Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Rishi Sunak hosts Eid reception at Downing Street

Sunak praised the efforts by British Muslims in raising millions of pounds by way of donations during the month of Ramadan to support vulnerable people both in the UK and abroad

Rishi Sunak hosts Eid reception at Downing Street

RISHI SUNAK acknowledged the Muslim community’s “incredible contribution” to the UK as the prime minister hosted an Eid reception at Downing Street on Wednesday (3).

British Muslims are helping the country succeed in a wide range of fields including business, sports, NHS and armed forces, he said.


Sunak, whose private office has arranged several events with Muslims over the past three months, also noted the community’s support for the victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The reception was attended by community leaders and representatives and Sunak praised the efforts by British Muslims in raising millions of pounds by way of donations during the month of Ramadan to support vulnerable people both in the UK and abroad.

“Eid is a timely opportunity to acknowledge the shared values which bind us together, particularly your compassion and dedication to contribute to charity and philanthropy,” the prime minister said.

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands MP said events organised by the Tories during Ramadan this year highlighted that “we are reaching out to everyone across the country.”

He said the delivery of the party’s and the government’s priorities will give everyone peace of mind today and provide the foundation for our plans to build a better future.”

Sunak had supported the UCL Turkish Society during the height of the fundraising efforts to support the victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

He had brought a relief parcel himself, which he added to the students’ collection and helped pack some boxes during his visit.

During Ramadan, UK government ministers also attended iftars events across the country.

Sunak also asked the Tory party chair to organise the first iftar (opening of the fast) reception hosted at Downing Street, where there was a special musical recital from the Olive School in Hackney, east London, for the assembled guests.

Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy was present at an iftar at The Ismaili Centre in south London.

More For You

Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal recalled that in February, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Trade talks with US moving forward positively, says Indian minister Goyal

INDIA’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that negotiations on the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, which began in March, are progressing in a positive atmosphere and both sides are satisfied with the discussions.

He recalled that in February, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. (Representational image: iStock)

Woman raped in racially aggravated attack in Oldbury

A WOMAN in her 20s was raped in Oldbury in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack.

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. Officers said the men made a racist remark during the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tommy Robinson

The event, which Robinson has promoted for months, is being billed by him as the 'UK's biggest free speech festival.' (Photo: Getty Images)

London prepares for rival demonstrations, police deploy 1,600 officers

Highlights

  • More than 1,600 officers deployed across London on Saturday
  • Far-right activist Tommy Robinson to lead "Unite the Kingdom" march
  • Anti-racism groups to stage counter-protests in Whitehall
  • Police impose conditions on routes and timings of demonstrations

LONDON police will deploy more than 1,600 officers across the city on Saturday as rival demonstrations take place, including a rally organised by far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and a counter-protest by anti-racism campaigners.

Keep ReadingShow less
Baiju Bhatt

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. (Photo: Getty Images)

Baiju Bhatt named among youngest billionaires in US by Forbes

INDIAN-AMERICAN entrepreneur Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of the commission-free trading platform Robinhood, has been named among the 10 youngest billionaires in the United States in the 2025 Forbes 400 list.

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. Forbes estimates his net worth at around USD 6–7 billion (£4.4–5.1 billion), primarily from his roughly 6 per cent ownership in Robinhood.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mandelson-Getty

Starmer dismissed Mandelson on Thursday after reading emails published by Bloomberg in which Mandelson defended Jeffrey Epstein following his 2008 conviction. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Minister says Mandelson should never have been appointed

A CABINET minister has said Peter Mandelson should not have been made UK ambassador to the US, as criticism mounted over prime minister Keir Starmer’s judgment in appointing him.

Douglas Alexander, the Scotland secretary, told the BBC that Mandelson’s appointment was seen as “high-risk, high-reward” but that newly revealed emails changed the situation.

Keep ReadingShow less