H S Rao And Ibrahim Manik

Stories by H S Rao And Ibrahim Manik

14,000 flights resume in Europe

14,000 flights resume in Europe

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2010

Fourteen thousand flights, approximately half of all Europe's air traffic, were back in the air on Tuesday, as harried air passengers braced for further delays after warnings that a new ash cloud was heading towards Britain. However, more ash from Iceland's erupting volcano threatened to stall plans to reopen United Kingdom airspace, including at London's Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports.Britain's Air traffic control company Nats said the situation was worsening.

New ash clouds head UK; flight disruptions likely

New ash clouds head UK; flight disruptions likely

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2010

European Union transport ministers who met on a video link on Monday reached a deal to resume some flight operations, dividing northern European skies into three zones -- a 'no-fly' zone, a caution zone and a open zone.

Gulam Noon new Labour party asst treasurer

Gulam Noon new Labour party asst treasurer

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2010

Mumbai-born Noon has donated 200,000 pounds and raised another 250,000 pounds from other Muslim businessmen since taking up the post a month ago.

Ash crisis: Europe continues to remain no fly zone

Ash crisis: Europe continues to remain no fly zone

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2010

European skies were a virtual no-fly zone for a fourth day on Sunday, with volcanic ash drifting from Iceland reaching as far as Russia, stranding tens of thousands of people as over 17,000 flights were cancelled.

Forum criticises UK's decision to raise visa fee

Forum criticises UK's decision to raise visa fee

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2010

In a statement, Amit Kapadia, executive director of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Forum said the changes effected from Tuesday were unfair. "The three-fold increase in the fees for settlement visas of dependent relatives is unjustified and very unfair," he said.

UK hikes student visa fees

UK hikes student visa fees

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2010

The fees for the students' visa was raised from 145 pounds to 199 pounds while the dependent relative visa would be charged 1680 pounds. The increased fees will come into from April 6.

Critics have been 'caught pants down': Lord Paul

Critics have been 'caught pants down': Lord Paul

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2010

The 78-year-old NRI industrialist announced earlier this week that he had been cleared by the police of allegations that he had wrongly claimed Parliamentary expenses and that he had decided to give up his non-domicile status, which means that he will have to pay taxes in this country on his overseas expenses also.

Lord Paul cleared in House of Lords expenses row

Lord Paul cleared in House of Lords expenses row

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2010

Paul, Chairman of the Caparo Group of industries, said he was delighted to announce that the police "has informed me that after due consideration, it will no longer be proceeding with any investigation or inquiry in relation to my House of Lords expenses."

'93 Surat bombing suspect held in UK

'93 Surat bombing suspect held in UK

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2010

A key suspect in the 1993 Surat bombing, hunted by police worldwide for over 17 years, was arrested from a north England grocery store and a London city court will decide over his extradition to India. 49-year-old Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel alias Tiger Hanif was traced to the grocery store in Bolton by Scotland Yard and later arrested from a house in Astley Street in Halliwell on February 16, a spokesman of the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday.

'SL polls did not fully meet key benchmarks'

'SL polls did not fully meet key benchmarks'

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2010

The keenly-contested presidential polls in Sri Lanka did not 'fully meet' key benchmarks for democratic elections and the arrest of opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka has increased tension in the country, according to a Commonwealth report.

NRI can claim $330 million from HSBC

NRI can claim $330 million from HSBC

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2010

A top court in the UK has ruled in favour of an Indian businessman that he can continue his claim of damages for $330 million against HSBC, which had refused to transfer money in his account to another bank on suspicion of money laundering.

Musharraf hints at political comeback

Musharraf hints at political comeback

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2010

"I have to come through the political process, through the process of elections. But I think it's very good - it's very good because I think I will have that legitimacy which I never had."

'India's Bt brinjal stand sends out wrong signal'

'India's Bt brinjal stand sends out wrong signal'

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2010

Bt brinjal is a genetically-modified vegetable which is infused with Cry1Ac gene from a bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis to make the plant resistant to the fruit and shoot borers and certain pests.

'India, UK to sign nuke deal within a week'

'India, UK to sign nuke deal within a week'

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2010

India and the United Kingdom have agreed on the text of a landmark civil nuclear agreement and a formal pact may be signed within a week, Britain's Business Secretary Lord Peter Mandelson announced on Thursday. "The civil nuclear deal text has been agreed to and it will be signed soon, may be within a week after ministerial approvals," Lord Mandelson told a joint press conference with Commerce Minister Anand Sharma.

UK pledges 14.5 mn pounds for Indian slums

UK pledges 14.5 mn pounds for Indian slums

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2010

The Department for International Development-funded programme will support India's flagship Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission programme.

SRK unfazed by Shiv Sena's barbs

SRK unfazed by Shiv Sena's barbs

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2010

Unfazed by Shiv Sena's attack on him, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan had a dig at the party and stuck to his stand of pitching for inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in Indian Premier League.

'Tesco may open 1st Cash & Carry outlet in India'

'Tesco may open 1st Cash & Carry outlet in India'

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2010

Tesco already has presence in India through a joint venture with Tatas. These stores are located in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Greg said, 'we see a huge opportunity for future growth in India'.

'Jyoti Basu was the great PM India never had'

'Jyoti Basu was the great PM India never had'

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2010

The Indian community in Britain on Sunday mourned the death of Marxist patriarch Jyoti Basu, with leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul saying that the veteran leader was the 'great prime minister India never had'. "In Basu, we have lost a great son of Bengal, a great Indian and for me a great friend and a great prime minister India never had," Lord Paul said in his heartfelt condolences.

NRI Keith Vaz appointed to UK's top security panel

NRI Keith Vaz appointed to UK's top security panel

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2010

The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy has now been formerly moved in the House of Commons and will be meeting informally before the end of this month.

UK summons Chinese envoy over execution

UK summons Chinese envoy over execution

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2009

Britain on Tuesday summoned the Chinese ambassador in London to the Foreign Office to protest the execution of a man of Pakistani-British decent convicted for drug smuggling, despite making 27 representations to China on the issue, including a last-minute appeal by Premier Gordon Brown.