‘Dark Day for Lufthansa;’ 150 Feared Dead After Germanwings Airbus Crashes in French Alps

Germanwings (Photo: Reuters/Albert Gea)

A family member of a passenger killed in Germanwings plane crash reacts as he arrives at Barcelona’s El Prat airport March 24, 2015. An Airbus operated by Lufthansa’s Germanwings budget airline crashed in a remote area of southern France on Tuesday and all 148 on board were feared dead.

Christian Post Report – Some 150 people on board an Airbus operated by Lufthansa’s low cost airline Germanwings are now all feared dead after it crashed in a remote region of the French Alps Tuesday.

In an earlier Reuters report, French President Francois Hollande, said there were 148 people on board the Airbus and there appeared to be no survivors. Lufthansa later confirm the number of people on the carrier to be 150.

“There were 148 people on board. The conditions of the accident, which have not yet been clarified, lead us to think there are no survivors,” said Hollande.

In a statement released via Lufthansa’s Twitter account the company’s chief executive Carsten Spohr said if those fears are confirmed it will be a “dark day for Lufthansa.”

“We do not yet know what has happened to flight 4U 9525. My deepest sympathy goes to the families and friends of our passengers and crew on 4U 9525. If our fears are confirmed, this is a dark day for Lufthansa. We hope to find survivors,” said Spohr.

Shortly after that, the worst was confirmed.

“We must confirm to our deepest regret that Germanwings Flight 4U 9525 from Barcelona to Düsseldorf has suffered an accident over the French Alps. The flight was being operated with an Airbus A320 aircraft, and was carrying 144 passengers and six crew members,” said the statement.

Germanwings (Photo: Reuters)

A Germanwings aircraft.

“Lufthansa and Germanwings have established a telephone hotline. The toll-free 0800 11 33 55 77 number is available to all the families of the passengers involved for care and assistance,” it continued.

“Everyone at Germanwings and Lufthansa is deeply shocked and saddened by these events. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the passengers and crew members,” it ended.

French officials told Reuters that the plane issued a distress call at 0947 GMT, some 52 minutes after take-off.

The flight was traveling from Barcelona to Duesseldorf and Hollande explained that a significant number of Germans were likely to be on it.

According to CNN, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that he’s been in contact with his French counterpart and “we will cooperate closely.”

“I already want to thank the French government, which has acted immediately and prudently,” said Steinmeier. “In these difficult hours, our thoughts are with those who have to fear that their close ones are among the passengers and crew.”

Contact: [email protected]; follow me on Twitter @leoblair

Source : Christian Post

‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Season 2 Cast News, Spoilers: Agent Ward Returns, New Inhuman Revealed

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” FACEBOOK/ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

ABC’s “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

Christian Post Report – The events in the hit crime fighting drama TV series “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” are definitely getting more intense as it continues to tread on its second season and this week’s episode will bring more of that factor.

Cleverly titled “Love in the Time of Hydra,” spoiler reports indicated that agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton) will finally be returning to the team and that he will be welcomed with a new love interest.

The synopsis provided by The Futon Critic said that Ward and Agent 33 (Ming-Na Wen/Maya Stojan) will embark on a “personal mission” and this partnership won’t just be about business.

“Agent 33 absolutely sees him as her king, really,” Wen told Entertainment Weekly. “This is the person that will protect her and save her from her former situation and she develops feelings for him, you know, because he’s really good looking.”

But setting aside the love issue, followers have long been aware the “problem” Skye (Chloe Bennett) has been causing within Phil Coulson’s (Clark Gregg) company.

“Coulson and his team are still reeling from a shocking revelation that leaves the team fractured as they must decide what to do with one of their own,” the summary from TFC continues.

However, help is coming for the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a report from TV Line indicated that “The Tomorrow People” star Luke Mitchell will be joining the show as a “charismatic” Inhuman.

As said, Mitchell’s alter ego will help the troubled Skye understand her transformation and “Avengers-like” powers.

Although it wasn’t still revealed as to when will Mitchell debuts, the media outlet unveiled the actor as the character named Lincoln.

For the meantime, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” airs this Tuesday, March 24, at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Source : Christian Post

‘Hannibal’ Season 3 News, Premiere Spoilers: Series Creator Bryan Fuller Teases Major Time Jumps

Station yanks Hannibal (PHOTO:Facebook/Hannibal)

Fans of the hit psychological thriller TV drama series “Hannibal” might need to review the events of the past seasons as recent news indicated that the upcoming third chapter of the show will be filled with time jumps.

Christian Post Report – A report from Enstarz.com said that the events of the upcoming season opener titled “Antipasto” will be moving around the show’s timeline.

Series creator Bryan Fuller’s made a social media announcement on Sunday: “THE #HANNIBAL SEASON 3 OPENER TAKES PLACE OVER FOUR DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIME #HannibalReturnsJune4.”

Other than the premiere episode, Fuller also dished out to the eagerly waiting fans other information about the show including the directors who will be helming the brand new season’s episodes.

One of which is Vincenzo Natali who directed Season 2’s “Naka-Choko” and “Su-zkana.” A report from Slash Film said that Natali is directing the first three episodes of Season 3, “Antipasto” included.

Then there is Neil Marshall, whose directorial skills were featured on HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and film “The Descent.”

Slash Film indicated that Marshall has taken the show’s eighth episode, which “fans of the book series and previous films should be very intrigued by.”

Bryan Fuller’s Twitter page offered more details:

“EP 8 “THE GREAT RED DRAGON” DIRECTOR NEIL MARSHALL MADE THE BEST HORROR MOVIE OF THIS CENTURY #HannibalReturnsJune4″

For those who missed it, Fuller previously teased that “Antipasto” “will essentially function as a new pilot for a new series” because apparently, everything has changed for the series.

“Season 3 is going to be a lot of fun because it’s going to be taking a lot of disparate elements from the novel Hannibal Rising and the novel Hannibal and mashing them up together as part of the thrust of the season,” Fuller said in an interview with TV Guide. “We’re significantly changing the Hannibal origin story from Hannibal Rising.”

Source : Christian Post

‘Game of Thrones’ Premiere Airing News, Details: Season 5 Premiere to Live Stream in San Francisco

Game of Thrones Facebook/ Game of Thrones

Daenerys and her dragon on Game of Thrones

Christian Post Report – Fans of the hit fantasy drama TV series “Game of Thrones” based in the U.S. might want to brace themselves as recent news indicates that the Season 5 premiere will be shown live stream in San Francisco.

A report from The Tampa Tribune said that “Game of Thrones” will kick off the brand new season in a premiere showing to be held at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, California.

The said occasion will be attended by many of the series’ stars, who will also find time to answer fan questions, HBO said in a press release. Names slated to appear include Emilia Clarke (as Queen Daenarys), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Maisie Willams (Arya Stark), and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (as Jaime Lannister).

For those who might miss the event, the publication went on to say that HBO is planning to give “GoT” fans a real-time livestream “access to the red carpet event” on Monday through the show’s official Facebook page.

Meanwhile, for those hankering for information about what to expect in the upcoming season, it is reported that the show might veer farther away from George R.R. Martin’s novels.

Show runner David Benioff told Oxford Union “there are certain things that are going to happen in the books that are different in the show.”

However, fans on both the books and the show need not to worry about a bastardization.

“And so we’ll eventually, basically, meet up at pretty much the same place where George is going; there might be a few deviations along the route, but we’re heading towards the same destination,” Benioff explained.

“Game of Thrones” Season 5 kicks off this April 12 on HBO and on HBO Now.

Source : Christian Post

Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel Pregnancy News, Update: Mom-to-Be Spotted With Baby Bump, JT Plays Golf Round

JT REUTERS/Eric Thayer

Actors Justin Timberlake (R) and Jessica Biel arrive for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, “The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion” in New York, May 4, 2009.

Christian Post Report – A month or possibly even weeks from now, actress Jessica Biel will be delivering her first baby with her pop icon-husband Justin Timberlake. But before they can be officially called parents, recent news indicated the two doing their own things.

A report from Us Magazine cited the 33-year-old star stepping out and about wearing a “rock-and-roll maternity ensemble” while doing some shopping at a Whole Foods store in Los Angeles this weekend.

As shown in the series of pictures posted by the media outlet, the “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” star is looking in perfectly healthy condition and her baby bump appears ready to pop out in any given time.

Meanwhile, the former N ‘Sync member is taking advantage of his child-free days as he was seen Friday afternoon enjoying his golf game with some close guy friends at a course in Toluca Lake, California.

E! Online posted an image of the 34-year-old multi-talented star donning “khaki shorts, a collared shirt and a baseball cap” as he strides along the grass field.

Earlier last week, Biel and Timberlake were spotted hanging out together at the opening of Hollywood’s Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop.

The “Friends With Benefits” actor was allegedly overheard saying “she is close (to giving birth). This is for sure the last time we’ll go out before the baby.”

“They are both so excited for this new chapter and are ready to be parents. They are such a great team and will both be very hands on and involved with everything,” one insider told E!

Source : Christian Post

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Actress Gal Gadot Says Wonder Woman is Her ‘Dream Role’

Gal Gadot Reuters/File

Gal Gadot, who is cast as Wonder Woman in the upcoming “Batman V Superman” sequel to “Man of Steel”

Christian Post Report – DC’s upcoming superhero blockbuster offering “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” still has a year to go before it opens in theatres. However, recent news indicated that production for the film has already been completed and is now on its post-production phase.

Aside from the two titular DC superheroes, the upcoming title is also slated to feature one of the comic book’s super heroines, Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot.

Gadot, the Israeli actress and supermodel, is also slated for a standalone movie about the demigoddess, which will be released after “Batman v Superman.”

The 29-year-old star said taking up the role of the Amazonian was a dream come true for her.

“Playing Wonder Woman is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t describe to you how much I wanted to play this character without even knowing I wanted to play her,” she told Israel-based media site YNetNews. “I met a lot of people from the industry in LA for meetings. They always asked me ‘what’s your dream role?’, and I never could define it.”

“I don’t want to play a damsel in distress that needs to be saved. I don’t like it when women in the movies are shown as the victims. I always thought that if I could send out a message, I want to show the strong side of a woman and how she can handle tough situations,” Gadot explained.

“I get to play the strongest most empowering woman ever – Wonder Woman. I’m so grateful and I thank God every day. I want to devour it and enjoy every bite,” the 2004 Miss Universe pageant entrant added.

Gadot will be appearing with Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, who will play the titular roles.

“Batman v Superman” arrives on cinemas March 25, 2016.

Source : Christian Post

NBA News: Los Angeles Lakers’ Steve Nash Announces Retirement, Speaks on ‘Weird Transition’

Steven Nash Reuters/Photo

Two-timed NBA Most Valuable Player and currently Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash announced on Saturday his retirement from the National Basketball Association.

Christian Post Report – A statement from the 41-year-old athlete was released and published on The Players’ Tribune and it reads:

“The greatest gift has been to be completely immersed in my passion and striving for something I loved so much — visualizing a ladder, climbing up to my heroes. The obsession became my best friend. I talked to her, cherished her, fought with her and got knocked on my a– by her.”

“And that is what I’m most thankful for in my career. In my entire life, in some ways. Obviously, I value my kids and my family more than the game, but in some ways having this friend — this ever-present pursuit — has made me who I am, taught me and tested me, and given me a mission that feels irreplaceable. I am so thankful. I’ve learned so many invaluable lessons about myself and about life. And of course I still have so much to learn. Another incredible gift.”

Speaking with ESPN’s correspondent Marc Stein, the Canadian professional baller talked about the “weird transition” following his decision of calling it quits.

“To now realize that it’s over, it’s really difficult to put it into words,” Nash said. “Every athlete goes through it. A lot of people say an athlete dies twice, and in some ways, without being salacious, that’s true. If you want to enjoy and be happy in life, you have in some ways to say goodbye to your former self. And that’s not easy, especially for guys. We’re not the most communicative of the species. So it’s hard to kind of put it all in perspective.”

Nash, who made about 10,335 assists during his NBA stay, wasn’t able to play with the Los Angeles Lakers this season following a slew of injuries.

Source : Christian Post

ISIS Training Hundreds of British Jihadis to Carry Out ‘Highly Likely’ Chlorine Gas Attack on Trains, Warns Chemical Expert

Jihadi John (Photo: Reuters/Stefan Wermuth)

Two police officers walk outside a flat in London, February 26, 2015. Local media reported that the flat is the former home of Mohammed Emwazi. Investigators believe that the “Jihadi John” masked fighter who fronted Islamic State beheading videos is a British man named Mohammed Emwazi, two U.S. government sources said on Thursday. He was born in Kuwait and comes from a prosperous family in London, where he grew up and graduated with a computer programming degree, according to The Washington Post.

Christian Post Report – Terror group ISIS is training hundreds of British jihadists to carry out what a chemical expert called a “highly likely” chlorine gas attack on trains and sports games in the U.K., a report said.

“I am convinced that IS (another name for ISIS) fighters are all being given training in chemical weapons and the British ones, who are likely to be more educated, will all be targeted in the hope they may return home,” said Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, the retired head of chemical and biological weapons for the British Army, according to the Mail Online.

“They will have a reasonable idea on how to use chlorine and other toxic chemicals as a terror weapon,” he added.

“This could happen on a train or tube or even at a big football match. Acquiring weapons and ammunition is very difficult in the UK but you can get up to 90 tonnes of chlorine without any license.”

Scotland Yard has apparently warned that close to 500 Britons trained by ISIS in Iraq and Syria have returned to the U.K., raising fears of a terror attack at home.

Chlorine is a “choking agent,” which can burn the lungs when inhaled in large quantities.

Colonel de Bretton-Gordon, who is now managing director of Avon Protection, added that he has been teaching Syrian civilians on how to avoid chlorine, and is sharing the same advice with Britons.

“Chlorine is not very toxic and the green and yellow clouds are easy to see and avoid. It is very non-persistent only lasting for a few minutes. It was used in the First World War but dropped because it did not work very well,” he continued.

“It is key that ISIS don’t get the advantage of an unexpected chemical attack in the UK. If you can hold your breath for 30 seconds and run in the opposite direction you will be okay. If outside you should aim to climb or reach higher ground.”

Britain has noted that a large number of its citizens are going oversees to fight for ISIS. Back in August 2014, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond revealed that an estimated 800 British Muslim fighters have joined the terror group, which was more than the 600 or so British Muslims serving in Britain’s Ministry of Defense Armed Forces.

ISIS has attracted over 20,000 foreign fighters to fight for its mission of establishing an Islamic Caliphate in the region.

One infamous British terrorist has been identified as “Jihadi John,” a man seen in a number of ISIS’ beheading videos. British intelligence believe the man is Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born computer-programming graduate from London.

British Prime Minister David has vowed to do “everything we can” to bring to justice terrorists such as “Jihadi John.”

“When there are people anywhere in the world who commit appalling and heinous crimes against British citizens, we will do everything we can with the police, with the security services, with all that we have at our disposal to find these people and put them out of action,” Cameron said back in February.

Source : Christian Post

Tom Cruise Suspended From Airborne Plane in ‘Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation’ Trailer (VIDEO)

Tom Cruise (Photo: Reuters/ Stefan Wermuth)

Tom Cruise is enjoying being back on top at the North American box office with Mission:Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

Christian Post Report – Paramount Pictures has recently released its trailer for “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation,” its fifth film in the action spy series starring Tom Cruise.

Tom Cruise tackles a new stunt, dangling from the shut doors of an airborne aircraft in the trailer for “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation,” Paramount Picture’s fifth installment of the “Mission Impossible” franchise.

The upcoming action spy film that’s due in theaters in July 31 this year will feature Cruise as operative Ethan Hunt. He will be joined by Jeremy Renner, who was introduced in the previous film as William Brandt, Simon Pegg as bumbling tech guy Benji Dunn, and Ving Rhames as computer expert Luther Stickwell. Alec Baldwin makes an entrance as a CIA Director, and Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson stars as the as-yet-unnamed female lead.

The plot for the fifth film follows Hunt who is on the run from the Syndicate, a highly organized group of skilled rogue assassins. The trailer sees Cruise as Hunt dangling precariously from the side of an Airbus A400M Atlas 5,000 feet in the air — a stunt film insiders are saying is all Cruise, without the aid of a stunt double.

The move mimics the 52-year-old actor’s daring climb and swing from the one of the top floors of Dubai’s 163-floor Burj Khalifa skyscraper for the 2011 “Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol.”

Cruise reportedly did most of the stunt scenes in the new movie, including a BMW car chase scene in Morocco, and stunt jumping from the roof of the Vienna State Opera. Cruise was also said to have been narrowly missed by a moving double-decker bus while shooting in London.

Most of the actor’s box office successes have been driven by the four previous “Mission Impossible” films, the grand total of which have grossed $2 billion worldwide. Only one of Cruise’s films outside the franchise, “Edge of Tomorrow” in 2014, reached just over $100 million at the U.S. box office.

Source : Christian Post

New ‘X-Files’ Series News, Update: Revival Series to Be Green-Lighted Soon

David Duchovny REUTERS/MARIO ANZUONI

Cast member David Duchovny attends the movie premiere of ”The X-Files: I Want to Believe” at the Grauman’s Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California July 23, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on July 25.

Christian Post Report – Ever since the news broke out a few months ago that the hit ’90s sci-fi/supernatural thriller TV drama series “The X-Files” will be getting a revival treatment by Fox, fans have already been wondering about its development. Here’s the good news we heard.

The highly anticipated “The X-Files” reboot series is now close to be given the go-signal.

“Fox is close to giving an official green-light to a revival of their iconic science fiction series, which originally aired between 1993 and 2002. Per sources, the network has settled on a “short-stack” order for the revival and while the exact size of the order is yet-to-be-determined, I’m told it will be less than ten episodes,” TV Wise wrote.

Sources said that the TV network has already settled on a “short-stack” order of the revival series. Although the “exact size of the order” still remains unknown, people who are close to the matter said that there will be “less than ten episodes.”

This is different than what the Daily Mail previously confirmed. They reported that the reboot show will be having six episodes.

The main objective of the revival project would be to “close out the lingering storylines left by the series proper” and the second feature film based on it titled “I Want to Believe.”

The reasons pointing out to the network’s choice of getting the show up for a limited run includes the “story requirements” which was previously pointed out by the show’s creator Chris Carter.

The other reason, meanwhile, has something to do with “scheduling.” This particularly points out the busy schedules of series’ stars David Duchovny who is currently involved with NBC’s crime drama “Aquarius” and Gillian Anderson who is tied to the popular psychological series “Hannibal.”

It was then suggested that the production for the X-Files revival could happen this summer.

Source : Christian Post