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The characters of this side-splitting comedy navigate a series of absurd situations with their so-called lawyers, all brought to life through the cutting-edge technology of Beyond Virtual Production. From the modern, sleek law offices to the shabby, powerless villas, the seamless transitions between diverse locations are possible thanks to virtual production that allows rapid switching between scenes. Fans of Riyadh will love how the iconic skyline of KAFD and the King Khalid International Airport create a local taste to the humor of the whole journey.Thanks to the efforts of the Beyond Virtual Production team, supervised by Virtual Production Supervisor Taha Busafi and Virtual Production Technologist Muntaser Busafi, the production boasts impressive virtual environments that feel realistic and immersive. Directed by Faris, with cinematography by Saeed Salem and a strong crew including Art Directors Mike ElKahi and Ahmed Al Hutami, this project is the ultimate proof of power for virtual production in the Saudi entertainment industry.The post From Swanky Law Offices to Powerless Villas: Virtual Production Brings Comedy to Life appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Shares in Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) are surging this morning after the company reported its first quarter fiscal 2025 results. As of the time of this writing, WBA shares are currently up over 25% to $11.53 per share. Thats their highest level since August 2024.Heres what you need to know about Walgreens Q1 and stock surge.Walgreens beats on revenue and earnings per shareIn Q1, Walgreens beat investor expectations on two important fronts: earnings per share (EPS) and revenue. The company had a Q1 2025 adjusted EPS of 51 cents and revenue of $39.46 billion. That contrasts with an EPS of 37 cents and revenue of $37.36 billion that many analysts expected, notes CNBC.While Walgreens EPS and revenue were both lower than the year-ago quarter, the companys Q1 beat of analyst expectations seems to have given investors hope that it is turning its fortunes around.Walgreens has been trying to reverse its fortunes as it has faced increased challenges in the past year, including inflationary pressures that have led to consumers being more cautious about their discretionary spending. The company has also faced falling reimbursement rates for prescription drugs.However, while the company managed to beat investor expectations on EPS and revenue, the latter of which was up 7.5% year-over-year, its adjusted EPS was still lower than the EPS of 66 cents in the quarter a year earlier. The company also had a loss per share of 31 cents for Q1 2025thats versus a loss per share of just 8 cents in the quarter a year earlier.The company also reported a Q1 operating loss of $245 million compared to an operating loss of $39 million in the quarter a year earlier.Walgreens closing stores contributed to operating lossWalgreens $245 million operating loss was partially the result of its optimization plan that the company announced last year, which will see it shutter 1,200 of its 8,500 locations in America over the next several years. As Fast Company previously reported, the company will shut 1,200 stores by 2027, with 500 of those stores to be closed in 2025 alone.The closures are an effort to optimize [the companys] footprint and close underperforming stores, primarily in the U.S., to align with evolving demographic trends, Walgreens said in an SEC filing at the time, as well as an effort to respond more effectively to shifts in consumer behavior and buying preferences.Our first quarter results reflect our disciplined execution against our 2025 priorities: stabilizing the retail pharmacy by optimizing our footprint, controlling operating costs, improving cash flow, and continuing to address reimbursement models, Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth said in a prepared statement. While our turnaround will take time, our early progress reinforces our belief in a sustainable, retail pharmacy-led operating model.Walgreens is far from the only pharmacy chain facing economic hardships and store closures. Other large pharmacy chains, including CVS and Rite Aid, have struggled with decreased profits as consumers turn to alternate online venues for their prescription needs, such as Amazon.A rough year for Walgreens stockDespite todays stock price surge, WBA shares have had a horrible past 12 months. During that time, Walgreens Boots Alliance shares have fallen 54%. Over the past five years, WBA shares are down 79%.What investors are hopeful forand even optimistic about, judging by todays double-digit stock price surgeis that the worst of Walgreens struggles may be behind the iconic pharmacy chain.Whether that is actually the case remains to be seen.

Imagine this: A new technology has arrived, drawing enormous public discussion. Among the questions is how it might be used in schools. Advocates call for its widespread adoption, saying it will revolutionize schooling and motivate students. Others are wary, fearing it will make kids lazy.The year is 1922; the leading advocate is Thomas Edison, who has a special place in my heart for founding what became General Electric (GE) in my hometown of Schenectady, NY. He promised that his invention, the motion picture, is destined to revolutionize our educational systemeven replacing textbooks.A century later, its safe to say that Edisons revolution didnt play out exactly as he pictured (nor justify his critics worst fears), but it surely had profound effects. Movies didnt replace the written wordnothing canbut they put new tools at teachers fingertips. Like waves of technological innovation that followed, movies also presented schools with crucial choices about their responsible use in ways that both benefit and protect students.Introducing generative AIAnd now comes generative AI (GenAI), best recognized as the chatbots that have exploded into popular awareness. Once again, schools will be a place for crucial decisions. Companies like oursthe largest provider of learning solutions to K-12 schoolshave a role here, and I believewe should publicly state principles to keep students and teachers at the center of GenAI development.Half of educators say they are currently using generative AI, and it is saving them time. Recent studies suggest that teachers spend over 50% of their time on non-teaching tasksimagine what could be possible if they spent more of that time directly connected to students and teaching.That idea, I believe, only scratches the surface of AIs potential benefits. AI tools can enhance teachers productivity by helping them plan lessons and activities, convert text into presentations, and create summaries of textsjust to name a few. AI tools can also help enhance students literacy learning withpersonalized learning experiencessuch as providing teachers with suggested feedback and revision on student writing.Its exciting, but AI will earn the trust of schools, teachers, families, and education leaders only if its used with wisdom, guidelines, and safeguards that ensure it genuinely supports teachers, benefits students, and never compromises childrens privacy or safety. Thats why were outlining five recommended principles we believe should guide the responsible adoption of AI technologies in K-12 schools.Keep teachers at the centerThe teacher-student relationship is crucial. We believe in a high-tech, high-touch approach in which technology should support, not mediate, this connection.Teachers are closest to the educational experience, and their voices must also inform the development of new technologies intended to serve them.Teachers will need support and professional development to build artificial intelligence literacy to effectively leverage the technology in the classroom. Most educators (76%) identify a need for education on ethical AI usage and its integration into the classroom.Uphold student privacy, safety, and well beingProtecting student privacy and data is non-negotiable. Existing federal laws provide strong protections that must apply to the new uses that may be associated with GenAI. Many state laws also protect childrens and students privacy, and third-party organizations must uphold and promote data privacy and student safety.Lawmakers should ensure that existing laws and regulations properly account for and clarify how these levers can be used or applied to GenAI.Ensure responsible and ethical useFamilies need to understand how GenAI is being used in schoolswithout being overwhelmed with information thats too detailed or technical to understand. Federal and state policymakers should work with AI experts to determine appropriate disclosure requirements and provide guidance for how districts and schools can access the information they need about GenAI systems they choose to use.Encourage continuous evaluation and improvementSystemic integration of AI into education technology and practice requires analysis of which strategies work, for whom, and why. Creating a culture of ongoing evaluation and improvement will ensure the technologies genuinely support teaching and learning. Even these trials must include guardrails to protect student privacy, safety, and wellbeing.Prioritize accessibility and inclusivityAs classrooms become more diverse in demographics and learning needs, GenAI tools can equip teachers with personalized approaches, recommendations, and supplemental materials to meet each students needs. As new bias, equity, and accessibility considerations emerge with the use of GenAI, regulations need to evolve.Our schools, like our society, face the task of defining guardrails for a field thats evolving with astonishing speed. Policymakers, and companies like ours, must put empathy, safety, and privacy at the forefront to maximize the benefit that these technologies will surely have to elevate teaching and learning.Jack Lynch is CEO of HMH.

Timing is essential for the success of an IPO. Similar to how a seed needs the proper nutrients to sprout and thrive, new companies going public need a regulatory and economic environment that supports growth. In the years leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States, signs look good for startups eyeing an IPO.If Trumps second term mirrors his first, founders can expect fertile soil for an IPO, particularly in terms of deregulation. Beyond that, proposed tax cuts could land corporate tax rates as low as 15%, allowing for higher profit margins and better valuations during an IPO.This combination of less regulation and lower corporate taxes will likely lead to a more bullish market as investor confidence increases. Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, even raised his prediction for the S&P 500 to hit 7,000 in 2025, given a Trump presidency and a more favorable business environment.Startups should take advantage of this to get their businesses in order, go public, and enjoy the long-term strategic growth opportunities that come from being a publicly traded organization.That said, timing has two components: internal and external. If the external environment is the fertile soil, the internal is asking, Is this seed ready to be planted? In other words, is the startup prepared to successfully navigate the IPO process and then take advantage of new opportunities?Internal preparation involved in an IPOThe IPO process is quite involved, even when the environment is relatively business-friendly, which is why you want to start preparing ahead of time. This is especially true for international companies looking to IPO in the U.S. Before an IPO, you need to make sure youre ready for the following processes that are put in place to vet potential public offerings.Financial auditBefore going public, companies need to undergo a thorough financial audit to build trust with potential investors. The audit typically involves a professional review of the past two to three years of company documents, with a focus on verifying financial health, accuracy, and compliance with regulations.For many international companies, this process also involves adopting the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.Market assessmentIn addition to auditing previous finances, the businesss model, product, and product/market fit need validation.This involves financial advisors assessing questions, such as:Is the company viable?Can the company sustain growth?Is there evidence that the company can succeed in its target market?As a startup, you want evidence suggesting the answer is yes to all of those questions. For example, Spiking is primarily targeting the generative AI financial tools market. To validate product quality and market fit, our team participated in AI competitions and incubator programs hosted by major technology companies, including Huawei, IBM[DA1][CC2], and Google Cloud.ValuationOnce the product and business model have been validated, its time for the company to undergo valuation. This is what determines the initial share price of the IPO, which can impact how much capital youre able to raise. Ideally, you want a price that attracts investors without going so low that you lose the opportunity to raise more capital.As a company preparing for an IPO, you want to have good forecasts that optimize the factors that impact your value, such as weighted forecast growths and shareholder return patterns. UnderwritingThe underwriter is the financial institution, typically an investment bank, that issues your stock to the public and helps you garner attention to lead to a successful IPO day. Hiring an underwriter is often the largest cost associated with going public, as many of these institutions charge 4% to 7% of IPO proceeds as a fee for their services.When economic conditions are good for an IPO, competition for underwriters can be higher, so you need a strong pitch. In addition to your validation and valuation, underwriters will look at your balance sheet health, financial performance, and potential for a successful IPO and long-term growth.Legal assessmentFrom a legal perspective, you also need to make sure your business is set up to comply with U.S. regulations. While its not mandatory, it can be helpful to consider switching to a law firm that has experience working with publicly traded companies. The team can help ensure you meet all the legal requirements for an IPO.Beyond that, a law firm that works with public companies can provide ongoing legal support and help prepare annual statements, adjust your corporate structure as you grow, and create shareholder agreements.Leverage an IPO for long-term growthPreparing for a successful IPO is an involved process. That said, it also presents a compelling business opportunity for sustaining long-term growth. Specifically, by going public, companies receive a seal of approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This, in turn, can improve a companys reputation, increase investor confidence, and make raising capital in public markets easier. Startups can leverage their public status to support long-term investment growth in ways they couldnt as private corporations.MicroStrategy made the most of this approach by understanding that going public meant access to raising capital in public markets, which it used to become the first publicly traded company to invest in Bitcoin. The company has used Bitcoin to protect against the potential negative impacts of rising inflation. Going public allowed MicroStrategy to sell 13.6 million shares and become the largest institutional Bitcoin holder, and its market capitalization has grown to $97.04 billion at the time of writing.That said, MicroStrategy is just one example of leveraging capital fundraising to support sustainable growth. Startups dont have to follow the exact path of investing in Bitcoin to maximize their post-IPO potential. Ultimately, its crucial to remember that an IPO is not the finish line of the race. Its the starting point for a more effective long-term investment strategy for your company.Clemen Chiang is CEO of Spiking.

Local studio Gonzalo Bardach Arquitectura has created a concrete woodland house with a ramping green roof near the coast outside Buenos Aires, Argentina.Located in a coniferous forest in Costa Esmeralda, the 282-square metre (3,035-square foot) Forest House is set into a dune, using the uneven topography to create a shelter with voids and framed views that create a connection between the interior and exterior spaces.Gonzalo Bardach Arquitectura has completed a woodland house near Buenos AiresThe 2023 design works to harmonize architecture and landscape by placing large voids filled with glass in the front and the back of the house, looking out, that allow residents to feel like they are surrounded by the trees."I consider the Forest house a project designed to remain in time, so it is, therefore, important to conceive the works dynamically, so that they are enriched by the passage of time and the landscape gains strength and prominence," said Gonzalo Bardach Arquitectura founder Gonzalo Bardach.The house is set into a dune and covered by a green roofThe single-storey sleeping and service spaces are located in three linear pavilions partially buried in the dune and lined with extruding walls of board-formed concrete.The ground slopes up to form a green roof, which also bridges the pavilions over a large central space that holds the kitchen, dining, and living rooms.The green roof slopes upwards to cover the buildingLight filters in through floor-to-ceiling glass walls and from the side of the house where the living room transitions to a small side gallery.Over 50 square metres (560 square feet) of covered porch space is distributed across the plan with a large outdoor living area that heads out to the rectangular pool and a small awning off each bedroom that is created by the angled terminus of the stone walls.A central living area sits next to an outdoor pool"The architectural path in the Forest House is the main axis of the whole design, for which every sequence and space has been thought through," said Bardach."It is a clear example of how to take into account not only morphology and program needs, but also the impact on the environment."Selected for minimal life cycle maintenance and ability to integrate with the environment, the interior material palette includes liquid stone, wood, iron and glass.Liquid stone, iron, glass and wood were used on the interior"The liquid stone emerges as the distinctive and expressive element of the project, adapting to the terrain topography and enabling an effortless relationship between the architecture and the surrounding landscape," the studio said."The work is materially integrated into the environment, and this connection generates a sense of rootedness and refuge in the middle of the forest."Read: BHY Arquitectos adds gabled greenhouse to 1980s Buenos Aires homeThe materials allow the building to become a "living canvas" for sunlight filtering through the tree canopy, creating shadow patterns."In this refuge in the middle of the forest, sunlight becomes a dynamic element that constantly transforms the perception of the space, inviting us to experience a deeper connection with nature and with ourselves," the team said.Native Buenos Aires plant species cover the roofStemming from botanical research of native Buenos Aires species, the garden roof promotes cross-species support and a more organic, less-controlled approach to maintenance. The biodiversity and adaptability allow the garden to develop its own rhythm.Other projects recently designed in the forests of South America include a prefabricated house with a green roof in Brazil by MAPA and Minimod and a stilted glass house in Chile by Aguilo + Pedraza.The photography is by Csar Bjar.Project credits:Architecture studio: Gonzalo Bardach ArquitecturaArchitect: Gonzalo BardachDesign team: Gonzalo Bardach, Martn Macca, Manuel Enriquez.Landscape design: Gonzalo BardachInterior design: Gonzalo BardachStructural design: VH, Julin VenturiniThe post Gonzalo Bardach tops Argentinian forest retreat with garden roof appeared first on Dezeen.

Here's what we looked at this week:The Travel Heavy, an aluminum 12" LP carrier for traveling DJs, is an upgrade from milk crates. Nifty tool: A tiny universal workholding device for watchmakers.Now available in the U.S.: This electric-assist screwdriver from Japan. An impressive exploration of material: This monomaterial bamboo projectile weapon.Forever object: This minimalist Mark Two pen, by Studio Neat, is a beautiful piece of industrial design.The cuckoo clock's unlikely origin story, plus a more modern interpretation of the design.Steller Floors produces a hardwood floor system where you can actually remove one piece at a time.Annabell, by industrial designer Elizabeth Salonen, is a pendant lamp inspired by Finland's natural light.Sony's Afeela 1 is a car that's not so much about driving.A small design touch by Yardsale improves the UX of ski poles.Not good: Robot vacuums are now growing arms.A desk for industrial designers who sketch? Basically a drafting table with a monitor mount.To tackle unusually narrow French vineyard rows, tractor manufacturer turned to Pininfarina for a solution.The g.stand, by ID firm grape lab, is a laptop stand made from a single sheet of recycled paper.This Nyala Chair, by industrial designer Jomo Tariku, warns of the extinction of the antelope that inspired its design.Design for how people actually behave: The Stupid Car Tray.Similar functions, different forms: Umbilical cord scissors vs. PEX cutters.Swippitt: A system that fully charges your phone in two seconds.ID firm SGW Designworks explains how to design military-grade products.

Emerging lighting studio Kawabi, based in New York, has solidified its place in the design world by joining Colony, the renowned Tribeca gallery championing independent talent. Co-founded by Irisa Na and Aaron Kawabi, the studio crafts handmade-to-order lighting fixtures described as vessels of illumination. These creations draw from ancestral forms and rituals, merging historical inspiration with modern aesthetics. To mark this collaboration, Colony is showcasing Kawabis debut collections: the Souvenir Collection, the Legume Series, and the Cascade Pendant.Designer:Kawabi Kawabis Souvenir Collection conveys a minimalist elegance steeped in symbolism, with shades crafted from pleated kozo paper supported by sleek architectural frames. Evoking the imagery of gateways and portals, the designs explore the spiritual resonance of objects as beacons of light and meaning. Inspired by a traditional paper lantern encountered in San Franciscos Chinatown, the collection integrates East Asian lantern-making techniques into a contemporary framework.The Souvenir Table Lamp and Souvenir Floor Lamp stand out as testaments to Kawabis refined artistry. The table lamp, with its precision-folded kozo paper shade and warm walnut base, evokes a sense of quiet reverence, as though illuminating a shrine to modern simplicity. Meanwhile, the floor lamp elevates functionality to art. Its live-edge wood cross beam lends a tactile authenticity, while a suspended brass pendulum touch switch adds an unexpected interplay of elegance and utility. Together, the pieces transform light into a spiritual centerpiece, seamlessly marrying ancient symbolism with modern refinement.The Legume Lamp is a heartfelt homage to the rituals of offering and remembrance. Its form, reminiscent of a seed pod, encapsulates themes of renewal and legacy. The lamps organic curves, coupled with a base inspired by ceremonial offering trays, blend practicality with a sense of sacred ritual.Crafted from white oak, kozo paper, and rattan, the Legume Lamp seems to glow with its own inner life. It bridges the tactile warmth of natural materials with an emotional resonance rooted in tradition. The lamp not only lights a room but also invites reflection, becoming a quiet monument to familial connections and cultural heritage.Drawing from the graceful asymmetry of kengai bonsai arrangements, the Cascade Pendant integrates the beauty of organic motion into its sculptural form. The fixtures alternating shapes evoke flowing branches, creating a dynamic composition that offers a new perspective from every angle.Made from white oak, kozo paper, and rattan, the Cascade Pendant achieves harmony between material and concept. The natural grain of the wood complements the soft translucence of the paper, while the suspended elements seem to float, as if caught in an eternal downward drift. The design transforms light into a living element, inviting viewers to interact with its evolving interplay of shadow and illumination.For Kawabi, light is more than a tool; it is an experience of connection. The studios founders have expressed that their first collaboration on a lighting piece revealed light as the perfect medium for evoking resonance and harmony. This ethos permeates every fixture, crafted with the intention of creating meaningful and attuned spaces.Colonys founder, Jean Lin, highlighted the studios ability to blend traditional Asian iconography with modern sensibilities, describing their work as both contemporary and deeply rooted. She emphasized Kawabis unique voice in the design landscape, anticipating the resonance it would bring to new audiences.Kawabis debut at Colony is more than an introduction, it is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and modern design. Through the interplay of ancestral narratives and contemporary innovation, their lighting pieces illuminate more than just physical spaces. Each fixture carries a story, inviting viewers to experience light as a bridge between past and present. Visitors to Colonys Tribeca gallery are welcomed into this luminous dialogue, where the traditional and the contemporary merge in harmony.The post Kawabi Lighting Debuts at Colony: Merging Ancestral Design with Modern Elegance first appeared on Yanko Design.

As he prepares to leave the White House, Ali Zaidi is sober about whats comingbut says too much has already been built and invested for Donald Trump to undo it.

Venu Sports, a joint venture between Disney, Fox and Warner Bros., was announced to great fanfare last year but was discontinued before it ever became available.