Aditi Khanna

Stories by Aditi Khanna

Rishi Sunak lights diyas on Downing Street for Diwali

Rishi Sunak lights diyas on Downing Street for Diwali

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2020

His celebratory gesture on Thursday night marks a first for Downing Street, which annually sees the UK prime minister host a Diwali gathering and an Annakut, or spread of festive food, from London's Swaminarayan Mandir next door at No 10.

'Biden or Trump, US-India ties at level of no return'

'Biden or Trump, US-India ties at level of no return'

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2020

"As far as the US is concerned, we have certainly reached a level of no return. In other words, we have developed today what we call a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. "We are cooperating across the board on areas that are of mutual interest to both our countries," said Shringla.

Ladakh standoff: India not a pushover, says foreign secy

Ladakh standoff: India not a pushover, says foreign secy

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2020

He said that following a build-up of troops, multiple transgressions and attempts to unilaterally change facts on the ground by China, there have been several levels of talks and a fair amount of communication to ensure that the matter can be resolved through negotiation and diplomacy.

Nirav Modi extradition case: UK judge admits CBI, ED evidence

Nirav Modi extradition case: UK judge admits CBI, ED evidence

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2020

A UK judge presiding over the extradition proceedings of Nirav Modi on Tuesday ruled that the evidence submitted by the Indian authorities to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against the fugitive diamantaire is broadly admissible. District Judge Samuel Goozee heard the arguments for and against the admissibility of certain witness statements provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London and concluded that he considered himself "bound" by the previous UK court rulings in the extradition case of former Kingfisher Airlines chief Vijay Mallya. He then adjourned the case for a two-day hearing on January 7 and 8 next year, when he will hear the final submissions in the case before he hands down his judgment a few weeks later.

Nirav Modi's fate in extradition case to be sealed soon

Nirav Modi's fate in extradition case to be sealed soon

Rediff.com   2 Nov 2020

The 49-year-old jeweller, fighting extradition in the estimated $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, will appear via videolink from Wandsworth Prison in south-west London for the latest hearing in the case, during which District Judge Samuel Goozee will hear his defence team's arguments against the admissibility of certain evidence provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in order to establish a prima facie case against the accused.

Prince William's COVID kept secret in first wave of UK pandemic: Report

Prince William's COVID kept secret in first wave of UK pandemic: Report

Rediff.com   2 Nov 2020

The Duke of Cambridge, 38, didn't want to alarm the public so kept his illness private.

UK heads for complete lockdown as Covid tally crosses 1 mn mark

UK heads for complete lockdown as Covid tally crosses 1 mn mark

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2020

The UK prime minister stressed that a complete lockdown was the only answer to prevent the overrunning of the country's state-funded National Health Service, which would be a "medical and moral disaster" beyond the raw loss of life.

UK hospital told to prep for COVID vaccine by Nov: Report

UK hospital told to prep for COVID vaccine by Nov: Report

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2020

The vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and also known as AZD1222, is considered among the most advanced in the worldwide hunt for a viable vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

PNB scam: UK court rejects Nirav Modi's latest bail attempt

PNB scam: UK court rejects Nirav Modi's latest bail attempt

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2020

The 49-year-old jeweller, fighting extradition to India on charges of fraud and money laundering in the estimated $2-billion Punjab National Bank scam case, has made around six previous attempts at bail at the magistrates' court as well as at the high court level.

Oxford vaccine doing 'everything expected': Study

Oxford vaccine doing 'everything expected': Study

Rediff.com   22 Oct 2020

A team at Bristol University used recently developed techniques to validate that the vaccine accurately follows the genetic instructions programmed into it by the Oxford University team.

UK court extends Nirav Modi's remand till Nov 3

UK court extends Nirav Modi's remand till Nov 3

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2020

The 49-year-old jeweller, wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering in the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, further remanded in custody during a routine call-over hearing held via videolink at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.

Couple in UK pull off COVID-secure drive-in wedding

Couple in UK pull off COVID-secure drive-in wedding

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2020

Londoners Roma Popat and Vinal Patel were originally due to get married on April 20 but when lockdown disrupted their plans, they discussed the concept of a drive-in wedding with their wedding coordinator, Saheli Events, almost as a tongue-in-cheek thought rather than a serious plan.

Oxford Covid vaccine could be rolled out within 6 months: Report

Oxford Covid vaccine could be rolled out within 6 months: Report

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2020

The UK government has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine once it is ready for rollout and the doses are being manufactured before it has been shown to be successful in order to save time once it clears all the regulatory stages.

Indian-origin billionaire bros to pick stake in UK supermarket chain Asda

Indian-origin billionaire bros to pick stake in UK supermarket chain Asda

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2020

Indian-origin billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa are set to acquire a majority stake in the leading UK supermarket chain Asda from its US owner Walmart after a $ 8.8-billion deal was struck as part of a consortium involving private equity firm TDR Capital.

Anil Ambani tells UK court he leads disciplined, not lavish lifestyle

Anil Ambani tells UK court he leads disciplined, not lavish lifestyle

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2020

Asked about his fleet of luxury cars and other references to his lavish lifestyle as the counsel for the banks cross-examined him, the Reliance Communications chief dismissed them as "speculative" media stories.

Oxford, AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trials resume in UK

Oxford, AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trials resume in UK

Rediff.com   12 Sep 2020

AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, as the trial sponsor, said that they cannot disclose further medical information but confirmed that independent investigations concluded that the trials were safe to restart.

Nirav Modi's mental health, Indian prisons in focus at UK extradition case

Nirav Modi's mental health, Indian prisons in focus at UK extradition case

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2020

The third day of the five-day hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, presided over by Justice Samuel Goozee, was devoted to the defence laying out further arguments against a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against Modi.

Will Nirav Modi be extradited to India by the end of 2020?

Will Nirav Modi be extradited to India by the end of 2020?

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2020

Modi is subject to two sets of criminal proceedings, the first brought by the CBI relating to a large-scale fraud said to have been committed upon PNB and the ED case, relating to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud.

1 killed, 7 injured in multiple stabbings in Birmingham

1 killed, 7 injured in multiple stabbings in Birmingham

Rediff.com   6 Sep 2020

A hunt has been initiated for a male suspect, who is believed to have gone on a stabbing spree, starting at Constitution Hill in Birmingham.

Schools, colleges reopen after months of lockdown in UK

Schools, colleges reopen after months of lockdown in UK

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2020

Face coverings are mandatory in communal areas and corridors at schools and colleges within areas of the country deemed at high risk of COVID-19 infections.