Author name: Web Desk

London: The British government unveiled sweeping reforms to the asylum system on Monday, declaring refugee status will no longer be permanent and pledging accelerated deportations for those entering illegally, in a direct bid to neutralise the electoral threat from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that protection will be granted on a temporary basis, subject to regular review, ending the current practice of indefinite leave to remain after five years. Individuals arriving via unauthorised routes, such as small boats across the Channel, will face swift removal once their claims are refused, with significantly reduced appeal rights.Crucially, the government will legislate to reinterpret obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights in domestic law, insisting Article 8 (right to family life) and other provisions should not block removals where public interest demands otherwise. Officials claim this stops “abuse” by foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers who exploit human-rights arguments to remain.The package also includes tougher enforcement powers, expanded detention capacity, and new bilateral return agreements. Labour sources described the measures as the toughest since the failed Rwanda scheme, designed to slash net migration and reassure working-class voters tempted by Reform UK, which secured 14% in last year’s election. Critics immediately accused the government of undermining international commitments.

Beijing: China’s dominance in the global clean energy supply chain reached new heights as battery and battery energy storage system (BESS) exports soared 24% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, generating approximately $60 billion in revenue, according to fresh data from energy think tank Ember.Batteries have cemented their position as China’s most profitable clean-energy export since overtaking solar panels in mid-2022. The explosive growth comes despite escalating trade tensions, with the European Union imposing provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on Chinese electric vehicles and launching probes into battery subsidies.Strong demand from Europe, Southeast Asia, and emerging markets for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells and large-scale energy storage systems drove the surge. Chinese manufacturers, led by CATL and BYD, now account for more than 70% of global battery production capacity and over 80% of BESS deployments worldwide.Analysts warn that continued export growth could trigger further protectionist measures, yet Beijing shows no signs of slowing investment. Domestic battery production capacity is projected to exceed 3 TWh by year-end, far surpassing global demand. Ember notes the $60 billion figure already rivals total 2024 solar module export revenue, underlining batteries as the new cornerstone of China’s green technology export strategy.

Paris, November 19, 2025 – In a landmark move to rebuild its air force, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a letter of intent with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday for the potential acquisition of up to 100 Dassault Rafale F4 fighter jets over the next decade, along with advanced air defense systems, drones, and munitions.The agreement, inked at Villacoublay military airbase near Paris in front of a Rafale jet, was hailed by Zelenskiy as “historic,” promising “one of the greatest air defenses in the world.” It includes eight next-generation SAMP/T systems, radars, air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and joint drone production starting this year. Deliveries could begin within three years, with full Rafale rollout by 2035.The twin-engine Rafale, an “omnirole” aircraft capable of air superiority, deep strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship missions, and even nuclear deterrence in French service, measures over 15 meters long with a Mach 1.8 top speed and 50,000-foot ceiling. Operational since 2004, it has seen combat in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria, with 533 firm orders globally, including major exports to India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, UAE, Indonesia, and Serbia.Shares in Dassault Aviation surged up to 8% following the announcement. The deal follows Ukraine’s recent receipt of F-16s and Mirages, plus a similar intent for Swedish Gripens, as Kyiv seeks a modern fleet to counter Russian aggression. Financing remains unclear but may involve EU funds and frozen Russian assets.

New Delhi/Hong Kong: In a bold and unprecedented move, Air India has urged the Indian government to diplomatically plead with Beijing for permission to fly through a highly sensitive Chinese military airspace in Xinjiang, revealing the crippling financial damage caused by Pakistan’s ongoing overflight ban.A confidential Air India document submitted to Indian authorities in late October, reviewed by Reuters, estimates the Pakistan airspace closure—imposed after April tensions—is costing the Tata-owned carrier a staggering $455 million annually in lost profit, pushing fuel costs up 29% and adding up to three hours on long-haul routes to North America and Europe.To survive, Air India wants emergency access to the restricted Hotan-Kashgar corridor and diversion rights to military-dominated airports in Xinjiang’s west, currently off-limits to all foreign carriers. The route sits inside the People’s Liberation Army’s Western Theater Command—the same unit tasked with any potential India conflict—and is surrounded by 20,000-ft peaks that pose severe decompression risks.Analysts call approval “highly doubtful” given recent Chinese airbase expansions at Hotan and Beijing’s iron grip on military airspace. Without the shortcut, Air India warns routes like Mumbai-San Francisco are “becoming unviable,” forcing technical stops and driving passengers to foreign rivals with shorter Pakistan-permitted paths.The airline, still reeling from June’s deadly Gujarat Dreamliner crash, has already axed Delhi-Washington flights and slashed 15% capacity on remaining U.S./Canada routes. Air India is also quietly seeking temporary government subsidies and relief from $725 million in pre-privatisation tax liabilities.Neither Air India, India’s aviation ministry, nor Chinese authorities have commented.