Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Communities urged to join Platinum Jubilee Beacons

Communities urged to join Platinum Jubilee Beacons

SENIOR faith leaders in the UK have urged their communities to take part in Platinum Jubilee Beacons.

Beacons will be lit in the Commonwealth on June 2 to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth.

In the run-up to Accession Day on February 6, leaders from the nine faith communities including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain, called upon people to light beacons in honour of the monarch.

Interfaith Network Board co-chairs Narendra Waghela and Revd Canon Hilary Barber said the lighting of community beacons provides an opportunity for people to join together to thank the queen for her service “to this country and the Commonwealth”.

According to Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society director-general Imam Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi, the occasion allows “us to build bridges, develop friendships and strengthen communities”.

ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor temple president Visakha Dasi said the “extensive community” will be asked to light “traditional clay diva lamps” in their homes and recite passages from the Hindu holy book of Bhagavad Gita to mark the occasion.

Canterbury Archbishop Justin Welby, Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board chair Imam Qari Asim, Hindu Council UK general secretary Rajnish Kashyap, Hindu Forum of Britain president Trupti Patel, Lord Singh of Wimbledon and London Buddhist Vihara head priest Seelawimala also called upon people to celebrate the occasion.

More For You

David Lammy and S Jaishankar

The phone conversation came amid efforts by India’s strategic partners to reduce tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Getty Images

David Lammy speaks to S Jaishankar amid India-Pakistan conflict

INDIA’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke with British foreign secretary David Lammy on Friday and said there must be “zero-tolerance” to terrorism.

The phone conversation came amid efforts by India’s strategic partners to reduce tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
LNWH Charity

The suite is being funded entirely through charitable donations

London North West Healthcare Charity

LNWH Charity launches appeal to fund bereavement suite for parents

London North West Healthcare Charity has launched a fundraising appeal to create a dedicated bereavement suite at Northwick Park Hospital to support parents who have lost a baby.

Named the Myrtle Suite, the facility will be a private, self-contained area within the labour ward, offering grieving families space and privacy during an immensely difficult time. The suite will include a family room, kitchenette, double bedroom and ensuite bathroom, allowing parents to spend time with their baby in a peaceful and comfortable environment.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD-Vance

'Our hope and our expectation is that this is not going to spiral into a broader regional war or, God forbid, a nuclear conflict,' Vance said on Thursday. (Photo: Getty Images)

JD Vance says US won't intervene in India-Pakistan conflict

US VICE PRESIDENT JD Vance said on Thursday that the United States wants India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions but will not get involved if a conflict breaks out between the two countries.

"We want this thing to de-escalate as quickly as possible. We can't control these countries, though," Vance said during an interview on Fox News' The Story with Martha MacCallum.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bill Gates Vows to Donate Bulk of His Fortune by 2045

Gates explained that his new approach to giving accelerates his previous plan

Getty

Bill Gates to give away most of his wealth by 2045

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has announced his intention to give away 99% of his wealth by 2045, pledging to accelerate his charitable giving through his foundation.

In a blog post published on Thursday, 8 May 2025, Gates, 69, shared his plan to use the next two decades to distribute most of his vast fortune. He intends to wind down the operations of his foundation by 2045, a decision that marks an acceleration of his previous philanthropic goals.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vikram Doraiswami

Doraiswami gave interviews to several British media outlets on Thursday to outline India’s position on the current tensions with Pakistan.

ANI

India's response to Pahalgam attack was limited to terror targets: Vikram Doraiswami

INDIAs high commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, said India’s response to last month’s terrorist attacks in Pahalgam was limited, targeted and aimed only at terror infrastructure. He said Pakistan has instead chosen to escalate the situation rather than take an “off-ramp” to end the crisis.

Doraiswami gave interviews to several British media outlets on Thursday to outline India’s position on the current tensions with Pakistan. Speaking to Sky News, he said the international community should urge Pakistan to take the opportunity to de-escalate.

Keep ReadingShow less