Few days back, Akshata and her father Narayana Murthy were seen having ice cream at a popular joint in Bengaluru
By Vibhuti PathakFeb 28, 2024
Akshata Murty, wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and daughter of prominent industrialist couple, Narayan and Sudha Murthy was spotted in the Indian city of Bengaluru with her family. She was seen casually roaming around in an area, Raghvendra Mutt with her parents and her daughters Anoushka and Krishna.
She was checking out books at the mutt in casual clothes without a visible security detail. The video went viral on social media and was covered by Indian media houses. The family was spotted in casual outfits, netizens reacted to the video by appreciating their simplicity.
Their simplicity shines through, with no security in sight," X user @GuruPra18160849 wrote while sharing the video.
— (@)
Infosys duo, Narayan Murthy and Sudha Murthy were previously appreciated for their simplicity, seems like this has been percolated to the next generations. The time is unknown when the video was shot.
But this is not the first time the Murthy family has earned praise for their simplicity. Previously, the father-daughter duo were seen having ice cream at a popular joint in Bengaluru.
"Three Bengaluru icons in the same picture. N R Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys, Akshata Murty, First Lady of Great Britain and Corner House the finest ice cream joint of Bengaluru!!" an X user wrote while sharing the picture.
Akshata has gained attention not only for her political ties but also for her visits to India. She accompanied her husband during his inaugural visit to the country for the G20 Summit last year.
This was Sunak's first visit to India since becoming prime minister of the United Kingdom.
During the visit to the temple, the two were greeted by swamis (priests), as well as senior leaders from the Akshardham Mandir, who relayed a special message on behalf of Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
Sunak spent almost one hour at the temple as he performed 'darshan and puja' there.
Gukesh, as the reigning world champion, is not in the Candidates race, and his participation will be for prize money and rating points. (Photo: Getty Images)
GOA will host the Chess World Cup from October 30 to November 27. The FIDE World Cup 2025 carries a prize fund of USD 2 million and offers three qualifying spots for next year’s Candidates tournament.
The 206-player field includes world champion D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and R Praggnanandhaa. However, Gukesh, as the reigning world champion, is not in the Candidates race, and his participation will be for prize money and rating points.
India has 21 players in the list, among them five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who qualified through the June 2025 FIDE rating list. Anand has not played classical chess for some time, leaving uncertainty over his participation.
The event returns to India after 23 years. It was last held in Hyderabad in 2002, when Anand won the title. Indian chess has since expanded, with players like Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin among the qualified entries.
The World Cup will follow a two-game knockout format over eight rounds. Each round consists of two classical games, with rapid and blitz tie-breaks if required. The top 50 seeds will start from the second round with byes, while players ranked 51 to 206 will face off in the first round on top-half vs bottom-half pairings.
“Every round is win-or-go-home, making the World Cup one of the most dramatic tournaments on the calendar,” FIDE said on its website on Tuesday.
FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich said, “India has become one of the strongest chess nations, with outstanding players and passionate fans. After the success of the FIDE Women's World Cup held in Georgia earlier this year, we are proud to bring the FIDE World Cup to Goa.”
“It will be a celebration of chess, and a unique experience for players and spectators from around the world. The representatives of 90+ countries are expected to take part, and it will be one of the most followed events in chess history,” he added.
AICF president Nitin Narang said, “The World Cup will not only inspire millions across the country but also showcase India's growing stature as a global hub for chess.”
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A general view of the Pashupatinath temple complex in Kathmandu on August 27, 2025.
NEPAL’s Supreme Court has ruled that Hindu holy men who follow the tradition of remaining unclothed cannot be barred from entering the Pashupatinath temple. The court said that nudity, when practised as a religious custom, is not the same as obscenity.
The ruling concerns the Naga sadhus, ascetics devoted to Lord Shiva who renounce family ties and worldly possessions, including clothing. Covered in ash and wearing dreadlocks, they are a familiar sight at the temple during major festivals.
“I want to thank the Supreme Court,” said 45-year-old Eakadasa Baba, who travelled from India on a pilgrimage to the temple. “It does not mean we roam around the city or villages without clothes. We remain unclothed only in our own place, within the temple,” he added.
The case arose from a petition seeking to stop their temple entry, claiming their nudity disturbed other devotees. The court dismissed it, saying: “Nudity and obscenity are not the same. Nudity, when practised as part of religious or cultural tradition, cannot automatically be considered offensive.”
The judgment, issued last year, was published this week, court spokesperson Nirajan Pandey said.
Hundreds of Naga sadhus visit Kathmandu every year for the Maha Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath. Many stay on at the temple after the event, which is held in February or March. The temple provides food and a travel allowance to the sadhus.
Rajendra Giri, a 51-year-old Nepali Naga sadhu, said their tradition does not “disturb” anyone.
“They have designated spaces and follow strict disciplines,” cultural historian Govinda Tandon said. “As the court rightly noted, their nudity is not obscenity, it’s a core part of the Naga tradition.”
The court said banning their entry would violate national and international protections of religious freedom.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Chris Columbus says leaked photos of Hagrid in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot felt like déjà vu
Original Harry Potter director Chris Columbus says leaked set photos of HBO’s series left him unimpressed.
Columbus noted Hagrid’s costume looks “exactly the same” as Robbie Coltrane’s in the films.
The filmmaker said he felt déjà vu, asking “What’s the point?” of the reboot.
HBO’s Harry Potter remake is set to debut in 2027, with Nick Frost playing Hagrid.
Chris Columbus, the director who first brought Harry Potter to the big screen, has questioned the point of HBO’s upcoming television reboot after seeing set photos of Hagrid. Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Columbus said the images reminded him too closely of his own work, raising doubts about why the Harry Potter reboot was necessary at all. His comments have reignited discussion about how faithfully the new series should mirror the original films.
Chris Columbus says leaked photos of Hagrid in HBO’s Harry Potter reboot felt like déjà vu Instagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial/ Getty Images
Why did Chris Columbus criticise the Harry Potter reboot?
Columbus, who directed Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, said he was struck by how little seemed to have changed in the HBO production. Referring to leaked pictures of Nick Frost as Hagrid, he explained: “I’m seeing these photographs and he’s wearing the exact same costume we designed for Hagrid. Part of me was like, what’s the point? I thought everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same.”
He admitted that while it was flattering to see his original design carried forward, it left him with a strong sense of déjà vu.
‘Harry Potter’ reboot slammed by Chris Columbus as pointless after Hagrid costume looks unchangedGetty Images
Who is playing Hagrid in the HBO Harry Potter series?
British actor Nick Frost, best known for films such as Shaun of the Dead, has taken on the role of Rubeus Hagrid in the new Harry Potter reboot. The late Robbie Coltrane famously originated the character in the film franchise, becoming a fan favourite.
Columbus revealed he recently spoke with Frost and admitted it felt “surreal” to see another actor in the role, especially as he was close friends with Coltrane. The new costume design, which mirrors the original, has sparked debate online about whether HBO is playing it too safe.
Nick Frost takes on the role of Hagrid in the upcoming Harry Potter HBO seriesInstagram/harrypotterhbonotofficial
What can fans expect from the HBO Harry Potter series?
Unlike the films, the HBO reboot will adapt each book across a full season, allowing the show to explore characters and subplots left out of the cinema versions. One example Columbus highlighted was Peeves the poltergeist, a comic figure from J.K. Rowling’s novels who never made it to the big screen due to technical challenges.
The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, and Paapa Essiedu have also joined the ensemble. The show is currently in production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK and is expected to premiere in 2027.
The new trio cast as Harry, Hermione and Ron step into a world where childhood and fame rarely mix well Instagram/harrypotter/Getty Images
Has Chris Columbus moved on from Harry Potter?
Despite his criticisms, Columbus was clear that he harbours no envy towards the new creative team. “Jealous? No. It’s time to move on,” he said, adding that he was proud of his films but did not want to revisit the franchise.
Columbus is currently promoting his latest project, Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club, based on Richard Osman’s bestselling crime novels. He also recently voiced disappointment at J.K. Rowling’s public stance on transgender rights, calling her views “very sad.”
For him, the Harry Potter reboot is both a reminder of his legacy and a sign that the wizarding world will continue to be reimagined for new generations, whether or not all fans agree with HBO’s choices.
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Currently, rental income is exempt from national insurance, which is charged at 8 per cent on employee earnings.
THE TREASURY is considering extending national insurance to rental income in the autumn budget, a move that could raise about £2bn.
Currently, rental income is exempt from national insurance, which is charged at 8 per cent on employee earnings.
Labour insiders told The Times that property income was “a significant potential extra source of funds” and landlords were seen as a way of targeting “unearned revenue”.
A Guardian analysis earlier this month found that four cabinet ministers, including the chancellor Rachel Reeves, had declared rental income in the MPs’ register of interests.
One in eight MPs reported rental income in the past year, including 43 Labour MPs, 27 Conservatives and seven Liberal Democrats.
Estate agents have warned that speculation on property taxes in Reeves’s budget could dampen demand in the housing market. Zoopla said it “may make some buyers consider a wait-and-see strategy”.
The Guardian also reported that Reeves is weighing a tax on home sales over £500,000, replacing stamp duty with a national property tax, and possibly replacing council tax in the future. She is also considering removing the capital gains tax exemption for primary residences above £1.5m.
Education minister Stephen Morgan said on Times Radio and Sky News that it was not for him to comment on speculation.
A Treasury spokesperson said the government’s focus was on growing the economy while keeping taxes for working people low.
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Each character in the set has been carefully designed to reflect cultural narratives
British-Bangladeshi prop maker Anika Chowdhury has designed a handcrafted glow-in-the-dark chess set celebrating heritage and identity.
The limited-edition set, called Glowborne, launches on Kickstarter in October.
Each piece draws from South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African cultural references, re-rooting chess in its origins.
The project blends art, storytelling, and representation, aiming to spark conversations about identity in play.
Reimagining chess through heritage
When Anika Chowdhury sat down to sculpt her first chess piece, she had a bigger vision than simply redesigning a classic game. A British-Bangladeshi prop maker working in the film industry, she grew up loving fantasy and games but rarely saw faces like hers in Western storytelling.
“Chess originated in India, travelled through Arabia and North Africa, and was later Westernised,” she explains. “I wanted to bring those forgotten origins back to the board.”
The result is Glowborne — a limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark fantasy chess set that blends craft, identity and cultural pride.
Anika Chowdhury says she has many ideas to further fuse craft and culture in future projects Glowborne
Crafting Glowborne
Each character in the set has been carefully designed to reflect cultural narratives: Bengali kings and pawns, Indian bishops with bindis, Arab knights, and African queens. Chowdhury sculpted each piece by hand, drawing on her prop-making training at the National Film and Television School.
Once sculpted, the pieces were cast in resin, painted, and finished with South Asian-inspired motifs filled with glow-in-the-dark pigment. “The characters glow both literally and metaphorically,” she says, “as a chance for them to take the stage.”
Cultural pride and visibility
For Chowdhury, the project is about more than gameplay. “Fantasy doesn’t need to fit into the Western mould to tell a great story,” she says. “South Asian, Middle Eastern and African stories are just as powerful, and they can transform something as traditional as chess by reconnecting it with its roots.”
She hopes Glowborne will resonate with South Asian and Eastern African communities as a celebration of identity and belonging. At the same time, she sees it as a bridge for wider audiences — chess enthusiasts, collectors, and design lovers who appreciate craftsmanship and storytelling.
A personal journey
Chowdhury’s career in film and prop-making has influenced her creative process, but Glowborne marks her first independent project. She created it outside her film work, after hours and on weekends.
“At 28, I finally feel like I’ve found my voice,” she reflects. “For a long time I felt pressure to hide my identity, but now I see my culture as a superpower. This project is about using art to express that.”
Looking ahead
Launching this October on Kickstarter as a collector’s edition, Glowborne is only the beginning. Chowdhury says she has many ideas to further fuse craft and culture in future projects. “This is the proof of concept,” she says. “I can’t wait to create more stories that blend heritage, art and play.”