Asian Lite News Archive

Category: -Top News

  • World News In Pictures

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  • No winning or losing in art: Helen Mirren

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    Veteran actress Helen Mirren feels award shows are pointless as acting goes far beyond the accolades of winning an award. “In our job as actors and actresses, we are first and foremost artists. And artists are not athletes. There’s no winning or losing in art, honestly,” people.com quoted the 69-year-old as saying. The Oscar-winner, who…

  • James Rhodes wins right to publish memoirs of abuse

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    The British Supreme Court lifted an injunction  that banned internationally renowned classical pianist James Rhodes from publishing a complete autobiography, which details serious sexual abuse he endured at school as a child. Rhodes, 40, praised the court’s decision, accompanied by his friend and former classmate at Harrow High School in northwest London, British actor Benedict…

  • Britain should remain in EU: Osborne

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    Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said in a keynote speech that he wants Britain to remain in the European Union (EU) — but doesn’t want to see the country run by Europe. Speaking at the 50th anniversary annual dinner of Britain’s leading business organisation, the CBI, Osborne fired the first salvo in what…

  • Tharoor calls media,’self-appointed liars’

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    Former union minister and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has again courted controversy, this time by accusing the media of being “self-appointed liars and scum”. However, as his comments kicked up a furore, he sought to clarify that he had attacked “only those who put exploitation of tragedy above justice”. “I’ll speak to the police, not…

  • US launches secret space plane X-37B

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    The US Air Force’s mysterious X-37B space plane was launched  for its fourth secret space mission. The reusable, unmanned X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle lifted off atop an Atlas V rocket at 11:05 a.m. from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The US Air Force did not say how long the X-37B will remain in orbit, but each of…

  • Eight men charged in Hatton Garden jewellery heist

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    Eight men have been charged with plotting and executing the Hatton Garden jewellery heist, Scotland Yard has said. Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad charged the men, aged between 48 and 76, with conspiracy to burgle on Wednesday evening reported BBC. They have been remanded in custody to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.…

  • British terror suspect living in Denmark

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    A terror suspect from Manchester, who is banned from returning to Britain, is living freely in Denmark, media reported. Ahmed Halane, 22, a Danish citizen who grew up in the towns of Bolton and Chorlton, is suspected of fighting with militant groups abroad, BBC reported. He is the elder brother of Zahra and Salma Halane,…

  • ISIS captures Syrian ancient city Palmyra

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    ISIS fighters have captured the ruins of Palmyra after overnight fighting saw them take complete control of the historic city, according to a monitoring group. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there was no news of any destruction so far at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes ancient temples and colonnaded streets reports Sky…

  • Tories plans to seize illegal immigrants pay

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    In a radical move police would be able to seize the wages of illegal workers as proceeds of crime under government plans to be set out in next week’s Queen’s Speech. PM David Cameron will say that it has become “too easy” for migrants not entitled to be in the country to exploit loopholes reports…

  • UK Aid helps rebuilding efforts in Nepal

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      Britain is leading the rebuild of thousands of hospitals in Nepal to get health services up and running and ensure vulnerable groups like girls and women are protected following the devastating earthquakes, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced today, during her visit to the country. As the focus in Nepal moves to reconstruction, the…

  • India tops in consumer confidence survey

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     India, with a score of 130, ranked the highest in consumer confidence among 60 markets. The online survey released was measured by American agency Nielsen. India’s score of 130 was one point higher than the fourth-quarter of 2014, followed by Indonesia (123), the Philippines (115) and the United Arab Emirates (115), Nielsen said of its…

  • Will not succumb under pressure: Khamenei

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    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said  that Tehran would not accept “unreasonable demands” by world powers during negotiations over its disputed nuclear programme, and ruled out letting inspectors interview its atomic scientists. “They (P5+1 countries) are making new comments in the nuclear negotiations. Regarding the inspections, we have said that we will not allow…

  • NHS Nurses threaten strike action

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    NHS nurses have warned they will take industrial action if UK Prime Minister David Cameron attempts to cut wages to fulfill his promise of a “seven-day NHS,” the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has said. General secretary of the RCN, Peter Carter, said the union would draw a “red line” to protect against any “attacks…

  • Hungarian wins Man Booker Prize

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    Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the biennial Man Booker International Prize 2015. The award ceremony was held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and Krasznahorkai was chosen from a list of 10 contenders from around the world. Krasznahorkai, born in 1954, gained considerable recognition with his numerous works, such as “Satantango” and…

  • North Korea cancels Ban’s visit

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    North Korea has cancelled UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s visit  to the Kaesong joint industrial complex, Yonhap News Agency reported. Ban said in a speech in Seoul that North Korea “suddenly” notified him of the cancellation through diplomatic channels earlier in the morning, adding that it was very regrettable. The UN chief arrived in South…

  • US upbeat on talks with Cuba

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    A senior US official has expressed optimism about the upcoming talks here with Cuba, saying that the two sides are “closer” to restoring diplomatic ties. “We’ve clearly gotten closer and worked our way to a fewer number of items on the checklist,” a senior State Department official told reporters in a teleconference . “That’s the…

  • Kung fu nuns begin rebuilding Nepal

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    By Vishal Gulati   Trained in the ancient Chinese martial arts and second to none, these softhearted Buddhist nuns are fighting against all odds to help Nepal get back on its feet after last month’s devastating quake and a series of aftershocks. They are the 300 kung fu nuns from the Kathmandu-based Druk Amitabha Mountain nunnery,…

  • Prince Charles to visit site where Lord Mountbatten was killed

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    Prince Charles is to meet the mother of a boy murdered in the same IRA bomb attack that killed his grand uncle, Lord Mountbatten. The prince and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit the County Sligo village of Mullaghmore where his great-uncle died reports BBC. Mary Hornsey, whose 15-year-old son was among the four people…

  • Nine questioned in Hatton Garden raid

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    Police are continuing to question nine men arrested in connection with the Hatton Garden safety deposit raid in London. Aged between 43 and 76, were detained after a string of raids in and around the London and Kent area reports BBC. A number of high-value items were recovered as about 200 officers swooped on 12…

  • @POTUS breaks Guinness world record

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    US President Barack Obama broke a Guinness record by becoming the fastest person to garner one million followers on Twitter, a feat he accomplished in less than five hours with his new account @POTUS, Efe news agency reported. Guinness World Records, which verifies and keeps an official list of world records, said on Tuesday on…

  • India is the fastest growing economy: UN

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    By Arul Louis  The UN has now raised its projections for the Indian economy’s growth this year by 1.7 percent to 7.6 percent and by 1.4 percent to 7.7 percent next year from the estimates it made in January. The Mid-Year Update to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2015 released Tuesday puts India on…

  • British workers forum raps Qatar Games

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    Trades Union Congress (TUC), Britain’s largest workers forum says FIFA sponsors must tell Qatar to play fair on workers’ human rights 62 workers may lose their lives for each game played during Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, a tournament likely to be sponsored by FIFA partner companies Coke, VISA, McDonald’s, Adidas, Kia and Hyundai. Without sponsorship, this…

  • Iran nuclear talks to resume

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    Iran and the world powers will begin new negotiations to finalise an accord on the country’s nuclear issue in the Austrian capital of Vienna. Iranian deputy foreign minister and senior negotiator Abbas Araqchi will meet EU political director Helga Schmid  to resume drafting of the text of the deal before the end-of-June deadline, Tasnim news…

  • UN chief to visit North Korea

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    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that he will visit the Kaesong industrial complex in North Korea  to promote trust and reduce tensions between the two Koreas, Efe news agency reported. Ban, who is attending the World Education Forum in Incheon in his native South Korea, confirmed his trip, making him the first UN chief to…

  • Navia Natrajan at Nehru Centre today

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    Indian classical danseuse Navia Natrajan will perform at the Nehru Centre on Thursday 19th May at 6.30 pm. A classicalist through and through, Navia Natarajan, imbues her performances with the elements of theatre, conceptual movement and Yoga. She stays true to the path of the Margam – the prescribed order that Bharatanatyam follows – which…

  • Bradford charity to attend Pakistan event

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    A pioneering UK charity that works to address inequality amongst British Pakistanis aims to put the plight of ethnic minorities in Britain on the global stage. Leading experts are set to gather to discuss the economic and social crisis of British Pakistanis in Islamabad on 11th June. The event is to mark Bradford-based QED Foundation’s 25th…

  • Next loses tax avoidance case

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    High street retailer Next has been hit with a £22.4m tax bill after a court ruled the firm’s complex tax scheme was artificial tax avoidance. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) successfully challenged Next Brand Ltd, which is part of the well-known Next group, over its use of a tax avoidance structure known as a rate-booster.…

  • Shakespeare’s face appears in botany book

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    A 400-year-old botany book contains what could be the only known portrait of English poet and playwright William Shakespeare made in his lifetime, an academic expert said. Leading British botanist and historian Mark Griffiths made the discovery when he was researching the biography of pioneering botanist John Gerard (1545-1612), author of “The Herball or Generall…

  • Muslims donate land for world’s largest Hindu temple

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    By Imran Khan Muslims in Bihar, in a stellar demonstration of communal harmony, have donated land to help build the world’s largest Hindu temple which will have the capacity to seat a staggering 20,000 people. “Muslims have not only donated land, they have also provided land at a nominal rate for construction of the world’s…

  • Indian doctors blog goes viral

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    A Kerala doctors blog that will put some light into the minds of Indian parents have gone viral on the social media. In what many will see as an eye opener among Indian parents. A father, who is a doctor, has said he would rather his child choose any profession -including pole dancer- over following…

  • Pakistan, Afghan sign landmark deal

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    Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Afghan intelligence outfit National Directorate of Security (NDS) have signed a landmark deal for cooperation aimed at curbing terrorism. The agreement signed in Kabul some time last week, was officially announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Twitter, Dawn online reported . “MoU signed by…

  • Arun Singh presents credentials to Obama

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      India’s new ambassador to the US, Arun Kumar Singh formally presented his credentials to President Barrack Obama at a ceremony in his Oval Office at the White House. Obama warmly welcomed Singh back to Washington and wished him success in his new responsibilities as India’s envoy to the US. He fondly recalled his visit…

  • Modi charms South Korea

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  • Finally Obama opens a Twitter account

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    “Dad, husband, and 44th President of the United States.” With this message, US president Barack Obama has joined Twitter with his personal account. According to the New York Times, his first post from @POTUS twitter handle on Monday included a greeting — “Hello, Twitter! It’s Barack. Really!” “Six years in, they’re finally giving me my…

  • Bobby Jindal testing waters for 2016

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    By Arun Kumar   Louisiana’s Indian-American Governor Bobby Jindal has taken another step towards a possible 2016 presidential run by forming an exploratory committee and launching a national website, www.bobbyjindal.com. Though Jindal has said he still isn’t an official candidate yet, he is expected to formally enter the race after the Louisiana Legislature adjourns on June…

  • Prince Charles to meet Gerry Adams

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    Prince Charles is all set to meet Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams at the start of a royal visit to Ireland. Mr Adams will be among a number of politicians to greet the prince as he begins his four-day visit. The meeting in Galway will be the first in the Republic of Ireland between the…

  • NEWS N PICS – World Events

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    Latest news pictures from across the world compiled by Newsdesk, Asian Lite, Britain’s best newspaper for British Asians

  • GALLERY: Billboard Music Awards, US

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    Stars in the music word descend on earth to attend the Billboard Music Awards 2015 at  MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. Some images

  • Prince Harry laments not meeting niece

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    Prince Harry lamented that he has yet to see his newborn niece, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, but hoped to meet her soon. Remarks made by the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II of England came after he returned from a trip to Australia and New Zealand, where he served in the military, Efe news agency reported.…

  • Modi and Ban Ki-moon discuss UNSC

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    By Arul Louis  UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Seoul and discussed Security Council reforms, an issue considered important by New Delhi. Ban also asked Modi to attend the landmark UN Summit in September, which would mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the world body and…

  • Violence mars Jerusalem day

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  • ICC for day-night Test matches

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    The International Cricket Council (ICC) cricket committee has recommended staging of Test matches that extend into the evening hours during its two-day meeting here, an ICC release said . “Day-Night Test matches were discussed at length. The Cricket Committee also received a report from the MCC on the four-day First Class match played with pink…

  • UK’s first ever Muslim lifestyle exhibition

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      The UK is set to host the first-ever international exhibition on Muslim lifestyle looking at one of the world’s fastest growing segments worth trillions of pounds globally. The Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2015 will bring together a number of sectors under one platform in the biggest ever event of its kind at the Ricoh Arena…

  • Qatar tells BBC crew, its not Disneyland

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    A BBC reporter has revealed how he was arrested and detained by security officials whilst on a press trip to Qatar. The intention of the trip was to show foreign journalists the flagship new accommodation for migrants working on construction projects ahead of the 2022 World Cup reported Press Gazette. Hundreds of migrants working in…

  • Gentle Keith Kept His Promise

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    London, No 10 Downing Street Time 12.30 noon. There was a knock at the door. Who is that? It’s Keith …Keith Vaz? What’s in the box?  Mangoes….! Keith Vaz MP, Britain’s  longest serving MP of Asian origin, has fulfilled his promise to deliver a shipment of fine quality Indian Alphonso Mangoes to No. 10 Downing…

  • Harriet’s Unusual Art at Nehru Centre

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    Harriet Riddell who practices an amazingly different art – that of a textile performance artist shall present a  Talk and Exhibition: In Stitch You India today, May 18 at 6.30 pm She has travelled India with her sewing machine, creating art works in live scenarios. Harriet stitches her observations and creates narrative illustrations of the…

  • I’m still alive: Jackie Chan

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    International film star Jackie Chan, with roots in China, became a victim of an internet death hoax. But the martial arts expert has clarified he is very much alive. “I was shocked by two news reports when I got off the plane. First of all, don’t worry! I’m still alive. Second, don’t believe the scam…

  • Stepping Hill nurse guilty of murdering patients

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    A Filipino nurse has been convicted of murdering two patients and poisoning 19 others at a Greater Manchester hospital. Victorino Chua killed Tracey Arden, 44, and Derek Weaver, 83, at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport by injecting insulin into saline bags and ampoules reports BBC. These were then unwittingly used by other nurses at the…

  • ‘Secret Millionaire’ to row from London to Paris

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    Mo Chaudry, British-Asian “Secret Millionaire,” is preparing to row from London to Paris on May 25 to raise funds for charity. The Tower to Tower Rowing Challenge will see the team tackle the gruelling 450 nautical mile open-water row from Tower Bridge in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Branded the “Everest of open-water rowing”,…