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Toxic smog smothering India’s capital smashes WHO limit

Residents of India’s capital New Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog Wednesday as worsening air pollution surged past 50 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended daily maximum.

Many in the city cannot afford air filters, nor do they have homes they can effectively seal from the misery of foul-smelling air blamed for thousands of premature deaths.

Cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds trap deadly pollutants each winter, stretching from mid-October until at least January.

At dawn on Wednesday, “hazardous” pollutant levels in parts of the sprawling urban area of more than 30 million people topped 806 micrograms per cubic metre, according to monitoring firm IQAir.

That is more than 53 times the WHO-recommended daily maximum of fine particulate matter — dangerous cancer-causing microparticles known as PM2.5 pollutants that enter the bloodstream through the lungs.

By midday, when air usually is at its best, it eased to about 25-35 times above danger levels, depending on different districts.

The city is blanketed in acrid smog each year, primarily blamed on stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring regions to clear their fields for ploughing, as well as factories and traffic fumes.

‘Alarming’

But a report by The New York Times this month, based on air and soil samples it collected over five years, revealed the dangerous fumes also spewing from a power plant incinerating the city’s landfill garbage mountains.

Experts the newspaper spoke to said that the levels of heavy metals found were “alarming”.

Swirling white clouds of smog also delayed several flights across northern India.

The India Meteorological Department said that at least 18 regional airports had a visibility lower than 1,000 metres (1,093 yards) — dropping below 500m in Delhi.

Commuters drive amid dense smog in New Delhi on Nov 13, 2024. — Arun Sankar / AFP

India’s Supreme Court last month ruled that clean air was a fundamental human right, ordering both the central government and state-level authorities to take action.

But critics say arguments between rival politicians heading neighbouring states — as well as between central and state-level authorities — have compounded the problem.

Politicians are accused of not wanting to anger key figures in their constituencies, particularly powerful farming groups.

City authorities have launched several initiatives to tackle pollution, which have done little in practice.

Government trucks are regularly used to spray water to briefly dampen the pollution.

A new scheme unveiled earlier this month to use three small drones to spray water mist was derided by critics as another “band-aid” solution to a public health crisis.

The WHO says that air pollution can trigger strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

It is particularly punishing for babies, children and the elderly.

A study in The Lancet medical journal attributed 1.67m premature deaths to air pollution in the world’s most populous country in 2019.




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UK’s The Guardian stops posting on ‘toxic media platform’ X

Britain’s The Guardian newspaper announced Wednesday it would no longer post content from its official accounts on Elon Musk’s X, branding it a “toxic media platform” home to “often disturbing content”.

“We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives,” the left-leaning newspaper, which has nearly 11 million followers on X, said on its website. It added that its “resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere”.

“This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism,” the statement noted.

“The US presidential election campaign served only to underline what we have considered for a long time: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse.”

The paper’s main X handle was still accessible Wednesday but a message on it advised “this account has been archived” while redirecting visitors to its website.

The Guardian noted that X users would still be able to share its articles and that it would still “occasionally embed content from X” within its articles given “the nature of live news reporting”.

It also said its reporters would still be able to use the site and other social networks on which the paper does not have an account.

“Social media can be an important tool for news organisations and help us to reach new audiences but, at this point, X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work,” The Guardian added.

Musk purchased X, formerly known as Twitter, for $44 billion in 2022 and has consistently courted controversy with his use of the platform, particularly during the recent US presidential election.

Musk endorsed Donald Trump and used his personal account boasting nearly 205 million followers to sway voters in favour of the Republican, with a slew of incendiary, misleading posts criticised for cranking up the political temperature.

Trump on Tuesday announced that the Tesla and SpaceX billionaire would lead a so-called Department of Government Efficiency in his incoming administration, alongside the entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.





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'Toxic media platform': Why 'The Guardian' quit X after US election results - The Times of India

  1. 'Toxic media platform': Why 'The Guardian' quit X after US election results  The Times of India
  2. Why the Guardian is no longer posting on X  The Guardian
  3. ‘Toxic’: Leading UK media house decides to stop posting on Elon Musk-led X  Hindustan Times
  4. A 200-year-old British media giant stops posting on X. Here's why  India Today
  5. UK's 'The Guardian' Quits X Citing "Disturbing Content" On Platform  NDTV




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Oncologist stabbed at Chennai govt hospital ‘by 26-year-old whose mother is undergoing cancer treatment’ - The Indian Express

  1. Oncologist stabbed at Chennai govt hospital ‘by 26-year-old whose mother is undergoing cancer treatment’  The Indian Express
  2. Video: Chennai man calmly walks away after stabbing doctor, wipes knife  India Today
  3. Indian Medical Association condemns brutal attack on doctor in Chennai  The New Indian Express
  4. Daylight assault on doctor inside Chennai hospital leaves medical fraternity in shock  The Hindu
  5. 'No law and order': BJP, AIADMK attack ruling DMK after government doctor stabbed in Chennai  The Times of India




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Predicting paediatric asthma exacerbations with machine learning: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Asthma exacerbations in children pose a significant burden on healthcare systems and families. While traditional risk assessment tools exist, artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential for enhanced prediction models.

Objective

This study aims to systematically evaluate and quantify the performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting the risk of hospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission for acute asthma exacerbations in children.

Methods

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The risk of bias and applicability for eligible studies was assessed according to the prediction model study risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST). The protocol of our systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.

Results

Our meta-analysis included seven articles encompassing a total of 17 ML-based prediction models. We found a pooled area under the curve (AUC) of 0.67 (95% CI 0.61–0.73; I2=99%; p<0.0001 for heterogeneity) for models predicting ED admission, indicating moderate accuracy. Notably, models predicting child hospitalisation demonstrated a higher pooled AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.76–0.82; I2=95%; p<0.0001 for heterogeneity), suggesting good discriminatory power.

Conclusion

This study provides the most comprehensive assessment of AI-based algorithms in predicting paediatric asthma exacerbations to date. While these models show promise and ML-based hospitalisation prediction models, in particular, demonstrate good accuracy, further external validation is needed before these models can be reliably implemented in real-life clinical practice.




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Association between second-hand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Lung cancer ranks as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is evidence that second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer in never-smokers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide the most accurate quantification of the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers.

Materials and methods

Through the use of an innovative method to identify original publications, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, with corresponding meta-analysis, of all epidemiological studies evaluating the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk among never-smokers, published up to May 2023. Pooled relative risks were obtained using random-effects models. Dose–response relationships were derived using log-linear functions or cubic splines.

Results

Out of 126 identified eligible studies, 97 original articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled relative risk for lung cancer for overall exposure to SHS was 1.24 (95% CI 1.16–1.32, number of articles, n=82). Setting-specific relative risks were 1.20 (95% CI 1.12–1.28, n=67) for SHS exposure at home, 1.38 (95% CI 1.28–1.62, n=30) at a workplace, 1.37 (95% CI 1.22–1.53, n=28) at home or a workplace and 1.27 (95% CI 1.11–1.44, n=24) in nonspecified settings. The risk of lung cancer significantly increased with the duration, intensity and pack-years of SHS exposure.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows that exposure to SHS increases by more than 20% the risk of lung cancer among never-smokers, providing definitive evidence of the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk.




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Harmonising cellular conversations: decoding the vital roles of extracellular vesicles in respiratory system intercellular communications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by various cells play crucial roles in intercellular communication within the respiratory system. This review explores the historical context and significance of research into extracellular vesicles. Categorised into exosomes (sized 30–150 nm), microvesicles (sized 50–1000 nm) and apoptotic bodies (sized 500–2000nm), based on their generation mechanisms, extracellular vesicles carry diverse cargoes of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Respiratory ailments are the primary contributors to both mortality and morbidity across various populations globally, significantly impacting public health. Recent studies have underscored the pivotal role of extracellular vesicles, particularly their cargo content, in mediating intercellular communication between lung cells in respiratory diseases. This comprehensive review provides insights into extracellular vesicle mechanisms and emphasises their significance in major respiratory conditions, including acute lung injury, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma and lung cancer.




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Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP Headed to PS4 and Xbox One on December 2

Developer Dragami Games announced Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP will launch for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on December 2 for $44.99.

The game first released for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam in September.

The PS4 and Xbox One versions run in 1080p at 30 frames per second or higher. The Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One versions support Smart Delivery, however, the PS5 and PS4 versions do not support cross-buy.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463051/lollipop-chainsaw-repop-headed-to-ps4-and-xbox-one-on-december-2/




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The Thaumaturge Launches December 4 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Publisher 11 bit studios and developer Fool’s Theory announced the character-driven RPG, The Thaumaturge, will launch for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on December 4.

The game first released for PC via SteamEpic Games Store, and GOG in March.

View the console date reveal trailer below:

Read details on the game below:

The Thaumaturge is a historically rich, character-driven RPG set in 1905 Warsaw.

The game follows Wiktor, a world-weary thaumaturge returning to his roots in Warsaw—a bustling city teeming with cultural diversity, serving as a vivid backdrop for his journey. Wiktor’s story unravels the secrets of his troubled past alongside those of Warsaw’s eclectic residents, representing every facet of the city’s society. Ultimately, he may even uncover the intrigues of Rasputin, a shadowy figure weaving influence at the highest levels of the Imperial Court and within the Tsarist forces occupying Poland.

With his thaumaturgic powers, Wiktor sees beyond the ordinary, manipulating others’ wills to achieve his ends and forming connections with mystical beings known as Salutors. While these entities offer distinct advantages in turn-based combat and detective-style investigations, each also brings a unique burden—whether Pride, Recklessness, or another flaw—which Wiktor must absorb, making their powers a double-edged sword.

Features:

  • Play an isometric RPG where your choices will shape the final outcome of the story.
  • Use your unique skills to influence and manipulate other characters to bend their will to your liking.
  • Tame the power of folklore-inspired demons called Salutors to gain an advantage when exploring the world and bringing adversaries to their knees.
  • Experience unique turn-based combat and defeat your foes using both physical attacks and the skills of your tamed Salutors.
  • Meet a rich gallery of characters from different parts of society on your journey and use your mystic abilities to discover their hidden secrets.
  • Explore the rarely portrayed historical period of early 20th-century Warsaw, where crime and luxury are often two sides of the same coin.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463052/the-thaumaturge-launches-december-4-for-ps5-and-xbox-series-xs/




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Xbox is Still Open to Acquiring More Publishers and Developers

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer speaking with Bloomberg revealed Xbox is still open to acquiring more publishers and developers.

"We definitely want to be in the market, and when we can find teams and technology and capability that add to what we're trying to do in gaming at Microsoft, absolutely we will keep our heads up," said Spencer.

Spencer added no deals were "imminent" and any that might happen won't be on the scale of Activision Blizzard.

China is a potential area for acquisitions, according to Spencer. 

"It’s been a good area for us to learn from creative teams that have real unique capability," he said. "The real opportunity is to partner with creative teams in China for global."

Xbox in recent years has acquired Activision Blizzard, Bethesda parent company ZeniMax, and over a dozen other studios.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463054/xbox-is-still-open-to-acquiring-more-publishers-and-developers/




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Phil Spencer: Xbox Won't Rule Out Any Games for PlayStation or Nintendo

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer speaking with Bloomberg said Xbox won't rule out releasing any game on other platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo.

"I do not see sort of red lines in our portfolio that say 'thou must not,'" said Spencer. He added it is too early to make a decision on the next version of Halo.

Spencer did say he was pleased with the sales of the first wave of Xbox games that released on other platforms.

Xbox announced in February it would be releasing four its game on other platforms like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The four games were PentimentHi-Fi RushGrounded, and Sea of Thieves. Pentiment and Grounded released for the PS5, PS4, and Switch, while Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves released for the PS5.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463055/phil-spencer-xbox-wont-rule-out-any-games-for-playstation-or-nintendo/




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Spencer: Xbox Working on Prototype Handhelds, Any Device is a Few Years Out

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer speaking with Bloomberg confirmed Xbox is working on prototypes for a handheld Xbox, however, any device is at least a few years away from release.

Spencer wants the Xbox hardware team to analyze the handheld market, which includes the Nintendo Switch, the Steam Deck, and more. He wants the team to "develop its vision based on what it learns."

In the short term, Spencer wants Xbox to focus on making its app work better on current portable devices and to partner with hardware manufacturers to ensure Xbox products sync.

"Longer term, I love us building devices," he said. "And I think our team could do some real innovative work, but we want to be informed by learning and what’s happening now."

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463056/spencer-xbox-working-on-prototype-handhelds-any-device-is-a-few-years-out/




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Xbox Series X|S vs Xbox 360 Sales Comparison in Japan - October 2024

The VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.

This monthly series compares the aligned sales of the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox 360 in Japan, as well as looking at lifetime original Xbox sales and Xbox One sales.

The Xbox Series X|S launched in Japan in November 2020, while the Xbox 360 launched in Japan in December 2005. The original Xbox launched in Japan in February 2002 and the Xbox One in September 2014.

XSX|S Vs. X360 Japan:

Gap change in latest month: 9,729 - X360

Gap change over last 12 months: 260,451 - X360

Total Lead: 557,867 - X360

Xbox Series X|S Total Sales: 636,764

Xbox 360 Total Sales: 1,194,631

October 2024 is the 48th month the Xbox Series X|S has been available for in Japan. In the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the Xbox 360 when compared to the aligned launch of the Xbox Series X|S by 9,729 units.

In the last 12 months, the Xbox 360 has outsold the Xbox Series X|S by 0.26 million units. The Xbox 360 is currently ahead by 0.56 million units.

The Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.64 million units in 48 months, while the Xbox 360 sold 1.19 million units. Month 48 for the Xbox Series X|S is October 2024 and for the Xbox 360 is November 2009.

The Xbox 360 crossed 1.2 million units in month 49 and 1.5 million units in month 67. The Xbox 360 sold 1.66 million units lifetime. The Xbox Series X|S is 1.02 million units behind lifetime Xbox 360 sales.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463010/xbox-series-xs-vs-xbox-360-sales-comparison-in-japan-october-2024/




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Your email didn’t expire; it’s just another sneaky scam

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.



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  • fox-news/tech/topics/cybercrime
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  • fox-news/us/crime
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Fox News AI Newsletter: AI developers discover 'Donald Trump neuron', expert says

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.



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‘Mahavatar’: Vicky Kaushal looks fierce as Parashurama in Amar Kaushik’s next

Produced by Maddock Films, the action epic will release in theatres on Christmas, 2026 




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‘Sakamoto Days’ trailer: Taro Sakamoto is shounen anime’s next big contender

The new trailer teases thrilling visuals and choreography that bring Yuto Suzuki’s manga to life, with Sakamoto’s seemingly unstoppable strength tearing through anything in his path




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Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath remembers Nicholas Roerich with exhibition on till November 18

Roerich was an artist whose life and art bridged Russian and Indian cultural traditions.




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‘Vaa Vaathiyaar’ teaser: Karthi is a playful cop in Nalan Kumarasamy’s next

Also starring Krithi Shetty and Shilpa Manjunath among others, the film has music scored by Santhosh Narayanan




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Why agents are the next step in transforming your business with gen AI

The rise of generative AI (gen AI) and ChatGPT has brought large language models (LLMs) to the forefront of technological innovation. Unlike traditional AI, these LLMs can process and generate language in a way that mimics human reasoning. Businesses are leveraging this technology in various ways, including content generation, customer service interactions, and document summarization. Gen AI offers businesses a chance to streamline operations and improve efficiency. However, LLMs are not universally…




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Daily Digest: Zoox ditches the driver's seat; 'Doctor in a box' startup shuts down

Good morning, Bay Area. Prepare for more rain Wednesday as a cold front pushes across California's north coast. And if you are flying, expect more confusion over the name of the airport that resides in Oakland. A federal judge granted an injunction to stop Oakland's airport from calling itself the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, a move that rankled San Francisco International airport, who sued claiming the name change would cause confusion. Mark Calvey has more. In stock news, Instacart…




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Prominent Bham exec named CEO of Arizona firm

The entrepreneur has been a mentor to Birmingham's tech community for many years.




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Daily roundup: Fugitive lawyer Charles Yeo in UK custody, awaiting extradition hearing — and other top stories today

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Fugitive lawyer Charles Yeo in UK custody, awaiting extradition hearing Fugitive lawyer Charles Yeo, who is in custody in the UK, is currently awaiting an extradition hearing, reported CNA on Tuesday (Nov 12).  A court date for the extradition hearing has not been determined, but Yeo is set to attend a bail hearing on Friday, according to the report... » READ MORE 2. Vietnamese woman sells banh mi from her HDB flat, waiting time up to 1 hour during peak periods




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John Krasinski named People magazine's 'sexiest man alive'

Actor and director John Krasinski was named People magazine's 'sexiest man alive', for 2024 on Wednesday (Nov 13), taking over the mantle from Grey's Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey. "Just immediate blackout, actually. Zero thoughts," Krasinski told People in reaction to the news. The actor is perhaps best known for his sardonic nice guy role in the television comedy The Office. "Other than maybe I'm being punked. That's not how I wake up, thinking, 'Is this the day that I'll be asked to be Sexiest Man Alive?' And yet it was the day you guys did it. You guys have really raised the bar for me," he added. Krasinski, 45, said that out of all of the opportunities he's had as an actor, being a real-life family man is most rewarding. He prefers being a husband and father who happily lives in Brooklyn with his wife of 14 years, actress Emily Blunt, 41, and their daughters Hazel, 10, and Violet, 8. The actor was especially excited to tell Blunt the news, saying "there was a lot of joy involved in me telling her." However, he noted that the new title will change things very little around the house.




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Singapore actor Chin Han joins cast of Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender

Netflix has expanded the cast of live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender in its second season, with Singapore actor Chin Han one of the latest eight additions. He will play the role of Long Feng — leader of Dai Li, the secret police force of Ba Sing Se, or the capital of the Earth Kingdom. Another new joiner is Taiwanese-American actor Justin Chien, who starred with Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh in the Netflix series The Brothers Sun (2024) and will play King Kuei, ruler of the Earth Kingdom in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Meanwhile, Vietnamese-Australian actor Hoa Xuande, who starred with American actor Robert Downey Jr in the HBO miniseries The Sympathizer (2024), will play Professor Zei, head of the anthropology department at Ba Sing Se University.  Other actors in the cast are Amanda Zhou as Joo Dee, Crystal Yu as Lady Beifong, Kelemete Misipeka as The Boulder, Lourdes Faberes as General Sung and Rekha Sharma as Amita.




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Ex-Philippine President Duterte says ICC should 'hurry up' on drug war investigation

MANILA — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the International Criminal Court (ICC) should 'hurry up' with its probe of his war on drugs, remaining firm in his defence of the brutal campaign as he said the investigation should start immediately."I'm asking the ICC to hurry up, and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow," Duterte said in a congressional inquiry on his war on drugs. "If I am found guilty, I will go to prison." According to police data, more than 6,200 people died in anti-drug operations under Duterte's presidency, during which police typically said they had killed suspects in self-defence. Human rights groups believe the real toll to be far greater, with thousands more users and small-time peddlers killed in mysterious circumstances by unknown assailants. "I assume full responsibility for whatever happened in the actions taken by law enforcement agencies of this country to... stop the serious problem of drugs affecting our people," Duterte said. The ICC last year cleared the way for an investigation to into the thousands of deaths and other suspected rights abuses.







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Склады Aliexpress доставляют все посылки с луны?

В последние несколько лет (с появлением первых продвинутых роботов и AI) в кругах теоретиков заговора все чаще и чаще поднимают и вспоминают дикую, на первый взгляд, конспирологическую теорию, согласно которой далеко не все товары на полках магазинов производятся на Земле.

Есть мнение, что нашу планетку некоторое время назад включили в какую–то глобальную цепочку поставок, в которой Земля, как примитивный мир, поставляет братьям по разуму полезные ископаемые и рабов, а в обмен получает дейвайсы, которые люди не смогут производить самостоятельно ближайшие 500 лет. Например – некоторые элементы цифровой электроники, некоторые сплавы, полимерные материалы и продукты биотехнологий – генетически модифицированные семена, лекарства, вакцины и так далее.

Углубляться в эту теорию я не буду, но в общих чертах она сводится к следующему.

а) Если вы придете в магазин в Германии, например, вы там почти не встретите немецких товаров – всякое г–но, которое могут производить даже в Йемене, везут как бы из стран ЕС. При этом в любой стране ЕС – та же ситуация, что и у немцев: на полках нет местных товаров. Доходит до смешного, когда в Испанию откуда–то прут апельсины, во Францию – шмотки и парфюмерию, а в Германию – машины и колбасу.

б) В славные 1960–е и 1980–е превентивной сборкой того или иного нового изделия занимались инженеры–технологи, у каждого из которых был профильный талмуд с перечнем производителей нужных ему производителей комплектующих. На загнивающем Западе талмуды были побольше, в СССР поменьше, иногда вообще брошюрки на пару листов. Но в любом случае эта информация была обозримой – одну и ту же деталь делали 10–20 производителей, а иногда и поменьше.

Например, финская фирма Stromberg в начале прошлого века производила электрогенераторы для электростанций всей Европы. И делали прекрасно – все работает до сих пор. А сегодня тысячи фирм по всему миру производят какое–то г–но и не разоряются, а если речь идет не о генераторах, а о девайсах поменьше – то там производителей вообще миллионы. Ну и где они!? Покажите заводы. А показать особо нечего – заводов столько нет.

в) В старые и добрые 1960–е и 1980–е у любого из взятых на выбор людей были друзья и знакомые: инженеры, токари, начальники каких–то предприятий, которые где–то что–то производили. начиная от гвоздей и заканчивая стельками для обуви. А сегодня, куда не плюнь – одни менагеры и юристы, чуть разбавленные дальнобойщиками. Понятно, что произведенной продукцией нужно торговать, что продукцию нужно упаковывать. где–то хранить и развозить. Но покажите мне людей, которые это барахло производят! Не собирают отвертками из почти готового, а делают с нуля. Нет как–то таких людей.

г) Некоторые вещи очень сложные в проектировании, например микропроцессоры. Гораздо проще их импортировать откуда–то с луны и клеить марку “Intel inside”. Когда братья–инопланетяне официально покажут личико – будет, несомненно, именно так, но у конспирологов сверлит голову мысль, что именно так уже прямо сейчас.

Другими словами очень сложная и очень спорная теория, которая вчера получила странное и неожиданное подтверждение. Человек на GLP пишет следующее:

Я всегда и много заказывал на Aliexpress china c доставкой в Канаду. В этом году последний раз я заказывал 13 мая, а посылка пришла около 28 мая, что быстро, но более или менее нормально.

Вторая посылка ехала с 3 по 25 мая, включая таможенное оформление, так что в среднем это не менее 3–4 недель. Но вдруг, на прошлой неделе я заказал кое–какие электронные вещи на сумму 70 долларов США. Я использовал двух разных поставщиков, выбрал минимальную доставку чтобы без оплаты и хотел отследить – кто привезет быстрее, чтобы потом с ним работать.

И вот, первый заказ, который я сделал 20 сентября, прибыл из Китая 26 сентября!

Вы, наверное, сразу подумали, что посылка была отправлена со склада в Северной Америке, но нифига! Я специально уточнял: она была отправлена из Китая!
Товарищ не первый и не последний, кто столкнулся с такими чудесами. Технически можно, конечно, предположить, что ему привезли посылку самолетом, но это вряд ли: самолетами таскают маленькие устройства по цене 500 долларов плюс, например телефоны. Но таскание какого–то барахла за 70 долларов куча уже не окупится. И потому возникает вопрос: а в чем же причина такого чуда?

Можно предположить, что это был глюк Матрицы, которая производит продукты. Можно предположить, что в США работают подземные заводы, где электронику собирает миллиард закованных в кандалы юных китайцев. Но так же можно предположить, что некоторые “китайские” товары доставляют с других мест – мест вне Земли. Например, с той же луны, где у братьев по разуму главный торговый хаб. Обычно доставляют с задержкой, чтобы братья–земляне ничего не заподозрили, но тут вышла накладка.

Если я прав, то подобных накладок будет со временем еще много, чтобы братья–земляне были готовы к официальному признанию–объяснению про происхождение некоторых товаров, так что следим за развитием событий.

Написал аннунах–мракобес alcab на bestiarius.d3.ru / комментировать




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