RADNOR — Having landed his dream job once, Eric Roedl wasn’t sure at first what to make of the chance to do it again. It would’ve taken a lot to get the Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Oregon to leave Eugene, where he’s spent 13 years. The chance to lead not just any athletic department but that of his alma mater was sufficient to bring him back to the Main Line. Roedl was introduced Tuesday as Villanova’s Vice President and Director of Athletics. He replaces Mark Jackson, who was hired in the fall to become the AD at Northwestern. The move brings Roedl home. He played tennis at Villanova, graduating in 1997. His wife Nicole is a 1998 graduate of Villanova. Roedl spent eight years in athletic administration at Temple, then a stint at William & Mary before venturing west to a power conference behemoth in Oregon. While Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue joked at Tuesday’s press conference that he hoped Roedl could bring a slice of the Ducks’ massive budget East with him, Roedl will carry some tangible aspects managing such a big organization to the mission-driven challenge at Villanova. “My big takeaways from Oregon are a commitment to building a championship culture in everything we do, very high standards, full-fledged commitment to holistic student-athlete development, always trying to be out in front when it comes to NCAA deregulation and the things that we can do to provide support for our student-athletes, and just creating a great environment for our student-athletes and our staff,” Roedl said. “People talk about resources and they talk about money, but to me, what really is the difference maker in building successful programs – and I know you know this here at Villanova – it’s about the people and how you operate in the culture.” Both Donohue and Roedl acknowledged several times the changing landscape of college athletics. Athletes are able to earn money for their name, image and likeness, and the House settlement requires colleges to share revenue with athletes. The pressure of those changes will exert much different responses at Roedl’s former employer, a public land-grant institution backed by the deep pockets of Nike’s founder, than at a small, private, Augustinian university. Roedl highlighted those differences in asserting how his approach would meet those challenges. “We have an exciting and compelling vision for the future,” Roedl said in prepared remarks. “Villanova has a deep belief in the role and value of college athletics as a part of this community. Nothing brings people together like sports, and I think Nova Nation is a true testament to that. ... Our priorities will be focused on what’s in the best interest of this university and alignment with our Augustinian values, and certainly what is in the best interest of the health, well-being and success of our student-athletes.” Roedl talked around a question about the basketball program’s recent struggles, beyond a pledge to “continue to innovate and strategically invest” in the men’s and women’s programs. The Wildcats, who won national titles in 2016 and 2018 under Jay Wright, have failed to make the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons under Kyle Neptune. Roedl won’t formally take over until January, but he’ll be monitoring how the basketball season progresses, with on-court performance as one of several factors in determining Neptune’s fate. Roedl is transitioning from a program that enjoys a revenue-generating football program to a Football Championship Subdivision squad that is a much different economic model. But he extolled the virtues of that competitive format for Villanova, which begins the FCS playoffs on Saturday. “I think the FCS football model is terrific,” Roedl said. “I love the fact that you’re competing throughout the year, and you’re competing to get into the playoffs, and you can play your way through. The CFP finally came around to that type of a model. It took a while, but the financial model is different, and football means different things to different schools. “There’s a lot of benefit to having an FCS football program and all the things that it brings to your campus. The team represents this university really well. We bring in tremendous, talented student-athletes from all over the country to come in here and compete for Villanova, and that’s a program that I really look forward to supporting and being a part of.” Roedl played a sport in college that, like many Olympic sports, feels economically endangered at the collegiate level. He calls his student-athlete experience “transformational,” in both his career and his life. He used the term “broad-based excellence” on several occasions to illustrate a goal of elevating all of Villanova’s 24 varsity programs, in terms of on-field success and off-field sustainability. In lamenting that “college athletics has become a little bit more transactional,” Roedl is endeavoring to lead Villanova through a middle path. If recruiting talent becomes a bidding war against bigger and better resourced schools, they don’t necessarily have the capital to compete directly. So the name of the game is to provide something more than just what happens on the field, whether that’s academically or via the community. “To me, one of the things that’s most special about college athletics is all the opportunity that it provides to young people to dream and be a part of a university athletic program, and that’s something that we’re going to be fully committed to here at Villanova,” he said. “We’re going to work our tails off to go out and find the resources. It’s a new time, and there’s going to be more pressure on each of our programs to find ways to be sustainable, to continue to be able to provide those opportunities. There’s a lot of pressure on resources right now post-House settlement and we look forward to engaging in the communities around all of our sports to continue to have them be thriving and successful.”The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has inaugurated a 32-man Screening and Aviation Monitoring Committee for 2025 Hajj air-carriers and cargo conveyers, as well as a six-man Secretariat for the Committee. The Commission has also opened Application Forms for the Issuance of Hajj Licence for airlift of the 2025 pilgrims from Nigeria. This was contained in a statement signed and released by NAHCON’S Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, on Tuesday According to the statement, the inauguration of the committees would set the pace “for a series of activities that will culminate in the selection of pilgrims’ air carriers as well as excess luggage freighters for the 2025 Hajj exercise”. “The NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman described the inauguration as an important activity that demands commitment due to the magnitude of work involved and its significance to successful operations He urged the members to work within the terms of reference towards providing excellent services to pilgrims, “the statement added. Usara said the Committee, chaired by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Inspection and Licensing, Anofi Elegushi, draws membership from several aviation industry managers, and stakeholders from the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, and representatives from the Presidency, Security Agencies and NAHCON staff. The Committee members nclude five representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. Similarly, one member each was drawn from the Nigerian Customs’ Service and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. Others are NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, Special Duties, as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry. Related News NAHCON to provide N90bn Hajj subsidy documents Reps committee slams NAHCON's ‘dirty’ operations during 2024 Hajj NAHCON warns against unauthorised contracts for 2025 Hajj Usara also said eleven airlines, including two from Saudi Arabia, had already sent in application, indicating interest to airlift pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj. “Eleven airlines, including two from Saudi Arabia sent applications indicating interest in the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj. From Saudi Arabia under the airlift bilateral agreement are FlyNas and Flyadeal. Nine applications are from Nigerian airline companies; they are Air Peace, GYRO Air Limited, Max Air Ltd, Nahco Aviance, Tarco Aviation, Umra Airline Limited standing for Ethiopian Airlines, UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Value Jet and Trebet Aviation Ltd”. “Meanwhile, five cargo companies applied for excess luggage transportation. They are Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargo Zeal Technologies, Qualla Investment, Kiswah Logistics Services Limited, and Sokodeke Global Travels and Cargo, “the statement read. The Commission also stated that the Terms of Reference for the Airlines Screening Committee included screening prospective carriers for the 2025 or declining the screening of applicants whose status were at variance with the conditions of application. The Committee will also have the authority to recommend minimum standards of operation in accordance with industry best practices by the prequalified companies, recommend appropriate pilgrim airfare and excess luggage rate for the specified departure zones, and submit a comprehensive report at the completion of the exercise for consideration of the EXCO of the Commission For the Aviation Monitoring Committee, the terms of reference include constituting a subcommittee to review and evaluate all documents to be submitted by applicant Airlines in respect of 2025 Hajj, inspecting and assessing the readiness of the airports being considered for the 2025 Hajj Operation, and liasing with the Central Security Committee and Task Force on abscondment of pilgrims in order to provide support where needed. The Committee Chairman, Anofi Elegushi, called on members to be ready to work day and night in order to conclude their assignment within the timeframe allotted. He reminded them of the crucial place aviation occupies in the operation of Hajj. He described last year’s Hajj airlift as successful having concluded both the outbound and inbound flights earlier than slated, and gave assurances of replicating the feat and even better.Jharkhand Assembly Election Result 2024: Irfan Ansari eyes third term in JamtaraI tried the one-touch rule to organise my home. Here's what happened
Beacon Education Celebrates First Program to Pass 1,000 GraduatesThe biggest names in data recovery software require subscriptions, which seems wasteful given you should only need these apps on rare occasions. You probably aren’t accidentally deleting files and experiencing drive failures several times in a single year, so an option to make a one-time purchase could be more attractive. When I reviewed Disk Drill Pro and DMDE Professional, I was impressed that these no-subscription apps effectively restored lost files without ongoing fees. To help you choose between them, I’ll compare the user interfaces, feature sets, recovery accuracy, and customer service quality, so you can pick the best data recovery software for your needs. Specs Tiers and pricing Disk Drill offers a free version capped at 500MB of data recovery. That’s a restrictive amount that will likely leave you wanting more, so it’s best to think of it as a trial version. The free app can help you test the app on your drive before purchasing. In contrast, the free version of DMDE is quite useful, letting you restore up to 4,000 files at a time. The only other limitation is that it skips folders. That means you need to scan each folder separately or pay for a license to unlock all the features. You can buy Disk Drill Pro for just $89. Data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro costs more than that annually. With a paid copy, you can use Disk Drill Pro on up to three computers. At that bargain price, you get minor updates and a 50% discount on major updates. For even more value, Disk Drill developer CleverFiles offers a lifetime upgrade option for another $19. DMDE has four payment options. Express is an annual subscription for $20 for one computer, Standard requires a one-time payment of $48 for a perpetual license on a single computer, and two professional plans, starting at $95, that let you purchase lifetime licenses for commercial use on more devices. Both apps have very affordable one-time purchase prices, but price isn’t everything. Features Disk Drill Pro has a modern design that’s easy to use even if you’re unfamiliar with data recovery apps. After selecting a drive and starting a scan, you’ll see a list of files the app might be able to restore. It also shows an estimate of recovery chances for each file and lets you preview images. After Disk Drill Pro’s scan is complete, you choose individual files or select them all and pick another drive and folder to begin restoring the lost files. The speed depends on the size and number of files and the speed of the source and destination drives. DMDE works similarly but the layout will be more appealing to technical users. There are more options for digging deeper into the drive, and the basics are simple. You get a file list and previews during the scan operation. DMDE doesn’t show recovery chances, but a viewable preview indicates success is likely. If you have deep knowledge of file formats, you can even edit the contents of a drive with DMDE, potentially correcting errors manually. Ultimately, data recovery software is only worthwhile if it works, and in my testing I found Disk Drill Pro to be effective at restoring recently lost or deleted files from a hard disk drive (HDD). DMDE was equally adept. While both apps recovered data from a damaged thumb drive, solid-state drive (SSD) restoration failed. That’s inherent to fast, efficient SSD technology , not a flaw in data recovery software. Overall, Disk Drill Pro and DMDE performed as well as the leading solutions while costing much less. Support If you’ve lost essential files or photos and videos of special moments, getting your data back is important and you don’t want to make a mistake. Good customer service can help you solve problems and provide peace of mind in this challenging situation. I was surprised to learn that Disk Drill Pro offers 24/7 live chat support despite its low price. In my tests, I waited one to six minutes for replies to my questions. That’s fast for good technical customer service. DMDE has email support and it took more than a day to get a reply. That’s not uncommon for utility apps. Still, it’s much slower than Disk Drill Pro. For the fastest customer service you’ll need a premium subscription from data recovery apps like EaseUS or Stellar . Privacy and security If you install the free versions of Disk Drill or DMDE, you don’t even need to provide an email address. DMDE has fewer restrictions, so it’s the best for ultimate anonymity. Both apps respect user privacy when you purchase a license. Disk Drill Pro and DMDE collect only what’s needed to process your payment and deliver the services you paid for. Neither has a record of a data breach, and I haven’t received an increase in spam after using both. Disk Drill Pro and DMDE are safe and private. Which data recovery app is right for you? Both apps have good data recovery rates for HDDs and thumb drives, but don’t expect to restore any lost SSD files. That’s a difficult challenge, even for the best data recovery software . That said, there are some notable distinctions between Disk Drill Pro and DMDE. Disk Drill Pro is the right choice if you need an app that’s easy to use. The app guides you from step to step, making file restoration simple. While the $89 price makes it the more expensive solution, you can install Disk Drill Pro on up to three computers, and it works on Windows and macOS. It might take some time to learn how to get the most from DMDE, but it has more options and advanced features, even drive editing. DMDE Free is just as effective as the paid version, but $48 unlocks the time-saving features like folder recovery. DMDE supports Linux as as well as Windows and macOS. A Standard license supports only a single computer, but a Professional license lets you use it on up to five computers per month. DMDE’s flexible pricing with free, low-cost subscription, and three one-time purchase options, along with broad operating system support, effective HDD recovery, and advanced features, tip the scales in its favor. Overall, we recommend DMDE over Disk Drill Pro as the best no-subscription data recovery software.ECONSE CELEBRATES THREE YEARS OF HELPING ATLANTICANN MEDICAL INC. MANAGE THEIR GREENHOUSE WASTEWATER
“We will not be a safe haven for those who commit violent acts,” Mayor Adams said at a press conference Thursday after a meeting with incoming border czar Tom Homan. According to ICE data cited in several published news reports, there are about 60,000 undocumented immigrants convicted of or charged with crimes in the city. Adams told reporters that he and Homan have the same goal of promoting public safety by going after violent offenders. Homan says the Trump administration’s repatriation efforts will prioritize threats to national security. The president-elect, however, has suggested that he may go beyond deporting criminals, telling NBC’s Kristen Welker “I think you have to do it” when asked if he intends to deport every person who came to the United States illegally. Asked what he said to Homan about deporting unauthorized immigrants who have not committed crimes, Adams reiterated their mutual desire to target criminals. “I think that what has been reported is totally distorted from what our face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball conversation [was],” he said. “His goal is the same goal I have. We cannot allow dangerous individuals to commit repeated violent acts of violence in our cities across America.” Homan spoke positively about the meeting in a Fox News interview Friday, saying he “saw the cop” in Adams during their meeting. “He’s promised partnership. He promised that he’s going to write some EOs to get some of this stuff done and overturn some of the damage that Bill de Blasio did,” he said, referring to executive orders and the previous mayor. Asked whether New York will remain a sanctuary city under de Blasio-era policies that limit police officers’ interactions with ICE, Adams deferred to the City Council. “They told you what their position is,” he said, adding that he will “try” to use his power of executive orders to “go after dangerous people” who commit crimes. Adams called to “unravel” current rules for “clarity” on city officials’ authority. “You could have one of these dangerous Venezuelan gangs that are here. They could be in real active investigation into some of the criminality that they’re doing,” Adams said. “There’s a lack of clarity that, can we assist in preventing the act from taking place? That just makes no sense to me.” “I said, look, I’m not looking for NYPD to become immigration officers. Leave that to me,” Homan told Fox News about the meeting. “But when it comes to public safety threats, we should be on the same side.” After his meeting with Homan, Adams announced a set of proposals to promote public safety, such as exploring “lawful processes” to remove undocumented immigrants convicted of a major felony from the city. He called also for legal pathways for asylum seekers already in cities and establishing a “Safe Communities Working Group” of elected officials, stakeholders, legal experts and others to recommend new safety policies. His other proposals included work authorizations for immigrants, restrictions at the southern border and federal funding for response efforts, a press release from his office states. “He’s putting public safety over politics,” Homan said of Adams.
Upholding human rights is key to ending AIDS by 2030New athletic director talks around recent lack of success of men's basketball team
US proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administration
Brandon Libby, 36, left, enters a Cumberland County Superior Courtroom for a hearing in February. Libby was charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend in 2021. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer A Standish man accused of killing his girlfriend is headed to trial next week, and prosecutors plan to challenge his version of events with a reconstruction of the shooting. Brandon Libby, 37, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Amanda Brown, whom police found dead in their home in 2021. Libby pleaded not guilty that fall. He rejected a plea offer from the Office of the Maine Attorney General in June, which would have capped his sentence at 42 years. Police responded to a call on June 16, 2021, and forced their way into the couple’s Standish home, where they found Brown, 29, who had been shot in the stomach and killed. Police found Libby barricaded in a home about 14 miles away in North Waterboro before convincing him to come out and talk. It wasn’t until after he was indicted by a grand jury in November 2021 that he was taken to the Cumberland County Jail, where he has spent three years waiting for trial. Libby is scheduled for trial Dec. 4. In excerpts of a police interview that prosecutors played in court during a pretrial hearing Tuesday, Libby could be heard saying that Brown pointed the gun at him first. He suggested that the gun went off after he tried pushing it out of her hand. Larry Rose, a Maine State Police sergeant who said he reconstructed the shooting, said in court that he reviewed Brown’s autopsy report, police reports and videos of the home where Brown was found. Gunshot markings on Brown’s clothing suggest that the gun was fired at extremely close range, with the muzzle against her shirt, Rose said. An employee from the Maine State Police crime lab tried replicating those markings by firing guns at varying distances, Rose said, but it only worked when the gun was in close contact. Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Liam Funte helped Rose determine the trajectory of the bullet, from its entry point in Brown’s stomach to where it stopped in her back, Rose said. Rose even demonstrated for Superior Justice Thomas McKeon how he believes the gun was fired, using a small plastic blue gun on Maine State Police detective Justin Huntley, who stood in Brown’s place. The sergeant said his theory was peer-reviewed. He also said the plastic gun was similar to the one used to shoot Brown. Rose also demonstrated for McKeon what Libby said happened. But the officer said it would have been “difficult” for the gun to go off the same way, according to Libby’s version. “It doesn’t get to the angle that it needs to be,” Rose said, theatrically pretending to knock the gun from Huntley’s hand. Libby attorney Matthew Crockett said in an email Tuesday that Libby’s legal team had no response to Rose’s testimony but “look(s) forward to presenting our defense next week.” Libby’s lawyers previously opposed the state’s plans to show Rose’s reconstruction, but they withdrew that objection Tuesday. Earlier this year, Libby tried to prevent the use of several statements he made to police while they were bringing him to a hospital, after he had been bitten by one of their K-9s in North Waterboro. Although Libby’s statements were made before police read him his Miranda rights, Superior Justice MaryGay Kennedy agreed that the statements were fair game for the state because police told him repeatedly he didn’t have to talk with them. Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « PreviousNetflix signs US broadcast deal with FIFA for the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031
New Delhi: In modern dentistry, fears over post-procedure looks have gently faded, whether the path is surgical, non-surgical, or simply cosmetic. Today, advanced artificial intelligence steps in with a painter's precision, analysing each unique aesthetic detail — the lines and curves of the face, the harmony of proportions, the depth of shade. With this, a vision of the final smile is brought to life through digital rendering, a glimpse of beauty to come, crafted with art and science entwined. According to experts, the field of dental care has experienced significant transformation through technological innovation. These advancements have made substantial contributions to elevating dental healthcare standards. Dr Ashish Kakkar, senior consultant, dental surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said computer-guided implant surgery ensures optimal implant positioning, while piezosurgery enables precise bone cutting with minimal trauma, particularly beneficial for extractions and advanced surgical procedures. Laser treatments offer reduced bleeding and discomfort compared to conventional methods, particularly in soft tissue procedures and cavity removal. "The integration of intraoral scanning cameras and digital imaging like photogrammetry has revolutionised diagnostic capabilities by providing instantaneous visualisation of dental conditions, thereby facilitating thorough treatment strategies. These technological advancements have resulted in shorter recovery periods and reduced discomfort, making dental visits more efficient and less daunting for patients," he said. Dr Shankar Iyer, director of Smile USA and faculty at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and Jacksonville University, said AI's primary function is prediction. The technology can be programmed to provide various design features. The pre-programmed algorithms consider facial proportions, arch dimensions and teeth measurements, incorporating these elements to plan and design smiles accordingly. The system processes aesthetic parameters, including facial proportions and dimensions, as well as teeth length, to calculate and generate smile renderings. The surgical applications include orthognathic procedures for jaw length modifications or post-cancer reconstructive surgery involving complete jaw replacement. AI enables the creation of 3D printed jaw models, allowing surgeons to prepare with precise computer-designed templates. These templates guide the measurement and harvesting of leg bone tissue for implant placement in reconstructed jaw bone with high predictability and shorten the operatory time considerably. Virtual orthodontic tooth movement can be done along the same lines, and the planning helps render aligners that enable orthodontic procedures without brackets or braces. During tooth extractions, a simple procedure involving platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is often used. A preparation that promotes bone growth, PRF serves as a foundation and scaffold for tissue regeneration. Patients receiving this treatment post-extraction avoid dry socket complications and require fewer analgesics. It also significantly improves the pace of soft tissue healing, making it a valuable addition to dental extraction procedures. Dr Garima Yadav, a consultant implantologist at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said AI has been integrated across all dental specialities, including operative dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics. "Its implementation has demonstrated significant improvements in minimising errors whilst enhancing the precision and accuracy of dental procedures," she added. Highlighting the use of software applications for various dental procedures, including veneers and laminate, full coverage crowns, orthodontic alignment and denture, Dr Aditi Nanda, associate professor, CDER AIIMS, said, "Digitisation helps in designing as well as manufacturing these prostheses by either additive (3D printing) or subtractive methods (milling). It also enables archiving of data, which helps in quicker repeat manufacturing in case of loss of prosthesis or medico-legal reasons." Dr Nanda said modern techniques like sedation, alongside traditional local anaesthesia, have made implant dentistry less intimidating. However, she added, regardless of the chosen procedure, patients must strictly adhere to pre- and post-operative care instructions. Success in treatment relies heavily on proper follow-up care. Dr Gurkeerat Singh, director, dentistry department, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, said it is empirically proven now that dental implants are nearly pain-free and can be provided as a walk-in procedure. Dr Sageer Aazaz, head of dentistry, Paras Health, Gurgaon, said advanced techniques differ from conservative methods in their precision, efficiency and patient comfort. According to Dr Bhumika Madan, consultant, dentistry, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, digital X-rays, laser treatments and clear aligners like Invisalign are particularly popular among patients due to their convenience and aesthetic benefits. Dr Minaal Verma, a dentist from the US, highlighted the significance of photogrammetry in achieving precise dental implant placement. "It allows us to record the exact position of implants, creating the best possible fit for each restoration. This is essential for patient comfort, stability and long-term success of the implant," she said.
Hartwater Aesthetics® Expands TeamAfter institutions for people with disabilities close, graves are at risk of being forgottenCCC's Cheza wins assault case against Zanu-PF's Barbara Rwodzi
An exhibition at the Red Eight Gallery in London is immortalizing the greatest Shakespearean actors of our time through portraits that can blink, breathe and rattle off soliloquies. For hundreds of years, artists have captured the theater’s greatest actors through portraiture. The new show, titled “ The Shakespeare Portraits (Act I) ,” aims to update the practice by bringing the thespians to life using state-of-the-art technology. The show includes ten digital portraits of contemporary actors—including celebrities like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen —reciting lines from various Shakespeare plays. However, the portraits are not just small films that play on loop. Artnet ’ s Richard Whiddington writes that they’re “not dissimilar from Harry Potter’s living portraits” that move and capture the subject's mannerisms. Michael Billington, a critic for the Guardian , writes that he was “struck by the intimacy of the experience.” “I sat beneath a large, framed image of Ian McKellen, and as I spoke to the exhibition’s creative director, Arsalan Sattari-Hicks , I realised that Sir Ian’s head was occasionally moving, that his gaze was subtly shifting and his features expressing a variety of emotions,” he adds. The portraits were made by StageBlock , a tech studio that creates new kinds of interactive art. The actors worked with the studio, “posing” for a camera and reciting their lines. Museumgoers can hear the speeches by pressing a button. Each of the ten actors infuses their own spin on their chosen Shakespeare text, giving viewers an up-close look at how they bring the Bard’s lines to life. “Ian McKellen delivers ‘all the world’s a stage’ from As You Like It , Derek Jacobi offers up Hamlet ’s ‘to be or not to be,’” writes Artnet . “ Harriet Walter turns to Prospero ’s ‘ Ye elves of hill ’ from The Tempest , David Suchet performs Macbeth ’s infamous lines on the futility of life ‘tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow’ (a role Suchet has never played).” StageBlock is hoping that viewers will not only see the novelty in the new pieces, but also treat them as lasting works of art that can be hung in galleries and sold to interested buyers. “It’s a bold, visionary new idea for the digital age, but I hope it won’t stifle the talent of the individual portraitist,” writes Billington of the Guardian . “I cherish the notion of, say, Salvador Dalí’s painting of Olivier as Richard III hanging on a gallery wall alongside the mesmerizing image of McKellen looking on at one in watchful fascination.” The tech company also plans to make an Act II of the show, which will feature a second round of Shakespearean actors in new digital portraits next year. “This collection is the culmination of profound collaborations with some of the most iconic actors of our time,” says Sattari-Hicks in a statement. “This is only the beginning, with many renowned home-grown and international talents already in line for future collections.” “ The Shakespeare Portraits (Act I) ” is on view at the Red Eight Gallery in London through January 10, 2025. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday. Julia Binswanger | READ MORE Julia Binswanger is a freelance arts and culture reporter based in Chicago. Her work has been featured in WBEZ, Chicago magazine, Rebellious magazine and PC magazine.Crime and shame: On the France mass rape case
None2024 Lupus Research Alliance Gala Raises Millions to Improve Lives of People with Lupus
Nuclear exceptionalism
GENEVA (AP) — Netflix has secured the U.S. broadcasting rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 as the streaming giant continues its push into live sports. The deal announced Friday is the most significant FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. The value was not given, though international competitions in women’s soccer have struggled to draw high-value offers. “Bringing this iconic tournament to Netflix isn’t just about streaming matches,” its chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “It’s also about celebrating the players, the culture and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sport.” Netflix dipped into live sports last month with more than 60 million households watching a heavily hyped boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul. Some viewers reported streaming problems , however. Netflix also will broadcast two NFL games on Christmas Day: the Kansas City Chiefs at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at the Houston Texans. That’s part of a three-year deal announced in May. World Cups are typically broadcast on free-to-air public networks to reach the biggest audiences, and the last women's edition in 2023 earned FIFA less than 10% of the men's 2022 World Cup. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had publicly criticized public broadcasters , especially in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 tournament that was played in Australia and New Zealand. That tournament was broadcast by Fox in the U.S. “This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game,” Infantino said. The World Cup rights mark another major step in Netflix’s push into live programming. It’s recipe that Netflix has cooked up to help sell more advertising, a top priority for the company since it introduced a low-priced version of its streaming service that includes commercials two years ago. The ad-supported version is now the fastest growing part of Netflix’s service, although most of its 283 million worldwide subscribers till pay for higher-priced options without commercial. But Netflix is still trying to sell more ads to boost its revenue, which is expected to be about $30 billion. Netflix executives have predicted it might take two or three years before its ad sales become a major part of its revenue. Netflix expects to spend about $17 billion on programming this year — a budget that the Los Gatos, California, company once funneled almost entirely into scripted TV series and movies. But Netflix is now allocating a significant chunk of that money to sports and live events, a shift that has made it a formidable competitor to traditional media bidding for the same rights. FIFA will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters that likely will be hardball negotiations. Soccer finance expert Kieran Maguire, a co-host of The Price of Football podcast, suggested the deal was “a bit of a gamble" for FIFA and “saber-rattling” by Infantino. “(Netflix) get experience of football broadcasting, FIFA can say, ‘we are now partnering with a blue chip organization, so watch out you nasty Europeans,’” Maguire, an academic at the University of Liverpool, said in a telephone interview. FIFA and Infantino also want to raise the price of broadcast deals to help fund increased prize money and close the gender pay gap on the men’s World Cup. At the men’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 32 team federations shared $440 million in prize money. For the women’s 2023 tournament , FIFA had a $152 million total fund for prize money, contributions to teams’ preparation costs and payments to players’ clubs. In FIFA’s financial accounts for 2023 , the soccer body reported total broadcasting revenue of $244 million. In the year of the men’s 2022 World Cup it was almost $2.9 billion. The next Women's World Cup will be a 32-team, 64-game tournament in 2027, played in Brazil from June 24-July 25. The U.S. originally bid jointly with Mexico. The 2031 host has not been decided, though the U.S. likely will bid for a tournament which FIFA is expected to try to expand to 48 teams. That would match the size of the 104-game format of the men's World Cup that debuts in 2026 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Spain won the 2023 Women's World Cup after the U.S. won the two previous titles — in France in 2019 and Canada in 2015. More than 25 million viewers in the U.S. watched the 2015 World Cup final, a 5-2 win over Japan, played in Vancouver, Canada, in a time zone similarly favorable to Brazil. FIFA tried to sign Apple+ to an exclusive global deal to broadcast the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup which is being played in 11 U.S. cities next June and July. Broadcast networks showed little interest in the FIFA club event that will now be broadcast for free on streaming service DAZN, which is building closer business ties to Saudi Arabia. Ahead of the next Women's World Cup, Netflix will "produce exclusive documentary series in the lead-up to both tournaments, spotlighting the world’s top players, their journeys and the global growth of women’s football,” FIFA said. AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerAmericans need another disco ball to dance underThe countdown for the new FuelEU Maritime regulation is on. It will come into force from 2025. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has developed comprehensive FuelEU Maritime measures and digital tools, integrated in its emission management services, to ensure a smooth transition to the highly complex compliance requirements. BSM already reached an important milestone back in August. By 31 August 2024, Monitoring Plans for all vessels under the scope of FuelEU Maritime had to be submitted to authorised verifiers. BSM successfully transferred all plans before that deadline, ensuring that the managed vessels can comply with all aspects of the regulations from the very beginning. Over the current year, BSM has made significant efforts to support clients in complying with FuelEU Maritime, enabling to manage the new regulation effectively and avoid non-compliance. “We have developed integrated IT systems and procedures ensuring the accurate monitoring, recording, correction and reporting of all relevant voyage and emission data of FuelEU effected vessels,” outlines Anil Jacob, Head of Fleet Performance and responsible for BSM’s Emission Management Services. GHG intensity, compliance balance and expected FuelEU penalties in focus In addition, a FuelEU Dashboard and a FuelEU Simulator have been designed, which are also fully integrated into BSM’s PAL ship management software. These tools allow users to visualise all FuelEU Maritime-relevant data and ensure reliable forecasts and calculations. The core functionality of the FuelEU Dashboard is about calculating the anticipated GHG intensity, compliance balance and expected FuelEU penalties based on the vessel’s reported data of fuel for various fuel types under the EU scope. The reported data will be used in penalty assessments for the upcoming years from 2025 to 2050. Simulate effects of modifications on compliance costs The FuelEU Simulator is serving as a dynamic platform enabling users to simulate the effects of modifications on managed vessels and provide actionable, ship and trade-specific insights on how customers can minimise compliance costs. Whether that is through simulating the effects of using shore power or estimating the amount of biofuel required for a single voyage or a whole fleet. This offers full transparency across the wide range of options. Furthermore, BSM offer its customers expert guidance and advice on suitable fuels, compliance technologies and flexible indirect options like pooling to reduce the GHG intensity penalties. Thus, the system can monitor the compliance status of anticipated pools and provide insights into how pools can be managed most efficiently. The user has the option of simulating pools by selecting vessels and creating pools and monitor them continuously to track compliance balance and penalty exposure. “We are ready on the system side, and we are ready on the service side”, Anil Jacob confirms. “From the outset, our approach was not just to develop measures to ensure the necessary compliance management. We wanted to go further and create real added value. We offer our customers a full and transparent picture of each of their ships and vessel-specific solutions. This ensures the certainty of having all aspects and options fully in view and being able to make substantiated decisions.” Source: Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM)
Thanksgiving Weekend Sports Guide: Your roadmap to NFL matchups, other games, times, odds