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Sunak caves under pressure over housebuilding targets

In his bid to keep the Tories together, he is set to water down local house-building targets to make them advisory rather than mandated by the Government…reports Asian Lite News

Rishi Sunak caved to the demands of Tory backbenchers last night as he seeks to avoid a Commons showdown with his own MPs.

The Prime Minister has ditched compulsory house-building targets for local areas after widespread discontent from Conservative parliamentarians.

As many as 60 Tories had threatened to vote against Mr Sunak’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

It has also been reported the Prime Minister is preparing to ditch the ban on onshore wind farms amid opposition from MPs including Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

Sunak’s desire to avoid a clash with his own party comes after his predecessor was forced to resign less than 24 hours after a row over a Commons vote descended into chaos, with pandemonium breaking loose in the voting lobby.

Shortly after becoming Conservative leader, the Richmond MP warned his party they must “unite or die”.

In his bid to keep the Tories together, he is set to water down local house-building targets to make them advisory rather than mandated by the Government.

Last night Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove told The Telegraph the changes were a “sensible compromise” with local authorities incentivised to adopt local development plans drawn up in consultation with residents.

“When I came into this job I said we need to create neighbourhoods not dormitories, and that is what this will achieve,” he said.

“What we will see is more homes being built in places where we need them. The current planning system is dysfunctional and in need of reform. We need to change it to ensure that developments have the characteristics that communities cherish.”

While the Government has scrapped its plans for mandatory top-down targets on house-building, ministers insist the Conservative manifesto pledge to build 300,000 new homes a year remains in place.

Schools minister Nick Gibb said the party remained “committed” to getting more people out of the rental sector and into owning their own property.

Asked about the 300,000 homes promise, he said: “We are committed to that. We want young people and not so young people to be able to get on the housing ladder. The Conservative Party it’s in our DNA for people to have their own home, the property-owning democracy is part of what we stand for. We are committed to that, it’s not a U-turn, it’s working with parliamentarians.”

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-Top News India News UK News

India to allow E-visas to UK nationals again

Vikram Doraiswami.

It is to be noted that this service was reinstated for practically all nations earlier this year with the exception of a few, notably the UK and Canada…reports Asian Lite News

Just before the upcoming winter holidays, India is prepared to resume its e-visa service for the citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020. The visa website will be ready in the near future so that applicants can apply for their visa on the same, the High Commission of India in London informed.

It is to be noted that this service was reinstated for practically all nations earlier this year with the exception of a few, notably the UK and Canada.

In a video tweeted by the High Commission of India in London, Vikram K Doraiswami  the High Commissioner to the UK said, “We are rolling out e-visas once again and this service will be made available to you forthwith. (Dates will be announced shortly). That should enable friends from the UK far more easily to India. So welcome back, e-visas are up ahead and all of our other services including visa at your doorstep remain available to you. We look forward to a good winter season in which everyone gets to celebrate their festivals in India which is the land of festivals.”

The caption of the video reads, “Team @HCI_London is delighted to confirm that e-Visa facility will again be available for UK nationals travelling to India. System upgrade is underway & the visa website will soon be ready to receive applications from friends in the UK.”

In recent months, there has been a growing backlog for Indian visas as applicants lament the lack of open appointments and protracted processing times.

Earlier, it was reported that many Britons had to cancel or postpone their holiday plans to India after visa agents in the UK received notices that they could no longer apply for tourist visas on behalf of the applicant.

ALSO READ-‘Over 30,000 UAE frontline heroes awarded golden visas’

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-Top News EU News

EU passengers will soon be able to use 5G tech on planes

5G.

The deadline for member states to make the 5G frequency bands available for planes is June 30, 2023, according to the report…reports Asian Lite News

Airline passengers in the European Union (EU) will soon be able to use 5G technology in their phones to full effect in the sky, the media reported.

According to BBC, the European Commission ruled that airlines can offer 5G technology alongside slower mobile data on board planes.

With this, flyers will no longer be required to put their phone in flight mode, though the details of how this will be implemented remain unknown.

“Enable innovative services for people and help European companies grow,” Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, was quoted as saying.

“The sky is no longer a limit when it comes to possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity,” he added.

The deadline for member states to make the 5G frequency bands available for planes is June 30, 2023, according to the report.

This will let people use all their phone’s features mid-flight – enabling calls as well as data-heavy apps that stream music and video.

Since 2008, the EU Commission has reserved certain frequency bands for aircraft, allowing some services to provide in-flight internet access, said the report.

However, this service has historically been slow because it relied on equipment to connect people via satellite between the plane and the ground.

The new system will be able to take advantage of 5G’s much faster download speeds, which can reach over 100Mbps according to mobile network EE — allowing a film to be downloaded within minutes, the report added.

ALSO READ-Net Zero: EU turns heat on US

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Harry and Meghan hint Palace ‘leaked, planted’ stories against them

HARRY AND MEGHAN

The series, which is directed by ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’ helmer Liz Garbus, promises an intimate account of the couple’s courtship — and unprecedented access to their tumultuous years as senior royals…reports Asian Lite News

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are about to pull back the curtain on their love story and subsequent retreat from life as working royals for a global audience, reports ‘Variety’. (And looking at the trailer, it seems quite apparent that the six-part Netflix documentary series may not amuse the UK royals.)

Netflix revealed on Monday that the series will premiere in two installments — the first volume of three episodes will drop on December 8, followed by a second batch of three episodes on December 15.

The series, which is directed by ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’ helmer Liz Garbus, promises an intimate account of the couple’s courtship — and unprecedented access to their tumultuous years as senior royals.

In the second trailer, released on Monday, Markle says at one point, according to ‘Variety’: “I realised, ‘They’re never gonna protect you’.” She was presumably referring to the royal family.

In the minute-long trailer, Markle and Harry seem to indicate that the British media was supportive of the couple until they were married, at which point things changed. “And then [snaps fingers],” says Markle in an interview with Garbus. “Everything changed,” adds Harry.

“There’s a hierarchy in the family,” he continues. “You know, there’s leaking, but there’s also planting of stories.” Towards the end of the trailer, the Duke of Sussex says: “No one knows the full truth. We know the full truth.”

ALSO READ-UK Lawmaker Calls for Referendum on Royal Family

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-Top News UK News

RMT rebuffs pay offer, more rail strike dates announced  

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said members at infrastructure operator Network Rail would walk out between 6pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on Dec 27…reports Asian Lite News

The industrial dispute gripping the UK’s railways deepened on Monday after the RMT union announced new strike action over Christmas and urged its members to reject a new industry pay offer.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said members at infrastructure operator Network Rail would walk out between 6pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on December 27.

Lynch said he had called the new strikes following a “poor” offer on pay and changes to working practices from Network Rail.

Although trains do not run on Christmas Day and services on Boxing Day are significantly reduced, the walkout could affect plans by the infrastructure operator to carry out the regular engineering works it schedules for the festive season every year.

In response, Network Rail said the RMT was treating the public as “pawns” in a dispute with the government.

“They are playing fast and loose with people’s Christmas plans and the new strike dates announced deliberately target vital engineering work designed to improve the railway,” said Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said: “[Our] rail network now faces more harmful disruption rather than helpful discussion.”

Network Rail has offered a 5 per cent pay rise this year and 4 per cent in 2022, and a guarantee of no compulsory job losses until January 2025, but is also demanding significant changes to working practices in return.

The RMT said it would put the pay offer to its members in a ballot closing on December 12, but the union called on members to reject what Lynch called an “extremely detrimental” deal.

“It is very poor in relation to the pay elements and our members simply aren’t in a position . . . to accept the changes the companies have put on the table,” he said.

The new strike action comes on top of four 48-hour strikes across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies previously announced by the RMT and the smaller TSSA union. The first strike is due to start on December 13 with further action set for December 16-17, January 3-4 and January 6-7.

The TSSA took a different approach as it put a similar deal to members, and said it would call off planned strikes at Network Rail. “This offer is the best we can achieve through negotiation,” said Luke Chester, TSSA organising director.

RMT members began their industrial action on the rail network in June, but hundreds of thousands of workers across the public and private sector are now following suit. Nurses, postal workers and university lecturers are set to strike in the run-up to Christmas; teachers and junior doctors are being balloted on industrial action; and ambulance workers are poised to announce dates for walkouts.

The RMT and TSSA also held last-ditch talks with train operating companies on Monday in a separate dispute over pay and conditions but failed to reach an agreement. Both unions, which had rejected a pay offer over the weekend, said it would go ahead with a series of strikes, which will take place on the same dates as the RMT’s original four strikes in December and January.

The offer by the train operators included a 4 per cent backdated pay rise for each of 2021 and 2022 as well as well as guarantees on no compulsory redundancies until April 2024.

But both the RMT and TSSA said the offers were tied to unacceptable changes to the running of the railways, including the mass closure of ticket offices and a widespread move to “driver-only operation” — where drivers instead of guards operate the doors on all carriages.

Union executives said these proposed changes to conductors’ responsibilities were particularly incendiary and had been included at the last moment.

While driver-operated doors are already in place across 45 per cent of the rail network, unions have historically fought fiercely against the changes, which were at the heart of a damaging year-long battle with Southern Rail in 2016 and 2017.

Ministers and the rail industry argue that they need to bring in far-reaching changes to working practices to help fill a financial black hole caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and a shift to remote working.

The government spent £13.3bn to support the railways in the year to March 2022, figures released last week show.

ALSO READ-More rail strikes to disrupt travel in Dec and Jan

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-Top News UK News

Fusion robots at work in the UK space industry

A replica section of a typical spacecraft provided by Satellite Applications Catapult was assembled at RACE…reports Asian Lite News

Culham and Harwell, Oxfordshire – UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Satellite Applications Catapult have partnered to demonstrate how advanced remote handling and robotics technology developed for fusion energy research can be used to provide maintenance for in-orbit satellites.

The technology has been developed and tested at UKAEA’s Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) robotics centre in Culham, Oxfordshire.

The demonstration adds to evidence that the potential economic spill over of fusion research reaches far beyond the sector itself, and even as far as the servicing of spacecraft in orbit.

Fusion is the process that powers the sun and stars. The energy created promises to be a safe, low carbon and sustainable part of the world’s future energy supply.

Dr Indira Nagesh, Principal Engineer of UKAEA​,​ said of the network spillover: “The rewards for recreating the ultimate fusion energy source here on Earth are enormous, with the potential for near limitless power for generations to come. Right now, we’re proving that our technology has lots more immediate benefits in adjacent sectors.

“Identifying technical challenges and solving them for in-orbit servicing and repair is exciting. It will greatly help to improve the longevity of spacecraft and reduce space litter.”

Jeremy Hadall, Robotics Development Lead at the Catapult, said: “Improving our ability to perform close-proximity operations in orbit with advanced robotics, will unlock a range of commercial opportunities in space including debris removal, spacecraft servicing, and even the manufacture of large structures in orbit. This trial moves the space industry one step closer to realising these exciting possibilities.”

Currently, around 6,000 satellites are in orbit around the Earth, but only 40% are operational. This space debris poses a danger to all spacecraft which have to perform thousands of avoidance manoeuvres each year to prevent collisions. Servicing and maintenance can extend operational lifetimes and the same technologies can be used to support active debris removal missions.

Hadall continued: “While the space industry has assembled structures and serviced them in the past, it has been extremely costly and required national agencies to lead. However, there is a significant commercial requirement to remove these barriers using robotics as we expand our reach beyond Earth.”

A replica section of a typical spacecraft provided by Satellite Applications Catapult was assembled at RACE.

Demonstrations were carried out in the Automated Inspection and Maintenance Test Unit (AIM-TU), a highly modular robot cell for research and development containing two UR10e (Universal Robotics) robots​ with 1.3 ​​metre reach​.

A ‘digital twin’ of the operation using specialist software was also completed to show how operators can take over the manual command of the operation, if required, and train the system to carry out new missions.

While the automation isn’t ​​space-qualified, engineers have demonstrated how such processes can potentially be replicated in space by understanding technical challenges in implementing remote handling capability.

“The demonstrations have shown how fusion energy technologies can support faster and safer operations,” added Hadall.

“We’re pleased to be working with UKAEA on this collaboration and envisage the relationship to continue as both organisations look to spur innovation by addressing common challenges,” he concluded.

Since its opening at Culham, Oxford, in 2016, UKAEA’s RACE facility has conducted research and development in the use of robotics to protect people in challenging environments.

ALSO READ-UK economy set for worst performance

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Indian techies to learn Japanese as Tokyo opens doors for jobs

India and Japan flag.(photo:IN)

Kumar, who is familiar with the Japanese language and culture is likely to spearhead the programme…reports Asian Lite News

Nagpur based Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) will launch a special training programme on Japanese language, work culture and communication for its students. The programme will commence in January next year. This initiative, though one of the first of its kind, is likely to be replicated at several other education institutes. The programme is expected to facilitate employment of Indians in Japanese companies while also making it easier for them to relocate there. A public university, VNIT is among the 31 National Institutes of Technology in the country.

“Japan would now look to hire a large workforce from India and this would include both blue collared and white collared. We need to have a plan in place. The initiative undertaken by VNIT will be a big step,” Aditya Kumar, promoter and chairman, Kizuna, a platform connecting Indian and Japanese businesses, said.

Kumar, who is familiar with the Japanese language and culture is likely to spearhead the programme.

Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) under the aegis of the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), with the aim to boost economic activities and people to people connect is running a similar programme with IIT Hyderabad.

Suzuki Takashi, Chief Director General, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), India told India Narrative that more such programmes are needed to increase job opportunities for citizens.

“We have a programme with IIT Hyderabad but we are now looking to have similar tie-ups with other top education institutes in India,” Takashi said, adding that it is critical to increase people to people connect between the two countries especially at a time when the supply chain network is under pressure.

At present, the Indian diaspora in Japan is not a sizeable one.

Japan is currently dealing with an ageing population. A report by Japan Times published in September noted that 29.1 per cent of the country’s population is over 65 years of age.

Japan tops the world rankings for the oldest society by proportion of over 65s, well above Italy in second place at 24.1 per cent and third place Finland with 23.3 per cent, the report said, adding that a rise in elderly people is a problem for the country that affects health care system and efforts to reverse low birth rates and sustain regional communities.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida paid a visit to New Delhi in March this year and thereafter Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Tokyo to attend the QUAD summit between India, Japan, Australia and the US. The two leaders concurred to further develop Japan-India relations and work closely toward the realisation of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

ALSO READ-UAE, Japan to establish joint business council

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Tech Lite

Web3, ChromeOS scams to dominate online threat landscape in 2023

McAfee (Photo:Instagram)

These scams may tempt users to click on a link or download an app that appears to interact legitimately with certain blockchains…reports Asian Lite News

Security software company McAfee on Monday released its cyber threat predictions in which it predicts that Web3 and ChromeOS scams will dominate the online threat landscape in 2023.

“McAfee encourages consumers to protect themselves online by being critical when assessing whether a website or source is genuine, and ensuring they are using legitimate sites for online payments and transactions,” said the company.

Fact-checking images, videos and news content, which is already on the rise, will remain an important and valuable part of media consumption, it added.

With the pandemic, the hype surrounding crypto, Bitcoin and NFTs increased dramatically. As a result, the concept of “Web3” appeared, which includes decentralised internet services.

In exploring these Web3 offerings, consumers will be unaware of the dangers of crypto or creating their own NFT content, leaving them vulnerable to scams, according to the company.

These scams may tempt users to click on a link or download an app that appears to interact legitimately with certain blockchains.

Such apps may not have the functionality to interact with any blockchain or may contain invasive adware that compromises users’ privacy, time, device performance and data usage and drains their device battery.

Moreover, the company said it can expect to see Chromebook users among millions of unsuspecting victims targeted to download and run malicious content in 2023.

Whether appearing to be legitimate Android apps, Progressive Web Apps, or Chrome Web Store extensions, users should be wary of popups and push notifications urging them to install untrustworthy apps, the company added.

McAfee has predicted four primary scams with newer hooks which consumers need to beware of — cryptocurrency scams, investment scams, fake loans and Metaverse.

ALSO READ-Mozilla acquires active replica to fuel metaverse strategy

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-Top News World News

India’s G20 presidency to focus on shared priorities

The first day of the meeting also saw a panel discussion on accelerating implementation of SDGs…reports Asian Lite News

India has set the tone for its G20 Presidency by emphasizing at the 1st Sherpa meeting that its focus would be on shared priorities and forging win-win collaborations between developing countries, the global south & advanced economies.

“Under the #G20India Presidency, our focus would be on shared priorities & forging win-win collaborations between developing countries, global south & advanced economies. Productive discussions underway at the 1st Sherpa meeting at the majestic Durbar Hall at Taj Fateh Prakash,” India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant tweeted.

The G20 Sherpas, who are representatives of the heads of state and government, and top officials of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and World Bank are attending a four-day meeting in Udaipur, Rajasthan which began on Sunday.

At an informal media briefing, senior officials reasserted that in spite of facing several global challenges, India will advocate a sense of oneness for all and find solutions collectively with other nations. There was also focus on India’s stand as a voice for the global south.

The first day of the meeting also saw a panel discussion on accelerating implementation of SDGs.

Day 2 of the G20 India Sherpas Meeting on Monday began with a session on Technological Transformation with the working groups on DigitalnEconomy, Health and Education. According to Kant, positive & constructive discussions took place with enthusiastic participation from all G20 Sherpas & heads of international organisations.

The four-day gathering of the Sherpas of G20 Members, invited countries and International Organizations from December 4-7 will set the stage for the important conversation on some of the most pressing current issues. These include technological transformation, green development and LiFE, spotlighting women-led development, accelerating implementation of the SDGs, and facilitating inclusive and resilient growth.

India assumed the G20 Presidency for a period of one year on December 1, 2022.

In a blog to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Let us join together to make India’s G20 Presidency a Presidency of healing, harmony, and hope”.

He also said that India would work in the coming year based on “an inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive agenda to further global good”.

India took over the G20 Presidency from Indonesia; Brazil will head the grouping once India’s term ends.

ALSO READ-Modi thanks leaders for their good wishes

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Modi thanks leaders for their good wishes

Together we will advance sustainable and inclusive growth while tackling shared challenges like the climate, energy, and food crises”…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked his counterparts from the US, France, and Japan for their support as congratulatory messages continue to pour in on India’s assumption of the G20 Presidency.

“Thank you @POTUS. Your valued support will be a source of strength for India’s G-20 Presidency. It is important we all work together to build a better planet,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted on Sunday in reply to a message from US President Joe Biden.

President Biden had earlier written, “India is a strong partner of the United States, and I look forward to supporting my friend Prime Minister Modi during India’s G20 presidency.

Together we will advance sustainable and inclusive growth while tackling shared challenges like the climate, energy, and food crises”.

Prime Minister Modi also thanked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and tweeted, ” Your solidarity is vital. Japan has contributed a lot to global well-being and I am confident the world will continue to learn from Japan’s successes on various fronts. @kishida230″.

“Congratulations, PM Modi @narendramodi, on assuming the G20 Presidency. As the G7 Presidency next year, I also look forward to working closely with you in addressing various challenges that the intentional community faces,” the Japanese Prime Minister had tweeted.

In a separate message on Twitter, Prime Minister Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and wrote, “Thank you, my dear friend @EmmanuelMacron! I look forward to consulting you closely during India’s G20 Presidency, as we work to focus the world’s attention on the issues that affect humanity as a whole”.

“One Earth.
One Family.
One Future.

India has taken over the presidency of #G20India! I trust my friend @NarendraModi to bring us together in order to build peace and a more sustainable world,” the French President had tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi also responded to a message from Spanish President Pedro Sanchez. “Gratitude for your kind works Mr. @sanchezcastejon. Fully endorse your views on collectively working to mitigate challenges of the present to leave a better planet for the coming generations,” he wrote on Twitter.

The Spanish President had earlier said, “We must keep working together to address global challenges and to ensure fair & inclusive green and digital transitions. One Earth, One Family, One Future.

All the best to @narendramodi in the #G20India Presidency. You can count on Spain’s support!”

European Council President Charl s Michel was also among those who sent in their good wishes to India. “Congratulations to India on the start of its #G20 presidency. Looking forward to working with @narendramodi as his country will lead discussions on how to address the world’s most pressing challenges in 2023”.

Prime Minister Modi replied, “Thank you Mr. @CharlesMichel. Looking forward to your active participation as we collectively work towards furthering global good”.

ALSO READ-PM Modi chairs all-party meeting on India’s G20 Presidency