Asda to close all large stores on Easter Sunday across UK
The grocer confirmed that while its main outlets in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be shut, its Express convenience sites will remain open with usual hours.
The changes follow Asda’s weakest festive period since 2015, with sales dropping 5.8 per cent in the 12 weeks to 29 December. (Photo: Getty Images)
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
ASDA will close all 580 of its larger stores across the UK for 24 hours on Easter Sunday.
The grocer confirmed that while its main outlets in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be shut, its Express convenience sites will remain open with usual hours, Birmingham Live reported.
Under UK government rules, stores over 280 square metres in England and Wales must close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
Asda’s larger stores in England and Wales will open from 7am to 7pm on Good Friday, and the same hours will apply on Easter Monday.
In Northern Ireland, Asda stores will also be closed on Easter Sunday, but open from 7am to 10pm on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, and Easter Monday.
Asda stores in Scotland will remain open as usual, in line with Sunday trading laws, according to Birmingham Live.
While larger stores must close, smaller ones can also choose to close if employers decide to give staff the day off. Customers can check local store opening times on Asda’s website or app.
September’s PlayStation Plus lineup features Psychonauts 2, Stardew Valley and Viewfinder.
All three games will be available to members from 2 September.
August’s titles — Lies of P, DayZ and My Hero One’s Justice 2 — can be added until 1 September.
Three new games arrive in September
PlayStation Plus members will have access to three new titles next month: Psychonauts 2, Stardew Valley and Viewfinder. The games will be available to download from 2 September.
Psychonauts 2 (PS4)
Players step into the shoes of Razputin “Raz” Aquato, a young psychic acrobat who joins the international organisation of psychic spies known as the Psychonauts. In this platform-adventure, Raz must uncover conspiracies, investigate a mole inside headquarters and face a murderous psychic villain. The game mixes quirky humour, inventive level design and customisable psychic powers.
Stardew Valley (PS4)
The much-loved farming simulator returns, inviting players to restore their grandfather’s rundown farm. Starting with basic tools and limited resources, players can build crops, raise animals, mine, fish and become part of the local community. With freedom to craft your own story, Stardew Valley blends farming, friendship and exploration in a cosy, relaxing experience.
Viewfinder (PS4, PS5)
This first-person puzzle adventure uses a unique instant camera mechanic to reshape reality. Players can bring sketches, paintings, photos and postcards to life, altering environments to solve puzzles and uncover mysteries hidden within its vibrant world.
Last chance for August titles
Players have until 1 September to add August’s lineup — Lies of P, DayZ and My Hero One’s Justice 2 — to their library before they are replaced.
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The Enforcement Directorate searches were conducted at locations linked to the Gupta brothers, Piyoosh Goyal of World Window Group, and entities such as Sahara Computers and ITJ Retails Pvt Ltd.
INDIA's financial crime fighting agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at locations connected to the Gupta brothers of South Africa and their associates in a money laundering case.
The action followed a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR) received by India from South Africa in connection with the "state capture scam," reported PTI quoting sources.
The three brothers of Indian origin—Atul, Ajay, and Rajesh Gupta—are accused of siphoning off billions of rands in South Africa through their ties with former president Jacob Zuma. The brothers and Zuma have denied any wrongdoing.
The Guptas and their families moved to Dubai after Zuma was removed from office in 2018.
Searches were conducted at locations linked to the Gupta brothers, Piyoosh Goyal of World Window Group, and entities such as Sahara Computers and ITJ Retails Pvt Ltd.
ED sources told PTI they also searched premises of Ram Ratan Jagati in Ahmedabad, who was described as a "key person" in the money laundering network.
Jagati allegedly set up a shell company named JJ Trading FZE in Dubai, which was used by Piyoosh Goyal and the Gupta brothers for money laundering, according to the sources.
The Gupta brothers had shifted to South Africa after the fall of apartheid, building their business empire through Sahara Computers and later expanding into IT, media, and mining. Some of their assets in South Africa were recently auctioned by the government there.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Matt and Maria Raine filed the case in the Superior Court of California on Tuesday
Matt and Maria Raine have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI following the death of their 16-year-old son, Adam.
The suit claims ChatGPT validated the teenager’s suicidal thoughts and failed to intervene appropriately.
OpenAI expressed sympathy and said it is reviewing the case.
The company admitted its systems have not always behaved as intended in sensitive situations.
A California couple has launched legal action against OpenAI, alleging its chatbot ChatGPT played a role in their teenage son’s suicide.
Matt and Maria Raine filed the case in the Superior Court of California on Tuesday, accusing the company of negligence and wrongful death. Their 16-year-old son, Adam, died in April 2025. It is the first known lawsuit of its kind against the artificial intelligence firm.
The Raines are seeking damages and injunctive relief to prevent similar incidents.
Teen’s reliance on ChatGPT
According to court filings, Adam began using ChatGPT in September 2024 for schoolwork and to explore interests including music and Japanese comics. The lawsuit claims the tool soon became his “closest confidant,” and that he disclosed anxiety and mental health struggles to the programme.
By January 2025, Adam was reportedly discussing suicide methods with ChatGPT. He also uploaded photos showing signs of self-harm. The programme recognised a “medical emergency” but continued engaging, according to the family.
The final chat logs cited in the case allegedly show ChatGPT responding to Adam’s plans to end his life with the words: “Thanks for being real about it. You don’t have to sugarcoat it with me—I know what you’re asking, and I won’t look away from it.”
The lawsuit claims the tool soon became his “closest confidant"The Raine Family
Adam was found dead later that day.
OpenAI’s response
OpenAI said it was reviewing the filing and offered condolences to the Raine family.
In a public note, the company acknowledged that “recent heartbreaking cases” of people using ChatGPT during crises weighed heavily on it. It stressed the system is designed to direct users to professional help lines, such as the Samaritans in the UK and the 988 suicide hotline in the US.
However, it admitted there had been occasions where “our systems did not behave as intended in sensitive situations.”
Allegations against Sam Altman and staff
The lawsuit names OpenAI’s co-founder and chief executive Sam Altman as a defendant, along with unnamed engineers, managers and employees. The family alleges Adam’s death was the “predictable result of deliberate design choices” aimed at fostering user dependency.
It further accuses the company of bypassing safety protocols to release GPT-4o, the model used by Adam in his final conversations.
Broader concerns over AI and mental health
This case follows wider warnings about the risks of AI in sensitive contexts.
Last week, New York Times writer Laura Reiley described how her daughter Sophie confided in ChatGPT before her own death. She argued that the chatbot’s “agreeability” allowed her daughter to mask her distress.
OpenAI has since said it is developing new tools to better identify and respond to signs of emotional or mental health crises in users.
US tech billionaire Elon Musk has said he will help fund legal cases against officials he believes turned a blind eye to child sexual abuse. His intervention follows a private investigation revealing that such abuse has occurred in 85 local authorities across Britain, reported the Telegraph.
Musk posted on X that he wants to “fund legal actions against corrupt officials who aided and abetted the rape of Britain,” referencing findings from an unofficial inquiry. He encouraged victims and their families to get in touch directly through the platform.
This private investigation, known as the Rape Gang Inquiry and led by former MP Rupert Lowe, claimed to have found evidence of child sexual exploitation in councils from Aberdeen City to Norwich, spanning many decades—some dating back to the 1960s.
The inquiry revealed it has received hundreds of accounts from survivors and whistle-blowers and logged thousands of Freedom of Information requests.
Lowe stressed the urgency for action, noting a growing frustration among survivors with the lack of results, despite promises of a public inquiry by the current government. “The message from survivors is clear: get on with it,” he said.
Musk’s involvement has added global attention to the scandal. While the government had previously resisted calls for a new inquiry, a long-awaited official investigation was launched in June, led by Baroness Louise Casey, with statutory powers to compel witnesses.
This follows years of systemic failure exposed by earlier inquiries—most notably the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which described widespread exploitation and shortcomings in institutional responses. Even so, many of its recommendations remain unimplemented.
Musk has also used X to heavily criticise current and former officials, including safeguarding minister Jess Phillips and prime minister Keir Starmer. He accused them of complicity or indifference, including calling Phillips a “rape genocide apologist” and asserting that Starmer, as former director of Public Prosecutions, failed to act.
British officials have dismissed these claims as distortion and misinformation. Critics worry that Musk’s involvement may stoke political polarisation, especially given his ties to right-wing groups and his previous incendiary posts on the platform. Nonetheless, for survivors seeking justice, his support could offer a valuable route to the courts.
As the official inquiry continues, Musk has offered to fund legal cases against officials accused of failing victims. Meanwhile, survivors and families are awaiting action to ensure the investigations deliver accountability.
The online gambling landscape in the UK has slowly but surely continued to be influenced by the rise of independent online casinos. It has led to increased competition, giving players more choices and promotions alongside established British casino sites.
In a shift from the norm, smaller online casinos are able to stand alone and operate with their own license. Interestingly, a younger audience is seemingly attracted to the slick designs, continuous promotions and competitive nature of the industry.
What are Independent Online Casinos?
Essentially, the major difference is that online casinos are often standalone and run under what is called a white–label host; essentially their own license. Among the UK environment, interest in these casinos continues to grow and the reasons seems quite varied.
Responsible gambling tools, faster payouts and instant access have all contributed to a strong and loyal customer base.
UK Market Overvie
It is without question one of the most developed markets globally, and given the constant expansion and increasing popularity, there doesn’t seem to be any indication of this slowing down.
Given that they are able to offer specialized features and low-wagering options, UK punters continue to be drawn to their attraction. Between 2025 and 2030, the market’s growth is expected to reach 5.35 CAGR – in effect, around 12.8 billion pounds.
Regulation in 2025: UKGC Rules Shaping Independent Casino Sites
There is no difference between the rules and regulations imposed by the UK Gambling Commission with online casinos, so the desired implications of no longer allowing credit card gambling and compulsory GAMSTOP membership is likely going to have a major impact on the industry at large.
Technology Drivers
Dynamic payment options, advanced KYC tools and full gaming libraries ensure that independent online gaming platforms are able to match those larger, more traditional rivals.
A casino with its own license takes on the responsibility of full compliance, unlike the white-label alternative, which uses a host operator’s license. White-label conglomerates have faced media scrutiny in the past, but given the dawn of online options, regulations have been able to be tightened and as such, robust compliance is achieved.
Why UK Players Choose Independent Casinos?
Independent and online casinos appeal to players for various reasons.
Sites with regularly refreshed layouts often indicate that they have smaller teams and as such approach innovation quickly.
Independent options make fairer bonus offers more often.
Smaller teams mean direct access to decision-makers and so reduce the response time.
Withdrawals are done quickly and efficiently, usually within a 24hr/48hr window.
Risks and Trade-Offs of Using Independent Casino Sites
Naturally, smaller and independentoptions lack instant brand recognition in the market. Compliance comes at acost and for smaller platforms, this is often something which affects itsability to entertain elaborate bonuses and promotions.We suggest that players always consultthe UKGC license and read the terms and conditions before engaging and signingup.
How to Verify a UK Independent Casino
1.Check the operator's name and license number – it is usually found in the footer; you can cross-check this with the UKGC.
2.Confirm GAMSTOP membership and the inherent safer gambling tools available
3.Look through recent UKGC enforcement news for any possible concerns you might then have.
How to Compare Independent Casinos?
In truth, you will always be spoilt for choice. So, how do you decide on an independent casino for you?
Licensing clarity
Banking methods and ease of convenience with withdrawals.
Bonus T&Cs
Safe gambling practices in place
Customer support channels
Key Takeaways
The rise of independent casinos in the UKis without question. Yes, there are risks which are inherent with independentcasinos, but the new and slick design, various advantages for players andpersonalized experiences all add to their continued growth.Faster payouts and credibility often gohand-in-hand, and independent casinos has managed to harness this access.