Chinese firm Jingye Group is demanding compensation from the UK government for investment losses following the nationalisation of British Steel, stating the move damaged credibility and international investment rules. Jingye has initiated negotiation procedures and reserves the right to international arbitration.
A parliamentary committee has recommended MPs be given veto power over ambassadorial appointments, citing Peter Mandelson's "disastrous" posting to Washington as a prime example. The committee criticized the Foreign Office's handling of his security clearance and record-keeping.
Plans are emerging to establish a 'No 10 North' in Manchester, potentially shifting parts of Whitehall to the city's Ancoats district. The move aims to decentralize government power and bring civil servants to the North of England, though logistical and security challenges are being debated.
Waymo is testing self-driving cars in London, facing challenges but offering potential independence for people with disabilities. Concerns include surveillance, job losses for drivers, and safety, though data suggests AVs may be safer than human drivers. Regulation and disabled people's inclusion in the conversation are crucial.
At the ARC conference in London, UK's net zero policies and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband faced strong criticism from conservative delegates, including former Trump officials, who called the policies a "tragic mistake" that impoverished citizens.
A human rights investigator will testify that the UK government received intelligence in 2024 linking Ethiopia to supporting a genocidal militia in Sudan but withheld public disclosure due to "significant private pressure" from the UAE. The investigator alleges the UK prioritized relations with the UAE over preventing mass atrocities.
Andy Burnham, currently Mayor of Greater Manchester, is positioned to become the UK's next leader following Keir Starmer's resignation announcement. Burnham's political journey, marked by a pivotal moment of being booed at Anfield in 2009, has seen him evolve from a centrist New Labour minister to a 'man of the people' figure promising a politics that understands those outside London.
China's embassy in the UK has urged the British government to cease "slander and suppression" after two men linked to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London were jailed for spying on activists. A manager at the office received an eight-year sentence, while a security firm operator and former UK Border Force officer was imprisoned for 10 years.
The Chinese embassy in the UK has urged the British government to cease "slander and suppression" after two men connected to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London were jailed for spying on activists. One received 8 years, the other 10, for assisting a foreign intelligence service.
The UK will supply enriched uranium to Ukraine's Energoatom for two years under a £210 million deal to support the country's power grid and energy security. The agreement was made despite ongoing corruption scandals in Ukraine's energy sector and amid Moscow's warnings over nuclear safety.
Nigel Farage launched a 7,000-word essay on Substack accusing the UK government of institutional "anti-white racism" through DEI policies and immigration. He cited statistics on healthcare, education, and policing, and warned of future injustice for white Britons.
Elon Musk has slammed the UK's planned ban on social media for under-16s, calling it a "ruse" for digital surveillance and accusing the government of building a "police state." The ban, announced by PM Keir Starmer, aims to protect children but faces criticism over age verification methods and potential privacy violations.
The UK government plans to implement a social media ban for under-16s, defying US objections. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated the UK's priority is "British young people" and dismissed concerns about investment from US tech firms.
The UK's ban on US commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur for criticism of Israel highlights a manipulation of moral concepts, the author argues. While the government cites 'public good,' critics suggest it's to silence dissent, contrasting it with the lack of bans for figures like Ben Shapiro and Isaac Herzog.
New files detail Peter Mandelson's controversial tenure as UK envoy to Washington, covering his security vetting, critical remarks on Keir Starmer's cabinet, and links to Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson was sacked after Epstein revelations and faces a police investigation.
UK government released over 1,500 pages of documents concerning Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, potentially harming Keir Starmer's premiership due to past Epstein ties and reputational risks.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit China from Monday to Wednesday, meeting his counterpart Wang Yi and Vice-President Han Zheng. Discussions will cover the Strait of Hormuz, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Ebola outbreak in Africa. Cleverly will also visit Shenzhen and then travel to India.
The operations of Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in London will remain unaffected by a UK spying verdict, observers have said, arguing that the British government is unlikely to seek the body’s closure so as to maintain relations with Beijing. A British court on Thursday found Bill Yuen Chung-biu, the London HKETO’s manager, and Peter Wai Chi-leung, a retired Hong Kong police superintendent, guilty of spying on activists from Hong Kong on behalf of Chinese authorities. The Hong...
The British government declared an antisemitism emergency following a double stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, and a series of arson attacks on synagogues. Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged £25 million for increased police protection while facing hecklers. A 45-year-old suspect with mental health issues has been arrested. The attacks follow a surge in antisemitic incidents since October 2023, with the UK accusing Iran of using criminal proxies to target Jewish communities.
The British government has declared antisemitism an emergency, pledging £25 million for security at Jewish sites following a terrorist-labeled stabbing in London and a series of arson attacks.
The Home Office has for the first time formally recognised a woman abused by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed as a victim of modern slavery. Rachael Louw, who waived her right to anonymity, was trafficked and suffered abuse at the hands of Al Fayed and his brother Salah over a three-year period in the UK and France. She received a positive 'conclusive grounds' decision from the National Referral Mechanism, with at least three other women linked to Al Fayed abuse expecting similar rulings. The Metropolitan Police has broadened its investigation to include human trafficking.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday for a four-day state visit, the most high-profile of Charles' reign. The visit marks the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence and is the first by a British monarch in two decades. They were welcomed by President Trump at the White House, where they had private tea. The schedule includes a Tuesday address to Congress, a lavish state dinner and a Wednesday stop in New York City.
Corporate Travel Management (CTM), the Australian company that ran the Bibby Stockholm asylum barge, has admitted to overcharging the British government by £118m. The company discovered erroneous billing for UK clients, including overcharging for quarantine hotel rooms during the pandemic and asylum seeker accommodation. Former UK chief executive Michael Healy was dismissed for breach of contractual obligations, and founder Jamie Pherous retired in February. The Home Office has recouped over £70m so far.
Keir Starmer has urged for a closer economic relationship with the EU, stating the benefits are too significant to ignore. The UK government is reportedly planning to align with EU rules dynamically, a move criticized by opposition parties.
