Aditi Khanna

Stories by Aditi Khanna

'Chief mouser' Palmerston retires as UK's top diplomatic cat

'Chief mouser' Palmerston retires as UK's top diplomatic cat

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2020

Lord Palmerston, famed for regular territorial tiffs with neighbouring Downing Street mouse-catcher Larry, will see out his retirement in the English countryside, where he has been spending lockdown already at the home of a member of Foreign Office staff.

UK PM rides made-in-India Hero bike at launch of cycling drive

UK PM rides made-in-India Hero bike at launch of cycling drive

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2020

Johnson, 56, a known cycling enthusiast, was seen riding on a Hero Viking Pro bike to Canalside Heritage Centre at Beeston in Nottingham, central England, on Tuesday when he unveiled plans for thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes, cycle training for everyone and bikes available on prescription as part of a new fitness strategy.

Nizam of Hyderabad wants 'clean break' from funds battle in UK

Nizam of Hyderabad wants 'clean break' from funds battle in UK

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2020

The titular eighth Nizam of Hyderabad, Prince Mukarram Jah, says he wants a 'clean break' from a decades-old legal fight over funds lying in a United Kingdom bank account belonging to his ancestors, as he waived his right to a share in the estimated 4,00,000 pounds leftover after an English high court order from last year.

COVID-19 herd immunity will take time: WHO chief scientist

COVID-19 herd immunity will take time: WHO chief scientist

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2020

'Even if the clinical trials are successful and we have a couple of vaccines by the end of this year, we still need the hundreds of billions of doses, which will take time'

China warns UK against 'interference' on Hong Kong

China warns UK against 'interference' on Hong Kong

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2020

The Chinese Embassy in London and the Chinese ambassador to the UK issued strong statements condemning the UK's move as a disregard for its representations and 'blatant' interference in its internal affairs.

Scientists say Oxford Covid vaccine looks safe, induces immunity

Scientists say Oxford Covid vaccine looks safe, induces immunity

Rediff.com   20 Jul 2020

The results show they induced strong antibody and T-cell immune responses for up to 56 days after they were given. T-cells are crucial for maintaining protection against the virus for years.

UK signs deal for 90 million COVID-19 vaccine doses

UK signs deal for 90 million COVID-19 vaccine doses

Rediff.com   20 Jul 2020

To enable large-scale vaccine studies to take place across the UK, the aim is to get 500,000 people signed up by October, which is considered vital in the fight against coronavirus.

Arise Sir Tom! Queen knights 100-yr-old fundraising Captain

Arise Sir Tom! Queen knights 100-yr-old fundraising Captain

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2020

The World War II veteran earned himself a knighthood after raising some 33 million for health service charities.

UK Queen's granddaughter weds in secret ceremony

UK Queen's granddaughter weds in secret ceremony

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2020

Beatrice, 31, and Mozzi, 37, had been due to marry at the Chapel Royal, at St James's Palace in London with 150 guests in May but postponed the plans amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hopes rise with strong trial results

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hopes rise with strong trial results

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2020

Blood samples taken from a group of UK volunteers given a dose of the vaccine showed that it stimulated the body to produce both antibodies and 'killer T-cells', a senior source from the trial was quoted by The Daily Telegraph as saying.

UK lagging behind in using face masks: Nobel scientist

UK lagging behind in using face masks: Nobel scientist

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2020

'It used to be quite normal to have quite a few drinks and drive home, and it also used to be normal to drive without seatbelts. Today both of those would be considered antisocial, and not wearing face coverings in public should be regarded in the same way'

UK allows quarantine-free travel to low-risk countries

UK allows quarantine-free travel to low-risk countries

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2020

India and the US are among the countries excluded from the list of nearly 60 low-risk countries.

Serious breach of agreement: UK PM on Hong Kong security law

Serious breach of agreement: UK PM on Hong Kong security law

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2020

Johnson said China's new National Security Law is a threat to the rights and freedom of the region and in direct conflict with Hong Kong Basic Law.

6 injured in mass stabbing in Glasgow, suspect shot dead

6 injured in mass stabbing in Glasgow, suspect shot dead

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2020

Police Scotland said that the incident is not being treated as terrorism but that their investigation into the motive behind the attack remains ongoing.

UK PM terms Sino-India standoff 'as very worrying situation'

UK PM terms Sino-India standoff 'as very worrying situation'

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2020

Responding to Conservative Party MP Flick Drummond on the implications for British interests of a dispute between a 'Commonwealth member and the world's largest democracy on the one side, and a state that challenges our notion of democracy on the other,' he described the escalation in eastern Ladakh as "a very serious and worrying situation", which the UK is "monitoring closely".

Billionaire Hinduja brothers land in court over assets

Billionaire Hinduja brothers land in court over assets

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2020

The case has been brought by Srichand Parmanand Hinduja, 84, described as the "patriarch" of the family, against brothers G P Hinduja, 80, P P Hinduja, 75, and A P Hinduja, 69, and revolves around the "validity and effect" of a letter dated July 2, 2014. The letter includes statements to the effect that the brothers appoint each other as their executors, and that assets held in any single brother's name belong to all four. A related second letter, dated July 1, 2014, is also linked to the dispute.

First volunteer given COVID-19 vaccine in UK

First volunteer given COVID-19 vaccine in UK

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2020

If the vaccine is safe and shows a promising immune response in humans, then larger trials would be planned for later in the year.

UK PM unveils big lockdown relaxation

UK PM unveils big lockdown relaxation

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2020

Boris Johnson on Tuesday announced July 4 as the date for a significant lifting of lockdown restrictions in the country, with cinemas, museums, bars, pubs and restaurants being allowed to open their doors to the public once again.

UK park stabbing spree that killed 3 declared terrorist attack

UK park stabbing spree that killed 3 declared terrorist attack

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2020

A lone attacker, believed to be a Libyan refugee, went on a stabbing spree in a busy park in the southern English city of Reading, killing three people and injuring three others, the deadliest terrorist incident to strike Britain since 2017 London Bridge attack.

UK ditches its coronavirus-tracing app in favour of Apple-Google tech

UK ditches its coronavirus-tracing app in favour of Apple-Google tech

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2020

The UK will now be taking forward a solution that brings together the work on the National Health Service app and the Google/Apple solution.