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• The newest addition to the popular GR Series features a newly developed lens for high-quality street photography at a standard viewing angle.
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the RICOH GR IIIx. This high-end digital compact camera features a newly developed GR lens with a 40mm angle of view in the 35mm format. The RICOH GR IIIx blends professional-grade image quality with a compact, lightweight body perfect for dramatic and inspiring street photography.
Source: Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:28 AM | View the original post
• Italian pilot Dario Costa clears Turkey’s dual Çatalca Tunnels in under 44 seconds.
Photos: Dario Costa. Aerobatic Airshows. Location: Turkey. Saturday, September 04, 2021. Images provided by & copyright © Red Bull.
Just after dawn on Saturday, September 4, 2021, professional race and stunt pilot Dario Costa of Italy wrote a new chapter in aviation history. He flew a race plane through the narrow confines of two enclosed auto tunnels just outside Istanbul. In near-darkness and closely surrounded by the concrete arc of the walls, Costa executed a tricky takeoff inside the first tunnel, flashed through an open-air gap, and then continued his 245kph flight through the second tunnel, flying less than 1m from the asphalt.
Costa, 41, won the top category of the Italian Aerobatic Championship and became the first Italian pilot to join, and earn a race win in, the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class. He has over two decades of flying experience and numerous aviation feats to his credit. He has flown more than 60 airplane models and logged over 5,000 hours in the air - more than half in high-performance aerobatics.
Tunnel Pass was by far Costa’s most demanding and complex undertaking yet, requiring a team of 40 people, specially developed training techniques, and more than a year of preparation. Throughout, the project was shrouded in secrecy to limit variables and distractions, allowing complete focus for a successful flight that was no more than a simple idea on paper 12 months ago.
Located outside Istanbul on Northern Marmara Highway and initially put into service in March 2020, the dual Çatalca tunnels are state-of-the-art; but were designed for automobile traffic, not the flight of an aircraft.
From takeoff to exiting the second tunnel, the flight lasted 43.44 seconds, covering a distance of 2,260m / 2.26km and reaching a top speed of 245kph.
Changes to airflow, combined with the highly sensitive steering of the aircraft, required pilot reaction times of less than 250 milliseconds and delicate hand movements of mere millimeters throughout the flight. One of the most critical moments came at the 360m gap between tunnels, which exposed the race plane to crosswinds as Costa prepared to thread it into the low, narrow opening of the second tunnel.
Costa described: “Everything seemed to be happening so fast, but when I got out of the first tunnel, the plane started to move to the right because of the crosswinds, and in my head, everything slowed down at that moment. I reacted and focused on getting the plane back on the right path to enter the other tunnel. Then in my mind, everything sped up all over again.”
When the race plane shot out of the other side, Costa pulled it into a celebratory loop before landing. The ecstatic pilot said: “I’d never flown in a tunnel in my life - nobody had ever done it .”
The achievement set a new Guinness World Record: Longest Tunnel Flown through with an Aeroplane (1,610 m). Four other notable records were:
Péter Besenyei, 65, mentored Costa. Besenyei is a Hungarian aerobatic and racing pilot, an aviation legend renowned for his role in developing and competing in the Red Bull Air Race. Besenyei is also well known for feats such as flying upside down under the Chain Bridge in Budapest.
Besenyei said: “To fly in a tunnel is not a normal situation. The main point is the mindset. Because flying straight at one meter off the ground and following a centerline is technically not so difficult if you are over a runway. But in the tunnel, especially a dark tunnel, coming out of the tunnel into the light and then back into another dark tunnel is different. And also, some airwaves can affect the flight, and you should expect some bumps. So it’s difficult in your mind because you know that if you make a mistake, the wall is hard.”
Source: Red Bull
|GlobalGiants.Com|
WATCH: Stunt pilot Dario Costa from Italy flies an aircraft through the Tunnel Pass system near Istanbul pic.twitter.com/mVu25o0AhI
— Reuters India (@ReutersIndia) September 5, 2021
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:16 PM | View the original post
Photo: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Hyperice Chevrolet, leads the field to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images). Image provided by & Copyright © NASCAR.
Photo: Jason White, driver of the #66 A-Game/CMR Construction Ford, AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Hyperice Chevrolet, Harrison Burton, driver of the #20 Offerpad Toyota, Justin Haley, driver of the #11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, and Jordan Anderson, driver of the #31 Bommarito Automotive Group Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images). Image provided by & Copyright © NASCAR.
Photo: A general view of cars racing past the grandstands during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images). Image provided by & Copyright © NASCAR.
Photo: Jeb Burton, driver of the #10 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, Christopher Bell, driver of the #54 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota, Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/BRCC Chevrolet, and Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 BRANDT Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images). Image provided by & Copyright © NASCAR.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., August 29, 2021 — The Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway unfolded as billed with dramatic action all Saturday night. It included 45 lead changes, a 14-minute Red Flag period, and a wild final lap of overtime to decide the championship Playoff picture.
Ultimately, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney managed it all and took his second NASCAR Cup Series victory in as many weeks as a colossal multi-car accident happened behind him in the last corners of the track on the final lap.
Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford led only seven of the 165 laps, but the North Carolinian took the lead from fellow Ford driver Roush Fenway Racing’s Chris Buescher for the two laps of overtime to claim his third win of the season and seventh of his career.
In a close and suspenseful battle with Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing’s Tyler Reddick earned the 16th and final playoff position with a fifth-place finish.
“How about that,” Blaney said. “That was a lot of fun. But, gosh, we just barely missed that wreck. Got to line up on the front row and got a good push by the 7 (Corey LaJoie). You never know how the end of these things is going to play out. Down the back, you don’t know what lane is getting a bigger run. I guess someone got tangled up over there. Hopefully, everyone is okay.”
Kyle Larson, who has a series-best five wins on the season, clinched his first NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship with a 21st-place finish. Both he and Denny Hamlin were in the last lap wreck. Hamlin, who has led the points standings for all but three of the previous 25 race weekends, finished 14th.
“Got good momentum,” Blaney said, smiling, “Nice to make it three in a row. We’ll see.”
Bubba Wallace, who led eight laps late in the race, finished second - his best 2021 season. Ryan Newman, Ryan Preece, and Tyler Reddick rounded out the top five, a season-best for Newman and Preece as well.
Haley was sixth, followed by Alex Bowman, who won the Xfinity Series race earlier in the afternoon. Chase Elliott, B.J. McLeod, and Josh Bilicki rounded out the top 10. It was McLeod’s first top-10 finish in 76 NASCAR Cup Series starts.
• NASCAR Cup Series Race - 63rd Annual Coke Zero Sugar 400
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida
Saturday, August 28, 2021.
RACE RESULTS
• Average Speed of Race Winner: 142.201 mph.
• Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 54 Mins, 3 Secs. The margin of Victory: Under Caution Seconds.
Source: NASCAR
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:36 AM | View the original post
• World’s first Plasmid DNA Vaccine for COVID-19, ZyCoV-D, will be administered in three doses.
• Apart from adults, adolescents aged 12-18 years will take the vaccine shot in India for the first time.
• Safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of the vaccine are well-established.
• Company begins stockpiling of the vaccine.
Ahmedabad, India, August 26, 2021 — Zydus Cadila has announced that the company has received the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for ZyCoV-D, the World’s first Plasmid DNA Vaccine for COVID-19.
ZyCoV-D is a three-dose vaccine administered first on day zero, day 28th, and then on the 56th day. With this approval, India now has its first COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents in the 12-18 age group, besides the adult population. In addition, ZyCoV-D is a needle-free vaccine administered using The PharmaJet®, a needle-free applicator, ensuring painless intradermal vaccine delivery.
For the first time, a technologically advanced vaccine has been successfully developed on the Plasmid DNA platform for human use. The company explained that because of its rapid plug-and-play technology, you could quickly adapt the platform to deal with viruses’ mutations, such as those already occurring. The company plans to manufacture about 120 million doses of ZyCoV-D annually.
Mr. Pankaj R. Patel, Chairman, Cadila Healthcare Ltd., said, “This is a historic milestone with ZyCoV-D, a product of Indian innovation. It is the World’s first DNA vaccine offered for human use and the World’s largest immunization drive. We are delighted that our vaccine will contribute to this fight against COVID-19 and enable the country to vaccinate a larger population, especially the 12-18 years old. I would like to thank all the researchers, clinical trial investigators, volunteers, and the regulators who have supported this endeavor.”
The company also plans to seek approval for the two-dose regimen of the vaccine. The main advantage of DNA vaccines is their ability to stimulate both the humoral and cellular arms of the adaptive immune system. They are a valuable form of antigen-specific immunotherapy, as they are safe, stable, and can be quickly produced.
Zydus has acknowledged the support of the National Biopharma Mission, BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology Govt of India, National Institute of Virology, Indian Council of Medical Research, and PharmaJet® in the development of ZyCoV-D vaccine.
ZyCoV-D is a Plasmid DNA vaccine that produces the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In addition, it elicits an immune response mediated by the cellular and humoral arms of the human immune system, which play a vital role in protection from disease and viral clearance.
• Facts about ZyCoV-D
ZyCoV-D is an intradermal vaccine administered in three doses.
It will be applied using The PharmaJet® needle-free system, Tropis®, which can significantly reduce any side effects.
ZyCoV-D is stored at 2-8 degrees C but has shown good stability at temperatures of 25 degrees C for at least three months. The thermostability of the vaccine will help in easy transportation and storage of the vaccine and reduce any cold chain breakdown challenges leading to vaccine wastage.
The plasmid DNA platform provides ease of manufacturing with minimal biosafety requirements.
Also, being a Plasmid DNA vaccine, ZyCoV-D doesn’t have any problem with vector-based immunity.
The Plasmid DNA platform also allows generating new constructs quickly to deal with mutations in the virus, such as those already occurring.
The EClinical Medicine Journal of Lancet has already published the Phase I part of the Phase I/II clinical trial results.
Zydus Cadila is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Ahmedabad, India. It is primarily engaged in the manufacture of generic drugs.
Source: Zydus Cadila
|GlobalGiants.Com|
The vaccine is delivered in 3 doses.
— World Economic Forum (@wef) August 24, 2021
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine: https://t.co/QcY4bGRA5i pic.twitter.com/kDGajqW8c9
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:16 AM | View the original post
• Approval Signifies Key Achievement for Public Health.
SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 23, 2021 — Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine was earlier called Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. It will now be marketed as Comirnaty (Koe-mir’-na-tee) to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for administering a third dose in specific immunocompromised individuals.
“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This one and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization. The public can be very confident that, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated. Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.”
“Our scientific and medical experts conducted an in-depth and thoughtful evaluation of this vaccine. We evaluated scientific data and information included in hundreds of thousands of pages. In addition, we conducted our analyses of Comirnaty’s safety and effectiveness and performed a detailed assessment of the manufacturing processes, including inspections of the manufacturing facilities,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “We have not lost sight that the COVID-19 public health crisis continues in the U.S. and that the public is counting on safe and effective vaccines. Therefore, the public and the medical community can be confident that although we approved this vaccine expeditiously, it was fully in keeping with our existing high standards for vaccines in the U.S.”
• Ongoing Safety Monitoring
The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have monitoring systems to ensure that any safety concerns continue to be identified and evaluated on time. In addition, Pfizer has committed to additional post-marketing safety studies, including conducting a pregnancy registry study to assess pregnancy and infant outcomes after receipt of Comirnaty during pregnancy.
• 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: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:25 PM | View the original post
“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach, not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary. The Countach LPI 800-4 pays homage to this Lamborghini legacy. Still, it is not retrospective: it imagines how the iconic Countach of the 70s and 80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand. It innately expresses the marque’s enduring and emotive power: always inspirational and thrilling to see, hear and drive.”
The Countach LPI 800-4 20” (front) and 21” (rear) wheels are created in the ‘telephone’ style of the 1980s, fitted with carbon-ceramic brake discs and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires.
Owners of the exclusive limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 can choose from a range of heritage exterior paint options, mostly in solid colors, such as the iconic Impact White, Giallo Countach, and Verde Medio. Otherwise, the contemporary palette offers modern paintings, mostly metallic colors, such as Viola Pasifae or Blu Uranus.
Source: Lamborghini
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:22 AM | View the original post
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Quartz is an energetic 43mm 3 hands watch with a bold orange textured dial and white accents. It has a matching black nylon strap with orange and grey touches. The watch is a tribute to the playful TAG Heuer Formula 1 models from the 80s and 90s.
Source: TAG Heuer
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:22 AM | View the original post
Jorge MartÃn finishes third with the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Pramac Racing Team.
Photos: Pecco Bagnaia at Austrian GP. Images provided by & copyright © DUCATI.
Spielberg, Austria, August 15, 2021 — Pecco Bagnaia took an excellent second place at the MotoGP Austrian GP held this afternoon at the Red Bull Ring. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider put in a masterful performance in a race made difficult by the rain that started to fall with four laps remaining.
Starting from the front row, from the third spot on the grid, Pecco moved into first place, leading for twenty-three laps while cleverly defending himself from the attacks made by Quartararo and then Márquez. Unfortunately, when the rain began to fall, the Italian rider dropped back into fourth place, but he quickly made the bike swap, returning to the pits along with the riders in the leading group. Pecco rejoined the race in the eleventh position with the Desmosedici GP in wet configuration and soon caught up with the remaining riders on slick tires, overtaking them and recovering up to second place in just one lap to take his fourth podium of the season. Thanks to today’s result, Pecco climbs into the second position in the overall standings, 47 points behind the leader — Fabio Quartararo.
It was an unfortunate race for his teammate Jack Miller. As he got off from sixth on the grid, the Australian rider made a good start, but after a few laps, the lack of grip did not allow him to push, and he eventually fell back into eighth place. When the rain started to fall, Miller was one of the first to enter the pit to change his bike, but the strategy adopted did not allow him to take advantage of it. The Australian rider crossed the line eleventh, and after today’s race, he is fifth in the championship, 76 points off the top of the standings.
Jorge MartÃn, who took pole position yesterday and won last Sunday’s Styrian GP, also held at the Red Bull Ring, completed the podium in the race won by Brad Binder. The Pramac Racing Team rider finished today’s race in third place, bringing the number of Ducatis on the stage to two. After the Austrian GP, the Bologna manufacturer is now first in the constructors’ championship, while the Ducati Lenovo Team occupies second place in the teams’ classification.
RACE RESULTS — Top Ten Riders
RIDER — COUNTRY — TEAM — TIME/DIFF
• Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) - 2nd
“Again, today we went close to winning, but I’m still happy! We did our best and worked well. Both when I was leading in the dry and the wet, we managed the situation well. I let Márquez through when I saw the first drops of rain, to see what he would do because I didn’t know if I should go back and change the bike. I saw that many riders didn’t stop, and I thought I had made a mistake by doing the flag-to-flag. After the first lap on the rain tires, I found my rhythm and was able to pass a lot of riders to take second place. We will try again! The next race is at Silverstone, and I’m sure we can fight for a good result there too!”
• Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) - 11th
“This morning in the warm-up, I had a good pace, but during the race, I wasn’t able to replicate it. After the start, I tried to stay close to the front group, but after a few laps, I started to have grip problems and lost a few positions. When I saw the first drops of rain, I thought to go back in for the bike change, but it started to rain seriously only a lap later. Nevertheless, we tried: these were not the results we expected from these two races in Austria, but now we have to move forward and come back stronger at Silverstone.”
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will be back on track in approximately two weeks, from 27th-29th August, for the British GP at the Silverstone Circuit.
Source: DUCATI
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Ducati vs Yamaha vs Honda! âš”ï¸@PeccoBagnaia vs @FabioQ20 vs @marcmarquez93! ðŸ¿#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/IEXgud0x7U
— MotoGP™ðŸ (@MotoGP) August 15, 2021
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:41 AM | View the original post
Photos: As temperatures continue rising across the USA, with these 16 Forever stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the variety of games Americans play to relax and enjoy the sunshine for outdoor recreation.
ROSEMONT, Ill., Aug. 14, 2021 — The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the outdoor recreational games that Americans play with vibrant new stamps during a dedication ceremony at the opening of the Great American Stamp Show 2021 held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
The pane of 16 stamps features eight designs illustrating eight backyard games — badminton, bocce, cornhole, croquet, flying disc, horseshoes, tetherball, and pickup baseball.
“It’s an honor to represent the United States Postal Service as we dedicate the Backyard Games Forever stamps at the Great American Stamp Show,” said Judy de Torok, the Postal Service’s corporate affairs vice president. “Stamp collecting has become a great American tradition, just as the backyard games we’re celebrating today have become great American traditions.”
Joining de Torok at the dedication ceremony were Scott D. English, executive director, American Philatelic Society; William J. Gicker, director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service; Alex P. Gara, president, American Bocce Co. LLC; Thomas Chen, Midwest Badminton Club; and Greg Breeding, art director, U.S. Postal Service.
With this pane of 16 Forever stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the variety of games Americans play for outdoor recreation.
As temperatures warm up, Americans head outside to relax and enjoy the sunshine. But, with a touch of strategy, a bit of luck, and a healthy dose of friendly competition, backyard games provide almost endless amusement. At the beach, in a public park, or your backyard, these games are an excellent way for children and adults to have fun while enjoying the company of friends and family.
• Badminton. A royal country estate in England gives the name to the sport of Badminton. Somebody first played it here. Badminton is a popular form of backyard recreation. Much like tennis, either two or four players can play it. Each player uses a lightweight racket to hit a shuttlecock (also known as a birdie or bird) over a 5-foot net to the opposing side. The game continues as players volley the shuttlecock back and forth, not letting it hit the ground.
• Bocce. Originating in Italy, bocce is now widely played across the United States. However, this sport takes a bit of finesse to perfect. Two players, or multiple players divided into two teams, begin a game by first throwing a small ball known as the jack from one end of the playing area to the other. Players then take turns throwing their large balls — typically made of clay, wood, or plastic — toward the jack, attempting to land their balls as close to the jack as possible. The rousing game of bocce can last just a few rounds or for hours, depending on the players’ skill and their variations on scoring.
• Cornhole. Cornhole (also known as sacks, beanbag toss, or sack toss) has become increasingly popular, likely because of its simple rules and ease of play. Players take turns tossing soft, square bags — filled with dried corn, plastic pellets, or beans — onto wooden boards that are raised slightly off the ground on one end. The goal is to get the bags through a small hole on one side of the board, scoring based on how closely the bags get to the spot. It is a fun, recreational game. Teams or singles can play it.
• Croquet. Croquet is a popular garden party game. Nine wickets, hoops, and two stakes pressed into the ground in a double diamond formation create the gameplay area. Many variations on the game exist, but standard play consists of two or four people, each with their wooden mallet and four balls. Players hit the balls with their mallets, advancing them through the course — created by the wickets and stakes — in the correct order.
• Tossing. Tossing a flying disc can be as simple as playing catch or as involved as a spirited team game called “ultimate.” With the flick of a wrist, a hard plastic, the aerodynamic disc can sail through the air, flying straight or veering at an angle, depending on the thrower’s aim and release. Disc golf is also a popular game using flying discs and has rules like golf — without the ball and clubs, adding a new dimension to the art of throwing a disc just right.
• Horseshoes. The game of horseshoes is traditionally played with heavy metal horseshoes; however, lighter plastic ones have also become common. Two stakes in the ground mark the game area. Players pitch horseshoes at one of the stakes to get the shoe to encircle the stake — what’s known as a ringer. Scoring is based on how closely the shoes of a particular player land to the stake. Much like cornhole, practice with the swing and release of the shoe, getting comfortable with the weight and the distance, makes landing the perfect shot much more effortless.
• Tetherball. Often played in public parks and on playgrounds, tetherball is a fun, fast-paced game children and adults enjoy. Tetherball consists of a semi-soft ball fastened to a rope attached to the top of a pole. Two players take turns hitting the ball, attempting to wrap the string entirely around the bar. The ball can move either clockwise or counterclockwise, keeping players on their toes as they try to win.
• Pickup Baseball. Many versions of pickup games of baseball are played in the United States. One common variation consists of using a lightweight plastic ball and bat, making throwing and hitting the ball easier. The rules are like those of baseball or softball, but an official diamond isn’t necessary. Instead, if players know where the bases are, all that’s needed is an open area and an excited team.
Source: U.S. Postal Service
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:40 AM | View the original post
Photos: Olivia Rodrigo. SOUR. Photo credit: Grant Spanier. Images provided by Sony Music.
NEW YORK, August 6, 2021 — Sony Music Publishing has announced the signing of multi-platinum singer-songwriter, actress, and 2021 breakout artist Olivia Rodrigo to a global agreement.
Rodrigo made history with her No. 1, critically-acclaimed debut album SOUR. Released on May 21, 2021, the LP scored the biggest debut of the year, earning the most U.S. audio streams from a female debut album ever and breaking the record for the most-streamed album in a week by a female artist in Spotify history with over 385M global streams. In addition to becoming RIAA Certified Gold in its first week, all 11 tracks from the album have landed in the top 30 of Billboard’s Hot 100, making Rodrigo the first female artist to chart 11 or more songs in the top 30 simultaneously. In addition, the 18-year-old musician earned her second No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her smash single, “good four u.”
Rodrigo instantly captured audiences worldwide on January 8 with her debut single from SOUR, “drivers license.” It became one of the biggest songs of 2021 and achieved record-breaking success. The cinematic, alt-pop anthem garnered over 76 million U.S. streams in its first week and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for eight weeks. The song also earned the largest global weekly streaming debut on Spotify and became the first track to surpass 1 billion global streams in 2021.
Olivia Rodrigo said, “There’s nothing I love more than songwriting; it’s my favorite thing in the world, and I’m excited to be working with the team at Sony Music Publishing.”
Sony Music Publishing Chairman & CEO Jon Platt responded, “Olivia is a once-in-a-generation talent with the heart of a true songwriter - there is no limit to what she can accomplish. Along with the entire Sony Music Publishing team, we look forward to supporting Olivia’s incredible artistry and creating the best opportunities for her songs as she begins this exciting new chapter.”
Sony Music Publishing Director, A&R Thomas Krottinger stated, “It has been a great privilege to work with Olivia over the last year. She constantly pushes her creative boundaries, allowing her to craft genuine, passionate songs that transcend genres and bring people together. We are honored to partner with Olivia and her incredible team, and we are beyond excited to champion her as she continues inspiring the world!”
Sony Music Publishing SVP, Creative Jennifer Knoepfle remarked, “What strikes me most about Olivia is her incredible storytelling ability. Every song on SOUR spins a narrative that is both unique to her and relatable to so many. She has a gift with words, and we are so lucky to support her from the beginning of what will surely be a long and fruitful career.”
According to SONY, Rodrigo has demonstrated her songwriting prowess and knack at creating immediately powerful pop music throughout her career, and it has cemented her status as the most promising young artist to emerge this year.
Source: Sony Music Publishing
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:39 AM | View the original post
Photos: OMEGA presents the Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary Watch. Images provided by Omega.
In 1970, OMEGA received the coveted “Silver Snoopy Award” from the astronauts at NASA, recognizing the brand’s unique contributions to space exploration, as well as the Speedmaster’s vital support during the rescue of Apollo 13.
Fifty years later, Omega created an extraordinary timepiece in the occasion’s honor.
According to Omega, “Our favorite beagle plays a prominent role within the timepiece, appearing as an embossed silver medallion on the blue subdial at 9 o’clock. He is wearing his famous spacesuit in the exact style of the silver pin that NASA astronauts give to award recipients.”
The watch’s blue nylon fabric strap matches the other blue elements and even features the trajectory of the Apollo 13 mission, embossed on the lining. This strap is attached to a 42 mm case in stainless steel.
Source: OMEGA
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:15 AM | View the original post
• Fortune Global 500 2021  Ranking Features 143 Chinese Companies, 122 U.S. Companies,  and 53  Japanese Companies 
• Walmart  Maintains Top Spot for 8th straight year
Photo: The 2021 FORTUNE Global 500 Cover.
NEW YORK, August 2, 2021 — Today, FORTUNE announced the FORTUNE Global 500 for the 2020 fiscal year, ranking the world’s largest corporations by revenue. Walmart claimed the top spot for the  eighth  consecutive year and for the 16th time since 1995. Once again, mainland China (including Hong Kong) has the most companies (135) on the list —  up by 11  from the last year.  Adding Taiwan, the total for Greater China is 143.  The U.S. is up by one with 122, and Japan is steady with a total of 53. The companies on the 2021 list have their headquarters in 220 cities and 31 countries around the world.
FORTUNE Global 500 companies generated revenues totaling more than one-third of the world’s GDP. They generated $31.7 trillion in revenues (down 5%), $1.6 trillion in profits (down  20%). In addition, they employ 69.7 million people worldwide.
Apple (No. 6) netted $57 billion in profits and is the FORTUNE Global 500’s most profitable company in 2021, ending Saudi Aramco’s (No. 14) two-year reign.
Of the 2021 rankings, FORTUNE List Editor Scott DeCarlo says, “The radical changes the pandemic has wrought will have long-term implications for businesses worldwide. Using it as a catalyst, the Global 500 showed the world how to adapt, evolve, and reinvent themselves. The Global 500 is a picture of a world we’re rapidly leaving behind and also a guide to the new environment taking shape.”
THE FORTUNE GLOBAL 500 LIST 
TOP 100 COMPANIES
In his foreword to the Aug./Sept. 2021 issue, FORTUNE Acting Editor-in-Chief Brian O’Keefe writes: “Our annual ranking of the world’s largest companies by revenue remains the ultimate scorecard for business success. Despite the pandemic’s impact, the companies on the list generated $31.7 trillion in revenue last year, equivalent to one-third of global GDP. But the COVID-19 crisis also proved to be a time of transformative change for the world’s biggest corporations, with 45 new companies joining the list.”
Total revenues rank companies for their respective fiscal years ended on or before March 31, 2021.  All companies on the list must publish financial data and report parts or figures to a government agency.
Source: FORTUNE Media
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:50 AM | View the original post
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
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
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
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Reebok #SheGotRee with Katrina Kaif
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:18 AM | View the original post
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
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
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:09 PM | View the original post
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:
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
• 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
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
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
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