Category: Global

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RIU donates $400,000 to help victims of the earthquakes in Mexico

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Palma de Majorca, Spain on October 10th, 2017

  • The hotel chain has signed an agreement with UNICEF for this organisation to manage these resources, which will be dedicated to the “Back to School” programme
  • RIU’s donation will serve to set up and equip temporary classrooms so that children will not have to interrupt their education while their schools are being rebuilt or repaired

RIU Hotels & Resorts has donated $400,000 to UNICEF to address the most urgent needs in the area of education and protection following the earthquakes that occurred on 7 and 19 September in Mexico. This aid will used to build temporary classrooms, as well as for purchasing the furniture and equipment needed by students and teachers. According to UNICEF calculations, RIU’s donation could contribute to building and setting up nearly 100 classrooms, which would enable hundreds of children to immediately resume their education while waiting for schools to be repaired or rebuilt. Continue reading “RIU donates $400,000 to help victims of the earthquakes in Mexico”

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Rubin Museum New York hosting 24-hour ragas festival

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Rubin Museum of Art (RMA) in New York is hosting “Ragas Live Festival—24 hours of sacred sound” on October 21-22, where guests with a $280 ticket get handpicked gallery sleeping spot under an artwork and may bring bedding.

Starting 10 am on October 21 and ending at 10 am on October 22, this overnight Indian classical music concert, whose tagline is “Color your mind at Ragas Live Festival”, includes performances by over 50 master musicians and is a first for RMA. Museum will also provide lounge areas in the lobby for naps and spaces where guests can make themselves cozy.

A worldwide audience will share this “immersive 24-hour global listening experience” in real time via a live radio broadcast. Museum Café will serve “mango lassis”, and the event includes meditation and traditional Hindu sunrise puja (prayer).

Musical instruments to be used during the festival include sitar, kanjira, tabla, bansuri, sarod, sarangi, harmonium, mridangam, santoor, etc. It would showcase some hundreds of years old compositions and includes many artists from India. Continue reading “Rubin Museum New York hosting 24-hour ragas festival”

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Nobel Prize for Physics, 2017 – Indian Connection 

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The 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics has been conferred to three scientists namely Rainer Weiss, Barry C Barish & Kip S Thorne under the LIGO Project for their discovery of gravitational waves, 100 years after Einstein’s General Relativity predicted it. The Nobel Prize for Physics 2017 celebrates the direct detection of Gravitational waves arriving from the merger two large Black holes in a distant galaxy a Billion of light years away. Gravitational waves carry information about their dramatic origins and about the nature of gravity that cannot otherwise be obtained. This opens a new window to Astronomy since Gravitational Waves are an entirely new way of observing the most violent events in space.

This is a proud moment for India also, since the discovery paper has 39 Indian authors/scientists from nine institutions-, CMI Chennai, ICTS-TIFR Bengaluru, IISER-Kolkata, IISER-Trivandrum, IIT Gandhinagar, IPR Gandhinagar, IUCAA Pune, RRCAT Indore and TIFR Mumbai. primarily funded through individual/ institutional grants by Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science & Technology and Ministry of Human Resource Development AE, DST and MHRD, who are co-authors of this discovery paper.

The group led by Bala Iyer (currently at ICTS-TIFR) at the Raman Research Institute in collaboration with scientists in France had pioneered the mathematical calculations used to model Gravitational Wave signals from orbiting black holes and neutron stars. Theoretical work that combined black holes and gravitational waves was published by C. V. Vishveshwara in 1970. These contributions are prominently cited in the discovery paper. Continue reading “Nobel Prize for Physics, 2017 – Indian Connection “

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Amazon Adventure Opens October 6 at Ontario Science Centre

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 An immersive IMAX® experience based on a true story of  scientific discovery set in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest Opens October 6 at Ontario Science Centre’s Shoppers Drug Mart® OMNIMAX® Theatre

Toronto (October 3, 2017) – AMAZON ADVENTURE traces the 11‐year Amazon rainforest expedition of
naturalist, explorer and scientist Henry Walter Bates, who provided “the beautiful proof” to Charles
Darwin for his then controversial theory of natural selection, the scientific explanation for the
development of life on Earth. AMAZON ADVENTURE is a compelling detective story of peril,
perseverance and success, drawing audiences into the fascinating world of animal mimicry, the natural
phenomenon where one animal adopts the look of another, gaining an advantage to survive. AMAZON
ADVENTURE opens to the public at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto on October 6, 2017; the film’s
run time is 45 minutes.

“This compelling real life story chronicles the search for experimental proof for Darwin’s theory of
natural selection in the remote Amazon basin,” said Maurice Bitran, Ph.D., CEO and Chief Science
Officer, Ontario Science Centre, “providing an inspiring demonstration of the scientific method at work
as well as highlighting the curiosity and perseverance required for scientific breakthrough.”

Continue reading “Amazon Adventure Opens October 6 at Ontario Science Centre”

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SKN Foundation Gala hosts fundraiser for South Asian children with special needs

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 More than 500 supporters in the fields of business, arts, philanthropy and medicine attended the annual SKN Hope Gala on Friday evening at the Marigold Hotel in Somerset, New Jersey, which focused its efforts to raise funds for South Asian children with special needs this year.

“We could not be more humbled by the love and generosity of the community,” said founder Dr. Naveen Mehrotra. “SKN’s goal is to educate the South Asian community about the various diseases that plague our loved ones, and this year, we wanted to shed light on how parents cope with their children with special needs.” The major beneficiary of this year’s fundraiser will be the Special Needs Community Outreach Program for Empowerment (SCOPE). 

Guest of Honor Juhi Chawla, a renowned Indian actress, humanitarian and former Miss India, spoke at the event and served as the show stopper for international fashion designer to the stars, Joy Mitra, who debuted a special collection he created just for the cause. The fashion show spotlighted special needs children, who walked the ramp with their mothers, followed by an intimate Q&A between host Mini Mathur and the fathers. “What an amazing opportunity for my son! I am so proud of him every day, and walking the ramp, dressed up so fabulously, allowed him to know that we love him just as he is,” said Radha Lath, mother of Aditya Lath, a child with special needs.
Continue reading “SKN Foundation Gala hosts fundraiser for South Asian children with special needs”

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Alibaba hosts Gateway’17 highlighting China

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The event, hosted by Alibaba, brought together Canadian small businesses to learn how to better access the growing Chinese market

Canada and China enjoy strong and deep people-to-people and business-to-business ties, and there is tremendous opportunity for further growth. This was the message delivered by the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, during her introduction of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, at Gateway ’17.

Gateway ’17, a business fair hosted by Alibaba, brought together Canadian small businesses to encourage them to expand into the Chinese market, particularly using the Alibaba platform. Alibaba is the largest online retailer in the world.

During her remarks, Minister Chagger spoke about the Government of Canada’s commitment to building stronger ties with China, especially through increased tourism during the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018 and for years to come.

The Minister also commended Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, for organizing the She-ERA Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship in Hangzhou, China, this past July. Minister Chagger represented the Government at the conference, and in her keynote address, she emphasized Canada’s continued commitment to promoting equality through empowering women entrepreneurs. The conference, which also featured a video from Prime Minister Trudeau, was an impressive discussion about the valuable contribution women are making to business and the work that still remains to achieve full equality.

Continue reading “Alibaba hosts Gateway’17 highlighting China”

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Invictus Games 2017 Opening Ceremony: Fusion of Salutations and Celebrations!

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Toronto’s glittering culture and its talent for visually striking performance powered the Opening Ceremony of Invictus Games last night, at Air Canada Centre. Organizers unleashed parades, bands, drums, singers and dancers in a display aimed to delight a worldwide audience.

Prince Harry, the founder of the games was present at the spectacular ceremony   to initiate the proceedings and mark the official opening. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who was the first speaker, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Melania Trump joined him at the festivities.

The evening was abounding with inspiring speeches and entertainment, starting with Luca “Lazy Legs” Patuelli, a Montreal break dancing performer with arthrogryposis, a neuromuscular disease that affects the use of his legs.

The show   kicked-off with a parade that celebrated the arrival of more than 500 athletes from 17 countries in the stadium.  In the Parade of Nations, where the athletes walk through the stadium, the delegations were announced in alphabetical order and the Canadian Team, led by flag-bearer Phil Badanai made a grand debut amidst loud cheers at the end.

Mike Myers, a Canadian comedian and Ambassador for the Games said “he was Brit by birth, American by God’s Grace and Canadian by divine intervention.” He spoke about his military family as both parents served in the Second World War. Rick Hansen and Captain Trevor Greene also gave emotional, awe-inspiring speeches. Continue reading “Invictus Games 2017 Opening Ceremony: Fusion of Salutations and Celebrations!”

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FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 Official Emblem unveiled

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FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 today unveiled the Official Emblem of the competition in Rennes, France.

The youth competition will take place in the Brittany region of France from 5 to 24 August 2018, and its Official Emblem reflects the strong history and values of the Breton culture. It features a triskele motif, echoing the area’s Celtic past, and black-and-white stripes, representing the Breton flag. The body of the trophy is a lighthouse, a common sight across the coast of Brittany, evoking the theme of light, an element central to the tournament as illustrated by its Official Slogan, #DareToShine.

Speaking at the Official Emblem launch, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “Brittany is one of France’s strongest regions for women’s football, and I am certain that as host of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup it will inspire young footballers to showcase their skills and overcome their limits. Women’s football is well established in France but of course our efforts to bring more young players into the game are never finished. This youth tournament is the perfect platform to reinforce this message and continue developing the women’s game.”

LOC Vice-President Brigitte Henriques added: “For the very first time, our country will have the privilege of hosting a major youth international tournament, which will bring together the 16 best U-20 women’s teams in the world, including France. There will be 32 matches in the four host cities of Concarneau, Dinan/Léhon, Saint-Malo and Vannes. Brittany, a region passionate about football, is already enthusiastically preparing. Continue reading “FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 Official Emblem unveiled”

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to visit Canada

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, will come to Canada for a working visit on September 22 and 23, 2017. The two leaders will meet on September 22, 2017, in Toronto on the margins of the Invictus Games.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Poroshenko will discuss how to strengthen the already robust security and people-to-people connections between Canada and Ukraine. Prime Minister Trudeau will also reiterate Canada’s ongoing support for the people of Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its reform efforts.

Our two countries have a long history of friendship, common values, and shared ambitions for the future of our people. Canada is committed to the continued deepening of our relations with Ukraine, including through the opportunities created by the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement.

“Canada and Ukraine enjoy a historic friendship forged through generations of shared values and strong relations. Canada will continue to work closely with Ukraine to bring greater security, prosperity, and economic independence to the Ukrainian people.”
— Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

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Legends match sets stage for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017

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With just one month to go before the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 kicks off, five FIFA Legends – Carlos Valderrama, Fernando Morientes, Marcel Desailly, Jorge Campos and Emmanuel Amuneke – took part in a special exhibition game at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium, and unveiled the Winner’s Trophy for the Navi Mumbai leg of the FIFA Trophy Experience.

It was an unforgettable day for Indian football as the FIFA Legends took on a team containing Arjuna Award winner Oinam Bembem Devi, Indian women’s national team captain Ngangom Bala Devi, two kids from Mission XI Million (the legacy programme for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017), Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise Babul Supriyo and Bollywood film-maker Shoojit Sircar.

Football fans in Mumbai cheered for both teams at the match, which ended 5-4 in favour of the FIFA Legends. Fernando Morientes scored four goals, while Bala Devi was the standout performer for the Indian icons, scoring two goals and providing an assist.

Emmanuel Amuneke, winner of the FIFA U-17 World Cup with Nigeria as coach, said: “I think that when coaching U-17 players, the most important thing is to try to make sure they see you as someone who can add to their game. Try as much as you can to guide them and don’t forget that there are distractions going on in their minds. The most important thing is to bring them to a level where they can compete with teams all over the world.” Continue reading “Legends match sets stage for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017”