Netflix has made some educational films and series available on YouTube for free including Our Planet and Explained at the request of teachers. The move comes as coronavirus outbreak has confined millions of students to their homes, compelling educational institutions to tap virtual tools to keep the classes running. The decision to make some content free on YouTube is a rare exception to Netflix’s marketing strategy as it charges a monthly subscription fee from users.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned live audiences to attend Ramazan transmissions amid coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, channels have been advised to disinfect equipment, while providing safety kits to the staff engaged in the transmission. The authority has also prohibited the distribution of extravagant gifts on Ramazan shows. The authority said, display of such gifts would give a very negative impact as the world is suffering from scarcity, hunger and joblessness.
Singer-songwriter Abdullah Qureshi has released a new single ‘Daro Na’, to pay tribute to the masked heroes fighting the coronavirus. Qureshi, who also produced the song, says he wrote it over a video call with his band mates. He said that he himself was feeling sad about what is going around the world and this song is just to lighten a candle of hope in people’s hearts.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has yet again warned Indian singers against collaborating with Pakistani artistes. The film body issued a statement after it noticed that a few artistes have recently worked with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan on a digital platform. The statement came after several cross-border collaborations amid the coronavirus pandemic, featuring singers such as Ali Sethi, Farida Khanum and Rekha Bhardwaj.
Adnan Jaffar appeared in Homeland’s episode of season eight without letting anyone know. The actor played Pakistani general Aziz who had an intense discussion with retired army officer Bunny Latif (Art Malik). And he knocked it out of the park. Homeland as a show initially garnered negative reviews for its portrayal of the Middle East and Pakistan but has since then learned a thing or two.
A sheet of paper bearing Paul McCartney’s handwritten lyrics to “Hey Jude” sold for $910,000 in an online auction held Friday. The auction was to mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ historic split. The handwritten document contains partial lyrics along with annotations including the word “break” used to aid the song’s recording. The document penned by McCartney was sold for more than five times its pre-sale estimate.
Stars of the famous sitcom ‘Friends’ record secret 90-minute special episode after the reunion was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Courteney Cox, who plays Monica Gellar on the show, filmed a ‘mock rehearsal’ along with director Ben Winston, over the live video- conferencing application Zoom. It was revealed further that the special episode will be released prior to airing of the reunion that has now been stalled.
TikTok, the fast-growing mobile video app, pledged Thursday to contribute $250 million to coronavirus relief efforts around the world. The funds would be for front line medical workers, educators, and local communities deeply affected by the global crisis. The move follows similar announcements from technology firms including Google, Facebook and Netflix as well as from leaders of Microsoft, Amazon and Twitter.
The internet has been buzzing with wedding bells as news of veteran actors Samina Ahmed and Manzar Sehbai tying the knot is making rounds online. While the couple has not made an official announcement yet, their family and friends have been sending love and best wishes on their Facebook profiles. The couple is said to have gotten married in a private ceremony in Lahore on April 4.
Singer-songwriter Selena Gomez recently opened up to fellow Disney channel star, Miley Cyrus, about her bipolar disorder. The topic came up during a 20-minute Instagram conversation on Miley’s show “Bright Minded”. Gomez realized she was bipolar when she visited a mental hospital. She said understanding her disorder more took the fear away as she has witnessed mental health issues within her family as well.