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IANS News

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Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. The IANS was founded by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the India Abroad News Service. It was later renamed the Indo-Asian News Service. The IANS has its main offices located in Noida.

Articles Written By IANS News

'Bond girl' Honor Blackman passes away
2255 days ago
Hollywood

'Bond girl' Honor Blackman passes away

London, April 7 (IANS) British actress Honor Blackman, who became the oldest 'Bond girl' when she starred across Sean Connery in "Goldfinger", has died of old-age complications at the age of 94, reports said on Monday.## Her family said she died peacefully of natural causes at home in Lewes, East Sussex, the BBC reported.## Blackman's martial arts training helped her win the role of lesbian pilot Pussy Galore, an associate of gold-obsessed Bond villain Goldfinger before becoming a Bond ally, in the third James Bond film (1964).## "I was already a James Bond fan but I asked to read (the novel) Goldfinger before taking the part," she once admitted.## "By the time I had read it, I was convinced it was absolutely me."## At 39, she was five years older than Connery but sparkled in the role.## Blackman, who had been a dispatch rider during the Second World War, however, came to public notice as the feisty, black-clad female agent in 1960s TV show "The Avengers".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Chris Hemsworth to Indian fans: Was looking forward to being back in India
2255 days ago
Hollywood

Chris Hemsworth to Indian fans: Was looking forward to being back in India

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth says he was "incredibly excited" about coming to India to celebrate his upcoming Netflix film "Extraction". Hemsworth was scheduled to be in Mumbai on March 16 to promote the film that has been shot in India. The promotional tour was called off due to the global coronavirus outbreak.## Greeting fans the ‘desi' way, Hemsworth sent his love to India in a new video, saying he was honored to work with "some of your best local talents". He added that his time spent in the country will always remain close to his heart.## "Namaste India. Chris Hemsworth here, all the way from Australia. As you may have heard, I was incredibly excited to come to India and celebrate this movie where it was filmed. My time in your country during production was unforgettable and I was looking forward to returning," he said in a video, posted on the official Instagram handle of Netflix India.## "But, you know all that is happening in the world at the moment. I, like you, am staying home. I know things are not easy right now for everyone so I wanted to share something I hope you'll enjoy. I want to keep an eye out tomorrow for the trailer debut of my new film, ‘Extraction''. This movie is an incredibly action-packed ride, directed by my good friend Sam Hargrave. Netflix will be releasing it everywhere on April 24," he added.## Originally titled "Dhaka", the film also stars Indian actors Randeep Hooda, Pankaj Tripathi, Priyanshu Painyulli, and Rudraksh Jaiswal. It revolves around Tyler Rake (essayed by Hemsworth), a fearless, black market mercenary, who embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he is enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. Hemsworth shot for the Netflix film in India in 2018. He shot in Ahmedabad and Mumbai.## "It was an absolute honor to work alongside some of your best local talents to make this movie possible. I can't wait for you all to see it. Sending you lots of love and good thoughts to everyone around the world. Stay home, stay safe. Be well," he said while concluding his video message.## Along with the special message, Netflix India announced an exclusive YouTube premiere for the trailer of "Extraction". The trailer is set to go live first on Netflix India's YouTube page, followed by the rest of the world, on April 7.## Earlier, in an interview with IANS, Hemsworth opened up about shooting in India, saying he felt like a rockstar while doing so.## "I love the place and the people. Shooting there... There were thousands of people on the streets every day and I have never experienced that on set. It was sort of intimidating as it was exciting because there were so many people," he said.## "After every take (when the director) called 'cut', there was a loud cheer. We felt like rock stars in a stadium. But the warmth and support we got while shooting there, no matter how disruptive we were to their daily lives, it was so good. People were so positive. I have huge appreciation to that," added Hemsworth, whose daughter is named India.## Stay tuned...

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Hailey Bieber learned to appreciate little things amid COVID-19
2256 days ago
Hollywood

Hailey Bieber learned to appreciate little things amid COVID-19

os Angeles April 5 (IANS) Model Hailey Bieber is spending quality time with her husband, singer Justin Bieber amidst the coronavirus lockdown.## During an Instagram Live Q&A, Hailey spoke about how she's recently learned to appreciate the "simple and small things in life that really do make me happy", reports femalefirst.co.uk.## She said: "I thought I was going to have a lot of anxiety through this process and there have been some.## "But it's also really shown me that the simplicity in life and kind of dialing everything back has made me so happy."## "I've been happier than I felt in months just from being able to be low-key and just hang, and not have things on a schedule. I feel really reconnected with myself and that's unexpectedly made me really happy," Hailey added.## Hailey and Justin are currently based on their 9,000 square-foot estates in Ontario.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Charlize Theron's too exhausted to do method acting
2256 days ago
Hollywood

Charlize Theron's too exhausted to do method acting

Los Angeles, April 5 (IANS) Actress Charlize Theron says having children left her too exhausted to commit to method acting.## The South African actor is a mother to adopted children Jackson, eight, and August, four. The 44-year-old says the glamour and glitz of the industry swiftly sweeps away once the cameras stop rolling, report mirror.co.uk.## She said: "I go to my trailer, I take my make-up off and I go home. I don't know how people stay in character. I'm too lazy. I've got two kids to raise and I have dog s**t to pick up in the backyard.## "I don't know how you do that in character. It's exhausting. It's so f***ing exhausting. I learned pretty early on, the more I let go, the better - which, in the beginning, was harder for me - but now I'm very disciplined about it," she added.## Theron has dated some of Hollywood's leading men, including Sean Penn and Stuart Townsend, but she never married -- choosing to adopt her children alone in 2012 and 2015.## She added: "I get up with them at 5.30 a.m. every day. I make them breakfast and pack their lunches. On weekends, we hang out with family and friends. I'll cook lasagne or steak."## The actress was last seen in "Bombshell". The Lionsgate film chronicles the downfall of Fox News titan Roger Ailes (essayed by John Lithgow), whom multiple Fox employees accused of sexual harassment. Ailes denied all the claims until his death in 2017. It follows Fox's most famous female faces as they grapple with their own experiences with Ailes, including Megyn Kelly (Theron) and Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman).## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Elton John donates $1 million to HIV/Aids charity
2256 days ago
Hollywood

Elton John donates $1 million to HIV/Aids charity

London, April 5 (IANS) A Legendary singer Elton John has pledged $1 million to his Aids Foundation in the hope that it isn't forgotten amid the coronavirus pandemic.## The iconic singer, 73, admitted that he was concerned HIV/Aids sufferers would be hit with a "double whammy" due to the strain on the health service, during a Bright Minded live-stream with Miley Cyrus, reports dailymail.co.uk.## John said he is working with his Aids Foundation and the new funds would be available in the "next few months".## He said: "I'm going to stick to my guns with the Aids Foundation and make sure because of this global pandemic that's happening that the people who are suffering from another global pandemic don't get forgotten."## "That's what my foundation has tried to do, help the marginalized, help the poor, help the people who mustn't get left behind. That is my main focus in the next three months, to make sure these people on the HIV and Aids lifeline we give them, don't get forgotten," the singer added.## At the moment, John is self-isolating in Los Angeles with his husband David Furnish and the couple's two sons, Zachary, nine, and Elijah, seven.## As well as pledging money to his HIV/Aids charity, John has also played a huge part in raising money to COVID-19 relief. The iHeart Living Room Concert For America raised more than $8 million dollars in donations earmarked to Feeding America and the First Responders Children's Foundation.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Patty Jenkins wants to make third 'Wonder Woman' film
2256 days ago
Hollywood

Patty Jenkins wants to make third 'Wonder Woman' film

Los Angeles, April 5 (IANS) Filmmaker Patty Jenkins has hinted that she wants to make a third "Wonder Woman" film.## In an interview to SciFiNow, the writer-and-director said that she has many plans about the popular superhero character, essayed by Gal Gadot, reports dailymail.co.uk.## The 48-year-old will release "Wonder Woman 1984" later this year -- her second film with Gadot as the titular heroine.## Asked about the possibility of a third film, she said: " 'Wonder Woman 3' oh wow! I'm trying to make myself not think about that because every movie has to be taken on its own but there's definitely final things for me that I haven't got to explore with 'Wonder Woman' that we'll have to see if we can go and explore."## Despite the success of 2017's "Wonder Woman", Jenkins doesn't think that automatically means the sequel will be a hit.## She said: "Every movie is its own struggle to touch people and make a difference. 'Wonder Woman surprised a lot of people so (with the sequel) you're walking into a situation where they're waiting for you to fail more than ever. So it's no different because making the first movie was the same in that everybody went, 'Wonder Woman, come on, no you can't'."## "There's a history of these movies tanking and so it was a lot of pressure to be the person to take on trying to bring that movie to life. It's a lot of pressure again to try and make this one live up to what it could be, so in both cases, I've simply focused on, aI love Wonder Woman and I love this genre of film at its best and so I'm just trying to make a great film," she added.## Her comments come after Warner Bros. delayed the summer release of "Wonder Woman 1984" due to the coronavirus pandemic.## In the sequel of the megahit 2017 DC film, Gadot will be back as Wonder Woman with edgier action for a new battle with new villains. The Warner Bros film comes with the tag line "A new era of wonder begins". "Wonder Woman 1984" will now release on August 14 instead of June 5.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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'The Flash' actor Logan Williams dies at 16
2257 days ago
Hollywood

'The Flash' actor Logan Williams dies at 16

Los Angeles, April 4 (IANS) Actor Logan Williams, best known for playing the young version of protagonist Barry Allen on the superhero TV show "The Flash", has died suddenly. He was 16.## His mother, Marlyse Williams, confirmed his death to the Tri-City News of British Columbia, saying the family is "absolutely devastated".## She added that the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing restrictions have made the family's mourning even more difficult, reports ew.com.## "I am not able to hug my parents who lost their only grandchild," she said. "It's hard."## Actor Grant Gustin, who plays the grown-up version of Barry Allen and his titular alter ego, took to Instagram to pay his tribute on hearing the "devastating news".## "Just hearing the devastating news," Gustin wrote alongside a photo of himself, Williams, and actor Jesse L. Martin on set.## "This picture was early in the filming of 'The Flash' pilot episode back in 2014. I was so impressed by not only Logan's talent but his professionalism on set. My thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family during what is I'm sure an unimaginably difficult time for them. Please keep Logan and his family in your thoughts and prayers during what has been a strange and trying time for us all. Sending love to everyone."## Williams last appeared on "The Flash" in the season 2 premiere, which aired in 2015. He also starred as Miles Montgomery on "When Calls the Heart" from 2014 to 2016 and appeared in "Supernatural", "The Whispers", and the TV movie "The Color of Rain".## "With his talent and gorgeous looks, Logan had the potential to be a huge star," his mother said.## Williams is survived by his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Jennifer Aniston gifts COVID-affected nurse $10K food delivery card
2257 days ago
Hollywood

Jennifer Aniston gifts COVID-affected nurse $10K food delivery card

Los Angeles, April 4 (IANS) Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston has joined hands with TV host Jimmy Kimmel to give a nurse from Utah and each member of her team a $10K-food delivery gift card.## Kimmel is currently filming his late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" from his home during self-isolation amid the global COVID-19 crisis, and on April 2 he helped Aniston spread some joy to one fan, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Appearing on the show via video link, the "FRIENDS" star shared about being stuck at home had been a challenge, after spending the past three weeks in isolation.## In the final segment of her appearance, the star helped surprise a fan named Kimball Fairbanks, a cardiovascular nurse in Utah who contracted COVID-19 last week.## Fairbanks had to stop working in order to self-isolate and is currently in quarantine without her two daughters.## To help her, Aniston and Kimmel surprised her with a $10,000 gift card to food delivery service as well as additional gift cards for every nurse on her floor at the hospital.## Stunned by the sweet gesture, the nurse said: "Wow".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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'Black Widow', 'Indiana Jones 5' among Disney biggies to get new release dates
2257 days ago
Hollywood

'Black Widow', 'Indiana Jones 5' among Disney biggies to get new release dates

Los Angeles, April 4 (IANS) New release dates have been announced for several major Disney films including "Black Widow", "The Eternals" and "Indiana Jones 5" that have been pushed ahead owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.## "Black Widow", starring Scarlett Johansson in the title role, was delayed last month. The film will now open on November 6, in the place of fellow Marvel adventure "The Eternals", reports variety.com.## In turn, "The Eternals" moves to February 12 next year. "Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings", which introduces Hollywood's first Asian superhero, moves to May 7, while "Doctor Strange 2" will now release on November 5, 2021. "Thor: Love And Thunder" on February 18, 2022.## "Black Panther 2" will still debut on May 6, 2022, while "Captain Marvel 2" has been set for July 8, 2022.## The studio's live-action remake of "Mulan" has been pushed to July 24, 2020.## Sources at Disney note that release dates for all films could continue to move given the uncertainty over the global health crisis.## Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt's "Jungle Cruise" will release on July 20, 2021, roughly a year later than expected. Harrison Ford's "Indiana Jones 5", initially set for summer of 2021, will launch on July 29, 2022.## The sci-fi fantasy film "Artemis Fowl", which was supposed to open on May 29, will instead debut on Disney Plus, making it the studio's first film to entirely skip theatrical release.## For now, Disney is keeping dates for holiday offerings "West Side Story" (December 18) and "The Last Duel" (December 25).## Ryan Reynolds' "Free Guy," an action-comedy from its 20th Century banner, has moved from July 3, 2020 to December 11, 2020. Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch," from Searchlight, shifted from July 24, 2020 to October 16, 2020.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned...

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When Jessica Chastain snubbed role in 'Doctor Strange'
2258 days ago
Hollywood

When Jessica Chastain snubbed role in 'Doctor Strange'

Los Angeles, April 4 (IANS) Actress Jessica Chastain turned down the chance to play Dr. Christine Palmer in the Benedict Cumberbatch starrer "Doctor Strange" as she only wants to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as a superhero.## The writer of "Doctor Strange", C Robert Cargill, said that director Scott Derrickson wanted to rope in Chastain for the role of Strange's former lover Dr. Christine Palmer, reports femalefirst.co.uk.## Once Chastain turned down the role, it then went to actress Rachel McAdams.## Speaking on the Junkfood Cinema podcast, Cargill said: "The interesting thing that Hollywood's starting to find out is that a lot of the actresses out there want to be superheroes as much as the actors do.## "I know this happened with Scott. He went to Jessica Chastain to get her on Doctor Strange because we were considering her ... (and) she's like, 'Hey, look, this project sounds awesome, and I would love to do it. But I'm only going to get one shot at being in a Marvel film and becoming a Marvel character, and I trained in ballet, and I really want to wear a cape.'## "And that was the coolest rejection ever. She wanted to be the superhero, not badass doctor Night Nurse."## Chastain did play Vuk, the leader of a shape-shifting alien race known as the D'Bari, in the 2019 film 'Dark Phoenix', which is based on the Marvel Comics characters the "X-Men".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' sequel pushed to December 23
2258 days ago
Hollywood

Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' sequel pushed to December 23

Los Angeles, April 3 (IANS) Hollywood star Tom Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick", the much-anticipated sequel of the 1986 hit "Top Gun", will now release on December 23 instead of original release date June 24.## "Top Gun: Maverick" is the latest movie to be pushed amid the spread of the coronavirus, reports variety.com.## Released in 1986, "Top Gun" was apparently inspired by a magazine article on Navy pilots. The film followed the life of a fighter pilot and launched Cruise's career as a global action star. The sequel picks up decades after the 1986 box-office hit. It also features Miles Teller as the son of Goose, Maverick's partner who died in the original film. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the movie will be exclusively distributed in India by Viacom18 Studios.## As part of the release shake-up, Paramount has also moved "A Quiet Place Part II" to September 4, 2020. "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run", an animated adventure based on the absorbent underwater fry cook, was originally slated to hit theaters on May 22 and will now bow July 31, 2020. Meanwhile, sci-fi fantasy film "The Tomorrow War", previously scheduled for December 25, 2020, is now updated.## The films join a growing list of tentpoles that were pulled from release because of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent closure of multiplexes. Sony also delayed most of its summer slate, including "Morbius" and "Ghostbusters: Afterlife". Disney postponed "Black Widow" and "Mulan" while Warner Bros. reshuffled "Wonder Woman 1984" and "In the Heights" and Universal halted "Minions: The Rise of Gru" and "Fast & Furious" entry "F9".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez get VIP access to gym closed to public
2259 days ago
Hollywood

Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez get VIP access to gym closed to public

Miami, April 2 (IANS) Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez and fiance Alex Rodriguez were spotted at their regular gym here, even though it is closed to the public amid the coronavirus lockdown.## The couple was seen leaving from the backdoor, having apparently got a special dispensation, reports dailymail.co.uk.## "THIS GYM IS NOT OPEN STAY HOME STAY SAFE," read the sign on the backdoor of the venue, which Lopez and Rodriguez were frequently seen visiting pre-lockdown.## Lopez wore a scarlet sports bra that showed off her toned figure. She teamed the top with high-waisted leggings and accessorized with aviator sunglasses.## She also carried her usual sparkly monogrammed water bottle.## Meanwhile, her fiance wore a simple black cardigan and sweats over a charcoal tee.## A man in a face mask was there to greet the couple when they left the gym and headed off in a black car.## The man held the gym's backdoor handle through a wet wipe to swing it open when the celebrities were done exercising.## He could be seen cleaning the handle of one of the car doors with a wipe before opening it to allow Lopez into the vehicle.## The star couple have gone into social isolation together in Miami where they are spending time with their children from previous relationships.## Rodriguez shares his daughters Natasha, 15, and Ella, 11, with his ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis while Lopez has twins Max and Emme, 12, with her third husband Marc Anthony.## Stay tuned...

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