Entertainment
Celebrities, cricketers mourn flood devastation in northern Pakistan
Celebrities and cricketers expressed grief over the devastation caused by floods in northern Pakistan, urging the public and authorities to step up relief efforts for affected people.
At least 344 people lost their lives in 48 hours as floods, landslides, and rain-related incidents, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). with rescue operations underway in the affected areas.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, 328 people perished and dozens were left injured, while Gilgit Baltistan (GB) recorded 12 deaths and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 11 fatalities.
Authorities fear that the toll may rise further as search operations continue in severely impacted areas, as severe floods and landslides in districts including Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Bajaur, and Batagram have destroyed homes, shops, and infrastructure.
“Today, our land weeps,” wrote singer Asim Azhar on Instagram to express his sorrow over the loss of precious lives.
“The floods have taken homes, dreams, and precious lives in Pakistan. My heart aches for every mother, father, child, and soul affected.”
“In moments like these, we must become one, one nation, one heart, one hand reaching out to another. Please keep them in your prayers, and if you are able, extend your support to trusted relief efforts.”
“Together, we can help heal what has been broken,” said Azhar, and appealed to the public to come forward and help those in need.
Renowned model and actor Nadia Hussain also wrote: “Ya Allah! Please save our country from more disasters.”
Expressing sorrow over the flood disaster, singer Umair Jaswal said: “My prayers are with the departed souls, and my heart goes out to the families enduring unimaginable grief.”
He appealed to the public to avoid travelling to northern areas in the coming days in view of safety, as well as to ease rescue and relief efforts.
“Let’s stand together in prayer, support, and caution,” he concluded.
Author Fatima Bhutto questioned the status of relief activities in the flood-hit areas after “horrifying” disasters.
Former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “Ya Allah, protect KPK, protect Pakistan. Grant shelter to the homeless, heal the wounded, and give patience to the ones who lost their loved ones. Ameen.”
Other cricketers also took to their social media accounts to pray for the victims and call for expedited actions to rescue and rehabilitate the flood-hit communities.
Entertainment
start time, schedule, route—here’s your complete guide
Boston Marathon Monday morning is buzzing with the sunrise at Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
It’s a day of celebration, road closures, and a dazzling race as it hits the milestone of 130 years.
From weather forecast to start time, schedule, and route map, we have got you covered.
The 2026 Boston Marathon is expected to draw over 30,000 athletes from almost 130 countries, with entrants from all 50 states of America, per Boston Athletic Association.
The Boston Marathon is a hard nut to crack, and it just keeps getting tougher with each passing year.
According to the BMA, “This year’s cut-off time needed to gain acceptance into the Boston Marathon was four minutes, thirty-four seconds or faster (4:34) than the qualifying time for each respective age group and gender.”
Where does the Boston Marathon go?
The Boston Marathon kicks off on Main Street in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
Athletes will then follow Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley to where Route 135 turns toward Route 16.
The course follows along Route 16 until the fire station at Commonwealth Avenue, a point where runners will take a turn on the right and begin the stretch of Newton Hills.
After Heartbreak Hill from mile 20 to 21, runners will head across the Chestnut Hill Reservoir before turning left onto Beacon Street
From there, runners will have approximately four miles to the finish line.
They will continue through Brookline, Kenmore Square, and under Massachusetts Avenue.
Finally, the iconic turns await at the finish: right onto Hereford Street and left onto Boylston Street for the final sprint.
The Marathon finish line is set near the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.
What time does the Boston Marathon start today?
The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon will kick off the first race for Men’s Wheelchair at 9:06 a.m. ET, with the following start times for athletes competing in the day’s races as listed by the association.
Women’s Wheelchair at 9:09 a.m. ET
Handcycle & Duo Participants at 9:30 a.m. ET
Professional Men at 9:37 a.m. ET
Professional Women at 9:47 a.m. ET
Para Athletics Divisions at 9:50 a.m. ET
Wave 1 at 10 a.m. ET
Wave 2 at 10:25 a.m. ET
Wave 3 at 10:50 a.m. ET
Wave 4 at 11:15 a.m. ET
Boston Marathon 2026 will be covered live by ABC for all Boston-area viewers, with broadcast starting at 4 a.m. this morning, Monday, April 20, 2026.
Entertainment
Who was Shamar Elkins? Louisiana gunman who killed 8 children in mass shooting
Louisiana community is mourning the loss of 8 children who became the victims of a mass shooting in Shreveport on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
On Sunday morning, a tragic incident of mass shooting shocked the community in Shreveport when a gunman opened fire and killed eight children, between the ages of 3 and 11 years old.
The latest incident marks the deadliest mass shooting in a period of over two years.
Louisiana police have identified the gunman as a 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who shot and killed his seven children and a cousin.
The shooting incident also resulted in wounding two women, including his spouse before the dawn’s first crack in a rampage at least in two locations.
After the shooting, which officials described as “homicide in nature,” the gunman escaped the scene in carjacked vehicle.
As a result of a police chase, the suspect in a crossfire was shot and killed by officers.
The Coroner’s office at the Caddo Parish has confirmed the identities of the victims.
These include Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.
Who was the gunman?
Shamar Elkins spent seven years in the Louisiana Army National Guard. From August 2013 to August 2020, as a signal support system expert and a fire support specialist, per CNN.
Elkins was never stationed and exited the Army in 2020, and their rank at the time of leaving was EI (private).
The outlet also reported Elkins’ past criminal record, as he had two prior criminal convictions in Caddo District Court.
As per the court records, Elkins married Shaneiqua Pugh, 34, about two years ago.
As per NYT, Elkins had a troubled domestic life and a strained relationship with his wife.
In a separate report by AP, which highlighted that the couple was in the middle of a separation and had a heated argument just moments before the shooting.
The shooting is seen as the deadliest in the U.S. since January 2024, when a 23-year-old man shot eight people, most of them his relatives, in a Chicago suburb.
Entertainment
‘Saturday Night Live’ alum Tina Fey admits past jokes missed the mark
Saturday Night Live veteran Tina Fey reflected on her years at the NBC sketch institution, acknowledging that some of her jokes were “on the wrong side”.
Speaking at the History Talks event in Philadelphia, Fey said she’s realized with time that not every punchline was fair.
The two times Globe Globe winner added candidly, “I was pretty dumb.”
Fey joined SNL in 1997 and later became head writer.
She recalled navigating some of the show’s most difficult broadcasts, from the first episode after September 11 to the anthrax scare and even President George W. Bush’s visit to meet Will Ferrell.
Over time, she said, the line between comedy and current events grew thinner, with politicians and public figures often responding directly to the sketches.
One of her most memorable stretches came in 2008, when she teamed with Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler to craft the now iconic Sarah Palin sketches.
Fey explained that the team worked hard to make sure their material was “a fair hit,” grounded in truth rather than random exaggeration.
“If it’s not true, it will not be funny,” she noted.
Reflecting on the influence of SNL, Fey said it was both thrilling and intimidating to know that what she wrote could be taken seriously by people in power.
She emphasized that the show never set out to control politics or the national narrative, but admitted that some of her own jokes didn’t age well.
Fey appeared alongside Nicole Kidman, Ted Danson, Kate McKinnon, Colin Jost and others at the event, which marked the nation’s 250th anniversary.
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