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US State Department has paused immigrant visa appointments worldwide The training aims to screen out applicants likely to become dependent on US public benefits A federal judge struck down a related Trump policy on Friday The pause follows a proposed $103,265 application fee for H-1B visas THE TRUMP administration has paused all immigrant visa applications across the world as the State Department aims to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants who may become dependent on US public be

Highlights: Tropical Sun launched in 1996 to improve supply and quality. The brand now spans around 700 SKUs. Wanis remains behind the UKs biggest world food brand. Its range covers flavours from across the globe. Tropical Sun has grown alongside Britains changing food habits. When Tropical Sun was launched by Wanis in 1996, it was created to solve a practical problem: inconsistent availability and quality in the world food supply chain. Thirty years later, the brand has grown into the UKs bigge

UK ENERGY bills are set to rise in October, the sector regulator Ofgem announced on Wednesday, as the Middle East war drives up wholesale gas prices. Higher energy costs have raised concerns about a fresh spike in inflation, piling pressure on the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has made lowering the cost of living a priority. Ofgem, which sets every quarter the price cap that suppliers can charge customers, said the cap would increase four per cent from October, adding around 5 ($7) per mo

Highlights: Kaish Ansari reportedly lost his data engineering job in Glasgow. He was nervous about telling his father about the layoff. His father's response focused on his son's wellbeing, not his lost job. It is Allah's will. And something better might happen in the future. Social media users praised the father's calm response as king mentality. Imagine calling your parents to tell them you've just lost your job and instead of hearing panic, disappointment or a hundred questions about what hap

FORMER home secretary Alan Johnson has told Shabana Mahmood to ignore Labour backbenchers opposing her immigration reforms and press ahead, warning that listening to them could hurt Labour. Johnson, who was home secretary when Gordon Brown lost the 2010 general election, said migration was a very big issue for voters, The Telegraph reported. Labour MPs Urge Burnham to Ease Mahmood Migration reforms Asked what advice he would give Mahmood, he said: Dont listen to your Labour colleagues press ahe

THE TREASURY has launched a review of business rates valuations for pubs and hotels in England and Wales. Business rates expert Jerry Schurder will lead the review and report in March 2027, with his findings feeding into the next rates revaluation in 2029. The review comes after concerns from the hospitality sector over business rates. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said 161 pubs closed in the first three months of this year across England, Scotland and Wales, with around 2,400 jobs

TWELVE people have died in less than a week in England and Ireland in crashes involving vehicles travelling the wrong way on major roads, as authorities warn about a social media-driven trend linked to such driving. Seven people, including two serving police officers, died early Saturday in a collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough in northeastern England. Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash, which followed a pursuit of a suspicious vehicle. Authorities said the vehicle was d

Plug-in solar kits will become legal in Britain on August 27. UKSOL's first kits will start at 849 including VAT and delivery. The panels could appeal to renters, flat-dwellers and households with unsuitable roofs. Going solar in Britain may soon no longer mean putting panels on your roof. From August 27, plug-in solar kits will become legal in Britain, giving households another way to generate some of their own electricity without committing to a full rooftop installation. UKSOL says it is the

Highlights David Harbour has sparked a major Avengers: Doomsday theory with one unexpected line The actor appeared to reveal a line from the film involving Tony Stark Fans are now questioning whether Robert Downey Jrs Doctor Doom connection to Stark is more complicated than Marvel has revealed Marvel fans thought they had a fairly clear idea of Robert Downey Jrs return to the MCU. Then David Harbour seemingly threw the entire theory into chaos with four words. Harbour, who reprises his role as R

Highlights Arjun Rampal and Gabriella Demetriades registered their marriage in Mapusa, Goa Goa's civil registration process normally includes a 15-day waiting period The couple obtained special permission to waive the waiting period Arjun Rampal and Gabriella Demetriades may have kept their wedding private, but the legal process behind their Goa marriage has revealed a little-known provision in the state's marriage registration system. The Dhurandhar actor and his longtime partner registered the

TikTok and ByteDance will pay $400 million to settle the US case. The lawsuit alleged that data from millions of children under 13 was collected without parental consent. The settlement is one of the largest ever reached under the US childrens privacy law. TikTok has agreed to pay $400 million (293 million) to the US government to settle a case over how it handled the personal data of children. The lawsuit, brought by the US Department of Justice in 2024, alleged that TikTok and its parent compa

First-class next-day deliveries rose to 85 per cent, but remain below Ofcom's 90 per cent target. Second-class deliveries reached 91.4 per cent within three working days, against a 95 per cent target. Royal Mail is investing 500 million over five years to improve its service. Royal Mail is delivering more letters on time than it was a year ago, but it still cannot meet the standards set by the postal regulator. The company delivered 85 per cent of first-class mail the next working day between Ap

Highlights Sowcar Janaki built a career spanning more than seven decades and 400 films. She successfully moved from leading roles to character-driven performances. Her work across cinema, theater, and television kept her connected with audiences across generations. Sowcar Janaki 's career was extraordinary not simply because of its length, but because of how often she reinvented herself. After making her debut in the early 1950s, she remained part of Indian cinema through several generations of

Highlights Pranay Reddy Vanga has made fresh claims about Deepika Padukone's exit from Spirit . He alleged that remuneration, scheduling and other disagreements were behind the casting change. The producer also alleged that details discussed privately about the film were leaked. Deepika Padukone 's exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit has taken a fresh turn after producer Pranay Reddy Vanga made new claims about the circumstances surrounding her departure. The actress had originally been linke

Bitcoin climbed above $75,000 for the first time since late May. More than $2.7 billion in Bitcoin short positions were liquidated as prices surged. Analysts remain divided over whether the rally has enough fresh demand to last. Bitcoin has pushed back above $75,000, reaching its highest level since late May as a combination of falling US Treasury yields, stronger trading activity and renewed hopes for clearer cryptocurrency rules sent digital assets higher. The cryptocurrency reached about $75,

Arsenal's Friday night win over newly-promoted Coventry City opened the richest football league on earth for another season. Millions watched. Billions will follow across the campaign. And for the first time in recent memory, not one of them will be watching a British south Asian player turn out in the Premier League itself. It isn't for lack of names. Four years ago, English football had what looked like a genuine breakthrough group: Hamza Choudhury at Leicester, Zidane Iqbal at Manchester Unit

ARMED pirates have seized two commercial vessels carrying 22 Indian nationals in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia, taking control of the vessels and their crews, a senior shipping ministry official said on Friday. The two incidents involved an Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker in the Gulf of Aden, around 30 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen, and a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship off Somalia's Puntland coast. The official said the Indian crew members were safe according to the latest in

IT IS hard to imagine what life must have been like when India was under British rule. It certainly would not have been able to make the remarkable progress it has since the country became independent on August 15, 1947. Narendra Modi marked Indias 80th Independence Day by addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. He has been prime minister since 2014. In that period, it is ridiculous that Britain has been through seven prime ministers: David Cameron (2010-2016); Theresa

Spiritual leader Morari Bapu has begun a nine-day Ram Katha at Harvard University, bringing the teachings of the Ramayan to one of the worlds most renowned academic institutions. Nearly 1,000 people filled the historic Memorial Hall for the opening of the Katha, being held from 15 to 23 August 2026. The gathering marks Morari Bapus 982nd Ram Katha and has attracted devotees, storytellers and scholars from around the world. The setting carries particular symbolism. Harvards motto, Veritas Truth,

France has fined Boohoo 2.3 million, around 2 million, for deceptive practices. The watchdog found 48 per cent of promotions examined were actually price increases. Boohoo says the issues date from 2023-24 under previous management and have been resolved. Boohoo has been fined 2.3 million, around 2 million, by France's consumer watchdog after an investigation found that some of the discounts advertised on its website did not offer the savings shoppers were led to believe. The Directorate-General

HOME SECRETARY Shabana Mahmood has said the government wants to create a fairer spread of asylum accommodation across the UK, with more asylum seekers expected to be housed in wealthier areas. In an interview with The Times , Mahmood said the government was preparing a mixed model of asylum accommodation that would include large military sites, medium-sized buildings such as former student apartments, and dispersal housing such as bedsits and homes of multiple occupancy. She said the change woul

The CMA has cleared Danones 864 million acquisition of Huel. The watchdog had examined whether the deal could weaken competition in the UK. The takeover will give Danone a fast-growing British nutrition brand with an expanding international presence. Danone is now one step closer to taking control of Huel, after Britain's competition watchdog cleared its proposed 864 million acquisition of the British nutrition brand. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched its initial merger inquir

Highlights: Changing interests are not automatically a problem. Stillness can replace the need for constant stimulation. Deeper purpose can make empty noise feel less important. Growth may change how we connect with others. True fulfilment can create space for what really matters. Have you noticed yourself quietly losing interest in things that once lit you up? The conversations, the gossip, the parties, the entertainment that used to feel so important, somehow just dont engage or interest you t

Cllr Marilyn Ashton was honoured by the World Book of Records in recognition of her 25 years of public service, while Padma Shri Bob Blackman CBE MP was recognised by International Siddhashram Shakti Centre UK for his longstanding service to the community. The honours were presented during the historic Sant Sansad at Harrow Leisure Centre, in the presence of more than 25 revered saints and spiritual leaders from India and around the world, as Siddhashram marked its Silver Jubilee 25 years of Sa

Highlights Prithviraj Sukumaran brings plenty of style and screen presence to the gold-smuggling thriller. Mohanlals appearance provides one of the films strongest moments. Despite its lavish treatment and action set pieces, the story follows a familiar and predictable path. Khalifa arrives with the kind of ingredients that usually make a Malayalam mass entertainer hard to resist: Prithviraj Sukumaran in a larger-than-life role, Vysakh behind the camera, a gold-smuggling backdrop and the added p

PEOPLE in England and Wales significantly overestimate the proportion of killers from minority ethnic backgrounds, while also overstating the number of foreign nationals in the prison population, a study by Kings College London has found. A YouGov survey of 1,800 people found that respondents believed 55 per cent of convicted killers were from minority ethnic groups. The actual figure is 35 per cent. Respondents also underestimated the proportion of homicides involving white offenders. They esti

Jo Boydell is stepping down after 13 years with Travelodge. The hotel chain is overhauling room-access procedures following a 2022 sexual assault. More than 600 hotels have introduced new room-access security measures. Travelodges chief executive Jo Boydell is stepping down as the hotel chain continues to face scrutiny over its guest safety procedures following a sexual assault at one of its hotels. Boydell, who joined Travelodge 13 years ago and became chief executive in May 2022, will leave th

Highlights Jason Stathams Mutiny was briefly available to watch in full on Amazon Prime Video in the US. The accidental streaming appearance came two days before its planned theatrical release. The 95-minute Lionsgate action thriller was quickly removed after users discovered the listing. Jason Stathams latest action film was supposed to have its big-screen moment this week. Instead, some Amazon Prime Video users got the chance to watch the entire film before it had even opened in cinemas. Mutin

Twenty-nine US states are seeking up to $200 billion in damages from Meta. The case could force changes to features including recommendations, notifications and infinite scrolling. Meta denies the allegations and says the states financial demands are disproportionate. Meta is facing one of its biggest challenges yet over a question that could affect the future of Facebook and Instagram: were the platforms designed to keep young users coming back? A coalition of 29 US states has brought the compa

Highlights Unverified GTA 6 gameplay footage and an image claiming to show the full map have appeared online. The material has reportedly been linked to a group calling itself CyberLeek, which has issued demands aimed at Rockstar and other publishers. The group is reportedly protesting the gaming industry's shift towards digital-only releases and has warned that other publishers could be targeted. Grand Theft Auto 6 appears to be facing another major leak, but the latest incident goes beyond foo

A FIRE at a hotel in Kolkata killed nine people, including a child, on Wednesday, marking another deadly hotel blaze in India within days as authorities investigated possible safety failures. Nine people were killed, including a child, in the fire that broke out early on Wednesday, Anuj Sharma, the fire services director of West Bengal state, told AFP. Thick smoke enveloped the hotel. Some victims were found in the bathrooms. Delhi hotel fire kills at least 21 people Preliminary information sugg

UK HOUSEHOLDS faced fresh pressure in July as inflation jumped to 2.9 per cent, with higher energy bills driving the rise, official figures showed on Wednesday. The Consumer Prices Index rose 2.9 per cent in the 12 months to July, up from 2.6 per cent in June, the Office for National Statistics said. UK economy growth slows to 0.4 per cent in second quarter The rise followed a 13 per cent hike in the price cap on household energy bills that took effect last month, a consequence of the ongoing US

A video found in pre-release macOS software appears to show how camera-equipped AirPods could work. The technology could allow AirPods to use visual intelligence to recognise objects and save information. Privacy concerns around cameras on wearable devices could become a major hurdle for Apple. Would you be comfortable sitting next to someone whose AirPods could be watching the room? That may sound like a strange question, but it could become a real issue if Apple goes ahead with camera-equipped

AT LEAST 30 children, most of them British, are feared to have been conceived through IVF in northern Cyprus using sperm or egg donors different from those selected by their parents. The parents say they carefully chose anonymous donors based on medical history, appearance, personality, education and hobbies, but later became concerned that the requested donors had not been used, reported BBC. One mother, Rachel, recently learned that the Danish sperm donor she selected for her treatment at Dogu

The full new state pension could rise by more than 500 a year. A 4.1 per cent increase would take the annual payment above 13,000. The final rise will depend on wage growth and inflation figures still to come. Could the full state pension cross 13,000 a year next April? The latest wage figures suggest it could. Average total pay rose by 4.1 per cent in the three months to June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). If the wage figure used for the state pension calculation remain

RISHABH PANT reached a new Test cricket milestone as India set Sri Lanka 372 to win the first Test in Galle on Tuesday. Pant became the fastest player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket, reaching the mark in 89 innings and surpassing Australia's Adam Gilchrist, who took 130 innings. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 66 off 69 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, as India were bowled out for 193 late in the second session. Asitha Fernando took 4-31 for Sri Lanka. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 167 in

Asda sales fell 0.2 per cent in the 12 weeks to August 9. Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons all recorded sales growth over the same period. Asdas market share has edged up, but it remains well behind Tesco and Sainsburys. Britains supermarkets have had plenty to cheer about this summer. Shoppers spent more as warm weather boosted demand for ice cream, sun cream and other seasonal products, while the wider grocery market continued to grow. Asda, however, is still going backwards. Sales at the super

CHEF Nand Kishor Yadavs journey from Motihari in Bihar to the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh has marked a milestone in his 25-year culinary career. The Indian chef was invited to join King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the event, which is held during Holyrood Week, or Royal Week, when the monarch traditionally spends a week in Scotland during the summer. Being invited to the Palace of Holyroodhouse was an incredibly proud and humbling experience, said Chef Nand

Highlights Christopher Schwarzenegger has spoken candidly about his weight-loss journey after appearing in new family holiday photos. The 28-year-old said he has lost 30 pounds and built muscle, but does not consider himself an after yet. Schwarzenegger has described the transformation as a long process involving trial and error rather than a quick change. Christopher Schwarzeneggers recent appearance in family holiday photos has drawn attention to his dramatic physical transformation, but his o

EY and KPMG could receive up to 456 million for civil service training. KPMG will receive up to 319 million, while EY will get up to 137 million. The contracts come as Labour works to rebuild the National School of Government. Why is the government paying private accountancy firms hundreds of millions of pounds to train its own civil servants? That is the question raised by a new 456 million government contract awarded to EY and KPMG, less than two years after Labour pledged to halve spending on

The Vishv Umiya Foundation (VUF) has strengthened its presence in the United Kingdom with the formation of a new UK Core Committee, alongside the appointment of regional leaders and the expansion of its womens empowerment initiative. The announcements were made during the 2026 UK visit of Shri R.P. Patel, Patron and President of Vishv Umiya Foundation, who met community representatives as part of efforts to broaden the organisations network and activities across Britain. A special VUF UK Core Co

Wetherspoon has introduced the ban across all 792 of its pubs. Customers are being asked to keep phones on silent or use earphones. The move comes amid a wider backlash against people playing audio aloud in public. Ever been sitting in a pub trying to have a conversation, only to hear someone elses phone call booming across the room? Wetherspoon appears to have had enough. The pub chain has introduced a ban on customers playing music, videos or taking calls on speaker across its 792 pubs, saying

Two people were killed and 13 injured after the strike on the plant. Energy and blast furnace facilities were damaged in the attack. The steelworks was previously hit by a Russian missile strike in 2022. Russias missile war has hit one of Ukraines biggest industrial businesses, with ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, the steel plant owned by Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, partially halting production after an overnight strike. Two people were killed and 13 employees and contractors were injured after

Highlights Fresh social media reports claim Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran could marry in Greece later this year Some posts have circulated November 10 as the wedding date, while others mention November 11 Neither Anirudh, Kavya nor their families has officially confirmed a wedding or the reported Greece plans The latest speculation follows earlier comments from Anirudhs uncle Y G Mahendran, who described the proposed marriage as a sure thing Wedding speculation surrounding music composer A

Sazerac has agreed to buy Swansea-based Au Vodka in a deal reportedly worth about 500m. Founders Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn could each receive more than 100m. Au Vodka recorded 82.8m in turnover and 5m in pre-tax profit in the year to April 2025. A Welsh vodka brand that began with two friends in Swansea is heading for a reported 500m takeover by US drinks giant Sazerac, more than a decade after one of its founders became famous for an entirely different reason. Sazerac, the company behind

A BRITISH-INDIAN family is seeking support to help their 18-month-old son, Eliyas, access an investigational treatment in the United States for an ultra-rare genetic condition. Eliyas has TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy, a neurological disorder that affects the development of myelin, which helps the brain communicate with the rest of the body. Genetic testing confirmed that he carries a disease-causing variant in the TUBB4A gene. He undergoes physiotherapy to work on movement and developmental mil

RELIANCE Industries and Rolls-Royce have announced plans to jointly design and manufacture engines for India's multirole indigenous fighter jet programme. Reliance Industries Limited, India's largest private sector company, has been expanding into defence production in military aerospace and advanced munitions to support prime minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative. New Delhi, one of the world's largest arms importers, has made the modernisation of its defence forces a priority, with

Virgin Trains has secured regulatory approval for up to 20 daily return services through the Channel Tunnel. The proposed routes would connect London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from October 2030. The company plans to invest 700m and create about 400 UK jobs. Virgin Trains has taken a significant step towards challenging Eurostars long-standing grip on cross-Channel passenger rail, securing track access approval for new services between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030. The

Highlights Maharashtras Food and Drug Administration has issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over Vimal Elaichi advertisements The regulator says the campaigns may indirectly promote a pan masala product associated with the Vimal brand The actors have been asked to remove the advertisements from social media and explain their endorsements within 15 days Indias pan masala market was estimated at around 3.7 billion last year, based on the reported $5 billion va

UK consumer confidence fell to 42.9 in August from 43.4 in July. Job security dropped to its lowest level since April 2023. Household finances improved slightly, while the technology sector continued to report stronger confidence. UK consumer confidence weakened in August as concerns over job security reached their lowest point in more than three years. The S&P Global UK consumer sentiment index fell to 42.9 from 43.4 in July. A reading below 50 indicates that households remain broadly negative