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
Duchess Sophie impresses in lilac while tackling rare skin disorder
Duchess Sophie brought her royal presence on on March 5, to Hever Castle Ltd for a pivotal DEBRA UK event tackling epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
EB is a rare skin condition where even the gentlest touch can cause the skin to blister and tear.
As Patron of the charity, the Duchess joined 25 of the world’s leading specialists in EB, dermatology, paediatrics, pharmacology, and reconstructive surgery for the inaugural two-day EB Global Taskforce.
The gathering focused on accelerating the development of groundbreaking treatments and shaping the charity’s forthcoming Global EB Strategy, set for release in April 2026.
Speaking to the assembled experts, Sophie in lilac coat praised their dedication and vision.
“There is the passion and drive evident in the expertise in this room to truly make a difference,” she said.
“It will take innovative thinking, bold ideas, and strategic creativity that can be the catalyst for the change that is so desperately needed.”
DEBRA UK shared highlights from the historic event on Instagram, thanking the Duchess for her guidance and support.
“Yesterday at the historic @hever_castle, The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO, our Charity Patron, joined medical experts for our inaugural two-day EB Global Taskforce,” the post read with a heart emoji.
Entertainment
Paul McCartney's overlooked work
“CBS Saturday Morning” sits down with Morgan Neville, the director of “Man on the Run,” a documentary about the life of Paul McCartney after the Beatles broke up.
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Entertainment
Timothee Chalamet’s ‘insensitive’ joke sparks response from Met Opera
Timothee Chalamet found himself embroiled in backlash on social media after he shared his controversial opinion on ballet and Opera as dying art forms.
The 30-year-old actor sparked an outrage with his comments as ballet and opera artists began to share their disappointment over the “tone deaf” joke he made.
The Marty Supreme star drew a response from the Metropolitan Opera itself as the organisation shared a TikTok video with the caption, “This one’s for you, Timothee Chalamet…”
The video showed people diligently working on costumes and wigs, as well as artists rehearsing, and the hustle bustle ahead of a performance, and the text over the video read, “All respect to the opera (and ballet) people out there,” taking a dig at Chalamet’s comment which he made after jokingly insulting the art forms.
The Metropolitan Opera’s response comes after many artists, as well as companies including the Royal Ballet and Opera in London critiqued the Dune actor for his disrespectful comments.
During the interview between Chalamet and Matthew McConaughey, the Beautiful Boy actor said, “I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.’ All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there.”
Although he immediately realised the nature of his remark, and said, “I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason,” it seems that had already been too late.
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