Syria Showbiz Latest News and Updates

UK TV history will be made tonight when an aid appeal seeking donations to help the Turkey-Syria earthquake disaster airs across 29 channels, narrated by Daniel Craig.

Shamima Begum has lost her legal challenge over the decision to deprive her of her British citizenship.

Shamima Begum will today find out whether she has won an appeal against the decision to remove her British citizenship. Ms Begum was 15 when she and two other east London schoolgirls travelled to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State (IS) in February 2015.

Fundraising efforts have been under way across Dumfriesshire to help an estimated 17 million people in Turkey and Syria affected by the powerful earthquakes there.

AJ Tracey has announced the launch of a limited edition t-shirt, with proceeds going to Turkey and Syria earthquake relief.The rapper shared a post on his social media, writing that all proceeds from sales would go to Islamic Relief. The charity is providing aid to those affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6.“Special t-shirt drop to help with the aid in Türkiye and Syria,” he wrote on Twitter and Instagram.

Turkey and Syria have been hit by two more huge earthquakes just two weeks after the border between the countries suffered its last devastating tremor.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Elsa Zylberstein, one of the most famous – and bankable — faces of French cinema, known for her Cesar-winning performance in “I’ve Loved You For So Long,” is preparing to emerge as a major film producer. Having recently set up banners in France and the U.S., Zylberstein is actively developing a raft of films and series, working with the likes of Oscar-winning Syrian filmmaker Feras Fayyad (“The Cave”), Ted Braun (Darfur Now”) and Oscar-winning screenwriter Christopher Hampton (“The Father”), among others. These include “Kingdom of Hope,” a movie about Elise Boghossian, a French acupuncturist and humanitarian worker in a war zone who has healed children victims of ISIS . The movie will be directed by Fayyad, who is based in Berlin, and is being penned by Braun, based on Boghossian’s autobiographical book “Au royaume de l’espoir, il n’y a pas d’hiver.”

Millions of women in the Muslim world live under the dominion of men, subject to their rules, confined by their power. The documentary Under the Sky of Damascus, making its world premiere tonight at the Berlin Film Festival, examines the alarming gender politics in one ancient locality — the capital of Syria.

Christopher Vourlias Though the world watched — often in silence — as a decade-long civil war tore Syria apart, exiled filmmakers Talal Derki (“Of Fathers and Sons”) and Heba Khaled say an equally brutal but less visible war is still raging. In “Under the Sky of Damascus,” which premieres Feb. 20 in the Panorama strand of the Berlin Film Festival, the duo shifts the lens to the silenced majority of Syrian women who routinely face sexual harassment, violence and abuse in their patriarchal society. The film follows a tight-knit group of young Syrian women who embark upon on a radical project to produce a play that lays bare the culture of misogyny and sexual abuse that has blighted the lives of females in their country for generations.

Nick Holdsworth Breaking into the world of filmmaking is never an easy prospect.   And when you are a queer filmmaker who wants to focus on LGBTQ subjects, and lives in a traditional, Catholic, former Soviet Eastern European country, the bar to success is set pretty high.  Romas Zabarauskas’ career proves that with grit, determination — and, as he says, “no bitterness” — it is possible to create your own path on the international stage.  The 32-year-old producer and director — currently in production of his first English-language feature, “The Writer,” the second in a trilogy of films examining gay relationships — says being in the public spotlight as a queer filmmaker is a “complex issue.” 

Scots director Charlotte Wells took home the award for Best Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for her film Aftersun at The BAFTAs on Sunday night.

Colin Farrell, Paul Mescal and Cate Blanchett were among the stars wearing a blue ribbon at the EE BAFTAS 2023 to show their support for refugees and displaced people around the world. Bill Nighy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Angela Bassett were also brandishing the #WithRefugees ribbon as they stepped out on the red carpet at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. Speaking to the PA news agency about why she wanted to wear the ribbon, supporting actress nominee Jamie Lee said: “My friend Cate Blanchett is asking people to remind us all in the midst of all the season of shiny things that of course there are terrible refugee crises going on all over the world everywhere all at once and we need to do our part.” These blue ribbons sport the hashtag #WithRefugees, in solidarity with all people forced to flee oppression.

When Tekin Akdulum woke to the news that a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake had hit his home country, the first thing he did was open his family's Whatsapp group.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor More than 30 Turkish, Syrian and local musicians will perform at benefit concerts taking place in New York on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 18-19), in an effort to help raise funds for those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck those countries earlier this month. The death toll from the quakes is reported to be at least 35,000, a number likely to rise in the coming days. The concerts will be held at the New York venue DROM, with 100% of ticket proceeds going to benefit the Turkish Philanthropy Fund and Basmeh Zeitooneh, a registered non-governmental organization working in Syria and Turkey — more details can be found here and here; the concerts’ program appears below.

Doonhamers are being urged to support relief efforts for those affected by the earthquakes which hit Turkey and Syria.

Countdown star Carol Voderman just took to Instagram to share her most recent trip to Jordan with her 311K followers.The 62 year old jetted off with her son, Cameron and what appears to be other family members and friends, as he got ready to celebrate his 26th birthday. The presenter captioned the video: “My Cam’s birthday in Jordan” before sharing her thoughts on the country, including how generous and kind the people are. “Jordan is a wonderful country with kind and spirited people,” she continued.

Glastonbury is offering fans the chance to win tickets to this year’s festival through a prize draw in aid of the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.Member charities of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), including Glasto partner Oxfam, are currently working to support survivors of the recent earthquakes that have devastated the two countries.The Worthy Farm event has donated 10 pairs of tickets to raise money for the appeal. You can be in with a chance of winning by entering the draw via Crowdfunder before 12pm GMT on Wednesday, March 8.

The BBC has set a documentary and eight-part podcast exploring the life of Kanye West.

Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has been reportedly dropped by fashion brand Oh Polly less than six months after signing a £1m deal with them.

Capital Radio DJ Ant Payne has apologised for making an “insensitive and ill-timed” joke on air about earthquake-hit Turkey.The presenter, who hosts the 4pm to 7pm slot on the station, said during his show on Monday that “now is actually the best time” to start looking for “cheap flights” to the country. Payne faced criticism from some on social media, with Liberal Democrat councillor Suzanne Nuri-Nixon urging him to “read the room”. On Tuesday morning, he tweeted: “Hi guys, I want to address the comment I made last night on the show.

Radio listeners are furious after Capital Radio DJ Ant Payne made a joke about earthquake-hit Turkey while on air. A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country, along with Syria, on Monday 6 February.

Comedian and OK! columnist Judi Love has some words of wisdom for ITV pal Vanessa Feltz following her shock split from fiancé of 16 years Ben Ofoedu. Writing in her column this week, Judi also issues her condolences for those who have lost their lives following the earthquake across Turkey-Syria, congratulates Beyoncé on her GRAMMY win, gives her verdict on the Happy Valley finale and discusses Netflix's new Pamela Anderson documentary.

In his column this week Peter Andre talks his 50th birthday plans and reveals why he will be opting for a family getaway instead of a big party. The dad-of-four also sends his thoughts to the victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquakes and shares his heartbreak over missing mum Nicola Bulley. Sign-up or login below to read his full column.

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, having taken the lead with a substantial donation of his own. He could encourage people to take the Covid vaccines, and reject the dangerous anti-science conspiracy theories embraced by so many of his disciples. He could back Ukraine’s right to defend itself.

This is the incredible moment a firefighter from Leigh helped rescue a woman who had been trapped in the rubble for almost a week after the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

David Muir is well aware of the influence his reporting can have, and in light of tragedy, he is putting it to good use.The ABC journalist departed his usual New York City studio for Turkey and Syria, to cover the devastating aftermath of the earthquake the two countries are grappling with.On Monday, February 6th, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the neighboring countries, decimating hundreds of buildings and tragically killing thousands.WATCH: David Muir reveals unlikely intruders in his homeMORE: Elizabeth Hurley is a goddess in white bikini for exciting announcementDavid took to Instagram over the weekend to reveal that he had headed off to one of the many areas throughout the region destroyed by the natural disaster.He shared a photo of himself in which he appears with a sullen expression, surrounded by piled up rubble and debris, as well as plenty of rescue workers managing the destroyed area.MORE: Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy 'incredibly proud' to share trailer for tear-jerking documentary"Few words truly describe the scope of this," he wrote in the caption, urging his fans and followers to help victims of the earthquake.A post shared by David Muir (@davidmuirabc)The star took on the daunting challenge of reporting on the devastating disaster"To help the families, the children of Turkey and Syria: unicefusa.org/abcnews," he added, a website which leads to a donation page to amass emergency relief funds for families and children affected.MORE: Kelly Ripa's son likened to major celebrity as he reveals unique lookMORE: Goldie Hawn looks tiny alongside supertall grandson for family reunionDavid was immediately praised by his fans and colleagues alike for keeping them updated on the heartbreaking situation, with

Scots wanting to donate to help earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria are being urged to do so via recognised charities.

Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. The Berlinale is nearly upon us and plenty has been going down in the film and TV world this week. Read on.

A suspected Isis fighter insists that he has the right to return home to the UK. Ibrahim Ageed, 29, says he now regrets his actions after joining the terrorist group aged 21.

People in West Lothian who want to donate essential items to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria can drop them off at a local charity base.

Former Love Island and Dancing On Ice contestant Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu says that some of her family members have been "sleeping outside" following the Turkey-Syria earthquake. The reality TV star who is of Turkish decent says that she has donated cash to the relief effort and wants to go over and volunteer.

Three British Nationals have been confirmed missing following the catastrophic earthquake which struck south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria yesterday morning.

The fate of a teenage TikTok cooking star has captured the attention of Turkish media after the devastating earthquakes in Southern Turkey and Northern Syria.

At least 1,300 people have died and 6,000 are injured after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday. Several buildings were destroyed during the 40-second tremor, with thousands of rescue teams working to free people still trapped under rubble.

A Turkish TV reporter fled from a collapsing building during a live report on the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the country in the early hours of Monday morning.

You don’t get very far into “5 Seasons of Revolution” before you realize something is off with one of the documentary’s participants. That person is Susu, a friend of the film’s director (simply credited as “Lina”).