Kirit Modi, Honorary President for the National Kidney Federation (NKF) and the National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Transplant Alliance (NBTA) was among those that received royal honours last week.
The kidney advocate and transplant recipient was awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for the longstanding services to organ donation, particularly within the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) area.
As an Honorary President, Kirit has often spoken at the All Party Parliamentary Kidney Group meetings and written two Manifestos for change covering BAME issues and living kidney donation.
Committed to the role of service, Kirit is also Chairman for the Lister Area Kidney Patients Association (LAKPA), Chair of the Jain and Hindu Steering Group on Organ Donation (JHOD) and is a member of the project board for the Community Investment Scheme run by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).
In 2018, Kirit was awarded a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister for his work on organ donation.
Expressing his gratitude to colleagues and being awarded the MBE, Kirit said: “It has been a great pleasure to work with dedicated colleagues in the National Kidney Federation (NKF), National BAME Transplant Alliance (NBTA), Lister Area Kidney Patients Association (LAKPA) and the Jain and Hindu Organ Donation Steering Group (JHOD), to improve the lives of kidney patients and to promote organ donation over many years. I am most grateful to the many NHS staff for the amazing care they have provided to me as a kidney transplant recipient. I am honoured to receive this recognition; it will provide more opportunities to continue my work."
The ICC described Dhoni as someone who redefined the role of a wicketkeeper-batter, bringing 'brute force and power-hitting' to a position traditionally filled by lower-order players. (Photo: Getty Images)
FORMER India captain MS Dhoni has been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame for 2025, along with six other cricketers, including South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith, and two women players – former Pakistan captain Sana Mir and England’s Sarah Taylor.
Also inducted were Australia’s Matthew Hayden, New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, and England’s Taylor, who joins Mir as the only two women recognised this year.
The induction ceremony was held at Abbey Road Studios in London, near Lord’s, where the World Test Championship final begins on Wednesday. Both captains – Australia’s Pat Cummins and South Africa’s Temba Bavuma – attended the event.
Dhoni’s unmatched leadership record
Dhoni, who led India to three ICC white-ball titles – the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy – was acknowledged by the ICC for his overall contribution to cricket. The former wicketkeeper-batsman scored 10,773 runs in 350 ODIs at an average of 50.57, including 10 centuries and 73 fifties. He also played 90 Tests, scoring 4,876 runs with six centuries, and 98 T20Is, with 1,617 runs.
“It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world,” said Dhoni, who played in this year’s Indian Premier League at age 43. “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.”
Dhoni remains the only captain to win all three ICC white-ball tournaments. He also led India in 60 Tests, with 27 wins, 15 losses, and 18 draws. In ODIs, he captained the side in a record 200 matches, winning 110. In T20Is, he led India in 72 games, with 41 wins.
ICC tribute: calm, consistent and unconventional
The ICC praised Dhoni’s achievements, stating, “Celebrated for his calm under pressure and unmatched tactical nous, but also a trailblazer in the shorter formats, MS Dhoni’s legacy as one of the game’s greatest finishers, leaders and wicketkeepers has been honoured with his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.”
“With 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India, Dhoni’s numbers reflect not just excellence but extraordinary consistency, fitness and longevity,” it added.
“Dhoni’s ODI legacy is studded with records, including the most stumpings in the format (123), the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper (183*), and the most matches as captain for India (200), to name a few,” the ICC said. “His glove work defied convention. Dhoni’s technique behind the stumps was unorthodox, yet extraordinarily effective... completing stumpings in the blink of an eye, and pulling off catches with a style all his own.”
The ICC described Dhoni as someone who redefined the role of a wicketkeeper-batter, bringing “brute force and power-hitting” to a position traditionally filled by lower-order players. It said the 2007 T20 World Cup win under Dhoni sparked a new era in Indian cricket and confirmed “that the future of its leadership was in safe hands”.
Other inductees honoured
Hashim Amla, who became the first South African to score a triple century in Tests with 311 not out at the Oval in 2012, was honoured alongside his former teammate Graeme Smith. Smith, who captained South Africa in a world-record 109 Tests, said, “This is also a proud moment for South Africa, as two of us have got recognition this year.”
Amla added, “It is an honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, especially alongside Graeme.”
Hayden was a key part of Australia’s successful sides in the early 2000s, scoring 30 Test centuries at an average above 50. Vettori, who now serves as an assistant coach with Australia, is one of only three players to score 4,000 runs and take 300 wickets in Tests.
Women stars recognised
Sarah Taylor, regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers in women’s cricket, helped England win multiple global tournaments, including the 2017 ODI World Cup on home soil.
Pakistan’s Sana Mir, the first woman from her country to enter the ICC Hall of Fame, took 151 wickets in ODIs and led the national team to gold at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games.
“From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women’s team in our country to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolised long before I ever held a bat or a ball – this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine,” said Mir.
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Keir Starmer had indicated last month that he would reverse the cuts. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE GOVERNMENT will reinstate winter fuel payments to millions of pensioners this year, reversing an earlier decision that had removed the benefit for most recipients in England and Wales. The move comes after months of criticism and political pressure on prime minister Keir Starmer.
After taking office in July, Starmer's Labour government had removed the winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners as part of broader spending cuts.
The government said at the time that the cuts were necessary to address a gap in the public finances created by the previous Conservative administration.
Means-testing remains for wealthier pensioners
On Monday, the government announced it would restore the payments to 9 million pensioners. Only about 2 million people earning above £35,000 will remain excluded from the £200–£300 heating subsidy during the winter months.
The initial decision had faced opposition from dozens of Labour MPs and was seen as a factor in the party’s recent electoral setbacks, including gains made by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in local elections. Reform UK also leads in national opinion polls.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the decision to exclude wealthier pensioners still stands and defended the initial cuts.
“Because of those decisions, our public finances are now in a better position, which means that this year we're able to pay the winter fuel payment to more pensioners,” she said.
Treasury costings and political fallout
The Treasury said the reversal would cost £1.25 billion, while means-testing the benefit would still result in savings of about £450 million. It added that the move would not lead to permanent additional borrowing and that funding plans would be set out in a budget later this year.
Speaking at a press conference in Wales, Farage claimed credit for the U-turn.
“The Labour government are in absolute state of blind panic, they are not quite sure what to do,” he said. “Reform are leading now much of their agenda.”
Starmer had indicated last month that he would reverse the cuts.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the earlier policy change had resulted in around 85 per cent of pensioner households losing access to the benefit.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The charity is encouraging individuals to honour a bereaved father with a special online dedication
As Father’s Day approaches, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, Sands, is extending vital support to grieving fathers and their families. With Sunday, 15 June, likely to be a challenging day for many, the charity is making special efforts to ensure bereaved dads do not feel alone.
Sands has announced extended hours for its confidential Freephone Helpline (0808 164 3332), which will be open from 10 am to 12 pm on Father’s Day. This service offers a safe, non-judgmental space for those affected by pregnancy or baby loss to talk and seek support. Support is also available via email (helpline@sands.org.uk) and through the charity’s online community atwww.sands.community.
Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth. In addition, at least one in six pregnancies ends in miscarriage. The emotional toll on families is deep and lasting, with key dates such as Father’s Day serving as painful reminders of loss.
The day, which is often filled with images of family and celebration, can be especially isolating for those who have experienced the death of a baby. Sands recognises that men in particular may find it difficult to talk about their grief, which can intensify feelings of loneliness and exclusion.
To help people connect and show solidarity, the charity is encouraging individuals to honour a bereaved father with a special online dedication. They also offer meaningful tokens and cards as gestures of remembrance and support.
Jen Coates, Sands’ Director of Bereavement Support, said: “This Father’s Day and beyond, let’s recognise all the wonderful dads and grandads in our lives. Whether their children can be held in their arms or in their hearts and minds, they’ll always be a dad or granddad.
“We know from bereaved families that the build-up to Father’s Day can be one of the most emotionally complex times of the year. We want people to know that Sands is here for them, not just on Father’s Day, but whenever they need support.”
Guidance for grieving dads
Sands has also issued practical advice for bereaved fathers navigating Father’s Day. The charity recommends acknowledging that the days leading up to the event may be more difficult than the day itself. It suggests reaching out to someone trusted, or speaking to an employer if time off is needed.
The charity emphasises that it’s acceptable to step back from social media or cancel plans to prioritise self-care. For some, visiting a meaningful location, looking at baby photos, or finding quiet time in nature can help provide comfort and reflection.
Sands also highlights the role of physical activity and peer connection. One of the unique ways the charity supports men is through Sands United FC – a network of football teams across the country for bereaved dads and family members. The initiative helps participants find strength through shared experiences and sport.
How to support a bereaved dad
For friends, colleagues, and family members who want to help, Sands provides advice on how to offer meaningful support. A key message is not to avoid talking about the baby. Using the baby’s name and acknowledging their existence can make a huge difference.
Simple gestures – such as sending a thoughtful message, giving a remembrance token, or writing a heartfelt card – can help grieving dads feel remembered and less alone.
Sands also encourages openness. Humour and light conversation may sometimes ease tension and offer relief, though this should always be guided by the individual’s comfort.
Vikas’ story: Remembering Aum
Vikas Jain, a volunteer befriender and parent speaker with Sands, lost his baby son Aum in January 2016. Aum passed away peacefully at just five days old. Since then, Vikas and his wife Reena have been actively involved in their local Birmingham Sands group, where they found invaluable support from other bereaved families.
Vikas Jain, a volunteer befriender and parent speaker with SandsSands
“Please don’t forget about dads,” Vikas said. “Don’t minimise their experience or only ask after their partner. They have lost their baby too. Take time to listen and ask how they want colleagues or teams to be informed about their loss, just as you would for a bereaved mum.”
Vikas is also a passionate advocate for Sands’ Bereavement in the Workplace training, which helps organisations understand how to compassionately support grieving employees. He said: “My key advice to business leaders is to talk with the individual and show that you care. Acknowledging their loss – regardless of when it happened – means everything.”
He added: “Workplaces are a major part of people’s lives. Having the right language and confidence to offer support makes a real difference. Sands’ training can help create a compassionate workplace, which benefits everyone.”
Support beyond Father’s Day
Sands offers dedicated support for men year-round through a range of resources and services. In addition to its helpline and online community, the charity runs a men’s support Facebook group and continues to grow the Sands United football initiative nationwide.
With ongoing campaigning, research, and training, Sands is committed to ensuring that no bereaved parent or family member faces loss alone, on Father’s Day or any other time of year.
The Conservative leader said she asks people to remove face coverings—whether burqas or balaclavas—when they attend her surgeries. (Photo: Getty Images)
KEMI BADENOCH has said she will not speak to women wearing burqas or other face coverings at her constituency surgery.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, the Conservative leader said she asks people to remove face coverings—whether burqas or balaclavas—when they attend her surgeries.
Badenoch also said employers should have the right to ban staff from wearing burqas, stating, “Organisations should be able to decide what their staff wear.”
She said, “If you come into my constituency surgery, you have to remove your face covering. I’m not talking to people who are not going to show me their face.” She added, “There’s a whole heap of stuff that is far more insidious... things like first-cousin marriage… My view is that people should be allowed to wear whatever they want, not what their husband is asking them to wear or what their community says that they should wear.”
Afzal Khan, Labour MP and vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims, criticised the remarks. He said: “Trying to outflank Reform UK on immigration or culture wars... erodes trust in politics itself.”
The issue was raised after Reform MP Sarah Pochin questioned Keir Starmer about banning the burqa. Nigel Farage has also called for a debate.
Zia Yusuf, chair of Reform, resigned over the issue but has since returned. He told The Sunday Times he might vote for a ban but said other issues were more urgent.
Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, said he had spoken to women in burqas in the past.
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From surprise drops to stunning trailers, Summer Game Fest 2025 lit up screens worldwide with unforgettable gaming moments
Forget just watching trailers because Summer Game Fest 2025 felt like getting sucker-punched by pure gaming hype. Midnight drops, world premieres that actually stunned us, moments that genuinely shook the community, this year’s show proved why gaming is still one of the most exciting places to be. Let’s dive into the ten moments that had everyone talking, sharing clips, and questioning what’s possible next.
1. Resident Evil: Requiem stole the show
Capcom closed the show with Resident Evil: Requiem (27 February 2026), a franchise reboot returning to Raccoon City with chilling realism. First came whispers of a “30th-anniversary project,” then, boom: Requiem. Returning Raccoon City to its rotted roots, this 27 February 2026 release promises sweat-beaded character models and a terror so vivid you’ll feel it in your bones. That fake-out tease from Jun Takeuchi? Pure genius, and fans are still reeling.
Even though it launched just days before (3 June), Nintendo’s Switch 2 was the talk of SGF. Seeing Cyberpunk 2077 running smoothly silenced doubters. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds showed off cross-platform play, something Mario Kart still lacks. Plus, leaks about Mortal Shell 2 and Code Vein 2 coming to Switch 2 just fuelled the fire. Everyone was talking about it, stage or no stage.
Hideo Kojima’s sequel looks like another emotional powerhouse. Elle Fanning’s voiceover, stunning visuals, and Woodkid’s score made the trailer feel like a mini-movie. Mark your calendars: Death Stranding 2 hits PS5 on 26 June. Get your tissues and DualSense ready.
SGF changed the game with instant drops. Lies of P: Overture announced its DLC and released it right then. Hitman dropped a new Casino Royale-inspired mission featuring Mads Mikkelsen as LeChiffre, sparking a month-long chase. Wildgate opened its beta minutes after reveal. Announce a game, play it instantly? Brilliant.
Day of the Devs (6 June) was a welcome dose of creativity amidst the AAA giants. Possessors mixes Metroidvania exploration with seriously creepy body horror. Big Walk from the Untitled Goose Game team turns voice chat into a brilliant puzzle tool. Ambrosia Sky (imagine Metroid Prime meets cosmic exploration) proved indie games crackle with fresh ideas.
SGF 2025 was full of "Wait, what?!" sequels. Atomic Heart 2 cranked its bizarre retro-future chaos way up. Scott Pilgrim EX brought the original devs and Anamanaguchi back for a time-bending brawler. And the whispers about Mortal Shell 2 and Code Vein 2 confirmed the souls-like scene is getting even hotter.
The Xbox Showcase revealed the slick ROG Xbox Ally handheld (a Microsoft/Asus collab). But the real buzz came from Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds adding wild guest characters: Minecraft’s Steve, Persona 5’s Joker, and Yakuza’s Ichiban. Lego Voyagers also looked fun, offering split-screen chaos with a friend pass.
Sega didn’t stop at those crazy kart racer cameos. CrossWorlds getting full cross-platform play was a direct shot at Mario Kart. And they teased even more unexpected crossovers, leaving fans speculating wildly. It felt like a new era of open, chaotic fun.
SGF teased some truly unique upcoming games. Stranger Than Heaven is a noir detective story in 1940s Japan where basic needs like hunger are deadly. Killer Inn pits 24 players against each other in social deduction within a haunted mansion. The Cube hinted at a massive, ever-changing MMO set in the Atomic Heart universe. Absolute mind-bending stuff.
Beyond the main show, SGF amplified crucial voices: Day of the Devs, Women-Led Games, Black Voices in Gaming, and spotlights from Japan, Latin America, and more. These stages delivered vital perspectives, proving gaming’s future is richer and more varied than ever.
Summer Game Fest 2025 proved you don’t need a massive convention hall to make waves. It filled the void E3 left behind, sure, but more importantly, it captured the raw excitement of gaming right now. From surprise drops to wild crossover moments, it proved that the next big thing might be a studio you’ve never heard of or a feature that’s available to play right now. It was a wild week that reminded us: the future of gaming is wide open, unpredictable, and packed with potential and that’s exactly why we love it.