Bangladesh’s ousted PM sentenced to death over brutal student protest crackdown

A Bangladesh war crimes court on Monday sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on last year’s student-led uprising.

Prosecutors in Bangladesh were seeking the death penalty for Hasina during the months-long trial, accusing her of ordering the use of lethal force against student protesters, resulting in up to 1,400 deaths.

The tribunal also sentenced former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death in the case while a third suspect – a former police chief – was sentenced to five years in prison as he became a state witness against Hasina and pleaded guilty. The deliberation of the verdict from the tribunal in the capital, Dhaka, was broadcast live.

Hasina’s Awami League party has called for a nationwide shutdown to protest the verdict.

Last month, Hasina told The Independent that she would “neither be surprised nor intimidated” if Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced her to death, calling the proceedings “a sham trial” driven by political vengeance.

Hasina has been in exile in India after fleeing the country on 5 August last year.

There were cheers and applause in the courtroom as the death sentence was announced, according to Reuters. The ruling can be appealed before the Supreme Court.

However, Hasina’s son and adviser, Sajeeb Wazed, told the outlet on the eve of the verdict that they would not pursue an appeal unless a democratically elected government, with the Awami League participating, is in place.

After the sentencing, Hasina said the verdict against her was delivered by a “rigged tribunal” that she claimed was set up and run by an “unelected government with no democratic mandate”. She also called the verdict “biased” and “politically motivated”.

Hasina said she was denied any fair opportunity to defend myself in court.

“I am not afraid to face my accusers in a proper tribunal where evidence can be weighed and tested fairly,” Hasina said.

Bangladesh’s interim government ramped up security in the capital and beyond as the country braced for the verdict.

Paramilitary border guards and police fanned out across Dhaka and other regions as Hasina’s Awami League called a nationwide shutdown for Monday, denouncing the tribunal as a “kangaroo court” and protesting the impending verdict.

Chief prosecutor Tajul Islam called Hasina the “mastermind and principal architect” of the supposed crimes against humanity committed during the uprising against her.

The ruling comes just months before parliamentary elections slated for early February, with the tribunal’s governing law allowing for a maximum sentence of death.

Dhaka police chief Sheikh Mohammad Sazzat Ali authorised a “shoot-on-sight” response against anyone attempting to torch vehicles or throw crude bombs, as the country reeled from nearly 50 arson attacks and dozens of crude-bomb blasts reported over the past week. Two people have been killed in the violence, according to local media.

Earlier, Hasina, in an audio message, had urged her supporters not to be “nervous” about the verdict.

Last month, when The Independent asked her if she would apologise to the families of protesters killed last year, she said she “mourns each and every child, sibling, cousin and friend we lost as a nation” and would “continue to offer my condolences”.

But she rejected the allegation that she ordered police to shoot demonstrators, and said her Awami League party was being unfairly denied the opportunity to contest new elections in Bangladesh by the unelected interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

At the heart of the student protests that began in late June was the demand to scrap a quota system that reserved up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan.

Tensions escalated when students at Dhaka University, the country’s largest, clashed with police and a counter-protest inflamed the situation.

The students alleged the protests were peaceful until the student wing of Hasina’s ruling Awami League party attacked them.

Parents ‘get £20k payout’ after unlawful arrest over school WhatsApp row

A couple who were arrested after they complained about their daughter’s primary school on WhatsApp say they have agreed a £20k payout from the police after it admitted their arrest was unlawful.

Rosalind Levine and her partner Maxie Allen were detained by six Hertfordshire police officers in front of their young daughter on 29 January before being held at a police station for 11 hours over complaints about the school.

They were arrested on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications, and causing a nuisance on school property. The couple said the arrest came after their nine-year-old daughter Sascha’s school, Cowley Hill Primary School, in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, raised objections over them sending multiple emails and raising criticisms on a parents’ WhatsApp group.

The offending messages were never disclosed to the couple, who said that when they looked back on the parents’ group chat, the “spiciest thing” they could find was when Ms Levine called a senior figure in the school a “control freak”.

Hertfordshire Police originally defended the arrest but they have now admitted it was unlawful and agreed a £20,000 payout in damages, plus costs, according to the couple.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, Mr Allen said: “For us, the main thing really was the liability that the arrest was unlawful.

“That’s what mattered most to us, because that for us is the recognition that this is something which shouldn’t have happened, and the events really put a lot of people through the ringer. I mean, apart from us, there was our three year old daughter who was there when the police came to our house, our other daughter who missed her parents for the day, our neighbours who were left in tears, and our family members.

“So this is vindication for quite a lot of people, not just us”, he said.

Ms Levine described the moment she opened the door to a “swarm of officers” because she thought they might be calling to tell her that their daughter Sascha was dead.

“She has epilepsy, and people can die from epilepsy, and I just felt certain that’s what they were about to tell me. They wouldn’t tell me immediately why they were there. They asked me to go in the house, which I went in, then they asked me to go in the living room.

“It was probably no more than about 30 seconds. But those 30 seconds were, I would say, the worst of it all, because in that moment I knew that Sascha was dead. Thank God I was wrong, and I was relieved when I was just being arrested.”

The couple had been in dispute with the school for a number of months, according to The Times, after they had been banned from entering the premises, including being blocked from attending the parents’ evening for their daughter Sascha, who suffers from epilepsy and is neurodivergent and registered disabled.

The force’s lawyers admitted this month that the criteria for arrest, under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, were not made out, which rendered the arrest unlawful. Hertfordshire Constabulary agreed a payout of £10,000 each to Mr Allen and Ms Levine, noting the sum was significantly above that required by the case law, according to the newspaper.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Whilst there are no issues of misconduct involving any officer in relation to this matter, Hertfordshire Constabulary has accepted liability solely on the basis that the legal test around necessity of arrest was not met in this instance.

“Therefore Mr Haddow-Allen and Ms Levine were wrongfully arrested and detained in January 2025. It would be inappropriate to make further comment at this stage.”

Tuchel unimpressed as Bellingham reaction takes shine off England win

It was the return that came with a rebuke. Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel are reunited but, for the second time in a few months, the England manager found fault with the resident superstar’s behaviour. This time, at least, he did not deem him “repulsive”. But the hint was that he had been too selfish. The way his comeback ended prompted Tuchel to criticise him again.

If England, already qualified for the World Cup, had little to play for besides a perfect record they sustained with an imperfect performance, Bellingham had plenty to gain, or indeed lose. A first start for his country since June could not be pronounced an unqualified success: not when Tuchel deemed his reaction to being removed egotistical.

The England manager had warned of the dangers of red cards that would incur a suspension for the World Cup. Bellingham was hauled off soon after he was booked for fouling Armando Broja. He was nonplussed. And Tuchel, in turn, was unimpressed.

“I saw that he was not happy,” he said. “I don’t want to make it bigger at the moment than it is. I think to a certain degree, if you have players like Jude, who are so competitive, they will never like it. But he has to accept it. His friend is waiting on the sideline. We are about standards and level, and commitment to and respect to each other, so someone is waiting outside, and we will not change our decision just because someone is waving their arms.”

It was proof, if nothing else that things can revolve around Bellingham. There is a theory that England need Bellingham starting to win the World Cup. They required Harry Kane’s finishing to win in Albania, the captain’s nine-minute double taking him past Pele and up to 78 goals in international football. And yet Bellingham commanded the attention, for better and worse.

It was a sign of his status that Kristjan Asllani swapped shirts with him at the interval; presumably, the Albania midfielder would not have made the same request if he had instead been pitted against Morgan Rogers. “I’m a bit old school, I thought never at half-time,” added Tuchel.

If it reflected Bellingham’s fame, his booking may have been an indication of a determination to impress. His most notable contribution in the first half-hour was a terrific challenge on Arber Hoxha just outside his box. He showed an assiduous commitment to tracking back.

It was not initially accompanied by a conviction in the possession, and it was only after he grew into the game that he fashioned two of the best chances England created in open play: Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze were both denied by Thomas Strakosha and the ball he fizzed into the Arsenal player, in particular, was one few could play.

And yet Bellingham’s was a mixed display: there was insufficient evidence to say that England become world-beaters simply by slotting him back into the side. There were times, too, when he and Kane both dropped deep which, as Tuchel did had not started his quickest wingers, meant England lacked anyone running in behind Albania’s defence. This was too reminiscent of Euro 2024.

And Kane’s double came courtesy of two substitutes, not the man restored to the No 10 role. Bukayo Saka set up a goal 12 minutes after his introduction, Marcus Rashford seven after he came on. Pele is now behind him. “This is cherry on everything, that he overcomes Pele today,” said Tuchel.

The England captain had talked of the importance of compiling an NFL-style playbook of set-pieces to take to the United States and he scored courtesy of Saka’s corner, even if it was unwittingly flicked on by Naser Aliji before Kane supplied the close-range finish; the plan may require finessing.

Then Kane passed Pele by heading in Rashford’s wonderful cross. If Eze, as a substitute, had upstaged Rashford, the starter on the left, against Serbia on Thursday, this may have been a role reversal. “It was nice to see the impact again from the bench,” said Tuchel.

England finished stronger than they started. The raiding Declan Rice was the early threat, twice coming close. The buccaneering Nico O’Reilly provided some forward thrust with his bursts from left-back. Otherwise, however, it was a muted beginning. Nor was it smooth progress thereafter.

“I liked our attitude, I liked the work rate, again, to overcome difficult moments together is so important, that not everything goes non-stop smoothly,” Tuchel said. His side lost control in part of the second half, looking less secure after Rice went off. Tuchel responded by summoning Elliot Anderson after Wharton flirted with a red card.

“I learned about the players,” Tuchel added. This was his most experimental line-up to date. There was a belated debut for Jarell Quansah, a first start for Wharton, just a fourth cap for Dean Henderson. O’Reilly, one of only four to keep his place, won his second. Another was John Stones, who spent the first half in the hybrid role he can occupy for Manchester City, stepping into midfield.

The back-up goalkeeper impressed, but he had to. England completed a clean sweep of clean sheets, but that necessitated some decent saves from Henderson, the best a flying effort to thwart Hoxha, and the speed off his line to make a well-timed challenge on Qazim Laci. Albania’s sharpness on the break indicated why they came second in the group, but they suffered their first defeat since March. For Tuchel, whose reign began with a 2-0 win against Albania, it was a repeat result. “And it’s of course never finished,” he said. So, too, the saga of him and Bellingham.

Five young people killed in crash on night out named and pictured

Five young people who died in a two-vehicle crash in Co Louth, Ireland, on Saturday night have been named and pictured by police.

Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross, Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland, Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee, County Louth, Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath, County Meath, and Chloe McGee, 23, from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, died in a collision while on their way to a night out in Dundalk on 15 November.

Three other people, one of whom is also in his early 20s, were injured in what Irish police described as a “shocking and devastating” crash.

Gardai said it would have “a deep impact” on families and communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and Scotland.

The crash, which involved a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser, happened on a road near Dundalk just after 9pm.

The five people who died, and one man in his early 20s, were in the Volkswagen Golf and are believed to have been on their way to socialise in Dundalk, gardai said.

Two other people, a man and woman from the other vehicle, were taken for treatment to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

Ireland’s premier Micheal Martin said he was “numbed and shocked” at the news, and deputy premier Simon Harris said a “veil of deep sadness” had come over the country.

An investigation has begun into the accident on the L3168 at Gibstown.

Speaking near the scene on Sunday, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong said: “Yesterday evening, just after 9pm, there was a serious road traffic collision involving two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser.

“Five occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, three males and two females, all in their early 20s, are deceased at the scene.”

He said family liaison officers have been appointed to each of the families and gardai will keep them updated.

Mr Armstrong said: “I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the five young adults who lost their lives yesterday evening in this road traffic collision.”

He said a major incident response was initiated last night by gardai and emergency services, including Dundalk Fire Brigade, HSE paramedics and hospital staff.

He said the scene on the L3168 remained closed on Sunday as gardai carried out a technical and forensic examination.

He said post-mortem examinations would be carried out.

Mr Armstrong added: “I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night.

“The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the five deceased was exemplary.

“This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland.

“This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk.

“I want to take the opportunity to appeal to any person with any information on this road traffic collision to contact the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.

“I am appealing to any person who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night, Saturday, November 15 2025, to contact the Garda investigation team.

“I am appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168, Gibstown area, between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night, to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.

“The investigation team can be contacted at Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”

He added: “Finally, I once again want to express my sympathies to the families of the five young people who lost their lives yesterday evening.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “I am numbed and shocked at the horrific road crash that has led to the loss of five young lives in Dundalk, Co Louth.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people, and those injured.

“We also think of our first responders, who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances.”

Tanaiste Mr Harris said: “A veil of deep sadness and shock has come over our country this morning with the news emerging of the devastating loss of five young lives overnight in a road traffic accident in Co Louth.

“This morning, my thoughts, and I know the thoughts of people right across our country, are with the families of those who have lost loved ones, their friends, and their communities.

“We keep them in our prayers and in our thoughts now and in the time ahead.

“I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services.

“One cannot even imagine the extraordinarily difficult and tragic circumstances in which they found themselves working last night as they set about trying to help in the most harrowing of situations.”

Superintendent Liam Geraghty said it was particularly stark that they were speaking on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

“The events that occurred here last night again are a very, very clear reminder for us of how things can change dramatically on our roads in a split second, and the tragedy that that brings to families, to communities and to loved ones.

“As we stand here today, 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year in 2025. That is a slight increase, unfortunately, in the number who lost their lives on roads in 2024.”

Irish president Catherine Connolly said she was “deeply saddened and shocked” at the loss of five young lives.

She said: “I am thinking of them, their families and of those injured.

“May I acknowledge also all those first responders who have worked to support all involved.”

The foods that could be ruining your sleep – and how to fix it

If you’ve ever lain awake at 3am replaying every awkward conversation you’ve ever had, you’ll know that sleep – or rather, the lack of it – can feel maddeningly elusive. We’re told to switch off our phones, meditate, dim the lights, ban caffeine after midday and take a magnesium supplement for good measure.

But while most of us have spent years tinkering with our bedtime routines, the answer might be sitting under our noses. Specifically, on our dinner plates.What you eat, and when you eat it, has just as much impact on your ability to nod off as any blue-light screen or stressful email. Certain foods can raise your heart rate, spike your temperature or mess with the hormones that regulate rest, while others can lull you into slumber.

“If you can’t fall asleep or struggle to stay asleep, salt could be the root of the issue,” says Dr Katherine Hall, a sleep psychologist from Somnus Therapy. “Sodium-rich meals result in fluid retention and increased blood pressure, making it hard for the body to switch off completely after eating snacks like crisps or salted nuts.”

Salt doesn’t just make you thirsty. It actually changes the body’s ability to rest. “This then results in something called superficial sleep, where the sleep isn’t very deep and can often involve disturbances like going to the toilet more, as studies show this can be brought on more by too much salt in the diet.”

The culprit, Dr Hall explains, is your blood pressure and fluid balance. A high-sodium meal essentially keeps your body in alert mode. You might fall asleep quickly after that post-pub kebab, but your system won’t fully switch off – which is why you’ll likely wake up groggy, parched and wondering why you feel as though you’ve barely slept.

Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, agrees that our digestive systems bear the brunt of late-night indulgence. “When we eat spicy, salty or acidic foods too close to bedtime, our digestive system has to work harder when it should be winding down,” she says. “Spicy foods can raise body temperature and stimulate the release of certain stress hormones, both of which can make it harder to fall asleep. Acidic meals and high salt intake can also trigger heartburn or acid reflux, especially when lying down, which disrupts the natural sleep cycle.”

It’s not just about what you eat, but when. “It’s a good idea to leave at least two to three hours between your last meal and going to bed,” adds Dr Lee. “This allows time for digestion and helps prevent reflux. However, it’s not just about the clock: your overall dietary pattern plays a big role too. A diet that’s high in processed, salty or spicy foods can increase inflammation and affect sleep quality over time, even if eaten earlier in the day.”

It’s easy to assume that eating light or “clean” before bed will help you sleep, but some of the worst offenders hide behind a halo of health. Tomatoes, soy sauce, aubergines, red wine and cheeses, for instance, are all rich in tyramine, an amino acid that can overstimulate the brain. “Tyramine is an amino acid that is normally a great addition to anyone’s diet as it stimulates natural brain activity,” says Dr Hall. “For those of us looking to get more sleep, however, it’s something to avoid completely if possible. Tyramine stimulates the production of norepinephrine, triggering the ‘fight-or-flight’ response and sending your body into a hyper-aroused state.”

If salt and acid rev up your blood pressure and digestion, spice messes with something even more primal: your temperature.

“For anyone struggling to sleep, avoid spicy foods altogether,” says Dr Hall. “Digesting various spices and chillies you have in your curries or other hot dishes can severely disrupt our body’s ability to thermoregulate, which essentially means managing our temperature. Capsaicin is the chemical in spicy food that causes our temperature to skyrocket, so combine this with the energy your body needs to digest the remainder of the meal, and you can really struggle getting some solid sleep.”

The body naturally cools as we approach sleep – it’s part of our circadian rhythm – so raising your core temperature with a fiery curry or hot sauce-laden dinner is like flicking the lights back on just as you’re nodding off. Dr Lee adds that spicy food can also stimulate the release of stress hormones, keeping the body alert when it should be winding down. Combine that with the reflux risk of lying down too soon after eating, and you’ve got a recipe for a restless night.

The good news is that while some foods sabotage sleep, others can actively support it. “Meals rich in complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats support the production of melatonin and serotonin: the hormones that regulate sleep and mood,” says Dr Lee.

“Classic ‘sleepy’ foods like bananas, almonds, milk and chamomile tea all contain or promote compounds such as magnesium, calcium and tryptophan, which can help the body relax.”

Unlike the high-sodium, high-spice dinners that raise your heart rate and body temperature, these foods work in harmony with your circadian rhythm. Bananas and almonds are rich in magnesium and potassium – minerals that help relax muscles and calm the nervous system – while milk provides tryptophan, the amino acid used to produce serotonin and melatonin. Chamomile tea contains apigenin, a natural compound that binds to brain receptors to encourage drowsiness.

Dr Lee says magnesium, in particular, is one of the most important nutrients for rest. “It supports relaxation and helps regulate the body’s stress response,” she explains. “Tryptophan and vitamin B6 are also key players, as they’re needed to make serotonin and melatonin. Zinc and calcium play supportive roles too: they’re involved in neurotransmitter function and help the brain transition into deeper sleep stages.”

If you’ve been flirting with magnesium supplements or fancy teas, you could just start with your diet. Think leafy greens, nuts, seeds and whole grains. These foods don’t just set you up for better rest at night – they also help regulate energy and mood throughout the day.

While we often think of sleep as something that happens at night, Dr Lee emphasises that the groundwork is laid long before bedtime. “When blood sugar levels fluctuate too much throughout the day, it can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep,” she says. “Spikes and crashes can trigger cortisol, a stress hormone that keeps us alert. Balanced meals that combine protein, fibre and healthy fats help maintain steady energy levels, which sets the stage for more useful sleep later.”

Gut health plays a role, too. “The gut and brain are in constant communication through the vagus nerve, and a healthy gut microbiome supports the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin,” says Dr Lee. “Poor gut health, from stress, poor diet or lack of fibre, can interfere with this process and lead to disrupted sleep. A diet rich in prebiotic fibre, fermented foods and diverse plant foods supports both gut and sleep health.”

If you’re genuinely hungry before bed, don’t panic – the goal isn’t to go to sleep starving. “A small, balanced snack can be helpful,” says Dr Lee. “Try something light like Greek yoghurt with berries, a banana with a spoon of nut butter or wholegrain toast with hummus. These options provide slow-release carbohydrates and a bit of protein to keep blood sugar steady without overloading digestion.”

You can still enjoy dinner out with friends or the occasional spicy meal, but moderation and timing are key. As Dr Lee puts it, “Sleep shouldn’t come at the expense of your social life: the key is balance. If you’re having a late meal or a glass of wine, try to drink plenty of water, eat slowly and finish eating at least two hours before bed. If it’s a particularly heavy or spicy meal, a short walk afterwards can help digestion and reduce reflux risk.”

There’s no single superfood or quick fix that guarantees a perfect night’s rest, but there is a pattern: balance. Heavy, salty or spicy foods overstimulate the body, while those rich in fibre, magnesium and tryptophan soothe it.

So before you reach for another glass of red or raid the crisp cupboard, remember: your best night’s sleep might not begin in the bedroom, but in the kitchen.

Food photography tips: how to make food look as good as it tastes

Ever since the rise of social media, sharing food online has become a global obsession. From Instagram reels to TikTok trends, food content dominates our feeds and for good reason. Food is a universal love language. There’s something irresistible about the smell of freshly baked bread or the comfort of a steaming bowl of delicious pasta.

But as any food lover knows, capturing a photo that truly does your meal justice is easier said than done. Yet, it’s a powerful skill to have, as the perfect food shot can turn a humble dinner into viral content and, in some cases, transform small cafés, bartenders, and home bakers into internet stars.

At the heart of this movement sits the smartphone camera. And as someone who’s been immersed in food photography for over a decade and adores a smartphone for its ease of use and authentic way of capturing food moments, I was eager to see what Samsung’s new lightweight Galaxy S25 FE device could bring to the dinner table as it were.

When it comes to shooting food, I look for four essential things in a phone camera:

The Galaxy S25 FE ticks all four boxes and then some, and truly feels as though it was designed with the modern day foodie/food creator in mind. It even introduces ground-breaking AI features that promise to make editing and shooting more intuitive than ever, for a true end-to-end all encompassing device that elevates your food images effortlessly.

When it comes to food photography, the right lens can transform an ordinary plate into a visual feast – and the Galaxy S25 FE delivers a versatile mix that makes shooting creative, effortless, and fun.

The phone features four lenses in total, each one offering something unique for the way you tell your food story. Up front is a 12 MP selfie lens – solid, though not one you’ll often reach for when photographing your meals (unless you’re keen to share a reaction pic after). The real excitement is at the back, where three impressive lenses open up endless visual possibilities.

The 12 MP ultra-wide lens truly shines in tight spaces – whether you’re in a bustling café or a cosy, low-lit bar – capturing the full atmosphere with ease. It’s also perfect for those beautiful ‘table spread’ shots that continue to be popular on social media: think a tapas feast, a Christmas dinner, or a brunch spread where you want every dish in frame, without needing to balance on a chair!

For most food photography though, the star of the show is the 50 MP wide lens. It’s the one that produces those crisp, vibrant images with lifelike colours that leap off the screen. I always suggest shooting dishes that are abundant in natural hues such as bright salads, deeply coloured curries, or gorgeous fruit platters – and wherever possible, using natural light – because on social media colourful food always wins! I’ll often book a restaurant table near a window or shoot at my home studio beside one: it’s the easiest way to make textures sing and let the Galaxy S25 FE’s sensor show what it can really do.

Then there’s the 8 MP telephoto zoom lens, your best friend for capturing all the delicious food trends making the rounds right now such as the creamy frosting on a cinnamon roll or the sparkle of sea salt on a perfectly fried egg with feta and chilli sauce. It’s also great for those close-up shots that add a touch of drama and intimacy to your food feed – the ones that make people stop scrolling and think, ‘Dang, I need that right now.’

Together, these lenses help you capture not just what your food looks like, but how it feels to eat it.

As mentioned above, natural light is always a food photographer’s best friend, but when you’re enjoying a cosy evening meal, it’s not always an option. Most phone cameras struggle in those dimly lit restaurants or candlelit bars, often leaving food looking flat and colours washed out. That’s why I was especially curious to see how the Galaxy S25 FE would perform once the sun went down considering it has Enhanced Nightography and an AI-powered ProVisual Engine – an image processing engine that analyses each shot to automatically improve its visual. So, I put it to the test and am pleased to report, it delivered.

Even under low, warm lighting, the Galaxy S25 FE captures crisp textures and allows your food to look as good as it tastes, whilst infusing it with that evening ambience. For best results, I would recommend using the ultra wide lens in evening settings to capture the restaurant’s atmosphere and the wide lens for your food shots as it will result in the sharpest low light shots.

The Galaxy S25 FE also introduces some clever AI-powered tools that make creating food content even easier. One standout is Audio Eraser*, perfect for those who prefer filming in lively, bustling restaurants. It intelligently removes unwanted background noise, allowing the subtle sounds of your dish like the gentle bubble of hot soup or the satisfying crunch of a bite to take centre stage instead.

There’s also Photo Assist**, which includes Generative Edit and Sketch to Image***. The former lets you effortlessly move or remove distractions from your frame, while the latter allows you to write or draw directly onto your image – not something I’d necessarily do because food is just so naturally beautiful in its own right, but which could be ideal if you’re keen to add a more personal or artistic touch to your social media food posts to ensure you stand out from the crowd.

The Galaxy SE25 FE isn’t just another smartphone, instead it’s a powerful tool for food lovers and food content creators alike. Whether you’re an aspiring influencer keen to share your latest cookie haul, a café owner hoping to make your matcha lattes go viral or simply a home cook who loves sharing their latest creations, this phone can absolutely help you along your delicious journey. Cheers to that!

Kimberly Espinel is an award-winning food photographer, blogger, stylist, podcaster, teacher and author – find out more at her website or on Instagram.

To find out more about the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE visit Samsung

*Samsung account login required. Six types of sound can be detected; voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. Results may vary depending on audio source & condition of the video.

**Samsung account login is required. Requires network connection.

***Samsung account login and network connection may be required for certain AI features.

Andrew’s name reportedly stripped from Falklands plaques

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s name has reportedly been stripped from commemorative plaques in the Falklands.

The former prince, who was stripped of his royal titles a fortnight ago, was previously considered a hero over his defence of the islands as a helicopter co-pilot in 1982. He had visited the Falklands again on several occasions to unveil memorials and public buildings.

According to reports in The Mirror, several plaques which bore Andrew’s name has now vanished from the island in the latest blow to the former prince.

One of the missing plaques is believed to have been unveiled by Andrew in 1985 to open Mount Pleasant airport, while another is said to have been placed in 2002 during the opening of a new block at the Infant Junior School in capital Stanley. Both of those plaques have allegedly been taken down, according to reports.

A third tablet bearing Andrew’s name was previously removed in 2022. The decoration at the Falklands KEMH Hospital was taken down following Andrew’s out-of-court settlement with accuser Virginia Giuffre, who claimed Andrew had sex with her while she was being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has always strenuously denied all allegations.

Member of parliament for the territory John Birmingham said at the time: “Renovation work is underway, and given that the Prince is retiring from public life, the plaque bearing his name will be given to the Falklands Museum.”

There have been repeated calls for roads, schools, and even islands bearing the former prince’s name to be removed or changed following the publication of Ms Giuffre’s posthumous memoir Nobody’s Child.

In Northern Ireland, councillors are set to debate a proposal in November to rename Prince Andrew Way in the coastal Co Antrim town of Carrickfergus. Mid and East Antrim councillor Aaron Skinner stated he “would like to see the road named after the late Queen Elizabeth II instead.”

There are several other locations in Northern Ireland that carry the name Prince Andrew, including: Prince Andrew Gardens and adjoining Prince Andrew Park in south Belfast; and Prince Andrew Crescent in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, which is part of the Mid Ulster District Council area.

Brian May shares health update after stroke

Queen rocker Brian May has said that his health issues, including a minor stroke last year, were a “wake-up call”.

During an appearance on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend, the 78-year-old musician said he was lucky to have recovered after experiencing a “number” of conditions.

Titchmarsh told him: “We were concerned, you had a bit of a stroke. But, you seem to be fully recovered, that was last year.”

May responded: “I’ve had a number of things, Alan, yeah, the stroke was one of them.”

He continued: “I’ve been lucky, I get these things, but I seem to be able to get out of them. They give you a wake-up call.”

In September last year, May reassured fans that he could still play the guitar after experiencing a minor stroke that made him temporarily lose control of his left arm.

“They called it a minor stroke, and all of a sudden out of the blue, I didn’t have any control of this arm,” he said, moving his left arm and flexing his fingers to show the movement had returned.

“It was a little scary, I have to say. I had the most fantastic care and attention from the hospital where I went, blue lights flashing, the lot, it was very exciting. I might post a video if you like.”

He continued: “I didn’t wanna say anything at the time because I didn’t want anything surrounding it, I really don’t want sympathy. Please don’t do that, because it’ll clutter up my inbox, and I hate that. The good news is I’m OK.”

May has suffered health issues in the past, including a heart attack that turned out to be a symptom of an arterial disease.

The guitarist told fans he was “very near death” after being admitted to hospital in May 2020, where doctors discovered that three of his arteries were blocked and in danger of stopping the blood supply to his heart.

“It’s a long climb back,” he told The Times. “I’ve had complications due to the drugs I’m on, one of which was a stomach explosion that nearly killed me.”

He admitted he was baffled by the heart attack: “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t have high cholesterol and I was exercising through the tour, so why did it happen?” he questioned. “At least I now have a heart that is working far better than it was.”

May formed the rock band Queen in 1970 with Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, with bassist John Deacon joining a year later.

They went on to become one of the biggest-selling acts of all time, releasing a string of hit singles including “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions”.