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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
Photo: Learnings from Tokyo 2020 for Paris 2024. Image provided by & Copyright © IOC 2021 / 2021 Getty Images.
Photo: Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, receives the Olympic flag. Image provided by & Copyright © IOC 2021 / 2021 Getty Images.
Photo: Learnings from Tokyo 2020 for Paris 2024. Image provided by & Copyright © IOC 2021 / 2021 Getty Images.
Tokyo, 12 August 2021 — Paris 2024 received the Olympic flag as part of the official handover segment at the Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony. Stakeholders from the forthcoming Paris Games discussed what they have learned from Tokyo.
Etienne Thobois, Chief Executive Officer of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, participated in the Games Experience Programme.
• What have you thought of your experiences in Tokyo?
For an Organising Committee, the experience you get from watching the Games before your edition is so important. It allows you to feel the energy and the size, and the complexity of the Games. It is an opportunity for us to check many things, especially now that we are only three years out, and see how this unfolds technically on the ground.
It’s a fantastic energy boost, and frankly, we can’t thank our Japanese friends enough for managing to deliver these Games in the current context. What they’ve done is commendable.
• What have you learned?
I’ve seen many Games since 1992 but, knowing that we are next, you see it from another angle. You look ahead to try to see what we can do with Paris 2024 through these Games.
We can see how fantastic it would be to have games open to the public to ensure a connection between the athletes, the media, and the population. We can already feel that this exists here with the media and the athletes.
The environment is a big focus for us what the Japanese are doing regarding certain materials, wood, waste management, etc. It is another source of inspiration. We think we might even raise the standard with Paris 2024, along with the big trend in society.
Another focus is the use of technology. We see here, for example, the remote interpreting system and the TV production, how people are experiencing the Games through various apps - for a better stakeholder experience here and a better spectator experience tomorrow. The drones at the Opening Ceremony were fantastic and very beautiful.
We are trying to look at our strategy and get inspired here. It’s like a relay; we source ideas to see how we can apply them to our environment.
• Is there anything that surprised you at Tokyo 2020?
When you look at the venues, they’re amazing. The conditions for the athletes are second to none, and that shows on the field. We’ve had exceptional performances. Whenever I go to the Games, the maxim is “athletes first,” and it’s there to see.
The volunteer program is always a key element; they are so vital to the delivery here.
The complexity of transport operations is always a good call to humility because this is a big operation.
• Is there anything you have seen that you have time to add to your Games plan?
Yes. It includes very technical things like heat mitigation measures and also sports presentations. Even though there are no spectators here, you feel there are ways to present the sports. For example, the display around the 100 meters was quite inspiring.
In Paris, we want to innovate. We want to engage with the whole population again. We want to take the Games out of the stadium into the city in terms of space.
Of course, the organization must be second to none, and we need to serve our stakeholders and the athletes and the media in the way they deserve, but there’s more than this to the Games. So let’s always have in mind why we do this, bring more sport into people’s lives, and engage - to make sure people understand what the Games can get and what sport can bring to society.
Source: IOC
|GlobalGiants.Com|
The Best of Tokyo 2020 | Top Moments
Watch the top moments from the Olympic Games in Tokyo and relive the epic and emotional performances of Caeleb Dressel (USA), Ariarne Titmus (AUS), Rayssa Leal (BRA), Italo Ferreira (BRA), Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM), Belinda Bencic (SUI,) Tom Daley (GBR), Simone Biles (USA), Armand Duplantis (SWE), Hurigome Yuto (JPN), PV Sindhu (IND), Yang Qian (CHN), Adam Ondra (CZE), Eliud Kipchoge (KEN), Abe Hifumi and Abe Uta (JPN), Logan Martin (AUS) and many, many more.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:43 AM | View the original post
• Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Life at the Olympic Village & Medal Table
Photos: Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Scenes of life at the Olympic Village. Images provided by & copyright © IOC/Matthew Jordan Smith.
Source: International Olympic Committee
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:03 AM | View the original post
Photos: Tokyo 2020 set to match Japan’s first home games in driving sports participation. Images provided by & Copyright © IOC 2021.
Tokyo, August 08, 2021 — The Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 sparked a nationwide sporting boom, creating clubs for children and inspiring all generations to get active. Now hopes are high for Tokyo 2020 to leave a similar legacy.
In recent years, football has become a national obsession in Japan, but the country’s love affair with the sport started on October 14, 1964.
Japan had entered a team for the football competition at the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964. However, expectations were minimal, especially after being drawn in a group with footballing stars Italy and Argentina.
To the delight of the local fans, however, the home team twice came from behind to defeat the Argentinians 3-2. And it qualified for the quarter-finals.
The South Americans were stunned - “No one can explain it,” wrote Argentinian newspaper ClarÃn the following day - and Japanese football never looked back. The next year the Japanese Soccer League was formed.
Hopes are high that Tokyo 2020 can leave a similar legacy, helping kickstart a rise to global prominence in sports in which Japanese athletes have not always excelled.
In 2019, Japan’s run to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals thrilled the nation, and the captain is hoping the Olympic Games rugby sevens competition can continue to fuel the growth of the sport at home. “I think the Japanese public will get behind the sevens,” he said in a recent interview with World Rugby. “It is quite easy to follow, it is fast, there are big players, small players, a real mix. For Asia, it is a good starting place to get people into rugby.”
Since 2016, Japan has cultivated one of the world’s most exemplary organizational structures for talent development in elite sports, creating two world-class training and research environments: the Ajinomoto National Training Centre and the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences.
Leading coaches worldwide spend time with Japanese high-performance athletes at these facilities, while local universities provide them with nutritional guidance, training physiology, and sports psychology.
In addition, the Japanese Corporate Sports System, which encourages companies to employ high-performance athletes, has provided many competitors with the financial support and conditions to keep training. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has also played its role in discovering and nurturing junior athletes locally, providing 1,034 athletes across the 31 Olympic sports with financial support for training and competition to further their progress.
Not surprisingly, Japan has performed increasingly well in several new disciplines in recent years, particularly badminton and sailing. In addition, Japanese athletes performed exceptionally well in skateboarding and surfing, and they played strongly in karate and climbing.
The sporting legacy of Tokyo 2020 is unlikely to be confined to the elite arena, however. Tokyo 1964 provided a successful foundation to promote the recreational sport. Preparations for the Games led to the creation of the Japan Junior Sports Clubs Association (JJSA), which continues to provide opportunities for children all over the country. According to statistics in 2018, the JJSA comprised some 31,000 clubs, with 650,000 children participating.
Several initiatives are underway for sport to benefit from Tokyo 2020 similarly, injecting enthusiasm for recreational sport across all age groups to encourage healthy lifestyles. For example, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, opening hours had been expanded at various amenities and parks, while public schools opened public facilities to citizens outside class times. In addition, the government awards companies that promote sport and instigate best practices with official certification. At the same time, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has created a website enabling them to hire trained instructors for different sports.
The government hopes to involve 70 percent of the city’s adults (18 and above) to practice sport at least once a week. The latest figures show they are well on track to achieve this. In 2020, some 60.4 percent of adults in Tokyo were engaging in sporting activity, compared to 53.9 percent in 2012.
Sport has long been a focus for Japanese politicians due to its health and fitness benefits for the population. Ahead of Tokyo 1964, a national curriculum for physical education was implemented in schools, focusing on fitness-oriented activities and lifelong sporting participation in the ensuing decades.
More than half a century later, Japan still holds the many legacies of Tokyo 1964. Despite taking place in an unprecedented context of a pandemic, Tokyo 2020 aims to make a similar impact on the lives of the Japanese public.
Source: International Olympic Committee
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:01 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
Photo: New Mystery Message Stamp Helps Solve Postage Needs.
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2021 — The new Mystery Message, Forever stamp from the U.S. Postal Service, puts your sleuthing skills to the test! The new stamp was dedicated in a ceremony at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.
“As you add these stamps to your collection, or use them to send a message to your family and friends — we hope they will appeal to the puzzle-solver in all of us,” said Robert M. Duncan, a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. He served as dedicating official for the ceremony.
Joining Governor Duncan for the ceremony were Tamara Christian, the Spy Museum’s president and chief operating officer; Rebecca Roberts, curator of programming, Planet Word; and an “international spy” as a special guest.
The pane of 20 stamps is a visual riddle spelling out a difficult-to-discern message. Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern. Designed by art director Antonio Alcalá, the seemingly random patterns were carefully placed so that when put all together, the message reads —
“More Than Meets the Eye!”
The reverse side of the pane also provides the solution.
“Close one eye, turn your head to the right, or do whatever is needed to solve this perplexing puzzle for yourself. Fun and festive, this stamp is sure to add a dash of whimsy to your correspondence and confound those who receive it,” USPS said.
…………………….
Coffee Anyone?
Espresso Drinks Forever Stamps
Photo: Espresso drinking in the United States is at an all-time high and is now on new Forever stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service.
The U.S. Postal Service celebrated America’s love of coffee with the issuance of four new stamps. Whether milky, dark as night, sweetened, flavored, or highly concentrated; many coffee drinks have one thing in common — they begin with espresso.
This booklet of 20 stamps features four unique designs illustrating popular espresso drinks — espresso, cappuccino, Caffe Latte, and Caffe Mocha.
Capturing the inviting atmosphere of an early 20th-century café, artist Terry Allen created each digital illustration with the style of 1920s and 1930s advertising posters in mind.
The names of the espresso drinks appear in art deco-inspired lettering above or below each enticing cup.
Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with original artwork by Allen.
Espresso drinking in the United States is at an all-time high. With the growing popularity of artisanal coffee shops, extensive research on the roasting and brewing process, and continued innovation in machinery to make the perfect cup, specialty coffee is better than it has ever been.
Source: U.S. Postal Service
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:27 AM | View the original post
Photo: Munich, Germany. Munich is one of the top QS Best Student Cities for 2022. Image Credit: Peter.
LONDON, July 28, 2021 — With the world’s students seeking to resume their international study plans, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education analysts, have released the ninth edition of the QS Best Student Cities Ranking.
The results, which enable students to compare 115 premier educational destinations, see London retain its status as the world’s best student city for the third consecutive edition. Munich follows London, rising from 4th to 2nd.
London’s ascendency is due to:
Its high concentration of world-class universities getting the second-best score in the University Rankings indicator.
Highly positive feedback from students studying in the city: it scores 98.4/100 for Student View, a result bettered only by Berlin.
Outstanding career opportunities for graduates: it is placed 4th in the Employer Activity metric, scoring 92.9/100.
Its high levels of openness to international students, which see it achieve the world’s fifth-best score (95.9/100) for Student Mix.
Other highlights from this year’s edition include:
Boston is the only new entrant into the top ten, rising from 13th to joint-9th. It shares the position with perennial table-toppers Paris (down two spots) and Montreal (down three places).
Germany and Australia are the only locations to have two of the world’s ten best student cities.
The United States’ 15 ranked cities are suffering from a systemic decline in the Desirability indicator.
Latin America’s number-one student destination is Buenos Aires (22nd, up by nine ranks).
Switzerland’s Lausanne enjoys a noteworthy debut in the rankings by getting placed at 19th.
Moscow and Beijing break into the top thirty, sharing 25th-position.
Driven by declines in Employer Activity, five of Australia’s seven ranked cities have fallen.
All three of Spain’s ranked cities suffer double-digit drops in rank.
Ben Sowter, QS Director of Research, said: “Responses to our surveys from students that have studied in London make it clear that the city still offers outstanding cultural, economic, and educational opportunities. With two of the world’s ten best universities situated in the city, it remains a world-leading educational hub. However, exponentially-increasing COVID cases and lingering Brexit effects may serve to undermine London’s privileged position.”
• QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2022
Rank — City
QS ranks cities with a population of more than 250,000, with at least two universities placed in the QS World University Rankings. The ranking offers a powerful lens into the sentiments of both prospective and former students, with over 95,000 survey responses contributing to the Desirability (prospective students) and Student View (former students) indexes.
Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:18 AM | View the original post
Photo: International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Gita Gopinath presents the World Economic Outlook update. IMF Photo/Cory Hancock. July 27, 2021. Washington, D.C., United States. Image provided by & copyright © IMF.
Washington, DC., July 27, 2021 — The global economy is growing but widening gaps between advanced economies and many emerging markets and developing economies are a concern. The International Monetary Fund said that in its latest update of the World Economic Outlook on Tuesday.
Global growth is forecast at 6 percent for 2021, unchanged from the previous forecast in April. Still, the composition of that has changed, said the Fund’s Chief Economist Gita Gopinath, ahead of the report’s release.
“Global growth is projected to be 6 percent this year, which is unchanged from our April forecast. However, the composition has changed. We are upgrading growth for advanced economies, and that’s almost entirely offset by a downgrade for emerging markets and developing economies. Next year, we have upgraded growth to 4.9 percent, and that’s mainly driven by anticipated further financial support in the U.S.,” said Gopinath, the IMF’s chief economist.
These revisions reflect differences in pandemic developments as the delta variant takes over. Close to 40 percent of the population in advanced economies has been fully vaccinated, compared with just 11 percent in emerging market economies. That number is even lower still in low-income developing countries.
Aftershocks from the pandemic upheaval of last year pose unique policy challenges. Pent-up demand and supply chain bottlenecks are putting upward pressure on prices. Nonetheless, in most advanced economies, inflation is expected to subside to pre-pandemic ranges in 2022.
“One of the major fault lines remains the pandemic. In addition, we see newer virus variants far more transmissible, like the Delta variant that we see right now. In a world where vaccine access remains highly inequitable, that will have a big hit on the economic recovery. Another major risk and fault line is concerning financial conditions. Suppose, for instance, inflation in the U.S. is more persistent than we expected. In that case, that could lead to a faster tightening in monetary policy, which could then again disrupt financial market conditions. So, these are some of the major risks we are concerned about,” explained Gopinath.
The recovery is not assured until the pandemic is beaten back globally. However, concerted, well-directed policy actions at the multilateral and national levels can make the difference between a future where all economies experience durable recoveries or one where divergences intensify, the poor get poorer, and social unrest and geopolitical tensions grow.
“First and foremost, the world needs to be fully vaccinated, and this requires multilateral action to make sure that sufficient vaccine doses are made available to developing countries. Second, individual governments will need to tailor their policy support to the stage of the crisis. They will have to do this by nesting their monetary policies in incredible medium-term fiscal frameworks. Third, in the case of monetary policy, central banks should look through transitory inflation movements. However, it’s crucial that they remain prepared and strongly communicate what they will do if it turns out that inflation goes up even higher and is much more persistent than expected.” said Gopinath.
Source: IMF
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:38 PM | 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: Chinese shooter Yang Qian gets the First Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medal. Images provided by & Copyright © International Olympic Committee 2021/Greg Martin.
Tokyo, July 24, 2021 - The first Tokyo 2020 Olympic medals were awarded today. They have been produced using metals from nearly 79,000 tonnes of used phones and other electronic equipment donated by the Japanese public.
As is traditionally the case, the IOC President, Thomas Bach, presented the first gold medal. It was claimed by Chinese shooter Yang Qian following her win in the 10m air rifle women’s final. After that, Anastasiia Galashina of the Russian Olympic Committee won silver, while Switzerland’s Nina Christen claimed bronze.
The ceremony was held at the Asaka Shooting Range, where the Tokyo 1964 shooting competitions also took place. In line with the Tokyo 2020 COVID 19 countermeasures, the medallists themselves placed their medals around their necks.
The medals and the medal ceremony podiums are among Tokyo 2020’s many initiatives that highlight the possibilities of a circular economy, in which products and materials are reused and recycled.
The roughly 5,000 medals that will be awarded throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games got salvaged from nearly 79,000 tonnes of phones and other electronic equipment donated by the Japanese public - known as “urban mines.” Designed by Japanese designer KAWANISHI Junichi, the medals embody athletes’ hard work in their journey towards Olympic glory, as well as diversity. They resemble rough stones polished to convey “light” and “brilliance,” symbolizing the athletes’ energy and those who support them.
The podiums are made from recycled plastic waste donated by Japanese citizens as part of an initiative supported by Worldwide Olympic Partner P&G. More than 24 tonnes of used plastic were collected in just nine months. In addition, the Olympic symbols embedded on them were made using aluminum waste recycled from temporary housing from the regions affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
The flowers awarded to the athletes also come mainly from the Great East Japan Earthquake areas, putting a spotlight on the region and its recovery.
Source: International Olympic Committee
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:03 AM | View the original post
• Legendary entertainer Steve Harvey returns to host the 70th-anniversary celebration.
Photo: Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe South Africa 2017, is congratulated by fellow contestants after being crowned Miss Universe after the three-hour special programming event on FOX, November 26, 2017. FOX televised the event from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization, New York. Photographer: David Becker. [File Photo]
NEW YORK, NY. JULY 24, 2021 - The Miss Universe Organization, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, and the city of Eilat today announced that the 70th MISS UNIVERSE competition would air live from Eilat, Israel, in December 2021. In addition, the legendary entertainer Steve Harvey would once again host the 70th MISS UNIVERSE Competition on FOX.
“Israel has been on our shortlist of host countries for several years due to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, myriad of cultures, and appeal as a global tourist destination,” said Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization. “As we sought an amazing location for our 70th-anniversary celebration, it became clear through our conversations with acting Mayor Lankri and the Israeli Ministry that Israel has the resources and demonstrated the commitment to host MISS UNIVERSE in December. We look forward to deepening our commitment and creating meaningful cultural conversation, connection, and understanding through this partnership.”
“The city of Eilat, together with our partners at the Ministry of Tourism, is delighted and proud to host the Miss Universe events and accommodate the 70-year celebrations in Eilat,” said Eli Lankri, acting mayor of Eilat. “The new Ramon Eilat Airport has, without a doubt, served as the foundation for Eilat’s opening up to new international opportunities, and the city is ready and willing to host contestants from over 90 countries.”
The three-hour event will feature women representing countries and territories across the globe competing in multiple categories, including personal statement, swimsuit, evening gown, and interview, ending with Mexico’s Andrea Meza crowning her successor. Meza, a former software engineer, has advocated for women’s equality during her reign.
“Being the only Miss Universe crowned during the COVID-19 pandemic has made my reign unforgettable,” said Meza. “I hope that the world takes the vaccine as soon as it is available so that, come December, as many people as possible can join the 70th-anniversary celebration in Israel.”
In the weeks ahead of the competition, contestants will get to explore Israel’s rich history and culture, with visits to notable locations, including the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and those throughout the host city of Eilat. Additionally, Meza would visit Israel later this summer to explore the country where she would give up her title.
“We in Israel are delighted to host the 70th-anniversary celebrations of the iconic Miss Universe pageant — an event celebrating women’s empowerment, optimism, tolerance, and desire for excellence, which crosses every geographical and national border,” said Yoel Razvozov, Israel’s Minister of Tourism.
The show will air in nearly 160 countries and territories globally, with FOX as the English-language broadcaster. Telemundo would broadcast in Spanish.
Source: The Miss Universe Organization
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:41 AM | View the original post
Photo: Pictograms at the Tokyo 1964. Image provided by & Copyright © International Olympic Committee 2021.
Photo: Kota Iguchi and Katsumi Masaru. Images provided by & Copyright © International Olympic Committee 2021.
Tokyo, July 20, 2021 - The invention of pictograms at the Tokyo 1964 Games heralded a significant change in graphic design. The creator of Tokyo 2020’s kinetic pictograms is hoping for something similar.
The links tying the historic Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 to their modern 2020 counterpart are everywhere, and none more so than through the two sets of instantly recognizable pictograms. These tiny, invaluable graphics made their worldwide debut 57 years ago in the Japanese capital, and it’s no surprise that the two people tasked with designing the modern versions cast their eyes back towards their forefathers.
“I have worked on this project as if I had received a baton to inherit our tradition and pass on to the next generation,” said Kota Iguchi, designer of the kinetic pictograms, which will add a 21st-century twist to the genre.
Tokyo 1964 organizers invented the pictograms under the watch of Tokyo 1964 artistic director Katsumi Masaru. They were a non-verbal means of communicating to the mass of foreigners that arrived in Japan for the nation’s first Olympic Games.
It was a masterstroke. All the following Olympic Games, all over the world, have used the concept.
Iguchi, a motion graphics specialist, has been as much in love with the designs as anyone. “Static sports pictograms were first introduced at the Tokyo 1964 Games and created from the idea of communicating through emojis instead of an alphabet,” Iguchi explained. “I can empathize with this type of idea as it is a typically Japanese way of thinking.”
“And when I applied the idea to today’s world, I thought the idea of kinetic pictograms was a natural process.”
To get the pictograms moving, Iguchi needed a 2020 static design upon which to work. Up stepped local designer Masaaki Hiromura. He, too, had no intention of straying far from the example set back in 1964.
“I sensed not only simplicity but also a glorification of each sport and the genuine enjoyment of sport in the design. I found that Japanese simplicity and minimalism had an affinity with my design, and I wanted to inherit that philosophy,” Hiromura confirmed.
“Like the 1964 designs, we too ended up with the idea of creating a design to let people feel a pure joy of sport and the excitement of competition, rather than just making it look neat and tidy.”
The critical requirement for Hiromura was maintaining a single concept that people of all ages and nationalities can understand.
Pictograms changed little in design from 1964 until the 1990s, when a semblance of national identity started to creep in. First in Lillehammer in 1994 came a plan based on the famous 4,000 years old rock carvings of a skier found in Norway. Next, a boomerang influenced pictograms at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. Finally, the Athens 2004 versions incorporated the feel of the ancient Olympic Games. Then, by Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010, there were 3D designs.
It is perhaps no surprise that working on the back of all this history, Iguchi took his time to ensure his contribution would be the right one.
“The first thing I did was to give movement to the track and field pictogram,” he said. “I created more than 50 prototypes, and I suggested in a pattern of movement (that the) static pictogram ‘appears’ and ‘disappears.’
“From there, I watched a lot of videos of sports competitions and studied the movements of various athletes to recreate such moves. Next, professionals in each sport category scrutinized my works. Then, I made adjustments to every tiny detail of movement. Finally, it took more than a year for me to complete all the 73 kinetic pictograms by myself.”
Such a labor of love seems well worth it, especially when Iguchi considers the impact his work may make, like that of his compatriots before him.
“I hope that kinetic pictograms will be created again by the local people in the next Summer Games in Paris and the LA Games in 2028 and beyond,” Iguchi said, before adding: “The local creator already created the kinetic pictogram for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.
“If people all over the world continue to pass the baton to others like this, this new challenge that Japan initiated in 2020 will be inherited forever. It’s fun to imagine whether the Paris pictogram moves will emphasize the city’s beauty, as Paris always does, or whether Los Angeles will create something quite entertaining like our public image of America. I’m excited to know.”
Source: International Olympic Committee
|GlobalGiants.Com|
The Tokyo 2020 Kinetic Sports Pictograms
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:34 AM | View the original post
Photos: Olympic Truce Mural Inauguration. Tokyo, Japan. July 19, 2021. During a visit to the Olympic Village, IOC President Bach signed the Peace Wall ahead of TOKYO 2020 Olympic Games. Images provided by & Copyright © IOC/Greg Martin.
Tokyo, July 19, 2021 - Athletes and officials participating in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be encouraged to show their support for the Olympic Truce by signing the Olympic Truce Mural in the Olympic Village.
The Mural was inaugurated at the Olympic Village Plaza by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020, in the presence of IOC President Thomas Bach, along with the IOC Vice-Presidents, the outgoing members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Tokyo 2020 Village Mayor KAWABUCHI Saburo, Tokyo 2020 President HASHIMOTO Seiko and the Governor of Tokyo, KOIKE Yuriko.
In his speech, the IOC President said: “Today we are inaugurating the Olympic Truce Mural here at the beating heart of the Olympic Games, the Olympic Village. It is here where the Olympic spirit comes to life. The athletes show us that, despite all our differences, humankind can live together in peace. That is our Olympic message: yes, it is possible to compete with each other, even for the highest prize, but at the same time to live together peacefully under one roof in the Olympic Village.”
Addressing the athletes who are about to compete in Tokyo, President Bach said: “It is in this Olympic spirit that I invite you to leave your signature on the Olympic Truce Mural, to show your commitment to making a better and more peaceful world through sport.”
During the inauguration ceremony, Tokyo 2020 President HASHIMOTO Seiko stressed: “With the arrival of representatives from all over the world in Tokyo, I believe the time of darkness and division caused by the spread of COVID-19 is slowly coming to an end, and a new era of peace and solidarity is beginning. Here in Tokyo, I hope the athletes will add their signature on the Mural, the voice of the Olympic Games for peace all over the world.”
The inauguration of the Olympic Truce Mural took place three days after the Olympic Truce for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 came into effect.
The United Nations has established the Olympic Truce through its resolution entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic Ideal.” The UN passed the resolution unanimously at the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly in 2019. It was co-sponsored by 186 out of 193 UN Member States. It demonstrated the UN’s international community’s recognition of the power of sport and the relevance of the Olympic Games in bringing the world together in peaceful competition. The resolution calls for respecting the Olympic Truce from today to September 12, 2021 - seven days before the start of the Olympic Games until seven days after the Paralympic Games.
Earlier in July, the President of the UN General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, made a solemn appeal to the UN Member States to observe the Olympic Truce for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated that call last week.
The tradition of the Olympic Truce, or “Ekecheiria,” dates back to the 9th century BC in Ancient Greece as a period during which all parties ceased war and conflict to allow for safe travel to and from the ancient Olympic Games. Today, the Olympic Truce represents the IOC’s aim to inspire peace through sport.
Source: International Olympic Committee
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:37 PM | 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: Olympic Village Tokyo 2020. Images credit: International Olympic Committee.
Tokyo, July 17, 2021 - Tradition and modernity are never far apart in Tokyo, the Japanese capital, where teahouses and ancient shrines sit beside glass skyscrapers, capsule hotels, and robot cafés.
No wonder then that this unique blend of modern and traditional also applies to the venues at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, accelerating the city’s transition to a more inclusive and smart city.
“Tokyo has a rich heritage and has shown its capacity to innovate. It did that at the Olympic Games in 1964. This time, the Games will accelerate the city’s move to a more sustainable future,” says Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability.
The Heritage Zone’s first cluster includes venues first used for the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964. The iconic Nippon Budokan is the spiritual home of Japanese martial arts, where judo got included in the Olympic program in 1964. This year it will welcome karate to the Olympic Games.
On the other hand, the Tokyo Bay Zone is a cluster of modern venues, many of them linked to water. The Tokyo Aquatics Centre, for example, has elegant curves on its diving platforms and a 10-lane main pool. State-of-the-art technology allows the length and depth of its pools to be adjusted by moving floors and walls. It is powered by solar energy and a ground heat exchanger, reflecting modernity and Tokyo 2020’s commitment to sustainability.
Of the 25 venues reused for Tokyo 2020, five come from Tokyo’s 1964 Olympic Games: the Yoyogi National Stadium, Equestrian Park, Nippon Budokan, Enoshima Yacht Harbour, and Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. They are some of Tokyo’s most iconic venues. Most famous for its suspension roof, for example, the Yoyogi National Gymnasium has become an architectural icon due to its distinctive design, mixing traditional Japanese architecture and western modernist aesthetics. This year, it will host handball, rugby, and badminton.
• Inclusive and Smart
Away from sport, Tokyo planners say the Olympic Games are helping to accelerate their city’s transition to become more inclusive and smart. The Games enable Tokyo’s 14 million residents to have more green spaces, healthier lifestyles, more accessible transport possibilities, and a better balance between life and work. The Games are also helping the city become more sustainable and better adapted to future challenges.
Tokyo’s new Olympic Stadium allows the wind from outside to breeze through the stands, for example, cooling the athletes and fans inside. In addition, the same stadium will be used as a shelter in an emergency, while its stores can hold enough food and water for 80,000 people. City authorities are also creating more green spaces, planting trees, and installing heat-reflecting pavements.
One of the green spaces will be down at the Olympic Village, which would host some 11,000 athletes this summer. When the Games are over, it will eventually consist of 24 buildings, housing a mix of residents. Designed to demonstrate an urban lifestyle that is environmentally friendly and technologically advanced, the Olympic Village will have seaside parks and other green spaces that add to the quality of life.
An essential part of the Tokyo 2020 legacy will be improved sporting facilities for the city’s residents. Recently constructed venues in the Bay Area Zone will offer the local community opportunities for swimming, canoeing, archery, sailing, hockey, running, tennis, rugby, rowing, and many more.
Tokyo City’s target sees 70 percent of Tokyo’s residents practicing the sport at least once a week. And so the Olympic preparations include creating a barrier-free environment across the city’s parks and streets for people of all ages and abilities.
Source: International Olympic Committee
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:48 PM | 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
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:09 PM | View the original post
• Sasha Vosk’s “400 Years of New York History: A Pictorial Guide” uses photorealism, an exciting technique combining photography, 3-D modeling, and painting, to magically draw in readers.
BROOKLYN, N.Y., July 13, 2021 — Sasha Vosk, an expert on photorealism, has just released a book:
“400 YEARS OF NEW YORK HISTORY: A PICTORIAL GUIDE — Book 1: NEW YORK as NEW AMSTERDAM in the 1600s”
The book makes readers feel as though they had stepped back in time to experience the sights of New York City’s past in a way that ordinary drawings, diagrams, and photographs could not do.
“Photorealism is a great way to bring history alive,” says Vosk. “Whether you are teaching or learning American history or simply interested in New York’s origins, or if you are planning a visit to this must-see metropolis, ‘400 Years of New York History: A Pictorial Guide’ will become your most welcomed companion.”
The book is already translated into eight languages, representing the first of several cities in his ‘Vosk Time Travel Series.’ The eBook is also available. In addition, one may purchase the paperback edition as well.
Sasha Vosk chose New York to debut the series because of the role the city has played in the country from colonial times until today, its cultural and financial influence, and its popularity as a tourist destination.
• The book reflects:
The rich history that lies buried beneath New York skyscrapers
The city’s role in finalizing and celebrating the Constitution
The city’s political role as the first U.S. capital
The “firsts” that took place in New York, among them the Erie Canal — U.S.’s western expansion, and Brooklyn Bridge
How New Amsterdam’s Netherlands roots influenced the young country on a path toward religious tolerance
Praise for 400 Years of New York History
• Comments about the Book:
“If you’ve ever wondered how New York City became the financial and cultural center of the world, this is the book you’ve been looking for.” — Charles Gehring, Ph.D., an authority on the Dutch period of New York’s history, director, New Netherland Research Center.
“Advanced computer graphics, complex 3-D terrain modeling, together with astute and highly accurate historical research have been brought together by Sasha Vosk to reconstruct the environment and daily life of the people of 17th century Dutch New Amsterdam. I love it!” — Joel W. Grossman, Ph.D., principal investigator and principal author of the archeological investigation in Lower Manhattan.
” As a New York City principal, I believe a resource of this nature will benefit New York City student grades 5-8, especially in e-book format.” — Maria Musullo, principal, MS 577.
“Through the proposed photo-like images, the book will transport readers back in time. It’s a significant step up from what’s available now.” — Andrew Luan, New York Tour 1, and other New York travel brands.
The author, Sasha Vosk, is a Brooklyn-based writer, director, and muralist who immigrated to New York 40 years ago from Russia. He has also been a stand-up comic, an Emmy-award-winning film producer (“Billy Crystal: A Midnight Train to Moscow”), Russian cultural festival promoter, and a producer of the Moscow Circus’ worldwide tours. In addition, he is a New York history buff and has more than 30 years of experience using photorealism in illustration and mural work.
Source: Sasha Vosk
|GlobalGiants.Com|
400 YEARS OF NEW YORK HISTORY: A PICTORIAL GUIDE
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:40 AM | View the original post
• World Mask Week (July 12-18) is a global movement to encourage continued mask-wearing to reach the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEATTLE, July 12, 2021 — Pandemic Action Network, 3M, and over 50 global, regional, and local partner organizations announced today’s launch of World Mask Week 2021 (July 12-18). It is a worldwide campaign underlining a universal truth: masking in public, combined with handwashing and physical distancing, is still one of the best ways to protect ourselves and others against COVID-19 as countries race to vaccinate their populations.
According to WHO, 2021 is already a deadlier year in the pandemic than 2020. Today, we see a two-track pandemic emerge. Some regions are against the spread of variants and rising case numbers, while others with access to vaccines are lifting masking and other public health restrictions.
“Everyone who has worn a mask in public has helped slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Deputy Director of the Africa CDC, Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma. “As the pandemic continues to spread and access to vaccines has been slow across much of Africa, we must fight against pandemic fatigue and continue to do what we can to keep everyone safe.”
The campaign encourages people and organizations worldwide to rally behind the continued importance of wearing a mask.
“The pandemic is not over. We should rightly recognize and encourage our progress. Still, we must also put our expertise to work and stay vigilant in fighting the pandemic,” said Dr. Denise Rutherford, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, 3M. “3M and our team members will continue to do our part. We are proud to participate in World Mask Week because you are helping protect the most vulnerable when you wear a mask. To all who are doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19, we thank you.”
Face coverings block the spray of droplets from sneezing, coughing, talking, singing, or shouting when worn over the mouth and nose. Consistent mask-wearing can also reduce the spread of the virus among infected people with COVID-19, but do not have symptoms or are unaware they have it. While a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent severe illness and death, the extent to which it keeps people from being infected and passing the virus on to others is still emerging.
“Last year, with the first World Mask Week, we sparked a global movement in 117 countries to wear masks. This year, we’re coming together around the message that masking still matters and to show gratitude for those who have worn a mask and continue to mask up,” said Eloise Todd, Co-Founder of the Network. “To end this pandemic for everyone, we must deploy all the tools available around the world to fight COVID-19 - and that includes mask-wearing.” Pandemic Action Network has released a Why Masking Still Matters policy brief to mark the urgency of this moment, including crucial messaging and recommendations for governments, businesses, and individuals.
Pandemic Action Network was launched in April 2020 to drive collective action to help bring an end to COVID-19 and ensure the world gets prepared for the next pandemic. Since launching, the Network has been working with influencers to promote mask-wearing, along with physical distancing and handwashing. World Mask Week provides the opportunity for global unity around a single message: Let’s keep masking — not just for ourselves, but for our families, our communities, those who are most vulnerable, and the world.
Pandemic Action Network drives collective action to bring an end to COVID-19. The Network consists of more than 100 global multi-sector partners, working both publicly and behind the scenes to inform policy, mobilize public support and resources, and catalyze action in areas of acute need. Network Partners believe that every effort made in the fight against COVID-19 should leave a longer-term legacy that better prepares humanity to deal with outbreaks and help prevent another deadly and costly pandemic from happening again.
Source: Pandemic Action Network
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:32 PM | View the original post
Photos: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at a cabinet meeting, at the Prime Minister’s Office, in South Block, New Delhi, on May 31, 2019. [File Photos]
New Delhi, July 10, 2021 — The Union Cabinet of India, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), United Kingdom (UK).
The Union Cabinet is the supreme decision-making body in India. Only the prime minister and ministers of the rank of cabinet minister are members of the Union Cabinet.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into by the two institutes would provide advanced mutual entry to the Institutes’ Members through exemptions from appearing in most papers for acquiring the Qualification of the other Professional Body. In addition, the institutes would undertake joint research and professional development activities.
The MoU focuses on exchanging knowledge and discussing research and publications. Such interaction would strengthen good governance in both jurisdictions. In addition, both parties will initiate a joint study relevant to the Cost Accountancy profession, involving collaborative research in technical areas.
The MoU will facilitate the movement of professionals in both jurisdictions and enhance the employability of Cost Accountants in India and abroad. Further, it would provide a pathway to enable members of one Institute to seek full membership status of other Institute by successfully passing the minimum number of subjects of professional level.
The Institute of Cost Accountants of India was first established in 1944 as a registered company under the Companies Act to promote, regulate, and develop the profession of cost accountancy.
On May 28, 1959, a particular act of Parliament, namely, the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959, established the Institute as a statutory professional body to regulate the profession of cost and works accountancy.
The Institute is the only recognized statutory professional organization and licensing body in India specializing exclusively in cost and works accountancy.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), founded in 1904 and incorporated by the Royal Charter in 1947 under the laws of England and Wales, is the global body for professional accountants. It has more than 2,27,000 fully qualified members and 5,44,000 future members worldwide. ACCA’s headquarters are in London. ACCA works through a network of over 104 offices and centers in 52 countries.
Source: The Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi
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— The editor is an alumnus of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. He was a delegate to the 18th All India Cost Conference, New Delhi, inaugurated by the President of India.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:37 AM | 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
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Alina Zagitova at PyeongChang 2018 - Black Swan
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