Canadian Stirling Hart Claims Victory At The Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Champions Trophy 2018 In Marseille

The Canadian Stirling Hart wins the Champions Trophy 2018. (PRNewsfoto/Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Series)

The 2018 Champions Ring goes to Canada. Stirling Hart claimed victory at the Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Champions Trophy in Marseille's Vieux Port. 

In front of 1,200 spectators in the sold out arena, the 28 year-old came out on top against eleven of the world's best logger sports athletes. 

In a thrilling final he defeated Jason Wynyard from New Zealand completing all four disciplines with axe and saw in a time of just 1:03.40 minutes. 

Mitch Argent from Australia came in third.

The reigning World Champion Jason Wynyard from New Zealand, here at the Single Buck, lost against Stirling Hart in the final. (PRNewsfoto/Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Series)

World-class logger sports action

"Last year I was so close to winning the Champions Trophy - that was going through my head the whole time," admitted Stirling Hart. "I am thrilled to have won. My focus is already on the next international competition. I will take a few days off to enjoy my win and then start preparing for the World Championship." 

Mitch Argent from Australia, here at the Stock Saw event, came in third. (PRNewsfoto/Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Series)

Mitch Argent, who finished third, posted a stunning time of 58.12 seconds in his quarter final - the fastest time of the day - but lost against Hart in his semi final. In the bronze medal match Argent came out on top against Martin Komarek from the Czech Republic, who was the best European athlete.

Behind Komarek were Michal Dubicki (Poland), Arden Cogar (USA), Pierre Puybaret (France), Ferry Svan (Sweden), Armin Kugler (Austria), Paolo Vicenzi (Italy), Simon Bond (Great Britain) and Andrea Rossi (Italy).

Thrilling knockout duels and nerves of steel
The competition format used at the Champions Trophy demands maximum endurance, precision and strength. Four axe and saw disciplines from the Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Series are completed back to back, with the winner of each duel progressing to the next round. 

The athletes must show absolute concentration in the chainsaw discipline Stock Saw, the axe event Underhand Chop, the Single Buck discipline featuring a one-man handsaw two metres in length and the Standing Block Chop.

Also on Saturday, eight of the world's best young logger sports athletes competed in the Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Rookie World Championship. Daniel Gurr from Australia came out on top ahead of Italy's Michael Del Pin in second place and Chas Haasfrom the USA.

⏩ The world's best athletes will next meet on 19 and 20 October 2018 at the Stihl TIMBERSPORTS World Championship in Liverpool, England.

About Stihl TIMBERSPORTS:
The Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Series is an international extreme sports competition series. Its roots lie in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Springboard, Underhand Chop and Standing Block Chop are the classic axe disciplines; Single Buck (single-man cross-cut saw), Stock Saw (standard chainsaw) and Hot Saw (tuned, customized chainsaw with up to 80 horsepower) see athletes compete against each other and the clock. 

⏩ For more information visit: stihl-timbersports.com

SOURCE: Stihl TIMBERSPORTS Series

The Video:

MHz Networks Announces The Release Of 'Spiral' ('Engrenages') Season 6

Caroline Proust (Laure Berthaud) in 'Spiral' Season 6.

On Tuesday June 5, 2018 MHz Networks will premiere Spiral: Season 6 on their streaming service, MHz Choice.

Originally released in France as Engrenages, the hard-hitting Parisian cop thriller Spiral became a critically acclaimed blockbuster success across Europe and Australia and won the International Emmy Award for Best Drama. 

'Spiral' Season 6 - Captain Laure Berthaud and her team

BAFTA nominee Caroline Proust returns as Captain Laure Berthaud, as she and her team begin a complex new investigation after a human torso is discovered in the 20th arrondissement in Paris. 

'Spiral' Season 6 - Thierry Godard as Lt. Gilles "Gilou" Escoffier

'Spiral' Season 6 - Fred Bianconi as Captain Frédéric "Tintin" Fromentin

Backed up by her team of detectives including Thierry Godard as Lt. Gilou and Fred Bianconi as Tintin, the investigation is overseen by Judge Roban, played by veteran French actor Philippe Duclos. 

'Spiral' Season 6 - Philippe Duclos as Judge François Roban

Audrey Fleurot also returns as lawyer Joséphine Karlsson, who continues to juggle her professional ambitions with her personal demons.

'Spiral' Season 6 - Audrey Fleurot as Joséphine Karlsson

⏩ A DVD release of Spiral Season 6 has been slated for June 19 ⏪

'Spiral' Season 6 - Nicolas Briançon as Commissioner Herville

'Spiral' Season 6 - Valentin Merlet as Commissioner Arnaud Beckriche

The Trailer:

About MHz Networks: 

MHz Networks offers U.S viewers access to a library of the best international television mysteries, dramas, comedies and documentaries subtitled in English on DVD, its digital platform, MHz Choice. MHz Networks' unique international programming is also available on its national channel MHz Worldview. MHz Worldview is available nationwide on DirecTV ch. 2183 and on 25+ select public television affiliates.

SOURCE: MHz Networks

Acknowledgement:

All the pictures used for this post are ©2018 MHz Networks.LLC

1968 Olympics Protesters, Charlie Hebdo Cartoonist, and Reporters Who Uncovered Workplace Harassment Awarded the Newseum Free Expression Awards

Dr. Tommie Smith (center) and Dr. John Carlos (right) both accepted Newseum Free Expression Awards for their protest on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

On April 17, the Newseum presented the 2018 Free Expression Awards, now in its third year, to a group of individuals who exhibit passion for and dedication to free expression. The honorees have taken personal or professional risks in sharing critical information with the public, have been censored or punished by authorities or other groups for their work, or have pushed boundaries in artistic and media expression.

The New York Times Company chairman and former publisher of The New York Times Arthur Sulzberger Jr. received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work to shape and implement innovative print and online initiatives at the Times. During his tenure as publisher, the paper earned 60 Pulitzer Prizes and provided its readers with innumerable examples of momentous journalism.

"The Newseum reminds us that great journalism has many purposes: to inform, to enlighten, to challenge and to surprise," said Sulzberger. "The highest and noblest role of a free press is holding power to account. That's been true throughout our nation's history but it is especially true to remember today." 

Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue (Maria Bryk/Newseum)

• Dr. John Carlos and Dr. Tommie Smith both accepted awards for their brave protest on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Together they lowered their heads and raised their gloved fists in a silent protest of the mistreatment of black Americans and people of color everywhere. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, retired professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, presented their awards.

• Thirteen journalists from four news publications received a Free Expression Award on behalf of all journalists who uncovered sexual misconduct in the workplace. Their work broke through a dam of suppressed stories and silenced voices to reveal decades-long harassment throughout the American workplace, including media, film, sports, manufacturing, the arts and Congress.

• Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Laurent "Riss" Sourisseau received a Free Expression Award for his fierce defense of the fundamental right to free expression. In January 2015, terrorists attacked the Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris, killing 12 of Riss's colleagues in revenge for the newspaper's caricatured portrayals of the prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam. In the three years since, millions have marched under the banner "Je Suis Charlie" ("I am Charlie") and, undaunted, Riss and his colleagues continue to exercise their freedom of expression to satirize the pompous and powerful.

• The 2017 Free Expression Awards honored U.S. Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis; Apple CEO Tim Cook; journalist Martha Raddatz; Becket Law executive director Kristina Arriaga de Bucholz; Playboy founder and editor-in-chief Hugh Hefner; and former Playboy Enterprises Chairman and CEO Christie Hefner.

The Entire Free Expression Awards Program Video:

SOURCE: Newseum

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Renault Joins Forces with "Solo: A Star Wars Story" to Take Customers on the Alternative Road [Video Included]

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

Are you ready to take the regular road with Renault?
Does Renault’s alternative road have you considering the regular road with Renault? From browsing articles about ‘How the 10 Worst Renault Trafic Sports Fails of All Time Could Have Been Prevented’ to checking out a lease on a new Renault KADJAR, if you’re inspired by Renault, it might be time to look into purchasing that new motor. You don’t have to invest in an entirely new vehicle either - you could consider lease or secondhand options to find a car you’d be happy to take on a new journey.

Renault is teaming up with "Solo: A Star Wars Story" to provide a thrilling experience for its customers ahead of the launch of the film, released in UK cinemas on 24 May 2018.

From April to July 2018, Renault is inviting everyone to 'take the alternative road' through a pan-European campaign - designed and produced in collaboration with Lucasfilm, Disney and Publicis Conseil. For the French car manufacturer, this is an unprecedented collaboration which will be live in 25 countries throughout Europe.

When Renault joins forces with "Solo: A Star Wars Story", it's natural to expect adventure. In the all-new movie featuring the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy, we'll find out how taking the alternative road led Han Solo to meet his mighty future co-pilot, Chewbacca. Now, thanks to the features of Renault KADJAR - 4x4 transmission, emergency breaking system and blind-spot alerts - Renault is offering its customers their chance to 'take an alternative road' too.

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

Live out your "Solo: A Star Wars Story" dream with Renault 

From 9 April 2018, Renault is giving everyone the opportunity to be a part of Han and Lando's adventure in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in selected dealerships*: Visitors will be invited to watch an exclusive scene from the upcoming film, seven weeks before its release. To add even more excitement, the preview is brought to life through virtual reality (VR) technology.

*Available at dealerships in the following countries: UK; Ireland; Netherlands; Portugal; Switzerland; Austria; Poland; Czech Republic; Sweden; Denmark; Belgium

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

Are you ready to take the alternative road? 

Renault has also partnered with Shazam to provide those on their commute a chance to taste the Renault and "Solo: A Star Wars Story" experience - at their bus stop. Taking part is simple: participants just have to use their Shazam app to scan the Renault and "Solo: A Star Wars Story" out of home advertising - then the adventure begins.

This activation launches a video where the user can explore the Renault KADJAR, observing each aspect of the vehicle as if it was just in front of their eyes via augmented reality. Users then click through to learn more about the features of the vehicle.

The augmented reality experience is just one part of the fully integrated campaign, which also includes a TV spot that stars Chewbacca. Renault also worked with leading visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic, known for their work on the Star Wars films, to create the special effects in the TV spot.

In addition to the exclusive in-dealership and Shazam experiences, Renault is also running a national competition which will provide those who enter the chance to win a variety of goodies and "money can't buy" experiences. Consumers can enter the competition by visiting their nearest dealership.

Alongside the TV spot, press and out of home materials communicating to the general public, the majority of the assets developed will be published on digital platforms. The content has been developed with customer profiles at its heart, providing a tailored experience for each different audience.

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

SOURCE:  Publicis Conseil and Renault

The Video:

Film Pioneer Georges Méliès's Long-Lost Autobiography to be Published via Kickstarter

Georges Méliès's iconic moon from A Trip To The Moon (1902) (PRNewsfoto/Canal Cat Films)

The autobiography of Georges Melies, the father of cinema, has been discovered by a filmmaker in London, UK. It is being published after being unavailable for 73 years and this is the first time it has been translated into English. 

81 years ago, at the age of 77, Georges Méliès - the father of narrative and fantastical film - hand-wrote his autobiography. It has been completely unavailable since 1945 and has never been translated into English. This is one of the great unseen texts of cinema history.

Georges Méliès (1861-1938) is arguably the most important figure in narrative cinema history. He pioneered the Sci-fi, Fantasy and Horror genres and was the first to create and use special effects. Many of his concepts are still used today and although his work is over 100 years old, he gave cinema its first iconic image - the moon with a rocket in his eye. Martin Scorsese's 2011 film 'Hugo' was an homage to Méliès.

"He invented everything, basically, he invented it all." - Martin Scorsese

Jon Spira a documentary filmmaker who works with the British Film Institute and directed recent Star Wars documentary Elstree 1976, discovered a facsimile of Méliès's handwritten manuscript in the collection of an antique bookseller in rural France and is now publishing the memoir in a brand new hardback edition.

Says Spira: "This is a hugely significant, long-forgotten text. A firsthand account of the birth of cinema from a man who was not only there but was its greatest innovator and artist. It deserves to be read."

Georges Méliès

More About Georges Méliès's Memoir:
(Via the Kickstarter  page)

This memoir is an enthralling story in which Méliès guides us from his childhood into his early career, explaining how all of the elements fell into place to put him in the perfect position to become a pioneer of cinema. He talks about becoming one of the first people in the world to see a projected moving image at a private demonstration by the Lumiére brothers and the international mission this inspired him to take to become a part of the new medium. He explains how and why he became the first impressario of cinema, how he built France's first film studio and how he invented special effects techniques and helped define the very format of cinematic film. More than this, it's a human story; at times braggadocios, joyous, humble and bitter. We learn how times and the industry changed, how he became the first victim of film piracy and how he ended up in his old age, forgotten, broke and selling toys and sweets in a tiny stall in Montparnasse train station. Most interesting to me was discovering that he was a man already aware of his legacy and surprisingly unhappy about how he could see he was going to be remembered. His memoir crackles with life and is a vivid account of the dawn of movies from its most colourful participant.

Georges Méliès's Memoir

⏩ Film fans and history buffs can pre-order their copies of the book or the deluxe wooden box set now on Spira's Kickstarter campaign at: kck.st/2GkTttH

SOURCE: Canal Cat Films

The Video:

BITE SIZE HORROR To Premiere At Cannes International Series Festival

BITE SIZE HORROR

BITE SIZE HORROR is a series of scares. Each 2 minute episode, is a stand-alone short horror film. ALL CITY Chief Content Officer, Tony Sella and Executive Vice President, David Worthen Brooks, created these disturbing films for Halloween season by teaming with innovative up-and-coming directors, such as Don't Go Down to Wildor – Ben Franklin & Anthony Melton; Floor 9.5 – Toby Meakins; Gregory– John William Ross; Live Bait – Andrew Laurich; Mondays – Michael Thelin; Monstagram – Jerome Sable; The Replacement – Chris Leone; The Road – Jack Bishop & Justin Nijm; Salt – Rob Savage; and Scaring Grandma – Chris Leone.

The cinematic collaborations are presented in genre bending and terrifying 2 minute shorts.  The BITE SIZE HORROR films are a festival of fright that explore every facet of human fear, from "Psychological Thriller" to "Horror Comedy" and everything in between, these slices of scare are guaranteed to put even the bravest viewers on edge. 

⏩ The 10 two minute shorts will be screened at Cannes International Series Festival.

The Bite Size Horror Videos:

BITE SIZE HORROR was created by Fox Networks Group's integrated agency All City– Chief Content Officer (All City) Tony Sella and Executive Vice President (All City) David Worthen Brooks, + Fox Digital Studio producers Arbi Pedrossian, and Steven Johnson. 

⏩ This festival of frights has premiered online as well as on the FOX broadcast network and FX.

Bite Size Horror

About ALL CITY 21st Century Fox:

All City is a creative content studio designed to develop and produce entertainment and branded content for major brands amplified with the platforms of Fox Networks Group, which includes FOX, FX, Fox Sports and National Geographic and media platforms including Hulu, iTunes, Netflix and Amazon.  Established as a joint venture with 21st Century Fox, All City has revolutionized branded content by cultivating story-based partnerships with top brands such as Mars Candy, T-Mobile, Verizon, Walmart, USAA and NASA. Recognized for their work by top tier festivals such as Cannes, Sundance and South by Southwest, All City brings networks and brands together at the creator's table to design entertainment for the future of media. 

SOURCE: ALL CITY 21st Century Fox

FlyView Takes You Flying Over Paris at One-of-a-Kind Virtual Reality Attraction

FlyViewParis, flight over Paris

FlyView has opened a unique virtual reality attraction where visitors can visit Paris from the sky with a jetpack, taking in real-life 360° views of monuments and scenery - no computer graphics here!

This permanent attraction makes possible to fly over the world's most beautiful city, a dream come true for millions of people.

Take Off from a 1,000 m² (11,000+ sq. ft.) Launch Area at Place de l'Opéra in Downtown Paris 

Visitors enter FlyView from Place de l'Opéra, they will arrive in a lobby resembling an airport terminal with check-in counters, flight attendants and screens announcing upcoming flights.

The launch area has 50 jetpacks, making it one of the world's largest virtual reality installations.  

Once on board its jetpack (mounted on actuators), and equipped with a virtual reality helmet (HTC Vive), the visitor sees himself take off and rise above the rooftops of Paris. The flying sensations are more real than life. An unprecedented technological feat!

FlyViewParis, take off room

"The countdown begins… the jetpack turbine winds up… the machine starts to vibrate… the lights go out… the roof opens… and then, liftoff!

The visitor shoots up their silo and breaks out over the roofs of Paris. 

The flying sensations are just like real life. 

The adventure has begun!"

See Paris as Never Before with this Exhilarating, Unforgettable Experience 

The itinerary explores Paris's main monuments in a totally unique way. It will be an exhilarating 13 minutes!  While everyone has the same itinerary, each person will see different things because of the immersive, 360° view.

This sophisticated device synchronizes the platform with the jetpack's movements-taking off, flying forward, stopping for panoramic views, moving sideways, and dropping down next to a monument-to create an immersive experience over Paris with ultra-realistic flying sensations that little ones and grown-ups alike will love.

The experience is breathtaking.  The views over Paris are magnificent.  The flying experience is spectacular.

FlyViewParis - Notre Dame de Paris

"FlyView is my childhood dream of flying and seeing the world from above come true. I hope to share this incredible experience with as many people as possible. This experience brings together poetry and innovation to create another high-quality cultural activity in Paris. I want to offer Parisians and visitors to Paris an exhilarating adventure that is both accessible and unforgettable," says Arnaud Houette, FlyView founder.

FlyViewParis - The Eiffel Tower

⏩ It took about 100 people working for three years to create the FlyView experience.  The latest technologies and unparalleled cooperation came together on this ambitious project:

• The (exceptional) views of Paris from above were filmed with a drone, a device with seven 360 degree cameras, and a team worthy of a film production; 
• First-time approval to film over Paris and in such close proximity to monuments;
• 50 jetpack simulators mounted on actuators were custom-designed and built in France;
• HTC Vive virtual reality headsets offer the most realistic immersion possible.

Practical Details:  

Open 7 days a week - hours and reservations at flyview360.com

Single ticket: €15

For visitors at least 4' tall (about 8 years old)

Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility

30 Rue du 4 Septembre - Place de l'Opéra - 75002 Paris - Opéra metro station

Arnaud Houette, Founder of FlyView Paris

SOURCE:  FlyView

The Video:

Raelians Starting Negotiations With First Country To Consider Hosting An Embassy For Extraterrestrials

ET embassy landing pad

Thousands of Raelians worldwide will hold public events on March 31st – day that founder and spiritual leader of the Raelian Movement, Rael, declared "ET Embassy Day," in order to raise awareness about their major project: the building of an Embassy to welcome an extraterrestrial civilization to earth. 

"This year is very special,'' said Raelian Guide Daniel Turcotte, Rael's assistant for the ET Embassy Project. ''Up until now, several countries had shown a genuine interest for this very auspicious project, but this year, for the first time, a country has invited Raelian representatives to discuss this unique and enthusiastic project.'' 

"This week, the host country candidate has been handed an optional protocol to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, provisionally titled the "Optional Protocol Concerning Embassies for Extraterrestrials," explained Turcotte. "The meeting also addressed the possibility for this country to hold the first international conference to discuss this protocol." 

Turcotte explained that the country granting a land, the necessary extraterritoriality, and the authorization for the ET Embassy to be built within its territory will not only benefit financially, but will also become the spiritual and scientific center of the planet for millennia to come, and happiness will prevail within its borders.

''Welcoming an extraterrestrial civilization isn't a mere fantasy the way it was viewed as in the 70s when Rael created the Raelian Movement with the mission of building an Embassy to welcome them," added Turcotte. "Since then, thousands of planets have been discovered including some with an atmosphere and all the necessary elements to sustain life. Not to mention that scientists now agree that the probability of intelligent life outside our solar system is very high, and millions of people have seen UFOs and know that an extraterrestrial civilization is showing interest in us, thus confirming this probability."

"The conditions for the general population to accept the idea of an official welcome are met, but violence on our planet is still so high that we need the wisdom of those who created us and who want to meet us again more than ever," concluded Turcotte.

ET embassy - scale model

Raelians believe that an extraterrestrial civilization created all life on Earth including human beings, and they believe it is a very peaceful and far more advanced civilization compared to ours, both scientifically and philosophically.

About Rael:

(Via rael.org)

"At the age of 27, on the morning of December 13, 1973, while he was still leading his successful racing-car magazine, RAEL had a dramatic encounter with a human being from another planet, at a volcano park in the center of France, known as "Puy de Lassolas". This extra-terrestrial gave him a new detailed explanation of our origins and information on how to organize our future, as recorded in the book: Intelligent Design. After six consecutive meetings in the same location, Rael accepted the mission given to him, to inform humanity of this revolutionary message and to prepare the population to welcome their Creators, the Elohim, without any mysticism or fear, but as conscious and grateful human beings. After a few months considering this huge task, Rael almost developed a stomach ulcer before finally deciding to give up his much loved career as a sports-car journalist and devote himself fully to the task assigned to him by Yahweh - the extra-terrestrial whom he met. Within the year following the encounter, he managed to print the book reporting about the event and appeared on two of the main TV and Radio shows in France, announcing a public conference. This first public conference held in Paris on September 19, 1974 attracted more than 2000 people. Shortly after, he founded the association MADECH - a group of people interested in helping him in his huge task- that would later become the Raelian Movement. By the end of the year 1974, the association counted 170 members. They are now more than 85,000 members in 107 countries.

On October 7th, 1975, he had a second encounter and was given additional information recorded on his second book, also part of Intelligent Design. Since that time, Rael has been touring the World, giving conferences and seminars on every continent, gathering those who share the desire to welcome our Creators.

He also authored several other books like Sensual Meditation which is a central part of his teachings, "Geniocracy" advocating for a more intelligent management of the planet and "Yes To Human Cloning" explaining the possibility of becoming eternal and the beautiful future one can expect thanks to Science.

Over the years, Rael has inspired several public actions from the promotion of the use of condoms in schools to the promotion of masturbation; from worldwide campaigns in support of minorities with the slogan "to tolerate differences is not enough, one should love differences" to the disturbing request to have all Religious books censured where they don't respect Human Rights; from the support of Human Cloning through the founding of Clonaid, to the promotion of GMO as the only chance for all human beings on Earth to have food; from the creation of Clitoraid, an association to help women who have been circumcised to have their clitoris repaired so that they can experience pleasure again to the call for the gathering of all African traditional chiefs to create the United States of Africa.

Rael has been a guest on most of the major TV programs worldwide like 60 minutes, CNN, FOX, and BBC news programs, as well as programs like Breakfast with Frost and Entertainment Tonight, to name a few. He has been invited to explain his vision of science to the American Congress and has been the guests of many leaders of this world, with the President Denis Sassou N'Guesso of Congo being the first to welcome him officially in 2000. Many artists acknowledged him as well like the French author Michel Houellebecq and Hugh Hefner.

In every culture on Earth, a messenger is expected, whether it is the Maitreya of the Buddhists, the Messiah of the Jews, the Paraclet of the Christians, or any other name that has been given by the many tribes around the world. This expected messenger, like all the previous ones, isn't supposed to please everyone, but to state what our Creators are expecting from us. This is what RAEL has been doing for more than 40 years now, traveling relentlessly while making the vow not to own anything, but to give everything towards welcoming our Creators in the Embassy they requested be built before 2035."

SOURCE: Raelian Movement

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