After Brexit, the UK passport will return to its iconic blue colour. The introduction has already started and from mid-2020, all new passports will be blue.

The first blue passports are being issued this month following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/back-to-blue-uk-passports-revert-to-old-colour-from-next-month-282141"> Back to blue: UK passports revert to old colour from next month</a>

It’s not just the colour that’s different but the design too. The new passport does not have the words "European Union"&nbsp;on the front cover and back cover carries on embossment featuring the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. 
They will be made in France but personalised in the UK.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-starts-issuing-passports-without-european-union-on-cover-208340">UK starts issuing passports without 'European Union' on cover</a>

The UK Home Office said the manufacturing carbon footprint of the passports will be reduced to net zero through projects such as planting trees. And it will carry an updated security feature to keep personal information secure and involve secure printing and design techniques to combat identity theft and forgery.

Also read: Brexit:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-what-changes-and-what-stays-the-same-for-uk-277885"> What changes and what stays the same for UK?</a>

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said Brexit has given the UK a unique opportunity to forge a new path in the world and enabled a return to the iconic blue and gold design.

The burgundy passports however are still valid and the passport office is still issuing it&nbsp;for now. But soon, the UK will join 81 countries, including India, the US, Canada, and Australia with its blue passports.

After Brexit, the UK passport will return to its iconic blue colour. The introduction has already started and from mid-2020, all new passports will be blue. The first blue passports are being issued this month following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

After Brexit, the UK passport will return to its iconic blue colour. The introduction has already started and from mid-2020, all new passports will be blue. The first blue passports are being issued this month following the UK’s departure from the European Union. Also read: Back to blue: UK passports revert to old colour from next month It’s not just the colour that’s different but the design too. The new passport does not have the words "European Union" on the front cover and back cover carries on embossment featuring the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. They will be made in France but personalised in the UK. Also read: UK starts issuing passports without 'European Union' on cover The UK Home Office said the manufacturing carbon footprint of the passports will be reduced to net zero through projects such as planting trees. And it will carry an updated security feature to keep personal information secure and involve secure printing and design techniques to combat identity theft and forgery. Also read: Brexit: What changes and what stays the same for UK? UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said Brexit has given the UK a unique opportunity to forge a new path in the world and enabled a return to the iconic blue and gold design. The burgundy passports however are still valid and the passport office is still issuing it for now. But soon, the UK will join 81 countries, including India, the US, Canada, and Australia with its blue passports.

UK passport to return to iconic blue colour

British Home Secretary Priti Patel has been accused of bullying her staff. A top British civil servant has levied some serious charges. More in this report.

Gravitas: British Home Secretary Priti Patel accused of bullying

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed home secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-facts-about-priti-patel-uks-first-indian-origin-home-secretary-238292">Priti Patel </a>even as a top civil servant resigned on Saturday over after clashes with the cabinet minister.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/priti-patel-accused-of-bullying-and-creating-atmosphere-of-fear-in-uk-home-office-281780">&nbsp;Also Read: Priti Patel accused creating 'atmosphere of fear' in Home Office</a>

"I think she is a fantastic home secretary. Anybody who has been home secretary will testify that it is one of the toughest jobs in the government," PM Johnson said.

The British prime minister said he had "absolute" confidence in her while lauding the point-based immigration system unveiled by her.

"There is a big, big task ahead of us now. We are delivering, at last, a new immigration system for this country, a points-based immigration system," Johnson said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">Also Read:&nbsp;Second generation immigrant Priti Patel introduces UK's anti-immigration visa guidelines</a>

British civil servant Philip Rutnam stepped down after he declared that he had become the "target of vicious and orchestrated campaign against him", referring to Patel.

"My experience has been extreme. But I consider there is evidence that it was part of a wider pattern of behaviour," Rutnam said.

"I have received allegations that her conduct has included shouting and swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands - behaviour that created fear," he added in an open attack on Patel without actually naming her.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed home secretary Priti Patel even as a top civil servant resigned on Saturday over after clashes with the cabinet minister.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed home secretary Priti Patel even as a top civil servant resigned on Saturday over after clashes with the cabinet minister. Also Read: Priti Patel accused creating 'atmosphere of fear' in Home Office "I think she is a fantastic home secretary. Anybody who has been home secretary will testify that it is one of the toughest jobs in the government," PM Johnson said. The British prime minister said he had "absolute" confidence in her while lauding the point-based immigration system unveiled by her. "There is a big, big task ahead of us now. We are delivering, at last, a new immigration system for this country, a points-based immigration system," Johnson said. Also Read: Second generation immigrant Priti Patel introduces UK's anti-immigration visa guidelines British civil servant Philip Rutnam stepped down after he declared that he had become the "target of vicious and orchestrated campaign against him", referring to Patel. "My experience has been extreme. But I consider there is evidence that it was part of a wider pattern of behaviour," Rutnam said. "I have received allegations that her conduct has included shouting and swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands - behaviour that created fear," he added in an open attack on Patel without actually naming her.

Priti Patel is a fantastic home secretary, says PM Johnson amid bullying row

British home secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/priti-patel-accused-of-bullying-and-creating-atmosphere-of-fear-in-uk-home-office-281780">Priti Patel</a> has been warned by 10 Downing Street to defuse the public row with&nbsp;senior civil servant and her secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/priti-patel-accused-of-bullying-and-creating-atmosphere-of-fear-in-uk-home-office-281780">Philip Rutnam</a>.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said Boris Johnson had ''full confidence'' in the home secretary and in the civil service, though the same guarantee was not given to Rutnam specifically.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/priti-patel-accused-of-bullying-and-creating-atmosphere-of-fear-in-uk-home-office-281780">Priti Patel accused of 'bullying' and creating 'atmosphere of fear' in UK Home Office</a>

Both Patel and Rutnam have been told to stop the sniping and restore calm in the British Home Office.

There have been tensions in the Home Office over Patel’s plans for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">points-based immigration system</a>, after senior civil servants claimed it was implausible to deliver it within a year.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">Second generation immigrant Priti Patel introduces UK's anti-immigration visa guidelines</a>

Last week, Patel was also allegedly accused of&nbsp;bullying and belittling her staff last week by Rutnam after she tried to oust him.

However, the Home Office tried to downplay the idea of tensions over the weekend.

It released an unusual joint statement from Patel and Rutnam on Sunday expressing concern about “the number of false allegations appearing in the media” and adding that the pair were focused on delivering their department’s “hugely important agenda”.

British home secretary Priti Patel has been warned by 10 Downing Street to defuse the public row with senior civil servant and her secretary Philip Rutnam. The prime minister’s official spokesman said Boris Johnson had ''full confidence'' in the home secretary and in the civil service, though the same guarantee was not given to Rutnam specifically.

British home secretary Priti Patel has been warned by 10 Downing Street to defuse the public row with senior civil servant and her secretary Philip Rutnam. The prime minister’s official spokesman said Boris Johnson had ''full confidence'' in the home secretary and in the civil service, though the same guarantee was not given to Rutnam specifically. Also read: Priti Patel accused of 'bullying' and creating 'atmosphere of fear' in UK Home Office Both Patel and Rutnam have been told to stop the sniping and restore calm in the British Home Office. There have been tensions in the Home Office over Patel’s plans for a points-based immigration system, after senior civil servants claimed it was implausible to deliver it within a year. Also read: Second generation immigrant Priti Patel introduces UK's anti-immigration visa guidelines Last week, Patel was also allegedly accused of bullying and belittling her staff last week by Rutnam after she tried to oust him. However, the Home Office tried to downplay the idea of tensions over the weekend. It released an unusual joint statement from Patel and Rutnam on Sunday expressing concern about “the number of false allegations appearing in the media” and adding that the pair were focused on delivering their department’s “hugely important agenda”.

PM Johnson's office urges Priti Patel to defuse row with senior civil servant

British Home Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">Priti Patel</a> has been accused of ''bullying'' and creating an ''atmosphere of fear'' in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">Home Office</a> as she tried&nbsp;to oust a senior civil servant.

According to media reports, the staff of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">Britain</a>'s Home Office has accused her of belittling officials, making unreasonable demands and being rude and aggressive in meetings.

They also complained that she is creating an ''atmosphere of fear''.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">Second generation immigrant Priti Patel introduces UK's anti-immigration visa guidelines</a>

There were reportedly angry scenes at the top echelons of UK administration&nbsp;after she allegedly&nbsp;tried to oust her most senior civil servant, Sir Philip Rutnam after he raised concerns about her behaviour and the way she treats staff of her cabinet office.

Reportedly, cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill was dragged into the row as Patel demanded the removal of Sir Philip.

Media reports claimed that the situation had become ''completely unsustainable and was going to blow up''.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-facts-about-priti-patel-uks-first-indian-origin-home-secretary-238292">Five facts about Priti Patel, UK's first Indian-origin home secretary</a>

Last week, a senior Home Office official had reportedly "fainted"&nbsp;after a tense meeting with her over the deportation of foreign criminals to Jamaica.

The official had fallen ill after being confronted by Patel who was angry after the official was unable to overturn the court's decision.

The incident sparked widespread backlash.&nbsp;A Home Office spokesperson said there had been no formal complaints against Patel as allies of the minister came to her defence, saying that while she was a demanding boss&nbsp;but was not unreasonable. They also attacked Sir Philip, blaming him for the "forced resignation"&nbsp;of Amber Rudd over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-sajid-javid-appointed-as-new-home-minister-to-try-end-immigration-scandal-133769">Windrush scandal</a> in 2018.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-generation-immigrant-priti-patel-introduces-uks-anti-immigration-visa-guidelines-281562">Priti Patel</a> replaced <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-finance-minister-sajid-javid-quits-in-reshuffle-280549">Sajid Javid</a> as Home Secretary in July 2019, becoming the first ethnic minority woman to hold the office.

The claims regarding her conduct come after the Home Office was criticised for its new points-based immigration system, which aims to reduce the number of low-skilled migrants coming into the country at the end of the Brexit transition period.

British Home Secretary Priti Patel has been accused of ''bullying'' and creating an ''atmosphere of fear'' in the Home Office as she tried to oust a senior civil servant.

British Home Secretary Priti Patel has been accused of ''bullying'' and creating an ''atmosphere of fear'' in the Home Office as she tried to oust a senior civil servant. According to media reports, the staff of Britain's Home Office has accused her of belittling officials, making unreasonable demands and being rude and aggressive in meetings. They also complained that she is creating an ''atmosphere of fear''. Also read: Second generation immigrant Priti Patel introduces UK's anti-immigration visa guidelines There were reportedly angry scenes at the top echelons of UK administration after she allegedly tried to oust her most senior civil servant, Sir Philip Rutnam after he raised concerns about her behaviour and the way she treats staff of her cabinet office. Reportedly, cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill was dragged into the row as Patel demanded the removal of Sir Philip. Media reports claimed that the situation had become ''completely unsustainable and was going to blow up''. Also read: Five facts about Priti Patel, UK's first Indian-origin home secretary Last week, a senior Home Office official had reportedly "fainted" after a tense meeting with her over the deportation of foreign criminals to Jamaica. The official had fallen ill after being confronted by Patel who was angry after the official was unable to overturn the court's decision. The incident sparked widespread backlash. A Home Office spokesperson said there had been no formal complaints against Patel as allies of the minister came to her defence, saying that while she was a demanding boss but was not unreasonable. They also attacked Sir Philip, blaming him for the "forced resignation" of Amber Rudd over the Windrush scandal in 2018. Priti Patel replaced Sajid Javid as Home Secretary in July 2019, becoming the first ethnic minority woman to hold the office. The claims regarding her conduct come after the Home Office was criticised for its new points-based immigration system, which aims to reduce the number of low-skilled migrants coming into the country at the end of the Brexit transition period.

Priti Patel accused of 'bullying' and creating 'atmosphere of fear' in UK Home Office

As part of the British government's post-Brexit reformation, low-skilled workers in the country will no longer be able to obtain visas.

The most interesting tenet, perhaps, of this provision is the curator. The idea was envisioned&nbsp;by Priti Patel, an Indian-origin British politician. She is a second-generation immigrant. Born in London, her parents emigrated to the UK from Tarapur in Gujarat.&nbsp;

The constitutional element of the new provision requests&nbsp;British employers to limit their dependence on cheap labour coming from Europe.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-new-government-increases-minimum-wage-to-ps872-271242" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-new-government-increases-minimum-wage-to-ps872-271242&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwicobjvl93nAhWqzDgGHaDQDtUQFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sd6ERTqDMYP6a6tLWGao6" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-new-government-increases-minimum-wage-to-ps872-271242" target="_blank">United Kingdom's new government increases minimum wage&nbsp;to £8.72</a>

The&nbsp;key objectives of the&nbsp;move includes the retention of existing staff and to evolve and sustain automation technology that eliminates the need for physical dependence.&nbsp;

According to the Home Office of the UK, European Union and non-European Union citizens coming to the UK after December 31 would be treated in the same fashion. This basically implies that all EU privileges in terms of travel and citizenship will be effectively revoked.

The UK's Labour Party hit out at the move and claimed that it would lead to a ''hostile environment'' in the country, in terms of attracting labour.

However, the Indian-origin Home Secretary Priti Patel claims that skilled and talented people will be able to come to the UK nevertheless.

<img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98a4abd0-6413-4afb-956b-73a2b7179536" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_92.jpg" />

"The brightest and the best will be able to come to the United Kingdom", Patel said.

Patel has been a staunch critic of Theresa May and is the first Home Secretary of Indian origin in the British cabinet.&nbsp;

"It is important that the Cabinet should represent modern Britain as well as a modern Conservative Party", she had announced during the elections.

Priti Patel had also additionally steered the ''Vote Leave'' campaign which triggered a series of uncertain events for British polity until the recent elections. She became a member of the Conservative Party when she 15.

There are currently two other Indian-origin ministers in the UK cabinet: Rishi Sunak: Finance Minister, and Alok Sharma: &nbsp;Business Secretary.

This constitutes a part of the UK's bigger plan to reduce migration into the UK. To systematically tackle this, the government has curated a ''points-based'' immigration system, living up to the promise which was made in their election manifesto.

Here on, not only would potential immigrants and/or citizens need to speak impeccable English, but would need an ''approved sponsor'', someone who's already a British citizen and intends to hire the person intending to visit.&nbsp;On fulfilling this criterion, the person would be awarded 50 points.

However, it gets tricky for a potential worker would need at least 70 points to legally work in the country.

There are numerous number of points, ranging from educational qualifications to the salary on offer, and the nature of the profession.

If someone possesses a skill which is facing labour shortages in the country, they would be fast-tracked into migration.

According to the government's statements, businesses need to ''adapt and adjust''. In essence, the UK will no longer entertain the entry of "unskilled foreign labour"&nbsp;into their country, especially from Europe.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-facts-about-priti-patel-uks-first-indian-origin-home-secretary-238292" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-facts-about-priti-patel-uks-first-indian-origin-home-secretary-238292&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjGwsujl93nAhUnzTgGHWCBB3IQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1GDr23WfWIzYUbaZeidnp2" dir="ltr" href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-facts-about-priti-patel-uks-first-indian-origin-home-secretary-238292&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjGwsujl93nAhUnzTgGHWCBB3IQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1GDr23WfWIzYUbaZeidnp2" target="_blank">Five facts about Priti Patel,&nbsp;UK's first Indian-origin home secretary</a>

"It is important employers move away from a reliance on the UK's immigration system as an alternative to investment in staff retention, productivity and wider investment in technology and automation," the government statement said.

Instead of inducting more people in the British workforce, the government suggests employing the skills of 3.2 million European Union citizens who have applied for an extension on their stay.

To soften the blow, the government has also introduced sub-provisions, such as ''youth mobility arrangements'', that opens a window of 20,000 entries in the UK every year, but only for young people.

This clampdown on immigrants is no longer new, as countries have spent years imitating the divisive rhetoric of Trump that is based on border protectionism with traces of nationalist fervour.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-brexit-new-fast-track-global-talent-visa-unveiled-by-united-kingdom-276861">After Brexit, new fast track 'global talent visa' unveiled by United Kingdom</a>

Patel has been staunchly criticised for her rhetoric during the Brexit uncertainty period, whereby she defended the alcohol and tobacco industries, and also threatened Ireland with food shortages.

As part of the British government's post-Brexit reformation, low-skilled workers in the country will no longer be able to obtain visas. The most interesting tenet, perhaps, of this provision is the curator.

As part of the British government's post-Brexit reformation, low-skilled workers in the country will no longer be able to obtain visas. The most interesting tenet, perhaps, of this provision is the curator. The idea was envisioned by Priti Patel, an Indian-origin British politician. She is a second-generation immigrant. Born in London, her parents emigrated to the UK from Tarapur in Gujarat. The constitutional element of the new provision requests British employers to limit their dependence on cheap labour coming from Europe. Also read: United Kingdom's new government increases minimum wage to £8.72 The key objectives of the move includes the retention of existing staff and to evolve and sustain automation technology that eliminates the need for physical dependence. According to the Home Office of the UK, European Union and non-European Union citizens coming to the UK after December 31 would be treated in the same fashion. This basically implies that all EU privileges in terms of travel and citizenship will be effectively revoked. The UK's Labour Party hit out at the move and claimed that it would lead to a ''hostile environment'' in the country, in terms of attracting labour. However, the Indian-origin Home Secretary Priti Patel claims that skilled and talented people will be able to come to the UK nevertheless. "The brightest and the best will be able to come to the United Kingdom", Patel said. Patel has been a staunch critic of Theresa May and is the first Home Secretary of Indian origin in the British cabinet. "It is important that the Cabinet should represent modern Britain as well as a modern Conservative Party", she had announced during the elections. Priti Patel had also additionally steered the ''Vote Leave'' campaign which triggered a series of uncertain events for British polity until the recent elections. She became a member of the Conservative Party when she 15. There are currently two other Indian-origin ministers in the UK cabinet: Rishi Sunak: Finance Minister, and Alok Sharma: Business Secretary. This constitutes a part of the UK's bigger plan to reduce migration into the UK. To systematically tackle this, the government has curated a ''points-based'' immigration system, living up to the promise which was made in their election manifesto. Here on, not only would potential immigrants and/or citizens need to speak impeccable English, but would need an ''approved sponsor'', someone who's already a British citizen and intends to hire the person intending to visit. On fulfilling this criterion, the person would be awarded 50 points. However, it gets tricky for a potential worker would need at least 70 points to legally work in the country. There are numerous number of points, ranging from educational qualifications to the salary on offer, and the nature of the profession. If someone possesses a skill which is facing labour shortages in the country, they would be fast-tracked into migration. According to the government's statements, businesses need to ''adapt and adjust''. In essence, the UK will no longer entertain the entry of "unskilled foreign labour" into their country, especially from Europe. Also read: Five facts about Priti Patel, UK's first Indian-origin home secretary "It is important employers move away from a reliance on the UK's immigration system as an alternative to investment in staff retention, productivity and wider investment in technology and automation," the government statement said. Instead of inducting more people in the British workforce, the government suggests employing the skills of 3.2 million European Union citizens who have applied for an extension on their stay. To soften the blow, the government has also introduced sub-provisions, such as ''youth mobility arrangements'', that opens a window of 20,000 entries in the UK every year, but only for young people. This clampdown on immigrants is no longer new, as countries have spent years imitating the divisive rhetoric of Trump that is based on border protectionism with traces of nationalist fervour. Also read: After Brexit, new fast track 'global talent visa' unveiled by United Kingdom Patel has been staunchly criticised for her rhetoric during the Brexit uncertainty period, whereby she defended the alcohol and tobacco industries, and also threatened Ireland with food shortages.

Second generation immigrant Priti Patel introduces UK's anti-immigration visa guidelines

Boris Johnson's new look cabinet features three British Indians. Rishi Sunak, Alok Sharma and Priti Patel will play a major role in re-defining the United Kingdom post Brexit.

Gravitas: British Indians take top jobs in British Cabinet

Son of British health service worker, Oxford educated Rishi Sunak inherited public service from his parents and rose to become UK's first Indian origin finance minister, replacing Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid.

WION Dispatch: Indian origin MP'S take top 3 ministries

There has been a major cabinet re-shuffle in the United Kingdom. Three Indian-origin legislators now form the top-3&nbsp;of PM Boris Johnson's cabinet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-working-in-chemist-shop-to-becoming-uks-new-finance-minister-who-is-rishi-sunak-280574" hreflang="en">From working in chemist shop to becoming UK's new finance minister - Who is Rishi Sunak?</a>

On Thursday, Rishi Sunak was appointed the chancellor to the exchequer, which is equivalent to a finance minister in most governments across the world.

Rishi hails from a Punjabi family in Southampton and has served as a junior minister to the former finance minister Sajid Javid.&nbsp;Javid's sudden exit resulted in Sunak's elevation to the position.

In India, he is mostly known as the son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.&nbsp;In his new position, Sunak will move into number 11 Downing Street right next door to PM Boris Johnson.

Rishi has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and has also co-founded a global investment firm.&nbsp;Sunak's most pressing engagement will be presenting the UK's budget next month.

In a Twitter post soon after his appointment, Sunak emphasised on the great rapport he shared with his predecessor Sajid Javid and promised to build on his great work.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am honoured to be appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer. 
 
My predecessor and good friend Saj did a fantastic job in his time at the Treasury. He was a pleasure to work with and I hope to be able to build on his great work going forward.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1228027925901053952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The second big appointment was Alok Sharma as the secretary of business and energy departments.&nbsp;He was born in Agra and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 5.&nbsp;Sharma's biggest challenge will be at the UN climate summit to be held in November this year where he will assume the role of summit president.

In the summit, countries are expected to bring forward plans to cut emissions as part of the Paris agreement, however,&nbsp;very few have produced a concrete roadmap.&nbsp;There will be pressure on Alok Sharma to produce results coming November.

Priti Patel meanwhile has retained the home department. She is a second-generation immigrant from India and has been serving as the home minister since July last year.

A self- confessed follower of the 'Thatcher doctrine', Patel entered politics as a teenager and was elected to the House of Commons in 2010.

Other than their Indian origin, these three&nbsp;leaders are bound together by another commonality, they were huge 'leave' campaigners during Brexit and have been unequivocal supporters of Boris Johnson's policies.

There has been a major cabinet re-shuffle in the United Kingdom. Three Indian-origin legislators now form the top-3 of PM Boris Johnson's cabinet. Also read: From working in chemist shop to becoming UK's new finance minister - Who is Rishi Sunak?

There has been a major cabinet re-shuffle in the United Kingdom. Three Indian-origin legislators now form the top-3 of PM Boris Johnson's cabinet. Also read: From working in chemist shop to becoming UK's new finance minister - Who is Rishi Sunak? On Thursday, Rishi Sunak was appointed the chancellor to the exchequer, which is equivalent to a finance minister in most governments across the world. Rishi hails from a Punjabi family in Southampton and has served as a junior minister to the former finance minister Sajid Javid. Javid's sudden exit resulted in Sunak's elevation to the position. In India, he is mostly known as the son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. In his new position, Sunak will move into number 11 Downing Street right next door to PM Boris Johnson. Rishi has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and has also co-founded a global investment firm. Sunak's most pressing engagement will be presenting the UK's budget next month. In a Twitter post soon after his appointment, Sunak emphasised on the great rapport he shared with his predecessor Sajid Javid and promised to build on his great work. I am honoured to be appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer. My predecessor and good friend Saj did a fantastic job in his time at the Treasury. He was a pleasure to work with and I hope to be able to build on his great work going forward. — Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 13, 2020 × The second big appointment was Alok Sharma as the secretary of business and energy departments. He was born in Agra and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 5. Sharma's biggest challenge will be at the UN climate summit to be held in November this year where he will assume the role of summit president. In the summit, countries are expected to bring forward plans to cut emissions as part of the Paris agreement, however, very few have produced a concrete roadmap. There will be pressure on Alok Sharma to produce results coming November. Priti Patel meanwhile has retained the home department. She is a second-generation immigrant from India and has been serving as the home minister since July last year. A self- confessed follower of the 'Thatcher doctrine', Patel entered politics as a teenager and was elected to the House of Commons in 2010. Other than their Indian origin, these three leaders are bound together by another commonality, they were huge 'leave' campaigners during Brexit and have been unequivocal supporters of Boris Johnson's policies.

Three Indian origin MPs make it to Johnson's cabinet

Three Politicians Of Indian Origin Get Significant Position In Boris Johnson's Cabinet UK's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hoping to deliver his promises with a brand new team. And that team comprises of many members of Indian origin. Palki brings a profile of the three Indian-origin British cabinet members.

Gravitas: 3 Indians in Boris Johnson's Cabinet

Boris Johnson has appointed three Indian-origin leaders, including Priti Patel as Home Secretary, in his top ministerial team in what has been dubbed as Britain's most diverse Cabinet, after he took over as the new prime minister with a pledge.

Boris Johnson reshuffles Cabinet, 3 Indian-origin ministers in UK Cabinet

Britain’s new Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-overhauls-cabinet-with-brexit-hardliners-238286">Boris Johnson</a> named Priti Patel as interior minister, marking a political comeback for the former international development minister.

Priti Patel replaces Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid, who moves to the Treasury department as the first ethnic minority Chancellor of the Exchequer.

"I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Home Secretary by our new Prime Minister @borisjohnson. Looking forward to working @ukhomeoffice to prepare our Country for leaving the EU, leading on matters of national security &amp; public safety &amp; keeping our borders secure," Patel tweeted, in reference to her new job at the helm of the UK Home Office.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Home Secretary by our new Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@borisjohnson</a>. Looking forward to working <a href="https://twitter.com/ukhomeoffice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ukhomeoffice</a> to prepare our Country for leaving the EU, leading on matters of national security &amp; public safety &amp; keeping our borders secure.
— Priti Patel MP (@patel4witham) <a href="https://twitter.com/patel4witham/status/1154140566294335488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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1: Patel, 47, resigned as International Development minister in November 2017 over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials that breached diplomatic protocol.

2: She campaigned to leave the European Union in 2016, and since leaving government has been an outspoken critic of former Prime Minister Theresa May’s approach to Brexit.

3: Earlier this week, Patel, who also served as a junior Treasury minister, released a report on the British economy arguing for lower taxes and for a new Bank of England mandate more focused on asset price inflation and financial imbalances.

4: Patel is English-born to Indian parents. In the EU referendum campaign, she launched an appeal to “Save the British Curry” which argued that a post-Brexit immigration system would be fairer to those from outside the EU and ease a shortage of chefs for Indian restaurants in Britain.

5: Former British leader David Cameron touted Patel as Britain’s first Indian-heritage prime minister during a huge rally at Wembley stadium in 2015 to mark the visit of Indian leader Narendra Modi.

Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson named Priti Patel as interior minister, marking a political comeback for the former international development minister.

Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson named Priti Patel as interior minister, marking a political comeback for the former international development minister. Priti Patel replaces Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid, who moves to the Treasury department as the first ethnic minority Chancellor of the Exchequer. "I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Home Secretary by our new Prime Minister @borisjohnson. Looking forward to working @ukhomeoffice to prepare our Country for leaving the EU, leading on matters of national security & public safety & keeping our borders secure," Patel tweeted, in reference to her new job at the helm of the UK Home Office. I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Home Secretary by our new Prime Minister @borisjohnson. Looking forward to working @ukhomeoffice to prepare our Country for leaving the EU, leading on matters of national security & public safety & keeping our borders secure. — Priti Patel MP (@patel4witham) July 24, 2019 × 1: Patel, 47, resigned as International Development minister in November 2017 over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials that breached diplomatic protocol. 2: She campaigned to leave the European Union in 2016, and since leaving government has been an outspoken critic of former Prime Minister Theresa May’s approach to Brexit. 3: Earlier this week, Patel, who also served as a junior Treasury minister, released a report on the British economy arguing for lower taxes and for a new Bank of England mandate more focused on asset price inflation and financial imbalances. 4: Patel is English-born to Indian parents. In the EU referendum campaign, she launched an appeal to “Save the British Curry” which argued that a post-Brexit immigration system would be fairer to those from outside the EU and ease a shortage of chefs for Indian restaurants in Britain. 5: Former British leader David Cameron touted Patel as Britain’s first Indian-heritage prime minister during a huge rally at Wembley stadium in 2015 to mark the visit of Indian leader Narendra Modi.

Five facts about Priti Patel, UK's first Indian-origin home secretary

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-overhauls-cabinet-with-brexit-hardliners-238286">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> will meet his Brexiteer-dominated team of senior ministers for the first time on Thursday to plot how to persuade the European Union to agree to a new Brexit deal ahead of the Oct. 31 exit deadline.

Johnson's dramatic rise to Britain's top job sets the world's fifth-largest economy up for a showdown with the EU and a potential constitutional crisis or election at home, as lawmakers have vowed to thwart a no-deal Brexit.

Britain's new leader promised to do a new Brexit deal with the bloc within less than 99 days but warned that if EU leaders refused what he termed a "remote possibility" then Britain would leave without a deal, "no ifs or buts".

"I am convinced that we can do a deal," Johnson, 55, said on arrival No. 10 Downing Street, the premier's official residence, after meeting Queen Elizabeth who requested he form a government.

Johnson bets that the threat of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-liberal-democrats-elect-first-female-leader-jo-swinson-to-stop-brexit-237771">no-deal Brexit</a> will persuade the EU's biggest powers Germany and France to agree to revise the divorce deal that former Prime Minister Theresa May agreed to last November but failed to ratify.

The EU has so far repeatedly refused to countenance rewriting the Withdrawal Agreement part of the divorce deal but has said it could change the so-called "Political Declaration" on future ties.

The bloc has congratulated Johnson on his victory but was firm that it would not offer Britain better departure terms.

Sweeping Cull

Johnson, whose sported a sometimes shambolic persona in his rise to power, showed mettle in office, sweeping away his predecessor's government in one of the biggest culls of senior government jobs in recent British history.

"Night of the Blond Knives," said The Sun, Britain's most-read newspaper, about the colour of Johnson's dishevelled mop of hair. A total of 17 ministers in May's government either resigned or were sacked, creating a powerful new group of enemies in parliament.

Most of Johnson's senior appointees are Brexit supporters.

Sajid Javid, 49, was named as his finance minister. He is a eurosceptic who voted to remain in the 2016 referendum.

Others are avowed Brexiteers: Priti Patel was appointed interior minister, Dominic Raab was appointed foreign minister and Stephen Barclay remained as Brexit minister.

Johnson also appointed Dominic Cummings, the campaign director of the official Brexit Vote Leave campaign, as a senior adviser in Downing Street.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet his Brexiteer-dominated team of senior ministers for the first time on Thursday to plot how to persuade the European Union to agree to a new Brexit deal ahead of the Oct.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet his Brexiteer-dominated team of senior ministers for the first time on Thursday to plot how to persuade the European Union to agree to a new Brexit deal ahead of the Oct. 31 exit deadline. Johnson's dramatic rise to Britain's top job sets the world's fifth-largest economy up for a showdown with the EU and a potential constitutional crisis or election at home, as lawmakers have vowed to thwart a no-deal Brexit. Britain's new leader promised to do a new Brexit deal with the bloc within less than 99 days but warned that if EU leaders refused what he termed a "remote possibility" then Britain would leave without a deal, "no ifs or buts". "I am convinced that we can do a deal," Johnson, 55, said on arrival No. 10 Downing Street, the premier's official residence, after meeting Queen Elizabeth who requested he form a government. Johnson bets that the threat of a no-deal Brexit will persuade the EU's biggest powers Germany and France to agree to revise the divorce deal that former Prime Minister Theresa May agreed to last November but failed to ratify. The EU has so far repeatedly refused to countenance rewriting the Withdrawal Agreement part of the divorce deal but has said it could change the so-called "Political Declaration" on future ties. The bloc has congratulated Johnson on his victory but was firm that it would not offer Britain better departure terms. Sweeping Cull Johnson, whose sported a sometimes shambolic persona in his rise to power, showed mettle in office, sweeping away his predecessor's government in one of the biggest culls of senior government jobs in recent British history. "Night of the Blond Knives," said The Sun, Britain's most-read newspaper, about the colour of Johnson's dishevelled mop of hair. A total of 17 ministers in May's government either resigned or were sacked, creating a powerful new group of enemies in parliament. Most of Johnson's senior appointees are Brexit supporters. Sajid Javid, 49, was named as his finance minister. He is a eurosceptic who voted to remain in the 2016 referendum. Others are avowed Brexiteers: Priti Patel was appointed interior minister, Dominic Raab was appointed foreign minister and Stephen Barclay remained as Brexit minister. Johnson also appointed Dominic Cummings, the campaign director of the official Brexit Vote Leave campaign, as a senior adviser in Downing Street.

British PM Boris Johnson's top team meet to plot Brexit gambit

Priti Patel&rsquo;s ignominious departure from the UK cabinet after it emerged that she had held undeclared meetings with Israeli officials during a personal holiday exposes many flaws in her conduct. The commentariat tells us she showed a lack of judgement, a lack of awareness of due process and a willingness to conduct what, in effect, was her own foreign policy.

One word that hasn&rsquo;t come up so frequently is &ldquo;corruption&rdquo;. That&rsquo;s in many ways understandable. Corruption is generally understood in transactional terms with four key parts. An act is understood as corrupt if there is a (i) deliberate attempt (ii) to abuse (iii) entrusted power (iv) for some sort of private gain. Corruption is normally regarded as a process rather than an outcome and acts that tick all of those boxes are subsequently judged as such. That all of those terms can and do require some sort of external judgement to be made ensures that we can&rsquo;t talk about objective realities. We do, however, have a decent starting point for making sense of a complex world.

This understanding of corruption is, however, relatively new. Indeed, it&rsquo;s only in the past few decades that corruption has been understood in this form. Yet corruption has, of course, been around for as long as humans have sought to organise themselves. Aristotle, for example, argued corruption is a symbol of the dysfunctionality of states that have moved away from their &ldquo;pure&rdquo; state of being. For Aristotle and a number of his contemporaries, corruption has a clear moral dimension and that moral core is the very essence of corruption, leading inevitably to decay, degradation and ultimately state failure.

Why Rome fell

A similar logic has been used by historians such as Ramsay McMullen when they argue that the ever-deepening problem of corruption is the primary reason the Roman Empire fell.

MacMullen&rsquo;s thesis is straightforward and well documented: Corruption led successive governments to concentrate more on the need to generate private gains (of whatever sort) for themselves and their supporters, and less on the demands of running a large and complex empire. The moral core that characterised much of the thinking of Rome&rsquo;s founders had withered away over time; subsequent Roman leaders not only lost control of the government, but the government lost sight of what it existed to do. Even when it became apparent that corruption was at the core of the administration&rsquo;s work, attempts at reform came too late. Like cancer, corruption had penetrated too many parts of the public ethos.

The fall of Rome was also pivotal in Montesquieu&rsquo;s thinking on corruption (and state failure). He explained in detail how the virtuous thinking of Rome&rsquo;s founders helped it become an empire, but how the corruption of Rome&rsquo;s moral fibre ultimately brought the empire down. For Montesquieu and MacMullen, as well as many others, corruption was at the very core of Rome&rsquo;s descent into dissolution.

A question of morals

Corruption, no matter how it is defined, certainly has a moral dimension to it. That remains so regardless of the fact that many would prefer to couch their analysis, and, indeed, their prescriptions, in the language of rationality, interests, costs and benefits.

Much of the recent work on corruption &ndash; produced largely by those with the economist&rsquo;s mindset &ndash; has purposefully avoided the moral minefield and instead aspired to embrace some sort of objective understanding of corruption. That&rsquo;s ultimately unlikely to be a fruitful way forward in terms of actually fighting corruption in practice; morals drive understandings of what&rsquo;s appropriate and ignoring them doesn&rsquo;t mean that they simply go away.

Bringing issues of morality back into our analysis subsequently helps us comprehend much more about what we understand corruption to be as well as how (and, indeed, whether) we go about tackling it. The moral dimension to the corruption challenge, therefore, cannot be an optional extra.

It&rsquo;s with that in mind that the behaviour of Priti Patel is so interesting. There is little evidence to suggest that she might be guilty of corruption in the modern understanding of the term, but she certainly did do things that corruption analysts of yesteryear would recognise as falling into that category. At a push, one could certainly argue she broke the ministerial code and that&rsquo;s clearly a process violation. But it is really by looking at broader normative issues of what&rsquo;s right, why it&rsquo;s right and how we can recognise it as such do we really see why behaviour such as Patel&rsquo;s can be so corrosive.

Rome ultimately didn&rsquo;t fall because of the specific acts of one person. Rome&rsquo;s problems escalated over time as the moral core that characterised the thinking of Rome&rsquo;s founders ceased to shape their decision-making. Theresa May is hardly Romulus Augustus, but a government that neglects the importance of moral leadership is in dangerous waters. If nothing else, Priti Patel&rsquo;s resignation should give us reason to ponder the ramifications of that.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/priti-patel-ancient-rome-and-moral-leadership-87206" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

Prime Minister Theresa May could not have ignored the moral implication of Priti Patel's act

Priti Patel’s ignominious departure from the UK cabinet after it emerged that she had held undeclared meetings with Israeli officials during a personal holiday exposes many flaws in her conduct. The commentariat tells us she showed a lack of judgement, a lack of awareness of due process and a willingness to conduct what, in effect, was her own foreign policy. One word that hasn’t come up so frequently is “corruption”. That’s in many ways understandable. Corruption is generally understood in transactional terms with four key parts. An act is understood as corrupt if there is a (i) deliberate attempt (ii) to abuse (iii) entrusted power (iv) for some sort of private gain. Corruption is normally regarded as a process rather than an outcome and acts that tick all of those boxes are subsequently judged as such. That all of those terms can and do require some sort of external judgement to be made ensures that we can’t talk about objective realities. We do, however, have a decent starting point for making sense of a complex world. This understanding of corruption is, however, relatively new. Indeed, it’s only in the past few decades that corruption has been understood in this form. Yet corruption has, of course, been around for as long as humans have sought to organise themselves. Aristotle, for example, argued corruption is a symbol of the dysfunctionality of states that have moved away from their “pure” state of being. For Aristotle and a number of his contemporaries, corruption has a clear moral dimension and that moral core is the very essence of corruption, leading inevitably to decay, degradation and ultimately state failure. Why Rome fell A similar logic has been used by historians such as Ramsay McMullen when they argue that the ever-deepening problem of corruption is the primary reason the Roman Empire fell. MacMullen’s thesis is straightforward and well documented: Corruption led successive governments to concentrate more on the need to generate private gains (of whatever sort) for themselves and their supporters, and less on the demands of running a large and complex empire. The moral core that characterised much of the thinking of Rome’s founders had withered away over time; subsequent Roman leaders not only lost control of the government, but the government lost sight of what it existed to do. Even when it became apparent that corruption was at the core of the administration’s work, attempts at reform came too late. Like cancer, corruption had penetrated too many parts of the public ethos. The fall of Rome was also pivotal in Montesquieu’s thinking on corruption (and state failure). He explained in detail how the virtuous thinking of Rome’s founders helped it become an empire, but how the corruption of Rome’s moral fibre ultimately brought the empire down. For Montesquieu and MacMullen, as well as many others, corruption was at the very core of Rome’s descent into dissolution. A question of morals Corruption, no matter how it is defined, certainly has a moral dimension to it. That remains so regardless of the fact that many would prefer to couch their analysis, and, indeed, their prescriptions, in the language of rationality, interests, costs and benefits. Much of the recent work on corruption – produced largely by those with the economist’s mindset – has purposefully avoided the moral minefield and instead aspired to embrace some sort of objective understanding of corruption. That’s ultimately unlikely to be a fruitful way forward in terms of actually fighting corruption in practice; morals drive understandings of what’s appropriate and ignoring them doesn’t mean that they simply go away. Bringing issues of morality back into our analysis subsequently helps us comprehend much more about what we understand corruption to be as well as how (and, indeed, whether) we go about tackling it. The moral dimension to the corruption challenge, therefore, cannot be an optional extra. It’s with that in mind that the behaviour of Priti Patel is so interesting. There is little evidence to suggest that she might be guilty of corruption in the modern understanding of the term, but she certainly did do things that corruption analysts of yesteryear would recognise as falling into that category. At a push, one could certainly argue she broke the ministerial code and that’s clearly a process violation. But it is really by looking at broader normative issues of what’s right, why it’s right and how we can recognise it as such do we really see why behaviour such as Patel’s can be so corrosive. Rome ultimately didn’t fall because of the specific acts of one person. Rome’s problems escalated over time as the moral core that characterised the thinking of Rome’s founders ceased to shape their decision-making. Theresa May is hardly Romulus Augustus, but a government that neglects the importance of moral leadership is in dangerous waters. If nothing else, Priti Patel’s resignation should give us reason to ponder the ramifications of that. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Why Theresa May asked Priti Patel to quit

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-votes-today-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-election-23777">Himachal votes today: All you need to know about the election</a>

The northern hill state of Himachal Pradesh goes to polls today. Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is the chief ministerial candidate of the BJP. He faces-off with chief minister Virbhadra Singh of the Congress. Polling began at 8 am and will go on till 5 pm. Here&#39;s a ready reckoner.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-minister-priti-patel-quits-over-unauthorised-israel-meetings-23774">UK minister Priti Patel quits over unauthorised Israel meetings</a>

Britain&#39;s overseas aid minister Priti Patel quit on Wednesday over unauthorised meetings in Israel. Theresa May summoned Patel back from a trip to Africa to explain her talks with Israeli politicians and officials, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army.

Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-to-have-another-round-of-odd-even-rule-23778">Delhi gears up for second round of odd-even rule</a>

In view of increasing air pollution, Delhi will have yet anothe round of odd-even. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to start preparing for implementing the rule in Delhi.

Mr Baijal also directed Municipal Corporations, DDA and SDMs to strictly enforce a prohibition on open burning. Delhi Metro parking rates will also be increased four times the prevalent rates from Thursday onwards, in a bid to discourage use of private vehicles.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-cong-gives-3-quota-options-to-patidars-who-say-theyll-get-back-to-them-23775">Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they&#39;ll get back to them</a>

Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter&#39;s quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-bill-looks-to-criminalise-homosexuality-23781">Egypt bill looks to criminalise homosexuality</a>

Amnesty International on Thursday condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality, in what the rights group called an &quot;unprecedented homophobic crackdown&quot;.

The bill lays jail terms of between one and three years for first-time offenders, whether the act takes place in public or a private place. Repeat offenders would receive five years.

The top stories from India and the world this morning

Himachal votes today: All you need to know about the election The northern hill state of Himachal Pradesh goes to polls today. Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is the chief ministerial candidate of the BJP. He faces-off with chief minister Virbhadra Singh of the Congress. Polling began at 8 am and will go on till 5 pm. Here's a ready reckoner. UK minister Priti Patel quits over unauthorised Israel meetings Britain's overseas aid minister Priti Patel quit on Wednesday over unauthorised meetings in Israel. Theresa May summoned Patel back from a trip to Africa to explain her talks with Israeli politicians and officials, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army. Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance. Delhi gears up for second round of odd-even rule In view of increasing air pollution, Delhi will have yet anothe round of odd-even. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday directed the Transport Department to start preparing for implementing the rule in Delhi. Mr Baijal also directed Municipal Corporations, DDA and SDMs to strictly enforce a prohibition on open burning. Delhi Metro parking rates will also be increased four times the prevalent rates from Thursday onwards, in a bid to discourage use of private vehicles. Gujarat elections: Cong gives 3 quota options to Patidars who say they'll get back to them Congress gave three options to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) at a late night meeting here with respect to latter's quota demand for its community, even as the organisation members said they would consult their leaders and legal experts before taking a decision. Egypt bill looks to criminalise homosexuality Amnesty International on Thursday condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality, in what the rights group called an "unprecedented homophobic crackdown". The bill lays jail terms of between one and three years for first-time offenders, whether the act takes place in public or a private place. Repeat offenders would receive five years.

WION morning news brief, November 9, 2017

Britain&#39;s overseas aid minister Priti Patel quit Wednesday over unauthorised meetings in Israel, becoming the latest cabinet member caught up in a whirlwind of scandals rocking Prime Minister Theresa May&#39;s government.

&quot;I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation,&quot; Patel wrote in a letter to May, becoming the second minister to leave the cabinet in one week.

Theresa May summoned Patel back from a trip to Africa to explain her talks with Israeli politicians and officials, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army.

Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance.

Patel wrote in her letter that there had been a &quot;number of reports about my actions and I am sorry that these have served as a distraction.&quot;

May accepted Patel&#39;s resignation, replying in a letter that &quot;the UK and Israel are close allies, and it is right that we should work closely together. But that must be done formally.&quot;

Britain's overseas aid minister had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance

Britain's overseas aid minister Priti Patel quit Wednesday over unauthorised meetings in Israel, becoming the latest cabinet member caught up in a whirlwind of scandals rocking Prime Minister Theresa May's government. "I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation," Patel wrote in a letter to May, becoming the second minister to leave the cabinet in one week. Theresa May summoned Patel back from a trip to Africa to explain her talks with Israeli politicians and officials, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army. Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings -- including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Downing Street in advance. Patel wrote in her letter that there had been a "number of reports about my actions and I am sorry that these have served as a distraction." May accepted Patel's resignation, replying in a letter that "the UK and Israel are close allies, and it is right that we should work closely together. But that must be done formally."

UK minister Priti Patel quits over unauthorised Israel meetings

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