Entertainment
TLP protest continues to choke twin cities despite partial reopening of roads
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Several key roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been partially reopened on Sunday as the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) protest march continues its advance from Lahore towards Islamabad.
While major routes remain blocked by shipping containers, authorities have begun easing restrictions in select areas of the twin cities to facilitate commuters.
Mobile internet services were also partially restored in some parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, say authorities.
Rawalpindi Traffic Police has issued a new plan regarding road routes. According to the Rawalpindi Traffic Police, out of 43 blocked locations in the city, six have been fully reopened while 35 have been partially cleared. Faizabad remains completely closed for the third consecutive day.
In Rawalpindi, roads leading to residential areas and adjoining streets off Murree Road were reopened for traffic, though major highways, including Murree Road, Faizabad, the Expressway, and IJP Road, remain closed. The metro bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad also remains suspended until further notice.
Motorway police confirmed that the M-2 Motorway from Lahore to Islamabad has been reopened, and traffic flow is normal. The Islamabad Expressway and the route connecting Ninth Avenue to Double Road have also been partially reopened, though the Faizabad route from the Rawalpindi side remains blocked.
Islamabad DIG Muhammad Jawad Tariq visited Faizabad to review the law and order situation, assuring that security and order in the capital will be maintained “at all costs.”
Traffic police have announced diversions across multiple points near Faizabad. Heavy traffic entry into Islamabad remains suspended, with alternate routes advised: motorists travelling to Rawalpindi from Rawal Dam Chowk are advised to use Park Road, while those heading to the airport should use Kashmir Chowk and Srinagar Highway.
Residents of I-8 have been instructed to use Zero Point, Srinagar Highway, Club Road, and Park Road, while those coming from Koral should opt for Khanna Pul, Lehtrar Road, Tramri Chowk, and Rawal Dam Chowk.
In Lahore, violent clashes between TLP protesters and police left 112 personnel injured and led to the arrest of more than 100 protesters, according to DIG Operations Faisal Kamran. The protesters also vandalised the Shahdara Town police station and damaged public and private property, The News reported.
Talks underway between govt, TLP
Meanwhile, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) leader Liaqat Baloch telephoned Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday.
According to the JI spokesperson, both leaders discussed matters related to the ongoing TLP march and its impact on the province.
During the telephonic conversation, Liaqat Baloch urged the provincial government to initiate talks with the protesters to resolve the situation peacefully.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of TLP said that negotiations between its central committee and the federal government are ongoing. He further advised all workers to await the decision of the central leadership.
Sources said that talks between government officials and representatives of the religious party are underway.
They said that Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, and Tahir Ashrafi are leading negotiations on behalf of the government.
Officials familiar with the sources said both sides have made headway on some issues, while talks remain ongoing on others.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry earlier said the government was pursuing a peaceful resolution but would not be “blackmailed by mobs,” accusing TLP of exploiting sensitive issues for political gains.
Entertainment
Olivia Rodrigo teases exciting ‘SNL’ double duty episode with one twist
Olivia Rodrigo gave fans the first glimpse into her Saturday Night Live appearance in the teaser for her double duty episode.
The 23-year-old pop superstar appeared in a Devil Wears Prada-esque sketch with the SNL cast members where she appeared to be caught up in a “glorified secretary” position like Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs.
SNL star James Austin Johnson took on Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly role as he lectured Rodrigo on her mistakenly calling SNL “skits” instead of “sketches.”
The drivers license hitmaker will be taking on the role of host for the first time and musical guest for the third time this Saturday, May 2.
Rodrigo will appear on the weekend show to promote her upcoming album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which will be released on June 12.
The Vampire songstress is believed to perform her latest release, Drop Dead, from the album, while some fans also speculate that she might debut an unreleased song during the episode.
While the SNL episode has sparked a lot of buzz, Rodrigo’s fans are also excited for the Unravel Tour ever since she made the announcement on social media.
Entertainment
Stars of “Devil Wears Prada 2” give inside look at the highly anticipated film
Entertainment
Meryl Streep reveals why she almost walked away from ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
Meryl Streep has shared new details about how she ended up joining The Devil Wears Prada, after an unusual start to the whole process.
While talking about the second movie during a recent interview with Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley, Streep said she liked the script right away and knew the film got some strong potential.
Still, the actress went on to add that she did not accept the role of Miranda Priestly at first and actually turned it down.
She shared, “I knew it was going to be a hit. I read the script, the script was great. They called me up, and they made an offer, and I said no. I’m not going to do it.”
Streep explained that she then decided to test things by asking for a higher salary and the studio agreed quickly.
However, that changed everything and led her to take the role.
The Mamma Mia star added that this moment made her realise she could speak up more about her value, something she had not fully done earlier in her career.
She also said she was thinking about stepping away from acting at the time and would have walked away if it had not felt right.
The role of Miranda Priestly later became one of her most iconic performances, bringing her award nominations and a major boost in her career.
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