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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
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has congratulated Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Photo: Reuters
Li Qiang

China’s Li congratulates Andy Burnham on becoming Britain’s new prime minister

Li said strengthening dialogue and cooperation between ⁠China and the UK will benefit ‌the nations and ‘inject stability into global ‌peace’.

Crime

Man charged with murdering former British MP Ann Widdecombe

Keir Starmer

UK’s new PM Andy Burnham vows to end years of instability

Ukraine war

Lockheed Martin launches cheaper Patriot missile as air defence demand surges

The new missiles will cost less than half that of the current ones, which are about US$4 million each, the US defence contractor says.

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A man looks at a PAC-3 MSE model by Lockheed Martin at an international military fair in Kielce, Poland, in September 2017. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump’s new Air Force One to be ‘maxed out’ following missile defence fears

The upgrades were completed ⁠so quickly that some experts expressed concern that the plane might not be as secure as the previous one.

China-UK relations

Chinese company demands compensation from UK over British Steel nationalisation

Jingye Group said the move tarnished the UK government’s credibility, spooked international investors and caused losses to the operation.

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Donald Trump

Trump welcomes reports Andy Burnham could open up North Sea oil drilling

People in the Scottish city of Aberdeen will be ‘dancing in the streets’, Trump said. Britain’s incoming PM has not confirmed the reports.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in flight on Air Force One after landing at US Air Force Base at RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, England on July 8. Photo: AP
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

A priest from the Michael Centre for Spiritual Liberation and Exorcism says he can tell if cases are possessed by ‘a change in behaviour’.

Hong Kong economy

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

Integration, connectivity and contribution to the national economy are the city’s tried and tested ingredients of success.

The Star Ferry sails past the Central district skyline in Victoria Harbour, on July 1. Photo: AFP
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.

Students receive their results for the DSE exams. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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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.

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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Illustration: Henry Wong
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.

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