Latest news with #People'sChoiceAward
CTV News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Team Nova Scotia wins 2025 Celebration of Light fireworks show
People watch Team Nova Scotia during the Celebration of Light on July 26. (Courtesy: @celeboflight/Instagram) Judges have declared Team Nova Scotia the winner of the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition, The Maritime province, represented by Fireworks FX, also took the People's Choice Award in this year's event, which was the first all-Canadian showcase in its 35-year history. In a news release, organizers said Team Nova Scotia's 'stunning, tightly choreographed performance' earned a score of 633 points, topping Team Yukon's 598 points and Team Quebec's 592 points. 'We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Fireworks FX team and Nova Scotia for their remarkable win,' said Paul Runnals, Celebration of Light executive producer, in a statement. Meanwhile, the long-running competition – which has suffered from unpredictable funding over the years – is once again facing an uncertain future. According to organizers, costs have increased more than 30 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic, while government support has been shrinking. Organizers said the B.C. government is expected to slash funding from $250,000 this year to $100,000 next year, and the federal government, which provided $250,000 last year through its PacifiCan economic development agency, has not made any further commitments so far. 'Given these challenges, we can't confirm whether the event will return in 2026,' said Runnals, who is calling for a 'sustainable and predictable funding model.' 'We're hopeful we can sit down with private and government partners soon to discuss what that support could look like.' CTV News has reached out to B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for comment on the event's funding trouble. Police said there were no major safety incidents during this year's Celebration of Light, which was subject to heightened security following April's deadly Lapu-Lapu Day attack. A 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in downtown Vancouver on the night of the first fireworks show, though authorities have not made any connection between his killing and the event.
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Game Champions program empowers national talent for global market
RIYADH: The Center of Digital Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has concluded the Saudi Game Champions program, a nine-month initiative to support the growth of the nation's development studios. The program included multiple stages: a Game Jam, incubation and acceleration phases, and closing ceremony celebrating local achievements and talent. The initiative is aimed at helping participants enter the market with high standards of quality and professionalism. It offered over 180 hours of specialized workshops and more than 1,500 hours of mentorship, involving 25 Saudi Arabia game studios. At the closing ceremony, Hussain Al-Safwan of LIMELESS Studio won the Bold Change Award, while Fahad Al-Jumaan of Hero Galaxy Studio received the Most Inspirational Award. Mostafa Fares earned the Most Creative Award, and his colleague Ali Aseeri received the People's Choice Award, both representing SYMMETRIC STUDIO. The initiative is a part of the center's broader efforts to strengthen the Kingdom's role in the global gaming industry.
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
20 Great Wildlife Photos To Vote For Your Favorite In The Win BigPicture Contest
Look At Me!, People's Choice Award finalist, Ishigaki-Island, Japan; A young Clownfish peers out from the shelter of a sea anemone. Reiko Takahashi Japan - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition The BigPicture Nature World Photography Competition by the California Academy of Sciences is inviting wildlife and nature photography lovers from around the world to have their say and vote for their favorite wildlife photos to win this year's prestigious People's Choice Award. From a young clownfish peering out from the shelter of a sea anemone and an argonaut fish hitching a ride on an unsuspecting jellyfish to the artistic silhouettes of four wolves traversing a snowy landscape in Yellowstone, the 20 finalist images selected by the contest's judges offer powerful insight into the remarkable beauty of nature. The voting for the 2025 People's Choice Award is open until midnight July 31. The winner — the photographer whose image garners the most votes — will receive $300 and have their image and profile featured on the BigPicture website. Their photograph will also be featured in the interactive BigPicture Exhibition on view at the California Academy of Sciences starting in fall, 2025. The BigPicture Nature World Photography contest, now in its 12th year, strives to inspire viewers to value and protect the remarkable diversity of life on Earth. It welcomes high-quality nature, wildlife and conservation images and is open to photographers around the world. Forbes Funny Animal Photos: 10 Front Runners For Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2025 By Cecilia Rodriguez Scroll down to see all of the images, then vote for your favorite on the voting form here. Aspen Shadow, People's Choice finalist, Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Four wolves traverse Yellowstone's snowy landscape. Devon Pradhuman, U.S. - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition Four wolves traverse the snowy landscape of Yellowstone Park in the U.S. in search of their next meal. Their presence echoes through the minimalist beauty of snow and Aspen trees. Wolves are a polarizing subject regarding the lands they roam. In Yellowstone, they're relatively safe from human harm. However, just outside the park boundaries anything goes. There's no way for these animals to see the invisible lines humans mark as a 'boundary' and because of that, there is much contention about the management of these beautiful animals. Blue Dream, People's Choice finalist, Qilian Mountain National Park, China. Haiyong Cai, China - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A group of common meadow blue butterflies rests on the grassland, appearing at first glance like a large field of blooming flowers. Relaxing in the Snow, People's Choice finalist, Wapusk National Park, Canada. Daniel Valverde Fernandez, Spain - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition Despite the unfavorable conditions of the Canadian tundra, this polar bear looks surprisingly tranquil and relaxed as it shakes off a considerable sheet of snow that has fallen on it during a big storm. Hitchhiker, People's Choice finalist, Ningaloo, Australia. An argonaut hitches a ride upon an unsuspecting Bell jellyfish. Caitlin Winskil, Australia - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition An argonaut, a type of octopus also called 'paper nautili' — a distant relative of the true 'nautili' — hitches a ride upon an unsuspecting bell jellyfish. Argonauts are open-sea octopi, which is odd as bell jellyfish are often found in harbors closer to shore. It's anyone's guess how this argonaut ended up hitching a ride, but it makes for one spectacular photo. In Mother's Arms, People's Choice finalist, La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica Dvir Barkay, U.S. - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A baby brown-throated sloth sleeps in the protective embrace of its mother's arms, ensuring it doesn't get wet during a downpour. Circle of Life, People's Choice finalist, Murcia, Spain. Angel Fitor, Spain - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A poignant portrait of the duality of life and death: A dying barrel jellyfish rests on a weed bed as thousands of newly born Mediterranean jellyfish bloom all around it. Cicada Awakening, People's Choice finalist. Illinois, U.S. Gavin Koester, U.S. - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A rare and striking moment: A massive cluster of yellow mushrooms at the base of a tree is surrounded by an overwhelming number of pharaoh cicadas. Despite their numbers, the cicadas seamlessly integrate with their environment, almost blending with the landscape, a reminder of the complexity and interconnectedness of nature, where even the most familiar species can create something awe-inspiring when they appear in such abundance. Pathfinders, People's Choice finalist, Svalbard, Norway. Jonas Beyer, Denmark - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A pod of Beluga whales glides gracefully through the frigid waters of a broken fjord, their white forms contrasting against the deep, icy blue. As they move in unison, threading their way through the maze of shifting ice, they embody the resilience and adaptability needed to survive in the ever-changing Arctic. Trapped, People's Choice finalist. Lucerne, Swizterland. Roman Willi, Switzerland - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A wasp spider feeds on its prey in a meadow. As the name suggests, these spiders are known for their distinctive yellow, white, and black markers and are remarkable orb-web weavers. The Frigatebird, People's Choice finalist, Vancouver, Canada. Liron Gertsman, Canada - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A magnificent frigatebird glides in front of a total solar eclipse. Over a year in the making, this image is all the more impressive once you learn that the eclipse is in a brief phase called the "Diamond Ring," where the slightest bit of sun is visible at the edge of the moon — meaning this photographer had only seconds to snap this spectacular shot. Vulture Restaurant 9, People's Choice finalist, Kawasoti, Nepal. Alain Schroeder, France - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition Team members of the Jatayu Vulture Restaurant weigh a wounded Himalayan vulture . The first community-managed vulture restaurant, Jatayu Vulture Restaurant is a space specifically designed for vultures to be fed and nurtured in safety. It was established after the numbers of vultures were reduced from more than a million to just 20,000. Once this vulture has fully healed, it will be released back into the wild. Big Hair Day, People's Choice finalist, Tatamá National Park, Colombia. Nick Kanakis, U.S. - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A flannel moth caterpillar munches on moss while cocooned in the soft tangle of hair-like setae. While it may look fluffy and harmless, these setae in fact conceal venom-filled spines that produce a nasty sting. Urchin Spines, People's Choice finalist, Hokkaido, Japan. Sayaka Ichinoseki, Japan - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition What looks like a futuristic landscape is actually an extreme close-up of a purple sea urchin. These spike-like structures are actually moveable spines, alternating long and short, which the urchin uses not only for defense but as a means of transport as well. Dance of the Elements, People's Choice finalist. Mount Edna, Sicily, Italy. Philipp Egger, Italy - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition Mount Etna is one of the tallest and most active volcanoes in Europe, making it a difficult subject for photographers, between battling toxic smoke and unpredictable winds at nearly 12,000 feet altitude. A primeval titan, its lava flow typically rests under a blanket of snow during the winter, but on this day the fiery soul of the volcano broke through. Sniff, People's Choice finalist, Victoria, Australia. Doug Gimesy, Australia -nBigPicture Natural World Photography Competition Border collie conservation detector dog Raasay undertakes kayak training with her handler Tracy to sniff out invasive aquatic weeds such as common cordgrass. Whenever Raasay finds a patch of spartina, she'll sit, lie down, or — if atop a kayak — point with her nose to alert her handler. Tracy will then log their location with GPS coordinates and that data point will be added to a detailed map of common cordgrass sightings slated for removal. Maternal Huddle, People's Choice finalist. California, U.S. Anton Sorokin, U.S. - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A glimpse into the unseen lives of amphibians: female California newts gather together in a ball as they lay their eggs at the bottom of a pond. This pond is more than likely the one in which these newts originated from, as newts tend to return to their own hatchplace to lay their eggs. Nuptial Gift, People's Choice finalist. Goronogosa National Park, Mozambique. Piotr Naskrecki, U.S. - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition During mating, a male Armored katydid presents the female with a spermatophylax, a nuptial gift in the form of a large, nutritious package produced by the male. The female will consume this gift, the purpose for which has been hotly debated as there's no explicit benefit beyond securing paternal investment. Fortress, People's Choice finalist. Emilia Romagna, Italy. Iacopo Nerozzi, Italy - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition A masterpiece of animal engineering: This pile of woodland debris is actually an enormous nest curated by Red wood ants. These big nests are made up of respective sections above and below the ground, which red wood ants create by burrowing into the earth, as well as accumulating needles, leaves, bark, and twigs. Powerless, People's Choice finalist, Diepenbeek, Belgium. Niki Colemont, Belgium - BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition While photographing another subject in a garden, Niki Colemont spotted a robber fly near a spider web. Curious if the fly might land in the web, he decided to stay and observe, eventually watching a quiet drama unfold as the spider made its move. Colemont was able to capture the moment. To vote for your favorite image from these 20 wildlife photos for the 2025 People's Choice Award of the BigPicture Photo Competition, go to the voting form here. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes World Naked Bike Ride: A Protest Against 'Indecent Exposure' To Car Culture By Cecilia Rodriguez Forbes Nature From Above: 20 Amazing Winners Of International Aerial Photography Contest By Cecilia Rodriguez Forbes Spiritual Tourism: 8 Iconic European Pilgrimage Routes And Ancient Trails By Cecilia Rodriguez
1News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
Renowned Fat Freddy's Drop founder Chris Faiumu dies
Fat Freddy's Drop founding member and beatmaker Chris Faiumu has died. Chris Faiumu was known by his stage name DJ Fitchie or DJ Mu and helped develop the band's widely regarded sound. In a post to social media, the band confirmed its "talismanic founding member, production maestro, selector and brother" had died. "This is a seismic shift in our world. Sending alofa to the Faiumu & Duckworth aiga, and to MU's wider aiga of friends and fans worldwide," the band wrote. ADVERTISEMENT "Tears flowed on receiving word that your journey had taken you to the heavens Chris DJ MU Fitchie. "These were all the titles you were famously known by for your miraculous works to all music makers of Aotearoa and the whole world. " Growing from Faimu's already established career, Fat Freddy's formed in 1999, following his experimentation with live instrumentation and vocals in his DJ sets. In 2005 the collective of Wellington musicians burst onto the national scene with the release of their first studio album Based On A True Story. Chris Faiumu pictured in 2004. (Source: 1News) The album sold over 100,000 copies in New Zealand and spent 108 weeks consecutively in the Top 40. At the New Zealand Music Awards that year it won Album of the Year, Best Aotearoa Roots Album and the People's Choice Award. Fat Freddy's Drop also won Best Group. ADVERTISEMENT The band enjoyed local success in New Zealand and also attracted huge crowds at festivals and their own headline gigs across Europe and Australasia. In October 2014, Fat Freddy's Drop sold out London's O2 Academy. More recently, the band regularly toured Europe and UK, making the trip twice in 2024 with both summer and winter drops. In 2024, the band released its sixth studio album entitled SLO MO, with nine bass-heavy new songs. Reporter Isobel Prasad caught up with the band as it drops its sixth studio album this week. (Source: 1News) At the time, Faiumu described the mix as "Afro rhythmic soul music, an exploration of Black music from Polynesia". The band has sold in excess of 500,000 albums. ADVERTISEMENT Other New Zealand DJs took to social media to pay tribute to Faiumu following his death. Shapeshifter wrote they were "deeply saddened" by the news. "Mu was and still is a massive inspiration to Shapeshifter. We have toured and shared many stages together with the mighty @fatfreddysdropnz Our deepest and dearest of condolences we would like to send much warmth and love to Nicole Mia and the whole FFD family." "Beyond heartbroken," wrote Wellington's DJ Jazzywhut. Another Wellington DJ Rodrigo Pantoja said Faiumu was "an inspiration and a total legend, to say you'll be missed is an understatement. "Thanks for the music bro, we'll continue to dance." ADVERTISEMENT
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
The Martin Boys capture top spot in NB Excellence Awards
Public vote crowns Woodstock brothers N.B.'s top musical act as festival season kicks off On June 26, NB Excellence announced winners in 56 categories, with The Martin Boys taking home the People's Choice Award for Original English Band/Musician in the Arts and Culture category. 'We didn't even know we were nominated, so winning came as a surprise. It's nice to be recognized though for such awards, makes us feel good,' said Macauley. Starting April 10, New Brunswickers had three weeks to nominate their favourites in categories like food and drinks, retail, and arts and culture. The top 10 nominees in each category advanced to the voting round, where the public can choose who they think should win. With the duo's biggest fan, their mom Krista, sharing the win on Facebook, the brothers have garnered a loyal following and are feeling the love after the big win. 'The support was incredible, the same way it's been the entirety of our musical journey. Really proud of that,' said Micah. The brothers said they're hopeful the recognition could pave the way for more awards down the line, adding they're focusing on keeping the momentum going. After winning second place on Season 5 of Canada's Got Talent, the brother act has lined up shows spanning Alberta and New Brunswick, including the Calgary Stampede, which drew a record-breaking 1.47 million visitors over its 10-day run. 'We are super pumped for our upcoming shows. Especially for the Calgary Stampede, playing there will be a dream come true for us. We're hoping to draw a fairly big crowd, even though we have an early afternoon time slot,' said Macauley. The brothers will be playing at the Calgary Stampede at the Coca-Cola stage and the Ranchman Stampede/Country 105 stage on July 13. Other summer concerts include: Fredericton: Saturday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. — East Coast Talents (Get Off The Bus Concerts & Fredericton Tourism) Saturday, Sept. 6 at noon — New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition Neguac: Friday, July 25 at 8:30 p.m. — Neguac Country Music Festival Saint John: Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. — BOXCAR Country Music Festival Cape Tormentine: Friday, Aug 1 at 8 p.m. — Cape Tormentine Beach Music Festival Nashwaak Bridge: Sunday, Aug. 3 (time to be determined) — Nashwaak Music Fest Gagetown: Friday, Sept. 12 (time to be determined) — Queen's County Fair Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
