The South Korean action-horror film Colony (2026) has smashed multiple box office records to become the fastest film of 2026 to cross major viewership milestones. Directed by master of horror Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan), the blockbuster has achieved critical and commercial dominance both domestically and across pan-Asian markets.


'Colony' continues Yeon Sang-ho's box office streak

A horrifying gang-rape allegedly took place inside a van in Faridabad, Haryana. Police report that the victim was later found on the road with serious head injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation and are searching for the suspects involved. The incident has sparked outrage and demands for swift justice

Faridabad Gang-Rape Horror: Woman Found Seriously Injured on Road

If you enjoyed the suspense and supernatural elements of "Talk to Me," these eight horror movies on Netflix might be worth checking out.  Entertainment | Photos

Scream-Worthy Selections: 8 Netflix Horror Films for Talk to Me Enthusiasts

Entertainment: Know five spine-chilling horror series like Marianne and Midnight Mass that will keep you on the edge of your seat if you loved Haunting of Hill House.

Loved 'Haunting of Hill House'? These 5 Horror Series Will Give You Goosebumps

The scientists in Mississippi have stumbled upon a new species of wasp, which appeared unreal to them because they lay eggs inside living flies after which the&nbsp;babies burst out of their bellies, according to a report published in Nature.

“At the time we didn’t think it was real,” said the lead author of the study and a biologist at Mississippi State University, Logan Moore, while speaking to Live Science.

The researchers have named this predator Syntretus perlmani and it is the first wasp which has been found to infect adult fruit flies. Generally, wasps are seen targeting the flies when they are younger.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/chinese-man-inhales-cockroach-in-sleep-insect-remains-lodged-in-airway-for-three-days-756885">Chinese man inhales cockroach in sleep, insect remains lodged in airway for three days</a>

The wasps are parasitoids and not parasites since they generally kill their hosts and parasites don't.

The wasp was discovered by a team of scientists when they were collecting a common fruit fly known as Drosophila affinis&nbsp;in their backyards in Mississippi.

<h2>How do these strange wasps lay eggs in live flies?</h2>

The female wasps, which have been named Syntretus perlmani, reproduce by pushing their hypodermic-like ovipositor, which is the stinger in stinging wasps, into the abdomen of the fruit fly for depositing its eggs.&nbsp;

The embryo then hatches and turns into a tiny spiky-tailed larva which gets formed inside the still-living host for nearly 18 days before it erupts from one side of its abdomen and leads to a fatal stomachache.

"It will effectively emerge out of the side of the fly," said Moore.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worms-that-live-in-eyes-and-transmitted-by-flies-can-reach-humans-experts-fear-754247">Worms that live in eyes and are transmitted by flies can reach humans, experts fear</a>

“Just to add an additional layer of horror, the fly will normally remain alive for several hours after that,” he added.

The researchers first discovered Perlmani, the only species of wasp which infects fruit flies, in a Mississippi backyard last year.

“If you dissect thousands of flies, you will see some things that are strange and odd, and you’ll never see them again,” Moore said.

His team collected several of wasp larvae and confirmed their identity by raising them and analysing their DNA in a lab.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists in Mississippi have stumbled upon a new species of wasp, which appeared unreal to them because they lay eggs inside living flies after which the babies burst out of their bellies, according to a report published in Nature.

The scientists in Mississippi have stumbled upon a new species of wasp, which appeared unreal to them because they lay eggs inside living flies after which the babies burst out of their bellies, according to a report published in Nature. “At the time we didn’t think it was real,” said the lead author of the study and a biologist at Mississippi State University, Logan Moore, while speaking to Live Science. The researchers have named this predator Syntretus perlmani and it is the first wasp which has been found to infect adult fruit flies. Generally, wasps are seen targeting the flies when they are younger. Also Read: Chinese man inhales cockroach in sleep, insect remains lodged in airway for three days The wasps are parasitoids and not parasites since they generally kill their hosts and parasites don't. The wasp was discovered by a team of scientists when they were collecting a common fruit fly known as Drosophila affinis in their backyards in Mississippi. How do these strange wasps lay eggs in live flies? The female wasps, which have been named Syntretus perlmani, reproduce by pushing their hypodermic-like ovipositor, which is the stinger in stinging wasps, into the abdomen of the fruit fly for depositing its eggs. The embryo then hatches and turns into a tiny spiky-tailed larva which gets formed inside the still-living host for nearly 18 days before it erupts from one side of its abdomen and leads to a fatal stomachache. "It will effectively emerge out of the side of the fly," said Moore. Also Read: Worms that live in eyes and are transmitted by flies can reach humans, experts fear “Just to add an additional layer of horror, the fly will normally remain alive for several hours after that,” he added. The researchers first discovered Perlmani, the only species of wasp which infects fruit flies, in a Mississippi backyard last year. “If you dissect thousands of flies, you will see some things that are strange and odd, and you’ll never see them again,” Moore said. His team collected several of wasp larvae and confirmed their identity by raising them and analysing their DNA in a lab. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover 'horror' alien-like wasp that burst out from bellies of living flies

The suspect involved in the fatal shootings of three people outside a Philadelphia-area suburb on Saturday morning has been arrested. Watch the video to know more.

Philadelphia gun violence horror: Manhunt ends as police arrest suspect in three shooting deaths

Popstar Taylor Swift became the latest star to turn victim in the hands of Artificial Intelligence. Earlier stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor have also fallen prey to AI. As we reveal more about the ugly side of technology, catch our interview with Sriram Raghavan as he talks about his latest release, Merry Christmas.

The deepfake horror: Doctored images that have scarred celebs & more

Get ready for being spooked real soon as famous horror novelist RL Stine reveals that his 1992 book Fear Street will get a film adaptation and will land on Netflix. The Fear Street adaptation will be called The Prom Queen.

The news was teased by RL Stine himself who teased on X writing, “Movie News: I can finally announce that a new ‘Fear Street’ movie is about to go into production for Netflix. It’s based on my Fear Street book, The Prom Queen. Good news!”

For the unversed, this will be the fourth adaptation of Fear Street from the book series. Before this, there was Fear Street Part One: 1994, Fear Street Part Two: 1978,&nbsp;and Fear Street Part Three: 1666. Directed by Leigh Janiak, the trilogy was released on Netflix over three back-to-back weeks in July 2021 and followed a group of teenagers living in Shadyside, Ohio, who discover the haunting events that plague their town. The new film adaptation called The Prom Queen will feature a new cast of characters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-harrison-ford-choked-up-receiving-career-achievement-at-critics-choice-2024-680148">Harrison Ford choked up receiving Career Achievement at Critics Choice 2024</a>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-critics-choice-awards-oppenheimer-sweeps-awards-with-best-film-best-director-wins-680019">Critics Choice Awards: Oppenheimer sweeps awards with Best Film, Best Director wins</a></h2>

As per the book, Fear Street's description reads like: “A spring night…soft moonlight…five beautiful Prom Queen candidates…dancing couples at the Shadyside High prom — these should be the ingredients for romance. But stir in one brutal murder — then another, and another — and the recipe quickly turns to horror.”&nbsp;

Get ready for being spooked real soon as famous horror novelist RL Stine reveals that his 1992 book Fear Street will get a film adaptation and will land on Netflix.

Get ready for being spooked real soon as famous horror novelist RL Stine reveals that his 1992 book Fear Street will get a film adaptation and will land on Netflix. The Fear Street adaptation will be called The Prom Queen. The news was teased by RL Stine himself who teased on X writing, “Movie News: I can finally announce that a new ‘Fear Street’ movie is about to go into production for Netflix. It’s based on my Fear Street book, The Prom Queen. Good news!” For the unversed, this will be the fourth adaptation of Fear Street from the book series. Before this, there was Fear Street Part One: 1994, Fear Street Part Two: 1978, and Fear Street Part Three: 1666. Directed by Leigh Janiak, the trilogy was released on Netflix over three back-to-back weeks in July 2021 and followed a group of teenagers living in Shadyside, Ohio, who discover the haunting events that plague their town. The new film adaptation called The Prom Queen will feature a new cast of characters. Also read: Harrison Ford choked up receiving Career Achievement at Critics Choice 2024 Critics Choice Awards: Oppenheimer sweeps awards with Best Film, Best Director wins As per the book, Fear Street's description reads like: “A spring night…soft moonlight…five beautiful Prom Queen candidates…dancing couples at the Shadyside High prom — these should be the ingredients for romance. But stir in one brutal murder — then another, and another — and the recipe quickly turns to horror.”

Horror books author RL Stine teases new Netflix film in making on Fear Street

Belgium on Tuesday opened a memorial garden on the site where notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux imprisoned his young victims, more than a quarter of a century after his crimes shocked Europe.

Authorities in the city of Charleroi last year tore down the "house of horrors", in which Dutroux tortured and raped children in a soundproofed dungeon.

The fathers of two eight-year-old victims, Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, were there to formally inaugurate the tree-filled garden decorated with a mural of a child watching a kite soar into the sky.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/naked-aggression-biden-hits-hard-at-russia-for-prolonged-war-in-ukraine-637627">'Naked aggression': Biden hits hard at Russia for prolonged war in Ukraine</a>

"Thank you for preserving the memory of our little ones with this superb work," said Julie's father, Jean-Denis Lejeune, after a minute's silence.

He said it was important to remember that paedophilia "existed and that it still exists".

Sentenced in 2004 to life imprisonment, Dutroux, today aged 66, was found guilty on charges including kidnapping and raping six girls and young women from 1995-1996, and the murder of two of the teenagers.

The modest red-brick building in the Marcinelle suburb of Charleroi became infamous when in August 1996 Dutroux led police to two kidnapped girls, aged 14 and 12, cowering in the basement.

The investigation into Belgium's worst paedophile crimes established that Julie and Melissa had also been held at the property for months.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-republicans-to-hold-first-impeachment-hearing-against-president-biden-next-week-637624">US House Republicans to hold first impeachment hearing against President Biden next week</a>

Their bodies were found buried at another property. A postmortem showed they had been starved to death.

'Marked for eternity'

Public shock turned to fury as it emerged not only that police had missed a string of clues, but that Dutroux had been released from jail in 1992 after serving just three years of a 13-year sentence for the abduction and rape of five girls.

"There isn't anyone in Belgium who hasn't heard of these disappearances," said Charleroi mayor Paul Magnette.

"It was a tragedy of sufficiently universal scope that it must be marked for eternity."

Gino Russo, the father of victim Melissa, thanked the city for agreeing to his "express demand" that the underground dungeon be preserved beneath the monument.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-needs-to-change-with-changing-world-expert-637637">UN needs to change with changing world: Expert</a>

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Russo believes that important questions in the case remain unanswered and asked the basement be left intact for potential future investigations.

He told AFP it was "impossible" Melissa and Julie could have survived in the cramped cellar of just a few square metres for over 100 days without outside care.

"My indignation remains undiminished, it has not been appeased," he said.

Dutroux dropped a bid for parole in 2020 after a psychiatric report concluded he remained dangerous.

His former wife Michelle Martin, who was found guilty of aiding him, and a co-conspirator have already been released from jail.

Authorities also demolished another house this year in the village of Sars-la-Buissiere, where the bodies of Julie and Melissa were discovered.

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Belgium on Tuesday opened a memorial garden on the site where notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux imprisoned his young victims, more than a quarter of a century after his crimes shocked Europe.

Belgium on Tuesday opened a memorial garden on the site where notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux imprisoned his young victims, more than a quarter of a century after his crimes shocked Europe. Authorities in the city of Charleroi last year tore down the "house of horrors", in which Dutroux tortured and raped children in a soundproofed dungeon. The fathers of two eight-year-old victims, Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, were there to formally inaugurate the tree-filled garden decorated with a mural of a child watching a kite soar into the sky. Also Read | 'Naked aggression': Biden hits hard at Russia for prolonged war in Ukraine "Thank you for preserving the memory of our little ones with this superb work," said Julie's father, Jean-Denis Lejeune, after a minute's silence. He said it was important to remember that paedophilia "existed and that it still exists". Sentenced in 2004 to life imprisonment, Dutroux, today aged 66, was found guilty on charges including kidnapping and raping six girls and young women from 1995-1996, and the murder of two of the teenagers. The modest red-brick building in the Marcinelle suburb of Charleroi became infamous when in August 1996 Dutroux led police to two kidnapped girls, aged 14 and 12, cowering in the basement. The investigation into Belgium's worst paedophile crimes established that Julie and Melissa had also been held at the property for months. Also Read | US House Republicans to hold first impeachment hearing against President Biden next week Their bodies were found buried at another property. A postmortem showed they had been starved to death. 'Marked for eternity' Public shock turned to fury as it emerged not only that police had missed a string of clues, but that Dutroux had been released from jail in 1992 after serving just three years of a 13-year sentence for the abduction and rape of five girls. "There isn't anyone in Belgium who hasn't heard of these disappearances," said Charleroi mayor Paul Magnette. "It was a tragedy of sufficiently universal scope that it must be marked for eternity." Gino Russo, the father of victim Melissa, thanked the city for agreeing to his "express demand" that the underground dungeon be preserved beneath the monument. Watch | UN needs to change with changing world: Expert × Russo believes that important questions in the case remain unanswered and asked the basement be left intact for potential future investigations. He told AFP it was "impossible" Melissa and Julie could have survived in the cramped cellar of just a few square metres for over 100 days without outside care. "My indignation remains undiminished, it has not been appeased," he said. Dutroux dropped a bid for parole in 2020 after a psychiatric report concluded he remained dangerous. His former wife Michelle Martin, who was found guilty of aiding him, and a co-conspirator have already been released from jail. Authorities also demolished another house this year in the village of Sars-la-Buissiere, where the bodies of Julie and Melissa were discovered. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Belgium opens memorial on site of serial killer's 'horror house'

It was the early hours of New Year's day. The world was soaked in fireworks but the sound of Delhi Sultanpuri horror was more deafening to those who witnessed the horrid incident. A 20-year-old woman riding her scooter was hit by a grey Baleno car. Unfortunately, she got stuck under the car and could not untangle herself. According to the victim's friend, Nidhi, the woman was shouting for help, help she never really got.&nbsp;

The victim, as per some reports, was dragged for about 12 kilometres from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala following the collision between her scooty and the car, which the police discovered later. During interrogation, the five men who were inside the car, under which the victim was stuck and lost her life, were arrested. They told police they had consumed alcohol while driving to Murthal (in the Sonipat district of the Indian state of Haryana) and back. The men said that they were unaware of someone being stuck under their vehicle.&nbsp;

Multiple CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced since the tragic incident. The major breakthrough in the case was when the police were able to trace the victim's friend Nidhi who was riding pillion with her. She said she was scared to say anything after the incident and just wanted to go back home safely after the gruesome happening that dark night.&nbsp;Rohit, the man who first alerted the police on New Year said he thought it was a dog or child that was caught&nbsp; under&nbsp;the car&nbsp;and was getting dragged.

The forensic report stated that victim suffered 40 injuries on her body while Nidhi survived with few minor injuries. The report revealed that traces of blood were found on the wheels and the base of the car. This confirmed that Anjali was indeed stuck beneath the car. It also stated that she was dragged from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala, and sustained as many as 40 injuries with her ‘brain matter’ missing.

The five&nbsp;accused in the case were produced in Rohini court through video conferencing&nbsp;due to security reasons, as per reports. Police booked the five men for culpable homicide among other sections. A Delhi court on Thursday sent the five accused to four-day police custody. The accused men are Amit Khanna (25), Deepak Khanna (26), Mithun (26), Krishan (27) and Manoj Mittal (27).&nbsp;

Dissenting voices&nbsp;

Anjali's family refuted claims that Anjali was in ‘drunken state’ while she was riding the scooter. The mother of the 20-year-old daughter and a bread earner for the family called these reports “untrue” allegations. Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) chief told ANI news agency, “I'm not satisfied with Delhi Police's action. I recommend that this case be transferred to CBI. Delhi Police told us they've not recovered Nidhi's phone till now. It's very important evidence, beyond my understanding why is it not with the police till now?”

Police ruled out any link between victim and accused men 
&nbsp; 
Special CP (L&amp;O) Sagar Preet Hooda said on Thursday at a press conference that no link has been found between the five accused arrested so far and the victim. He, however, said that the men were aware of a human body under the car. “We are exploring legal process to take this case to a fast-track court,” he added. Anjali's friend ‘Nidhi’ earlier said that after her foot got trapped under the car but the men “continued to drive”.&nbsp;

Nidhi is a prime witness in the case. She revealed that she and the victim had an argument since she did not want the victim to ride the scooty. Police investigation so far has revealed that the two women attended a New Year's Eve party at a hotel and left the venue after midnight.

It was the early hours of New Year's day. The world was soaked in fireworks but the sound of Delhi Sultanpuri horror was more deafening to those who witnessed the horrid incident.

It was the early hours of New Year's day. The world was soaked in fireworks but the sound of Delhi Sultanpuri horror was more deafening to those who witnessed the horrid incident. A 20-year-old woman riding her scooter was hit by a grey Baleno car. Unfortunately, she got stuck under the car and could not untangle herself. According to the victim's friend, Nidhi, the woman was shouting for help, help she never really got. The victim, as per some reports, was dragged for about 12 kilometres from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala following the collision between her scooty and the car, which the police discovered later. During interrogation, the five men who were inside the car, under which the victim was stuck and lost her life, were arrested. They told police they had consumed alcohol while driving to Murthal (in the Sonipat district of the Indian state of Haryana) and back. The men said that they were unaware of someone being stuck under their vehicle. Multiple CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced since the tragic incident. The major breakthrough in the case was when the police were able to trace the victim's friend Nidhi who was riding pillion with her. She said she was scared to say anything after the incident and just wanted to go back home safely after the gruesome happening that dark night. Rohit, the man who first alerted the police on New Year said he thought it was a dog or child that was caught under the car and was getting dragged. The forensic report stated that victim suffered 40 injuries on her body while Nidhi survived with few minor injuries. The report revealed that traces of blood were found on the wheels and the base of the car. This confirmed that Anjali was indeed stuck beneath the car. It also stated that she was dragged from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala, and sustained as many as 40 injuries with her ‘brain matter’ missing. The five accused in the case were produced in Rohini court through video conferencing due to security reasons, as per reports. Police booked the five men for culpable homicide among other sections. A Delhi court on Thursday sent the five accused to four-day police custody. The accused men are Amit Khanna (25), Deepak Khanna (26), Mithun (26), Krishan (27) and Manoj Mittal (27). Dissenting voices Anjali's family refuted claims that Anjali was in ‘drunken state’ while she was riding the scooter. The mother of the 20-year-old daughter and a bread earner for the family called these reports “untrue” allegations. Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) chief told ANI news agency, “I'm not satisfied with Delhi Police's action. I recommend that this case be transferred to CBI. Delhi Police told us they've not recovered Nidhi's phone till now. It's very important evidence, beyond my understanding why is it not with the police till now?” Police ruled out any link between victim and accused men Special CP (L&O) Sagar Preet Hooda said on Thursday at a press conference that no link has been found between the five accused arrested so far and the victim. He, however, said that the men were aware of a human body under the car. “We are exploring legal process to take this case to a fast-track court,” he added. Anjali's friend ‘Nidhi’ earlier said that after her foot got trapped under the car but the men “continued to drive”. Nidhi is a prime witness in the case. She revealed that she and the victim had an argument since she did not want the victim to ride the scooty. Police investigation so far has revealed that the two women attended a New Year's Eve party at a hotel and left the venue after midnight.

EXPLAINED: What we know so far about the Delhi Sultanpuri horrific case

China has often been surrounded by many controversies over its handling of COVID-19. Earlier, images and videos that emerged on Chinese social media evoked strong criticism from many human rights activists worldwide. The lockdown in Shanghai was the most notoriously famous among China's many lockdowns. Global travel was also banned by China which invoked fear among students abroad. The reported crackdown by Chinese authorities led to rare protests in China where common people raised their voices against the harsh restrictions.&nbsp;

Now, in the midst of the COVID outbreak in China, Chinese human right activist Jennifer Zeng has been tweeting about the ongoing Covid horror in the country. In a tweet on Thursday, she shared a picture of Chongqing Medical University Hospital in Chongqing, Sichuan province where people are getting treatment while lying on the hospital floor. She pointed out that the surge inside the hospital is so much that there is a shortage of medical staff who can attend to patients individually. She tweeted, "There are no more beds inside the #Chongqing Medical University Hospital, and the elderly are starting to lie on the floor. The machines that are on the chests are used to replace the human hand to press the heart."&nbsp;

<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42bfbeb7-1147-4b86-b477-dc7e834a378d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-12-22T151035.425.png" />

Forced to work, 23-yr old student Chen Jiahui dies&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, she posted a tweet where she disclosed how the authorities tried to cover up the death of a graduate student of a hospital affiliated with Sichuan University after allegedly forcing him to work even despite being tested Covid-19 positive. &nbsp;

"Disturbing! According to Chinese social media, 23 y/o Chen Jiahui, a graduate student at West China Hospital affiliated with Sichuan University, was forced to work after testing COVID positive. After 3 days of high-intensity work, on Dec 13, he suddenly passed out," she wrote in her post while sharing the video.&nbsp;

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1. Disturbing! According to Chinese social media, 23 y/o Chen Jiahui (陈家辉), a graduate student at West China Hospital affiliated with Sichuan University, was forced to work after testing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID</a> positive. After 3 days of high-intensity work, on Dec 13, he suddenly passed out, <a href="https://t.co/SB1kOzENHv">pic.twitter.com/SB1kOzENHv</a>
— Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniferzeng97/status/1605623009506492416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Funeral homes in China flooded with dead bodies&nbsp;

In a separate video which she posted yesterday, she shared an inside story from a Chinese funeral home where one can see a barrage of dead bodies lying around and the workers who are helping with the bodies have already contracted COVID. Despite that, the workers are seen carrying out their job.

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A funeral home in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Beijing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Beijing</a>. When the man who shot the video asks the 2 workers why they don't wear glasses to protect themselves, they say, "We tested positive already. We are all positive." 
"We are pushing bodies in 24 hours", says man at the end. 
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chinacovid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chinacovid</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/DN9rkOToRI">pic.twitter.com/DN9rkOToRI</a>
— Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniferzeng97/status/1605631483607121945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The activist posted the video indicating the terrifying ground state of the funeral home in Beijing, at the heart of China.&nbsp;

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In <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shenyang?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shenyang</a> city, as the crematory is already full and cannot hold more bodies, someone chose to leave the body on the ground in front of the crematory and left. A helpless choice, I guess. 
How many have died in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CCPChina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CCPChina</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid</a> <a href="https://t.co/NqXzeqgHia">pic.twitter.com/NqXzeqgHia</a>
— Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniferzeng97/status/1603894958976548871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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China has often been surrounded by many controversies over its handling of COVID-19. Earlier, images and videos that emerged on Chinese social media evoked strong criticism from many human rights activists worldwide.

China has often been surrounded by many controversies over its handling of COVID-19. Earlier, images and videos that emerged on Chinese social media evoked strong criticism from many human rights activists worldwide. The lockdown in Shanghai was the most notoriously famous among China's many lockdowns. Global travel was also banned by China which invoked fear among students abroad. The reported crackdown by Chinese authorities led to rare protests in China where common people raised their voices against the harsh restrictions. Now, in the midst of the COVID outbreak in China, Chinese human right activist Jennifer Zeng has been tweeting about the ongoing Covid horror in the country. In a tweet on Thursday, she shared a picture of Chongqing Medical University Hospital in Chongqing, Sichuan province where people are getting treatment while lying on the hospital floor. She pointed out that the surge inside the hospital is so much that there is a shortage of medical staff who can attend to patients individually. She tweeted, "There are no more beds inside the #Chongqing Medical University Hospital, and the elderly are starting to lie on the floor. The machines that are on the chests are used to replace the human hand to press the heart." Forced to work, 23-yr old student Chen Jiahui dies Earlier on Wednesday, she posted a tweet where she disclosed how the authorities tried to cover up the death of a graduate student of a hospital affiliated with Sichuan University after allegedly forcing him to work even despite being tested Covid-19 positive. "Disturbing! According to Chinese social media, 23 y/o Chen Jiahui, a graduate student at West China Hospital affiliated with Sichuan University, was forced to work after testing COVID positive. After 3 days of high-intensity work, on Dec 13, he suddenly passed out," she wrote in her post while sharing the video. 1. Disturbing! According to Chinese social media, 23 y/o Chen Jiahui (陈家辉), a graduate student at West China Hospital affiliated with Sichuan University, was forced to work after testing #COVID positive. After 3 days of high-intensity work, on Dec 13, he suddenly passed out, pic.twitter.com/SB1kOzENHv — Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) December 21, 2022 × Funeral homes in China flooded with dead bodies In a separate video which she posted yesterday, she shared an inside story from a Chinese funeral home where one can see a barrage of dead bodies lying around and the workers who are helping with the bodies have already contracted COVID. Despite that, the workers are seen carrying out their job. A funeral home in #Beijing. When the man who shot the video asks the 2 workers why they don't wear glasses to protect themselves, they say, "We tested positive already. We are all positive." "We are pushing bodies in 24 hours", says man at the end. #COVID #chinacovid #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/DN9rkOToRI — Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) December 21, 2022 × The activist posted the video indicating the terrifying ground state of the funeral home in Beijing, at the heart of China. In #Shenyang city, as the crematory is already full and cannot hold more bodies, someone chose to leave the body on the ground in front of the crematory and left. A helpless choice, I guess. How many have died in #CCPChina #China? #Covid pic.twitter.com/NqXzeqgHia — Jennifer Zeng 曾錚 (@jenniferzeng97) December 16, 2022 × (Disclaimer: WION does not take accountability for the authenticity of the photos and videos posted by the activist on her social media account) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | Heaps of corpses & exhausted workers, Chinese activist shares China's COVID horror

The winning director-screenwriter duo of C. Robert Cargill and Scott Derrickson (credits: Sinister, Doctor Strange) return with the much-anticipated horror-thriller 'The Black Phone', based on the eponymous short story written by author Joe Hill.

Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) and his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) live in a small town in Colorado, US. They do not have a mother and have an alcoholic, violent man as a father. So for the most part have each other. Finney is your typical nice kid who gets bullied by classmates and does not fight back. Gwen, although tiny, is feisty and unafraid.

Gwen believes her dreams are not just dreams, but present glimpses of reality, something that also happened to her mother. Their town is rocked by a spate of kidnappings of children. Finney's close friend and later Finney himself also ends up being grabbed by the mysterious man behind the abductions who is dubbed, rather unimaginatively, the 'Grabber'. Now, it is up to him and his wits, and also his plucky sister and her dreams that can save him as law enforcement, as it often happens in these stories, has proven to be fairly ineffectual.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3eGP6im8AZA" title="The Black Phone - Official Trailer" width="1280"></iframe>

'The Black Phone', for half an hour or so, watches like another of those homages to 1980s and 1970s horror fiction&nbsp;that have little personality of their own, instead relying on the nostalgia factor. It is when Ethan Hawke's 'Grabber' enters the picture the film really finds its feet.

Hawke, who by his own admission had loads of fun playing cult leader Arthur Harrow in the MCU TV series Moon Knight, turns in a magnificently eerie performance here. He has been a great actor for decades, but villainous roles may be where he really shines. The 'Grabber' is not your typical psychopath. He feels less a movie villain than something ripped off of Mindhunter, in that there is a sense of realism with him instilled by the writing and Hawke's performance.

There are layers to him that the writing wisely leaves to the moviegoer to uncover. Similar to how Heath Ledger's Joker was conceived and written by Christopher Nolan and his brother Jonathan Nolan in 'The Dark Knight', we do not really learn for sure what caused the 'Grabber' to become what he is -- save for a few hints. Cargill and Derrickson realise, better than most writers, that the most potent fear is fear of the unknown. This is why we are afraid of the dark.

Not as nihilistic as Sinister, 'The Black Phone' is terrifying in its own ways. Most horror fans are admittedly not fond of jump scares, but Derrickson is an old hand here and executes them with a veteran's ease. The atmosphere also helps infuse a sense of dread, assisted by impressive camerawork of the cinematographer. Apart from Hawke, both lead young actors, Thames and McGraw, also impress with their utter commitment to their respective roles.

'The Black Phone' excels in nearly every regard. Are you a horror or thriller fan? Do not miss this.

The winning director-screenwriter duo of C. Robert Cargill and Scott Derrickson (credits: Sinister, Doctor Strange) return with the much-anticipated horror-thriller 'The Black Phone', based on the eponymous short story written by author Joe Hill.

The winning director-screenwriter duo of C. Robert Cargill and Scott Derrickson (credits: Sinister, Doctor Strange) return with the much-anticipated horror-thriller 'The Black Phone', based on the eponymous short story written by author Joe Hill. Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) and his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) live in a small town in Colorado, US. They do not have a mother and have an alcoholic, violent man as a father. So for the most part have each other. Finney is your typical nice kid who gets bullied by classmates and does not fight back. Gwen, although tiny, is feisty and unafraid. Gwen believes her dreams are not just dreams, but present glimpses of reality, something that also happened to her mother. Their town is rocked by a spate of kidnappings of children. Finney's close friend and later Finney himself also ends up being grabbed by the mysterious man behind the abductions who is dubbed, rather unimaginatively, the 'Grabber'. Now, it is up to him and his wits, and also his plucky sister and her dreams that can save him as law enforcement, as it often happens in these stories, has proven to be fairly ineffectual. 'The Black Phone', for half an hour or so, watches like another of those homages to 1980s and 1970s horror fiction that have little personality of their own, instead relying on the nostalgia factor. It is when Ethan Hawke's 'Grabber' enters the picture the film really finds its feet. Hawke, who by his own admission had loads of fun playing cult leader Arthur Harrow in the MCU TV series Moon Knight, turns in a magnificently eerie performance here. He has been a great actor for decades, but villainous roles may be where he really shines. The 'Grabber' is not your typical psychopath. He feels less a movie villain than something ripped off of Mindhunter, in that there is a sense of realism with him instilled by the writing and Hawke's performance. There are layers to him that the writing wisely leaves to the moviegoer to uncover. Similar to how Heath Ledger's Joker was conceived and written by Christopher Nolan and his brother Jonathan Nolan in 'The Dark Knight', we do not really learn for sure what caused the 'Grabber' to become what he is -- save for a few hints. Cargill and Derrickson realise, better than most writers, that the most potent fear is fear of the unknown. This is why we are afraid of the dark. Not as nihilistic as Sinister, 'The Black Phone' is terrifying in its own ways. Most horror fans are admittedly not fond of jump scares, but Derrickson is an old hand here and executes them with a veteran's ease. The atmosphere also helps infuse a sense of dread, assisted by impressive camerawork of the cinematographer. Apart from Hawke, both lead young actors, Thames and McGraw, also impress with their utter commitment to their respective roles. 'The Black Phone' excels in nearly every regard. Are you a horror or thriller fan? Do not miss this.

'The Black Phone' review: Ethan Hawke owns the screen in this absorbing, frightening horror thriller

Among the superstitions that have lasted for decades, if not centuries, despite the evolution of modern science is Friday the 13th. The irrational fear of the number 13 is called 'triskaidekaphobia'&nbsp;or&nbsp;' or 'Paraskevidekatriaphobia' and some suggest that it’s linked to the idea that 12 is a number of perfection. Though not believed everywhere, people in the West consider Friday the 13th to be unlucky as they associate it with death and deceit.

It is not a rare phenomenon that 13 and Friday fall on the same day in the Gregorian calendar. It happens every year and sometimes even two or three times in the same year.

It is unclear how Friday the 13th started carrying negative connotations, but there have been various recorded instances throughout history where something ominous has taken place.

Friday the 13th has Biblical roots

The fear seems to have stemmed from the story that Jesus Christ’s last supper and crucifixion took place on Friday.

The Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci shows 13 people gathered on the night before Good Friday – the date of Christ’s death – with Judas the 13th member of the party.

The superstition has resonance with the Norse folklore as well which claims that when 12 gods were partying in Valhalla, Loki arrived uninvited as the 13th guest, and got Balder killed.

Recorded incidents

The first recorded mention was found in a biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on Friday the 13th.

‘Friday the Thirteenth', a 1907 book by American businessman Thomas Lawson, also used this premise. It is believed that the book popularised the superstition.

In the novel, an unscrupulous&nbsp;broker&nbsp;takes advantage of the superstition to create a&nbsp;Wall Street&nbsp;panic on a Friday the 13th.

What about other countries?

In Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th (or Martes Trece) is considered a day of bad luck, occurring in months that start on a Thursday.

Greek people also believe Tuesday, and especially Tuesday the 13th, to be unlucky.

In Greek mythology, Ares, the god of war, is associated with Tuesday.&nbsp;Apart from that, there&nbsp;are many unfortunate historical events that have taken place on Tuesday 13th, like the fall of Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade on Tuesday, April 13, 1204.

Italy, on the contrary, considers 13 to be a lucky number, which was also the case in ancient Egypt and China.

For Italy, Friday 17th rather than the 13th is the day of bad luck as it has links to Roman numerals (XVII).

According to local beliefs, if one re-arranges the Roman numerals, you will get the word VIXI, which means ‘I have lived’ in Latin, implying death in the present and an omen of bad luck.

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Among the superstitions that have lasted for decades, if not centuries, despite the evolution of modern science is Friday the 13th. The irrational fear of the number 13 is called 'triskaidekaphobia' or ' or 'Paraskevidekatriaphobia' and some suggest that it’s linked to the idea that 12 is a number of perfection.

Among the superstitions that have lasted for decades, if not centuries, despite the evolution of modern science is Friday the 13th. The irrational fear of the number 13 is called 'triskaidekaphobia' or ' or 'Paraskevidekatriaphobia' and some suggest that it’s linked to the idea that 12 is a number of perfection. Though not believed everywhere, people in the West consider Friday the 13th to be unlucky as they associate it with death and deceit. It is not a rare phenomenon that 13 and Friday fall on the same day in the Gregorian calendar. It happens every year and sometimes even two or three times in the same year. It is unclear how Friday the 13th started carrying negative connotations, but there have been various recorded instances throughout history where something ominous has taken place. Friday the 13th has Biblical roots The fear seems to have stemmed from the story that Jesus Christ’s last supper and crucifixion took place on Friday. The Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci shows 13 people gathered on the night before Good Friday – the date of Christ’s death – with Judas the 13th member of the party. The superstition has resonance with the Norse folklore as well which claims that when 12 gods were partying in Valhalla, Loki arrived uninvited as the 13th guest, and got Balder killed. Recorded incidents The first recorded mention was found in a biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on Friday the 13th. ‘Friday the Thirteenth', a 1907 book by American businessman Thomas Lawson, also used this premise. It is believed that the book popularised the superstition. In the novel, an unscrupulous broker takes advantage of the superstition to create a Wall Street panic on a Friday the 13th. What about other countries? In Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th (or Martes Trece) is considered a day of bad luck, occurring in months that start on a Thursday. Greek people also believe Tuesday, and especially Tuesday the 13th, to be unlucky. In Greek mythology, Ares, the god of war, is associated with Tuesday. Apart from that, there are many unfortunate historical events that have taken place on Tuesday 13th, like the fall of Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade on Tuesday, April 13, 1204. Italy, on the contrary, considers 13 to be a lucky number, which was also the case in ancient Egypt and China. For Italy, Friday 17th rather than the 13th is the day of bad luck as it has links to Roman numerals (XVII). According to local beliefs, if one re-arranges the Roman numerals, you will get the word VIXI, which means ‘I have lived’ in Latin, implying death in the present and an omen of bad luck. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Today is Friday the 13th. Know why it is considered unlucky and its origins

The Russia-Ukraine war entered day 58 on Friday. While Russia has denied targeting civilians, stories of grief are emerging out of Ukraine. Thousands of civilians were killed in Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine war: Inconsolable daughter crouches next to father's body

A horror-themed restaurant in Saudi Arabia is attracting horror film buffs from around the world. Tourism with a side of skulls and gore.

Horror-themed restaurant in Saudi Arabia attracting horror film buffs from around the world

Twenty-five years ago, "Scream" -- starring Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox -- revitalised horror with its highly self-aware take on the increasingly stale and formulaic slasher genre.

This Friday, a film again entitled "Scream" -- again starring Campbell and Cox -- returns to breathe new life into the... you get the idea.

"Thank God we are working in a franchise, and in a universe, where it's okay for a movie to be wildly self-reflexive," co-director Tyler Gillett told AFP.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-andrew-garfield-was-rejected-from-the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian-for-this-reason-444238" hreflang="en">Andrew Garfield was rejected from 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' for this reason</a>

"There were more instances of that meta experience than we can count when we were making the movie."

Just like in the 1996 original, characters in the new "Scream" spend much of the plot debating the tropes of horror movies in order to guess which one of them -- female? Black? virgin? -- will be killed off next.

They realize that the latest swathe of attacks in their bafflingly violent California hometown are targeting people related to the killers from 25 years before.

Handily, one character explains horror audiences' new fondness for "requels" -- films that follow chronologically from previous movies, but reboot the franchise with younger characters related to the original cast.

"There are certain rules to surviving -- believe me, I know," a returning David Arquette tells his younger, new co-stars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-sag-awards-2022-nominations-announced-house-of-guccithe-power-of-the-dog-lead-the-list-444251" hreflang="en">SAG awards 2022 nominations announced, 'House of Gucci','The Power of the Dog' lead the list</a>

The film also revisits several locations and scenarios.

It starts with a scene that evokes Drew Barrymore's infamous and shocking death in the original, when she ill-advisedly answered her landline, with the killer on the other end, before the opening credits have even rolled.

In the new film's opener, a Gen-Z teen is so baffled to find that her parents' old landline still functions that she initially does not even answer.&nbsp;

"The disregard we all have for landlines... for us, it's fun," said co-director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin.

"Placed at the beginning of the movie, it just lets you know we're aware of it, the movie's aware of it, we're going to move forward with that awareness together.

"One of the things that 'Scream' does so well is it never underestimates its audience."

- Whodunit? -

While the filmmakers wanted to make a "love letter" to the late Wes Craven -- who directed all four previous "Scream" films -- Gillett said the movie could never just be "pure nostalgia."

Unlike the original, which emerged when the slasher horror genre was floundering, the new "Scream" arrives in an era of critically acclaimed, socially aware arthouse horror from the likes of Jordan Peele.

Characters in the film pompously discuss their love for "elevated horror," referencing films like "The Babadook" and "Hereditary" as well as Peele's "Get Out" and "Us."

"We're in the middle of a golden era. And so we're hoping that this movie introduces people to some of those movies that they aren't familiar with," said Bettinelli-Olpin.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-%E2%80%98pig%E2%80%99-director-michael-sarnoski-to-helm-%E2%80%98a-quiet-place-3-444133" hreflang="en">‘Pig’ director Michael Sarnoski to helm ‘A Quiet Place 3'</a>

"We're obviously playing with and poking fun at this idea of 'elevated horror,'" added Gillett.

"Regardless of what you want to call it in order to feel good about watching a horror movie, for us it's all gravy. As long as people are excited about the stories... that's all upside to us."

One thing that has not changed is the "Scream" franchise's "whodunit" element, with the identity of the killer hidden behind a distinctive "Ghostface" mask.

Keeping the plot's twists from leaking was vital to the filmmakers. During the audition stages, actors were only shown scenes from the film's first two acts.

"Even when the cast members got there, we only gave them pages up until where their characters were," said executive producer Chad Villella, who worked on 2019 hit "Ready or Not" with the two directors.

"They really embraced the secrecy of it all."

Twenty-five years ago, "Scream" -- starring Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox -- revitalised horror with its highly self-aware take on the increasingly stale and formulaic slasher genre.

Twenty-five years ago, "Scream" -- starring Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox -- revitalised horror with its highly self-aware take on the increasingly stale and formulaic slasher genre. This Friday, a film again entitled "Scream" -- again starring Campbell and Cox -- returns to breathe new life into the... you get the idea. "Thank God we are working in a franchise, and in a universe, where it's okay for a movie to be wildly self-reflexive," co-director Tyler Gillett told AFP. Also read: Andrew Garfield was rejected from 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' for this reason "There were more instances of that meta experience than we can count when we were making the movie." Just like in the 1996 original, characters in the new "Scream" spend much of the plot debating the tropes of horror movies in order to guess which one of them -- female? Black? virgin? -- will be killed off next. They realize that the latest swathe of attacks in their bafflingly violent California hometown are targeting people related to the killers from 25 years before. Handily, one character explains horror audiences' new fondness for "requels" -- films that follow chronologically from previous movies, but reboot the franchise with younger characters related to the original cast. "There are certain rules to surviving -- believe me, I know," a returning David Arquette tells his younger, new co-stars. Also read: SAG awards 2022 nominations announced, 'House of Gucci','The Power of the Dog' lead the list The film also revisits several locations and scenarios. It starts with a scene that evokes Drew Barrymore's infamous and shocking death in the original, when she ill-advisedly answered her landline, with the killer on the other end, before the opening credits have even rolled. In the new film's opener, a Gen-Z teen is so baffled to find that her parents' old landline still functions that she initially does not even answer. "The disregard we all have for landlines... for us, it's fun," said co-director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. "Placed at the beginning of the movie, it just lets you know we're aware of it, the movie's aware of it, we're going to move forward with that awareness together. "One of the things that 'Scream' does so well is it never underestimates its audience." - Whodunit? - While the filmmakers wanted to make a "love letter" to the late Wes Craven -- who directed all four previous "Scream" films -- Gillett said the movie could never just be "pure nostalgia." Unlike the original, which emerged when the slasher horror genre was floundering, the new "Scream" arrives in an era of critically acclaimed, socially aware arthouse horror from the likes of Jordan Peele. Characters in the film pompously discuss their love for "elevated horror," referencing films like "The Babadook" and "Hereditary" as well as Peele's "Get Out" and "Us." "We're in the middle of a golden era. And so we're hoping that this movie introduces people to some of those movies that they aren't familiar with," said Bettinelli-Olpin. Also read: ‘Pig’ director Michael Sarnoski to helm ‘A Quiet Place 3' "We're obviously playing with and poking fun at this idea of 'elevated horror,'" added Gillett. "Regardless of what you want to call it in order to feel good about watching a horror movie, for us it's all gravy. As long as people are excited about the stories... that's all upside to us." One thing that has not changed is the "Scream" franchise's "whodunit" element, with the identity of the killer hidden behind a distinctive "Ghostface" mask. Keeping the plot's twists from leaking was vital to the filmmakers. During the audition stages, actors were only shown scenes from the film's first two acts. "Even when the cast members got there, we only gave them pages up until where their characters were," said executive producer Chad Villella, who worked on 2019 hit "Ready or Not" with the two directors. "They really embraced the secrecy of it all."

'Scream' returns to satirise new 'golden era' of horror

Few days ago we reported about the tragic deaths of 22 people in Pakistan's Murree, they were stuck in their cars during a snowstorm and died from the cold or carbon monoxide poisoning from the fumes. Over five-member committee has been announced by the Punjab government to investigate the causes and lapses that led to the death of the tourists.

Pakistan horror: Stranded tourists forced to sleep in cars freezes to death

Poland and Belarus squared off over thousands of migrants aiming to enter EU. Listen in to the story of this migrant who was kicked in the face

Horror for Belarus - Poland migrants

These days, there’s a lot to be anxious about. There’s a lot to fear. There’s the environmental wreckage that’s increasingly evident around the world, the fragile state of our political systems, the mutating virus making the very air we breathe dangerous.

It’s perhaps no surprise that a horror renaissance has happened in film over the last decade. If many other aspects of one’s day are a running list of terrors or involve creeping dread and consuming paranoia, then the eyes and mind, already accustomed to that, will expect it from whatever page or screen they land on.

In 2016, Victor LaValle’s novella “The Ballad of Black Tom” showed racism and institutional violence through the lens of Lovecraftian cosmic horror (while pushing back against the racism and xenophobia built into H.P. Lovecraft’s original work). The year after that, Jordan Peele’s horror film “Get Out” literalized the oppression and occupation of Black people. As Americans have taken to the streets to protest police violence, a raft of films and shows have explored the horrors of the nation’s racist history, culminating recently in “Candyman.”

On Friday, there’s the release of “Halloween Kills,” which adds to the 43-year-old franchise. We’re all still watching the religiously tinged “Midnight Mass” on television, and the bookshelves are bleeding this year from Chuck Wendig’s “The Book of Accidents,” about a dark past that continues to haunt, next week’s collection of tragic tales “Ghost Sequences” by A.C. Wise and “Nothing but Blackened Teeth” by Cassandra Khaw, a story, in part, about soul-sucking relationships.

Horror fans have always known that the genre is more than a nightmare carnival. Horror is, and always has been, in dialogue with the anxieties and fears of its time. During the Great Depression, the misery and economic strife were embodied by monsters from literature and folklore, as Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster and the Mummy made their way across the movie screen. In the 1980s, when paranoia about the Cold War and fears of nuclear winter reached a fever pitch, a slate of suburban terrors assured us that our insecurities were valid, that we were not, in fact, safe in our homes. Enter Jason Voorhees, with his machete and hockey mask; Michael Myers, with his mechanic overalls and chef’s knife; and Freddy Krueger, with his fedora and very sharp fingers.

But horror doesn’t just reflect our fears and anxieties back at us. It also helps us process them. Horror is a fun house mirror everybody can use. It exaggerates, distorts and distills whatever it is we’re trying to work through, then delivers it back to us as entertainment.

Horror can offer comfort, can offer solace. Not because it’s an accurate representation or dramatization of our turmoil — who’s that intentional with their media consumption? — but because horror comes packaged for us in 400-page novels, in two-hour movies, in stories that end. Whether those books or films end happily or not, they end. For all of us who sense no end to our own daily horror stories, that’s what’s important.

And even amid the jump scares and houses that are obviously haunted, horror can get you thinking, can get you talking. That’s the key to what horror can do. Horror can shine a light on things we’d rather ignore, can confront us with our failings. Horror can challenge us to do better. “Get Out” didn’t solve discrimination or racism — Black people are still dying in traffic stops — but it did, at least for a couple of hours, make a lot of people see the racism that lurks beneath even the most liberal-seeming facades. And that’s success. That’s art.

Every horror story, whether an ecological disaster or a vampire encounter, a haunted house or a plague, is basically a long, dark tunnel that the story’s “final girl” is trying to survive.

It’s terrible in this tunnel, no doubt. The cars she clambers over are coffins. There are unnatural creatures shrieking from the ceiling. The walls are crumbling and seeping and maybe even undulating, and this muck she’s having to wade through is noxious, but — but way down there, through the dark, almost too distant to see, so far away that it has to be taken on faith that it’s actually there, is a point of light.

That’s where she’s headed. The light might be a train, or some monstrous angler fish (horror writers can be cruel like that), but struggling ahead toward that light is what a horror story can gift you.

Never mind that this virus keeps reaching back for variant after variant. Never mind that our politicians are so entrenched in their camps that the common good is just a dim memory. Never mind our monstrous ecological footprint.

In the long, terrible tunnel of her horror story, our heroine keeps struggling ahead, placing one foot in front of the other. Despite the damage, the terror, the hopelessness, the pain, despite her friends and family falling all around her, our heroine does that thing that humans are so, so good at: She keeps going.

If she can struggle on against those insurmountable odds, then, well — so can we, right?

These days, there’s a lot to be anxious about. There’s a lot to fear. There’s the environmental wreckage that’s increasingly evident around the world, the fragile state of our political systems, the mutating virus making the very air we breathe dangerous.

These days, there’s a lot to be anxious about. There’s a lot to fear. There’s the environmental wreckage that’s increasingly evident around the world, the fragile state of our political systems, the mutating virus making the very air we breathe dangerous. It’s perhaps no surprise that a horror renaissance has happened in film over the last decade. If many other aspects of one’s day are a running list of terrors or involve creeping dread and consuming paranoia, then the eyes and mind, already accustomed to that, will expect it from whatever page or screen they land on. In 2016, Victor LaValle’s novella “The Ballad of Black Tom” showed racism and institutional violence through the lens of Lovecraftian cosmic horror (while pushing back against the racism and xenophobia built into H.P. Lovecraft’s original work). The year after that, Jordan Peele’s horror film “Get Out” literalized the oppression and occupation of Black people. As Americans have taken to the streets to protest police violence, a raft of films and shows have explored the horrors of the nation’s racist history, culminating recently in “Candyman.” On Friday, there’s the release of “Halloween Kills,” which adds to the 43-year-old franchise. We’re all still watching the religiously tinged “Midnight Mass” on television, and the bookshelves are bleeding this year from Chuck Wendig’s “The Book of Accidents,” about a dark past that continues to haunt, next week’s collection of tragic tales “Ghost Sequences” by A.C. Wise and “Nothing but Blackened Teeth” by Cassandra Khaw, a story, in part, about soul-sucking relationships. Horror fans have always known that the genre is more than a nightmare carnival. Horror is, and always has been, in dialogue with the anxieties and fears of its time. During the Great Depression, the misery and economic strife were embodied by monsters from literature and folklore, as Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster and the Mummy made their way across the movie screen. In the 1980s, when paranoia about the Cold War and fears of nuclear winter reached a fever pitch, a slate of suburban terrors assured us that our insecurities were valid, that we were not, in fact, safe in our homes. Enter Jason Voorhees, with his machete and hockey mask; Michael Myers, with his mechanic overalls and chef’s knife; and Freddy Krueger, with his fedora and very sharp fingers. But horror doesn’t just reflect our fears and anxieties back at us. It also helps us process them. Horror is a fun house mirror everybody can use. It exaggerates, distorts and distills whatever it is we’re trying to work through, then delivers it back to us as entertainment. Horror can offer comfort, can offer solace. Not because it’s an accurate representation or dramatization of our turmoil — who’s that intentional with their media consumption? — but because horror comes packaged for us in 400-page novels, in two-hour movies, in stories that end. Whether those books or films end happily or not, they end. For all of us who sense no end to our own daily horror stories, that’s what’s important. And even amid the jump scares and houses that are obviously haunted, horror can get you thinking, can get you talking. That’s the key to what horror can do. Horror can shine a light on things we’d rather ignore, can confront us with our failings. Horror can challenge us to do better. “Get Out” didn’t solve discrimination or racism — Black people are still dying in traffic stops — but it did, at least for a couple of hours, make a lot of people see the racism that lurks beneath even the most liberal-seeming facades. And that’s success. That’s art. Every horror story, whether an ecological disaster or a vampire encounter, a haunted house or a plague, is basically a long, dark tunnel that the story’s “final girl” is trying to survive. It’s terrible in this tunnel, no doubt. The cars she clambers over are coffins. There are unnatural creatures shrieking from the ceiling. The walls are crumbling and seeping and maybe even undulating, and this muck she’s having to wade through is noxious, but — but way down there, through the dark, almost too distant to see, so far away that it has to be taken on faith that it’s actually there, is a point of light. That’s where she’s headed. The light might be a train, or some monstrous angler fish (horror writers can be cruel like that), but struggling ahead toward that light is what a horror story can gift you. Never mind that this virus keeps reaching back for variant after variant. Never mind that our politicians are so entrenched in their camps that the common good is just a dim memory. Never mind our monstrous ecological footprint. In the long, terrible tunnel of her horror story, our heroine keeps struggling ahead, placing one foot in front of the other. Despite the damage, the terror, the hopelessness, the pain, despite her friends and family falling all around her, our heroine does that thing that humans are so, so good at: She keeps going. If she can struggle on against those insurmountable odds, then, well — so can we, right?

You’re Anxious. You’re Afraid. And I Have Just the Solution.

After students were discovered duplicating sequences from the new Netflix thriller Squid Game, schools are urging parents not to allow their children watch it.

The South Korean series, which is now the most streamed show in the United States and the United Kingdom, revolves on a fake game show in which poor individuals fight in a series of deadly games for a £27 million cash prize. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/a-murder-free-real-life-squid-game-is-taking-place-in-abu-dhabi-420051">Also read | A murder-free real-life Squid Game is taking place in Abu Dhabi</a>

The survival thriller, which includes brutal scenes of individuals being shot in the head and organ harvesting, has players compete in variations of typical children's games, with the victors moving on to the next round.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/squid-game-south-koreas-latest-cultural-phenomenon-419009">Squid Game: South Korea's latest cultural phenomenon</a>

Those who fail their duties are executed by a masked death squad with machine guns on standby.

Because of the controversal nature of the programme, schools are now encouraging parents to monitor what their children are watching in order to prevent copycat behaviour. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/squid-game-why-is-such-a-violent-show-on-its-way-to-become-number-1-417425">Also read | Squid Game: Why is such a violent show on its way to become number 1?</a>

The Squid Game was written in 2008, but it took more than ten years for the programme to be produced.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After students were discovered duplicating sequences from the new Netflix thriller Squid Game, schools are urging parents not to allow their children watch it. The South Korean series, which is now the most streamed show in the United States and the United Kingdom, revolves on a fake game show in which poor individuals fight in a series of deadly games for a £27 million cash prize.

After students were discovered duplicating sequences from the new Netflix thriller Squid Game, schools are urging parents not to allow their children watch it. The South Korean series, which is now the most streamed show in the United States and the United Kingdom, revolves on a fake game show in which poor individuals fight in a series of deadly games for a £27 million cash prize. Also read | A murder-free real-life Squid Game is taking place in Abu Dhabi The survival thriller, which includes brutal scenes of individuals being shot in the head and organ harvesting, has players compete in variations of typical children's games, with the victors moving on to the next round. Squid Game: South Korea's latest cultural phenomenon Those who fail their duties are executed by a masked death squad with machine guns on standby. Because of the controversal nature of the programme, schools are now encouraging parents to monitor what their children are watching in order to prevent copycat behaviour. Also read | Squid Game: Why is such a violent show on its way to become number 1? The Squid Game was written in 2008, but it took more than ten years for the programme to be produced. (With inputs from agencies)

Schools urge parents to stop kids watching Netflix’s Squid Game

All those sleepless nights after binge watching the SAW series or Paranormal Activity may indeed have been worth it!

A new study has claimed that ardent fans of the horror genre were better prepared to deal with the fallout of the pandemic, and found it easier to acclimatise to a post-pandemic lifestyle.

Psychologically less affected

When a team of psychologists set out to identify a group which could help carve out a blueprint on how to deal with a pandemic without ringing alarm bells, their conclusions surprised them. Long-term fans of horror films and shows coped most easily with the harrowing effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has changed our cultural and social lives, making it difficult for one to adjust to reconfiguring our lifestyle to centre around “sanitisation” and “prevention”.

The New Scientist report, based on a study undertaken by psychologists, claims that the “morbidly curious” aka horror fans were psychologically less affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

<h6><img alt="Revellers pose for pictures during the annual' Zombie' walk, infuenced by horror movies, during the carnival season in Athens on February 10, 2018" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9a71eef-eacd-4831-8e75-2450d2aef6ba" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/horror%202.jpg" /> 
Revellers pose for pictures during the annual' Zombie' walk, infuenced by horror movies, during the carnival season in Athens on February 10, 2018 | AFP</h6>

Published online in the last week of June, the study asserts how those who revel in jump scares and eerie sound effects were not just better prepared to deal with extreme calamities, but also to have a positive outlook in the aftermath of such events.

What is emotion regulation?

A psychologist from the University of Chicago told New Scientist that the behaviour and calmness exhibited by horror fans suggests that horror is about “emotion regulation”. In essence, he is suggesting that horror better equips people to be in control of their emotions and to exercise control over them.

The psychologist, Scrivner further extrapolated how horror films allow one to experience fear, to consequentially overcome it. This may creep into real life experiences of those familiar with the genre, to mould them into being more optimistic whenever stressful situations arise.

Of course, there are many other factors that the study ignored but eventually intends to imbibe after it is peer reviewed and has more scientific value.

Many studies have pointed how coronavirus pandemic has worsened the mental health of many, especially those who suddenly found it difficult to cope with staying inside and to tremendously limit social contact.

Fact or fable, one thing’s for sure: Horror prepares you for the worst!

All those sleepless nights after binge watching the SAW series or Paranormal Activity may indeed have been worth it! A new study has claimed that ardent fans of the horror genre were better prepared to deal with the fallout of the pandemic, and found it easier to acclimatise to a post-pandemic lifestyle.

All those sleepless nights after binge watching the SAW series or Paranormal Activity may indeed have been worth it! A new study has claimed that ardent fans of the horror genre were better prepared to deal with the fallout of the pandemic, and found it easier to acclimatise to a post-pandemic lifestyle. Psychologically less affected When a team of psychologists set out to identify a group which could help carve out a blueprint on how to deal with a pandemic without ringing alarm bells, their conclusions surprised them. Long-term fans of horror films and shows coped most easily with the harrowing effects of COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has changed our cultural and social lives, making it difficult for one to adjust to reconfiguring our lifestyle to centre around “sanitisation” and “prevention”. The New Scientist report, based on a study undertaken by psychologists, claims that the “morbidly curious” aka horror fans were psychologically less affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Revellers pose for pictures during the annual' Zombie' walk, infuenced by horror movies, during the carnival season in Athens on February 10, 2018 | AFP Published online in the last week of June, the study asserts how those who revel in jump scares and eerie sound effects were not just better prepared to deal with extreme calamities, but also to have a positive outlook in the aftermath of such events. What is emotion regulation? A psychologist from the University of Chicago told New Scientist that the behaviour and calmness exhibited by horror fans suggests that horror is about “emotion regulation”. In essence, he is suggesting that horror better equips people to be in control of their emotions and to exercise control over them. The psychologist, Scrivner further extrapolated how horror films allow one to experience fear, to consequentially overcome it. This may creep into real life experiences of those familiar with the genre, to mould them into being more optimistic whenever stressful situations arise. Of course, there are many other factors that the study ignored but eventually intends to imbibe after it is peer reviewed and has more scientific value. Many studies have pointed how coronavirus pandemic has worsened the mental health of many, especially those who suddenly found it difficult to cope with staying inside and to tremendously limit social contact. Fact or fable, one thing’s for sure: Horror prepares you for the worst!

Scientists label 'morbidly curious' horror fans the calmest in a post-pandemic world!

Inspired by the ghouls and monsters he usually encounters in his line of work, Filipino prosthetic makeup artist Rene Abelardo is warding off the coronavirus with style.

Philippine SFX makeup artist wards off virus with horror-inspired masks

Veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg is writing a horror series for a forthcoming digital platform, Quibi.

According to Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, the users will only be able to see the show when their phone knows it is dark outside.

In an appearance at the Banff World Media Festival, Katzenberg revealed that his former DreamWorks Animation partner Spielberg is writing a horror series.

"Steven Spielberg has a super scary story. He's actually writing it himself. Getting him to write something is fantastic," Katzenberg said.&nbsp;

The iconic filmmaker has already written "five or six episodes of a 10- or 12-chapter story", he added.

Spielberg wanted viewers to only be able to watch the programme after midnight and to meet the requirement, Katzenberg said Quibi challenged their engineers to come up with an idea to view the show at the spookiest time.&nbsp;

A clock will appear on the phones, ticking down until the sunset, wherever the user is until it is completely gone. Then the clock starts ticking again to when the sun comes back up and the show will disappear until the next night, reported Deadline.

Besides Spielberg, the talents that have already been tapped in to produce for Quibi or star in its projects include Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Sam Raimi, Catherine Hardwick, Anna Kendrick, Doug Liman, Laurence Fishburne and Antoine Fuqua.&nbsp;

Veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg is writing a horror series for a forthcoming digital platform, Quibi. According to Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, the users will only be able to see the show when their phone knows it is dark outside.

Veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg is writing a horror series for a forthcoming digital platform, Quibi. According to Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, the users will only be able to see the show when their phone knows it is dark outside. In an appearance at the Banff World Media Festival, Katzenberg revealed that his former DreamWorks Animation partner Spielberg is writing a horror series. "Steven Spielberg has a super scary story. He's actually writing it himself. Getting him to write something is fantastic," Katzenberg said. The iconic filmmaker has already written "five or six episodes of a 10- or 12-chapter story", he added. Spielberg wanted viewers to only be able to watch the programme after midnight and to meet the requirement, Katzenberg said Quibi challenged their engineers to come up with an idea to view the show at the spookiest time. A clock will appear on the phones, ticking down until the sunset, wherever the user is until it is completely gone. Then the clock starts ticking again to when the sun comes back up and the show will disappear until the next night, reported Deadline. Besides Spielberg, the talents that have already been tapped in to produce for Quibi or star in its projects include Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Sam Raimi, Catherine Hardwick, Anna Kendrick, Doug Liman, Laurence Fishburne and Antoine Fuqua.

Steven Spielberg penning horror series for Quibi

In what looks like Anushka Sharma&#39;s creepiest avatar till date, makers of her next film &quot;Pari&quot; released the teaser of the film and it&#39;s enough to haunt you at night when you are alone.&nbsp;

After leaving an impression with the first look of the film in the form of posters, the makers are here to intrigue you with a little more.&nbsp;

Announcing the film as &quot;Not a fairytale&quot;, Anushka Sharma can be seen in an 18-second long teaser which has the actress&#39;s face in closeup while it deforms by each passing second. Bruised and wounded, her face changes into one of a witch.&nbsp;

Watch the teaser:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tXfJOSlnd9M" width="970"></iframe>

The teaser also announced that the date of release for the movie is changed. It will no longer release on February 9 but has been shifted to March 2. It will hit the theatres with Hate Story 4 starring Urvashi Rautela and Karan Wahi.&nbsp;

Pari is the third film produced by the actress after NH-10 and Phillauri.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-this-is-how-shah-rukh-khan-and-team-zero-welcomed-anushka-sharma-back-on-set-28868" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;This is how Shah Rukh Khan and team &#39;Zero&#39; welcomed Anushka Sharma back on set</a>

Anushka is currently shooting for Shah Rukh Khan&#39;s &quot;Zero&quot;&nbsp;with Aanand L Rai. She will also begin working on &quot;Sui Dhaaga&quot;&nbsp;with Varun Dhawan soon.&nbsp;

Anushka recently returned from a long vacation and honeymoon. She got married to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli in a private ceremony in Italy and gave a grand reception to family and friends in both Delhi and Mumbai.&nbsp;

The makers released Anushka Sharma's next film Pari's teaser that is slated for a release on March 2

In what looks like Anushka Sharma's creepiest avatar till date, makers of her next film "Pari" released the teaser of the film and it's enough to haunt you at night when you are alone. After leaving an impression with the first look of the film in the form of posters, the makers are here to intrigue you with a little more. Announcing the film as "Not a fairytale", Anushka Sharma can be seen in an 18-second long teaser which has the actress's face in closeup while it deforms by each passing second. Bruised and wounded, her face changes into one of a witch. Watch the teaser: The teaser also announced that the date of release for the movie is changed. It will no longer release on February 9 but has been shifted to March 2. It will hit the theatres with Hate Story 4 starring Urvashi Rautela and Karan Wahi. Pari is the third film produced by the actress after NH-10 and Phillauri. Also Read: This is how Shah Rukh Khan and team 'Zero' welcomed Anushka Sharma back on set Anushka is currently shooting for Shah Rukh Khan's "Zero" with Aanand L Rai. She will also begin working on "Sui Dhaaga" with Varun Dhawan soon. Anushka recently returned from a long vacation and honeymoon. She got married to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli in a private ceremony in Italy and gave a grand reception to family and friends in both Delhi and Mumbai.

Watch teaser: Anushka Sharma in 'Pari' looks creepy as a witch

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