yy8888 OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'

Somewhere over the rainbow there exists a magnificent movie version of Gregory McGuire’s 1995 wonderfully revisionist, not to mention delightfully feminist, fantasy novel “Wicked.” Alas, Jon M. Chu’s big, bland, and bloated journey through the glittering land of Oz is not it, my pretties. The two-part, $320 million film adaptation thoroughly lacks the pluck and spirit of the blockbuster Broadway musical, which made its debut in San Francisco in 2003. As a longtime theater critic, I hate to pour a bucket of water on this almost-three-hour movie adaptation. But despite its undeniable star power. this empty-headed screen adaptation melts in the imagination. Pop singer Ariana Grande does indeed sparkle as Galinda, the soon-to-be Good Witch, and she’s certainly a superb hair flipper, but she lacks sassiness and there’s zilch chemistry between her and the green goddess Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as two college frenemies who grow into the mythical witches of lore. Erivo is suitably likable as the hated Elphaba but there’s no sign of a formidable power lurking within. A lot of the plucky numbers sputter. Grande’s cutie-pie wardrobe is a real stunner, a cheeky cross between Elle Woods style and Barbie couture that fills you with an inexplicable and deep yearning to wear more pink. For all the film’s weaknesses, Paul Tazewell’s gorgeous costumes are so sharply on point they draw blood. Let’s not even talk about Glinda’s obsession-worthy assortment of shoes. The feminism may fall flat here but the fashion truly soars to new heights. Many a stocking will surely be stuffed with “Wicked” bling this Christmas. For the record, the campy cameo spotlighting Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, the original marquee stars, only serves to remind us how much their deeply-felt camaraderie buoyed the musical back in the day. Those two Broadway divas had a visceral girl-power vibe that almost made you jealous of their BFF bond, onstage and off. Their buoyant chemistry is much missed here. It should be noted that this Fiyero, the delish Jonathan Bailey, of “Bridgerton” fame,” looks as dashing as ever astride a horse and that’s no small delight. Bailey also seems more adept with a song and dance number than some of the other stars here. He imbues “Dancing through Life” with an elan and effortlessness that makes some of the other musical interludes, such as pithy hit “Popular,” come off as a tad forced. The labyrinthian revolving library set (production designer Nathan Crowley outdoes himself), which takes a page from the Hogwarts aesthetic, is also a dazzler. Sadly, however, the stalwart Michelle Yeoh, who seems like such inspired casting as Madame Morrible, the haughty headmistress of Shiz University, gets thoroughly overshadowed here and the estimable Jeff Goldblum, who should be stealing the show, as the suitably smarmy snake oil peddler turned politician, his wonderful Ozness himself, doesn’t have that much to do in the lumbering part one. Chu seems to be going for a sense of existential ennui when a good old-fashioned shake-the-rafters mood would be more fitting. It’s also unfortunate that the sluggish pacing undercuts the cautionary tale here. Look past the flying monkeys and malapropisms and there is a chilling warning about the danger of charlatans who seize political power by stoking bigotry and eroding civil rights until all but the bravest are scared into silence. L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 fable has sharper special and political resonance now than ever before. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, indeed. Perhaps the movie would cast a more bewitching spell if it weren’t dragged out into two parts. The first installment ends just as Elphaba is coming into her power, in a duly high-flying “Defying Gravity” interlude, and before any real romance can blossom. Stretching out the Broadway narrative to twice its length, while adding no discernible depth, casts the film’s flaws into high relief. The irresistible pacing and tempo that powered the stage musical have all but vanished. Die-hard “Wicked” fans may not mind but casual YA fantasy fans, like my 14-year-old, may well miss what all the fuss is about. To be sure, the real magic here comes from the marvelous special effects. Chu, deservedly beloved for “Crazy Rich Asians,” creates a glittering visual fantasia that delights the eye, from the splashy underwater wonders of the ballroom to the glittering turrets of Emerald City, but often leaves the heart and mind rather bored. Lest you think I’m far too jaded to judge this “Wicked” because I’m old enough to remember the 2003 world premiere, suffice to say my kiddo was also less than impressed by the cinematic spectacle and has informed me that she will not be accompanying me for Part 2. I’ll have to ease on down the road without her. Contact Karen D’Souza at karenpdsouza@yahoo.com.NoneDomestic Tourism Market to Witness Significant Growth: Key Trends and Insights Unveiled | Valuates Reports 12-08-2024 06:39 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Valuates Reports Domestic Tourism Market Domestic tourism is tourism involving residents of one country traveling only within that country. A playing holiday is a holiday spent in the same country; this class may overlap with staycation, a vacation spent in the same region. This is different from inbound tourism. The global Domestic Tourism market was valued at US$ million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach US$ million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of % during the forecast period 2024-2030. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-27M1674/Global_Domestic_Tourism_Market_Insights_and_Forecast_to_2028 Major Trends in the Domestic Tourism Market: 1.Increased Focus on Sustainable Tourism: Travelers are prioritizing eco-friendly accommodations and activities, driving a shift toward sustainable tourism practices. 2.Technology-Driven Experiences: Mobile apps, virtual tours, and AI-driven trip planning tools are enhancing the travel experience for domestic tourists. 3.Rural and Heritage Tourism Growth: Interest in exploring rural destinations and heritage sites is on the rise, offering unique and culturally immersive experiences. 4.Post-Pandemic Travel Surge: A preference for closer-to-home travel and road trips has fueled domestic tourism, especially after global travel restrictions. 5.Customization and Personalization: Tour operators are offering tailored packages to cater to diverse preferences, from adventure tourism to wellness retreats. Major Challenges in the Domestic Tourism Market: 1.Economic Uncertainty: Inflation and fluctuating disposable incomes may limit travel budgets, affecting domestic tourism demand. 2.Infrastructure Gaps: Limited access to transportation and accommodation facilities in rural or remote areas can hinder market growth. 3.Seasonal Fluctuations: Domestic tourism is often seasonal, leading to inconsistent revenue generation throughout the year. 4.Competition with International Destinations: Attractive pricing and packages from global destinations may divert travelers away from domestic options. 5.Environmental Concerns: Over-tourism in popular areas can lead to environmental degradation, calling for sustainable practices and policies Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-27M1674/Global_Domestic_Tourism_Market_Insights_and_Forecast_to_2028 By Type •Very Motivated •Partially Motivated •Accessory •Accidental •Not Motivated By Application •Below 20 Years •20-30 Years •30-40 Years •40-50 Years •Above 50 Years Key Companies Expedia Group, Priceline Group, China Travel, China CYTS Tours Holding, American Express Global Business Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, BCD Travel, HRG North America, Travel Leaders Group, Fareportal/Travelong, AAA Travel, Corporate Travel Management, Travel and Transport, Altour, Direct Travel, World Travel Inc., Omega World Travel, Frosch, JTB Americas Group, Ovation Travel Group, World Travel Holdings, Mountain Travel Sobek, TUI AG, Natural Habitat Adventures, Abercrombie & Kent Group, InnerAsia Travel Group, Butterfield & Robinson, ATG Travel View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-27M1674/global-domestic-tourism Please reach us at sales@valuates.com Address: Valuates, 4th Floor, Balaraj's Arcade, Whitefield Main road, Bangalore 560066 Valuates offers an extensive collection of market research reports that helps companies to take intelligent strategical decisions based on current and forecasted Market trends. This release was published on openPR.

Thousands of Syrians gathered on Friday in 's historic main mosque and in the capital’s largest square to celebrate the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The jubilant scenes were a major symbolic moment since the downfall of the Syrian dictator, Huge crowds, including some insurgents, packed Damascus' historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital's old city, many waving the rebel opposition flag which has replaced the Assad-era flag. According to Arab TV stations, the Friday sermon was delivered by , the interim prime minister installed by HTS, the rebel group which seized control of Damascus and other major cities. The square, a major symbol of , had often been a site of brutal repression under Assad after rallies broke out in 2011. The crowd chanted calls for a free Syria, while others shouted slurs against Assad and his late father, One man in the crowd, 51-year-old Khaled Abu Chahine, originally from the southern province of Daraa, where the 2011 uprising first erupted, said he hoped for "freedom and coexistence between all Syrians, Alawites, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze." "The former government was a government of crime and executions," he told the AP news agency, calling on foreign nations "hosting these gangs to bring them to justice and those who are in Syria and committed crimes should face justice." The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has been working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday. The group has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned over extremist jihadis among the rebels. The insurgents' leadership says it has broken with its extremist past, having started as an off-shoot of Al Qaeda. HTS is still labeled a HTS's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating "the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution." "I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people," he said. "And then after we will work to build this country and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God." It comes as Syrians began exploring the abandoned homes of the former dictator, including the family’s massive summer resort in Burj Islam, overlooking the Mediterranean. The property lay in disrepair on Friday after heavy looting and damage, with shattered windows and broken fixtures. Following Assad's toppling, locals, mostly Syrian Turkmen driven out to nearby villages during the construction of the resort, entered the area for the first time since the Assad family built it 50 years ago. Assad is said to have removed his valuables from the villa by sea using small boats.

The YouTube Kids mobile app that both makes it look and behave more like the standard YouTube app and lets kids browse through videos in portrait mode for the first time. It’s rolling out over the next few weeks on iOS and Android, while the web and smart TV experiences stay the same. YouTube Kids launched , and its look hasn’t changed much since . As the company , this is a hefty visual and functional refresh that looks less toy-like, with elements from the r in the main YouTube app. At the top, you’ll notice a newly designed carousel for familiar content filters. They’re clearly labeled by topic, whether you’re looking for gaming, shows, music, or the educationally inclined “Explore” tab. Those buttons will occupy less horizontal space. Some of the other shortcuts that used to live at the top — such as Home, Search, and Profile — will be moved to a new navigation bar at the bottom. A new “Your Stuff” page will also live in that bar and serve as a dedicated portal to find content that you’ve downloaded, shared, or previously watched. Parental controls and other settings will remain in dedicated views, with shortcuts for those always accessible in the upper right corner, next to the Cast button.

Starmer to visit troops serving on Russian border in push for Ukraine support