What to know about the proxy advisors that hold sway over shareholder voting.

Dedicated to the 1000s of VFX artists behind the film.Issue #40 of befores & afters magazine covers Barry Jenkins Mufasa: The Lion King, a film that blends classic visual effects from MPC with the latest in virtual production technologies.If youre a DIGITAL MAGAZINE tier member, youll be able to download the mag direct from the shop post.Not a member? Sign up as a DIGITAL MAGAZINE subscriber, or buy the mag direct from the shop post (to do that, purchase the post to get the mag).Issue #40 features production visual effects supervisor Adam Valdez, production visual effects producer Barry St. John, MPC visual effects supervisor Audrey Ferrara and production animation director Daniel Fotheringham.The issue is intended to celebrate the work of thousands of MPC artists who contributed to the film.Several new techniques were invented by MPC for Mufasa. These included converting human motion capture performances onto quadruped lions, more closely integrating Unreal Engine scenes into traditional visual effects workflows, and new ways of generating and grooming fur and hair. Hugely complex character animation, environments, FX and compositing were also part of the mix.You can also grab the issue in PRINT from Amazon (thats the US store, make sure you try your local Amazon store, too).Heres the links to various Amazon stores:USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXBDNM1CUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FXBDNM1CCanada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FXBDNM1CGermany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0FXBDNM1CFrance: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0FXBDNM1CSpain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0FXBDNM1CItaly: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0FXBDNM1CAustralia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FXBDNM1CJapan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0FXBDNM1CSweden: https://www.amazon.se/dp/B0FXBDNM1CPoland: https://www.amazon.pl/dp/B0FXBDNM1CNetherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0FXBDNM1CThe post Celebrate MPC artists with this special magazine issue on Mufasa appeared first on befores & afters.

Protests against President Trumps decision to send the National Guard into American cities have no shortage of whimsy, but the empire struck back against one demonstrator.A lawsuit filed on October 23 accuses police officers and a National Guard member of violating a protesters constitutional right to play the Imperial March theme from Star Wars.The D.C. resident, Sam OHara, was tightly handcuffed and detained for 20 minutes after ignoring a warning from a National Guard member to stop playing the song. In the complaint, OHara alleges that four Washington, D.C., police officers, an Ohio National Guard sergeant, and the District of Columbia violated his First Amendment rights.Government conduct of this sort might have received legal sanction a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the suit on OHaras behalf, stated. But in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from restraining individuals from recording law enforcement or peacefully protesting, and the Fourth Amendment (along with the Districts prohibition on false arrest) bars groundless seizures.OHara began filming the National Guard deployment in D.C. over the summer, often following behind Guard members while playing the song and then posting the videos to a TikTok account that has more than a million likes across 24 videos.Armed National Guard should not be policing D.C. residents as we walk around our neighborhoods, OHara said. It was important to me not to normalize this dystopian occupation.The Imperial March theme is associated with the fictional fascist empire from Star Wars; its main villain, Darth Vader; and the empires foot soldiers, the Stormtroopers. The Galactic Empire, long a fixture of pop culture, intentionally echoes the aesthetics and policies of Nazi Germany.The government doesnt get to decide if your protest is funny, and government officials cant punish you for making them the punch line, ACLU-DC senior staff attorney Michael Perloff said in a press release. Thats really the whole point of the First Amendment.Clashes over National Guard deploymentThe lawsuit is the latest clash in courts over the Trump administrations decision to deploy National Guard troops to a handful of U.S. cities with Democratic leadership. The National Guard has already been activated in Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Portland, Oregon; and Memphis, though those deployments are the subject of ongoing court battles between state and local leaders and the federal government. Trump has also threatened deployments in New York City, Baltimore, the Bay Area, St. Louis, and New Orleans.The National Guard is historically called in by state governors to help with emergencies and natural disasters, but guard members can also be mobilized by the federal government for national emergencies. Last year, National Guard members deployed in 17 states conducted search and rescue missions and delivered food and water to victims of Hurricane Helene.Since first deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles in June against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom, Trump has escalated his unprecedented use of the state military force in U.S. cities. Trump claims that the National Guard is necessary to quell urban crime, but violent crime has already dropped dramatically in many of the cities targeted for the unusual deployments. Homicide rates dropped by 50% in the first half of 2025 in Portland, Oregon, and in Memphis, robbery, burglary, and larceny hit 25-year lows this year.As I have said from the beginning, the number of federal troops we need in Portland is zero, Mayor Keith Wilson said of the deployment earlier this month. Not from Oregon. Not from California. Not from Texas. And not from anywhere else.On October 23, Trump appeared to back down from a threat to send the National Guard to San Francisco after a persuasive phone call with the CEOs of Nvidia and Salesforce. Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great, Trump wrote on Truth Social. They want to give it a shot. Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday.Chicken suits and Star WarsAs the courts decide the legality of Trumps unilateral use of National Guard troops, protesters are weaponizing absurdism and humor against the presence of federal law enforcement. In Portland, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility has famously attracted a growing crowd of peaceful protesters wearing inflatable animal costumes. The trend was inspired by the early appearance of a frog-suit-clad activist who has since been pepper sprayed directly into his air-intake vent.Another Portland protest regular famous for wearing a chicken suit explained the use of humor in a recent interview with the citys alt-weekly: What they rely on is fear. So by coming out in an absurdist manner, it [says] that were actually not that afraid, Jack Dickinson, 26, told the Willamette Week.When they try to describe this situation as war-torn, it becomes much harder to take them seriously, Dickinson added. Kristi Noem is up on the balcony staring over the Antifa Army and its eight journalists and five protesters and one of them is in a chicken suit.

Rivian has a skunkworks, and earlier this year they created something so potentially impactful that they created a spin-off to bring it to market. They tapped Rivian VP Chris Yu to lead the new company, called Also, who teased what they were working on: "What we're building is easy, intuitive, and tech-enabled in all the right ways," he wrote. "It's a joy in the most childlike sense."Now they've pulled the sheets off. Also is a mobility company designing electric sub-car vehicles "to rethink how we get around in today's world," starting with this TM-B, a modular e-bike. The heart of the bike is this DreamRide drive system, containing the motor and the battery. When you pedal, you're not driving a chain, but are instead driving a generator. The motor then drives the rear wheel via a belt. The battery is "vehicle-grade," the company says, meaning its quality, safety and engineering standards match what you'd find in an EV (the regulations for e-bike batteries are considerably less stringent). The 1 kWH battery can be popped out for charging or to use as a powerbank. As for the modular part: The seatpostwhich they're referring to as the "top frame"--can be popped off of the bike, and you can swap in different ones for different applications. At present they offer a standard Solo frame, a Utility frame for carrying stuff and a Bench frame for carrying a passenger. Both wheels feature full suspensions. The front and rear LED lights are decidedly Rivian-like. There's a 5" touchscreen that can be used for navigation or to display riding data. The bike is said to have a range of 60 to 100 miles. They're currently taking pre-orders for the $4,500 bike and say it will ship in spring 2026.

Most homes draw a hard line between inside and out, treating nature as something to look at through windows rather than live alongside. Walls are static, rooms are fixed, and adapting to changing weather or seasons means shutting doors and cranking the thermostat. What if your living space could shift with the weather, the seasons, or even your mood?The House of Interactive Concentric Rings, designed by Michael Jantzen, turns the idea of home into a living, breathing ecosystem. This radical concept features a large oak tree planted in a central open courtyard, surrounded by four concentric steel rings that support sliding glass walls, movable shade panels, solar arrays, and completely flexible living spaces.Designer: Michael JantzenAt the heart of the house sits that oak tree, serving as both a visual anchor and a living symbol of the homes connection to the natural world. The courtyard functions as a microclimate generator, a place for quiet contemplation, and a constant reminder that architecture and nature can coexist peacefully rather than compete for dominance or territory.Three of the concentric rings support movable panels that can be repositioned manually or automatically around the houses perimeter throughout the day or across seasons. Some panels are solid for shade and privacy, others are fitted with glass for capturing light, and still others feature louvers or screens for natural ventilation and airflow control.Curved sliding glass walls enclose the climate-controlled living space in the innermost ring, but these walls can open completely to let the indoors flow out into the courtyard during pleasant weather. During mild seasons, the entire house becomes a seamless pavilion where protected and exposed spaces merge, expanding usable square footage without adding any permanent structure or closed rooms.All furniture, storage, and work areas are housed in cylindrical modules of various sizes that can be moved freely. While kitchens and bathrooms remain fixed in place for plumbing and utility connections, everything else can be rolled wherever needed. Move your bed into the courtyard on warm nights or relocate your workspace under the solar canopy when inspiration calls.Rainwater is collected from the movable panels and channeled through the steel frame into underground storage containers buried beneath the house. This harvested water supports domestic needs, gardens, and the central oak tree, creating a self-sufficient closed-loop system that reduces reliance on municipal water supplies while nurturing the surrounding landscape throughout changing seasons.Solar panels mounted around the courtyard perimeter supply electricity and hot water for the entire home, while the interactive rings invite residents to shape their environment in real time based on immediate needs. The houses metallic, geometric form creates a striking visual contrast against natural landscapes, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between human habitation and organic growth.The House of Interactive Concentric Rings imagines living spaces as dynamic and adaptable as life itself, constantly responding to weather, light, and human needs. For anyone dreaming of a home that works with nature rather than against it, this concept offers a compelling vision where architecture becomes flexible, sustainable, and deeply connected to the natural world.The post This House Puts an Oak Tree Inside 4 Concentric Moving Rings first appeared on Yanko Design.

When fall rolls in, its much about layering your home with textures that make every space feel richer! A well-chosen throw blanket can completely upgrade your furniture, adding depth, warmth, and personality. Here are 6 stunning throws that bring instant style and comfort.Honeycomb Hand Woven Throw BlanketShop on WayfairFor those who love artisanal touches, this handwoven honeycomb throw is as elegant as is cozy. The texture alone feels like art draped across your sofa or bed. Available in earthy tones, it instantly warms up minimal spaces with a timeless look.Bertie Machine Woven Throw BlanketShop on WayfairThis basketweave design gives you high-end texture without the high price tag. Light, breathable, and perfect for layering, the Bertie blanket is the kind of all-season piece that works just as well draped on a reading chair as it does folded at the foot of your bed.Honeycomb / Waffle Throw BlanketShop on WayfairWaffle texture lovers, this one is for you. The tactile weave adds a beautiful sense of depth while staying lightweight enough for daily use. It has that relaxed, effortless look that feels very California casual.Madison Park Luxe Quilted Throw BlanketShop on AmazonThis quilted beauty is all about classic charm. With its scalloped edges and damask stitching, it channels a traditional vibe that feels luxe for less. Perfect for layering on beds to add that boutique hotel finish.Magnolia Stripe Navy BlanketShop on WayfairA bold stripe pattern adds instant drama to your fall setup. This navy piece brings a coastal feel that looks chic on wooden beds or neutral-toned sofas. Its a statement throw that anchors the room.Lilia Knitted Throw BlanketShop on WayfairNothing says cozy like a chunky knit. The Lilia knitted throw balances warmth with a casual, lived-in style. Drape it over an armchair or layer it on your sectional; it makes everything look so much softer.

Stunning remake or generic, plastic slop?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday that he hopes to replace Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee with Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland and aims to set up a floor vote on the issue this afternoon, which Republicans are expected to block.

The $430 Casio Moflin is a pointless but adorable robot you cant help but love. Unless youre a dog.

As part of a strategic shift away from exclusivity, Microsoft is bringing Halo to Sonys competing console for the first time.