Critical minerals are the new oil: everyone needs them, but not every country has them. Thats led some to search for them in some pretty wild places. And few places are as outlandish as the ocean deep.But deep-sea mining appears poised to get a boost from the incoming Trump administration, according to The Wall Street Journal. A string of nominees all previously said that they support the practice, which usually involves vacuuming egg-like rocks known as nodules from the ocean floor.The nodules consist of a range of minerals, depending on where theyre located. Mining companies can recover copper, nickel, cobalt, and other minerals all vital to the data centers and the energy transition.But deep-sea mining is controversial. Life thousands of feet below sea level tends to be slow growing and fragile. Even small disruptions to the ocean floor can persist for decades, and scientists are concerned that the sediment plumes from mining company vacuums will leave scars that, over human time scales, may never recover.Removing nodules might threaten deep-sea life, too: Since light doesnt reach the depths to drive photosynthesis, organisms depend on other sources of energy and oxygen, from geothermal vents to the nodules themselves.Still, the value of those minerals and their presence in international waters has some countries salivating over the prospect. The International Seabed Authority, a UN organization, is tasked with regulating deep-sea mining in international waters, and it recently received a permit application from The Metals Company, a U.S. company thats working with the Republic of Nauru, an impoverished island in the South Pacific. Other countries, including the U.K., Canada, and France, have called for a ban on the practice.Given the deep-sea minings international focus, two Trump administration nominees stand out, Elise Stefanik and Marco Rubio. Stefanik is Trumps pick for UN ambassador, and Rubio is expected to head the State Department. Ultimately, theyll be the ones negotiating with other countries to determine how to regulate deep-sea mining.Despite the favorable political environment, deep-sea mining still has some rough waters ahead of it. Battery manufacturers have begun to shy away from expensive minerals like nickel and cobalt. If the trend continues, it could depress demand and drag down prices, undermining the sectors profitability.Topics

The Producers Guild of America has just released its list of movie and TV nominations for the upcoming 36th annual Producers Guild Awards. The PGA Awards ceremony is set for February 25 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.As part of their announcement the PGA stated, Earlier this week, the Producers Guild announced a partnership with the Entertainment Community Fund to establish a dedicated fund supporting producers of film, television and emerging media affected by the fires. The Guild is contributing a portion of the net proceeds from the Producers Guild Awards to the fund. In addition to the Guilds contribution, members are also donating. Together, $300,000 has already been committed.If there is a producer in need of financial assistance from the devastation caused by the fires, they can provide their contact information and eligibility criteria will be sent:https://producersguild.tfaforms.net/5133847For anyone able to contribute to supporting producers who are struggling financially due to the fires, a donation site has been started here:entertainmentcommunity.org/2025CAfiresPGA.The PGA Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Fairmont Century Plaza.Nominees for Theatrical Motion Pictures, Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures, Television Series/Specials, Limited/Anthology Series Television, Televised or Streamed Motion Pictures and Documentary Motion Pictures are:Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion PicturesAnoraThe BrutalistA Complete UnknownConclaveDune: Part TwoEmilia PrezA Real PainSeptember 5The SubstanceWickedAward for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion PicturesFlowInside Out 2Moana 2Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most FowlThe Wild RobotNorman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television - DramaBad SistersThe DiplomatFalloutShgunSlow HorsesDanny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television - ComedyAbbott ElementaryThe BearCurb Your EnthusiasmHacksOnly Murders in the BuildingDavid L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series TelevisionBaby ReindeerFEUD: Capote Vs. The SwansThe PenguinRipleyTrue Detective: Night CountryAward for Outstanding Producer of Televised or Streamed Motion PicturesCarry OnThe Greatest Night in PopThe KillerRebel RidgeUnfrostedAward for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television30 for 30Conan O'Brien Must GoThe Jinx Part TwoSTEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 piecesWelcome to WrexhamAward for Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment, Variety, Sketch, Standup & Talk TelevisionAli Wong: Single LadyThe Daily ShowLast Week Tonight with John OliverThe Late Show with Stephen ColbertSaturday Night LiveAward for Outstanding Producer of Game & Competition TelevisionThe Amazing RaceRuPaul's Drag RaceTop ChefThe TraitorsThe VoiceThe following nominees were previously announced.The Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion PicturesGaucho GauchoMedihaMountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa SherpaPorcelain WarSuper/Man: The Christopher Reeve StoryWe Will Dance AgainThe Award for Outstanding Children's ProgramAvatar: The Last AirbenderFraggle Rock: Back to the RockPercy Jackson and the OlympiansSesame StreetSpongeBob SquarePantsThe Award for Outstanding Short-Form ProgramThe Crown: Farewell To A Royal EpicHacks: Bit By BitThe Penguin: Inside GothamReal Time with Bill Maher: OvertimeShgun The Making of ShgunThe Award for Outstanding Sports ProgramFormula 1: Drive to SurviveHard Knocks: Offseason with the New York GiantsMessi's World Cup: The Rise of a LegendSimone Biles RisingTriumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin OlympicsThe PGA Innovation AwardCritterzEmperorImpulse: Playing with RealityOrbitalThe Pirate Queen with Lucy LiuWhat If? An Immersive StoryFinal Ballots for TV (Comedy, Drama, Limited/Anthology Series, Televised/Streamed Motion Pictures, Non-Fiction, Game/Competition, Live Entertainment/Variety/Sketch/Talk Series) and Film (Theatrical Motion Picture, Animated Motion Picture, and Documentary) will close on Thursday, January 30 (2:00 pm PST). Winners of these categories will be announced at the 36th Annual Producers Guild Awards on February 8, 2025.Final Ballots for Children's, Short Form, and Sports Programs will close on Monday, January 20, 2025 (2:00 pm PST). Winners of the Sports, Childrens, and Short Form categories will be announced at the Guilds Nominee Events in New York and Los Angeles the week of February 3.At the Producers Guild Awards ceremony in February, the Producers Guild will also present special honors to powerhouse producers and leaders who have left undeniable marks on the industry. Honorees this year include Chris Meledandri (David O. Selznick Achievement Award), Dana Walden (Milestone Award), Taika Waititi (Norman Lear Achievement Award) and Lynda Obst and Paula Weinstein (Trailblazer Award).The 2025 Producers Guild Awards Event Chairs are Mike Farah and Joe Farrell. The 2025 Producers Guild Awards are produced by Anchor Street Collective and written by Lauren Cortizo, Jody Lambert and Matt Oberg for the Producers Guild of America. Branden Chapman is executive producer, and Carleen Cappelletti is co-executive producer. Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is PR agency of record, and Diane Salerno manages sponsorships.Source: The Producers Guild of America Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

Breakdown & ShowreelsTransformers One: Animation Breakdown by ILMBy Vincent Frei - 16/01/2025 Witness the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in Transformers One! ILMs really cool animation and visual effects bring Cybertron to life like never before, delivering epic battles and stunning visuals. Dont miss this incredible animated adventure!WANT TO KNOW MORE?ILM: Dedicated page about Transformers One on ILM website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Chris Bridges, is the SFX visionary behind Gaslight FX Studio, a powerhouse in the world of prosthetic makeup and special effects. With nearly 30 years of experience, Chris has carved a niche in the industry, seamlessly blending artistry with cutting-edge technology.As the Head of Department for Prosthetics on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and a proud Emmy winner, Chriss expertise is sought after by filmmakers looking to elevate their storytelling through innovative special effects.Gaslight FX Studio recently collaborated on the gripping horror/drama Heretic, which premiered at TIFF and was released last Nov. This project not only showcased Chriss exceptional talent but also exemplifies his commitment to storytelling. The studio crafted a variety of intricate makeup effects, from the hauntingly emaciated look of the Prophets to the striking prosthetic arm gag featuring Hugh Grant.As you can hear in this weeks fxpodcast, what sets Gaslight FX apart is its meticulous approach. Chris and his team conducted an in-depth breakdown of the script, aligning closely with the directors to ensure that every effect served to enhance the films narrative. The prosthetics were designed not merely for shock value but to immerse audiences in the psychological horror of confinement and starvation.Fans eagerly anticipate the release of Season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in early 2025, with a fourth season already ordered. Download and listen to our fxpodcast on Gaslight FX Studios and the brilliant work of Chris Bridges, whereever you listen to podcasts.

Wisconsin Neighborhood | Saketh via UnsplashChoosing the best neighborhood in Wisconsin starts with knowing your lifestyle and values. Everyone has unique priorities. They may value a short commute, great schools, vibrant nightlife, or a rural escape.Consider what elements are non-negotiable for you. Young professionals might prioritize lively neighborhoods near business districts. Families could focus on safety and good schools. Retirees might seek areas with good healthcare and a strong community.Art lovers could prefer areas known for their cultural events and galleries. Your daily routine, including transportation needs, is another crucial factor. If public transport is important, choose a location with reliable infrastructure. Evaluate your lifestyle. Will it change in the future? Choose a neighborhood that can adapt to those changes. To thrive, you must first understand your lifestyle needs. Then, you can find a suitable community.Researching Wisconsin Neighborhoods | Using a Real Estate AgentWhen contemplating a move to Wisconsin, thorough neighborhood research is essential to find a place that matches your lifestyle, preferences, and requirements. Start by identifying the key traits you value most. They may include your works proximity, school quality, amenities, or the communitys culture. Wisconsin has it all. It has the vibrant cities of Milwaukee and Madison. It also has quiet rural areas and charming small towns.Top Recommended Realtors in WI to Help Your Family Make the MoveLegendary Real Estate Services Lake Geneva, WIWhy They Stand Out: Known for their deep understanding of the Lake Geneva market, Legendary Real Estate Services excels in matching clients with their dream properties. Their agents are well-versed in handling high-end transactions with discretion and professionalism.KPR Brokers Stevens Point, WIThe KPR Brokers is celebrated for their personalized service, focusing on guiding clients through every step of the buying or selling process. Their team approach ensures that clients benefit from a broad range of expertise, whether its negotiating deals or navigating the complexities of local real estate laws.Turning Point Realty Poynette, WITurning Point Realty stands out for its customer service. They offer a free moving truck to clients who buy or sell through them. They are praised for making real estate stress-free and for their local philanthropy.EXP Advantage Monroe, WIEXP Advantage, part of the EXP Realty network, brings new tech and marketing to Monroes traditional real estate market. Their agents take a personal approach. They ensure clients feel supported throughout their real estate journey.Visions First Realty Ashland, WIVisions First Realty is known for its deep knowledge of Ashland and nearby areas. It is especially good for those wanting lake properties or vacation homes. Their agents are known for their foresight in matching properties with the lifestyle aspirations of their clients.Experiencing the neighborhood in person is invaluable for sensing its atmosphere and gauging its residents welcome. To gain deeper insights, tap into local resources like community websites and social media groups to see firsthand discussions about living conditions and local happenings.Evaluating Education And School DistrictsWhen choosing the best Wisconsin neighborhood for your lifestyle, check the local schools. This is vital for families with kids or those planning to start a family. Wisconsin has many types of schools. They include public and private schools, specialized programs, and charter schools.School Performance: Look at test scores, graduation rates (around 90% statewide), and how many students go to college. Top districts like Elmbrook excel here.Extracurriculars and Class Size: Schools with many clubs, sports, and arts, plus smaller class sizes, offer a well-rounded education and more personal attention.Community Feedback and Investment: Check local opinions, visit schools, and consider how much communities invest in education to see if the environment matches your familys needs.Focusing on these key aspects, you can better understand the educational landscape in Wisconsin neighborhoods. This approach ensures you choose an area where your children can thrive academically, socially, and personally, setting a strong foundation for their future.Talking to local residents and visiting schools during open house events can offer firsthand perspectives and help you make an informed decision about the educational environment in a potential new neighborhood.Exploring Local Amenities And RecreationWisconsin Neighborhood in Milwaukee | Michael Angel Sanz via UnsplashCheck local amenities and recreation to find the best Wisconsin neighborhood for your lifestyle. Wisconsin has diverse landscapes and vibrant communities. It offers many amenities and activities for all tastes. First, find out which recreational facilities matter most to you. These include parks, trails, sports facilities, and aquatic centers. Many neighborhoods have well-maintained parks for outdoor lovers. They offer hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas for families.If you like water activities, check out neighborhoods by Wisconsins lakes and rivers. You can fish, boat, or enjoy the scenery. Madison and Milwaukee have much to offer. They are rich in culture and recreation. Youll find art galleries, theaters, and diverse dining. Plus, theyre near parks and lakes for leisure. Smaller towns and rural areas have a unique charm. They have a relaxed pace of life, local markets, and community events. They foster a sense of community.To know a neighborhoods vibe, visit its community centers, libraries, and schools. These visits can show you the local social and cultural activities. They can help you see how well a neighborhood matches your lifestyle and interests. This comprehensive approach ensures you find a place where you live and thrive.Analyzing Housing Market Trends And AffordabilityIs it a good time to buy in WI Real Estate?In November 2024, Wisconsin home prices rose 10.9% year-over-year. The median price was $317,300. Homes sold increased by 1.9%. These stats suggest a strong sellers market. It may hurt your negotiating power.Wisconsins neighborhoods vary. Urban centers like Milwaukee and Madison contrast with rural areas. Each has its own financial concerns. High property tax rates in some areas can raise homeownership costs.Also, consider how local development will affect future property values. Areas undergoing revitalization or infrastructure improvements could see property value increases. For example, regions like Green Bay, Appleton, and Janesville are forecasted for growth in 2025-2026, potentially offering a good investment opportunity. Good luck investing, and use an Agent for all your WI Real Estate Needs.Additional InformationReal Estate Leave a comment

A window is a lightbox of life happening beyond the limits of the interior, offering beauty and wonder regardless of the reality of life withinCredit:Olivia Arthur / MagnumOur familys share of the bedroom is closest to the rooms single window. There is a double bed which my mother and little brother Alex share, as well as a laundry basket, overflowing with clothes, and suitcases, stacked on top of each other, holding our possessions. An entire suitcase is dedicated to important documents, photos, memorabilia and my childhood drawings. This bag stays at the bottom ofthe stack to prevent Alex from turning itscontentsinto toys or a snack. For him, everything is exciting, new andworthy of being soaked with saliva.Surrounding our share of the room are two walls of painted plaster and two curtains, separating my family from another familys life. Alex is yet to understand that living in atwo-bedroom apartment with three other families may not be the norm. Hedoes not know that curtains do not always bisect a bedroom for two families toshare, or that anenclosed balcony is nottypically home toanother family.The rooms single window is a wonder forAlex a lightbox of tiny moving figures. Alexs favourite sight is a young man who arrives across the street with two yellow suitcases full of clothes. He picks up a railing and pallets from somewhere beyond the window frame and sets up between four concrete seats nestled by two large trees that obscure the shops behind them. From the suitcases he pulls out jackets, shirts andbucket hats until his pop-up shop isready for business. Alex always wells with excitement when our mother opens the window, even just acrack. The air outside is always crisper, carrying different sounds: the cars anxious to get on; the tiny people becoming louder; aweird vacuuming sound from the salon one storey below. He often tries to reach out to this little world, but the opening only allows his fingers to enter it.Next to the bedroom is a small living room. This space is primarily for the family of the apartments owners. It has an ornate handcrafted TV wall unit, displaying heirloom teacups, teapots and vintage crystal glassware that only come out on special occasions. The sofas are antique, stillin their plastic coverings, not to be usedcasually by anyone who is not a memberof the owners family.At the end of the living room is the front door, with a silver handle, chain and lock. There is a wooden chair next to the door which Alex once used to reach the handle but could not manage to open with the chair against the door. He gets upset with the number of people coming in and going out, not taking him with them. In his frustration, he returns to the bedroom window, where hehas the whole world at his fingertips. For Alex, this compact space remains filled with wonder. I yearn for his ability toexperience pure marvel. I dont go home too often; there isnt room for both of us.Explore the good rooms series, a collection of domestic spaces made, imagined or described by architects, curators and writers2025-01-16Kristina RapackiShare

Eirik Falckner, Kiosken. All images courtesy of Ceramic Brussels, shared with permissionAt Ceramic Brussels, an Eclectic Array of Works Offers a State of the MediumJanuary 16, 2025ArtCraftGrace EbertFrom Nobuhito Nishigawaras gilded drips to Andrs Anzas spiny forms that could seemingly scuttle away at any moment, an eclectic array of works go on view this month for Ceramic Brussels.In its second year, the annual gathering is the only international art fair devoted entirely to the medium. The 2025 edition will feature works by more than 200 artists around the globe, with a particular focus on contemporary Norwegian makers. Andres Anza, Galleria Anna MarraSpanning myriad aesthetics and processes, the fair presents a wide variety of approaches to and a sort of state of the medium. Some artists, like Eirik Falckner, push the boundaries of ceramic art even further by collaborating with bees to layer thick chunks of honeycomb atop a raw armature.Find some works slated to be exhibited at the fair, which runs from January 23 to 26, below.Nobuhito Nishigawara, Almine RechMarianne Huotari, Holster BurrowsDaphne de Gheldere, Spax ProjectsAndres Anza, Galleria Anna MarraNellie Jonsson, QB GalleryNellie Jonsson, QB GallerySamuel Yal, Galerie Ariane C-YLaszlo Borsody, ACB GalleryNext article

DDN, which made its name in high-performance computing (HPC), has gained investment of $300m from US fund Blackstone, which it says will be used to translate leadership in supercomputing to storage solutions for artificial intelligence (AI).While arrays aimed at the two workloads are similar in being able to keep up with extremely high-performance processing, there are differences. HPC workloads involve reading a relatively small number of mathematical formulations to produce enormous amounts of simulation data.In AI, its the opposite. A massive amount of data is read to produce a relatively small model during training or to generate a response to an application or human prompt during inference.DDN sells its EXAscaler arrays into the HPC market. They use the Lustre parallel file system, which is open source and was first launched around two decades ago. An EXAscaler array comprises a number of disk drives in which one acts as an index to the contents of the others. Compute nodes interrogate that node to find out which of the others to read and write blocks of data to, then communicate directly with that node.To function, the compute nodes must run a Lustre client and have a direct network connection with all storage nodes. That usually means an Infiniband connection, with no packet loss and the ability for the controller to directly copy data in random access memory (RAM) or in non-volatile memory express (NVMe) storage on the host machine.DDN has put this functionality in its AI400X2 arrays, which are aimed at AI workloads. They use the same 2U nodes as in EXAscaler, but use Nvidia Ethernet SpectrumX controller cards. These use a BlueField DPU from Nvidia and bring the same benefits to Ethernet networks as found in Infiniband. Their use of RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) also means no packet loss with writes of data in Nvidia graphics processing unit (GPU) memory directly (using GPUdirect).The AI400X2 is primarily intended to communicate as quickly as possible with the GPUs during training workloads. But theyre potentially a very expensive option for storing enormous quantities of data that an enterprise might want to store from models that have already been trained.For this, DDN has had its Infinia arrays since 2023. These provide S3 object storage with the ability to add drives non-disruptively.DNN has offloaded S3 storage functions to containers, such as the metadata server, the storage server, and so on. This means DDN can reproduce in Infinia functionality similar to Lustre when specific S3 containers are deployed on the compute nodes. Infinia arrays can also be equipped with SpectrumX cards to maximise transfer speeds.DNN claims to know better than anyone how intensive storage works. When GPUs write data in parallel and then read data rapidly thereafter, problems of incoherence can arise. Checkpointing regulates this, but its a resource-hungry operation during processing and doesnt produce useful data. DDN says it can avoid such delays by carefully managing data flows and use of caching.DDN already has skin in the AI game, and among its customers is Elon Musks xAI, which has deployed a supercomputer called Colossus with 100,000 H100 GPUs. So, the purpose of the new $300m is not altogether clear.Blackstone is likely positioning itself in a number of AI-focused enterprises, and now has a member on the DDN board. Last year, the fund offered financial support to CoreWeave, a supplier of AI-focused infrastructure as-a-service.DDN promises a significant announcement on 20 February, which it has prefaced with the slogan: Were making AI real.Read more about AI and storageStorage technology explained: AI and data storage. In this guide, we examine the data storage needs of artificial intelligence, the demands it places on data storage, the suitability of cloud and object storage for AI, and key AI storage products.Interview: Nvidia on AI workloads and their impacts on data storage. We talk to Charlie Boyle of Nvidia about data challenges in artificial intelligence, key practical tips for AI projects, and demands on storage of training, inferencing, RAG and checkpointing.

Every Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscription is about to get Copilot AI features, along with a price increase of at least 30%. The global rollout comes after months of testing and is certain to be controversial.

The Invisible Sun Black Cube contains 30 pounds of magic. Everything you need to play like books, ... [+] charaters, cards dice and even artifacts to make your game feel more real.Monte Cook GamesThe folks at Humble Bundle have become a great resource to help players build electronic libraries full of tabletop games. They make it very easy to explore games outside of Dungeons & Dragons that appeal to different genres and player types. Plus a portion of the proceeds benefit a charity selected by the publishers who put their games on offer.Right now they have an offer for one of the most unusual role playing games on the market. Invisible Suntalked about this game before but now the barrier of entry is at an all time low.What Is Invisible Sun?Invisible Sun proposes that the so-called real world is an illusion. The vislae, beings who know the truth of reality, come here to forget about their troubles and take up simple lives full of worrying about mortgage payments instead of a spell they cast centuries ago is still out there looking for revenge on its creator. Some vislae never shake off the lie while other occasionally return to the strange city of Satyrine.Every player in the game has access to some sort of magic. Much like its Cypher System sibling, characters are defined through a sentence with specific elements unlocking game mechanics. These are powerful beings from the start and the game offers plenty of suggestions for strange quests they can attempt with the help of their friends.Invisible Sun Humble BundleThe Humble Bundle offers a huge collection of PDFs for a very low price. The PDF of the core set alone is normally $99. The bundle offers that core set, plus several expansions to the game, for $18.MORE FOR YOUThe core set contains all the materials needed to play Invisible Sun. Rules, characters, story suggestions, printable props and more come in the main set. Its a great experience for a dedicated group of role playing game fans in a surreal setting that someone like David Lynch or David Bowie would love.The supplements burrow deeper into the Acuality and expand the stories the game can tell. Secrets of Silent Streets offers more information on the heart of the game called Satyrine. The Nightside provides a look at powers, beings and spells that even the powerful vislae might consider to be too far into the darkness.The game suggests that sometimes the vislae can bring pieces of the Actuality into the real world. The bundle contains prop documents that can be customized to players stories. Printing them out at home can make the game seem even more real.Invisible Sun Black CubeFor gaming groups who get this bundle and fall in love with the game or for ones who prefer a fully physical experience. I recommend checking out the Black Cube. It can be an investment for gamers used to paying $50 for a Players Handbook but it has one of the most unique presentations I have every seen. The folks at Monte Cook Games sent one home with me after attending GameHole Con this past November.The cube has slots for all the books, cards, dice to go securely rather than rattle around like many boxed sets. Opening the box gives the game an amost ritualistic moment that signals to everyone that the time for ordering pizza and sharing memes is over. The artifacts within the box get players into the mood for their intrigues.This era of gaming offers luxury priced experiences for those who can afford it. The Black Cube stands with things like the Legendary Edition of Curse of StrahdThe Invisible Sun Humble Bundle runs through January 30th. Sales of the bundle benefit Direct Relief which provides medical benefits around the world.