Framestore played a key role in Scott Derricksons The Gorge, partnering with Skydance to deliver over 516 VFX shots. The studio contributed to concept art, pre-production, and final VFX integration, bringing the films eerie world to life. Their work included crafting terrifying mutated creatures, designing expansive fog-covered environments, and executing intense FX for high-energy action sequences.By working closely with the production team, Framestores global artists ensured seamless visual effects integration, enhancing the films survival romance storyline. Their expertise added depth and realism to The Gorge, elevating its haunting atmosphere and thrilling moments.Framestores contributions showcase their ability to create immersive, high-quality VFX that push storytelling boundaries. With its combination of gripping visuals and emotional depth, The Gorge stands as another testament to Framestores industry-leading craftsmanship.The post The Gorge VFX Breakdown by Framestore appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Mental health resources have become a crucial corporate benefit among employers who are looking to recruit the best talent, with more and more companies now offering access to therapy and wellness apps. Even so, many workers report feeling like they dont have the support they are seekingparticularly as they encounter rising levels of stress in and out of the workplace.In a new report from mental-health-benefits provider Lyra Health, 89% of the 7,500 employees surveyed said they had faced at least one mental health challenge over the past year, citing stress and anxiety as the biggest issues. In many cases, work was the leading source of their stressnamely, overwhelming workloads and staff shortagesand 73% of employees believed that those work-related mental health issues were, in turn, impacting their performance in the workplace.There are, of course, other factors driving these mental health challenges, from the political climate to financial stress. Women were more likely to cite caregiving responsibilities as a reason for their stressthough in comparison to their male counterparts, they also reported higher levels of anxiety and mental health struggles on the whole.Despite all thisnot to mention, the growing investment in mental health benefits across corporate workplacesmany employees claimed to have limited access to the support they need or want. While the majority of workers said their employers care about their mental health and take stock of their well-being, only 29% of respondents think their workplace provides adequate mental health resources. (Of the 500 HR and benefits leaders who were surveyed, however, 45% argued that their companies offer those resources.)More than half of younger workers are likely to switch jobs in the next year to find more comprehensive mental health support, with millennials being the most likely to take advantage of those resources. But nearly all employees surveyed said they strongly consider mental health benefits when looking for jobs.There are signs that employees dont always use mental health benefits even when they are available to them; also, that there can be a disconnect between which benefits employers typically offer and what their workers might be looking for. But companies have also seen the effects of securing these benefits for their workers: 81% of HR and benefits leaders said that mental health offerings had boosted their companys reputation and made it a more appealing opportunity for job candidates.Its clear that workers are clamoring for more mental health supportand that along with fertility and family-building benefits, these resources can be a real differentiator for employers who are looking to attract and retain top talent.

Los Angeles County said Wednesday that its suing Southern California Edison, alleging the utilitys equipment sparked JanuarysEaton Fire, which destroyed more than 9,400 structures and killed 17 people in the Altadena area.The lawsuit seeks to recover costs and damages sustained from the blaze that damaged essential community infrastructure and massively impacted the Countys natural resources, harmed the environment and wildlife, and threatened public health, LA County said in a statement.Additional costs have been incurred by county departments for ongoing support in assisting residents recovering from the fires destruction, according to the lawsuit.The Countys case is essential to the restoration and rebuilding process for the community, including residences and businesses, to recover from the devastation, the statement said.Edison was reviewing the lawsuit and will address it through the appropriate legal process, utility spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy said Wednesday.The fires cause is stillunder investigation.The complaint alleges that witnesses, photos, and videos indicate thefire started directly under Edison transmission linesin Eaton Canyon.The county seeks to recoup costs and receive compensation for destroyed infrastructure, recreational areas, parks, road damage, cleanup and recovery efforts, flood and mudslide prevention, workers compensation claims, overtime for workers, lost taxes and more.Costs and damage estimates were expected to total hundreds of millions of dollars, the county said, adding that assessments were ongoing.We are committed to seeking justice for the Altadena community and the taxpayers of Los Angeles County, County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison said in a statement.The County, the County Flood Control District, and the Countys Consolidated Fire Protection District are the plaintiffs in the case.The cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre are also filing suits against Edison for damages to taxpayer resources and public infrastructure incurred from the Eaton Fire, according to the county.Christopher Weber, Associated Press

If it aint broken, dont fix it. A phrase I believe applies perfectly to life, politics, culture, economics, and yes, even design. Theres this constant trend of wanting to do something new and something better in the design industry, and Im here to say that if something works, it works it doesnt need to be redesigned. That logic applies perfectly to the TiSpanner, an EDC we raved about in 2023. Now in version 3.0, the TiSpanner still sticks to its classic design from 2 years ago, with a few tweaks and upgrades that make it even more functional.Simply put, the TiSpanner (as its name suggests) is a titanium-based spanner that packs a few crucial tools in its versatile design, making it the perfect EDC for heavy-duty as well as regular tasks. The earlier version was designed to be small enough to fit on your keychain (something that made us recommend it overwhelmingly), and while it worked, customers craved something bigger and better. So the folks at Titaner decided to do to the spanner what evolution does to Pokemon make them bigger, better, and more badass.Designer: Sven Chan of TitanerClick Here to Buy Now: $85 $170 (50% off). Hurry, only a few left!The most significant upgrade is the size adjustment. Although the compact design of the early version of TiSpanner is easy to hang on the keychain and suitable for daily carry-on, user feedback clearly mentioned that it hopes it can be bigger and stronger. TiSpanner 3.0 answers that call through design evolution, with a larger, thicker frame, offering a more comfortable grip and greater torque when using the adjustable wrench. Its just a marginal size increase, measuring 2.24 inches (57mm) in height, but that slight size bump means better ergonomics, and the ability to use the spanners calipers to measure larger objects. The longer caliper now has a maximum measuring range of 5cm, making it more practical for quick measurements. However, its still compact enough to slip into a pocket or clip onto a bag, but the extra real estate means its easier to handle when the job gets tough.The TiSpanner 3.0s core feature remains its set of titanium calipers, robust enough to tighten/loosen any nut or bolt with minimal elbow-grease. Like its predecessor, engravings on the TiSpanner 3.0s body turn it into a measuring tool too, working like a pair of Vernier calipers that let you accurately measure objects that fit between the two caliper-heads. A tiny divot in the back of the caliper heads serves as a nifty bottle opener, and now in the TiSpanner 3.0, it also gets a pretty significant new feature upgrade.When youre not popping open brewskis, that divot (or groove) clamps around a dual-sided mini flexible bit that sits snugly inside a slot in the TiSpanners handle. Pop the bit into its groove and tighten the calipers and youve now got yourself a high-torque screwdriver of sorts. Held securely in place with dual magnets, the mini flexible bit stays put when not in use but pops out effortlessly when needed. The bits dual-sided design equips you with a Torx head on one side, and a Philips head on the other.Nail PullerGlass-breakerThe rest of the TiSpanner 3.0 replays all the classic hits, with a few remasters. The nail puller has been upgraded with a deeper embedded groove, improving grip for stubborn nails, while nut size markings now grace the back of the tool, turning it into a handy reference guide when working with different fasteners. In addition, the larger nail file and emergency whetstone improve the user experience compared to the previous generation. You can still find the tungsten carbide glass-breaker that used to grace the bottom of the previous TiSpanner on the bottom of the 3.0, but now it also doubles as a precision box opener, slicing through tape and packaging with ease.MultipurposeAlthough youll get a few stares, you can still use the TiSpanner 3.0 to prop your phone up, clamping it and using the spanner as a makeshift kickstand. When the TiSpanner is not in use, a loop lets you hook it to a keychain, carabiner, or paracord for easy carrying. Like I said, a design that isnt broken shouldnt need major fixing. Everything we loved about the previous TiSpanner gets carried forward into this variant too, but with a few extra features.TiSpanner 3.0 is still made of solid titanium alloy, which is not only extremely strong but also very light. Compared with traditional steel, titanium alloy is rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant, which can ensure that the tool is still as good as new after years of use. The newly designed magnetic alignment system enhances the firmness of the components and effectively prevents the tool from shaking or even accidentally falling off when being carried or used.Titaner has always been known for providing high-quality EDC equipment, and TiSpanner 3.0 is the embodiment of their active response to supporters feedback. This generation of products not only retains the classic features of TiSpanner, but also improves functionality through precise upgrades. Whether it is a sturdy wrench, a flexible screwdriver, or a multi-functional tool in daily life, TiSpanner 3.0 takes every function to the extreme through practical rather than fancy design. This is not just an upgrade, but more like the result of the natural evolution of the product.Click Here to Buy Now: $85 $170 (50% off). Hurry, only a few left!The post A Spanner, A Multitool, A Survival GadgetThe Titanium TiSpanner 3.0 Does It All first appeared on Yanko Design.

New research shows at least a million inexpensive Android devicesfrom TV streaming boxes to car infotainment systemsare compromised to allow bad actors to commit ad fraud and other cybercrime.

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Apple has publicly been pushing back against a UK order that demands it create encryption backdoors, and it has now formally appealed that order to the UK Investigatory Powers Tribunal. The filing is only slightly concerned with the UK market, said Fred Chagnon, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. The United States has also echoed Apples concerns.The greater objective is getting the UK authorities to back off on the request, which would hopefully discourage other governments from trying the same tactic, Chagnon said, describing it as preventing a potential domino effect. Lets say that Apple lets the order stand and simply opts out of the UK market, which is essentially what it has already done, he said. That could encourage other governments, especially those in France, Australia, and Canada, to try the same tactic. If that happens, then the [UK] government has set a precedent, Chagnon said. But if Apple succeeds in this appeal, which was reported in various media including The Financial Times, then Apple will have turned the tables and set their own precedent. It would be saying No, China, no, Germany, no, France, you cant have a backdoor.Nikolas Guggenberger, an assistant law professor at the University of Houston Law Center, said the risk of a domino effect is particularly strong in Europe right now.Guggenberger, who was born in Germany and studied law there before immigrating to the US, said many European countries might try to mimic what the UK does. The situation would have been different before 2020, when the UK formally exited the EU, because that shift gave more influence to Germany and France. Given Germanys strong privacy position, Guggenberger said, its unlikely the EU today would embrace an encryption backdoor.However, noted Forrester senior analyst Madelein van der Hout, the potential for global ripple effects is very real and troubling.If one government is granted this level of access, others will undoubtedly follow, leading to a global erosion of digital privacy, van der Hout said.Guggenberger also questioned the premise of the UKs official argument. The UK maintains that it only want this backdoor to access the records of specific criminal suspects. But Guggenberger argued that what the UK authorities actually want is to be able to access a massive number of records at once.They want to be able to, very cheaply, hit not the cloud content of one person but the cloud content of thousands of people at once, Guggenberger said.Fruit of the poisonous treeIn the US, there is a legal doctrine known as the fruit of the poisonous tree. It holds that if data is accessed illegally, not only will that data be excluded as evidence, but anything that law enforcement learned by leveraging that data is also excluded.But, Guggenberger argued, the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine is not nearly as strong in Europe compared with the US, meaning that law enforcement fishing expeditions might benefit police there.Another concern about forcing Apple to create a backdoor, beyond the fact that a backdoor for law enforcement will also be a backdoor for state actors and cyberthieves, is that if UK law enforcement is truly only interested in the records of specific criminal suspects, it has the ability to access them without Apples help.The FBI proved that back in 2017 when it used tools, reportedly from an Israeli security vendor, to break into the phone of a suspect in the San Bernardino shooting attack, without any help from Apple. Since then, the technology has sharply improved.Could create an uneven playing fieldForresters van der Hout also speculated that the appeal likely argues that it was unfair for the UK government to issue such an order against only Apple rather than all tech players.Apples position also raises concerns about fairness in the industry. If it were forced to comply while competitors faced no such obligations, it could create an uneven playing field, potentially distorting market competition, van der Hout said. More broadly, Apples stance sends a strong message to other technology providers: companies can and should push back against government overreach when it threatens the security of their users. This could galvanize a broader industry movement advocating for stronger encryption protections.Van der Hout said that Apples resistance is also about broader issues.Ultimately, this case highlights the ongoing tension between innovation, security and regulation. Apples resistance is not just about one companys policies, van der Hout said. Its about setting a global precedent for how technology firms defend encryption and user trust in the face of increasing governmental pressure. Especially since more European governments are trying to demand similar measures, as illustrated by Signals battle with Sweden.

With muted reception and spectacularly horrendous sales (on both PS5 and PC), last years Until Dawnremake would have been one of the years biggest first-party flops of last year ifConcordhadnt also released in 2024. Sadly, it looks like the horror adventure titles developer, British studio Ballistic Moon, isnt faring much better either.Thats as per Insider Gaming, which claims in a freshly published report that Ballistic Moon has laid off the vast majority of its staff, to the extent that it has effectively closed. As per the report, the studio initially laid off around 40 people back in September, followed by another 20 roles being cut in December. Currently, its claimed that the studio employs a handful of employs at best- its founders, and possibly a handful of others at most.Its claimed that Ballistic Moon and Sony had had preliminary discussions about a second project or updates for theUntil Dawnremake possibly being greenlit, though that never happened. The studio was allegedly also pitching projects to other publishers, but failed to secure funding.Of course, on paper, Ballistic Moon still very much remains active, and its claimed in the report that should the studio succeed in securing funding, its likely to begin staffing back up. For now, there has been no word from Ballistic Moon on the state it is currently in.Leaks have claimed that anUntil Dawnsequel is currently in development at first-party PlayStation studio Firesprite. Meanwhile, anUntil Dawnmovie is also releasing on April 25.

After a couple of delays, theAssassins Creedgame set in feudal Japan that weve been waiting for for years is finally launching later this month, and new details continue to emerge as its release draws nearer.Taking to Twitter, for instance, Ubisoft has also revealed the exact global release timings forAssassins Creed Shadows. On consoles, the game will unlock at 12 AM local time on the day of release everywhere.Meanwhile, on Steam, its getting a simultaneous global release, which means itll unlock for everyone at the same time- at 9 PM PDT on March 19, or 12 AM EDT / 4 AM GMT / 1 PM JST on March 20. Check out the tweet below for full details, including for the games Ubisoft Connect release on PC and its Mac version.Pre-loads for the title have gone live already on Xbox Series X/S, though PS5 and PC players will have to wait until March 18 and March 17 respectively.We noticed an error in our original image. Please find the correct one here pic.twitter.com/9IyHH3A5mz Assassins Creed (@assassinscreed) March 5, 2025

Jupyter Notebooks are a powerful open-source tool that allows users to create and share documents that contain live code, equations, visualizations, and narrative text. They are widely used in data science, machine learning, and scientific computing for interactive coding and data analysis. This tutorial will guide you through installing Jupyter, using basic features, and performing data analysis interactively.1. Installing Jupyter NotebookTo start using Jupyter Notebooks, you need to install it. You can install Jupyter via Anaconda (recommended for beginners) or pip (for advanced users).Using AnacondaAnaconda is a popular Python distribution that comes with Jupyter Notebook pre-installed.Download and install AnacondaOpen Anaconda Navigator and launch Jupyter NotebookYou should see a dashboard like the one below:Using pipIf you already have Python installed, you can install Jupyter Notebook using pip:Once installed, launch Jupyter Notebook with:2. Navigating the Jupyter InterfaceAfter launching Jupyter Notebook, youll see the Jupyter dashboard. It shows the current directorys files and allows you to create and open notebooks.Click New > Python 3 to create a new notebook.A new notebook consists of cells that can execute code or contain markdown for documentation.3. Running Code in Jupyter NotebookEach notebook consists of cells that can hold code or markdown text.Executing Python CodeTo run a Python command inside a cell, type the code and press Shift + Enter.Using Markdown CellsYou can switch a cell to Markdown (for formatted text) by selecting the cell and pressing Esc + M. Try adding headings, bullet points, or even LaTeX equations:4. Importing and Visualizing DataJupyter is commonly used for data analysis. Lets see how to load and visualize a dataset using Pandas and Matplotlib.Importing Librariesseaborn: To install the seaborn python library you can write the below command in your jupyter notebook:matplotlib: To install the matplotlib and scikit-learn python library you can write the below command in your jupyter notebook:Loading a DatasetThere are many ways to import/load a dataset, either you can download a dataset or you can directly import it using Python library such as Seaborn, Scikit-learn (sklearn), NLTK, etc. The datasets that used here is a Black Friday Sales dataset from Kaggle.5. Data Analysis and VisualizationIt is also an important step as it gives the distribution of the dataset and helps in finding similarities among features. Lets start by looking at the shape of our dataset and concise summary of our dataset, using the below code:Data VisualizationLarge and complex datasets are very difficult to understand but they can be easily understood with the help of graphs. Graphs/Plots can help in determining relationships between different entities and helps in comparing variables/features. Data Visulaisation means presenting the large and complex data in the form of graphs so that they are easily understandable. Begin by creating a bar plot that compares the percentage ratio of tips given by each gender , along with that make another graph to compare the average tips given by individuals of each gender.This code creates a bar plot using Seaborn to visualize the distribution of purchases (Purchase) across different city categories (City_Category) in the DataFrame df_black_friday_sales.This code creates a figure with two subplots side by side. The first subplot displays a count plot of the Age column from the df_black_friday_sales DataFrame, while the second subplot shows a histogram and kernel density estimate (KDE) of the Purchase column.6. Saving and Exporting NotebooksClick File > Save and Export notebook as to save progress and export notebooks in various formats (PDF, HTML, Python script, etc.):7. Best PracticesUse markdown to document your work.Organize your notebook by using headings and sections.Use version control (e.g., GitHub) to track changes.Limit output size for large datasets.ConclusionThis tutorial has covered the fundamental aspects of using Jupyter Notebooks for interactive coding and data analysis. We started with the installation process using both Anaconda and pip, followed by navigating the Jupyter interface. We then explored how to execute Python code, document work using Markdown, and perform data analysis using Pandas and visualization libraries like Matplotlib, scikit-learn and Seaborn.By following the best practices outlined, you can create well-structured, reproducible, and efficient notebooks for your coding and data analysis projects. Now that you have a strong foundation, start experimenting with Jupyter Notebooks and explore its vast capabilities to enhance your workflow! NikhilNikhil 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.Nikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper from Aalto University Introduces VQ-VFM-OCL: A Quantization-Based Vision Foundation Model for Object-Centric LearningNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper Identifies Function Vector Heads as Key Drivers of In-Context Learning in Large Language ModelsNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper Introduces UniTok: A Unified Visual Tokenizer for Enhancing Multimodal Generation and UnderstandingNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper Introduces Agentic Reward Modeling (ARM) and REWARDAGENT: A Hybrid AI Approach Combining Human Preferences and Verifiable Correctness for Reliable LLM Training Recommended Open-Source AI Platform: IntellAgent is a An Open-Source Multi-Agent Framework to Evaluate Complex Conversational AI System' (Promoted)