Search Results

Parts of Wellington's CBD are being transformed into 1920s New York this week, with hundreds of film cast and crew in town for a major Hollywood production. A fleet of vintage cars also features, for filming of the Time Bandits series. Taika Waititi is leading the project for Apple+TV and Paramount, with Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Concords an executive producer. The cast includes former Friends star Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck from Unseeing Evil and Charlyne Yi from Knocked Up. Time Bandits revolves around a boy who discovers a time portal in his bedroom, and was officially described as "a comedic journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and their newest recruit: an 11-year-old history nerd." Wellington City Council has closed parts or all of Stout, Maginnity and Ballance streets over the next three nights for filming. Article from NZ Herald (nzherald.co.nz)

It's time to keep up with a newly single Kim Kardashian. An insider claimed the pair called it quits earlier this week, telling Page Six: “Kim and Pete have decided to just be friends. They have a lot of love and respect for each other, but found that the long distance and their demanding schedules made it really difficult to maintain a relationship.” Pete has been spending much of his time working on a film in Australia, while 41-year-old mum-of-four Kim been juggling her businesses and co-parenting with ex-husband Kanye West in Los Angeles. Page Six said it was told the split “had nothing to do with Kanye” and that their divorce is “moving forward.” The insider added to the outlet: “They are focusing on co-parenting.” It comes as Kim’s ex Kanye West’s fifth divorce attorney has reportedly officially withdrawn from his case. The move is said to have come months after she filed to be removed on account of an irreconcilable breakdown with the rapper. West’s attorney, Samantha Spector, was relieved as his counsel on Saturday, according to TMZ. Kanye, 45, and ex-wife Kim had a trial-setting conference on Saturday, and Spector was set to officially withdraw in a date next week, but the judge apparently ended up approving it today. According to TMZ, the judge informed the court Kanye needed to take action and submit his financial declarations to settle lingering issues or the case would head to trial in December. TMZ said: “If Kanye ghosts everyone then in all probability when the case comes before the judge in December Kim will get whatever she wants.” Image source: Bang Showbiz Article source: 1news.co.nz https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/06/kim-kardashian-and-pete-davidson-reportedly-split/

Swift's private plane has made 170 trips this year, with her team saying "to attribute most or all of these trips to her is blatantly incorrect" Taylor Swift has topped a list of private jet polluters, with the singer’s personal plane having made 170 trips this year. The chart was put together by UK-based sustainability marketing firm Yard, which compiled a list of the “top 10 celebrity CO2e offenders” based on their private plane usage. A report found that Swift’s plane has made 170 trips since January, spending the equivalent of 15.9 days in the air. Her flight emissions totalled 8,293.54 tonnes, which, per the report, is “1,184.8 times more than the average person’s yearly emissions”. Her average flight time was 80 minutes, with the shortest flight, a stint from Missouri to Nashville, clocking in at just 36 minutes. Taylor’s team came to defend the singer in a statement, with a representative telling Rolling Stone: “Taylor’s jet is loaned out regularly to other individuals. To attribute most or all of these trips to her is blatantly incorrect.” And that's where the memes started rolling in... this one is my personal favourite. Okay okay fine - we must admit this has created a hilarious meme trend, but we need to cut her some slack. Boxer Floyd Mayweather came in at second place, emitting 7,076.8 tonnes of CO2 across 177 flights. Jay-Z was third, clocking in at 136 flights and emitting 6,981.3 tonnes of CO2. Even Drake recently was criticised after his private jet made a 14-minute flight. Post From: nme.com - Taylor Swift’s team defend singer after topping list of private jet polluters https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swifts-team-defend-singer-after-topping-list-of-private-jet-polluters-3280172

With the critical and financial success of Joker in 2019, it comes as no surprise to many that a sequel, titled Joker: Folie A Deux, is now on the way. After a recent announcement for the film's release date, Lady Gaga has officially confirmed her involvement with the film via Twitter. The tweet reveals a video which depicts the silhouettes of Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) and Gaga's character dancing against a dark red backdrop. The video ends with the film's title and confirmed release date, set for October 4, 2024, where Joker's iconic laugh can be heard in the background. The tweet by Gaga also appears to confirm earlier reports that she was in talks to star in the highly anticipated sequel alongside Phoenix with speculation that she will portray Harley Quinn. In a deviation from the gritty nature of the first film, Joker: Folie A Deux is set to be a musical, which the video hints at with its upbeat musical tone. Gaga has previous experience as a singer alongside starring in musical films such as A Star is Born, which won her the Academy Award for Best Original Song. While the tweet didn’t reveal any additional plot details for the film, the upcoming sequel is shaping up to be an exciting and original take for the iconic Batman villain. More announcements are expected as production for the film begins to gear up in the near future. Directed by Todd Phillips, the first Joker released in 2019 to positive reviews and became an instant box office success, becoming the first R-rated film to gross over $1 billion at the box office. The film's positive reception would lead to 11 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and would win two for Best Original Score and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Phoenix. Now with a second film on the way, fans can revisit the clown prince of crime in a way they never have before. The sequel is set to release in 2024. Article from: collider.com (‘Joker 2’: Lady Gaga Cast as Harley Quinn in Musical Sequel) https://collider.com/joker-2-lady-gaga-harley-quinn-musical-sequel/

A spate of recent vandalism targeting community reserves and established gardens has local residents and Council staff shaking their heads. A social media post showing Mataatua Reserve’s turf left in ruins after vandals purposefully gouged skids through the grass has received widespread attention. However, Manager Open Spaces Operations Ian Molony, says the incident isn’t a one-off with the wilful damage being seen across the rohe. “To put it bluntly, we’re gutted,” Molony says. “Council staff put so much care into the development, maintenance and flourishment of our open spaces; they’re what help beautify our District and set us apart, we’re really proud of the work we do. However, this thoughtless behaviour has a huge impact on our residents, visitors and certainly the morale of our very hardworking and dedicated staff.” “The repercussions on our community, for what is a quick thrill, are huge.” “Reinstating our gardens and reserves back to their former glory is expensive, and this cost falls back on the ratepayer, through no fault of their own.” Molony says. Council believes public support is needed to protect our community-owned assets as is the need to work alongside community leaders, Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa and Whakatāne Police on a community approach to a community issue. CE Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Reuben Araroa says, “the main concern for us is safety and as Mana Whenua this behaviour doesn’t align with our cultural values as kaitiaki so obviously we would like to find a positive solution to the issue,” “While it’s unfortunate to hear this is occurring across the rohe, to see it take place within one of the most iconic cultural landscapes that represents Ngāti Awa and our history is disappointing. It shows the need for further education about sites of cultural significance for Māori which we consider taonga for all to enjoy.” Araroa says. Sergeant Chris Howard of Whakatāne Police says, as in most cases, the perpetrators are a minority. “Vandalism should not be a form of entertainment; it's a serious offence that has wide-reaching consequences for our communities.” Sergeant Howard says, local patrols are keeping a close eye on the situation day and night, with some of the culprits having already been caught. “We urge locals to keep a look out for vehicles acting suspiciously and report them, their registration numbers and a photo if possible, to Police, preferably before any incident arises.” Those caught may have their vehicle impounded and a fine issued, while in some cases court action will also occur. In recent weeks damage has been recorded at (but not limited to): Richardson Street roundabout Boon Street roundabout Mataatua Reserve The Heads carpark Eve Rimmer Park at Cutler Crescent Awatapu Lagoon Ōhope Boatramp Reserve Strand/Commerce Street roundabout Thornton Reserve

Bay of Plenty Regional Council are advising farmers with stock on low-lying land beside the Rangitāiki River, particularly in areas upstream from Te Teko, should be moved to higher ground due to a risk of flooding. Up to 20 millimeters of rain has been recorded in the Rangitāiki catchment over the past 24 hours. However, the catchment is fully saturated following weeks of rain. Due to current river inflows, Matahina Dam's capacity has been exceeded and water will spill periodically over until 9am on Sunday. The increased river flows means floodwater could cover the land immediately beside the Rangitāiki River. Staff are monitoring the situation closely and will provide further advice, as required. The Regional Council says, the warning does not apply to areas protected by stopbanks and stresses there is no risk of flooding in Edgecumbe or the Rangitāiki Plains area.

The emergency roadworks at Matawai on State Highway 2, which was originally scheduled for this morning, has now been postponed until Wednesday 3rd August. Waka Kotahi have advised, it's too wet for the closure to take place today. The section of the highway between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne, approximately 7 kilometeres from Matawai, will now be closed from 10am to midday next Wednesday. An underslip, on the southern approach to the Motu Bridge, had caused for a culvert to become exposed which now needs to be replaced. Motorists are encouraged to take extra care when driving, watch for hazards, adjust their speed and check Waka Kotahi's Journey Planner map before heading off so they know which routes are affected by recent bad weather.