Akira - The documentary trailerhttps://adapt.one/editorial/link/277/Akira+-+The+documentary+trailer/In 1988, AKIRA exploded onto the scene, redefining anime forever. But how did this groundbreaking film make its way to the USA and ignite a cultural revolution in the West?

Leucojum vernum, commonly called the spring snowflake, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is native to central and southern Europe from Belgium to Ukraine. L.vernum is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its white flowers in spring. The plant multiplies in favourable conditions to form clumps. Each plant bears a single white flower with greenish marks near the tip of the tepal, on a stem about 10 to 20 centimetres (3.9 to 7.9 inches) tall, occasionally more. The Latin specific epithet vernum means 'relating to spring'; its close relative, L.aestivum, blooms in summer. This photograph of a L.vernum flower, taken in Bamberg, Germany, was focus-stacked from 32 separate images.Photograph credit: Reinhold MllerRecently featured: Jean RitchieUgandan kobGreat Yarmouth Town HallArchiveMore featured pictures

December 9: International Anti-Corruption DayFirst computer mouse1688 In the only substantial military action in England during the Glorious Revolution, forces loyal to William of Orange were decisively victorious at the Battle of Reading.1897 French actress, journalist and leading suffragette Marguerite Durand founded the feminist newspaper La Fronde.1968 Douglas Engelbart gave what became known as "The Mother of All Demos", publicly debuting the computer mouse (pictured), hypertext, and the bit-mapped graphical user interface using the computer system NLS.2008 Rod Blagojevich, the governor of Illinois, was arrested on corruption charges, including for attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by president-elect Barack Obama.Joseph Desha (b.1768)Fritz Haber (b.1868)Alister Murdoch (b.1912)Eliane Morissens (d.2006)More anniversaries: December 8December 9December 10ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

A worker sews a costume at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2021 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Darren Staples / Getty ImagesThe audience at the Kings Company production of Othello on December 8, 1660, heard an unusual prologue before the play began. The Woman playes to day, mistake me not, one of the actors read aloud. No Man in Gown, or Page in Petty-Coat; / A Woman to my knowledge The meaning of this cryptic message became clear as Desdemona entered in Act I, Scene III. Instead of being played by a man or a boy in makeup, the ill-fated wife of Othello was played by a woman. For the first time in the history of English theater, a woman played a role on the professional stage.For many reasons, 1660 was a landmark year for British theater. On May 29, Charles II had returned to London from exile in the Netherlands and laid claim to power. After 11 years of republican rule, the restoration of the monarchy meant more than just the public display of Oliver Cromwells exhumed and severed head outside of Westminster.It also meant that the English stage was revived and its rules could be rewritten, 18 years after theaters were closed during the English Civil War to prevent civic calamitya nod to the political power and social relevance of the eras theatrical performances.Only two theater companiesthe Dukes and the Kingswere granted royal permission to open theaters in the city once Charles II took back power, according to Jean Marsden in The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare on Stage.The two rival companies split the existing stock of plays between themselves. Of Shakespeares most popular plays for mid-17th-century audiences, the Kings Company got Othello and Julius Caesar; the Dukes Company got Hamlet.Despite their admiration for Shakespeare's genius, writers also admitted that his works were far from perfect and that his beauties were offset by a variety of 'faults, Marsden wrote. The nature of these faults was to determine the form in which plays were staged and whether they were staged at all.Some edits and modifications were implemented with the goal of polishing Shakespeares language to fit more contemporary voices, trimming down lengthy plots, and adapting 16th-century plays to 17th-century Londons smaller theaters.The most radical and longest-lasting change, however, was the introduction of women to the stage.Margaret Hughes by Sir Peter Lely 1672 Public domain via Wikimedia CommonsThe practice of having women play women's roles was noteworthy and even exciting to a Restoration audience, Marsden wrote. They were as much a part of theatrical spectacle as the fine scenery and special effects that the new playhouses allowed.Despite the excitement that the first professional actress brought to the Kings Company production of Othello in Londons Vere Street Theater on this day in 1660, a glaring mystery remains, even for modern theater fans. No one knows who played Desdemona.By some accounts, Desdemona was played by Margaret Hughes, one of the first few actresses hired by the Kings Company in 1660. A cast list from a production of Othello nine years later lists Hughes as Desdemona. Despite the long gap in time, theater critic Rosamond Gilder argued in Enter the Actress, a role belonged to the actor or actress who first played it to the publics satisfaction and was only given up on retirement or under extraordinary circumstances.The other likeliest contender is Anne Marshall, another one of the Kings Company's leading actresses who came to specialize in tragedy, playing roles similar to Desdemona in other productions, according to Elizabeth Howe in The First English Actresses.In any case, Hughes, Marshall or whichever actress played Desdemona did so successfully and much to the pleasure of theatergoers and monarch alike. Two years after the premiere, Charles II issued patents to each of the two theater companies, ensuring, among other things, that women could play womens parts so long as their recreations [may be] esteemed not only harmless delight, but useful and instructive representations of human life. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: England, London, On This Day in History, Theater, William Shakespeare, Women's History, Women's Rights

We've come a long way in 2 years. Gen AI is the future, but how is it reshaping enterprise? And when will we reach AGI and superintelligence?Read More

Its the first week of December, and the end of the year is coming in fast and with a lot to look forward to at theaters this month. That very cool-looking Lord of the Rings anime hits US theaters on the 13th; Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows on the 20th; and Im deeply excited to see Nosferatu on December 25th. (If youre not with me on that last one, give Matt Zoller Seitzs RogerEbert.com review of it a read and get back to me.)While Im waiting to go be unnerved by Robert Eggers new spooky vampire movie, lets take a look at some good trailers from the last week. Star Trek: Section 31Ill admit that the biggest appeal for me about this straight-to-streaming spy movie spinoff of Star Trek: Discovery is Michelle Yeoh as Emperor Philippa Georgiou. Shes just having so much fun in this trailer. The trailers havent revealed yet what threat shell be facing, other than being forced to do teamwork, but it seems like itll be pretty heavy on the rag-tag team of antiheroes action thing.The Olatunde Osunsanmi-directed movie also stars Omari Hardwick, Kacey Rohl, Sven Ruygrok, Humberly Gonzalez, Rob Kazinsky, and Sam Richardson. It premieres on Paramount Plus starting January 24th.SeveranceI was late to the Severance party, having finally finished it a few months ago, so I can only imagine how eager people who saw its cliffhanger ending have been to see the story continue. Well, the second season of creator Dan Ericksons bizarro sci-fi drama is almost here, and it looks like its probably going to bring answers, with even more mystery heaped on top of it. All of the first seasons main characters, including Mark (Adam Scott), Dylan (Zach Cherry), Helly (Britt Lower), and Irving (John Turturro) are returning, and theyll be joined by characters played by the likes of Alia Shawkat, Gwendoline Christie, and Bob Balaban. Season two of Severance premieres January 17th on Apple TV Plus.InvincibleThe third season of Invincible will see a stronger, older Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) tell off GDA director Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins) and episodes that show creator Robert Kirkman hopes will each feel like a finale. And theres no season break this time around.The show debuts with three episodes February 6th on Amazon Prime, with new episodes releasing every Thursday after until March 13th.The Wheel of TimeThe Wheel of Time continues its retelling of the Robert Jordan fantasy epic on March 13th next year. In its third season, the show follows Joshua Stradowskis Rand alThor the Dragon Reborn and Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) as they go into the Aiel Waste. Its been more than two decades since I read the book series, so I couldnt spoil what happens there for you if I wanted to, but I seem to recall this was a fairly dark time in the series. The GorgeWho knows what evil is in The Gorges, uh, gorge, but its apparently contained well enough that humanity only needs two snipers who arent allowed to interact with each other stationed on either side of it to make sure it stays there. The snipers, Levi (Miles Teller) and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), do interact and fall for eachother, then end up in the gorge. Oops! Scott Derrickson directs the movie, which also stars Sigourney Weaver, Sope Dirisu, and William Houston. It premieres February 14th on Apple TV Plus.Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuXGiant robot anime fans rejoice: theres a new Mobile Suit Gundam coming next year. Its called Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, and its produced by Khara, the studio behind the Rebuild of Evangelion films.The weird name references a Gundam called the gMS- GQuuuuuuX. The show will follow a highschooler named Yuzuriha Machu Amate (Tomoyo Kurosawa) who learns to co-pilot the building-sized, sword-wielding robot with pilot Shuji Ito (Shimba Tsuchiya). Some of its episodes will head to Japanese theaters on January 17th.

Marks speed has increased 65 percent; his endurance, 70 percent; and his strength, 138 percent, says GDA agent Donald Ferguson (Chris Diamantopoulos), setting up the action-filled trailer. What follows are a Mortal Kombat-style beheading, nuclear explosions, and the promise of drama as Mark (Steven Yeun) tells GDA director Cecis Stedman (Walton Goggins) that hes quitting.

Code intelligence has grown rapidly, driven by advancements in large language models (LLMs). These models are increasingly utilized for automated programming tasks such as code generation, debugging, and testing. With capabilities spanning multiple languages and domains, LLMs have become crucial tools in advancing software development, data science, and computational problem-solving. The evolution of LLMs is transforming how complex programming tasks are approached and executed.One significant area for improvement in the current landscape is the need for comprehensive benchmarks that accurately reflect real-world programming demands. Existing evaluation datasets, such as HumanEval, MBPP, and DS-1000, are often narrowly focused on specific domains, like advanced algorithms or machine learning, failing to capture the diversity required for full-stack programming. Moreover, these datasets could be more extensive in assessing the multilingual and domain-spanning capabilities necessary for real-world software development. This gap poses a major obstacle to effectively measuring and advancing LLM performance.Researchers from ByteDance Seed and M-A-P have introduced FullStack Bench, a benchmark that evaluates LLMs across 11 distinct application domains and supports 16 programming languages. The benchmark includes data analysis, desktop and web development, machine learning, and multimedia. Further, they developed SandboxFusion, a unified execution environment that automates code execution and evaluation in multiple languages. These tools aim to provide a holistic framework for testing LLMs in real-world scenarios and overcoming the limitations of existing benchmarks.The FullStack Bench dataset contains 3,374 problems, each accompanied by unit test cases, reference solutions, and easy, medium, and hard difficulty classifications. Problems were curated using a combination of human expertise and LLM-assisted processes, ensuring diversity and quality in question design. SandboxFusion supports the execution of FullStack Bench problems by enabling secure, isolated execution environments that accommodate the requirements of different programming languages and dependencies. It supports 23 programming languages, providing a scalable and versatile solution for benchmarking LLMs on datasets beyond FullStack Bench, including popular benchmarks like HumanEval and MBPP.The researchers conducted extensive experiments to evaluate the performance of various LLMs on FullStack Bench. Results revealed marked differences in performance across domains and programming languages. For example, while some models demonstrated strong basic programming and data analysis capabilities, others needed help with multimedia and operating system-related tasks. Pass@1, the primary evaluation metric, varied across domains, highlighting models challenges in adapting to diverse and complex programming tasks. SandboxFusion proved to be a robust and efficient evaluation tool, significantly outperforming existing execution environments in supporting a wide range of programming languages and dependencies.Scaling laws were also analyzed, showing that increasing parameters generally improves model performance. However, researchers observed a performance decline for some models at higher scales. For example, the Qwen2.5-Coder series peaked at 14B parameters but showed a drop in performance at 32B and 72B. This finding underscores the importance of balancing model size and efficiency in optimizing LLM performance. Researchers observed a positive correlation between code compilation pass rates and test success rates, emphasizing the need for precise and error-free code generation.The FullStack Bench and SandboxFusion collectively represent significant advancements in evaluating LLMs. By addressing the limitations of existing benchmarks, these tools enable a more comprehensive assessment of LLM capabilities across diverse domains and programming languages. This research lays the groundwork for further innovations in code intelligence and emphasizes the importance of developing tools that accurately reflect real-world programming scenarios.Check out the Paper, FullStack Bench, and SandboxFusion. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. If you like our work, you will love ournewsletter.. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. Nikhil+ postsNikhil is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is pursuing an integrated dual degree in Materials at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Nikhil is an AI/ML enthusiast who is always researching applications in fields like biomaterials and biomedical science. With a strong background in Material Science, he is exploring new advancements and creating opportunities to contribute. FREE AI WEBINAR: 'Fast-Track Your LLM Apps with deepset & Haystack'(Promoted)

The weekend is officially here, and we've rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Sunday, December 8, below:Sackboy: A Big Adventure for $12.59Sackboy: A Big Adventure Standard - PC Steam CodeSackboy: A Big Adventure first made its debut alongside PlayStation 5, eventually jumping over to PC in Fall 2022. For a limited time, you can score a Steam key of the game on Amazon for just $12.59, which is easily the lowest we've seen Sackboy on PC. This 3D platformer has so much to offer, and it's even great to play with friends!Stellar Blade for $49.99PS5Stellar BladeYou can grab Stellar Blade for just $50 this weekend. This action game from Shift Up has been one of the most popular games of the year. Just a few weeks ago, new Nier: Automata DLC was released, which included new outfits inspired by A2, 2B, and Emil. In our 7/10 review, we stated "Stellar Blade stands out as a gorgeous and well-crafted action game with very impressive strengths and very clear weaknesses."Metaphor: ReFantazio for $49.99Cyber MondayMetaphor: ReFantazioPS5 and Xbox.Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest game from Persona 3, 4, and 5 Director Katsura Hashino and the team at Atlus' Studio Zero. For the first time since launch, you can score the game at a discount, saving $20 post Black Friday. In our 9/10 review, we stated, "Refining the Atlus RPG formula of weaving tough turn-based combat into compelling social sim mechanics, Metaphor: ReFantazio doesnt just send a powerful message across its political drama, it becomes a beautiful expression of the real impact storytelling can have on all of us."Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster CollectionFINAL FANTASY I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition - 2024 (PS4)Woot has the Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection on sale for $44.99, making each game only $7.50! The first six Final Fantasy titles paved the way for the series as we see it today. Many fans still regard both Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI as some of the best that Final Fantasy has to offer, with gripping narratives and engaging gameplay. This package includes all six Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, which feature updated graphics, soundtracks, font, and more. Bose Soundlink Micro Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for $49Bose SoundLink Micro Waterproof Wireless Portable Bluetooth SpeakerThis Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker is just $49 today at Walmart. If you're someone who likes to bring a speaker with you to places like the lake or the beach, this is an excellent option. The Soundlink Micro has excellent sound quality with a waterproof design that allows you to bring it anywhere you'd like. You won't have to worry about keeping this speaker dry and out of harm's way.Astro Bot for $49.99Astro Bot - PlayStation 5Astro Bot is on sale for the first time since launch, and there has never been a better time to pick up one of the PlayStation 5's best games. Building off Astro's Playroom, Astro Bot features many new abilities and bosses to fight, with over 300 bots to rescue across the galaxy. You'll find planets modeled after beloved PlayStation games like Ape Escape and Uncharted, and even surprise third-party bots like Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil 2. Persona 3 Reload for $24.97Persona 3 Reload: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5Persona 3 Reload is one of the best RPGs of the year. This remake recreates one of the most praised Atlus titles ever, with loads of new quality-of-life and gameplay features. An all-new voice cast debuted with this release, and each cutscene was remade with new assets for higher quality. If you've never jumped into the world of Persona before, this is a great place to start, especially at this price. Sonic X Shadow Generations for $29.99Sonic X Shadow GenerationsSonic X Shadow Generations just released a month ago, and you can already save $20 off a PlayStation 5 copy at Amazon. This package includes a remastered version of Sonic Generations and a brand-new campaign focused on Shadow. Both 2D and 3D levels are included, making for the ultimate package for any Sonic fan.Splatoon 3 for $39.88Splatoon 3 - Nintendo SwitchSplatoon 3 is available right now for just $39.88! If you have yet to pick up a Splatoon game, Splatoon 3 is a perfect starting point. This is one of the best multiplayer titles on Nintendo Switch, and you can easily spend dozens of hours exploring the different multiplayer offerings. You can also play through the Side Order DLC, a fun additional single-player campaign!

Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025 and Disney Parks has revealed how the Happiest Place on Earth will be celebrating this huge milestone!While Disneyland officially opened on July 17, 1955, its 70th anniversary festivities will kick off on May 16, 2025, and will run through Summer 2026. The theme this time around is Celebrate Happy and there will be many ways to do just that! To ensure you don't miss a thing, we're here to break it all down for you! World of Color Happiness! Will Bring a New Version of a Beloved Show to Disney California AdventureImage Credit: DisneyWorld of Color is a beloved water show at Disney California Adventure, and there will be an all-new version that will debut for Disneylands 70th birthday. This new show is inspired by Walt Disneys words from the opening of Disneyland in which he said, To all who come to this happy place Welcome!The nighttime spectacular will be hosted by Joy and other Emotions from the Inside Out franchise and will include music and moments from such Disney and Pixar films as Turning Red, A Goofy Movie, Tangled, The Lion King, and more.For an idea of what World of Color looks like, check out my recap of the show from Disneys 100th anniversary celebrations back in 2023!Paint the Night Is Making Its Grand Return to Disneyland Next YearImage Credit: DisneyThere is a lot of love for the missing show Paint the Night, and Disney has revealed it will finally be returning to Disneyland for its 70th anniversary with stunning color and more than a million brilliant LED lights.Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell will be working together to Paint the Night in Disney dreams, and that will manifest itself with characters, music, and stories from Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and more.Wondrous Journeys, My Favorite Nighttime Spectacular, Is Back in 2025Image Credit: DisneyAs you can read in my Disney 100th anniversary at Disneyland guide, Wondrous Journeys is my favorite Nighttime Spectacular of all time and guests will have another chance to see it again or for the first time in 2025. This show celebrates the legacy of Disneys films and fans can expect to experience moments from Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, Encanto, and more.Wondrous Journeys will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, its a small world, and Rivers of America, meaning there will plenty new ways to enjoy the show each time you visit Disneyland.Walt Disney A Magical Life Will Tell a Story Like None Other Before ItImage Credit: DisneyWalt Disney A Magical Life, the upcoming show at Disneylands Main Street Opera House that will feature the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, will open on May 16 and invite guests into Walts office for a cinematic presentation of his inspiring journey. Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Is a Parade Filled With Joy (Pun Intended!)Image Credit: DisneyBetter Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! will return to Disney California Adventure in 2025 and will once again bring characters, music, and moments from such Pixar films as Luca, Turning Red, Inside Out, Up, and more....And Much More!There is so much more planned for Disneylands 70th anniversary, including special dcor, an elegant medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle, new looks for Mickey and friends, and even a new character cavalcade called Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!Image Credit: DisneyAdditionally, DCAs Carthay Circle Restaurant will feature a special moment filled with music, lights, and projection effects and its a small world will get a new projection show.Oh, and of course there are plenty more details to come, including special themed merch and food, a new song called Celebrate Happy, and so much more.Beyond the celebrations for Disneylands 70th, there are a ton of other things to look forward to at the parks, and you can check out the schedule below, which includes festivals, Star Wars: Season of the Force, Lunar New Year, Halloween and Holiday parties, and more.Image Credit: DisneyWhile there is still a bit of a wait for all the fun in 2025 at Disneyland, there is plenty to enjoy right now. To learn more, I invite you to check out my Tianas Bayou Adventure review and Everything You Need to Know feature now that it is open at both Disneyland and Disney World and my Holidays at Disneyland guide.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.