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Highlights Qasim Akhtar has secured substantial libel damages from News Group Newspapers. The case centred on false allegations published by The Sun in November 2025. The publisher admitted the claims were untrue, apologised and agreed never to repeat them. Former Coronation Street actor Qasim Akhtar has been awarded substantial libel damages after settling a High Court claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun . The case has attracted widespread attention after the publish

US lawmakers questioned former Barclays chief Jes Staley over his long-standing ties to Jeffrey Epstein. House Oversight Committee chair James Comer said Staley appeared to have defended keeping Epstein as a JPMorgan client. The inquiry follows years of regulatory action, lawsuits and settlements linked to Epstein's banking relationships. Former Barclays chief Jes Staley is facing fresh questions over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein after US lawmakers claimed he encouraged JPMorgan Chase t

Highlights Suriya urged fans not to organise birthday celebrations this year. The actor asked supporters to stand with students protesting over NEET. His message came ahead of the release of Viswanathan & Sons . Instead of celebrating his birthday, Suriya has urged fans to turn their attention to students protesting over the NEET examination. In a message shared through his fan club, the actor said this was not the time for festivities and appealed to supporters to stand with those raising conce

BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Bosch jointly asked ministers to reconsider the 2035 ban. The government insists the 2035 phase-out of new non-zero-emission cars remains unchanged. Carmakers say consumer demand should shape the transition, while critics warn delays could undermine climate goals. Some of the world's biggest carmakers privately urged the UK government to reconsider its 2035 petrol and diesel car ban, according to documents released through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, ope

INDIAS high commissioner to Britain, Periasamy Kumaran, cut a cake at India House last Wednesday (15) to celebrate the India-UK Free Trade Agreement finally coming into force after more than a decade of negotiations. A portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru, independent Indias first prime minister, surveyed an array of Indian goods that can now be exported to the UK either tax free or at greatly reduced rates of taxation. The high commissioner also opened a small box containing jewellery that had arrived

Highlights Amy Winehouse's music continues to shape pop, soul and R&B 15 years after her death. Back to Black remains one of the most influential albums of the 21st century. These 10 songs capture the honesty, wit and vulnerability that made her unforgettable. Fifteen years after Amy Winehouse's death, her music continues to resonate with listeners across generations. Blending jazz, soul and R&B with deeply personal songwriting, she created songs that felt both timeless and intensely intimate. F

Highlights Actors, musicians and public figures have joined or publicly supported the CJP-led protests over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities. While some took part in demonstrations, others used their platforms to call for accountability and student safety. The growing list of supporters has brought national attention to the student-led movement. The Cockroach Janta Party's ( CJP) campaign over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities has drawn support from across India's ente

INDIAN billionaire Gautam Adani's group is considering launching a new airline, a move that could change competition in a market dominated by IndiGo and Air India, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The proposal marks a shift for the ports-to-cement conglomerate, which operates eight airports in India, including two in Mumbai. The group has an $11 billion airport expansion strategy but had earlier said it was not looking to enter the airline business. No final decision

UK-based charity Lepra has recently become a proud partner of the Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative Young Scholar Programme , a leadership and development scheme for 18-35-year-olds affected by leprosy. The two-year programme will support participants from Bangladeshs Bogura District, in developing their leadership skills, gaining financial autonomy and becoming pivotal players in shaping solutions within their communities. The programme is expected to play a critical role in nurturing the next genera

Researchers found GLP-1 drugs were associated with up to a 68 per cent higher risk of hair loss than some other diabetes medicines. UK regulators have received more than 1,200 reports of hair loss linked to semaglutide and tirzepatide since last year. Experts say rapid weight loss may be the most likely explanation, but further research is needed. Popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy are under fresh scrutiny after a major study found they may be linked to a higher

Highlights The Japan Patent Office has rejected a Nintendo patent application linked to its lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair. The legal dispute focuses on gameplay mechanics rather than character designs or copyright. The decision could strengthen Pocketpair's efforts to challenge patents already being used in court. Nintendo's legal battle with Palworld developer Pocketpair has become one of the gaming industry's most closely watched disputes. While many expected the case to centre

Tesla's earnings missed Wall Street expectations despite stronger revenue. Competition, policy changes and AI investments are weighing on profits. Investors are increasingly looking beyond EV sales to judge Tesla's future. Tesla's second-quarter earnings painted a mixed picture. While the company generated 20.8 billion ($28.23 billion) in revenue, ahead of analysts' forecasts, profits disappointed. Tesla reported earnings of 31 cents per share, well below the 51 cents expected by Wall Street, se

POLICY experts expect the India-UK partnership to continue under new prime minister Andy Burnham, who won the Labour party leadership in the same week that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the two countries came into force. While the new leader has pledged to do things differently, India is expected to remain a key focus of UK foreign policy, with experts pointing to Burnhams previous engagement with India during his time as mayor of Greater Manchester. Over this pas

Nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will receive a 20 per cent business rates cut from April. The relief follows months of industry frustration over soaring business rates and rising operating costs. Hospitality leaders have welcomed the move but are urging the government to extend support beyond pubs and overhaul the wider business rates system. Business rates have become one of the biggest flashpoints between Britain's pub sector and Labour in recent months. After widesp

Highlights Vijay commands the screen in what is billed as his final film before entering politics. Jana Nayagan blends action, emotion and political messaging with plenty of crowd-pleasing moments. While the story loses focus at times, the star's presence keeps the film firmly on track. Vijay's farewell to cinema is designed as much for his fans as it is for the big screen. Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan places the actor at the centre of a politically charged action drama that celebrates hi

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that fast-track courts would be set up to prosecute those involved in exam paper leaks, his first public response after weeks of protests demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The announcement came hours after protesters clashed with police in New Delhi late on Wednesday. Police used tear gas and canes to push back demonstrators. The protests, led by the self-named Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have become the

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 CJI declines urgent hearing on plea over police action during CJP protest. CJP was launched after remarks made by the CJI during a Supreme Court hearing. Rahul Gandhi was detained during a protest and later released. Protests demanding education reforms entered a third day. CHIEF Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday declined an urgent request to hear a plea challenging police action during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi, telling the petitioner, Don't waste our ti

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

A consortium led by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in buying a minority stake in Liverpool. The proposed investment could value the club at more than 4.5 billion ($6 billion). The move comes shortly after Bhatia stepped down as director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers. Liverpool could soon welcome a new investor after a consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia expressed interest in acquiring a minority stake in the Premier League club. The proposed Liverpool investment is

INDIA summoned a senior Russian diplomat on Tuesday and raised grave concerns after four Indian crew members were killed in a missile strike on a cargo ship in the Black Sea. According to Ukraine, Russia struck the Golden Leo, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship crewed by Indians and Syrians, with three cruise missiles on Sunday as it was leaving a Ukrainian port. The attack killed 10 people, including four Indians. Vladimir Ladanov, Russia's charg daffaires, was summoned to India's Ministry of E

Humanoid has raised 114 million ($152 million) in fresh funding. The funding values the London startup at 1 billion ($1.35 billion), giving it unicorn status. The company says it has secured 1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) in robot pre-orders despite not yet shipping a commercial unit. A London robotics startup has reached unicorn status before delivering a single commercial robot, highlighting the growing confidence investors and businesses are placing in the fast-developing humanoid robotics indust

75 per cent of B2B CEOs and senior business leaders do not believe marketing drives business growth. 84 per cent see marketing as a support function rather than a commercial growth driver. More than a third say growing investment in AI and innovation could limit marketing's influence at board level. Most business leaders agree that B2B marketing plays an important role in their organisations. Yet when it comes to business growth, many still give the credit elsewhere. A new B2B marketing survey o

Highlights H. Vinoth has revealed that Bhagavanth Kesari influenced Vijay's character in Jana Nayagan . The film arrives amid growing speculation that Vijay is preparing to step away from cinema for politics. Its political backdrop and mature character arc have made it one of the year's most closely watched Tamil releases. For most stars, a new release is simply another film. For Vijay, Jana Nayagan feels like something much bigger. The political action drama arrives at a pivotal moment in the a

MITIE has agreed to a 3.1 billion takeover by rival outsourcer OCS Group, with its board recommending shareholders accept a cash offer of 221.6p a share, a 44.7 per cent premium to Mondays closing price. The companys shares rose 39 per cent to 210.4p in early trading. The deal values Mities equity at 3.1bn and would create one of the UKs largest private-sector employers, with more than 120,000 staff. OCS Group is owned by private equity group Clayton Dubilier & Rice, reported Financial Times . T

Highlights Fans expected Rockstar Games to release Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 3 this summer, but the studio has remained silent. With pre-orders already live and the game's November 19 launch confirmed, Rockstar appears to be relying on anticipation rather than frequent updates. Many fans expect the next trailer to focus on gameplay and reveal more about the game's world. With Grand Theft Auto VI set to launch on November 19, fans have spent much of the summer waiting for Rockstar Games to unve

UK Government borrowing stood at 16 billion in June, slightly below official forecasts. Lower debt interest payments and stronger tax receipts helped improve the figures. Economists say Britain's rising debt and limited room for extra spending continue to weigh on the public finances. The UK Government borrowed less than expected in June, offering a welcome improvement in the public finances. But economists say the latest figures are far from a sign that Britain's fiscal challenges have eased. A

A RUSSIAN warship carried out a live-fire artillery exercise about 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth on Monday while being monitored by the Royal Navy. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the Royal Navy observed the exercise and is continuing to rack the vessel's activity closely. The Russian frigate, Neustrashimy, was also monitored by a French military aircraft, which made radio contact with the warship to ask it to clarify its intentions, the BBC has been told. Before opening fire, the Russ

Highlights BBC has commissioned a new three-part series exploring the rise of Britain's celebrity chefs. Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal will reunite on screen for the first time in more than 10 years. The programme will revisit their rivalries, ambition and lasting impact on British fine dining. Some of Britain's most influential chefs are set to share the screen once again as Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal reunite for a new BBC documentary serie

Andy Burnham said rent controls are among several cost-of-living measures being considered. Rental supply in London has already fallen as landlords adjust to recent housing reforms. Supporters say rent freezes could protect struggling tenants, while landlords warn they may reduce the number of homes available. Rent controls are back on the political agenda after prime minister Andy Burnham confirmed his Government is considering freezing rents as part of a wider package of measures aimed at easi

Highlights Nagarjuna questioned why Telugu films continue to miss announced release dates. The actor cited Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey , noting its release date was announced a year in advance. He admitted Lenin was also delayed because post-production was not completed on time. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey became an unexpected point of comparison for Nagarjuna as the veteran actor called on the Telugu film industry to rethink its approach to release schedules. Speaking at the success mee

Andy Burnham left Buckingham Palace on Monday (20) acutely aware of the gap between the scale of his ambition - to deliver the biggest changes for forty years - and the Downing Street revolving door that makes him already the sixth new prime minister in a decade. Only two summers before, Sir Keir Starmer, in possession of an election landslide, had spoken of a decade of national renewal. Now he had to declare his work in government done insisting in his pride in the incremental progress made, t

Highlights Mahmood and Nandy retain senior cabinet roles. Kanishka Narayan promoted to Cabinet-level position. Healey named chancellor; Miliband takes Foreign Office; Streeting becomes defence secretary. Reeves, Lammy and several senior ministers leave government. PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham has unveiled his first cabinet, retaining Shabana Mahmood as home secretary and Lisa Nandy as secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, while promoting Kanishka Narayan to a Cabinet-level rol

Highlights Olivia Wilde recalled meeting Elon Musk years before his political rise and public controversies. The filmmaker said she never expected him to take the path he has. Wilde also discussed the themes of misogyny in Don't Worry Darling and her latest film, The Invite . Olivia Wilde has reflected on an early meeting with Elon Musk that she says looks very different in hindsight, recalling a time when the billionaire appeared focused on technology and philanthropy rather than the public per

CuspAI raised 330 million ($450 million) in fresh funding, valuing the company at 1.9 billion ($2.6 billion). The funding round includes backing from Jeff Bezos and the UK government's sovereign AI fund. The startup has launched a global coalition to use AI to discover new materials for future technologies. A Cambridge-based AI startup believes the next breakthrough in technology may not come from better software, but from discovering entirely new materials. That vision has now attracted backing

Highlights Jana Nayagan releases just months after Vijay became Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. The timing mirrors MG Ramachandran's Meenava Nanban , which arrived shortly after he assumed office in 1977. The coincidence revives a unique chapter linking cinema and politics in the state. Tamil Nadu's long-standing relationship between cinema and politics has produced many remarkable moments, but one particular milestone has remained unmatched for nearly five decades. With Jana Nayagan arriving in cine

Highlights Romesh Ranganathan fronts a new BBC campaign inspired by John Cleese's famous 1985 licence fee advert. The musical film features around 90 well-known personalities, including Claudia Winkleman, David Jason and Chris Martin. The campaign launches as the BBC seeks to make the case for renewing its royal charter amid falling licence fee payments. More than four decades after John Cleese asked, What has the BBC ever given us?, the broadcaster has revived the idea with a modern twist. This