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By HALELUYA HADERO The emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce novel and detailed online reviews with almost no work has put merchants , service providers and consumers in uncharted territory, watchdog groups and researchers say. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. They are typically traded on private social media groups between fake review brokers and businesses willing to pay. Sometimes, such reviews are initiated by businesses that offer customers incentives such as gift cards for positive feedback. But AI-infused text generation tools, popularized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT , enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice, which is illegal in the U.S. , is carried out year-round but becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season , when many people rely on reviews to help them purchase gifts. Fake reviews are found across a wide range of industries, from e-commerce, lodging and restaurants, to services such as home repairs, medical care and piano lessons. The Transparency Company, a tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews, said it started to see AI-generated reviews show up in large numbers in mid-2023 and they have multiplied ever since. For a report released this month, The Transparency Company analyzed 73 million reviews in three sectors: home, legal and medical services. Nearly 14% of the reviews were likely fake, and the company expressed a “high degree of confidence” that 2.3 million reviews were partly or entirely AI-generated. “It’s just a really, really good tool for these review scammers,” said Maury Blackman, an investor and advisor to tech startups, who reviewed The Transparency Company’s work and is set to lead the organization starting Jan. 1. In August, software company DoubleVerify said it was observing a “significant increase” in mobile phone and smart TV apps with reviews crafted by generative AI. The reviews often were used to deceive customers into installing apps that could hijack devices or run ads constantly, the company said. The following month, the Federal Trade Commission sued the company behind an AI writing tool and content generator called Rytr, accusing it of offering a service that could pollute the marketplace with fraudulent reviews. The FTC, which this year banned the sale or purchase of fake reviews, said some of Rytr’s subscribers used the tool to produce hundreds and perhaps thousands of reviews for garage door repair companies, sellers of “replica” designer handbags and other businesses. Max Spero, CEO of AI detection company Pangram Labs, said the software his company uses has detected with almost certainty that some AI-generated appraisals posted on Amazon bubbled up to the top of review search results because they were so detailed and appeared to be well thought-out. But determining what is fake or not can be challenging. External parties can fall short because they don’t have “access to data signals that indicate patterns of abuse,” Amazon has said. Pangram Labs has done detection for some prominent online sites, which Spero declined to name due to non-disclosure agreements. He said he evaluated Amazon and Yelp independently. Many of the AI-generated comments on Yelp appeared to be posted by individuals who were trying to publish enough reviews to earn an “Elite” badge, which is intended to let users know they should trust the content, Spero said. The badge provides access to exclusive events with local business owners. Fraudsters also want it so their Yelp profiles can look more realistic, said Kay Dean, a former federal criminal investigator who runs a watchdog group called Fake Review Watch. To be sure, just because a review is AI-generated doesn’t necessarily mean its fake. Some consumers might experiment with AI tools to generate content that reflects their genuine sentiments. Some non-native English speakers say they turn to AI to make sure they use accurate language in the reviews they write. “It can help with reviews (and) make it more informative if it comes out of good intentions,” said Michigan State University marketing professor Sherry He, who has researched fake reviews. She says tech platforms should focus on the behavioral patters of bad actors, which prominent platforms already do, instead of discouraging legitimate users from turning to AI tools. Prominent companies are developing policies for how AI-generated content fits into their systems for removing phony or abusive reviews. Some already employ algorithms and investigative teams to detect and take down fake reviews but are giving users some flexibility to use AI. Spokespeople for Amazon and Trustpilot, for example, said they would allow customers to post AI-assisted reviews as long as they reflect their genuine experience. Yelp has taken a more cautious approach, saying its guidelines require reviewers to write their own copy. “With the recent rise in consumer adoption of AI tools, Yelp has significantly invested in methods to better detect and mitigate such content on our platform,” the company said in a statement. The Coalition for Trusted Reviews, which Amazon, Trustpilot, employment review site Glassdoor, and travel sites Tripadvisor, Expedia and Booking.com launched last year, said that even though deceivers may put AI to illicit use, the technology also presents “an opportunity to push back against those who seek to use reviews to mislead others.” “By sharing best practice and raising standards, including developing advanced AI detection systems, we can protect consumers and maintain the integrity of online reviews,” the group said. The FTC’s rule banning fake reviews, which took effect in October, allows the agency to fine businesses and individuals who engage in the practice. Tech companies hosting such reviews are shielded from the penalty because they are not legally liable under U.S. law for the content that outsiders post on their platforms. Tech companies, including Amazon, Yelp and Google, have sued fake review brokers they accuse of peddling counterfeit reviews on their sites. The companies say their technology has blocked or removed a huge swath of suspect reviews and suspicious accounts. However, some experts say they could be doing more. “Their efforts thus far are not nearly enough,” said Dean of Fake Review Watch. “If these tech companies are so committed to eliminating review fraud on their platforms, why is it that I, one individual who works with no automation, can find hundreds or even thousands of fake reviews on any given day?” Consumers can try to spot fake reviews by watching out for a few possible warning signs , according to researchers. Overly enthusiastic or negative reviews are red flags. Jargon that repeats a product’s full name or model number is another potential giveaway. When it comes to AI, research conducted by Balázs Kovács, a Yale professor of organization behavior, has shown that people can’t tell the difference between AI-generated and human-written reviews. Some AI detectors may also be fooled by shorter texts, which are common in online reviews, the study said. However, there are some “AI tells” that online shoppers and service seekers should keep it mind. Panagram Labs says reviews written with AI are typically longer, highly structured and include “empty descriptors,” such as generic phrases and attributes. The writing also tends to include cliches like “the first thing that struck me” and “game-changer.”
Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for 1 shy of record LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has been named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time. That ties the two-way superstar with Michael Jordan, an athlete Ohtani followed while growing up in Japan. He trails only Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James, who each won the award four times. Ohtani received 48 votes in balloting by 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members. He earned his third National League Most Valuable Player award after helping the Dodgers win their eighth World Series title. Ohtani hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases as the first player with a 50-50 season. His dog, Decoy, became a celebrity, too, helping Ohtani deliver a ceremonial first pitch at a game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekPresident-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner, father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former senior Trump adviser who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. RELATED STORY | Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are discussing tariffs. What should consumers expect? Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Christie has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and has called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009.
As if it wasn’t already a landmark year for Lord of the Rings fans, between the announcement that Peter Jackson is making another LOTR movie and the second season of Rings Of Power having us hooked, audiences can also venture back to Middle Earth on the big screen in a couple of weeks. Ahead of The Lord of the Rings : The War Of Rohirrim joining the 2024 movies this December, the anime has screened and first reactions are here. The social media embargo for War Of Rohirrim has just lifted, and it looks like critics have mixed to positive thoughts on the movie overall. Let’s start with CinemaBlend’s own Mike Reyes , who had this to say on X: #LordOfTheRings War of the Rohirrim is a breathtaking jump into anime for the Middle-earth Saga. There is so much to love for the animated return of Tolkien's #LOTR mythology; and it feels every bit as epic and stirring as you'd want. I cannot wait to see this again. What a glowing review! The new Lord of the Rings movie is actually the first time we’ve seen Middle Earth on the big screen in a decade following the final The Hobbit movie. Reyes was dazzled to return to J.R.R. Tolkien’s world through its first anime, and is looking forward to second viewing. The Movie Podcast ’s Shahbaz agreed with our CinemaBlend critic in many ways, but had some gripes with the movie as well. As he wrote: The War of the Rohirrim captures the beauty of Middle-earth with stunning animation, perfect for an anime. But despite my love for this series, its lengthy runtime and unengaging story kept me from fully connecting with it. Now, The War Of Rohirrim is two hours and 14 minutes long, which is actually the shortest a Lord of the Rings movie has ever been. That being said, some first reactions shared some similar complaints about its pacing. As Ezra Cubero expressed: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM has glimpses of that Middle-Earth magic, but proves that it can only be as powerful as the characters we follow which are sadly unengaging. The intrigue in its story lacks surprise and it's got a lethargic pace. I was let down. The new movie is set nearly 200 years prior to the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy by telling the story of one legendary king of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand, and his daughter. Ever since the first trailer came out, we’ve been excited for the Hayao Miyazaki vibes . While it certainly sounds like the animation delivers, not everyone was sold on the story. According to Jonathan Sim : LORD OF THE RINGS: WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM is a gorgeously animated return to Middle-Earth. It features well-defined characters and masterful battle sequences, but occasional predictability and unearned moments can hold it back. FandomWire’s Sean Boelman also pointed out how the movie focuses on men when perhaps a Lord of the Rings movie based on other more intriguing Middle Earth races like elves or Hobbits could have been better suited. In his words: My biggest question about THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM is why they used a medium as wide open as anime to tell a story in the world of Man. It's not bad, but it's less engaging and unique than I would have hoped. Probably a fans-only affair. While there’s definitely some criticism for The War Of Rohirrim , tons of first reactions are purely positive. Mama’s Geeky owner Tessa Smith commended the movie for being a solid family feature for fans of the franchise. CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a great addition to the iconic franchise. Perfect for families with teens & Tolkien fans, it has deeper exploration of lore, delivers an empowering story, offers up insane action & features exciting cameos. Lastly, Rama’s Screen was all in on the movie, calling it one of the best of the year. Check out what he said: I really enjoyed LOTR: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM. Epic, grand, mesmerizing! The anime-style animation was exquisite. Felt so good returning to middle-earth. I didn’t realize how much I had missed it. One of my favorite films this year. Perhaps these reactions helped make up your mind on the Lord of the Rings: The War Of Rohirrim movie ? It hits theaters exclusively (with an awesome popcorn bucket tie-in ) on December 13. While we wait for the release, you can check out how to watch all the Lord of the Rings movies in order here on CinemaBlend.
Lightning ride electric power play to 4-2 victory over CanucksFor retro gaming enthusiasts, miniature versions of classic consoles have become a hot commodity. Nintendo has capitalized on this trend with smash hits like the NES Classic and SNES Classic, and Sony followed suit with the PlayStation Classic. Sega even dipped their toes in the water with the Genesis Mini and Genesis Mini 2. So, naturally, fans have been clamoring for Sega to give the same treatment to two of its most beloved, yet commercially unsuccessful, consoles: the Saturn and the Dreamcast. However, Sega has officially poured cold water on the idea, leaving many fans disappointed. But why? Let’s dive into the reasons behind Sega’s decision and explore the challenges and complexities surrounding these potential mini consoles. This news came directly from Sega’s Yosuke Okunari, the producer of the Genesis Mini and Genesis Mini 2 , in an interview with Famitsu. He stated that while the idea has been considered, the high cost and complexity of recreating the Saturn and Dreamcast hardware make these projects unlikely in the near future. This announcement, while disappointing, doesn’t come as a complete surprise to those who have followed the trajectory of these consoles and the challenges involved in emulating their unique architecture. The Saturn: A Complex Beast The Sega Saturn, released in 1994 in Japan and 1995 in North America and Europe, was a technological marvel for its time. However, its dual-CPU architecture, designed for raw power, proved to be a double-edged sword. While capable of stunning 2D graphics, it was notoriously difficult to develop for, leading to a lack of strong third-party support, particularly in the West. Here’s why a Saturn Mini is a challenge: My own experience with the Saturn was bittersweet. I remember being blown away by the graphics of Virtua Fighter 2 in the arcade and desperately wanting to play it at home. The Saturn delivered that arcade-perfect experience, but the console’s high price tag and the limited selection of games I was interested in meant it eventually gathered dust. The Dreamcast: A Beloved Failure The Dreamcast, launched in 1998, was Sega’s final console and a last-ditch effort to regain market share. It was ahead of its time in many ways, featuring online capabilities, a sleek design, and innovative controllers. Despite critical acclaim and a strong initial launch, it ultimately fell victim to the PlayStation 2 juggernaut. Here’s why a Dreamcast Mini faces hurdles: I have fond memories of the Dreamcast. Soul Calibur and Crazy Taxi were revolutionary at the time, and I spent countless hours playing Phantasy Star Online with friends, experiencing online console gaming for the first time. The Dreamcast’s demise was truly the end of an era for Sega. The Cost Factor: A Major Obstacle Perhaps the biggest hurdle for both the Saturn and Dreamcast Mini is the cost of production. Okunari specifically cited this as a key reason for Sega’s decision. Component shortages and rising manufacturing costs have impacted the entire electronics industry, making it difficult to produce affordable retro consoles. Think about it: to create a mini console that accurately emulates the original hardware and includes a decent library of games, Sega would need to invest in: Balancing these costs with a consumer-friendly price point is a delicate act, and it seems Sega isn’t confident in achieving that balance for the Saturn and Dreamcast at this time. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Sega? While the news about the Saturn and Dreamcast Mini consoles is disappointing, it doesn’t mean Sega is abandoning its retro legacy. The success of the Genesis Mini and Genesis Mini 2 shows that there’s still a strong demand for classic Sega experiences. Perhaps Sega will explore alternative ways to make these classic games accessible to modern audiences. This could include: Ultimately, the future of Sega’s retro catalog remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the passion for these classic consoles and their games endures, and fans will continue to hold out hope for a way to experience them in a new light.
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A cultural casualty of war in Ukraine: Xmas classic 'The Nutcracker'SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an era of rising authoritarianism, at the heels of a six-hour martial law decree that unfolded while many South Koreans slept, something noteworthy happened: Democracy held. The past week in Seoul, officials and academics warn, is what a threat to democracy looks like in 2024. It's a democratically-elected president declaring martial law over the nation he leads, asserting sweeping powers to prevent opposition demonstrations, ban political parties and control the media. It's members of the military attempting to block lawmakers from exercising their power to vote on cancelling the power grab. And here's what it took to defeat President Yoon Suk Yeol 's lurch toward government by force: Unified popular support for democracy. Legislators storming the National Assembly past midnight, live-streaming themselves climbing over fences. A politician grabbing at a soldier's rifle and yelling “Aren't you ashamed?” until he retreated. And finally, decisively, Parliament assembling a quorum and voting unanimously to cancel martial law. It was a victory for a hard-won democracy — and for the idea that checks and balances among branches of government must work to counteract each other's ambitions, as the American founders wrote in the Federalist Papers in 1788. But as the drama played out in Seoul, the scaffolding of democracy rattled around the world. In other countries, the grab for power might have worked. Other would-be authoritarians might have been better prepared than Yoon. In deeply polarized societies — the United States, for example, where Republicans are staunchly loyal to president-elect Donald Trump — there might not have been decisive support from the public or the opposition. The military might have used force. And the members of the legislature might not have voted as one to snuff out the attempted takeover. “President Yoon's attempt to declare martial law reveals the fragility of the rule of law in divided societies, especially those with governments in which the chief executive cannot be easily dismissed by the legislature," said Tom Pepinsky, a government professor at Cornell University who studies backsliding among democracies in Southeast Asia. Notably, he said in an email, “No members of President Yoon’s own party were willing to defend his actions in public." Nevertheless, Yoon’s surprise attempt to impose martial law revealed both the fragility and resilience of the country’s democratic system. Within three hours of his stunning announcement to impose military rule — claiming the opposition was “paralyzing” state affairs — 190 lawmakers voted to cancel his actions. In so doing, they demonstrated the strength of the country’s democratic checks and balances. Yoon’s authoritarian push, carried out by hundreds of heavily armed troops with Blackhawk helicopters and armored vehicles sent to the National Assembly, harked back to an era of dictatorial presidents. The country’s democratic transition in the late 1980s came after years of massive protests by millions that eventually overcame violent suppressions by military rulers. Civilian presence was again crucial in shaping the events following Yoon’s late night television announcement on Tuesday. Thousands of people flocked to the National Assembly, shouting slogans for martial law to be lifted and Yoon to step down from power. There were no reports of violent clashes as troops and police officers. “We restored democracy without having a single casualty this time,” said Seol Dong-hoon, a sociology professor at South Korea’s Jeonbuk National University. It’s virtually impossible for any leader of a democracy to pull off a transition toward martial law without a public willing to support it, or at least tolerate it. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, attracted millions of views as he began live-streaming his journey to the National Assembly, pleading for people to converge to the parliament to help lawmakers get inside. The shaky footage later shows him exiting his car climbing over a fence to get onto the grounds. The vote at the National Assembly was also broadcast live on the YouTube channel of Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, who also had to scale a fence to get in. Yoon’s sense of crisis clearly wasn’t shared by the public, whose opinions, Seol said, were shaped predominantly by the shocking videos broadcast to their devices. “Ultimately, democracy is all about moving public opinion,” he said. “What was most crucial in this case was that everything was broadcast live on smartphones, YouTube and countless other media.” Opposition lawmakers are now pushing to remove Yoon from office, saying he failed to meet the constitutional requirement that martial law should only be considered in wartime or a comparable severe crisis — and that he unlawfully deployed troops to the National Assembly. On Saturday, an opposition-led impeachment motion failed after most lawmakers from Yoon’s party boycotted the vote. Yet the president’s troubles persist: The vote’s defeat is expected to intensify nationwide protests and deepen South Korea’s political turmoil, with opposition parties preparing to introduce another impeachment motion when parliament reconvenes next Wednesday. Han Sang-hie, a law professor at Seoul’s Konkuk University, said the martial law debacle highlights what he sees as the most crucial flaw of South Korea’s democracy: that it places too much power in the hands of the president, which is easily abused and often goes unchecked. Political scientists call what happened in South Korea an “autogolpe” — a “self-coup” — defined as one led by incumbent leaders themselves, in which an executive takes or sponsors illegal actions against others in the government. Yoon qualifies because he used troops to try to shut down South Korea's legislature. Self-coups are increasing, with a third of the 46 since 1945 occurring in the past decade, according to a study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Penn State University. About 80% of self-coups succeed, they reported. In 2021, a power grab by Tunisian President Kais Saied raised similar concerns around the world after the country designed a democracy from scratch and won a Nobel Peace Prize after a largely bloodless revolution. In the United States, some have expresed worry about similar situations arising during the second administration of Donald Trump. He has vowed, after all, to shake some of democracy's pillars . He's mused that he would be justified if he decided to pursue “the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” That’s in contrast to the oath of office he took in 2017, and will again next year, to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” as best he can. Nearly half of voters in the Nov. 5 election, which Trump won, said they were “very concerned” that another Trump presidency would bring the U.S. closer to authoritarianism, according to AP Votecast survey data. Asked before a live audience on Fox News Channel in 2023 to assure Americans that he would not abuse power or use the presidency to seek retribution against anyone, Trump replied, “except for day one," when he'll close the border and “drill, drill, drill.” After that, Trump said, "I'm not a dictator.” Kellman reported from London.
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Green and Jamiel score long TDs and Lehigh rallies to defeat Richmond 20-16 in FCS playoff openerSophomore wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., one of the top skill-position targets in the transfer portal, is headed to Auburn to catch passes from Jackson Arnold. Singleton had a team-high 56 catches for 754 yards and three touchdowns with Georgia Tech in 2024 after posting 48 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman in 2023. Auburn announced Singleton's signing Monday on social media. Arnold opted to transfer out of Oklahoma and picked Auburn, which has been extremely active since finishing the season 5-7. Along with Singleton and Arnold, the Tigers landed Wake Forest wide receiver Horatio Fields and Maryland tight end Preston Howard. Texas, LSU, Miami and Ole Miss all pushed to land Singleton. A product of Alexander High School in Douglasville (Ga.), Singleton was rated a three-star recruit in 2023 and had offers from Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Troy but not Georgia. Players who enter the transfer portal are permitted to return to their original school. Georgia Tech (7-5) was selected for the Birmingham Bowl and plays Vanderbilt (6-6) on Friday. --Field Level Media
New coach Chris Holtmann has been tasked with rebuilding DePaul to the point where it can return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. Northern Illinois coach Rashon Burno knows what it takes to steer DePaul to the NCAAs because he was the starting point guard on the 2000 team that made the tournament -- the Blue Demons' only other NCAA appearance since 1992. Perhaps they can compare notes Saturday afternoon when Burno leads the Huskies (2-3) back to his alma mater as DePaul (5-0) hosts its sixth straight home game in Chicago. Last season, Burno's NIU squad helped accelerate DePaul's need for a new coach -- as the Huskies waltzed into Wintrust Arena and owned Tony Stubblefield's Blue Demons by an 89-79 score on Nov. 25. The Huskies built a 24-point second-half lead before coasting to the finish line. Can history repeat for NIU? There's just one problem with using last year's game as a potential barometer for Saturday's rematch: Almost no players on this year's teams were part of last year's squads. At DePaul, only assistant coach Paris Parham remains as Holtmann had the green light to bring in an all-new roster. UIC graduate transfer Isaiah Rivera (16.0 ppg, .485 3-point rate) and Coastal Carolina transfer Jacob Meyer (15.4 ppg, .406 on 3s) lead a balanced attack that focuses on getting half its shots from beyond the arc. At NIU, Burno retained only two players who competed against DePaul last year -- Ethan Butler and Oluwasegun Durosinmi -- and they combined for three points in 26 minutes in that game. The Huskies' main players used the transfer portal to join such programs as Kansas, Wisconsin, Penn State, Colorado State, James Madison, Georgia State and Niagara. With every starting job open, Butler has jumped into the lineup and produced 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. Transfers Quentin Jones (Cal Poly) and James Dent (Western Illinois) pace the Huskies with 14.4 and 14.0 points per game. NIU is on a two-game losing streak, most recently a 75-48 home defeat at the hands of Elon on Wednesday. Holtmann hopes to have Arkansas transfer Layden Blocker for Saturday's game. Blocker missed Tuesday's 78-69 win over Eastern Illinois with a quad injury. With the combo guard unavailable, point guard Conor Enright handed out a career-high 11 assists in a season-high 38 minutes. "We need (Blocker)," Holtmann said. "I don't want to play Conor 38 minutes." --Field Level MediaMayor Eric Adams vows to work with the Trump administration to get migrants who commit crimes out of New York City
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If you were educated in the United Kingdom, it's quite likely that you have some degree of knowledge about the Tudors. As a nation, we seem to have a special place in our hearts for this tumultuous dynasty – arguably, to the detriment of more recent and relevant periods of history – with the six wives of King Henry VIII being perhaps its defining characteristic. Of the unfortunate bunch, none has been given less respect than fourth wife Anne of Cleves, whose brief marriage to the monstrous monarch is often boiled down to "she was too ugly for him". This narrative was first put forward by Henry himself and later repeated by men throughout history, including the charming Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, who dubbed Anne as almost indistinguishable from a "Flanders mare" in 1679. It's quite the PR victory that Henry and his cronies managed to convince a nation that a gracious 25-year-old woman was the problem in a blind marriage to a man double her age, who suffered from morbid obesity, a rancid leg wound, gout and boils. Keep up to date with all the dramas - from period to crime to comedy By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy . You can unsubscribe at any time. Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light goes some way to correcting the record in its fifth episode, which recounts the stranger-than-fiction story of Anne and Henry's first meeting, flipping the script on a man whose glass house shattered many years earlier. Stunningly, it is true that the king discarded carefully laid plans for Anne's ceremonial introduction to London, by instead riding out to meet her en route – and even donning a disguise in a deranged attempt at a grand romantic gesture. As depicted in Wolf Hall, it is a matter of historical record that this ploy initially went over Anne's head; she largely ignored the strange fellow who wandered into her temporary accommodation to deliver a gift "from the King". When it turned out that this man was, in fact, her husband-to-be, she was certainly surprised – success! – but also struggled to hide her repulsion from an ailing King who was, to put it politely, "not as reported". The problematic notion of "conventional beauty" notwithstanding, Anne clearly wasn't the grotesque figure that Henry's complaints make her out to be, with the pride lost during this catastrophic first meeting potentially colouring his view. In fact, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light begs the question of how different the marriage might have been if Thomas Cromwell 's initial arrangements had been followed, giving Anne sufficient time to master a look of feigned admiration for her groom. Of course, that's secondary to the overdue restoration of dignity and agency that Hilary Mantel's historical saga affords Anne, depicting her as an intelligent, respectful and level-headed woman, albeit one from an especially sheltered upbringing. This is far from fan fiction too, with the obvious indicator of Anne's affable personality being how she remained a welcome presence at the Royal Court long after her marriage to Henry was annulled. Clearly not thrilled with her experience on the original Married at First Sight , she accepted the dissolution of their partnership with no protest and was rewarded handsomely with land and property. Anne of Cleves was subsequently referred to as the "King's Beloved Sister" and attended events alongside Henry, his children, and his fifth wife Catherine Howard, becoming a close friend of then-Princess Elizabeth. Alas, this eventually landed her in some hot water during the reign of Queen Mary I , but nevertheless, she outlived all of Henry's other wives and did so comfortably for the most part – until succumbing to an unknown illness in her final year. Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light doesn't have time to delve into the full story of Anne of Cleves, but even from this brief fragment, it's clear that her legacy should not be the dismissive, misogynistic "ugly wife" insults passed down through history. It's quite remarkable that, in a period of such regular, ongoing upheaval, a woman arrived from a remote land without fluent English to wed a mad and ghastly monarch with a penchant for beheadings – and made it work for her! She was quite clearly a gregarious and amiable diplomat, with an ability to charm almost everyone, from her ex-husband (in a strictly platonic sense) to the servants of her household, who praised her for being a kind and generous boss. If the Tudors are to remain a cornerstone of our school curriculum here in the UK, let it take a cue from Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light in re-contextualising Anne of Cleves; no longer the "ugly wife", but the immigrant Queen who survived – and thrived! Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light continues Sundays on BBC One and iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast .
Coterra Energy Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsTrump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffsLINCOLN — What was once a major event of the college football season has, in the first week of December, just become one of the subplots. Early signing day is here for Nebraska and every other program, many of which, including NU, have their attention split several ways. Conference title games haven’t even been played yet. The transfer portal — not officially open until Dec. 9 — has nevertheless been whirling with at least seven Husker departures since Monday. NU has lost one coordinator, locked another up for two years, and set its sights on Kentucky assistant Daikiel Shorts to coach receivers. Matt Rhule’s early afternoon press conference may focus just as much — perhaps more — on topics as the 2025 recruiting class, which stood Tuesday evening at 19 members. By the time Rhule talks about the class, it could grow by a few or in theory shrink, were commits inclined to balk at the departure of Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White. That hasn’t been the case so far, as some of the highest-rated prospects in the class — four-star linebackers Dawson Merritt and Christian Jones — had reaffirmed their commitment to Nebraska through social media statements. Nebraska awaits final answers from at least three prospects, though Dalkiel’s imminent hiring could, in theory, bring more options into play. »San Antonio Alamo Heights High School five-star athlete Michael Terry, a prospect of few interviews who has narrowed his list to home-state Texas, Nebraska and Oregon, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder’s top three schools for months. He’ll announce a choice at his 8:15 a.m. signing ceremony on Wednesday. At NU, Terry projects to wideout. »Homestead (Florida) High School four-star receiver Cortez Mills has long been committed to Oklahoma, but recruiting site reporters have him trending to flip to Nebraska. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Mills caught 79 passes for 1,640 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, breaking Miami-Dade County single-season marks. Mills’ signing ceremony takes place between 8:05-9:30 a.m. in the school’s auditorium. »Kahuka (Hawaii) High School three-star safety Aidan Manutai remains a Husker target, though he’s currently committed to California. The 6-foot, 170-pound Manutai would be part of a defensive backs group that could vie for early playing time. »Another potential prospect to watch is Kentucky receiver commit Dejerrian Miller, who verbally pledged to Shorts and the Wildcats last week and plays prep football at St. Louis Cardinal Ritter, the same school as Husker running back commit Jamarion Parker. Miller did not previously have Nebraska among his top group of suitors and may stick in the SEC. In total, NU plans to sign six in-state commitments — headlined by Jones, an Omaha Westside linebacker — to financial aid papers, as the NCAA in October eliminated the national letter of intent, which binds prospects to school. The group of six — Jones, Omaha North defensive tackle Tyson Terry, Millard North athletes Pierce Mooberry and Caden VerMaas, Wahoo Neumann running back Conor Booth and Lincoln Southwest receiver Jackson Carpenter — are part of one of the strongest corps of in-state recruits in years. Fifteen prospects are poised to sign with FBS programs, with 12 of those headed to power conferences. Unless Terry or Mills flips to NU, Merritt, out of Overland Park (Kansas) Blue Valley High School, is NU’s highest-ranked player in the 2025 class. Thirteen of the 19 prospects in the class have a four-star according to at least one of the four major recruiting services — 247 Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals. And all but 247 Sports, as of Tuesday evening ranked NU’s class as No. 20 in the nation. 247 Sports had the Huskers 22nd. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Chappell Roan Reacts to ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ Hitting 1 Billion Streams on SpotifyVikings WR Jordan Addison Pleaded Not Guilty To Two Misdemeanors From July ArrestProject partners have buttoned up the exterior and made significant headway on interior work for the condominiums, restaurants and hotel comprising one of Keystone’s largest-ever developments, Kindred Resort . Kindred’s Marketing Director Amy Kemp said the team is optimistic the Kindred Hotel could start taking bookings as soon as January to officially open by the summer. With the construction finish line in site, the team released more details on what exactly the 320,000-square-foot development will entail. Developers have said they want the $300 million addition to serve as Keystone Resort’s base center and plan to have it host ski school, too. According to Shervin Rashidi, a co-founder of the development team, his company is the third to attempt such a project and have been crafting the vision for nearly a decade. In addition to the 107-room hotel, the development includes three restaurants, 95 luxury condos, event space and more. In the center of three, 52-foot-tall towers, two of which are for condos and the other for the hotel, will be a courtyard with an astroturf field, fire pits and yard games overlooking the River Run Gondola. The restaurant group behind Summit County favorites such as Sauce on the Blue , which Rashidi is a part owner of, will run two of the three restaurants in Kindred. Chef Eric Berggren will return to Summit County after clocking in 20 years in the fine dining scene to help lead two spots: Kinji, a sushi and Asian fusion restaurant, and Goodz Tavern, which will offer classic ski town dishes with a high-end twist. The third restaurant pays tribute to a woman who the community considers a pivotal figure in Keystone and Summit County history, Lula Myers . Myers, who also served as inspiration for the Keystone Resort ski trail “Schoolmarm,” was a beloved school teacher who arrived in Summit in the early 1900s. Kemp said Myers’ pioneering spirit helped stake her claim as a Summit County historical fixture and having what will be “Lula’s Restaurant” on a site neighboring what was once her ranch seemed like the perfect fit. “She also loved to invite people into her home and have amazing dinner parties,” she said. “She was really known for her graciousness, the food (she made) and for gathering people together.” Lula’s Restaurant will live in the lobby of Kindred Hotel and be managed by Vail Resorts. Kemp said it will feature upscale farm-to-table Colorado and American cuisine. Summit County history is baked into numerous aspects of the resort, according to Kemp. For instance, the rug of the resort’s lobby is inspired by an aerial photo of the Argentine Mine District and different lounges and rooms give a nod to famous peaks and landmarks. The first floor of the Kindred Hotel will also house a bar, which will be around the corner from a kids club with games and activities and a private club. Members of the private club get access to the resort amenities such as the outdoor heated pool and the fitness club in addition to valet ski parking. It will also have member events such as first track days and wine and cheese apres ski parties. Kemp said the team worked to design a 4.5 star resort largely geared toward those who seek out luxury. “Our goal is for Kindred to be a gathering spot and social hub, and to become the best slopeside venue in the ski industry to host weddings, events and conference groups,” Rashidi said in a recent news release. “We want to strategically drive more business for our new town and other local businesses, especially during the historically off-peak times of spring and fall.” Kindred’s general manager, Dan Dohner, said the views are what set the resort apart. He said the 6,000-square-foot meeting space in the resort might have the “best views of any meeting space throughout the mountain region.” Additionally, around 70% of the hotel rooms have views of the mountains and two-thirds of them have decks. The 95 luxury condos are nearing completion as well, Kemp said, and will feature one to four rooms each. According to Kindred’s site , around 87% of the ski-in-ski-out condos have already been claimed.