Majid Haq scorned the failure of Scotland players to speak out following the publication of a report on racism in Cricket Scotland, saying it showed that the team taking a knee before games to protest racism was little more than tokenism.
The report, published on Monday, found the governance and leadership practices of Cricket Scotland to be "institutionally racist".
The review was commissioned after Haq and former teammate Qasim Sheikh spoke out about the abuse they had suffered, saying they were treated differently due to the colour of their skin.
On Tuesday, their lawyer Aamer Anwar questioned the point of Scotland's players taking a knee before games to protest racism at the Twenty20 World Cup last year when "no white team member has chosen to say anything much or at all over the last few days."
In response, Haq tweeted, "Looks like it was nothing other than a bit of virtue signalling (and) tick box exercise because the deafening silence from a lot of them speaks volumes.
"They might feel uncomfortable but their privilege is never having to think you'll not make the team because of racism."
The board of Cricket Scotland apologised and resigned on Sunday, a day before the report was published, and interim CEO Gordon Arthur issued a "heartfelt apology" to all victims of racism and discrimination on Monday.
Nina Dobrev has spoken candidly about her long-running battle for equal pay on hit supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries. In the new book I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries by Entertainment Weekly editor Samantha Highfill, the actress revealed she earned significantly less than her male co-stars despite playing the show’s central role and taking on the added workload of portraying a doppelgänger.
Nina Dobrev juggled dual roles on Vampire Diaries while fighting for fair pay behind the scenes Getty Images
Why did Nina Dobrev earn less than her The Vampire Diaries co-stars?
Dobrev played Elena Gilbert from the start of The CW series in 2009 and later took on the role of Elena’s darker double, Katherine Pierce. She told Highfill that her original contract only covered one character, meaning her expanded workload was not matched with higher pay.
“Candice (King), Kat (Graham), and I were the three lowest-paid series regulars in the first two seasons,” Dobrev explained. “It was tricky because I had to be on set for double the amount of time and memorise twice the number of lines, yet I wasn’t compensated fairly.”
While Somerhalder and Wesley received raises earlier, Dobrev remained on a lower salary tier. She said the studio told her “out of principle” they would not match her pay to the men.
Actress opens up about studio refusing equal pay to match Ian Somerhalder and Paul WesleyGetty Images
Did Nina Dobrev ever achieve equal pay?
According to the book, actors were only able to renegotiate from season three onwards. Dobrev did secure a raise but was still not granted parity with her co-leads. Showrunner Julie Plec confirmed that disputes even led to the studio instructing writers not to use Katherine because it meant additional payment for Dobrev.
“It got really heated,” Plec said. “We were told we couldn’t write Katherine at all. We had to beg to keep the character.”
Dobrev recalled the lack of recognition as “hurtful,” adding: “We shot eighteen-hour days, and I was putting my heart, soul, and sweat into it. Yet I was made to feel my work didn’t matter as much.”
Nina Dobrev returned for the series finale after insisting on pay parity for one episodeGetty Images
What happened when Nina Dobrev returned in the final season?
After leaving in 2015 at the end of season six, Dobrev was asked to return for the eighth and final run. The book reveals the studio initially offered her a fee five times lower than her previous season’s rate.
“I needed to be paid parity to the boys,” she said. “It wasn’t about the money, it was the principle. If it didn’t happen, I couldn’t come back.”
She eventually secured her requested rate but only for one episode, the series finale. Plec said: “She should’ve been making what those boys made all along. To her credit, she stuck to her guns.”
During Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev had to memorise double lines and endure eighteen-hour shoot daysGetty Images
What does Nina Dobrev say about the fight for equal pay?
Reflecting on the negotiations, Dobrev said: “For me it was about being equal. The artistry of the show suffered because I couldn’t appear in more episodes, but I’m glad I returned for the goodbye.”
Nina Dobrev reveals 'Vampire Diaries' studio denied equal pay while she played multiple rolesGetty Images
Her stance in fact echoes a broader conversation in Hollywood about gender pay disparity, with several high-profile actresses publicly demanding equal contracts in recent years.
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Reeves pledged to keep a tight hold on spending to reduce inflation and borrowing costs amid concerns over Britain’s fiscal outlook.
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has said the government must support the Bank of England in bringing down inflation while also focusing on growth, ahead of a budget later this year that is expected to include tax rises.
Last week, Reeves said the economy was not “broken” as she announced November 26 as the date for her annual budget.
She pledged to keep a tight hold on spending to reduce inflation and borrowing costs amid concerns over Britain’s fiscal outlook.
Inflation in Britain was the highest among the Group of Seven economies at 3.8 per cent in July. The Bank of England expects it to peak at 4 per cent this month before gradually falling back to its 2 per cent target by the second quarter of 2027.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has said Labour inherited a difficult economic situation from the Conservatives after last year’s election.
Tax increases on businesses, efforts to cut welfare spending, and ongoing arrivals of migrants on small boats have hurt the government’s standing.
Starmer reshuffled his ministerial team last week in an effort to reset his government, though Reeves remained in place. At the first meeting of the new team, Reeves said that controlling inflation was a key priority.
“The government was focused on going further to support the Bank of England in reducing inflation, controlling public spending and driving growth,” a Downing Street spokesperson said after the meeting.
British 20- and 30-year gilt yields reached their highest levels since 1998 last week, with investors watching Britain’s fiscal situation and worried Reeves’ budget could slow growth without generating much tax revenue.
Economists have also warned that some possible tax measures in the budget, such as higher fuel duties and other levies, could add to inflation in the short term.
Previous government decisions on energy policy, as well as increases in employers’ national insurance contributions and the minimum wage, have also been linked to Britain’s high inflation rate.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Manoj, from Frisco, Texas, created an innovation called ‘Shield Seniors’, a website designed to help people over 60 identify and report fraudulent messages and emails. (Photo credit: LinkedIn/Tejasvi Manoj)
SEVENTEEN-year-old Indian-American Tejasvi Manoj has been named Time magazine’s ‘Kid of the Year’ for 2025 for her work on protecting senior citizens from online scams.
Manoj, from Frisco, Texas, created an innovation called ‘Shield Seniors’, a website designed to help people over 60 identify and report fraudulent messages and emails.
“Older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it,” Time said while announcing the recognition. It added that her work earned her the title of TIME’s Kid of the Year for 2025.
She is also the first honouree to be recognised as a TIME for Kids Service Star, part of a programme by the magazine’s sister publication highlighting young people making an impact.
Shield Seniors “educates the 60-plus demographic about what online scams look like, analyse suspicious emails and messages users upload, and, if the communications prove fraudulent, provide links to report them,” Time said.
“The site is currently available in a private preview mode only, pending more R&D and fundraising, but is already — like its creator — making itself known,” it added.
In an interview with Time, Manoj said: “Just make sure to check up on your loved ones. Make sure that they're staying safe online.”
Manoj began coding in eighth grade. She was given an honourable mention in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge, delivered a 2025 TEDx talk in Plano, Texas, about the need to build “digital bridges” to all demographics, and has visited assisted-living facilities, according to the magazine.
She plans to study computer science with a minor in AI or cybersecurity.
Time noted that Manoj continues to advocate for seniors to become “savvy and independent” online, and for families to help them build confidence. Shield Seniors is still in development and runs on a free AI engine, limiting its capacity and reach. Manoj is raising funds to transition to a commercial AI platform.
“We plan to open it to a wider audience once we secure funding to support broader access,” she told the magazine.
Alongside her project, Manoj is active in Scouting America, plays the violin in her school orchestra, and tutors Bhutanese refugees in math and English through Vibha, a nonprofit working on education and workforce development in India, the report said.
She also volunteers with the North Texas Food Bank Young Advocates Council. “I started volunteering in sixth grade,” she said. “I think it’s really important; if you’re lucky yourself, you want to make sure other people feel loved and lucky too.”
In 2020, Indian-American scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao was the first recipient of the ‘Kid of the Year’ award for her work using technology to address issues including contaminated drinking water, opioid addiction and cyberbullying.
(With inputs from PTI)
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The Office for Students welcomed the move, saying more universities may look at mergers as many face financial difficulties. (Photo credit: University of Kent)
THE UNIVERSITIES of Kent and Greenwich will merge in 2026 to form the UK’s first regional “super-university”.
The new institution, to be called the London and South East University Group, will have one vice-chancellor and around 50,000 students, the BBC reported.
The Office for Students welcomed the move, saying more universities may look at mergers as many face financial difficulties.
According to reports, 40 per cent of English universities are now in deficit. The University and College Union (UCU) warned the merger would “almost certainly” lead to redundancies. UCU general secretary Jo Grady said it was “a takeover by Greenwich” as Kent was “on the brink of insolvency”.
The Department for Education said ministers “welcome innovative approaches such as this one”. Kent’s interim leader Prof Georgina Randsley de Moura will stay in post until the merger, when Greenwich vice-chancellor Prof Jane Harrington will lead the new university.
Both universities said the merger would strengthen finances. Prof Harrington told BBC: “This is about taking the best of both universities and saying what do we want to offer to our communities.”
Students will continue applying to Kent or Greenwich separately, and degrees will retain the universities’ names. Both institutions said there were no immediate job loss plans, though each has recently made cuts.
The merger will cover campuses in Canterbury, Medway, Greenwich and Avery Hill. The OfS said it would ensure students’ studies are not disrupted.
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Microsoft and LG partner to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming
Microsoft and LG partner to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to vehicles via LG’s Automotive Content Platform (ACP)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can stream cloud versions of Xbox titles on in-car screens
ACP currently available on Kia EV3 and will expand to EV4, EV5, and the new Sportage
Platform runs on LG’s webOS, which also provides Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, and more
Microsoft will extend Xbox Cloud Gaming to Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers
Upcoming Tokyo Game Show stream expected to reveal Forza Horizon 6
Microsoft is teaming up with LG to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to internet-connected vehicles. A new Xbox app will soon be available on cars using LG’s Automotive Content Platform (ACP), allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to play cloud versions of Xbox titles directly on in-car screens. The app can be used while charging an electric vehicle or entertaining passengers during road trips. LG’s ACP is currently available on Kia’s EV3 and will expand to the EV4, EV5, and new Sportage models.
Xbox gaming hits cars
The new Xbox app allows players to stream games directly to compatible vehicle displays. This expansion builds on Microsoft’s previous efforts to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to smart TVs and mobile devices, giving players greater flexibility in how and where they enjoy their games.
Compatible vehicles and technology
LG’s ACP operates on the webOS platform, the same software that powers LG smart TVs. In addition to Xbox, the platform provides access to popular streaming services including Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, and more. Kia’s EV3 already supports the system, with the EV4, EV5, and new Sportage set to follow.
Expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming reach
The partnership comes as Microsoft prepares to expand Xbox Cloud Gaming to Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers, broadening the availability of cloud gaming across devices and regions. Christopher Lee, vice president of Xbox marketing, said: "Our work with LG is the latest example of Xbox expanding to new places, building on partnerships that already bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to mobile devices, PCs, and TVs. By adding vehicles to the mix, we’re giving players more choice than ever in how they enjoy their games."
- YouTube YouTube/ XBOX
Tokyo Game Show announcement
Microsoft confirmed it will return to the Tokyo Game Show later this month. An Xbox stream is scheduled for 25 September at 03:00 PT / 06:00 ET / 11:00 UK time. Forza Horizon 6 is widely expected to be announced during the showcase. The Xbox teaser features an urban neon street scene, suggesting a possible Japanese setting for the upcoming game.