Sri Lanka's all-powerful Rajapaksa family has completed its bounce back to power by winning a two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections, final results showed on Friday.
The powerful clan has held sway over the island nation's politics for decades, as well as having a major influence in key state institutions such as the national airline and state corporations.
Close relatives have also been appointed to top diplomatic posts abroad.
Here are the key members of the dynasty:
- 'The Patriarch' -
Mahinda Rajapaksa, 74, is the patriarch of the family and served as prime minister in 2004 and then president from 2005 until January 2015.
He was appointed prime minister a second time by his brother Gotabaya in November.
Mahinda is adored by the Sinhala-Buddhist majority for crushing separatist Tamil rebels in May 2009 following a highly controversial military offensive that ended a decades-long civil war.
During his rule Sri Lanka also moved closer to China, borrowing almost $7 billion for infrastructure projects -- many of which turned into white elephants mired in corruption.
- 'The Terminator' -
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 71, was the main lieutenant of Mahinda during his reign, holding the influential post of secretary to the ministry of defence with responsibility for day-to-day control of the armed forces and police.
Dubbed "The Terminator" by his own family, he is feared by foes for his short temper.
He has faced several corruption allegations, but his court cases have been frozen or withdrawn as he enjoys immunity after winning the presidency in 2019.
- 'Mr. Ten Percent' -
Basil Rajapaksa, 69, is a political strategist who managed the economy under Mahinda.
He was called "Mr. Ten Percent" in a BBC interview in reference to commissions he allegedly took from government contracts.
Subsequent administrations failed to prove any charges he syphoned off millions of dollars from state coffers, but he still faces several prosecutions for corruption and unexplained wealth.
As a dual US-Sri Lankan citizen he was prohibited from standing for elected office but is currently a senior adviser to the government.
- 'The Bodyguard' -
Chamal Rajapaksa, 77, was speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament when brother Mahinda was president and is also a former minister of shipping and aviation.
Formerly a police officer, he once served as a personal bodyguard to Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first woman prime minister.
He is expected to continue to serve in the prime minister's cabinet in the new government to be formed after the polls.
- The Scion -
Namal Rajapaksa, 34, a lawyer, is the scion of the family dynasty and the eldest son of Mahinda.
He entered parliament in 2010 aged just 24.
During his father's decade in power, Namal was highly influential although he did not hold any portfolio.
The former administration accused him of money laundering and other corruption charges, for which he still faces trial.
He is expected to play a key role in the new government, and observers say Mahinda is grooming him to become a future president.
Charli XCX, known for her music and rebellious spirit, has just been named Songwriter of the Year at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards. Held at London’s Grosvenor House, the ceremony recognised the people behind the music, including those who write the lyrics, shape the melodies, and craft the tunes that stick with us. And this year, it was Charli’s moment.
In a cheeky acceptance speech, she quoted lyrics from her own song Club Classics: “I wanna dance to me, me, me…” and followed it up by saying, “I’m hardly Bob Dylan.” But behind the humour was a clear truth: she’s worked hard to create something uniquely her own. Her 2024 album Brat captured both chaos and honesty, mixing club-ready beats with raw questions about fame, identity, and relationships. It was not just a hit on the charts; it sparked a wider cultural moment. Even the word “brat” made it into the Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year.
Charli XCX posing after winning Songwriter of the Year at the 2025 IvorsGetty Images
The Ivors, now in their 70th year, celebrate excellence in songwriting, voted for by fellow songwriters. That makes this recognition feel especially real. Brat may not have won Best Album, that went to Berwyn for Who Am I, but Charli’s influence on pop this past year is undeniable. Her music has been everywhere, with her songs reportedly played over 50 times a day across UK airwaves.
The awards also spotlighted new and rising talent. Lola Young won the Rising Star Award, thanks to the success of her gritty hit Messy, while Myles Smith’s Stargazing took home the award for the most-played song of the year. Orla Gartland’s intimate ballad Mine was named Best Song Musically and Lyrically, and Sans Soucis won Best Contemporary Song for Circumnavigating Georgia.
Elsewhere, U2 were honoured with a lifetime fellowship, Brandon Flowers of The Killers won the special international award, and Robbie Williams was celebrated as a music icon.
As Charli XCX said herself, a good song isn’t just about melody; it’s about having a point of view. And with Brat, she’s made hers loud and clear.
MILLIONS of households across Britain will see reduced energy bills starting July, after the regulator Ofgem announced a 7 per cent cut to its price cap. This is the first cut in nearly a year and comes amid ongoing pressure on household budgets.
The price reduction follows data showing inflation rose more than expected in April, highlighting continued concerns over living costs.
Even with the latest cut, domestic energy bills remain about 50 per cent higher than they were in summer 2021. The increase dates back to the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which caused a sharp rise in gas prices across Europe.
Consumer groups said the drop is not enough to make bills affordable for many people.
"Any fall in the price of energy is always welcome news, but this is a short fall from a great height. Bills remain punishingly high for low-income households," said Adam Scorer, chief executive of the charity National Energy Action.
Tim Jarvis, Ofgem’s director general of markets, encouraged people to explore other options. “The first thing I want to remind people is that you don’t have to pay the price cap – there are better deals out there so it’s important to shop around,” he said in a press release. He added that alternative deals could be up to 200 pounds cheaper per year.
Prime minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said he was aware that older people were still feeling the impact of high energy prices. He said he wanted to expand eligibility for winter fuel payments after last year’s reduction.
Ofgem said the new cap would be set at 1,720 pounds a year for average usage of gas and electricity. This marks a fall of 129 pounds from the cap in place for April to June.
The regulator said the cut reflects lower global wholesale prices, along with some changes to supplier business costs.
“Global wholesale prices for energy have gone down. While this is the main cause, changes to supplier business costs have also made an impact on energy prices falling,” Ofgem said in a statement.
The price cap, introduced in 2019, currently covers about 65 per cent of UK households.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Beyond the music industry, the incident has shaken the local community
The global rock music scene is mourning the loss of prominent music agent Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, after he was confirmed among those killed in a devastating small plane crash in San Diego.
The crash occurred on Thursday, 22 May, in the early hours of the morning, when a Cessna 550 aircraft came down in the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood, destroying one home, damaging at least ten others and causing several vehicles to catch fire. Federal officials believe all six people on board the plane perished. Local authorities have so far confirmed two fatalities, though the full death toll is yet to be formally released.
Shapiro, 47, was not only a well-known figure in the music industry, representing bands such as Sum 41, Story of the Year, and Pierce the Veil, but also a seasoned pilot. He was a certified flight instructor with over 15 years of experience and owned Velocity Aviation, a company specialising in private aviation services.
The plane, which departed from New Jersey on Wednesday night, made a refuelling stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing its journey towards San Diego. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the aircraft appeared to hit two power lines while approaching Montgomery Field airport, about 10km north of downtown San Diego, before crashing into the residential area at around 3:45am local time (10:45 GMT).
Also feared to be among the victims is Daniel Williams, former drummer of the Christian metal band The Devil Wears Prada. While his death has not been officially confirmed, he had posted on Instagram from inside the plane hours before the crash. One of the posts reportedly showed him in the co-pilot’s seat alongside Shapiro, as well as the flight number, which matched the one that crashed, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Sound Talent Group released a statement expressing deep grief: “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.” The company confirmed that three of its employees, including Shapiro, were aboard the flight.
Beyond the music industry, the incident has shaken the local community. Around 100 residents in the Murphy Canyon area were evacuated in the aftermath. Eight people on the ground suffered injuries, one of whom was hospitalised. Footage from the scene revealed charred vehicles, flaming debris and significant property damage. Witnesses described the crash as sudden and terrifying.
Local resident Christopher Moore recounted how he and his family were jolted awake by a thunderous explosion. “We saw smoke from the window, grabbed our two children and ran outside. A car was engulfed in flames right there on the street,” he said. Another resident, a marine stationed nearby, told Fox News he heard a strange “whistling and wheezing” sound moments before a “boom” shook his home.
The NTSB has begun a detailed investigation, with specialist Elliot Simpson leading the probe. He confirmed that fragments of the aircraft were found scattered throughout the crash site, including parts of a wing located on a nearby road. However, Simpson stated it was too early to confirm the cause of the crash, including whether the collision with power lines played a direct role.
Shapiro’s death is being felt deeply in both the aviation and music industries. As a talent agent, he was known for his hands-on approach and long-term relationships with artists. He was instrumental in the growth of several rock acts, particularly those with cult followings among younger fans.
- YouTubeYouTube/ FOX 11 Los Angeles
Tributes have poured in from across the music world. The Devil Wears Prada, the band that Williams helped found and performed with for over a decade, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, alongside photos of the drummer on tour and in flight. “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” read the caption.
Shapiro's passion for flying was well known among peers. He often combined business with aviation, frequently piloting his clients and colleagues across the country. His dual careers in music and aviation were a rare blend, and his unexpected death has left a void in both communities.
While aviation incidents involving chartered private jets remain rare, Thursday’s crash is the latest in a series of tragedies involving influential figures travelling on small aircraft. It has renewed conversations about flight safety protocols and the unique pressures of private aviation, especially among public figures and professionals who often rely on such services for convenience.
The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days, with a full investigation to follow. In the meantime, the families of the victims, their colleagues, and fans across the globe are left grappling with the sudden loss of individuals who made a significant impact in their fields.
As investigations continue and tributes grow, Dave Shapiro will be remembered not only as a powerful force in music management but also as a man whose personal and professional passions helped shape the careers of many artists and inspired countless fans.
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General James Hockenhull (L), Keir Starmer and defence secretary John Healey (R), attend a press conference following a deal on the Chagos Islands at Northwood Military Headquarters on May 22, 2025, in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that an agreement had been signed to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while allowing continued UK-US military use of Diego Garcia. The deal was signed after a high court judge cleared it to proceed following a legal challenge.
"A few moments ago, I signed a deal to secure the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia," Starmer said.
The agreement, backed by the US, was described by Starmer as "the only way" to maintain control of the military base on the archipelago's largest island. Britain will pay Mauritius £101 million annually for 99 years to lease the facility, he said.
"There's no alternative but to act in Britain's national interest by agreeing to this deal," he added. Including inflation, the total cost of the lease is expected to be about £3.4 billion.
Starmer said the UK's key allies supported the move. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said in a statement that Washington "welcomes the historic agreement".
Mauritian prime minister Navin Ramgoolam called the deal a "great victory" and said it completed "the process of decolonisation of Mauritius, which began in 1968".
However, the UK’s opposition Conservative party criticised the move, accusing Starmer of having "given away" British territory.
The deal had been delayed earlier in the day after two Chagossian women, Bertrice Pompe and Bernadette Dugasse, secured a temporary injunction in a pre-dawn court hearing. The signing was initially scheduled for 9:00 am (0800 GMT) but was paused.
The government challenged the injunction, stating the deal would need to be signed by 1:00 pm with court approval. Judge Martin Chamberlain lifted the ban shortly after 12:30 pm, saying there was a "very strong case" that delaying the deal would harm the UK’s national and public interest.
Starmer said Britain had no guarantee of maintaining the base without an agreement, as legal rulings had cast doubt on UK sovereignty over the islands. He said the deal would prevent other nations, including China, from establishing bases or conducting joint exercises near Diego Garcia.
Outside the court, Pompe said it was a "very, very sad day". "We don't want to hand our rights over to Mauritius. We are not Mauritians," she said.
The Chagos Islands remained under British control after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s. Thousands of islanders were removed, with many seeking compensation through UK courts.
Pompe, a British national born on the Chagos Islands, said she had been "forcibly removed from the Chagos Islands by the British authorities between 1967 and 1973". She said many others were left in poverty in Mauritius and faced long-term discrimination.
She added that the new agreement could "jeopardise" her current limited rights to visit the islands, including visits to family graves.
The Diego Garcia base, leased to the US, is a key military asset in the Asia-Pacific and has supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Ministry of Defence said a 24-nautical mile buffer zone will be enforced, where no construction or placement of material can happen without UK consent.
Defence secretary John Healey told parliament that MPs would be allowed to scrutinise the deal before its ratification.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice advised that the UK should hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius, following decades of legal disputes.
India welcomes UK's decision
India on Thursday welcomed the UK's decision to hand over the sovereignty of Chagos Islands including tropical atoll of Diego Garcia to Mauritius.
In its reaction, India said it has consistently supported Mauritius's "legitimate claim" over the Chagos Archipelago in keeping with its principled position on "decolonisation, respect for sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of nations".
We welcome the signing of the treaty between the UK and Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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A former Hertfordshire officer resigned before his misconduct ruling
A FORMER Hertfordshire police officer made racist comments to colleagues on multiple occasions, a misconduct panel has found.
PC Oliver Gobey, who resigned as an officer on the morning of the misconduct hearing, directed racist comments at people of Asian descent on two separate occasions.
In the first incident, he directed a “racially motivated” comment at a police sergeant to suggest they had been recruited after 9/11 because they were Asian.
Gobey was immediately challenged by PC Wallace, an “experienced officer” who had been a tutor constable for twenty years.
In a second incident, Gobey was in a police vehicle in Hitchin town centre with three colleagues. A man of Asian descent and his friends approached the officers and spoke to Wallace. The man said he was from Birmingham and asked for recommendations on places to visit.
After the man had walked away, Gobey said: “Or you have come down here to escape the honour-based violence you have caused.”Gobey was again challenged by Wallace. Gobey denied making the racist comments, but the panel concluded on the balance of probabilities that both incidents had taken place.
The panel’s report said: “They were discriminatory comments and they were his own. They were unprovoked. No one encouraged him.”
The panel also concluded that Gobey “chose to lie” about a business interest. He repeatedly failed to submit a proper application to continue part-time work for a private ambulance service and voluntary work for St John Ambulance, but continued with the latter regardless.
He also told a supervisor his business interest application had been successful, when it had not been.
In a fourth incident, Gobey “deliberately typed in random numbers” when assigned to work in the Resource Management Unit (RMU).
His figures, which were found to be wrong, came after Gobey “gave the impression to his colleagues that the work in RMY was ‘beneath’ him”.
While working there, he was heard “swearing about the work”. He was “short-tempered and ‘snappy’.” The panel’s report said: “The compilation of the figures … were far from being a simple administrative matter.
“It was essential operational information required by senior officers to decide how scarce resources would be deployed in the coming days.”
The panel found all the allegations against Gobey to be proven on the balance of probabilities, and concluded that they amounted to “serious gross misconduct” that would have led to him being sacked without notice if he had not resigned. He has also been added to the College of Policing barred list.
A former Hertfordshire officer resigned before his misconduct ruling
‘Former Hertfordshire police officer made racist slurs against Asians'
A FORMER Hertfordshire police officer made racist comments to colleagues on multiple occasions, a misconduct panel has found.
PC Oliver Gobey, who resigned as an officer on the morning of the misconduct hearing, directed racist comments at people of Asian descent on two separate occasions.
In the first incident, he directed a “racially motivated” comment at a police sergeant to suggest they had been recruited after 9/11 because they were Asian.
Gobey was immediately challenged by PC Wallace, an “experienced officer” who had been a tutor constable for twenty years.
In a second incident, Gobey was in a police vehicle in Hitchin town centre with three colleagues. A man of Asian descent and his friends approached the officers and spoke to Wallace. The man said he was from Birmingham and asked for recommendations on places to visit.
After the man had walked away, Gobey said: “Or you have come down here to escape the honour-based violence you have caused.”Gobey was again challenged by Wallace. Gobey denied making the racist comments, but the panel concluded on the balance of probabilities that both incidents had taken place.
The panel’s report said: “They were discriminatory comments and they were his own. They were unprovoked. No one encouraged him.”
The panel also concluded that Gobey “chose to lie” about a business interest. He repeatedly failed to submit a proper application to continue part-time work for a private ambulance service and voluntary work for St John Ambulance, but continued with the latter regardless.
He also told a supervisor his business interest application had been successful, when it had not been.
In a fourth incident, Gobey “deliberately typed in random numbers” when assigned to work in the Resource Management Unit (RMU).
His figures, which were found to be wrong, came after Gobey “gave the impression to his colleagues that the work in RMY was ‘beneath’ him”.
While working there, he was heard “swearing about the work”. He was “short-tempered and ‘snappy’.” The panel’s report said: “The compilation of the figures … were far from being a simple administrative matter.
“It was essential operational information required by senior officers to decide how scarce resources would be deployed in the coming days.”
The panel found all the allegations against Gobey to be proven on the balance of probabilities, and concluded that they amounted to “serious gross misconduct” that would have led to him being sacked without notice if he had not resigned. He has also been added to the College of Policing barred list.
(Local Democracy Reporting Service)