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☆ The ‘Star Wars’ timeline is confusing. Here’s when ‘The Acolyte,’ ‘Ahsoka’ and more take place
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Worry not, padawans: CNN has laid out a comprehensive timeline of the “Star Wars” canon so you can follow all of the franchise’s time-jumps without getting lost in space. These details are pulled from the official “Star Wars” resources “Ultimate Star Wars” and “Star Wars Character Encyclopedia,” as well as a chart of the eras explored throughout the franchise. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (animated series)Ahsoka is Anakin's padawan in "The Clone Wars," and he lovingly calls her "Snips." ‘Star Wars Rebels’Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren take on the Empire in "Star Wars Rebels." ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’Heroes attempt to find the plans to blow up the Death Star in "Rogue One."

Persons: we’ve, Rey Skywalker, Jin, Anakin Skywalker, Wan, Anakin, who’s, Anakin’s, Darth Maul, Palpatine, Darth Sidious, Obi, “, Padmé, ”, Count Dooku, Warner, Ahsoka Tano, Sidious, Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Vader, ‘, Han, Chewie, Jonathan Olley, scoundrel Han, Thrillist, frenemy, Lando Calrissian, ‘ Obi, Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, ‘ Andor, Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, Jyn, ’ Luke, —, Yoda, batty, Lando, Yikes, Jabba, redeems, VI, VII, Grogu, Mando, Boba Fett, Jango Fett, flitted, Boba, Din, ” It’s, Ahsoka, Jabba the, Suzanne Tenner, Ezra Bridger, Hera Syndulla, Thrawn, Rey, Kylo Ren, ” Rey, stormtrooper Finn, Kylo, ’ Finn, Phasma, Ren, Snoke, MacGuffin, Poe, Emperor Palpatine, she’s, Jude, Kerry Condon, Lee Jung, jae, Amandla, Leslye Headland, James Mangold, Indiana Jones, Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Everett, Lucasfilm Ltd, USA, ‘, Warner Bros, Fox, Empire, Tech, Disney, Walt Disney Studios, ‘ Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Rebels, AV, Pictures, Rebel, Rebels, Galaxy, imperials, Rotten, “ Star Wars Rebels, Force, Rey, C3PO, Jude Law, Variety Locations: Yavin, “, Republic, Hunter, Luke’s, ”, USA, carbonite, New Republic, Endor

☆ Star Wars was the first Lego license — 25 years later, it's stronger than ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Star Wars Lego models are seen at the Bricks & Figs museum in Krakow, Poland, on April 15, 2023. A design director at the Denmark-based Lego company, he has spent the past 25 years creating Lego Star Wars sets. Now, Lego Star Wars has become a blueprint for the company's other brand deals — think Harry Potter, Batman and Marvel's Avengers. The Lego Star Wars collaboration came at a time of financial turmoil for Lego. Lego Icons, Lego Technic, Lego City and Lego Harry Potter also performed well.

Persons: Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, Frederiksen, Darth Vader, Harry Potter, Jill Wilfert, Wilfert, It's, Paul Southern, Shirlaine Forrest, " Frederiksen, we're, Southern, We've Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, Star, CNBC, Disney, Epic Games, Lego Star, Lego, Force, Manchester Central, Imperial, Star Wars, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Company, Lego Star Wars, Warner Bros, Games Locations: Krakow, Poland, Denmark, Lego, Manchester, England

☆ As ‘The Phantom Menace’ turns 25, six (non-Jar Jar) things the ‘Star Wars’ prequel got right
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The teeth-gnashing aspects of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” have been chewed upon for a quarter century, from Watto to Anakin Skywalker’s Midi-chlorian count (and miracle birth) to almost everyone’s favorite punching bag, Jar Jar Binks. Think of them as creative building blocks, which overcame clunkier parts of the script and awkward performances to influence the rest of the “Star Wars” timeline. Ray Park as the villainous Darth Maul in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." It’s also likely a key reason why “Star Wars” has continued to flourish as parents pass it on to their kids. “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” will play in select theaters beginning May 3.

Persons: Anakin Skywalker’s, George Lucas ’, Dave Filoni, “ Obi, Wan, They’re, Darth Sidious, Ian McDiarmid, Lucas, credibly, Mace Windu, Samuel L, Jackson didn’t, Ray Park, Darth Maul, Filoni, “, Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Obi, Wan Kenobi, McGregor, Neeson, Wan –, John Williams, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Force Locations: Watto, Republic

☆ AMC exec has regrets about that 'Dune: Part Two' popcorn bucket
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

You know the "Dune: Part Two" popcorn bucket? An AMC exec told Variety they never would have made them if AMC knew how people would react. AdvertisementThe viral "Dune: Part 2" popcorn bucket has left one AMC Theatres exec with a bit of regret. Frank said the company is continuing to "learn and evolve" its collectible popcorn bucket business. "It's a material part of our food and beverage business, but it's not the majority of it," Frank told Variety.

Persons: —, Elizabeth Frank, Frank, it's, Variety, Barbie, Wonka Organizations: AMC, Service, Variety, Business, eBay, Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood, Disney

☆ 'Star Wars' actor Billy Dee Williams says blackface should be allowed, and that he 'loved' one of its most notorious uses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Billy Dee Williams said that actors should be allowed to use blackface. The "Star Wars" actor said he loved Laurence Olivier as Othello, a blackface performance many regard with horror. Advertisement"Star Wars" actor Billy Dee Williams said that actors should be allowed to use blackface, reopening a topic widely considered taboo. Williams, who is Black, broached the topic in an interview with Bill Maher, speaking in support of being able to use blackface. He was also the first Black actor to play a leading role in the "Star Wars" movies.

Persons: Billy Dee Williams, Laurence Olivier, Williams, —, Bill Maher, Shakespeare's, Lando Calrissian, Olivier, Dominic Cavendish, Maher, should've, I'm Organizations: Service, Daily Telegraph

☆ Opinion: The heroism of Ukraine and the nihilism of Mike Johnson
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Opinion Amelia Glaser | Marci Shore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine/Getty ImagesIn Ukraine the air raid alerts are incessant. Kyiv has the best air defense in Ukraine; the country lacks the resources to defend other cities this way. He noted that Ukrainian air defense had done a spectacular job that morning intercepting every single missile launched at Kyiv. The United States has essentially cut off Ukraine, and Ukrainian air defense is quickly running out of ammunition. After we landed back in JFK, we turned off the air raid sound on our phones.

Persons: Amelia Glaser, Marci Shore, Read, Mike Johnson, Vladimir Putin’s, Covid, ” –, Andrii, you’re, Oleksandr Roytburd, Roytburd, Alla Horska, Tymofiy Mylovanov, Amelia, Iya Kiva, Marci, Tetyana Ogarkova, Volodymyr Yermolenko, Putin, Tucker Carlson, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Carlson, Khmelnytsky, Oleksandr Halenko, Gleb Garanich, texted, ”, Sergii, “, Alina Smutko, Sergii’s, Mark Hamill –, Luke Skywalker, Agiya Zagrebelska, Arad, “ Pessimists, Rob Bauer, ” Bauer, “ I’m, Iaroslava Strikha, beholden, Donald Trump, Johnson, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, ” Putin Organizations: UC San Diego, Yale University, CNN, of Decorative, Applied Arts, Design, Warsaw —, Kyiv School of Economics, KGB, Ukrainian, Fulbright, NATO, National Agency on Corruption, Kyiv Security, United, Kyiv, National, Security Forum Locations: Russia’s, Crimea, Kyiv, New York, JFK, Warsaw, Polish, Chelm, Bucha, Russian, Yevhenii, Ukraine, Sens, Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar, KSE, Muscovy, Russia, Poland, Syria, Murmansk, Kyiv oblast, Austrian, texted, United States

☆ Why is a South American beer brand going viral? The answer's simple: Star Wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In 2003, the brand edited ads into a broadcast of the Star Wars trilogy. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementThe latest brand getting attention on social media isn't Stanley — it's a South American beer creatively edited into a Star Wars broadcast 20 years ago. On X, formerly known as Twitter, users started sharing clips from the original Star Wars trilogy last week. The clips look normal — until a bottle or can of Cerveza Cristal beer suddenly appears in the shot.

Persons: —, isn't Stanley — it's, Cristal, Obi, Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Wan, 🛸, ," the Organizations: Wars, Service, Star Wars Locations: American, Chile, pic.twitter.com

☆ Billy Dee Williams told Donald Glover to 'just be charming' as Lando Calrissian in 'Star Wars': 'In my mind there was and ever will be only one Lando, and that's me.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Portraits of a Life," Billy Dee Williams recalled the advice he gave to Donald Glover before he played the young Lando Calrissian in "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Glover is, however, developing a future "Lando" movie to star in himself. Advertisement"In the spirit of full disclosure, I wished that I had been able to jump back in time to play young Lando, because in my mind there was and ever will be only one Lando, and that's me," he said. The pair discussed why Lando was so iconic in the first place, as Williams wrote: "I didn't play Lando as a Black man," I explained. In 2017, Glover told The Hollywood Reporter that he dissected a number of ideas about Lando to Williams.

Persons: —, Billy Dee Williams, Donald Glover, Lando Calrissian, Williams, didn't, Lando, Glover, scoundrels, Mrs Smith, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Lucasfilm, Disney, Hollywood

☆ Apple’s Vision Pro headset to hit stores in the US. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The Vision Pro, Apple’s first new product in seven years, will officially launch in stores on Friday in the US. The Apple Vision Pro headset is displayed in a showroom on the Apple campus in Cupertino, Calif., after it's introduction at the company's annual developers conference, Monday, June 5, 2023. The Vision Pro is a high-priced headset that blends virtual reality with augmented reality that projects digital images on top of real-world settings. Vision Pro includes surround sound, with audio pods that sit outside the ears to deliver rich immersive audio. Morgan Stanley analysts project the company will ship up to 400,000 Vision Pro units this year.

Persons: Apple’s, Tim Cook, Cook, Jeff Chiu, it’s, Siri, Luke Skywalker’s, Ming, Chi Kuo, Morgan Stanley Organizations: CNN, Apple Stores, New York Times, Apple, Pro, Vision, Disney, Apple Watch, Shipping Locations: Cupertino , Calif

☆ Jodie Foster says she nearly played Princess Leia in 'Star Wars': 'I don't know how good I would have been'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewJodie Foster says she almost played Princess Leia in "Star Wars," but had to turn it down because of a scheduling conflict. The late Carrie Fisher made the role famous in George Lucas' classic space saga, which launched with "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" in 1977. However, the character could have looked different if Foster had chosen to take the role. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. "The Silence of the Lambs" star recalled her brush with "Star Wars" on Wednesday's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Persons: —, Jodie Foster, Leia, Carrie Fisher, George Lucas, Foster, Jimmy Fallon, Casey Brown, Sigourney Weaver, Sissy Spacek, Anjelica Huston, Meryl Streep, Fisher, Streep, I've, Amy Irving, Jodie, Robert Englund, Han, Harrison Ford, " Englund, Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill Organizations: Service, Business, Lambs, Disney, Daily Locations: England

Each was a two-time pick as AP national player of the year and three-time AP first-team All-Americans, and combined to be named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player five times. 2 for every week of the 1956-57 season, then spent the next season inside the top 10. ELVIN HAYES, HoustonThe 6-9 center put up big numbers in a career that included being AP national player of the year over Alcindor in 1968. 2 all-time scorer helped the Cougars spend the 1966-67 season inside the top 10 and then stay at No. RALPH SAMPSON, VirginiaThe 7-4 center was a three-time AP national player of the year who singlehandedly made the Cavaliers a power in the early 1980s.

Persons: Kareem Abdul, Jabbar, Bill Walton, BILL RUSSELL, San Francisco Russell, WILT CHAMBERLAIN, ELVIN HAYES, DAN ISSEL, —, DAVID THOMPSON, “, LARRY, Magic Johnson, Bird's Sycamores, hasn't, RALPH SAMPSON, Virginia, PATRICK EWING, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER, Duke, Mike Krzyzewski, TYLER HANSBROUGH Organizations: Bruins, Associated Press, Dons, NCAA, Chamberlain's Jayhawks, OSCAR ROBERTSON, Cincinnati The Bearcats, Cincinnati, AP, Alcindor, Cougars, Wildcats, North Carolina State, Wolfpack, Indiana State, Michigan State, Cavaliers, Hoyas, Blue Devils Locations: WILT CHAMBERLAIN , Kansas, North Carolina, Cincinnati, Houston, DAN ISSEL , Kentucky, N.C, State, Indiana, RALPH SAMPSON , Virginia, Georgetown, TYLER HANSBROUGH , North Carolina

☆ How Disney made Star Wars the top film franchise of 2023 without a theatrical release
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Sunset Boulevard | Corbis Historical | Getty ImagesThe Force remains strong with the Star Wars franchise. Despite not releasing a theatrical film since 2019, Star Wars has been named the top film franchise of 2023 by Fandom, the world's largest platform for entertainment fans. In between each film in the sequel trilogy, Disney released a film that harkened back to an important plot point from past Star Wars films. "At the time, Disney's strategy was to essentially release one new Star Wars film theatrically each year," said Peter Csathy, founder and chair of advisory firm Creative Media. Rebuilding an empireDisney isn't set to release another Star Wars film in cinemas until 2026.

Persons: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Georges Lucas, Paul Dergarabedian, Star Wars Disney Harry Potter, James Bond, Disney, Harry Potter, Kylo Ren, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, —, Princess Leia, Han, Peter Csathy, Csathy, Boba Fett, Rosario Dawson, Tano, Ahsoka, Count Dooku, Stephanie Fried, Diego Luna, Cassian Andor, Alan Tudyk Organizations: Star Wars, Star, Disney, Comscore, Star Wars Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros, DC Studios, Lucasfilm, Wars, Creative Media, Lucasfilm Disney Locations: Florida

☆ Natalie Portman says King Charles asked her if she was in the original 'Star Wars' movies at 'The Phantom Menace' premiere
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

She said the then-Prince Charles asked her if she was in the original "Star Wars" movies. The setting was the 1999 London premiere of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace." As the first "Star Wars" movie to hit theaters since 1983, it was a big deal that brought the British royals to the event. Advertisement"WWHL" host Andy Cohen asked Portman what she remembered of her interaction with the royal family. "I remember Prince Charles asked me — he was then Prince Charles — if I was in the originals," Portman said with a laugh.

Persons: Natalie Portman, Portman, King Charles, Prince Charles, —, Britain's King Charles ., Andy Cohen, Prince Charles —, Padmé, Julianne Moore, Hayden Christensen, Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader, Wan Organizations: London, Service, Padmé Amidala, Lucasfilm, Netflix Locations: Hollywood, London

☆ Elon Musk's Neuralink raises more cash ahead of human trials next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Neuralink has raised another $43 million, per an SEC filing, as it faces mounting scrutiny. Billionaire investor Peter Thiel's Founders Fund led the latest round, TechCrunch reported. AdvertisementElon Musk's controversial brain implant company Neuralink has raised more funding as it gears up to start human trials. The latest round was led by billionaire investor Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, TechCrunch reported. The latest funding round comes as Elon Musk faces further criticism over the deaths of monkeys that Neuralink used to test its chips.

Persons: Neuralink, Peter Thiel's, —, Elon, Elon Musk, Gary Gensler, Musk, Luke, Optimus, Neuralink didn't Organizations: SEC, Fund, TechCrunch, Service, Elon, Responsible Medicine, Business

☆ Disney's box office problems ramp up pressure on CEO Bob Iger and studio chief Alan Bergman
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It's rare for Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger to acknowledge his company has had creative missteps. At the time, Disney's animation and live-action studio divisions had struggled with a string of failed movies, including including "The Alamo," and "Home on the Range" and "Pooh's Heffalump Movie." He also acquired Pixar, giving Disney an immediate infusion of quality movies and a brand of storytelling that rubbed off on Disney's traditional animation studio. In 2006, acquiring Pixar quickly improved Disney's film quality and box office results. Iger noted the Disney animation studio's next release, "Wish," which stars Ariana DeBose and debuts in theaters on Wednesday, could begin a run of sustainable hits for Disney.

Persons: Bob Iger, it's, I've, Iger, —, Alan Bergman, Ariana DeBose, Ralph, Coco Organizations: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star, Trian Partners Locations: Comscore

☆ Disney’s franchise fatigue taints M&A magic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Robert Iger, attends the premiere of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" in Los Angeles, California, U.S. December 16, 2019. REUTERS/Phil McCarten Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Nov 14 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Walt Disney’s (DIS.N) load-bearing franchises are cracking. Disney’s Pixar studio delivered its own opening weekend dud with “Elemental.” The Star Wars universe’s latest TV expansion, “Ahsoka,” was panned. Iger’s acquisitions of Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars’ Lucasfilm seemed a master stroke of M&A. A slowdown at his most prized acquisitions raises the stakes on his next M&A decisions at a time of increased scrutiny.

Persons: Robert Iger, Phil McCarten, Walt Disney’s, ”, Bob Iger’s, Iger, Nelson Peltz, Jennifer Saba, Orsted’s, Cameron, Jonathan Guilford, Streisand Neto Organizations: Walt Disney Company, REUTERS, Reuters, Marvel, Variety, Pixar, Disney, Star Wars, Lucasfilm, X, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S

☆ ‘Oppenheimer’ helps IMAX swing to a profit in the third quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Laya Neelakandan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

IMAX on Wednesday posted third-quarter earnings showing its second highest-grossing quarter ever at the global box office, led by Universal's "Oppenheimer." The quarter was behind only the fourth quarter of 2019, when "Joker" and "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" opened, in terms of grosses, IMAX said. In the third quarter, IMAX also generated 120 new signings for new and upgraded IMAX systems across the world. The company delivered a record performance in the third quarter," Gelfond said during the call. Looking to next year, IMAX expects "some movement" due to effects felt from the Hollywood actors' strike, Gelfond said.

Persons: Universal's, Oppenheimer, Richard Gelfond, We've, Gelfond, I've, Indiana Jones, Natasha Fernandes, Taylor Swift, Beyonce Organizations: Revenue, Hollywood, CNBC, Universal Pictures

☆ The celestial phenomenon of October’s solar eclipse
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A "ring of fire" can be seen around the moon during an annular eclipse visible from Chiayi in southern Taiwan on June 21, 2020. Alberto Buzzola/LightRocket/Getty ImagesSaturday’s annular solar eclipse will create a dazzling “ring of fire” across the Americas. Make sure you have certified eclipse glasses or solar viewers, and check out our tips to safely take in every aspect of the annular or partial eclipse, depending on where you are. Clouds may spoil the view for some, and the eclipse may even affect the weather, but never fear: NASA will share live streams from multiple locations within the path of the annular eclipse. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world.

Persons: it’s, Alberto Buzzola, Thyra, ”, Lisbeth, Erika Blumenfeld, Joseph Aebersold, REx, Dante Lauretta, Sriram Murali, Laurent Ballesta, Luke Skywalker, Jimmy Buffett, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, NASA, Viking, National Museum of Denmark, University of Arizona, London’s, Museum, Tiger, Wildlife, “ Star, Florida, CNN Space, Science Locations: Taiwan, United States, Oregon, Texas, Gulf, Nevada , Utah, New Mexico, California , Idaho , Colorado, Arizona, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Natal, Brazil, Denmark, Viking, Copenhagen, Norway, Tamil, California

☆ We asked Elon Musk's dad what he thought about the new book out on his son. He had a lot to say.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Errol Musk told Insider he isn't happy with what he's heard about the new biography on his son. AdvertisementAdvertisementErrol Musk isn't happy with Walter Isaacson's recent biography about his son, Elon Musk. Isaacson's biography on Elon Musk is filled with accounts of incidents where the Tesla CEO and other family members claim Errol Musk bullied and demeaned Elon. In the book, Isaacson wrote that Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal Musk have cut off communication with their father — an assertion Errol Musk denies. Isaacson, Elon Musk, and Kimbal Musk did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

Persons: Errol Musk, he's, Elon Musk's, —, Errol Musk isn't, Walter Isaacson's, Elon Musk, demeaned Elon, Isaacson, Errol, Vader, Elon's Luke Skywalker, Elon, Errol Musk's, Cyrus McCrimmon, doesn't, he'd, Pip, Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens, Dr, Jekyll, Hyde, it's, Stone, Jana Bezuidenhout, I'm, Kimbal, –, we'd, Joel Saget, Chris Saucedo, " Isaacson, Kimbal Musk, Bill Gates, Elon wouldn't Organizations: Service, Elon, Denver, AFP, Microsoft Locations: South Africa, Florida

☆ Elon Musk says Neuralink can create the 'Luke Skywalker solution' amid claims over monkey deaths
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The company has started recruiting for its first human trials after receiving FDA approval. Neuralink is facing claims that monkeys implanted with its chips suffered painful deaths. "When a Neuralink is combined with Optimus robot limbs, the Luke Skywalker solution can become real." When a Neuralink is combined with Optimus robot limbs, the Luke Skywalker solution can become real.https://t.co/Tr5Pa4Xfte — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 20, 2023Tesla's Optimus robot, meanwhile, was unveiled in a demonstration at its AI day last year. Musk's comments came as Neuralink faced fresh controversy over the deaths of macaque monkeys implanted with the company's brain chip.

Persons: Elon Musk, Luke, Neuralink, Musk, Optimus, quadriplegia, Tr5Pa4Xfte — Elon, Musk's Organizations: Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, Responsible Medicine, Wired, SEC, FDA Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ 'Ahsoka' Episode 3 recap: 'Time to Fly' takes a big jump toward the 'Star Wars' show's future (SPOILERS)
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers about the third episode of “Ahsoka,” “Time to Fly.”CNN —After a somewhat sluggish start, “Ahsoka” felt much more on target as its third episode continued to draw upon “Star Wars Rebels” lore while mixing in abundant action and paying its respects to the original trilogy. The interactions between Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), in particular, echoed the early training of Luke Skywalker by Obi-Wan Kenobi, and offered a reminder that the past and future of “Star Wars” run straight through the Jedi order. For her part, Hera (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) was left to grapple with the myopia of the New Republic leadership to the lingering imperial threat. Whatever the numbers, “Ahsoka” now feels as if it’s more solidly building toward its larger narrative at a brisker pace. Keep doing that, and the ratings – however you choose to measure them – should take care of themselves.

Persons: “, Ahsoka ”, Rosario Dawson, Sabine, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Luke Skywalker, Obi, Wan Kenobi, Thrawn, Ezra Bridger, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, didn’t Organizations: CNN, “ Star Wars Rebels, “, “ Rebels, New, Disney Locations: New Republic

We'll help you keep up by showing you where to watch "Ahsoka" episodes streaming online. Where to watch Ahsoka in the US"Ahsoka" is airing exclusively on Disney Plus in the United States. If you want to watch new "Ahsoka" episodes as soon as they're available, you'll need to sign up for Disney Plus. How to watch Ahsoka in the UKDisney Plus in the UK will also have "Ahsoka" episodes. Ahsoka episode scheduleEpisode Date Episode 1 August 22, 2023 Episode 2 August 22, 2023 Episode 3 August 29, 2023 Episode 4 September 5, 2023 Episode 5 September 12, 2023 Episode 6 September 19, 2023 Episode 7 September 26, 2023 Episode 8 October 3, 2023

Persons: Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Sabine Wren, Ray Stevenson, Baylan, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Hera Syndulla, Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen, You'll Organizations: Disney, Lucasfilm, Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN, US Locations: United States, Canada, South Africa, Israel, France, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Italy

☆ In ‘Ahsoka,’ a ‘Star Wars’ Fan Favorite Returns
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Calum Marsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But over the years, the universe of “Star Wars” has expanded far beyond the realm originally imagined by George Lucas. The title of the latest “Star Wars” series, “Ahsoka,” premiering Aug. 23 on Disney+, may be unfamiliar even for viewers who consider themselves relatively knowledgeable about the franchise. The title character, played by Rosario Dawson in the series, has never appeared in a live-action “Star Wars” movie. (She was heard briefly in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” voiced by Ashley Eckstein.) A certain familiarity with the rest of the stuff that has happened in “Star Wars” outside of the three main film trilogies is, if not quite required, then certainly very helpful.

Persons: Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han, Leia, George Lucas, “, ”, Rosario Dawson, Ashley Eckstein, Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni —, Boba Fett, “ Obi, Wan Organizations: “, Disney, “ Star

☆ Op-ed: Why this tech expert says he'd rather his kids play with A.I. than TikTok: The thought of it 'doesn't scare me'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Adam Singolda | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Are generative AI apps such as ChatGPT going to make us more productive, save us time, help us be healthier, smarter, happier? Generative AI is as real as it gets in terms of revolutionizing work, culture, and the nature of creativity. I root for generative AI not only as a tech executive but as a parent. If you spend some time with generative AI, you'll see it's pretty good already. Generative AI companies need to make a stand — will they pay for the sources of data they are ingesting daily?

Persons: Siri, Alexa, George Lucas, Google's chatbot, Anakin, Darth Vader, Adam Singolda Organizations: News

☆ Carrie Fisher’s white Princess Leia gown worn in ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ up for auction
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The archetypal white gown that Carrie Fisher wore while playing Princess Leia in 1977’s “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” could be yours to own, if you have a couple million dollars to spare. The site also lists the dress as a “historically significant piece” that “is the only Princess Leia costume known to still exist from the original film.”Costume Designer John Mollo created the gown for Fisher’s legendary character Princess Leia. He went on to win an Oscar in 1978 for his work on “A New Hope.”Brandon Alinger, Chief Operating Officer at Propstore, in May putting on display the Princess Leia dress worn by Carrie Fisher in 1977's "Star Wars: A New Hope." Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty ImagesAccording to Barneby’s Magazine, Propstore Auction founder Stephen Lane said many collectors in the industry feared the garment was lost forever, and that collectors had been on the hunt for the gown for 40 years. Barneby’s estimated the final sum the garment might fetch to be even higher than Propstore, saying it could be set to sell for $2.5 million.

Persons: Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia, John Mollo, ” Brandon Alinger, Leia, Frederic J . Brown, Stephen Lane, “, ”, ” Lane, ” Fisher, Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill, Han, Harrison Ford, Barneby’s Organizations: CNN, Barneby’s Locations: Propstore, AFP, “, London

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