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Reality Through the Lens of Xiaoli Zhang: A Digital Compositor’s Craft

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

For many of us, getting swept away in the fantastical worlds that unfold on screen is part of the entertainment experience. As a result, it’s easy to overlook the fine craftsmanship behind what we see. While actors and directors receive the lion’s share of the spotlight, the digital artisans behind the scenes are the silent crafters of these magical worlds. A leading digital compositor in film and television, Xiaoli Zhang, is one such magician whose work breathes life into the unreal, making it indistinguishable from our reality.According to Xiaoli, the beauty of compositing lies in the seamless marriage of artistic sensibilities and technical skills. “Compositing is a combination of artistic sense and technical skills. We are artists before technically skilled workers. Passion for art is what drives us,” she proclaims. For her, each project is a new canvas, waiting to be transformed into a stunning visual narrative fueled by her observations and creativity.Success...

Your Personal Oasis of Wellness: Unlocking the Power of Cannabis with Granny Za Weed

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

Embark on a transformative wellness journey with Granny Za Weed Marijuana Dispensary – your gateway to a healthier, happier life through the power of cannabis. At Granny Za Weed, we put you, the customer, at the heart of everything we do. Experience the true potential of cannabis for health and wellness as we guide you, support you, and ensure easy access to premium products, right where you are.Health and Wellness: Your Guiding Light:Your well-being is our top priority at Granny Za Weed Marijuana Dispensary. We firmly believe in the incredible benefits of cannabis in enhancing lives and addressing various health challenges. Whether you seek relief from chronic pain or desire a natural remedy for stress and anxiety, we understand the diverse therapeutic potential of cannabis. Your unique needs drive our thoughtfully curated selection of cannabis products, making it easier for you to find the perfect solution tailored to your wellness goals. Let us guide you on your path to improved ...

Enhancing Fire Safety with Integrated Fire Alarms

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

Fire safety is a paramount concern in every setting, be it residential, commercial, or healthcare. To ensure the well-being of occupants and the protection of property, reliable fire alarm systems are essential.Integrated Fire Alarms (IFA), a leading player in the fire safety industry, is revolutionizing the way we approach fire safety with their innovative solutions. In this article, we will explore the critical role of fire alarms in safeguarding lives and property, focusing on the advanced features and benefits offered by IFA’s integrated systems.Fire alarms are the first line of defense against fire emergencies, providing early detection and warning capabilities. IFA’s bespoke fire alarm systems utilize cutting-edge technology to tailor each installation to the specific needs of the environment. These systems take into account factors such as building structure, usage nature, and potential fire risks, ensuring optimal performance and timely response.One of the key ad...

Lucca Beach and Lucca by the Sea: Visiting Bodrum’s Hotspots for a Chic Mediterranean Summer

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

Located along Turkey’s Aegean coast, Bodrum has emerged as one of Turkey’s — and all of Europe’s — most luxurious summer holiday destinations. Bodrum is a stunning seaside city that is known for its world-class resorts, beaches, restaurants, and nightlife. With a focus on high-end travelers, Bodrum boasts stylish fashion shops, classy eateries, and marinas full of billionaires’ yachts.While there was a lull during the pandemic years, the first part of 2022 saw a 76.8 percent increase in Americans visiting Turkey, according to Forbes. This summer, there are expected to be even more American and global visitors to the region with celebrities and cultural icons leading the charge.Bodrum gets very warm in the summer, with daily temperatures reaching around 35 degrees Celsius — or 95 degrees Fahrenheit — in July and August. Bodrum is a very multidimensional city with a lot to offer its guests. The city has been dubbed “Turkey’s St. Tropez,” as more people flock to Bodrum’s beach clubs an...

Mattel announces limited edition ‘Weird Barbie’ for sale

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

By Eva Rothenberg | CNNSome might say Weird Barbies are made, not sold. Mattel, however, begs to differ.The toy company behind the iconic Barbie brand has announced a signature doll modeled after Kate McKinnon’s character from Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster “Barbie.” In the movie, McKinnon’s character helps send Margot Robbie’s Barbie on her journey.“Barbie” is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, which is owned by CNN’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.The limited-edition toy features a hot pink outfit almost identical to the one McKinnon wears in the movie, complete with markings on her face and oddly cut and colored hair “to emulate a doll that’s been played with just a little too much,” Mattel said in the product description.The doll is one of seven products in an expanded collection stemming from the billion-dollar hit movie, including various Barbie and Ken dolls modeling outfits they wore on-screen and a Hot Wheels corvette set.“With the latest editions to the collection, we a...

Niger coup leaders refuse to let US diplomat meet with president

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

By Sam Mednick and Ellen Knickmeyer | Associated PressNIAMEY, Niger — A senior U.S. diplomat said coup leaders in Niger refused to allow her to meet Monday with the West African country’s democratically elected president, whom she described as under “virtual house arrest.”Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland also described the mutinous officers as unreceptive to U.S. pressure to return the country to civilian rule.“They were quite firm about how they want to proceed, and it is not in support of the constitution of Niger,” Nuland told reporters. She characterized the conversations as “extremely frank and at times quite difficult.”She spoke after a two-hour meeting in Niger’s capital, Niamey, with some leaders of the military takeover of a country that has been a vital counterterrorism partner of the United States.In speaking to junta leaders, Nuland said, she made “absolutely clear the kinds of support that we will leg...

Lots of travelers don’t know Oakland Airport is near San Francisco. So it might get a new name

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

OAKLAND — Considering the city’s recent fortunes, a survey seeking feedback on a potential renaming of Oakland International Airport might have deepened worries that the city would soon no longer be associated with one of its largest institutions.But officials for the Port of Oakland, which manages the 100-year-old airport, confirmed in an email to this news organization that any rebranding will not involve removing the city’s name.But they’re also not pulling any punches about why they want to make a change — the name “Oakland” alone, it seems, is not selling enough plane tickets.“Market research both nationally and internationally has shown that majorities of international and U.S. passengers are unfamiliar with Oakland’s or our airport’s proximity to the San Francisco Bay,” port official Matt Davis said in a statement.“This lack of awareness depressed inbound passenger demand, even from passengers flying to destina...

Cruise car involved in collision with semi-truck in SF

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A Cruise car collided with a semi-truck in San Francisco on Monday, Cruise confirmed on Twitter. Cruise responded to a tweet reporting the collision. The tweet said it happened in Golden Gate Park. The tweet showed a video of the truck backing away from the Cruise car, which had a destroyed passenger-side mirror. Another Bay Area postal carrier targeted in armed robbery Cruise said the truck was in the right lane when it tried to turn left as a Cruise car was passing. The car stopped when it sensed the situation, but the truck continued and struck the car, per Cruise. There were no passengers in the Cruise car at the time, and nobody was injured, Cruise said.Cruise is investigating the crash.

Biden will tout long-sought Grand Canyon monument designation during Arizona visit

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — President Joe Biden will announce a new national monument to preserve land around Grand Canyon National Park and limit it from mining, White House officials said Monday. White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi confirmed during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One that Biden will call for the designation during his visit to northern Arizona on Tuesday, making it his fifth national monument. A dozen tribes “stepped up” and asked for this monument, Zaidi added.Advocates for limiting mining around Grand Canyon National Park had expressed hope that this would be the reason behind the presidential visit.Biden ‘s new national monument designation would preserve about 1,562 square miles (4,046 square kilometers) for future generations.Representatives of various northern Arizona tribes have been invited to attend the president’s remarks. Among them are Yavapai-Apache Nation Chairwoman Tanya Lewis, Colorado River Indian Tribes Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Navajo President...

Betts’ grand slam caps 8-run 4th inning as the Dodgers stun the Padres 13-7

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:32 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mookie Betts hit a grand slam to cap an eight-run fourth inning and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers stunned the San Diego Padres 13-7 on Monday to win for the sixth time in seven games.Betts drove a 3-0 pitch from Seth Lugo into the left-center seats, his 31st homer of the season, with one out in the fourth to give the Dodgers an 8-5 lead. Betts then punctuated his trot by pumping his fist several times as though he were pulling a train whistle, a celebration known as the “freight train” that was started by David Peralta, while his teammates repeated the gesture in the dugout.Betts gave third base coach Dino Ebel a low-five before being warmly greeted at the plate by Kiké Hernández, James Outman and Miguel Rojas, who had been on base. Betts then gave Freddie Freeman, the 10th batter of the inning, a pat on the backside.“We just don’t give up,” Betts said. “Got to play all nine innings, no matter what. We’ve been around for a while, a lot of us ha...