Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Selena Gomez refers to Miley Cyrus as a “queen”

Selena Gomez
  • Selena Gomez recently tagged Miley Cyrus in an Instagram image.
  • Miley Cyrus gave Selena Gomez a present.
  • The Rare singer shared a pair of makeup-free photographs on Instagram.

Selena Gomez recently tagged Miley Cyrus in an Instagram image and even captioned it with one of the latter’s songs.

Miley Cyrus gave Selena Gomez a present. The Instagram celebrity used the photo-and-video-sharing platform’s story function to provide her 400 million fans and followers a preview of the same.

Selena Gomez posts a photo of Miley Cyrus’ present

Selena Gomez took to Instagram stories a few moments ago to provide a look of the present she received from Miley Cyrus. The image was composed of two images: the first showed Selena holding the gift package in her hands while posing for a selfie. Miley’s current album, ‘Endless Summer Vacation,’ was inscribed on the packaging. The second image was a close-up of the package, which featured goods from the Flowers collaboration with the self-tanning business Dolce Glow.

Sharing the photo, Selena captioned the photo, ‘The queen sent me presents’.

Look at Selena Gomez’s photo of Miley Cyrus’ present

Miley Cyrus gets a shout-out from Selena Gomez

This comes after Selena sent a shoutout to Miley Cyrus in her most recent Instagram post. The Rare singer shared a pair of makeup-free photographs on Instagram, and even tagged Miley in them. She then captioned the photo with a song from Miley’s new album Endless Summer Vacation, Violet Chemistry. The Hannah Montana star, as expected, reacted to Selena’s tweet with a red heart emoji.

Fans were undoubtedly ecstatic with the social media engagement between the two former Disney stars. They also wanted to know if Selena and Miley were planning any collaborations.

One fan wrote, “MILEY COLLAB WHEN????”. Another fan said, “Beautiful lady (slew of emojis)”, while yet another follower called her gorgeous.

Nevertheless, other than their recent interactions on the social media site, neither Selena nor Miley have given any further indications or details regarding a future collaboration.

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US congressman voiced alarm about the current situation in Pakistan

Congressman Mike Levin
  • Dr. Asif Mehmood reached out to Congressman Mike Levin.
  • Both discussed the ongoing political unrest in Pakistan.
  • Mike Levin stated his intentions to engage in dialogue with Imran Khan.

American Congressman Mike Levin has expressed concern over the current situation in Pakistan.

In a recent meeting, Dr. Asif Mehmood, a Pakistani-born American citizen, reached out to Congressman Mike Levin to discuss the ongoing political unrest in Pakistan, specifically targeting the actions taken against Imran Khan and his political party.

Congressman Levin acknowledged his concerns and expressed his own apprehensions about the present state of human rights and democracy in the country.

 

During the conversation, Mike Levin stated his intentions to engage in dialogue with Imran Khan to better understand the current situation and work towards finding a resolution.

He emphasized his worries about the deteriorating conditions of human rights and democracy in Pakistan while expressing hope that the country remains committed to safeguarding these ideals.

In response, Dr. Asif Mehmood highlighted the ongoing violations of human rights in Pakistan, pointing out that democracy is being threatened and challenged.

Both parties agreed on the importance of addressing these concerns and advocating for the protection of democratic values and human rights within the country.

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Khalistan referendum continues in Brisbane, Australia

Khalistan Referendum

The Sikh community gathers with determination. Around 30,000 to 35,000 Sikhs have cast their voice in the referendum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed apprehension. The ongoing Khalistan referendum has reached a new height today in Brisbane, Australia, as the Sikh community gathers with determination, voicing their rejection of Indian extremism and calling for the establishment … Read more

How did Jennifer Lopez assist Ben Affleck with his new film?

Jennifer Lopez
  • Ben Affleck is talking about starring in and directing AIR ahead of its premiere.
  • Ben Affleck spoke about how his talented wife assisted him with the film.
  • The AIR actor went on to say that Black culture’s ancient apparel, dance, and music have been copied.

Ben Affleck is talking about starring in and directing AIR ahead of its premiere.

The plot of AIR centres on the game altering connection between Nike’s basketball division and then amateur Michael Jordan. The collaboration resulted in the Air Jordan brand, which drastically changed both current fashion and the sports business.

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Marlon Wayans, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman, and Chris Messina star in AIR. Here are Affleck’s thoughts on his smart wife Jennifer Lopez.

Ben Affleck on Jennifer Lopez

Ben Affleck recently spoke about how his talented wife Jennifer Lopez assisted him with the film. Affleck stated that his wife assisted him in discussing how one of the reasons Jordan is so significant is that style and culture in America are mostly influenced by African culture. ‘She is incredibly knowledgeable about the way fashion evolves through the culture as a confluence of music, sports, entertainment and dance’.

The AIR actor went on to say that Black culture’s ancient apparel, dance, and music have been copied, stolen, and remarketed throughout the years. At the time, Nike, a white-owned company, was set to begin doing business with African American players in terms of identifying association.

Finally, Affleck stated that Nike recognised the significance of what Michael Jordan represented and who he was. This significance cannot be emphasised.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez

Previously, Lopez and Affleck became internet memes when their uncomfortable Grammys meeting went viral. The AIR actor recently stated that it was simply a husband-wife situation with no tension. Witnesses also stated that the pair was in love throughout the lavish ceremony, with no fights or discomfort.

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Fans sceptical after Kim Kardashian deleted old photos with brother

Kim Kardashian
  • Kim Kardashian’s Instagram postings are constantly monitored.
  • Kim Kardashian honoured her brother Rob’s birthday by uploading a series of old photographs.
  • Immediately after Kim published it, observant fans noticed that one image was missing.

Kim Kardashian‘s Instagram postings are constantly monitored, and not only Kim, but every Kardashian-Jenner, is open to sharing their emotions on Instagram and other social media platforms. Finding out what’s going on in the sister’s life is never a hidden gem. Fans and audiences always view and remark on their followers, unfollows, stories, and comments.

In light of the most recent controversy: Rob Kardashian, the sole brother of the three Kardashians, shares a name with Rob. It is simple to claim that Jenner and Kardashian have a close sisterly relationship, but it is more difficult to say the same for their brother Rob.

What did Kim Kardashian tweet for her brother Rob that has gone viral?

Kim Kardashian, 42, honoured her only brother Rob’s 36th birthday by uploading a series of old photographs and attaching the post to a nice and lovely comment.

“Happy Birthday, Robertito,” Kim wrote.

“I just love you SO SO SO much!” I wish I could post your singing voice notes on here to show the world your true talents”.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian)

Here is the photo Kim removed

Immediately after Kim published it, observant fans noticed that one image was missing.

Rob and Kim were accompanied in the photo by their half-sister Kendall Jenner, their youngest full sister Khloe, and their eldest sister Kourtney.

Because Kylie Jenner, the newest member of the Kardashian family, was only partially visible in the photo, some fans assume Kim withdrew her first post because of this.

Fans grabbed control of the situation by asking a follow-up inquiry about deleted photos:

One follower enquired: “Kim reposted and removed this first picture. Why, I wonder”.

Another said, “probably because she cropped Kylie out or something, or something was incorrectly photoshopped, I dunno, haha”.

“None of these photographs are new from this year or even from last year,” another observer commented.

Why isn’t Rob Kardashian as well-known as his sisters?

Rob, the sole son of Robert Kardashian and his ex-wife Kris Jenner, chose a life free of paparazzi and hidden from public eye. It all changed when the Kardashian sisters took over the name.

He originally gained attention when he appeared in the first season of KUWTK, which aired in 2007. Around the age of 20, he and his siblings burst into the scene.

Years later, Rob began to struggle with his weight, and as a result, his TV appearances steadily diminished. Fans are regularly concerned about his health, particularly when his sister Khloe liked an unknown post about him in March 2022.

Rob also appears to shun social media, since Jenner Communications controls his official Instagram account, according to his bio. It was even revealed that he skipped his sister Kourtney’s lavish Italian wedding to Travis Barker.

According to a source at the time, Rob, the sole Kardashian sibling, wanted to be present for Kourtney’s big day but didn’t want the public’s attention.

 

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Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour became the most attended female concert

Taylor Swift
  • Taytay is already shattering records on the first day of the Eras Tour.
  • Taylor Swift began her Eras Tour at Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
  • She becomes the female artist with the most attended concert in the USA.

Taytay is already shattering records on the first day of the Eras Tour.

Taylor Swift began her Eras Tour at Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and the tour has been a big success for the artist. Taytay is already shattering records on the first day of the programme. Back to December vocalist officially becomes the female artist with the most attended concert in the United States of America. The first concert of the Eras Tour was attended by almost 69,000 people in Arizona. Swift’s Eras Tour is a 52-city tour that will take the artist across North America.

Taylor Swift sets a new record

Madonna previously held the distinction of female artist with the most attended concert in the United States when she played at Anaheim Stadium in Los Angeles with an attendance of around 63,500 people in 1987. Taylor Swift now breaks this record with a crowd of nearly 69,000 in Arizona at the first concert of her Eras Tour.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)

The event has received rave reviews, with many people describing Taylor Swift as one of the industry’s most “hardworking” musicians. The tour appears to have begun with tremendous enthusiasm, but some people are suing the ticketing site. Taytay’s followers are suing Ticketmaster’s parent business, Live Nation Entertainment. The supporters were dissatisfied with the presale of the tickets, which caused turmoil as they had to wait for hours due to the rise in ticket cost and communications issues.

According to reports, the court filing accuses Ticketmaster of breach of contract through willful deception, as well as various antitrust offences, including fraud. The fans are requesting a $2500 fine from Ticketmaster for each infringement.

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Putin makes surprise visit to Mariupol as part of his tour of occupied Ukraine

Putin
  • This is his first travel to the Russian-occupied Donbas region of Ukraine.
  • The visit comes just two days after Putin paid an unannounced visit to Crimea.
  • Putin traveled by helicopter to Mariupol for a “business excursion.”

President Vladimir Putin paid a surprise weekend visit to the war-torn port of Mariupol, according to official media, marking the Kremlin leader’s first travel to the Russian-occupied Donbas region of Ukraine since the conflict began.

The visit comes just two days after Putin paid an unannounced visit to Crimea on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of Russia’s takeover of the peninsula from Ukraine, and just two days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader.

Surprise weekend visit

According to official media, President Vladimir Putin conducted a surprise weekend visit to the war-torn port of Mariupol, marking the Kremlin leader’s first visit to Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Donbas region since the conflict began.

The visit comes just two days after Putin paid an unannounced visit to Crimea on Saturday to commemorate the ninth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine, and two days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader.

Putin traveled by helicopter to Mariupol for a “business excursion,” according to Russian news media citing the Kremlin. He walked across the city’s many districts, stopping to speak with residents.

That is Putin’s closest visit to the front lines since the year-long conflict began.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin on Friday, charging him of war crimes for illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine, a highly symbolic step that further isolates the Russian leader.

While Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made several excursions to the battlefield to boost soldier morale and discuss strategy, Putin has primarily remained in the Kremlin while overseeing Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.

‘BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN’

Putin paid a visit to a family in Mariupol’s Nevsky area, according to Russian media. The Russian military constructed the new residential neighborhood, with the first residents coming in last September. Residents have been “actively” returning, according to Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who accompanied Putin.

Before the war, Mariupol had a population of half a million people and was home to the Azovstal steel plant, one of Europe’s largest.

“The downtown has been badly damaged,” Khusnullin said. “We want to finish (reconstruction) of the centre by the end of the year, at least the facade part. The center is very beautiful.”

Russian media released recordings of Putin driving a car at night through a densely populated area and stepping inside what they claimed was the philharmonic, which had been renovated in just three months.

There was also no quick reaction to Kyiv’s visit.

Mariupol is located in the Donetsk region, one of the four territories Putin tried to annex in September. The move was slammed as illegitimate by Kyiv and its Western backers. Donetsk, along with the Luhansk region, makes up the majority of the Donbas industrialized region of Ukraine, which has witnessed Europe’s largest struggle in generations.

According to Russian media, Putin also met with the top commander of his military operation in Ukraine, Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who is in charge of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

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American B-1B strategic bombers are conducting drills with South Korea

South Korea

Both countries are conducting drills, the same day as South Korea carried out a ballistic missile test. North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile into the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Following the missile’s landing, the Japan Coast Guard advised all vessels to wait for further information. US strategic bombers took part in … Read more

Taron Egerton responds to “James Bond” casting rumors

Taron Egerton
  • Taron Egerton believes he is not the “right choice” to portray James Bond.
  • Idris Elba put the rumours of him portraying 007 to bed earlier this month.
  • Elba’s name was mentioned long before Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007.

“It’s sort of irrelevant how I feel about it, anyway, because I can tell you there have been zero phone calls,” the actor said of playing 007.

Taron Egerton believes he is not the “right choice” to portray James Bond.

In an interview published Saturday, the Kingsman star addressed fan speculation that he may portray the next James Bond.

“I don’t think I’m the right choice for it,” Egerton explained. “You have to be consistently statuesque to be that guy. And that’s something that I am still striving for. I’ve always struggled with my weight.”

The Golden Globe winner did say that playing Bond “is a bit like being a brand ambassador as well as being an actor. And that could be really fun in microcosm, but I’m sure I read that [producer] Barbara Broccoli said that it’s a 15-year commitment.”

However, he clarified, “It’s sort of irrelevant how I feel about it, anyway, because I can tell you there have been zero phone calls.”

Idris Elba put the rumours of him portraying 007 to bed earlier this month, claiming that he was “nowhere” to being cast as Bond.

“I love the Bond franchise, I’m very close to the producers,” Elba, 50, told The Guardian. “We were all kind of laughing about the rumors because they are just that.”

He continued: “I can’t speak for [the producers], but from my perspective, there’s never been any sort of truth to any of it. It’s a compliment, and it’s an honor — but it’s not a truth.”

Elba’s name was mentioned long before Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007 in 2021’s No Time to Die, when Sony Pictures CEO Amy Pascal stated in a leaked 2014 email that “Idris should be the next Bond.”

Broccoli has since said that “nobody’s in the running” for the starring role, noting last June: “There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond. We’re reinventing who he is, and that takes time.”

“I think we have decided that until No Time to Die has kind of had its run and Daniel has been able to, well, we’ve all been able to, reap the benefits of Daniel’s wonderful tenure, we’re not gonna think about or talk about anybody else, actors to play the role or storylines or anything. We just wanna live in the moment, the present,” added Broccoli.

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Zoë Saldana confirms the wait will longer than we expected

  • Zoë Saldana has confirmed that the wait will be long.
  • It took James Cameron exactly 13 years to return to his renowned Avatar franchise.
  • The movie that was released in December of 2022 was a rage.

Avatar 3 is already on schedule and nearly finished, but Zoe Saldana has confirmed that the wait will be long.

It took James Cameron exactly 13 years to return to his renowned Avatar franchise and deliver us Avatar: The Way Of Water. The movie that was released in December of 2022 was a rage; as predicted, it managed to smash many Box Office records throughout the globe to join the top ten highest-grossing movies in the world. Immediately after the release of the second picture, word spread about the third, with Cameron confirming that he had already completed key portions of the filming. But today, Zoe Saldana is come to crush hearts.

If you’re new to the party, James Cameron announced during the promotion of Avatar: The Way Of Water that he has already filmed the third feature and that the script for the fourth has been presented to the studio, and their minds have been blown. Nevertheless, the filmmaker has not stated when he intends to release the picture.

Zoe Saldana, who plays Neytiri in the franchise, has also established significant personal milestones with the franchise. She is now preparing to enter the world of Avatar, and while we believed James Cameron had finished the film and that we would see it soon, Zoe has shattered the bubble and announced that the wait would be longer than we anticipated.

As per a report z when Zoe Saldana was asked about Avatar 3 and the status of its completion, she said, “Yeah, I mean, we’re gonna go back this summer and finish it up. We’re 70% done there. But, we have time.”

Zoe Saldana further spoke about Michelle Yeoh entering the franchise with Avatar 3. She said, “How stoked are we? We’re pinching ourselves, but nobody more than James Cameron. Jimbo is pinching himself going ‘I told you, man, I bet on the right people.’ And we bet on him over and over again. I’m proud of him. I’m proud of him and his entire team. I feel so lucky to be a part of something that gets to really change lives and change cinemas history. I just love it.”

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Kim Kardashian enjoys a bar crawl in London

Kim Kardashian
  • Kim Kardashians went pub hopping and attended the new movie-inspired musical.
  • Kim Kardashian marked St. Patrick’s Day with cocktails and a performance.
  • She took a photo from Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s performance.

To commemorate St. Patrick’s Day, the Kardashians star went pub hopping and attended the new movie-inspired musical.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Kim Kardashian attends the Los Angeles premiere of Hulu's new show "The Kardashians" at Goya Studios on April 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for ABA)

Kim Kardashian marked St. Patrick’s Day with cocktails and a performance.

During the vacation, the Kardashians star, 42, went on a pub crawl in London with pals, followed by a performance of Back to the Future: Musical.

Kardashian filmed the night on Instagram Stories, stating, “Pub hopping on this St. Paddy’s Day,” while holding up pints of Guinness.

The SKIMS creator then tweeted a photo of herself and her companions standing in front of the Adelphi Theatre, which was advertising Back to the Future: The Musical.

She took a photo from Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s performance next to the famed DeLorean time machine.

Kardashian was in London on Thursday for a soccer match between Arsenal F.C. of England and Sporting Lisbon of Portugal.

She accompanied her son Saint West, 7, to watch the game with his buddies, and she shared a series of adorable photos and videos of them joyfully cheering on the players in red and white Arsenal shirts on her Instagram Stories.

On Friday, the media mogul not only observed St. Patrick’s Day, but also her brother Rob Kardashian’s 36th birthday.

Kim paid tribute to her brother by posting images of the two of them over the years, as well as a humorous screen recording.

“Happy Birthday Robertito,” she wrote on Instagram, adding in shamrock emojis for St. Patrick’s Day. “I just love you SO SO SOOOO much!!! I wish I could post your singing voice notes on here to show the world your true talents 😂 BUTTTT swipe to the last one to hear Robbie speak fake Armenian. 😂 You make our entire family’s days with your silly messages! Not sure what I would ever do without you! 🍀 ♾️ 🎂”

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Elizabeth Berkley once purchased a Jessie costume from Amazon

Elizabeth Berkley
  • The Saved by the Bell group is returning to Bayside High School.
  • The trio revealed some fascinating show-related insights.
  • “I played Jesse, so I think that was for me, the right fit.”

On Saturday at the 2023 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, Elizabeth Berkley reunited with her old Saved by the Bell co-stars Mario Lopez and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

The Saved by the Bell group is returning to Bayside High School!

Alumni of the series Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar reunited at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday to reflect on their time on the famous show. While together, the trio revealed some fascinating show-related insights, like what Berkley, 48, would have worn if she had dressed up for a ’90s contest.

“Oh, Jessie Spano,” she said, referencing her own character. “It’s funny. During the pandemic, we were shooting something where we were all at home and we had to do like a throwback look of our characters.”

She continued, “I ordered Jessie stuff from Amazon because we didn’t have a wardrobe person and I was like, ‘Oh, would this be what it would be if it was Halloween?’ It’s an easy costume.”

Berkley also revealed she was also up for costar Tiffani Thiessen’s eventual role as Kelly Kapowski, but the casting team “had a hard time deciding between us.”

“I played Jesse, so I think that was for me, the right fit,” she said. “I was also grateful they worked it all out.”

Lopez and Gosselaar, both 49, reminisced about their earlier days, particularly their hairstyles.

“They should’ve canceled my hair back in the day,” Lopez joked.

“I always find it fascinating that people ask me like, ‘That wasn’t your real hair?’ From season to season it changed,” Gosselaar then said, joking that it was “not a color you can put on a driver’s license.”

The panel brought up sentimental feelings for the cast as well. “When you’re young, you don’t really have time to process things and you take a lot of things for granted,” said Lopez.

“It goes by really quick. So I think as you get older, you realize, wow, you know, time is fleeting,” he continued. “That was such a special part of our lives that you wish you wish you could just kind of bottle up and sort of take it with you wherever you go.”

But even with the legacy the show has, Gosselaar didn’t think the series would initially survive. “We thought we were getting canceled after every season,” he said.

“Because it was a Saturday morning show, we didn’t have a normal run,” he continued. “A normal run would be … 22 [episodes]. So that’s a full season. We would go back to our lives and then you go to seven, then you’re like ‘Are we doing more now?’ We go back to school, and it will be called back.”

“I think we had probably five or six wrap parties where we were like ‘This is it. We’ll never see each other again. Bye,'” he added. “We just never thought the show was being watched by anybody until it went into syndication.”

The Bell Saved the Day From 1989 and 1993, it aired on NBC for four seasons. It premiered as a reboot of the Disney Channel sitcom Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and stars Gosselaar, Lark Voorhies, Dustin Diamond, Dennis Haskins, and Hayley Mills. Except from Mills, they all joined the NBC sitcom, which later became Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

From 2020 to 2021, Peacock broadcast a two-season remake of Saved by the Bell. In the series, Lopez, Gosselaar, Berkley, Thiessen, and Voorhies all reprised their roles.

After the first series ended in 1993, most of the cast has kept in contact. In 2019, Lopez, Gosselaar, Berkley, and Thiessen gathered for dinner with some of their spouses.

“This is what 30+ years of friendship looks like,” Gosselaar captioned the group shot.

Despite the strain Diamond caused among the ensemble, the actors all expressed passionate condolences when he died of cancer in February 2021.

“Dustin, you will be missed my man,” Lopez wrote on Instagram. “The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted. Prayers for your family will continue on.”

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Protesters in Portugal demand action to address rising living costs

Portugal
  • People marched and demanded greater wages.
  • The march was organized by the CGTP.
  • CGTP is the country’s major trade union confederation.

Portugal: Hundreds of people marched in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon on Saturday, demanding greater wages and other measures to combat growing living costs.

The march was organized by the CGTP, the country’s major trade union confederation, a day after civil officials went on strike in favour of greater wages.

This action affected garbage collection, schools, and hospitals.

The CGTP urges the government to undertake a package of anti-poverty measures, including price limits on vital items and action to limit skyrocketing rents and property loan costs.

Inflation hit 7.4 percent in 2022, the highest amount in 30 years.

CGTP General Secretary Isabel Camarinha told the gathering that they sought pay increases of at least 10% over inflation and no less than 100 euros ($108) for all workers.

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Turkey, Syria earthquake: Canada open doors to immigrants

Canada
  • Canada moved on Saturday to simplify immigration for Turkish and Syrian citizens.
  • On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed over 45,000 people in Turkey.
  • Thousands more were killed in neighboring Syria.

A month after an earthquake in both nations killed more than 50,000 people, Canada moved on Saturday to simplify immigration for Turkish and Syrian citizens already in the country.

On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed over 45,000 people in Turkey and thousands more in neighboring Syria, destroying hundreds of thousands of structures.

“Canada is committed to providing relief to those impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship.

People from certain nations, for example, would be able to apply for work permits, which would allow them to work for any business for a set length of time.

“Today we are introducing new measures that make it easier for Turkish and Syrian nationals to extend their stay in Canada and be with their families while continuing to work and study in a safe environment,” Fraser added.

The announcement comes ten days after the UN urged the international community to expedite the relocation of Syrian refugees from earthquake-affected areas in Turkey.

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Shannen Doherty speaks out in support of the ‘Charmed’ reboot

Shannen Doherty
  • Shannen Doherty is speaking out in support of The CW’s Charmed remake.
  • Doherty then explained that “the new Charm is also for a younger generation.”
  • The CW debuted a new version with the same name in 2018.

Shannen Doherty is speaking out in support of The CW’s Charmed remake.

Doherty, 51, spoke alongside her Charmed co-stars Rose McGowan, Holly Marie Combs, Brian Krause, Dorian Gregory, and Drew Fuller on Saturday at 90s Con in Hartford, Conn., on a panel hosted by Breanne L. Heldman. At the fan Q&A, she responded to a fan who booed after mentioning the newer series in their question to the actors.

“Not cool,” Doherty began. “Don’t boo to people who supply literally hundreds and hundreds of people with their job.”

Doherty then explained that “the new Charm is also for a younger generation.”

“I’ve met a lot of people that have bonded just like all of you have bonded, right where this Charmed got you through a lot of life experiences [and] brought you and your family close to get closer together, there’s a whole other generation that felt the same thing with the new Charmed,” she said. “It may be for all of us to be like ‘Well, it would be nice to be asked to be on the show,’ but you know, when they created their own thing and did it, I applaud them for supplying a lot of jobs. And they’re incredibly nice people, FYI.”

Doherty added that the Charmed she was a part of will “always stand on its own.”

“We’re [the] originals,” she added.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 cast also gathered for the second annual 90s Con. Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, and Rebecca Gayheart took the stage to discuss the 1990s adolescent drama, but Doherty, who also played on 90210, was exclusively on the Charmed panel.

Charmed ran from 1998 to 2006, with Doherty leaving after three seasons and being replaced by McGowan. Alyssa Milano also appeared in the show.

The CW debuted a new version with the same name in 2018. Despite conflicting reviews from fans — and originally some of its actors — when it first premiered, it has now gone on to have four seasons. The final episode aired in 2022.

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NATO fighter jets intercept Russian planes flying close to Estonian airspace

NATO
  • That was the second such incident this week.
  • NATO conducts cooperative air policing operations in the region.
  • The interception is not unusual for NATO aircraft.

British and German fighter jets intercepted a Russian aircraft flying close to Estonian airspace Friday, according to a statement from the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF).

That was the second such incident this week as NATO conducts cooperative air policing operations in the region.

The two Typhoon jets intercepted “a Russian military Tu-134 passenger jet, known by the NATO name Crusty, that was being escorted by two Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker fighter jets, and an AN-12 Cub military transport aircraft,” the RAF said.

The announcement comes as Ukrainian politicians continue public calls for Western combat jets. According to them, the jets are urgently needed to protect against Russian missiles and drone assaults.

Yet, NATO partners are unlikely to send more modern jets to Ukraine, according to defense experts.

The interception is not unusual for NATO aircraft, but the cooperative air policing mission is a first for two NATO countries, according to the statement.

The mission was hailed by the RAF as “reassurance” that the United Kingdom, Germany, and other NATO countries “stand with their Estonian ally at this time of tension.”

“We quickly identified the Russian aircraft and then monitored it as it flew close to NATO airspace,” Richard Leask, an RAF commander, said in the statement.

Air policing missions help NATO identify any aircraft of interest, “ensure we know who they are” and keep everyone in the airspace safe, Leask continued.

“This is part of being a fighter pilot and is what we and our German colleagues have trained together to be able to do,” the commander said.

Escalating tensions

According to the military statement, the RAF is deployed in Estonia on Operation Azotize, which is tasked with guarding against any aircraft that creates alarm in Baltic airspace.

The United Kingdom will take over command of the German detachment in April, and collaborative missions between the allies will continue until the end of the month.

The two NATO intercepts this week follow the revelation of an amazing aerial video showing a Russian plane buzzing and then seemingly colliding with a US drone over the Black Sea.

The downing of the drone underscored the danger of a direct clash between Russian and NATO assets during Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile as its anti-US rhetoric intensifies

North Korea
  • The missile was launched shortly after 11 a.m. local time.
  • The missile achieved a maximum altitude of roughly 50km.
  • The Japan Coast Guard advised all vessels to wait for further information.

North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile on Sunday, the latest in a series of provocative measures condemned by its neighbors as endangering regional peace.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense and the South Korean army, the missile was launched shortly after 11 a.m. local time.

According to Japan’s defense ministry, the missile achieved a maximum altitude of roughly 50km (31 miles) and flew a distance of approximately 800km (497 miles). According to the South Korean military, it was launched from the Dongchang-ri area of North Pyongan province in North Korea and landed in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Upon its landing, the Japan Coast Guard advised all vessels to wait for further information, avoid approaching falling debris, and report anything unusual.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea stated that the military had increased monitoring and vigilance in anticipation of additional launches “while maintaining a full readiness posture through close cooperation with the US.”

North Korea has conducted a series of missile tests, including the launch of a long-range ballistic missile on Thursday while leaders from South Korea and Japan convened in Tokyo, as well as the launch of two cruise missiles from a submarine and two short-range ballistic missiles days earlier.

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Why Roll the Dice again when ‘Lord of the Rings’ is the rare perfect trilogy?

Lord of the Rings
  • It’s reasonable to assume that in today’s film industry, companies are seeking franchises.
  • Solo movies and television series are no longer regarded safe bets.
  • The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Harry Potter, and Star Wars have all been astronomical hits.

It’s reasonable to assume that in today’s film industry, companies are seeking franchises. Solo movies and television series are no longer regarded safe bets; instead, every new release should be part of a trilogy or cinematic universe, concentrating on the forest rather than the trees. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (and its counterpart the DC Universe), Harry Potter, and Star Wars have all been astronomical hits for their studios and everyone is now anxious for a piece of that franchise pie. But, it’s probable that none of these franchises would exist today if not for Peter Jackson’s original trilogy of The Lord of the Rings films, which are still watchable today and are the originators of the contemporary blockbuster trilogy made in a totally different way than these new kids on the neighbourhood may. Now that Warner Bros. is planning to return to the Middle-Earth setting for new films, it’s difficult to picture them reaching the same degree of distinctive excellence that the original trilogy established for the series.

‘Lord of the Rings’ Shows Appreciation for Its Setting

When one of the first big trailers for Spider-Man: No Way Home was published, one sentence sparked outrage among fans. As well-known supervillain Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) reveals our main cast his name, one of them chuckles and inquires about his’real’ name. The statement isn’t particularly rare in the MCU, but it highlights a recurring issue: characters constantly act like movie characters. Characters can be overconfident in their surroundings and skills, and as a result, the audience doesn’t truly buy when anything important happens since it’s usually cut short by some self-aware joke that reminds them they’re watching a movie. If the audience is unable to become immersed, they will not care as much as they would otherwise.

Lord of the Rings recognises this, and it always treats Middle-Earth with a degree of care and attention that other big-budget films seem to lack. The idea may appear ludicrous at first (all evil is magically confined in a little golden ring in a community of “leaf” smoking, heavy-drinking farmers), yet there is not a single joke at the cost of the tale in any of the three films. The ring is a serious business, and by implication, Sauron and his forces of evil are as well. When our heroes are attacked by Ringwraiths, the picture is engulfed with evil chanting and choirs. If the Hobbits are apprehended, they will face death and servitude. Because the wraiths and Sauron are never made fun of, the audience comes to appreciate their existence. There’s a genuine palpable suspense in the sequence where a wraith appears to have discovered our four hobbits behind a root. You could find yourself, like the others, holding your breath. That kind of immersion has a lot of clout; the film is going into your skull in the greatest manner conceivable.

The movies successfully communicate not just dread to their audiences, but also the majesty of the site itself. The awe-inspiring landscapes of New Zealand give Middle-Earth the splendour it deserves, and every region feels dripping with history and a true feeling of spaciousness. The films also portray grief effectively, allowing for genuine misery when necessary. The audience is left in that vacuum when things are genuinely dismal. There are no quips or jokes that can save them from this sensation.That’s not to suggest there aren’t any jokes; they’re simply strategically spread out so that they don’t stomp on another emotion the viewer should be feeling. Even Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd), the Fellowship’s closest comedic relief figures, have dramatic moments and vital roles to play in the story’s events.

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‘Lights Out,’ short film is creepier than its feature-length counterpart

Lights Out
  • David F. Sandberg has made huge strides as a director in his first few years.
  • The original Lights Out short is a fantastic, bite-sized horror flick.
  • The short was first shown at the Bloody Cuts Horror Challenge before being posted on YouTube.

David F. Sandberg has made huge strides as a director in his first few years, with the recently released Shazam!, being his fourth feature film. Wrath of the Gods is his finest film, but Lights Out is his best. Sandberg’s horror debut was a major step for him after years of directing short films, but it wasn’t the first Lights Out picture. That would be the short film of the same name, directed by Sandberg in 2013. This early version, which is only two minutes and 24 seconds long, manages to be even scarier than the eventual feature-length adaption. While both films explore the general subject in intriguing ways, the first short video manages to retain more suspense, shocks, and mystery in less than 3 minutes than a full 81-minute feature.

What Is ‘Lights Out’?

The original Lights Out short is a fantastic, bite-sized horror flick. It follows a woman (Lotta Losten) as she prepares to go to bed, and when she turns off the lights in her house, someone comes in the shadows. Sandberg and his wife, Losten, filmed the film in their house on a shoestring budget, utilising equipment he had accumulated over the years. Sandberg was able to produce the picture without relying on others by using simple lighting and editing procedures, demonstrating his talents as a savvy, clever director. The short was first shown at the Bloody Cuts Horror Challenge before being posted on YouTube and Vimeo. Here, it became viral, attracting the interest of the film industry, resulting in the 2016 feature-length version.

David F. Sandberg’s horror flick Lights Out was released in 2016. Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) and Martin (Gabriel Bateman) are two siblings who are compelled to confront a supernatural figure who is tied to their mother and only emerges in the shadows. Now they must solve the enigma of this unseen presence before anyone is harmed. Lights Out is a mostly effective horror experience. Because it was created by James Wan of The Conjuring fame, you should expect a certain level of terror when watching this film. It’s a rather approachable popcorn horror film. Sure, there isn’t much blood and gore, the film looks about as gleaming as other James Wan productions, and the suspense isn’t overwhelming like in the most effective horror films. It is, nonetheless, entertaining and gives a nice experience for horror enthusiasts everywhere.

The ‘Lights Off’ Function Loses Its Mysteriousness

The film falters in what occurs with many short-film-turned-feature scenarios. In many cases, what was previously a straightforward notion must now be filled out over a considerably longer period of time. Lights Out begins intriguingly since you don’t know what’s going on with this mysterious thing or where it originated from. The opening sequence is its strongest, and it is essentially an extended replica of the 2013 short film. Esther (Lotta Lotsen playing a character eerily similar to hers in the short) is a factory worker closing up shop when she notices the shape of a long-haired human in the shadows. She then goes after her employer (Billy Burke), who is later pursued and slain by the monster. It’s an excellent scary set piece! This everything rapidly falls apart, with all of its mystical features getting over-explained. By the midway mark, there is little mystery left. It’s a letdown, but the remainder of the film is still enjoyable.

The original short film from 2013 tells a different narrative. Sandberg’s short film benefits from being a lean and harsh horror experience. Long periods of expository discussion, looking through papers that explain the villain’s past, or anything along those lines are not to be found here. The adversary in this story is simply a scary otherworldly presence! It’s fantastic. That is most effective the first time you see it. It’s simply standing there and lurking in the shadows, reappearing every time the main character switches the lights down. The picture is replicated in the 2016 feature film, but it is so high quality and polished that it lacks the spooky touch that only low-budget cinematography can provide. The shadows in this hallway scene are shot with a lower-quality camera in the short film, making them appear grainier and dirtier. When a horror picture is overproduced, the eerie element suffers.

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Thousands march in Israel against Netanyahu’s judicial reform

Israel
  • People marched against the government’s plan to limit the Supreme Court’s authority.
  • The 11th week of protests has begun.
  • The growing protests have had an impact on the economy.

Tens of thousands of Israelis marched again in nationwide demonstrations against the government’s plan to limit Supreme Court authority.

The 11th week of protests has begun, with opponents of the reforms accusing right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of weakening judicial independence.

Mr. Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, has stated that his goal is to reestablish a balance of power between the government and Israel’s highest court.

The growing protests have had an impact on the economy and spurred some military reservists to threaten to ignore call-up orders.

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Season 1 of ‘The Last of Us’ was never about saving the world

The Last of Us
  • Ellie and Joel set out to save humanity in Season 1 of  ‘The Last of Us.’
  • The story was always about something far more personal.
  • The Last of Us clears the air by demonstrating that Season 1 of this epic video-game adaptation.

Ellie and Joel set out to save humanity in Season 1 of ‘The Last of Us,’ but the story was always about something far more personal.

As Joel (Pedro Pascal) beats a FEDRA soldier to death with his bare hands in the first episode of The Last Of Us, it serves as an introduction to the wrath and sadness Joel has harboured since the day he witnessed his daughter, Sarah, killed down by a scared soldier at the start of the fungal epidemic. Joel has been a man without a purpose ever then, as he confesses when he tells Ellie (Bella Ramsey) about his failed suicide attempt in the show’s dramatic Season 1 conclusion. By the time Joel decides to join Ellie in Episode 9, “Look for the Light,” it is clear that Joel has developed feelings for his adolescent partner-in-crime. During this period, The Last of Us also appears to be shifting away from the emotional hardships and tribulations of Joel and Ellie as individuals and towards a sci-fi narrative about rescuing the planet. But, The Last of Us clears the air by demonstrating that Season 1 of this epic video-game adaptation was never about rescuing the planet.

Season 1 of The Last of Us features Joel as a devastated father who refuses to believe that there is anything worth protecting in the world. Joel is shown throughout the season suffering from the painful memories of the night the Cordyceps chose to take over and he lost his only daughter. Nevertheless, as his adventure with Ellie came to a conclusion, we witnessed Joel’s optimism rekindled. For a brief moment, The Last of Us Season 1 leads the audience to believe that Joel has discovered his calling in life: to give mankind one final opportunity. Yet, Joel’s actions in the finale show that the only world worth saving is one with Ellie in it.

Via Ellie, Joel re-connects with Sarah

Joel has discovered Sarah in Ellie. Of course, not literally, but when Joel points out all the similarities between Ellie and Sarah in Episode 9, it’s apparent he feels she fills the void left in his life by Sarah’s absence. Joel’s emotional spectrum varied from one extreme to the other on the same scale from the beginning to the end of the season. He begins as a cold and stubborn guy who has grown accustomed to the harsh realities of life in a post-apocalyptic world. Joel will not even recognise his background, let alone express his fears. Every time Ellie attempts to delve into his past, Joel keeps her from entering experiences he never plans to discuss again.

Joel’s progressive change occurs throughout the season, as Ellie evolves from cargo for the Fireflies to a part of his life worth sacrificing everything for, very literally in this case. In Episode 9, he admits to Ellie that she has made the world worth rescuing for him, revealing his worries and embracing the father within him whom he had left behind in time. Ellie concludes, after her harrowing experience with David in Episode 8, that too many people have died around her for her to live, including her mother, Anna, and closest friend, Riley. Ellie believes that if her life is to have any significance, she must fulfil her destiny of rescuing the planet. When Joel suggests returning midway through the Season 1 finale, she makes this clear to him.

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Ukraine and Russia extend grain deal despite disagreement

Ukraine

It is uncertain how long it will last. Russia has warned that it will not allow the agreement to continue. Ukraine’s access to Black Sea ports has been obstructed by Russian vessels since the invasion. A contract has been extended that allows Ukraine to ship millions of tonnes of grain through the Black Sea despite … Read more

Penn Badgley choose the ‘You’ season 4 moments he’s “Most Proud Of”

Penn Badgley
  • Penn Badgley directed his first episode of ‘You,’ Season 4 Episode 9.
  • From the show’s launch in 2018, Badgley has played Joe Goldberg, a violent stalker.
  • Joe has a nightmare in which people from his past mock him.

Penn Badgley directed his first episode of ‘You,’ Season 4 Episode 9.

 

Penn Badgley appears to have had enough of being in front of the camera during the latest season of You, as the actor seized the chance to direct an episode of Netflix’s riveting serial murderer. From the show’s launch in 2018, Badgley has played Joe Goldberg, a violent stalker who tried all in his power to be a part of his victims’ lives. As the seasons continued, Goldberg shown a desire to change for the better; nonetheless, his murderous instincts remained a part of who he was, propelling the series’ storyline.

A memorable passage in the episode Badgley directed occurs towards the second half of season 4, in Episode 9, when Joe has a nightmare in which people from his past mock him. Beck (Elizabeth Lail) and Love represent these insecurities and regrets (Victoria Pedretti). The ladies from Joe’s past taunt him throughout the play about the reality behind his redemption arc, suggesting that no matter how hard he tries, he’ll always remain a cold-blooded murderer. Given Joe’s associations with Beck and Love, as well as their murders at his hands, it seems to reason that they would function as distorted mirrors of his thoughts.

The Gossip Girl star follows the action in the featurette with his thought process behind the segment. As his favourite shot from the show, he chooses a scene in which Joe grabs for the key only to be transported to another room. As Joe discovers he is no longer where he thought he was, he has little time to understand what has just occurred because he is confronted by Love. Badgley also notes the fans’ overwhelming desire for Pedretti’s return, which they ultimately received in the form of a particularly violent dream sequence.

What is the fourth season of you about?

Joe’s journey continues with him settling in London following the events of the previous season, which saw him faking his death and fleeing the United States in pursuit of. Marienne (Tati Gabrielle) (Tati Gabrielle). But, danger is always around the corner for the show’s protagonist, as he predictably becomes engaged in a murder mystery in London. The hunt for the murderer causes Joe to ponder on his life’s errors and his inability to acknowledge his violent nature.

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The Little Mermaid trailer sets new record

The Little Mermaid
  • “The Little Mermaid” has set a new record for the studio.
  •  The trailer has crossed over 108 million global views.
  • The teaser debuted on March 12 during the Academy Awards event.

Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” has set a new record for the studio, with over 108 million global views.

With almost 108 million global views of its first complete trailer in the first 24 hours of release, Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” has established a new milestone for the company. The teaser debuted on March 12 during the Academy Awards event, with Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy introducing the advertisement. McCarthy plays the wicked Ursula, while Bailey plays Ariel.

The film is directed by Rob Marshall and co-stars Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, and Jonah Hauer-King. The film depicts the story of a mermaid who wishes to join the human world and features updated versions of the original music as well as four new songs.

“The Little Mermaid” will hit cinemas on Memorial Day, with Alan Menken returning to update his score and write a new song with lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Bailey, well known as a member of the R&B duet Chloe x Halle, was cast in 2019, and this is her most significant part to date.

During the last decade, Disney has found enormous success with live-action remakes of its animation masterpieces, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King,” which have all made more than $1 billion internationally. Other remakes in the works include “Snow White” and “Lilo & Stitch,” as well as “Mufasa: The Lion King,” a “Lion King” prequel directed by Barry Jenkins.

Following its Oscars appearance, “The Little Mermaid” became the night’s No. 2 trend on Twitter, and the teaser also became YouTube’s No. 1 Internationally Trending video.

Disney India will release ‘The Little Mermaid’ on May 26, 2023. Only in theatres

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Ex-US President Donald Trump urges fans to organize protest

Donald Trump
  • Donald Trump urged his friends to organize the large-scale protest.
  • He will be the first former American president to face criminal charges.
  • It is unknown whether he will be prosecuted criminally this week, or even, in broad strokes.

Donald Trump has stated that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and has urged his fans to organize large-scale protests.

His lawyer, however, stated that there had been no communication from law police and that the former president’s post was based only on media reporting.

Authorities have been considering indicting Mr. Trump. According to reports, it might happen as soon as next week.

If he is indicted, he will be the first former American president to face criminal charges.

This issue revolves around alleged hush money paid by Mr. Trump’s lawyer to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.

It is one of the numerous incidents in which the 76-year-old is being investigated, though he has not been prosecuted in any of them and denies wrongdoing in all of them.

Mr. Trump has committed to continue his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 election, even if he is indicted.

Attempts to investigate him in the past, including two impeachment proceedings, the Russia inquiry, and the Mar-a-Lago raid, have tended to make him more popular among his supporters; an indictment may have a similar impact.

It is unknown whether he will be prosecuted criminally this week, or even, in broad strokes, what those charges would be.

Yet, with the former president anticipating an arrest and pushing for large protests, this is uncharted territory.

Mr. Trump has a devoted following, and the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters in response to his repeated calls to protest has demonstrated that a tense situation can swiftly turn violent.

Mr. Trump said on his social networking site Truth Social on Saturday that “illegal leaks” from the Manhattan district attorney’s office “suggest” he will be jailed on Tuesday.

The district attorney’s office has yet to respond. Susan Necheles, Mr. Trump’s lawyer, said her team had not heard from law enforcement officials.

“Since this is a political prosecution, the district attorney’s office has engaged in a practice of leaking everything to the press, rather than communicating with President Trump’s attorneys as would be done in a normal case,” she said.

The Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, has blasted out at the inquiry, calling it “an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA [district attorney]”.

He also promised to investigate whether federal funds were being used to influence elections “with politically motivated prosecutions” in a tweet.

Any indictment would make it difficult for Mr. Trump’s Republican Party opponents to determine whether to escalate their attacks on the former president while he is potentially distracted or to keep their heads down and hope for the best.

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Southern Ecuador: 12 people killed in earthquake

earthquake
  • The earthquake struck at 12:00 local time.
  • At least 12 people died.
  • There have also been reports of earthquakes being felt in other places.

A massive earthquake slammed Ecuador‘s southern coast, killing at least 12 people.

Structures in various cities have been damaged as a result of the 6.7 magnitude earthquake, which struck at 12:00 local time (17:00 GMT).

The southern region of El Oro was the most hit, with emergency services reporting that individuals are still trapped inside collapsed houses.

Eleven people were killed in El Oro and one in Azuay province, according to police.

Buildings and vehicles were damaged in Machala and Cuenca as emergency personnel hurried to assist residents.

The epicenter was near Balao, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Guayaquil, Ecuador’s second-largest city, which has a population of about three million people.

“I went out into the street because I saw people starting to run in panic, getting out of their cars,” Magaly Escandon, a business owner in Cuenca, told the AFP news agency.

President Guillermo Lasso asked Ecuadoreans to remain calm as officials assess the damage.

“Emergency teams are mobilizing to offer all their support to those who have been affected,” he said.

Mr. Lasso’s office also verified that injured people were being treated in hospitals, but provided no other information.

Many roads have been closed due to landslides, and some homes, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities have been destroyed, according to authorities.

One person was killed when a wall collapsed over their automobile in Cuenca, while three individuals were killed when a security camera tower collapsed on Jambel Island.

There have also been reports of earthquakes being felt in other places, including Manabi, Manta, and Quito.

This is the largest quake to hit Ecuador since 2016 when almost 700 people perished and hundreds were injured.

According to Peruvian officials, the quake was felt in the country’s northern areas, but there were no early reports of injuries or damage.

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Lance Reddick, John Wick actor died at the age of 60

Lance Reddick
  • Lance Reddick died of natural causes at the age of 60.
  • Reports has confirmed this with his agent.
  • Reddick most recently appeared as Albert Wesker in Netflix’s short-lived series ‘Resident Evil.’

Lance Reddick, who participated in prominent TV shows such as ‘The Wire,’ ‘Fringe,’ and ‘Bosch,’ as well as films such as the ‘John Wick‘ trilogy, which is due to premiere ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ next week, died of natural causes at the age of 60.

Reports has confirmed this with his agent. According to reports, who broke the story first, he was discovered dead at his Studio City home in Los Angeles on Friday morning. Reddick reprises his role as Charon, the concierge at the Continental Hotel in New York City who appears in all four entries, in the upcoming ‘John Wick: Chapter 4′, which is due to hit theatres on March 24.

Charon collaborated with Keanu Reeves’ unretired hitman, most notably caring for John’s new puppy in the second chapter and joining in on the gun-toting action in the third. Reddick was also set to appear in Ana de Armas’ forthcoming ‘Ballerina’ spinoff. Reddick was born in Baltimore on June 7, 1962, and is most known for portraying tough police officers and other men of power.

He got a Bachelor of Music in music composition from the University of Rochester. He relocated to Boston in the 1980s and graduated from Yale with a Master of Fine Arts in 1994.

His first notable television appearance was in Season 4 of the prison drama ‘Oz,’ in 2000. He portrayed Detective Johnny Basil, an undercover detective who seeks to stop the drug trade but gradually becomes addicted himself and kills a corrupt cop by shoving him down an elevator shaft. After being taken to Oz, Basil is stabbed to death by Clayton Hughes, played by Seth Gilliam. In 2002, he was cast as Baltimore police lieutenant Cedric Daniels, one of the show’s stars.

He had previously auditioned for the parts of Bubbles (which went to Andre Royo) and William ‘Bunk’ Moreland (which went to William ‘Bunk’ Moreland) (Wendell Pierce). Daniels was in command of the drugs section and gradually progressed through its ranks over the course of the show’s five seasons, regularly clashing with his superiors.

In the series conclusion, he resigned as commissioner and went into criminal defence practise.

After ‘The Wire’ finished in 2008, Reddick joined ‘Fringe’ the following year as Phillip Broyles, a Homeland Security special agent and chief of the Fringe section. The committee looked at instances involving fringe science, pseudoscience, and alternate timelines.

He was cast as another police commander in 2014, this time on Amazon’s ‘Bosch,’ which ended in 2021. After receiving two nominations for ‘Fringe,’ he was nominated for a Saturn Award for his performance as deputy chief Irvin Irving.

Reddick most recently appeared as Albert Wesker in Netflix’s short-lived series ‘Resident Evil,’ an adaptation of the classic zombie computer game. He also contributed to Season 2 of Amazon’s ‘The Tale of Vox Machina,’ which debuted in January. His other voice appearances include the villain Sylens in two famous PlayStation games published last year, ‘Horizon: Zero Dawn’ and ‘Horizon: Forbidden West,’ as well as Commander Zavala in the long-running ‘Destiny’ franchise.

Reddick was cast as the Greek deity Zeus in Disney+’s highly anticipated ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ series, based on Rick Riordan’s famous preteen books. His other forthcoming appearances include Hulu’s version of ‘White Guys Can’t Jump,’ which will be released on May 19, Danny DeVito’s ‘St. Sebastian,’ Netflix’s Shirley Chisholm biopic ‘Shirley,’ ‘The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,’ and the space drama ‘Apteros.

He also starred in ‘Lost,’ ‘CSI: Miami,’ ‘American Horror Story: Coven,’ ‘The Blacklist,’ ‘One Night in Miami,’ ‘Angel Has Fallen,’ and ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ during the course of his nearly 30-year career.

His wife, Stephanie Reddick, and children Yvonne Nicole Reddick and Christopher Reddick survive him.

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Japan: Kishida to announce new Indo-Pacific strategy, seek India’s support

Japan
  • The proposal will expand Japan’s support for growing economies, particularly those in the area.
  • Japan will seek India’s backing to work with Tokyo to counter China’s expanding influence in the region.
  • He believes that India’s crucial geopolitical location will play a significant role.

Japan‘s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, will launch a new plan for an open and free Indo-Pacific in New Delhi on Monday and will seek India’s backing to work with Tokyo to counter China’s expanding influence in the region.

According to Japanese officials, the proposal, which will be presented during Kishida’s two-day visit to India, will expand Japan’s support for growing economies, particularly those in the area.

While both face risks from a dominating China, India, and Japan have been deepening their connections, particularly in defense and strategic matters.

Kishida’s choice to present his new strategy during the two countries’ annual meeting underscores Tokyo’s regard for New Delhi as a significant actor in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to Japanese authorities, Kishida believes that India’s crucial geopolitical location in the Indian Ocean, as well as its status as the world’s largest democracy, will play a significant role in realizing his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

India and Japan, along with the US and Australia, are members of the so-called Quad, which aims to balance China’s growing clout in the area.

Members of the Quad claim they are not a military alliance, but they will participate in the annual Malabar naval wargaming exercise in Australia this year, which will also host the Quad summit in May.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a tight relationship with Modi, and Japanese sources say Kishida is eager to form a similar bond.

Kishida is likely to seek India’s support for the new plan, which will include efforts Japan will take to improve cooperation in nations that adhere to the values of peaceful resolution of disputes and freedom of navigation, during his talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

According to officials, this is also in the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s strong maritime posture.

While Japan has been pressing for harsher sanctions against Russia, India, which is chairing the G20 this year, has been attempting to keep the meeting from being used for such an announcement.

India has refused to blame Russia for the war, instead seeking a diplomatic settlement and increasing its purchases of Russian oil.

Kishida also wants to boost the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries’ maritime warning and surveillance capabilities, and he expects that India will actively collaborate with Japan to create infrastructure such as ports in Asia and Africa.

Modi and Kishida met three times in 2022, including during Abe’s funeral, and will meet three more times on the margins of the G20, G7, and Quad summits in 2023.

The two nations enjoy a comprehensive economic connection, with the trade of $20.57 billion in 2021-2022, with India importing $14.49 billion in Japanese goods.

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