Page 33 - Britain

Prevent misuse of freedoms: Jaishankar to UK minister on Embassy vandalism

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday asked visiting British Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad to ensure security of India's diplomatic missions in the UK and prevent misuse of democratic freedoms. Jaishankar's assertions during a meeting with Lord Ahmad, the Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, came against the backdrop of the vandalisation of the Indian High Commission in London in March by pro-Khalistan supporters. Jaishankar took to Twitter to share the issues he raised during his discussions with Lord Ahmad. "Met with UK MOS Lord Tariq Ahmad today in New Delhi Underlined the obligation to ensure security of our diplomatic missions and prevent misuse of democratic freedoms," the External Affairs Minister said. In April, the Union Home Ministry had handed over the probe in the case of attack on the Indian mission in London to the National Investigation Agency after a meeting with representatives from Britain. Jaishankar said he also discussed

UK puts export bar on Tipu Sultan's Flintlock gun valued at 2 mn pounds

An 18th-century gun made for Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan and valued at 2 million pounds has had its export barred to allow time for a buyer to come forward to keep it in UK for public study and education

Meta offers to limit use of ad data to address UK competition concerns

The CMA said it was minded to accept the commitments, which include advertisers being able to opt out of allowing their data

British Airways cancels flights over glitch ahead of busy holiday weekend

British Airways cancelled dozens of flights on Friday due to computer problems, disrupting the plans of thousands of travellers at the start of a busy holiday weekend. Most of the 42 affected flights were on short-haul routes to and from Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport. Computer issues on Thursday caused planes and crew to be out of position Friday, which was expected to be the busiest day for UK air travel since before the coronavirus pandemic. Other flights were delayed, as some passengers were unable to check in online. We're aware of a technical issue, which we have been working hard to fix, the airline said on its website. Travel is expected to be especially busy over the next few days as a three-day weekend coincides with the start of a weeklong holiday for most schools in Britain.

UK scientists create 'life-saving' AI tool that predicts breast cancer

UK researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model that can predict if breast cancer has spread to another part of the body including the liver, lungs, brain, or bones

Indian-origin designer VAT scam mastermind jailed in UK for 20 years

An Indian-origin mastermind of a fake designer clothing scam, accused of trying to steal around GBP 97 million through VAT repayment claims on false exports of textiles and mobile phones with the help of a criminal gang, was on Thursday sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for tax fraud in the UK. Sock manufacturer Arif Patel, 55, was found guilty last month in what Britain's tax department described as one of the country's largest ever "carousel" tax frauds. Patel was found guilty of false accounting, conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, the onward sale of counterfeit clothing and money laundering following a 14-week trial at Chester Crown Court. "Arif Patel lived a lavish lifestyle at the expense of the law-abiding majority. Tax crime is not victimless and fraudsters like this pair steal the money that funds the NHS [National Health Service] and other vital public services we all rely on, said Richard Las, Director of the Fraud Investigation Service at His Majesty's Revenue and

Immigration to Britain reaches record high in 2022 due to war, economy

The number of people moving to Britain reached a record high of more than 600,000 in 2022, government figures showed Thursday. Net migration the difference between the number of people arriving and those leaving was 606,000 for the year, according to the Office for National Statistics. A total of 1.2 million people moved to the U.K. in 2022, while 557,000 left. The net figure is up from just under 500,000 in 2021. The statistics office said the record level was due to a series of unprecedented world events throughout 2022 and the lifting of restrictions following the coronavirus pandemic. As well as people coming to Britain to work, the figure includes tens of thousands of international students and almost 200,000 people who have arrived under special programs for people fleeing war in Ukraine and China's clampdown in Hong Kong. The high figure will renew debate about Britain's departure from the European Union, which was motivated in part by the arrival of hundreds of thousands

Britain unveils $1.2 bn strategy to boost semiconductor chip industry

Britain's government unveiled its long-awaited semiconductor strategy on Friday, catching up with similar efforts by Western allies seeking to reduce reliance on Asian production of the computer chips that are essential to modern life. Under UK plan, the country's semiconductor industry will get up to 1 billion pounds (USD 1.2 billion) in government investment over the next decade. The amount is dwarfed by the US Chips Act, which provides USD 52 billion in government incentives, and the European Union's 43 billion euro (USD 46 billion) chip programme. The money provided by the British government will be focused on research and development, design and intellectual property and on cutting-edge compound semiconductors. The first 200 million pounds will be provided between 2023 and 2025. Our new strategy focuses our efforts on where our strengths lie, in areas like research and design, so we can build our competitive edge on the global stage," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. The strat

BT Group to cut up to 55,000 jobs by 2030 as fibre and AI tech arrive

The company has been working through a transformation plan to build a national fibre network under boss Philip Jansen, as well as rolling out high-speed 5G mobile services

British PM Sunak welcomes Ukraine President Zelenskyy on surprise visit

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday laid out a warm welcome for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a surprise visit to the UK and reiterated his support for the war-torn European nation by offering further military support, including air defence missiles and armed drones. Downing Street said Zelenskyy updated Sunak on his meetings with European leaders over the weekend as Ukraine prepares for an intensified period of military activity. The visit also comes ahead of the Council of Europe Summit in Iceland, which Sunak is due to travel for this week ahead of a visit to Tokyo for the G7 Summit in Japan. This is a crucial moment in Ukraine's resistance to a terrible war of aggression they did not choose or provoke. They need the sustained support of the international community to defend against the barrage of unrelenting and indiscriminate attacks that have been their daily reality for over a year, said Sunak. We must not let them down. The frontlines of [Russian ...

India to wage diplomatic campaign to reclaim Koh-i-Noor from UK: Report

It is understood that their goal is to secure the return of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is one of the Crown Jewels held in trust for the King

King Charles has long, enduring love for India, says British diplomat

The tea event was held at the residence of the Deputy High Commissioner, which was decorated in the theme of a traditional English tea party

PM Modi congratulates King Charles III, Queen Camilla on their coronation

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his spouse Dr Sudesh Dhankhar attended the Coronation ceremony of King Charles III in London

Charles crowned King of UK with Imperial State Crown at historic ceremony

King Charles III was officially crowned the King of the United Kingdom as the Imperial State Crown was placed on his head amid spectacular pomp and pageantry at Westminster Abbey here on a rainy Saturday, reminiscent of the Coronation of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 70 years ago. The solemn religious ceremony that dates back almost a thousand years began with Charles taking an oath of service before the Archbishop of Canterbury opened the service, which included a reading by Britain's first Hindu Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Part of the sacred ceremony involved Charles and his wife Camilla being symbolically re-married in the eyes of God to take on the oath of service together. "The ring marries' Consort to King, and them both to God in duty and to the People in loving service, and in turn acts as an assurance of God's unfailing love, the official Liturgy of the ceremony said. The Throne Chairs, which are used during the enthroning were made for the Coronation of King George

Honour for Sikh community worldwide: Peer bearing Coronation Glove for King

Lord Indarjit Singh is the British Sikh peer who hands over a key item of the regalia to King Charles III during his Coronation at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, symbolic of the multi-faith note being struck at the traditionally Christian ceremony. The 90-year-old peer will form part of a procession of peers who walk up to the altar before handing over the Coronation Glove, which is a demonstration of the Sovereign as advocate and challenger for the protection and honour of the people. It also bears a second meaning, as a reminder of holding power, symbolised in the royal Sceptre, gently in a gloved hand. It's a great honour for myself, but much more for the wider Sikh community, in this country, in India and further afield wherever Sikhs are across the globe. It's a recognition of the King's view of inclusivity, said Lord Singh, in an interview ahead of the historic ceremony. He will be joined by Lord Syed Kamall, 56, of Indo-Guyanese heritage, who will represent the Musl

Charles III to finally get his crown as world tunes in to coronation

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the coronation a "moment of extraordinary national pride" that will be celebrated across the Commonwealth and beyond

King Charles III's Coronation: All you need to know about showbiz side

Buckingham Palace announced details of a three-day merrymaking jamboree; Among the highlights: a star-studded concert at Windsor Castle

Great Britain to donate $100 million to save Brazil's Amazon rainforest

Britain pledged Friday to give about USD 100 million to the Brazilian government's fund to protect the Amazon rainforest, as the South American country beefs up protection of the environment under its new leadership. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Brazil's President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, who took office in January, announced the contribution to the Amazon Fund on Friday after meeting in London ahead of Saturday's coronation of King Charles III. The fund was launched in 2009 to fight against deforestation and build sustainable initiatives in the Brazilian rainforest, a vital natural reserve soaking up fumes from oil, natural gas and coal in South America. The committee that governs it was partially dismantled when rightist President Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019, and rebooted by the leftist Lula this year. "President Lula has exhibited great leadership on climate change," Sunak said on Twitter, adding that he was pleased that Britain would contribute 80 million pound

Delhi Durbars, tiaras: India's bejewelled link with British coronations

Delhi Durbars, crowns and tiaras and the much talked about Kohinoor, of course. As the stage gets set for the coronation of King Charles III and some monarchy gazing, the India connect over the centuries glimmers faintly through pages of colonial history. King Charles III will be officially crowned at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, 112 years after the ceremony was held for his great grandfather King George V -- the only British monarch to subsequently travel to India to attend his coronation Durbar in Delhi. Ahead of the May 6 coronation ceremony, which will see guests from around the world in attendance and will be broadcast across numerous platforms, the Kohinoor -- a diamond with a contested history -- and some of the crown jewels in possession of the British royal family have made headlines. King Charles III is set to wear the St Edward's Crown, while Queen Camila will wear the Queen Mary's Crown (from the 1911 coronation) without the Kohinoor at the grand event. The

King Charles III to confer thank-you Coronation Medals to thousands

As a thank you gift from King Charles III, around 400,000 Coronation Medals will be handed out to the UK armed forces personnel and emergency frontline workers taking part in the historic ceremony on Saturday. The UK government unveiled the design of the medal, which will be handed out to everyone actively contributing and supporting the Coronation, including choristers, police officers, military personnel and St. John Ambulance personnel, as well as those directly involved in the delivery of the mega event. The design features a double portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla on the front and a version of their Royal Cypher, a laurel wreath and the date of the Coronation on the reverse. The ribbon is made up of red, blue and white vertical stripes the colours of the UK's Union Flag and are made of nickel silver and plated in nickel. This medal is a symbol of the critical role our emergency services will play in this potentially once in a lifetime opportunity to honour our new Ki