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Shabana Mahmood

Shabana Mahmood
The latest news and top stories on Shabana Mahmood, Justice Secretary. A British politician and barrister, she has served as MP for Birmingham Ladywood since 2010. Appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in July 2024, she is the first Muslim and third female to hold this historic role. Her responsibilities include overseeing the justice system, judicial policy and legal aid. She has focused on tackling prison overcrowding, implementing early release schemes and emphasising restricted freedoms for community sentences. Her background includes various shadow cabinet roles, demonstrating extensive experience in legal and governmental affairs.
Ye had been expected to perform in front of around 150,000 revellers July 10-12 at the open-air festival in London’s Finsbury Park. Photo: AFP
Britain

Festival cancelled after UK government bans Kanye West from country

The British Home Office said his presence in Britain would not be ‘conducive to the public good’.

Britain

Pressure mounts on UK government to ban Kanye West after festival backlash

Israel-Iran conflict

Police arrest 12 as hundreds join banned pro-Palestinian march in London

Hong Kong society

Applications miss target as 670 Hongkongers settle in UK with BN(O) visa

Experts also suggest uncertainties over country’s long-term settlement of migrants could deter future applicants.

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The British government has proposed overhauling its migration model but pledged to carefully weigh the considerations of the Hong Kong community. Photo: Getty Images
Britain

‘Strong and united’: UK’s Starmer defiant as Epstein fallout dogs leadership

Senior ministers shore up Keir Starmer’s position as indirect fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal threatens the British prime minister.

Hong Kong politics

UK expands BN(O) scheme to more Hongkongers following Jimmy Lai sentencing

Britain’s Home Office says those under 18 during 1997 handover to China will be eligible to apply for scheme.

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Britain

UK plans to create a ‘British FBI’ national police force

The new National Police Service will tackle the most complex and serious crimes, the UK government says.

Police outside Royal Mint Court, the proposed site of a new Chinese mega-embassy, in London. The UK government says the new police body will lift the burden on the 43 local police forces in England and Wales. Photo: Reuters
Britain

Mobile seizure powers launch in UK crackdown on people smugglers

New UK laws allow officers to seize SIM cards and mobiles to gather intelligence on smuggling operators.

Hong Kong politics

Labour MPs urge UK to protect Hong Kong BN(O) migrants from residency reforms

Lawmakers voice ‘significant concerns’ that tighter residency criteria could undermine efforts to safeguard Hongkongers’ settlement pathway.

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Europe’s refugee crisis

Illegal migrants to UK face clothing and mouth searches for phones, SIM cards

The Home Office says the new powers are needed to gather intelligence quickly on criminal gangs suspected of smuggling migrants.

An officer helps a woman after a group was picked up attempting to cross the English Channel from France in 2023. Photo: AFP
My Take

My Take | BN(0) visa holders deserve clarity on the pathway to a new life in the UK

Hong Kong people are precisely the sort of migrants Britain wants. Yet radical immigration reforms place fresh obstacles in their way.

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The London skyline. Britain launched the bespoke migration route in January 2021 in response to the Beijing-imposed national security law. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s BN(O) holders face tougher English test, possible income threshold

UK says it expects ‘vast majority of BN(O)s’ already able to meet revised English requirement, which will be equivalent to British A-level.

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BN(O) passport

Fate of BN(O) scheme for Hongkongers uncertain despite UK’s latest commitment

UK to announce consultations later this week to discuss proposed changes to make asylum seekers wait 20 years, up from five-year requirement.

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Europe’s refugee crisis

UK toughens asylum policy as anti-immigration sentiment rises

Policy overhaul seeks greater control over who can remain in Britain as tens of thousands of people claim asylum.

Migrants in Gravelines, northern France, walk in the water to board a small boat in an attempt to reach Britain. Photo: AP
Britain

UK says it’s ending ‘golden ticket’ for refugees with asylum overhaul

Those given refugee status will have it for 30 months instead of five years, and must wait 20 years to apply to live in the UK long term.

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Migrants wade into the sea to try to board smugglers’ boats and cross the English Channel from France into Britain in September. Photo: AFP
Britain

UK health secretary denies plot to topple Starmer as prime minister

Wes Streeting says he supports Keir Starmer, as opinion polls suggest he is one of the most unpopular prime ministers of all time.

Britain

Man charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over UK train stabbing spree

The suspect, identified as Anthony Williams, faces multiple charges but terror is not suspected.

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Crime

UK police release 1 of 2 men over train stabbing attack, laud ‘heroic’ worker

Eleven people were injured in Saturday’s attack, and a railway staff member who ‘saved lives’ remains in a life-threatening condition.

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A forensic officer inspects the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train on a platform at Huntingdon Station, near Cambridge, Britain. Photo: Reuters
Crime

Police rule out terrorism in stabbing attack on UK train after 2 men are arrested

The suspects were arrested at Huntingdon station near Cambridge. Eleven people were injured in the attack, 2 remain in critical condition.

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Britain

UK police investigate mosque fire as ‘hate crime’ after synagogue attack

Arson in town of Peacehaven follows a fatal synagogue assault in Manchester, which police linked to potential Islamist extremism.

Keir Starmer

Starmer warns UK Labour is in ‘fight of our lives’ as party meets

The gathering comes amid talk of a possible leadership challenge, with Labour lagging well behind Farage’s anti-immigrant Reform UK party.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, centre. Photo: PA Wire / dpa
Britain

Protesters clash with police at 110,000-strong far-right rally in London

Some demonstrators displayed images of Charlie Kirk, the US conservative activist and Trump ally who was killed in Utah this week.

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Protesters hold a picture of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while speaking in Utah, at an anti-immigration rally in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Britain

Grim night on English Channel as 3 die, 3 go missing trying to cross to UK

The three who died were believed to have been crushed, French officials said, calling it ‘a night unlike any they had seen in months’.

Europe’s refugee crisis

Five Eyes meeting to focus on ‘smashing’ people smuggling gangs

The UK will host ministers from allied countries with an aim to boost border security, tackle other crime issues.

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Britain

Criminals in UK could face pub bans and travel curbs under tough new laws

The government aims to reduce crime and ease prison overcrowding with these measures.

The British government said the sentencing overhaul was aimed at cutting crime. Photo: Action Images via Reuters
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