Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Meta, parent of Facebook and Instagram, said it is considering launching a new Twitter-like social network. “We’re exploring a standalone, decentralized social network for sharing text updates. We believe there’s an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. The rep said the company had no additional info on the prospective social network to share. News site Moneycontrol first reported on the potential Meta service, which is code-named “P92.” The new Meta app would be based on — and interoperable with — the framework that powers Mastodon, a Twitter-like service that launched in 2016 and has seen a surge in popularity since Musk’s takeover of Twitter last October.
Lorde and Sting call off New Zealand shows amid devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle
21.02.2023 - 08:49 / nme.com
Lorde and Sting have postponed and cancelled their respective upcoming shows in New Zealand following the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.The Category 3 cyclone hit the northern region of New Zealand’s North Island on February 12, before gradually tracking down the east coast and leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Two days later, New Zealand declared a state of emergency – only the third in its history – as Prime Minister Chris Hipkin described Cyclone Gabrielle as the country’s “most significant weather event” to occur this century.At the time of writing, the death toll of Cyclone Gabrielle stands at 11, with more than 5,000 people remaining uncontactable across New Zealand.
Recovery efforts are currently underway across the country, with the worst of the cyclone subsiding on February 16.Amid the devastation, Lorde announced the postponement of her upcoming shows in Hawke’s Bay – the hardest-hit area where 9,000 people have been displaced and 62,000 households went without power. “In line with advice from police, the venue and our promoter, I think the right thing to do is postpone our Hawke’s Bay shows,” the singer wrote on social media yesterday (February 20).From March 1, Lorde was due to perform two back-to-back shows at Black Barn Vineyards in Havelock North, located within Hawke’s Bay.
“I would love to be there with you right now, but I can also read the room,” the singer wrote to fans. “Taking precious resources away from those who need them right now is not it.”Lorde insisted that the postponement of the shows – which formed part of her broader New Zealand tour in support of her 2021 album ‘Solar Power’ – is “not a cancellation at this stage”.
Italy’s True Colours Scores Slew of Berlin Sales on Toni Servillo’s ‘Strangeness,’ Gay Love Drama ‘Norwegian Dream’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italian sales company True Colours has closed a raft of sales following Berlin’s European Film Market. Italy’s box office hit “La Stranezza” (“Strangeness”) got picked up for a dozen territories and queer romantic drama “Norwegian Dream” also sold widely, including to North America. Directed by Roberto Andò, “Strangeness” (pictured) toplines Toni Servillo (“The Great Beauty”) as Nobel-prize-winning playwright Luigi Pirandello. This tragicomic period piece about how Pirandello found inspiration to write his masterpiece “Six Characters in Search of an Author” has been a sleeper hit at the Italian box office, coming from nowhere to pull more than €5.5 million ($5.8 million) and becoming the local 2022 box office champ.
Harry Styles' Love On Tour setlist 2023 in full: What will Harry sing at arena and stadium shows across Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Japan, what time is he on stage and who are support acts Wet Leg?
While it's nothing new, and we're certainly not complaining, Harry Styles' name is inescapable right now.
Most Surprising ‘Riverdale’ Guest Stars Over the Years: From Andy Cohen to Kelly Ripa
Just passing through town. Riverdale has made a name for itself with plenty of wild story lines, chaotic plot twists and surprising A-list guest stars.
Harry Styles' Love On Tour setlist 2023 in full: What will Harry sing at arena and stadium shows across Australia and New Zealand, what time is he on stage and who are support acts Wet Leg?
While it's nothing new, and we're certainly not complaining, Harry Styles' name is inescapable right now.
Travis Barker to have surgery on injured finger ahead of Blink-182 tour
Travis Barker is having surgery on his injured finger today (March 1) before heading out on tour with Blink-182 next week.Barker injured himself last month while rehearsing for the upcoming tour, dislocating it and tearing the ligaments while playing the drums. He then said he had hurt it again a couple of weeks later.Yesterday (February 28), he shared a video to Instagram in which someone put his finger back in place, alongside a photo of him with his injured finger in a brace with the caption ‘Surgery tomorrow’.A post shared by travisbarker (@travisbarker)The surgery should mean that the band’s upcoming tour, their first with Tom DeLonge since he rejoined the band in October after seven years away, will be able to proceed.
Sony-Owned Crunchyroll Anime Streamer Gets Its Own Button on New Sony Bravia TVs Remote Controls
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Corporate synergy! Crunchyroll, the global anime streaming service owned by Sony, is now just a button press away for owners of Sony’s 2023 Bravia lineup of HDTVs. Crunchyroll, which has more than 10 million paid subscribers, provides more than 18,000 hours of anime content comprising more than 44,000 episodes and feature films. In addition to a dedicated button to launch the Crunchyroll app on Bravia TVs, the remote control for the new models include buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Amazon’s Prime Video and Google’s YouTube. “Anime is a global phenomenon, and this partnership between Sony Corporation and Crunchyroll will make anime available faster than ever before,” commented Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “We’re excited for fans worldwide to use the Crunchyroll button on Bravia remote controls to enjoy their favorite anime series, welcoming them into our community.”
Neighbours is back! Soap favourites joined by new cast members as reboot starts filming
Neighbours fans can officially get excited as some more soap favourites will officially be returning to the revived show, set to premiere later this year. Fans of the long-running Aussie soap were left devastated when it was announced in February 2022 that Neighbours was coming to an end after a 37-year run, with a tear-jerking final episode aired on Channel 5 later that year.
‘Neighbours’ Freevee Revival Adds More Series Regulars, Production Begins This Spring
Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International Ramsay Street is gearing up to welcome a few more familiar faces. Seven long-time characters are joining Amazon Freevee’s continuation of Australian soap “Neighbours.” The new additions include Annie Jones (as Jane Harris), Rebekah Elmaloglou (as Terese Willis), Georgie Stone (as Mackenzie Hargreaves) and Tim Kano (as Leo Tanaka). All cast members will return as series regulars. Meanwhile, those returning in guest roles are Ian Smith (as Harold Bishop), April Rose Pengilly (as Chloe Brennan) and Melissa Bell (as Lucy Robinson). They will be joined by “Neighbours” stalwarts Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney and Jackie Woodburne, who were previously announced.
Wu-Tang Clan and Nas announce tour of Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK and North America
Wu-Tang Clan and Nas have announced a sprawling world tour for this year, covering Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the UK and North America from May to October. The new run marks a continuation of the co-headlined ‘N.Y. State Of Mind’ tour – named for Nas’ 1994 ‘Illmatic’ cut – which initially hit the North American touring circuit over 25 dates last year.
Harry Styles legally required to take part in New Zealand census due to gig
Harry Styles will legally have to take part in New Zealand’s census because he is playing in Auckland on the day it is happening.Unlike in the UK, foreign visitors who are in New Zealand on the day of the census have to take part. The census, which is taken every five years, falls on March 7, the day Styles plays his only New Zealand show of his ‘Love On Tour’ world tour.A spokesperson for the New Zealand government’s census team told The Guardian that Styles would have to take part.
Britney Spears Tells Fans NOT To Call The Cops Again!
Is Britney Spears thinking about getting back into acting? Because she is working on her accent game, y’all!
Lorde to headline Boardmasters 2023 as 120 new names join line-up
Lorde has been confirmed as the final headliner for Boardmasters festival in 2023.The New Zealand singer-songwriter joins previously confirmed headliners Liam Gallagher and Florence + The Machine at the festival, which will return to Newquay, Cornwall from August 9-13.A further 120 acts have also been added to the bill including Ben Howard, Cypress Hill, RAYE, Dermot Kennedy, SG Lewis, Yard Act, Confidence Man, Everything Everything, The Reytons, Bear’s Den, Dylan, Nova Twins, Joesef, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Cian Ducrot.They join previously announced acts including Little Simz, Four Tet, Jockstrap and Wunderhorse. 2022’s edition was headlined by Kings Of Leon, Disclosure and George Ezra.Day tickets for Boardmasters will also go on sale at 10am GMT tomorrow (February 23).You can purchase those and any remaining tickets here and see the full 2023 line-up below.SAY HELLO TO YOUR SECOND WAVE OF BOARDMASTERS 2023 ACTS
Harry Styles Does a 'Shoey,' Drinks Beer Out of Shoe in Australian Concert Tradition
Harry Styles is taking part in a tradition!
Be For Films Sells French Romance Drama ‘Lie With Me’ to U.S., More Territories (EXCLUSIVE)
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent “Lie With Me,” a romance drama headlined by French stars Guillaume de Tonquebec and Victor Belmondo, has lured a raft of theatrical distributors at the Berlinale’s EFM. Represented in international markets by Be For Films and directed by Olivier Peyon, the movie is based on Philippe Besson’s book “Arrête avec tes mensonges.” The autobiographical novel was originally published in France by Editions Julliard in 2017 and won pair of awards including the Maison de la Presse prize in 2017. After selling several key territories earlier this year, Be For Films has now closed deals for the U.S. (Cinephobia Realising), Germany/Austria (24 Bilder), Brazil (Imovision), Poland (Tongariro), Greece (Cinobo) and Turkey (Bir Films).
Harry Styles Takes On ‘Disgusting’ Challenge During Australia Gig: ‘I Feel Ashamed Of Myself’
Harry Styles tried out an Australian tradition as he took to the stage in Perth on Monday.
Charles receives traditional Maori greeting from New Zealand soldier during visit to training site
King Charles has met with Ukrainian military recruits at a Wiltshire training camp to mark one year since the outbreak of war with Russia. At an undisclosed location in Wiltshire, the King looked on intently as the men – many civilians who have no experience of the military – stormed a trench a few hundred metres away as the mock gun battle raged.The royal was all smiles as he greeted the men, who will return to fight in Ukraine once their training complete.
CAA Signs Theater Producer, Director, Writer Jonathan Rockefeller (EXCLUSIVE)
Brent Lang Executive Editor CAA has signed Jonathan Rockefeller. The American-Australian producer, director, and writer, is the founder and owner of Rockefeller Productions. The production company has become a leader in family entertainment having partnered with the likes of Disney, Pixar, Lego, Colorado Rockies, Sesame Street, Eric Carle, Peanuts, and Paddington Bear to create large-scale puppetry stage adaptations and events across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Rockefeller Productions is currently working on a number of shows, including “Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation, which has a U.S. national tour, as well as a UK/Ireland tour, as well as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,” which is based on the beloved children’s book by Eric Carle. Their recent productions include “Sesame Street: The Musical,” “Paddington Gets in a Jame,” and “The Golden Girls Show!: A Puppet Parody.”
Horror-thriller ‘Sting’ Wraps Production, Sells Widely for Cornerstone
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Cornerstone has struck several deals on Australian-made horror thriller “Sting,” about a huge and insatiable spider, which wrapped production this week. The film was licensed to Lucky Red (Italy), Diamond Films (Latin America, Spain, Portugal), Nordisk (Scandinavia), Kinoswiat (Poland), Pasatiempo Pictures (Baltics, CIS), Karantanija (Ex-Yogoslavia), Italia (Middle East), Filmfinity (South Africa) and Terry Steiner International (airlines). That is in addition to pre-existing deals with Studiocanal to release the film in will release in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Benelux. The film is directed by Kiah Roache-Turner (“Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead”) and stars Ryan Corr (“House of the Dragon,” “The Water Diviner”), Alyla Browne (“Three Thousand Years of Longing,” “Nine Perfect Strangers”), Penelope Mitchell (“Hellboy”), Robyn Nevin (“Top of the Lake”), Noni Hazlehurst (“The End”) and Jermaine Fowler.
Kiah Roache-Turner’s ‘Sting’ Lands Deals; Magnolia Acquires ‘A Compassionate Spy’; Paramount Lands Matt Johnson’s ‘Blackberry’ — Berlin Briefs
First-Look Image From Kiah Roache-Turner’s ‘Sting,’ Cornerstone Inks DealsProduction has wrapped in Sydney, Australia, on Kiah Roache-Turner’s Sting. Cornerstone is handling worldwide sales and distribution on the pic. Studiocanal has inked a deal to release in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Benelux. Additional deals include Lucky Red (Italy), Diamond Films (Latin America, Spain, Portugal), Nordisk (Scandinavia), Kinoswiat (Poland), Pasatiempo Pictures (Baltics, CIS), Karantanija (Ex-Yogoslavia), Italia (Middle East), Filmfinity (South Africa) and Terry Steiner International (airlines). The film synopsis reads: One cold, stormy night in New York City, a mysterious object falls from the sky and smashes through the window of a rundown apartment building. It is an egg, and from this egg emerges a strange little spider… Check out the first image from the pic above.