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Armie Hammer dealt huge blow as he attempts to relaunch career after cannibalism claims

By in Entertainment News, News

Armie Hammer has been dealt a blow as he prepares to launch an acting comeback.

The Hollywood star saw his career come to a dramatic stop when he became involved in a cannibalism scandal and accused of violent abuse. Armie, 38, has always strongly denied the allegations. An investigation by Los Angeles Police Department in 2023 saw him cleared of the claims.

Earlier this year, it emerged that Armie had landed a new role in a Uwe Boll film which saw him fly out to Croatia to take on the lead in The Dark Knight, which isn’t linked to the 2008 Christopher Nolan Batman movie. Hammer’s character, Sanders, “takes justice into his own hands as he sets out to hunt criminals down”.

Sanders eventually becomes a hero in the eyes of locals and on social media, however, local law enforcements believe he is a danger to society and attempt to arrest him. Speaking of the film, Boll said: “The story of The Dark Knight couldn’t be a more current topic, and I’m excited to bring it to life with this excellent cast”.

Despite Hammer’s recent claims that’s inundated with work offers, sources claim many don’t want to work with him (Getty Images Europe)

But while Armie may had hoped to return to his previous status in Hollywood, sources claim that due to the allegations surrounding him, which he has previously denied – not many people want to work with him. Despite this, the source claims that he’s still being lined up for a string of roles.

“People don’t want to work with him. He’s just a dark and menacing presence”, a source told Radar Online. They added: “Audiences don’t want to see him. He’s damaged goods”. Despite this, Hammer has recently said: “I’ve got offers coming in every week, basically, to the point where I’m having to turn down jobs”.

Armie was last seen on screen in the 2022 film Death on the Nile, which was filmed in 2019. Over the summer, Hammer was probed on the cannibal allegations by Piers Morgan during an appearance on the presenter’s YouTube show. He declared: “You know what you have to do to be a cannibal? You have to have actually eaten somebody”.

Hammer went on to unequivocally confirm that he had never eaten anyone. In the exchange on ‘ Piers Morgan Uncensored’, the actor maintained that the accusations arose from agreed upon sexual acts and role play. However, he did admit to marking former girlfriend Paige Lorenze with a knife, but sturdy on the assertion that there “wasn’t even blood”.

Last month, Hammer sat down with Louis Theroux and addressed the allegations, including the texts about cannibalism. He said: “I think the most important context to give these kinds of things is they are one side of a conversation. As you’ll notice, of all of the text messages that were released, the person who released them, their side was cut out of the entire conversation.

” It makes it look like I was just rambling to myself. I mean, if you look, there’s really no response in any of the excerpts. You know, any digitally altered evidence is immediately inadmissible because you have no context. You, like, that could have been a very funny conversation between two people who were joking and pushing each other and egging each other on. In the way that sometimes you see comedians pushing the boundary further and further when they’re having a conversation. I’m not going to argue the messages. “

The Mirror approached Armie’s lawyer for comment.

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‘Alarming regression’ in path to peace in South Sudan, UN commission warns

By in News, World News

South Sudan has seen an “alarming regression” as clashes in recent weeks in the country’s northeast threaten to undo years of progress towards peace, the United Nations commission on human rights for the country has warned.

The statement on Saturday from Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, comes amid a spate of violence between security forces overseen by President Salva Kiir and an armed group his government has alleged is linked to First Vice President Riek Machar.

The situation has put in peril the pair’s fragile power-sharing agreement reached in 2018 to end five years of civil war. It has also sparked fears of war in the country’s Upper Nile state.

“We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress”, Sooka said.

“Rather than fuelling division and conflict, leaders must urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy”, Sooka said.

The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also expressed “deep concern” on Saturday.

In a statement, he called for an “immediate end to all hostilities”.

Eruption of violence

The latest flare-up began when fighting erupted between the Sudanese armed forces and a group identified by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as an “armed youth militia” in Nasir County in the Upper Nile state in February.

While it remains unclear what started the fighting, HRW noted rumours of forced disarmament may have fueled the unrest. Several clashes have since taken place, with fighters using “heavy weaponry”, according to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The agency has also reported fighting in Western Equatoria state in the southwestern part of the country.

Earlier this week, South Sudan’s information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, blamed the violence, in part, on the White Army, a Nuer armed group operating in Upper Nile. He accused the group of working in league with Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/IO).

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, right, and Vice President Riek Machar, left, attend a Holy Mass led by Pope Francis at the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba, South Sudan]File: Ben Curtis/AP]

Tensions rose further earlier this week when Kiir ordered the arrests of two officials and several senior military officials allied with Machar. The army also surrounded Machar’s home, effectively putting him under house arrest.

Then on Friday, a UN helicopter attempting to rescue soldiers in the state was attacked, killing one crew member and wounding two others. An army general was also killed in the failed rescue mission, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Friday.

Speaking late Friday, Kiir urged calm following the incident.

“The government I lead will handle this crisis. We will remain steadfast on the path of peace”, he said.

‘ Reckless power struggles ‘

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, having gained independence in 2011.

However, the independence movement, led by Kiir’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), quickly splintered. By 2013, the country had descended into full-scale civil war. The fighting killed more than 400, 000 people and displaced more than a million others.

In 2018, the two sides signed the Revitalised Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The agreement was meant to see the two warring factions unite their armies under a single unit, write a new constitution, prepare for general elections, organise a census and disarm all other armed groups. However, none of the reforms have been instituted.

In the statement released on Saturday, Barney Afako, another member of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, warned observers are witnessing “a return to the reckless power struggles that have devastated the country in the past”.

He said that the South Sudanese had endured “atrocities, rights violations which amount to serious crimes, economic mismanagement, and ever-worsening security”.

Rhinos pay for errors as Dragons clinch first win

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images
  • 67 Comments

Betfred Super League

Catalans (1) 11

Tries: Smith (2) Goals: Mourgue Drop Goals: Keary

Leeds (0) 0

Catalans Dragons secured their first victory of the Super League season with a largely forgettable 11-0 victory over an error-prone Leeds Rhinos at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

In a wet first half largely made up of errors, penalties and unsuccessful captain’s challenges, the only points came from the boot of Catalans ‘ Luke Keary, dropping a goal on the verge of half-time.

Reimis Smith finally broke the try deadlock early in the second half following a break from the rampaging Chris Satae before a cross-field kick from Theo Fages fell nicely for the Australian to dot down for his second score of the night.

With neither side able to breach the opposition’s defence, what significant moments there were in the first half seemed to involve referee Aaron Moore.

With the error count rising and the penalty count with it, Moore ruled on two unsuccessful captain’s challenges before eventually reaching into his pocket.

Catalans ‘ Romain Navarette was the first to see yellow when he was adjudged to have committed a dangerous hip-drop tackle on Rhinos hooker Andy Ackers.

The visitors were unable to take advantage of the extra man, as Jake Connor was then sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle.

The best attacking opportunity of the half fell to Leeds on the verge of half-time. James McDonnell’s innocuous kick ahead was gathered by Matt Frawley to dot down over the line, as two confused Catalans defenders seemingly left the ball for each other.

But following a video replay, the score was then ruled out as Frawley was adjudged to have been offside.

Smith on the charge

The game was crying out for a try and it was the home side that duly obliged just after the break.

Satae exploited James Bentley’s slip, charging into the Rhinos half. Leeds then recovered the ball in the ensuing phases only for Harry Newman to lose it in contact, allowing Catalans ‘ Smith to gather and fight his way over the line despite the attention of multiple Rhinos defenders.

The Dragons almost had a second minutes later. Tariq Sims ‘ half-break brought the home side well into Rhinos territory, before a pinpoint cross-field kick from Keary saw Riley Lumb barely able to get to the ball before Tommy Makinson, preventing an almost certain score.

Leeds were simply unable to get into any attacking rhythm, with repeated sets of six coming up empty, including for a promising attack at the beginning of the fourth quarter that ended with a knock-on from a diving Ethan Clark-Wood.

The visitors were then made to pay further. On the final tackle, Theo Fages kicked for the corner with the ball being contested by three players.

Clark-Wood’s attempted catch only resulted in the ball being knocked backward towards the tryline, allowing Smith to gather and dot down for his second.

As the game opened up in the final minutes, the home side almost added a third.

Nick Cotric recovered a speculative kick to the corner and looked set to feed Sims only for his pass to go agonisingly forward with the tryline at his mercy.

Catalans: Mourgue, Makinson, Laguerre, Smith, Cotric, Keary, Fages, Pangai Jr, Garcia, Bousquet, Sims, Whitehead, Partington.

Interchanges: Da Costa, Satae, Navarrete, Seguier.

Yellow card: Navarrete.

Leeds: Connor, Lumb, Newman, Handley, Clark-Wood, Croft, Frawley, Oledzki, Ackers, Palasia, Gannon, McDonnell, Bentley.

Interchanges: O’Connor, Lisone, Jenkins, Sinfield.

Yellow Card: Connor.

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  • Leeds Rhinos
  • Catalans Dragons
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Bargain Hunt star reveals TV legend Terry Wogan’s harsh swipe at long-running antiques show

By in Entertainment News, News

Bargain Hunt star Thomas Forrester has revealed that not everyone has been a fan of the long-running BBC daytime antiques show.

The series will celebrate its 25th anniversary next week with a special episode on Thursday 13 March, and Thomas has been remembering that legendary TV star Terry Wogan was not shy in sharing his opinion on the series when it first aired.

In a documentary about the show, Thomas, who is now 50, said he was only a “very young boy” when he joined the series. In one early episode, he and fellow antiques dealer Philip Serrell, now 70, spent more than £300 on two objects thinking they were items which would rake in the cash at auction. However, they both ended up making a huge loss when the items went under the hammer.

Thomas said: “I was a very young boy when I joined as an expert. I’d say my most memorable object was when Philip and I were at Shepton Mallet in the early 2000s. It was a prime-time show back then and on in the evening. I bought a pedal car and Philip had bought a cut-out wooden turkey fairground ride”.

Thomas Forrester
Thomas Forrester is a regular on Bargain Hunt (BBC Studios)

“Now we spent over £300 on this and, the next day, Terry Wogan on the radio said ‘ I have just watched two supposed BBC experts burn through over £300 in under 20 minutes’. Sir Terry witnessed my downfall”.

On the show, viewers watch as two rival dealers guide two teams of contestants as they buy items at antique shops and fairs. They then sell their items at auction, with the winning team being the one that has made the most profit.

There has been some controversy over the upcoming Bargain Hunt documentary, as Tim Wonnacott, who hosted the show for 12 years, gets less than a minute of screen time in the anniversary special. &nbsp,

Terry Wogan
Sir Terry Wogan was not a Bargain Hunt fan (BBC)

Tim, aged 73, hosted the antiques game show from 2003 until 2015 but quit the show for “personal reasons”. At the time, the BBC said in a statement: “We would like to thank Tim Wonnacott for his dedication to Bargain Hunt over the last twelve-years and for the great expertise that he has brought to the show in that time. Bargain Hunt will be moving in a new direction next year utilising a team of experts who present a number of shows each. Tim continues to work with the BBC on Antiques Road Trip”.

25 Years Of Bargain Hunt features famous faces from over the years including Anita Manning, Philip Serrell, Kate Bliss, Danny Sebastian and Thomas Forrester recalling their best buys and favourite moments from the past.

But one TV insider said Tim “barely gets a look-in” despite his 12 years with the show. Instead he gets just 20 seconds of airtime in clips which are flashed up on screen during the 45 minute tribute.

The anniversary show’s presenter Charlie Ross does salute Tim for being the man who introduced the famous Bargain Hunt “high kick” which the contestants and experts all do at the end of every show. Clips are shown of Tim being the first to kick his leg in the air and then later footage of everyone doing it as a gimmick to end each episode. Charlie tells viewers: “It started with Tim Wonnacott”!

25 Years of Bargain Hunt is on BBC1 on Thursday March 13

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Huge movie star to replace Dame Maggie Smith in brand new Harry Potter series

By in Entertainment News, News

A top Netflix actress is rumoured to be in discussions to replace the late Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.

Janet McTeer, an Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress, could be the new face of the beloved Hogwarts deputy headmistress, according to Deadline. The 63 year old actress is best known for her role in the 2000 comedy Tumbleweed and as attorney Helen Piece in the popular TV show Ozark. Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu is reportedly finalising his deal to play Severus Snape, originally portrayed by Alan Rickman.

The 34 year old actor has been involved in projects such as The Lazarus Project and Gangs Of London. HBO recently stated: “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumour and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalise deals”.

John Lithgow is currently the only confirmed cast member for the series
Janet McTeer
Janet McTeer is reportedly set to replace Dame Maggie Smith

John Lithgow is currently the only confirmed cast member, announcing he will be playing Albus Dumbledore in the HBO series. The 79 year old actor expressed surprise at being chosen to fill the shoes of the magical headmaster, a role first played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon.

“It’s a new chapter of my life. I’m afraid”, he confessed, “But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes”.

Dumbledore, the fictional headmaster of Hogwarts and a mentor to Harry Potter, is one of the most cherished characters among fans of Rowling’s original books and the film series. However, not all die-hard fans were thrilled with his casting, arguing that a British actor should have landed the role, not an American, as per the original films.

ALAN RICKMAN as Severus Snape, EMMA WATSON as Hermione Granger, RUPERT GRINT as Ron Weasley, DANIEL RADCLIFFE as Harry Potter and MAGGIE SMITH as Minerva McGonagall
Alan Rickman as Severus Snape and Dame Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall

On X, fans expressed their disappointment: “I can’t understand why John Lithgow is the new Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter HBO series. Dumbledore is British, Lithgow is from the USA”. Another said: “Nothing against John Lithgow, but Dumbledore and the whole Harry Potter franchise is British”.

A third commented: “I love John Lithgow. Absolutely bananas they’re not hiring a British actor to play Dumbledore”. A fourth chimed in: “WarnerBros quite literally need to pull something out of their hat to save Harry Potter. John Lithgow as Dumbledore certainly feels like it’s going to put a lot of people off wanting to watch it. Whatever happened to keeping it all British”?

The new Harry Potter television series promises a deeper exploration of the wizarding world and could run for up to 10 years.

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