King Charles III was anointed and crowned on Saturday in Britain's biggest ceremonial event for seven decades, a sumptuous display of pageantry dating back 1,000 years.
In front of a congregation of about 100 world leaders and a television audience of millions, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown on Charles' head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.
Gun salutes were fired at the Tower of London and across the capital, the nation, in Gibraltar, Bermuda and on ships at sea.
"God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the king live forever," the congregation at the abbey said after a trumpet fanfare.
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During the historic and solemn two-hour service, which dates back to the time of William the Conqueror in 1066, Charles' second wife Camilla was also crowned queen.
While rooted in history, the ceremony - televised for only the second time - is also an attempt to present a forward-looking monarchy, with those involved reflecting a more diverse country and all its religions.
With the nation struggling to find its way in the political maelstrom after its exit from the European Union and maintain its standing in a new world order, the monarchy's supporters say the royal family provides an international draw, a vital diplomatic tool and a means of keeping Britain on the world stage.
Saturday's event was on a smaller scale than that staged for Queen Elizabeth in 1953, but still sought to be spectacular, featuring an array of historical regalia from golden orbs and bejewelled swords to a sceptre holding the world's largest colourless cut diamond.
Charles, 74, automatically succeeded his mother as king on her death last September, and the coronation is not essential but regarded as a means to legitimise the monarch in a public way.
After the service, Charles and Camilla, 75, departed in the four-tonne Gold State Coach built for George III, the last king of Britain's American colonies, to ride to Buckingham Palace in a one-mile procession of 4,000 military personnel from 39 nations.
Tens of thousands of people ignored pouring rain to mass in a crowd more than 20 deep in some places to watch what some saw as a moment of history.
Inside the abbey, which was bedecked with flowers and flags, politicians and representatives from Commonwealth nations took their seats alongside charity workers and celebrities, including actors Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and US singer Katy Perry.
Charles looked solemn as he swore oaths to govern justly and uphold the Church of England - of which he is the titular head.
He was then hidden from watching eyes by a screen for the most sacred part of the ceremony when he was anointed on his hands, head and breast by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby with holy oil consecrated in Jerusalem.
After being presented with symbolic regalia, Welby placed the St Edward's Crown on his head and the congregation cried out "God save the King".
His eldest son and heir Prince William, 40, then knelt before his father to pledge his loyalty as his "liege man of life and limb", both moments greeted by cheers from crowds outside.
As he left the abbey, Charles wore a silk and ermine robe.
THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) has completed the fourth review of Sri Lanka’s USD 2.9 billion bailout programme, allowing the country to access the next tranche of USD 350 million from the four-year facility.
The IMF had approved the nearly USD 3 billion bailout in March 2023 to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to restore macroeconomic stability, including fiscal and debt sustainability, during an unprecedented economic crisis.
The programme has helped Sri Lanka rebuild its foreign reserves and carry out debt restructuring negotiations with external creditors.
“The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the fourth review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw SDR254 million (about USD 350 million),” the IMF said in a statement.
With this latest disbursement, the total financial support provided so far under the facility stands at SDR1.27 billion (about USD 1.74 billion).
Economic reforms required under the IMF programme have resulted in widespread hardship, which the global lender has said is necessary to ensure long-term growth and stability.
The measures have been unpopular and contributed to the change of government in 2024.
The current administration, led by the National People's Power—which had earlier criticised the IMF's reform conditions and promised to review them—continues to adhere to the IMF-supported programme.
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Nothing has officially launched its most ambitious smartphone yet, the Nothing Phone 3
Nothing Phone 3 marks the company’s first true flagship, priced at £629.
Includes Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 chip, 16GB RAM and up to 512GB storage.
Introduces dot-matrix-style Glyph interface with interactive mini-games.
First Nothing device with IP68 water and dust resistance.
Full US launch with T-Mobile and AT&T support; limited 5G on Verizon.
Nothing has officially launched its most ambitious smartphone yet, the Nothing Phone 3. Priced at £629, the device signals the company’s shift into the premium flagship space, featuring high-end specs, a refined Glyph interface and a full-scale launch in the US. With its mix of performance upgrades and playful design, the Nothing Phone 3 is positioned to compete directly with the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25.
Nothing’s flagship leap
Nothing is positioning the Phone 3 as its “first true flagship”. CEO Carl Pei emphasised the phone’s premium status during the launch, underlining that the device features a flagship chip, flagship camera, and flagship pricing to match. The company had previously operated in the mid-range segment, but now feels confident competing at a higher level.
Pre-orders open on 4 July, with general sales starting on 15 July via Nothing’s website and Amazon in the US. The phone is fully compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T, while Verizon customers will see more limited 5G support.
Specifications and performance
The Nothing Phone 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 chipset. While not the most powerful chip on the market, it provides solid flagship-level performance. The phone includes up to 16GB of RAM, with 256GB of storage standard and a 512GB model available for an additional £79.
It also features a 5,150mAh battery built using silicon-carbon technology, allowing a large capacity in a slim body. Charging speeds include 65W wired and 15W wireless. The 6.67-inch OLED display is more than twice as bright as its predecessor and supports improved outdoor visibility. The device is also the first from Nothing to include an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
Camera system: flagship on paper
The Nothing Phone 3 includes four 50MP cameras, three on the back and one front-facing. While the hardware specification is impressive, past Nothing devices have struggled with camera processing. Whether the Nothing Phone 3 can keep up with competitors in photography will become clearer after in-depth testing.
A new Glyph design
The rear Glyph interface has been a signature feature of Nothing’s design language. With the Nothing Phone 3, this system has evolved into a dot-matrix LED display called the Glyph Matrix. Rather than abstract light strips, the Matrix enables recognisable symbols and app-linked notifications, such as custom icons or emojis.
Although this approach is less visually striking than previous iterations, it introduces a new layer of usability. However, it draws comparisons with similar dot-matrix displays seen on Asus’s ROG gaming phones.
Whether the Nothing Phone 3 lives up to its promise will depend on how it performs in the hands of consumersYouTube/ Nothing
Glyph Toys and interactive features
Nothing has added a layer of playfulness through “Glyph Toys” — interactive features and games that use the Matrix display. These include spin the bottle, rock paper scissors, a stopwatch and battery indicator, all accessible via a haptic button on the back of the phone.
CEO Carl Pei described these features as a way to reintroduce fun into the smartphone space. He noted that the Glyph Matrix was designed with expandability in mind, and hinted that fan-submitted ideas — such as a magic eight ball — may influence future updates.
AI-powered tools and productivity
The Nothing Phone 3 brings back the Essential Key, a programmable side button introduced earlier in the 3A series. By default, it launches Essential Space, an AI-driven feature that scans screenshots to offer reminders and contextual notifications.
New AI tools also include real-time meeting transcription, summarisation, and a universal search bar that finds content across the device and answers general queries.
A careful yet confident step forward
With the Nothing Phone 3, the company makes its most serious move yet into the high-end smartphone market. The design may be more restrained than earlier Nothing devices, but the feature set reflects a strong effort to balance innovation with practicality.
By combining flagship hardware, AI integration, a refreshed take on the Glyph interface, and a US relaunch, Nothing is taking calculated steps to establish itself as a serious player among tech giants. Whether the Nothing Phone 3 lives up to its promise will depend on how it performs in the hands of consumers, but the company is clearly aiming higher than ever before.
A SOLICITOR from Birmingham has won the Volunteer of the Year award at the King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards for her work with young people.
Nabila met the King at Buckingham Palace last Wednesday (25) before receiving her award at the ceremony in London last Thursday (26).
She was presented the award by broadcaster and Good Morning Britain presenter, Kate Garraway and radio presenters Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo.
Nabila, who grew up in Small Heath, in Birmingham, said she wanted to give young people the professional mentor she did not have.
The 32-year-old has spent more than 10 years volunteering with The King’s Trust Mosaic programme, which helps secondary school pupils in cities across the UK build confidence and job skills.
She said, “Mentoring for The King’s Trust has had a really positive impact on me. I see myself in every one of my mentees and it’s a great feeling knowing that you have helped someone. I hope to continue volunteering for as long as I can.
It’s been over ten years, and although it can be challenging, I still enjoy it.”
The Mosaic programme runs for eight weeks in schools, with volunteers working with groups of pupils to develop their confidence and understanding of the workplace.
Nabila organised visits to the Solicitors Regulation Authority in Birmingham city centre, where students can learn about different careers including law, HR, and communications.
She described watching one shy student transform over the eight-week programme, eventually giving a speech to parents and teachers at the final session.
“The transformation of young people can be incredible,” Nabila said. “It’s important I set a good example and show my mentees what it’s like in the real world of work.”
Garraway said Nabila had inspired hundreds of students across Birmingham through the programme, “Her mentees see someone they can relate to, who is successful, which enables them to believe there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
The King’s Trust helps young people get into work, education, or training. Three in four young people helped by the charity in the past five years have moved into employment, training, or education, a statement said.
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Jury reaches partial verdict in Diddy trial but stalls on racketeering charge
• Jury reaches verdict on 4 out of 5 charges in Sean Combs’ federal trial
• No consensus yet on racketeering conspiracy charge carrying life sentence
• Deliberations to continue Wednesday after just 13 hours behind closed doors
• Combs faces decades in prison if convicted of sex trafficking or racketeering
The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial has delivered a partial verdict, agreeing on four of the five serious charges against the music mogul. However, jurors remain split on the most severe charge of racketeering conspiracy, a count that could send Combs to prison for life if convicted.
After two full days of deliberation in a New York courtroom, the 12-member panel told Judge Arun Subramanian that they had reached unanimous decisions on two counts of sex trafficking and two counts related to transportation for prostitution. These verdicts remain sealed for now.
Sean "Puffy" Combs arrives at New York State Supreme Court in New York city 29 February, 2000Getty Images
Jury stalled over racketeering conspiracy charge
The panel informed the judge on Tuesday evening that they were unable to agree on the racketeering conspiracy charge due to “unpersuadable opinions on both sides.” The charge is the most complex, requiring jurors to determine if Combs operated a coordinated criminal enterprise involving at least two crimes across several years.
Combs has denied all five charges. He sat quietly in court as Judge Subramanian declined to accept a partial verdict and ordered deliberations to continue. His defence team had requested more time to try for full consensus.
Jury reaches partial verdict in Diddy trial but stalls on racketeering charge Getty Images
Sex trafficking and prostitution charges under wraps
Though the jury has reached decisions on the remaining charges, the court has not revealed those verdicts yet. If found guilty of sex trafficking, Combs faces a minimum sentence of 15 years, while convictions on the prostitution-related charges carry up to 10 years each.
The case is based on disturbing testimony from 34 witnesses, including two of Combs’ ex-girlfriends. The government alleges that the Bad Boy Records founder orchestrated “Freak Offs” or sex marathons involving drugs, male escorts, and coercion, often across state lines.
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs performs during taping for the opening of the MTV Beach HouseGetty Images
Cassie’s testimony and surveillance video central to case
One of the most damning pieces of evidence came from R&B singer Cassie Ventura, who testified that Combs abused her physically and sexually during their decade-long relationship. The jury reviewed her account of a 2016 hotel hallway assault, captured on surveillance video, where Combs was seen kicking and dragging her.
Prosecutors say the footage supports Ventura’s claim that she tried to flee a coerced sex party. They argue Combs used threats, money, and fear of public humiliation to control and exploit her.
Sean "Puffy" Combs arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court February 28, 2001Getty Images
Defence paints alternate picture of consensual lifestyle
Combs’ attorneys insist the trial is a smear campaign aimed at criminalising the artist’s consensual swinger lifestyle. They argue his personal relationships were toxic but not criminal, and the alleged abuse, while serious, does not meet the bar for federal sex trafficking or racketeering.
Marc Agnifilo, attorney for Sean "Diddy" Combs, arrives at federal court Getty Images
They also reject claims that his employees helped facilitate illegal acts, saying any staff involvement was limited to professional duties, not criminal collaboration.
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FILE PHOTO: Sheikh Hasina gestures while speaking to the media in Dhaka on January 8, 2024. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
BANGLADESH's ousted and self-exiled prime minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to six months in prison by the country's International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday (2) in a contempt of court case, a top prosecutor said.
Hasina has been facing multiple cases since she fled to India after deadly student-led protests in August, but it was the first time the former leader was sentenced in one of them.
Shakil Akand Bulbul, a leader of the Awami League party's banned student wing Chhatra League, was also sentenced to two months in prison in the same case, chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam told reporters. The party had been led by Hasina for years.
A three-member ICT tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the verdict in their absence, noting that the sentences will take effect upon arrest or surrender, the prosecutor added.
The contempt charges stem from a leaked phone recording where Hasina was allegedly heard saying, "there are 227 cases against me, so I now have a licence to kill 227 people."
A forensic report by a government investigative agency later confirmed the audio's authenticity.
The ICT was originally set up in 2010 by Hasina's own government to try 1971 war crimes.
Bangladesh's interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, pledged to hold leaders, including Hasina, accountable for rights abuses and corruption, including the crackdown on the student-led uprising last July that toppled Hasina's regime.
The tribunal has so far issued three arrest warrants for Hasina, including charges of crimes against humanity linked to the July violence. Hasina's Awami League party remains banned while trials continue against the party and its former leaders.
Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August last year, according to the United Nations, when Hasina's government ordered a crackdown on protesters in a failed bid to cling to power.
In a separate ongoing trial that began on June 1, prosecutors say that Hasina held overall command responsibility for the violence.
Her state-appointed defence lawyer said she has denied the multiple charges that amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law.
Supporters of Hasina dismiss the charges as politically motivated, but the interim government insists the trials are crucial for restoring accountability and rebuilding trust in Bangladesh's democratic institutions.