I

IANS News

279 Articles

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

Kylie Jenner is world's youngest self-made billionaire 2nd year in a row
2254 days ago
Hollywood

Kylie Jenner is world's youngest self-made billionaire 2nd year in a row

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) Reality TV star and make-up czarina Kylie Jenner becomes the youngest self-made billionaire in the world for the second year in a row.## Forbes released the annual World's Billionaires list, and Jenner remains the youngest self-made billionaire.## Jenner first made it onto the billionaires' list in March 2019, then further cemented her spot in November, when she agreed to sell 51 percent of her Kylie Cosmetics to beauty giant Coty Inc. for $600 million.## The deal, which closed in January, values her business at about $1.2 billion. The cash from the sale and her remaining 49 percent share of the company make Jenner one of just 2,095 people in the world with a ten-digit fortune, reports forbes.com.## "I didn't expect anything. I did not foresee the future," Jenner had previously told Forbes, adding: "But (the recognition) feels really good. That's a nice pat on the back."## Jenner started her cosmetics empire in 2014. She turned her social media following into a dedicated customer base by using about $250,000 of modeling earnings to pay an outside company to produce Kylie-branded lip kits --$29 packages of a lipstick with matching lip liner. The first batch of 15,000 lip kits sold out within the first minute. She soon expanded, releasing 500,000 kits in six shades a few months later.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Remake of 'The Night Of The Hunter' in the works
2254 days ago
Hollywood

Remake of 'The Night Of The Hunter' in the works

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) A remake of the 1955 classic thriller "The Night Of The Hunter", starring Robert Mitchum and Shelly Winters, is under development in Hollywood.## Universal Pictures will remake the film that was adapted from Davis Grubb's novel of the same name, reports variety.com. The script of the remake is being penned by Matt Orton, and although very little has been revealed about the project yet, it is expected to be a contemporary version of the original thriller rather than a period piece.## The film follows a religious fanatic, con man and murderer, who marries a widow knowing that her deceased husband hid $10,000 from authorities following a bank robbery. The widow's children are reluctant to tell him where their late father hid the money and the man plots more sinister ways to find the cash.## The 1955 version was declared the second-best film of all time after "Citizen Kane" by the prestigious film magazine Cahiers du cinema.## The novel and film were inspired by the real-life account of Harry Powers who was hanged in 1932 for the murder of two widows and three children in West Virginia.## Directed by Charles Laughton, the original was considered controversial at the time, due to its dark themes including Mitchum's character preying on young children.## The remake will be produced by Peter Gethers alongside Amy Pascal, who will produce through her Universal-based Pascal Pictures.## Writer Matt Orton previously wrote 2018's "Operation Finale", a historical drama starring Oscar Isaac and Ben Kingsley. Since then, Orton has written "Battle of Britain" and is currently working on "Knights", a live-action family film for Disney Plus.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Jake Gyllenhaal shares why Heath Ledger refused an Oscars opening act
2254 days ago
Hollywood

Jake Gyllenhaal shares why Heath Ledger refused an Oscars opening act

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) Actor Jake Gyllenhaal says late star Heath Ledger "refused" to participate in an Oscars opening act on being told that he'd be poking fun at the gay romance in their film "Brokeback Mountain".## The two stars played Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar in the Ang Lee-directed film, which follows the unexpected romance between two men.## Gyllenhaal recalled how Ledger stood his ground while talking to Another Man magazine, telling them that the actor didn't find anything funny about the heart-wrenching love story between two cowboys, reports dailymail.co.uk.## "That's the thing I loved about Heath. He would never joke. I remember they wanted to do an opening for the Academy Awards that year that was sort of joking about it," Gyllenhaal told the magazine.## Ledger thought the jokes mocked the message of the film, refusing to participate in the segment.## "Heath refused," he said, then recalling how he didn't exactly understand Ledger's reasoning.## He added: "I was sort of at the time, 'Oh, okay… whatever, it's all in good fun'. And Heath said, 'it's not a joke to me -- I don't want to make any jokes about it'. That's the thing I loved about Heath. He would never joke. Someone wanted to make a joke about the story or whatever, he was like, 'No. This is about love'."## Heath still ended up attending the awards, however, and was seen at the ceremony with girlfriend and co-star Michelle Williams.## "Brokeback Mountain" was a success. It earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and acting nods for both Ledger and Gyllenhaal. The film earned director Ang Lee the Best Director honor.## Ledger passed away in 2008 after an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Matt Damon: You can save lives just by staying away
2254 days ago
Hollywood

Matt Damon: You can save lives just by staying away

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) Amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, actor Matt Damon says while other generations have been asked to do extraordinary things, we are just being asked to stay at home.## He feels we all "can be together just by staying apart".## Recently, Damon reunited with Kate Winslet and other stars of the 2011 virus thriller "Contagion" for a series of public service announcements (PSAs) to warn people about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.## "Now is the time to spend all the time you want staring at your phone or your tablet and if anybody gives you a hard time about it, tell them not to bother you because you are saving lives. Just make sure that you tell them that from six feet away," Damon said.## "We can all do this together just by staying apart. Please do your part. Other generations have been asked to do extraordinary things. We're being asked to just stay at home. We got this. Let's please respect and protect our elders," he added.## Looking back at his 2011 film "Contagion", Damon said: "A few years ago, a bunch of us did this movie called ‘Contagion', which we've noticed is creeping its way back up on the charts on iTunes for obvious reasons, given what we're all living through right now. Everything you are going to hear from me has been vetted by Public Health Experts and Scientists. So, I am here to talk about social distancing, something we've been hearing a lot on TV since the last couple of weeks."## "In the movie, I played a guy who was immune to the hypothetical virus that was spreading around the world. So, a few things to start, that was a movie, this is real life. I have no reason to believe that I'm immune to covid-19 and neither do you, no matter how young you are. This is a new virus, it's going to take some time for our bodies and our doctors to understand the best way to protect us. New viruses emerge all the time. This isn't the first and it won't be the last. So, the good news is, we have seen things like this before and we emerged stronger as a result. And in time, we're going to win against this one as well. Nobody knows how much time, but we do know how to make that day get here quicker," he added.## The movie "Contagion" follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that is spreading in the world and killing millions. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community is trying hard to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, people are struggling to survive in a society that is coming apart. The movie will air in India on Sony PIX on Friday.## In a statement to Columbia Public Health, the actor stressed on the need to practice social distancing.## He said: "Social distancing means -- staying six feet away from another person. It means not gathering in groups. It means staying home or sheltering in place if that's what government officials are telling you to do. People can have covid-19 and had very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. So, even if you think that they're healthy, or you think you're healthy, don't take that chance because it's not worth it. Every time that you pass this virus to someone else, you are actually giving it to three or four other people as well and then those people are going to do the same. So, before long, that one person turns to hundreds, which turns into thousands and that's how we got into this situation in the first place."## Damon feels it is wrong to think that "you are young and you won't get the virus".## "Now, if you're young and healthy, you might think that this is no big deal because you've heard that this virus is nothing more than a bad cold for you which is not true. Almost 40% hospitalized in this pandemic are under 55. And if you know anybody over the age of 55, or anyone who has any kind of pre-existing conditions, this is a lot more serious for them," he said, adding: "So, you can literally save their lives just by staying away from each other. You can actually sit on the couch or in a chair and watch TV and save a life at the same time. You can work from home, you can use social media to communicate, you can save a few more."## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Country folk legend John Prine dies of COVID-19 complications
2254 days ago
Hollywood

Country folk legend John Prine dies of COVID-19 complications

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) Country folk singer John Prine, who received a Grammy lifetime achievement award this year, passed away due to complications of coronavirus. He was 73.## Prine died on Tuesday, confirmed the singer-songwriter's publicist while representing his family.## "Yes, we can confirm on behalf of the Prine family — John died today at Vanderbilt due to complications of COVID-19," the publicist told cnn.com.## The musician was hospitalized and intubated last month after a "sudden onset" of coronavirus symptoms, according to a family statement posted on his verified Twitter account.## "This is hard news for us to share. But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. And know that we love you, and John loves you," the statement read.## Prine never had a hit single or a blockbuster album. But he built a devoted following, won several Grammys and overcame two bouts of cancer to record and tour into his 70s.## Singer Sheryl Crow wrote on Twitter: "He is singing with the angels. You will be missed but your songs will live on."## Singer Johnny Cash, in his memoir, named Prine as one of his four key songwriting inspirations.## "There's a huge hole in the music world tonight. John did it best," country singer Toby Keith wrote on Twitter.## Rolling Stone once tagged Prine "the Mark Twain of American songwriting."## Prine grew up in the suburb of Chicago and was famously working as a postal carrier when his musical career took off in 1970. He was singing on open-mic nights at a bar when then a reporter heard him play and wrote a favorable review, calling him the "Singing Mailman."## Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, helped him get a record deal.## Bruce Springsteen wrote on Twitter following Prine's death: "John and I were 'New Dylans' together in the early 70s and he was never anything but the loveliest guy in the world. A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages. We send our love and prayers to his family."## Prine's debut album, in 1971, was a critical success. It contains several of his signature songs, including "Paradise," about the Western Kentucky town where his parents grew up, and "Hello in There," a tribute to senior people.## Prine released many albums and toured steadily over the next two decades until a health scare cropped up. In 1996, the singer was diagnosed with Stage 3 neck cancer, which required surgeons to remove a piece of his neck.## The surgery also severed nerves in his tongue and changed the tone of his voice, which led him to take more than a year before he could perform again.## Over the years Prine's songs have been covered by a wide range of artists, from Bonnie Raitt and Bette Midler to John Fogerty, the Zac Brown Band, and My Morning Jacket.## In 2005, Prine became the first singer/songwriter to perform at the Library of Congress -- one of several literary honors for a songwriter whose best songs blended poetry with back-porch storytelling.## Prine was again diagnosed with cancer in 2013 when he had successful surgery to remove a spot in his left lung.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Harry Styles sells merchandise to raise funds for COVID-19 relief
2254 days ago
Hollywood

Harry Styles sells merchandise to raise funds for COVID-19 relief

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) Singer Harry Styles will be selling merchandise such as T-shirts to raise funds for the fight against the spread of the COVID-19.## Styles unveiled the design on April 7, with a T-shirt featuring a special message for people.## The white T-shirt features black text printed in capital letters, with the front reading: "Stay Home. Stay Safe. Protect Each Other.## "This T-shirt fights COVID-19. Treat people with kindness," it continues on the back.## In a statement, Styles re-iterates the need for social distancing, writing: "In times like these, it is more important than ever to remember the power of people. If you are able to help, please donate where you can. 100% of the profits of this t-shirt will go towards fighting COVID-19."## "Stay home, self-isolate, and protect each other. TPWK (Treat people with kindness)."## The T-shirt is available as part of Styles' official merchandise collection on his website and retails at $26, benefitting the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Selena Gomez not looking for love
2255 days ago
Hollywood

Selena Gomez not looking for love

Los Angeles, April 7 (IANS) Singer Selena Gomez says having a boyfriend is "nowhere near the top" of her priority list amid the COVID-19 pandemic.## "Many of you know how excited I've been to release a song called 'Boyfriend.' It's a lighthearted song about falling down and getting back up time and time again in love, but also knowing that you don't need anyone other than yourself to be happy," she said on Instagram, reports femalefirst.co.uk.## Gomez added: "We wrote it long before our current crisis, but in the context of today, I want to be clear that a boyfriend is nowhere near the top of my list of priorities. Just like the rest of the world, I'm praying for safety, unity, and recovery during this pandemic."## Her new song "Boyfriend" will appear on the new deluxe version of Gomez's album titled "Rare", which will also feature two other new songs "She" and "Souvenir".## She is planning to mark the release of the record on April 9 with a donation to the PLUS1 COVID-19 Relief Fund, as well as giving $1 from every order of the LP.## She wrote: "Because of that, I'm personally donating to the Plus 1 COVID-19 relief fund as well as donating $1 of every order in my official store to the fund starting now. Rare (Deluxe), featuring 'Boyfriend' is out April 9th."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
'Extraction' trailer: Chris Hemsworth on action mode in India
2255 days ago
Hollywood

'Extraction' trailer: Chris Hemsworth on action mode in India

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The trailer of Chris Hemsworths upcoming film "Extraction" is finally out and it runs high on action, drama, emotion, and wit by taking the Hollywood actor on a thrilling ride through the bylanes of India, for a deadly mission to take on an Indian and Bangladeshi drug lord.## The Netflix India shared exclusive guns blazing the first look of the film on April 7. "Extraction" traces the journey of Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) who is a fearless black market mercenary with nothing left to lose when his skills are solicited to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord.## The film was predominantly shot in multiple Indian cities, Bangladesh and Thailand.## The over three-minute clip opens with Hemsworth's character taking a huge leap off a cliff and into a pond, only to meditate underwater. What follows is a glimpse into the skills of Rake -- from jumping off moving vehicles, across buildings and punching through villains.## The trailer makes it clear that the film, originally titled "Dhaka", is about weapons dealers and drug traffickers. The clip also teases many action scenes, fights and chase sequences.## The thriller is directed by Sam Hargrave and produced by "Avengers: Endgame" director duo Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, as well as Mike Larocca, Chris Hemsworth, Eric Gitter, and Peter Schwerin.## In the film, Pankaj Tripathi and Priyanshu Painyuli play the role of biggest drug lords of India and Bangladesh, Golshifteh Farahani is on the operations team. David Harbour also makes an appearance and seems to be an advisor. Indian actor Randeep Hooda's role is still a mystery as he was missing from the trailer.## Another thing to look forward to in the film is a great background score, which seems too edgy. Also starring Rudraksh Jaiswal, the film will release on Netflix on April 24.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Selena Gomez to give part of album sales to COVID-19 relief fund
2255 days ago
Hollywood

Selena Gomez to give part of album sales to COVID-19 relief fund

Los Angeles, April 7 (IANS) Singer Selena Gomez will be releasing a new Deluxe Edition of her new album "Rare" with a portion of the proceeds going to the COVID-19 relief fund.## The 27-year-old singer took to Instagram on Monday to share that the new Deluxe Edition of "Rare" will be available from April 9, featuring new songs "Boyfriend" and "Souvenir", reports dailymail.co.uk.## The singer said that she is making a personal donation to the COVID-19 relief fund, and donating $1 from every order of the Deluxe Edition to the Plus1 COVID-19 Relief Fund.## Gomez shared the cover art for the "Rare" Deluxe Album, featuring a profile shot of the singer with the Rare tattoo on her neck.## "The deluxe version of ‘Rare', featuring ‘Boyfriend', ‘She' and ‘Souvenir', is out April 9th," Gomez wrote.## "You can pre-save it now and learn more about how to donate to the PLUS1 COVID-19 Fund in my bio," she said.## She also added another image, which featured a more detailed note about her song "Boyfriend" and the new album.## "Many of you know how excited I've been to release a song called ‘Boyfriend'," Gomez began.## "It's a lighthearted song about falling down and getting back up time and time again in love, but also knowing that you don't need anyone other than yourself to be happy," she added.## She also shared that the song was written, "long before our current crisis", adding: "In the context of today, I want to be clear that a boyfriend is nowhere near the top of my list of priorities."## "Just like the rest of the world, I'm praying for safety, unity, and recovery during this pandemic. Because of that, I'm personally donating to the Plus 1 COVID-19 Relief Fund as well as donating $1 from every order in my official store to the fund starting now," she said.## The standard edition of "Rare" was released in early January.## Recently, Gomez also revealed that she is battling bipolar disorder and said that learning about her disorder took the fear away.## "I think that we are better when we tell the truth and, so, this is my truth. Last year, I was suffering mentally and emotionally, and I wasn't able to stay all that kept together. I wasn't able to hold a smile or to keep things normal. It felt like all of my pain and my anxiety washed over me all at once and it was one of the scariest moments of my life," she said.## The singer added: "(I was) terrified, obviously, because the veil was lifted, but relieved that I finally had the knowledge of why I had suffered for so many years with depression and anxiety. After a year of a lot of intense work... I am happier, I am healthier, and I am in control of my emotions and thoughts more than I've ever been. So, I'm very happy about that."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Ana De Armas gushes about Hollywood's 'handsome' leading men
2255 days ago
Hollywood

Ana De Armas gushes about Hollywood's 'handsome' leading men

Los Angeles, April 7 (IANS) Actress Ana De Armas has gushed over the "handsome" leading men with whom she has worked with, saying she was "shaking" when she met actor Ryan Gosling.## In an interview to American Airlines magazine Nexos, De Armas, who is dating her "Deep Water" co-star Ben Affleck, heaped praise on colleagues like Gosling, Daniel Craig, and Affleck reports dailymail.co.uk.## The 31-year-old said that she was "shaking so badly" when she met Gosling during her third audition for "Blade Runner 2049".## "They put you in a room together and make you read things, to see how your chemistry is. I wish I had the tape of that meeting," said the actress, who hails from Cuba.## "I've been very lucky - because these men are all very handsome - but the best part of it is who they are as people. I've had the best partners," she added.## De Armas's fame grew with last year's thriller "Knives Out", where she impressed Craig that he got her a part in his upcoming James Bond film "No Time To Die".## She was "shocked" when director Cary Fukunaga offered her the part as she felt she "didn't match" the "beauty standards" expected of Bond girls.## The actress felt that Bond girls generally "need to be rescued. Or they die. Or are evil. I needed to read that script".## She shared that "it took a little, but they sent me the scenes. It's important because I want to bring something else to the story", and "the character convinced me"## "No Time To Die" was originally scheduled to come out in April. It was pushed due to the coronavirus pandemic.## The actress also spoke about having to learn English and try to break into Hollywood when she first moved to America.## "My background and my experiences growing up in Cuba and moving and being like a citizen of the world and adapting and being flexible. It gives me a lot of tools and a different vision and approach towards a character," she said.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Chris Evans persuaded to take on 'Captain America' by his mother
2255 days ago
Hollywood

Chris Evans persuaded to take on 'Captain America' by his mother

Los Angeles, April 7 (IANS) Hollywood star Chris Evans should thank his mother for taking up the popular role of Captain America after she urged him to reconsider turning down the Marvel blockbuster.## Evans passed on the superhero role "a few times" and told popular TV host Jimmy Kimmel last year that he was "scared" of being a part of a massive franchise, reports aceshowbiz.com.## It has come out that it was Evans's mother Lisa, who convinced him to take up the career-making role.## Lisa told Esquire magazine that Evans feared the pressures of fame.## "His biggest fear was losing his anonymity. He said, 'I have a career now where I can do work I really like. I can walk my dog. Nobody bothers me. Nobody wants to talk to me. I can go wherever I want. And the idea of losing that is terrifying to me'," she said.## "I said to him, 'Look, you want to do acting work for the rest of your life? If you do this part, you will have the opportunity. You'll never have to worry about paying the rent. If you take the part, you just have to decide, 'It's not going to affect my life negatively - it will enable it.'## " Evans, who also starred in the 2005 film "Fantastic Four" and its 2007 sequel, took his mother's advice and has now played Steve Rogers/ Captain America in 10 Marvel movies.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
SRK, Priyanka for Lady GaGa's mega COVID-19 fundraiser concert
2255 days ago
Hollywood

SRK, Priyanka for Lady GaGa's mega COVID-19 fundraiser concert

Los Angeles, April 7 (IANS) Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas along with names like Billie Eilish and Paul McCartney have united for pop star Lady Gaga's One World: Together At Home, a mega live-streamed and televised benefit concert in support of the World Health Organization's (WHO) COVID-19 solidarity response fund and in celebration of health workers around the world.## The lineup also includes names like Chris Martin of Coldplay, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Elton John, John Legend, Lizzo, J Balvin, Stevie Wonder, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Alanis Morissette, Burna Boy, Andrea Bocelli, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, and Lang Lang, reports theguardian.com.## SRK and Priyanka are among several celebrities expected atthe event, along with David Beckham, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Kerry Washington, and "Sesame Street" cast members.## Popular US talk show hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbertwill host the event, which broadcasts live across the US television networks ABC, CBS, and NBC, as well as being streamed online on April 18.## BBC One will show an adapted version of the concert on April 19, including exclusive performances from UK artists and interviews with frontline health workers.## The details of the broadcast are yet to be announced.## The WHO and the social action platform Global Citizen have partnered to produce the event.## The latter's Together at Home series, launched last month, has featured performances from artists in isolation including Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, and Rufus Wainwright.## In a WHO press conference, Lady Gaga said she had helped to raise $35m for Global Citizen in the past week.## She said that One World was not a fundraising telethon and would focus on entertainment and messages of solidarity, with philanthropists and businesses urged to donate to the COVID-19 solidarity response fund ahead of the event.## "We may have to be apart physically for a little while, but we can still come together virtually to enjoy great music. The One World: Together at Home concert represents a powerful show of solidarity against a common threat," WHO's general director, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Prev Next