Bollywood megastar Hrithik Roshan is basking in the digital tsunami unleashed by the teaser drop for “War 2,” with the actor’s return as super-spy Kabir Dhaliwal sending social platforms into overdrive.

The teaser for “War 2” dropped on Tuesday, featuring a heavyweight showdown between Roshan and “RRR” star NTR Jr. It has already racked up some 25 million views on X and 3 million on Instagram, across languages.

The film is part of Indian studio Yash Raj Films‘ spy universe. “War 2” also stars Kiara Advani in the female lead, marking her entry into the universe. The film is directed by Ayan Mukerji, best known for his work on the fantasy adventure “Brahmastra,” making this his first foray into the high-octane spy thriller genre.

“‘War’ is a really special franchise for me,” Roshan says. “Seeing the appreciation that ‘War 2’s teaser is getting, seeing how people are pouring their love for NTR, Kiara, Ayan, for me, and the entire team makes me really happy. It is not easy making films of this scale, and we have given our best to make ‘War 2’ an action spectacle for people.”

For Roshan, whose box office dominance spans decades in the industry, the chance to revisit Kabir Dhaliwal offered both creative fulfillment and fan connection.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of the action genre since I was a kid, and I really have fun whenever I do films like ‘War 2,’” Roshan says. “So, for me, I had the best time reliving Kabir – a character that has given me love from all quarters for years now.”

“I’m delighted and humbled by the love and feedback that ‘War 2’ is getting right from the start of our campaign,” Roshan added. “I can’t wait to see the reaction of people when they see ‘War 2’ on the big screen.”

Created by producer Aditya Chopra, the spy universe kicked off with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, beginning with “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012) and “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017), and continued with “War” (2019), starring Roshan and Tiger Shroff. These were followed by “Pathaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, and “Tiger 3,” both in 2023. “Alpha,” starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, the first female-led film in the universe is due after “War 2,” followed by “Tiger vs Pathaan,” featuring both Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

In the Tiger franchise, Salman Khan plays Avinash Singh Rathore, AKA Tiger, who belongs to Indian intelligence agency RAW and Kaif plays Zoya Humaini from Pakistan’s ISI. In “War,” Roshan is rogue RAW agent Kabir Dhaliwal and Shroff his protégé Khalid Rahmani. In “Pathaan,” Shah Rukh Khan plays exiled RAW agent Pathaan and Padukone ISI agent Rubina Mohsin.

Tiger has an extended cameo in “Pathaan” and the film also features Colonel Sunil Luthra (Ashutosh Rana), who first appeared in “War” and is in “Tiger 3” as well. The character Pathaan has a cameo in “Tiger 2” as does Kabir Dhaliwal.

“War 2” is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on Aug. 14, and will be available in the Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a fiery statement after the U.K. suspended free trade talks over Jerusalem’s handling of the war in Gaza. The U.K. simultaneously imposed new sanctions on the West Bank as it condemned the “persistent cycle of serious violence undertaken by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.”

The ministry claimed that talks for a new U.K.-Israel free trade agreement were already at a standstill before London’s announcement on Tuesday. Additionally, it accused the U.K. of harming its own citizens due to its “anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations.”

“Even prior to today’s announcement, the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced at all by the current UK government,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote. “More than that, the agreement would serve the mutual benefit of both countries. If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy – that is its own prerogative.”

Israel also slammed the additional sanctions on the West Bank in light of the recent death of Tzeela Gez, an Israeli woman who was shot and killed in a terror attack while she was en route to the hospital to give birth. The Israeli Foreign Ministry noted that doctors are still “fighting for her newborn’s life.”

ISRAELI AMBASSADOR LASHES OUT AT UN OFFICIAL, CONDEMNS UK, FRANCE, CANADA STATEMENT ON AID

The ministry dismissed the U.K.’s threats toward the end of the post, saying, “[T]he British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction.”

Palestinians continue their daily lives amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Feb. 10, 2025. (Mahmoud ssa/Anadolu via Getty Images)

HAMAS CAPTIVITY SURVIVORS APPEAL TO NETANYAHU, TRUMP AFTER EDAN ALEXANDER’S RELEASE

U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy announced the suspension of trade talks as he addressed British lawmakers, saying Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza, Operation Gideon’s Chariot, marked a “dark new phase in this conflict.” In his announcement, Lammy said “the Netanyahu government’s actions have made this necessary.”

Lammy reiterated U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s demand that Israel allow aid to flow into the Gaza Strip. In a joint statement from the U.K., France and Canada, the countries urged Israel to work with the United Nations to “ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles.”

“If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,” the statement read.

Israel stopped the flow of aid into the Gaza Strip 11 weeks ago, but has resumed allowing limited aid. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told Fox News that the NGOs that are being allowed to distribute aid have ensured that Hamas has not infiltrated their ranks or taken aid meant for civilians.

The U.K. is demanding that Israel allow more aid into the Gaza Strip. (Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images/File)

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER SLAMS UN, CALLS IT ‘ROTTEN, ANTI-ISRAEL, AND ANTISEMITIC BODY’

While aid is being allowed to enter Gaza, Israel has faced backlash over the stringent restrictions, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot saying it was “insufficient.”

Tom Fletcher, the U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator who recently accused Israel of committing genocide, described the aid as “a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed” and called for “significantly more aid” to Gaza.

“We have been reassured that our work will be facilitated through existing, proven mechanisms. I am grateful for that reassurance, and Israel’s agreement to humanitarian notification measures that reduce the immense security threats of the operation. I am determined that our aid reach those in greatest need, and that the risk of theft by Hamas or other armed groups is minimized,” Fletcher said in a statement.

Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

Published on
21/05/2025 – 4:47 GMT+2

Belgian authorities have formally requested the European Parliament to revoke the immunity of five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in connection with an investigation into corruption and influence peddling associated with the Chinese technology company Huawei.

The request pertains to five MEPs, three affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP), one representing the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), and one from Renew Europe.

A probe into the allegations commenced two months ago following searches carried out in the offices of the European Parliament.

The Belgian Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against eight individuals, alleging suspicions of money laundering, involvement in an organised criminal enterprise, and active corruption.

The accusations against the MEPs pertain to their involvement in corrupt practices in return for lobbying efforts on behalf of Huawei and endorsing legislation advantageous to the company.

The request to revoke immunity has been confirmed by a few EU officials. While the full list of MEPs involved in the scandal has yet to be released, a number of the parliamentarians came forward and confirmed that a request to revoke their immunity was filed.

Italian lawmaker Salvatore de Meo of the EPP, Maltese MEP Daniel Attard of the Socialists and Bulgarian parliamentarian Nikola Minchev of Renew Europe have all confirmed they were targeted by Belgian authorities.

“This is related to the investigation into my former assistant. The Belgian prosecution has not made any specific accusations against me, but wants to check whether anything improper may have taken place,” said Minchev.

Minchev says that he attended a football match of which the tickets were sourced by an individual affiliated with his former assistant, who had links with Huawei. The Bulgarian lawmaker denied any knowledge of who provided the tickets.

“The Belgian authorities want to verify whether anything inappropriate occurred. That’s why I’m calling for my immunity to be lifted as quickly as possible, so the matter can be clarified and it becomes clear that I have nothing to do with any unauthorised or illegal activity.”

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is expected to officially announce the full list of MEPs involved in the scandal in the opening of a plenary session on Wednesday.

Additional sources • EBU