- Friday, April 19, 2024
Taylor Swift has often referenced London in her music, making it clear that the city holds a special place in her life. She has spent significant time in England, recording music and engaging in several romantic relationships based in the city. Here's a timeline of Taylor Swift's relationships in and…
Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and Kent have voiced their disappointment after not being granted Tier 1 status by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for hosting professional women's cricket teams from 2025. This decision, reported by the BBC, has led to a notable backlash from these counties. While Yorkshire and Glamorgan…
A recent Ofsted report has highlighted deficiencies in the religious education (RE) curriculum in many primary and secondary schools in England, noting that despite efforts to improve, there has been little progress since 2013. The report calls for clearer government guidance on RE curriculum requirements. Inspectors from Ofsted (The Office…
The Indian Premier League, or IPL as it is commonly known, is sporting extravaganza that is at par with the likes of club football tournaments in Europe and Super Bowl in the United States, due to its immense popularity. According to the data released by India’s top broadcasting body, Broadcast…
SCOTTISH Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has said that the country should do its own version of the Cass review on gender services, reported The Times. Sarwar encouraged the Scottish government to detail its reaction to the report concerning the care of children experiencing gender confusion in England. According to him,…
BRITAIN is as racist as it was in the 1970s, and some politicians of colour are making matters worse, anti-racism campaigners have told Eastern Eye. Their comments follow a landmark series on Channel 4, Defiance, which tells the story of how south Asian and black people fought right-wing extremists in…
The United Kingdom's (UK) annual inflation rate decreased to a two-and-a-half year low of 3.2 per cent last month, a smaller decline than analysts had forecast, according to data released on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This outcome may complicate the economic outlook and influence the timing…
BRITISH trader Sanjay Shah and his Solo Capital hedge fund orchestrated the bulk of an alleged £1.44 billion fraud against Danish taxpayers, a lawyer for the Copenhagen tax authority told a London court on Monday (15). Laurence Rabinowitz said most of the 17 sets of co-defendants in the complex case…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak was met with vehement opposition to his proposal aimed at effectively prohibiting smoking for individuals aged 15 and under, as a fresh bill was introduced for a vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Sunak introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to effectively ban the…
For more than 5000 years, Stonehenge has intrigued historians, archaeologists, and visitors alike. This ancient monument and burial site in southern England is known for its enigmatic stone circle, but its true purpose has remained a mystery. A very recent research suggests a possible connection between Stonehenge and the Moon,…
A COMMON type 2 diabetes test may be inaccurate for tens of thousands of south Asians in the UK, a new study has shown, prompting calls for more research. A genetic variant almost exclusive to people with south Asian heritage affects the accuracy of the diabetes haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test,…
BRITISH unemployment has risen as wage growth has eased, official data showed Tuesday, leaving the door open for an interest rate cut according to analysts. The UK unemployment rate rose to 4.2 per cent in the three months to the end of February, up from 3.9 per cent in the…
Sunrisers Hyderabad set a new Indian Premier League (IPL) benchmark by scoring an all-time high of 287-3 in their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, securing a 25-run victory. This game not only surpassed Hyderabad’s previous record of 277 but also marked the highest aggregate score in a T20 match, with…
The National Health Service (NHS) in England is now accepting bookings for the free spring Covid-19 booster vaccine starting Monday, April 15. This booster vaccine is available to citizens aged 75 or older, as well as anyone in care homes for older adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed and aged…
Etel Adnan, a pioneering Lebanese-American poet, essayist, and visual artist, was a creative force whose work transcended cultural and artistic boundaries. Born in 1925 in Beirut, Lebanon, Adnan's diverse heritage influenced her unique artistic style. Adnan's father, Assaf Kadri, was a Sunni Muslim-Turkish high-ranking Ottoman officer of Albanian descent, while…
BRITISH-AMERICAN author Salman Rushdie releases his memoir Knife on Tuesday, recounting the harrowing experience of being stabbed at a public event in 2022 and how he overcame the near-fatal ordeal. Rushdie lost sight in one eye after the attack by a knife-wielding assailant, who jumped on stage at an arts…
FOUR Asian men in their 20s, who were found guilty of the murder of a 23-year-old delivery driver, were on Friday (12) sentenced to a total of 122 years' imprisonment. British Indian Aurman Singh was pronounced dead at the scene when the local West Mercia Police attended reports of an…
Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul, along with fifties from Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, propelled Mumbai Indians (MI) to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday. Bumrah's figures of 5-21 earned him the player-of-the-match award as RCB posted 196-8, following…
Zayn Malik, who shot to fame when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2010 and became a member of One Direction, was initially driven by a desire to help his family have a better quality of living, but as his ambitions grew, he wanted to be able to see…
For 23-year-old Indian-origin student Mehak Chandel, who is in the running to be crowned Miss England 2024, the challenges she faced in tackling acne have motivated her to promote inclusivity for all skin types in the field of modelling. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Southall-born Mehak, who holds a…
Eleven men and one woman, all said to be Indian nationals, have been arrested by immigration authorities in a series of raids in West Midlands on suspicion of violating visa conditions and working illegally. According to a statement from the Home Office on Wednesday, Immigration Enforcement officers descended on the…
BRITAIN'S biggest retailer Tesco reported Wednesday that its annual net profit surged 61 per cent as easing UK inflation helped cost-conscious shoppers buy more products. Tesco's profit after tax rallied to £1.2 billion in the 12 months to February, the company said in a statement, while sales increased 4.4 per…
The potent animal tranquiliser xylazine, commonly referred to as the 'zombie drug,' has emerged as a significant concern in the United States and is now associated with 11 deaths in Britain, caution researchers. Xylazine, also known as "tranq" or "tranq dope," induces a dangerously slow heart rate and severe skin…
Healthcare for children and young people grappling with gender identity issues should be "holistic" and providers should exercise "extreme caution" around prescribing hormone treatments to older teens, an eagerly-awaited independent UK review said on Wednesday. The four-year probe of gender identity services for the cohort, led by retired paediatrician Hilary…
King Charles III was presented with the inaugural set of banknotes featuring his portrait by representatives from the Bank of England at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday. The 75-year-old monarch, currently undergoing cancer treatment, was photographed alongside Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and Chief Cashier and Executive Director…
Eclipse mania swept across North America on April 8, 2024, as millions of people eagerly anticipated the rare spectacle of a total solar eclipse. From Mexico to the United States and Canada, excitement filled the air as the moon began its journey across the face of the sun, ultimately casting…
PEOPLE from ethnic minority backgrounds and women are still struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, along with other groups, though the situation has improved over the past year, a new survey released on Wednesday (10) revealed. The Financial Lives cost-of-living survey by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that…
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's performances helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets on Monday and get back to winning ways in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Ravindra Jadeja returned bowling figures of 3-18 while Gaikwad made an unbeaten 67 as…
Shaharyar Khan, the former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and esteemed diplomat, passed away at the age of 89 on March 23. A pivotal figure in the restoration of cricket ties with India in the early 2000s, Khan, born in Bhopal, was also a cousin of former India captain Mansur Ali…
Rishi Sunak, known for his love of cricket, has announced a £35 million investment plan to boost grassroots cricket facilities and enhance access to the sport in schools. The British Prime Minister shared his excitement about harnessing the "magic of cricket" to engage more young people in physical activity by…
Senior doctors in England have voted to accept an improved offer from the government on pay and conditions, easing some pressure on National Health Service (NHS) after months of disruptive strike action. The British Medical Association (BMA) trade union said on Friday about 83 per cent of senior doctors, also…
LONDON mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan has pledged to build 6,000 new affordable homes with capped rents linked to keyworker incomes. Khan also called for a revolution in renters’ rights, with far-reaching reforms to improve the position of those renting their home in the city. He proposed a new funding of…
A 75-year-old man who was extradited from Pakistan was on Thursday (4) convicted of the murder of a police officer nearly 20 years ago. Piran Ditta Khan fled Britain after the shooting of police constable Sharon Beshenivsky who was killed as she tried to foil a robbery at a travel…
Three former Supreme Court justices have joined more than 600 members of the British legal profession in calling for the government to halt arms sales to Israel, saying it could make Britain complicit in genocide in Gaza. Echoing the growing number of opposition politicians who have called for a halt…
FROM Selfridges to motorway service stations, the number of prayer spaces in the UK has grown. More rooms to worship or contemplate for men and women have opened in shopping centres, universities and football stadiums across the country. Multi-faith prayer spaces include the fourth floor of Selfridges department store…
EASTER brings the usual debate about whether Britain is a Christian country. I saw one set of statistics from an Islamic organisation that says “more people in Britain attend mosques than the Church of England. It is for the first time that Muslims have overtaken Anglicans. According to figures, 930,000…
ARSENAL chief executive officer Vinai Venkatesham took the decision to leave the club after feeling a sense of fulfilment as the team returned as one of the top sides in Europe. Venkatesham, 42, has been with the north London club for 14 years, during which it experienced a number of…
ENGLAND and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould has dismissed suggestions the governing body wants to cut any of the 18 first-class counties adrift as a "totally mad conspiracy theory". With the global growth of lucrative franchise leagues and their knock-on effects on the domestic schedule, fears have been…
EASTERN EYE readers who want to discover how British artists have depicted colonialism and slavery over the centuries should visit the Royal Academy’s (RA) latest exhibition. Entangled Pasts 1768-Now: Art, Colonialism and Change is the RA’s “brave” response to the Black Lives Matter movement and the toppling of slave…
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has spoken out after being targetted with Islamophobic graffiti near his family home. He emphasised the necessity of a zero-tolerance approach to hatred. Yousaf said the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 will deal with the "rising tide of hatred," reported BBC. Scotland’s…
An Asian-origin couple from Coventry has launched a fundraiser to donate cold cots to hospitals, after a stillborn baby was born to them, BBC reports. A cold cot is a refrigerated infant bed that allows parents to spend more time with their deceased baby. Satveer Kaur Binning was more than…
The National Health Service (NHS) in England is set to introduce an 'artificial pancreas', a groundbreaking device poised to benefit thousands living with type 1 diabetes. This technology continually monitors blood glucose levels and automatically adjusts insulin delivery via a pump. Backed by £2.5 million from NHS England, local systems…
REAPPOINTED captain Babar Azam vowed to transform Pakistan into the best team in the world after replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi as the Twenty20 helm on Sunday (31). Azam stepped down as skipper in all formats only in November after Pakistan crashed out of the 50-over World Cup in the first…
House prices in the United Kingdom (UK) surged in March, marking the fastest annual increase since December 2022, according to a survey released on Tuesday. Nationwide Building Society, the UK's second-largest mortgage lender, reported that house prices were up by 1.6 per cent compared to the previous year, reaching an…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak has revealed his desire to call a general election when people "feel that things are improving," reiterating his intention to hold the polls in the latter half of the year, reported The Times. During a regional radio appearance on Tuesday (2), Sunak chuckled when faced with…
Rishi Sunak government's expansion of the free childcare scheme aims to close the gap in support between the end of maternity leave and a child's third birthday. This is expected to benefit thousands of couples from having to choose between family and career. The prime minister said the new scheme…
Small businesses will receive a boost as the VAT registration threshold has been raised to £90,000 from £85,000, which would free 28,000 businesses from paying the tax. This is part of chancellor Jeremy Hunt's host of incentives announced during his spring budget that came into effect from April 1. The…
Scotland's new hate crime law, which has been criticised by many including the likes of Elon Musk and JK Rowling, came into force on Monday. The new law, called the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, aims to make Scotland safer by strengthening laws against hate crimes. However, its…
YUVAN THAKKAR, a British Indian teenager diagnosed with cancer, says he is now able to enjoy the things he loves after life-changing treatment thanks to a fund set up by the NHS to make innovative therapies accessible to thousands of patients. According to NHS England, 16-year-old Thakkar from Watford near…
FOUR men of Asian origin were found guilty on Thursday (28) of the murder of a 23-year-old delivery driver, also of Asian heritage, last August in Shrewsbury, western England. Aurman Singh was pronounced dead at the scene when the local West Mercia Police attended reports of an attack in the…
CANCER screening services must be more culturally competent and sensitive to the needs of south Asians - especially women, a leading doctor has told Eastern Eye. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the first person of colour to lead the doctors’ union, the British Medical Association (BMA), said south Asian women were less…
King Charles III will stress the importance of acts of friendship, "especially in a time of need", in an Easter message Thursday that follows his and the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnoses. The pre-recorded audio comments will be broadcast in his absence at a Maundy Thursday service in Worcester Cathedral…
FAST bowler Mohammad Amir announced last Sunday (24) that he was coming out of retirement and making himself available for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup, following changes to Pakistan’s selection process which made him feel “needed”. Amir’s stop-start career was halted in 2010 after he, along with then-Pakistan Test captain…
THE actress Shelley King, best known for playing Yasmeen Nazir in Coronation Street and Jay Harper in Angels, has talked to Eastern Eye about a children’s street charity in Kolkata which will be marking its 25th anniversary on November 9, 2024. King, who herself lived in Kolkata till the age…
TWO-TIME Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and ace men’s shuttler Kidambi Srikanth continued their European season at the Madrid Spain Masters tournament, which began on Tuesday (26). Last year’s finalist Sindhu, seeded second here, will square off against Wen Yu Zhang of Canada in the round-of-32 contest, while seventh seed Srikanth…
ENGLAND World Cup winner Liam Plunkett says cricket superstars such as Virat Kohli and Babar Azam can help bolster the game in the United States when it hosts the T20 World Cup. The Twenty20 showpiece, which starts on June 1, is being jointly staged by the United States and the…
Public satisfaction with the NHS has plunged to a historic low with long waiting periods and staff shortages cited as main concerns, according to the British Social Attitudes survey. Just 24 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with the NHS in 2023, and this is five percentage points…
There is an investment push for the welfare of students with special educational needs and disabilities. Councils have been provided with an annual allocation of £850 million to create new places for such students in mainstream and special schools, and to improve the accessibility of existing buildings. This will provide…
VIRAT KOHLI on Monday (25) said he has "still got it" in him to ace T20 cricket after his attacking 77 guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first win of this IPL season. Master batsman Kohli smashed 11 fours and two sixes in his 49-ball blitz as hosts Bengaluru chased…
AN online petition urging the government to allow foreign healthcare workers more time to find a job after their sponsors fail them has attracted hundreds of signatures within days. Under tougher rules that came into effect earlier this month, care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants are required…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak waded into a row over a new England football shirt designed by Nike that changes the colours of the St George's Cross, saying "we shouldn't mess" with national flags. The US sportswear giant altered the appearance of the Cross -- the flag of England -- using…
BANGLADESH's Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 4-29 to set up a six-wicket win for defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday (22). Hosts Chennai kept Bengaluru down to 173-6, a total their batsmen overhauled in 18.4 overs at the M A Chidambaram…
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS are set to commence their Indian Premier League title defense against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, marking a potentially pivotal season for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who resigned as captain on Thursday (21). Dhoni played his last international in 2019 but remains one of the country's most popular players, and…
SPORTS SECRETARY Lucy Frazer has said all sporting bodies in the country should look carefully at their rules on transgender athletes competing in women's sports to ensure fairness. Global governing bodies for cricket, cycling, athletics, swimming and chess have tightened their participation rules for transgender players in elite women's competitions…
BORN and raised in England, Humera Malik admired the power of words from an early age. The US-based elementary school teacher has turned that love for reading into a writing passion that has led to her writing a newly published children’s book, The Great Henna Party. The beautifully illustrated book,…
THERE was a sense of occasion at the Garrick Theatre in London last Sunday (17) when Charithra Chandran made her West End debut in a solo show, Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon. You had the feeling many young Asians had been drawn by the show’s lead, billed as “Bridgerton’s Charithra…
THE TV presenter and journalist, Geeta Pendse, chaired the opening sessions of the London Book Fair (LBF) which analysed the issue of diversity in the publishing world. The LBF – held over three days last week at Kensington Olympia – also looked at what might constitute enjoyable literature for ethnic…
VIRAT KOHLI and Rishabh Pant will be under scrutiny on their return to action as the Indian Premier League begins on Friday (22), with the T20 World Cup hot on its heels. The 17th edition of the world's richest cricket league is expected to end close to the June 1…
Britain's annual inflation rate fell more than expected in February, official data showed Wednesday, fuelling speculation that the Bank of England may cut interest rates in coming months. Inflation reached 3.4 per cent last month - the lowest level since September 2021 - after hitting 4.0 per cent in January,…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak on Monday (18) launched measures to help small businesses navigate the weak economy, as he seeks to boost his standing before this year’s general election. Sunak unveiled a £60 million investment aimed at cutting red tape and generating 20,000 apprenticeships. “This government is sticking to the…
ANOTHER impressive week ended with a semi-final finish for star shuttler Lakshya Sen, who narrowly lost a three-game battle against Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie at the All England Championships in Birmingham last Saturday (16), prolonging India’s wait for the coveted trophy. In a game of fine margins, the 22-year-old, who had…
THE government's decision to reduce the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by moving them to sites such as military bases will end up costing taxpayers more money, parliament's spending watchdog said on Wednesday (20). Thousands of asylum seekers arrive on England's southern coast in small, inflatable boats every…
DR CHIRAG BAKHAI is a GP in Luton, as well as a primary care advisor to the NHS Diabetes programme. He says: “If you’re living with type 2 diabetes, it’s important to know what you can do to stay well and avoid potential complications. “The Healthy Living programme offers evidence-based…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's contentious bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda moved closer to becoming law after his government rejected all the proposed changes from the upper house of parliament. Under the safety of Rwanda (asylum and immigration) bill, asylum seekers who arrive in England by boats would…
TATA STEEL UK, owned by India-based Tata Group, announced the closure of the coke ovens at its Port Talbot steel plant in south Wales, with operations ceasing this week, marking an earlier shutdown than originally planned. The company on Monday (18) said that the plant is “significantly deteriorating operational stability”.…
VAUGHAN GETHING won the Welsh Labour party leadership contest on Saturday (16), marking a historic moment as he is set to become the first black leader of the country's semi-autonomous government. Gething, 50, will succeed Mark Drakeford, 69, who announced in December that he was stepping down. The new leader…
The British Wildlife Photography Awards for 2024 showcase an array of captivating images capturing the essence of Britain's wildlife and habitats. With over 14,000 submissions, the winning photographs depict everything from urban wildlife to mesmerising courtship rituals and microscopic organisms, highlighting the diverse tapestry of life in the region. [caption…
THE chief of Britain's financial watchdog has defended its plans for retail customer protection via its Consumer Duty rules, adding that he is aware of the impact of regulation on banking business models and margins. Financial Conduct Authority CEO, Nikhil Rathi, added that the regulator "would not stand in the…
The UK’s most important and prestigious theatre awards, the Olivier Awards, have announced its nominees with Zubin Varla and Pyiyanga Burford bagging nominations for top honours. While Varna has been nominated as Best Actor in a Supporting Role for A Little Life, Burford has been nominated as Best Actress in…
National Health Services (NHS) England has recently announced a significant shift in its approach to gender identity services, confirming that children will no longer be routinely prescribed puberty blockers. This decision follows a review that highlighted a lack of sufficient evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of these treatments. Previously,…
ENGLAND batsman Harry Brook has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League following the death of his grandmother. Brook pulled out of England's recent Test tour in India in January, citing personal reasons. The 25-year-old has now revealed the reason was because his grandmother "was ill and didn't have long left".…
The UK government on Thursday unveiled a new definition of extremism, as church leaders warned it risked disproportionately affecting Muslim communities. The new definition comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned earlier this month of a "shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality" that risked the country tipping into "mob…
INDIA coach Rahul Dravid last Saturday (9) praised his team’s rising young talent for confidently filling the gap left by senior players after their 4-1 win in a high-profile England series. Rohit Sharma’s men lost the opener but bounced back to clinch the five Test series after the fourth game,…
ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes warned critics last Saturday (9) against any premature eulogies for his team, saying he will use the team’s 4-1 Test drubbing in India as inspiration for improvement. The visitors won the opener but lost the next four, including a final match thrashing by an innings and…
A new study aiming to find workable solutions to boost the sales of healthy products in convenience stores across England has been launched. The study will also examine how the UK government’s new law to reduce impulse buying of products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) is affecting shoppers…
Surfers and kayakers eagerly anticipate an extraordinary natural spectacle known as the Severn Bore, transforming the typically serene Severn Estuary into a surfer's paradise. Contrary to its name, this event is anything but boring, captivating water enthusiasts from around the world. What is the Severn Bore? The Severn Bore is…
Britain's economy returned to growth in January after entering a shallow recession in the second half of 2023, offering some relief to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of an election expected this year, official data showed. Gross domestic product grew by 0.2 per cent month-on-month - boosted by a rebound…
Sponsored by Marshmallow Insurance There are numerous challenges that recent migrants to the UK face, but one that is frequently overlooked is the process of driving, obtaining a vehicle, and securing car insurance. Understanding the costs associated with car insurance and the driving regulations in the UK can be bewildering…
INDIA not only shaped the birth of the Commonwealth, but will also continue to play a vital role in shaping its work, the organisation’s secretary general, Baroness Patricia Scotland, said on Monday (11) on the occasion of Commonwealth Day. Baroness Scotland, who was scheduled to visit India later this week,…
Unemployment in recession-hit Britain has nudged higher as growth in wages falls further, according to official data Tuesday that supports analyst expectations of an upcoming cut to UK interest rates. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 per cent in the three months to the end of January, up from 3.8…
Embattled UK leader Rishi Sunak suffered a fresh blow Monday when a former ally defected to a right-wing populist party that is worrying the ruling Conservatives ahead of this year's general election. Lee Anderson announced that he was joining Reform UK, weeks after he was suspended from Sunak's Conservative party…
Pulse oximeters record higher readings in people with certain skin tones, or AI-enabled medical devices may have a bias against some population groups - these are some of the findings of an independent review of medical devices. The government has announced measures to tackle such biases in the design and…
India has climbed to the number one spot in Test cricket rankings following an emphatic 4-1 series victory against England. The Indian team moved past Australia who are now second in the table, according to the rankings released by the International Cricket Council late Saturday. India lost the opening Test…
INDIA beat England by an innings and 64 runs in the final test to win the five-match series 4-1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday (9). Having conceded a lead of 259, England were all out for 195 in their second innings on day three of the…
FORMER prime minister Theresa May announced on Friday she will stand down as an MP at the next election, adding to a growing list from the UK's ruling Conservatives to abandon leader Rishi Sunak. May, 67, is the most high-profile of scores of Tory lawmakers to say they will not…
INDIA lost centurions Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill soon after lunch but stretched their lead to 158 on day two of the fifth and final test against England on Friday (8). England captain Ben Stokes resumed bowling after eight months to take a wicket with his first ball, and James…
We are often fascinated when we spot a person of colour in British entertainment, be it cinema, series or any other source of entertainment. On this International Women's Day, we made a list of women who have brought colours to the British entertainment sector and have not only won the…
India bowled England out for a below-par 218 and cruised to 135-1 in their robust reply to seize early control of the fifth and final test on Thursday. Kuldeep Yadav wrecked England's top order and fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin polished off the tail to bundle out England in just over…
The UK parliament's Business and Trade Committee has listed a lot of shortcomings in the compensation plan for the postmasters wrongly prosecuted in the infamous Post Office Horizon IT scandal, according to media reports. In its report issued on Thursday (7), the committee said the post office was not fit…
British finance minister Jeremy Hunt's new tax cuts have given his struggling Conservatives slim hope of narrowing the wide gap with the opposition Labour Party before an election expected later this year, but the scale of the challenge remains huge. Hunt announced a two percentage-point cut in the rate of…
A 33-year-old Asian-origin woman on Wednesday appeared before a UK court charged with the murder of her 10-year-old daughter, who was found dead at their home in a town in the West Midlands region of England. Jaskirat Kaur, also known as Jasmine Kang, appeared before Wolverhampton Magistrates Court charged with…
THE Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, said last Sunday (3) he wanted his team to use the three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka to perfect the format ahead of the World Cup in June. The series, which began on Monday (4) in Sylhet as Eastern Eye went to press, marks…
COUNCILLORS in the UK's second-largest city Birmingham on Tuesday (5) approved tax hikes and deep cuts to public services including arts funding and rubbish collection, as the city fights to avoid bankruptcy. The city council, which needs to save £300 million over two years to survive, voted to increase local…
COMMUNITY pharmacists can play a key role in an integrated NHS and help improve patient care, an influential business leader in the sector has said. Bharat Shah, who co-founded Sigma Pharmaceuticals, said stronger collaboration among primary healthcare providers can provide patients with the best possible care by fostering a unified…
SHREYAS IYER and Ishan Kishan were not considered for annual contracts for the 2023-24 season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said last Wednesday (28). Iyer was on a Grade B contract last year while Kishan had a Grade C contract. But despite playing in the 50-over…
VISITORS to the Bank of England’s “The Future of Money” exhibition got their first glimpse of banknotes bearing King Charles’ image last week. The four new banknotes with the King Charles’ portrait – £5, £10, £20 and £50 – went on display at the central bank’s in-house museum at its…
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak has retained the top spot on the 2024 GG2 Power List for the third year in a row, along with his wife Akshata Murty. The power couple were recognised for their growing influence in the UK, with Sunak in the top job and Murty playing an…
FOR Michael Vaughan, Pep Guardiola is the best sporting leader in the last 15 years and the former England skipper won’t mind if Ben Stokes employs Manchester City manager’s approach of never allowing players to take their places for granted. Vaughan made the statement on the back of England’s aggressive…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak suffered his first defeats over his legislation to send asylum seekers to Rwanda after the upper house of parliament demanded greater protections to be introduced before deportation flights can take off. Under the Rwanda plan, which has yet to be carried out, asylum seekers who arrive…
Britain's Conservative government unveils a pre-election budget Wednesday that could feature voter-friendly measures as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's party badly trails main opposition Labour in polls. Huge giveaways are not expected, however, as stubbornly-high inflation hikes repayments on state borrowing, undermining the ability to stimulate the recession-hit UK economy. Finance…
A new report has highlighted a concerning reversal in gender equality progress in the UK, attributing it to the "motherhood penalty" and inadequate support for women going through menopause. Global accounting firm PwC's annual Women in Work Index revealed a significant widening of the gender pay gap in Britain, causing…
THE British government's controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda might end up costing more than £600 million to deport 300 refugees, parliament's spending watchdog said on Friday (1). Under the policy first announced in 2022, asylum seekers who arrive on England's southern coast in small, inflatable boats would…
British house prices in February rose in annual terms for the first time in more than a year, mortgage lender Nationwide Building Society said on Friday, the latest sign of a recovery in the housing market after a dip in mortgage costs. House prices were 1.2 per cent higher than…
A public inquiry into a British police officer whose rape and murder of a woman horrified the nation concluded on Thursday (29) that without a sweeping overhaul of failed vetting procedures, there was nothing to stop another similar case arising. Wayne Couzens, 51, whose job was to guard diplomatic premises…
BRITAIN on Thursday (29) launched a drive to boost childhood vaccination rates, health authorities said, seeking an "urgent reversal" to a fall in uptake as the country faces a worsening measles outbreak. Routine childhood immunisations in Britain for diseases including measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria and polio, have been falling…
VOTERS began to cast their ballots as the Rochdale by-election got underway on Thursday (29) amid a turbulent atmosphere primarily influenced by the conflict in Gaza. Bookmakers predict Left-winger George Galloway, 69, leader of the Workers Party of Britain, will win, especially after Labour withdrew its candidate, Azhar Ali, due…
INDIA's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will return for the final Test against England after missing the team's series-clinching win in the fourth match, the country's cricket board said Thursday (29). Bumrah was rested in the previous Test, which India won by five wickets in Ranchi to take an unassailable 3-1…
ENGLAND cricket chiefs have been criticised for lacking a “morale backbone” for not questioning Lord Ian Botham over his claims that a report into racism, sexism and class-based discrimination in the game was “nonsense”. Cindy Butts, the chair of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket which produced the report,…
INDIAN conglomerate Tata Group announced Wednesday (28) that its new multibillion-pound UK factory to manufacture batteries will be located in Bridgwater, south west England. The £4 billion plant in the county of Somerset, southwest England, will be Tata's first so-called gigafactory outside India. Agratas, Tata Group's global battery business confirmed…
QUOTES for car insurance were found to be higher in areas in England with large ethnic minority populations, according to an investigation by the BBC. The details of drivers were used to get thousands of quotes in different locations. However, when the driver’s address corresponded with an address with a…
MIKE ALLBUT was a broadcasting pioneer who played a major role in the transition of Asian programmes on BBC local radio in England from targeting first generation immigrant communities to reaching out to young British Asians. Born in Scotland and raised in Suffolk, Allbut moved to Leicester in the 1970s…
ENGLAND have no copyright on aggressive batting, according to West Indies superstar Chris Gayle, who insisted it had been around even “years before” he started his career as one of cricket’s most celebrated big-hitters. Dynamic run-scoring has been a key feature of England’s ‘Bazball’ approach to Test cricket under the…
HARMEET grew up in a vibrant multicultural corner of east London, with her parents, sister and grandparents. And from an early age, she was always encouraged to use her voice to help others. “This ranged from translating information from English to Punjabi for older relatives and supporting my mother to…
SERVICES in community pharmacies are expanding, and your local pharmacist is now able to provide medication for seven common conditions, without needing a GP appointment first. Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get advice on minor health concerns. Pharmacists have long been pillars of…
Citigroup has appointed Viswas Raghavan as its new head of banking. Raghavan spent over two decades at JPMorgan and was recently appointed as head of global investment banking. He is expected to join Citigroup in the summer and will replace Peter Babej, who is due to retire later this year.…
Britain's competition watchdog on Monday launched a probe into eight housebuilders, citing evidence that they may have shared information and "influenced" prices in a property market plagued by shortages. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had opened an investigation "into the suspected sharing of commercially sensitive information by…
India accomplished a nervy chase to secure a five-wicket victory against England in the fourth test in Ranchi on Monday and claim an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Chasing a modest 192 for victory, India cruised to 84 for no loss with openers Rohit Sharma (55) and Yashasvi…
Hospital junior doctors in England started a five-day strike on Saturday (24), continuing their extended dispute over pay with the government which shows little indication of resolution. Junior doctors -- those below specialist, consultant level -- started joining picket lines from 0700 GMT, as part of a walkout that will…
Spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav combined to rout England in their second innings and put India on course for a series-clinching victory in the fourth test in Ranchi on Sunday. Off-spinner Ashwin (5-51) and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep (4-22) shared nine wickets on a turning track to bundle out…
The Tories on Saturday (24) suspended their former deputy chairman Lee Anderson from the parliamentary party after he refused to apologise for claiming that London's Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, was controlled by Islamists. Pressure had been growing on prime minister Rishi Sunak's Tories to act following lawmaker Anderson's contentious remarks…
SPINNER Shoaib Bashir claimed three wickets in the post-lunch session to reduce India to 131-4 replying to England's first innings total of 353 on day two of the fourth test on Saturday (24). Joe Root led England's remarkable turnaround from a precarious 112-5 with an unbeaten 122 before the tourists…
THE Church of England (CoE) is considering updating its guidance to clergy on supporting and ministering to asylum seekers, amid concerns that religious conversions are being exploited by people seeking to stay in Britain. The Church's role in the asylum system has been in the spotlight since media reports that…
FORMER home secretary Suella Braverman has claimed the UK is losing its identity as a great nation where different faiths and races co-existed peacefully because Islamists and extremists are taking charge in all walks of life. British Indian Braverman, with a Goan-origin father and Tamil-origin mother, writes in The Telegraph…
BRITAIN will gain access to the EU's intelligence on criminal gangs involved in human trafficking as part of a deal with the bloc's border protection agency, Frontex, in another sign of closer cooperation between the two sides after Brexit. The deal between Britain and the European Union will allow both…
British police said Friday that they had made what is believed to be its biggest-ever seizure of serious drugs. The National Crime Agency said that 5.7 tonnes (5,700 kg) of cocaine were found in a container at the port of Southampton on England's south coast on February 8. The drug…
Most British household energy bills will fall from April after regulator Ofgem cut its domestic price cap by 12.3 per cent to its lowest level in more than two years. The drop, prompted by lower wholesale energy prices, will provide some respite for households struggling to contend with a cost…
JOE ROOT hit an unbeaten 67 to rebuild the England innings after Indian debutant Akash Deep took three wickets to put the tourists in early trouble in the fourth Test on Friday (23). England, who are fighting to stay alive in the five-match series at 2-1 down, battled to 198-5…
India-born media executive Dr Samir Shah was on Thursday confirmed as the new BBC chairman after his selection cleared the stages of scrutiny to be approved by King Charles III this week. Shah, who has worked in UK broadcasting for over 40 years, was picked as the government's preferred candidate…
INDIA said Thursday (22) they are primed for whatever the pitch has in store for the fourth Test but expect it to favour spinners, after England captain Ben Stokes said he "had never seen anything like" the Ranchi wicket. Rohit Sharma's hosts are looking to seal the series in the…
KING CHARLES said during a meeting with prime minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (21) he had been reduced to tears by messages of good will following his cancer diagnosis. King met Sunak in person for their weekly audience for the first time since announcing his diagnosis. The palace announced earlier…
VICTIMS of racism are being attacked for speaking out and highlighting the problem, former chief crown prosecutor, Nazir Afzal, has told Eastern Eye. His comments come as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has asked Afzal to head a panel to investigate its internal culture. The 61-year-old is no stranger…
Star India batter Virat Kohli on Tuesday announced that he and his actress wife Anushka Sharma were blessed with a baby boy on February 15. Kohli and Anushka are already proud parents of a three-year-old daughter Vamika. "With abundant happiness and our hearts full of love, we are pleased to…
INDIA seamer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the fourth test against England, while wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul remains out due to fitness issues, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said. The 30-year-old right-arm fast bowler, the leading wicket-taker of the five-match series with 17 wickets in six…
HEALTH experts have urged West Midlands residents to get the measles vaccine as cases in the region are spreading in “disproportionately high rates”. Figures published earlier this month showed 329 of 465 (71 per cent) cases across England from October to February were in the region. The sharp rise over…
CHILA BURMAN, often lauded as the “Punjabi lass from Liverpool”, has been shortlisted along with six other artists for the much sought-after space on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. Two winners will be announced next month and their works installed in 2026 and 2028, respectively. The Fourth Plinth, which…
More than 33 million individuals, comprising three-quarters of the adult population in England, have already registered with the NHS App. Enhanced with new features and functionalities, the App simplifies health management, and a fresh campaign by NHS England aims to boost its usage among more people. With options such as…
THE government approached the Court of Appeal over the “unduly lenient” sentence imposed on a 32-year-old man guilty of killing a British Indian teenage student, her friend and a school caretaker in Nottingham last year. Valdo Calocane was sentenced to a mental health order to be detained in a high-security…
A manager of an Indian restaurant and takeaway in eastern England has been handed a seven-year ban as a company director for employing three illegal workers from Bangladesh. Ikbal Hussain, 51, hired the workers at the Taste of Raj in the Stanstead Abbotts area of Hertfordshire before the restaurant was…
ENGLAND’S health service will move about 40,000 pending child consultations for ADHD, autism and other conditions from its main waiting list, a person with direct knowledge of the change said, trimming the politically sensitive list ahead of an expected election. Prime minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to reduce wait times…
ENGLAND’S hyper-attacking “Bazball” approach is coming under intense scrutiny after a crushing Test defeat in India but captain Ben Stokes appears determined to stick to his guns. The visitors slumped to a humiliating 434-run loss in the third match of the series in Rajkot – England’s biggest defeat in terms…
BRITISH retail sales jumped by the most in almost three years in January as consumers recovered their appetite for spending, suggesting the economy could emerge quickly from its recession in the second half of last year. Sales volumes increased by 3.4 per cent from December and January’s jump was the…
In a decisive move to enhance the learning atmosphere in classrooms, prime minister Rishi Sunak announced a nationwide ban on mobile phones in schools across England. Through a video message shared on the X platform, Sunak underscored the disruptive influence of mobile phones on education, advocating for a more focused…
The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Oldham is preparing to host a pivotal well-being event aimed at combating mental health stigmas in south Asian communities. Organised by the temple's youth group, Yuvak Mandal, known for their dedication to community service, this event aims to address the importance of mental health awareness…
ONE out of every four foreign care workers in the UK is breaking visa rules by working in different jobs, a top immigration inspector has revealed. David Neal, the chief inspector of borders and immigration, found that some visas were given for non-existent care homes or to companies with very…
Sohm Kapila, an internationally renowned actress (Aquaman 2, Never Have I Ever, Greys Anatomy, Small Town Big Story), born in India and raised in Nottingham, is back in the Midlands from her home of Los Angeles and spoke to Eastern Eye about her latest role on stage as Rekha in…
A man who piloted an "unseaworthy" boat across the English Channel was found guilty Monday of the manslaughter of four migrants who drowned during the crossing. Ibrahima Bah, from Senegal, took the helm of the poor quality inflatable carrying 43 people, which should have held no more than 20 passengers,…
AN unnamed British policeman underwent a misconduct hearing after it emerged that he had shared details of injuries via WhatsApp following a stabbing attack on a British Indian teenager and her friend in Nottingham last year. According to a report in The Sun newspaper on Monday (19), a misconduct hearing…
YASHASVI JAISWAL's unbeaten double century and five wickets by Ravindra Jadeja helped India crush England by a record 434 runs in the third Test Sunday (18) to lead the series 2-1. Chasing 557 for victory, England batting fell like a pack of cards to lose eight wickets in the final…
NHS England is set to introduce a groundbreaking treatment for individuals suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease, benefiting up to 1,000 patients. This innovative approach involves a wearable device that administers medication continuously throughout the day and night. The treatment, known as Produodopa, leverages a pump system to deliver a constant…
In the face of two significant defeats that cast a shadow over his leadership before the upcoming general election, prime minister Rishi Sunak pointed to "low voter turnout" on Friday (16) as the reason for the Labour Party's success in overturning substantial Tory majorities to win the by-elections in England.…
English cricket has turned down a billion-dollar offer from Lalit Modi to revamp The Hundred tournament, The Telegraph reports. Modi had earlier founded the hugely popular Indian Premier League but is currently at loggerheads with the Indian cricket board. His representatives met with the top officials of the England and…
The most recent TB annual report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), published on Thursday (15), indicates a rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases in England. While the figures for 2022 were stable, with 4,380 reported incidents nearly mirroring the 2021 count of 4,411, provisional data for 2023 paints a…
INDIAN off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday (16) entered an elite club of bowlers to take 500 Test wickets in a stellar cricketing career that includes a World Cup triumph. India's go-to bowler for more than a decade, Ashwin took his 500th wicket in the third Test in Rajkot by dismissing…
ACCESS to GPs in England is worse in areas where more ethnic minorities live, according to a recent analysis by The Guardian. The highest proportion of ethnic minority neighbourhoods have significantly fewer GPs per 100,000 patients compared to areas with a predominantly white British population, the report said. Experts attribute…
ENGLAND reached tea unscathed at 31-0 after bowling out India for 445 on Friday (16) with fast bowler Mark Wood taking four wickets in the third Test at Rajkot. Zak Crawley, on six, and Ben Duckett, on 19, were batting at the break after surviving a hostile opening spell shared…
LABOUR dealt a crushing blow to prime minister Rishi Sunak's Tories on Friday (16), winning contests for two new lawmakers in votes that suggested the opposition party was on track to win a national election later this year. The double defeat underlined the flagging fortunes of the governing party and…
THE former chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lalit Modi, has presented a proposal to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), offering a blueprint that could revolutionise the cricketing landscape, the Cricbuzz reported. While the specifics of his plan remain undisclosed, Modi's vision aims to inject substantial revenue…
While the UK government has been tightening immigration norms, the number of international students applying to undergraduate courses in British universities has gone up for the second consecutive year, according to media reports. The latest data shows 115,730 students from outside the UK applied to start in September, up from…
INDIA captain Rohit Sharma combined with Ravindra Jadeja in a 152-run stand for the unbroken fourth wicket on Thursday (15) to help the hosts weather a top-order wobble and reach 185 for three at tea on the opening day of the third test. Rohit suffered a blow to his helmet,…
The economy entered a recession in the latter half of 2023, presenting a challenging environment in the lead-up to the anticipated election this year for prime minister Rishi Sunak, who has committed to boosting growth. Gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.3% in the three months to December, having shrunk…
BRITISH Bangladeshis have told Eastern Eye of the “trauma” they face living in cramped housing, as data shows that more people from this community live in social housing compared to other south Asian communities. British Asians were overall least likely to live in social housing, but there were significant variations…
THE risk of severe head injury in rugby union means it has become a form of child abuse and should be banned among under-18s, according to a new report. The sport has just celebrated its bicentenary, with folklore proclaiming the game started when William Webb Ellis ran with a football…
BEN STOKES earned his 100th Test cap when he lead England against India in the third Test that began Thursday (15) in Rajkot, with both sides having to contend with the absence of key players. The five-match series is on a knife-edge at 1-1 after India’s 106-run victory in the…
A British Pakistani girl, studying for 28 A-levels, has credited her mother with instilling in her a 'deep passion' for learning and books. Mahnoor Cheema, 17, from Slough, with an IQ as high as Einstein’s, is currently undertaking 28 A-levels after completing 34 GCSEs. She is studying four A-levels at…
A severely depleted India will do everything they can to try and deny England captain Ben Stokes a victory in his 100th test when the teams clash in the third match of the five-test series in Rajkot on Thursday (15). India have not lost a test series on home soil…
Shah Rukh Khan has opened up about dropping out of Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. For those not in the know, the superstar was offered to play the character of the antagonistic game show host in the film. However, he said no to the film as it was conscious…
DENTISTS in England will receive cash to accept new patients amid a critical shortage of state-funded dental care. Announced last Wednesday (7), the plan is backed by £200 million in government funding. It comes as the number of dentists providing care in the NHS stands at its lowest level in…
IN her new book, author Nadeine Asbali reveals how her decision to wear the hijab led to an “overnight” shift from blending in to facing “racism and Islamophobia”. Born in the UK to an English mother and a Libyan father, Asbali looked like the quintessential white British teenager before putting…
Britain's annual inflation rate remained unchanged in January from the previous month, confounding expectations for an acceleration, official data showed on Wednesday. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stood at 4.0 per cent last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. That was double the Bank of…
LABOUR'S lead over Tories has fallen 7 percentage points to its lowest since June 2023, a Savanta poll showed on Wednesday (14), after the opposition party scrapped a green spending target and struggled with anti-Semitism allegations. Polls over the past year have consistently shown Labour on course for victory in…
SWAMI BRAHMAVIHARIDAS is one of the most respected and admired of Swaminarayan figures who lead the global organisation that is BAPS today. He has led the project to build the spectacular Akshardham Temple in Abu Dhabi since its conception. In this exclusive and very special interview with Shailesh R Solanki,…
NHS England's top medical training official has issued a heartfelt apology to the relatives of Dr Vaish Kumar, 35, who took her own life. Dr Kumar faced undue stress after being incorrectly informed that she had to undergo an additional six months of training before she could commence a new…
Labour's Sir Keir Starmer finds himself navigating a challenging political landscape, marked by a noticeable shift in support from Muslim constituents due to his stance on the Gaza conflict. But despite this, analyses suggest that Labour's robust lead may mitigate the potential impact on election outcomes, sparing the party from…
In England, the NHS's dependence on international staff has hit a record high, with one out of every five workers hailing from outside the UK. This diverse workforce spans 214 nations, including countries as varied as India, Portugal, Ghana, and smaller states like Tonga, Liechtenstein, and the Solomon Islands. Analysis…
Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company entangled in the Post Office scandal due to its defective Horizon system, is confirmed to have secured contracts exceeding £3.4 billion with entities connected to the UK Treasury since 2019. This revelation comes despite a 2019 High Court finding that identified "bugs, errors, and defects"…
King Charles III expressed his "heartfelt thanks" to well-wishers on Saturday (10), in his first statement following his shock announcement that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Buckingham Palace said Monday that Charles had begun treatment, but did not specify what type of cancer he has. "I would like to…
Star batsman Virat Kohli's absence from the India squad for undisclosed "personal reasons" will extend to the remaining three Tests against England, the country's cricket board said Saturday. The series is level at 1-1 after two matches that Kohli also missed, and will resume without him in Rajkot for the…
BRITISH wildlife charities are ringing alarm bells by describing the countryside as a "racist, colonial" domain where non-white people often feel marginalised, media reports said. Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition comprising 80 organisations including the WWF, the RSPCA, and National Trust, presented their findings to MPs as part of…
Former South Africa captain A B de Villiers has said that he "made a terrible mistake" by sharing "false information" about the personal reasons that have forced star India batter Virat Kohli to take a break from international cricket, insisting that he has no idea "what's happening there". On his…
Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles III, disclosed on Thursday (8) that her husband, who has been diagnosed with cancer, is "doing extremely well" given the circumstances. King Charles has been "very touched by all the letters and the messages the public have been sending from everywhere", she said during…
AN Indian restaurant in Birmingham has made history by becoming the first in the city to be awarded two Michelin stars. Opheem, a Birmingham curry house, has made culinary history despite having just one Indian chef among its kitchen staff of 15. Chef and owner Aktar Islam, originally from Aston,…
An Asian-origin owner of a waste treatment plant in east London was fined after she barred UK Environment Agency inspectors from entering the site unless they handed over thousands of pounds in bogus fees. Gurjit Athwal, director of Keep Green Ltd, has been fined £3,000 with more than double that…
INDIA's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on Wednesday (7) rose to the top of the International Cricket Council's Test bowling rankings, becoming the first-ever fast bowler from the country to achieve the feat. The 30-year-old played a key role in India's series-equalling victory over England last week, with a match haul…
THE British Asian community, which has long been supported by King Charles from the days he was a young Prince of Wales, is now rallying round the 75-year old monarch following his cancer diagnosis on Monday (5). Since the King is also head of the Commonwealth, just as Queen Elizabeth…
Allegations have surfaced that prime minister Rishi Sunak is the primary obstacle in resolving the ongoing doctors' strikes in England, a situation that is exacerbating the NHS waiting lists crisis, an exclusive report in The Guardian said. Despite repeated warnings from health officials and NHS England, Sunak's apprehension about setting…
INDIA’s ace doubles shuttler, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, is confident he and his partner Chirag Shetty have enough in the tank to fire during the Paris Olympics later this year. Satwik, who regained the world no 1 doubles ranking following back-toback runners-up finishes in the Malaysia Open and the India Open, indicated…
THE senior official accused of downplaying allegations of racism made by former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq called for a “line in the sand” to be drawn last Friday (2), after members approved his return as chairman of the financially stricken English county club. Colin Graves, Yorkshire’s chairman from 2012- 2015,…
The new president of the scandal-hit Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Rupert Soames, has admitted that he was trying to salvage the organisation from an existential crisis. He said the Guardian’s revelations about sexual misconduct at the lobbying group were “an appalling shock” that tipped it into a “near-death experience”.…
KING CHARLES’S cancer diagnosis has shocked the whole country, but will be felt especially keenly by the British Asian community, for whom he has cared as long as anyone can remember. He said as much when his private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, attended the Hinduja Diwali party in October 2022…
A 13-year-old British schoolgirl narrowly escaped a forced marriage to her cousin in Pakistan after her mother's desperate plea for help reached authorities back home in the UK, reported MailOnline. The girl's father had arranged the marriage without her consent, leaving her and her mother stranded in Pakistan under the…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged that his government had fallen short in reducing the significant backlog of patients awaiting hospital treatment within the health service, conceding a failure to fulfill one of his key promises ahead of an upcoming election. Sunak set out five major policy pledges at the start…
A new study has revealed that drug use in minority ethnic groups is shaped by a complex mix of cultural norms, mental health issues, gender, and migration experiences. The study was conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), in collaboration with RSM UK Consulting, and published on January…
FAST BOWLER Jasprit Bumrah took a match haul of nine wickets to lead India's 106-run win over England in the second Test on Monday (5) and level the five-match series. Chasing a record 399 for victory, England were bowled for 292 in the second session on day four in Visakhapatnam,…
SHUBMAN GILL overcame early jitters to smash 104 and help India stretch their overall lead to 370 on day three of the second test against England on Sunday (4). Gill was on four when he got an lbw decision against him reversed and an umpire's call on another appeal going…
A public order case against climate activist Greta Thunberg and four other protesters was dismissed by a London court on Friday (2), with the judge criticising the "unlawful" conditions imposed by police at the time of their arrest. District judge John Law dismissed the cases against the 21-year-old Swedish campaigner…
Two British teens were sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday (2) for the "sadistic" knife murder of a 16-year-old transgender girl, an incident that shocked the nation. Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, killed Brianna Ghey in Warrington, northwest England, in February last year, in what the judge called…
THE senior official accused of downplaying allegations of racism made by former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq is set to return for a second stint as chairman of the financially stricken English county club. Colin Graves, Yorkshire's chairman from 2012-2015 having first saved the club from commercial collapse in 2002, was…
OPENER Yashasvi Jaiswal produced a gladiatorial 179 not out to steer India to a commanding 336 for six on day one of the second test against England in Visakhapatnam on Friday (2). The 22-year-old smacked five sixes and 17 fours in his career-best knock, seemingly unfazed by his batting partners'…
Should the main opposition Labour Party secure victory in the next UK general election, as current opinion polls suggest, a familiar scene is expected outside the prime minister's official residence the following day: removal vans. The overnight transition, unique in major Western democracies, contrasts with the roughly two months' preparation…
Facing pressure and limited resources, India must devise innovative strategies to challenge England's bold 'Bazballers' in the upcoming second Test, beginning in Visakhapatnam, on Friday (2). India is seldom stretched at home but following a dramatic loss in Hyderabad, they have plenty to ponder and the absence of injured Ravindra…
SHOAIB BASHIR will make his delayed test debut against India on Friday (2), while veteran James Anderson will replace Mark Wood as England's lone fast bowler in the second match of the series in Visakhapatnam, touring captain Ben Stokes said. Off-spinner Bashir missed the opening test in Hyderabad - where…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak secured a victory in the upper house of parliament's first vote on his legislation aimed at reviving a plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda despite the bill facing several hours of criticism from lawmakers, who labelled it as unethical and unworkable. Under the Rwanda plan,…
ENGLAND’S attacking “Bazball” style of play trumped India at home in the first Test, but pundits and cricketers on Monday (29) said the hosts remain favourites in the fivematch series. Rohit Sharma’s India lost the nailbiting opener by 28 runs in Hyderabad last Sunday (28) on day four of the…
FINDING an NHS dentist is becoming increasingly difficult in the UK, forcing those who can pay to the private sector and those who cannot to avoid treatment altogether – or take matters into their own hands. Increasing numbers of dentists are turning their backs on the NHS in favour of…
AN INDIAN national extradited from the UK pleaded guilty to operating a global dark web enterprise to sell “deadly and dangerous drugs to communities across America” and agreed to forfeit approximately $150 million (£118m) in cryptocurrency. According to court documents, Banmeet Singh – originally from Haldwani in India’s Uttarakhand state,…
THE far-right section of the Conservative party is plotting to get rid of Rishi Sunak. But, then, no one should be surprised. Fascism has always appealed to a section of the Conservative Party and indeed to many in English aristocracy. Here is a summary of a seriously regarded book, Hitler’s…
MANY British Asian families are badly affected as poverty has increased in the UK to around pre-pandemic levels, a new report said. The UK poverty 2024 report by Joseph Rowntree Foundation published last Tuesday (23) said Asian households also have higher rates of child poverty, very deep poverty and persistent…
White Lotus star Tom Hollander said that he accidentally received Tom Holland’s seven-figure bonus cheque for an Avengers film. The 56-year-old British actor made the revelation on late-night talk show Late Night With Seth Meyers. When the host asked him if people ever mix him up with Holland, the veteran…
A new NHS England survey has revealed that a significant number of south Asians, 64% to be precise, are experiencing mental health concerns. Among those surveyed, 42% reported experiencing depression, while 29% faced generalised anxiety disorder. The silver lining, however, is that 65% of those who sought professional help for…
NOBODY expected this first India versus England Test match to turn into an all-time cricket classic. Having not set a 4am alarm on the first day, I woke to hear India already taking their sixth English wicket. That first batting collapse came just after lunch in Hyderabad, but well before…
A special review has been ordered to examine the NHS trust that was treating a 32-year-old man diagnosed with schizophrenia and mental illness, who tragically stabbed three individuals to death, including a British-Indian teenager, in Nottingham last year. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said a rapid review of Nottinghamshire Healthcare…
The government is set to implement new legislation to prohibit single-use e-cigarettes or vapes as a measure to address the increasing trend of vaping among young people, prime minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday (29). "As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends at the moment…
New research published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal has revealed an increase in non-Covid-related deaths among individuals with diabetes, attributed to disruptions caused by the pandemic. The global review of studies comparing pre-pandemic and during-pandemic data found that the complication of sight loss in people with diabetes also…
THE proportion of people in England and Wales who are married or in a civil partnership has fallen below 50 per cent for the first time, latest figures show. Figures from the Office for National Statistics, published on Thursday (25), estimate that in 2022 only 49.4 per cent of the…
THE NHS Race and Health Observatory on Wednesday (24) launched a learning and action network designed to address stark disparities in maternal, perinatal and neonatal health outcomes for women from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds. Data shows alarmingly higher rates of maternal and baby deaths amongst black and Asian…
OLLIE POPE led England's battle to save the opening test with a fighting fifty but hosts India looked on course for a comprehensive victory on day three of the contest at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday (27). India, who have not lost a test series on home soil since…
TRIBUTES have been paid to British Indian medical student, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, who was stabbed to death in Nottingham, in June last year. Her parents and brother said their family's lives had been "shattered in a moment" following the tragic incident. Grace 'heroically and valiantly' fought that attacker while protecting…
A Spanish judge on Thursday (25) cleared a 19-year-old Briton of all charges in a trial over a Taliban bomb hoax he shared with five friends before boarding a 2022 flight that prompted the scrambling of a fighter jet to escort the plane. Aditya Verma, who was 18 at the…
KL RAHUL hit 86 and Ravindra Jadeja closed in on a half-century Friday (26) to push India's lead to 63 runs on day two of the opening Test against England. India were 309-5 at tea with Jadeja on 45 and wicketkeeper-batsman K S Bharat on nine at tea in Hyderabad.…
Varada Sethu is set to be a part of Doctor Who, a popular British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. She will star in season 15, which is scheduled to hit the airwaves in 2024, alongside Ncuti Gatwa (the Fifteenth Doctor), taking over from Millie Gibson.…
A British Indian chess prodigy faced trial in a Spanish court on Monday (22) for a public disorder offense stemming from a Snapchat message sent in July 2022. University student Aditya Verma, 20, on his way to Menorca with friends, jokingly wrote, "On my way to blow up the plane…
FINOLEX Industries Limited, a leading player in the Indian PVC pipes and fittings industry, along with its CSR partner, the Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF) has announced the title sponsorship for the upcoming physical disability Cricket T20i Trophy 2024 between hosts India and England. The two teams will contest in five…
ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes hit a defiant 70 to round out an attacking innings, with India's spinners holding the tourists to 246 on day one of the opening Test on Thursday (25). Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets apiece after England elected to bat first at the start…
KIN is an unusual piece of theatre about the plight of refugees over the generations, created by an Ipswich-based troupe called Gecko. The story is told only through dance. There is no dialogue. The director, Amit Lahav, leads an international ensemble of eight, including an Indian. I missed this, but…
Opera North has announced the five artists chosen to take part in its Resonance Residencies programme, including two Asian artists. Working in genres from folk, jazz, and soul to electronic club and improvisation, and rooted in traditional music from across Africa and Asia, Balraj Samrai, Satnam Galsian, Rory A Green,…
ONLINE retailer Boohoo has named former Betfair and Zoopla finance boss Stephen Morana as its new chief financial officer. Morana, who was a non-executive director of the group between 2014 and 2017, will assume the role on Feb. 19, the company said on Tuesday (23). The Manchester-based business, which owns…
FREEHOLD property owners have been accused by MPs of establishing a “rentier structure” in England and Wales, as it has been claimed they impose “exorbitant” ground rents while, in some cases, providing no service. Labour MP Barry Gardiner called it “nonsense” that pension funds would need to be used to…
THE head of football’s world governing body, Gianni Infantino, has called for worldwide stadium bans for fans and “automatic forfeits” for teams whose supporters hurl “abhorrent” abuse, following racist incidents during games in Italy and England last Saturday (20). The FIFA president said there was no place for discrimination of…
THE Labour party said it would aim to save £10 billion by cutting waste and reforming the health service if in power, saying these measures could free up cash to spend on frontline care. The NHS emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic in crisis, crippled by long waiting lists, ambulance delays…
ENGLAND's "Bazball" style of attacking cricket faces its biggest challenge yet when they play an India side who have not lost a home Test series in more than a decade. The five-Test series begins Thursday (25) in Hyderabad, and although India will be without Virat Kohli for the first two…
IN a parliamentary hearing on Thursday (18), MPs scrutinised freeholders for establishing a "rentier structure" in England and Wales, accusing them of imposing "exorbitant" ground rents, reaching £8,000 annually in some instances. The scrutiny unfolded as a freeholder group resisted proposed changes to leasehold laws amidst the ongoing parliamentary examination…
New Hampshire voter Jan Dodge expressed her intention to vote for Nikki Haley in the state's Republican primary. However, she clarified that her decision is not primarily driven by support for the former South Carolina governor. "I'm not actually a real supporter of Nikki Haley. But I don't want Donald…
URGENT action is needed to help the large number of south Asian households living in hidden poverty, anti-poverty campaigners have urged. New research reveals that ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by severe hardship in areas not accounted for in government measures targeting antideprivation funding. The study by Queen’s University in…
JOEL GOODMAN, a lyricist and composer, wanted to write a musical “about someone who changed the world. I brainstormed different people like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and also Alan Turing. In the end we decided on Alan Turing.” The result is Alan Turing: A Musical Biography at the…
THE number of women in Britain dying during pregnancy or soon afterwards has reached its highest level in almost two decades, a new study reported last Thursday (11). The figures from MBRRACEUK, which monitors maternal deaths, stillbirths and infant deaths and their causes, showed black women and those from deprived…
ASIAN sub postmasters have described the devastating impact of the Post Office Horizon scandal as they revealed the consequences of the injustice on their families as well as their health and finances. In interviews with Eastern Eye, some post masters recalled the fallout of discriminatory and racist behaviour by Post…
The police announced on Tuesday (16) that specialist officers will evaluate whether to initiate a war crimes investigation into Israel's conflict with Hamas, following a referral from an advocacy group for Palestinians. The Metropolitan Police said its small war crimes team, which is hosted within its counter-terrorism command, would determine…
Ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Temple on January 22, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the country will miss the beloved legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. PM Modi took to social media platform X to state "As the nation awaits January 22 with great enthusiasm,…
Official data released on Tuesday (16) indicated that UK unemployment remained stable, while wage growth retreated in the three months to the end of November. These findings help alleviate concerns about inflation. The unemployment rate came in at 4.2 per cent, unchanged from the three months to the end of October,…
The political party of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan faced a setback on Saturday (13) when the country's top court ruled against allowing the retention of its cricket bat symbol for the polls next month. The South Asian nation of more than 240 million people votes on February…
Four migrants lost their lives overnight, and a fifth individual was in critical condition on Sunday (14), after attempting to reach Britain from northern France despite freezing temperatures, the French maritime authority said. The group was attempting to reach a vessel off Wimereux when their small boat got into difficulty…
RIVALS India and Pakistan will play their Twenty20 World Cup group game in New York on June 9 while co-hosts United States will take on Canada in the opening match, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said last Friday (5). The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, which will be…
WOLVERHAMPTON will host the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup final, after being awarded £500,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund to help with costs. Originating in India some 5,000 years ago, the contact sport sees teams broken down into raiders and blockers. Points…
PEOPLE from an ethnic minority background in Dudley, a market town in the West Midlands, were almost twice as likely to get Covid-19 during the pandemic according to a new report. The study, by the borough’s acting director of public health, also found living in deprived areas made residents more…
THE chairman of Natwest was criticised for being out of touch last Friday (5) after he said it was not “that difficult” to be able to afford to buy a house in Britain. According to Office for National Statistics data, full-time employees in England could expect to spend around 8.3…
BRITISH Asians have a higher rate of catching the life-threatening condition sepsis compared to other population groups, a study found. The illness, which kills around 48,000 people every year in the UK, occurs when the body overreacts to an infection and starts attacking its own tissues and organs. Leading doctors…
AT SCHOOL in India, we were taught Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, in the heat and dust of Patna in the central eastern state of Bihar. In the last few days, as Britain struggled with yet another winter of flooding, I have been thinking of…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak's legislation to block further court challenges to the government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda will return to parliament next week. Sunak faced the most serious threat to his leadership when he saw off a revolt by dozens of his lawmakers during the first parliamentary…
Regular captain Rohit Sharma and veteran Virat Kohli have made their return to India's T20 squad after a year's gap for the home series against Afghanistan. Their comeback comes amid ongoing speculation about their future in this format. Both batters have not played T20 Internationals since India's defeat to England…
BRITAIN intends to become the first European country to produce an advanced uranium fuel that is currently commercially available only from Russia, the government announced Sunday (7). The UK government said it would invest £300 million building a high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) programme that would help "displace" Moscow from global…
RIVALS India and Pakistan will play their Twenty20 World Cup group game in New York on June 9 while co-hosts US will take on Canada in the opening match, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said. The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US…
RISHI SUNAK fired the starting gun on Britain's next election on Thursday (4), saying his "working assumption" was it would take place in the second half of the year, all but ruling out an earlier vote opposition parties had called for. The prime minister and Labour leader Keir Starmer both…
The rise in registered patients who might not exist has seen a dramatic increase, climbing almost two-thirds over the past five years, according to recent data. Dubbed ‘ghost patients,’ this phenomenon occurs when GP practices have more patients on their lists than the actual population count. This mismatch raises concerns,…
Ahead of the upcoming general election this year, the ruling Conservatives find themselves once again challenged by a fringe right-wing political party, originally founded by the eurosceptic populist Nigel Farage. Reform UK -- formerly called the Brexit Party and whose current leader admires former US president Donald Trump -- rails…
INDIA skipper Rohit Sharma had no qualms about admitting that his team was simply not good enough to challenge South Africa, putting the blame for the embarrassing innings and 32-run loss in the first Test on the lack of collective effort. However, he fended off home criticism by pointing out…
AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD British Indian schoolgirl made history after being named the “super talented” best female player at a European chess event. Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow in London, won the European Blitz chess championship in Zagreb, Croatia, last month. During the event, she went head-tohead with some of the best players…
BRITAIN’S economy unexpectedly shrank in the third quarter and flatlined in the previous three months, official data showed last month, raising fears of a recession before an election due this year. The downbeat news delivers a blow to Tory prime minister Rishi Sunak, who trails Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer…
In the last 12 months, new analysis from NHS England indicates that almost three million individuals underwent urgent cancer checks. This number represents a surge of over a quarter compared to pre-pandemic levels. The government emphasises the critical nature of early disease detection in enhancing survival rates. However, cancer charities…
SOUTH AFRICA closed an extraordinary see-saw first day of the second and final test against India at Newlands on 62 for three in their second innings, trailing the tourists by 36 runs after 23 wickets and several records fell on Wednesday (3). Aiden Markram (36 not out) and David Bedingham…
Junior doctors in England on Wednesday (3) commenced the longest consecutive strike witnessed in the seven-decade history of the NHS. Junior doctors -- those below consultant level -- started a six-day walkout, in a major escalation of their long-running pay dispute with the UK government. The industrial action comes at…
Wayne Rooney said it would "take some time to get over this setback" after he was sacked as manager of Championship side Birmingham City on Tuesday following a disastrous spell in charge. The 38-year-old former Manchester United and England star was appointed in October but oversaw just two wins in…
DEMOCRACY is the theme of 2024. Around half of the world’s population has the chance to go to the polls. This weekend’s vote in Bangladesh, boycotted by the opposition to Shekih Hasina, is an inauspicious start. Pakistan in February holds its first elections since 2018. More than 600 million will…
Tories have expressed strong disapproval and concern over allegations that Rishi Sunak offered Dominic Cummings a secret deal to assist him in winning the election. One Tory MP said that Boris Johnson's former chief aide should have no role in the political sphere, following these claims. Within WhatsApp groups, other…
Health chiefs warned this weekend that Rishi Sunak's goal for the NHS, aiming to eradicate wait times surpassing 65 weeks by March, might fall short due to impending NHS strike action. The health system braces for an unprecedented six-day national strike by junior doctors in England starting Wednesday (3) at…
According to a UK media report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aims to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with India by Easter, which falls at the end of March 2024. The India-UK FTA talks began in January last year, aimed at significantly enhancing the £36-billion bilateral trading partnership. A new…
CAPTAIN Pat Cummins declared himself delighted at the end of a landmark year for Australian cricket as his 10-wicket haul in the second test win over Pakistan in Melbourne secured his entry into an elite band of bowlers. Cummins led his side on Friday (29) to a fourth consecutive home…
AT LEAST 14 Eurostar trains were cancelled on Saturday (30) after flooding in tunnels in southern England, stranding thousands of passengers just ahead of New Year's Eve. The tunnels near Ebbsfleet International station in Kent were inundated as the Met Office issued weather warnings for rain, snow and ice across…
Manchester City winger Jack Grealish was burgled while the England star was playing in his club's Premier League match at Everton on Wednesday. Grealish's Cheshire mansion in north-west England was targeted by thieves as he was in action for the Premier League champions during their 3-1 victory on Merseyside. Members…
Labour is exploring the idea of integrating thousands of nurseries within existing primary schools across England, aiming to address the persisting shortage of childcare spaces, their unaffordability, and staffing challenges. To devise innovative strategies in this sector, the party has engaged Sir David Bell, former head of Ofsted, (Office for…
After last week's junior doctor strike, almost 88,000 NHS appointments had to be cancelled, predominantly comprising over 86,300 hospital check-ups and operations. Additionally, around 1,500 community and mental health appointments were affected by the strike, the BBC reported. This strike marks a part of ongoing disruptions, with over 1.2 million…
Homelessness in rural England has risen by 40 percent in five years with many sleeping in the open air, tents or makeshift shelters, a British rural charity said on Tuesday. A cost-of-living crisis in the G7 nation and the world's sixth-biggest economy, fuelled by high inflation, has left many Britons…
KING Charles called on people on Monday (25) to help those less fortunate during a time of economic hardship and global conflict, using his Christmas Day message to emphasise the importance of kindness, compassion and care for the environment. In his second Christmas message since becoming Britain's king, Charles also…
FORMER Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was granted bail on Friday (22) in a case alleging he leaked state secrets, lawyers said, but he remained jailed on other charges ahead of an election due in February. Meanwhile his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was barred from using the cricket bat symbol…
BRITAIN'S economy unexpectedly shrank in the third quarter, official data showed Friday (22), raising fears of a potential recession before an election due next year. Gross domestic product contracted 0.1 per cent between July and September, down from a prior estimate of zero growth, the Office for National Statistics said…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been utilised globally to interfere with elections, sparking concerns among senior politicians and security services about potential risks in the UK. Former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland is advocating for stronger governmental action against what he perceives as a pressing threat to UK democracy. As chair…
AN eight-year-old British Indian schoolgirl has made history after being named the “super talented” best female player at a European chess championship. Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow in north-west London, won the European blitz chess Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, over the weekend. During the event, she went head-to-head with some of…
BRITAIN plans to increase funding for local government councils by £4 billion to £64bn to address inflation-driven pressures after Birmingham and Nottingham councils effectively declared bankruptcy. The settlement for 2024-25 marks a 6.5 per cent rise from 2023-24, the government said in a statement on Monday (18) in an attempt…
PHIL SALT smashed a magnificent record-breaking century in England's highest-ever T20 international total as they romped to a 75-run win against West Indies to square the series in a spellbinding match in Tarouba on Tuesday (19). Salt thumped 119 off 57 balls as England tore into the West Indies attack…
JUNIOR doctors in England ramped up their industrial action on Wednesday (20), beginning the first walk-out of their biggest strike yet, which hospitals warn could threaten emergency care provision at one of the busiest times of the year. The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents around 50,000 junior doctors, said…
LEICESTER UNIVERSITY is conducting a study on the extent of racism in rural England with the aim of changing attitudes and making visits to the countryside less intimidating for non-white people. It is being led by Neil Chakraborti, director of the Centre for Hate Studies and professor in criminology, who…
A new EU digital border system, set to launch next autumn, will require the collection of fingerprints and facial scans from British travellers on first use, reports suggest. The entry/exit system (EES) is anticipated to commence on October 6, 2024, as indicated by the i and Times newspapers, referencing information…
FIGURES from the 2021 census showed Slough hosted 3.4 per cent of England and Wales’ Sikh population, writes James Moules. Around 11.3 per cent of people in the borough listed Sikhism as their religion, the census report confirmed. It also had the largest proportion of the country’s Sikh population outside…
INFLATION has slowed sharply to the lowest level in more than two years on falling petrol prices, official data showed Wednesday (20), easing a cost-of-living crisis after aggressive interest-rate hikes. The Consumer Prices Index hit 3.9 per cent in November from 4.6 per cent in the previous month, attaining the…
THE King's charity, formerly the Prince's Foundation, is under scrutiny as it is compelled to return £110,000 to the Indian government. The funds were earmarked for an NHS alternative medicine clinic championed by Charles, which never materialised. The proposed clinic, aimed at integrating Indian traditional medicine into the UK's healthcare…
DIVERSITY is improving “slowly” in the legal profession in England and Wales with the proportion of lawyers of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds going up by a percentage point since 2021. A Solicitors Regulation Authority report revealed that 19 per cent of lawyers working across all firms were…
In the rustic backdrop of Punjab, Dunki unfolds the tale of four friends bound by a shared dream of reaching England. The challenge? No visa, no ticket. A soldier emerges as their ticket to the land of dreams, leading to a hilarious and heartwarming saga. Boasting an exceptional ensemble cast,…
THE Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is under scrutiny for its failure to appoint black and minority ethnic directors to its board, reported ThisIsMoney. The top accountancy body, representing one of the industry's largest sectors, is also facing criticism for its apparent lack of diversity in…
BRITAIN plans to increase funding for local government councils by £4 billion to £64bn ($81bn) to address inflation-driven pressures, after cities Birmingham and Nottingham effectively declared bankruptcy. The settlement for 2024-25 marks a 6.5 per cent rise from 2023-24, the government said in a statement in an attempt to ease…
An undercover investigation at a care home conducted by a UK-based reporter from Kerala has revealed concerning levels of staff exploitation at Prestwick Care, in north-east England. The investigation highlighted the exploitation of numerous employees, a significant portion recruited from overseas nations like India. Balakrishnan Balagopal's report for the ‘BBC…
Facing separation due to stringent income thresholds in the UK, multinational families are preparing legal action against what they regard as a "cruel and inhumane" policy. The government's decision to elevate the income threshold for family reunification, requiring individuals to earn £38,700 instead of the previous £18,600 starting next spring,…
DEEPTI SHARMA starred with both bat and ball as India thrashed England by 347 runs in their one-off women's Test on Saturday (16) for their first ever win at home against the rivals. Sharma, who made 67 in India's first-innings total of 428, took nine wickets including a red-hot 5-7…
Award-winning British Indian musician Nitin Sawhney, recognised for his notable musical compositions, including the score for the screen adaptation of Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' has been named as a member of the 2024 Booker Prize judging panel. The announcement was made on Thursday (14). Sawhney, in his late 50s, will…
A PATH-BREAKING journey in live comedy led Vir Das towards winning an International Emmy award in November. That glittering honour for his Netflix special, Vir Das: Landing, added to global acclaim for India’s most popular English-language stand-up star. Instead of basking in that glory, the cool comic has been busy…
AROUND a third of individuals from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities broadly have no one earning any income through work, the latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed. Almost half of all women in both these ethnic groups are not economically active either – meaning they are…
IN HER book, What’s in a Name? Friendship, Identity and History in Modern Multicultural Britain, the author Sheela Banerjee deals with the question which confronts all British Asian parents. What should they call their newborn? Most want the name to reflect the child’s ethnic and cultural heritage, but at the…
BRITAIN'S economy shrank in October, official data showed on Wednesday (13), raising the risk of a recession and testing the Bank of England's resolve to stick to its tough line against cutting to interest rates from their 15-year high. Gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.3 per cent from September,…
NOVICE spinner Shoaib Bashir was on Monday (11) named in England’s 16-man squad for the five-Test series against India, along with fellow uncapped bowlers Gus Atkinson and Tom Hartley. Bashir, 20, made his first-class debut for Somerset only in June and has taken 10 wickets at an average of 67.…
GRADUATE ethnic minority voters are more likely to vote for the Conservative party, a new survey has found. Lead researcher James Kanagasooriam, from FocalData, said the voting intentions of ethnic minority graduates is in contrast to their white counterparts. They are more left-leaning and more likely to vote Labour, although…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak avoided defeat in parliament on Tuesday (12) on an emergency bill to revive his plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, seeing off a revolt by dozens of his lawmakers that laid bare his party's deep divisions. Sunak, who has pinned his reputation on the strategy,…
ENGLAND were taken aback by fast bowler Jofra Archer's return from injury in a Barbados club match last week, with team chief Rob Key saying unaware of his involvement. Long-term injury absentee Archer joined up with England, currently on a white-ball tour of the West Indies, in Barbados -- the…
On December 18, a ballot for industrial action by doctors will be returned to the British Medical Association. That is not new, except it is, because this time it’s specifically by a group of doctors virtually unheard of both in public and, sometimes, the NHS. They are called specialist, associate specialist…
HEART ATTACKS account for approximately 80,000 hospital admissions in England each year, and at least seven out of 10 people survive them. This number rises to nearly nine out of 10 (94 per cent) for those who get to the hospital and get the right care. Although chest discomfort is…
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak faces the biggest parliamentary test of his premiership on Tuesday (12) when MPs vote on his plan to send asylum seekers to live in Rwanda. The Supreme Court ruled last month that Rwanda was an unsafe place to send those arriving in small boats on England's…
THE UK government's blocking of a controversial Scottish gender recognition law was ruled lawful by Scotland's highest civil court. The legislation, passed by the Scottish parliament in December, would have made it easier and faster for people to officially change their gender, dropping the requirement for a gender dysphoria medical…
A 34-year-old man, who was part of a four-member drugs smuggling gang, was sentenced to three years of imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (8). The gang was busted and convicted for their role in conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis from the Netherlands to the UK and Ireland.…
SEVERAL cricketers who played for English county side Essex were subject to racist abuse and discriminatory treatment, according to an independent report released on Friday (8). References to players' ethnic, racial and religious origins were "entirely normalised and tolerated behaviour" within the dressing-room culture between the mid-1990s and around 2013,…
SAMIR SHAH, a media executive with more than 40 years of experience in TV production and journalism, has been named as the government's preferred candidate to take over as the new BBC chairman. He will replace Richard Sharp, who was forced to resign after his communication with former prime minister…
THE England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday (4) announced it had set up an independent cricket regulator after a damning report revealed racism, sexism, classism and elitism in the sport. The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) published its findings in June, revealing “widespread” discrimination in the…
NEW government figures published last month show that 47,000 Hong Kongers moved to the UK in the year to June 2023. They arrived under the government’s British National (Overseas) visa programme, set up after Hong Kong’s National Security law restricted its citizens’ democratic freedoms. In total, around 120,000 have arrived…
AN ELUSIVE World title and an Olympic gold medal are on young spinner Shreyanka Patil’s wish-list as she is ready to embark on a journey in international cricket which promises to be an eventful one. Patil made a name for herself in the inaugural edition of Women’s Premier League (WPL)…
A worldwide education study released on Tuesday (5), 2023, revealed that pupils in England have significantly improved in mathematics, climbing to 11th place from 17th in 2018 and 27th in 2009, marking a substantial advancement in international rankings. Conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Programme…
British artist Jesse Darling was awarded the famous Turner Prize on Tuesday (5) for his impactful sculptures and installations, which evoke themes of societal breakdown. The 41-year-old -- who now lives in Berlin -- pipped Ghislaine Leung, Rory Pilgrim, and Barbara Walker to the £25,000 ($30,000) award. Darling was announced…
JUNIOR doctors in England will take further strike action later this month and in January, their trade union said on Tuesday (5), after weeks of talks with the government failed to end a long-running dispute over pay. The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents nearly 200,000 doctors in Britain, said…
The home secretary, James Cleverly, has introduced a series of measures aimed at reducing the influx of migrant workers and their dependents into the UK. Speaking to MPs on Monday, Cleverly expressed that the current level of migration is excessive and needs to be reduced. He said, “Today I can…
The embattled Conservative government unveiled a raft of measures Monday aimed at cracking down on record levels of migration -- a key battleground in a general election expected next year. The UK announced it would raise the minimum salary threshold for a skilled worker visa and prevent overseas health and…
During the Covid inquiry, it was revealed that in a meeting held in July 2021, Rishi Sunak advocated fervently for the lifting of all lockdown restrictions. Boris Johnson, during the same meeting, reportedly referred to individuals as "malingering" and "workshy," as detailed in a diary entry by the then chief…
While giving evidence to the Covid Inquiry on Thursday (30) former health secretary Matt Hancock said his “single greatest regret” concerning the pandemic was not “overruling” advice from scientists who allegedly said that Covid could not be transmitted asymptomatically. The former health secretary revealed that advisers had informed him during…
Singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan, the legendary frontman of the Irish band, the Pogues, died early Thursday, his family announced online. He was 65, reported the New York Post. The songwriter of 'Fairytale of New York' died at 3 a.m. with his wife and family by his side, his band reported online.…
MAYOR Sadiq Khan has declared the 'severe weather emergency protocol' for London as the possibility of snowfall looms over the city later this week. He is also implementing measures aimed at protecting rough sleepers amidst freezing temperatures. Khan explained that the procedure involves activating emergency shelters throughout the city to…
A MEMBER of the Bank of England’s (BoE) monetary policy committee said UK businesses have reasons to be “optimistic” over future growth. Dr Swati Dhingra said she believes the UK has “come out of the worst of the inflation and cost of living crisis” and the country will return to…
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has launched a campaign to help all eligible Londoners access their right to vote, in collaboration with Shout Out UK, London borough electoral services and a coalition of civil society organisations South Asian faith leaders, public figures and community groups are supporting the campaign which…
THE British Asian business community clearly has done well, as the Eastern Eye Asian Rich List 2024 shows. The entry point to get onto the list 13 years ago was £25 million. Last year it was £120m, and this year the figure has gone up to £125m. Even allowing for…
British star Matt Smith will lead the upcoming limited drama series The Death of Bunny Munro. Written by Pete Jackson, the six-episode show is based on Nick Cave’s darkly comic novel of the same name, according to a press release from Sky Studios. Smith, known for British shows Doctor Who,…
AN URGENT “education recovery” programme is needed to help pupils from south Asian backgrounds catch up at school due to the impact of the pandemic, experts have urged. They have sought extra funding and resources in order to close the gap after new government figures showed a sharp drop in…
Foreign care workers invited to the UK to address staffing shortages are facing severe exploitation, with some being paid as little as £5 an hour while being charged exorbitant fees, The Guardian reported. A trade union, Unison, highlighted cases where workers were paid below the legal minimum wage, faced unexpected…
THE government and medical trade unions said on Monday (27) they had reached a deal which could see an end to months of disruptive strike action by senior doctors in England. The Department of Health and Social Care said the offer would reform the pay structure for senior doctors, known…
LONDON’S mayor Sadiq Khan has accused the government of keeping him “in the dark” about its early response to the coronavirus pandemic and claimed many “lives could have been saved” had he been in the loop then. He told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Monday (27) that Downing Street ignored…
A disciplinary tribunal has found a police officer from northern England guilty of gross misconduct for imitating the Indian accent of a woman reporting a hate crime to the West Yorkshire Police call centre. Patrick Harrison was found guilty following a misconduct hearing last month, and the panel concluded that…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak unveiled a £29.5 billion ($36.76 billion) influx of private-sector investments in Britain. Following this announcement, he convened with global executives as part of his initiative to re-establish the country as the primary destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Europe Australian funds IFM Investors and Aware…
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FA) council member Wasim Haq on Thursday (23) resigned from his role after being suspended over a social media post about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Haq, who joined the FA as a BAME Football Communities Representative in 2019, was suspended by English soccer's governing body this month over a…
ENGLAND batsman Joe Root has pulled out of next year's Indian Premier League, joining his red-ball skipper Ben Stokes in sitting out the glitzy Twenty20 tournament. Root, who had made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals earlier this year, opted out a day before the deadline for franchises to announce…
Ishwar Sharma bagged the Europe Cup 2023 in the Boys 12-14 category in the competition organised by the International Yoga Sports Federation on 18 and 19 November A 13-year-old Indian-origin yoga prodigy from south-east England, boasting a collection of awards, secured yet another Gold Medal at the 2023 European Yoga…
The RSPCA is preparing for a ‘winter crisis,’ due to escalating rates of animal abandonments, revealing a surge in incidents across several regions in England. Figures from Surrey alone show a concerning 27.4% increase in animal abandonments compared to 2020. Among the recent cases, a bearded dragon and two tortoises…
Four Indian women, including Bollywood actress Dia Mirza, made it to the BBC 100 Women List 2023. BBC released the 11th edition of the list on November 21, 2023. In addition to Mirza, captain of India’s national women’s cricket team Harmanpreet Kaur, National Geographic photographer Arati Kumar-Rao, and Tibetan Buddhist…
AN INSPIRATIONAL businessman whose company has donated over a billion pounds to charitable causes was crowned the Business of the Year at the 25th anniversary of the prestigious Asian Business Awards, held at the Park Plaza hotel on Wednesday (22). Nirmal Sethia is an internationally renowned entrepreneur whose business empire…
INDIA played the tournament’s best cricket for nearly six weeks but it was the familiar sight of Australia celebrating with the trophy when the 13th edition of the ICC World Cup came to a close last Sunday (19). Just five months after beating India in the World Test Championship final…
BRITISH ASIANS are being encouraged to visit National Trust properties as the organisation is striving to improve diversity among its members, volunteers and staff, its director general Hilary McGrady told Eastern Eye in an exclusive interview. As Europe’s premier conservation charity, the trust safeguards more than 500 historic houses, castles,…
VIRAT KOHLI has long been on the cusp of batting greatness, and at 35, he is making a solid case to be considered the greatest 50-overs player of all time after a run-laden World Cup. A fairy-tale ending of lifting the World Cup on home soil wasn’t meant to be…
BRITAIN'S minimum wage will increase by 9.8 per cent to £11.44 an hour from April 2024, making it one of the highest as a share of average earnings of any advanced economy. Chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced the increase on the eve of delivering a mid-year budget update.…
England's chief medical officer, professor Sir Chris Whitty, shared with the Covid inquiry that the initial lockdown in March 2020 was enforced "a bit too late," acknowledging the government faced limited options during that period. He highlighted public health concerns such as loneliness, depression, and the risk of exacerbating poverty,…
THE recent cost of living crisis has created a wave of anxiety among many, with around three in four adults reporting feeling overwhelmed about their financial well-being, according to ONS. Although it’s natural to experience such worries, excessive concern can become all-consuming, leaving you unable to function in daily life.…
UP-AND-COMING actors Rishi Manuel and Zaynah Ahmed make their panto debut with Aladdin, a story they said holds a “special place” in the hearts of south Asian communities. In recent years, Disney has been on a mission to venture into new cultures with films such as Wish, Encanto, Raya and…
Jeremy Hunt will announce tax cuts for businesses on Wednesday (22) - and possibly some for voters too - as the chancellor of the exchequer tries to speed up Britain's sluggish economy and help his struggling party before an election expected next year. Buoyed by a fall in inflation, Hunt…
ENGLAND ended their European Championship qualifying campaign with a scrappy 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Monday (20) but captain Harry Kane said they have much to be proud of after topping their group and finishing six points ahead of Italy. England had sealed qualification for next year's finals in…
RELIGIOUS Britons are “significantly happier” than atheists and non-religious people, new research has revealed. People for whom religion is an important part of their identity “are also more optimistic and more resilient than atheists and non-religious people,” the study commissioned by the research forum Institute for the Impact of Faith…
The official inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic is anticipated to disclose compelling evidence this week, regarding the tensions and disputes among the then prime minister Boris Johnson, his ministers, and the country's top scientific advisors. Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's former chief scientific adviser, is set to provide evidence during…
A S Byatt, one of the most ambitious writers of her generation, died on Thursday at her home in London. Her novel Possession won the Booker Prize and gained her international acclaim as a novelist. She was 87 years old, The New York Times reported. Chatto & Windus, her longtime…
Nirav Modi, the fugitive diamond merchant wanted in India to stand trial on fraud and money laundering charges, told a UK court on Thursday (16) that he could be in England for years as some ongoing proceedings prevent his extradition. The 52-year-old former billionaire appeared for a hearing at Barkingside…
Finally, the wait is over! A picture of superstar Shah Rukh Khan with football legend David Beckham is out and undoubtedly it is no less than a feast for the fans' eyes. A while ago, SRK took to Instagram and dropped a priceless picture with Beckham from an intimate dinner…
Illumination Studios is set to tickle the funny bone of the audience with their upcoming animated film Migration which promises to offer the perfect blend of comedy and adventure this festive season. Ahead of its theatrical release on December 22, the studio has dropped a new trailer for the much-anticipated…
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday night hosted a private party at his residence for legendary footballer David Beckham. A video doing the rounds online sees a car arriving quietly at Mannat, with Beckham's staff seated in the front seat, while he sat in the back passenger's seat. David Beckham…
From next month, nearly half a million women in England will gain access to the contraceptive pill directly from pharmacies without requiring a GP appointment. The Pharmacy First scheme will also extend its services to include treatments for urinary infections and various common conditions, the BBC reported. NHS England highlighted…
The NHS will visit thousands of people in England’s lung cancer hotspots with giant inflatable lungs this month, to raise awareness of potential cancer symptoms and help catch cancer earlier. The Let’s Talk Lung Cancer roadshow, run between NHS England and Roy Castle Lung Foundation, kicks off as new survey…
INDIAN external affairs minister S Jaishankar has raised the country's long-standing concerns about pro-Khalistan extremism in the UK during his meetings with the country's leaders. He stressed that they should be on guard against the misuse of freedom of expression and speech. Jaishankar concluded his five-day visit to the UK…
FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan has alleged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) wanted India in the final of the Cricket World Cup. He claimed that this motivation led to the team being allowed to play on a used pitch. The World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand in…
INDIA's Virat Kohli struck a record 50th hundred and fast bowler Mohammed Shami's seven-wicket haul proved equally crucial as the unbeaten hosts overpowered New Zealand by 70 runs in a high-scoring match on Wednesday (15) to march into the World Cup final. Kohli's 117 and a blistering 105 from Shreyas…
BRITAIN's Sikh population, whose ancestors first migrated from the Punjab more than a century ago, have long been admired as a model of integration and for maintaining a strong identity. Lauded in their country of origin and beyond for their valour, industriousness and charity, Sikhs took those values to Britain,…
PAKISTAN captain Babar Azam was described as “depressed” and under pressure to save his job last Sunday (12), after the team crashed out of the Cricket World Cup, failing to make the semi-finals for a second successive tournament. A 93-run loss to England sealed Pakistan’s fate, ending the 1992 champions’…
In the UK, the state of cancer care has reached a critical point, and experts in the field are warning that patients may face fatal consequences due to the government's decision to eliminate a dedicated plan aimed at addressing the disease. With waiting times for NHS cancer treatment hitting a…
A MOLE has been kind enough to send Eastern Eye a transcript of Monday’s (13) telephone conversation between Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman. Rishi: Morning Suella, I have something to say to you… Suella: Who’s that? Rishi: Rishi…. Suella: Which Rishi? Rishi: Rishi Sunak, prime minister….. Suella: Oh, that Rishi.…
Former England football team captain David Beckham is currently in India as UNICEF's goodwill ambassador and he is likely to meet members of the Indian film fraternity soon. As per a source, couple Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja will host David Beckham at their residence in Mumbai. "David Beckham is…
CAMPAIGNERS have expressed disappointment over new research showing that one in four women feel they cannot progress in sport due to a lack of role models. The study, by the London Lions basketball team, found that 25 per cent of females believe becoming a professional player or at management level…
BRITISH inflation cooled more than expected in October as household energy prices dropped from a year ago and there was also a wider softening of price pressures, offering relief to the Bank of England and prime minister Rishi Sunak. Annual consumer price inflation plunged to a lower-than-expected 4.6 per cent…
INDIA are the favourites to lift a third World Cup, but a star of the country’s 1983 breakthrough triumph has warned of the threats posed by cricket’s “glorious uncertainties”. Rohit Sharma’s side have cruised into the semi-finals, where they will face New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday (15), with nine…
BRITISH audiences are set to witness a unique experience through a never-seen-before amalgamation of Igor Stravinsky’s iconic ballet with Bharatnatyam, created by award-winning dancer and choreographer Seeta Patel. Russian composer Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is being revisited this week, this time through the lens of an Indian classical dance…
PROMINENT British Asian GP, Dr Nikki Kanani, has announced that she will step down from her current role at NHS England next month after serving six years. She worked as the medical director for primary care overseeing the establishment of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and the formulation of a fresh…
SOUTH AFRICAN Morne Morkel has resigned as Pakistan's bowling coach, the country's cricket board (PCB) announced on Monday (13), two days after their failure to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in India. Pakistan finished fifth in the standings with eight points having won four matches and losing five,…
Rock legend and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is in India, soaking in the Diwali flavour and how! The rock-and-roll star posted a series of pictures on his official Instagram handle, taking in the sights and sounds of the Festival of Light on the streets of Kolkata. Along with the…
The Society of Neuroscience which recognises young neuroscientists has honoured Indian neuroscientist Abhilasha Joshi with the Early Career Award, acknowledging her exceptional research and educational contributions on an international scale. Joshi, currently a visiting researcher at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal, was awarded the Peter and…
During the Covid inquiry, Priti Patel, the former home secretary said that the £10,000 fines for violating Covid laws on large gatherings were excessively high. She said that the penalty, introduced before the August bank holiday in 2020, was not proportionate. Patel, along with her officials at the Home Office,…
RASSIE VAN DER DUSSEN hit an unbeaten 76 to lead South Africa to a comfortable five-wicket win over Afghanistan in their last World Cup group game on Friday (10) as their opponents were eliminated from the semi-final race. Chasing 245 for victory, Van der Dussen steered the Proteas home with…
ALLAN DONALD will leave his post as Bangladesh's fast-bowling coach following the World Cup, officials and media said Friday (10), days after his public criticism in the wake of the "timed-out" row. Bangladesh will wrap up a disappointing Cricket World Cup campaign in India against Australia in Pune on Saturday…
NOTHING has been done to protect south Asian and black medical staff or patients, despite their disproportionate number of deaths during Covid, doctors have told Eastern Eye. They have warned that if a pandemic were to happen tomorrow, more people of colour would die unnecessarily. Medical experts have previously told…
NEW ZEALAND returned to winning ways at the World Cup following a four-match slump as they defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday (9) and all but secured their place in the semi-finals. Opening batsmen Devon Conway (45) and Rachin Ravindra (42) got fourth-placed…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, lit ceremonial lamps for Diwali at a special reception at 10 Downing Street, welcoming guests from the Indian diaspora, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, and Hindi movie celebrities. The prime ministerial residence was decorated in a theme of vibrant marigolds and candles on Wednesday…
ENGLAND captain Jos Buttler said the team have shown a desire to "put things right" in India after a dismal World Cup campaign and are determined to secure a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy with a top-eight finish. The 2019 champions earned a 160-run win over the Netherlands in…
AFGHANISTAN have rebounded from defeat at the World Cup and can do so again, coach Jonathan Trott said after Tuesday's (7) three-wicket loss to Australia in Mumbai. Afghanistan had Australia reeling at 91-7 chasing 292 before Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 201 snatched a remarkable victory that sealed a semi-final slot for…
THE government’s new legislative agenda will build on its priority to grow the economy, safeguard energy independence and ensure the UK is securing “the benefits of Brexit”, prime minister Rishi Sunak’s office said last Saturday (4). Measures will also help build “the most competitive and supportive environment for businesses to…
ENGLAND snapped their five-match losing streak at the World Cup on Wednesday (8), as a century by Ben Stokes set the tone for a 160-run victory over the Netherlands that kept his team's Champions Trophy qualification hopes alive. The Netherlands got off to a sluggish start chasing 340 as England…
BESTSELLING author Amish Tripathi has concluded his tenure as Director of the Nehru Centre and Minister for Culture and Education at the High Commission of India in London. Over the course of four years, he actively coordinated numerous India-focused cultural events in the capital. The 49-year-old diplomat oversaw the Nehru…
A member of the opposition Labour Party has stepped down from his policy role in protest against his leader's decision not to demand a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Labour leader Keir Starmer has so far resisted increasing pressure within his party to advocate for a…
GLENN MAXWELL'S stunning 201 not out guided Australia into the semi-finals of the World Cup as the five-time champions snatched a sensational three-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat against Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday (7). At 91-7, chasing 292, Australia were all set to join title-holders England, 1996 champions…
Thousands of women facing a higher risk of breast cancer are set to receive aid through a risk-reducing drug, now approved for use by the NHS. The state-funded health service made the announcement on Tuesday (7), marking a significant step in preventing the disease. Anastrozole, a long-standing breast cancer treatment…
BRITISH STEEL is in talks with the government about funding for a shift to cleaner manufacturing, which would include shutting blast furnaces and probable job losses. Owned by China's Jingye Group, Britain's second-biggest steelmaker on Monday (6) outlined a £1.25 billion ($1.55bn) plan to make steel in a less carbon…
A council leader and ten councillors have announced their resignation from the Labour Party, citing dissatisfaction with Sir Keir Starmer's decision not to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. Among those to leave the party is Afrasiab Anwar, the leader of Burnley Council, who had previously called for Starmer's resignation…
VIRAT KOHLI marked his 35th birthday with his second century of the World Cup and Ravindra Jadeja claimed five wickets as India thumped South Africa by 243 runs in a contest featuring the top two teams in the tournament at the Eden Gardens. South Africa's chase of 327 began shakily…
Bestselling author Amish Tripathi has concluded his tenure as Director of the Nehru Centre and Minister for Culture and Education at the High Commission of India in London. Over the course of four years, he actively coordinated numerous India-focused cultural events in the capital. The 49-year-old diplomat oversaw the Nehru…
THE government's new legislative agenda will build on its priority to grow the economy, safeguard energy independence and ensure the UK is securing "the benefits of Brexit", prime minister Rishi Sunak's office said on Saturday (4). Measures will also help build "the most competitive and supportive environment for businesses to…
The support on offer for patients at their GP practice is expanding, thanks to thousands more healthcare staff working in local communities. NHS England is raising awareness of the support available, following a survey that reveals that almost one third (31%) of South Asian people in England are unaware of…
AFGHANISTAN swept past the Netherlands by seven wickets on Friday (3) to boost their chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals. Chasing 180 to win, Afghanistan reached their target with 111 balls to spare to clinch a fourth win at the tournament to add to victories over defending champions England,…
DEFENDING champions England were eliminated from the 50-over World Cup after their 33-run defeat by Ashes rivals Australia on Saturday (4). Australia posted 286 all out with Marnus Labuschagne (71) top-scoring for them after the five-time champions were put in to bat. England managed 253 in reply to slump to…
THE London Assembly has called on the Metropolitan Police to work with local Hindu communities to encourage them to report hate crimes targeting them. Hindus are the second most likely group to have been victims of religiously motivated hate crime, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. However,…
ENGLAND'S Ben Stokes on Friday (3) conceded that "nothing's worked" in a disastrous World Cup campaign. The defending champions have lost five of their six matches to lie at the bottom of the 10-team table and another defeat on Saturday (4) in Ahmedabad against arch-rivals Australia will end even their…
FORMER prime minister Boris Johnson asked the government's top scientific advisors early in the pandemic if a "special hairdryer" could be used against Covid, it emerged this week. As the virus began to spread worldwide in March 2020, Johnson shared with officials a YouTube video of the dryer being used…
The prevalence of dementia in England and Wales is anticipated to nearly double, reaching 1.7 million by 2040, according to a study by University College London. This rise is occurring at a much faster rate than previously expected and is linked to widening social inequalities, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyles, The…
A LEADING diversity adviser has warned that football risks losing a generation of ethnic minority female football players unless it shifts gears and becomes “proactive not reactive”. Earlier this month, Arsenal football club were criticised for a women’s team photo that had no ethnic minority player. The photo, posted on…
ASDA, owned by billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, has pledged to reduce prices for customers by generating up to £412 million to alleviate the debt burden of its petrol station empire. Following a £2 billion acquisition deal of EG Group's UK and Ireland operations, Asda aims to extend its…
SRI LANKA’S cricket stars and newspapers on Tuesday (31) mourned the death of a beloved “super fan” who had become a one-man cheer leader and a permanent presence at international games. Percy Abeysekara, 87, died at a hospital outside the capital Colombo on Monday (30) following a brief illness, according…
AN INCREDIBLE career has seen Apache Indian become a great British music icon. Whether it has been creating a new musical genre, monster hits like Boom Shak-A-Lak, world-class collaborations, trailblazing moments or setting up an academy for new talent, he has had three decades of brilliance. The singer, songwriter and…
PAKISTAN captain Babar Azam said on Tuesday (31) that he still clings onto hope that his team can squeeze into the World Cup semi-finals despite the odds stacked against them. "Yes. We are trying to win our next two matches and let's see where we stand," said Azam after a…
Nandini Das has won the 11th British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding with for her debut work "Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire." The award was presented by professor Charles Tripp FBA, the Chair of the jury, during a celebratory event at the British…
Countries including the UK, United States and China on Wednesday agreed the "need for international action" as political and tech leaders gathered for the world's first summit on artificial intelligence (AI) safety. The UK government kicked off the two-day event at Bletchley Park, north of London, by publishing the "Bletchley…
ENGLAND fast bowler David Willey will retire from international cricket at the end of the 50-overs World Cup in India, the 33-year-old said on Wednesday (1). Willey was not offered any deal when the English cricket board announced new central contracts last week and he will now be free to…
VERY few people in the Middle East will be familiar with Sir Keir Starmer, so whether or not the Labour leader calls for a ceasefire in Israel’s military action on Hamas in the Gaza strip is pretty much irrelevant. Even prime minister Rishi Sunak is not really a player. Starmer’s…
SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI grabbed three wickets while openers Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique cracked half-centuries as Pakistan stormed to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday (31) to stay afloat in the race for a World Cup semi-final place. Shaheen's 3-23 helped Pakistan dismiss Bangladesh for just 204 in 45.1…
Suella Braverman has described the individuals participating in street demonstrations advocating for a Gaza ceasefire as participants in "hate marches." Braverman expressed her dismay at the large gatherings, involving "tens of thousands of people," where chants advocating for the elimination of Israel were heard. Speaking after a Cobra meeting chaired…
WITH the Israel-Palestine conflict escalating so dangerously, its impact on British politics seems a rather local difficulty. When prime minister Rishi Sunak flew to Israel to tell prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu “we want you to win”, he could not really claim to be speaking for his much more ambivalent country.…
A spirited Afghanistan upset another former champion on Monday (30) when Hashmatullah Shahidi's men defeated 1996 winners Sri Lanka by seven wickets to continue their memorable campaign at the 50-overs World Cup. Their bowlers had laid the foundation of their third win in six matches when they bowled out Sri…
MOHAMMED Shami led an inspired bowling display as India hammered England by 100 runs on Sunday (29) to stay unbeaten in the World Cup and all but push the defending champions out of the semi-final race. Chasing a tricky 230 for victory in Lucknow, England collapsed to 129 all out…
FOREIGN doctors received lower pay and reduced benefits compared to their UK counterparts under a controversial scheme in English hospital trusts, an investigation has revealed. Doctors from outside the UK arrive at NHS trusts as ‘fellows’ under the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ medical training initiative (MTI) scheme, spending two-years…
ENGLAND skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bowl first against unbeaten India on Sunday (29) in a must-win match of their faltering World Cup campaign. The defending champions have lost four of their five matches and come in unchanged at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium in hunt of victory…
Facing a formidable opponent on foreign soil, England's war-weary cricket team gears up for their World Cup challenge against India at a venue historically significant for intense battles, adding to the pressure of the already tense tournament. The past and present cricket powerhouses meet Sunday (29) in Lucknow not far…
SRI LANKA breathed life into their World Cup campaign and left England in increasing danger of missing out on a semi-final spot after crushing the defending champions by eight wickets in a low-scoring match on Thursday (26). Chasing a modest 157 for only their second win, Sri Lanka overcame the…
As part of the UK Government’s ongoing commitment to Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, we are helping to recruit a team of 20 Community Advocates to act as role models for communities in England which may be most affected by ‘honour’ – based abuse. We are looking for dedicated…
INDIA all-rounder Hardik Pandya will reportedly miss the World Cup match against England in Lucknow on Sunday (29) as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Pandya, 30, twisted his ankle last Thursday (19) during the game against Bangladesh in Pune and limped off the field in pain. He…
BRAZILIAN legend Ronaldinho was in Kolkata last Sunday (22) to usher in an early onset of the Durga puja festival. The Durga puja, the grandest festival in the region, traditionally commences on the sixth day (Shasthi) following Mahalaya, but it got rolling on the second day itself with the Ronaldinho…
INDIA’S competence to stage the Olympics, which prime minister Narendra Modi wants to do, has been questioned by Simon Wilde, cricket correspondent of The Times, who has written a blistering article about the alleged mismanagement of the World Cup currently under way. Wilde took the Board of Control for Cricket…
FORMER captain and cricket pundit Nasser Hussain feels reliance on statistics rather than reading the conditions has led to England’s downfall in the ongoing World Cup, adding that the reigning champions don’t look like a side that can defend its title. England fell to a 229-run loss to South Africa…
BORIS JOHNSON’S sister, Rachel Johnson, who has a weekend slot on LBC, spent an hour last Sunday (22) discussing how families can be split by politics. She revealed that when Boris came to dinner, Brexit was off the menu. Boris’s siblings didn’t agree with him. One man rang LBC to…
FIREWORKS and celebratory gunfire raked Kabul’s skies as Afghans celebrated their stunning eight-wicket cricket World Cup defeat of Pakistan, a rare burst of public jubilation since the Taliban takeover. Hundreds of fans swarmed the streets of the capital late Monday (23), joining a morass of honking car traffic which wardens…
AN INVESTIGATION is on into the ballooning cost of building HS2, the highspeed railway between London and the north of England, the transport secretary said on Monday (23), after a newspaper report alleged that managers had covered up multi-billion pound budget overruns. HS2 (High Speed 2), the publicly funded company…
PACER Brydon Carse will replace injured Reece Topley in England's World Cup squad, the ICC announced on Monday (23). Topley fractured his left index finger during the defending champions' 229-run loss to South Africa in Mumbai on Saturday (21), their second defeat in a row. Carse, whose last international appearance…
In an effort to bridge the information gap surrounding menopause experiences for ethnic minority women in the UK, Besins Healthcare has launched new multi-language resources, “Language of Menopause” aimed at fostering better conversations about menopause within diverse communities. Launched on World Menopause Day 2023, (18 October) these digital resources including…
Escatic Afghanistan cricketers celebrated their thrilling win over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup match by grooving to the popular Bollywood number 'Lungi Dance' which features actor Shah Rukh Khan. Afghanistan on Monday registered their second surprise victory in the World Cup and their first-ever win over Pakistan in the…
AFGHANISTAN put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup on Monday (23). Chasing a 283-run target, Afghanistan were lifted by Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) as they scored 286-2 in 49…
A first anniversary in office is normally a moment for a leader to celebrate, but Rishi Sunak hits the milestone this week with a mountain to climb to retain power in a general election expected next year. Two by-election losses to the main opposition Labour on Thursday (19) underscored how…
BEN STOKES returned for faltering champions England on Saturday (21) as they made three changes before skipper Jos Buttler opted to field in a crunch World Cup clash against South Africa. The star all-rounder, who made 84 in England's 2019 World Cup final win, is playing his first game of…
The Great British Bake Off participant Saku Chandrasekara is safe. The 50-year-old intelligence analyst, who works for Herefordshire Council, was in danger of leaving the show after struggling during chocolate week. She survived as judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith decided that no one would face elimination this week because…
THE outlook is very bright for British Indian businessmen (and women) if a UK-India Free Trade Agreement is signed – as prime ministers Rishi Sunak and Narendra Modi hope to do by the end of 2023 or at the latest by early next year. A senior Indian government source has…
The Conservative Party lost two parliamentary seats to Labour on Friday (20), marking another ominous setback for prime minister Rishi Sunak and his party in the lead-up to the expected general election next year. The by-election results -- the latest in a string of traditionally safe Tory seats lost to…
THE billionaire co-owner of Asda has rejected claims of withdrawing funds from the company, and also justified the supermarket's complicated ownership structure, reported The Telegraph. Mohsin Issa's rebuttal comes in response to allegations that he and his brother Zuber had paid themselves dividends from Asda following their £6.8 billion takeover…
VOTERS went to the polls in elections to fill two vacant parliamentary seats on Thursday (19) that will be a test of how prime minister Rishi Sunak's Tories are faring in his party's heartlands before a national election expected next year. The by-elections were triggered by high-profile resignations of two…
GROWTH in British workers’ regular pay – which is being watched closely by the Bank of England – slowed from a previous record high and job vacancies also declined, official figures showed on Tuesday (17), in a sign that the labour market is losing momentum. British average earnings, excluding bonuses,…
A media report on Wednesday (18), indicated that the optimism surrounding the ongoing 13th round of negotiations for an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) is fading. Hopes of concluding the deal in time for prime minister Rishi Sunak to sign off before the India versus England World Cup cricket clash…
LET’S allow ourselves a bit of artistic licence and imagine Queen Victoria has slipped into the Hammersmith Lyric to take a peek at Tanika Gupta’s play, The Empress, a retelling of the story of her relationship with Abdul Karim and her Indian subjects in general. “We are amused,” the Queen…
NEW ZEALAND handed giant-killing Afghanistan a brutal reality check on Wednesday (18) when they exploited a disastrous fielding performance to romp to a 149-run victory at the Cricket World Cup. Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham and Will Young all scored half centuries and benefitted from dropped catches to score a fighting…
A FORMER Labour councillor has told Eastern Eye he decided to quit the party over leader Sir Keir Starmer’s “grotesque” comments over the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Gaza-based Hamas fighters broke through Israel’s heavily fortified border on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians. [caption id="attachment_256205" align="alignleft"…
THE Bank of England’s (BoE) actions to tame inflation have just begun to impact households and the effects will be felt to a greater extent next year, a policymaker said on Tuesday (17). Last month, the central bank froze interest rates at 5.25 per cent following a surprise slowdown in…
INFLATION remained elevated in September, official data showed Wednesday (18), dashing expectations of a dip as easing food and drink prices were offset by higher energy costs. The Consumer Prices Index held at 6.7 per cent last month, after unexpectedly slowing to the same level in August, the Office for…
THE West Midlands, England's second biggest metropolitan area, is set to be boosted by the creation of 1,000 new tech sector jobs, the local economic development agency said on Wednesday (18). The West Midlands Growth Company, which covers an area containing England's second city Birmingham, said the jobs would be…
AS THE weather cools, people tend to see more of their friends and family indoors, which increases the risk of catching colds, flu and Covid-19. This is why the NHS has once again offered vaccines to those most vulnerable to infection. Dr Nikki Kanani, a GP and director of clinical…
THE Netherlands are confident they "can beat any side" after a shock win over South Africa, with skipper Scott Edwards eyeing a spot in the World Cup semi-finals. The Dutch stunned South Africa by 38 runs in a rain-reduced 43-overs-a-side contest in Dharamsala on Tuesday (17) for their first win…
QUANTEXA founder and chief executive Vishal Marria advocated that a domestic company with the “right intentions” should be hired to manage NHS data instead of awarding the contract to an American company. His London-based data analytics firm is attempting to strike a deal to link up hospital data where Palantir,…
YOUNG actors Kashif Ghole and Ibraheem Hussain dive straight into the deep end in their debut roles in the coming-of-age play, Brown Boys Swim. The pair play the lead roles of Mohsen and Kash, teenagers ready for university; but, before that, they’re desperate to get into the biggest pool party…
NETHERLANDS defeated mighty South Africa by 38 runs at the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday (17) as the European outsiders humiliated the Proteas for the second time in a year. Chasing 246 to win from a rain-reduced 43 overs after Dutch captain Scott Edwards made a crucial 78 not out,…
ENGLAND captain Jos Buttler has called on his players to show resilience and character in the wake of a stunning loss to Afghanistan that has put their World Cup title defence on shaky ground. England are fifth in the group standings with one win from three matches after the 69-run…
AFGHANISTAN pulled off one of the greatest World Cup shocks on Sunday when they defeated defending champions England by 69 runs in New Delhi. Chasing 285 to win, after opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz had hit a blistering 80, England were bowled out for 215 despite Harry Brook's 66 with spinners Mujeeb…
TENS of thousands of people rallied on Saturday (14) in London and other UK cities at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, amid police warnings that anyone showing support for the militant group Hamas could face arrest. Protesters marching through the heart of the British capital were shadowed by a heavy police presence of…
POLICE have arrested a 22-year-old woman in England suspected of having made a speech backing Hamas, despite laws forbidding explicit support for banned organisations, the local force said Friday (13). The woman was detained under the terrorism act Thursday (12) following an investigation into a speech given at a protest…
Researchers have discovered that common risk factors for dementia, like high blood pressure and diabetes, have a more significant impact on black and Asian individuals, according to a recent study. This finding has led to calls for increased efforts to address health disparities. The global number of adults affected by…
CRICKET'S more than 100-year Olympic exile moved closer to ending after the sport was approved for inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Games by the International Olympic Committee's executive board on Friday (13). IOC president Thomas Bach, speaking after the second day of an executive board meeting in Mumbai, said…
The Royal Mint has revealed eight new coin designs, showcasing King Charles' dedication to conservation and the natural world. Overseen by the king, the eight designs showcase the flora and fauna from different regions of the UK. The 1p coin displays a hazel dormouse, the 2p coin depicts a red squirrel,…
THE Bank of England’s actions to tame inflation have just begun to impact households and the effects will be felt to a greater extent next year, a policymaker has said. Last month, the central bank froze interest rates at 5.25 per cent following a surprise slowdown in inflation. Its decision…
The family law firm, Vardags, has launched a law essay competition open to all university students across the UK, aiming to discover exceptional young legal minds in the country. The winner of this competition will receive a £2,000 prize, along with an exclusive one-on-one session with Vardags’ founder and president,…
NEW radical plans for the NHS are being rolled out across GP surgeries in England, which are now working with a wide range of health practitioners so you or a family member have access to the most efficient patient care. The introduction of over 29,000 new health and care staff…
THERE are 635 UK companies operating in India with a combined turnover of approximately £51 billion and employing around 666,992 people, according to the 2023 edition of ‘Britain Meets India’ (BMI) report. The third edition of the report, launched by Grant Thornton Bharat in partnership with the Confederation of Indian…
BANK OF ENGLAND officials have issued a warning about the menacing presence of discriminatory artificial intelligence (AI) bots that have the potential to endanger the financial system. The report from the bank's fintech hub highlighted the risks associated with AI bots perpetuating racist and sexist biases, raising concerns about their…
THE NHS offers amazing opportunities to be a part of its inspiring team and kickstart a rewarding and illustrious career. With more than 350 varied and rewarding roles to choose from, the UK Government’s investment in better pay, and one of the UK’s best pension plans, the NHS offers you…
INDIAN and several other ethnic groups improved their position relative to white British pupils in England since the pandemic in terms of attainment. According to the Education Policy Institute’s latest annual report, pupils of Indian ethnicity were 8.8 months ahead of their white British classmates by the end of primary…
MORE debris and suspected human remains have been recovered from a privately owned submersible which failed catastrophically in June while on a mission to the Titanic, the US Coast Guard said. All five people on board the recreational sub, named Titan and operated by US-based company OceanGate, were killed when…
Noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, known for helming such iconic films as Mr. India (1987), Bandit Queen (1994), Elizabeth (1998), and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), was involved in an accident in Manchester. The BAFTA Award winner took to social media platform X to share the news with his fans and…
THE UK and Ireland will co-host Euro 2028, while Italy and Turkey will be joint hosts of the 2032 tournament, UEFA announced. Both bids ran unopposed but still needed official approval from European football's governing body, which they received at a meeting in Switzerland. Turkey last week withdrew from the…
PAKISTAN's batting hero Mohammad Rizwan said his team was confident of achieving a World Cup record chase against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, clinching Tuesday's (10) match by six wickets. Rizwan scored 131 not out and in the company of opener Abdullah Shafique (113) set the platform for chasing a daunting…
THE shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, said pharmacists were key to the modernisation of the NHS as he paid tribute to the sector at the annual Pharmacy Business Awards last Wednesday (4). Independent community pharmacists were in the spotlight at the event, which recognises the contribution of the sector in…
MINISTERS and the media are contributing to hate crime against British Muslims, according to politicians and community leaders. Last week (5) saw a nine per cent year-on-year increase in reported religious hate crime figures. Politicians, religious leaders and campaigning groups are urging them to stop demonising Muslims. Of the almost…
A GLOBAL body for financial sector qualifications set out on Wednesday (11) its first diversity, equity and inclusion code in Britain, just as regulators pile pressure on the industry to hire more women and ethnic minority staff. The US headquartered CFA Institute has already rolled out a version of the…
MOHAMMAD RIZWAN and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday (10). The diminutive Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score a 121-ball 131 not out while Shafique hit a 103-ball 113 as…
A trial involving six Indian banks pursuing unpaid loans amounting to an estimated $2 billion, including interest accrued, from GVK Coal Developers (Singapore) Pte Ltd and associated companies opened in the High Court in London on Tuesday (10). Judge Dame Clare Moulder presided over the hearing at the Commercial Court…
DAWID MALAN bludgeoned 140 before Reece Topley destroyed the Bangladesh top order on Tuesday (10) as England bounced back from their mauling by New Zealand in their World Cup opener. In-form Malan belted five sixes in his career-best one-day international score and Topley took 4-43 as the defending champions won…
ENGLAND captain Jos Buttler is concerned with the outfield in Dharamsala, which he thinks is not ideal for World Cup matches. Former England batter and Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott questioned the condition of the outfield after spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman narrowly escaped injury after jamming his knee into the…
MITCHELL SANTNER played a blistering innings and then took five wickets to guide New Zealand to a convincing 99-run win over the Netherlands in a World Cup match in Hyderabad on Monday (9). The 31-year-old left-hander clubbed a 17-ball 36 not out in New Zealand's imposing total of 322-7 before…
BRITAIN and India are looking at a possible visit to New Delhi by prime minister Rishi Sunak soon, but it may depend on whether the two sides can resolve the remaining differences to firm up the free trade agreement (FTA), people familiar with the matter said on Monday (9). Both…
The recently appointed free speech chief, professor Arif Ahmed at the Office for Students (OfS), which regulates the higher education system in England, has expressed “serious” concerns about the stifling of free speech in English universities. He emphasised his commitment to defending all views and addressing the issue of academic…
BRITISH ASIANS in England and Wales are least likely to be living in care homes, according to an analysis of Census 2021 data. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Monday (9) showed that less than one per cent (0.95 per cent) of the care home population…
MEDICAL experts have voiced their outrage over an NHS training course that perpetuates racial stereotypes, with critics calling it "discriminatory" and "racist." The controversy surrounds a module within the course that suggests "Asian men" may avoid making eye contact during medical care because it is considered disrespectful in their culture,…
A 74-YEAR-OLD man accused of being involved in the killing of police constable Sharon Beshenivsky 18 years ago has pleaded not guilty to her murder. Piran Ditta Khan, extradited from Pakistan, however, admitted to one charge of robbery on the day of the West Yorkshire Police officer’s murder but denied…
OPPOSITION Labour Party gathers in northern England this weekend for its annual conference seeking to cement its huge lead in opinion polls as it boasts of record business interest in its convention. Polls put Labour about 20 points ahead of prime minister Rishi Sunak's ruling Conservatives with an election expected…
POST OFFICE is facing criticism for failing to provide sufficient guidance and training to prosecutors involved in investigating branch operators accused of misconduct in the Horizon IT scandal, reported The Guardian. This revelation comes from criminal prosecutions expert, Duncan Atkinson KC, as part of the ongoing inquiry into the scandal.…
MAJORITY of hate crimes in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023 were directed at Muslims, the latest data revealed. There were 3,452 attacks against Muslims, accounting for 39 per cent of all reported hate crimes during the period, the Home Office data published on Thursday (5) stated.…
A LEADING Tory parliamentarian has accused home secretary Suella Braverman of “betraying” her own culture and background with her claim that multiculturalism in Britain has “failed”. Braverman, in a speech last week at the American Enterprise Institute, in Washington DC, described multiculturalism as a “misguided dogma” that had allowed people…
NEW ZEALAND crushed defending champions England by nine wickets in the opening match of the 50-over World Cup on Thursday (5), demonstrating again their knack of punching above their weight in showpiece events. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra smashed rapid unbeaten centuries to set up New Zealand's successful pursuit of…
INDIA skipper Rohit Sharma said he appreciates "what's at stake" but will not get bogged down by the weight of expectation on his team to win another World Cup title at home. The hosts begin their campaign against five-time champions Australia in Chennai on Sunday (8) as cricket-crazy India looks…
Acclaimed filmmaker Gurinder Chadha has revealed that she is currently working on a sequel to her iconic British film Bend it Like Beckham. Starring Parminder Nagra, Archie Panjabi, Anupam Kher, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Juliet Stevenson, and Shaznay Lewis in principal roles, Bend it Like Beckham told the story…
LABOUR gathers this weekend for its annual conference, with the centre-left party currently on course to return to power in a general election expected next year. Labour, led by Keir Starmer, goes into the four-day event -- which starts on Sunday (8) in Liverpool, northwest England -- well ahead of…
NEW ZEALAND won the toss and put defending champions England in to bat in the World Cup opener on Thursday (5) with the English missing their talisman Ben Stokes due to a hip injury. The clash, at the world's biggest cricket stadium in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, is a…
TUESDAY, September 26, 2023, will go down in the history of the Hinduja family as a spectacular night to remember. On that day, the Princess Royal unveiled a plaque to mark the reincarnation of the Grade II-listed Old War Office (OWO) in Whitehall, London, as the OWO Raffles hotel and…
AS A first-time father, Tushar Srivastava struggled to keep track of routine health visits for his infant son and related parenting tasks, so he resorted to jotting them down on Excel. Soon, though, it became clear to him that other parents were in the same boat, so he came up…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak portrayed himself as a tough decision maker and an agent of change on Wednesday (4), seeking to break with the scandals and chaos of his Tory predecessors and show the party he can help it win an upcoming election. In a speech lasting more than an…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak has scrapped the HS2 high-speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester during his Conservative Party conference speech on Wednesday (4). The cancellation includes everything beyond the London-Birmingham route, with the £36 billion saved set to be reinvested in transport initiatives across the North, Midlands,…
AA DHAND is making history as the first British Asian crime writer whose work is being adapted for a six-part BBC TV series. His tales are set in the dark, mean streets of Bradford and his main protagonist is a Sikh police officer, Detective Chief Inspector Hardeep Virdee. He doesn’t…
