© 2025 Flatwater Free Press owner of acclaimed Yoshitomo and the first Nebraska chef to be a finalist for the prestigious James Beard award quietly took over the long-time sushi spot a few months ago Utterback told me after my two visits that he’s been going to the restaurant since he was 10 years old Mother’s Day with his late mom and other special occasions he said he’d often think about what he might change were he to take over the restaurant Asanuma told Utterback he was ready to retire and Utterback took over the restaurant last summer Meet our sponsors • Become a sponsor Sarah Baker Hansen launched her own food website covering the food scene of her hometown She works as the Director of Public & Media Relations at Emspace + Lovgren she was the food critic at the Omaha World-Herald She started the periodic Food Prowl series wherein she created teams of tasters and found favorites in a number of categories The series resulted in close to 40 “best of Omaha” winners She won a 2015 Great Plains Journalism Award for best review and a 2017 Great Plains Journalism Award for best feature I have been going there myself since 2005 and have always had a good meal May I add that they’ve dimmed the bright lights down to a cozy glow © 2025 Flatwater Free Press we write and deliver a free email newsletter that includes all our stories and the best news from around the state — award-winning investigations and uplifting features that connect Nebraskans no matter where you live Join renowned artist Wafaa Bilal and Bana Kattan, Pamela Alper Associate Curator, for a conversation about the artist’s first major survey, Wafaa Bilal: Indulge Me This program is presented in partnership with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Visiting Artists Program this program takes place off-site at The Art Institute of Chicago is a researcher and curator with experience working in the Arab world and the United States she was the Curator at the New York University Abu Dhabi Art Gallery and researcher for Arab Art Historian Salwa Mikdadi She received her MA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2011 and is a recipient of the Barjeel Global Fellowship (2018–19) and a CAA-Getty International Program Grant (2015) Lead support for the 2024–25 season of MCA Talks is made possible by The Richard and Mary L Gray Lecture Series through a generous gift to the Chicago Contemporary Campaign Generous support is provided by The Antje B Jelinek Endowed Lecture and Symposium on Contemporary Art; the Kristina Barr Lectures which were established through a generous gift by The Barr Fund to the Chicago Contemporary Campaign; The Gloria Brackstone Solow and Eugene A honoring his past leadership as Chair of the Board of Trustees Lead support is provided by the Harris Family Foundation in memory of Bette and Neison Harris Generous support is provided by Creative Capital Foundation Whoever wins the special election for Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners District 1 will serve at a critical juncture as the three-member board grapples with a problematic county jail a massive funding chasm to build a new one and the political fallout of whatever decisions are ultimately made to bridge that gap Pittman lost to Blumert in 2022 by just 120 votes The ongoing problems with the existing county jail and the $400 million funding gap to replace it are the most pressing issues facing Oklahoma County in the months and years ahead. Voters approved a $260 million bond in 2022 but after legal delays and climbing construction costs that amount falls well short of paying for what now is expected to be a $700 million facility commissioners are considering a possible first-time-ever sales tax for the county an increase in property taxes or funding some of it — or all of it — through loans All three Democrats participated in a pair of forums Jan. 16 and Jan. 23 Bana drew contrasts from her opponents with her long-standing opposition to both the 2022 bond and the construction of a larger new jail Lowe has touted his experience as a legislator and a criminal defense attorney who regularly visits the jail on behalf of clients making economic development in District 1 among her biggest priorities if elected The following information on the candidates in the Democratic primary has been compiled from forums they have participated in during the election cycle Sara Bana, 39, has worked in victim advocacy for years, successfully exposing neglect at Okfuskee County residential care homes on behalf of a client in 2019 Bana is also the Ward 5 representative on the Midwest City City Council But Bana is best known for her criminal justice and human rights activism She is a regular speaker at Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority and Board of County Commissioner meetings Bana opposed the creation of the jail trust and has heavily criticized operations at the jail and plans for a new one That work has taken center stage in her campaign she outlined what she sees as differences between her work and the work of her opponents when it comes to incarceration I’m the only one here that has been actively invested and engaged at the county government level,” she said “It’s not because I’m running for office that I decided to care about the county jail When I came across atrocities and the inhumanity and the unconstitutionality that I saw I assisted those individuals being killed and marginalized in the facility by filing health department reports I picked up my pen and keypad and reported to the [U.S Department of Justice] Civil Rights Division The county jail isn’t a place where people are going to die it’s a place where people are dying.” The jail has seen 56 deaths since the jail trust took over in 2020, including two so far this year. Former trust CEO Brandi Garner resigned earlier this month the mental health facility has generated controversy not only because it’s next to the jail but because it will only serve those who have been arrested by police “We could build a smaller county jail and instead invest in turning around the most dilapidated buildings across the county into mental health care facilities,” Bana said during a Jan there are government entities that we could rehab and turn into mental health facilities and bring in community partners to run those facilities.” The idea of offering mental health care only to people who have already been arrested makes little sense Bana said the focus should be on preventative care “This concept of building a behavioral health center what it does is puts access to care on the back end,” she said you have to first enter the criminal justice system Bana has assailed county leaders for the price tag of the new jail “They told us they needed $260 million to build us a larger jail the jail that they were proposing was going to end up costing $700 million,” she said “Now that we’ve given them the money they’re being more honest and truthful and explaining to us that they need more money and so now they’re looking at adding a first-ever county sales tax or increasing property taxes.” Housing infrastructure is another issue Bana has championed during her campaign Oklahoma County is the most populous county in the state and it continues to grow steadily and with that growth has come an increase in housing costs “We need to address the unhoused population and those who are having trouble paying for housing,” she said “We could build tiny home communities with the money we would save from having a smaller jail We could bring in federal grants to improve infrastructure building sidewalks and making other buildings more  [Americans with Disabilities Act]-compliant.” Jason Lowe has also made the jail one of the centerpieces of his campaign who supported the $260 million bond in 2022 16 forum his experiences as a criminal defense attorney visiting clients at the county jail have laid bare the facility’s many problems “The reason I am running for Oklahoma County District 1 is the Oklahoma County Jail,” Lowe said It is a place where people are actually going to die I have seen the lack of mental health care I am at the Oklahoma County Jail every other week.” Lowe, along with former city councilwoman and current Sen. Nikki Nice (D-OKC) organized opposition to the jail being built on OKC’s east side The consideration of such options drew widespread opposition from community leaders and residents “We marched from Coltrane (Road) all the way to the county courthouse because they wanted to build the jail in northeast OKC,” Lowe said “They wanted to build the jail in Forest Park They wanted to build the jail on Northeast 50th Street I fought against it ,and there’s no jail in northeast OKC Lowe believes District 1 needs infrastructure improvements He said a man he met in a rural area of the district reported the roads by his house have not been paved in 40 years 1,” Lowe said when asked about infrastructure “We also have to make sure our jail is fully funded (…) We also have to tackle homelessness through affordable housing.” Lowe focused on housing programs in the county “I would like to expand the Oklahoma County Housing Finance Program,” he said “I think that’s something we have to do We also have to educate folks on how to freeze their property taxes and the way to do that is to have forums and a dialogue where we go across the district and let people know about the programs that are out there There are so many federal programs out there that would help individuals get housing or repair their credit.” Lowe said alternatives to incarceration are another area that would receive his focus if elected “We need more diversion programs,” he said “I see individuals being arrested for nonviolent offenses They’re usually Black or brown individuals — people with mental health problems.” Lowe told the story of a 19-year-old University of Central Oklahoma student arrested for a small amount of marijuana who languished in the facility for days after her bail was posted The student ended up being fired from her job because of the delay in her release I want to make sure that doesn’t happen to any young person again,” Lowe said He said the process of how people enter diversion programs must change to be effective the [district attorney’s] office makes the determination whether a person gets into a program,” he said I propose a board where there’s a defense attorney on the board Anastasia Pittman, 54, served 12 years in the Oklahoma Legislature is a member of the Seminole Nation General Council representing the Dosar Barkus Band She previously ran for the District 1 county commissioner seat in 2022 forcing a runoff with Carrie Blumert that she ultimately lost Pittman has made economic development in the district her top priority if elected as examples of projects she helped make happen as a legislator “I spent 12 years of my life writing policy from birth to death,” she said I leveraged millions of dollars that we brought into the state to publicly fund what we needed I also do that on my tribal council serving as one of three Finance Committee members Pittman said Oklahoma County is hamstrung by its lack of a sales tax and while building mental health centers and expanding housing programs are issues the county needs to tackle “The things that we are proposing cost money,” she said It does not have a sales tax base for this county Focusing on what’s achievable should be a priority “There are some things that we cannot do,” she said “But there are things that we can do We can promote public-private partnerships so that we can create affordable housing — projects that meet the needs of our low-income families and veterans There are housing-first programs that can educate people and provide stable housing for the homeless There is transitional housing that we need to be committed to we need to make sure that we aren’t pricing people out of their communities.” Pittman sees the jail as just one of many problems with criminal justice in Oklahoma County may not necessarily solve all the problems but until we get the diversion programs to meet those needs — the drug courts to reduce the jail population — and address the root causes of incarceration it really doesn’t matter what we build,” she said “Transparency and accountability should also be one of the priorities The people dealing with detainees should also have some kind of training in recognizing mental health problems.” Pittman believes she is uniquely qualified to be on the board of county commissioners in part because of her legislative experience and also her reputation for getting things done “I do budgets on a regular basis,” Pittman said “Not only did I do it in the Legislature I’m doing it currently for the Seminole Nation three things that a county commissioner has had to do: maintain a budget we will not be able to tell you where the money is going.” No candidate for Oklahoma County commissioner is more at odds with the current direction of county government from operations of the present dangerous jail to the controversial site for a new jail and Behavioral Care Center who regularly berates the sitting commissioners is running for the open District 1 seat on the Board of County Commissioners The district includes parts of Oklahoma City More: Meet the candidates for Oklahoma County Dist. 1 commissioner: Bana, Green, Lowe, Pittman "The crisis in our county jail is a direct result of years of mismanagement neglect and a misplaced focus on expanding the jail system rather than fixing the problems at hand," Bana said "We need urgent reform and an actionable plan to address the dire conditions of the current facility accountability and a commitment to prioritizing life safety and security — both for detainees and staff The plan of action needs a timeline for implementation and a mechanism for measurement to examine our progress." Bana said she is not opposed to the county jail trust having financial oversight over the jail which it has done since commissioners created it and it took over from the sheriff's office in 2020 Its underfunding and understaffing under the trust demands more than has been done "One of the most effective steps would be to eliminate nonviolent offenders from the facility," she said "Commissioners and trustees need to be proactive in lobbying the Legislature to eliminate cash bail for indigent More: Three Democrats, one independent, file to run for District 1 Oklahoma County commissioner Lowe was the only urban Democrat to vote against bail reform .. a bill supported by the Oklahoma Policy Institute and the American Civil Liberties Union "which would have significantly reduced the jail population and saved taxpayers millions." County commissioners should work with community organizations to establish a revolving bail fund, "similar but larger" than the OKC Bail Project indigent offenders and reduce overcrowding and reduce the strain of understanding the county should eliminate existing contracts to house municipal offenders allowing municipalities to either find alternative jail contracts or implement cite-and-release policies for nonviolent offenders," she said Bana opposes both the location of the new jail site and Behavioral Care Center at 1901 E Grand Blvd. and opposes the use of some $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for a detainee Behavioral Care Center at the site "should have been used to address core infrastructure needs at the county level and then fairly distributed to towns and municipalities across the region for qualifying projects "This would have maximized the benefit to taxpayers provided necessary maintenance and revitalization to our aging infrastructure it would have directly supported the towns and smaller municipalities that were hit hardest by the pandemic ensuring a more equitable recovery for all." The location for the new jail "is not practical particularly when considering the needs of individuals who are being housed or released," Bana said "A jail should be centrally located to ensure accessibility to the courthouse shelters and other essential service providers "This location will increase taxpayer costs especially in terms of transportation for detainees as the sheriff’s office will be responsible for costly Department of Justice has found the state and Oklahoma City in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for failing to get people with behavioral health disabilities treatment until they are in crisis and end up needlessly hospitalized or in contact with law enforcement "The (care center) associated with the new jail is simply a continuation of the failed policies the federal government has directed us to reform," Bana said "Instead of addressing the root causes of mental health and addiction issues we are still funneling people into jail as the primary means of accessing care Rather than institutionalizing individuals in jails for mental health or substance abuse treatment we need to ensure mental health care and drug and alcohol treatment services are accessible within every community (before people) become entangled in the criminal justice system." Aside from working as one of three commissioners on jail issues combined with my professional background as a public interest advocate in civil and human rights anti-corruption efforts and crisis management equips me with a unique skill set that prepares me to navigate the complexities of county governance effectively," she said Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com Are you ready to join the thousands of companies who rely on Blue Book to drive smarter decisions We’d love to show you what Blue Book can do for you Drop us a line– we’ve been waiting for you BANA says the cost of America’s favorite fruit could go up by as much as $250 million a year under the 10% reciprocal tariffs 2025 — The Banana Association of North America (BANA) announced today that the cost of America’s favorite fruit could go up by as much as $250 million a year under the 10% reciprocal tariff imposed April 5 by the Trump Administration.  Department of Agriculture reports that more than $2.5 billion of fresh bananas were imported into the U.S meeting the ever-increasing demand of American banana consumers Although the Administration stated that one of the purposes of reciprocal tariffs is to bring more business to the U.S. bananas and other tropical fruits cannot be commercially grown in the U.S.  Rather than fulfilling this purpose American consumers shopping for bananas – both organic and conventional – will see prices rise at supermarkets across the country Another purpose of the reciprocal tariff is to address uneven trade balances between the U.S and its foreign trading partners.  More than 90% of bananas sold in the U.S are imported from just five countries –Colombia Although these countries are all included in the 10% tariff framework Census Bureau international trade data actually shows that the U.S has a collective positive balance of trade with these countries exporting $4.7 billion more in goods to these countries than it imports.  these facts demonstrate that the chief objectives of the reciprocal tariff are largely inapplicable to bananas American consumers will suffer higher prices from tariffs on bananas without producing significant economic benefits for the U.S.  Our balance of trade with banana-producing countries is already positive and there is no potential to meaningfully drive U.S given the climate in which bananas grow,” said Tom Stenzel “We support the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and ensure fair trade for American businesses.  But we also urge the Administration to recognize the unique role of bananas and other tropical fruits and the frightening financial impact that these tariffs pose for U.S The Banana Association of North America (BANA) is a trade association representing and serving importers and marketers of bananas in North America.  BANA members supply more than 90 percent of all bananas sold in the United States consumers with the healthiest and freshest supply of America’s favorite fruit Get access to all the news and analysis you need to make the right decision --- delivered to your inbox G&R Farms launches its 2025 Growing America’s Farmers (GAF) program featuring in-store Vidalia promotions and displays is recalling 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes packaged in clam shell containers The Chilean/Peruvian offshore season will wrap up over the next four weeks Expect pricing to increase as the offshore season winds down The Foundation For Fresh Produce held its annual Consumer Connection Conference April 28-30 tangy refreshment of California-grown grapefruit and introducing a new way to enjoy it Subway is stepping in to make dining decisions even easier with the return of $6.99 Any Footlong all month long BANA neither confirms nor denies signing them BANA record label is behind many of the girl group’s hit songs is rumored to be joining the agency Beasts And Natives Alike the record label behind many of the girl group’s hit songs including "Hype Boy," "Ditto," "Cookie," and "OMG." When approached by The Korea Herald on Tuesday BANA declined to comment on the possible signing of NJZ as its new artist neither confirming nor denying the speculation The rumors intensified after NJZ member Hyein mentioned during an Instagram Live broadcast on Feb 7 that the group would be announcing a new agency soon "Don’t worry too much about us; we will announce a new agency soon," Hyein said as she assured fans BANA artist Kim Ximya also confirmed during an online interaction with fans on Feb 6 that the company is preparing to introduce a new group When a fan inquired about news of a new girl group debuting under BANA member Hanni also shared an intriguing message on NJZ’s social media "Uh… It might take a while to get used to going live here." This suggests that NJZ is adjusting to a new environment raising speculation that the group may have already found a new home BANA gained public recognition after its in-house producers starting with their debut track "Attention" in 2020 is also known for his long-time friendship with former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin dating back to their time at SM Entertainment in the early 2010s is said to have asked Kim to write songs for the girl group after she became CEO of Ador in 2020 Their strong bond and seamless teamwork further fuel the rumors that NJZ may be settling in at BANA Music critic Lim Hee-yun said that if NJZ were to continue their activities under BANA there would be both advantages and challenges to consider "Since BANA has essentially been in charge of NJZ's music production making it easier for them to work together compared to other options," Lim said on Tuesday given that BANA is a relatively small company it would need to collaborate closely with other firms for management promotions and -- most importantly -- budget investment." conflicts with Hybe could arise in multiple ways the most pressing issue right now is how to resolve the exclusive contract situation with Ador," Lim added Lee Jae-myung leads in hypothetical three-way race with Han Duck-soo the presidential candidate of South Korea’s main liberal Democratic Party holds a lead in a potential three-way race for the country’s next election 15% of Korean wage workers have flexible work schedules: data Koryo saram are 'living bridges' of Kazakh-Korean ties 'Smile at me': Cancer-fighting senior influencer inspires with strength Hybe’s profit-driven push draws backlash from fans HITGS debuts amid scrutiny over members being all under 18 Maroon 5 collaborates with Blackpink’s Lisa for new single ‘Priceless’ Blackpink’s Rose to sing for Brad Pitt movie Respect wanes: Teaching no longer highly coveted job in S South Koreans get creative with Parents’ Day gifts Korean mothers are opting for C-sections at record rates The killing of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi 6 rightly garnered extensive international attention But there was another fatal shooting by Israeli forces that day — only two hours after Eygi’s killing and just a few miles away — which barely received any coverage at all: that of Bana Laboum a 13-year-old Palestinian from the village of Qaryut who was shot dead while looking out of her bedroom window who residents say were armed with rocks and Molotov cocktails approached the houses on the outskirts of Qaryut which is located near Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank before Israeli security forces arrived and the settlers left the soldiers then began chasing the Palestinian youths firing tear gas and stun grenades and a single shot of live ammunition — the one that killed my daughter,” Bana’s father told +972 during a visit to the village last week According to Amjad and other eyewitnesses from Qaryut and as confirmed by a short video taken by a resident which +972 has seen the Israeli forces — who appear to have included officers from the Border Police — were standing at the end of a small alley about 100 meters from the Laboum family’s house when one of them fired the shot From the vantage point where they were positioned it is possible to see the small window of Bana’s room which she shared with some of her siblings Amjad was standing on his porch at the time while the rest of the family were upstairs “I saw four or five soldiers moving from place to place but then one knelt down and aimed his weapon,” he recounted “We thought he fired at the boys in the street If I understood that he wanted to shoot at the house I wouldn’t have left my children inside but when he heard the gunshot and the shattering of glass he ran up to his children’s room and we rushed her in an ambulance to a clinic in [the nearby town of] Qabalan and from there to the hospital in Nablus But she had already taken her last breath on the street outside our house “The geography of the area doesn’t allow for mistakes: it was intentional,” Amjad asserted I want justice for my daughter in order to protect other children I don’t want any [parent] to face such a situation.”  ‘They think that by killing the little ones they will break the adults’ Bana’s room consists of four single beds with matching linens the bed has become a kind of memorial to Bana with her family placing pictures of her beside her school uniform and beloved stuffed animals “She was supposed to start ninth grade,” Amjad said where Al Jazeera was broadcasting live from Gaza “We’ve been seeing what’s happening there for 11 months now,” he said At least I buried my daughter whole; in Gaza Qaryut’s 3,000-strong community has long borne the brunt of the Israeli occupation Israel seized land from the village by military order to build the settlements of Shilo and Eli The Palestinians of Qaryut were cut off from most of their agricultural land and later from the road connecting Nablus and Ramallah we are not allowed to access our lands,” Amjad lamented Qaryut and the nearby villages of Jalud and Qusra are also surrounded by some of the most extreme Israeli outposts in the West Bank though they are nevertheless often connected to state infrastructure was severely wounded by Israeli settlers who raided the village from the direction of Shilo and Eli so I went down to my sister’s house on the edge of the village,” he told +972 who had used their shirts to cover their faces As the settlers approached another family’s house, Mohammed saw that one of them was about to light a Molotov. “I immediately thought we would have another Dawabsheh incident [referring to the settler firebombing of a home in the Palestinian village of Duma in 2015 which killed 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh and both of his parents] and then another settler behind him threw a large rock at my head where he remained for three days and underwent facial surgery and since then I can only drink juice or soup,” he told +972 “Each tooth replacement costs NIS 1,600 [around $400] I don’t know where I’m going to get the money.” Despite the lethal escalation in military and settler violence Amjad emphasized that he and the other villagers will never cower to their oppressors “They think that if they kill the little ones they will break the adults — but that’s not true,” he said What did they achieve by killing my daughter The Israeli army has not yet opened an official investigation into Bana’s killing Soldiers tried to enter the Laboum home while Amjad and the family were still at the hospital in Nablus “No one [from the army] spoke to us,” he said a Border Police spokesperson said that “a Border Police force came to deal with the disturbances only after [Bana] was shot,” and referred us to the IDF Spokesperson The IDF spokesperson noted only that “after the Military Advocate General’s Office’s examination of the circumstances of the incident an investigation by the Military Police is expected to be launched.” A version of this article was first published in Hebrew on Local Call. Read it here and a founding member of the Activestills photography collective Our team has been devastated by the horrific events of this latest war The world is reeling from Israel’s unprecedented onslaught on Gaza inflicting mass devastation and death upon besieged Palestinians as well as the atrocious attack and kidnappings by Hamas in Israel on October 7 Our hearts are with all the people and communities facing this violence We are in an extraordinarily dangerous era in Israel-Palestine The bloodshed has reached extreme levels of brutality and threatens to engulf the entire region are seizing the opportunity to intensify their attacks on Palestinians The most far-right government in Israel’s history is ramping up its policing of dissent using the cover of war to silence Palestinian citizens and left-wing Jews who object to its policies one that +972 has spent the past 14 years covering: Israeli society’s growing racism and militarism We are well positioned to cover this perilous moment – but we need your help to do it This terrible period will challenge the humanity of all of those working for a better future in this land Palestinians and Israelis are already organizing and strategizing to put up the fight of their lives Can we count on your support +972 Magazine is a leading media voice of this movement a desperately needed platform where Palestinian and Israeli journalists and thinkers can report on and analyze what is happening The Banana Association of North America (BANA) announced this week that the cost of bananas in America could rise by as much as $250 million a year under the 10% reciprocal tariff imposed on April 5 by the Trump administration told FreshFruitPortal.com there are several reasons why tariffs on bananas don't make sense—starting with the fact that they cannot be commercially grown in the U.S Bananas remain the country’s most-consumed fruit Due to the volume of bananas imported by the U.S. any percentage increase in tariffs will significantly raise prices for consumers That’s why BANA immediately contacted members of the Trump administration to express concern about the industry impact has a positive trade balance with all banana-exporting countries in Latin America so it really doesn't make sense for these countries to be included," Stenzel said.  Stenzel said that if prices increase and consumers buy fewer bananas export volumes from Latin America may drop Regarding the possibility of an incentive for growers to shift more bananas to other markets like Europe and such a change wouldn't happen immediately “the real goal is not to have tariffs on bananas or any tropical fruit item that you can't grow in the U.S.,” he said Stenzel indicated he has not heard of any retailers raising the price of bananas in the U.S “We support the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and ensure fair trade for American businesses But we also urge the Administration to recognize the unique role of bananas and other tropical fruits and the frightening potential financial impact tariffs pose for U.S As markets and industries await the White House's next move members of the banana industry hope they won’t have to deal with tariffs in the long run we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads may adversely affect certain features and functions Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen Nabila Bana is a seasoned digital journalist with a special focus on conflict and women's rights She began her career in social impact start-ups but unexpectedly found her calling in journalism after documenting human stories during the war in Syria Nabila has produced digital stories for leading newsrooms across three continents Her video journalism has amassed over 500 million views across various platforms Nabila blends research with creative storytelling to simplify complex narratives while uncovering fresh insights making even the most intricate topics accessible Nabila holds a Masters degree in Social Innovation from the London School of Economics Her academic journey has deepened her understanding of storytelling as a tool for social change at Al Jazeera English's digital media team Nabila's work has been instrumental in spotlighting humanitarian crises and environmental challenges—topics that demand attention but are frequently underreported Viral News Blueprint: Captivating the Next Generation on TikTok and Instagram explores how social media can meaningfully engage younger audiences with news using innovative strategies to bridge the gap between the legacy reporting of traditional journalism and digital-first storytelling Nabila's Fellowship at the Reuters Institute is supported by the Thomson Reuters Foundation Erotic Survival Thriller ‘Bone Lake’ Sets October Theatrical Release Date Five Horror Movies Inspired by Fairy Tales to Stream This Week Multiverse Revenge Thriller ‘Redux Redux’ Acquired by Saban for Theatrical Release ‘Together’ Trailer – Alison Brie & Dave Franco’s Love and Flesh Get Corrupted Rock Climbing Survival Horror ‘The Sound’ Will Release in June ‘The Last of Us Part II’ Character Makes Violent Entrance in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Netflix Renews Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Series ‘The Eternaut’ for Season 2 ‘Revival’ Trailer Brings the Dead Back to Life in SYFY Comic Book Adaptation Series Check Into Shudder’s ‘Hell Motel’ from the Creators of ‘Slasher’ [Trailer] Matthew Lillard in Talks to Join Mike Flanagan’s ‘Carrie’ TV Series Director Haylie Duff’s ‘I Am Your Biggest Fan’ Is a Predictable But Watchable Kidnapping Thriller [Review] ‘Rosario’ Review – Family Curse Horror Story Gets Caught in Familiar Possession Trappings ‘The Horror at Highrook’ Nails the Cosmic Horror Blendo Games’ Immersive Sim ‘Skin Deep’ Is Hilarious and Exhilarating [Review] ‘Until Dawn’ Review – Kitchen Sink Creature Feature Fails Its Source Material Let’s Cast a ‘White Lotus’ Season With Stephen King Characters Salem Horror Fest 2025 Opening Night Raises Hell with Ashley Laurence [Event Report] 6 Recent Free-to-Play Horror Games That’ll Give You Nightmares Supernatural Tactical Extraction Shooter ‘Nightmare Frontier’ Comes to Steam This Summer [Trailer] a ‘FAITH’-Inspired Farming Sim Coming This October [Trailer] ‘Clock Tower’-Inspired Survival Horror Title ‘Midnight Special’ Launches May 8 on Steam [Trailer] Body Horror Sim ‘Zoochosis’ Announced for PlayStation Consoles [Trailer] Latest ‘Elden Ring Nightreign’ Trailer Highlights the Game’s Systems [Watch] Actor Eric Bana (Deliver Us from Evil) has joined the cast of Netflix’s upcoming survival thriller Apex, described as Free Solo meets Silence of the Lambs, Deadline reports today Bana joins previously announced stars Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton (Carry-On) Written by Jeremy Robbins (“The Purge” television series), Apex “follows a rock climber who finds herself being hunted in the wild.” Robbins’ spec script was selected as part of 2021’s The Black List an annual buzzy compendium of the year’s most-liked unproduced Hollywood screenplays The spec script’s logline gives a better idea of the Silence of the Lambs comparison: “When an adrenaline junkie sets out to conquer a menacing river she discovers that nature isn’t the only thing out for blood.” It’s the type of premise that feels designed to get the adrenaline pumping There’s no word at this time as to who Bana will be playing in the survival thriller, though. The actor most recently appeared in the Ridley Scott-produced cult thriller A Sacrifice costarring Sadie Sink (“Stranger Things”) Theron will produce the project along with Dawn Olmstead and AJ Dix via their newly launched media company as well as Kormákur through his RVK productions; Ian Bryce; and Peter Chernin and David Ready through Chernin Entertainment Netflix Playing 30+ Hitchcock Movies in 35mm at New York’s Paris Theater Including ‘Psycho’ ‘Fear Street: Prom Queen’ Trailer – Winning Might Just Be the Death of You Bleecker Street has acquired the US rights to Bone Lake setting an October 10 theatrical release date erotic survival thriller is directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan (Spoonful of Sugar) and written by Joshua Friedlander (Holly Slept Over) A couple’s romantic vacation at a secluded lakeside estate is upended when they’re forced to share the mansion with a mysterious and attractive couple A dream getaway spirals into a nightmarish maze of sex bringing terrifying secrets to light and triggering a bloody battle for survival Nick Matthews (Saw X) serves as director of photography Trace Thurman wrote in his review out of Fantastic Fest “Bone Lake emerges as one of the biggest surprises of Fantastic Fest operating as an incredibly entertaining thriller that doesn’t skimp on the gore or the laughs It’s a goddamn blast from start to finish.” Bone Lake has been rated “R” for strong bloody violence Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills was awarded the 2024 Global Recognition Award The resort is celebrated for its blend of historic charm and modern luxury and commitment to sustainability set new standards in mountain resort hospitality Photo Credits: Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills has been awarded the distinguished 2024 Global Recognition Award highlighting its status as a leading Asian mountain retreat This accolade underscores the resort's unique blend of historic charm and modern luxury setting it apart in the hospitality industry Culinary excellence is another cornerstone of the resort's recognition including L'étable Restaurant and Maison Du Roi from French and Vietnamese cuisine to international fare Le Grenier Lounge and Café Postal provide atmospheric spaces for relaxation throughout the day The resort's dedication to environmental stewardship is evident through its participation in AccorHotels' Planet 21 program Initiatives like Vietnam's first eco-friendly café and the Soap For Hope program demonstrate Mercure Danang's commitment to sustainability and community support reflecting their proactive approach to environmental responsibility Exclusive cable car access and dedicated lanes for hotel guests further enhance accessibility and guest experience The resort's strategic location also provides convenient access to iconic attractions such as the Golden Bridge making it an ideal destination for adventure and relaxation travelers The 2024 Global Recognition Award acknowledges the resort's physical attributes and commitment to service excellence and sustainable practices Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills perfectly synthesizes historical charm setting new standards in mountain resort hospitality Dang Hai Ho (Danny) commented on the resort's impact: "I strongly believe that Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills is one of the most iconic mountain hotels in Vietnam’s hotel industry I take pride in what it brings to guests and how that has diversified the traveling experience in Vietnam." "The recognition of Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills with a 2024 Global Recognition Award reflects their outstanding achievements in hospitality excellence," said Alex Sterling of Global Recognition Awards "Their commitment to blending cultural heritage with modern luxury sets new standards in the industry." About Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills is a premier mountain retreat atop Ba Na Hills in Da Nang Renowned for 19th-century Gothic architecture the hotel offers a unique European atmosphere amidst Vietnam's natural beauty it provides breathtaking views of surrounding landscapes and exclusive experiences like access to the iconic Golden Bridge The hotel features 461 elegantly designed rooms with modern amenities Guests can indulge in culinary delights at ten restaurants and bars offering local and international cuisine Committed to sustainability through AccorHotels' Planet 21 program it leads initiatives like an eco-friendly café and Soap For Hope program The resort blends historic charm with modern luxury ideal for family vacations or romantic getaways Hotel Name: Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills Website: https://www.mercure-danang-banahills-french-village.com/ Global Recognition Awards is an international organization that recognizes exceptional companies and individuals who have significantly contributed to their industry Contact Info: Name: Alex SterlingEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Global Recognition AwardsWebsite: https://globalrecognitionawards.org/ or doubts arising from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting error@releasecontact.com (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request) Our efficient team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process Providing accurate and dependable information is central to our commitment Indices Commodities Currencies Stocks Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission A fashion designer is suing Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that he threatened to kill her and dangled her off a 17th-floor balcony in 2016 Bryana “Bana” Bongolan seeks $10 million in damages for emotional distress and false imprisonment at the hands of the embattled producer According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone and People Bongolan says she met Diddy through Ventura Bongolan believed Combs could offer her “once-in-a-lifetime” career opportunities and worked with him for two years But instead of advancing her fashion career working with Combs led her to “experience violence and abuse firsthand in professional settings.” She says she witnessed Combs abuse Ventura multiple times including allegedly banging on her apartment door unannounced and throwing a large kitchen knife at the singer who Bongolan says then threw one back at him in self-defense Bongolan further claims she repeatedly saw Ventura with bruises and black eyes she said she got from Combs who she says picked up a woman “like a child” and dangled her over a 17th-floor balcony Combs firmly denies these serious allegations and remains confident they will ultimately be proven baseless.” By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. 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Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb 0 && comm[ts].geo.indexOf($root.$GEO.country) == -1" ng-if="comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:news' && comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:video' && comm[ts].evt != 'Plugin:comments'"> This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Disclaimer: By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use If you’re a fan of Eric Bana or Kath Day Knight’s celebrity crush in Kath & Kim.  the 56-year-old gained national recognition in the Australian TV series Full Frontal his breakout role came in the form of Chopper (2000) in which he received not only critical acclaim but also catapulted him into the international spotlight While his acting prowess may have made him one of Australia’s most recognised Hollywood stars fans have also grown curious about his life away from the camera Eric Bana has been married to his wife Rebecca Gleeson since 1997.  While not much is known about the couple’s early relationship Eric and Rebecca reportedly first crossed paths in 1995 on the set of Full Frontal with Rebecca working as a publicist for the Seven Network at the time.  the couple have kept their romance largely out of the spotlight Eric and Rebecca have been spotted together recently at the premieres for Eric’s most recent project Eric Bana and Rebecca Gleeson have two children together: a son While the young family spent much of their early life away from the spotlight Eric described fatherhood as “the most rewarding job.” “It’s the one that takes the most amount of thought and energy but it’s worth every bit of energy you put into it It’s the best thing,” he told the Daily Telegraph.  Sophia shared in 2022 that she was planning to make a step into the acting world after completing her university studies “Acting has always been something I am passionate about and hoped to pursue… However I’m not putting pressure on myself to launch into it and instead am focusing on enjoying the process and learning.” Want to discover your love story? Start your journey today for FREE with eHarmony. Gracie launched her career in journalism at Are Media Working as a Digital Content Producer across WHO Gracie has combined her love for all things music and style with her journalistic and social media skillset to create engaging content covering pop culture’s biggest trends If she’s not busy telling you how much she loves The Beatles (a lot) you’ll probably find Gracie counting down the days until her next concert or testing out TikTok’s favourite new beauty trend BANA Angels Director Sona Veziryan (left) with UATE Executive Director Sargis Karapetyan YEREVAN—The Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises of Armenia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BANA Angels to collaborate on organizing an Investor Tour during WCIT2024/DigiTec This partnership offers a unique opportunity for investors from around the world to not only attend the Congress but also explore Armenia’s vibrant startup ecosystem UATE Executive Director Sargis Karapetyan and BANA Angels Director Sona Veziryan signed the memorandum which offers Armenian startups a unique opportunity to explore new financial opportunities and markets The presence of international investors can significantly enhance the global visibility of Armenian startups This will not only help startups expand their geography but also ensure their competitiveness in the international market contributing to economic development in the IT sector and help them to scale we aim at targeting international investors who will visit Armenia during the WCIT2024/DigiTec events to meet with local startups and explore cooperation opportunities This is not only important for presenting investment opportunities in Armenia but also for establishing long-term professional connections between international investors and local startups we have already received a large number of applications from investors many of whom will be visiting Armenia for the first time This is also an excellent opportunity for us to showcase Armenia’s rich heritage and modern culture we have planned excursions to historical landmarks and participation in traditional celebrations,” Director of BANA Angels Sona Veziryan noted aims to introduce international investors to leading Armenian startups This event will enhance investments in Armenia and local startups International investors will visit the most successful tech companies of Armenia establish cooperation agreements with entrepreneurs and explore innovative projects that drive regional growth.  “We are very pleased with this collaboration as WCIT2024/DigiTec will be held from October 4 to 7 in Yerevan The Congress will emphasize the importance of applied sciences and technological presence in various regions and economies centered around the headline ‘THE POWER OF MIND: AI Beyond Limits “It will not only contribute to the development of the Armenian IT sector but also play an invaluable role in its internationalization and promotion The Armenian tech sector development is a priority of the UATE many “Angel Investors” will arrive to support the development of local startups by providing new financial resources and opportunities to enter international markets,” Karapetyan added the event will feature a comprehensive high-level program that includes B2B meetings the WITSA World Cup for scaleups from up to 20 countries Designed to attract thousands of local and international delegates the Congress offers a diverse agenda catering to various stakeholders Participants will have the opportunity to explore advanced solutions and the latest global ICT developments through interactive seminars and specialized panel discussions WCIT2024//DigiTec will survey as a global platform The conference agenda includes participants from a wide geographic area with more than 2,000 international delegates expected to visit Armenia during the event The Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises represents over 160+ high-tech companies in Armenia including both local and international firms UATE is dedicated to driving industry growth through key initiatives: establishing comprehensive technology education across Armenia (Armath Engineering Makerspaces) and exchanging expertise through organized delegations UATE significantly influences the legal field through policymaking and government cooperation fostering a competitive yet collaborative business environment The DigiTec exhibition is an annual event organized by the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) since 2005 the exhibition serves as a platform to explore global technological trends UATE organized two simultaneous exhibitions each featuring 120 companies and hosting over 100 speakers participating companies facilitated over 100 million AMD in transactions during DigiTec2023 DigiTec 2024 is scheduled to take place this year from October 4th to 6th at the “Meridian” Expo Center (Voskerichinen 1, Yerevan). To learn more, visit the DigiTec 2024 Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube page, or the DigiTec 2024 website © 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc © 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc. Abu Zuluf was invited to address the Basque Navarra Parliament as a recognised global expert on the ongoing genocide in Palestine Bana Abu Zuluf was invited by Yala Ribera to make a number of public interventions on Palestine in the Basque country and to screen their film 'We Will Remain' at the Public University The documentary is among many outcomes of a project titled Palestinian Bedouins at Risk of Forced Displacement funded by AHRC / FCDO - reference: AH/T007540/1 Maynooth University & Maynooth University logo are registered trademarks of the National University of Ireland Maynooth.Registered charity number 20037130 The movie that turned me into a salivating feral rabbit for crunchy pani puris for the rest of my life (or Golgappas The movie that turned me into a salivating feral rabbit for crunchy pani puris for the rest of my life (or Golgappas, I harbour equal respect for all cultures) turns 16 today. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, you'll always be famous May you puzzle every first-time watcher with the absolute point (or the lack thereof) of the movie and admiringly gawk at the human equivalent of a chameleon aka Suri Sahni essayed by the oh-so-versatile SRK penning down 16 thoughts I had while watching Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is quite the herculean task because that sounds cooler as an anniversary headline "Love marriage is fashionable nowadays?" Okay Mr no wonder they killed you and your delulu thinking off in the first few minutes of the movie That scene where Suri places and quickly removes the rose from the dining table is absolute cinematic perfection Taani firmly establishes that she might not be emotionally available in the marriage and love him to the degree he may be expecting this entire scene was very well-written and ahead of its times if it weren't for the plasma screen in front of me rather crept in to give you the exact same smack you were suggesting Suri to give Taani I strongly feel like Suri's reaction should've been more stern and dismissive of his behaviour here But will someone please tell me why the whole practice shebang is happening from a haveli straight out of the sets of Bhool Bhulaiya Even SRK couldn't influence me to look at them for more than a couple seconds Priety Zinta and Rani Mukherjee - I think half the budget was just allotted for this Genuinely considering opening Swiggy as I type this especially because of the Dhoom soundtrack playing in the back a bone to pick with Bobby Khosla poisoning Suri about the 'macho' narrative I despite this man and I'm convinced it's simply just a co-dependant friendship and that Suri should look out for new friends Like why are you changing your appearance every night sir Easily one of the best albums of the late 2000s Taani giving Suri an earful post his sumo wrestling bout was quite a satisfying scene scrapping the nonsense and shaking his saviour complex was long overdue at that point in the movie As someone who compulsively cleans when angry or stressed How did Taani not get the shock of her life after the big reveal during the dance it's the timing and ease with which she accepted all of it that bothered me The post credits slideshow and voiceover by SRK was hands-down the best part of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Also Read: 15 Things The Movie ‘Fashion’ Got Right About Our Industry According To A Fashion Journalist With their bowlers dismissing Bangladesh for just 149 after their lower-order helped India post 376 in the first innings the hosts swelled their lead to 308 and extended their dominance over the visitors on day two of the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday Virat Kohli to Shakib: Malinga bana hua, yorker pe yorker de raha haipic.twitter.com/G7phRMyMhQ India could add just 37 runs to their overnight total in the first hour against the second new ball as their first innings ended in 91.2 overs In reply, fast-bowling Jasprit Bumrah picked 4-50 in a relentless and searing bowling show to dismiss Bangladesh cheaply and help India take a 227-run lead Bumrah was in just a different realm to be the standout bowler for India India decided not to enforce follow-on and at stumps, reached 81/3 in 23 overs of their second innings. With Shubman Gill (33 batting) and Rishabh Pant (12 batting) at the crease India will be aiming to bat Bangladesh out of the game after having another brilliant day at Chepauk The following article discusses sexual violence Following a heated extraordinary council meeting Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) President Jenny Maguire and Welfare and Equality Officer Hamza Bana have been censured by the Union The extraordinary meeting of council was triggered by Bana’s and Maguire’s involvement in and promotion of last week’s actions which saw effigies hung and beaten as stand-ins for rapists as well as the the collection of students’ thoughts on rapists that were put on the Junior Dean’s Officer door without students’ explicit knowledge According to schedule 6.3 (d) of the TCDSU constitution: “Motions of Censure are the strongest reprimand that Council may give an officer without calling for the impeachment of that officer or removal of the member from the relevant Union Body” a new motion was created in favour of discarding the prepared motion to form a task force to tackle gender-based and sexual violence The scrapping of the motion was due to the original motion’s lack of explicit provisions for oversight Engagement Officer Chaya Nicole Smyth pointed out due to the proposed wording there could be “no minutes” and that the exact membership for the group would be uncertain other than the President and the Gender Equality Officer The potential exclusion of the former Gender Equality Officer Amy Kennedy from the task force – who was not consulted about the effigy action – was also mentioned as a concern Maguire proposed a new motion to bring a plan for a strategy taskforce on sexual violence to be brought by the President-elect for the next academic term’s council Bailey Armstrong – the newly elected Chair of Council – kicked off the evening by asking students to treat one another with respect and grace however attacks of a personal nature were not made during council The newly elected Commuting Students’ Officer Pól Ó hÍomhair introduced the motion to censure Hamza saying: “I hope that these censures show that these actions were not taken in the name of the student body” continuing “it is our duty now to show that these actions were not carried out with the Union’s consent” Former Chair of Council Daniel Walsh – who is running for Union of Students of Ireland’s Vice President of the Dublin Region – spoke in opposition of the motions to censure Bana and Maguire claiming that an investigation should be “objective” and carried out by the Oversight Commission (OC) of TCDSU Education Officer Eoghan Gilroy countered that the OC could have launched an investigation independently 2023/2024 Chair of Council Conchúr Ó Cathasaigh argued that censure is about showing no confidence in the union Walsh further said: “Why are rapists afforded due process but the pitchforks come out for Jenny” a student said the “Oversight Commission is there for a reason” They continued: “This campaign was made by survivors of sexual assault This was made for survivors by survivors.” They also said that the former Gender Equality Officer did not attend the Union Forum where the action was discussed In response to the former student’s point a student who said they were invited to come to council by their class rep challenged: “I’m a survivor They further stated that the action should not have been made without consultation from the Gender Equality Officer The point of the proposers of the motions for censure not being present at the town hall was brought up by the newly elected BDS Chair Harry Johnston despite the short notice given for the town hall and it being the last teaching week of the academic term for many undergraduate students TCDSU President-elect Seán Thim O’Leary then introduced the motion of censure for Maguire They said that the actions of last week “endeavoured to exclude the dissenting student body” and that the repurposing of anonymous confessions about rapists “retraumatised survivors” They further said: “our President has caused untold harm to our members” Multiple students opposing Maguire’s censure reaffirmed that Maguire was sick during the proceedings of last week’s campaign group A student sought to clarify whether the President should be aware of what campaigns are taking place Maguire’s answer referenced the fast-paced nature of campaigns and alluded that this is sometimes not the case Maguire also said that a campaign addressing sexual violence had been in the works for four months Those opposing the censure also urged students to accept the apology that had already been issued by TCDSU Newly elected LGBT Rights Officer and former Gender Equality Officer Amy Kennedy spoke in favour of censure She said: “in a private meeting it was admitted that it [the action] should have been brought to me” Few questions or speeches were addressed towards the Welfare Officer Bana despite their active participation in the effigy action Bana did not speak at the council meeting and declined to comment on his censure to The University Times despite challenging circumstances bringing ordinary students who aren’t officers to council they said they wanted to “reiterate to everyone that you can do this at any Comhairle throughout the year […] when stakes are much smaller and implications not as traumatic” The Electoral Commission declined to give the numbers for the votes for or against the motions stating: “Generally the breakdown of secret ballots aren’t shared.” If you have been effected by the matters brought up in this article you may contact: Dublin Rape Crisis Helpline: 1800 77 8888 30: The 16th Bijulimaya Bana Shrestha International Music Award- 2081 has been conferred on veteran artist and lyricist Nir Shah The Bhim Birag Sangit Sahitya Kala Pratisthan Nepal presented the award to Shah amid a programme.  Shah received Rs.  100,000 in recognition of his unparalleled contribution to Nepali music Shah has been continuously contributing to modern songs as well as the film industry for the past five decades  Entrepreneur Kanhaiya Krishna Shrestha established the international music award in 2008 in the name of his mother artist Shah said that he had never written songs intending to be recognised as a lyricist.  Writer Nagendra Thapa and award founder Kanhiya Krishna Shrestha presented the award to Shah.  Phone : +977-1-4222921 Email : risingnepaldaily@gmail.com Acting Editor-in-Chief(Print) : Bhimsen Thapaliya Bana Abu Zuluf, a Palestinian PhD researcher in International Law in the School of Law and Criminology Published an article in OpinioJuris entitled Rethinking International Law After Gaza Symposium: International Law Beneath the Rubble – Academic Complicity in Gaza Genocide the sky continues to rain fire as international law remains paralyzed The scholars and institutions that uphold its legitimacy—those who claim to champion justice—are biding their time They await the ICJ’s judgment as though a ruling from the Hague could stop the Gaza omnicide as if calling genocide by its rightful name requires a court’s permission Gaza’s children are buried under the rubble of homes bombed by a military that operates with impunity The massacre stretches far beyond the ‘borders’ of the Strip—its reach now extends to Beirut and Jnoub where Israeli airstrikes have claimed many more lives Read the article in full here . Harper's Bazaar Arabia may have you prioritising a wedding stylist before your wedding planner Does your dream wedding wardrobe not only consist of one white dress finishing touches and multiple outfit changes founder of personal styling wedding service TROU/SO – the voice behind the high profile Sidenote Banaa blog – is the woman to make your bridal vision board a reality as she takes care of every outfit detail so you don’t have to.Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What is it that sets TROU/SO apart from other bridal styling companies Bana Abujaber (BA): Our digital approach and brand partnerships We have been styling clients remotely with great success and our network and access to partners enables us to have early sneak peeks into trends I took a disruptive approach aiming to challenge the status quo and introduce a fresh perspective to the bridal fashion landscape HBA: How does the process of styling a bride and her entourage compare to other occasions BA: What makes the journey and experience so different to other events is the rollercoaster of emotions and excitement brides and their dependents go through This is why we take away any additional stress of finding the right looks.HBA: Can you walk us through the process of working with TROU/SO BA: Our first step is a virtual discovery call to meet the bride-to-be and capture what they’re looking for we turn around a proposal and discuss her vision in more depth with mood boards We keep our process interactive without overwhelming our clients and build a stylebook that includes multiple looks (fully styled shoppable links and brand recommendations.HBA: How has the styling for a bride evolved since you started working in this space BA: In the past six years I’ve noticed a shift in bridal trends Nowadays women have a broad range of options thanks to the influx of new ready-to-wear brands entering the space Brides are now more inclined to showcase different looks throughout their celebrations departing from the traditional single-outfit approach how did the wedding of Sofia Richie galvanise the wedding styling approach BA: Sofia Richie’s wedding played a pivotal role in reshaping the approach to wedding styling The extensive behindthe- scenes coverage of her wedding shed light on the significance of in-between outfits and her choice to wear multiple outfits by Chanel normalised the idea of a full wedding weekend of various events.HBA: What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing when it comes to servicing your niche BA: Our research tells us that the MENA region is very under served in bridal styling Developing an awareness of the need (and benefit) to have a wedding stylist is something that will develop with time I’m confident the norm will be to hire a wedding stylist before a wedding planner in the near future!HBA: Your fondest memory when it comes to starting your own business trousseau [clothes collected by a bride] holds a profound significance in my family passed down through generations My mother mirrored her father’s actions by telling me “Let’s fly to London and Paris and get your trousseau ready,” soon after my husband proposed to me.HBA: How did you choose the look for your own big day BA: My focus was on creating a style that was edgy I came across a stunning image of Kaia Gerber in a black drop-waist ball gown I discovered that the dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta inspired by Bianca Jagger’s dress for the Met Gala in the 80s I went to great lengths to connect with the brand for a custom design – and fortunately HBA: Your can’t-live-without bride-wardrobe essentials a statement accessory – be it a striking headpiece or oversized bow – that adds a touch of individuality a getting-ready outfit is crucial as this part is often documented.HBA: How important are shoes and bags on a wedding day BA: I cannot emphasise enough the importance of choosing comfortable shoes for your wedding and having an extra pair to change into I’m not a fan of a bride arriving at her wedding with a bag we will honour it – we have super cool bag selections in our repertoire.HBA: What is your most treasured piece from your wedding BA: The most cherished piece from my wedding is an oversized scrunchie it’s no secret that I never leave the house without one and to my luck the Oscar de la Renta team stepped in and designed the perfect one From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s Bride Spring/Summer 2024 issue art & more delivered directly to your inbox.