No end in sight to Hollywood actors, writers' strike

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

No end in sight to Hollywood actors, writers' strike The combined strike by Hollywood actors and screenwriters is entering its second week with no sign that a swift ending will be achieved.For a week, actors including household names like Tina Fey, Kevin Bacon and wife Kyra Sedgwick, Rosario Dawson, David Duchovny and other stars have joined working-class performers and writers on picket lines outside studios and corporate offices of streaming giants Amazon, MAX and Netflix.The actors' regular appearance on picket lines has provided additional star power and voices on issues that are key to both groups — better pay and preserving established practices like residual payments, as well as protection from the use of artificial intelligence. Roughly 65,000 actors — the vast majority of whom don't make enough from acting to qualify for health benefits through their guild — along with 11,500 screenwriters, are on strike.Husband and wife actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick are part of the picket line outside NBCUniversal at 30 Rockefeller Pl...

Google's AI chatbot can now speak to you

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

Google's AI chatbot can now speak to you Google just gave its AI tool - called Bard - some major upgrades that make it even more useful.Bard is Google's answer to ChatGPT but with one key difference - Bard has access to the real time web, which means it can give you answers about things that just happened."You can use Bard to boost your productivity and really help you solve everyday problems," said Sissie Hsiao, Google's VP of Bard and Assistant.Hsiao says people are using the AI chatbot for productivity, creativity and, yes, companionship."It’s kind of fun to just talk to an AI sometimes about, you know, anything on the top of your mind.Bard's first new superpower: you can upload an image for it to analyze.It can write descriptions, identify ingredients, and even write a caption for your Instagram post.Just don't try uploading a photo with people, right now it can't help with that.Also new, Bard has a voice. Instead of just reading text answers on the screen, you can tap the speaker icon next to an answer and Bard will r...

Will.i. am and Britney Spears want you to 'Mind Your Business'

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

Will.i. am and Britney Spears want you to 'Mind Your Business' Britney Spears and Will.i.am dropped the highly anticipated single "Mind Your Business" overnight.The pop dance hit starts off slow with Spears saying "Mind your business, b----." The song then transitions into a high-speed beat, which is sure to be stuck in your head all day with the pair singing "Mind your b." Britney Spears memoir ‘The Woman in Me’ to hit shelves in October This isn't the first time the duo has worked together. They famously released "Scream & Shout” from Will.i.am's 2013 album, "#willpower," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. They first worked together on Spears' 2011 album "Femme Fatale" for the song "Big Fat Bass." Pink, politics and laughs: Critics review ‘Barbie’ movie The Black Eyed Peas member also executive-produced the "Toxic" singer's 2013 album "Britney Jean," and worked on her song "It Should Be Easy," from the album. The single comes days after Spears announced the date of her long-awaited memoir titled "The Woman in Me." The...

What is Web Design?

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

What is Web Design?  In today’s digital age, having an effective online presence is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. One of the key elements of establishing a strong online presence is through web design. In this article, we will explore the concept of web design, its importance, and how it influences the success of a website.1. Introduction to Web DesignWeb design refers to the process of creating and arranging the visual layout, structure, and functionality of websites. It involves various disciplines such as graphic design, user experience design, interface design, and coding. Web design aims to create an aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly, and engaging website that effectively communicates the intended message.2. Elements of Web DesignWeb design encompasses several essential elements that contribute to the overall user experience. These elements include layout, color scheme, typography, images, multimedia, and interactive elements. Each element plays a crucial role in capturin...

Man Dead, Another Hospitalized after DUI Crash on Capitol Expressway [San Jose, CA]

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

Man Dead, Another Hospitalized after DUI Crash on Capitol Expressway [San Jose, CA] Two-Vehicle Collision Near Snell Avenue Resulted in FatalitySAN JOSE, CA (July 21, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, a DUI crash on Capitol Expressway left a man dead and another injured.The deadly collision happened around 1:11 a.m. at the intersection of Capitol Expressway and Snell Avenue.Based on the news report, a 2006 Nissan SUV ran pushed past a red light while traveling westbound along the expressway.Consequently, the Nissan collided with a 2006 Scion sedan going south on Snell Avenue.The impact of the collision ejected the two male occupants of the Scion and left both of them with major injuries. Unfortunately, one of the victims succumbed to their injuries while the other man remained at the hospital in critical condition.After the collision, police arrested the driver of the Nissan for felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office will provide the deceased victim’s identity once the family has been notified.Those with additional informa...

Police: Juvenile fatally shot 13-year-old Northern California boys, then placed his body in a field

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

Police: Juvenile fatally shot 13-year-old Northern California boys, then placed his body in a field OROVILLE — Butte County Sheriff’s Office detectives discovered the body Tuesday of a 13-year-old they believe died after being shot earlier that day while riding in a stolen vehicle, according to a department press release.Detectives identified the body as that of Amadeus Miller-Ramos of Oroville.They found the body after officers from the Oroville Police Department discovered an abandoned vehicle Tuesday and determined it had been stolen, according to the release. Based on evidence they found inside the vehicle, police detectives said they believed a shooting had occurred inside the car.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Teen killed, toddler injured in shooting at Southern California park Crime and Public Safety | California man convicted of killing elderly neighbor during rape attempt Crime and Public Safety | East Bay man killed in spray of gunfire that left 60 shell casings is identified Crime and Public Safety | ...

Photos: Remembering Tony Bennett, who left his heart in San Francisco

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

Photos: Remembering Tony Bennett, who left his heart in San Francisco Related ArticlesMusic | Tony Bennett, timeless American singer loved by generations, dies at 96 Music | Police seized laptops from home of witness to Tupac Shakur’s killing Music | Ariana Grande: Going from divorce to dating recently separated ‘Wicked’ co-star Music | Trump joins right-wing defense of friend Jason Aldean and his ‘pro-lynching’ video Music | Harry and Meghan asked for ride home on Air Force One after queen’s funeral: report Tony Bennett, the eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” graced a decades-long career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, died Friday. He was 96.Publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed Bennett’s death in his hometown of New York.While no specific cause was given, Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s d...

Monica Gandhi’s new book combines lessons from HIV and COVID to better prepare for the next pandemic

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

Monica Gandhi’s new book combines lessons from HIV and COVID to better prepare for the next pandemic UC-San Francisco Infectious disease expert Monica Gandhi has found herself at the center of many heated COVID-19 debates the past three years.But in her new book Endemic: A Post-Pandemic Playbook, she is combining decades of experience in infectious diseases and HIV particularly, with her unique position on the sharp edge of pandemic policies to present a 10-point plan to prepare for future pandemics.She discussed the book and her thoughts on what went right or wrong during COVID-19. Her answers have been edited for brevity and clarity:Q: What does the title of your book, Endemic, mean, and why did you want to write this book now?A: In the concept of infectious disease epidemiology, there are pathogens that we hope to get rid of in the world, and there are pathogens that we’re never going to get rid of. A pathogen that we’re never going to get rid of, unfortunately, is called endemic, meaning it gets to a stage where we live with it.It starts out in a pandemic form, caus...

Bay Area hiring surges in June, powered by big South Bay job gains

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

Bay Area hiring surges in June, powered by big South Bay job gains The Bay Area economy added jobs at a sturdy pace in June, raising hopes that the region’s employment picture is turning brighter after being jolted by losses back in March, a new government report released Friday shows.The nine-county region gained 9,200 jobs in June, powered by robust gains in the Santa Clara County area, federal labor officials reported.After losing jobs in March, the Bay Area has now gained jobs for three consecutive months, although the increase in June was somewhat weaker than the upswing in May.Plus, the Bay Area produced nearly four out of five of all the jobs added in California during June, the new report shows.Related ArticlesEconomy | Firms with flex-work policies are hiring faster than those fully in office Economy | H-1B visa: Canada’s program to poach Silicon Valley talent off to a booming start Economy | Bay Area tech layoffs hit primarily non-tech workers: report Economy | Massive...

DC’s new acting police chief says she won’t be satisfied until crime goes down

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:47:58 GMT

DC’s new acting police chief says she won’t be satisfied until crime goes down (new Image()).src = "https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384&cid=c2ffed0c-3624-46c0-b10f-97c976d290a3";cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384",mediaId: "baae5302-7c5b-4870-b945-7dd816c79f28"}).render("93138e1c8ed645cda87a57756f220c82"); });Since Pamela Smith was sworn in as acting police chief in D.C. earlier this week, she has spent her time meeting with “just about every command official” in the police department as Smith works to become more familiar with the agency she hopes to lead on a permanent basis.In an interview with WTOP, Smith said she had the opportunity to discuss her new role with department leaders and “talk about some of our crime plans and crime initiatives.”“It’s given me an opportunity to really get to see the agency at a 1,000-foot level, and I’m very excited about that,” she said.Smith, who previously served in the D.C. police de...