Abubakar Shak’s british accent in ‘Khudsar’ has earned him both praise and criticism but he’s not letting the haters get to him.
During an interview with BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rasheed, he was asked about becoming a viral sensation. “My first scene, in which I asked about my stepmother, went viral. I didn’t want to use words like ‘My foot,’ as those are used by others. All I did was read the script. I wanted to change, but I was unable to do so. I brought it up to the director as well,” he replied.
Abubakar also talked about his accent: “I grew up in England, so my accent’s a mix of geographically a lot of places like Swansea, Cardiff, London, Glasgow, and Manchester.”
When asked about the criticism to his accent, he replied, “But even if I was putting on some fake Britisher, why is it bothering you so much,” he asked the trolls.
British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa is once again calling for an urgent and permanent ceasefire as Israel’s military actions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where numerous Palestinian civilians have reportedly lost their lives in recent days. Dua Lipa is once more advocating for an immediate and enduring ceasefire.
On May 28, the pop star posted an Artists for Ceasefire image with the hashtag “#AllEyesOnRafah” on her Instagram Story, stating, “Burning children alive can never be justified.” The harsh condemnation of Israel followed Israel’s massacre in Rafah where videos showed children decapitated and burnt alive.
Lipa said, “The whole world is mobilising to stop the Israeli genocide, please show your solidarity with Gaza.” She signed an open letter from Artists for Ceasefire, encouraging President Joe Biden to support peace in Gaza, a few weeks after the strikes on October 7. She was among many celebrities who supported the initiative. She freely expressed her thoughts on the fight three months later in her January cover story for Rolling Stone.
On Monday, 45 people were killed in a fire that started in a tent camp in the Gazan city of Rafah due to an Israeli attack. This led to international protest from leaders around the world, who requested the enforcement of a ICJ ruling to stop Israel’s genocide
Health officials in Gaza stated that women, children, and the elderly made up more than half of the deceased and that the number of fatalities was probably going to increase due to those who had serious burns. Over 45 million users, including local and international celebrities, shared the viral ‘All eyes on Rafah’ story on Instagram. At least 36,171 Palestinians have been killed and 81,420 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7.
American and British forces have launched fresh raids on Yemen’s capital, Houthi rebel forces confirmed on Saturday, a day after the allies carried out dozens of strikes on the country.
The latest raids targeted Al-Dailami airbase in Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014, a statement released on their official media stated. “The American-British enemy is targeting the capital, Sanaa, with a number of raids,” Al-Masirah TV posted on X, formerly Twitter, citing its correspondent in Sanaa.”The American-British aggression targeted the Al-Dailami base in the capital, Sanaa,” it added.
Raids on Yemen follow weeks of Houthi attacks on Israel’s ships in the commercial Red Sea in protest against the war on Gaza.
The strike on a Houthi radar site comes a day after scores of attacks across the country heightened fears that Israel’s aggression on Gaza could engulf the whole Arab region.
The Houthis warned that US and British interests were “legitimate targets” after the initial strikes. Britain, the United States and eight allies said strikes carried out on Friday had aimed to “de-escalate tensions”, but the Houthis vowed to continue their attacks. Hussein al-Ezzi, the rebels’ deputy foreign minister, said the United States and Britain would “have to prepare to pay a heavy price”.
The rebels have controlled much of Yemen since a civil war erupted in 2014 and are part of the “axis of resistance” against Israel and its allies.
Violence involving these groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria has surged since the war in Gaza began in early October.
BREAKING: Massive United States fleet of warships seen off the coast of Yemen.
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UN chief Antonio Guterres called on all sides “not to escalate” in the interest of regional peace and stability, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday, days after adopting a resolution demanding the Houthis immediately stop their attacks.
At the meeting, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned that no ship was safe from the threat posed by Houthis to shipping in the Red Sea.
Russian ambassador Vassili Nebenzia denounced the “blatant armed aggression” against the entire population of the country.
Red Sea attacks and the politics of the Middle East
The Houthis have intensified attacks on what they deem Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea- through which 12 percent of global maritime trade normally passes- since October 7.
The United States and Britain launched strikes on Friday that targeted nearly 30 locations using more than 150 ammunitions, US General Douglas Sims said, updating earlier figures, and President Joe Biden said he did not believe there were civilian casualties.
Biden called the strikes a successful “defensive action” after the “unprecedented” Red Sea attacks and said he would act again if the Houthis continued their “outrageous behaviour”.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Houthis’ breach of international law warranted the “strong signal”, with his government publishing its legal position justifying the strikes as lawful and “proportionate”.
Nasser Kanani, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said the Western strikes would fuel “insecurity and instability in the region” while “diverting” attention from Gaza.
The Houthis fired “at least one” anti-ship ballistic missile in retaliation on Friday that caused no damage, according to Sims.
The United States said it did not seek conflict with Iran, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby telling MSNBC there was “no reason” for an escalation.
Middle Eastern leaders voiced concern at the violence, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describing the strikes on Yemen as disproportionate and saying: “It is as if they aspire to turn the Red Sea into a bloodbath.”
Saudi Arabia said it “is following with great concern the military operations” and called for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”. The kingdom is trying to extricate itself from a nine-year war with the Huthis, though fighting has largely been on hold since a truce in early 2022.
Palestinian freedom fighting group Hamas said it would hold Britain and the United States “responsible for the repercussions on regional security”.
‘Death to America’
Hundreds of thousands of people, some carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles, gathered in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Friday to protest, many waving Yemeni and Palestinian flags and holding portraits of Huthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi, an AFP journalist reported.
5 million people protested in Yemen today. Does The United States and Israel know what they got themselves into? This is terrifying, pic.twitter.com/MBRw9f8X5r
In Tehran, hundreds rallied against the United States, Britain, and Israel, burning the three countries’ flags outside the UK embassy while voicing support for Gazans and Yemenis, an AFP correspondent reported.
In Gaza, Palestinians lauded Houthi support and condemned Britain and the United States. “No one is standing with us but Yemen,” said Fouad al-Ghalaini, one of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left homeless by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza City
A recent inquiry into Britain’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed that Rishi Sunak believed that the government should “just let people die” rather than impose a second national lockdown.
The concerning statement by Rishi Sunak was quoted in a hearing on Monday about UK’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic that shut down large sections of the economy and killed more than 220,000. The explosive claim was made by Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific adviser to the government. He claimed that the then-finance minister Sunak said during a meeting with then-prime minister Boris Johnson, that the government should “just let people die” rather than impose a second national lockdown.
Vallance noted this down in a meeting in his diary on October 25, 2020, which was presented to the inquiry on Monday. The incident was relayed to him by Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s most senior adviser during the pandemic, relayed to Vallance what he had heard at the meeting. Vallance quoted Cummings in his diary as saying: “Rishi thinks just let people die and that’s okay. This all feels like a complete lack of leadership.” According to a spokesperson for Sunak, the prime minister would set out his position when he gives evidence to the inquiry “rather than respond to each one in piecemeal”
The Galactic 04 spaceflight will take off today carrying three passengers, including a Pakistani, Namira Salim.
On Tuesday, Virgin Galactic announced a day’s delay in the space tourism mission to Friday, October 6.
“The slip will give our team an additional day to complete vehicle prep and checks,” they wrote on their X account. “We look forward to taking to the skies (on Friday)!”
Launch update: The #Galactic04 spaceflight will now take place on the second day of our flight window – Friday, October 6 to give our team an additional day to complete vehicle prep and checks. We look forward to taking to the skies in a few days!
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar congratulated Namira Salim for becoming the first woman from Pakistan to go into space.
“By proving their mettle as trailblazers in multiple fields, Pakistani women are making the whole nation proud,” Kakar had written on his X account, wishing her luck.
Good Luck Namira Salim @namirasalim. I wish you success when you’re ready to make history on 06 October by becoming the 1st woman to travel to space in the #Galactic04 By proving their mettle as trailblazers in multiple fields, women are making the whole nation proud
The other two passengers are British advertising executive Trevor Beattie and American astronomy educator Ron Rosano.
Virgin Galactic’s carrier plane VMS Eve will be piloted by Pakistani-Canadian Jameel Janjua alongside Kelly Latimer and CJ Sturckow
Galactic 04
Galactic 04 will take off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, carrying the passengers to suborbital space and back. In simpler words, suborbital flight is a short journey into space where a spaceship goes up but does not stay in space. It leaves the earth’s atmosphere for a brief time and comes back right after. It is a quick trip to experience weightlessness and witness space. Unlike an orbital spaceflight, it does not circle the earth.
Space.com explains that the space tourists will be carried by Virgin’s VSS Unity space plane taken into the sky by a carrier craft named VMS Eve. Eve will drop Unity at an altitude of about 50,000 feet (15,000 meters); the space plane will then fire up its rocket motor to get to suborbital space.
“VSS Unity passengers get to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and see Earth against the blackness of space. A ticket to ride the space plane currently costs $450,000”.
Wands rose across the world as Harry Potter fans mourned the loss of British thespian Michael Gambon, that’s Professor Albus Dumbledore for muggles, in the Harry Potter films. Several fans shared some of their favorite dialogues from the books and movies, and several Harry Potter actors, including the main lead Daniel Radcliffe himself- spoke about their experiences of working with the late actor.
Speaking during an interview with Variety’s Business of Broadway Breakfast on Sunday, he spoke about Gambon’s approach to acting:
“The wonderful thing about Michael is that he wasn’t an actor you talked about acting with,” said the ‘Kill Your Darlings’ actor. “His true passion was restoring 19th-century Italian duelling pistols.”
“He knows he’s at his best when he’s at his most playful. His ability to switch on was second to none.”
Daniel spoke about how he learned the craft of acting from “watching the way Richard approaches theatre” which he described as “a process of constant and relentless refinement. You’re never done. Your last show should be your best.”
Writer of the Harry Potter books, J.K Rowling, also released a statement sending condolences on Gambon’s passing, recalling how grew to admire the veteran actor during his 1982 performance of ‘King Lear’:
“I’ve just heard the awful news about Michael Gambon. The first time I ever laid eyes on him was in King Lear, in 1982, and if you’d told me then that brilliant actor would appear in anything I’d written, I’d have thought you were insane. Michael was a wonderful man in additional to being an outstanding actor, and I absolutely loved working with him, not only on Potter but also The Casual Vacancy. My deepest condolences go to Michael’s family and everyone who loved him.”
Other stars like Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, shared a picture of Albus Dumbledore on his Instagram page and in the caption he wrote: “So sad to hear about Michael. He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family.”
Feminist activist and actor Emma Watson who played Hermoine in the movies shared a picture of the actor on her Instagram stories and wrote in the caption: “You never took it too seriously but somehow delivered the most serious moments with all the gravitas. Thankyou for showing what it’s like to wear greatness lightly. We will miss you.”
British thespian Michael Gambon, best known for playing the beloved headmaster Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter’ movies has passed away at the age of 82, BBC has reported.
In a statement released to the press, the actor’s widow Lady Gambon, and son Fergus, said the actor suffered from a bout of pneumonia, and passed away with family members next to him at a local hospital.
Gambon was best recognised for his performance in six of he eight Harry Potter films, where he played headmaster Albus Dumbledore, a mantle he took up after the death of veteran actor Richard Harris in 2003.
Gambon was recognised as ‘The Great Gambon’ in acting circles. He recieved an Emmy nomination in 2010 for his performance in Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ as well as a Tony nomination in 2010 for his role in David Hare’s paly ‘Skylight’.
Gambon was knighted for his services to the entertainment industry in 1998.
Harry Potter stars have expressed grief on social media at the actor’s passing. James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the fantasy franchise released a statement, sending prayers to the actor’s family.
Very sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Gambon. He was, on and off the camera, a legend. Just a little memory of Michael pic.twitter.com/4M6E6inWMy
In a bizarre turn of events, a man from Bajaur district was arrested by local police for making and spreading a fake Facebook post claiming his best friend had married a British woman.
Muhammad Gulab posted a fake picture of a woman, claiming that Ela from Britain had travelled to the Bajaur district to marry his best friend. When the viral post caught the attention of the police, they quickly dispatched a team to investigate the presence of an undocumented foreigner in the area. However, the post was found to be fake and Gulab was arrested for spreading false information on social media.
News sources reported that local residents were enraged by the arrest and were protesting against it
This case comes to light after a string of foreign women from Chile, Mexico, India and China travelled to the province to marry the men they had met on social media. Recently, 49-year-old Rosa from Mexico travelled to Buner to marry 17-year-old Izaz Ali, after meeting him on Facebook.
Dua Lipa is one of the biggest stars in the music industry today with her iconic looks as well as bops like ‘Levitating’ and the Barbie soundtrack ‘Dance the night’. The BBC reports that the Albanian-English pop star has revealed she wasn’t always so sure she would end up working in the entertainment industry because of her heritage, as well as her name.
“From a young age, I had the dream to be a pop star but it never seemed like something that was actually possible,” the ‘New Rules’ singer shared. “I’ve been a new girl all my life.”
“There was always the idea of being from two places at once,” the ‘Barbie’ actress continued. “I understood the duality of my heritage from an early age. People would always ask where my name is from. I was really proud of it, but when I was younger I wished my name was, say, Hannah — something ‘normal’ and English.”
But these insecurities didn’t hold the superstar back, making her more determined to pursue a career in music, and influencing her decision to move back to London at the age of 15 to give her GCSE’s while her family moved to Kosovo, and shared a flat with the daughter of family friends:
“I was quite determined,” recalled Dua. “I didn’t feel I had the same opportunities in music as I had in London. I was driven. My dad says I’m very hard to say no to!”
She revealed how at the age of 17, after finishing her studies she set her mind on making it in the music industry:
“I was really persistent. I just started writing a lot, worked with a producer. I was 17. I was offered a publishing deal but [producer] Felix told me to go to a lawyer, who said, ‘Don’t sign that deal!’ They then helped me get into the studio.”
Dua Lipa is set to star in the upcoming Greta Gerwig film ‘Barbie’ which has Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in main roles.
A group of healthcare professionals have demanded that England’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman issue an apology to British Pakistanis for levelling baseless accusations of racism, Islamophobia and other falsehoods against them, endangering their safety in the UK, Murtaza Ali Shah has reported for Geo.
Several healthcare organizations, comprising a significant number of healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds, have appealed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to acknowledge the unfounded and discriminatory accusations made by the Home Secretary, connecting Pakistanis to sexual grooming gangs, despite contradicting evidence from the government.
During an interview with Sky News last week, Braverman claimed that British Pakistani men were involved in child abuse rings or networks that specifically targeted vulnerable white English girls.
“(We see) a practice whereby vulnerable white English girls – sometimes in care, sometimes in challenging circumstances – being pursued, raped, drugged, and harmed by gangs of British Pakistani men, who work in child abuse rings or networks,” Braverman said while speaking to the news channel.
These professionals have cited a Home Office-commissioned report from 2020, which stated that “research has shown that white individuals are the most common perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation,” and that it could not be determined that any specific ethnic group was significantly overrepresented.
The letter further states, “We demand an apology from the Home Secretary and an honest commitment to meaningfully tackling this vital issue which has ruined the lives of thousands of young people. We must also remind the Home Secretary that words have consequences; in 2014, Boris Johnson’s comments on women in niqabs resembling letterboxes directly resulted in a 375% increase in hate crimes targeting Muslim women.”
“Language that empowers racist hate crime has no place in modern British society. We urge the Home Secretary to reflect on her grossly irresponsible framing of this complex and serious issue and commit to working with members from all communities to address the urgent issue of CSE together. A retraction of her statement and apology is sought.”
Earlier, Pakistan’s foreign office also criticised Suella Braverman for “discriminatory and xenophobic” comments.
