Category Archives: New Utopia

With an estimated $124 million domestic and $151 million international, Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount) is a global hit. The foreign interest in the Skydance co-produced sequel that centers on the American military and one that arrives decades after the original is a credit to its star as well as top-flight marketing that included its Cannes premiere. This is also Tom Cruises biggest opening ever, including adjustments for inflation.

More importantly, Cruises return to the character that propelled him into superstardom 36 years ago also represents a significant advancement for theater recovery.

It is the highest initial gross for any non-comic book movie since December 2019. Propelling its success is an audience thats been slow to return. It is also that rarest of creatures: astandalone film propelled by a stars draw.

Though not the biggest Memorial Day opening, Maverick might have had the highest average per-ticket price of any blockbuster (thanks to recent increases, including premium showings).

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This weekend, not including the Monday holiday, totaled $175 million. Thats a good comp against 2019, which grossed $181 million and had a greater depth of offerings (Aladdin accounted for half of that total, while Maverick was over 70 percent). At 96 percent compared to three years ago, that is a strong indication of recovery. The four-week rolling comparison to the same period in 2019 rebounded to 78 percent.

Perhaps best of all is how this was achieved. Maverick had by far the most interest of older audiences of any film in the Covid era. A majority (55 percent) was over 35. That is far different from most top-grossing films, even in pre-Covid times. For the current environment, it is a major victory.

Maverick audiences were 37 percent 18-34, with 34 percent non-white (less than other top titles) and 58 percent male less the 62 percent for the first weekend of Doctor Strange.

The best news is the A+ Cinemascore. Thats the same as Spider-Man: No Way Home (with its more than double opening). Arating like that means positive response across the board. Between the likelihood that adults are still lagging a bit, this suggests a significant multiple ahead. Doable: $400 million domestic or more.

Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

The Bobs Burgers Movie (Disney) was the second wide studio opening, placing #3 with $12,600,000. This was also a bit above expectations. The Fox Animation spin-off from the TV series is significant just for its theatrical release, rather than going directly to Disney+. Whether this level of interest satisfies Disney will have to be determined (including how well it holds in the three weeks before Lightyear, the next animated release).

Disney also took second place with Doctor Strange with $16.4 million, now just shy of $371 million. It should be the first 2021 release to reach a $400 million domestic total.

The holdovers varied greatly in stamina. Downton Abbey: A New Era (Focus) fell 63 percent in weekend two, compared to 54 percent for the earlier film. Overlapping age appeal for Maverick, despite different genres (to say the least), likely accounted for this. Downton during the week did better than average; by normal calculations, it would predict an $8 million-$9 million weekend compared to the actual $5.9 million.

Two notable numbers among other top 10 titles. Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24) is now just shy of $57 million. That figure is now ahead of Parasite, which at $55 million (including its Oscar boost) stands as a top result for a specialized release. Though Everything isnt non-English, it is just as offbeat as Neons Korean hit. It could go as high as $65 million.

Paramount

Sandra Bullock (aided by co-star Channing Tatum) was key to boosting The Lost City (Paramount) over $100 million this weekend. Thats another non-franchise title for older audiences in its case, boosted by women.

Along with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and now Maverick, that makes three Paramount films this year to pass $100 million domestic. Only seven films have reached that in 2022, and Paramount has the highest total.

Of note in the struggling limited specialized market are initial results for two sold-out shows for the Freakscene: the Story of Dinosaur Jr. (Utopia). The rock documentary will have more than 70 similar showings on Tuesday.

Neon debuted A Chiara in two theaters, taking in a modest $5,000.

The Top Ten(3-day totals)

1. Top Gun: Maverick(Paramount) NEW Cinemascore: A+; Metacritic: 78; Est. budget: $170 million

$124,000,000 in 4,735 theaters; PTA: $26,188; Cumulative: $124,000,000

2. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness(Disney) Week 4; Last weekend #1

$16,400,000 (-49%) in 3,805 (-709) theaters; PTA: $4,310; Cumulative: $370,774,000

3. The Bobs Burgers Movie(Disney) NEW Cinemascore: A; Metacritic: 74; Est. budget: $

$12,600,000 in 3,425 theaters; PTA: $3,679; Cumulative: $12,600,000

4. Downton Abbey: A New Era(Focus) Week 2; Last weekend #2

$5,900,000 (-63%) in 3,830 (+10) theaters; PTA: $1,540; Cumulative: $28,479,000

5. The Bad Guys(Universal) Week 6; Last weekend #3; also on PVOD

$4,630,000 (-25%) in 2,944 (-761) theaters; PTA: $1,573; Cumulative: $81,373,000

6. Sonic the Hedgehog 2(Paramount) Week 8; Last weekend #4; also on PVOD and Paramount +

$2,520,000 (-38%) in 2,329 (-761) theaters; TA: $185,139,000; Cumulative: $185,139,000

7. Everything Everywhere All at Once(A24) Week 10; Last weekend #6

$2,510,000 (-20%) in 1,189 (-389) theaters; Cumulative: $56,824,000

8. The Lost City (Paramount) Week 10; Last weekend #9; also on PVOD

$1,795,000 (+15 %) in 1,027 (-369) theaters; TA: $1,748; Cumulative: $

9. Men (A24) Week 2; Last weekend #5

$1,225,000 (-63%) in 2,196 (-16) theaters; PTA: $558;Cumulative: $5,968,000

10. F3: Fun and Frustration (Independent Indian) Cinemascore: ; Metacritic:; Est. budget: $

$(est.) 950,000 in 400 theaters; PTA: $2,375; Cumulative: $(est.) 950,000

Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr. (Utopia) NEW

$19,074 in 2 theaters; PTA: $9,537

A Chiara(Neon) NEW Metacritic: 74; Festivals include: Cannes, New York 2021

$5,000 in 2 theaters; PTA: $2,500

Family Camp(Roadside Attractions) Week 3

$227,590 in 572 (-489) theaters; Cumulative: $3,348,000

Pleasure(Neon) Week 3

$14,730 in 33 (-11) theaters; Cumulative: $89,856

Montana Story(Bleecker Street) Week 3

$97,217 in 290 (+266) theaters; Cumulative: $152,722

Jazzfest: A New Orleans Story (Sony Pictures Classics) Week 3 11

$1,805 in 6 (-5) theaters; Cumulative: $19,971

Vortex(Utopia) Week 5; also on VOD

$8,448 in 16 (-8) theaters; Cumulative: $140,453

The Northman(Focus) Week 6; also on PVOD

$252,000 in 388 (-875) theaters; Cumulative: $33,790,000

Petit Maman(Neon) Week 6

$21,380 in 42 (-41) theaters; Cumulative: $755,509

The Duke(Sony Pictures Classics) Week 6

$72,388 in 102 (-78) theaters; Cumulative: $1,329,000

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Top Gun: Maverick Is a Marvel Older Audiences Are Finally Returning to the Movies - IndieWire

Travis Scott has been hinting at a new album for a while now. Way back in February of last year, the rapper detailed his upcoming albumUtopia, saying that it would "expand [his] sound." Since then, he's been dropping a trail of information for the forthcoming project, from buying Young Thug and Roddy RicchUtopia chains topreviewing a new verse off of "Escape Plan," a song off the album.

Now, more teasers are trickling out. The rapper took to Instagram to post two photos thatshow himworking in a studio. The pictures seem deliberately mysterious,one darkly lit and the other grainy. Scott's caption was simply one word: "Topia." The post was released to a chorus of fans in the comments begging the artist to finally drop the album.

Scott's been using Instagram to hint at the album for a while now. In December of last year, the rapperchanged his bio to include "Utopia," which had been there previously but had been removed. Of course, fans saw this as a sign that a release was incoming. These rumors were only stoked further when on New Year's Eve of 2021 he posted his first picture after a two month absence from the platform. He didn't stop there. In January, he posted a picture ofUtopia-themed headphoneson his IG story.

Two singles from the record have been out for a while now-"Escape Plan" and"MAFIA,"which included a feature from J. Cole. Both singles were released before the Astroworld tragedy, and it seems likely that the disaster of a festival is partially the reason the album has had such a long rollout.

Check out Scott's newest post below.

Read more here:

Travis Scott Teases "Utopia" Release With Photos Of Recording Sessions - HotNewHipHop

KEYSTONE, Colorado, May 24, 2022 The America Association of Public Broadband on Tuesday praised many aspects of the U.S. Commerce Departments rules for spending the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, but criticized some aspects of the regulations that will make it hard for cities to build broadband projects.

In a statement and press briefing at the Mountain Connect conference here, officials representing the association said that the $42.5 billion in spending under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program will go a long way to address the high-speed broadband access and equity gaps plaguing American communities.

The group is chaired by Angela Imming, who is responsible for a municipal broadband project in Highland, Illinois. The other four officers of the organization represent cities of Kitsap, Washington, Traverse City, Michigan, UTOPIA Fiber in Utah, and the town of Ridgefield, Connecticut.

The statement and press conference were conducted by Kim McKinley, UTOPIA Fibers chief marketing officer and secretary of AAPB, and Bob Knight, a commissioner of economic and community development in Ridgefield and a member of the AAPB board.

But AAPB, a new lobbying group that aims to represent the interest of municipalities seeking to build high-capacity broadband, also highlighted many problems.

But we cant take a victory lap quite yet, said McKinley and Knight on behalf of the group. In particular, these challenges include a cumbersome application process with a letter-of-credit requirement which serve as steep barriers to entry for local government, nonprofits, and small ISPs.

Additionally, the multi-year rollout of BEAD funds leaves many high-speed broadband projects out in the cold, limiting the options for those deploying prior to 2024.

Referring to comments that Alan Davidson, administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said earlier on Tuesday, the group said, We were pleased to hear Assistant Secretary Davidson say at Mountain Connect today that more refinement will be necessary and that the NTIA team is on the case. We look forward to working with NTIA to ensure that the interests of local, regional, and state entities are heard and acted upon.

The association was first announced on May 4 at the Broadband Communities Summit, and the group provided updates on its progress on Tuesday.

In the three weeks since the associations announcement, the organization said that $200,000 had been raised from the equipment vendor and non-profit community.

The group now has an advocacy and policy group that is working with federal and state leaders to advance the interests of municipal broadband, an education group, and a membership group.

See the original post here:

New Public Broadband Association Criticizes NTIA Rules, Boasts Strong Start for New Group - BroadbandBreakfast.com

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St. Louis alt-rock outfit sexdad.

"I've basically been living here," Bautz tells me as we head up the stairs of Utopia Studios in Shaw. The industrial sized building used to be a tobacco warehouse, and on the fourth floor the band has their practice space.

Bautz facilitates a quick round of introductions: Andy Lewis on lead guitar, Blake Hahn on bass and Jack Kohler on drums.

Each member has previously been in or is currently in any number of bands. But, like a couple that's planned a weeks-long trip together or just split the cost of a couch, they all seem certain that this band, sexdad, is "the one."

Afterward, Kohler and Bautz exchange looks, and it's clear to everyone in the room except me that the drummer is looking for some feedback.

"This is the only time they'll take me seriously because there's an observer," Bautz jokes, referring to my presence. He goes on to tell Kohler he's "giving away the rock n' roll" a bit too much in the song.

Kohler knows exactly what this means and seems to take it to heart. Later, the drummer references a secret language it feels like he shares with his bandmates when they are really clicking, which they have been more often than not as of late.

"I wouldn't be in a band called sexdad if we didn't have camaraderie," Lewis says.

The ridiculousness of the band's name seems to weigh a little on Bautz. The jokey name, for some, might undercut the bands and Bautzs serious intentions. Apparently, though, his mom is one of the name's biggest defenders. So at least there's that.

"And people remember it," he says.

Jessica Rogen

Frontman Adam Bautz peeks out from the audience at sexdad's show at the Heavy Anchor.

A few songs later in what has turned into a private concert, they play "Congratulations." During the verses Lewis plays a noodly lead guitar that proves to be a sleight of hand when the band hits the tight, staccato chorus that sounds from an entirely different decade than Young. But then, just as quickly, they're back to Young for the verse. The different sounds congeal nicely though and to my surprise, as much as this band of early 20-somethings talks about who they want to sound like they've concocted a style of their own.

As if reading my mind, Bautz says a few minutes later, "The last record was me deciding I didn't mind just copying other people's styles entirely. I would say, like, OK, this one's the Beatles song. This one's the Stones song. And then really, I don't know these songs feel a lot like my songs actually. Which is exciting."

Before moving their operation over to Utopia, sexdad used to practice in the basement of Bautz's mom's apartment building. But, as Lewis says, "Unfortunately the neighbors directly upstairs weren't Adam's mom."

As Bautz tells it, "We were in the middle of recording a song for the record, and I think it must have been really irritating because the same single instrument was playing the same thing over and over. Then we hear this stomping noise followed by 'Shut. The. Fuck Up!'"

Later, my feeling that the band has crafted its own sound is doubly confirmed when Bautz plays me a recording of "A New Dawn in St. Louis," which based on its name sounds like it would be corny as hell but is a total ear worm.

The song starts with some ambient keys and a subdued, groovy bass. Guitar comes in for the anti-anthem refrain as Bautz sings, "It's a new dawn in St. Louis. No!" Coming on the heels of the vocal is a viola and what Bautz says is a poorly played clavichord and a fake french horn.

The tune is lo-fi but truly catchy. Imagine a song that would play over a PSA put out by St. Louis's tourism board. Now imagine if the tourism board asked Handsome Boy Modeling School and Guided by Voices to co-compose the track.

He says I'll just have to wait and see.

Over the next week, I listen to the track a couple times a day. There's a tendency with earworms that what originally made the song feel special can start to grate with too many repeated listens, which does not happen with this track. "New Dawn in St. Louis" is the perfect mix of strange and catchy thats hard to achieve.

The following week, sexdad prepares to play a show at the Heavy Anchor in front of an enthusiastic crowd of about 30 youngins. Before they take the stage, I ask Bautz if they're going to play "New Dawn."

"Did you bring your viola?" he asks.

I put my hand in my pocket and, finding neither the viola nor the know-how required to play one, shrug in response.

"Then I'm afraid not tonight."

The show rocks anyway.

sexdad's new untitled album is forthcoming. You can find their catalog on Spotify, Apple Music and most other streaming platforms.

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St. Louis Alt-Rock Band Sexdad's New Single is a Total Earworm - Riverfront Times

Sandra Newman has made her name writing apocalyptic fiction. For her latest novel, she delves into a sub-genre of fantasy where all the men die or disappear, leaving the women to create a utopian society.

Im always surprised most people have not heard of this basic premise, which dominated feminist science-fiction for a long time, she says of The Men, her eighth book, and fifth novel.

The action starts when everyone with a Y chromosome vanishes in a flash. Chaos ensues: planes drop out of the sky, patients are abandoned mid-operation, and even foetuses vanish from wombs but slowly, the women left behind get to grips with their new reality. The plot focuses on Jane Pearson, who as a teenager was groomed by an older man into having sex with underage boys.

The book is very much a response to a conversation that has been going on about the shortcomings of feminism, and white feminism and the degree to which women have been complicit in the crimes of men, says Newman, 56, when we meet in the rented London flat in which she is staying with her husband.

Newman, who lives in New York and was longlisted for the Womens Prize for her third novel, The Country of Ice Cream Star, wrote The Men as the pandemic unfolded. The kind of sad utopia [that emerges] is based on aspects of pandemic society in Manhattan that were strangely utopian, the fact that streets were suddenly free from cars and everyone was living outside and talking to each other.

With everyone with a Y chromosome disappearing, those remaining include cis women and trans men, which leaves the novel open to criticism for its focus on biology.

I personally have no opinion about whether there are any essential biological qualities of the sexes. I dont think we really know, says the author, but you cant pretend theres no social conditioning. Thats very real.

Despite the title, Newman wanted to explore what constitutes a perfect society rather than to interrogate the qualities of gender.

I was constantly trying to have a realistic contemporary representation of gender without having it turn into a book that was entirely about transphobia, and it turned out to be really remarkably difficult to do that, she says. In a world with only one biological sex, trans people become much more important and potentially treated even worse than they are now.

Newman feels like a novelist for ever on the cusp of a commercial hit. Could The Men be The One? Its topical and I think the premise theoretically could be commercial, but its also problematic and too morally ambiguous to be really commercial.

One challenge for Newman is that however fantastic the narratives she conjures are, it is hard to overshadow her own life story, detailed in her 2010 memoir Changeling. Skirting over events feels wrong such as her adoptive mother taking her own life when Newman was 13, being raped, working as a prostitute, or her birth father hiring a private detective to find her before dropping her again a few years later but so does dwelling on them, given her current views on autobiography.

I feel guilty about every form of memoir Ive ever written, she says. She has vowed to avoid any more personal essays: Female writers are encouraged to write about themselves more than men. And I really wonder about it.

Given her penchant for dystopia, it is apt that she is next tackling a contemporary retelling of Nineteen Eighty-Four, reimagining the story from the perspective of Winston Smiths lover Julia. There is a lot of political material that is relevant to the present day and the different meaning of double-think.

She would like to attempt a more realistic novel, but is wary of creeping back towards autobiography. I feel culpable for my version of my life, and thats an experience that comes out of writing memoir and having people be angry or hurt by it, she says. Maybe you cant write from someone elses perspective without getting something wrong, but you cant even write from your own perspective without getting something so wrong that you hurt someone. I think there is no way to write without it being criminal.

YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND By Deena Mohamed

Shes Egyptian and its a really amazing science-fantasy graphic novel set in a world where you can buy wishes.

THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE By Robert Louis Stevenson

My ex-husband bought it for me.

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Sandra Newman on The Men: 'There is no way to write without it being criminal' - iNews

It's been 50 years since the first Rainbow Gathering took place in Colorado. Since then, the notoriously private meetups have swelled in number and attracted people from all over the world to indulge in intimate human connections.

To coincide with this half-centennial, photographer Joth Shakerley has released a self-published book that documents the beautiful, tender moments of real human connection at Rainbow Gatherings. Shot in atmospheric black and white, the collection of hand-printed photos is a rare glimpse into these magical utopias and healing spaces.

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

Titled RAINBOW, the book is currently open for backers on Kickstarter. Decades in the making, it represents 36 years of hard work as Joth carefully integrated himself into the camera-adverse gatherings to snap moments that come and go in a flash. Not only that, but Joth has also gone to great effort to ensure that everyone presented in the book has given their explicit permission to be captured on film.

Having first discovered Rainbow Gatherings at the age of 20 while visiting the Hari Krishna temple in Los Angeles with friends, Joth was immediately won over by the energy of these uninhibited congregations. "It completely changed my life," he reveals. "It was just like wow, this is an extraordinary kind of utopia in the middle of nature where there are no rules.

"As you arrive, you climb up this hill trail and are greeted with 'welcome home welcome home', and you get massive hugs from everyone. Every Rainbow Gathering, all through the hills, you hear people calling 'we love you all, welcome home'. And you're very much welcome, so everyone who comes here is welcomed with love and hugs."

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

Welcoming though they may be to people, Rainbow Gatherings are notoriously private, meaning that on most occasions, photography is forbidden. Joth managed to work around this, though, by getting an explicit invitation to take a picture from his subjects. It also helped that, to begin with, his photographs were taken on FM, manual cameras instead of digital models, which have the potential to share and reproduce images much more easily.

"It's all about respecting each other," Joth explains. "So the rules on photography, from the very first gathering, were that if you could see someone's face, you need to ask their permission. Otherwise, it was okay.

"The truth is, I don't go as a photographer. I go very much for me," Joth adds. "And I go first of all to heal, be free, and be in nature. And secondly, as a photographer, I think if I went as a journalist, I know that I would get nothing. I didn't want to go and tell the story. The photos that I've taken are almost like individual shared moments where I know that I've got consent, where I know that I'm with friends and that it's okay to be completely present in the moment and conscious."

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

This sensitivity and awareness have clearly paid off because people's reaction to the photos has been universally lovely. People have even found themselves in photographs shared years later via Joth's Instagram account and got in touch to share their positive feedback.

"There's a lovely story of one lovely couple I photographed in Croatia," says Joth. "I bumped into her three years later, and she explained that she and her boyfriend had broken up. But when I approached her via Instagram to use the picture, she explained to me that after she saw the love they had for each other in the photo, they got back together. They've got two small children now.

"That's nothing to do with me, though. That's just synchronicity. And I was lucky that I found her and lucky that I actually had a picture. So yes, sometimes there are some lovely things that happen as a result of those moments being captured."

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

As for the decision to shoot in black and white over the 36 years, rather than changing the look of the photos to reflect the advances in camera technology, Joth says it was a deliberate choice that tied the images together.

"What I love about black and white shoots is that they become a bit timeless," he explains. "When you photograph Rainbow gatherings, you imagine that everyone is wearing colourful clothes. But in black and white, you can imagine that people from the 1970s are in the present day. Colour always dictates the history of the time we're in. Because you can't see the colours, no one really knows when or where these photographs come from."

The layout of the book also helps to bring the generations of photos together and presents them in the best light possible. " I put very little text in the book," says Joth. "There's a little bit with all the dates, which I put in the back of the book, but I wanted each picture to kind of stand out on its own and just be a reminder that they belong to all of us and show what we have within ourselves."

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

From the series Rainbow Gatherings Rainbow Gatherings

Speaking of why now is the right time to release the photos in book form, Joth adds that there's more to it than the fact that this year is the 50th anniversary of the first Rainbow Gathering. "I feel that people are kind of waking up, and I feel that it's a really fun time to be alive," he says. " I just think I feel great shifts are happening all over the planet."

Fuelled by the pandemic, Joth claims that this awakening is the result of a societal pause. "I think it's a really important time to bring this book out because it's spreading a message of mindfulness and healing. I'm hoping that the images will remind people to be kind to themselves and kind to others. And maybe it will bring more playfulness into our lives."

RAINBOW is currently open for backing on Kickstarter. You can get involved and secure your copy by pledging here.

Continue reading here:

Rainbow Gatherings: Joth Shakerley captures rarely seen human connections in new photo book - Creative Boom

9122 Wood Creek Cir, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Minutes from the action, almost brand-new and with an enclosed back porch set-up you may never want to leave, 9122 Wood Creek Circle induces all the wows!

Built in 2019 by Ryan Homes, the residence follows the builders prized Allegheny floor plan. In total, youll find four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and modern, open living spaces. And, yes, there is a fully finished basement, too!

Lees Parke is the community here and there are amenities aplenty including a community pool, playgrounds, tennis courts and fitness center. Among the original owners favorite perks are the wonderful sidewalks that flow throughout the neighborhood.

Beyond the community talk about a stellar location! Cosners Corner, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, I-95 (Massaponax exit) and the Spotsylvania VRE station are within a 10-minute drive. Downtown Fredericksburg is just 15 minutes north.

The homes private lot includes a white picket fence-clad backyard. Note the pea gravel area that may easily be morphed into a firepit space with surrounding chairs. The screened-in back porch (a $40,000+ upgrade!) with Trex Transcend decking is a showstopper and is the homes own private utopia for lounging and/or entertaining. Additional highlights of the back porch include a ceiling fan, cocktail railing for holding beverages, LED-lit stairs and a concrete pad underneath (hello, storage space!).Out front, a driveway leads to the homes automatic two-car garage with epoxy flooring.

Inside the sage with black shutter colonial, the upgrades show. Luxury vinyl plank flooring, neutral colors, and natural light flow throughout its entirety. Beyond the entry foyer and half bath, the living area has a fireplace with cable hook-up above for the coziest of evenings. The adjacent dining area and kitchen are right there, too. Kitchen highlights include upgraded and top-of-the-line white cabinetry, granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Off the kitchen and en route to the garage is a mud room.

Four bedrooms and two baths await upstairs. The primary bedroom is spacious with a roomy walk-in closet and dazzling ensuite bath, complete with his-and-her sinks, tile flooring and a stand-up shower. Of the additional three bedrooms, one may easily serve as a home office and all are carpeted! Rounding out the upstairs is the laundry room with hook-up for machinery and a small linen closet inside. The final bathroom has a tub/shower combo and single sink.

The basement is fully finished with an open recreation room as its anchor. Last year, the owners finished a storage room for that much more wiggle room and flexible space! Additional components include a full bath with walk-in shower, extended storage area under the stairs and a walk-up exit.

All the homes core systems HVAC and hot water heater are in like-new condition.

So, how much did the original owners love 9122 Wood Creek Circle? They got married here! Youre sure to fall in love with its layout, convenience, and that dreamy back porch, too!

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Home of the Week: This luxurious colonial is freshly upgraded with a dreamy new back porch. - Fredericksburg Today

Nine projectsselected in Final Production Funding Round of Te PunaKairangi.

A total of nine film and television projectshave been offered funding in the final round of Te PunaKairangi Premium Productions for International AudiencesFund, which is administered by Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga| TheNew Zealand Film Commission.

Among the diverseprojects is a family fantasy feature film written anddirected by the highly successful New Zealand filmmakerAndrew Niccol (Gattaca, The Truman Show), a thrillertelevision drama series based in Christchurch, a featurefilm with strong te reo Mori content and a childrensanimation series.

The $25 million investment is thefinal instalment from the $50m Fund, set up to support theAotearoa New Zealand production sectors recovery fromCOVID-19.

Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air will contributea further $4.8 million towards six of the projects whichmeet their funding requirements, explains NZ On Air ChiefExecutive Cameron Harland. These high-quality productionsrepresent how culturally unique Aotearoa is and have thepotential for strong international reach. Given the calibreof the projects on the table, NZ On Air has allocatedadditional funds from its NZ Media Fund to ensure we get asmany premium series funded as possible. Te Puna Kairangi hasbeen a brilliant, cross-agency initiative."

Te MngaiPho CEO, Larry Parr agrees the collaboration between threefunding agencies has been highly successful and providesclear evidence that it is a model which should be continued.Ko ng hua e puta nei i roto i te mahi ngtahitangi oTe Puna Kairangi te taunaki kia haere tonu ai tneiwhakaritenga m nga r e haere ake nei. This kaupapa issymbolic of the well-known whakatauk, Ehara taku toa ite toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini- success comesfrom the work of many not an individual.

This finalproduction funding round received 20 eligible applicationsseeking a total of nearly $64 million. Applications wereassessed against the five key objectives of the fund whichare: to boost economic growth, increase employment, createcultural benefit, respond to COVID-19 with speed to marketand develop skills and capability.

Funding decisionswere made by a panel which has members from Te Tumu WhakaataTaonga (New Zealand Film Commission), Irirangi Te Motu (NZOn Air) and Te Mngai Pho and independent Chair ChristinaMilligan.We are delighted with the projects we havebeen able to fund, says Ms Milligan. There were manyother impressive applications that we were unfortunatelyunable to support with the finite funding available. Te PunaKairangi has demonstrated the depth of talent and ambitionin New Zealands screen sector, and it would be great tocreate further opportunities to support more projects ofthis nature.

Mladen Ivancic acting CEO of TeTumu Whakaata Taonga | New Zealand Film Commission saysacross three production funding rounds Te Puna Kairangi hassupported a total of 16 productions. These projectsrepresent an anticipated collective spend of over $154million in a range of locations around the country, with anestimated spend on local jobs of over $90 million.International investment in these projects is over $51million.

The final instalment of investment fundingincludes funds returned from the first fundinground.

$2 million was also invested in the developmentof 26 diverse screen projects which will provide furtherproduction opportunities in the years to come.

In thisfinal production funding round of Te Puna Kairangi,conditional offers have been made to nine projects:

1.After the Party (Drama Series 6 x 43min) *Pennysworld implodes when she accuses her husband of a sex crime,and nobody believes her. Five years later, she must decidewhats more important the truth, or rebuilding herrelationship with her daughter.Production Co: LuminousBeast & Lingo PicturesProducers: Helen Bowden, PeterSalmonWriter: Dianne TaylorDirector: PeterSalmon

2. Babylon (Feature Film)A Mori warriorpriest comes to the lawless whaling settlement of Babylon torecover his fathers stolen head. A sons love soonbecomes a threat to the towns villainousmayoress.Production Co: VendettaProductionsProducers: Jill Macnab, James Brown, TainuiStephensWriter/Director: Glenn Standring

3.Badjelly (Animation series 13 x 22 min) *When siblingsTim and Rose enter the nearby woods in search of theirbeloved cow Lucy, they must team up with the weird andwonderful forest-folk to confront a malevolent forceterrorising the valley, known as Badjelly.Production Co:Mukpuddy LtdProducers: Simon Ward, Roger Shakes, CarthewNealWriter/Directors: Ryan Cooper, Alex Leighton &Tim Evans

4. Creamerie (season 2) (Drama Series 6 x22min) *Team Creamerie flees Hiro Valley and sets off onan epic road trip to save male survivors, bring Lane tojustice and uncover the truth about the pandemic. But tosave mankind, theyve first got to save theirfriendship.Production Co: Creamerie Ltd (Kevin and Co& Flat3), Tony Ayres ProductionsProducers:Bronwynn Bakker, Roseanne Liang, JJ Fong, Ally Xue, PerlinaLauDirector: Roseanne LiangWriters: Roseanne Liang,Dan Musgrove

5. Dark City The Cleaner (DramaSeries 6 x 50 min) *Joe Middleton is the cleaner atChristchurchs Central Police Station. Everyone thinks Joeis not very smart. The Police are looking for a serialkiller who has seven victims. Joe knows he has killed six.He is going to find out who did the seventh and frame themfor all the murders.Production Co: Endeavour VenturesLtdProducers: John Barnett, Chloe SmithWriters: PaulCleave, Rachel Lang, Simone NathanDirector: RickJacobson

6. Escaping Utopia (Documentary Series 3 x 45min)What if your entire life was based onlies?Production Co: Warner Bros. InternationalTelevision Production NZProducers: Natalie Malcon,Philippa RennieDirectors: Justin Pemberton, NatalieMalcon, Michelle Savill

7. I,Object (Featurefilm)I,Object follows Tom, a grief-stricken 10-year-oldboy who has drifted into a world of imagination after thedeath of his father. Misunderstood by everyone, Tom startsforming unusual friendships with the faces he sees ineveryday objects. Soon everything from his alarm clock, popcans, and even the kitchen sink begin helping him accept hisloss and reconnect with the humans around him.ProductionCo: Southern Light Films & Good QuestionMediaProducers: Timothy White, Daniel Bekerman, ChrisYurkovich, Alex OrdanisWriter/Director: AndrewNiccol

8. Madame Mom (Drama Series 10 x half hour)*An all-American Mom finds herself divorced, unemployedand pregnant in small-town New Zealand and starts an ethicalbrothel to survive.Production Co: Tavake LtdWriters:Shoshana McCallum, Harry McNaughtonProducers: Tom Hern,Halaifonua Finau, Crystal Vaega

9. The Panthers(season 2) (Drama Series 6 x 44 min) *ThePolynesian Panthers are in a new chapter of their lives; nowjuggling young families and jobs in the capitalist world,working for The Man. But the revolution waits for noone. This season our young radicals are called to stand upand support their Mori brothers and sisters, as they questto reclaim their language, culture and the land that wastaken from beneath them.Production Co: TavakeLtdProducers: Nicole Horan, CrystalVaegaWriters: Halaifonua Finau, Tom Hern, BecsArahangaExecutive Producers: Tom Hern, HalaifonuaFinau

* Each of these projects qualified for theadditional funding of $800,00 from NZ OnAir.

Link:

The World Will Soon Be Seeing More Of New Zealand On Screen | Scoop News - Scoop

Glastonbury Festival have announced the full line-up and stage times for their 2022 festival see all you need to know below.

After being cancelled due to COVID in both 2020 and 2021, the Worthy Farm festival will make its long-awaited return from June 22-26, with Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar set to headline the Pyramid Stage.

In recent weeks, the festival have been announcing line-ups stage by stage, with the 2022 line-up for their West Holts Stage confirmed last week, withLittle Simz,Risn MurphyandBicepheadlining.

The Park, Block9, Croissant Neuf,Acoustic Stage,Glade,Common,Left FieldandShangri-La areas have also previously shared their full schedules.

The full schedule for Glastonbury 2022 is now available on the festivals website here, with details of stage times and what stage each act will be performing on also revealed.

On the festivals Friday night, Sam Fender will play on the Pyramid Stage before Billie Eilish headlines, while the Other Stage will be headlined on the same evening by Foals. That morning, The Libertines will open the festival with an Other Stage with a set starting at 11.30am.

Haim and Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds will play before Paul McCartney on Saturday, with Megan Thee Stallion on the Other Stage and Jamie T topping the John Peel Stage bill, while Sunday will see Kendrick Lamars headline set preceded by Lorde. Pet Shop Boys will headline the Other Stage.

See the full Glastonbury 2022 line-up, stage by stage, below.

Billie Eilish performs at Coachella 2022. CREDIT: Jenn Five/NME

FRIDAY

BILLIE EILISH: 22:15 23:45SAM FENDER: 20:15 21:15ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS: 18:15 19:30WOLF ALICE: 16:45 17:45CROWDED HOUSE: 15:15 16:15RUFUS WAINWRIGHT: 13:45 14:45ZIGGY MARLEY: 12:15 13:15

SATURDAY

PAUL MCCARTNEY: 21:30 23:45NOEL GALLAGHERS HIGH FLYING BIRDS: 19:15 20:30HAIM: 17:30 18:30AJ TRACEY: 16:00 16:45EASY LIFE: 14:30 15:30JOY CROOKES: 13:15 14:00LES AMAZONES DAFRIQUE: 12:00 12:45

SUNDAY

KENDRICK LAMAR: 21:45 23:15LORDE: 19:30 20:45ELBOW: 17:45 18:45DIANA ROSS: 16:00 17:15HERBIE HANCOCK: 14:00 15:00DAKHABRAKHA: 12:45 13:30BLACK DYKE BAND: 11:30 12:15

Megan Thee Stallion goes up against Paul McCartney on Saturday night. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella.

FRIDAY

FOALS: 22:30 23:45ST VINCENT: 20:30 21:30IDLES: 18:45 19:45SUPERGRASS: 17:15 18:15FIRST AID KIT: 15:45 16:45BLOSSOMS: 14:15 15:15KAE TEMPEST: 13:00 13:45THE LIBERTINES: 11:30 12:30

SATURDAY

MEGAN THEE STALLION: 22:30 23:45BURNA BOY: 20:30 21:30OLIVIA RODRIGO: 18:45 19:45GLASS ANIMALS: 17:15 18:15METRONOMY: 15:45 16:45SKUNK ANANSIE: 14:15 15:15TEMS: 13:00 13:45HAK BAKER: 11:45 12:30

SUNDAY

PET SHOP BOYS: 21:45 23:15YEARS & YEARS: 19:45 20:45KACEY MUSGRAVES: 18:00 19:00FONTAINES DC: 16:30 17:30DECLAN MCKENNA: 15:00 16:00LIANNE LA HAVAS: 13:30 14:30SEA GIRLS: 12:15 13:00KOJEY RADICAL: 11:00 11:45

Little Simz will headline the West Holts Stage. Credit: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage.

FRIDAY

LITTLE SIMZ: 22:15 23:45BONOBO: 20:30 21:30SEUN KUTI & EGYPT 80: 19:00 20:00TLC: 17:30 18:30SLEAFORD MODS: 16:00 17:00GREENTEA PENG: 14:30 15:30AROOJ AFTAB: 13:00 14:00NUBIYAN TWIST: 11:30 12:30

SATURDAY

ROISIN MURPHY: 22:15 23:45CARIBOU: 20:30 21:30LEON BRIDGES: 19:00 20:00CELESTE: 17:30 18:30YVES TUMOR: 16:15 17:00BLACK MIDI: 14:45 15:45BRASS AGAINST: 13:15 14:15KIKAGAKU MOYO: 11:30 12:30

SUNDAY

BICEP: 21:45 23:15ANGELIQUE KIDJO: 20:00 21:00KOFFEE: 18:30 19:30SNARKY PUPPY: 17:00 18:00NUBYA GARCIA: 15:30 16:30NIGHTMARES ON WAX: 14:00 15:00EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY: 12:30 13:30ISHMAEL ENSEMBLE: 11:00 12:00

Phoebe Bridgers plays the John Peel Stage on Friday night. Credit: Erika Goldring/WireImage.

FRIDAY

PRIMAL SCREAM: 22:30 23:45THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN: 21:00 22:00PHOEBE BRIDGERS: 19:30 20:30SIGRID: 18:00 19:00GIRL IN RED: 16:30 17:30INHALER: 15:15 16:00GRIFF: 14:00 14:45BAD BOY CHILLER CREW: 12:45 13:30ENGLISH TEACHER: 11:30 12:15

SATURDAY

JAMIE T: 22:30 23:45YUNGBLUD: 21:00 22:00GHETTS: 19:30 20:30PA SALIEU: 18:00 19:00BEABADOOBEE: 16:30 17:30SELF ESTEEM: 15:15 16:00HOLLY HUMBERSTONE: 14:00 14:45ENNY: 12:45 13:30GO_A: 11:30 12:15

SUNDAY

CHARLI XCX: 21:30 22:45LITTLE DRAGON: 20:00 21:00TURNSTILE: 18:30 19:30AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS: 17:00 18:00CLAIRO: 15:30 16:30TBC: 14:00 15:00SPORTS TEAM: 12:30 13:30JUST MUSTARD: 11:15 12:00

Wet Leg are playing the Park Stage at their debut Glastonbury. Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images.

FRIDAY

FOUR TET: 23:00 00:15KHRUANGBIN: 21:15 22:15SAINT ETIENNE: 19:45 20:45ARLO PARKS: 18:15 19:15DRY CLEANING: 16:45 17:45CONFIDENCE MAN: 15:15 16:15WET LEG: 14:00 14:45ORLANDO WEEKS: 12:45 13:30MATILDA MANN: 11:30 12:10

SATURDAY

JESSIE WARE: 23:00 00:15MITSKI: 21:15 22:15THE AVALANCHES: 19:45 20:45BIG THIEF: 18:15 19:15SQUID: 16:45 17:45SAMPA THE GREAT: 15:15 16:15GABRIELS: 14:00 14:45KATY J PEARSON: 12:45 13:30YASMIN WILLIAMS: 11:30 12:10

SUNDAY

COURTNEY BARNETT: 21:15 22:30JARV IS: 19:45 20:45TBC: 18:15 19:15CAROLINE POLACHEK: 16:30 17:30CATE LE BON: 15:15 16:00WARMDUSCHER: 14:00 14:45BIG JOANIE: 12:45 13:30DEEP THROAT CHOIR: 11:30 12:15

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott will headline the Acoustic Stage. Credit: Christie Goodwin/Redferns via Getty Images.

FRIDAY

PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOTT: 21:30 23:00THE UNDERTONES: 20:00 21:00HOTHOUSE FLOWERS: 18:30 19:30BRIAN KENNEDY: 17:25 18:10MARY COUGHLAN: 16:25 17:05THE MARIACHIS: 15:30 16:10IRISH MYTHEN: 14:30 15:10PAVEY ARK: 13:40 14:20ROSEANNE REID: 12:45 13:25NOVELTY ISLAND: 12:00 12:30

SATURDAY

THE WATERBOYS: 21:30 23:00RICHARD THOMPSON: 20:00 21:00SCOUTING FOR GIRLS: 18:30 19:30TONY CHRISTIE: 17:30 18:15CHRIS DIFFORD: 16:30 17:15GRAINNE DUFFY: 15:30 16:15LAURA VEIRS: 14:30 15:10KATHERINE PRIDDY: 13:40 14:2049TH & MAIN: 12:45 13:25TOM WEBBER BEST DEMO OF THE YEAR: 12:00 12:30

SUNDAY

SUZANNE VEGA: 21:30 23:00THE SHIRES: 20:00 21:00THE BOOTLEG BEATLES: 18:30 19:30FISHERMANS FRIENDS: 17:30 18:15TERRY REID: 16:30 17:15DAMIEN DEMPSEY: 15:30 16:15ERROL LINTON: 14:30 15:10CHLOE FOY: 13:40 14:20LEWIS MCLAUGHLIN EMERGING TALENT COMPETITION WINNER: 12:45 13:25MEGAN MCKENNA: 12:00 12:30

Sugababes are headlining the Avalon Stage on Friday night. Credit: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Land Securities.

FRIDAY

THE DAMNED: 23:05 00:20SUGABABES: 21:35 22:35NICK MULVEY: 20:05 21:05OH MY GOD! ITS THE CHURCH: 18:35 19:35TANITA TIKARAM: 17:05 18:05THE WAR & TREATY: 15:40 16:35BASKERY: 14:15 15:10HOBO JONES & THE JUNKYARD DOGS: 13:00 13:50

SATURDAY

THE HOOSIERS: 23:05 00:15LAMB: 21:35 22:35WARD THOMAS: 20:05 21:05DR. JOHN COOPER CLARKE: 18:25 19:40TOM ROBINSON BAND: 17:05 18:05MOLOTOV JUKEBOX: 15:35 16:35GRACE PETRIE: 14:05 15:05THE LONGEST JOHNS: 12:40 13:35NIA WYN: 11:30 12:10

SUNDAY

THE DUALERS: 22:50 23:50IMELDA MAY: 21:20 22:20ORLA GARTLAND: 19:50 20:50MCFLY: 18:20 19:20KATE RUSBY: 16:50 17:50P.P. ARNOLD: 15:20 16:20PEAT & DIESEL: 13:55 14:50FERRIS & SYLVESTER: 12:35 13:30CITIZENS OF THE WORLD CHOIR: 11:30 12:10

Saturday nights Left Field line-up is topped by Yard Act. Credit: Burak Cingi/Redferns.

FRIDAY

BILLY BRAGG: 21:00 22:00JAMIE WEBSTER: 19:30 20:30DYLAN JOHN THOMAS: 18:00 19:00BROOKE COMBE: 17:00 17:45RADICAL ROUND UP WITH BILLY BRAGG WILL VARLEY, LADY NADE, KELLEY SWINDALL: 15:00 16:30DEBATES: NEURODIVERSITY THE FIGHT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WITH CARLY JONES MBE, CHRIS PACKHAM, SIENA CASTELLON, MAHLIA AMATINA, JOHN HARRIS: 13:30 14:30DEBATES: SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE WITH EMMA GRAHAM-HARRISON, MINNIE RAHMAN, TOM BURGIS, UKRANIAN ACTIVIST, JOHN HARRIS: 12:00 13:00

SATURDAY

YARD ACT: 21:00 22:00BILLY NOMATES: 19:30 20:15KAM-BU: 18:15 18:45ASYLUMS: 17:00 17:45RADICAL ROUND UP WITH BILLY BRAGG SEB LOWE, TOM A. SMITH, JESS SILK: 15:00 16:30DEBATES: WHATS NEXT FOR THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY WITH KAM-BU, HARPREET KAUR PAUL, STOP CAMBO, REBECCA NEWSOM, SCARLETT WESTBROOK: 13:30 14:30DEBATES: STATE OF THE NATION: POLITICS IN CRISIS WITH ANDY BURNHAM, FRANCIS FOLEY, METE COBAN, SHAISTA AZIZ, JOHN HARRIS: 12:00 13:00

SUNDAY

YOLA: 21:00 22:00THE REGRETTES: 19:30 20:30THE MAGIC NUMBERS: 18:15 19:00LAS ADELITAS: 17:00 17:45RADICAL ROUND UP WITH BILLY BRAGG ROMEO STODART, YNES, TBA: 15:00 16:30DEBATES: BLACK LIVES MATTER AND BEYOND WITH COP WATCH, DR. REMI JOSEPH-SALISBURY, SISTERS UNCUT, KILL THE BILL, NASRA AYUB, RENI EDDO-LODGE: 12:00 13:00DEBATES: DEFYING THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS WITH ELLIE MAE OHAGEN, JACK MONROE, KWAJO TWENEBOA, ZARAH SULTANA MP, RENI EDDO-LODGE: 13:30 14:30

Annie Mac is playing The Glade at Glastonbury 2022. Credit: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images.

THURSDAY

CAMELPHAT: 00:25 02:25FRANKY WAH: 23:00 00:15SASHA: 21:20 22:50MARSHALL JEFFERSON: 19:40 21:10SYSTEM 7: 18:00 19:30

FRIDAY

JOHN DIGWEED: 00:40 02:55GONG: 23:00 00:30ANNIE MAC: 21:15 22:30EVA LAZARUS: 20:05 21:05DUB PISTOLS: 18:35 19:45DADDY G B2B NICK WARREN: 16:35 18:05EF: 15:35 16:20THE UTOPIA STRONG: 14:00 15:15

SATURDAY

RICHARD FEARLESS: 01:50 02:55ENGLISH DISCO LOVERS: 00:50 01:50ANDY C: 23:10 00:40NIA ARCHIVES: 22:00 23:00GENTLEMANS DUB CLUB: 20:50 21:50DON LETTS: 20:30 20:50GARDNA & FRIENDS FT DRS, CATCHING CAIRO, DON LETTS, JEM COOKE: 19:30 20:30HOLLIE COOK: 18:30 19:30DON LETTS: 18:00 18:30CARL COX & ERIC POWELLS MOBILE DISCO FT INCOGNITO: 14:00 18:00TONY ANDREWS ECLECTIC GROOVE: 13:00 14:00

SUNDAY

TBA: 00:10 01:30RUDIMENTAL SOUND SYSTEM: 22:45 00:00GOK WAN: 21:15 22:35CUT CAPERS: 20:00 21:00EMMANUEL JAL & NYARUACH: 18:30 19:30MAD PROFESSOR DUBS UP LEE SCRATCH PERRY: 16:30 18:00MARIA CHIARA ARGIR: 15:10 16:10CASSETTEBOY VS DJ RUBBISH: 14:00 14:50

Last week, Emily Eavis confirmed that single-use plastic drinks bottles will not be sold on-site at Glastonbury2022.

The festival first introduced the policy for their 2019 eventin a move that waspraised by Sir David Attenborough during his surprise appearance on the Pyramid Stagethat year.

Elsewhere, Glastonbury have teamed up with Notting Hill Carnival for a new collaboration in the Block9 area of the festival.

Read more from the original source:

Glastonbury Festival 2022: Full stage times and line-up - NME

Current history-making events such as the COVID-19 pandemic reveal the interdependence of our global economy and raise a red flag to the vulnerabilities of an increasingly interconnected world. Significant global challenges lie ahead, ones in which researchers in both academia and industry are in a unique position to contribute their intellectual capital, engage in a dialogue with society, and leverage their international collaborations for science diplomacy.

The challenges of an interconnected world are so complex that it requires alliances between all forces of goodwill to tackle them. In this context, there is a growing recognition in scientific communities around the world that science-based diplomacy could build bridges and decisively improve problem-solving at many levels.

Until the pandemic, scientists rarely occupied a seat at the table when it came to public policy-making. Epidemiologists and computational evolutionists, were suddenly in high demand as government advisers and media spokespeople. And the value of science was in evidence elsewhere. Researchers at ETH Zurich developed, nearly overnight, a low-cost DIY ventilator to address a global shortage, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Computer scientists in Switzerland developed a COVID contact tracing app with such convincing, high-level privacy protocols that even Apple and Google were inspired to integrate it into their respective operating systems. Entrepreneurs such as HeiQ went public focusing on filling gaps in the global market for antiviral and antibacterial textiles.

As a physicist, I have dedicated my life to observing the phenomena of nature, contemplating its meaning from multiple perspectives and testing its limits skills that also serve me well in my current function. From this perspective, I admired the ingenuity of the researchers with whom I work, and how they rolled up their sleeves in a time of crisis. I felt inspired and energized by the collective efforts of scientists around the world; efforts that would not have been possible without decades of investment in fundamental research and the freedom to collaborate within the framework of well-established international networks such as the EU Horizon programmes.

The pandemic revealed however a worrisome gap in the understanding and acceptance of science in various segments of society. It manifested in the form of vaccine hesitancy fuelled, in part, by misinformation and misunderstanding. While the silos of academia might be part of the problem, the scientific community is also well-positioned to create and foster an open dialogue between society through science diplomacy. I think the scientific community needs to do a better job in considering the social aspects of new technologies. The accelerated pace in which technology is emerging has also increased its complexity, making it difficult for people, and even some scientists, to follow. Researchers have a duty to consider the voices of society before embarking on new scientific streams.

Cycling is usually something I do on my own, but anyone who has tuned in to watch the Tour de France knows that serious bike racers, much like scientists, need to maintain discipline over a long haul, stay focused under pressure, and remain optimistic in the face of doubt. What you may not realise is that racers who ride together move faster and save energy expending an estimated 30% less energy than riding alone.

Collaboration is the backbone of science. In the early days of the pandemic, biochemists who spent decades dreaming about the potential of messenger RNA technology found themselves in a precipitous race to save humanity. Where they previously struggled to obtain research grants, a flash flood of funding and a singular global focus led to the development of a viable vaccine within just a few weeks of the release of one of the first SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences. The fact that this early genome sequence was ever released at all under political opposition is a testament to a long-standing collaboration between a Chinese scientist in Shanghai and British scientist in Sydney. After months of prudent testing, pharma companies delivered vaccines en masse in just over a year a process that might normally take up to a decade.

What enabled the accelerated delivery deemed too quick to be safe by sceptics was the decades of fundamental research into the potential of mRNA for vaccine efficacy, coupled with the vast established global research networks and collaborations. Foreign policy objectives could also benefit from scientific know-how and perspective. Diplomatic relations too could facilitate strategic international scientific collaborations; and science collaboration offers a new skill set for a more efficient and agile approach to diplomacy - 'science diplomacy'.

The future of innovation necessitates multidisciplinary, multilateral environments that attract and support talent. It is the next generations intellectual capital that will, at the very least, contribute to the knowledge economy; and, at the most, save the human species. Such an academic utopia is best achieved when the scientific community operates within the context of a common set of values and principles. Values form a foundation that help ensure an alliance of goodwill and foster trust between science and society. Scientists are on a quest for truth about how the world and the universe work. Their quest requires the freedom for open exchanges and the sharing of knowledge across geopolitical boundaries.

The Young Scientists Community, founded in 2008, brings together extraordinary rising-star scientists from various academic disciplines and geographies, all under the age of 40. Their mission is to help leaders engage with science and the role it plays in society.

The World Economic Forum trains and empowers Young Scientists to communicate cutting-edge research and champion evidence-based decision making, and in doing so, helps build a diverse global community of next-generation scientific leaders.

Each year, the Forum selects and onboards a new class of Young Scientists, adding to the growing 400+ alumni community. Meet the 2020 Young Scientists tackling the worlds most pressing challenges through scientific innovation. Get in touch to find out more about the community.

As a native of Switzerland, I appreciate the challenging environment of the mountains. Nature is a powerful teacher and offers us some of lifes most valuable lessons. When in the back country, planning, preparedness and situational awareness impact your experience. The same is true for science. It often takes small incremental steps and a commitment to your decision to achieve your goals. As important as it is to reach your goals; however, it is just as crucial to recognize the need to slow down, speak up, or reassess a risk. Shared values through science diplomacy define your partnerships; whether in the mountains or in science they can make all the difference. In difficult times, shared values bind people together.

Acknowledgements: Marianne Lucien and Roman Klingler for contributions and editing.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

See the rest here:

There's a greater role for science diplomacy amidst global collaborations - World Economic Forum