MORE than 150 people attended an event in London to commemorate unsung Jewish and Indian heroes of the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Organised by the British Indian Jewish Association (BIJA) at the RAF Museum in Colindale on Thursday (3), the event - ‘Hidden Heroes’ - explored the contribution of the Indian and Jewish communities to the RAF.
It also took note of diversity and the strength of working together.
Author and journalist Shrabani Basu explained how Indians beat the odds to serve the air force during the world wars.
“Despite the prevailing social prejudice, Indian pioneers joined the RAF in both world wars”, Basu said. She is the author of the book ‘Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant’, which has been adapted into a movie starring Dame Judi Dench.
RAF Museum ambassador Joshua Levine recalled the significance of Jews’ participation in the wars.
The author and historian noted the Jewish contribution to the second World War was “disproportionately large” for a small population.
Assistant Chief of Air Staff of the RAF, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards, said, “The RAF is proud of everyone who serves or has served, but tonight it was the stories of so many Indian and Jewish men and women that brought a special sense of pride.
“Their remarkable contribution reminds us all of the power of diversity, and the strength we gain when we work together. Their voices, their example, and the lessons they have taught us, still echo today.”
BIJA co-chairs Zaki Cooper and Dr Peter Chadha said, “The history of the Indian and the Jewish contribution to the RAF and the military is a long and distinguished one.”
RAF Museum CEO, Maggie Appleton, Advinia Health Care CEO Sanjeev Kanoria who sponsored the event, also spoke on the occasion.
An aerial view shows smoke billowing from the torched President House in Kathmandu on September 10, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)
NEPALI soldiers patrolled the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday (10), seeking to restore order after protesters set parliament ablaze and forced the prime minister to quit in the worst violence to hit the Himalayan nation in two decades.
Soldiers issued orders via loudspeakers enforcing a curfew during the political vacuum, as armoured personnel carriers rumbled past the carcasses of burnt vehicles and buildings on the largely quiet streets.
Nepali Army chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, has appealed for all protesters to "call it off and engage in dialogue".
Demonstrations began Monday (8) in the capital against the government's ban on social media and over corruption, driven by angry young protesters who dubbed themselves the "Gen Z" movement.
The rapid descent into chaos shocked many, and Nepal's military warned against "activities that could lead the country into unrest and instability".
The army warned Wednesday that "vandalism, looting, arson, or attacks on individuals and property in the name of protest will be treated as punishable crimes".
Kathmandu's airport is expected to resume operations later on Wednesday.
Smouldering plumes of smoke rose from the government buildings, residences of politicians, supermarkets and other buildings targeted by protesters, an AFP reporter said Wednesday.
On the fire-blackened wall of Nepal's parliament building, protesters had daubed an obscene farewell message to the toppled government telling them they had picked "the wrong fight" -- and signed it "Gen Z".
Gangs on Tuesday (9) had attacked and set fire to the house of KP Sharma Oli, the 73-year-old, four-time prime minister and leader of the Communist Party.
He later quit to allow "steps towards a political solution". His whereabouts are not known.
Retired police officer Dev Kumar Khatiwada, 60, chatting with friends at a tea stall said the ousted government had only itself to blame.
"This is the result of our leaders' bad deeds," he said, but adding he condemned the wanton destruction that saw major buildings set on fire.
"Vandalism was never a proper way out of this problem."
The International Crisis Group called it a "major inflection point in the country's uneasy experience with democratic rule".
United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has urged "restraint to avoid a further escalation of violence", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
What happens next is unclear.
"The protesters, leaders who are trusted by them and the army should come together to pave the way for a caretaker government," said constitutional lawyer Dipendra Jha.
Crisis Group analyst Ashish Pradhan echoed that, saying a "transitional arrangement will now need to be charted out swiftly and include figures who still retain credibility with Nepalis, especially the country's youth".
But with the speed of the youth-led uprising, it remained uncertain who protesters would mobilise behind.
More than a fifth of people aged 15-24 are unemployed in Nepal, according to the World Bank, with GDP per capita just $1,447.
Several social media sites -- including Facebook, YouTube and X -- were blocked last Friday (5), after the government cut access to 26 unregistered platforms, before they were restored.
Since then, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which was not blocked.
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The event also included a financial report, a documentary on the organisation’s history, and an exhibition on Hindu genocide in the subcontinent.
THE BANGLADESH Hindu Association UK marked its 25th founding anniversary with a silver jubilee programme on Saturday, August 30, at the Ravidassia Community Centre in Manor Park, East London.
Members from Birmingham, Bradford, Loughborough, Portsmouth, Hull, Sheffield, Leeds and Coventry attended the event.
President Proshanta Purokayastha BEM presided and general secretary Sujith Chowdhury conducted the programme, which began with recitations from the Sri Sri Bhagavad Gita, conch sounds and Rabindra Sangeet.
UK minister for works and pensions Sir Stephen Timms MP was chief guest and former MP Virendra Sharma was special guest. The president unveiled the anniversary magazine Roots with them.
Sir Stephen Timms MP said he was delighted to see the large turnout and praised “BHAUK's remarkable progress, social cohesion and consensus.” Referring to the youth presence, he said, “the new generation will continue the activities of BHA in the future.”
Virendra Sharma said, “it is the responsibility of the new generation to carry forward the exemplary success achieved by BHA UK over the last 25 years.” He added, “the consensus and collective efforts of the Hindu community will further strengthen the bonds of peace and harmony in the society.”
The event also included a financial report, a documentary on the organisation’s history, and an exhibition on Hindu genocide in the subcontinent.
A new committee was announced, awards were distributed, and cultural performances were staged.
President Proshanta Purokayastha thanked members for their support over 25 years.
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A group of migrants board an inflatable dinghy before leaving the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the Channel to reach UK on August 25, 2025.
THREE people, including two children, died while attempting to cross the English Channel overnight off the coast of Calais, French authorities said.
French media reported that the children were on a boat carrying 38 people. The Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, Laurent Touvet, said another three people were missing from a separate boat trying to cross at Neufchâtel-Hardelot, BBC reported.
Mr Touvet indicated that those who died may have been crushed to the bottom of the boat. He blamed smuggling gangs for the deaths and said action would be taken against them.
France’s assistance and rescue tug, Abeille Normandie, rescued passengers from the vessel at around 05:00 local time (04:00 BST) on Wednesday, off the coast of Sangatte near Calais.
A third boat carrying 115 people was rescued by the French navy’s patrol boat. Mr Touvet said no injuries were reported, but described it as “probably the highest number we’ve ever seen”.
More than 20 people have died in the Channel this year. On Tuesday, a woman died while attempting the crossing off the coast of Dover.
Over 30,000 people have reached the UK in small boats so far in 2025. Last year, 50 people died making the attempt, according to French coastguard records.
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Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.
Trump says he will speak to Modi in the coming weeks amid trade talks
Modi calls US and India "close friends and natural partners"
Trade officials from both countries may restart meetings in September
US-India trade reached $129 billion in 2024 with a $45.8 billion US deficit
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Tuesday his administration is continuing negotiations to address trade barriers with India and that he would speak to prime minister Narendra Modi, indicating a possible reset after recent friction.
Trump said he looked forward to speaking to Modi in the "upcoming weeks" and expressed confidence that the two sides could reach an agreement.
"I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries," he said in a post on social media.
Modi responds with optimism
On Wednesday, Modi said Washington and New Delhi "are close friends and natural partners." He added that teams from both sides were working to conclude the trade discussions soon.
"I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people," Modi said in a social media post.
India's shares rose over 0.5 per cent after the remarks from both leaders.
Trade deal uncertainty
Trump had said for months that a trade deal was close, but later doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, raising doubts about the future of the U.S.-India relationship.
In recent weeks, Trump and top US officials criticised India for buying oil from Russia, saying New Delhi was funding the war in Ukraine, a charge India denies.
At the same time, Modi has engaged with China and Russia. He visited China last month for a summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and was also seen with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Analysts cautious
"While the social media statements by Trump and Modi signal a potential rapprochement between the U.S. and India, it is still premature to assume that a resolution will arrive swiftly," Madhavi Arora, economist at Emkay Global, said.
"With Trump, we will need to wait for more concrete signals that a deal is in the offing."
Meetings to restart in September
Trade officials from India and the US may meet in September to restart in-person discussions, CNBC-TV18 reported, citing sources. A US trade negotiators’ visit to New Delhi scheduled for August 25-29 was cancelled after talks stalled.
India's trade ministry declined to comment on reports of new meetings.
According to US Census Bureau data, two-way goods trade between the US and India reached $129 billion in 2024, with a $45.8 billion US trade deficit.
Tariffs and EU pressure
Trump recently said India had offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to zero but described the offer as late, saying the country should have acted earlier.
Reuters reported that Trump urged the European Union to impose 100% tariffs on China and India as part of pressure tactics against Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Indian officials in New Delhi said they do not expect the EU to take measures against India and that assurances had been given that EU trade talks would not be disrupted.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. (Photo: Getty Images)
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump praised Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai during a White House dinner with top technology executives on Thursday. The two Indian-American leaders thanked him for his leadership and for policies in the technology and AI sectors.
Trump described the gathering as a “high IQ group,” calling the executives “the most brilliant people.” Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook sat across from him, while Nadella was seated toward one end of the table.
“It’s an honour to be here with this group of people. They’re leading a revolution in business and in genius and in every other work you can imagine,” Trump said.
After his remarks, Trump invited the technology leaders to share their thoughts.
Pichai said the “AI moment is one of the most transformative moments any of us have ever seen or will see in our lifetimes. So making sure the US is at the forefront.” He called the White House’s “AI Action Plan,” announced in July, a “great start.”
“We look forward to working together. And thanks for your leadership,” Pichai told Trump. “Great job you’re doing. Incredible, really,” Trump replied.
Turning to Nadella, Trump said the Microsoft chief “has done a pretty good job” and pointed to Microsoft stock rising from USD 28 to over USD 500. “What a job you’ve done,” Trump said.
Nadella thanked Trump “for bringing us all together” and for policies that support US leadership in technology. He added that market access and global trust in American technology were key.
“I think that everything that you are doing in terms of setting in place the platform where the rest of the world can not only use our technology, but trust our technology more than any other alternative, is perhaps the most important issue, and you and your policies are really helping a lot,” Nadella said.
Nadella also thanked the First Lady for hosting a discussion on AI and economic opportunity. Trump responded: “A really amazing job you’ve done.”
Earlier in the day, Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, joined by Pichai, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and other industry leaders.
Speaking after Nadella, Gates said he is now in the second phase of his career, “giving away all the wonderful money that Satya’s good work has helped multiply a lot,” drawing laughter from Trump.
During the dinner, Trump asked Pichai about Google’s investment plans. Pichai said the company would invest USD 250 billion in the US over the next two years. “It’s great. We are proud of you. A lot of jobs,” Trump responded.
Trump also asked Nadella about Microsoft’s investment. Nadella said the company invests about USD 75–80 billion each year in the US. “Very good, thank you very much,” Trump said.
Responding to media questions at the event, Trump repeated his claim that he had “settled” seven wars, without naming them. He added that three of those wars had lasted 31, 34 and 37 years. Trump also said he would soon speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, “We are having a very good dialogue.”
Other attendees included Google co-founder Sergey Brin, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle CEO Safra Catz.