The BBC has said its radio stations will continue to be available for people outside the UK to listen to live after BBC Sounds access is restricted for international listeners.
BBC Sounds will close for listeners outside the UK on 21 July 2025.
International listeners will be able to listen to the BBC’s radio stations through links on the station directory online, the BBC said.
This includes the BBC’s national stations – BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3, 6Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network, Radio 4Xtra and 5Live – all the stations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and every local radio station in England.
The BBC announced in April that it had delayed blocking BBC Sounds app for audiences outside the UK.
That delay came after a decision made by the corporation meant listeners outside the UK would only be able to access Radio 4 and the World Service via a new audio section on the BBC website.
Questions had been asked about what this would mean for listeners in the Republic of Ireland who would be unable to use the internet to access Northern Ireland-based stations BBC Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle.
The BBC said listening to BBC audio programming on non-BBC platforms would not be affected by the change.
It also said a range of English, Welsh and Gaelic language podcasts were available on BBC.com/audio and third-party podcast services.
What is BBC Sounds?
BBC Sounds is the online home of BBC radio.
People can listen to live radio streams, on demand programmes, podcasts, audiobooks and music mixes.
It can be accessed via the Sounds website or its dedicated app.
People can also listen on many smart speakers and internet radio devices.
The BBC said UK users who went on holiday outside the UK for a short time would still be able to use the BBC Sounds app.
A BBC spokesperson said: “BBC Sounds will now be available on the same basis as BBC iPlayer.
“Both services are restricted to a UK domestic audience, reflecting rights and associated considerations.
“BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle will remain more widely available via bbc.com.”
It’s usually all about a statement bag for Rihanna: An ultra-rare double handbag moment via Chanel, a sardine-handled Bottega Veneta bag, rare Louis Vuitton pieces, and of most recent, Jonathan Anderson’s Dracula book tote for Dior.
But a new accessory has entered the chat—the pregnancy support belt. It’s just maybe Rihanna’s most practical pick yet, in her vast, impressive maternity wardrobe. She wore the supportive maternity belt wrapped around her bump and over a simple white tank top and silver string necklace, paired with relaxed drawstring gray sweatpants.
Photo: Backgrid
Rihanna was photographed with partner A$AP Rocky and children RZA and Riot Rose as they checked out of Le Royal Monceau hotel in Paris. The Rih-Rocky family have been enjoying their time in Paris; they attended Jonathan Anderson’s debut and Spring 2026 mens show for Dior in straight-from-the-runway pieces, and Rocky presented the sophomore show for his brand AWGE. (Where Rih and Riot sat front row, of course). Rihanna also made time to do some shopping—although with one failed Dior appointment, when the star was, for once, too fashionably late.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Backgrid
Rihanna, Riot, and A$AP Rocky at the AWGE spring 2026 menswear show.Photo: Getty
The pop star and Fenty beauty mogul’s Parisian maternity wardrobe has incorporated a bump-showcasing Alexander Wang cropped polo, Rocky’s own brand, multiple appearances of her canary yellow Dior book tote, and a show-stopping, shredded custom Rick Owens dress. Trust Rihanna to wear the pregnancy belt like a statement piece—striking and sensible.
Daniel Fletcher’s second collection for the Guangzhou-based brand Mithridate continued to be a study of cultural common ground between the U.K. and China.
He looked at how both sides celebrate the change of seasons: dandy outings during Royal Ascot, wild nights at Glastonbury, as well as the Henley Regatta, an annual summer rowing event on the River Thames loved by the London set.
It reminded him of his first-hand experience of the heated Dragon Boat Festival racing on Guangzhou’s Pearl River at the end of May, when he was there developing the collection with the local team in his studio, sitting right next to the factory.
The multicultural references led to a collection that was rooted in English heritage, but designed for a weather-transcending global audience.
Wardrobe essentials were done in soft sand-washed silk and pastel Merino wool, formal attire came with a Mick Jagger hedonistic touch, and outdoor numbers were rendered in aged leather and fine checks for unpredictable weather.
He also looked at the queer and romantic world of “Brideshead Revisited” with preppy items such as a rowing blazer with a Mithridate logo inspired by old photos of Eton College, and a padded bomber jacket in navy paired with check shorts.
The anything-goes style that a young David Hockney adopted played a key role, too. “I found this beautiful photo of Hockney signing a conservatory painting. That kind of clash of colors, textures, and prints is something that I find inspiring,” he said.
His admiration for Chinese craftsmanship, meanwhile, could be found in the details. The final look in the collection, a delicate embroidered dress, was hand-beaded using a traditional technique to evoke the pattern of picnic basket checks, for example.
Kate Middleton steps out to perform key duty after emotional cancer update
Princess Kate surprised her well-wishers by undertaking another public-facing royal engagement after revealing her true feelings about her cancer journey.
According to a royal reporter, Lydia Alty’s Instagram account, the Prince of Wales attended the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment’s Cultural Day.
She released a beaming photo as she interacted with soldiers during her key visit.
The young royal expert wrote, “The 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) held its much-anticipated Cultural Day yesterday, bringing together soldiers and families to celebrate the diverse backgrounds and traditions that make up the battalion’s strength.”
“The event, held at Merville Barracks, was made extra special with a visit from Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales,” she added.
As per Lydia, the battalion’s Events & Efficiency Manager, Mark expressed gratitude towards the Princess of Wales for her attendance.
He said, “It’s a privilege to be here and to see the impact our support has. Speaking with guests and especially Her Royal Highness about our ongoing work was an honour.”
Kate Middleton spread magic with her presence at the event. She warmly met soldiers and their families, also praising the “battalion’s commitment to inclusion and resilience, reflecting her ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.”
Notably, the mother-of-three’s new photos emerged on social media after she opened up about her “rollercoaster” cancer battle during tour to the Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex.
A new animated musical has become hugely popular with both movie audiences and K-pop fans.
KPop Demon Hunters, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, is currently the most streamed movie on Netflix globally, clocking up more than 33 million views in just two weeks.
The film’s soundtrack shot into the top 10 of the Billboard 200 in the US, making it the highest debut for a soundtrack so far this year.
Golden, a track by the film’s fictional girl group Huntr/x hit number three on Spotify in the US, equalling Blackpink’s Shut Down and Sour Candy as the highest-charting female K-pop group.
KPop Demon Hunters follows the adventures of superstar band Huntr/x.
The three members of the all-female group – Rumi, Mira, and Zoey – are secretly “badass demon hunters” who protect their legions of fans from supernatural dangers.
During Huntr/x concerts, their music is used to protect the human world from the forces of darkness.
But rival band the Saja Boys, who are demons in disguise, are their arch enemies.
Jinu, Abbs, Romance, Baby, and Mystery have been sent by demon king Gwi-ma to steal the souls of Huntr/x’s fans.
KPop Demon Hunters was directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and was based on a story by Ms Kang.
The Saja Boys are now the highest charting male K-pop group in US Spotify history, after their song Your Idol reached number two, surpassing Dynamite by BTS.
That success should perhaps not be too surprising as top producers including Teddy Park, who has worked with Blackpink, and BTS-collaborator Lindgren were part of the team that created the album.
The huge success of KPop Demon Hunters comes as South Korean mega-stars BTS are set to make their highly-anticipated comeback.
The seven-strong group announced this week that it will head to the US this month to start working on new music.
The band is due to release a new album and go on tour next year after all of its members completed their mandatory military service.
Meanwhile, Blackpink is set to start its first all-stadium world tour on 5 July.
The band, which has not released an album together since 2022’s Born Pink, is due to reveal a new song at the start of the Deadline World Tour.
In the statement, Kamal Gianchandani, President of MAI, said, “Aamir Khan has always been a filmmaker who puts the audience first. His decision to bring Sitaare Zameen Par exclusively to cinemas is a significant show of confidence in theatres and the shared magic of the moviegoing experience. Indian exhibitors thank Aamir Khan for standing by theatres. As we continue to welcome audiences with renewed energy and world-class films, Sitaare Zameen Par will remain a shining example of cinema’s resilience and its irreplaceable magic.”
BEIJING, July 4 — Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, entrusted leading officials of the CPC Central Committee’s Organization Department to convey his encouragement and regards to renowned actor You Benchang, who recently joined the Party at the age of 92.
Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said he was pleased to hear the news and described You’s faith in the Party as truly heartwarming.
Xi encouraged You to play an exemplary role as a CPC member and inspire more artists and cultural sector professionals to contribute to the development and prosperity of socialist culture and the building of China into a leading country in culture.
You, born in 1933, is a first-class actor with the National Theatre of China who has spent decades bringing beloved characters to life on stage and screen. In 2024, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles at the 32nd China TV Golden Eagle Awards, one of the country’s top honors for television.
In early 2024, You submitted his application to join the CPC, and was accepted as a probationary member in May 2025.
Fashion trends rise and surge in popularity so much that even those items you might have thought you’d never see again will likely come back. This has already come true with the jelly shoes trend and now Cat Deeley’s Wimbledon outfit has got me feeling nostalgic again.
The This Morning host attended with co-star Ben Shephard on Day 4 wearing a byTiMo floral mini dress with gladiator sandals. These open-toe shoes were especially popular in the late 90s and Cat’s laced up her legs and were secured just above her ankles.
I much prefer this style to knee-length gladiator sandals as the laces are already quite statement and shorter ones are better to wear in the heat. Cat’s shoes were a plain, tan colour which allowed the iconic shape to do all the talking.
(Image credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty)
Shop Gladiator Sandals
Schuh Turner Tie Black Sandals
The Turner Tie Sandals have a cushioned design for comfort and are crafted with adjustable straps and a sleek black gladiator silhouette. They’re currently even more affordable now that they’re in the summer sale and they also come in a black and yellow version.
Mango Gold Lace Up Sandals
You tie these up at the ankle with pretty straps, and they also have a toe post to keep your foot extra secure. The metallic gold shade goes with so many other colours and feels special enough for these to be party sandals, as well as everyday shoes.
Russell & Bromley Strappy Sandals
Made from leather with a fun yet still-neutral snake print, these sandals are a great option when you want barely-there shoes. The fine straps curve around the foot and the ankle and secure with a buckle. This makes them quite a practical choice compared to the slightly more fiddly tie-up style of true gladiator sandals.
Although you could wear gladiator sandals under roomy wide-leg trousers, the lace-up detailing means they work better with shorter skirts and dresses. This showcases them more and woman&home’s Digital Fashion Editor, Rivkie Baum, thinks that Cat’s choice of a floral frock accentuated the 90s feel of her sandals.
“We know that the nineties and noughties are back in fashion, and Cat Deeley has just flown the flag for some long forgotten trends. Pairing a floral dress with tan gladiator sandals, this retro look feels chic and summery, with a healthy dose of what we might now consider a vintage aesthetic,” she explains.
Rivkie adds that whilst “florals are always a must when it comes to the best summer dresses” the way Cat teamed her look with these “late 90s sandals has got her feeling nostalgic”.
(Image credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty)
Shop Floral Dresses
Nobody’s Child Floral Andie Dress
This mini dress is perfect for hot days and has a pretty cream-yellow background colour with delicate pastel flowers and covered buttons. Flowing angel sleeves and a V-neckline accentuate the femininity of this design.
Boden Samantha Scoop Jersey Dress
You can currently get this cerulean blue dress for £61.92 with the code SS25X10 at Boden. The Samantha dress features a scoop neckline, flared skirt and is made from a soft and comfortable jersey fabric.
Nobody’s Child Green Ditsy Dress
If you prefer a longer dress, this fern green one is worth picking up for your summer wardrobe. It’s got an Empire line waist, angel sleeves and a small split in the hem. Pair with white sandals and add a crossbody bag and you’re good to go.
“Fashion is cyclical, and so it’s worth holding on to key pieces you love, because you never know, as Cat Deeley’s just proven, when they’ll come back into circulation,” our expert says.
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Cat’s mini dress had ruching on the bodice, which accentuated her waist and the short puff sleeves felt ultra-feminine. Running all over this piece was a floral print featuring daisies, scarlet poppies and blue blooms alongside green leaves.
Ditsy florals are often thought of as being quite vintage-esque and this complemented the gladiator sandals. She matched her shoes to her bag, which was a spacious tan leather tote that provided plenty of space for anything she needed to take to Wimbledon.
(Image credit: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty)
Cat wore her blonde hair in a relaxed side ponytail and added a pair of subtle gold hoop earrings. With her toes on show in her strappy sandals, she also had her nails immaculately painted in a sorbet pink that’s a big summer pedicure trend.
To recreate her Wimbledon outfit and embrace gladiator sandals for 2025, consider pairing some with a delicate floral dress like hers. These kinds of frocks are a go-to for many of us this time of year anyway, and the classic feel of a flower print dress can help to balance the more out-there sandals.
Celebrity chef questions Meghan Markle’s new wine value in scathing attack
Meghan Markle launched new wine Rosé under her lifestyle brand As Ever and it was quickly sold out, however, it has still failed to woo a celebrity chef.
Celebrity chef Jameson Stocks criticized the wine for being too exclusive and said that the high price and three-bottle minimum made it unappealing to a wider audience.
He even joked that the wine might “taste like vinegar and be as bitter as her,” and admitted the price wasn’t shocking, while speaking with The Express.
“Nobody knows what it tastes like,” he said before adding that why would people want to “buy three bottles minimum.”
The wine could “taste like vinegar and be as bitter as her,” he quipped.
“It’s similar to her other products, it’s not meant to be affordable for the general public but rather caters to a more exclusive market,” the expert continued.
“Having worked extensively in South Africa, a region known for producing some of the world’s finest wines, I’m confident that you can create top-quality wine at a fraction of the price she’s charging and still make a decent enough mark up per bottle.
“I collaborate regularly with vineyards and growers there, and I’m currently producing my own wine in South Africa for next year.”
BBC
