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Yesterday — 31 October 2024Main stream

Martha Stewart Criticizes Netflix Doc for ‘Ugliest’ Camera Angles, a ‘Lousy’ Score and Ending With Her Looking Like a ‘Lonely Old Lady’: ‘I Hate Those Last Scenes’

30 October 2024 at 22:13
Martha Stewart has seen her new Netflix documentary, “Martha,” and she’s not entirely a fan of the finished product. Directed by R.J. Cutler, whose recent biographical docs include “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry” and “Elton John: Never Too Late,” the Stewart documentary features intimate interviews with her as she opens up her personal […]

Before yesterdayMain stream

‘Martha’ Review: R.J. Cutler’s Splendid Documentary Taps Into Everything We Love, and Don’t, About Martha Stewart

30 October 2024 at 19:50
In a certain way, she put a turkey in puff pastry so that you didn’t have to (but could dream about it as if you were the one who’d done it). She turned "homemaking" into a so-real-you-could-touch-it-and-taste-it hologram.

‘Citadel’ Creators Dive Deep on Global Spinoff Strategy

16 October 2024 at 07:01
The masterminds behind Prime Video’s “Citadel” series are offering new insights into their ambitious international spinoff strategy. The first season of “Citadel,” starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, became Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S., and fourth most-watched worldwide. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ […]

Dolby Theatre, Home of the Oscars, Sells to Elie Samaha’s Company

15 October 2024 at 16:51
Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, the home of the Academy Awards ceremony, has been sold to Jebs Hollywood Entertainment, led by Elie Samaha. The acquisition of the 3,400 seat theater was announced Tuesday by real estate brokers Avison Young, which represent the buyer. Jebs is led by Samaha, a longtime producer who has invested heavily in Hollywood […]

Varun Dhawan, Samantha’s Prime Video Spy Thriller ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ From Russo Bros, Raj & DK Unveils Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)

15 October 2024 at 07:29
Prime Video has unveiled an action-packed trailer for “Citadel: Honey Bunny,” the Indian instalment in the “Citadel” spy franchise. It stars Varun Dhawan and Samantha. The production is led by renowned creator duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (together known as Raj & DK), who are the showrunners and directors of the series. The screenplay […]

Rocket Report: Firefly delivers for NASA; Polaris Dawn launching this month

5 July 2024 at 22:14
Four kerosene-fueled Reaver engines power Firefly's Alpha rocket off the pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

Enlarge / Four kerosene-fueled Reaver engines power Firefly's Alpha rocket off the pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. (credit: Firefly Aerospace)

Welcome to Edition 7.01 of the Rocket Report! We're compiling this week's report a day later than usual due to the Independence Day holiday. Ars is beginning its seventh year publishing this weekly roundup of rocket news, and there's a lot of it this week despite the holiday here in the United States. Worldwide, there were 122 launches that flew into Earth orbit or beyond in the first half of 2024, up from 91 in the same period last year.

As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don't want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.

Firefly launches its fifth Alpha flight. Firefly Aerospace placed eight CubeSats into orbit on a mission funded by NASA on the first flight of the company’s Alpha rocket since an upper stage malfunction more than half a year ago, Space News reports. The two-stage Alpha rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California late Wednesday, two days after an issue with ground equipment aborted liftoff just before engine ignition. The eight CubeSats come from NASA centers and universities for a range of educational, research, and technology demonstration missions. This was the fifth flight of Firefly's Alpha rocket, capable of placing about a metric ton of payload into low-Earth orbit.

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Firefly is building fast and breaking things on path to a reusable rocket

2 July 2024 at 00:29
A test version of Firefly's Miranda engine fires up on a test stand in Briggs, Texas.

Enlarge / A test version of Firefly's Miranda engine fires up on a test stand in Briggs, Texas. (credit: Firefly Aerospace)

BRIGGS, Texas—The new medium-lift rocket under development by Firefly Aerospace and Northrop Grumman will eventually incorporate a recoverable booster that will return to its launch site in Virginia for reuse.

Firefly has previously suggested rocket reuse is on the roadmap for the new rocket—known, for now, only as the Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV)—but officials revealed new details of the plan during a recent visit by Ars to Firefly's rocket factory in rural Central Texas.

“Northrop and Firefly have a similar perspective and that is, for that class of rocket, reusability is a requirement for a bunch of reasons," said Bill Weber, Firefly's CEO. "Economically, it becomes an advantage because we don't have to go build additional floor space... Similarly, the pricing structure for customers starts to get super competitive, which we absolutely love, and we’ll be right in the middle of.”

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Haiti - Level 4: Do Not Travel

18 September 2024 at 00:00

Updated to reflect additional information on crime.

Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care.

Country Summary: Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed. Kidnappers may plan carefully or target victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even target and attack convoys. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom requests. Victims’ families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members. 

Protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks are common and unpredictable. They often damage or destroy infrastructure and can become violent. Mob killings and assaults by the public have increased, including targeting those suspected of committing crimes.  

The airport in Port-au-Prince can be a focal point for armed activity. Armed robberies are common. Carjackers attack private vehicles stuck in traffic. They often target lone drivers, especially women. As a result, the U.S. embassy requires its staff to use official transportation to and from the airport.

Do not cross the border by land between Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to the threat of kidnapping and violence. These dangers are present on roads from major Haitian cities to the border. The U.S. embassy cannot help you enter the Dominican Republic by air, land, or sea.  U.S. citizens who cross into the Dominican Republic at an unofficial crossing may face high immigration fines if they try to leave. The U.S. Coast Guard has concerns about security in the ports of Haiti. Until those are addressed, the Coast Guard advises mariners and passengers traveling through the ports of Haiti to exercise caution.

 The U.S. government is very limited in its ability to help U.S. citizens in Haiti. Local police and other first responders often lack the resources to respond to emergencies or serious crime. Shortages of gasoline, electricity, medicine, and medical supplies are common throughout the country. Public and private medical clinics and hospitals often lack trained staff and basic resources. In addition, they require prepayment for services in cash.

U.S. government personnel are subjected to a nightly curfew and are prohibited from walking in Port-au-Prince. Personnel movement is restricted throughout Haiti. U.S. government personnel in Haiti are also prohibited from:

  • Using any kind of public transportation or taxis. 
  • Visiting banks and using ATMs. 
  • Driving at night. 
  • Traveling anywhere after dark. 
  • Traveling without prior approval and special security measures in place.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Haiti.   

If you decide to travel to Haiti: 

  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks. 
  • Arrange airport transfers and hotels in advance, or have your host meet you upon arrival. 
  • Do not give personal information to unauthorized people to include those without uniforms or credentials. Individuals with bad intent may frequent areas at the airport, including near immigration and customs. 
  • If you are being followed as you leave the airport, drive to the nearest police station immediately. 
  • Travel by vehicle to reduce walking in public. 
  • Travel in groups or at least do not travel alone. 
  • Always keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed when driving. 
  • Be cautious and alert. This is especially important when driving through markets and other crowded areas. 
  • Do not fight back during a robbery. It increases the risk of violence and injury to you. 
  • Purchase travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage ahead of time. 
  • Review information on Travel to High-Risk Areas. 
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter. 
  • Review the Country Security Report on Haiti. 

Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

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