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Disney and TikTok have signed a global partnership allowing creators to use clips from franchises including Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar. The deal follows the collapse of Disney's reported 745 million ($1 billion) licensing agreement with OpenAI's AI video tool, Sora. Analysts say the partnership reflects a broader shift towards creator-led content and fan engagement. Disney has found a new way to put its biggest franchises in front of younger audiences, months after its reported 745 million ($1

Highlights Charli XCX admitted she was not truthful when asked if she was making new music. The singer said she wanted to keep her next album under wraps until the right time. She also described Music, Fashion, Film as a deliberate response to Brat . Charli XCX has explained why she kept fans guessing about her next album, admitting she was not truthful when previously asked whether she had started making new music. Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders during a performance at the BBC's Maida

Meta said its Muse Spark 1.1 AI model exploited a vulnerability in a third-party system during cybersecurity testing. The company attributed the incident to a testing environment misconfiguration by security firm Irregular. The disclosure follows similar incidents involving Anthropic's Mythos and OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol. Meta has become the latest artificial intelligence company to report an AI model taking unexpected action during cybersecurity testing, joining Anthropic and OpenAI, which disclose

FORMER Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said she would return to Bangladesh in December despite the possibility of imprisonment or even a death sentence, saying she was determined to stand with her people. Speaking during an audio-only virtual press conference, her first public media interaction since fleeing to India on August 5, 2024 following mass protests, Hasina said she would not be stopped by fear. Those attending the event heard only her voice. I know, they may put me

Highlights Shah Rukh Khan leads Kroll's India Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025 with a brand value of 133.6 million. Ranveer Singh ranks second with 122.3 million, while Virat Kohli is third with 119.0 million. The report says brands are placing greater importance on digital presence, authenticity and long-term public trust. Shah Rukh Khan has been named India's most valuable celebrity brand, overtaking Ranveer Singh and Virat Kohli despite not appearing in a film since Dunki in 2023 . According to

Highlights Hank Green says he relied too heavily on ChatGPT while researching a recent video. The science educator apologised and announced plans to reduce his content output. The controversy has reignited debate over AI's role in educational content. YouTuber and science communicator Hank Green has announced he will cut back on producing videos after admitting he had developed what he described as a ad habit of relying too heavily on AI during the research process. The admission came after vie

LABOUR retained the Greater Manchester mayoralty on Friday after Bev Craig was elected to succeed Andy Burnham, whose return to parliament triggered the election. Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, won 47.15 per cent of the first-round vote, falling short of the 50 per cent needed for an outright victory. Reform UK, which has been performing strongly in national polls, finished second with 21 per cent of the vote. As no candidate secured more than 50 per cent in the first round, the c

Highlights Samara Weaving is set to play Emma Frost in Marvel Studios' upcoming X-Men film. Marvel reportedly chose the Australian actress after an extensive casting search. The role marks another major project in a standout year for Weaving. Samara Weaving is set to add another high-profile franchise to her growing film career, with reports that she has been cast as Emma Frost in Marvel Studios' highly anticipated X-Men reboot. According to Deadline, the Australian actress has been selected to

The Burnham Government's first Budget will be delivered on October 28. Chancellor John Healey has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to prepare fresh economic forecasts. The Budget is expected to outline plans for regional devolution, defence spending and social care. The Burnham Government will deliver its first Autumn Budget on October 28, with Chancellor John Healey expected to outline the new administration's plans for public spending, regional growth and fiscal policy. In a letter t

ITV announced a 100 million share buyback following its 1.6 billion deal with Sky. The company plans to return around 950 million to shareholders. ITVX recorded double-digit growth, helped by strong World Cup advertising demand. ITV has announced a 100 million share buyback as it begins returning cash to investors following its 1.6 billion agreement to sell its Media and Entertainment business to Sky. The broadcaster said it expects to return around 950 million to shareholders, excluding any con

SRI LANKA's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won the men's javelin gold at the Commonwealth Games on Friday, beating India's Neeraj Chopra with a throw of 89.75m. Pathirage produced his winning effort in his second attempt under cold and windy conditions. India's Chopra took silver with a season's best throw of 85.83m, while compatriot Yashvir Singh claimed bronze with a personal best of 85.41m on his final attempt. The event had been expected to be a contest between Chopra and Pakistan's Olympic champ

Uber fares averaged 62 per cent above normal pricing during World Cup matches. The tournament final recorded the highest surge, with Uber fares rising 77 per cent in New York. The biggest gap between providers reached 64 per cent for the same journey. Fans travelling to and from FIFA World Cup matches often paid sharply different fares depending on which rideshare app they opened first, according to a new analysis that found Uber prices averaged 62 per cent above normal levels during the tournam

Highlights Salman Khan shared a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating his bond with Sanjay Dutt. Fans praised the friendship but were equally entertained by the actor's unusual caption. The two stars have shared a close friendship spanning more than three decades. Salman Khan 's latest Instagram post was meant as a heartfelt tribute to his long-time friend Sanjay Dutt, but it quickly sparked laughter among fans for an unexpected reason. The Bollywood star shared two photographs of himself embraci

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been valued at an estimated $20.6 billion after ownership deals involving two of its biggest franchises, according to a report released by investment bank Houlihan Lokey on Wednesday. The report said the T20 league's value increased by 10.3 per cent over the past year, reinforcing its position as one of the world's most valuable sports brands. On a per-match basis, only the NFL ranks ahead of the IPL globally, it added. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL champio

The US has banned imports of new foreign-made advanced robots and power inverters on national security grounds. Officials argue the technology could be exploited for surveillance, cyberattacks or disruption of critical infrastructure. The move marks another step in the growing technology rivalry between the US and China. The Trump administration has announced new restrictions on the import of advanced foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots, along with connected power inverters used in data c

MEMBER states of the International Criminal Court voted to dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan for serious misconduct, the ICC said last Friday (24). Diplomats on the executive bureau of the courts governing body said last month the British barrister had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a junior ICC lawyer and should be removed, according to documents seen by Reuters. A large majority of the ICCs 125 member states backed the recommendation. The assembly decided by a majority of 82 states part

MORE THAN a third of the UKs nursing and midwifery workforce is now made up of black, Asian and ethnic minority professionals for the first time, latest figures revealed on Wednesday (29). According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), a record 293,778 minority professionals are now on its register, accounting for 33.8 per cent of the total workforce. Overall, the organisations register has reached a new high of 867,935 nurses, midwives, and nursing associates. India remained the largest

Adani Ports is evaluating a potential bid for Associated British Ports. The UK port operator is estimated to be worth more than 10 billion. If completed, the acquisition would be Adani Ports' biggest international deal to date. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is evaluating a potential bid for Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK's largest port operator, according to Moneycontrol. If the deal materialises, it could become the Indian company's biggest international acquisition and

AMBER and yellow heat health alerts are due to come into force on Wednesday as parts of the UK face the fourth widespread heatwave of the year, with temperatures expected to reach 35C in the hottest areas. A plume of hot air moving north from North Africa, after bringing high temperatures to parts of Iberia and France, is expected to push temperatures to between 30C and 35C across southern and eastern England and parts of the Midlands. Some parts of eastern Wales could also meet heatwave criteri

Highlights Sony releases the first trailer for Jumanji: Open World Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan reprise their roles The film reunites much of the cast and creative team behind the reboot series Sony has released the first trailer for Jumanji: Open World , giving fans their first look at the next adventure for Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. The film reunites the stars of the rebooted franchise, which has become one of Sony's biggest blockbuster

PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham will on Wednesday set out the first steps of his plan to reform the adult social care system, saying he is prepared to work with other political parties to improve funding for a service that can leave families facing costs of hundreds of thousands of pounds. Burnham, who became prime minister last week, has seen Labour's poll ratings rise after announcing measures aimed at reducing the cost of living. His plans to reform adult social care are expected to bring renewed

Many tributes have been paid to Sir Clive Alderton who has announced he will soon be stepping down as the principal private secretary to King Charles and Queen Camilla. Commenting on his proposed departure in May next year when Sir Clive will turn 60, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: I know Their Majesties are deeply grateful to Sir Clive for his tireless support and wise counsel over the years, and for the enduring loyalty that will ensure a smooth transition to his successor. Sir Clive, who

Highlights Emma Heming Willis has turned her family's experience into a campaign for dementia awareness. She launched The Emma & Bruce Willis Fund to support research and caregivers. Bruce Willis continues to receive support from his blended family following his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis. Bruce Willis ' diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) changed life for his family, but it also inspired wife Emma Heming Willis to become an advocate for people living with the condition and those w

Bloomsbury has more than 14,000 titles covered by the settlement. The $1.5 billion (1.12 billion) deal is believed to be the largest AI copyright settlement in US history. Payments will be shared equally between publishers and authors. The publisher behind the Harry Potter series is set to receive a multimillion-pound payout after becoming one of the biggest beneficiaries of a $1.5 billion (1.12 billion) AI copyright settlement involving US artificial intelligence company Anthropic. Bloomsbury P

Highlights Jameela Jamil has claimed British people are he most evil people in history. The actor said Britain owes India 43 trillion because of its colonial past. She also spoke about race, privilege and why she changed her portrayal of Tahani in The Good Place . Jameela Jamil has sparked debate after describing British people as he most evil people in history while discussing Britain's colonial past and perceptions of the UK overseas. Appearing on the Yestergays podcast, the British actor sa

INDIA's government has pulled up the country's aviation safety regulator over its handling of conflict-of-interest cases involving officials whose relatives work in the aviation sector, according to government documents reviewed by Reuters. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has repeatedly questioned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) since mid-2025 over whether it had properly managed cases involving officials' family members working at airlines, including one involving Air India, the

Highlights Jade Thirlwall and Jordan Stephens have reportedly ended their six-year relationship. Fans had noticed several changes on social media in the months leading up to the reports. The pair are said to have separated earlier this year but remain on good terms. Jade Thirlwall and Jordan Stephens have reportedly called time on their six-year relationship, but for many fans, the news did not come as a complete surprise. In the months before reports of their split emerged, followers had begun

Range Rover has offered the first glimpse of its upcoming all-electric GT, a new model that is expected to become the fifth member of the brand's SUV family. While prototypes are still undergoing final testing, the company has revealed several details about the vehicle ahead of its official debut. Here are five things to know about the new Range Rover GT. 1. It's a brand-new model, not a Velar replacement Despite early speculation, Range Rover says the GT is not replacing the Velar. Instead, it

Highlights Vijay has criticised the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders in New Delhi. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister reiterated his demand for the abolition of NEET. He proposed moving education back to the State List as a long-term solution. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay has condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders in New Delhi, calling the move anti-democratic, while renewing his demand for t

Lassie has launched its AI-powered pet insurance platform in the UK. The app rewards owners for keeping pets healthy with lower premiums and other benefits. More than 60 per cent of insurance claims are completed in about six minutes, according to the company. Swedish pet insurance company Lassie has entered the UK pet insurance market with a model that aims to prevent illnesses rather than simply cover veterinary bills after they arise. The company, which launched in Sweden in 2020, combines pe

Highlights ARR Immersive launches on Apple Vision Pro on July 22. The app combines Le Musk , exclusive dance performances and live concert footage. More immersive experiences are already in development. A.R. Rahman is bringing decades of music and storytelling into the world of spatial computing with the launch of ARR Immersive . Available on Apple Vision Pro from July 22, the app is designed to let audiences experience his work in a more immersive format rather than through a traditional screen

FORMER minister Ann Widdecombe was struck on the head 21 times with a hammer while eating lunch at her home earlier this month, prosecutors told a London court on Tuesday. Widdecombe, 78, died after she was attacked at her home in rural southwest England on July 8. She was found dead the following day. A prominent figure in Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, her killing shocked British politics and renewed concerns about the security of politicians. Two serving British members of parliament have be

Emirates chief says nationalisation cannot be ruled out if the Heathrow dispute continues. Surinder Arora and Heathrow are backing rival plans for a third runway. The standoff is raising concerns over delays to one of the UK's biggest infrastructure projects. The battle over Heathrow's third runway has escalated, with Emirates president Sir Tim Clark warning that the Government may eventually have to consider nationalising Heathrow Airport if a growing dispute between the airport and hotel tycoo

Highlights Charli XCX's new track Camera sees the singer reflect on her future in music and acting. The song arrives days before the release of her album Music, Fashion, Film . The accompanying video stars French actor Vincent Cassel, but the lyrics offer a more personal glimpse into Charli's mindset. Charli XCX has given fans a more personal look into her state of mind with Camera , the latest single from her upcoming album Music, Fashion, Film . While the accompanying music video has attracted

Key Highlights The Incident: A UK resident volunteering in the DRC has been medically evacuated to London following potential exposure to the Ebola virus. The Location: The individual is being closely monitored at a specialist High-Level Isolation Unit, likely at the Royal Free Hospital in London. The Risk Level: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stresses that the risk to the wider UK public remains very low. When infectious disease alerts involve pathogens as severe as Ebola, public anxiety

UK inflation slowed to 2.6 per cent in June, beating market expectations. Falling fuel, food and clothing prices drove the decline. Economists expect inflation to rise again later this year as energy costs increase. UK inflation eased more than expected in June, offering some relief for households and giving the new Government an early boost as it rolls out measures aimed at reducing the cost of living. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose 2.6 per cent in the year to June, down from 2.8 per cent

Highlights Rebel Wilson has prevailed in a defamation lawsuit brought by actress Charlotte MacInnes. The dispute stemmed from Wilson's social media posts alleging inappropriate behaviour by MacInnes. Here's a look at how the legal battle began and what the court's ruling means. Actress Rebel Wilson has successfully defended herself in a defamation lawsuit filed by Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes , bringing an end to a legal dispute that centred on allegations of inappropriate behaviour and

Highlights Aamir Khan says Phunsukh Wangdu was not based on Sonam Wangchuk The actor called the long-standing claim a misconception His comments came after co-star Omi Vaidya linked the character to the activist For years, many fans believed Aamir Khan's memorable 3 Idiots character, Phunsukh Wangdu, was inspired by educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Now, the actor has put the speculation to rest, saying the connection is simply a misconception. Speaking during a Q&A session at the Lo

Highlights Matt Reeves has released the first official footage from The Batman: Part II . Warner Bros has pushed the sequel's release to 18 February 2028. The film will arrive almost six years after The Batman premiered. Robert Pattinson has officially returned as the Dark Knight in the first footage from The Batman: Part II , giving fans their first glimpse of the long-awaited sequel. However, the preview came with disappointing news, as Warner Bros confirmed another delay to the film's release

Highlights Vijay's Jana Nayagan will release across India on 23 July. UK audiences will be able to watch the film in its original uncut version from 24 July. The film has also received an A certificate with a runtime of just over three hours. Vijay's highly anticipated Jana Nayagan finally has a confirmed release date after months of speculation, but fans in the UK will have one notable advantage over audiences elsewhere. While the film opens in India on 23 July, British cinemagoers will be able

Highlights Priyanka Chopra has shared a fresh update on her role in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi . The actress revealed she has been working on the film for around 14 months. Varanasi marks her return to Indian cinema after an eight-year gap. Priyanka Chopra has offered her biggest clue yet about her role in SS Rajamouli's much-anticipated Varanasi , teasing fans with a glimpse of the action while keeping key details of her character under wraps. Appearing on the Hey Jonas podcast alongside Nick, Joe

Anil Menon reached the International Space Station on his first space mission. The eight-month expedition will focus on AI, medical research and semiconductor technology. Menon travelled aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft under the long-running US-Russia seat exchange programme. NASA astronaut Anil Menon has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) for his first space mission, beginning an eight-month expedition that will focus on artificial intelligence, medical technology and space-based

BNPL lenders must now be authorised by the FCA to operate in the UK. Shoppers gain refund rights and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Industry groups warn stricter affordability checks could leave some borrowers without credit. Buying products through Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services is about to change for millions of UK shoppers. New regulations taking effect from July 16 bring the fast-growing sector under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), giving consumers s

Highlights The Supreme Court ordered five influencers to pay 2,800 each for ignoring directives related to disability awareness. Comedians were strongly criticised for prioritising monetised commercial speech over the dignity of vulnerable groups. Judges warned that the penalty could surge to 28,300 if the creators continue to disregard court instructions. The Bench called for tighter online regulations, including Aadhaar-based access controls, to restrict the monetisation of sensitive content.

The Met Office says Britain's climate is undergoing historic and unprecedented change. The UK has already recorded three heatwaves and 25 days above 30C in 2026. Scientists say 2025 was the hottest year since records began in 1884. The Met Office says UK climate change is no longer a future concern but a present-day reality, warning that Britain is experiencing a period of historic and unprecedented change as hotter temperatures and more extreme weather become increasingly common. The findings c

South East Water must fund a 30.5 million redress package after repeated supply failures. More than 286,000 customers were affected by outages between 2020 and 2023, with further disruptions hitting up to 70,000 homes this year. The package will be paid by shareholders, not customers, and includes investments to improve water resilience. South East Water has been ordered to fund a 30.5 million redress package after repeated water supply failures left hundreds of thousands of customers across Ken

Apple has sued OpenAI, alleging trade secret theft linked to its hardware development. The lawsuit claims former Apple employees shared confidential information after joining OpenAI. Apple is seeking damages and a court order preventing OpenAI from using the alleged trade secrets. Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing its former artificial intelligence partner of misappropriating confidential iPhone technology and trade secrets to accelerate the development of its own consumer hardw

The makers have confirmed July 24 as the worldwide release date for the Ramayana trailer. The film is also set to be showcased at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Ramayana: Part I is scheduled to hit theatres during Diwali 2026. The makers of Ramayana have confirmed that the film's much-awaited trailer will premiere worldwide on July 24, setting the stage for the global rollout of one of Indian cinema's biggest productions. The Ramayana trailer announcement comes ahead of the film's presentation at San

Meta has withdrawn its new Instagram AI image feature days after launching it. The tool allowed users to generate AI images using content from public Instagram accounts. Privacy concerns and criticism over the default opt-in setting prompted the company to reverse course. Meta has pulled its newly launched Instagram AI image feature just days after its debut, following widespread criticism over privacy and user consent. The Instagram AI feature, known as Muse Image, allowed users of the Meta AI