India vital partner of UK, says British Indo-Pacific minister Catherine West
(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.
Source:The Times
November 18, 2024 23:28 UTC
Burglars Break Into Windsor Castle Estate, Home of Prince William, Kate and Family
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.
Source:The Times
November 18, 2024 22:51 UTC
In The Times, Matthew Hall Says Strong UK Antitrust and Consumer Watchdog Is Essential
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.”
Source:The Times
November 18, 2024 21:09 UTC
Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur banned for seven games over comment about teammate Son Heung-min
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.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 20:29 UTC
12th Century Mass Grave Found in Burial Shaft at Leicester Cathedral
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.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 20:12 UTC
Kendall gives away more than she might have intended with comments on ‘kill the frail’ bill
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.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 19:01 UTC
Océane Ragoucy on Tbilisi Architecture Biennial
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.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 18:43 UTC
How Russia is winning the arms race in Ukraine – video
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
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 18:15 UTC
Rafael Nadal says he 'doesn't have the ego' to prolong his retirement – video
Rafael Nadal has explained the reasons behind his decision to retire as he prepares for his farewell appearance in professional tennis, for Spain at the Davis Cup. Nadal said he asked himself when would be the right time to stop playing, thinking: 'OK, I can hold [on] for one more year. The 22-time grand slam champion will play his final tournament, in his homeland, before calling time on an illustrious career. The 38-year-old announced his decision to retire in October and in Málaga this week is part of a Spain team that includes Carlos Alcaraz. Spain will take on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 17:01 UTC
Keir Starmer tells Xi Jinping he is 'concerned' over Jimmy Lai's health in prison – video
Keir Starmer has raised concerns with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, about sanctions on British MPs and the deterioration of the British citizen and Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai, in a meeting at the G20 summit in Rio. The UK prime minister promised a 'strong UK-China relationship' and said the pair had agreed there should be no more 'surprises' between the two countries. He said he was keen for a full meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, in Beijing or London as soon as possible
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 16:35 UTC
Celebrating Alessandro Liberati, his vision, books, journals, libraries, “anti libraries,” and radical thinking
He feared that the well of research might be poisoned, and 12 years after Alessandro’s death Altman’s words have not been heeded. He tells of the importance of engagement and a sense of communion, both of which mattered to Alessandro. Alessandro brought many people together (including the three of us) and encouraged us to research, challenge, think radically, and share our findings and thoughts through journals and books. He infused us with a sense of belonging to a common international research community engaged in promoting solidarity and progress in major public health issues. A longer version of this article is available at https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/Provenance and peer review: not commissioned, not externally peer reviewed.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 16:34 UTC
'Disappointing' Guernsey FC lose 4-1 at Uxbridge
Guernsey FC have won just two of their 15 games this season [Fran Torode]Guernsey FC defender Thomas Dodds admitted his side's 4-1 loss Uxbridge was "disappointing". Ada Okorogheye gave Uxbridge a ninth-minute lead before goals from Leo Donnellan and Casey Bocarro saw the hosts 3-0 up 10 minutes before half-time. Charlton Gauvain pulled a goal back midway through the second half before James Taylor capped off the win for the hosts 14 minutes from the end. The loss leaves Guernsey third-from-bottom in Isthmian League South Central, five points from safety. "We're all very disappointed with how we performed today - second half had some positives, but it was a bit too late by then unfortunately.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 16:13 UTC
Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid career is in danger of wasting everyone’s time
A culture passed on from player to player, director to director? Real Madrid act like Real Madrid because the club’s president is, as he has been for all but three years since 2000, Florentino Pérez. Post-Covid, as the whole of European football felt a financial pinch, Madrid seemed to have changed. But his case does show the potential problems – even for the most talented players – if they choose the wrong club. Given the tactical issues, it may be that Real Madrid isn’t the right one for Mbappé either.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 15:54 UTC
Snow brings warning of travel disruption
Road and rail travellers have been warned to expect disruption as snow falls across England and Scotland. Yellow warnings for snow and ice were issued in northern Scotland, northern England and parts of Northern Ireland, the Midlands and northeast Wales. National Rail said the weather could affect Northern Rail services, especially those in the Calder Valley, southern Pennines or Peak District. National Highways issued an amber severe weather alert across the North East and North West, with 15cm of snow possible on roads and motorways, including the M56 in Manchester and the M1 at Leeds and Sheffield. Making the most of it in Birmingham SWNSEmbracing the chill factor at the West Reservoir in London TOM BOWLESThe UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) said that over-65s, vulnerable people and those with existing health conditions could be at risk as Britain suffers its first taste of winter and temperatures drop below zero.
Source:The Times
November 18, 2024 15:49 UTC
Rashida Jones Says Dad Quincy Jones Was 'Working on His Speech' for His Honorary Oscar Before He Died
"He really intended on being here," Rashida said of the late music producer as he was awarded posthumously at the 15th Governor Awards on Nov. 17ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty; Tom Cooper/Getty Rashida Jones; Quincy JonesRashida Jones is paying tribute to her late father Quincy Jones. He was really excited to attend tonight, and a lot of his family are here,” Rashida began while joined onstage by her siblings Martina, Quincy III and Kenya. “And he has so many friends in this room, well, actually probably in every room … because wherever he went, he made connections with everyone, real ones ... And he really, really, really intended on being here with us tonight. I'm so, so proud of the fact that my name and contributions can be included in that evolution,’ ” Rashida recited from her father’s speech. The legendary music producer died of pancreatic cancer, according to a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE.
Source:The Guardian
November 18, 2024 15:40 UTC