A STATUE of Robert Milligan, an 18th century slave trader, was removed from its plinth outside a London museum on Tuesday (10) after global anti-racism protests triggered a debate about how Britain commemorates its imperial past.
Statues glorifying slave traders and colonialists have come into sharp focus in recent days, as part of a broader movement inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests that started in the US following the custodial death of George Floyd.
"While it's a sad truth that much of our city and nation's wealth was derived from the slave trade, this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces," said Sadiq Khan on Twitter.
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Earlier, the London mayor ordered a review of monuments across capital city, in response to mass protests in the city and elsewhere.
Khan explained that a commission would look at statues, plaques and street names which reflect the rapid expansion of London's wealth and power at the height of Britain's empire in the reign of Queen Victoria.
"Our capital’s diversity is our greatest strength, yet our statues, road names and public spaces reflect a bygone era," he noted.
On Sunday, protesters in the English port city of Bristol pulled down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston, and threw it in the harbour, while in Oxford on Monday more than 1,000 demonstrators demanded the removal of a statue of colonialist Cecil Rhodes.
The previously obscure statue of Milligan stood in front of the Museum of London Docklands, on the edge of the glitzy business district of Canary Wharf, which is surrounded by the multi-ethnic, working-class borough of Tower Hamlets.
Milligan, who owned sugar plantations in Jamaica, was involved in the construction of London's West India Docks.
Onlookers cheered and applauded as workers in high-visibility jackets separated the statue from its plinth, then lifted it off with a crane truck.
The mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, said from the scene he felt strongly it was no longer appropriate to leave the statue in place. He said it would be put into storage and discussions would take place about what to do with it.
"People assumed he was just a businessman who helped build the docks, but when you dig into it you learn that in fact he was a slave trader," he added said. "I find it refreshing, I find it inspiring that people want to learn and reflect."
The decision to remove the statue was taken by the owners of the land, a body called the Canal and River Trust. "We recognise the wishes of the local community concerning the statue of Robert Milligan at London Docklands," it said in a statement.
The Museum of London Docklands said the statue of the slaver had "stood uncomfortably" in the area "for a long time".
"The Museum of London recognises that the monument is part of the ongoing problematic regime of white-washing history, which disregards the pain of those who are still wrestling with the remnants of the crimes Milligan committed against humanity," it added.
The orderly removal of the statue was in contrast to chaotic scenes in Bristol on Sunday. Police there, however, decided not to stop protesters from toppling Colston's statue to avoid inflaming the situation.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had called the pulling down of the statue was a criminal act, while Home Secretary Priti Patel termed it "utterly disgraceful".
On Tuesday, more than 1,000 protesters converged on a college at Oxford University, chanting "take it down" and "shame on you" to demand the removal of a statue of 19th century British colonialist Cecil Rhodes.
"Rhodes represents such a violent legacy of colonialism, imperialism, slavery, particularly in southern Africa," said protester Morategi Kale, a South African graduate student at Oxford. "The beginning is to take down a statue that celebrates that."
Many academics and public figures oppose the removal of such monuments, arguing they merely reflect history and should be used as points of discussion.
But demonstrators said the statue of Rhodes should no longer have pride of place on the facade of Oriel College, which overlooks Oxford's High Street.
"I think what he did should be in the museum, but not on an institution of higher education. It's just the wrong place," said Butch Smith, a chef, who had brought his young daughter to the protest.
Jeevan Ravindran, a student, said the statue showed the university was failing to engage with issues faced by students from ethnic minority backgrounds.
"For black and brown students to have to walk around this university and see these symbols of slavery and colonisation is frankly quite abhorrent," she said.
A previous student campaign in 2015, modelled on the "Rhodes Must Fall" movement in South Africa that led Cape Town University to remove its statue of Rhodes that year, had failed to convince Oriel to follow suit.
In a statement ahead of Tuesday's demonstration, the college said it abhorred racism.
"We understand that we are, and we want to be, a part of the public conversation about the relationship between the study of history, public commemoration, social justice and educational equality," it said.
"As a college, we continue to debate and discuss the issues raised by the presence on our site of examples of contested heritage relating to Cecil Rhodes."
A mining magnate, Rhodes was a central figure in Britain's colonial project in southern Africa, giving his name to Rhodesia, present-day Zimbabwe, and founding the De Beers diamond empire.
He made his fortune from the exploitation of African miners, secured power through bloody imperial wars and paved the way to apartheid with his beliefs and measures on racial segregation.
A student at Oriel in his youth, Rhodes left the college money when he died and also endowed the Rhodes Scholarships, which have allowed more than 8,000 students from countries around the world to study at Oxford over the past century.
The demonstration was peaceful, and there was no attempt to remove the statue, which stands in a niche high up on a building whose construction was partly funded by Rhodes.
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.
Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.
He began his career in advertising before moving into music, where he held roles in artist development and label management. He became chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK in 2008.
Alongside his commercial career, Joseph has been involved in a number of social and cultural initiatives. In 2019, he launched Universal Music’s Creative Differences initiative, which produced the first industry handbook for supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. The handbook has been adopted by more than 200 organisations globally.
He is a founding board member of Julie’s Bicycle, a group focused on climate issues in the cultural sector, and served on the National Council of Arts Council England for eight years. In 2013, he collaborated with Baroness Doreen Lawrence to mark the 20th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder through the Unity project. He also serves as Chair of the Grenfell Foundation.
Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.
RSA Chair Sir Loyd Grossman said: “David’s commitment to effecting social change, his compassion and his commitment to nurturing people is exemplary.
“We are thrilled that David will join us in the autumn, knowing that he will foster a collaborative and caring culture that speaks to our fellows, partners, staff teams and the wider world. These qualities make David superbly placed to lead the RSA into its next vital phase, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”
Commenting on his appointment, Joseph said: “The RSA has a remarkable heritage and untapped potential. At a time when fresh thinking and collective action are urgently needed across the globe, the RSA is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change - uniting its rich tradition of arts, creativity and policy influence with the energy of its global Fellowship to spark ideas that shape society. I’m excited to join such a talented organisation where we will build a bold new chapter together.”
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People take part in a protest against disability welfare cuts on June 30, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
DOZENS of Labour MPs are expected to vote against the government’s welfare reforms despite recent concessions aimed at easing opposition.
The government had initially planned to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (Pip) but later said the stricter rules would only apply to new claimants from November 2025.
Ministers also promised a review of the Pip assessment process, in partnership with disability organisations, due to conclude by autumn 2026.
More than 120 Labour MPs had signed an amendment to block the legislation, though a revised amendment supported by 39 MPs and backed by disability charities remains active.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC her party would oppose the bill, saying, “The benefits bill is too high. It was £40bn just before Covid. It is now projected to be a £100bn by 2030. And what Labour is doing is not making any savings at all.”
Labour MP Olivia Blake, who opposes the reforms, told BBC Newsnight, “I strongly believe that these kind of punitive measures of cutting welfare are not going to have the outcomes that we've been told they will.”
According to Department for Work and Pensions modelling, the revised proposals could push 150,000 people into poverty by 2030, down from an earlier estimate of 250,000.
Sir Stephen Timms, who will lead the review, told BBC Newsnight the government’s measures would help reduce poverty and make Pip more sustainable.
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Sudha Murthy and Karan Johar
Image Credits: Barkha Dutt / We The Women / Mojo Story
The acclaimed women-led festival We The Women, curated by veteran journalist Barkha Dutt, made its powerful UK debut on June 29 at London’s Riverside Studios. Presented in partnership with Vedanta, the event brought together transformative voices from India and the British-Indian diaspora, showcasing unfiltered, emotional, and often raw storytelling.
Among the standout moments was Rashmika Mandanna’s candid discussion on her values-first approach to fame. The actor received thunderous applause when she shared, “I’ve said no to scripts because they required me to smoke. If I don’t feel good about something, I won’t do it.” Her firm stance echoed the festival’s core ethos, prioritising authenticity over popularity.
Sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar reflected emotionally on one of the most poignant chapters of her life, being Grammy-nominated alongside her legendary father, Pt. Ravi Shankar. Just weeks before the ceremony, he passed away, leaving Anoushka and her sister, Norah Jones, to accept his Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf, a moment marked by both immense pride and profound loss.
Filmmaker Karan Johar shared an intimate glimpse into the challenges of raising twins as a single father. He moved the audience to tears, recalling how online trolls questioned his parenting. “One night, I asked them, ‘Are you happy?’ They replied, ‘Yes, because you’re our dada.’ That gave me strength,” he revealed.
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan opened up about her personal life, including a burglary incident involving her husband Saif Ali Khan and the pressures of being part of Bollywood royalty. “People expect perfection, but I’m learning to be okay with being just me,” she said with grace.
Karan Johar and Smriti Irani
Sudha Murthy, author, philanthropist, and Rajya Sabha MP, shared insights from her multifaceted life rooted in simplicity. “I still carry my own utensils when travelling abroad,” she said, underscoring that true impact comes from empathy, not extravagance.
In his characteristic eloquence, Shashi Tharoor blended literature, diplomacy, and politics. He reflected on India’s recent anti-terror operation, describing “Operation Sindoor” as a culturally resonant yet measured response. Tharoor called for global unity against terrorism through accountability rather than aggression.
The evening concluded with Union Minister Smriti Irani recounting her extraordinary journey from selling perfumes on Delhi’s streets with ₹200 to holding a place in the Union Cabinet. “Resilience above all,” she declared, inspiring the audience with her story of grit and determination.
In Session 1, the changemakers featured were Prav Kaur, Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, and Souparnika Nair. TS Anil, Akash Mehta, and Rahi Chadda participated in a fireside chat with Mallika Kapur. Session 2 included Sindhu Vee, Meera Syal, and Priya Agarwal Hebbar. Last but certainly not least, the event was honoured by the special presence of Anil Agrawal, the visionary founder and chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited.
From stories of parenting and politics to advocacy, authenticity, and resilience, We The Women proved more than just a festival, it was a celebration of real lives, struggles, and voices that matter. As Barkha Dutt aptly noted, “This isn’t about celebrities, it’s about courage.”
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Rescue workers look for survivors after an explosion and fire at a chemical factory, in Sangareddy, Telangana, India, June 30, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
THE DEATH toll from the explosion and fire at the Sigachi Industries chemical factory in Sangareddy, Telangana, has risen to at least 39, officials said on Tuesday, as rescue teams continued clearing debris for a second day.
The explosion occurred on Monday and turned large parts of the building into rubble. State authorities confirmed the toll had risen to 39, Reuters reported. Thirty-four others were injured in the incident, according to officials.
Factory building collapsed completely, says fire official
Telangana state chief minister Revanth Reddy visited the site on Tuesday. A video released by his office showed twisted metal and wreckage at the factory site. Reddy’s office said a five-member committee had been formed to investigate the cause of the explosion. The company has not yet disclosed the cause.
GV Narayana Rao, director of the Telangana fire disaster response service, told Reuters, “We are still clearing the debris. Once we are all done with the clearing, only then we will be able to assess if any other body is still remaining under the debris or if it is all clear.” He confirmed that the building had completely collapsed.
District administrative official P Pravinya said more than 140 people were working at the factory when the incident occurred. Twenty-five of the deceased had not been identified.
Eyewitness account of blast and escape
Chandan Gound, 32, who had been working at the factory for six months, said he escaped after hearing a loud blast while outside the building.
“It sounded like a bomb blast. I came out and saw fire. A part of the fire also spread towards me. I jumped the wall and escaped,” he told Reuters. “Many of them managed to escape, but a large number were trapped and could not come out.”
Sigachi shuts plant for 90 days, stock falls 8 per cent
Sigachi Industries supplies microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and specialty chemical sectors, serving clients in countries including the United States and Australia. The Telangana plant contributes a little over a fourth of the company’s total production capacity of 21,700 million metric tons per annum.
In a statement, Sigachi said, “The incident has unfortunately resulted in the loss of human life.” The company said the plant had been shut for 90 days from Monday due to damage to equipment and structures. The facility is fully insured and claims are being initiated.
Shares of Sigachi dropped about 8 per cent on Tuesday and were on track for their sharpest two-day fall on record.
India’s industrial safety record under scrutiny
Industrial accidents are frequent in India, with experts citing poor planning and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
In a separate incident on Tuesday, five people died and four others were injured in a fire at a fireworks factory in the Sivakasi manufacturing cluster in Tamil Nadu, a fire department official said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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FILE PHOTO: A mother and daughter sit atop the Covid memorial wall on September 9, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
THE Covid inquiry has started examining how the pandemic affected care services for older and disabled people, with families describing the crisis as one of the worst failures of the pandemic.
Nearly 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales between March 2020 and January 2022, with many deaths happening in the first weeks of the outbreak.
Families have waited years for this part of the inquiry, which will look at key decisions including why hospital patients were moved quickly into care homes in March 2020 without being tested for Covid.
Pete Weatherby KC, representing bereaved families, told the inquiry that a top government official had called what happened a "generational slaughter" in care homes.
"We call out the callous way that family members were treated by politicians and policy makers, referring to them as bed blockers and people nearing the end regardless of the virus," he said.
The inquiry heard how care homes were told to take patients from hospitals to free up beds. Between early March and early June 2020, around 25,000 patients were moved to care homes, many without Covid tests.
Government advice on April 2, 2020 said "negative tests are not required" before patients went to care homes. This only changed on April 15, 2020.
A 2022 High Court ruling found this policy was unlawful because it failed to consider the risk to vulnerable care home residents.
Geraldine Treacy's mother Margaret Stewart died in a care home in Northern Ireland. She said: "The home had to accept people from the hospital, who hadn't been tested and subsequently they became very sick."
She described visiting her mother while wearing protective gear: "She couldn't see who I was and she was very, very upset. She was 87 and she was screaming for her mum."
Care workers described being left without proper protective equipment and testing kits early in the pandemic. One worker in Durham said their home lost 25 residents in three weeks.
"Once Covid was in our care home, it spread like wildfire and we could not do anything about it," they said. "At one point, 67 out of 87 residents tested positive."
Staff had to help families say goodbye over video calls. One worker recalled holding a resident's hand up to an iPad screen so his daughter could pretend to hold hands through the screen as he died.
The inquiry will also examine why "do not resuscitate" orders were placed on some elderly residents without their agreement, and policies that stopped families visiting for months.
Maureen Lewis, who manages St Ives Lodge care home in northeast London, lost seven residents to Covid. She remains angry about former health secretary Matt Hancock's claim in May 2020 that the government had "thrown a protective ring around care homes".
"There was no ring of protection for care homes at all," she was quoted as saying. "He needs to take accountability for the decisions he made."
Hancock will give evidence on Wednesday (2). Bereaved families say they want him to "tell the truth" about decisions made during the pandemic.
Jean Adamson, whose father Aldrick died with Covid in April 2020, called the hospital discharge policy "reckless".
"The way that my father and tens of thousands of other care home residents were sacrificed really gets me because I think it smacks of ageism and disability discrimination," Adamson said. The inquiry is expected to last five weeks, with 55 witnesses giving evidence. The final report will not be published until next year.