Tom Kane, the legendary voice actor famous for his iconic roles in Star Wars and The Powerpuff Girls, has died at the age of 64. 

His death occurred on Monday and was confirmed in a touching Facebook statement by his talent agency, Galactic Productions. 

The agency praised Kane as an extraordinary performer whose extensive work shaped the childhoods and imaginations of millions across the globe, bringing wisdom, strength, humour, and heart to every single role he touched.

The Kansas City native built a remarkably long career in the industry, having started out in voiceover work when he was just 15 years old. 

Star Wars fans will know him best as the voice behind the beloved Jedi Master Yoda in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as Admiral Ackbar in the 2017 film Star Wars: The Last Jedi. 

Beyond a galaxy far, far away, Kane was also the voice of Professor Utonium in Cartoon Network’s The Powerpuff Girls from 2016 to 2019.

He was a staple of the gaming world too, lending his vocal talents to major titles like the Call of Duty franchise, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and Marvel Future Revolution.

Tragically, Kane’s prolific voiceover career was cut short a few years ago.

In 2020, he suffered a stroke that left him largely unable to speak, a devastating blow for a man whose voice had become such a comforting and recognisable part of so many people’s lives and memories.

Aside from his immense professional success, his agency made sure to highlight his reputation as a deeply compassionate family man. 

Off-screen, Tom was a devoted husband and father who, alongside his wife, built a loving family of nine children, three biological and six welcomed through adoption and fostering. 

Galactic Productions noted that this generosity defined who he was just as much as his remarkable talent. 

Kane is survived by his wife, Cindy, and their children. 

His agency beautifully concluded their tribute by writing that though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever, adding, “May the Force be with you, always.”

Sony has confirmed a price hike for its PlayStation Plus subscription service.

Effective May 20, new subscribers in selected regions will pay higher rates for the one-month and three-month plans.

The charges have increased from $10 to $ 10.90, while the three-month subscription has increased from $25 to $27.99.

The cost increase will mainly impact the Essential subscription package, which is the base subscription package needed to play online multiplayer games on PS4 and PS5 consoles. 

Whether the other packages, like the Extra and Premium packages, will see an increase is yet to be seen. Sony has not commented on this development yet.

Current subscribers do not have to pay more unless they upgrade their subscription tier. However, subscribers in Turkey and India will see immediate increases irrespective of their status.

Indeed, the growth comes just six months ahead of the scheduled launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, a game that will certainly bring millions of new gamers to the world of online gaming, all requiring PlayStation Plus subscriptions in order to play GTA Online.

• India’s geography will be changed if it attempts misadventure: Asif.  
• Says New Delhi now facing embarrassment on foreign fronts.
•  Pakistan achieved “highly reputable status” in region: defence czar.  

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday warned that India would become part of history and its geography would be changed if it attempts any future misadventure against Pakistan.

The defence minister made the hard-hitting remarks during Geo News programme “Capital Talk” in the backdrop of the recent provocative statement by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

Taking exception to the Indian army chief’s recent provocative remarks, the defence czar said that Gen Dwivedi was trying to “regain his lost respect” after the humiliating defeat in the 19-day military conflict, spanning from April 22 to May 10, 2025.     

In response to the Indian aggression, Pakistan’s armed forces launched a large-scale retaliatory military action, named “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, and targeted several Indian military targets across multiple regions.

Pakistan downed eight Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, and dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the war between the two nuclear-armed nations ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US.

“As a nation, India thinks that its esteem has been damaged,” said Asif.

The minister said that New Delhi is now facing embarrassment on the foreign fronts, adding that Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, which India had considered its “extension,” did not enjoy the same relationship with it as before.

On the other hand, he said that Pakistan achieved “a highly reputable status” in the region, adding that it is difficult for New Delhi to digest it.

When asked about a possible nexus between India and Israel against Pakistan, the minister said that Tel Aviv doesn’t want anyone more powerful in this region other than its partner, India.

He maintained that there could be a resemblance in the objectives of India and Israel.

To another question, the minister said that there is a division between India’s military and civilian leadership.

He was referring to contradictory statements made by the Indian army chief and RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale.

Last week, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, considered the organisation’s second-most senior leader, had said that India should continue diplomatic engagement with Pakistan.  

To another query, the minister said that the Indus Waters Treaty had been functioning successfully for the past 66 years, adding that it was one of the oldest agreements and contains a mechanism for resolving disputes.

He also welcomed a new ruling from the Court of Arbitration under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), saying that the verdict was in favour of Pakistan.  

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague had upheld its earlier award supporting the continued validity of the IWT, ruling that India could not unilaterally suspend the agreement.