Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
Meghan Markle has opened up about the early days of her relationship with Prince Harry, describing the period as being “in the trenches” — a remark many interpret as a subtle reference to the challenges they faced within the royal family and the intense media scrutiny.
Speaking on the debut episode of Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast, the Duchess of Sussex gave a rare insight into her personal life and the evolution of her relationship with the Duke of Sussex. The conversation comes shortly after the launch of her new lifestyle and wellness brand, American Riviera Orchard, and her Netflix show With Love, Meghan.
Markle, 43, began dating Prince Harry, 40, in 2016. The couple announced their engagement in 2017 and married in 2018. They are now parents to two children — Archie, aged 5, and Lilibet, aged 3.
Discussing the early stages of their relationship, Markle told Lima: “You have to imagine, at the beginning it's all butterflies – but then we immediately went into the trenches together. Right out of the gate, like six months into dating.”
Her reference to “the trenches” is widely believed to allude to the pressures the couple faced from the British press and tensions within the royal household. Their relationship was made public in late 2016, and shortly after, Kensington Palace released a rare statement criticising the “wave of abuse and harassment” Markle experienced, particularly from tabloids and online commentators.
The couple have since spoken openly about their struggles with media attention and their relationship with the royal family. In previous interviews, they have said that they were not sufficiently supported by the institution. Markle has also spoken publicly about her mental health challenges during her first pregnancy, claiming she was discouraged by royal officials from seeking professional help due to concerns about how it would be perceived.
Despite these past challenges, Markle described her relationship with Harry as stronger than ever. “So now, seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way. And that’s why I feel like it’s more of a honeymoon period for us now,” she said.
She went on to describe her husband in affectionate terms, calling him “a fox” and praising both his appearance and his character. “If you haven’t noticed, my husband is very, very handsome. But his heart is even more beautiful,” she said. Markle also expressed her belief that their marriage would last, saying, “We’re going to be together forever.”
Her remarks on the podcast follow another moment that was interpreted as a veiled reference to the royal family. In the final episode of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, the duchess gave a toast during a gathering with friends and family, including Prince Harry and her mother, Doria Ragland.
“I just want to raise a glass to you guys,” she said. “This feels like a new chapter that I’m so excited that I’m able to share and I’ve been able to learn from all of you. So I just thank you for all the love and support.” She added: “All of that is part of that creativity that I’ve missed so much, so thank you for loving me so much and celebrating with me.”
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the Sussexes have relocated to California and focused on building a new life away from the monarchy. Their projects, including the Netflix series and Markle’s new brand, are being seen as markers of this “new chapter”.
While the duchess did not explicitly name the royal family in her comments, her remarks continue to generate speculation about her ongoing relationship with the institution she left behind.
Wireless Festival 2025 runs from 11–13 July in Finsbury Park, London
Drake to headline all three nights of the sold-out event
New acts include ODUMODUBLVCK, SahBabii, Darkoo and Uncle Waffles
Up to 150,000 attendees expected across the weekend
Final line-up revealed ahead of 20th anniversary festival
Further acts have been confirmed for the 2025 edition of Wireless Festival, as Finsbury Park prepares to host the three-day music event from Friday 11 July to Sunday 13 July. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the UK’s biggest urban music festival, which has evolved into a major platform for rap, R&B, afrobeats and grime.
The 2025 event made headlines after it was announced that Canadian rapper Drake would headline all three nights — a first for the festival — sparking record-breaking ticket sales. The festival sold out within minutes.
Who's performing this year?
The full line-up now includes a mix of global headliners and emerging talent. Previously announced artists include:
Burna Boy
PARTYNEXTDOOR
Summer Walker
Vybz Kartel
Boy Better Know
Popcaan
Leon Thomas
BigXThaPlug
Lancey Foux
Nemzzz
Spice
Masicka
Newly added names to the roster include Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK, Atlanta’s SahBabii, and UK-based artists Darkoo and Odeal. Saturday’s Old Spice Stage will be headlined by Fimiguerrero, while Uncle Waffles, a leading figure in the amapiano scene, will close the festival on Sunday.
Also joining the line-up are rising R&B artists SAILORR and Nippa, along with a wave of homegrown UK talent including Chy Cartier, kwn, Len, YT, and Skeete.
New experiences and installations
In addition to live performances, festival goers can engage with Pass the Aux, a music-sharing installation on site. The setup allows attendees to print Polaroid song recommendations, inspired by West African studio photography. The project is a collaboration between the V&A Museum and artist-in-residence Michael Akuagwu.
Festival background and impact
Wireless began in Hyde Park as a rock and pop festival, but since relocating to Finsbury Park in 2019, it has cemented its reputation as a leading celebration of hip-hop, afrobeats, and youth culture.
Despite ongoing opposition from local campaigners, Festival Republic signed a five-year deal with Haringey Council in 2023 to continue hosting Wireless at the site. The council has defended the partnership, noting that the event generates significant income for park maintenance.
Last weekend, the park hosted major rock gigs, and further electronic music events are scheduled in August featuring Honey Dijon, CamelPhat, and ANOTR.
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This film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner
First reactions to Superman (2025) praise its action, humour and emotional tone
Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as Superman
Premiered in Los Angeles ahead of 11 July theatrical release
Fans and critics call it a strong launch for the new DC Studios era
Superman early reviews call it “exciting” and “hopeful”
Following its premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night, the first social media reactions to Superman have begun to emerge — and they are largely positive. Though full reviews will be published closer to the 11 July release date, critics, journalists and early viewers have shared their first impressions online.
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What fans and critics are saying
“A terrific start for the new DC Studios,” – Erik Davis, Fandango Film journalist Erik Davis praised Superman as a promising launchpad for DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
“Loaded with exhilarating action set pieces and well-placed humour and levity,” – Perri Nemiroff, Collider Collider’s Perri Nemiroff highlighted the film’s balance of action and character-driven storytelling.
“Superman delivers on heart, humour and heroism. David Corenswet is perfectly cast,” – @TheNerdyCritic on X A fan reaction emphasised the emotional tone of the film, calling it a “Superman story we’ve been waiting for”.
“Hopeful, fun, and visually impressive — Superman is back!” – @FilmFanCentral Another viewer on social media described the reboot as a return to form for the character and the franchise.
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Meet the new Superman cast
Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The cast also includes:
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen
Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl
Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho
Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific
Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard
James Gunn’s first film under new DC Studios
Directed by James Gunn, this film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner, co-led by Gunn and Peter Safran since their appointment in October 2022.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn said:
“People are looking for heroes right now... Superman is that.”
Safran added earlier this year that Superman is intended to bring clarity and cohesion to the DC brand, following years of fragmented storytelling by different creative teams.
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What’s next for DC Studios?
Superman launches the new DC Universe (DCU), with upcoming projects including:
Lanterns, an HBO Max series focused on Green Lantern
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, set to release in 2026
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Superman releases in cinemas worldwide on 11 July 2025.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that voters are dissatisfied with the political choices on offer - so must they be in want of new parties too? A proliferation of start-ups showed how tricky political match-making can be. Zarah Sultana took Jeremy Corbyn by surprise by announcing they will co-lead a new left party. Two of Nigel Farage’s exes announced separate political initiatives to challenge Reform from its right, with the leader of London’s Conservatives lending her voice to Rupert Lowe’s revival of the politics of repatriation.
Corbyn and Sultana are from different generations. He had been an MP for a decade by the time she was born. For Sultana’s allies, this intergenerational element is a core case for the joint leadership. But the communications clash suggests friction ahead. After his allies could not persuade Sultana to retract her announcement, Corbyn welcomed her decision to leave Labour, saying ‘negotiations continue’ over the structure and leadership of a new party. It will seek to link MPs elected as pro-Gaza independents with other strands of the left outside Labour.
Nigel Farage
Would the new party cooperate or compete with the Green Party? Zack Polanski’s leadership campaign promotes a “left populism” with much overlap with the Corbynista agenda. He is challenging MPs Adrian Ramsey and Ellie Chowns, who offer continuity with the quieter strategy which saw Green gains in their Herefordshire and Norfolk seats while winning in Bristol and Brighton.
On the right, Ben Habib, sacked as a Reform deputy leader by Farage, launched a new ‘Advance Party’ - but could not get Great Yarmouth MP Lowe to join it. Lowe launched a Restore Britain campaigning movement instead.
Habib has yet to make his new party official, claiming it must recruit 30,000 members to be eligible for registration. The Electoral Commission has no such threshold: there are over 300 registered parties. This false claim may just be a recruitment tactic or a device to delay revealing its donors.
A congratulatory tweet from US billionaire businessman Elon Musk reinforced Habib’s hope that the world’s richest man may help to fund his new party. But Musk’s own focus is on launching a new “America Party” as his feud with US president Donald Trump escalates. Musk self-identifies as a centrist, oblivious to his own self-radicalisation after curating an entire social media platform in his own image. Reform had hoped for a multi-million pound donation from Musk too, before he attacked Farage’s refusal to embrace former EDL leader Tommy Robinson. Yet this simply reinforced Musk’s toxic reputation with the British public.
How much political space is there further right of Farage? About a quarter of the Reform vote - about three per cent of the electorate - find Farage too moderate on race and immigration. But these are mostly the same group who supported last summer’s violent riots. Farage believes a boundary rejecting the BNP (British National Party) and Robinson is imperative to be a mainstream party. Farage faces start-up challenges too. Farage wants to bring 300 first-time MPs to parliament - and would have to give top Cabinet jobs to many unknown quantities. Thurrock MP James McMurdock resigned the Reform whip over the weekend after credible allegations of business fraud during the pandemic.
Rupert LoweGetty Images
Habib can appeal only to those within the segment to Farage’s right who find ethnic minority leadership acceptable. He may be offering too niche a product to find a viable market. Lowe’s agenda is to go much further than Farage on immigration and race. Since Farage’s slogan is to cut net migration to zero, Restore Britain is campaigning for “negative net migration” - pledging to remove ‘millions’ of legal migrants so that “outflows considerably outstrip inflows’. The Migration Advisory Committee projects that the UK population would begin to shrink if net migration was below 110,000. Lowe argues that rising ethnic diversity can be reversed, not just be slowed down. His slogan, ‘stop importing, start deporting’, consciously revives the ‘send them back’ politics of Enoch Powell and the 1970s National Front. Lowe is celebrated by overtly racist bloggers for these efforts to popularise the idea of ‘remigration’. Several London Conservatives are dismayed that Susan Hall has joined this Restore Britain campaign, since the former Tory mayoral candidate leads the party’s Greater London Assembly group. But that criticism remains muted in public. Lowe himself has not ruled out joining the Conservatives before the next election.
The rise of new parties is an expression of democratic politics, but can reflect a misunderstanding of its challenges, too. New parties can voice arguments that citizens feel are missing. But a consumerist search for the perfect party can seek to side-step the inevitable frustrations of compromise. Politics is about how societies make collective decisions when we disagree. Whether we have four-, five- or six-party politics, the challenge for parties - old and new - is how any can secure broad enough support to govern in such fragmented and polarised times.
Sunder Katwala is the director of thinktank British Future and the author of the book How to Be a Patriot: The must-read book on British national identity and immigration.
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The brand’s use of a traditional Indian design without acknowledgement
Neena Gupta posts a video wearing Kolhapuri chappals gifted by late actor Laxmikant Berde
Joins Kareena Kapoor in highlighting resemblance to a Prada sandal design
Luxury brand showcased similar footwear at Milan Fashion Week without reference to Indian origins
Both actresses emphasised the value of original handmade designs
Neena Gupta backs Kolhapuri chappals after Prada controversy
Veteran Indian actress Neena Gupta has weighed in on the ongoing conversation around Prada’s recent footwear collection after actress Kareena Kapoor earlier pointed out the brand’s use of a traditional Indian design without acknowledgement.
In a video shared on Instagram, Gupta showcased a pair of handmade Kolhapuri chappals gifted to her by the late actor Laxmikant Berde. Sharing the story behind the slippers, she said, “So, these Kolhapur slippers are in great demand these days. Once I did something with Laxmikant Berde—I don't remember what it was—so I asked him, can you get me these slippers from Kolhapur? He said yes. So he got them for me. This is the most beautiful slippers I have ever had. Most beautiful and handmade. I love them. Thank you, Laxmikant. You are not there anymore, but love you.”
Gupta concluded her post with a caption that read, “Real toh real hota hai..”, praising the authenticity and craftsmanship of traditional Indian footwear.
Gupta’s post comes shortly after Kareena Kapoor’s Instagram story where she posted a photo of her Kolhapuri chappals with the caption, “Sorry not Prada…but my OG Kolhapuri.” The comment was interpreted as a subtle response to Prada’s new sandal design, which many users online noted bore a strong resemblance to the traditional Indian style.
Prada presented the footwear at its Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 show in Milan on 22 June. The design, referred to as ‘Toe Ring Sandals’, did not include any reference to its resemblance to the Indian Kolhapuri chappals, sparking debate over cultural appropriation and lack of credit to traditional artisans.
Current projects
Kareena Kapoor was last seen in Singham Again, alongside Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Tiger Shroff.
Neena Gupta recently appeared in Metro In Dino, which was released on 4 July.
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Archer was part of the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston but did not play. (Photo: Getty Images)
ENGLAND coach Brendon McCullum said pacer Jofra Archer is "ready to go" as he considers bringing him back for the third Test against India, following a four-year absence due to injury.
Archer was part of the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston but did not play. India won that match by 336 runs on Sunday, levelling the five-match series at 1-1.
The third Test begins at Lord's on Thursday. With little time between games, both teams are likely to make changes to their pace attacks. India have already confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the second Test, will return.
Archer, who was born in Barbados, made his international debut in 2019 and has played 13 Tests, the last in February 2021. So far this season, the 30-year-old has bowled just 18 first-class overs for Sussex.
England are now considering him for the Lord's Test as they look to strengthen their bowling unit.
"It's hugely exciting, he's buzzing as well," said McCullum.
"He's obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket, but we all know what he's capable of achieving and we hope that when the opportunity does arrive for him, he's able to recapture and improve on what he's been able to do already."
McCullum also ruled out the possibility of replacing off-spinner Shoaib Bashir with Jacob Bethell.
Bashir, 21, has taken eight wickets in the first two Tests, but they have come at an average of nearly 60. Bethell, who offers more with the bat, bowls left-arm spin but McCullum said the Warwickshire all-rounder would only be considered as a batting option.
"He's a batting option. He's the next one in if something happens, but we don't crowbar anything," said McCullum.
Speaking about Bashir, he added: "We know (Bashir) is not the finished article yet, but I feel like he's getting better and better. As the series wears on, I think we'll see him play quite a big hand."
McCullum said he was hoping to see a more balanced contest between bat and ball in the remaining matches. The first two Tests have produced 11 centuries, with India captain Shubman Gill scoring a total of 585 runs so far, including a big contribution in Birmingham.