PARIS, FRANCE – In the bustling heart of the French capital, a dwindling profession finds its last, resonant voice in Ali Akbar, a 73-year-old newspaper hawker whose humorous shouts and enduring presence have made him a living legend. Zigzagging daily through the upscale streets and cafes of Saint-German-des-Pres, Akbar is known to everyone, and everyone knows him. Operating primarily in the Left Bank, the cultural and intellectual epicentre of Paris, Akbar’s signature is his repertoire of invented, sensational headlines designed to amuse and engage. “France is getting better!” he cries, alongside political barbs like, “(Eric) Zemmour has converted to Islam!”—a…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – A horrific car-ramming and stabbing attack outside a packed synagogue in Manchester has claimed the lives of two people and left three others severely wounded as the Jewish community observed the solemn holiday of Yom Kippur. The suspect was reportedly shot dead by UK police at the scene. The incident unfolded on Thursday morning outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall neighbourhood of the northwestern city. Police were immediately mobilised, triggering a national counter-terrorism response protocol amid the profound sensitivity of the timing. The attack strikes just days ahead of the second anniversary…
NEWCASTLE, UK – The prestigious Mercury Prize music ceremony is set to make history by holding its 2025 event in Newcastle, marking the first time the awards bash has been staged outside of London. The relocation is part of a broader effort to celebrate music across the UK. The main ceremony will take place at the Utilita Arena on October 16. A range of nominated artists, including FKA twigs, Sam Fender, Pulp, and Wolf Alice, are slated to perform, alongside other acts such as Emma-Jean Thackray, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy, and Pa Salieu. The Shortlist and Returning…
HOLLYWOOD – The long-anticipated third instalment of the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes film series is being considered for a drastic change in setting, moving the traditional British detective story to the United States. Producer Susan Downey, who is the wife of the film’s star, revealed the creative team is exploring the shift to make the next film unique. Exploring a New Setting Speaking to Collider, Susan Downey said the production team has been discussing a “slightly different direction” for the sequel, which would break from the established setting of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories and the…
HOLLYWOOD – Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman has filed for divorce from her husband, country music star Keith Urban, after nearly two decades of marriage. Kidman filed the papers on September 30, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the separation. Reports suggest that a key factor in the breakdown of the 19-year marriage was a growing feeling by the actress that her now-estranged husband was not “supportive” of her demanding professional career. A Divide Over Career Support A source speaking to People Magazine indicated a stark contrast between Urban’s attitude and that of their two daughters, Sunday and…
PARIS, FRANCE – Aurora Culpo, the older sister of actress and model Olivia Culpo, has announced her engagement to her boyfriend, Zac. The 36-year-old shared photos of the intimate proposal, which took place in Paris, on Tuesday. The announcement was made with a carousel of photos captioned: “Said YES in the city of love!! 🥂✨.” The first image captured the moment Zac was on one knee in a Parisian park, presenting a ring as Aurora smiled. The subsequent photos on the Barely Filtered podcast host’s feed showed the couple celebrating, hugging after the proposal, toasting with champagne on a boat,…
PARIS/HOLLYWOOD – The two-year romantic relationship between Ashley Park and Paul Forman, co-stars on the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris, has reportedly concluded. Insiders have confirmed that the duo, who began dating after meeting during the filming of the show’s third season in 2022, have broken up. TMZ reported on Wednesday that the former couple’s relationship “ended in the last month or so.” Park and Forman, who play lovers in the Netflix series, publicly confirmed their relationship with a public display of affection (PDA) photo on January 25, 2024. Their final known joint social media post was a video…
HOLLYWOOD/SEOUL – The animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” which follows the dual life of the K-pop girl group HUNTR/X as pop stars and demon hunters, has cemented its status as a global phenomenon, with its soundtrack becoming a chart-topping success this summer. Available on Netflix and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film has quickly gained massive traction. Netflix reported in August that the soundtrack had already boasted over 3 billion global streams, with the breakout hit “Golden” soaring to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This past Tuesday, the streaming platform confirmed the movie was…
HOLLYWOOD – Hollywood star Tom Cruise is reportedly proceeding with caution in his relationship with actress Ana de Armas, having allegedly received advice from his Mission Impossible (MI) co-star, Hayley Atwell, according to reports from Radar Online. Cruise, known for his relentless commitment to daring stunts and major film projects, is said to be intensely focused on his current romance. However, an industry insider claims Atwell has urged the actor to take precautions to safeguard himself from potential heartbreak. The source clarified that the relationship between Cruise and Atwell, who received major roles in the seventh and eighth instalments of…
LONDON, UK – The world of environmental conservation and scientific research is in mourning following the death of the pioneering primatologist and anthropologist Dr. Jane Goodall at the age of 91 on October 1, 2025. Her passing marks the loss of one of the most significant and influential figures in the history of wildlife protection. Among the many global figures honouring her life and legacy is former football star David Beckham, who shared an emotional tribute on his official Instagram account, acknowledging the immense contribution Dr. Goodall made to the planet. Alongside a series of photographs of the late conservationist,…
