Latest News from Rowad Al A'amal
Indian Express
3 minutes ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: New role & rules
BSP president Mayawati's nephew Akash Anand made a comeback in the party as chief national coordinator, a new position created last week. He is supposed to be the 'Number 2' in the organisation after Mayawati. As chief national coordinator, Akash will travel to all the states but with a rider. Sources in the BSP said Mayawati has instructed him to hold only 'indoor meetings' with the party leaders during his tour; he will not address any open gathering of workers or supporters until he is allowed to do so. In his earlier stint as the party's national coordinator, he had addressed rallies, workers meetings and led marches on streets. Down Memory Lane A recent morning meeting at Delhi Police headquarters to discuss security arrangements, including bandobast for the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, struck a chord with Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, a 1988-batch IPS officer from Tamil Nadu cadre, who was posted in the state as Assistant Commissioner of Police when the former PM was assassinated in Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991. The police chief recalled how uncertainty clouded the atmosphere as information about the blast trickled in. Recounting the events as they unfolded and the chaos that followed the incident, he told the officers, many of whom were too young to have joined the force or even remember what happened, that the world had stopped for a moment for all of them who were on duty that day. Wait For Reports The long pending annual reports of the National Commission for Backward Classes was submitted by its chairperson Hansraj Ahir to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday. Two reports were submitted for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24. The wait for the reports' release, however, will continue as they will first get tabled in Parliament. The annual report for 2024-25 is also under process, it was learnt.
Daily Mail
4 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Patti LuPone accused of 'bullying' by the Broadway community in scathing letter after Audra McDonald feud
Broadway star Patti LuPone's controversial remarks about fellow actresses Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis have now officially been denounced by her peers. Over 500 people have signed an open letter from Broadway's theater community condemning the slights Lupone made about McDonald and Lewis during her now infamous interview with the New Yorker. LuPone, 76, called Lewis, 59, a 'b***h' and said McDonald, 54, was 'not a friend' during her headline-making interview. The letter, which is addressed to the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, and 'the greater theater community', claims the comments LuPone made about McDonald and Kecia was degrading, misogynistic, and a 'blatant act of racialized disrespect.' has reached out to representatives for LuPone, McDonald, and Lewis for comment but did not immediately receive a response. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Among those signing the letter is rock star Courtney Love. 'This is a call for accountability, justice, and respect — rooted in love for the art form and for the people who make it possible. We believe our community can do better. We believe it must do better — especially when harm is done to those who have given so much to this industry,' the letter said. While the letter insists they do not intend to 'shame', 'isolate', or 'punish' LuPone, they have recommended that she and others who have used 'their platform to publicly demean, harass, or disparage fellow artists' be excluded from future industry events such as the Tony Awards. The letter described LuPone's comments as 'deeply inappropriate and unacceptable' a form of 'bullying', 'harassment', and 'is emblematic of the microaggressions and abuse that people in this industry have endured for far too long, too often without consequence.' 'To publicly attack a woman who has contributed to this art form with such excellence, leadership, and grace—and to discredit the legacy of Audra McDonald, the most nominated and awarded performer in Tony Award history—is not simply a personal offense,' the letter said. 'It is a public affront to the values of collaboration, equity, and mutual respect that our theater community claims to uphold. Let us be clear: this is about more than one person. It is about a culture. A pattern. A persistent failure to hold people accountable for violent, disrespectful, or harmful behavior—especially when they are powerful or well-known. 'This is not about differing opinions. It is about public actions that demean, intimidate, or perpetuate violence against fellow artists. It is about the normalization of harm in an industry that too often protects prestige over people.' They called her remarks a violation of the American Theatre Wing's core values, which consist of 'champion creative expression', 'support growth and create connections' and to 'make excellence known and inspire artistic greatness'. The letter insists they are not calling on 'cancelling' Lupone nor intend to signal her out, but over concern for their industry. 'This is not about 'canceling' anyone or condemning them — it is about care. Care for our artists, our values, and the future of our shared craft. We write because we want this community to thrive — not just in box office numbers or critical acclaim, but in integrity, safety, and mutual respect,' the letter says. 'We envision a theater industry where all artists — including Black women — are protected, valued, and celebrated. Where excellence is met with recognition, not hostility. Where harm is addressed, not ignored. Where no one is forced to choose between their artistry and their dignity.' They did recommend several repercussions - which included excluding LuPone from future events such as the Tony Awards. 'Individuals, including Patti Lupone, who use their platform to publicly demean, harass, or disparage fellow artists— particularly with racial, gendered, or otherwise violent language—should not be welcomed at industry events, including the Tony Awards, fundraisers, and public programs,' it said. The individual can return back into the community following completion of 'comprehensive anti-bias or restorative justice programs.' 'Participation, recognition, and attendance at high-profile events must be contingent on conduct that reflects community values. This includes completion of comprehensive anti-bias or restorative justice programs before re-entry into publicfacing spaces,' they wrote. 'Theater institutions must adopt and enforce clear, transparent policies for addressing harmful behavior—regardless of an individual's fame or tenure in the industry,' it also suggested. 'This would not be tolerated in other industries. In 2021, the NFL fined the Washington Commanders $10 million and removed Dan Snyder from day-to-day operations after a toxic workplace culture came to light. Will Smith was banned from the Oscars for ten years after slapping a fellow artist during a live broadcast. These organizations acted swiftly to preserve their values and the integrity of their communities. Why should Broadway hold itself to a lower standard?' it continued. They also offered support to Lewis and McDonald, whom were on the receiving end of LuPone's barbs. 'To the Kecias and the Audras of our past, present, and future: You are the soul of this community. We honor your brilliance, your resilience, and your impact. You deserve more than applause. You deserve protection. You deserve respect,' the letter says. 'We are calling for action — not to punish, but to protect. Not to divide, but to strengthen. A stronger, healthier, more equitable Broadway is possible — one where all artists are treated with dignity, safety, and respect,' the letter also states. LuPone has been making headlines ever since she made various swipes against McDonald and Lewis in an interview with the New Yorker. While addressing comments Tony-award winning Kecia Lewis made last year, LuPone called her a 'b***h'. (LuPone had complained about the noise levels of Lewis' show Hell's Kitchen, which neighbored LuPone's own show, and the fallout led to Lewis making a video statement accusing her neighbor of being a bully and making 'racially microaggressive' comments). 'Oh, my God,' LuPone said when the conflict Lewis was mentioned. 'Here's the problem. She calls herself a veteran? Let's find out how many Broadway shows Kecia Lewis has done, because she doesn't know what the f**k she's talking about.' 'She's done seven. I've done thirty-one. Don't call yourself a vet, b***h,' she said. (The publication noted that Lewis has done 10 and LuPone 28.) The publication noted that McDonald showed her support for Lewis' video by dropping several supportive emojis in the comments of the post, which LuPone also took issue with. 'Exactly,' she told the New Yorker when the emojis were raised. 'And I thought, You should know better. That's typical of Audra. She's not a friend,' she said, with the publication noting she emphasized friend with a 'hard "D."' Patti also seemed to deliberately avoid answering a question about McDonald's performance in Gypsy, a show she also starred in. Michael Schulman of the publication wrote: 'When I asked what she had thought of McDonald's current production of 'Gypsy,' she stared at me, in silence, for fifteen seconds. Then she turned to the window and sighed, 'What a beautiful day.'' McDonald was asked about Lupone's comments during a CBS Mornings interview with Gayle King, which is set to air in full next week. A sneak peek of the interview showed McDonald insisting she was unaware of any issues between her and Lupone when the New Yorker interview was raised. 'If there's a rift between us, I don't know what it is,' she replied. 'That's something that you'd have to ask Patti about. 'You know, I haven't seen her in about 11 years, just because we've been busy just with life and stuff. So I don't know what rift she's talking about, but you'd have to ask her.'
South Wales Argus
4 minutes ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
NSPCC Cymru Childline highlights night shift volunteers
In these quiet, dark hours, support is available thanks to the dedication of Childline volunteers like Naomi Lea and Isha Daboh, who give their time to help children and teenagers in need of someone to talk to. Childline, a free and confidential service for young people up to the age of 19, is staffed around the clock by trained counsellors, including volunteers who work through the night. Naomi Lea, who has volunteered at Childline since 2018, said: "Being able to be there for children and young people that need Childline at any time of day always feels like an immense privilege. "But it feels even more important at night, knowing this is when young people are feeling completely alone with nobody else to turn to or that this may be the first opportunity they have to reach out without anybody else knowing." Ms Lea has volunteered at the Cardiff and Prestatyn Childline bases and is part of the 'Twilight shift,' which runs from 11pm to 2.30am following a team briefing at 10.45pm. Isha Daboh, another Cardiff-based volunteer, said: "Since starting the Twilight shifts, it has been such a different yet rewarding experience of Childline. "I've had a lot more flexibility shift-wise given the late time, meaning it doesn't particularly interfere with my normal day and it continues to open up more time for me to dedicate to volunteering." Joanne Shipp, a Twilight Childline practitioner for NSPCC Cymru, said: "Twilight shifts can be varied with a lot of contacts, yet it is a rewarding time of day to support young people late at night when they need us the most and this is when we also need volunteers the most as well. "Our thanks go to Isha and Naomi for being champions and joining us on Twilight shifts, as well as all our volunteers who give up their time to help us to support children when they may have nowhere else to turn." NSPCC Cymru is currently recruiting Childline volunteers in Cardiff, Prestatyn, and across Wales through Childline's virtual base. To find out more about volunteering, visit the NSPCC website.
South Wales Argus
4 minutes ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
New palliative care room opened at hospital in Ebbw Vale
Located at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan's Ebbw Ward in Ebbw Vale, the space was formally opened this week and is designed to offer comfort and privacy to families of palliative care patients. The room was transformed from a small storage area into a dedicated family space through collaboration between ward staff, the Hospice of the Valleys, and the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Funding was provided by the League of Friends, staff donations, and other charitable sources. Jessica Price, ward sister and manager, said: "I would like to say a special thank you to the Hospice of the Valleys team for their ongoing collaborative work with us. "We work closely alongside the team who support our palliative patients directly on the ward to build a relationship through to end-of-life care." The family room allows relatives to remain close to patients receiving end-of-life care and offers a private environment for conversations with clinicians. Ann Lloyd CBE, chair of the health board, said: "Having this room will without a doubt enhance patient care. "The staff at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan continue to make a huge difference to the community and the care they give." The first family to use the space left a message expressing their gratitude. They wrote: "We were honoured to be the first family in this beautiful space. "During such a difficult time, the care, kindness, and compassion shown by every member of the staff meant the world to us. "You don't just care for our loved ones, you cared for us too. "Thank you for creating an atmosphere of peace, dignity, and warmth. "We will never forget it." The opening ceremony was attended by staff, members of the League of Friends including chairman Des Hillman, deputy lord lieutenant Phil Alderman DL, and Ms Lloyd, who officially cut the ribbon. Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan's Ebbw Ward offers palliative care across eight dedicated beds. The health board has extended its thanks to everyone involved in creating the new family room.
South Wales Argus
5 minutes ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
TPAS Cymru: Tenants demand faster action on housing hazards
A new Tenant Pulse report from TPAS Cymru highlights growing concern among tenants in Wales about issues such as damp, mould, faulty electrics, and poor ventilation. The findings come following the death of Awaab Ishak and the introduction of Awaab's Law in England. David Wilton, chief executive of TPAS Cymru, said: "This report shows that tenants expect clear action and consistent standards when it comes to housing safety. "The message is clear: listen to tenants, act quickly, and communicate clearly." The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to housing standards. In response, TPAS Cymru gathered tenant views on updates to the Welsh Housing Quality Standards. The report reveals that 71 per cent of social housing tenants want all hazards addressed, not just high-risk ones. 83 per cent want consistent rules for all landlords in Wales and believe hazards should be investigated within three days.
