For Dr Vinayak Salunke, flashlights worth less than $10 each are one of the most valuable assets at the Vihamandra health centre in Aurangabad in India's western state of Maharashtra.
With the clinic serving a population of 48,000, Salunke must prepare for up to six hours of power cuts daily, rather like a surgeon scrubbing up for surgery.
"We don't have power back-up, so the torch batteries are vital. We check them every day," he said. "We also monitor the temperature of our refrigerator constantly to make sure vaccines and drugs are safe. It's become a way of life now."
The health centre is one of tens of thousands in India with little or no power supply that are now looking for alternative ways to stay functional.
Across several states in India, government health centres are gradually turning to solar energy for a reliable power supply to store their vaccines, operate infant warmers, sterilise equipment and cut the time spent caring for patients.
Up to now, solar has been deployed at such facilities mostly on a small scale, not as the main source of electricity.
To change that, a pilot project launching this month in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Haryana states aims to set up replicable, cost-effective solar power plants at health centres - the first point of access to a doctor for rural residents - and evaluate their impact on healthcare delivery.
The Indian Council of Medical Research and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a non-profit research institute, are collaborating to light up three centres and meet their essential operational requirements.
"The aim... is to create resilient health systems in rural India, benefiting primarily women and children," said Soumya Swaminathan, director-general of the medical research council.
"Illnesses do not come based on the time electricity is available. Any time a patient comes, electricity should be available to enable quality health services."
Nearly 35 million people in rural India relied on un-electrified primary health centres as of 2015, according to government data.
One in every two primary health centres has no electricity or suffers from power outages, Swaminathan said.
A 2016 CEEW report states that only a fifth of primary health centres meet Indian public health standards, which includes having functional infrastructure for electricity.
THE LAST MILE
Centres that are connected to the grid battle with an erratic, poor-quality power supply that puts at risk baby deliveries, paediatric emergencies and cold storage of vaccines, campaigners say.
Electricity access is also needed for clean water supplies, communication services, mobile health applications and retention of skilled staff, they add.
"We came across instances where long power cuts forced doctors to rush vaccines to another health centre 20-odd kilometres away, only to discover that there was no electricity there either," said Aditya Ramji of the CEEW, which is collaborating with the government on the pilot project.
"No power is making the last-mile delivery of health care extremely difficult," he added.
In many cases, diesel generators have become a lifeline for primary health centres, their constant hum the only assurance of sustained electricity to doctors and patients.
BETTER CARE
At the Sholurmattam primary health centre in the hills of Kotagiri in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Dr Sethu Raman has spent the last two weeks trying to get a generator fixed.
Catering to a population of more than 18,000, the centre has had to fall back on emergency torch lights to make sure babies are delivered and vaccines are safe, all the while trying to get its power restored.
"The complaints have been made, but nobody has found the time yet to trek up to the hills and fix the problem," Raman said. "I'm even willing to spend my own money to get it running because without electricity, the care I provide will never be optimum."
Many states, including Chhattisgarh and Tripura, have already set up small-scale solar systems for their health centres, each with different specifications and at a high cost.
But in most cases, the solar power is used only to run fans and a few light bulbs, as well as keeping cold storage operational, campaigners say, pointing to a lack of monitoring and no clear strategy to scale up efforts.
"This project will see the potential of looking at solar as the primary source of electricity, and not necessarily only as a back-up," Swaminathan said.
"The ultimate objective is to be able to power all critical services through solar in the event of a grid failure."
To make sure the new approach can work across the health system, it is being tested at centres with varying needs, from basic treatment to minor surgery, Ramji said.
"It will help us test the reliability of the solar plants we are developing, facilitate more centres to operate 24/7, and reduce the time taken to care for each patient," he said.
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.
Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.
He began his career in advertising before moving into music, where he held roles in artist development and label management. He became chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK in 2008.
Alongside his commercial career, Joseph has been involved in a number of social and cultural initiatives. In 2019, he launched Universal Music’s Creative Differences initiative, which produced the first industry handbook for supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. The handbook has been adopted by more than 200 organisations globally.
He is a founding board member of Julie’s Bicycle, a group focused on climate issues in the cultural sector, and served on the National Council of Arts Council England for eight years. In 2013, he collaborated with Baroness Doreen Lawrence to mark the 20th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder through the Unity project. He also serves as Chair of the Grenfell Foundation.
Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.
RSA Chair Sir Loyd Grossman said: “David’s commitment to effecting social change, his compassion and his commitment to nurturing people is exemplary.
“We are thrilled that David will join us in the autumn, knowing that he will foster a collaborative and caring culture that speaks to our fellows, partners, staff teams and the wider world. These qualities make David superbly placed to lead the RSA into its next vital phase, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”
Commenting on his appointment, Joseph said: “The RSA has a remarkable heritage and untapped potential. At a time when fresh thinking and collective action are urgently needed across the globe, the RSA is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change - uniting its rich tradition of arts, creativity and policy influence with the energy of its global Fellowship to spark ideas that shape society. I’m excited to join such a talented organisation where we will build a bold new chapter together.”
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Scarlett Johansson wins praise in Jurassic World Rebirth as reviews split over story and mutant dinosaurs
Jurassic World Rebirth, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, releases on 4 July.
Twitter reactions praise the cast and visuals but criticise the film’s story and lack of emotional depth.
Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 54% from 95 reviews; Metacritic rates it 53.
Some fans applaud the Spielberg-style thrills, others feel it strays too far with mutant dinosaurs.
Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest addition to the iconic dinosaur saga, has sparked intense debate online ahead of its 4 July release. With Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey leading the cast, early Twitter reviews show a split audience, some impressed by the action and spectacle, others disappointed by the story’s direction and use of genetically altered dinosaurs.
Mixed response to mutant dinos and CGI-heavy action
Many fans on X agree that Johansson delivers a commanding performance. “She’s shot like a star, presented like a star,” one viewer wrote, praising her as the film’s standout. Jonathan Bailey also earns praise for a subtle emotional moment that resonated with viewers.
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However, critics aren't holding back. Film critics called the film “the dullest entry yet,” while others labelled it “flat and emotionless.” Some appreciated the “mutated dinos and thrilling set pieces” but slammed the pacing and dialogue.
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One viewer described the movie as “a monster-sized adrenaline ride” and praised its nostalgic tension, likening it to Jaws. Another drew comparisons to Alien: Romulus, applauding the darker horror elements, while some fans felt the movie “just ends with no momentum.”
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Rotten Tomatoes score reflects fan divide
With a current Rotten Tomatoes rating of 54% and a Metacritic score of 53, Jurassic World Rebirth becomes the third consecutive film in the franchise to be rated ‘rotten’. Still, it fares better than Fallen Kingdom (47%) and Dominion (29%).
Despite the criticism, major UK outlets gave it four and five stars, with one calling it “easily the best Jurassic in a decade.” Whether the mixed reviews will impact box office numbers remains to be seen, past entries have shown strong ticket sales despite critical setbacks.
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Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines
Emma Raducanu defeated fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon first round.
Xu, 17, was making her Grand Slam debut and appeared overwhelmed early on.
Raducanu dropped just three points on serve in the first set.
Despite a series of breaks in the second set, Raducanu regained control to seal victory.
She described the all-British clash as “difficult” but was pleased with the result.
The biggest home assault on Wimbledon for 41 years got off to a great start on Monday when Emma Raducanu triumphed in an all-British clash.
British tennis is enjoying a buoyant period, and although former U.S. champion Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines, 23 local players started in the men's and women's singles this week, the most at Wimbledon since 1984.
With Draper not in action until Tuesday, British women's number one Raducanu was the main attraction, although home loyalties were somewhat split as she faced 17-year-old Welsh wildcard Mimi Xu, making her Grand Slam debut.
Xu had not beaten a top 50 player and never looked likely to break that duck on Number One court as she went down 6-3 6-3. Raducanu, desperate for a deep run in her home slam after a previous best of two fourth-round exits, did not have to do anything too extraordinary against a rival who for a while seemed intimidated by the occasion.
After Xu swung wildly for a rare air shot and then tumbled to the pristine turf after a slip, the 318th-ranked teen got what no young player wants to hear – some sympathy applause.
Raducanu swept to the first set, dropping only three points in her four service games, and with a lack of tension on court, the obligatory “come on Britain” shout drew the usual ripple of Wimbledon laughter usually reserved for any lingering pigeon.
Xu settled in the second set, however, finally getting to grips with the Raducanu serve during a run of five successive breaks, but the favourite got back on track to come through.
Raducanu moves into round two
Home favourite Emma Raducanu claimed a 6-3 6-3 win over fellow Briton Mimi Xu, who was making her Grand Slam debut."I'm super pleased to have come through that match. It is so difficult playing against another Brit in the first round," Raducanu said after her victory on Court One.
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Taylor Fritz’s opening-round clash against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was suspended
Play was suspended for Fritz and Zverev after curfew. Taylor Fritz’s opening-round clash against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was suspended on Monday evening with the score tied at two sets apiece. The match was halted just before 11 pm local time due to Wimbledon’s curfew regulations. Alexander Zverev’s match against Arthur Rinderknech, also level at two sets all, was similarly paused for the night. Both contests will resume on Tuesday.
Zverev and Fritz matches suspended for the night
German third seed Alexander Zverev’s match against France’s Arthur Rinderknech, level at two sets all, and U.S. fifth seed Taylor Fritz’s clash with Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, all square after two sets, have been suspended for the evening.
Credit : Reuters
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Mystery woman kissing Harry Styles at Glastonbury revealed as Ella Kenny
• Harry Styles was seen kissing a woman at Glastonbury 2025 in a viral video
• The woman has now been identified as London-based producer Ella Kenny
• The pair were dancing and kissing in the VIP section early Saturday morning
• This is Styles’ first public romance since his split with Taylor Russell in 2024
Harry Styles made headlines over the weekend after being filmed kissing a woman in the VIP section of Glastonbury Festival 2025, and now, the mystery is solved. The woman has been identified as London-based producer Ella Kenny, according to a report by The Sun.
The 31-year-old singer, best known for Watermelon Sugar and As It Was, was spotted at the festival in Somerset early Saturday morning, dancing closely with Kenny before sharing a kiss that lasted nearly 12 seconds. Eyewitnesses described the pair as "inseparable" and "very familiar with each other", adding to speculation that this may not have been a first-time encounter.
Harry Styles attends Spotify Celebrates The Launch of Harry Styles' New AlbumGetty Images
Harry Styles’ Glastonbury kiss with Ella Kenny grabs attention
Styles arrived at the festival around 1:45 a.m. on 28 June with friends, including long-time collaborator Kid Harpoon. Not long after, Ella Kenny reportedly joined the group. The two were seen chatting, dancing and sharing kisses on the cheek before eventually making out in full view of others in the VIP area.
One witness claimed the chemistry between the two was undeniable. “Harry only had eyes for her,” they said. “They looked like they’d known each other a while.” Neither Styles nor Kenny has commented publicly on the moment or their relationship.
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Who is Ella Kenny? Meet the producer linked to Harry Styles
Ella Kenny is a visual and experiential producer based in London, working at creative studio Noir. Her LinkedIn lists experience across high-end fashion and arts projects, but until now, she’s kept a relatively low public profile. That changed when footage of her kiss with Styles began circulating online, prompting fans to ask: “Who is she?” The kiss is the first time Styles has been publicly linked to anyone since his 2024 breakup with actor Taylor Russell. Before Russell, he dated Olivia Wilde, with whom he had a high-profile two-year relationship.
Harry Styles leaves following the funeral of singer Liam Payne Getty Images
While neither party has confirmed the nature of their relationship, the chemistry on display suggests this may not have been just a fleeting festival moment. Whether it's the start of something new or simply a weekend romance, fans will be watching closely, and Styles, as always, remains firmly in the spotlight.