‘Annabelle 3’ official title announced

By

-

March 17, 2019

The third film in the horror universe of Annabelle has been officially titled “Annabelle Comes Home”.

According to an online portal, the name was revealed in a short video that was released by Warner Bros.

The film is written and helmed by debutant director Gary Dauberman, who penned the first two movies in the popular horror franchise based on a devil doll from “The Conjuring” cinematic universe.

Actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will reprise their roles from the “Conjuring” films in the film.

Wilson, 45, and Farmiga, 45, played Ed and Lorraine Warren, respectively, in “Conjuring” and “Conjuring 2”.

The two characters will be back in supporting capacity for the “Annabelle” threequel.

The film will once again centre on the demonically possessed doll Annabelle, who has been placed by the Warrens in a location they believe she can no longer wreak havoc: their Artifacts Room.

Soon the doll soon sets its sights on their 10-year-old daughter Judy, played by Mckenna Grace.

James Wan has produced the project via his Atomic Monster banner alongside Peter Safran of The Safran Company.

“Annabelle Comes Home” is slated to be released on June 28.

No one seems to be reacting to #MeToo stories, says Lily Allen

By

Web Team

-

March 17, 2019

Singer Lily Allen says #MeToo movement does not appear to moving forward as nobody seems to be “reacting” to the stories of sexual harassment once they surface.

The 33-year-old musician says the experiences account to breaking news when revealed but people move on soon.

“Everyone is sort of a bit like, ‘Yeah, yeah, that happened, but what do you expect?’ I think that’s the danger with the #MeToo movement. So many people are coming forward and sharing their experiences, and no one seems to be reacting. It’s news, and then people move on. It’s an interesting time,” Allen told Civilian magazine.

The “Smile” hitmaker believes people tend to talk about stories of sexual violence as if they are “sensational” and “exceptional”.

“That’s the issue, people want to talk about these things as if they are sensational and exceptional. They’re not! They’re happening to everyone all the f***ing time… Men especially just don’t want to believe it, you know, whether it has something to do with themselves or accountability, or I don’t know what it is – oh, to be a rich white man,” she said.

‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ will explore Poe and Leia’s bond, says Oscar Isaac

By

Web Team

-

March 17, 2019

Oscar Isaac has said the unused footage of late Carrie Fisher from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will help explain the dynamic relationship between his character Poe and Princess Leia in the upcoming “Episode IX”.

In an interview with Sirius XM’s John Fugelsang, the actor opened up about using the old footage of Fisher for the new film.

“I wasn’t surprised because I remember we were doing that, we worked a lot. (Fisher) and I worked together so much.

“We would talk about the scenes, and we got very tight during the shooting of that. So it was a beautiful thing to see, and it gets carried over into the new film as well,” Isaac said.

He had previously said the film deals with Fisher’s death in a “really beautiful way”.

“Star Wars: Episode IX”, which will once again feature Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o and Domhnall Gleeson, is set to be released in December.

Woody Harrelson was ‘disappointed’ with ‘True Detective’ season two

By

Web Team

-

March 17, 2019

Actor Woody Harrelson has admitted that he was “disappointed” with second season of his hit HBO show “True Detective”.

The first season of the show, created by Nic Pizzolatto and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, was a massive hit for the network and also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film. It featured Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey in the lead.

The show’s sophomore run, however, performed abysmally for the network.

Despite featuring the likes of Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn, the second installment could not replicate the success of the first season.

Talking about the show in an interview with Willie Geist for “Sunday TODAY”, Harrelson, 57, said he is happy with the third season of the series, which featured Oscar winner Mahershala Ali in the lead.

“I was not really wanting to do television. Well, it wasn’t television, it was HBO. So I feel lucky about that. I was, you know, kind of disappointed that the second season wasn’t as… but now the third season, which I’ve only seen the first four episodes because I’ve been working, but I’m really psyched about the third season. I’d like it to keep going,” he said.

During the interview, Harrelson also ruled out his return to the show.

“I can’t imagine there’s any world where we go and do another season. I feel like we did that and it went great.

“The only thing that could happen is people (would) say, ‘Well, don’t you wish this season you’re doing is as good as the one you did before?’ I don’t want to face that,” he added.

High Commission confirmed, 5 Indians dead in New Zealand terrorist attack

By

Web Team

-

March 17, 2019

Five Indians were among the 50 people killed by a white supremacist, who opened fire on worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, in the worst attack on Muslims in New Zealand, the Indian High Commission said on Sunday.

The attacker, identified by authorities as Australia-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, reportedly targeted immigrants during Friday prayers. Witnesses said that victims were shot at close range.

The high commission confirmed on Sunday that five Indians were killed in the attack.

“With a very heavy heart we share the news of loss of precious lives of our 5 nationals in ghastly terror attack in #Christchurch,” it tweeted.

It identified them as: Maheboob Khokhar; Ramiz Vora; Asif Vora; Ansi Alibava; and Ozair Kadir.

In another tweet later, the high commission informed that Immigration NZ has set up a dedicated webpage to expedite visa for family members of Christchurch victims.

On Friday, shortly after the attack, India’s High Commissioner in New Zealand Sanjiv Kohli had tweeted that “there are 9 missing persons of Indian nationality/origin”. But, he had added, official confirmation was awaited.

About 200,000 Indian and Indian-origin people live in New Zealand. Over 30,000 of them are students, according to the Indian High Commission’s data available on its website.

Ahead of Lok Sabha polls around 11,558 ads and posters removed from Mumbai

By

Afternoon Voice

-

March 17, 2019

As many as 11,558 unauthorised political advertisements and posters have been removed from Mumbai suburban district ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, an election official said.

Besides, 16 police complaints of such unauthorised boards have also been filed in the last week as part of the implementation of the model code of conduct in the district, he said.

“So far, 9,298 advertisement boards, posters, banners and flags have been removed from public places. Besides, 2,260 such boards have been removed from private properties,” he said.

Senior police and civic officials have been given the task to help in the implementation of the code of conduct in their areas of jurisdiction, he added.

Mumbai suburban district comprises four Lok Sabha and 26 Assembly constituencies. Its administrative limits are from Mahim Causeway to Dahisar, Kurla to Mulund and Kurla to Trombay.

New Zealand mosques ‘free to open’ as heavy vigil continues

By

Afternoon Voice

-

March 17, 2019

Mosques across New Zealand are “free and welcome to open their doors” but police will maintain an armed presence after 50 people were killed and over an equal number of people were injured in the gruesome Christchurch terror attack.

“Mosques are welcome to open their doors if they choose to do so. Police will continue to maintain a presence at all Mosques across New Zealand,” New Zealand Police tweeted on Sunday.

Mosque update: Mosques are welcome to open their doors if they choose to do so. Police will continue to maintain a presence at all Mosques across New Zealand.

— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 16, 2019

Mosques across the country were advised to shut down following the March 14 terror attack, which shook the global community.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up outside mosques in United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and other countries following the ghastly shootings, carried out by a 28-year-old white man Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who has been charged with murder ever since.

Police believe that Tarrant single-handedly carried out the terror attack at both the mosques under a span of 36 minutes during the ongoing Friday prayers for which a large number of faithful had congregated.

At least five Indians, including three from Gujarat, also lost their lives in the shootings.

36 wounded, including two Indian nationals and two persons of Indian origin, are undergoing treatment at Christchurch Hospital following Thursday’s attacks, as the police have informed that 11 people out of them continue to be in critical condition.

“In addition, the four-year-old child transported to Starship Hospital in Auckland yesterday remains in a critical condition,” New Zealand Police tweeted.

“Police understands the religious duty of the Islamic faith to bury the deceased as soon as possible, and is working closely with the Chief Coroner to do everything possible to expedite the process,” they added, mentioning that the deceased victims have been removed from both the Christchurch mosques.

BJP likely to field Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib constituency, dropping Shatrughan Sinha

By

Afternoon Voice

-

March 17, 2019

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who is the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Patna Sahib parliamentary constituency in Bihar is likely to be replaced with Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, according to sources.

Sinha, a BJP leader who has criticised the party leadership several times in the past had put out a series of tweets that seemed to indicate that he will leave the party.

“Sir, the Nation respects you, but the only thing the leadership lacks is credibility & trust factor. “Leadership jo kar rahi hai or jo kah rahi hai, kya log uspe vishwas kar rahein hain? Shayad nahin!” Anyway, it all seems to be too little and too late?” he said.

“Promises made in the past are still to be fulfilled. Hope, wish & pray, though I may not be with you anymore – “Mohabbat karne vaale kam na honge, (shayad) teri mehfil mein lekin hum na honge”.” Sinha tweeted on Friday.

past are still to be fulfilled. Hope, wish & pray, though I may not be with you anymore – "Mohabbat karne vaale kam na honge, (shayad) teri mehfil mein lekin hum na honge".

— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) March 15, 2019

Sinha also shared the stage with opposition leaders at an anti-BJP rally in Kolkata in January.

The BJP, late on Saturday held a meeting at party’s headquarters presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party national president Amit Shah, to shortlist candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

According to sources, the decision was taken to field Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna Sahib and R K Singh from Ara parliamentary constituencies. Further, the party is likely to field Sanjay Jaiswal from West Champaran and Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh from East Champaran constituencies in Bihar.

Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The dates of polling in Bihar will be on April 11, 18, 23, 29 and May 6, 12 and 19. The counting will happen on May 23 and the results will be announced on the same day.

During the 2014 Lok Sabha General Elections, the BJP won 22 seats, Congress bagged two seats, Lok Jan Shakti Party captured six seats and Rashtriya Janata Dal won in four constituencies.

Meanwhile, sources said that while Saturday’s meet was held to deliberate on candidates that the party will field in various constituencies in 11 states, the BJP Central Election Committee is likely to meet again on Monday and by March 22 the party may announce the list of all candidates.

‘Like we never left’ – Smith and Warner back in Aussie cricket fold

By

Afternoon Voice

-

March 17, 2019

Steve Smith and David Warner have been welcomed back into the Australian fold with “hugs and cuddles” at a team meet-up in Dubai and said it was like they’d never left.

The disgraced pair, whose year-long bans for ball-tampering expire this month, were invited by coach Justin Langer as part of their re-integration after the scandal in South Africa that rocked the cricketing world.

Australia are in Dubai as they prepare for an upcoming series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates following their upset one-day series win against India.

“It’s been awesome. It’s like we didn’t really leave, the boys were very accepting of us coming in and with open arms,” said Warner in audio comments supplied to AFP Sunday.

“A lot of big hugs and cuddles. It’s been great. “It’s good to see the spirit they’re in after a great series win in India and I am obviously looking forward to watching them play against Pakistan here and hopefully they win that series as well,” he added.

The “sandpapergate” scandal in Cape Town, which also saw opening batsman Cameron Bancroft banned for nine months, had far-reaching consequences for Australian cricket.

Then-coach Darren Lehmann quit and there was a clean-out of top executives from Cricket Australia after a scathing review said its “arrogant and controlling” culture was partly to blame for players bending the rules.

Australian cricket has since undergone a host of cultural changes under Langer, and Warner and Smith were brought up to speed at the meeting on how it now worked.

“Making sure we’re in line with team values moving forwards,” Warner said of the meet-up, which also discussed the squad’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup. “Obviously (we’ve) been out for 12 months and there has been a big change, which is great, and it’s about excepting that and playing what our role should be in the team.”

Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy and is barred from being considered for any leadership role for a further 12 months after his ban ends, echoed Warner’s comments.

“It seems like some really good energy among the team at the moment,” he said.

“It’s great to be back around the group, they’ve been really welcoming and almost like we’ve never left.” While the cheating row initially unleashed a torrent of vitriol against them, that sentiment has eased significantly and they are expected to be slotted straight back into the team.

Smith said the Dubai catch-up went through “the values that are instilled in the team at the moment and making sure we are on the right path looking forward to what’s coming up; a huge World Cup and an Ashes series in England”.

Both players, who are returning from elbow injuries, are eligible for the final two games of the Pakistan series. But selectors decided it would be better to ease themselves back at the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Flash floods kill at least 50 killed in Indonesia’s Papua

By

Afternoon Voice

-

March 17, 2019

At least 50 people have been killed by flash floods in Indonesia’s eastern Papua province, an official said on Sunday, as rescuers raced to find more victims of the disaster.

The floods in Sentani, near the provincial capital of Jayapura, were triggered by torrential rain and subsequent landslides on Saturday, and also left 59 people injured.

Dozens of homes were damaged by floodwaters, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

“The number of casualties and impact of the disaster will likely increase as search and rescue teams are still trying to reach other affected areas,” he added.

“The floods were likely caused by a landslide.” The waters had receded but officials were still trying to evacuate people.

“The joint search and rescue teams are still doing evacuations and not all affected areas have been reached because of fallen trees, rocks, mud and other material,” Nugroho said.

Video footage from the scene showed rescuers administering oxygen to a victim who appeared trapped beneath a fallen tree.

Uprooted trees and other debris were strewn across muddy roads, while at Jayapura’s small airport a propeller plane lay partly crushed on a runway. Papua shares a border with independent Papua New Guinea on an island just north of Australia.

Flooding is not uncommon in Indonesia, especially during the rainy season which runs from October to April.

In January, floods and landslides killed at least 70 people on Sulawesi island, while earlier this month hundreds in West Java province were forced to evacuate when torrential rains triggered severe flooding.

The Southeast Asian archipelago of some 17,000 islands is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth, straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide.

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common.

In December, the western part of Java island was slammed by a deadly volcano-triggered tsunami that killed about 400 people.

Also last year, the city of Palu in Sulawesi was rocked by a quake-tsunami disaster that killed thousands, while hundreds of others died in a series of quakes that hit the holiday island of Lombok, next to Bali.