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jili 646 login ITV I’m A Celebrity Coleen Rooney rushed to medics after bug-filled trial goes wrongNew Orleans police arrest man accused of killing paradegoers during multiple mass shootingsJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia’s decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia this week, Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi activist with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of Vision 2030, an ambitious reform plan unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy’s dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas also picking up awards Thursday.) The country’s General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been Telfaz11, a media company founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 signed a partnership with Netflix to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix’s platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it’s not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry’s evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.” Advertisement Advertisement

Strolling down Ginza Maroni-dori, you might be forgiven for thinking that The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, with its sleek glass facade, is one of the area’s fancy boutiques. But white curtains rather than shop displays suggest something else; likewise, luscious, landscaped walls that mirror the greenery of the tree-lined avenue. This picturesque entrance is a fine first impression to the 14-storey hotel designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Officially opened in December 2023, it is the second Edition property in the bustling metropolis – a big deal considering that New York is the only other place in the world with two Edition hotels in one city. The Tokyo Edition, Tonamoron, also designed by Kuma, opened in September 2020. “Opening two Edition hotels in the same city was a well thought-out process, to provide two distinct experiences tailored to different types of guests. While both are exceptional, The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon is renowned for its nightlife and vibrant energy, whereas The Tokyo Edition, Ginza caters to those seeking a calmer stay and focus on shopping,” said Fabio Testa, the general manager of The Tokyo Edition, Ginza. Tokyo has many sides and the two hotels reflect that. The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon, which has 206 guestrooms and suites, is perched in the top levels of the Kamiyacho Trust Tower and offers panoramic views. With only 86 guestrooms and a lobby directly leading into the street, The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is a lot more intimate. Testa explained that Kuma was the choice architect for both hotels for his deep understanding of Japanese aesthetics, which was crucial in creating an Edition-style hotel aligning with local culture. “Additionally, he has the ability to craft original spaces that are bold, yet refined and modest. This unique balance resonates with Edition’s ethos, as well as the cultural essence of Japan,” Testa elaborated. I entered the hotel through double doors helmed by attentive doormen, leaving the consistent patter of shoppers behind. The double-volume lobby, furnished like a sophisticated home, is washed with soft light through ivory curtains. The cosy environment is accented by something else unseen – Le Labo’s Black Tea fragrance, used in all Edition hotels. It brings up the memory of staying in my very first Edition hotel nine years ago, which was The New York Edition along Madison Avenue. Scent as a way of branding is powerful indeed, I thought, as I felt an immediate affinity with the hotel brand. “Guests frequently comment on the distinctive Edition Le Labo fragrance, nothing that they can catch its scent even from outside the hotel,” agreed Testa. The recollection includes The New York Edition’s iconic spiral staircase. Here in The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, the lobby’s staircase is also graphic and sculptural, but a zigzag metal version with sharp angles. Its gleaming whiteness is matched with comfortable, white lobby furniture that includes a curvaceous sofa and twin Saint-Germain armchairs from Liaigre – all posh and pretty against walnut timber veneer walls. Facing the entrance, a glossy bar with gilt elements welcomes guests ‘home’ with cocktails and coffee from Tokyo’s beloved Little Nap Coffee Roasters. “Ginza is now lined with foreign brand stores but in the past, most of the stores were family owned and had been around for a long time; these developed and supported the town. Ginza is the most famous, and perhaps, exclusive shopping area in Japan but it is also a unique district with an intimate and warm atmosphere. I wanted to convey this history and mood of Ginza in the hotel,” said Kuma via email. He wanted to recreate the feeling of walking into the living room of a house directly from the street, hence the distinctively residential feel. The architect, who founded Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKHA) in 1990, is renowned for his creative use of materials, as well as mastery of detail that give human scale to his photogenic, landmark building designs. These include the Japan National Stadium and Nezu Museum. Here, he wrapped the facade of The Tokyo Edition, Ginza in a wave of metal strips akin to a chequered menswear pattern. The lobby is a more subtle variety of the ‘social lobby’ – a gathering space for guests and city dwellers – conceptualised by Ian Schrager when he opened Morgans Hotel New York, sparking the boutique hotel trend. When he founded the Edition brand together with Marriott International in 2013, this idea continued, together with an upscale party vibe leftover from his stagey Studio 54 nightclub days. In The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, the theatrical buzz comes in the form of a neon fuchsia light wall at the lift lobby. It is fun, unexpected and according to Tomoko Matsumoto, director of marketing communications and public relations for both Edition hotels in Tokyo, a very popular Instagram magnet. The lobby’s white theme continues to the guestroom corridors, which are lined with plush white carpeting – foolhardy by any hotelier but definitely luxurious for guests. Kuma highlighted that his design scheme paid extra attention to the fabrics used in the hotel. In the 86 pared-back guestrooms, which include 10 suites, soft carpets layer upon walnut timber floors. The warm surface continues up the walls, giving the rooms a somewhat mid-century modern feel. In the bathrooms, a block of green timber for the vanity counter lends colour and a dash of understated luxe to the scheme. Japanese photographer Takay’s black-and-white photographs, timber furniture and minimal lighting fixtures decorate contribute to the restful atmosphere. The amenities are also very considered; belted yukata robes, cast-iron teapots and curated local snacks reflect Japan’s strong craft culture. Toiletries are Le Labo, of course. What I also love are the expansive windows that let one peek down at the streetscape below and see Ginza from another perspective. The room sizes are generous by Tokyo standards, starting with 41 sq m for the entry-level deluxe rooms. Premier rooms come with timber-lined alcove seating, while the largest is The Penthouse, with living and dining areas as well as a kitchen catering to parties. For lunch, I headed to Sophie on the 14th storey. The modern, brightly lit brassiere is dressed in refreshing chartreuse and moss shades. The dishes were equally light and fresh. A three-course set meal of Hokkaido Flounder Crudo, Grilled Niigata Pork and Creme Caramel with pear compote and vanilla ice cream offered a glimpse of the restaurant’s repertoire. The dinner menu adds on more filling signature dishes for sharing, such as roasted whole chicken with Tokyo miso and Yuzu kosho , as well as a hearty lobster Bouillabaisse infused with saffron. On the second floor, The Punch Room, decked up like a gentleman’s club with plush velvet and timber walls with trimmings, offers a contrasting mood to Sophie. The menu showcases a dazzling infusion of Japanese influences: in Choco Banana & Apple are ingredients like le rum, egg white, black tea and Aomori apples; Dirty Maiko has notes of Haku vodka, pistachio, olive and sencha. “The Punch Room is the first place in Japan where you can enjoy authentic punches. It’s tucked away from the busy streets of Ginza and you may feel you have been invited into the house of your friend for its cosy atmosphere. An elaborate coffered ceiling, often observed in traditional Japanese architecture, is applied,” described Kuma. The entire hotel’s design was really homage to Ginza, envisioned in a modern language. “We wanted some dim yet warm colouring that evokes an old shop in Ginza. From the pale green in Sophie to the pink of the light wall, subtle colours are creating an image of good old days of Ginza,” Kuma said. The Roof – Ginza’s first natural wine bar – crowns the variety of experience at the top of the hotel, surrounded by lush planting. For those in need of some exercise, there is a small, 24-hour gym in the hotel that looks out to Ginza’s treetops. For more elaborate workouts, guests of this property can take a 10-minute car ride to the The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon’s larger wellness centre, which includes a swimming pool and spa. I had brought my running shoes but partly due to the lack of time and because here I was right smack in the middle of Ginza, I decided to take my exercise to the streets, ambling in and out of shops. A staggering number of amazing choices are within a five-minute walk: Issey Miyake, Bvlgari, upscale departmental store Matsuya Ginza and famous Japanese confectionery shop Higashiya Ginza by design guru Shinichiro Ogata, among others. No doubt, The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is a great location for shoppers and mealtime excursions to the area’s many Michelin-starred establishments. But more than that, the mixture of good design, comfort and thoughtful menus make the hotel a destination in its own right.Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women's basketball league launching this winter, signed LSU star guard Flau'jae Johnson to a name, image and likeness deal. Johnson is the second college player to ink an agreement with Unrivaled, following UConn's Paige Bueckers. They won't be participating in the upcoming inaugural season, but Johnson and Bueckers will have equity stakes in the league. Unrivaled dropped a video on social media Thursday showing Johnson -- who also has a burgeoning rap career -- performing a song while wearing a shirt that reads, "The Future is Unrivaled." The deal will see Johnson create additional promotional content for the league. Johnson, 21, was a freshman on the LSU team that won the 2023 national championship. Now in her junior year, Johnson is averaging career highs of 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game through 10 games for the No. 5 Tigers (10-0). She ranks eighth in Division I in scoring. Johnson has career averages of 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 82 career appearances (80 starts) for LSU. --Field Level Media

In conclusion, the 12:13 moment in the weightlifting world will forever be etched in the memories of fans and athletes alike. The intense battle between North Korea and China showcased the best of what the sport has to offer – strength, skill, and unwavering determination. It was a moment of pure sporting brilliance, a display of human potential pushed to its limits. As we look towards the future, we can only anticipate more thrilling showdowns and record-breaking performances in the world of weightlifting.

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In addition, concerns were raised regarding the data privacy and security implications of Sora's vast data collection and storage capabilities. As an AI digital assistant, Sora collects and analyzes immense amounts of user data to personalize recommendations and responses. However, the sheer volume and sensitivity of this data raise legitimate concerns about data protection, consent, and the potential for misuse or unauthorized access.

The gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fled New York City by bus, police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. Here's the latest: The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. “We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer made sure to wear a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras that have aided authorities piecing together his movements and his identity. A law enforcement official said Friday that new surveillance footage shows the suspect riding the subway and visiting establishments in Manhattan and provided more clues about his actions in the days before he ambushed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . The gunman’s whereabouts and identity remain unknown Friday, as did the reason for Wednesday’s killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack . ▶ Read more about the search for the gunman In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was walking to when he was fatally shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. ▶ Read more about how companies protect their leaders Those images include New York’s subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where the person was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, the official said. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. — Mike Balsamo Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm that serves 1.5 million customers in 12 states, said it’s temporarily closing all six locations. The firm has offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota, and employs about 3,000 people. Employees will work from home, Medica spokesman Greg Bury said in an email Friday. “The safety of Medica employees is our top priority and we have increased security both for all of our employees,” a statement from Medica said. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.” Bury also said biographical information on the company’s executives was taken down from its website as a precaution. The insurer cited the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in its announcement about the Dec. 12 event. “All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected. Health insurance is a big industry and a small community; many members of the CenTeam crossed paths with Brian during their careers,” Centene CEO Sarah M. London said in a news release. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time.” Centene Corp. has grown in recent years to become the largest insurer in Medicaid, the state- and federally funded program that covers care for people with low incomes. Insurers manage Medicaid coverage for states, and Centene has more than 13 million people enrolled in that coverage. The insurance company also said it’s focused on ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators. “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said. But he said Friday that he’s confident police will arrest the shooter. “We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” Adams said on TV station WPIX. Later, it removed their names and biographies entirely. Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, a law enforcement official said. Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled. The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. Experts say today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. ▶ Read more about the steps companies take to protect their leadership Police said Thursday they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper from a trash can near the scene of the ambush and think the suspect bought them from a Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The items were being tested by the city’s medical examiner.