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Liverpool punish rivals’ errors with dominant win over Leicester to stretch leadBreaking the silence on gender-based violence in menOn first thought, late November seems like a strange time to release Gladiator II , Ridley Scott ’s plus-size return to the blood-and-mud thunderdome of Ancient Rome. The original Gladiator was a quintessential summer movie — the very first of the 21st century, you could argue, given its May 2000 release. Is the sequel landing in the vicinity of Thanksgiving instead of Memorial Day proof that every month is now blockbuster season? Or have we reached the point where a historical epic, even one as goofy and educationally worthless as Gladiator II , looks automatically prestigious compared to everything else Hollywood is churning out these days? People wear togas in this movie. It must belong in awards season, right? The month is fast becoming Scott’s annual window. Gladiator II is his third consecutive movie to open in late November, following last year’s similarly battle-heavy Napoleon and 2021’s House of Gucci , which is battle-heavy in a very different sense. Increasingly, the British octogenarian has staked out the Thanksgiving holiday, the way Will Smith once had the weekend of Independence Day on lockdown. And somehow, that seems oddly fitting for the career Scott has carved out for himself over nearly 50 years. He doesn’t really make summer movies in the traditional sense, even when he makes movies — like Gladiator or Alien , like Blade Runner or Thelma & Louise — that happen to open in the summer. What Scott specializes in are blockbusters for grownups: big, accessible, sometimes very loud genre pictures that rarely feel like they’re aiming to entertain every demographic, the way so many studio releases now do. He is not entirely alone in this lane. Christopher Nolan has found great success making popcorn movies that hardly qualify as fun for all ages. Ditto Jordan Peele, whose high-concept horror is adult in violence and theme. But Scott has been doing this for nearly half a century. And even as the industry has become increasingly infantilized, he’s continued to cater to slightly more mature sensibilities. Not too mature. To be clear, Scott is not exactly a highbrow filmmaker. He got his start in advertising, and as he moved into moviemaking, he never lost that commercial instinct. Every Ridley Scott picture is slick entertainment, even when it wants to do more than entertain. He makes thrillers, action movies, and tense melodramas. Even when the subject matter is serious, the approach is rarely alienating; his most acclaimed work — his Oscar winners — aren’t exactly intellectually ambitious. Black Hawk Down might be a harrowing depiction of war, but it also doubles as a rousing band-of-brothers adventure story. Gladiator , which won Best Picture, is a shameless crowdpleaser at heart. Even Thelma & Louise , the rare Scott movie that goes very light on special effects, was built to thrill. But as other directors have been pulled head first into the PG-13 industrial complex, Scott has steered clear of glorified babysitting duty, threading the needle of making mainstream movies without spending his time and talents on purely adolescent distractions. He’s turned down superhero movies. And the franchise pictures he has made are proudly R-rated: those squishy Alien movies; the limb-chopping Gladiator films; and his one-entry detour into the Hannibal Lecter universe, which features a set-piece so graphic — a Grand Guignol money shot that gives new meaning to the term “food for thought” — that it practically felt like a nationwide test of every mall movie theater’s carding policy. Somehow, Scott still manages to secure enormous budgets, even though he misses as often as he hits, and shows no interest in laboring much in the IP-development salt mines. His last four movies all cost between $75 and $250 million. Few of them have what you would call four-quadrant appeal, though Lady Gaga’s scenery-chewing star performance in House of Gucci probably drew some teenage stans, while swordplay of the kind seen in The Last Duel , Napoleon , and Gladiator II doesn’t exactly repel boys of a certain age. By virtue of clout, Scott seems to have earned the rare privilege to spend boatloads of studio cash on projects at least superficially out of fashion with audiences and execs. A quick scan of his filmography reveals a lot of dabbles in genres now considered old-fashioned or even extinct. He’s made biopics of historical figures ( 1492: Conquest of Paradise ), Biblical epics ( Exodus: Gods & Kings ), halfway-cerebral science fiction ( The Martian ), survival thrillers ( White Squall ), and juicy ripped-from-the-tabloids dramatizations ( All the Money in the World ). There’s an out-of-time quality to his career, made up of films that seem distinctly modern only in the technology used to get them off the ground. What he’s consistently flashing back to is an era when Hollywood seemed comfortable bankrolling expensive productions that didn’t treat the whole American public like 12-year-olds. Because of his interest in war and history, Scott is sometimes said to make Dad Movies. The larger truth is that he doesn’t handle his audience with kid gloves. A philosophical darkness, and sometimes a real mean streak, runs through his thrillers. An avowed atheist, Scott isn’t afraid to depict a godless world — or, in the case of his unsparingly bleak Alien prequels , to paint God as sadistic and indifferent. The Counselor , his underrated collaboration with Cormac McCarthy, might be the most pitilessly cynical studio film of the new millennium ... though it has some competition from another Scott movie, the rape-culture origin story The Last Duel . Even his less heavy stuff, like Gladiator II , dispatches characters with a ruthlessness that would shake younger viewers. They are not the target audience. Unlike almost everyone else in Hollywood, Scott doesn’t make movies for them. And that’s rather welcome at a moment when the box office is largely dominated by Avengers and Minions. You don’t have to love Scott’s films; he’s made his fair share of workmanlike, bloated, or plodding stinkers, like that dreadful Robin Hood reboot starring Russell Crowe. Frankly, the new Gladiator II is very far from his best work. But at 86, he remains a welcome anomaly of the current showbiz ecosystem: a craftsman of big-budget spectacle who funnels all his career capital and resources toward adult interests. Yes, House of Gucci might be ridiculous, sensationalized pulp, but it’s pulp for grownups. Don’t we deserve some dumb fun? This Thanksgiving, or any other, that’s worth a little thankfulness. Gladiator II is now playing in theaters everywhere. For more of A.A. Dowd’s writing, visit his Authory page .
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Aidan O'Connell might not be Mr. Right for the Raiders, but he is Mr. Right Now. He did enough in Friday's 19-17 loss at Kansas City to show that Las Vegas' quarterback job will be his for the rest of the season — barring, that is, another injury. O'Connell didn't look like a quarterback who hadn't played in nearly six weeks because of a broken thumb . Plus, the Raiders had a short week to prepare for the Chiefs, meaning O'Connell only went through a series of walk-through practices. Even so, he completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards, including touchdown passes of 33 yards to tight end Brock Bowers and 58 yards to wide receiver Tre Tucker. He didn't throw any interceptions. “Thought he competed,” coach Antonio Pierce said Saturday morning. “I thought for what we knew we were getting with Spags (Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) and that defense, that he stood in the pocket, made some tough throws, took some hits, took the shots down the field like we wanted. We had some opportunities to take shots down the field, he threw them. And I thought our skill guys did a hell of a job competing and making some really good plays for us.” O'Connell's performance would've shined even more if not for the Raiders' final offensive play. He led the Raiders from their 8-yard line to the Chiefs 32 with 15 seconds left. The plan was for O'Connell to take the snap and throw the ball away to run off a few more seconds, then send Daniel Carlson out for the potential winning field goal without giving Patrick Mahomes enough time to mount one of his signature comebacks. But rookie center Jackson Powers-Johnson snapped the ball before O'Connell was expecting it, and the Chiefs recovered to secure another close, last-minute victory. The Raiders were called for illegal shift, which Kansas City declined. But there was some question about whether officials intended to call a false start instead. Though that infraction would have cost Las Vegas 5 yards, the pre-snap penalty still would've given Carlson a shot at the field goal. Pierce said his team heard an official's whistle before the snap, and that will be included in the Raiders' report to the NFL. “We do that every game,” Pierce said. “Typically, anywhere from three to five questions, and then we’ll get a letter within 24 to 36 hours, and we’ll read it and learn from it.” What’s working Bowers had another sensational game. He was targeted 14 times, catching 10 passes for 140 yards. For the season, he has 84 receptions for 884 yards and four TDs, making him a strong contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year. “We’re seeing double-teams and them really shifting their zone to him, and I don’t really think it matters,” Pierce said. “I think we've got a really special player on our hand.” What needs help The Raiders need to do better on first and second downs to set up more favorable third-down conversions. They have faced 47 third downs from 7 to 10 yards, tied with the Dallas Cowboys for fifth most. Las Vegas' conversion rate on those plays is 36.2%, which actually is favorable compared to the rest of the league, but the Raiders are still creating too many of those situations. Stock up Las Vegas made life difficult for Mahomes, sacking him five times. And it wasn't just Maxx Crosby bringing the heat. Four players had at least one-half sack, including K’Lavon Chaisson, who had 1 1/2. It was a season-high total for the Raiders, and they have taken down the opposing quarterback in 30 consecutive games, the third-longest active streak. Stock down Carlson is usually money, but he missed field goals from 56, 55 and 58 yards. Hardly chip shots, but he is capable of converting from those distances. He had made 30 of 38 field goals from 50-plus yards entering the game, with a career long of 57 yards. Injuries WR DJ Turner injured his knee in the second half. Key number 12 — The Raiders are one of three teams to fall behind double digits in each of their first 12 games of a season. The others were the 1986 Indianapolis Colts and 1972 New England Patriots. Next steps The Raiders visit Tampa Bay on Dec. 8. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Mark Anderson, The Associated Press( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 24, 2024) - Energy Plug Technologies Corp. (CSE: PLUG) (OTCQB: PLGGF) (FSE: 6GQ) ("Energy Plug" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press releases dated December 2, 2024, it has closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement raising gross proceeds of $1,015,184 through the issuance of 14,502,624 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.07 per Unit (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (the "Warrant") having an exercise price of $0.10 per share and a term of one year from the date of closing of the Private Placement ("Closing Date"). The Warrant is subject to acceleration clause whereby in the event that at any time after four months following the Closing Date, the common shares of the Company have traded for twenty (20) consecutive trading days at a closing price of at least $0.15 per share on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is not less than twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the notice of the accelerated expiry date is provided by the Company to the warrant holders by way of news release. The securities issued as part of the Private Placement will be subject to a regulatory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issue. The Company intends to use the net proceeds raised from the Private Placement for research and development, product certification, repayment of trade payables, and general working capital. In connection with a portion of the closing of the first tranche, an aggregate cash finders' fee of $53,998 ($11,998 as to Ventum Financial Corp. and $42,000 to Haywood Securities Inc.) and an aggregate 771,410 Finders Warrants (171,406 to Ventum and 600,004 to Haywood) were issued to certain finders. The Finder's Warrants have the same terms as the warrants issued with the Units. The Company is pleased to announce a strategic leadership transition aligned with its mission to drive innovation in energy and blockchain technologies. Mr. Paul Dickson has been appointed as CEO, leveraging over 30 years of expertise in capital markets and executive leadership with public companies. With a strong background in software development, including SaaS, blockchain, and Web3 technologies, Mr. Dickson is well-positioned to steer Energy Plug's blockchain and technology-driven initiatives. His leadership will be instrumental in strengthening the Company's presence in the Capital Markets and advancing its blockchain integrations. Mr. Broderick Gunning will transition to the role of Executive Vice President, focusing exclusively on decentralized battery systems, product development, and strategic partnerships. His efforts will center on advancing the Malahat Battery Technologies partnership project and scaling Energy Plug's innovative battery solutions. In this role, Mr. Gunning will collaborate with Mr. Dickson to leverage their shared expertise in cryptocurrency as the Company continues to build its decentralized battery system, integrating blockchain technologies, DePIN networks, and advanced cryptocurrency mining applications. To fully dedicate himself to these initiatives, Mr. Gunning has resigned from the board. The Company also announces that Adam Morand has stepped down as a director. The Company extends its sincere gratitude for his contributions and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors. About Energy Plug Technologies Corp. Energy Plug Technologies Corp. is an energy technology company dedicated to innovation and sustainability. With a focus on energy storage applications for residential, commercial, and utility sectors, the company advances battery technologies to enhance energy management and grid resiliency. Based in British Columbia, Energy Plug partners with leading technology companies and Indigenous communities to deliver cutting-edge solutions. For more information, visit . MENAFN24122024004218003983ID1109028587 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC jobPope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by an issue with a vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Middle East latest: Israel expels patients from a hospital in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli soldiers raided a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya on Tuesday, as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Medellin Cartel victims demand truth and justice as cartel boss Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — The return of the notorious drug trafficker Fabio Ochoa to Colombia, following his deportation from the United States, has reopened old wounds among the victims of the Medellin cartel, with some expressing their dismay at the decision of Colombian authorities to let the former mafia boss walk free.Some of the cartel victims said on Tuesday that they are hoping the former drug lord will at least cooperate with ongoing efforts by human rights groups to investigate one of the most violent periods of Colombia’s history, and demanded that Colombian prosecutors also take Ochoa in for questioning. Man arraigned on murder charges in NYC subway death fanned flames with a shirt, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say a man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames, causing her to become engulfed. The suspect, identified by police as Sebastian Zapeta, was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court on Tuesday. He faces murder charges that could put him in prison for life. Federal immigration officials say 33-year-old Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2018. The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island station in Brooklyn. Amsterdam court sentences 5 men over violence linked to Ajax-Maccabi soccer game THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An Amsterdam District Court has issued sentences of up to six months in jail against 5 men who were involved in violent disorder after a soccer match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November. The riots caused an international outcry and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks. The violence following a UEFA Europa League match left 5 people in hospital. More than 60 suspects were detained. The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months, two to 1 month and one to 100 hours of community service.Gas prices slightly up as 1.8 million Tennesseans prepare for Thanksgiving travel
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.”
Global Liveness Detection Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-TECH5,Amazon(AWS),BioID Web,FaceTec,IDEMIA 11-25-2024 07:05 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Market Research Intellect Liveness Detection Software Market USA, New Jersey- According to the Market Research Intellect, the global Liveness Detection Software market is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.67% from 2024 to 2031. Starting with a valuation of 7.94 Billion in 2024, the market is expected to reach approximately 18.05 Billion by 2031, driven by factors such as Liveness Detection Software and Liveness Detection Software. This significant growth underscores the expanding demand for Liveness Detection Software across various sectors. The liveness detection software market is experiencing rapid growth due to the increasing need for advanced identity verification solutions across various industries. With the rising adoption of biometric authentication systems, liveness detection software has become essential in preventing spoofing attacks and ensuring secure access. The growing demand for fraud prevention in sectors like banking, financial services, and government is a significant driver. Additionally, the expansion of digital services and remote work environments has heightened the importance of robust identity verification systems. Innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning are enhancing the effectiveness of liveness detection, further propelling market growth. Emerging economies are witnessing increased adoption due to technological advancements and rising awareness, making this market a focal point for security-conscious industries globally. The dynamics of the liveness detection software market are influenced by technological advancements, cybersecurity needs, and regulatory compliance requirements. Drivers include the increasing reliance on biometric authentication and the rising incidence of identity fraud, pushing organizations to invest in robust security measures. The integration of AI and ML in liveness detection solutions has significantly improved their accuracy and usability. However, challenges such as high implementation costs and concerns about privacy and data security can hinder growth. Opportunities lie in expanding applications across sectors like healthcare, retail, and e-commerce, where secure digital interactions are crucial. Furthermore, evolving regulatory standards for data protection are encouraging organizations to adopt advanced identity verification technologies, bolstering the market's potential. Request PDF Sample Copy of Report: (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=10604510&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=049 Key Drivers: The growth of the Liveness Detection Software market is driven by several key factors. Technological advancements in Liveness Detection Software have enabled greater efficiency and enhanced capabilities, spurring adoption across industries. Additionally, the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions is pushing companies to innovate and adopt greener practices. Expanding applications in sectors like Liveness Detection Software and Liveness Detection Software are further contributing to market demand, as these industries seek advanced solutions to streamline operations and enhance product quality. Favorable government policies and incentives in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific support investment and growth. Moreover, an increasing focus on Liveness Detection Software for improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness is encouraging businesses to embrace new technologies, fostering sustained market expansion. Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) play a pivotal role in the Liveness Detection Software market, as companies look to expand their capabilities, access new technologies, and strengthen market presence. Leading players engage in strategic acquisitions to consolidate their position and gain a competitive edge. These transactions often facilitate the integration of advanced Liveness Detection Software solutions, helping firms broaden their product portfolios and meet growing customer demands. Additionally, M&A activities support companies in achieving economies of scale and penetrating new regional markets, particularly in high-growth areas like Asia-Pacific. Through such strategic alliances, businesses aim to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and address evolving market challenges, ultimately driving the overall growth of the Liveness Detection Software market. Get a Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=10604510&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=049 The following Key Segments Are Covered in Our Report By Type Facial Fingerprint Voice Other By Application Financial Institutions Government Enterprise Others Major companies in Liveness Detection Software Market are: TECH5,Amazon(AWS),BioID Web,FaceTec,IDEMIA,IDLive,Intellicheck,Ipsidy,NEC NZ,Oz Forensics,Regula,Sumsub,Thales,Veridas,PresentID Global Liveness Detection Software Market -Regional Analysis North America: North America is expected to hold a significant share of the Liveness Detection Software market due to advanced technological infrastructure and the presence of major market players. High demand across sectors like Liveness Detection Software and Liveness Detection Software is driving growth, with the U.S. being a key contributor. Additionally, ongoing investments in R&D and innovation reinforce the region's strong market position. Europe: Europe is projected to experience steady growth, driven by stringent regulatory standards and a rising focus on sustainability in Liveness Detection Software practices. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are leading due to their advanced industrial base and supportive government policies. The demand for eco-friendly and efficient Liveness Detection Software solutions is expected to continue fostering market expansion. Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are driving demand due to expanding consumer bases and increasing investments in infrastructure. The region's robust manufacturing sector and favorable economic policies further enhance growth opportunities in the Liveness Detection Software market. Latin America: Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to show moderate growth in the Liveness Detection Software market. In Latin America, growth is supported by rising industrial activities in countries like Brazil and Mexico. Meanwhile, in the Middle East & Africa, infrastructure development and an increasing focus on innovation in sectors like Liveness Detection Software are key drivers of market expansion. Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa represent emerging markets in the global Liveness Detection Software market, with countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Nigeria showing promising growth potential. Economic diversification efforts, urbanization, and a young population are driving demand for Liveness Detection Software products and services in the region. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What is the current size of the Liveness Detection Software market? Answer: The Liveness Detection Software market was valued at approximately 7.94 Billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it will reach 18.05 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.67%. 2. What factors are driving the growth of the Liveness Detection Software market? Answer: The market's expansion is attributed to several factors, including increased demand for Liveness Detection Software, advancements in Liveness Detection Software technology, and the adoption of Liveness Detection Software across various sectors. 3. Which regions are expected to dominate the Liveness Detection Software market? Answer: Regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are anticipated to lead due to the presence of major industry players and growing investments in Liveness Detection Software. 4. Who are the key players in the Liveness Detection Software market? Answer: Prominent companies in the Liveness Detection Software market include Liveness Detection Software, Liveness Detection Software, and Liveness Detection Software, each contributing to market growth through innovations and strategic partnerships. 5. What challenges does the Liveness Detection Software market face? Answer: The market faces challenges such as Liveness Detection Software, regulatory compliance, and competition from alternative solutions. However, ongoing advancements aim to address these issues. 6. What are the future trends in the Liveness Detection Software market? Emerging trends include the integration of Liveness Detection Software technology, sustainability practices, and digital transformation in processes, all expected to shape the market's future. 7. How can businesses benefit from the Liveness Detection Software market? Answer: Businesses can leverage growth opportunities in the Liveness Detection Software market by adopting new solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding their offerings to meet evolving consumer demands. 8. Why invest in a Liveness Detection Software market report from MRI? Answer: MRI's report provides in-depth analysis, future projections, and key insights to support strategic decision-making, enabling businesses to stay competitive and capitalize on growth trends in the Liveness Detection Software market. For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/liveness-detection-software-market/?utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=049 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cell-culture-supporting-equipment-market-size-fddwf/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lightweight-roof-system-market-innovation-ovduf/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/polymerized-methylene-diphenyl-diisocyanate-4h2xf/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/outdoor-led-smart-lighting-solution-market-ydi6f/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/double-spindle-turning-center-market-size-prpzf/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vape-cartridge-market-innovation-flowserve-corporation-markt-isthf/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bw-cardiovascular-ultrasound-imaging-system-crywf/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rf-microwave-signal-generators-market-innovation-knldf/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/blood-glucose-device-market-size-application-kl5ff/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/multi-layer-blown-films-market-size-application-euzkf/ 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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Botafogo overcame playing with 10 men to win its first Copa Libertadores title after beating fellow Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in the final at Monumental de Nunez Stadium on Saturday. After just 30 seconds, midfielder Gregore, one of Botafogo's best players, hit the head of Fausto Vera with his foot and was given a straight red card. “It was so hard to have one less so early in a final. It was an unfortunate move,” Botafogo defender Alexander Barboza said. “But Gregore deserves this title as much as we do. We made history and that won’t ever be erased.” Winger Luiz Henrique scored first in the 35th minute from close range, and was fouled for the penalty shot converted by Alex Telles in the 44th. Eduardo Vargas headed Mineiro's only goal in the 46th while Junior Santos, the top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 10 goals, capped Botafogo's historic night with the third in injury time. Brazil was assured of a sixth consecutive Copa Libertadores title and its 24th in history, just one less than Argentina. It was also the third straight title for Rio de Janeiro clubs, after Fluminense in 2023 and Flamengo in 2022. Botafogo, the last of the four big Rio clubs to win the Copa Libertadores, earned prize money of $23 million and a spot in the Club World Cup in the United States next year. Despite sensationally losing Gregore, Botafogo reset and Luiz Henrique scored the opener. Henrique surged on the right flank and crossed to Marlon Freitas, who took a shot that was deflected. Henrique was in the right place to strike through the legs of goalkeeper Ederson. Henrique and Ederson met again near the end of the first half when the striker surprised the keeper on the edge of the box. A penalty was given after a video review and left back Telles calmly slotted the ball home. Mineiro came back with a more aggressive formation in the second half and was rewarded when veteran Hulk took a corner kick and Vargas, who replaced midfielder Gustavo Scarpa during the break, didn’t even need to jump to score with his head. Mineiro had more chances to equalize through Deyverson in the 53rd, Hulk in the 56th, and Vargas in the 86th and 88th, all from close range. But it was Botafogo’s Júnior Santos, who was sidelined by injury during the Copa, who scored the last goal. “We just failed at getting some advantage at having one more player than them,” tearful Mineiro defender Rodrigo Battaglia said. “It was a very hard day for all of us.” Botafogo coach Arthur Jorge joined Portuguese compatriots Jorge Jesus (Flamengo, 2019) and Abel Ferreira (Palmeiras, 2020 and 2021) as European coaches with a Copa Libertadores title. Mineiro's Gabriel Milito missed the chance to be the first Argentine to win the tournament with a Brazilian club. Botafogo also gave American owner John Textor his biggest trophy yet. Textor has been subject to criticism after unproven allegations about match-fixing when Botafogo squandered a 13-point lead last year and missed out on the league title. Next week, his team could win its first Brazilian title since 1995. “I saw this was a hungry group of players since I joined,” said Telles, who joined Botafogo in mid-year. “No one was speaking about what happened last year, it hurt us all. We knew we had a burden to carry, to give something back to our fans. Now we did it.” Botafogo was relegated from the league in 2020 but has risen to prominence again with Textor’s investment. He was part of a wave of foreign owners who came into Brazilian soccer after a 2021 law change paved the way for private investors. Mineiro also has wealthy owner in Brazilian billionaire Rubens Menin, a construction mogul. Savarese reported from Sao Paulo. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the sprawling government agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace — celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz — recently held broad investments in health care, tech, and food companies that would pose significant conflicts of interest. Oz’s holdings, some shared with family, included a stake in UnitedHealth Group worth as much as $600,000, as well as shares of pharmaceutical firms and tech companies with business in the health care sector, such as Amazon. Collectively, Oz’s investments total tens of millions of dollars, according to financial disclosures he filed during his failed 2022 run for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat. Trump said Tuesday he would nominate Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency’s scope is huge: CMS oversees coverage for more than 160 million Americans, nearly half the population. accounts for approximately $1 trillion in annual spending, with over 67 million enrollees. UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest health care companies in the nation and arguably the most important business partner of CMS, through which it is the leading provider of commercial health plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealth also offers managed-care plans under Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for low-income people, and sells plans on government-run marketplaces set up via the Affordable Care Act. Oz also had smaller stakes in CVS Health, which now includes the insurer Aetna, and in the insurer Cigna. It’s not clear if Oz, a heart surgeon by training, still holds investments in health care companies, or if he would divest his shares or otherwise seek to mitigate conflicts of interest should he be confirmed by the Senate. Reached by phone on Wednesday, he said he was in a Zoom meeting and declined to comment. An assistant did not reply to an email message with detailed questions. “It’s obvious that over the years he’s cultivated an interest in the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance industry,” said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog group. “That raises a question of whether he can be trusted to act on behalf of the American people.” (The publisher of KFF Health News, David Rousseau, is on the .) Oz used his TikTok page on multiple occasions in November to praise Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including their efforts to take on the “illness-industrial complex,” and he slammed “so-called experts like the big medical societies” for dishing out what he called bad nutritional advice. Oz’s positions on health policy have been chameleonic; in 2010, he urging Californians to sign up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, telling viewers they had a “historic opportunity.” Oz’s 2022 financial disclosures show that the television star invested a substantial part of his wealth in health care and food firms. Were he confirmed to run CMS, his job would involve interacting with giants of the industry that have contributed to his wealth. Given the breadth of his investments, it would be difficult for Oz to recuse himself from matters affecting his assets, if he still holds them. “He could spend his time in a rocking chair” if that happened, Lurie said. In the past, nominees for government positions with similar potential conflicts of interest have chosen to sell the assets or otherwise divest themselves. For instance, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland agreed to divest their holdings in relevant, publicly traded companies when they joined the Biden administration. Trump, however, declined in his first term to relinquish control of his own companies and other assets while in office, and he isn’t expected to do so in his second term. He has not publicly indicated concern about his subordinates’ financial holdings. CMS’ main job is to administer Medicare. About half of new enrollees now choose Medicare Advantage, in which commercial insurers provide their health coverage, instead of the traditional, government-run program, from KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Proponents of Medicare Advantage say the private plans offer more compelling services than the government and better manage the costs of care. Critics note that Medicare Advantage plans have a long history of than the traditional program. UnitedHealth, CVS, and Cigna are all substantial players in the Medicare Advantage market. It’s not always a good relationship with the government. The Department of Justice filed a 2017 complaint against UnitedHealth used false information to inflate charges to the government. The case is ongoing. Oz is an enthusiastic proponent of Medicare Advantage. In 2020, he proposed offering Medicare Advantage to all; during his Senate run, he offered a more general pledge to expand those plans. After Trump announced Oz’s nomination for CMS, Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, “uncertain about Dr. Oz’s familiarity with health care financing and economics.” Singer said Oz’s Medicare Advantage proposal could require large new taxes — perhaps a 20% payroll tax — to implement. Oz has gotten a mixed reception from elsewhere in Washington. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the Democrat who defeated Oz in 2022, signaled he’d potentially support his appointment to CMS. “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” on the social platform X. Oz’s investments in companies doing business with the federal government don’t end with big insurers. He and his family also hold hospital stocks, according to his 2022 disclosure, as well as a stake in Amazon worth as much as nearly $2.4 million. (Candidates for federal office are required to disclose a broad range of values for their holdings, not a specific figure.) Amazon operates an internet pharmacy, and the company announced in June that its is available to Medicare enrollees. It also , One Medical, that accepts Medicare and “select” Medicare Advantage plans. Oz was also directly invested in several large pharmaceutical companies and, through investments in venture capital funds, indirectly invested in other biotech and vaccine firms. Big Pharma has been a frequent target of criticism and sometimes conspiracy theories from Trump and his allies. Kennedy, whom Trump has said he’ll nominate to be Health and Human Services secretary, is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. During the Biden administration, Congress gave Medicare authority to negotiate with drug companies over their prices. CMS initially selected 10 drugs. Those drugs collectively accounted for between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit. At least four of those 10 medications are manufactured by companies in which Oz held stock, worth as much as about $50,000. Related Articles Oz may gain or lose financially from other Trump administration proposals. For example, as of 2022, Oz held investments worth as much as $6 million in fertility treatment providers. To counter fears that politicians who oppose abortion would ban in vitro fertilization, Trump making in vitro fertilization treatment free. It’s unclear whether the government would pay for the services. In his TikTok videos from earlier in November, Oz echoed attacks on the food industry by Kennedy and other figures in his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They blame processed foods and underregulation of the industry for the poor health of many Americans, concerns shared by many Democrats and more mainstream experts. But in 2022, Oz owned stakes worth as much as $80,000 in Domino’s Pizza, Pepsi, and US Foods, as well as more substantial investments in other parts of the food chain, including cattle; Oz reported investments worth as much as $5.5 million in a farm and livestock, as well as a stake in a dairy-free milk startup. He was also indirectly invested in the restaurant chain Epic Burger. One of his largest investments was in the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa, which sells fast food and all manner of ultra-processed snacks. Oz and his wife reported a stake in the company, beloved by many Pennsylvanians, worth as much as $30 million. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.