The US Federal Trade Commission and seven states accused Live Nation and its ticketing arm Ticketmaster of costing fans millions of dollars by tacitly allowing ticket brokers to scoop concert tickets and sell them to at a significant markup, the agency said on Thursday.
The lawsuit deepens Ticketmaster’s legal woes, which began after its botched 2022 sale of tickets to Swift’s much-hyped Eras tour.
Live Nation shares were trading down 2.3% on the news.
Ticketmaster, which controls 80% of primary ticketing for major concert venues, ignored brokers’ violations of ticket purchasing limits set by artists, allowing Ticketmaster to reap $3.7bn in resale fees between 2019 and 2024, the FTC alleged.
Those actions along with Ticketmaster’s failure to disclose the full price of tickets, including fees, upfront violated consumer protection law, the agency said.
Representatives for Ticketmaster and Live Nation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“The Trump-Vance FTC is working hard to ensure that fans have a shot at buying fair-priced tickets, and today’s lawsuit is a monumental step in that direction,” said Andrew Ferguson, the FTC chairperson, n a statement.
Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia are jointly filing the lawsuit in California.
Ticketmaster faced intense criticism when billions of requests from Swift fans, bots and ticket resellers overwhelmed its website and the company canceled a planned ticket sale to the general public.
Ticketmaster has known since 2018 that resellers violate its policies, the FTC said in its lawsuit on Thursday. The agency cited an internal email from a Ticketmaster executive that copied Live Nation leadership stating that the companies “turn a blind eye as a matter of policy” to the violations.
The Department of Justice sued in 2024 to seek a breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, accusing them of monopolizing markets across the live concert industry. The companies have denied the allegations.
Melania Trump and Kate Middleton visited Frogmore Gardens as part of their first joint outing. Both the first lady and the Princess of Wales made bold fashion statements with their stunning outfits, The Independent reported.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales and US First Lady Melania Trump tour the gardens of Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate.(AFP)
Melania Trump, Kate Middleton at Frogmore Gardens
For the special occasion, the Princess of Wales sported a suede jacket and knit top from ME+EM. She also wore a long brown skirt, a neck scarf, and brown suede boots.
On the other hand, First Lady Melania Trump sported a belted tan jacket, beige slacks, and flats.
Melania Trump and Kate Middleton interacted with a group of scouts that comprised children between four and six years old. “This is beautiful!” Melania Trump reacted to a drawing made by one of the kids at Frogmore Gardens, according to People magazine.
While the Princess of Wales sat on the grass, a little girl led Melania Trump by her hand to a table where children were busy building “bug hotels” out of cardboard and tubes. “Show me how, what I should do,” Trump told them. They were quick to ask the first lady about her favorite bug. “A ladybug,” she replied.
Kate Middleton also arranged a lunch for the children. They had sandwiches with honey from Middleton’s Norfolk home at Anmer Hall. Melania Trump, on the other hand, gifted each child a jar of honey from the White House.
Also Read: UK’s Queen Camilla and Princess Kate entertain US first lady with miniature books, leaf printing
Middleton and Melania’s state banquet outfits
Prior to their Frogmore Gardens visit, Kate Middleton and Melania Trump dazzled eyes at Wednesday evening’s state banquet. While Melania Trump looked spot-on in a bold yellow off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera gown with a pastel-colored belt, Kate Middleton turned heads in her high-neck gold lace gown, according to DailyMail.
Kate Middleton earlier greeted Donald Trump and Melania Trump in a burgundy Emilia Wickstead dress and a matching hat by Jane Taylor, in Windsor.
Also Read: Trumps at State banquet: What are Melania and POTUS wearing? Details on yellow dress, grand suit
FAQs:
What did Melania Trump and Kate Middleton do at Frogmore Gardens?
Melania Trump and Kate Middleton interacted with a group of scouts at Frogmore Gardens.
What did Melania Trump give to the scouts at Frogmore Gardens?
Melania Trump gifted each scout at Frogmore Gardens a jar of honey.
How many children does Melania Trump have?
The US First Lady shares son Barron Trump with US President Donald Trump.
Many Brits enjoy a curry served with a heap of fluffy white basmati rice, its delicate aroma balancing the heat of the dish. But few stop to think about the grain’s long journey. From the paddy fields of India and Pakistan, through regional markets and rice mills, then matured for a year in silos before being shipped in bulk to the UK.
It then passes through one of the country’s 16 processing sites before reaching supermarket shelves. The UK imports around 250,000 tonnes of basmati rice every year – making it one of the world’s biggest markets.
This summer, consumers got a glimpse of what happens when that supply chain goes wrong. Four people were arrested in late July after investigators found substandard rice being passed off as a well-known basmati brand.
The National Food Crime Unit uncovered the fraud when tests showed the wrong type of rice inside premium-brand packets. The operation began in Leicester, where police arrested a man suspected of repackaging ordinary rice into counterfeit basmati bags. Three more arrests followed in London.
Basmati is a prestigious grain, prized for its nutty flavour and popcorn-like aroma. Alongside jasmine from Thailand and Italy’s arborio, it sits at the top of the speciality rice market. When shoppers buy a packet of basmati, they expect quality. If it falls short, they may feel cheated and think twice about buying that brand again.
To prevent this, the UK operates strict rules under the basmati code of practice. The code sets out which varieties can legally be called basmati, how they may be blended and what level of non-basmati grain is tolerated.
There must not be more than 7% of another rice variety in a packet. It’s a figure reduced from 20% two decades ago, but which cannot be lowered further because of the realities of handling multiple varieties in large mills.
This code was agreed by the Rice Association and the British Retail Association, and it applies across Europe. When exporters in India and Pakistan develop new basmati varieties, samples are sent to the Rice Association in London for approval.
An important tool in enforcing these rules is DNA testing. Every grain carries a genetic fingerprint that can confirm whether it belongs to one of the approved basmati varieties.
Public analyst laboratories regularly test shipments entering the UK and EU. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) also runs an annual survey of basmati products bought at random from retailers.
The current DNA test for basmati authentication was developed through collaboration between my colleagues and me at Bangor University, the FSA and public analysts.
Katherine Steele in the laboratory. Bangor University, CC BY
We profiled hundreds of rice varieties and continue to refine the markers used to identify basmati. Before the method was approved, our team ran blind tests of results from known spiked mixtures of grains across different laboratories to ensure reliable results.
An age-old problem with modern costs
Food fraud is nothing new. For centuries, unscrupulous traders have substituted cheaper goods or mislabelled products.
While swapping rice is less harmful than adulterating food with toxic substances, it still matters. Consumers resent being duped, brands suffer reputational damage and companies that play by the rules lose out. The stakes are high because the UK rice industry is worth close to £1 billion a year.
There are points of vulnerability every time the grains get passed from one trader to the next. We can’t assume it all happens overseas. Economic pressures may be making the problem worse. As the UK experiences sluggish economic growth, opportunities for food crime may be increasing.
Counterfeiting is easier to identify using DNA testing than when known mixtures of varieties are introduced further up the food chain. It is probable that some of the less well-known brands of rice sold in the UK may contain varieties that are not listed in the basmati code of practice. These could easily slip through the DNA test because complex mixtures can be made to contain all the right molecular signatures.
Even so, food sold in the UK is among the most closely regulated in the world because of the work done by the FSA. Their National Food Crime unit leads the fight against food crime as exemplified by the recent case of the counterfeit basmati, but consumers must be vigilant because there are still fraudsters about. This can include being wary of poorly printed packaging labels, misspellings, broken seals and unusual pricing. Because if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Buried deep in Greenland’s ice sheet lies a puzzling chemical signature that has sparked intense scientific debate. A sharp spike in platinum concentrations, discovered in an ice core (a cylinder of ice drilled out of ice sheets and glaciers) and dated to around 12,800 years ago, has provided support for a hypothesis that the Earth was struck by an exotic meteorite or comet at that time.
Our new research offers a much more mundane explanation: this mystery platinum signature may have originated from a volcanic fissure eruption in Iceland, not space.
The timing matters. The platinum spike occurs near the beginning of our planet’s last great cold period, the Younger Dryas Event. This lasted from about 12,870 to 11,700 years ago and saw temperatures plummet across the northern hemisphere.
This happened just as the planet had actually been warming up from the last ice age. Understanding what triggered this cold snap could help us understand how Earth’s climate may change in the future.
We propose that this icy phase in Earth’s climatic history was in fact caused either by a large volcanic eruption in Germany or by the eruption of an unknown volcano.
A climate mystery
Ice cores show that during the millennium-long Younger Dryas Event, temperatures across Greenland dropped to more than 15°C colder than they are today. Europe returned to near glacial conditions, with tundra replacing forests that had begun to flourish. Low-latitude rainbelts shifted to the south.
The traditionally accepted explanation involves a massive release of freshwater from melting North American ice sheets. This freshwater pulse disrupted the ocean circulation, affecting temperatures. However, other researchers have proposed that the event was triggered by a comet or asteroid impact over North America.
Some scientists argue that a space impact could have triggered the Younger Dryas. Hamara / Shutterstock
In 2013, researchers analysing ice cores drilled as part of the Greenland Ice Sheet Project (GISP2) discovered platinum concentrations that were well above normal levels. The ratio of platinum to a radioactive element called iridium was also unusual because space rocks usually have high levels of iridium, while the ice core spike does not. The ice core signature was very different from anything seen in known meteorites or volcanic rocks.
The authors of the space impact paper suggested that perhaps the unusual ice chemistry reflected the impact of an unusual asteroid made up of iron.
A subsequent paper proposed that the ice chemistry could reflect the German
Laacher See volcanic eruption, which had an unusual geochemistry and occurred around that time. To test this idea, we collected and analysed 17 samples of volcanic pumice from deposits left behind by the Laacher See eruption. We measured platinum, iridium, and other trace elements to create a chemical fingerprint of the eruption.
Our results were clear: the Laacher See pumices contain virtually no platinum, with concentrations below or barely at detection limits. Even though some platinum may have escaped to the atmosphere before being trapped in the rock, the eruption was clearly not the source of Greenland’s platinum spike.
Lake Laacher See in Germany was formed by a powerful volcanic eruption around 13,000 years ago. Engel.ac / Shutterstock
Additionally, when we examined the timing carefully, using updated ice core
chronologies, we found the platinum spike actually occurred about 45 years after the Younger Dryas began – too late to have triggered the cooling.
This result was arrived at independently but was consistent with previous research finding the same thing. Importantly, the elevated platinum concentrations lasted for 14 years, suggesting a prolonged event rather than an instantaneous asteroid or comet impact.
We compared the ice core’s chemical signature with various other geological samples and found the closest match was with volcanic gas condensates (the products formed when gases released from a volcano cool from a gas to a liquid or solid state) particularly from submarine volcanoes.
Iceland’s volcanoes can produce fissure eruptions lasting years or even decades, matching the 14-year duration of the platinum spike. During the melting phase that preceded the Younger Dryas, Iceland’s volcanic activity increased dramatically as melting ice sheets reduced pressure on the Earth’s crust.
Crucially, submarine or subglacial eruptions interact with water in ways that could explain the unusual chemistry. Seawater can strip away sulphur compounds while concentrating other elements like platinum in volcanic gases. These platinum-rich gases could then travel to Greenland and be deposited on the ice sheet, explaining the odd geochemistry.
Recent research on historical Icelandic eruptions supports this mechanism. The 8th-century Katla eruption produced a 12-year spike in heavy metals like bismuth and thallium in Greenland ice cores. The 10th-century Eldgjá eruption resulted in a cadmium spike within glacial ice. Although platinum was not measured in those studies, these examples show Icelandic volcanoes regularly deliver heavy metals to the Greenland ice sheet.
Research on Icelandic eruptions show that they can deliver heavy metals to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Palmi Gudmundsson / Shutterstock
A smoking gun?
Because of the chronological mismatch, whatever mechanism was responsible for the platinum spike didn’t trigger the Younger Dryas. Our research does, however, highlight previous results showing a massive volcanic sulphate spike in multiple ice cores coinciding precisely with the onset of cooling 12,870 years ago.
This eruption, whether from the Laacher See eruption or an unknown volcano, injected enough sulphur into the atmosphere to rival the largest eruptions in recorded history. Volcanic eruptions can trigger cooling by releasing sulphur into the stratosphere, reflecting incoming sunlight and potentially setting off a cascade of positive feedbacks including sea ice expansion, changed wind patterns and disruption of ocean currents, though future research needs to explore this further.
The substantial volcanic forcing around the Younger Dryas onset – a time when climate was already sitting between a glacial and an interglacial (the periods between cold snaps) – may have provided the nudge that tipped Earth’s climate back into a cold state.
It is important to note that our research focused on the platinum spike and did not consider other evidence, such as spherules (spherical fragments of melted rock) and black mats (mysterious dark layers in soil), for an extraterrestrial impact. That said, based on our analysis of the new results and existing data, a large northern hemispheric volcanic eruption seems to be the most straightforward explanation for the Younger Dryas Event.
Understanding past climate triggers is vital for anticipating what lies ahead. Although the chance of a large meteorite impact or volcanic eruption in any given year is low, such events are virtually certain to occur eventually. Knowing how Earth’s climate responded in the past is therefore crucial for preparing for the consequences of the next major event.
World number one Judd Trump slipped to a 4-3 defeat against Elliot Slessor, while Shaun Murphy lost by the same score to Jackson Page in the fifth round of the English Open.
Slessor, ranked 23rd in the world, opened up a 2-0 lead in Thursday’s afternoon session at the Brentwood Centre, helped by a break of 67.
Trump, who is yet to reach a semi-final this season, responded with two half-centuries as he reeled off the next three frames.
However, Slessor compiled a break of 79 to force a decider and booked his quarter-final place against either Mark Allen or Ding Junhui with a run of 64.
Meanwhile, reigning Masters champion Murphy knocked in breaks of 93 and 102 as he fought back from 3-1 down to 3-3 against Page.
While both players had opportunities in the seventh frame, Welshman Page held his nerve to seal victory and will now face Wu Yize or Mark Selby.
China’s Zhou Yuelong also made it into the last eight after breaks of 84 and 71 helped him see off Barry Hawkins 4-2.
[This story contains major spoilers from Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty series finale.]
For three seasons, viewers of The Summer I Turned Pretty watched as Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) fell in love with brothers Conrad Fisher (Chris Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), with the question always being: Who will be the endgame?
Though the series has closely abided by the bestselling trilogy from Jenny Han, the final three episodes of the third and final season departed from the books, leaving fans left wondering what was truly in store for the love triangle and whether Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah would prevail, even though (spoiler!) in the books, Belly ends up with Conrad.
But now, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter after the series finale, Han says the endgame was known going into this season, and that it was always going to be Conrad.
“I knew where we were headed,” Han tells THR, confirming that there wasn’t an intent to change the series’ ending to a Jeremiah and Belly finale.
The love triangle and everything else that happens in the show, in particular in this third and final season of the series, has been kept in great secrecy, because Han is “very protective of the audience experience.” However trying to keep plot points secret in a social media age with fans also filming and sharing clips of the cast filming online was a battle Han had to take extra measures for. Briney was spotted by fans filming in Paris. Meanwhile, Casalegno was also seen filming in Paris with Tung, leaving fans to wonder if Jeremiah and Belly’s story wasn’t over yet and she could choose him instead.
But the filming was a ruse.
“I wanted to do my very best to protect the ending for the audience. I think it’s really important to not know the ending. I felt like if you never saw him in Paris, then you might feel that you knew the ending of the show,” Han says.
The season three finale debuted on Prime Video Wednesday, but hours after the premiere the Amazon-owned streamer announced it has greenlit a feature-length installment that will serve as the actual series ender, and that Han will co-write the film’s script alongside Sarah Kucserka. Han will also direct the movie, which will wrap up Belly’s story.
“There is another big milestone left in Belly’s journey, and I thought only a movie could give it its proper due,” Han said in a statement when the news was announced. Story details for the movie are being kept quiet for now, and Han remains mum even when asked if she can confirm there is no more love triangle and that Conrad and Belly are and will be the endgame in the film. “People will just have to wait and see,” she tells THR.
Below, Han speaks to THR about the upcoming film, protecting the ending of the series, Belly and Conrad’s conversation after reuniting, and the criticism Jeremiah faced.
***
The the final episode of the series is out, but now a movie has been announced to continue Belly’s story. When was it decided to continue the story in a feature film rather than through another season? How early on did you set this in motion?
I can’t remember exactly when I had this idea. I don’t know if it was after season two or during the very beginning of writing season three, but I just thought it would be fun. I had a vision for how season three would lay out. At the end of a romantic story, it’s all about finally getting the two people together, so you don’t get to see much of what happens next. I didn’t want to fast forward and do a quick little montage at the end of it. I really wanted to give people a real meal, so I hope people feel happy.
What can we expect with the movie? Can you confirm there’s no more love triangle and that Belly and Conrad are the endgame couple in the movie, too?
I don’t want to say too much because we’re still in the process of writing it and it’s not final yet. So I think people will just have to wait and see.
Will everyone in the cast also star?
It’s also too soon to say. We haven’t even finished the script. I’m co-writing it with my co-showrunner Sarah Kucserka.
The big lingering question this season was who Belly would end up with and whether the ending of the books would be changed. Going into season three, did you already know Conrad was still going to be the endgame, given the book ended in that way?
Yes.
Was there ever a possibility to change the ending to be a Jeremiah endgame, especially since we spent so much of season two and three watching their relationship have its ups and downs?
Going into the season, no. I know where we were headed.
Ahead of the final season, there were viral clips online of Gavin filming in Paris with Lola. What’s the backstory there? Was that just to throw everyone off?
I wanted to do my very best to protect the ending for the audience. I think it’s really important to not know the ending. I felt like if you never saw him in Paris, then you might feel that you knew the ending of the show. I don’t like being spoiled and it’s very challenging with our show coming out at 3 a.m. eastern [time.] People either stayed up to watch it or they wake up really early and then immediately post reactions and edits online. I would see it constantly. People were like “Stop spoiling!” and then other people were like, “Then stop being online!”
Lola Tung as Belly in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Eddy Chen/Amazon Content Services
This season, Jeremiah has gotten probably the most criticism and a common argument is that he only pursued Belly as a way to win her over Conrad due to his jealousy or competitiveness. But in the final episode, we actually see Belly question Conrad’s intentions with his feelings towards her and not knowing whether they’re genuine or a result of Susannah’s (Rachel Blanchard) wishes. Can you address the criticism of Jeremiah’s intentions with pursuing things with Belly? Then can you unpack her questioning of Conrad in that conversation we see between the two of them?
Well I think those are two separate issues because I think there’s an intention and then there’s things that you aren’t even aware of in the subconscious. I don’t even know if it’s possible to make yourself love somebody because you believe it’s your mother’s wish [Note: In Belly and Conrad’s conversation, she questions whether he began loving her because it was his mother’s wish for them to be together.]
I think it’s more about Belly’s own insecurities having always loved him. And then having had him, what she felt [when taking] away his love from her in season two. We also heard her say that she’d never love someone so truly before and she didn’t think she’d ever be capable of it again because it hurt so badly when it was over. She was very self-protective and scared. I think that’s more about her feelings and not really being sure of that love. I think with all people, you can think you’re being really clear in the way that you feel about somebody. The other person might not feel that and the two of them, both together, have struggled to communicate with each other and be at the same page.
Then with Jeremiah?
I don’t think that was his intention. I think that between the two brothers, things have always been competitive. That was baked into their relationship and the more it goes on, this girl they both grew up with and loved — there’s only one of her and that’s really complicated. And not just that, but losing their mom. It’s really hard, because their mom loved her so much too. So whoever they’re with in the future, that person won’t have known their mom and they won’t know what she was like or what their relationship with her was like. That’s a loss. So I don’t think it’s about Jeremiah trying to be competitive. I don’t think he had that intention and I don’t think Conrad had that intention.
Casalengo and Tung in season three.
Prime Video
Speaking of Jeremiah and Belly, we spend a lot of time with their relationship throughout the show only for her to eventually go back with Conrad. Why was it important to you to really explore Jeremiah and Belly in depth if she was always going to be with Conrad? Did you feel like it was hard trying to showcase Belly and Jeremiah also having their own genuine love story while navigating the Conrad endgame that readers know happens?
It’s really complicated. The two of them were at college together for years and Conrad took himself out of the equation, so he wasn’t this everyday presence in their lives. I think Belly and Jeremiah really built their own little bubble for the two of them, even in that way that Taylor [Rain Spencer] perceives that. College can often be its own cocoon, and then outside of that environment, is it something built to last? Or something that was really good for that time and for that season? And maybe it isn’t for all seasons.
***
The Summer I Turned Pretty is available to stream on Prime Video.
CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live-event entertainment programming, announced the premiere of “Golden Eve,” a new annual primetime special honoring recipients of the Cecil B. DeMille Award and Carol Burnett Award, to air nationally on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.
The special will air as a marquee event during “Golden Week,” a new week-long experience across Paramount platforms as well as celebratory kick-off events ahead of the 83rd Annual Golden Globes®, the first major award show of the season, airing live Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 and hosted by Golden Globe, Grammy- and Emmy-nominated comedian and actress Nikki Glaser.
“We are so excited to expand our partnership with CBS and bring the Golden Globes to an even wider audience across the Paramount portfolio,” said Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions. “With ‘Golden Eve,’ we will celebrate the industry’s most talented and influential figures, recognizing the recipients of the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award and Carol Burnett Award. This is a chance to properly honor those who have so profoundly shaped our culture, with more than a two-minute awards moment. This event and special will occur during ‘Golden Week,’ a premier cross-platform initiative with CBS that transforms the Globes into a multi-day cultural event, making it a cornerstone of the awards season.”
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, added, “CBS has long championed excellence in arts and entertainment and that will continue in 2026. With ‘Golden Eve’ and Golden Week, we’ll celebrate the Golden Globes across CBS and Paramount, creating an immersive experience that brings viewers closer to one of Hollywood’s most iconic events.”
Helen Hoehne, President, Golden Globes. said, “The Golden Globes has always honored the achievements of remarkable talents. With ‘Golden Eve,’ we’ll give viewers a more intimate look at our honorees’ legacies and bring audiences closer to these icons. We’re excited to create an unforgettable night of award television with CBS and Paramount as we celebrate these legends.”
Following the success of last year’s inaugural Golden Gala honoring Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient Viola Davis and Carol Burnett Award recipient Ted Danson, the 2026 edition evolves into “Golden Eve,” offering viewers an unprecedented insider’s look at the honorees’ legacy, personal stories, and unforgettable Golden Globes moments. The exclusive special will feature career retrospectives, never-before-seen footage, and in-depth conversations with the honorees. More details about “Golden Eve” and Golden Week will be announced soon.
First created in 1952 and honoring the eponymous director, the Cecil B. DeMille Award has been bestowed on 69 honorees drawn from Hollywood’s greatest talents, including Walt Disney, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey. The Carol Burnett Award, created in 2019 and initially awarded to its namesake, is presented to an honoree who has made outstanding contributions to television on or off screen. The recipient is selected based on their body of work and the lasting impact of their television career achievements on both the industry and audiences.
The Golden Globes, known as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year®,” is the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television, and now podcasting. Dick Clark Productions will plan, host and produce the annual Golden Globes, which has been viewed in more than 185 countries and territories worldwide.
As a premier entertainment awards show since 1944, the annual Golden Globes has honored achievements in both television and film. Over the last three decades, the Golden Globes has enabled donations of more than $55 million to entertainment-related charities including scholarship programs, film restoration projects and humanitarian efforts. This funding has also supported diverse programs in partnership with advocacy groups aimed at promoting greater access in Hollywood for underserved communities. Dick Clark Productions is the owner and producer of the Golden Globes. For more information on the Golden Globes, please visit GoldenGlobes.com and follow them onX,Instagram, Facebook,Threads andTikTok.
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS (America’s most‐watched broadcast network), CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting; “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
Saudi-Pakistan defense pact: A historic strategic alliance
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Riyadh. (SPA)
More than half a century of defense partnership between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reached a new peak when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in Riyadh on Wednesday. The agreement declares that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
The defense pact mirrors collective security arrangements traditionally associated with regional alliances such as NATO and the Gulf Cooperation Council, designed to deter potential aggressors. According to the joint statement, it “reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share a distinctive and enduring relationship, often demonstrated through exceptional solidarity in critical moments. For Saudi Arabia, security and stability in the Arab Gulf are of paramount significance. Pakistan also cannot overlook this crucial factor, given its unique relations with the Kingdom.
Though concluded soon after the Arab-Islamic emergency summit in Doha, the agreement marks the outcome of years of sustained dialogue between the two allied states. It is not a reaction to any particular country or event, but the institutionalization of a deep and resilient partnership between Riyadh and Islamabad.
The joint statement also refers to this partnership, highlighting “shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation” as the foundation of the agreement, whose real value, in my opinion, lies in the historic bond that exists between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It takes their time-tested military-to-military ties to a whole new level.
The agreement represents the logical conclusion of decades of steadfast and sincere efforts by successive leaders and governments, with unwavering support from both the Saudi and Pakistani people. It should therefore be understood not merely in the context of current regional tensions but through the broader lens of shared history.
This extraordinary camaraderie was visibly symbolized on Wednesday, when Sharif’s aircraft entered Saudi airspace escorted by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s — a gesture of honor previously accorded only to leaders such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The grandeur of the moment was further underscored by Pakistani flags adorning the streets of Riyadh and Saudi flags flying across Islamabad. As the news spread, social media in both countries lit up with pride and celebration, reflecting the shared sentiment of witnessing a landmark in bilateral ties.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share an enduring relationship, often demonstrated through exceptional solidarity in critical moments.
Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri
Having served in Pakistan as the Kingdom’s envoy for nearly a decade, I can readily imagine the depth of public feeling, even as the country continues to suffer from devastating monsoon floods. For Pakistanis, Saudi Arabia holds a special place: millions travel there annually for Hajj and Umrah, while millions more have contributed to the Kingdom’s prosperity through their labor and dedication.
Within the framework of Vision 2030, the crown prince has prioritized deepening Saudi Arabia’s political, economic, defense and cultural engagement with Pakistan. This priority has found an equal response in Islamabad. Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has, like Sharif, maintained regular engagement with Saudi leaders and developed close ties with Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan last year.
This rare compact between leadership and people is deeply rooted in history, predating both the establishment of the Kingdom and the creation of Pakistan, and flourishes with each passing decade. While I examine this unique relationship and its underlying rationale in detail in my forthcoming book, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: An Enduring Relationship in a Changing World,” a brief outline of key milestones in the defense sphere is useful here to explain the historical significance of the agreement.
Saudi-Pakistani defense cooperation began to take shape in the 1960s, during the leadership of King Faisal and President Ayub Khan. At that stage, Pakistan provided training and advisory support to the Royal Saudi Air Force, laying the first formal foundations of a relationship that would steadily expand. In 1967, the first formal defense cooperation agreement, signed in Islamabad by Defense Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, marked the beginning of Pakistan’s sustained role in Saudi Arabia’s defense.
During the late 1960s and 1970s, this agreement was translated into large-scale exchanges of military personnel and expertise. Hundreds of Pakistani officers served in Saudi Arabia as trainers, advisers and engineers, while thousands of Saudi soldiers and aviators were trained in Pakistan under structured contracts. By the early 1970s, Pakistan had extended technical cooperation to civil aviation and airlines, while simultaneously building Saudi defensive fortifications along the Yemeni border. The cooperation was not limited to training alone: it created the nucleus of a Saudi military establishment that drew heavily on Pakistani experience and professionalism.
The 1980s brought a major expansion in the scale and scope of bilateral defense ties. Regional turbulence, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iran-Iraq War, prompted Riyadh and Islamabad to institutionalize their military collaboration through a 1982 protocol agreement.
This protocol established the Saudi-Pakistan Armed Forces Organization and authorized the large-scale deployment of Pakistani forces in Saudi Arabia. At its peak, more than 20,000 Pakistani troops, including divisions and brigades, were stationed in sensitive regions such as Tabuk and the Eastern Province, performing both training and operational roles, while also reassuring Saudi Arabia against any threats.
Cooperation remained steady through the Gulf War of 1990-91, when Pakistan dispatched more than 11,000 troops to Saudi Arabia at Riyadh’s request. These forces were deployed primarily in defensive positions to protect borders and holy sites, in line with the 1982 protocol.
This is not an abrupt development but the culmination of decades of steady, evolving cooperation built on mutual trust.
Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri
In the 1990s and 2000s, the focus of collaboration shifted to counterterrorism and intelligence sharing, particularly in the fight against Al-Qaeda and in managing instability in Afghanistan. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, highlighted the shared security concerns of both states and reinforced the need for continued military and intelligence cooperation, even as both countries worked alongside the US during the War on Terror.
The past decade and a half have seen a further diversification of defense relations, adapting to new regional and global realities. Pakistan’s former army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif assumed command of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition in 2017, reflecting Riyadh’s trust in Pakistan’s leadership of collective security. Since then, joint army, naval and air force exercises have become a regular feature, complemented by growing cooperation in defense production and technology.
The deployment of Pakistani troops and military advisers in Saudi Arabia has also continued under the framework of the 1982 agreement, primarily in training and advisory roles, while new avenues of collaboration in defense industries have emerged. This historical trajectory shows how the new agreement is not an abrupt development but the culmination of decades of steady, evolving cooperation built on mutual trust and shared security needs.
It will play a critical role in ensuring credible defense, as well as in charting a sustainable security framework for the future. The evolving regional security environment and global geopolitical challenges require Riyadh and Islamabad to strengthen their defense coordination. Joint exercises, advanced training and co-production in defense industries can form the backbone of this next phase, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of building Saudi Arabia’s self-reliance, while drawing on Pakistan’s battle-hardened military expertise.
Equally important is the political significance of the pact. It reflects recognition of Pakistan’s rising diplomatic profile in recent months. After the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan’s strategic utility declined in Washington under President Joe Biden. However, Islamabad has since reopened channels of engagement with the US under the Trump administration, signaling a cautious revival of strategic ties, while maintaining its enduring partnership with China, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
At the same time, Pakistan has strengthened political, security and economic relations with Turkiye and Azerbaijan, while also gaining visibility in multilateral diplomacy. As president of the UN Security Council in July 2025, Islamabad successfully mobilized support for a resolution on the peaceful settlement of disputes and played an active role in the UN High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Collectively, these developments have enhanced Pakistan’s standing in the eyes of the Kingdom and underscored the logic of a binding defense pact.
Finally, the defense pact also reflects Pakistan’s appreciation of Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support in difficult times — whether through soft loans, deferred oil payments or sustained humanitarian and political assistance. Against this backdrop, the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement represents both continuity and renewal: continuity of a defense relationship forged over decades and renewal in adapting that partnership to the demands of an uncertain future.
Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri served as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan (2001–2009) and to Lebanon (2009–2017). He is currently Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees at Rasanah, the International Institute for Iranian Studies in Riyadh. In recognition of his distinguished diplomatic service, he received several state honors, including the Hilal-e-Pakistan. He is the author of “Combating Terrorism: Saudi Arabia’s Role in the War on Terror” (Oxford University Press, 2009). His forthcoming book, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: An Enduring Relationship in a Changing World” (Rasanah, with an Arabic edition), will be released next month.
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News’ point of view
The actor Anna Friel has said she is constantly looking over her shoulder after a man stalked her for three years, telling her she would make the “perfect wife” and turning up at her home with a ring.
Friel said Phil Appleton, 71, a former pilot and actor, had “invaded” her private life and that protecting herself and her family against him had taken up valuable time when she wanted to focus on her acting.
When Appleton was first arrested by police more than two years ago after sending explicit messages to Friel, he was warned not to approach her. But he continued to pursue her and on Thursday was made subject to a 15-year restraining order by a judge at Reading magistrates court preventing him from contacting Friel and banning him from specific areas she frequents.
In victim personal statements, Friel said: “As a woman in the acting industry where there have been lots of cases relating to stalking, it has still shocked me when this has happened to me. This case has made me feel very threatened and makes me feel like I am having to look over my shoulder all the time.”
Friel said she felt she and her teenage daughter were in danger. “I don’t want to feel like a victim in my own home and a neighbourhood I’ve lived in for years. I am very disappointed he was given a warning the first time around and it didn’t stop him.
“He has created turmoil, anxiety, the fear of the unknown. I try and keep my personal life private and he has invaded that.”
She said the case had been “incredibly time consuming at a time when I want to put my full focus in work.”
Jai Patel, prosecuting, said Friel was first approached by Appleton in 2022 when she was on a walk with her daughter in Windsor, Berkshire. He claimed to have worked on television sets with her and Friel, mistakenly thinking she knew him, gave him her email.
Friel began to receive regular emails from Appleton. “He said he loved Ms Friel and he missed her, he invited her to breakfast, lunch and dinner at his home,”Patel said. “He told friends he was going to marry Ms Friel.”
In December 2022, Appleton attempted to join a health club Friel attended and the following month referred to her as “the perfect wife”. He said he was in bed naked thinking of her and sent a selfie showing his bare torso.
She reported Appleton to the police. He was arrested and warned that his behaviour was unwanted. The court heard that Friel did not make a statement or seek a prosecution, thinking a warning would be sufficient.
In December 2023, Appleton turned up at Friel’s home wearing a dinner jacket and said he was taking her to a ball. Friel’s daughter asked Appleton to leave, which he did, but came back a year later in December 2024. He looked up at Friel’s security cameras, mouthed: “I love you” and held up a ring.
He returned the next morning and Friel called the police. Before they could get to him, he went back to Friel’s house for the third time in 48 hours. The actor heard knocking at her front door and opened it. She screamed, shut the door and called the police. He was arrested that evening.
In August, Appleton, who now lives in Essex, admitted stalking. James Bloomer KC, for Appleton, said his client’s behaviour was troubling and he felt sorry and ashamed. As well as imposing restrictions on his movements, the judge sentenced Appleton to a 24-month community order, which included completing 10 “rehabilitation activity requirement” days.
Survivors of stalking, campaigners for women’s safety and heads of law enforcement have raised concerns over continuing failings by police in England and Wales to tackle perpetrators and protect victims.
They warn that while some forces are doing innovative work on stalking, others are not improving quickly enough, leading to a “patchwork” service and victims facing a “postcode lottery”.
Friel, 49, rose to fame as Beth Jordache in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. She has been praised for her performance in the drama Unforgivable, which was released on the BBC in the summer.
