Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Saudi angers India with independent Kashmir banknote

India has complained to Saudi Arabia over a banknote that shows Kashmir as a separate country, in the latest protest over maps of the disputed region that have also targeted foreign media outlets and a social media giant.

The foreign ministry in New Delhi said it expressed "serious concern" over a new 20 Riyal note issued to mark Saudi Arabia's presidency of the powerful G20 bloc of countries, which includes India.


Kashmir is contested between India, Pakistan and China but the world map on the note's background shows it as a separate country, including the part of the territory administered by India.

The ministry said Thursday it had asked Saudi authorities to take "corrective steps". Saudi authorities have yet to publicly respond.

Prime minister Narendra Modi is still expected to address a virtual G20 summit in November.

India has become increasingly assertive in expressing its custodianship of the former princely state, which was split between India and Pakistan when the two countries were partitioned in 1947.

Tens of thousands have died in a three-decade insurgency on the Indian side.

The Indian government this week warned social media giant Twitter over geo-tagging data that showed Ladakh region -- a part of greater Kashmir administered by New Delhi -- as belonging to China.

Three years ago India ushered in new laws that made erroneous depictions of the country's map a criminal act, punishable by a three-year prison sentence.

New Delhi banned broadcaster Al-Jazeera in 2015 for nearly a week after it published an Indian map that excluded Kashmir.

It has also regularly censored The Economist magazine for showing Kashmir as a disputed region.

More For You

Hacking-iStock

The group also attempted to deface the website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, a PSU under the Ministry of Defence, by using the Pakistan flag and ‘Al Khalid’ tank. (Representational image: iStock)

Indian defence websites under watch after hacking claims on X

CYBER security experts and security agencies are monitoring cyberspace after a handle on X claimed to have accessed sensitive data from the Indian Military Engineering Service and the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, officials said.

The monitoring follows a post by the account ‘Pakistan Cyber Force’, which claimed to have obtained personal information related to defence personnel, including login credentials, the officials said.

Keep ReadingShow less
nigel-farage-reform

Donna Edmunds quit the party days after her suspension, criticised Nigel Farage’s leadership and called him a 'terrible leader'. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Reform councillor who quit says 'Farage is a terrible leader'

NEWLY elected councillor Donna Edmunds has quit Reform UK days after the local elections, calling Nigel Farage a “terrible leader” and saying he “must never be prime minister”.

Edmunds, who was elected in Hodnet, Shropshire, was suspended from the party after posting on X that she intended to defect once ousted MP Rupert Lowe launched a challenger party. She later wrote she had been suspended “pending an investigation”.

Keep ReadingShow less
British Indian Teen Leads Inspiring Hygiene Kit Drive for London's Homeless

Rohan Mehta, from Kensington, founded the 'In The Bag project'

MyLondon

British Indian teen recognised for launching hygiene kit project for homeless Londoners

A 17-year-old student from west London has been honoured by two local councils for his initiative to support homeless people with hygiene essentials.

Rohan Mehta, from Kensington, founded the In The Bag project at the age of 15, transforming his family’s living room into a temporary distribution centre to assemble hygiene kits. Since launching the initiative two years ago, he has personally delivered 130 bags containing basic toiletries and hygiene items to people experiencing homelessness in London.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mental Health Awareness Week

Olivia Colman, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Miranda Hart, Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry have contributed items to the charity initiative.

getty images

Lepra launches celebrity-backed draw for Mental Health Awareness Week

LEPRA has launched its first Mental Health Awareness Week Prize Draw, with support from several well-known celebrities.

Olivia Colman, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Miranda Hart, Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry have contributed items to the charity initiative.

Keep ReadingShow less
Oulton park crash today  2 riders killed

The crash has prompted shock and sadness across the British motorcycling community

British Superbikes

2 riders killed in 11-bike crash during British Supersport race at Oulton Park

Two riders have died following a serious multi-bike crash during a British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park in Cheshire on 6 May.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both sustained fatal injuries in an incident involving 11 riders at the first corner of the opening lap. The crash occurred at Old Hall corner, prompting the race to be immediately red-flagged.

Keep ReadingShow less