Page 39 - Britain

Aus to stop ex-military pilots flying for China; Britain shares concern

Australia's defence minister said on Wednesday he had told the nation's military to review secrecy safeguards in response to concerns that Beijing was recruiting pilots to train the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Defence Minister Richard Marles ordered the review after asking the Defence Department last month to investigate reports that China had approached former Australian military personnel to become trainers. In the information that has now been provided to me by Defence, there are enough concerns in my mind that I have asked Defence to engage in a detailed examination about the policies and procedures that apply to our former Defence personnel, and particularly those who come into possession of our nation's secrets, Marles told reporters. Marles declined to say whether any Australian had provided military training to the Chinese. He said a joint police-intelligence service task force was investigating a number of cases among former service personnel. What we are focused on

UK PM Rishi Sunak under pressure as minister resigns amid bullying row

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was under pressure from the Opposition on Wednesday as he expressed regret on appointing one of his close allies and embattled ministers who was forced to resign pending an investigation into allegations of bullying against him. Sir Gavin Williamson is accused of abusive behaviour towards fellow Conservative Party colleagues and civil servants and denies any wrongdoing. However, after days of rows over what Sunak knew about the allegations before appointing him as a minister without portfolio to his Cabinet, Williamson stepped down on Tuesday night. The Opposition has branded the episode as a sign of "poor judgement and leadership" by Sunak and Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer used the weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons to pile on further pressure over the issue. "I obviously regret it for the record, I did not know about any of the specific concerns," Sunak said, when asked by Starmer if he regrets appointing ...

Buckingham Palace unveils new monogram for Camilla the Queen Consort of UK

It will be used by Camilla on personal letterheads, cards and gifts, the Buckingham Palace said in a statement

UK court approves extradition of arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari to India

A UK court on Monday ruled that Sanjay Bhandari, an accused middleman and consultant in arms deals, can be extradited to India to face charges of tax evasion and money laundering. The 60-year-old faced two extradition requests from the Indian authorities, the first related to money laundering and the second to tax evasion. District Judge Michael Snow, who heard the case at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London earlier this year, concluded that there are no bars to him being extradited and decided to send the case to UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who is authorised to order the extradition based on the court order. As I am satisfied that extradition is compatible with the defendant's Convention rights, I must send this case to the Secretary of State [Braverman] for a decision as to whether the defendant is to be extradited, Judge Snow said in his judgment. However, I only do so on the basis of the Assurances that have been provided by the Government, he said, with reference

Uttar Pradesh plans to woo UK, France and Singapore for investor meet

Mauritius, Denmark, Mexico, and Thailand are also on the state's radar

UK's King Charles III sends special Diwali message to Hinduja Group

Britain's King Charles III has sent a special Diwali message to the Hindujas, highlighting his commitment to all faiths and communities. The message was delivered by his Principal Private Secretary Sir Clive Alderton at the Hinduja Diwali reception held at their Carlton House Terrace on Wednesday. More than 300 guests including peers, MPs, Ambassadors, diplomats, business leaders attended the event. Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi, MP, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan were also present on the occasion. Welcoming the guests, Gopichand Hinduja, co-chairman of the Hinduja Group, spoke of the significance of Diwali and how real wealth comprises blessings and contentment earned through acts of giving. G P Hinduja fondly mentioned missing his elder brother S P Hinduja, who is unwell. His other two brothers Prakash and Ashok were present on the occasion. Arjun Rampal with his partner Gabriella, playback singer

Britain delays calling Northern Ireland election amid Brexit impasse

Northern Ireland's political deadlock deepened Friday when the UK government delayed calling an early election for the Belfast-based Assembly after a deadline to restore the mothballed administration expired. The limbo means more uncertainty and delays to government decision-making at a time when many people in Northern Ireland are struggling with soaring food and energy prices. A deadline for the Northern Ireland Assembly to elect a governing executive passed at midnight Thursday amid a dispute over post-Brexit trade rules. Under the rules of Northern Ireland's power-sharing politics, a new election must be held within 12 weeks. Civil servants will keep essential services running in the meantime. U.K. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris had been expected to announce a mid-December poll date. Instead, he said he was holding talks with the main political parties. I hear when parties say they really do not want an election at all, he said. But he added that under the ...

UK Treasury chief delays detailing new economic plans until Nov 17

UK Treasury Chief Jeremy Hunt has delayed a statement on the country's economic affairs until November 17, only a day after the new prime minister took office. Hunt told the BBC says that a two and half week delay will ensure the right decisions are taken. The statement was originally set to be announced on October 31. The Treasury says in a tweet that new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Hunt have agreed that the statement will include a forecast from the independent Office of Budget Responsibility. It will contain the UK's medium term fiscal plan to put public spending on a sustainable footing, get debt falling & restore stability," the Treasury said on Twitter.

Working towards best FTA with 'economic superpower' India: UK's Greg Hands

Describing India as an "economic superpower", Britain said on Wednesday that it was working towards the "best" Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that is beneficial to both the countries. India and Britain launched negotiations for the FTA in January with an aim to conclude talks by Diwali but the deadline was missed due to a lack of consensus on issues. "We have already closed the majority of Chapters and look forward to the next round of talks shortly," Secretary of State for International Trade Greg Hands said while replying to a question from Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow international trade secretary. A "strong FTA can strengthen the economic links between UK and India, boosting the UK economy by more than 3 billion pounds by 2035, helping families and communities," he said. He said that the FTA can cut red tapes, make it cheaper for UK companies to sell into India's dynamic market , helping drive growth and support jobs across every nation and region. Greater access could help UK ...

Have completed most of India trade deal, will only sign once happy: UK

Britain has completed majority of sections of a free trade agreement with India but will only sign off on the deal once happy that it is fair and reciprocal, trade department minister Greg Hands said

Bank of England likely to go for a bigger than 75-bp rate hike: Report

Rising borrowing costs are part of a cost of living crisis hammering consumer spending as Sunak becomes Britain's third PM in less than two months

New PM Rishi Sunak pledges to lead Britain out of economic crisis

Several ministers sacked, Hunt to stay FM

Proud moment that UK will have Indian-origin PM, says Mehbooba Mufti

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said it was a proud moment that Indian-origin Rishi Sunak was elected as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said while India rightly celebrates Sunak's elevation, it should also serve as a reminder that the Britain has accepted an ethnic minority member as its premier but we are still shackled by divisive and discriminatory laws like NRC and CAA." National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, who has a British mother, did not comment on the development but retweeted a tweet by George Osborne, the former chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK. "Rishi Sunak will be Prime Minister by the end of the day. Some think, like me, he's a solution to our problems; others think he's part of the problem. But whatever your politics, let's all celebrate the first British Asian becoming PM and be proud of our country where this can happen," Osborne said.

Turmoil in Britain: Its political crisis is a self-inflicted wound

Govts should respect fiscal constraints as once confidence is lost in a country's institutions and political maturity, it cannot be easily regained

Suella Braverman supports Rishi Sunak as 'unity' candidate for UK PM

Britain's recently-resigned Home Secretary Indian-origin Suella Braverman on Sunday came out in support of Rishi Sunak to replace outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss as the candidate who can provide unity, stability and efficiency to the governing Conservatives. In a boost to frontrunner Sunak and a blow to former prime minister Boris Johnson's expected bid for Tory leadership, the former minister with significant support on the extreme right of Tory party said Johnson was no longer the best choice for the party or the country. Her intervention comes just days after her dramatic exit from Cabinet over a breach of the ministerial code and a scathing attack on Truss' leadership. We need unity, stability and efficiency. Rishi is the only candidate that fits the bill and I am proud to support him, she writes in The Daily Telegraph newspaper. I have backed Boris from the start. From running alongside him in London in 2012, to supporting him to be our leader in 2019 and willing him to succ

Liz Truss quits as UK Prime Minister after 45 days in office

Speaking outside the door of her Number 10 Downing Street office, Truss accepted that she could not deliver the promises she made when she was running for Conservative leader

Nominations open for new UK PM to replace Liz Truss; cut-off set at 100 MPs

The nominations for Conservative Party members planning to contest in the leadership election to replace Liz Truss as Tory leader and British Prime Minister officially opened on Thursday evening, with a high threshold of 100 members of Parliament set for the final shortlist. Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Backbench Committee in charge of Tory elections, said that potential candidates are expected to file their nominations by 2 pm local time on Monday for a final two contestants to be shortlisted. Unless there is parliamentary consensus struck around a single candidate, the final two will be put up for an expedited online voting process before the wider Tory party membership to be concluded by October 28. It [100 MPs] should be achievable by any serious candidate, who has a realistic prospect of going through," said Brady, as he confirmed the likelihood of three possible candidates emerging, given the 357 Tory MPs in the House of Commons. "It is up to the Members of Parliament whet

'Eager' to secure trade deal with India, says UK's Home Secretary Braverman

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said the UK is "eager" to secure a trade deal with India to boost both economies and that Brexit has meant that Britain no longer has a Eurocentric mindset towards trade or visas, days after she caused a stir with her "concerns" over what she feared could be an "open borders" approach in the ongoing trade talks with India. Addressing a Diwali event organised by UK-based India Global Forum (IGF) here on Tuesday evening, the Indian-origin Cabinet minister spoke of being a proud member of the British Indian community and hailed the contribution made by the Indian diaspora to British life. In an apparent effort to override her recent controversial remarks about Indians forming the largest group of visa overstayers, the minister said the UK's villages, towns and cities have been profoundly enriched by immigration from India. "Naturally, there is an economic imperative for our countries to work together, which is why we are so eager to secure a trade ..

Eager to secure trade deal with India, says UK's Suella Braverman

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said the UK is eager to secure a trade deal with India to boost both economies and that Brexit has meant that Britain no longer has a Eurocentric mindset towards trade or visas. Addressing a Diwali event organised by UK-based India Global Forum (IGF) in London on Tuesday evening, the Indian-origin Cabinet minister spoke of being a proud member of the British Indian community and hailed the contribution made by the Indian diaspora to British life. In an apparent effort to override her recent controversial remarks about Indians forming the largest group of visa overstayers, the minister said the UK's villages, towns and cities have been profoundly enriched by immigration from India. Naturally, there is an economic imperative for our countries to work together, which is why we are so eager to secure a trade deal, said Braverman. But the boost to our economies is not the only virtue in making our friendship even stronger. We have a shared vision that

Britain in talks with British Steel and Tata to secure industry's future

Britain said on Monday it was in talks with steel makers, including British Steel, owned by China's Jingye Group, and India's Tata to help secure the industry's long-term future