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  • IAF to screen “King Lear” recorded stage performance

    IAF to screen “King Lear” recorded stage performance

    TEHRAN – The Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) in Tehran will screen the recorded stage performance of William Shakespeare’s well-known tragedy “King Lear” directed by Masoud Delkhah on Wednesday.

    The 220-minute performance, which was staged in Iran in 2018, will be shown at the Nasseri Hall of the IAF at 6 p.m., Honaronline reported.

    Mehdi Soltani, Elham Pavehnejad, Bahareh Rahnama, Khosrow Shahraz, Rahim Norouzi, Mohammad Sadegh Malek, Nasser Ashouri, Hemidreza Hedayati, Mohammadreza Aliakbari, Mohammad Sedighi Mehr, Mahboubeh Tafazoli, and more than 50 other actors perform in the play.

    The cast is accompanied by a group of musicians and choir on stage, performing live music composed and conducted by Nader Mashayekhi.

    In the play, King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between his daughters Goneril and Regan, who pay homage to gain favor, feigning love. The King’s third daughter, Cordelia, is offered a third of his kingdom also, but refuses to be insincere in her praise and affection. She instead offers the respect of a daughter and is disowned by Lear, who seeks flattery.

    Regan and Goneril subsequently break promises to host Lear and his entourage, so he opts to become homeless and destitute, goes insane, and the French King, married to Cordelia, invades Britain to restore order and Lear’s rule. In a subplot, Edmund, the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, betrays his brother and father. Tragically, Lear, Cordelia, and several other main characters die.

    The plot and subplot overlap and intertwine with political power plays, personal ambition, and assumed supernatural interventions and pagan beliefs. 

    As the plot unfolds, Shakespeare delves into themes of loyalty, justice, and the nature of true love. The play is filled with complex characters and powerful dialogue, showcasing human emotions.

    William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses.

    His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.

    The Iranian Artists Forum is located in Artists Park on North Mousavi Street, Taleqani Street.

    SS/SAB
     

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  • Tim Wellens: “I will almost certainly lose the polka dot jersey tomorrow”

    Tim Wellens: “I will almost certainly lose the polka dot jersey tomorrow”

    “It has been a very fast day out. We knew it was going to be a nervous stage because of the wind. I was full on, and couldn’t even think of saving legs for tomorrow. For a long time I didn’t have any bidons, so that didn’t help for me to feel alright. In the end, I had to let the peloton go.

    Tomorrow’s stage is going to be the most difficult one of the Tour de France so far. We may suffer a lot, and it will be a working day for me – not one for myself to embark on the breakaway. I will almost certainly lose the polka dot jersey. I’m sure the breakaway riders will rack up most of the KOM points, and somebody will deserve to wear it. In any case, one day in the polka dot jersey is already a bonus and a privilege for me. Keeping it for several stages has been an honour.”

    13/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 9 – Chinon / Châteauroux (174,1 km) – Tim WELLENS (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) © A.S.O./Charly Lopez


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  • Encorafenib Combo Earns Chinese Approval in BRAF V600E+ Metastatic CRC

    Encorafenib Combo Earns Chinese Approval in BRAF V600E+ Metastatic CRC

    The FDA previously approved encorafenib/cetuximab for patients with metastatic BRAF V600E-mutant CRC in April 2020 based on findings from the phase 3 BEACON CRC trial.

    Encorafenib (Braftovi) plus cetuximab (Erbitux) has received marketing authorization in China as a treatment for adults with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) harboring BRAF V600E mutations, according to a press release from the developers, Pierre Fabre Laboratories.1

    Supporting data for the approval in China came from the phase 3 BEACON CRC trial (NCT02928224), in which investigators assessed treatment with encorafenib plus cetuximab and binimetinib (Mektovi), encorafenib/cetuximab doublet therapy, and investigator’s choice of cetuximab plus irinotecan or cetuximab plus folinic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI). Additionally, the approval was based on findings from the Chinese phase 2 NAUTICAL CRC trial (NCT05004350) evaluating encorafenib/cetuximab vs irinotecan/cetuximab or FOLFIRI/cetuximab in a similar patient population from China.

    “This approval represents a significant advancement and is crucial for the patients in China with BRAF V600E-mutant [metastatic] CRC [with] this particularly unfavorable prognosis cancer. Until now, no treatment specifically intended for this population has been approved by the Chinese authorities, leaving an unmet medical need,” Núria Perez-Cullell, head of the Medical & Patient Consumer Department at Pierre Fabre Laboratories, stated in the press release.1 “From now, encorafenib in combination with cetuximab will change the approach to treating the patients in China, offering the possibility to slow disease progression and improve their life expectancy.”

    BEACON CRC

    Data published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed a median overall survival (OS) of 8.4 months (95% CI, 7.5-11.0) with encorafenib/cetuximab vs 5.4 months (95% CI, 4.8-6.6) with control therapy. The risk of death was significantly reduced in the doublet therapy arm vs the control arm (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.45-0.79; P <.001).2 The objective response rate (ORR) was 20% (95% CI, 13%-29%) vs 2% (95% CI, 0%-7%) in each respective arm; the experimental doublet therapy significantly improved responses (P <.001).

    Any-grade adverse effects (AEs) occurred in 98% of the doublet arm and 97% of the control arm, with grade 3 or higher toxicities affecting 50% and 61% of patients, respectively. The most common AEs of any grade in each arm included nausea (34% vs 41%), diarrhea (33% vs 48%), and fatigue (30% vs 27%).

    In the doublet arm of the trial, patients with metastatic BRAF V600E-mutated CRC received encorafenib at 300 mg daily plus cetuximab at 400 mg/m2 as an initial dose followed by 250 mg/m2 each week. The trial’s primary end points were OS and ORR in the triplet arm vs the control arm. Secondary end points included OS in the doublet arm vs the control arm.

    NAUTICAL CRC

    According to findings presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.2 months (95% CI, 3.0-7.3) in patients who received encorafenib/cetuximab in the doublet arm vs 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.3-4.3) in the control arm (stratified HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.20-0.68; P = .0004).3 Additionally, the median OS was 11.6 months (95% CI, 8.1-14.7) vs 8.2 months (95% CI, 5.2-12.1) in each respective arm (stratified HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99). In each arm, the ORR was 24.6% (95% CI, 14.8%-36.9%) vs 6.3% (95% CI, 0.8%-20.8%), and the median duration of response was 8.2 months (95% CI, 2.8-not evaluable [NE]) vs 4.2 months (95% CI, NE-NE).

    All patients in the doublet and control arms experienced any-grade treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs), and 47.7% vs 51.9% from each arm had grade 3 or higher TEAEs. The most common TEAEs in each arm included anemia (30.8% vs 37.0%), vomiting (26.2% vs 33.3%), and rash (24.6% vs 29.6%).

    In the doublet arm of the NAUTICAL CRC trial, patients with 1 to 2 prior regimens for metastatic BRAF V600E-mutant CRC received encorafenib at 300 mg orally daily plus cetuximab at 400 mg/m2 intravenously followed by 250 mg/m2 intravenously weekly. The trial’s primary end point was PFS per blinded independent central review. Secondary end points included investigator-assessed PFS, ORR, OS, and safety.

    The FDA previously approved encorafenib/cetuximab for patients with metastatic BRAF V600E-mutant CRC in April 2020 based on findings from the phase 3 BEACON CRC trial.4

    References

    1. Pierre Fabre Laboratories receive approval for BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib) combination in China for the treatment of adult patients with BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) after prior systemic therapy. News release. Pierre Fabre Laboratories. July 11, 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/yhat474v
    2. Kopetz S, Grothey A, Yaeger R, et al. Encorafenib, binimetinib, and cetuximab in BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(17):1632-1643. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1908075.
    3. Wang X, Deng Y, Zhang Y, et al. Encorafenib and cetuximab versus irinotecan/cetuximab or FOLFIRI/cetuximab in Chinese patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer: The NAUTICAL CRC study. J Clin Oncol. 2024;42(suppl 17):LBA3559. doi:10.1200/JCO.2024.42.17_suppl.LBA3559
    4. FDA approves encorafenib in combination with cetuximab for metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation. News release. April 8, 2020. Accessed July 11, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/47awvc2d

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  • Tan Jianci Named Roger Vivier New Brand Ambassador

    Tan Jianci Named Roger Vivier New Brand Ambassador

    SENSIBLE CHOICE: French luxury footwear and accessories brand Roger Vivier has appointed the multifaceted Chinese actor, singer, and dancer Tan Jianci its new brand ambassador.

    In his role Tan will participate in a series of storytelling initiatives, from fronting campaigns to personal interpretations of the brand’s archive.

    “I’ve always been drawn to houses with a strong inner world and a clear aesthetic stance. To me, Roger Vivier represents not only style but a unique sensibility,” said Tan, who rose to mainstream fame in China for starring in popular series such as “Under the Skin” and “Lost You Forever.”

    “It embraces complexity and expresses a strength that is both refined and unshakable. That vision resonates with me deeply, and I’m honored to contribute to its story,” he added.

    Tan Jianci for Roger Vivier.

    Courtesy

    According to Roger Vivier, Tan will bring a fresh and contemporary perspective to the brand as he represents a new generation of men who engage with femininity, embracing it as a source of inspiration.

    His ambassadorship announcement was accompanied by the release of a new campaign in which Tan sported signature pieces, including brooches, handbags, and sculptural shoes.

    A professionally trained ballroom dancer, Tan embarked on a career in music in 2009 as a member of the Chinese boy group M.I.C. He later branched into acting and has since amassed over 18 million followers on Weibo, 11 million fans on Douyin, and over 763 million impressions on Xiaohongshu.

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  • Warner Bros. ‘Superman’ opening weekend box office hits $122 million

    Warner Bros. ‘Superman’ opening weekend box office hits $122 million

    David Corenswet stars are Superman in Warner Bros.’ “Superman.”

    Warner Bros. Discovery

    “Superman” soared into theaters this weekend, snapping up an estimated $122 million in domestic ticket sales and launching a new era of DC superhero flicks.

    The film marks the first theatrical debut of James Gunn and Peter Safran since they became co-heads of Warner Bros. Discovery’s DC Comics film and TV unit in late 2022. The pair has developed a 10-year plan to reinvigorate the studio’s franchises across TV and film, including fresh spins on Superman and Batman.

    “The road to success for DC has been a circuitous one over the years and now under the auspices of James Gunn and Peter Safran, the impressive opening weekend performance of ‘Superman’ allows DC Studios to hit the reset and chart a new course with this film providing the spark to ignite future success for the storied brand,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.

    The domestic haul of “Superman” ranks as the best performance of a solo-billed Superman film ever, outpacing 2013’s “Superman: Man of Steel,” which took in $116 million during its first three days in theaters, according to Comscore data.

    Only four DC films have performed better during their first three days in theaters — “Batman v. Superman” opened to $166 million, “The Dark Knight Rises” captured $160 million, “The Dark Knight” brought in $158.4 million and “The Batman” tallied $134 million.

    “Superman is fulfilling its promise as another welcome hit for the summer box office, while also serving as an effective launch pad for James Gunn’s new era of DC Studios,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory.

    Internationally, “Superman” generated $95 million in ticket sales, bringing its estimated global opening to $217 million.

    Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal owns Fandango.

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  • Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a refinement to Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s reinvention

    Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a refinement to Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s reinvention

    Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an impressive jump for the company’s book-style foldable, delivering a needed upgrade and some major improvements. But if we’re looking to crown the biggest upgrade in foldable history, I think Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold still earns that title.

    This issue of 9to5Google Weekender is a part of 9to5Google’s rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox early!

    The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a major, overdue upgrade for Samsung’s foldable. It’s drastically thinner and now matches the best in the world, while addressing almost every other complaint from past generations. A better camera, a wider cover display, a bigger inner screen, etc. Save for the stagnant battery size, Galaxy Z Fold 7 is better in virtually every way.

    And in my use of the device so far, I’m super excited about that.

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    The best foldables on the market for the past couple of years have been from the like of Oppo and Honor and, while they’re fantastic in their own right, they’re not sold in large portions of the globe, and their software experiences certainly aren’t appealing for a huge number of people. That’s why the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has been my daily driver, because my alternatives were either iffy software from those brands, or underwhelming hardware from Samsung.

    Samsung deserves a lot of credit for the year-over-year upgrade Fold 7 is delivering, but I think Google still deserves more credit for its work last year.

    Moving from the original Pixel Fold to the the Pixel 9 Pro Fold was effectively like if Samsung had skipped directly from the Galaxy Z Fold 3 all the way to the Fold 7. Google’s first device was surprisingly good for a first attempt, but it had some clear downsides in that rough inner display, constant overheating issues, and the unorthodox form factor. Google addressed quite literally of that with the sequel, with Pixel 9 Pro Fold delivering the form factor everyone wanted with its big display, traditional cover screen aspect ratio, and improved chipset. Samsung is similarly addressing a ton of issues, but the issues on last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 6, and even the Fold 5 before that, weren’t nearly as impactful as the ones Google was dealing with.

    To put it succinctly, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a device full of refinement, where Pixel 9 Pro Fold was a complete reinvention.

    Is that to say Samsung’s upgrade is somehow bad or underwhelming? Not at all! As a customer, I’m thrilled, but I also want to acknowledge that Google, despite its inexperience, did more last time around.

    That said, Google is preparing to launch Pixel 10 Pro Fold with little to no major improvements. I don’t think that matters much, really, as the Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 will have enough differences to still give each other some healthy competition. Samsung has a more impressive form factor, but Google (probably) has a more affordable price. With $200 separating each other, these devices can absolutely coexist without stepping on each other’s toes. Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem anyway, considering we’re talking about a tiny portion of the smartphone market in the first place, and then talking about one of the smallest (but growing) players in that market.

    What do you think?

    Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and Galaxy Watch 8 are now open through Samsung.com with up to $1,100 in trade-in values, plus an additional $50 in Samsung credit when you order through 9to5Google’s links below, but that credit only applies if you check out within 30 minutes.

    This Week’s Top Stories

    Samsung Unpacked

    Samsung hosted its big Unpacked event this week, bringing with it the launch of Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, Flip 7 FE, and the Galaxy Watch 8 series. See below for our in-depth coverage.

    Android gets new “Canary” releases

    Google is changing up how new Android releases drop (again), with new “Canary” releases that will launch more frequently. They’re not as directly tied to a specific Android version, but they are bringing changes already.

    More Top Stories

    From the rest of 9to5

    9to5Mac: Apple planning new Mac external display, MacBooks, iPads, and more for early 2026

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    Electrek: Tesla slashes prices in Canada despite tariffs as sales basically go to 0

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  • I tried this Linux distro that looks like Windows, is made by a Microsoft engineer, and is based on Ubuntu

    I tried this Linux distro that looks like Windows, is made by a Microsoft engineer, and is based on Ubuntu

    Moving from Windows to Linux isn’t as hard as you might initially think, but you’d be forgiven for having some worries. Switching to a totally different desktop environment is hard, especially when some of the apps you’re used to may not be available.

    Well, while something like Ubuntu or Linux Mint already makes the transition fairly easy, there’s another solution that makes things even easier — AnduinOS. This relatively new Linux distribution is developed by a Microsoft engineer (who doesn’t work on Windows), and it’s just about perfect if you’re thinking about switching from Windows, as it makes everything feel familiar. I’ve been using it for a few days, and I have to say, I’m in love with it.

    Based on Ubuntu, but better

    Enhanced in the right ways

    AnduinOS is a Linux distro that’s largely based on Ubuntu, which gives it an extremely solid foundation already. Ubuntu is one of the most user-friendly Linux distros, meaning the setup process and the overall usability of the system is seamless and feels great overall. Much like Ubuntu, ANduinOS is also offered in two flavors, an LTS release (based on Ubuntu’s own LTS branch) and a more short-term release that contains the latest features in exchange for a shorter support period. My experience has been with the latter.

    However, while it’s clearly still Ubuntu under the hood, AnduinOS also packs what you might consider some improvements over Canonical’s distribution. While Ubuntu has been pushing its own Snap packages for software — to the dismay of much of the Linux community — AnduinOS removes the focus from that and adopts the more widely adopted Flatpak, giving you access to tons of Linux apps with easy package management. Of course, as with any Linux distribution, you can still play around and set up different package managers, but Flatpak likely offers the most reliable and consistent experience already.

    Shows ZorinOS running on laptop

    Related

    5 reasons I prefer this distro over Ubuntu as a Windows-to-Linux convert

    As a Windows convert, I’ve tried different Linux distros but prefer Zorin over Ubuntu.

    It feels just like Windows

    It’s almost uncanny (in a good way)

    As we’ve already established, AnduinOS is based on Ubuntu, which means it has a lot of the same Ubuntu things, such as the Settings and, of course, the GNOME desktop environment. Now, I knew GNOME was flexible thanks to its extensions, but AnduinOS is an incredible showcase of what can be done with this desktop environment.

    When you boot into the AnduinOS desktop, it might as well just be Windows 11. The desktop background is made to mimic the color scheme and general vibe of Windows 11’s, and it serves that purpose quite well, but it’s everything else that’s truly impressive. Through the use of numerous GNOME extensions, AnduinOS manages to create a taskbar that looks extremely similar to that of Windows 11, merging the “dock” and the status bar Ubuntu is known for into one single UI element, just as you’ve come to expect. Everything is where you’d expect it to be, from the Start menu and open apps, to the weather widget and system tray icons. It’s as perfect a copycat as you can reasonably ask for on Linux, and I love it. It’s not necessarily that I prefer the taskbar to what Ubuntu normally offers, but I love the fact that this is even possible while using the same desktop environment.

    That continues in the Start menu, too, which is also made to look a lot like that of Windows 11, albeit it’s smoother and more responsive, as tends to be the case with a lot of Linux software. There’s a bit more to dive into there, but I want to save that for later.

    It goes down to minute details like the taskbar blurring the desktop background, making desktop icons behave more like windows, adding a tiling assistant that works similarly to Snap Assist on Windows 11, and even a clipboard history. All of this is achieved through GNOME extensions, and unlike Ubuntu, there’s actually an extension manager built right in and easily accessible from the get-go. I would still recommend installing a different extension manager to make it easier to add more customizations, but this is great all the same.

    A laptop running Linux Mint and showing various customization options

    Related

    I tried Linux Mint as a lifelong Windows user, and the customization blew me away

    Linux Mint is on a whole different level

    Windows style, Linux customization

    We have some actual flexibility here

    What’s truly great about AnduinOS is how it brings together the familiarity of Windows with the incredible customization options of Ubuntu (or Linux in general). Yes, the experience is going to feel just like home when you first boot it up, but just like a home, it’s not truly yours until you make it so, and AnduinOS makes that so much easier than Windows does.

    For starters, the taskbar, which is powered by an extension called Dash to Panel. Simply right-click it and you can head into the Dash to Panel settings to change all kinds of settings. You can autohide the taskbar, adjust the height,, change the width to make it more like a floating dock, move all the taskbar elements to your preferred side of the screen, and much more. You can change things like colors, icon sizes and styles, padding, and much more so the taskbar looks just how you want it. Of course, you can also move it to any edge of the screen, and do a wide range of other changes.

    Then there’s the Start menu (here called Arc menu), which has a very similar story. The default design is very similar to that of Windows 11, but you have a lot of customization options that keep the familiarity while making it something completely different — and better. There are tons of layouts to choose from, with my personal favorite being simply called Windows, which reminds me more of the Windows 10 style, with a list of all apps on the left, and some pinned apps on the right. But you have dozens more options, and then all of those choices can be tweaked with extra settings to change the height of the menu, as well as the width of each panel (depending on the layout you chose). You can change the pinned apps and what folders are shown in the menu, and so much more. The customization options go far beyond anything offered in Windows, even with third-party apps.

    Running VS Code on Ubuntu

    Related

    4 Linux distros you should use instead of upgrading to Windows 11

    Get rid of your Windows bad habit with one of these Linux distros.

    Extensions make it even better

    It’s still GNOME, after all

    One last thing I think is worth highlighting is that AnduinOS can still be customized even further thanks to GNOME extensions. As I mentioned above, I’d recommend installing the Extension Manager to make it easier to find new extensions, and there are a few I installed myself. For one thing, I replaced the included Clipboard Indicator extension with Clipboard History, which is a more modern and smoother option for keeping a clipboard history. Then, I also added Emoji Copy, another extension that restores a feature I love in Windows, that being the emoji panel.

    Finally, I added Tiling Shell, an extension that makes it much easier to manage my open windows, behaving similarly to FancyZones on Windows. I actually use this instead of the built-in Tiling Assistant if I’m on my desktop setup, since it’s way better for my productivity.

    Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a huge library of extensions that can enhance your AnduinOS experience in different ways depending on your needs.

    Ubuntu GNOME Extension Manager

    Related

    7 GNOME extensions I could never switch to Windows and live without

    These GNOME extensions can completely change the way you use Linux.

    AnduinOS may just be the perfect distro for Windows converts

    There are many great Linux distros worth considering if you want to move over from Windows, but I have to be honest, AnduinOS may just be the one for me. It’s incredibly impressive how close it gets to looking like Windows 11, but the best part is how you can dive deep into the settings and realize that it’s actually so much better, with tons of customization options that let you make your PC truly your own. It’s not only a great transition OS, but it’s also a fantastic introduction to the world of Linux and its customization options.

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  • Prince Harry and King Charles Take First Step Toward Royal Reunion, All We Know About Senior Aides’ Meeting

    Prince Harry and King Charles Take First Step Toward Royal Reunion, All We Know About Senior Aides’ Meeting

    In the strongest hint yet that Prince Harry and King Charles could be ready to mend their strained relationship, senior aides from both sides quietly met in London last week. The meeting, seen as an early step towards healing the royal rift, was first reported by The Daily Mail on Sunday, July 13.

    First meeting in years between senior aides

    On Wednesday, July 9, Meredith Maines, Prince Harry’s chief of staff and communications director, flew in from Montecito to hold talks with Tobyn Andreae, King Charles’ communications secretary. Liam Maguire, who handles UK press for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, was also present at the private gathering.

    The talks were held at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private members’ club near Clarence House. A source told The Daily Mail there was “no formal agenda” but both sides wanted to open “a channel of communication for the first time in years.”

    The source described the meeting as only “the first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction.” The source added, “Everyone just wants to move on and move forward now. It was finally the right time for the two sides to talk.”

    Routine visit or quiet peace talks?

    According to PEOPLE, Meredith Maines’ visit was officially part of her regular duties as Chief Communications Officer for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Maines was in London to meet the UK-based communications team, media contacts and senior figures connected to Harry’s patronages.

    Still, the quiet meeting with King Charles’ top aide marks a clear sign that both sides may be ready to ease tensions that have lasted for years.

    The rift within the royal family became public in 2020 when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their roles as senior working royals. The distance grew deeper after bombshell interviews, their Netflix docuseries and Harry’s bestselling memoir, Spare.

    Harry has often spoken about how the couple was treated, sharing his struggles with press intrusion, family disputes and the impact on their mental health. Just weeks before the London meeting, Prince Harry told the BBC, “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”

    While it may take time to fully repair ties, this quiet London summit is the strongest sign yet that the Duke of Sussex and King Charles could be moving closer to finding common ground.

    ALSO READ: Prince Harry to Potentially Extend Invictus Games Invite to Royal Family Members: Is Reunion on Cards?

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  • Wet Leg reflect on whirlwind success and crafting new album ‘Moisturizer’ – Music News

    Wet Leg reflect on whirlwind success and crafting new album ‘Moisturizer’ – Music News

    UK indie rockers Wet Leg recently sat down with Matt Wilkinson on Apple Music 1 to discuss their forthcoming album, Moisturizer, offering insights into their rapid ascent and creative process. Band members Rhian and Joshua candidly reflected on the unexpected triumph of their debut album and the relentless touring that saw them play over 300 gigs.

    Rhian described the experience of their initial success as a whirlwind, stating, “everything is just happening and you’re just taking it day by day. You don’t really have that much time for reflection.” She noted that even after extensive touring, the focus immediately shifted to new material: “When we stopped touring we weren’t like, ‘Okay, let’s take a minute about all those gigs that we played.’ We were like, ‘Okay, what are we going to play when we go on tour again? Let’s make some tunes.’”

    Joshua detailed the writing process for Moisturizer, which took place in a “kid’s playroom” in Southwold. He recounted a spontaneous approach to songwriting, with band members joining each other at various hours. “We did two weeks on, two weeks off, two weeks on. After that, we had too many songs,” Joshua explained, noting they initially had 16 or 17 tracks for the new record.

    The duo also touched upon their experience supporting Harry Styles on tour. Rhian shared her initial reservations about how their sound would be received by his fanbase, but ultimately found the stadium shows “really cosy” due to the open nature of Styles’s fans. Joshua and Rhian observed a contemporary shift in music consumption, where listeners embrace diverse genres without adhering to rigid subculture affiliations.

    Looking ahead, both members expressed a desire to return to touring. Joshua admitted that while a break after their extensive debut tour felt good initially, he soon longed to “get back on the bus.” Rhian concurred, balancing her love for home with her enjoyment of live performances. Rhian also revealed that Moisturizer features love songs, a departure from her earlier songwriting, admitting she was “really, really hesitant” to tackle the theme.

    The full interview with Wet Leg is available on demand with an Apple Music subscription via The Matt Wilkinson Show on Apple Music 1.

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  • Benny Blanco’s surprising confession about Selena Gomez shocks fans

    Benny Blanco’s surprising confession about Selena Gomez shocks fans



    Benny Blanco’s surprising confession about Selena Gomez shocks fans

    Benny Blanco has made a surprising admission about his relationship with Selena Gomez. 

    In a recent episode of the Therapuss With Jake Shane podcast, Blanco revealed that he had never watched the Disney channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place, in which Gomez starred as Alex Russo, until after he began dating her.

    The renowned record producer and songwriter, 37, confessed that he was unaware of the show’s details, saying, “I knew she was, like, a kid star, but I had never seen any of it.” He only knew the Wizards of Waverly Place theme song because Billie Eilish used it in her hit song Bad Guy.

    Initially, Gomez was hesitant to watch the show with Blanco, but she later agreed to show him “a few good scenes”. After watching these scenes, Blanco finally understood why Gomez had a strong connection to the show, quipping, “I get it.”

    It’s worth noting that Gomez reprised her role as Alex Russo in the recent reboot Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and is expected to return for the second season. 

    Blanco’s confession highlights the differences in their backgrounds and how their relationship has helped him understand her experiences and passions.

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