November 8, 2020

Page 10

Infotainment

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System Of A Down share first new songs in 15 years

Johnny’s forced exit from ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise draws fan ire

ystem Of A Down have released their first new music in 15 years, sharing a pair of songs titled ‘Protect The Land’ and ‘Genocidal Humanoidz’. The alternative metal legends, all of whom are of Armenian descent, have reunited to record and release the songs in a bid to raise awareness and funds amid “a dire and serious war being perpetrated upon [their] cultural homelands”, referencing the recently erupted conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The tracks were written and produced by SOAD’s guitarist Daron Malakian, and royalties from downloads of the songs through the band’s Bandcamp account will go towards the Armenia Fund. Speaking about the clip, which incorporates recent footage of the protests and on-the-ground fighting in Artsakh, Odadjian explained in a statement: “I wanted to show the unification of our people around the world for one common cause, illustrating the power in numbers. So we brought together people from all ages and professions who believe in and are fighting for that same cause. “It’s one thing to come up with an idea, but to see it come alive as happened with this video, has been just incredible”. In a lengthy statement accompanying the songs, the band detailed conflict taking place between Armenia and Azerbaijan in NagornoKarabakh, a disputed region with a large ethnic-Armenian population that Armenians refer to as Artsakh. (NME)

ver since Hollywood star Johnny Depp revealed that he has been forced to exit the Fantastic Beasts franchise, fans have united to seek justice for the actor and started trending #JusticeForJohnnyDepp on Twitter. The actor announced on Instagram that he will no longer portray the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the popular film franchise. “I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and I have respected and agreed to that request,” he said in the note posted on his Instagram account. “The surreal judgment of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal. My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false. My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time,” he added. Depp’s exit from the “Harry Potter” spinoff se-

Horses, rhinos evolved from strange hoofed animal in India: Study S

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oofed animals like horses and rhinos e vo l ve d f r o m a strange sheep-sized animal that looked like a cross between a pig and a dog and roamed in India almost 55 million years ago., researchers have claimed. Experts from Johns Hopkins University who explored mines in Gujarat discovered the remains of the strange creature called Cambaytherium. Cambaytherium is an extinct cousin of perissodactyls (the group of mammals that includes horses, rhinos, and tapirs) that lived on the Indian subcontinent almost 55 million years ago. The first trip to Rajasthan in 2001 had little success, “Although we found only a few fish bones on that trip, the following year our

Indian colleague, Rajendra Rana, continued exploring lignite mines to the south and came upon Vastan Mine in Gujarat,” said Ken Rose, emeritus professor at Johns Hopkins University and lead author of the study. This new mine proved much more promising. “In 2004, our team was able to return to the mine, where our Belgian collaborator Thierry Smith found the first mammal fossils, including Cambaytherium,” Rose said in a paper published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Encouraged, the team returned to the mines in Gujarat and collected fossilised bones of Cambaytherium and many other vertebrates, despite challenging conditions. Cambaytherium repre-

sents an evolutionary stage more primitive than any known perissodactyl, supporting origin for the group in or near India --before they dispersed to other continents when the land connection with Asia formed. Researchers said the animal likely evolved at a time India was still an island. The results also confirm a theory first proposed 30 years ago that the origin of horses can be traced to India during its northward drift from Madagascar. “In 1990, Krause & Maas proposed that these orders might have evolved in India, during its northward drift from Madagascar, dispersing across the northern continents when India collided with Asia,” Rose said.

The latest finding is the culmination of 15 years of work by a global team of researchers and involved piecing together the complete skeletal anatomy of Cambaytherium from over 350 fossils unearthed throughout India. Despite the abundance of perissodactyls in the Northern Hemisphere, Cambaytherium suggests that the group likely evolved in isolation in or near India during the Paleocene (66-56 million years ago), before dispersing to other continents when the land connection with Asia formed. Cambaytherium, first described in 2005, is the most primitive member of an extinct group that branched off just before the evolution of perissodactyls. (IANS)

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020

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ries comes days after he lost his case against The Sun that published an article in 2018 alleging he was a “wife beater”. The actor also thanked his fans for supporting him throughout and wrote: “I’d like to thank everybody who has gifted me with their support and loyalty. I have been humbled and moved by your many messages of love and concern, particularly over the last few days”. The studio also confirmed Depp’s departure and announced his role will be recast before the third installment releases in the theatres. Soon after the announcement, fans started trending #JusticeForJohnnyDepp on Twitter. “Re peat after me, Johnny Depp is grindelwald. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp,” wrote one user. “The absolute most terrifying part of what’s happening to Johnny Depp is the message it sends to male abuse victims. They had a chance to provide a platform for and encour-

age them to come forward, and instead they made an example of him in the worst way,” shared another user. One user wrote: “Warner Bros forced Johnny Depp to leave his role in Fantastic Beasts. Amber Heard is still in Aquaman despite petition with 500,000+ signatures”, while one said: “Theres loads of evidence to prove JD is innocent and AH is the abuser. I will not be supporting these movies!.” “Johnny Depp didn’t lose warner bros, warner bros lose johnny depp. Amber was such an abuser. Now that she is still the face of loreal and ambassador for ACLU and UN, but Johnny has to end up his career!! We want Johnny back,” shared a user. “I will never stop fighting for this man. Johnny Depp deserves better. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp #AmberHeardIsAnAbuser,” a user wrote. “No Johnny Depp no Fantastic Beasts. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp,” shared another user. (IANS)

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clip from BLACKPINK‘s latest reality program has drawn in 2.5 million views since it dropped yesterday, as the girls were seen hugging adorable baby pandas. But it’s trending in China for a whole different reason. According to C-netizens and officials, the BLACKPINK members were endangering the baby panda and violating strict regulations in the video—and now the Chinese government’s forestry administration is getting involved. This week, BLACKPINK released the preview clip for their final episode of the reality show 24/365 with BLACKPINK. The clip shows all four members heading to the Everland theme park and zoo to spend time with the resident giant pandas. Alongside making a meal for the mother panda, they also got to cuddle up to a precious 3-month-old cub named Fubao. However, while many

fans found the preview simply adorable, criticism of the clip soon went viral across social media in China. According to Chinese netizens and officials, the show depicts “endangerment” of the baby panda. While baby Fubao was born in South Korea this year, he doesn’t belong to the Korean zoo. The Chinese government actually owns almost every giant panda in the world, and zoos across the

world simply rent them. Panda loan costs run up to $1 million USD per year on 10-year “panda diplomacy” contracts, and foreign zoos must pay an additional $400,000 USD tax for any baby cubs born in their care. Since the pandas at Everland’s Panda World belong to China, the zoo is expected to follow strict regulations to protect the bears from any illnesses. One of these rules mandates that members of

the public must not touch the pandas or come into close contact with them in any way. According to the Chinese State Forestry Administration, allowing non-professionals to touch the pandas increases their risk of contracting a zoonotic infection. On top of that, the rules state that people with pets should not come into close contact with the pandas in order to further prevent the spread of disease. Back in 2015, sev-

eral pandas died of canine distemper—a virus found in domestic dogs. Since giant pandas are currently considered endangered, the Chinese government considers their welfare to be of the utmost importance. The fact that the BLACKPINK members were not professional caretakers were not the only cause for concern by the Chinese netizens. Most of the members are known to have multiple dogs and cats at home. As a result, an outcry erupted among Chinese netizens shortly after the 24/365 with BLACKPINK preview dropped on YouTube. One news post about the incident on Weibo garnered over 25 million video views, 800,000 likes, and 10,000 comments in around 15 hours. Commenters also pointed out that the members were wearing makeup and perfume and did not have gloves on at the time, further violating the strict care regarding the pandas. (Koreanboo)

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BLACKPINK under investigation for “endangering” baby panda

Nagaland Motorcycle Club (NMC) celebrates 10th anniversary

Kohima Chapter. K Y M C

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Tuensang Chapter.

agaland Motorcycle Club (NMC) was founded in November 7, 2010 for the passion of biking, adventure and the love of Royal Enfield Motorcycle. NMC currently has 3 chapters namely Kohima, Dimapur and Tuensang and the members are popularly called ‘Naga Chiefs’. Normally Naga Chiefs always do a combined meet during the annual day but because of the pandemic every unit celebrated in their own respective districts.

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Dimapur Chapter.

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