British fighter jet flies out from Kerala after over a month
The F-35B Lightning fighter jet is part of the British Royal Navy’s advanced stealth fleet. Valued at over USD 110 million, it is considered one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world.
The aircraft had taken off from HMS Prince of Wales on 14 June but could not return to the carrier due to adverse weather conditions.
A BRITISH F-35B fighter jet that had been grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for over a month flew out on Tuesday after completing maintenance.
The jet took off at 10.50 am and flew to Darwin in Australia, airport sources told PTI.
"A UK F-35B aircraft, which landed following an emergency diversion on June 14, departed today from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. A UK engineering team, deployed since July 06, completed the repairs and safety checks, allowing the aircraft to resume active service," a British High Commission spokesperson said.
In a statement, the spokesperson added that the UK remained very grateful for the support and collaboration of the Indian authorities and airport teams throughout the repair and recovery process.
"We look forward to continuing to strengthen our defence partnership with India," the statement said.
The jet had been moved out of the hangar and positioned at the airport bay on Monday.
The F-35B Lightning fighter jet is part of the British Royal Navy’s advanced stealth fleet. Valued at over USD 110 million, it is considered one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world. It had remained parked at the airport since June 14 after developing a technical issue.
The aircraft had taken off from HMS Prince of Wales on 14 June but could not return to the carrier due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, it diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and landed safely.
While on the ground, the aircraft developed an engineering issue, delaying its return to the Carrier Strike Group.
Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and concluded that support from a UK-based engineering team was needed.
The UK accepted India’s offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
To avoid disrupting normal airport operations, the aircraft was moved only after the UK engineering teams arrived with the required specialist equipment.
Migrants swim to board a smugglers' boat in order to attempt crossing the English channel off the beach of Audresselles, northern France on October 25, 2024.
THE UK government on Monday launched a new sanctions regime targeting people-smuggling gangs and their enablers, which it described as the first of its kind globally.
Under the new regime, the UK will be able to freeze assets, impose travel bans, and block access to the country’s financial system for individuals and organisations involved in facilitating irregular migration. These actions can be taken without the need to rely on criminal or counterterrorism legislation.
The sanctions regime was first outlined by foreign secretary David Lammy in January. The government said it would work alongside powers included in the Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is yet to be passed.
Prime minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government is under pressure to fulfil its promise to stop the movement of tens of thousands of people arriving in small boats across the Channel.
“For too long, criminal gangs have been lining their corrupt pockets and preying on the hopes of vulnerable people with impunity as they drive irregular migration to the UK,” foreign secretary David Lammy said in a statement.
“That’s why the UK has created the world’s first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers.”
Baroness Chapman said: “People-smugglers are callous criminals who exploit vulnerable people, putting lives at risk for their own profit. They fuel a global trade that affect families across the world, from Africa, to Asia, to the Middle East.
“We’re launching world’s first dedicated sanctions regime targeting those behind these networks and their enablers. It will be an important tool in our wider efforts to tackle irregular migration.
“This is not a challenge any country can solve alone – we are working with our partners to play our part and hold these criminals to account.”
The government said the new measures would apply to individuals and entities that provide small boats, fake documents, and financial services used by smuggling networks.
Chris Philp, who leads on security and immigration for the main opposition Conservatives in parliament, said further steps were needed to address the issue.
“The truth is you don’t stop the Channel crossings by freezing a few bank accounts in Baghdad or slapping a travel ban on a dinghy dealer in Damascus,” he said. “Swathes of young men are arriving daily, in boats bought online, guided by traffickers who laugh at our laws and cash in on our weakness.”
Starmer has recently signed agreements with France and Germany aimed at reducing the number of small boat arrivals, as he looks to counter the rise of the right-wing populist Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage.
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Koolesh Shah (left) with UEA vice chancellor Professor David Maguire
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has conferred an honorary doctorate on Koolesh Shah, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to business, social impact, and community development.
The award was presented during UEA’s 2025 summer graduation ceremonies, celebrating Shah’s remarkable journey from a pioneering student in the early 1970s to the founder of London Town Group—an award-winning enterprise with significant holdings across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. His group is renowned for landmark projects, including Hotel Indigo London Paddington, the InterContinental Hotels Group’s first boutique hotel outside the United States.
Koolesh Shah
Beyond business, Koolesh Shah is deeply committed to philanthropy and public service. He chairs the Sri Aurobindo Trust, which has introduced Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy at SOAS, University of London, and played a vital role in completing the Matrimandir in Auroville. Through the Koolesh Shah Foundation, he supports education, healthcare, and community projects both in the UK and internationally.
Shah also serves as Co-Chairman of Conservative Friends of India, working alongside Sir Oliver Dowden MP to amplify British Indian voices in UK politics and strengthen UK-India relations based on shared values of enterprise, family, and opportunity.
Koolesh Shah’s achievements have been recognised with numerous awards, including Asian Hotelier of the Year, Philanthropist of the Year, and GG2 Social Entrepreneur of the Year.
Koolesh Shah
Speaking at the ceremony, Shah reflected on his journey: “UEA shaped my life… changed my perception… gave me a broader spectrum. The most important chapters in my story were the uncomfortable ones. Success isn’t about what you accumulate—it’s about what you help others become.”
This honorary doctorate not only celebrates Koolesh Shah’s impressive career but also his enduring commitment to creating value, inspiring others, and giving back to the community.
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Discharge is seen from an outlet pipe into the River Mersey near the United Utilities wastewater treatment plant in Stretford, July 21, 2025. (Photo: Reuters_
New regulator to replace Ofwat under Labour’s reform agenda
Thames Water crisis prompts acceptance of major review recommendations
£100 billion investment planned with average 36 per cent rise in customer bills
Nationalisation of Thames Water not ruled out but deemed costly
THE UK government will create a new regulator for the water industry in response to public anger over sewage spills. The move accepts a central recommendation of an independent review, which also proposed easing pollution fines to help struggling companies stay afloat.
The Labour government, which pledged water industry reforms after coming to power last year, said the new regulator would merge several existing ones to better serve the environment, consumers, and investors.
In England and Wales, the privatised water sector has faced widespread criticism over record sewage discharges into rivers and lakes, under-investment, and continued executive bonuses and dividends.
The government now faces the challenge of turning around a sector where high levels of debt have left some companies close to collapse.
Thames Water, the country’s largest water supplier with 16 million customers and £17 billion in debt, is at risk of nationalisation and has said it cannot afford to pay the sewage-related fines it faces.
Crisis at Thames Water
Jon Cunliffe, former deputy governor of the Bank of England, led the review published on Monday. He recommended the creation of a new regulator to replace several current bodies and the introduction of a formal turnaround framework that allows for "regulatory forbearance" to give companies room to recover.
Environment secretary Steve Reed confirmed that financial regulator Ofwat would be scrapped under the planned changes. A consultation and new legislation are expected later this year.
However, when asked whether Thames Water could be given flexibility on fines — a key request from its bondholders aiming to take over the company to avoid nationalisation — Reed said current laws did not allow for that.
"We're going to publish a white paper in the autumn, which will be our response to Jon's report today, and then consult, but as things stand, Thames need to resolve the situation themselves as a stand-alone, private company."
Thames Water has said it may collapse next year without new investment. It faces £1.4 billion in pollution fines and penalties over the next five years.
Industry reset
Cunliffe’s proposals represent the biggest overhaul of the sector since privatisation in 1989. Some environmental campaigners said the recommendations did not go far enough and called for the entire industry to be brought into public ownership.
"Abolishing Ofwat and replacing it with a shinier regulator won't stop sewage dumping or profiteering," said Giles Bristow, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage.
Cunliffe was not authorised to explore nationalisation. Reed said such a move would cost £100 billion, reduce funding for health and education, and trigger legal disputes that would delay improvements.
Under existing plans announced by Ofwat, over £100 billion will be invested by British water companies over the next five years to address rising demand and climate change. This will be funded through a 36% average rise in customer bills, which Reed described as a one-off.
Reed also said the government was ready for special administration — a temporary form of nationalisation — for Thames Water, but that this would add the company’s debt to the national balance sheet.
"My hope and expectation is that the creditors will come to an agreement themselves," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Vikram Doraiswami speaks at the India–UK education collaboration event at India House in London
INDIA’S high commissioner to the UK has urged British universities to set up campuses for higher education in the south Asian country.
Vikram Doraiswami also called for further opportunities to expand bilateral exchanges – bringing more UK students to India for short stays, internship, and collaborative learning experiences.
The Indian high commission hosted six UK universities in London to celebrate the expansion of higher education ties under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The institutions that have signed Letters of Intent (LoI) to establish campuses in India include the University of Southampton; University of Liverpool; University of York; Newcastle University; Coventry University and Queen’s University Belfast.
This week, the University of Southampton will become the first foreign university to officially open its doors in India.
In his remarks at the India-UK education collaboration event at India House in London last Thursday (10), Doraiswami congratulated the six partner universities and invited additional institutions to explore collaboration opportunities; from joint research programmes and dual or joint degree offerings to the creation of innovation campuses, faculty and student exchanges, and the development of completely new campuses.
He said, “There is a long-standing cultural emphasis in India on education as the most valuable investment. Many Indian students already come to the UK, and India now forms the largest cohort of international students here. However, that alone is not enough. We have quality private institutions, and new provisions allow foreign universities to establish campuses, both greenfield and brownfield. I’m proud to say the UK is the first country to seize this opportunity.
“Southampton, York, Queen’s Belfast and others have already registered their intent. This progress has exceeded expectations. The UK’s engagement in India will benefit both countries – not just in terms of education, but also by deepening understanding, research collaboration, and industry links.”
Doraiswami pointed out that these efforts will not only enrich young people’s careers, but also strengthen links between India and the UK.
“Universities in India have reached impossible levels – cut-off marks requiring over 99 per cent averages. We need major investment coming into the university sector. India now has significant private capital ready to build facilities at scale, but what we can’t do is build capacity at scale,” the high commissioner said.
He added, “We think the UK is the obvious partner to help build out at scale - not just new university campuses, but partnerships across the board: department-based partnerships, research partnerships, joint degree partnerships, faculty exchanges.”
Professor Mark E Smith, president and vice-chancellor, University of Southampton, said, “Two years ago, this idea (setting up an Indian campus) was just a conversation. Now, we are preparing to inaugurate our new campus in the Delhi Capital Region. I want to thank the high commissioner and his team for their exceptional support.
“Southampton’s engagement with India predates this campus. Our India Centre, for instance, has already marked its fifth anniversary. We also recently welcomed Professor Prakash, who holds the ICCR chair of Indian Studies at Southampton, supported by the ministry of external affairs and the high commission.”
He added, “The new Gurugram campus aims to deliver world-class education in one of India’s most dynamic business hubs. Our presence there supports India’s aspirations to become a global education hub, and our programmes are aligned with industry needs to equip students with practical skills and opportunities.”
Professor Andrew Atherton, vice-president (International Engagement) at the University of Southampton, said India’s scale, ambition, entrepreneurial energy and supportive regulations made it the clear choice for expansion. He cited high demand, with India needing a new university every three months until 2030 to meet projected needs.
Southampton’s Gurugram campus will launch with four undergraduate and two postgraduate programmes. Even before school results, it received 800 applications, issued 400 offers, and secured 200 acceptances. Atherton described how Southampton has partnered with industry leaders Deloitte and Investec to ensure students receive real-world training. The 80,000 sqft facility mirrors the standards of their UK campus to provide an identical academic environment.
The university targets to expand from 140 students in year one to over 5,500 by 2035 – and likely beyond that. The event was attended by representatives from other universities, the British School, the UK Department for Education, and the NHS.
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Indian prime minister Narendra Modi met Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in a hospital in Ahmedabad. (Photo: ANI)
VISHWASH KUMAR RAMESH, the only survivor of last month’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad, is recovering in Bucharwada village in Diu, Gujarat, after losing his brother and 241 others on flight AI 171.
The plane, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into a hostel building shortly after take-off on June 12, killing all but Kumar Ramesh.
His family said he continues to struggle with trauma. “He can’t sleep at night,” Krunal Keshave, a relative from Leicester, told The Times. “When he sleeps, he dreams he is on the flight. He remembers seeing everyone die in front of his eyes.”
Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, escaped with facial cuts and chest injuries. He now stays with his wife and son in Diu, avoiding public outings and living quietly.
“He feels guilty that he is the only one to have lived,” said another relative to The Times.
He and his brother Ajay had been running a fishing business in Diu. They would return to the UK during the off-season.
A preliminary investigation by India’s AAIB revealed cockpit confusion over fuel switches.
The Wall Street Journal reported that US officials believe Captain Sumeet Sabharwal cut fuel supply.
Legal action has been initiated by more than 20 families through Keystone Law, seeking pilot records and throttle switch information.
Air India said it “stands in solidarity with the families and those affected” and is cooperating with the investigation.