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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
Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports up 15.5% in May as firms race to beat China-US tariff deadline

Value of total exports reached HK$434.1 billion amid a 90-day grace period from April 9 to July 8.

Hong Kong courts

Former Hong Kong protester challenges travel ban in bid to study law

AIIB

China’s AIIB to double financing with help from private sector

Malaysia

Malaysia’s durian scene spikes as it savours markets beyond China

Malaysia’s durian market diversifies with premium varieties like Black Thorn and Red Prawn to meet global demand.

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Visitors buy Malaysian durians during an expo in Nanning, China, last year. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese overseas

As business outlook improves, is China retaining more of its wealthy elite?

Report cites appeal of improved business environment, while growing uncertainty surrounding overseas study is also set to play a role.

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Crime

Man who killed London teen with samurai sword convicted of murder

Marcus Arduini Monzo attacked Daniel Anjorin, nearly beheading him, then stabbed the 14-year-old as he lay on the ground.

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Banking & finance

Opinion | We’re sleeping on threats from AI, shadow banking and cryptocurrency

The financial industry’s use of emerging technologies could lead to cascading crises if regulators don’t act fast to enforce transparency.

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People walk past a cryptocurrency exchange office in Hong Kong with a screen showing US President Donald Trump holding cryptocurrency coins, on March 12. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS
Diplomacy

King Charles to host Trump in second UK state visit later this year

This makes Trump the US president the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch.

Ukraine war

Drone debris found in Ukraine suggests Russia using new tech from Iran

Drone wreckage features cutting-edge tech, signalling an evolution in Russia’s air assault capabilities.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong tops global list for priciest homes despite slump: Deutsche Bank

Prime property prices of US$25,946 per square metre push Hong Kong above Zurich, Singapore and New York: Mapping the World’s Prices report.

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View of residential buildings in Mid-Levels. Photo: May Tse
Malaysia

Malaysia’s first ethnic Chinese lieutenant general reaches for the stars

Over 86 per cent of Malaysia’s active servicemen, including nearly all of its top officers, are from the country’s Malay-Muslim majority.

Newly minted Lieutenant General Johnny Lim Eng Seng (centre) receives his stars from Armed Forces chief General Mohd Nizam Jaffar (left) and Army Chief General Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. Photo: Facebook/Malaysian Armed Forces
Nato

UK to reintroduce nuclear weapon-capable aircraft under Nato

UK to purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.

Sri Lanka

UN rebukes Sri Lanka for not punishing war criminals

Despite past pledges, successive governments have resisted calls to investigate horrific abuses committed during its long ethnic conflict.

Donald Trump

Trump rattles Nato allies as he descends on summit

The US president refused to commit to the alliance’s mutual defence vow, as Washington warns it may shift focus to the threat from China.

US President Donald Trump arrives at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ahead of the Nato summit taking place in The Hague on Tuesday. Photo: AP
China-UK relations

UK calls China’s power ‘an inescapable fact’, says freezing ties not an option

Chinese attempts to spy on and destabilise Britain have grown, but Beijing remains a vital economic partner, a government audit concludes.

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UK-China relations have chilled since the short-lived “golden era” announced by then-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015. Photo: AFP
France

France charges UK man over staged Disneyland ‘marriage’ with child

The man, who has a criminal record in Britain for sexual assault offences, staged the wedding with a girl, 9.

Hong Kong housing

Opinion | Despite property market slump, Hong Kong must increase housing supply

Government should not repeat post-1997 mistake of shelving plans to increase long-term housing supply because of a temporary market dip.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Explosions boom in Qatar as Iran launches missile attack on US military base

Iran confirms it launched attack on US forces at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base. Qatar had earlier closed airspace following US attacks on Iran.

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Traces are seen in the sky after Iran’s armed forces say they targeted a US airbase in Qatar on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

King Charles welcomes Zelensky to Windsor Castle lunch

President Zelensky is in the UK to meet PM Keir Starmer and discuss his country’s defences and ways to increase pressure on Russia, ahead of this week’s Nato summit.

Hong Kong transport

Middle East conflict hits global aviation, Hong Kong routes unaffected

Data from analytics company shows almost 5 per cent of global flights to the region were cancelled this month amid Israel-Iran conflict.

Israel

UK police ban Palestine Action protest outside parliament

The rare move came after two of the group’s members broke into a military base; the government announced later on Monday that it would ban the organisation.

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Police officers in London stand near protesters on Monday as they rally in support of pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Can China build on eased trade tensions with US amid Trump’s many distractions?

Momentum may stall after London talks, but Beijing should advance a steady, leader-driven process, observers say.

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Trade talks between the US and China resulted in a “genuine de-escalation”, with both sides having a vested interest in a trade deal, according to observers. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Warship diplomacy: UK carrier makes a splash in Singapore

HMS Prince of Wales’ decision to dock at Marina Bay aims to boost public outreach, showcase Britain’s influence as a global power, analysts say.

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SCMP Highlights

US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Labubu faces competition: 5 weekend reads

From escalating tensions in the Middle East to UK Chinese graduates’ struggles, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Middle East

Gulf states urge maximum restraint following US strikes on Iran

Home to multiple US military bases, Gulf leaders called for maximum restraint as strikes on Iran raise the possibility of wider war.

US President Donald Trump attends the Saudi-US Investment Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Move over Labubu – Fugglers look to take crown from Hong Kong-designed plush toy

Developed in 2010 – five years before Labubu hit the market – Fuggler plushies have enjoyed a surge in interest on social media platforms.

Fugglers are “funny-ugly monsters” created by a British artist. Photo: Handout
China jobs

‘It helps me survive’: inside the UK’s thriving Chinese gig economy

Chinese graduates are riding out Britain’s job crunch by running errands for other expats. Some are earning a small fortune.

My Take

My Take | Brave victims help bring brutal rapist from Chinese mainland to justice

Zou Zhenhao, convicted of 10 attacks in Britain and China, may have carried out up to 50 more and police want women to come forward.

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