Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
In the aftermath of the death of an Asian-origin woman in a Leicester home, her loved ones described her as a "bubbly and caring" person who was "the backbone" of her family.
Tarnjeet Riaz, 44, was found dead at Tarbat Road on Monday, sparking an outpouring of grief from those who knew her best.
Riaz's vibrant personality left an indelible mark on those around her, and family members fondly recalled her as "bubbly, caring, and a funny character who radiated nothing but happiness."
"She was not just a sister or a daughter; she was our best friend... Tarnjeet will be remembered by many, and we're grateful she touched all of our lives."
"We can now only cherish the memories we have of our Tarnjeet. We will all miss her very deeply, and we will always love her, RIP our angel," the family said in a statement.
Police responded to a call from the East Midlands Ambulance Service on Tarbat Road around 1:30 pm on Monday, May 6. They discovered Tarnjeet deceased inside a residence. Authorities announced last night that 50-year-old Raj Sidpara, residing on Tarbat Road in Thurnby Lodge, has been charged with her murder, Leicestershire Police said in a statement.
He has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Riaz, originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was known for her devotion to her family, including her mother, younger sister, and brother.
In a statement released on behalf of the police, Riaz's family expressed their grief, saying, “Our beloved Tarnjeet, a soul that truly cared for others more than herself. A soul that adored and looked after her mum, younger sister, and younger brother.
“She took on the responsibility of a father for her siblings and was the backbone of the family. She knew the right things to say and do. She was not just a sister or a daughter; she was our best friend.
"A best friend who is no longer with us. It is a cruel world we live in. Tarnjeet will be remembered by many, and we’re grateful she touched all of our lives," the family statement read.
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Friday said a "very big" trade deal could be finalised with India, suggesting significant movement in the ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
“We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India," Trump said at the “Big Beautiful Bill” event at the White House.
The president also mentioned a trade agreement with China but did not provide details. "Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals," he said.
‘Some we are just gonna send a letter’
Trump said that while deals are being made with some countries, others may face tariffs. "We're not gonna make deals with everybody. Some we are just gonna send a letter saying thank you very much, you are gonna pay 25, 35, 45 per cent. That's an easier way to do it," he said.
Trump's comments come as an Indian delegation led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal arrived in Washington on Thursday for the next round of trade talks with the US.
Talks ahead of July 9 deadline
Both countries are working on an interim trade agreement and are aiming to conclude it before July 9. The US had announced high tariffs on April 2, but the Trump administration suspended them until July 9.
Agriculture and dairy remain sensitive areas for India, which has not included dairy in any of its free trade agreements so far. India is cautious about offering duty concessions in these sectors.
The US is seeking duty reductions on items such as industrial goods, automobiles (especially electric vehicles), wines, petrochemical products, dairy products, and agricultural goods like apples, tree nuts, and genetically modified crops.
India, on the other hand, wants duty concessions for sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, garments, plastics, chemicals, shrimp, oil seeds, grapes, and bananas.
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She also reassured her followers that “exciting” new projects are on the way
Nadiya Hussain confirms BBC will not renew her cookery series
Bake Off winner challenges expectations to remain “grateful”
She says hard work and talent, not luck, brought her success
Celebrities, including Annie Lennox and Fearne Cotton, show support
BBC ends decade-long collaboration with Bake Off star
Nadiya Hussain has spoken out after the BBC decided not to commission another cookery programme with her. The popular TV chef, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2015, shared her views on social media, stating that she “won’t always be grateful” and should not be expected to remain silent about career setbacks.
The decision ends a nearly 10-year working relationship between the broadcaster and Hussain, who has hosted several well-received cookery shows under the BBC banner. In her latest Instagram video, she addressed the public’s reaction and emphasised her right to expect more from her career.
“Gratitude shouldn't be a muzzle”
In a video message posted on Instagram, Hussain said she had received numerous messages urging her to be grateful following the show's cancellation. She described how growing up in an immigrant household had shaped her understanding of gratitude.
“Grateful for being let in, grateful for having work—even if underpaid, grateful for safety—even if it meant silence,” she explained. “Gratitude became something that I was expected to wear like a uniform.”
She continued: “I am allowed to feel more than just thankful. I am a human being, and I am allowed to feel angry when I’m treated unfairly. I’m allowed to want better for myself and for my family.”
Challenging the idea that people from marginalised backgrounds must constantly express gratitude for any opportunities, she said: “We didn’t come here just to survive; we came here to live, to grow, to contribute, to belong—not as a guest, but as a person who has rights and dreams and dignity.”
Hussain concluded, “So no, I won’t always be grateful. I got here through hard work, through determination, through talent. I got here because I’m good at what I do.”
Nadiya’s message received widespread support from fans and fellow public figures. TV presenter Fearne Cotton responded with a series of heart emojis, while musician Annie Lennox praised her statement, writing: “Gratitude should never become a silencing muzzle—as you so rightly say!”
Rahul Mandal, who won Bake Off in 2018, commented: “So true. Thanks so much for speaking up.” TV doctor Amir Khan also backed her remarks, stating: “Exactly this! Well said.”
Nadiya’s track record with the BBC
Since winning Bake Off when it aired on the BBC, Hussain has fronted several successful cookery series for the broadcaster. These include Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya’s Fast Flavours, and Nadiya’s Simple Spices. She is also a published author of cookbooks and children’s titles.
Earlier this month, the BBC issued a statement on the programming decision: “After several wonderful series, we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment.”
However, the broadcaster emphasised that it remains open to future collaborations and that Nadiya is “a much-valued part of the BBC family”.
What’s next for Nadiya?
While a new BBC project is not in the pipeline, Nadiya has hinted at future ventures. In a previous post addressing the show’s cancellation, she said she is now focusing on “being [her] most authentic self” and is looking forward to working with people who “believe in [her] talent”.
She also reassured her followers that “exciting” new projects are on the way.
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A total of 126 Labour MPs had publicly supported a move to block the proposals, marking the biggest rebellion under Starmer’s leadership so far. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE GOVERNMENT has backtracked on plans to reduce disability and sickness benefits following a major rebellion by MPs from within the Labour Party.
Care minister Stephen Kinnock confirmed on Friday that concessions had been made to address concerns raised by lawmakers who opposed the proposed reforms. This comes just days after prime minister Keir Starmer had said he would continue with the changes.
A total of 126 Labour MPs had publicly supported a move to block the proposals, marking the biggest rebellion under Starmer’s leadership so far.
A spokesperson for the prime minister’s Number 10 office said, “The government had listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system.”
The spokesperson added that a revised set of measures would maintain support for those “who need it, by putting it on a sustainable footing.”
Changes to be announced in parliament
Kinnock said the concessions, which will be presented in parliament later, would include a “staggered approach” to the reforms.
This change means that the stricter eligibility criteria originally proposed will now apply only to new claimants and not to people who are already receiving benefits.
“What's clear from the announcement today is that it's going to be a more staggered process whereby people who are existing claimants are protected,” Kinnock said.
The reversal comes near the end of the Starmer government’s first year in office. The Labour Party came to power after defeating the Conservatives in a general election held on July 4, 2024.
Kinnock said he was now confident that the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (Pip) Bill, which includes the reforms, would pass a parliamentary vote scheduled for Tuesday.
The government had aimed to save £5.0 billion through the proposed changes, which have now been partly rolled back.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is continuing efforts to stimulate growth in the UK’s slow economy.
THE Delhi High Court has refused immediate relief to a man whose wife Harshita Brella was murdered in the UK, after he approached the court fearing arrest on domestic cruelty charges.
The vacation bench of justices Pratibha M Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta heard the petition from Pankaj Lamba, who was challenging a magistrate's May 1 order declaring him a proclaimed offender.
The court told Lamba he could use legal remedies in accordance with the law if arrested, but said the case should be heard by the regular court as various legal issues were involved.
Harshita Brella's body was discovered in the boot of a car in east London on November 14, 2024. The car belonged to her husband Lamba and was parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford.
Brella's family claimed it was a planned murder, alleging that Lamba managed to flee to India just one day after killing his wife.
Her family filed a complaint at Palam village police station on November 19 last year. A case against Lamba and other family members was registered on December 3 under sections of the Indian Penal Code including cruelty to a married woman, criminal breach of trust and common intention.
In an order on June 18, Justice Pratibha M Singh noted: "The FIR dated December 3, 2024, against the petitioner has been registered under Sections 498A, 406 and 34 of the IPC, according to which his wife, Harshita Brella is stated to have died under mysterious circumstances in the United Kingdom."
The court said the matter required consideration as various legal issues had been raised. It noted that Lamba's father was already in custody.
"List this matter before the regular court on July 15. If the petitioner is arrested in the meantime, he may avail his legal remedies in accordance with the law," the court ordered.
His parents, Darshan Singh and Sunil Devi, were arrested on March 19 this year in connection with the case. Lamba had expressed fear of arrest in the case registered at Palam Vihar police station, but the court said the matter should be heard by the regular bench rather than the vacation court.
(PTI)
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(From left) Axiom Mission 4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski wave from inside the Space Dragon spacecraft. (Photo: NASA)
INDIA’s Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts entered the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday after a 28-hour journey aboard the Dragon spacecraft. The crew received warm hugs and handshakes upon arrival as the capsule docked with the orbital laboratory.
The spacecraft, named Grace and fifth in the Dragon series, made a soft capture with the ISS’s Harmony module at 4:01 pm IST while flying over the North Atlantic Ocean. Full docking procedures, including power links and pressure checks, took about two more hours to complete.
“The #Ax4 crew -- commander Peggy Whitson, ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu -- emerges from the Dragon spacecraft and gets their first look at their home in low Earth orbit,” the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) posted on X.
The #Ax4 crew—commander Peggy Whitson, @ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, @ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu—emerges from the Dragon spacecraft and gets their first look at their home in low Earth orbit. pic.twitter.com/5q0RfoSv4G — NASA (@NASA) June 26, 2025
“We are happy to be here. It was a long quarantine,” said Whitson, who is making her fifth spaceflight. The four astronauts waved at mission control in Houston during their live interaction.
Soft capture, docking and crew entry
Live footage from NASA showed the Dragon spacecraft approaching the ISS. The docking was confirmed at 4:15 pm IST. After its launch from Florida at 12:01 hours on Wednesday, the spacecraft fired thrusters in a series of controlled manoeuvres to position itself for docking.
The approach progressed faster than expected, with mission control skipping planned pauses at “waypoint-1” and “waypoint-2”, allowing the docking to advance by nearly 30 minutes.
At just 20 metres from the ISS, the spacecraft used laser-based sensors and cameras to align precisely with the docking port on the Harmony module. Once soft capture was achieved, hard-mating followed through 12 sets of mechanical hooks and the activation of power and communication links.
The ISS crew then carried out leak checks and pressure equalisation between the two spacecraft. The hatch was opened after ensuring pressure levels matched those at sea level on Earth.
Whitson entered the space station at 5:53 pm IST, followed by Shukla, Slawosz and Kapu.
Shukla first Indian on ISS, others also make history
Shukla, a test pilot with the Indian Air Force, is the second Indian to go to space and the first since Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.
Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, an engineer and project astronaut from the European Space Agency, is the second person from Poland to travel to space, and the first since 1978.
Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer and mission specialist, is the second Hungarian to go into space. Hungary’s last space mission took place 45 years ago.
The ISS already has seven astronauts onboard – Nicole Ayers, Anne McClain and Jonny Kim from NASA, Takuya Onishi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Roscosmos cosmonauts Kirill Peskov, Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky.