London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said his past year had been filled with "anger, frustration and pride" as he fought to tackle the global pandemic and keep Londoners safe.
He was speaking at an "In Conversation" event organised by the Asian Media Group and Eastern Eye.
Over one hour the Labour candidate for mayor spoke about his vision should he be re-elected, and he also answered questions on the pandemic, recovery plans, congestion charge, crime and racism.
US president-elect Donald Trump met Prince William on Saturday during the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The event marked the restoration of the historic landmark following a major fire in 2019.
Prince William, heir to the British throne, was among 40 heads of state and government attending the ceremony in the French capital.
The meeting between Trump and William took place at the UK ambassador's residence in Paris after the event.
Reflecting on their interaction, Trump referred to William as a "good man" and praised his work. "A good man, this one!" Trump said to reporters, gesturing to the Prince of Wales. "He's doing a fantastic job," he added, while William laughed.
This was the first time Trump and William had met since 2019, during Trump’s state visit to the UK as president.
Prince William’s last official visit to Paris was in 2017, when he travelled with his wife, Princess Catherine, for a two-day trip shortly after the Brexit referendum.
On this occasion, William attended alone, as Catherine is gradually resuming public duties following a cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
King Charles, currently undergoing cancer treatment, did not attend the event. William previously joined his father in Normandy earlier this year for D-Day commemorations, an event also attended by US First Lady Jill Biden.
(With inputs from AFP)
PRINCESS OF WALES, Kate Middleton, hosted a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on Friday (6) that reflected on "the most difficult times" as she returns to public life after her cancer diagnosis.
The London carol service intended to "reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives", according to Kensington Palace office.
Each guest received an order of service illustrated by British artist Charlie Mackesy that asked, "how did I help?", with the reply, "you were by my side, which was everything".
The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Princess of Wales during the 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)The Princess attended alongside husband Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The royal family inspected a "kindness tree" where people had hung messages on its branches in dedication to someone who has supported them.
The Princess said in September that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment for an unspecified cancer and was looking forward to undertaking more engagements "when I can".
She attended Remembrance Day events last month and visited Southport in northwest England in October to meet people affected by a knife attack in July that killed three young girls.
Families affected by the attack were among the 1,600 people invited to the service, according to the BBC.
The Princess, wearing a festive red coat featuring a large black bow, mingled with some of the guests.
Among them were those "who have supported others in their communities, whether on a personal level with friends and family, through their work, or as they selflessly give up their time through volunteering," said Kensington Palace.
Six-time Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy, who recently revealed he has terminal cancer, was due to light a candle at the event, which was to hear musical performances from UK singer Paloma Faith and US jazz performer Gregory Porter.
Each guest received a letter of thanks written by her.
In it, she wrote that "this carol service is a heartfelt celebration of every one of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other.
"Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other's light."
(AFP)
A MAN convicted of violent sexual offences in Rotherham is set to be released from prison on licence after serving nine years of a 19-year sentence.
The crimes of Banaras Hussain, 44, included rape, indecent assault, and actual bodily harm, were part of a prolonged pattern of abuse targeting vulnerable victims, some as young as 11.
Hussain's case has sparked widespread outrage, with critics calling his release premature and unjust, the Telegraph reported.
Campaigners and politicians are urging for stricter sentencing laws and enhanced oversight in response to Hussain’s release, stressing the need to ensure justice and safeguard survivors.
Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has written to the Parole Board, urging them to reconsider the decision, describing Hussain as a "monster" who should remain incarcerated.
The gang, which included Hussain and several family members, was sentenced collectively to over 100 years in prison in 2016.
Among them were Arshid Hussain, the gang's leader, sentenced to 35 years, and Basharat Hussain, who received a 25-year sentence. Their uncle, Qurban Ali, was sentenced to 10 years.
According to reports, the gang's activities, which spanned over a decade, involved heinous acts of exploitation and abuse.
During Hussain's sentencing, disturbing details of his offences were revealed. In one instance, police encountered him in a car park receiving a sexual act from a teenage girl but failed to intervene meaningfully, an oversight that underscored systemic failures in handling the case.
Sammy Woodhouse, a campaigner and survivor of the gang's abuse, described Hussain's crimes as "heinous" and expressed deep concern about his release.
Meanwhile, Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, condemned the decision, arguing that sentences for such severe crimes should be served in full. "A sentence is a sentence," Tice said, adding that leniency undermines the justice system and the severity of these crimes.
The Prison Service has defended the release, explaining that offenders serving lengthy sentences are often eligible for release at the halfway point under strict licence conditions.
Hussain will face stringent restrictions, including a prohibition on entering the Rotherham area. He can also be recalled to prison if he breaches these terms or exhibits behaviour indicating a risk to public safety.
His transfer to an open prison last year and the time he spent on remand contributed to his eligibility for release. His case has reignited debates about sentencing policies and public safety, with many questioning the adequacy of current guidelines in addressing the severity of sexual offences.
A 2014 report revealed that at least 1,400 children were sexually abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, exposing grave failures by authorities to protect vulnerable victims.
TWELVE members of an organised crime group from Birmingham, Walsall, and Yorkshire have been found guilty of defrauding over £2.5 million in Covid support grants through fraudulent claims.
The crime group exploited non-trading businesses and stolen identities to submit multiple Covid support claims, including Bounce Back Loans, HMRC payments, and various grants set up to assist struggling businesses and individuals during the pandemic.
The convicted were, Qirat Deeas, 50, of The Hurst, Moseley, Birmingham; Ummer Yousaf, 40, of Bent Avenue, Quinton; Usaamah Bin Taariq, 25, of The Hurst, Moseley; Zishan Ahmed, 30, of Higgins Lane, Quinton; Noah Deen, 31 of Wood End Road; Sajid Hussain, 36, of Flackwell Road; Naqeeb Shakurt, 26, of Springcroft Road; Harun Shehzad, 29, of City Road; Sameer Ali Mohammed, 34, of Waterfront Way, Walsall; Tasaddaq Hussain, 54, of Northfield Crescent, Bingley; Imaan Hussain, 24, of Northfield Crescent and Al-Harris Hussain, 29, of Thornbury Grove, Bingley.
All twelve were convicted, with ten sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (6) at Birmingham Crown Court. Judge Roderick Henderson said, "This was a continuous and sophisticated fraud, exploiting the community during a national emergency. The haste in distributing funds meant that checks were minimal. These defendants took advantage of the situation and profited from it."
Their fraudulent activities spanned several support schemes such as Small Business Grants and the Eat Out to Help Out initiative.
The convictions followed two separate trials at Birmingham Crown Court, necessitated by the large number of defendants involved. Each of the 12 members either entered guilty pleas or were convicted after trial on charges including conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
The group’s operations were described as a "well-planned, sophisticated, and sustained attack" on the financial support measures put in place by the UK government during the pandemic.
Mark Jackson and Lucinda Wilmott-Lascelles, prosecuting for Birmingham City Council, detailed how the group took advantage of the pandemic relief schemes by becoming directors of inactive companies or using stolen identities to submit fraudulent applications for funds.
They established numerous bank accounts and recruited others to use their accounts in exchange for payments, which were subsequently laundered through a complex network, including accounts in the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.
The crime group was responsible for submitting fraudulent applications for at least 53 Small Business Grant Funds valued at over £530,000 across five local authorities. They also accessed public funds via HMRC Self-Assessment and Eat Out To Help Out payments totalling more than £530,000, and obtained at least 26 Bounce Back Loans totalling over £1.3m from seven banks.
The court heard that the group used more than 50 companies and over 100 different bank accounts as part of their fraud and money laundering operation.
The investigation into the group’s activities began in 2020 when Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards service started looking into large-scale misuse of the Small Business Grant Funds. As the investigation progressed, evidence emerged indicating the defendants were working as part of an organised crime group. The investigation was supported by West Midlands Police.
Cllr Sam Forsyth, chair of Birmingham City Council’s licensing and public protection committee, condemned the crime as “wicked during a national emergency.”
Forsyth stressed that while many were struggling during the pandemic, these individuals saw an opportunity to exploit the system for personal gain. “These convictions should serve as a strong warning that if you engage in such behaviour, you will be caught and held accountable,” Forsyth said. “The investigation was complex and lengthy, and I extend my thanks to everyone who played a role in bringing these criminals to justice.”
Cllr John Cotton, leader of the city council, described the attempt to defraud taxpayers as “abhorrent.” He praised the efforts of council officers and partners who worked tirelessly to bring the criminals to justice.
“Attempting to deprive others of vital funds during a global pandemic is unforgivable,” Cotton said. “These convictions make it clear that such behaviour will not go unpunished.”
The gang were convicted and sentenced as follows:
Qirat Deeas admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of money laundering. He was sentenced to seven years and seven months.
Ummer Yousaf was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to defraud, two counts of money laundering, and failing to comply with a RIPA notice. He received an eight-year sentence.
Sajid Hussain admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to five years.
Sameer Mohammed admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. His sentence was four years and nine months.
Noah Deen pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to five years and three months.
Usaamah Bin Taariq admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to four years.
Tassadaq Hussain admitted one count each of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to four years and nine months.
Imaan Hussain admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He received a four-year and nine-month sentence.
Naqeeb Shakurt admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. His sentence was four years and nine months.
Al-Harris Hussain was found guilty of one count of money laundering and sentenced to two years suspended for two years.
Zishan Ahmed and Harun Shehzad both admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. Their sentencing will take place at a later date.
THE UK must urgently address a construction skills shortage, including by increasing migrant worker numbers, to achieve prime minister's target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliamentary term, industry leaders have warned.
The National Federation of Builders, which represents small and medium-sized contractors, highlighted the scale of the challenge, pointing to an ageing workforce and declining numbers of apprentices, the Telegraph reported.
Rico Wojtulewicz, representing the NFB, said, “It takes two to three years to train an apprentice and another two years for them to become competent. To meet the housing target, we need to fill that gap immediately, and the solution lies in immigration and bringing skilled workers back into the sector.”
The construction industry’s needs extend beyond builders. “Specialist roles like steelworkers for tall buildings in London and trainers in colleges are critical,” Wojtulewicz added. “We also require experienced building control officers to ensure quality and safety.”
The NFB proposed a temporary visa scheme tailored to the sector. These visas would last three to four years, short of the five-year threshold that allows applicants to apply for citizenship. The group estimates that hundreds of thousands of such visas will be necessary to meet the construction demands within the next few years.
Existing skilled worker visas, which permit a five-year stay, have had limited uptake in the construction sector, with fewer than 100 specialists using the scheme, many in managerial roles.
Moreover, the lack of a self-employment route within the current visa system creates additional barriers, as a large portion of construction workers operate independently.
Ageing demographics compound the issue. According to the Construction Products Association, the majority of construction workers are between 50 and 56 years old. This means about a quarter of the workforce is expected to retire in the next decade and a half.
Separately, the Construction Industry Training Board projects that 250,000 additional workers will be needed by 2028 to meet increasing building demands.
Earlier this year, the Institute for Government think tank recommended easing immigration rules to address the construction shortfall. Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, was urged to develop a skills strategy that might include revising visa regulations to attract overseas talent.
The government, however, maintains that it can achieve the housing target by overhauling the planning system, introducing mandatory housing targets, and creating a dedicated body to deliver new towns. However, industry experts remain sceptical.
The Centre for Cities think tank recently cautioned that the current pace of construction would fall short by at least 388,000 homes.
