Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Pro-Palestinian protesters block entrances to BAE defence plant

BAE says it does not directly export any equipment to Israel but the group is a tier-one supplier on the US-made F-35 fighter jets which are flown by Israel

Pro-Palestinian protesters block entrances to BAE defence plant

DOZENS of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the entrances to a BAE Systems factory on Friday (10), targeting Britain's biggest military supplier to call for an end to arms sales to Israel.

Holding up a sign saying "Stop Arming Israel" and waving Palestinian flags, about 50 people stood in front of one entrance at the Rochester, Kent, site, where BAE tests and assembles electronic equipment used on military aircraft and in surveillance systems.

Tens of protesters gathered at other entrances.

BAE said it does not directly export any equipment to Israel, but the group is a tier-one supplier on the United States-made F-35 fighter jets which are flown by Israel.

"We're horrified by the situation in Israel and Gaza and the devastating impact it's having on civilians in the region and we hope it can be resolved as soon as possible," a BAE spokesperson said, alluding to the war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

"We respect everyone's right to protest peacefully. We operate under the tightest regulation and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls, which are subject to ongoing assessment."

The protest at the facility follows action taken by unions in Belgium and Spain who have refused to handle shipments of military material over the war in Gaza.

Israel has besieged and invaded Gaza vowing to destroy its ruling Hamas group in the wake of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel that it says killed 1,400 people. Israel's Gaza onslaught has killed over 10,000 people, health officials in Gaza say.

Earlier this week, the Barcelona port stevedores' union refused to load or unload any military material, while in late October, Belgian transport workers' unions called on their members not handle military equipment being sent to Israel.

There have been regular demonstrations in cities across Europe in recent weeks to show support for Gaza's Palestinians.

A large pro-Palestinian march planned for Saturday (11) in London has caused controversy as it coincides with the anniversary of the end of World War One, prompting fears that counter-protesters could also descend on the capital.

(Reuters)

More For You

Fauja Singh
Singh did not possess a birth certificate, but his family said he was born on April 1, 1911. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty images

Accused in Fauja Singh death case arrested, sent to judicial custody

A CANADA-based man accused of fatally hitting 114-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh with an SUV in Punjab has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. Officials said the accused had returned to India just three weeks ago.

Jalandhar rural senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harvinder Singh told a press conference that 26-year-old Amritpal Singh Dhillon was arrested on Tuesday night and his vehicle was seized. He said police treated the case as a challenge and solved it within 30 hours.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian Americans

A new survey shows growing cultural and emotional ties to India among US-born Indian Americans.

Getty Images

US-born Indian Americans show stronger ties to heritage: Survey

A NEW report has shown that Indian Americans born in the United States are displaying stronger identification with their Indian heritage than in previous years.

The 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, conducted online with 1,206 respondents, found that 86 per cent of US-born Indian Americans said that being Indian is “very” or “somewhat” important to them. This marks an increase from 70 per cent in 2020. The share who considered their Indian identity as “not too important” or “not important at all” dropped from 30 to 15 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK India call centre scam

The criminals used sophisticated tactics to disguise their identity

iStock

UK and India team up to bust call centre scam

THE National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed details of a “groundbreaking collaboration” with India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and American teams to bust a fraud call centre scam operating from Noida in north India that targeted British victims.

The international investigation began early last year after NCA officers in the US received information from Microsoft, which was compared with City of London Police’s Action Fraud Reports. The NCA and FBI Attaché in Delhi shared intelligence with the CBI, leading to “urgent action” and the arrest of two people.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sir Anwar’s 90th birthday crowns
Bestway Group’s golden jubilee

Lord David Cameron presenting shield to Sir Anwar Pervez with Bestway Group Board Members

Bestway

Sir Anwar’s 90th birthday crowns Bestway Group’s golden jubilee

FORMER prime minister Lord David Cameron led an emotional and heartfelt tribute to Sir Anwar Pervez at a glittering event at the Royal Albert Hall, marking the business titan’s 90th birthday alongside the 50th anniversary of the Bestway Group.

The grand celebration brought together around 800 guests, including senior politicians, diplomats and leading figures from the grocery, pharmacy and finance sectors – industries where Bestway holds a dominant presence – to honour the extraordinary life and achievements of the self-made entrepreneur whose journey from rural Pakistan to British business royalty has inspired generations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Government considers 'handing Post Office to postmasters'

A post office sign hangs above a shop in Belgravia, in London. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Government considers 'handing Post Office to postmasters'

THE government is exploring whether to transfer control of the Post Office to the people who run its branches, according to a new consultation launched this week.

Minister Gareth Thomas said the move would create "a fresh vision" for the service while rebuilding trust following the Horizon scandal that devastated hundreds of sub-postmasters' lives, reported the BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less