— CULTURE —

June 7, 2020

Cannes Film Festival announces Official Selection 2020

Photo: Cannes Film Festival. Red Carpet. May 17, 2019. The American singer, Madison Beer, looked fascinating on the red carpet. She added yet more glamour to it with de GRISOGONO attire. She captured the light by teaming a pair of Millefoglie earrings in white gold set with white diamonds and an Allegra bracelet in white gold set with white diamonds. Besides, she wore an Allegra ring in white gold set with white diamonds paired with a Gocce ring in white gold set with black quartz drops and white diamonds. [File Photo]

Photo: Cannes Film Festival. Red Carpet. May 20, 2019. Aishwarya Rai attends the screening of “La Belle Epoque” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2019, in Cannes, France. The Actress chose a pair of earrings from Avakian Jewellery matched with a black diamond ring from the same collection. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images). Copyright © 2019 Getty Images. Image provided by Avakian Jewellery. [File Photo]

Paris, France. June 7, 2020 — On Wednesday, June 3, Pierre Lescure and Thierry Frémaux announced the line-up of the 73rd edition of the Festival de Cannes, live from the UGC Normandie in Paris.

For the occasion, Thierry Frémaux, the Festival’s General Delegate, has unveiled the 2020’s Official Selection, comprising fifty-six films to be delivered by the Festival for release in cinemas and screenings at specific shows.

Check out the Cannes 2020 films!

• THE FAITHFUL
(or at least selected once before)

THE FRENCH DISPATCH by Wes Anderson (USA) - 1h43
Production: INDIAN PAINTBRUSH PRODUCTIONS / AMERICAN EMPIRICAL PICTURES - International Sales: FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES - French Distribution: THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY.

ÉTÉ 85 by François Ozon (France) - 1h40
Production: MANDARIN - International Sales: PLAYTIME - French Distribution: DIAPHANA.

ASA GA KURU (True Mothers) by Naomi Kawase (Japan) - 2h20
Production: KINO FILMS CO - International Sales: PLAYTIME - French Distribution: HAUT ET COURT.

LOVERS ROCK by Steve McQueen (United Kingdom) - 1h08
Production: TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED - International Sales: TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED.

MANGROVE by Steve McQueen (United Kingdom) - 2h04
Production: TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED - International Sales: TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED.

DRUK (Another Round) by Thomas Vinterberg - (Denmark) - 1h55
Production: ZENTROPA - International Sales: TRUSTNORDISK - French Distribution: HAUT ET COURT.

ADN (DNA) by Maïwenn (France / Algeria) - 1h30
Production: WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - International Sales: WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL - French Distribution: WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL.

LAST WORDS by Jonathan Nossiter (USA) - 2h06
Production: STEMAL - International Sales: THE PARTY FILMS.

HEAVEN: TO THE LAND OF HAPPINESS by IM Sang-Soo (South Korea) - 1h40
Production: HIVE MEDIA CORP - International Sales: FINE CUT.

EL OLVIDO QUE SEREMOS (Forgotten we’ll be) by Fernando Trueba (Spain) - 2h16
Production: CARACOL TELEVISION - International Sales: FILM FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT.

PENINSULA by YEON Sang-Ho (South Korea) - 1h54
Production: REDPETER FILMS - International Sales: CONTENTS PANDA - French Distribution: ARP SELECTION

IN THE DUSK (Au crépuscule) by Sharunas BARTAS (Lituania) - 2h06
Production : KINOELEKTRON - International Sales : LUXBOX

DES HOMMES (Home Front) by Lucas BELVAUX - (Belgium) - 1h40
Production: SYNECDOCHE - International Sales: WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL - French Distribution: AD VITAM

THE REAL THING by Kôji Fukada (Japan) - 3h48
Production: NAGOYA TV - International Sales: NAGOYA TV

• THE NEWCOMERS

PASSION SIMPLE by Danielle Arbid (Lebanon) - 1h36
Production : LES FILMS PELLÉAS - International Sales : PYRAMIDE INTERNATIONAL - French Distribution : PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

A GOOD MAN by Marie Castille Mention-Schaar (France) - 1h47
Production: WILLOW FILMS - International Sales: PYRAMIDE INTERNATIONAL - French Distribution: PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

LES CHOSES QU’ON DIT, LES CHOSES QU’ON FAIT by Emmanuel Mouret (France) - 2h
Production: MOBY DICK FILMS - International Sales: ELLE DRIVER - French Distribution: PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

SOUAD by Ayten Amin (Egypt) - 1h30
Production: VIVID REELS

LIMBO by Ben Sharrock (United Kingdom) - 1h53
Production: CARAVAN CINEMA LTD - International Sales: PROTAGONIST PICTURES

ROUGE (Red Soil) by Farid Bentoumi (France) - 1h26
Production: LES FILMS VELVET - International Sales: WTFILMS - French Distribution: AD VITAM

SWEAT by Magnus Von Horn (Sweden) - 1h40
Production: LAVA FILMS - International Sales: NEW EUROPE FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES

TEDDY by Ludovic et Zoran Boukherma (France) - 1h28
Production: BAXTER FILMS - International Sales: WTFILMS - French Distribution: THE JOKERS FILMS

FEBRUARY (Février) by Kamen Kalev (Bulgaria) - 2h05
Production: KORO FILMS - French Distribution: UFO DISTRIBUTION

AMMONITE by Francis Lee (United Kingdom) - 2h
Production: SEE-SAW FILMS - International Sales: CROSS CITY FILMS - French Distribution: PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

UN MÉDECIN DE NUIT by Elie Wajeman (France) - 1h40
Production: PARTIZAN FILMS - International Sales: BE FOR FILMS - French Distribution: DIAPHANA DISTRIBUTION

ENFANT TERRIBLE by Oskar Roehler (Germany) - 2h14
Production: BAVARIA FILMPRODUKTION - International Sales: BAVARIA FILMPRODUKTION

NADIA, BUTTERFLY by Pascal Plante (Canada) - 1h46
Production: NEMESIS FILMS - International Sales: WAZABI FILMS

HERE WE ARE by Nir Bergman (Israel) - 1h34
Production: SPIRO FILMS - International Sales: MK2 FILMS

• AN OMNIBUS FILM

SEPTET: THE STORY OF HONG KONG by Ann Hui, Johnnie TO, Tsui Hark, Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-Ping et Patrick Tam - 1h53
Production: MILKYWAY IMAGE - International Sales: MEDIA ASIA DISTRIBUTION

• THE FIRST FEATURES

FALLING by Viggo Mortensen (USA) - 1h52
Production: PERCIVAL PICTURES - International Sales: HANWAY FILMS - French Distribution: METROPOLITAN FILMEXPORT

PLEASURE by Ninja Thyberg (Sweden) - 1h45
Production : PLATTFORM PRODUKTION - International Sales : VERSATILE

SLALOM by Charlène Favier (France) - 1h32
Production : MILLE ET UNE PRODUCTIONS - International Sales : THE PARTY FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES - French Distribution : JOUR2FÊTE

CASA DE ANTIGUIDADES (Memory House) by Joao Paulo Miranda Maria (Brazil) - 1h27
Production : MANEKI FILMS

BROKEN KEYS (Fausse note) by Jimmy Keyrouz (Lebanon) - 1h30
Production: EZEKIEL

IBRAHIM by Samir Guesmi (France) - 1h20
Production: WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - International Sales: WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL- French Distribution: WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL

BEGINNING (Au commencement) by Déa Kulumbegashvili (Georgia) - 2h10
Production: FIRST PICTURE / O.F.A - International Sales: WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL

GAGARINE by Fanny Liatard et Jérémy Trouilh (France) - 1h35
Production : HAUT ET COURT - International Sales : TOTEM FILMS - French Distribution : HAUT ET COURT

16 PRINTEMPS by Suzanne Lindon (France) - 1h13
Production: AVENUE B PRODUCTIONS - International Sales: LUXBOX - French Distribution: PANAME DISTRIBUTION

VAURIEN by Peter Dourountzis (France) - 1h35
Production: 10:15 PRODUCTIONS - International Sales: KINOLOGY - French Distribution: REZO FILMS

GARÇON CHIFFON by Nicolas Maury (France) - 1h48
Production : CG CINEMA - International Sales : LES FILMS DU LOSANGE - French Distribution : LES FILMS DU LOSANGE

SI LE VENT TOMBE (Should the Wind Fall) by Nora Martirosyan (Armenia) - 1h40
Production: SISTER PRODUCTIONS - International Sales: INDIE INTERNATIONAL SALES - French Distribution: ROUGE DISTRIBUTION

JOHN AND THE HOLE by Pascual Sisto (USA) - 1h38
Production : MUTRESSA MOVIES

STRIDING INTO THE WIND (Courir au gré du vent) by WEI Shujun (China) - 2h36
Production: ALIBABA PICTURES

THE DEATH OF CINEMA AND MY FATHER TOO (La Mort du cinéma et de mon père aussi) by Dani Rosenberg (Israel) - 1h40
Production: PARDES FILMS - International Sales: FILMS BOUTIQUE

• 3 DOCUMENTARY FILMS

EN ROUTE POUR LE MILLIARD (The Billion Road) by Dieudo Hamadi - (Democratic Republic of Congo) - 1h30
Production : LES FILMS DE L’OEIL SAUVAGE - International Sales : ANDANA FILMS

THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS by Michael Dweck et Gregory Kershaw (USA) - 1h24
Production: GO GIGI GO PRODUCTIONS LLC - International Sales: SONY PICTURES CLASSICS - French Distribution: SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

9 JOURS A RAQQA by Xavier de Lauzanne - (France) - 1h30
Production: ALOEST FILMS

• 5 COMEDY FILMS

ANTOINETTE DANS LES CÉVÈNNES by Caroline Vignal (France) - 1h35
Production: CHAPKA FILMS - International Sales: PLAYTIME - French Distribution: DIAPHANA DISTRIBUTION

LES DEUX ALFRED by Bruno Podalydès (France) - 1h30
Production: WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - French Distribution: UGC DISTRIBUTION

UN TRIOMPHE (The big hit) by Emmanuel Courcol (France) - 1h40
Production : AGAT FILMS & CIE - International Sales : MK2 FILMS - French Distribution : MEMENTO FILMS DISTRIBUTION

L’ORIGINE DU MONDE by Laurent Lafitte (France) - 1st film
Production: TRESOR FILMS - International Sales: STUDIO CANAL - French Distribution: STUDIO CANAL

LE DISCOURS by Laurent Tirard (France) - 1h27
Production : LES FILMS SUR MESURE - International Sales : CHARADES - French Distribution : LE PACTE

• 4 ANIMATED FILMS

AYA TO MAJO (Earwig and the Witch) by Gorô Miyazaki (Japan) - 1h22
Production: NHK / NHK ENTERPRISES / STUDIO GHIBLI - International Sales: WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL - French Distribution: WILD BUNCH

FLEE by Jonas Poher Rasmussen (Denmark) - 1h30
Production: FINAL CUT FOR REAL - International Sales: CINEPHIL

JOSEP by Aurel (France) - 1h20 - 1st film
Production: LES FILMS D’IC I - International Sales: DOC & FILM INTERNATIONAL - French Distribution: SOPHIE DULAC DISTRIBUTION

SOUL by Pete Docter (USA) - 1h30
Production: PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS - French Distribution: THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Source: Cannes Film Festival

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 5:21 AM | Link to this Post

June 4, 2020

World Economic Forum to Convene a Unique Twin Summit "The Great Reset" in January 2021.

The twin summit will be both in-person and virtual, connecting key global governmental and business leaders in Davos with a global multistakeholder network in 400 cities around the world for a forward-oriented dialogue driven by the younger generation.

Photo: Impressions from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell. [File Photo]

Photo: Impressions from the Opening Concert: An International Call for Unity and Joy, at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Image provided by & Copyright © World Economic Forum / Christian Clavadetscher. [File Photo]

Geneva, Switzerland, 3 June 2020 - “The Great Reset” will be the theme of a unique twin summit to be convened by the World Economic Forum in January 2021. The 51st World Economic Forum Annual Meeting will bring together global leaders from government, business, and civil society, and stakeholders from around the world in a unique configuration that includes both in-person and virtual dialogues.

“We only have one planet, and we know that climate change could be the next global disaster with even more dramatic consequences for humankind. We have to decarbonize the economy in the short window remaining and bring our thinking and behavior once more into harmony with nature,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

“To secure our future and to prosper, we need to evolve our economic model and put people and planet at the heart of global value creation. If there is one critical lesson to learn from this crisis, we need to put nature at the heart of how we operate. We can’t waste more time,” said HRH, The Prince of Wales.

“The Great Reset is a welcome recognition that this human tragedy must be a wake-up call. We must build equal, inclusive, and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics, climate change, and the many other global changes we face,” said António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations, New York.

“A Great Reset is necessary to build a new social contract that honors the dignity of every human being,” added Schwab. “The global health crisis has laid bare the unsustainability of our old system. We lack social cohesion, equal opportunities, and inclusiveness. Nor can we turn our backs on the evils of racism and discrimination.”

“COVID-19 has accelerated our transition into the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We have to make sure that the new technologies in the digital, biological, and physical world remain human-centered and serve society as a whole, providing everyone with fair access,” he said.

“This global pandemic has also demonstrated again how interconnected we are. We have to restore a functioning system of smart global cooperation structured to address the challenges of the next 50 years. The Great Reset will require us to integrate all global society stakeholders into a community of common interest, purpose, and action,” said Schwab. “We need a change of mindset, moving from short-term to long-term thinking, moving from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder responsibility. Environmental, social and good governance have to be a regular part of corporate and governmental accountability,” he added.

According to the World Economic Forum, this innovative summit will be a very different Annual Meeting. It would reflect the spirit of the Great Reset. It will provide a unique opportunity at the beginning of 2021 to bring together the critical global government and business leaders in Davos. It would be a worldwide multistakeholder summit driven by the younger generation to ensure that the Great Reset dialogue pushes beyond traditional thinking and is genuinely forward-oriented.

To do so, the World Economic Forum will draw on thousands of young people in more than 400 cities around the world (the Global Shapers Community), interconnected with a robust virtual hub network to interact with the leaders in Davos. Each of those hubs will have an open house policy to integrate all interested citizens into this dialogue, making the Annual Meeting open to everyone. Also, global media and social media networks will mobilize millions of people, enabling them to share their input while also providing them with access to the Annual Meeting discussions in Davos.

HRH, The Prince of Wales, and Professor Schwab announced the Great Reset during a virtual meeting. Statements by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva followed the announcement.

All stakeholder groups of global society supported the above statements. The Great Reset supporters include:

• Victoria Alonsoperez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chipsafer, Uruguay, and a Young Global Leader
• Caroline Anstey, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Pact, USA
• Ajay S. Banga, Chief Executive Officer, Mastercard, USA
• Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Brussels
• Ma Jun, Chairman, Green Finance Committee, China Society for Finance and Banking, and a Member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People’s Bank of China
• Bernard Looney, Chief Executive Officer, bp, United Kingdom
• Juliana Rotich, Venture Partner, Atlantica Ventures, Kenya
• Bradford L. Smith, President, Microsoft, USA
• Nick Stern, Chair, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, United Kingdom.

In the run-up to the Annual Meeting, the Forum will host a virtual series, The Great Reset Dialogues. These dialogues are a joint initiative of the World Economic Forum and HRH The Prince of Wales.

Source: World Economic Forum

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 7:30 AM | Link to this Post

June 2, 2020

EarthX to Celebrate World Oceans Week in Partnership with the National Geographic Society.

EarthX convenes the world’s largest environmental expo, conference and film festival.

DALLAS, June 1, 2020 — EarthX and the National Geographic Society will convene virtually to celebrate World Oceans Week from June 9-11 at EarthX.org. EarthxOcean will bring together cross-disciplinary innovators driving solutions to the most pressing threats facing the oceans. Conversations, film screenings, and extended reality experiences would explore these solutions using the power of science and storytelling. It would unlock the impact potential of communities across cultures, generations, and ideologies.

Trammell S. Crow, Founder of EarthX, Michael L. Ulica, President of the National Geographic Society and Danni Washington, Conference Moderator, would introduce ‘Protecting the Life Systems of the Ocean.’ A welcome note from Robert and Sybille Szaggars Redford would follow the introduction. Later, Robert and Sybille Szaggars Redford would introduce their environmental film series ‘The Way of the Rain - Reflections on Earth.’ The conferences will bring together leading voices in ocean conservation, including renowned National Geographic Explorers-at-Large Enric Sala and Dr. Sylvia Earle, and conservationists Julie Packard and Fabien Cousteau. The three-day program will cover some of the most critical issues threatening the most significant life source of the planet.

• High Seas Protection

As the region of the global ocean that is beyond national jurisdiction, the high seas include some of the least protected and most critically threatened ecosystems in the world. EarthX offers a platform for members of the High Seas Alliance and mission-aligned partners. They work together to inform and engage the public, decision-makers, and experts to support and strengthen high seas governance and conservation.

Musical storytelling with the EarthXR presentation of The Outlaw Ocean Music Project would further explore the lawlessness of the high seas. The session will feature visuals from this lawless realm alongside music produced for the project. It features rhythmic sounds to raise awareness and stoke a sense of urgency about human rights, labor, and environmental abuses that occur at sea. EarthxFilm will showcase Watson, the story of Captain Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, who has spent 40 years fighting to end the destruction of the ocean’s wildlife and its habitat.

• Coral Reef Conservation & Restoration

Coral reefs support a quarter of all marine species on the planet but make up only 0.1% of our ocean. Rising water temperatures, acidification, destructive fishing practices, and pollution are destroying an essential source of life in our ocean’s ecosystem. EarthX is assembling leading ocean conservationists across the world to address these threats and introduce solutions at an industry and individual level.

EarthxFilm will bring this issue to life through the screening of Chasing Coral, an ocean adventure directed by Jeff Orlowski. Chasing Coral is a mission to discover why reefs are disappearing and revealing the underwater worlds of our changing oceans. EarthXR will also transport audiences to the depths of our ocean through virtual dives with National Geographic Explorer Erika Woolsey and Underwater Earth Co-Founder Christophe Bailhache. They would immerse viewers in the underwater worlds of coral reefs while illustrating the importance of their conservation.

• Ocean Plastic Solutions

With over 8 million tons of plastic dumped in our ocean every year, plastic waste has become ubiquitous. It has found its way into the air we breathe and the food we eat - with the average person ingesting the equivalent of 1 credit card a week in microplastics. EarthX will host leaders in ocean plastic solutions to highlight this critical issue and introduce innovative solutions across categories including technology, policy, and activism in a session featuring youth leader and Founder of Bye-Bye Plastic, Melati Wijsen.

EarthX convenes the world’s largest environmental expo, conference and film festival, and is a member of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed research boundaries, investing in bold people, and transformative ideas. It has provided more than 14,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings and engaging audiences worldwide through signature experiences, stories, and content.

Source: EarthX

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 10:18 AM | Link to this Post

May 30, 2020

Mastercard Launches Recovery Insights. It would assist Businesses and Governments in making Smarter Economic Decisions.

Mastercard extends COVID-19 Commitments by Providing Data Insights and Tools to New York City, London, Madrid, the State of Arizona, and other Governments.

PURCHASE, NY. MAY 29, 2020 — Businesses and governments worldwide are looking for resources to help better manage the health, safety, and economic risks presented by the recent pandemic. To assist in these efforts, Mastercard has launched Recovery Insights, a set of tools, innovation, and research that can provide some certainty today and support data-driven decision-making for a more digital tomorrow.

The initiative draws on Mastercard’s analytics and experimentation platforms, its longstanding consulting practice, and unique data-driven insights.

“Enabling smarter decisions with better outcomes is our goal. And, it’s what airlines, restaurants, Consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands, banks, governments, and countless others are seeking right now,” said Raj Seshadri, president of data and services, Mastercard. “Our insights are helping apparel brands refine their inventory to address the rise in e-commerce, grocers fine-tune store hours to give at-risk shoppers peace of mind, and governments guide services to fuel local economies.”

• Empowering Data-Driven Decision-Making

As part of this initiative, Mastercard is making specific insight-driven tools available at no cost to governments and select businesses to give a timely snapshot of economic performance. These solutions draw on aggregated and anonymized spending insights to provide an ongoing view of financial health, Mastercard said.

Dozens of cities (including New York City, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Los Angeles, and Logan City, Australia), states (Arizona), and national governments (Turespaña, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain) are now using Mastercard tools. These solutions help inform budget planning, optimize aid disbursement, understand which merchants are open for business, and prioritize investment to support those most impacted by the pandemic. The tools help assess the local effects of COVID-19 and build a foundation for an inclusive recovery.

“Access to Mastercard’s insights gives us a much more detailed picture of the economic health of the capital’s high streets during lockdown - and as we move towards easing restrictions,” commented London’s Chief Digital Officer, Theo Blackwell. “It complements other insights we’re gathering, which allows us to target future investments and understand the emerging needs of businesses and communities across London.”

Meanwhile, U.S. small business owners are using the tools to understand local consumer spending trends better, while central banks around the world are collaborating closely with the Mastercard Economics Institute to better understand changing market conditions through regular COVID economic impact trackers, Mastercard elaborated.

• Informing Plans to Reopen New York City

In New York City, retail sales were down 44 percent at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. Policymakers needed to understand how the steep decline in consumer spending would impact the city’s sales tax revenue to adjust their budgets. Mastercard Geographic Insights identified spending pattern changes in specific neighborhoods.

Mastercard is also working closely with local institutions, trade organizations, and other groups on recovery efforts. Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, said, “The Mastercard insights into how the pandemic and quarantine are impacting consumer spending have helped us understand the huge and devastating impact of COVID-19 on jobs and the local economy.”

“We’re committed to helping government leaders take an evidence-based approach to policy and program development,” added Miguel Gamino, executive vice president, Enterprise Partnerships and head of Global Cities, Mastercard. “Given the multitude of challenges today, the government leaders are activating our network to support areas ranging from aid disbursements to emergency fundraising to cybersecurity assessments and identity theft protection. It’s about building more inclusive economies for everyone everywhere.”

• Upcoming Research

The Mastercard Recovery Insights initiative will feature a research series about the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on economies, businesses, and people. The first report, available in June, will focus on the retail sector’s shift to digital.

Source: Mastercard

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 12:08 PM | Link to this Post

May 27, 2020

Johns Hopkins Releases Comprehensive Report on Digital Contact Tracing to Aid COVID-19 Response.

Leading global experts contributed to the report, offering clear guidance and recommendations on ethics and governance as digital technologies fight the pandemic.

BALTIMORE, May 26, 2020 — Johns Hopkins University has released a comprehensive report on the use of digital contact tracing technologies (DCTT), including smartphone apps and other tools, to fight COVID-19. The paper would help the government, technology developers, businesses, institutional leaders, and the public make responsible decisions.

‘Digital Contact Tracing for Pandemic Response’ is a report led by the Berman Institute for Bioethics in collaboration with the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins, as well as leading experts worldwide. The report highlights the ethical, legal, policy, and governance issues that the world must address as it develops and implements DCTT. The report’s primary conclusions and recommendations advise that privacy should not outweigh public health goals and other values. Big technology companies should not unilaterally set terms when such broad public interests are at stake. And decisions about the technology and its uses are updated continuously as new information becomes available.

As officials in many countries strive to find a balance between respecting civil liberties and controlling the pandemic, the report offers clear, well-supported guidance for leaders as they consider deployment and use of these technologies and the data they collect, store and share.

“As we move forward, we must strike a balance between privacy and values like equity, choice, economic well-being, and solidarity,” said Jeffrey Kahn, Ph.D., MPH, director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute for Bioethics. “Too much emphasis on privacy could severely limit the ability to gather the information that is critical for effective and efficient contact tracing to help beat the pandemic. And so the full range of interests and values of the public must drive this conversation, and not just those asserted by tech companies.”

The report makes numerous recommendations, including:

• Technology design should not be static. There is no “one size fits all” approach. The design should be capable of evolving depending upon local conditions, new evidence, and changing preferences and priorities.
• Technology companies alone should not control the terms, conditions, or capabilities of DCTT. Nor should they presume to know what is acceptable to members of the public.
• Design the DCTT to have a base set of features that protect privacy, with layers of additional capabilities that users can choose to activate. A default should be that user location data are not shared. Still, users should be provided with natural mechanisms and prompt to allow for opting-in to this capability, especially if opting-in is critical to achieving public health goals.
• Make the De-identified data collected through DCTT available to public health professionals and researchers to support population-level studies and analyses.
• Those who authorize the use of DCTT within a particular jurisdiction or institution should continuously and systematically monitor the technology’s performance. The monitoring should include monitoring for effectiveness and benefit, monitoring for harms, and monitoring for the fair distribution of both benefits and harms.
• Governments should not require mandatory use of DCTT, given the uncertainty about potential burdens and benefits. New technology, user, and real-world testing are needed.
• Congress should enact legislation specifically tailored to the use of DCTT as part of the response to COVID-19, which would facilitate the use of DCTT to promote the public health response while protecting citizens.

“In this time of COVID-19, digital technologies have an unprecedented capacity to accelerate and improve the way the world responds to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics,” said Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels. “The digital contact tracing technologies represent a great opportunity. They also present significant ethical, legal, and governance concerns. I’m grateful to the Berman Institute of Bioethics for leading this effort and galvanizing some of the nation’s and the world’s foremost leaders on these issues to share their knowledge on this complex and timely set of issues.”

The report is the result of rapid research and expert consensus effort led by a group of leaders in bioethics, health security, public health, technology, engineering, public policy, and law.

Source: Johns Hopkins University

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 1:54 PM | Link to this Post

John Jay College Senior Students Balance Front-Line Work with Education Demands

NEW YORK, May 26, 2020 — John Jay students, many who live and work in communities of color hit hardest by Covid-19, are also on the front-lines. Their stories of studying while saving lives and keeping New Yorkers safe are inspiring examples of sacrifice and resilience.

Rosa Jimenez is an Emergency Medical Technician working in the Bronx, the borough with the highest infection and mortality rates in New York City. While studying full time in her senior year at John Jay, Jimenez has seen firsthand how the virus is impacting families, communities, and medical professionals.

“I’ve seen so many doctors and nurses end up with Covid-19. It concerns when you look at the patient’s chart and recognize the name,” says Jimenez.

Between shifts, Jimenez studies for finals. It’s her last semester, and she’s not letting the coronavirus or the change to distance learning stop her momentum.

Estefania Solis, a transfer student from Panama, is a Presidential Intern at John Jay and a member of the National Guard. When Covid-19 spread across New York City, Estefania’s life rapidly transformed from that of a typical student attending class and an internship to that of an active duty National Guard member contributing to a critical mission.

“My community has been affected. Some friends have had to fly back to their home countries and struggle with financial hardships. Others lost their job. Many have gotten sick. I am grateful I have the chance to help and not stay at home.”

The virus has altered all of her current plans, from summer job opportunities to her coursework. Balancing the internship, the National Guard, and her college work was initially overwhelming, and Solis thought she wouldn’t be able to complete her classes. But her professors stepped up and worked with her to make sure she finishes the semester and doesn’t lose momentum towards graduation.

Matthew Hart plans to graduate this summer, taking six courses this semester to keep on schedule. He is also serving in the National Guard at Covid-19 testing sites and food distribution centers.

“Juggle is tough. There are times when you want to sleep, but then you remind yourself that you have to get your homework done.”

Despite the struggle, Hart tries to keep a positive attitude and is committed to finishing his undergraduate education. He will start working on a master’s degree in the fall at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.

Graduate student Khalid Islam took a course at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and studied how Toronto handled a SARS outbreak. A few months later, he is using what he learned to keep the Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics safe under his supervision. Khalid is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Safety and Training Manager for the Mount Sinai Health System. He would receive his master’s degree this month. He has managed to balance his work, family obligations, and education in the shadow of a global pandemic.

According to John Jay College, all these students rose to the challenge these past few months, facing the danger of Covid-19 head-on while staying on the path to graduation. “Their commitment to public service and their communities centers them on a course to become tomorrow’s leaders,” the College said.

John Jay College would honor these students and their classmates from the Class of 2020 in a virtual celebration to mark the end of the semester on Wednesday, May 27. The ceremony will include pre-recorded remarks from special guests, including CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez; Charles Schumer, United States Senate; Kathy Hochul, Lt. Governor; and Letitia James, NYS Attorney General, among others.

An international leader in educating for justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York offers a vibrant liberal arts and professional studies curriculum to 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 135 nations. John Jay is home to faculty and research centers at the forefront of advancing criminal and social justice reform. In teaching, scholarship, and research, the College engages the theme of justice and explores fundamental human desires for fairness, equality, and the rule of law.

Source: John Jay College of Criminal Justice

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 12:34 PM | Link to this Post

May 26, 2020

Naya Hindustan - Anthem on India's Unity in Diversity during the Pandemic.

MUMBAI, May 26, 2020 — The COVID-19 Pandemic has created massive disruptions across the world. For the last two months, the lockdown in India has altered people’s lives - socially, economically, and emotionally. Music Director Hitesh Prasad ideated the concept, scored the music, and penned the lyrics of the song ‘Naya Hindustan,’ an anthem on India’s Unity in Diversity during the Pandemic. Leading singers — Mahalaxmi Iyer, Bhumi Trivedi, Toshi Sabri, Shraddha Pandit, and Hitesh Prasad sang the song with contributions from Raju Shankar (Piano) and Glen Fernandez (Guitar).

Kanishka Shankar directed the video, Tosif Shaikh mixed it, and Raju Shankar and Sanjay Jaipurwale arranged the music. Nihilent, a global consulting and services company, supported the project.

“As people embrace this new reality, it is also a time to reflect and ink a new future. With this unprecedented crisis, comes a great opportunity to heal ourselves, break barriers and blur boundaries and hasten compassion, empathy, and togetherness. No doubt, this crisis has unified all, and it is time to showcase this unity amid diversity of caste, religion, and creed. This is the time to foster humanity, love, and light,” said the producers. “The song is a tribute to the countless COVID-19 warriors, the unsung heroes and a billion-plus people suspended on hope, united by courage and faith in humanity.”

Hitesh Prasad said, ” I wrote and composed this music video to primarily showcase the communal harmony and motivate people of this country impacted by COVID-19 and lockdown in many different ways. The key message of this video I wanted to convey is my vision of ‘New India’- a country that needs to rise above all our differences and be one in this hour of crisis.” “The lyrics capture this idea of peace, communal harmony, compassion, and resilience to move forward. The singers and others have contributed as a purely social cause. Thanks to Nihilent for supporting us with this initiative,” he added.

Source: Nihilent

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 9:22 AM | Link to this Post

May 25, 2020

Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam - A tribute to India's eternal spirit.

Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam!

India will be victorious!

Watch this unique tribute by 211 singers from across the country, as they come together to salute India’s indomitable spirit.

Source: ICICI Bank

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 1:32 AM | Link to this Post

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development — Message from Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

Photo: Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), briefs journalists following a Security Council meeting on the maintenance of international peace and security. 30 November 2017. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Kim Haughton. [File Photo]

• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

• Message from Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO

21 May 2020

This year’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development comes at a time of uncertainty and anxiety.

For many, the closure of public spaces, cultural institutions, and performance and concert halls has led to a constriction of cultural space and increased seclusion.

Fortunately, the technical means we have at our disposal today make it possible for those who can benefit from them to compensate for the narrowness of confined spaces. We have thus seen initiatives blossom that has renewed interest in cultural practices around the world and highlighted their abundant richness. By dint of coordinated action, initial efforts, and creativity, this imposed downtime has made it possible to see what is one of humanity’s riches: our diversity.

Although COVID-19 has not succeeded in curbing dialogue among cultures, the long-term consequences of the crisis, especially in economic terms, might inflict severe damage on diversity, as periods of crisis are conducive to concentration and standardization. It is this insidious threat that looms.

Without significant support, structures will disappear. We would miss the opportunities to stimulate and hear different ways of seeing and feeling. Cultural diversity may get diminished, and humanity would be the poorer for it.

We must, therefore, protect diversity without delay before it is too late. That is why UNESCO has launched the ResiliArt movement, whose purpose is to find ways of fostering the protection and promotion of cultural diversity in these difficult times. By bringing together artists, cultural professionals, governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to reflect on the pandemic’s impact, we are developing the future of cultural diversity through collective intelligence and joint cultural building.

The current crisis must lead to new awareness and new efforts to ensure the development and continuation of varied cultural forms and flourishing cultural structures. The crisis has brought to light difficulties that were often already present.

On this 21 May, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, UNESCO appeals to all: together, let us celebrate and support cultural diversity, the symbol of our humanity.

Source: UNESCO

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 12:22 AM | Link to this Post

May 24, 2020

Mastercard Joins Alliance to Accelerate Digital Identity Solutions.

Partnership accelerates access to and adoption of digital identity solutions.

Purchase, NY, May 23, 2020 — Mastercard today announced that it would join the ID2020 alliance, a global multi-stakeholder partnership dedicated to enabling everyone to have access to a viable and trusted form of legal identity.

With the recent implementation of social distancing around the world, our digital dependency has become even more significant. Individuals are signing up and logging in to a range of digital services - social media, entertainment streaming, telemedicine, and remote learning, to name just a few. What is critical in each of these interactions is the role that identity plays in enabling trust and the need to prove who we are safely and conveniently, wherever we are, Mastercard said.

“We share the belief with ID2020 that digital identity is a fundamental human right that each individual has control over. And that digital identity is a crucial step towards financial inclusion and to building a world where technology empowers, enables and protects everyone,” said Ajay Bhalla, President, Cyber & Intelligence, Mastercard. “We must work together to establish consistency and common standards across the globe that can make this a reality, addressing real challenges faced by people every day and sparking continued innovation.”

As the world accelerates towards more digital interactions and the verification associated with that, managing this rapid shift, holistically and responsibly, is crucial to ensure that no-one is left behind. Mastercard said it recognizes that holding a viable and trusted digital identity will allow everyone to connect and realize the opportunities presented by the increasingly digital world. By joining the ID2020 Alliance, who are strong advocates for digital identity in developing markets, both companies believe their collective technologies, networks, and connections can better bridge the gap and provide viable solutions for everyone.

“Digital identity can be a powerful force multiplier to enhance social and economic opportunities for all people,” said ID2020 Executive Director, Dakota Gruener. “But to fully realize that potential, governments, technology companies, financial institutions, and civil society must collaborate. We are delighted to welcome Mastercard to the ID2020 Alliance and applaud their commitment to privacy-protecting, user-centric digital identity.”

Mastercard said its collaboration with ID2020 builds on Mastercard’s commitment to improving how people manage and use their digital identity and follows the publication of the company’s model for digital citizenship in an increasingly connected world. The model is founded on user-centric principles such as data ownership, confidentiality, consent, and transparency, and embodies privacy-by-design.

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. “Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all,” Mastercard declared.

ID2020 is a global public-private partnership that harnesses the collective power of nonprofits, corporations, and governments to promote the adoption and ethical implementation of user-managed, privacy-protected, and portable digital identity solutions.

Source: Mastercard

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 10:58 AM | Link to this Post

May 19, 2020

Chandigarh among 65 Cities rated 3-Star Garbage Free Cities in India; Ambikapur, Rajkot, Surat, Mysuru, Indore, and Navi Mumbai Certified 5-Star.

Photo: Mysore. Lalitha Mahal Palace. Built in 1921 for Viceroy’s stay at Mysore. Image Credit: Kiran Ravikumar.

New Delhi, May 19, 2020 — India’s Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep S. Puri, has informed that for the assessment year 2019-2020, his Ministry has certified a total of six cities as 5-Star. They are Ambikapur, Rajkot, Surat, Mysuru, Indore, and Navi Mumbai. The Ministry has approved 65 cities as 3-Star and 70 towns as 1-Star.

The 65 towns with a 3-star rating include Karnal, Bhopal, Tirupati, Chandigarh, Raigarh, Jamnagar, Chhindwara, and Vijayawada.

While announcing the results of the Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities, here today, Mr. Puri also launched the revised protocol for the Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities at the event. The Star Rating Protocol was launched by the Ministry in January 2018 to institutionalize a mechanism for cities to achieve Garbage Free status and to motivate cities to achieve higher degrees of cleanliness.

The Minister said, “The importance of sanitation and effective solid waste management has been brought to the forefront now due to the COVID crisis. Five years ago, we introduced Swachh Survekshan, the annual cleanliness survey for urban India, that has proven immensely successful in improving urban cleanliness through a healthy competition spirit. However, since it is a ranking system, several of our cities, despite doing exceptionally well, were not being recognized appropriately. The Ministry, therefore, devised the Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free Cities. It is a comprehensive framework similar to our examination systems where each ward in every city must achieve a certain standard across 24 different components of solid waste management (SWM) and is graded based on overall marks received.”

He further added, “We aim to institutionalize as well as bring consistency and transparency when it comes to solid waste management. This certification is an acknowledgment of the clean status and strengthened solid waste management systems of Urban Local Bodies. It is a mark of trust and reliability akin to universally known standards.”

“Moreover, the performance of cities under the Star Rating Protocol is crucial as it carries significant weightage when it comes to their final assessment in Swachh Survekshan. The Star Rating Protocol is holistic. It includes components such as the cleanliness of drains & water bodies, plastic waste management, and managing construction & demolition waste, which are critical drivers for achieving garbage-free cities. While the essential thrust of this protocol is on solid waste management, it also takes care of ensuring specific minimum standards of sanitation through a set of prerequisites defined in the framework,” the Minister elaborated.

Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, New Delhi.

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 1:15 PM | Link to this Post

May 18, 2020

FORTUNE Announces 2020 FORTUNE 500 List, Launches First-Ever "History Of The FORTUNE 500" Data Analytics Visualization Site With Partner Qlik

Walmart takes No. 1 spot for the eighth straight year; Amazon.com jumps up to No. 2, its all-time high ranking.

NEW YORK, May 18, 2020 — Today, FORTUNE announced the 66th FORTUNE 500, its annual list of the largest corporations in the United States, ranked by revenue for the 2019 fiscal year. Additionally, FORTUNE and Qlik, the official analytics partner of the FORTUNE 500, have launched the “History of the FORTUNE 500” interactive site. This visual experience, developed by Qlik, takes users on a journey through the FORTUNE 500. It enables guided exploration of data related to company revenues, the historical events that shaped them, and the industry sector status and changes that have emerged.

According to FORTUNE, the revenue threshold for making the 2020 FORTUNE 500 list was $5.7 billion, up 1% from last year. In total, FORTUNE 500 companies represent two-thirds of the U.S. GDP, with $14.2 trillion in revenues (up 4%), $1.2 trillion in profits (up 8%), $20.4 trillion in market value (down 10%), and employ 29.2 million people worldwide.

Walmart took the top spot on the 2020 list for the eighth year in a row, generating $4 trillion cumulative revenue over that time. Amazon.com jumped to No.2 for its highest ranking since its 2002 debut. Exxon Mobil, Apple, and CVS Health round out the top 5, FORTUNE said.

THE TOP FIFTY COMPANIES ON THE 2020 FORTUNE 500 LIST ARE:

1. Walmart
2. Amazon.com
3. Exxon Mobil
4. Apple
5. CVS Health
6. Berkshire Hathaway
7. UnitedHealth Group
8. McKesson
9. AT&T
10. AmerisourceBergen
11. Alphabet
12. Ford Motor
13. Cigna
14. Costco Wholesale
15. Chevron
16. Cardinal Health
17. JPMorgan Chase
18. General Motors
19. Walgreens Boots Alliance
20. Verizon Communications
21. Microsoft
22. Marathon Petroleum
23. Kroger
24. Fannie Mae
25. Bank of America
26. Home Depot
27. Phillips 66
28. Comcast
29. Anthem
30. Wells Fargo
31. Citigroup
32. Valero Energy
33. General Electric
34. Dell Technologies
35. Johnson & Johnson
36. State Farm Insurance
37. Target
38. IBM
39. Raytheon Technologies
40. Boeing
41. Freddie Mac
42. Centene
43. United Parcel Service
44. Lowe’s
45. Intel
46. Facebook
47. FedEx
48. MetLife
49. Walt Disney
50. Procter & Gamble

According to FORTUNE, 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 American multinational business magazine said. “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,” it added.

Source: FORTUNE Media

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 2:20 PM | Link to this Post

UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2020: Call for Applications and Nominations

Photo: UN Secretary-General António Guterres (right) meets with Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). July 16, 2019. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Mark Garten. [File Photo]

Paris, France, May 18, 2020 — UNESCO has now opened its call for applications and nominations for the 2020 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes. This year UNESCO will reward five individuals or organizations around the world for their outstanding projects that promote literacy within the theme’ Teaching and learning literacy: the role of educators and changing pedagogies’.

This year’s thematic focus is highlighting teachers who are at the frontline of delivering literacy learning, and their contribution to promoting youth and adult literacy, linked to the Target 4.6 of the Sustainable Development Goal on Education (SDG4).

Since 1967, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have rewarded excellence and innovation in the field of literacy. Over 495 projects and programs around the world have already received recognition and support for their excellent work.

• Who can Apply and Who can Nominate?

Governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals who promote literacy through projects and programs are welcome to apply.

Candidates should submit their Applications to Nominating Entities, such as the National Commission for UNESCO, in the program’s country.

Candidates can also submit their applications through the online platform. Details about the application and nomination process are on the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes’ website.

National Commissions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official partnership with UNESCO are encouraged to nominate individuals, institutions, and organizations who are making outstanding contributions to promoting literacy and who request a nomination.

- Deadline for candidates to submit to nominating entities: June 28, 2020; midnight, Paris time.

- Deadline for nominating bodies to submit their nominations to UNESCO: July 12, 2020; midnight, Paris time.

An independent International Jury would asses the nominations. The Jury would be composed of five experts based on the selection criteria. The Director-General of UNESCO would select the award winners on the recommendations of the International Jury. UNESCO would present the prizes on the occasion of International Literacy Day.

• About the Prizes

Through two prestigious literacy Prizes, UNESCO supports effective literacy practices and encourages the promotion of dynamic literate societies to close the literacy gap of approximately 750 million people.

UNESCO distinguishes between two Literacy Prizes received by five laureates in total:

- The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (2 awards), was established in 1989. The Government of the Republic of Korea supports it. This Prize gives special consideration to programs that focus on the development and use of mother-tongue literacy education and training.

- The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards), was established in 2005. The Government of the People’s Republic of China supports it. This Prize recognizes programs that promote literacy amongst adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth, particularly girls and women.

Each Prizewinner receives a Medal, a Diploma, and US$ 20,000.

Source: UNESCO

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 11:19 AM | Link to this Post

May 17, 2020

Washington's National Press Club weathers Pandemic, Stays Engaged with its Members.

Photo: Washington, D.C. Capitol Building.

Washington, DC, May 16, 2020— The National Press Club, Washington, DC, has remained vibrant and maintained full employment of its staff throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Club officials said. They were addressing the General Membership Meeting held on Wednesday, May 13.

• The Club conducted the Meeting through Online Video Conference.

Speaking to the Members, Club President Michael Freedman said the Club has been resilient in responding to the “head-spinning turn of events” caused by the pandemic. The Club did that by placing the top priority on the health and safety of its members and staff, keeping it financially viable, and providing both virtual and in-person member services, including helping those in need, Freedman added.

Freedman emphasized that the Club has suspended in-person activities but has not shut down over the eight weeks though the pandemic has forced governments across the country to issue stay-at-home orders.

“The National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute have remained open and actively engaged with our members and with our colleagues on the front lines around the world,” Freedman said.

Since mid-March, the Club has hosted Virtual Newsmakers with political leaders and medical experts and has remained active in promoting press freedom.

• American Nurses Association President, Dr. Ernest Grant, who called nurses “warriors without armor” in their fight against COVID-19, participated in a live fireside chat on Friday, May 15. Dr. Grant discussed the role of nurses in the global pandemic and “The International Year of the Nurse.”

• American Medical Association President, Patrice A. Harris, delivered a live national address on Tuesday, April 7, about the essential need for relying on science and data to protect public health, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The speech, delivered via Livestream as part of the National Press Club’s Virtual Newsmaker series, centered on the need for evidence-based solutions and policies to build societal trust and a common understanding.

• The 2020 baseball season began at the National Press Club on Tuesday, April 14, when members and guests had an opportunity to “play ball” with Washington Nationals radio broadcasters Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler.

• Pulitzer Prize winner and former New York Times photographer Stephen Crowley discussed how news photos could convey humanity, irony, and humor as well as news in an online presentation with National Press Club’s Photography Team.

Photo: Edward Segal, a Member of the National Press Club and a Specialist in Crisis Management, has launched his new book, “Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies.”

Meanwhile, the National Press Club Journalism Institute (NPCJI) has started a daily newsletter and writing group, sponsored several weekly programs, and has offered online library services since the Club suspended in-person activities. “The Institute is now serving hundreds of journalists daily, something we’ve never done before,” said Angela Greiling Keane, president of the NPCJI board of directors.

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club, “World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists,” represents more than 3,000 reporters, editors, and professional communicators worldwide. The Club hosts nearly 2,000 events per year in its 54,000 square foot facility located in downtown Washington just three blocks from the White House.

The National Press Club (NPC) has several Reciprocal Clubs, including the London Press Club and the Press Club of India, New Delhi. NPC Members enjoy access to Reciprocal Clubs facilities.

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— The editor participated in the National Press Club Members Meeting. He is a Member of the Club since 2011.

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 11:45 AM | Link to this Post

May 15, 2020

Self-Sterilizing, Transparent N99+ Masks

DETROIT, May 14, 2020 — Detroit-based Redcliffe Medical announced it had launched LEAF, a breakthrough transparent face mask with state of the art N99+ HEPA-Carbon filtration, powered by optional UV self-sterilization and active ventilation.

The face-cover embodies a design inspired by nature and natural transpiration of leaves, the company said. It’s efficient yet minimalistic while allowing face unlock on Smartphones. Its shell is of optical grade, soft, fire-retardant, reusable, self-defogging, and UV proof Silicone material, Redcliffe Medical stated.

LEAF comes in different transparent, translucent, and solid colors with three variants HEPA, UV, and PRO.

• LEAF-HEPA has the patent-pending signature “Leaf” design coupled with U-Series HEPA-filtration, known as the Gold standard of HEPA filtration as small as 0.3 Micron (with 99.9997% Filtration).

• LEAF-UV is high performance. It contains UV-C sterilization built into the rechargeable filter housing, destroying pathogens at the DNA level at “light” speed and Active-Carbon filtration to eliminate odors organic substances. With disposable masks raising an impending threat to nature, effective sterilization makes the filters last for up to a month.

• LEAF-PRO adds active ventilation & air quality sensing. LEAF-PRO actively senses the user’s metabolism and particle count on the included Air-Manager Smartphone app. That Air-Manager Smartphone app. automatically commands the Sterilization and Ventilation system. Deploying all that cutting-edge tech allows the LEAF PRO to deliver a paramount safe breathing experience, said the manufacturer.

According to LEAF’s Co-Founder and Innovation awardee Alex Lightman, “Leaf was designed to be the gold standard in the face mask in Covid19. It’s 2020, and we now have a mask that looks and acts fully modern. It fundamentally changes our ability to defend ourselves from pathogens and pollution while enabling society to see who we are dealing with and to keep masks on while using face unlock biometrics.”

LEAF’s Co-Founder, Lalit Verma, said, “It’s the right tech at the right time. While the COVID-19 crisis has hit the world, rapid adoption of opaque face masks is threatening social security and public surveillance, and Leaf’s transparency is key to secure scalable protection.”

LEAF’s Globe series, a stripped-down version of Leaf designed for mass deployments, is available for bulk orders. LEAF’s Geolock series is another patent-pending tamper-proof series that allows the mask to be installed-removed at secure locations for contained transit of potentially infected individuals. The manufacturer, Redcliffe Medical Devices, gave this information.

Source: Redcliffe Medical Devices, Inc.

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 5:24 AM | Link to this Post

May 12, 2020

Robin Hood And iHeartMedia's "Rise Up New York!" Telethon Raises Over $115 Million To Support New Yorkers Most Impacted By COVID-19.

Virtual Telethon hosted by Tina Fey unites Star-studded Group of New York’s Biggest Actors, Athletes, Musicians, Politicians, Chefs, and More.

NEW YORK, May 11, 2020 — Robin Hood, New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization, and iHeartMedia joined together tonight to air a citywide “virtual telethon” to raise awareness and funds to help affected New Yorkers. COVID-19 has dramatically impacted the lives of the latter.

Hosted by Tina Fey, “Rise Up New York!” brought together bighearted New Yorkers with one common goal: to raise funds for Robin Hood’s relief and recovery efforts.

One hundred percent of donations will provide support for food, shelter, cash assistance, health and mental health, legal services, education, and more - helping fellow New Yorkers rebuild their lives as the city moves towards recovery and beyond.

To date, Robin Hood has raised over $115 million toward relief and recovery efforts since the onset of the pandemic in New York City. Corporate donors, including Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Barclays, BlackRock, Capital One, Goldman Sachs, PepsiCo, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, have generously supported Robin Hood. These donors recognized the extreme need for help, and proactively reached out at the onset of the pandemic.

Telethon appearances included Governor Andrew Cuomo, Angie Mar, Awkwafina, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chris Rock, Daniel Humm, Danny Meyer, Darryl McDaniels, David Chang, Eli Manning, Fab 5 Freddy, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Chastain, Jimmy Fallon, Justin Tuck, Matthew Broderick, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Michael Strahan, Mike D & Ad-Rock, Patti Lupone, Phil Simms, Robert De Niro, Rosie Perez, RZA, Salt-N-Pepa, Sarah Jessica Parker, Spike Lee, and Trevor Noah.

Musical performances included Alicia Keys, Andrew Rannells, Ben Platt, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Chris Jackson, Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel, Karen Olivio, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mariah Carey, and Sting. Mariah Carey gave a rendition of “Through the Rain/Make It Happen.”

“New York City is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has created a whole new set of challenges for the millions of New Yorkers,” said Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore. “We must all come together as a community in support of our neighbors and one another.”

Rise Up, New York! was aired across local New York City broadcast television stations; Cheddar; News 12; RSN SportsNet; Spectrum News NY1; and YES Network. Radio stations like iHeartMedia, Entercom, SiriusXM, and CNBC also gave broadcast support. Further, ABC News Live, LiveXLive, NBC News NOW, and NowThis Media streamed the event.

Source: Robin Hood, New York.

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 3:30 PM | Link to this Post

May 11, 2020

U.S. Mayors to Congress: This Crisis is Urgent, Cities Need Help Now.

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2020 — As lawmakers in Washington debate the next coronavirus response package, critical resources for American cities hang in the balance according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). USCM continues to call on Congress to make federal support available to all U.S. cities.

A survey of cities shows that because of this pandemic, nearly every American town is seeing a steep drop in revenue. And without federal support, many will be forced to lay off employees and make cuts that will hurt public safety, USCM said.

With local needs growing and resources shrinking, USCM President Bryan Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan, released the following urgent statement:

“Every city in America is under enormous strain, and every city in America should be eligible for federal resources to help weather this crisis. We cannot allow another week to go by without critical support. We have urgent needs. It is not tomorrow’s problem; this is a right now problem. Local and state officials are coordinating the response on the ground. They are devoting every available resource, just as much of our revenue is vanishing. Support for businesses during this crisis is important, but it is just as important to give cities the resources they need to fight the pandemic. There should be nothing controversial about helping the cities that are helping to defeat this virus. The President has said this response will be locally executed and federally supported. Cities are doing their job, and Congress should not delay sending the help they desperately need.”

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the Mayor.

Source: U.S. Conference of Mayors.

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Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 10:19 AM | Link to this Post

May 9, 2020

Edible Brands teams with 12 Recording Artists to make Sweet Music for Mom on Mother's Day.

“Songs for Mom” album features Grammy Award-winning artists and emerging stars.

ATLANTA, May 9, 2020 — Edible, the world’s largest franchisor of fresh fruit arrangements and all-natural fruit snacks and dipped treats, is teaming with 12 recording artists to create a one-of-a-kind gift collection of music and treats just in time for Mother’s Day.

“Songs for Mom” covers a variety of genres, including pop, rock, R&B, and dance. The compilation features artists ranging from Grammy Award-winners like Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and Gospel legend Tamela Mann as well as emerging stars. The artists are celebrating mothers and all that the mothers do, especially during these stressful times, Edible explained.

The album is included in two Edible Mother’s Day gift bundles and is also available for $9.99 as an add-on at checkout for other orders.

According to Edible, it “partnered with these fantastic artists for exclusive rights to release the album through Edible’s website leading into Mother’s Day before it goes viral on other platforms worldwide.”

Edible’s President Cheikh Mboup stated, “The addition of music fits perfectly with Edible’s mission of celebrating life’s most special moments with a gift or treat crafted to WOW.”

“We are continually exploring new ways to connect with our customers emotionally,” he said, adding that artists share a common bond of vision, risk-taking, and passion with Edible’s entrepreneurial spirit.

“From founder Tariq Farid to our franchisees, Edible’s story is about achieving the American Dream by helping people celebrate,” he said. “Artists are pursuing a similar dream, and just as we have helped so many entrepreneurs through franchising. Now we are giving artists a new venue to share their voice while also giving our franchisees one more way to help their customers celebrate special occasions.”

“Those who know the Edible story realize the role that Tariq’s mother played in his life,” he said. “It was his mother who encouraged him to move forward with his uniquely creative idea of making arrangements out of fresh Fruit. It’s only appropriate that we launch Edible’s creative entry into music on Mother’s Day.”

“Songs for Mom” includes the following:

• “Love As Hard As You,” featuring Brittany Wescott (Pop/Rock)
• “It’s Your Day,” featuring DevTheGoon (Pop/Dance)
• “My Favorite Girl,” starring Aaron Sledge (R&B/Soul)
• “Mama,” featuring Lewis Sky (Reggae/Pop)
• “Everywhere,” featuring Danni Baylor (Pop)
• “Message to Mom / Diamond,” featuring Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and Antonio Neal (R&B)
• “Reasons To Love,” featuring Jerome Baylor (Pop)
• “No Matter What,” featuring Pamela Elaine and J-Dash (Alternative/Pop)
• “A Mother’s Love,” featuring Jamison Ross (Jazz/Soul)
• “Diamond In The Sky,” featuring The Prophet (R&B/Soul)
• “Super Woman,” featuring BigFil and Stanley Black (Rap/R&B)
• “You,” starring David and Tamela Mann (R&B)

Edible Brands is the parent company of Edible, the world’s largest franchisor of stores offering all-natural fruit snacks, dipped treats and fresh fruit arrangements with more than 1,100 locations worldwide. You can order Edible Fresh Fruit Arrangements, Chocolate Dipped Fruit, and Fresh Fruit Smoothies through any local Edible store or online at edible.com in the USA.

Source: Edible Brands

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 2:09 PM | Link to this Post

May 6, 2020

Media Company Millenasia releases Korean Pop Music Video "Be The Future" to Schools to Urge Youth to Stay Safe During COVID-19.

SEOUL, South Korea, May 6, 2020 — Millenasia, a millennial brand for quality Asian content, today released “Be The Future,” a K-Pop music video encouraging young people to take measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. In releasing the video, the Millenasia Project band urged the world to unite in support of the 1.5 billion learners who have been affected by school and university closures as a result of COVID-19.

Millenasia is a next-generation media company focused on targeting Asian millennials.

The music video — starring Millenasia Project, a project band composed of K-Pop artists AleXa, Dreamcatcher and IN2IT — was conceived by Millenasia and created in partnership with the Varkey Foundation, a member of UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition.

According to UNESCO, 1.5 billion students have been affected by school and university closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In direct response, UNESCO launched the Global Education Coalition to facilitate inclusive learning opportunities for children and youth during this period of sudden and unprecedented educational disruption.

Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, said, “I am delighted that these K-pop artists have united in sending an important message about staying safe during this global pandemic. Our Global Education Coalition is determined to do all it can to facilitate inclusive learning opportunities for the 1.5 billion students and youth across the planet that have been affected by school and university closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Crucially, we’re determined to put the teacher voice at the heart of our mission to give every child their birthright, a good education.”

The Varkey Foundation, which established the annual US $1 million Global Teacher Prize to shine a light on the global teaching profession, was also excited to partner on the new music video.

Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation and Global Teacher Prize, said: “This music video is a fantastic way to ensure important messages about COVID-19 reach young people throughout the world. I am delighted that this video features 2020 Global Teacher Prize finalist, Yun Jeong Hyun, highlighting how teachers across the world continue to inspire, even as the world shifts under their feet. Now, more than ever, we must shine a light on the world’s teachers.”

“With hundreds of million fans around the world, K-Pop has proven to be a global sound for music,” Keiko Bang, CEO of Millenasia, said. “We wanted to make sure we were able to use a medium that would be family-friendly, but more importantly, resonated with the youth.”

AleXa said, “I strongly hope that this song and its message of health catches young people’s attention. Don’t let the seclusion get you down. It’s important to stay connected to school, teachers, and friends.”

It is for the first time K-Pop has been used as part of a UNESCO initiative and is a tribute to the medium, which has accumulated more than an estimated 400 million fans in over 230 countries and regions worldwide. “Be The Future” delivers a universal and profoundly important message that will resonate with people from all walks of life, media company Millenasia said.

The Millenasia Project band was filmed and recorded just outside of Seoul, South Korea, in late April with the production exercising best practices for social distancing at work. The music video collaboration was conceived, produced, and released by Millenasia in just four weeks with composition, lyrics, and choreography turned around in only two weeks.

• Watch the Official Music Video on YouTube here…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-kVolThSaE

The artists, IN2IT, Dreamcatcher, and Alexa in a joint statement, said:

“We urge the world to unite to support the 1.5 billion learners who have been affected by school and university closures as a result of COVID-19. Amidst this crisis, the world has discovered new reserves of creativity, compassion, and resolve. We must ensure that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on education strengthens, rather than weakens, our resolve to fulfill every child’s right to good education”.

“Be The Future” is available now through Millenasia’s YouTube channel, and on Apple Music, Spotify, Melon, Anghami, Boomplay, and 25 other music platforms around the world.

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 11:51 AM | Link to this Post

May 3, 2020

UNESCO's Flagship Event on World Press Freedom Day 2020.

Paris, France, May 3, 2020 — On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every year on May 3, UNESCO and its Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, will host an online discussion. The participants would deliberate on the importance of free media in providing the public with reliable, independent information, vital in times of crisis. The High-level Dialogue on Press Freedom and Tackling Disinformation in the COVID-19 context will be streamed online on Monday, May 4, at 5 pm Central European Time (GMT +2).

UNESCO’s flagship event of World Press Freedom Day will bring together UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, journalist Younes Mujahid, President of the International Federation of Journalists, Maria Ressa, investigative journalist from the Philippines, founder of the Rappler news website, and the Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders, Christophe Deloire, alongside several other high-level participants. Prominent Mexican-born American journalist Jorge Ramos will moderate the debate.

The debate will address the danger of what the UN Secretary-General has described as the “dangerous epidemic of misinformation.” It will advocate the need for a free press in countering Disinformation, which is putting lives at risk.

The debate will follow the launch on May 3 of a global UNESCO media campaign called FACTS, which highlights the role of free and independent media in the context of COVID-19. Leading media organizations around the world are joining the campaign, developed by award-winning communication agency DDB.

UNESCO will also present the latest data from its 2020 World Trends Report on Media Independence and press freedom in times of COVID-19.

“Information is a fundamental right. In times of COVID-19, Information can save lives. I wish to pay tribute to journalists, women, and men who commit and take risks to keep us informed,” said the Director-General of UNESCO. “Their work is more important than ever, as they help members of the public know how to act and governments to make informed decisions,” she added.

Every year on May 3, the world comes together to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and take stock of freedom of expression around the world. The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993 on the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference.

“Nearly 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote that ‘the only security of all is in a free press.’ His words stand today as an apt reminder of the crucial link between press freedom and democracy,” said National Press Club President Michael Freedman. “Amid the current crisis, our reporters on the front lines reinforce every hour of every day why journalism matters.”

The National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute are joining people around the globe to commemorate World Press Freedom Day on May 3. The National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists and represents some 3,000 reporters, editors, and expert communicators worldwide.

The motto for this year’s 27th World Press Freedom Day, organized by UNESCO, is “Journalism without Fear or Favor.”

• ONLINE HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE PROGRAMME:

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by Surender Hastir | 12:37 PM | Link to this Post