International News
‘The next pandemic’: drought is a hidden global crisis, UN says
According to the latest UN report, between 1998 and 2017 drought has caused economic losses of $ 124 billion and affected 1.5 billion people.
“Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic and there is no vaccine to cure it,” Mami Mizutori, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, said in an online conversation.
The report said that the figures due to drought are likely to have been underestimated.
The UN report said that climate change is now rapidly increasing drought in southern Europe and western Africa.
Mizutori says that if the world does not act, the number of victims is sure to increase.
The United Nations says that under a high-emissions scenario, about 130 countries could face a greater risk of drought by the end of this century.
The report said that another 23 countries will face water scarcity due to population growth and 38 countries will be affected by both.
Mizutori says that drought is like a virus that lasts for a long time and has a wide geographical reach.
“This may indirectly affect countries that are not actually facing droughts due to food insecurity and rising food prices,” Mizutori said.
The United Nations forecasts that most of Africa, Central and South America, Central Asia, southern Australia, southern Europe, Mexico, and America will see more frequent and severe droughts.
News Source: TheGuardian
Web Series
HBO defends JK Rowling’s involvement in Harry Potter series despite problematic stance on transgender community
JK Rowling, whose Harry Potter book franchise gave Warner Bros a blockbuster film franchise, is also associated with its upcoming HBO series.
JK Rowling has remained decidedly steadfast on her controversial stance on the transgender community. In a statement to Variety, HBO explained why the author is still involved in its upcoming series on Harry Potter despite her problematic gender politics. (Also Read: This Oscar-nominated actor lost out on Luna Lovegood role in Harry Potter, says how it ‘stayed with me over the years’)
What HBO said
“We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement,” HBO’s statement stated.
It also added that its parent company Warner Bros “been working with JK Rowling and in the Harry Potter business for over 20 years” and “her contribution has been invaluable.” The report also states that HBO chief Casey Bloys informed the media at an event on November 12 that JK Rowling was “very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director,” and her anti-trans statements “haven’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff.”
A couple of days before that, Rowling had shared a screenshot of a tweet by an X user who wrote, “My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined” when the author had revealed that she’s “very involved” in the Harry Potter series. Rowling wrote along with the screenshot, “I’ve only just seen this response to me saying I’m very involved in the Harry Potter TV show and I think I’ve pulled something laughing.”
About Harry Potter series
Warner Bros launched an open casting call for the leads Harry, Hermoine and Ron, who were played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, respectively, in the eight-part movie franchise.
The series will most likely go ahead with newcomers for the top three characters and mix it with veterans for the adult cast, like the movie franchise, which featured Richard Harris as Dumbledore and roped in Michael Gambon after his death. Late star Maggie Smith played Professor McGonagall, and Alan Rickman starred as Professor Snape.
Mark Rylance, 64, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2016 for his work in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, is reportedly at the top of the casting wishlist to play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series.
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