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World at cusp of ushering India era as we gain developed status: NK Singh

The world is at the cusp of ushering in an India era as the country's growth trajectory moves towards a developed nation status by 2047, leading economist and policymaker N K Singh has said. In his address on being conferred a prestigious Honorary Fellowship at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on Wednesday evening, the President of the Institute of Economic Growth said he was humbled to be joining the ranks of fellow Indians such as Nobel laureate Professor Amartya Sen and former president K R Narayanan. The renowned university said the honour was in recognition of Singh's long-standing and committed relationship with the LSE and his efforts to facilitate its unique relationship with India as Co-chair of LSE's India Advisory Board. It is a humbling moment for me considering the stature of many of my predecessors. The LSE has been a centre of academic excellence since its inception in 1895. Its connection with India has been an intensive, inquisitive and ...

Vodafone, Virgin Media to continue network sharing amid competition woes

The $19 billion merger between Vodafone's UK operation and Hutchison's Three UK is the subject of a Competition and Markets Authority investigation

Asset manager BlackRock to buy UK data firm Preqin for $3.2 bn in cash

BlackRock, which manages more than $10 trillion, is seeking to capitalise on a boom in demand from investors for alternative assets

Global carbon removal market could touch $100 bn/yr from 2030-35: Report

Demand for credits has begun to increase from sectors as diverse as technology and finance, chemicals and aviation but it's not yet large enough to drive the scale of projects

Singapore costliest city for luxury spending, Hong Kong, London follow

Singapore has continued to attract the ultra-wealthy by maintaining its reputation for political and economic stability

Fast fashion retailer Shein filed for London listing in early June: Report

The Chinese-founded company, was valued at $66 billion in a fundraising round last year

Paris loses its crown to London as the biggest stock market in Europe

President Emmanuel Macron's shock announcement of a snap election sparked a rout that wiped off about $258 billion from the market capitalisation of French firms last week

Tax burden in UK highest since 1949; election pledges won't bring relief

Election pledges not to raise tax have been common since 1997, when Tony Blair promised not to raise income tax or VAT

Super-wealthy may quit UK over Labour plans for inheritance taxes on trusts

Economists say overall tax levels are likely to approach an all-time high whoever wins the election, despite promises by both main parties not to increase major tax rates

Delhi does a London, to set up blue plaques at heritage buildings in city

Following London's 158-year-old programme involving marking significant buildings with blue plaques, the Delhi civic body will first mark 50 notable heritage structures

British Airways to start New Delhi-London daily flight from April 20

Expanding its services to India, British Airways will start a new daily flight between the national capital and London Heathrow from April 20, 2025. "This will increase the airline's schedule across India to 63 flights a week across five cities," the airline said in a release. Currently, the carrier operates 56 weekly flights to India. These include daily services from Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The new flight, starting from April 20, will be operated with a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Neil Chernoff, British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer said the airline is celebrating 100 years of flying to India. "We eagerly anticipate welcoming passengers on board our new flights and continuing our legacy of excellence in the skies," Moran Birger, Head of Sales Asia Pacific and Middle East at British Airways, said.

British govt moves to revive London's reputation as financial hub

The global competition for investors - among cities like New York, Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore - is intense

6,000 feet drop in 3 mins: Singapore Airlines flight's mid-air chaos. WATCH

A British passenger suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, and many were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence mid-air. The plane made an emergency landing in Bangkok

One dead, many injured after turbulence hits Singapore Airlines flight

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, travelling from London Heathrow Airport to Singapore, encountered severe turbulence, forcing an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday

From London to LA, Iranians overseas cheer & fear, after president's death

Among Iranian communities from London to Los Angeles, few tears are being shed over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a weekend helicopter crash. But there are not always loud cheers, either. While some hope the demise of a powerful figure in Iran's authoritarian Islamic government may bring change, others fear it could result in more repression. It's a better world without him, said Maryam Namazie, a UK-based women's rights campaigner. He is one of the pillars of the Islamic regime of Iran. He has been there since its inception. But, she added: Raisi, however much of a pillar he was, is expendable. There are many others to take his place. Inside Iran, authorities are keeping a tight lid on reaction to the crash that killed Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others. The government declared five days of mourning, encouraging people into the streets in displays of public grief and support. Prosecutors have warned Iranians against any public ...

London court to decide whether WikiLeaks founder to be extradited to US

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces a hearing Monday in the High Court in London that could end with him being sent to the US to face espionage charges, or provide him another chance to appeal his extradition. The outcome will depend on how much weight judges give to assurances US officials have provided that Assange's rights won't be trampled if he goes on trial. In March, two judges rejected the bulk of Assange's arguments but said he could take his case to the Court of Appeal unless the US guaranteed he would not face the death penalty if extradited and would have the same free speech protections as a US citizen. The court said that if Assange, who is an Australian citizen, couldn't rely on the First Amendment then it was arguable his extradition would be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, which also provides free speech and press protections. The US has provided those reassurances, though Assange's legal team and supporters argue they are not good eno

India's technical assistance important, says Commonwealth chief

India's technical assistance is critically important to the Commonwealth, the Secretary General of the 56-member organisation said, asserting that it gives a huge amount of hope to many of the developing states to leapfrog the developmental challenges which have already been undertaken and surpassed by India. Patricia Scotland's remarks came as she hosted the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers meeting in London on the theme of Driving Resilience, Equity, and Skills for an Inclusive Future. Scotland welcomed India's willingness to share technological developments with the Commonwealth in an open-source way and hoped for greater commitment towards the organisation's educational goals. At the two-day meeting at the Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House headquarters in London which opened on Thursday, she called on ministers to help eliminate the barriers that impede access to education, harness technology and encourage lifelong learning. India has made it clear t

Over 10,500 London black cabbies take Uber to court for unlawful activities

A UK law firm said on Thursday that it has filed a multi-million-pound group action in the city's High Court on behalf of 10,887 licensed London black cab drivers in their claim against Uber for alleged losses sustained as a result of unlawful activities in the city's taxi market. Mishcon De Reya said its claim filed in the Commercial Court relates to actions taken by the US-headquartered ride-hailing company dating back to 2012 under the private hire vehicle licence granted by Transport for London (TfL). It is claimed their operating system did not comply with the requirements of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1988. Uber has denied the allegations and described the claim as "unfounded". "Uber has consistently failed to comply with the law that applies to private hire vehicles in London and so we are pleased to be issuing today's claim on behalf of almost 11,000 London cab drivers," said Richard Leedham, Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes at Mishcon de Reya. According

Man attacks public, police with sword in London, arrested by authorities

Police confirmed that the incident did not appear to be 'terror-related' and are not looking for any additional suspects

Mumbai's dabbawalas in London? Mahindra boss calls it 'reverse colonialism'

Anand Mahindra, top boss of Mahindra and Mahindra, recently shared a video about London's food delivery innovation, said to have been inspired from Mumbai's dabbawalas