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DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES Extended Super Bowl Trailer

A new trailer for the fifth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dean Men Tell No Tales, brought an atmosphere of adventure to this year’s Super Bowl ads, set to the soundtrack of Johnny Cash’s “Ain’t No Grave.” Full of blazing ships and supernatural foes, you won’t see Johnny Depp’s Sparrow until the very last shot . . . covered in mud.

The film, for a May 26 release in the U.S., will see the return of Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, the amiable, garrulous pirate who always seems to be one step ahead of trouble. This time, Captain Sparrow will come up against a new foe in the form of Captain Salazar, played by Javier Bardem, a ghost pirate who could do with some moisturizer on his face by the looks of it.

The People’s Choice is Johnny for Favorite Movie Icon

In the closing minutes of the People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday night, a surprise guest showed up: Johnny Depp, who won the prize for Favorite Movie Icon and thanked his fans for standing by him through “good times or bad.”

The 53-year-old actor looked a little teary as he slowly made his way through an acceptance speech, occasionally interrupted by fans screaming “I love you!”

“I came here for you, the people — who, through whatever good times or bad, you know, have stood by me, trusted me. Thank you,” Depp said. The crowd roared its approval.

Depp didn’t get into specifics, but he emphasized his gratitude. “You’ve very, very graciously invited me here once again tonight. So I appreciate that very much. You have no idea how much I appreciate it,” he continued. “I was very deeply affected by the kindness of your recognition and by your well wishes to my family and to myself, which is why it’s especially meaningful to me to be here in front of you to say thank you. And to tell you that I truly feel that need to thank you.”

“Because, in all honesty,” Depp concluded, “We all know that none of us, especially me, wouldn’t be standing up here if it weren’t for you tonight. So thank you.” He ended with a shout-out to his mother, Betty Sue Palmer, who died last spring: “Give ’em hell, Betty Sue,” he said, raising his trophy in the air and looking to the sky.

Jerry Bruckheimer talks about PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES

Listed by USA Today as one of the “Must See” films this year!

Not only will fans get to see Johnny Depp’s famed Captain Jack Sparrow as an 18-year-old, but the new Pirates is an “enormous” fifth chapter in the swashbuckling series, promises producer Jerry Bruckheimer. “It’s really edgy, still has the humor, but (offers) some real tension.” Everybody’s looking for the Trident of Poseidon, an artifact that will supposedly cure all curses, and the list includes Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), the new captain of the Flying Dutchman who’s trying to free his father from the curse of Davy Jones; young Henry (Brenton Thwaites), who’s searching for his own dad, and astronomer Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario); the decrepit and ghostly Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), who last encountered Jack when he was a teenager and now wants to kill the infamous buccaneer; and Sparrow himself.

Those wondering if Jack will get enough screen time with this big an ensemble need not worry, Bruckheimer says: “He’s still the star of the movie.”

Opening in the US on May 26

Amin Joseph joins the cast of “LAbyrinth”

Actor Amin Joseph has landed the supporting role of Kevin Gaines in the Brad Furman-directed drama LAbyrinth that stars Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker.

Based on the real life story of the LAPD corruption intertwined with murders of rap icons Notorious BIG and Tupac, the pic follows disgraced LAPD detective and journalist Jack Jackson on a hunt to solve the case, which threatens to crack the foundation of the police department. Good Films is producing the film and Miramax and Open Road Films are co-producing.

The movie is now filming in LA.

Willem Dafoe Joins MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

The actor is joining the star-studded ensemble cast of Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express.

Branagh is directing and starring as the investigator Hercule Poirot, who must solve a murder case aboard a train while being surrounded by duplicitous passengers. Penelope Cruz recently joined the cast, which also includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Michael Pena, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Leslie Odom Jr. and Tom Bateman.

Dafoe will play Mr. Hardman, a passenger on the train who says he sells typewriting ribbons, but may have a deeper tie to the murder victim.

Looks like Johnny will have lots of old friends joining him in this movie. Johnny and Dafoe worked together in Platoon and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

The movie is currently filming in the UK.

ONBC tidbits have started for The Mountain Shadow

Check out the latest book discussion from the Oprah Noodlemantra Book Club. The Mountain Shadow, by Gregory David Roberts is the sequel to Shantaram, a best-selling novel about India and GDR’s time there.

Moderators and tidbit writers Liz, fireflydances, and nebraska have already begun posting fascinating tidbits for the book. Lively discussion will follow.

 

Johnny will be at Duesenberg’s Imperial Ball Charity Concert, Jan 21

Next up for Johnny will be the Imperial Ball Concert. Johnny is expected to appear and perform with the likes of Butch Walker and other “fun guests.”

We’ll be looking forward to some great pics and coverage from our Zoners!

For more info on this non-profit charity event, go to Imperial Ball 2017

With Help of Hollywood, Make A Film Foundation Grants Film Wish to 16-year-old Fighting Cancer

Johnny Depp is drenched in blood when he walks up to the nurse’s station and jokes to me and several others… The fog machine is on overdrive, so we can all barely see one another through the mist, and then the first AD calls for a reset back to one — David Lynch is about to enter for his scene.

We’re in an old ghost wing of a hospital across the street from Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, on the set of a short zombie film called The Black Ghiondola. The 60-person volunteer crew, including renowned special effects and makeup artists, is there, along with Depp, Lynch, Laura Dern, Catherine Hardwicke, Chad L. Coleman, and Richard Chamberlain. But the star of the film — and its writer — is a 16-year-old named Anthony Conti.

Make a Film Foundation Grants Film Wishes (MAFF) to children who have serious or life-threatening medical conditions by teaming them with film industry professionals who help them to create short film legacies. MAFF is currently in production of THE BLACK GHIANDOLA written by Anthony Jonathan Conti with Scott Kosar (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and additional writing by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice). Anthony was diagnosed with stage 4 Adrenal Cortical Cancer in July. MAFF is making Anthony’s dream of writing and starring in his own film a reality. THE BLACK GHIANDOLA is a story about a young man risking his life to save a young girl he has grown to love, after his family has been killed in the Apocalyptic world of Zombies.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS begins production

6231Disney’s “Alice In Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass” begins principal photography this week, featuring an award-winning production team and all-star ensemble cast, including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. James Bobin (“The Muppets,” “Muppets Most Wanted”) helms the film, which revisits Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories with an all-new new tale that travels back to Underland—and back in Time. “Alice In Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass” is produced by Joe Roth (“Maleficent,” “Alice in Wonderland”), Jennifer Todd (“Alice In Wonderland,” “Memento”), Suzanne Todd (“Alice In Wonderland,” “Memento”) and Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Frankenweenie”). John G. Scotti (“Muppets Most Wanted,” “The Muppets”) is the executive producer; Linda Woolverton (“Maleficent,” “Alice In Wonderland,” “Beauty and the Beast”) penned the screenplay. Shooting on location and at Shepperton Studios in England, the film is slated for release on May 27, 2016.

The all-star ensemble cast includes:

  • Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “Alice In Wonderland,” “Mortdecai,” “Black Mass”) returns to the big screen as the Mad Hatter—Hatter Tarrant Hightopp.
  • Anne Hathaway (“Les Misérables,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Alice In Wonderland,” “Rachel’s Getting Married”) portrays the White Queen—Mirana.
  • Mia Wasikowska (“Tracks,” “Jane Eyre” and “Alice In Wonderland”) once again appears as Alice Kingsleigh, who’s on a quest to help the Mad Hatter.
  • Helena Bonham Carter (“Cinderella,” “Les Misérables,” “Alice In Wonderland”) returns as the Red Queen—Iracebeth.
  • Rhys Ifans (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I,” “Nanny McPhee Returns,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”) fills the shoes of Zanik Hightopp, the Mad Hatter’s father.
  • Matt Lucas (“The Labrynth,” “Alice In Wonderland”) returns to the revelry in a dual role as Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
  • Ed Speleers (TV’s “Downton Abbey,” “Eragon”) portrays James Harcourt in the film.
  • And Sacha Baron Cohen (“Hugo,” “Les Misérables”) was called on to bring Time to the big screen.

“Alice In Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass” also boasts an extraordinary voice cast.

  • Stephen Fry (“24: Live Another Day,” “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” “Alice In Wonderland”) is back as the voice of the Cheshire Cat.
  • Toby Jones (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Infamous,” “The Girl”) provides the voice of Wilkins.
  • Alan Rickman (“Harry Potter” film series, “Alice In Wonderland,” director/actor/co-writer “A Little Chaos”) returns as the voice of the Blue Caterpillar.
  • Michael Sheen (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” Parts 1 & 2, “Alice In Wonderland,” “The Queen,” “Frost Nixon”) once again serves as the voice of the White Rabbit.
  • Timothy Spall (“Mr. Turner,” “The Kings Speech,” “Harry Potter,” “Alice In Wonderland”) returns to voice Bayard.
  • BAFTA-winning actor, writer and comedian Paul Whitehouse (BBC’s “Harry and Paul’s Story of the 2s” and “The Fast Show”;“Alice In Wonderland,” “Corpse Bride”) is back as the March Hare.
  • Barbara Windsor (“Carry On,” “EastEnders,” “Alice In Wonderland”) provides the voice of Dormouse again.

The film welcomes back several key members of the “Alice In Wonderland” team, including award-winning composer Danny Elfman (“Fifty Shades of Grey,” “Big Eyes,” Silver Linings Playbook”), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (“Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Chicago”), who won Oscar, BAFTA and Satellite awards, among others, for her work on “Alice In Wonderland,” and five-time Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Ken Ralston (“Forrest Gump,” “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”), who won a Satellite Award for best visual effects for “Alice In Wonderland.”

Bobin’s award-winning production team also includes Oscar-winning production designer Dan Hennah (“King Kong,” “The Hobbit” trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Oscar for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”), and Stuart Dryburgh (“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Bridget Jones’ Diary,” Oscar nomination for “The Piano”) as director of photography. The film welcomes Oscar-winning make-up and hair designer Peter King (“Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,” Oscar nominee for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”), and Oscar winner Neil Corbould (“Gravity,” “Gladiator”) is special effects supervisor. Andrew Weisblum (“Noah,” Oscar nominee “Black Swan”) is editor.

Disney releases the first teaser trailer for INTO THE WOODS

Disney released the first teaser trailer for Into the Woods today. The trailer is definitely a ‘teaser,’ as it only gives us a tiny glimpse of Johnny as the Wolf.

From Disney’s Into the Woods website:
Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy) – all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them. Rob Marshall, the talented filmmaker behind the Academy Award-winning musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” helms the film, which is based on the Tony-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics – including an all-new song for the big-screen adaptation. Produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, “Wicked” producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall, Into the Woods hits theaters December 25, 2014.

The Zone thanks pinkpalace for sharing the video.

Johnny Depp Appears in Paul McCartney’s New Video, “Queenie Eye”

6212October 24 marked the release of Paul McCartney’s second video from his new album, aptly named “New.” Titled “Queenie Eye,” after a children’s game, Paul enlisted the assistance of a large group of pals—including Johnny Depp—to appear in the video. A larger picture of Johnny and Paul is available HERE.

Johnny was thrilled to be part of the video. “Being in that room—and especially being in that room with Paul—is uh, yeah, it’s quite a rush because that’s the room that changed the world. To have a collection of masterpieces under your belt and the fact that he has been doing it for as long as he’s been doing it . . . it’s always new, it’s always new for him. He still gets excited about it. He’s still curious. There’s one, you know . . . there’s only one of him.”

Enjoy watching Paul McCartney’s “Queenie Eye.”

The Zone thanks taba for sharing the video.

MORTDECAI begins filming!

6203Principal photography began today, October 21, on Johnny Depp’s new movie, Mortdecai.

The press release from Lionsgate and Oddlot Entertainment reads: “Lionsgate and OddLot Entertainment announced today that principal photography has begun in London on the action comedy Mortdecai. Based on the popular three-novel anthology by Kyril Bonfiglioli, which has amassed a significant cult following, the film features an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Paul Bettany and Olivia Munn. Guy Burnet, Michael Byrne, Michael Culkin, Jonny Pasvolsky, Ulrich Thomsen, and Paul Whitehouse have also joined the cast of the film which David Koepp is directing from a script written by Eric Aronson. Andrew Lazar, Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski and OddLot’s Gigi Pritzker are producing the project.

“Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger said, ‘Kyril created a rich, immersive world with fresh characters, and we are thrilled to bring his beloved story to life with our friends and partners at OddLot. With David Koepp at the helm and a brilliant all-star cast, Mortdecai will captivate audiences and keep them on the edge of their seats.'”

The story line for the movie looks to be a good one: terrorists, stolen paintings, hidden Nazi gold, and of course, the debonair and roguish Johnny Depp.  Good luck and smooth sailing to everyone involved with the production. We’ll be waiting anxiously for this gem to be released in 2014!

Johnny Depp Makes a Surprise Appearance at the BFI London Film Fest Awards Ceremony

6198Saturday night, October 19th, a newly blonde Johnny surprised his friend Sir Christopher Lee by appearing on stage to present Sir Christopher the British Film Institute Fellowship award for his long and illustrious film career.

In his presentation, Johnny said: “It is my great honor to bestow this award to a very great man. He’s inspired me like he has so many, he’s fascinated me like he has so many.

“He’s been a wonderful individual and over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with him and it has been a childhood dream come true. But as great as it is to work with him, that pleasure doesn’t compare with getting to know him and being able to count him as a true friend.

“A national treasure and a genuine artist. I love you!”

A visibly moved Sir Christopher accepted the award by first addressing Johnny: “I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know you were going to be here and it’s a very emotional moment for me as you can probably hear. I must try and pull myself together.”

A little later in his acceptance speech, Sir Christopher again spoke about Johnny’s surprise appearance.

“Somebody told me Johnny wouldn’t be able to come tonight as he was somewhere else in Europe.

“I can’t thank you enough.

“He means an enormous amount to me. He is one of very few young actors on screen today who’s truly a star. I don’t think he likes that expression very much but I’m sure he knows what I mean. Everything he does has a meaning. He’s a joy to work with, an actor’s dream and certainly a director’s dream. I could go on a long time but I’d probably embarrass him.

“I cannot thank you enough for coming here and giving me this award. It’s a great joy to me.”

Congratulations to Sir Christopher on this impressive honor!

To see a larger image of Johnny and Sir Christopher together, click HERE.

INTO THE WOODS is underway! Cast members gather in the UK for Sondheim musical film

Thank goodness for Twitter! Young Daniel Huttlestone, who played Gavroche in last year’s Les Miserables and will be playing Jack (of beanstalk fame) in Rob Marshall’s film of the Stephen Sondheim fairy-tale musical Into the Woods, tweeted this on Sunday: “Start INTO THE WOODS tomorrow. So exciting !! Get to meet Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, James Cordon ect …. Can’t wait !!!!!!” Huttlestone’s follow-up tweet today confirmed that the cast had reported for duty and was hard at work: “Rehearsing at the moment. Going really cool !! Singing with James Corden, Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp !! So exciting!!” He also posted a picture of himself with Corden, who plays the Baker, on his Facebook page HERE. Looks like they’re having fun!

Johnny Depp is playing the Wolf in the Disney production, in an ensemble that also includes Meryl Streep as The Witch, James Corden as The Baker, Emily Blunt as The Baker’s Wife, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Chris Pine as Cinderella’s Prince, Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel’s Prince, Mackenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel, Lucy Punch as Lucinda, Tammy Blanchard as Florinda, Christine Baranski as Cinderella’s Stepmother and Tracey Ullman as Jack’s Mother. Best wishes to all as they begin their work!

The Zone thanks emma for sharing the news; you can read more about Into the Woods on the Zone’s News & Views forum.

Executive producer credit on THE LONE RANGER was “a beautiful gesture from Jerry Bruckheimer,” Johnny Depp tells UK press

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski, and actors Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Ruth Wilson, Tom Wilkinson, and Harry Treadaway met the British press to promote The Lone Ranger on Monday, July 22. While some of the questions trod familiar ground, journalists did venture into fresh territory, as when one reporter asked Johnny about the impact of his role as one of The Lone Ranger‘s executive producers.

Q: Johnny, you are Executive Producer on this. I wondered what sort of benefits that brought you in terms of decision-making? And Jerry and Gore, how did that affect your relationship with Johnny?

JERRY BRUCKHEIMER: Well, I think he got to the craft service line ahead of everybody else. (Laughter) So I think that worked for him.

JOHNNY DEPP: Yeah. And I got a chair. (More laughter) And a trailer. Coffee, occasionally. (He chuckles, and then grows serious.) You know, the executive producer credit was a beautiful gesture from Jerry, just out of the kindness of his heart, to hand me that title. Primarily because we were all in it from the very beginning. As I said before, from the very seed of the project, we were all in there, in all the script meetings and whatnot, and that, for me, was plenty — that was beautiful, to be welcomed into that part of the process. But then for Jerry to give me that title was . . . yeah, that was quite a shock. So basically, what I’m saying is, I didn’t do anything.

JERRY BRUCKHEIMER: That’s not quite right, because it wasn’t an honorary thing. It was something that . . . he [Johnny] brings so much creativity to the process, and to have him in, in the script meetings early on, conceptualizing the character — his character and other characters — it helps us so much, because he’s got such a wealth of creative knowledge that he puts layers on the script and the story. It was a pleasure to bring him in really early, and creatively it was fantastic for the movie.

The Zone thanks Theresa for sharing video of the UK press conference; a larger photo of Jerry, Johnny and Gore is available HERE. You can read more about The Lone Ranger on the Zone’s News & Views forum.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor in talks to join Johnny Depp in MORTDECAI

Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor are in talks to join Johnny Depp in the crime caper Mortdecai, which will be directed by David Koepp. Variety reports that Lionsgate is “fast-tracking the project with a high-profile team.” According to Variety, Mortdecai will go into production late this fall, after Johnny finishes Rob Marshall’s musical Into the Woods. Paltrow, an Oscar-winner for Shakespeare in Love, was most recently seen playing Pepper Potts in Iron Man 3; McGregor will be seen in August: Osage County (with Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep) this fall.

Mortdecai is based on a series of books by Kyril Bonfiglioli. Roguish art dealer Charles Mortdecai is in a race to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain the code to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold.

Andrew Lazar is producing Mortdecai with Infinitum Nihil’s team of Johnny and Christi Dembrowski.

You can read more about Mortdecai on the Zone’s News & Views forum. The Variety article is available HERE.

“Tonto is a lone wolf”–Johnny Depp discusses THE LONE RANGER and its critics with the BBC

In a video interview with the BBC at the London premiere of The Lone Ranger, Johnny Depp responded to critics who assert that his Tonto is “another quirky character like Captain Jack Sparrow” — in other words, just Captain Jack on dry land. “There are a lot of differences between Captain Jack and Tonto,” Johnny said. “Captain Jack needs other people to manipulate to get what he wants. He couldn’t — he wouldn’t work on his own. Tonto is sort of a lone wolf. If there are any similarities at all, I suppose it’s just because it’s born out of my head.”

Asked if he was “disappointed” in the film’s performance at the U.S. box office, which “hasn’t lived up to many people’s expectations,” Johnny replied, “No, because I don’t have no expectations . . . but other people do. I think critics were especially upset that it didn’t really tank. I think they were hoping it would really take a dive.” The Lone Ranger has currently earned more than $81 million in North America and almost $150 million worldwide.

The Zone thanks emma for sharing the BBC interview; you can read more about The Lone Ranger‘s London premiere on the Zone’s News & Views forum.

THE LONE RANGER premieres in London–new photos of Johnny!

When Disney Movies UK tweeted yesterday, “Johnny Depp & the stars of #TheLoneRanger arrive on the red carpet from 5.30pm tomorrow for the UK premiere @ODEONCinemas Leicester Square,” we didn’t realize that “the stars” would include the scene-stealing white horse who plays Silver, or that the “red carpet” would actually be white! But Silver, sporting a spiffy silver-trimmed saddle, stood proudly in Leicester Square and posed for pictures with Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. Johnny wore a charcoal gray three-piece suit with a blue shirt, and Armie wore a two-piece red suit with a white shirt and dark red tie. Photos from the London premiere are available HERE.

Many thanks to humiliatedgrape and our friends at johnnydepp.ru for sharing photos; you can read more about the London premiere of The Lone Ranger on the Zone’s News & Views forum and Pit General Discussion forum.

Johnny Depp attends Berlin premiere of THE LONE RANGER–new photos!

German fans gave Johnny Depp and his Lone Ranger colleagues — producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski, and co-stars Armie Hammer and Ruth Wilson — a warm welcome at the red carpet premiere of The Lone Ranger in Berlin on Friday, July 19. Wearing a gray suit and black shirt, Johnny gave many interviews for German media and signed autographs for well-wishers who waited patiently behind barricades for a chance to say hello, shake hands, or take a quick picture.

Photos of the Berlin premiere are available HERE.

The Zone thanks Aida and Theresa for sharing photos; you can read more about The Lone Ranger‘s Berlin premiere on the Zone’s News & Views forum and Pit General Discussion forum.

TV ALERT–Johnny Depp’s appearance on THE LATE SHOW with David Letterman re-airs tonight, July 19th!

If you missed Johnny Depp’s appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman on June 27th — or you would just like to watch it again and chuckle — the show will be rebroadcast tonight, July 19. Johnny and Dave talk about The Lone Ranger, of course, which Dave praises as “wildly entertaining.” They also discuss fatherhood, what it’s like to turn 50 (“just another decade,” they agreed), Johnny’s acting process, and his connection to the Native American community.

The Zone thanks FANtasticJD for sharing the news.