FORMER India offspinner Harbhajan Singh announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Friday (24), bringing down the curtain on a 23-year career in the sport.
The feisty 41-year-old made his international debut in 1998 and played 103 Tests, 236 one-day internationals and 28 Twenty20 internationals, taking 711 wickets across the three formats and winning the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2007 T20I World Cup.
He last played for India in a T20I in 2016, but has continued to play in the Indian Premier League, turning out for the Kolkata Knight Riders in three matches in the 2021 season.
He finishes his career as the country's fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, after Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and R Ashwin.
"There comes a time in your life when you must take some tough decisions and move ahead," Harbhajan said in a video message posted on YouTube.
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"I have been meaning to make this announcement for the last few years, but I was waiting for the right moment to share it with all of you. Today, I am retiring from all formats of cricket."
Charli XCX, known for her music and rebellious spirit, has just been named Songwriter of the Year at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards. Held at London’s Grosvenor House, the ceremony recognised the people behind the music, including those who write the lyrics, shape the melodies, and craft the tunes that stick with us. And this year, it was Charli’s moment.
In a cheeky acceptance speech, she quoted lyrics from her own song Club Classics: “I wanna dance to me, me, me…” and followed it up by saying, “I’m hardly Bob Dylan.” But behind the humour was a clear truth: she’s worked hard to create something uniquely her own. Her 2024 album Brat captured both chaos and honesty, mixing club-ready beats with raw questions about fame, identity, and relationships. It was not just a hit on the charts; it sparked a wider cultural moment. Even the word “brat” made it into the Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year.
Charli XCX posing after winning Songwriter of the Year at the 2025 IvorsGetty Images
The Ivors, now in their 70th year, celebrate excellence in songwriting, voted for by fellow songwriters. That makes this recognition feel especially real. Brat may not have won Best Album, that went to Berwyn for Who Am I, but Charli’s influence on pop this past year is undeniable. Her music has been everywhere, with her songs reportedly played over 50 times a day across UK airwaves.
The awards also spotlighted new and rising talent. Lola Young won the Rising Star Award, thanks to the success of her gritty hit Messy, while Myles Smith’s Stargazing took home the award for the most-played song of the year. Orla Gartland’s intimate ballad Mine was named Best Song Musically and Lyrically, and Sans Soucis won Best Contemporary Song for Circumnavigating Georgia.
Elsewhere, U2 were honoured with a lifetime fellowship, Brandon Flowers of The Killers won the special international award, and Robbie Williams was celebrated as a music icon.
As Charli XCX said herself, a good song isn’t just about melody; it’s about having a point of view. And with Brat, she’s made hers loud and clear.
MITCHELL MARSH scored his first Indian Premier League century as Lucknow Super Giants defeated Gujarat Titans by 33 runs in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Marsh hit 117 off 64 balls, including 10 fours and eight sixes, helping Lucknow post 235-2 in their 20 overs.
In response, Gujarat, who have already qualified for the playoffs, were restricted to 202-9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
"We gave 15-20 runs extra. If we'd stopped them at 210-220 it would've been better, that was a huge difference," said Gujarat captain Shubman Gill. "Getting momentum back will be key in the next game."
Lucknow were already out of the playoffs and played for pride.
Gujarat opener Sai Sudharsan, the tournament’s top scorer, made 21 before being caught by Aiden Markram off Will O’Rourke, who took 3-27. Gill, who looked in rhythm, was dismissed for 35, caught in the deep by Abdul Samad off Avesh Khan.
Jos Buttler added 33 before falling to Akash Singh in the 10th over.
Shahrukh Khan (57) and Sherfane Rutherford (38) built a brief partnership but O’Rourke struck twice in the 17th over to end Gujarat’s chase.
"We had a lot of fun out there, T20 is fickle," said O'Rourke.
Earlier, Marsh and Markram gave Lucknow a solid start with a 91-run opening partnership after Gujarat won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Markram hit two consecutive sixes off Kagiso Rabada but was caught by Shahrukh Khan near the boundary off Sai Kishore for 36.
Marsh kept scoring quickly, taking 25 runs off Rashid Khan’s first over. He reached his century in 56 balls before being caught by Rutherford off Arshad Khan for 117.
Nicholas Pooran made an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, including four fours and five sixes. Captain Rishabh Pant remained not out on 16.
The IPL resumed last Saturday after a pause due to a deadly conflict between India and Pakistan, which had led overseas players to reassess their plans.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Among the standout announcements was Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Siege Mode
The Warhammer Skulls 2025 showcase has once again delivered a wealth of announcements for fans of Games Workshop's vast gaming universe, with Warhammer 40K leading the charge. From new expansions and surprise reveals to free updates and overhauls of classic titles, the event highlighted the continued momentum of the Warhammer video game portfolio.
Running from 22 to 29 May 2025, Warhammer Skulls also features substantial discounts across the Epic Games Store, giving players a chance to expand their collections while enjoying fresh content.
Major expansions deepen Warhammer 40K narratives
Owlcat Games, known for its work on Pathfinder and Rogue Trader, revealed Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, a party-based RPG that places players in the role of Inquisition acolytes confronting corruption across the Imperium. Set to feature turn-based combat and story-driven gameplay, Dark Heresy builds upon the studio’s reputation for deep narrative choices and tactical combat. This marks a significant step in translating the tabletop RPG to digital formats.
Also from Owlcat, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is expanding with Lex Imperialis, a major story-driven DLC releasing on 24 June. It introduces the Adeptus Arbites, a faction of Imperial law enforcers, alongside a grim new companion, Solomorne Anthar. With 15 hours of additional gameplay, this expansion is just the beginning, Season Pass 2 includes two more substantial story packs. One will send players into a Necron vault ruled by Trazyn the Infinite, and another will plunge them into the Processional of the Damned, a voidship graveyard steeped in madness. Each expansion offers new companions, mechanics, and quests.
Gameplay evolution and free content
Among the standout announcements was Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Siege Mode, a free addition introducing an endless PvE survival challenge. Up to three players can team up to defend an Imperial fortress on Kadaku against waves of Tyranids and Chaos enemies. Launching on 4 June via a public test server, this update will also debut the powerful Inferno Pistol and reward players with prestige rankings and cosmetics.
- YouTubeYouTube/ Fatshark
On 26 June, Space Marine 2’s Patch 8 will unlock two cosmetic DLCs: the White Scars Chapter Pack and Blood Angels Cosmetic Pack. These offer new class skins, weapon customisations, and chapter heraldry for both primary and successor chapters. The attention to detail in these cosmetic packs reinforces the developers' commitment to honouring the lore and fan expectations.
Meanwhile, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition brings the 2011 third-person shooter back with modern enhancements. Launching 10 June, the remaster includes 4K visuals, updated models, improved UI, and all original DLCs. Developed by SneakyBox, this edition is tailored for both veterans and newcomers wanting to experience the classic through a modern lens.
New factions and features across titles
The fast-paced fantasy sports title Blood Bowl 3 will introduce the Khorne faction on 10 June. Known for their brutal tactics and bloodthirsty devotion, the Khorne team adds a chaotic edge to the turn-based game. Players can also unlock an exclusive Khorne coach via the in-game store until 29 May. A 60% discount on the base game coincides with the update, encouraging new coaches to join the fray.
In another first for the franchise, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II was revealed to be adding the Leagues of Votann, spacefaring dwarves with a penchant for AI and technological worship. It’s the faction’s first major video game appearance since their 2022 tabletop debut. Although details remain sparse, more information is expected soon.
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is also expanding with Deeds of the Fallen, a new campaign DLC featuring the Sisters of Battle in a 12-mission conflict against orc invaders. The update includes three new units, Imagifier, Castigator Battle Tank, and Zephyrim. In addition, the game introduces Crusade Mode, a horde-based survival challenge, alongside two free units for Adepta Sororitas and Ork factions.
Teasers and what’s next
Creative Assembly’s Total War: Warhammer III hinted at its upcoming Tides of Torment Lords Pack. The trailer showcased Dechala the Denied One, a six-armed champion of Slaanesh, and promised new mechanics, Legendary Lords, and units. Full details are expected later this summer.
With these diverse announcements and a mix of free updates, paid expansions, and remastered content, Warhammer 40K continues to expand its presence in gaming. The Skulls 2025 event highlights the adaptability and scale of the franchise, whether through deep strategy, action-packed battles, or story-driven campaigns, the grimdark future is more immersive than ever.
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Salman Khan's Bandra residence witnessed two trespassing attempts in just 24 hours
Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai, faced two security breaches this week after a man and a woman tried to enter his building on separate occasions. Both individuals have since been taken into custody by the Bandra police and booked for trespassing.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday morning when 23-year-old Jitendra Kumar Singh, who had travelled from Chhattisgarh, was found lingering near the actor’s residence. When asked to leave by security personnel, Singh became agitated and smashed his phone. Later that evening, he managed to sneak inside the Galaxy Apartments compound by following a car into the premises. Security guards apprehended him before he could reach the actor and handed him over to the police. During questioning, Singh reportedly said he just wanted to meet Khan, but security wouldn't let him in.
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Less than 24 hours later, a second breach occurred. Early Wednesday morning around 3:30 am, 36-year-old Isha Chhabra from Khar managed to enter the same apartment complex. Claiming she had been invited, she went up to the actor’s flat and rang the doorbell. Salman Khan was reportedly at home at the time. The building’s staff quickly intervened and called the police after verifying she had no invitation.
Police are now investigating whether either of the intruders had help from someone inside the building. Officers are also reviewing security protocols at Galaxy Apartments, particularly since the actor has been under serious threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
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This isn’t the first time Khan’s safety has come under question. Last April, two men on a bike fired shots outside his home. That attack, allegedly orchestrated by the Bishnoi gang, led to increased protection for the actor, including a Y-plus security detail. Additional measures, including surveillance upgrades and tighter building access, were introduced following that incident.
Tight security at Galaxy Apartments questioned after back-to-back intrusionsGetty Images
Khan, while promoting his upcoming film Sikandar earlier this year, admitted that the tight security has affected his daily life. He mentioned that he rarely steps out unless it’s for a shoot, and even then, he travels strictly between the set and his home.
With these latest incidents, questions are once again being raised about whether even Y-plus security is really enough.
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Fans react to Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s new Omega campaign with Bond speculation
The search for the next James Bond might be nearing its end, and fans think the latest clue is too obvious to ignore. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was long considered a top contender for the role, has just been announced as the new face of Omega, the luxury watch brand that’s been part of Bond’s look since GoldenEye in 1995.
The announcement, made by Omega on Instagram, shows Taylor-Johnson touring the brand’s headquarters in Switzerland. Fans quickly picked up on the Bond connection, with many commenting that this looks like a carefully placed breadcrumb. “What secret agent do we know wears an Omega?” one user asked. Others simply welcomed him with, “Hello, Mr Bond.”
Omega watches have been a signature accessory for James Bond for nearly 30 years. Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig both wore Omega during their time as 007, so this new partnership has naturally sparked talk that Taylor-Johnson is next in line.
The actor, best known for roles in Bullet Train, Kick-Ass, and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter, hasn’t confirmed anything. When asked earlier this year about the Bond rumours, he dodged the question, focusing instead on promoting his current projects. But he did speak highly of Omega, calling their craftsmanship “impressive” and the factory visit “awe-inspiring.”
Even his wife, director Sam Taylor-Johnson, teased the idea in a recent interview, saying he’d be “great” in the role. Former Bond Pierce Brosnan agrees, having worked with Aaron in the 2009 film The Greatest. Brosnan praised him as “charismatic” and “bold”—qualities essential for Bond and said he’d be an excellent fit.
Despite the excitement, the role isn’t officially his. Other names like Theo James, Henry Cavill, and James Norton are still in the mix, with betting odds shifting frequently. Amazon MGM now oversees the franchise, and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are driving the reboot forward, though no casting announcements have been made yet.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson keeps quiet on Bond role but the clues keep adding upGetty Images
Still, if this Omega partnership is more than just a branding move, fans might already be looking at their new Bond. Whether it’s clever marketing or an actual hint, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is firmly in the spotlight.