Palestinian Oscar winner held by Israeli soldiers

Published

3 months ago

March 25, 2025

editor

A Palestinian Oscar winner has been detained in the occupied West Bank following an outbreak of violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, activists say.

Hamdan Ballal, who was one of four co-directors of No Other Land, had his house surrounded by settlers during an attack on Monday in the village of Susya, according to five Jewish American activists.

Co-director Yuval Abraham said Mr Ballal had been beaten and taken by soldiers while in an ambulance, although this has been disputed by Israel.

Without naming Mr Ballal, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said three Palestinians and an Israeli had been detained after being suspected of “rock hurling” at security forces.

The five Jewish American activists said that about a dozen masked settlers had mounted an attack in Susya at about 18:00 (16:00 GMT).

The activists said they had gone to the village to document the incident and had come under attack themselves, with settlers smashing their car windows, and punching and hitting them with sticks.

Mr Ballal’s house is reported to have been surrounded by the settlers.

Yuval Abraham, the Israeli director who won the Oscar this month alongside Mr Ballal, said people had been injured and properties destroyed in the attack.

One activist told the BBC they had complained to the Israeli soldiers that they were under attack. They said the army had intervened and the settlers had backed off.

Israel’s army confirmed that IDF soldiers and Israeli police had arrived to disperse the confrontation.

They said rocks had been “hurled” at security forces.

“In response, the forces apprehended three Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks at them, as well as an Israeli civilian involved in the violent confrontation,” the IDF said.

“The detainees were taken for further questioning by the Israel Police. An Israeli citizen was injured in the incident and was evacuated to receive medical treatment.”

No Other Land – which picked up best documentary at the 97th Academy Awards – follows the fight over Masafer Yatta, a community of about 20 villages, and the friendship between Adra and Abraham.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Israeli settlements in the territory are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

They have expanded over the past 55 years, becoming a focal point for violence and conflicting claims over land.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank has surged.

(BBC News)

Indian actor Mohanlal arrives in SL

Published

14 hours ago

June 16, 2025

editor

Renowned Indian actor Mohanlal arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday (June 14) for the second phase of shooting director Mahesh Narayanan’s big-budget film.

He landed at Bandaranaike International Airport at 11.20 a.m. via SriLankan Airlines flight UL-166 from Kochi and is expected to stay for 10 days.

Speaking to the media, Mohanlal praised Sri Lanka as a “beautiful destination with fresh cinematic backdrops” and expressed interest in filming more projects on the island in the future.

The film, produced by Antony Perumbavoor’s Aashirvaad Cinemas in collaboration with Anto Joseph Films, also features legendary actor Mammootty.

Key action scenes are set to be filmed during this schedule.

@Mohanlal is about to went to Sri Lanka to join the sets of #MMMN for a few days of shoot✌#Mohanlal pic.twitter.com/iUwjxOzD0p
— AKMFCWA Official (@AkmfcwaState) June 15, 2025

ലാലേട്ടൻ ❤️
Latest at Sri Lanka#MMMN Schedule @Mohanlal #Mohanlal pic.twitter.com/zj4L2Hm0sT
— AKMFCWA Official (@AkmfcwaState) June 15, 2025

Special award for renowned actress Iranganie Serasinghe

Published

2 days ago

June 15, 2025

editor

he 2025 Silver Screen Awards Ceremony held with the participation of the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The 2025 Silver Screen Awards Ceremony was held on June 13 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The aim of this year’s awards ceremony included appreciating artists who enriched the Sri Lankan cinema industry during the years 1970–1975. At the ceremony, renowned actress Iranganie Serasinghe was presented with the Sumith Bibile Memorial Gold Award by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also conferred awards to distinguished artists Padma Sri Kodikara, Dinesh Priyasad, and Indrani Perera.

Entertainment

Dua Lipa confirms engagement to Callum Turner

Published

4 days ago

June 13, 2025

editor

Dua Lipa has confirmed that she’s engaged to actor Callum Turner, saying it’s “a really special feeling”.

The singer, 29, has been with 35-year-old Londoner Turner for almost a year and a half.

He’s best known for roles in Fantastic Beasts and Masters of the Air, and was Bafta nominated in 2020 for BBC One’s The Capture.

“Yeah, we’re engaged,” she told British Vogue. “It’s very exciting. This decision to grow old together, to see a life and just, I don’t know, be best friends forever – it’s a really special feeling.”

The couple sparked engagement rumours last Christmas when she posted pictures of herself wearing a ring.

She told Vogue that Turner had the ring made for her after consulting with her best friends and sister.

“It’s so me. It’s nice to know the person that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with knows you very well.”

They have not yet set a wedding date, with Lipa saying she must first finish her current world tour – which ends in Mexico in December – and Turner is busy filming.

He is due to play the lead in the Apple TV sci-fi series Neuromancer, adapted from William Gibson’s 1984 novel.

“We’re just enjoying this period,” she said. “I’ve never been someone who’s really thought about a wedding, or dreamt about what kind of bride I would be. All of a sudden I’m like, ‘Oh, what would I wear?'”

(BBC News)