Asian Lite News Archive

Category: UK News

  • Gandhi statue@Parliament Square

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     British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor George Osborne unveil plan for a Gandhi statue at London’s Parliament Square. Other prominent statues in the square are that of Churchill and Mandela   British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor George Osborne have announced plans for a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the inspiration for non-violent civil rights movements around the world,…

  • Emma Watson appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador

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    Actress Emma Watson of “Harry Potter” fame has been appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador by UN Women, dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Known for playing Hermione Granger in the popular Hollywood franchise, Watson, a recent graduate of Ivy League institution, Brown University, will dedicate her efforts as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador towards…

  • UK seeks better ties with India

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    The whole world watched India undertake the largest election in the history of mankind, and we have not stopped watching. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic victory and his bold plans for India’s future have grabbed the world’s attention. The Indian people have given their government a mandate for change and for reform that could be…

  • HAGUE IN INDIA: Speech in Mumbai

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    On the first day his joint visit to India with Chancellor George Osborne, William Hague has made a speech to business, education and civil society representatives in Mumbai. “I am delighted to be here in India with the Chancellor for my third visit as British Foreign Secretary. There could be no better place to start…

  • Child sex abuse scandal rocks UK

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    Iconic British institutions like Parliament, NHS and BBC were involved in the child sex abuse scandal British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to get to the truth of historical child sex abuse claims ahead of an expected announcement of a “wide-ranging” inquiry, BBC reported. The prime minister said there would be “no stone unturned…

  • Hague & Osborne begin India Visit

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      Britain’s Chancellor George Osborne and Foreign Secretary William Hague will begin a two-day trip to India on Monday. They are looking to open up investment opportunities for UK firms in India’s defence and infrastructure sector, and attract Indian investment into Britain reports BBC. The visit comes as a new government led by Narendra Modi…

  • Don’t forget to charge your equipment

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    Britain’s busiest airport has told passengers to ensure all electronic devices carried as hand baggage are charged before travel if they are flying to the US. Heathrow Airport posted details of the new rule on its website and Facebook page. The move follows a request from the US that “certain overseas airports” implement enhanced security measures, BBC reported. The UK…

  • Job bloom in Manchester

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    Five thousand jobs are to be created as part of an historic £470m investment in transport, science and education across Greater Manchester, the Evening News reported. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, announcing the deal , said: “The Greater Manchester Growth Deal will create thousands of jobs, provide incredible new training opportunities for young people, and…

  • May to address MPs on sex abuse claims

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      Home Secretary Theresa May is to address Parliament on the row over her department’s handling of historical sex abuse claims. The Home Office faces accusations it failed to act on allegations of a Westminster paedophile ring when they first emerged in the 1980s reports BBC. She is also set to announce a review into…

  • Britain keen in India for renewable energy

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    Indian-origin British Energy and Climate Change Minister, has emphasised that her country would aid India to develop its renewable energy sector and suggested it replicate British financial models that boost investment in the green sector. Verma, a member of the House of Lords, said there is “no conflict” in growth and environment protection. Baroness Sandip Verma…

  • Djokovic wins second Wimbledon

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    Serbian Novak Djokovic wins his second Wimbledon title after defeating mighty Roger Federe. After winning the tirles he said: “First of all I want to congratulate Roger it was a great match to be a part of he is a magnificent champion and a great example of a great athlete and a role model. I…

  • Vaz critises Home Office

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    Files which may be associated to historical child abuse claims seem to have been lost “on an industrial scale” at the Home Office, said Keith Vaz, the chairman of Home Affairs committee. Senior MP, Keith Vyaz The Home Office has said its own review last found that 114 potentially relevant files could not be located,…

  • Caliph Ibrahim Calling…

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    Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi’ aka Caliph Ibrahim’s first public ­appearance in Mosul, Iraq’s second city, ­contrasts with former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who hid his location when recording messages. Wearing a black turban and robe, al-Baghdadi – who claims to be ­descended from the Prophet Mohammed – is filmed slowly climbing stairs to a balcony, above…

  • COMMENT: Indian cricket team in the UK

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    Veturi Srivatsa in his columns Just Sportsays Nobody can complain about unfamiliar conditions any more  Every time the Indian cricket team goes on a tour of England, the wailing about blustery conditions, green tops, on which only English bowlers seemed to get wickets for the asking, used to be a routine. Some used to add…

  • GALLERY:HMS Queen Elizabeth

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    The UK’s largest warship marks “a new phase in our naval history”, the Queen has said, as the vessel was officially named in her honour at a ceremony at Fife’s Rosyth Dockyard, BBC reported. A bottle of whisky was smashed on the hull of the 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth – the first of two new…

  • Harris jailed for 6 years

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    Rolf Harris has been jailed for nearly six years for 12 indecent assaults against four girls – including a seven- year-old girl, BBC reported. Rolf Harris According to the TV channel, the eighty-four-year-old entertainer who was found guilty of offences that took place between 1968 and 1986, was told by the judge he had “no-one…

  • Vatican welcomes Morari Bapu

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    Cardinal Tauran speaks at Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha in Rome The Vatican’s head of Interreligious dialogue paid tribute to renowned Hindu spiritual leader Morari Bapu at an event in Rome. Cardinal Tauran, the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, attended a Hindu recital that is running for 9 days in the heart of Rome. Addressing the…

  • UK leaders due in Delhi

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    British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Foreign Secretary William Hague  and Chancellor George Osborne a are due in India to cement bilateral ties. They will hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley. Hague and Osborne will be the first to arrive in India…

  • Murdoch team jailed for hacking

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    Rupert Murdoch’s closed title News of the World’s former  editor Andy Coulson and his three  associates have been jailed for conspiracy to hack phones. Coulson, 46, who went on to become director of communications for Prime Minister David Cameron, was found guilty at the Old Bailey last week, BBC reported. He was one of four ex-journalists…

  • Andy Coulson jailed

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      Andy Coulson, ex-editor of the now defunct News of the World (NoW) newspaper, was jailed for 18 months Friday for conspiracy to hack phones, BBC reported. The 46-year-old, who went on to become director of communications for British Prime Minister David Cameron, was found guilty last week at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal…

  • MEMSAHIBS AND MANNERS

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    It is one of those ‘we live abroad so when we visit we notice it’ things for which us NRIs get a lot of stick. But some things do sort of hit us differently. Like whenever I come home to Delhi I am appalled at the way people speak to domestic help, part time, full…

  • Imams unite to stem terrorism

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    In an unprecedented response to the events in Syria and Iraq, Imams from across the UK, of various denominations of Sunni and Shia Muslims, have come  together to support a single unified cause; to urge British Muslims not to fall prey to sectarian divisions and to call on people not to travel to Syria or…

  • UK plan to arm Syria rebels exposed

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    BBC exposed a secret UK plan to arm Syrian rebels – ‘Extract, equip, train’ The UK drew up plans to train and equip a 100,000-strong Syrian rebel army to defeat President Bashar al-Assad, BBC Newsnight revealed. The secret initiative, put forward two years ago, was the brainchild of the then most senior UK military officer, General Sir…

  • UK airports running ‘normal’ after warning

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    Airports in the UK have said that they are running as usual amid tight security. Security has been beefed-up at UK airports following US warnings of a “credible threat” of terrorism. View of Manchester Airport Staff at Manchester are swabbing hand luggage whereas officials at Heathrow and Gatwick said that the two airports are operating…

  • Travel industry faces major changes

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      The CAA is consulting with the travel industry on proposals to rebalance the regulatory approach to the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme. This will extend the risk-based regulatory approach now well established with larger license holders, help reduce the likelihood of consumers being affected by insolvency and provide further protection against calls on…

  • Thieves targetting Asians held

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    Manchester police have arrested four people after an operation to tackle the violent theft of jewellery. Operation Resemble was set up by Greater Manchester Police to target those suspected of being involved in a series of violent burglaries in the north Manchester area and Salford areas. The break-ins have been committed at the homes of predominately…

  • ‘FGM is a national scandal’

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    Home Affairs Committee Chairman Keith Vaz MP said female genital mutilation(FGM) is a national scandal. About 170,000 women in the UK have been subjected to female genital mutilation(FGM) and 65,000 girls are at risk of it, say MPs, the Mirror reportd. Prosecutions are needed to “send a message” Britain takes it seriously, says the Home Affairs Committee. FGM has…

  • Airports on top alert in the UK

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    Security at British airports has been increased followings warnings from US experts that two terrorist groups are developing a bomb that could bypass existing safety measures, Sky News reported. US Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson said he had tasked officials to “implement enhanced security measures in the coming days at certain overseas airports with direct flights…

  • Neasden temple hosts ‘Global peace meet’

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    BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London hosts a three-day international academic conference on the theme of ‘Realising Global Peace: The Role and Impact of Hindu Teachings.’ The conference at the Neasden temple was aimed to elucidate the role of peace within Hinduism and how Hindu teachings can positively contribute to not just academic scholarship but to humanity at…

  • Cheaper roaming charges for holidaymakers

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    North West holidaymakers will be able to send home holiday snaps for less this summer, with European data roaming charges slashed in half from July 1.   The costs of sending texts, and making and receiving calls will also come down. And from 2016, once agreement is reached amongst EU governments, roaming charges will be…

  • GALLERY: Summer Solstice Fest

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    South Asian Arts-uk’s Summer Solstice festival in Leeds attracted a good audience. The concert is the only one of its kind in the UK which celebrates  Indian Classical Music. Running for its third year, the extravaganza of music encompassed a unique array of internationally acclaimed artists of Indian classical music who performed from the sunset through to sunrise.It’s been…

  • SPECIAL REPORT – National Doctor’s Day

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    Anjali Madan was moved by the affection of cancer stricken children to their doctors and nurses Little hand-made greeting cards, decorated candles and bookmarks are lined up on a table as a group of children painstakingly give final touches to gifts that they have made over the past few weeks. This is not a scene at a…

  • GALLERY: London Rath Yatra

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    Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Dharma Bhakti Manor based on Wood Lane, Stanmore, London held the first ever Rath Yatra Procession in Harrow.  Thousands of devotees from around the UK graced the procession and pulled with great joy the beautifully decorated chariot of Lord Shri Jagannathji, Shri Balbhadraji and Subhadra Devi. The day commenced with a special…

  • Gymkhana is National Restaurant of the Year

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    An Indian restaurant in Britain has been named National Restaurant of the Year, media reported Tuesday. Gymkhana in London’s Mayfair is the first Indian restaurant to win the award, The Independent reported adding that The Clove Club and The Ledbury restaurants came second and third, respectively, The Independent reported. Indian curry houses are now being…

  • Winehouse drug schemes in Brent schools

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    Mitch Winehouse, the father of Amy Winehouse, will officially launch a drug and alcohol education programme at Brent Civic Centre on Tuesday. The programme, run by the Amy Winehouse Foundation, will be launched in Brent Secondary Schools from September 2014. The Amy Winehouse Foundation has received funding from the Big Lottery Fund to offer this…

  • Bapu meets Pope’s envoys

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    Morari Bapu was warmly welcomed by Cardinal Tauran at the PCID headquarters in the Vatican. Following the meeting with other senior priests and scholars at the PCID, Bapu was invited to visit the renowned St Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. Following the start of Morari Bapu’s historic Ram Katha in Rome, Bapu…

  • Rolf Harris faces more cases

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    Metropolitan police are considering fresh allegations against Rolf Harris after he was convicted of indecently assaulting four girls, BBC reported. The entertainer was found guilty on Monday of 12 counts of indecent assault in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Following the verdict, the Met said it would look at fresh allegations, which did not form…

  • Rath Yatra at Harrow in London

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    London’s Harrow East witnessed the arrival of Lord Jagannath in his colourful chariot as thousands of devotees thronged to pay obeisance. The gathering include Uma Kumaran, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Harrow East. The Rath Yatra festival saw three chariots pulled along by hundreds of devotees from Queensbury Park through to Stanmore Temple. On arrival there was…

  • London to host Regional Pravasi Meet

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    Ragasudha Vinjamuri writes on the forthcoming regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in London  The High Commissioner of India to the UK Mr Ranjan Mathai announced the decision of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) to hold the eighth Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention in London this year. The Convention shall be held over two days…

  • Amjad Ali Khan’s sarod goes missing on BA flight

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    Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan lost a prized possession while travelling from London to New Delhi — a sarod, which he has been playing for the last 45 years. “After damaging my sarod in 1997, British Airways now misplaces my sarod. 48 hours and I still wait anxiously for some…

  • Asian parents urged to engage with children  

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    Senior politicians, academics, religious leaders from the Muslim community have appealed to the Asian families to engage with their children to stem the radicalisation of the younger generation. Afzal Khan, former Manchester mayor and  Labour’s newly elected MEP from North West, said some of the Asian parents are not even devoting enough quality time to…

  • Baroness Warsi at Sarajevo

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    Baroness Warsi represents the UK Government at the commemoration of the start of First World War in Sarajevo.  Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi participated in centenary commemorations marking the outbreak of the First World War during a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Baroness Warsi represents the UK at the concert in the restored Sarajevo…

  • Cameron greets Muslims

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    Despite his busy schedule, British Prime Minister David Cameron find out time to greet Muslims all over the world to greet during Ramadan. “Muslims are our biggest donors – they give more to charity than any other faith group,” said Cameron. The full text message – “I want to send my very best wishes to…

  • Cameron under attack in EU row

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    David Cameron has come under fire after his defeat in an EU vote over a new European Commission president. While Sweden and Germany offered Mr Cameron encouragement, Labour leader Ed Miliband said the PM was taking the UK “closer to the exit door” of the EU, which posed a threat to the economy reported BBC.…

  • Prince Harry charms Chilians

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  • Junker defeat not ‘my last stand’: Cameron

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    British Prime Minister David Cameron said that his failure to stop the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker for the EU’s top job is not his “last stand” in Europe, reported BBC. Prime Minister David Cameron He vowed that he’s not going to “back down”. EU leaders voted 26-2 to reject Mr Cameron’s plea to prevent Mr…

  • Priti backs better Essex-India trade links

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    Essex MP and the Prime Minister’s UK-India Diaspora Champion, Priti Patel MP, has backed better trade links between Essex and India. Priti was delivering the keynote speech at a ‘Doing Business in India’ event held in Marks Tey in her constituency and organised by the Essex Chambers of Commerce and the UK India Business Council…

  • Amazon accused of “bullying” UK publishers

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    Amazon is in war with UK publishers as it seeks to secure more advantageous terms. According to BBC,  the web giant wants the right to print books itself if publishers fail to provide adequate stock, and wants publishers to match any pricing deals it offers to other distributers. A mid-sized firm accused Amazon of “bullying,”…

  • Britain honours Indian war heroes

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      Baroness Warsi unveils plaques commemorating 175 men from overseas who were awarded the Victoria Cross during World War One. Today, as part of the Government’s First World War Centenary Programme, HRH The Duke of Kent and Senior Minister of State in the Foreign Office and Minister for Faith and Communities, Baroness Warsi, unveiled commemoration…

  • Prince Harry breaks tradition

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    Prince Harry has broken with tradition and recorded a message of thanks on a mobile phone to the people of Brazil for the reception he received during his visit. Royal messages after an official tour are usually letters written as the trip comes to a close. But, in a first, Harry was filmed on a…