John Boyega, who plays the heroic stormtrooper-turned-rebel Finn, had tweeted that he feared missing the big event because a snowstorm had gridlocked air travel out of Atlanta.

“Trying to get back for the LA premiere! I actually NEED a pilot !!!” he lamented, before turning up in the nick of time for the big screening in downtown LA after managing to catch a flight.

 Fans of ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ watch from their seats on the red carpet during the world premiere at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, USA, 09 December 2017. // EPA-EFE PHOTO

“It’s thanks to Poe Dameron, the best pilot in the galaxy!” he joked on the red carpet, referring to the rebel pilot who aided his escape in the previous film.

He was joined on the red carpet by the rest of the all-star cast, including Daisy Ridley (Rey in the space saga) who arrived wearing a suitably shimmering dress decorated in stars.

Hotter than one of Yoda’s root leaf curries, the “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is expected to cash in on 12 months of relentless hype with one of the biggest domestic opening weekends ever.

Thousands of guests lucky enough to get tickets were the first moviegoers in the world outside of the production to see the eighth installment of the blockbuster space saga.

Director Rian Johnson introduced the movie by bringing onstage the cast, and paid an emotional tribute to the late Carrie Fisher, the iconic General Leia Organa in the series, who died last December.

Moviegoers clapped throughout as she appeared onscreen, and rose for a standing ovation as the credits rolled.

– Rapturous initial reactions –

Lucasfilm has embargoed detailed reviews until 9:00 am Los Angeles time (1700 GMT) on Tuesday, but fans were quick to flood social media with rapturous initial reactions to the movie, the longest in the series at 153 minutes.

“There aren’t enough words to express how much I LOVED ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It is mind-blowing! I’m in geek heaven!” tweeted Jenna Busch, a writer for fansite LegionofLeia.com.

“‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ is so very different, exciting, surprising. So many emotions, so many amazing moments. Stay away from spoilers,” added Peter Sciretta of entertainment portal slashfilm.com.

 US actor Adam Driver appears on the red carpet during the world premiere of ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, USA, 09 December 2017. Driver plays the role of Kylo Ren in the film. // EPA-EFE PHOTO

The premiere came six days before the movie’s general release in US theaters, kicking off a run widely expected to be the most successful worldwide since 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Experts are predicting an opening weekend domestic box office of around $220 million, which would push it beyond “Jurassic World” (2015) into second place behind “Awakens” ($248 million).

The cast came together in LA with director Rian Johnson on Sunday to build buzz for “The Last Jedi,” which sees the return of the characters introduced in J.J. Abrams’s first entry in the rebooted trilogy.

Gwendoline Christie, who plays stormtrooper commander Captain Phasma, put the continued relevance of “Star Wars” down to its foundational mythology of good versus evil.

“I think it’s because the world we live in is a changing and evolving place that it retains the simplicity of those elements,” she said.

“But it really resonates with what it is to follow your own human, dark, narcissistic tendencies, where that will take you.”

– ‘Dire situation’ –

Christie was joined at the Sunday event by returning stars Ridley, Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domnhall Gleeson and Luke Skywalker himself — Mark Hamill.

There were new faces too: Kelly Marie Tran as Resistance maintenance worker Rose Tico and Laura Dern, who plays Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo.

“The Last Jedi” — filmed on the west coast of Ireland and at Pinewood Studios near London — marks the last appearance of Fisher, who died after already having wrapped her scenes.

Written by Johnson, “The Last Jedi” picks up directly where “The Force Awakens” left off, with Rey looking to Luke to teach her about The Force.

It presages adverse times for the Resistance — prompting comparisons with the middle chapter of the original trilogy, “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Like Fisher and Hamill, Harrison Ford was a “Star Wars” mainstay as loveable rogue Han Solo — but the character is missing from the latest chapter, having been killed off.

“There hasn’t been a ‘Star Wars’ movie yet that has explored war the way ‘The Last Jedi’ has,” said Boyega.

“It’s very messy. The categorizing of good and evil is all mixed together.”

“It’s a dire situation, it’s critical. The Resistance is on its last legs,” added Isaac.

“When you’re trying to survive, the First Order’s right on top of us, it is like war, where you’ve got to keep moving to try to survive. You feel the momentum of everything that happened in ‘The Force Awakens’ just pushing to a critical mass.”

It is not enough to simply eat healthy foods—one must also factor in the manner in which they eat. Read on to find out why it is advisable to sit peacefully and enjoy your meals rather than have them hurriedly on the move, as reported byBoldsky.

Stomach acidity

When you eat food, it travels through the esophagus into the stomach for further digestion. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a valve that links the esophagus to the stomach. Typically, the LES closes when food has entered the stomach, to prevent the contents of the stomach from rising to the esophagus.

If you constantly move while eating, the LES fails to completely close or remains open for prolonged periods of time. As a result, hydrochloric acid produced by cells that line stomach walls move up into the esophagus. This condition is referred to as stomach acidity and manifests itself through a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including bloating and heartburn.

An antacid such as calcium hydroxide or aluminium hydroxide might be required to alleviate these symptoms.

Indigestion

Digestion involves breaking large food particles into their smaller constituents, so that they can be absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually be utilized for energy.

When you eat while on the move, food particles cannot be broken down adequately and thus remain in the alimentary canal of the digestive system, without being absorbed into the bloodstream.

The consequences of indigestion include sluggishness, nausea and a growling stomach.

Bloating 

Bloating involves an increase in the diameter of the abdominal area caused by retention of fluids and/or disturbances in the movement of muscles in the digestive system. It results in an uneasy “full” feeling and abdominal pain.

Consider this the next time you’re late for work and think it might be a good idea to grab a snack to eat on-the-go.

Increased bladder movement

Although one would perhaps not give too much thought to the consequences of sipping coffee while driving to the office, it can induce increased bladder activity as a consequence of involuntary muscle contractions in the bladder.

This creates a frequent and urgent need to urinate, and symptoms are worsened by the intake of caffeine.

Nausea 

As aforementioned, the food we consume is to ultimately be used for energy production to enable body function. If the stomach is not given rest because of moving activity while eating, the body will not be able to break down large food particles.

If the body is preoccupied with other activities, the digestion and absorption of food are likely to be disrupted, resulting in nausea.

Gas formation

The formation and retention of gas are common problems linked to bloating and indigestion. Most cases of gas formation in intestines are caused by swallowing too much air. Symptoms include feeling uncomfortable and sluggish, and — in adverse cases — chest pain and mild strokes.

Taking your time when you eat and avoiding movement can help you swallow less air.

Over-the-counter supplements, such as activated charcoal, can alleviate bloating and the formation of intestinal gas.

Tendency to eat more

It is often observed that when a person eats while moving, the body ceases to carry out effective hormonal signalling to inhibit appetite when one is eating quickly while deeply engaged in other activities.

Overeating inevitably leads to bloating, the symptoms of which have been mentioned above.

If you’re worried about adding extra kilos to your waistline, try eating slower and without being preoccupied.

    After a five-day siege, some Californians were finally able to return home to inspect the damage wrought by the wildfires, which forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee and destroyed some 700 structures including multimillion dollar mansions.

Despite the intensity of the fires that raged on six different fronts — stretching from areas north of Los Angeles down to the San Diego region — authorities have reported only one fatality.

With gusts of up to 60 miles per hour (95 kilometers per hour), the relentless seasonal Santa Ana winds had continued to stoke the fire Friday, spitting embers and creating “extreme fire danger.”

“There’s still tons and tons of hot spots out there,” Captain Jon Heggie of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said early Saturday.

A “red flag” warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until 8:00 pm Sunday. The strongest winds are expected in the San Diego County mountains and foothills, with gusts over 60 miles per hour, the NWS predicted.

Winds were expected to calm somewhat but a red alert was extended into Sunday due to expected low humidity.

And despite the easing of the winds, meteorologists warned that smoke and ash could linger, prompting several counties to maintain air-quality warnings.

In the mountain town of Ojai the air-quality index was hovering over 500 — at the top of the “hazardous” scale — as fumes from the “Thomas” fire hung trapped by the mountains.

Since erupting in Ventura County late Monday, that blaze has seared 148,000 acres (60,000 hectares), but an area fire department spokesperson said Saturday containment should improve “after aggressive fire fighting” the day prior.

Governor Jerry Brown said many scientists believe more extreme fire seasons are part of the pinch of climate change.

– ‘Considerable progress’ –

“This is kind of the new normal. We’re facing a new reality in this state where fires threatens people’s lives, their property, their neighborhoods,” Brown said at a fairgrounds briefing

“We know from changing climate that (fires) are going to exacerbate everything else (and) in the longer term, I think we have to think through how are we going to adjust ourselves to nature as it changes,” Brown said, his approach a stark contrast to that of US president Donald Trump, a doubter of climate change.

“We can’t expect nature to adjust to our needs,” Brown said.

The material cost of fire suppression efforts has skyrocketed to some $17 million, Ventura officials estimated.

The “Skirball” fire — near the affluent, star-studded Bel Air district — was at least 50 percent contained after engulfing entire hillsides in flames.

Firefighters contained 80 percent of the “Creek” fire — the largest blaze that menaced the LA region, which roared through more than 15,000 acres — while the nearby “Rye” fire was some 65 percent under control.

California’s state fire agency said “favorable conditions helped make considerable progress today” but warned that “residents should remain vigilant as conditions can change quickly.”

Authorities near San Diego — where the “Lilac” fire had rapidly charred more than 4,000 acres after igniting Thursday morning — issued a similar notice, saying improvement was expected but urging residents to remain on high alert.

Four civilians and two firefighters were injured in that blaze, which also claimed the lives of more than two dozen racehorses after tearing through eight barns.

In Fallbrook, in northern San Diego County, houses were destroyed and ravaged trees lay horizontal.

US President Donald Trump has issued a state of emergency in California, authorizing the release of federal funds.

The week’s infernos capped California’s deadliest year ever for wildfires. More than 40 people died in October when fires swept through the state’s wine-producing counties north of San Francisco.//AFP

Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun plans to meet government officials in both countries to discuss ways to strengthen the pressure campaign on North Korea.

The US State Department said on Friday said it looks forward to continuing its partnership with both nations so that North Korea will return to credible talks on denuclearisation.

On November 29, North Korea announced that it had successfully tested a Hwasong-15, an advanced version of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) it launched in July. The missile was reported to have flown for 50 minutes on a very high trajectory, reaching 4,500 kilometers above the Earth before coming down off the western coast of Japan, nearly 1,000 kilometres from its launch site.

Experts calculated that if the missile was launched in a normal trajectory it could have a range of 13,000km, far beyond Washington DC which is 11,024km from Pyongyang.

The US President’s national security adviser Lt General HR McMaster has said that the risk of war with North Korea has increased.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Yun said Washington was still be open to having dialogue with North Korea if it stopped its weapons testing and stated its willingness to hold talks.

“So far, I can report no real progress on diplomatic engagement,” he was quoted as saying by The Korea Herald, noting that he has spent a lot of time talking to North Korean officials through his own channel.

“So really, when there is no progress in diplomatic engagement despite us having reached out, there is no choice but continued pressure policies,” he said, referring to economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

It was not clear what specific proposals Yun would raise with allies in East and Southeast Asia.

Thailand has denounced the ICBM test, which has once again heightened tension in the region and threatened international peace and security. The test is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and will only result in further isolation of North Korea, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Bangkok government has strongly urged Pyongyang to cease all provocative actions and respect the relevant UNSC Resolutions and return to dialogue, according to the ministry’s statement.

Washington reportedly put pressure on the Thai military government to impose tough sanctions against the regime in Pyongyang.

A source at the foreign ministry said Thailand has strictly complied with the relevant UNSC resolutions and has reported its enforcement and updates to the UN.

The action included suspension of permits on Air Koryo flights to Thailand, prohibition of North Korean coal imports, and strict inspection of suspect vessels.

Trade between Thailand and North Korea has dropped substantially. During the first nine months of 2017, it amounted to US$1.61 million (Bt52 million), a 94-per cent drop from the same period of 2016, and a mere fraction of 0.0004 per cent of Thailand’s total trade. Thai companies no longer have investments in North Korea.

Joseph Yun, special representative for North Korea policy, will visit Tokyo and Bangkok from Monday through Friday to meet with government officials on ways to “strengthen the pressure campaign”

“The United States looks forward to continuing its partnership with both these nations so that the DPRK will return to credible talks on denuclearization,” the State Department said in a statement, using the abbreviation for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

North Korea has claimed the latest test was of a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking anywhere in the U.S. with a nuclear weapon. The launch broke a 75-day lull in testing that had raised hopes for a resumption of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. Yun had earlier stated that 60 days without testing would send a signal for talks with Washington.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, the envoy said the U.S. would still be open to having dialogue with the North if it stopped its weapons testing and stated its willingness to hold talks.

“So far, I can report no real progress on diplomatic engagement,” he said, noting that he has spent a lot of time talking to North Korean officials through his own channel.

“So really, when there is no progress in diplomatic engagement despite us having reached out, there is no choice but continued pressure policies,” he added, referring to economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Palestinians called for protests in many parts of Jerusalem beginning on Thursday to express their disagreement with Trump’s announcement. The Thai Embassy said on Facebook that the protest might be prolonged in the West Bank and Gaza.

Thai nationals should refrain from entering protest sites and crowded public gatherings as well as comply with instructions, regulations and recommendations of local authorities, it said.

Palestinians take part in a Hamas rally in the Gaza Strip’s Jabalia refugee camp on December 8, 2017, against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Israel deployed hundreds of additional police officers following Palestinian calls for protests after the main weekly Muslim prayers against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. / AFP PHOTO 

Trump’s move also ignited protests in Indonesia and Malaysia, which do not have diplomatic relations with Israel and have majority Muslim populations.

Security around US embassies in the capitals of Indonesia and Malaysia was heightened yesterday ahead of planned street rallies.

About 30 protesters, including members of Indonesia’s United Development Party, started gathering outside the US embassy in Jakarta at about 10am local time, carrying placards that read “Jerusalem is not Israel’s capital” and “We are with Palestine”.

Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said an adequate number of officers were on the ground to ensure order.

Malaysian opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan earlier handed over a memorandum of protest to the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur against the proclamation.

Members of the Malaysian political parties Umno and PAS protested outside the US mission in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. The crowd, estimated at more than 1,000 people, forced the closure of one side of a busy highway as they marched chanting “Long live Palestine” and “Long live Islam” while bearing placards that read “Down to USA’s President Trump”.

Meanwhile, the Al Aqsa Working Group (AWG), based in Bogor, West Java, was planning a street march from the Palestinian Embassy to the American Embassy in Jakarta after Friday prayers.

The AWG, which campaigns for the liberation of the Al Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site located in Jerusalem, has called for Indonesian Muslims to reject Trump’s latest move.

In Singapore, the sermon delivered at all mosques during Friday prayers called for peace, tranquillity and security in the world, including the Middle East, and asked for guidance in finding peaceful solutions to conflicts.