China-Australia relations have achieved 'a turnaround and are maintaining a positive momentum of development', Chinese president Xi Jinping says. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese says he is pleased to meet with Xi again, while highlighting the 'encouraging progress made in the stabilisation of our relationship'. The two leaders spoke while attending the G20 summit in Brazil

Most of the big UK cities host a glitzy Christmas market with ferris wheels, live bands and big-name sponsors. Details B&B doubles from £185 (mashtun-aberlour.com)4. Details B&B doubles from £90 (rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk)6. Chester Christmas Market, CheshireThe Chester Christmas Market has timber huts and Nordic firs CELYNNEN PHOTOGRAPHY“Historic, handmade and magical” are the principles of Chester’s Christmas market, which looks fresh out of Frozen with its timber huts, Nordic firs and wood-and-wool decorations. Details B&B doubles from £194 (portmeirion.wales)• 18 of the best Christmas markets in the UK for 2024Which is your favourite boutique Christmas market?

In recent years, the OET Test has emerged as the leading English-language test for nurses and health professionals aspiring to work in the UK. According to a new social impact report by Cambridge University Press and Assessment, the OET Test surpassed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as the preferred test for overseas nurses registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Determined to advance her nursing career, Revathy chose the OET Test as it closely matched the real-life communication skills she needed for her role. “When I took the OET Test, I was asked to write about scenarios like transferring a patient or discharging someone. For international nurses looking to make a difference in the NHS, OET provides the tools, resources and confidence needed to succeed.

UK-India to restart trade talks:PM Modi in G20:On the sidelines of the G20 Summit held in Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed United Kingdom counterpart, Keir Starmer , that India is set to open two Consulates General of India in UK's Belfast and Manchester. "Recognizing the ample opportunities for further engagement between the two sides in the light of growing bilateral economic and business relations and with a view to better serve the consular requirements of the Indian community in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Modi announced the establishment of two new Consulates General of India in the United Kingdom in Belfast and Manchester. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)"India is the fifth largest economy in the world and a vital trading partner for the UK. We believe there is a good deal to be done here that works for both nations," said UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds. He further affirmed India's support for Brazil's initiative to form a global alliance against hunger and poverty.

In the 1960s and ‘70s, political organizer Marshall Ganz worked with Cesar Chavez and the farmworker rights movement. He also worked on campaigns with Nancy Pelosi, Jerry Brown and others. Scott talks with Ganz, whose new book “People Power Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal” comes at a time when Democrats are finding themselves without clear leadership.

Texas State Board To Decide On Bible Curriculum Controversial Bluebonnet Learning proposal faces fierce debate as public testimonies loomTexas is once again at the center of controversy as its state board of education gears up to decide whether to allow Bible stories to be included within public school lesson plans for English and Language Arts. Throughout the previous months, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has faced immense pressure from both supporters who argue for the benefits of biblical literacy and opponents who fear unconstitutional overreach. Mary Castle, the director of government relations for Texas Values, stated, "This is not a religious curriculum where we’re studying world religions; it’s not history either. His media company, eSpired, co-developed material for the curriculum, including The Kids Guide to the Bible. Whether the state board chooses to accept or reject the curriculum promises to deeply shape not only the students of Texas but also the national dialogue on the intersection of faith and public education.

His message echoed sentiments expressed by various community leaders who rallied to counter this show of bigotry with unity. Governor DeWine’s remarks are particularly poignant against the backdrop of the state's recent experiences with rising white supremacist activities, which have alarmingly escalated. Community and faith leaders were quick to act after the march, attempting to reclaim the narrative of inclusivity and community support. This clarion call to action rang throughout across various religious and community gatherings, establishing clear boundaries against manifestations of hate. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein warned the demonstrators to stay away, stating firmly on social media, "Your hate isn’t welcome here."

(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelThe UK is committed to foster deeper cooperation with India as it is a "vital" partner and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, British Minister for Indo-Pacific Catherine West said on Monday as she embarked on a two-day visit to the country. West will continue to unlock the full potential of the UK-India partnership and drive forward greater growth for both countries building upon the ambitions set out by Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his visit to New Delhi in July, a British government readout said.She will also reiterate that the UK remains committed to negotiating a mutually beneficial free trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty, it added. "I am delighted to be visiting India for the first time as Minister for the Indo-Pacific," West said. "As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India is a vital partner," she said.Minister West's visit will include a meeting at the Ministry of External Affairs where she will reinforce the UK's commitment to a stronger partnership and the importance of the enduring links between people of the two nations, the readout noted.The two sides are expected to review the overall situation in the Indo-Pacific and explore ways to bolster cooperation in the region during West's visit to India.During an education roundtable at the British Council , the Minister will learn more about the unique "living bridge" between the UK and India, representing the 1.7 million people in the UK with Indian heritage and connecting our two countries, it said.The British minister is also scheduled to visit the Jama Masjid where she will learn about its history and architecture, it said.West's visit to New Delhi comes nearly four months after India and the UK firmed up a mega technology security initiative that sets out a bold new approach for collaboration in a range of "priority" sectors including telecom, critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The initiative was firmed up during Lammy's trip in July.In 2021, India and the UK adopted the 10-year roadmap to expand ties in the key areas of trade and economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connections among others.West's visit to India follows a two-day trip to Bangladesh, where she reaffirmed UK support for the interim government's work to build a more prosperous and democratic future for the country.

Intruders broke into the grounds of Windsor Castle last month and stole two vehicles, the police confirmed on Monday, a significant security breach at the sprawling royal estate west of London that is the primary residence of Prince William, his wife Catherine, and their three children. William, the heir to the throne, and his family are believed to have been at home at the time of the burglary, according to The Sun, a London tabloid, which first reported the incident on Sunday. King Charles III and Queen Camilla also stay often at Windsor Castle, but were not there at the time. A spokesman for the Thames Valley Police said they had received a report of a burglary on Crown Estate land shortly before midnight on Oct. 13. The intruders scaled a fence at Shaw Farm, an active farm located on the estate, according to The Sun.

The UK government should present a clear and consistent message on the role the Competition and Markets Authority plays in driving growth and innovation, McGuireWoods London partner Matthew Hall wrote in a Nov. 14, 2024, article in The Times. Hall noted that Starmer targeted the UK Competition and Markets Authority, vowing to “rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment.” By contrast, the “Invest 2035” report supports strong competition and consumer policy enforcement including by the CMA as a means of promoting growth. Invest 2035 recognises this,” Hall wrote. He concluded: “The government should present a clear and consistent message on the authority’s role and the benefits it provides. This will also set the tone for a business community that often misunderstands or is suspicious of the regulator’s work.”

Bentancur (left) and Son warm up ahead of a Premier League game in December last year. (Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images)Tottenham Hotspur player Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a seven-match domestic suspension and fined around $126,000 (£100,000) for a comment he made in an interview about teammate Son Heung-min. In June, soon after the video clip was circulated online, Son said that Bentancur had apologized for making a “mistake,” adding that his teammate “would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. He will be eligible to play again against Nottingham Forest on December 26, as well as in Europa League games. The 27-year-old has made 14 appearances for Tottenham this season, scoring in the club’s 2-1 defeat against Ipswich on November 10.

Just last month, after the fanfare of the inauguration of a new visitors recreational area at historic Leicester Cathedral, a rather gruesome discovery emerged from gardens located just a few meters away. A narrow vertical shaft with the remains of 123 men, women, and children was uncovered, during ongoing excavations that have been continuing on Cathedral grounds for quite some time. This is one of the largest ancient burials ever found in the UK, and the biggest that has ever been recovered in the vicinity of Leicester Cathedral , where excavations have unearthed many other gravesites over the years. This particular mass grave has been dated to the 12th century, and as of now the cause of death of all these ancient inhabitants of Leicester remains unknown. Exterior of Leicester Cathedral.

It’s a toss-up whether she revealed more than she intended about the attitude of the Starmeroids to the long-term sick and disabled, or whether she doesn’t care. Even the mere fact that Starmer – the habitual and reflexive control freak – has allowed a free vote on the bill speaks volumes. But Kendall’s comments to the BBC’s Chris Mason have given away even more:Arch-Blairite (and therefore arch-Starmeroid) Kendall said that the aim of the bill is to avoid families having to look after frail family members. The site is provided free of charge but depends on the support of its readers to be viable. If you wish to republish this post for non-commercial use, you are welcome to do so – see here for more.

It feels apt, therefore, that artistic directors Tinatin Gurgenidze, Otar Nemsadze, and Gigi Shukakidze should have chosen the theme of “Correct Mistakes” for the fourth Tbilisi Architecture Biennial, with its multiple meanings, from useful errors to their possible rectification. But two key works in particular seem to structure the exhibition and the biennial: a film and an installation. The split-screen film reveals two facets of the stories of interdependence between the glacier and the Black Sea to which it leads. This gigantic infrastructure, the Black Sea Submarine Cable, will on completion be the world’s longest high-voltage power grid. This biennial is anchored in history, but even more so in the future.

Russia is engaging in a 'shadow war' with Nato states, which is reportedly part of a deliberate strategy to undermine the alliance’s ability to support Ukraine. At the same time Russia's military industrial complex is producing arms at a formidable rate, and with Nato countries struggling to keep up in term of numbers, the arms race is having a big impact on the frontline. Josh Toussaint-Strauss finds out how Russia is using hybrid warfare alongside boosting its arms industry to outpace Nato, and what this all means for the war in Ukraine