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U.S. Postal Service Issues Winter Woodland Animals Stamps.
Photo: U.S. Postal Service Issues Winter Woodland Animals Stamps. Deer. And Rabbits. And Owls. And Foxes.
WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service commemorates four species that reside in North American woodlands with the release of the Winter Woodland Animals stamps. These species, including deer, rabbits, owls, and foxes, are some of the most recognizable wildlife found throughout America and remind us of the stunning natural environment surrounding us.
White-tailed deer are one of the most abundant species in North America and are admired for their beauty and agility. Rabbits often live near the edge of forests to easily find food from gardens, yards, and meadows. Foxes are tough and adaptable creatures that have learned to thrive in almost every environment. Owls are fascinating birds of prey that prefer to nest in tree cavities or abandoned nests of other birds.
The stamps feature whimsical, graphic illustrations of these creatures. Antonio Alcala, an art director for the Postal Service, designed the stamps with Katie Kirk, who illustrated them using geometric shapes of bold, solid color. Each animal appears with details of its habitat in winter, such as a full or crescent moon, snow-covered trees, holly branches with berries, and delicate snowflakes.
Source: U.S. Postal Service
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:10 AM | View the original post
Photo: Prime Minister Modi attends the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University at Tiruchirappalli, in Tamil Nadu, on January 02, 2024.
New Delhi, January 02, 2024 — Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, delivered a speech at the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. During the ceremony, he congratulated the graduating students, their teachers, and parents and awarded the meritorious students of the University.
The Prime Minister highlighted the event’s significance, as it was his first public interaction of 2024. He expressed his happiness in being present in the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu and among the youth. Additionally, he mentioned that it was an honor for him to be the first Prime Minister to grace the convocation ceremony at Bharathidasan University.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of knowledge and education in Indian civilization, citing ancient universities such as Nalanda, Takshila, Kanchipuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Madurai. He also quoted Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, saying that education teaches us to live in harmony with all existence.
The Prime Minister urged the graduating students to ponder deeply about the purpose of education and how they can utilize it for societal benefit. He underlined the importance of giving back to society and working towards building a better country. He also acknowledged the role of the entire society in bringing the students to this day.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:07 PM | View the original post
Welcome 2024! Happy New Year!
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:31 AM | View the original post
Photos: Times Square is testing the Confetti Release. December 29, 2023. At Midnight on New Year’s Eve, thousands of kilos of confetti will be released from the rooftops of buildings, creating a blizzard of colorful confetti and pyrotechnic effects. The hundreds of kilos of confetti include wishes from thousands of revelers worldwide. Images provided by & copyright © Times Square.
Photo: The Numerals 2-0-2-4 are delivered to Times Square by Kia. Images provided by & copyright © Times Square.
Photos: Times Square Confetti Wishing Wall. People write their wishes on the confetti to be released on New Year’s Eve at Midnight. The hundreds of kilos of confetti include wishes from thousands of revelers worldwide. Images provided by & copyright © Times Square.
New York, December 30, 2023 — Times Square in New York City has been the center of attention on New Year’s Eve for over a century, with the rooftop celebrations that began in 1904. The ball-lowering tradition that started in 1907 has now become a symbol of welcoming the New Year.
The Times Square Alliance has unveiled the New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall for the forthcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations. This unique feature gives people from all over the world a personal opportunity to be part of the festivities by writing their wishes for the upcoming year on confetti that will be released at Midnight.
At Midnight, the New Year’s Eve Ball lights will be turned off as the New Year “2024” numerals burst to life, shining high above Times Square.
The famous confetti release occurs from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square, creating a blizzard of colorful confetti and pyrotechnic effects. The hundreds of kilos of confetti include wishes from thousands of revelers worldwide, hoping for peace, love, good health, and a better future in the new year.
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN TIMES SQUARE 2023 - 2024
SCHEDULE
THE EVENT
• 6:00 p.m. to 6:03 p.m.
Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The celebration begins atop One Times Square with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball, where representatives from Carnival Cruise Line and Times Square New Year’s Eve flip the giant switch that lights the New Year’s Eve Ball accompanied by special pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
• 6:04 p.m. to 6:05 p.m.
Times Square Reveler Stories
Co-Host Jeremy Hassell talks with Times Square revelers.
• 6:06 p.m. to 6:18 p.m.
SAFA Chinese Cultural Performance
The Sino-American Friendship Association (“SAFA”) presents a spectacular Chinese cultural performance titled “Cheers to 2024 with Harmony Wuliang.” A beautiful blend of modern and traditional music and dance to celebrate the Year of the Dragon on the Countdown Stage at Duffy Island between 46th and 47th Streets. The Chinese cultural performance will conclude with red and gold pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
• 6:30 p.m.
Times Square 2024 Hats, Balloons, Eyeglasses, Necklaces, Gloves and Scarves
The sanitation crew of the Times Square Alliance, dressed in bright red uniforms, hands out tens of thousands of fun items to the revelers in Times Square to celebrate the New Year. Planet Fitness provides festive hats in purple, gold, and purple and yellow balloons tied with gold mylar ribbons. Fontainebleau Las Vegas provides eyeglasses in the shape of bowties and a commemorative 2024 chip. Carnival Cruise Line offers illuminated necklaces, while Kay Jewelers gives out warm blue gloves. Additionally, the Sino-American Friendship Association is providing beautiful red scarves.
• 6:57 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Hourly Kia Countdown with Jaymes Vaughan
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan will appear on the Countdown Stage as we approach the New Year. They will wish the Times Square revelers a “Happy New Year” and lead the ten-second countdown to the 7 o’clock hour. This countdown will be accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. Additionally, Jonathan will be reading several of the Confetti Wishes that will be mixed into the confetti release at Midnight, and he will also share his wish for the New Year.
• 7:01 p.m. to 7:02 p.m.
Times Square Reveler Stories
Co-Host Jeremy Hassell talks with Times Square revelers.
• 7:05 p.m. to 7:17 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Musical Performance by Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion performs a medley of her hit songs on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
• 7:56 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hourly Kia Countdown with Gotham FC
As we approach the New Year, Jonathan Bennett, joined by players from 2023 NWSL champion NJ/NY Gotham FC, will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year” and lead the ten-second countdown to the 8 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
They will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at Midnight and share their wish for the New Year.
• 8:01 p.m. to 8:02 p.m.
Times Square Reveler Stories
Co-Host Jeremy Hassell talks with Times Square revelers.
• 8:03 p.m. to 8:08 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Dance Performance by AGNEW
New York dance group AGNEW will perform for the revelers on the Planet Fitness Center Stage on the Broadway Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets.
• 8:10 p.m. to 8:12 p.m.
Highlights of Good Riddance Day
The Times Square New Year’s Eve host, Jonathan Bennett, will share highlights from Good Riddance Day with the Times Square revelers from the Countdown Stage.
• 8:30 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by Tyla
Tyla performs her hit songs on the Countdown Stage.
• 8:37 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.
• 8:57 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hourly Kia Countdown with Jeremy Hassell
As we approach the New Year, Jonathan Bennett, joined by Jeremy Hassell, will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year” and lead the ten-second countdown to the 9 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. He will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at Midnight and share his wishes for the New Year.
• 9:02 p.m. to 9:05 p.m.
• 9:10 p.m. to 9:29 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Musical Performance by Flo Rida
Flo Rida performs his hit songs My House, Low, Wild Ones, GDFR, and the world premiere of his new highly anticipated single OMG on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
• 9:37 p.m. to 9:43 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter performs her hit songs on the Countdown Stage.
• 9:49 p.m. to 9:52 p.m.
• 9:57 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Hourly Kia Countdown with Planet Fitness
As we approach the New Year, Planet Fitness spokesperson will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year” and lead the ten-second countdown to the 10 o’clock hour accompanied by purple and yellow confetti release and colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
The spokesperson will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at Midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
• 10:01 p.m. to 10:02 p.m.
Times Square Reveler Stories
Co-Host Jeremy Hassell talks with Times Square revelers.
• 10:04 p.m. to 10:08 p.m.
Univision’s ¡Feliz 2024!: Performance by Maria Becerra
Maria Becerra performs a medley of her hit songs on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
• 10:09 p.m. to 10:12 p.m.
• 10:21 p.m. to 10:24 p.m.
• 10:34 p.m. to 10:40 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll performs his hit songs on the Countdown Stage.
• 10:45 p.m. to 10:48 p.m.
• 10:57 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Hourly Kia Countdown with Raúl de Molina
As we approach the New Year, Raúl de Molina will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year” and lead the ten-second countdown to the 11 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. He will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at Midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
• 11:02 p.m. to 11:07 p.m.
Univision’s ¡Feliz 2024!: Performance by Yng Lvcas
Yng Lucas performs a medley of his hit songs on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
• 11:08 p.m. to 11:11 p.m.
• 11:12 p.m. to 11:14 p.m.
Times Square talks with NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Co-Host Jeremy Hassell talks with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
• 11:16 p.m. to 11:20 p.m.
The Associated Press Presents 2023 Year-In-Review Video Highlights
The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news-gathering organization, presents a news reel highlighting some of the most memorable events of 2023.
• 11:38 p.m. to 11:46 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by LL Cool J
LL Cool J performs his hit songs on the Countdown Stage.
• 11:51 p.m. to 11:58 p.m.
Exceptional Musical Performance by Paul Anka
Paul Anka performs his legendary song My Way, and John Lennon’s Imagine on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
• 11:59 p.m.
The Sixty-Second Countdown
The Mayor of New York City, joined by players from 2023 NWSL champion NJ/NY Gotham FC, pushes the crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball and leads the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year on the Countdown Stage.
The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The lighted Ball descends 66.7 feet in sixty seconds. The Ball is a geodesic sphere, twelve feet in diameter, weighing 11,875 pounds. The Ball is covered with 2,688 crystal triangles and lit by 32,256 LEDs.
• Midnight (12:00 a.m.) — New Year’s Day
2024 Sign
At the stroke of Midnight, the New Year’s Eve Ball lights are turned off as the New Year “2024” numerals burst to life, shining high above Times Square.
Times Square Confetti Release and Pyrotechnic Effects
The world-famous New Year’s Eve confetti is released from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square, creating a celebratory blizzard of colorful confetti as revelers welcome the New Year accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects. The three thousand pounds of confetti includes thousands of wishes from revelers worldwide, hoping for peace, love, good health, and a better future in the new year.
• 12:04 a.m. to 12:09 a.m.
Fontainebleau 70th Anniversary Surprise Video Performance and Ball Re-lighting
In honor of their 70th anniversary, Fontainebleau is presenting a surprise video countdown and musical performance to highlight the re-lighting of the Times Square Ball for 2024!!!
• 12:15 a.m. - End of Show.
Source: Times Square
|GlobalGiants.Com|
About one million revelers, equivalent to the population of Chandigarh in India, gathered in Times Square to celebrate the arrival of 2024.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:43 PM | View the original post
New Delhi, India, December 26, 2023 — Coca-Cola has extended its partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for another eight years. This partnership will establish Coca-Cola as a long-standing partner of the ICC and amplify global cricket experiences. The official signing ceremony occurred at ICC Headquarters and marked a historic milestone for the partnership. It demonstrated Coca-Cola’s commitment to sports and confirmed the collaboration as one of the longest-ever associations formed by the ICC with a single brand, spanning 13 years (2019 - 2031).
The partnership will see Coca-Cola’s brands becoming exclusive non-alcoholic beverage partners for all men’s and women’s events at the pinnacle of the sport, including the ICC Cricket World Cups, ICC T20 World Cups, and ICC Champions Trophies until the end of 2031. During the partnership, there will be a prominent international men’s and women’s event every year and a World Test Championship Final every two years.
During the recent ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023, Thums Up and Limca Sportz were the exclusive beverage and sports drink partners, activating a host of online and offline fan engagement activations. Additionally, Sprite took center stage with its captivating ‘Thand rakh’ campaign, aimed at elevating and sustaining the enthusiasm of cricket fans throughout the biggest World Cup ever.
Coca-Cola has been globally committed to supporting local sporting events and organizations worldwide. The Coca-Cola Company has an eight-decade-long association with the Olympics. Moreover, for over four decades, it has been associated with the FIFA and T20 World Cup and using the power of sports to bring people together and transform lives.
The Coca-Cola Company is a leading beverage company in India that offers consumers a variety of high-quality and refreshing drink options. The Company’s vision is to provide “Beverages for life,” it has a broad portfolio of products, including hydration, sports, sparkling water, coffee, Tea, nutrition, juice, and dairy-based products.
The Coca-Cola Company employs over 700,000 people globally, including its bottling partners, contributing to economic opportunities in local communities worldwide.
Source: Coca-Cola
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:01 AM | View the original post
Photo: American television news reporter, news anchor, and model Jennifer Lahmers arrives on the red carpet of the 95th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Image provided by & copyright © Kyusung Gong / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
Photo: American actress and talk show host Kelly Ripa arrives on the red carpet of the 95th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Image provided by & copyright © Michael Baker / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the 96th Academy Awards Shortlists in 10 categories: Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound and Visual Effects.
India’s official entry in the international feature film category, “2018: Everyone is a Hero”, is out of the Oscars race. The film failed to make it to the shortlist of 15 films for the category.
The International Feature Film shortlist includes Amerikatsi (Armenia), The Monk and the Gun (Bhutan), Fallen Leaves (Finland), The Taste of Things (France), The Teachers’ Lounge (Germany), Godland (Iceland), Io Capitano (Italy), Perfect Days (Japan), Totem (Mexico), The Mother of All Lies (Morocco), Society of the Snow (Spain), Four Daughters (Tunisia), 20 Days in Mariupol (Ukraine), and The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom).
Films from 88 countries were eligible in the category. The shortlisted movies will advance to the next round of voting.
SHORTLISTS
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
Fifteen films will advance in the Documentary Feature Film category for the 96th Academy Awards. One hundred sixty-seven films were eligible in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
Fifteen films will advance in the Documentary Short Film category for the 96th Academy Awards. One hundred fourteen films qualified in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Fifteen films will advance to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category for the 96th Academy Awards. Films from 88 countries and regions were eligible in the category.
The Academy invited members from all branches to participate in the preliminary round of voting. They must have met a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.
In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches are invited to opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Ten films will advance in the Makeup and Hairstyling category for the 96th Academy Awards. All Academy’s Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch members will be invited to view excerpts and interviews with the artists from each shortlisted film on Sunday, January 14, 2024. Branch members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
Fifteen scores will advance in the Original Score category for the 96th Academy Awards. One hundred forty-eight scores were eligible in the category. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The scores, listed in alphabetical order by film title, are:
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
Fifteen songs will advance in the Original Song category for the 96th Academy Awards. Ninety-four songs were eligible in the category. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The original songs are listed below in alphabetical order by film title:
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Fifteen films will advance in the Animated Short Film category for the 96th Academy Awards. Ninety-three films had qualified in the category. Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
Fifteen films will advance in the Live Action Short Film category for the 96th Academy Awards. One hundred eighty-seven films had qualified in the category. For the first time, the Academy invited its members from all branches to participate in the preliminary round of voting. They must have met a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.
In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches are invited to opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
SOUND
Ten films will advance in the Sound category for the 96th Academy Awards. All eligible members of the Sound Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. Academy members will be invited to view excerpts from each shortlisted film beginning Thursday, January 11, 2024, in the San Francisco Bay area, followed by London, Los Angeles, and New York. Branch members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
VISUAL EFFECTS
Ten films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 96th Academy Awards. The Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view excerpts and interviews with the artists from each shortlisted film on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Branch members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
Nominations voting begins on Thursday, January 11, 2024, and concludes on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
The Academy will announce the Nominations for the 96th Academy Awards on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on A.B.C. and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:53 AM | View the original post
Photo: A speaker at the “(Re)thinking Common Good, Acting Together” high-level discussion at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Marie ETCHEGOYEN.
Paris, December 23, 2023 — Eighty-three teams of university students and their mentors from 19 countries are the first winners of the Future Designer International Innovation Design Awards at the Science for the Sustainable Development Goals Innovation Contest.
The winning designs range from an Air Ionizing-Humidifier with an Indoor Air Pollutant Detector to a solar-powered public bench, reusable LED bulbs and tubes with a replaceable cartridge, and sustainable fashion in the form of bags made from ‘green’ materials that are produced using a three-dimensional (3D) printer.
Ralph Benedict Capili developed the humidifier with his mentor, Evelyn Marinas, from the University of Doha for Science and Technology in the Philippines. SolSeatz, the solar-powered public bench, is the brainchild of Saber Aragh and his mentor, Hamid Naghd Bishi, from the Pars University of Architecture and Art in Iran. Shreya Chopra and her mentor Nanita Chopra from Amity University Noida in India won a silver award for GLED, the reusable LED bulbs and tubes. Eszter Borsodi and her mentor Tamasi Kinga from the University of Miskolc in Hungary produced the sustainable fashion.
Another team of five students from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia in Spain designed a self-regulating nest for sea turtles.
About 30% (25) of the 83 teams won gold awards. Another 29 teams won silver and 29 bronze awards. Each winning team will receive a certificate.
The 83 winning teams come from the following 24 countries: Argentina, Austria, Belarus, China, Costa Rica, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Japan, Rwanda, Spain, Sri Lanka, Russian Federation, Ghana, Kenya, Palestine, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.
Unesco selected the winning teams from over 1,500 applications from 48 countries, with 228 entries advancing to the final evaluation stage.
The awards were open to undergraduate and postgraduate students worldwide. The aim was to solicit innovative, creative works from young people worldwide to raise awareness of the critical role that Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: UNESCO
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— The Editor is a Higher Education Professional & Consultant with diverse certifications from the world’s top institutions, including the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning Paris, Universities of Harvard, Oxford, Cornell, UC Berkeley, Dartmouth, International Monetary Fund, and the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy, Geneva.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:22 PM | View the original post
Season’s Greetings!
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:09 AM | View the original post
Photo: During the 2022 Annual Meetings at the International Monetary Fund, a behind-the-scenes look at the first day. Washington, DC, United States. October 10, 2022. IMF Photo/STEPHEN VOSS. [File Photo]
Washington, DC, December 19, 2023 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its yearly consultation with India. IMF noted that India’s economy has grown robust over the past year, with employment surpassing pre-pandemic levels, formalization progressing, and the financial sector remaining resilient. The current account deficit widened in 2023 as domestic demand and external shocks outweighed robust services exports and proactive diversification of critical oil imports. Despite this, growth is expected to remain strong, with real GDP projected to grow 6.3 percent in 2024 and 2025. However, risks to the outlook are balanced, with a sharp global growth slowdown and further global supply disruptions cited as potential challenges.
Executive Directors commended India’s authorities for their prudent macroeconomic policies and reforms that resulted in the country’s strong economic performance, resilience, and financial stability. They called for appropriate policies to sustain economic stability and further progress in critical structural reforms to unleash India’s significant potential.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) directors also praised the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) efforts to maintain economic stability through proactive monetary policy actions and a solid commitment to price stability. They agreed that the current neutral monetary policy stance, based on a data-dependent approach, is appropriate and should gradually help bring inflation back to its target level.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) annually conducts bilateral discussions with member countries to gather economic and financial information. During these discussions, officials discuss the country’s economic developments and policies. The IMF staff then prepares a report, which the Executive Board discusses. The Managing Director summarizes the views of the Executive Directors and transmits them to the member country’s authorities.
Source: IMF
|GlobalGiants.Com|
— The editor holds an Academic Certificate in Financial Market Analysis from the Institute for Capacity Development at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC.
The number of people in the labor force is generally closely related to whether an economy is growing at a reasonable rate. We explain unemployment in this video. https://t.co/kGB0Uom1lW pic.twitter.com/T2rohzC7PK
— IMF (@IMFNews) December 8, 2023
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:33 PM | View the original post
Photo: Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, in Florida, USA. December 7, 2023. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO / Bryan Cereijo.
Florida, USA, December 11, 2023 — The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, participated in events related to the U.N. Decade for Ocean Sciences (2021-2030) in Florida, USA, from 6-8 December. UNESCO, the leading U.N. agency, organized the events.
During Audrey Azoulay’s visit to Florida, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced their collaboration with UNESCO to enhance the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). A new environmental education project will also be developed in The Everglades, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve included on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
While she was present, NOAA and USGS announced their partnership with UNESCO to map and better understand marine biodiversity through the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).
The two American agencies will work in coordination with the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Biosphere Network (USBN) to share scientific data on UNESCO-protected natural sites in the United States via the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). As per the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science adopted at the end of 2021, the data will be available for the international scientific community to access and utilize for free.
The information gathered will be comparable to data collected from other global sites. It will be utilized in research to advance biodiversity knowledge and better understand climate change’s impact on all living species. The increased cooperation between American agencies and UNESCO was initiated by the United States rejoining the organization in July 2023.
Audrey Azoulay also visited The Everglades National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve listed as a site in danger by UNESCO. The park is a humid and tropical zone with a vast mangrove ecosystem, one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The ecosystem is home to hundreds of flora and fauna species, plays a significant role in carbon capture and storage, and supplies almost 9 million people drinking water.
On her visit, Audrey Azoulay underscored UNESCO’s commitment to supporting the site’s managers by contributing scientific expertise.
During the visit to Florida, the Director-General of UNESCO participated in several events at Art Basel Miami to strengthen the collaboration between scientists and artists to protect the marine environment.
Source: UNESCO
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:19 AM | View the original post
Photo: The Open Hand Monument, designed by Le Corbusier, is a symbolic structure at Capitol Complex, Chandigarh, India. It is the emblem of the Chandigarh Administration and symbolizes “the hand to give and the hand to take; peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind.” Image Credit & Copyright © Fernando Stankuns.
Chandigarh, India, December 10, 2023 — The Chandigarh Administration hosted the 7th International Standing Conference on Le Corbusier’s works at Chandigarh Secretariat, Sector 9, Chandigarh, India. Delegates from seven countries, France, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Japan, Switzerland, and India attended the Conference. The meeting focused on Le Corbusier’s outstanding contribution to the modern architectural movement.
The Conference was attended in person by the delegates present: Brigitte Bouvier, Benedicte Gandini from Fondation Le Corbusier, Paris, Benoit Dubosson of Switzerland, De Graef Rudy from Belgium, and Kazuho Nakatani from Japan. The other state members were present online through video conference.
During the 40th World Heritage Committee meeting held in Istanbul in 2016, all concerned state parties gave presentations on Le Corbusier’s works. As part of the transnational serial property under “The Architectural Works of Le Corbusier,” the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh, India, was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Chandigarh boasts a marvelous example of Le Corbusier’s architecture, which includes the Capitol Complex.
In 2023, India assumed the Presidency, and the Fondation Le Corbusier Secretariat in Paris decided that the 7th International Standing Conference would be in Chandigarh. Since becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Conferences have been held from 2017 to 2022 under different state parties’ presidencies.
The Chief Engineer of UT Chandigarh gave a detailed presentation on the Conservation of the Capitol Complex, and the Chandigarh College of Architecture presented a detailed report on the Heritage Impact Assessment.
During the International Standing Conference, all the State parties exchanged their views regarding the instruments of restoration and preservation used by the State Parties.
Source: Chandigarh Administration
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:03 PM | View the original post
Photo: Emily Wilkins, the new National Press Club, Washington, DC, President. Image provided by & copyright © Alan Kotok/National Press Club.
Washington, DC, December 10, 2023 — Emily Wilkins, Washington correspondent at CNBC, has been elected the 117th president of the National Press Club, Washington, DC.
“We’ve already done a lot with press freedom; we’re going to continue those efforts,” Wilkins said in her speech after the Club announced the results.
Wilkins pledged to continue the efforts of outgoing President Eileen O’Reilly, who she said focused on diversity and inclusion, making people feel more welcome at the Club and helping them better understand what the Club has to offer. O’Reilly is sure Wilkins will keep the Club moving forward.
“Emily has been active in leadership at the National Press Club for many years now, and I have every confidence she will be a fantastic president with sharp ideas on engaging our membership, driving new important efforts on press freedom, and continuing to strengthen the Club’s presence as a leader and a community for all journalists and communicators,” she said.
Wilkins started at CNBC in June, covering Congress, critical regulatory issues, and policies that impact American businesses and the economy. Before CNBC, she served as a reporter for Bloomberg Government, covering breaking news coming out of Washington and Congress with a focus on House leadership. She previously reported on education and labor for both Bloomberg Government and CQ Roll Call.
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists. Located three blocks from the White House, the Club has as its members more than 3,000 reporters, editors, and expert communicators worldwide representing almost every major news organization. Over the years, distinguished personalities, including U.S. Presidents and World Leaders such as India’s Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, have graced the Club with their presence as speakers.
Source: National Press Club, Washington, DC
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— The Editor is a Member of the National Press Club.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:28 AM | View the original post
Photo: Indian actress Deepika Padukone arrives on the red carpet of the 95th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Image provided by & copyright © Kyusung Gong / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
LOS ANGELES, CA, December 07, 2023 — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the list of feature films eligible for consideration in the International Feature Film category for the 96th Academy Awards.
Eighty-eight countries or regions have submitted films that qualify for the International Feature Film category.
An international film must be a feature-length motion picture (more than 40 minutes long) produced outside the United States with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.
The Academy has invited members from all branches to participate in the preliminary round of voting. However, they must meet a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in this category.
Photo: Complete list of eligible films for consideration for the International Feature Film Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards.
The Academy will announce the shortlist of 15 international films on Thursday, December 21, 2023. It will reveal the Nominations for the 96th Academy Awards on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
The 96th Oscars ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and broadcast live on A.B.C. and over 200 territories worldwide.
Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:05 AM | View the original post
New Delhi, December 06, 2023 — UNESCO today declared the “Garba of Gujarat” an intangible cultural heritage. This designation recognizes the role of Garba as a unifying force that fosters social and gender inclusivity. Garba is a dance form deeply rooted in ritualistic and devotional traditions and involves people from all walks of life.
The Evaluation Body of the 2003 Convention recognized India’s outstanding supporting material for the dossier. It acknowledged the importance of an element that champions unity in diversity and cultivates social equality among varied communities. This acknowledgment of UNESCO inscribing an intangible cultural heritage element from Gujarat, Garba, will significantly elevate its global visibility and authentic essence.
The Government of Gujarat is organizing several curated ‘Garba’ events across districts in Gujarat to celebrate this achievement. This listing mechanism aims to enhance the visibility of intangible cultural heritage, fostering awareness of its significance and promoting dialogue that respects cultural diversity.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, expressed happiness on the inscription of the Garba of Gujarat on the Intangible Heritage List of UNESCO. He said, “Garba is a celebration of life, unity, and our deep-rooted traditions. Its inscription on the Intangible Heritage List showcases to the world the beauty of Indian culture. This honor inspires us to preserve and promote our heritage for future generations. Congrats on this global acknowledgment.”
Alongside India, this year’s Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) comprised of Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Czechia, Ethiopia, Germany, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Source: Ministry of Culture, Government of India
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:41 PM | View the original post
Photo: Aleksandra Vrebalov (photo by Zeljko Mandic), the winner of the 2024 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition. Image provided by & copyright © University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award.
Louisville, Kentucky, December 4, 2023 — Aleksandra Vrebalov, a Serbian-American composer, has been awarded the 2024 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition for her nontraditional choral work, “Missa Supratext.” The piece is a 22-minute string quartet and girls’ chorus work incorporating bells, Tibetan bowls, and musical saws. Kronos Quartet and San Francisco Girls’ Chorus premiered the piece in 2018 in San Francisco with Valerie Sainte-Agathe conducting.
Vrebalov’s winning piece emphasizes the universality of human expression through music, bypassing a single language, style, or tradition. She blends diverse harmonies, rhythms, styles, and improvisations, conveying her devotion to music and the uniqueness of all things. The work’s Latin title translates to “Mass Above Words” in English.
Vrebalov, who lives in New York City, has composed more than 90 works, including orchestral, chamber, opera, and experimental pieces. She often starts by drawing and painting colorful images reflecting her ideas before converting the images into musical notation. Ensembles worldwide have performed her compositions, and she has received numerous honors, including the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Golden Emblem from the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vrebalov taught music at Serbia’s Novi Sad University and the City University of New York and has been a resident or visiting artist on three continents.
The University of Louisville presents the Grawemeyer Awards yearly to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in education, music composition, religion, psychology, and ideas that improve world order. The awards come with a cash prize of $100,000 and are considered one of the most prestigious honors in these fields.
Source: University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:58 AM | View the original post
Paris, France, December 01, 2023 — On its 60th anniversary, the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO-IIEP) organized a Symposium at its premises in Paris, France.
The Symposium explored how educational planning can reinvent itself to promote the transformative role of education and create a better future. With only seven years left to achieve the Education 2030 agenda, the event revived IIEP’s long-standing tradition of ‘taking stock’ of recent progress in educational planning and management to adapt to the changing needs of societies and craft new approaches, methodologies and tools accordingly.
The event brought together leading thinkers in the field, high-level representatives of Ministries of Education, IIEP Governing Board members, former directors, IIEP staff, representatives from UNESCO, General Conference delegates, and donor agencies. IIEP hosted the Symposium in a hybrid format at its premises in Paris, France, over two days. Both online and in-person audiences had the opportunity to get involved in the discussions over the two days, with interactivity built-in and adapted for each group.
UNESCO-IIEP has inspired societies to embrace change and transform education through innovative planning strategies. By constantly adapting to evolving needs and developing new methodologies, approaches, and tools, it has paved the way for a more progressive and inclusive educational landscape.
Source: UNESCO IIEP
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— The editor is an AHEP Member, and a UNESCO IIEP certified HE Planning Consultant.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:26 AM | View the original post
Photo: UNESCO adopts landmark guidance on education’s cross-cutting role in promoting goodwill and peace at its General Conference on November 20, 2023. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Sacha HERON.
Paris, France, November 24, 2023 — On November 20, 2023, all 194 UNESCO Member States adopted the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development at UNESCO’s General Conference. The Recommendation is a global standard-setting instrument that outlines how education should bring about lasting peace and foster human development through 14 guiding principles. The newly adopted text updates the “1974” Recommendation that, almost 50 years ago, united Member States in positioning education as a critical driver of peace and international understanding.
The Recommendation is unique in bringing together all dimensions of education and linking different thematic areas, from digital technologies and climate change to gender issues and fundamental freedoms. It acknowledges that peace is built not only through international negotiations but also on school benches, school yards and sports fields, arts, and science education, and throughout life. Education in all its forms and dimensions, in and out of schools, shapes how we see the world and treat others, and it can and should be a pathway to constructing lasting peace.
The new text outlines what exactly needs to change in approaches to education and how. It defines 14 guiding principles that should shape the transformation of education systems in the decades to come. 194 UNESCO Member States unanimously agreed to the revised text and recommended it for adoption by the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference.
The Recommendation strongly emphasizes human rights and fundamental freedoms. It integrates issues central to achieving lasting peace in our era, such as sustainable development, climate change, respect for diversity, gender equality, and media and information literacy. It outlines concrete learning outcomes and priority action areas for holistically reshaping all aspects of education systems, from laws and policies to curricula development, teaching practices, learning environments, and assessment.
It can be used by all education stakeholders - from policy-makers and teachers to informal educators and tradition-bearers - as a baseline to transform their policies, practices, and approaches to build empathetic and inclusive learners. It brings education with the times, considering how the world has changed and will continue to evolve in the decades.
Source: UNESCO
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:39 AM | View the original post
Photo: The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, felicitated eminent film personality Mrs. Madhuri Dixit Nene for her contribution to Bharatiya Cinema at the inaugural ceremony of the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), in Goa on November 20, 2023.
Mumbai, India, November 20, 2023 — Madhuri Dixit was honored with the prestigious ‘Special Recognition for Contribution to Bharatiya Cinema’ Award at India’s 54th International Film Festival. Anurag Singh Thakur, the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, announced the award at the festival’s inaugural function in Panaji, Goa.
Madhuri Dixit is a celebrated actress with a career spanning over four decades and has significantly impacted the Indian film industry. She has received six Filmfare Awards and has been nominated for the Best Actress award fourteen times. The ‘Special Recognition for Contribution to Bharatiya Cinema’ Award is a testimony to her exceptional achievements and enduring influence on Indian cinema.
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:21 AM | View the original post
Photos: Sheynnis Palacio from Nicaragua was crowned the winner of the Miss Universe pageant held in El Salvador on November 19, 2023. Images provided by and copyright © The Miss Universe Organization.
El Salvador, November 19, 2023 — Sheynnis Palacio, a 23-year-old mental health activist and audiovisual producer from Managua, Nicaragua, was crowned the winner of the Miss Universe pageant held in El Salvador on November 19, 2023. Congratulations to Sheynnis!
Source: The Miss Universe Organization
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Congratulations NICARAGUA!! 🎉🌟 @Sheynnispalacios_of#72ndMISSUNIVERSE #MissUniverse2023 pic.twitter.com/HWVzHeSTS5
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 19, 2023
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:33 PM | View the original post
Photos: Miss Universe contestants are arriving in El Salvador for the competition. Images credit: Miss Universe Organization.
El Salvador, November 13, 2023 — El Salvador is ready to welcome 86 candidates from various countries worldwide for the 72nd Miss Universe competition. The government has allocated a large budget to promote tourism in the country by hosting this event. Renowned for its stunning coastline, natural landscapes featuring volcanoes, and unique coffee, El Salvador will impress participants and viewers alike.
The Miss Universe Organization has announced the training schedule, activities, and rehearsals leading to the three shows. The 72nd Miss Universe Preliminary Competition will be streamed live on LiveBash on November 15, followed by the 72nd Miss Universe National Costume Show on November 16, and finally, the 72nd Miss Universe Competition Final on November 18. Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai will return to the Miss Universe stage to host the event, joined by Maria Menounos.
It is only the second time that the show will feature an all-female hosting team. Miss Universe has partnered with Carnival Cruise Line again, and one lucky candidate will receive the “Spirit of Carnival Award” along with a Carnival cruise vacation. Furthermore, Clarisse Designs will provide dresses for all 86 delegates to wear for the opening numbers of the preliminary and final competitions.
Shweta Sharda from Chandigarh, now settled in Mumbai, represents India.
El Salvador is a Central American country with a population of over 6 million people. Honduras borders it to the northeast, Guatemala to the northwest, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. San Salvador, the country’s capital, is also its largest city. El Salvador is known for its beautiful beaches, volcanoes, and natural landscapes, attracting tourists worldwide. The official language is Spanish.
Source: Miss Universe Organization
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:42 AM | View the original post
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