ACTRESS LAUREN MADDOX TALKS ABOUT ANIMAL RIGHTS, VEGANISM AND HER ENLIGHTENING JOURNEY TO INDIA
by ASJAD NAZIR
British actress Lauren Maddox felt spiritually connected to animals from a young age and felt they had souls.
She was a vegetarian and later became a vegan after seeing the cruelty animals endured and then attended vigils outside slaughterhouses with leading activist Anita Krajnc from the Save Movement to see the suffering first hand.
This led to Lauren balancing an acting career with becoming a dedicated activist who speaks openly about animal cruelty.
Today the English-born actress, who is attached to several mainstream US feature films, is raising awareness about the cruel practice of killing of animals and promoting healthy eating through veganism. Lauren is also shooting various documentaries globally, including in Mumbai, where she met activists, entrepreneurs and celebrity vegans.
Eastern Eye caught up with Lauren to talk about animal rights, the rise of veganism in India, her star-studded Mumbai trip and her future plans.
Tell us about your connection to animal rights?
I know that on a cellular level, if we eat meat, we literally ‘eat the pain and suffering’ that vibrate in the cells of the sentient beings who are killed, simply to satisfy a craving for flesh that humans feel. It is done only because of habit. We are omnivores, so before fire, we were simply supposed to eat plant-based food that has all the nourishment, protein, vitamins and minerals our bodies need. So I can’t ignore what is going on with the obliteration of kind, sacred animals on the planet. I know that we are all animals and all have the right to live, but some don’t understand that and choose to take innocent lives.
Why are you vegan instead of a vegetarian?
Paul McCartney quite rightly raised the idea that ‘if slaughterhouses were made of glass, wouldn’t we all become vegetarian?’ I know that if we all came to bear witness to the suffering of farmed animals, we would all go vegan instantly, as the sight and sound of the pain are heart-wrenching.
You are also against dairy…
Dairy causes pain to animals. It also adds to killing humans around the world through lactose intolerance allergies, blood clots and acidity. Just imagine, if we were to eat our own hacked up body parts wrapped up in cellophane and sold at a supermarket. Would we eat flesh, then? We must alter perception in relation to humans looking at other species of animals differently and unite.
How has becoming vegan helped you?
It has helped me in a way that today I know what I need to do for the rest of my life and that is to guide others into veganism. My inner fire, passion and conviction are so strongly against the suffering and pain of animals that I will help open the eyes of others to this through various mediums, including my film work.
How are you using your first-hand film knowledge to help raise awareness concerning animal protection?
I will use my words and films as a medium to help awaken consciousness and to help open eyes concerning the protection of all life, and especially farmed animals who are innocent. I want to inspire all to come to the Save Movement vigils to see the truth first-hand. We must all get as close to suffering as possible and not turn away.
What inspired you to shoot a documentary series in India?
India has, by far, the largest vegetarian population in the world. I wanted to reveal how the vegan movement is taking off in India ahead of the Save Movement launching there. I wanted to meet like-minded activists, celebrities, restaurant owners and those making a difference like Palak Mehta, the CEO and founder of the pioneering publication Vegan First. I also wanted to see what it was like for animals on the streets, including many abandoned ones.
Tell us about the footage you shot in Mumbai?
The footage I shot was for Anita Krajnc’s Save Movement and also to use for my animal activism documentary Bear Witness, which is going forward to Netflix later this year and for my vegan TV series Kind Planet, which is being filmed around the world. I was able to interview so many interesting people including owners of vegan restaurants like Farmer’s Café, Sequel and Bird Song. I also spoke to vegan Indian celebrities like singer Monika Dogra, fashion designer Anita Dongre, TV superstar Nakuul Mehta and actress Sneha Ullal. It was also a great pleasure to interview Bollywood star, humanitarian and UN Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza.
Tell us more about the Mumbai trip?
I learned how veganism is spreading in India, through entrepreneurs, activists, celebrities and everyday people wanting to adopt a healthier lifestyle. I also wanted to show the horrific conditions of farmed animals in India, which most won’t be aware of, so that the world may begin to ‘awaken’ to the cruelty. I think many would instantly turn vegan if they saw the cruelty as they could see themselves in the eyes of the other animals, who were about to be killed.
What else did you learn from the various people you interviewed?
I learned so much including about the strong vegan female entrepreneurial movement in Mumbai and across India where women, who know it’s wrong to kill, are standing up for farmed animals. They are helping to guide others. I am immensely proud of these women for furthering the mindset of non-violence, which I know will lead to a more peaceful planet. There are also so many amazing activists making a difference. I also saw the darker side where animals are treated cruelly.
Tell us, is there any one interview that was the most memorable?
Palak Mehta’s interview was incredible. The amazing woman is making a real difference with her articles, activism and the way she is positively changing ideas towards veganism, as well as highlighting the positive progression happening around India. Speaking to grassroots activists making a difference was amazing because they really are the unsung heroes. I am also thankful to the amazing stars for giving their time. We need more people like that.
How is veganism growing in India?
Veganism is beginning to spread across India, thanks to the amazing entrepreneurs, activists and celebrities raising awareness, including the health benefits. Today Virat Kohli is the biggest celebrity in India, including being the number one sportsman and he has adopted the vegan lifestyle, which just shows how much it is growing. More people are adopting a cruelty-free mindset in everything they do.
What do you see is the future of veganism and animal rights in India?
Although seeing a lot of the animal cruelty was upsetting, I came back from India feeling very positive and can see a real change happening. India is already ahead of the world in that it has the highest vegetarian population and now they are opening up to the health benefits of veganism. I hope more get educated about why not to eat meat, about how badly animals are treated across India and about healthy vegan alternatives. Someone like Harish Shetty, who runs Aharveda in Mumbai, has many of the answers. Harish became vegan when he got ill and it changed his life so positively in every regard including healing his body. The Save Movement is currently spreading around the world and I see them making a real change in India.
This was your first trip to India. What did you most like about the country?
I liked the progressive nature of many women, there in Mumbai. Their strong character and mindset were so uplifting. I think women will be the real changemakers in India and around the world in future.
What are your favourite vegan dishes?
My favourite vegan dishes are organic salads. There is such a wide variety to choose from. I also love to make raw spinach quiche, which is absolutely divine in taste and texture. I love making dates, cocoa and walnut treats, which are so easy to prepare.
What are the main health benefits of vegan food?
The main health benefits of vegan food are that the ingredients are alkaline and not acidic, so will help prevent disease including in the gut. Apart from being unethical, meat is acidic and harmful to health. Vegan food is packed with beneficial vitamins, fibre, minerals and antioxidants. And it is ethical.
Is it easy to balance your professional work with your activism?
Balancing my acting work with my activism is something I enjoy. They are interlinked and at the forefront of my mind each day. I have some exciting film and TV projects on the way. I have been shooting the documentary Bear Witness in the US, Canada and most recently in Mumbai and vegan TV series Kind Planet. The documentary will air later in 2019; the series has just begun filming. But I also know how important activism is in my life. I will do everything I can to make a positive difference. I am moving closer towards my personal goals of helping shift the mindset on the planet of animal protection and veganism.
What inspires you?
The souls of animals inspire me to get up every day to make a positive change in the world. Their souls inspire me to help create a more peaceful world where humans can co-exist with other species of animals. I have made a promise to stand up for all of the innocent animals who cannot stand up for themselves and be a voice for them. I hope one day we all stand up for these animals, moment by moment.
Hundreds of British holidaymakers are facing potential disruption to their summer travel plans following the collapse of travel company Great Little Escapes. The firm is no longer licensed to operate under the UK’s financial protection scheme for package holidays, the Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (Atol).
Atol protection withdrawn
As of 13 June 2025, Great Little Escapes ceased trading as an Atol holder, according to a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This means the company is no longer authorised to sell Atol-protected holiday packages, leaving current and future bookings in doubt.
The CAA said it is currently collecting information from the company and will provide further updates in due course. A statement on the regulator’s website advises customers not to submit claims until the data collection process is complete.
Company background and operations
Great Little Escapes, based in Sandhurst, Berkshire, has been operational since September 2002, according to Companies House records. The firm offered international travel packages and promoted “holidays to the most iconic cities in the world” through its official channels.
The company also operated under several brand names, including Your Holidays, Tunisia First, and Great Little Escapes. Associated websites included:
themaldives.co.uk
yourholidays.co.uk
thecaribbean.com
greatlittleescapes.co.uk
These brands and websites were all listed by the CAA in its update on the firm’s trading status.
Refunds and next steps
The Atol scheme is designed to protect UK travellers who purchase package holidays. If a travel provider with Atol protection ceases trading, customers are typically entitled to refunds for unfulfilled bookings or assistance to complete their trips if they are already abroad.
However, as the CAA is still gathering information, customers are advised not to initiate refund claims immediately. Further instructions will be issued once the authority has reviewed the company’s situation.
Broader industry troubles
The collapse of Great Little Escapes is the latest in a series of closures among UK-based travel firms. In April, Balkan Holidays UK also ceased operations after nearly six decades in business. The company had provided holiday packages to destinations such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Malta and northern Cyprus, along with winter ski trips.
Earlier in March, Jetline Holidays lost its Atol protection and shut down, leading to significant uncertainty for customers who had booked cruise packages through the company. Cruise lines including Princess, Cunard, and Holland America reported contract breaches that led to widespread cancellations.
Travellers urged to check Atol status
In light of the recent closures, UK travellers are being encouraged to verify that their holiday bookings are made through Atol-protected providers. The CAA offers an online tool for checking whether a travel company holds a valid Atol licence.
For those affected by the Great Little Escapes collapse, updates and guidance will be published on theCAA’s official website.
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Gwyneth Paltrow has shared a new breakfast recipe in her latest cooking video — and stirred attention by going topless while preparing the meal.
The Oscar-winning actress, 52, posted the video on her Instagram on Saturday, 14 June, where she demonstrated how to make what she calls a “boyfriend breakfast”. The dish included sausage from a local butcher, white beans, spinach, cherry tomatoes and eggs.
The video begins with Paltrow waking up in white linen pyjamas and sipping coffee. It then cuts to her at the stove, topless, cooking the protein-rich skillet. The video is set to Prince’s 1987 track Starfish and Coffee, adding to its light-hearted and intimate tone.
Recipe with a Tuscan twist
In the caption, Paltrow described the dish as a “Tuscan inspired high protein #boyfriendbreakfast skillet” and listed the ingredients, all of which were locally sourced. She used a large pot to cook the meal in her spacious kitchen before enjoying the breakfast solo in her garden, overlooking a scenic mountain view.
Fans and friends responded positively to the post, with many commenting on both the recipe and her appearance. Actress Jennifer Garner joked, “Can I be your boyfriend?”, while lifestyle influencer Yasmin Sewell wrote, “Yum! Food looks good too ❤️.” Another fan simply commented, “You are a vibe.”
Summer in Italy
The cooking video comes shortly after Paltrow returned from a summer trip to Italy. She was recently photographed yachting along the Capri coast, wearing a minimalist black scoop-neck swimsuit, oversized Wayfarer sunglasses, and gold jewellery.
Later, she changed into a black maxi dress, paired with gold hoop earrings, a simple necklace, and a Gucci raffia-effect tote bag. Paltrow was accompanied by her husband, television producer Brad Falchuk, and friend and fellow actor Edward Norton. Norton, 55, kept it casual in a short-sleeved white shirt and navy blue trousers during an evening outing.
Second 'boyfriend breakfast' post
This marks the second time Paltrow has shared a recipe under the “boyfriend breakfast” theme. On 24 May, she posted another Instagram video where she cooked grain-free almond and coconut pancakes with a strawberry compote.
In that earlier clip, she wore pyjamas and danced around to Strawberry Swing by Coldplay — the band fronted by her ex-husband Chris Martin, with whom she shares two children. That post also promoted one of her favourite Goop cookware items, which was on sale at the time.
Paltrow’s signature style
Paltrow, who is known for her wellness brand Goop, continues to blend lifestyle content with personal flair, often combining cooking demonstrations with fashion and travel glimpses. Her “boyfriend breakfast” series has gained attention for its casual charm and luxury aesthetic.
The latest video adds to her signature mix of health-conscious recipes, scenic backdrops, and an effortlessly stylish approach to home living.
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The Matinee stage at Manchester’s Heaton Park was closed on Sunday evening
Crowd control concerns led to the early closure of one of the main stages at the Parklife festival on its final day, prompting the cancellation of two anticipated DJ performances. The Matinee stage at Manchester’s Heaton Park was closed on Sunday evening, 15 June, after organisers acted on safety advice from their event team.
Attendees were instructed to leave the area as the show was paused. Later in the evening, festival organisers confirmed that the stage would remain shut for the rest of the night.
Josh Baker and Chris Stussy unable to perform
Local DJ Josh Baker and Danish artist Chris Stussy were both scheduled to perform at the Matinee stage. Baker, who was due to play from 6.30pm to 8pm, shared a message on Instagram, saying: “Unfortunately, I will not be performing at Parklife due to reasons outside of my control. I deeply apologise. I can't really put into words what today was going to mean for me.”
Chris Stussy had been due to headline the stage with a three-hour set from 8pm to 11pm. He also addressed the cancellation on Instagram, saying he was “really gutted” and emphasised that “safety comes first,” noting the stage was shut due to overcrowding.
Festival issues official statement
An in-app message from the Parklife festival initially alerted attendees that the Matinee stage show had been paused, with further updates to follow. A full statement later explained the rationale behind the decision.
Festival organisers confirmed that the stage would remain shut for the rest of the night.Manchester News
“As a result of crowd movement at the Matinee Stage and on the advice of our safety team to remove the risk of any potential incidents, Parklife made the decision to close the stage for the remainder of the final day of the festival,” said a spokesperson.
Safety prioritised over rescheduling
Organisers added that it was not feasible to move the affected performances to another venue within the festival grounds. “Unfortunately it has been impossible to relocate Josh Baker’s and Chris Stussy’s performances to a new stage,” the statement said. “The safety of our festival attendees is always our utmost priority.”
Despite the disruption at the Matinee stage, the rest of the Parklife festival continued as scheduled, and no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
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The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty
In Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, Anand Prakash Chouksey has built a striking replica of the Taj Mahal — not as a monument to grandeur, but as a tribute to his wife. The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty, has captured the internet’s attention following a viral video tour.
The house is a four-bedroom property built using Makrana marble — the same stone used in the original Taj Mahal in Agra. While the original monument's dimensions are in metres, Chouksey’s version was constructed using scaled-down measurements in feet. This results in a structure roughly one-third the size of the original, but retaining key architectural elements such as domes, carved pillars, and Mughal-style arches.
Located on school campus founded by owner
What makes the house even more distinctive is its location within the grounds of a school established by Chouksey himself. In a now-viral video shared by content creator Priyam Saraswat, Chouksey offers a tour of the home and highlights personal touches embedded in its design.
One notable detail is a buffalo motif on the floor — a nod to Chouksey’s early life distributing milk. He explained that this reminder of his humble beginnings serves as a daily lesson in staying grounded and avoiding arrogance.
Viral video receives overwhelming praise
The video, shared on Instagram, quickly gained traction, racking up over 6.5 million views within just eight hours. Viewers were drawn not only to the impressive architecture but also to the emotional story behind the home.
Comments across social media praised the gesture and the message it conveyed. “Uncle has a more beautiful heart than his Mahal,” one user wrote, while another highlighted the buffalo symbol as a meaningful lesson in humility. Many also remarked on the positive energy and “cool vibe” of the homeowner.
Promoting unity through design
Inside, the home reflects a blend of traditional Islamic design and modern interiors. Future plans reportedly include placing the Indian national flag on top of the structure and adding symbols from India’s major religions on the minarets. According to Chouksey, the aim is to promote a message of unity and peace in an often divided world.
The replica Taj Mahal in Burhanpur stands not only as an architectural feat but also as a reminder of love, simplicity, and the importance of staying connected to one’s roots.
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A one-hour delay in sleep routine is linked to a sharper drop in cognition over time, the study found
A night owl, or an evening person with a late sleep-wake cycle, could be at a higher risk of cognitive decline with age compared to an early bird or a morning person, a study has found.
Chronotype refers to one’s sleep-wake type or times during the day when one naturally tends to be awake and asleep. A ‘night owl’ chronotype is said to have a later sleep-wake cycle, compared to an ‘early bird’ or a ‘lark’.
“Are you an early bird or a night owl? It’s hard to adjust what your biological clock – your so-called chronotype – is, but you can adjust your life to it as best you can,” study author Ana Wenzler, from the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, said.
Analysing the performance of about 23,800 participants on a cognitive test over a period of 10 years, the study found that ‘evening’ people decline cognitively faster than ‘morning’ people. The findings have been published in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
“Unhealthy behaviour such as smoking, drinking and unhealthy eating happens more often in the evening,” Wenzler said.
“In our study, we also saw this: evening people smoke and drink more often and exercise less. Twenty-five per cent of the risk of cognitive decline can be explained from our research by smoking and poor sleep,” she said.
A greater decline was seen in higher-educated people – a delay of an hour in the sleep-wake cycle corresponded to a decline of 0.8 in cognition per decade. Wenzler said the decline might be related to their disturbed sleep rhythm.
“They are often people who have to go back to work early in the morning and are likely to sleep too short, giving their brains too little rest,” she said.
The author explained that people’s biological clock can change with age.
“Children are morning people. That changes when you reach puberty, when you become an evening person. Around your 20s, that gradually shifts back towards morning people for most people. By the age of 40, most people are morning people again,” Wenzler said.
However, this is certainly not the case for everyone, which is probably why evening people deviate from the norm, according to Wenzler, who recommended working against one’s body “as little as possible”.
“’You can try to go to sleep earlier, but if your body is not yet producing melatonin (sleep hormone), it will not work,” she said.
Wenzler added that if people are forced to work against their natural rhythm, their brains may not get enough rest, increasing the risk of unhealthy habits. “It would help if evening types were given the option to start work later,” she said.