Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
ACCRA, Ghana, April 21, 2025/APO Group/ —
African mining projects are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and meet ambitious production targets set by governments across the continent. As the mining industry undergoes a digital transformation, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) will highlight the pivotal role of AI and other digital tools in optimizing exploration and production processes, with a view to unlocking new mineral reserves, reducing costs and enhancing worker safety.
Botswana Diversifies Mineral Portfolio
In Botswana, Botswana Diamonds is expanding its mineral portfolio beyond diamonds with an AI-based nationwide exploration campaign launched in August 2024. By March 2025, the company identified potential deposits of besshi, greenstone, Mississippi Valley-type lead and zinc, SEDEX and platinum group metals (PGMs). To capitalize on these discoveries, Botswana Diamonds has applied for 11 new prospecting licenses. John Teeling, Chairman of Botswana Diamonds, stated: “During the initial analysis of the big database, it became clear that the AI technology could be used to identify other unknown minerals opportunities… Our analysis so far has identified a series of targets in copper cobalt, zinc and gold.”
KoBold Advances Zambia’s Critical Mineral Market
U.S.-based startup KoBold Metals is applying AI to enhance critical mineral exploration and mine development in Zambia. In January 2025, KoBold raised $537 million in new capital, bringing its total funding to $1 billion. The company is developing one of the world’s largest untapped copper basins in Zambia, with plans to produce 300,000 tons annually by 2030 from its $2 billion Mingomba Project. Additionally, KoBold Metals is exploring the Dumbwa Mine and Konkola West Project, contributing to Zambia’s goal of reaching 3 million tons of annual copper production by 2031.
Kilken Platinum Drives Mine Expansion
In South Africa, Kilken Platinum is utilizing AI to optimize operations at its Thabazimbi processing plant in Limpopo as part of an expansion plan to double PGM production to 83kgs per month. The project has already increased output to 40kgs in its initial phase. Dondo Mogajane, CEO of Kilken Platinum’s parent company Moti Group, emphasized that AI enables real-time tracking of production metrics and ensures strict adherence to safety protocols.
Beyond these projects, Rio Tinto subsidiary Richards Bay Minerals is employing AI for ore body modeling, equipment dispatch management and blast control at its mines in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Glencore is leveraging digital technology to streamline critical mineral exploration as part of its Phase 2 expansion at the KTO copper and cobalt project. AMW 2025 will feature high-level discussions focused on AI’s impact on industry growth, investment opportunities for technology providers and the broader economic benefits of digital transformation in mining.
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The 10th St. Petersburg International Economic Congress was held. The main topic was “Labor and the Transformation of Society: Knowledge, Creativity, Noonomics.” The event was organized by the S. Yu. Witte Institute for New Industrial Development together with the Free Economic Society of Russia with the participation of the Economics Section of the Social Sciences Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Department of Global Problems and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the assistance of the World Association of Political Economy and the International Union of Economists. This significant event brought together more than a thousand leading scientists, experts, and representatives of the business community from Russia and 12 countries, including China, India, Greece, Great Britain, Canada, Turkey, Austria, Hungary, and others.
At the plenary session, the Director of the Witte Institute of Industrial Development and the President of the Free Economic Society of Russia Sergei Bodrunov noted that over 10 years of work, SPEC has achieved significant results – both theoretical and practical, and has become a provider of scientific thought into practice. SPEC-2025 received numerous greetings from scientists, public and government figures: the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov, the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov, the head of the UN group in Russia Vladimir Kuznetsov, the President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin. They all emphasized the high importance of such events for uniting the country’s intellectual potential and expert discussion of fundamental problems of economic science, the development of practical mechanisms for solving pressing problems.
In his greeting to the participants of SPEC-2025, the rector of SPbPU and chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy pointed out the importance of consolidating the efforts of the scientific and expert community to solve the problems of Russia’s socio-economic development.
“Traditionally, the congress brings together researchers from various fields – economists, sociologists, philosophers, lawyers, historians, education specialists and representatives of the exact sciences. Key issues of the global economy, social structure and problems of strategic development of Russia are discussed here. Today, the country faces difficult geopolitical tasks. The system of international relations and the structure of world economies are undergoing significant changes. In these conditions, it is especially important to develop theoretical and practical proposals for the transformation of national institutions, to consolidate the efforts of scientific communities in order to ensure the implementation of national development goals of the country,” Andrei Ivanovich noted.
The congress was attended by Abel Aganbegyan (Corresponding Member of the British Academy, Honorary Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Vice President of the Russian Economic Society), Sergey Glazyev (current member of the Board for Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission), Vladimir Okrepilov (member of the Presidium of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of St. Petersburg) and other renowned economists.
The forum participants discussed key challenges of our time — from personnel shortages and digital transformation to technological sovereignty and the development of the creative economy. Plenary sessions and round tables featured reports on innovations in the agricultural and industrial sectors, the prospects of artificial intelligence, strategic planning, and new approaches to macroeconomic modeling.
Polytechnic University was represented at the congress by the IPMET delegation consisting of representatives of the institute’s structural divisions. Our colleagues took an active part in the work of the forum. Some moderated sections, some made reports, and students had a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the latest research and discuss current issues with leading experts.
Director of the Higher School of Business Engineering Igor Ilyin not only acted as a moderator of the section “Structural, Technological and Digital Transformation of Industry in Russia”, but also presented a report on the implementation of digital technologies in the process architecture of enterprises and organizations. As part of SPEC-2025, Igor Vasilyevich headed the section, which brought together leading experts, representatives of industrial companies and scientists. The main focus of the section was on discussing current trends, challenges and prospects for digital transformation in Russian industry.
“Digital transformation is not just the introduction of new technologies, it is a change in the entire business logic, processes and approaches to management. And successful transformation requires a comprehensive approach, including both technological and organizational changes,” Igor Vasilyevich emphasized.
In his report, Igor Vasilyevich presented an analysis of modern digital technologies and their impact on the process architecture of enterprises. He focused in detail on such relevant areas as artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital twins, the Internet of Things (IoT) and confidential cloud computing. The practical examples presented in the report included cases from the medical and energy industries, which are being worked on within the framework of close cooperation between the Higher School of Business and the Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research and Education on Technological and Economic Problems of Energy Transition (CIRETEC-GT) headed by Igor Vasilyevich and business partners of the Institute of Mechanics and Electronics and Telecommunications.
Teachers and students of the Higher School of Industrial Management also took an active part in the forum. Associate Professor Olga Ergunova and Senior Lecturer Andrey Somov made presentations. Also, student reports were presented by HSPM Master’s students Maria Belova and Diana Yakimenko, who demonstrated a high level of research training. The reports were presented in specialized sections devoted to the digitalization of the economy, intellectual work and the transformation of production and social practices.
The report by Marina Yanenko, professor at the Higher School of Service and Trade, presented an analysis of the impact of artificial intelligence on the process of market transformation, changes in business requirements for the knowledge and skills of specialists, and the emergence of new needs for the content of labor. Marina Borisovna noted that the growing availability of artificial intelligence makes it a key tool in a wide variety of economic sectors and formulated recommendations for improving competitive strategies in the labor market in the context of the development of artificial intelligence.
The Higher School of Engineering and Economics was represented by the Head of the Research Laboratory “Digital Economy of Industry” Professor Alexander Babkin, Professor Irina Rudskaya, Associate Professor Lyudmila Guzikova and Associate Professor Nikolai Dmitriev. Lyudmila Aleksandrovna participated as a moderator of the seminar “New and Old Challenges of the Russian Labor Market: Adaptation Strategies of Various Socio-Demographic Groups”, and also spoke at this seminar with a report on the topic “Implementation of the Principles of Noonomics in a Unified Interregional System of the Labor Market for Specialists with Higher Education”. Alexander Vasilyevich took part in the plenary session and also made a report on the topic: “Strategizing the Digital Transformation of the Intelligent Cyber-Social Industrial Ecosystem Based on Industry 6.0”, noting that in modern conditions, issues of developing strategic approaches to the integration of advanced technologies and the creation of sustainable, human-oriented production systems are relevant.
This year, representatives of the Department of Economic Theory of the IPMEiT took an active part in the work of the congress: Associate Professor Elena Milskaya, Associate Professor Anna Strizhak, Associate Professor Ekaterina Afonichkina, Associate Professor Olga Naumova, as well as 47 students in the areas of “Economic Security”, “Economic Statistics”, “Customs”.
“We really enjoyed the event, we learned a lot of new things, the ideas and topics of the speakers inspired us to study individual economic issues in detail. It was great that we could choose the literature ourselves and take it for study. I would also like to emphasize the relevance of each problem raised at the congress, this is what aroused special interest. It was interesting to listen to the reasoning of professors and prominent figures in economics. We thank the organizers and want to say a huge thank you to Elena Andreevna Milskaya, who gave us a chance to become participants in the congress. It is great that our educational program in macroeconomics goes beyond the university!” – noted student of group 3753801/40002 Yulia Arteyeva.
SPEC-2025 has once again confirmed its importance as a leading platform for discussing strategic challenges and opportunities in the knowledge economy. The participation of IPMET representatives in such a large-scale scientific event emphasizes the university’s sustainable aspiration for scientific leadership, integration into the expert community and the development of young scientists.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
From the moment of his election in 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the man who became Pope Francis, proved himself to be unconventional.
Shedding much of the formality of previous papal elections, he appeared for the first time on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica in a simple white cassock without the red ermine-trimmed cape, known as a mozzetta, traditionally worn on such occasions.
On his chest was the silver pectoral cross he had worn as archbishop of Buenos Aires, rather than the gold cross worn by previous popes. His early demonstrations of unconventionality went beyond his dress as he refused to live in the Apostolic Palace, residing primarily in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse.
He was a pope of other firsts.
He took the name, Francis, in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, becoming the first uniquely named pope in over 1,000 years (the last being Pope Lando in 913). Many of his major teachings, known as “papal encyclicals”, echoed the wisdom of Saint Francis.
For instance, Laudato Si (Praise Be to You, 2015) and Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers and Sisters, 2020), concerning care for the planet and care for each other respectively, drew their inspiration from the saint.
“My roots are Italian, but I am Argentinian and Latin American,” he insisted in his recent autobiography. It was this background as the first pope from the southern hemisphere, and his upbringing in Argentina, that formed his role as a voice for those on the peripheries of society: migrants, the poor, victims of war and the helpless.
Such an approach also reflected a diverse new reality within the church. The majority of the 1.36 billion Catholics around the world live outside Europe and North America.
He made clear early on that representing this new reality was central to his papacy by making his first official papal visit outside of Rome to the island of Lampedusa in southern Italy, where many migrants and refugees fleeing warfare attempted to land as a route into Europe. Denouncing people trafficking and referring to the 2013 migrant shipwreck that killed over 300 people, Pope Francis would later describe the island as an “underwater cemetery for too, too many corpses”.
A modernising pope
Pope Francis was also the first pope to be formed entirely in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which brought about fundamental changes to how the Catholic church related to wider society and the “modern world”. This included the celebration of the Mass in vernacular languages, rather than exclusively Latin.
Such formation shaped his attitude on such topics as the role of women in the church, technology and AI, the ongoing ecological crisis and the relationship between Catholicism and other faiths.
While the pope had made clear his feelings that “Vatican II” had not yet been fully implemented, his adherence to its ethos has made him unpopular with Catholics who view the changes brought about by the council as misplaced.
In 2021, he imposed new restrictions on the use of the older Latin mass, which had been commonplace before the council, now requiring priests to have the permission of their bishop for such a celebration. This reversed the allowances of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who had permitted all priests to say Mass using the Roman Missal of 1962, without bishops permitting them.
The move was unpopular among many traditionalists who saw the pope as distancing himself from historical tradition. In response, the pope had criticised “those who seek to ‘safeguard the ashes’ of the past” rather than concerning themselves with the future growth and progress of the church.
In many ways, Pope Francis embodied a tension at the heart of Catholicism in the 21st century: too liberal for some Catholics and not liberal enough for others. As such, his attempts at reform necessarily became a fine balancing act. History will undoubtedly judge whether the right balance was struck.
His papacy was not without controversy. In May 2024 he apologised for using a derogatory term for gay men in a private meeting with Italian bishops, the remarks splashed on headlines around the world. The episode was particularly shocking as he had previously indicated a shift in the tone of the church’s attitude on issues such as blessings for same-sex couples.
In 2018, he admitted he made “grave errors” in his handling of clerical abuse cases in Chile. During a visit to the country, he had defended Bishop Juan Barros who stood accused of covering up sexual abuse. The pope cited a “lack of truthful and balanced information” and subsequently invited the victims to Rome to apologise.
The pope’s funeral and burial will continue his unconventionality. He will forgo the traditional three interlocking caskets of cypress, lead and oak, instead requesting a simple, zinc-lined wooden coffin.
He will also be the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century, asking instead to be buried at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major. His funeral ceremony will also be simplified and shortened at his request.
Such will be the last act of an unconventional pope, for as he states in his autobiography, “the bishop of Rome is a pastor and a disciple, not a powerful man of this world”.
Liam Temple does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recently discussed China’s growing cultural impact and expressed optimism about cultural exchange between China and the United States.
Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, speaks at a forum during the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, Beijing, April 19, 2025. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]
Yang, the first Asian American president to lead the film academy, is currently attending the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, which opened on April 18. The nonprofit academy behind the Oscars remains the world’s premier organization for film artists with nearly 11,000 members.
The New York-born producer and daughter of Chinese immigrants has long been a significant figure in Hollywood’s Asian American community. Her career rose to prominence through her collaboration with Steven Spielberg on “Empire of the Sun,” which was filmed in Shanghai. Her subsequent film and television credits include “The Joy Luck Club,” “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “Dark Matter” and “Over the Moon.”
“My personal and professional experiences tell me that film has a unique power to bring people together,” she said at a forum during the film festival on April 19. “That is why I remain perpetually optimistic about cultural exchange between not only our two nations, but among everyone everywhere in the world.”
She explained global film collaboration matters because filmmaking is inherently collaborative. Exchanging ideas and techniques enriches creativity and builds universal narratives that drive economic success. As new technologies break barriers, cross-border collaboration becomes indispensable.
“Strategies in today’s competitive market for Chinese filmmakers with such a rich cultural legacy, embracing collaboration with international artists, particularly those with an interest in the culture, have amplified Chinese storytelling and created significant financial opportunities. In essence, global collaboration is both a pathway to cultural innovation and a strategic economic advantage that benefits us all,” she said.
Yang noted audiences now strongly respond to original, emotionally true and culturally specific stories, citing “Parasite,” 2020’s historic non-English Oscar best picture winner, and this year’s winner “Anora,” a small, intimate film with deep humanity. Asian diaspora stories are also gaining major award recognition, she observed, with films like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — a Chinese American independent absurdist sci-fi comedy-drama — winning seven Oscars including best picture in 2023. Independent Chinese cinema, such as Guan Hu’s “Black Dog,” which was nominated for a film independent spirit award after its Cannes premiere, proves budget constraints do not limit humanistic force.
“These films prove that audiences don’t need to fully understand the culture to be moved by it,” she said. “For Chinese filmmakers, this is an amazing opportunity to go global, to get films out into the international marketplace.”
Yang’s own journey stands as a powerful testament to the value of film as a cultural bridge. She recalled how a 1972 trip to China, where she witnessed her parents’ emotional reunion with relatives after 35 years apart, inspired her to study Chinese and later work in Beijing. Immersed in Chinese cinema, she found stories that helped shape her identity and career path. She launched her career by running North America’s first Chinese film distribution company, bringing fifth-generation cinema to Western audiences. She facilitated the making of “Empire of the Sun,” and continues to help forge bonds between Hollywood and China. Following China’s rapid cinematic rise after the 2008 Olympics, she pioneered U.S.-China film summits and co-productions like “Shanghai Calling” and a localized “High School Musical” adaptation.
She noted challenges confronting world cinemas, including lower box office numbers following the pandemic and the new realities of artificial intelligence. While recognizing AI as a powerful tool, she warned of potential risks like job losses and films becoming technically proficient but emotionally hollow.
“Too often, decisions in our business are driven by profit rather than cultural value. We absolutely need a healthy industry to sustain the art form. We also need to protect what makes cinema meaningful — its ability to move us, to challenge us and to reflect our shared humanity,” Yang said.
The president noted that millions of overseas Chinese long to see their culture reflected and better understood worldwide. “I believe the world is beginning to listen,” she said.
Just this past year, remarkable signs showed China’s culture gaining global momentum — from the success of video game “Black Myth: Wukong” and adaptations of “The Three-Body Problem” novel to the record-shattering achievement of animated movie “Ne Zha 2” — demonstrating the country’s growing cultural influence. Social platforms like TikTok, Xiaohongshu and IShowSpeed’s recent livestreams in China further showcase Chinese life, while AI tools like DeepSeek extend this reach.
“This phenomenon alone has become a powerful cultural moment in its own right — a terribly exciting milestone,” she said. “These are all signals of something larger. China’s cultural voice is rising. It’s claiming its rightful place on the world stage.”
What you need to know: Leaders across the nation, from elected officials to representatives from the business community, are praising California’s efforts to challenge President Trump’s authority to unilaterally enact tariffs.
SACRAMENTO – This week, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a joint lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit seeks to end President Trump’s tariff chaos, which has created havoc on the economy, destabilized the stock and bond markets and caused hundreds of billions of dollars in losses, and inflicted higher costs for consumers and businesses. These harms will only continue to grow, as President Trump’s tariffs are projected to shrink the U.S. economy by $100 billion annually.
State leaders
Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire: “President Trump’s last trade war cost America’s ag industry $27 billion. This time around, California’s farmers and families across the state are getting hit even harder. The Golden State is the nation’s largest importer and second largest exporter, the largest manufacturing state, and the 5th largest economy in the world. Republicans in Congress are simply sitting on their hands as the President burns the economy down. Too much is at stake, which is why the Governor and the Attorney General’s action is so important.”
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas: “Trump’s tariffs are the single largest tax increase in our lifetime, and they’re jamming Californians with higher prices on groceries, medicine and cars. This is why we enacted a legal defense fund: to fight Republican policies that harm taxpayers. We’re protecting our residents — and all American families — from unlawful economic chaos.”
Retail and business leaders
Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce: “CalChamber has long supported a free trade agenda that fosters economic growth and job creation, including advocacy on lowering or eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers for businesses. Protectionist measures, such as tariffs, disrupt global supply chains and raise costs on businesses, which are ultimately reflected through higher consumer prices or limited choices on products. As Californians grapple with rising costs and worry about daily pocketbook issues, additional tariffs will only further exacerbate the affordability crisis that millions are facing and will have dire consequences on the California economy.”
Rachel Michelin, President and CEO of the California Retailers Association: “Retailers across California—large and small—are navigating an unprecedented level of uncertainty due to these tariffs. For small businesses in particular, the volatility is devastating. Many neighborhood retailers simply do not have the resources to absorb these additional costs or quickly pivot supply chains forcing them to either raise prices or risk going out of business altogether. This is not sustainable for our communities or California’s economy and the current environment makes it nearly impossible to plan for the future. While we recognize the federal government’s goal of strengthening American industry, we urge all leaders to consider the real-world impact on our state’s businesses and families. California’s retailers stand ready to work with the Governor and Attorney General to find solutions that support growth, stability, and prosperity for all Californians.”
Rodney Fong, CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce: “These tariffs are having a devastating downstream impact on San Francisco’s economy — especially our small businesses that rely on global supply chains and export markets to survive. From rising costs on imported goods to sudden disruptions in inventory and operations, our local entrepreneurs are bearing the brunt of an unpredictable trade policy. We support the state’s efforts to restore certainty and stability to the economic environment our businesses depend on.”
Jason Pagiou, President and CEO of the Asian Business Association of San Diego: “As President and CEO of the Asian Business Association, we want to thank Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta for their continued leadership in protecting working families and small businesses across California. Our latest survey shows that economic pressure isn’t just theoretical — it’s showing up in rent, grocery bills, and the rising costs of essentials.”
Shipping and logistics leaders
Martha Miller, Executive Director of the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA): “California is home to the most productive goods movement system in the Nation, moving cargo to every corner of the country and supporting millions of jobs. As the primary trade gateway with Asia, our state’s ports are among the first to experience the impacts that tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, and trade uncertainty creates across the global supply chain. We support the Governor’s leadership to mitigate the impacts of these tariffs on American consumers, workers, and businesses.”
Mike Jacob, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA): “No state has more private and public dollars invested in their seaports, logistics infrastructure, and freight transportation sector than California, and, as a result, no state has more jobs, more economic activity, more public financing, and more state and local tax revenues at risk of being a casualty in a global trade war than California. We applaud the leadership of the Governor and Attorney General to defend our private and public investments in the largest, most productive, and most environmentally advanced maritime gateways in the Western Hemisphere.”
City leaders
Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach: “Governor Newsom’s announcement of California’s lawsuit represents a critical opportunity to pause and evaluate the real-world impacts of these sweeping tariff changes. Here in Long Beach—home to the nation’s busiest container port—we’re already projecting a 20% drop in cargo volume in the second half of the year. That’s not just a local issue. Trade through the Port of Long Beach supports 2.6 million jobs across the country. Sudden shifts in trade policy, without robust dialogue or congressional oversight, risk long-term harm to our economy and to working families nationwide. It’s time for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to shaping U.S. trade policy.”
Victor Gordo, Mayor of Pasadena: “In Pasadena, we’re focused on building back a strong, resilient economy. We’re investing in our small businesses, we’re encouraging job development, and we’re laying the groundwork for long-term growth. But these federal tariffs jeopardize all of that. They drive up costs, create uncertainty, and threaten the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve. That’s why I stand with Governor Newsom in challenging these policies—because cities like ours can’t afford to pay the price for decisions that are short-sighted and out of step with our local needs.”
Larry Agran, Mayor of Irvine: “I appreciate the leadership that Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta are providing in challenging the legality of the Trump Tariffs. Other states need to follow California’s lead. If these tariffs are fully implemented, the effects will be devastating here in Irvine – many thousands of jobs lost, and sharp rises in prices of food, clothing, cars and other goods and services. Evictions and worsening homelessness will inevitably follow. We simply can’t let any of this happen. – Larry Agran, Mayor of Irvine.”
Kevin Jenkins, Interim Mayor of Oakland: “Oakland is grateful for the steadfast leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta in standing up to the Trump administration’s sweeping tariff proposals. These actions pose a serious threat to California’s economy, including the Port of Oakland and our small businesses, and jeopardize thousands of jobs tied to trade and commerce.”
Matt Mahan, Mayor of San Jose: “Silicon Valley’s success story is built on the free movement of people, ideas, and goods as well as laws that protect those freedoms from arbitrary restrictions. Our companies and communities succeed when we can export their innovative and essential products all over the world.”
Raj Salwan, Mayor of Fremont: “Fremont is the advanced manufacturing capital of Silicon Valley. With the largest manufacturing base in California, we are home to over 900 manufacturers powering industries from semiconductors and artificial intelligence to American-made electric vehicles. Tariffs threaten the global supply chains that sustain our local economy and jeopardize tens of thousands of local jobs. We are hearing directly from our manufacturers that untenable cost increases for key components and growing policy uncertainty around tariffs are leading them to re-evaluate their expansion plans or US operations entirely. Fremont is a shining example of re-shoring U.S. manufacturing and indiscriminate tariffs run completely counter to this stated policy goal. We are deeply concerned for our collective prosperity if these taxes being levied against our businesses and families are not reversed.”
Anna Velazquez, Mayor of Soledad: “The Trump administration tariffs will have a devastating impact to our working families. Soledad is a working class community and our residents will have to endure paying more for everyday household goods, groceries, fruits and vegetables as a result of tariffs that do not address our current inflation and fail to provide an economic plan that supports our working class community. We need a viable economic plan that provides relief to families that are already working hard to stretch their dollars.”
County leaders
Leticia Perez, Chair of the Kern County Board of Supervisors: “Tariffs will cause harmful impacts to Kern County families and small businesses. Families are already dealing with rising costs- they do not deserve this additional strain and uncertainty. I commend Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta for standing up to protect working families and small businesses across California.”
Doug Chaffee, Chair of Orange County Board of Supervisors: “Orange County is home to one of the most dynamic and diverse economies in the nation — from advanced manufacturing and biomedical innovation to world-class tourism and global trade. The Trump administration’s harmful tariff policies will disrupt supply chains, drive up costs, and put local jobs at risk. I fully support Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta’s efforts to defend California’s economy and protect the hardworking businesses and families that keep Orange County thriving.”
Mani Grewal, Stanislaus County Supervisor: “As a farmer and businessman, I understand the critical role that agriculture and trade play in our region’s economy. In Stanislaus County, where agriculture is a cornerstone of our livelihood, the uncertainty and financial strain caused by these tariffs hit particularly hard. Farmers and businesses need certainty and a sense of finality to operate best for their customers and the larger community. We must work to strengthen our agricultural community with policies that support economic wellbeing, not hinder it.”
Terra Lawson-Remer, Acting Chair of San Diego County Board of Supervisors: “These tariffs aren’t just a political talking point—they’re a direct hit on working families here in San Diego. They raise the cost of everyday goods, threaten local jobs, and destabilize the very industries that sustain our economy and fund critical County services. I’m proud to stand with Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta as California becomes the first state to take legal action against this reckless overreach. We need trade policies that lift up American businesses and workers—not ones that punch holes in family budgets and County revenues alike.”
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News Release – DOH Confirms Second Case of Measles in Hawaiʻi
Posted on Apr 18, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
STATE OFHAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA OHAWAIʻI
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH
KA ʻOIHANAOLAKINO
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR
KE KIA‘ĀINA
KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA,MPH DIRECTOR
KA LUNAHO‘OKELE
DOH CONFIRMS SECOND CASE OF MEASLES IN HAWAIʻI
FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE
April 17, 2025 25-040
HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a second case of measles in the household of a child previously confirmed on April 7. The adult member of the family had exhibited symptoms and was presumed infected. Both individuals had recently returned from international travel.
As expected, on April 16, the test result confirmed measles infection. Because of the duration between symptom onset and test specimen collection, an antibody test was performed which takes longer to process. The DOH had already investigated who may have been exposed based on being a presumed case of measles. The adult is no longer contagious and the child has fully recovered.
No new suspected measles cases have been reported as of today, April 17. The DOH continues its response efforts, reaching out to those who have been exposed.
Measles is one of the most highly contagious viruses in the world. It spreads through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Vaccination is the best way to protect loved ones and prevent an outbreak. If you or your ʻohana have not been vaccinated or otherwise have immunity against measles, please talk with your healthcare provider about getting a dose of the (measles, mumps, rubella) MMR vaccine.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses 17th Civil Services Day The policies we are working on today, the decisions we are making, are going to shape the future of the next thousand years: PM
India’s aspirational society – youth, farmers, women – their dreams are soaring to unprecedented heights,To fulfil these extraordinary aspirations, extraordinary speed is essential: PM
Real progress does not mean small changes but full-scale impact; Clean water in every home, quality education for every child, financial access for every entrepreneur and benefits of digital economy for every village, this is Holistic Development: PM
Quality in governance is determined by how deeply schemes reach the people and their real impact on the ground: PM
In the past 10 years, India has moved beyond incremental change to witness impactful transformation: PM
India is setting new benchmarks in governance, transparency and innovation: PM
The approach of ‘Janbhagidari’ turned the G20 into a people’s movement and the world acknowledged,India is not just participating, it is leading: PM
In the age of technology, governance is not about managing systems, it is about multiplying possibilities: PM
We have to increase the competence of civil servants so that we can prepare a future-ready civil service; That is why I consider both Mission Karmayogi and Civil Service Capacity Building Programme very important: PM
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 1:14PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed Civil Servants on the occasion of 17th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today. He also conferred the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone on the occasion of Civil Services Day and highlighted the significance of this year’s celebration, as it marks the 75th year of the Constitution and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Recounting Sardar Patel’s iconic statement on April 21, 1947, where he referred to civil servants as the ‘Steel Frame of India’, Shri Modi emphasized Patel’s vision of a bureaucracy that upholds discipline, honesty, and democratic values, serving the nation with utmost dedication. He underscored the relevance of Sardar Patel’s ideals in the context of India’s resolve to become a Viksit Bharat and paid a heartfelt tribute to Sardar Patel’s vision and legacy.
Reflecting on his earlier statement from the Red Fort, emphasizing the need to strengthen the foundation of India for the next thousand years, Shri Modi noted that 25 years have already passed in this millennium, marking the 25th year of the new century and the new millennium. “The policies we are working on today, the decisions we are making, are going to shape the future of the next thousand years”, he highlighted. Quoting ancient scriptures, he said just as a chariot cannot move with a single wheel, success cannot be achieved solely by relying on fate without effort. Underscoring the importance of collective effort and determination in achieving the goal of a developed India, he urged everyone to work tirelessly, every day and every moment, towards this shared vision.
Mentioning the rapid changes occurring globally, noting how even within families, interactions with younger generations can make one feel outdated due to the fast pace of change, the Prime Minister highlighted the swift evolution of gadgets every two to three years and how children are growing up amidst these transformations. He emphasized that India’s bureaucracy, work processes, and policymaking cannot operate on outdated frameworks. He remarked on the significant transformation initiated in 2014, describing it as a grand endeavor to adapt to the fast-paced changes. He highlighted the aspirations of India’s society, youth, farmers, and women, stating that their dreams have reached unprecedented heights and stressed the need for extraordinary speed to fulfill these extraordinary aspirations. The Prime Minister outlined India’s ambitious goals for the coming years, including energy security, clean energy, advancements in sports, and achievements in space exploration, emphasizing the importance of raising India’s flag high in every sector. Underscoring the immense responsibility on civil servants to ensure that India becomes the world’s third-largest economy at the earliest, he urged them to prevent any delays in achieving this critical objective.
Expressing happiness over the theme of this year’s Civil Services Day, ‘Holistic Development of India’, Shri Modi emphasized that this is not just a theme but a commitment and a promise to the people of the nation. “Holistic development of India means ensuring that no village, no family, and no citizen is left behind”, he stressed, remarking that true progress is not about small changes but about achieving a full-scale impact. He outlined the vision of holistic development, which includes clean water for every household, quality education for every child, financial access for every entrepreneur, and the benefits of the digital economy for every village. He highlighted that quality in governance is not determined by the mere launch of schemes but by how deeply these schemes reach the people and their real impact. The Prime Minister noted the visible impact in districts like Rajkot, Gomati, Tinsukia, Koraput, and Kupwara, where significant progress has been made, from increasing school attendance to adopting solar power. He congratulated the districts and individuals associated with these initiatives, acknowledging their excellent work and the awards received by several districts.
Highlighting that over the past 10 years, India has progressed from incremental change to impactful transformation, the Prime Minister emphasized that the country’s governance model is now focused on Next Generation Reforms, leveraging technology and innovative practices to bridge the gap between the government and citizens. He noted that the impact of these reforms is evident in rural, urban, and remote areas alike. He remarked on the success of Aspirational Districts and emphasized the equally remarkable achievements of Aspirational Blocks. He recalled that the program was launched in January 2023 and has shown unprecedented results in just two years, highlighting significant progress in indicators such as health, nutrition, social development, and basic infrastructure across these blocks. Citing examples of transformational changes, he said that in the Peeplu Block of Tonk district, Rajasthan, measurement efficiency for children in Anganwadi centers increased from 20% to over 99%, while in the Jagdishpur Block of Bhagalpur, Bihar, registration of pregnant women during the first trimester surged from 25% to over 90%. He further added that in the Marwah Block of Jammu & Kashmir, institutional deliveries rose from 30% to 100% and in the Gurdih Block of Jharkhand, tap water connections grew from 18% to 100%. He emphasized that these are not just statistics but evidence of the government’s resolve for last-mile delivery. “With the right intent, planning, and execution, transformation is possible even in remote areas”, he added.
Underlining India’s achievements over the past decade, emphasizing transformative changes and the nation’s attainment of new heights, Shri Modi remarked, “India is now recognized not merely for its growth but for setting new benchmarks in governance, transparency, and innovation”. He identified India’s G20 Presidency as a significant example of these advancements, noting that, for the first time in G20’s history, over 200 meetings were held across more than 60 cities, creating a broad and inclusive footprint. He underscored how the approach of public participation transformed the G20 into a people’s movement. “The world has acknowledged India’s leadership; India is not just participating, it is leading”, he affirmed.
The Prime Minister highlighted the growing discussions around government efficiency, emphasizing that India is 10-11 years ahead of other nations in this regard. He remarked on the efforts made over the past 11 years to eliminate delays, introduce new processes, and reduce turnaround time through technology. He noted that over 40,000 compliances have been removed, and more than 3,400 legal provisions have been decriminalized to promote ease of business. He recalled the resistance faced during these reforms, with critics questioning the need for such changes. However, he emphasized that the government did not succumb to pressure, asserting that new approaches are essential for achieving new results. He further highlighted the improvement in India’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings as a result of these efforts and noted the global enthusiasm for investing in India. The Prime Minister urged the need to capitalize on this opportunity by eliminating red tape at the state, district, and block levels to achieve set goals effectively.
“The successes of the past 10-11 years have laid a strong foundation for a developed India”, said Shri Modi, remarking that the nation is now beginning to construct the grand edifice of a developed India on this solid base but acknowledged the significant challenges ahead. He noted that India has become the most populous country in the world, emphasizing the prioritization of saturation in basic amenities. He urged a strong focus on last-mile delivery to ensure inclusivity in development. He highlighted the evolving needs and aspirations of the citizens, remarking that the Civil Service must adapt to contemporary challenges to remain relevant. Shri Modi stressed the need for setting new benchmarks, moving beyond comparisons with previous benchmarks. He urged measuring progress against the vision for a developed India by 2047, examining whether the current pace of achieving goals in every sector is adequate, and accelerating efforts wherever necessary. He underscored the advancements in technology available today and called for leveraging its power. Highlighting the accomplishments of the past decade, Shri Modi mentioned the construction of 4 crore houses for the poor, with a target of building 3 crore more, connecting over 12 crore rural households to tap water within 5-6 years, with the aim of ensuring every village household has a tap connection soon. He further mentioned the building of over 11 crore toilets for the underprivileged in the past 10 years, while targeting new goals in waste management and providing free treatment up to ₹5 lakh for millions of underprivileged individuals. Shri Modi emphasized the need for renewed commitments to improve nutrition for citizens and declared that the ultimate goal must be 100% coverage and 100% impact. He highlighted that this approach has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty in the past decade and expressed confidence that it will lead to a poverty-free India.
Reflecting on the past role of bureaucracy as a regulator that controlled the pace of industrialization and entrepreneurship, the Prime Minister emphasized that the nation has moved beyond this mindset and is now fostering an environment that promotes enterprise among citizens and helps them overcome barriers. “Civil Services must transform into an enabler, expanding its role from merely being the keeper of rule books to becoming a facilitator of growth”, he said. Citing the example of the MSME sector, he highlighted the importance of Mission Manufacturing and how the success of this mission is heavily reliant on MSMEs. The Prime Minister pointed out that amidst global changes, MSMEs, startups, and young entrepreneurs in India have an unprecedented opportunity. He stressed the necessity of becoming more competitive in the global supply chain and noted that MSMEs face competition not just from smaller entrepreneurs but also globally. He remarked that if a small country provides better ease of compliances to its industries, it could outpace Indian startups. Thus, he emphasized the need for India to continuously evaluate its position in global best practices. The Prime Minister asserted that while the goal of Indian industries is to create globally best products, the goal of India’s bureaucracy must be to provide the world’s best ease of compliance environment.
Emphasising the need for civil servants to acquire skills that not only help them understand technology but also enable its use for smart and inclusive governance, Shri Modi remarked, “In the age of technology, governance is not about managing systems; it is about multiplying possibilities.” He stressed the importance of becoming tech-savvy to make policies and schemes more efficient and accessible through technology. He highlighted the need for expertise in data-driven decision-making to ensure accurate policy design and implementation. Observing the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Physics, predicting a forthcoming revolution in technology that will surpass the digital and information age, Shri Modi urged civil servants to prepare for this technological revolution to deliver the best services and fulfill citizens’ aspirations. Underscoring the importance of enhancing the capabilities of civil servants to build a future-ready civil service, he highlighted the significance of Mission Karmayogi and the Civil Service Capacity Building Program in achieving this goal.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to closely monitor global challenges in rapidly changing times, highlighting that food, water, and energy security remain major issues, particularly for the Global South, where ongoing conflicts are exacerbating difficulties, impacting daily lives and livelihoods. He further stressed the importance of understanding the growing interconnection between domestic and external factors. He identified climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, and cybercrime threats as critical areas requiring proactive action, urging India to stay ten steps ahead in addressing these challenges. He underlined the need to develop localized strategies and build resilience to effectively tackle these emerging global issues.
Reiterating the concept of “Panch Pran” introduced from the Red Fort, emphasizing the resolve for a developed India, liberation from the mindset of servitude, pride in heritage, the power of unity, and the honest fulfillment of duties, Shri Modi remarked that civil servants are the key carriers of these principles. He stated, “Every time you prioritize integrity over convenience, innovation over inertia, or service over status, you propel the nation forward.” He expressed his complete trust in the civil servants. Addressing young officers embarking on their professional journeys, he highlighted the societal contributions to individual success. He remarked that everyone seeks to give back to society in their own capacity. He emphasized the privilege civil servants have in being able to contribute significantly to society, urging them to make the most of this opportunity provided by the nation and its people.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to reimagine reforms for civil servants, calling for an accelerated pace and expanded scale of reforms across sectors. He highlighted key areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy goals, internal security, terminating corruption, social welfare schemes, and targets related to sports and the Olympics, urging the implementation of new reforms in every domain. He remarked that the achievements so far must be surpassed manifold, setting higher benchmarks for progress. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of human judgment in a technology-driven world, urging civil servants to remain sensitive, listen to the voices of the underprivileged, understand their struggles, and prioritize resolving their issues. Concluding his address, he invoked the principle of “Nagrik Devo Bhava,” likening it to the ethos of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” and called on civil servants to see themselves not just as administrators but as architects of a developed India, fulfilling their responsibilities with dedication and compassion.
Union Minister of State for Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary – 2 to Prime Minister, Shri Shaktikanta Das, Cabinet Secretary, Shri T V Somanathan and Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Shri V Srinivas were present on the occasion.
Background
Prime Minister has always encouraged Civil Servants across India to dedicate themselves to the cause of citizens, be committed to public service and strive towards excellence in their work. This year, 16 awards were given by the Prime Minister in the categories of Holistic Development of Districts, Aspirational Blocks Programme and Innovation to civil servants. They were recognised for work done for the welfare of common citizens through this.
India’s aspirational society – youth, farmers, women – their dreams are soaring to unprecedented heights.
Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda leads the “Liver Health Pledge Ceremony” at the Health Camp organized by the Ministry, in presence of Union MoS Smt. Anupriya Patel Shri Nadda reiterates Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s appeal to the nation to reduce oil usage in cooking by at least 10% and spreading awareness about fighting obesity
Fatty liver is preventable and, to a great extent, reversible through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle: Shri Nadda
Liver Health Camp organized in collaboration with the FSSAI and Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 12:05PM by PIB Delhi
In observance of World Liver Day 2025, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda led the “Liver Health Pledge Ceremony” at the health camp organized by the Ministry, at Nirman Bhawan, today. Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, Prof. (Dr.) S.K. Sarin, Director of Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) were also present at the occasion.
This year’s World Liver Day theme “Food is Medicine”—emphasizes the critical connection between nutrition and liver health.
Addressing the gathering, Union Health Minister stated that “As we all know, the liver is one of the most vital organs of our body that performs essential functions like digestion, detoxification, and energy storage. If the liver is not healthy, the entire body suffers.”
Underlining the importance of Liver health, Shri Nadda stated that “Fatty liver not only impacts liver function but also significantly increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer.” He also added that “The good news is that fatty liver is preventable and, to a great extent, reversible through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and healthy food-habits.”
He emphasized that “Recently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, during his address in “Mann Ki Baat,” appealed to the nation to reduce oil usage in cooking by at least 10%. This small yet powerful step can go a long way in ensuring better liver health and in reducing the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the country.” Shri Nadda called upon everyone to take the pledge for “taking care of liver health, get it checked regularly, and adopt a healthy lifestyle.”
At the camp, all participants pledged to make informed food choices, lead healthier lifestyle, reduce edible oil intake by at least 10% and spread awareness about fighting obesity in response to the call given by PM Narendra Modi.
The Ministry, in collaboration with FSSAI and the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) and hosted a comprehensive Liver Health Camp for officials and staff of the Ministry. In the Camp, the multidisciplinary team from ILBS—comprising expert doctors, nurses, and technicians offered the following services: clinical examination (including BMI, waist-hip ratio, and blood pressure); laboratory tests (fasting blood glucose, liver function tests, lipid profile, complete blood count, Hepatitis B & C screening); fibroScan for liver fat and fibrosis assessment; body composition analysis and personalized nutritional counselling focusing on reducing oil and processed food intake.
As part of the event, FSSAI set up an informative exhibition showcasing millets and liver-friendly diets, aligning with this year’s theme: “Food is Medicine.”
Highlighting the nutritional value of millets, the stall demonstrated their benefits in maintaining liver health. Rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants and essential micronutrients, millets aid in promoting bile secretion, reducing inflammation, improving lipid profiles and digestion—factors closely linked to liver health. Their inclusion in the daily diet helps prevent liver disorders, including Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
Additionally, the display promoted cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower), leafy greens, fatty fish (rich in omega-3), nuts and seeds, citrus fruits and healthy fats (such as olive oil), known to reduce oxidative stress, support detoxification processes, and maintain overall liver function.
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HFW/HFM leads World Liver Day pledge ceremony/21April 2025/1
Media Delegate Registration for WAVES Reopens for Three Days on 21, 22 and 23 April ! Last Call to All Media Persons to Submit Applications and Register
Posted On: 20 APR 2025 2:37PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 20th April 2025
In response to the interest from the media community, the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 is reopening Media Delegate Registration for three final days — April 21st (Monday), April 22nd (Tuesday) and April 23rd (Wednesday). This is the last window for media professionals, photographers and digital content creators to apply and be a part of the most awaited Media & Entertainment (M&E) event, taking place from May 1–4, 2025 in Mumbai. Your coverage will play a crucial role in amplifying India’s creative economy on a global stage.
If you have missed the earlier deadline, this is your last shot to hit ‘Submit’ and secure access to exclusive sessions, networking opportunities, and one-on-one sessions with industry professionals shaping the future of entertainment.
Who Can Apply?
Journalists (Print, TV, Radio)
Photographers / Camerapersons
Freelance media professionals
Digital content creators
Documents Required:
Government-issued ID
Passport-size Photograph
Proof of Media Affiliation
10 Work Samples (links or screenshots)
Visa (for international applicants)
Registration Window Opens: 21st April 2025 Closes: 11:59 PM, 23rd April 2025
Approved delegates will be notified by email and added to an official WhatsApp group for real-time updates.
Reach us at pibwaves.media[at]gmail[dot]com with the subject line: WAVES Media Accreditation Query or contact us at our helpline number: 9643034368.
Check out the Media delegate Registration Policy here
Don’t miss your last chance to sail with the WAVES!
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).
People taste grapes at a grape fair in Turpan, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Aug. 17, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China’s human rights approach emphasizes pragmatism, diversity, and mutual respect, as demonstrated by its poverty eradication efforts and global cooperation initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. This was highlighted at the 2025 Asian Forum on Human Rights, held in Chongqing on April 19. Under the theme “Science & Technology and Human Rights,” the forum brought together regional scholars to discuss technology’s impact on human rights. Chen Youwu, executive director of the Human Rights and Rule of Law Research Center at Guangdong University of Technology, said China’s human rights philosophy centers on serving people and prioritizing their well-being. He noted that this principle — that people’s happiness is the greatest human right — grants human rights a powerful guiding role in the development of science and technology, promoting technology that benefits society. Kanatbek Aziz, director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of Kyrgyzstan, examined the connection between digital governance and human rights. He identified three prevailing models: the European approach, which emphasizes personal data protection; the American system, driven by corporate interests where users are often treated as products; and the Chinese framework, which focuses on digital sovereignty, strategic planning and national security. Aziz praised China’s Global AI Governance Initiative as a necessary contribution to international discussions on technology regulation. “The initiative emphasizes the need for safe, orderly and reliable development of artificial intelligence,” he said. “This reflects China’s commitment to establishing international frameworks where AI is guided by justice, inclusiveness and technological ethics.” Liu Hongzhen, deputy director of the Human Rights Center at Jilin University, warned that some Western powers misuse both human rights and technology to maintain dominance and escalate geopolitical tensions, citing U.S. attempts to limit China’s technological progress. “The diversity of human rights must be respected, and both hegemonism and the instrumentalization of rights must be resisted,” Liu said. “We should approach technological competition through the lens of human rights, thereby promoting reform in global technology governance systems.” Beyond technology, China’s commitment to human rights is also demonstrated in its domestic development efforts. Li Zhongxia, deputy director of the Human Rights Research Center at Renmin University of China, highlighted China’s poverty alleviation campaign, which lifted 832 impoverished counties and nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty. The achievement secured basic survival and development rights, which Li described as a major step forward for global human rights. “If basic needs are not met, discussing political rights becomes detached from reality,” Li said. “Human rights development must respond to the people’s most urgent needs.” China’s commitment to human rights also extends beyond its borders. Through multilateral platforms such as China-ASEAN cooperation, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Belt and Road Initiative, China continues to promote peace, security and sustainable development throughout Asia and beyond. Recent joint statements with Vietnam and Cambodia emphasized that human rights should be pursued according to national conditions, while opposing the politicization of human rights and the application of double standards. The statements also rejected using such issues to interfere in sovereign nations’ internal affairs.
Company announcement no. 22 / 2025 Schindellegi, Switzerland – 21 April 2025
Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback
On 28 February 2025, Trifork initiated a share buyback program in accordance with Regulation No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, (Safe Harbour regulation). The share buyback program runs from 4 March 2025 up to and including no later than 30 June 2025. The buyback program will not be active from 9 to 15 April 2025. For details, please see company announcement no. 7 of 28 February 2025.
Under the share buyback program, Trifork will purchase shares for up to a total of DKK 14.92 million (approximately EUR 2 million). Prior to the launch of the share buyback, Trifork held 256,329 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.3% of the share capital. Under the program, the following transactions have been made:
Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 59,909 at a total amount of DKK 5,099,831. On 25 March 2025, 1,352 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized for the Executive Management’s monthly fixed salary, representing a change from cash payment to payment partly in shares (refer to company announcement no. 1 of 21 January 2025). On 1 April 2025, 19,943 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized to serve the RSU plan of Executive Management and certain employees.
With the transactions stated above, Trifork holds a total of 294,943 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.5%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,449,956.
Investor and media contact Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17
About Trifork Trifork is a pioneering global technology partner, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative solutions. With 1,229 professionals across 73 business units in 16 countries, Trifork delivers expertise in inspiring, building, and running advanced software solutions across diverse sectors, including public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. Trifork Labs, the Group’s R&D hub, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic and high-potential technology companies. Trifork Group AG is a publicly listed company on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Learn more at trifork.com.
Media registration is now open for the APEC ministerial meetings to be held in Jeju, Republic of Korea, from 12 to 16 May 2025. These include the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting, the APEC Education Ministerial Meeting and the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting.
These back-to-back high-level meetings will bring together ministers, senior officials and stakeholders across the APEC region to advance collaboration on workforce development, inclusive education and trade and investment policy amid ongoing global transitions.
The 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting, taking place on 12 May, will mark the first such meeting in over a decade since 2014. It will focus on two key priorities: building flexible and vibrant labor markets and advancing policies that prepare workers and employers for jobs of the future. Ministers will also discuss how APEC can respond to workforce disruptions triggered by digital transformation, demographic shifts and global uncertainties.
The 7th APEC Education Ministerial Meeting, convening on 14 May, will highlight APEC regional strategies to bridge educational gaps and foster innovation in the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Ministers will explore how to drive personalized education innovation through digital technology, strengthen global learning partnerships and achieve shared prosperity in the APEC region through sustainable education.
The APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting, taking place on 15 and 16 May will discuss key priorities, including: 1) promoting innovation for trade facilitation; 2) strengthening connectivity through the multilateral trading system; and 3) advancing collaboration to achieve prosperity through sustainable trade. The meeting will serve as a key moment to reinforce regional economic cooperation in the lead-up to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting later this year.
Key Media Opportunities (KST, UTC+9):
Monday, 12 May at 4:00 PM – Press Conference: APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM)
Tuesday, 13 May at 4:00PM – Press Conference: APEC Economic Outlook: What’s Ahead for the Region?
Wednesday, 14 May at 2:00 PM – Press Conference: APEC Second Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM2)
Wednesday, 14 May at 5:00 PM – Press Conference: APEC Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM)
Friday, 16 May at 2:30 PM – Press Conference: APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT)
Please note the schedule is subject to change. Updates will be posted in the media lounge.
Media Accreditation:
Media representatives must be accredited in advance. To request the media registration link, please email [email protected] with the subject line: MEDIA [Economy name/organization name].
Accredited media will receive an ID badge, which will grant access to the press conferences. Badges can be collected starting 11 May 2025 at the APEC Information Desk in ICC JEJU.
Media Lounge:
A dedicated media lounge will be available on the second floor of ICC JEJU for all accredited media from 11 to 16 May 2025, operating at the following times (KST, UTC+9):
Sunday, 11 May: 14:00–18:00
Monday, 12 May to Friday, 16 May: 09:00–18:00 daily
An elderly woman (L) tries an AI health detecting device with the assistance of a staff member at a nursing home in Binghu district of Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu province, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Experts gathered in Beijing over the weekend for the 2025 China Medical Development Conference, where the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare has become the center of attention. The two-day event, held annually since 2021, brought together leading voices in mathematics, AI, medicine, public health and pharmacy to discuss innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy directions to drive the medicine sector forward in the AI age. Attendees emphasized AI’s transformative potential in reshaping medical research and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Wang Chen, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), proposed a phased roadmap for integrating AI into medicine. According to Wang, in the short term, scenario-based pilot programs will take the lead. The medium term will focus on deeper applications and international collaboration, while the long term aims to establish an AI-driven ecosystem encompassing scientific research, clinical care, and healthcare management. Zheng Hairong, vice president of Nanjing University, stressed that breakthroughs in biomedical AI must be underpinned by standardized data and ethical governance. He pointed to fields such as medical imaging and brain-computer interfaces as areas where cross-disciplinary collaboration will be crucial in overcoming technological hurdles. In recent years, China has ramped up its “AI Plus” initiative in healthcare, promoting standardized infrastructure, cross-institutional data sharing, and the development of industry-specific AI models to improve the precision and efficiency of diagnostics and treatment. Ensuring the safe and responsible deployment of AI technologies in healthcare was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Participants underscored the importance of building a secure, well-regulated environment to maintain public trust. Shen Jianfeng, an official with the National Health Commission, called for the creation of high-quality medical datasets and AI language corpora. He also urged stronger policy coordination across disciplines and investment in talent development, with a focus on medical ethics. A highlight of the conference was the release of the “Top Medical Advances in China 2024” by the CAMS, a list of 13 breakthroughs selected from over 310,000 research projects — all seen as major steps forward in China’s disease prevention and treatment capabilities. Among the standout achievements were a method to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease up to 18 years before symptoms appear, and a gene therapy breakthrough for hereditary deafness.
This photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows part of a solid-state lithium metal battery in Yibin, southwest China’s Sichuan province. [Photo/Xinhua] In a significant advancement that could reshape the future of electric vehicles, Chinese researchers have identified a mechanism behind solid-state lithium battery failures. It came as China has risen to become a global leader in the lithium battery industry. The country is now racing with its international rivals, particularly those from Japan and the Republic of Korea, to embrace the next-generation battery technologies. Solid-state batteries, widely regarded as one of the most promising solutions in the coming decade, could revolutionize energy storage. However, overcoming their technical hurdles remains the greatest current challenge. Finding root cause Unlike liquid electrolytes used in conventional batteries, solid electrolytes struggle to absorb the stresses caused by lithium expansion and contraction during charging cycles. These stresses can cause cracking or the formation of dendrites — tiny, needle-like structures that can trigger short circuits — thus posing major challenges to the industrialization of the technology. In their new study, the researchers from Tongji University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology found that solid-state battery failures are closely linked to cycle fatigue of the lithium metal anode. They also observed that this fatigue adheres to well-defined mechanical principles, like repeatedly bending a paperclip weakens it until it finally breaks. This discovery, published on Friday in the journal Science, provides a quantitative framework for predicting battery life cycles and opens new pathways for designing longer-lasting energy storage systems. “The work recognizes the importance of fatigue in the performance of lithium metal anodes in solid-state batteries,” noted Jagjit Nanda and Sergiy Kalnaus, two U.S. battery scientists, in a perspective on the research. Battery revolution This research underscores China’s sustained R&D investments in electrochemistry in recent years. These breakthroughs are now fueling China’s industrial edge and setting the stage for the country to repeat its success in the upcoming revolution in battery technology. Solid-state batteries, using solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, achieve much higher energy density (up to 500 Wh/kg) than traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries (200-300 Wh/kg). This provides more energy in the same volume and reduces battery size. They also feature better thermal stability, non-flammability, and no risk of liquid leakage, significantly lowering the risk of self-ignition and explosion. Ouyang Minggao, an expert on new energy power systems and a professor at Tsinghua University, predicted that reaching an energy density of 500 Wh/kg will depend on critical advancements in materials science, with 2027 poised to be a pivotal year for breakthrough innovations. Chinese battery giants CATL and BYD have set 2027 as their target for small-scale production of solid-state batteries. Scientific teams are intensifying their collaboration with frontline battery companies to accelerate the commercialization of technologies. The Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences has signed a cooperation agreement with BYD, focusing on cutting-edge areas such as solid-state batteries. Sun Huajun, CTO of BYD’s battery division, predicted that solid-state batteries would achieve a large-scale application around 2030. China’s edge in mass-producing all-solid-state batteries lies in its vast industry and market scales. “With the most complete industrial chain, the largest market, and the most researchers, we are highly confident in China’s approach and roadmap for this technology,” said Zu Sijie, vice president of SAIC Motor.
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a volunteer (R) helping Yemeni businessman Sufyan Marwan Sufyan Mohanmmed take vaccine reservation receipt for his daughter from a machine by scanning a QR code at a community health service center in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] China has made significant progress in vaccine development and immunization, marked by a growing portfolio of domestically produced vaccines and remarkable public health results. These achievements were highlighted at the 2025 National Vaccines and Health Conference, held over the weekend in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in central China, and attended by nearly 3,000 public health officials and medical professionals. Over the past years, China has achieved notable breakthroughs in vaccine technology. Milestones include the successful development of homegrown HPV and Ebola vaccines, as well as advances in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against 13 types of bacteria and shingles vaccines. Several Chinese vaccines have received prequalification from the World Health Organization, enabling their distribution in partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative. These advancements underscore a broader shift in China’s vaccine industry — from focusing primarily on domestic needs to increasingly contributing to the global vaccine supply chain, according to Wang Yunfu, head of the Health Commission of Hubei province. The global biotechnology landscape has also helped accelerate this transformation, as the participants pointed out. In recent years, breakthroughs in technologies such as mRNA platforms, viral vectors, and nanoparticle delivery systems have opened up unprecedented opportunities for vaccine research and development, significantly improving both efficiency and immune response. Alongside scientific innovation, China has placed strong emphasis on safety and regulatory oversight. In 2019, it became the first country to implement a comprehensive vaccine administration law, followed by updated immunization standards introduced in 2023. A nationwide traceability system has been set up, ensuring that every dose can be tracked from production to administration, enhancing transparency and public trust. China’s national immunization programs have yielded strong public health results. The country achieved polio-free status in 2000, eliminated neonatal tetanus by 2012, and has reported no locally transmitted diphtheria cases since 2007. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among children under five declined from nearly 10 percent in 1992 to just 0.3 percent in 2020. Routine vaccination coverage has remained above 90 percent nationwide, supported by an extensive healthcare infrastructure that ensures every township has at least one vaccination unit. Efforts to expand access and improve service delivery remain a central priority. “Public health should be protected through more accessible and higher-quality vaccine services,” said Li Bin, president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, adding that this goal was reflected in the conference’s theme. For example, in Hubei, girls aged 14 are now eligible for free HPV vaccination, and immunization for newborns is being integrated into the birth registration process to ensure early and timely coverage. Looking ahead, China is preparing to refine its immunization strategy and services further. Health authorities are considering dynamic adjustments to the national immunization program to prioritize vaccines with high cost-effectiveness or those associated with costly diseases. In some regions, pilots may allow the use of personal health insurance accounts to cover non-mandatory vaccines, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the public. Digital tools will also play an increasing role in modernizing immunization services. Electronic vaccination records are being shared across provinces, while artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting with appointment scheduling. Big data platforms are improving vaccine inventory management and logistics. Yin Zundong, head of the Immunization Program Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the role of advanced data technologies. “With the help of big data and AI, disease surveillance and early warning systems can become more accurate and efficient,” Yin said. “In the future, data-driven tools will enable precise assessments of vaccine protection efficacy.”
An elderly woman (L) tries an AI health detecting device with the assistance of a staff member at a nursing home in Binghu district of Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu province, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Experts gathered in Beijing over the weekend for the 2025 China Medical Development Conference, where the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare has become the center of attention. The two-day event, held annually since 2021, brought together leading voices in mathematics, AI, medicine, public health and pharmacy to discuss innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy directions to drive the medicine sector forward in the AI age. Attendees emphasized AI’s transformative potential in reshaping medical research and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Wang Chen, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), proposed a phased roadmap for integrating AI into medicine. According to Wang, in the short term, scenario-based pilot programs will take the lead. The medium term will focus on deeper applications and international collaboration, while the long term aims to establish an AI-driven ecosystem encompassing scientific research, clinical care, and healthcare management. Zheng Hairong, vice president of Nanjing University, stressed that breakthroughs in biomedical AI must be underpinned by standardized data and ethical governance. He pointed to fields such as medical imaging and brain-computer interfaces as areas where cross-disciplinary collaboration will be crucial in overcoming technological hurdles. In recent years, China has ramped up its “AI Plus” initiative in healthcare, promoting standardized infrastructure, cross-institutional data sharing, and the development of industry-specific AI models to improve the precision and efficiency of diagnostics and treatment. Ensuring the safe and responsible deployment of AI technologies in healthcare was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Participants underscored the importance of building a secure, well-regulated environment to maintain public trust. Shen Jianfeng, an official with the National Health Commission, called for the creation of high-quality medical datasets and AI language corpora. He also urged stronger policy coordination across disciplines and investment in talent development, with a focus on medical ethics. A highlight of the conference was the release of the “Top Medical Advances in China 2024” by the CAMS, a list of 13 breakthroughs selected from over 310,000 research projects — all seen as major steps forward in China’s disease prevention and treatment capabilities. Among the standout achievements were a method to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease up to 18 years before symptoms appear, and a gene therapy breakthrough for hereditary deafness.
From bustling ports brimming with goods to digital arenas buzzing with new opportunities, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are increasingly coming together in a partnership that promises common prosperity and a shared future filled with boundless potential.
Since establishing a dialogue relationship more than three decades ago, China and ASEAN have stood together and supported each other through thick and thin, developing a model featuring the most dynamic and fruitful cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
As the world’s second and fifth-largest economies, respectively, China and ASEAN represent a quarter of the global population, and their commitment to win-win cooperation could offer stability and growth for a world overshadowed by rising economic uncertainty and fragmentation.
Win-win cooperation
How fast can a Malaysian fresh durian reach Chinese consumers from its orchard of origin? This time may well be shorter than many can imagine.
Thanks to an efficient logistics network as well as rapid inspection and expedited clearance procedures between China and the Southeast Asian country, this delicacy can be harvested and appear in a Chinese supermarket thousands of kilometers away within just 24 hours — a sprint that allows consumers to relish the fruit at its freshest.
Grown across tropical Southeast Asia, durian is known as the “king of fruits,” cherished by consumers for its creamy texture and intense aroma.
China’s appetite for this thorny fruit has soared in recent years, with its imports reaching a record of 1.56 million tonnes in 2024, according to customs data.
The story of the durian is just one example of the fruitful outcomes resulting from win-win cooperation between China and ASEAN. Numbers and facts paint the picture of a partnership in full bloom.
Notably, China and ASEAN have been each other’s largest trading partners for five consecutive years. Bilateral trade value has soared from less than 8 billion U.S. dollars in 1991 to nearly one trillion dollars in 2024. Accumulated two-way investment has also been booming — and it had surpassed 400 billion dollars as of July 2024.
This vigorous growth has come amid the two sides’ continued efforts to enhance trade and investment facilitation, including upgrading of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA).
Officials and analysts have seen the CAFTA as a cornerstone of China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation, and are expecting the upgraded CAFTA to take this role a step further, opening up more sectors for trade and investment, while promoting greater regulatory alignment.
China and ASEAN have substantially concluded upgrade negotiations concerning Version 3.0 CAFTA, and “we believe that with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, economic and trade cooperation between the two sides will surely achieve new and greater development,” Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of China’s General Administration of Customs, said this week.
Closer bond
About two hours’ drive from downtown Bangkok, near the Laem Chabang port in eastern Thailand, lies a well-planned industrial zone, known as the Thai-Chinese Rayong industrial zone.
Jointly built by China’s Holley Group and Amata Group of Thailand in 2006, this industrial zone was one of the first Chinese overseas industrial sites, serving as a witness and contributor to the expanding industrial cooperation between China and ASEAN.
Now home to 270 companies, most of which are Chinese-invested, the industrial zone has attracted a combined investment of more than 5.2 billion U.S. dollars and provided over 60,000 local jobs, said Zhao Bin, president of the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Realty Development Co.
Zhao sees Belt and Road cooperation and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as catalysts for the industrial zone’s development, which not only helps Chinese companies to invest in Southeast Asia, but also facilitates technology transfer to Thailand and skills development in local workforce.
Belt and Road cooperation, the RCEP and various other arrangements have enhanced partnership between China and ASEAN countries, with the two sides weaving a tighter economic fabric and unlocking new development potential, analysts said.
Numerous infrastructure projects are having positive impacts across the region, enhancing connectivity and reducing logistics costs.
In Laos, the over 1,000-km-long China-Laos Railway linking Vientiane, the capital of Laos, with Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, has helped convert the landlocked country into a land-linked hub, and significantly facilitated cross-border movement of people and goods since it started operating in December 2021.
On the financial front, ASEAN and China are also working to strengthen the regional safety net against financial risks. An ASEAN+3 meeting, featuring ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea, was held early this month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during which financial officials reached consensus on deepening policy coordination and strengthening regional financial safeguards.
Moreover, collaborative efforts span a wide range of activities, with people-to-people and cultural exchanges, such as educational cooperation and visa-free travel arrangements, flourishing.
Kheang Hong Kry, a Cambodian student studying electrical engineering at Guangxi University in Nanning, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, was excited about the establishment of the China-ASEAN Institute of Energy last month. Calling it “a bridge” of learning and cooperation, he said the institute gives international students access to cutting-edge knowledge in China’s energy and power sectors, laying a foundation for their future career development.
New cooperation frontiers
Emerging fields such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and clean energy are adding to the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and ASEAN.
In Vietnam, Chinese-made agricultural drones are helping farmers spray pesticide, making their work easier and safer, while at Laem Chabang port in Thailand, China’s electric and self-driving trucks have become reliable partners of port workers. In addition, Malaysian national automaker Proton has launched its first electric vehicle model, which was co-developed with Chinese automaker Geely. In Indonesia, the Cirata floating solar power plant, constructed by a Chinese company, has boosted the country’s supply of renewable energy.
Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, told media that emerging fields such as green energy, electric vehicles and digital technology have provided new impetus for the expansion of cooperation between these two countries.
Such cooperation will help Malaysia improve productivity, promote technology transfer and train talent, and contribute to Malaysia’s development and prosperity, he said.
Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, noted that the close ties between China and ASEAN are of great significance — not only to Asia but also to the broader international community.
Zhou said deepening cooperation between the two sides will effectively facilitate the complementarity of their respective advantages. “It also provides a model for regional economic and trade rules integration, effectively boosting economic globalization.”
SYDNEY, Australia, April 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XenDex is set to Launch as the Strategic Hidden Road Acquisition by Ripple founders signals XRP price surge.
The recent news of Hidden Road being acquired by the Ripple’s founding stakeholder has sent a wave of renewed excitement and hope to the Ripple community.
A new all-in-one Dex being developed on XRP is ready to harness this momentum and transform how users engage with decentralized finance on the XRP Ledger.
Introducing XenDex, the first all-in-one decentralized exchange (DEX) built on XRP to offer not only high-speed asset trading, but also non-custodial lending and borrowing options along with AI copy trading, all within a secure, community-driven ecosystem.
XenDex introduces features which XRP has never seen before; seamlessly combining the power of automation, lending protocols, AI powered copy trading, staking, and cross-chain potential.
Key features of XenDex include:
Lending and Borrowing: Use your assets as collateral to access liquidity or lend to earn passive yield.
AI-Powered Copy Trading: Let smart systems automatically mimic the trades of successful investors in real time.
Spot and Perpetual Trading: Fast, frictionless token swaps via a built-in AMM model.
Liquidity Farming & Staking: Earn rewards by providing liquidity or locking up $XDX.
DAO Governance: Every $XDX holder gets a say in platform upgrades, funding proposals, and ecosystem development.
Future Interoperability: Cross-chain compatibility for Cardano, Ethereum, BNB Chain, and more in the pipeline.
Token Details and Tokenomics
The XenDex token sale will begin soon, giving early supporters the chance to acquire the native utility token $XDX before public exchange listings begin right after token sale.
Token Information:
Token Ticker: $XDX
Total Supply: 1,000,000,000 XDX
Presale Allocation: 300,000,000 XDX
Holders of $XDX will enjoy governance rights, staking rewards, reduced platform fees, airdrops, and other premium benefits.
Ripple’s recent acquisition of Hidden Road is a powerful signal to the broader market: XRP is entering its next evolutionary phase, with increased institutional involvement, liquidity expansion, and enterprise-focused infrastructure.
“We built XenDex because the XRP Ledger needed more than just speed, it needed a full ecosystem,” said a core team member. He continued, “From AI trading to community governance and lending, XenDex is the DeFi engine XRP deserves.”
XenDex smart contracts are undergoing extensive auditing to ensure safety and transparency. The XenDex platform is fully non-custodial and will integrate community governance via on-chain voting. Early adopters will benefit from airdrops, staking bonuses, etc.
With a roadmap that includes cross-chain token bridges, Launchpad, etc. XenDex is built not just for today, but for the XRP future.
Join the presale on April 22nd and secure your spot in one of the most forward-thinking ecosystems on the XRP Ledger.
Disclaimer: This is a paid post provided by XenDex. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.
Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
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A new state-of-the-art tube fishway technology called the “Fishheart” has been launched at Menindee Lakes, located on the Baaka-Darling River, New South Wales.
The technology – part of the NSW government’s Restoring the Darling-Baaka program – will allow native fish to move past large barriers, such as dams, weirs and regulators, when they need to. It’s hoped this will help the fish reproduce and survive, and reduce the risk of mass fish deaths in the Baaka.
At the same time, meaningful policy reform and implementation can’t be achieved without input from First Nations communities. So how do we do this? One creative collaboration on the Fishheart project suggests art may have a big role to play.
Distressing images
Several deeply distressing mass fish death events have occurred in the river since 2018, with millions of native fish, including golden perch, silver perch and Murray cod, dying due to insufficient oxygen in the water.
These events are the outcome of compounding challenges in managing the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia’s largest inland river system. The basin, which stretches from Southern Queensland to South Australia, is a water source for some three million people.
But the construction of infrastructure such as dams, weirs and regulators has profoundly disrupted the natural processes that once sustained healthy river systems. This disruption has been made worse by ineffective and conflict-ridden governance.
The Baaka is a source of life and wellbeing for numerous communities. It should be cared for with the same urgency and coordination as a critically ill patient. If too many doctors or nurses are involved without a clear shared treatment plan, the patient suffers. Likewise, when multiple agencies attempt to manage a sick river, the system can break down.
So how can better care be achieved? For Barkindji Elder David Doyle the answer lies in doing it together.
Seeking and listening to Aboriginal community
Aboriginal peoples have been explaining the importance of Australia’s inland rivers for generations. The Aboriginal community at Menindee held protests about the health of the Baaka two years before the first mass fish deaths. Yet their voices and cultural knowledges have not reconfigured river policy.
A report by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer into the March 2023 mass fish deaths on the Lower Baaka identified the importance of including Aboriginal cultural knowledges in strategies for fish species regeneration and management.
However, according to Barkindji Ngnukuu elder Barbara Quayle, the community’s experience of “consultation” has been a tick-box activity. She says there is no trust that cultural knowledges or community perspectives will actually be listened to.
The power of the arts
Traditional cultural knowledges are often held and expressed through various artforms, from story, to dance, to gallery arts. Within rural and remote communities, the arts and art-making create conditions that can help people work together to address complex issues. In fact, there’s a long history of the arts being used to address social conflict.
Can the Fishheart help prevent fish kills? We don’t know. But the Barkindji community’s artistic input in the project is enabling a more integrated approach to finding out.
Elders and community members have come together with regional arts organisation, The Cad Factory, and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Fisheries branch, to design traditional knowledge-inspired art for the Fishheart pipes.
This art was painted onto the pipes by members of Barkindji community over the past month. Other community art, including collaborations with the local school, was also placed around the site.
Making the art gave everyone involved the time, space and tools to consider and discuss the project. We learned how the Fishheart technology is inspired by the human heart, with tubes resembling “veins” and “arteries” that can take fish in and “pump” them over barriers through a siphon effect, letting them circulate throughout the river.
We discussed important details on how this technology works, which includes using artificial intelligence used to detect fish in the pipes and collect real-time data and photos of the migration. We also considered how we might further care for the river, by potentially allowing the removal of invasive species, or monitoring for diseases.
The project also provided fisheries managers with the opportunity to hear community concerns, such as whether the installation of fishways might be perceived in ways associated with colonisation, or eventually lead to fish removal from the waterways.
Most importantly, seeing the pipes visually transformed by Barkindji art connected the Fishheart to place and Country. The art provides a tangible expression of uninterrupted Barkindji custodianship for the river and the species that depend on it.
With art, there is hope for creating policy together – policy that might promote the health of the river as a whole, rather than treating the symptoms of the problem.
Claire Hooker receives funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, ARC, and University of Sydney. She is affiliated with Arts Health Network NSW/ACT.
Barbara Quayle is the Vice-president of the Menindee Aboriginal Elders Council, sits on the Barkindji Native Title Board and NSW Aboriginal Water Strategy Board and is a founding guide of Barkindji cultural immersion tour group, Wontanella Tours.
Dave Doyle is a member of the Menindee Aboriginal Elders Council, a previous member of the Barkindji Native Title Board, sits on the NSW Aboriginal Water Strategy Board and is a founding guide of Barkindji cultural immersion tour group, Wontanella Tours.
Reakeeta Smallwood has received funding from ARC and NHMRC, in partnership with University of Sydney, University of Newcastle and University of New England. These funding sources are not relevant to this article or project.
ZURICH, April 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The final hours are here. As the clock ticks down, XploraDEX is approaching the end of its $XPL Token Presale and the urgency across the XRP community has reached a fever pitch. With a few token remaining, the last wave of investors is moving fast to grab what’s left before it’s all gone.
XploraDEX has captured the spotlight as XRP’s first AI-powered decentralized exchange, designed to revolutionize trading with intelligent automation, real-time market insights, and adaptive strategies. It’s not just a platform, it’s a leap forward for DeFi on XRPL, and this presale is the one and only chance to enter before the public launch.
Built on XRPL’s lightning-fast infrastructure, XploraDEX uses machine learning to optimize every part of the trading process. From scanning markets for patterns to executing trades with precision, the platform delivers a smarter, data-driven experience tailored for both new and experienced crypto traders.
As the deadline nears, $XPL is more than just a presale token—it’s a passport into the future of on-chain trading. Here’s what holders unlock:
Full access to AI-powered trading dashboards
Automated signal-based strategy deployment
Discounted trading fees and reward-boosted staking pools
Governance rights and participation in future protocol updates
Early access to upcoming token launches through XploraDEX’s Launchpad
This final stretch has triggered a massive influx of new participants. Telegram is buzzing, on-chain metrics are spiking, and influential voices in the XRP space are sounding the alarm: act now or miss out.
What makes this even more pressing is the immediate rollout planned post-presale. Within days, staking pools will go live, AI modules will begin onboarding, and $XPL will debut on XRPL-based DEXs at a higher valuation.
There is no extension. No second round. This is the closing chapter of the presale—and your final chance to get in early before the rest of the market sees what’s coming.
If you’ve been watching and waiting, this is your signal. Time is almost up.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.
Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
ZURICH, April 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The final 24-hour countdown has begun, and time is running out for investors to join the XploraDEX $XPL Presale. With over 90% of the token allocation claimed and the platform’s debut around the corner, this is the last opportunity to be part of what many are calling the most advanced trading protocol ever built on the XRP Ledger.
XploraDEX is not just another DEX. It’s XRPL’s first artificial intelligence-powered decentralized exchange, bringing smart execution, automated strategies, and predictive trade analytics directly to traders. Designed for the fast-evolving XRP DeFi landscape, XploraDEX is set to change the way users interact with decentralized trading forever.
In just a few short weeks, XploraDEX has grown from a bold concept to a high-demand presale event that’s drawn thousands of participants. The token presale has maintained steady momentum since launch—but in the last 48 hours, activity has surged. Whale wallets, crypto influencers, and retail buyers alike are pouring in before the clock runs out.
Why the rush? Because $XPL Token is more than a utility—it’s the fuel of the entire XploraDEX ecosystem. Holding $XPL grants access to:
AI-enhanced trading dashboards and automated strategies
Discounted trading fees on supported pairs
Staking opportunities with platform-native rewards
With $XPL Presale closing in less than a day, buyers today are locking in the lowest possible entry price before public listings begin. Once the presale ends, $XPL will list on XRPL-based decentralized exchanges at a higher valuation, kicking off the next phase of product activation.
XploraDEX is already being recognized as a major leap forward for the XRP ecosystem. Its machine learning core gives traders a powerful edge, enabling them to operate faster, smarter, and with more confidence in volatile markets.
This is more than just a last-minute reminder. This is a final call.
In 24 hours, the presale ends—and so does the chance to be early to the AI revolution coming to XRPL. For those who’ve been watching, waiting, or thinking about it, now is the moment to act.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet, issued the following statement after U.S. District Judge James Boasbergruledthere is “probable cause” to hold the Trump Administration in criminal contempt of court for violating his order pausing any deportations under the Alien Enemies Act:
“I support the judiciary in using its authority to ensure that the Trump Administration complies with court orders.
“This is what checks and balances look like.
“This is how our government is supposed to function.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, April 20 — At a bustling department store in Guangzhou, south China, a Singaporean surnamed Lee picked up more than just premium Chinese tea for friends and family — he also walked away with a tax refund, pocketed instantly at the point of purchase.
“Super convenient,” said the tech entrepreneur, who was in town for a tech fair, applauding China’s new refund policy that spares international travelers the long queues at airports and puts money back in their accounts then and there.
China is expanding the coverage of instant tax refunds to improve the experience for international travelers. In Shanghai, the service has been available in about half of the city’s tax refund partner stores.
The policy, extended nationwide on April 8, builds on a slew of recent efforts by China to boost global exchanges and mobility, such as easing its visa policies, enhancing payment accessibility, and streamlining customs clearance.
These shifts have made exploring the country easier than ever, fueling a surge in “China Travel” content on social media platforms. For example, U.S. content creator IShowSpeed documented his kung fu journey at the famous Shaolin Temple in central China, captivating global audiences.
In 2024, China recorded 64.88 million border crossings by foreign nationals, an 82.9 percent increase year on year. In the first quarter of 2025, this number stood at 17.44 million, up 33.4 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
During Lee’s ten-day stay in China, he zipped through industrial parks, financial centers, and high-tech hubs across the industrial powerhouse, bringing home not just souvenirs but also promising partnerships.
Analysts believe that the recent expansion of the tax refund policy will increase spending by inbound travelers, spur growth in China’s tourism sector, and draw more visitors eager to explore the country.
On the ground, the effects are already visible. At the Grand Pacific, a shopping mall in downtown Beijing, staff reported long queues at tax refund counters. “It’s now routine to see waves of foreign tourists lining up. Some leave with a few items, others with entire hauls,” one employee said.
Qin Yi, manager of a porcelain shop in Shanghai, noted that foreign tourists who receive instant tax refunds in cash often make additional purchases on the spot — a trend that has helped drive up the store’s overall sales.
Inbound consumption in China is expected to exceed 1.5 trillion yuan (around 205 billion U.S. dollars) over the next five years, said economist Hong Tao at Beijing Technology and Business University. In 2024, inbound travelers spent over 94.2 billion dollars in China, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
As U.S. tariffs inflate the cost of Chinese imports, traveling to China makes more economic sense for savvy American shoppers.
Thanks to the new transit policy for citizens from 54 countries, including the United States, Americans can now stay in the country for up to 240 hours without a visa. Pair that with the freshly expanded refund-upon-purchase policy, and travelers would get a compelling formula: travel, shop, save — and repeat.
“There’s no middleman taking a cut,” as many put it. And the math checks out: with an 11 percent refund rate, spending 10,000 yuan gets people 1,100 yuan back. Though a service fee is charged, luxury goods, electronics, and other high-value items still look a lot more attractive.
Far from dimming their allure, U.S. tariffs have thrown a new spotlight on Chinese products, long prized for both quality and affordability.
“If the high U.S. tariffs persist, we may see the rise of a ‘daigou’ trade,” said Wang Huayu, an associate professor of fiscal and tax law at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, referring to a practice that Americans pay intermediaries to shop in China on their behalf.
However, delivering a premium shopping experience to attract inbound travelers requires more than policy changes, said experts.
It is important to bring more shops and a wider range of goods into the refund-upon-purchase program, said Hong.
Wang Peng, a researcher at Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, pointed to the power of digital contracts to slash the tax refund process down to mere seconds.
He also highlighted how artificial intelligence could step in to ease peak-hour pressure, standardize shopping services, and close infrastructure gaps across regions.
In Guangzhou, where Singaporean visitor Lee explored, a commentary carried by a local newspaper on April 10 has called for more efforts to identify choke points to make shopping in China more enjoyable.
“I’ll visit China again — and next time, I’m bringing my family and friends along,” said Lee.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
WUHAN, April 20 — China has made significant progress in vaccine development and immunization, marked by a growing portfolio of domestically produced vaccines and remarkable public health results.
These achievements were highlighted at the 2025 National Vaccines and Health Conference, held over the weekend in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province in central China, and attended by nearly 3,000 public health officials and medical professionals.
Over the past years, China has achieved notable breakthroughs in vaccine technology. Milestones include the successful development of homegrown HPV and Ebola vaccines, as well as advances in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines against 13 types of bacteria and shingles vaccines.
Several Chinese vaccines have received prequalification from the World Health Organization, enabling their distribution in partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative.
These advancements underscore a broader shift in China’s vaccine industry — from focusing primarily on domestic needs to increasingly contributing to the global vaccine supply chain, according to Wang Yunfu, head of the Health Commission of Hubei Province.
The global biotechnology landscape has also helped accelerate this transformation, as the participants pointed out. In recent years, breakthroughs in technologies such as mRNA platforms, viral vectors, and nanoparticle delivery systems have opened up unprecedented opportunities for vaccine research and development, significantly improving both efficiency and immune response.
Alongside scientific innovation, China has placed strong emphasis on safety and regulatory oversight. In 2019, it became the first country to implement a comprehensive vaccine administration law, followed by updated immunization standards introduced in 2023.
A nationwide traceability system has been set up, ensuring that every dose can be tracked from production to administration, enhancing transparency and public trust.
China’s national immunization programs have yielded strong public health results.
The country achieved polio-free status in 2000, eliminated neonatal tetanus by 2012, and has reported no locally transmitted diphtheria cases since 2007. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among children under five declined from nearly 10 percent in 1992 to just 0.3 percent in 2020.
Routine vaccination coverage has remained above 90 percent nationwide, supported by an extensive healthcare infrastructure that ensures every township has at least one vaccination unit.
Efforts to expand access and improve service delivery remain a central priority. “Public health should be protected through more accessible and higher-quality vaccine services,” said Li Bin, president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, adding that this goal was reflected in the conference’s theme.
For example, in Hubei, girls aged 14 are now eligible for free HPV vaccination, and immunization for newborns is being integrated into the birth registration process to ensure early and timely coverage.
Looking ahead, China is preparing to refine its immunization strategy and services further.
Health authorities are considering dynamic adjustments to the national immunization program to prioritize vaccines with high cost-effectiveness or those associated with costly diseases. In some regions, pilots may allow the use of personal health insurance accounts to cover non-mandatory vaccines, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the public.
Digital tools will also play an increasing role in modernizing immunization services. Electronic vaccination records are being shared across provinces, while artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting with appointment scheduling. Big data platforms are improving vaccine inventory management and logistics.
Yin Zundong, head of the Immunization Program Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the role of advanced data technologies.
“With the help of big data and AI, disease surveillance and early warning systems can become more accurate and efficient,” Yin said. “In the future, data-driven tools will enable precise assessments of vaccine protection efficacy.”
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The active construction stage of the Baimsky Mining and Processing Plant (Baimsky GOK) has started in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. This is the first mining and processing plant in Russia to use unmanned technologies and the Internet of Things in copper ore mining. Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko and Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev got acquainted with the progress of construction of the Baimsky GOK during a working visit to industrial development sites in the Far East.
The plant is being built on the territory of the Baimskaya ore zone, which has not been developed for decades due to difficult climatic conditions, lack of infrastructure and technology. Financial support for the project is provided by the state corporation VEB.RF and a syndicate of commercial banks within the framework of the Project Financing Factory. The total investment volume will exceed 1.1 trillion rubles.
“The Baimsky Mining and Processing Plant is a complex and extremely capital-intensive project. Its implementation is complicated by objective factors: a complete lack of infrastructure, a polar climate and significant distance from industrial centers. In this regard, the systemic participation of the state is becoming a mandatory condition for the implementation of the project. VEB.RF plays a key role in its financing. This is an example of how business and the state jointly solve strategic problems and achieve results even where it previously seemed impossible,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.
Advanced technologies are used in the construction of the Baimsky GOK. In particular, unmanned quarry dump trucks and drilling machines will operate under the control of an intelligent system. The system analyzes the workspace in real time, transmits data to the central control center, where special artificial intelligence algorithms optimize production processes and equipment routes. For the first time in the copper industry, direct flotation technology will be used, which allows for more efficient processing of ore, reducing waste and resource consumption. This approach ensures high efficiency, industrial safety and environmental friendliness.
Dmitry Grigorenko emphasized that the Baimsky project is not limited to the construction of a separate facility, but envisages the creation from scratch of all the necessary infrastructure for the operation of the plant – from highways, a port and an energy complex to a residential area.
The construction of key internal infrastructure facilities has been completed: a runway, a fuel storage facility, a 110 kV power transmission line with a substation, internal roads, the first stage of a shift camp for 1.2 thousand people, and a transport center in Bilibin. The construction of external infrastructure facilities continues: the Chaun port, as well as a road and power transmission line more than 400 km long to the field.
“Baimsky GOK is a unique project in terms of scale and effects. It is the largest project implemented with the participation of VEB.RF and commercial banks within the framework of the Project Finance Factory. State support mechanisms, as well as the competencies of VEB.RF and partner banks, made it possible to increase the availability of credit resources, extend the loan terms and distribute risks among the project participants,” said Igor Shuvalov, Chairman of VEB.RF.
Industrial operation of the Baimsky Mining and Processing Plant will begin in 2029. The design capacity of the plant is about 70 million tons of copper ore per year.
The development of the Baimskaya ore zone was launched in 2018 at the Eastern Economic Forum by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2021, the Government approved a roadmap for the project, providing comprehensive support at the federal level.
The project is included in the Strategy for the Socioeconomic Development of the Far East and the Baikal Region until 2025 and the Strategy for the Socioeconomic Development of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug until 2030.
Support at the regional level includes tax breaks and simplified administrative procedures within the framework of the preferential regime of the Chukotka priority development area.
“We have moved from the design stage to active construction. The investment volume will exceed 1.1 trillion rubles, of which more than 260 billion have already been spent. It is important for us that the federal institutions and authorities providing support see the high pace of our work in the harsh conditions of the Far North. The support of VEB.RF, in particular, is not just financing, but trust in our strategy, the professionalism of the team and the long-term potential of the project,” emphasized Georgy Fotin, General Director of Baimskaya Management Company LLC.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to leave tonight for an official visit to USA and Peru from 20th to 30th April 2025 Union Finance Minister to attend Spring Meetings of the IMF-World Bank
FM will also take part in G20 Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings besides bilateral meetings with many countries and organisations
Smt. Sitharaman will participate in multilateral dialogues on various fora to showcase India’s economic dynamism
Posted On: 19 APR 2025 5:11PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on an official visit to USA and Peru beginning 20th April, 2025. During the visit to the USA, the Union Finance Minister will visit San Francisco and Washington D.C. from 20th to 25th April, 2025.
In the course of her two-day visit to San Francisco beginning 20th April 2025, the Union Finance Minister will deliver a keynote address at the Hoover Institution at the Stanford University, San Francisco, on ‘Laying the foundations of Viksit Bharat 2047’ followed by a fireside chat session.
Smt. Sitharaman will also interact with top CEOs from prominent fund management firms during a Roundtable meeting with investors, besides holding bilateral meetings with CEOs from top information technology (IT) firms based in San Francisco. Smt. Sitharaman will also participate in an event featuring Indian diaspora in San Francisco and interact with the Indian community settled there.
During her visit to Washington D.C., USA, from 22nd to 25th April 2025, Smt. Sitharaman will participate in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the 2ndG20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governor (FMCBG) Meetings, Development Committee Plenary, IMFC Plenary, and Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) meeting.
On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., Smt. Sitharaman will hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts from several countries, including Argentina, Bahrain, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, and USA; besides meeting EU Commissioner for Financial Services; President, Asian Development Bank (ADB); President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA); and First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
During her maiden visit to Peru from 26th to 30th April 2025, the Union Finance Minister will lead an Indian delegation of officials from the Ministry of Finance and business leaders, highlighting the strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations between the two nations.
Beginning her visit in Lima, Union Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman is expected to call on the President of Peru, H.E. Ms. Dina Boluarte, and Prime Minister of Peru, H.E. Mr. Gustavo Adrianzén, besides holding bilateral meetings with the Peruvian Ministers of Finance and Economy; Defence; Energy and Mines; and also holding interaction with local public representatives.
In the course of her visit to Peru, the Union Finance Minister will chair the India-Peru Business Forum meeting with prominent business representatives in attendance from both India and Peru. Smt. Sitharaman will also hold an interaction with the Indian investors & businesses currently operating in Peru, as well as the Indian Business delegation visiting Peru.
Given Peru’s importance in the global supply chain of critical minerals and precious metals, discussions during these engagements are also expected to explore avenues for greater collaboration in the mining sector, particularly to strengthen India’s resource security and facilitate value-chain linkages between the two economies.
The Union Finance Minister will also participate in a community event at Lima, where she will interact with the Indian diaspora living in Peru.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attends the program organized by Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on the occasion of World Liver Day in New Delhi as the Chief Guest Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched many programs in the last 10 years to keep the countrymen healthy with a holistic approach
All countrymen should take good diet, adequate water, adequate sleep and regular exercise, the rest Modi government will take the responsibility of taking care of your health
A healthy liver is the gateway to a healthy body
On the occasion of ‘World Liver Day’, everyone should take a pledge to keep their ‘liver’ healthy with awareness, diligence and complete information
Young people can achieve a lot in their lives with water, diet, exercise and sleep as per the requirement of the body
The innovative initiative of HEALED scheme by ILBS will be successful in spreading awareness in the country towards keeping the ‘liver’ healthy
Today the whole world is moving forward by accepting the mantra given in our Vedas ‘Aahaar Hi Aushdhi Hai’
Home Minister said that the corporate sector should, through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), spread awareness about the importance of liver and help organisations working for a healthy liver
Posted On: 19 APR 2025 4:39PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attended the program organized by Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on the occasion of World Liver Day in New Delhi today as the Chief Guest. Many dignitaries including Delhi Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta were present on the occasion.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the liver plays a very important role in our body and in keeping it healthy. Among all the organs in our body, the liver has the greatest ability to regenerate and healthy liver is the gateway to a healthy body. He said that today on the occasion of ‘World Liver Day’, everyone should take a pledge to keep their ‘liver’ healthy with awareness, diligence and complete information. Sharing his experience of a healthy lifestyle, Home Minister said that there has been a huge change in his life since May 2020. Shri Shah said that Young people can achieve a lot in their lives with water, diet, exercise and sleep as per the requirement of the body.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set before the country the goal of making India developed in 2047, coinciding with the centenary of independence, where India will be self-reliant in every field and will lead the world. He said that the concept of a developed India cannot be realised by being unwell and that is why it is very important that every citizen remains healthy.
Union Home Minister said that today the HEALED scheme has been launched by ILBS and this innovative initiative of HEALED scheme by ILBS will be successful in spreading awareness in the country towards keeping the ‘liver’ healthy. He said that every person should also get Vitamin E tested during regular health checkup. Shri Shah said that today the whole world is moving forward by accepting the mantra given in our Vedas ‘Aahaar Hi Aushdhi Hai’. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched many programs in the last 10 years to keep the countrymen healthy with a holistic approach.
He said that the Ministry of AYUSH is working to develop a system so that we do not fall ill. Shri Shah said that today even big allopathic hospitals are opening AYUSH wings. The mental and physical health of a person was included in the idea of World Yoga Day. He said that today the Modi government is bearing the entire cost of treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for crores of people of the country. The government is also bearing all expenses up to Rs 5 lakh for the treatment of citizens above 70 years of age.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government has spent 65 thousand crore rupees to build the health infrastructure in the country and has made arrangements to make every Primary Health Center (PHC) and Community Health Center (CHC) a complete unit. He said that for generic medicines, a network of more than 15 thousand Jan Aushadhi Centers has been created in the country and through these centres medicines are available up to 80 percent cheaper. Under Mission Indradhanush, arrangements have been made for free vaccination of children from birth to the age of 15 years and 1 crore 32 lakh mothers were also vaccinated. Shri Shah said that under the e-Sanjeevani app, the work of providing more than 30 crore 90 lakh digital medical consultations from big health institutions in rural areas across the country has been carried out. Shri Shah said that in 2014 there were 7 AIIMS in the country, today the number has reached 23, there were 387 medical colleges in 2014, today it stands at 780, there were 51 thousand MBBS seats which have increased to 1 lakh 18 thousand today and now 75 thousand more seats are going to be increased. Along with this, there were 31 thousand PG seats which have increased to 74 thousand today. He said that in 2014 the country’s health budget was 37 thousand crore rupees which has been increased to 1 lakh 27 thousand crore rupees by Prime Minister Modi today.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that over the past 10 years, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has created a comprehensive framework for the health of the country’s 1.3 billion citizens. He said, all countrymen should take good diet, adequate water, adequate sleep and regular exercise, the rest Modi government will take the responsibility of taking care of your health. Home Minister requested the corporate world of the country to give importance to the promotion of healthy liver in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and help the organizations working for healthy liver. He also appealed to the media to spread awareness about health along with entertainment. Shri Shah said that ILBS should tie itself up with AIIMS and major government hospitals across the country to make arrangements for guidance of liver patients and spread awareness about it.
WAVES Cosplay Championship Wildcard Showdown in Mumbai a Massive Hit as Over 50 Cosplayers Set the Stage on Fire 30 Finalists Selected for Grand Finale at Jio World Centre
Posted On: 19 APR 2025 9:02PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 19 April 2025:
The city of dreams turned into a galaxy of fandoms as Mumbai hosted the explosive WAVES Cosplay Championship Wildcard Showdown, presented by Creators Street, the Indian Comics Association (ICA), and the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), and powered by Epiko Con, India’s next big pop culture festival, at Thakur Collage of Science and Commerce today, April 19th, 2025.
Held as a spectacular prelude to the WAVES Cosplay Championship grand finale, this blockbuster pre-event saw over 50 top-tier cosplayers from across the region lighting up the stage with high-octane performances, screen-accurate costumes, and electrifying fandom energy.
Out of the cosplayers participated, the Jury comprising Mr Venkatesh, Founder and CEO of Wharf Street Studios, Ajay Krishna of Forbidden Verse, and Anadi Abhilash, Secretary, Indian Comics Association, selected 30 wild card entries who will now meet at the grand finale which will be held at WAVES at Jio World Centre, Mumbai during May 1st to 4th, 2025.
A majestic portrayal of Lord Narasimha, bringing to life the power and divinity of India’s rich cultural heritage and appearances from celebrity guests, creators, and influencers within India’s growing cosplay community were the highlights of the event. A fan-fueled celebration packed with photo ops, spontaneous performances, and viral social media moments also added colour to the event.
The high-energy meetup wasn’t just a qualifier—it was a cultural phenomenon. Every moment at the venue captured the sheer power of community, creativity, and youth expression in India’s rising cosplay revolution. The Wildcard Showdown was a breakout success, setting the tone for what is being called India’s biggest cosplay movement to date. From incredible craftsmanship to compelling performances, the Mumbai showdown was a reminder that cosplay in India is not just growing—it’s booming.
“This event just proves how powerful the cosplay movement is becoming in India,” said one jury member. “The energy, the effort, the love for characters—it’s all real, and it’s growing bigger every year,” he said.
The grand finale will feature top cosplayers from across India and the winners will be awarded with cash prizes and exclusive showcases. The jury will have members top studios in animation, film, and gaming. The highlight of the championship is the collaborations with ICA, Forbidden Verse, TVAGA, MEAI, Creator Street, and the powerhouse of pop culture – Epiko Con.
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng will commence his duty visit to Mumbai and New Delhi in India today (April 20), highlighting Hong Kong’s unrivalled role as a gateway for Indian companies to expand into Mainland China and across North Asia and Southeast Asia.
A highlight of the visit is the event Gateway to Growth: Exploring Business & Investment Opportunities in and via Hong Kong, jointly organised by InvestHK, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. As a keynote speaker, Mr Ng will update the participants on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s business landscape, as well as the strategic advantages of establishing operations in Hong Kong for Indian companies.
Mr Ng said, “As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is not only a major start-up base but also is home to numerous high-net-worth individuals and wealthy families seeking diversified investment opportunities. Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to meet these needs. Our vibrant start-up ecosystem, boasting nearly 4 700 ventures in AI, healthtech, fintech, Web3 and other cutting-edge fields offers exceptional opportunities for Indian start-ups and investors alike. Moreover, our New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme offers an attractive pathway for Indian wealthy families looking to combine investment with the option of living in the city.”
Mr Ng’s visit includes high-level discussions with prominent Indian firms and investors focusing on establishing a presence in Hong Kong to capitalise on its strategic advantages for global growth. Hong Kong’s business-friendly environment, characterised by clear and transparent regulations, a simple and low tax regime, robust capital markets and free capital flows, positions the city as the ideal platform for Indian companies exploring expansion opportunities.
Mr Ng added, “With its unique position at the heart of Asia, world-class financial infrastructure, and deep connectivity with Mainland China and global markets, Hong Kong can empower Indian businesses to scale regionally and compete globally. This visit underscores InvestHK’s commitment to strengthening Hong Kong–India ties by fostering greater investment and innovation between the two places.”
The economic synergy between Hong Kong and India is profound. In 2024, India ranked as Hong Kong’s ninth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately US$26 billion. Hong Kong is home to a vibrant and long-standing Indian community of over 42 000 people. Bilateral ties have been further reinforced by the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, signed in March 2018 and enhanced through a protocol in November 2018, which provides a robust framework for cross-border trade and investment.
WAVES Film Poster Making Challenge Announces Top 50 Digital Poster Winners Final Awards to Be Revealed at WAVES in Mumbai
10 Selected to Compete at Live Hand-Painted Poster Making Competition at WAVES
Posted On: 19 APR 2025 1:00PM by PIB Mumbai
April 17, 2025
The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) has announced the Top 50 digital poster winners of its Film Poster Making Challenge following an overwhelming response from artists across India. The competition received 542 digital submissions reflecting the passion and innovation of emerging visual storytellers. In the Hand-Painted Poster Making Competition, 10 entries have been chosen from different art institutions across the country. The winners will be selected at the live finale set to take place during the WAVE Summit in Mumbai.
Digital Poster Making Competition
The jury comprising Aditya Arya, Photographer and Founder Director, Museo Camera Gurugram, and Ananda Moy Banerji, Artist Printmaker and Vice Principal, South Delhi Polytechnic for Women, along with co-organisers Imagenation Street Art and National Film Development Corporation-National Film Achieves India conducted a rigorous multi-stage evaluation. From a preliminary shortlist of 197 posters, the jury selected the final top 50 based on creativity, originality and storytelling impact.
Among the top 50, three standout finalists have been identified (in alphabetical order):
Saptosindhu Sengupta
Shivangi Sarmah Kashyap
Suresh D Nair
The final rankings of the top three will be announced at the WAVE Summit scheduled to take place in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025. The 50 winning posters will also be digitally exhibited at the summit offering participants a valuable platform for visibility and recognition.
Hand-Painted Poster Art to Be Celebrated with Live Competition at WAVES
The WAVES will also host a Live Hand-Painted Film Poster Making Competition shining a spotlight on a traditional art form that once defined Indian cinema’s visual identity. Evoking the spirit of legendary artists such as MF Husain and SM Pandit, this segment honors the rich heritage of hand-painted posters.
Out of all entries, 10 student artists have been selected to participate in the live competition at the WAVES. The event will showcase their skills as they create hand-painted film posters in real time. The top three winners will be recognized and awarded for their outstanding contributions to this culturally significant medium.
About Film Poster Making Challenge
The WAVES Film Poster Making Challenge is part of a broader initiative to celebrate cinematic art, foster emerging talent, and bridge traditional and contemporary forms of visual storytelling. For more information and the complete list of winners, visit: 👉 https://www.nfdcindia.com/waves-poster-challenge-2025/
About WAVES
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit, a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Extended Reality.