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NexOptic Technology (CVE:NXO) Sets New 1-Year Low – What’s Next?Cowley Manor Experimental Cotswolds hotel reviewAvrupa Minerals Ltd. ( CVE:AVU – Get Free Report ) shares reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02, with a volume of 33000 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.03. Avrupa Minerals Stock Performance The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$0.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.03. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.29 million, a PE ratio of -2.00 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.75. Avrupa Minerals Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Avrupa Minerals Ltd. engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Europe. It explores for gold, copper, and zinc. The company holds interest in the Alvalade project located in Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal; and Slivovo exploration license in Kosovo. It also holds interests in the Pielavesi, Kolima, and Yli-li properties in Finland. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Avrupa Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avrupa Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died
The Senate Committee on Science and Technology recently approved the bill seeking to expand the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) system, a measure aimed at improving access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education nationwide. The proposed “Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act” aims to address geographic disparities, infrastructure limitations and socioeconomic barriers. “It no longer be one by region, we are longing to have two campuses per region,” PSHS Executive Director Ronnalee Orteza said during the Senate hearing. At present, the PSHS system admits only around 1,875 students annually out of 23,000 to 30,000 examinees. Orteza explained that this represents less than 1 percent of the country’s estimated gifted population. She said the proposed expansion may help to bridge this gap by increasing available slots for deserving students, particularly in regions with larger populations, such as Calabarzon. The bill also seeks to address teacher shortages and the lack of PSHS campuses in underserved areas, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). “We do not have a [PSHS] campus there [BARMM], sir, but we are helping them establish their science high school,” she said. “Last week, we met with the [BARMM] Ministry of Science and Technology. They will open Bangsamoro Science High School next year [on a] 14.2 hectare land.” Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who presided over the Senate hearing, reiterated the importance of codifying support for BARMM in the proposed law to ensure continuity across future leaders. Based on Orteza’s presentation, the PSHS System expansion requires substantial funding, with an estimated budget of P333 million in the first year and over P1 billion spread across six years. “The operation will only stabilize when all the campuses are established, so after six years,” she said partly in Filipino. PSHS scholars currently cost P224,211 per capita, with the system’s total budget declining slightly from P2.9 billion in 2023 to P2.7 billion in 2024 and 2025. The site selection criteria for new campuses include the quality of feeder schools, accessibility, land size and topography, and support from local government units. The PSHS system also partners with the DOST-Science Education Institute to raise awareness and promote science education in public schools. Since its establishment in 1969, the PSHS System has produced 27,156 graduates, 98 percent of whom pursued STEM-related courses. The measure will undergo further refinement by a technical working group before being presented for plenary deliberations. Zubiri expressed optimism about its passage before February 14, 2025.Nagpur: Devendra Fadnavis emerged as Maharashtra's most influential political leader, steering the BJP to its best-ever performance in the 2024 assembly elections. With the party winning 132 of the 149 seats it contested, recording an impressive 86% strike rate, the deputy chief minister has solidified his legacy. The victory marked a remarkable comeback from the BJP's 105 seats in 2019, setting the stage for the Nagpur Southwest MLA to take the CM's chair for a historic third term. If confirmed, Fadnavis will join the ranks of political legends like Vasantrao Naik, Maharashtra's longest-serving chief minister, and Sharad Pawar, who was sworn in four times. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom IPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads His ability to manoeuvre through Maharashtra's complex political landscape has made Fadnavis a force to reckon with. From Nagpur to the Pinnacle of Power Fadnavis's journey began in Nagpur, home to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP. His early association with the RSS shaped his political acumen, paving the way for his rise from being Nagpur's youngest mayor to BJP's Maharashtra unit chief in 2013. In 2014, Fadnavis, who was then Maharashtra BJP president, became CM after the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 122 seats. His second stint came briefly in 2019 when he took oath alongside Ajit Pawar in a dramatic early-morning ceremony. However, that govt lasted only three days. In 2022, he orchestrated a split in the Shiv Sena, leading to the formation of the Mahayuti govt with Eknath Shinde as CM. This time, he happily settled as deputy CM on the BJP's central leadership directives. Mastermind of Strategic Alliances Known for his clean image and sharp negotiation skills, Fadnavis has been the architect of major political realignments in Maharashtra. He played a key role in splitting the Shiv Sena and later engineered the NCP's division, bringing Ajit Pawar and his 40 MLAs into the Mahayuti fold. These moves not only strengthened the BJP's position but also showcased Fadnavis's ability to outmanoeuvre opposition leaders. BJP insiders credit Fadnavis's strategic brilliance for keeping the party ahead in civic and panchayat polls, and maintaining its dominance in Maharashtra's political arena. His proximity to the RSS leadership has further bolstered his position, ensuring seamless coordination between state and central govts. Development Agenda at the Core Fadnavis has consistently championed development-focused governance, emphasising urban infrastructure projects like the Samruddhi Expressway, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, and the Navi Mumbai Airport. He has also expanded Metro connectivity in Nagpur, Pune, and Mumbai. His commitment to addressing irrigation issues and boosting investments has reinforced his image as a progressive leader. A Clean Leader Amid Scandals Despite Maharashtra's often turbulent political environment, Fadnavis has retained his reputation as a clean politician. Fadnavis himself summed up his approach in a post on X: "Ek hai toh safe hai, Modi hai toh mumkin hai." Later, speaking to the media, he likened himself to a modern-day Abhimanyu, saying, "I know how to break the opposition's Chakravyuh." He also clarified that the decision on the CM's post would be taken by BJP's central committee in consultation with CM Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Looking Ahead: A Historic Third Term At 54, Fadnavis is set to make history as one of Maharashtra's few three-time chief ministers. Backed by the BJP's central leadership and the RSS, he is poised to replicate the long-serving tenure of leaders like Vasantrao Naik. With an unblemished record, a development-centric agenda, and unmatched political acumen, Fadnavis cemented his place as a towering figure in Maharashtra's political landscape. As the state looks ahead, all eyes will be on how he shapes its future in his third term.
BOSTON -- In a season full of ugly football games from the New England Patriots, Sunday's 34-15 loss to the Dolphins was easily the ugliest. Jerod Mayo's team was never in it as Tua Tagovailoa and company did whatever they wanted against the New England defense, while the Patriots' offensive line kept making life difficult for Drake Maye. Everyone in a Patriots uniform had a bad day in Miami on Sunday. Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington have to be questioning everything they thought they knew about defense after being shred to pieces by Tagovailoa and the Miami offense. The New Engalnd offensive line has to be wondering if they can do anything right, and Maye has to be flustered that he has to do everything for the offense to have a chance at functioniong. In their two losses over the last three weeks heading into Week 12, the Patriots were at least competitive. It looked like they were heading in a somewhat decent direction. Well, there was nothing competitive about Sunday's game, especially throughout a horrific first half. The game was a massive step back for the Patriots, as they were outplayed and outclassed in every facet of the game. With that being said, we're not going to force an equal amount of "Ups" as "Downs" in this post. That's just not healthy for anyone involved. Reliving Sunday's loss isn't all that beneficial for anyone's psyche either, so proceed with extreme caution as we go over the few Ups and many, many Downs from Sunday's embarrassing Patriots loss. DOWN: The Patriots defense made no plays It didn't matter if the Patriots defense was in a man or a zone look, the Dolphins seemed to always have at least one guy open and Tua always seemed to find them for a big gain. Miami had 16 plays that went for 10 or more yards on Sunday. Tagovailoa was comfy and cozy all afternoon as he completed 29 of his 40 pass attempts for 317 yards and four touchdowns. Eight different players caught a pass for Miami on Sunday. Jaylen Waddle has been struggling all year, but he had his best game of the season. The receiver finished with eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, and consistently beat Marcus Jones in Miami's win. Safety Kyle Dugger had a real bad day, as he was on coverage for two of Tua's four touchdown passes. He should have been covering De'Von Achane on another, but he left the running back wide open for an easy score. The defense did make one play on the afternoon, as Christian Gonzalez returned a fumble 63 yards for a touchdown. But that had more to do with Jaylen White having the ball hit off his facemask, and the scoop-and-score was too little, too late to make it a 31-15 game in the fourth quarter. DOWN: A nightmare of a second quarter for Patriots Miami scored 24 points in the second quarter as they out-gained the Patriots, 209 to negataive-11, in the frame. The Dolphins had 12 of their 17 first-half first downs in the second quarter. How many first downs did the Patriots have in the second quarter? Zero. DOWN: Pats' Pass Rush goes MIA in Miami Tagovailoa had all the time he needed on Sunday, as he was barely pressured and sacked just once. He wasn't hit on any of his 27 drop backs in the first half. DOWN: Patriots owned by Jonnu Smith Smith looked like the guy that the Pats wanted when they gave him a massive contract in 2021. He torched his former team for nine receptions, 87 yards, and a touchdown. Smith now has three touchdowns over his last two games for the Dolphins. He had just one touchdown in his two seasons with the Patriots. DOWN: No points off a promising second drive Maybe this game would have looked different had the Patriots got on the board first. They had a great chance on their second drive of the game, but came up empty as the laundry started to fly on the offensive line. The New England offense drove into the red zone, but they got nothing out of it because of three penalties on Maye's "protectors." Vederian Lowe was hit with a false start (his second of the game) and Demontrey Jacobs was flagged twice on the drive; a false start and a 10-yard holding. That second penalty was big, as it turned a second-and-6 into a second-and-16. The Patriots got conservative on third-and-14 and Rhamondre Stevenson picked up just three yards on a draw. Joey Slye then missed his 45-yard field goal attempt, which hit off the right upright. Those three penalties were just a sign of things to come for the Patriots. DOWN: Patriots doomed by penalties The Patriots were once again their own worst enemy on Sunday. They had 10 penalties accepted against them (and were hit with 13 overall) which cost New England 75 yards. Six of those penalties came before the snap. "It starts with me," Mayo said after the game. "We've had these hiccups in games where penalties really affected us and it did today." Lowe and Jacobs had miserable days, and Jacobs was benched in the second half because of his struggles. He was also getting beat by rookie linebacker Chop Robinson, which led to Maye hitting the deck a few times. A 10-yard hold on Lowe wiped out a 19-yard catch-and-run from Stevenson on New England's fourth possession. The left tackle was later flagged for a false start that turned a third-and-10 into a third-and-15, and Maye was sacked on the next play to force a Patriots punt. Lowe was hit with four flags overall -- three false starts and a hold -- and he was also beat by Zach Sieler which resulted in a third-quarter strip sack. The Patriots were never able to get anything going on offense, and much of the blame rests on the team's ineffective and undisciplined offensive line. Small Up: Barmore gets a sack OK, let's try to force a little positivity here. Christian Barmore came up with his first sack of the season early in third quarter to finish off a Miami three-and-out. It was nice to see from Barmore, who missed the first 10 games after being diagnosed with blood clots over the summer. His sack on Tagovailoa was New England's first since the fourth quarter in Chicago in Week 10. Slightly Bigger Up: Drake Maye's touchdown Let's go out on a high note. Drake Maye turned it over two more times on Sunday with a fumble and an interception. He's gotta be better at that. But hey, look at this touchdown off a broken play. Drake ➡️ Hoop for a 4th quarter score 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/REHPLyN9wo Maye wasn't as good as he was last week against the Rams, but a lot of that had to do with the offensive line. He also missed on some throws, and had his two turnovers. But win or lose, Maye continues to give New England fans a reason to watch on Sundays -- however painful it may be for large stretches. Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.Face morphing spoof attacks against biometric systems are particularly challenging for border systems to detect, and as morph attack detection systems are developed, questions have arisen about how to test such systems, and how they are affected by the quality of the images used. Progress has been made towards answers to both questions. The iMARS (image manipulation attack resolving solutions) project held an event in Brussels and online to explore the theme “ .” An iMARS workshop earlier this year shared some progress, but also the sobering news that . Two of the afternoon presentations for the event on Thursday were delivered by Christophe Busch and Matteo Ferrara of the University of Bologna. Researchers with the University of Bologna have developed an evaluation platform for MAD systems, the (BOEP), presented earlier this year in an EAB Lunch Talk. Ferrara presented the benchmarks evaluated by the BOEP for iMARS. Thes systems are divided into single-image morph attack detection (SMAD) and differential morph attack detection (DMAD). So far, six iMARS partners have submitted a total of 34 SMAD algorithms. The target BPCER of below 8 percent set by the iMARS project has been achieved in all SMAD benchmarks, Ferrara says, with a morph attack classification error rate (MACER) at or below 10 percent. For DMAD, 4 iMARS partners submitted 10 algorithms. The key performance indicator in this case is BPCER of 6 percent or lower at MACER under 10 percent, and was likewise met in all benchmarks. Ferrara also reviewed the differences between NIST’s FATE MORPH and BOEP. Busch discussed the importance of being able to assess biometric sample quality to the iMars project. Large scale databases and diverse applications scenarios increase the importance of considering image quality. This helps to avoid false positives, but is also essential for interoperability. This is particular important given the many contributors to the program. They have “many different capture sites with different technology, with different levels of training,” Busch points out. A standardized concept of what is good and what is not is the motivating concept behind the development of the face image quality assessment (FIQA). These algorithms help to predict the recognition performance that can be expected, as well as assisting with the detection of morphed images. The EES system is set up with the ISO/IEC 19794-5 in mind, so that provides some requirements, and the , which OFIQ (Open Source Face Image Quality) is a reference implementation for, provides measurements for them. They must be applied to pre-enrolled reference images, live-enrolled reference images, like at an EES kiosk, and probe images, such as from a biometric automated border control gate. The unified quality score (UQS) specified by ISO/IEC 29794-1 provides the overall assessment, and defect measurement provides explainability. OFIQ software provides 28 quality measures, starting with the unified quality score, covering capture device and subject variables. Numerous algorithms have been proposed, and the iMARS project determined three criteria for assessing the proposals: accuracy, low computational complexity and the liberality of the license. Images with OFIQ-UQS above a certain threshold, perhaps around 70, will be useful enough to store and use. The success of the metric is shown in the performance improvements seen in matching performance as low-quality images are discarded, Busch explains, providing an answer to one of the central questions of the iMARS project; “How can we measure the impact of face image quality on biometric recognition performance.” Busch reviewed the quality components that go into the unified score, and how they are measured based on the position of facial landmarks and other observable characteristics. Expression neutrality has proved relatively complex, but not impossible to measure. Research published in September shows that a positive correlation between images assessed as high-quality and success in morphing attack detection (MAD). Future work will focus on demographic variability and adding missing quality components, such as motion blurring. | | | | | |
Netflix Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitorsPHL to secure JICA loan for PTNI digitalization
Adjacant to the River Churn, Cowley Manor is surrounded by 55 acres of parkland (look out for llamas grazing) in . Woods, meadows, natural springs and a lake create a magical setting. In fact, Lewis Carroll was inspired by the hotel’s grounds when writing . The of Cheltenham is a 15-minute drive north, while the quintessentially English villages of Burton-on-the-Water, Upper Slaughter and Bibury, as well as the bustling market town Stow-on-the-World, are a mere 20 minutes away. Cowley Manor offers a base for exploring the , while being able to escape the crowds when you bed down at night. Drive 50 minutes drive east and you’ll land at the Cotswolds hotspots of Soho Farmhouse, Chipping Norton, the Daylesford empire and Jeremy Clarkson’s (be prepared for a two-hour queue). Built in the 17th century, Cowley Manor was once owned by the kings of England. A refuge during wartime, it became a hotel two decades ago before the slick French Experimental group took over in 2022 and overhauled the interiors. There are on-the-nose nods to – think Queen of Hearts print dining chairs, miniature doors and checkerboard carpets and wallpapers. Maximalists will love the rattan textures, coloured glossy lacquer and lava stone set against original features. The hotel has a relaxed but exclusive atmosphere, reflected in the stylish and sophisticated interiors. Bold details are balanced with comfort – rugs are soft under feet while the bar and lounge have plush armchairs and sofas to sink into in the evening. There’s even a games room with a pool table, chess sets and draughts tables that creates a communal vibe. Check in is smooth (your bags are in the room before you are) and check out is equally effortless. Polite but not intrusive, staff are always close by to assist, whether it’s serving drinks to guests in the deckchairs across the lawn or assisting with spa treatments. While breakfast service is attentive, dinner was not plain sailing (the starters came out before the long-forgotton bottle of wine) and room service was a tad too long. The hotel’s 36 rooms are in the main house and the converted stable block. Entry level rooms are spacious (some come with an outdoor terrace), while families are well catered for with space-saving sofa bunk beds. The treehouse rooms are spread across three floors and a mezzanine, which makes them ideal for a longer stay. All rooms have a well-stocked mini bar, La Bruket toiletries and Nespresso coffee machines. The bathrooms are the real standout, with large tubs for soaking, rainforest showers and colourful glossy surfaces are as inviting as the expansive four-poster beds. Patterned headboards and checkerboard motifs are repeated in the rooms, with houseplants and natural rattan pieces creating an airy feel. The suites are vast and look out onto a romantic view of the manor’s gardens, complete with terrace balconies, sun loungers and bathrooms bigger than your average London living room. Brunswick House chef Jackson Boxer heads up the kitchen at the award-winning restaurant, where the dining hall’s interiors are as much of a draw as the food. Original dark wood panelling has been restored, with 70s-style shiny rounded tables, geometric cushioning and gentle lighting thanks to low-hanging tasseled lamps. Inspired by the local area along with salutes to French cuisine, caviar and crisps are served with old spot croquettes and moorish honey brioches. Mains span classics like lobster and chili taglioni, fresh trout from nearby Bibury and indulgent Hereford sirloin steak. Breakfast on the manor’s terrace combines superb food with views across the lake. Granola bowls and local jams sit alongside smoked fish, meats and pastries on the continental buffet – or opt for Boxer’s elevated spin on a full English breakfast. Experimental is famous for its cocktails, so the Cowley Manor bar has a lot to live up to. The mood-lit space is striking, with a huge enamelled lava-stone bright blue bar, matching low tables and patterned armchairs and stools. There’s a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights, but the hotel is yet to match the lively atmosphere of the group’s European outposts. The cocktails try to bring the party spirit, with the Saint Germain des Pres and Brandy Sherbert packing a punch. Cowley Manor’s outdoor pool is heated all day, year-round (meaning even a January swim is possible). Tucked away behind concrete walls that shield against wind, the 15m pool is flanked by attractive white scallop umbrellas, sunbeds and a bar. There’s also a 17m indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling glass that gives the sense that you’re swimming in the middle of a forest. There are both adults-only and kids hours at the pool. The serene spa has four treatment rooms offering facials, body wraps, massages, hydra-lifts and more, as well as a gym, relaxation area, steam room, rainfall showers and a sauna. The hotel makes the most of its grounds – in summer you can swim in the lake or watch open air cinema screenings on the lawn, while audio tours are available year-round to enjoy as you wander the gardens. There are accessible ground floor rooms and wheelchair access to most public areas on the ground floor. Unfortunately, the spa and pools are not wheelchair accessible. Dogs and cats are allowed in rooms with a £25 per pet/night fee, but are not accepted in the restaurants and bars. Check in from 3pm; check out by 11am. Yes. There are family rooms and suites, plus baby cots, bunk beds, open air cinema evenings and children’s hours in the pool. The outdoor activities – be it the heated pool or the idyllic 55 acres to explore. Couples and families looking for a quiet yet stylish countryside break. : Party people – you won’t find the same clientele here as you would at Soho Farmhouse. The literary-inspired dining hall. Cowley, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9NL United Kingdom +44 (0) 1242 8709002025 State Budget to maintain stability, economic growth" Wicked " was number 1 in North America, with sales from Friday through Sunday of roughly $95 million from 3,888 theaters, for a total since opening in previews earlier in the week of $114 million. That sum made "Wicked" the third-highest opener for the year, behind $211 million for "Deadpool & Wolverine" and $154 million for "Inside Out 2", NYT News Service reported. Ridley Scott's " Gladiator II " collected about $56 million in North America, including previews, for a worldwide total since arriving in overseas release earlier this month of about $220 million, as per the report. "This weekend's two strong openers are invigorating a box office that fell apart after a good summer," said David A. Gross, a film consultant who publishes a newsletter on box office numbers. 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To convince people that "Wicked" was worth a trip to the multiplex, Universal Pictures mounted one of the largest marketing campaigns in Hollywood history. The no-expense-spared effort started in February at the Super Bowl and did not let up, leaving some competing studio marketers slack-jawed. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who star in "Wicked," were omnipresent at the Summer Olympics. NBC broadcast an hourlong infomercial about the movie. Universal theme parks pounded promotional drums. The "Today" show chipped in blanket coverage. Universal Pictures, which is part of the NBCUniversal media conglomerate, secured more than 400 brand partnerships for the film, resulting in "Wicked" dolls from Mattel, "Wicked" drinks at Starbucks, "Wicked" LEGO sets, and "Wicked" cardigans at Target, just to name four. Erivo and Grande gave so many interviews that they seemed, at times, to be nearing a breaking point. The marketing onslaught is not over: The movie will have a "significant" presence Thursday at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC, Universal said. "Wicked: Part Two" is scheduled for release next year, so get comfy with "Wicked" everything. Together, the two movies will easily cost more than $500 million to make and market. Is this now what it takes to fill theaters? Movies, especially ones like "Wicked," a mega-spectacle with mega-reviews based on a mega-musical, used to be able to commandeer the culture by themselves. "Sadly, filmgoing has fallen further and further down the leisure-time priority list, and the best hope studios have is to manufacture a cultural event," Stephen Galloway, the dean of Chapman University's film school, said in an email. He added of brand partnerships: "There's a kind of irony here. To show the world you're unique and different, you turn to businesses that promise customers their products are just the same." "Gladiator II," which cost Paramount Pictures at least $350 million to make and market, was also given a hard sell, despite being a well-reviewed sequel to a blockbuster that won the prize for best picture at the 2001 Oscars and has remained popular on home video. To generate interest in "Gladiator II," Paramount Pictures advertised heavily at sporting events; staged premieres in Australia, Japan, Ireland, France, Denmark, Britain and the United States; set up extensive partnerships with Ferrari and Pepsi; and simultaneously debuted a final 60-second trailer for the film on more than 4,000 television networks, digital platforms, local stations, Spanish-language outlets and radio stations. "Wicked," directed by Jon M. Chu, easily set a domestic box office record for the biggest opening of a live-action musical. The record is currently held by "Hairspray," which arrived to $43 million in domestic ticket sales in 2007, after adjusting for inflation. About 72% of ticket buyers for "Wicked" were female, according to PostTrak, an exit polling service, meaning that Universal's attempt to convince men that a glittery, two-hour-and-40-minute musical was worth their time was not entirely successful. Deadline, an entertainment trade news site, estimated Thursday that "Wicked" was on track to take in between $130 million and $150 million in tickets in North America over the weekend. Some 60% of "Gladiator II" ticket buyers were male, according to PostTrak. Paramount was thrilled with the demographic breakdown, noting that roughly half of ticket buyers were younger than 35, a sign that the sequel had reached a new generation while maintaining the legacy audience. To some degree, "Wicked" helped fuel "Gladiator II" and vice versa, with their simultaneous release in the United States and Canada nicknamed "Glicked," and movie fans -- captivated by their wild incongruity -- taking in double features and dressing in elaborate costumes. Box office analysts said the effect was minimal, however, at least compared with "Barbenheimer" last year, when hundreds of thousands of moviegoers paid to see "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" in back-to-back screenings. Both "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" amounted to cinematic comfort food -- escapist, over-the-top stories that allowed Americans to leave behind a bruising presidential campaign and the continuing impact of inflation. People reach for nostalgia in times of stress, and movies that remind audiences of the past have been succeeding. Examples include "Wonka," "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," "Twisters" and now "Wicked," with its roots in "The Wizard of Oz," and "Gladiator II," with its sandals and swords. FAQs Q1. Which Hollywood movies were released this week? A1. "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" were released this week. Q2. What are box-office collections of 'Gladiator II'? A2. Box-office collections of "Gladiator II" are about $56 million in North America. 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BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Si Javier Milei aplica la motosierra al gasto del Estado, su vicepresidenta convalida un aumento de salarios a funcionarios. Si el presidente argentino confronta a la oposición por obstaculizar sus medidas de ajuste, Victoria Villarruel mantiene un trato cordial con esos sectores. Aquella sociedad presidente-vicepresidenta, que se mostraba inseparable en campaña y fraguó un inesperado cambio político en Argentina, lleva ahora una tensa convivencia en la cúspide del poder. Se saludan de beso en la mejilla en actos oficiales, pero no se hablan más, como ocurrió días atrás en una condecoración de policías. Esta dinámica ha levantado suspicacias sobre las reales intenciones de la enigmática vicepresidenta, de 49 años, en un oficialismo que no controla el Congreso y teme por un juicio político al economista ultraliberal. Milei no oculta su fastidio y ha llegado a exponer públicamente la ruptura. “Ella no tiene ningún tipo de injerencia en la toma de decisiones”, declaró en una reciente entrevista. “Porque, además, ella en su visión muchas de las cosas de lo que nosotros hacemos, está mucho más cerca del círculo rojo y de lo que ella llama la alta política, que es lo que nosotros llamamos la casta”, apuntó en referencia al sistema político tradicional. RELATED COVERAGE AP Fotos: Las mejores fotos de la semana en América Latina La gran cantidad de problemas jurídicos que enfrenta el expresidente brasileño Jair Bolsonaro Primer ministro canadiense Trudeau suspenderá impuesto sobre la venta de diversos artículos El diálogo entre ellos, admitió Milei, se limita a “lo que se necesita institucionalmente para cumplir con nuestros roles”. Más centrada, sin experiencia partidaria previa, hábil para el debate mediático y experta en temas de seguridad, Villarruel funcionaba como el complemento ideal para el extrovertido dirigente libertario durante la campaña a la Presidencia. Pero había otro aspecto de la historia personal de Villarruel que le daba réditos al economista en su disputa electoral contra el progresismo. Hija de un teniente coronel que combatió a grupos insurgentes en los 70 y sobrina de un oficial de inteligencia acusado por crímenes de lesa humanidad durante la última dictadura (1976-1983), Villarruel se adhiere a una corriente de pensamiento que cuestiona el “Nunca más”, el paradigma dominante en política de derechos humanos tras el retorno de la democracia, que se enfoca en reconocer a las víctimas —los desaparecidos— de la represión militar. La vicepresidenta milita a favor de una “memoria completa” que busca poner en un plano de igualdad a las víctimas de los ataques perpetuados por la guerrilla izquierdista con los crímenes de lesa humanidad cometidos por las Fuerzas Armadas en la convulsionada década de 1970 en Argentina. AP solicitó varios pedidos de entrevista a Villarruel para este perfil, pero fueron rechazados por su equipo de prensa. ¿ENEMIGOS EN EL PODER? Durante la campaña a la presidencia, Milei había prometido que Villarruel tendría el control de la seguridad y la defensa de su gobierno por considerarla una experta en la temática. Se especializó en la lucha contra el terrorismo en el Centro de Estudios de Defensa Hemisférica William J. Perry en Washington. Tras asumir en diciembre, el mandatario designó en esas áreas a dirigentes de partidos políticos aliados y Villarruel quedó relegada a su función constitucional de presidenta del Senado, sin mayores explicaciones. Lo más cerca del Poder Ejecutivo que ha estado fue como reemplazo de Milei en sus viajes al exterior, tal como indica la Carta Magna. La vicepresidenta —que siempre luce distintos modelos de escarapelas albicelestes— buscó desde entonces diferenciarse del mandatario . “Si diseccionas los personajes con las ideologías, Milei y Villarruel no pegan ni con cola”, dijo a AP el periodista Juan Luis González, quien se ha especializado en la investigación del fenómeno de las nuevas derechas en Argentina y escribió el libro “El Loco”, en el que revela el recorrido de Milei y su entorno antes de asumir el poder en diciembre. “Milei es un libertario”, añadió. “Su punto cero ideológico es que el Estado es una imposición violenta, no tiene que existir. Villarruel es una nacionalista conservadora, católica y cree en la fortaleza del Estado”, acotó. González y la mayoría de sus colegas que cubren a diario los entretelones del gobierno también apuntan a la mala relación de Villarruel con la hermana del presidente y secretaria general de la presidencia, Karina Milei, quien al parecer desconfía de las ambiciones políticas de la vicepresidenta. En una encuesta realizada a fines de octubre por la consultora D’Alessio IROL / Berensztein, Villarruel tiene una imagen positiva del 43% frente al 41% del presidente, entre 1.118 encuestados. “Villarruel me representa, la noto muy preparada”, expresó Joanna Salcedo, una peluquera de 34 años. “Sabe de lo que habla. Me gusta su estilo, es cálida, la noto cercana a la gente. La votaría si se presenta a presidenta”. En la primera y única entrevista que dio en televisión tras ser elegida, Villarruel calificó a Milei de “pobre jamoncito” porque está en el medio entre ella y Karina. “Tiene mucho carácter y yo también. Es brava”, definió a su contrincante interna. Villarruel avaló un aumento de salarios en el Senado pese a la política de “motosierra” que lleva adelante Milei sobre los gastos del Estado . “Si a la motosierra le das y le das, después te comés un montón de juicios laborales”, justificó. También viajó al Vaticano a principios de octubre para una audiencia con el papa Francisco, a los pocos días de que el líder religioso lanzara filosas críticas contra el gobierno de Milei. A su vez, generó un contrapunto diplomático con Francia cuando lo tildó de “país colonialista” al salir en defensa de los jugadores de la selección de Argentina, en un escándalo por cánticos racistas durante la Copa América. El gobierno de Milei tuvo que pedir disculpas formales. Otro incidente en política exterior se dio con motivo de un reciente acuerdo con Gran Bretaña para retomar los vuelos mensuales entre Brasil y las islas Malvinas con una escala en la provincia argentina de Córdoba, pero sin reabrir la discusión sobre la soberanía del archipiélago, que los británicos tienen cancelada desde su victoria en la guerra de 1982. “Todos saben lo que representa Malvinas para mí y que ese es mi límite ”, expresó la Villarruel, hija de un excombatiente en sus redes sociales. “La propuesta de acuerdo anunciada con el Reino Unido es contraria a los intereses de nuestra Nación”. “Ella es una líder con pretensiones presidenciales. Eso la induce a diferenciarse parcialmente del presidente, un líder a quien naturalmente por sus características le gusta tomar riesgos, ir mas allá”, apuntó el analista político Sergio Berensztein. LA FAMILIA MILITAR Al igual que Milei, Villarruel no es una emergente de la política tradicional. Mientras el mandatario cobró notoriedad como columnista económico en programas de televisión, su segunda inició su militancia a principios de este siglo como miembro de agrupaciones de esposas, hijos, camaradas y abogados de militares detenidos de la última dictadura, considerada una de las más sangrientas de Latinoamérica. Estos grupos buscaban contrarrestar las posturas de los organismos de derechos humanos fundados por familiares de los desaparecidos, como Madres y Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, y también frenar los procesos judiciales. Alegaban que la represión se dio en el marco de una guerra contra la guerrilla y que si hubo abusos, estos debían ser juzgados por tribunales militares. Villarruel fundó en 2006 la asociación civil Centro de Estudios Legales sobre el Terrorismo y sus Víctimas (CELTYV) con el objetivo de investigar el accionar de las organizaciones armadas de izquierda, como ERP y Montoneros. Esto la llevó a tener trato frecuente en la cárcel con algunas de las figuras más relevantes de la dictadura, como el expresidente de facto Jorge Rafael Videla, fallecido en 2013, y tres exmarinos condenados por crímenes de lesa humanidad. Elegida diputada en 2021 y vicepresidenta dos años después, el ascenso político de Villarruel se da en el marco de “un crecimiento de los discursos relativistas y negacionistas ”, advirtió el Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS), un organismo de derechos humanos fundado en 1979. “Este tipo de posiciones representan un daño mayúsculo a la construcción social, política e institucional que simboliza el ‘Nunca Más’ para la democracia, un piso común de acuerdo y convivencia al que se comprometieron todos los gobiernos previos, los tres poderes del Estado y el Ministerio Público Fiscal”, añadió. Si bien, antes de Villarruel, hubo otras voces dentro de la dirigencia política argentina que han puesto en duda la emblemática cifra de 30.000 desaparecidos y cuestionado la transparencia de las indemnizaciones que pagó el Estado a sus familias, ella es la primera que desde un alto cargo impulsa medidas concretas en línea con un revisionismo de los 70. Durante un acto en el Senado en homenaje a las víctimas de la guerrilla, prometió reabrir las causas judiciales contra sus responsables pese a la jurisprudencia que ha declarado prescritos esos delitos. “Mientras no haya justicia, verdad y reparación para las víctimas del terrorismo y se termine la impunidad de estos señores, no hay posibilidad de reconciliación”, argumentó. Días atrás logró que el Senado aprobara un proyecto de reparación económica para los herederos de una docena de soldados muertos durante un ataque de un comando de Montoneros –el brazo armado del peronismo de izquierda— a un regimiento militar de la provincia de Formosa. Entre la causa por la “memoria completa” y la convivencia con Milei, Villarruel también proyecta su futuro político más allá de 2027. En TikTok —la red social que elige para un contacto directo con sus partidarios— dijo que su anhelo cuando finalice el mandato como vicepresidenta es que “los argentinos me recuerden como parte de su familia”. “Tiene potencial porque es una figura fuerte, Argentina siempre busca caudillos o caudillas”, apuntó Berenzstein. “Es una mujer fuerte, típicas de la Argentina desde Evita (Perón) en adelante... Se inscribe dentro de esa tradición de mujeres argentinas que no llegaron para acompañar, no son mujeres ‘de’. 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Georgia Leaders Unite in Tribute as Jimmy Carter Dies at 100Minnesota turkeys head back to D.C. for pre-Thanksgiving presidential pardonORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen reflected on Buffalo’s many offseason critics and doubters when asked about the Bills achieving their latest milestones while sewing up the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the unraveling and undisciplined New York Jets on Sunday. It was a the Bills quarterback’s “I told you so moment,” even though Allen elected not to use those exact words. “It speaks to the staff that we’ve got here, the guys that we’ve got in this locker room, how this team is put together and the culture that we have,” Allen said. “We didn’t really pay attention to the preseason notions, but we heard them and we saw them and we knew what people were saying. "But it had no effect on us.” Well, that might be a stretch when it comes to motivation. What’s unquestioned is how Allen and the Bills (13-3) overcame a young, patchwork roster following the offseason departure of six of eight team captains — including Stefon Diggs being traded to Houston — to run away with their fifth consecutive AFC East title and win a franchise-best 13 games for the fifth time in team history, and third since 2020. Coach Sean McDermott didn’t leave much doubt as to who deserves the most credit for leading the Bills to their sixth consecutive playoff berth, and helping them set the single-season franchise records for points (509) and touchdowns (63). “I think Josh Allen continues to show why he should be the MVP,” McDermott said. “I’ve been around this league long enough to know to see MVP every year for many years. And what he has done on this team and this organization in this community — and no offense to anybody else — but I’ve got a hard time believing that someone’s done more.” Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to become the NFL’s first player to score 40 touchdowns in five consecutive seasons. He did so in an outing Buffalo blew the game open by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. Nothing went right in what became a comedy of errors for Rodgers and the Jets (4-12). New York will finish with five or fewer wins for the seventh time over a 14-season playoff drought — the NFL’s longest active streak. “It’s kind of like the season, it just got away from us. Too many games got away from us,” said Rodgers, who finished 12 of 18 for 112 yards and two interceptions before being pulled in favor of Tyrod Taylor with Buffalo leading 40-0. “We were moving the ball well and then just hit a wall. And that’s kind of been the season.” Rodgers, who entered the game with 499 career TD passes and looking to become just the fifth player to reach 500, was instead shut out and became the NFL’s most sacked quarterback. The 41-year-old has now been sacked 568 times , moving ahead of Tom Brady (565) and into first place on the career list. Taylor accounted for all of New York’s points, with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson and a 20-yarder to Tyler Conklin. Discipline was an issue for a Jets team that fell to 2-9 since Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim coach. New York finished with 16 accepted penalties for 120 yards. “It’s frustrating, it’s embarrassing, it’s maddening. It’s all of that,” Ulbrich said. Allen had a short and efficient outing, finishing 16 of 27 for 182 yards with a 30-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper and a 14-yarder to Keon Coleman before giving way to backup Mitchell Trubisky with Buffalo leading 33-0 through three quarters. And Trubisky piled on by completing a 69-yard touchdown pass to practice squad call-up Tyrell Shavers 2:23 into the fourth quarter. Shavers became the 13th Bills player to catch a touchdown pass, matching the single-season NFL record, to validate the “everybody eats” mantra Allen and the offense used to approach this season. The Bills defense enjoyed a dominating performance to snap a shaky three-game stretch in which it combined to allow 1,357 yards, 86 first downs and 107 points. “I wouldn’t say need ... and I don’t want to say reassurance, either,” said A.J. Epenesa, who sacked Rodgers for the safety. “But it just shows that this is what we can do and this is the standard that needs to be upheld.” Milestones Allen’s 1-yard score was the 65th rushing TD of his career, matching the team record held by Thurman Thomas. ... James Cook scored on a 4-yard run for his 15th TD rushing of the season, one short of the Bills' single-season record set by O.J. Simpson in a 14-game season in 1975. Cook matched Allen, who scored 15 last year. ... Wilson reached 1,000 yards receiving for the third straight year to start his career, the first Jets player to do so and the 10th player in NFL history to accomplish the feat. Up next Jets: Close the season by hosting the Miami Dolphins. Bills: Play their regular-season finale at the New England Patriots. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl John Wawrow, The Associated Press
CI Financial (NYSE:CIXXF) Shares Gap Up – Time to Buy?Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Luke McCowan says he’ll NEVER sulk about not starting games for Celtic - because he’s just so desperate to be part of the Hoops’ success story. And the Parkhead midfielder believes that if he continues to shine alongside Celtic’s galaxy of international stars, he can earn a dream Scotland call-up in March. The 27-year-old has made a seamless transition from Dundee to the Premiership champions after getting his big move last summer. McCowan has been used sparingly by boss Brendan Rodgers , both domestically and in the Champions League, and has become an integral part of the Celtic squad. But the Scot insists he DOESN’T feel under pressure to impress the Hoops gaffer and is delighted with the role he’s been given by Rodgers at his boyhood club. Ahead of today’s Premiership clash with St Johnstone, McCowan said: “I don’t feel pressure to make an impression or make an impact. I just play my game. “That’s what has helped me. I’m 27 years old now so I’m not inexperienced or someone that doesn’t know what I’m doing. When I come in, I know I need to play in the system. I don’t go searching for things, I just play my football and keep a level head. “You can’t come on in a mood because you’re not playing. Because there are so many games and you just want to be part of it. So far, that approach has worked for me.” Whenever McCowan has been given an opportunity this season, he’s caught the eye for Celtic. And he’s hoping that if he maintains his level of performance for the best team in the country - he’ll also get noticed by national team manager Steve Clarke. Scotland have a Nations League play-off double-header against Greece to look forward to and McCowan would love to be involved. He said: “I hope it’s a possibility and if it comes along, great. It’s something that people have put out there but I need to just let my football do the talking. If the manager picks up the phone, so be it. “It definitely helps that I’m part of a team which is full of international players. What will be will be - that’s what my Granny says! I just need to keep going and see what happens.” Meanwhile, McCowan has expressed concerns about the VAR delays which he says are threatening to upset Celtic’s rhythm. During their 4-0 Boxing Day win over Motherwell there were several VAR stoppages during the 90 minutes. And the former Dundee playmaker says it’s not helping Rodgers’ side’s fluency. Celtic benefited from VAR NOT getting involved in a penalty incident against Rangers in their recent League Cup Final victory but McCowan said: “It does bring a lot of delays, especially when teams come to Celtic Park. “I felt it myself when I came here with Dundee. You want the game to be as fluent as possible and sometimes it isn’t, which is not great. “That’s not just VAR at times, it can be how the referee manages the game. That’s the only downside to VAR, the delays. Sometimes I think it takes five or 10 minutes to put the telly on! “It’s not my place to say whether it’s working or not. Everyone in the game has it now so we just need to go along with it. You just hope it gets the decisions right for football.”Anthony hits winning layup with 0.2 seconds left, Magic complete 17-point rally to beat Nets 102-101
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Anthony hits winning layup with 0.2 seconds left, Magic complete 17-point rally to beat Nets 102-101
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