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Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Prateik Smita Patil says he broke a TV set as mother Smita Patil's movie was playing, took a baseball bat to all her photos: ‘I was extremely angry, bitter'
Actor Prateik Smita Patil has had a strenuous relationship with all things in his life, including his career, family, mental health and past partners. Born to actors Raj Babbar and Smita Patil, he has always been very vocal about the troubles he faced while trying to fill his parents' shoes and how they were always occupied with their careers. In a recent interview, he explained his rift with anger management and drugs and how his family issues affected him. While talking to ZOOM on their YouTube channel, Prateik shed some light on his addiction and how it got worse and more out of control due to the situation at his home. 'I overdosed a couple of times, and rehab didn't work for me. The second I was out, within a few weeks, I was back to being an addict. I was ashamed of my family situation and not having parents with me. I went through all of that, with drugs and everything, but I was protected, and it wasn't my time yet.' ALSO READ: Prateik Babbar reveals Shabana Azmi-Javed Akhtar wanted to adopt him after mother Smita Patil's death: 'I could've been Farhan Akhtar's stepbrother' He talked about the aftermath of his addiction and added that, 'It was tough. You get boycotted and labelled, and you become an outcast. I was very fortunate to have my family, who were extremely upset with me, but they were there. I was perceived very differently in the society, and kids were told by their parents to stay away from me.' As he shared stories from his childhood, he admitted to being an extremely angry child and how his parents' absence ate at him. 'My experience with depression came much later; in my childhood I dealt with a lot of anger. I was angry all the time, and I was filled with rage. I remember watching the television, and one of my mother's movies was playing. I was angry that she wasn't there with me, and I picked up the TV and broke it. I even took a baseball bat to all the pictures in the house.' Through his ups and downs, Prateik is attempting a comeback into Bollywood, as he last appeared in Sikandar, alongside Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal and Sharman Joshi. While the movie failed to make a sizable mark on the box office, big-budget films with established stars just might be the way to go for Prateik.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Theater festival producer sees new dawn for Coconut Grove
Things To Do Theater festival producer sees new dawn for Coconut Grove Lifelong Coconut Grove resident William Hector debuts his Coconut Grove Theatre Festival (CGTFest) at the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove featuring eight new works by local playwrights. (Photo by Patrick Farrell) As the demolition on the venerable Coconut Grove Playhouse auditorium began in April, lifelong resident William Hector was putting the finishing touches on his inaugural Coconut Grove Theatre Festival (CGTFest). The festival will feature new plays at the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove Thursday through Sunday. 'The idea first came to life in a phone call I had with Irene Munore, a member of the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove Arts & Culture Committee. As two lifelong Grovites, we instantly started dreaming of what this could be and what it could mean for the Grove for the theater in Miami,' said Hector. Director Hattie Mae Williams talks with playwright Hannah Benitez over ZOOM. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) The festival founder and producer then said they got to work recruiting writers, directors, producers, crew, volunteers, donors and anyone else needed to bring the festival to life. The dream, too, is also a movement to revive Coconut Grove's arts scene, according to the festival founder. From Walter De Garmo's 1920s amphitheater to the U.S. premiere of 'Waiting for Godot' at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Hector said that the neighborhood has long been a home for innovative theater. 'Miami has an amazing group of artists who want to not just make theater but make theater in Miami. The idea was to unite these local voices and creatives in a central destination like the Grove where there are walkable restaurants, shops, bars and cafes for a weekend of theater so that the audience can experience a full range of Miami storytelling in one place and one time to build support for the greater theater community. 'Liberty City Vignettes' Playwright Lolita Stewart-White and Director Karina Batchelor-Gómez. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) Hector's interest in theater began in Coconut Grove, performing in school plays at St. Stephens Church and Ransom Everglades along with Summer Theater Camp at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. In 2015, he graduated with dual degrees in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and in Playwriting. He was also chosen to participate in Miami Dade County's Playwright Development Program from 2015 to 2017. He received a Knight Foundation New Work Miami grant to write, produce, and stage 'G7: 2070' and in October 2023, the immersive experience was performed in the nine-acre botanical garden The Kampong. It was part of the vision of what he sees for the future of theater in Coconut Grove. Director Amy Coker with 'Humanization' playwright Michael Yawney. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) 'My hope is for more theater in the Grove (and) for the festival to continue of course, because Miami is full of amazing writers and directors doing some of the most interesting work in the country. But also to have theater in the Grove throughout the year — storefront pop ups, black box productions, theater in restaurants, galleries, stores and parks. Theater in the Grove could be a thriving ecosystem like a tropical version of London's West End,' said Hector. The plays will be presented as staged readings as an introduction to the new works. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8 'Liberty City Vignettes,' written by Lolita Stewart-White, directed by Hattie Mae Williams. A coming-of-age story of 14-year-old Liberty City Red, whose family and community face forced removal from the Pork N Beans Public Housing Projects by the Miami-Dade County Housing Authority. 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 9 'Humanization,' written by Michael Yawney, directed by Maha McCain. Father Chris is struggling to keep his parish alive when the wealthy, eccentric Angela offers as much complication as she does help, and lines blur between salvation and scandal. 8:30 p.m., Friday, May 9 'A Shiva for Joseph: Day Two,' written by Brandon Urrutia, directed by Charisma Jolly. Joseph is dead. His family is unraveling. And his 18-year-old son Joshua is in the next room, grappling with the fact that he is quite literally God incarnate. What does faith mean when even God is grieving? 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10 'The Death of Kings: An Encyclopedia,' written by Vanessa Garcia, directed by Victoria Collado. A kaleidoscopic world seen through the eyes of Quin—a modern-day Harlequin, full of memory and mischief—on a mission to rewrite one of the most canonical works of centuries past: The Encyclopedia. 'When the Sea Wall Cracks,' playwright Alejandro Rodríguez, with director Maha McCain. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) 5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10 'The Queer Séance at #3 Sutton Place,' written by Hannah Benitez, directed by Amy Coker. It's 1903 and the daughter of J.P. Morgan is desperate to secure her place in Daddy's will. Her plan? Host a seance to summon the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci to authenticate a suspiciously acquired Mona Lisa. 8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10 'Turbo Hybrid,' written by William Hector, directed by Gladys Ramírez. After the death of larger-than-life F1 world champion Miles Carmine, his overlooked teammate Anna Scholl sees an opportunity to become the winning driver she always believed she could be. 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 11 'When the Sea Wall Cracks,' written by Alejandro Rodríguez, directed by Karina Batchelor-Gómez. A hurricane slams into Miami and through the lives of a Cuban business owner and his activist daughter, who are torn apart by the storm and their convictions as they embark on parallel journeys. 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 11 'The Feral Spinster Society,' written by Andie Arthur, directed by Melissa Almaguer. Amelia Beauchamp has spent her entire life being overlooked… by men, by her family, and by her neighbors. However, when her niece, a notorious suffragist, finds herself in trouble — Amelia knows exactly who can save the day. If you go: WHAT: The Coconut Grove Theatre Festival WHERE: Woman's Club of Coconut Grove, 2985 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove WHEN: Various times, Thursday, May 8 to Sunday, May 11 COST: $20 INFORMATION: is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music and more. Don't miss a story at
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Revealing courtroom sign erected by judge Hannah Dugan arrested by FBI for 'hiding migrant from ICE'
A Milwaukee judge arrested for allegedly hiding an undocumented migrant from ICE has a sign on her courtroom offering Zoom hearings to those who 'felt unsafe' coming to court. 'If any attorney, witness coordinator, or other court official knows or believes that a person feels unsafe coming to the courthouse to courtroom 615, please notify the branch 31 clerk to request court appearance via ZOOM,' reads the sign on County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan's door. It's not uncommon for judges to offer Zoom hearings for victims of violent crimes who fear facing their aggressors. But the sign is circulating online following Dugan's arrest Friday, which has sent waves across the political spectrum. Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on the courthouse grounds, according to US Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron. She appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. Her next court appearance is May 15. 'Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety,' her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. Dugan is accused of escorting the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, and his lawyer out of the courtroom through the jury door on April 18 as a way to help avert his arrest, according to an FBI affidavit filed in court. Ruiz, who is from Mexico, had been charged with battery for allegedly punching someone 30 times in the face after they complained about his loud music. The affidavit suggests that Dugan was alerted to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway. The affidavit describes Dugan as 'visibly angry' over the arrival of immigration agents in the courthouse and says that she pronounced the situation 'absurd' before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse, displaying what witnesses described as a 'confrontational, angry demeanor.' She asked one of the officers if they had a judicial warrant and was told that the warrant was instead administrative. After a back-and-forth over the warrant, the affidavit says, she demanded that the arrest team speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom. After directing the arrest team to the chief judge's office, investigators say Dugan returned to the courtroom was and was heard saying words to the effect of 'wait, come with me' before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a jury door into a non-public area of the courthouse. The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because 'only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.' Dugan was elected in 2016 to the county court Branch 31. She also has served in the court's probate and civil divisions, according to her judicial candidate biography. Before being elected to public office, Dugan practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981 with a bachelor of arts degree and earned her Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the school. Dugan's arrest comes amid a growing feud between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the president's executive actions on immigration and other matters. Trump administration officials have sharply criticized what they have described as 'activist' judges they say claim have overstepped their authority and unfairly impinged on the president's executive powers by blocking many of his efforts. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who represents Wisconsin, called the arrest of a sitting judge a 'gravely serious and drastic move' that 'threatens to breach' the separation of power between the executive and judicial branches. 'Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by,' Baldwin said in an emailed statement. 'By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line.'
Zawya
27-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ENOC Group expands CSR impact with the launch of twenty initiatives during Ramadan
Dubai, UAE: ENOC Group, a leading integrated global energy player, has announced twenty initiatives as part of its 2025 Ramadan campaign, aimed at supporting more than 600 thousand beneficiaries across all parts of the UAE, demonstrating its commitment to community support and reflecting the spirit of giving that illustrates the holy month. As part of its goal to positively impact 5 million lives by 2030, ENOC's 2025 Ramadan campaign will include various initiatives such as a daily Iftar tent serving 13,333 meals at Al Jaddaf and a grocery box distribution, in partnership with ZOOM providing 3,500 boxes to those in need. 600 ENOC employees volunteered to pack groceries before Ramadan, and a clothing collection truck will be stationed at ENOC HQ as part of the Malabes Campaign, which collects used clothes and donates the proceeds to people in need. His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said: 'The Holy Month of Ramadan embodies the spirit of giving, and ENOC is committed to amplifying this spirit through meaningful partnerships and impactful charitable initiatives. We are proud to play our part in ensuring the positive impact of Ramadan extends beyond the holy month.' ENOC's Ramadan charity drive, through partnerships with Al Ihsan Charity Association, provides Kiswat Eid Al Fitr, and the annual Ramadan Aman campaign distributing 500,000 iftar boxes to promote road safety before iftar. ENOC is also supporting local farmers this Ramadan by sourcing and distributing 1,000 date boxes among Emirati families, in a joint initiative with the Community Development Authority, in order to strengthen community ties. In partnership with Beit Al Khair, ENOC will enable retail customers to donate to Iftar Sa'em (AED 15), Zakat Al Fitr (AED 25), and Kiswat Al Eid (AED 100). In addition, ENOC is organising a number of health webinars during the month of Ramadan, with a family Quran memorisation competition. ENOC is also currently collaborating with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat to organise awareness sessions ahead of Ramadan. The Group's Ramadan initiatives this year include the annual Iftar gathering for 50 senior Emiratis in partnership with ENOC's Youth Council, a misbaha volunteering workshop, where employees craft and donate misbaha, Iftar distribution providing nearly 2,000 iftar meals at Labour camps in Jebel Ali, Fujairah, and other ENOC sites, in addition to the distribution of 40,000 iftar boxes at retail sites in collaboration with ZOOM and Alokozay. About ENOC Group: ENOC Group is a leading integrated global energy player and a wholly owned entity of the Government of Dubai that is integral to the Emirate's success. ENOC owns and operates assets in the fields of exploration & production, supply & operations, terminals, fuel retail, aviation fuel and petroleum products for commercial & industrial use. The Group's general business operations include automotive services, non-fuel F&B retail and fabrication services. Servicing thousands of customers in over 60 markets, the Group employs a multi-national workforce of over 12,500 employees and is deploying its world-class customer service, latest innovations, and technologies as well as best practices to empower the UAE's social and economic development. For further information, please visit: Follow us on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter YouTube For further information, please contact: Taief Saleh | Nisha Celina Burson |
CBC
21-02-2025
- CBC
Court awards $380K to pride organization, drag queens in northwestern Ontario defamation suit
A blogger in Thunder Bay, Ont., has been ordered by Ontario's Superior Court of Justice to pay $380,000 in damages, after making Facebook posts in 2022 accusing drag performers of grooming children. The judgment was made on two separate, related libel cases, and was issued Thursday by Justice Helen M. Pierce after being heard in the northwestern Ontario city on Jan. 31 via ZOOM. The cases relate to Facebook posts made in September 2022 and December 2022 by blogger Brian Webster on a page called "Real Thunder Bay Courthouse – Inside Edition." The page is no longer active. The first post references CBC News coverage of an upcoming drag event in Dryden, which was then cancelled following an unfounded prank call. Sharing screenshots of the news story, Webster called the drag queens involved in the event "groomers." In the December 2022 post, Webster referenced an upcoming drag storytime event in Thunder Bay and referred to "local drag queens who have been criminally charged with child pornography." No such charges were laid. In her decision, Pierce describes Webster's behaviour as that of a "common bully." "There is a pattern of homophobic/transphobic conduct by the defendant's publication, both before and after the offending posts," Pierce said in court documents obtained by CBC News. The plaintiffs include the organization Rainbow Alliance Dryden and drag performers Caitlin Hartlen, Felicia Crichton and John-Marcel Forget. They were represented by Douglas Judson and Peter Howie of Judson Howie LLP in Fort Frances. "My first reaction was tears. I just cried a whole bunch," said Forget, who has been performing drag for more than 20 years as Lady Fantasia LaPremiere, of the court's decision. "Just knowing that we were doing something that could potentially make it easier for other people to stand up for themselves and to maybe make it so that people would think twice before posting untruths about people that they don't like — especially people that they don't even know." Fighting against rhetoric, discrimination The Facebook posts were not the only attacks on drag storytime events in the region; two separate bomb threats were made against the Thunder Bay Public Library last year ahead of Storytime with Thunder Bay Drag Queens. "I just always thought 'if you don't like storytime with drag queens, don't come to storytime with drag queens,'" Forget said. "I'm not a huge fan of sports and hockey, but you don't see me bashing people who are interested in that; I just don't go to hockey games." Judson, who is one of the directors of Borderland Pride, called the court's judgment a "landmark decision." "I think it's coming at a really important time for the 2SLGBTQAA+ community, which is very much under political assault from the right, right now in Canada and in the United States," Judson said. "I think that it's a good reminder that we have legal tools, especially here in Canada, to protect vulnerable minorities." While "groomer rhetoric" has a long history as a slur targeting 2SLGBTQAA+ people, Judson said, "the false allegation that people are engaging in sexual impropriety or are pedophiles, it is patently defamatory." His hope is that the judgment sends a message to people in northwestern Ontario that they can be held accountable for their actions on social media, even if they post anonymously. WATCH | Lady Fantasia looks back on 20 year-dragiversary Lady Fantasia looks back on 20 year-dragiversary 11 months ago Duration 7:49 Forget has been the target of bullying for much of his life, and said going through the court process triggered a lot of heavy emotions. "Just constantly having to defend my existence, it kind of started to wear on my mental health a little bit," he said. "Standing up for yourself is never really easy, but it's always worth it." He said he wants others in the 2SLGBTQAA+ community to know they're not alone. "There are people out there who are fighting for your right to just live the way you want to live and love the way you want to love."
