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  • Greta Thunberg arrested at Pro-Palestinian demo in Denmark

    Greta Thunberg arrested at Pro-Palestinian demo in Denmark

    Climate activist Greta Thunberg and several others were arrested Wednesday after occupying a University of Copenhagen building to call for an academic boycott of Israeli universities, Danish media reported.

    Images on the daily Ekstra Bladet website showed the 21-year-old activist, wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh shawl draped over her shoulders, being escorted out of a campus building by police.

    Thunberg herself shared images on Instagram of riot police entering a building where the group “Students against the Occupation” were staging a protest.

    “I can’t confirm the names of those arrested, but six people have been arrested in connection with the demonstration,” a Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP.

    Three of them “are suspected of forcing their way into the building and blocking the entrance”, he said.

    The six were released several hours later, the spokesman told AFP, and video footage published by Ekstra Bladet showed Thunberg walking out of the police station.

    Students against the Occupation said in an Instagram statement that “while the situation in Palestine only gets worse, the University of Copenhagen continues cooperation with academic institutions in Israel”.

    “We are occupying” the university’s “central administration with one demand: academic boycott now.”

    Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up encampments at universities around the United States and Europe since last spring to protest against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories.

  • Female police officer suspended for posting TikTok video while on duty

    Female police officer suspended for posting TikTok video while on duty

    A female police officer in Karachi was suspended for posting a TikTok video while on duty, revealing her team’s location, Sindh Police has said in a notification.

    Police Constable (PC) Maria Gill was posted at the Gizri Police Station District South, Karachi.

    The police notification said that she was suspended immediately “due to improper and irresponsible behaviour towards the performance of official duties at place of deployment, leading to negligence and dereliction of duty.” Dawn reported.

    In the video, Maria addressed her followers on TikTok by saying, “Hello guys, Assalamoalikum. Today, I am posted for duty at the Mai Kolachi Road outside Bahria College.

    “As you can see, there’s a heavy police presence here,” she says while pointing towards four other police officers seated at a bus stop. To this, one of them waved at the camera. “Whoever wants to meet me, you can come here and meet me. I am posted on duty here today,” she said while saying goodbye.

    The notification said that Gill would undergo a counselling session by Station House Officer Women South Zone. She would also be shifted to Police Headquarters South Zone, where she would have to “attend daily roll call/parade.” However, it mentioned that Maria will be able to draw pay and allowances as “admissible under the rules”.

  • ‘Viewers are talking about the need for therapy’: Mohib Mirza discusses mental health in Jafaa

    ‘Viewers are talking about the need for therapy’: Mohib Mirza discusses mental health in Jafaa

    Actor Mohib Mirza is once again in the limelight, this time for his performance as Hassan in the drama Jafaa. What makes his character truly remarkable is the way it sheds light on the importance of mental health awareness and the need to break free from toxic relationships.

    BBC Urdu’s Shumaila Khan talked to the actor and asked, “Hassan’s toxic behavior that we see, what do you hope the audience will take away from this message?”


    Mizra replied, “Nearly everyone around us has trauma, and it has shaped us in a certain way. Hassan’s character shows that realizing the situation you are in is important, and viewers are talking about how he needs therapy. That’s exactly what we wanted to convey to the audience.”


    The host asked, “Mawra’s character is Dr. Zara, a very empathetic wife. Despite seeing red flags, she is trying to understand Hassan. In your opinion, how much social pressure is there on married women in our society to maintain the marriage, you know, socially?”

    In reply, Mohib shared a personal anecdote, “I remember a phrase my friend once said: ‘Brother, it’s like this once you’re married, that’s it. There’s no one else, just this.’ However, he continued, that this it shouldn’t be burdening as he shared. “Of course, you have to make it work. But I don’t understand why there’s so much pressure. It’s not like we’re trying to promote divorce or anything. We’re not promoting it. But, if there’s toxicity, if the situation is toxic, it’s like poison.”

    The Jaffa actor stressed that this pressure can lead to mental illness. “Continuous stress is scientifically proven to cause some kind of mental or physical illness. So, no one should have to bear such negativity and poison,” he asserted.

  • ‘Humsafar’ stage play in India set to foster Indo-Pak harmony

    ‘Humsafar’ stage play in India set to foster Indo-Pak harmony

    An Indian stage production has reportedly adapted the popular Pakistani drama ‘Humsafar’ as part of an initiative to promote peace between India and Pakistan. Theater and film actor Imran Zahid confirmed the news to the Indian media.

    In parallel, the Bombay High Court has rejected a petition to ban Indian nationals, corporations, and associations from working with Pakistani artists. The court said the move would “disrupt cultural harmony and peace” and advised not to be myopic.

    The adaptation of ‘Humsafar’ is significant in light of the All India Cine Workers Association’s (AICWA’s 2019) ban on Pakistani artists after the Pulwama attack. This is not the first time that Pakistani artists have been barred in India; similar instances were reported back in October 2016, when the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association announced a ban on all Pakistani actors, singers, and technicians working in Bollywood films.

    Zahid revealed they approached Pakistan’s HUM TV to secure the stage adaptation rights for ‘Humsafar,’ which originally starred Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan.

    He further revealed that “conversations are being held with Momina Duraid, the creative head of HUM TV and also the creator of the show.” Both parties have reached an agreement in principle to proceed with the project.

    Times Now also reported that according to Zahid, the show will be free of charge with no monetary gain “as part of an initiative to promote Indo-Pak peace following recent decisions by the Indian high court and Supreme Court”.

    The final announcement is due shortly, and talks are reportedly being held with Sultana Siddiqui, the founder and president of HUM TV.

    The play has not been officially named, nor the location or casting finalised. The revelation surfaced amidst speculation that Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, who starred in ‘Humsafar,’ could appear in some future Bollywood films.

  • Indian state passes law seeking death penalty for rape

    Indian state passes law seeking death penalty for rape

    An Indian state, shaken by weeks of protests demanding justice after the rape and murder of a doctor, passed a law on Tuesday that could lead to the execution of rapists.

    Protests erupted in West Bengal after the discovery of a 31-year-old doctor’s bloodied body at a state-run hospital in the local capital Kolkata on August 9.

    The law, passed by the state assembly but yet to be approved by the president, expresses outrage at the chronic issue of violence against women.

    The new West Bengal law is largely symbolic because India’s criminal code applies uniformly across the country. However, presidential approval could make an exception and see it become state law.

    The law raises punishment for rape from the current sentence of at least ten years to either life imprisonment or execution.

    The doctor’s murder sparked strikes by medics and rallies backed by thousands of ordinary citizens across India, although many doctors have since returned to work.

    Protests in West Bengal have since transformed into clashes between rival political party loyalists, including the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    The Hindu-nationalist BJP holds power nationally but sits in opposition in West Bengal. It and the AITC both backed the new state law.

    The gruesome nature of the attack has invoked comparisons with the horrific 2012 gang rape and murder of a young woman on a bus in the capital Delhi.

    Read more: What is the Kolkata doctor rape case and why are Indians protesting?

  • ‘These are just excuses’: Sonya Hussyn on nepotism in entertainment industry

    ‘These are just excuses’: Sonya Hussyn on nepotism in entertainment industry

    Renowned actress Sonya Hussain has denied the existence of nepotism in Pakistan’s entertainment industry during her appearance on the Afterhour show with Ushna Shah.

    “It is not necessary to have family ties to make a place in the industry. These are all excuses, you should do your work,” she claimed.

    While she acknowledged favouritism in the industry, she thinks “there is no such thing as nepotism in the industry, or only fair colour is preferred, but one who knows how to work can make his place based on his work.”

    Dismissing the complaints of most artists needing to get work or securing lead roles as groundless, she added, “People only make excuses that they are not getting work, jobs are given based on nepotism in the industry or only fair complexion is preferred.”

    Hussyn emphasised that hard work pays off and advised the newcomers to avoid making excuses and focus on hard work.

  • Can Pakistan qualify for World Test Championship?

    Can Pakistan qualify for World Test Championship?

    Pakistan cricket team’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) have darkened after Bangladesh whitewashed the national team in the two-match test series at home, but these are still some possibilities for Pakistan to qualify for the championship.

    After losing against Bangladesh, Pakistan lost 24 crucial points in the WTC and was relegated to 8th place in the rankings.

    In the World Test Championship cycle, under Shan Masood’s captaincy, the Pakistani team has won only two out of seven matches. Its WTC points total 19.05, which is better only than the West Indies.

    To qualify for the finals of the WTC cycle, Pakistan will have to win the remaining three matches against England at their home ground, and also whitewash West Indies and South Africa.

    Now, the Green Shirts have to win all seven remaining matches, after which their percentage of points will be 58.2. If Shan manages to do this, then the chances of playing in the finals will still not be possible but will remain bright.

    India and Australia are at the top of the points table, while the national team will have to monitor the results of other teams.

  • S. Korean actor Yoo Ah-in jailed for one year for drugs

    S. Korean actor Yoo Ah-in jailed for one year for drugs

    High-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty Tuesday of illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term, the Yonhap news agency reported.

    Yoo, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, was accused of using propofol on 181 occasions between 2020 and 2022. The drugs were administered at professional clinics, under the guise of having cosmetic procedures done.

    The prosecution had sought a four-year sentence for the “Hellbound” actor, but the Seoul Central District Court handed the 37-year-old a one-year jail term, Yonhap reported.

    “He is deemed guilty of all his purchases for habitual drug use,” the court stated in its ruling, according to Yonhap News TV.

    The court said Yoo had committed the offences “in disregard of relevant regulations” and displayed a “lack of caution against drug substances”.

    A doctor who administered propofol to Yoo without a proper prescription was fined 40 million won ($30,000) last month.

    Propofol, while primarily used as a surgical anaesthetic, is sometimes abused recreationally, often with the involvement of medical professionals who may be willing to provide it without a legitimate clinical need.

    An overdose of the drug was cited as the cause of pop star Michael Jackson’s death in 2009.

    “I am sorry for having caused concern to many people,” Yoo was quoted as saying in court by Yonhap.

    Yoo rose to stardom in the South following his debut in 2003, starring in a range of television dramas and films across genres, and becoming one of the country’s most recognisable actors.

    This trial marks the latest drug scandal to hit South Korea.

    In a similar incident, K-pop star G-Dragon faced allegations of drug use and was questioned by police, but the case was dropped in November due to insufficient evidence.

    Actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite”, took his own life in December after being accused of illegal substance use, sparking public outrage over what many perceived as an excessive investigation by the police without substantial evidence.

    Lee Jae-yong, then vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, was convicted in 2021 of illegally using propofol and was fined 70 million won. He was found guilty of repeatedly receiving the anaesthetic at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul on numerous occasions over several years.

  • Dananeer Mobeen to share screen with Ahad Raza Mir in ‘Meem Se Mohabbat’

    Dananeer Mobeen to share screen with Ahad Raza Mir in ‘Meem Se Mohabbat’


    After a break of two years, Ahad Raza Mir is making a highly anticipated comeback to television screens alongside social media influencer and actress, Dananeer Mobeen in the new drama Meem Se Mohabbat. The serial will be written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Ali Hassan.
     
    Dananeer Mobeen has starred in dramas like Sinf -e- Aahan, Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri’ and Very Filmy. Ahad Raza Mir’s last project were Ehd-e-Wafa, Ye Dil Mera, and Hum Tum.
     
    ‘Meem Se Mohabbat’ story offers a narrative beyond a typical love story.
    Fans are excited as they await this drama’s release date and more details.

  • Netflix bows to Modi government’s demands

    Netflix bows to Modi government’s demands

    Netflix, an international streaming media service, has bowed to the Indian government and announced a withdrawal notice from the controversial web series.

    There is a controversy in India over using the names of Bhola and Shankar for the hijackers in the web series IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, which was released last week on the platform.

    The Indian government reached out to Netflix, calling out to change their names in the show.

    In compliance, Netflix India’s head of content, Monica Shergill, responded, “For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking, the opening disclaimer has been updated… code names in the series now reflect those used during the event.”

    In December 1999, an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked and taken to Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai and Kandahar. Maulana Masood Azhar, Ahmed Umar Saeed and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar were released.

    According to passengers on the plane and journalists who reported the incident, the hijackers used to call each other Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar while talking to each other.

    However, in a statement issued by the Indian government on January 6, 2000, the hijackers were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim and Shakir.

    The drama is made by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Shrivastava, starring actors Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy, Patralekhaa and Dia Mirza.