Sarah Jessica Parker is opening up about the decision to end “And Just Like That,” HBO’s “Sex and the City” revival, while continuing her passion for publishing through SJP Lit, her book imprint known for championing novels “with a big heart.”

During an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Parker said ending the beloved series was a difficult decision and that she spoke it about it with “And Just Like That” creator Michael Patrick King.

“I think it’s out of respect for this really singular professional experience that you have to consider what you want to do, have you done it, and sometimes it’s best to gracefully walk away when things feel really right and energetic, versus squeezing and exploiting people’s generosity and hospitality,” she said. 

Parker suggested the door might not be completely closed. 

“I’m not certain I understand that decision means, because I could just be on hiatus,” she said.

Parker’s book club selection

The actor and publisher shifted the conversation to her latest literary selection, “I Am You” by Victoria Redel, a historical novel set in 1600s Amsterdam that follows two female artists navigating their careers and a secret romance.

Parker said she “fell in love with this book” immediately, praising Redel as a “supremely talented author.” The novel centers on Maria van Oosterwijck and her assistant, the younger painter Gerta Pieters — based on real historical figures about whom little is known.

“The fact that these two women, the subjects of this extraordinary story, are in fact real people that very little is known about,” Parker said. “You have an author who is just incredibly skillful at taking fact and history and making this surprising, sensuous, atmospheric, dramatic, wholly unexpected story come to life.”

The novel explores themes of ambition, power, devotion and transformation as a maid becomes a painter under her mistress’s tutelage, eventually surpassing her teacher, hence the title “I Am You.”

“What happens when you step into your own authority, your own sense of self, and that sounds like a beautiful thing and it is a beautiful thing,” Redel said. “But it’s also a messy thing.”

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales turned heads in chic outfit during her latest royal visit.

On Thursday, Princess Kate visited Royal Air Force Coningsby in Lincolnshire, England. This visit marked her first ever since she received the honorary royal role from King Charles in 2023.

In order to make debut as the Royal Honorary Air Commodore, the wife of Prince William donned a stunning grey suit and black heels.

The official Instagram handle of the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a glimpse from the visit on Stories.

Alongside stunning shots, the caption read, “A fascinating first visit to RAF Coningsby as Royal Honorary Air Commodore, meeting the personnel who keep our nation safe.”

“From simulator to cockpit, the pilots train to respond in seconds, standing watch to protect our skies,” it further read.

It is pertinent to mention that King Charles gave Kate Middleton the honorary title in August 2023, also announcing her as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm and Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards.

Notably, her role linked her to Prince William, who was named as the Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby in 2008 by the late Queen Elizabeth.

• Police damage property, smash cameras during raid.
• Journalists beaten inside cafeteria without any reason.
• Employees and office holders also targeted, arrested.
  

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police stormed the National Press Club (NPC) on Thursday afternoon during a protest organised by the Awami Action Committee, assaulting journalists and damaging property in what senior media representatives described as one of the “worst incidents in history”.

The protest was scheduled for around 3pm at the National Press Club. When demonstrators gathered outside, police arrested them.

Journalists on the scene began documenting the events with photos and videos, but police attempted to stop them, even trying to snatch cameras and mobile phones.

Minutes after the police were asked not to manhandle media personnel by senior journalists, police personnel forced open the doors of the press club, with some climbing the walls and entering the building as if “terrorists were inside”.

They attacked multiple journalists, smashed their equipment, and also stormed the cafeteria, beating journalists who were having tea.

Despite journalists repeatedly informing the police that no protesters were inside, the assault continued. Cameras were thrown to the ground, while media workers were assaulted.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt condemned the incident, saying police broke NPC’s furniture, assaulted both employees and office holders, and even arrested some of the staff.

He said the level of aggression displayed by police was unprecedented.

“Even during dictatorships, such behaviour was not witnessed. The police used to wait outside for a wanted person rather than raiding the Press Club,” Butt remarked.

He warned that Islamabad police would have to answer for the violence, otherwise, journalists would launch a strong protest.

Meanwhile, journalists at the NPC were holding discussions on their next course of action following the assault.

The interior minister took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Islamabad police chief. Ordering a probe, Naqvi said that subjecting the journalists to torture would not be tolerated.

He also issued directives for disciplinary action against the responsible cops.