Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Bolton boy wins Points of Light award from Boris Johnson for his 'fundraising efforts'

THE fundraising efforts by a Bolton boy has been recognised by the UK prime minister Boris Johnson on Thursday(31).

Milan Kumar, 8, self-published a book 'Covid Christmas Parade', about a young boy spreading festive cheer during the pandemic to raise money for the National Literacy Trust to support other children whose literacy and learning have been affected by Covid-19.


He has received a Points of Light award which is given to 'outstanding' volunteers 'making a change in their community' by the British prime minister.

Earlier, he was praised by the Duchess of Cornwall for completing a marathon lockdown reading challenge.

“I am greatly honoured that the prime minister has recognised my fundraising efforts for the National Literacy Trust. My newly published children’s book on Amazon called ‘Covid Christmas Parade’ is all about a young boy who is determined to bring back his town’s Christmas cheer in light of the pandemic," said Milan.

“I feel proud knowing I have made a difference to the lives of other children affected by Covid-19 because reading promotes health and well being. I love reading and learning about the world through books and I want to help as many children as possible discover the magic of reading and all the great benefits it comes with."

Milan, who has already raised £3,000 through his efforts, was inspired to write his book after completing a lockdown challenge in the spring of 2020 to read 50 books over three months.

He has also supported the charity by joining their summer fundraising challenge, #FitforLit, by cycling 50 laps a day (one for each book he read) over ten days around the University of Bolton stadium.

Milan became a Premier League Reading Stars Ambassador for Bolton Wanderers Football Club, as part of the programme the charity runs in partnership with the Premier League to inspire children to get into reading through their love of sport.

More For You

Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal recalled that in February, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Trade talks with US moving forward positively, says Indian minister Goyal

INDIA’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that negotiations on the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, which began in March, are progressing in a positive atmosphere and both sides are satisfied with the discussions.

He recalled that in February, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. (Representational image: iStock)

Woman raped in racially aggravated attack in Oldbury

A WOMAN in her 20s was raped in Oldbury in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack.

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. Officers said the men made a racist remark during the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tommy Robinson

The event, which Robinson has promoted for months, is being billed by him as the 'UK's biggest free speech festival.' (Photo: Getty Images)

London prepares for rival demonstrations, police deploy 1,600 officers

Highlights

  • More than 1,600 officers deployed across London on Saturday
  • Far-right activist Tommy Robinson to lead "Unite the Kingdom" march
  • Anti-racism groups to stage counter-protests in Whitehall
  • Police impose conditions on routes and timings of demonstrations

LONDON police will deploy more than 1,600 officers across the city on Saturday as rival demonstrations take place, including a rally organised by far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and a counter-protest by anti-racism campaigners.

Keep ReadingShow less
Baiju Bhatt

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. (Photo: Getty Images)

Baiju Bhatt named among youngest billionaires in US by Forbes

INDIAN-AMERICAN entrepreneur Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of the commission-free trading platform Robinhood, has been named among the 10 youngest billionaires in the United States in the 2025 Forbes 400 list.

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. Forbes estimates his net worth at around USD 6–7 billion (£4.4–5.1 billion), primarily from his roughly 6 per cent ownership in Robinhood.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mandelson-Getty

Starmer dismissed Mandelson on Thursday after reading emails published by Bloomberg in which Mandelson defended Jeffrey Epstein following his 2008 conviction. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Minister says Mandelson should never have been appointed

A CABINET minister has said Peter Mandelson should not have been made UK ambassador to the US, as criticism mounted over prime minister Keir Starmer’s judgment in appointing him.

Douglas Alexander, the Scotland secretary, told the BBC that Mandelson’s appointment was seen as “high-risk, high-reward” but that newly revealed emails changed the situation.

Keep ReadingShow less