Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has been found liable for a 2018 sexual assault in a civil lawsuit filed by Nikita Hand. A jury at Dublin’s High Court ordered McGregor to pay €248,000 in damages after determining he sexually assaulted Hand in December 2018.

Hand alleged that McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, had non-consensual sex with her while intoxicated. The jury concluded McGregor was liable but cleared Lawrence of any wrongdoing. McGregor admitted in court to having sex with Hand but maintained it was consensual. Criminal charges were not pursued in the case.

Hand, citing mental health struggles and inability to work, initially sought damages of up to $2.13 million. During the trial, her lawyer accused McGregor of attempting to shift blame onto Lawrence.

McGregor expressed disappointment with the verdict and confirmed plans to appeal. Following the judgment, he issued a statement focusing on his family and future.

The verdict could impact McGregor’s political aspirations, including his potential 2025 Irish presidential run. In September, McGregor outlined his vision for Ireland, pledging reforms to address corruption and support working families.

McGregor, whose last UFC fight was in 2021, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years.

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Kendrick Lamar has shaken up the music scene with the unannounced release of his sixth studio album, GNX. The 12-track record, Lamar’s first under PGLang/Interscope after parting ways with Top Dawg Entertainment, was quietly shared on streaming platforms, sending fans into a frenzy. Produced by Jack Antonoff and Sounwave, it includes uncredited contributions from SZA, Roddy Ricch, Kamasi Washington, and others.

The album’s title appears to pay homage to Lamar’s family history, referencing the Buick Grand National Experimental car—a vehicle central to his upbringing. Tracks like “Wacced Out Murals” address recent tensions with Drake, including a jab at the AI-generated Snoop Dogg voice used in Drake’s diss track, “Taylor Made Freestyle.”

The ongoing feud with Drake, which heated up earlier this year, saw Lamar dominate with the release of “Not Like Us,” a track now up for multiple Grammy nominations. Beyond the drama, GNX also reflects on Lamar’s success, including his upcoming Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance.

Packed with bold lyrics and unexpected collaborations, GNX has cemented Lamar’s status as one of the most unpredictable and innovative voices in rap. Fans are already speculating about a possible tour announcement.

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MEP Thomas Bajada has launched the Economy of Wellbeing: Bridging the Gap, a study aiming to reshape economic policies by focusing on sustainability and inclusivity. The initiative calls for policies driven by environmental, social, and economic priorities, combining scientific research with public input.

Bajada stressed that the economy should serve people, not the other way around. He explained that the study will gather data and opinions from various sectors to create policies addressing community needs. Families, organisations, and young people are key to this dialogue, he said, as their involvement will help shape a fairer, more sustainable future.

The project seeks to bridge the divide between short-term growth models and those that prioritise long-term resilience by putting human and environmental values first. Economist Lawrence Zammit will lead the quantitative analysis, with Sociologist Justin Attard focusing on the qualitative aspect.

Civil society representatives, including the Chamber of Commerce, Gozo Business Chamber, and BirdLife Malta, shared ideas during the launch. Bajada closed with a call for widespread collaboration, urging all who share this vision to contribute. He emphasised the need for fact-based policies over polarisation or short-term thinking.