- Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Russia has set a new schedule to deliver the remaining two regiments of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India by next year, The delay was due to the conflict in Ukraine, sources told PTI on Tuesday. Under the existing USD 5.5 billion deal, Russia has already provided three units…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday (23) he would lift defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP a year by 2030, saying the British arms industry must be on a "war footing" when the world is at its most dangerous since the Cold War. Standing alongside NATO leader…
The winners of the 67th annual World Press Photo Contest have been announced. Handpicked from a staggering pool of over 61,000 submissions spanning across 130 nations, these captivating images serve as a poignant reflection of the pressing narratives shaping our world today. Covering a spectrum of issues including conflicts, climate…
The nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards have been unveiled, setting the stage for a showdown between Netflix's documentary series African Queens: Njinga and three long-standing daytime dramas: CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless, along with Peacock's Days of Our Lives. As…
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday (16) raised India’s growth projection to 6.8 per cent from its January forecast of 6.5 per cent citing bullish domestic demand conditions and a rising working-age population. With this, India continues to be the fastest growing economy of the world, ahead of China’s…
The Olympic torch for the Paris 2024 Games was officially lit in ancient Olympia on Tuesday, initiating the final phase of the seven-year preparations for the Games, set to begin on July 26. Due to overcast weather, Greek actress Mary Mina, portraying the role of a high priestess, used a…
INDIA said that it remains open to all ideas that could help achieve early restoration of peace in Ukraine. This week, the Switzerland government announced plans to host a high-level summit on Ukraine. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has been consistently pressing for resolution of the Russia-Ukraine…
India has been placed 10th in the world for cybercrime activities, with advance fee fraud being the most prevalent type, a new study involving cybercrime experts globally has revealed. The study, leading to the creation of the 'World Cybercrime Index,' ranks about 100 countries based on their involvement in various…
OFFICIALS in Kyiv have announced that Ukraine and Britain have entered into a framework agreement aimed at collaborating in the defence and arms manufacturing sector. This agreement is seen as a crucial component of Ukraine's efforts during wartime to enhance its domestic weapons industry by partnering with allies. The document…
THE G7 price cap on Russian oil shipments is cutting the revenue that Moscow has available to support its invasion of Ukraine, and the mechanism's effectiveness is helped by the recent actions of Indian refiners, US officials will say in New Delhi on Thursday (4), according to prepared remarks. The…
The Akshaya Patra Foundation's historic milestone of serving four billion meals was celebrated at the United Nations headquarters on Tuesday (2). Founded in 2000, this Indian non-profit runs 72 kitchens, and feeds 2.1 million children every day in 24,000 schools. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN hosted a…
THE Indian government has taken up the issue of ban on imports of Russian-origin unpolished diamonds by the 27-member European Union (EU) and G7 nations as the measure will end up hurting the domestic diamond polishing industry, foreign minister S Jaishankar has said. The initial stage of an EU and…
UKRAINE'S Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba will arrive in New Delhi on his maiden visit to India amid the festering Russia-Ukraine conflict. His visit on Thursday (28) comes at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. During his…
THE Bestway Group has reported a five per cent increase in revenues to £4.74 billion for the year ended June 2023, a statement said. The group, founded by Sir Anwar Pervez, OBE H Pk, reported a pre-tax profit of £420.9 million during the period, Lord Zameer Choudrey CBE, group chief…
AN unprecedented rise in child poverty happened across the UK, government figures released Thursday (21) revealed. Previous research indicated that escalating social disparities within the G7 country are negatively impacting children's well-being, leading to an increased reliance on food banks. An estimated 4.33 million children were living in low-income households…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi held separate phone calls on Wednesday (20) with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy and discussed strengthening ties with both, ahead of a visit by the Ukrainian foreign minister to New Delhi. India has traditionally had close economic and defence ties with Moscow…
THE world needs books from India because they reflect the spiritual values of Indian culture and civilisation. “Books are important for mental health,” said Yuvraj Malik, director of the National Book Trust (NBT) of India, which took a pavilion for the first time at the 2024 London Book Fair.…
THE week-long International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India, concluded on Friday (15). As many as 1,500 international guests, including saints, spiritual masters, yogacharyas, artists, and musicians from over 75 countries have participated in the event. The festival, under the guidance of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president…
INDIA has slammed Pakistan after Islamabad's envoy at the United Nations made references to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Citizenship Amendment Act at the general assembly. Pakistan's Ambassador Munir Akram raised these issues during the plenary meeting on Friday while introducing the resolution ‘Measures to combat Islamophobia', in…
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…
Former prime minister Boris Johnson flew to Venezuela in February for unofficial talks with its President Nicolás Maduro, The Times reports. Johnson spoke to the Venezuelan president about the war in Ukraine, amid concerns that the South American nation could supply weapons or military support to Russia. Venezuela has been…
Indian authorities said they had detained members of a "trafficking" network sending citizens of the country to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine after raiding several travel agents. Two years since Russia's invasion began, tens of thousands of its soldiers have been killed in Ukraine and Moscow is on…
THE Indian army is using kites, a bird of prey from eagle family, to fight drones and carry out surveillance missions, according to Tribune newspaper. During a joint India-Japan army exercise 'Dharma Guardian' in the Rajasthan state, a kite flew overhead providing real-time imagery and situational awareness to ground troops.…
India's embassy in Moscow has confirmed the death of a citizen recruited by the Russian army, days after a relative told AFP he had been sent to fight in Ukraine. Two years after Russia's invasion began, tens of thousands of its soldiers have been killed in Ukraine and Moscow is…
INDIA’S economy grew 8.4 per cent in the December quarter, official data showed last Thursday (29), with a surging manufacturing sector helping defy more modest analyst forecasts. Thursday’s results were significantly higher than the seven per cent projected by India’s central bank and other, lower estimates by analysts. “Double-digit growth…
FORMER US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley will suspend her presidential campaign on Wednesday (6), according to a source familiar with her plans, ensuring that Donald Trump will win the Republican nomination and once again face Democratic president Joe Biden in November's election. Haley will give a speech at…
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…
Sri Lanka has told Russians and Ukrainians staying in the country to leave in two weeks, according to media reports. The immigration controller of the island nation has issued a notice to the tourism ministry asking Russian and Ukrainian people staying on extended tourist visas to leave Sri Lanka within…
AGE has become an important factor in the 2024 general elections in the US, an eminent Indian-American Democrat has said, signalling that youths and minorities who were a strong pillar of support for President Joe Biden in 2020, seem to lack enthusiasm and energy about the ruling party in the…
Several Indians who worked as support staff to the Russian army were discharged following India's demand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. It said India remains committed, as a matter of "top priority", to actively pursuing with the Russian authorities all the relevant cases of Indian nationals…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak said that Western nations should take a more assertive stance on confiscating Russian assets, which were frozen following the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sunak, in an article in an early edition of the Sunday Times to mark two years since the start of…
A dentist who had tweeted that he would kill his local MP has been detained in hospital, according to media reports. Amit Kerai, 34, had during a four-year campaign of harassment tweeted that Brent North MP Barry Gardiner would be "stabbed, shot, beheaded". Kerai appeared at the Old Bailey court…
A company registered in India along with 26 others will face export restrictions under new European Union (EU) sanctions for their involvement in Russia's war efforts. The names of these companies have not yet been made public and will be later published in the EU's official journal. The other companies…
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…
INDIAN AMERICAN Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley has said that if voted to power, her administration will not only strengthen the alliance with NATO but also with several other countries including India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Haley, 52, the former US ambassador to the UN, said that…
Actress Deepika Padukone, who presented an award at the 77th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), ditched the usual award season gown look for a glittering saree. The actress presented filmmaker Jonathan Glazer with the Bafta for the film not in the English language category at a ceremony here on Sunday.…
IN the dynamic landscape of international relations, the influence of non-state actors, including transnational religious organisations, plays a crucial role in shaping a nation’s global standing. India, with its rich tapestry of religious diversity, has witnessed the emergence and growth of various such organisations that contribute significantly to the country’s…
US Vice President Kamala Harris said she was ready to serve as leader, in a Wall Street Journal interview published on Monday (12), as voter concerns mount about president Joe Biden’s age in an election year. Harris, 59, has faced growing scrutiny about her own abilities as the first in…
THE UKRAINE war has forced India to focus its military spending more on fostering domestic industry - as Russia, its largest supplier - prioritised its domestic needs, a new report said on Tuesday (13). As a result of the conflict, New Delhi set aside a record 75 per cent of…
THIS was a tale of two anniversaries. As Big Ben chimed 11pm on January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom had formally left the European Union. Yet the fourth anniversary of that moment passed without a great deal of fanfare last week. The media sparring between the remnants of the referendum…
RUSSIA has begun buying bananas from India and will boost such imports, its food safety watchdog said, after a spat with its biggest supplier Ecuador over the latter's decision to swap Russian-made military hardware with the US. The first batch of bananas from India was shipped to Russia in January…
PROMINENT British Indian peer Shreela Flather passed away after a short illness in the UK on Tuesday (6), her sons Marcus and Paul Flather said in a statement. She was 89. Known for her elegant sarees in the House of Lords, the teacher and politician was a life peer as…
Discover insightful strategies for forex trading in 2024. Explore how geopolitical shifts, technology, and economic trends impact forex risk management and platform choices. Welcome to the world of forex and CFD trading online. This digital arena has evolved dramatically since the late 1990s with the advent of sophisticated trading platforms.…
LABOUR will cap corporation tax at 25 per cent if it wins the next election and will look to cut that rate if needed, the party's finance policy chief Rachel Reeves told business leaders on Thursday (1). Businesses have long complained about a lack of visibility on everything from tax…
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…
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron arrives as the guest of honour in India on Thursday (25) with a sumptuous palace feast and colourful military parade, as France eyes lucrative deals with the world's fifth-biggest economy. Macron will be offered a red carpet welcome by prime minister Narendra Modi with dinner in a…
THEATRE director Atri Banerjee said he “embraced” the challenge of helming back-to-back plays: Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie and Phoebe EclairPowell’s Shed: Exploded View. Banerjee is currently working on Shed: Exploded View which runs at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester from February to March, following which he will revisit…
INDIAN-owned Tata Steel is to cut about 3,000 jobs at a plant in Wales, a source said Thursday (18), as the industry struggles to finance greener production of the metal. The company will on Friday (19) confirm the closure of two blast furnaces at the Port Talbot steelworks, resulting in…
INDIAN purchases of Russian crude in defiance of Western pressure over the Ukraine war have fallen to an 11-month low as the price tag on the discounted oil rises, figures show. Since the invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, India has bought hundreds of millions of barrels of cut-price…
VIVEK RAMASWAMY, a multi-millionaire former biotech executive, ended his White House bid and endorsed Donald Trump after his longshot bid caught attention but failed to catapult him high enough in the Republican Party's first nominating contest in Iowa. Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old born in Ohio to immigrant parents from southern India,…
In an unusual acknowledgment, the prominent Beijing-based Chinese media outlet, Global Times, has published an article praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for India's remarkable progress in economic development, social governance, and foreign policy. Penned by Zhang Jiadong, the director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University,…
Bangladesh, prime minister Sheikh Hasina clinched her fourth consecutive term, securing an absolute majority for her party. The election witnessed a low turnout and was boycotted by the main opposition, the country's poll body on Monday (8). Her Awami League party has 165 seats out of 224 seats in Sunday’s…
Bangladesh is set to hold general elections on Sunday (7), with prime minister Sheikh Hasina anticipated to secure a fourth consecutive term. The main Opposition BNP, which initiated a 48-hour nationwide strike on Saturday against the "illegal government," is absent from the electoral scene. Sporadic violence has been reported amidst…
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to commence a three-day visit to the UK, from Monday (8), aimed at revitalising strategic and security engagement between both nations. The visit aims to explore potential collaborations for joint development of fighter jets and other military platforms. Singh is scheduled to hold…
RUSSIA redirected its oil exports from Europe to China and India, deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said last Wednesday (27), almost two years after Moscow was hit by sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. After president Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022, Western countries hit Russia with a…
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…
Fireworks illuminated skies worldwide to usher in 2024, yet airstrikes marred the year's earliest hours in Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine. Additionally, a significant earthquake struck Japan, prompting tsunami warnings. Many around the world may wish to shake off high living costs, global tumult and extreme weather in 2024, which heralds…
PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (27) invited prime minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year as external affairs minister S Jaishankar called on the Russian leader at the Kremlin. "We will be glad to see our friend, prime minister Modi in Russia," Putin told Jaishankar. Jaishankar, who is in…
ALMOST all of Russia's oil exports this year have been shipped to China and India, deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday (27), after Moscow responded to Western economic sanctions by quickly rerouting supplies away from Europe. Russia has successfully circumvented sanctions on its oil and diverted flows from…
People donned Santa caps on beaches, ski slopes and streets around the globe on Monday to celebrate Christmas, as Pope Francis called for an end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine that this year have cast a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays. In his annual Christmas…
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday announced the shortlists in 10 categories for the upcoming 96th Oscars. Actor Margot Robbie's meta-comedy film Barbie had the most mentions with five including sound, original song for its three submissions from Billie Eilish ("What I Was Made For?"), Dua…
Malayalam film 2018: Everyone is a Hero, India's official entry in the international feature film category at the 2024 Academy Awards, is out of the Oscars race. The Jude Anthany Joseph-directed film failed to make it to the shortlist of 15 films for the category, which was announced by the…
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced last Tuesday (12) it authorized the release of close to $700 million (£550m) for Bangladesh after concluding it was making progress on programmed aimed at preserving macroeconomic stability. The IMF said in a statement that it concluded the first review of two loan programmes,…
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 Financial Times business book of the year for 2023 has gone to Right Kind of Wrong: Why Learning to Fail Can Teach Us to Thrive by Amy Edmondson, a Harvard professor who has been called “the world’s most influential organisational psychologist”. The prize, worth £30,000, was announced last Tuesday…
THE billionaire Issa brothers blame the surge in remote working for hindering the post-Covid recovery of their fast-food chain, Leon. Zuber Issa cited the combination of hybrid work models and rail strikes as significant factors contributing to Leon's recent struggles, reported The Telegraph. According to the report, Leon faced challenges…
INDIA'S central bank again left interest rates unchanged on Friday (8), saying that easing inflation and a stable financial outlook had tempered economic headwinds. The benchmark repo rate - the level at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends to commercial banks - has stood at 6.50 per cent…
REPUBLICAN presidential hopefuls sought to halt surging Nikki Haley's momentum in an acrimonious fourth primary debate Wednesday (6), as they made their pitches to be considered the most viable alternative to runaway frontrunner Donald Trump. The former president -- who is seeking to retake the White House despite facing 91…
Time magazine on Wednesday named American Grammy-award-winning singer Taylor Swift as its Person of the Year. "Picking one person who represents the 8 billion people on the planet is no easy task. We picked a choice that represents joy. Someone who's bringing light to the world," said Sam Jacobs, the…
DR HENRY KISSINGER, who died last Wednesday (29), aged 100, was an American diplomat of Jewish-German extraction who served as national security adviser and secretary of state to US presidents Richard Nixon and his successor, Gerald Ford. Kissinger’s long life was proof of the old adage, “You can fool all…
THE Bollywood actress, Alia Bhatt, is the sole Indian to be selected by the Financial Times (FT) among its “25 most influential women of 2023” chosen from across the world. The paper’s selection is a little like Eastern Eye’s Power List (the next one will be published on March 5,…
The 28th edition of the European Union Film Festival, which spotlights the best in European Cinema and offers an immersive experience with a focus on celebrating women's stories told by women filmmakers, is set to open on December 1, 2023, in New Delhi. This year’s line-up includes 28 films in…
NASA will train an Indian astronaut for a voyage to the International Space Station as early as next year, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said on Wednesday (29), amid deepening space ties between India and the US. "There is an opportunity to share science," Nelson said, speaking at an event in…
CONSERVATIVE politicians sounded like they were already in opposition during the ferocious blue-on-blue attacks on the government over record levels of net migration announced last week. There were many calls for immediate action to slash the numbers. Yet none of those declaring that it was of existential political importance to…
Two-time Grammy Award-winning music producer and composer, Sam Slater has received overwhelming praise for his original score in the global blockbuster series The Railway Men. The successful four-part mini-series is being praised for a variety of reasons, one of which being the music and original score composed by Sam Slater…
INDIA’S purchase policies “softened” the oil and gas markets by its decision to continue transactions with Russia, and New Dehi should be “thanked for managing global inflation” as a consequence, the country’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar said last week. His remarks came in response to a question of India…
Rishi Sunak pledged on Monday (20) his readiness to "responsibly" reduce taxes after achieving his goal of halving inflation by year-end. However, he tempered expectations for the upcoming Autumn Statement budget scheduled this week, indicating that the government would not execute “everything at once.” Amid mounting pressure from sections of…
James Cleverly is the first-ever Black British home secretary, though no national newspaper noticed enough to devote even a sentence or two to that fact. It would surely have made headlines five years ago. No Black or Asian politician had held any great office of state before 2018. Yet Cleverly’s…
The prime minister has shown that “he has a backbone” by sacking his controversial home secretary, south Asian Conservative parliamentarians and grassroots members have told Eastern Eye. Rishi Sunak fired Suella Braverman on Monday (13), five days after she wrote a Times newspaper article in which she criticised the Met…
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…
FOREIGN SECRETARY David Cameron vowed to keep up military support for Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv announced on Thursday (16), with the West's attention focused on the Middle East. Former prime minister Cameron was in Kyiv on his first visit abroad as foreign minister of the UK, which…
CORRUPT Asian elites are exploiting Britain’s property market and the City of London to launder the proceeds of drugs smuggling, a new report warned. The report published last Friday (10) by the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) underscored the UK’s failure to prosecute money laundering crimes and emphasised its involvement in…
RUSSIA has signed a contract to supply IglaS hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India and allow production of the Igla there under licence, the Russian state news agency TASS quoted a top arms export official as saying on Tuesday (14). The Igla-S is a manportable air defence system (MANPADS) that can…
The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) will return with its 28th edition in New Delhi on December 1. The 10-day film gala, which aims to celebrate the cultural connect between India and the European Union through the world of cinema, will take place across three locations -- the Indian Habitat…
THE Chinese and Pakistani navies are holding weeklong drills in the Arabian Sea days after the Russian Pacific Fleet and Myanmar practised repelling attacks in their first maritime exercise, while India and the United States pledged security cooperation. At a naval base in Karachi on Saturday (11), the Chinese and…
FORMER prime minister David Cameron was named as the country's new foreign secretary on Monday (13), in a surprise appointment made by Rishi Sunak as he reshuffled his top team. Cameron, 57, served as British leader from 2010 to 2016, resigning after the outcome of the Brexit referendum, when Britain…
CORRUPT Asian elites are exploiting Britain's property market and the City of London to launder the proceeds of drugs smuggling, a new report warned. The report published on Friday (10) by the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) underscored the UK's failure to prosecute money laundering crimes and emphasised its involvement in…
INDIA and the US announced progress on key defence deals and said they would expand their growing partnership in the face of geopolitical challenges as their top diplomats and senior ministers met on Friday (10). US secretary of state Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin met Indian foreign minister…
US SECRETARY of state Antony Blinken and defence secretary Lloyd Austin will hold talks with India this week that officials say will focus on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and concerns over China, rather than the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The talks in New Delhi on Friday (10) with…
DEAR divine souls, I hope that – by god’s grace – this finds you all in the best of health and happiness at this holy and divine time of Diwali. The festival of Diwali signifies the joyous return of Bhagwan Ram to Ayodhya. Its residents filled the streets with brightly…
WE DON’T hear very much these days about Boris Johnson making a comeback to 10, Downing Street. He has decided making money is the better option. Boris earned £4.8 million in five months after leaving office as prime minister, mostly for speaking at events and for securing a deal to…
INDIAN-AMERICAN Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley has said former president Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election would result in "four years of chaos, vendettas and drama" that would be dangerous for the US, which needs a captain who will steady the ship, not capsize it. Haley, 51, launched her…
A PAKISTANI court indicted former prime minister Imran Khan and his deputy in an Official Secrets Acts case on Monday (23), his party said, in another blow for the jailed former cricket star ahead of a general election expected in January. The charge is related to a classified cable sent…
PAKISTAN is looking to tame inflation with fuel price cuts and a price-control mechanism, caretaker prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said on Monday (16). The South Asian country is embarking on a tricky path to economic recovery under a caretaker government after a $3 billion loan programme approved by…
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…
BANGLADESH received the first uranium delivery last Thursday (5) for its Russia-backed nuclear plant, a project aimed at bolstering its overstretched energy grid, but complicated by sanctions on Moscow. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has courted Russian ties with renewed vigour amid Western criticism over her government’s rights record. Moscow is…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak, attended a joint reception organised by the diaspora group Conservative Friends of India and the Indian High Commission on the sidelines of the Tory Conference in Manchester on Monday (2). While addressing the crowd, Sunak expressed immense pride in his background and heritage. He also reflected…
CONSERVATIVES opened their annual conference on Sunday (1), with the party's chairman conceding they were "the underdogs" heading into a general election expected next year amid widespread economic woes. The gathering in Manchester will be prime minister Rishi Sunak's first since he became Tory leader last October, and likely the…
TORIES started its annual conference Sunday (1), bidding to kickstart a resurgence before a general election expected next year that it is currently on track to lose. The four-day gathering in Manchester, northwest England, will be prime minister Rishi Sunak's first since he became Tory leader last October, and likely…
During the second 2024 presidential primary debate on Wednesday (27) for the Republican party, the seven participating candidates sought to persuade voters that they could serve as a credible alternative to the frontrunner, Donald Trump, who opted not to attend the event. Here are some key takeaways from the sometimes-disorderly…
THE Indian government freed Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and influential separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, last Friday (22) after more than four years of house arrest. The 50-year-old was detained along with other political leaders and thousands of residents when the government cancelled the region’s constitutional semi-autonomy and imposed federal…
The nation's inflation-driven cost-of-living crisis could have dire consequences potentially "cut lives short" and "significantly widen the wealth-health gap" a study published by the open-access journal BMJ Public Health on Monday (25) warned. According to the modelling for the study, there is a projected increase of nearly 6.5 per cent…
INDIA's state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp wants to eventually receive a share of crude from a Russian project it partly owns, but is willing to wait because Russian oil is hard to ship right now, said the head of ONGC's overseas investment arm, ONGC Videsh. Russian president Vladimir Putin…
INDIAN oil companies are exploring the possibility of using close to $600 million (£484.73m) of their dividend income stranded in Russia to buy oil from that country, officials have said. India's top four oil companies - Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Oil India Ltd and ONGC…
The Jaipur Literary Festival, which is hailed as one of the greatest literary shows globally, is set to make a grand return to Houston on September 15, featuring several celebrated writers, analysts and researchers, including award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair. This marks the sixth edition of the festival, a globally renowned…
THE G20 Summit in New Delhi has positioned India as a key player in the global arena, edging closer to becoming the 'leader of the Global South,' according to analysts. The two-day summit, which concluded on Sunday (10), showcased India's leadership as it championed initiatives aimed at countering the ascendancy…
PUBLIC dissatisfaction with how the government is handling immigration is at its highest level since 2015, according to a new survey. In May this year, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data revealed that net migration to the UK reached a record high of 606,000 in 2022, driven by people from…
THE prime minister Rishi Sunak on Monday (11) told British lawmakers that he had “warm and productive” discussions with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, as he updated parliament on his recent visit to New Delhi for the Indialed G20 summit. Addressing the…
WITH the provision of a swathe of new oil and gas exploration licences and a crisis in offshore wind energy, clouds are gathering over the UK’s net zero promises. The Conservative government of Rishi Sunak in July promised “hundreds” of new licences for oil and gas exploration and production in…
GERMAN imports of refined oil products from India soared in the first seven months of the year, official data showed Tuesday (12), much of which was likely made using crude oil from sanctions-hit Russia. Germany bought €451 million (£387m) worth of Indian petroleum products between January and July. That was…
India’s yearlong presidency of the G20 came to a climax last weekend as world leaders gathered in Delhi for the annual summit of the world’s leading economies. Against the perceived odds, India was able to forge consensus among a group of nations increasingly divided along geopolitical fault-lines. The official communique,…
During his G20 presidency, Narendra Modi strategically enhanced his domestic and international reputation as a guardian of national influence and well-being, emphasising India's global standing in anticipation of the upcoming general elections next year. Over several months, the 72-year-old leader's presence has been pervasive throughout Delhi, as his image adorned…
French president Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (10) that the G20 leaders' declaration "confirms" Russia's isolation regarding the Ukraine crisis. He also noted that India's presidency of the bloc made significant efforts to convey a message of unity and peace to the world. At a media briefing, he also said…
Narendra Modi concluded the G20 summit on Sunday, which notably downplayed significant disagreements regarding the Ukraine conflict and climate change. Despite the contentious issues, the summit afforded him a diplomatic moment in the spotlight. The ongoing Ukraine conflict has deeply divided G20 nations since Moscow's invasion last year, leading Russian…
INDIA's strong leadership made it possible for G20 leaders to reach consensus in intense discussions on a summit message urging nations to shun use of force in territorial disputes, a senior European Union official said on Sunday (10). For weeks before the New Delhi meeting, the bloc struggled to agree…
THE Group of 20 nations adopted a consensus declaration at a summit on Saturday (9) that avoided condemnation of Russia for the war in Ukraine but called on all states to refrain from the use of force to seize territory. Prime minister Narendra Modi of host India announced that the…
THE G20 has adopted a consensus declaration on issues facing the bloc, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday (9) during a summit, signalling that negotiators had resolved deep differences over the wording on the war in Ukraine. He gave no details on the compromise wording. "On the back…
THE African Union was made a permanent member of the G20, comprising the world's richest and most powerful countries, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said at the bloc's summit in New Delhi on Saturday (9). The African Union, a continental body of 55 member states, now has the same status…
Charles III commemorates his first year as king today (8). Here are five pivotal moments from his first year on the throne. - Inaugural address - Following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 on September 8, 2022, Charles assumed the throne. During his…
Rishi Sunak said on Friday (8) that his trip to New Delhi for the G20 Leaders' Summit is "obviously special". He jokingly mentioned the nickname "son-in-law of India," as the first British prime minister of Indian heritage and being married to Akshata Murty, an Indian. Speaking to reporters in a…
US president Joe Biden headed for the G20 in India on Thursday (7) promising that the summit would "deliver" despite the absence of the Chinese and Russian leaders. Biden is hoping to seize on the no-shows by Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin to boost US influence, and show that the…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak emphasised the significance of India's diversity and its remarkable achievements, asserting that it is the opportune moment for the nation to assume the G20 presidency. He praised prime minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past year and highlighted that India's leadership in the G20 comes at…
CHINA'S president Xi Jinping skipping this week's G20 summit in New Delhi was not unusual and will not affect negotiations to produce a consensus communique at the meeting, Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said. The September 9-10 summit of leaders of the world's richest countries is being held in the…
LABOUR MP Shabana Mahmood said she was honoured to be appointed shadow secretary of state for justice after party leader Sir Keir Starmer carried out a reshuffle on Monday (4). Days after prime minister Rishi Sunak’s mini reshuffle last week, Sir Keir named Birmingham Ladywood MP Mahmood to the shadow…
US president Joe Biden will travel to India next week to participate in the G20 Summit and will have a bilateral meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi on September 8, the White House has announced. India, president of the G20, will host global leaders for the summit scheduled to take…
INDIA has asked the US to allow the release of $26 million belonging to at least two Indian diamond firms that was frozen due to their alleged trade links with sanctioned Russian diamond major Alrosa, three Indian sources said. The funds were frozen earlier this year due to US sanctions…
FORMER energy minister Grant Shapps replaced Ben Wallace on Thursday (31) as Britain's defence secretary, a promotion for a man relied upon by the government as a good media communicator but lacking in direct experience of the military. An ally of prime minister Rishi Sunak, Shapps takes on the brief…
THE European Union last Saturday (26) voiced concerns over a “rapid” rise in refined petroleum products made from Russian crude oil in India finding their way to the European market. Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU executive vice-president and commissioner for trade, said oil products processed from Russian crude oil were arriving…
BRICS leaders announced last Thursday (24) the “historic” admission of six countries, as the bloc seeks to reshape the Westerlies global order and expand its influence. BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – agreed at their annual summit to make Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and…
RUSSIA will be represented by its foreign minister at the G20 summit in New Delhi, president Vladimir Putin told Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in a phone call on Monday (28) where the two leaders also discussed bilateral ties. The two leaders also spoke about the planned expansion of the…
Ukrainian Day will be celebrated on September 6 at the Venice Film Festival 2023. The organisers will host a series of panels and meetings to support war-torn Ukraine and its film industry, Variety reported. With this event, which follows an analogous initiative on the Lido last year, the fest’s parent…
JAILED former prime minister Imran Khan admitted “misplacing” a confidential diplomatic cable as he was interrogated by Pakistan's top investigative agency. Khan, 70, sentenced to a three-year jail term earlier this month in a corruption case, was grilled at the Attock prison for wrongful use of the classified document, according…
The G20 summit negotiator for India Amitabh Kant expressed the nation's intention to diplomatically persuade G20 member countries towards resolving geopolitical challenges. In response to a question concerning the Russia-Ukraine war, Kant said on Friday (25) that India seeks amicable solutions. The ongoing conflict, which began in February last year,…
INDIAN-AMERICAN US presidential aspirants Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy clashed during the Republican Party’s maiden presidential primary debate over foreign policy issues, with the former South Carolina governor criticising her rival and entrepreneur for lacking foreign policy experience and supporting Russia. Haley, 51, and Ramaswamy, 38, have been clashing over…
IF Wednesday's (23) US Republican debate was judged on applause alone, Vivek Ramaswamy won hands down, with Nikki Haley emerging as a pleasant "surprise" -- at least at one Atlanta bar, where a group of young voters was trying to pick a candidate to back. Gathered at a bar in…
THE five BRICS developing nations will admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, they said on Thursday (24), a move aimed at growing the clout of the bloc as it pushes to rebalance the prevailing world order. The expansion could also pave the way for…
LEADERS of the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – were due to open a summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday (22) where they will weigh expanding membership as some members push to forge the bloc into a counterweight to the West. Heightened global tensions provoked by…
THE space race India aims to win this week by landing first on the moon’s south pole is about science, the politics of national prestige and a new frontier: money. If India’s Chandrayaan-3 succeeds in landing on the lunar south pole on Wednesday (23), analysts and executives expect an immediate…
Leaders of the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – were due to open a summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday (22) where they will weigh expanding membership as some members push to forge the bloc into a counterweight to the West. Heightened global tensions provoked by…
The space race India aims to win this week by landing first on the moon's south pole is about science, the politics of national prestige and a new frontier: money. If India's Chandrayaan-3 succeeds in landing on the lunar south pole on Wednesday (23), analysts and executives expect an immediate…
INDIA’S central bank left interest rates unchanged last Thursday (10) but warned that higher food prices, caused in part by the extreme weather conditions, had impacted household budgets and halted a downward inflation trend. The benchmark repurchase rate has been kept at 6.50 per cent since the last hike by…
Russia is set to meet its commitment to deliver S-400 anti-aircraft systems to India within the established timeframe, a senior Russian defence export official said on Monday (14). Being the largest arms importer globally, India relies predominantly on Russian technology for traditional weaponry. However, authorities in New Delhi have expressed…
A SLOWDOWN in in global consumption and a rise in energy costs following the outbreak of war in Ukraine have compounded problems for Pakistan’s industrial manufacturing sector. The textile sector, which accounts for about 60 per cent of Pakistan’s exports, has been hit by the critical state of the country’s…
INDIA will remain an “active and willing partner” to find a “lasting” solution to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the country’s national security advisor said, after attending a peace conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last Sunday (6). Ajit Doval told delegates the responsibility to end the war was in the hands…
LONG-TERM allies India and Russia are in a race to the moon, it emerged last week. India’s space agency said last weekend it successfully carried out an orbit reduction manoeuvre of the country’s third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, days after Russia said last Friday (4) it will launch its first lunar…
India will take part in the Ukraine peace talks to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 5 and 6, a spokesperson for India's foreign ministry, Arindam Bagchi, announced during a news briefing on Thursday (03). The talks have been initiated by Saudi Arabia, which extended invitations to Western…
THE Bank of England on Thursday (3) hiked its key interest rate for a 14th time in a row, by a quarter-point to 5.25 percent as UK inflation stays high, prolonging a cost-of-living crisis. Policymakers "will continue to monitor closely indications of persistent inflationary pressures", the BoE said in a…
GREENPEACE protesters draped the private home of prime minister Rishi Sunak in black fabric on Thursday (3), stepping up their campaign against his government's policy on drilling for oil. Sunak's record on environmental issues has come under scrutiny in recent months after he said he would take a "proportionate approach"…
THE Bank of England is set to raise its key interest rate for a 14th time in a row Thursday (3) as UK inflation stays high, adding to a cost-of-living crisis. The BoE is seen hiking borrowing costs by at least a quarter-point to 5.25 per cent, which would be…
PAKISTAN is unlikely to meet a target for Russian crude to make up two-thirds of its oil imports, despite attractive prices, hampered by a shortage of foreign currency and limitations at its refineries and ports, officials and analysts say. The cash-strapped country became Russia’s latest customer snapping up discounted crude…
STEELMAKER ArcelorMittal said on Thursday (27) its net profit sank in the first half of the year, as prices for the metal fell from the peaks reached at the start of the Ukraine war. Higher interest rates, which were raised by central banks to combat inflation, also weighed on demand…
INDIA'S pharmaceutical exports this fiscal year are set to grow nearly twice as fast as last year to hit sales of $27 billion, driven by strong US buying, a government-backed trade body said, despite deaths linked to Indian-made cough syrups. The robust forecast comes against the backdrop of earlier concerns…
ASDA boss Mohsin Issa defended his price-cutting measures as he told a group of MPs he grew up in the same environment as some of his customers from low-income households. Issa, who co-owns Asda with his brother Zuber, appeared before the business and trade committee in a follow-up session to…
Pakistan's election commission issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for former prime minister Imran Khan, Geo news reported on Monday (24), the latest in a series of legal hurdles facing the cricketer-turned-politician. Khan was arrested in May by Pakistani authorities in connection with a corruption case, which sparked deadly unrest across…
THE Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in India failed on Saturday (22) to reach consensus on phasing down fossil fuels following objections by some producer nations. Scientists and campaigners are exasperated by international bodies' foot-dragging on action to curb global warming even as extreme weather from China to…
INDIA on Thursday (20) ordered a halt to its largest rice export category in a move that will roughly halve shipments by the world's largest exporter of the grain. New Delhi’s move triggers fears of further inflation on global food markets. The government said it was imposing a ban on…
PAKISTAN will open criminal proceedings against former prime minister Imran Khan on charges of exposing official secrets, interior minister Rana Sanaullah said on Wednesday (19), the latest in a string of cases the former cricketer has been facing. The case is related to diplomatic correspondence between Washington and Islamabad, which…
The new head of the World Bank said Tuesday (18) that growing divides between rich and poor nations risked deepening poverty in the developing world. Ajay Banga said he feared a lack of progress was in danger of splitting the global economy. "The thing that keeps me up at night…
TWO days of talks between economic and finance policymakers from the Group of 20 nations will wrap up on Tuesday without a joint statement due to differences between major powers over the war in Ukraine, according to Indian officials hosting the meeting. During its presidency of the G20, India is…
G20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs opened talks on Monday (17) on debt restructuring deals, multilateral bank reform and finance to tackle climate change. Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, chair and host of the summit in Gandhinagar, began by telling finance leaders of "the responsibility we have... to steer…
WORKERS at Britain's Gatwick will strike for eight days at the end of July and in early August, potentially causing cancellations and travel misery for thousands of passengers at the busiest time of year for summer holidays. European travellers are already on high alert over worries about air traffic control…
Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal enjoyed a day out in London as he watched the Wimbledon women's singles semi-final match. The cinema icon dressed in a blue formal suit for his outing and shared pictures from the match on his Twitter page. "Wimbledon," the 63-year-old wrote. Mohanlal was accompanied by Disney…
Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic made history on Thursday by becoming the first unseeded player in 60 years to reach the Wimbledon women's final. She dashed the title dreams of Ukraine's Elina Svitolina with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory. Vondrousova, currently ranked 42nd in the world, will now face…
INDIA’S multi-billion-dollar purchases of US arms are less about shifting its reliance on Russian defence equipment and moving towards the West - it’s more about developing its own domestic weapons industry, security officials and analysts say. India is the world’s biggest arms importer, but almost all of its major weapons…
THE UN Human Rights Council voted on Wednesday (12) to condemn recent Koran burning incidents, but many countries declined to back the measure, fearing it encroached too much on free speech. Despite overwhelming condemnation of the Muslim holy book being desecrated, the vote brought more division than unity as Western…
The guest of honour for the Bastille Day celebrations in France on Friday (14) is Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the ongoing efforts of Western powers to engage with India, the world's largest democracy and a rapidly growing economy. President Emmanuel Macron extended a warm reception to Modi, following…
US PRESIDENT Joe Biden was in Britain on Monday (10) for a brief visit to his key ally during which he will meet King Charles III and prime minister Rishi Sunak before going on to a Nato summit in Lithuania. Ahead of the visit, the White House said Biden would…
US president Joe Biden will arrive in Britain on Sunday (9) for a brief visit during which he will meet prime minister Rishi Sunak and discuss climate change issues with King Charles ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. The White House said the trip was designed "to further strengthen the…
World number one Carlos Alcaraz and defending women's champion Elena Rybakina both began their Wimbledon campaigns with victorious performances on Tuesday (04). However, torrential rain wreaked havoc on the All England Club schedule, resulting in only one hour of play being possible on the outside courts. As a result, 69…
The defending men's champion, Novak Djokovic, and the top-seeded woman, Iga Swiatek, initiated their Wimbledon campaigns with impressive performances on Monday (03). Despite a temporary pause in play on the outside courts due to rain, the anticipated climate protests failed to materialise. At 36 years old, Djokovic, who has suffered…
PAKISTAN will become the fourth largest IMF borrower in the world when it receives a fresh loan of $3 billion in the next nine months under an arrangement with the lender. On March 31, 2023, the country was the fourth largest borrower from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Express…
Novak Djokovic starts the Wimbledon tournament on Monday (03), initiating his quest for an eighth title and a record-tying 24th Grand Slam victory. The 36-year-old Serbian, who has emerged victorious in the past four editions at the All England Club, begins his campaign on Centre Court, a venue where he…
A group of Conservative MPs called on prime minister Rishi Sunak on Monday (3) to do more to cut immigration, saying he risked further eroding the trust of voters who lent the party their vote in 2019 if he failed to take action. The group of MPs, many elected for…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles and a 24th major in his sights as he closes in on a first calendar Grand Slam in 54 years. Fresh from breaking out of a tie with Rafael Nadal for 23 Slams at the French Open, the 36-year-old Djokovic…
RUSSIAN president Vladimir Putin discussed the situation around Ukraine and how Moscow had resolved an armed mercenary mutiny in a telephone call with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (30), the Kremlin said. It said that Modi had expressed support for what the Kremlin called the Russian leadership's decisive…
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level pact with Pakistan on a $3 billion stand-by arrangement, the lender said. Subject to approval by the IMF board in July, the deal comes after an eight-month delay and offers some respite to Pakistan, which is battling an acute balance of…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo last Sunday (25) on a rare visit during which both sides pledged to deepen their strategic ties. They agreed to boost investment by India, the world’s most populous nation, in Egypt, which has the Arab world’s largest…
A WEEKEND article in the Financial Times set out to explain “How India is slowly moving into the American orbit.” The reality is that India is not moving into the American orbit nor America into India’s, but for some decades now the two countries have been drawing closer together. One…
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak should leverage his Indian heritage for forging stronger ties between the UK and India in trade and defence, former foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said. “Britain remains uniquely placed to reap the dividends of a deeper friendship with India” with Sunak as the prime minister but…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met with US and Indian technology executives in Washington on Friday (23), the final day of a state visit where he agreed new defence and technology cooperation and addressed challenges posed by China. US president Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on…
DIAMONDS are a girl’s best friend, it is said, and prime minister Narendra Modi swerved clear of any controversy by gifting an eco-friendly lab-grown 7.5 carat diamond to US first lady Jill Biden. President Joe Biden and his wife hosted Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House on…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (21) opened a state visit to Washington as the United States steps up its wooing of India. President Joe Biden is putting on the full pomp for only the third state visitor of his administration, with the billion-plus country seen as a pivotal…
US president Joe Biden welcomes India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (21) for two days of talks that the White House sees as bolstering "one of the defining partnerships of our age," despite ongoing concerns about human rights. Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China while…
RISING food prices during the cost of living crisis have had a bigger impact on south Asian families and businesses, according to experts. They have highlighted that the inflation of products – including rice, cooking oil and spices – has disproportionately affected Asian households. The Runnymede Trust think-tank said the…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United States of America on Tuesday (20) upon the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The visit will last until June 24. During his visit, Modi plans to meet with…
AIRBUS announced a record 500-plane deal with Indian airline IndiGo on day one of the Paris Airshow on Monday (19), as strong demand for jets and missiles vied for attention with the industry's supply chain problems. The multibillion-dollar deal for single-aisle planes - the largest ever by number of aircraft…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has revealed how he shared barfi (Indian sweets) made by his mother with Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Ukrainian president's recent visit to Downing Street. Sunak, 43, posted a reel last weekend on his official Instagram account of an interview during which he shared the moment his…
Britain's National Grid, on Thursday (15), expressed confidence in having sufficient capacity to meet the electricity demand during the upcoming winter. Amid the ongoing supply risks resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the National Grid remains committed to exploring additional options. Despite the disruptions in gas flows from Russia due…
Former home secretary Priti Patel has been rewarded with a damehood as Boris Johnson awarded his political aides and allies with some of Britain’s highest honours to mark his resignation last year as prime minister. Kulveer Ranger, who served as director of transport when Johnson was the mayor of London,…
The world’s nuclear powers, including India and China, increased investment in their arsenals for a third consecutive year in 2022 amid swelling geopolitical tensions, two re - ports showed on Monday (12). The world’s nine nuclear-armed states jointly spent $82.9 billion (£65.7bn) on their arsenals last year, with the United…
PAKISTAN paid for its first government-to-government import of discounted Russian crude oil in Chinese currency, the South Asian country's petroleum minister has said, a significant shift in its US dollar-dominated export payments policy. Discounted crude offers a respite as Pakistan faces an economic crisis with an acute balance of payments…
Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, the Biden administration is pushing New Delhi to cut through its own red tape and advance a deal for dozens of US-made armed drones, two people familiar with the matter said. India has long expressed interest in buying large…
THE FIRST shipment of Russian oil to energy-starved and dollar-strapped Pakistan has arrived at Karachi port, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last year, economic sanctions have seen a significant cut in its oil and gas exports to the European Union and United States.…
FORMER home secretary Priti Patel has been rewarded with a damehood as Boris Johnson awarded his political aides and allies with some of Britain's highest honours to mark his resignation last year as prime minister. Kulveer Ranger, who served as director of transport when Johnson was the mayor of London,…
US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday (08) announced a partnership between their countries focused on advanced technologies, clean energy, and critical minerals, as they aim to strengthen their historical security alliance. The leaders signed the "Atlantic Declaration," which Sunak described as a first-of-its-kind economic…
The US and Britain unveiled a fresh strategic pact on Thursday (08), reaffirming their commitment to the "special relationship" in order to counter the challenges posed by Russia, China, and economic instability. During a summit held at the White House, US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak…
INDIA'S central bank on Thursday (8) kept interest rates on hold for its second-straight meeting, citing easing inflation pressures, but warned about an uncertain global outlook. The benchmark repurchase rate was left at 6.50 per cent by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), bank governor Shaktikanta Das announced in a…
India's GDP grew by 7.2 per cent in the year to March, official figures showed last Wednesday (31), boosted by services and consumption, putting it among the world’s fastest-expanding major economies. The country is the world’s fifth-largest economy, and recently surpassed China to become the most populous country. Its growth…
PRESIDENT Joe Biden's top official for the Indo-Pacific region said on Tuesday (6) he hoped a visit this month by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "consecrates" the relationship with India as the most important for the US in the world. The official, Kurt Campbell, told the Hudson Institute think tank…
AN Air India plane flying from Delhi to San Francisco was forced to divert and land at an airfield in Russia's Far East after it developed a technical issue with one of its engines, the airline said on Tuesday (6). The 216 passengers onboard are being offered support on the…
IMMIGRATION can help reduce Britain's high inflation rate, the deputy head of the International Monetary Fund has told the BBC as the UK restricts the net amount of legal migrants. UK inflation is cooling slower than expected, in part owing to sectors including hospitality and farming paying higher wages to…
India and the United States have concluded a roadmap for defence industry cooperation for the next few years, the two countries said on Monday (5), a landmark move expected to bolster New Delhi's defence manufacturing ambitions. Washington is working to deepen ties with India and sees stronger military-to-military and technology…
India emerged as the leading supplier of refined fuel to Europe, in April 2023, surpassing other countries in the market. Vortexa, an energy cargo tracking system, reported that India exported approximately 406 thousand barrels per day (kbd) of refined fuel to European nations during that month, The New Indian Express…
Top diplomats representing BRICS countries expressed openness to welcoming new members into the group during discussions held in South Africa on Thursday (01). The bloc aims to strengthen its influence in the international arena and seeks a broader representation to amplify its voice. Foreign ministers from the five-nation grouping of…
THE Biden administration is poised to sign off on a deal that would allow General Electric (GE) to produce jet engines powering Indian military aircraft in that country, according to three people briefed on the decision. A deal finalising the joint production of the engines is expected to be inked…
I was born in South London, but like millions of British people, my family’s story embodies the “living bridge” that connects the UK and India. My father moved to Glasgow with only £5 to his name. He worked hard, initially on the railways, studied hard to become an accountant and…
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scheduled to engage in discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden, next week, focusing on enhancing economic relations and exploring avenues to provide ongoing military assistance to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. During his visit to Washington on Wednesday and Thursday, Sunak will hold meetings…
The UN human rights chief has said that he has formally conveyed his concerns over a new British migration law to the government, saying he was worried it would bar people from seeking asylum. Stopping small boat arrivals across the Channel from France is a priority for prime minister Rishi…
Boris Johnson has been referred to police over further potential breaches of lockdown rules during the Covid-19 pandemic, a charge the former prime minister's office portrayed as "yet another politically motivated stitch up". The Cabinet Office, which is responsible for overseeing the operation of government, said it had made a…
NET MIGRATION to Britain reached a record high of 606,000 last year, data showed on Thursday, drawing fresh promises from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to reduce arrivals, but underscoring the difficulty of doing so at a time of acute labour shortages. The increase was driven by people from outside the…
Annual net migration to the United Kingdom reached a record high of 606,000 last year, official estimates showed on Thursday (25), heaping pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who has pledged to bring numbers down. High levels of legal migration has long dominated Britain's political discourse and the topic was…
Bangladesh is struggling to pay for imported fuel because of a dollar shortage, letters from the state petroleum firm show, with it warning of an “alarming decrease” in fuel reserves. It owes more than $300 million to six overseas companies, some of which have either sent fewer cargoes than scheduled…
UK regulators took action to reduce the cap on domestic energy bills on Thursday (25), aiming to alleviate the cost-of-living challenges faced by consumers. This decision came shortly after data revealed a slowdown in heightened inflation. Ofgem, the regulatory body, announced that starting from July, the maximum amount suppliers can…
How much is immigration mainly a question of numbers? Record levels of net migration certainly create a political headache for the Prime Minister. The figure was just over half a million, when the statistics were last published six months ago. This week’s statistics, published on Thursday, will be higher still. They…
India is "abusing" its presidency of the G20 by holding a tourism conference in the portion of Kashmir it controls, Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said. "I wish I could say I was surprised, but I think that this is a continuation in what is becoming a norm now,…
Rishi Sunak stressed that China presents the foremost challenge to worldwide security and prosperity, but has cautioned against complete disengagement from the leading economy. Sunak made these remarks on Sunday (21) following a summit of the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Hiroshima, Japan. "China poses the biggest challenge of…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (20) met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak, Indonesian president Joko Widodo and UN chief Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. Modi and Sunak shared a warm hug and the British prime minister shared the picture on his Twitter…
US President Joe Biden aims to speak this weekend with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Ukraine and the "sacrosanct" issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Saturday (20). Lula and Modi are attending a…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, broadcaster CNN-News 18 reported on Friday (19), their first meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. News of the meeting came hours after Modi left New Delhi for Hiroshima,…
Britain unveiled new sanctions against Russia on Friday (19), targeting imports of diamonds and other minerals in a bid to choke Moscow's ability to fund the war in Ukraine. Before a G7 summit in Japan began, London said it would introduce "a ban on Russian diamonds", copper, aluminium and nickel,…
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to sign a historic "Hiroshima Accord" on Thursday (18) when he meets with Japan's prime minister Fumio Kishida ahead of a G7 meeting, to step up defence cooperation with Japan, according to a statement from the UK government. As part of the accord, the…
The UK government on Tuesday (16) promised to award 45,000 visas for seasonal workers in the agricultural sector next year despite calls from within the ruling Conservative party to cut immigration. After a drop during the pandemic, net migration has been steadily on the rise and is expected to hit…
Britain's departure from the European Union has not been a failure, prime minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said on Tuesday (16), rebuffing criticism from prominent eurosceptic politicians about how Brexit had been implemented. Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who helped force a Brexit referendum in 2016 and successfully campaigned to leave…
Sweden has won the 67th Eurovision song contest. The Swedish singer-songwriter Loreen was named the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 for her pop ballad “Tattoo,” She beat out 25 other nations at the event’s final on Saturday night and created Eurovision history by becoming the second person in…
Rishi Sunak was accused by Boris Johnson loyalists of stabbing the then prime minister in the back when he resigned from the cabinet – but dramatic new evidence suggests the chancellor was acting in self-defence and was also morally in the right when he quit government. What exactly happened between…
The White House announced on Wednesday (10) that US president Joe Biden will be hosting India's prime minister Narendra Modi for a state visit on June 22. This visit is set to reinforce the strong and extensive partnership between the two nations, the statement added. It represents the highest level…
Facing a deep economic crisis, Pakistan has started to buy Russian oil, but the country’s petroleum minister said the future lies in diversified, especially green, energy. Minister Musadik Malik visited the US for talks with corporations as well as with the government, with Washington leading global efforts to choke off…
Britain's first coronation in 70 years takes place on Saturday (6), with Charles III crowned king in an elaborate Christian ceremony steeped in solemn ritual and more than a millennium of history. The coronation - the first of a British king since 1937 - is the religious confirmation of his…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join President Emmanuel Macron in Paris for France's Bastille Day military parade on July 14, the two countries said in a joint statement Friday (5). Following in the footsteps of other world leaders wooed by Macron such as former US president Donald Trump, the…
Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang assured his Russian and Indian counterparts of deepening bilateral ties, promising that "coordination and cooperation" will only grow stronger, in a show of solidarity with two of China's biggest neighbours. Qin met in India on Thursday (4) with other foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation…
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh has told his Chinese counterpart that the military forces present on their disputed Himalayan border are harming their relationship and that withdrawal of troops is necessary to maintain 'peace and tranquility'. Tensions between the two nations have been high since a violent conflict at a…
Popstar Mae Muller, who is representing the UK in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, recently met UK Junior Eurovision star Freya Skye. Skye visited Muller to interview her and get some exclusive updates on her show. Muller said she wanted her performance to “feel like a party”. She, however, chose…
Pakistan has placed its first order for discounted Russian crude oil under a new deal struck between Islamabad and Moscow, the country's petroleum minister said, with one cargo to dock at Karachi port in May. Pakistan's purchase gives Russia a new outlet for its crude, adding to Moscow's growing sales…
Chelsea's American owners witnessed their first season's last hope for any success crumble as their club, which they had acquired in a deal worth £4.25 billion ($5.28bn) last year, was eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid. Chelsea is currently struggling in the unfamiliar lower half of the Premier…
India and Russia on Tuesday (18) agreed to address trade deficit and market access issues, the Indian foreign ministry said, as New Delhi seeks to narrow trade imbalance after a more than four-fold rise in imports from Russia since the war in Ukraine. The two nations are discussing a free…
Western luxury fashion brands are increasingly eyeing the affluent Middle Eastern market by launching exclusive collections for Ramadan, featuring flowing kaftans, fluid separates, and glamorous maxi dresses. Cosmopolitan Middle East magazine recently declared that with these collections, "You're about to be the best-dressed person at every iftar and suhoor that…
Ministers from India and Russia on Monday (17) announced that they are engaged in discussions for a free trade agreement that would strengthen their economic relationship. The two countries have experienced strong commercial ties since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar disclosed at a New…
A Ukrainian minister will visit India from Sunday (9) in the first face-to-face talks between the two countries since Russia's invasion of its European neighbour last year. India imports much of its military hardware from Russia, and is walking a delicate balancing act between its increased security cooperation with Western…
India's central bank held interest rates on Thursday (6) for the first time in nearly a year because of "unprecedented uncertainty" in global markets but said it was committed to taming persistent inflation. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left the benchmark repurchase rate at 6.50 per cent after hikes…
The U.S. dollar index has been on the rise for some time now. It traded at around $104 on March 10, 2023, and has recently experienced fluctuations due to several factors, like the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, international sanctions against Russia, and China…
According to a senior official from the Wildlife department, the wetlands of Kashmir were visited by a record-breaking 13 to 14 lakh birds from Eastern Europe and Central Asia this winter. The wildlife department conducted a census, which revealed the notable rise in bird arrivals, attributed to the efforts made…
The Kochi Muziris Biennale 2022-2023, a renowned biennial international contemporary art exhibition, spans four months on Fort Kochi Island in Kerala, India. This is the country's largest contemporary art exhibition, occurring biennially in Fort Kochi. The fifth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale which started from December 12, 2022 will run…
Deepak Chopra, the physician and "guy from Oprah", recently visited London to introduce the premiere of the documentary Never Forget Tibet: The Dalai Lama’s Untold Story, lending his star power to the cause of Tibet. He also recently released his 93rd book, "Living in the Light", which delves into the…
Following Russia’s military deployment to Ukraine in February last year, the nation’s share of the European market plummeted when it came to oil supplies, resulting in sanctions on the country's oil sector by Kyiv’s allies. But, India is snapping up discounted crude from Russia, refining it and selling it. The…
Air India chief Campbell Wilson has defended paying Kremlin millions as overflight charges to keep flying over Russia, the Telegraph reported. He added that the airline was open to flying over Russia to UK and US destinations as it was 'economical'. Prior to the pandemic, Russia generated £1.3 billion from…
On Wednesday (29), Russian energy corporation Rosneft declared a new agreement to increase oil sales to India, as the country seeks alternative buyers amidst tensions with the West over the Ukraine conflict. Following Russia's military deployment to Ukraine in February of last year, the nation's share of the European market…
Russia and India are looking at expanding the use of the Northern Sea shipping route that passes through the Artic and which could include the building of processing facilities, Russia's Interfax agency reported on Wednesday (29). Alexei Chekunkov, Russia's minister for the development of the Far East and the Arctic,…
Sales of Russian oil to India increased by more than twenty times last year, Russian deputy prime minister said on Tuesday (28). This growth in sales occurred because European buyers looked for other markets following the conflict in Ukraine and Russia redirected its oil exports to India and China, Alexander…
On Sunday (26), Narendra Modi praised the successful launch of 36 internet satellites owned by UK-based OneWeb Group into their intended orbits by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO's) Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), the heaviest rocket. Modi highlighted that this accomplishment further solidifies India's position as a leading global commercial launch…
A prominent Indian metals company's containers bound for Russia have been stuck at the port of Antwerp for more than a year. Jindal Stainless Ltd said its five containers carrying about 100 tonnes of stainless steel have been unable to enter the European Union because of sanctions imposed on Russia.…
US vice president Kamala Harris will embark on a tour of three African countries -Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia, this weekend. During the visit, she will promote the White House's positive view of Africa as the "future of the world." The tour is a part of the Biden administration's efforts to…
The Bank of England joined Norway and Switzerland in hiking interest rates on Thursday (23) as inflation remains elevated, though banking-sector turmoil could soon lead to a pause in US tightening as hinted by the Federal Reserve. A day after the Fed lifted US borrowing costs by 25 basis points,…
Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida on Monday (20) called India vital to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific after talks with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi touching on shared concerns about China. Speaking in New Delhi after meeting the Indian leader, Kishida laid out plans for billions of dollars in investments…
Bharti Enterprise-backed OneWeb is one step away from completing its constellation of 600 low earth orbit satellites, paving the way for the provision of broadband internet services from space to every corner of the world, the company said. OneWeb, in collaboration with the UK government, Bharti Enterprises, Eutelsat, SoftBank, Hughes…
Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar expressed concerns on Saturday (18) that the situation in the western Himalayan region of Ladakh between India and China is fragile and dangerous, with military forces situated in close proximity in certain areas. In mid-2020, there were clashes in the region that led to the…
The International Criminal Court on Friday announced an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. Moscow dismissed the orders as "void." Russia is not a party to the ICC so it was unclear if or how Putin could ever end…
Flour millers' industry body has suggested that India extend a ban on wheat exports that has been in place since last year to help ensure lower domestic prices and adequate stocks for consumers. Exports of the grain from India, the world's second largest producer, increased after Russia's invasion of Ukraine…
Russia is not reaping the benefits of higher costs of some recent cargoes of crude oil bought by refiners in India priced above the price cap set by countries in the West and Australia, a US official said on Thursday (16). Some cargoes of low sulphur, or sweet, crude oil…
Oneweb has largely given up on trying to retrieve satellites worth $50 million in a dispute related to the Ukraine conflict, the Bharti Enterprises-backed satellite operator's chief executive said. The company will launch from India the final batch of satellites needed to complete its global network on March 26 and…
The women's world boxing championship commenced in India on Thursday (16), but the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their respective flags led to the boycott by several nations. Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year, many international sports federations have banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing. Some…
The US senate on Wednesday (15) the confirmed Eric Garcetti as the new ambassador to India, nominated by president Joe Biden. The confirmation came after almost two years of opposition due to accusations of Garcetti mishandling workplace harassment complaints when he was the mayor of Los Angeles. The vote was…
The chancellor of exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, announced on Wednesday (15) a plan that he hopes will speed up the UK’s stagnating economy, including childcare and pension reforms to get more people into work and corporate tax breaks to boost weak business investment. Saying the world's sixth-biggest economy was now set…
Britain's economy is set to avoid a recession in 2023, chancellor of exchequer Jeremy Hunt said on Wednesday (15) as he began a budget speech that was expected to include measures to speed up economic growth. Britain's economy had previously been seen contracting by 1.4 per cent this year under…
India remained the world's top arms importer, but its imports declined by 11 per cent between 2013-17 and 2018-22, according to a Stockholm-based defence think tank. The decline was linked to a complex procurement process, efforts to diversify arms suppliers and attempts to replace imports with local designs, a Stockholm…
At the annual Commonwealth Day ceremony on Monday (13), soldiers from the Indian subcontinent who lost their lives in the two World Wars were honoured alongside service members from the Commonwealth. The Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill played host to defence personnel and diplomats, including Indian high commissioner to the…
Singer-songwriter Mae Muller has been announced to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The 25-year-old Londoner will perform her track “I Wrote A Song” at the competition in May. Muller, who was born in 1997, the year the UK last won, hopes to follow the success of…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron on Friday (10) agreed a new pact to stop illegal cross-Channel migration after a summit in Paris aimed at overcoming years of Brexit tensions. Both leaders hailed a new start in relations between the two neighbours, after intense talks in Paris…
OneWeb has deployed a fresh batch of 40 satellites as the British communications company expands its connectivity capabilities. The satellites, launched by Elon Musk's SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Thursday (9), take Oneweb’s constellation strength to 582 against the target of 648. The latest satellites…
The US intel community suggests Russia is unlikely to seek direct military conflict with US and NATO, but the potential exists. This was stated in the Annual Threat Assessment report of the intelligence community issued on Wednesday, (08). The report states Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is reshaping its…
On International Women's Day (08), the British government unveiled a new strategy aimed at addressing global gender inequality by confronting attempts to restrict women's rights and collaborating with global partners to achieve the same. The UK government's official release indicated that, for the first time, the strategy pledges that over…
BANK OF ENGLAND Monetary Policy Committee member Dr Swati Dhingra has said that managing the impact of inflation on families and firms, and attempting to cool inflationary pressures without deepening any resulting economic downturn, are immediate policy priorities. However, she warned that it is not ‘going to be easy’. Speaking…
According to an official statement from the UN, the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has stated that progress towards gender equality is diminishing rapidly and estimates that it will require 300 years to close the gap. While addressing the UN session of the Commission on the Status of Women on Monday (06),…
THE British debate on refugees is leading a strange double life. The government’s policy on asylum is getting ever tougher after a year when more people played an active part in welcoming refugees to Britain than ever before. It sounds like Groundhog Day in parliament when it comes to asylum. “Anyone…
Celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli has thanked the people of Ukraine for playing an important part in the creation of the iconic song “Naatu Naatu” from his epic action period drama RRR (2022), starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR in lead roles. Composed by MM Keeravani, "Naatu Naatu" is nominated for…
CHINESE foreign minister Qin Gang on Tuesday (7) slammed the US' Indo-Pacific policy, saying that it tries to 'encircle' China with a regional version of NATO by building 'exclusive blocs' and is certain to fail. China has been criticising the Indo-Pacific strategy of the US since its start as well…
RUSSIA is working on easing visa procedures for six countries, including India, Syria and Indonesia, the state TASS news agency cited deputy foreign minister Evgeny Ivanov as saying on Sunday (5). "In addition to India (procedures simplification) ... is being worked out with Angola, Vietnam, Indonesia, Syria and Philippines," Ivanov…
RUSSIA has claimed it is trying to stop the ongoing war waged against it using the Ukrainian people.“The war, which we are trying to stop, which was launched against us using Ukrainian people, of course, influenced the policy of Russia, including energy policy,” Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said at…
On Friday (03), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted that permitting Russia to continue its actions in Ukraine would send a message to aggressors worldwide. "If we allow Russia to do what it is doing in Ukraine then that's a message to the aggressors everywhere that they may be…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (01) held wide-ranging discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on bilateral cooperation, the Ukraine conflict and issues relating to G-20. The Russian Foreign Minister landed in the national capital on Tuesday night to attend a two-day meeting of the G20 foreign ministers…
Foreign secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday (1) met his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi where he has reached to attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. The duo spoke on a range of issues, including the commencement of the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS). They also spoke over the India-UK…
The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM), which is scheduled to take place in physical format from March 1-2, 2023 in New Delhi under India's Presidency is "one of the largest gatherings of foreign ministers hosted by any G20 Presidency." In a special briefing by Foreign Secretary (FS) Vinay Kwatra on…
THE year-long Russian war in Ukraine took centrestage on the eve of a G20 foreign ministers meeting on Wednesday (1) with the European Union foreign policy chief saying the success of the gathering in New Delhi would be measured by what it could do about the war and its impact.…
INDIA imposed by far the highest number of internet shutdowns in the world in 2022, internet advocacy watchdog Access Now has said, as the country topped the list for the fifth successive year. Out of 187 internet shutdowns globally recorded by Access Now, 84 took place in India, including 49…
FOREIGN ministers from around the world meet in New Delhi this week in the shadow of Russia's war in Ukraine and spiralling US-China tensions, with host India hoping that issues like climate change and Third World debt are not overlooked. The March 1-2 meeting of the G20 foreign ministers will…
INDIA's economic growth slowed further in the December quarter as pent up demand eased and weakness in the manufacturing sector continued. Asia's third largest economy recorded year-on-year growth of 4.4 per cent in October-December, down from 6.3 per cent in July-September, data released by the government on Tuesday (28) showed.…
Indian director S.S. Rajamouli's films are all-singing, all-dancing spectacles -- and he is now a favourite to secure the first ever Oscar for an all-Indian film. His three-hour extravaganza "RRR" is a fictionalised story of two colonial-era revolutionaries, filled with large-scale, visual effects-laden action sequences and musical numbers. It has…
INDIAN-AMERICAN Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has vowed to cut foreign aid for countries like China, Pakistan and Iraq which “hate” America, if she is voted to power. The 51-year-old two-term governor of South Carolina and the former US ambassador to the United Nations formally launched her 2024 presidential bid…
GERMAN chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday (25) that he and India's prime minister Narendra Modi were committed to sealing a free trade deal between India and the European Union (EU). "It's an important topic and I'll get personally involved," Scholz said after his meeting with Modi in New Delhi.…
INDIA and the UK have agreed to make further progress on the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) and also to swiftly organise the next bilateral Economic and Financial Dialogue soon, the British government has said. At the conclusion of UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt's India visit last week,…
INDIA'S G20 presidency comes at an “incredibly important time” when the world confronts challenges like the Ukraine conflict, global food supply disruptions and China's increasingly assertive actions on the world stage, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said. He also announced that he will travel to New Delhi next week…
GERMAN Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday (25) said he wanted to deepen his nation's relationship with India ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. "India and Germany have very good relations and want to deepen them. That will be the topic of our talks…
London mayor Sadiq Khan on Friday (24) announced funding for up to 600 new homes in London for people from Ukraine and Afghanistan who have fled conflicts in their respective countries and are either homeless, at risk of being homeless or living in temporary and unsuitable accommodation, a press release…
India on Thursday (23) abstained in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a resolution that underscored the need to secure “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in war-ravaged Ukraine, as it questioned whether the world was “anywhere near a possible solution” acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv a year into…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi added his voice Friday (24) to calls for the reform of global lenders such as the World Bank, as G20 finance ministers and central bank heads met. The talks in Bengaluru were expected to focus on the continuing damaging effects of the Covid pandemic and…
AN Indian boy, Milan Paul Kumar, has embarked on a journey to Krakow, Poland, to support Ukrainian children who have been affected by the war. Milan, 10, who is a recipient of the Diana Award 2022 and 2022 #iwill Ambassador for social and humanitarian action, previously raised funds for the…
INDIA is possibly facing an Enron moment, former US treasury secretary Larry Summers said, likening the crisis in Adani Group to the accounting scandal that exposed the US energy major in 2001."We haven't talked about it on the show, but there's been a kind of possible Enron moment in India,"…
CHANCELLOR Jeremy Hunt on Thursday (23) reached Bengaluru in India at take part in the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting scheduled for Friday (24) and Saturday (25) and bilateral talks with the host nation to enhance the UK-India economic partnership. In what is his first foreign visit…
US TREASURY secretary Janet Yellen on Thursday (23) sought more financial support to Ukraine to fight invasion by Russian troops which started a year ago as the US gears up for an additional $10 billion in economic aid in the coming weeks. However, her words on the conflict uttered in…
Pope Francis, speaking two days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on Wednesday (22) called for a ceasefire and peace negotiations, saying no victory could be "built on ruins". Francis, who has appealed for an end to violence in Ukraine at nearly every public appearance since Russia's…
INDIA does not want the Group of 20 nations to discuss additional sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine during New Delhi's one-year presidency of the bloc, six senior Indian government officials said. On the sidelines of a key G20 gathering in India, financial leaders of the Group of…
INDIA'S imports of Russian steel rose to an eight-year high during the first 10 months of the financial year that began in April 2022, government data showed. India, the world's second-largest crude steel producer, imported 281,000 tonnes of steel from Russia between April and January, nearly five times higher than…
PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (21) said Russia is developing a North-South Transport Corridor, which will open up new routes for business cooperation with India, Iran and Pakistan, as well as west Asian countries. Putin also said Russia will expand its international economic connections, as well as build new supply…
German chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to pay a state visit to India on February 25 and 26, his first trip to the country more than a year after he took charge of the top post in December 2021. Announcing the German chancellor's visit, the Indian ministry of external affairs…
UKRAINE’S president Zelensky dominated the week in Westminster, finding the perfect pitch for his country’s case to resonate with his hosts. Giving Churchill’s ‘V for Victory’ sign and theatrically using a pilot’s helmet to deliver his “give us wings for freedom” message saw his appeal for British planes generate an…
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa had asked him to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine soon after his return from Moscow, Geo News reported. Khan was quoted in the report as saying, "I talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin about procurement of…
London mayor Sadiq Khan has thanked councils and housing associations of the capital for delivering an increase in affordable housing starts, an unprecedented range of economic challenges notwithstanding. According to new figures from City Hall released on Monday (13), 3,698 homes funded through the mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme were started…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday set out ambitions to more than triple annual defence exports to $5 billion over the next two years, as arms firms flocked to a major air show for a slice of the nation's massive import budget. The country is looking to sign defence…
Britain's economy avoided recession after flatlining in the last three months of 2022, but finance minister Jeremy Hunt warned Friday it was "not out of the woods yet" over surging inflation. Gross domestic product registered zero growth in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations after shrinking 0.3 percent in…
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey on Thursday expressed concern over persistent high inflation even if the rate of price increases shows signs of cooling. The remarks to a cross-party committee of MPs boosted the pound on raised expectations of more hikes to British interest rates, analysts said. Bailey spoke…
US First lady Jill Biden kissed Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff 'on the lips' ahead of the State of the Union Address on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Fox News reported. On Tuesday night at the national Capitol, President Biden delivered his second State of the Union address, the…
Former UK prime minister Liz Truss on Sunday criticised her successor Rishi Sunak's "detrimental" tax policies, as the current leader also faced pressure from another predecessor Boris Johnson over his Ukraine strategy. Truss came to power in September, immediately implementing a radical tax-slashing agenda. But her plans spooked the markets…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pegged as the world's most popular leader with an approval rating of 78 per cent as per a survey by a US-based consulting firm 'Morning Consult.'As per the rating PM Modi's ratings trump those of other leaders including US President Joe Biden, French President…
The Biden administration is in talks with Indian officials over a possible White House visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year, according to a U.S. official aware of the discussions and another person briefed on the matter. U.S. President Joe Biden is eager to deepen ties with the…
Rishi Sunak marked his 100th day in office as the first non-white British Prime Minister on Thursday with a slick new video for social media pledging to deliver change, amidst multiple challenges, including spiralling inflation. The UK's first Indian-origin Prime Minister took charge at 10 Downing Street a day after…
FROM where Sir Mike Wigston sits, he can see the most famous address in Britain – 10, Downing Street. “It’s good I can see what’s going on,” he says with something of a wry smile, showing Eastern Eye his impressive office. Mike Wigston is how he was born, but today…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved loans of $4.7 billion to Bangladesh for disbursal starting immediately, making it the first to secure such funds out of three South Asian countries that applied last year amid economic trouble. The loans are a win for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of…
The Kremlin on Monday dismissed as a "lie" accusations from former British prime minister Boris Johnson that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally threatened him with a missile attack. "What Mr Johnson said is not true. More precisely it's a lie," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "Moreover, this is either…
DOWNING STREET had a make-over last week. There were hanging lanterns in the staircases alongside the portraits of former prime ministers. Cherry blossom and auspicious orchids decorated the reception rooms. Rishi Sunak was celebrating Lunar New Year, noting that the year of the rabbit’s traditional association with peace and prosperity…
Protests in Stockholm on Saturday against Turkey and Sweden's bid to join NATO, including the burning of a copy of the Koran, sharply heightened tensions with Turkey at a time when the Nordic country needs Ankara's backing to gain entry to the military alliance."We condemn in the strongest possible terms…
There is a need for someone who can bring Ukraine and Russia to the table for talks and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi can play a key role in facilitating the negotiations between the two warring neighbours, a veteran French journalist said. However, at this moment it looks "extremely difficult"…
Malik Karim, a former Conservative Party treasurer, earned £13.8 million in 2022 from his boutique investment bank after advising on several takeover deals before the war in Ukraine broke out in February. According to The Sunday Times which reported it, Karim's payout from Fenchurch Advisory Partners, of which he is…
Amid its growing confrontation with the West, particularly in the wake of the intervention in Ukraine, Russia has slammed the UK saying the latter caused "real damage to the people of India" with its colonial policies and caused millions of deaths. Russia's foreign ministry said this on Saturday (14) while…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday pledged to provide heavy tanks to Ukraine to help Kyiv's forces "push Russian troops back".Sunak made the pledge to supply the tanks and additional artillery systems as a sign of the UK’s "ambition to intensify our support to Ukraine", according to a readout…
Some 100 variations of the hook steps, two months of rehearsals, and 20 days of shooting… that's what went into creating the perfectly synthesised moves in the global hit "Naatu Naatu" from the film RRR, says choreographer Prem Rakshith. The track, filmed on the movie's leading stars Jr NTR and…
The British government said on Thursday that a small number of people who were granted so-called "golden visas" for millionaire investors might have obtained their wealth through corruption or organised crime. The government last year scrapped the visas, which offered a route to residency for those investing at least 2…
Many may not be aware that RRR's 'Naatu Naatu' song, which won a Golden Globe trophy, has a special Ukrainian connection. Yes, you read it right. 'Naatu Naatu' was shot in August 2021 in Ukraine and that too outside Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's official residence. The track was filmed a…
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Rinat Akhmetov‘s Metinvest Group has made every effort to provide the defenders of Ukraine with tactical equipment, vehicles, protective gear, and special shelters. Among other efforts, the assistance is provided as part of Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. Now, Rinat Akhmetov, the owner…
British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer on Friday (6) lauded former BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) guru and president Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) whose birth centenary celebrations are currently underway in India saying the spiritual leader had built more than 1,200 temples and the effort has been recognised across…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has defended India's move to import crude oil from Russia notwithstanding the growing disquiet over it by Western powers, saying that Europe has imported six times the fossil fuel energy from Russia than India has done since February 2022. Jaishankar, who arrived here from Cyprus…
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said China is adopting the same principle with India as Russia is with Ukraine, as it is threatening to alter India's boundaries. He also claimed that the Sino-Indian border conflict has a link with a weak economy, a confused nation without any vision, hatred…
Rishi Sunak struck a cautious note with his first New Year message as British Prime Minister on Saturday (31) as he warned that the UK’s problems won’t go away in 2023, at the end of an “tough” 12 months. The 42-year-old Indian-origin leader, who took charge as the UK’s Prime…
A British army veteran from Bristol has been nicknamed Rambo by colleagues after he survived multiple shrapnel wounds in battle with Russian troops in Ukraine. Shareef Amin, 40, a former soldier in Britain's 1st Battalion 'The Rifles', suffered injuries to every limb but said that he is ready to do…
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his government has “no other option” but to implement the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to revive the cash-starved economy. He regretted that if the government wanted to give any subsidy in any sector, it had to go to the IMF "which…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sought India's help in the implementation of a peace formula with Russia. "I had a phone call with PM Modi & wished him a successful G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced…
Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine unleashed untold destruction and suffering on its neighbor. One unnoticed casualty of this senseless war was the manufacturing facility and warehouse of Ugears, a Ukrainian toy company that makes ingenious DIY wooden models and 3D puzzles. Located near Bucha, the company lost £439,881…
Rishi Sunak surprised diplomats, military personnel, charity workers and other public servants working across the world this Christmas by calling them to personally thank them for their sacrifice and dedication in an "extraordinary" year. Downing Street said the British Indian leader’s calls on Friday to diplomats included one to Pakistan…
Markets and restaurants across Pakistan will have to pull down their shutters by 8 pm while wedding halls will be limited till 10 pm, as the cash-strapped country on Tuesday unveiled a desperate plan to conserve energy. Pakistan is in the midst of an acute energy crisis, high inflation and…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used a European summit in the Latvian capital of Riga to reaffirm the UK’s support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia and announced a fresh defensive aid package for the new year as part of a GBP 250-million contract. Addressing the meeting of…
Prime minister Narendra Modi's views on the use of nuclear weapons had an impact on the Russians and could well have averted a global disaster in the context of the Ukraine war, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Bill Burns said, according to PBS. "I think it's also been…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed sorrow on Wednesday (14) after four people died following an incident involving a small migrant boat in the English Channel between Britain and France. "I'm sure the whole House will share my sorrow at the capsizing of a small boat in the Channel in…
2022 was a year when decades happened. The year of three Prime Ministers and a Royal funeral, war in Europe and recession at home could fill many pages in the future history books. Boris Johnson was sure he could survive the pressure over rule-breaking in Downing Street. For six months,…
The UK on Friday (9) came up with sanctions against 30 people across the world, including Mian Abdul Haq, a Muslim cleric from Pakistan, in a bid to target those it thinks are responsible for violation and abuse of human rights and perpetrate sexual violence in conflict. Mian Abdul Haq…
Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan accepted a human rights award at a "Ripple of Hope" gala in New York where they were honoured for addressing racial injustice and mental health. The British royals received the award late on Tuesday from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation which…
The British government is looking at bringing in the military to help keep public services running if key workers, including in the state-run NHS, take strike action, the chairman of the governing Conservative Party said on Sunday (4). Britain is already grappling with industrial action in a range of sectors,…
Imagine running a small business with missiles and mortars raining down around your company's headquarters and manufacturing facility, while shock troops move in to occupy your town, slaughtering defenders and civilians alike. That was the situation where Ugears, a reputed Ukrainian toymaker, found itself earlier this year when Russia attacked…
The godmother of Britain’s Prince William on Wednesday (30) resigned from her honorary duties at Buckingham Palace following controversial remarks made to a black British charity worker at an event that were perceived as racist. Lady Susan Hussey, 83, who had been an aide to the late Queen Elizabeth II…
A member of the British royal family's household has left her role after making "unacceptable and deeply regrettable" comments about race and nationality to a woman at a grand reception at Buckingham Palace, a spokesperson said on Wednesday (30). Ngozi Fulani, who was born in Britain and works for a…
The census results offer a once-a-decade statistical snapshot of the society that we all live in. So it should be little surprise that they confirm that this is an ethnically diverse and more secular society. The census has run for two centuries, this 2021 edition is only the fourth to…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday that the so-called "golden era" of relations with China was over, saying Beijing's systemic challenge to Britain's interests and values was growing more acute. In his first major foreign policy speech, Sunak said Britain's approach to China needed to evolve and Beijing…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reiterated the UK’s commitment to a free trade agreement (FTA) with India as part of the country’s wider focus on enhancing ties with the Indo-Pacific region and standing up to competitors with “robust pragmatism”. Delivering his first major foreign policy speech since taking charge…
Former cabinet minister Alok Sharma has joined a growing number of Conservative MPs calling for an end to the moratorium on onshore wind farms in England.Sharma, who led the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last year, has backed an amendment to the Levelling UP bill to reverse the ban…
One month on since Rishi Sunak took charge as Britain’s first Indian-origin Prime Minister, indications on Friday are that his popularity with the UK electorate remains on stronger ground than that of the governing Conservative Party. The 42-year-old former chancellor had pitched himself as a steady hand to steer the…
The devastating floods that affected lives and economy in the South Asian nation of Pakistan this year have rung the warning bells across the globe. Environmentalists and conservationists have raised serious concerns over the deadly disaster that has killed nearly 1,700 people and displaced almost eight million people. The extreme…
Indian students have for the first time overtaken Chinese as the largest group of foreign students studying in the UK with a massive 273 per cent hike in visas granted over the past few years, according to the country’s official immigration statistics released on Thursday (24). The UK Home Office…
UK police on Thursday said their biggest ever counter-fraud operation had disrupted an international criminal network targeting hundreds of thousands of victims in millions of spam phone calls. The Metropolitan Police spearheaded the 18-month global probe into the iSpoof.cc website, working with Europol, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have made their debut on the Asian Rich List 2022, which profiles the 101 wealthiest Asians in Britain. Sunak and his wife – whose father NR Narayana Murthy co-founded Indian IT major, Infosys – are ranked 17th in the list, with…
For the first time, people from across the world will vote to choose the Oxford Word of the Year 2022, Oxford Languages has announced. A team of expert lexicographers has narrowed down a long list of worthy contestants to a final choice of three words -- metaverse, #IStandWith, and goblin…
Britain needs more migrant labour to boost productivity as it faces a toxic mix of soaring inflation and shrinking growth, the country's main business lobby group warned Monday. The verdict from the Confederation of British Industry came at its annual gathering in Birmingham, Britain's second-biggest city. The CBI conference comes…
IT'S no secret that these are difficult economic times for people around the country, and indeed across the world. Many of us are feeling the pinch as the war in Ukraine and its impacts on energy markets drive up inflation and the cost of living. The government’s response of supporting…
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that the UK government remains committed to working “as quickly as possible” towards a successful conclusion to the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) talks with India, as the majority of the substantive negotiation conversations were completed at the end of last month. At a…
Rishi Sunak on Wednesday highlighted the strong bonds between India and Britain during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the two leaders discussing areas where the UK and India are working increasingly closely including defence and security. In the meeting held on the sidelines of the G20 summit…
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak met at the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Bali on Wednesday (16) and discussed ways to boost trade between the two countries, Modi said. It was the first meeting between Modi and Sunak, who is of Indian origin,…
Liberty Steel is inching towards a deal with its creditors to restructure its debt as the struggling company owned by metals tycoon Sanjeev Gupta seeks to fend off insolvency proceedings against it. Liberty is part of metals tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance which owes $1.2 billion to clients of the…
The UK's international reputation has taken "a bit of a knock" this year, Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday, as he vowed to restore economic stability. In an interview with the BBC in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Sunak said tax rises and spending cuts in Thursday's Autumn…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Tuesday reviewed the state of India-US strategic partnership including in sectors like critical and emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. It is understood that Modi and Biden also touched upon the Ukraine conflict and its implications in their meeting that took…
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that he wants the United States to have a "dignified relationship" with Pakistan similar to what it shares with India. In a recent interview with the UK-based publication Financial Times, Khan stated that India has a "very dignified" relationship with the US.…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday (15) met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi after assuming office for the first time on the sidelines of the 17th edition of the G20 Summit in Bali (Indonesia). "Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @RishiSunak in conversation during the first day of the @g20org Summit…
Imran Khan has said he wants to mend relations with the US if re-elected and no longer blames it for his removal as Pakistan's prime minister, apparently taking a U-turn after accusing Washington of engineering his ouster by supporting the then Opposition’s no-confidence motion. Khan, 70, who was ousted in…
It has been anything but a smooth ride for the Rishi Sunak led UK government, with the latest official data released this week reflecting a shrinking economy and a looming two-year-long recession. The British Indian former finance minister, who took charge at 10 Downing Street last month with the promise…
The US Department of Treasury on Friday (11) removed India along with Italy, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam from its Currency Monitoring List of major trading partners that merit close attention to their currency practices and macroeconomic policies. India had been on the list for the last two years. The move…
Ties between the United Kingdom and India will remain on a “phenomenal upward trajectory” under Indian-origin UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, that country’s former premier Boris Johnson said on Saturday. The two countries need each other now more than ever as “we live in dangerous and turbulent times”, he said.…
The government must embrace immigrants who take risks setting up businesses, create jobs, and contribute billions of pounds to Britain’s economy. That is the call from MPs and business leaders who have spoken to Eastern Eye. They have told this newspaper that the home secretary, Suella Braverman, should be ashamed…
Rishi Sunak’s decision to skip the upcoming Climate Summit in Egypt and the government preventing King Charles III from attending it has been criticised by many across the world who have accused the new UK Prime Minister of washing his hands of Britain’s commitment to tackle the climate crisis. COP27…
Britain is prioritising reaching a free-trade agreement with India, its foreign minister told Reuters on Saturday in his first visit to the country, but declined to give a new deadline after missing one this month.James Cleverly said after a meeting with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar in New Delhi that…
Nikhil Rathi, the chief executive (CEO) of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on Thursday (27) evening delivered an address in which he spoke about the role of the FCA in a changing regulatory landscape. Speaking at Lord Mayor's City Banquet at Mansion House, he highlighted the body's shifting approach and commitment…
In a momentous day, Britain’s first south Asian prime minister, who became the Conservative Party leader on Diwali day [24], has vowed to unite the country and his riven party. Speaking on the steps of Number 10, Rishi Sunak, a practising Hindu, told the country that he would be a…
Rishi Sunak made his first speech as Britain's prime minister on Tuesday (25), acknowledging the mistakes of his predecessor Liz Truss while vowing to fix the economy, lead with integrity and fulfil the promises of the Conservative Party's 2019 manifesto. Below are the highlights from Sunak's speech: ON THE ECONOMY…
Since entering the contest to be British prime minister, Rishi Sunak has said little publicly about how he intends to run the country and how he would address multiple economic and political crises. Sunak ran unsuccessfully to be prime minister earlier this year, setting out a full policy platform. Although…
Priti Patel, a loyalist of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on October 24 came out in support of Rishi Sunak to take over at 10 Downing Street as the Conservative Party leader after her former boss withdrew from the leadership contest. The Indian-origin former Home Secretary, who resigned from…
Conservative British politician of Indian descent Rishi Sunak is quick off the mark to bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party and the British Prime Ministership having secured more than a hundred nominations - which is the minimum requirement to contest for the post. Sunak, late Friday became the…
Veteran Indian-origin economist Sushil Wadhwani has been invited to advise the UK government on the economy and financial markets as the country grapples with surging inflation and a weakening sterling. Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor of the exchequer in the outgoing government, announced the formation of the Economic Advisory Council comprising…
Noting that the free trade agreements with the UK are well on track, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Thursday said India will wait for the change in leadership before formulating a strategy vis a vis the UK. "We will have to wait and see whether they have a quick change…
Liz Truss said on Thursday she would resign as British prime minister just six weeks after she was appointed. A leadership election will be completed within the next week to replace Truss, who is the shortest serving prime minister in British history. George Canning previously held the record, serving 119…
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, speaking at a climate summit in Argentina, slammed global policymakers on Thursday for "dragging their feet" on environmental policy, amid fears that momentum to tackle climate change has stalled in the face of economic turmoil. A report this week said the latest pledges by countries to…
British Prime Minister Liz Truss is fighting for her political survival after only six weeks in the job. Below is a timeline: SEPT. 5 - TRUSS WINS LEADERSHIP CONTEST Truss is elected Conservative Party leader by the party's membership, winning 57% of the vote to succeed Boris Johnson. SEPT. 6…
Liz Truss said on Thursday (20) she was resigning as British prime minister, brought down by her economic programme that sent shockwaves through the markets and divided her Conservative Party just six weeks after she was appointed. A leadership election will be completed within the next week. Speaking outside the…
Millions of Britons are skipping meals in current the cost-of-living crisis, a consumer group warned Thursday, having already forecast that many risk fuel poverty after the UK curbed its energy price freeze. The news came after data showed UK inflation jumped back above 10 percent in September on rampant food…
British Prime Minister Liz Truss has enjoyed the shortest of political honeymoons -- her chaotic premiership apparently mortally wounded despite having barely begun. Discounting 10 days of mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II, Truss had only a week before her political programme imploded, leading to the sacking of her…
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis on Tuesday said that they are on track to get back to processing India to UK visa applications within our standard of 15 days. https://twitter.com/AlexWEllis/status/1582414674280460288?s=20&t=TpC6vGnwP-zYE_NXJOKBcQ "We are on track to get back to processing India to Great Britain #visa applications within our standard…
Former Congresswoman and the first Hindu American to run for the White House in 2020, Tulsi Gabbard, has compared US President Joe Biden to Adolf Hitler, days after announcing her exit from the governing Democratic Party. Gabbard, 41, who retired from the House of Representatives last year, made these remarks…
The Truss experiment is over. Her premiership may now prove the shortest in modern history. Yet its legacy in shifting the tectonic plates of British politics might endure for much longer. The mini-budget, pitched as an audacious break with Treasury orthodoxy, proved a reckless gamble. Its result was the triple…
In perhaps the most candid statement made against it, US President Joe Biden described Pakistan as "one of the most dangerous nations" in the world which holds "nuclear weapons without any cohesion." The US President made these remarks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception in Los Angeles (California), during…
Kwasi Kwarteng became the second shortest-serving British finance minister, paying the price for weeks of UK market tumult prompted by his controversial tax-slashing mini-budget. His sacking represents a humiliation for the Cambridge- and Harvard-educated former Chancellor of the Exchequer -- who as recently as Thursday insisted that he was "not…
The UK has decided to provide further humanitarian support to Pakistan following devastating floods that have killed more than 1,600 people and injured over 12,000. More than 33 million people have been affected by the disaster. As part of his visit to the South Asian nation on Friday (14), UK…
A lawmaker in western Indian state of Goa has warned that the tourist hotspot will face a loss of Rs 500 crore (£55m) if visa conditions to UK tourists are not relaxed. Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and legislator Vijai Sardesai has urged the BJP government at the centre and…
That fear combined with China's strength was driving it "into actions that could represent a huge threat to us all," he will say. China is using its financial and scientific muscle to manipulate technologies in a manner that risks global security, Britain's top cyber spy will say on Tuesday, warning…
India has a substantial inventory of Soviet and Russian-origin weapons because the Western countries opted for a military dictatorship in the region as its preferred partner and did not supply weapons to New Delhi for decades, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.…
Britain is not asking people to use less energy, climate minister Graham Stuart said on Friday (7), despite a warning from the National Grid that homes and businesses could face three-hour planned blackouts this winter. "We're not in the business of telling people how to live their lives," Stuart said…
Prime minister, Liz Truss, and chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, have “risked” the Conservative Party’s election chances because of their “incompetent handling” of the mini budget, Asian parliamentarians have told Eastern Eye. In a so-called mini budget on September 23, Kwarteng abolished the 45p higher tax rate. However, on Monday (3) the…
Accusing the West of provoking colour revolution in any country for geopolitical gains, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that the West has "plundered" countries like India in contradiction to the values of "truth, freedom and justice," according to Reuters translation of Putin's speech. "The West ... began its…
British Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Friday she recognised there had been some financial market disruption following the government's so-called mini-budget and that it was important monetary and fiscal policy are coordinated. Truss has so far argued market turbulence following the announcement of planned tax cuts a week ago…
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) emphasized the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand, and said that he "could not agree more" with PM Modi's advice. On the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand on September 16,…
The pound hit a record low against the dollar Monday on surging fears about the UK economy after the government unveiled a huge tax-cutting budget. The selloff came as equity markets across Asia and Europe fell again owing to a growing expectation that central bank interest rate hikes to fight…
French police have busted a major people-smuggling ring that has been sending migrants to Britain in dinghies, seizing more than a dozen boats and 700 life jackets in a raid, French officials said Thursday. The ring, run by Iraqi Kurdish migrants, had a logistics hub in Lille, a northern French…
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday met his British counterpart James Cleverly and shared India's concern about the security and welfare of the Indian community in the UK. His remarks came in the wake of recent reports of violence in several UK cities against the Indian community. Jaishankar…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a powerful, influential voice on the world stage and the Russian leadership respects India’s position on the global arena, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said, emphasising that London hopes President Vladimir Putin listens to those voices who are calling for peace amid the Ukraine…
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has said that Pakistan's spy agency ISI considers him an "enemy" because of his stand against the radicals in the South Asian country. The Democratic Party lawmaker from Illinois said this while addressing community members during a fundraiser hosted by him in Boston at the residence…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was right when he said that the time is not for war, France President Emmanuel Macron said at the ongoing 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. "Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India was right when he said the time…
Hundreds of foreign royals and leaders are expected to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London on Monday in one of the biggest diplomatic gatherings in decades. Westminster Abbey has space for around 2,000 people, so only heads of state and one or two guests have reportedly…
Senior leaders of UK's ruling party have raised concerns about inviting Chinese leaders to the Queen's funeral on Monday (19) over genocide of Uyghur minority. A group of MPs and peers, including former Tory leader leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, have urged the government to withdraw the invitation to the…
American president Joe Biden is among the few foreign dignitaries allowed to use their own cars to the venue of the Queen’s funeral while other world leaders would have to use a shared bus, media reports said. The funeral for Elizabeth II who died in Scotland last week will be…
Britain has not invited representatives from Russia, Belarus and Myanmar to attend Queen Elizabeth's state funeral due to be held next Monday, a Whitehall source said on Tuesday (13). Britain, along with its Western allies, has sought to isolate Russia and its ally Belarus on the world stage with economic…
Britain's new leader Liz Truss will cap soaring consumer power bills on Thursday and promote new sources of energy in an expected 100 billion pound ($115 billion)-plus package designed to limit the economic shock caused by the war in Ukraine. With Britain facing a lengthy recession sparked by a near…
New UK interior minister Suella Braverman is admired by the right for her attacks on "woke" politics but her legal acumen will be put to the test when tackling one of the government's toughest jobs. Braverman, 42, was appointed attorney general a year ago, serving as the government's principal legal…
Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian-American to hold the daily State Department press briefing, earning plaudits from senior White House officials for his "utmost professionalism" and "amazing debut". With State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on vacation,…
Liz Truss will become Britain's next prime minister after winning a leadership race for the governing Conservative party on Monday, vowing to press ahead with promises of tax cuts and to deal with a growing energy crisis. After weeks of an often bad-tempered and divisive leadership contest, Truss, currently the…
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi led initiative towards rescuing students of her country who were stuck in eastern Europe following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a free-wheeling television interaction with ANI, Prime Minister Hasina, who is set to visit India on Monday, also…
Rachael Warwick, who oversees three schools in southeast England, has had to sign a new contract to heat and light their buildings at tariffs that she describes as "eye-watering". The executive head teacher of Ridgeway Education Trust in Oxfordshire calculates that if the schools she runs use the same amount…
On the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi, India's external affairs minister Dr S. Jaishankar visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir site in Abu Dhabi. He was accompanied by an esteemed delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, including the Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir, Joint…
Britain's prime minister in waiting Liz Truss models herself on Margaret Thatcher, judging by her photo ops echoing famous images of the country's first female premier. If Truss becomes leader of the ruling party on Monday as is widely expected, she'll need all the grit and guile of the Iron…
Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that the company will donate to flood relief and recovery efforts in flood-hit Pakistan. “The floods in Pakistan and surrounding areas are devastating humanitarian disasters. Our thoughts are with those that have lost loved ones, the many displaced families, and all those affected. Apple…
British Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has said that he is 'deeply concerned' that people could freeze this winter, media reports said. He revealed that the Treasury has been finalising plans to extend support to people to help pay their energy bills. Meanwhile, Liz Truss, the frontrunner to replace Boris Johnson as…
Former James Bond actor Daniel Craig has called for an end of the use of cluster bombs and ammunitions worldwide, specifically referencing the use of the weapons in Ukraine. Cluster bombs release a series of smaller explosions, posing risks to civilians. They can be costly to locate and remove. The…
British Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi is visiting New York and Washington this week to discuss global economic challenges and collaboration in areas such as energy security and financial services, his office said on Monday. Britain and Europe are facing a sharp rise in power bills driven by sky-rocketing gas prices, as…
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday (26) that the government will announce new measures to support the population next month amid the pressure of rising energy bills. "Don't forget that even more statements [on support measures] will follow next month. More funds will be received starting from…
EVERYONE now expects Westminster’s Game of Thrones to end with foreign secretary Liz Truss wearing the crown. The former chancellor and her opponent, Rishi Sunak, embraces his underdog status and pledges to fight to the end. The candidates’ fates are now sealed in the returned but unopened ballot papers. Top…
Sri Lanka is ranked fifth among the 10 countries with the highest food price inflation in the world, according to the latest World Bank assessment. In its Food Security update, the World Bank said trade policy actions on food and fertilizers have surged since the beginning of the war in…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed the Ukraine conflict with French President Emmanuel Macron in a telephonic conversation. "The Head of State and the Prime Minister of India exchanged views on the Russian-led war in Ukraine and its destabilising consequences for the rest of the world. The President of…
The US and other nations in the world may not appreciate India buying Russian oil, but they have accepted it as New Delhi has not been defensive about its stand but made them realise the obligation the government has to its people amidst "unreasonably high" oil and gas prices, External…
British inflation surged to a new 40-year high in July on rising food prices, official data showed Wednesday, adding to a cost-of-living crisis as the country faces the prospect of recession. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) accelerated to 10.1 percent last month from 9.4 percent in June -- a 40-year…
More than seven per cent of India's population owns digital currency, according to the UN, which said the use of cryptocurrency rose globally at an unprecedented rate during the Covid-19 pandemic. The UN trade and development body UNCTAD said that in 2021, developing countries accounted for 15 of the top…
Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa celebrated the country's 76th Independence Day at the Pakistan Embassy in London where Ukrainian pop star and wife of British-Pakistani business tycoon Muhammad Zahoor, Kamaliya, gave a singing performance. Pakistani billionaire Mohammad Zahoor, the former publisher of Kyiv Post, has reportedly helped purchase…
British prime minister Boris Johnson hosted world activists across the UK at Downing Street including 7-year-old climate activist Aleesha Gadhia During the meeting on Tuesday (9), Johnson exuded confidence that his successor will have the fiscal firepower and the headroom to continue to look after people. Gadhia from Nottinghamshire, who…
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, on Friday (12) apologised for the delay in UK visa approvals. The envoy shared a video message on Twitter detailing what the country is doing to address the issue. He also shared details about what applicants can also do to solve the crisis.…
Events such as this summer’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Women’s Euros and Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games have a very important role to play in breaking down prejudice and stereotypes in society, according to a new report by think tank British Future for a major Inquiry by Spirit of 2012, published on…
WE ARE currently at a critical juncture for our country, living through arguably some of the most difficult challenges we have faced for a generation. There was great hope as we emerged from the tragic consequences of the pandemic, yet in February, a dark shadow was cast across our continent…
The recent India-specific CAATSA sanctions waiver by the U.S. House of Representatives is the most consequential vote since the civilian nuclear deal, an influential Indian-American Democratic Congressman has said, asserting that U.S. President Joe Biden will expedite the waiver because he has the “political mileage” and the backing of 300…
The race to be the next leader of Britain's ruling-Conservative Party and the country's prime minister is into its final leg, with the September outcome likely to shape the fortunes of sterling, gilts and UK stocks in coming months. The contest between foreign minister Liz Truss and former finance minister…
Liz Truss, the front-runner to become Britain's next prime minister, plans to rush through tax cuts earlier than planned in an attempt to boost the country's flagging economy, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Truss was considering accelerating by six months her plan to reverse this year's increase in social security contributions…
Conservative leadership candidate Rishi Sunak said his party stood no chance of winning the next general election unless the surging inflation was tamed. The former chancellor of exchequer said at a hustings that the moderation of price rise would be his immediate priority if he became the prime minister succeeding…
The former president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Lord Karan Bilimoria, is urging Rishi Sunak to cut taxes now, and not, as he has declared, in seven years. He has told Eastern Eye that reducing rates will not necessarily mean that inflation will rise. Speaking in a personal…
Rishi Sunak on Thursday appeared to score a surprise win with a studio audience at a key debate with frontrunner Liz Truss in the race to become Britain's next prime minister. While opinion polls back Truss to win the vote among Conservative party members, those sitting in the audience at…
The British Asian Trust has announced that a national commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of the arrival of British Asians from Uganda in the UK will be held at The Guildhall in London on September 18 . The event is being organised in collaboration with British Ugandan Asians at…
The Bank of England is expected Thursday to follow other major central banks with an aggressive interest rate hike to tackle surging inflation. The BoE is tipped to lift its main rate by 0.50 percentage points -- the biggest amount in more than a quarter of a century. British inflation…
Fifty years ago, dictator Idi Amin announced his intention to expel Uganda's thriving community of British South Asians. They were given 90 days to leave, or be rounded up in concentration camps. More than 27,000 ethnic Indian and Pakistani holders of UK passports made their way to Britain, which reluctantly…
Priyanka Chopra, who is also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, has joined forces with the agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide, to meet and amplify support for children and women refugees from Ukraine who have crossed the border into Poland and are currently staying in Blue…
Google has asked its employees to improve their productivity after the tech giant’s parent Alphabet reported a drop in its profit last week. With the global macro-economic environment looking uncertain, Google launched “Simplicity Sprint”, an initiative to crowdsource ideas for quicker product development from its 1,70,000 full-time employees. It’s an…
As a seven-year-old in 1983, Liz Truss played the role of Britain's then prime minister Margaret Thatcher in her school's mock elections but failed to get a single vote. Four decades on, the foreign secretary is again bidding to emulate the Iron Lady to become Conservative party leader and prime…
The bruising race between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to become Britain's next prime minister steps up a gear on Monday with the mailing out of ballots to Conservative party members.With voting set to begin to find Boris Johnson's replacement, bookmakers have Foreign Secretary Truss as heavy favourite ahead of…
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party formed by former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan whose political rise has stemmed from anti-corruption rhetoric, had received funding via a private cricket tournament organised by a Pakistani tycoon, the Financial Times reported. The report said that Pakistani tycoon Arif Naqvi, founder of Dubai-based Abraaj Group,…
China on Thursday defended its massive infrastructure ventures and investments in crisis-hit Sri Lanka and said that they have "boosted" its economic development, amid criticism from the US of Beijing's unproductive projects and opaque loan deals among the reasons for the country's bankruptcy. The China-Sri Lanka practical cooperation has always…
British Conservatives Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss Thursday underwent their first grilling in front of party members as they wage a bitter duel to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The hustings in Leeds, northern England, were the opening bout of 12 nationwide events as the grassroots members elect a new…
FOREIGN SECRETARY Liz Truss and ex chancellor Rishi Sunak are battling it out to become Britain’s next prime minister, setting up the last stage of the contest to replace Boris Johnson. Both candidates present a clean face to help restore the government’s integrity and reputation. Truss was against Brexit, so…
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska posed for Vogue magazine amid the ongoing war with Russia. While Vogue described the cover as a 'portrait of bravery', many called it 'insensitive and pandering to Western influence'. It created a buzz on social media, with many users calling the digital…
Pope Francis will be visiting Canada to apologize for Indigenous abuse in Catholic residential schools. He departed from Rome on Sunday for a week-long trip to Edmonton, Canada, where he's set to apologize for the Catholic Church's role in the abuse of Canadian Indigenous children, reported CNN. The Vatican has…
FORMER health secretary Matt Hancock has described Rishi Sunak as an “incredible talent” and a proven decision-maker who would make a “great” prime minister. Sunak, who resigned as the chancellor earlier this month, is expected to be in the final two in the race to become prime minister after he…
EXPERTS described the Dutch plan to house refugees arriving in the country on cruise ships as 'absurd and illegal', according to reports. The UNHCR Netherlands has also condemned the move as 'unacceptable'. In a controversial move, three large ships were commissioned by the Netherlands government commissioned for refugees. Reports revealed that…
TEN known British sex offenders travelled to Poland shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine purportedly to provide humanitarian help before being sent back home, British police said on Thursday (21). The individuals, who all had convictions for sex offences, went to Poland in the six weeks that followed the…
UK defence secretary has revealed that the country will supply scores of artillery guns, hundreds of drones and hundreds more anti-tank weapons to Ukraine soon, an official statement said. Ben Wallace told the British Parliament that more than 20 M109 155mm self-propelled guns and 36 L119 105mm artillery guns will…
If it's not the pictures of her standing atop a tank in a nod to Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher, it's the meme-defining moment when she vented her anger over cheese imports into Britain that made Liz Truss something of a household name.For many, she was a figure of fun, but…
The race to succeed Boris Johnson as British prime minister was on Wednesday (20) reduced to the final two candidates, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, who will go forward for a summer of campaigning to win over the around 200,000 Conservative Party members who make the final decision. Below is…
BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson bowed out of his final showpiece parliamentary appearance with a round of applause from his party, jeers from opponents and an enigmatic exit line: "Mission largely accomplished ... hasta la vista, baby." Johnson was forced to announce his resignation earlier this month after a mass…
Rishi Sunak, one of the final three candidates to become Britain's next prime minister, said he wanted to make the country energy independent by 2045 in response to the supply shock caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "It has never been more important that our country achieves Energy Sovereignty so…
BRITISH annual inflation surged to a new 40-year high in June on rising motor fuel and food prices, official data showed Wednesday (20), adding to a cost-of-living crisis. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) jumped to 9.4 percent last month from 9.1 per cent in May, the Office for National Statistics…
BRITAIN's former finance minister Rishi Sunak held on to his lead on Tuesday (19) among Conservative lawmakers in the race to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister, but his two remaining rivals were closing the gap, leaving the race wide open. In a vote among Conservative Party members of parliament,…
RISHI SUNAK, frontrunner in the contest to become Britain's next prime minister, would lose to any of his remaining opponents if he makes it through to the final stage of the contest when rank and file party members get to vote, polling showed on Tuesday (19). The YouGov poll of…
FORMER finance minister Rishi Sunak widened his lead in the latest round of voting Monday (18) by Conservative MPs to decide Britain's next prime minister, but the race to get in the final two tightened. Sunak won the support of 115 Tory lawmakers, followed by Penny Mordaunt on 82 votes,…
Barbs flew and derisive laughter rang out as the Conservative contenders battling to succeed UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson clashed in a live TV debate Sunday, heading into a pivotal week for the acrimonious race.Rising global temperatures were among the policy areas under contention after Britain's climate minister, COP26 president…
Amid the ongoing economic crisis, the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, which was supposed to be hosted by Sri Lanka is now likely to be shifted to UAE. According to ANI sources in Sri Lanka Cricket Board, the country is facing a huge financial crisis and the board has finally taken…
ALNOOR MITHA had an idyllic childhood, spending his days climbing hills, swimming in lakes and listening to the sounds of lions roaring in his home town of Ngora in Uganda. Then, when he was nine, it was all snatched away in a heartbeat. He and his family were among the…
The race to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and Britain's prime minister is down to five candidates after the second round of voting among Tory MPs on Thursday.While former finance minister Rishi Sunak is leading the way with his MP colleagues, second-placed Penny Mordaunt is polling out front with…
A British parliamentary committee has said that domestic security agency MI5 needs more funds to tackle the increasing threat of extreme-right terrorism, according to a report. The intelligence and security committee has said that the agency could not expand other activities since it is more focused on dealing with Islamist…
FORMER finance minister Rishi Sunak won the biggest backing from Conservative lawmakers on Wednesday (13) in the first vote to choose who will succeed Boris Johnson as party leader and British prime minister, while two more rivals were eliminated. Sunak, whose resignation as finance minister last week helped precipitate Johnson's…
THE race to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and Britain's prime minister is heating up, with eight candidates facing a first vote among Tory MPs on Wednesday (13). While several possible successors are seen as frontrunners, there is no clear favourite -- and such contests are notoriously volatile. Rishi…
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday told a febrile UK parliament that he would leave office with his "head held high" despite the downfall of his scandal-hit leadership.Labour leader Keir Starmer took aim at his outgoing foe during the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session, calling him "totally deluded to the…
Britain's economy rebounded in May, official data showed Wednesday, dampening fears of a slowdown despite surging inflation and rising interest rates. Gross domestic product expanded 0.5 per cent, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement, beating expectations of zero growth. "The economy rebounded in May with growth across…
Frontrunning Conservative leadership aspirant Rishi Sunak has come under frontal attack from his rivals and prime minister Boris Johnson’s loyalists as the intra-party contest has hotted up.Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the former chancellor of damaging the reputation of the ruling party with his mismanagement of the country’s economy…
Conservative lawmakers will vote on Wednesday to narrow the field of eight candidates hoping to succeed Boris Johnson as party leader and prime minister, as rival camps trade barbs in an increasingly fractious contest for the leadership.Three of the 11 initial challengers for the premiership fell away on Tuesday after…
Ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak and two others will start their campaigns on Tuesday to become Britain's next prime minister, battling for the support of a party deeply split over who should succeed Boris Johnson. So far 11 candidates have said they are bidding to become leader of the governing Conservative…
Britain's new prime minister will be announced on Sept. 5, with the first votes to begin eliminating candidates in a crowded and increasingly unpredictable and divisive contest to replace Boris Johnson coming this week. So far 11 candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to succeed Johnson as leader…
While several possible successors are seen as frontrunners, there is no clear favourite -- and such contests are notoriously volatile. Rishi Sunak The UK's first Hindu finance minister, Sunak quit on Tuesday and declared he was standing three days later. Long seen as Johnson's most likely successor, his prospects were…
PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson has called his promise to "level up and unite" Britain his government's "defining mission". But critics say it was a vague slogan lacking a coherent strategy for delivery -- even before Johnson announced his resignation as Conservative leader this week. What is levelling up? Broadly, it…
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is in suspended animation, including on economic policy, just as a cost-of-living crisis worsens for millions of Britons. But tax cuts are inevitable under a new leader, to confront the financial pain that is rapidly spreading in the world's fifth-largest economy, analysts say. Low taxes…
Pakistan's former Home Minister Shaikh Rasheed on Friday said that the government is targeting journalists in the country. Popular news anchor Imran Riaz Khan was arrested on Tuesday near the outskirts of Islamabad, hours after he claimed that his life was under threat. Khan was heading to Islamabad when he…
As many as a dozen candidates were on Friday eyeing up replacing Boris Johnson as British prime minister who is quitting after his Conservative Party turned on him, as opponents said they wanted him out of Downing Street immediately. Johnson said on Thursday that he would step down as Conservative…
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision on Thursday to step down as leader of his Conservative Party, paving the way for a new premier to take over, drew a spectrum of reactions from leaders worldwide. Johnson, who quit as Tory leader following a series of scandals and an exodus of…
Here are some of the highlights from his six-minute resignation speech delivered outside No 10 Downing Street. On resigning "It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister... the process of choosing…
Scandal-ridden Boris Johnson announced on Thursday he would quit as British prime minister after he dramatically lost the support of his ministers and most Conservative lawmakers, but said he would stay on until his successor was chosen. Bowing to the inevitable as more than 50 ministers quit and lawmakers said…
BRITAIN's Boris Johnson will reportedly announce his resignation as Conservative leader, paving the way for an internal party contest to replace him and become prime minister. While several possible successors have been suggested, there is no clear favourite. Rishi Sunak The UK's first Hindu chancellor of the exchequer, who quit…
Boris Johnson lasted just three years as British prime minister. Weakened by scandals, he refused for months to resign but on Thursday was poised to quit, forced by his own colleagues.July 2019: triumphant victory After Theresa May's resignation, Brexit figurehead Johnson is elected head of the Conservative party in July…
BRITAIN's newly appointed chancellor of the exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi has urged prime minister Boris Johnson to 'go now' in a letter. He also clarified that he took the new role ‘out of loyalty', adding that he is willing to 'shoulder the criticism' for his decision. In his letter, Zahawi said…
Britain's new finance minister, Nadhim Zahawi, set out his priorities for the economy in a series of interviews early on Wednesday, hours after he was appointed to replace Rishi Sunak.Below are the highlights:ON HIS PRIORITIES"I've got to rebuild and grow the economy. We've just come out of the equivalent of…
Britain's finance and health ministers resigned in quick succession on Tuesday, in moves that put the future of Prime Minister Boris Johnson in peril after a series of scandals that have damaged his administration.Below is a summary of some of those who could be in the frame to replace him…
Britain's finance and health ministers resigned on Tuesday, in what looked to be the final blow for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's premiership after he had tried to apologise for the latest scandal to dog his administration. Both finance minister Rishi Sunak and health minister Sajid Javid resigned in what appeared…
THE City of London corporation has donated £25,000 to a fund providing relief to victims of floods in Bangladesh, a statement said. It has donated the money from its International Disasters Fund to the charity Save The Children’s response to the humanitarian crisis in the country. Heavy monsoon rains and floodwater…
Even as the Western bloc continues to impose sanctions on Moscow, former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan's future is tied to Russia. In an interview with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), the beleaguered PTI chief, said it was good to take a moral stand on the…
The chancellor must do more to help families and business. The call comes from Lord Karan Bilimoria, who is stepping down as the president of the Confederation of British Industry after two years at the helm. In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, the peer said the cost of living…
Ninth seed Cameron Norrie made light work of Spain's Pablo Andujar to give Britain its first win at this year's Wimbledon, easing through 6-0 7-6(3) 6-3 on Monday. With the home spotlight very much on Centre Court where fellow Britons Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray were in action later, Norrie…
A high-level US delegation on Monday met Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and discussed measures to help the island nation cope with an unprecedented economic crisis and severe shortages of essential supplies. US Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State, and Robert Kaproth, Deputy Assistant…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi on Sunday (26) arrived here on a two-day visit to Germany during which he will attend the G7 summit and discuss issues like energy, food security, counter-terrorism, environment and democracy with the leaders of the powerful bloc and its partner countries. “Landed in Munich to participate…
