Page 3 - British Government

US, Britain carry out strikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen

Britain's ministry of defense said in a statement that "early indications are that the Houthis' ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow"

LIVE: Retail inflation rises to 4-month high of 5.69% in December

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Saudi Arabia calls for restraint after US-British airstrikes on Yemen

The group has been attacking commercial ships it says are linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports

British Sikh medic knighted in King Charles III's 2024 New Year Honours

A British Sikh senior medical professional with over 30 years of general practice (GP) experience has been knighted by King Charles III in the 2024 New Year Honours list released in London on Friday night. Dr Amritpal Singh Hungin, Emeritus Professor of General Practice at Newcastle University, receives a Knighthood for services to medicine on a list including nearly 30 Indian-origin healthcare professionals, philanthropists and community activists honoured for their selfless service to society. Professor Pali Hungin, as he is known, was the founding Dean of Medicine at Durham University and a former president of the British Medical Association (BMA). The New Year's Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion, said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all, he said. The list, released annually

Jaishankar holds 'good discussion' with British NSA on global challenges

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met British National Security Adviser Tim Barrow and held a "good discussion" with him on regional and global challenges. Jaishankar is on a five-day official visit to the UK with an aim to review various aspects of bilateral ties and give "new impetus to the friendly ties". "Glad to meet UK NSA Tim Barrow. A good discussion on pressing regional and global challenges, Jaishankar posted on X. Earlier this week, Jaishankar met British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, newly-appointed Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Home Secretary James Cleverly. At a special Diwali Reception organised by the High Commission of India at Westminster Central Hall near the Houses of Parliament here on Monday evening, Jaishankar said that the free trade agreement (FTA) is very much the focus of the India-UK relationship and India is hopeful of finding a "landing point" in the negotiations that works for both sides. The Indi

UK approves new North Sea drilling, delights industry but angers critics

British regulators on Wednesday approved new oil and gas drilling at a site in the North Sea, a move environmentalists say will hurt the country's attempt to meet its climate goals. The UK's North Sea Transition Authority said it had approved the Rosebank Field Development Plan, which allows the owners to proceed with their project. Britain's Conservative government argues that drilling in the Rosebank field, northwest of the Shetland Islands, will create jobs and bolster the UK's energy security. One of the largest untapped deposits in UK waters, Rosebank holds an estimated 350 million barrels of oil. The field is operated by Norway's Equinor and the UK firm Ithaca Energy, which say they plan to invest $3.8 billion in the first phase of the project. The field is expected to start producing in 2026-2027. Green Party lawmaker Caroline Lucas called the decision to approve drilling morally obscene. Energy security and cheaper bills aren't delivered by allowing highly subsidized, ...

Take public action against extremist elements threatening UK: NSA Doval

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday urged his British counterpart Sir Tim Barrow to take strong public action such as deportation against extremist elements threatening officers of Indian High Commission in the UK, official sources said. Doval raised the issue during his wide-ranging talks with Barrow, who is currently on a visit to India. The two NSAs held one-on-one talks that was followed by delegation level dialogue. Pro-Khalistan groups have issued posters inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats in the UK as well as in the US, Canada and Australia. India has already asked all these countries to ensure safety and security of Indian diplomats and its missions. "The Indian side raised the issue of the extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution," said a source. Both the sides agreed to work .

Iran slaps 'retaliatory' sanctions on EU, British individuals, entities

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has imposed sanctions on 17 individuals and four entities of the European Union and the UK for "supporting terrorism and fomenting violence and unrest in Iran"

UK taking Indian mission's security 'extremely seriously', Parliament told

The British government takes the security of the Indian High Commission in London "extremely seriously" and robustly responds to criminal incidents at diplomatic missions, the House of Commons has been informed. In response to a written parliamentary question by Indian-origin Labour MP Navendu Mishra, UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said on Monday that the government finds the criminal damage and assaults on staff at the Indian High Commission in London last month unacceptable. "The government takes the protective security of the Indian High Commission extremely seriously, said Tugendhat. "The government remains committed to protecting the security of missions throughout the UK, including preventing and rapidly and robustly responding to incidents such as this. The criminal damage and assaults on staff from the India High Commission at the incident on the weekend of the 18th March were unacceptable. The police have powers to deal with such acts, he said. The Home Office minister

British CDS Admiral Sir Tony holds talks with top Indian military brass

India and the UK are "natural partners" in a world that is becoming more "contested and volatile", Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said on Monday as he began a three-day visit to India. Admiral Radakin is taking part in a series of high-level meetings in India this week, continuing momentum in building strategic ties between the two countries. The British CDS began his visit to India by paying homage to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial this morning ahead of his first meeting with his Indian counterpart Gen Anil Chauhan. The two chiefs reviewed progress on various pillars of the UK-India defence partnership and exchanged views to further expand ties in all the domains, a British readout said. It said the UK and India are natural partners in defence and share a strong and enduring relationship, including collaboration in research, development and training. Admiral Radakin said his visit to India reflects the UK's belief that our security

Armed forces veterans, get prime spots at King Charles Coronation

Around 4,000 UK Armed Forces veterans and healthcare workers will be offered a prime viewing spot opposite Buckingham Palace in London for the Coronation of King Charles III, the British government announced on Sunday. Around 3,800 seats will be created in a specially built grandstand in front of the Palace to host military veterans, workers from the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) and representatives of charitable organisations with links to Britain's royal family. Additionally, 354 uniformed cadet forces will be offered the opportunity to watch the royal procession at Admiralty Arch in London on May 6. "As a mark of the nation's profound gratitude, it is right that in celebrating the Coronation we include and champion those who have dedicated their lives to public service," said UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer. "The Coronation weekend marks the beginning of a new chapter in our national history and I'm delighted the procession will be lined by people and groups who ...

Amazon's $1.7 billion iRobot purchase faces UK antitrust scrutiny

British antitrust regulators have started investigating Amazon's purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot, adding further scrutiny to the $1.7 billion deal. The Competition and Markets Authority said Thursday that it's considering whether the deal will result in a substantial lessening of competition within the United Kingdom. In an initial step, the U.K. watchdog invited comments on the deal from any interested party. The acquisition is already facing a review in the U.S. by the Federal Trade Commission amid worries about Amazon's growing market power. Consumer groups had voiced concerns after the deal was announced last year that it would further the e-commerce giant's dominance in the smart home market. Amazon said it's working cooperatively with the relevant regulators in their review of the merger. Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot, which makes the popular Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners, said it continues to work cooperatively with both the U.S. FTC and other regulatory agencie

Britishers were afraid of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Anurag Thakur

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said here on Sunday that the Britishers were afraid of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who had left the Indian Civil Service (ICS) to join the freedom struggle.After independence, the ICS became the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)."Netaji left ICS and dedicated himself to the country's freedom struggle. Netaji stood alone in front of the Britishers. Britishers said they were not afraid of Mahatma Gandhi. Britishers were afraid of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. There were several freedom fighters on Bengal's soil so the Britishers had to move to Delhi," Thakur said while addressing the youth at the 'Yuvotsav 2023, Swavalambi Bharat Abhiyan' here.Thakur also stressed that it is the responsibility of the youth to fight against those trying to "murder democracy.""Many freedom fighters took birth on this land. If you can free this land from Britishers, you can also free this land from those who are murdering democracy. You have to save the name of Bengal," ..

Force multiplier: Meet Lord Karan Bilimoria, India's voice in the UK

'An Indian living in London; but an Indian born and brought up in India: not a second generation Asian but a first generation immigrant - who's totally Indian but feels at home in both countries'

India remains top nationality granted worker visas: British High Commission

In October, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis had said that they were on track to get back to processing India-to-UK visa application within standard 15 of days

Braverman resigns as UK interior minister with veiled criticism of Truss

The departure of Braverman, over a 'technical' breach of government rules, means Truss has now lost two of her most senior ministers in less than a week

Climate activists throw soup on Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' in National Gallery

The activists, who are a part of a group called "Just Stop Oil" wants the British government to halt new oil and gas projects

Tatas mull exit from UK steel business on lack of government support

Tata Sons is considering Tata Steel's exit from its UK operations because of the absence of support from the British government for transition to green energy

UK offers licensing round for North Sea oil & gas exploration despite oppn

The British government opened a new licensing round for North Sea oil and gas exploration Friday despite criticism from environmentalists and scientists who say the move undermines the country's commitment to fighting climate change. The Conservative government argues that extracting more fossil fuels from the North Sea will create jobs and strengthen UK energy security, and is less environmentally harmful than importing gas and oil from abroad. I know it sounds contradictory but it's actually good for the environment, Climate Minister Graham Stuart said. When we burn our own gas, it's got lower emissions around its production than foreign gas as well as supporting British jobs, he told the BBC. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed gas and electricity prices higher and squeezed energy supplies across Europe, prompting countries to focus urgently on securing new sources. The organisation that oversees the UK's electricity grid has said that planned blackouts might be needed th

Facing an economic crisis, is the UK turning into an emerging market?

The Truss government's two most problematic policies are the tax cuts for the wealthy and the energy subsidies