State visit by Palauan President Whipps concludes; successfully deepens bilateral relations
Date：2025-05-24 Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
May 24, 2025No. 173President of the Republic of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and his delegation concluded a successful state visit to Taiwan on the morning of May 24. Following President Lai Ching-te’s December visit to Pacific allies entitled “Smart and Sustainable Development for a Prosperous Austronesian Region” and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung’s January trip to Palau as special presidential envoy and head of an industrial fact-finding mission, this visit marked the further deepening of diverse and robust cooperation between Taiwan and Palau under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. It also underlined the significant accomplishments that the two countries had achieved thanks to their staunch commitment to jointly promoting sustainable development. During his visit, President Whipps met with President Lai, attended a state banquet, and together with President Lai witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements on technical cooperation and diplomatic staff training and cooperation. Accompanied by Minister Lin, President Whipps also visited industries related to the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project in central and southern Taiwan. The tour reflected Taiwan’s continuing efforts to strengthen the resilience of Palau’s tourism-centered economy through integrated diplomacy and demonstrated the substantive success of bilateral collaboration.Leaving Taiwan today, the Palauan delegation was seen off at the airport by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus Li-kuo Chen. Since establishing diplomatic ties 26 years ago, Taiwan and Palau have enjoyed a solid friendship, mutual trust, and steadfast cooperation across all domains. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to uphold the close and cordial cooperative partnership between the two countries, promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, and deepen bilateral relations. It will also work with Palau to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)
The Indian Embassy in Iran said on Wednesday it had raised with Iranian authorities the case of three Indian nationals from the same family who went missing after arriving in the country on May 2.
The embassy said that India has urged Iranian authorities to trace the missing individuals and ensure their safety. It also said that the families are being regularly updated on the efforts being made.
In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Iran said: “Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after traveling to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians be urgently traced and their safety ensured.”
“We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy.”
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 28, 2025/APO Group/ —
Africa’s economy is projected to increase from 3.3 percent growth in 2024 to 3.9 percent in 2025, reaching 4 percent in 2026, despite mounting geopolitical uncertainties and trade tensions, the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) said Tuesday in its flagship 2025 African Economic Outlook report.
Despite the prevailing domestic and external challenges Africa continues to demonstrate notable resilience. The report, titled “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” was released during the Bank Group’s 2025 Annual Meetings, taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. It demonstrates the continent’s capacity to weather multiple shocks while identifying pathways to unlock a vast potential for transformation.
Strong growth outlook despite global headwinds
The report presents encouraging projections despite significant challenges:
21 African countries will achieve growth exceeding 5 percentin 2025, with four countries—Ethiopia, Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal—potentially reaching the critical 7 percent threshold required for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.
Africa’s projected growth rates will surpass the global average and outpace most other regions except emerging and developing Asia.
Africa’s continued resilience is built on effective domestic reforms and improved macroeconomic management.
Mixed growth performance across Africa’s regions
Growth prospects vary significantly across regions: East Africa leads with a projected 5.9 percent growth in 2025-2026, driven by resilience in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania. West Africa maintains solid 4.3 percent growth, driven by new oil and gas production coming onstream in Senegal and Niger. In the face of persistent headwinds, North Africa is expected to register 3.6 percent growth in 2025. In Central Africa, growth is projected to slow to 3.2% and Southern Africa will grow at only 2.2 percent, with its largest economy, South Africa, expected to achieve only 0.8 percent growth
Significant challenges persist. Fifteen countries are experiencing double-digit inflation, while interest payments now consume 27.5 percent of government revenue across Africa, up from 19 percent in 2019.
“Africa must now face the challenge and look inwards to mobilizing the resources needed to finance its own development in the years ahead,” said Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President of the African Development Bank Group, presenting the report’s findings.
The AEO 2025 estimates that, with the right policies, Africa could mobilize an additional $1.43 trillion in domestic resources from tax and non-tax revenue sources through efficiency gains alone. Africa’s extraordinary but underutilized resource base includes:
Natural capital: Africa hosts 30 percent of global mineral reserves and could capture over 10 percent of the projected $16 trillion in revenues from key green minerals by 2030
Human capital: The continent’s median age of 19 represents a demographic dividend that could add $47 billion to Africa’s GDP through improved workforce participation
Financial capital: Pension fund assets have grown to $1.1 trillion, while formal remittances could reach $500 billion by 2035 if transfer costs are reduced
Business capital: Full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area could increase exports by $560 billion and boost continental income by $450 billion by 2035
Urgent action needed to address resource leakages
The report stresses that massive capital outflows are undermining the continent’s development. Compared to $190.7 billion of financial inflows received in 2022, Africa lost approximately $587 billion from financial leakages. Of this, around $90 billion was lost to illicit financial flows, a further $275 billion siphoned away by multinational corporations shifting profits, and $148 billion lost to corruption.
Vice President Urama said: “When Africa allocates its own capital (human, natural, fiscal, business and financial) effectively, global capital will follow Africa’s capital to accelerate investments in productive sectors in Africa.”
Key policy recommendations
“There can be no substitute to sound macroeconomic policy management, quality institutions and good governance, and rule of law.” VP Urama said, emphasizing the vital need to bolster governance.
The report also calls for comprehensive reforms across several critical areas. On fiscal revenue mobilization, it recommends enhancing tax administration through digitalization, broadening national tax bases, and strengthening social contracts with citizens to improve compliance. It advocates making natural capital accounting mandatory and enforcing domestic value retention through beneficiation requirements.
The AEO also emphasizes the need to deepen financial markets by tapping institutional savings, developing local currency bond markets, and harmonizing regulatory frameworks to facilitate cross-border investment.
The African Economic Outlook: The 2025 African Economic Outlook provides a comprehensive roadmap for unlocking Africa’s transformation potential through better mobilization and utilization of domestic capital resources.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the continuation of the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for the financial year 2025–26. The scheme will retain the existing 1.5% interest subvention offered to eligible lending institutions, ensuring that short-term agricultural loans remain affordable and accessible to farmers across the country.
The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at making short-term credit available to farmers at a reduced interest rate through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) system. Under the scheme, farmers can avail loans of up to ₹3 lakh at a standard interest rate of 7%. A 1.5% interest subvention is provided to lending institutions, effectively reducing the lending burden. Furthermore, farmers who repay their loans promptly receive an additional incentive of up to 3% as a Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI), bringing down the effective interest rate to just 4%. For loans taken specifically for animal husbandry or fisheries, the interest benefit is available for amounts up to ₹2 lakh.
No changes have been introduced in the structure or other operational aspects of the scheme for the upcoming financial year.
As of now, there are more than 7.75 crore active Kisan Credit Card accounts in India. The continued implementation of MISS is expected to play a crucial role in sustaining the flow of institutional credit to the agriculture sector, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers. This support is vital for enhancing farm productivity and ensuring financial inclusion in rural areas.
In recent years, India has witnessed significant growth in agricultural credit. Institutional credit disbursed through KCC increased from ₹4.26 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹10.05 lakh crore by December 2024. Overall agricultural credit flow also rose substantially, from ₹7.3 lakh crore in the financial year 2013–14 to ₹25.49 lakh crore in 2023–24.
In addition to credit expansion, digital reforms have improved efficiency and transparency in the credit system. The launch of the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) in August 2023 has streamlined the claim processing mechanism under the scheme, reducing delays and promoting accountability in interest subvention disbursements.
Given the current lending cost environment, including trends in the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) and repo rate movements, maintaining the 1.5% interest subvention is considered essential. This will help rural and cooperative banks continue providing low-cost loans, enabling farmers to access timely credit without additional financial pressure.
In a significant move to improve the examination process for aspirants, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has launched a new Online Application Portal, effective from May 28. The portal is designed to simplify and speed up the registration and application process for various UPSC examinations, making it more user-friendly and efficient.
The new portal, available at [https://upsconline.nic.in](https://upsconline.nic.in), has been structured into four key sections presented as separate cards on the homepage. These include Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and Examination.
The first three sections contain details common to all exams and can be completed at any time, allowing candidates to register their information in advance. Only the fourth section, related specifically to each examination, needs to be filled in when an exam is officially announced. This section will include the exam notification, application form, and application status.
This setup allows candidates to complete most of the application process ahead of time, helping them avoid last-minute delays and ensuring they are prepared as soon as a new examination is announced. The system enables the reuse of personal and academic information, making the process faster and reducing errors.
All candidates are required to freshly register on the new portal and fill out their profiles and applications. The older One Time Registration (OTR) system will no longer be applicable. The portal offers detailed instructions on its homepage and within each section to assist candidates with application submission and document uploads.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to use their Aadhaar Card as their primary identity document during the registration process. Using Aadhaar will allow for quick, seamless authentication and verification of identity and details, creating a permanent and unified record for use across all future UPSC examinations.
The new portal will be used for the first time for applications to the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam-II, 2025, and the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Exam-II, 2025, both of which are being notified on May 28, 2025.
With this digital reform, UPSC aims to bring greater transparency, convenience, and efficiency to its recruitment process, supporting the broader push toward digital governance in public service administration.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Retired and active operators, civilians, and combat support representing warfighters from every era of American combat since the Vietnam War, reunited with former and current teammates on May 22, 2025, to celebrate a milestone – 50 years of Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 1.
Before then, recording was done mechanically, scratching sound waves onto rolled paper or a cylinder. Such recordings suffered from low fidelity and captured only a small segment of the audible sound spectrum.
By using electrical microphones, amplifiers and electromechanical recorders, record companies could capture a far wider range of sound frequencies, with much higher fidelity. For the first time, recorded sound closely resembled what a live listener would hear. Over the ensuing years, sales of vinyl records and record players boomed.
The technology also allowed some enterprising music fans to make recordings in surprising and innovative ways. As a physician and scholar in the medical humanities, I am fascinated by the use of X-ray film to make recordings – what was known as “bone music,” or “ribs.”
This rather bizarre, homemade technology became a way to skirt censors in the Soviet Union – and even played an indirect role in its dissolution.
Skirting the Soviet censorship regime
At the end of World War II, Soviet censorship shifted into high gear in an effort to suppress a Western culture deemed threatening or decadent.
Many books and poems could circulate only through “samizdat,” a portmanteau of “self” and “publishing” that involved the use of copy machines to reproduce forbidden texts. Punishments inflicted on Soviet artists and citizens for producing or disseminating censored materials included loss of employment, imprisonment in gulags and even execution.
The phonographic analog of samizdat was often referred to as “roentgenizdat,” which was derived from the name of Wilhelm Roentgen, the German scientist who received the first Nobel Prize in physics in 1901 for his discovery of X-rays.
Roentgen’s work revolutionized medicine, making it possible to peer inside the living human body without cutting it open and enabling physicians to more easily and accurately diagnose skeletal fractures and diseases such as pneumonia.
Today, X-rays are produced and stored digitally. But for most of the 20th century they were created on photographic film and stored in large film libraries, which took up a great deal of space.
Because exposed X-ray films cannot be reused, hospitals often recycled them to recoup the silver they contained.
Making music from medicine
In the Soviet Union in the 1940s, some clever people realized that X-ray film was just soft enough to be etched by an electromechanical lathe, or sound recording device.
To make a “rib,” or “bone record,” they would use a compass to trace out a circle on an exposed X-ray film that might bear the image of a patient’s skull, spine or hands. They then used scissors to cut out the circle, before cutting a small hole in the middle so it would fit on a conventional record player.
Then they would use a recording device to cut either live sound or, more commonly, a bootleg record onto the X-ray film. Sound consists of vibrations that the lathe’s stylus etches into grooves on the disc. Such devices were not widely available, meaning that only a relatively small number of people could produce such recordings.
A disc-cutting lathe demonstrates the production of an X-ray record at a 2021 exhibition in Berlin, Germany. Adam Berry/Getty Images
The censors kept a close eye on record companies. But anyone who could obtain a recording device could record music on pieces of X-ray film, and these old films could be obtained after hospitals threw them out or purchased at a relatively low price from hospital employees.
Compared with professionally produced vinyl records, the sound quality was poor, with recordings marred by extraneous noises such as hisses and crackles. The records could be played only a limited number of times before the grooves would wear out.
Nonetheless, these resourceful recordings were shared, bought and sold entirely outside of official channels into the 1960s and 1970s.
A window into another life
Popular artists “on the bone” included Ella Fitzgerald and Elvis Presley, whose jazz and rock ’n’ roll recordings, to the ears of many Soviet citizens, represented freedom and self-expression.
In his book “Bone Music,” cultural historian Stephen Coates describes how Soviet authorities viewed performers such as The Beatles as toxic because they appeared to promote a brand of amoral hedonism and distracted citizens from Communist party priorities.
“It is true that from time to time they are caught, their equipment confiscated, and they may even be brought to court. But then they may be released and be free to go wherever they like. The judges decide that they are, of course, parasites, but they are not dangerous. They are getting suspended sentences! But these record producers are not just engaged in illegal operations. They corrupt young people diligently and methodically with a squeaky cacophony and spread explicit obscenities.”
Bone music was inherently subversive.
For one thing, it was against the law. Moreover, the music itself suggested that a different sort of life is possible, beyond the strictures of Communist officials. How could a political system that prohibited beautiful music, many asked, possibly merit the allegiance of its citizens?
The ability of citizens to get around the censors and spread Western thought, whether through books or bone music, helped chip away at the government’s legitimacy.
One Soviet-era listener Coates interviewed long after the USSR’s collapse described the joy of listening to these illicit recordings:
“I was lifted up off the ground, I started flying. Rock’n’roll showed me a new world, a world of music, words, and feelings, of life, of a different lifestyle. That’s why, when I got my first records, I became a happy man. I felt like a changed person, it was as if I was born again.”
The playing of a bootleg record from the Soviet Union, recorded on an X-ray negative.
Richard Gunderman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Security Bureau today submitted a regulation to the Legislative Council (LegCo) that aims to facilitate the implementation of the Registered Fire Engineer (RFE) Scheme on November 1.
The Security Bureau said that currently, a person who intends to run various types of licensed premises can only rely on public services in making a fire safety risk assessment of the premises concerned and certifying fire safety compliance.
To facilitate business operations and make good use of professional and qualified human resources in the market, the bureau proposed to introduce the RFE Scheme to leverage professional engineers and qualified people in the market for the provision of fire safety risk assessment and certification services.
The Fire Safety Department will continue to deliver such services to members of the public if they so choose.
Apart from offering an additional option to the market, the implementation of the scheme could promote the development of the fire engineering profession. The fees of RFE services would be determined by the market.
The bureau highlighted that one of the key considerations for the Government in introducing the RFE Scheme is that it must not compromise fire safety and public safety.
Hence, in formulating the regulation, the Government aims to regulate RFE registration, and the provisions will cover the registration mechanism and duties of RFEs, the disciplinary and appeal mechanisms as well as the issue of the code of practice.
The Fire Services (Registered Fire Engineers) Regulation is subject to LegCo’s scrutiny by the positive vetting procedures.
At a later stage, the Government will introduce into LegCo the other three pieces of subsidiary legislation which are relevant to the implementation of the RFE Scheme for negative vetting.
Separately, the Secretary for Security will specify November 1 as the commencement date by notice in the Gazette, so that the scheme can start on the same day.
The Government today welcomed the passage of a bill by the Legislative Council to increase the air passenger departure tax from $120 to $200 per passenger, which would apply to air tickets purchased from October 1 onwards.
It is anticipated that government revenue will increase by about $1.6 billion per year.
The Government said the new tax rate, which was proposed in the recent Budget, has struck a balance between raising revenue and minimising the impact on passengers when considering increasing the departure tax.
It added that the impact of the increase on the overall cost of travelling for air passengers is minimal.
The Air Passenger Departure Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be published in a Gazette notice on June 6.
Headline: Logic Pro amplifies beat making on Mac and iPad with advanced new capabilities
May 28, 2025
UPDATE
Logic Pro amplifies beat making on Mac and iPad with advanced new capabilities
An enhanced Stem Splitter and new features like Flashback Capture elevate hip-hop and electronic music production to a new level
Apple today introduced new Logic Pro updates for Mac and iPad, supercharging beat making and producing. The innovative Stem Splitter feature now offers even greater audio fidelity, and can separate guitar and piano into stems. With Flashback Capture, users can retrieve and restore inspiring performances they may have forgotten to record. And with energetic new sound packs like Dancefloor Rush, beat makers have fresh loops and kits to fuel their next track.
Stem Splitter Delivers Enhanced Audio Fidelity and New Stems
The updated Stem Splitter extracts greater detail from old recordings and demos, and now offers added support for guitar and piano stems.1 Producers can easily select common stem variations, such as acapella, instrumental, or instrumental with vocals using presets. Additionally, a new submix feature makes it easy for users to export just the parts of audio they want — for example, removing vocals to create an instrumental track, or pulling out the drums and bass for a custom remix.
Recall Every Moment with Flashback Capture
Flashback Capture allows artists to recover unforgettable performances, even if they forgot to hit record.2 Users can quickly restore MIDI and audio performances using a key command or a custom control bar button. By enabling Cycle mode, musicians can improvise multiple takes, and Flashback Capture will automatically organize each pass into a take folder.
New Sound Packs to Amplify Music Production
Logic Pro adds new sound packs to amplify music production. Dancefloor Rush — the latest sound pack for Mac and iPad — features a world of expertly crafted drum-and-bass sounds with over 400 dynamic loops, punchy drum kits, and a custom Live Loops grid. Today’s update also introduces two new sound packs to Logic Pro for Mac: Magnetic Imperfections and Tosin Abasi. Magnetic Imperfections brings an original texture that captures the raw, unpolished essence of analog tape, while the Tosin Abasi sound pack showcases progressive metal guitar with boutique amps, unique effects, distinctive picking techniques, and the artist’s signature riffs.
Learn MIDI Comes to iPad for Seamless Logic Pro Integration
Learn MIDI is now available on iPad, allowing users to get hands-on control by easily assigning their favorite knobs, faders, and buttons on MIDI devices to control plug-ins, instruments, and other automatable parameters within Logic Pro.3 With Learn MIDI’s intuitive interface and real-time visual feedback, users can quickly create custom assignments, view available controls, and stay in their creative flow.
Additional features to enhance creativity on Mac:
Notepad now features integrated support for Writing Tools, powered by Apple Intelligence, giving users more flexibility and control when they’d like to make their writing more expressive, get help with a rewrite, or even collaborate on song lyrics and more right inline.4
Users can manage large projects with the new search and select feature, which makes it easy to find and choose tracks by their name or track number.
Pricing and Availability
Logic Pro for Mac 11.2 is available May 28 as a free update for existing users and for $199.99 (U.S.) for new users on the Mac App Store. It is also available as part of the Pro Apps Bundle for Education, which includes Final Cut Pro, MainStage, Motion, and Compressor for $199.99 (U.S.). Logic Pro for Mac requires macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro.
Logic Pro for iPad 2.2 is available May 28 as a free update for existing users, and available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial for new users. Logic Pro for iPad requires iPadOS 18.4 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro-for-ipad.
Stem Splitter requires iPad or Mac with M1 chip or later.
Audio support for Flashback Capture requires Logic Pro to be in active play mode.
Connecting third‑party external microphones, musical instruments, or MIDI controllers with Logic Pro for iPad requires devices compatible with iOS and iPadOS.
Apple Intelligence is available in beta on iPad mini (A17 Pro), and all iPad and Mac models with M1 and later, with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), English (Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK, or U.S.), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), or Spanish, as part of an iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia software update, with more languages coming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For more details, visit apple.com/apple-intelligence.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the international exhibition.
Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalworking – 2025”. With the Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov and the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov
May 28, 2025
Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025”. The stand of LASSARD LLC. General Director of LASSARD LLC Oleg Nefedov gives explanations
May 28, 2025
Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025”. The stand of LASSARD LLC. General Director of LASSARD LLC Oleg Nefedov gives explanations
May 28, 2025
Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025”. The stand of LASSARD LLC. General Director of LASSARD LLC Oleg Nefedov gives explanations
May 28, 2025
Previous news Next news
Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalworking – 2025”. With the Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov and the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov
The International Specialized Exhibition “Equipment, Devices and Tools for the Metalworking Industry” – “Metalloobrabotka” has been held since 1984 and is one of the largest international industry expositions in the machine tool industry. This year is the 25th anniversary international exhibition. The event will be attended by more than 1.2 thousand companies, including about 840 from 50 regions of Russia, as well as exhibitors from Belarus, China, India, Korea, Italy, Turkey and South Korea.
The exhibition’s business program is focused on applied tasks and strategic issues of development of basic industries.
The key focus of the business part is on the implementation of the national project “Production and Automation Tools” – its goals and key indicators, government support measures, as well as issues of technological leadership as a priority area of industrial policy, including issues of import independence, development of scientific and technical potential and training of highly qualified personnel.
The event serves as a key platform for presenting advanced developments in the machine tool industry, and also contributes to the formation of sustainable production and technological chains. The exhibition is aimed at promoting industrial cooperation, strengthening ties between manufacturers, suppliers and consumers, implementing domestic solutions and expanding import-independent supplies of equipment and components.
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xinjiang’s Alashankou port handles over 3,000 China-Europe freight trains in Jan-May
URUMQI, May 28 — As of Monday, the Alashankou Port in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region had handled over 3,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight train trips this year, providing a significant boost to the stability and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, according to railway authorities.
Alashankou is a crucial hub connecting China with Central Asia and Europe. Currently, 123 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight train routes operate via the Alashankou Port, connecting 21 countries, including Germany and Poland.
These trains transport more than 200 categories of goods, ranging from new energy vehicles and mechanical parts to electronics and daily consumer goods.
“We operate a 24/7 ‘green channel’ to ensure the smooth operation of China-Europe freight trains,” said Yang Peng, a staff member of the Alashankou railway station.
“This year, the station has handled an average of over 21 China-Europe freight train trips daily, with a peak of 30 trips in a single day,” Yang added.
In recent years, Xinjiang’s railway authorities have consistently enhanced port logistics capacity, with the region now handling over 50 percent of China’s total China-Europe freight train volume.
In 2024 alone, the region’s Horgos and Alashankou ports processed 16,400 China-Europe freight train trips, up 14 percent year on year.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has projected a daily average of 2.15 million cross-border trips nationwide during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival break, an increase of 12.2 percent compared with the holiday period last year.
The peak of cross-border travel is anticipated on June 1.
Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it was celebrated on May 31, and the holiday runs from May 31 to June 2.
Major aviation hubs are expected to see a steady increase in passenger traffic, with Shanghai Pudong International Airport projecting 100,000 daily border crossings.
During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, multiple dragon boat races and related events will be held in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao.
Coinciding with Children’s Day on June 1 and the weekend, the holiday is expected to spur a surge in outbound travel from the Chinese mainland and home visits by Hong Kong and Macao residents.
Land border checkpoints connecting Hong Kong and Macao are expected to see a notable increase in traffic. Luohu Port in Shenzhen City is expected to handle a daily average of 230,000 crossings, while the Gongbei checkpoint in Zhuhai City is projected to see a daily average of 367,000 crossings.
The NIA has urged border authorities to closely monitor cross-border traffic and port operations, providing regular updates to assist travelers. The agency also required adequate staff arrangements to ensure Chinese citizens spend no longer than 30 minutes queuing for entry and exit.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing on Wednesday aboard a chartered plane after paying an official visit to Indonesia and attending the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-China-GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit in Malaysia.
Li was seen off from the airport by Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing and Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi.
E.F. Hutton’s leadership has advised on over $750 million in private credit deals, reinforcing its commitment to strategic financing and diversified investment solutions.
Irvine, CA, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC” or the “Company,” PINK: FDCT), a fintech-driven firm specializing in acquiring and scaling small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, today announced that it has engaged E.F. Hutton & Co. LLC (“E.F. Hutton”) as its financial advisor. E.F. Hutton will provide general financial advisory services to FDCTech, including assistance in identifying and evaluating financing opportunities and potential strategic transactions. The engagement letter with E.F. Hutton became effective as of May 23, 2025.
E.F. Hutton, a brokerage firm under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Joseph T. Rallo, has advised on over $750 million in private credit transactions across sectors including consumer, defense, industrials, healthcare, real estate, and technology. The firm’s global expertise in complex financial transactions and strategic capital solutions will help FDCTech pursue its growth and capital raise initiatives.
Since December 2021, FDCTech has been rapidly growing its revenue and balance sheet, reflecting the success of its expansion and integration strategy. In February 2025, the Company engaged Lucosky Brookman LLP, a nationally recognized corporate and securities law firm, to assist in exploring an uplisting to a senior national securities exchange, such as the Nasdaq Capital Market or the New York Stock Exchange. Today’s announcement of E.F. Hutton’s engagement is another crucial step in the Company’s plan to pursue an uplisting and access broader capital markets.
By leveraging E.F. Hutton’s extensive global network and deep industry relationships, FDCTech aims to accelerate its growth trajectory in 2025 and beyond, in line with its mission to become a leader in diversified financial services driven by its proprietary technology infrastructure. The Company intends to capitalize on E.F. Hutton’s advisory and capital markets expertise to support its multi-jurisdictional growth strategy and maximize long-term shareholder value.
For more information on the Company’s results and strategic plans, please visit our SEC filings or the Company’s website.
E.F. Hutton
E.F. Hutton & Co. is a broker-dealer headquartered in New York, NY that provides advisory and financing solutions to a variety of clients including corporates, sponsors, and public-private partnerships. The Executive Team at E.F. Hutton & Co. has a proven track record of providing unwavering strategic advice to clients across the globe, including the US, Asia, Europe, UAE, and Latin America.
Lucosky Brookman LLP
Lucosky Brookman LLP is a full-service corporate and securities law firm providing sophisticated legal representation to public and private companies, institutional investors, and entrepreneurs. The firm specializes in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. With extensive experience in securities law and exchange listings, Lucosky Brookman assists companies in navigating complex financial transactions and regulatory frameworks.
FDCTech, Inc.
FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC”) is a regulatory-grade financial technology infrastructure developer designed to serve the future financial markets. Our clients include regulated and OTC brokerages and prop and algo trading firms of all sizes in forex, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, precious metals, and other asset classes. Our growth strategy involves acquiring and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, leveraging our proprietary trading technology and liquidity solutions to deliver exceptional value to our clients.
Press Release Disclaimer
This press release’s statements may be forward-looking statements or future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets, and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or updated status of such forward-looking statements or information provided by the third party. Therefore, in no case will the Company and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages.
SINGAPORE, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Primech A & P, a subsidiary of Primech Holdings Limited (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PMEC), an established technology-driven facility services provider in the public and private sectors operating mainly in Singapore, today announced several newly secured contracts and extensions for the first quarter of 2025, with a total value exceeding $2.59 million.
The latest contract wins and extensions include:
Secured a 2-year contract (January 2025 to December 2026) valued at $774,470 for public area cleaning and housekeeping services at a prominent international hotel chain in Singapore’s prime Orchard Road shopping district.
Secured a 2-year contract (April 2025 to March 2027) valued at $676,150 for comprehensive cleaning services at a premium residential condominium development.
Secured a 6-month extension (January through June 2025) valued at $563,620 for specialized cleaning services at a popular themed food destination within a major tourist attraction in Singapore.
Secured a 1-year contract (May 2025 to April 2026) valued at $257,540 for cleaning services at an upscale residential condominium development in Singapore.
Secured a 4-month extension (January through April 2025) valued at $168,150 for public area cleaning services at a prestigious international hotel in Singapore’s Central Business District.
Secured a 1-year contract (January 2025 to January 2026) valued at $148,230 for cleaning services at a mid-sized residential condominium, expanding Primech’s residential service portfolio.
Mr. Khazid Omar, Chief Operating Officer of Primech A & P, commented, “We are delighted to announce these significant new contract wins and extensions across multiple sectors. These agreements underscore our clients’ confidence in our service quality and reflect our focus on expanding our presence in the premium residential and hospitality markets. As we continue integrating advanced technologies into our operations, we remain committed to delivering exceptional facility services tailored to each client’s unique requirements. These contracts provide a strong foundation for our growth trajectory in 2025 and beyond.”
About Primech Holdings Limited
Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and the People’s Republic of China, gathered on the occasion of the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit on 27 May 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
ACKNOWLEDGING the long-lasting and deeply-rooted historical and civilisational linkage and economic ties among ASEAN, GCC, and China;
Download the full statement here.
The post Joint Statement of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and The People’s Republic of China (ASEAN-GCC-China Summit) appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Infectious diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia are often overlooked factors that affect fertility in men. Accumulating evidence suggests that a common single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may also be a contributor: An April 2025 study showed for the first time that “human sperm lose their heads upon direct contact” with the parasite.
I am a microbiologist, and my lab studies Toxoplasma. This new study bolsters emerging findings that underscore the importance of preventing this parasitic infection.
In addition to eggs, tissue cysts present in the meat of warm-blooded animals can spread toxoplasmosis as well if they are not destroyed by cooking to proper temperature.
While most hosts of the parasite can control the initial infection with few if any symptoms, Toxoplasma remains in the body for life as dormant cysts in brain, heart and muscle tissue. These cysts can reactivate and cause additional episodes of severe illness that damage critical organ systems.
While immunocompromised patients are most at risk for testicular toxoplasmosis, it can also occur in otherwise healthy individuals. Imaging studies of infected mice confirm that Toxoplasma parasites quickly travel to the testes in addition to the brain and eyes within days of infection.
Knowing that Toxoplasma can reside in male reproductive organs has prompted analyses of fertility in infected men. A small 2021 study in Prague of 163 men infected with Toxoplasma found that over 86% had semen anomalies.
Not all studies, however, produce a link between toxoplasmosis and sperm quality.
Toxoplasma can directly damage human sperm
Toxoplasmosis in animals mirrors infection in humans, which allows researchers to address questions that are not easy to examine in people.
Testicular function and sperm production are sharply diminished in Toxoplasma-infected mice, rats and rams. Infected mice have significantly lower sperm counts and a higher proportion of abnormally shaped sperm.
In that April 2025 study, researchers from Germany, Uruguay and Chile observed that Toxoplasma can reach the testes and epididymis, the tube where sperm mature and are stored, two days after infection in mice. This finding prompted the team to test what happens when the parasite comes into direct contact with human sperm in a test tube.
After only five minutes of exposure to the parasite, 22.4% of sperm cells were beheaded. The number of decapitated sperm increased the longer they interacted with the parasites. Sperm cells that maintained their head were often twisted and misshapen. Some sperm cells had holes in their head, suggesting the parasites were trying to invade them as it would any other type of cell in the organs it infiltrates.
The researchers speculate that the harmful effects Toxoplasma may have on sperm could be contributing to large global declines in male fertility over the past decades.
Sperm exposed to Toxoplasma. Arrows point to holes and other damage to the sperm; asterisks indicate where the parasite has burrowed. The two nonconfronted controls at the bottom show normal sperm. Rojas-Barón et al/The FEBS Journal, CC BY-SA
Preventing toxoplasmosis
The evidence that Toxoplasma can infiltrate male reproductive organs in animals is compelling, but whether this produces health issues in people remains unclear. Testicular toxoplasmosis shows that parasites can invade human testes, but symptomatic disease is very rare. Studies to date that show defects in the sperm of infected men are too small to draw firm conclusions at this time.
Additionally, some reports suggest that rates of toxoplasmosis in high-income countries have not been increasing over the past few decades while male infertility was rising, so it’s likely to only be one part of the puzzle.
Regardless of this parasite’s potential effect on fertility, it is wise to avoid Toxoplasma. An infection can cause miscarriage or birth defects if someone acquires it for the first time during pregnancy, and it can be life-threatening for immunocompromised people. Toxoplasma is also the leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
‘Highly deceptive’ fraudster secured Covid loan funds under his wife’s name and claimed innocent member of the public was his boss
Bounce Back Loan fraudster also produced false invoice to liquidator
Shohid Ahmed applied for three Bounce Back Loans using his wife’s name, receiving £100,000 his Indian restaurant was not entitled to
An invoice claiming to show £15,000 of the loan was spent on refurbishing the restaurant was revealed to be false during Insolvency Service investigations
Ahmed also filed false documents with Companies House to suggest an innocent member of the public had taken over his business
A Bradford fraudster who secured £100,000 in Covid loan funds he was not entitled to and claimed an innocent member of the public was the director of his company has been jailed.
Shohid Ahmed used his wife’s name to apply for three maximum-value Bounce Back Loans on behalf of Red Square Restaurants Limited, an Indian restaurant on Huddersfield Road in Mirfield.
The 40-year-old received £100,000 of the £150,000 he fraudulently applied for in May and June 2020, with one of the applications refused.
Ahmed then used the personal details of a woman who rented a house from his father without her knowledge to create the illusion that she was the director of the company and had taken over the business.
He also produced invoices claiming to show the legitimate use of the Bounce Back Loans, one of which Insolvency Service investigators found to be fabricated.
Ahmed, of Bardsey Crescent, Bradford, pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act 2006, Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 earlier this year.
He was sentenced to two years in prison at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday 27 May.
Ahmed has repaid £5,000 of the Bounce Back Loans he illegally secured. The Insolvency Service is seeking to recover the remaining fraudulently obtained funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
Shohid Ahmed’s actions were highly deceptive and involved a range of serious offending.
He not only obtained two Bounce Back Loans for the restaurant he earlier had said was no longer trading, but implicated a totally innocent member of the public by creating the false impression that she was now the director of the company.
The Insolvency Service will not hesitate to prosecute Covid fraudsters such as Ahmed who have stolen from the public purse and caused harm to others.
Red Square Restaurants, which traded as Ruby’s Lounge, was incorporated in May 2018, with Ahmed’s wife as the sole director.
Ahmed himself was only officially director of the company for one day, being appointed and then resigning on 10 February 2020.
Despite not being the named director of the company, Ahmed made three Bounce Back Loan applications for Red Square Restaurants in the name of his wife as she had a better credit history than him.
Ahmed also claimed that the company was trading at the beginning of March 2020, to meet the requirements of the scheme.
That claim was contradicted by an application signed by Ahmed to strike the company off the Companies House register in early April 2020.
In the strike-off application, Ahmed said that the company had not traded in the previous three months.
Money from the Bounce Back Loans was also not used for the economic benefit of the business, as it should have been under the scheme.
Ahmed claimed that an invoice of £15,000 showed that money was spent on an interior redesign of his restaurant using a firm based in Stockton-on-Tees.
However, investigators found that the address for the design company Ahmed claimed to have used was actually a cafe which had been trading for 37 years.
Neither the cafe which occupied the unit or the landlord who manages the building had ever heard of the firm of interior designers.
A liquidator was appointed to wind-up Red Square Restaurants in July 2020.
Shortly before this, Ahmed filed false documents with Companies House claiming that a new director had been appointed on New Year’s Day in 2020.
Insolvency Service investigators spoke to the listed director who confirmed that she had no association whatsoever with Red Square Restaurants and had simply rented a house from Ahmed’s father.
However, Ahmed falsely claimed that she was the manager of the business who ran it day-to-day and had the power to recruit and dismiss members of staff.
Ahmed also falsely claimed that she had taken out both Bounce Back Loans and had access to the bank accounts where the money was deposited.
He added that he was a waiter and drew a salary of only £12,000.
Ahmed was disqualified as a company director for 11 years in December 2021 for his misconduct at Red Square Restaurants.
A restaurant under a different name now operates from the same address that Red Square Restaurants traded from. Shohid Ahmed is not a director of this company.
Further information
Shohid Ahmed is of Bardsey Crescent, Bradford. His date of birth is 23 January 1985
New global offering will provide specialist insurance and risk management solutions to businesses looking to decarbonize
Tokio Marine GX products and capacity will be available via TMHCC’s GX Team
LONDON, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. today announced the launch of Tokio Marine GX (TMGX), a new underwriting business dedicated to providing specialist insurance and risk management solutions to businesses looking to decarbonize their operations and unlock new green opportunities.
Founded upon GCube’s decades of experience in renewable energy underwriting, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire’s market-leading offshore marine offering, and with expertise drawn from across Tokio Marine’s global operations, TMGX will provide products and services for clients committed to more sustainable practices.
TMGX will offer up to $500 million on any single risk and is committed to becoming a prominent lead underwriter, applying decades of knowledge to ensure profitable and sustainable capacity through the green transition.
Fraser McLachlan, CEO of GCube, has been appointed to the new role of Chairman at TMGX and Ben Kinder, Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) for Marine, Energy & Renewables at Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI), will take on the role of CUO at TMGX, in addition to his existing role at TMHCCI.
Tokio Marine GX, an abbreviation of Green Transformation and an acknowledgment of Japan’s green transformation strategy, is Tokio Marine Group’s response to the growing demand for insurance that is critical to transitioning to a more decarbonized, sustainable society. TMGX will offer advisory and risk transfer for businesses, across multiple sectors, seeking to decarbonize their operations. From renewable energy and conventional power providers, to construction and industry, its teams will work with businesses around the world, at every stage of their transition journey.
TMGX’s insurance products and risk solution services will equip businesses, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors, private and public, with the support they need to secure funding, and build and operate their sustainable initiatives. The business will offer a range of products and services to address risks linked to green initiatives from financial products, such as credit and surety, to bespoke policies for renewables, nuclear and hydrogen risks.
Decarbonization and the green transition is an immense undertaking, and one which is poised to spark the greatest capital reallocation in a century, requiring $9.2 trillion1 in annual average spending on physical assets. The lack of cost-effective globally available cover has been a barrier to progress. TMGX will reduce the volatility and embed the certainty which this market needs to flourish.
Brad Irick, Managing Executive Officer and Co-Head of International – Tokio Marine Holdings, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Tokio Marine GX. This is a unique insurance proposition. It offers access to the pioneering underwriting spirit of GCube, combined with expertise drawn from across Tokio Marine’s global operations. TMGX clients will benefit from deep claims experience, holistic support and extensive risk appetite in every facet of renewable energy and the green transition. All of this is backed by the financial resources and capacity of one of the world’s largest insurers and an institutional commitment to accelerating societal progress. TMGX will ensure that Tokio Marine is at the forefront of the green transition.”
Fraser McLachlan, Chairman of TMGX, said: “TMGX will harness the collective expertise and experience from across the Tokio Marine Group to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with clients at each stage of their decarbonization journey. Together, we will unlock new commercial opportunities, while creating a greener, more resilient world for tomorrow.”
About Tokio Marine Holdings
Tokio Marine Group is one of the world’s largest global insurance and risk players with a market capitalization of approx. $74 billion as of March 31, 2025, a network encompassing Japan and 46 countries and regions worldwide, and over 43,000 employees. Tokio Marine Group has the capabilities to drive genuine positive change through a business model grounded in a sense of purpose and social responsibility, built on 145 years of history and an enduring culture that fosters innovation and expertise.
Composed of a diverse range of insurance and solutions businesses across the world, that bring a depth and breadth of capabilities to address and mitigate the ever-evolving risks we face, we provide our clients and communities with the security they need to move forward, while working to create more resilient societies and a better tomorrow.
TORONTO, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX:EFN) (“Element” or the “Company”), the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, today released its 2025 Sustainability Report, underscoring the company’s commitment to driving sustainable practices that support long-term resilience and stakeholder value.
“Motivated by our Purpose to Move the world through intelligent mobility, our sustainability report demonstrates how we are advancing sustainability with accountability, transparency, and meaningful action,” said Claire M. Murphy, EVP Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer at Element. “Sustainability is core to how we operate, and we are proud of the progress we’ve made to deepen our governance practices and foster positive environmental and social outcomes, while delivering tailored solutions that enable our clients to meet their own sustainability goals.”
Key highlights from this year’s report include:
Climate ambition and action: In 2024, Element’s near-term science-based targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning the company’s decarbonization initiatives with global best practices. The Company also achieved, and surpassed, its Scope 1 and 2 reduction targets ahead of schedule, reinforcing its disciplined approach to climate action. Progress continued on reducing Scope 3 emissions intensity, with focused efforts on the most material areas of the Company’s value chain including use of sold products (Category 11) and downstream leased assets (Category 13).
Governance and transparency: Element continued to strengthen its sustainability governance and disclosure practices, maintaining a CDP Climate score of B for the second consecutive year. The Company also enhanced alignment with leading sustainability reporting frameworks, establishing the foundation for future regulatory readiness and reinforcing a commitment to transparent reporting practices.
Inclusion and belonging: Element continued to foster inclusion and belonging through team member-led Business Resource Groups and enterprise-wide engagement initiatives.
“Element is committed to making tangible and measurable differences in everything we do,” said Sheri McGrath, Vice President, Sustainability. “By embedding sustainability into our strategy and partnering closely with our clients, we are making significant strides toward a more sustainable future. This report is a reflection of these achievements, as well as our dedication to continuous improvement.”
The 2025 Sustainability Report underscores Element’s commitment to act with integrity, innovation, and purpose to address global challenges. By fostering strong partnerships and implementing forward-thinking solutions, the Company is building a foundation for long-term resilience and shared prosperity.
To explore Element’s sustainability initiatives and achievements in more detail, access the full report here.
About Element Fleet Management:
Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest publicly traded pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world. As a Purpose-driven and client-centric company, we deliver value through scalable, sustainable, and technology-enabled fleet and mobility solutions. With operations across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and a growing global footprint through our technology platform Autofleet, we provide our clients with end-to-end fleet management services — from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, and risk management to route optimization, electric vehicle integration, and remarketing. At Element, we combine our fleet management expertise with advanced digital capabilities in order to unlock real-time data insights, dynamic planning tools, and advanced optimization that maximize the cost efficiency and vehicle productivity of our clients’ fleets. For more information, please visit: https://www.elementfleet.com.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information regarding Element and its business, which are based upon Element’s current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions, and beliefs. In some cases, words such as “plan,” “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “will”, “potential”, “target”, and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information herein may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to, among other things, the Company’s sustainability targets and objectives, including science-based targets, Element’s and our clients’ greenhouse gas emissions, fleet electrification, decarbonization strategies, future climate reporting, and other sustainability related expectations. By their nature, these statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific, which give rise to the possibility that our expectations will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that our sustainability priorities, targets, commitments and goals will not be achieved. As we work to advance our sustainability strategy, external factors outside of Element’s reasonable control may impact our performance and ability to achieve our goals, including government policies, legislation and regulatory actions, our ability to implement various sustainability-related initiatives internally and with our clients under expected timeframes, the availability of comprehensive and high-quality GHG emissions data, and standardization of sustainability-related measurement methodologies. These and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements and may require Element to adapt its initiatives and activities or adjust its commitments, metrics, targets, and goals. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date hereof and we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law. In addition, a discussion of some of the material risks affecting Element and its business appears under the heading “Risk Management” in Element’s Management Discussion and Analysis for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2024, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Element’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, which have been filed on SEDAR+ and can be accessed on Element’s profile on www.sedarplus.com.
Showcasing Future-Driven SAP Finance and AI Solutions for Digital Transformation Leaders
Boston, MA – May 28, 2025 – xSuite North America is pleased to announce its annual User Conference, taking place on June 17–18, 2025, atthe Battery Wharf Hotel in Boston.Tailored for finance and IT decision-makers, this one-and-a-half-day event will spotlight next-generation technologies shaping the future of finance, including artificial intelligence (AI), e-invoicing, SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) solutions, intelligent archiving, and customer success enablement.
Attendees can look forward to expert-led sessions, hands-on insights, and real-world use cases illustrating how xSuite empowers organizations to transform finance operations with intelligent automation and SAP-integrated workflows.
Exploring Innovation: AI, Cloud, and Digital Finance Solutions
As cloud computing and AI continue to redefine the finance function, xSuite will use this platform to unveil product innovations and outline its strategic roadmap. The conference will feature insights into emerging technology trends and customer-centric enhancements across its solution portfolio.
A highlight of the event will be two customer presentations by Altenloh and Century Aluminum, detailing their journey with xSuite for automated invoice processing. The case study will walk attendees through project initiation, key challenges, implemented solutions, and the tangible results achieved.
Conference Highlights – Day One: Strategy, Solutions, and Insights
1. AI-Driven Invoice Processing in SAP This session will spotlight xSuite’s AI Solutions including Prediction Server, an AI-powered tool that analyzes invoice data to automate decisions across postings and workflows. Leveraging machine learning, it generates smart suggestions for account assignments, cost centers, approval routing, company codes, and more.
2. E-Invoicing Roadmap and Strategy Attendees will gain a comprehensive view of xSuite’s strategic roadmap for e-invoicing, with a focus on upcoming features, performance enhancements, and initiatives designed to optimize digital finance operations.
3. End-to-End P2P Solutions for SAP and SAP BTP xSuite will present a holistic approach to purchase-to-pay processes, order management, a supplier portal, and archiving—demonstrating seamless integration with SAP S/4HANA and SAP BTP environments.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities The first day will close with dedicated networking sessions, allowing attendees to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and explore xSuite’s role as a strategic partner in digital transformation initiatives.
Day Two: Hands-On Training for xSuite Administrators
The second day of the conference will feature technical training sessions tailored for on-site administrators of xSuite solutions. These workshops will equip participants with the practical knowledge needed to manage and optimize their xSuite environments effectively.
Event Details: xSuite User Conference North America June 17-18, 2025 Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston Waterfront Three Battery Wharf Boston, MA 02109, US
June17: 10:00 AM – 04:00 PM June 18: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
More information and registration: https://news.xsuite.com/en/user-conference-2025-north-america#Anmeldung
About xSuite Group
xSuite is a software manufacturer of applications for document-based processes and provides standardized, digital solutions worldwide that enable simple, secure, and fast work. We focus mainly on the automation of important work processes in conjunction with end-to-end document management. Our core competence lies in accounts payable (AP) automation in SAP (including e-invoicing), for leading companies worldwide, as well as for public clients. This is supplemented by applications for purchasing and order processes as well as archiving – all delivered from a single source, including both software components and services. xSuite solutions operate in the cloud or in hybrid scenarios. We take pride in the high-quality solutions we offer, as evidenced by the regular certifications we receive for our SAP solutions and deployment environments.” With over 300,000 users benefitting from our solutions, xSuite processes more than 80 million documents per year in over 60 countries.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Ahrensburg, Germany, xSuite has around 300 staff across nine locations worldwide – in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Our company has an established information security management system that is certified in accordance with ISO 27001:2022.
Press Contact Headquarters: Barbara Wirtz xSuite Group GmbH Tel. +49 4102 883836 barbara.wirtz@xsuite.com www.xsuite.com
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, May 28 /Xinhua/ — Russia’s approaches remain principled and unchanged, the new security architecture must be equal and indivisible. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a video address to participants of the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives Responsible for Security Issues.
“All states must receive firm guarantees of their own security, but not at the expense of the security and interests of other countries,” said the Russian leader.
He noted that it is important to make the Eurasian continent “a space of peace and stability, an example of sustainable economic, social and cultural development.”
“We believe that the basis for creating such a universal security system could be the existing and well-proven multilateral formats of interaction, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and others,” said V. Putin.
He also called on the meeting participants to draw on past experience when building joint work, recalling that 2025 will mark 80 years since the end of World War II, which had a dramatic impact on the development of the international community.
The 13th International Meeting of High Representatives Responsible for Security Issues is taking place in Moscow on May 27-29. –0–
ByBoram Jang, East Asia Researcher at Amnesty International
On December 3, 2024, in an extraordinary and alarming move, South Korea’s then-President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law. Although martial law was reversed within hours by the National Assembly, the damage to public trust in the presidency was profound.
In the aftermath of that night, thousands gathered across the country – many of them young people and women who had been placed in increasingly vulnerable situations by Yoon’s policies. They protested against more than just a president. They protested against the manipulation of national security rhetoric and the rollback of human rights protections.
The pivotal presidential election scheduled for June 3 represents more than just a routine electoral exercise – it is an opportunity to raise fundamental human rights deficits that preceded Yoon’s tenure and will persist beyond any single administration if left unaddressed.
Yoon’s presidency brought a further decline in South Korea’s already halting progress on human rights. His approach represented a coordinated effort to undermine mechanisms and institutions protecting the human rights of marginalized people. The martial law crisis was the culmination of this strategy.
One of Yoon’s earliest and most symbolic moves was his proposal to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. While the ministry ultimately survived due to parliamentary opposition, the attempt signaled an ideological alignment of government policy with anti-feminist narratives that had fueled his electoral campaign.
Meanwhile, South Korea has become a hotbed of tech-facilitated gender-based violence. The Nth Room case in 2020 revealed systemic failures in both prevention and response to digital sex crimes. Despite public outrage, survivors continue to face digital abuse, delayed or inadequate responses from platforms, and limited legal protection. These are not mere oversights – they represent systemic failures of both state and corporate accountability.
For LGBTI South Koreans, legal invisibility remains the status quo. No comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation exists. No recognition of same-sex partnerships has been established. No specific protections from housing, education, or employment discrimination have been enacted.
Since 2007, at least eight anti-discrimination bills have been introduced and subsequently withdrawn due to political pressure – primarily from conservative religious groups. Despite public support for such legislation, most recently polling over 60 percent, no bill has passed. U.N. bodies have repeatedly recommended that South Korea adopt comprehensive protections against discrimination. Still, the legal void remains.
Judicial progress has been limited. A 2023 appellate court recognized spousal health insurance coverage for same-sex partners. But broader questions – such as legal recognition of queer families – remain unresolved. The Constitutional Court has yet to issue a ruling.
The struggle for disability rights illustrates how institutional inadequacies have pushed discontent into public spaces. Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) has conducted early morning subway demonstrations since 2021 to highlight the persistent exclusion of people with disabilities from public transportation. Their approach – non-violent yet purposefully disruptive – ignited national dialogue precisely because conventional advocacy channels had proven ineffective.
Amnesty International documented forceful removal of SADD protesters during peaceful protest, including police dragging protesters out of trains and stations. The Seoul Metro has filed multiple lawsuits against the group seeking damages, and lawmakers have proposed legislation to restrict similar protests in the future.
The protection of all these individuals’ rights requires any incoming administration to prioritize concrete policy action.
Ahead of the upcoming election, ongoing presidential campaigns have been dominated by promises for economic and political reforms. Substantive human rights commitments remain notably absent from major candidates’ platforms.
Comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, disability access, and protest rights are hardly mentioned. This silence speaks volumes – not only about the continued marginalization of human rights in political discourse, but also about the ongoing neglect in prioritization and implementation of human rights reforms.
South Korea needs comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that explicitly safeguards against discrimination based on gender, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among other factors. Digital rights must be secured through robust regulation of tech platforms and redress for victims of online gender-based violence. Public infrastructure must become genuinely accessible for all, with clear implementation schedules and sufficient funding. And the right to protest must be upheld, ending punitive measures against peaceful demonstrators.
The resilience of South Korea’s rule of law will be measured by more than the avoidance of martial law. It will depend on how the state responds to the persistent exclusion of people in vulnerable situations from legal protection and public debate.
The current elections should not be seen as a conclusion of the martial law saga, but as the beginning of a new chapter – a fresh opportunity to build a future in which human rights are not ignored, but protected.
This article was originally published by The Diplomat
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The key event of the international exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025” took place in the Moscow-City Expo Center – a plenary session dedicated to the implementation of the national project “Means of Production and Automation”. The event was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Opening the meeting, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Anton Alikhanov presented the main parameters of the discussed project “Means of Production and Automation” and spoke about the key support measures. Thus, compensation of 50% of the cost of domestic robots makes them profitable in just one year.
According to the results of last year, the level is 29 robots per 10 thousand people. A year ago, this figure was 19. That is, we have grown quite well. But I repeat once again, our task is to reach the level, approximately, taking into account the growth of the entire parallel world, of 145 robots per 10 thousand people. This, in fact, is within our power, – the minister said.
In 2025, more than 1,200 companies from seven countries will participate in Metalloobrabotka: Russia, Belarus, India, Italy, China, the Republic of Korea and Turkey. More than 800 Russian companies will take part in the exhibition. Belarus and China will present national expositions.
The key topics of this year’s exhibition are: “Innovations in Machine Tool and Tool Building”; “Automated Lines and Robotic Systems”; “Software for Smart Factory Management”; “Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Digital Twins”; “New Materials and Additive Technologies”.
Visitors can see the equipment “in action” – from heavy metal-cutting machines to robotic complexes and artificial intelligence systems that manage production. The Polytechnic University stand is of particular interest to visitors. The University presents not just scientific developments, but ready-to-implement technological solutions – from 3D metal printing to robotic welding and the creation of intelligent materials. The Polytechnic University demonstrates the unique potential of laser and additive technologies, which today are becoming not just tools, but key drivers of the technological sovereignty of the Russian Federation. We are confident that these innovations are the future.
On Tuesday, a series of business negotiations and meetings with potential partners took place at the Polytechnic stand. The official delegation of SPbPU was headed by the Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich. Polytechnicians met with representatives of the leading IT company of the Russian Federation — Softline Group. At the negotiations, SPbPU was also represented by the Director of the Scientific and Educational Center “Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Materials” Pavel Novikov and the Scientific Secretary of the Polytechnic Dmitry Karpov.
The partners discussed the horizons of possible cooperation. Following the meeting, it is planned to create an inter-industry center for additive technologies. The meeting participants also considered the prospects for creating new-generation laser equipment.
The Director of the IMMI, Chief Designer of the KNU NEW Materials, Technologies, Production, as part of the Strategic Technological Leadership project, Anatoly Popovich shared his impressions of SPBPU in the exhibition: at the Metal processing-2025 exhibition, Polytechnic University of Peter the Great, a leader in the field of laser and additive technologies. The main task of SPBPU, as a scientific center with world -class competencies, is to ensure the country’s technological leadership. Our competitive advantage is the ability to create and introduce breakthrough technologies in various scientific areas. At the exhibition, employees of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of St. Petersburg State University demonstrate the unique potential of laser and additive technologies, which today become not just tools, but key drivers of technological sovereignty of Russia. We are sure that it is the future for these innovations.
The use of laser technologies allows us to significantly improve the quality of products, reaching an inaccessible level of accuracy and reliability. Additive methods, in turn, open new horizons to create materials that can be adapted to the specific needs of industry. This is especially relevant in the conditions of a rapidly changing market, where flexibility and adaptability become decisive success factors. The future belongs to those who are ready not only to follow the trends, but also to create them themselves. Polytechnic University of Peter the Great is a reliable partner and platform for the implementation of the most daring ideas. Time to act is time to introduce innovations.
The Laboratory of Light Materials and Constructions surprises everyone with electric arc printing right at the exhibition. Students of IMMiT, under the guidance of Oleg Panchenko, assembled a welding cell in the shortest possible time so that everyone at the event could get acquainted with the process and see how a new metal part is born. Also on display at the exhibition are previously printed parts, such as a wheel rim, impeller, burner and other samples made by friction stir welding.
The new technology of direct printing of plastic on metal interested visitors and gave rise to ideas for further cooperation. A cone gear is printed at the exhibition. It is used in heavy industry, can be used in the automotive industry, aircraft manufacturing and other industrial areas.
The exhibition guests are shown the process of high-temperature (1200 degrees) selective laser melting in real time. Unique developments of bimetallic samples of promising materials obtained by additive technologies are presented. Works in the field of composite materials are also demonstrated – a polymer compressor wheel reinforced with carbon fiber.
The staff of the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” brought to the exhibition samples manufactured by the method of direct laser growth and repaired by the method of laser cladding. Also presented are exhibits formed by laser and hybrid laser-arc welding methods.
The exhibits created by laser welding of 316L steel with a thickness of 100 µm to 10 mm are of the greatest interest to the guests. The employees demonstrated a sealed miniature flat sample of a hydrogen energy source fuel cell with a wall thickness of 100 µm, welded with an overlap. Samples of armor steel grades with a thickness of 7 mm to 20 mm, welded in one pass in the lower position, are presented.
Mikhail Kuznetsov, head of the laboratory, noted: In the era of rapid innovation, laser welding is becoming not just a technology, but a necessity. This process ensures high precision and speed of obtaining a permanent connection of the required quality, which is critically important in modern production conditions.
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) — China’s Ministry of Finance said Wednesday that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is expected to issue 68 billion yuan (about 9.46 billion U.S. dollars) in yuan-denominated government bonds in 2025. The bonds will be issued in six stages.
The first two issues, totaling 25 billion yuan, took place in February and April of this year.
The third batch of bonds, worth 12.5 billion yuan, is planned to be issued following a tender on June 4.
The Chinese Ministry of Finance said that the specific issuance mechanisms will be announced on the website of the Central Clearing and Settlement System for Debt Securities of the Financial Administration of the People’s Republic of China. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing on a chartered plane on Wednesday after wrapping up an official visit to Indonesia and attending the ASEAN-China-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) summit in Malaysia.
Before leaving Kuala Lumpur, Li Qiang was seen off at the airport by, among others, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing and Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SEOUL, May 28 (Xinhua) — A fire broke out at an old commercial building in Seoul on Wednesday, South Korean media reported.
The incident occurred at around 3:25 p.m. local time, and there are no confirmed casualties. Television footage showed a thick plume of black smoke in central Seoul.
Some media outlets noted that firefighters had difficulty putting out the fire because there were too many stores in the building. –0–
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday announced her government’s plan to raise the hospital bed ratio to three per 1,000 citizens, aiming to significantly upgrade the city’s healthcare capacity.
Gupta made the remarks while laying the foundation stone for the construction of a new footpath at the SU Block park in Pitampura, located in the Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency.
Addressing local residents gathered at the park, she said, “With everyone’s blessings, the government is completing 100 days on May 30, and we will present our report card before the public on May 31. But I can say this much: I do not make big promises. However, Delhi has now elected a government that can reduce problems. Your trust is our effort.”
Reflecting on the past 100 days of governance, Gupta said her administration has made a series of important policy decisions aimed at resolving long-standing public grievances.
“In the 100 days of service that our government has spent in Delhi, we have taken a lot of policy decisions because all these issues have been troubling the people of Delhi for years,” she said.
“The previous governments never tried to solve any problem, citing conflict. This lack of effort was a loss to the people of Delhi,” she added.
The Delhi Chief Minister revealed that a high-level health committee meeting she recently chaired brought to light a concerning statistic — Delhi had just 0.47 hospital beds per 1,000 people, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of two beds.
“I chaired a high-level health committee meeting, and I was shocked to learn that although the WHO recommends a minimum of 2 hospital beds per 1,000 people, Delhi had only 0.47 beds per 1,000 people—not even one bed per 1,000 citizens. This is a serious concern. Now, this elected government is working towards a goal of 3 beds per 1,000 people,” she said.
Calling for unified governance, she added, “Whether it is with the MCD, the Delhi Government, or the Central Government, an integrated system should be created so that no Delhiite remains without treatment, and no one dies due to lack of medical care.”
She also highlighted the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Delhi, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling the rollout of the healthcare scheme.
“I congratulate you that after you elected our government in Delhi, the Ayushman Yojana was implemented here. Today, Ayushman Yojana cards are being issued to the people of Delhi. We are issuing cards to all elderly residents above 70 years of age, and the Delhi government is providing treatment coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh—Rs 5 lakh from the Centre and Rs 5 lakh from the Delhi government,” she said.
“This scheme is not available anywhere else in the world. This is the only government that gives every elderly person above 70 years of age Rs 10 lakh for treatment,” she claimed.
Expressing gratitude for public support, Gupta concluded, “I sincerely thank PM Modi and all of you for your decision. It’s your single vote that has pushed Delhi forward on the path of progress.”
In a major push to bolster infrastructure and connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a four-lane highway corridor between Badvel and Nellore. The project, to be executed under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, will cover a distance of 108.134 kilometers at an estimated cost of ₹3,653.10 crore.
The newly approved Badvel-Nellore corridor is set to play a vital role in integrating key industrial nodes across the state. It will connect Gopavaram village in YSR Kadapa District, located on National Highway NH-67, to Guruvindapudi on NH-16 near Krishnapatnam Port in SPSR Nellore District.
The corridor is expected to enhance linkages to three major industrial corridors—Kopparthy on the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), Orvakal on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC), and Krishnapatnam on the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC).
By facilitating direct access to the Krishnapatnam Port, which has been identified as a priority node under the CBIC, the highway will bolster logistics efficiency and improve India’s Logistic Performance Index (LPI). The improved route will shorten the existing travel distance to the port by nearly 34 kilometers, reducing it from 142 kilometers to just over 108 kilometers. This reduction is projected to save commuters up to one hour in travel time, while also lowering fuel consumption, vehicle operating costs, and the overall carbon footprint.
In addition to improving transportation infrastructure, the project is expected to have a positive economic impact by generating significant employment. It is projected to create approximately 20 lakh man-days of direct employment and an additional 23 lakh man-days of indirect employment. Moreover, the corridor is expected to stimulate economic growth in surrounding areas through increased commercial and industrial activity.
