AV 9th August 2025

Cloudburst, monsoon rains paralyse Uttarakhand P23

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PM Modi and UAE president discuss strengthening strategic partnership P25

SRK wins his first ever National Film Awards as best actor P28

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

O D I - T R U

N T R A D E S T A N D O F F

Once viewed as a strong alliance between ideological partners, the Modi-Trump relationship has hit a rough patch following a series of hostile actions from Washington. Trade talks were suddenly halted, and the US imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, announced abruptly via social media.

Subhasini Naicker

Tensions between India and the United States have escalated sharply since July

3 1 ,

entering the US and, for the first time, threatened further penalties over India’s ongoing oil trade with Russia

The move marks a significant escalation in what is increasingly being viewed as a simmering tariff war, one that could jeopardise the hard-won economic and strategic partnership between the world’s two largest democracies

India, which has emerged as one of the top buyers of Russian crude, imported approximately 1 75 million barrels per day between January and June this year, a 1% rise from the same period last year Trump s repeated accusations that India is “fuelling the Russian war machine” and profiting from the resale of discounted Russian oil have drawn sharp rebukes from New Delhi

The Indian government under leader-

the US offer to purchase F-35 stealth fighter jets, signalling a strategic shift toward self-reliance in defence It signals a shift toward self-reliance and indigenisation under the Make in India initiative Amid this diplomatic row, Russia has weighed in by defending India’s right to

The human cost of crime

What does a safe and hospitable environment truly look like to you? Is it one where you don’t have to be constantly alert? Where you can forget your shopping bags in the car without worrying they’ll be gone when you return? Where walking down the street doesn’t feel like a risk assessment? Where you can sit in a café, browse in a shop, or stand at a bus stop without fearing your belongings will vanish the moment you look away? Sadly, London in 2025 no longer feels like that place

I

Violence and theft continue to dominate, with nearly 120,000 violent offences and close to 150,000 theft-related crimes reported Knife crime alone has surged by nearly 60% in three years, leaving oncecrowded areas like Oxford Circus and Regent Street feeling unsafe after dark London now records 132 crimes per 1,000 residents, among the highest rates in the UK Street robberies and personal thefts, especially phone and bag snatches, have spiked to over 100,000 cases this year, five times the national average But perhaps most troubling is the lack

of resolution: in 2024, only 1 in 20 muggings was solved, with phone-snatching clear-up rates falling below 1%

Despite these numbers, police visibility has dwindled, and prosecutions have slowed Public spaces that once represented safety, stations, buses, high streets, are increasingly seen as lawless zones where perpetrators act with impunity Communities are left to rely on CCTV, self-defence apps, and online forums just to feel secure Continued

expressed deep concern over the potential fallout, warning that the tariffs could disrupt global supply chains, raise costs

competitiveness in the US market, one of its largest trading partners

If not managed carefully, the intensifying trade tensions could sour relations between two nations that have, in recent years, expanded cooperation on defence,

Pacific security.

Continued on 26

u Why young Britons are turning to AI for emotional support Page-15 u Hotel tycoon reveals rival Heathrow runway plan Page-18

Anusha Singh

ship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended its energy policy as a matter of

noting that the US and EU themselves continue to trade with Moscow in various capacities. India has reportedly declined

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump at the White House, 14 February 2025

Londoners speak out about daily threats, lack of police response, and what it means to live in fear

NHS pay and staffing crisis deepens

Tensions between the government and NHS staff cont inu e to ri se , w ith j u nio r d o ct ors end i ng a f

v e-d ay strike ov er pay and wo rking

c o nd it io n s , w h i le nu r se s t h rea ten new i nd u st ri al action after o verwhelm ing ly rejecting th e go vernm ent’s latest pay offer

He a l t h S e c r e t a r y We s

Streeting accused the British Medical Association (BMA)

o f “ s q u a n d e r i n g g o o d w i l l” with what he called “selfdefeating” strike action In a letter to the BMA’s Resident Doctors Committee, he said

h e w a s o p e n t o

n o m o v ement on pay – the central i s s u e b e h i n d t h e d i s p u t e While offering to negotiate on working conditions, he said the government "can-

n o t i n g o o d c o n s c i e n c e"

a l lo w o t h e r N H S s t a f f o r p a t i e n t s t o s u f fe r d u e t o industrial action

The BMA, however, said doctors took the decision to s

n g w

y described as an empty offer of "more talks" last week

C

r s , nearly half of the 8,000 resident doctors f inishing found a t i o n t r a

have been unable to secure jobs due to a shortage of training posts The BMA has launched a formal dispute over these “training bottlen

exodus of newly qualif ied d

abroad

Me

could soon follow doctors onto picket lines The Royal College of Nursing (RCN)

Student guilty of assault at Manchester airport

A 20-year-old stud ent has been conv icted of assaulting two female police off icers during a v iolent altercatio n at Manchester Airport last summ er th at was w idely shared on social media

I N B R I E F MENTAL

HEALTH FUELS RISE IN DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

members voted to reject the government’s

6% pay offer,

Professor Nicola Ranger said the result showed a “deeply

reaching its limit and urged ministers to reform an out-

hampers career progression

insists

With both nurses and doct

understaff ing, and declining morale, pressure is mounting on the government to act

Biggest population surge driven by migration

The population of En glan d a n d Wa le s r os e b y o v e r

700,000 in the year to Jun e

2 02 4, t he s e c o n d - la r g e s t i ncrease i n more than 75 yea rs , acc ordin g to n ew f igu res fro m th e O ff i c e for National Sta ti stics (ONS)

Driven largely by inter-

n a t i o n a l m i g r a t i o n , t h e

e s t i m a t e d p o p u l a t i o n r e a c h e d 6 1 8 m i l l i o n i n mid-2024, up from 61 1 mil-

l i o n t h e y e a r b e fo r e It marks the second-highest annual rise since comparable records began in 1949, surpassed only by the previo u s y e a r ’ s i n c r e a s e o f

821,210

Nigel Henretty of the ONS noted that while the population has grown ever y year since 1982, recent years have seen sharper increases Net international migra-

tion accounted for 690,147 people, about 98% of the total rise of 706,881 Natural change, the difference between births and deaths, added just 29,982 people to the population Meanwhile, there was a net decline in internal migrat i o n , w i t h m o r e p e o p l e moving out of England and Wales to elsewhere in the UK than moving in

Universities face heavy fines under new free speech law

Universities and colleges in E n g la nd c o u ld fac e st eep p e na lti es i f th e y fa il to u phold free speech , as the Hig her Ed ucation (Freedom o f Speech ) Act co mes into force

T h e l e g i s l a t i o n i n t r oduces sweeping new protections for academic freedom,

r e q u i r i n g i n s t i t u t i o n s t o ensure that lawful opinions can be expressed on campus without fear of censorship

A r i f A h m e d , d i r e c t o r fo r

freedom of speech at the Off ice for Students (OfS), warned that breaches could result in record f ines

Su s s e x Un i v e r s i t y w a s f ined £585,000 in March for failing to uphold free speech and future penalties, Ahmed said, could be even higher Baroness Smith of Malvern, the skills and equality minister, said academic freedom w a s " n o n -n e g o t i a b l e" a n d that institutions had been “put on notice ” From today,

guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of assaulting PC Lydia Ward, who suffered a broken nose after being punched in the face and knocked to the ground PC Ellie Cook was also struck twice with Amaaz’s elbow and fell during the confrontation

On 23 July 2024, police approached Amaaz at a car park after reports he head-butted a Starbucks customer He allegedly resisted a

Prosecutors said both used extreme violence

The Rochdale brothers claimed self-defence, alleging off icers used unlawful force without identifying themselves

Amaaz was also convicted of assaulting Starbucks customer Abdulkareem Ismaeil

However, after 10 hours of jur y deliberation, no verdict was reached on charges that the brothers assaulted a third off icer, PC Zachar y Marsden Prosecutors plan to seek a retrial on that count

Footage showing Marsden kicking Amaaz as he lay on the ground went viral, prompting further scrutiny of the incident

PC Ward, who joined Greater Manchester Police in 2018, told the court she was “absolutely terrif ied” and had never experienced s u c h v i o l e n c e i n h e r c a r e e r G M P C h i e f

Constable Sir Stephen Watson said he welcomed the verdict stating, “This appalling conduct has now been exposed to legitimate public scrutiny,” he said Amaaz was remanded in custody A bail hearing was scheduled for later in the week

u n i v e r s i t i e s w i l l a l s o b e banned from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of campus misconduct, including sexual assault or harassment

The OfS has introduced new registration conditions, requiring mandator y training for staff on handling sexual misconduct, improved reporting systems, and support for affected students Legal experts say many institutions are unprepared and lack the staff ing and infras-

t

demands

duced under the previous C

Labour, prompting backlash from academics Education Secretar y Bridget Phillipson has since said that provisions likely to burden uni-

costs, such as a right to sue, may be scrapped to make the law more workable

S o

Half of Britons back new Brexit vote

Public support for Brexit has fallen sharply, with fewer th an a third of Britons now saying they would v ote to leave th e EU if the 201 6 referendu m were held ag ain, a new poll has revealed

T h e s u r v e y b y t h i n k t a n k Mo r e i n

Common, conducted for The Sunday Times, found that just 29% would support leaving, compared to 52% who would vote to remain Nearly half (49%) back a second referendum on rejoining the EU within the next f ive years, including many former Leave voters Only 37% oppose holding another vote T h e p o l l o f 2 , 1 1 3 a d u l t s , c a r r i e d o u t between July 22 and 24, reflects a four-point rise in pro-Remain sentiment over the past year Support for Brexit now remains in the majority only among recent Conser vative v o t e r s ( 5 2 % ) a n d R e fo r m U K s u p p o r t e r s (68%) On other issues, the poll showed that 58% want Britain to remain in the European Co nv e n t i o n o n Hu m a n R i g h t s , u p e i g h t points since June, despite calls from Reform leader Nigel Farage to leave Just 28% support an exit In foreign policy, 43% of respondents believe China is likely to invade Taiwan within f ive years In such a scenario, most favour diplomacy and humanitarian aid, with just 21% backing British militar y involvement

Disability discrimination claims have surged by more than 40% in the past year, with mental health issues such as depression anxiety, and stress increasingly at the centre of workplace disputes An analysis of Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) data found that the number of disability-related employment tribunal cases referred to Acas rose from 8,496 in 2023-24 to 11,958 in 2024-25 Overall, 28% of tribunal cases referred to Acas involved disability discrimination this year up from 23% two years ago Researchers at law firm Nockolds which commissioned the study attributed the increase to a broader legal interpretation of disability which now more frequently includes mental health conditions The government s own data shows that young people with mental health conditions are nearly five times more likely to be economically inactive Separately, the Institute for Fiscal Studies reported that up to 15% of working-age adults now live with long-term mental or behavioural conditions

MUSLIM CHARITIES WARNED OVER DIVISIVE LANGUAGE

The Charity Commission has issued formal warnings to two Muslim charities, Central Oxford Mosque Society and the Mosque and Islamic Centre of Brent, for allowing their platforms to be used to share “inflammatory and divisive” content The regulator said both organisations failed to prevent the misuse of their platforms amounting to misconduct or mismanagement The Central Oxford Mosque Society came under scrutiny after sharing social media posts following the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel These included cartoons criticising media coverage of the conflict and a post offering legal advice for protest-related arrests The Commission found the posts risked fuelling community tensions and were unrelated to the charity s stated purposes Trustees were also criticised for lacking a social media policy and for failing to respond adequately At the Mosque and Islamic Centre of Brent, sermons delivered in late 2023 included content that allegedly supported Hamas and discouraged democratic participation The charity also lacked proper safeguards around external speakers

MOD’S TOP CIVIL SERVANT TO STEP DOWN

David Williams the Ministry of Defence’s most senior civil servant will step down as Permanent Secretary this autumn as part of a wider reshuffle aimed at refreshing leadership in key defence roles His departure comes just weeks after the revelation of a major data breach that potentially exposed up to 100 000 lives, although it is understood Williams’ exit is not directly linked to the Afghan data leak , which prompted an unprecedented MoD superinjunction A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed, “Permanent Secretary David Williams will step down this autumn and the recruitment process for his successor is under way Since 2021, David has led the department through a period of significant activity, and we thank him for his contribution ” Williams has held the role for four and a half years His exit coincides with broader changes at the top of the UK’s defence establishment including the appointment of a new Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton who will take up the post in September

Wes Streeting

Muhammed Amaad and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz

Thought for the week

Trump's trade tactics and India's strategic dilemma

US President Donald Trump is once again using trade as a tool of pressure His approach has become even more transactional, often reducing diplomacy to the level of deal-making India, once hailed as a key ally and even called a “true friend” by Trump, is now facing the sharp edge of his trade-first policy The imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on a range of Indian goods earlier this year is not just an economic move, but a political one

Trump’s strategy is part of a wider pattern In his mission to “Make America Great Again,” he has reignited trade tensions with several major partners, including the EU, Canada and Mexico Yet India stands out in its recent actions His frustration stems partly from India’s refusal to align with the West’s position on the Ukraine war India has maintained a neutral stance, continuing its long-standing strategic relationship with Russia This has not gone down well in Washington

Rather than engaging diplomatically, Trump has chosen to apply pressure through tariffs and thinly veiled threats, including criticism of India’s energy dealings with Russia This is a misreading of India’s position India has always sought to balance its global relationships based on national interest, not ideological alignment Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar has repeatedly stated that India will not be coerced into taking sides In his

words, “India is too big to be pushed around ”

It is also a grave miscalculation of India’s economic fundamentals Unlike China, whose economy is highly dependent on exports, India’s economy is largely driven by domestic demand The Indian internal market is vast and diverse, with a population of over 1 4 billion consuming goods and services across sectors Whether it is food, clothing, vehicles or technology, India’s domestic consumption acts as a buffer against external shocks

The "Made in India" initiative, launched in 2014, has further encouraged self-reliance in manufacturing, technology and innovation India is not an export-dependent economy like Bangladesh or China It is more insulated, more inwardly robust, and more capable of surviving trade pressures without compromising sovereignty

Trump’s style, however, is not just strategic; it is often deeply personal His recent disparaging remarks about the head of Jaguar Land Rover, a company owned by India’s Tata Group, are a stark reminder that he frequently treats global affairs as extensions of his ego If a country or company does not bend to his vision, it risks becoming a target

India isn’t following the crowd It refuses to pick sides in global power fights and, with a strong economy and growing influence, it’s showing that it doesn’t need

"We

are the ancestors of the future and what we do now will have an impact "

Luisah Teish

approval from the U S Instead, India is building its place in a world with many powerful countries The growth of g r o u p s l i k e B R I C S + , t h e

Corridor, and stronger ties with other developing countries all show that India wants to widen its global partnerships

For the British Asian community watching from afar, there is a key takeaway India is not the vulnerable, developing nation of the past It is asserting itself on the global stage, confident in its policies and guided by its priorities This is not about nationalism but strategic maturity

As Trump’s second term continues to unfold, his tariff tactics may hurt some Indian exporters in the short term However, they are unlikely to alter India’s broader direction New Delhi has shown it can absorb economic shocks without sacrificing its autonomy It will continue to engage with the United States, but not at any cost

Trade wars may make headlines, but they rarely win lasting allies What they often reveal is insecurity disguised as strength And in the face of that, India’s calm and consistent approach may prove to be its greatest asset

The migration mess the West helped create

Across the UK and much of Europe, the tone of the immigration debate is turning harsher Small boats arriving on the southern coast, asylum seekers being housed in temporary hotels, and protests by far-right groups such as Britain First have dominated the headlines Fuelled by fear, misinformation and political convenience, immigration has once again become a battleground issue

What is often missing from the discussion is any serious acknowledgement of the role the West, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, has played in creating the very crises that drive people to flee their homelands

In countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan, the UK and US were not bystanders They were participants and, in many cases, initiators of conflict Military interventions, political interference and decades of neo-colonial policies have left millions displaced and desperate The war in Iraq, launched on false pretences, and the intervention in Libya, which destabilised the entire region, are just two examples of Western-led operations that have caused longterm suffering The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza today is yet another tragic consequence of international neglect, silence and complicity

Western foreign policy over the last several decades has often been driven by short-term strategic interests rather than long-term stability or humanitarian concern Regime change operations, support for authoritarian allies, and economic sanctions that disproportionately harm civilian populations have repeatedly deepened chaos in vulnerable nations These choices are not without consequence When bombs fall, economies collapse, and civil society disintegrates, it is ordinary people, teachers, doctors, and children

who pay the price Migration is not a failure of border policy; it is frequently the human cost of failed foreign policy

According to the UNHCR, more than 114 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of 2023 Many of those seeking safety in Europe are from war-torn regions where the West bears historic and recent responsibility To now refuse them entry is not only hypocritical but morally indefensible

At the same time, we cannot ignore that immigration, particularly when unregulated or poorly managed, does raise valid concerns In recent months, the UK has seen distressing reports, including the case of two Afghan refugees accused of rape and another involving a Somali asylum seeker allegedly attempting to abduct a child These are horrific incidents that demand a serious response But they must not be used to demonise an entire population of refugees

The real failure here lies in the lack of proper vetting and accountability Men falsely claiming to be minors, or individuals with criminal histories slipping through, point to a systemic lapse in the asylum process Border security should not mean cruelty, but it must mean competence Those who are found to pose a danger should be dealt with under the law But it is both unjust and counterproductive to punish the many for the actions of a few

The government’s response has been reactive rather than reflective Under the Conservatives, there was the controversial Rwanda plan, which aimed to offshore asylum seekers to another continent That drew widespread criticism for its inhumanity and legal complications Now, with Labour in power, many had hoped for a more compas-

sionate approach But the message remains similar: stop the small boats

Labour has pledged stricter measures against people smugglers and vowed to break the criminal networks behind illegal crossings While these goals are understandable, they miss the deeper point People do not risk their lives in rubber dinghies for fun They do so because they are desperate They do so because their homes are destroyed, their families are at risk, and their futures are stolen Their wish to survive is not a crime It is an act of hope

What’s also absent from the political rhetoric is a plan for addressing root causes Long-term solutions require a shift from punitive measures to global cooperation and ethical responsibility Instead of militarising borders, the UK and its allies could invest in peace-building efforts, fair trade practices, climate resilience, and post-conflict recovery in regions they have impacted Supporting international institutions that work to prevent conflict and strengthen governance in fragile states would serve both moral and strategic interests

If the UK wants to address irregular migration honestly, it must start by acknowledging its role in the global displacement crisis That means reassessing foreign policy, supporting reconstruction in the countries it helped destabilise, and investing in legal, safe routes for asylum It also means building a robust but humane vetting process that protects both British citizens and genuine refugees

For too long, Western powers have lit fires abroad and then locked their doors when the smoke blows back This cannot continue If we helped create the storm, we cannot turn away those caught in its path

Cancer awareness needs to go further

Cancer has quietly become one of the most significant health threats to our communities, especially for people over 50 While great strides have been made in treatment, the key to survival remains early detection And for British Asians, who may face additional cultural and practical barriers to seeking help, this message is more important than ever

According to Cancer Research UK, 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime Every year, around 56,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, while over 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer Cervical cancer, though less common, still affects over 3,000 women annually These are not just numbers, they are parents, siblings, partners and friends

The good news is that the NHS provides a wide range of free cancer screening services to help catch the illness before it spreads For example, women aged 50 to 71 are invited for mammograms every three years, and cervical screening (commonly called the smear test) is offered every three to five years to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64

But screening only works if people attend

One common barrier, especially in our community, is discomfort around discussing these topics Women may feel embarrassed about cervical screening, or may not prioritise mammograms if they feel fine In some cases, people are unable to leave the house, whether due to illness, mobility issues or, sadly, coercive domestic environments

The fear of being accused of having an affair, or simply not being allowed to attend appointments, is a reality for some

To address this, the NHS now offers at-home cervical screening kits, which allow people to test themselves privately These kits are sent discreetly and used in the safety of one ’ s home If results show anything unusual, a followup appointment is offered It is a small step that could be lifesaving

Meanwhile, prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, and South Asian men, particularly those of Indian and Pakistani background, may have different awareness levels or access to health information There is no national screening programme yet for prostate cancer, but men over 50 can request a PSA blood test from their GP Campaigns are

Telegraph, to raise awareness and normalise these conversations

Another issue is trust Some people fear bad news or worry that going to the doctor will lead to unnecessary stress But evidence shows that cancers caught early are far more treatable According to NHS England, nine in ten women survive breast cancer when it is caught at the earliest stage The same is true for cervical cancer and many types of prostate cancer

C

mosques, temples and community centres can and should play a more active role in helping people understand the

importance of screening Translated materials, women-led clinics, and awareness sessions in familiar environments all help reduce stigma and anxiety

Cancer is not something that only happens to others It is increasingly part of our shared experience, but it does not have to mean the worst We have tools to fight back, and we must use them

Whether you are 25 or 75, male or female, British-born or recently arrived, one thing is clear: if something doesn’t feel right, speak to a doctor And even if you feel well, attend your regular screenings It might just save your life

Indian-origin businessman banned over £1.5mn undervalued car sales

A n Ind ian-orig in businessm an h as been d isqu alified from serv ing as a com pany d irector for six years after s e lli

Royces, and Daimlers, worth o ver £10 0,0 00 for just £1 to another firm he controlled

Staffordshire, was director

o f A

transferred at least £1 5 million in assets to Ace Earth Solutions Ltd in 2021 The company went into liquidation the following year

T h e U K I n

e s “under-priced,” highlighting a 1936 Daimler and a 1978 Jaguar among the vehicles involved

“Kulbarg Singh deliberately sold £1 5 million worth of assets for a fraction of t h e i r v a l u e , p u t t i n g t h e m beyond the reach of creditors,” said Kevin Read, Chief

I n v e s t i g a t o r a t t h e Insolvency Service “Selling h i s t o r i c c a r s w

£100,000 for just £1 highlights the seriousness of his misconduct ” The Insolvency Service, a U K g

tackling financial wrongdo-

funds to affected creditors

B

Jonathan Reynolds accepted a disqualification undertak-

company for six years starting July 24

A

Engineering Ltd, set up in

sold assets worth £1 5 million to Ace Earth Solutions Ltd, also run by Singh, for just over £465,000 in 2021

This left Aldridge with a loss of over £1 million and led to its insolvency

W h e n t h

n y entered liquidation in June 2022, it had no assets and owed over £1 5 million to HMRC and other creditors Singh is barred from running a company until July 2031

‘Obsessive’ ex jailed for tormenting two women and cutting one’s hair

Hareece A li, 27, of Bend all

R o ad , K i ng s ta nd i n g , w a s jailed for five years and six m o nth s at Bi rm i n g h am

C ro wn C ourt on July 1 8 after h arassing two form er partners

He sent over 1,000 mes-

s a g e s i n a w e e k , c u t o n e woman ’ s hair, and threatened to throw acid at her

He later assaulted another g i r l f r i e n d , p u n c h i n g h e r repeatedly and threatening to bury her on a beach He

a d m i t t e d t w o c o u n t s o f h a r a s s m e n t a n d t h r e e o f a s s a u l t W

Police has released his custody photo

R e c o r d e r L u k e

B l a c k b u r n d e s c r i b e d Hareece Ali’s behaviour as “dreadful” and “revolting,”

s a y i n g h e t o r m e n t e d t w o w o m e n f o r c o n t r o l o r a

w i s t e d s e n s e o f p o w e r W h i l e s e r v i n g a b u r g l a r y sentence, Ali used an illegal phone to bombard his ex with calls After his release in June 2021, he attacked her at home, brandished a knife, and cut her hair, injuring her finger in the process Hareece Ali launched a relentless campaign of abuse

against two former partners He sent over 1,000 threatening messages to one woman in a week, including acid attack references, and posted a photo of her late mother online

After being charged, he began a second abusive relationship in 2022, coercing

£30,000 on him He assault-

dent, he locked her in a car and threatened to blow it up

Ali fled to Turkey for two years after she reported him but resumed the abuse upon returning in 2024 His lawyer claimed he is now remorseful and has support lined up after release

Daughter carries legacy as Akbar’s nominated for Curry King title

T h e fi nest i n th e E ng lish curry industry are set to be h ono ured once again, as the sh ortlist for the 14th Annual English Curry A wards 2025 is announced

A m o n g t h e t o p c o

t e n d e r s i s A

s Birmingham, nominated for the prestigious Curry King of the Year award, a title the group has previously won under its visionary founder,

S

holds special meaning for Iram Hussain, shareholder a n d d a u g

Hussain, as she continues his celebrated legacy

award for several consecu-

Midland Met wins top award for tackling health inequality

T

Hospital, w hich op ened in Smeth wick less th a n

Inequalities A ward at th e Royal C olleg e of Ph ysicians Excellence in Patient C are A ward s 2025

patrons and the wider public to vote and help bring the coveted title home

“We’re truly honoured,” she said “This nomination is a tribute to my father’s legacy, and I hope the community will rally behind us, not just for us, but in his

“These awards celebrate the chefs and restaurateurs who

curry scene We congratulate all the finalists ”

Sandwell and West Birmingham, areas with high deprivation, the hospital lives up to its tagline, "more than a hospital," by tackling health inequalities and boosting local opportunities

Dr Sarb Clare, Deputy Medical Director at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, described Midland Met as a catalyst for regeneration Beyond healthcare, the hospital is driving local transformation including 750 new affordable homes at the former City Hospital site, new cycle lanes, a city-centre bus route, and retail space developments A

n a t Midland Met by year-end, enabling students from Sandwell College and local universities to train and work onsite The hospital also includes a community garden, art gallery, and Youth Space for ages 13–21

Dr Clare said tackling health inequalities goes beyond medical care, it requires addressing poverty, housing, education, jobs, and language barriers “You can’t fix health if people live in damp housing or can’t get jobs,” she said, noting 40% of local children live in poverty and many still feel the impact of Covid

She described Midland Met as “ more than a hospital” and a “beacon of hope” for a community often left behind “This has been built for them because they need it most,” she a d d e d , e x p e c t i n g t o s e e r e a l c h a n g e i n Smethwick over the next 5–10 years

Street racers face car seizure in Leicestershire

Police have issu ed m ultiple warning s following rep o rts of street raci ng on th e Blaby Byp ass in L eicestershire on Saturday night

Officers responding to the scene found several motorists driving dangerously and issued Section 59 warnings The bypass has previously been targeted in police operations due to illegal street racing and organised meets

Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 allows police to seize vehicles driven in a way that causes alarm, distress, or annoyance, such as careless or inconsiderate driving

A warning is issued first, but if similar behaviour occurs within 12 months, the vehicle can be seized In 2023, officers issued 19

Inspector Mat Allingham

Residents living near the Leicestershire bypass say speed cameras are the only effective deterrent, despite an increase in police patrols As part of the crackdown on illegal racing, f o u

Allingham said the force “will not hesitate” to take similar action against those who continue to drive dangerously

I N B R I E

F MILLIONS SET FOR PAY RISE UNDER NEW UK MINIMUM WAGE PLAN

Millions of workers could see a pay rise next year as the Labour government pushes for a “genuine” living wage The Low Pay Commission has proposed an annual review of the national minimum and living wages estimating the latter could rise by 50p to £12 71 in 2026 The government says the move supports its mission to boost living standards and drive economic growth The government has asked the Low Pay Commission to ensure the National Living Wage (NLW) stays above two-thirds of median UK earnings, a key measure of low pay While updated estimates for the NLW from April 2026 have been published the commission must also consider inflation, living costs, labour market impact, and wider economic conditions The recommendations are not strictly formula-based but aim to balance the needs of both workers and businesses

BIRMINGHAM MEASLES SURGE MAPPED

Medics are warning of a potential measles surge in Birmingham as pupils return from holidays abroad and UK regions with high infection rates Since January England has seen 674 lab-confirmed cases, including 145 since early July Most infections have been in children under ten, with 26 cases recorded in Birmingham this year The city was the centre of a major outbreak in 2024 with 364 confirmed cases more than any other area Although no new measles cases have been reported in Birmingham this past month, the UKHSA is urging parents to book MMR catch-up appointments over the summer Only 74 8% of Birmingham children have received both MMR doses by age five well below the 95% needed for herd immunity Dr Vanessa Saliba warned that measles spreads easily and can cause serious complications “Two MMR doses provide the best protection Vulnerable groups rely on community immunity to stay safe ” she said

RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANS PROGRESS FOR LEICESTERSHIRE SITE

Plans have been submitted for a major solar farm near Bagworth Heath Woods in Leicestershire Renewable Connections

Development has applied to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to build the farm on 76 acres of land off Heath Road near Newbold Verdon Bagworth and Thornton If approved the site just over 100 metres from the former Desford Colliery now a country park could generate enough renewable energy to power over 7,500 homes annually Planning documents reveal that just four people attended a four-week public consultation held at Bagworth Community Centre earlier this year

Feedback was described as “generally positive,” with support for renewable energy, the chosen location, and biodiversity plans However, concerns were raised about the loss of arable land and potential disruption from construction traffic The site lies in an area with 13 other renewable energy facilities within 340m to 4 7km, and is also near clay

Hareece Ali

Marsha Jones, Jayne Dunn, Dr Sarb Clare and Emma Loosley from the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital with their Excellence in Patient Care award

Late Shabir Hussain

Urgent need for accountability in anti-Muslim rhetoric

Isla moph obia re mains ala rming ly high in the UK, with anti-Mu slim ha te rea ching re cord lev els l ast yea r, a cco rding to a r ep ort by Tell Ma ma, an o rga nisation th at monit ors Isla mop hobic incid ents

Nearly 6,000 cases were confirmed as antiMuslim hate, more than double the number reported just two years earlier This sharp rise reflects not only increasing hostility but also a deepening public misunderstanding of Islam and its followers

A recent YouGov poll conducted for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community reinforces these concerns, revealing widespread negativity and misconceptions about Islam in Britain Over half of respondents (53%) said they believe Islam is not compatible with British values, while nearly a third (31%) viewed the religion as promoting violence

The survey also exposed stark disparities in how different religious and ethnic communities are perceived While 41%

of the British public believe Muslim immigrants have a negative impact on the country, significantly fewer feel the same about other groups only 7% for Christian immigrants, 13% for Jewish, 14% for Sikh, and 15% for Hindu immigrants

These findings highlight not only the disproportionate scrutiny faced by Muslims but also the broader challenges confronting minority communities in the UK

Additionally, 49% of those surveyed believe Muslim women are pressured into wearing the hijab, reflecting persistent misconceptions about Islamic teachings on modesty and women ’ s personal choice

Dr Qur rat ul Ain Anni Re hman, President of the Ahmadiyya Women’s Association, addressed misconceptions about the hijab, saying, “The belief that Muslim women are forced to wear the hijab is simply untrue In our community, women choose to follow Islamic teachings on modesty as a

personal expression of faith, not due to pressure or compulsion They wear the hijab with pride

His Holiness has clearly stated that there is no place for coercion in matters of religion The decision to wear the hijab is deeply spiritual and stems from individual conviction ”

“The mo st powe rful we ap on ag ainst ig no rance is e duca tio n ”

S pea king t o Asia n Voice , Abba s Najib, Ch ie f Exe cutive of Bet ter

Co mmunit ie s Br ad for d, responding to a poll showing Muslims are the least favoured immigrant group in Britain said, “These results are the inevitable outcome of a

deliberate, sustained narrative pushed against Muslims

People don’t hate Muslims because of their religion, most don’t even know what Islam teaches The hatred stems from decades of right-wing media framing and political rhetoric, often used to justify harmful foreign policies or to stir division for political gain

We’ve spoken to hundreds of people who hold negative views of Muslims but can’t articulate anything about the faith itself The issue isn’t religion, it’s the narrative created by a small but powerful group with influence "

On whether growing hostility towards Muslims in Britain could impact other ethnic minorities, Najib said, "There is an undeniable intersection between anti-Muslim hate and anti-brown racism Those who harbour hate don’t distinguish between a Pakistani Muslim, an Indian Hindu, a Punjabi Sikh, or a Sri Lankan Christian, they see anyone who looks like

‘other’ as a target This hate is often rooted in both racial prejudice and religious ignorance

The people expressing it on the frontlines, often from uneducated or misinformed segments of society, don’t always understand who or what they’re attacking They’re simply looking for someone to blame. But they are not the architects of this hate

The real drivers are individuals like Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage, who deliberately spread anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant myths, fuelling division and using that narrative to mobilize fringe groups into open hostility and even violence against minorities "

On what steps the government can take to improve public perceptions of ethnic minorities, Najib said, "The most powerful weapon against ignorance is education If people are given airtime to claim Islam is incompatible with British values, equal airtime must be given to those who can explain

how it aligns with those very values, like democracy, rule of law, and individual liberty We also need accountability: if an ordinary person can face prison for hateful speech online, why do politicians face no consequences for spreading harmful stereotypes? More frontline education, especially through NGOs and third-sector organisations, is crucial

The idea that Muslims or ethnic minorities aren't integrating is baseless

We outperform in education, contribute significantly to the NHS and small businesses, and engage deeply in our communities The demand for 'integration' often comes from those who don’t engage with other social classes themselves It reflects a colonial mind-set, expecting others to conform while not questioning their own biases What exactly is integration? Do we need to drink alcohol or eat bacon to be accepted? If we follow the law and contribute to society, we are already integrated "

Abbas Najib

PM and police clash over migrant suspect secrecy

P r i m e M in i st er S ir K ei r

S t arm er h a s u rg ed p o l ic e forces to be more transp arent about th e id entities of susp ects, amid intensifying p olitical and p ublic p ressu re

f o ll o w i ng a h i

ch ild rape case in Nuneato n T

m U K leader Nigel Farage accused W a r w i c k s h i r e P o l i c e o f a “ cover-up ” for not disclosing the immigration status of two men arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl The inci-

d e n t h a s f u e l l e d u n r e s t

a r o u n d t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’ s handling of migration and border enforcement

N o 1 0 s t r e s s e d t h a t a u t h o r i t i e s s h o u l d b e “ a s transparent as possible” in such cases to help “rebuild

p u b l i c t r u s t ” A D o w n i n g Street spokesperson called the Nuneaton case “deeply upsetting and distressing,” adding: “The public are right to feel shocked and angry ” However, Warwickshire Police defended their decision, citing national guidance which does not require the disclosure of a suspect’s e t h n i c i t y o r i m m i g r a t i o n status once they have been charged The Royal College of Policing (RCoP), which s e t s t h i s g u i d a n c e , c o nfirmed it is under review

A s p o k e s p e r s o n f o r

R C o P s a i d , “ P o l i c e f o r c e s

m a k e c o m p l e x d e c i s i o n s case-by-case Transparency is essential to prevent misinformation and reassure the public ”

M e a n w h i l e , D o n n a

J o n e s , p o l i c e a n d c r i m e

c o m m i s s i o n e r f o r

Hampshire and the Isle of W i g h t , c l a i m e d s h e w a s pressured by a government minister to retract a comment linking last summer ’ s r i o t s t o “ m a s s c o n t r o l l e d immigration ”

L a b o u r M P R a c h e l

Taylor, who represents the Nuneaton area, also raised concerns over the current guidance and said she was discussing the matter with the Home Office

The debate over transparency is unfolding alongs i d e n e w m i g r a t i o n m e as u r e s T h e H o m e O f f i c e confirmed the first asylum seekers will be detained and r e t u r n e d t o F r a n c e t h i s week under a new “one-in, one-out” deal approved by the European Commission

A u t h o r i t i e s a r e p r e p a r i n g for potential unrest, as farright groups plan protests outside migrant hotels this T h u r s d a y u n d e r a s e l fdeclared “No Asylum Day ” H o m e O f f i c e M i n i s t e r Dame Angela Eagle warned that while peaceful protest i s l a w f u l , d e m o n s t r a t i o n s outside hotels risk “slipping into something different ”

S h e a l s o d e f e n d e d p o l i c e , adding, “People don’t have a right to have a pop at the police, which has been happ e n i n g i n s o m e i s o l a t e d cases ” F a r a g e h a s d e m a n d e d that police disclose the ethnicity of those charged with sexual offences to restore public confidence “There is rising public anger, ” Farage said at a Westminster press c

cially around sexual assaults and rapes, where tensions are high, I believe ethnicity should be disclosed ”

He said tensions around t

, especially “where the temperature on this debate has risen significantly” due to reports of sexual violence

“This is no longer just about taxpayer fairness it’s about t

d children,” he said A s e c o n

n t source echoed the need for o

l i c access to more information

c o u l d h e l p r e s t o r e c o n f idence in law enforcement and institutions

Loss of community spaces linked to far-right rise

T he steady d isappearance of

s h a red co m m u ni ty sp a ce s such as pubs, parks, leisu re centres, and youth clubs has w eakened social bo nd s and left comm unities more v ulnerable to far-rig ht extrem -

i s m , ac c o rd i ng t o a new

r epo rt by th e IP P R th i nk tank

P u b l i s h e d a y e a r a f t e r t h e S o u t h p o r t r i o t s , t h e

r e p o r t h i g h l i g h t s t h a t between 2012 and 2016, over 600 youth clubs were shut down, while around 50 pubs

c o n t i n u e t o c l o s e p e r m a -

n e n t l y e v e r y m o n t h I n L o n d o n a l o n e , n e a r l y 1 0

c o u n c i l - r u n c o m m u n i t y spaces have vanished each year between 2018 and 2023

T h e I P P R a r g u e s t h a t the erosion of places where p e o p l e t r a d i t i o n a l l y g a t hered has frayed the social fabric and diminished civic

p a r t i c i p a t i o n T o d a y , j u s t one in 40 Britons belong to a social club, down sharply

f r o m o n e i n 1 0 d u r i n g

Labour’s 1997–2010 government

To tackle this, the think tank is calling for the crea t i o n o f a n e w W e l f a r e Fund, financed by a 2% levy on online sales or a ware-

house tax on major e-commerce firms like Amazon The fund would aim to revit a l i s e h i g h s t r e e t s a n d r e s t o r e a

spaces

shared spaces, misinformation and hate can fill the

“Rebuilding local infrastructure isn’t just about nostal-

dangerous pull of the far right

Britain failing to protect activists from threats?

T he UK is fa lling sh ort in p rotecti ng e xi led acti vists

a nd disside nt s from esca-

l a t i ng t h r e a t s p o s e d by

a u th o ri t a ri a n s ta te s such

a s China, Russia , a nd Iran, a ccor di ng to a re port by P arli ame nt’s joi nt commi t-

t ee on human r igh ts

T h e r e p o r t w a r n s o f increasingly brazen acts of

Far-right mob fails to storm Canary Wharf migrant hotel

Dozens of m asked m en attemp ted to breach police lines outside a hotel housing refug ees in central London on Su nd ay ev ening , in a chaotic protest that escalated tensions ov er imm igration and public safety

Around 30 individuals wearing balaclavas and setting off smoke bombs charged at officers guarding the Britannia Hotel in Canary W h a r f , s h

through ” The 4-star hotel, currently accommodating asylum seekers, has been a focus of recent anti-migrant demonstrations

Despite the aggressive push, police maintained their position, preventing the group from entering the hotel grounds The group eventually dispersed, but several agitators

attempting to breach fencing were issued Section 42 orders, banning them from returning to the site for 28 days

During the clash, red and white flares were set off and chants of “England” and “Keir Starmer is a wanker” rang out, as the m

a r

, peaceful protest taking place nearby That demonstration included local families, with s o m e p l a y i n g G o d S a v e t h e Q u e e n o n portable speakers

The incident comes amid growing calls for greater transparency around the identity of criminal suspects

Tulip Siddiq to face trial in Bangladesh

Labour MP Tulip Siddi q is se t to s t an d t ri a l i n Bangladesh later this month over c orr upti on al legations, whether o r n ot s h e appears in c ourt

B a n g l a d e s h ’ s Anti-Corruption

C o m m i s s i o n accuses Siddiq of acquiring land in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone through “abuse of power and influence,” allegedly aided by her a u n t , S h e i k h H a s i n a t h e f o r m e r p r i m e minister who was ousted last year

T w o c o u r t s i n B a n g l a d e s h f o r m a l l

c h a r g e d o v e

i n d i v i d

, i n c l u d i n g Siddiq, Hasina, and other relatives, in connection with the alleged misuse of land allocations under the state-run Purbachal New Town Project, according to local media Judge Muhammad Rabiul Alam set a trial date of August 11 and ordered all accused to a t t e n d T h e c a s e w i l l p r o c e e d

I N B R I E F NIGEL FARAGE UNDER INVESTIGATION

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is under investigation by Parliament’s standards watchdog over a possible breach of rules on registering interests The probe, opened on July 28, relates to the registration of an interest under paragraph 5 of the MPs code of conduct, which requires members to properly declare financial interests and benefits within specific timeframes Farage told The Independent the inquiry followed a complaint from a member of the House of Lords but insisted it “is not to do with any undeclared income ” A spokesperson added, “The Commissioner for Standards is doing his job” in response to the complaint Under the rules, all MPs must register current financial interests and any registrable benefits (excluding earnings) received in the year before their election within one month of entering Parliament They must also declare any changes within 28 days

ONE IN EIGHT PRISONERS BORN ABROAD

The number of foreign nationals in prisons across England and Wales has reached its highest level in over a decade, driven by a sharp rise in convictions for serious crimes including sexual offences, violence, and theft, according to new Ministry of Justice figures As of June 10,722 foreign nationals were behind bars, accounting for one in eight inmates Among them, 1,731 were serving sentences for sexual offences, a 10% rise in a year now making up more than 10% of all sex offenders in custody The increase in convictions among foreign nationals is nearly three times higher than that of British offenders Despite a slight fall in the overall prison population, the number of foreign inmates rose by 3 2% Experts attribute this to record immigration since 2020 and a younger migrant demographic, as well as courts being more likely to deny bail to non-UK nationals due to a higher perceived flight risk

TEEN VAPERS LATER TAKE UP SMOKING

W h i l e C h i n a , R u s s i a and Iran were described as t h e m o s t a g g r e s s i v e offenders, the committee also flagged credible evidence of similar actions by I n d i a , P a k i s t a n , S a u d i Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Rwanda, and Eritrea

The report raises conc e r n s a b o u t B r i t a i n ’ s recent decision to reopen extradition arrangements

t r a n s n a t i o n a l r e p r e s s i o n , i n c l u d i n g s u r v e i l l a n c e , harassment, coercion and assassination attempts on UK soil MI5 has seen a 4 8 % r i s e i n s t a t e t h r e a t investigations in the past year, with more than 20 life-threatening incidents linked to Iran since 2022

with Hong Kong, warning i t c o u l d e n d a n g e r d i s s idents

Committee chair Lord Alton urged the UK to prio r i t i s e p r o t e c t i n g e x i l e s and to push back against foreign intimidation “We are concerned that there is a growth of foreign repress i o n o n U K s o i l t h a t i s going unchecked,” he said The Home Office said i t c o n s i d e r s s u c h a c t s a threat to national security and is taking the committee’s findings seriously

absence if they fail to appear Siddiq, 42, resigned as the UK’s anti-corruption minister in January following the launch of the investigation She has strongly denied the allegations, calling the case a “targeted and baseless campaign ”

In a statement, her legal team said, “Ms Siddiq has not been contacted or received any official communication from the court and does not and has never owned any plot of land in Purbachal ” T h e M P f o r H a m p s t e a d & H i g h g a t e

referred herself to the UK adviser on ministerial standards earlier this year after it emerged she had lived in London properties linked to Hasina An official review later concluded her family ties to the former Bangladeshi regime posed reputational risks to the British government Hasina fled to India following mass protests in August 2024

Teenagers who vape are significantly more likely to start smoking cigarettes, with one in three becoming regular smokers according to new research The study published in the BMJ journal Tobacco Control found that 33% of teens who used ecigarettes went on to smoke compared with just 1 5% of those who had never vaped Researchers from Penn State University said that while overall teen smoking rates in the UK have fallen since the 1970s, the decline has stalled among those who vape and even reversed for regular e-cigarette users They warned that vaping teens now face a similar risk of becoming smokers as young people did five decades ago However, some experts, including Professor Peter Hajek of Queen Mary University, argued the data does not prove vaping causes smoking, but rather that those drawn to vaping may already be inclined to smoke Charities called the findings a wakeup call on youth nicotine use

Keir Starmer Nigel Farage

Tulip Siddiq

Over 600,000 back Corbyn and Sultana

M ore than 600,000 people have s igned up within days to s upport the formation

p a r t y ’ s

u s a l t o o p p o s e what many call a genocide in Gaza, marked a breaking point for her

L a b o u r ’ s s h i f t t o t h e right, on issues from foreign policy to austerity, has also drawn fierce criticism

C o r b y n r e c e n t l y a c c u s e d t h e p a r t y o f a m p l i f y i n g “ r a c i s t a n d x e n o p h o b i c policies” in an attempt to

w o o R e f o r m v o t e r s “ L a b o u r i s s c a p e g o a t i n g migrants and minorities for its own failures,” he wrote “This government is here to a p p e a s e R e f o r m W e a r e here to defeat Reform ” For Sultana, the deci-

sion to leave was a matter o f p r

knock on another door asking people to vote for a genocide party, an austerity party,” she said “Labour is dead, morally, politically, and electorally ”

The new party, Corbyn and Sultana say, will break from the top-down model of mainstream parties Its members will help decide everything from the name and leadership structure to c a m p a i g n s t r a t e g y

Organisers hope to unite existing grassroots movements into a broader political force that empowers l

d challenges the economic status quo

Despite dismissal from

from Labour, the scale of

Labour’s warnings about “splitting the progressive vote” reveal its own insecurity more than genuine c

change

The new party insists this isn’t just an electoral vehicle, it’s a movement “The great dividers want you to think migrants are to blame,” reads one party s

It’s an economic system that serves billionaires and c o r p o r a t i o n s O

y people create the wealth and they have the power to take it back ”

Air India crash families await DNA confirmation as misidentification concerns mount

Families of British natio nals wh o d ied in the A ir Ind ia Flight 171 crash are awaiting

the UK and Indian gov ernments, their legal representatives h av e said

flight crashed shortly after

on 12 June, killing all

board, including 52 British nationals Since then, law firm Keystone Law has been assisting bereaved families and is now urging both gov-

identification process amid

misidentified remains

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised the issue in bilateral talks The discussions followed reports that two of the 12 caskets repatriated to the UK had been incorrectly identified “It is believed that some matched DNA remains may now have

Keystone Law I

External Affairs has defended the repatriation process, s

remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dig-

nity of the deceased ” However, Keystone Law said that in their review, two out of the 12 returned

, mishandled, or misidentified, a potential error rate of 15 per cent “Extrapolated, that could mean around 40 sets of remains may have been affected,” said HealyP

unknown

and some loved ones have already been cremated

deaths of several British vic-

adjourned in London last month The identification process is now under the o

Coroner in the UK

Millions of UK workers taking unwanted jobs to escape debt

A new repo rt rev eals that millions of British workers are accep ting jobs they d on’t want – simp ly to stay out o f debt

According to The True C o s t o f D e b t f o r B r i t i s h Workers report by Zety, 35% of UK employees are considering changing careers due to financial pressure, while 5 2 million are already worki n g s e c o n d j o b s t o m a k e ends meet

The report paints a stark picture of how rising debt

and cost-of-living pressures are reshaping the workforce

Over 43% of UK workers say t h e y h a v e n o m o n e y l e f t after covering basic expenses, and 14% are increasingly relying on credit

“ T h i s i s n ’ t j u s t a b o u t money – it’s about mental health, lost ambition, and survival,” said career expert M a c i e j T o m a s z e w i c z “People are climbing out of o v e r d r a f t s i n s t e a d o f u p career ladders ” T h e U K ’ s h o u s e h o

stands at 118%, with unsecured debt per adult averaging £4,232 Mortgage arrears surged by 69% in 2024, and n e a r l y h a l f o f U K a d u l t s carry some form of unsecured debt

Zety is urging employers and policymakers to tackle w a g e s t a g n a t i o n , s u p p o r t financial wellbeing, and create career mobility “Work should offer growth, not just a w a y t o p a y y e s t e r d a y ’ s bills,” Tomaszewicz added

Zarah Sultana Jeremy Corbyn

Connection at the heart of AUM's work

T he AU M Foundation o ffi-

c i all y la un ch e d o n J u ly 4 ,

2 0 2 5 , at th e C an o ns

C o mm u nity A sso ciatio n in

S tanmo re, with nearly 1 20 g uests, including Mayor of Harrow A njana P atel, and

P u b li s h er a nd E d i to r o f

A si a n V o ic e a nd G u j ara t

S am achar CB Patel Th e liv el y ev ent f ea tu re d m u si c , brain g am es, g entle exercise,

a nd d anc i ng , h ig h li g h t in g the impo rtance o f connection, care, and v isibility fo r the elderly

T h e A U M F o u n d a t i o n was created to combat lone-

l i n e s s , e s p e c i a l l y a m o n g elderly and vulnerable individuals in the Asian community More than just services, it offers companionship, dignity, and a sense of belonging

arranging, and most importantly, each other’s company

regular companionship visits, AUM’s mission is clear:

Future goals include a weekly “Compassion Café” where

games, and share stories As

A celebration of faith and culture

T emple, fou nded by S adgu ru

S hastri Sh ri Anandpriyadasji

S wami , was celebrated with great devo tio

Lord Swaminarayan was ceremonially anointed with traditional offerings including milk, curd, ghee, sugar, saffron, water, and flowers The event also featured a heartfelt recitation of the teachi

A

by Shastri Shri Harikrishna

Swami

On this occasion, Sadhu Premvatsaldasji of Kumkum

SPA (UK) marks

D i r e c t o r P r a n a v V o r a , i n s p i r e d b y s e e i n g m a n y seniors living alone, said the goal is to honour traditional values while ensuring older people feel cared for, connected, and have something to look forward to

A U M relies on donations to fund events, transport, and meals

W

hope to hold weekly meetups

training, skill-building like cupcake making or flower

community rooted in care and connection

Two families mark seven decades of friendship

T he United Nations o bserv es

I n ter nat io n al D ay o f F riend sh ip on 3 0 July, w hile cou ntries like Ind ia celebrate F riend sh ip Day on the first S und ay of Augu st, this year, o n 3 A ugu st

But can friendship really be celebrated in just one day?

True friendship is a constant, unwavering presence, a bond that weathers life’s highs and l o w s T h e f r i e n d s h i p s w e f o r m i n c h i l d h o o d o f t e n evolve into lifelong connections With a real friend, you share laughter, confide your sorrows, and create lasting memories

In difficult times, it’s that one loyal friend who remains by your side Many may celebrate with you in moments of joy, offering high-fives or raising a toast But genuine friendship stands the test of time, and only a few truly prove they’re in it for the long haul

On Friday, 1 August, a h e a r t f e l t c e l e b r a t i o n w a s held to honour an extraordinary milestone, 70 years of enduring friendship between two remarkable families

Mr Jashvant Nakar and Mrs Nakar of London, along w i t h M r a n d M r s S h a r a d Chande of Vancouver, gathered to commemorate seven decades of cherished com-

p a n i o n s h i p T h e i n t i m a t e event took place on the 9th f l o o r o f B e r k e l e y H o u s e , hosted by the Parker Lloyd Group in Central London, surrounded by a small circle of close friends

T h e e l e g a n t c

c k t a i l reception saw the presence

o f s e v e r a l f a m i l i a r f a c e s , including Shashi Vekaria of

V

c

Rajni Mehta (Director of Lloyd Group), Jashvant Nakar and Sharad Chande

Seated in a wheelchair: Jyoti Shah

Standing from left to right: Bina Mistry Jashvant Nakar Navin Shah Jyotsna Shah Kalpana Patel and CB Patel

acclaimed publisher of cookery books; Dr Surekha Mehta of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan; Bina Mistry, television pers

attendance were CB Patel,

Kalpana and Subhas Patel, and other guests who gathered to honour this enduring

Friendship Day

50 years of unity and service

Sh re e Pr a ja pa ti Associ at ion (UK) (SPA (UK)) proudly celebrat ed its Golden Jubilee in J u ly , m a r k in g

communit

Founded in 1974, Shree

P r a j a p a t i A s s o c i a t i o n ( U K ) has grown into one of the UK’s most respected Gujarati

c u l t u r a l a n d c h a r i t a b l e o r g a n i s a t i o n s I t s G o l d e n Jubilee celebration honoured its roots, marked its journey, and looked ahead with pride The day began with Aarti

a n d ‘ S h r a d h d h a n j a l i ’ , f o l -

l o w e d b y w a r m w e l c o m e s from Assistant Secretary and p r o j e c t m a n a g e r D i p a k

M i s t r y , L e i c e s t e r B r a n c h

S e c r e t a r y K a l p a n a M i s t r y ,

a n d f o r m e r P r e s i d e n t J a s u

Mistry A heartfelt ‘Swagat Geet’ by the Leicester branch

s e t t h e t o n e f o r a d a y o f reflection and celebration

D i s t i n g u i s h e d g u e s t s i n c l u d e d L o r d - L i e u t e n a n t

M i c h a e l K a p u r O B E C S t J , P a r a l y m p i a n J a y a n t b h a i M i s t r y , a n d 9 3 - y e a r - o l d

f o u n d i n g P r e s i d e n t

V a s a n t b h a i M i s t r y , w h o

r e f l e c t e d o n p r e s e r v i n g Gujarati culture and identity

C u l t u r a l p e r f o r m a n c e s featured a dance fusion by Tameside, a theatre piece on migration by Bradford, and a lively ‘Garbo’ and ‘Raas’ finale by Leicester A display of the o r i g i n a l c o n s t i t u t i o n a n d memorabilia highlighted SPA (UK)’s evolution from its 1975 founding amid East African migration to a national and

global community hub T h e e v e n t h o n o u r e d decades of ‘ sewa ’ with certificate presentations, followed by a cake-cutting with dignit a r i e s , l u n c h , c o m

Sandesh teams N e w P

d e n t Piyushbhai Mistry gave

progress A heartfelt vote of thanks by Jasuben Mistry and Dipakbhai Mistry acknowledged volunteers and organisers The day ended with

SPA (UK)

Student creates Indian cultural hub at University of East London

A Gujarati student, Darsh an Dabhi from the U niv ersity of East London (UEL) has been instrumental in creating a v ibrant Ind ian cultural hub, an effort that has g arnered national recognitio n The initiative, which has

Indian society at the univers

ferent traditions, and have fun

This cultural hub is part of a broader effort to make UEL a welcoming and globally aware institution The university, which is home to students from 139

The success of the Indian Society reflects the strong

C

; Navin and Jyoti Shah of PSJ

Nirav Patel Cllr Anjana Patel and Pranav Vora along with the Aum Care team

Current SPA (UK) executive team members

Audience present at the event

E A Ech

hoes of Ap

Appreciation

o thank you and the ABPL T

reasure’ A Timeless T ords and the House of L t to kind invitation the

I wanted to write to e launch of ‘Soneri Smruti Granthlunch’ at he 53rd anniversary eam Team for

d the ABPL Group. familiar faces and reki at least six peers! It w fa august and guished

It is always w oice’ and Asian V ‘Asian ‘ sha Madhvani. wonderful to meet CB Uncle wh

The event was indeed very special and truly a gath o remains razor sharp as ever with ndle old friendships drawn togeth as so wonderful to meet so many presence the with that at amily eed with

Trump’s climate denial is a global betrayal In 1992, leaders from around the world met in Rio for the Earth Summit It was a moment of truth Governments finally admitted that human activity was heating the planet and promised to act The goal was simple, cut emissions and invest in clean energy Save the planet before it is too late

More than 30 years on, the crisis is worse The science is undeniable, and the impacts are everywhere: floods, fires, heatwaves, and droughts But one of the biggest threats is no longer just pollution It is powerful people, like Donald Trump, who chose to ignore reality Trump has never taken the climate crisis seriously As President of the United States, he pulled out of the Paris Agreement, tore up environmental protections, and spread bizarre lies Claiming wind turbines cause cancer, mocking climate activists and calling global warming a hoax He cheered on coal and oil as if they were signs of greatness, not destruction

The White House under Trump didn’t just neglect climate change It embraced denial Even now, Trump continues his attacks On a recent trip to Scotland, he criticised wind energy again, claiming turbines harm the environment This is the same man who once tried to block offshore wind farms near his golf course because they spoiled his view The hypocrisy would be laughable, if the consequences weren’t so serious

What happens in America does not stay in America The United States is the largest historical emitter of carbon When it refuses to act, the rest of the world pays the price Heatwaves rage across Europe Fires destroy forests in Canada Droughts crush crops in Africa and Asia Island nations are quite literally sinking Climate change is not distant It is here, and it is deadly Trump is not just wrong He is dangerous He fuels the crisis with his words and actions, then blames others for the damage He is not a bystander He is part of the problem

And yet, the solutions are right in front of us Clean energy creates jobs Electric transport reduces pollution Green infrastructure protects lives and livelihoods This is not just about saving the planet It is about building a better and fairer economy But Trump is not interested in the future He wants to drag the world back into the past, into an age of oil and the eventual destruction of humanity

We cannot afford to stay quiet while he plays games with the planet The climate does not care about borders Emissions do not carry passports What America does affects us all, from London to Lagos, Manila to Madrid This planet is the only home we have If Trump wants to deny that, the rest of us must not Climate denial is not just ignorance It is betrayal And the other world leaders must call it out

Dr Narsinhbhai Patel

Sports infrastructure

Investing in robust sports infrastructure in India, particularly in Chennai, is vital for nation-building It nurtures talent, promotes health, and fosters unity By providing accessible facilities, we empower youth to excel, instilling discipline and teamwork Let’s prioritize sports development to inspire future generations and elevate our nation’s global standing

TS Karthik

£100mn boost for UK border security to target smuggling gangs

T he U K gov ernment has announced a significant £1 00m investm ent to boost border security and co mbat criminal g angs profiting from d angerous sm all boat crossing s The funding package is designed to turbo -ch arge the ability of law enforcement ag encies to track and d ism antle these netw orks, wh ich hav e been putting lives at risk in th e English C hannel

The investment will be used to recruit up to 300 additional National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, who will focus on gathering intelligence to target smuggling kingpins It will also fund state-of-the-art detection technology and new equipment to strengthen border security and disrupt operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the funding will strengthen every aspect of the government’s plan to tackle the issue, building on recent successes The NCA reported that in 2024-25, it achieved its highest-ever number of disruptions against organised immigration crime networks, a 40 per cent increase on the previous year

Furthermore, the new funding will support a pilot of a one-in, one-out returns agreement with France, allowing for the return of migrants who arrive illegally on small boats It will also help implement new powers under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which includes criminalising the online promotion of breaches of immigration law

Sharp decline in language learning

Fewer stud ents are studying lang uag es than ever befo re, wi th mo re A -l evel entries now in ph ysical education th an i n F re nc h , Ger m an , and classical languages co mbi ne d , a ne w re p o rt

as revealed

The Higher Education

decline” in language learning, with just 2 97% of this

guages, Welsh, or Irish The number of undergraduates studying languages has fallen by 20% in five years, and

departments since 2014

plunged, meeting just 43% of the government’s target

entries are far lower in disadvantaged areas as only 4647% of pupils take a language, compared to 69% in more affluent regions

H E P I d i r e c

N i c k Hillman blamed the decline o n t h e 2 0 0 4 d e

scrap compulsory languages at GCSE, calling it “probably the worst educational policy of this century ” The report

government to reverse the damage, with recommenda-

incentives for trainee teachers, a statutory right to learn

languages

and cultural skills

Half on NHS waitlist still await first appointment

Aro und th ree m illion peo ple in Eng land hav e h ad no followup care since being referred to h o sp i ta l, a c co rd in g t o new analysis by MBI Health, highlig hting a critical gap in NHS treatm ent path ways

May, there were 7 36 million

nearly 6 23 million patients MBI estimates that almost half of those patients, around 2 99 million, are still waiting for their first clinical appointment, with no contact from a specialist since being referred by their GP

Describing this growing backlog as a “frontlog,” MBI said the issue has “ gone unchallenged for too long ” Delays in first

health, and increased pressure on emergency services

Specialties most affected include ENT, trauma and orthopaedics, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and gynaecology An estimated one million of these patients have already waited more than 18 weeks, undermining the NHS target of completing 92% of treatments within that timeframe, a goal not met in nearly a decade

Association, said, “If accurate, three million people are trapped in an invisible waiting list crisis That’s not a healthcare service; that’s a breakdown ”

Meanwhile, NHS data reveals people of working age (19–64) now make up 56 1% of the waiting list, up from 55% in 2022, with higher odds of waiting over a year for treatment compared to children and older adults Patients in poorer areas are also more likely to face longer delays

Over 60 Tube staff face deportation risk

More than 60 London Underground workers risk losing their

Government’s immigration rules, it has emerged

Most of the affected staff came to the UK on skilled worker or graduate visas and currently work in station roles across the Tube network According to the RMT union, many have lived and worked in the UK for years, with some even promoted within Transport for London (TfL) But last month, the Home Office raised the salary threshold for visa sponsorship to £41,700 and removed several key transport jobs – including station assistants – from the skilled worker list, effectively blocking many from renewing their visas The RMT called the move arbitrary and warned it would have devastating consequences One worker now facing deportation had been commended for preventing suicides on the Underground

“It’s wrong to punish workers who’ve built lives here and keep London moving,” said RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey “These new rules risk shattering lives and damaging the Tube network ”

TfL acknowledged the issue, saying it must comply with government rules or risk losing its sponsor licence It is now working with affected staff to explore alternative options

Asian Voice extends heartfelt wishes to all our readers on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, may this festival of love, protection, and siblinghood bring happiness, harmony and cherished memories to you and your loved ones.

Restaurant loses alcohol licence over illegal workers

A n I nd i

tau r ant i n Slo ugh has h ad its alco hol licence revoked after it was

by

c S

Centre Limited on Farnh am Road, was raid ed by imm i-

Sep tember 5 last year

Three individuals iden-

offenders told officers they were working in exchange

November, the Home Office fined the business £90,000 for employing two people without legal right to work in the UK Following the r a i d , t h e H o m e O f f i c e requested a licence review, citing failures to meet conditions around crime prev e n t i o n T h a m e s V a l l e y

Police supported the move At a licensing hearing on July 29, councillors voted to revoke the restaurant’s alcoh o l l i c e n c e I m m i g r a t i o n officer Caroline Laird said the use of food as payment c

The

which relies on

for 30% of its income However,

Five arrested after fatal stabbing of Sikh man in London

A 30-year-old British Sikh man h as been fatally stabbed in Ilfo rd, East London, leading to fiv e arrests in a case police believ e inv olves individ uals known to each oth er Gurmuk Singh, also known as Gary, died at a residential address on July 23 after sustaining a single stab wo und to the left thigh Desp ite the efforts of param ed ics, he w as prono unced dead at the scene

Metropolitan Police formally identified the victim and confirmed the arrest of a 27-year-old man, Amardeep Singh, on suspicion of murder He has since been charged and is scheduled to stand trial at the Old Bailey in January 2026

Four other individuals, a 29-year-old man and three women aged 29, 30, and 54 were also arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing They have all been released on bail while the police investigation continues

In a statement released through the police, Gurmuk Singh's family described him as a well-loved man and a true social butterfly who found joy in being surrounded by his family Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, leading the investigation, said the incident appears to be isolated and has understandably sent shockwaves through the community

An increased police presence has been deployed to the area to reassure residents and address any concerns

Gurmuk Singh

Rachel Power

K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I The Treachery of the British Raj

241 years ago, the T reachery of the British Raj did not only beg in, but one could surm ise, it was com pleted

On 13 August 1784, the East India Company Act, which was named after William Pitt the Younger, the then Prime Minister of Britain, was passed Its aim was to remove the loopholes in the Regulating Act of 1773, and for the government to take strategic control of the East India Company and administration of India

The law known as the ‘Pitt's India Act of 1784’ was a significant power play by the British Parliament to exert control and authority over the British East India Company and placing India's governance directly under the British government's oversight For Indians this was nothing short of an ‘Act of Treachery’

Most people don’t know this, but the official title of the Pitt’s India Act was “An Act for the better Regulation and Management of the Affairs of the East India Company and of the British Possessions in India, and for establishing a Court of Judicature for the more speedy and effectual trial of persons accused of offences committed in the East Indies ”

Just read that again, have a think, and then ask yourself, what kind of people would do this to their hosts who welcomed them in India with open arms This was an act that declared that India was a possession of Britain And as soon as it came into force, the full-scale loot of India began openly All pretence of being a friend, of being a business entity, of being a trading partner vanished It was an all-out grab for every resource that India had on offer And by this I don’t just mean the land, the minerals, the vegetations, the wildlife, the rivers and the seas, but right at the top of the list of this loot was the enslavement of a nation and its people In one swift gesture of a quill pen, the British turned every Indian into a foreigner in their own country

In 1858 the Government of India Act came into force which brought the end of the company's rule in India India was now a ruled nation Lord Cornwallis’s power increased as he became the de facto ruler of British India Just to give you a simple overview of British control and the loot, have a look at the following:

Economic Exploitation: The British implemented policies that favoured British industries and trade at the expense of Indian industries, leading to deindustrialization and economic decline in India

Resource Extraction: India's natural resources, including minerals, agricultural products, and other raw materials, were extracted and exported to Britain, often at artificially low prices, fuelling British industries

Artifacts and Treasures: Thousands of valuable artifacts, including jewels, artwork, and religious objects, were taken from India and many can now found in British museums and private collections For examples the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the Timur Ruby, and other precious items stolen under force from the Indian royal family and taken back to Britain

The "loot of India" contributed to the impoverishment and economic decline of India, while simultaneously enriching Britain and fuelling its industrial revolution If there was no India, then Britain would never have had its industrial revolution! The British policy of favouring British textiles led to the decline of Indian textile industries, including the famous Bengal muslin industry, with weavers facing hardship and poverty The British working classes saw huge rewards in the North where textile industry became the engine of economic power

You will hear countless historians claim that developments such as roads, rail, governance, administration, shipping etc were all contributions of the British I beg to differ All of these were built by Indian workforce using Indian resources The only thing the British did was use force and the whip to make Indians bend at the knee to do their bidding

Let us not forget, India was a thriving nation (I say nation meaning all the elements that made up Bharat Varsh connected by a common core nourished by Sanatan Dharma) that had some 25% of the global GDP equivalent of that time When the British left this had reduced to 2%

The white colonials thrived on exploitation and treachery Today we see the same mindset begin to exert its influence by demanding huge tariffs, full access to nations for further exploitation, and those who don’t abide by the rules set by them – they would be dealt with harshly The west in now in a destructive mode As they decline, they need to fill the huge gaps in their finances Printing cash can only serve you for so long before the house of cards begins to fall India, Russia and China have frustrated the west Gone are the days when the white men can turn up with their modern weapons, their false smiles, their fork tongues and get away with it Today there are some nations strong enough to stand up to the bully If the world is to survive and move forward, it’s time to give the bullies a well-deserved bloody nose

Geo-politics is in a state of flux How these pieces come together, and what picture they reveal, will be interesting to see in the years to follow India needs to be the master of its own destiny

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- Pooja Raval, ABPL

W R A P P E D I N L O V E

Gifting ideas for Raksha Bandhan

Wheth er celebrated in person or ov er a vid eo call, Raksha Bandhan co ntinues to thriv e across co ntinents, keeping th e emotional bond between siblings alive no matter the distance

For Indians living in countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and parts of Europe and Africa, the festival remains a deeply personal tradition Sisters often begin preparations weeks in advance, selecting the perfect rakhi, writing handwritten notes, and mailing them overseas in time for the big day

Thanks to reliable services like India Post and global couriers, rakhis now travel across oceans with ease In 2024 alone, over 1 5 lakh rakhis were sent abroad, reaching countries like the US, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand This growing trend reflects how deeply Raksha Bandhan has rooted itself within the diaspora, not just as a ritual, but as a powerful connection to family and tradition

In return, brothers go the extra mile, sending thoughtful gifts, sweets, clothing, or heartfelt evouchers Some even organise virtual celebrations, dressing in traditional attire, sharing meals over video calls, and recreating the joy of home despite the miles

And this year, with the rare alignment of Saubhagya Yog, Sarvartha Siddhi Yog, and Sharavan Nakshatra falling on the same day, the spiritual energy behind the festival feels even more profound It’s the perfect moment to express gratitude, renew promises, and strengthen the sibling bond with heartfelt gestures

So, whether you ’ re celebrating Raksha Bandhan across the hall or across the globe, here are some thoughtful gifting ideas to make this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, blessed by rare planetary alignments, even more memorable:

1 Personalised gifts: Nothing says

“I care ” like a gift that’s tailored just for your sibling From custom mugs, cushions, and keychains to engraved pendants, memory books, and photo frames filled with shared moments, these gifts carry a sentimental touch that store-bought items simply can’t match

2 Fitness band s: For the healthconscious sibling, a fitness tracker is a practical and thoughtful choice It can monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, steps, and even workouts, offering encouragement and care with every heartbeat

3 Ind oor p lants: If your sister or brother is a nature lover, a plant can be a beautiful symbol of growth, love, and long-lasting bonds Go for lowmaintenance indoor plants in stylish pots to add a touch of greenery, and meaning, to their space

4 Skincare kits: Who doesn’t love a little self-care? Skincare hampers with cleansers, moisturisers, and masks from their favourite brands are always appreciated Bonus points if it comes in a festive box or pouch!

5 C osmetic combos: For the sibling who loves to glam up,

makeup kits are a win Many brands offer Raksha Bandhan-special editions with curated essentials like lipsticks, eyeliners, and palettes, perfect for adding a pop of colour to the day

6 Handmade surp rises: If you're crafty or love to bake, a DIY gift can speak volumes A handmade card, a scrapbook filled with memories, or a jar of homemade cookies or brownies shows thought, effort, and heartfelt love

7 C lothes and accessories: You can’t go wrong with a stylish kurta, a fun tee, or a trendy bag Accessories like watches, wallets, sunglasses, or statement jewellery can also make for cherished gifts that match your sibling’s personality and style

8 Experience gifts: If you want to gift memories instead of material items, try booking an experience; like a spa voucher, cooking class, pottery workshop, or even tickets to a concert or theatre show It’s a great way to give your sibling something unforgettable, especially if you can enjoy it together or virtually

Kapil Dudakia

The human cost of crime

Not just s tati stics! There are human s tories behind it a ll

While statistics highlight the scale of the problem, it is the human stories that truly bring home the heartbreak of unsafe streets One such tragedy is the

K a n d

2022 Ronan was walking home, headphones in and smiling at his p h o n e , w h e n h e w a s s t a b b e d through the heart with a ninja sword in a devastating case of mistaken identity The weapon had been purchased online by two 16-year-olds

b

His death shocked the nation

s

action She launched a campaign urging ministers to ban dangerous weapons like ninja swords

a n d l o n g - b l a d e d k n i v e

H e r efforts have now led to the introduction of Ronan’s Law, which brings in stricter rules for online knife sales and tougher penalties for retailers who fail to comply

The government has pledged to pursue every avenue to protect young people from knife crime, and Ronan’s legacy now forms part of that promise; a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a family shattered, and a life that should have been protected

The new reality of London’s

s t r e e t s i s a l s o r e f l e c t e d i n t h e headlines we ’ ve carried in Asian Voice over the past few months

W e ’ v e r e p o r t e d o n s h o p l i f t i n g , knife crime, racist attacks, burglaries, break-ins and more, with more readers sharing their own

e x p e r i e n c e s a n d g r o w i n g c o ncerns that not enough is being done to keep the streets safe

In a recent incident, An irban had just returned from Paris to London on the Eurostar It was around 9:30pm when he stepped

o u t o f S t P a n c r a s s t a t i o n a n d waited on Pancras Road for an Uber

“I had my laptop bag with me, and possibly set it down while checking for the cab and in that short time, my bag was stolen ” Inside the bag were several important items: his passport, house keys, car keys, office ID, and work laptop

He immediately called 999 “They said it wasn’t an emergency and transferred me to the none m e r g e n c y n u m b e r , w h o t h e n sent me a link to report the incident online The online form took time to fill out I was still waiting on call, but no one picked up ” The next day, he acted quickly: deactivated the stolen car key,

c h a n g e d h i s h o u s e l o c k s , a n d applied for a new passport “But no one from the police contacted me for the next two days The B r i t i s h T r a n s p o r t P o l i c e ( B T P ) later called and asked if I’d sorted everything I had, but that doesn’t mean the theft was resolved ” When he insisted on a proper investigation, he was told that the incident had taken place outside

t h e s t a t i o n a n d w a s t h e r e f o r e u n d e r t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e Metropolitan Police “But until then, they treated it as their case Only when I pushed for follow-up did they say it wasn’t their area ” T h e M e t r o p o l i t a n P o l i c e l a t e r emailed him to say they had taken up the case, but he hasn’t heard

anything more since Asian Voice reached out to the Br iti sh Tra ns port Poli ce to get c l a r i t y o n c i r c u m s t a n c e s t h a t involve cases being transferred to w h i c h a s p o k

“Where arrests are made by BTP officers for offences that occur outside the rail network, the case i s p a

o c a l force Likewise, if any arrests are made by local forces for offences that occur on the railway, those cases are passed to BTP ”

Anirban added, “Despite the location being known as a hotspot for thefts, nothing is being done! It’s worrying Even the Uber driver told me that two or three such incidents happen every day Yet there is no police presence and no CCTV in that area ”

The theft had further consequences “I lost work My contract was about to end, and without the laptop, I couldn’t finish my tasks That’s a serious professional loss ”

In the end, he said, “I did what I could to secure my home and documents But it felt like the police just wanted to close the case, and not solve it ”

Mahua , on the other hand, had left her office laptop, charger, and a portable neck fan inside a leather bag in the car as she hadn’t been feeling well the previous day and thought she’d retrieve it later The next morning at 7 AM, she was shocked to see the boot of her car wide open “I rushed outside The laptop and fan were gone A few jackets

f r o m t h e b o o t h a d a l s o b e e n taken The car hadn’t been broken into, no windows smashed The police later told me thieves might have used a device to detect electronics and clone my key

“I reported the incident over the phone as I needed an incident

n u m b e r f o r m y o f f i c e T h e y

recorded it, sent me an email saying the case was opened, and then closed it the next day No evidence No one came to inspect the car I kept it untouched, hoping s o m e o n e w o u l d H e l p f r o m police? Absolutely no, ” she shared T h i s w a s n ’ t t h e f i r s t t i m e Mahua felt let down When asked whether she generally feels safe, she recalls a chilling incident from 2 0 1 8 , w h e n s h e w a s l i v i n g i n Staines

“Our house was broken into while I was at work I picked my four-year-old son up from nursery on the way back from office and noticed everything scattered once I was home,” she says “ T e r r i f i e d , I g r a b b e d a k n i f e , handed another to my son, got out of the house and called the police ” But instead of immediate help, she was told she could

go inside because the intruder “possibly might not be on the property ”

D e s p i t e t h e p o l i c e s t a t i o n being just two minutes away, officers only arrived 45 minutes

l a t e r a n d o n l y a f t e r M a h u a repeatedly insisted they come

“I’ve seen this pattern repeat: no real investigation, no prevention, just case numbers and closure emails The police do only admin work and there’s no safety, not even in central London We avoid going out after 6 PM, because we know we ’ re on our own ”

Acco unt ability but also act io n Asian Voice also reached out to the Mayor’s Office and the M e t r o p o l i t a n P o l i c e r e g a r d i n g concerns over shortcomings in p o l i c e s u p p o r t a n d t o u n d e rstand what steps are being taken to turn things around

A sp o k e sp er so n f o r t he M ay o r o f L o n do n, s a i d ,

“Nothing is more important to t h e M a y o r t h a n k e e p i n g L o n d o n e r s s a f e T h a t ’ s w h y

Sadiq has doubled his annual investment in the Met police from City Hall The Mayor will c o n t i n u e t o i n v e s t r e c o r d amounts in policing, to build on progress that has been achieved in London, with the number of young people being injured with a knife, homicides, gun crime with lethal barrel discharges and burglary all down since 2016

“But we know there is more work to do, which is why with City Hall funding, the West End will see a 50 per cent increase in the number of police officers on the beat and an additional 90 police officers working in new or enhanced town centre teams in hotspot areas These officers will f o c u s o n t a c k l i n g a n t i s o c i a l behaviour, phone robbery and shoplifting

“Despite years of austerity by t h e p r e v i o u s g o v e r n m e n t , t h e Mayor and the Met Police will c o n t i n

Londoners want, putting high visibility policing at the heart of

g community confidence and trust as we continue to build a safer London for all ” Asian Voice has also contacted the Met Police and is currently awaiting a response from their end London, in 2025, is teetering Not just under the weight of crime, but under the crushing b u r d e n o f f e

s i s o u r attempt to dive into the realities behind the headlines, the stories behind the statistics, and ask:

London safe again?

Met to double live facial recognition usage

The Metropolitan P olice will m ore than d ouble its u se of live facial recognition (LFR) technolo gy in an effort to crack d own on high-h arm off enders , des pi te ong o ing co ncerns from priv acy ad vocates

Currently deployed up to four times a week across two days, the technology will now be used as many as ten times per week over five days throughout London The force aims to increase arrests of individuals wanted for violent and serious crimes

This expansion comes as the Met prepares for significant budget cuts, which will see the loss of 1,400 officers and 300 civilian staff Despite the reduction in numbers, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the force is becoming “smaller but more capable,” with a sharper focus on crimes that matter most to Londoners

been described by the Met as the most significant advance in crimefighting since DNA, involves scan-

mounted on police vans Matches against a watchlist trigger alerts for officers on the ground

The technology, set to be used during Notting Hill Carnival this August, has already led to hundreds of arrests related to offences

and stalking

September

fixed-location

Meanwhile, the Met is redeploying park and school officers to bolster its public order unit, which is being expanded due to rising protest activity An additional 80 officers will also be assigned to the West End to tackle theft, shoplifting, and antisocial behaviour

Home Secretary accused of blocking ‘police rapists’ probe

Ho me Secretary Y vette Coop er is facing severe criticism for alleg ed ly obstructing an independ ent inv estigation into claims o f sexual abu se by police officers T he accusatio ns stem from fiv e w omen, all former v i ct im s o f g ro o m

n g g a ng s in Rotherham, who have no w come fo rward to allege they w ere also sexually exploited by officers

Two of the women claimed they were raped in police cars and threatened with being returned to the gangs if they did not comply

Nick Timothy MP has publicly accused the Home Secretary of

Critics, including Professor Alexis Jay, whose inquiry exposed

South Yorkshire Police is being trusted to investigate its own staff, citing a history of coverup after cover-up

While three arrests have been m

brought, despite the first allegation of child rape against an officer dating back a decade The victims'

legal representatives have named a f u r t h e r f o u r S o u t h Y o r k s h i r e police officers as alleged perpetrators, with a separate accusation a l s o m a d e a g a i n s t a G r e a t e r Manchester officer The call for an independent inquiry is strengthened by past failings, including an I n d e p e n d e n t O f f i c e f o r P o l i c e Conduct investigation into 47 officers that resulted in only two written warnings and no prosecutions S h a d o w H o m e S e c r e t a r y C h r i s Philp has also written to Cooper, urging her to reconsider her position and allow for an impartial investigation

Ten men arrested in Bradford over historic abuse claims

Ten men have been arrested in Br adf o rd i n co n ne ct i o n w it h a ma j o r p o li c e i n ves t i gat i o n i nt o historic ch ild sexual abuse T he suspects, wh o are aged between 49 and 71, h ave been interviewed by West Yorkshire Police and subsequ

inqu iri es co ntinue

The allegations are serious and d a t e b a c k o v e r t h r e e d e c a d e s , relating to a period between 1994 and 1997 Six victims, who were teenagers aged 13 to 15 at the time, are at the centre of the investigation All of the alleged victims were living in or near the West Yorkshire city at the time of the reported offences

Yorkshire Police emphasised the force's commitment to tackling s

guarding and protecting children remains a top priority She highlighted the ongoing dedication to

non-recent sexual offences against children and described child sexual abuse as a heinous crime that affects the most vulnerable members of society Greenbank also issued a direct appeal to anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, regardless of when it occurred, urging them to contact the police She assured potential victims that their reports would be handled with seriousness and that they would receive professional support The arrests c

announcement by Sir

of

Anirban Mukhopadyay

Yvette Cooper

Mahua Bej

“We’re

creating opportunities

for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry”

Subhasini Naicker

Challeng ing the maledom inated transport secto r, A merbine Nawaz has emerg ed as a pioneering force with her ventures Helli C ars and Pink Ladies L td (Pink ladies L td ) Focused on th e safety and mobility of women, child ren, and the elderly in rural areas, h er initiatives p rov ide a trusted alternativ e wh ere secure transport op tions are often lacking

In an interview with Asian Voice, Amberine spoke about her business, initiatives to encourage more women to join the taxi industry and more

1Could you tell us about what inspired you to start Pink Ladies?

The idea for Pink Ladies was born from witnessing the safety concerns many women and children face when using public or private transport, especially in smaller towns like Skipton, where options are limited As a mother with over 20 years of experience in education, care, and community services, I saw a clear need for a service that offered both safety and reassurance Pink Ladies provides a secure, women-led transport option with all female drivers, something that many passengers find more comfortable, particularly at night or in vulnerable situations But it’s also about empowerment We’re creating opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry, with many of our drivers taking pride in roles they never imagined for themselves

2As a woman entrepreneur, what challenges have you faced in the taxi industry, and how have you overcome them?

Breaking into the male-dominated taxi industry as a woman and leading an all-female service, has come with its challenges From the start, there was scepticism about whether a women-only model could succeed, with many underestimating the demand for safe, womenled transport Operational hurdles were also real, from navigating licensing bodies to working with systems not built with female drivers or passengers in mind But I remained focused on the mission: to prioritise safety, inclusion, and

empowerment Drawing on my background in education, compliance, and leadership, I’ve worked to build credibility and run a service to the highest standards Media support and open communication have helped shift perceptions Most importantly, I’ve built a strong community of passionate women who are not only challenging industry norms, but reshaping them

3Have you implemented any initiatives to encourage more women to join the taxi industry?

Supporting women into the taxi industry is at the heart of Pink Ladies As a single parent, I understand the struggle to find flexible, reliable work that supports both family and independence That experience inspired me to create a service where women, especially those with caring responsibilities, can thrive in a safe, supportive environment Many of our drivers had never considered this industry before We’ve removed barriers by offering handson help with licensing, flexible hours, and a strong female-led network In some cases, we ’ ve even

"Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and don’t be afraid to ask for help."

UK appoints first woman as Astronomer Royal

P r of Mi ch

, who didn’t study science in school but was inspir ed by h er

covered initial costs like DBS checks or vehicle setup to ensure finances don’t stand in the way In Bradford, we ’ ve focused on reaching women from ethnic minority communities, offering culturally sensitive pathways into driving Through partnerships with job centres, women ’ s groups, and local services, we ’ re helping more women take that next step

4What kind of feedback have you received from customers, especially women, regarding your service?

Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from women who value the safety, comfort, and understanding that Pink Ladies offers Many say it’s empowering to travel with female drivers who truly understand their concerns We’ve heard from mothers who feel confident sending their children with us, and from women who feel safer traveling at night For many, Pink Ladies is more than transport it’s a respectful, inclusive space where they feel seen and valued Since launching in Bradford, we ’ ve also received strong support from ethnic minority communities who appreciate a culturally sensitive, women-led service This response continues to drive our mission to make every journey safe, respectful, and empowering

5What advice would you give to other women who are considering starting their own business?

My biggest advice: believe in your vision, even when others don’t As women, especially from ethnic minority or singleparent backgrounds, we're often told to play it safe

But if you see a gap or a problem you can solve, trust your instincts and go for it Starting Pink Ladies wasn’t easy I faced doubt, red tape, financial hurdles, all while raising a family But I stayed focused on my purpose: creating something that made a difference Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and don’t be afraid to ask for help You don’t have to do it all alone Most importantly, don’t wait for perfect conditions Start where you are, with what you have Women bring empathy, strength, and innovation, and business needs more of that

appointment as King Charles III’s official astronomy adviser will inspire more women and girls to pursue science, and help spark wider public interest in the wonders of space

Prof Michele Dougherty, now the UK’s Astronomer R

y a l

s a y s s h e w a n t s t o engage the public and highl i g h t h o w a s t r o n o m y s u pports the UK economy She's l e a d i n g a m a j o r E u r o p e a n

S p a c e A g e n c y m i s s i o n t o

J u p i t e r ’ s i c y m o o n s t o

e x p l o r e t h e i r p o t e

support life

H

space began at age 10, when s h e s a w J u p i t e r a n d i t s moons through a homemade telescope “I never imagined I’d one day send instruments there,” she said “I still have to pinch myself, both for the mission and for being named A

y ’ s appointment as the UK’s first

female Astronomer Royal is especially remarkable given she didn’t study science in s e

l e growing up in South Africa Choosing a school based on friendships over subjects, she later pursued science at uni-

strength in maths, despite initially struggling “It was

guage,

she recalled, but perseverance paid off, leading her to become one of the UK’s top space scientists The role of Astronomer

into

post Dr Louise Devoy of the Royal Observatory noted

Jess Phillips slams UK's dependence on women’s free labour

Labour MP Jess Phillip s has said th e U K has “got fat” off decad es o f u npaid labour by wo men, calling it a “fund

instead

p rov iding essential services

A s m i n i s t e r f o r s a f eg u a r d i n g a n d v i o l e n c e against women and girls, she also criticised her job title, s a y i n g g e n d e r - b a s e d v i olence should be “business as u s u a l ” a c r o s s a l l d e p a r tments

Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips said too many in Whitehall still treat violence against women and girls as

solely a Home Office issue S h e c r i t i c i s e d t h e l a c k o f shared responsibility across d e p a r t m e n t s , s a y i n g s h e ’ s h a d t o f

t y

vices, often unpaid, because the state didn’t,” she said Phillips said the UK has

vices for free, unlike other essential sectors “No one

companies to give away dia-

women set up refuges and

, ” she said “We got used to that free labour and belittled it, when it’s fundamental to n

t i o n a l s a f e t y U n d o i n g that will take time ”

i nstream concern, ” even when it made her unpopular Phillips highlighted how essential services were built on unpaid women ’ s labour, c a l l

Support group split after dispute over trans access

A Brighton-based rape cr isis charity at the centr e of a row o v e r t r a n s i n cl u si o n h a s a nn ou nce d a ne w su ppor t group e xcl usivel y for biological wome n The Survivors Network f a c e d c o n t r o v e r s y i n 2 0 2 2 when a woman, known as "Sarah," said she felt uncomfortable discussing her abuse in a session attended by a trans woman The charity, which supports survivors of s e x u a l v i o l e n c e i n S u s s e x , w i

group alongside existing sessions open to trans and nonbinary people The move follows a UK Supreme Court r u l i n g t h a t s i n g l e - s e x

vices can be limited to people of the same biological sex

In 2022, Sarah told the BBC she had been sexually abused as a child and raped i n h e r 2 0 s S h e i n i t i a l l y found support in a rape cris

woman joined, saying she no longer felt safe S u r v

, which had welcomed trans women into all its spaces, has now reached an agreement with Sarah ahead of a planned legal case A new 12m o n t h p

g r o u p i n Brighton will offer support e x c l u s i v e

women, alongside the existing mixed group Funded by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Sarah called

survivors in our city

Self-test may prevent 1,000 cervical cancer cases

A r ou n d on e i n t h re e women a re overdue for cerv i c a l c an c e r s c r e e n i n g , o f te n d ue to e m b a r r a s smen t, disc om fort, or lac k of tim e A new study by Queen Mary University of London and King’s College London suggests that offering athome self-tests could prevent up to 1,000 cases of c e r v i c a l c a n c e r a n n u a l l y While screening currently p r e v e n t s a n e s t i m a t e d 5,000 cases each year, part i c i p a

with only 66% of eligible women up to date in 2024 T h e t e s t d e t e c t s H P V , a

virus linked to cervical cancer Cervical cancer is highly p r e v e n t a b l e , b u t w o m e n b o r n b e f o r e 1 9 9 0 m i s s e d out on the HPV vaccine Regular screening can cut their risk by 80–90%, says Prof Peter Sasieni of Queen Mary University I n a s t u d y a c r o s s 1 3 West London GP practices, a r o u n d 6 , 0 0 0 o v e r d u e women were offered takehome self-test kits during appointments, while others were not Another part of the study split women into three groups: no contact, mailed a kit, or sent a letter

offering one Uptake was

l e s , c o mpared to 12% and 5% R e s e a r c h e r s s a y t h i s could prevent 1,000 cervical cancer cases a year HPV home-testing kits will soon be rolled out in England Dr Anita Lim said women prefer kits offered by a trusted p r o f e s s i o n a l C a n c e r Research UK’s Fiona Osgun a d d e d t h a t t h e k i t s h e l p o v e r c o m e b a r r i e r s l i k e embarrassment or lack of time but urged anyone with symptoms to consult their GP

Amerbine Nawaz

Prof Michele Dougherty

A journey of impact and philanthropy

Swathi Anil

K u m a r M u t h a la g a pp a n

O BE i s a B r it is h

e n t r e p r e n e ur a n d p hi la n -

t hropist whose re mar kable

c a r e e r br i d g e s bu si n e s s

i n n o va t i o n wi t h h e a r t fe lt

social impact From st ee r-

in g major ve ntur es in hos-

pit ality and run ning a glob-

a l clinical r esea rch powe rhouse to launching the KM

F o u n d a t i o n , K u m a r i s

k n o wn f o r hi s a bi li t y t o

con nect div erse wor lds an d

i nspir e cha ng e a cro ss the

U K, In dia, a nd beyon d

QCould you share a bit about your early life and your roots?

I ' m o r i g i n a l l y f r o m

South India, from a region

c a l l e d C h e t t i n a d n e a r

Trichy in Tamil Nadu But I

s p e n t m y c h i l d h o o d i n

Malaysia, where I grew up i m m e r s e d i n a b l e n d o f

S o u t h I n d i a n a n d

Malaysian cultures When I was 18, I left Malaysia to come to the UK for further studies After arriving in the UK, I attended university and, upon finishing, joined KPMG Over the course of 17 years, I rose through the ranks to become a partner

A f t e r t h a t , I t r a n s itioned into running businesses with my family This

b u s i n e s s i n v o l v e m e n t a l l o w e d m e t o m a i n t a i n strong ties to both the UK and India

I had the opportunity to get involved with a num-

b e r o f s i g n i f i c a n t p u b l i c and cultural organisations

For example, I worked with Visit Britain, the national tourism authority, and did a lot of work connecting t h e U K a n d I n d i a Eventually, I was honoured with an OBE by the Queen in 2009, both for my contributions to the hospitality industry and for my broader work with India

Later, I was invited to serve on prestigious boards

s u c h a s t h e O l y m p i c Delivery Authority for the 2 0 1 2 L o n d o n O l y m p i c s , government inward investm e n t a n d r e g e n e r a t i o n boards like Advantage West

M i d l a n d s a n d A l e x a n d r a

P a l a c e i n L o n d o n , a n d I

even chaired the City of

Orchestra All these experi-

Tamil Nadu offering eye

s c r e e n i n g s a n d c a t a r a c t surgeries, and another in P u n j a b p r o v i d i n g a i r w a y services for tracheostomy patients, and three in the UK supporting musicians through the London Music Fund, creating an educational history portal for the Chalk Festival, and funding a community project with t h e M u r u g a n t e m p l

East Ham

QHow did your exposure to different cultures impact your personal and professional journey?

G r o w i n

i n M a l a y s i

across different sectors and cultures

QHow did you make the transition from business to philanthropy, and what motivated you?

After building my clinical trials business, which g r e w f r o m o n e s i t e i n North London in 2010 to 106 sites in eight countries

a n d w a s e v e n t u a l l y acquired for $112 million, I finally had the resources to s t a r t m e a n i n g f u l p h i l a nthropic work I set up the K M F o u n d a t i o n ( K M F ) using funds from the business sale Philanthropy had always been an interest in our family, but it requires resources to be impactful Now, with the ability and n e t w o r k , I c o u l d i n i t i a t e projects that could demonstrate tangible change and e n c o u r a g e p a r t i c i p a t i o n from others

QWhat is KMF for you and what are its primary focus areas?

T h e K M F o u n d a t i o n , was created once I had the f u n d s a n d a b i l i t y t o d o s o m e t h i n g m e a n i n g f u l O u r m a i n f o c u s i s o n healthcare, education, and community development

W e k i c k s t a r t p r o j e c t s , demonstrate success, and then try to bring others, be it governments, charities, o r p r i v a t e f u n d e r s

Currently, we've launched five main projects: two in India, one with Orbis in

t h S o u t h Indian cultural roots and t h e n m o v i n g

gave me

diverse outlook

work in various capacities

Authority, inward investment boards, and even as

allowed me to build networks and experiences that shaped both my business

tures

QYousaid one of your projects is working with Murugan temple. In your view, does religion have to be intertwined with charity, or are they separate pursuits?

I think they are separate Religion, to me, is a

v e r y p e r s o n a l t h i n g , i t ' s about how you want to run your life, not just following prescribed rituals

C h a r i t y , o n t h e o t h e r hand, stands above reli-

e v e r y t h i n g e l s e I t ' s n o t about giving alms or begging; it's about making a change in the world While religion and charity can w o r k t o g e t h e r h a r m oniously, as in my community where religious institutions have been a means for charity I believe they are fundamentally different, though they can complement each other effectively

Almost half of Britons favour halt to immigration, new poll shows

between these views and a lack of accurate information a b o u t m i g

Many who support a zerom i g r a

n p o l i c y w

n g l y believe that illegal migration is more prevalent than legal migration

Coroner confirms Sunjay Kapur died naturally

U K a u th o ri tie s h av e co nf ir m ed th a t i nd u s tr i ali s t

Sunjay K apur d ied of natu ral causes, amid allegations o f foul play raised by his mo ther, Rani Kapur

A c o r o n e r ’ s r e p o r t s h a r e d b y h i s w i f e P r

S

states that Sunjay, former

ventricular hypertrophy and ischemic heart disease

Kapur had approached UK authorities, calling for a full investigation into the circ u m s t a n c e s o f h e r s o n ' s death in London

Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar, died in London on June 12 while playing polo On June 23, the

Mark Overly as his successor In a letter dated July 24, S

occurred under

suspicious

stances” and accused some individuals of using the family’s grief to seize control of the company Rani Kapur had requested a postponement of the c

appoint Sunjay’s wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur, as a nonexecutive director Despite this, shareholders approved Priya’s appointment on July 25 Rani claimed she is the majority shareholder of the Sona Group based on her

Kapur’s 2015 will However, Sona Comstar stated in a

hasn’t

since at least 2019

Watford FC officer guilty of racist station brawl

, 23, a Watford FC d iversity officer, shouted “Go back to

clash with railway staff at Sou thall statio n

o m i

Caruana, 23, got into a row with TfL staff at Southall’s

E l i z a b e t h L i n e s t a t i o n , a court heard Around 6:30pm, staffer

Tom Kakeeto overheard the argument and asked the pair to calm down Prosecutor

Tom Heslop said John-Jules kicked his bike into him, and after falling during a s c u f f l e , r e m o v e d h e r e a rr i n g s a n d p u n c h e d h i m

C a r u a n a t h e n j o i n e d t h e attack

John-Jules also shouted r a c i a l s l u r s a t S a s h a D a Cunha, including: “Go back to your country, you bloody Indians,” and threatened: “I won’t leave until I see him bleeding ”

She denied the charges for over a year but pleaded guilty to assault and racially a g g r a v a t e d t h r e a t e n i n g behaviour on the day of her trial

The court heard she had a previous conviction from 2022 and had only recently j o i n e d W a t f o r d F C ’ s C o m m u n i t y T r u s t a s a n E q u a l i t y , D i v e r s i t y a n d Inclusion Officer She also

w o r k e d a t C h i l d r e n w i t h

C a n c e r U K a n d h o l d s a

M a

Sports Management

C a r u a n a , f r o m Hounslow, admitted assault a n d d a m a g i n g K a k e e t o ’

given a 12-month community order, 70 hours of unpaid w o r k , a n d a £ 5 0 f i n e Caruana was ordered to pay £170 in compensation and costs

'Hostile' immigration language fuels anti-racism backlash

A n e w r e p o r t by t h e R un ny mede Trust has found t hat the lan guag e used in UK n ews an d polit ica l d iscourse a round immig rat ion has fost ere d a hostile e nvir on men t, con tr ibut ing to a ba cklash a g a in s t a n t i -r a ci s m a n d e mbolden in g the fa r right

The think tank's analysis of millions of words from news articles and parliamentary debates between 2019 and 2024 revealed a consistent pattern of dehumanising terminology

T h e r e p o r t , t i t l e d " A

H o s t i l e E n v i r o n m e n t :

Language, Race, Surveillance and the Media," claims that words associated with immigrants are more likely to be l e s s s y m p a t h e t i c w h e n describing people of colour

Researchers also found that the word illegal has become more strongly linked with migrant and immigrant over the past decade

A s t a r k e x a m p l e h i g hlighted in the study is the use of the slogan ‘stop the b o a t s ’ , w h i c h t h e r e p o r t l i n k s t o r a c i s t v i o l e n c e

Furthermore, the analysis of p a r l i a m e n t a r y d e b a t e s

showed that politicians were m o r e i n c l i n e d t o u s e humanising terms such as ‘ g u e s t ’ a n d ‘ b r a v e ’ f o r Ukrainian refugees, in contrast to the language used f

rhetoric can have tangible

n s equences, influencing public perception and even inciting violence The report calls for a new approach to community cohesion and a re-evaluation of the language used in public debate

Chewing tobacco and paan spitting concerns rise in Harrow

erence for making it easier f o r h i

, such as those in healthcare, t

Similarly, there is public supp o r t f o r i n t

n

The

i o n ,

has become a central issue in

While the poll shows a desire for stricter controls, it also reveals a more nuanced public attitude

The public makes clear distinctions between different groups of migrants, with a majority expressing a pref-

n a l s t udents, with a majority preferring current levels of student migration to stay the same or increase This contradictory s t a n c e s u g g e s t s t h a t w h i l e the public wants greater control over borders, they also recognise the economic and social contributions of certain migrant groups

Resident s and local authorities in H arrow are grappling with a growin g issue of publ i c s pi t t in g o f pa a n a n d che wing tob acco, w hich is l eaving unsight ly re d st ains a cr os s p u b l i c s pa ce s Th e probl em, which ha s historical l y b ee n concen tr at ed in ar eas like Rayn ers Lane , is now spreading to other part s of the borough, prompting a l ocal out cry and a pet it ion fr o m r e si d e n t s i n N or t h Ha rrow

Paan, a stimulant made from betel nut and leaf, often

includes tobacco Its use has led to concerns about public hygiene and the high cost of cleaning the resulting stains from pavements and walls

In response, Harrow Council

h

a s T h e council has a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place, which prohibits spitting and carries a potential fine of £100

E n f o r c e m

s have intensified, with the council issuing 33 fines for

action is

and

to effectively tackle the disgusting and u n

aim to address public concerns while continuing to crack down on the illegal sale and use of these products

Kumar Muthalagappan

Sunjay Kapoor

Ebonnie-Rose John-Jules

Dear ChatGPT, am I okay?

Why young Britons are turning to AI for emotional support

A s A I t o ols li k e C h a tG P T become fix ture s in eve ry day life, a subt le but pr ofound

t r a n s fo r m a t i o n is un d e r -

w a y pa r t i cu la r ly a m on g

y ou n ge r u se r s in t h e U K

W hat bega n as a con ven ient

t ool for an swerin g que st ions

o r g e n e r a t i n g co n t e n t i s e volving int o some thing far

m o r e in t im a t e : a t r u st e d

c o n fi d a n t , a n e mo t i o n a l

suppor t sy stem , and in ma ny

ca se s, a daily compan ion

Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has voiced concerns about this growing emotional dependency Recalling a conversation with a young user who said, "I can’t make any decision in my life without telling ChatGPT every-

t h i n g t h a t ’ s g o i n g o n , "

Altman described the shift as "really bad and dangerous " While AI might offer articu-

l a t e , e v e n t h e r a p e u t i c

r e s p o n s e s , h e w a r n s t h a t

r e p l a c i n g h u m a n c o u n s e l with chatbot comfort comes with risks including weak-

e n e d s e l f - r e f l e c t i o n a n d mental resilience

Betwe en t rust an d vulne rabilit y

One of the most urgent concerns is the illusion of p r i v a c y U n l i k e c o n v e r s ations with a GP or therapist, chats with AI lack legal confidentiality “The fact that there are no protections is

j u s t s c r e w e d u p , ” A l t m a n a d m i t t e d M a n y u s e r s ,

unaware of this, routinely

s h a r e d e e p l y p e r s o n a l details, mistakenly believing their words are private

D r A m it a K a p o or , F o u n d e r a n d C T O o f

N ePe ur, an d a promin ent AI

r e s e a r ch e r, s h e d s l i g h t o n why these emotional bonds

f o r m s o e a s i l y “ H u m a n beings are exquisitely social,

a n d w e i n s t i n c t i v e l y attribute mind and emotion to anything that speaks our l a n g u a g e , ” s h e e x p l a i n s “Chatbots are fluent, always a v a i l a b l e a n d n o n - j u d g e -

m e n t a l T h e y m i m i c t h e ideal listener, so our brains supply the rest ”

F e a t u r e s l i k e a d a p t i v e

t o n e , c o n t e x t u a l m e m o r y ,

a n d s i m u l a t e d e m p a t h y deepen the illusion of emo-

t i o n a l r e c i p r o c i t y B u t Kapoor warns that this very i n t i m a c y o f t e n p r o m p t s users to overshare “Unless a

provider offers end-to-end encryption, short retention periods, and a clear ban on secondary use, every word typed should be considered potentially public,” she caut i o n s “ I f s o m e t h i n g m u s t stay confidential, it should never be digitised at all ”

The data backs up the t r e n d : o v e r 7 0 % o f U K teenagers have used AI companions, and nearly half use them regularly A third say their interactions with chatbots are as emotionally fulf i l l i n g , o r m o r e s o , t h a n those with human friends

From writing breakup messages to discussing trauma or making major life decis i o n s , A I i s i n c r e a s i n g l y becoming the go-to confidant

A d ouble-edg ed solut ion for South Asian commun ities

For British South Asians, the trend has both promising and concerning implications In communities where mental health remains stigmatised or misunderstood, AI offers a safe, anonymous space to share thoughts and emotions without judgment

T h e a p p e a l i s e a s y t o u n d

s t a n d : N H S t

e r a p y w a i t t i m e s s t r e t c h f o r months, and culturally comp e t

short supply Language barriers, generational gaps, and entrenched stigma further isolate many South Asians seeking help AI companions fill that gap with privacy and emotional safety B u t t h i s a c c e s s

strict personal boundaries

“Avoid sharing identifiers, medical, financial, or intimate details Take regular ‘analogue breaks’ to prevent d i g i t a l d e p e n d e n c e A n d

most importantly, remember: AI is a mirror, not a substitute ”

Sani a Bib i, Co-Founder of I-D iagnose, believes the pandemic accelerated this s h i f t “ D u r i n g C O V I D - 1 9 , we saw how quickly digital tools were adopted to solve real-world problems,” she

s a y s “ T h a t n o r m a l i s e d deeper emotional integration with technology ” Y e t , B i b i w

r n s , t h i s growing reliance also sparks fears about ethical boundaries, job displacement, and l o n g - t e r m t r u s t “Transparency is critical,” she insists “Governments a n d d e v e l o p e r s m u s t demystify AI and empower people through education a n d r e s k i l l i n g ” S h e a l s o advocates for mandatory AI l

tools shaping our emotional and cognitive lives ”

As AI companions grow m o r e s o p h i s t i c a t e d , c o mplete with custom names, p

voices, the key question is

g e n t machines, but should they r e p l a c e r e a l h u m a n r e l ationships?

We may feel more conn e c t e d t h a n e v e r , b u t a t what cost? There’s a growing paradox: increased digit a l i n t i m a c y m a y l e a d t o greater real-world isolation and hence, the path forward lies in balance AI can

h e l p b r e a k e m o t i o n a l silences, foster reflection, and serve as a prelude to therapy But it cannot, and m u s t n o t , r e p l a c e t h e messy, nuanced, and essential experience of human connection

Using foreign language can be discriminatory

U sing a foreign language in the workplace to exc lude a c olleague from a conversati on can constitute race dis-

c ri m i n a ti o n a n d ha r a s sm ent, a n employment tri-

b un al has ruled in a landm ark deci sion

T h e c a s e i n v o l v e d

S a m a n t h a K e l l i n g t o nCrawford, a senior carer at Newlands Care Angus in F

native language during

work meeting, making her feel excluded and humiliated A tribunal in Glasgow found that the conduct viol a t e d K e l l i n g t o nCrawford’s dignity and created an intimidating and d

i a n Campbell noted that while speaking a foreign language at work is not inherently discriminatory, doing so in a sensitive setting, where one person is intentionally excluded from the discus-

Universities face heavy fines under new free speech law

U niv ersities and colleges in E ng lan d c o u ld f ac e s te ep p e nal ti es i f th e y f ai l to uph old free speech, as the High er Ed ucation ( Freed om of Speech ) Act com es into force

T h e l e g i s l a t i o n i n t r oduces sweeping new protections for academic freedom, r e q u i r i n g i n s t i t u t i o n s t o ensure that lawful opinions can be expressed on campus without fear of censorship A r i f A h m e d , d i r e c t o r f o r freedom of speech at the Office for Students (OfS), warned that breaches could result in record fines

Sussex University was fined £585,000 in March for failing to uphold free speech and future penalties, Ahmed said, could be even higher Baroness Smith of Malvern, the skills and equality minis-

ter, said academic freedom w a s "

that institutions had been “put on notice ” From today, u n i v e

banned from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of campus misconduct, including sexual assault or harassment

The OfS has introduced new registration conditions, requiring mandatory traini

improved reporting systems, and support for

staffing and infrastructure to meet these demands

duced under the previous

Labour, prompting backlash from academics Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has since said that provisions likely to burden uni-

costs, such as a right to sue, may be scrapped to make the law more workable

have expressed concern that legal protections could be misused to legitimise harmful speech

Ethnic minorities face higher heat-related death risk

Ethn ic min oritie s a nd pe ople livin g in Englan d’s most de prive d ar ea s face a significan tly higher risk of dy ing d u r i n g e x t r e m e h e a t , a ccor ding to n ew r ese ar ch p u bli s he d in BM J P ub li c Hea lth

The study is the first of i t s k i n d t o e x a m i n e h o w s o c i a l a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l factors influence vulnerability to heat-related deaths It a n a l y s e d r e c o r d s o f o v e r 430,000 deaths in England

b e t w e e n 2 0 1 6 a n d 2 0 2 0 , u s i n g a m e t r i c c a l l e d

Relative Effect Modification (REM) to assess disparities between population groups

A REM score above 1 indicates increased risk for a specific group

T h e f i n d i n g s r e v e a l e d that Black people had a REM of 1 27 and Asian people 1 1, meaning the risk of heatrelated death was 27% higher f o r B l a c k i n d i v i d u a l s a n d 10% higher for Asians compared with white counterparts The disparities may be l i n k e d t o h o u s i n g c o n d itions, limited access to cooling, pre-existing health conditions, and wider socio-economic inequalities

T h e s t u d y a l s o f o u n d that people in the two most d e p r i v e d s o c i o e c o n o m i c groups faced a significantly higher risk of heat-related death compared to those in the least deprived groups

N o c l e a r p a t t e r n w a s observed among the middle-

income groups The study builds on earl i e r d a t a f r o m U n i v e r s i t y College London, which estim a t e d n e a r l y 6 0 0 p e o p l e died during the June 2024 heatwave, and over 10,000 premature deaths occurred d u r i n g s u m m e r h e a t w a v e s between 2020 and 2024 Figures also show 2,985 e x c e s s h e a t d e a t h s w e r e recorded in England following the record-breaking 2022 heatwaves, when temperatures topped 40°C Scientists warn that, even with adaptation, heat-related deaths are l i k e l y t o r i s e a s c l i m a t e change intensifies and the population ages, potentially r e a c h i n g 3 0 , 0 0 0 d e a t h s annually by the 2070s

More than 50 private schools close as VAT policy hits sector

O ve r 5 0 i n de p e nd en t sch ools across England have closed or annou nced plans to sh u t si nc e t h e La bo u r government i mp osed a 20% VAT o n p rivate sch ool fees at th e start of 2025 The unprecedented tax, d

c e r n among sector leaders who s a y t h e p o l i c y i s d r i v i n g pupils out and threatening t h e v i a b i l i t y o f m a n y schools

claim of race discriminat i

£2,500 in compensation

The ruling sets a significant precedent in employment law, highlighting that language use in the workp l a c e m u s t b e i n c l u s i v e , especially during meetings or discussions where mutual understanding is expected

A t l e a s t 5 4 s c h o o l s , i n c l u d i n g r e n o w n e d p r e p s c h o o l s , s i x t h - f o r m c o lleges, and specialist provision for children with addit i o n a l n e e d s , h a v e b e e n affected Even schools with strong reputations and histories such as Moorlands

S c h o o l i n L e e d s a n d Fulneck School in Pudsey attribute the closures to the new VAT and rising operational costs Official data show inde-

pendent school enrolment fell from 593,486 to 582,477 i n E n g l a n d t h i s J a n u a r y , m a r k

since the pandemic In parallel, the number of state s c h o o l a p p l i c a t i o n s h a s sharply increased in areas affected by closures

T h e D e p a r t m e n t f o r Education defends the policy, arguing it enables funding for 6,500 new teachers and improvement of outcomes for the 94% of child r e n i n s

However, the Independent

Schools Council warns that the exodus is already much higher than the government p r

over 100,000 children with special needs may become inaccessible

A High Court challenge against the VAT was rejected in June Despite ongoing concerns about accessibility a n d s c h o o l c l o s u r e s , t h e government insists the policy will benefit the majority by supporting public education

Sania Bibi

Dr Amita Kapoor

Arif

Nostalgic games with cultural roots

F r o m d e li c io u s d i s h es to v ibrant cloth ing and catchy m usic, South Asian cultu re h as d eeply enriched everyd ay life

But beyond the food and f e s t i v a l s l i e s a n o s t a l g i c thread that connects generations, the traditional childhood games once played by our grandparents and parents Whether in quiet alleyways or open fields, these simple, joyful games sparked laughter, built friendships, and shaped countless childhoods Today, they offer a warm reminder of a time

w h e n f u n d i d n ’ t n e e d s c r e e n s , j u s t i m a

n and community

Here’s a look at some of these beloved games and the meaning behind them:

1) K abbadi: A traditional South Asian sport that origin a t e d i n a n c i e n t I n d i a

Played between two teams of seven, the game involves

t a k i n g t u r n s s e n d i n g a "raider" into the opposing team’s half to tag players and return safely, all in a single breath while chanting "kabaddi " The playing area is divided into key zones

Points are scored by tagging

a n d r e t u r n i n g ; d e f e n d e r s aim to stop the raider If all opponents are tagged out, a bonus (lona) is awarded The team with the most points wins

2 ) K h o - K h o : A f a s t -

p a c e d t r a d i t i o n a l I n d i a n game that builds teamwork and strategy To play, you’ll need a marked rectangular area, a centre line, and two poles or cones at each end Players split into two equal teams: chasers and defend-

ers Chasers sit on the centre line, facing alternate directions, while defenders run in groups of three across the p l a y i n g a r e a O n e c h a s e r starts by chasing defenders on their side of the field If a defender switches sides, the chaser returns to the line, taps a teammate facing the new direction, and shouts “Kho!”, passing on the chase Tagged defenders are out, and the round ends when all a r e c a u g h t T e a m s t h e n switch roles The team that t a g s a l l d e f e n d e r s i n t h e shortest time wins

3 ) K anc h e ( M ar bl es ) : K n o w n b y v a r i o u s n a m e s like Kancha or Golli Gundu, this game uses small marbles and a shooter marble Players flick their shooter to knock marbles out of a circ l e E a c h s u c c e s s f u l h i t scores a point The game ends when all marbles are out, and the highest scorer wins

4) D og and the Bo ne:

A l s o k n o w n a s ‘ C h e e l

J h a p a t t a , ’ t h i s i s a q u i c kthinking team game Two players with the same number race to grab a central

o b j e c t ( t h e “ b o n e ” ) a n d return to their side without

being tagged Referees can

c a l l m u l t i p l e n u m b e r s o r

“Dog and Bone” for a wild, full-team dash

5 ) Ri v e r o r m o u n tai n : T h e g

‘Nadee-Parvat’, is a popular South Asian game where the playing area is divided into t w o z o n e s : ‘ r i v e r ’ a n d

‘ m o u n t a i n ’ O n e p l a y e r i s chosen as ‘it’ and stands in the middle, while the rest

l i n e u p o n o n e s i d e ‘ I t ’ s h

must run to the correct side

Anyone caught outside the called zone can be tagged Tagged players are out, and the last one remaining wins

6 ) G il li d a nd a : O f t e n described as a mix of cricket a n d b a s e b a l l , G i l l i D a n d a uses a small stick (gilli) and a l o n g e r s t i c k ( d a n d a ) T h e p l a y e r u s e s t h e d a n d a t o flick the gilli into the air and then strike it as far as possible

The goal is to hit the gilli and run between points to score while others retrieve it It’s a game of balance, timing, and quick sprints, often played in open fields

b y b a r e f o o t k i d s f u l l o f determination and joy

Art and heritage unite at Blackburn Museum

T o m ark S o u th

A si a n He ri ta g e M onth, Blackburn

M u se u m & A rt

G alle ry h el d fr ee fam ily wo rksh ops led by artist Saim a Hussain fro m July 23 to 25

Inspired by the m u s e u m ’ s S o u t h Asian gallery, the sessions celebrated culture through h a n d s - o n a r t a c t i v i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g h e n n a d e s i g n ,

S o u t h A s i a n - i n s p i r e d o u tfits, and soft block painting based on Madhubani traditions

A r t i s t S a i m a H u s s a i n , who led the sessions, said the workshops became more than just art classes, they were a way to bring people together through culture

“The timing was perfect, falling during South Asian Heritage Month,” she said “I based the workshops on the South Asian gallery at the museum and used art to r e f

While many shared personal stories of migration and tradition, the works h o p s a l s o w a r m l y w

community

New digital platform unveiled to celebrate South Asian heritage in Britain

T o m ark S o u th A s ia n

H eri t ag e M o n th 20 25 , a groundbreaking dig ital p latform, ‘South Asian Britain: C onnecti ng Hi stories’, h as been launched, offering an in-depth loo k at the rich and c om p le x h is to ry o f So u th A sians in th e UK

The interactive website features over 750 entries and 30 new oral histories, alongside digitised archival docu-

Covering the period from the 1830s to the present day,

deep, interconnected layers of South Asian presence and influence across Britain over the last two centuries

research project Remaking B

Connections and Networks, 1830s to the Present, led by the University of Bristol and Queen Mary University of L

with the British Library and

voices, reflecting the diversi-

Council

The site brings together well-known South Asians in British public life, including R

Meera Syal, Riz Ahmed, and Malala Yousafzai, as well as h

Duleep Singh, and Freddie Mercury Crucially, it also h

k n o w n individuals and grassroots

of

ries that have often gone untold; from activism to the arts, from migration to community life

Belgrade & Rifco team up for British South Asian stories

Ri f co T h e a t r e C om p a n y an d Belgrade Theatre have a nn oun ce d a tra ns for mat i v e n e w p a r t n e r s h i p l a un ch i n g i n A p ri l 2 02 6 , de sign ed to celeb rate and amplif y Briti sh South Asi an voi ces on s tage an d behi nd the scenes

This multi-year collaboration builds on the succ e s s o f F r a n k i e G o e s t o Bollywood (2024) and aims to spark bold new product i o n s , n u r t u r e e m e r g i n g talent, and deepen engagem e n t w i t h S o u t h A s i a n c o m m u n i t i e s a c r o s s C o v e n t r y a n d t h e W e s t Midlands

T h e p a r t n e r s h i p w i l l d e l i v e r a n n u a l m a i n s t a g e shows, a Rifco Associates p r o g r a m m e f o r u p - a n dcoming artists, community-led workshops, cultural celebrations, and revivals o f i c o n i c R i f c o p r o d u ctions With shared infrastructure and resources, the collaboration will enhance artistic quality while cham-

p i o n i n g a u t h e n t i c r e p r esentation

P r a v e s h K u m a r M B E , Artistic Director of Rifco, s a i d , “ T h i s p a r t n e r s h i p gives us the platform to c r e a t e a m b i t i o u s t h e a t r e that reflects the vibrancy of modern Britain Coventry’s South Asian communities are bursting with creativity

i t ’ s t i m e t h e i r s t o r i e s take centre stage ” C o r e y C a

, Artistic Director, and Laura Elliot, Chief Executive of B e l g r a d

“This is about more than programming , it’s a shared commitment to represen-

tation, identity, and community ” Focusing on four key areas, artistic development, a

civic impact, the partner-

positions Coventry as

national hub for British South Asian theatre, blend-

and simply enjoy making art together ”

Each day focused on a d i f f e r e n t a s p e c t o f S o u t h Asian creative heritage P a r t i c

traditional henna patterns,

block printing influenced by Madhubani art

e m e , ‘Roots to Routes’, exploring h o w h e r i t a g e , m i g r a t i o n , and identity shape who we are ” She added, “The sessions c o n n e c t e d g e n e r a t i o n s o f the South Asian diaspora, creating space to share stor i e s , c e

Saima “They were curious, open to learning, and really enjoyed trying out the art

Everyone came together in a spirit of appreciation and community ” The workshops reflected

Heritage Month celebrating identity, migration, and

laughter, and creativity

routes, and connections

sives, the channel is designed for modern, bilingual audiences, blending Hindi and English with ease

“This is a fresh addition to our South Asian content line-up,” said Tanya Kronfli, H e a d o f B u s i n e s s Development at Channelbox “Bollywood Masala is made f o r y o u n g e r v i e w e r s w h o w

coverage of the Bollywood world, with a focus on fast-paced, shortformat programming From

Left: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh selling copies of The Suffragette outside Hampton Court Palace, 1913; Right: Queen Victoria's munshi, Abdul Karim, who taught her Hindustani, 1894

South Asian Heritage Month inspires bold collaboration for change

WUKA and The Washing Machine Project partner to honour their roots through sustainable innovations empowering women and tackling invisible domestic burdens

A s S ou th A sian Heri ta ge M onth (S AHM) unfolds, it o ffers not just a chance to celebrate identity and culture, but also a platfo rm to s p o tl i g h t r ea l- w o rl d

im pact Th is year, two U Kbased , South Asian-founde d o rg a ni sa ti o ns , WU K A and The Washing Machine P r o j ec t ( T WM P ) , h av e com e togeth er to turn heritag e into action

T h e i r c o l l a b o r a t i o n honours shared roots, lived experiences, and a commitment to building a better future for women and girls around the world During

t h e c a m p a i g n p e r i o d between July 28 to August

1 1 , 1 0 % o f p r o f i t s f r o m WUKA’s online sales will be donated to the TWMP Foundation, funding sustainable laundry solutions

f o r c o m m u n i t i e s w h e r e

h a n d w a s h i n g c l o t h e s r e m a i n s a n i n v i s i b l e , unpaid burden

A h eritage o f resilience and reinv entio n

For Ruby Raut, founder and CEO of WUKA, and Navjot Sawhney, founder of TWMP, this collaboration is more than a corpo-

r a t e p a r t n e r s h i p , i t ’ s a deeply personal tribute to their South Asian upbringing and the women who shaped them

R u b y r e m e m b e r s h e r mother spending nearly 20 hours a week hand-washing clothes in water-scarce

N e p a l Y e a r s l a t e r , h e r mother lives with chronic wrist pain and never had the opportunity to work outside the home

“South Asian Heritage Month is a celebration of both where we come from and where we can go, ” says Ruby “Nav and I grew up i n c o m m u n i t i e s w h e r e menstruation and house-

h o l d l a b o u r w e r e t a b o o

Today, we ’ re turning those realities into platforms for c h a n g e T h a t ’ s w h a t resilience looks like ” “ T h a t e x p e r i e n c e shaped how I see unpaid domestic labour It’s not just tiring, it steals opportunity,” Ruby says “This c o l l a b o r a t i o n i s a b o u t reclaiming time and dignity, not just for our mothers, but for women and girls everywhere ”

WUKA (Wake Up Kick Ass), has become the UK’s leading sustainable period brand by challenging period poverty and reducing p l a s t i c w a s t e t h r o u g h r e u s a b l e p e r i o d p a n t s TWMP, on the other hand, tackles the global crisis of m a n u a l l a u n d r y w i t h a manually operated, off-grid

w a s h i n g m a c h i n e T h i s simple yet powerful invention drastically reduces the h o u r s s p e n t w a s h i n g clothes, a burden disprop o r t i o n a t e l y c a r r i e d b y w o m e n i n l o w - i n c o m e communities

T h e t w o b r a n d s a r e united by more than just South Asian heritage Both

c e n t r e t h e i r i n n o v a t i o n s around empathy, sustainability, and social equity

“ R u b y a n d I w e r e shaped by the same cultural forces - strong women doing invisible work,” says Navjot “I started TWMP

a f t e r m e e t i n g D i v y a , a

neighbour in South India who told me how laundry

d o m i n a t e d h e r l i f e O u r mission is to give that time back, to allow women to study, work, or just rest ”

Reframing heritag e th roug h innov ation

At the core of this partnership is a shared belief that cultural heritage is not static,it evolves when people act on it By drawing on

t h e i r S o u t h A s i a n b a c kgrounds, Ruby and Navjot aren’t just celebrating their identity, they’re reimagining it

“This partnership is a love letter to our roots,” says Ruby “We’re blending c

n g with practical innovation W h e t h e r i t ’ s p e r i

r laundry, we ’ re creating sustainable, empathetic tools that tackle silent burdens and that’s how we honour where we come from

“It is about rewriting what it means to honour our heritage It’s not just a b o u t

progress

“South Asians are globally

One in seven UK Asians runs a business or is selfe m p l o y e d T h i s p a r t n e rship is an example of what happens when we take that spirit and use it to solve problems close to home, and globally ”

Royal Navy embraces diversity at Hartlepool event

M em b ers o f th e Royal Navy’s Race D iversity Netw ork

ibrant celebration

o f South A sian culture at th e So uth

Hartlepoo

Set against

remains intact, testament to the quality of its construction

expertise of Parsee master shipbuilder Jamsetjee Bomanjee Wadia, a key figure

manship It is fitting, then, that

HMS

of the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s Hartlepool site, provided a fitting setting for the festi-

nered with HMS Calliope to celebrate South Asian and n

the ship’s origins and connecting our shared history with today’s diverse service communities SOUTH

More South Asians needed in UK prison workforce, say officials

Th e priso n service is working to become more representative of th e comm unities it serves, with growing efforts to encourag e greater div ersity am ong its staff

While progress has been made, 14 2% of HMPPS staff who declared their ethnicity were from ethnic minority backgrounds as of 31 March

year, there is still a long way to go, particularly when it comes to South Asian representation

D e s p i t

S

h A s i a n s making up 9 6% of the UK population according to the 2021 Census, only 4 4% of HMPPS staff identified as Asian or British Asian in the l

Asian heritage living in the UK, increasing their presence in the prison service remains a key priority

One person helping to l e a d t h e w a y i s D i w a Sivakumar, an Operational

S u p p o r t G r a d e ( O S G ) a t H M P G a r t r e e i n

Leicestershire He is encoura g i n g o t h e r s f r o m S o u t h

Asian backgrounds to consider a career in the sector and be part of a workforce that better reflects modern Britain

S o u t h A s i a n H e r i t a g e

Month (SAHM), which first l a u n c h e d i n 2 0 2 0 , r u n s annually from 18 July to 17 August It serves as a time to c o m m e m o r a t e , c e l e b r a t e , and explore the rich histories, cultures, and communities of South Asia, while highlighting the deep-roote d c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n South Asia and the UK The region includes eight count r i e s : A f g h a n i s t a n ,

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, t h e M a l d i v e s , N e p a l , Pakistan, and Sri Lanka

A m o n g t h o s e p r o u d l y representing this heritage is Diwa, 28, who moved to the U K t w o y e a r s a g o f r o m Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India, with his wife to build a new life Formerly a business analyst in the IT sector, Diwa was k e e n t o j o i n t h e C i v i l Service and contribute to public service in his new home His ambition led him to successfully secure a role as an Operational Support G r a d e ( O S G ) a t H M P Gartree in Leicestershire

O p e r a t i o n a l S u p p o r t Grades (OSGs) play a vital role in keeping prisons running safely and efficiently Working alongside prison officers, they handle a wide r a n g e o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s f r o m c o n d u c t i n g s e c u r i t y checks and searches at the gate, to managing deliveries, supervising visitors, and monitoring phone calls and CCTV

n i s ation " "It would be great to see m o r e p e o p l e f r o m S o u t h Asian backgrounds join the service Perhaps many don’t know about the opportunities available, but I can honestly say I enjoy my role Having staff from diverse

message

incredibly friendly and supportive, helping me learn and grow in the role No

you

re always learning, and you never get bored " HMP Gartree Governor Rachel Jones says that while HMPPS now has more staff

work to be done to build a truly representative workforce "

needs a team that reflects the diversity of those in our

HMPPS’s values of inclusion and equality," she said "Staff from South Asian and other minority backgrounds bring

empathy, and diverse perspectives that improve how we support prisoners " "

build trust, improve com-

more respectful, rehabilita-

reducing conflict and supporting rehabilitation " HMP Gartree is a high-

nearly

inmates

Diwa, who now works as an OSG at HMP Gartree, shared his experience and said, "I really enjoy working here, it’s been a great career move for me I was a bit nervous at first, as I’d never been inside a prison before and only had impressions from TV and films But I quickly felt part of a large a n d s u p p o r t i

South Asian trailblazers who deserve a place in UK classrooms

A s S outh A sian Heritage Mo nth gains m omentum in the U K, it's time to ask why so few South Asian figures appear in our histo ry lessons Desp ite centuries of shared history betw een Britain and So uth A sia, mo st school curricula barely scratch the surface

Includ ing the stories of influential South Asians in education isn t just about div ersity,it’s about accuracy and representatio n Take Dadabhai Naoroji, for example Known as the “Grand Old Man of India,” he was the first Asian elected to the British Parliament in 1892, representing Finsbury Central Naoroji spent years campaigning for justice in colonial India and brought the concerns of Indians into the heart of British politics

Or No or Inayat Khan, a British-Indian Muslim woman who served as a secret agent during World

War II A descendant of Tipu Sultan, she became one of the first female radio operators sent into Nazioccupied France and was posthumously awarded the George Cross for her bravery

Soph ia Duleep Singh, the daughter of a Punjabi Maharaja and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, was a leading suffragette She campaigned fiercely for women ’ s voting rights in the UK and was often seen selling suffragette

newspapers outside Hampton Court Palace

These are just a few of the many names students rarely hear about

Learning about these figures could inspire young people of all backgrounds, while helping South Asian students see themselves reflected in the stories we tell about Britain Including South Asian contributions in the national curriculum is not just about inclusion, it’s about telling the full truth of Britain’s past

Dadabhai Naoroji Noor Inayat Khan

Diwa Sivakumar

Ruby Raut Navjot Sawhney

Supreme Court ruling favours Uber rivals in VAT dispute

P riv ate-h ire taxi o perato rs o utside L ond on will no t be liable to pay 20 % VAT on

t h ei r p ro f i ts , f o ll o w i ng a

l an d m ar k S u p r em e C o u rt

r u li ng th a t co n cl u d ed a

t h ree - yea r le g al b att le between U ber and its riv als

The court unanimously dismissed Uber’s appeal, ruling that private-hire vehicle ( P H V ) o p e r a t o r s d o n o t enter into direct contracts with passengers

The decision overturns a 2023 High

C o u r t r u l i n g i n U b e r ’ s f a v o u r , w h i c h c o u l d h a v e resulted in significant tax

o b l i g a t i o n s f o r r e g i o n a l operators and fare hikes for passengers

The dispute stems from a 2021 ruling that classified

U b e r d r i v e r s a s w o r k e r s , i n c r e a s i n g t h e c o m p a n y ’ s

r e g u l a t o r y b u r d e n U b e r

then argued that all PHV o p e r a t o r s e f f e c t i v e l y entered into contracts with passengers and should be

t a x e d a c c o r d i n g l y T h i s interpretation was initially

accepted by the High Court, but later overturned by the Court of Appeal after challenges from Delta Taxis and Veezu

The Supreme Court has n o w u p h e l d t h e a p p e a l c o u r t ’ s d e c i s i o n , a l l o w i n g operators to continue using t h e i r p r e f e r r e d

s i n e s s models without being automatically liable for VAT

V e e z u ’ s C h i e f L e g a l

Officer, Nia Cooper, welcomed the decision as a “triu m p h ” f o r t h e i n d u s t r y

“This verdict protects passengers from price rises and a f f i r m s t h a t B r i t i s h b u s inesses can stand up to global giants like Uber,” she said An Uber spokesperson acknowledged the outcome, saying it would not affect their VAT application, but noted that contractual protections now differ between L o n d o n a n d t h e r e s t o f England and Wales, highlighting ongoing inconsistencies in private-hire regulation across the UK

Centrica may sell stored gas ahead of winter

Britain could head into winter w it h r ed u c ed g as res e rv es af ter C e ntr ic a, owner of British Gas, signalled plans to sell off its st o red g as a t th e Ro u g h facility to cut losses T his has raised co ncerns over the UK’ s energ y prep ared ness in cold er month s

T h e F T S E 1 0 0

g y giant said its Rough gas storage site is no longer financially viable in its current form, having posted a £26 million loss in the first half of 2025, compared with a £53

m i l l i o n p r o f i t d u r i n g t h e same period last year As a

r e s u l t , C e n t r i c a m a y n o t r e p l e n i s h i t s g

s

o c k s before winter unless government support is secured

Centrica is actively lobbying ministers to provide financial assistance to keep

t h e s i t e o p e r a t i o n a l

R e o p e n e d i n 2 0 2 2 i n response to Europe’s energy crisis, the Rough facility was s e e n a s a c r u c i a l b u f f e r against gas price volatility However, falling wholesale prices and a milder winter have eroded profitability

T h e c o m p a n y ’ s o v e r a l l earnings have also been hit, with group profits halving to around £500 million in the first half of 2025, down from over £1 billion a year

e a r l i e r B r i t i s h G a s i t

f earned £133 million in operating profit over the same period, compared with £156

Hotel tycoon reveals rival Heathrow runway plan

Billionaire hote lier Surinder Arora has submitted a rival pr o po sa l

o H

million in 2024

O ’ S h e a a d m i t t e d

Centrica does not expect an i m m e d i a t e r e s p

r o m the government regarding Rough, but said the company could inject new gas into the facility ahead of winter if

a f u n d i n g a g r e e m e n t i s reached Without it, Britain risks facing the cold season

long-term energy resilience

h r o w Airpor t ’ s officia l

xpa nsion

avoids ma jor disrupt ion and aims to cut costs T

proposal, dubbed Heathrow

2,800-metre (9,200 ft) third

designed to avoid rerouting

“spiralling costs,” while still accommodating all aircraft types

This marks the first time H

project will have competing b i d s T h e A

a G r o u p estimates its plan will cost under £25 billion (excluding u

operational runway by 2035, with a new terminal opening in two phases in 2036 and 2040 The project has been d e v e

p with global engineering firm Bechtel

In contrast, Heathrow’s original estimate in 2018 put its expansion at £14 billion, but costs are now expected to run significantly higher In J u n e , t

alternative proposals for the airport’s expansion, with a 31

due

submit

plan Arora, one of Heathrow’s

PB Balaji to become first Indian CEO of Jaguar Land Rover

PB Balaji, th e Grou p C FO of Tata Moto rs, w ill take over as th e C E O o f Ja gu a r L an d Ro ver (JLR) th is No vem ber, m ar k ing

m

a n In dia n w ill l ea d th e ico nic British l uxury carm aker in an exe cu t ive c ap ac ity He wi ll succ eed Adrian M ardell, w ho is s e t to re ti re a f te r th r e e years as C EO and a 35- year tenu re with the comp any S i n c e T a t a M o t o r s acquired Jaguar Land Rover in 2008, the brand has had f o u r

“After a decade of work with our world-class design and delivery team, I’m proud to present the Heathrow West proposal to the government We welcome the decision to

giving the airport operator

a c c e l e r a t e t h e ‘ R e i m a g i n e

J L R ’ j o u r n e y , ” h e s a i d

E x p r e s s i n g h i s e x c i t e m e n t ,

B a l a j i s a i d , “ O v e r t h e l a s t

(2010–2020), Thierry Bolloré ( 2 0 2 0 – 2 0 2 2 ) , a n d A d r i a n Mardell, none of whom were Indian Balaji has served as CFO of Tata Motors since November 2017 and brings with him over three decades o f e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e automotive and consumer goods sectors He has held l e a d e r s h i p r o l e s a c r o s s f i n a n c e a n d s u p p l y c h a i n functions globally, working i n c i t i e s l i k e M u m b a i , L o n d o n , S i n g a p o r e , a n d Z u r i c h T a t a M o t o r s credited him with playing a key role in the company ’ s t r a n s f o r m a t i o n i n r e c e n t years N C h a n d r a s e k a r a n , C h a i r m a n o f J L R , T a t a M o t o r s , a n d T a t a S o n s , c o n f i r m e d B a l a j i ’ s a p p o i n t m e n t f o l l o w i n g a months-long search “He has been deeply involved in JLR’s strategy and operations His a p p o i n t m e n t w i l l e n s u r e c o n t i n u i t y a n d h e l p

eight years, I’ve grown to love this company and its brands I ’ m h o n o u r e d t o t a k e t h e helm and thank Adrian for his immense contributions ” Balaji holds a B Tech in M e c h a n i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g f r o m I I T M a d r a s a n d a p o s t g r a d u a t e d i p l o m a i n m a n a g e m e n t f r o m I I M Calcutta

Inheritance tax reform risks undermining food security

Farme rs hav e war ne d tha t chan ges to in her it an ce tax proposed by Chan cellor Rachel Re ev es could

ten the fut ure of Br

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

( D

ministers has dropped by 11 per cent since Labour took office Many farmers cited the planned tax overhaul as a key concern, calling it a threat to their livelihoods and family-run farms

Under the current proposal, from

Rents hit new record highs across Britain

Asking rents across Britain have hit fresh record hig hs, thoug h the pace

o f g ro w th is s h o w i ng s i g ns o f s lo w i ng , a cc o rd in g to ne w d ata from Rig htm ove

In areas outside London, the average asking rent for a property reached £1,365 per month in the second quarter of 2025, the highest o n r e c o r d D e s p i t e t h i s , a n n u a l rental growth has eased to 3 9%, the slowest rate since 2020

In London, average advertised rents climbed to a record £2,712 per month, with year-on-year growth

o f 1 9 % R i g h t m o v e ’ s d a t a a l s o shows that it is taking longer for properties to be rented, with an a v e r a g e t i m e o f 2 5 d a y s t o b e marked “let agreed”, compared to 21 days last year and 18 days in 2022 Nearly a quarter (24%) of rental

h

reduced while still listed, a level not

seen since 2017, indicating a cooling in the rental market Rightmove attributed the slowdown in rent growth to a gradual rebalancing of supply and demand The number of available rental properties is up 15% on last year, o

However, the supply still lags 29% behind 2019 pre-pandemic levels Tenant demand has also dipped by 10% over the past year, with the average rental listing now receiving 11 inquiries, down from 16 last year

average of seven

However, Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove also noted, “While asking rents are still rising, the rate of increase is easing S

heading back towards

April next year, a 20 per cent inheritance tax would apply to agricultural assets valued above £1 million While ministers claim that other exemptions allow a couple to pass on up to £3 million tax-free, farmers argue that many family farms could still be caught out, especially those with high land values but limited cash flow

The report found that some farmers are now reconsidering investments and

could render their businesses financiall

planned to “extract as much value” from their land before selling and retiring

The findings also show growing mistrust: 54 per cent of farmers are “not at all confident” in improving relations with the government, the highest level since the question was introduced F o o d

Daniel Zeichner said the government remains committed to British farming, pledging £11 8 billion for sustainable agriculture However, the report suggests that concerns across the sector remain far from resolved

MPs, trade unions and former shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds to consider new taxes on the savings, investments, and property holdings of the wealthy Speaking on the Sky News Electoral Dysfunction podc

h from the Wealth Tax Commission, which examined various models and concluded that a UK wealth tax was both feasible and potentially effective She urged the Treasury to take the evidence seriously

However, Reeves stood

recent budget “We’ve abolished non-dom tax status, increased levies on private jets and second homes, and

she said “We’ve struck the

those with the broadest shoulders ” Reeves reiterated that the government’s fiscal decisions would be outlined in the autumn budget, and stressed that her main priority was economic growth, job creation and attracting investment N

reported that Reeves is preparing to raise taxes in the upcoming budget to help plug a £30 billion shortfall in public finances, a move that could prompt further debate over how fairly the burden is shared

Surinder Arora

PB Balaji

Rachel Reeves

India set to become 4th largest office market globally

ED summons Anil Ambani in loan

case

Kolkata

bank guarantee provided to Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited on behalf of

R

y

victim of fraud, forgery and cheating conspiracy ” The company has made a due disclosure on this to

Jamnagar contributes to over a third of Gujarat's merchandise exports

R

op ex port in g sta te in FY 2024 -25 despite r ecordin g a mar gina l dip compar ed to t he pre vious finan cia

t h £ 98 3 b n constit uted for n ear ly 26 6% of In dia's tot al me rchan dise e x po r t s fo

y ear

Contributing to over 33% of the state's exports due outbound shipments from i t s p e t r o l e u m r e f i n e r i e s , Jamnagar continues to lead the state s export dominance with exports worth £36 3bn, a s p e r a r e p o r t b y t h e Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)

T h e t o p f i v e e x p o r t commodities from Gujarat

(Machinery) The state continued to maintain its lead in exports by a margin of nearly£43bn more than Maharashtra, w

largest exporter with exports clocking £55 7bn

The states ranking 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th were

Tata Motors to acquire Italian co Iveco in £3.82bn deal

T at a M o t o rs w i l l ac qu i re I t al i an c o m m er ci al v eh i c l e maker Ivec o Group, excludi ng i ts defenc e busi ness , for euro 3 8 billi on (nearly £ 3 8 2bn) i n a d eal whi ch is set to be the I n d i a n au t o ma ke r' s b i gg es t buyout

G S p o o f e d email accounts were created to make them look genuine, sources said R e a c t i n g t o t

d bonafidely and have been a

G e n e r a t i o n L t d T h e guarantee was generated by a shell entity registered in B

the Economic Offence Wing of Delhi Police against the third party on October 16, 2024 The due process of law will follow ” B e s i d e s t h e a l l e g e d l y forged bank guarantee, the ADAG group is also being probed for alleged fake bills for commission “Multiple undisclosed bank accounts have been detected having s u s p i c i o u s t r

p e e s found in these accounts,” sources said

In the automotive space, t h e c o m p a n y ' s l a r g e s t a c q u i s i t i o n t i l l d a t e i s i t s b u y o u t o f B r i t i s h b r a n d Jaguar Land Rover for USD 2 3 billion in 2008

T h e e x e c u t i v e committee of the company's

b o a r d h a s a p p r o v e d t h e acquisition of 100 per cent

c o m m o n s h a r e s o f I v e c o Group NV, through all cash v o l u n t a r y t e n d e r o f f e r

( e x c l u d i n g d e f e n c e b u s i n e s s ) , s u b j e c t t o a l l regulatory, statutory and all o t h e r n e c e s s a r y a p p r o v a l s , t h e M u m b a i - b a s e d a u t o major said in a regulatory statement

Tata Motors and Iveco g r o u p s a i d t h e y h a v e " r e a c h e d a n a g r e e m e n t t o create a commercial vehicles

g r o u p w i t h t h e r e a c h , p r o d u c t p o r t f o l i o a n d industrial capability to be a g l o b a l c h a m p i o n i n t h i s dynamic sector "

The transaction seeks to acquire 271,215,400 common shares, through a voluntary tender offer, which is subject to a minimum acceptance

level of 80 per cent of the shares tendered, it added A cash consideration of euro 14 1 per tendered share is proposed for Iveco Group N V (excluding the defence b u s i n e s s ) , t h e c o m p a n y stated The offer represents

around euro 3 8 billion for I v e c o G r o u p , e x c l u d i n g Iveco's defence business and the net proceeds from the defence business separation, it said

Transaction is expected

M u kes h A m b an i g ro u p firms will inv

£1 58 bn in J i o F

S

nc

t h ro u g h a p ref er en ti al allotment of up to 500 mn w arrants, each priced at Rs 3 16 5 T he capital infusion is expected to support furth er p rod uct rollo uts in lend ing a nd i ns u ran c e, exp a nd d igital p ayments, and build its broking and m utu al fu nd o perations

The offer is at a slight discount to Jio Financial’s p

around Rs 320 The board h

part of the promoter group

250mn warrants, which can b

shares within 18 months

Germany’s Allianz to form a

5 0 : 5 0 r e i n s u r a n c e j o i n t venture and also explore JVs in life and non-life All three ventures require substantial capital

The fundraising follows the July 2023 demerger of Jio Finance from RIL and its

s u b s e q u e n t l i s t i n g o n exchanges in Aug 2023 at Rs 262 Since then, the firm has b r o a d e n e d i t s p r e s e n c e across multiple segments of financial services

Despite Trump rants, most iPhones sold in US are India-made: Cook

A p p l e C E O T i m C o o k confirmed that “ m ajority” of iPh ones sold in the US in the past quarter were made i n In d i a d es p it e U S P resid ent Do nald Tru mp ’ s re g u la r ran ts abo u t i t Meanwh ile China, erstwh ile production giant, is playing second fid dle and is u sed m o r e to s er v i ce no n -U S markets

C o o k , s p e a k i n g t o a n a l y s t s a f t e r q u a r t e r l y results, said that India has been the mainstay when it comes to producing iPhones for the US, while Vietnam is t h e l o c a t i o n f o r m a k i n g other products for America such as MacBook, iPad and

Watch

“In terms of the country of origin, it’s the same as I referenced last quarter There hasn’t been a change to that, w h i c h i s , v a s t m a j o r i t y o f iPhones sold in the US, or the majority, I should say, have a country of origin of India,”

t h e A p p l e C E O s a i d O n C h i n a , C o o k s a i d , “ t h e p r o d u c t s f o r o t h e r international countries, vast majority of them are coming from China ” W h i l e t h e T r u m p administration imposed 25%

t a r i f f s o n I n d i a , s m a r t p h o n e s , c o m p u t e r s , and other electronic devices a r e e x e m

reciprocal tariffs for now T r u m p h a s b e e n pushing Apple and Cook not to make the iPhones in India f o r m e e t i n g n e e d s o f U S consumers “I had a little problem with Tim Cook I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good but now I hear you are building all over India I don’t want you building in India,” he said during his visit to Doha in May Cook’s clear stance on I n d i a

u f a c t u r i n g , i s being seen as a signal that Apple stays bullish on India, especially as the country is also consistent in showing strong growth in local sales

IDBI stake sale likely by end of FY26

said gaining full ownership of Schneider Electric India will speed up decisions in its third-largest market C a l l i n g t h

investment focus on India, Schneider said it sees India as both an attractive market for growth and a key hub

India’s sales to grow

the

The Ce ntre is all se t to in vite finan ci al bids duri ng the Dec quarte r as it pla ns to se ll its stak e in IDBI B ank and shortli st the final bidde r “The data room process is complete for all interested parties and formal consultations with all qualified interested parties have been completed We are hoping to complete the selection of the winning bidder by the end of t

, secretary in the department of investment and public

that has survived on repeated govt bailouts over the last 20 years The stake sale plan, announced three years ago, has seen several twists and turns and coincides with the

Over 100 PTI members jailed for 2023 riots in Pakistan

L AH ORE : A Pakistani anti-terrorism court

s en tenc ed o v er 1 0 0 m em b ers o f fo rm e r p rime minister Imran K han’s party, Pakistan T ehreek-e-Insaf (PT I), for th eir role in violent riots targeting m ilitary sites in 20 23

According to the court order, 58 defendants, including senior leaders and parliamentarians, received 10-year prison terms, while the others were handed sentences ranging from one to three years Among those convicted are Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz, PTI leaders in the National Assembly and Senate respectively

The court stated that the prosecution had proved its case against the accused without a shadow of doubt The verdict relates to an attack on an intelligence agency office in F a i s a l a b

d

n M a y 9 , 2 0 2 3 , d

i n g widespread protests following Khan’s arrest

The demonstrations saw military and government buildings, including army headquarters in Rawalpindi being stormed

Khan, currently imprisoned since 2023 o n s e p a r a t e c h a r g e s o f c o r r u p t i o n , l a n d fraud, and leaking state secrets, is being tried

Imran Khan

independently for inciting the same riots He denies all wrongdoing, claiming the charges are part of a military-backed campaign to dismantle PTI The military has rejected this accusation The PTI party has announced plans to challenge the verdict This marks the third mass conviction against PTI this month, affecting at least 14 of its MPs, who now face disqualification under Pakistani law, further weakening the opposition

Seventy-seven others were acquitted due to insufficient evidence PTI plans to hold protests from August 5, the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment, demanding his release

Sexual assault of minor in Singapore: Indian national jailed for 14 years

SI NG A P O RE : An In dian n at ion al was sen-

t en ce d t o ove r 14 yea rs in jail in Sing apore for se xually assault ing an 11-ye ar-old girl twice

Sentenced by the Singapore High Court, Ramalingam Selvasekaran, 58, will not be caned, as he is over 50 However, his sentence of 14 years, three months and two weeks includes additional jail time in lieu of 15 strokes of the cane

He was found guilty on July 7 of all three charges – one count of rape and two counts of outrage of modesty – after a trial in which he represented himself During sentencing a r g u m e n t s , R a m a l i n g a m m a i n t a i n e d h i s innocence and said he would be appealing against his conviction

After he was sentenced and granted bail of SGD80,000 pending appeal, he bargained with the judge regarding his bail conditions

Justice Aidan Xu rejected Ramalingam’s requests to remove his electronic tag (usually

attached to the leg to track a convicted person movement) and forgo regular check-ins at the Police Cantonment Complex

Ramalingam also objected to Deputy Public Prosecutor Susanna Yim’s proposal to return to the girl SGD8 in cash while the court was determining the fate of various trial exhibits “The SGD8 was taken from my shop,” he said The judge told the prosecution to look into the matter

The offences took place on October 28, 2021, at his provision store in Jurong West on the west coast of Singapore The girl visited his store and returned later that day to buy ice cream

Ramalingam, who was 55 years old then, was accused by the prosecution of leading the girl to the inner confines of his shop to touch her and make her perform oral sex on him Following the assaults, the girl sought help from a passerby, who called the police

Mamdani dominates NYC mayoral race, new poll reveals

NEW YO RK: New York S tate A ssemblym an Zo hran Mamd ani has taken a com mand ing lead in the 2025 New York City m ayoral race, securing m ore th an half of all vo ter supp ort i n a new ci tyw id e p o ll T h e 3 3 - year- old D em ocrat, w h o last m o nth stunned the p olitical establishment by d efeating form er Gov ernor Andrew C uomo in the prim ary, now holds a d ecisive d ouble-digit adv antage o ver his riv als

A poll conducted by Zenith Research and Public Progress Solutions from July 16 to 24 shows Mamdani with an impressive 50 per cent support among likely voters, surpassing all other candidates combined Cuomo, now running as an independent, trails in a distant second place with 22 per cent He is followed by Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa at

13 per cent

Current Mayor Eric Adams, also running as an independent, registers a meagre 7 per cent, while former federal prosecutor Jim Walden receives 1 per cent Six per cent of voters remain undecided

The poll, which surveyed 1,453 registered voters across all five boroughs, with a margin

Mamdani's strong position His dominance

Mamdani's support rises to 55 per cent In

maintains a decisive 52 per cent to 40 per cent lead The gap is even wider against Adams, with Mamdani commanding 59 per cent of the vote compared to the mayor ’ s 32 per cent

Punjabi Devils founder arrested in US while attempting to flee to India

S T O C K T O N : J a sha n p r e et S in g h, t h e 2 6y e a r -o l d fo un d e r of t he Pu n j a b i D e v il s Motorcycle Club, has b een arr ested at San Fra ncisco Inte rnat iona l Airport on serious feder al fir earms char ges as he was a ttempting t o fl ee to India The ar rest follows an indictme nt by a fe der al gra nd jur y on char ges i n cl ud in g t h e u n l a w ful po ss e ss io n of a machine gun

Terror charges against 7-year-old in Pakistan condemned

I S L A M A B A D : T h e Hu m an Ri g h t s

C ommission of P akistan (HRCP) h as issued a forceful condem natio n of th e terrorism charg es filed ag ainst a sev en-year-old boy in Balochistan, labelling the mov e a grav e v iolation of human righ ts In a statement, the com mission high ligh ted the d isturbing m isuse of anti-terror laws and arg ued that the action is a blatant v iolation of national and international obligations regard ing the protectio n of children

The HRCP’s criticism stems from an incident where the child uploaded a video to YouTube containing a speech by human rights activist Gulzar Dost The commission described the act of labelling the mere sharing of a video as terrorism as a clear example of the unbalanced use of power by authorities This incident follows previous concerns raised by the HRCP over the ongoing prosecution of underage children under the country s stringent Anti-Terrorism laws

The human rights body has demanded the immediate cancellation of what it called the ‘baseless FIR ’ Furthermore, it is calling for the protection of the child and his family from harassment and is urging for mandatory training for law enforcement agencies on children's rights The HRCP stressed the need for strict adherence to child protection laws in all cases involving minors This case has reignited a wider debate over legal protections for children and the application of anti-terrorism legislation in Pakistan

Bangladeshi-origin police officer among 4 killed in New York shooting

NE W YORK : A lone gunman launch ed a deadly rampage at a prestig ious P ark Av enue office building in New York, killing four individ uals, inclu ding a Bang ladeshi imm igrant police officer, before taking his o wn li fe Initi al rep orts ind icate th e s ho oter, identified as Shane Tamura, 27, entered the build ing , h ome to BlackRock, carrying an M 4 rifle and sh ot po lic e officer D idarul Islam and a w oman in the lo bby Investigations later revealed a chilling motive: Tamura, who had a documented history of mental illness, claimed in a note to suffer from a brain disease linked to contact sports Officials now believe he was attempting to target the National Football L e a g u e ( N F L ) h e a d q u a r t e r s w i t h i n t h e building but mistakenly entered the wrong elevator bank NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called it an unspeakable act of violence, expressing gratitude to law enforcement and mourning the officer who gave his life to protect others, also confirming a league employee was seriously injured Officer Didarul Islam, 36, a New York C i t y p o l i c e o f f i c e r a n d i m m i g r a n t f r o m Bangladesh, has been hailed as a hero by Mayor Eric Adams, who tearfully stated Islam was saving lives and protecting New Yorkers Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed Islam was a father of two, with a third child on the way, making the ultimate sacrifice

in brief INDIA OPENS 8 NEW CONSULAR CENTRES IN US

India has opened eight new consular centres across the US significantly expanding the delivery footprint for visa, passport and other services and streamlining them for the Indian diaspora in the country India s Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra virtually inaugurated the new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC) in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh and San Jose An additional ICAC will open soon in Los Angeles All consular services, including passport, visa, OCI, surrender certificate, life certificate birth/marriage certificate, police clearance, attestations and more, will be provided exclusively through VFS Global Centres The expansion brings the total number of ICACs across the US to 17

SIKH BUSINESSMAN DIES MYSTERIOUSLY IN US

Renowned anti-Khalistani activist and US-based businessman Sukhi Chahal died under suspicious circumstances shortly after having dinner at an acquaintance’s residence in California “Shortly after dinner, his health suddenly deteriorated and he died on the spot,” said Jaspal Singh, a close friend of Sukhi He added that Sukhi had been in good health and his sudden unexplained death has raised several questions Sukhi the founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today had reportedly been receiving frequent death threats from proKhalistan elements due to his outspoken criticism of separatist activities abroad

INDIAN KILLED IN A SMALLPLANE CRASH IN CANADA

An Indian national has died in a small plane crash near Deer Lake in eastern Canada the Consulate General of India in Toronto said The plane crashed shortly after take-off near the Deer Lake regional airport, according to CBC news The Indian consulate said that Gautam Santhosh lost his life in an accident involving a commercial survey aircraft near Deer Lake, Newfoundland It said it is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities to provide assistance The Canadian police said there were two persons on board - the pilot, a 54-year-old man, and his lone passenger, a 27-year-old man Both were pronounced dead at the scene The cause of the crash is under investigation

INDIAN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSING FAKE GREEN CARD

A 34-year-old Indian citizen, Swapnil Ramesh Tejale has been arrested and charged with possession of a forged alien resident card the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York said The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a USD 250 000 fine According to US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo the arrest stems from a July 10 traffic stop by the Niagara Falls Police Department Assistant US Attorney Michael J Smith, who is prosecuting the case stated that Tejale presented a Lawful Permanent Resident Card during questioning but voluntarily admitted that the card was fake Authorities determined that Tejale was unlawfully present in the United States and lacked proper immigration documents

KAPURTHALA MAN DIES IN DUBAI ROAD ACCIDENT

investigation began after Singh allegedly tried to sell several illegal weapons, including a short-barrelled rifle and machine gun conversion devices, to an undercover officer on June 6 A subsequent search of his residence uncovered additional illegal firearms, a silencer, a hand grenade, and a suspected m i l i t a r y - s t y l e c l a y m o r e m i n e S i n g h s attempt to flee came after he failed to appear for a state court hearing on July 21st, prompting a bench warrant for his arrest

According to court documents released by Acting US Attorney Kimberly A Sanchez, Singh, from Lodi, faces three counts: unlawful dealing of firearms, unlawful possession of a machine gun, and possession of an u

The shooting, occurring just blocks from Grand Central Terminal, sent the 44-storey building and surrounding areas into immediate lockdown Police rushed Islam from the scene, attempting CPR before he was transported to hospital where he tragically died Tamura, a resident of Las Vegas, had driven cross-country to New York His vehicle contained medicines, a revolver, ammunition, and the M4 rifle case This horrific event echoes another high-profile killing just eight months prior, mere blocks away, stirring renewed concerns about public safety and mental health

Navjot Singh, a resident of Sultanpur Lodhi who had been working in Dubai as a tanker driver, died when the tanker he was driving overturned Although he was rushed to hospital, he succumbed to his injuries before any medical intervention could be provided Navjot had moved to Dubai in November 2024 in search of better employment opportunities He was the only brother of two sisters His father, a Granthi Singh serving at the local gurdwara was reportedly at the gurdwara when the family received the news They are seeking assistance from both the Indian and Punjab governments to facilitate the repatriation of Navjot’s body to India

in brief

AUSTRALIA RAISES FOREIGN STUDENT CAP TO 295,000

Australia will raise its cap on foreign students by 9% to 2 95 000 next year and prioritise Southeast Asian applicants Limits on places were announced last year as a way to rein in record migration that had contributed to a surge in housing prices, with 2,70,000 places made available for 2025 An additional 25,000 places were being granted in 2026 as the policy was successful in bringing down “out of control international student numbers, govt said

OVER 140 MIGRANTS FEARED DEAD IN BOAT MISHAP

At least 74 African migrants were missing after their boat capsized off Yemen, the UN migration agency said, adding to fears that the disaster may have left more than 140 dead Yemen is at the crossroads of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa The country has long been a transit point for migrants, mostly from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia, trying to reach the rich Persian Gulf states to the north The journey, known as the Eastern Route, is among the most perilous in the world

BRAZIL SC ORDERS HOUSE ARREST OF FORMER PRESIDENT

Brazil's Supreme Court issued an house arrest order for former President Jair Bolsonaro who is standing trial for allegedly plotting a coup in a move that could escalate tensions with the administration of US President Donald Trump Justice Alexandre de Moraes said in his decision that the right-wing firebrand did not comply with judicial restraining orders imposed on him last month Moraes also banned Bolsonaro from receiving visits, with exceptions for lawyers and people authorized by the court, and use of a cell phone either directly or through third parties

US SANCTIONS AGAINST SIX INDIAN FIRMS OVER IRAN TRADE

The US Department of State has imposed sanctions on six Indian companies for allegedly trading in Iranian-origin petrochemical products as part of efforts to restrict funding to the Iranian regime The sanctions are part of a broader crackdown on 20 global entities accused of violating US laws that prohibit dealings with Iran s energy sector Washington claims such trade supports terrorism and regional unrest These firms have engaged in Iranian petroleum or petrochemical trade, the State Department said The Iranian regime continues to fund destabilising activity in the Middle East Today s action aims to disrupt the revenue it uses to support terrorism and repress its own people ”

S KOREA EX-PREZ YOON REFUSES TO BE QUESTIONED

South Korea s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is in detention while on trial and facing various criminal probes, lay on the floor of his cell and refused to leave it for questioning, a spokesperson for a special prosecutor said Yoon was removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court over his botched attempt last year to declare martial law and is now being investigated by a special prosecution team formed under new President Lee Jae Myung Prosecutors investigating influence-peddling allegations connected to Yoon and his wife had tried to get him to comply with an arrest warrant and attend questioning voluntarily Oh Jung-hee a spokesperson for the special prosecution said She said investigators would try again to bring him in, even if they had to use force

Indian-origin appointed Ohio's solicitor general amid backlash

W A SH INGT ON: Indian origin

law yer M athura S rid haran has been appo inted as Ohio’s 12th

So licito r General, an announcem ent made by A ttorney General

Dave Yost’s office on X The appointm ent, h owever, was m et with a wave of online criticism,

bind i

In response to the backlash,

Attorney General’s office had to clarify that Sridharan is a US citizen, married to a US citizen,

and the child of naturalised US citizens Addressing the vitriolic comments directly, Yost posted, “If her name or her complexion bothers you, the problem is not with her or her appointment ” He further lauded her as brilliant, citing her success in w

Supreme Court of the United States last year and the strong recommendations she received

expressed his confidence that S

served as a deputy solicitor general, will serve the state of Ohio with distinction

Sridharan's impressive academic background includes a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, which

Science from MIT Her appoint-

diversity in high-profile government roles, while the immediate online trolling underscores the persistent challenges faced by individuals from minority

and character has been widely commended

US vaccine chief Vinay Prasad exits FDA amid controversy and criticism

down to spend more time with h i s f a m i l y H o w e v e r , s o u r c e s f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e s i t u a t i o n

indicate that Prasad was ousted a m i d s e v e r a l r e c e n t controversies that plagued his short time at the FDA

P r a s a d j o i n e d t h e F D A i n May, bringing with him a history as an academic researcher at the U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a S a n

F r a n c i s c o , w h e r e h e h a d

frequently vocalised criticisms of t h e F D A ’ s c o n v e n t i o n a l a p p r o a c h e s t o d r u g a p p r o v a l s a n d C o v i d - 1 9 v a c c i n e s H i s

r a s a d d i d n o t w a n t t o b e a d i s t r a c t i o n a n d w a s s t e p p i n g

c o n t r a r i a n v i e w s i n i t i a l l y

a p p e a r e d t o a l i g n w i t h F D A

Kamala Harris to unveil memoir ‘107 Days’ after ruling out governorship bid

LOS ANG ELES: One da y a ft er an nouncing she won ’t run for the post of C aliforn ia gove rnor in 2 0 26 , f o r m e r U S V i ce P r e s id e n t K a m

H a r r i s h a s re vea le d the upcoming re le ase of her m emoir, '107 Days', docum e n t in g h e r s h or t - li v e d 20 24 pre side nt ia l campa ign

The book, named after the 107 days she spent on the campaign trail, will be published by Simon & Schuster on September 23 Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed

In a video statement, Kamala Harris said, “Just over a year ago, I l a u n c h e d m y c a

President 107 days travelling the country, fighting for our future, the shortest presidential campaign in modern history ” She described the memoir as a can-

lessons learnt and insights into the state of American politics

Simon & Schuster described t h e b o o k a s a “ p a g e

account” CEO Jonathan Karp praised it as one of the finest

n the publisher has released, calling it “ an eyewitness contribution to history and an extraordinary story ”

Harris’s decision not to seek the governor ’ s office was shared in a separate statement on July 30 She expressed admiration for public servants, but also criti-

American people ” Looking ahead, she called for innovation while staying true to core principles “We must stay committed to our same values and principles, but not be bound by the same playbook,” she said,

C o m m i s s i o n e r M a r t y M a k a r y , w h o h a d p u b l i c l y p r a i s e d Prasad's work

However, in recent weeks, Prasad became a focal point for c o n s e r v a t i v e a c t i v i s t s , n o t a b l y L a u r a L o o m e r L o o m e r h i g h l i g h t e d P r a s a d ’ s p a s t statements that were critical of Trump and supportive of liberal i n d e p e n d e n t S e n a t o r B e r n i e

S a n d e r s L a s t w e e k , L o o m e r posted on X, questioning, "How d i d t h i s T r u m p - h a t i n g B e r n i e B r o g e t i n t o t h e T r u m p admin???"

Beyond his political leanings, Prasad also drew scrutiny for his

handling of a recent safety issue concerning the only approved g e n e t h e r a p y f o r D u c h e n n e ’

muscular dystrophy His longstanding scepticism towards this

dystrophy drugs from Sarepta T

Trump's Republican supporters,

H OU ST ON : The Federation of Jain Associations in No rth Am erica (JAINA), th roug h its Academic Liaison C omm ittee (A LC), has partnered w ith the University of T exas at A ustin (U T-Austin) to establish a permanent professorship in Jain Studies The T irthankar S umatinath Disting uished Professorsh ip, fund ed by a combined donation of $1m n, will reside within th e Dep artm ent of Asian Studies at UT-A ustin’s Co lleg e of Liberal A rts

This newly endowed position, the 24 of its kind established by the ALC, fulfils the organisation's vision of honouring the sacred lineage of the 24 Tirthankaras, the divine spiritual reformers central to Jain philosophy The professorship was formally announced at a celebratory event in Houston attended by faculty members and prominent community leaders

Dr Jasvant Modi, a lead benefactor, spoke of the Jain diaspora’s evolution, “From building temples to now building centres of learning, the community is investing in peace, nurturing compassionate global citizens, and shaping resilient communities ”

Dr Sulekh C Jain, the ALC’s founder, highlighted how Jain teachings, which profoundly influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr , and Nelson Mandela, are becoming increasingly relevant in modern academia He emphasised that Jainism’s timeless values of non-violence, respect for multiple perspectives, and sustainable living are essential for addressing global challenges

Four senior citizens of a family found dead in US car crash

ent missing during a road trip in the U S five days ago were found dead on Su nd ay T he Marshall C ounty Sheriff's office said the senior citizens, all in their 8 0s, d ied in a car crash

According to a statement, their vehicle was found in a mangled mess off a steep e

Road The area was so remote that rescue teams took more than five hours to reach the crash site

The four senior citizens - Dr Kishore

Divan (89), Asha Divan (85), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84) - were last seen at a Burger King outlet on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 29 Their last credit card transaction also occurred at this location They were on their way to the Palace of Gold in Marshall County The Palace of Gold is a famous religious place developed by disciples of Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON Law enforcement agencies had deployed helicopters and additional teams for search operations

Mathura Sridharan

India rejects UK parliament's transnational repression report

India has launched a fierce

d ip l o m at i c c o u nte rat tac k

against a report fro m a UK

p a rl ia m en tar y c o m m i tt ee that accused it of eng ag ing in transnational repression

o n British soil Th e report, w hich also claims Ind ia has

m is u s ed i nt ern ati o n al

p olicing tools like Interpol

f o r p o li t ic al end s, w a s

s w i ftl y d e no u nce d by th e M inistry of External Affairs

( M EA ) as b as ele s

p olitically mo tivated

M E A s p o k e s

a nd

Randhir Jaiswal stated that the report’s credibility and objectivity were questionable due to its deliberate reliance on unverified inputs from

p

hostility The government's

t

July 30 release of the report,

T

Repression in the UK, by the U K P a r l i a m

C

Rights T

l

H

India among 12 countries, including China and Russia, a l l e g e d

targeting exiled dissidents,

evidence provided by UKbased Sikh advocacy groups,

authorities have sought to

movement, a claim India has

misinformation

flashpoint reignites

Air India flight to London aborts take-off over technical issue

A n Air Ind ia flight sch ed uled for London was forced to abort its takeoff from Delhi du e to a suspected tech nical i s su e T h e Bo e in g

8 7 -9 Dreamliner, which was d ue to d epart fo r London, exited the runway and retu rned to th e ba y fo r p reca uti on ary ch ec ks f ollo w ing s tand ard operating p rocedures

s

An airline spokesperson

London, returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue The airline ensured

dispatched to complete the journey Ground staff were

those affected by the delay T

with the fallout from these allegations likely to resonate

2008 Malegaon bomb blast case

a cquitt ed a ll sev en accused in the 2008 Ma leg aon bomb bla st ca se, includ in g for mer

B JP M P P r a g y a S in g h

T h a k ur a n d L ie ut e n a n t

C olone l Pra sad Purohit The v erd ict was based on a la ck o f c o

a cc e p t a bl e e v id e n ce , w it h

S p e c i a l J u d g e A K L a h o t i st atin g tha t suspicion ca n’t

r eplace lega l proof

T h e j u d g m e n t , w h i c h

c o n c l u d e s a l e g a l p r o c e s s

l a s t i n g 1 7 y e a r s , s e v e r e l y

c r i t i c i s e d t h e i n i t i a l investigation by the state’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)

T h e j u d g e p o i n t e d t o numerous procedural lapses,

including the mishandling of the crime scene and the retraction of statements by 3 9 o f t h e 3 2 3 p r o s e c u t i o n witnesses The court found that the prosecution failed to prove key elements of its case, such as the bomb being f i t t e d i n s i d e a s p e c i f i c m o t o r c y c l e , t h e v e h i c l e ’ s o w

d r

n p r o c u r i n g R D X a n d a s s e m b l i n g t h e e x p l o s i v e device

J u d g e L a h o t i f u r t h e r n o t e d t h a t t h e c e n t r a l c o n s p i r a c y , p u r p o r t e d l y i n v o l v i n g t h e r i g h t - w i n g o r g a n i s a t i o n A b h i n a v Bharat, remained unproven

due to an absence of reliable

t e s t i m o n y a n d m a t e r i a l evidence The verdict marks

t h e e n d o f a l o n g a n d h a r r o w i n g l e g a l b a t t l e f o r the accused, six of whom spent nine years in prison as undertrials

Following the acquittal, P r a g y a , v i s i b l y e m o t i o n a l , described the verdict as a v i c t o r y f o r H i n d u t v a , expressing her devastation

o v e r t h e h u m i l i a t i o n a n d

s t i g m a s h e e n d u r e d

Lieutenant Colonel Purohit, a r r i v i n g w i t h m i l i t a r y security, thanked the judge for a fair hearing and stated

h i s r e s o l v e t o s e r v e t h e Indian Army once again

Bihar electoral roll revision sparks political tensions

T h e E lecti o n C o mm i ss io n o f Ind ia (EC I) h as published the d raft electoral roll for B i h ar, i n it ia ti ng a o nem onth wi nd ow fo r public s c ru ti n y and c o rr ec ti o ns T h i s fo ll o w s t h e S p ec ia l I n ten si v e Rev is i o n ( S I R) exercise, wh ich has becom e a p o in t o f s i g ni f ic an t p o l i ti ca l c o nte nti o n T h e EC I has made bo th p hysical

a nd d i g i tal c o p ie s o f t h e d raft roll av ailable, inv iting v o ter s a nd re co g ni s ed p olitical p arties to subm it claim s and objections until S eptem ber 1

C h i e f E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n e r G y a n e s h Kumar stated that the public can apply to add new voters, remove ineligible names, or correct entries The revision has resulted in the deletion of approximately 6 5 million

duplicate entries

This process has drawn

However, the Patna District

safety-related faults within the company

Globally, the year 2025 has seen several high-profile aviation incidents, including a fatal crash in Washington DC which claimed 67 lives,

Ancient Buddhist relics return to India after 127 years

A rare and sacred collection of ancient Bud dhist relics, believ ed to be connected to the crem ated remains of the Budd ha, h as been returned to India more than a century af te r i ts i n it i al d i s c o v ery

K no w n a s th e P i p ra h w a

c o ll ec ti o n, th e se t o f ap p ro xi m a tel y 3 5 0 gemstones was acquired by th e M um bai -bas ed God rej Ind ustries Grou p and w ill s o o n b e p erm a ne ntl y h o u s ed a t th e I nd ia n Mu seum in Kolkata

T h e a r t i f a c t s w e r e originally slated for auction i n H o n g K o n g w i t h a n estimated value of nearly $13 million However, the sale w a s h a l t e d f o l l o w i n g a diplomatic intervention by India’s Ministry of Culture

The ministry swiftly issued a legal notice in May, asserting the relics were an inalienable

c u l t u r a l a n d r e l i g i o u s

h e r i t a g e a n d a r g u i n g t h a t the sale would perpetuate colonial-era dispossession

T h e c o l l e c t i o n ’ s s t o r y

began in 1898 when British e n g i n e e r W i l l i a m C l a x t o n Peppé unearthed a stupa on his estate in Piprahwa, Uttar

P r a d e s h I n s i d e , h e f o u n d over 1,800 gems and bone fragments believed to be the

B u d d h a ’ s r e m a i n s A reliquary urn discovered at the site led archaeologists to conclude it was one of the original eight stupas holding the Buddha’s ashes While

t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e f i n d s w e r e h a n d e d o v e r t o t h e British administration and later moved to the Indian

M u s e u m , P e p p é k e p t a p o r t i o n I t w a s h i s

Army officer

Card (EPIC) number RJD

s indicating plans for a march to the ECI headquarters A d d i n g t o t h e c o n t r o v e r s y , R J D l e a d e r T e j a s h w i P r a s a d Y a d a v

Gagan criticised the change, arguing that voters should have been informed

previously given the ECI the green light to publish the list, but

Bagchi stated that the court would immediately step in if a pattern of mass exclusion was evident They also urged political parties to act like NGOs and help facilitate the verification process

S pi c e J e

em pl oy e e s at S ri n ag a r a i r p or t T he in cident reportedly began when the off icer, w ho was on his way to N ew Delhi , was ask ed to pay for exc ess ca bin b aggage

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e airline, the officer, from the H i g h - A l t i t u d e W a r f a r e School in Gulmarg, refused t o p a y t h e f e e f o r h i s baggage, which weighed 16 kg, more than double the 7 kg limit He is then said to have forcibly entered the a e r o b r i d g e w i t h o u t

c o m p l e t i n g b o a r d i n g f o r m a l i t i e s A f t e r b e i n g escorted back to the gate by a CISF officer, he allegedly l a u n c h e d a m u r d e r o u s assault, captured on a video that has since gone viral

T h e f o o t a g e s h o w s t h e officer, in civilian clothes, k i c k i n g , p u n c h i n g , a n d hitting staff with a queue stand

T h e a t t a c k l e f t f o u r employees injured, with the a i r l i n e r e p o r t i n g o n e suffered a spinal fracture a n d a n o t h e r s u s t a i n e d s e r i o u s j a w t r a u m a a f t e r b e i n g f o r c e f u l l y k i c k e d T h e i n j u r e d s t a f f w e r

d e s c e n d a n t s w h o h a d consigned a subset of these relics to Sotheby’s for sale

Pirojsha Godrej stated that

officer

Randhir Jaiswal

I

Historic NASA-ISRO satellite launched to monitor Earth India, Philippines announce strategic partnership

Earth's surface with dualfrequency radar technolog y , u s i n g L - b a n d a n d Sband radars, a world-first f o r a n E

agencies,

The NISAR satellite, a $1 5 billion mission, is set to revolutionise Earth moni-

d a t a f o r t r a c k i n g n a t u r a l disasters and environmental changes The satellite, w e i g h i n g 2 , 3 9 2 k i l o g r a m s , will be inserted into a sun-

s y n c h r o n o u s o r b i t a t a n altitude of 740 km From

t h e r e , i t w i l l s c a n t h e

mission These radars will enable the satellite to detect subtle changes of just a few centimetres on the planet's surface, providing high-resolution imagery regardless of weather or lighting conditions

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan confirmed all systems performed as planned, with the satellite achieving its target orbit with textbook precision He hailed the mission as the first joint devel-

opment project by the two

nations, noting its role in bringing the agencies closer together

will be instrumental in

capabilities will also extend to sea ice classification, crop m

NISAR serves

alignment and collaborative spirit between India and the United States in the field of space exploration

India invites tenders for long-delayed Chenab river project

In d i a ha s flo a t e d in t e r n ationa l t end ers for t he construction of the 1,856 MW Sawa lk ote hy droe le ct ric project on t he C hena b rive r, a stra teg ic move following its decision to kee p the Indus Wat er s Trea ty with Pa kista n in a b e y a n c e T he r u n - o fr ive r pr oje ct , e st im at e d t o cost £2 27bn , is a sign ifican t dev elopment aime d at optimisin g In dia’s use of Indus w a t e r s , a r ig h t p e r mi t t e d unde r the tr ea ty for ce rta in use s on the we st er n rive rs

India and the Philippines on T u es d a y en ter ed i nto a strategi c partnershi p, wi th P ri m e M i n is te r Nar end ra M o d i as se rti n g th at th e s tre ng t h eni n g o f d ef enc e relations w as a sym bo l of deep m utual trust between th e tw o na ti

d e after bilateral talks between Mo di and v isiting Philippine P re si d e nt F e rd i na nd R Marcos Jr

“It is a matter of pleas u r e t h a t t o d a y w e h a v e decided to elevate our relat i o n s t o t h e s t a t u s o f a s t r a t e g i c

p A comprehensive action plan has also been formulated to

results,” Modi said

p i n t

The two countries are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations and the two leaders released a postage stamp to commemorate the occasion Modi also thanked the Philippine government for c o n d e m n i n g t h e A p r i l 2 2

Pahalgam terror attack and standing with India in the fight against terrorism “ I n d i a

Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values Ours is not just a friendship of the past, it is a promise to the future,”

Modi said The PM said the Philippines is an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision

Joint naval drill

Earlier, the two countries conducted their firstever joint naval drill and sail in the disputed South China Sea, a move likely to intensify tensions with Beijing The

Philippines' exclusive

involved three Indian

Delhi,

INS Shakti, and corvette INS

Philippines' two frigates

India's vice presidential election set for Sept 9

t

along with various regulatory and administrative hurdles such as land compensation issues for 13 villages, the relocation of an Army transit camp, and forest land clearances

J a m m u a n d K a s h m i r

C h i e f M i n i s t e r O m a r Abdullah, who also serves as the power minister, noted

conceived in the 1980s but

The project, which the government has designated as being of national importance, has been plagued by delays for over 40 years due

A

Abdullah’s previous tenures saw attempts to revive it, but these were unsuccessful due to various hurdles

The tendering process, initiated by NHPC, sets the deadline for online bid subm i s

Forest Advisory Committee

g r a n t e d " i n - p r i n c i p l e " approval for the diversion of 847 hectares of forest land, clearing a crucial regulatory hurdle for the project’s commencement

Cloudburst, monsoon rains paralyse Uttarakhand

U ttarakh and h as been hit by a devastating natural disaster, as a deadl y clo udburst and

r e l e nt l e s s m o n s o o n r a in s bro ught w idesp read destruction and c haos to the region

T he remote vill age of Dharali in Uttarkashi was the epicentre of th e calamity, wh ere an intens e clou dbu rst triggered

a f l as h f l o o d, o bl i t er a ti ng h omes and leaving large areas s ubmerged

A s r e s c u e t e a m s b a t t l e a g a i n s t c h a l l e n g i n g c o n d i -

t i o n s , a t l e a s t f o u r d e a t h s have been confirmed, with more than 50 individuals still unaccounted for The persis-

t e n t t o r r e n t i a l d o w n p o u r s h a v e s e v e r e l y h a m p e r e d efforts to locate and assist those who are trapped

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, expressed his grief over the loss of life and assured all possible help to those affected by a natural calamity In a post on X, PM Modi conveyed his grief, stat-

i n g , " I e x p r e s s m y c o n d olences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all

the victims " He has been in direct communication with C h i e f M i n i s t e r P u s h k a r Dhami to monitor the situation closely The continuous heavy rainfall has brought life t o a s t a n d s t i

c r o s s U t t a r a k h a n d M a j o r r i v e r s , i n c l u d i n g t h e G a n g a , Alaknanda and Yamuna, are flowing at or above danger levels, intensifying the risk of further flooding In the capit a l , D e h r a d u n , r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a s a r e g r a p p l i n g w i t h s e v e r e w a t e r l o g g i n g , w h i c h has inundated homes, submerged roads, and completely paralysed traffic In a statew i d e r e s p o n s e , a u t h o r i t i e s have ordered schools shut in n u m e r o u s d i s t r i c t s a s t h e I n d i a M

D e p a r t m e n t m a i n t a i n s a n orange alert for further rainfall

Currently with a report of a t l e a s t f o u r c o n f i r m e d deaths, with around 60 peop l e r e p o r t e d m i s s i n g T h e sudden and intense downpour caused a massive flash f l o o d c a r r y i n g d e b r i s a n d m u d , d e v a s t

Rescue teams have evacuated 15–20 individuals, but many remain trapped under mud and debris The disaster also affected nearby villages and caused significant damage to r o a d s a n d b u i l d i n g s T h e death toll may rise as search efforts continue in the challenging terrain compounded by ongoing heavy rainfall

E le ct i o n C o m m i s si o n o f I nd ia h a s announced that th e 17th vice p residential election will be held on Septem ber 9, follo wing the su rp rise m id-term resig nati on of incumbent Jagd eep Dh ankh ar The contest is exp ected to be a spirited affair, with the C ong ress-led opp osition poised to field a comm on candid ate to ch alleng e the BJP-led NDA, wh ich holds a numerical adv antage

The resignation of Dhankhar on July 21, with more than two years left in his term, marked a historical first While previous vice presidents like V V Giri and R Venkataraman had stepped down mid-term, both did so to c o n t e s t t h e p r e s i d e n t i a l e l e c t i o n Dhankhar’s decision to vacate the office w i t h o u t s e e k i n g a h i g h e r p o s i t i o n i s unprecedented

According to the schedule released by the Election Commission, the official notification for the election will be issued on August 7th The final date for filing nomination papers has been set for August 21 Polling, if required, will take place in the Parliament building between 10 am and 5 pm on September 9, with the results to be declared on the same day

A n a l y s t s s u g g e s t t h e B J P w i l l l i k e l y favour a candidate with strong political credentials and organisational roots, in contrast to their selection of Dhankhar in the 2022 election, which was viewed as a more experimental choice The electoral college for the v i c e - p r e s i d e n t i a l e l e c t i o n c o m p r i s e s a l l members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members

NORTH-EAST

Karnataka ex-MP Prajwal gets life term for raping domestic help

B E N G A L U R U : F o rm e r J D ( S ) M P

P rajwal Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonm ent after being found g uilty of repeated ly raping a 4 7-yearo ld d omestic worker The 34 -year-old g randson of former PM HD Deve Gowd a, once seen as a rising political star, became the first former MP in K a rna ta ka t o g et l if e t erm a s a convicted rapist

S p e c i a l c o u r t j u d g e S a n t o s h

Gajanan Bhat delivered the sentence in a packed courtroom, a day after Prajwal was convicted under eight sections of IPC Two of those - IPC 376(2)(k) and 376(2)(n) - triggered a life sentence for rape by a person in a position of control and for repeated rape of a woman

Prajwal, 35, who was in court, controlled his tears and was quickly e s c o

Central Prison, where he had been lodged None of his family members, including his mother, was present in

months after the trial started

generation of the JD(S) first family to

represented the family turf of Hassan

three rape cases The court also fined Prajwal Rs 116,000, Rs 112,500 of which is to be paid as compensation to the survivor

Five ex-Punjab cops jailed till death in 1993 fake encounter case

M O H A L I : A s p ec i al C B I c o u rt

sentenced five former Punj ab police

o fficers, including an S SP and DSP, to i n ca rc era ti o n ti ll d ea th f o r th e abduction, torture, and staged killing o f seven inno cent persons in 199 3, three of w ho m w ere sp ecial p olice o fficers (SPOs)

The court said only their age had s t o p p e d t h e m f r o m g o i n g t o t h e gallows but they deserved no leniency

a s t h e i r c o n d u c t w a s “ m o r a l l y bankrupt and profoundly inhumane” All the convicts are between 66 and 80 years of age, and one is wheel-chair bound

S e n t e n c e w a s p r o n o u n c e d b y special CBI judge Baljinder Singh Sra, w h o a l s o f i n e d e a c h c o n v i c t R s 350,000, amounting to a total of Rs 17,50,000 to be distributed equally among the kin of the seven victims, s a i d C B I p u b l i c p r o s e c u t o r A n m o l Narang

Those convicted and sentenced

are former SSP Bhupinderjit Singh,

They were sentenced under various I

fabricating records

The convicts had filed mercy pleas citing old age and health issues, but the court rejected any leniency on

observations, the court said, “There is no doubt regarding the sheer venality

disregard for human dignity and life Their conduct was not only unlawful, i

w a s m

a l l y b a n k r u p t a n d profoundly inhumane However, in view of their advanced age and the prolonged agony endured during the course of trial, this court refrains from awarding capital punishment ”

DMK, allies oppose EC’s move to add 650,000 voters from Bihar in TN

C HE NN AI : DMK and its allies have o ppo sed the decisio n o f Electio n Commis sion of India to regis ter mi grant workers in the states of th ei r do mi cile, alleging th at th e inclusion o f migrants from north India in the Tamil Nadu voter list wou ld alter the p olitical landscap e of th e state

65,00,000 voters missing in the draft poll roll for Bihar after the first phase of special intensive revision (SIR) had d

permanently migrated out of Bihar

DMK general secretary Duraimurugan told reporters in Vellore, “Giving guest workers voter IDs in Tamil Nadu will result in political change in the future

Velmurugan said, “It is shocking that 650,000 guest workers from Bihar were already added to Tamil Nadu voters list Millions of guest workers are already working in Tamil Nadu, and this is a challenge to the culture and tradition of the soil ”

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan urged CM M K Stalin to convene an all-party meeting to address the issue Tamil Nadu, which will face the assembly election next year, will also undergo SIR soon, and there are chances that millions of guest workers from other states will be added to the voters list, said Thirumavalavan

“This will change the entire political scenario in the state,” he told reporters

Farm union calls for ‘unified resistance’ against Punjab govt

M o rc h a ( K M M ) co nv ened an emerg ency m eeting in L udh iana to add ress gro wing concerns ov er the P unjab g overnment’s land pooling policy and the need for a “ u nified resistance ”

The meeting focused on fostering unity among various farm unions in order to build a common front against what has been described as the government’s coercive attempt to acquire fertile agricultural land

Those present at the meeting agreed that farmers c

intentions only through solidarity

To further this cause, the KMM wrote a letter to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, inviting all unions to a joint meeting scheduled for August 26, at Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh KMM leader Sarvan Singh Pandher said the government was deliberately using divisive tactics to weaken the farmers’ movement He said Punjabis had u

identity

Participants alleged that the government itself lacked clarity on the policy, with contradictory statements made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other leaders Mamata, Abhishek

K O L K A T A : M am ata B an erj ee a nd

A bh i s h ek B an erj e e - t h e to p tw o lead ers o f the ruling Trinamool - are set to finalise the party’s strateg y on t h e p o ll p a nel 's p ro p o s ed s p ec ia l intensiv e revision (SIR) of th e v oter list in Bengal with tw o virtual meeting s next week

The meetings have been called following recent instructions from the E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n o f I n d i a t o Bengal's chief electoral officer Manoj Agarwal to begin SIR preparations

A Trinamool source said the party has adopted a top-down approach

Mamata will hold a virtual meeting with all party MPs from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha A mega virtual meeting led by the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, with around 9,000 leaders and party workers, from MPs to block presidents will be held later

“ T h i s i s a t o p - d o w n a p p r o a c h , with Didi instructing MPs to raise the i s s u

set to finalise

mobilising party leaders and workers across Bengal to oppose the proposed SIR and the BJP’s alleged motives in c o l l u s i o n w i t h t h e E C , ” s a i d a Trinamool MP

The source added that the party w o u l d t a k e t h e S I R i s s u

h e doorsteps of Bengal voters to highlight the EC's strategy of “ mass exclusion” during the Bihar SIR allegedly for the BJP's gain

Mamata is expected to brief MPs on how to position the SIR issue in Delhi, especially in light of recent complaints of torture, harassment and d e p o r t a t i o n o f B e n g a l i - s p e a k i n g migrant workers

Trinamool MPs are likely to join other parties from the INDIA bloc in staging a protest in front of the EC headquarters in Delhi on August 8

“Although only Didi knows the exact agenda for her virtual meeting with MPs, we can assume the primary focus will be on the SIR,” said an MP

She may also highlight the BanglaBengali issue

Bengal govt activates task forces to support migrant workers

K OL KA T A : Th e West Beng al g overnm ent has sw ung into action after the reports o f harassm ent and illeg al detentions, allegedly faced by Bengali-speaking mig rant workers across the co untry The TMC h as launched multip le initiatives at both th e p arty and the go vernment levels

Under the party's "planned and coordinated" strategy, the government has launched a WhatsApp-only helpline, revived migrant welfare cells at the district level and strengthened local TMC task forces in high-migration areas to act as first responders and address grievances

The approach is two-pronged On one hand, the government has launched helplines and activated its administrative machinery to contact officials in other states, while on the other, the party has established multi-layered coordination teams, ranging from the g r a

constantly in touch with families of migrants, especially in high migration zones," TMC leader and state minister Manas Bhunia was quoted as saying

This came in the wake of recent incidents in Odisha,

Chhattisgarh, where Bengali workers allegedly faced profiling, detention or even forced deportation

The West Bengal police introduced the WhatsApp h

aforementioned issues are required to share their names, locations and nature of the problem

U pend ra Dwiv ed i undertook a day-long v isit to Manipur last week to assess the prevailing

o perational readiness of Assam Rifles and Indian Army units d eployed in th

state Th

co mmitment to ensuring peace, stability, and d ev elopm ental progress in the conflictaffected reg ion

During his visit, General Dwivedi was briefed on ground realities and ongoing operations aimed at restoring normalcy He inspected the preparedness of troops and

complex challenges on the ground The Army Chief also called on Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla The two discussed the

and

and development across the state

TRIPURA GROUP RENEWS TIPRALAND DEMAND

The Indigenous People s Front of Tripura (IPFT), a partner in the BJP-led state government, has announced plans to stage a rally in Agartala on August 23 to push for its long-standing demand for a separate Tipraland state comprising areas under the Sixth Schedule At the conclusion of the rally, the party will submit a formal demand draft to the Governor of Tripura, reaffirming its call for statehood, said IPFT General Secretary Swapan Debbarma Addressing the press, Debbarma also shared insights into the party’s recent discussions with the Election Commission of India over the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls He emphasized the need to include every genuine Indian citizen during the revision and urged officials to conduct generation-wise verification based on the 1971 voter list He cited past instances such as the 1993–94 special intensive revision when authorities identified over 100,000 doubtful voters but failed to remove them from the rolls Reiterating that the demand for Tipraland remains central to IPFT s political ideology, Debbarma clarified that the party s decision to hold the rally is independent of its alliance with the BJP

STUDENT DIES AFTER ASSAM ACTOR'S CAR HITS HIM

Assamese actor Nandini Kashyap has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run case that claimed the life of 21-year-old Samiul Haque, a student of Nalbari Polytechnic The incident occurred on the night of July 25 in Guwahati’s Udalbakra area Police arrested Kashyap from the rehearsal premises of Rajdhani Theatre in North Guwahati and brought her to Dispur Police Station for formal procedures DCP (Traffic) Guwahati Jayanta Sarathi Bora confirmed that the police have registered a case against Kashyap under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Both offences are non-bailable According to police, Kashyap allegedly drove a speeding Bolero SUV that struck Samiul Haque, who was on duty with a Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) team repairing streetlights at the time of the accident Eyewitnesses claimed the vehicle did not stop after hitting him “The accident occurred late at night, but we did not receive any information on July 25 We came to know about the incident only on July 26, after the victim’s family lodged a complaint ” an investigating officer said Police then called Kashyap for questioning C

Prajwal Revanna

PM Modi and UAE president discuss strengthening strategic partnership

I n a p h o n e

, U A E

President Sheikh Mohamed and Indian Prime Minister

N a r e n d

M

efforts to bolster the strateg

their nations The leaders expressed a shared desire to promote sustainable development and further deepen their already strong ties D

Mohamed extended his

longest serving prime minister in India's history

Prime minister Modi, 74, secured a third consecutive term in June 2024, surpass-

only Jawaharlal Nehru, who

longest tenure

being home to more than 3 5 million Indian expatriates, the largest community of its kind in the country This strong relationship has been further reinforced by recent

agreements aimed at boosting economic ties

In April, the two coun-

pacts spanning key sectors such as logistics, healthcare,

visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, to India and are designed to facilitate greater private sector engagement and cooperation The leade r s '

commitment to building on these successes and exploring new avenues for collaboration

Supreme Court criticises Rahul over ‘Chinese thrashing soldiers’ remark

T he S up re m e Co ur t of

I ndi a has delivered a sharp

r e b uk e to Le a de r of t he

O pposi tion Rahul Gan dhi

o ve r h i s 2 0 2 2 s t a te m en t alleging that Chinese forces were thrashing our soldiers

i n Ar un a c ha l Pr a de s h

D uring a hearing, a bench of J ustic es D ipankar D atta

a nd A G Mas ih cen sured

G and hi, s tati ng that as a promi nent politic al fi gure, he cannot make unsubstantiated claims

The court's admonish-

ment came during proceed-

stay a defamation case filed

e remarks While the court g

questioned the basis of his allegations, particularly his claim that China had captured 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory "If you were a true Indian, you w

l d n o t s a y a l l t h i s i f there is a conflict at the border," the bench commente d I t f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n e d

why such statements were m a d e o

rather than in Parliament

v i ,

p

senting Gandhi, defended his client, arguing that a l

d

r o f t h e o p p

s i t i o n must be free to raise issues of public interest, which are often reported in the press While conceding the statem

within the bounds of the

fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression

H e c o n t e n d e d t h a t a true Indian would be concerned about reports of sold i e r s b e i n g b e a t e n a n d killed, and that it was a matt e r o f n

However, the court’s censure highlighted the high degree of responsibility it expects from senior political leaders when commenti n g o n s e n s i t i v e b o r d e

issues

Jaishankar refutes claims of third-party intervention in ceasefire

I n d i a's E x ter nal A f f ai rs

M i ni ster S Jai sh ank ar h as c at eg o r ic al ly d i s m i ss e d claim s of th ird-p arty interv entio n in bringing about a ceasefire with Pakistan duri n g Op e rat io n S i n d o o r

S p eaki ng d u ring a sp ec ial d is c u ss i o n i n th e R aj ya S a bh a , J ai s h ank ar d ir ec tly ad d ressed and refuted U S P res ident Do nald Trum p ’ s s ug gestio n th at th e cessation of military action was linked to a trade deal He stated there were no ph one c al ls be tw ee n P ri m e

M in i st er Nar end ra M o d i a nd th e U S P r es id ent between Ap ril 22 and June

1 6

J a i s h a n k a r s e i z e d t h e opportunity to criticise the previous Congress governm e n t s f o r t h e i r p a s t responses to terror attacks, accusing the party of selfh y p h e n a t i n g I n d i a w i t h Pakistan on the issue of terrorism He asserted that the current Modi government is establishing a new normal, whereby India will deliver a f i t t i n g r e s p o n s e t o e v e r y attack, undeterred by nuclea r t h r e a t s H e c i t e d 'Operation Sindoor' and the Balakot strikes as examples of this resolute approach

The Minister also took a veiled swipe at the opposit i o n , b l a m i n g p r e v i o u s

administrations for China's g r o w i n g c l o s e n e s s t o Pakistan since the 1960s He dismissed any doubts about t h e s u c c e s s o f ' O p e r a t i o n

S i n d o o r , s u g

videos of terrorist funerals and the destruction of airfields in Pakistan

I n d i a i n f o r m e d n u m e r o u s countries at the time that the targets were known terr o r i s t s t r o n g h o l d s a n d infrastructure He proudly claimed that the operation, by reducing terror infrastructure to dust in places

l

tenure comes on August 5, the date he announced the abrogation of Article 370 in Parliament in 2019, ending the special status

Shibu Soren, Jharkhand’s revered 'dishom guru', dies at 81

valuable global service He c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e l a s t decade has seen a profound shift in India's response to terrorism, a change that was p o w e r f u l l y d e m o n s t r a t e d through 'Operation Sindoor'

of Jammu and Kashmir

Ballabh Pant and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani

While Advani held the position for 2,256 days (from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004), Govind Ballabh Pant

s e r v

s h o m e

r from January 10, 1955, to March 7, 1961, totalling 6 years and 56 days

Indian politics has lo st o ne o f its m ost prominent tribal fig ures with the passing of S hibu S oren, the esteem ed f ound er o f the J harkh and M ukti M orcha (JM M) and a t h ree - ti m e f o rm er C h i ef M in i st er S o re n, ag e d 8 1 , d ied following a battle with a kidney ailm ent He had been receiv ing treatment at Delh i’s Ganga Ram Hospital s i nc e J u n e 1 6 , w i th h i s im mediate fam ily, includ ing h is eld est son and current Jh arkh and C hief Minister Hemant Soren, by his bed side Soren was a pivotal figure in the decades-long statehood movement that culminated in the creation of Jharkhand, carved out of Bihar in the year 2000 His tireless advocacy and powerful oratory made him a spearhead of the movement, earning him the enduring respect of the tribal communities he represented

To his legions of adoring followers, Soren was much more than a politician; he was their ‘Dishom Guru’, a Santhali term meaning guru of the land This affectionate epithet, which reflected his profound connection with the tribal pulse, became synonymous with his identity With his distinctive flowing white beard and forceful public speaking, he personified the aspirations of the downtrodden he championed throughout his career

Despite the ravages of age slowing him down in recent years, his legacy as the patriarch of the JMM and a founding father of Jharkhand remains firmly intact His death marks the end of an era for a leader who dedicated his life to empowering tribal voices and ensuring their rightful place in the nation’s political landscape

India Post to discontinue registered post service

India Pos t is set to end an era by disc ont inuing its ic onic Registe red Post s ervice f rom Septem ber 1, a m ove that will see the his toric off ering m erged into its more moder n Speed Post s ervice The decis ion, part of a s trategic shift t owards e nhancing l ogistics and parc el del ivery , ma rks a significant change for a service that has been a cornerstone of post al c om munic ation f or decades

According to the new directive, customers will no longer have the option of using Registered Post for their mail Instead, all correspondence requiring proof of delivery and tracking will be handled exclusively by Speed Post The department has confirmed that the changes will be implemented nationally, following a circular issued to all postal circles While the discontinuation of Registered Post ends a long-standing tradition, the move is intended to streamline operations and provide a more efficient, unified service The integration is expected to benefit customers by combining the reliability of the registered service with the speed of express delivery Speed Post already offers tracking facilities and guarantees for delivery within a specific timeframe, aligning with the evolving expectations of both individual and business clients

This strategic pivot towards a more consolidated and techdriven postal system highlights India Post's efforts to modernise and remain competitive in the fast-paced logistics market The department aims to leverage its vast network and infrastructure to provide a single, premium service that caters to a wide range of customer needs, from personal letters to commercial parcels, ensuring all mail is both secure and delivered promptly

DGCA identifies 263 lapses across 8 Indian airlines

The Dire ctora te Ge ne ral of Civil Av iation (DGCA ) disclosed that it ha s ide nt ified 26 3 finding s, or lapses, a cr oss e ight a irline s ove r t he past ye ar Air Ind ia led the ma jor ca rrie rs with 51 find ings, followed by Air India Ex pre ss with 25 a nd IndiG o wit h 23

Out of the total findings, 19 were categorised as significant or Level One, and were distributed among the former Vistara, Air India, and Air India Express The remaining 244 were classified as Level Two or other non-compliances, with the state-owned Alliance Airlines, which operates a small fleet, accounting for the highest number at 57

In a statement accompanying the data, the DGCA clarified that a high number of findings is entirely normal for airlines with extensive operations and large fleet sizes The regulator stated that these observations reflect the breadth and depth of an airline's operations rather than an unusual lapse, noting that major carriers globally routinely face similar patterns

Narendra Modi & Sheikh Mohamed

Shibu Soren

S Jaishankar

9 - 15 August 2025

Modi-Trump in trade standoff

Continued from page 1

Trump targets India over Russia ties

US President Donald Trump has criticised India as “not a good trading partner” and announced plans to “ very substantially” raise tariffs on Indian imports within 24

h o u r s , c i t i n g i t s c o n t i n u e d purchase of Russian oil

“ T h e y ' r e f u e l l i n g t h e w a r machine,” Trump said, adding that India’s high tariffs on US goods remain a key issue His comments follow an earlier warning accusing India of buying large quantities of

R u s s i a n o i l a n d r e s e l l i n g i t f o r profit

India has strongly criticised the US and EU for what it calls unfair

t a r g e t i n g o v e r i t s R u s s i a n o i l imports, pointing out that both

c

n t

n

t h Moscow despite the Ukraine war

In a rare united stance, both the ruling BJP and opposition Congress

c o n d e m n e d D o n a l d T r u m p ’ s repeated attacks on India

“It is unjustified to single out India,” the foreign ministry said, highlighting that the EU traded €67 5 billion with Russia in 2024, including record LNG imports The US, it added, still imports Russian uranium, palladium, fertilisers, and chemicals

Experts warn GDP hit as tariff deal falters

With US-India ties strained by a tariff war, experts say the specifics of the US penalty will be key to assessing its true economic impact on India

“ T h e p r o p o s e d t a r i f f s a n d penalties are higher than expected and could act as a drag on India’s

G D P , ” s a i d A d i t i N a y a r , c h i e f

e c o n o m i s t a t I c r a T h e r a t i n g s a g e n c y r e c e n t l y c u t i t s G D P forecast for the year from 6 5% to 6 2% in anticipation of the adverse effects

N o m u r a e c h o e d s i m i l a r concerns, calling the move “growth

n e g a t i v e ” a n d e s t i m a t i n g a potential 0 2% hit to India’s GDP

M a r k e t s o p e n e d i n t h e r e d following the announcement “The expectation was for a tariff deal,

g i v e n U S - I n d i a ’ s l o n g - t e r m s t r a t e g i c a l i g n m e n t , ” s a i d f u n d manager Nilesh Shah

D e s p i t e r e c e n t c o n c e s s i o n s from India, like lowering tariffs on US goods such as Bourbon whiskey

a n d m o t o r c y c l e s , t a l k s h a v e n ’ t yielded a deal The US continues to run a $45 billion trade deficit with India, a figure Trump is keen to shrink

“ I n d i a w i l l n o w b e a t a d i s a d v a n t a g e c o m p a r e d t o r i v a l s l i k e V i e t n a m a n d C h i n a i n a t t r

industrial growth,” warned Rahul Ahluwalia of the Foundation for Economic Development

US tariffs on Chinese imports have dropped from 145% to 30% after talks in Geneva and London, and a deal with Vietnam slashed proposed tariffs from 46% to 20% With India now facing a 25% tariff

a n d n o l o n g e r e n j o y i n g a competitive edge, hopes of a supply chain shift to India, particularly in sectors like textiles, have dimmed

T a r i f

commerce ministry is reviewing the implications, while reaffirming its commitment to a fair deal that p

and dairy, key stumbling blocks in negotiations

C

government’s foreign policy, with t h e C o n g

e s s p a r t y c a l l i n g i t a “catastrophic failure,” citing Modi’s past support for Trump

A d d i n g t o t h e c o m p l e x i t y , Trump has linked the trade deal to India’s ties with Russia While India defends its energy purchases and s t r a t e g i c a u t o n o m y , f o r m e r U S trade official Mark Linscott says p r o g r e s s s t i l l h i n g e s o n M o d i directly engaging with Trump to s e a l h e a d l i n e c o m m i t m e n t s o n energy, defence, and investments

D e s p i t e t e n s i o n s

securing a deal by fall However, e v e n a s

o u

m a y only bring tariffs down to 15–20%, w h i c h N o m u r a c a l l s “disappointing ” Still, with India’s

c o n

ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10 He should remember two things: 1 Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran 2 Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war, not with Ukraine, but with his own country Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!”

In response, Trump fired back, “ H e ’ s e n t e r i

territory!”

At a rally in Varanasi, Prime

c resilience amid global instability triggered by Donald Trump’s tariff hikes He stated that India is on track to become the world’s thirdlargest economy and urged citizens t o s u p p o r t ‘ s w a d e s

calling it essential for safeguarding national interests “We must be vocal for locals,” he said, appealing to all political parties to set aside

movement for self-reliance

A

c u r i t y , Modi launched a strong attack on

c u s h i o n e d , p o s s i b l y p r o m p t i n g i n t e r e s t r a t e c u t s t o s u p p o r t growth

Trump calls India ‘dead economy’; Modi cites growth surge

A day after announcing a 25% tariff hike on Indian goods, along with an unspecified “penalty” tariff for India’s continued purchases of R u s s i a n e n e r g y a n d a r m s , U S President Donald Trump escalated tensions by branding both India and Russia as “dead economies ” I n a p o s t o n T r u t h S o c i a l , Trump wrote, “I don’t care what India does with Russia They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care ” He also

c r i t i c i s e d I n d i a ' s t r a d e p o l i c i e s , claiming, “We have done very little business with India Their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world ” T h e f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t a l s o issued a warning to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, whose July 28 post on X (formerly Twitter)

c r i t i c i s e d T r u m p ’ s a g g r e

rhetoric toward Russia Medvedev h

Both countries relationship at risk

Once seen as a strong partnership between ideological allies, the ModiTrump relationship has entered turbulent waters amid a flurry of hostile moves from Washington Trade talks were abruptly halted, a 25% tariff was slapped on Indian goods via social media, and China was granted another extension Washington also announced further tariff hikes and signalled penalties over India’s oil imports from Russia, moves seen in New Delhi as coercive and undermining India’s strategic autonomy.

Relations further soured when US firms operating in India were warned of penalties unless they r

Trump’s “America First” agenda directly against Modi’s “Make in I

Pakistan’s Army Chief just weeks after a terror attack on Indian soil, while offering Islamabad better trade terms and cooperation on oil At the same time, growing US techno nationalism has sparked

innovation, offshoring limits, and reduced trust

Dr Arun Kumar

For the first time in two decades, India-US relations have become a point of domestic political contention in India The opposition has called on the Modi government to respond firmly, warning against the perception of diplomatic weakness In Washington, partisan divides over immigration, H-1B visas, offshoring, and tech sharing have increased the risk of India becoming a political football in US domestic politics

partnerships are difficult to repair The hard-won progress of recent years, built on bipartisan support, strategic trust, and mutual restraint, is now at risk Trump’s unilateral rhetoric, warm overtures to Pakistan, and aggressive posturing, including calling India a “dead economy, ” threaten to undo years of delicate diplomacy

Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr Arun Kum ar, Assistant Pro fessor of British Imperial, Co lonial, and Post-Colonial History at the U niv ersity of Notting ham, explained, "Trump's proposed tariff implementation against India is part of his larger plan to reshape the global economic order and pushing the agenda of ‘America First’ However, they risk the long tradition of friendly India-US trade and foreign relations that extend to domains of skill, knowledge transfer, defence, exchange of goods and services The Trump administration's objective is to further liberalise Indian markets and open them up for US products, especially dairy and other agrarian products However, this standoff is not necessarily economic but rather political President Trump's closer relations with Pakistan and reduced tariffs for Pakistan also adds to the tension along with Trump's dislike of the fact that India purchases Russian oil and is part of the BRICS India-US relations have deepened over the decades, but they have been subjected to pressures of domestic and global politics, like this one Navigating a better deal that mutually benefits the two countries will be the most challenging step for both country's foreign diplomacy after the Indo-US nuclear deal in 2008

“ I n d i a h a s a l o n g h i s t o

Operation Sindoor as

spared, even in ‘pataal lok’,” he declared H

Opposition, accusing Congress and t h e S

undermining the armed forces and

Sindoor a ‘tamasha’ Should we

, alleging that previous governments

terrorists for vote bank politics M

President Donald Trump may have dubbed India a “dead economy

different story

and trade tensions, India remains t h e f a s t e s t - g r o w i n g m a j o r economy, with a projected growth rate of over 6% Last year, India’s GDP expanded by 8 2%, surpassing China (5 2%), the US (2 7%), and the EU (0 7%) Its nominal GDP

independently since the Nehruvian period, and Trump's unreasonable punitive demands produce fissures in the Indo-US relations, forcing India to reevaluate its foreign trade and diplomacy India has the right to pursue its energy needs independently, and a better approach would be for the Trump administration to negotiate rather than impose punitive tariffs India's needs are very different from those of the USA-- it has a large rural population that relies on selling milk and agrarian products; and it needs to prioritise inclusive development and m

announcements threaten all this Ultimately, the two countries must come together, recognise each other's needs, and take the trade to a new height, rather than derail the progress so far made,” he added

stands at $4 3 trillion, double what it was in 2014, and in purchasing power parity terms, it’s estimated at $16 trillion, contributing 9% of global GDP and 16 1% of global growth over the past decade

India is now the world’s 4th l a r g e s t e c o n o m y , e x p e c t e d t o o v e r t a k e G e r m a n y b y 2 0 2 7 t o claim the 3rd spot It ranks 4th in foreign exchange reserves, 7th in gold holdings, 3rd in number of startups, and 2nd in mobile phone m a n u f a c t u r i n g W i t h a s t a b l e debt-to-GDP ratio of 82% and a young, dynamic population, 65% under the age of 35, India holds a unique demographic advantage Since 2014, nearly 250 million p

Ayushman Bharat

exploration, from Chandrayaan-3

mission, are positioning India as

global tech and innovation leader

global partner for peace, growth, and opportunity Perhaps it’s time for critics, including former US

position, not through rhetoric, but through facts

PM Modi addressing the gathering at public event held on the sidelines of the foundation stone laying and inauguration of the multiple development projects at Varanasi

Blood test could detect 10 early-stage cancers

colorectal, and melanoma

Professor Andy Davies,

Enlighten, was developed by Proteotype Diagnostics and works by identifying

s

b l o o d t h a t s i g n a l t h e immune system’s response to the first signs of cancer

R e s e a r c h

l s o evaluating whether it can

d e t e r m i n e t h e t y p e o f cancer a patient has

L e d b y t h e

S o u t h a m p t o n C

Trials Unit, the Modernised trial aims to recruit 1,000 patients, adding to the 450 already enrolled The study will collect samples from i n d i v i d u a l s w

e n t u m o

DNA shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream “But

DNA isn’t always present in the very early stages,” he said

“ I n s t e a d , w e ’ r e analysing levels of specific proteins in the blood We

k n o w t h a t e v e n i n e a r l y cancer, the immune system responds by releasing these proteins That reaction may offer a promising way to detect cancer sooner ”

E. coli cases surge after contaminated salad outbreaks

E c o l i in fe ct io n s i n

E ng lan d ro s e b y 26 % in

2 0 2 4 , w i th a m a j or o u tbreak linked to co ntam i-

n ate d su p e rm a rke t s ala d

l eav es , th e U K He al th

S ecurity Ag ency (U KHSA ) has confirmed

There were 2,544 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC) last year, up

f r o m 2 , 0 1 8 i n 2 0 2 3 T h e

U K H S A i n v e s t i g a t e d f i v e outbreaks, three of which were traced to contaminat-

e d b e e f , f r e s h f r u i t , a n d salad The largest involved salad leaves and resulted in 196 cases in England In

t o t a l , 2 9 3 p e o p l e w e r e affected, 126 required hospitalisation, and two people died Supermarkets recalled dozens of salad products in response

Children aged one to f o u r w e r e m o s t a f f e c t e d , accounting for 357 cases

Experts believe this is due

t o l o w e r i m m u n i t y , l e s s developed hygiene habits, a n d p a r e n t s b e i n g m o r e l i k e l y t

T r a v e l - r e l a t e d S T E C cases also rose by 60%, with 183 reported last year

D r G a u r i G

l e o f the UKHSA said that while t h e s a l a d o u t b r e a k c o ntributed to the spike, E coli cases have been increasing s t e a d i l y s i n c e

advised the public to take extra hygiene precautions S

advised those with symptoms not to prepare food for others and to stay home for 48 hours after symptoms stop She also stressed

warm water and cleaning surfaces with bleach-based products

Travellers are urged to

eating abroad to minimise infection risk

Everyday habits for brain and nerve health

Don’t wait for burnout, protect your brain and body with proactive care

Your nervous system is the command centre of your body, regulating everything from breathing and digestion to mood, memory, and movement

Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and a vast network of nerves, it’s easy to take for granted until something goes wrong

Whether you're dealing with chronic stress, poor sleep, or unhealthy lifestyle habits, your nervous system

time The good news? With a few conscious changes, you can protect and even enhance its function

Prioritise quality sleep

Sleep is the nervous system’s reset button During deep sleep, the brain con-

Chronic sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, lower pain thresholds,

Adults should aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, create a calming bedtime routine, and avoid stimulants like caffeine and screens before bed Eat a nerve-friendly diet

impacts your nervous system Key nutrients include omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts) to support brain structure and communication, B vitamins (especially B1, B6, and B12) which help

transmission

fruits and vegetables also

that can damage nerve tissue Hydration is equally

hydrated environment

Hungry or just thirsty?

Many people mistake thirst for hunger, leading them to eat when their body actually needs hydration. This happens because the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates both hunger and thirst, can send overlapping signals As a result, mild dehydration may trigger cravings or the urge to snack Drinking a glass of water before reaching for food, especially between meals, can help determine if you're truly hungry Staying hydrated not only curbs unnecessary snacking but also supports digestion and overall energy levels

t y increases blood flow to the

b r a i n a n d h e l p s g e n e r a t e new nerve cells, a process

k n o w n a s n e u r o g e n e s i s Regular exercise also promotes the release of mood-

b o o s t i n g c h e m i c a l s l i k e endorphins and serotonin, w h i c h r e d u c e s t r e s s a n d

i m p r o v e n e r v e r e s i l i e n c e

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity

p e r w e e k , p l u s s t r e n g t h

training twice a week

mindfulness, yoga, tai chi or spending time in nature

Even brief moments of stillness and silence during a busy day can reset your nervous system

Protect your spine and posture

The spinal cord is the communication superhighw a y b e t w e e n y o u r b r a i n and body Sitting for long

h o u r s w i t h p o o r p o s t u r e can compress nerves and r e s t r i c t b l

Manage stress effectively

C h r o n i c s t r e s s f l o o d s

t h e n e r v o u s s y s t e m w i t h

c o r t i s o l a n d a d r e n a l i n e , w h i c h c a n d i s r u p t s l e e p ,

m e m o r y , a n d e m o t i o n a l

stability Counter this by adopting relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation or

stretch regularly, and maintain a neutral spine position when sitting or lifting heavy objects

Avoid harmful substances

Smoking and excessive alcohol use can both damage nerve tissue Alcohol in h i g h a m o u n t s i n t e r f e r e s w i t h n u t r i

and

neuropathy, while smoking

and avoiding recreational

brain and nerve health

Stimulate your brain

keeps the

system

Challenge your brain regu-

words, reading and writing, learning new skills or

instruments and strategic

Stay

and helps regulate emotional responses Stay

groups

Schedule regular health check-ups

unexplained fatigue, consult your doctor promptly

Quick Neurological Health Check

1 Check Your Mind & Mood

Do you often experience forgetfulness, confusion, or trouble concentrating?

Have you noticed sudden mood changes, anxiety, or persistent low mood?

2 Scan for Body Signals

Do you feel tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hands, feet, or limbs?

Are there any issues with balance, coordination, or muscle control?

3 Monitor Speech, Sleep & Senses

• Have you had trouble speaking clearly or finding the right words?

• Are you sleeping poorly or waking up tired despite enough hours in bed?

• Have you noticed changes in vision, hearing, or sensitivity to light/sound?

If you answered “ yes ” to any of these, it may be worth scheduling a check-up with your GP or a neurologist Early signs of neurological issues are often subtle, don’t ignore them

Study unwraps hidden dangers in baby foods

c

S T N A T I O N A L F I L M A W A R D S

Shah Rukh Khan wins best actor honour, Rani Mukerji named best actress

Priyanka Chopra reflects on ‘complicated’ decision for Bhansali’s Ram-Leela

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra has reflected on the complicated yet creatively inspiring decision to perform the item number "Ram Chahe Leela" for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2013 film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela In a recent social media post, Chopra revealed she was deeply moved by the filmmaker’s artistic vision and his personal anecdotes about cinema, music, and dance

T h e

hearing the song for the first time, she instantly knew I was her, referring to the character she would embody She f

detailing how she and choreographer

V

complex dance routines Chopra also praised the stunning cinematography by Ravi Varman, which she felt brought a magical quality to the final piece T

memories Her comments underscore the deep trust and creative synergy she shared with Bhansali, who she described a s a m a s t e r o f c i n e m a T h i s collaboration, while initially a complex choice, ultimately resulted in one of the most memorable and visually striking musical sequences in modern Hindi cinema, showcasing Chopra's versatility and commitment to her craft

Thewinners of the 71st National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi on Friday, with ‘12th Fail’ taking home the award for Best Film, while Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Vikrant Massey won top acting honours. The jury, chaired by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, honoured films certified by the CBFC between January 1 and December 31, 2023. Other notable winners included ‘The Kerala Story’, ‘Hanuman’, ‘Animal’, and ‘Parking’

In the feature film categories, 12th Fail won Best Feature Film, while the Best Actor award was shared by Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan and Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, and Sudipto Sen took home Best Director for The Kerala Story Urvashi (Ullozhukku) and Janki Bodiwala (Vash) shared the Best Supporting Actress award, while Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam) and Mutthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking) won Best Supporting Actor Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani was recognised as the Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and Sam Bahadur won Best Film Promoting National and Social Values and more The award for Best Music Direction for Songs went to Vaathi (Tamil), and for Background Score, it went to Harshavardhan Rameshwar for Animal Best Lyrics was awarded to Balagam (The Group), while PVM Sroht won Best Male Playback Singer for Premisthunna and Shilpa Rao won Best Female Playback Singer for Chaliya Vaibhavi Merchant won Best Choreography for Dhindhora Baje, Best Sound Design went to Sachin Sudhakaran and Hariharan Muralidharan for Animal, and Midhun Murali won Best Editing for Pookkaalam

The regional film awards were as follows: Best Assamese Film – Rongatapu 1982, Best Bengali Film – Deep Fridge, Best Hindi Film – Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, Best Kannada Film – Kandeelu- The Ray of Hope, Best Malayalam Film – Ullozhukku, Best Marathi Film – Shyamchi Aai, Best Odia Film – Pushkara, Best Punjabi Film – Godday Godday Chaa, Best Tamil Film – Parking, Best Tai Phake Film – Pai Tang Step of Hope, Best Garo Film –Rimdogittanga, Best Telugu Film – Bhagavanth Kesari, Best Gujarati Film – Vash, and Best Action Direction again went to Hanu-Man (Telugu)

In the non-feature film categories, Flowering Man was awarded Best Non-Fiction Film, and The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw won Best Debut Film of a Director Mo Bou Mo Gaan, Lentina Ao won Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction Film, Timeless Tamil Nadu was named Best Art/Culture Film, and God Vulture and Human won Best Documentary F

Environmental Values, while Giddh The Scavenger won Best Short Film Best Direction went to Piyush Thakur for The First Film, Best Cinematography to Meenakshi Soman and Saravanamaruthu Soundarapandi for Little Wings and more Atlee, who directed Shah Rukh Khan’s award-winning performance in ‘Jawan’, expressed his joy on X, writing, “Feeling blessed I’m super-happy that you ’ ve got the National Award for our movie ‘Jawan’ It feels very emotional and inspiring to be part of your journey Thank you for trusting me and giving this film, sir It’s just my first love letter to you; a lot more to come ”

Rani Mukerji, who won Best Actress for ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’, said, “I’m overwhelmed to have won the National Award for my performance This is the first ever National Award in my 30-year career ” She thanked the jury, her producers, director Ashima Chibber, and the entire team, calling the honour a validation of her three decades in cinema “There is nothing like a mother’s love and her ferocity to protect her own I realised this when I had my own child This win, this film, feels deeply emotional and personal,” she added, dedicating the award to mothers everywhere and thanking her fans for their unwavering support

John

Abraham begins filming for Rakesh Maria biopic

Actor John Abraham has commenced shooting for a biopic on former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, a project directed by Rohit Shetty The production, which will be a departure from Shetty's typical high-octane action films, is adopting a gritty, procedural drama approach.

The filming initially took place in South Mumbai to capture authentic city backdrops at iconic locations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dongri, and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel The production has now relocated to Ellora Studios in Mira Road, where a detailed police station set has been constructed The current focus is on filming intense interrogation scenes crucial to the film’s narrative

The movie is also slated to feature five major action sequences, which are scheduled to be shot later in August This project marks a unique collaboration between Abraham and Shetty, both known for their work in t h e a c t i o n g e n r e , b u t t h i s t i m e focusing on a more grounded and realistic portrayal of a police officer's life

Ratna Pathak Shah on embracing grey hair and career impact

Veteran

actress Ratna Pathak Shah has opened up about her decision to stop colouring her hair and the surprising effect it had on her career In a recent interview with BBC News Hindi, she revealed that her husband, actor Naseeruddin Shah, encouraged her to embrace her natural grey hair

Following this change, however, she n o t i c e d a s i g n i f i c a n t d r o p i n w o r k offers Pathak Shah explained that she found herself being typecast as a ‘dadinani’ (grandmother), while her potential male co-stars continued to colour their hair to appear younger She laughed about the limited roles available for older female characters in an industry where even leading women struggle to find good parts

D

opportunities, the actress believes the

idea She has since received excellent roles that celebrate her age and natural look Pathak Shah feels that embracing her humanness is essential for an actor

Her candidness sheds

while also highlighting

and celebrated

path toward

Suniel Shetty's emotional bond with Akshay Kumar

Veteran actor Suniel Shetty has revealed the deeply personal reason behind his strong emotional bond with fellow actor Akshay Kumar, stating that Kumar’s looks and behaviour consistently remind him of his late cousin, Ullas In a recent interview, Shetty explained that this connection is why he feels a profound attachment to Akshay, one that extends far beyond their professional partnership.

Shetty, a close friend and frequent

resemblance was so striking that he was initially scared to work with him He admitted to telling Kumar on the very first day of shooting for their 1994 film Waqt Hamara Hai that his p r e s

tragically passed away at a young age

i n a c a

having helped him secure his firstever modelling gig

flourished into one of Bollywood's m o s t s u c

K n o w n f o

e f f o r t l e s s camaraderie in both action films like Mohra and comedies such as Hera Pheri, their bond has clearly stood the t e s t o f t i m e S h e t t y ’ s c a n d i d confession sheds light on the personal story that underpins their enduring friendship, adding a poignant layer to their iconic partnership The duo is e x p e c t e d t o r e u n i t e s o o n f o r t h e much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3

Vidya Balan recalls fears over 'Paa' role

Acclaimed

actress Vidya Balan has opened up about her initial reluctance and fears surrounding her career-defining role as Amitabh Bachchan's mother in the 2009 film Paa. In a recent interview, Balan revealed that when director R. Balki first proposed the idea, her immediate thought was that he had lost it The concept of her and Abhishek Bachchan playing the parents of Amitabh Bachchan seemed absurd to her at the time

Balan recalled that she was genuinely scared and was widely warned that taking on the role of an older woman would be detrimental to her burgeoning career However, after reading the script, she felt a strong conviction "The actor in me kept saying, 'Do it',” she shared To gain perspective, she had two friends, a writer and an ad filmmaker read the script, both of whom insisted she take the role This external validation gave her the confidence to stop

opinions and trust her own instincts

She explained that she had previously

connection to, and she was determined

decision to embrace the challenging role

masterstroke, earning her widespread

reputation as one of Bollywood's most versatile and courageous actors

Bhumi Pednekar on diet and cosmetic procedures

Actress Bhumi Pednekar has shared her perspective on cosmetic procedures and a key component of her personal diet In a recent interview, Pednekar stated that she believes in the principle of to each their own, asserting that individuals should have the autonomy to make their own choices regarding their bodies She also suggested that the topic of fillers and botox is often over-discussed.

Regarding her dietary habits, the actress revealed that a constant and beneficial item in her meals is fat, specifically ghee She clarified that she consumes it in its raw form, adding it directly to her rotis or idlis, and has found it to be highly advantageous for her overall health and well-being

glimpse into her personal philosophy on both self-care and a balanced diet By advocating for individual choice on

provides a refreshing perspective that challenges conventional, and often

trend in Bollywood where celebrities are increasingly speaking out about

MON 11 AUG - FRI 15 AUG 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Rashi Rikshawali

20:00 Kanku

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:00 Baa Vahu ane Baby

SATURDAY 16 AUG 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

MON 11 AUG - FRI 15 AUF 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Season-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 Choti Sardarni

23:00 Udaariyan

SATURDAY 16 AUG 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Rashi Rikshawali

20:00 Kanku

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

SUNDAY 17 AUG 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

11:00 Kanku

11:30 Paras Padmani

14:30 Kanku

17:30 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Rashi Rikshawali

20:00 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:30 Rashi Rikshawali

23:00 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

18:000 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Season-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 Choti Sardarni

23:00 Udaariyan

SUNDAY 17 AUG 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Season-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 Choti Sardarni

23:00 Udaariyan

Vijay Sethupathi denies 'filthy' casting couch allegations

National Award-winning actor Vijay Sethupathi has vehemently denied what he termed ‘filthy’ casting couch allegations made against him on social media by a woman. The accusation, posted on a now-deleted X account, claimed the actor had engaged in sexual exploitation and manipulation, offering money for caravan favours and drives

In an interview with the Deccan Chronicle, Sethupathi stated that anyone familiar with him would simply laugh at the accusation While he personally remains inattentive, he acknowledged that the allegations have deeply upset his family and close friends He has urged them to let it slide as he believes the woman is obviously doing it to be noticed

Sethupathi also confirmed that his team has filed a formal complaint with the cybercrime authorities He revealed that he has faced similar whispering campaigns for the past seven years but has remained unaffected, and he is confident that these latest claims will not impact him either

Known for his extensive work in Tamil cinema and roles in major films like Jawan and Merry Christmas, the actor's swift and direct response aims to put an end to the baseless claims His statement reflects a firm stance against such social media attacks while also highlighting the emotional toll they can take on those close to public figures

Supriya Menon eveals dentity of online abuser

Supriya Menon, the wife of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, has publicly named a woman she leges has been harassing her with online abuse or seven years In an Instagram post, Menon entified the woman as Christina Eldo, a Malayali urse residing in Chattanooga, USA, and also nown as Christina Babu Kurien. Menon's team has nce filed a complaint with cybercrime authorities.

M

ncludes making fake social media accounts to ost nasty comments, began in 2018 She stated hat while she had discovered the woman's identy years ago, she chose to remain silent at the me because the woman had a young son owever, the harassment recently escalated to nclude vile comments directed at Menon s late ther, which became the final breaking point

“Even that filter she has on is not enough to ide the ugliness she holds inside and spews at me since 2018,” Menon wrote, sharing a filtered hoto of the woman She also noted that blockng the fake accounts had become a routine part of her life

The producer's decision to speak out publicly has brought attention to the persistent issue of online harassment faced by public figures While Menon remains personally unaffected by the allegations, she has taken a firm stand against the continuous abuse, indicating that years of silent tolerance have ended

Shanthi Krishna dreams of lead roles and audience acceptance

VeteranMalayalam actress Shanthi Krishna has shared her aspirations to once again take on lead roles, particularly opposite her contemporaries Mohanlal and Mammootty In a candid interview with Kaumudy Movies, the actress expressed her confidence that while the industry might be hesitant to cast her as a heroine now, the audience would wholeheartedly accept it.

Krishna, who has recently been seen playing motherly roles to younger stars like Nivin Pauly and Fahadh Faasil, acknowledged that this shift in her on-screen persona might be a factor in why she is no longer considered for lead parts However, she believes the deepseated affection and respect that Malayali audiences hold for actors of her generation would overcome any such reservations Her remarks highlight a poignant reality in the film industry where career trajectories for male and female actors often diverge with age Despite this, Krishna's unwavering belief in her own talent and the loyalty of her fans speaks to a desire for more diverse and age-appropriate storytelling in cinema The actress, who recently purchased her first home in Kochi, is clearly ready for a new chapter in her career, hoping to prove that her star power and chemistry with iconic leading men remain as potent as ever

actor Dhanush says he is "completely disturbed" by the AIassisted re-release of his 2013 hit film ‘Raanjhanaa’ (Tamil: ‘Ambikapathy’) with an alternative ending The move has sparked controversy, but the production company has defended the decision Eros Media World has defended

alternate ending is a “lawful and creative reinterpretation” clearly disc

Dwivedi said AI was only used as a tool under human direction, aiming to offer “fresh dimensions” without

faced backlash from director Aanand L Rai and now lead actor Dhanush, who said the "AI-altered climax" left

statement on X, Dhanush said the alternate ending "stripped the film of its very soul" and went ahead despite his objections He called the move a “deeply concerning precedent” that threatens artistic integrity and urged for stricter regulations

Eros praised Dhanush's "unfor-

n ‘Raanjhanaa’, but claimed his team had been informed of the re-release plans and raised "no formal objection" CEO Pradeep Dwivedi said the

enhance storytelling without undermining the original He emphasised that the original film remains availa

Comparing it to respectful music remixes, he added that Eros is committed to responsible use of AI, collaboration, and preserving the soul of Indian cinema

Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor's ancestral homes to become heritage museums

The ancestral homes of legendary Indian actors Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor are set to be transformed into heritage museums, with reconstruction and renovation work officially underway in Peshawar, Pakistan The project, which is being spearheaded by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, has an estimated budget of 70 million and is being overseen by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums The restoration work is expected to be completed within two years

condition and preserve them as a testament to the region

project is part of a larger plan to boost heritage tourism

projects are supported by the World Bank and are designed to revolutionise the tourism sector, making these cultural landmarks a key attraction for tourists worldwide

The homes, situated in the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, were built in the early 20th century They were officially declared a national heritage site by former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in July 2014

Olivier-winning star Anjana Vasan's 'pride an prejudice' triumphs

Anjana Vasan, the Singaporean-born actress now prominent figure on the British stage, has been celebrated for her dynamic career, culminating in a prestigious Olivier Award win. This accolade, often likened to the Oscars of London theatre, was awarded her remarkable performance as Stella in the revival o Tennessee Williams’s classic, A Streetcar Named Desi Beyond this success, Vasan has been cast in a Netflix series adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride Prejudice While details about her specific role w initially under wraps, it's been confirmed that she take on the character of Mrs Gardiner This l venture adds to an impressive CV that already incl a BAFTA nomination for her role as punk-rock guit Amina in the sitcom We Are Lady Parts, as well memorable part in the acclaimed Black Mirror episode ‘Demon 79 ’ Vasan's work continues to showcase her versatility and cements her status as one of Britain’s most exciting and in-demand acting talents

Aamir Khan jokingly calls

his son 'nepo kid' in hilarious promo

Bollywood

superstar Aamir Khan has released a humorous new video featuring his sons Junaid and Azad Rao Khan to announce the digital release of his latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par.

The film, a spiritual successor to his 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par, is being made available to the public via a pay-per-view model on a newly launched YouTube channel, Aamir Khan Talkies, for just 100 I n t h e q u i r k y p r o m o t i o n a l skit, the father-son duo recreates a memorable scene from Aamir’s 1 9 9 4

Apna Aamir takes on the role of Deven Verma, the father, while Junaid steps into his own original role of Amar The scene, which o

persuade his father to close his barber shop, is reinterpreted here to discuss the YouTube release of Sitaare Zameen Par

turned down

offer from a major streaming service in favour of the YouTube release Aamir, in mock disbelief, yells at him, "Nikamme! Namakool! Nepo kid!" The video also features a brief cameo from Aamir's younger son, Azad, and even the original Andaz Apna Apna director, Rajkumar Santoshi This self-aware and nostalgic promo has been met with widespread fan appreciation, with many praising the playful family dynamic

a

Lord's Cricket Ground in London

Dressed in full cricket whites, the star participated in a friendly match, with his wife, Mira Rajput, cheering him on from the stands The actor's enthusiasm for the sport was palpable as he showcased his batting skills, a sight that instantly transported fans back to his acclaimed performance in the film Jersey

Kapoor’s dedication to the 2022 sports drama was well-documented, with the actor revealing he spent months in rigorous training He has previously spoken about his admiration for cricket legends such as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, whose passion and aura on the pitch inspired his portrayal of the character Arjun Talwar

The experience at the 'Home of Cricket' was a perfect crossover moment, blending the worlds of cinema and sport It offered fans a glimpse into Kapoor's genuine love for cricket, a personal passion that has often influenced his onscreen roles

actor Shahid Kapoor recently lived out

cricketer's dream, gracing the hallowed turf of

Siraj leads India to historic victory against England

In a breath-taking finish at The Oval, India pulled off a stunning six-run victory over England, levelling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at 2-2. The dramatic win, India’s narrowest ever in Test cricket by runs, was a testament to the team's unwavering belief and resilience, particularly in a match that had a significant impact on their position in the World Test Championship table

A series of highs and lows

T h e v i c t o r y

forth with brilliant individual performances from both sides Shubman Gill, who captained

Brook and Joe Root also scored

culmination of a series that was

p a c k e d w i t h d

and turns England had taken the first Test by five wickets and then regained the lead in the third Test at Lord's, while

I

the second Test The fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford e

m

different, swinging back and

biting finish, which saw Chris W

the fierce competition As India celebrated their historic win,

pride for the team and

fitting

series was

fair reflection of the thrilling cricket played by

both nations, leaving fans

spectacle

Siraj's match-winning performance

The final day began

position, needing just 35

However, India s fast-bowling

performance that turned the match on its head Stepping up in the absence of the rested Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj unleashed a ferocious spell of pace and swing He took three crucial wickets on the final morning, including the last one with a

match haul of nine wickets for

Player of the Match award and c

series' top wicket-taker with 23 scalps at an average of 32 43

Chris Woakes shows valiant resolve

In a display of remarkable bravery and commitment, England's Chris Woakes walked in to bat with a significant shoulder injury during the tense final day of the fifth Test against India. His heroic effort, with his arm in a sling, became a defining moment of the match, symbolising England's fighting spirit in a dramatic finish

Woakes, who had sustained the injury while fielding, had been a doubt to bat at all However, with England's wickets falling and the team needing to build a crucial partnership, he showed immense courage by coming out to the crease to support his batting partner Despite being clearly hindered by the injury, he faced the Indian bowlers with grit and determination, bravely fending off the formidable pace attack

His presence at the wicket was a huge morale boost for the team and the home crowd While he was unable to score a number of runs, his valiant

delaying the inevitable was invaluable H

Khalid Jamil appointed as India's football coach

Indian football His crowning

when he led underdog Aizawl FC to a historic League titlea feat still remembered as one of Indian football’s greatest underdog stories

Jamshedpur FC The AIFF’s decision is being seen as a clear endorsement of Indian coaching ability - a muchneeded break from years of relying on foreign expertise P

y noted, “We trust in Khalid’s

Messi likely to visit Mumbai on Dec 14

A rg e nti na ’ s l eg e nd a ry f oo tba ller an d g lo bal i co n L io n el M e s si - w i d e ly

r eg a rd e d

o f th e g rea tes t p la ye rs i n th e h istory o f the sport - is set to v isit Mum bai on Dec 14 for a sp ecial event

A c c o r d i n g t o a r e p o r t , “ M e s s i i s s e t t o v i s i t t h e W a n k h e d e S t a d i u m f o r a c e l e b

i t y s e v e n

a - s i d e cricket match on Dec 14 The organisers of the event (Wizcraft) have sought permission for the event, which will be ticketed Their r e q u e s t w a s d i s c u s s e d b y t h e M u m b a i C r i c k e t A s s o c i a t i o n ’ s A p e x C o u n c i l i n a meeting recently, and the permission was granted,” a reliable source in the MCA said “A couple of superstar former and current cricketers (Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and/or Virat Kohli) may play in the friendly match ” The tickets for the ‘Messi cricket match’ in Mumbai are likely to be available on Zomato’s District app (previously Paytm

I n s i d e r ) p l a t f o r m A c c o r d i n g t o r e p o r t s , Messi will visit three Indian cities - Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai - between Dec 13 and 15 as part of a series of events celebrating his legendary career and dedication to the sport

partnership that added precious runs to the total, pushing the match further into the final session

Woakes' performance was widely praised by cricket pundits and fans alike, who lauded his sheer resolve and d

Although his heroic stand ultimately came in a losing effort, with India clinching a narrow six-run victory, his batting masterclass under duress will be remembered as one of the most courageous displays of the series His s

u l a t e d t h e competitive spirit of Test cricket and demonstrated the lengths players will go to for their country

Indians refuse to play Pakistan again in WCL

refused to play aga inst

t a n t a s s i g n m e n t s o n

h e h o r i z o n , i n c l u d i n g t h e F I F A W o r l d C u p 2 0 2 6 qu al i fi e r

for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Expectations will be high as he is tasked with reviving the t e a m ’ s p e r f o r m a n c e a n d identity on the Asian stage With his appointment, the AIFF has not only chosen a c o a c h - t h e y ’ v e m a d e a p o w e r f u l s t a t e m e n t a b o u t f a i t h i n I n d i a n f o o t b a l l , Indian coaches, and Indian potential

felicitated at the iconic Eden Gardens, with West Bengal

C

Banerjee likely to attend the ceremony During his stay

conduct

football workshop

honored with a seven-aside

“GOAT CUP,” to be held at Eden Gardens Messi has previously visited India once before - in Sept 2011 - when he played a friendly in Kolkata

T he E ngland and Wales C ricket Boar d (EC B)

annou nc ed th e c omplet ion o f deals with “si x str ategic part ner s ” for t eams in The Hu ndred, wit h two mor e deals set t o be finalised later The

’ launched by India

Lankan cricket hero De Silva bats for miner

Sr i Lank an cr icket her o Ara vinda De Silva, 5 9, who score d a ce ntury and t ook three wicke ts t o help the country to World Cup v ictory in 1996, has join ed the board of Capital Metal s, a mining company He said: “I have proudly led the country on the cricket pitch and am honoured to play a role in leading the country’s development of a new industrial sector ” C a p i t a l M e t a l s i n t e n d s t o b e g i n constructing the Taprobane Minerals Project, p

Project, in an eastern province of Sri Lanka next year The mine will be one of the first major modern mineral sands operations in

Sri Lanka, producing titanium, zircon and garnet Greg Martyr, the chairman of Capital Metals, said: “Aravinda De Silva is a big hitter in every sense; an ICC Cricket Hall of Fame inductee and national hero who played a crucial part in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cupwinning team ” The former cricketer was due to become a non-executive director of Capital M

director of Ambeon Capital De Silva is

shareholder in Ambeon,

Taprobane Minerals Project in June