Pakistan's Charlie Chaplin charms in bleak times

Editor's Note: This news column showcases stories from around the world that bring a touch of positivity to the fight against the deadly coronavirus.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan－A man in bowtie, bowler hat and carrying a cane flamboyantly weaves through busy traffic, narrowly avoiding rickshaws, motorcycles and buses in a scene reminiscent of a 1920s silent film.

Usman Khan, 28, used to sell children's toys from a roadside stand in bustling Peshawar but during the COVID-19 pandemic, he has transformed himself into Charlie Chaplin, a century after the silent comedian was propelled to global fame.