Planetary Resources, Inc., the asteroid mining company, announced today that it has secured US$21.1 million in Series A funding. The capital will be used to deploy and operate Ceres, an advanced Earth observation business that features the first commercial infrared and hyperspectral sensor platform to better understand and manage humanity’s natural resources. The funding was led by Bryan Johnson and the OS FUND; and joined by Idea Bulb Ventures; Tencant; Vast Ventures; Grishin Robotics; Conversion Capital; The Seraph Group; Space Angels Network, a syndication of investors from Angel.co; and Larry Page. Earth observation will be another aspect of Planetary Resources’ operations in addition to prospecting and mining asteroids.
Conceived from the company’s vision for the exploration and utilization of asteroid resources, Ceres will leverage Planetary Resources’ Arkyd spacecraft to deliver affordable, on-demand Earth intelligence of our natural resources on any spot on the planet. While typical satellite imagery provides only a picture, Ceres will provide actionable data with higher spectral resolutions – going beyond what the human eye can see – by measuring thermographic properties and detecting the composition of materials on Earth’s surface. The midwave-infrared sensor is the first ever commercial capability from space to offer thermographic mapping and night-imaging, and the hyperspectral sensor includes an unprecedented 40 color bands in the visible to near-infrared spectrum.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7847251-planetary-resources-ceres/
To celebrate 90 years of two much-loved British icons, Winnie-the-Pooh and the Royal Birthday is released today as a brand new illustrated and audio adventure, narrated by Oscar winning actor Jim Broadbent and available for free at www.Disney.co.uk/WinnieRoyalBirthday.
This brand new story has been specially written to celebrate the upcoming official 90th birthday celebrations of Her Majesty The Queen, and also Winnie-the-Pooh’s 90th anniversary, with October 2016 marking 90 years since his first publication and arrival in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Featuring Pooh’s first ever meeting of the Royal Family, the tale beautifully presents the loveable bear and his friends embarking on an unforgettable journey from the Hundred Acre Wood to London with the wish of delivering their own thoughtful 90th birthday presents to The Queen. Illustrations drawn in the classic E.H. Shepard style by Mark Burgess see the nation’s favourite bear and friends travelling through London on an open-top bus, taking in the sights including Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace guards, before a chance meeting with The Queen, which allows Pooh to present their birthday gifts.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7848651-winnie-the-pooh-and-the-royal-birthday/
Walt Disney Records is set to release a new hologram vinyl version of the original motion picture soundtrack for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With score conducted and composed by five-time Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams and liner notes by the film’s director, J.J. Abrams, the double LP features a 16-page booklet on 180 gram vinyl. This one-of-a-kind vinyl set, hand etched by Tristan Duke (Jack White’s Lazaretto) of Infinity Light Science, offers a 3D hologram experience featuring the Millennium Falcon on Disc 1/Side B and a TIE Fighter on Disc 2/Side B. For optimal viewing, use a direct light source or simply hold a mobile phone flashlight above the vinyl to view the holograms.
Tristan Duke founded Infinity Light Science in 2008, a research laboratory with an emphasis on laser holography, interferometry, light-field imaging, hand-drawn holography, and relativistic imaging.
The must-have vinyl album also features Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) for an optimal listening experience. Disney Music Group has joined forces with Pro-Ject Audio Systems to showcase this unique, next-level advancement in holographic vinyl technology with the Elemental turntable, a combination of minimalist design and maximum performance from the world leader in high fidelity turntables. The two brands will collaborate on co-promotions at retail, online, and radio.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7847351-star-wars-the-force-awakens-vinyl/
Society for Science & the Public (Society) today announced that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) is the new title sponsor of the Science Talent Search. Selected through a competitive process that garnered interest from the nation’s leading companies and philanthropists, Regeneron will become only the third sponsor in 75 years of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious high school science competition.
The new sponsorship will be celebrated at a special event today at the American Museum of Natural History, which is known for its extensive science education program. The event will be hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ph.D., Frederick P. Rose director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, and can be viewed via webcast at 9:00 a.m. EDT at http://edge.media-server.com/m/go/sciencetalentsearch.
Regeneron is committing $100 million to support the Science Talent Search and other Society programs through 2026 and will assume title sponsorship of the competition effectively immediately. As part of its commitment, Regeneron is nearly doubling the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually, increasing the top award to $250,000, and doubling the awards for the top 300 young scientists and their schools to $2,000 each. During its history, the Science Talent Search has provided more than $25 million in awards to over 8,500 students and schools.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7846351-regeneron-science-talent-search/
A cartoon character from a Buddhist temple in Beijing has been making waves online. But Xian’er the monk is no ordinary two-dimensional comic strip – he’s a walking, talking, 24-inch high robot who can chant, answer questions and interact with his surroundings.
Xian’er the robot monk is not the first high-tech solution to Buddhist teachings from Longquan Temple. The institution is staffed by monks who operate computers and smart phones along with their prayer beads and singing bowls. His creator, Master Xianfan joined the temple after graduating from China’s most prestigious art school – the Central Academy of Fine Arts
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7847651-bon-cloud-robot-monk/
Blue Plate® Mayonnaise, one of the country’s oldest and most beloved condiment brands, is shaking up the mayonnaise aisle with the industry’s first mayonnaise made with Greek yogurt. Blue Plate Light Mayonnaise with Greek Yogurt (Blue Plate Light Greek) features creamy, tangy Greek yogurt for a full-flavored light mayonnaise with half the fat and calories of traditional mayonnaise, plus one gram of protein per serving. The new Blue Plate Light Greek is in stores now, available in a 30-ounce jar and a 12-ounce squeeze bottle.
This is the first major product innovation in real mayonnaise since the introduction of olive oil more than five years ago. Consumer research shows that Greek yogurt has come into its own as a food super trend, and U.S. consumption is expected to reach $4 billion by 2019. Blue Plate Light Greek features a flavor that is perfectly proportioned to pair with sandwiches, salads and more. The added protein is yet another nutritious benefit not found in any other mayonnaise.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7740951-blue-plate-greek-mayo/
For over a quarter century, PBS has inspired viewers with the annual broadcast of the multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, dedicated to our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who have given their lives for our country. Live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the night of remembrance will honor the over 400,000 valiant men and women who are laid to rest in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery; and chronicle the experiences of the millions of American veterans who still suffer from the seen and unseen wounds of war.
Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (CRIMINAL MINDS) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CRIMINAL MINDS: WITHOUT BORDERS) are set to co-host this poignant and heart-warming event for the 11th year. The acclaimed actors, whose dedication to the show is evident, are also longtime supporters of veterans’ causes and our troops in active service. The all-star line-up includes: distinguished American leader General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); world-renowned four-time Grammy Award-winning classical superstar Renée Fleming; iconic music legends The Beach Boys; gifted actress and singer Katharine McPhee (SCORPION); country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins; Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson (CHICAGO MED, LAW & ORDER); Award-winning actor Esai Morales (MOZART IN THE JUNGLE); plus Tony Award-winning international sensation Alfie Boe, who is currently starring in Finding Neverland on Broadway; in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. And marking the end of an era, Trent Harmon, the final winner of AMERICAN IDOL, will open the show with a special performance of the “National Anthem.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7124755-capital-concerts-memorial-day-2016/
Seventeen years ago saw the first blasting in the historic heartland of Switzerland of the longest train tunnel in the world. Wednesday 1 June 2016 will see the festive opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – adding a further pioneering attraction to the world's densest public transport network. The tunnel will bring Switzerland's neighbouring countries, regions and cities north and south of the Alps closer together. Travel by train will be quicker, easier and more convenient.
Wednesday 1 June 2016 sees the festive opening in Switzerland of the longest and deepest train tunnel in the world. The tunnel extends for 57 kilometres to a depth of up to 2300 metres below the Gotthard massif. This flagship project for efficient and sustainable transportation on the north-south axis will permit high-speed travel through the Alps in only 17 minutes. The new flat-track route will not only cut travel time through the Gotthard, but also facilitate transit travel for longer and heavier trains. After 17 years of challenging building work, constructor AlpTransit Gotthard Ltd will hand over the completed tunnel to the Swiss Federal Railways on time and on budget. Switzerland's internationally acclaimed public transport system – already the densest in the world – has perfected another pioneering first.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7828351-swiss-alps-longest-deepest-train-tunnel/
HomeAway, the world leader in vacation rentals, is giving guests from around the globe a chance to make history as the first to ever to sleep over in the world’s most iconic landmark: the Eiffel Tower.
Starting today, travelers can enter a contest at homeaway.com/eiffel-tower to win an extraordinary vacation this summer including the opportunity to stay in custom-built accommodation inside the Eiffel Tower by answering the question: What would you do if the HomeAway Eiffel Tower Apartment was all yours for a night?*
“For over a decade, HomeAway has brought loved ones together to create unforgettable experiences in whole home vacation rentals in more than 190 countries,” said Brian Sharples, co-founder and CEO of HomeAway. “Now we present this unprecedented Eiffel Tower history-making adventure, guaranteed to provide the most epic vacation memories of a lifetime.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7842251-homeaway-eiffel-tower/
Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, today unveiled two new concept cars that move the Swedish brand in an audacious new direction and mark the official launch of its global small car strategy.
Today’s newly-revealed 40 series concepts demonstrate for the first time how Volvo Cars plans to expand into the large and lucrative global market for premium small cars with a range of vehicles that combine bold exterior and interior design with industry-leading connectivity, electrification and autonomous drive technologies.
The new concept cars will be the first built around Volvo Cars’ new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which has been specially created for smaller cars and which has liberated the company’s designers and engineers to explore bold and daring new directions.
“Each member of our product family has its own distinct character, just like the members of a real family. CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars. They have an energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out amongst the crowd. This is the flavour of small Volvos to come,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design, at Volvo Car Group.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7837051-volvo-new-range-of-smaller-cars/
Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, today unveiled two new concept cars that move the Swedish brand in an audacious new direction and mark the official launch of its global small car strategy.
Today’s newly-revealed 40 series concepts demonstrate for the first time how Volvo Cars plans to expand into the large and lucrative global market for premium small cars with a range of vehicles that combine bold exterior and interior design with industry-leading connectivity, electrification and autonomous drive technologies.
The new concept cars will be the first built around Volvo Cars’ new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which has been specially created for smaller cars and which has liberated the company’s designers and engineers to explore bold and daring new directions.
“Each member of our product family has its own distinct character, just like the members of a real family. CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars. They have an energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out amongst the crowd. This is the flavour of small Volvos to come,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design, at Volvo Car Group.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7837051-volvo-new-range-of-smaller-cars/
Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, host of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, announced today that he is teaming up with Tropicana Las Vegas to open his first signature restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip. At the press conference, the exterior of the Tropicana Las Vegas came to life, where a high-energy video showed the crowd what they can expect to see from the newest chef in town. In true Robert Irvine fashion, the celebrity chef made his entrance by rappelling 22 stories (220 feet) down the exterior of the Tropicana hotel to the assembled press below.
In introducing Chef Irvine, Bob Sheldon, President of Las Vegas Operations for Tropicana’s parent company, Penn National Gaming, said, “Chef Robert Irvine has tackled some of the toughest culinary challenges around the world, and we’re excited to have him take on Las Vegas, right here at the Tropicana. We are thrilled to be the Las Vegas home to such an acclaimed world-class chef. With his unparalleled passion, energy and culinary skills, he is the perfect addition to our family.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7838851-robert-irvine-tropicana-las-vegas/