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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
Britain’s Reform UK leader Nigel Farage holds a booklet that reads “Operation Fortress, Stopping the Invasion of Britain” on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Reform UK party

Hard-right Reform UK vows to use navy to stop small boats if it wins power

Nigel Farage, who leads the anti-immigration party, said Reform UK would launch the ‘largest military operation’ in the Channel since WW2.

US-China relations

A military base, a displaced people and Trump’s China fears: Burnham’s Chagos test

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Crime

UK jails man for claiming late mum’s benefits while keeping her body in freezer

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Asean

What Turkey’s upgrade to Asean dialogue partner status means

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calls the development ‘of utmost importance’ in its relationship with Asia-Pacific countries.

Turkey’s Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci (right) poses for a photo with Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera Lim (centre) and Asean Political-Security Community Deputy Secretary General Astanah Abdul Aziz during a meeting on the sidelines of the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 22. Photo: EPA
Andy Burnham

UK’s Burnham signals support for written constitution

Two weeks into office, new leader seeks fundamental overhaul of Britain’s patchwork legal structure.

Crime

Greek police arrest suspect after body of British woman found in suitcase

Afghan national in custody weeks after victim was discovered inside a derelict building in Athens.

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Education in Hong Kong

Jardine Foundation to end scholarships for Oxford, Cambridge undergrads

‘Following a strategic review, the foundation will be increasing its focus and investment in Asia’, educational trust says.

King’s College Chapel at the University of Cambridge. Photo: PA Images via Getty Images
Hong Kong economy

Mainland transit gives Hongkongers option for Europe trips amid Middle East war

Industry leaders expect more Hongkongers to choose Europe via mainland transit, but warn cheaper fares may be offset by higher fuel charges.

Indonesia

Indonesia has thousands of universities. Does it really need another?

Jakarta has a shortage of future leaders. It also lacks technical talent. President Prabowo’s solution? Build another university.

Nepal

‘Always inspiring’: Nepal mourns Nirmal Purja after body found on mountain

The British-Nepali climber was renowned for ascending all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in a record 189 days in 2019.

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Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2019, after climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in a record 189 days. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s foreign minister warns of any ‘adventurous action’ by US

Abbas Araqchi said Iran would retaliate if the US follows through on Trump’s threat of fresh attacks on the country.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Baghdad, Iraq on June 28. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

My Take | Hong Kong has bounced back since the bleak days of the pandemic

While much has changed in the city, it will hopefully embrace diversity, compassion and tolerance amid the ongoing drive to grow and prosper.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Tankers targeted in twin incidents near Strait of Hormuz off Oman

One tanker was hit by an ‘unknown projectile’, which damaged its engine room and left it inoperative.

Spain

France, Italy tighten borders after 60,000 migrants enter Spain’s Ceuta

France is increasing its border police presence fivefold while Italy has suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain.

Migrants wade through the water near the border with Morocco as they attempt to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta on Friday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Massive Attack barred from Singapore for unfurling Palestinian flag on stage

The two band members who held the flag on stage were given ‘stern warning’ and banned from re-entering Singapore, police say.

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Two members of Massive Attack hold up a Palestinian flag during its concert in Singapore on Wednesday. Photo: Reddit/blushie157
Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Hong Kong can act as a springboard for Chinese driverless technology

City and nation can benefit from the merging of mainland technological prowess with Hong Kong’s role as a global innovation hub.

Google

Google rolls back new satellite image AI tool after backlash

Experts warn it could produce realistic geospatial fakes for misinformation, such as images of explosions, nuclear sites and militant bases.

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European Union

Hungary braces for nuclear plant shutdown as Danube hits record lows

The power plant, producing nearly half of Hungary’s electricity, uses river water to cool reactors but heatwaves have affected water levels.

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Firefighters battle a wildfire threatening to engulf a house in the Peloponnese region of Greece on Friday. Photo: EPA
Israel-Gaza war

UK singer Boy George pulls out of musical after pro-Israel song backlash

The artist, who rose to fame with Culture Club, had released a song supporting Israel with lyrics including ‘you say genocide, I say war’.

Singapore

Singapore takes possession of Lee Kuan Yew’s 38 Oxley Road home for conservation

NHB will assess how the site can be developed even as Lee Hsien Yang says ‘no amount of sophistry’ can disguise his father’s demolition wish.

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Hong Kong society

‘Fear and anger’ drive parents to seek review of city’s custody of baby Danny

Tsang Wai-bong and Kwan Pui-sin argue son should not be taken away from them because of their stance against vaccinations and prenatal check-ups.

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Parents Kwan Pui-sin and Tsang Wai-bong address the media outside the High Court in Admiralty. Photo: Karma Lo
China-UK relations

Letters | Moving out of Hong Kong would be a bad idea for HSBC and StanChart

Readers discuss a proposal that two of Hong Kong’s note-issuing banks should relocate, and employment protections in the digital age.

A view of financial buildings, including HSBC and Standard Chartered, from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority headquarters. A think tank has proposed encouraging the two banks to relocate from Hong Kong amid concern about Beijng's tightened control over the city. Photo: May Tse
China exports

China’s surgical robots break into Vietnam as Beijing targets US dominance

Shipments to Asean have surged 246% this year as cross-border healthcare platforms pave way for manufacturers to challenge US giants like Intuitive Surgical.

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International Property

Foreign US home buying down 14% as Chinese lead high-end market

The drop in foreign homebuyer activity mirrors the decline in international visitors and tourists to the US, says realty group.

US-China relations

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

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The former vice-president of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan, is the early front runner to be the next United Nations secretary general. Photo: Reuters
China economy

Opinion | Can the West really decouple from China?

Instead of trying to ‘catch up’, Western economies should focus on boosting resilience in key sectors without disrupting global supply chains.

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A worker responsible for electrode technology development near a mixing container for battery production at a factory in Bavaria, Germany, on October 26, 2023. Photo: dpa
Ant Group

Ant Group spin-offs pursue independent growth with strategic capital moves

The Chinese fintech giant’s three spin-off units are accelerating their capital-raising efforts after gaining operational autonomy in 2024.

India

Can a Brics invite mark a new chapter in India-Bangladesh ties?

Analysts welcome the outreach, saying the summit will be an opportunity for both sides to work together if Rahman accepts the invitation.

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