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NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
UK Expands "Deport Now, Appeal Later" Scheme For Foreign Criminals To 23 Nations
London: The UK government announced Sunday that it will expand a scheme forcing some foreign nationals to have appeals against convictions heard from abroad, to prevent them delaying deportations. The number of countries enrolled in the initiative will nearly treble to 23, with people from those nations now to be deported before they can appeal their convictions, it said. In a separate announcement, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she intends to change the law so most foreign criminals will be deported immediately when they receive a prison sentence. Foreign national offenders make up around 12 per cent of the prison population, and the move could ssave money, according to Mahmood. The steps come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's centre-left Labour government faces intense domestic pressure over immigration, as Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK party surges in polls. Farage, a longtime critic of immigration, has made the issue central to his party's messaging, alongside a focus on crime. Starmer's government, which has slumped in popularity since taking power a year ago, has made a flurry of announcements on both policy areas in an apparent bid to counter Reform's appeal. The interior ministry said the expansion of the pre-appeal deportation scheme will increase "the UK's ability to remove foreign criminals at the earliest opportunity". It will also ease pressure on overcrowded prisons, it noted. The ministry added that almost 5,200 convicted criminals with foreign passports had been removed since July 2024, claiming that represented a 14 percent year-on-year increase. Under the "deport now appeal later" scheme, those convicted and whose human rights claims have been refused will have appeals heard from their home countries using video technology. It has already been used for people from Tanzania, Finland, Estonia, Belize and four other countries but will be expanded to 15 additional countries. They include European nations Latvia and Bulgaria, African countries Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, Western allies Australia and Canada as well as India, Indonesia, Lebanon and Malaysia. The government said ministers are discussing with other countries about joining the scheme. "For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on," interior minister Yvette Cooper said. "That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system," she added.
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- New Indian Express
India resists limits on plastic output
At this point, the Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva seems to be heading the Busan way, unable to resolve disagreements. Barely four days before the second part of the Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee's fifth session (INC-5.2) concludes, there are palpable signs of a thaw in the negotiations, but the words of INC-5.2 Chair and Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso echo loudly: 'The progress that we have made is not sufficient.' The treaty is expected to deliver a legally-binding instrument by August 14 to take on global plastic pollution, but the 180 nations taking part in the negotiations have yet to find common ground. There are 32 Articles in the draft text, and the participating countries must agree on each sentence therein. Much to the contrary, disagreement has been the growing norm with contact groups making very little headway. It has come down to two crucial groups. The 'High Ambition Coalition', which includes the EU, Australia, African as well as Pacific nations, is pushing for cuts in plastic production and consumption, only to meet the pushback from 'Like-Minded Countries' such as Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Iran, Kuwait and Bahrain. These petro-states, also major producers of plastic polymers, seek downstream measures such as plastic waste management and recycling, citing their economic requirements. The result: Critical areas like production and chemicals of concern have barely been addressed since the negotiations began on August 4. India, on its part, has opposed any global list of products with phase-out timelines, maintaining that the treaty must strictly deal with pollution.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
India has set an example in lion conservation: Bhupender Yadav
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday (August 10, 2025) said the rise in the Asiatic lion population in Gujarat reflected India's intimate relationship with nature and wildlife. 'India has given a commitment to the world to work for nature's conservation through the rehabilitation of wildlife,' Mr. Yadav said at a World Lion Day function in Timbdi village under the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. As per the census conducted in May this year, the estimated population of Asiatic lion has increased to 891 from 674 five years ago. 'The growth of India's lion population since 1889 (when the last Asiatic lions were seen) shows our intimate relationship with nature and wildlife,' Mr. Yadav said. He said the resolution made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year to boost Gujarat's lion population and develop the Barda Sanctuary as a new habitat had been fulfilled. Conservation efforts Mr. Yadav said climate change had brought challenges such as heavy rain and cyclones. To address these, Mr. Modi had initiated global efforts such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the International Solar Alliance. 'In addition, the International Big Cat Alliance has been established. Conservation work has been undertaken for five of the seven big cat species found in India. Asiatic lions are only found in India, and that too in Gir, and Gujarat gets 100% of the pride for their conservation,' he said. The Minister praised the unique bond between the pastoralist Maldhari community and lions as a model of coexistence. 'If one wants to see the example of wildlife conservation, they should visit Gir, observe the work of the State government, and witness the lifestyle of the Maldhari and other local communities,' he said. Mr. Yadav said the number of tiger reserves in India had risen to 58 from 47 during Mr. Modi's tenure, and they host 70% of the global tiger population. Snow leopard conservation efforts continue, with their population in India currently at 714. On cheetah reintroduction, he said, 'Bringing African cheetahs to India was a challenge, but we successfully rehabilitated them.' He also mentioned ongoing projects such as Project Lion, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Dolphin, and Project Great Indian Bustard, which are reinforcing India's conservation leadership. Mr. Yadav said two more species of big cats — jaguar and puma — are found in Latin America, and quoted Mr. Modi's call for global cooperation in conserving all seven big cat species found across 97 countries, especially in Africa and Asia, through knowledge sharing, artificial intelligence, and technology. CM launches projects On the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched 11 eco-development projects worth ₹189 crore, including a new safari park, interpretation centre, and breeding centre at Barda. Expressing joy that after a gap of 143 years, lions had naturally begun re-inhabiting the Barda hills, he said Mr. Modi had announced all necessary support facilities for lion conservation in the area. 'Due to the PM's vision and the proactive work of the forest department, the successful conservation story of Gir's lions has gained global recognition. To ensure that the glory of our Vanraj (Lion King) remains intact and continues to grow, 'Project Lion' was launched, covering lion habitat and population management, wildlife health, human-animal conflict mitigation, cooperation with local communities, tourism development, scientific research and training, eco-development, and biodiversity conservation,' he said.
