INDIA’S prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (12) vowed to respond forcefully to any future “terrorist attack” after days of escalating tensions with Pakistan.
In his address to the nation, Modi warned New Delhi would not accept “nuclear blackmail” if further conflict with Pakistan were to occur.
A weekend ceasefire between the two countries appeared to be holding this week, after four days of heavy fighting. Last week’s conflict involved jetfighters, missiles, drones and artillery attacks, marking the worst violence between the countries since 1999.
Global leaders, including UK foreign secretary David Lammy, said the current tense situation requires “sustained dialogue between both sides” to prevent further hostilities in the region.
The UK welcomed the ceasefire agreement last Saturday (10) and encouraged both countries to continue working towards deescalation. Urging both India and Pakistan to “sustain the ceasefire”, Lammy said he had chaired a COBRA meeting on the situation and that maintaining the truce was a priority.
“I know the images from India and Pakistan have been deeply worrying for many communities in Britain, and for those living and working in both countries,” the foreign secretary said. “Given our strong and close relationships with India and Pakistan, the UK stands ready to work with both sides to make lasting peace a reality.”
He said he had spoken to India’s external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, and Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar.
“My message to both was the same – ensure this ceasefire agreement is extended and sustained. Further conflict is in nobody’s interest,” he said.
Lammy also said the UK was working with the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and EU counterparts to support peace. Foreign Office teams were in touch with airlines and advising British nationals in the region.
“We value the contribution of British Pakistani and British Indian communities to this country, and their long and proud history of living here side by side,” he said.
The cross-border firing caused extensive damage to people’s homes
The ceasefire was announced last Saturday by US president Donald Trump. He said on Monday his country’s intervention had prevented a “bad nuclear war”.
“We stopped a nuclear conflict... millions of people could have been killed. So, I’m very proud of that,” he told reporters at the White House.
Top Indian and Pakistan military officials held briefings late last Sunday, with each side claiming the upper hand and warning they were ready to respond if there were fresh attacks.
“We have delivered on the promise that we made to our people”, said Pakistan’s military spokesman, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, calling it a “success on the battleground”.
“We have thus far exercised immense restraint and our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory,” said India’s Lieutenant General Rajiv Gha.
Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets, something New Delhi has not commented on.
People returned to Poonch earlier this week, a frontier town in Indian Kashmir and one of the worst-hit places.
But thousands of schools remained closed across Pakistani Kashmir as areas were cleared of debris from strikes and firing, said local official Naveed-Ul-Hassan Bukhari.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it hoped “India will prioritise regional stability and the well-being of its citizens over narrow, politically motivated jingoism”.
Modi, in a televised address to the nation on Monday, his first since hostilities began last Wednesday (7), said Pakistan has chosen to attack, rather than help it fight “terrorism”.
“If another terrorist attack against India is carried out, a strong response will be given,” he said.
The conflict followed an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack, but Islamabad denied involvement.
However, before dawn last Wednesday, India launched a series of missile attacks destroying what it called “terrorist camps” in Pakistani Kashmir.
Each side then accused the other of launching waves of aircraft and drone strikes, as well as missile and artillery bombardments that killed at least 60 people on both sides.
“If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure,” Modi said. “India will strike with precision and decisiveness against the terrorist groups thriving under the cover of nuclear blackmail.
“India’s stand is very clear. Terror and talks cannot go together... Terror and trade cannot go together... Water and blood cannot flow together.”
On Tuesday (13), the prime minister delivered another message to Islamabad from Adampur Air Base, just 100 km from the Pakistan border. “Operation Sindoor has now drawn a clear Lakshman rekha [red line] for Pakistan,” said Modi, who was wearing a Western Air Command cap with its trademark trident emblem.
“When our armed forces take the wind out of nuclear blackmail, our enemies understand the importance of Bharat mata ki jai,” he said with an S-400 missile defence system visible behind him.
The prime minister praised the military for their recent success in the fourday engagement known as Operation Sindoor, which resulted in the destruction of nine terrorist sites and damage to eight Pakistani military installations.
“What you have achieved is unprecedented, unimaginable and amazing,” Modi told the soldiers, who had greeted his surprise arrival with patriotic chants.
Pakistan previously falsely claimed to have destroyed that particular base, including its S-400 missile launchers. Adampur is India’s second-largest air base, home to Rafale and MiG-29 squadrons. It has historical importance, having played crucial roles in the 1969 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
The Pakistan army has widespread support in the country
Meanwhile, many in Indian Kashmir are demanding compensation for damages from cross-border firing.
Hundreds of villagers evacuated their homes as both countries targeted each other’s military installations with missiles and drones. Many returned to find their homes destroyed or roofless.
“Where will we go with our kids? We don’t have anywhere to live and anything to eat,” said Roshan Lal, from the village of Kot Maira in Akhnoor in India’s district of Jammu, about seven km (four miles) from the de facto border.
The shelling had left his home uninhabitable, the 47-year-old added.
“I want to ask Modi’s government for justice,” he said. “We need compensation for the damages.”
In the nearby village of Pahari Wala, farmer Karan Singh said he buried seven cattle in his field, while his family are living in makeshift shelters. “I left the village when the conflict began,” he said.
“We don’t have a place to stay.”
In Salamabad, a border village in the Kashmir Valley, shelling injured Badrudin Naik and his six-year-old son, but both returned home after five days.
“I am happy to return,” he said. “But my house is damaged. My two uncles’ houses were completely destroyed. We want permanent peace as it is we on the border who suffer more.”
Pakistan’s army said on Tuesday that more than 50 people were killed in military clashes with India.
India has said at least five military personnel and 16 civilians died.
Trump, meanwhile, said he promised to do a “lot of trade” with India and Pakistan, after which the countries agreed to a ceasefire, describing “the historic events that took place over the last few days”.
“We helped a lot, and we also helped with trade. I said, ‘Come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let’s stop it, let’s stop it. If you stop it, we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade.
“People have never really used trade the way I used it. By that, I can tell you, and all of a sudden they said, ‘I think we’re gonna stop’, and they have,” he US president said.
POLICE forces across the UK have been instructed to consider disclosing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile and sensitive cases, under new national guidance aimed at improving transparency and reducing the spread of misinformation.
The direction, issued jointly by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing, came into immediate effect on Wednesday (13).
It advised that forces should release details of a suspect’s background when there is a clear policing purpose, such as tackling false information surrounding an incident or when public safety might be at risk.
Deputy chief constable Sam de Reya, the NPCC lead for communications and media, said the change was designed for “an age of social media where information spreads rapidly — and often inaccurately”.
She added that recent high-profile cases and last summer’s disorder had shown the real-world consequences of what police choose to release. “It is essential that we fill information vacuums with accurate facts of wider public interest,” she explained.
Until now, police communications have typically named suspects, given an age, and provided an address upon charge, without any specific requirement to release nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status.
Decisions on providing such details have been left to individual forces, leading to varied approaches and criticism in some cases.
One of the most prominent recent examples involved two men charged over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton last month. Reports suggested they were Afghan asylum seekers, but this was not officially confirmed by Warwickshire Police, which followed the existing guidance at the time.
The absence of confirmation prompted claims of a “cover-up” from political figures, including Reform UK’s Nigel Farage. The incident led home secretary Yvette Cooper to call for “more transparency” in such matters. Riots related the Southport killings last year also weighed heavily in the background to this change.
In that case, the absence of early official information about the suspect’s background allowed false claims to spread online, including that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker, and riots followed in several parts of England and Northern Ireland.
An independent review later said this misinformation had played a role in sparking disorder. By contrast, Merseyside Police in May quickly confirmed that a man arrested after driving into crowds during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade was a white British national — a move widely credited with quelling speculation about terrorism.
According to reports, the updated guidance said forces should weigh legal, ethical, and fairness concerns before releasing details, with the final decision resting locally.
The NPCC stressed that nothing should be made public if it risks prejudicing a fair trial. The responsibility for verifying a suspect’s immigration status remains with the Home Office, which has said it will authorise the release of such information when “appropriate to do so” at the request of police.
A Home Office spokesperson said both the public and police wanted greater clarity on when and why such details are made available, as well as legitimate reasons for withholding them.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has welcomed the new rules as “a positive step” towards being more open with the public, while underlining the importance of protecting due process. “We want [police] to be as open as possible,” she said, but not in a way that could prejudice a trial.
She noted that the current practice of publishing names and addresses when suspects are charged will now be extended to include nationality and ethnicity, unless there is a strong reason not to do so.
While the move has been applauded by some campaigners and former prosecutors as a way to build trust and counter false stories, others have raised concerns.
Critics warn the guidance could put extra pressure on forces to reveal details in every case, potentially stoking community tensions.
Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu described a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation, saying the expectation to disclose could spark speculation when information is withheld.
Some anti-racism campaigners have also expressed fears that linking crime stories to ethnicity or migration status could fuel prejudice, and they argue that care must be taken to avoid stigmatising communities.
The NPCC insisted the approach is about balance. De Reya said good policing involved “proactively sharing facts to prevent the vacuum that breeds false narratives”, and that communication practices must be fit for the speed and reach of modern media.
Reports revealed that the guidance will be reviewed later in the year.
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Commuters cross London Bridge on October 15, 2024.
UK's unemployment rate stayed at a four-year high in the three months to June, official data showed on Tuesday, with job vacancies falling during a period that included a UK tax increase and new US tariffs.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate was 4.7 per cent, unchanged from March-May, when it reached the highest level since June 2021.
The slowdown in the labour market comes after a business tax rise, announced in the Labour government’s first budget, took effect in April. Analysts had warned the change would likely lead companies to reduce hiring.
April also marked the start of a baseline 10 per cent tariff on the UK and other countries introduced by US President Donald Trump.
"These latest figures point to a continued cooling of the labour market," said Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics.
"The number of employees on payroll has now fallen in ten of the last twelve months, with these falls concentrated in hospitality and retail," she said.
The data showed a small drop in company headcount while wage growth, excluding bonuses, remained steady amid persistent price pressures.
Job vacancies fell by 44,000 in the three months to July to 718,000 — the lowest since April 2021. The ONS said there were signs some firms were not recruiting or replacing departing staff.
"The impact of changes to employer costs in the 2024 Autumn Budget continues to be felt, as well as the ongoing uncertainty in global markets as a result of tariffs," said Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA.
"These factors have dampened business confidence and thus recruitment," he said.
Last week, the Bank of England cut its key interest rate by a quarter point to 4 per cent in an effort to support the economy, which is under pressure from US tariffs.
"It's touch and go as to whether there will be a (rate) cut in November but December is looking a bit more likely," said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.
(With inputs from agencies)
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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. (Photo: Reuters)
INDIA expects trade discussions with the United States to continue despite Washington raising tariffs on its exports to 50 per cent over New Delhi’s purchase of sanctioned Russian oil, two lawmakers said on Monday, citing a briefing to a parliamentary panel on foreign affairs.
Last week, US president Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods because of India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. This brought the total duty on Indian exports to 50 per cent, among the highest for any American trading partner.
“Our relations with the US are multi-dimensional, and should not be seen only through the prism of trade,” one lawmaker said, quoting the foreign secretary’s briefing to the panel.
Panel chair Shashi Tharoor, an opposition Congress party leader, said trade talks would proceed as planned.
“As of now, there is no change in the existing plans for the sixth round,” Tharoor said, referring to a scheduled visit of a US trade delegation to New Delhi from August 25.
Earlier, junior finance minister Pankaj Chaudhary told lawmakers that about 55 per cent of India’s merchandise exports to the United States would be covered by the new tariff. His estimate included the initial 25 per cent levy, he said in a written reply to a lawmaker.
“The Department of Commerce is engaged with all stakeholders” for their assessment of the situation, Chaudhary said.
Goods trade between the United States and India was worth about $87 billion in the last fiscal year, according to Indian government estimates.
The panel also discussed reported remarks by Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on nuclear threats in South Asia during a visit to the United States.
“Nuclear blackmail will not work with India, and no party, or representative disagrees with this view,” Tharoor said, adding that the external affairs ministry had condemned the comments.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Security personnel stand beside a poster of Pakistani Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, during a rally to express solidarity with Pakistan's armed forces, in Islamabad on May 14, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA on Monday accused Pakistan of “nuclear sabre-rattling” and “irresponsibility” after media reports quoted Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as making threats of nuclear conflict during a visit to the United States.
According to reports, Munir told a gathering in Tampa, Florida: “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we will take half the world down with us.” The remarks were reportedly made on August 10 at a black-tie dinner hosted by a Pakistani-origin businessman, attended by more than 100 people. Reuters could not independently verify the comments, and excerpts of Munir’s speech shared by Pakistani security officials did not include the “nuclear nation” line.
Munir, who is on an official visit to the US, also told the Pakistani diaspora that Kashmir was the “jugular vein” of Pakistan and “not an internal matter of India but an incomplete international agenda”. He said Pakistan would not forget the issue of Kashmir and asserted that any Indian aggression would be met with a “befitting reply”.
In his address, Munir said, “The (Indian) aggression has brought the region to the brink of a dangerously escalating war, where a bilateral conflict due to any miscalculation will be a grave mistake.” He claimed Pakistan had responded “resolutely and forcefully” during the recent conflict with India and warned that Islamabad would target Indian infrastructure if New Delhi restricted water flow to Pakistan.
The Pakistani army said Munir attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing US Central Command chief General Michael E Kurilla and met senior US military officials, including Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. He also engaged with Pakistani community members, urging them to contribute to attracting investment to Pakistan.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock-in-trade. The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks.” The ministry added that it was “regrettable that the reported remarks should have been made while in a friendly third country” and reiterated that India would not give in to nuclear blackmail.
The Congress party also condemned Munir’s statements, calling them “dangerous, provocative, and totally unacceptable.” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticised the US for extending special treatment to Munir, noting his earlier visit to the White House for a luncheon hosted by President Donald Trump in June. “It is bizarre that the US establishment is giving such a man such special treatment,” Ramesh said.
India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed, have fought multiple wars and most recently clashed after a May attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Foreign national offenders make up around 12 per cent of the UK prison population. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA is among 15 countries added to the UK’s expanded “Deport Now, Appeal Later” scheme, under which foreign criminals will be deported to their home countries before they can appeal against convictions. The UK government said on Sunday the number of countries in the scheme will rise from eight to 23.
Foreigners who have had their human rights claim refused will be able to join appeal hearings remotely from overseas using video technology, the Home Office said.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she plans to change the law so that most foreign criminals are deported immediately after receiving a prison sentence.
Foreign national offenders make up about 12 per cent of the prison population, and the move could save money, according to Mahmood.
The Home Office said almost 5,200 convicted criminals with foreign passports have been removed since July 2024, a 14 per cent increase over the previous year.
The scheme previously covered nationals from Tanzania, Finland, Estonia, Belize, and four other countries. It will now also include India, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia.
The government said talks are continuing with other countries to join the programme.
“For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
“That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system,” she said.
The Ministry of Justice said most foreign prisoners can now be deported after serving 30 per cent of their sentence, down from 50 per cent, with discretion retained on a case-by-case basis. Offenders deported under this law will be barred from re-entering the UK.