MUSIC COMPOSER AR Rahman on Sunday (6) said the void left by Lata Mangeshkar will be difficult to fill as he paid homage to the legendary singer.
The 92-year-old singer breathed her last around 8:12 am at south Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, where she was being treated for the past 29 days. She was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus with mild symptoms on January 8.
Rahman was among those rare artistes from his generation who had the opportunity to collaborate with the singing icon not once but thrice.
He first worked with Mangeshkar for the track "Jiya Jale" from the 1998 movie "Dil Se" and later for "Ek Tu Hi Bharosa" from "Pukar" (2000).
Six years later, the veteran singer and the composer worked again for the famous track "Luka Chuppi" from 2006 Aamir Khan-starrer "Rang De Basanti".
Lata Mangeshkar with actor Aamir Khan. (PTI Photo)
"Somebody like Lata ji is not just a singer and not just an icon, I think part of her soul's consciousness is India. India is Hindustani music, Urdu poetry, Hindi poetry, Bengali and so many other languages, and this void is going to remain forever for all of us," Rahman said in a statement.
The 55-year-old music director further said he is mourning her death even though Mangeshkar leaves behind a truly iconic collection of songs.
"Even though we have her songs, not having her is a grief, a void that will be very difficult to fill.
"I know that there are hundreds and thousands of singers that got inspired by her songs and are still singing and probably taking it much further in their own way, but still I think the impact, the foundation of it along with the generation of hers - Mohammed Rafi Saab, Kishor da, Manna Dey, SD Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Naushad Saab and all those legends, that's something that I really value for rest of my life," Rahman added.
The composer said he will continue to celebrate the veteran singer's contribution to the world of music and learn from "this legend who's left".
Regarded as one of Indian cinema's greatest playback singers, Mangeshkar was the voice behind memorable tracks, including "Ajeeb dastan hai ye", "Pyar kiya to darna kya" and "Neela aasman so gaya".
Priyanka Chopra Jonas confirms return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s SSMB29.
She calls the film not a comeback, but a “homecoming” to India and Bollywood.
SSMB29 stars Mahesh Babu, with Prithviraj Sukumaran rumoured to play the antagonist.
The film’s next shooting schedule will take place in Kenya; budget reportedly over £94 million (₹1,000 crore).
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is officially back on Indian screens after several years of focusing on international projects. But for the actor, who has spent the last decade working in Hollywood, this is more than just a comeback. In fact, it is a return to where it all began.
Priyanka Chopra calls 'SSMB29' her homecoming as she reunites with Indian cinemaGetty Images
She misses Hindi films, says filming in India feels like ‘home’
While promoting her Hollywood action-comedy Heads of State, Chopra opened up about her deep connection to Indian cinema. In a recent interview, she said, “I miss Hindi movies, and I miss India so much. I’m working in India this year, and I’m really excited about that.”
The actor, last seen in a Hindi film with The Sky Is Pink (2019), has since taken on major roles in international productions such as The White Tiger and Citadel. But SSMB29 will be her first major Indian theatrical release in years.
Priyanka Chopra teams up with SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu for mega film SSMB29Getty Images
SSMB29 to feature Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran
Directed by Baahubali and RRR filmmaker SS Rajamouli, SSMB29 is being made on an estimated budget of £94 million (₹1,000 crore), making it one of India’s costliest productions to date. The film stars Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead, and Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran is expected to play the antagonist. Rajamouli confirmed that casting is still underway, with only Mahesh Babu officially signed on at the time of the last public update.
Mahesh Babu’s dramatic new look for SSMB 29 sparks a social media frenzy as fans compare him to Mufasa and a Hollywood action hero Getty Images/ Twitter
A globe-trotting adventure with massive scale
The next phase of filming is scheduled in Kenya, with earlier shoots already completed in Hyderabad, including a Holi sequence. Priyanka shared behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram with a caption that read, “With the blessings of Shri Balaji, a new chapter begins.” According to sources, the film will bring together mythology with action and is being likened to an Indian take on Indiana Jones. Sets resembling Varanasi are being built in Ramoji Film City to bring the film’s narrative to life.
SS Rajamouli recreates Varanasi at Ramoji Film City for a key action sequence in SSMB29 Getty Images
Heads of State release and Priyanka’s busy international schedule
While fans await more details about SSMB29, Priyanka’s latest Hollywood project Heads of State premiered on 2 July on Prime Video. The film features her alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in a spy-action comedy set across multiple continents. For now, though, her Indian fans are thrilled to see her return to home turf, with SSMB29 already among the most anticipated releases in Indian cinema.
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The trend is most pronounced among 18 to 24-year-olds
Young adults aged 18–24 have cut video game spending by nearly 25%
Rising game and console prices are key factors behind the drop
Free-to-play games dominate usage, replacing premium titles
Industry faces growing pressure as live service titles saturate the market
Similar trends expected in UK due to parallel consumer habits
Young players cut back as gaming becomes pricier
Video game spending among young adults in the US has fallen sharply, with new data showing a nearly 25% decline compared to last year. Analysts point to increasing game and console prices, combined with the popularity of free-to-play titles, as the main reasons behind the drop.
The trend is most pronounced among 18 to 24-year-olds, who are spending significantly less across multiple consumer categories — but none more so than gaming. This raises fresh concerns for an industry already facing stagnation in demand and shifting player behaviour.
Prices climb, budgets shrink
Gaming has always been a relatively expensive hobby, but recent pricing trends have stretched the wallets of young players even further. Sony’s £70 price point for new releases has become standard, while Nintendo has now priced Mario Kart World at up to £75.
Meanwhile, hardware costs are rising too. The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is listed at £395.99, a figure many now view as affordable in relative terms. These price hikes appear to be pushing young adults away from buying new games and consoles altogether.
Video game spend among 18 to 24's is down sharply."Young grads are having a much tougher time finding jobs. Student-loan payments are restarting for millions of borrowers... credit-card delinquency rates have risen to their highest points since before the pandemic..."www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
Matt Piscatella, executive director and analyst at Circana, published a report showing that spending among 18–24s in the US dropped across all tracked categories in April 2025. The steepest fall was in video games, with a near-25% year-on-year decline.
Although other age groups saw only a minor 1–2% fall in gaming spend, the sharp drop in the youngest adult demographic is particularly worrying for publishers hoping to build long-term audiences. By contrast, categories like beauty and sports equipment recorded spending increases, highlighting a shift in consumer priorities.
Free-to-play dominates playtime
A growing number of gamers are turning to free-to-play titles, which offer zero upfront cost and instead rely on in-game purchases. A Circana report from earlier this year revealed that over 70% of PlayStation 5 and Xbox users in the US were mostly playing one of the top 10 free live service games — including Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Roblox.
These games often consume players’ time without requiring them to purchase newer titles, which may explain why even blockbuster releases are struggling to make a dent in the market.
Industry pushes live service, but results vary
In response to changing habits, many studios are doubling down on live service games that focus on long-term engagement and microtransactions. Sony has heavily invested in the model, though its only notable success in recent years has been Helldivers 2 — developed externally rather than in-house.
Yet live service games are also facing saturation. A March 2025 study showed most PC gamers prefer older, established titles such as League of Legends and Counter-Strike, leaving little room for newcomers to gain traction.
Challenges ahead for the gaming sector
The near-25% drop in gaming spend among young adults points to deeper issues in the industry — from pricing strategy and game value perception to competition from free alternatives. While the current data focuses on the US, similar consumer patterns in the UK suggest the trend is likely to be mirrored here.
As players increasingly favour free content and established titles, studios and publishers may need to rethink how they deliver value and remain competitive in a market facing both economic and cultural shifts.
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FILE PHOTO: Foreign tourists and their guides trek down from Nanga Parbat base camp. (Photo by AMELIE HERENSTEIN/AFP via Getty Images)
A CZECH mountaineer fell to her death on the world's ninth-highest peak, Pakistan officials said Friday (4), becoming the first casualty of the summer climbing season in the country.
Klara Kolouchova, 46, the first Czech woman to summit the world's two highest mountains, died on Thursday (3) after falling on the lower slopes of Nanga Parbat.
The 8,125-metre (26,656-foot) mountain is one of the world's most dangerous climbs with a reported one-in-five fatality rate.
"Her feet slipped from a slope and she fell into a ravine," Nizam-ud-Din, a senior local government official in Diamer district, told AFP, adding that one of her team members reported the death.
"The exact location of her body will first be traced. Once confirmed, appropriate rescue operations will be initiated to retrieve the body by using a helicopter service."
Five of the globe's 14 mountains above 8,000 metres are in Pakistan, including the world's second highest mountain, K2.
Himalayan peak Nanga Parbat earned the nickname "killer mountain" after more than 30 people died trying to climb it before the first successful summit in 1953.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan also confirmed Kolouchova's death.
"She was an inspirational climber and a source of motivation for women mountaineers," said Karrar Haidri, the vice president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
"Her death leaves a void in the climbing fraternity," he added.
Her last post on Instagram on June 14 from Islamabad was a photo and video of her unsuccessful bid to climb the same mountain in 2024.
"Last year, the Naked Mountain laid me bare. Stripped me to silence, to stillness, to soul," the caption read.
"This time, we aim higher. This time, we summit," she added.
The incident is the first casualty of the summer season, according to the Alpine Club, which monitors climbing expeditions in the country.
The summer climbing season starts in early June and runs until late August.
(AFP)
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Aamir Khan as Dahaa in Coolie revealed in striking black and white poster
Aamir Khan will be seen in a special cameo as Dahaa in Coolie, starring Rajinikanth.
First look dropped on 3 July, showing Aamir in a rugged, pipe-smoking avatar.
Khan said he agreed to the cameo instantly because he’s a longtime Rajinikanth fan.
Coolie releases in IMAX on 14 August and will clash with War 2 at the box office.
Bollywood star Aamir Khan has joined the cast of Rajinikanth’s highly anticipated action film Coolie for a special cameo. The makers revealed Aamir’s first look on 3 July, and fans have been buzzing ever since.
In the poster, Aamir appears as ‘Dahaa’, a gritty, sharp-looking man in a sleeveless vest, glasses, and pipe in hand. The black-and-white image, released by Sun Pictures, presents a darker, edgier version of the actor not seen in recent years. The caption on the post read: “Introducing #AamirKhan as Dahaa, from the world of #Coolie. #Coolie is all set to dominate IMAX screens worldwide from 14 August.”
Aamir Khan sports a rugged look with pipe and vest in Coolie cameoInstagram/cooliemovieofficial
Aamir Khan plays Dahaa in Coolie
Although it’s just a cameo, Aamir’s intense look has left fans expecting a memorable twist. Speaking in an interview, the actor revealed he didn’t even ask for the script before saying yes. “I really enjoyed doing it. I’m a huge fan of Rajini sir. When Lokesh told me he wanted me for a cameo in Rajini sir’s film, I said, ‘Done. I’m doing it,’” he said.
This marks Aamir’s second on-screen appearance post his comeback film Sitaare Zameen Par, which is currently running successfully at the box office.
— (@)
Rajinikanth and Lokesh team up for a pan-India action drama
Directed by Kaithi and Vikram maker Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead, alongside Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Soubin Shahir.
The film is said to revolve around high-stakes action with a strong emotional core, typical of Lokesh’s filmmaking style. It has reportedly been made on a massive budget of £35 million (₹375 crore), making it one of the most expensive Indian films this year.
Coolie is set to hit cinemas on 14 August, right before India’s Independence Day, which is a prime release window. But the film will face stiff competition from YRF’s War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani.
Both films are releasing in multiple languages and aiming for a pan-Indian audience, setting the stage for one of 2025’s biggest box office battles.
Aamir’s latest appearance as Dahaa follows his return to films after a three-year hiatus. His last full-fledged role was in Sitaare Zameen Par, which co-stars Genelia Deshmukh and ten newcomers. The film has earned over £12.6 million (₹135 crore) in India and continues to draw audiences with its emotional storyline.
Swiatek battles back: Iga Swiatek overcame a shaky start to defeat American Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 and reach the third round at Wimbledon.
Early scare: McNally, ranked 208, came from 1-4 down to take the first set, capitalising on Swiatek’s struggles on grass.
Swift turnaround: Swiatek raised her aggression in the second set, dominating the rest of the match and losing just three more games.
Grand Slam consistency: The 23-year-old became only the third woman this century to reach the third round in 22 consecutive Grand Slams.
Familiar foe: Swiatek and McNally were former junior doubles partners, winning the French Open girls' title together in 2018.
Iga Swiatek may not love the grass but relishes a battle whatever the surface and showed all that fight and bullish determination as she recovered to beat American Caty McNally 5-7 6-2 6-1 and reach the Wimbledon third round on Thursday.
McNally, the world number 208, looked poised to cause an upset when she clawed her way back from 4-1 down to take the first set against the five-times Grand Slam champion.
At that point Swiatek's mediocre record at the All England Club, where the Pole has never gone past the quarter-finals, seemed to be weighing heavily on her shoulders.
But rather than shy away from the scrap, the former world number one flicked a psychological switch that saw her come out for the second set transformed, upping her aggression and playing with a ferocity McNally simply could not handle.
She broke early in the second set and never looked back, losing only three more games to set up a clash with another American Danielle Collins.
"I started the match well so I knew that my game was there," said Swiatek. "I knew that at the start of the second set I had to be more accurate. I just tried to improve and I'm happy it worked."
The eighth seed may have her sights set far higher than the third round, but by reaching the last 32 she underlined her consistency on the big stage.
The 23-year-old is the third player this century to reach the third round in 22 consecutive women’s singles Grand Slams after Amelie Mauresmo and Serena Williams.
DIFFICULT SURFACE
Whether such milestones are enough to persuade Swiatek she can excel on a surface that has so far proven difficult to master is yet to be determined.
With four French Open titles to her name, another at the U.S. Open and two semi-final appearances in Australia, her unspectacular Wimbledon record stands out like a sore thumb.
A run to the Bad Homburg final in the grasscourt warm-up event showed her game is not entirely unsuited to the surface, though there was a period in the first set against McNally where she may have wondered if this tournament was simply not for her.
Having broken early and raced into a 4-1 lead, the wheels briefly came off as McNally did everything to push Swiatek out of her comfort zone.
The American pushed right up to the baseline to receive serve, trying to give Swiatek less time to react to the return and for a while it worked.
McNally spurned four break points in the seventh game before finally taking her chance at the fifth attempt before breaking again for a 6-5 lead when Swiatek swiped a backhand long.
When the Pole fired a wild forehand off target to hand McNally the opener, everything seemed to be going the American's way. But that was as good as it got.
DOUBLES PARTNERS
Swiatek knows McNally's game well - the pair were doubles partners in their youth, clinching the junior title at Roland Garros in 2018 - and set about dismantling it in double-quick time.
She broke for a 2-0 lead in the second set and again to level the contest at one set each.
Swiatek then did the same at the start of the third set, breaking to go 2-0 ahead, with a forehand swiped cross-court, while another forehand winner saw her break again to move 4-0 up.
It was then straightforward for the Pole, although she did have to save five break points before wrapping up victory with an ace.
As well as earning her spot in the next round, the match against her old playing partner offered a pleasing trip down memory lane.
"It's pretty funny because I remember these matches pretty well," she said of her junior days.
"We know each other pretty well ... She's one of the people who make you feel like you are not only rivals on tour but that you can also respect each other and like each other."