Latest news with #20th
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Weapons' Star Austin Abrams Talks the Wild Ending, ‘Willow' and Why He Pities His Tragicomic Character
[This story contains major spoilers for .] Weapons is a watershed moment for star Austin Abrams. More from The Hollywood Reporter Box Office: 'Weapons' Blazes to $42.5M Opening, 'Freakier Friday' Smiles Wide With $29M Bow 'Weapons' Star Alden Ehrenreich Wants You to Go to More Theater in Los Angeles Box Office: 'Weapons' Targets Stellar $40M-Plus Opening, 'Freakier Friday' Wows With $30M-Plus The scene-stealer of Zach Cregger's mystery-horror film is on the verge of going from one of the names atop a call sheet to the name atop a call sheet. The 28-year-old Florida native has already booked the starring role in Cregger's next film, Resident Evil, and he's currently leading Brian Duffield's highly anticipated adaptation of Whalefall for 20th Century. Weapons chronicles a collection of characters in Maybrook, PA, as they orbit the baffling disappearance of 17 schoolkids at 2:17 AM. Abrams was a part of Cregger's original cast that once featured the likes of Pedro Pascal. But due to the delay caused by 2023's WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Pascal's crowded schedule forced him to exit the role of Archer Graff. The rest of the main cast also followed suit, but Abrams became the lone exception who was willing to wait it out and not pursue other work while Cregger reshuffled the deck. 'I just wanted to do Weapons,' Abrams tells The Hollywood Reporter. 'When [Cregger's Barbarian] cut to Justin Long [to begin its second act], I immediately thought, 'Whoever the fuck made this movie, I fucking love this person.' So when I got out of the theater, I was like, 'I need to figure out how to meet this guy and work with this guy.' And it's so rare that it actually happens.' As for his Resident Evil casting, Abrams can only speculate as to how much his loyal gesture influenced Cregger's decision to have him carry his original story in the video game-based franchise. 'I don't think it hurt anything. If I did something else instead of Weapons, I certainly don't think that would've helped me do something like Resident Evil,' Abrams admits. (Spoilers ahead.) Josh Brolin ended up portraying the role that Pascal vacated in the now critical and commercial hit. His grieving father character eventually has a climactic confrontation with James, Abrams' homeless addict character, at the house where all the missing schoolchildren have congregated. James and Archer's borderline slapstick fight was already quite bizarre since Abrams' character was possessed by the same type of witch's spell that brought the kids to that particular home in the first place. But what makes it even more bizarre is that Brolin is currently playing Abrams' father in Duffield's aforementioned survival thriller about a scuba diver (Abrams) who's swallowed alive by a sperm whale. (The book includes a father-son flashback narrative.) 'It was just really cool to come into something else and already have this weird connection with [Brolin],' Abrams says. 'It almost feels like you're entering a different dimension, and while you've had an experience with this person, it's not the same person. So it's strange, but it's only helped things.' Abrams did not get to enjoy Cregger's highly sought-after script with the witchcraft twist intact, but the reading experience was still rewarding, as was his eventual perusal of Cregger's Resident Evil screenplay. 'My freaking agent had spoiled it. I love him, but that was annoying,' Abrams recalls mid-laugh. 'I still loved the script. I just couldn't stop reading it, which is insane and how it's been with all of Zach's scripts [Resident Evil included]. They keep feeling fresh, and they keep going into new territory.' Below, during a recent spoiler conversation with THR, Abrams also discusses why he pities his Weapons character, as well as the on-set story behind his instantly beloved reference to Willow. *** Part of me was hoping you'd be doing this interview from the innards of a whale, but I appreciate that you were able to squeeze this in on your one day off from . (Laughs.) Yeah, I needed a break from inside the whale. You were part of the cast when it was a completely different ensemble. The strike then affected Pedro Pascal's schedule, and Zach had to start over except for you. Did you just get lucky to not have any other conflicts? No, not necessarily. I just wanted to do Weapons. When I first saw Barbarian in the theaters, I didn't really know what I was walking into. I didn't know about Zach. I didn't know about the movie at all. I just thought it was going to be a regular horror movie, and I wasn't super excited going into it. But my friend wanted to go, and I was like, 'Sure, I'll go.' So I knew nothing about the movie, and when I saw the first shot, I was like, 'Okay, that's kind of sick.' The camera went through the main character's [Georgina Campbell's Tess] car window. And when it cut to Justin Long [to begin its second act], I immediately thought, 'Whoever the fuck made this movie, I fucking love this person.' I then looked over at my friend and was like, 'Holy shit.' We couldn't even sit next to each other because the theater was so packed. So when I got out of the theater, I was like, 'I need to figure out how to meet this guy and work with this guy.' And it's so rare that it actually happens. But I just thought he was so gutsy, and it was so refreshing to experience. Weapons then came together, and I only want to work on things that I want to work on. Zach appreciated that you 'hung tough' with him. He now calls you his 'dude.' Do you think your loyal gesture factored into you landing ? I have no idea, but I don't think it hurt anything. If I did something else instead of Weapons, I certainly don't think that would've helped me do something like Resident Evil. Pedro's exit from allowed you to work with Josh Brolin, who is now also playing your father in . Given your violent interactions in , have there been any jokes on about your polar opposite dynamics? Maybe a few, but not too many. It was just really cool to have worked with him before and then come into something else and already have this weird connection with him. It almost feels like you're entering a different dimension, and while you've had an experience with this person, it's not the same person. So it's strange, but it's only helped things. I really loved him on Weapons and talking with him about things. So I feel a really deep connection with him at this point. ' climax is so dark and disturbing, and yet Josh's character's inability to put James down was hilarious. Did it actually feel comedic on the day? Well, I remember thinking, 'You want me to get up again and then get up again over there?' So I don't know if I was really sure about it at the time, but I do remember it being funny. It was also super physical, but it was funny on the day. As you were reading , did you accurately predict that witchcraft was at the root of it? Well, my freaking agent had spoiled it. I love him, but that was annoying. (Laughs.) I still loved the script. I read it in one go in the middle of the night when I should have been sleeping. I just couldn't stop reading it, which is insane and how it's been with all of Zach's scripts. I just love them. I don't know what it is, really. I mean, it's Zach, but it's the sharpness of the dialogue and the action. They keep feeling fresh, and they keep going into new territory. So when Josh's character unknowingly painted the cause of everything on Julia Garner's character's car, you immediately knew the game that Zach was playing. Yeah, I knew something [witchy] was going on, for sure, but I didn't know how the story was going to be told or anything like that. I didn't really know all of those dynamics, so I still unveiled a lot. I've seen the film interpreted in a wide variety of ways, and I should preface this next question by saying that whatever take you offer today is by no means official. No, it's official! (Laughs.) But what is your own reading of the film? Zach has talked about it in a sense that even he doesn't know what a lot of it means. A lot of it is deep, unconscious, inner-working stuff. What does the [AR-15] rifle that just pops up in Archer's [Brolin] dream mean? I don't really know. I probably had a take a year ago [during filming], but I've been so focused on other things since then that I can't give you a great interpretation right now. But it's all deep unconscious stuff that just floods out of Zach, and he has the skill to make that unconscious stuff work, which might be why his work is so strong and impactful. I know that each different character represents a part of himself, but beyond that, I don't know. I just know that I love the story, even if I don't have a real solid interpretation of it, at least not at this moment. What do you think? What I consider to be the lasting image of is the young kids chasing after the old witch. So, to me, the movie is about the younger generation turning the tables on the older generation and rejecting their trauma, their dangerous policies and the corrupt systems they uphold. Oh, fuck yeah. I like that. You mentioned that all of these characters are a reflection of Zach in some way. Can you recognize the James in Zach? Yeah, he's talked about it being him at his lowest and most desperate. Do you feel pity for James since he operated under the spell of a witch and the spell of his own addiction? Yeah, of course. It's fucking terrible, man. Being addicted to drugs is hell. It's a nightmare. When I see someone on the street that is in a psychosis or something like that, that could be me, that could be you, that could genuinely be anyone. It just depends on what situation you grew up in, to a big degree. There's babies that are being raised by meth addicts. I don't know what's going to happen to them, but that's a hard hand to be dealt. So I feel complete empathy for James. 'Oh fuck, .' (Laughs.) James' reaction to the DVD is a big hit on the internet. Is it? Yeah, is there a story behind that moment? I think the DVDs were just there, and maybe it was Zach who noticed it. So he was like, 'Oh, can you just say Willow or something like that?' It was maybe that simple, but I don't remember that line being in the script. I think the DVD got placed there, and we just found it funny. And it is fucking funny. When James was panhandling Julia's character for money to see his brother, we know that the brother part is true since he later called him and asked for money under false pretenses. But the optimist in me wants to believe that James, at that moment, genuinely wanted to go home and get help. Did Zach give you any more backstory for James? No, not really. At least not that I remember. It just came down to research. But the interesting thing about James asking for money to see his brother, is that true? Is that not true? Because it could be true in that moment. But once he has some money, he then might say, 'I've got to get high so that I can come up with a plan to go see him.' So it's not necessarily a lie, at least not in that moment when he asks Julia's character for money. But I definitely discussed a lot of it with Zach, and he was open to me trying things and throwing things at him. He's so smart, and I just really trust his direction. IMDb can sometimes be inaccurate prior to the official release, but it had your character name written as Anthony for the longest time. Was that his name on an old script or breakdown? Yeah, that was his name at first, but between Archer and Alex, there were too many other A-names. You've had back-to-back foot chases in and now . Did you feel more prepared for this one after going through that crucible on ? No. (Laughs.) I ended up dropping some weight for Weapons, so the running was a little challenging, sometimes. But I ran for a much shorter period than the Wolfs sequence. Your director Jon Watts used to be in a film school gang with Jake Schreier, so do you think Jake put you on Jon's radar all those years ago via ? Yeah, they're really good friends, and I think Jon was in the editing room on Paper Towns, either watching or giving notes or just hanging out. But I know that he had seen me in that and that it kind of started things. Jon was going to make a sequel until the movie's sudden lack of theatrical release rubbed him the wrong way. Did it ever get as far as you knowing whether you were coming back or not? Yeah, I think I was. George [Clooney] came up with a bit of a story or the start of a story, and that was the thought for a second. When I last spoke to Brian Duffield for , he told me how became a source of anxiety after his movie had already gotten moving. They're both alien invasion thrillers on the surface, but completely different under the hood. Well, another movie with a nearly identical premise to Brian's announced itself in May just as you guys were about to start shooting. Has this subject come up at all on set? I didn't even know about it until weeks ago. So I really don't know much about it, but I've heard it might be a Spanish film or something like that. I do know that it's an independent. There's no studio behind it. But I don't know why I didn't know about it until later on. People had already been talking about it, but I don't feel concerned about anything like that. You're not returning for season three, but your career and so many others have really accelerated from that show. Is that the biggest reason why the show has had such a tough time getting back on the screen? Are there just too many big careers to juggle? Yeah, probably. There were so many different factors, from everyone's schedules to COVID to Angus [Cloud] passing away. There were a lot of tough situations that made it difficult. I know you're consumed by the innards of a whale right now, but Zach has already storyboarded . Have you also started wrapping your head around that role yet? Yeah, we've been wrapping. (Abrams smiles.) Zach is very, very prepared. ***Weapons is now playing in movie theaters. 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Express Tribune
02-08-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt criticised for water neglect
Listen to article Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah criticised the federal government on Friday for releasing only Rs3 billion this year out of the Rs78 billion it had committed for the K-IV water project for Karachi. He said the Sindh government had funded all associated components of the project itself. Speaking at the inauguration of the 20th 'My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony' Exhibition at Expo Center, on Friday Shah said four major K-IV sub-projects were ongoing. A Rs50 billion expansion of water feeders would be completed this year. A separate Rs170 billion project is bringing water from Keenjhar Lake to Karachi, with a power plant being installed by STDC to support two pumping stations. The chief minister announced that a new 100 MGD Hub Canal had been completed and would be inaugurated on August 14, while the old canal would be restored to the same capacity. By year-end, Karachi is expected to receive 200 MGD water from Hub Dam. He also highlighted the Dumlottee project for South Karachi and said 150 MGD additional water would be supplied to the city this year. Shah urged the federal government to increase Karachi's water allocation from Hub Dam, especially as availability had improved due to better climatic conditions. Referring to the 2015–16 World Bank gap analysis, he said Karachi needed Rs3 trillion to meet modern urban standards. Large-scale infrastructure, he stressed, could not be handled by the provincial government alone and required federal support. He criticised the Centre for not convening the Council of Common Interests (CCI) for 18 months. He pointed out that although Sindh produces 70% of Pakistan's gas, it is denied its constitutional share. He vowed to raise the issue in the next CCI meeting and reminded that the constitution requires CCI to meet every three months. Shah called on citizens to fulfil legal duties, such as paying taxes and registering vehicles, and not blame law enforcement for governance issues. He reassured the business community of the Sindh government's full support. Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala thanked the provincial government for supporting KCCI and urged the CM to expedite K-IV to resolve water shortages in Karachi's industrial areas. He highlighted the exhibition's global recognition and urged foreign diplomats to promote Karachi's positive image abroad. KCCI President Jawed Bilwani appreciated the 'Marka-e-Haq' theme for Independence Day and recalled the 2004 origins of the exhibition. He urged the Sindh government to establish a world-class Expo Center and upgrade Karachi's only existing one. Bilwani criticised high water tariffs and the incomplete K-IV project. He expressed concern over persistent gas shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. He called for road repairs, better drainage, encroachment removal, improved traffic, street crime control, and accelerated Safe City Project implementation.
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
House: Almost 700 proposed bills filed on Day 1 of 20th Congress
Nearly 700 bills were filed on the first day of the 20th Congress at the House of Representatives. In a statement, the House said that 683 measures were filed on Monday, June 30. Of this number 666 were House bills, 16 were House Resolutions (expressing the sense of the House) and one Joint Resolution. The first bill filed on record, filed by Leyte Representative and expected 20th Congress House Speaker Martin Romualdez, was the House Bill 1 or the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act which grants the National Food Authority (NFA) additional regulatory powers aimed at lowering rice prices and protecting farmers. Other bills filed by Romualdez during Day 1 were: Bill exempting Overseas Filipino Workers' (OFWs) from paying premium contributions to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Bill establishing the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) Bill updating the system on providing private school educational assistance and creation of Eastern Visayas Development Authority. Romualdez co-authored all the abovementioned bills numbered House Bills 1 to 5 with Tingog Party-list Representatives Jude Acidre and Andrew Julian Romualdez, who is Romualdez's son. Neophyte Valenzuela City Representative Gerald Cloyd Alexis Galang, meanwhile, filed seven bills on Monday, including Magna Carta for Senior Citizens, Social Pension of Senior Citizens Act and bill seeking to amend the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015. Another neophyte lawmaker, Kabataan party-list Representative and lawyer Renee Co and comebacking Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers party-list also filed the Delivery of Accessible Services in Universities (DASURV) bill, which seeks to provide housing, health, and food assistance to public school students. —VAL, GMA Integrated News "The DASURV Bill is our answer to the continuing financial barriers that prevent Filipino youth from accessing quality higher education. Hindi pa rin totoo ang free education kung marami pang kailangang bayaran ng mga estudyante at kanilang mga pamilya," Co said. In addition, Tinio and Co also refiled the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality measure, which seeks to prohibit discrimination among the members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community. "For too long, the SOGIESC Equality Bill has been delayed despite overwhelming public support. Hindi na dapat maghintay pa ang LGBTQIA+ community para sa equal protection under the law," Co added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Newsweek
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
JD Vance is Crushing the 2028 Election Competition Right Now: Survey
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Vice President J.D. Vance is by a significant margin the most popular potential 2028 Republican presidential candidate among GOP primary voters, according to a new survey conducted by Emerson College Polling. But one expert told Newsweek, "...his fate is tied to the success of Trump's second term, and if that fails to deliver, JD's star will wane." Newsweek contacted the office of Vice President Vance for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters Whilst he's occasionally toyed with running for a third term, President Trump is constitutionally limited to two terms in the White House, meaning the Republican Party will need a new candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Over the past decade, Trump has redefined the Republican Party, moving it to more nativist, protectionist, and anti-immigration positions, and the 2028 GOP presidential primary could see a contest between those who want it to continue with this direction and their rivals. What To Know Emerson College Polling surveyed 416 likely Republican primary voters about their preferred 2028 presidential candidate between June 24 and 25, with the data having a plus or minus 4.8 percentage point margin of error. The poll found that Vance had a strong lead, with 46 percent saying he was their preferred candidate, ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 12 percent and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 9 percent. They were followed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at 5 percent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley each at 2 percent. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, business tycoon Vivek Ramaswamy and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin all had 1 percent support. Another 17 percent of those polled said they were "undecided." Vice President J.D. Vance speaking during the 20th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Vice President J.D. Vance speaking during the 20th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker/GETTY Vance shared Trump's more nationalistic view of what the Republican Party should be, but also has close ties to figures on the tech right, including billionaire businessman Peter Thiel. Emerson College Polling also surveyed 404 likely Democratic primary voters over the same period, which produced a much tighter result. When asked about their preferred 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, 16 percent chose former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, 13 percent supported a second run by Kamala Harris, and 12 percent endorsed California Governor Gavin Newsom. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pennsylvania Governor Tim Waltz came in joint fourth with 7 percent support each, followed by left-wing Senate veteran Bernie Sanders at 5 percent. Recently, Newsom challenged Vance to a debate after the vice president accused him of "egging on" violent disorder in Los Angeles during anti-immigration enforcement demonstrations. Overall, Emerson College Polling surveyed 1,000 U.S. voters, with 42 percent saying they would vote for each of the Democratic and Republican nominees on a generic 2028 presidential ballot, with another 16 percent undecided. On Trump, 45 percent approved of his performance as president, whilst 46 percent disapproved. What People Are Saying Speaking to Newsweek Mark Shanahan, an expert in American politics who teaches at the University of Surrey in the UK, said: "It's very early days yet in picking the runners and riders for the 2028 GOP Presidential Primary and at the moment, it's hard for anyone to see past the vast shadow cast by the incumbent. It's no surprise that Vance is leading the field. He has high visibility and name recognition. "However, his fate is tied to the success of Trump's second term, and if that fails to deliver, JD's star will wane. Rubio, DeSantis and RFK Junior are tarnished by failed previous runs for the White House, and realistically, Vance is most likely to face a successful Governor - Youngkin or Abbott perhaps, or a member of Congress who gains momentum from the midterms and can challenge the Vance continuity candidacy." Emerson College Polling executive director Spencer Kimball said: "Vice President Vance has solidified himself as the frontrunner in the 2028 nomination contest, backed by 52% of male Republican primary voters and voters over 60. "Looking ahead to next year's Midterm Election, the Democrats have a slight edge over the Republicans, with independents breaking for the Democratic candidate 37% to 27%. However, a significant 36% of independents are undecided, so this number is expected to shift." What Happens Next Vance has not announced that he is running in the 2028 Republican presidential primary contest, nor would he be expected to do so until much nearer the time. The first GOP presidential primary elections are expected to be held in early 2028.
Barnama
28-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
IMF Forum Explores How Governments Can Better Navigate Rising Borrowing Costs, Refinancing Pressures
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- The 20th International Monetary Fund (IMF) Public Debt Management Forum explores and discusses how governments can better navigate the challenges of rising borrowing costs and debt refinancing pressures. The forum was jointly organised by the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the IMF on May 27-28. The Finance Ministry said in a statement that one key focus was improving the liquidity of government bond markets to ensure investors remain confident and engaged even during times of economic uncertainty. 'Participants also explored Islamic finance's growing role in sovereign borrowing strategies, offering new opportunities for countries seeking to diversify funding sources,' it said. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted in his keynote address the importance of global collaboration in shaping resilient debt strategies in the face of rising debt vulnerabilities and shifting investor expectations. 'It is increasingly clear that the future of debt sustainability cannot rely on national efforts alone. We must strengthen cross-border collaboration, deepen institutional partnerships, and foster the exchange of knowledge to build resilience and strengthen investor confidence,' he said. The two-day forum, themed 'Managing Public Debt Amid Evolving Capital Markets' has gathered around 200 senior government officials, public debt managers and financial market experts from a total of 37 emerging and advanced countries to engage in critical discussions shaping the future of sovereign debt management. This forum discussed emerging challenges and opportunities in sovereign financing risks, weathering the market volatility, Islamic finance, digitalisation in government bond markets and the role of primary dealers as well as market makers. Besides, IMF's financial counsellor and director of the monetary and capital markets department, Tobias Adrian discussed the risks to global financial stability and emphasised the importance of debt transparency.
