Indian authorities use AI, drones and facial recognition for security at Maha Kumbh festival
Ancient mythology and planetary alignments draw Hindu holy men and pilgrims to the Maha Kumbh festival, but it's cutting edge technology that is entertaining the faithful this year. Organisers estimate around 400 million people will make their way to northern India this year to bathe in Prayagraj's sacred rivers. (AP video by Piyush Nagpal, Rishi Lekhi, Shonal Ganguly)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Israel's main international airport remains closed amid tensions with Iran
Israel's main international airport remained closed for departures and arrivals as its military and Iran are trading strikes. (AP Video: Moshe Edri)
Hamilton Spectator
9 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘How to Train Your Dragon' soars in box office debut with $83.7 million, beating ‘Lilo & Stitch'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — 'How to Train Your Dragon' took flight at the box office this weekend, proving that some remakes still have teeth. The Universal live-action adaptation of the beloved animated franchise soared to a strong $83.7 million debut in North American theaters, according to Comscore estimates Sunday. The film, directed by franchise veteran Dean DeBlois, follows the unlikely friendship between a young Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) and a dragon called Toothless. The reboot easily outpaced 2019's 'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,' which opened with $55 million. The latest film earned more than $114.1 million internationally, bringing the global total to $197.8 million. 'This is yet another example of a live-action remake really delivering on the promise of the marketing,' said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. 'I think the longevity and playability of some of these films particularly in the summer has been nothing short of miraculous.' 'How to Train' also claimed the No. 1 spot ahead of Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch,' which slipped to second place after topping the charts for three weekends. That hybrid live-action remake added another $15 million, pushing its domestic total past $386.3 million. 'Materialists,' a modern-day New York love story starring Dakota Johnson , Pedro Pascal , and Chris Evans , rounded out the top three films of the week with a $12 million debut. The romantic dramedy features Johnson as a savvy matchmaker caught between two suitors: a broke, struggling actor who happens to be her ex, and a wealthy 'unicorn' who seems too good to be true. 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' slid to fourth place, taking in $10.3 million and avoiding a dip into single-digit territory. The John Wick spinoff 'Ballerina' fell to fifth place with $9.4 million, despite strong reviews from both critics and audiences. Directed by Len Wiseman, the action film stars Ana de Armas and features Keanu Reeves reprising his role in a supporting turn. Dergarabedian said 'Ballerina' could have a surge later down the line similar to 2014's 'John Wick.' 'It took a while for that franchise to really catch on,' he said. 'You saw a huge outpouring of interest for the first 'John Wick' when it hit home video or streaming, I should say, and I think the same will happen here.' In sixth place, 'Karate Kid: Legends' earned $5 million followed by 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' at seventh with $3.9 million. Wes Anderson's latest 'The Phoenician Scheme' brought in $3 million eighth place. 'The Life of Chuck,' based on a Stephen King story, placed ninth with $2.1 million. Rounding out the top 10 was 'Sinners.' The Ryan Coogler film starring Michael B. Jordan, drew $1.4 million - which is impressive since the movie is available to watch at home through online and digital platforms after being released two months ago. Overall, the box office is up 23% from this point in 2024. Dergarabedian said he's looking forward to films in the coming weeks that could have a positive presence at the box office, such as 'Eilo,' 'F1,' 'Superman' and '28 Days Later.' Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1. 'How to Train Your Dragon,' $83.7 million 2. 'Lilo and Stitch,' $15.5 million. 3. 'Materialists,' $12 million. 4. 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,' $10.3 million. 5. 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,' $9.4 million. 6. 'Karate Kid: Legends,' $5 million. 7. 'Final Destination: Bloodlines,' $3.9 million. 8. 'The Phoenician Scheme,' $3 million. 9. 'The Life of Chuck,' $2.1 million. 10. 'Sinners,' $1.4 million.
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Catharines celebrates love, life and laughter at Holi Festival of Colour
An afternoon of love, life and laughter was celebrated in downtown St. Catharines Saturday. Over 3,000 people tossed various bright-coloured powders at each other while dancing under an umbrella of a water sent from a St. Catharines firefighter's hose as they celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, love and spring. Kat Dodge, the recently named executive director of the Downtown St. Catharines Association, which organized the fourth annual festival, said Holi, a major Hindu festival that commemorates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna, as well as signifying the triumph of good over evil, is usually held in the spring. Participants at the fourth annual Holi Festival June 14 at the Meridian Centre parking lot enjoy throwing coloured powder at each other, then getting a shower from the St. Catharines Fire Department. 'We host it later so we can do it outside,' she said. 'And it is a great opportunity to showcase our downtown, encouraging people to come to other events. It's a really great way for us to encourage people to come to St. Catharines.' For the last three years it was held on St. Paul Street, but the area became overwhelmed with people and it had to find another larger location — the parking lot of the Meridian Centre. 'It has been amazing to see the people here,' said Dodge. 'We have been really happy here to see all the events and vendors. It is really quite accessible.' Participants at the Holi Festival at the Meridian Centre's parking lot enjoy the water from the St. Catharines Fire officials June 14. Over 3,000 people attended the event, said organizers. Last year's event attracted about 3,000 people, with 47 per cent traveling from beyond Niagara . Dodge said new venue holds more people. The event points to its inclusiveness, fun and ability to generate a remembrance of home for some people, said Dodge. 'It looks like we have more people here than last year,' she said. 'It will be exciting to look at the numbers when we have them.' Participants enjoy dancing as the water from a St. Catharines Fire Department's hose soaks them during the Holi Festival at the Meridian Centre's parking lot June 14. Holi originated and is predominately celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, while also spreading to other parts of Asia and to the West. Holi also commemorates the arrival of spring in India, the end of winter and the blossoming of love. It lasts for a night and day. Dancers perform during the Holi Festival at the Meridian Centre's parking lot in downtown St. Catharines. Over 3,000 people attended the popular event. Avikash Sharna, who is from Kitchener, was enjoying dancing with his friends as several St. Catharines firefighters took turns spraying the crowd with water, while bhangra music was pounded relentlessly from the disc jockey. 'This is amazing,' he said. 'It's a lot of fun.' St. Catharines Firefighter Mandi McClellan has some fun spraying water to welcoming participants of the Holi Festival at the Meridian Centre parking lot. The free event, the idea of the association's members, also featured authentic Indian music, kids activities, food and educational workshops provided by the St. Catharines Downtown Association and the St. Catharines Public Library. Dodge, who also enjoyed dancing with the crowd and association volunteers, also participated in throwing around some coloured powder. 'I'm trying to stay as dry as possible,' she said. 'This has become one of my favourite events.'
