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Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina KhanDelhi govt looks for new tech to block mobile signals at three jail complexes
Bengaluru, Dec 14 (PTI) Karnataka Minister M B Patil announced on Saturday that he will advance the initiative to develop ‘SWIFT City’ in Sarjapura here. A press statement from Patil's office revealed that SWIFT City would become Karnataka’s third major planned industrial hub after Electronic City and ITPL. According to him, the project would focus on startups, workspaces, innovation, finance, and technology. "Despite the presence of thousands of companies in Bengaluru, many stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of well-planned workspaces. To address this, we will provide 150-ft-wide connecting roads in Sarjapura and ensure world-class facilities, including residential clusters and schools," the State Large and Medium Industries Minister said. He added over 1,000 acres of land in the Sarjapura Industrial Area have been reserved for the project. Sarjapura has been identified for its strategic location near National Highways 44 and 48, as well as its proximity to Bengaluru's thriving IT hub, Patil said. The Minister further highlighted that small and medium-sized startups would benefit from spaces ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 sq ft, available through lease, sale, or investment-sharing models. He also outlined plans to transform Karnataka into a ‘Silicon State’. "While Bengaluru is already recognised as the Silicon City, the objective is to extend this recognition across the entire state," Patil stated. He added that the government plans to develop five Mini KWIN Cities, including ones in Vijayapura and Hubballi-Dharwad, in collaboration with the IT/BT department, furthering Karnataka’s ‘Silicon State’ vision. "Innovative concepts are essential to attract investors. If we don’t take proactive steps, neighbouring states could gain an edge in securing investment opportunities," Patil said. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan
Corn Rallies on Tuesday as USDA Cuts StocksMONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.
THE SunStar media group has earned 13 nominations in the 11th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA@11), an annual event that recognizes the best in journalism and content creation. For the first time in its history, Globe is expanding its annual media awards to include Luzon’s provincial media, along with entries from the Visayas and Mindanao, showcasing a broader range of stories from across the country. This year’s GMEA honors exceptional achievements in three categories: Integrated Media, Digital Storytelling, and Special Awards. Under the theme “#IgnitingProgress,” the finalists were chosen for their creativity, impact, and innovative use of digital media technologies. For the Integrated Media category, the stories of SunStar Cebu’s Joshua Solano and John Paul Ryan Seblos, “Paglaum: The Mental Struggles and Strength of Mental Health Workers in a Cebu Psychiatric Ward,” and Wenilyn Sabalo’s “Leyte Students Invent Disaster Solutions,” are finalists for Online News Report of the Year. SunStar Davao’s Marianne Abalayan, for “From ‘Frankenspikes’ to Golden Dreams,” and Ralph Lawrence Llemit, for “TFD Soldier’s Viral Act of Kindness,” are also nominated in the same category. In the Photo of the Year category, SunStar Cebu photographer Amper Campaña is nominated for two photos, “World Photography Day” and “Digital Payment,” while SunStar Davao’s Karl Bryan Porras is nominated for “No More Barricades.” For Digital Storytelling, SunStar maintains a strong presence in the Best Social Media Video category with “Pakigbisog” by SunStar Cebu’s Laureen Mondoñedo, Kenneth Dwight Torres, and Erwin Lirazan, and “Soldier Prays for Ill Child on Oxygen” by SunStar Davao’s Ralph Lawrence Llemit. In the Special Awards category, SunStar Cebu’s Jerra Mae Librea is nominated for the Senior Digizen Advocate Award for her story “73-Year-Old Farmer’s Pursuit of an Agricultural Degree,” while Joshua Solano is a finalist for Globe of Good Story of the Year with his story “A Blind Librarian’s Vision: Visually Impaired Cebuanos Exploring a Web of Worlds.” Mildred Galarpe, content director of SunStar Publishing Inc., is also nominated for Newsmaker of the Year. “Storytelling is a powerful tool that connects people, fosters understanding, and inspires action within communities. Through these awards, we honor individuals who demonstrate courage and innovation in shaping a more inclusive and progressive society,” said Yoly Crisanto, chief sustainability and corporate communications officer at Globe. The GMEA@11 will announce the winners of each category in January 2025. / JGS with PRPeacock’s ‘Hysteria!’ set in Michigan during 1980s satanic panic
Representative image BENGALURU: Karnataka saw a steady increase in women income tax return (ITR) filers over the past five years, with numbers climbing to 14.3 lakh in the assessment year 2023-24 from 11.3 lakh in 2019-20, recording an impressive growth of approximately 26%. Nationally, Maharashtra leads the pack with 36.8 lakh women ITR filers in 2023-24, showing a 23% growth over five years. Gujarat follows with 22.5 lakh women and a 24% increase. Uttar Pradesh reported a 29% growth, reaching 20.4 lakh women filers. Karnataka's YoY growth shows a pattern of progression, barring a slight dip in AY 2020-21 (pandemic year) to around 11 lakh, from which the state quickly rebounded with 11.7 lakh filers in 2021-22. The subsequent years saw more growth, as per the latest data made public by the finance ministry. This suggests a combination of factors at play - improved economic opportunities, possible increased workforce participation, and potentially a more progressive social environment that encourages women's financial independence. The ministry's data is for the period up to September 30, 2024. The break-up of how many of the women ITR filers paid taxes and the quantum of taxes paid by women was not immediately available. Separate data accessed by TOI for overall ITR filers in the state showed 38.2 lakh, 39.2 lakh, 39.8 lakh, and 42.6 lakh filers in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23. While the number of filers for 2023-24 is estimated to be around 43 lakh, a final figure is not available. Going by this, women constituted a third of all ITR filers in the state in the latest assessment year, while it was only 29% in 2019-20, indicating that the growth in women filers was higher than the overall growth. While states like Telangana show the most remarkable percentage increase at 39%, they have lower absolute numbers, and the data reveals variations across different states. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu show consistent growth, with 12.9 lakh and 15.5 lakh women filers, respectively. Delhi shows a more modest growth of 11%, reaching 12.08 lakh women tax filers. Andhra Pradesh presents the most conservative growth among compared states, with 6.5 lakh women filers and an 18% increase over five years.Far-right populist looks set to enter runoff in Romanian presidential election
NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Light & Wonder, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNW) resulting from allegations that Light & Wonder may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Light & Wonder securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=29678 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On September 24, 2024 , the Las Vegas Review-Journal published an article entitled "Slot manufacturer scores major win against Las Vegas -based rival." The article stated that "Aristocrat Technologies Inc.'s request for a preliminary injunction in its trade-secret and copyright infringement lawsuit against Light & Wonder" had been granted, and that the "order prohibits [Light & Wonder] from the 'continued or planned sale, leasing, or other commercialization of Dragon Train,' which Aristocrat claims uses intellectual property developed for its Dragon Link and Lightning Link games." On this news, Light & Wonder's common stock fell 19.49% on September 24, 2024 . Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rosen-law-firm-encourages-light--wonder-inc-investors-to-inquire-about-securities-class-action-investigation--lnw-302327948.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.Moneylion director Chris Sugden sells $2.15 million in stock
Thursday Night Football: Isaac Guerendo, Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw are active for 49ersWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican President-elect Donald Trump's picks for his Cabinet have included some historic firsts, though women and people of color make up less of the overall number than they did when Democratic President Joe Biden first took office. HISTORIC FIRSTS Florida political operative Susie Wiles, who ran Trump's 2024 campaign, is set to be the first woman to hold the high-profile position of White House chief of staff. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for Secretary of State, would be the first person of Hispanic origin to hold that role if confirmed by his fellow senators. Hedge fund executive Scott Bessent, nominee for Treasury Secretary, could become the first openly gay Republican Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate. The investor lives in South Carolina with his husband and two children. Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, with roots in both Samoan and Hawaiian cultures, would be the first director of national intelligence from the Pacific Islander community, according to Inclusive America, a non-profit that tracks diversity in government. GENDER GAP Trump has chosen eight women so far for his Cabinet, doubling the number from his first-term Cabinet selection. This is less than Biden's first Cabinet made up of 11 women, which then rose to 13, a historical high for women serving concurrently, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. That compares with eight women during Barack Obama's presidential Cabinet, five for George W. Bush and nine for Bill Clinton, according to the Center's data. RACE BREAKDOWN Trump has so far picked four people of color for his Cabinet, representing about a fifth of it. That number is in line with his first term, but trails their roughly 40% share of the full U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census. The number is also well below Biden's Cabinet, which included 13 people of color, Obama's with 10, Bush's with six and Clinton's with eight, according to Inclusive America. GENERATIONAL BREAKDOWN While Trump will be the oldest president to take office at age 78 - about five months older than Biden was at his Jan. 20, 2021 inauguration - the president-elect has chosen millennial and Gen-Z women for top roles. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, 40, the nominee for United Nations ambassador, will be the youngest person to hold this position if confirmed by the Senate. Karoline Leavitt, 27, is also set to be the youngest White House press secretary ever, taking the highly visible job after working on Trump's 2024 campaign. EXPERIENCE At least 16 of Trump's Cabinet picks so far have experience in state or federal government, but not all in the direct field or department that they could oversee. Three of the picks come from the industries that the secretaries will regulate: Bessent, Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary nominee Chris Wright. DIDN'T I SEE YOU ON TV? Many of the Cabinet selections have been TV regulars in recent years advocating on air for Trump's agenda. But for at least four high-level selections, television has been their recent day job. This includes Dr. Mehmet Oz, who used to have his own medical talk show and has now been tapped to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Trump's picks also include three recent Fox News employees: Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Transportation Secretary nominee Sean Duffy, and Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Trump's pick for U.S. Surgeon General. (Reporting by Bo Erickson and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Scott Malone and Lincoln Feast.)
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2 Stocks Down 63% and 72% to Buy Right NowWade Taylor IV racked up 19 points that included eight in the final 3:22 of the game as No. 22 Texas A&M outlasted Texas Tech 72-67 on Sunday afternoon in the USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas A&M (8-2) led by as many as 11 points in the first half and by three at halftime before the Red Raiders surged to the front early in the second half. Down 52-49, the Aggies produced an 11-0 surge capped by a jumper by Zhuric Phelps to take a 60-52 advantage with 5:02 to play The Aggies' margin was just two points when Taylor went hard to the hole on back-to-back possessions for layups that pushed the lead to 64-58. A 3-pointer by Tech's Chance McMillian cut lead to three but Taylor, Henry Coleman III and Solomon Washington converted free throws over the final 27 seconds to provide the deciding points for A&M. Jace Carter added 16 points and Phelps had 12 for the Aggies, who have won four straight games. McMillian's 23 points were a game high, while Kevin Overton added 17 and Darrion Williams had 11 for Texas Tech (7-2), which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Aggies ruled the game's first five minutes, blitzing to a 13-2 lead thanks to eight early points from Taylor and a stifling defense that forced Tech into four turnovers. The Red Raiders responded with an 8-2 run capped by a jumper by Federiko Federiko to close the gap to five points at the 10:57 mark. Texas Tech continued to battle back, clawing to within 26-24 with 5:16 left in the first half thanks to a 9-0 run. Texas A&M boosted the margin to as many as six points after Manny Obaseki hit a layup with 2:23 remaining before McMillian canned a pair of free throws with 41 seconds to play to pull to within 34-31 at the break. Overton led all scorers with 14 points before halftime while Carter paced the Aggies with 13. The Red Raiders pulled even on Federiko's jumper 46 seconds into the second half, went in front on a jumper by Elijah Hawkins with 18:22 to play and pushed their advantage to five points on another Hawkins jumper at the 16:30 mark of the half. The Aggies swung back, tying the contest at 49 when Washington sank a 3-pointer with 10:48 left, setting the stage for the furious finish. --Field Level MediaBy CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.
New quarterly survey results, starting next year
The hardest movie ticket to get this weekend was for a film audiences have been able to watch at home for years: Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar.” The science fiction epic starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway earned $4.5 million from only 166 screens in the U.S. and Canada. Its 70mm IMAX film presentations sold out in minutes, leaving theaters scrambling to add more and people paying up to $300 on the re-sale market. Those 10 film screens alone had a staggering $70,000 per theater average, one of the highest of the year and usually the bragging rights of acclaimed arthouse movies playing on only four screens. Ten years after “Interstellar” was given a film release as a special exception at time when its studio, Paramount, was committing to a digital future, film is not only back but driving audiences to theaters. “I was just so gratified by the response,” Nolan said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. “It’s really thrilling when people respond to your work at any point. But 10 years later, to have new audiences coming and experiencing it in the way that we’d originally intended it on the big IMAX screens and in particular on those IMAX film prints? It’s really rewarding to see that it continues to have a life.” “Interstellar” had been a labor of love, with Nolan fighting against the tides of a changing industry to use film, certain of its value. Like McConaughey’s Cooper, an astronaut clinging to skills that were all but obsolete in his dust bowl reality, “Interstellar” was made by a celluloid-loving filmmaker when the format was least valued. “Celluloid film was very threatened. Digital was taking over everything,” Nolan said. “We put an enormous amount of work and effort into the IMAX 70mm film format release at the time feeling like we didn’t know how much longer we’d be able to do that.” During its time, “Interstellar” was received warmly and an unambiguous success, but it also had its detractors. Its five Oscar nominations and win were all for crafts. And yet in the decade since, “Interstellar” has become beloved, a true classic. Nolan observed that it was the film that people kept wanting to talk about, telling him what it meant to them and asking if it was ever going to be re-released. Those grand emotions and sentimental themes of love, family and exploration that were a liability with some are now its most cherished qualities. “A lot of these people were younger people who, it was clear to me, had seen the film in the home and hadn’t had the chance to see it on the big screen,” Nolan said. While there have been “Interstellar” rereleases internationally, in China and at the Science Museum in London, Nolan saw an opportunity and spoke to IMAX and Paramount, now under a new regime, about a proper North American re-release for its 10th anniversary. The prints, Nolan said, hadn't aged a day. IMAX hardly needed convincing: They’ve had the anniversary date circled on the calendar. For years, “Interstellar” was by far the biggest request on their social channels. “We saw this coming from the beginning,” IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond said. “It reminded us in a small way of the frenzy around ‘Oppenheimer.’ But the result is far beyond our expectations." “Interstellar” is now the ninth highest-grossing IMAX release of all time and is closing in on eight (currently occupied by “The Last Jedi.”) The company is currently exploring options for re-releases in different territories. The “Oppenheimer" effect was real in redeeming film's value for the business. IMAX screens accounted for some 20% of the nearly $1 billion this year's Oscar best picture winner made globally (it ranks at No. 5 for IMAX). While filmmakers have long cherished film stock, “Oppenheimer” had studios, distributors and theaters taking note of the demand. Earlier this year the film showings of “Dune: Part Two” were sold out for four weeks. And there's more to come: Ryan Coogler's new film “Sinners," opening in March 2025, was shot with IMAX cameras. The “Interstellar” release was fairly “low key" when it came to promotion, but it also didn’t need much — fans made sure of that. Before IMAX had even announced that tickets were on sale, some noticed that AMC had made them available. News spread on socials and overnight every 70mm IMAX showing at the Lincoln Square location in New York had sold out. It wasn’t just the “primetime” slots either: The 1 AM showtimes were at capacity too. After the weekend's turnout surpassed expectations, they added more 70mm IMAX screenings through the week which also filled up quickly. While Nolan is in some ways an anomaly, as the rare filmmaker whose name alone can draw crowds for original fare, there are lessons to be learned from the weekend. “It just shows our industry once again that audiences truly understand the difference between a communal, big screen theatrical experience that they crave even on films that they’ve had the opportunities to see in the home,” Nolan said. “That theatrical experience that we all know and love is so powerful and so exciting. It’s a very clear demonstration of it, especially coming amidst all the great successes right now, “Wicked,” “Gladiator II,” “Moana 2.” "Audiences are coming out in droves for that experience that we all love so much.” Before the weekend, Nolan was able to see the film again on the big screen for the first time since the original release, accompanied by his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema . “Interstellar” was their first collaboration and Hoytema’s introduction to IMAX cameras (where he proved that they could be handheld if you tried hard enough). “It was really, really fun," Nolan said. He also approved the new 4K UHD “Interstellar" set that's now available. Since “Oppenheimer's" big night at the Oscars and Nolan's best director win , there's been much speculation about his next film with near daily rumors circulating about casting and genre, none of which have been officially confirmed. It's not something he's speaking publicly about yet. One thing he will say, however, is that he’s in the throes of intensive testing for a new film technology with IMAX to use in the next production. “They have an incredible engineering staff, really brilliant minds doing extraordinary work,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see innovation in the celluloid film arena still happening and happening at the highest level possible.” And he’s still making time to go to the movies. Over the weekend, Nolan went to see “Wicked” at a theater in Burbank where he also peeked into one of the IMAX presentations of his film. “It was pretty magical to see a full house on that film,” he said. “It was a very special thing to see, 10 years later.”( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 December 2024 – Innovenx , a pioneering provider of innovative technology solutions, and PROEN Corp Public Company Limited, a premier provider of Internet services and ICT solutions, have joined forces to deliver a versatile multi-cloud management service. This collaboration aims to empower businesses in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia with unparalleled cloud capabilities. "Our customers need comprehensive solutions to streamline their cloud operations and enhance business agility," said Kittipan Sri-bua-iam, CEO of PROEN Corp Public Company Limited. "By integrating Innovenx's MQloud multi-cloud management platform with PROEN's Turnkey Multi-Cloud Provider solution, we are poised to meet these demands effectively. PROEN's Turnkey Multi-Cloud Provider solution offers comprehensive cloud services designed to meet diverse business needs across Southeast Asia. It includes consulting, implementation, migration, and cost optimization services. PROEN enables seamless management of computing, storage, database, security, and networking resources. This all-inclusive solution ensures businesses can efficiently leverage cloud technologies, enhancing their operational capabilities and driving growth. Enhancing customer experience with MQloud multi-cloud management MENAFN08122024003551001712ID1108969499 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. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan