AN INDIAN schoolgirl, whose solar-powered ironing cart project was a finalist of Prince William's inaugural Earthshot Prize, addressed the World Leaders' Summit of the COP26 conference in Glasgow with a clarion call for them to act and save the planet.
Vinisha Umashankar, 15, from Tamil Nadu, was part of the ‘Accelerating Clean Technology Innovation and Deployment’, attended by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
She invited world leaders, international organisations, civil society, and business leaders to stand with her generation and back the innovations, solutions and projects working to repair the planet and join the next generation in taking action.
“We, the Earthshot Prize winners and finalists, are proof that the greatest challenge in the history of our Earth is also the greatest opportunity. We lead the greatest wave of innovation humanity has ever known,” said Umashankar.
“We chose not to complain, but take actions that will make us wealthier and healthier. We chose to do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Rising to these challenges will shape a new generation. A generation that will build a better world for all of us and generations to come,” she said.
“We won't wait for you to act. We will lead even if you don't. We'll build the future, even if you are stuck in the past. Please accept my invite. I assure you won't regret it,” she added.
Umashankar had made the shortlist cut of the £1 million Earthshot Prize within the ‘Clean Our Air’ category with her concept of a solar-powered clean alternative to the charcoal-powered street irons that press clothes for millions of Indians each day.
Earlier, she joined the Indian winner in the category, Vidyut Mohan, for a meeting with Modi.
“It was such an honour meeting the prime minister, who was very curious about my winning agricultural waste recycling project and had some very encouraging words about scaling this up to help farmers all over India,” said Mohan, the co-founder of Takachar – which was named the winner of the prize last month for its cheap, small-scale, portable technology that converts crop residues into sellable bio-products.
“The prize means a lot as it gives the project a global scale and also offers us access to crucial support and funding,” said Mohan, referring to his £1m win.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, joined the winners and finalists at the World Leaders' Summit, hosted by UK prime minister Boris Johnson where heads of state and government assembled over Monday (1) and Tuesday (2) to deliver national plans to tackle climate change.
“Our finalists are bursting with energy, ideas and ambition, so please expect many of them to come knocking on your doors! Their ingenuity is amazing. Their potential is off the charts. It's my pleasure to introduce you to the real superstars in this room today,” Prince William said in his address to the summit.
Earlier on Tuesday (2), global advisor to the Earthshot Prize Winners, Michael R Bloomberg, hosted an Earthshot Prize Global Alliance Assembly reception in the Green Zone of COP26.
This was the first time the finalists met some of the Global Alliance, an unprecedented network of philanthropists, NGOs and some of the world's biggest companies and brands representing 3.6 million employees globally that together will help support and scale the innovative and ground-breaking solutions developed by all 15 finalists.
On Wednesday (3), the winners participated in an interactive event for local Scottish school students, to be interviewed by young climate champions representing Generation Earthshot - an educational initiative at the COP26 climate summit.
With the conclusion of the World Leaders' Summit segment of the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the focus now shifts to the nearly 200 countries' negotiating teams to thrash out a global agreement by the end of the summit on November 12.
Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. (Photo: Getty Images)
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump praised Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai during a White House dinner with top technology executives on Thursday. The two Indian-American leaders thanked him for his leadership and for policies in the technology and AI sectors.
Trump described the gathering as a “high IQ group,” calling the executives “the most brilliant people.” Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook sat across from him, while Nadella was seated toward one end of the table.
“It’s an honour to be here with this group of people. They’re leading a revolution in business and in genius and in every other work you can imagine,” Trump said.
After his remarks, Trump invited the technology leaders to share their thoughts.
Pichai said the “AI moment is one of the most transformative moments any of us have ever seen or will see in our lifetimes. So making sure the US is at the forefront.” He called the White House’s “AI Action Plan,” announced in July, a “great start.”
“We look forward to working together. And thanks for your leadership,” Pichai told Trump. “Great job you’re doing. Incredible, really,” Trump replied.
Turning to Nadella, Trump said the Microsoft chief “has done a pretty good job” and pointed to Microsoft stock rising from USD 28 to over USD 500. “What a job you’ve done,” Trump said.
Nadella thanked Trump “for bringing us all together” and for policies that support US leadership in technology. He added that market access and global trust in American technology were key.
“I think that everything that you are doing in terms of setting in place the platform where the rest of the world can not only use our technology, but trust our technology more than any other alternative, is perhaps the most important issue, and you and your policies are really helping a lot,” Nadella said.
Nadella also thanked the First Lady for hosting a discussion on AI and economic opportunity. Trump responded: “A really amazing job you’ve done.”
Earlier in the day, Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, joined by Pichai, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and other industry leaders.
Speaking after Nadella, Gates said he is now in the second phase of his career, “giving away all the wonderful money that Satya’s good work has helped multiply a lot,” drawing laughter from Trump.
During the dinner, Trump asked Pichai about Google’s investment plans. Pichai said the company would invest USD 250 billion in the US over the next two years. “It’s great. We are proud of you. A lot of jobs,” Trump responded.
Trump also asked Nadella about Microsoft’s investment. Nadella said the company invests about USD 75–80 billion each year in the US. “Very good, thank you very much,” Trump said.
Responding to media questions at the event, Trump repeated his claim that he had “settled” seven wars, without naming them. He added that three of those wars had lasted 31, 34 and 37 years. Trump also said he would soon speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, “We are having a very good dialogue.”
Other attendees included Google co-founder Sergey Brin, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle CEO Safra Catz.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Britain's prime minister Keir Starmer (R) and India's prime minister Narendra Modi (L) speak as they walk in the gardens of Chequers, in Aylesbury, England, on July 24, 2025. (Photo by KIN CHEUNG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is expected to make his first visit to India in early October, with technology and trade ties at the centre of his programme. He is scheduled to join Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025 in Mumbai, officials indicated on Tuesday (9).
The event, which runs from October 7 to 9 at the Jio World Centre, is organised by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council. It is promoted as the world’s largest conference in the sector and is supported by several Indian ministries and regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India and the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Mumbai will be the main focus of Starmer’s trip, which comes a little over two months after Modi visited Britain to conclude the bilateral free trade agreement. The agreement, formally known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is now undergoing ratification in the UK Parliament. It sets a target of doubling bilateral trade to $120 billion (£89bn) by 2030.
Starmer’s visit may also include engagements in Bengaluru, reflecting the city’s role as a hub for India’s technology industry. The trip will follow shortly after the Labour party’s annual conference in Liverpool.
Officials in London and New Delhi have said the two leaders will use the opportunity to review progress across the wider India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Areas of focus include defence, security, education and innovation, in addition to trade.
Keir Starmer (R) and Narendra Modi have a cup of tea during a business showcase event at Chequers, in Aylesbury, England, on July 24, 2025. (Photo by KIN CHEUNG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Technology cooperation has gained particular importance in recent years. The India-UK Tech Security Initiative, launched last year, aims to strengthen joint work in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, critical minerals and secure telecoms.
Speaking ahead of the event, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, chair of the GFF 2025 advisory council, said the conference would explore how financial technology can be used to expand access and improve efficiency.
“The UK and India share one of the most dynamic economic relationships in the world. Financial services and technology are central to this association, with significant opportunities for a synergy between London’s global role in fintech and India’s digital public infrastructure and consumer base,” he said.
The theme for this year’s fest looks beyond artificial intelligence to what organisers call “augmented intelligence,” which combines human expertise with digital tools. According to the organisers, discussions will address how to create solutions that are responsible, inclusive and sustainable.
Policymakers, regulators, investors and academics are expected to attend, making the event a key platform for dialogue between the two countries. For Starmer, it will also provide an early chance to present his government’s vision for closer engagement with India, building on long-standing cultural and economic links.
Starmer accepted Modi’s invitation to visit during their talks at Chequers in July. At that meeting, both leaders underlined the importance of the relationship and expressed confidence that cooperation would expand further in the years ahead.
(PTI)
Keep ReadingShow less
Demonstrators gather in support of Khalistan during a Sikh rally outside the Consulate General of India, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 25, 2023.
AT LEAST two Khalistani extremist groups have received financial support from within Canada, according to a new Canadian government report on terror financing.
The report, titled 2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada, named Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as the groups receiving such support.
This comes two months after a report by Ottawa’s intelligence agency said politically motivated violent extremism in Canada since the mid-1980s has taken shape through Khalistani extremists seeking to use violence to create an independent nation state called Khalistan in India’s Punjab.
The new report defined Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE) as encouraging “the use of violence to establish new political systems, or new structures and norms within existing systems.”
“While PMVE may include religious elements, actors are more focused on political self-determination or representation, rather than racial or ethnic supremacy,” it added.
The report noted that several terrorist entities listed under Canada’s Criminal Code fall under the PMVE category, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Babbar Khalsa International, and the International Sikh Youth Federation. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have observed these groups receiving financial support originating from Canada, it said.
In 2022, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada’s (FINTRAC) Operational Alert on Terrorist Activity Financing identified Hezbollah as the second most frequently noted international terrorist group receiving Canadian funds.
The 2025 Assessment also outlined PMVE financing methods. It said Hamas and Hezbollah are well-resourced groups that use a variety of methods, including abuse of money services businesses and banking sectors, use of cryptocurrencies, state financing, exploitation of charitable and non-profit organisations (NPOs), and criminal activity.
“Khalistani extremist groups supporting violent means to establish an independent state within Punjab, India, are suspected of raising funds in a number of countries, including Canada. These groups previously had an extensive fundraising network in Canada but now appear to consist of smaller pockets of individuals with allegiance to the cause but seemingly no particular affiliation to a specific group,” the report said.
The report highlighted misuse of non-profit and charitable activities as a concern.
“The misuse of the charitable and NPO sectors has been observed as a prominent financing method used by Hamas and Hezbollah. Khalistani violent extremist groups have also been known to use networks to solicit donations from diaspora communities to raise and move funds, including through NPOs,” it said.
It clarified that revenue from NPO abuse represents a relatively small share of terrorist groups’ operational budgets overall.
The report added that drug trafficking is the largest money laundering threat in Canada, followed by fraud, commercial trade fraud, trade-based money laundering, and tax crimes.
“These threats are each estimated to involve billions of dollars in illicit proceeds annually in Canada,” it said.
The report follows the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s 2024 assessment, released on June 18, which stated that ongoing involvement in violent activities by Canada-based Khalistani extremists continues to pose a national security threat.
“Since the mid-1980s, the PMVE threat in Canada has manifested primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists seeking to use and support violent means to create an independent nation state called Khalistan, largely within Punjab, India,” the CSIS report said.
That report aligned with New Delhi’s position that pro-Khalistani groups in Canada have been carrying out anti-India activities with impunity.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson leaves following a cabinet meeting at Downing Street on September 9, 2025.
EDUCATION SECRETARY Bridget Phillipson has announced her candidacy for Labour’s deputy leader, becoming the most senior figure to enter the contest so far.
Clapham and Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy is the only other declared candidate in the race to replace Angela Rayner.
Lucy Powell, who was removed as leader of the House of Commons last week, is expected to announce her bid.
Foreign affairs committee chair Emily Thornberry has said she is considering running, while former transport secretary Louise Haigh and Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan have ruled themselves out.
Candidates must secure nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs by Thursday evening. They also need support from either 5 per cent of local parties or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions. Those who qualify will face a ballot of party members, with the winner to be announced on 25 October.
Some Labour members have criticised the short nomination period. Ribeiro-Addy said: "It is absolutely unfair, and I don't think it's what the membership want." She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the party needed to reflect on "what's gone wrong," citing concerns over Gaza, winter fuel allowances and welfare cuts.
Announcing her candidacy, Phillipson said: "Because make no mistake: We are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses our country."
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he had not yet decided whom to support. David Lammy will remain deputy prime minister regardless of the outcome.
Keep ReadingShow less
Passengers walk back to the reopened terminal after emergency services responded to what they called a 'possible hazardous materials incident' at Terminal 4 of Heathrow Airport.
HEATHROW Airport has reopened Terminal 4 after it was evacuated on Monday evening following what authorities described as a "possible hazardous materials incident."
The airport said the terminal was declared safe and apologised for the disruption. In a post on X, Heathrow said it was "doing everything we can" to make sure flights depart as planned.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed it had stood down its response.
Terminal 4, which handles both European and long-haul flights, was closed temporarily as specialist fire crews carried out an assessment.
The London Ambulance Service said paramedics treated 21 patients and one person was taken to hospital. The nature of the incident has not been disclosed.
The Metropolitan Police said specialist officers were at the scene and conducted a search of the area. The force said no trace of any "adverse substance" was found.
Video clips shared online, which could not be verified, showed passengers waiting outside the terminal. Heathrow’s departures board showed flights continuing to take off.
In March, Heathrow was shut for nearly a day after a fire at a nearby electrical substation cut power, disrupting flights worldwide and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.