Entertainment
Sarah Jessica Parker reflects on “And Just Like That” finale and her next chapter in publishing
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.”
Entertainment
Security forces kill 11 India-backed terrorists in two KP IBOs: ISPR
- Six khwarij gunned down in North Waziristan, says ISPR.
- Five terrorists killed in Kurram IBO: military’s media wing.
- Adds sanitisation continues to hunt remaining militants.
RAWALPINDI: Security forces neutralised 11 terrorists belonging to India proxy Fitna al-Khawarij during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
The operations were conducted in North Waziristan and Kurram districts on January 8, a press release issued by the military’s media wing said.
“On January 8, 2026, eleven khwarij belonging to India proxy Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,” the ISPR added.
It said that on the reported presence of khwarij, an intelligence-based operation was conducted by the security forces in the North Waziristan district.
“During the conduct of the operation, troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, six khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR press release stated.
In a separate engagement, the military’s media wing said five khwarij were effectively neutralised by police and security forces in Kurram district.
“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed India-sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces, law enforcement agencies, and target killing of innocent civilians,” the ISPR said.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored kharji found in the area as a relentless counter terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it added.
Pakistan has experienced a rise in cross-border terrorist incidents since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. The provinces of KP and Balochistan, which border Afghanistan, have been particularly affected by these attacks.
ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in his presser on January 6, said that law enforcement agencies carried out 75,175 IBOs across the country in 2025.
Giving a breakdown, he said 14,658 IBOs were conducted in KP, 58,778 in Balochistan, while 1,739 operations took place in the rest of the country.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said that 5,397 terrorism incidents were reported nationwide during the last year. Of these, 3,811 incidents, he said, occurred in KP, 1,557 in Balochistan, and 29 incidents were reported in other parts of the country.
He said that 2,597 terrorists were killed during counterterror operations last year. While providing details of 10 major terror attacks across the country, he said that civilians and soft targets had been deliberately targeted, and Afghan militants were involved in all attacks.
Entertainment
Ashley Tisdale urges to ‘find strength within’ amid mom group drama
Ashley Tisdale appears to be focusing on inner calm and resilience as conversation around her recent mom group fallout continues to unfold online.
The actress and wellness entrepreneur shared a quiet but pointed message on Instagram that many fans interpreted as a response to the ongoing drama she publicly addressed earlier this month.
On Friday, the former Disney Channel star posted a short Reel showing herself holding a yoga pose against a wide desert backdrop.
As the camera slowly pulled back, Tisdale moved through gentle stretches, set to soft instrumental music.
Overlaying the video was a simple message, “Find your strength within,” followed by the words, “Coming 2.1.”
She wore her hair in a loose bun and workout attire, her silhouette standing out against the muted landscape.
While she did not directly reference the controversy, Tisdale tagged her wellness brand, Frenshe, suggesting the post may also connect to an upcoming project.
The caption offered no further explanation, but fans quickly filled the comments with messages of encouragement and solidarity.
Several voiced support amid the situation, with remarks like “#TeamAshley!!” and “We will always support you. Never forget that!”
Others praised the calm tone of the video, calling it a symbol of growth and transformation.
The post arrives as discussion continues around an essay Tisdale recently published for The Cut, in which she reflected on stepping away from a former mom group she described as “toxic.”
In the piece, she shared that she felt excluded, judged, and no longer comfortable in the circle, recalling a text she sent that read, “This is too high school for me and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.”
Although she avoided naming anyone directly, the group reportedly included well-known figures such as Hilary Duff, Meghan Trainor, and Mandy Moore.
The essay sparked widespread conversation online, with mixed reactions across social media.
For now, Tisdale seems intent on shifting the focus inward.
Through a quiet visual and a few carefully chosen words, she appears to be signaling healing, strength, and a forward-looking mindset, rather than continuing the public back-and-forth.
Entertainment
Baftas 2026 leave behind major A-list stars
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards are shaping up to be one of the most talked-about ceremonies of the year, with the longlists revealing a mix of big international titles and some notable absences that have left fans and industry watchers debating who has been overlooked.
The longlists were published ahead of the official nominations, which will be unveiled on Jan. 27, and the ceremony itself is set for Feb. 22, 2026, at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.
At the top of the list, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominates with a record-breaking 16 longlist mentions across major categories including best film and best director, led by Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance.
Other strong contenders such as Hamnet and Sinners also earned widespread recognition with 14 entries each.
However, the longlist announcement also sparked controversy among some fans, who pointed out that several major international films and stars have been pushed aside or left off key categories, leaving observers to question what it means for the British Academy’s selection process this awards season.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars left on the sidelines at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards are George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson and Julia Roberts, who failed to make the acting longlists, despite all three earning Golden Globe nominations for their latest performances.
Another example of a high-profile omission discussed in media coverage is Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters.
Despite being one of the most popular films of 2025, it did not make the longlist because it failed to meet BAFTA’s eligibility requirement for UK theatrical screenings.
This technicality left many streaming audiences surprised, and highlighted how awards qualification rules can affect which films are considered.
The upcoming final nominations will narrow these longlists down, determining who will compete for the top BAFTA trophies.
With films ranging from intimate dramas to global blockbusters, expectations are high, but the discussion around who’s included and who’s not will no doubt continue up to the awards night on 22 February.
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