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Perhaps Sony's design team stumbled upon a particularly stylish bathroom heater during a brainstorming session and saw the potential for incorporating its unique ventilation pattern into the PS5 Pro's design. Or maybe they were inspired by the idea of merging form and function in a way that had never been done before in the gaming industry.
As for Sabalenka, winning the Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year solidifies her status as one of the top players on the WTA tour. Her dedication, skill, and sheer talent have set her apart from her competitors, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Sabalenka's dominance on the court is a testament to her hard work and unwavering focus on achieving her goals.Regardless of the outcome of Liu Yuning's hospital visit, one thing remains certain – her dedicated fans and well-wishers will continue to stand by her side, offering their unwavering support and encouragement. In times of adversity, it is the strength of community and the power of love that truly shine through, reminding us all of the importance of unity and compassion in the face of uncertainty.
Drake eases by Stetson 49-10 to secure a second straight outright Pioneer Football League titleNorad's Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kidsUS proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administrationIn the last three months, 16 analysts have published ratings on Accenture ACN , offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish. The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 5 7 4 0 0 Last 30D 0 1 0 0 0 1M Ago 1 2 1 0 0 2M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 3M Ago 4 4 3 0 0 The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $395.25, a high estimate of $429.00, and a low estimate of $360.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 7.1% from the previous average price target of $369.06. Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study A clear picture of Accenture's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Arvind Ramnani Piper Sandler Raises Overweight $429.00 $422.00 Tien-Tsin Huang JP Morgan Raises Overweight $396.00 $370.00 Arvind Ramnani Piper Sandler Raises Overweight $422.00 $395.00 James Schneider Goldman Sachs Raises Buy $420.00 $370.00 David Koning Baird Maintains Neutral $370.00 $370.00 Ramsey El-Assal Barclays Raises Overweight $415.00 $350.00 Bryan Bergin TD Cowen Raises Buy $400.00 $321.00 Kevin Mcveigh UBS Raises Buy $415.00 $400.00 Jonathan Lee Guggenheim Raises Buy $395.00 $380.00 Keith Bachman BMO Capital Raises Market Perform $390.00 $380.00 Daniel Perlin RBC Capital Raises Outperform $389.00 $377.00 James Friedman Susquehanna Raises Neutral $360.00 $350.00 Jason Kupferberg B of A Securities Raises Buy $388.00 $365.00 David Koning Baird Raises Neutral $370.00 $350.00 Arvind Ramnani Piper Sandler Raises Overweight $395.00 $329.00 Tien-Tsin Huang JP Morgan Lowers Overweight $370.00 $376.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Accenture. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Accenture compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts predict movements in price targets, offering estimates for Accenture's future value. Examining the current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations. To gain a panoramic view of Accenture's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Accenture analyst ratings. Discovering Accenture: A Closer Look Accenture is a leading global IT-services firm that provides consulting, strategy, and technology and operational services. These services run the gamut from aiding enterprises with digital transformation to procurement services to software system integration. The company provides its IT offerings to a variety of sectors, including communications, media and technology, financial services, health and public services, consumer products, and resources. Accenture employs just under 500,000 people throughout 200 cities in 51 countries. Accenture's Economic Impact: An Analysis Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence. Revenue Growth: Accenture's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 August, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 2.63% . This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Information Technology sector. Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 10.27%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control. Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 6.01%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital. Return on Assets (ROA): Accenture's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 3.06% . This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health. Debt Management: Accenture's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.15 , the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors. How Are Analyst Ratings Determined? Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are. Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update. Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The holidays are almost here, and upcoming Black Friday sales might have you thinking about upgrading your computer setup. Black Friday is indeed a great time to save big on higher-priced items like electronics. If you're still working or gaming from a laptop screen, it might be time to think about a first or second monitor to give you more screen space. But with so many options to choose from, selecting a monitor can seem like a daunting task. What size? What resolution? What price? Choosing just the right monitor doesn't have to be overwhelming. Dell has monitors that fit every style of user and their specific needs; here's what to consider when making your decision. For top-notch color, resolution and brightness If you're seeking the best in color, resolution and brightness, you probably want to go for the Dell UltraSharp 27 Inch 4K USB-C Hub Monitor. This high-end model offers stunning visuals that are paired with Dell's ComfortView Plus, which reduces potentially harmful blue light emissions without compromising color. On the back side, the Dell UltraSharp has a connectivity hub with ports for all of your devices. For getting the job done If you just need a simple, office workforce monitor to get the job done, the Dell 24 Monitor delivers. The seamless 24-inch display runs at a high refresh rate for smooth scrolling, and boasts vivid colors for high-contrast and crisp workflows. Quick-access USB ports also make it easy to slot this monitor into your existing work setup, and keep other devices plugged in. For seamless gaming The Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED Gaming Monitor is sure to impress even the most discerning gamer. This 32-inch screen features 4K resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate to deliver seamless action. The curved display immerses you in your virtual world, while Dolby Vision offers clear contrast between darks and brights. Plus, the adjustable stand gives you customization and a clever way to hide cables. Alienware is currently offering a 10% discount for Dell Rewards members (You can join for free if you're not already a member.) The coupon can be found under the Benefits tab of your Dell Rewards account, and is valid through November 24 and again from December 9 to January 31. For a little bit of everything, everyday Maybe you're not a work-from-home warrior, but you still want a high-quality display for entertainment or light gaming. That's where you'll want to go for the Dell 27 Inch 4K UHD Monitor . This large display offers ultra-high resolution for brilliant visual detail, and AMD FreeSync technology for a smooth gaming experience. The built-in speakers make it an easy pick for your entertainment needs, too. For a budget-friendly choice For the wallet-conscious among us, there's still an option that delivers Dell-quality visuals at a lower price point. This Dell 24 Inch Monitor clocks in at $139.99, and gives you a crisp HD image with blue light-reducing ComfortView technology. This model, which uses 85% post-consumer recyclable plastic, also includes internal speakers and essential connectivity ports. Upgrade your setup with a Dell monitor today Whether you're a remote worker, an avid gamer or use your computer for a little of everything, it's hard to go wrong with a monitor from Dell. Dell's Black Friday sale is a great time to find significant savings when you upgrade your setup. If you purchase a new monitor before December 9, Dell Rewards members receive 2X rewards. And if you're a student with a valid academic email address, you can get an extra 5% off monitors, plus 3% back in Dell Rewards. Don't wait: Check out Dell's holiday deals and upgrade your computer setup with a slick new monitor this year.Alibaba wasted no time in releasing an official statement addressing the incident, seeking to alleviate concerns and provide reassurance to stakeholders. The company emphasized that all necessary safety protocols were followed, ensuring the swift evacuation of personnel and minimal disruption to their services.
ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Chip trade oversight ‘inadequate’DETROIT (AP) — In the waning days of President Joe Biden's administration, the government's highway safety agency is proposing voluntary safety guidelines for self-driving vehicles. But a rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration putting the plan in place won't be approved before the end of Biden's term in January and likely will be left to whoever runs the agency under Republican Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has named to co-lead a “Department of Government Efficiency” to cut costs and regulations, has floated the idea of him helping to develop safety standards for self-driving vehicles — even though the standards would affect Tesla's automated driving systems. At present there are no federal regulations that specifically govern autonomous vehicles, and any regulation is left to states. However, self-driving vehicles must meet broad federal safety standards that cover all passenger vehicles. Under the agency's proposal, released on Friday, automakers and autonomous vehicle companies could enroll in a program that would require safety plans and some data reporting for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. To apply companies would have to have independent assessments of their automated vehicle safety processes, and there would be requirements to report crashes and other problems with the vehicles. Companies would have to give NHTSA information and data on the safety of the design, development and operations of the vehicles. The agency would decide whether to accept companies into the program. But auto safety advocates say the plan falls short of needed regulation for self-driving vehicles. For instance, it doesn't set specific performance standards set for the vehicles such as numbers and types of of sensors or whether the vehicles can see objects in low-visibility conditions, they said. “This is a big bunch of nothing,” said Missy Cummings, director of the autonomy and robotics center at George Mason University and a former safety adviser to NHTSA. “It’ll be more of a completely useless paperwork drill where the companies swear they’re doing the right thing.” Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said one of the few good things about the plan is that companies will have to report data on crashes and other problems. There have been reports that the Trump administration may want to scrap a NHTSA order that now requires autonomous vehicle companies to report crashes to the agency so it can collect data. A message was left Friday seeking comment from the Trump transition team on crash reporting requirements. Brooks said the incoming administration probably will want to put out its own version of the guidelines. NHTSA will seek public comment on the plan for about 60 days, then the plan would have to wind its way through the federal regulatory process, which can take months or even years. “It is important that ADS (Automated Driving System) technology be deployed in a manner that protects the public from unreasonable safety risk while at the same time allowing for responsible development of this technology, which has the potential to advance safety,” the proposed rule says. The agency concedes that in the future, there may be a need for NHTSA to set minimum standards for self driving vehicle performance that are similar to mandatory safety standards that govern human-driven cars. But the agency says it now doesn't have data and metrics to support those standards. The voluntary plan would help gather those, the proposal said.
ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. 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Video of postgame encounter between Luke Fickell, Donovan Raiola circulates online Courthouse lighting ceremony planned for Sunday This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!In light of these developments, the landscape of China's video streaming industry is undergoing a significant shift, with platforms and users alike grappling with the challenges of maintaining a sustainable and profitable business model while meeting the evolving needs and expectations of consumers.
More so than any other entertainment franchise, the James Bond movie series is the most uneven , bouncing from remarkable highs to absurdly embarrassing lows. For every On Her Majesty’s Secret Service , there’s a Moonraker , and for every Casino Royale , there’s a Quantum of Solace . I wouldn’t go as far as to call the 007 series the most inconsistent franchise out there, but it’s undeniable that it’s not exactly trustworthy. Whereas other franchises let you know what you can expect from them — every Transformers is awful, every Mission: Impossible is spectacular, the MCU is, well, the MCU — 007 keeps you on your toes, unsure if you’ll get a banger or a turd. Generally, we know what those turds are. Bond has produced 25 movies, and about five or six are simply terrible. However, one in particular stands out as the epitome of the elusive so-bad-it’s-good-genre: The Man with the Golden Gun . Released on December 20, 1974, the film is perhaps the single-most bizarre Bond movie ever, a confused mess of ideas, tones, and performances that can’t quite commit to the campy fun of other entries, yet can’t be taken seriously either. The Man with the Golden Gun is a particular kind of bad — it’s truly terrible, but weirdly enjoyable. On its 50th anniversary, it’s a great time to look back on this gem of bad taste and wonder if it really is as middling as we remember (spoiler: yes, it is). He has a powerful weapon The Man with the Golden Gun was Roger Moore’s second movie as James Bond , following the equally puzzling, but far more consistent Live and Let Die . The film abandons the more grounded approach of its predecessor — an outright Blaxploitation tale that remains the biggest outlier in the saga’s 25 movies — in favor of a classic spy story that sees Bond back in familiar territory. The plot follows Bond as he aims to retrieve the Solex Agitator , a new technology meant to fix the world’s energy shortages. However, his task is complicated when the infamous and deadly assassin Francisco Scaramanga (Sir Christopher Lee) becomes involved, starting a game of cat and mouse between the rivals. At first glance, The Man with the Golden Gun offers the standard Bond schtick. There’s a valuable item to recover, a deadly villain in pursuit, and a few beautiful women who cross paths with Bond. However, all these elements are even lazier here — the Solex Agitator hardly works as a MacGuffin; it’s more an idea than an actual item, and Bond is barely interested in it. The Man with the Golden Gun also has the misfortune of having one of the worst Bond Girls ever, Britt Ekland’s Mary Goodnight. Now, the Bond Girl is not exactly a model for three-dimensional depictions, particularly during the early decades of the Bond saga, but Goodnight is a particularly ineffective and embarrassing example. For lack of a better word, Goodnight is quite stupid, a stereotypical dumb blonde whose incompetence increases from scene to scene. Like most other Bond movies of this time, The Man with the Golden Gun is full of unfunny and sometimes offensive double-entendres — one of the Asian women is called “Chew Mee,” get it? All these details amount to a truly ugly movie that is never as funny or as thrilling as it wants to be. In fact, The Man with the Golden Gun is quite boring at several points, especially whenever Bond is on-screen. No disrespect to Sir Roger Moore, but it really must be said: he’s among the weakest aspects of this movie, and his bizarre blend of transatlantic accent and Kentucky drawl can get a little grating at times. All this considered, one would think this is the worst Bond movie ever, and it comes close, too! However, it has one saving grace that not only rescues it from mediocrity, but actually elevates it to turn it into something enjoyable against all odds — well, two saving graces, actually. Pair of aces As it’s often mentioned, the real star of The Man with the Golden Gun is the titular character. Played to perfection by Sir Christopher Lee, Francisco Scaramanga is in close contention with No, Blofeld, Silva, and Le Chiffre as one of the best villains in the 007 saga . World-renowned for his imposing presence and deep, booming voice, Lee effortlessly dominates every scene he’s in, bringing charm and flair to a film that often goes for both, only to fall flat in its face. The Hammer Horror icon embodies all the debonair sophistication one would expect from Bond, further making poor Moore feel like an outlier in his own movie. It’s hard to stand next to Lee and try to out-suave him; he was one of those men who made all others seem, if not lesser, then certainly more plain. Joining Lee is Hervé Villechaize as Scaramanga’s henchman, Nick Nack. In the grand tradition of other Bond henchmen, Nick Nack is as scene-stealing as Scaramanga himself, and Villechaize makes the best of every scene. The duo perfectly balances each other; whereas Lee opts for chilling and devastatingly charming restraint, Villechaize is openly chewing scenery left and right. The two inject this lifeless movie with a jolt of electricity that not only revitalizes it, but actually sends it into overdrive, making up for how dull everyone else is. Contemporary and modern critics often agree that Lee outright stole the film from Moore, and it’s hard to disagree. Whenever they share the screen, Lee is such an overwhelming magnet that it’s nearly impossible for anyone else to compete. Villains outshining the heroes is not uncommon, and the Bond franchise is familiar with the trope — Javier Bardem pretty much chews and spits Craig in Skyfall , for example. But The Man with the Golden Gun is unique in that the plot is just as much about Scaramanga as it is about Bond, to the point where Bond often seems like the antagonist in Scaramanga’s story rather than the other way around. For that novel approach alone, The Man with the Golden Gun deserves some respect. Another poor victim Fifty years later, it’s clear that The Man with the Golden Gun suffered from the same growing pains as Live and Let Die . The 007 franchise was going through a crisis of identity, trying to keep up with the new trends of the ’70s while attempting to escape from Sean Connery’s looming shadow. Overall, Moore’s tenure as the spy with a license to kill is quite inconsistent, but his first two efforts are perhaps the most puzzling. And yet, it’s hard to fault The Man with the Golden Gun , largely because of how great Lee is as the titular character. This film lives and dies with Lee’s now-iconic performance, and whenever he’s on-screen, it roars with style and appeal; even the jokes land! Sure, it’s not great that James Bond is the least interesting aspect of a James Bond movie, but what are you going to do? The Man with the Golden Gun is not a good movie: the plot is weak and repetitive, the heroes are frustrating, and even the song is notoriously terrible and borderline silly. But leave it to Christopher Lee, the real-life James Bond , to save this film and make it sing and, occasionally, soar. What a gift he was to cinema, and what a joy it is to watch him in The Man with the Golden Gun , perhaps the only Bond movie where you’re actively rooting for the villain to win. The Man with the Golden Gun is available to stream on PlutoTV .
The incident raised questions about the air quality on board the aircraft and whether it may have played a role in the passenger's distress. While the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation, the airline has assured the public that they take the safety and well-being of passengers very seriously.WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump selected Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to France on Saturday. “I am pleased to nominate Charles Kusher, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday. “He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests,” he added. This breaking news story will be updated. Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team.
KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad.Recently, a captivating event titled "Exploring the Top 100: Into Renji - A Storm of Discussion on Artificial Intelligence" took place at the renowned Renji Hospital in Shanghai. Renji Hospital, ranked among the top 100 hospitals in the world, has been at the forefront of integrating AI into its healthcare practices to improve patient care and outcomes.Meanwhile, AC Milan find themselves in a strong position at the top of the table, with a solid run of form that has seen them pick up crucial points and maintain their lead. However, with Udinese hot on their heels, the pressure is on for AC Milan to continue performing at a high level and fend off their competitors in the race for the title.
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