AFTER cricket a racism scandal has hit football where a diversity report alleges that the FA's referee system is obstructing black and Asian people to reach the elite level of the game.
The black and Asian referees say because of the racist abuse and prejudice, they are not being able to progress to the top.
The Observer reports that a dossier compiled by match officials, alleges that racism in the Football Association's refereeing system is underming the efforts of black and Asian people.
The FA is now being called to conduct an enquiry, as the the diversity report alleges racist comments made by observers who assess referees for promotion to the higher leagues.
Tony Burnett, chief executive of the anti-racism charity Kick It Out, was quoted as saying: “The lack of diversity in refereeing is our biggest failure in football. Black and Asian people are not getting through to elite refereeing.”
One observer is allegedly to have told one referee, “You lot can all run fast, but that’s all you are good for.”
The referees from ethnic minorities plying in the lower division have dubbed it as the "black man's graveyard" because their white assessors are believed to have blocked their growth to the next level.
There are no black or Asian referees officiating in the Premier League or Championship. There are just four referees from ethnic minorities officiating in the country’s top seven divisions.
The FA’s 14-member referee committee, which has the task of improving diversity in the 24,500-strong referee workforce has no black or Asian representatives.
Joel Mannix, chair of the Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage Ethnicity (BAME) Referee Support Group and one of the highest-ranked black referees in the country, said: “You’ve got observers who are racist and they are marking down officials on their colour.”
The group submitted a diversity report last year to the FA that detailed alleged racist comments by observers. It compiled the report from referees from ethnic minorities to show the racial discrimination faced by some of the referees. The report set out a road plan for reform.
The BAME Referee Support Group now wants the FA to publish a detailed breakdown of the number of referees from ethnic minorities officiating across the various divisions.
Kew Gardens will shut its iconic Palm House for up to four years
Grade I-listed building to undergo major restoration as part of net-zero strategy
Gas boilers to be replaced with modern heat pumps
Rare plant collection, including 45 endangered species, to be relocated during works
Palm House and Waterlily House will become the first net-zero glasshouses globally
Historic Palm House to undergo major upgrade
Kew Gardens will temporarily close one of its most recognisable landmarks, the Grade I-listed Palm House, for up to four years as part of an ambitious net-zero redevelopment plan. Opened in 1848, the glasshouse is home to a globally significant collection of tropical plants and houses the world’s oldest potted plant—an Encephalartos altensteinii dating back to 1775.
The Palm House, along with the neighbouring Waterlily House, will be transformed into the world’s first net-zero glasshouses through a large-scale renovation focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Plans to modernise historic infrastructure
The project, submitted last week to Richmond-upon-Thames borough council, will replace ageing gas boilers—installed more than 100 years ago—with modern heat pumps. These upgrades are designed to help Kew Gardens meet its sustainability targets while preserving the conditions required to house rare tropical species.
Each pane of glass in the structure will be removed and recycled. New, more robust glazing will be fitted using advanced sealants designed to retain heat and humidity, crucial for plant survival.
The Palm House’s iron ribs will also be stripped, repaired and repainted in the original colour used when the structure first opened.
Funding for the scheme will come from a combination of grants and private investment.
Protecting rare and endangered plant life
During the renovation, the entire plant collection—comprising towering palms, passion plants, and 45 species at risk of extinction—will be carefully relocated to temporary glasshouses to ensure their survival.
Tom Pickering, head of glasshouse collections at Kew, described the project as both a dream and a major responsibility. “The aim is to make the Palm House energy efficient while retaining all the magic of what it is today in terms of planting and horticulture,” he said.
Reviving a global icon with modern innovation
Richard Deverell, director of Kew Gardens, emphasised the urgency of the work, saying: “The Palm House and Waterlily House represented the latest in design and build at the time of their construction, but they are showing serious signs of deterioration and are not at all energy efficient.”
“Without urgent work, these iconic listed buildings and the vital tropical plants they protect are at risk of being lost forever,” he added.
Deverell called the project an “epic opportunity” to combine cutting-edge technology with heritage conservation. He said architects, engineers and Kew’s horticultural team have already spent years developing and testing the features that will help secure the buildings’ future.
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PIA said it planned to resume flights to Britain in 'the shortest possible time', starting with services from Islamabad to Manchester.
THE United Kingdom has lifted restrictions on Pakistani airlines, ending a five-year ban on the country's national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the UK embassy in Islamabad said on Wednesday.
PIA was barred from operating in the UK in June 2020, a month after one of its aircraft crashed into a street in Karachi, killing nearly 100 people. The crash was linked to human error by both the pilots and air traffic controllers. The incident was followed by allegations that nearly one-third of Pakistani pilots held fake or dubious licences.
The UK Air Safety Committee decided to lift the ban following improvements in aviation safety in Pakistan, the British High Commission in Islamabad said. It added that decisions on de-listing states and air carriers were made “through an independent aviation safety process”.
“Based on this independent and technically-driven process, it has decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the (UK Air Safety) List,” the statement said.
This development follows the European Union lifting a four-year ban on PIA earlier in the year, which led to the resumption of PIA’s flights to Europe in January.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the UK’s decision “an important milestone for the country”.
“The lifting of the ban on Pakistani flights by the UK is a source of relief for Pakistanis residing in Britain,” he said in a statement.
PIA said it planned to resume flights to Britain in “the shortest possible time”, starting with services from Islamabad to Manchester.
Aviation minister Khawaja Asif said the ban had caused financial losses. “Confidence is being restored in Pakistani airlines once again,” he said during a press conference in Islamabad.
PIA, which has 7,000 employees, has faced long-standing issues, including unpaid bills, safety concerns, and regulatory challenges. The government has stated it is committed to privatising the debt-laden airline and has been looking for a buyer.
In 2024, a deal failed after a potential buyer reportedly offered far less than the asking price.
PIA was established in 1955 when the government took over a struggling commercial airline. It grew rapidly until the 1990s.
(With inputs from agencies)
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It was painted in 1931 by British artist Clare Leighton when Gandhi visited London. (Photo: Bonhams)
A RARE oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, believed to be the only one he sat for the artist to paint, has fetched triple its estimate at £152,800 in a Bonhams auction in London.
The painting, which had never before been offered at auction, had been on offer for an online auction with a guide price range between £50,000 and £70,000 and was the top lot of the Travel and Exploration sale, which concluded on Tuesday (15).
The portrait artist, Clare Leighton, was introduced to Gandhi when he visited London in 1931 to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
"Thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for, this was a very special work, which had never before been offered at auction," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams head of sale.
"Completed in London by the artist Clare Leighton, mainly known for her wood engravings, this work was a testament to Gandhi's power to connect with people far and wide, and presented a lasting document of an important moment in history."
It remained in the artist's collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed down through her family.
"It is no wonder that this work sparked such interest across the globe," added Demery.
At the time of painting it, Leighton was in a relationship with the political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford. A passionate supporter of Indian independence, Brailsford had travelled to the country in 1930, later publishing the book 'Rebel India' in support of the Indian independence cause.
It was through this connection that Leighton was introduced to Gandhi when Brailsford first met him at the Round Table Conference.
Bonhams said that Leighton was one of the very few artists admitted to his office and was allowed to sit with him on multiple occasions to sketch and paint his likeness.
In November 1931, Leighton showcased her portrait of Gandhi in an exhibition at the Albany Galleries in London. Journalist Winifred Holtby attended the opening and wrote about the event in her column for the trade union magazine The Schoolmistress, stating: "Members of Parliament and ex-Members, artists, journalists and art critics, stood among exquisite Indian women in bright saris, and the dignified figures of some of the chief Hindu representatives at the Conference. Mrs Naidu, the statesman-poet, was there... and Sir Purshotamdas Thakurdas, one of the Mahatma's colleagues."
Gandhi himself did not attend the party, but it was noted that he was vitally present in the works on display, which included the portrait of him in oil.
Describing the painting in more detail, Holtby said at the time: "The little man squats bare-headed, in his blanket, one finger raised, as it often is to emphasise a point, his lips parted for a word that is almost a smile. That is very much as I saw him when he came as guest to a big luncheon in Westminster at which I was present a little while ago.
"He was the political leader there, the subtle negotiator, the manipulator of Congress, the brilliant lawyer, the statesman who knows just how to play on the psychology of friends and enemies alike."
The following month, Gandhi's personal secretary Mohadev Desai wrote a letter to Leighton, a copy of which is attached to the backing board of the portrait.
It reads: "It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr Gandhi's portrait. I am sorry I didn't see the final result, but many of my friends who saw it in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness. I am quite sure Gandhi has no objection to its being reproduced."
There does not appear to be any record of Leighton's oil portrait of Gandhi being exhibited again until 1978, when the Boston Public Library staged an exhibition of Leighton's work. However, according to the artist's family, the portrait was thought to have been on public display in 1974 when it was attacked with a knife by a person.
A label attached to the backing board confirms that the painting was restored in 1974 by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory.
(PTI)
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This film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner
India’s CBFC trimmed a 33-second kiss between Superman and Lois Lane, calling it “too sensual”.
James Gunn’s Superman has earned approximately £177 million worldwide and around £2.9 million in India during its opening weekend.
American media and audiences criticised India’s censor board for its conservative edits.
Indian fans and celebrities also slammed CBFC’s inconsistent standards on romance versus violence.
The Indian film board’s decision to cut a 33-second kiss between Superman and Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman, calling it “too sensual,” has sparked backlash both in India and abroad. While the film has soared at the box office, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’s censorship of romantic scenes has been widely criticised by fans and media alike.
Poster of Superman film releasing on July 11 Instagram/superman
CBFC Superman kiss cut for UA rating
To achieve a UA (13+) rating in India, the Indian film board removed two kissing scenes and muted several expletives in Superman. The most discussed was a mid-air kiss between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) that was shortened from 33 seconds to just a few fleeting moments. Officials reportedly found the visuals “overly sensual.”
The edit has left Indian viewers frustrated, with many calling out how the scene now feels abrupt and incomplete. The trimmed moment, a beautifully choreographed sequence set after Superman’s final battle, was intended to be a cinematic highlight.
This film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner X/ ErikDavis
Superman Lois Lane scene censored draws US media fire
The censorship has not gone unnoticed overseas. US media outlets picked up the story, reporting that the Superman Lois Lane scene was censored for being “too sensual.”
— (@)
Social media responses were quick and biting. “Didn’t they literally write the Kama Sutra?” one joked. Others mocked the inconsistency: “You’re fine with gore but scared of a kiss?” The sentiment was clear, many viewers found the move out of touch with the realities of a modern global audience.
— (@)
India censor board criticism echoes online
It wasn’t just international viewers speaking up. Indian celebrities and creators added their voices to the backlash. Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary tweeted, “If this is true, this is RIDICULOUS!!! Some ridiculous crap happens every day.” Digital creator Amol Jamwal commented on X, “You can have beheadings in Jaat, crude jokes in Housefull 5, but not a kiss in Superman?”
— (@)
Some viewers also compared the Indian film board's actions to their leniency with films like Animal, which was allowed to release with explicit violence and suggestive content. One post read, “They chopped a kiss in Superman but let Animal run wild? That’s hypocrisy in action.”
— (@)
Superman 2025 James Gunn romance edit controversy
This isn’t an isolated incident. Indian certification board has been criticised repeatedly in 2025 for similar censorship decisions. Earlier this year, Thunderbolts was released in India with muted language, and F1 had its middle-finger emoji replaced with a fist. In 2023, the CBFC also added a CGI dress to a nude scene in Oppenheimer, triggering international mockery.
Since the 2021 dissolution of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, filmmakers have had no fast-track way to challenge the CBFC’s decisions. Legal appeals through Indian courts are time-consuming and costly, a major concern for global studios with simultaneous international releases.
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Singer Anne-Marie gave an open and emotional interview on BBC Radio 2
Anne-Marie discussed the challenges of motherhood and returning to work in music
Revealed struggles with postnatal anxiety and depression after birth of daughter Seven
Praised therapy as a crucial support tool and advised others to seek help
Shared insights into life with two young children and how routines have changed her
Confirmed she will perform at the Women’s Rugby World Cup opening ceremony on 22 August
Anne-Marie opens up about motherhood and mental health
Singer Anne-Marie gave an open and emotional interview on BBC Radio 2 this morning (16 July), speaking to Scott Mills about the mental and physical challenges she has faced after becoming a mother of two. The artist, known for hits including 2002 and Friends, reflected on the impact of motherhood on her mental health and creative life.
Returning to music while raising a family
Anne-Marie revealed that adjusting to life with two children while returning to the music industry has been “really difficult”. She is mother to daughter Seven, aged one, and a baby son who is just two months old.
“Getting back into music and being a mum has been really difficult,” she said during the interview. “Having a second one, it’s like the attention spread of the two is difficult.”
Despite the challenges, she described her children as “the most beautiful little things you’ve ever seen”, adding that moments of calm—such as looking at photos of them while they sleep—make the exhaustion feel worthwhile.
Anxiety and postnatal mental health
The singer spoke frankly about how she experienced intense anxiety after the birth of her first child. “I actually had anxiety so bad when I first had Seven and I didn’t want to be left alone,” she said.
Anne-Marie admitted that she had only been aware of postnatal depression, not postnatal anxiety, until experiencing it herself. She went on to say that her postnatal depression developed around six months after Seven’s birth.
The role of therapy and learning to ask for help
Anne-Marie highlighted the importance of therapy in her recovery. First starting sessions during lockdown, she said she had periods where she paused, particularly after making her third album, believing she no longer needed support. However, after becoming a mother, she returned to therapy and now attends weekly sessions.
“I’m sorry if you saw any of the interviews where I said I don’t need you anymore,” she joked, referring to her therapist. “Can I have you back?!”
She encouraged others to reach out, saying, “Therapy is my best friend. But also tell people, because I never asked for help, and that’s why I got so tired. People think that you’re sweet when you’re pretending to be okay.”
Speaking about the lifestyle shift, Anne-Marie described how routines have become a major part of her day-to-day life. “When I think about routines, it stresses me out. If I don’t do it right, it stresses me out,” she said. “And now I have to make three meals a day to make sure she’s good, you know? So it’s all just a massive change, and now I’m in a routine that’s my life.”
She also reflected on how her body and mind have changed since becoming a mother, saying, “I look different. I feel different. My brain is rewired. I swear everything has changed.”
Looking ahead: TV, sport and live appearances
Anne-Marie also spoke about her daughter recognising her on TV, recent performances at Glastonbury, and practising karate. She confirmed she will be performing at the Women’s Rugby World Cup opening ceremony, which takes place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Friday 22 August.