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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
Attendees look at a Jaguar I-Pace equipped with a Waymo autonomous driving system at a consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

US firm Waymo to launch robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028

Trained specialists will drive Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and help Waymo adapt its technology to Singapore’s road layouts and other conditions.

King Charles III

King Charles was ‘giddily elated’ after Diana’s death, her brother says

China travel

China airports surge in global-connectivity ranking, led by Shanghai, Guangzhou

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King Charles III

In rare move, King Charles responds to criticism from Princess Diana’s brother

Charles Spencer says the royal told him ‘we’ll forget her soon enough’ after his sister died in a Paris car crash.

Britain’s King Charles attends an event in Cumnock, Scotland, on Wednesday. Photo: PA via AP
Middle East

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

European Union

As EU cosies up to Canada, Burnham’s Brexit Britain feels sidelined

The bloc prioritises deepening ties with Ottawa over warming up to the UK leader’s overtures to reset post-Brexit relations.

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Artificial intelligence

As appetite for US rivals grows, global funds flock to China’s Moonshot: sources

Start-up draws intense international interest through offshore vehicles chasing alternatives to US systems, insiders say.

Moonshot has seen mounting interest from overseas players ranging from European investment firms to Middle East family offices. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Hong Kong rated Asia’s top financial hub for fourth straight year: report

City also ranked third overall in the Global Financial Centres Index as Asian hubs strengthened their positions in the top 10.

Hong Kong stock market

Investors await ‘super-central-bank week’ as US rate increase appears done deal

Traders are bracing for central bank decisions in the US, the UK and Japan and are weighing whether a Fed rate increase marks one-off move or new cycle.

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Biomedicine: Companies

GSK’s US$750 million cancer drug deal highlights China’s rise as biotech player

The acquisition is the latest in a string of major licensing deals involving Chinese biotechnology firms.

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GSK has agreed a deal worth up to US$750 million to license a T-cell engager from a Chinese biotechnology firm. Photo: Reuters
Books and literature

Paul French lifts veil on final months of China’s last emperor in the Forbidden City

It is not the first biography of China’s Puyi, but Paul French’s latest book brings with it a feminine voice of modernity and fully exploits its place in the ‘doomed-monarchy’ sub-genre.

Wanrong and Puyi, in Tianjin, circa 1925. Photo: Getty Images
Royalty

Prince Harry’s children changing schools over security concerns

Decision comes weeks after the Sussexes’ return from the US and as the UK government reviews protection status.

Ireland

UK’s unity threatened by pact between Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

First ministers of the three semi-autonomous regions of the UK align on EU future as London brushes aside threat to union.

Sexual harassment and assault

British man admits drugging, raping wife over more than 2 decades

Man pleads guilty to dozens of charges in Manchester court as 12 co-defendants face trial.

One of the 12 co-defendants outside the court. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Southeast Asia weighs energy transition amid LNG supply crunch

At Gastech 2026, policymakers implore pragmatism over net-zero targets and closer cooperation to ensure affordable LNG supplies.

People attend Gastech Bangkok 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
China-Japan relations

Japan eyes quantum sub-hunting drone sensors as China extends undersea reach

Feeling the pinch from cost and personnel pressures, Tokyo’s defence planners aim to unlock potential in uncrewed systems.

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Ukraine war

Poland and Ukraine denounce train strike on route used by foreign dignitaries

Drone attack at Ukraine station 2km from the Polish frontier occurred shortly after visitors – including Boris Johnson – passed through.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh draws closer to China in ‘political chessboard’ to balance India ties

Dhaka’s pursuit of closer defence and trade cooperation with Beijing could further complicate its complex ties with New Delhi, analysts say.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets then Bangladeshi interim leader Muhammad Yunus in Beijing in March last year. Photo: Xinhua
Corruption in China

China’s anti-corruption law is going global. What does it mean for overseas firms?

Beijing’s draft legislation looks like its US precedent but with some far-reaching differences, analysts say.

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Nigel Farage

Farage’s Reform UK gets second record £36 million donation in 48 hours

The donation comes as the veteran Brexit campaigner’s party is confronting allegations about irregularities in its funding, which it denies.

Human rights

UK lawmakers reject bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

The bill had proposed allowing adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval.

A campaigner against a change in the law on assisted dying holds a placard outside The Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament in central London, on Friday. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Israeli film on AI-backed Gaza killings gets 25-minute ovation

Oscar-winning directors premiere ‘NAZA’, featuring military whistle-blowers detailing automated target selection.

A Israeli missile strikes a target in Gaza City’s Al Shati refugee camp on September 9 following an evacuation warning. Photo: APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Royalty

Princess Diana’s ‘revenge dress’ up for auction for first time in decades

Iconic Christina Stambolian gown is estimated to reach US$300,000 at Sotheby’s sale in New York.

SCMP Highlights

When Hong Kong films embraced sex, sugar’s link to dementia: 7 Lifestyle stories

From Hong Kong’s Category III era to a Korean auteur’s new masterpiece, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Extreme weather

August was hottest month ever recorded globally, scientists say

UN warns of ‘spiralling price’ of fossil fuels after Earth’s record-shattering summer temperatures.

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The sunrise on Glastonbury Tor during extreme hot weather in Britain in August. Photo: Reuters
Sexual harassment and assault

Tate brothers lose bid for release from US jail pending extradition fight

In denying bail, the judge cited the influencers’ wealth and frequent international travel as making them ‘quintessential flight risks’.

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Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in February 2025. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Nuclear agency board refers Iran to UN Security Council for first time in 20 years

IAEA remains blocked from key sites damaged during June 2025 military strikes by the US and Israel.

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Reform UK party

Police widen criminal probe into Reform UK over foreign funding claims

The party has denied wrongdoing and says it will ‘fully cooperate’ with the police investigation.

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