July 25, 2021
Fans in India will have Unprecedented Access to Personalized Olympic Content across Multiple Screens.
Photos: Fans in India will have unprecedented access to personalized Olympic content across multiple screens. Images provided by & copyright © IOC 2021 / © Getty Images.
Tokyo, July 25, 2021 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Sony Picture Networks India, the official broadcast partner of the IOC, have announced the most comprehensive, multi-screen experience ever for fans in India.
Available in English and Hindi, a specialized digital platform on olympics.com will deliver unprecedented access to targeted, must-see Tokyo 2020 action and other IOC content for all Indian fans. The India-specific platform is the first of its kind from the IOC.
• Multilingual broadcast coverage on more screens than ever before
Sony Picture Networks India, the official broadcast partner of the IOC in India, will provide multilingual coverage across its various platforms. SONY TEN 2 and SONY SIX (and HD) channels will broadcast the games in English; Hindi coverage will be on SONY TEN 3 (and HD) channels. In addition, digital streaming will be available to fans on the SonyLIV website and app.
Doordarshan will air coverage across the DD Sports Channel on the DD terrestrial network and DD’s own DD Free Dish.
All live coverage on Sony starts with the live wraparound studio show SPORTS EXTRAAA at 3 p.m. IST followed by the Opening Ceremony at 4.30 p.m. IST.
• IOC platform
Complementing these efforts, the IOC has launched for the first time a Games platform on olympics.com and the Olympics app available in English and Hindi. The website and app will be part of many innovative digital experiences available to fans.
Highlights and news will be made available to keep fans updated on the latest from Tokyo, including —
A Live Blog to engage fans in English and Hindi
FanZone to engage fans in Olympic first-of-its-kind Fantasy, Bracket, Trivia and Visa Moments
Live results, schedules, medals, and athlete bios (for the first time, such info is being made available in Hindi)
Other originals.
The platform will also offer original programming from the IOC’s award-winning content team, all tailored to the local audience and available in multiple languages. Among the highlights is “Jee Jaan Se: India’s Olympic Hope,” a profile series in which the stories of six of India’s Olympic hopefuls - Amit Panghal, Bajrang Punia, Kamalpreet Kaur, Manu Bhaker, Neeraj Chopra, and Rani Rampal - are told by coaches, family members, loved ones and the athletes themselves. Also available is “The Academy: Forging India’s Badminton Champions,” the all-access docu-series that goes inside India’s Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy and the lives of its top athletes ahead of Tokyo 2020.
Additionally, fans can get excited for Tokyo 2020 and celebrate India’s Olympic athletes with the “Apne Olympians” song. Indian playback singer Sukhwinder Singh (Grammy and Academy Award-winning song “Jai Ho”) and emerging rapper Dee MC perform the song. The IOC tasked the powerhouse duo to inspire a song and champion the pride of India while creating a rallying cry for their beloved team.
“We’re thrilled to inspire Olympic fans all across India through our digital platforms, bringing Olympic experiences of Tokyo 2020,” said Christopher Carroll, IOC Director of Digital Engagement and Marketing. “With Tokyo 2020 being the most digitally engaged Olympics ever, we have created a single platform for audiences in India to find relevant and compelling content on-demand, further personalizing their Olympic experience.”
In addition, local authorities in India, accompanied by broadcasters and other partners, have launched a trending song challenge called #Cheer4India. Performed by Grammy award-winner A.R. Rahman and young singer Ananya Birla, the song strives to inspire Indian Olympians and urge the public to wholeheartedly rally behind the country’s athletes during the Tokyo Games.
Source: International Olympic Committee
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Apne Olympians | Sukhwinder Singh, Salim - Sulaiman, Dee MC | Tokyo 2020
‘Hindustani Way’ - Here’s India’s Cheer Song For Tokyo Olympics
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:58 AM | View the original post
July 19, 2021
Lamborghini Esperienza Giro "Journey into the Vast" — Unparalleled expedition of 42 Lamborghinis through the North West of China
Photos: Lamborghini Esperienza Giro “Journey into the Vast” — Unparalleled expedition of 42 Lamborghinis through the North West of China. Images provided by Lamborghini.
Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, July 18, 2021 - Lamborghini China launched the Esperienza China Giro “Journey into the Vast,” an unparalleled expedition of 42 Lamborghini cars across the majestic northwestern region in China, traveling more than 800 kilometers through the vast lands of Ningxia and Gansu.
During the five-day journey, a fleet of 42 Lamborghini super sports cars and super SUVs departed from Yinchuan and drove through the colossal mountain range that stands tall and magnificent with distinct peaks and valleys. The fleet experienced local culture and beliefs. It got blessings at a temple.
The fleet then came to the expansive desert as the tranquil red light of the setting sun fell on the Yellow River, and the stars started to shine in the darkening skies. Next, the fleet drove along the stunning Route 66 of Zhongwei to reach the quaint ancient villages of Beichangtan. Finally, the fleet came to the Tonghu Grassland with its unique beauty of desert, lake, and oasis; then visited the Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park to enjoy the precious sight of the red bed of Danxia against the blue skies and cliffs.
“In the Tengger Desert, the Lamborghini Urus showcased its powerful super SUV off-road abilities. In Sabbia (sand) mode, the Urus, featuring active torque vectoring, guaranteed the agility and precision on sand-dunes with reduced grip, perfectly interpreting the fun of off-road driving in the vast sea of sand,” the company reported.
According to Lamborghini, the event also included a luxurious Lamborghini night in the depths of the desert. Guests enjoyed a stay in the Desert Star Hotel that beautifully integrates regional and modern design elements, immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the desert’s green oasis, starry skies, and rustling sand.
For seven years since 2015, the Lamborghini Esperienza Giro China has become an iconic annual event of the Lamborghini brand, bringing Chinese customers an exclusive and extraordinary driving experience in an exploration of China’s spectacular landscapes.
Source: Lamborghini
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:34 AM | View the original post
July 14, 2021
Reebok and Cardi B introduce Classic Leather Cardi
Photos: Cardi B x Reebok Introduce Classic Leather Cardi.
BOSTON, MA, July 12, 2021 - Reebok and American rapper and songwriter Cardi B have revealed their newest product collaboration: Classic Leather Cardi. The new women’s-only model will be available exclusively on Reebok.com.
Inspired by Cardi’s love of gold and its timeless value, the lavish gold silhouette was designed to be the go-to statement sneaker of every woman’s closet, Reebok said. Like all Cardi B x Reebok products, the shoes reflect Cardi’s personality, which influenced the transformation of the classic Reebok silhouette. The result: a bold, glamorous over-the-top shoe, the company added.
According to Reebok, the new silhouette takes Reebok’s biggest icon, the Classic Leather, and merges it with the midsole of the well-known Reebok Legacy 83 to create a feminine, fashion-forward sneaker. The sleek upper combines soft leathers with suede overlays with a satin-like sheen deboss effect finished with a velvet accent tongue.
The Classic Leather Cardi will be available in women’s sizes 5-12 exclusively on Reebok.com.
Source: Reebok
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Reebok #SheGotRee with Katrina Kaif
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:18 AM | View the original post
July 13, 2021
Harvard Tops FORTUNE's 2021 Best MBA Programs Ranking
NEW YORK, July 13, 2021 — Today, FORTUNE Education published its first-ever Best MBA Programs ranking, with Harvard University taking top honors, followed by Stanford University and The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. The Howard University School of Business (No. 30) was named the nation’s most underrated full-time MBA program by FORTUNE’s editors.
FORTUNE produced a ranking that gets back to the core of why professionals decide to pursue MBAs: To position their careers better and significantly improve lifetime earnings. The payoff of an MBA continues to increase, and FORTUNE’s research finds an extraordinary rise in starting salaries for MBAs.
FORTUNE Education Editorial Director Lance Lambert says, “Employers still want MBA grads, and they’re willing to pony up for them. But not all programs are equal. That’s why in this fast-changing digital world, FORTUNE set out to find the top business schools. We looked for programs that not only see their graduates head into good jobs right out of the gate but also have a track record of placing alumni into the highest echelons of Corporate America.”
FORTUNE invited around 100 traditional full-time MBA programs to participate in the 2021 ranking. In all, 69 programs completed the questionnaire. That information, along with data collected from companies and executives, was used as the core of the ranking. A FORTUNE 1000 Score, based on the number of alumni C-Level employees at FORTUNE 1000 companies, accounts for 10% of each school’s score. Based on alumni starting salary and placement rates, an Outcomes Score accounts for 65%. Finally, based on Ipsos survey results of business professionals’ opinions of the schools, a Brand Score accounts for 25%.
• FORTUNE’s Top 10 MBA Programs of 2021
• Complete Ranking
- Harvard University - Boston, MA
- Stanford University - Stanford, CA
- University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) - Philadelphia, PA
- University of Chicago (Booth) - Chicago, IL
- Northwestern University (Kellogg) - Evanston, IL
- Columbia University - New York, NY
- New York University (Stern) - New York, NY
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) - Cambridge, MA
- Yale University - New Haven, CT
- Dartmouth College (Tuck) - Hanover, NH
- Duke University (Fuqua) - Durham, NC
- Cornell University (Johnson) - Ithaca, NY
- University of California-Berkeley (Haas) - Berkeley, CA
- University of Virginia (Darden) - Charlottesville, VA
- Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) - Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Texas-Austin (McCombs) - Austin, TX
- University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) - Chapel Hill, NC
- University of Washington (Foster) - Seattle, WA
- Georgetown University (McDonough) - Washington, DC
- Vanderbilt University (Owen) - Nashville, TN
- Indiana University (Kelley) - Bloomington, IN
- Rice University (Jones) - Houston, TX
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Carlson) - Minneapolis, MN
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller) - Atlanta, GA
- Texas A&M University-College Station (Mays) - College Station, TX
- University of Maryland-College Park (Smith) - College Park, MD
- University of California-Davis - Davis, CA
- University of Notre Dame (Mendoza) - Notre Dame, IN
- University of Florida (Warrington) - Gainesville, FL
- Howard University - Washington, DC
- Michigan State University (Broad) - East Lansing, MI
- University of Georgia (Terry) - Athens, GA
- Brigham Young University (Marriott) - Provo, UT
- Boston University (Questrom) - Boston, MA
- Southern Methodist University (Cox) - Dallas, TX
- University of Texas-Dallas - Richardson, TX
- Rutgers University-Newark and New Brunswick - Newark, NJ
- Fordham University (Gabelli) - New York, NY
- University of Pittsburgh (Katz) - Pittsburgh, PA
- George Washington University - Washington, DC
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Haslam) - Knoxville, TN
- Texas Christian University (Neeley) - Fort Worth, TX
- University of California-Irvine (Merage) - Irvine, CA
- Purdue University-West Lafayette (Krannert) - West Lafayette, IN
- Babson College (Olin) - Babson Park, MA
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (Isenberg) - Amherst, MA
- William & Mary - Williamsburg, VA
- Pepperdine University (Graziadio) - Malibu, CA
- University of Denver (Daniels) - Denver, CO
- University of San Diego - San Diego, CA
- University of Arizona (Eller) - Tucson, AZ
- West Texas A&M University - Canyon, TX
- University of Houston (Bauer) - Houston, TX
- American University (Kogod) - Washington, DC
- University of Oklahoma (Price) - Norman, OK
- Tulane University (Freeman) - New Orleans, LA
- Clarkson University (Reh) - Potsdam, NY
- University of Alabama (Manderson) - Tuscaloosa, AL
- University of Oregon (Lundquist) - Eugene, OR
- Auburn University (Harbert) - Auburn, AL
- University of Cincinnati (Lindner) - Cincinnati, OH
- Hofstra University (Zarb) - Hempstead, NY
- Texas Tech University (Rawls) - Lubbock, TX
- Louisiana Tech University - Ruston, LA
- Syracuse University (Whitman) - Syracuse, NY
- Appalachian State University (Walker) - Boone, NC
- Case Western Reserve University (Weatherhead) - Cleveland, OH
- Morgan State University (Graves) - Baltimore, MD
- Lindenwood University - Saint Charles, MO
Curated by a team of expert journalists, FORTUNE Education is a destination for articles, insights, and ongoing reporting about what prospective students should know to make the best, most impactful decisions for their careers. FORTUNE Education also produces rankings and ratings of graduate, post-graduate, executive education, and personal and professional improvement programs, informed by FORTUNE’s unique understanding of which skills matter to businesses today.
FORTUNE says it drives the conversation about business — “With a global perspective, the guiding wisdom of history, and an unflinching eye to the future, we report and reveal the stories that matter today-and that will matter even more tomorrow.” It adds, “With the trusted power to convene and challenge those who are shaping the industry, commerce, and society around the world, FORTUNE lights the path for global leaders and gives them the tools to make business better.”
Source: FORTUNE Media
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:09 PM | View the original post
July 10, 2021
Unprecedented Broadcast Coverage and Digital Innovation to Connect Fans Worldwide to the Magic of Tokyo 2020
Photo: Two mascot statues unveiled at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government headquarters for the 100 days to go until Tokyo 2020. Credit: © Tokyo 2020 and TMG. Image provided by IOC.
Photo: IOC President Thomas Bach visits the countdown clock with 100 days to go before the start of the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. Image provided by & Credit: © 2021 - IOC/Greg Martin.
Tokyo, 09 Jul 2021 — While spectators may not be able to attend Tokyo 2020 in person, fans worldwide and in Japan will be able to experience the thrill of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, thanks to new, innovative technologies. Tokyo 2020 will be broadcast globally to a potential audience of over 5 billion people, with more coverage by broadcast partners than any previous Olympic Games across both linear TV and digital:
In Japan, TV coverage of Tokyo-2020 could be around double that of Rio 2016.
NBCUniversal will air more than 7,000 hours of coverage across TV and digital platforms in the USA - a US Olympic record.
Across Europe, Discovery Eurosport will air up to 4,000 hours of coverage on its TV and digital platform. This unprecedented level of content will be available in 48 territories.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), working with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and Olympic broadcast partners (RHBs), have also created a suite of digital tools as part of the “ Share the Passion” project. It will allow athletes to engage with friends and family in the venues and enable fans worldwide to be actively involved in supporting their sporting heroes.
Fan Video Matrix: Allows fans to be a genuine part of the Games experience by sharing their reactions to the sporting action in five-second video selfies, displayed as a video matrix inside the venue.
Cheer Map: A virtual “cheer” button will get embedded on several broadcasters’ digital platforms. Fans can watch the broadcast feed of an Olympic event and virtually clap or cheer by clicking the button. The system collects all the cheers and renders a global map of “ cheer activity.” The map is sent as a video stream to broadcasters and showcased on venue video boards.
Athlete Moment - Family & Friends: At selected venues, Olympians will be able to interact live, straight after they compete, with their family and friends back home through dedicated “ Athlete Moment” stations.
“ Our ambition is to bring the magic of the athletes’ achievements to the world on an unprecedented scale. Technology will play a critical role and allow us to bring fans ‘ inside the venue’ virtually. It is an important ambition, not just for the fans but also for the athletes as they compete on the world’s biggest stage. The IOC and OBS have benefited from the great partnerships we have with the world’s leading media companies and sponsors and with Tokyo 2020. We also believe these new digital innovations will leave a legacy which we will build on at future editions of the Olympic Games,” says OBS CEO Yiannis Exarchos.
For Tokyo 2020, OBS will again push the boundaries of Olympic broadcasting by producing more than 9,000 hours of content, 30 percent more content than for Rio in 2016, in more formats, to assist the world’s broadcasters in bringing the Games to the world. For the first time in Olympic history, the total live coverage will be in Ultra High Definition (4K) HDR with Immersive Audio (5.1.4). In addition, audiences around the world will get introduced to never-seen-before camera angles, 360-degree replays, multi-camera live Virtual Reality (VR) coverage, and more analytical data processed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) than at any previous Olympic Games, including:
Intel’s True View cameras will offer, for the first time, immersive replays for all basketball matches.
3D athlete-tracking technology developed in collaboration with Worldwide TOP Partners Intel and Alibaba. This first-of-its-kind broadcast enhancement technology uses AI and computer vision to enhance the viewing experience with near real-time insights and overlay visualizations during the athletics sprint events (100m, 200m, 400m, and 4x100m relay, as well as decathlon/heptathlon). For example, viewers will understand the exact moment each sprinter reaches their peak speed and analyze the different phases of the race in detail through a complete set of race statistics.
In another breakthrough, the coverage of the archery competition will go deep into the body of the athletes, providing for first-time biometric data from miniature sensors worn by the archers. The monitor’s receptors will detect the heart rate and transmit the data wirelessly to generate the on-screen television graphics. As a result, audiences will witness the heartbeat variations and adrenaline rush experienced by the archers as they shoot their arrows.
In addition, the IOC has developed additional ways to enhance the way worldwide audiences will experience the Olympic Games, including:
olympics.com - launched by the IOC in May 2021. The new platform provides a single, people-centric digital presence that utilizes Olympic digital and social media channels to drive engagement and deliver content and communications. Offering a comprehensive source for Olympic information, news, and original content, olympics.com creates one destination for all Olympic online properties - including the Olympic Channel, Tokyo 2020, and all future Games - allowing for improved, streamlined digital engagement during and between each game.
The Tokyo 2020 FanZone - an interactive gamification experience on olympics.com and the official Tokyo 2020 website and mobile app that will engage and unite fans around the world leading up to and throughout the Olympic Games:
- Pre-Games: Fans can participate in regular trivia competitions to win prizes or enjoy thrilling sporting action from past Olympic Games via Magic Moments and vote on their favorite highlights.
- During the Games, the Fantasy Challenge will allow fans to create a team by selecting their ten favorite athletes from individual sports. Fans can start a league with friends or join an existing one to compete against other teams.
- And in the Bracket Challenge, fans can select the winning bracket in each team sport while competing with friends and other fans worldwide.
Source: International Olympic Committee
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Alina Zagitova at PyeongChang 2018 - Black Swan
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:02 AM | View the original post
July 8, 2021
NewBeauty Puts Focus on Inclusive Beauty in its Summer 2021 Issue
• NewBeauty’s Summer issue, on newsstands now, tackles the importance of diversity in the beauty industry.
Photo: The Summer issue of NewBeauty, featuring cover star Olivia Munn, is on newsstands nationwide in the USA now.
NEW YORK, July 8, 2021 — Today, NewBeauty revealed its Summer issue, featuring a 32-page special section devoted to an expansive and inclusive definition of beauty. ‘Beauty, Redefined’ aims to highlight the vital conversation on diversity in the beauty industry.
Through this editorial, NewBeauty spotlights some of the brands leading the charge and the steps they’re taking to celebrate everyone’s unique beauty. In addition, ‘Beauty, Redefined’ explores a wide range of topics from skin health to the importance of representation. The magazine’s partners, such as BTL Aesthetics, Galderma, Merz Aesthetics, and Cutera, INC., have contributed to this NewBeauty issue. The magazine says they are all committed to delivering the most diverse and wide-reaching beauty experiences.
• Beauty, Redefined features experts including:
Lesley Clark-Loeser, MD, dermatologist, BTL Aesthetics provider, and NewBeauty Top Doctor: “Practicing dermatology in South Florida for 16 years, I serve an amazing community of all skin types, ages, and bodies of all shapes and sizes. What they all share in one way or another is a desire to feel good. BTL Aesthetics’ EmSuite can be inclusive to all our patients. When BTL says ‘Every Body Matters,’ they mean it!”
Diane Gomez-Thinnes, head of Galderma U.S.: “There’s still a lot of work for the beauty industry to do to be truly inclusive. Using a patient-first approach, Galderma focuses on normalizing aesthetic procedures and ensuring people of all skin colors can benefit.”
Judy Doo, vice president, U.S. marketing, Merz Aesthetics: “It is time to dispel the notion that beauty has one definition. By showcasing real patients and their stories, we strive to break the mold of traditional aesthetics advertising and allow consumers to relate to and engage with one another. What confidence and beauty look like to each individual is exactly that, individual.”
Dave Mowry, CEO, Cutera, INC.: “At Cutera, we are committed to establishing a foundation in diversity, equality, and inclusion. As a company, we appreciate, recognize and value all voices, bodies, differences, viewpoints, and backgrounds to broaden our perspectives and inspire innovation.”
‘Beauty, Redefined’ can be read in the Summer issue of NewBeauty, which is on newsstands in the USA now.
SANDOW media publishes this magazine. According to the publisher, “NewBeauty is an authority on beauty and the trusted resource for the most affluent and influential beauty consumer. It is the only magazine dedicated 100% to beauty, with more than 5x the beauty edit of any other magazine. It dives deep to provide valuable information founded in research and vetted by experts, empowering women to make better beauty decisions.”
Source: NewBeauty
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:54 PM | View the original post
July 6, 2021
Pandemic Continues to Erode Strength of Premium Passports
Comparison: Henley Passport Index 2021 Q3 visa-free scores with no travel restrictions vs. visa-free scores taking Covid-19 travel restrictions into account.
LONDON, July 6, 2021 — The latest results from the Henley Passport Index show that while there is cause for optimism, the reality is that cross-border travel remains restrained. Although there was some progress between January and March 2021, international mobility is just 12% pre-pandemic. Moreover, the gulf between theoretical and actual travel access remains significant.
Henley Passport Index is the actual ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
With the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics just weeks away, and the country in a “quasi” state of emergency, Japan nonetheless retains its hold on the number one spot on the Henley Passport Index with a theoretical visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 193. The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
While the dominance of European passports in the Top Ten has been there for most of the index’s 16-year history, the pre-eminence of three Asian states — Japan, Singapore, and South Korea — has become the new normal. Singapore remains in 2nd place, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 192, and South Korea shares a joint-3rd home with Germany, each with a score of 191.
However, compared to the actual travel access currently available even to the holders of top-scoring passports, the picture looks very different. For example, holders of Japanese passports have access to fewer than 80 destinations (equivalent to the passport power of Saudi Arabia, which sits way down in 71st place on the ranking). In comparison, holders of Singaporean passports can access fewer than 75 destinations (equivalent to Kazakhstan, which sits in 74th place).
• Plummeting UK and US passport power
There is a similarly gloomy outlook even in countries with highly successful Covid-19 vaccine rollouts. The UK and the US currently share a joint-7th place on the index, following a steady decline since they jointly held the top spot in 2014. Their passport holders were theoretically able to access 187 destinations worldwide.
Under current travel bans, however, UK passport holders have suffered a dramatic drop of over 70% in their travel freedom, currently accessing fewer than 60 destinations globally — a passport power equivalent to Uzbekistan on the index. Likewise, US passport holders have seen a 67% decrease in their global mobility, with access to just 61 destinations worldwide — a passport power equivalent to Rwanda.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, says the gap in travel freedom is now at its widest since the index began in 2006. For example, Japanese passport holders can access 167 more destinations than citizens of Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the index with visa-free access to just 26 countries. “Increasing isolationism and deglobalization will have profound consequences. That includes further damage to the world’s economy, a significant reduction in global mobility, and restrictions on people’s freedom.”
IATA’s Director-General, Willie Walsh, warns that the governments should not restrict international travel to those who have access to vaccination. “The freedom to travel is important. However, we need a secure system to efficiently integrate the checking of vaccines or testing certificates into the travel process. The IATA Travel Pass enables travelers to share their health credentials with governments and airlines securely.”
Exclusive research commissioned by Henley & Partners and published in its latest Q3 Global Mobility Report indicates that since the world administrations declared the pandemic, the EU has seen a drop in tourism of nearly 90%. The UK has had a 73% decline in tourist numbers. The US has experienced a 69% decrease in international visitors. And with Australia and New Zealand slamming their doors shut early in the pandemic, they received only 1% of their March 2019 visitors in March this year.
Robert Maciejewski, CEO of SIP Medical Family Office in Switzerland, says, “A legal obligation to obtain a Covid passport is unlikely in most democratic countries. Yet, not having one will probably result in de facto restrictions of your freedom, whether it comes to travel or daily activities.”
Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, says, “ensuring future access to multiple residence options or having dual citizenship has become even more essential for entrepreneurs and investors and their families. It mitigates volatility and reduces their exposure to risk at national, regional, and global levels.”
Source: Henley & Partners
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:49 PM | View the original post
July 4, 2021
TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition marks the prestigious Formula One Monaco Grand Prix.
Photo: TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition.
The iconic TAG Heuer Monaco Collection revisits its origins. The TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition, a sporty and lightweight model, marks the prestigious Formula One Monaco Grand Prix.
Source: TAG Heuer
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:23 PM | View the original post
July 3, 2021
Carnegie Corporation of New York Honors 34 Great Immigrants for their Contributions to the American Democracy
Annual tribute from the philanthropic foundation established by Andrew Carnegie focuses on naturalized citizens who live their lives in service to society.
New York, July 3, 2021 — Carnegie Corporation of New York released its annual list of Great Immigrants, honoring 34 individuals who have enriched and strengthened the American society and its democracy through their contributions and actions.
The Class of 2021 represents more than 30 countries of origin. It emphasizes service to society, including honorees recognized for helping others as medical providers and researchers, as advocates for the disadvantaged, disabled, and disenfranchised, and as changemakers in politics, voting rights, climate change, and teaching. Overall the honorees have a wide variety of backgrounds and careers, including the chairman and CEO of Pfizer; the head of Google’s interactive design; the creator of language-learning software Duolingo; winners of the Pulitzer, Nobel, Vilcek, and Beard prizes; and celebrities such as actress Helen Mirren and comedian John Oliver.
Among honorees working in service to society:
Gita Gopinath (India): Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund. Gopinath took a “leave of public service” from her job teaching international studies and economics at Harvard University to assume the position of Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund. Called “one of the world’s outstanding economists,” Gopinath focuses her research on international finance and macroeconomics.
Growing up in India, Gita Gopinath did not know anyone who worked in economics. It was more common for children to aspire to become a doctor or an engineer. She studied science through high school. When her parents’ friends suggested that she would enjoy success working for the country’s administrative services, she went to Delhi to study economics. From there, Gopinath’s interest in international finance and economics only continued to grow.
Jun Cho (South Korea): Delaware National Guardsman. He missed his naturalization ceremony when deployed to Washington, D.C., after the January 6 riots. He was granted a private ceremony after a Congressman heard about his predicament.
Gisele Barreto Fetterman (Brazil): Anti-poverty and social justice advocate. She founded multiple nonprofits to address food and economic insecurity and support women entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania.
Wayne A. I. Frederick (Trinidad and Tobago): President and professor of surgery at Howard University. He developed methods for narrowing racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in cancer outcomes.
Karine Jean-Pierre (Martinique): Principal deputy press secretary for the Biden White House and former chief of staff for Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris. She has been a campaign organizer and activist, author, and lecturer.
Katalin Karikó (Hungary): Scientist and senior vice president of BioNTech. She conducted breakthrough mRNA research foundational to developing the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
Young Kim (South Korea): U.S. Congresswoman from California. She has focused on supporting small businesses as part of the COVID-19 recovery and is the third Korean American woman elected to Congress.
Herro Mustafa (Iraq): U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria who joined the Foreign Service in 1999. She has held numerous high-level diplomatic posts, including senior advisor on the Middle East to Joe Biden (2009-2011).
Vincenzo Piscopo (Venezuela): President and CEO of United Spinal Association. He has been a longtime advocate for disability rights and accessible transportation, helping people with motor disabilities worldwide.
Jorge Pulleiro (Argentina): Idaho’s 2021 Teacher of the Year who teaches Spanish in a dual immersion program. He is a U.S. Army veteran and standout graduate of the military’s Troops to Teachers program.
Pedro A. Sanchez (Cuba): Professor at the University of Florida. He has dedicated his career to eliminating world hunger and absolute rural poverty, protecting and enhancing degraded soils in South America and Africa.
Nsé Ufot (Nigeria): Longtime civil, human, and worker rights advocate. She is the executive director of the New Georgia Project, which provides voter education aimed at strengthening democracy.
Ali Zaidi (Pakistan): Deputy White House national climate advisor. He designs and implements federal policies and public-private partnerships to increase energy security, reduce pollution, and create green jobs.
The Great Immigrants initiative aims to increase public awareness of immigration’s role in the United States, reflecting the priorities of Andrew Carnegie, a self-made industrialist. In 1911, he established Carnegie Corporation of New York, a grantmaking foundation dedicated to the causes of democracy, education, and international peace. To date, the Corporation has honored more than 600 outstanding immigrants.
The 2021 honorees, who mark the 16th class of Great Immigrants, will be recognized with a full-page public service announcement in the New York Times on the Fourth of July and through a social media campaign.
Source: Carnegie Corporation of New York
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:22 PM | View the original post
July 2, 2021
New Data for Johnson & Johnson Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine demonstrates Strong Neutralizing Antibody Activity against the Delta Variant
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., July 1, 2021 — Johnson & Johnson today announced data demonstrating its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine’s robust and persistent activity against the rapidly spreading Delta variant and other highly prevalent SARS-CoV-2 viral variants. In addition, the data showed that the durability of the immune response lasted through at least eight months, the length of time evaluated to date. The two preprint study summaries have been submitted today to bioRxiv.
“Today’s newly announced studies reinforce the ability of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to help protect the health of people globally,” said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee, and Chief Scientific Officer at Johnson & Johnson. “We believe that our vaccine offers durable protection against COVID-19 and elicits neutralizing activity against the Delta variant. In addition, it adds to the robust body of clinical data supporting our single-shot vaccine’s ability to protect against multiple variants of concern.”
“Current data for the eight months studied so far show that the single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generates a strong neutralizing antibody response that does not wane; rather, we observe an improvement over time. In addition, we observe a persistent and particularly robust, durable cellular immune response,” said Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D., Global Head, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson. “With each new dataset, we build on our solid foundation of evidence that our single-shot COVID-19 vaccine plays a critical role in ending the pandemic, which continues to evolve and pose new challenges to global health.”
• Demonstrated neutralizing solid antibody activity against the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant
A preprint submitted by the Company today to bioRxiv contains a new analysis in the Phase 3 ENSEMBLE study. These data showed that the Johnson & Johnson single-shot COVID-19 Vaccine elicited neutralizing antibody activity against the Delta variant at an even higher level than what it did for the Beta (B.1.351) variant.
A single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generated neutralizing antibodies against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, which increased over time. For example, the average neutralizing titer at eight months exceeded that average at 29 days, including against the increasingly prevalent and more transmissible Delta (B.1.617.2) variant, the partially neutralization-resistant Beta (B.1.351), the Gamma (P.1) variants, and others, including the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Epsilon (B.1.429), Kappa (B.1.617.1), D614G, as well as the original SARS-CoV-2 strain (WA1/2020).
Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is now available in many regions and countries on a not-for-profit basis during the emergency pandemic period.
The vaccine received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the United States on February 27 and Conditional Marketing Authorization (CMA) by the European Commission on March 11, 2021. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued Emergency Use Listing on March 12, 2021. In addition, the Company received an interim recommendation by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization for the WHO on March 17, 2021. Many more authorizations have been granted in countries worldwide, and regulatory submissions are ongoing.
• Storage and Distribution
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 single-dose vaccine is compatible with standard vaccine storage and distribution channels with ease of delivery to remote areas. The vaccine is estimated to remain stable for two years at -4°F (-20°C) and a maximum of 4.5 months at average refrigeration temperatures. The Company will ship the vaccine using the same cold chain technologies it uses today to transport other medicines.
• Important Safety Information
• WHAT SHOULD YOU MENTION TO YOUR VACCINATION PROVIDER BEFORE YOU GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE?
Tell the vaccination provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
have any allergies
have a fever
have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
are breastfeeding
have received another COVID-19 vaccine
Source: Johnson & Johnson
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:57 AM | View the original post
July 1, 2021
Breitling announces the Superocean Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise Capsule Collection for Women.
Breitling’s latest seasonal creation for women is a fresh reincarnation of a classic. What started as a 1950s divers’ watch has evolved into a fashionable timepiece for women ready to jump into summer!
The Superocean Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise Capsule Collection is all about color, proportion, and substance. Its 38-mm stainless-steel case features a rotating bezel and bold indices. It’s the very essence of summer style, Breitling announced.
“This modern-retro tribute to the original SuperOcean is an exciting addition to the Breitling family of ladies’ watches. Of course, it’ll look great at work. Still, its fun-in-the-sun vibe might make you want to spend a weekend at the beach,” said Breitling CEO Georges Kern, noting how the highly-coveted original was a nod to the rising popularity of seaside leisure in the 1950s and 1960s.
Breitling said the palette for this seasonal women’s Capsule Collection is summer white, aquamarine, mint green, and iced latte - all with tone-on-tone dials, bezels, and straps. But the real show-stopper is the rainbow tangerine version. With hour markers and hands coated in Super-LumiNova, it sings in hues of yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, red, and orange. If you want a custom color combination, you’ll love the quick-exchange system for swapping out the luxe Saffiano calfskin leather straps, which also come in lemon and raspberry sorbet.
Since 1884, Breitling has established a global reputation for high-precision timepieces, its pioneering role in developing the wrist chronograph, and its commitment to design excellence.
Source: BREITLING
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:41 AM | View the original post
June 30, 2021
Pinterest expands Idea Pins to more Countries.
SINGAPORE, June 30, 2021 — Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE: PINS) today announced that it is expanding Idea Pins, its multi-page video Pin format, to all creators in India, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Peru, Japan, and Sweden. This new access and capability will empower anyone with a business account in these countries to create inspiring content and closer interaction with their audiences, building more engaged communities directly on Pinterest.
Idea Pins make it easy for creators to publish high-quality, long-lasting, save-able content directly to Pinterest. The number of Idea Pins created daily has grown by nearly 4x since January. With this latest international expansion, Pinterest highlights the creators worldwide who are making the ideas and encouraging Pinners to follow them.
“We believe the best inspiration comes from people with passions who want to bring positivity and creativity into the world. From creators to hobbyists to publishers, Pinterest is a place where anyone can publish great ideas and discover inspiring content. With Idea Pins, creators get empowered to share their passions and inspire and grow their audiences. By helping people on Pinterest spark creativity, try new things, build confidence, and be themselves, creators inspire to shape a life you love.” said Evan Sharp, Co-Founder, Chief Design and Creative Officer, Pinterest.
Idea Pins are an evolution of Pinterest’s Story Pins, with a new name to better match its uniqueness. Starting today, creators will also have a suite of new publishing tools including, video-first features, new editing tools, and updates to make creating Idea Pins easier and more creative.
• Idea Pin creation now includes:
- Video recording and editing for up to 20 pages of content
- Voice over recording so creators can add their voice
- Music selection by Epidemic Sound
- Ghost mode transition tools (perfect for those before-and-afters)
- Detail pages for instructions or ingredients
- Interactive elements like people tagging and stickers
- Multi-draft save so Creators can publish more ideas
- Export options to share content beyond Pinterest
- Topic tagging, a publishing feature that helps connect content to relevant interests
- The Creator Code - Pinterest’s content policy designed to keep Pinterest a positive and inspiring place
Creators with early access to Idea Pins like Chef Kunal Kapur, Masoom Minawala, and Kritika Khurana in India have already grown their audiences, with cooking tutorials on fun and easy Indian dishes, fashion ideas for what to wear for Holi, and fresh beauty tutorials. Publishers like TimesOfIndia Food, ETimes Lifestyle, and Femina India have also started to use Idea Pins to inspire their audiences across a diverse range of verticals, including beauty, fashion, food, and well-being.
“Idea Pins are a cool and creative way to showcase new recipes, share comprehensive ideas and upcoming projects with the audience. Since we were early adopters of the feature, we were able to see huge growth in minimal time. Some Idea Pins have crossed more than a million views in a couple of days. That’s a lot of eyeballs for food videos! It’s a great way to catch people’s attention and inspire them.” Pinterest Creator and Chef Kunal Kapur said.
To help creators build their audience, Pinterest is also introducing new ways for Pinners to discover Idea Pins. Starting today, all Pinners will see Idea Pins from creators they follow right at the top of their home feed. Following streams give Pinners a new way to see fresh content from creators in more places, including search, the Today tab, and the top of creator profiles.
For Pinners, this means the ideas within a Pin will be more engaging and actionable. Pinterest has seen 9x the average comment rate on Idea Pins compared to standard Pins.
With these updates, Pinterest is continuing its journey to build a platform where Pinners worldwide can discover content and ideas that feel personalized, relevant, and reflective of who they are.
People around the world come to Pinterest for inspiration. Pinterest is a visual discovery engine where people find inspiring creators, shop new products, and seek out ideas to take offline. Headquartered in San Francisco, Pinterest launched in 2010 and has more than 475 million monthly active users. People have saved nearly 300 billion Pins across a range of interests, from creating a home office, cooking a new recipe to finding their next vacation destination.
Source: Pinterest
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— We are already on Pinterest. Check us at @GlobalGiants.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:12 AM | View the original post
June 28, 2021
BRAVING THE EXTREMES — ROLEX INTRODUCES EXPLORER II
Photos: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II, 42 mm, Oystersteel. Images provided by Rolex.
Rolex is introducing its new-generation Oyster Perpetual Explorer II. This technical watch, in Oystersteel, was created for the boldest explorers and now features a redesigned case and bracelet. This update brings enhanced visual balance and harmony to the timepiece while remaining true to its aesthetic heritage.
The new-generation Explorer II also benefits from an optimized Chromalight display. In dark conditions, the intensity of the blue glow emitted by the hour markers and hands now lasts longer due to the coating of an innovative and exclusive luminescent material. In daylight, these display elements have a brighter white hue, Rolex said.
The Explorer II is heir to the privileged relationship that has long united Rolex and exploration. When Rolex introduced it in 1971, this robust and reliable watch quickly became an essential tool for explorers traveling to the far corners of the globe, often in extreme conditions. Thanks to its 24-hour display comprising an additional orange hour hand and an engraved bezel, the Explorer II allows the wearer to distinguish daytime from night-time hours clearly. It is advantageous in areas where it is difficult or even impossible to distinguish between day and night, such as underground or in polar regions, which experience six months of daylight and six months of darkness a year. In certain conditions, this display enables the watch to serve as a compass. Also, one can use the 24-hour display to show another time zone.
Source: Rolex
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:05 AM | View the original post
June 26, 2021
Taj Named Strongest Hotel Brand In The World
• Recognized by the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy - Brand Finance
Photo: Iconic Indian hospitality brand Taj rated Strongest Hotel Brand in the World by Brand Finance.
MUMBAI, India, June 25, 2021 — Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) today announced that its iconic brand, Taj, has been rated the Strongest Hotel Brand in the world. Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy, did the rating in its annual ‘Hotels 50 2021’ report. This report recognizes the most valuable and most robust hotel brands across the globe.
Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Indian Hotels Company, said, “This is a proud moment for the Indian hospitality industry on the global stage. Taj becoming the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand is a testament to the unwavering trust our guests have consistently placed in us and the warmth and genuine care our employees have embodied day-after-day. We will continue our endeavor to elevate the world-class experiences of luxury hospitality and deliver the magic of Tajness to all our stakeholders.”
Taj received an overall Brand Strength Index of 89.3 out of 100, with a corresponding AAA rating for customer familiarity, employee satisfaction, and corporate reputation, as well as its world-class customer service.
David Haigh, CEO, Brand Finance, said, “We are excited to announce Taj as the Strongest Hotel Brand in the world. A brand with a century-old legacy and a custodian of the revered Indian hospitality has stood resilient despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Global travelers have relied upon and tested brands in different ways, and Taj has emerged on top.”
The Hotel 50 2021 report also highlighted the successful implementation of its RESET 2020 strategy, which provided a transformative framework, helping the Taj brand surmount pandemic-related challenges.
The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. IHCL has 221 hotels, including 55 under development globally across four continents, 12 countries, and over 100 locations. These include Taj - the iconic brand for the discerning travelers, SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels, Vivanta, sophisticated, upscale hotels, and Ginger, which revolutionizes the lean luxe segment.
Source: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL)
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:17 AM | View the original post
June 23, 2021
L'Oréal Paris champions the Role of Women in Cinema with the Launch of its inaugural Lights on Women Award, recognizing a Promising Female Filmmaker.
Photo: L’Oréal Paris, Lights On Women Award, Kate Winslet, 2021 Juror.
CANNES, France, June 22, 2021 — At the 74th Festival de Cannes, L’Oréal Paris has announced the Lights On Women Award, which will honor one rising female filmmaker in partnership with the Short Films competition of the Festival de Cannes. The winner will be hand-picked from the Festival de Cannes’ Short Films competition and international film schools’ short film programs. The final choice will be determined and announced by Academy award-winner and L’Oréal Paris spokesperson Kate Winslet - the Award’s first Juror - during a special prize ceremony at the Jeune Cinéma dinner in Cannes on July 16.
“This exciting partnership with L’Oréal Paris represents a natural extension of the brand’s ongoing support for Cannes and the wider cinema community,” said Thierry Frémaux, director of the Festival international du film de Cannes. “The Lights On Women Award will offer a much-needed opportunity to honor a deserving creator and aligns with the broader commitment of the Short Films competition and international film schools’ short film programs to recognize the female talent of tomorrow,” he added.
The winner of the inaugural Lights On Women Award will receive financial support of up to 30,000€. This unique recognition will also offer the winner a platform for increased visibility and gain access to a “sisterhood” of cinematic talent.
“L’Oréal Paris is a feminine and feminist brand; we believe in empowering women to overcome barriers and to have a long-term positive social impact within their communities,” said Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Global Brand President, L’Oréal Paris. “The massive under-representation of women in film requires large-scale support, and I am proud to use our brand platform and resources to stand up for women’s visibility with the help of the incredible female actors who represent our brand. I firmly believe in advocating for talented women and holding space for them to shine.”
Actor Kate Winslet added, “What an honor to preside as Juror over this remarkable recognition for women filmmakers and to have an opportunity to celebrate such incredible talent. We must work together as a community to pursue gender parity within our industry, and I am delighted to support the L’Oréal Paris family on this important initiative.”
Source: L’Oréal Paris
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:59 AM | View the original post
June 17, 2021
Ironman and Breitling launch the Endurance Pro Ironman Watches.
As the new Official Luxury Watch of IRONMAN, Breitling celebrates the power and stamina fueling the phenomenal Triathlon sporting events with a new series of timepieces.
Breitling and IRONMAN have signed a long-term partnership and teamed up to co-design the Endurance Pro IRONMAN Watches, a unique series of Breitling’s ultimate athleisure watch. The result is a set of perfectly lightweight and lighthearted luxury sports watches combining high precision, innovative technology, and vibrant, colorful design. The launch features two exciting new watches: a red version available globally at all Breitling boutiques and retailers for sports and timekeeping enthusiasts and a black and gold piece exclusively available for IRONMAN race finishers.
“IRONMAN truly reflects our core values of performance and endurance. We’ve designed this to be an ideal watch for elite athletes as well as a casual, everyday sports chronograph for active people who want that winning combination of performance and luxury,” said Breitling CEO Georges Kern.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with such an exceptional and well-respected watchmaker. After the success of our collaboration in 2019, we are pleased to partner with Breitling in creating this new watch which embodies the strength and tenacity of IRONMAN triathletes,” said Andrew Messick, President and CEO of The IRONMAN Group.
The new Endurance Pro IRONMAN collection serves athletes and luxury clients looking for the ultimate athleisure timepiece.
Source: Breitling
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Breitling Endurance Pro IRONMAN
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:07 AM | View the original post
June 14, 2021
Novavax says its COVID-19 Vaccine Demonstrates 90% Overall Efficacy and 100% Protection Against Moderate and Severe Disease in PREVENT-19 Phase 3 Trial.
93% efficacy against predominantly circulating Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest.
91% efficacy in high-risk populations
100% efficacy against variants “not considered Variants of Concern/Interest.”
Photo: Novavax laboratory scientist. Image Credit: Patrick Seibert/ Novavax.
GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 14, 2021, — Novavax, Inc. today announced that NVX-CoV2373, its recombinant nanoparticle protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, demonstrated 100% protection against moderate and severe disease, 90.4% efficacy overall, and met the primary endpoint in its PREVENT-19 pivotal Phase 3 trial. The study enrolled 29,960 participants across 119 sites in the U.S. and Mexico to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity, emphasizing recruiting a representative population of communities and demographic groups most impacted by the disease.
“Today, Novavax is one step closer to addressing the critical and persistent global public health need for additional COVID-19 vaccines. These clinical results reinforce that NVX-CoV2373 is extremely effective and offers complete protection against both moderate and severe COVID-19 infection,” said Stanley C. Erck, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax. “Novavax continues to work with a sense of urgency to complete our regulatory submissions and deliver this vaccine, built on a well understood and proven platform, to a world that is still in great need of vaccines.”
“PREVENT-19 confirms that NVX-CoV2373 offers a reassuring tolerability and safety profile,” said Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., President of Research and Development, Novavax. “These data show consistent, high levels of efficacy and reaffirm the ability of the vaccine to prevent COVID-19 amid ongoing genetic evolution of the virus. Our vaccine will be a critical part of the solution to COVID-19, and we are grateful to the study participants and trial staff who made this study possible, as well as our supporters, including the U.S. Government.”
In the placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study randomized 2:1, NVX-CoV2373 demonstrated overall efficacy of 90.4% (95% CI: 82.9, 94.6), achieving its primary endpoint, the company said.
According to Novavax, preliminary safety data from PREVENT-19 showed the vaccine to be generally well-tolerated. Severe and adverse events were low in number and balanced between vaccine and placebo groups. In assessing reactogenicity seven days after Dose 1 and Dose 2, injection site pain and tenderness, generally mild to moderate in severity, were the most common local symptoms, lasting less than three days. Fatigue, headache, and muscle pain were the most common systemic symptoms, lasting less than two days.
PREVENT-19 (the PRE-fusion protein subunit Vaccine Efficacy Novavax Trial | COVID-19) is a 2:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study. It evaluates the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 with Matrix-M™ adjuvant in 29,960 participants 18 years of age and older in 119 locations in the United States and Mexico, compared with placebo.
Novavax said it is conducting PREVENT-19 with support from the U.S. government. The government agencies involved include the Department of Defense, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at HHS. BARDA is providing up to $1.75 billion under a Department of Defense agreement.
NVX-CoV2373 is a protein-based vaccine candidate engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.
NVX-CoV2373 is stored and stable at 2°- 8°C, allowing the use of existing vaccine supply chain channels for its distribution. Its packaging comprises a ready-to-use liquid formulation in 10-dose vials.
Novavax expects to share further details of the PREVENT-19 trial results as additional data become available. Other analyses of the trial are ongoing. The company would submit them to peer-review journals for publication.
The company intends to file for regulatory authorizations in the third quarter to complete the final phases of process qualification and assay validation needed to meet chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) requirements. Upon regulatory approvals, Novavax remains on track to reach a manufacturing capacity of 100 million doses per month by the end of the third quarter and 150 million doses per month by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021.
Source: Novavax, Inc.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:09 AM | View the original post
June 8, 2021
Preparing for Booster Shots: Adapting to the New Normal
• COVID-19 Vaccination Passports Must Have the Adaptability to Account for Booster Shots.
Photo: Real Vaccination ID COVID-19 Vaccine & Waiver Cards, used to help CastleBranch implement a legally compliant vaccine requirement. Image credit: CastleBranch.
Photo: Real Vaccination ID cards are embedded with industry-leading forgery-prevention technology to combat counterfeiting and help people prove their COVID-19 vaccination status. (CastleBranch)
WILMINGTON, N.C., June 7, 2021 — As global health professionals discuss the necessity of a booster shot to ward off COVID-19 variants unaffected by the current vaccines, businesses, schools, and individuals who need proof of vaccination status will want facile documents that can update quickly.
CastleBranch, a compliance management company located in Wilmington, N.C., has announced that its RealVaccinationID card empowers individuals to quickly prove their vaccination or waiver status. The card addresses this long-term need, making it easy for individuals to verify their vaccination, waiver, or booster status, the company said.
The company asks individuals to provide documentation to prove their vaccination status or legally permissible waiver request. Once validated, the company issues to the individual a driver’s license-sized card featuring highly sophisticated anti-fraud technology. The card includes the individual’s name, address, date of birth, physical identifiers, photo, and a QR code.
Using the QR code on the back of the card, along with a unique access code and the PIN, third parties presented with this information can access digital copies of primary-source documentation to confirm status. However, it is entirely up to the cardholder when and with whom he shares the data. Private data gathered for the RealVaccinationID.com cards will never be transmitted or collected in a database and distributed to third parties by CastleBranch, the company clarified.
Updating the cards to reflect booster shots is just as simple. When someone receives a booster, they can submit their documentation to CastleBranch, whose team of experts will verify the documentation. CastleBranch houses the new information in their protected digital space, visible via the QR code on the individual’s card.
“Our understanding of the COVID-19 virus changes with each passing day, requiring a response that also adapts and grows,” said Brett Martin, CastleBranch CEO. “With variants come boosters, which requires a form of vaccination proof that can get updated over time. Our RealVaccinationID.com cards respond to these emerging realities, helping people and organizations as they continue to navigate the new normal.”
Source: CastleBranch
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:41 AM | View the original post
June 7, 2021
FORTUNE announces 2021 FORTUNE 500 List, Launches First-Ever "Most Progressive Companies On Racial Inclusion" List.
Walmart takes No. 1 spot for a ninth straight year, followed by Amazon.com and Apple.
Photo: The cover of the June/July 2021 issue of FORTUNE.
NEW YORK, June 7, 2021 — FORTUNE has announced the 67th FORTUNE 500, its annual list of the largest corporations in the United States, ranked by revenue for the 2020 fiscal year. The revenue threshold for the 2021 FORTUNE 500 list was $5.4 billion, down 5% from last year. In total, FORTUNE 500 companies represent two-thirds of the U.S. GDP with $13.8 trillion in revenues (down 3%), $859 billion in profits (down 30%), $32.7 trillion in market value (up 60%), and employ 29.1 million people worldwide. Women CEOs lead forty-one companies on the 2021 FORTUNE 500 — an all-time high.
Walmart took the top spot on the 2021 list for the ninth year in a row, generating $4.5 trillion cumulative revenue over that time. Amazon.com also held onto their No.2 spot with a 38% jump in revenue. At No. 3 position, Apple is the most profitable company on the 2021 FORTUNE 500 and the only company on the list valued at over $2 trillion. At No. 4, CVS Health and CEO Karen Lynch make in FORTUNE 500 history the highest-ranked company ever led by a female CEO.
THE TOP TEN COMPANIES ON THE 2021 FORTUNE 500 LIST ARE:
- Walmart
- Amazon.com
- Apple
- CVS Health
- UnitedHealth Group
- Berkshire Hathaway
- McKesson
- AmerisourceBergen
- Alphabet
- Exxon Mobil
As part of FORTUNE’s Measure Up partnership with Refinitiv, a global provider of financial markets data and infrastructure, the FORTUNE 500 list now includes Diversity & Inclusion information online. Users will sort the companies by a ranking based on their self-reported D&I data, provided by Refinitiv. FORTUNE has used this data to identify the top 20 Most Progressive Companies on Racial Inclusion. Microsoft (No. 15) takes top honors, followed by Centene (No. 24), Target (No. 30), Gap (No. 221), and Biogen (No. 228).
“A year ago, companies made a promise to end racial injustice in the workplace and broader society. To keep that promise, companies will need courage in sharing with the world a picture of what they look like today. From this starting point, we can make real progress, as they say ‘what gets measured gets managed,’” comments David Craig, Group Head of Data & Analytics Division at LSEG and CEO, Refinitiv. “U.S. companies lead the world when it comes to collecting data on their employees’ race and ethnicity. Through this partnership and Refinitiv’s own ESG data and analytics, we have developed a standard taxonomy to help simplify disclosure and give investors, customers, and employees the information they now seek to measure progress.”
FORTUNE and Qlik, the official analytics partner of the FORTUNE 500, also published the “The Pandemic Effect on the Fortune 500” interactive site. This visual experience, developed by Qlik, details the revenue and performance of the sectors and industries that shape the 2021 FORTUNE 500. It takes users on a journey through the crises that have shaped the Fortune 500 over the years.
FORTUNE is an American international business magazine headquartered in New York City. It says it drives the conversation about business. “With a global perspective, the guiding wisdom of history, and an unflinching eye to the future, we report and reveal the stories that matter today — and that will matter even more tomorrow,” the magazine stated.
Source: FORTUNE Media
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:17 AM | View the original post
June 6, 2021
NYC Performing Arts Organization, New 42, celebrates Arts Education Outdoors.
Photo: Times Square, 42nd Street 7th Avenue, New York, NY. Image Credit: Joe Nicholl.
NEW YORK, June 5, 2021 — On Saturday, June 5, New 42, a nonprofit organization focused on making performing arts a vital part of everyone’s life from the earliest years onward, celebrated arts educators in an outdoor celebration on 42nd Street in Times Square.
The event featured Sara Bareilles, Freestyle Love Supreme Academy, Bill Irwin, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Chop & Quench, Sahr Ngaujah, DJ Duane Harriott, Brooklyn United Marching Band, and Saxophone Ensemble of Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music.
The event honored the New York City Department of Education, Office of Arts, and Special Projects. NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter accepted the awards on their behalf. The event also honored Jody Gottfried Arnhold, a New York City public school teacher, a great supporter of dance and arts education. Presenters included Brian Stokes Mitchell, DeAngelo Blanchard, and Misty Copeland.
“Now more than ever, it’s important for us to celebrate the arts with a focus on arts educators, truly essential workers, who have continued to encourage and inspire children throughout the pandemic and beyond,” said Russell Granet, New 42 President & CEO.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also made an appearance during the event and shared remarks about the importance of arts education for the very young. He congratulated the New York City Department of Education, Office of Arts, and Special Projects on being honored and noted that this honor extends to all teachers across the city.
“Building a recovery for all of us means reconnecting with the arts and cultural events that make New York City unique, and I’m proud to stand with and celebrate that recovery in the heart of Times Square,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Today and every day, we’re grateful to all the educators who have engaged their students with uplifting, empowering, and healing artistic expression.”
“The arts have been a critical lifeline during this challenging year, providing students with outlets to express themselves and helping our school communities build resiliency,” said NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “I’m grateful to our educators who have led with creativity and passion throughout this crisis, creating invaluable spaces for our children to chase their dreams.”
Several celebrities - including Renée Elise Goldsberry, Kal Penn, Neil deGrasse Tyson, John Leguizamo, Alison Pill, Michael James Scott, and New York Giants players Lorenzo Carter and Andrew Thomas - also participated virtually by sharing stories of their favorite teachers and the importance of arts education to them.
The June 5 event closed down traffic on West 42nd Street, filling the block between 7th and 8th Avenues with programming. Performances took place on the main stage in front of The New Victory Theater with event production provided by Empire Entertainment. At New 42 Studios, xRStage Times Square powered by WorldStage presented their innovative LED Stage & Studio designed for all types of live events and entertainment projects.
New 42 also announced New Victory Summer Programming, including the New Victory Dance summer series, a programming partnership with Little Island.
The New 42nd Street is a not-for-profit organization based in Manhattan, New York City. In 1990, New York City and State established it to oversee the redevelopment of seven historic theatres on 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues and restore the block to a desirable tourist destination in Manhattan.
Its mission is to make extraordinary performing arts a vital part of everyone’s life in New York City. It connects people to world-class performances, essential education, employment programs, and creative communities that push culture forward. New 42 says it strives to serve artists, educators, and New Yorkers of all ages with invaluable arts engagement and resources in and beyond the performing arts.
Source: New 42
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:19 PM | View the original post
