India and the UK will jointly launch a global coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, British High Commissioner Dominic Asquith said on Wednesday (31).
The idea to set up the coalition was first mooted by prime minister Narendra Modi to put in place a mechanism for quick and effective remedial measures to deal with natural disasters.
“We are strong supporter of the global coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure. We will co-launch the initiative with India,” Asquith told reporters.
Asked whether the new British government will bring changes in its immigration regime, the envoy referred to prime minister Boris Johnson’s comments that the UK must continue to attract the brightest and best talent from around the world.
“The prime minister has made it clear that we must have the best and the brightest talent from across the world,” he said, adding, “I do not want to preempt what he wants to do.”
Asquith also referred to home secretary Priti Patel’s support for an immigration system which does not favour any particular geographical region.
The High Commissioner said immigration rules by the previous government did not impact Indian students as their numbers grew doubled in last three years.
“It increased by 40 per cent last year,” he said.
Johnson last week had given clear hints of effecting changes in the current immigration system and favoured introduction of an Australia-style points-based system skilled overseas workers.
The previous British government had introduced stricter immigration rules.
Johnson said he would ask the government’s Migration Advisory Committee to review the Australia system as the first step of a “radical rewriting of our immigration system”.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)