AS A young boy, Air Trooper Vivek Sangani was attracted to the “exciting and fulfilling” life a career in the public services would bring.
His goal was to become a police officer or a paramedic. However, his ambitions shifted when personnel from the Armed Forces visited his college.
Sangani recalls: “We had people come in from the three services – Royal Navy, Army and RAF. They set up information stalls and we were able to ask them about the careers available in the different services.
“The Army was offering this Look at Life course which involved going and experiencing
army life in different barracksfor two-to-three days.”
Sangani signed up for the course and as someone who had a lifelong fascination and love for helicopters, he says he knew exactly where he wanted to go for work experience.
“The Army Air Corps is one that I went to,” he says.
“I saw what they did on a day-to-day basis and I really liked the lifestyle.
“We did exciting leadership activities such as overcoming different obstacles to get from one side of a bridge to the other. The leadership and discipline aspect really attracted me.
“I also wanted to travel the world. I didn’t want a nine-to-five office job, stuck in the same routine. I am the kind of person who gets bored easily.
“I realised the Army could offer the perfect role for me – to do an exciting job and travel the world to take part in adventure activities and sports.”
Looking back at that experience, the 25-year-old, who has now been in the Army for four years, says it changed his life. And as fate would have it, Sangani is based at the same Army Air Corps base where he went for work experience as a teenager.
“It was definitely life-changing. I never had any plans to get into the armed forces. I was looking more into becoming a police officer or a paramedic. But going on the Look at Life course changed everything and I chose the Army. I was set on the path.”
He adds: “My fascination with helicopters grew after the work experience. I looked up the Army Air Corps and was excited about being part of it and getting the chance to fly Apache helicopters.”
Sangani’s role in the Army is as a communications specialist, someone who is the link between the people on the ground and the Apache pilots.
“At the beginning it was very challenging. I work in the operations room where information is constantly coming in and you have to prioritise quickly. Eventually you get used to it and you become better at it. It’s mentally challenging, and I like that because it keeps you on your toes. It’s a fulfilling job.”
His time in the Army has seen Sangani realise his dream to travel the world and do numerous adventure training activities such as skiing, mountain biking and rock climbing.
“Before I joined the Army I had only been to two places – one was India, and the other was the UK,” he laughs.
“I have managed to travel quite a bit. We have been to America – Los Angeles and San Diego in California – and Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
“Switzerland was a six-week ski trip and Austria was also a ski trip.
“I had never tried a winter sport before joining the Army. I had just turned up at the regiment and a week’s skiing trip was about to start so I thought I would give it a try. I really enjoyed it and I have now been on skiing trips every single year.”
“I can’t think of any other employer paying for their employees to go on skiing trips to some of the best ski resorts in the world.”
Sangani says he feels a part of the Army family, but his family, by his own admission,
had their reservations about him joining the service.
“At first my family were worried because they didn’t really know what the Army was all about. When I first told my dad I wanted to join the Army, his first thought was, ‘oh, you’re going to be a solider on the front line, you’re going to end up dying’.”
“However, the Army is not all about that. There are so many jobs within the service. I do communications, but you can be a dentist, a doctor, a lawyer; there are so many different jobs in the Army that are not front-line based.”
Sangani admits that his parents were, like many other people from BAME communities, unaware of what life in the Army is really like. He is working to change that by going into the community and telling his story.
“Most of the time there is a barrier, and information [about the armed forces] is not being passed around. That’s what we try and do when we go into the community,” he explains.
“In my experience, the Army is one of the most diverse and multicultural workplaces in this country. The Army is for everyone.
“It has always had my back and never let me down. I get vegetarian rations, I get time off for Diwali to spend with my friends and family. It’s completely different to what I thought. It’s just a lack of awareness. Whatever job it is, wherever you are from, there is a place in the Army for you.”
His parents’ view of the service has also completely changed and now they accompany
him to Army engagement events, Sangani says.
“My parents are very happy and proud of my achievements. My father admits that the Army is nothing like he pictured in his mind. He knows how great it is because of me.”
As for Sangani, when asked where he sees himself in 10 years’ time, the reply
isn’t surprising.
“In 10 years’ time, if we meet again, I am confident I will say to you that I am an Apache pilot. I will do everything I can to make this happen and I know the Army will do everything it can too. I have faith in the Army.”
CARLOS ALCARAZ will begin his attempt to win a third straight Wimbledon title against Italian Fabio Fognini, while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka opens her campaign against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.
The draw, held on Friday at the All England Club, featured several notable first-round matchups.
Sinner, Djokovic face Italian, French opponents
Top men’s seed Jannik Sinner, who lost to Alcaraz in the French Open final, has been drawn to face fellow Italian Luca Nardi. Sixth seed Novak Djokovic, who is aiming to match Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon singles titles, will begin against Alexandre Muller of France, ranked 40th in the world.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, seeded 17th and recently withdrawn from the Eastbourne tournament due to a thigh strain, will face Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.
Second seed Coco Gauff starts her campaign against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. Third seed Jessica Pegula, a potential semi-final opponent for Gauff, plays Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, last year’s runner-up, will meet Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova. Sabalenka is seeded to face Paolini in the semi-finals.
Big home presence for Britain
Britain has 23 players in the singles draws, its largest representation since 1984. Fourth seed Jack Draper leads the men’s challenge after a rapid rise in form. Draper begins against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez, ranked 38th. If he progresses, he could face 2017 runner-up Marin Cilic in the second round, and Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik in the third round – a player he lost to at the French Open.
Draper’s projected path to the title may include matches against Djokovic in the quarter-finals, Sinner in the semi-finals, and Alcaraz in the final.
Raducanu faces Xu in British clash
Emma Raducanu, Britain’s top-ranked woman, will take on fellow Briton Mingge (Mimi) Xu in the first round. Xu is one of three British teenage wildcards in the women’s draw. If Raducanu wins, she may face 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova or 32nd seed McCartney Kessler next.
Branstine, Sabalenka’s first-round opponent, advanced through qualifying by defeating former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu. In the third round, Sabalenka could face either Raducanu or Vondrousova.
Key early matchups and returns
A possible second-round highlight could be Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, seeded five, taking on Japan’s Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner.
Alcaraz, who won Queen’s Club in preparation for Wimbledon, opens against Fognini. The 38-year-old Italian was once ranked as high as ninth but has not replicated that form in recent years. If Alcaraz advances, he could face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the next round. Tarvet, ranked 719, will meet Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi in the first round.
Alcaraz could face third seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. Zverev begins his campaign against France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
Centre Court schedule
As the defending men’s champion, Alcaraz will play the opening Centre Court match on Monday. That day will feature matches from the bottom half of the men’s draw and the top half of the women’s draw. Krejcikova will begin Centre Court action on Tuesday.
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Sir Sajid Javid (Photo by Tom Nicholson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
A cross-party group has been formed to tackle the deep divisions that sparked last summer's riots across England. The new commission will be led by former Tory minister Sir Sajid Javid and ex-Labour MP Jon Cruddas.
The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion has backing from both prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. It brings together 19 experts from different political parties and walks of life.
It was set up following the violent unrest that broke out in 27 towns and cities after three young girls were killed in Southport last July. False claims about the attacker's identity spread rapidly on social media, helping to fuel the disorder.
Sir Sajid warned that Britain has become a "tinderbox of division" due to years of neglect. He said governments have only acted when tensions boil over, rather than dealing with the root problems. "We are more disconnected as a country than at any point in our modern history," he told reporters. "There is a pandemic of loneliness that has spread across the country."
According to Javid, who served as communities secretary, home secretary and chancellor in the cabinets of David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson, social cohesion had been treated as a “second tier” issue by successive governments.
“Communal life in Britain is under threat like never before and intervention is urgently needed," he told the Telegraph. "There have been long-term, chronic issues undermining connections within our communities for several decades now, such as the degradation of local infrastructure from the local pub to churches, the weakening of family units, growing inequality, declining trust in institutions and persistent neglect from policy-makers."
He pointed to several factors making the situation worse, including high levels of immigration that haven't been properly managed, rising cost of living pressures, social media spreading extremist views, declining trust in public institutions, and the breakdown of local community spaces like pubs and churches.
Cruddas, who represented Dagenham for over 20 years, said the commission would listen directly to people across Britain rather than impose solutions from Westminster.
Over the next 12 months, the panel will examine what's driving people apart and develop practical recommendations for government. The group includes former West Midlands mayor Sir Andy Street, ex-Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, and counter-extremism expert Dame Sara Khan.
The commission is being supported by the Together Coalition, which was founded by Brendan Cox after his wife, MP Jo Cox, was murdered by a far-right extremist in 2016.
Sir Sajid remains optimistic about Britain's future, saying the country has "phenomenal attributes" to overcome its challenges. The commission aims to create "a vision for communities that all British citizens can buy into."
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Kalki 2898 AD showcased Prabhas in a genre-blending sci-fi mythological role
It’s been a year since Kalki 2898 AD hit theatres, and whether you loved it, questioned it, or are still figuring out what you watched, one thing’s clear: it cemented Prabhas’ place at the top. A unique experiment packed with mythology, sci-fi, and big-screen ambition, Kalki didn’t just push boundaries—it made sure everyone was paying attention.
Here’s how Kalki quietly reinforced what audiences across India (and beyond) already suspected: Prabhas isn’t going anywhere.
From Andhra to Ahmedabad — he still pulls crowds across the board
There are many stars who rule regions, but very few cut across states and languages the way Prabhas does. Whether it’s a traditional action flick or an experimental epic, people show up.
Prabhas in a still from Kalki 2898 AD which completed one yeargetty images
£94 million+ (₹1000 crore) globally — and not for the first time
With Kalki joining the £94 million+ (₹1000 crore) club, Prabhas added yet another big-budget success to his list. He’s one of the few actors in India whose films regularly cross that mark, without it feeling like a fluke or a one-off.
Kalki 2898 AD became one of the top three biggest openers in Indian cinemagetty images
A top three opener in Indian cinema — again
Kalki had one of the biggest opening days in Indian box office history. No gimmicks. Just the kind of theatre rush most films today struggle to pull off. Say what you want about the film, but its opening confirmed Prabhas’ continued draw for the big-screen crowd.
Kalki 2898 AD brought together sci-fi and mythology in a first-of-its-kind Indian filmgetty images
Fans flew in from Japan — yes, really
It’s not just India. International fans have long backed Prabhas, and Kalki saw that play out in real time, with Japanese fans travelling to Hyderabad just to catch it in cinemas. Not a premiere or event, just a regular screening. That kind of quiet loyalty is rare.
Prabhas plays the futuristic warrior Bhairava in Kalki 2898 AD getty images
He’s still choosing the harder road
A dystopian mytho-sci-fi mash-up isn’t exactly a guaranteed hit. Most stars would’ve played it safe, but Kalki was a risk, and Prabhas took it head-on. It’s part of what keeps his filmography interesting. He’s not here to repeat formulas, and that makes every new release worth watching, even if you don’t love every film.
Prabhas in action during a high-intensity sequence from Kalki 2898 ADgetty images
The calm at the centre of the chaos
One year later, Kalki 2898 AD may still be divisive as a film, but as a career move, it only strengthened what Prabhas has built over the years: a fanbase that shows up, a screen presence that works across regions, and a habit of picking stories that don’t play it safe.
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Masum was seen on CCTV trying to steer the pram away and, when she refused to go with him, stabbed her multiple times before walking away and boarding a bus. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)
A MAN who stabbed his estranged wife to death in Bradford in front of their baby has been convicted of murder.
Habibur Masum, 26, attacked 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter in broad daylight on April 6, 2024, stabbing her more than 25 times while she pushed their seven-month-old son in a pram. The baby was not harmed.
Bradford Crown Court heard that Akter had been living in a refuge since January after Masum threatened her with a knife at their home in Oldham. Masum tracked her using her phone location and confronted her after she left the refuge to meet a friend, believing he was in Spain.
Masum was seen on CCTV trying to steer the pram away and, when she refused to go with him, stabbed her multiple times before walking away and boarding a bus. He was arrested three days later in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Kulsuma Aktergetty images
Masum, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley, had admitted manslaughter and possession of a knife but denied murder. He was found guilty of murder, stalking, making threats to kill, and assault by beating.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the attack was “planned and premeditated”. West Yorkshire Police described it as a “brutal” daylight attack. Det Ch Insp Stacey Atkinson said Ms Akter “should have been safe”.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct found no breach of standards by officers involved prior to her death. Masum is due to be sentenced on 22 July.
In her own words, the London-based artist shares 10 defining moments that turned glitter into grit, pain into power and creativity into connection.
Shreena Patel has built a vibrant, shimmering world with her signature metallic-sparkle acrylics, one canvas at a time. A graduate of the prestigious University of the Arts London, the London-based abstract artist has earned acclaim both in the UK and internationally, creating bespoke pieces for celebrities, private collectors and public institutions.
But behind the glittering finishes and spiritual symbolism lies a deeper story – one of passion, purpose and personal resilience.
From a childhood curiosity about the minds behind masterpieces to becoming a multi-award-winning artist herself, Shreena’s journey is marked by colour, courage and community. Whether speaking on stage at Diwali on the Square, raising funds through her work, or spotlighting invisible illnesses like ulcerative colitis, her art has always been more than decorative. It is deeply personal and powerfully connective.
Now, for the first time, Shreena shares 10 of her most memorable artistic milestones. Each moment reveals not only her growth as a creator but also her unwavering belief in art as a force for joy, healing and change.
Shreena Patel
Artwork displayed at Hyde Park Corner station
Seeing my Ganesh artwork displayed at Hyde Park Corner station during South Asian Heritage Month was a pinch-me moment. To have commuters and tourists pause in a busy London station to take in my art, rooted in identity, culture and colour, made me feel truly seen. It was public, powerful and proof that South Asian stories belong in mainstream spaces.
Being featured in British Vogue was an unexpected yet unforgettable milestone. Just a few years after Art By Shree was born, seeing my work and story in one of the world’s most iconic fashion publications validated my creativity in a whole new light. It bridged the gap between contemporary style and ancient symbolism and reminded me that tradition and trend can coexist beautifully.
Shreena Patel's work
Painting for celebrities I have had the honour of creating bespoke paintings for celebrities, including Bollywood actors, music artists and famous cricketers, who connected with the spirituality and vibrancy of my work. Each commission has been personal and meaningful, not just because of who they are, but because of the shared energy and intention behind the art. It is surreal knowing my pieces live in the homes of people I once only watched on screen.
Shreena Patel's work
Winning awards and artistic recognition
Winning awards and being recognised as an artist, particularly in Parliament and at the Eastern Eye ACTAs, gave me the confidence to own my creative journey. These acknowledgements are not just about trophies. They are reminders that the risks I took, the pain I turned into paint and the stories I chose to tell matter. Every accolade reflects years of growth, grit and heart.
Raising money for charities and temples
Art with purpose has always been my North Star. Whether raising money for temples close to my heart or supporting charities doing life-changing work, I have been blessed to use my creativity to give back. Each canvas sold for a cause reminds me that art can be a force for good – a way to serve, uplift and unite communities.
Being invited by Neasden Mandir’s head swami for Diwali and PSM10 Being personally invited by Yogvivekdas Swami at Neasden Mandir to take part in the Diwali and 100 Years of Pramukh Swami Maharaj celebrations was an emotional high. To be recognised in such a sacred and historic space was beyond humbling. It felt like a spiritual homecoming, where my art and my faith met in perfect harmony during a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
Speaking on the centre stage at Diwali on the Square, in front of the Mayor of London, was a surreal and proud moment. I spoke about art, culture and the power of community spirit. To then gift my large Ganesh canvas to the winner of the rangoli competition was the perfect way to honour creativity and celebrate our shared cultural pride in a truly public way.
Shreena Patel's work
Collaborating with Nitin Ganatra OBE
Collaborating with the incredible Nitin Ganatra OBE for a charity auction was a joyful and meaningful experience. Aligning our talents for a cause greater than ourselves reminded me why I started painting in the first place. It is always special when creative worlds come together, especially when it helps raise funds and awareness for those in need.
Uplifting the next generation
Helping the next generation find their creative voice means everything to me. Whether through workshops, mentoring or simply showing them that success can look different, I aim to be the representation I did not see growing up. Especially for young South Asians, I want to say: your stories, your art and your dreams are valid – and so needed.
Shreena Patel's work
Raising ulcerative colitis awareness through art
Living with ulcerative colitis has not been easy, but it has shaped my art and mission. Through creativity, I have turned pain into power and raised awareness about invisible illnesses in ways words never could. Painting became therapy, advocacy and storytelling. If my journey inspires even one person with UC to keep going, then every brushstroke has been worth it.