February 4, 2023

UNESCO leads the Global Dialogue on regulating Digital Platforms and combating Disinformation and Hate Speech

Photo: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. A Session of the Unesco Executive Council. October 12, 2022. Image provided by & Copyright © UNESCO/Cyril Bailleul. [File Photo]

Paris, February 3, 2023 — As part of its Mandate, UNESCO has launched a global dialogue to provide guidelines for regulating digital platforms, fighting disinformation and hate speech, and protecting freedom of expression and human rights. The high point will be an international conference organized at the Organization’s Paris headquarters on 21-23 February. It will result in the presentation by UNESCO in mid-2023 of Global Guidelines for Governments, Regulatory Bodies, and Digital Companies.

“The call is now coming loud and clear from all quarters. It is time to address one of the defining questions of our age, with implications for democracy and human rights worldwide: the challenge of how to support States in developing principles and rules for digital platforms so that they enable freedom of expression and promote the availability of accurate and reliable information,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay remarked.

• A flawed Business Model needs Correction.

Social media and other digital platforms have empowered people worldwide to communicate, share information, and transform their societies. But increasingly, these platforms are breeding grounds for disinformation, hate speech, and conspiracy theories. In recent years, the issue of monitoring and moderating content has been essential in violence, insurrection, marred elections, and democratic transfers of power in scores of countries, UNESCO said.

Studies show that people often prioritize engagement at any cost. It leads to algorithms favoring the most controversial content because it triggers the most reaction, despite the evidence that this content can damage the fabric of the societies, sowing distrust, helping to seed extremism, and undermining fundamental human rights. Moreover, there appear to be vast imbalances between regions and languages, with moderation resources sometimes distributed based on financial or political interests or far too late in response to public outrage once violence or election meddling has already occurred, UNESCO explained.

• Global Issues require Global Guidelines.

Many countries are advancing regulations to respond to these issues, but this needs to be coordinated and more cohesive, with some countries outside the international norms on freedom of expression. Given the global dominance of a limited number of players, the need for a consistent global approach has never been more pressing than right now.

As the United Nations agency for communication and information issues, UNESCO is leading global consultations on this topic, involving governments, regulatory bodies, digital companies, academia, civil society, and UN agencies. This international Dialogue will culminate in the first global conference specifically focused on guidance for regulating digital platforms from February 21 to 23, 2023. Thousands of representatives from these groups are already registered to participate.

UNESCO experts will then incorporate the feedback received during these discussions and engage in new consultations to finalize and publish the first global guidelines on the topic in mid-2023. With UNESCO’s expertise and support, governments, regulators, digital companies, and other groups would use these guidelines to implement policies and tools as needed.

UNESCO’s initiative responds to the call from the UN Secretary-General in “Our Common Agenda” to address the spread of disinformation and the denial of scientific facts, which poses “an existential risk to humanity.”

• UNESCO’s Mandate to provide Guidelines for Regulation.

UNESCO has a global mandate, enshrined in its constitution, to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image. It leads UN action to promote freedom of expression and access to information. It includes a decades-long history of providing guidance to and promoting cooperation between broadcast regulators and press councils, advancing international standards.

The Windhoek+30 Declaration on Information as a Public Good in the Digital Age, endorsed by UNESCO’s 193 Member States in 2021, calls for increased transparency of technology companies, support for the long-term viability of news media, and teaching media and information literacy to citizens everywhere.

Under the leadership of its Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO is explicitly working to improve the transparency of digital platforms, including by developing a series of principles for transparency and accountability in the digital age. UNESCO also established the first global standard on the ethics of artificial intelligence, adopted unanimously by its Member States in 2021, which includes a specific call for “appropriate frameworks, including regulation.”

Source: UNESCO

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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:58 AM | View the original post

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February 3, 2023

First G-20 Education Working Group Meeting concludes in Chennai, India

— Collaboration with Universities across the globe for enhancing technology-enabled learning is among the significant outcomes of the 2-day conclave.

Photos: Glimpses from the First G-20 Education Working Group Meeting in Chennai, India. Images provided by G20 India 2023.

Chennai, India, February 2, 2023 — The India Chair of the G-20 Education Working Group and Secretary of Higher Education, Mr. Sanjay Murthy, said that collaboration with Universities across the globe is the primary outcome of the deliberations at the Chennai Meet.

Addressing Media persons after the conclusion of the two-day 1st G20 Education Working Group in which 80 delegates from 30 countries, international organizations, and special invitees participated, Mr. Sanjay Murthy said, “the meeting discussed best practices in Tech related education in member countries in a major way.”

International organizations made intensive presentations at the two-day conclave. Mr. Sanjay Murthy said members expressed their willingness towards the goals and the priorities, including capacity-building measures for promoting life-long learning processes in the context of the future of working atmospheres. They also discussed long-term sustainable solutions to similar educational challenges member countries in different geographies face.

The meeting also discussed inclusive, equitable, relevant, quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Mr. Sanjay Murthy further said there would be three supplementary educational group meetings before reaching a broad consensus in the last meeting scheduled for June this year.

He said the G-20 Education Working Group had documented the outcome of this meeting, which the group will take forward to the next meeting to be held from March 15 to March 17 in Amritsar in Punjab, India.

Sources: G20 India 2023 & Ministry of Education, Government of India

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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:57 AM | View the original post

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February 2, 2023

Leading Foreign Universities setting up Campuses in India — UGC extends the Deadline to receive Comments from the Stakeholders on its Draft Regulations.

• UPDATE

• February 2, 2023

• UGC Public Notice regarding Extension of the last date to receive comments from the stakeholders on the draft University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

___________

New Delhi, January 05, 2023 — University Grants Commission (UGC), India, has issued a Public Notice seeking comments/suggestions/feedback from the stakeholders on the draft University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

___________

Soon, the world’s top universities (such as Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford) will set up their campuses in India, and one of them may choose your city!

Source, UGC

|GlobalGiants.Com|

India takes a step toward allowing leading foreign universities such as Yale, Oxford and Stanford to set up campuses and award degrees as part of an overhaul of the South Asian nation’s higher education https://t.co/BnH3crC0qv

— Bloomberg (@business) January 5, 2023

Editorial: "UGC's decision to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India could herald long overdue transformations in the country's higher educational milieu".
Courtesy: The Indian Express pic.twitter.com/78Im0XwDlk

— Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) January 7, 2023

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:28 AM | View the original post

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January 31, 2023

IMF (International Monetary Fund) reports World Economic Outlook January 2023

Photo: People walk past the flags outside the IMF building during the 2022 Annual Meetings at the International Monetary Fund. October 12, 2022. Washington, DC, United States. Image provided by & Copyright © IMF. IMF Photo/Ariana Lindquist. [File Photo]

Washington, DC, January 31, 2023 — The global economy is poised to slow this year before rebounding next year. The IMF announced on Monday, January 30, 2023, that it expects global growth to slow from 3.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023. The press briefing was held in Singapore to mark the launch of the January update of the World Economic Outlook report.

“The global economy will slow down this year before rebounding in 2024. But a global recession is not in our baseline. The important factors shaping the outlook are: On the downside, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the global fight against inflation. On the upside, the reopening of China’s economy. Overall, we have a mild upward revision to our projections. The global economy has shown a lot of resilience. Labor markets are tight, household spending and business investment remain strong, and European economies have proved quite resilient against the energy crisis. Global growth is expected to slow from 3.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023. The slowdown will be more pronounced for advanced economies. China and India will account for 50% of global growth. Global headline inflation is expected to fall from 8.8% in 2022 to 4.3% in 2024. Core inflation, however, is more persistent and remains too elevated. To sum up, barring new shocks, 2023 could be the year of turning points, with growth bottoming out and inflation decreasing,” said Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, IMF’s Chief Economist.

However, the risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside, even if adverse risks have moderated since October, and some positive factors seem more relevant.

“The balance of risks to the outlook remains tilted to the downside but is less skewed toward adverse outcomes than in the October WEO. Some upside risks have become more relevant. On the downside, China’s recovery could stall with spillovers to the rest of the world. Inflation could persist at high levels, requiring even tighter monetary policy. An escalation of the war in Ukraine remains a major risk to the global economy. A sudden market repricing could deteriorate financial conditions, especially for emerging and developing economies. On the upside, strong household balance sheets amid tight labor markets and robust wage growth could help sustain private demand. Easing remaining supply bottlenecks and easing labor market pressures could also allow for a soft landing with less monetary tightening,” added Gourinchas.

Gourinchas stressed that the global economic outlook hasn’t worsened, but the road back to a full recovery, with sustainable growth, stable prices, and progress for all, is only starting.

IMF’s Chief Economist concluded that the fight against inflation has started to bear fruit, but the battle is far from won:

• Central banks need to raise actual policy rates above the neutral level and keep them there until inflation is on a sustained declining path.

• Central banks and prudential authorities must closely monitor the buildup of risks and vulnerabilities, especially in the housing and non-bank financial sectors. Countries should also roll back the broad and untargeted support they provided households and firms to counter the cost-of-living crisis and instead adopt targeted measures to conserve fiscal space, allow the energy price signal to reduce energy demand, and avoid overly stimulating the economy.

• More progress is needed on orderly debt restructuring through the Group of 20’s Common Framework. Non-Paris Club and private creditors have a crucial role to play.

• Supply-side policies should reduce growth bottlenecks, improve resilience, alleviate price pressures, and accelerate the green transition.

• Urgent action is needed to halt the forces of geoeconomics fragmentation and strengthen multilateral cooperation in areas of common interest; international trade, the global financial safety net, public health preparedness, and the climate transition.

Source: IMF

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The editor is an IMF (IMF Institute for Capacity Development, Washington, DC) certified Financial Market Analyst.

Global growth is projected to fall from an estimated 3.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023 before rising to 3.1% in 2024. Watch IMF Chief Economist @pogourinchas summarize the key findings of our latest World Economic Outlook Update: https://t.co/4ifKc9qi4j #WEO pic.twitter.com/HOCfdAl2mz

— IMF (@IMFNews) January 31, 2023

Global growth is slowing in 2023 but should rebound in 2024. China reopening, a strong US labor market with cooling inflation, and a mild winter in Europe have all helped avoid the worst. Read our latest #WEO: https://t.co/4ifKc9qi4j pic.twitter.com/f41UeRtHFW

— IMF (@IMFNews) January 31, 2023

What is Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and why should you care? Check out this Back to Basics video. https://t.co/TL2AKWizok pic.twitter.com/89qG2AYcni

— IMF (@IMFNews) January 26, 2023

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:22 AM | View the original post

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January 30, 2023

Canon joins the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI)

Photo: A Canon Camera.

San Jose, CA, January 30, 2023 — “We are delighted to welcome Canon, one of the world’s leading camera manufacturers, as a member of the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI), joining more than 890 media and tech companies, NGOs, and academics working together to fight misinformation by furthering the implementation of open-source digital provenance technology,” Santiago Lyon, Head of Advocacy and Education, CAI, announced.

Founded in 1937, Canon is a leading global manufacturer of professional and consumer cameras and lenses and brings a long history of innovative and ground-breaking photojournalism projects to the CAI.

Photojournalists and others widely use Canon’s equipment to capture impactful, compelling, and beautiful imagery from around the world. Canon equipment has helped capture award-winning images, including Pulitzer Prizes and World Press Photo awards.

“Canon enthusiastically supports efforts to fight misinformation by ensuring the authenticity and provenance of digital images created and enjoyed by society. Joining the efforts of the CAI is an important step in this endeavor,” said Go Tokura, Chief Executive of Imaging Communication Business Operations at Canon. “We look forward to working with other technology companies and media partners to develop technology solutions that achieve these goals.”

Provenance technology provides secure, tamper-evident metadata that accompanies images and other file types along their journey from capture through editing to publication, showing the viewer where an asset came from and any changes made to it along the way. The CAI looks forward to working with Canon on prototyping and implementing provenance technology into their future products.

Source: Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI)

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— GlobalGiants.Com is a Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) Member.

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:54 AM | View the original post

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January 29, 2023

Oxford leads Nature Positive Universities Alliance to reverse Biodiversity Decline.

Oxford, UK. January 29, 2023 — At the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), the University of Oxford and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the launch of the Nature Positive Universities Alliance. It is a global network of universities that have officially pledged to advance efforts to halt, prevent and reverse nature loss by addressing their impacts and restoring ecosystems harmed by our activities. This push is part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a movement to avert climate catastrophe and mass extinction.

The Nature Positive Universities Alliance brings higher education institutions together to use their unique power and influence as drivers of positive change. Universities already carry out environmental and conservation research to help inform government and company activities. However, by publicly tackling their supply chains and operational impacts on nature, universities can help guide the broader community on a path to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

“The University of Oxford has an environmental sustainability strategy with dual targets of net zero carbon and a net gain in biodiversity by 2035. These targets for large institutions are challenging to achieve. But through collaboration and idea-sharing with other universities via the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, we can collectively progress towards achieving net biodiversity gain,” said Harriet Waters, Head of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oxford.

The initiative, a part of the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, was initially launched by 117 universities from 48 countries, which made individual pledges to address their impacts on nature. University pledges include four key elements:

1. Carrying out baseline assessments;
2. Setting specific, time-limited, and measurable targets for wildlife;
3. Taking bold action to reduce biodiversity impacts and protect and restore species and ecosystems while influencing others to do the same;
4. Transparent annual reporting.

The initiative builds on the University of Oxford’s experience setting an ambitious target for net biodiversity gain by 2035 alongside net zero commitments.

E.J. Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity at the Department of Biology, University of Oxford, and co-founder of the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, said: “As universities, we occupy a unique position in educating future leaders, researching solutions to environmental challenges, and influencing our communities and governments. By addressing our own institutions’ environmental impacts, we can be powerful thought leaders while directly contributing to restoring nature.”

All the founding universities announced that they have pledged to assess their impacts to determine the most impactful initiatives to introduce and to report on their progress. Examples of initiatives so far have included:

• Establishing nature-friendly infrastructure such as ecological corridors at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the University of Campinas, Brazil, and new green walls at the UK’s University of Lincoln to support pollinators.

• Contributing to afforestation and restoration by developing institutional forests at Government Dungar College in Bikaner, India, and the University of Aveiro, Portugal.

• Completing university-wide surveys and audits of biodiversity at the University of Turku, Finland, and increasing biodiversity at the all University of Melbourne campuses.

• Improving supply chain through sustainable catering, such as reducing food waste and more sustainable menus at the University of Oxford and producing high-quality farmed produce on its land to supply university canteens at Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria.

• Commitments to improve operational footprints, such as achieving Green Lab accreditation across the all University of Exeter laboratories.

• Establishment of regional hubs of universities collaborating towards a nature-positive goal in Algeria, Nigeria, India, and Canada.

People from 408 different universities are:

• Already a part of the more comprehensive network.
• Playing their role in bringing their universities closer to meeting environmental targets by developing research.
• Lobbying their senior management.
• Sharing case studies of their activities.

The network also includes a Student Ambassador Programme, which totals over 100 students from across 35 countries who are taking action toward nature-positive awareness and approaches on their campuses. In addition, they are encouraging their universities to make an institutional pledge through advocacy and organization of nature-positive activities such as volunteering for nature restoration, establishing sapling nurseries, and using their studies to advance their institutions’ sustainability further.

Sam Barratt, Chief of Youth, Education, and Advocacy at the UN Environment Programme, said: “Universities live at the heart of cities, at the crossroads of students’ futures and provide ground-breaking research that educates and informs society. We are delighted to see Universities will be joining hands to reset our relationship with nature so that, through this Alliance, we create new actions and possibilities. The virtue of higher education has come from a reappraisal of the present to steer the world to a new future. So we look forward to seeing how the Nature Positive Universities Alliance does just that for this agenda.”

The Nature Positive Universities Alliance calls on other universities worldwide to join its collaborative network and make institutional pledges.

Universities that have recently joined include, among others, the University of Helsinki, Finland; University College, Cork, Ireland; Durham University, McGill University, Canada; Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, India; University of California UCLA, USA; University of Bremen, Germany; Universidad Autonoma de Madrid; Universite de Geneve; UNSW Sydney, Australia; Carl von Ossietsky Universitat Oldenburg; The University of Faisalabad, Pakistan; University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Independent University, Bangladesh; UC Berkeley, USA; University of Melbourne, Australia; Punjabi University, Patiala, India; Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; OP Jindal Global University, Sonepat, India; and Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi, India, for example.

Source: University of Oxford

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The editor is an “Oxford University Associate Alumnus.”

Nature Positive Universities

The Nature Positive Universities Alliance is a global network of universities prioritizing nature restoration. Launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the University of Oxford in partnership with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:16 AM | View the original post

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January 26, 2023

India celebrates its Republic Day 2023.

Photos: Glimpses on the Republic Day 2023, in New Delhi on January 26, 2023. Images provided by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:24 PM | View the original post

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January 25, 2023

Adidas Reveals Oceaunz - The Official Match Ball of the "FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023"

• The design takes visual inspiration from nature, paying homage to the vast Australasian landscape.

• Following the successful deployment during the FIFA World Cup 2022™, the organizers will also fit the ball to be used on the pitch during the Women’s World Cup with Connected Ball Technology.

• It is a groundbreaking innovation that provides officials with precise ball data to help faster and more accurate decision-making.

• 1% of global OCEAUNZ net sales will go to the Common Goal Movement, pledged solely to projects driving gender equity in football.

• OCEAUNZ is available from January 25th at Adidas’s selected retailers and online.

Photos: Adidas Reveals Oceaunz - The Official Match Ball of the “FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™”. Images provided by & copyright © Adidas.

Adidas has revealed OCEAUNZ, the Official Match Ball of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™. It’s the ninth successive football Adidas has produced for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and designed to cope with the demands and speed of the modern game.

OCEAUNZ’s design features a decoration of blues and greens inspired by the unique Australasian landscape, with visuals nodding to the vast mountains of New Zealand and Australia’s connection with the Indian Ocean.

The cultural markings and the initials of both host nations celebrate Australia and New Zealand coming together to host this showpiece tournament. The Australian patterns have been created by renowned local artist Chern’ee Sutton, while the Kiwi artist Fiona Collisthe designed the markings representing New Zealand.

Franziska Loeffelmann, Design Director of Football Graphics at Adidas, said: “With record viewing figures for the Women’s Euros tournament last year, the upcoming World Cup would be a massive moment for the game we love. So we’re turning up with a match ball that we’re incredibly proud of - featuring our innovative technology and a design that represents the landscape’s natural beauty. We’re hugely excited for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and to see the women’s game lifted to even further heights in two great host nations.”

Like the Official Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, OCEAUNZ features connected ball technology, providing precise ball data, which will be made available to Video Match Officials in real-time. Combined with player position data and by applying artificial intelligence, the innovative connected ball technology contributes to FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology and offers Video Assistant Referees instantaneous information to help optimize decision-making.

• OCEAUNZ features:

• CTR-CORE - a groundbreaking core within the ball would improve accuracy and consistency, supporting fast, precise play with top shape and air retention.

• SPEEDSHELL - The ball’s polyurethane (PU) skin features micro and macro textures and a new 20-piece panel shape, enhancing aerodynamics.

• CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY - A Suspension System in the center of the ball hosts and stabilizes a 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor, providing unprecedented insight into every element of the movement of the ball. The sensor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which can be charged by induction.

The program focuses on increasing girls’ participation and the proportion of female coaches and female leaders in football for good community programs, helping to ensure that every girl participant has a female athlete role model in their community.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ starts on July 20th, 2023, with the host nation New Zealand taking on Norway - and concludes with the final a month later, on August 20th.

OCEAUNZ will be priced at €150 and available from January 25th at Adidas’s selected retailers and online.

Adidas is the global leader in football. It is the official supplier of the most important football tournaments in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup™, the UEFA European Championship & the UEFA Champions League. Adidas also sponsors some world’s top clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, FC Bayern Munich & Juventus. Adidas also partners some of the best athletes in the game, including Vivianne Miedema, Lindsey Horan, Wendie Renard, Leo Messi, Paul Pogba, Mohamed Salah, Paulo Dybala, Thiago Alcantara, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, Joao Felix, Serge Gnabry, Isco Jude Bellingham, and Karim Benzema.

Source: Adidas

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:28 PM | View the original post

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January 24, 2023

The Academy announces 95th Oscars Nominations.

— The Oscars are set to air live on March 12 on ABC.

Photo: American actor and producer Mark Ruffalo arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Photographer: Matt Petit. Image provided by & copyright © Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]

Photo: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos arrive on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Photographer: Nick Argo. Image provided by & copyright © Nick Argo / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]

Photo: Nominated for Music written for Motion Pictures (Original Song). Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” - Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Oscar-winning actor-producer Riz Ahmed and actor Allison Williams announced the 95th Oscars nominations today (January 24), live from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater via a global live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, and the Academy’s digital platforms, an international satellite feed and broadcast media.

Ahmed and Williams announced the nominees in 9 categories at 5:30 a.m. PT, followed by the remaining 14 categories at 5:41 a.m. PT, at the live event attended by international media and industry guests.

Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories - actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film and International Feature Film categories, nominees get selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to choose the Best Picture nominees. This year, the Academy saw its highest-ever voter participation in the organization’s history, with members submitting ballots from 80 countries.

• Nominations for the 95th Academy Awards

• Performance by an actor in a leading role

• Austin Butler in “Elvis”
• Colin Farrell in “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brendan Fraser in “The Whale”
• Paul Mescal in “Aftersun”
• Bill Nighy in “Living”

• Performance by an actor in a supporting role

• Brendan Gleeson in “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Brian Tyree Henry in “Causeway”
• Judd Hirsch in “The Fabelmans”
• Barry Keoghan in “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Ke Huy Quan in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

• Performance by an actress in a leading role

• Cate Blanchett in “Tár”
• Ana de Armas in “Blonde”
• Andrea Riseborough in “To Leslie”
• Michelle Williams in “The Fabelmans”
• Michelle Yeoh in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

• Performance by an actress in a supporting role

• Angela Bassett in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
• Hong Chau in “The Whale”
• Kerry Condon in “The Banshees of Inisherin”
• Jamie Lee Curtis in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
• Stephanie Hsu in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

• Best animated feature film of the year

• “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar, and Alex Bulkley
• “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” Dean Fleischer Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan, and Paul Mezey
• “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Joel Crawford and Mark Swift
• “The Sea Beast” Chris Williams and Jed Schlanger
• “Turning Red” Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins

• Achievement in cinematography

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” James Friend
• “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths” Darius Khondji
• “Elvis” Mandy Walker
• “Empire of Light” Roger Deakins
• “Tár” Florian Hoffmeister

• Achievement in costume design

• “Babylon” Mary Zophres
• “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Ruth Carter
• “Elvis” Catherine Martin
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Shirley Kurata
• “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” Jenny Beavan

• Achievement in directing

• “The Banshees of Inisherin” Martin McDonagh
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
• “The Fabelmans” Steven Spielberg
• “Tár” Todd Field
• “Triangle of Sadness” Ruben Östlund

• Best documentary feature

• “All That Breathes” Shaunak Sen, Aman Mann, and Teddy Leifer
• “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” Laura Poitras, Howard Gertler, John Lyons, Nan Goldin, and Yoni Golijov
• “Fire of Love” Sara Dosa, Shane Boris, and Ina Fichman
• “A House Made of Splinters” Simon Lereng Wilmont and Monica Hellström
• “Navalny” Daniel Roher, Odessa Rae, Diane Becker, Melanie Miller, and Shane Boris

• Best documentary short subject

• “The Elephant Whisperers” Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga
• “Haulout” Evgenia Arbugaeva and Maxim Arbugaev
• “How Do You Measure a Year?” Jay Rosenblatt
• “The Martha Mitchell Effect” Anne Alvergue and Beth Levison
• “Stranger at the Gate” Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

• Achievement in film editing

• “The Banshees of Inisherin” Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
• “Elvis” Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Paul Rogers
• “Tár” Monika Willi
• “Top Gun: Maverick” Eddie Hamilton

• Best international feature film of the year

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Germany
• “Argentina, 1985” Argentina
• “Close” Belgium
• “EO” Poland
• “The Quiet Girl” Ireland

• Achievement in makeup and hairstyling

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová
• “The Batman” Naomi Donne, Mike Marino, and Mike Fontaine
• “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Camille Friend and Joel Harlow
• “Elvis” Mark Coulier, Jason Baird, and Aldo Signoretti
• “The Whale” Adrien Morot, Judy Chin, and Anne Marie Bradley

• Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Volker Bertelmann
• “Babylon” Justin Hurwitz
• “The Banshees of Inisherin” Carter Burwell
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Son Lux
• “The Fabelmans” John Williams

• Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

• “Applause” from “Tell It like a Woman” - Music and Lyric by Diane Warren.
• “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick” - Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop
• “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” - Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Goransson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler
• “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” - Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose
• “This Is A Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” - Music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne, and Mitski; Lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne

• Best motion picture of the year

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Malte Grunert, Producer
• “Avatar: The Way of Water” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
• “The Banshees of Inisherin” Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, and Martin McDonagh, Producers
• “Elvis” Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick, and Schuyler Weiss, Producers
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, and Jonathan Wang, Producers
• “The Fabelmans” Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, Producers
• “Tá”r Todd Field, Alexandra Milchan, and Scott Lambert, Producers
• “Top Gun: Maverick” Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison, and Jerry Bruckheimer, Producers
• “Triangle of Sadness” Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober, Producers
• “Women Talking” Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Frances McDormand, Producers

• Achievement in production design

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Production Design: Christian M. Goldbeck; Set Decoration: Ernestine Hipper
• “Avatar: The Way of Water” Production Design: Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole
• “Babylon” Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino
• “Elvis” Production Design: Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy; Set Decoration: Bev Dunn
• “The Fabelmans” Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara

• Best animated short film

• “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud
• “The Flying Sailor” Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby
• “Ice Merchants” João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano
• “My Year of Dicks” Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Pamela Ribon
• “An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It” Lachlan Pendragon

• Best live-action short film

• “An Irish Goodbye” Tom Berkeley and Ross White
• “Ivalu” Anders Walter and Rebecca Pruzan
• “Le Pupille” Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón
• “Night Ride” Eirik Tveiten and Gaute Lid Larssen
• “The Red Suitcase” Cyrus Neshvad

• Achievement in sound

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Viktor Prášil, Frank Kruse, Markus Stemler, Lars Ginzel, and Stefan Korte
• “Avatar: The Way of Water” Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, and Michael Hedges
• “The Batman” Stuart Wilson, William Files, Douglas Murray, and Andy Nelson
• “Elvis” David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson, and Michael Keller
• “Top Gun: Maverick” Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor

• Achievement in visual effects

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller, Markus Frank, and Kamil Jafar
• “Avatar: The Way of Water” Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett
• “The Batman” Dan Lemmon, Russell Earl, Anders Langlands, and Dominic Tuohy
• “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick
• “Top Gun: Maverick” Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson, and Scott R. Fisher

• Adapted screenplay

• “All Quiet on the Western Front” Screenplay by Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson & Ian Stokell
• “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” Written by Rian Johnson
• “Living” Written by Kazuo Ishiguro
• “Top Gun: Maverick” Screenplay by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; Story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks
• “Women Talking” Screenplay by Sarah Polley

• Original screenplay

• “The Banshees of Inisherin” Written by Martin McDonagh
• “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
• “The Fabelmans” Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
• “Tár” Written by Todd Field
• “Triangle of Sadness” Written by Ruben Östlund

The 95th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

|GlobalGiants.Com|

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January 23, 2023

Ducati Lenovo Team unveils 2023 livery at Madonna di Campiglio.

• Ducati unveils official MotoGP and WorldSBK teams’ liveries in Madonna di Campiglio during the “Campioni in Pista” event.

• The Ducati Lenovo Team is ready to defend the Riders’, Constructors’, and Teams’ World Titles secured in MotoGP in 2022 with reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia.

• Enea Bastianini, Bagnaia’s new teammate, makes his debut wearing the Ducati Lenovo Team colors.

• Bagnaia’s Desmosedici GP sports the World Champion’s number 1.

• Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding: “Working while having fun is part of our philosophy. It adds value to our work and allows us to commit even more by managing fatigue.”

Photos: Ducati Lenovo Team unveils 2023 livery. Images provided by & copyright © DUCATI.

Madonna di Campiglio (Italy), January 23, 2023 - At the Palacampiglio of Madonna di Campiglio, in the enchanting setting of the snow-capped Dolomites, the livery of the Desmosedici GP bikes with which the Ducati Lenovo Team will take part in the 2023 MotoGP World Championship has been unveiled. The official Ducati team is ready to defend the Constructors’, Teams’, and Riders’ World Titles clinched last year together with reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia. Enea Bastianini, who finished third in the 2022 World Championship with the Desmosedici GP of the Gresini Racing team, will be alongside him wearing the official Ducati colors for the first time. Everything is set for another exciting season, with the first race out of 21 scheduled to take place in Portimão, Portugal, on March 26. In addition to the traditional Sunday race, starting this year, a sprint race on Saturday at each Grands Prix will add more excitement to the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.

Source: DUCATI

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Ducati Corse | Best of MotoGP 2021

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:12 AM | View the original post

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January 22, 2023

Anne Klein kicks off Milestone Year with New Fashion Campaign featuring Supermodel Candice Swanepoel.

Photo: Anne Klein has tapped South African supermodel, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Candice Swanepoel to appear in a new Spring/Summer 2023 fashion campaign. Image provided by & copyright © Anne Klein.

Photo: American fashion brand Anne Klein celebrates 55 years of style, impact, and legacy - releases Spring/Summer 23 campaign featuring supermodel Candice Swanepoel. Image provided by & copyright © Anne Klein.

Photo: Anne Klein has tapped South African supermodel, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Candice Swanepoel to appear in a new Spring/Summer 2023 fashion campaign. Image provided by & copyright © Anne Klein.

NEW YORK, January 22, 2023 — 2023, serves as a milestone year for iconic American fashion brand ANNE KLEIN as it celebrates 55 years of style, impact, and the legacy of its namesake founder. Anne Klein has tapped South African supermodel, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Candice Swanepoel to appear in a new Spring/Summer 2023 fashion campaign to kick off the year.

Anne Klein, who founded her eponymous brand in 1968, is regarded as a trailblazing designer who forever changed how women dress. She provided a uniquely American point of view to the global fashion industry. She also inspired and championed women’s ability to make positive change, famously declaring: “Clothes won’t change the world. The women who wear them will.”

“As we enter this monumental year, we are thrilled to have Candice in our campaign series celebrating women who are positively changing the world through a balance of image and impact,” said Jameel Spencer, CMO in Residence for Anne Klein. “Anne Klein has a deep history of impacting women’s lives, and that DNA remains true today. Similarly, Candice has used her platform to deliver empowering messaging to women worldwide and is the perfect partner to help us further our mission and impact women today.”

“I’m honored to have partnered with Anne Klein, a brand whose values align with my own,” said Candice. “Anne Klein has a long and respected history within the fashion industry, and I’m proud to support their mission of empowering and championing women.”

Australian photographer Chris Colls shot the Anne Klein Spring/Summer ‘23 campaign at Pier 59 Studios in New York City.

Source: Anne Klein

|GlobalGiants.Com|

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January 21, 2023

U.S. Postal Service issues Stamps on Sailboats and Snowy Beauty Flowers.

Photo: U.S. Postal Service Forever Sailboat Postcard Stamps.

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the favorite outdoor activity of Sailboats with two colorful postcard stamps. According to USPS, “the stamps are whimsical, bright, bold, and modern — featuring illustrations that capture the joyful sensation of being on the water on a beautiful day.”

“Both stamps show boats cutting through the waves at full heel. The first depicts a single boat above royal blue waves, a white swell crashing against the prow. The white mainsail — adorned with a thick yellow stripe — and a pink jib stands majestically above a white, pink, and gray hull, all set against a gray-blue, cloudless sky,” USPS explained.

“The second stamp features two boats racing under full sail. The closer boat sports a teal-and-white mainsail and a pink jib — white spray curls from its white and teal hull. The farther boat has a sleek black hull, and a white mainsail tipped with red. Antonio Alcalá is the art director,” USPS added.

Photo: USPS Snowy Beauty Flower Stamps.

The U.S. Postal Service has also issued 10 Snowy Beauty Forever stamps in booklets of 20.

USPS states, “Gardens are places of beauty no matter the season. Even as the days grow short, some hardy blooms brave winter’s chill. Snowfall only heightens their splendor, serving as the perfect foil for their radiance.”

“Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with original art by Gregory Manchess. The artist started with digital studies, then created the finished images with oils on the panel. The result is a set of beautifully illustrated blooming winter wonders: camellia, crocus, hellebore, winterberry, pansy, plum blossom, grape hyacinth, daffodil, ranunculus, and winter aconite,” USPS elaborated.

Source: U.S. Postal Service

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January 20, 2023

India Meets with World Economic Forum to advance Progress in addressing Socioeconomic Challenges and G20 Agenda

• World Economic Forum values its nearly 40-year collaborative history with India and looks forward to continued cooperation.

• As part of its G20 presidency, India aims to promote just and equitable growth while also making significant progress on the most pressing domestic challenges.

Photo: Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development of India, speaking in the “Economics of Women’s Health” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 17, 2023. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Manuel Lopez.

Photo: Gita Gopinath, International Monetary Fund (IMF), speaking during the “Fiscal Expansion: A Welcome Return or Ticking Bomb?” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Ciaran McCrickard.

Photo: Participants at the “30x30 Ambition: Next Steps after Montreal” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 19, 2023. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Manuel Lopez.

Photo: Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation, India, speaking in the “Renaissance of South Asia?” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 19, 2023. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Manuel Lopez.

Photo: Rahul Kanwal, News Director, India Today and Aajtak, India Today Group, India, speaking in the “Renaissance of South Asia?” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 19, 2023. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Manuel Lopez.

Photo: Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder, and CEO, Hispanic Star, USA, speaking in the “Press Conference: The Hispanic Promise 2.0” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 17, 2023. Media Village, Press Conference Room. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/ Greg Beadle.

Photo: Participants at the “Reversing the Tide of Global Inequality” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 19, 2023. Congress Centre - Spotlight. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Sandra Blaser.

Photo: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways; Minister of Communications; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology of India, speaking in the “Learning from Semiconductor Supply Shocks” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 19, 2023. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Sikarin Fon Thanachaiary.

Photo: Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, speaking in the “Renaissance of South Asia?” session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, January 19, 2023. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Manuel Lopez.

Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2023 - In Davos, world leaders continue to progress on solutions for the most pressing crises affecting the world. The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 comes as multiple concerns deepen divisions and fragment the geopolitical landscape. As a result, governments and businesses must address people’s immediate, critical needs while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient world by the decade’s end.

The program simultaneously addresses immediate crises and future long-term challenges and helps set the scene for India’s G20 presidency.

“I had the pleasure of meeting the Indian ministerial delegation and many of its top business leaders,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. “I commend the country’s decisive action on the climate case for renewables, its contribution to the global healthcare ecosystem, the focus on an economic model for women-led development, and its leadership on digital public infrastructure. India remains a bright spot amid global geoeconomics and geopolitical crises.”

The World Economic Forum shares a 38-year history with India and looks forward to continued partnership with the country during its G20 presidency under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India is promoting just and equitable growth for all in the world during its G20 presidency.

“India’s G20 presidency comes at a crucial time. Prime Minister Modi’s leadership is critical in this fractured world,” Schwab said.

World leaders had gathered at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in the first major international gathering to address ongoing economic, energy, and food crises while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient world.

While many economists forecast recessionary risks in 2023 and see geopolitical tensions continuing to shape the global economy, there are glimmers of hope that pressures on food, energy, and inflation may be peaking.

“A perfect storm plagues our world on several fronts,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. He called for urgent action on many interconnected challenges, including the global economic crisis, climate, income and gender inequality, US-China relations, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Now more than ever, it is time to forge the pathways to cooperation in our fragmented world,” he concluded.

Cooperation is becoming more virtual, and the Forum’s Global Collaboration Village showed how we could harness the metaverse for inclusive and effective international action. With the golden age of artificial intelligence underway, technology will provide more ways to bring people together.

“We can turn challenges into opportunities through collaboration, innovation, human goodwill, and ingenuity. It is the spirit of solving problems through mutual respect and cooperation. This is the spirit of Davos,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman World Economic Forum.

As crises converge, so too must the solutions. As a result, the Annual Meeting emphasized connections across significant systemic challenges. With over 480 sessions, more than 2,700 leaders - including over 350 public figures, government leaders, and 47 heads of state - came together at the Annual Meeting 2023 to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Source: World Economic Forum

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January 19, 2023

Mastercard enhances its connection with Indian Sports lovers through a Marquee Sponsorship of Cricket in India.

Mastercard acquires the title sponsorship rights for all home Cricket matches (women’s and men’s) and domestic first-class Cricket.

Mastercard has announced its collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to broaden its strategic outreach to Indian audiences. During this association, Mastercard will be the title sponsor for all international matches (both women’s and men’s) held on home grounds, domestic cricket matches like Irani Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Ranji Trophy organized by the BCCI, and also all junior Cricket (Under 19 and Under 23) games held in India.

This sponsorship and its activations are aimed at enhancing Mastercard’s connection with cricket lovers across the country and beyond. For a brand highly invested in sponsorships worldwide with marquee properties like the UEFA Champions League, the Grammys, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Australian and French Open tennis tournaments, Mastercard’s tie-up with the BCCI further enhances its prestigious portfolio of sponsorships.

Mr. Sourav Ganguly, former President Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said, “The BCCI welcomes Mastercard as the Title Sponsor for home cricket matches for the 2022-23 season. Along with the international home series, the BCCI’s domestic tournaments are crucial as they are a stepping stone toward making India a solid international side. The BCCI truly values Mastercard’s support in building Indian Cricket. This sport is more than a passion point, it’s a way of life. We look forward to innovative experiences for the fans via this partnership and delivering value to Mastercard through this collaboration.”

Mr. Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said, “The BCCI is pleased to associate with a global marquee brand - Mastercard. We are in for an exciting period in Indian Cricket as we have Australia and South Africa coming over for the white-ball series before the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In contrast, domestic Cricket has a packed calendar with the return of the Duleep Trophy and a full-fledged Ranji Trophy season. As a result, the 2022-23 season will witness a lot of action across age groups, and I am confident this will be an enriching partnership.”

Mr. Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Mastercard, said, “Cricket is a perfect amalgamation of sports and entertainment with immense potential to deliver priceless moments. Our globally recognized Priceless platform offers us the unique opportunity to delight cardholders, customers, and partners worldwide. Cricket enjoys unparalleled popularity in India, where it is a singular unifying force for the nation, and in numerous countries worldwide. It is, therefore, particularly relevant and opportune for us to have acquired the title sponsorship rights for all home international and domestic cricket matches organized by the BCCI.”

Mr. MS Dhoni, India’s legendary cricketer who has been Mastercard’s ambassador for over four years, added, “Cricket has been my life and given me everything I have. So I am thrilled that Mastercard is sponsoring all the home cricket matches of the BCCI, especially the domestic, junior, and women’s Cricket. So today’s Ranji and junior players will play for the country tomorrow and continue to embody the pride of 1.3 billion Indians.”

Mastercard is endeavoring to enhance its solid international base of sponsorship assets with uniquely Indian ones. In addition, Mastercard has worked to amplify this passion area by signing MS Dhoni, the former Indian cricket captain, as its brand ambassador over four years ago. Mastercard said that the synergies envisaged between Mastercard and Indian Cricket would mutually benefit the sport, its fans, and the brand during this tenure.

Source: Mastercard

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:56 PM | View the original post

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January 18, 2023

Tanishq, Jewelry Brand by the Tata Group, launches its first U.S. Store in New Jersey.

Tanishq intends to tap into the sizable Indian diaspora through its flagship store in New Jersey.

Photo: Tanishq, Jewelry Brand by the Tata Group, launches its first U.S. store in New Jersey. Image provided by Tanishq.

NEW YORK, January 18, 2023 — Tanishq, an Indian jewelry brand, announced its first store in the United States today. Senator Robert Menendez, Senior United States senator from New Jersey, and Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York, along with John E. McCormac, Mayor Woodbridge, Sam Joshi, Mayor Edison, Wesley Mathews, Choose New Jersey Inc., Vin Gopal, New Jersey State Senator, and Congressman Frank Pallone, New Jersey, were the chief guests at the inauguration of the store.

The brand aims to meet the evolving needs of Indian Americans, who comprise 4.35 percent of the state’s total population and are 387,000 strong. Tanishq has been in the U.S. market through e-commerce for over a year and has received positive community feedback. The launch is a part of Tanishq’s retail business expansion strategy.

The 3750+ square foot, two-story showroom on New Jersey’s Oak Tree Road, Iselin, offers 6500+ unique designs in 18 and 22 K.T. gold and diamond jewelry, as well as solitaires and colored stones. The store displayed its most recent collections at the inaugural event, including Color me joy, a cocktail jewelry collection, Romance of polki, Rhythms of rain, Moods of earth, and Alekhya.

CK Venkataraman, Managing Director; Kuruvilla Markose, C.E.O. International Business; and Amrit Pal Singh, Business Head - North America at Titan Company Limited, hosted the chief guests. “We are on a mission to establish Tanishq as a global brand, and our retail showroom expansion in the United States is a significant step in that direction. Tanishq has been balancing the elegance of tradition with the brilliance of modernity for decades, and we want to bring it to New Jersey,” said C K Venkataraman, Managing Director at Titan Company Limited, the parent company of Tanishq.

Kuruvilla Markose, C.E.O. - International Business Division, Titan Company Limited, said, “Tanishq already has a significant online presence in the U.S. market. However, the high demand and interest shown by the Indian American community encouraged us to have an on-ground presence for them. As a result, this showroom will have our latest collections and masterpieces designed to suit all jewelry needs of the Indian Americans.”

The company launched its first international brick-and-mortar store in Dubai in November 2020. It now has eight international stores, seven in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and the first in the United States of America. The company intends to collectively open 20-30 stores in North America and the Middle East over the next 2-3 years. While in India, Tanishq has a presence of 400+ stores across 240 cities and intends to add 100+ stores in the next year.

Tanishq, India’s most-loved jewelry brand from the Tata Group, has been synonymous with superior craftsmanship, exclusive designs, unique customer service, and guaranteed product quality for over two decades. With designs that capture the beauty and celebration of special occasions, Tanishq aims to be an integral part of every woman’s journey.

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, the Tata Group is a global enterprise headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals. The group operates in more than 100 countries across six continents, with a mission ‘To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust.’

Source: Tanishq

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:27 PM | View the original post

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January 17, 2023

Emily Ratajkowski is the new face of Viktor&Rolf's Flowerbomb.

Photo: Emily Ratajkowski for Flowerbomb by Viktor&Rolf. Image provided by & copyright Viktor&Rolf.

PARIS, January 18, 2023 — Viktor&Rolf have announced that American author, actress, model, activist, and entrepreneur Emily Ratajkowski, will be the face of the new FLOWERBOMB campaign worldwide from January 20, 2023.

“Ratajkowski is a multifaceted, modern-day feminist icon, challenging current biases to construct a space of true empowerment, redefining what it means to be wholly and wonderfully female. Her debut essay collection “My Body” was released by Metropolitan Books,” Viktor&Rolf said.

“Launched 18 years ago, FLOWERBOMB is a worldwide best seller, remaining in the Top 10 US women’s fragrances and the Top 15 UK women’s fragrances since its launch in 2005. The fragrance has single-handedly disrupted the perfume world, setting the standard for floral gourmand fragrances and signaling a new chapter of fragrance femininity,” the company added.

“We have admired Emily Ratajkowski for a long time, and we’re happy to welcome her to the Viktor&Rolf family. As her work testifies, Emily is a multifaceted talent. Her wide range of qualities and talents make her the perfect embodiment of FLOWERBOMB,” Viktor&Rolf remarked.

“Ratajkowski, in her first collaboration with the brand, appears in the fragrance’s film short directed by filmmakers Torso Solutions, featuring imagery artistically directed and captured by photographers Inez & Vinoodh. In it, Ratajkowski explores the extraordinary power of transformation pushed to the extreme. A story of metamorphosis unfurls through a glitchy explosion of flowers and a call to ‘Unleash your feminine power,” Viktor&Rolf further stated.

Source: Viktor&Rolf Fragrances

|GlobalGiants.Com|

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January 15, 2023

Miss Universe USA, R’Bonney Gabriel, is crowned Miss Universe

Photo: R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe USA 2022, is crowned Miss Universe at the conclusion of the 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition on January 14, 2023, at the New Orleans Ernst N. Morial Convention Center, airing LIVE on The Roku Channel in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Contestants from around the globe have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing to compete for the MISS UNIVERSE crown. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & Copyright © Miss Universe Organization.

Photo: R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe USA 2022, is crowned Miss Universe at the conclusion of the 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition on January 14, 2023, at the New Orleans Ernst N. Morial Convention Center, airing LIVE on The Roku Channel in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Contestants from around the globe have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing to compete for the MISS UNIVERSE crown. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & Copyright © Miss Universe Organization.

Photo: Amanda Dudamel, Miss Universe Venezuela 2022; R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe USA 2022; Andreina Martinez Founier, Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2022, competes on stage as a Top 3 finalist during the 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition on January 14, 2023, at the New Orleans Ernst N. Morial Convention Center airing LIVE on The Roku Channel in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Contestants from around the globe have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing to compete for the MISS UNIVERSE crown. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & Copyright © Miss Universe Organization.

Photo: Alessia Rovegno, Miss Universe Peru 2022, competes on stage as a Top 16 finalist in Jacqueline Aguilera swimwear during the 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition on January 14, 2023, at the New Orleans Ernst N. Morial Convention Center airing LIVE on The Roku Channel in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Contestants from around the globe have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing to compete for the MISS UNIVERSE crown. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & Copyright © Miss Universe Organization.

Photo: Gabriëla Dos Santos, Miss Universe Curacao 2022, competes on stage as a Top 5 finalist during the 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition on January 14, 2023, at the New Orleans Ernst N. Morial Convention Center airing LIVE on The Roku Channel in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Contestants from around the globe have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing to compete for the MISS UNIVERSE crown. Photographer: TRACY NGUYEN. Image provided by & Copyright © Miss Universe Organization.

Source: Miss Universe Organization

|GlobalGiants.Com|

The new Miss Universe is USA!!! #MISSUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/7vryvLV92Y

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:54 AM | View the original post

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January 13, 2023

Kia Carens wins the ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) 2023 Award.

Photo: Kia Carens wins the ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) 2023 Award. Image provided by KIA.

Kia Carens has won the Indian Car of the Year 2023 award.

The ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) awards, held under the aegis of the Automotive Journalists Association of India (AJAI), are the most coveted automotive awards in India and are often referred to as the Oscars of the Indian automotive industry. The award is an expert and independent judgment of the best new Car. The highly experienced jury members are responsible for selecting a single decisive winner. The criteria like price, fuel efficiency, styling, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, technical innovation, value for money, and suitability for Indian driving conditions are significant factors considered while deciding on the winner.

“India is one of the most important markets for Kia, as the Indian market has grown at an unprecedented rate. Kia has become one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the Indian market. To be recognized by the Indian Car of the Year jury is a significant achievement for the whole Kia family,” said Ho Sung Song, President, and CEO, of Kia Corporation. “The Kia Carens highlights our commitment to offering tailor-made family vehicles to meet Indian customers’ needs. The Kia EV6 embodies our vision to pave the road for electrified mobility solutions for India. We will continue our efforts to contribute to the future of mobility for customers in India and around the world.”

“We are thankful to the esteemed ICOTY jury members for this honor. This is a well-deserved recognition for the Kia brand and speaks volumes for our technological prowess, capabilities, and understanding of the Indian market,” said Tae-Jin Park, Managing Director, and CEO, of Kia India. “It reflects our successful journey in India and a great motivation to keep working and contributing towards an inspiring tomorrow.”

Kia Carens is yet another made-in-India global product from Kia that brings a family mover’s sophistication and an SUV’s sportiness in one compelling package. The Kia Carens is a comfortable, spacious three-row seater Recreational Vehicle designed for modern Indian families. The vehicle hosts first-in-class features such as 26.03 Cm (10.25”) HD Touchscreen Navigation with Next Generation Kia Connect and BOSE Premium Sound System with eight speakers. It has Smart Pure Air Purifier with Virus and Bacteria protection, Ventilated front seats, 2nd Row Seat One Touch Easy Electric Tumble and SkyLight Sunroof. All the trim levels offer the Robust 10 Hi-safety package as standard, which includes six airbags, VSM, HAC, ESC, and all-Wheel Disc Brakes, to name a few, making the Kia Carens safe for a family drive. The Kia Carens is available with three powertrain options - Smartstream 1.5 Petrol, Smartstream 1.4 T-GDi Petrol, and 1.5 CRDi VGT Diesel. Further, customers also get a chance to choose from three transmission options - 6MT, 7DCT, and 6AT. The vehicle is offered in the Seven seater option in Premium to Luxury trims, while the Luxury Plus trim is available with both six and 7-seater options.

Source: KIA

|GlobalGiants.Com|

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January 12, 2023

UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO) Governing Board meets for the Future of Educational Planning

Photo: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. Conference on Transforming Education through Regional Collaboration. Photographer: Lily CHAVANCE. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Lily CHAVANCE.

Paris, January 12, 2023 — The Governing Board of the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO) met in Paris, France, from 13 to December 14, 2022, to take stock of recent achievements and to chart a path forward for the Institute as the 60th anniversary of IIEP draws near.

Members of the Board (currently chaired by José Weinstein and representing all regions of the world) stressed that equitable access to education and equal opportunities for learning and skills development could only be achieved through solid planning and management of education systems. And this lies at the heart of IIEP’s mandate, established in 1963.

Six decades on, this remains more relevant than ever as countries worldwide strive to recover learning losses arising from the pandemic and transform education and foundational learning in a rapidly changing world.

To accompany UNESCO Member States on this journey, the Board welcomed IIEP’s recent reflections and adjustments to its core offer to countries. It includes a new global training strategy, which aims to sustainably meet the capacity needs of educational planners and systems across the globe.

Additionally, IIEP will launch a new Global Learning Academy in 2023 with a refreshed course catalog, a hybrid blended approach offering greater flexibility for professionals, and enhanced harmonization across the Buenos Aires, Dakar, and Paris offices. It will come amid a year-long celebration of IIEP’s 60th anniversary, which will also involve deep reflections on the future of planning and its place in a world facing evolving global threats and challenges.

Adding to the momentum, the Board welcomed IIEP’s new Resource Mobilization Plan as the Institute seeks to maintain and grow its funding base. In addition, a donor mapping is underway to identify opportunities that align with country demand and IIEP’s critical priorities on data, governance and finance, management for learning, equity and resilience, and skills and flexible learning.

The 12-member Board also congratulated IIEP for its substantial achievements in 2022 and its contributions to global solution-building, echoing the spirit of the Transforming Education Summit this past year.

In 2022, several planners and other education professionals received training from IIEP, and 19 countries benefited from IIEP technical assistance. Hence, it increasingly emphasizes the importance of implementing and monitoring plans and policies for tangible system transformation.

IIEP lent its support beyond the traditional education sector analysis and plan development to include a more comprehensive and diverse offer to countries.

Today, IIEP emphasizes applying a gender and crisis lens throughout the planning cycle to protect the right to education for all and to build system resilience.

Finally, in 2022, the Institute launched its new Knowledge Management and Mobilization team. It also generated and shared new evidence and knowledge on various topics, including flexible learning pathways, open government initiatives, ministry of education leadership, digital education policies, and gender dynamics.

Source: UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO)

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The Editor is an IIEP-UNESCO certified “Independent Appraiser” of Government Education Plans.

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:57 PM | View the original post

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January 11, 2023

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023: Cooperation in a Fragmented World, Addressing Pressing Crises, Tackling Future Challenges

• The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 will convene under the theme, Cooperation in a Fragmented World

• It calls on world leaders to address immediate economic, energy, and food crises while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient world

• Meeting will convene more than 2,700 leaders from 130 countries, including 52 heads of state/government

Photo: World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023, Davos, Switzerland. Photographer: Mattias Nutt. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Mattias Nutt. [File Photo]

Photo: Participants at the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders Alumni Gathering, Geneva, Switzerland. October 20, 2022. Photographer: Pascal Bitz. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Pascal Bitz. [File Photo]

Photo: World Economic Forum Global Shapers Annual Summit, Geneva, Switzerland. September 3, 2022. Photographer: Pascal Bitz. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum/Pascal Bitz. [File Photo]

Geneva, Switzerland, January 10, 2023 - The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023, taking place 16-20 January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, comes as multiple crises deepen divisions and fragment the geopolitical landscape. Leaders must address people’s immediate, critical needs while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient world by the decade’s end.

“We see the manifold political, economic, and social forces creating increased fragmentation on a global and national level. To address the root causes of this erosion of trust, we need to reinforce cooperation between the government and business sectors, creating the conditions for a strong and durable recovery. But, at the same time, there must be the recognition that economic development needs to be made more resilient, more sustainable, and nobody should be left behind,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum.

The program of the 53rd Annual Meeting focuses on solutions and public-private cooperation to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. It encourages world leaders to work together on the interconnected issues of energy, climate, and nature; investment, trade, and infrastructure; frontier technologies and industry resilience; jobs, skills, social mobility, and health; and geopolitical cooperation in a multipolar world. Particular emphasis is on gender and geographical diversity across all sessions.

Switzerland is the host country for the Annual Meeting. More than 2,700 leaders will participate this year, with a strong representation from all key regions of the world. Top political leaders taking part include:

• Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany;
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission;
• Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament;
• Yoon Suk-yeol, President of the Republic of Korea;
• Cyril M. Ramaphosa, President of South Africa;
• Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain;
• Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Confederation 2023 and Federal Councillor of Home Affairs;
• Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
• Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium;
• Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, President of Colombia;
• Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
• Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland;
• Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece;
• Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach of Ireland;
• Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova;
• Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of Morocco;
• Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands;
• Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Philippines;
• Andrzej Duda, President of Poland;
• Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia;
• Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania;
• Najla Bouden, Prime Minister of Tunisia.

As well as:

• John F. Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the United States of America;
• Avril Haines, US Director of National Intelligence;
• Martin J. Walsh, Secretary of Labor of the United States;
• Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative;
• Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada;
• Christine Lagarde, President, European Central Bank.

Heads of international organizations taking part include:

• Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General;
• Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund;
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization;
• Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
• Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization;
• Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency;
• Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF;
• Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President, International Committee of the Red Cross.

This year will bring about the highest-ever business participation at Davos, with over 1,500 leaders registered across 700 organizations, including over 600 of the world’s top CEOs from the World Economic Forum’s Members and Partners, with top-level representation from sectors such as financial services, energy, materials and infrastructure, information and communication technologies. They come as governments increasingly look to businesses to implement big ideas quickly and inclusively. There will also be a strong representation of Global Innovators who are transforming industries, with more than 90 mission-driven leaders from the Forum’s Technology Pioneers and recently launched Unicorn communities.

Leaders from civil society taking part in the Meeting include:

• Seth F. Berkley, Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance;
• Stephen Cotton, General Secretary, International Transport Workers’ Federation;
• Christy Hoffman, General Secretary, UNI Global Union;
• Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad;
• Azza Karam, Secretary-General, Religions for Peace;
• Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2022 and President, Centre for Civil Liberties;
• David Miliband, President, International Rescue Committee;
• Luisa Neubauer, Climate Activist, Fridays for Future Movement;
• Kirsten Schuijt, Director-General, WWF International;
• Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Art of Living Foundation.

Among the new initiatives at the Annual Meeting is the Global Collaboration Village. This purpose-driven metaverse fosters more sustainable public-private collaboration and spurs action to deliver impact at scale. In addition, the first-ever metaverse multilateral meeting hosted by the Forum will bring together experts and leaders from finance, food, and retail to drive action on ocean health and seafood waste.

More than 160 of the Forum’s civic-minded young leaders will join as members of our Global Shapers, Young Global Leaders, and Social Entrepreneurs communities this year. WEF will also welcome nine Indigenous leaders bringing the knowledge and expertise of their communities to advance regional and global efforts in ecosystem restoration, inclusive trade, and sustainable development.

More than 125 experts and heads of the world’s leading universities, research institutions, and think tanks will join the Meeting, bringing the latest facts, insights, science, and data into the program and the Forum’s work.

The Arts and Culture program features several sessions and immersive art installations on preserving coral reefs, displaced peoples and the global refugee crisis, gender equality and female empowerment, and global sea-level rise. In addition, it will include the 27th Annual Crystal Awards and Cultural Leaders.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Open Forum, which welcomes diverse people worldwide to listen and share experiences with experts and leaders on pressing issues. The theme is Our Environment: Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities.

The 53rd Annual Meeting will also be climate-neutral for the sixth consecutive year. New initiatives to boost resource efficiency and reduce emissions will build on the Forum’s 2018 ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management.

Source: World Economic Forum

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:17 AM | View the original post

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