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(Sharecast News) - Home secretary Shabana Mahmood was expected to unveil a series of changes to the UK's asylum system on Monday, aimed at addressing growing public concern over immigration levels, according to The Guardian.
The proposed reforms would amend existing laws that guarantee housing and financial support to destitute asylum seekers, shifting assistance to a discretionary basis. That would allow the government to withhold support from individuals deemed capable of working or holding assets.
Mahmood described the package as "the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times", and said the measures were designed to "restore control and fairness to the system". She added that while the UK had a proud tradition of offering refuge, its generosity was increasingly attracting illegal crossings and placing pressure on local communities.
The Guardian also reported that at least 120 people, most of them police officers, were injured during a protest in Mexico City on Saturday, as thousands took to the streets to oppose the government of president Claudia Sheinbaum.
The demonstration, initially organised by members of Generation Z, drew broader support from older opposition party backers before descending into violence. Mexico City's security chief Pablo Vzquez said the march had proceeded peacefully for several hours before a group of hooded individuals began committing acts of violence.
BBC executives have reportedly come under pressure not to use licence fee funds to settle a potential defamation claim from Donald Trump, according to The Sunday Times.
Trump said on Saturday that he intended to sue the broadcaster over alleged "corrupt" editing in a Panorama episode aired last October, and claimed his lawyers would "probably" file for damages of between $1bn and $5bn this week. He also said he planned to raise the matter with Labour leader Keir Starmer.
The BBC was expected to argue that Trump suffered no material harm from the programme, which was not broadcast in the United States. The episode, titled Trump: A Second Chance?, was directed by veteran producer Matthew Hill.
Elsewhere, the Sunday Times reported that advertising giant WPP has reportedly attracted takeover interest from French rival Havas and private equity firms Apollo and KKR, following a sharp decline in its market value and an impending exit from the FTSE 100.
WPP is currently valued at around 3bn, down from a peak of 24bn in 2017. Hedge funds have built an 8.5% short position in WPP shares, reflecting expectations of further downside as index-tracking funds prepare to divest. While interest has been expressed, the Times also noted that it remains unclear whether any formal bids will emerge.
Elsewhere, Angela Rayner was reportedly preparing the ground for a potential leadership challenge against Labour leader Keir Starmer, according to The Telegraph.
The former deputy prime minister and housing secretary was said to be offering shadow Cabinet roles to MPs in exchange for support, with one source claiming she was "on manoeuvres" and "getting her ducks in a row" for a bid. The Telegraph also suggested Rayner could count on union backing.
Rayner has recently joined Tribune, a soft-left Labour grouping linked to the party's welfare rebellion. Senior figures within the group said it currently has around 70 members and is on track to reach 100, which would make it the largest caucus of Labour backbenchers.
On another note, the Telegraph reported that George Osborne was reportedly among the final candidates being considered for the role of HSBC chairman.
The former chancellor, who strengthened UK-China ties during his time in government, was understood to be one of three names still in the running for the top job. He was approached by HSBC over the summer, according to Sky News. Osborne, 54, will succeed Mark Tucker if appointed.
Finally, US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said on Saturday that she feared for her safety after Donald Trump publicly labelled her a "traitor" over her support for releasing the remaining Epstein files, The Independent reported.
Greene, once a vocal ally of the president, said she had received warnings from private security firms amid a surge in threats, which she claimed were being |fuelled and egged on" by Trump. The president had earlier taken to social media to denounce Greene as a "FAKE politician", "lightweight congresswoman", and "disgrace", revoking his support.
The Republican representative has adopted an increasingly oppositional stance in recent months, culminating in her backing for a House vote that could compel the White House to release further documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Greene said the experience had given her "a small understanding of the fear and pressure" felt by Epstein's victims.