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  • Americans ‘dislike’ Meghan Markle

    Americans ‘dislike’ Meghan Markle



    The Duchess of Sussex struggles to win over Americans and Britons

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may see the US as their permanent destination and a better place for their children, but many American have a different opinion about the couple.

    A royal expert claims that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are largely disliked in the US and the UK as well.

    Ingrid Seward: “She’s disliked intensely by a large number of the monarchists of this country.”

    The royal author went on to claim: “I think a lot of people in America feel the same.” 

    These claims appear to be substantiated by recent polls. Notably, a March 2021 YouGov snap poll conducted shortly after Harry and Meghan’s Oprah Winfrey interview found that 68 per cent of Americans expressed sympathy for the couple, while 27 per cent reported feeling little or no sympathy.”

    According to a YouGov poll in May 2022, Meghan’s popularity had declined, with 45 per cent of Americans viewing her positively and 36 per cent negatively, resulting in a net approval rating of +9.

    On the other hand, In YouGov’s most recent US poll from April 2025, only 41 per cent of Americans viewed the Duchess of Sussex positively.

    This placed the former Hollywood star below Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prince Harry in popularity.

    It seems the public is fed up with their narrative and wants Harry and Meghan to stop using their royal status or playing the victim card to gain sympathy or success.

    Harry and Meghan have been in the news since stepping down as senior working royals and relocating to the US in 2020, seeking a life free from royal restrictions and traditions.

    Despite breaking free from the royal constraints, it appears Harry and Meghan still need to do more to achieve their desired status, as their recent endeavours have consistently backfired and attracted backlash.+

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  • Nemetschek Group and buildingSMART Saudi Arabia Join Forces to Advance Digital Transformation and Open Standards in Saudi Arabia’s AEC/O Sector

    Nemetschek Group and buildingSMART Saudi Arabia Join Forces to Advance Digital Transformation and Open Standards in Saudi Arabia’s AEC/O Sector

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2025 – The Nemetschek Group, a global leader in software solutions for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AEC/O) industry, has entered a strategic partnership with buildingSMART Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s chapter of buildingSMART International – the global authority spearheading digital transformation in the built asset environment.

    This collaboration is intended to fast-track the adoption of open Building Information Modeling (openBIM) and international digital standards within Saudi Arabia’s construction and infrastructure sectors. The initiative aligns closely with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, supporting national goals around innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification.

    Under this agreement, both organizations plan to work together to facilitate the implementation of openBIM and digital standards in the AEC/O sector and to identify pilot projects for applying Nemetschek’s solutions to enhance project efficiency, safety, and cost control.

    Furthermore, the collaboration sets forth plans to co-develop and deliver professional certification programs, specialized training workshops, and advanced BIM implementation courses specifically designed for the Saudi market. The partnership will also introduce advisory services focused on ESG-aligned, digitally enabled practices and green building initiatives.

    “This partnership reflects our commitment to revolutionizing how buildings and infrastructure are designed, constructed, and operated,” said Yves Padrines, CEO of the Nemetschek Group. “By aligning our digital technologies and open standards expertise with buildingSMART’s leadership in the Kingdom, we are laying the foundation for a smarter, more connected, and more sustainable infrastructure landscape.”

    Supporting Vision 2030 Through Innovation, Sustainability, and Collaboration

    The collaboration will champion the widespread adoption of open standards, enabling seamless data exchange and true interoperability across all project stakeholders in Saudi Arabia. By fostering a truly open ecosystem, this partnership will revolutionize the Kingdom’s AEC/O market, driving unprecedented levels of efficiency, collaboration, and innovation. This move is a game-changer for Saudi Arabia, empowering a more connected and technologically advanced built environment.

    “This collaboration aligns seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its bold aspirations for digital innovation and infrastructure development,” said Muayad Simbawa, Managing Director of Nemetschek Arabia. “Together with buildingSMART Saudi Arabia, we aim to empower the Kingdom’s construction ecosystem with the tools, skills, and standards needed to accelerate progress and deliver world-class projects.”

    For his part, Abdul-Rahman AL-Ghabban, Chairman of buildingSMART Saudi Arabia, said: “Our partnership with the Nemetschek Group marks a pivotal step towards elevating Saudi Arabia’s construction sector to global standards. We are excited to collaborate on advancing open standards and fostering innovation in building practices, creating lasting value for our industry and our nation.”

    Through this collaboration, Nemetschek Arabia and buildingSMART Saudi Arabia reaffirm their shared commitment to modernizing the Kingdom’s AEC/O industry. Together, they aim to unlock greater efficiency, foster innovation, and drive sustainable transformation across Saudi Arabia’s urban development and infrastructure ecosystem.

    For more information, please contact:

    Sarah Abdullah Aljasser, Nemetschek Group

    E : [email protected]

    Christiane Salem, ProGlobal Media

    E: [email protected]

    About the Nemetschek Group

    The Nemetschek Group is a globally leading software provider for digital transformation in the AEC/O and media industries. Its intelligent software solutions cover the entire lifecycle of construction and infrastructure projects and allow creatives to optimize their workflows. Customers can plan, construct, and manage construction projects more efficiently and sustainably, and develop digital content such as visualizations, films, and computer games in a creative way. The software company drives new technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and open standards (OpenBIM) in the AEC/O industries to increase productivity and sustainability and continuously expand its portfolio, including through acquisitions and investments in innovative start-ups. More than 7 million users are currently using customer-focused solutions. Founded by Prof. Georg Nemetschek in 1963, the Nemetschek Group today employs around 4,000 experts globally.

    The company, which has been listed in the MDAX and TecDAX since 1999, achieved a revenue of EUR 995.6 million and an EBITDA of EUR 301.0 million in 2024. Since the end of 2024, the Nemetschek Group is certified in accordance with ISO 27001, the internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS).

    buildingSMART Saudi Arabia

    buildingSMART Saudi Arabia, the local chapter of buildingSMART International, collaborates closely with its global counterpart. As a not-for-profit organization, the chapter represents the interests of companies, organizations, giga-projects, and government entities within Saudi Arabia. The chapter’s mission is to foster innovation and collaboration in the construction industry, revolutionizing the design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure through open standards and digital technologies.

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  • Pakistan floods: 60% of families have lost their only livelihoods – ReliefWeb

    1. Pakistan floods: 60% of families have lost their only livelihoods  ReliefWeb
    2. Torrential monsoon rains in Pakistan kill over 20, including 10 in Karachi  Al Jazeera
    3. PM Shehbaz visits KP’s flood-affected areas as 14 more bodies recovered  Dawn
    4. AKDN steps up relief efforts in flood-hit areas  The Express Tribune
    5. King Charles, Queen Camilla stand in solidarity with Pakistan  Geo.tv

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  • UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: Alarming new data from UNRWA clinics in Gaza – ReliefWeb

    1. UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: Alarming new data from UNRWA clinics in Gaza  ReliefWeb
    2. Israel starving Gaza: 266 dead from starvation, including 122 children  Al Jazeera
    3. 5 Palestinians die from malnutrition in 24 hours  Dawn
    4. They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems.  The Free Press
    5. New testimonies reveal Israel’s starvation of Palestinians in Gaza is deliberate policy  Amnesty International

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  • ‘The Pitt’ Rules 2025 TV Critics Association Awards

    ‘The Pitt’ Rules 2025 TV Critics Association Awards

    The Pitt dominated the 2025 Television Critics Awards, taking home four honors including program of the year.

    The HBO Max series also won awards for outstanding drama, outstanding new program and the individual award in drama for star and executive producer Noah Wyle. The Pitt swept every category in which it was nominated.

    With the summer’s TCA press tour canceled this year, the group did not have an in-person awards ceremony. Instead, the TCA’s YouTube page features recorded acceptance speeches from the winners.

    Another first-year show, Apple TV+’s The Studio, won the TCA Award for outstanding comedy. Bridget Everett of Somebody Somewhere won the award for individual achievement in comedy for the HBO show’s final season. Adolescence took the award for best limited series or TV movie, and The Traitors repeated its 2024 victory for outstanding reality series.

    Kathy Bates was given the TCA’s Career Achievement Award, and Sesame Street — a multi-time winner for best children’s program, including this year — won the Heritage Award for a show that has had a lasting impact on television.

    “Each of these TCA Award winners not only entertained us, but also immersed us in the lives of characters, both fictional and real-life. We’re thrilled to honor them,” said TCA president Andy Dehnart in a statement. “TCA exists to support our members’ work and celebrate TV’s role in our culture, and with these awards and accompanying videos, we’re doing both.”

    The full list of TCA Award winners for 2025 is below.

    Program of the year: The Pitt (HBO Max)
    Outstanding achievement in comedy: The Studio (Apple TV+)
    Outstanding achievement in drama: The Pitt
    Outstanding achievement in miniseries, movies or specials: Adolescence (Netflix)
    Outstanding new program: The Pitt
    Individual achievement in drama: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
    Individual achievement in comedy: Bridget Everett, Somebody Somewhere (HBO)
    Outstanding achievement in news and information: Pee-wee As Himself (HBO)
    Outstanding achievement in variety, talk or sketch: SNL50: The Anniversary Special (NBC)
    Outstanding achievement in reality: The Traitors (Peacock)
    Outstanding achievement in family programming: Doctor Who (Disney+)
    Outstanding achievement in children’s programming: Sesame Street (HBO)
    Career Achievement Award: Kathy Bates
    Heritage Award: Sesame Street

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  • Google announces Gemini for Home

    Google announces Gemini for Home

    It’s finally happening: Google Assistant in the home is getting its Gemini glow-up. “Gemini for Home” is an all-new voice assistant for Google Home, set to arrive later this year, the company announced today.

    This new voice assistant, powered by Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence, will eventually replace Google Assistant on Google’s Nest smart speakers and displays for hands-free control of things like smart lights, music, setting timers, and answering questions. Rollout begins in October through an early access program, with both free and paid tiers available. Google says you’ll still summon the assistant with “Hey Google,” and it will work across all your home devices and for every member of your household, as well as visitors.

    Google’s timing here is interesting. While the company has been leading the charge in AI on mobile, bringing a smarter, LLM-powered assistant to phones, it’s lagged behind in the home. Amazon’s generative-AI-powered Alexa Plus assistant is already in millions of households.

    By comparison, Google’s recent Gemini upgrades for the home have felt incremental — new voices, some more conversational responses, AI-powered features for Nest cameras and automations, and a Gemini option on some speakers. These were all hints at what was coming, but they stopped short of a whole new assistant.

    Gemini for Home is that whole new voice assistant, and it could be one of the most significant changes for Google Home since the launch of its first smart display more than six years ago.

    The Nest Hub 2, launched in 2021, was the last hardware upgrade for the Nest line of smart speakers and displays.
    Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

    According to a blog post by Anish Kattukaran, chief product officer of Google Home and Nest, using Gemini for Home will “feel fundamentally new.” He says the new voice assistant leverages the “advanced reasoning, inference and search capabilities” of Google’s AI models, along with adaptations for the home that allow for more natural interactions to complete more complex tasks. In short, it should be an assistant that can better understand context, nuance, and intention — a complete change from its predecessor.

    With the launch of Gemini for Home, the race is now on for the most reliable and capable smart home assistant

    For example, Kattukaran says Gemini for Home can accurately respond to requests like “turn off the lights everywhere except my bedroom,” “play that song from this year’s summer blockbuster about race cars,” or “set a timer for perfectly blanched broccoli.” It will also create lists, calendar entries, and reminders more easily than before, he says.

    Another big upgrade is that Gemini Live will be part of Gemini for Home, bringing more conversational back-and-forth voice interactions to Google Home without needing to repeatedly say “Hey Google.” Kattukaran says this will allow for more detailed and personalized help — from cooking (“I have spinach, eggs, cream cheese, and smoked salmon in the fridge. Help me make a delicious meal”) to brainstorming how to buy a new car or figuring out how to fix your dishwasher, as well as more creative tasks like generating bedtime stories.

    If this sounds familiar, it should. These are features Alexa Plus offers, including better smart home control, more help in the kitchen, and fixing household issues. Alexa Plus also has some agentic capabilities — it can use services like Thumbtack and OpenTable for you. With the launch of Gemini for Home, the race is now on for the most reliable and capable smart home voice assistant — and we’re still waiting for the third competitor, Apple, to get on the track.

    Google hasn’t announced pricing for the paid tier of Gemini for Home, but Gemini Live, with its more advanced capabilities, is a likely candidate for a premium plan. Amazon has gone the subscription route with Alexa Plus, bundling it into its Prime subscription. Google may follow suit and bundle it into its Nest Aware or Google One plans. It recently increased the price of Nest Aware to $10 a month with no major feature upgrades.

    It’s likely we’ll see new Google Nest hardware this fall

    Although Google says Gemini for Home is coming in October, don’t expect it to land everywhere all at once. Google uses its Google Home Public Preview program to test its new features, and has gated access for some Gemini features in the past, only making them available to select users. A cautious rollout is likely, mirroring Amazon’s approach with Alexa Plus. Bringing generative AI into the smart home requires extra caution, especially considering there’s the potential to control critical devices like locks, appliances, and HVAC systems.

    All of this, of course, raises an ongoing question for Google Home: Where is the hardware? Aside from the Pixel Tablet, Google hasn’t refreshed its smart speakers or displays since 2021. With Gemini for Home being a major upgrade for Google Home, it’s likely that new hardware designed to showcase its capabilities will launch alongside it this fall.

    Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.


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  • Watch a bright fireball explode above Japan, turning night to day (video)

    Watch a bright fireball explode above Japan, turning night to day (video)

    A fireball briefly turned night to day in the skies over Japan on the night of Aug. 19, before appearing to fragment over the Pacific Ocean.

    The fireball flared to life at 11:08 p.m. local time on Aug. 19, appearing to streak southwest through the skies above southern Japan. Its brief but dramatic descent was captured on several surveillance cameras and dashcams located in the western cities of Kagoshima and Kumamoto and was even spotted as far east as Osaka’s Kansai Airport, located approximately 124 miles (200 kilometers) away.


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  • Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Nayyara Noor was a legendary Pakistani playback singer, recognized worldwide for her melodious voice and her classical and Ghazal singing. She was married to Sheharyar Zaidi, and together they were parents to two exceptionally talented musicians, Nade Ali and Jaffer Zaidi. The couple was loved as one of Pakistan’s iconic celebrity pairs.

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    The singer passed away on 21st August 2022 at the age of 72, after a long battle with cancer. Nayyara’s popular songs include Kabhi Hum Khubsurat Thay, Roothay Ho Tum, and many more.
    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Today, a fan remembered Nayyara Noor with a beautiful video on her death anniversary, featuring her singing a lovely duet with her husband, Sheharyar Zaidi, for the PTV show Duniya Meri Jawan Hai. The performance, recorded in 2004 and produced by Khuwaja Najam Al Hassan, featured the song Tu Mera Chand from the film Dil Lagi. Here is the link to the video:

    Fans are praising the singer in the comments section with one saying, “She was the legendary Pakistani singer who got the offer from RD Barman but she refused it” Another wrote, “It is a beautiful song”. Fans are also praising Sheharyar Zaidi. Read a few comments on the post:

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband

    Heartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her HusbandHeartwarming Video of Nayyara Noor Performing with Her Husband


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  • Denmark scraps book tax to combat “reading crisis”

    Denmark scraps book tax to combat “reading crisis”

    The Danish government has announced it will abolish a 25% sales tax on books, in an effort to combat a “reading crisis”.

    The tax is is one of the highest in the world. Culture Minister Jacob Engel-Schmidt says he hopes scrapping it will lead to more books flying off the shelves.

    The measure is expected to cost about 330 million kroner ($50m, £38m) a year.

    Data from the OECD, an intergovernmental think tank, shows that a quarter of Danish 15-year-olds cannot understand a simple text.

    “The reading crisis has unfortunately been spreading in recent years,” said Engel-Schmidt. He added that he was “incredibly proud” of the move to scrap the tax.

    He said “massive money should be spent on investing in the consumption and culture” of the Danish people.

    In Finland, Sweden and Norway – which also have a standard Value Added Tax (VAT) of 25% like Denmark – the VAT on books is 14%, 6% and 0% respectively. In the UK, books are also VAT-free.

    Surveys have shown declining levels of reading and comprehension among Danish teenagers, said Mads Rosendahl Thomsen, vice-chair of the government’s working group on literature.

    Younger children can easily improve their reading skills “but at 15 the ability to understand a text is pretty important”, he told the BBC.

    The numbers were “pretty shocking,” he said, referring to the OECD research.

    Young people struggle with reading because they have “so many options” and can be “easily distracted”.

    He said removing VAT on books was not a complete solution, but it would make books “more accessible”.

    The government’s working group on literature also looked into ways to export Danish literature, the digitalisation of the book market and the impact on authors’ pay.

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  • US Open: Swiatek finds the joy and the wins again | Tennis News

    US Open: Swiatek finds the joy and the wins again | Tennis News

    Mumbai: Iga Swiatek had not been herself for the first half of the year. The dominance with which she would conquer opponents and titles had suddenly been replaced by a player second-guessing her every move.

    Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud at mixed doubles match at the U.S. Open in New York. (AP)

    She was losing early in tournaments she had once won. Often stoic, she was letting her emotions show on court. And in one unfortunate incident at Indian Wells, she hit a ball into the stands in frustration, only for it to come dangerously close to a ball boy.

    Swiatek had not done what she was expected to do. But in July, on a surface she admitted she was least comfortable on, she did the unexpected. She won the Wimbledon Championships.

    Just when it seemed that the wheels were coming off, she plowed back into form. Last week, she picked up another title for the first time in her career, clinching the Cincinnati Masters.

    And now as the US Open beckons, the in-form six-time Grand Slam champion is a firm title contender.

    “I guess it’s true that the best things come to you when you expect them the least,” Swiatek posted on social media after winning in Cincinnati, her 24th singles title and 11th WTA 1000 level triumph.

    “I’m super proud of the work we put (in) as a team to make this happen. Grinding no matter what, building resilience and patience. It’s not always easy, doesn’t come naturally. It’s just constant and deliberate work and believing that anything is possible. I couldn’t be happier.”

    The belief is back in her game, and that has taken her back up the ranking ladder – she was the eight seed at Wimbledon but is now the world No.2.

    But more importantly, within the unforgiving grind of professional sport, she finds herself being happy on court once again.

    “I gotta say that I feel that these last couple of weeks were the best part of my season,” she said at the Wimbledon Champions Ball, days after her triumph in London. “I really enjoyed myself on the court, even though I didn’t expect that on grass. I just want to get back on court and have these feelings again.”

    This is in stark contrast to what she felt once the US Open ended last year.

    After her quarter-final finish in New York last season, she was informed that she had tested positive trimetazidine (or TMZ). Swiatek argued that the banned substance entered her system through the contaminated medication she had been using to deal with sleep issues and jet lag.

    The entire incident made her a controversial figure on tour, especially since Swiatek, a high-profile player, had been given only a one-month ban, which she completed in the off-season, leading to allegations of her receiving preferential treatment from tennis’ governing bodies.

    In a social media post in March, Swiatek revealed that she had spent “three weeks crying daily, and (not) wanting to step on the court” during that period last year.

    But now she has started to hit the right notes on court.

    At Wimbledon, she dropped only one set before going on to clinch the title with a stunning 6-0, 6-0 scoreline in the final against Amanda Anisimova.

    And on Monday in Cincinnati, where her best finish was in the semi-finals in 2023 and 2024, she won the title without dropping a set the entire tournament.

    The powerful forehand has become as destructive as before, the backhand is back in rhythm. And under coach Wim Fissette, who coached the likes of Kim Clijsters and Naomi Osaka to Grand Slam titles, Swiatek has become even more aggressive on her serve.

    As the biggest names in tennis descend upon the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre in Flushing Meadows, Swiatek, the champion in 2022, comes as a firm favourite.

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