'Westworld' location at Paramount Ranch burns down in California wildfires After murdering PIO in cold blood, UK cop gets just 18 months’ jail Moroccan publisher jailed on sexual assault charges
LOS ANGELES: The Western Town at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, California, that served as a filming location to popular series "Westworld", has burned down due to the Woolsey wildfire.
The news was shared by the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on Twitter.
"Westworld" used the Western town set to shoot its Main Street scenes. The HBO series is also shot at the Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita and in Utah and other locations, reported Variety.
"Paramount Ranch was one of the locations used during seasons one and two of Westworld, in addition to the primary location at Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita. Westworld is not currently in production, and as the area has been evacuated, we do not yet know the extent of the damage to any structures remaining there. Most importantly, our thoughts go out to all those affected by these horrible fires," HBO said in a statement.
Paramount Ranch's cowboy town has served as the filming location for several projects over the years. Some of the films include "American Sniper", "Norbit", "The Love Bug" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". From 1992 to 1997, it was used as the setting for the TV show "Dr.quinn, Medicine Woman". The fast moving blaze, known as the "Camp Fire," began Thursday morning. Fanned by strong winds, it has scorched 70,000 acres (28,300 hectares) and has not been contained, the California Fire Department (Cal Fire) said. The is also one of the most in-demand locations in California for Hollywood stars seeking privacy and luxury, and has been home to Leonardo Dicaprio, Jack Nicholson, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt and a host of other celebrities.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, who lives just north of coastal Malibu in Calabasas, revealed on Instagram that she was forced to flee her home. LONDON: A police officer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by a UK court for causing the death of an Indian-origin shopkeeper when his car crashed into his van.
Balvinder Singh was driving his vehicle in Wolverhampton when he was hit head-on by a car driven by Staffordshire Police officer Jason Bannister, who was off-duty at the time.
Singh, 59, was rushed to a hospital but died of his injuries in December 2016.
Bannister, who had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in a hearing in September, was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment by a Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.
The 45-year-old was himself treated for minor injuries after the collision and following an investigation by West Midlands Police, he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving earlier this year, according to local media reports.
Bannister has also been banned from driving for three years and nine months and will be required to complete an extended driving test in order to obtain a licence again.
He remains suspended from his job at Staffordshire Police.
The force said now that the court case has concluded, it would launch misconduct proceedings against Bannister.
Shortly after his death nearly two years ago, Singh's family said in tribute: "He was the most loyal and hard-working family man, with three children and six grandchildren who were his everything one of which he never got to meet. He was loved throughout the community." RABAT: A Moroccan court has handed a 12 year prison sentence to a newspaper pub
lisher charged with sexual assault, in a trial his lawyers said was politically motivated.
The Casablanca court had found Taoufiq Bouachrine guilty of human trafficking, abuse of power for sexual purposes, rape and attempted rape.
The publisher, sentenced
late Friday, has maintained his innocence throughout.
He was arrested in February at the offices of his independent Arabic-language daily newspaper Akhbar Al-yaum, known for editorials and cartoons critical of the authorities.
On Friday, defence lawyer Mohamed Ziane said Bouachrine had been the "victim of a political trial" because of his writings.
"In the Arab world, we still don't understand the meaning of press freedom," Ziane said.
Balvinder Singh was driving his vehicle in Wolverhampton when he was hit head-on by a car driven by Staffordshire Police officer Jason Bannister, who was off-duty at the time.