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News18
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Shweta Tripathi Produces Bold Queer Drama ‘Cock', Set To Debut In Mumbai And Delhi This Pride Month
Last Updated: Shweta Tripathi debuts as a theatre producer with queer play Cock, premiering in Delhi and Mumbai this Pride Month to celebrate LGBTQ+ stories on stage. Shweta Tripathi Sharma, best known for her powerful performances across film and OTT platforms, is returning to her artistic roots—theatre—with a bold new role: producer. More than a decade since she last appeared on stage, Shweta is back, this time producing the Indian premiere of the critically acclaimed queer play Cock, written by British playwright Mike Bartlett. The production is set to debut during Pride Month, with premiere performances on June 6 at Max Mueller Bhavan in Delhi and June 10 at Mumbai's iconic Prithvi Theatre. Produced under her newly launched theatre banner AllMyTea, Cock is a raw, emotionally charged narrative that explores sexuality, identity, and the spectrum of human connection. The play, directed by UK-based theatre-maker Manish Gandhi, features an impressive cast including Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, and Harssh Singh. With a story centered around a man torn between his long-term male partner and a newfound attraction to a woman, the play delivers a gripping, intimate exploration of desire and self-discovery—topics that remain deeply relevant today. For Shweta, this isn't just a creative venture; it's a deeply personal mission. 'Theatre has always been my first love," she said. 'It's raw, immediate, and leaves no space to hide—from the audience or from the truth. Producing a play like Cock is a personal and creative decision born out of my belief that storytelling should reflect the world in all its complexity and beauty." She emphasized the importance of staging such narratives during Pride Month: 'We are living in a time where people are finally feeling empowered to own their identities, and Cock doesn't shy away from the discomfort or the beauty of that journey. It's messy, human, and real. That's what drew me to it." The actor-producer also sees this project as a vehicle for change: 'Pride Month is a celebration, yes—but it's also a reminder that visibility, inclusion, and acceptance are still ongoing battles. With this play, we aim to honour queer experiences and give them the stage they have long deserved." Currently in pre-production, Cock marks a significant leap in Shweta Tripathi's evolution—not just as a performer, but as a creative force shaping conversations around identity and inclusion. As she transitions into this new chapter of storytelling, Shweta is not just making a return—she's making a statement. First Published: May 31, 2025, 17:59 IST
Roya News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
'Israeli' strikes hit Syrian coast, Damascus reports civilian killed
An 'Israeli' airstrike on Syria's western coast killed one civilian and injured three others on Friday, according to Syrian state media. The strikes targeted military facilities in the Latakia region, marking the first such attack in nearly a month. Syria's official news agency SANA reported that the attack hit near the village of Zama in the Jableh countryside, south of Latakia. Syrian state television described the incident as an 'Israeli occupation airstrike.' The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes targeted military positions and weapons depots in both the Latakia and Tartus governorates. In a statement Friday night, 'Israeli' Defense Minister Israel Katz said 'Israel' destroyed strategic weapons across Syria that posed a 'direct threat' to the country. 'There will be no immunity for anyone,' he said. 'We will not allow threats to the State of Israel and will continue defending its security.' The escalation comes just weeks after reports emerged of indirect negotiations with Israel in May aimed at reducing tensions.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
UK bans disposable vapes, imposes fine, and jail time for repeat offenders
A ban on disposable vapes goes into effect across the UK on Sunday in a bid to protect children's health and tackle a "throwaway" culture. "For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine," junior environment minister Mary Creagh said. She said the government was calling "time on these nasty devices" -- a type of e-cigarette which are very popular with young people and banning sales of single-use vapes or their supply in a crackdown on UK corner shops and supermarkets. Those caught flouting the ban will face a £200 fine ($269), while repeat offenders risk up to two years in prison. Young people and children in particular have been attracted to cheap and colourful disposable vapes, which have snazzy flavours such as mint, chocolate, mango or watermelon, since they were introduced in the UK in 2021. In 2024, nearly five million disposable vapes were thrown away each week, according to Material Focus, an independent UK-based non-profit. More than 40 tonnes of lithium, a key metal used in the technology industry, was discarded each year along with single-use vapes -- enough to power 5,000 electrical vehicles, the NGO said. Fire services have also warned about the risk of discarded vapes catching light among household rubbish. "Every vape has potential to start a fire if incorrectly disposed of," said Justin Greenaway, commercial manager at electronic waste processing company SWEEEP Kuusakoski. The new law, first proposed by the previous Conservative government, also aims to stem a rise in vaping. "This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking," said Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive for health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). A recent ASH survey said 11 percent of adults vape, or about 5.6 million people, and 18 percent of 11 to 17 year olds -- about 980,000 under-18s. Among vapers, some 52 percent of young adults aged between 18 to 24 preferred single-use vapes. The long-term health risks of vaping remain unclear. E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. But they do still contain highly addictive nicotine. The upcoming ban has already led to a fall in disposable vapes. According to ASH, the use of disposables by 18-24-year-old vapers fell from 52 percent in 2024 to 40 percent in 2025. The UK ban follows similar European moves. Belgium and France became the first EU countries to ban sales of disposable vapes. Ireland is also preparing to introduce new restrictions. But critics have argued many users will simply switch to refillable or reusable vaping devices, which will limit the impact on nicotine consumption. And industry experts say the ban could lead to more illegal products entering the UK market. The bill "only makes it illegal to sell disposable vapes, it does not prohibit their use," warned Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club, the UK's largest online vape retailer. 'We risk a surge of illegal and potentially dangerous items flooding the black market.'
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Watch PSG vs Inter Milan Champions League final for free, kick-off details and channel
Watch PSG vs Inter Milan Champions League final for free, kick-off details and channel Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday evening, and UK-based football fans can watch the game for free Paris Saint-Germain will take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Paris Saint-Germain are on the brink of making history as they prepare to face Inter Milan in the Champions League final this Saturday. Despite their domestic dominance, Les Parisiens have yet to clinch the coveted European Cup. Their closest attempt was in 2020 when they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, with Kingsley Coman's 59th-minute goal proving decisive. Now, under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, many football enthusiasts are hopeful that the star-studded French giants can finally secure victory at the Allianz Arena. PSG's journey to the final has been far from smooth, finishing 15th in the Champions League league phase before facing Ligue 1 rivals Brest in the play-offs for a spot in the last 16. Over the course of two legs, PSG achieved an aggregate score of 7-0, then triumphed over Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties, Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, and Arsenal in the semis. Enrique, who savoured UCL success with Barcelona in 2014/15, is keen to add another European title to his CV, but must first overcome a formidable Inter Milan side. Inter, no stranger to Champions League glory, already have three titles under their belt. They clinched back-to-back victories in 1964 and 1965 against Real Madrid and Benfica respectively, and their most recent triumph was a 2-0 victory over Bayern in 2010, reports the Mirror. After narrowly missing out on the Serie A title to Napoli by just one point this season, I Nerazzurri are keen to secure some form of silverware for their efforts in the 2024/25 season. Having finished fourth in the Champions League standings, Inter didn't have to contend with a play-off tie to reach the knockout stages, meaning they've played two fewer games than PSG in the competition. Instead, they defeated Feyenoord in the last 16, ousted Bayern in the quarter-finals and secured a 7-6 aggregate win over Barcelona in the semis to book their place in the final. With an exhilarating evening of football on the horizon, Wales Online provides a guide on how fans can tune in without spending a penny... What time does PSG vs Inter Milan kick off? The 2025 Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan is scheduled to take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, which has a capacity of 75,024. The kick-off is set for 8pm on Saturday evening. Inter Milan will look to spoil the Parisian party (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below How to watch PSG vs Inter Milan for free A full house is anticipated at the Allianz on Saturday evening, with millions more around the globe tuning in to watch the live action. Fortunately, UK-based viewers can do so without spending a penny. This is because discovery+ is broadcasting the match for free when you sign up for an account via their mobile app, TV app or official website. Coverage commences at 6pm. Additionally, TNT Sports 1 will also be providing pre-match build-up and live coverage of the game from 6pm for those with a valid TNT subscription. Radio coverage For those who prefer radio commentary, BBC Radio 5 Live will be offering coverage from 6:40pm, with Steve Crossman presenting the build-up. Meanwhile, talkSPORT will feature Adrian Durham, Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce providing analysis and commentary of the match.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctor shares why cranberry juice is the next big thing to improve your gut health
Good gut health depends on what's on your plate, and sometimes, what's in your glass. Superfoods that supercharge gut health have a new contender in the spotlight- and it's a tart, sweet drink, cranberry juice. UK-based Dr Karan Rajan, who regularly shares health and nutrition tips on Instagram, posted on May 30 his reaction to a video of a content creator, explaining how she's having cranberry juice for better gut health. He also broke down the surprising benefits of cranberry juice's pigment for the gut microbiome. A post shared by Dr Karan Rajan (MRCS MBBS BSc) (@drkaranrajan) Dr Karan Rajan breaks down the gut-boosting properties of a powerful compound found in cranberries, called polyphenols, in the clip. According to him, the gut microbiome benefits the most from cranberry juice, as it promotes the growth of beneficial bacterial strains. He explained, "When you drink cranberry juice, you get a dose of one of the most beneficial nutrients you can get from any diet, polyphenols. These are natural plant antioxidants which can help reduce inflammation and provide some more gut health benefits. The type of polyphenols found in cranberries, which also give it its vibrant colour, are called proanthocyanidins. These polyphenols help to reduce the growth of bad bacteria, leading to better gut health. In fact, there's growing evidence that cranberry polyphenols can act as prebiotics, basically food for the good bacteria. So they promote the growth of beneficial strains like Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus." The absorption of nutrients and overall efficiency also depend on how you consume the fruit. Additionally, gut health thrives with a diet that is diverse and contains a variety of polyphenols. Dr Ranjan added, "The benefits from eating cranberries or blending the fruit into a smoothie are far greater than just the juice because it lacks fibre. But occasionally, it's a convenient option for the boost of plant pigments. If you want to eat food with the highest concentrations of polyphenols, then just choose plants that are dark red, purple, or blue. If you eat a wide range of colourful plants, you maximise the chances of getting a variety of plant pigments and polyphenols. Different polyphenols each have a unique impact on the gut microbiome, meaning each one can help you support different microbes." ALSO READ: Gastroenterologist shares 5 juices he 'drinks as a doctor for gut and liver health': Pomegranate to cranberry juice Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
