‘in better shape than I found it’.

Hong Kong courts

Former Hong Kong law student gets nearly 3 years after riot acquittal overturned

Alice Tong, 27, sentenced to two years and 10 months’ imprisonment for rioting during 2019 anti-government protests.

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