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British envoy to US Peter Mandelson (AP file photo) Former British ambassador to the United States and former minister Peter Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday, saying he did not want to cause it “further embarrassment” after newly released US documents renewed scrutiny of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Mandelson, 72, had been removed as Britain’s ambassador to Washington last year over his association with Epstein. The latest documents, released on Friday by the US department of justice and reported by British media, allege that Epstein made several payments to Mandelson in the early 2000s.In a letter to Labour general secretary Hollie Ridley, Mandelson wrote: “Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.”Budget 2026'Nothing for common man, Bengal': Mamata slams Centre's 'Humpty Dumpty' budgetUnion Budget ..

Saudi Arabia Suspends 1,800 Umrah Travel Agencies Over Service Quality (Representative Image) In a significant regulatory crackdown, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the suspension of contracts with 1,800 foreign travel agencies engaged in the Umrah pilgrimage sector after a performance review revealed serious shortcomings in service quality and compliance with approved standards. The move, announced on February 01, 2026, affects nearly one-third of the estimated 5,800 agencies operating across the globe but officials say that it will not disrupt services for pilgrims with existing visas or confirmed bookings.Why were the Hajj and Umrah travel contracts suspended by Saudi Arabia?
According to the Saudi Press Agency and ministry officials, the suspension came after a routine evaluation uncovered widespread deficiencies in service delivery and performance among many foreign Umrah operators. Budget 2026'Nothing for common man, Bengal': Mamata slams Centre&..

AdvertisementHong Kong politicsHong KongPoliticsHong Kong to formulate first 5-year plan to align with national blueprintTask force led by Chief Executive John Lee will formulate plan, which one expert says signals greater government role in city’s development
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPMatthew ChengPublished: 3:20pm, 2 Feb 2026Updated: 3:46pm, 2 Feb 2026A new task force led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year blueprint to align with China’s 15th five-year plan, with a political analyst saying the move signals greater government involvement in shaping the city’s development.
Lee also said on Monday that he would prioritise visits to Eastern Europe and Central Asia to explore new markets for local businesses, stressing the need to “avoid putting all eggs in one basket” and mitigate risk amid geopolitical tensions.
In an interview with the media, the city leader said that he would lead an interdepartmental task force to align Ho..

AdvertisementAmericas and the CaribbeanWorldAmericasCosta Rica elects tough-talking right-winger for presidentLaura Fernandez, a protege and former chief of staff of the outgoing president, has pledged to continue his tough security policies
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPAgence France-PressePublished: 3:06pm, 2 Feb 2026Right-wing political scientist Laura Fernandez won Costa Rica’s presidential election on Sunday by a landslide, after promising to crack down hard on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade.
Fernandez’s nearest rival, centre-right economist Alvaro Ramos, conceded defeat as results showed the ruling party far exceeding the threshold of 40 per cent needed to avoid a run-off.
With 81.24 per cent of polling stations counted, the political heir of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves had 48.94 per cent of the vote compared to 33.02 per cent for Ramos.
AdvertisementAs soon as the first results were announced, members of Fernandez’s Sovereign People’s party erupt..