 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
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
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
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
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:
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
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
• 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
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
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
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
• 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
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:
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
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
• Michael R. Bloomberg to host a fourth annual forum focused on advancing the world’s most significant economic opportunities amidst Covid-19 recovery, from East to West and across the developing world.
• The first-ever “Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst” virtual event welcomes a new wave of world-shifting visionaries on June 30.
Photo: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Mayor Bloomberg, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group, and Paul Dickinson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project, announced Climate Week NYC, a series of events throughout New York City to address the urgent need for action on climate change. June 23, 2009. Image Credit: The Climate Group. [File Photo]
NEW YORK, May 2021 — Bloomberg Media has announced that the Bloomberg New Economy Forum will convene on November 16-19, 2021, in Singapore. As the global economy emerges from lockdown, the fourth annual Forum will bring together the world’s most influential business executives, heads of state, innovators, and academics. Leaders from East to West, public and private sectors, developed and developing nations will mobilize behind the effort to build a sustainable global economy that creates jobs, reduces inequality, and improves general health.
“The time since the last New Economy Forum has dramatically underlined why the event, and the themes that drive it, are so important. The pandemic has shown how interconnected we are and why cooperation is critical,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Three-Term Mayor of New York City. “New vaccines show the power of technology and public-private partnerships to address humanity’s challenges. And the disproportionate impacts of the virus, and uneven global access to vaccines, have shown how far we have to go to build an equitable future. The New Economy Forum is a chance for leaders to talk with one another and think big on these and other key issues - including the challenges and opportunities around climate change. We’re looking forward to returning to Singapore, one of the world’s most innovative cities and home of the inaugural Forum.”
The Bloomberg New Economy Forum returns with the resounding support of host country Singapore, at a time when the shifting balance of power between East and West presents challenges as well as a tremendous opportunity. The intimate gathering will be limited to approximately 400 global leaders in a commitment to helping ensure the delegates’ safety by maintaining the protocol outlined in Singapore and innovating new ways of safely convening in person.
“I am pleased that Singapore would host the 2021 Bloomberg New Economy Forum, where business leaders will convene to discuss pertinent global issues. The second time Singapore will be hosting the Forum, following our inaugural Forum’s successful hosting in 2018. Health and safety remain Singapore’s top priority, and we will work closely with the Bloomberg team to create a safe and conducive environment to welcome all delegates here in November,” said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Forum delegates will join the action and participation-oriented programs to develop a global recovery strategy for the worst economic crisis since World War II. As governments worldwide spend aggressively to recover from the impact of Covid-19, the race to net zero and other critical themes will permeate discussions within the Forum’s five editorial pillars — Climate, Cities, Finance, Trade, and Public Health. Face-to-face exchanges in Singapore will help define priorities, workshop ideas and explore scenarios to move the world forward in the year ahead.
For the first time, Bloomberg New Economic will also welcome a new community of visionary leaders for the Bloomberg New Economic Catalyst virtual event on June 30. These entrepreneurs, technologists, and policy innovators — many of them from emerging economies — are already creating a world-shifting change set to transform the future. The event will spotlight their work at the leading edge of areas, including space, climate, finance, and health. This collective will also play a pivotal role in helping shape the dialogue at the annual Bloomberg New Economy Forum in November, applying fresh ideas and big thinking to address humanity’s biggest challenges.
Led by Editorial Director Andrew Browne, Bloomberg New Economy-driven conversations are also being elevated on Bloomberg Media’s global news platforms year-round. The newly launched Bloomberg New Economic Daily newsletter, weekly segments on Bloomberg Television and Bloomberg Radio, and the virtual New Economic Conversation event series keep this highly influential community of leaders connected and audiences informed.
With Dr. Henry A. Kissinger as Honorary Chair and Henry M. Paulson, Jr. as Chair, the Bloomberg New Economy Forum Advisory Board provides support across these efforts. It is composed of more than 40 distinguished government and business leaders from around the world.
• Members of the Advisory Board include:
• Bloomberg would present the 2021 forum in partnership with:
McKinsey and Company is the exclusive knowledge partner, and IDA Ireland joins as a Spotlight Economy Partner.
Bloomberg Media is a leading, global, multi-platform brand that provides decision-makers with timely news, analysis, and intelligence on business, finance, technology, climate change, politics, and more. Powered by a newsroom of over 2,700 journalists and analysts, it reaches influential audiences worldwide across every platform, including digital, social, T.V., radio, print, and live events. Bloomberg Media is a division of Bloomberg L.P.
Source: Bloomberg Media
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:48 AM | View the original post
The second consecutive success for the Aussie rider. Fourth place for Francesco Bagnaia after a remarkable comeback.
It’s another one-two for Ducati in France as Johann Zarco closes second with the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Pramac Racing Team.
Photo: Jack Miller. Grand Prix of France in Le Mans. May 16, 2021. Image provided by & copyright © DUCATI.
Photo: Francesco Bagnaia. Grand Prix of France in Le Mans. May 16, 2021. Image provided by & copyright © DUCATI.
Le Mans, France, May 16, 2021 — Just two weeks after the extraordinary success taken at Jerez de la Frontera, Jack Miller scored another sensational victory at the Bugatti Circuit of Le Mans, where the French Grand Prix took place this afternoon.
The Australian dominated a tough race that saw riders dealing with a bike swap following the “flag-to-flag” rule. As they started with dry conditions, the sky soon became clouded, and after only a few laps, it started pouring rain. On lap five, Miller, who was in fourth place after going straight into the gravel, returned to the pits to make the bike change but managing to rejoin in third place. However, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider had to serve a double long lap penalty for exceeding 60km/h in the pit lane. Jack remained third and, at lap 12, after Márquez crashed out, he overtook Quartararo, taking the lead where he stayed until the chequered flag, securing his second consecutive win this season. Behind him, home hero Johann Zarco finished second with the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Pramac Racing Team.
Excellent performance also for Francesco Bagnaia, fourth today at the finish line in a comeback. The Italian rider, who started with the sixteenth fastest time, had dropped back into nineteenth place on the first lap, but he could rejoin in the eleventh position after the bike swap. Forced to take a double long lap penalty as well, Pecco didn’t lose concentration. Thanks to a steady pace, he could catch up with his rivals, passing them to fourth.
At the end of the fifth round of the 2021 MotoGP season, Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team are first in the constructors’ and teams’ standings. In the riders’ Championship, Bagnaia is now second, just one point behind Quartararo, while Miller occupies the fourth position.
• Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) - 1st
• Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) - 4th
• Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back on track from 28th to May 30 for the Italian GP at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, the first home race for the Bologna-based team in the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
Source: DUCATI
|GlobalGiants.Com|
LOOK at this group at the front! âš”ï¸
— MotoGP™ðŸ (@MotoGP) May 16, 2021
Absolutely everyone with the fastest lap! 😂#MotoE | #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/o0bvGPUlHP
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:43 PM | View the original post
Photos: Tissot Seastar 1000 Quartz Chrono Aquatic Elegance.
• Stylish above and below the water
Tissot Seastar 1000 Quartz Chrono is now available as a timepiece. It is already indispensable in the water with a host of valuable features, thanks to its ability to handle pressure up to 30 bar (1000 ft) and its accessible quartz movement, which promises unfailing reliability.
• Features
Source: TISSOT
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:38 AM | View the original post
• The partnership will enable global genomic sequencing and examination through a specialist platform developed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to help mitigate the impact of potentially dangerous COVID-19 variants.
Photo: Oracle Cloud Manages COVID-19 Vaccination Program in the United States. Image provided by & copyright © ORACLE.
OXFORD, England and AUSTIN, Texas, May 16, 2021 — The emergence of more infectious variants of the COVID-19 virus is threatening to slow the global recovery and potentially thwart current vaccine immunity. To help governments and medical communities identify and act on these variants faster, Oxford University and Oracle have created a Global Pathogen Analysis System (GPAS) combining Oxford’s Scalable Pathogen Pipeline Platform (SP3) with the power of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This initiative builds on a Wellcome Trust-funded consortium including Public Health Wales, the University of Cardiff, and Public Health England.
“This powerful new tool will assist public health scientists in research establishments, public health agencies, healthcare services, and diagnostic companies around the world. It would help them in further understanding of infectious diseases, starting with the coronavirus,” said Derrick Crook, Professor of Microbiology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford.
“The Global Pathogen Analysis System will help to establish a global common standard for assembling and analyzing this new virus, as well as other microbial threats to public health. It adds a new dimension to our ability to process pathogen data. We are excited to partner with Oracle to further our research using this cutting-edge technology platform,” added Crook.
First used for tuberculosis, SP3 has been repurposed to unify, standardize, analyze, and compare sequence data of SARS-CoV-2, yielding annotated genomic sequences and identifying new variants and those of concern. SP3’s processing capability has been enhanced with extensive new development work from Oracle, enabling high performance and security plus 7/24 worldwide availability of the SP3 system in the Oracle Cloud. The SP3 system will now deliver comprehensive and standardized COVID-19 analyses within minutes of submission on an international scale. GPAS would share the results with countries around the globe in a secure environment.
“The opportunity of applying systematic examination for genetic variants in a range of pathogens will have major benefits for global public health. This program, with Oracle as a partner, takes us a step closer to this goal,” said Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford.
Coupled with the extensive machine learning capabilities in the Oracle Cloud, collaborating scientists, researchers, and governments worldwide can process, analyze, visualize, and act on a vast collection of COVID-19 pathogen data for the first time. It includes identifying variants of interest and their potential impact on vaccine and treatment effectiveness. For example, analytics dashboards in the system will show which specific strains spread more quickly than others and whether genetic features contribute to increased transmissibility and vaccine escape. Already, Oxford has processed half the world’s SARS-CoV-2 sequences, more than 500,000 in total.
“There is a critical need for global cooperation on genomic sequencing and examination of COVID-19 and other pathogens,” said Oracle Chairman and CTO Larry Ellison. “The enhanced SP3 system will establish a global standard for pathogen data gathering and analysis, thus enabling medical researchers to understand better the COVID-19 virus and other microbial threats to public health.”
The next step will be to extend this service to all pathogens while simultaneously collaborating with scientists from research establishments, public health agencies, and private companies to ensure this work can support decision-making on pandemic response strategies worldwide.
The platform will be free for researchers and non-profits to use worldwide.
Oxford is world-famous for research excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Its work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a vast network of partnerships and collaborations. Its research’s breadth and interdisciplinary nature sparks creative and inventive insights and solutions.
Sources: Oracle & Oxford University
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:59 AM | View the original post
Photo: Andrea Meza, Miss Universe Mexico 2020, is crowned Miss Universe after the 69th Miss Universe Competition on May 16, 2021, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The new winner will move to New York City, where she will live during her reign and become a spokesperson for various causes alongside The Miss Universe Organization. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
HOLLYWOOD, FL (May 17, 2021) - Miss Universe Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe live on FYI and Telemundo last night from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Andrea will use her year as Miss Universe to advocate for women’s rights and against gender-based violence.
After a National Costume Competition, rounds of interviews, a preliminary competition, and the live Finals, Andrea was crowned with the Mouawad Power of Unity Crown, presented to her by outgoing Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi.
“I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight,” said Miss Universe Andrea Meza. “It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe crown, and I hope to serve the world through my advocacy for equality in the year to come and beyond.” Andrea Meza, 26, is from Chihuahua City and represented her home country, Mexico, as Miss Universe Mexico, in the 69th annual Miss Universe competition. Andrea has a degree in software engineering and is an activist, and currently works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence. She is also a certified make-up artist and model who is passionate about being active and living a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys extreme sports in her free time, including rappelling and sandboarding. Andrea is also the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown, Chihuahua, promoting the best tourist attractions and rich culture her home offers.
“It is certainly emotional to see the crown begin a new journey tonight with Andrea,” said Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization. “After a year unlike any other, I am so grateful for the extra months we got to spend with Zozi, and I know Andrea will reign with strength, ambition, and grace.”
The inspiring show was hosted by Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez and actress and model Olivia Culpo, with an electrifying performance by Grammy-nominated artist Luis Fonsi. Miss Universe 2017 Demi- Leigh Tebow, Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, and Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the show throughout the night.
At this year’s Miss Universe competition, women representing 74 countries competed in multiple categories. The show aired in over 190 countries and territories across the globe. Andrea will move to New York City to represent the brand and various philanthropic organizations during her reign.
The Mouawad MISS UNIVERSE Power of Unity Crown, crafted from 18-karat gold, is set with more than 1,725 white diamonds and three golden canary diamonds. These hundreds of diamonds are in intricate interplays of motifs of petals, leaves, and vines, representing communities across the seven continents whose bonds unite them in the exact purpose of empowering one another. The crown’s centerpiece is a shield cut golden canary diamond weighing a magnificent 62.83ct. In harmony with the diamonds surrounding it, it inspires the crown’s name, the Power of Unity.
Following countries entered the top 10:
Photo: Adline Castelino, Miss Universe India 2020, top 5, taking her final walk on stage before the conclusion of the 69th Miss Universe Competition on May 16, 2021, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
Source: The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:33 AM | View the original post
• Upcoming humanitarian airlift also includes 1.8 million KN95 masks.
Photo: A Direct Relief shipment weighing 8.8 tons arrives in Quito, Ecuador. The shipment contained ICU kits filled with essential medicines to treat Covid-19 and oxygen concentrators, protective gear, and other medical items for health facilities in the country. (Photo by Isadora Romero for Direct Relief) [File Photo]
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 14, 2021 — A FedEx-donated Boeing 777 fully loaded with oxygen concentrators and other supplies from Direct Relief is flying this weekend to India — for the second time in as many weeks — to help patients with Covid-19 survive the pandemic’s deadliest surge yet.
Clinicians have correlated drastic drops in the blood oxygen levels of Covid patients with a greater likelihood of death. India has experienced crippling shortages of medical-grade oxygen, in part due to the need to transport oxygen cylinders hundreds of miles via cryogenic tankers, from production plants to hospitals, then back for refilling. According to BMJ, 41% of patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 require supplemental oxygen, while only 2% need mechanical ventilation.
Oxygen concentrators don’t require tanks, just electric power to remove nitrogen from the air and produce purified oxygen. Direct Relief is delivering two oxygen concentrator types — high-flow and low-flow. High-flow oxygen concentrators are used in hospitals to treat patients needing intensive care, providing 10 liters per minute of oxygen. Low-flow concentrators generate 5 liters per minute and help hospitals safely discharge patients who are stable but require at-home breathing support.
The May 15 flight from Newark to Delhi will deliver 286 high-flow oxygen concentrators and 500 low-flow concentrators. It would add to the 3,500 concentrators from Direct Relief transported via another FedEx-donated charter that arrived May 9. Tata Memorial Center in Mumbai cleared the items and distributed them within two days to more than 40 hospitals in the region. This weekend’s flight also includes 1.8 million KN95 masks, 125,000 gloves, and other medical items.
Direct Relief staff and partner organizations in India will distribute the supplies throughout the country to medical facilities caring for Covid-19 patients. Direct Relief has provided medical assistance to India since 1960, working with various partners, from medical outreach camps to rural clinics and hospitals, community-based health centers, and tertiary level facilities in large urban areas.
“It’s our mission to use our global logistics network to help deliver critical aid to India, where it’s needed most right now,” said Raj Subramaniam, president, and COO, FedEx Corp. “We’ve been fighting this pandemic from the frontlines since the beginning and will continue the fight until it’s over.”
“Direct Relief is grateful beyond words for FedEx, once again, delivering urgently-needed assistance to people in India at a scale the FedEx team is uniquely able to handle,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief President, and CEO. “The decisive action to donate the company’s enormous capacity and exceptional skills is a huge humanitarian force multiplier — and a powerful example of the type of public-spirited leadership needed to get everyone, everywhere, safely to the other side of the pandemic.”
Direct Relief is a humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the world to communities in need — without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.
Source: Direct Relief
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:41 PM | View the original post
Photo: (L-R) Andrea Meza, Miss Universe Mexico 2020; Amanda Petri, Miss Universe Denmark 2020; Sunniva Frigstad, Miss Universe Norway 2020; and Viivi Altonen, Miss Universe Finland 2020. They have arrived at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, for the 69th Miss Universe Competition, wearing Invisi Smart masks. The Miss Universe delegates would be touring, filming, rehearsing, and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown before the show airs live on Sunday, May 16 at 8:00 PM ET. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
The 69th MISS UNIVERSE Competition would air from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Sunday, May 16, 2021. The competition will broadcast LIVE around the world from 8:00 to 11:00 PM ET.
The three-hour event will feature women representing dozens of countries competing in multiple categories, including the personal statement, swimsuit, evening gown, and interview. The event would end with Zozibini Tunzi crowning her successor.
Seminole Hard Rock’s Safe & Sound protocols follow similar guidelines as enacted successfully during the 2020 MISS USA Competition, produced in Memphis, Tennessee, in November. These policies include mask usage, social distancing, quarantining upon arrival, and rigorous testing in coordination with health officials.
The show will air in over 160 countries and territories across the globe.
Here is the list of the participants:
2021 MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITION CONTESTANTS
COUNTRY — NAME
Photo: Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia 2020. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
Maria Thattil is a multi-hyphenate. She is a founder, speaker, corporate professional, digital creator, and fierce activist for inclusivity, equality, and empowerment. Before she started training to be an accredited life coach, she graduated with a Psychology degree with Honours and then with a Masters degree in Management. Maria’s biggest hobby is volunteering. She is a member of the United Nations Association of Australia. Maria is an Australian woman of Indian descent, a daughter of immigrants. She believes her upbringing has gifted her with unique experiences that fuel her passion for inclusivity.
Source: The Miss Universe Organization, New York
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:55 AM | View the original post
NEW YORK, May 9, 2021 — International advocacy organization Global Citizen tonight announced that the “VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World” campaign helped mobilize over 26 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and $302 million to the ACT-Accelerator to provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests, treatments, and other medical tools to the world’s most marginalized communities and healthcare workers on the frontlines.
VAX LIVE was taped at SoFi Stadium for a COVID 19-compliant audience composed of fully vaccinated frontline healthcare and essential workers and is the first large-scale music event held at the stadium. The goal of the VAX LIVE campaign was to ensure everyone, everywhere, has access to COVID-19 vaccines and inspire vaccine confidence worldwide.
Selena Gomez served as host, and Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, served as Campaign Chairs. Performers included Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, and J Balvin. Special appearances by President Biden, First Lady Dr. Biden, and Vice President Harris along with Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, David Letterman, Gayle King, Jimmy Kimmel, Nomzamo Mbatha, Olivia Munn, and Sean Penn.
The VAX LIVE campaign called on governments to begin sharing vaccine doses immediately. It asked pharmaceutical companies, such as Moderna, to urgently provide millions of doses to the most impoverished nations at-cost pricing. To help ensure equitable access to the vaccine, Global Citizen and its partners led a coordinated drive across the private sector to raise critical funds - “dollars for doses” - for the vaccine-sharing program COVAX AMC.
• VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World received messages of support and commitments from:
Commitments announced through the course of the VAX LIVE campaign and special included:
GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS
Canada: CAD 375 million [$299.2 million] towards the ACT-Accelerator for COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments to support countries in need.
Norway: will share all of its extra doses, an additional 4.5 million doses on top of the 700,000 it has already committed. It translates to one dose shared for every Norwegian Citizen.
Spain: will donate 7.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for the Latin American and Caribbean region.
The U.A.E.: will donate 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses and support the delivery of 25 million doses.
New Zealand: will share an additional 200,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses for a total of 1.2M for the South Pacific region.
Croatia pledged €500,000 [$600,000] to COVAX and will start donating 50,000 doses before the end of June.
Portugal: has committed to providing 1 million doses to Portuguese-speaking countries.
Italy: expressed its intentions to make a substantial new pledge to COVAX soon. Italy will also use its G20 presidency to boost global manufacturing capacity.
PHILANTHROPIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITMENTS
Philanthropic and corporate commitments raised $39.6 million for COVAX, which was matched by GAVI for an additional $23.6 million, resulting in a total of $63.3 million, enough to acquire 12.66 million vaccines. Combined with government pledges, this amounts to over 26 million vaccine doses to those most in need.
SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS MADE TOWARD THE COVAX AMC FOR PROCUREMENT OF VACCINES:
COMMITMENTS MADE TOWARD THE WHO COVID-19 SOLIDARITY FUND FOR MEDICAL TOOLS AND SUPPLIES INCLUDED:
Overall, $65.8M has been mobilized through VAX LIVE by philanthropists, the private sector, and the Gavi matching mechanism in commitments to vaccine procurement, medical tools, and supplies.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support for VAX LIVE, from governments, philanthropists, the private sector, our campaign chairs, and Global Citizens from across the world. They have joined forces to mobilize critical COVID-19 vaccines where they are needed urgently,” said Hugh Evans, C.E.O. of Global Citizen. “But more needs to be done, especially from G7 nations that have yet to commit to sharing any doses. The U.K. alone will have 113 million surplus doses. We need to continue our efforts to urge the chair of the G7, Boris Johnson, the rest of the G7 and G20 nations, and vaccine manufacturers to share additional doses urgently to help ensure equitable vaccine access globally.”
VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World aired on A.B.C., A.B.C. News Live, C.B.S., FOX, and streamed on YouTube, iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations and the iHeartRadio App. VAX LIVE also aired on AXS TV, Albavision across Latin America, Multishow from Globo Group in Brazil, Caracol T.V. in Colombia, T.V. Azteca in Mexico, S3 in South Africa, Canal+ and MultiChoice across Africa, Sky in the U.K., Network 10 in Australia, CSTAR (Canal + Group) in France, the Viacom 18 network across India and South Asia, and Insight T.V. globally. As the exclusive global streaming partner, YouTube also streamed an extended version of VAX LIVE on the Global Citizen channel for a total run-time of 90 minutes.
Global Citizen also announced commitments from the longtime partners of Global Citizen — Live Nation, N.B.A., WNBA, N.F.L., M.L.S., N.H.L., WWE, Formula 1, NASCAR, and MLB. They would commit tickets to some of the most amazing live events of the coming year! These leagues have been working together to follow enhanced COVID-19 guidelines to ensure that audience members can once again enjoy live events safely.
“VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World” was part of Global Citizen’s overall 2021 Recovery Plan for the World, a year-long campaign and series of events that aims to help end COVID-19 for all, end the hunger crisis, resume learning everywhere, protect the planet and advance equity for all. Global Citizen is the world’s most significant movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030.
Source: Global Citizen
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Jennifer Lopez Performs “Ain’t Your Mama” | VAX LIVE by Global Citizen
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:40 PM | View the original post
 |
 |
