August 14, 2018.
Britain slips behind US as most popular country for educating world leaders due to hardline immigration policy
The UK risks losing its international influence under strict immigration policies, report suggests
Eleanor Busby Education Correspondent
The UK has been superceded by the US as the most popular place of education for the world's political leaders, a study has found, as experts warn the government's immigration policy could reduce the attraction of British universities to overseas students.
Of the current serving presidents, prime ministers and monarchs who have studied at a university abroad, 58 were educated in the US compared to 57 in the UK - reversing last year’s positions.
Both countries remained ahead of the pack, however, with France taking the number three spot for educating 40 world leaders, according to the annual survey from Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI).
UK universities drop in global reputation rankings for research
Nick Hillman, director of HEPI, warns that the UK risks losing its international influence under immigration policies that may restrict the numbers of overseas students attending British universities.
He said: “You build up real soft power when you educate the leading lights of other countries. In the past, we have been more successful than any other country in attracting the world’s future leaders.
"But these new figures suggest our pole position is under threat.”
Mr Hillman urged: “To ensure this does not become a long-term trend, we need to adopt a bold educational exports strategy, remove students from the government’s main migration target and roll out the red carpet when people come to study here.
"One practical way to make all that happen would be to end the Home Office having complete control over student migration and to share it across government departments instead, as they do in other countries.”
Leaders educated in the UK include Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who studied at the University of Oxford, Burmese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who studied at Oxford and SOAS, and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, who studied at Imperial College’s Western Eye hospital in London.
Tom Huxley, an independent researcher who completed the study for HEPI, said the UK was facing “unprecedented competition for ambitious students from other countries.”
He said: “The government must take student numbers out of its migration target and allow our universities to attract more of the world’s brightest and best to study here. Otherwise, we risk losing such strong links to future world leaders.”
A Universities UK spokesperson said: “It is clear that the UK has one of the strongest university sectors in the world. This success in in large part due to the quality and dedication of staff working in our universities.
“However, we must not be complacent. Many of our major competitors are growing their investment in higher education and doing more to attract international talent.”
The Department for Education was approached for a comment.
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Burqa ban protests are taking place across Denmark - Independent
Burqa ban protests are taking place across Denmark
Posted August 12, 2018 by Narjas Zatat in news
UPVOTE
Denmark introduced legislation that bans Islamic face coverings, resulting in protest across the country.
Men and women are criticising the ban, which imposes a fine of 1,000 kroner (£119) on anyone wearing garments that hide their face, as Islamophobia, and are taking to the streets.
A Danish fashion designer was one of many to speak out against the ban. Iranian-born Reza Etamadi showcased models wearing niqabs and hijabs alongside police officers in a show of support for women’s right to wear the religious attire.
Niqabs are the Muslim item of clothing that shows the eyes, while burqas are full-face coverings.
View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter
AJ+
✔
@ajplus
People in Denmark are protesting a decision to fine a woman for wearing a niqab. The 28-year-old is the first person to be punished for violating the country's new face veil ban.
5:26 AM - Aug 11, 2018
Michelle Clifford
✔
@skynewsmichelle
Women in #Copenhagen gather in defiance of ban on wearing #niqab or #burqa in Denmark. They’re protesting a law which came in this month outlawing full face cover. One woman has already been fined under the ban which many Muslims say is an attack on their freedom #burkaban
1:22 AM - Aug 11, 2018
She said: ‘I have a duty to support all women’s freedom of speech and freedom of thought.'
[The new law is in violation of] the free choice we in the Western world are known for and proud to have.
One woman has already been fined under the new law. A 28-year-old woman was fined after fighting with a woman who was trying to remove her niqab.
sara yasin 😐
✔
@sarayasin
Ayah, 37, weeps as she's embraced by a police officer during anti-niqab ban protests in Denmark's capital on August 1 (📷: Reuters)
3:36 AM - Aug 9, 2018
Etamadi is just one of many men and women who have responded to the ban by attending organised protests across the country.
Sky reports that women wearing the niqabs gathered outside a police station in the capital to protest the law. Other people wearing masks and animal costumes also showed up in support of the women, and to make fun of the legislation.
Muslim and non-Muslim demonstrators protest Denmark’s burqa ban in Copenhagen#Burqaban #Muslim #Islam
9:25 PM - Aug 2, 2018
One Muslim women, Sabina, who wears the niqab told Sky:
I see it [the niqab] as part of my faith and now it has also become a part of my identity. Which is why I feel so strongly about it.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Copenhagen. Muslim Student Hanni Ali said:
It’s a discriminating law. It’s an absurd law. It’s a law that doesn’t make sense in practise.
Rasmus Nordkvist, spokesperson for the Alternative Part added:
The consequences of when we do legislation like we have done now…is that we actually limiting our freedoms our liberal freedom rights to dress like we want. It’s a really dangerous step to take with this law….what is next?
Posted August 12, 2018 by Narjas Zatat in news
UPVOTE
Denmark introduced legislation that bans Islamic face coverings, resulting in protest across the country.
Men and women are criticising the ban, which imposes a fine of 1,000 kroner (£119) on anyone wearing garments that hide their face, as Islamophobia, and are taking to the streets.
A Danish fashion designer was one of many to speak out against the ban. Iranian-born Reza Etamadi showcased models wearing niqabs and hijabs alongside police officers in a show of support for women’s right to wear the religious attire.
Niqabs are the Muslim item of clothing that shows the eyes, while burqas are full-face coverings.
View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter
AJ+
✔
@ajplus
People in Denmark are protesting a decision to fine a woman for wearing a niqab. The 28-year-old is the first person to be punished for violating the country's new face veil ban.
5:26 AM - Aug 11, 2018
Michelle Clifford
✔
@skynewsmichelle
Women in #Copenhagen gather in defiance of ban on wearing #niqab or #burqa in Denmark. They’re protesting a law which came in this month outlawing full face cover. One woman has already been fined under the ban which many Muslims say is an attack on their freedom #burkaban
1:22 AM - Aug 11, 2018
She said: ‘I have a duty to support all women’s freedom of speech and freedom of thought.'
[The new law is in violation of] the free choice we in the Western world are known for and proud to have.
One woman has already been fined under the new law. A 28-year-old woman was fined after fighting with a woman who was trying to remove her niqab.
sara yasin 😐
✔
@sarayasin
Ayah, 37, weeps as she's embraced by a police officer during anti-niqab ban protests in Denmark's capital on August 1 (📷: Reuters)
3:36 AM - Aug 9, 2018
Etamadi is just one of many men and women who have responded to the ban by attending organised protests across the country.
Sky reports that women wearing the niqabs gathered outside a police station in the capital to protest the law. Other people wearing masks and animal costumes also showed up in support of the women, and to make fun of the legislation.
Muslim and non-Muslim demonstrators protest Denmark’s burqa ban in Copenhagen#Burqaban #Muslim #Islam
9:25 PM - Aug 2, 2018
One Muslim women, Sabina, who wears the niqab told Sky:
I see it [the niqab] as part of my faith and now it has also become a part of my identity. Which is why I feel so strongly about it.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Copenhagen. Muslim Student Hanni Ali said:
It’s a discriminating law. It’s an absurd law. It’s a law that doesn’t make sense in practise.
Rasmus Nordkvist, spokesperson for the Alternative Part added:
The consequences of when we do legislation like we have done now…is that we actually limiting our freedoms our liberal freedom rights to dress like we want. It’s a really dangerous step to take with this law….what is next?
Erdogan says Turkey will boycott U.S. electronics, lira steadies - Reuters
AUGUST 14, 2018
Erdogan says Turkey will boycott U.S. electronics, lira steadies
Daren Butler, Behiye Selin Taner
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday Turkey will boycott electronic products from the United States, retaliating in a dispute with Washington that has helped drive the lira to record lows.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses businessmen in Trabzon, Turkey August 12, 2018. Murat Kula/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS
The lira has lost more than 40 percent this year and crashed to an all-time low of 7.24 to the dollar early on Monday, hit by worries over Erdogan’s calls for lower interest rates and worsening ties with the United States.
The weakness of the Turkish currency has rippled through global markets. Its drop of as much as 18 percent on Friday hit U.S. and European stocks as investors fretted about banks’ exposure to Turkey.
On Tuesday the lira recovered some ground, trading at 6.53 to the dollar at 0918 GMT, up around five percent on the day.
It was supported by news of a planned conference call in which the finance minister will seek to reassure investors concerned by Erdogan’s control of the economy and his resistance to interest rate hikes to tackle double-digit inflation .
Erdogan says Turkey is the target of an economic war, and has made repeated calls for Turks to sell their dollars and euros to shore up the national currency.
“Together with our people, we will stand decisively against the dollar, forex prices, inflation and interest rates. We will protect our economic independence by being tight-knit together,” he told members of his AK Party in a speech.
“We will impose a boycott on U.S. electronic products. If they have iPhones, there is Samsung on the other side, and we have our own Vestel here,” he said, referring to the Turkish electronics company, whose shares rose five percent.
The United States has imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers over the trial on terrorism charges of a U.S. evangelical pastor in Turkey, and last week Washington raised tariffs on Turkish metal exports.
Erdogan said his government would offer further incentives to companies planning to invest in Turkey and said firms should not be put off by economic uncertainty.
“If we postpone our investments, if we convert our currency to foreign exchange because there’s danger, then we will have given into the enemy,” he said.
U.S. DISPUTE
Although the lira enjoyed a small respite on Tuesday, investors say measures taken by the Central Bank on Monday to ensure liquidity fail to address the root cause of lira weakness.
“What you want to see is tight monetary policy, a tight fiscal policy and a recognition that there might be some short-term economic pain — but without it there’s just no credibility of promises to restabilise things,” said Craig Botham, Emerging Markets Economist at Schroders.
Dollar-denominated bonds issued by selected Turkish banks continued to fall on Tuesday, although sovereign bonds steadied.
Relations between NATO allies Turkey and the United States are at a low point, hurt by a series of issues from diverging interests in Syria, Ankara’s plan to buy Russian defense systems and the detention of an American pastor, Andrew Brunson.
The White House on Monday said U.S. national security adviser John Bolton met Turkey’s ambassador to the United States to discuss the detention of Brunson. The pastor’s Turkish lawyer launched a fresh appeal on Tuesday for his release.
Traders said news that Finance Minister Berat Albayrak will hold a conference call with up to 1,000 investors to discuss the economy might also have helped support the currency.
“I think the investor call Albayrak has scheduled has helped lira firm,” said TEB Investment strategist Isik Okte. “I believe the new and important topics will be discussed in this call, otherwise there would not be such an attempt.”
“The concerns are ongoing in the market but it is possible to mention a limited optimism for the first time in a while,” a foreign exchange trader said.
Turkey’s business lobbies called on Tuesday for a tighter monetary policy to stabilize the lira, and for diplomacy to solve U.S.-Turkish disputes.
Following Monday’s meeting between Bolton and Turkish ambassador Serdar Kilic, U.S. officials have given no indication that the United States has been prepared to give ground in the standoff between the two countries’ leaders.
Ankara has repeatedly said the Brunson case was up to the courts and a Turkish judge moved Brunson from jail to house arrest in July. Infuriated by the move, which Washington said was insufficient, Trump sanctioned two Turkish ministers and doubled tariffs on metal imports, adding to lira’s slide.
Turkish leader condemns 'attack' on failing lira
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was monitoring the financial situation in Turkey “very closely”.
Additional reporting by Ece Toksabay and Ezgi Erkoyun, Writing by Humeyra Pamuk and Dominic Evans, Editing by William Maclean
Erdogan says Turkey will boycott U.S. electronics, lira steadies
Daren Butler, Behiye Selin Taner
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday Turkey will boycott electronic products from the United States, retaliating in a dispute with Washington that has helped drive the lira to record lows.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses businessmen in Trabzon, Turkey August 12, 2018. Murat Kula/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS
The lira has lost more than 40 percent this year and crashed to an all-time low of 7.24 to the dollar early on Monday, hit by worries over Erdogan’s calls for lower interest rates and worsening ties with the United States.
The weakness of the Turkish currency has rippled through global markets. Its drop of as much as 18 percent on Friday hit U.S. and European stocks as investors fretted about banks’ exposure to Turkey.
On Tuesday the lira recovered some ground, trading at 6.53 to the dollar at 0918 GMT, up around five percent on the day.
It was supported by news of a planned conference call in which the finance minister will seek to reassure investors concerned by Erdogan’s control of the economy and his resistance to interest rate hikes to tackle double-digit inflation .
Erdogan says Turkey is the target of an economic war, and has made repeated calls for Turks to sell their dollars and euros to shore up the national currency.
“Together with our people, we will stand decisively against the dollar, forex prices, inflation and interest rates. We will protect our economic independence by being tight-knit together,” he told members of his AK Party in a speech.
“We will impose a boycott on U.S. electronic products. If they have iPhones, there is Samsung on the other side, and we have our own Vestel here,” he said, referring to the Turkish electronics company, whose shares rose five percent.
The United States has imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers over the trial on terrorism charges of a U.S. evangelical pastor in Turkey, and last week Washington raised tariffs on Turkish metal exports.
Erdogan said his government would offer further incentives to companies planning to invest in Turkey and said firms should not be put off by economic uncertainty.
“If we postpone our investments, if we convert our currency to foreign exchange because there’s danger, then we will have given into the enemy,” he said.
U.S. DISPUTE
Although the lira enjoyed a small respite on Tuesday, investors say measures taken by the Central Bank on Monday to ensure liquidity fail to address the root cause of lira weakness.
“What you want to see is tight monetary policy, a tight fiscal policy and a recognition that there might be some short-term economic pain — but without it there’s just no credibility of promises to restabilise things,” said Craig Botham, Emerging Markets Economist at Schroders.
Dollar-denominated bonds issued by selected Turkish banks continued to fall on Tuesday, although sovereign bonds steadied.
Relations between NATO allies Turkey and the United States are at a low point, hurt by a series of issues from diverging interests in Syria, Ankara’s plan to buy Russian defense systems and the detention of an American pastor, Andrew Brunson.
The White House on Monday said U.S. national security adviser John Bolton met Turkey’s ambassador to the United States to discuss the detention of Brunson. The pastor’s Turkish lawyer launched a fresh appeal on Tuesday for his release.
Traders said news that Finance Minister Berat Albayrak will hold a conference call with up to 1,000 investors to discuss the economy might also have helped support the currency.
“I think the investor call Albayrak has scheduled has helped lira firm,” said TEB Investment strategist Isik Okte. “I believe the new and important topics will be discussed in this call, otherwise there would not be such an attempt.”
“The concerns are ongoing in the market but it is possible to mention a limited optimism for the first time in a while,” a foreign exchange trader said.
Turkey’s business lobbies called on Tuesday for a tighter monetary policy to stabilize the lira, and for diplomacy to solve U.S.-Turkish disputes.
Following Monday’s meeting between Bolton and Turkish ambassador Serdar Kilic, U.S. officials have given no indication that the United States has been prepared to give ground in the standoff between the two countries’ leaders.
Ankara has repeatedly said the Brunson case was up to the courts and a Turkish judge moved Brunson from jail to house arrest in July. Infuriated by the move, which Washington said was insufficient, Trump sanctioned two Turkish ministers and doubled tariffs on metal imports, adding to lira’s slide.
Turkish leader condemns 'attack' on failing lira
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was monitoring the financial situation in Turkey “very closely”.
Additional reporting by Ece Toksabay and Ezgi Erkoyun, Writing by Humeyra Pamuk and Dominic Evans, Editing by William Maclean
Eco-friendly open-air urinals cause uproar in Paris - CNN
Eco-friendly open-air urinals cause uproar in Paris
By Jessie Yeung, CNN
Updated 1111 GMT (1911 HKT) August 14, 2018
Open-air urinals cause uproar in Paris
(CNN)An attempt by officials in Paris to tackle public urination by installing open-air urinals, or "uritrottoirs," has outraged some residents of the French capital.
The new urinals, housed in flower boxes, aren't subtle -- they're fully exposed on street corners, painted bright red, and have nearby signs advertising their presence.
City officials have installed four open-air urinals, or "uritrottoirs."
City officials have installed four open-air urinals, or "uritrottoirs."
One in particular, located near the Notre Dame cathedral, has drawn attention for its view of the River Seine.
The "intelligent urinals," which have a straw layer that eliminates odor, were installed in areas where public urination is a problem, according to a statement from city officials.
One urinal, located near the Notre Dame cathedral, overlooks the River Seine.
One urinal, located near the Notre Dame cathedral, overlooks the River Seine.
Officials say the urinals are eco-friendly -- they will harness nutrients in waste to produce compost for parks and gardens. According to the statement, one year of a person's urine holds enough nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to fertilize 400 square meters of wheat.
However, these features have done little to calm the ire of local residents, who have written to the town hall in protest.
The urinals claim to be eco-friendly, as they turn waste into compost for parks and gardens.
The urinals claim to be eco-friendly, as they turn waste into compost for parks and gardens.
"I think installing a urinal in the streets of Paris for those who don't respect their surroundings is a good idea, but in my opinion, this model is not attractive at all, and where it's been set up is not appropriate at all," one man told reporters.
Another resident complained, "it is definitely a desirable and historic neighborhood, but seeing people urinating right in front of your door is not the nicest thing."
Ariel Weil, mayor of the 4th district of Paris, tweeted in defense of the urinals on Monday, calling them "an invention of genius." Four have been installed so far, with a fifth being planned.
Paris isn't the first European city to install outdoor urinals. Amsterdam has had them for years, and cities in Belgium and Australia have also trialed them.
By Jessie Yeung, CNN
Updated 1111 GMT (1911 HKT) August 14, 2018
Open-air urinals cause uproar in Paris
(CNN)An attempt by officials in Paris to tackle public urination by installing open-air urinals, or "uritrottoirs," has outraged some residents of the French capital.
The new urinals, housed in flower boxes, aren't subtle -- they're fully exposed on street corners, painted bright red, and have nearby signs advertising their presence.
City officials have installed four open-air urinals, or "uritrottoirs."
City officials have installed four open-air urinals, or "uritrottoirs."
One in particular, located near the Notre Dame cathedral, has drawn attention for its view of the River Seine.
The "intelligent urinals," which have a straw layer that eliminates odor, were installed in areas where public urination is a problem, according to a statement from city officials.
One urinal, located near the Notre Dame cathedral, overlooks the River Seine.
One urinal, located near the Notre Dame cathedral, overlooks the River Seine.
Officials say the urinals are eco-friendly -- they will harness nutrients in waste to produce compost for parks and gardens. According to the statement, one year of a person's urine holds enough nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to fertilize 400 square meters of wheat.
However, these features have done little to calm the ire of local residents, who have written to the town hall in protest.
The urinals claim to be eco-friendly, as they turn waste into compost for parks and gardens.
The urinals claim to be eco-friendly, as they turn waste into compost for parks and gardens.
"I think installing a urinal in the streets of Paris for those who don't respect their surroundings is a good idea, but in my opinion, this model is not attractive at all, and where it's been set up is not appropriate at all," one man told reporters.
Another resident complained, "it is definitely a desirable and historic neighborhood, but seeing people urinating right in front of your door is not the nicest thing."
Ariel Weil, mayor of the 4th district of Paris, tweeted in defense of the urinals on Monday, calling them "an invention of genius." Four have been installed so far, with a fifth being planned.
Paris isn't the first European city to install outdoor urinals. Amsterdam has had them for years, and cities in Belgium and Australia have also trialed them.
Westminster car crash: Man arrested on suspicion of terror offences - BBC News
August 14, 2018.
Westminster car crash: Man arrested on suspicion of terror offences
The car can be seen crashing into a barrier
A man has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after a car crashed outside the Houses of Parliament.
The vehicle swerved into cyclists and pedestrians shortly after 07:30 BST, injuring three people.
The suspect, in his late 20s, is not believed to be known to MI5 or counter-terrorism police, and is not co-operating with officers.
One woman is being treated in hospital for serious but non life-threatening injuries.
Scotland Yard's head of counter terrorism Neil Basu said there was "no intelligence at this time of further danger" to London or the UK as a whole.
The suspect, who has not been formally identified, is being held at a south London police station and the vehicle is being searched.
No-one else was in the car and no weapons have been found. The government's Cobra emergency committee is meeting later.
The suspect, on the right of the image, can be seen being taken away by police
A number of eyewitnesses have said the silver Ford Fiesta, which was travelling westbound, appeared to deliberately hit cyclists and pedestrians as it swerved into the opposite lane.
Footage released by the BBC shows the moment when the car drives over a pedestrian crossing before crashing into the security barriers. A police officer can be seen jumping over another barrier to get out of the way.
Parliament is currently not sitting.
Image caption
Cyclists were seen on the ground after the crash
Westminster tube station is closed and streets around Millbank, Parliament Square and Victoria Tower Gardens have been cordoned off. Nearby Strutton Ground has also been closed to the public.
People were moved further back from the area twice as police put up a Terrorism Act cordon.
Images posted to social media showed a man in handcuffs being led away from the car by officers after the crash.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said two people were taken to hospital with "injuries that are not believed to be serious" and a third patient with minor injuries was assessed at the scene.
One of those taken to hospital, a man, has since been discharged.
Image caption
The crashed car can be seen highlighted in this image
BBC News home affairs correspondent June Kelly described the terror arrest as a "significant development".
"The police will be looking at this man's background, his identity - they'll either know it or they will be working towards it," she said. "They will be looking at his beliefs his associates, also his mental state.
"Also, crucially, is he on their radar - is he somebody who was known to them?"
Prime Minister Theresa May said: "My thoughts are with those injured in the incident in Westminster and my thanks to the emergency services for their immediate and courageous response."
Home Secretary Sajid Javid also thanked emergency services for their quick response.
Armed police responded after a vehicle crashed into security barriers
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was in close contact with police and that he "utterly condemns all acts of terrorism on our city".
Mayor of London
✔
@MayorofLondon
A man has been arrested after a car was driven into barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. Police have confirmed that the incident is being treated as a terrorist act. All Londoners, like me, utterly condemn all acts of terrorism on our city. https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/mayor-london/statement-mayor-london …
8:17 PM - Aug 14, 2018
City Hall in the sun
Statement from the Mayor of London
Incident outside the Houses of Parliament is being treated as a terrorist act.
london.gov.uk
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the bravery of emergency services "keeps us safe day in, day out".
Skip Twitter post by @jeremycorbyn
Jeremy Corbyn
✔
@jeremycorbyn
My thoughts are with those hurt and injured outside Parliament this morning in what is being treated as a terrorist incident.
Our thanks go to our emergency services who responded immediately. Their bravery keeps us safe day in, day out.
8:26 PM - Aug 14, 2018
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End of Twitter post by @jeremycorbyn
'I ran for my life' - eyewitness accounts
Witness: "I saw a man drive towards Parliament at speed"
Barry Williams, a BBC member of staff based at Millbank, said: "I heard lots of screams and turned round.
"The car went onto the wrong side of the road to where cyclists were waiting at lights and ploughed into them.
"Then it swerved back across the road and accelerated as fast as possible and hit the barrier at full pelt.
"It was a small silver car and he hit it at such speed the car actually lifted off the ground and bounced.
"Then the police just jumped. Two officers managed to leap over the security barriers and then the armed police vehicles all sped towards the scene."
Another witness, called Kirsty, said: "A car drove the wrong way round the road, drove through about 20 cyclists and crashed into a wall. It looks like only one woman was seriously injured."
Jason Williams told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the driver had "driven at speed - more than 40 mph".
He added: "There was smoke coming out of the car. I have seen people on the ground, lying on the road. I don't know if they have actually been hit by the vehicle or not.
"I saw at least 10 people lying down. I was told basically to move away, to run. I have run for my life."
He said that "it looked deliberate... it didn't look like an accident".
Forensics officers could be seen at the scene of the crash
More than 10 police vehicles and at least three ambulances were at the scene outside Parliament.
Firearms officers and at least two police sniffer dogs have been searching the area.
British Transport Police said it was increasing patrols in England, Scotland and Wales and that its officers would be "highly visible on trains and at stations".
A bus driver who was driving past the scene at the time said he saw smoke coming out of the car.
Victor Ogbomo said: "I just stopped the bus. The police said we have to move back, then in less than five minutes the response team came."
Analysis
By Dominic Casciani, BBC News home affairs correspondent
Security arrangements at Parliament have progressively tightened since 2001. In the aftermath of the 7/7 attacks, new truck bomb-proof barriers were installed in an effort to "target harden" Westminster. These include the reinforced low black rampart-like walls that surround Parliament itself and a highly visible armed police presence.
Visitors need to go through a chicane-like system designed to help armed officers spot suspects. The one significant weak spot was the main vehicle gates - as became apparent in March 2017's one-man attack.
That triggered an internal security review that has led to changes that remain secret - although it's apparent to Londoners that there are now more armed police than ever before patrolling the area.
The threat of terrorism is a constant concern for Parliamentarians - it's not new. The IRA murdered Airey Neave MP in 1979 in a car bomb that exploded within the palace grounds. And the dilemma remains the same: how best to balance security with guaranteeing that the heart of British democracy remains open to the people.
Ewalina Ochab, who also saw the crash, said: "I think it looked intentional - the car drove at speed and towards the barriers."
She said: "I was walking on the other side of the road. I heard some noise and someone screamed. I turned around and I saw a silver car driving very fast close to the railings, maybe even on the pavement."
The vehicle did not appear to have a front registration plate when it crashed, she added.
Westminster Bridge has also been closed
Westminster station is closed for entry and exit, Transport for London said, and is open only for interchange between lines.
Rush hour traffic is being diverted and workers have been told there may be a long wait before roads are reopened.
The Supreme Court has also been closed to the public.
The Houses of Parliament are surrounded with security barriers of steel and concrete. The measures were extended in the wake of the Westminster Bridge attack in March 2017 when Khalid Masood ploughed a car into crowds on Westminster Bridge, killing four people.
Scotland Yard is asking anyone with information on Tuesday's crash to call 0800 789 321. Anyone with video or pictures of the crash is asked to send them to police.
Westminster car crash: Man arrested on suspicion of terror offences
The car can be seen crashing into a barrier
A man has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after a car crashed outside the Houses of Parliament.
The vehicle swerved into cyclists and pedestrians shortly after 07:30 BST, injuring three people.
The suspect, in his late 20s, is not believed to be known to MI5 or counter-terrorism police, and is not co-operating with officers.
One woman is being treated in hospital for serious but non life-threatening injuries.
Scotland Yard's head of counter terrorism Neil Basu said there was "no intelligence at this time of further danger" to London or the UK as a whole.
The suspect, who has not been formally identified, is being held at a south London police station and the vehicle is being searched.
No-one else was in the car and no weapons have been found. The government's Cobra emergency committee is meeting later.
The suspect, on the right of the image, can be seen being taken away by police
A number of eyewitnesses have said the silver Ford Fiesta, which was travelling westbound, appeared to deliberately hit cyclists and pedestrians as it swerved into the opposite lane.
Footage released by the BBC shows the moment when the car drives over a pedestrian crossing before crashing into the security barriers. A police officer can be seen jumping over another barrier to get out of the way.
Parliament is currently not sitting.
Image caption
Cyclists were seen on the ground after the crash
Westminster tube station is closed and streets around Millbank, Parliament Square and Victoria Tower Gardens have been cordoned off. Nearby Strutton Ground has also been closed to the public.
People were moved further back from the area twice as police put up a Terrorism Act cordon.
Images posted to social media showed a man in handcuffs being led away from the car by officers after the crash.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said two people were taken to hospital with "injuries that are not believed to be serious" and a third patient with minor injuries was assessed at the scene.
One of those taken to hospital, a man, has since been discharged.
Image caption
The crashed car can be seen highlighted in this image
BBC News home affairs correspondent June Kelly described the terror arrest as a "significant development".
"The police will be looking at this man's background, his identity - they'll either know it or they will be working towards it," she said. "They will be looking at his beliefs his associates, also his mental state.
"Also, crucially, is he on their radar - is he somebody who was known to them?"
Prime Minister Theresa May said: "My thoughts are with those injured in the incident in Westminster and my thanks to the emergency services for their immediate and courageous response."
Home Secretary Sajid Javid also thanked emergency services for their quick response.
Armed police responded after a vehicle crashed into security barriers
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was in close contact with police and that he "utterly condemns all acts of terrorism on our city".
Mayor of London
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@MayorofLondon
A man has been arrested after a car was driven into barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. Police have confirmed that the incident is being treated as a terrorist act. All Londoners, like me, utterly condemn all acts of terrorism on our city. https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/mayor-london/statement-mayor-london …
8:17 PM - Aug 14, 2018
City Hall in the sun
Statement from the Mayor of London
Incident outside the Houses of Parliament is being treated as a terrorist act.
london.gov.uk
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the bravery of emergency services "keeps us safe day in, day out".
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Jeremy Corbyn
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@jeremycorbyn
My thoughts are with those hurt and injured outside Parliament this morning in what is being treated as a terrorist incident.
Our thanks go to our emergency services who responded immediately. Their bravery keeps us safe day in, day out.
8:26 PM - Aug 14, 2018
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'I ran for my life' - eyewitness accounts
Witness: "I saw a man drive towards Parliament at speed"
Barry Williams, a BBC member of staff based at Millbank, said: "I heard lots of screams and turned round.
"The car went onto the wrong side of the road to where cyclists were waiting at lights and ploughed into them.
"Then it swerved back across the road and accelerated as fast as possible and hit the barrier at full pelt.
"It was a small silver car and he hit it at such speed the car actually lifted off the ground and bounced.
"Then the police just jumped. Two officers managed to leap over the security barriers and then the armed police vehicles all sped towards the scene."
Another witness, called Kirsty, said: "A car drove the wrong way round the road, drove through about 20 cyclists and crashed into a wall. It looks like only one woman was seriously injured."
Jason Williams told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the driver had "driven at speed - more than 40 mph".
He added: "There was smoke coming out of the car. I have seen people on the ground, lying on the road. I don't know if they have actually been hit by the vehicle or not.
"I saw at least 10 people lying down. I was told basically to move away, to run. I have run for my life."
He said that "it looked deliberate... it didn't look like an accident".
Forensics officers could be seen at the scene of the crash
More than 10 police vehicles and at least three ambulances were at the scene outside Parliament.
Firearms officers and at least two police sniffer dogs have been searching the area.
British Transport Police said it was increasing patrols in England, Scotland and Wales and that its officers would be "highly visible on trains and at stations".
A bus driver who was driving past the scene at the time said he saw smoke coming out of the car.
Victor Ogbomo said: "I just stopped the bus. The police said we have to move back, then in less than five minutes the response team came."
Analysis
By Dominic Casciani, BBC News home affairs correspondent
Security arrangements at Parliament have progressively tightened since 2001. In the aftermath of the 7/7 attacks, new truck bomb-proof barriers were installed in an effort to "target harden" Westminster. These include the reinforced low black rampart-like walls that surround Parliament itself and a highly visible armed police presence.
Visitors need to go through a chicane-like system designed to help armed officers spot suspects. The one significant weak spot was the main vehicle gates - as became apparent in March 2017's one-man attack.
That triggered an internal security review that has led to changes that remain secret - although it's apparent to Londoners that there are now more armed police than ever before patrolling the area.
The threat of terrorism is a constant concern for Parliamentarians - it's not new. The IRA murdered Airey Neave MP in 1979 in a car bomb that exploded within the palace grounds. And the dilemma remains the same: how best to balance security with guaranteeing that the heart of British democracy remains open to the people.
Ewalina Ochab, who also saw the crash, said: "I think it looked intentional - the car drove at speed and towards the barriers."
She said: "I was walking on the other side of the road. I heard some noise and someone screamed. I turned around and I saw a silver car driving very fast close to the railings, maybe even on the pavement."
The vehicle did not appear to have a front registration plate when it crashed, she added.
Westminster Bridge has also been closed
Westminster station is closed for entry and exit, Transport for London said, and is open only for interchange between lines.
Rush hour traffic is being diverted and workers have been told there may be a long wait before roads are reopened.
The Supreme Court has also been closed to the public.
The Houses of Parliament are surrounded with security barriers of steel and concrete. The measures were extended in the wake of the Westminster Bridge attack in March 2017 when Khalid Masood ploughed a car into crowds on Westminster Bridge, killing four people.
Scotland Yard is asking anyone with information on Tuesday's crash to call 0800 789 321. Anyone with video or pictures of the crash is asked to send them to police.
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