WHEN you consider the arts and culture, do you think of the British Army?
For many, the answer is probably no. But the military actively encourages engagement with the sector, with countless artists serving in the Army throughout its entire history. Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Faux is the British Army’s lead for arts engagement and her role is to bring communities together using the creative industry.
Lt Col Faux admitted people are typically surprised when they learn about her role as SO1 Arts. Some assume her job relates to art therapy. In fact, she describes herself as “the bridge for the creative into the military.”
The British Army has previously engaged with arts organisations such as Punjab Arts (pictured during an exhibition of the work of Juss Kaur)
“Arts engagement is about opening up those conversations that are quite difficult to have sometimes,” she told Eastern Eye. “If you can get through that barrier by putting on a play or perform a piece of music on race or religion, people can discuss it afterward and the conversation will open up.
“My role gives people access to the British Army and soldiers – for instance, if they want to do exhibitions or any arts-related project on the armed forces. I engage with audiences who wouldn’t normally come near the Army.”
Throughout her career, she has worked with several high-profile artists and organisations, including former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion and documentary photographer Martin Parr. She has also partnered with several south Asian arts companies, including Punjab Arts and the dance organisation, Akademi.
Lt Col Faux, who joined the military in the early 1990s, helps enhance any artistic talents among soldiers, too. “I encourage them and tell them, ‘you can do this,’” she said. “Arts truly opens up your mind, which I think is brilliant.”
Bhangra Dance London joined Capt Dal Virdee and Cpl Singh in Southall to perform Bhangra Dance, to share their passion with their military colleagues
A passionate educator, Lt Col Faux is currently working with various external organisations looking at the role of women in war. She believes the female contribution has been largely forgotten throughout history. Highlighting a painting, The Relief of Lucknow, from 1859, she explained how the artwork depicts the second relief of Lucknow in 1857, where the Indian city was besieged by Indian rebels against the British Army.
“In the painting, the women are on bended knee as if to say, ‘my hero, you’ve come to save us,’” she said. “But these women probably contributed so much during the war – doing the cooking, loading rifles, helping in the hospitals. But there is no imagery to show that.”
Her aim is to leave a “complete history” for the generations to come. “I want my daughters and their daughters to look at it from a more advanced standpoint than what we’ve got at the moment,” she said.
Lt Col Faux has been working during the pandemic, using art to highlight the goings-on of the past 12 months. She worked with artists to capture images where Covid testing and immunisation drives are taking place. In collaboration with the National Army Museum, the project aims to focus on the experiences of individuals during the past year. For Lt Col Faux, it was also an opportunity to see the “people behind the NHS”.
“Through the arts, I’ve had an opportunity to look at the NHS from a different perspective,” she said. “It’s not just about the organisation, and what it might stand for – it’s about the people, as they are key to this.”
The army engage with events to celebrate religious events, such as Saragarhi Day. (Pictured in 2019)
The former British Army media specialist added: “It’s so important to learn about other people’s lives and not lump them together because of perceptions put out there.”
While capturing images during the pandemic, Lt Col Faux’s team ensured they approached the project with sensitivity. It is essential to treat people with empathy and not be intrusive, she said. “You don’t know what they are thinking at that particular time, you don’t know anything about why they’re at a testing centre,” she explained. “They all have stories we don’t know anything about and we have to be sensitive to that.”
Lt Col Faux spoke of her "privilege" when people share their experiences with her, acknowledging that for many “it may be the only conversation they have”. However, she admitted it can be difficult to ask certain questions.
“From a moral perspective, I find it quite hard,” said Lt Col Faux, who was previously a war photographer during the Croat–Bosniak War in the 1990s. “But if you do not document it, then it’s not there. So, I think that’s why it is so important to do this. It’s a battlefield that’s on our home turf, we just can’t see what it is that we are fighting as such.”
Asked what she would say to any creatives considering a career in the military, Lt Col Faux said she would “fully encourage” them to pursue it. “There are countless opportunities to do so many creative roles in the British Army,” she said, noting that anyone from a chef to a designer could work in the armed forces.
“I joined the army because I wanted to become a war photographer, but when I got here, I actually found I enjoyed (being in the military) and I then did photography on the side. I think that you can absolutely combine your two passions.”
INDIAN cricket has signed Apollo Tyres as its new lead sponsor after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract following a government ban on online gambling.
The men's team travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing Asia Cup without a sponsor on their shirts after Dream11 exited the deal, which was worth about $44 million and was set to run until 2026.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. While the value was not disclosed, the board said it is higher than the previous deal.
"The new partnership, secured after a rigorous bidding process, represents a substantial increase in sponsorship value, signifying the immense and growing commercial appeal of Indian cricket," the BCCI said in a statement.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said, "We are excited about this being Apollo's first major sponsorship in India cricket, which speaks volumes about the sport's unparalleled reach and influence. This is more than a commercial agreement; it's a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions."
Apollo Tyres Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar said, "Cricket's unmatched popularity in India and worldwide makes it an honour for us to become the national team lead sponsor of Team India."
The Apollo Tyres logo will appear on the jerseys of the Indian men's and women's teams across all formats.
Last month, the Indian parliament passed a law banning online gambling. The government said gambling platforms had caused financial distress, addiction and even suicide, and were linked to fraud, money laundering and terrorism financing. Fantasy sports apps such as Dream11 continue to operate, though for prizes and not cash.
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Sydney Sweeney reportedly offered £45m for a leading role in a major Bollywood film
The package includes £35m in fees and £10M in sponsorship deals
Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026 across New York, Paris, London, and Dubai
The project could make Sweeney one of the highest-paid Hollywood stars to join Indian cinema
A record-breaking offer
Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney has reportedly been approached with a staggering £45M deal to star in one of the most expensive Bollywood films ever produced.
The 28-year-old Euphoria and The White Lotus star is said to have been offered £35m in fees plus an additional £10m through sponsorship agreements.
Details of the proposed project
The untitled film would cast Sweeney as a young American celebrity who falls in love with an Indian star. Filming is expected to begin early next year, with international locations including New York, Paris, London, and Dubai.
Industry insiders describe the project as an effort to bring Indian cinema to an even larger global audience, with Sweeney’s involvement seen as a move to elevate its international appeal.
Industry perspective
A source close to the negotiations said: “Sydney was shocked by the offer at first — £45m is an incredible sum. But the project is intriguing, and it could elevate her global profile even further. Nothing has been decided yet, but it’s a huge opportunity and she is weighing her options carefully.”
A step into Bollywood
If she accepts, Sweeney would join other international stars who have crossed into Bollywood, including Priyanka Chopra and Shilpa Shetty. The Indian film industry has increasingly sought crossover projects to expand its global reach.
Recent career highlights
Sweeney, who rose to fame on HBO’s Euphoria and The White Lotus, has recently been building her film career. Her latest project, Christy, sees her portraying US boxing champion Christy Martin, the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Speaking about the physically demanding role, Sweeney said: “Every single fight you see, we’re actually punching each other. I always believed that you wouldn’t be able to make it feel real if it’s a stunt double or if it’s faking the hits.” Christy is set for release on November 7.
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Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports
China’s Cyberspace Administration has reportedly ordered tech firms to stop using Nvidia’s AI chips
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says he is “disappointed” but will remain “patient”
Huang is visiting the UK alongside other tech leaders during Donald Trump’s state visit
Nvidia became the world’s first $4tn company earlier in 2025 amid the AI boom
Huang responds to reported China directive
Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports that China has told its leading technology firms to halt purchases of the company’s artificial intelligence chips.
Speaking to reporters in the UK, Huang added that he would remain “patient” in light of the reported order from China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration. “There are a lot of places we can’t go to, and that’s fine,” he said.
Background to chip restrictions
Nvidia is the world’s leading chipmaker, central to the global AI boom with its processors powering data centres worldwide. China, meanwhile, has been working to develop its own semiconductors as part of a broader AI strategy to reduce reliance on US technology.
The company had already faced restrictions in China. Its most advanced chips were previously banned from sale to the country before US President Donald Trump reversed the decision in July. As part of an unusual arrangement, Nvidia must pay 15% of its Chinese revenues to the US government.
Financial Times report
According to the Financial Times, China’s Cyberspace Administration recently told domestic technology firms — including major players such as DeepSeek, Tencent and Alibaba — to stop buying Nvidia’s specially designed China-market chips.
Shares in Nvidia were down more than 1% in pre-market trading following the news.
Support for US policy
Asked about the geopolitical tensions, Huang said he would support the US as it sought to resolve the issues and would convey the same message directly to President Trump if asked.
Huang is one of several technology leaders, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, attending Trump’s state visit to the UK. They are expected to join a state banquet on Wednesday evening.
UK investment and tech collaboration
Despite the reported setback in China, Nvidia has continued to expand its footprint elsewhere. The company recently announced it would supply chips to the Stargate UK data centre, a major project in north-east England involving OpenAI, Arm and NScale. The commitment forms part of a broader UK-US technology pact.
Valuation milestone
Nvidia became the first company in the world to surpass a $4tn (£2.9tn) market valuation earlier this year, underscoring its dominance in the AI sector even as geopolitical tensions shape its global reach.
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Tagenarine Chanderpaul. (Photo by PAT HOELSCHER/AFP via Getty Images)
BATSMEN Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze were recalled to the West Indies ranks when they were named in the squad to tour India on Tuesday (16) while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre is included for the first time.
The two-Test series, with matches in Ahmedabad and Delhi, marks the West Indies' first tour to India since 2018 and forms part of the World Test Championship.
Neither Chanderpaul nor Athanaze were involved in the recent series against Australia but have been included to bolster the top-order batting.
"The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order given the recent struggles, with Alick Athanaze being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling," said head coach Daren Sammy.
Pierre, meanwhile, has been included as the second specialist spinner in the squad after strong performances in the West Indies championship, where he claimed a chart-topping 41 wickets at an average of 13.56.
"Khary is included for the first time as our second spinner in what we expect to be helpful conditions," said Sammy.
Another left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who has not figured since the second Test against Pakistan in Multan in January, has been rested for this red-ball series to focus on the upcoming limited-overs schedule which includes the T20 World Cup in February and March.
West Indies, who are ranked eighth in the Test rankings, face a stiff test against the fourth-ranked side who are always so strong on home soil.
"Playing in the subcontinent always presents a challenge and we have selected a team to be competitive in these conditions." said Sammy.