Central News Hub

Category: UK News

  • Barnet residents to have their say on council budget   

    Barnet residents to have their say on council budget   

    Barnet’s budget gap will not be confirmed until after the financial settlement from the Government is received in late December….reports Asian Lite News

    Barnet’s residents are being asked to share their views on the council’s future spending plans, including proposals for saving costs and increasing income to close next year’s forecast budget shortfall. 

    As reported to December’s Cabinet meeting last week (5 December), the council is considering options to achieve financial stability while it contends with a ‘perfect storm’ that has unleashed a projected £52 million funding gap for financial year 2025-26.   

    Barnet’s budget gap will not be confirmed until after the financial settlement from the Government is received in late December. For the purposes of the budget consultation, we are assuming a budget gap of £52m after savings proposals are delivered but this would be reduced further if the council achieves the maximum uplift from the Government’s financial settlement. 

    Residents can have their say on proposals to increase income through fees and charges, and for a 4.98% increase in Council Tax for April 2025. Further actions in the council’s plan include proposals for restructuring or reducing some frontline services, while protecting statutory and essential services. 

    The Leader of Barnet Council, Cllr Barry Rawlings, said, “We want to hear from all residents on our spending plans and budget savings proposals for the next year. We want to minimise the impact of any changes to services on the quality of life of our residents, which is why we need their views on what they think we need to prioritise. We are facing tough decisions. We are a well-run council and run a tight ship, but like other councils we find ourselves caught in the perfect storm caused by the legacy of decades of austerity funding cuts that have more than halved our budget, increasing demand for complex services and a financial climate that is driving up the cost of providing them.” 

    “It will mean reducing some services and delaying some projects. Some of the fees and charges levied for extra services are also likely to increase. We’re faced with extremely difficult choices, and we want to carefully weigh up all options in consultation with residents.” 

    Cabinet Members and council officers have been working to address and contain the unprecedented pressures on the council’s finances, driven by conditions beyond the council’s control. These include: 

    A 50 per cent reduction in central government funding since 2010 

    A rapid increase in residents requesting emergency temporary accommodation and the increase in costs of providing such accommodation 

    An exponential increase in demand and costs for children’s and adults’ social care 

    These pressures are driving the council’s finances to breaking point. 

    Measures to take on the crisis have already been put in place such as cutting back-office functions and freezing non-essential services, while protecting sensitive frontline services to vulnerable residents and universal provision such as road maintenance. 

    Hendon Hub scheme put on hold ‘indefinitely’ 

    Meanwhile, the Council has received planning approval for Hendon Hub – the proposed multi-million-pound redevelopment of The Burroughs, the historical area of Hendon. 

    However, this is simply a statutory notice that concludes the formal legal process, and the council has put the scheme on hold indefinitely. This week (beginning December 9) residents and other contributors to last year’s public consultation on the Hendon Hub proposals have been notified that planning approval has been granted for the original plans. 

    In line with the decision previously taken by the council none of the plans will be acted upon and this is simply a statutory notice, that legally must be sent out. 

    Barnet Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, Cllr Ross Houston, said, “We engaged with Middlesex University, the local community and residents in Hendon. A decision has now been made to halt the scheme indefinitely. As the original proposals were made at a Planning Committee meeting prior to the change in administration, a set of statutory actions were set in motion with the Local Planning Authority, and this notice is one part of that. However, I can assure all residents that none of the current proposals will be acted upon. Any plans in the future would only happen following prior engagement with residents and the local community.” 

    ALSO READ: UK has ‘unique opportunity’ to bolster Gulf relations, forum told 

  • Wembley High Road gets a makeover 

    Wembley High Road gets a makeover 

    The upgrades will occur between Cecil Avenue and The Triangle, marking the final stage of improvements that have been ongoing for several years. …reports Asian Lite News

    Replacing old, leaky drainage systems that have been damaging the road surface mean that Wembley High Road will be closed for 18 weeks starting from Monday 13 January 2025. 

    After discussions with local traders, TfL, and other stakeholders, the council decided to delay the start date to avoid clashing with the busy Diwali and Christmas periods. The road is expected to reopen around mid-May 2025. 

    The upgrades will occur between Cecil Avenue and The Triangle, marking the final stage of improvements that have been ongoing for several years. These improvements have included enhanced footways, street furniture, street lighting, and trees. 

    Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “I recognise that closing an important section of the road is not ideal for residents and businesses. That is why we have listened to feedback and pushed back the start date to after the busy Diwali and Christmas periods. These upgrades are vital for the future of the road and residents can look forward to a very smooth ride down Wembley High Road once work is completed around the middle of May.”  

    This phase will take longer than the previous resurfacing done in July, as it involves deep digging to rebuild sections of the street and replace the old drains. During the closure, emergency vehicles and buses will still have access to Wembley High Road.   

    The council will do everything we can to minimise disruption and complete the upgrades as quickly as possible. The work will be undertaken by GW Highways Ltd, working on behalf of the London Borough of Brent. 

    The council has said it will minimise disruption and complete the upgrades as quickly as possible. The works will be carried out by GW Highways Ltd on behalf of the London Borough of Brent. 

    New community wellbeing hub 

    The New Horizons Centre, located on the former New Millennium Day Centre site on Robson Avenue, is set to open its doors to residents in January, offering an expanded range of support services. In response to changing needs and a decline in the use of traditional day services, the centre is being transformed into a wellbeing hub to provide enhanced support for residents. 

    Online registrations are already open for the new Community Wellbeing Service, which builds on the success of the pilot project at Bridge Park Community Centre. This initiative, a partnership between the council and Sufra NW London, is designed to support low-income households with access to affordable groceries, healthy meals and 121 support. 

    The relocation will allow the service to gradually expand from two days a week to five, enabling it to help even more residents and offer additional support services to those in the programme. 

    In addition to the Community Wellbeing Service, from next month the centre will offer a range of new services and facilities including: Brent Hubs, a community garden, an arts space, immigration advice and debt support. 

    Current day centre users will soon be welcomed back to a refurbished space and will continue to have access to the services they already use, along with the new facilities. 

    Throughout 2025, the centre will welcome more new services, including: family housing needs services and employment support. Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Resident Support and Culture, said, “There is hope on the horizon at our new centre, designed to uplift our community and provide essential support for a brighter future. By bringing a variety of services together under one roof, the New Horizons Centre will make it easier for people to access the vital help they need during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. We are excited to welcome the Community Wellbeing Service and Brent Hubs to their new home in the New Year and look forward to introducing additional services throughout 2025, providing even greater wrap-around support for residents.” 

    Rajesh Makwana BEM, Executive Director, Sufra NW London, said, “Sufra is delighted to be expanding the Community Wellbeing Service at The New Horizons Centre. We’ll be providing a wide range of services to members – from grocery shopping and freshly cooked meals, to welfare advice and holistic wellbeing support. By working with Brent Council and other partners, we are confident that we can improve financial resilience, health and wellbeing for residents, whilst building a vibrant sense of community in the space. Please do get in touch if you would like to find out more about the many volunteering opportunities available at the centre.” 

    ALSO READ: UK has ‘unique opportunity’ to bolster Gulf relations, forum told 

  • Metro mayors to control rail services   

    Metro mayors to control rail services   

    A white paper to be unveiled by the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, will pave the way for metro mayors to take a role in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network..reports Asian Lite News 

    Mayors of big cities and regions across England will be able to take control of rail services for the first time so they can tailor them to their areas’ economic needs, under devolution plans to be announced by ministers on Monday. 

    A white paper to be unveiled by the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, will pave the way for metro mayors to take a role in governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network. 

    This will allow them to develop fully integrated contactless travel along the lines of Transport for London. 

    At the same time the white paper is expected to say that all areas covered by two-tier county and district councils will be asked to submit plans for mergers. This is likely to lead to the scrapping of all districts and the creation of unitary authorities with about 500,000 people in each. 

    The transport secretary Heidi Alexander said that a key aim was to promote growth alongside service improvement by devolving power over transport issues to the local level. 

    “These new powers mark a historic shift in how our railways are run – giving local leaders the ability to shape services that truly meet the needs of their communities and drive local growth,” she said. 

    “By placing decision making closer to the people using these services, passengers’ experience of public transport will be improved, including through better timetabling and easier journeys door-to-door.” 

    Government sources said the English devolution white paper would allow people to use contactless payment systems to board trains, then buses and trams with just one tap in and out, rather than having to pay for each as separate journeys. The changes could mean more e-bike docking stations closer to rail links, as a further move toward full integration. 

    Under the proposals, mayors will work in partnership with Great British Railways, the new company set up to run a renationalised network, which will have a duty to help mayors develop systems to meet local economic, educational and other needs. 

    Mayors in established combined authorities will be able to request the right to decide how often trains run, where they go and what improvements on connectivity and accessibility are needed. 

    Ministers say that effective models, such as those in London and the Liverpool city region, show how well integrated, locally run services can work, bringing better reliability and increased use of public transport. 

    The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said it was a big step forward which he had been pushing for. “In simple terms it lets us do what London has done. We will complete the re-regulation of buses on 5 January. We will go to a London payment system over buses and trams in March and then we want to integrate eight rail lines to begin with but more in the long run into the Bee network, which is our London-style system. 

    “The rail network has been disastrous in recent times. This will bring real economic benefit by allowing us to shape services to need, and serve the area’s economic interests.” 

    The white paper is expected to sweep away more than 150 councils in England, creating 20 to 30 new unitary authorities. 

    This will replace the current system in which county councils run social care, handle large planning applications, education, transport and libraries, while district councils are responsible for rubbish collection, housing and local planning. The plans are bound to provoke a row with those involved with authorities now facing the axe. 

    Some councils are facing a spending crisis because of rising demand for social care of children and older people, with some cutting ­provision of toilets, playgrounds and garden waste collections. 

    Hannah Dalton, leader of Epsom & Ewell borough council in Surrey, said: “The danger is that new unitary councils would have little option but to divert spending on regeneration, high streets and preventing illness to fund social care,” she said. 

    Losing thousands of councillors will change the political map and risks reducing diversity, Dalton added. 

    “If there are larger areas, then the people who can do the role will be people who are financially settled and can do it as a full-time job,” she said. “That means retired men. Local politics will be less diverse.” 

    ALSO READ: UK has ‘unique opportunity’ to bolster Gulf relations, forum told 

  • Crystal Palace Subway wins National Railway Heritage Award 

    Crystal Palace Subway wins National Railway Heritage Award 

    The Subway is now being carefully run by Crystal Palace Park Trust, the community-led charity which took over the management of the park in 2023 as part of the wider regeneration plan for the park…reports Asian Lite News

    The newly restored, Grade II listed Crystal Palace Subway has won a National Railway Heritage Award, recognising the impressive restoration that is now being enjoyed by local residents and visitors. 

    The Subway restoration was selected by judges for the BAM Nuttall Partnership Award, recognising the collaborative approach to the restoration works. The award was presented jointly to Bromley Council and the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, following enthusiasm and support of local residents which led to the restoration. 

    The Subway restoration was also guided by expert advice provided by Historic England, which saw careful repairs provided to the walls, floors and entrances and created a stunning new glass roof over the east courtyard, which was formerly the ticket hall. The restoration project cost £3.5m, funded jointly from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot, more than £1m from Historic England, and significant local support and individual donations. 

    The Subway is now being carefully run by Crystal Palace Park Trust, the community-led charity which took over the management of the park in 2023 as part of the wider regeneration plan for the park. 

    A commemorative plaque to recognise the National Railway Heritage Award will be displayed at the Subway in due course. 

    Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “This welcome award is excellent recognition of what has been achieved and further cements the legacy of this incredible structure following its careful restoration last year which is allowing the beautiful Subway to once again be enjoyed by residents and visitors. I thank the local residents and partners involved for their support in making this restoration possible. It has been the perfect start to our wider regeneration plan which we are now progressing for the whole of this historic park and which will ensure the park’s future is just as magnificent as its past.” 

    Sue Giovanni of the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway said: “The Subway reopened in September 2024 and has already welcomed thousands of visitors for tours, drop-in visits and a craft market. Crystal Palace Park Trust is continuing to develop the Subway as a unique venue for south London, ahead of its 160 year anniversary in 2025, with upcoming events including seasonal pop-up cinema screenings, a comedy night and a silent disco.” 

    Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust, said: “Huge congratulations to the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway and Bromley Council for this well-deserved award, and thank you to everyone who has supported the Subway over the years. The Trust is so pleased to see the National Railway Heritage Awards recognise this wonderfully restored space – the first step in the regeneration plan for the park that the Trust is now delivering in partnership with Bromley Council.” 

    The National Railway Heritage Awards are dedicated to encouraging and rewarding best practice in the re-use, restoration and continued upkeep of the heritage of railway and tramway buildings and structures. 

    Crystal Palace Subway was designed by Charles Barry Junior and built in 1865 to give rail passengers arriving at the Crystal Palace’s High Level Station direct access to the iconic Palace. After the Crystal Palace was destroyed by fire in 1936, the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company closed the High Level Station due to low demand. 

    The Subway found a new purpose as an air raid shelter during World War II, suffering damage to the roof from an aircraft fire. While the High Level Station was eventually demolished in 1961, the Subway was thankfully spared, and has now been restored following continued local interest and advocacy for its architecture and history. 

    Crystal Palace Park Trust is the community-led custodian of the 200-acre, Grade II* listed historic landscape and its many unique buildings and attractions, in south London. The Trust’s vision is for Crystal Palace Park to be an outstanding park for London. Our mission is to protect, manage and improve Crystal Palace Park as a green, open, historic, ecological, recreational, sporting, cultural and educational resource in the interests of the community and other park users. 

    ALSO READ: UK has ‘unique opportunity’ to bolster Gulf relations, forum told 

  • Enfield’s footballers celebrate newly refurbished pitch 

    Enfield’s footballers celebrate newly refurbished pitch 

    The Council was awarded £436,000 (69 per cent) of the total refurbishment costs of £636,000 by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation….reports Asian Lite News

    Footballers of all ages and abilities in Enfield are celebrating after Enfield Council officially opened a newly refurbished 3G pitch. The focus of the facility is to enable and encourage more women and girls’ teams to lace up their boots and play football. 

    The pitch, which is next to Southbury Leisure Centre in Southbury Road, was declared opened by Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces at Enfield Council, and players from Enfield Town Ladies Football Club girls’ teams (under 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s). 

    Cllr Anyanwu was put through her paces in a series of training drills that were provided by Enfield Town Ladies coaches at the launch, following a tour of the newly refurbished gym and changing rooms at Southbury Leisure Centre. 

    The Council was awarded £436,000 (69 per cent) of the total refurbishment costs of £636,000 by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, who work closely with passionate people in communities up and down the country and invest in grassroots facilities. 

    The remaining £200,000 (31 per cent) cost was provided by the Council through a fund which the operator of Southbury Leisure Centre (GLL known as Better) contributes £27,000 into each year, generated from funds from pitch hire. 

    Following the England Women’s team’s success at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, and subsequent campaign by the players, more girls now have the option to play football at their schools. 

    During the past four years, 129,000* more girls have become involved in schools’ football across the host cities of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, including London where the Lionesses defeated Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium. 

    Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces at Enfield Council, Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu, said: “I am delighted to declare the new 3G football pitch open following the completion of extensive improvement work. 

    “We continue to invest in our leisure facilities and in the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents. The refurbishment of this pitch and facilities will help to grow female participation in our national game. 

    “I hope the pitch will be used particularly by many women and girls in the future, so they can develop their skills and aspire to our Lioness role models like captain Leah Williamson and Enfield’s own Jessica Naz.” 

    Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This grant award to Enfield Council towards developing refurbishing the football pitch at Southbury Leisure Centre is great news for the local community. 

    “It will support people’s ability to play our national game locally and therefore help unlock football’s many benefits to physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why we’re committed to transforming the face of grassroots football facilities in this country. It’s therefore very welcome news to hear that this funding will support Enfield Council in developing women and girls’ football in particular in their local community. 

    “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA, government and Sport England – support facility development projects like this across the country over the next decade to transform our grassroots game and unlock the power of pitches.” 

    Alongside the new pitch, footballers will also see refurbished floodlights, improved pitch changing rooms and new goalposts and nets. The pitch will support the provision of football sessions for people with disabilities and is fully accessible. 

    ALSO READ: UK has ‘unique opportunity’ to bolster Gulf relations, forum told 

  • Tower Hamlets rejects China’s ‘Super-Embassy’ 

    Tower Hamlets rejects China’s ‘Super-Embassy’ 

    Tower Hamlets Borough Council rejected the application to redevelop a large complex of historic buildings, located just 5 kilometres from Westminster and formerly owned by the Royal Mint before being acquired by the Chinese government six years ago…reports Asian Lite News

    The Tower Hamlets Borough Council has once again rejected China’s proposal for a new “super-embassy,” citing concerns about its potential impact on “resident safety and policing.” However, campaigners expressed worry that the British government may override this decision in the coming year. 

    Despite being rejected in 2022 following a strong campaign by rights groups, China has resubmitted its application to build a large new facility in London. The campaigners had warned that the embassy would enable espionage and “long-arm” law enforcement, as reported by Radio Free Asia. 

    Tower Hamlets Borough Council rejected the application to redevelop a large complex of historic buildings, located just 5 kilometres (3 miles) from Westminster and formerly owned by the Royal Mint before being acquired by the Chinese government six years ago, for the second time on Monday. 

    A council spokesperson stated, “The committee discussed a range of concerns raised by objectors, ward members, and committee members. It was decided to reject the application due to worries about the impact on resident and tourist safety, heritage, police resources, and highway safety, given the area’s already congested nature.” 

    At Monday’s meeting, London’s Metropolitan Police cautioned that establishing a Chinese Embassy at that location would significantly affect policing and public safety, according to the report. 

    In a letter dated November 14 and posted on the Tower Hamlets planning applications website, Jon Savell, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Special Operations, stated, “Policing the proposed embassy would require officers to be reassigned from frontline duties to manage both spontaneous and planned protests at this site.” 

    He also warned that “Protesters spilling over onto the streets would obstruct the roads, making it difficult to ensure their safety without closing roads, which would lead to increased disruption for the community and businesses.” 

    Overseas rights groups, concerned about a rise in Chinese infiltration and espionage targeting Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and pro-democracy activists in the UK, have urged the British government to reject the proposal. 

    A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy described the plan as “a high-quality development scheme” and expressed that the decision was “deeply disappointing.” 

    In a statement on the embassy’s official website, the spokesperson said, “Host countries have an international duty to support and facilitate the construction of diplomatic mission premises. We hope the UK will fulfill this responsibility.” 

    Jason Chao, director of Hong Kongers in Britain, also addressed the meeting, warning that China often uses advanced surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition, to monitor critics of the Chinese Communist Party, according to Radio Free Asia report. 

    He expressed concerns that, given China’s history of human rights abuses, invasive surveillance, and suppression of dissidents abroad, the proposed new Chinese Embassy could pose a risk to the privacy and safety of nearby residents and workers. 

    In a subsequent interview with RFA Cantonese, Chao revealed that local residents had been discouraged from attending an exhibition about the planned embassy due to strict security measures, including the recording of visitors’ IDs or passport numbers. “People were concerned about security and felt uncomfortable with the amount of information being collected before they were allowed to attend the exhibition,” he said. 

    The UK government is set to hold a Local Inquiry hearing on February 11, 2025, where councillors will present their objections to the proposal. However, Chao noted that their ability to influence the outcome may be limited. “It’s clear that future decisions will be influenced, at least in part, by politics,” he said, adding that local residents now fear the government may push the plan through despite their objections. (ANI) 

    ALSO READ: South Korean Parliament Impeaches President Yoon Suk Yeol

  • ROYAL ‘SPY’ SAGA  

    ROYAL ‘SPY’ SAGA  

    Prince Andrew has said he “ceased all contact” with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after receiving advice from the government…reports Asian Lite News  

    Prince Andrew has said he “ceased all contact” with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after receiving advice from the government. 

    In a statement, his office said Prince Andrew had met the man “through official channels” and there was “nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed”. 

    The alleged spy, known only as H6, was described in court as having formed an “unusual degree of trust” with the duke and has since been banned from the UK following a judgement by the UK’s semi-secret national security court. 

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government would “always stand ready to take action” on “any kind of challenge or threat to UK national security”. 

    In 2023, H6 brought an appeal against his initial ban but the decision has been upheld by the court. Judges were told the businessman was attempting to leverage Prince Andrew’s influence. 

    The duke’s office said he was “unable to comment further on matters relating to national security”. His statement did not specify when he ceased contact with the man, who was described as a “close confidant” of Prince Andrew, nor the duration of their communications. 

    It has also been reported by the Times that H6 was invited to and attended events at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle at the duke’s request. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying they do not act for Prince Andrew, who is not a working royal. 

    China’s embassy in the UK has denied the espionage claim saying “some individuals in the UK are always eager to fabricate baseless ‘spy’ stories targeting China”. “Their purpose is to smear China and disrupt normal exchanges between Chinese and British personnel,” a spokesperson for the embassy said. 

    The former Home Secretary Suella Braverman banned H6 from the UK in March 2023. He then brought his case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, a court set up to consider appeals against decisions to ban or remove someone from the country on national security or related grounds. 

    In the published ruling, the judges upheld Braverman’s decision. Speaking to broadcasters on Saturday, Cooper said: “Our security and intelligence agencies are continually vigilant for any threat to UK national security. 

    “Whether that be around foreign influence, whether it be around espionage, whether it be around any security threat. We won’t hesitate to take action in individual cases or more widely wherever any challenge arises.” 

    The court was told that H6 was invited to Prince Andrew’s birthday party in 2020 and was told he could act on his behalf when dealing with potential investors in China. 

    It is not clear how H6 became close to the prince, but in November 2021 police officers stopped and questioned him at the UK border under powers to investigate suspicions of “hostile activity” by a foreign state. During that stop H6 surrendered a number of electronic devices including a mobile phone. What officers found on them so concerned the security service MI5, that Braverman used her exceptional powers to ban H6 from the country, the BBC reported. 

    In a letter found on one of his devices, H6 was told by Dominic Hampshire, an adviser to Prince Andrew: “Outside of [the prince’s] closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.” 

    Hampshire adds: “Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor.” 

    No further details about who the “relevant people” were are given in the excerpt from the letter included in the ruling. 

    Hampshire also confirmed to H6 that he could act for Prince Andrew in talks “with potential partners and investors in China”. A document listing “main talking points” for a call with Prince Andrew was also found. 

    It states: “IMPORTANT: Manage expectations. Really important to not set ‘too high’ expectations – he is in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything.” 

    The court assessed that this meant H6 was in a position “to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State”. 

    The judges said H6 had won an “unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him”. 

    They added that the relationship had developed at a time when the prince was “under considerable pressure” which “could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence”. 

    The prince faced increasing scrutiny from late 2019 over his friendship with the late US financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which included his infamous Newsnight interview in November of that year. 

    He stepped back from royal duties in November 2019 and the prince has since been dogged by questions about his judgement and his finances. 

    Questions were raised about the prince’s finances after he reached a settlement – believed to run into the millions – in a civil sexual assault case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s accusers. The prince has always denied assaulting Giuffre. 

    ALSO READ: South Korean Parliament Impeaches President Yoon Suk Yeol

  • BTA, NHS & BHC India officials visit DY Patil Medical campus in Pune to sign MoU

    BTA, NHS & BHC India officials visit DY Patil Medical campus in Pune to sign MoU

    Bapio Training Academy UK and the Dy Patil Medical College and Hospital. Pune tie-up to enhance medical education. Rahul Laud reports

    A high-powered visiting delegation consisted of Prof Parag Singhal. CEO, BAPIO Training Academy, UK. (BAPIO – British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin), Prof Maria Kane. Chief Executive, North Bristol NHS Trust and Visiting Professor for the College of Health, Science and Society at UWE Bristol, UK, Mr Jamie Scattergood, Deputy Head of Mission, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, Ms Edna Dsouza. Cluster manager – Healthcare, Life Sciences and Chemicals at British High Commission in India, Ms Risha Rajput. Trade Advisor at British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai visited the Dy Patil Medical College. Pune campus and a formal MOU was signed between Dr DY Patil Medical College and Hospital, Pune, and the BTA.  Detailed insights about the medical sector in India and the UK, enthusiasm, and collaboration made the occasion memorable and impactful to all the attendees.

    The formal program engaged leaders and dignitaries, and their perspectives on strengthening Indo-UK healthcare alliances. The signing of the MOU marked a significant milestone, and all stakeholders are excited about the promising avenues of collaboration ahead.

    Dr Prof. Parag Singhal (Centre) felicitated by the DY Patil Medical College staff.

    The visiting delegates visited the Dental College, Stem Cell Lab, and Ayurveda College, along with the wrap-up meetings, provided a platform to discuss and refine the shared vision for academic and clinical excellence.

    This partnership is designed to create a robust platform for academic excellence, innovation in research, and global healthcare advancements. The collaboration brings together the expertise of Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, one of India’s leading medical institutions and BAPIO Training Academy.

    On the occasion of signing the MoU, Cr Prof Parag Singhal, CEO at BTA, shared, “The partnership will focus on key specializations such as emergency medicine, critical care, dermatology, dentistry, chronic disease management, and healthcare leadership. Through joint academic programs, workshops, seminars, and faculty and student exchanges, the collaboration aims to enrich learning experiences for medical students and healthcare professionals.

    In addition to academic initiatives, the partnership will drive collaborative research on innovative treatments and chronic diseases, addressing critical public health challenges. These efforts are expected to yield high-impact publications and significant advancements in medical science. Prof Singhal added.

    Patient safety will be a cornerstone of this partnership. Both institutions will work together to develop standardized safety protocols and implement regular quality improvement training. These measures will ensure elevated patient safety standards, leading to better outcomes and improved healthcare delivery.

     Furthermore, this collaboration will foster global knowledge exchange, creating a model for international cooperation in healthcare and medical education and strengthening ties between India and the UK, Prof Singhal confirmed.

    Prof Maria Kane, Chief Executive, North Bristol NHS Trust and Visiting Professor for the College of Health, Science and Society at UWE Bristol, UK was hopeful that the partnership would help them learn from one another, provide training and education at undergraduate and postgraduate level, exchange skills and combine research and technological innovation.

    According to Edna Dsouza, Cluster manager – Healthcare, Life Sciences and Chemicals at the British High Commission in India, said, “Together, they’re laying the foundation for Innovative Research, Upskilling Workforce, Patient Safety & Care. This partnership is more than an agreement; it’s a shared vision of transforming healthcare and creating opportunities for global collaboration.”Dr.

    Bhagyashree Patil, Pro-Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, said, “Together with BAPIO Training Academy, we aim to create a future where cross-border knowledge sharing leads to impactful innovations that benefit humanity.”

    Dr. Yashraj Patil, Trustee and Treasurer, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune remarked, “By bringing together expertise from India and the UK, we are not only advancing academic and clinical excellence but also positioning ourselves as a global leader in healthcare innovation and patient safety.”

    Dr. Rekha Arcot, Dean, Dr. DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, shared her thoughts, stating, “The partnership with BAPIO Training Academy offers immense potential to enhance learning opportunities for our students and faculty. By focusing on specialized training and collaborative research, we are setting new benchmarks in medical education and patient care.”

    The partnership will be implemented in a phased manner over 24 months, focusing on planning, program development, execution, and monitoring. This milestone initiative is expected to make a significant contribution to global healthcare and medical education, fostering long-term collaboration between India and the UK.

    Dr. Tamorish Kole, Director of Emergency Medicine, Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Pune, said, “We look forward to building upon the recent visit and  discussions and turning our shared aspirations into impactful initiatives.”

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  • Harry Kane To Continue As England’s Captain

    Harry Kane To Continue As England’s Captain

    The Bayern Munich striker, who has been a cornerstone of England’s recent successes, has retained England’s manager Tuchel’s trust.

    Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager confirmed that Harry Kane would continue as country’s captain, putting to rest any speculation about leadership changes under his reign. The Bayern Munich striker, who has been a cornerstone of England’s recent successes, has retained Tuchel’s trust.

    The German tactician, who was unveiled as Gareth Southgate’s successor in October, addressed the media on Friday following the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw. England will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in Group K, with their campaign starting in March.

    There is at the moment no need to think about change,” Tuchel told the reporters. “Harry was always a top captain for England. So why do you even think about it at the moment?”

    “You cross the river when you cross the river. First, come January, we will be in touch with everyone and get the feeling for St George’s Park and also the players. And until March, there’s still a lot of football to be played, and then we will try to find the best group for the games that await.”

    Tuchel, however, hinted at a holistic approach, suggesting that while Kane’s captaincy remains secure, all players will be given a clean slate when he assumes full responsibility. He emphasized the importance of independent decision-making, separate from Southgate’s era.

    One player Tuchel is keen to reach out to is Arsenal defender Ben White, who last played for England during the 2022 FIFA World Cup but left the squad midway for personal reasons. White’s future with the national team has been clouded by rumors of a fallout with Southgate’s staff, which were later denied.

    Tuchel appeared open to reintegrating the 26-year-old into the fold. “I will reach out to him,” Tuchel said. “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. From January, I’ll be watching games and will try to speak to everyone, including Ben.”

    With the qualifiers just 15 months before the 2026 World Cup in North America, Tuchel’s England project begins in earnest. The fixtures’ condensed schedule, starting in March, gives the new manager limited time to assess his squad.

    Tuchel intends to begin his role by attending Premier League games in January, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the player pool. “It starts from January. I will be in the stadiums from January. I will also not distract the players, and they should just know, ‘Okay, the boss is there from January’,” Tuchel added.

    “Then I will, of course, try to speak to them but also be respectful to the schedule that they have, because the schedule is busy in January, especially in the Premier League.”

    Acknowledging the hectic domestic schedule, particularly in January, Tuchel pledged to respect the demands on players while building relationships.

    Tuchel spoke enthusiastically about starting his England journey in conjunction with the World Cup qualifiers. He believes this framework provides a clear focus for the squad and ensures all energies are directed toward building a cohesive team for the long-term goal of global success.

    “I like the framework, the narrative. I like it to start when the World Cup qualification starts, to have it as you kick off and go from there,” Tuchel explained. “It gives clarity in the selection process and in how we speak to each other and where we want to go.”

    England’s draw offers a relatively straightforward path to qualification. Serbia, the group’s toughest opponent, will pose a challenge, but matches against Albania, Latvia, and Andorra provide an opportunity for England to fine-tune their systems. The five-team group also offers fewer fixtures, allowing Tuchel to focus on immediate and long-term improvements.

  • Miliband pledges reforms to energy system 

    Miliband pledges reforms to energy system 

    The energy secretary is to set out the government’s “clean power 2030” plan on Friday, including measures to boost the UK’s renewable energy…reports Asian Lite News

    Ed Miliband has pledged to bring in “the most ambitious reforms to the country’s energy system in generations” as he presses ahead with plans to accelerate the development of onshore windfarms in England. 

    The energy secretary is to set out the government’s “clean power 2030” plan on Friday, including measures to boost the UK’s renewable energy supply such as building canopies of solar panels on outdoor car parks. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says the proposals will generate £40bn a year from the private sector. 

    Energy industry and environmental groups broadly welcomed the plan, with the latter urging the government against investing in carbon capture projects at the expense of supporting renewable energy development. 

    Ministers want to wean the country off its dependence on fossil fuels, which was laid bare when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused British energy bills to soar to record highs. Among the measures covered by the plan was confirmation that onshore windfarms will be brought back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime in England, which streamlines planning processes for important and large scale projects. 

    This would make it easier to progress onshore farms larger than 100MW, which in some cases require hundreds of acres of land. The government will launch a call for evidence on car park solar panel canopies next year, and also said there was significant scope to install solar panels on warehouse and factory roofs, with 20% of the UK’s biggest warehouses potentially providing up to 15GW of solar capacity. 

    The plans come as low wind and solar power generation forced Britain to rely heavily on burning gas and wood pellets. As of Thursday, about 65% of Britain’s electricity was being generated from gas and biomass, with just 5.3% coming from wind. 

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