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YouTube Shooting: Woman Shoots 3 and Kills Herself at YouTube HQ

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YouTube Shooting: Woman Shoots 3 and Kills Herself at YouTube HQ

The shooting took place at the sprawling headquarters of YouTube which is located in San Bruno, California, on Tuesday.

A shooting, which took place at the headquarters of YouTube in California, has left at least three people injured, with the female suspected of carrying out the shooting dead of a suspected suicide, police says.

Ed Barberini, the police chief in San Bruno, told reporters that the police responded vigilantly to 911 calls made from the tech campus of Silicon Valley on Tuesday.

After reaching the scene, the police found the dead body of a woman, whom they suspect to be the shooter. The woman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, he further said.

Barberini further noted that a handgun was used to carry out the attack and that after the shooter killed herself, the public does not have any further threat.

Of the four people who were transported to the nearby hospitals, police said, three of them had suffered gunshot wounds. All of them are hospitalized at the San Francisco General Hospital and two of them – a 36-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman – are in serious condition.

Police have further confirmed the name of the suspect as Nasim Aghdam, who they say posted videos on YouTube venting anger at the video streaming giant.

The data of such ‘’active shooter’’ incidents reveals that it is an extreme rarity that a woman is involved in one of them. According to an FBI report – which compiles data on 160 such incidents between 2000 and 2013, only six of the perpetrators were women.

Who was the Suspect?

Nasim Aghdam, the woman which the police identified as the perpetrator of YouTube attack, was a 39-year-old woman of Iranian descent who was a resident of California.

Before the shooting, she had a personal account on YouTube. It was in one of these videos that she berated the platform for filtering her posts and discriminated against her.

Following the shooting, YouTube deleted and terminated her account. Her Facebook and Instagram accounts have also been removed from the respective platforms.

What’s the reaction?

Chris Dale, the spokesperson of YouTube, took to social media to praise the way police handled the situation.

Twitter, meanwhile, that it was horrified by the situation.

https://twitter.com/TwitterSafety/status/981298172461965312

President Trump thanked the Enforcement Officers and First Responders for their efforts.

 

Singer Chris Brown arrested for felony assault

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Singer Chris Brown arrested for felony assault

Singer Chris Brown walked off stage after his concert in West Palm Beach Florida and into the hands of waiting deputies, who arrested him on a felony battery charge involving a nightclub photographer the last year, according to multiple news reports. He was booked and released from the Palm Beach County Jail less than an hour later after posting 2,000 USD bails.

Brown posted on Instagram that his Tampa show on Friday night would go on as planned. The singer is currently on his Heartbreak on a Full Moon tour.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk4LKvklCcA/?utm_source=ig_embed

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk7FStsFpwg/?taken-by=chrisbrownofficial

Over the years Chris Brown has had multiple run-ins with authorities. In the last nine years, he was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats against his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, ahead of the Grammys in 2009. For this felony assault, he received five years probation and community service. In 2015 he completed his probation in that case.

In 2013, Brown was charged with misdemeanor assault. Brown and his bodyguard were arrested and charged with felony assault after he was accused of striking a man outside a hotel in Washington, D.C.
The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor the next day. He was ordered into rehab but was dismissed for violating facility rules. Brown spent two and half months in custody.

Prince William to the England football team: “I couldn’t be prouder”

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Prince William to the England football team: “I couldn’t be prouder”

After the England football team managed to squeeze through to the next round of the competition when Eric Dier scored the winning shot, prince
William tweeted his congratulations, signed off by him and posted it on the official Kensington Palace page. Prince William wrote: “couldn’t be prouder” of the Three Lions since the squad won the penalty shootout against Colombia in the World Cup tournament last night.

William, The 36-year-old royal prince of England and the Duke of Cambridge, who is also president of the English Football Association, also tweeted: “You have well and truly earned your place in the final eight of the #worldcup and you should know the whole country is right behind you for Saturday! Come on England! W”

The Three Lions (the England football team) fans were left sitting on the edge of their seats during last night’s tense set of penalties, meaning they’re now in the quarterfinal, the first time since 2006, and are set to play Sweden on Saturday.

Good Luck Lions!

Scarlett Johansson Issues Statement About Rub & Tug Casting as transgender man

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Scarlett Johansson Issues Statement About Rub & Tug Casting as transgender man

News broke yesterday that Scarlett Johansson took a new project- playing a transgender man.

Johansson caused major controversy when she took the lead role in 2017’s ‘Ghost In The Shell’, where she was playing a character who was Japanese in the original manga series. So it’s a mystery as to why she’s chosen this latest project as a transgender man in an upcoming drama since this can be considered her second offense when it comes to appropriate. In this case, it’s not cultural, it’s gender identity.

Scarlett Johansson would be re-teaming with her ‘Ghost in the Shell’ director Rupert Sanders for the crime biopic ‘Rub & Tug’. The story of ‘Rub & Tug’ is centers around the life of Dante “Tex” Gill, a Pittsburgh-based crime boss, who was working during the 1970s and ‘80s. Dante “Tex” Gill was known for mob feuds and running a string of massage parlors that doubled as prostitution hubs. Gill was ultimately arrested and served seven years in prison for tax evasion.

Dante “Tex” Gill, born Jean Gill, was described in his 2003 obituary as “insisting that she was a man and telling everyone she wanted to be known as ‘Mr. Gill.’”. ScreenCrush dove deep into Gill’s real life and find that the crime boss lived as a “transmasculine person”.  ScreenCrush pointing to old newspaper articles there Gill described Gill as “the woman who prefers to be known as a man.”

While the idea of Scarlett Johansson playing a crime boss is exciting, the protest against the casting choice started online. Many fans took to social media to express problems with the casting since Dante “Tex” Gill was a transgender man. Johansson is a cisgender actress, which is the reason for the casting backlash.

A rep for the actress, Scarlett Johansson, allegedly said: “Tell them they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto, and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment.”

Littel reminder: Felicity Huffman was nominated for an Oscar for played a transgender woman in 2005’s Transamerica,  Jared Leto won a best-supporting actor Oscar his role as playing a trans-woman in Dallas Buyers Club, and Jeffrey Tambor won two Emmys for playing a transgender woman in the TV series Transparent. All of these casting choices caused controversy at the beginning.

Najib Razak, Malaysia’s Fallen Leader, Arrested in Case Linked to ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Corruption Scandal

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Najib Razak, Malaysia’s Fallen Leader, Arrested in Case Linked to ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Corruption Scandal

Najib Razak, former Malaysian prime minister, set up the 1MBD sovereign wealth fund, from which billions of dollars are alleged to have been stolen. The money was siphoned from a sovereign wealth fund and allegedly used to finance, among many things, The Wolf of Wall Street film in 2014.

The billions of dollars were also allegedly used to fund lavish lifestyles, including luxury properties in the U.S., private jets, yachts, handbags, jewelry, artwork and a foray into Hollywood with the setting up of Red Granite Pictures, which famously produced, as noted above, The Wolf of Wall Street, as well as Dumb and Dumber 2, Daddy’s Home and many others movies.

U.S. authorities said Rosmah Mansor, Najib’s wife, obtained tens of millions of USD in diamonds bought with 1MDB funds. There was no immediate word from Malaysian authorities on whether she was also facing arrest.

Mr. Najib and his wife have denied everything. Mr. Najib’s lawyers couldn’t be reached for comment, and his spokesman didn’t respond to the Media request for comment.

Mr. Najib was in custody at the headquarters of the country’s anti-corruption agency. His supporters called for a rally at the facility to show solidarity with him. Media sources in Malaysia claim that charges are expected to be brought against Razak on Wednesday.

Dead or Alive? ‘Dead’ woman found alive in mortuary fridge

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Dead or Alive? ‘Dead’ woman found alive in mortuary fridge

A South African woman is recovering in hospital after who paramedics had declared dead when they found her after a car crash. Only later she being discovered alive in a mortuary fridge, emergency services said on Monday, July 2, 2018.

Ambulance service Distress Alert confirmed that the unnamed South African woman had been certified dead by paramedics at the scene of the accident, outside of Carletonville, south-west of Johannesburg, in the early hours of June 24, 2018.

A Carletonville mortuary source said his colleagues had loaded the bodies into the fridges and were filling in forms‚ when one returned to check on them. Mortuary technicians then found her alive in a morgue fridge several hours after the crash in which the victims’ car rolled “When he pulled out the woman’s body‚ he saw that she was breathing.” “We followed our procedures – we’ve got no idea how it happened,” Distress Alert operations manager Gerrit Bradnick told AFP.

“Paramedics are trained to determine death, not us,” a source at the Carletonville mortuary told the Sowetan newspaper. “You never expect to open a fridge and find someone in there alive. Can you imagine if we had begun the autopsy and killed her.”

This is not the first time this year someone has woken up in a mortuary after being declared dead.

In last January, a prisoner at a jail in Spain’s Asturiasregained was found alive hours before an autopsy was due to be performed.

 

Jim Carrey Will Play the Villain Dr. Robotnik in ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’

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Jim Carrey Will Play the Villain Dr. Robotnik in ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’

Paramount has announced that the movie ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’, based on the popular SEGA franchise, will be released on November 15, 2019. They also announced that Deadpool director Tim Miller would serve as the executive producer. Pat Casey & Josh Miller wrote the script.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a protagonist. Sonic is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog with supersonic speed, capable of reaching the speed of sound. Usually, Sonic with some of his friends, such as Tails, Knuckles, and Amy must stop the villains like Doctor Eggman from completing his plans for world domination is basically the gist of this film.

Sources reported that Jim Carrey is negotiating to star in ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ film in the role of Doctor Eggman/Robotnik, a villain in the live-action adaptation of the hit Sega video game. The Movie will be a mixture of live-action and CGI (Computer-generated imagery), and Jim Carrey’s role will probably to be either CGI or motion capture. This role may see Jim Carrey returning to his early days and roles like the ‘The Mask’, which put him on the Hollywood map.

Jim Carrey who has been meticulously recording his take on the current administration via his bizarre, surreal anti-Trump artwork, spends a lot of his time now sketching and painting, last starred in “Dark-Crimes” and “Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond”. Also, Carrey has been exec producing the Showtime series “I’m Dying Up Here” and he’s exec producing and starring “Kidding” which premieres in September.

It will be an intriguing combination: Jim Carrey and “Sonic The Hedgehog.”

David And Victoria Beckham Buying Little Harper A £7k Pony for Her 7th Birthday

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David And Victoria Beckham Buying Little Harper A £7k Pony for Her 7th Birthday

Most of the 7th year’s old children probably never even imagen celebrate a birthday by had tea at Buckingham Palace with Princess Eugenie as little Harper celebrate next year. Most of the children having birthday party involving pass-the-parcel, chocolate cake, and magician. But most of the children don’t have David and Victoria Beckham for parents.

When you growing up experiencing luxury holidays, wearing designer clothes, fancy dinners and, of course, absolutely amazing birthday parties you never be forced to pick just four of your schoolmates for special dinner and video games.

David and Victoria Beckham, with a business brand worth close to half a billion, had to rise above the 6th birthday celebrations they have splashed out £7,000 for her to get her own pedigree pony. Alongside the pony, David and Victoria will also be gifting little Harper a bunch of top of the range riding gear.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWW7tRuFLwp/?utm_source=ig_embed

An unnamed source said: “A few months ago, David and Victoria bought Harper some riding lessons and she fell in love with the sport…She’s horse-mad and has spent the past few weeks badgering her parents for a pony of her own.”

Harper turns 7 on 10 July, Happy Birthday little Harper!

Fanta Lemon DISCONTINUED!?

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Fanta Lemon DISCONTINUED!?

Bad news for the American Fanta Lemon lovers: the favorite summer drink has been discontinued, but you can still find it in the UK.

Social media raged after rumors circulated that the favorite summer drink, Fanta Lemon, had apparently been shelved by the soft drink giants. However, it has since transpired that the discontinuation only applies to US consumers.

The big saga began when one Fanta fan, Beth f., tweeted the brand asking if the drink had been discontinued. The drinks brand seemed to confirm the sad news on Thursday, replying directly to a Lemon Fanta fan: “Sadly, yes, Fanta lemon was discontinued. But, you can check out our 12 flavors at Fanta.com to see what’s available near you.”. Later the commend was deleted.

This prompted angered many fans of the summer drink, who demanded an explanation. The company responded in a subsequent tweet, which has also since been deleted:

Fanta Lemon fans didn’t respond well to the bad news and claimed that the news had “ruined” their summer and left them “heartbroken”.

https://twitter.com/_ManLikeMane/status/1012346747362922496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-5951492282605971957.ampproject.net%2F1530043289240%2Fframe.html

https://twitter.com/tmmckeown/status/1012366471551385602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-5951492282605971957.ampproject.net%2F1530043289240%2Fframe.html

After stories about the tragic drinks-related news popped-up everywhere, Fanta Twitter account team has been kept busy fending off upset customers.

They’ve been replying to people basically every minute of the day: “While Fanta Lemon is still not available in the US, it has not been discontinued elsewhere! We apologies for any confusion.”

Later, the UK account posted a Boomerang to confirm it’s still available.

The UK Fanta Lemon fan can relax and chill with Fanta Lemon drinks in the next summer.

AMC’s “Fear The Walking Dead” Is Target of Copyright Lawsuit

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AMC’s “Fear The Walking Dead” Is Target of Copyright Lawsuit

Mel Smith has alleged that the second season of the zombie apocalypse drama series was taken from his zombie comic series, “Dead Ahead.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7lDu9R84GY

“Fear The Walking Dead”, AMC’s famous zombie-apocalypse drama series, has become a target of copyright lawsuit regarding its Season 2 story arc.

The suit is filed by none other than Mel Smith, the writer of Dead Ahead comic series, who is adamant that the second season of AMC’s flagship show was a rip off of his comic series.

“Within the last three years, defendants, and each of them, infringed plaintiff’s copyright in DEAD AHEAD by, among other things, broadcasting or otherwise exploiting the second season of FEAR THE WALKING DEAD,” reads the complaint filed in California’s federal court.

The lawsuit further goes on to allege that “portions of that season’s 13 episodes were copied from plaintiff’s copyrighted literary work DEAD AHEAD.”

Apart from the cable network, TWD creator Robert Kirkman, executive producer David Alpert, and Valhalla Entertainment are all named as defendants in the copyright suit.

What separates Smith’s copyright suit from any rip-off claims is his argument that Alpert, who is the business partner of Robert Kirkman, used to be his “agent representative for the purposes of consulting with motion picture and television studios on the use or exploitation of DEAD AHEAD.”

“Defendant ALPERT violated and continues to violate his fiduciary obligation to plaintiff by engaging in a pattern and practice of self-dealing, placing his own interests ahead of the interests of his principal and client.”

However, while the current lawsuit is bound to attract headlines, it isn’t the first time that “Fear The Walking Dead” series has found itself in trouble with the law. Previously, ex-showrunner Darabount took AMC to court for profits of nearly $300 million.

Germany’s Group Stage Elimination Could Make Russia World Cup 2018 Memorable

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Germany’s Group Stage Elimination Could Make Russia World Cup 2018 Memorable

For the third time in last four World Cups, a defending champion has been eliminated in the group stages.

Germany, the four time winners of the World Cup, who came into this year’s competition as defending champions, have been knocked out from the group stages.

Football just can’t get better than this!

It isn’t the reputation of this German squad which makes it impossible for anyone to process their early exist.

Neither is it the recent history of football World Cups, the last five editions of which has seen four previous champions dumped out in group stage.

Instead, it’s the manner by which Germany went out that raises eyebrows. They weren’t beaten by a stellar squad.

Nor did anyone – least of all German fans – could say that their team deserved to go through.

Such was the poor level of performance of the German side that no one is saying they deserved to progress to the knockout stages. After all, they got three chances, and barring a late Tony Kroos goal against Sweden, the Germans failed to grasp all of them.

Still, while Germany’s exit follows a trend of recent World Cups, it could make this one memorable. No longer do we have a team of Germany’s caliber which could beat any opponent at its day. No longer do we have a squad as feared – and respected – as Germany’s.

Yes, we still have heavyweights like France, Brazil, and Spain, but neither of these three teams came into this year’s World Cup with as stellar a reputation as Germany.

France, under Didier Deschamps, still look like a work in progress. Brazil, for all their star-studded starting lineup, isn’t playing at the level we know they are capable of playing at.

As for Spain, they’re still reeling from the unexpected and sudden sacking of their manager just before the start of World Cup.

That doesn’t mean that one of these three teams are destined to win this year’s World Cup.

After all, Ronaldo and Messi are still in the competition with their respective teams, with both Belgium and England punching above their weight so far.

And now that we don’t have a heavyweight like Germany amid us fighting for glory in Russia 2018, all these teams – the remaining ones – should feel they have a chance to take the cup home!

Jared Leto to Star in Sony Spider-Man Title ‘Morbius’

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Jared Leto to Star in Sony Spider-Man Title ‘Morbius’

The project, which revolves around the life of antihero Morbius the Living Vampire, is being directed by Daniel Espinosa.

Jared Leto, who played the famous role of Joker in ‘Suicide Squad’, has been added to another comic book adaptation turned into a movie.

The Oscar-winning actor has been cast by Sony to star in ‘Morbius’, which is the studio’s latest entry into its Spider-Man centric, Marvel-based universe of characters.

https://twitter.com/DRMovieNews/status/1012049856863657984

‘Morbius’ will be directed by Daniel Espinosa, who also has the sci-fi thriller ‘Life’ and last year’s ‘Safe House’ on his resume.

The script for the movie has been written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, the same duo who created Lost in Space remake which aired on Netflix this year.

The project revolves around the life of one Morbius, an anti-hero who has become the Living Vampire. However, Morbius was not always a villain – as he was once Dr. Michael Morbius who contracted a rare blood disease.

It was in the process of attempting to cure himself that Morbius accrued disastrous results.

Instead of getting better, he contracted a form of vampirism which evoked in him the thirst for blood and super strength. And as he tries to quench his insatiable thirst, Morbius comes across Spider-Man who tries to stop him.

In the light of his potential role in the movie, it seems only sensible that Jared Leto will get to play the role of Morbius.

After all the Oscar-winning director showcased his inclination to play dark roles with extreme finesses with his performances in 2016’s “Suicide Squad” and an Oscar-winning performance in “Dallas Buyers Club”.

He also played the role of a villain in “Blade Runner 2049” and is currently busy in recording his scenes for a sequel to “Tron”.

Limited Edition Crunchy Caramel M&Ms Are Now On Sale

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Limited Edition Crunchy Caramel M&Ms Are Now On Sale

Described by their manufacturer as “Milk Chocolate (51 percent) with a caramel center (21 percent) in a sugar shell”, the limited edition Crunchy Caramel M&Ms are absolutely delicious.

Without making any preemptory announcements, Mars UK have played a blinder: they have gone and launched Limited Edition Crunch Caramel M&Ms in the UK!

In case you are wondering, these fantastic new treats have already hit the shelves, and you can get them from Poundland in their 109g bags for only £1.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkVs4SknpLn/?utm_source=ig_embed

It was way back in 2016 that we heard a rumor that a new flavor of M&Ms was about to hit the United Kingdom. The company had claimed back then that the new addition would offer the ultimate combination of flavors.

That is exactly what we have been offered now; a delightful combination of caramel and milk chocolate to sensitize our taste buds. Also, it would be a delight for you if you like crunchy things, as they offer a crunchy buttery sensation.

While they are on sale at other supermarkets too – Poundland is still your best bet because they are currently offering the same at the cheapest prices.

For instance, while you can them in their 109g bag for £1 at Poundland, you’d have to cough out £2.09 for the same weight at Ocado.

Therefore, it goes without saying that if you want to give your taste buds a treat – while also looking after your budget – Poundland is your best bet.

Still, if you’re allergic to peanuts, we have got some bad news for you! The new treats, though they don’t advertise it on the packet’s front, do have peanuts in their ingredients list.

However, as we don’t know for how long the product will remain on the shelves, we recommend that you get your hands on them as early as possible.

‘America’s Got Talent’ Recap: Heidi Klum Embarrasses a Virgin, Howie Mandel Almost Loses His Balls

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‘America’s Got Talent’ Recap: Heidi Klum Embarrasses a Virgin, Howie Mandel Almost Loses His Balls

Justifying its reputation of being one of the most unpredictable shows in America, ‘AGT’ featured a daredevil stuntman, a senior citizen comedian, and a hip violinist on Tuesday night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWsoDy0K9xo

“Remember you’re the fifth judge. Be as badly behaved as you want,” was how Simon pumped up the audience in the build-up to Tuesday night’s ‘’America’s Got Talent”.

Still, while his words were directed at the audience, it was Heidi Klum who took them to heart.

For, had it not been the case, you couldn’t justify the treatment Klum meted out to a 20-year-old singer who admitted in front of the whole audience that he was still a virgin.

The poor guy, who goes by the name of Joseph O’Brien, started his appearance by admitting on-stage that he never had a girlfriend. Hell, he never even “snogged” a girl.

Still, while he was predictably taken to the cleaners after his candid admission, Joseph got a thumbs up from all judges after his brilliant rendition of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” on the piano. On to the next round he went!

Next up was a freestyle rider Kenny Thomas, though he wasn’t alone on the stage to perform his act. Instead, he pulled Howie Mandel to the stage and had the judge lie down on the ground with his legs extended wide.

Kenny then took out his motorbike and started performing his stunts. Fortunately, for both him and Howie, all of his tricks missed the judge narrowly.

But that’s not the most shocking thing which Kenny did on the night. He also went on to do a complete 180-degree flip.

You may call it bravery on the part of Kenny – or stupidity on Howie’s parts as he almost lost his balls – but it goes without saying that all’s well that ends well.

For, due to his daring tricks, all the judges gave Kenny Thomas a thumbs up before sending him on through.

HBO Casts Jeremy Irons In “Watchmen” Lead Role

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HBO Casts Jeremy Irons In “Watchmen” Lead Role

The induction of Irons will see him joining previous cast members including Don Johnson, Tim Blake, Regina King, and Andrew Howard among others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlP8Pj_uFvc

According to reports coming from various media outlets, HBO has cast Jeremy Irons to play the lead role in the upcoming “Watchmen” pilot. However, keeping in line with the tradition of HBO, the character which Irons will play in the drama hasn’t been revealed.

The induction of Irons will see him joining previous cast members including Don Johnson, Tim Blake, Regina King, and Andrew Howard among others.

The project has been adapted from the DC graphic novel of Alan Moore, colorist John Higgins, and artist Dave Gibbons.

Provided “Watchmen” gets promoted from a drama to series, it would become the 2nd regular onscreen appearance for Irons.

He previously played the lead role in “The Borgias”, a Showtime period drama which remained on-air for three seasons.

While he is not a veteran when it comes to TV series, Irons is a veteran for playing lead roles in comic book projects.

For instance, not only did he play the role of Alfred in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, but he also appeared in “Justice League”.

Away from comic book adaptations, Irons won an Oscar for his role in “Reversal of Fortune’’, a 1990 film in which he played the role of an infamous New York socialite who faced two trials under the accusation that he attempted to kill his wife.

Irons also voiced Scar in “The Lion King” and played his park in films including “Dead Ringers”, in which he played the double role of identical twins.

China Blocks HBO Website After John Oliver Made Fun Of Xi Jinping

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China Blocks HBO Website After John Oliver Made Fun Of Xi Jinping

It seems as if the “Last Week Tonight” show hosted by John Oliver has hit a raw nerve with the officials of the Chinese Government.

Want to know how bad the censorship laws in China are?

They have banned HBO’s website in the Asian country after John Oliver made fun of the Chinese President on his “Last Week Tonight” show.

The crackdown against John Oliver and his “Last Week Tonight” show started last week after Oliver poked fun at Xi Jinping. After clearing the host’s name from Chinese social media last week, it seems that now HBO is facing the ire of the Chinese officials.

According to Greatfire.org, an internet censorship watchdog, Chinese internet users have been unable to access HBO’s website since Saturday.

As a result, HBO, which is distributed throughout Asia by its Singapore-based subsidiary, is only available in mainland China at “foreign housing compounds”, which include diplomatic residences and hotels.

That decision by the Chinese officials to block HBO seems comical because HBO airs none of its streamed content in China. Instead, it only appears as a promotional platform and airs Hollywood movies from yesteryears.

Therefore, there is no chance anyone in China could watch John Oliver’s show by legal means, which is via cable and dish networks.

The reason why the Chinese government has taken the initiative of blocking HBO is John Oliver’s critique of China’s human right abuses, as well as the country’s suppression of dissent.

Oliver then added a comic touch to the whole episode by showing Winnie-the-Pooh, to which some Chinese social media users compare Xi-Jinping, albeit in an affectionate way.

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