Page 17 - Rishi Sunak

UK and EU leaders to hold talks amid hope to fix Brexit trade dispute

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen are set to hold face-to-face talks, with expectations high they will seal a deal to resolve a thorny post-Brexit trade dispute. That would mark a breakthrough after months of bitter wrangling that has soured UK-EU relations, sparked the collapse of the Belfast-based regional government and and threatened to set back Northern Ireland's decades-old peace process. In a joint statement on Sunday the UK and the EU said European Commission President von der Leyen will travel to Britain on Monday so the leaders can work towards "shared, practical solutions for the range of complex challenges around the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. Sunak's office set out a tightly choreographed agenda for Monday suggesting a deal is all but done. It said the leaders' lunchtime final talks would be followed by a meeting of the UK Cabinet, then, if there is a deal, by a joint news conference and a statement by Sunak

British PM Sunak pledges to 'give everything' for new Brexit deal

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday pledged to give everything he has got to fix the lingering problems of Brexit and clinch a new deal with the European Union (EU) that resolves the problematic Northern Ireland Protocol. The protocol, agreed by his former boss Boris Johnson, was struck to prevent a hard border between UK territory Northern Ireland and EU member-state Ireland. However, in practice, it has proved controversial and created a standoff between the UK and EU over a resolution until now, when hopes of a new deal have been revived after intensive talks. I voted for Brexit and I believe in Brexit because it offers vast opportunities for families and businesses across our whole country, writes Sunak in The Daily Telegraph'. He notes that while Brexit was about restoring the UK's sovereignty, the Northern Ireland Protocol had undermined that and created "serious barriers to trade within the United Kingdom, and that is unacceptable". "My job is to seize this ...

UK doubled visas for residence last year despite aim to cut migration

The figures mark a contrast with the goal of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government cut immigration sharply, one of the main things the Conservatives promised to deliver after leaving the EU

UK PM Rishi Sunak set for his biggest political test yet with Brexit deal

Sunak oversaw a diplomatic flurry in recent days, holding meetings with parties in Northern Ireland and with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to lay the groundwork

AI chatbot ChatGPT grills Rishi Sunak, Bill Gates in an interview

The AI chatbot's first question was about the impact of technology on the global economy and job market over the next 10 years

It's time to double down on support for Ukraine, says UK PM Rishi Sunak

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called on world leaders on Saturday to double down on support for Ukraine, saying additional arms and security guarantees are needed to protect the country and the rest of Europe from Russian aggression now and in the future. Sunak delivered the message in a speech to the Munich Security Conference, an annual meeting of heads of state, defense ministers and other world leaders. This year's conference is focused on threats to the accepted rules of international relations nearly a year after Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Highlighting Britain's recent commitment to provide battle tanks, advanced air defense systems and longer-range missiles to Ukraine, Sunak urged other nations to follow suit before Russia launches an expected spring offensive. Now is the moment to double down on our military support, Sunak said. When Putin started this war, he gambled that our resolve would falter. Even now he is betting we will lose our nerve. Sunak also called

UK First Lady Akshata Murty, daughters spotted holidaying in south Goa

Akshata Murty, the wife of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, their two daughters and her mother Sudha Murty were spotted holidaying at Benaulim beach in south Goa, about 40 km from state capital Panaji. A fisherman named Francis Fernandes, locally known as Pele, said he immediately identified the UK First Lady when she approached him on Monday inquiring about water sports at the popular tourist attraction. In a video shot by locals, Pele can be seen interacting with Akshata, whose father Narayana Murthy co-founded Infosys. Later, he also uploaded his picture with her and Sudha Murty on social media. She (Akshata) asked me, is water sports safe in Goa? I told her, Ma'am, it is 100 per cent safe and I will keep you and your family safe if they wish to enjoy water sports, he said. Sharing a few more snatches of his conversation with the 10 Downing Street resident, Pele said, Before they got on our speed boats, I told her that there are many Goans living in the UK and I want her to see th

Indian-origin politicians who are making a mark in global politics

Nikki Haley, who has announced that she will run for the post of President of the US in 2024, is of Indian-origin

Rishi Sunak privately drafting plans to rebuild Britain's ties with EU

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has privately asked senior ministers and officials to draw up plans for rebuilding the UK's relations with the European Union after years of acrimony since Brexit

UK announces new tranche of sanctions against Russia over Ukraine war

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday announced a new round of sanctions against Russian military and Kremlin elites. The announcement of Cleverly came as Zelenskyy arrived in the UK to hold a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, King Charles and address Britain's Parliament."In total the UK's sanction package hits 6 entities providing military equipment such as drones for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as 8 individuals and 1 entity connected to nefarious financial networks that help maintain wealth and power amongst Kremlin elites," UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office announced in a statement.UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that Ukraine has demonstrated that it will not break under his "tyrannical invasion." He said new sanctions accelerate the economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the statement released by UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office."These new sanctions ...

Sunak extends military training support as Ukraine President visits UK

In his first UK visit since the Russian conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive at 10 Downing Street here on Wednesday for a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and go on to address Parliament. The visit comes as Sunak extended the UK's ongoing support to train Ukrainian fighter jet pilots and marines to help upskill their defensive capabilities. According to UK government officials, the leaders will discuss a two-pronged approach to Britain's support for Ukraine, starting with an immediate surge of military equipment to the country to help counter Russia's "offensive" and reinforced by long-term support. "President Zelenskyy's visit to the UK is a testament to his country's courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries, said Sunak. Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their ...

UK's Sunak pledges 'steadfast support' in phone call with Turkish president

The latest death toll from the quake in Turkey now stands at 5,894, while the figure over the border in Syria is 1,932

UK ex-PM Truss attempts dramatic political comeback with swipe at Sunak

Britain's former prime minister Liz Truss, who has the ignominy of being the country's shortest serving in the top job at just 49 days, on Sunday made a dramatic attempt at a comeback to frontline politics with an indirect swipe at successor Rishi Sunak's policies. Truss, whose mini-budget in September last year was widely blamed for setting the UK on a spiralling economic downturn, claims she was never given a "realistic chance" to implement her tax-cutting vision for growth. In a lengthy essay in 'The Sunday Telegraph', the former party leader admitted she was not "blameless" but argued that her mandate as the Conservative Party leader was not respected and that her premiership was the casualty of the "left-wing economic establishment". "I wanted to become prime minister to change things, not to manage decline or to preside over our country sliding into stagnation," she writes. "In the medium term, I believed my policies would have increased growth and therefore reduced debt. ...

In a 'special gesture' British PM Rishi Sunak joins UK-India NSA dialogue

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a "special gesture" briefly joined a meeting here between India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his UK counterpart Tim Barrow and assured his government's full support to deepen bilateral strategic partnership in sectors like trade and defence. Doval and Barrow met at the UK Cabinet Office, a department responsible for supporting the prime minister. "A special gesture by PM @rishisunak to join for a while India-UK dialogue between Sir Tim Barrow & Mr Doval at @cabinetofficeuk," the Indian High Commission tweeted on Saturday. "Deeply value PM's assurance of his Govts full support to deepen strategic partnership in trade, defence, S&T. Look forward to the visit of Sir Tim to India soon," it added. Doval's trip to London follows his visit to the US where he met America's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday.

PM Modi emerges most popular global leader with approval rating of 78%

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pegged as the world's most popular leader with an approval rating of 78 per cent as per a survey by a US-based consulting firm 'Morning Consult.'As per the rating PM Modi's ratings trump those of other leaders including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The poll surveyed 22 global leaders for the ratings.The "Global Leader Approval" survey is based on data collected from January 26-31 this year, said the Political Intelligence research firm which collated a seven-day moving average of adult residents in each country, with sample sizes varying by country.PM Modi garnered 78 per cent of approval ratings, way ahead of US President Joe Biden, who received 40 per cent ratings. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez.Obrador, came in second with 68 per cent ratings and Swiss President Alain Berset occupied the third position with 62 per cent approval rating.The year 2022 has been a phenomenal year .

UK set for biggest strike in years as teachers, civil servants walk out

Between June and November, more days were lost to industrial action than in any six months for over 30 years, according to official data

UK PM Rishi Sunak sacks Conservative Party chief over tax penalty row

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday fired one of his Cabinet ministers and Conservative Party chairman, Nadhim Zahawi, after he was found to have been in "serious breach" of the Ministerial Code on how he handled his personal tax affairs. Zahawi, who was a minister without portfolio as the chief of the governing Tory party, had faced fierce pressure in recent days to quit over questions about his finances after it emerged that he had agreed a 4.8 million pounds penalty settlement with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) department. Sunak had ordered an independent investigation into the 55-year-old Iraq-born former Chancellor's tax affairs amid growing Opposition demands for him to sack Zahawi. His independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, submitted his assessment on whether the HMRC settlement amounted to a breach of the ministerial code. When I became Prime Minister last year, I pledged that the government I lead would have integrity, professionalism and ...

Rishi Sunak scores as UK vote winner over Boris Johnson in new survey

British Prime Minster Rishi Sunak is seen as more trustworthy, more economically competent and more likely to win votes than his former boss, Boris Johnson, in a new survey of voting intentions

LIVE: Election Commission issues notification for Tripura Assembly election

Live news updates: As per the schedule, the polling to the 60 Assembly constituencies will be held on February 16 and counting will take place on March 2

UK PM Sunak defends PM Modi over controversial BBC series on Gujarat riots

"We strongly condemn the BBC's malicious documentary India: The Modi Question," said Insight UK, among several diaspora groups who have taken to social media to condemn the documentary