A YOUNG Indian-origin research fellow at the University of Oxford has been nominated for the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award.
Nikita Ved, 32, is chosen for the honour because of her services to public health, particularly in tackling the vaccine hesitancy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She has co-founded the 1928 Institute, a not-for-profit University of Oxford spin-out designed to represent British Indians and analyse emerging events in the Indian sub-continent and within its diaspora.
The fellow at the Royal Society of Arts said she was “thrilled and humbled” to receive recognition.
“Although myself and others have reservations on the phrase ‘Member of the British Empire’, I am accepting this award in the spirit of being acknowledged, particularly at my age as I feel many young people are overlooked for their hard work.”
With an academic background in diabetes and cardiovascular research, Ved is an expert in pregnancy complications.
In 2015, she helped develop a therapy to treat diabetes-induced blindness. The researcher was part of a team that discovered anaemia during pregnancy causes unforeseen birth defects, linking it to the development of congenital heart defects.
Meet Nikita Ved, Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, who has been nominated for the Member of the British Empire award
The 32-year-old received the award for her services to Public Health
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)