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☆ At CES 2023, Sony's 'Gran Turismo' flags new entertainment strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

It also represents a significant bridging of the divides between Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony PlayStation and Sony Music, according to a dozen current and former senior executives interviewed by Reuters. “I defined our identity as a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation on technology,” Sony chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida said. Sony’s “creative entertainment” company approach extends beyond content. A Sony-Honda electric vehicle, scheduled to reach consumers by 2026, is being framed as a rolling showcase of Sony’s entertainment, gaming and camera sensor prowess. This August will bring another test of Sony’s strategy when “Gran Turismo” hits theaters after languishing for 12 years.

☆ Bernard Arnault just became the world’s richest person. So who is he?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Bernard Arnault, the chairman of French luxury goods giant LVMH (LVMHF), has just become the first European to top Bloomberg’s list of the world’s richest people, relegating Elon Musk to second place. Arnault had already ousted Musk from the top spot on Forbes’ list of “Real Time Billionaires” last week. Arnault bought control of the group, returning it to profitability and embarking on a strategy to develop the world’s leading luxury goods company. Arnault has long held the title of Europe’s richest person, but the 73-year old keeps a much lower profile than Musk and isn’t personally active on any major social media platforms. Arnault is married and has five children, all of whom currently work at LVMH or one of its brands, according to Bloomberg.

☆ The Best Films of 2022: The Silver Screen Staggers On
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Kyle Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Film lovers hoped 2022 would be the first normal year for movies in the pandemic era. Worryingly, though, ticket buyers rarely showed up for nonfranchise movies aimed at adults. Are adults in search of a meaningful film simply weary of the theatergoing experience, with its many ancient hassles plus the more recent one of omnipresent cellphones in the theater? It’s more likely that the past couple of years have simply conditioned us to expect character-based movies to appear on streaming services very soon after their theatrical releases. If anything, the pandemic has supercharged the movie industry’s relentless push toward kids’ movies and comic-book material.

☆ Threats to protesters in Emmett Till rally prompt cancelation of Christmas parade in Kentucky
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Mirna-Alsharif-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Mirna Alsharif | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A Christmas parade planned for Saturday in Kentucky has been canceled after authorities received threats directed at protesters of an Emmett Till rally on the same day. The annual Jaycees Christmas Parade in Bowling Green, Kentucky was canceled out of an "abundance of caution," according to a statement. The Mistletoe Market, also in Bowling Green, was canceled on Saturday as well. Carolyn Bryant Donham, now 89, lives in Bowling Green, according to the outlet. "Late this evening, we learned of a threat to these protesters," said Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower.

☆ Lauren Ridloff: 'I run to find peace,' says Marvel actress after finishing her first marathon
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Ridloff has been running most of her life – a form of solace in the busiest, most intense periods of her acting career. But the collective spirit and struggle of her fellow competitors at the NYC Marathon, her first time racing the 26.2-mile distance, was like nothing she had previously experienced in the sport. “This truly was a transformative experience for me,” Ridloff, whose recent credits include Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” and post-apocalyptic TV series “The Walking Dead,” tells CNN Sport. Gavin Doremus/Brooks RunningConditions for this year’s NYC Marathon were brutal, particularly for those competing for the first time and unaccustomed to running in heat. Ridloff ran the NYC Marathon to raise money for PS347 in New York, where she used to teach.

☆ ‘Slumberland’ strands Jason Momoa in a nightmare of a movie
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Review Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A movie about dreams becomes the stuff of nightmares in Netflix’s utterly misguided “Slumberland,” an attempt to build a sprawling fantasy adventure from the bones of the early-20th-century newspaper comic strip. Most notable as a vehicle for Jason Momoa, this wannabe spectacle from “The Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence serves up lots of special effects desperately in search of a story. The realm of dreams is described as “a world with no consequence,” but as constructed, that comes in a movie with no clear creative compass, proving more mystifying than magical. Along the way, they run afoul of something called the Bureau of Subconscious Activities, a surreal bureaucracy that sees Flip as an outlaw. Those attributes feel wasted, however, in the surreal confines of “Slumberland,” which, as amusement-park-type names go, doesn’t even qualify as a nice place to visit.

☆ Ukraine dismisses push to compromise with Putin after Kherson retreat
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Mithil Aggarwal | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

“Ukrainian servicemen accept no talks, no agreements or compromise decisions,” Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny wrote on Telegram late Monday after a telephone conversation with Milley. Lavrov attended the G-20 leaders' summit in Bali instead of Putin. “They clearly have plans to keep the offensive going,” said Rajan Menon, a director at Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank. “It makes perfect sense” for Ukrainian forces to reach the Kinburn Peninsula south of Kherson, gaining a tactical advantage around the Black Sea, he added. “Hard fighting does remain for Ukraine as they seek to liberate occupied territory,” a senior military official said, adding that the U.S. and its allies would “ensure that they have what they need to succeed on the battlefield.”

☆ Walmart earnings: Wealthier shoppers turn to Walmart for groceries
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —Wealthier customers pinched by inflation are switching to Walmart for groceries, boosting sales at America’s largest retailer. Walmart is a bellwether of consumer spending, particularly on groceries, which account for more than half of its sales. The company said it is making “strong grocery share gains, including from high-income households.”It’s the latest sign that the highest inflation in decades is altering shoppers’ spending habits, including wealthier customers. Other discount supermarkets and Dollar General (DG) have said they are gaining new, wealthier customers because of inflation. Walmart had to mark down prices on many of these items to entice shoppers to buy, hurting its profit.

☆ Daniel Craig unleashes his inner disco diva in Taika Waititi-directed vodka commercial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Toyin Owoseje | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Since ending his 15-year run as James Bond with “No Time to Die” last year, Daniel Craig has not been sitting idle. The British star has been busy brushing up his fancy footwork, which he enthusiastically showcases in a new vodka commercial directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi. Belvedere Presents Daniel Craig, Directed by Taika Waititi: Director’s CutIn the tongue-in-cheek ad for Belvedere Vodka, which premiered last week and runs for more than two minutes, Craig goes from brooding and enigmatic to swaggerlicious and even … fun. The ad opens with a white-suited Craig standing on a bridge, back to the camera, gazing moodily out at the water. The ad ends with Craig taking a drink of Belvedere and commenting “finally.” Dancing is thirsty work.

☆ Midterm elections live updates: Pennsylvania races, New Hampshire Senate race too early to call
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Brandy Zadrozny | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Sahil-Kapur-Headshot.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +109 min

Share this -Link copiedWisconsin Senate and governor's races too early to call It is too early to call the Senate and gubernatorial races in Wisconsin, according to NBC News. Share this -Link copiedNew Hampshire Senate race too early to call The Senate race in New Hampshire is too early to call, according to NBC News. Share this -Link copiedPennsylvania Senate and governor races are too early to call After polls closed at 8 p.m. While Maricopa County election officials initially categorized the problem as a “hiccup,” it took hours before a solution was identified early Tuesday afternoon. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said.

While Maricopa County election officials initially categorized the problem as a “hiccup,” it took hours before a solution was identified early Tuesday afternoon. According to the poll, 46% of voters said their family’s financial situation is worse than it was two years ago. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP, filed a similar complaint Friday against state election officials. The app and portal had been down for part of the morning and the state's election hotline also briefly experienced issues. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said.

By the end of Election Day, approximately 21,000 total interviews will be conducted. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP, filed a similar complaint Friday against state election officials. The app and portal had been down for part of the morning and the state's election hotline also briefly experienced issues. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said. Share this -Link copiedSunny weather in most battleground states on Election Day It’s a bright and sunny Election Day in many battleground states!

“To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8. Reporters asked Irving earlier Thursday – before he posted his apology – if he holds antisemitic beliefs or if he was sorry. When asked Friday if there was any consideration of releasing Irving, Nets general manager Sean Marks replied, “No. Asked if he had any antisemitic beliefs, Irving responded: “I respect all walks of life. “Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material,” Silver said in a statement before Irving apologized.

☆ Kyrie Irving will begin suspension of at least 5 games Friday over antisemitism controversy. The NBA star has since apologized
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The Nets suspended Irving Thursday after he initially doubled down on his decision to share the content on his Twitter account. Reporters asked Irving earlier Thursday – before he posted his apology – if he holds antisemitic beliefs or if he was sorry. Asked if he had any antisemitic beliefs, Irving responded: “I respect all walks of life. After Irving was suspended Thursday, the ADL refused to accept a $500,000 donation that Irving and the Nets had previously announced. “Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material,” Silver said in a statement before Irving apologized.

☆ Rapper Takeoff was killed by gunshot wounds to the head and chest, autopsy shows
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

HOUSTON — Rapper Takeoff died from gunshot wounds to the head and torso following a shooting outside a private party at a downtown Houston bowling alley, authorities announced Wednesday. Takeoff’s primary cause of death was listed as “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into arm” and his manner of death was called homicide. The 28-year-old rapper was killed around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when gunfire erupted outside of 810 Billiards & Bowling following a private party. Investigators are looking to speak with the 40 people who attended the party and fled after the gunfire, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. They put out a trilogy of albums called “Culture,” “Culture II” and “Culture III,” with the first two hitting No.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The oldest prisoner at the Guantanamo Bay detention center was released and “reunited with his family” in Pakistan, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday. “We are glad that a Pakistani citizen detained abroad is finally reunited with his family,” the statement said. The Pentagon said in a statement Saturday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had “notified Congress of his intent to repatriate Saifullah Paracha to Pakistan” last month. Following Paracha’s release, 35 detainees remain in Guantanamo Bay and 18 have been cleared for release, according to Amnesty International. The most high-profile prisoner held at Guantanamo Bay prison is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.

☆ Pelosi Tries to Smile Through the 2022 Midterms
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Karl Rove | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The election is less than four weeks away. Now is when the politically desperate typically try to fight despondency with flights of fancy, which might explain House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s optimism on Stephen Colbert ’s “The Late Show” last week. Mrs. Pelosi claimed that because Democrats have better organization, superior messaging and more money, “we will hold the House, by winning more seats.”

☆ Democratic senator seeks 'freeze' on U.S.-Saudi cooperation after OPEC cuts production
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Zoë Richards | Zoë Richards Is The Evening Politics Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is calling on the Biden administration to "immediately freeze" U.S. cooperation with Saudi Arabia after OPEC+ announced it would reduce daily oil production. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chose the latter in a terrible decision driven by economic self-interest," Menendez said. “The United States must immediately freeze all aspects of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including any arms sales and security cooperation beyond what is absolutely necessary to defend U.S. personnel and interests,” he added. The alliance said it would cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day, which is likely to increase gas prices. 2 Democrat in the Senate, accused Saudi Arabia of “conspiring with Vladimir Putin to punish the U.S. with higher oil prices” last week.

CNN —Tesla CEO Elon Musk has denied a claim that he spoke directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks about the war in Ukraine and a proposed “peace plan” to end the conflict. Speaking to CNN on Tuesday, American political scientist Ian Bremmer, president of political consulting firm Eurasia Group, claimed Musk told him directly about his conversation with Putin last month. “Elon Musk told me he had spoken with Putin and the Kremlin directly about Ukraine. “My recommendation…would be to figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable, probably won’t make everyone happy,” Musk told the Financial Times in an interview published last week. “Musk also appeared concerned about more direct threats from Putin,” Bremmer wrote.

☆ India’s words are anti-war, but New Delhi’s actions are propping up Putin’s regime
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-03 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New Delhi has repeatedly abstained from votes condemning Russia at the United Nations – providing Moscow with a veneer of international legitimacy. And in August, India participated in Russia’s large-scale Vostok military exercises alongside China, Belarus, Mongolia and Tajikistan – where Moscow paraded its vast arsenal. “There’s a feeling that Putin is pushing India’s limits because in some ways, it’s put itself out on a limb. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty ImagesSuperficially at least, India and China also appear to have similar positions on the Ukraine war. But despite India’s increasing closeness with the West, it is prioritizing the dangers in its own backyard, analysts say.

☆ Megan Thee Stallion launches website with mental health resources for fans
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Megan Thee Stallion is encouraging her fans to check in on their mental health. The 27-year-old musician appeared to confirm she recently launched a mental health resources website. Love y’all so much — @theestallion.”The website features links to free therapy organizations and other mental health resources like helplines. At the bottom of the website, there is a link to help fans find a therapist and sign up for updates for new resources. Throughout her career, Megan has been open about her mental health struggles.

☆ Satanic panic is making a comeback, fueled by QAnon believers and GOP influencers
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Brandy-Zadrozny-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Brandy Zadrozny | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +23 min

Utah County Attorney David O. Leavitt speaks on July 31, 2019, in Provo. The accusations were part of a new case from Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith. Discussion about satanism and satanic abuse has increased in recent years, according to data provided to NBC News by Zignal Labs, which analyzes social media conversations. Popular culture and social media have also ferried ideas about satanism and widespread child abuse from fringe to the mainstream. (Anti-LGBTQ politicians and activists have equated LGBTQ people with predators who abuse children as part of a “gay agenda,” the well-worn panic that the gay rights movement’s true motivation is recruitment.

This is “The Daily.” Last week, E. Jean Carroll came forward with the most serious allegation yet of sexual assault by the president. michael barbaroMegan, can you take us back to last Friday, when New York magazine published an article about E. Jean Carroll? e. jean carroll Because it’s Donald Trump, and I’ve got — it’s a thing. e. jean carroll I may have tried to hit him with my purse, I don’t know. e. jean carroll Went out through the building, got to Fifth Avenue, had my purse, because I picked up my phone.

☆ Wanda Sykes on Ignoring Michelle Obama and Leaving ‘Roseanne’
▼ + stars: | 2019-05-20 | by ( David Marchese | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

Though she has never quite achieved superstar status, Wanda Sykes has, over the last 25 years, steadfastly built one of comedy’s most impressive careers. But I’m not going to argue and go, “I don’t know why I can’t use that word!” No. She was like: “I don’t know. I can’t just be silent.” That’s why I said I wouldn’t be going back.13Do you think Roseanne is a racist? But I don’t know.

Persons: Wanda Sykes, It’s, Sykes, Roseanne ”, “ Wanda Sykes, ”, ‘, ’ ‘, ” I’ve, Ellen DeGeneres, Jay Leno, Paul Drinkwater, “, I’m, he5, He’s, Atsushi Nishijima, “ Wanda, ’, Roseanne, Page Hurwitz, Wanda, I’ve, “ We’ve, ” Sykes, Roseanne Barr, Valerie Jarrett, she’s, didn’t, Bruce Helford11, Bruce, Tom Werner, “ I’ve, She’s, would’ve, Mandel Ngan, Trump, Michelle Obama, can’t Organizations: Netflix, West Hollywood, NBC, NBCU, Bank, Getty, Democratic, Maryland, Twitter, ‘, “, Trump, White, ’ Association Locations: West, Virginia, That’s Virginia, New York, L.A, Israel, AFP, France

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