BRITAIN will host health ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries in Oxford on Thursday (3) for a two-day summit, as pressure intensifies to do more to broaden access to Covid-19 vaccines across the world.
British foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said that equitable access to coronavirus vaccines will be at the top of the agenda when G7 leaders meet next week.
But as health ministers gather at the University of Oxford, where AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine was invented, charities stressed Britain could do more by supporting a temporary waiver on intellectual property rights of pharmaceutical firms.
US president Joe Biden has backed calls from many developing countries for the waiver, in the hope this would boost production and allow more equitable distribution, but Britain and some European countries have expressed reservations.
"G7 leaders must take this moment to stand on the right side of history by putting their full support behind the vaccine patent waiver," said Anna Marriott, Oxfam’s Health Policy Manager.
"The G7 may be getting the vaccines they need but too much of the world is not and people are paying for patent protection with their lives."
Britain has said technology transfers with not-for-profit pricing, a model AstraZeneca has used, can achieve many of the same aims as a patent waiver without disincentivising research.
A G7 report on progress in efforts to improve health in developing countries will be published on Thursday (3), and British health secreatary Matt Hancock said he would agree with G7 counterparts on a system to share data on any early warning signs of the next pandemic.
"Globally we are only as strong as the weakest link in the health security chain. No one is safe until everyone is safe," Hancock said in a statement ahead of the summit.
US global vaccine distribution plan
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Biden could announce as early as Thursday (3) details of Washington's plan for distributing 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccine globally.
"I want you to know as well that in a few short days ... possibly as early as tomorrow, the president is going to announce in more detail the plan that he's put together to push out 80 million vaccines around the world," said Blinken at a gathering at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica.
Blinken reiterated that the US distribution plan would be coordinated with the COVAX vaccine sharing facility and based on need "without any political strings attached."
The Biden administration has been under pressure to share vaccines to help curb worsening outbreaks from India to Brazil, where health experts fear new, more contagious coronavirus variants could undermine the effectiveness of available shots.
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.
Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.
He began his career in advertising before moving into music, where he held roles in artist development and label management. He became chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK in 2008.
Alongside his commercial career, Joseph has been involved in a number of social and cultural initiatives. In 2019, he launched Universal Music’s Creative Differences initiative, which produced the first industry handbook for supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. The handbook has been adopted by more than 200 organisations globally.
He is a founding board member of Julie’s Bicycle, a group focused on climate issues in the cultural sector, and served on the National Council of Arts Council England for eight years. In 2013, he collaborated with Baroness Doreen Lawrence to mark the 20th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder through the Unity project. He also serves as Chair of the Grenfell Foundation.
Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.
RSA Chair Sir Loyd Grossman said: “David’s commitment to effecting social change, his compassion and his commitment to nurturing people is exemplary.
“We are thrilled that David will join us in the autumn, knowing that he will foster a collaborative and caring culture that speaks to our fellows, partners, staff teams and the wider world. These qualities make David superbly placed to lead the RSA into its next vital phase, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”
Commenting on his appointment, Joseph said: “The RSA has a remarkable heritage and untapped potential. At a time when fresh thinking and collective action are urgently needed across the globe, the RSA is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change - uniting its rich tradition of arts, creativity and policy influence with the energy of its global Fellowship to spark ideas that shape society. I’m excited to join such a talented organisation where we will build a bold new chapter together.”
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Scarlett Johansson wins praise in Jurassic World Rebirth as reviews split over story and mutant dinosaurs
Jurassic World Rebirth, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, releases on 4 July.
Twitter reactions praise the cast and visuals but criticise the film’s story and lack of emotional depth.
Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 54% from 95 reviews; Metacritic rates it 53.
Some fans applaud the Spielberg-style thrills, others feel it strays too far with mutant dinosaurs.
Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest addition to the iconic dinosaur saga, has sparked intense debate online ahead of its 4 July release. With Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey leading the cast, early Twitter reviews show a split audience, some impressed by the action and spectacle, others disappointed by the story’s direction and use of genetically altered dinosaurs.
Mixed response to mutant dinos and CGI-heavy action
Many fans on X agree that Johansson delivers a commanding performance. “She’s shot like a star, presented like a star,” one viewer wrote, praising her as the film’s standout. Jonathan Bailey also earns praise for a subtle emotional moment that resonated with viewers.
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However, critics aren't holding back. Film critics called the film “the dullest entry yet,” while others labelled it “flat and emotionless.” Some appreciated the “mutated dinos and thrilling set pieces” but slammed the pacing and dialogue.
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One viewer described the movie as “a monster-sized adrenaline ride” and praised its nostalgic tension, likening it to Jaws. Another drew comparisons to Alien: Romulus, applauding the darker horror elements, while some fans felt the movie “just ends with no momentum.”
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Rotten Tomatoes score reflects fan divide
With a current Rotten Tomatoes rating of 54% and a Metacritic score of 53, Jurassic World Rebirth becomes the third consecutive film in the franchise to be rated ‘rotten’. Still, it fares better than Fallen Kingdom (47%) and Dominion (29%).
Despite the criticism, major UK outlets gave it four and five stars, with one calling it “easily the best Jurassic in a decade.” Whether the mixed reviews will impact box office numbers remains to be seen, past entries have shown strong ticket sales despite critical setbacks.
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Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines
Emma Raducanu defeated fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon first round.
Xu, 17, was making her Grand Slam debut and appeared overwhelmed early on.
Raducanu dropped just three points on serve in the first set.
Despite a series of breaks in the second set, Raducanu regained control to seal victory.
She described the all-British clash as “difficult” but was pleased with the result.
The biggest home assault on Wimbledon for 41 years got off to a great start on Monday when Emma Raducanu triumphed in an all-British clash.
British tennis is enjoying a buoyant period, and although former U.S. champion Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines, 23 local players started in the men's and women's singles this week, the most at Wimbledon since 1984.
With Draper not in action until Tuesday, British women's number one Raducanu was the main attraction, although home loyalties were somewhat split as she faced 17-year-old Welsh wildcard Mimi Xu, making her Grand Slam debut.
Xu had not beaten a top 50 player and never looked likely to break that duck on Number One court as she went down 6-3 6-3. Raducanu, desperate for a deep run in her home slam after a previous best of two fourth-round exits, did not have to do anything too extraordinary against a rival who for a while seemed intimidated by the occasion.
After Xu swung wildly for a rare air shot and then tumbled to the pristine turf after a slip, the 318th-ranked teen got what no young player wants to hear – some sympathy applause.
Raducanu swept to the first set, dropping only three points in her four service games, and with a lack of tension on court, the obligatory “come on Britain” shout drew the usual ripple of Wimbledon laughter usually reserved for any lingering pigeon.
Xu settled in the second set, however, finally getting to grips with the Raducanu serve during a run of five successive breaks, but the favourite got back on track to come through.
Raducanu moves into round two
Home favourite Emma Raducanu claimed a 6-3 6-3 win over fellow Briton Mimi Xu, who was making her Grand Slam debut."I'm super pleased to have come through that match. It is so difficult playing against another Brit in the first round," Raducanu said after her victory on Court One.
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Taylor Fritz’s opening-round clash against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was suspended
Play was suspended for Fritz and Zverev after curfew. Taylor Fritz’s opening-round clash against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was suspended on Monday evening with the score tied at two sets apiece. The match was halted just before 11 pm local time due to Wimbledon’s curfew regulations. Alexander Zverev’s match against Arthur Rinderknech, also level at two sets all, was similarly paused for the night. Both contests will resume on Tuesday.
Zverev and Fritz matches suspended for the night
German third seed Alexander Zverev’s match against France’s Arthur Rinderknech, level at two sets all, and U.S. fifth seed Taylor Fritz’s clash with Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, all square after two sets, have been suspended for the evening.
Credit : Reuters
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Mystery woman kissing Harry Styles at Glastonbury revealed as Ella Kenny
• Harry Styles was seen kissing a woman at Glastonbury 2025 in a viral video
• The woman has now been identified as London-based producer Ella Kenny
• The pair were dancing and kissing in the VIP section early Saturday morning
• This is Styles’ first public romance since his split with Taylor Russell in 2024
Harry Styles made headlines over the weekend after being filmed kissing a woman in the VIP section of Glastonbury Festival 2025, and now, the mystery is solved. The woman has been identified as London-based producer Ella Kenny, according to a report by The Sun.
The 31-year-old singer, best known for Watermelon Sugar and As It Was, was spotted at the festival in Somerset early Saturday morning, dancing closely with Kenny before sharing a kiss that lasted nearly 12 seconds. Eyewitnesses described the pair as "inseparable" and "very familiar with each other", adding to speculation that this may not have been a first-time encounter.
Harry Styles attends Spotify Celebrates The Launch of Harry Styles' New AlbumGetty Images
Harry Styles’ Glastonbury kiss with Ella Kenny grabs attention
Styles arrived at the festival around 1:45 a.m. on 28 June with friends, including long-time collaborator Kid Harpoon. Not long after, Ella Kenny reportedly joined the group. The two were seen chatting, dancing and sharing kisses on the cheek before eventually making out in full view of others in the VIP area.
One witness claimed the chemistry between the two was undeniable. “Harry only had eyes for her,” they said. “They looked like they’d known each other a while.” Neither Styles nor Kenny has commented publicly on the moment or their relationship.
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Who is Ella Kenny? Meet the producer linked to Harry Styles
Ella Kenny is a visual and experiential producer based in London, working at creative studio Noir. Her LinkedIn lists experience across high-end fashion and arts projects, but until now, she’s kept a relatively low public profile. That changed when footage of her kiss with Styles began circulating online, prompting fans to ask: “Who is she?” The kiss is the first time Styles has been publicly linked to anyone since his 2024 breakup with actor Taylor Russell. Before Russell, he dated Olivia Wilde, with whom he had a high-profile two-year relationship.
Harry Styles leaves following the funeral of singer Liam Payne Getty Images
While neither party has confirmed the nature of their relationship, the chemistry on display suggests this may not have been just a fleeting festival moment. Whether it's the start of something new or simply a weekend romance, fans will be watching closely, and Styles, as always, remains firmly in the spotlight.