UK

An £85-million British F-35B stealth combat jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport following an emergency landing on June 14 due to low fuel and subsequent hydraulic failure. A specialized UK engineering team has now arrived in Kerala with advanced equipment to assess and restore the fifth-generation fighter.

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) has acquired a minority stake in UK-based FACEGYM, marking its entry into the high-growth facial fitness and skincare segment. The partnership aims to introduce FACEGYM’s innovative non-invasive facial workouts combined with advanced skincare formulations to Indian consumers. Leveraging Reliance’s omnichannel beauty platform, Tira, the company plans to establish standalone studios and curated spaces across major cities over the next five years.

Tata Steel is advancing its green steel transition plans in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, affirming its commitment to decarbonising its European operations within the scheduled timeframe. Speaking at the company’s 118th Annual General Meeting, Chairman N. Chandrasekaran outlined the group’s progress, including the decommissioning of legacy blast furnaces at Port Talbot and strategic initiatives underway at the IJmuiden facility. Backed by significant government support and internal cost optimisation targets, Tata Steel aims to lead Europe’s steel sector towards sustainability.

A new report from UK-based cybersecurity firm Sophos reveals that 53% of Indian organizations affected by ransomware in 2024 paid cybercriminals to regain access to their encrypted data. While ransom payments dropped significantly—median payouts fell by 79% to Rs. 4 crore (USD 481,636)—the broader financial impact of these attacks remains severe. Companies continue to bear substantial recovery costs, averaging over Rs. 8.4 crore (USD 1.01 million) excluding ransom payments.

Kolkata-based Luxmi Group, the heritage tea enterprise behind the Makaibari Darjeeling brand, has acquired a controlling interest in the UK’s Brew Tea Co., a boutique tea company known for its whole-leaf offerings and direct-to-consumer subscription model. The acquisition marks Luxmi’s strategic expansion into international markets and signals a renewed focus on ethical sourcing, vertical integration, and premium tea experiences.

The UK government has introduced a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing the nation’s escalating obesity rates through strategic collaboration with food manufacturers and retailers. This landmark partnership, part of a broader 10-Year Health Plan, seeks to simplify healthier food choices for consumers by encouraging product reformulation, promotional shifts, and retail innovations.

India is ramping up efforts to finalize free trade agreements (FTAs) with key partners, notably the United States and the European Union, as it targets an ambitious USD 2 trillion export milestone by 2030. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed that negotiations are progressing rapidly, building on recently concluded deals with the UK, UAE, Australia, and the EFTA bloc. India's exports of goods and services reached an all-time high of USD 825 billion in FY25, outperforming global trade trends despite geopolitical uncertainties.

ker was launched in London during the UK-India Week by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds. The launch coincided with ongoing discussions to finalize the long-anticipated UK-India Free Trade Agreement, a pact expected to significantly elevate trade and investment flows between the two nations.

Sunjay Kapur, prominent businessman and former husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, died unexpectedly in England on June 12 after reportedly suffering a heart attack, allegedly triggered by an allergic reaction to swallowing a bee. While the official cause of death has yet to be confirmed, his passing has drawn public attention due to its sudden nature and the high-profile individuals connected to him. Kapur's last rites are scheduled for June 19 at the Lodhi Road Cremation Ground in New Delhi, with a prayer meeting planned on June 22 at the Taj Palace Hotel.

Over 350 Indian technology firms, ranging from startups to established enterprises, marked the largest-ever Indian presence at London Tech Week 2025, underscoring the growing synergy between India and the UK’s technology ecosystems. This surge coincides with the recently signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement and highlights London’s appeal as a global innovation hub. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched new government initiatives to harness AI and enhance digital skills, while Indian firms like Mphasis and WNS ramp up their UK operations.