VIDEO gaming brand Xbox will roll out a trial of its cloud gaming service in India.
This was stated by Xbox head Phil Spencer during Microsoft’s glitzy Xbox showcase in London recently.
Global businesses such as Microsoft are moving ahead with their own plans with Project Xcloud, a game streaming service that will allow players to stream Xbox games to mobile phones.
The free preview of the service will begin in India next year.
Corporate Vice President of Gaming Cloud at Microsoft Kareem Choudry said: “The content library we have that runs on console and the community that's attached to it is very compelling. So we are giving that access to people who only have a smartphone device. I think that's the magic.”
As part of Microsoft’s bid for world domination in the next generation of the gaming industry, India is becoming a hot testbed to reach emerging markets of the globe.
Microsoft’s experiment with Xcloud will depend upon India’s internet infrastructure to run its streaming service, with India focusing more to improve it.
Emerging economies such as India, China, and others are the new destinations for gaming businesses to expand their empire and to reach billions of users.
The market value of the gaming industry in India was estimated at £664 million in 2019.
The figure is expected to grow to over £2.7 billion by 2024.
Affordability and availability of smartphones has boomed the opportunities for gaming companies in India.
Until very recently, the south Asian country has had a relatively small market for console and PC gaming.
India, the world’s second-largest smart-phone market and smartphone owners, downloaded over 14 billion games last year.
India has the largest youth population in the world, with 600 million people under the age of 25, over 50 per cent of the country’s vast population.
The gaming industry in the Asian country is also starting to grow, with gaming staff set to reach 40,000 in the country in the next 24 months.
Gaming studios are also growing around the country, especially in India’s Silicon Valley - Bengaluru.
However, India is lagging behind due to the expense of dedicated gaming hardware.
Piracy has also remained a pronounced issue, and there is a growing gap for established companies from foreign countries to exploit.
Within five years, the number of people online in the world’s second most populous country is expected to reach 850 million.
The American technology giant aims to move forward with its own cloud service in the country.
Google’s Stadia and other gaming brands are likely to watch the Xcloud India experiment with greater curiosity.
ARUNDHATI ROY’S forthcoming memoir, Mother Mary Comes To Me, is about the author’s close but fraught relationship with her mother, Mary Roy, whose death in 2022 her daughter has likened to “being hit by a truck”.
Mary Roy, who insisted her children call her “Mrs Roy” in school, belonged to the Syrian Christian community. She does not seem a very nice person.
The Financial Times, which interviewed Arundhati at her home in Delhi, reveals: “In an episode to which the writer makes oblique reference early in the book but withholds until later — because of the pain it caused — she returned from boarding school for the holidays, aged 13, to find that Mrs Roy had had her beloved pet dog, Dido, shot and buried as ‘a kind of honour killing’ after Dido mated with an unknown street dog.”
In 1996, someone tipped me off that a publisher had won an auction by paying £1 million for The God of Small Things by an unknown Indian writer. This was unprecedented for a debut novel. But the buzz among the bidders was that the novel was a possible contender for the Booker Prize.
As I was writing my story at the Daily Telegraph, the night editor, Andrew Hutchinson, leant over and quipped: “Writing about your sister again?” As we know, Arundhati Roy did win the Booker in 1997. I had actually met Arundhati two years previously when she had stuck up for Phoolan Devi, the subject of Shekhar Kapur’s movie, Bandit Queen, based on Mala Sen’s biography.
Phoolan had been repeatedly raped by upper class Thakurs (the men were later lined up in the village of Behmai and executed by Phoolan’s gang in 1981). The film was exploitative, claimed Arundhati, because for Phoolan, it was like being raped again. She wrote a piece in Sunday in Calcutta (now Kolkata), headlined, “The Indian rape trick”.
Mala arranged for me to interview Phoolan who was refusing to talk to Channel 4 which was making a documentary in India on the controversial movie. In public, she supported Arundhati, but behind the scenes did a deal with C4 which paid her £40,000.
The FT interview says Arundhati “left home at 16, putting the length of the subcontinent between her mother in Kerala and herself in New Delhi, where she was admitted as one of the few women students at the School of Planning and Architecture. ‘I left in order to be able to continue to love her, because I knew she would destroy me if I stayed,’ she says.
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Badshah hilariously mocks Donald Trump tariffs on stage with Bollywood lyric twist in New Jersey
Badshah joked about Trump’s tariffs during his Unfinished USA Tour in New Jersey.
Fans erupted as he altered the lyrics of his hit song ‘Tareefan’ to deliver the quip.
The rapper is continuing his North American tour with stops in Seattle, Dallas, and Chicago.
Badshah recently made headlines for his 20 kg weight loss and the success of his album Ek Tha Raja.
Indian rapper Badshah had fans in stitches during his New Jersey show as he took a cheeky jab at US President Donald Trump, cleverly linking the ongoing tariff debate with his hit song Tareefan. The unexpected moment added a fresh layer of political satire to his Unfinished USA Tour, proving once again that Badshah can seamlessly mix music with humour.
Badshah hilariously mocks Donald Trump tariffs on stage with Bollywood lyric twist in New Jersey Instagram/badboyshah
What did Badshah say about Donald Trump at the New Jersey concert?
During the high-energy performance, Badshah altered the Punjabi lyrics of Tareefan from Veere Di Wedding. Instead of singing “Kinniya Tareefan Chahidi Ae Tenu” (How many compliments do you want?), he quipped, “Kinni Tariff Chahidiye Trump Ko” (How much tariff does Trump want?). The crowd erupted with laughter and applause, showing their appreciation for his quick-witted social commentary.
The lyric change came shortly after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods, citing concerns over India’s imports of Russian oil. Badshah’s playful reference struck a chord with fans, with many praising the rapper’s ability to comment on current affairs while keeping the concert entertaining. Clips of the moment quickly circulated online, further amplifying the response.
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How is Badshah’s North American tour shaping up?
The New Jersey show is part of Badshah’s ongoing North American tour, which follows sold-out gigs in the UK, UAE, and Canada. Upcoming stops include the Bay Area, Seattle, Dallas, and Chicago. Known for his energetic performances, he often brings surprise celebrity appearances to the stage, with stars like Nora Fatehi and Mickey Singh joining him to thrill audiences.
Away from live performances, Badshah is celebrating the success of his album Ek Tha Raja, which features chart-topping tracks like ‘God Damn’, ‘Jawaab’, and ‘Khushnuma’. He has also been in the spotlight for his 20 kg weight loss, which he attributes to disciplined diet and exercise rather than any weight-loss medication like Ozempic.
Badshah’s witty on-stage jibe at Donald Trump shows his unique ability to combine entertainment with timely commentary, keeping fans engaged both in the venue and online. His North American tour continues to be a success, making each performance a talking point across social media.
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Demonstrators gather in support of Khalistan during a Sikh rally outside the Consulate General of India, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 25, 2023.
AT LEAST two Khalistani extremist groups have received financial support from within Canada, according to a new Canadian government report on terror financing.
The report, titled 2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada, named Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as the groups receiving such support.
This comes two months after a report by Ottawa’s intelligence agency said politically motivated violent extremism in Canada since the mid-1980s has taken shape through Khalistani extremists seeking to use violence to create an independent nation state called Khalistan in India’s Punjab.
The new report defined Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE) as encouraging “the use of violence to establish new political systems, or new structures and norms within existing systems.”
“While PMVE may include religious elements, actors are more focused on political self-determination or representation, rather than racial or ethnic supremacy,” it added.
The report noted that several terrorist entities listed under Canada’s Criminal Code fall under the PMVE category, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Babbar Khalsa International, and the International Sikh Youth Federation. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have observed these groups receiving financial support originating from Canada, it said.
In 2022, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada’s (FINTRAC) Operational Alert on Terrorist Activity Financing identified Hezbollah as the second most frequently noted international terrorist group receiving Canadian funds.
The 2025 Assessment also outlined PMVE financing methods. It said Hamas and Hezbollah are well-resourced groups that use a variety of methods, including abuse of money services businesses and banking sectors, use of cryptocurrencies, state financing, exploitation of charitable and non-profit organisations (NPOs), and criminal activity.
“Khalistani extremist groups supporting violent means to establish an independent state within Punjab, India, are suspected of raising funds in a number of countries, including Canada. These groups previously had an extensive fundraising network in Canada but now appear to consist of smaller pockets of individuals with allegiance to the cause but seemingly no particular affiliation to a specific group,” the report said.
The report highlighted misuse of non-profit and charitable activities as a concern.
“The misuse of the charitable and NPO sectors has been observed as a prominent financing method used by Hamas and Hezbollah. Khalistani violent extremist groups have also been known to use networks to solicit donations from diaspora communities to raise and move funds, including through NPOs,” it said.
It clarified that revenue from NPO abuse represents a relatively small share of terrorist groups’ operational budgets overall.
The report added that drug trafficking is the largest money laundering threat in Canada, followed by fraud, commercial trade fraud, trade-based money laundering, and tax crimes.
“These threats are each estimated to involve billions of dollars in illicit proceeds annually in Canada,” it said.
The report follows the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s 2024 assessment, released on June 18, which stated that ongoing involvement in violent activities by Canada-based Khalistani extremists continues to pose a national security threat.
“Since the mid-1980s, the PMVE threat in Canada has manifested primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists seeking to use and support violent means to create an independent nation state called Khalistan, largely within Punjab, India,” the CSIS report said.
That report aligned with New Delhi’s position that pro-Khalistani groups in Canada have been carrying out anti-India activities with impunity.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Ed Sheeran confirms he is moving to America with wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters
Ed Sheeran confirms he is relocating with wife Cherry Seaborn and their daughters
The move comes ahead of his extended US tour
Singer reveals love for Nashville and his future in country music
Sheeran says he culturally identifies as Irish despite Suffolk upbringing
Ed Sheeran moving to America has been confirmed by the star himself, with the singer explaining he will relocate with his family to settle in the US during his upcoming tour. The chart-topping musician, who has often spoken about his love for Nashville and country music, said he could not keep “dipping in and out” of the country while raising young children.
Ed Sheeran confirms he is moving to America with wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters Getty Images
Why is Ed Sheeran moving to America?
The Suffolk-based artist revealed his plans during an appearance on The 2 Johnnies Podcast. Sheeran explained that a long stretch of touring in the US meant it was not practical to keep flying back and forth from the UK.
“I’m just about to move to America. I feel like I might be the only person moving to America,” he said, acknowledging the political turbulence in the country but adding that touring and family life were the main reasons behind the move.
The singer, his wife Cherry Seaborn, and their daughters Lyra (5) and Jupiter (3) are expected to divide their time between New York and Nashville. Reports suggest he has purchased a £9 million (₹95 crore) apartment in Brooklyn, where he previously rented during his copyright trial in 2023.
Sheeran has made no secret of his admiration for Nashville, often calling it his “favourite city in the States”. Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast earlier this year, he explained: “When you transition to country, you can’t transition back. Nashville has always been my end goal.”
The Grammy-winning artist has hinted at moving into country music for several years, influenced by the city’s songwriting culture and welcoming music scene. He believes Nashville offers a space where celebrities can live more freely without constant attention.
Fans have long been fascinated by Sheeran’s sprawling Suffolk estate, nicknamed “Sheeranville”. The property includes two pubs, a chapel, and multiple houses. In his podcast interview, Sheeran explained that the private pubs allow him to enjoy time with friends without worrying about camera phones or social media exposure.
The chapel, meanwhile, has hosted carol services, family events, and even weddings for members of his security team. Sheeran also described it as a place to remember friends who have passed away. While the estate will remain in his portfolio, he suggested he would be spending most of his time in the US during the next phase of his career.
Ed Sheeran described himself as “culturally Irish” while preparing for his American relocationGetty Images
How does Sheeran identify culturally?
In addition to his music career, Sheeran has spoken about his strong Irish roots. Appearing on The Louis Theroux Podcast, he said: “I class my culture as Irish. My dad’s family has seven brothers and sisters. We’d spend all of our holidays in Ireland, and my first musical experiences were with trad music in the house.”
Although born in Halifax and raised in Suffolk, the singer said his upbringing was steeped in Irish culture, shaping both his personal identity and his artistry. “I feel like just because I was born in Britain doesn’t necessarily mean I have to just be British,” he said.
Ed Sheeran says his long tour schedule means the family will “settle” in the StatesGetty Images
For Sheeran, the move to America is both a personal and professional shift. As he prepares to settle with his family across the Atlantic, the move reflects not only the demands of his career but also his plans to embrace country music and even a new cultural chapter.
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Researchers from the UK and US analysed data from American households between 2004 and 2019
Hotter days linked to greater intake of sugary drinks and frozen desserts
Lower-income households most affected, research finds
Climate change could worsen health risks linked to sugar consumption
Study based on 15 years of US household food purchasing data
Sugary consumption rising with heat
People are more likely to consume sugary drinks and ice cream on warmer days, particularly in lower-income households, according to new research. The study warns that climate change could intensify this trend, adding to health risks as global temperatures continue to rise.
Sugar consumption is a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and has surged worldwide in recent decades. The findings, published in Nature Climate Change, suggest that rising heat could be nudging more people towards high-sugar products such as soda, juice and ice cream.
Climate link to diet
Researchers from the UK and US analysed data from American households between 2004 and 2019 and compared purchases with local weather conditions. They found that for every additional degree Celsius within the range of 12–30°C, people consumed an extra 0.7 grams of sugar per day on average.
Those with lower incomes or less education were the most affected, according to the study. Under worst-case climate scenarios, disadvantaged groups could be consuming up to five additional grams of sugar daily by the end of the century, lead author Pan He of Cardiff University told AFP.
Beyond recommended limits
The American Heart Association recommends a maximum daily intake of 36 grams of added sugar for men and 24 grams for women. However, most Americans already consume two to three times these amounts. A single can of soda contains about 40 grams of sugar.
The study showed that the increase in sugar consumption levelled off once temperatures rose above 30°C. Co-author Duo Chan of the University of Southampton suggested this may be because people had already altered their diets by that point. He warned this could be “even worse news”, as it showed dietary changes were occurring even at lower, not extreme, temperatures.
Substituting frozen treats
The research also indicated a drop in purchases of baked goods on hotter days, likely because consumers were substituting them with ice cream or other frozen desserts.
Health concerns
Unhealthy diets are among the four main risk factors for diseases that account for more than 70 per cent of deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The authors concluded that climate change, by shaping dietary choices, could further worsen public health outcomes.