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The recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East has sent shockwaves across South Asia, affecting millions of families who depend on remittances from their loved ones working in the Gulf nations. The war between the US and Israel on Iran has resulted in a significant increase in tensions, with Iranian attacks on Gulf neighbours causing widespread fear and uncertainty.For Jaya Khuntia, a father from India's Odisha state, the conflict has brought unimaginable tragedy. His 25-year-old son, Kuna, a pipe fitter in Qatar's capital Doha, died of a heart attack after hearing the sound of missiles and debris from interceptions falling near their residence. Kuna's death has left the family in debt and despair, with their hopes of paying off a 300,000-rupee ($3200) loan for the marriages of their two daughters shattered.Migrant workers from South Asia, totaling nearly 21 million people in the Gulf nations, are often engaged in blue-collar work, building or supporting the industries and services that drive the Gulf's success and prosperity. However, they are also among the most vulnerable, with many working in areas targeted by Iranian attacks, such as oil refineries, construction areas, airports, and docks.The suspension of work at many of these facilities, coupled with fears of a major economic downturn in the region, has left many workers and their families worried about the future of their jobs. Experts warn that remittances from the Middle East, a crucial economic backbone for South Asian nations, could be significantly affected, especially if Gulf economies contract and layoffs follow.For Hamza, a Pakistani migrant laborer working at an oil storage facility in the UAE, the conflict has brought a sense of fear and uncertainty. He witnessed a drone attack on a storage unit and was shaken by the experience. Despite the dangers, he said leaving is not an option, as his family depends on him.Imran Khan, a faculty member at the New Delhi Institute of Management, said migrant laborers from South Asia are often driven by desperation to take up jobs in the Middle East. He warned that these workers are the worst affected during crises, whether war or natural disasters.As the conflict continues, many South Asian workers are planning to return home. Noor, a migrant worker from Bangladesh employed at an oil facility in Saudi Arabia, said he no longer feels safe and plans to return home once his contract ends. His family, too, is deeply affected, with his children crying every time they call him, scared for his life.

German film-maker and author Alexander Kluge, a leading figure in the New German Cinema movement, has died at the age of 94. Kluge was known for his intellectually stimulating films and his role in shaping the cinematic landscape of post-war Germany. Kluge's career was marked by his innovative approach to filmmaking, which often incorporated cinematic collages and experimental techniques. His film Abschied von Gestern (released as Yesterday Girl in the US) was one of the first films to emerge from the Oberhausen Manifesto, a call to the German film industry to break free from traditional and shallow filmmaking. Kluge's contributions to German cinema were significant, and his influence can be seen in the work of other notable directors such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Werner Herzog. He continued to produce films and television programs throughout his career, including arts, magazine, and interview programs for German television through his production company DCTP. Kluge's wartime experiences had a profound impact on his life and work, shaping his commitment to pacifism. However, his comments on the topic have been met with controversy, particularly in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Throughout his career, Kluge collaborated with other artists and writers, including Ben Lerner, with whom he co-authored a poetic dialogue book, The Snows of Venice. Kluge's legacy as a pioneering film-maker and author continues to be celebrated, and his influence on German cinema and culture remains significant.

Dash Crofts, the renowned musician from the soft rock duo Seals and Crofts, has died at the age of 85. His passing was announced by the duo's producer, Louie Shelton, on social media. Crofts succumbed to complications following heart surgery, as confirmed by a family member. Crofts and his musical partner, Jim Seals, crafted some of the most iconic hits of the 1970s, including 'Summer Breeze' and 'Diamond Girl'. Their 1972 album 'Summer Breeze' reached the top 10 in the US and featured the hit single 'Hummingbird'. The duo's gentle musical style, characterized by breezy soft rock, became a staple of the decade. The duo faced controversy with their 1974 album 'Unborn Child', which reflected their Bahá’í faith. The title track sparked a backlash and was banned by some radio stations following the landmark Roe v Wade ruling. Despite this, their music continued to resonate with audiences, and they remain celebrated for their contributions to the soft rock genre. After the duo disbanded in 1980, Crofts pursued a quieter life in Nashville, focusing on country music. Yacht rock, the genre they helped define, has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, with a 2024 HBO documentary highlighting its importance. Crofts' legacy continues to inspire new generations of music lovers.

The film 'They Will Kill You' is a satirical take on the beat-em-up genre, offering a mix of gore, bad jokes, and deja vu. The story revolves around Asia, a new maid at the Virgil, a satanic co-op residence in New York, where she must navigate a world of satanic rituals and eternal life.The film's tone is pitched between a bloodbath and bath time, with a boyish strain of immaturity dominating the creative force. This is evident in the giddy, inventive approach to violence, where the narrative device of immortality unshackles the filmmaker from the laws of physics. The film's antic gore peaks with an extended interlude following a disembodied eyeball as it rolls down corridors and slingshots itself up an elevator shaft.The adolescent quality runs deeper than that, manifesting more overtly in the potty-mouthedness of the script and the ostentatious stylistic flourishes that are hand-me-downs from other filmmakers. The film's supporting cast is haphazardly assembled and half-assedly differentiated from one another, with Heather Graham and Tom Felton getting the most to do.Despite its sprightly fight choreography and retro synth arpeggios, the film's invoked inspirations and story components err on the side of the popular and well-trod. The received shtick grows worn before long, and the film's attempts at humor often fall flat. A good rule of (severed) thumb: if you're going to make a character quote Monty Python's immortal 'just a flesh wound' bit, you must yourself be capable of originally generating something at least as funny.

The Iranian people's determination for freedom and democracy remains unshaken, even in the face of extreme hardship and oppression. Thousands have died and many more are suffering under the current regime, which continues to patrol streets with guns, beating and arresting citizens. In recent times, the situation has worsened with the outbreak of the US-Israeli war, which has restricted internet access, led to the appearance of checkpoints, and filled Tehran's prisons to capacity. Despite these challenges, the Iranian people's fight for freedom persists. Azar Nafisi, an Iranian-American writer, reflects on her experiences and the resilience of the Iranian people. She recalls the 1979 revolution and the mandatory veil imposed by Ayatollah Khomeini, which led to thousands of women protesting in the streets, chanting 'Freedom is neither eastern nor western. Freedom is universal.' Nafisi emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage in preserving Iranian identity and humanity. Truck drivers across Iran display bumper stickers with poems by Hafez, Saadi, or Ferdowsi, demonstrating the enduring power of literature and art. The writer also remembers her former students in Tehran, particularly Razieh, a young Muslim girl who was imprisoned and executed for her love of literature and independence. Razieh's story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight for freedom. Nafisi concludes that even in the midst of war and oppression, there can be hope. The Iranian people's struggle for freedom is a universal fight that can benefit people worldwide, from the UK to Sudan. The preservation of freedom and democracy requires constant vigilance and a willingness to challenge oppression.

Tiger Woods is poised to make a highly anticipated return to competitive golf at the Tomorrow's Golf League (TGL) finals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The golf legend will tee off at Jupiter Links Golf Club on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in his recovery from recent injuries.Woods has been serving as an adviser and cheerleader for his TGL team while working his way back from lumbar disc replacement surgery in October and a left Achilles tendon rupture that occurred last spring. This comeback is particularly noteworthy given that Woods, 50, has undergone seven surgeries throughout his career.The TGL finals conclude with the second match and, if necessary, a decisive third match on Tuesday night. Woods' participation in this event comes ahead of the Masters next month, where he expressed uncertainty about his ability to compete due to ongoing recovery challenges.“I said I’ve been working on it. Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days. Disc replacement is not a lot of fun,” Woods said last week. “The body doesn’t quite heal like it was when I was 24. Doesn't quite bounce back.”In related golf news, Sahith Theegala birdied the final hole to secure a 6-5 comeback win for Los Angeles Golf Club over Jupiter Links Golf Club in the first match of the TGL title series on Monday.

The estate of late British tech tycoon Mike Lynch has been ordered to pay £920m to the technology company Hewlett-Packard (HP) two years after he died in a superyacht disaster.The ruling by London’s high court said the estate was liable to pay the sum as compensation, costs, and interest for HP’s acquisition of Lynch’s firm Autonomy, after a UK legal ruling in 2022 that he duped the US firm into paying £8.2bn for his software firm Autonomy.The deceased entrepreneur’s estate has been estimated to be worth about £500m, so the damages could leave it bankrupt.Lynch and six others, including his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, died in August 2024 on a trip with friends and family celebrating his acquittal on US fraud charges relating to HP’s $11bn takeover of Autonomy in 2011.HP accused Lynch and Autonomy’s former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, of inflating the firm’s value before the takeover. HP wrote down Autonomy’s worth by $8.8bn (£6.5bn) within a year of the purchase.The US tech company has sought damages in UK civil proceedings of up to $4.55bn from the estate of the late tycoon, who was once hailed as Britain’s answer to Microsoft founder Bill Gates.However, the level of the claim was ruled last year by the high court to be “always exaggerated”, as it concluded that Lynch’s estate owed £700m in compensation. The £920m figure includes costs and interest.Lawyers for Lynch’s estate sought permission to appeal against Tuesday’s ruling, which was refused. However, the estate can apply directly to the court of appeal.HP welcomed Tuesday’s decision, which it said in a statement “brings us another step closer to resolution of the dispute”.A spokesperson for the Lynch family said: “We are disappointed by the court’s refusal and believe an application to the court of appeal should follow in the interests of justice. HP’s $5bn damages claim has already been shown to be vastly exaggerated.“Today’s judgment describes the exaggeration as ‘without foundation’ and the purposes for which it was ‘calibrated, publicised and pursued’ as objectionable, misleading shareholders and extending the litigation unnecessarily.“Dr Lynch’s acquittal in the US, where witnesses were properly cross-examined, exposed the truth. The damage to Autonomy was the result of HP’s own actions and failures, not wrongdoing at Autonomy.”

The Senegalese Football Federation has instructed its lawyers to lodge an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the national team was stripped of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. CAF reversed Senegal's win, awarding the title to Morocco two months after the final.The continent's showpiece football final, in Rabat on January 18, descended into chaos when several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time. Senegal's players were coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane, but Morocco missed the penalty. Pape Gueye went on to score the goal in extra time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory.CAF said that, having studied an appeal by Morocco, “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match” and the result was “officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the decision, stating that “the decisions of our Disciplinary Board and Appeals Board are viewed with respect ⁠and integrity.” However, Senegal's government called for an independent international investigation of the decision, alleging corruption within CAF.Motsepe admitted that African football remains plagued by trust issues and questions over its integrity, but assured that “not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner that is more preferential, or more advantageous, or more favourable than any other country on the African continent.”

Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of the adult content platform OnlyFans, has passed away at the age of 43 after a prolonged battle with cancer. The company announced his death on Monday, stating that he passed away peacefully.Radvinsky, a Ukrainian-American billionaire, had a net worth of about $3.8 billion as of May 2025. He acquired OnlyFans' parent company, Fenix International Limited, in 2018 and served as the company's director and majority shareholder. Born in Odesa, he grew up in Chicago and studied economics at Northwestern University.According to reports, Radvinsky began running pornography sites as a teenager. OnlyFans, founded in 2016, is best known for allowing adult film actors and sex workers to monetize their content through a subscription-based model. The company typically takes a 20% cut of payments, leaving creators with 80% of the revenue.In recent months, Radvinsky had been in talks to sell a 60% stake in OnlyFans in a deal that would have valued the company at around $8 billion. He had moved his ownership to a trust in 2024. OnlyFans has faced controversy, including a 2024 Reuters investigation that reported on women who claimed to have been sexually enslaved to make money from the site.Despite efforts to expand beyond sexually explicit content, pornographic material remains OnlyFans' best-known product. The platform has been used by various creators, including Olympians and teachers, who have turned to the site as a way to supplement their income.