All posts tagged: Mike

Mike Verdu of Netflix Games leads new generative AI initiative

Mike Verdu of Netflix Games leads new generative AI initiative

Published by skeptic

Mike Verdu, who had largely spearheaded Netflix’s foray into gaming in recent years as VP of Netflix Games, announced on LinkedIn a new role within Netflix Games leading the company’s effort to capitalize on generative AI. The role, Vice President of GenAI for Games, focuses on using generative AI for the next step in creating games with big teams. “GenAI is that next challenge. I don’t think I’ve been this excited about an opportunity in this industry since the 90s, when we saw a new game launch every few months that redefined what was possible,” Verdu writes in his LinkedIn post. “It was an incredible time to be making games as talented creators showed all of us what the future looked like. Guess what? We’re back to those days of seemingly unlimited potential and the rapid pace of innovation, which resulted in mind-blowing surprises for players every few months.” It is worth noting that the announcement of this role comes shortly after Netflix shut down its only triple-A studio before it announced or released any …

Abercrombie ex-CEO Mike Jeffries pleads not guilty to sex crimes

Abercrombie ex-CEO Mike Jeffries pleads not guilty to sex crimes

Published by Sam

Former CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, Mike Jeffries, walks out of federal court after his arraignment on charges with the trafficking of male models for sex parties around the world, in Central Islip, New York on October 25, 2024.  Adam Gray | AFP | Getty Images Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his associate pleaded not guilty Friday to federal criminal charges that he sexually exploited dozens of men, many of whom sought to be models for the clothing brand. Jeffries, 80, and James Jacobson, 71, appeared in U.S. District Court in Long Island, New York, three days after being arrested on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges. The graphic 16-count indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses Jeffries and his romantic partner Matthew Smith, 61, of operating an international sex trafficking enterprise over more than six years, most of which overlapped with Jeffries’ tenure as CEO of Abercrombie. Jacobson allegedly worked as a recruiter for the “Sex Events,” and would allegedly require prospective candidates to participate in “tryouts” with him. The defendants allegedly used “coercive, …

M*A*S*H then and now: From Alan Alda to Mike Farrell

M*A*S*H then and now: From Alan Alda to Mike Farrell

Published by skeptic

M*A*S*H remains one of the most iconic and influential shows in television history; the series, which followed a rag-tag group of army doctors during the Korean War, premiered in 1972 and ran for 11 seasons before its record-shattering finale was watched by over 105 million people worldwide. The comedy never shied away from heavy themes, particularly anti-war sentiment and the toll that combat can take on a person. Somehow managing to balance drama and humor, the show has remained in the cultural zeitgeist ever since.  Join HELLO! as we explore what the actors have achieved since their turn on the groundbreaking show. Alan Alda as Dr Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce © GettyAlan Alda Alan was the driving force behind M*A*S*H and its stunning success, starring as the loveable lead Hawkeye Pierce. He also wrote and directed many episodes and went to bat on more than one occasion for the cast.  Post-M*A*S*H, Alan’s career continued to soar in TV with roles in The West Wing, ER, The Good Fight, and The Blacklist.  He has been married to his wife Arlene since …

Sicily yacht sinking LIVE: Mike Lynch’s daughter, 18, among missing | World | News

Sicily yacht sinking LIVE: Mike Lynch’s daughter, 18, among missing | World | News

Published by skeptic

A fisherman who tried to help those on the yacht stayed at the site of the sinking for hours, but found no survivors. Speaking to Italian press, Fabio Cefalu said: “There were two sailboats half a mile away from the harbour with their anchors at sea. “After 10 minutes we saw a flare in the sky, we waited about 10 minutes to see the intensity of the tornado and we went out to sea. “We were first to give rescue but we found no one at sea, we only found cushions and the remains of the boat.” He added: “I saw this morning at about 3.30am this bad weather that was approaching; we were about to go fishing and we stood still for 20 minutes to see the intensity of the tornado coming. “At about 3.55am it took us full into the harbour and destroyed everything on the pier, everything.” On the cause of the sinking, he said: “It could be that the mast broke, or the anchor at the prow pulled it, I don’t …

Not guilty: how tech mogul Mike Lynch’s fortunes soared, fell – and rose again | Autonomy

Not guilty: how tech mogul Mike Lynch’s fortunes soared, fell – and rose again | Autonomy

Published by skeptic

“This is a momentous day in Autonomy’s history,” Mike Lynch declared in a press release on 18 August 2011. He was announcing the sale Autonomy, his software firm, to Hewlett-Packard for $11bn. For Lynch 6 June 2024 would prove more significant. After a saga spanning almost 13 years, Lynch – once dubbed “Britain’s Bill Gates” – was cleared of fraud following a lengthy trial in the heart of Silicon Valley. The verdict amounts to a stunning reversal in fortunes for the entrepreneur. On Thursday, Lynch said he was “elated” to have been found not guilty. “The truth has finally prevailed,” his lawyers declared. He now plans to fly home to the UK, where he still faces a fight to clear his name. HP largely won a civil lawsuit against Lynch and Sushovan Hussain, another top autonomy executive, in London two years ago. The company is seeking $4bn in damages. Lynch has previously indicated he plans to appeal the ruling. By all accounts, the takeover was disastrous. Just five weeks after it was announced, the HP …

Sophie Wilde, Mike Faist to Be Honored by Chopard at Cannes Festival

Sophie Wilde, Mike Faist to Be Honored by Chopard at Cannes Festival

Published by Sam

Challengers star Mike Faist and Talk to Me breakout Sophie Wilde have a date with Chopard during this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The luxury jeweler has selected the actors to receive the prestigious Trophée Chopard, an award doled out since 2001 at the invitation of the house’s Caroline Scheufele as a way to honor cinema’s rising stars. Faist and Wilde will receive the trophies during a glitzy dinner at Carlton Beach on May 17. As previously announced, godmother Demi Moore will take the stage and present the pair with the honors. The winners are selected by an academy comprising previous winners as well as those who have served as godmothers and godfathers at the ceremony. Winners have included Marion Cotillard, Léa Seydoux, Diane Kruger, Niels Schneider, Florence Pugh, Jessie Buckley, Naomie Ackie and Daryl McCormack. Faist can currently be seen on screen in Luca Guadagnino‘s Challengers opposite Zendaya and Josh O’Connor. He next stars in The Bikeriders for director Jeff Nichols opposite Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer and Norman Reedus. His credits include West …

House Speaker Mike Johnson Survived a Motion to Vacate. Here’s Why His Job Is Far From Safe

House Speaker Mike Johnson Survived a Motion to Vacate. Here’s Why His Job Is Far From Safe

Published by skeptic

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Johnson’s job isn’t safe yet. In a stunning show of unity in the often divided House, Democrats joined a majority of Republicans on Wednesday to save the GOP speaker from an attempt by fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him from his post. But while Democrats in the minority threw the Louisiana congressman a life raft by voting on his side, they made clear they might not do so again. That means the threat for Johnson still lingers as Greene and other lawmakers can at any time call up another motion to oust him. The episode highlights the increasingly precarious situation for Johnson, who faces the same conservative forces that took down his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, but with an even smaller majority that has forced him to continuously rely on Democratic support to carry out the most basic functions of legislating. Republicans control the House by the barest of margins, 217-213. Here’s what to know about how the House can remove a speaker and what’s ahead for Johnson: WHAT …

Mike Tindall steps out to support wife Zara after missing Prince Harry’s Invictus service

Mike Tindall steps out to support wife Zara after missing Prince Harry’s Invictus service

Published by skeptic

Mike Tindall couldn’t be more of a supportive husband if he tried. On Thursday, the former rugby player stepped out alongside his equestrian wife on day two of the Badminton Horse Trials. Princess Anne’s daughter had her arm wrapped around her beau as they stood in the sunshine. Zara was every inch her sporty self donning a navy blue jacket, white shirt and riding helmet. Meanwhile, Mike matched his wife in a navy blue T-shirt and navy blue hat.  © James WhatlingMike and Zara were pictured in the sunshine at the Badminton Horse Trials The outing came just hours after Prince Harry arrived in the UK for his Invictus Games ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday evening. The husband and wife duo were noticeably absent from the event, as were Harry’s cousins Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. However, the Prince was joined by his uncle Charles Spencer and aunt Lady Jane Fellowes who attended the service together and were seen hugging their nephew inside the cathedral.  On Wednesday, Zara was pictured at the first …

MTG’s bid to oust “MAGA Mike” Johnson badly fails as Democrats derail “GOP chaos caucus”

MTG’s bid to oust “MAGA Mike” Johnson badly fails as Democrats derail “GOP chaos caucus”

Published by skeptic

The majority of Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday saved far-right Speaker Mike Johnson from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s attempt to oust him after less than seven months in the leadership position. Johnson’s (R-La.) election to the role in October—following the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who then left Congress early—was seen as a signal of the MAGA flank’s hold on the Republican Party. However, since then he has faced criticism from Greene (R-Ga.) and others for, among other things, not shutting down the government. Greene delivered on her threatened motion to vacate—provoking boos from fellow lawmakers—after meeting with Johnson for hours on Monday and Tuesday. The final vote to table her resolution was 359-43, with 196 Republicans and 163 Democrats backing the far-right speaker. Seven Democrats voted present and 21 lawmakers did not vote. Ten Republicans joined Greene in trying to give Johnson the boot: Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Eric Burlison (Mo.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Alex Mooney (W.Va.), Barry Moore (Ala.), Chip Roy (Texas), …

US House blocks bid to remove Speaker Mike Johnson | Politics News

US House blocks bid to remove Speaker Mike Johnson | Politics News

Published by Sam

In rare bipartisan move, Republicans and Democrats easily defeat effort by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The United States House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to defeat an effort by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, a fellow Republican. In an unusual move, Democrats joined Republicans in a 359-43 vote on Wednesday to keep Johnson in his leadership role and stave off further turmoil in the House. “I appreciate the show of confidence from my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort,” Johnson said following the vote. “Hopefully this is the end of the character assassination that has characterised the current Congress.” Hardline Representative Greene has, for weeks, sought to get Johnson kicked out after a string of compromises he made with Democrats over a $95bn bill for security assistance to US allies Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Greene is a leading voice of the far-right flank opposed to helping Ukraine. After the House passed the bill in April, she called Johnson a “lame duck”. Johnson’s leadership was “pathetic, weak, and unacceptable”, Greene said on …