A leading Myanmar actor, singer and model who has backed the country's anti-coup protests was arrested on Thursday, his sister said, as the junta hunts more than 100 celebrities for supporting the movement.
The country has been rocked by daily protests since the military seized power on February 1, and the authorities have launched a bloody crackdown on dissent, with hundreds killed and more than 2,500 arrested.
Paing Takhon, 24 – a star in both Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand – has been active in the protest movement both in person at rallies and through his massive social media following.
"Some 50 soldiers with eight military trucks," came to arrest him from his mother's home in the North Dagon area of Yangon early Thursday, his sister Thi Thi Lwin posted on Facebook.
"As he's seriously ill, they arrested him calmly without violence. We do not know where he's taken," she added.
According to recent posts on his social media – where he had more than a million followers on Facebook and Instagram – Paing Takhon has been in poor health.
"I haven't been in good health for many days. I used to pray whenever I worshipped Buddha for good health and to get peace in Myanmar as soon as possible," he wrote on Wednesday.
In February he posted pictures of himself in a white tracksuit with a megaphone, hard hat and a white fluffy dog strapped to his chest at a protest.
"Help us stop crime against humanity," he posted on Instagram in February.
His social media pages have been taken down, though it is not clear whether he did this himself.
Paing Takhon is also famous in Thailand and has appeared in TV commercials and shows.
In January, he shaved his head and briefly joined the Buddhist monkhood, posting pictures of himself in burgundy robes.
The Myanmar authorities have published a list of some 120 celebrities wanted for arrest, including singers Lin Lin and Chit Thu Wai, actors Phway Phway, Eaindra Kyaw Zin and Pyay Ti Oo and model May Myat Noe.
The celebrities are facing accusations of spreading dissent against the military, an offence that carries a three year jail term if convicted.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
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Bulletproof coffee
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Various juice bars, including Comptoir 102
Jackfruit
Supermarkets across the UAE
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Jetour T1 specs
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Torque: 390Nm
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
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Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
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Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
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The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
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Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule
Friday
First practice, 1pm
Second practice, 5pm
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Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm
Sunday
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm
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- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
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Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
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Werner 9', Sane 19'
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Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
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About 57.5 million people
51.1 million received a jab
6.4 million have not
Where are the unvaccinated?
England 11%
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Northern Ireland 14%
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Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
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Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
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4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
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6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
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AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
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Gothia Cup 2025
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