SHUBMAN GILL overcame early jitters to smash 104 and help India stretch their overall lead to 370 on day three of the second test against England on Sunday (4).
Gill was on four when he got an lbw decision against him reversed and an umpire's call on another appeal going his way.
The right-hander capitalised on the reprieves to register his first test hundred in 13 innings and help India consolidate their position in Visakhapatnam.
Srikar Bharat (six) and Ravichandran Ashwin (one) were in the middle at the tea break with India on 227 for six as they pushed for a series-levelling victory.
James Anderson, England's lone seamer in the match, jolted India with a two-wicket burst after the home side resumed on 28 for no loss.
Anderson struck in the second over of the day with a delivery that curled around Rohit Sharma's (13) back to uproot his off-stump.
The seamer dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal (17) in his next over when the opener played a loose drive and Root took the catch in the slip.
Gill was adjudged lbw to Tom Hartley but the batter reviewed the decision, which was overturned after replays revealed a faint edge.
He was still on four when Anderson rapped him on the pad but England's lbw appeal was turned down.
The tourists challenged that decision but the umpire's call stood.
Gill and Shreyas Iyer (29) threatened to bat England out of the match before two stunning catches dragged the tourists back into the contest.
Ben Stokes sprinted backwards towards long off and hurled himself full length to grab a catch to dismiss Iyer.
Ben Foakes then pouched a sharp, low catch behind the stumps after Rajat Patidar (nine) had inside-edged Ahmed.
Gill took a single off spinner Shoaib Bashir to bring up his third test hundred.
England finally got their reviews right to get rid of Gill and Axar Patel (45).
Gill attempted a reverse sweep against Bashir and was adjudged not-out. England reviewed the decision and replays confirmed the ball had hit the batter's glove en route to Foakes.
Cardiff Mela has grown into one of the UK’s most exciting multicultural festivals, attracting thousands of visitors each year. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, diversity and heritage, the event is designed to reflect and celebrate the rich cultural mosaic of Cardiff and the wider South Wales region. This year’s event promises to be bigger, brighter and more interactive than ever before.
Taking place at the iconic Roald Dahl Plass, situated in the heart of Cardiff Bay, the 2025 edition of the Mela will feature a lively mix of traditional and contemporary entertainment. From soulful Asian music and dazzling Bollywood performances to Afro-Caribbean beats and Celtic fusion, the stage will be packed with performances representing a spectrum of global cultures.
One of the unique aspects of Cardiff Mela is its ability to create space for meaningful community engagement. Local schools, charities, performers, and small businesses are given a platform to showcase their talents and causes. It is not only a cultural festival but also a catalyst for community cohesion and social awareness.
The event is designed to be inclusive and accessible, welcoming people of all backgrounds, faiths, and ages. It reflects Cardiff's multicultural identity and reinforces the city’s role as a leading cultural destination in the UK.
Cardiff Bay offers plenty of amenities for visitors, including transport links, car parking, and nearby attractions such as the Wales Millennium Centre and Mermaid Quay. Whether you’re a Cardiff local or travelling from elsewhere in the UK, the Mela is an excellent reason to spend the day in this scenic waterfront area.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to make the most of the day and to experience the full range of activities. For updates, stage times, and more, be sure to follow the official website and social media channels.
In today’s global landscape, events like Cardiff Mela play a crucial role in fostering mutual respect, appreciation, and shared joy among communities. They serve as a powerful reminder that while our backgrounds may differ, celebration and creativity unite us all.
Whether you’re drawn in by the music, the mouth-watering food, or the chance to celebrate cultural heritage, Cardiff Mela 2025 is an unmissable event that brings the spirit of multicultural Britain to life.
While many expected Hollywood faces like Kristen Stewart and Scarlett Johansson to dominate the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes this year, the honours went elsewhere. Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes stunned the jury and audience alike by winning the top prize with The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo, his debut feature rooted in queer identity, fear, and survival during the AIDS crisis in 1980s Chile.
Set in a dusty mining town, the story follows young Lidia, who grows up in a tight-knit transgender community. As rumours spread that an unknown illness can be passed between men through eye contact, fear and prejudice threaten her chosen family. Céspedes’ film mixes myth, social tension, and innocence, offering viewers a powerful look at how marginalised people navigate suspicion and stigma.
While the film divided critics, with some calling its pacing uneven, the jury praised its raw emotion and unpredictability. Céspedes accepted the award with visible emotion, saying the film began “with all the angry lovers who just wanted to love like everybody else.”
This year’s Un Certain Regard jury was led by British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, who herself won this prize in 2023 and included names from across Europe and Latin America. They chose works that didn’t shy away from discomfort, moral ambiguity, or political urgency.
The Jury Prize went to A Poet, a Colombian dark comedy about an ageing writer who tries to mentor a gifted teenager from a poor background. The film explored the blurred line between inspiration and manipulation with quiet unease.
Directing honours were awarded to Palestinian brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser for Once Upon a Time in Gaza, a gripping drama about two young men caught in crime and conflict during Hamas’ rise to power in 2007. Their emotional speech touched on the current devastation in Gaza, dedicating the award to their people.
Actor awards went to Cléo Diara for her commanding role in the 3.5-hour postcolonial drama I Only Rest in the Storm, and British actor Frank Dillane for Urchin, a gritty look at homelessness in London. Diara’s speech included a strong call: “Free Palestine.” Dillane, quieter but just as heartfelt, dedicated his win to “those on the margins.”
Chilean film The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo wins top Cannes prizeIMDB
Best Screenplay was awarded to British director Harry Lighton for Pillion, a powerful queer romance involving a BDSM relationship between bikers. Lighton cheekily thanked his team for stopping him from relocating the film to Ancient Rome at the last minute.
This year’s Cannes proved that raw, honest storytelling still triumphs over star power.
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The marathon route then takes participants past the historic Musselburgh Links
The Edinburgh Marathon returns this weekend with thousands of runners set to take part in one of the UK’s most scenic and popular running events. The 2025 Edinburgh Marathon Festival includes a series of races, with 10K, 5K and junior events scheduled for Saturday 24 May, followed by the full marathon, half marathon, and relay races on Sunday 25 May.
First held in 1982, the Edinburgh Marathon has grown into the second largest marathon in the UK after London, selling out every year for the past 17 years. Participants from around the world gather in the Scottish capital to take on the challenge while enjoying the unique mix of historic landmarks and coastal views the route has to offer.
Route overview
The full marathon starts in the city centre on Potterrow. Runners will head along George IV Bridge and through the New Town, taking in some of Edinburgh’s most iconic sights. The route then passes the Royal Mile, offering a historic backdrop as runners make their way through the capital.
After exiting the Royal Park, the course leads eastwards towards the coast, passing through the seaside neighbourhood of Portobello. Here, runners will enjoy the fresh sea air along the promenade before continuing on to Musselburgh.
The marathon route then takes participants past the historic Musselburgh Links, considered the oldest golf course in the world, with records of the sport being played there as early as 1672. From there, the course continues east to the grounds of Gosford House, before turning back along the coast.
The finish line is located near Musselburgh High Street, where crowds of supporters are expected to gather and cheer on participants as they complete the 26.2-mile course.
Weather and atmosphere
Unlike last year’s rainy race, this year’s marathon is expected to benefit from milder conditions. Forecasts for Saturday suggest light showers during the day, transitioning to overcast skies in the evening. Sunday’s weather looks more favourable for runners and spectators alike.
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival supports a range of charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer Scotland, the British Heart Foundation and the MS Society. The event not only promotes fitness and community spirit, but also raises significant funds for good causes across the UK.
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Muhammad Yunus speaks at a session during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2025. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
BANGLADESH's interim leader, who took over after a mass uprising last year, will meet powerful parties pressuring his government later on Saturday (24), days after he reportedly threatened to quit.
Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who leads the caretaker government as its chief adviser until elections are held, has called for rival political parties jostling for power to give him their full support.
His press secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed Yunus would meet leaders of the powerful Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as well as leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, the Muslim-majority nation's largest Islamist party.
"He is meeting BNP and Jamaat leaders this evening," Alam said. No agenda for the talks has been released.
But the BNP, seen as the front-runners in elections, are pushing heavily for polls to be held by December. They would be the first elections since a student-led revolt forced then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee in August 2024.
Microfinance pioneer Yunus, who has led the country after returning from exile at the behest of protesters, says he has a duty to implement democratic reforms before elections.
Yunus has said polls could be held as early as December, but that holding them later -- with a deadline of June -- would give more time for those changes.
The South Asian nation of around 170 million people has been in political turmoil since Hasina fled, but this week has seen an escalation with rival parties protesting on the streets of the capital Dhaka with a string of competing demands.
"Our senior members will be there for the talks," said BNP media official Shairul Kabir Khan.
Jamaat-e-Islami's media spokesperson Ataur Rahman Sarkar also confirmed that they were invited.
On Thursday (22), a political ally and sources in his office said Yunus had threatened to resign if Bangladesh's parties and factions did not back him.
That came a day after BNP supporters held large-scale protests against the interim government for the first time demanding an election date.
"If he is unable to announce a specific election date by December, we will reconsider our support for his administration," senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said in an interview on a private TV channel broadcast on Friday (23).
According to local media and military sources, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman this week also said that elections should be held by December -- aligning with BNP demands.
Bangladesh has a long history of military coups, and the army retains a powerful role in the country.
Jamaat-e-Islami loyalists have also protested against the government, demanding the abolition of a women's commission seeking equality.
Nahid Islam, leader of the National Citizen Party -- made up of many of the students who spearheaded the uprising against Hasina -- said his party meanwhile wanted later elections to give time for change.
The students wanted "fundamental reforms" to Bangladesh's system of governance, Islam, an ally of Yunus, told reporters on Friday, according to the Prothom Alo newspaper.
But he said rival parties considered the overthrow of Hasina to be "regime change and are trying to assume power" under the existing constitution.
"There are efforts to create an unstable situation in the country," Islam added. "We must remain united and not fall into the trap."
Hasina, 77, remains in self-imposed exile in India.
She has defied an arrest warrant to face trial for crimes against humanity related to last year's police crackdown on protesters during which at least 1,400 were killed.
(AFP)
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Alia Bhatt shines at Cannes in couture look and bonds with Simone Ashley in unforgettable moment
Alia Bhatt’s first appearance at the Cannes Film Festival wasn’t just about couture. It was a quiet, powerful moment of representation, style, and sisterhood. Dressed in a delicate Schiaparelli gown, she walked the red carpet for the first time, joining a legacy of global icons at the prestigious event. Her presence, however, was about more than glamour. It was a subtle celebration of Indian talent on an international stage.
Alia Bhatt makes elegant Cannes debut in Schiaparelli Getty Images
Bhatt’s ivory-toned, off-shoulder dress featured soft floral embroidery and a dramatic tulle hem. Paired with minimal jewellery, slicked-back hair, and radiant makeup, the look was elegant and understated. Her stylist, Rhea Kapoor, brought out a vintage charm without losing Alia’s signature modern vibe. On Instagram, Alia teased the outfit with a behind-the-scenes photo, holding a fan emblazoned with L'Oréal’s iconic line: “I’m worth it.”
The highlight, though, wasn’t just the dress. During a L’Oréal photo-op, Alia met Bridgerton star Simone Ashley. The two actors, both of Indian heritage, posed together, Simone in a structured Vivienne Westwood outfit and Alia in her Schiaparelli creation. One candid moment stood out where Simone, visibly moved, looked at Alia with a warm smile; Alia caught her gaze, and both burst into laughter.
Fans were quick to call it a “Shanaya meets Kate” moment, linking Alia’s breakout role in Student of the Year to Simone’s Bridgerton character. Social media lit up with admiration: “Two queens,” one user posted. “This is powerful,” said another.
Later that evening, Alia switched to a deep navy Armani Privé gown for L’Oréal’s Lights on Women’s Worth event, which honours female filmmakers. The second look was pure high fashion with bejewelled details, a plunging back, and sapphire accents. Her hair accessory and soft makeup let the gown speak for itself.
The L’Oréal Lights on Women event saw Alia in a navy Armani PrivéGetty Images
This double appearance wasn’t just a fashion statement. It was Alia Bhatt embracing her place on the global stage while connecting with peers like Simone Ashley, who share similar roots. It wasn’t loud or dramatic, but it was a moment that said a lot and did so beautifully.
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