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After a peek at director Robert Rodriguezs action thriller Hypnotic at this years SXSW, audiences wont have to wait much longer to catch the full version in theaters this spring.

IGN has unveiled the first official trailer for the upcoming psychological thriller, which follows police detective Daniel Rourke (Ben Affleck) as he searches for his missing daughter Minnie (Hala Finley). He soon learns she is associated with a series of ongoing robberies conducted by a mysterious man (William Fichtner) with hypnotic powers.

The trailer gives audiences a look at how Afflecks frantic search for his missing daughter. The desperate dad slowly begins to spiral out of control once his investigation pushes him to confront his deepest, darkest fears. With assistance from psychic Diana Cruz (Alice Braga), Daniel sets off to pursue the mysterious man during his train of robberies, and get Minnie home safe. As he finds out in the trailer, people with hypnotic powers can force their victims to see and feel things that arent real.

Affleck, Finley, Fichtner and Braga are joined by Jeff Fahey, Kelly Frye, JD Pardo, Bonnie Discepolo, Dayo Okeniyi, Derek Russo and Corina Calderon.

Following its SXSW premiere, Hypnotic received favorable reviews, with Varietys Peter Debruge writing that the typical popcorn-munching multiplex patron would never suspect how deep this Russian-doll mystery goes. Better to strap in and go along for the ride in the latest example of creativity-within-constraints.

Watch the Hypnotic trailer below. The film is set to debut in theaters on May 12.

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Hypnotic Trailer: Ben Affleck Stars in Mind-Bending Action Thriller From Robert Rodriguez - Variety

Politicians, lawyers and activists have commenced discussions about ways to punish Russian citizens that live in Latvia with permanent residence permits and who are unable or are unwilling to pass the state language exam.

It would seem the possibility of deportation for people whose residence permits run out is inevitable. It could have an impact on the countrys society (both for welcomers and deporters), as well as Latvias allies.

If you want a longer holiday but frequent court hearings interfere with your plans, just ask the judge. Follow Aivars Lembergs example.

In ancient times, before Crimea, NATO was generally referred as an umbrella under which to seek refuge. But no more now its a shield we are holding up ourselves. On the 19th anniversary of Latvias membership of this alliance the country received a valuable gift a new member. Finland will soon enter the alliance.

The Minister of Finance continues patiently convincing residents there is no way to go on without reviewing taxes. The review must go up, he says. He also delicately mentioned Estonia, where the general tax burden from GDP is about three percentage points higher than Latvias 30.8%. Higher taxes in Europe means more welfare. For everyone, the minister says.

Donald Trump, who is accused of accused him of concealing financial information, will enter the history of US presidents. He will be the first US President, though an ex-president at this point, to stand before a court of law. Even Richard Nixon managed to escape this fate by resigning.

Talks about Artificial Intelligence are no longer something seen exclusively in science fiction movies. But it is time to wake up the frightening aspect of this is exactly the prospect of AI technologies rapidly developing.

BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Deportations are nigh; Themis with benefits; Latvias shield; Almost Metallica; In welfares name; Nuclear neighbour; Hit the brakes!; Stormy consequences.

On Thursday, the 30th March, Latvias Saeima passed in the first reading amendments to the Immigration Law that provide certain minor reliefs for Russian citizens to make it easier for them to update their residence permits. The planned amendments caused sharp discussions among deputies certain politicians said the proposed changes will basically permit forced deportation of these people from the country.

69 deputies voted in favour of amendments, 12 voted against, and eight abstained in the vote. The final reading of amendments to the Immigration Law is planned for next week.

Jnis Dombrava from the National Alliance said the arguments from For Stability political party leader Aleksejs Rosikovs against the proposed amendments to the Immigration Law can be considered as pitiful Russian propaganda.

Opinion piece

The so-called Aivars Lembergs criminal case has been in review by Riga Regional Court for more than a year. Among the accused are ex-Mayor of Ventspils Aivars Lembergs, his son Anrijs Lembergs and once business partner Ansis Sormulis.

The court hearing of Monday, the 27th of March was organised, like many previous ones, using a video conference call. However, at the very start the usual trial process was interrupted by Aivars Lembergs. He asked the judge to cancel the court hearing that was unexpectedly scheduled for the 11th of April. The reason: it would interfere with his family already paid for Easter holiday trip.

The court, after consulting with the prosecution and defence about schedule, happily postponed this hearing to the 21st of April, perhaps partially because the prosecutor dared to attack Lembergs, asking why deputies, unlike him, are allowed to travel around during work time. The prosecution made it clear again that the honoured court would not allow any liberties, stressing that everyone involved must know their place

Wednesday, the 29th of March, marks 19 years of Latvia receiving the most effective means of protection for the nation and state Article 5 of NATO Treaty.

Latvia lacking its own aircraft carriers and fighter jets is part of the worlds strongest military force. At least the country sees it this way in these troubled times.

There have been talks from certain westerners that Latvia, and Baltic States in general, only consume NATO security, not contribute to it. There has also been an increase of scepticism among Latvian residents about the guarantees provided by Article 5: will the big and powerful members of the alliance truly rush to our aid is disaster strikes? We can see the answer to this in dai.

So what was Latvias main contribution to its partners these years?

Ticket prices for the XXVII Latvian Song and XVII Dance Celebration will be approximately 40% higher than they were in past years. Various estimates indicate as much. Nevertheless, the Cabinet of Ministers will need to review the price list before it is approved.

The price rise for various events is not equal. There are also events whose ticket prices have gone down. Unlike the celebration in 2013 and 2018, the range of tickets is down, specifically the cheapest tickets.

For example the tickets for the final concert in Meaparks will be presented in five price groups 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 euros. Tickets for the concert in 2018 were presented in six price groups 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 euros. In 2013 there were seven ticket price groups, the cheapest cost 3 lats or 4.3 euros.

The volume of collected taxes in Latvia is insufficient to afford all of the outlined budget needs. This is why when working on the Tax Policy guidelines for 2024-2027, there will be discussions about all 14 active taxes, as Minister of Finance Arvils Aeradens told journalists on Wednesday, the 29th of March.

The minister explained there will be a review of all existing taxes. Offers from political and social partners will be considered as well. Aeradens explained that coalition and social partners put an emphasis on labour taxes. New Unity plans to propose a sustainable healthcare funding model in upcoming discussions.

Currently Aeradens does not predict how discussions might end. At the same time, he said discussions about labour taxes will be the most difficult.

The announcement from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the deployment of tactical nuclear arms in Belarus is yet another attempt to intimidate the West, so that they reduce support for Ukraine, said ex-Director of Latvias Constitutional Protection Bureau Jnis Kaoci in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds.

He explained that Russian armed forces have a tough time, because the intended three-day war in Ukraine has become too long and the successes achieved so far are few and weak. This is why Putin has decided to return to a tactic that would intimidate the West the most and force them to reduce direct support for Ukraine. This method is waving nuclear arms around.

In this case it is clear they [Russians] could have brought nuclear arms to Belarus sooner if they considered it necessary.

Leading figures in the world of modern technology want to stop training of the most powerful artificial intelligence (AI) systems, stating that there is a threat to humanity, writes the BBC.

Twitter and Tesla owner Elon Musk, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Deep Mind researchers are among the signatories of the petition calling for a halt to training AI systems for at least six months.

OpenAI, which also developed ChatGPT, recently released GPT-4. It has impressed observers with its ability to perform simple tasks, such as answering questions about pictures or objects.

In a letter created by the Future of Life Institute and signed by supporters, it is said that the development of AI should be stopped at the current level for the time being, pointing to the risk that even more advanced systems may pose in the future: AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity.

Former US President Donald Trump has become the first ex-president to face criminal charges after a Manhattan court formally accused him of concealing financial information, writes Reuters.

At the moment, the exact wording of the indictment is not known, but the CNN television channel reported on Thursday, the 30th of march, that Trump faces indictments in more than 30 episodes. The former president, on the other hand, has declared that he is completely innocent and is not going to give up the fight for the position of president in next years elections. He accused the Democratic Party of trying to destroy his chances in the elections:

This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history.

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BNN SUMMARY OF THE WEEK: Deport or not deport. Blessed ... - bnn-news.com

Autobiography and memoir

The poet and author grew up in a coastal village defined by hardship and scenic beauty. What would she find when she returned to an area with some of the lowest wages and highest property prices in the country?

Natasha Carthew

There is a part of me that hates the village I grew up in. How each house and path and landmark holds some catch-breath memory as I walk the two-mile-long coastal road that connects Seaton to Downderry. Memories that are embedded in every step, the places where I grew up and the places where my father, his parents and their families were born, lived and died, our initials still scratched in concrete in each and every footing, but built over now with extensions, double driveways, patios.

The road is the same but the buildings are higher, and the pockets of green have been paved, the trees where we used to play in front of our flat replaced by too-big houses. The upper reaches of the village are no longer a sea of green: nothing left of the swath of gold that was our daffodil field but two neat borders of yellow in the front garden of a solitary oversized house. Past the shop on the left and the butchers thats now a house on the right, the working mens club that has been rebranded for the blow-ins as a soulless village hall, then finally down the dog shit-covered path that passes the pub and the wall where we working-class kids used to sit and drink and think about the purpose of all of this.

As a young girl I knew that I didnt want to spend the rest of my life cleaning holiday homes, and I certainly didnt want to marry a farmer. If anything, I wanted to be a farmer but in Cornwall in the 80s that dream was strictly reserved for boys, sons of landowners. I was gay, a tomboy, different from all the other girls. My saving grace was the natural world and my notebook, words to keep me safe, keep me hidden in the tangle of hedgerows and rockpools.

I have returned to Downderry to write this, the same way a finger traces the outline of a scar. It is September but already the bay has endured at least one high tide. I can tell by the trail of weed and driftwood banked against the muddy clay cliffs, and the way the tiny stream that passes our old primary school has settled into its usual winter shape in the sand, finding its place effortlessly.

The beautiful far-reaching vistas after the fog lifts, the smell of an early catch as the bellyful trawlers return to harbour, the taste of cream teas and pasties lingering on the lips for visitors, these passing moments will be the things that forever come to mind. But the truth is that Cornwall, my home, is a place of deep, long-lasting deprivation. Poverty and inequality are worse than ever, with 20 neighbourhoods in the county among the 10% most deprived in England. This is a place of forever summers and even longer winters, filled with despair and hardship and fear.

These two things, the beauty of the Cornish landscape and the brutality of growing up nose pushed against it, have without doubt informed the greatest part of my life. Its a story of what ebbs and flows just below the surface of a beautiful ocean day, the unseen, the undercurrent.

***

When the sea spray starts to thicken and become drizzle, I close my eyes and return to one of my earliest memories. Like today, it is raining. My sister and I are watching the oily raindrops as they smack up against the glass. I remember the window shaking with the wind, the draught as the gusts blew in from the south-west, the sea less than a hundred metres from our second-floor flat. Those sou-westers always had us believe we were afloat, the window becoming the wheelhouse on our pretend fishing trawler, the reflection of the lamp in the corner suddenly a navigational star out there in the pitch-black night.

Imagination was our thing, making stuff up and making do with the little we had, not just out of necessity but a need to shut out certain things: the raised voices, slammed doors, fists punched into walls.

I open my eyes to see a lone seagull come into the bay. I watch as she calls her two babies out of hiding. When she leads them towards the gully where the lugworms are at their fattest Im reminded of my own mother, how she worked every available cleaning job in the village so she could provide for me and my sister. Her meagre wage went on food, rent and the clothes on our backs.

Some folk call seagulls opportunists, scavengers, thieves, but in truth they are intelligent, resourceful and loyal. They have found a way to succeed despite being thought of as the underclass of the bird world. When their habitat is taken over by tourists they refuse to retreat, and I love that it reminds me of Mum, a woman who argued that a council house in this village, the village that my forefathers built from the shore-side up, was the only place good enough for her girls.

As a little girl I didnt notice the size of our home. It didnt bother me that my parents slept in the front room, yet the cut of poverty slipped beneath my skin without me noticing, carving deep into my flesh as I watched the world pass by outside the window every day.

Disadvantage is a lonely word, and when I was growing up my mother never uttered it once. Looking back, I know that the blot of that word must have stuck to us like skin-sodden fog. There wasnt a day that went by that she didnt tell us how lucky we were to have the sea at the end of the road. We collected dog whelks and tiny ribbed cowries for prettiness, picked yellow cranesbill and red campion for jam-jar love, and I also had my sea-glass jewels to look at when the things I was yet to understand got too loud.

During the 2020 lockdown, Cornwall saw the largest increase in children taken into care in the whole of England and Wales, a 17% jump. Official reasons why so many Cornish kids ended up in the care system include abuse, neglect, breakdowns in family relationships, but there is nothing to say why Cornwall saw the biggest jump of all counties. Ill bet anything that greater factors are at play, such as access to health and care services, transport, education, leisure. These are the undercurrents that move in and around society without ever being properly recorded, the things in a young persons life that mean the difference between love and loss.

On average, earnings in Cornwall are well below the UK national average. It also has some of the highest costs of living in the UK. Housing is some of the most expensive outside the south-east and London with 10 times price-to-earnings ratios in popular locations. According to the Trussell Trust, the national charity that supports some 1,200 food banks throughout the UK, including the one in Truro, there was an increase of 11% in the use of food banks in 2021 compared with the same period in 2019.

***

When we got our own council house in the 1970s it was everything to us, but once the word got around at school that we now lived in Treliddon Lane, it was as if we had been stamped on the forehead. Every kid knew the words for what they had been told we were, and it wasnt long before I heard the slur council house trash. I can still see the whispering girls in the classroom, pulling away the boys who were my friends, can still hear their pretend laughter when I walked into the room, jealous because, despite my humble life, I was good at art, good at sport, jealous because I hit puberty first. Ill always remember years later when my mum was collecting my young brother from school and being asked by one of the posh mothers: What do all of you actually burn on your fires up there on the council estate? Without blinking an eye, Mum replied: Fir cones and old shoes. The woman went red and Mum went on her merry way. I love her for that.

What nobody seemed to realise about us council house trash was that while we were cash-poor, we were rich in laughter and tall tales, generosity and love. These women had a way of fighting for (sometimes with) each other and they had a way of connecting despite most of us not owning a phone. The Got an extra shift, can you look after the kids? shriek over the back fence and the Heading up to the shops, you need anything? shout were their calls of the wild, our tribe. I was often roped in to entertain a baby while their mother cried on my mums shoulder, or ran up to the shop with a fiver and a note to plead for Mindys emergency fags. No longer did my sister and I live in the shadow of our father in a one-bedroom second-floor flat, but smack-bang in the middle of a new clan of people, our people.

Thatchers right to buy scheme in the 1980s would be the end of such communities. When a council tenant sold up (often at a profit) a private buyer would move in. This meant that those families living in poverty, needing a roof over their heads, found it increasingly hard to access social housing. Cornwall is still littered with abandoned caravans; it is also starting to fill with them again. On a walk along any coastal path you will likely come across someone living among the bracken and briars, off-grid not because of some environmental middle-class yurt-driven want but because of necessity, extreme poverty.

House prices during the coronavirus pandemic rose even higher to sate a gluttonous demand for Cornish homes. By December 2022, the average property price in the county was 323,000, 10 times the average Cornish wage. Property in Cornwall has always been expensive, in comparison with local wages, but a surge in pandemic staycations meant many private landlords moved into making long lets to affluent Londoners, evicting local tenants. Working from home during Covid also meant a lot of rich folk from up-country could live their dream of a cottage in Cornwall, while keeping their remote jobs, pushing locals even further towards the fringes of society.

What does this all mean for Cornish communities? It means there are entire villages, such as the beautiful twin fishing villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, along the coast from Downderry, where in winter all the cottages are boarded up, not just because of the battering sea but because they are holiday homes, second homes, and nobody is there. Cornwall has as many families waiting for social housing as there are holiday homes.

***

At the age of 19 I met my first proper girlfriend and we moved into a basement flat together in Plymouth. I was out of my beloved council house that no longer felt like home and out of Downderry, the village where Id always found myself mostly alone.

I returned to Cornwall in my mid-20s, an age when many decide to leave home, but I was done with hunting. I had finally dug up a little something inside myself, had fallen in love while living in London with the woman Ive been lucky enough to call my partner for 26 years, had my first collection of poetry published there, and I brought these two best parts of my life home with me to Cornwall. Another village, but the county and place I came from.

I am Cornish proud, but for every strand of the childhood and teen trauma I endured, the village I grew up in will never be a friend to me. When I think about it I feel overwhelming pain. When I visit it I feel a deep desire to escape all over again.

Often poverty is not a tsunami but an incoming tide of tiny waves. They hit and they hit until finally you are overwhelmed with water, and with little option you struggle to keep afloat, your head above water, trying to think of all the ways to make some cash so you might survive the next breaker crash, hoping that at one point you might witness the dark in its final dawn retreat, light breaking through and the glimmer of something close to hope.

This is an edited extract from Undercurrent: A Cornish Memoir of Poverty, Nature and Resilience by Natasha Carthew, published by Hodder & Stoughton (16.99) on 13 April. To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.

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I felt a deep desire to escape: Natasha Carthew on Cornish beauty and brutality - The Guardian