Eyebrows were raised this week when Narendra Modi's Twitter account began asking people to donate cryptocurrency to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
It turned out the Twitter account of the Indian prime minister's personal website, which has more than 2.5 million followers, was hacked on Thursday, September 3. Twitter has since issued a statement, saying they were "aware of this activity and have taken steps to secure the compromised account".
"We are actively investigating the situation. At this time, we are not aware of additional accounts being impacted.”
Modi is, however, far from the first high-profile figure to have their Twitter account hacked.
Back in July, more than 130 celebrity accounts were targeted in a major co-ordinated cyber attack. Two teenagers and a 22-year-old man, from the UK and US, were soon found to be behind the attacks.
Billionaires Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, as well as other famous figures such as Barack Obama, Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West, were all affected. Their official accounts were used to request cryptocurrency from the public.
"Everyone is asking me to give back," a tweet from Gates's account read. "You send $1,000, I send you back $2,000."
Here, we take a look at seven other celebrity Twitter accounts that have been hacked in recent years.
Britney Spears
The Oops! ... I Did It Again star has been the target of Twitter hackers several times. In June 2009, her official account suddenly tweeted that the singer had died.
“Britney has passed today. It is a sad day for everyone. More news to come,” the post read.
Spears was also the subject of a fake tweet when Sony Music Entertainment’s Twitter account was hacked in December 2016. Hackers again published fake statements saying the American singer had died.
Sean Combs
The rapper known as Diddy was the target of hackers in 2009, who used the producer and entrepreneur’s official account to advertise a mobile phone shop in New York.
"Go cop your new phone from Verizon Wireless ... in Tribeca,” the tweet read. Combs himself tweeted that the post was fake within minutes of it being published, posting: "Don't go cop no new phone from nowhere in Tribeca. Someone tried to break into my Twitter."
Axl Rose
The Guns N' Roses singer's account was hacked in May 2010, with hackers saying that the European leg of Rose's Chinese Democracy tour had been cancelled.
"All upcoming Guns N' Roses dates are officially cancelled. Please contact your place of purchase for any refunds,” the tweet read.
Naturally, concert organisers rushed to inform fans that the tweet was fake and that the concerts were proceeding as scheduled.
Ja Rule
In December 2010, one day after Ja Rule was sentenced to two years in prison for illegal gun possession, the Clap Back rapper had his Twitter account hacked.
What followed was a series of self-deprecating jokes about Ja Rule’s career, including: “I changed my email. I changed my password. Too bad I can't change my career status."
Another tweet wrote: “I can’t even get a Twitter check by my name. Twitter hating.”
Gucci Mane
The Wake Up In The Sky rapper had his Twitter account hacked in February 2013.
Instead of tweeting out Bitcoin scam attempts or hate-fuelled messages, the hacker instead posted: "Justin Timberlake is yummm.”
Lady Gaga
In December 2011, a few days before Christmas, Lady Gaga suddenly tweeted that she was “giving away Free iPad 2s to each one of you in the spirit of the holidays".
At the time, the Poker Face had some 34 million followers (she now has more than 80 million). With iPad 2's starting price of $499 (Dh1,832), it meant that the singer would have had to spend approximately $17 billion to make sure each of her followers ended up with the Apple gadget for Christmas.
However, Gaga soon confirmed the tweet, which posted to a sign-up link. was a scam.
Ashton Kutcher
In 2011, the Punk'd star had his Twitter account hacked. However, the hacker seemed to have one simple objective.
"Ashton, you've been Punk'd. This account is not secure. Dude, where's my SSL?" The hacker wrote, referencing Kutcher's 2000 comedy Dude, Where's My Car? to shed a light on poor online security.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The five pillars of Islam
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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