Ningbo, China, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skycorp Solar Group Limited (the “Company” or “PN”), a reputable solar PV product provider engaged in the manufacture and sale of solar cables and solar connectors, today announced the appointment of Feng Shibo to the Company’s Board of Directors (“the Board”) and as Chair of the Audit Committee, effective April 08, 2025.
Mr. Feng is currently CFO of China Forestry Treasury Center Limited, where he manages financing, internal controls, and financial systems. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President at Shandong Hi-Speed Resources Fund, overseeing financing for large real estate projects. He also worked at Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd. and managed audits for major clients during his time at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, accumulating over a decade of diverse financial advisory experience. Mr. Feng holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting.
Li Baosong has resigned as an Independent Director of the Board for personal reasons, effective April 08, 2025.
Mr. Weiqi Huang, Chairman and CEO of the Company commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Shibo to the Board of Directors. His strategic vision and rich experience in corporate financing will bring invaluable perspective as we execute our business growth plan and drive shareholder value creation. Mr. Feng will combine strategic planning with practical execution, consistently delivering value in capital operations, risk management, and financial optimization, with both international insight and local expertise. His appointment underscores the continued commitment to recruit new independent and highly qualified directors to deliver long-term shareholder returns.”
About Skycorp Solar Group Limited
Skycorp Solar Group Limited is a solar photovoltaic (PV) product provider focused on manufacturing and selling solar cables and connectors. We also partner with various IC chip manufacturers to offer new and used GPU and HPC servers. Our operations are managed through our subsidiaries, including Ningbo Skycorp Solar Co., Ltd., in China.
The Company’s mission is to become a green energy solutions provider for data centers by utilizing solar power and delivering eco-friendly solar PV products. By leveraging the Company’s expertise in solar technologies and relationships with HPC server clients, it aims to expand offerings of solar PV products and server solutions for enterprise customers. For more information, please visit: https://www.skycorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may, “will, “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations WFS Investor Relations Inc. Connie Kang Partner Email: ckang@wealthfsllc.com Tel: +86 1381 185 7742 (CN)
CHICAGO, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Guaranteed Rate Affinity, a leading mortgage provider offering unparalleled lending services through its exclusive partnership with Coldwell Banker, is recognizing National Operations Day by celebrating the backbone of its business: its Operations team, led by Executive Vice President Jaime Joyce.
Joyce has been with Guaranteed Rate Affinity since its inception in 2017 and was named EVP of Operations in 2024. Under her leadership, the company’s operations team has consistently delivered on its promise to make the mortgage process easier for borrowers, agents, and loan officers alike.
That promise is backed by results. In the past year alone, 623 customer surveys included the word “easy” to describe their experience with Guaranteed Rate Affinity—a testament to a process that is as efficient as it is dependable.
“Jaime’s leadership and passion for the business are a key part of our growth and success,” said David Dickey, President and CEO of Guaranteed Rate Affinity. “Putting members first is one of our core values, and she lives that daily. I’m incredibly proud of the work her team does to deliver a consistently exceptional experience for our clients.”
On April 11, Guaranteed Rate Affinity will mark National Operations Day with company-wide recognition and social media content highlighting its message: “We make the mortgage process easy.” The celebration acknowledges the people and processes that power one of the most streamlined lending experiences in the industry.
About Guaranteed Rate Affinity
Guaranteed Rate Affinity is a joint venture between Guaranteed Rate, Inc. and Anywhere Integrated Services (NYSE: HOUS), which owns some of the industry’s most recognized and respected real estate brands. The innovative JV has funded over $100 billion in loans since its inception. Guaranteed Rate Affinity originates and markets its mortgage lending services to Anywhere’s real estate, brokerage, and relocation subsidiaries.
Guaranteed Rate Affinity provides unmatched support to Anywhere brokers coast-to-coast, ensuring their customers receive fast pre-approvals, appraisals, and loan closings, creating the ability for buyers to move quickly and confidently when purchasing homes in today’s competitive market. The company also provides the same services to the public and other real estate brokerage and relocation companies across the country—helping employers improve their employees’ relocation experience by prioritizing customer service, digital mortgage ease, and competitive rates.
Guaranteed Rate owns a controlling 50.1% stake in Guaranteed Rate Affinity, and Anywhere owns 49.9%. Visit grarate.com for more information.
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo., April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQX: FBSI) (“Company”), the holding company for Stockmens Bank (“Bank”), today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
For the first quarter of 2025, the Company reported after-tax net income of $1,692,000 or $0.71 per share-diluted compared to $1,653,000 or $0.68 per share-diluted for the same period in 2024. Net income for the first quarter of 2025 represents an after-tax return on average assets of 1.26% and an after-tax return on equity of 11.19%. The Company has again effectively overcome stubborn inflationary pressures on non-interest expenses by building net interest margin to 4.50%, reducing cost of funds to 1.80%, and increasing yield on earning assets to 6.34%.
Since March 31, 2024, consolidated total assets decreased $7.1 million to $532.4 million through a $26.4 million outflow of cash and cash equivalents, most of which was deployed into an additional $19.2 million in loans receivable. Total deposits decreased $14.0 million to $464.1 million, and stockholders’ equity increased $6.2 million to $61.4 million, boosted by a reduction in the unrealized loss position on the Bank’s miniscule available for sale securities portfolio.
During the first quarter of 2025, the Bank continued a trend of funding operations through core deposits, preserving robust earnings ratios, maintaining stellar asset quality, and strengthening of tier 1 capital to over 11% through organic means. During one of the most tumultuous economic periods in recent history, the Company is equipped to take advantage of opportunities as they arise in 2025.
The Bank meets all regulatory requirements for “well-capitalized” status.
About the Company
First Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Stockmens Bank, a FDIC-insured commercial bank chartered by the State of Colorado that conducts business from its home office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eight full-service Missouri offices in Mountain Grove, Marshfield, Ava, Kissee Mills, Gainesville, Crane, Hartville and Springfield, and full-service offices in Bartley, Nebraska and Akron, Colorado.
The Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Stockmens Bank, may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements” in its reports to shareholders, and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, expectations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such statements address the following subjects: future operating results; customer growth and retention; loan and other product demand; earnings growth and expectations; new products and services; credit quality and adequacy of reserves; results of examinations by our bank regulators, technology, and our employees. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s financial performance to differ materially from the expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; inflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; the timely development and acceptance of new products and services of the Company and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; the impact of changes in financial services’ laws and regulations; technological changes; acquisitions; changes in consumer spending and savings habits; and the success of the Company at managing and collecting assets of borrowers in default and managing the risks of the foregoing.
The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any intent or obligation, to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
Contact: Robert M. Alexander, Chairman and CEO – (719) 955-2800
First Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Financial Highlights
(unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Quarter Ended
Quarter Ended
Quarter Ended
March 31,
December 31,
March 31,
2025
2024
2024
Operating Data:
Total interest income
$
7,965
$
8,161
$
8,141
Total interest expense
2,310
2,398
2,798
Net interest income
5,655
5,763
5,343
Provision for credit losses
178
241
202
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
NEW YORK and ARLINGTON, Va., April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo (NYSE: APO) and Summit Ridge Energy, LLC (“Summit Ridge Energy” or “Summit Ridge”), one of the nation’s leading commercial solar companies, today announced that Apollo-managed funds (the “Apollo Funds”) have committed up to $400 million for a new joint venture partnership with Summit Ridge to jointly own and operate a portfolio of commercial solar assets across Illinois.
Summit Ridge Energy is one of the largest owner-operators of commercial solar assets in the United States, with over 2GW of solar projects operating and in development across Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maine, providing energy savings to more than 40,000 homes and businesses while contributing to American energy independence. In 2022, Apollo Funds previously made a $175 million strategic investment in Summit Ridge.
Apollo Partner Corinne Still said, “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Summit Ridge Energy and enter this new partnership, which we believe represents a compelling opportunity to invest in solar projects poised to contribute domestic power generation capacity to meet growing electricity demands for households and businesses alike. Apollo is committed to serving as a leading capital provider enabling the new industrial renaissance and is excited to continue our support of Summit Ridge’s mission to deliver a more secure, self-reliant energy future for communities across the country.”
“As we expand our footprint of solar assets, Summit Ridge Energy is advancing a more reliable and locally driven energy system—bolstering the U.S. electric grid while delivering savings to businesses and households and helping to create thousands of American jobs,” said Adam Kuehne, Chief Investment Officer of Summit Ridge Energy. “We’re proud to partner with the Apollo team as we continue driving the nation toward greater energy independence.”
Over the past five years, Apollo-managed funds and affiliates have committed, deployed or arranged approximately $58 billioni of climate and energy transition-related investments, supporting companies and projects across clean energy and infrastructure.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP served as legal counsel to the Apollo Funds.
____________________ i As of December 31, 2024. The firmwide targets (the “Targets”) to deploy, commit, or arrange capital commensurate with Apollo’s proprietary Climate and Transition Investment Framework (the “CTIF”), are (1) $50 billion by 2027 and (2) more than $100 billion by 2030 The CTIF, which is subject to change at any time without notice, sets forth certain activities classified by Apollo as sustainable economic activities (“SEAs”), and the methodologies used to calculate contribution towards the Targets. Only investments determined to be currently contributing to an SEA in accordance with the CTIF are counted toward the Targets. Under the CTIF, Apollo uses different calculation methodologies for different types of investments in equity, debt and real estate. For additional details on the CTIF, please refer to our website here: https://www.apollo.com/strategies/asset-management/real-assets/sustainable-investing-platform.
About Apollo
Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade credit to private equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of December 31, 2024, Apollo had approximately $751 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com.
About Summit Ridge Energy
As the nation’s leading commercial solar company, Summit Ridge Energy merges financial innovation and industry-leading execution to deliver locally generated energy via a more resilient and secure electric grid. This has made Summit Ridge one of the fastest-growing energy companies in America, with over 2 GW of solar power operating and in development.
Since launching in 2017, Summit Ridge has raised over $5B in project capital to finance 200+ solar farms, providing energy savings to more than 40,000 homes and businesses while contributing to American energy independence. Learn more at srenergy.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.
Contacts
For Apollo:
Noah Gunn Global Head of Investor Relations Apollo Global Management, Inc. 212-822-0540 ir@apollo.com
Joanna Rose Global Head of Corporate Communications Apollo Global Management, Inc. 212-822-0491 communications@apollo.com
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
Neil Kinnock, Lord Kinnock, reflects on his time as leader of the Labour Party in the latest Lord Speaker’s Corner, including some of his regrets.
Watch or listen now. Search ‘House of Lords’ wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/lord-kinnock-lord-speakers-corner/
Sudan’s war, now entering its third year, has taken another unexpected turn. In March 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), also known as the Janjaweed, withdrew from Khartoum, abandoning the presidential palace and airport.
This retreat marks a significant contrast to the paramilitary group’s earlier victory when troops stormed the capital in April 2023.
The fall of Khartoum is a turning point. But, based on my research into Sudan’s political turmoil over the past three decades, I don’t believe recent developments mark the war’s final chapter.
What began as a power struggle between two military factions is now transforming into a much wider conflict, marked by deepening fragmentation and the rise of armed civilian groups. Across the country, new militias are emerging, many formed by civilians who once had no part in the war.
The army encouraged civilians to fight, but now it faces a growing number of independent armed groups. In cities and rural areas alike, civilians have taken up arms.
Some are fighting alongside the army, answering calls from the military leadership, including army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to defend their neighbourhoods and families. Others have formed self-defence units to protect against looting and violence. Some have joined breakaway militias that have their own agendas.
These groups don’t share a single goal. Some fight for self-defence, others for political power. Some for revenue and wealth. Others are seeking ethnic control – Sudan’s population has 56 ethnic groups and 595 sub-ethnic groups. This is what makes Sudan’s war even more dangerous: fragmentation is creating multiple mini-wars within the larger conflict.
How the Rapid Support Forces lost Khartoum
Several key factors forced the RSF to retreat from Khartoum after it claimed control of the Sudanese capital city two years earlier.
Internal fractures: The RSF, built on tribal loyalty, struggled to hold together as the war dragged on. Many factions felt sidelined by its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.
Civilian resistance: The RSF’s reliance on brutality backfired, alienating even those who might have supported them. Instead of consolidating control, they turned civilians into enemies. The RSF relied on terror – looting, mass killings and sexual violence. Instead of gaining control, they provoked fierce resistance. Armed civilians, originally taking up arms in self-defence, have become an informal militia network working against the RSF.
Foreign intervention:Reports suggest Egyptian airstrikes and tactical support helped the army take Khartoum. Additionally, Turkish-made Bayraktar drones weakened RSF positions. With supply lines cut, the RSF had no choice but to retreat.
Khartoum was not just a battlefield defeat for the RSF. It was a turning point in how the war is fought – it’s no longer a military struggle but a battle involving armed civilians across Sudan.
Based on reports from humanitarian organisations, conflict monitors and local testimonies, a clearer picture has emerged of a growing number of armed groups operating across Sudan. These groups have formed in response to the escalating conflict.
Recent analyses highlight that arms trafficking and intensified community mobilisation have accelerated within the past two years.
Neighbourhood defence units have emerged in urban areas like El-Gezira in central Sudan, El-Fasher in North Darfur, Al-Dalang in South Kordofan, El-Obeid in North Kordofan, Babanusa in West Kordofan and Khartoum. They were initially formed to protect residential zones from the RSF but have since expanded their roles and increasingly operate outside the oversight of the army.
Tribal and regional militias have also become more prominent, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan. In these regions, entrenched ethnic and political rivalries have intertwined with the current war. Some of these militia groups have aligned with the army. Others remain independent, pursuing their own agendas, which include securing territory.
In Darfur, growing anger at Hemedti’s favouritism towards his own tribe (Rizeigat) led to defections. Internal divisions within the RSF have played a major role in its recent losses. Some former RSF fighters have formed their own militias. The RSF was never a unified force, but a tribal alliance dominated by the Dagalo family and Rizeigat elites. Initially, gold revenues secured loyalty, but as the war has dragged on, internal fractures have deepened.
Another ethnic-linked group is the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North. It has expanded its control in Kordofan and Blue Nile, two resource-rich regions in southern Sudan. The group allied with the RSF to push its own agenda, which includes securing greater autonomy for these regions and promoting a secular political framework that challenges Khartoum’s Islamist-leaning governance. Other ethnic militias also operate in eastern Sudan, supported by neighbouring countries such as Eritrea, further escalating the situation.
Islamist-linked militias are also on the rise. The main example of these groups is El Baraa Ibn Malik Brigade, which emerged as a key player supporting the army against the RSF. Reports link the group to remnants of the Omar al-Bashir regime (1993-2019) – the dissolved Popular Defence Forces. This was a paramilitary group established in the mid-1980s to defend Arab tribes and support the military. It flourished under the al-Bashir regime.
What next?
While the RSF’s retreat from Khartoum is a major victory for the Sudanese army, it doesn’t mean stability is returning. Instead, Sudan is now facing a dangerous new reality: the rise of civilian militarisation.
If not reined in, these groups could evolve and establish de facto warlord-run territories where local commanders wield unchecked power. This would undermine any prospects for centralised governance in Sudan.
Mohamed Saad 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.
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On the eve of Cosmonautics Day, Rosneft and the Kaluga Region Tourism Development Center presented four new routes for auto tourists traveling around the Kaluga Region.
Rosneft actively supports initiatives to develop domestic tourism and aims to create comfortable conditions for car travelers. Developing roadside service and improving the level of customer service provided at Rosneft filling stations is one of the Company’s priority areas of activity.
The presentation of new auto routes took place at the Rosneft gas station in Kaluga. Thanks to carefully designed logistics, tourists can rationally use their time during their trip and see the main attractions of the region, which is considered the “cradle of cosmonautics”. At the same time, the Rosneft gas station mobile application will make it easy to find the nearest gas station along each route.
The “Space” route includes several interesting locations. The first stop is the city of Borovsk, where the apartment museum of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the founder of theoretical cosmonautics, is located. Here, tourists will be told about the scientific works and life of the scientist. The next point is the Tsiolkovsky Memorial House Museum in Kaluga, where he lived for almost 30 years. Most of the exhibits are authentic and belonged to the scientist himself and his family members. Another point on the route is the State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics, the first stone of which was laid by Yuri Gagarin. It contains one of the world’s largest collections of Soviet and Russian space technology, as well as rarities and documents on the history of cosmonautics. The final point of the route is the monument to the 600th anniversary of Kaluga, located at the entrance to the city. Its steles depict important pages of the city’s history.
The launch of the second route, the Patriotic Route, is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It takes you through the places of military glory of the Kaluga Region, where fierce battles took place at that heroic time. Among the main attractions of the route is the first museum in Russia dedicated to the Marshal of Victory, Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov. It is located in the city of Kremenki and houses the most complete collection of items related to the life of the great commander. The next stop is the Ilyinskye Rubezhi memorial complex, one of the key places of memory of the Battle of Moscow. The memorial is dedicated to the feat of 3,500 cadets of the Podolsk military schools, who held back the advance of German tanks on Moscow in October 1941. Two more points on the route are the Voenfilm cinema complex, created for filming military history films, reenactments and patriotic projects; as well as the Soyuz Museum of Small Arms, which contains various exhibits dating back to the Patriotic War of 1812.
You can see the Kaluga Region through the eyes of poets and painters by choosing the route “In the Footsteps of Tsvetaeva”. It runs through the city of Tarusa. Thanks to its picturesque landscapes, this settlement, located on the banks of the Oka River, was the cultural capital of the Russian intelligentsia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tourists traveling along the car route will see the Tarusa Art Gallery with works by Vasily Polenov and Vasily Vatagin, the Tsvetaev Family Museum, which is also called the “Tyo House”, the Sergei Zharov Museum, the K.G. Paustovsky House Museum, the House of Writers and much more. The final point is the arboretum garden of the agronomist Rakitsky with rare plants and cozy tea parties.
For those who come to the region for the first time, the route “Kaluga for Beginners” has been developed. It includes the largest art park in Russia and Europe “Nikola-Lenivets”, which presents landscape installations, as well as land art objects by the best Russian and foreign authors. Another stop is the largest bird park in the country “Vorobyi”. This is both an amusement park and a zoo. Currently, it contains almost 500 different species of animals. Among other points of the route is the unique ethnographic park-museum “Ethnomir”, as well as the art museum of garbage “Mu-Mu”.
Each of the four routes passes through a Rosneft gas station, where tourists can fill up their cars with high-quality fuel, relax and have a tasty snack.
Rosneft’s retail network is the largest in the country in terms of geographic coverage and number of stations. It includes almost 3,000 petrol stations in 62 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as in the Republic of Belarus, Abkhazia and Kyrgyzstan.
Guests of Rosneft filling stations have access to a wide range of goods and services: from shops and cafes to roadside services. For example, you can stay overnight in roadside hotels at filling stations and multifunctional complexes of the Company.
Rosneft is developing a new customer service area, “cafes on wheels” – food trucks. They are available at gas stations in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions where the retail chain is present.
In 2023, Rosneft launched a special information and service platform, Horizons of Russia: Come with Us! It allows you to plan a trip to interesting places through the infrastructure of Rosneft roadside services and gas stations in constructor mode. Currently, tourists have access to 14 developed routes, both regional and federal.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 11, 2025
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.
A woman has been sentenced to life for murdering her two young sons in their east London home in 2022.
Kara Alexander, 47 (23.12.77), of Cornwallis Road, Dagenham was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 24 years in prison at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 11 April for drowning her children.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller of the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation, said:
“This is an incredibly tragic case, which has left a father without his two beloved boys and a family without two young brothers.
“Kara Alexander will spend the next two decades behind bars, where the memory of what she has done will haunt her forever.
“To the family and friends of Elijah and Marley, while no amount of time will erase the pain of such a loss, I hope this sentence serves to bring some semblance of justice.
“I hope you can now move on with your life, remembering the boys as you knew them, and treasuring the happy times you spent with them.”
Emergency services were called at around 14:00hrs on 16 December 2022, after the bodies of two young children were found by their father in their shared bunkbed inside their house in Dagenham.
Two-year-old Elijah Thomas and five-year-old Marley Thomas were both pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the discovery, their mother Kara Alexander ran from the house, but was arrested nearby a short time later.
Post-mortem examinations identified drowning as the cause of death for both boys.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command launched an investigation, reviewing footage from local CCTV cameras and doorbells and forensically analysing Alexander’s phone.
Alexander was charged on 19 December 2022 with two counts of murder and was convicted at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 21 February following a three-week trial.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The results of the final of the 10th RBC Petersburg foresight “Petersburg project. City of the new era with Petersburg identity” have been summed up. Senior students determined how to preserve the unique image of the city in the era of new technologies and approaches in architecture and urban development. Six teams presented their projects, three of which included students from the Polytechnic University.
The jury included representatives of universities and development companies. Polytechnic was represented by ISI teacher, member of the Union of Architects and guide of the company “Petersburg through the eyes of an engineer” Alexandra Zatsepin. The chairman of the jury was the vice-governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin.
The winner of the foresight was the project “Capillary City”, developed by students of SPbPU, ITMO, SPbAH, EUSP and RANEPA under the supervision of the head of the MLA Yana Golubeva and assistant of the Department of Public Administration of the Higher School of Management of St. Petersburg State University Egor Starshov.
An interdisciplinary team, which included 6th-year students of the specialty “Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures” of SPbPU Ekaterina Zorina and Lyudmila Morshchakova, presented a network of artificial channels that will work like capillaries in the body.
By distributing and recycling water, they will prevent the city from flooding due to global warming and solve transport problems. The students also designed different water transport station pavilions depending on the architecture of the area in which they will be located and calculated the cost of implementing the project.
At the presentation, the guys demonstrated flooding on a model of St. Petersburg, and then invited the participants on a virtual tour of the designed area that solves this problem.
The team, led by Fyodor Konkov, managing partner of the Urbanika Institute of Territorial Planning, included SPbPU students Valeria Kozodaeva and Lyudmila Suslina. They decided to combine the main elements of St. Petersburg identity with the familiar image of a chubby girl.
We took as a basis the idea of a constructor, which implies a systemic approach and can be used in old and new buildings. The donut symbolizes the identity of St. Petersburg, which we propose to extrapolate to the outskirts of the city. By highlighting the improvement, characteristic materials, development and lifestyle, we offer an approach that can achieve the integrity of the city’s image, which is also economically feasible, – said 6th-year student of the specialty “Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures” Valeriya Kozodayeva.
The team, which performed under the supervision of the honored architect of Russia, professor of the International Academy of Architecture Vladimir Linov, included a first-year student of the master’s program at SPbPU, Kerim Ibragimov. The guys presented the St. Petersburg identity in the form of an updated concept of an apartment building.
The lower floors will house commercial premises, parking and public areas, including a possible kindergarten, while apartments of varying comfort levels will be located above. The unique feature is the use of stained glass art, which links the architecture with Russia’s historical heritage. The name of the Ville de verre complex, which translates as “Glass Town”, refers to the glass factory that was once located near the area. Stained glass will decorate the facades of the buildings and infrastructure facilities, such as a noise barrier and a pedestrian bridge, Kerim Ibragimov commented.
The winning team was awarded a certificate for 100,000 rubles, and the organizers presented certificates for 40,000 rubles to the five teams that received participant diplomas.
Thanks to RBC for the opportunity to work on an interesting project in an interdisciplinary team. Our project turned out to be futuristic: we drew new canals on the general plan of St. Petersburg, came up with stations along the route of motor ships and even developed boarding passes for jury members, – shared 6th-year student of the specialty “Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures” Ekaterina Zorina.
Foresight became a platform for students, the jury and guests of the event to exchange ideas. Such events are very necessary for the city, because they raise the general professional level of participants and move architecture forward, – added ISI teacher Alexandra Zatsepina.
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.
The asteroid 2024 YR4 made headlines in February with the news that it had a chance of hitting Earth on Dec. 22, 2032, as determined by an analysis from NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. The probability of collision peaked at over 3% on Feb. 18 — the highest ever recorded for an object of its size. This sparked concerns about the damage the asteroid might do should it hit Earth. New data collected in the following days lowered the probability to well under 1%, and 2024 YR4 is no longer considered a potential Earth impactor. However, the event underscored the importance of surveying asteroid populations to reveal possible threats to Earth. Sharing scientific data widely allows scientists to determine the risk posed by the near-Earth asteroid population and increases the chances of identifying future asteroid impact hazards in NASA science data. “The planetary defense community realizes the value of making data products available to everyone,” said James “Gerbs” Bauer, the principal investigator for NASA’s Planetary Data System Small Bodies Node at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.
Professional scientists and citizen scientists worldwide play a role in tracking asteroids. The Minor Planet Center, which is housed at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, collects and verifies vast numbers of asteroid and comet position observations submitted from around the globe. NASA’s Small Bodies Node distributes the data from the Minor Planet Center for anyone who wants to access and use it. A near-Earth object (NEO) is an asteroid or comet whose orbit brings it within 120 million miles of the Sun, which means it can circulate through Earth’s orbital neighborhood. If a newly discovered object looks like it might be an NEO, information about the object appears on the Minor Planet Center’s NEO Confirmation Page. Members of the planetary science community, whether or not they are professional scientists, are encouraged to follow up on these objects to discover where they’re heading.
When an asteroid’s trajectory looks concerning, CNEOS alerts NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington, which manages NASA’s ongoing effort to protect Earth from dangerous asteroids. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office also coordinates the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), which is the worldwide collaboration of asteroid observers and modelers. Orbit analysis centers such as CNEOS perform finer calculations to nail down the probability of an asteroid colliding with Earth. The open nature of the data allows the community to collaborate and compare, ensuring the most accurate determinations possible.
The asteroid 2024 YR4 was initially discovered by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey, which aims to discover potentially hazardous asteroids. Scientists studied additional data about the asteroid from different observatories funded by NASA and from other telescopes across the IAWN. At first, 2024 YR4 had a broad uncertainty in its future trajectory that passed over Earth. As the planetary defense community collected more observations, the range of possibilities for the asteroid’s future position on Dec. 22, 2032 clustered over Earth, raising the apparent chances of collision. However, with the addition of even more data points, the cluster of possibilities eventually moved off Earth.
Having multiple streams of data available for analysis helps scientists quickly learn more about NEOs. This sometimes involves using data from observatories that are mainly used for astrophysics or heliophysics surveys, rather than for tracking asteroids. “The planetary defense community both benefits from and is beneficial to the larger planetary and astronomy related ecosystem,” said Bauer, who is also a research professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland. “Much of the NEO survey data can also be used for searching astrophysical transients like supernova events. Likewise, astrophysical sky surveys produce data of interest to the planetary defense community.”
In 2022, NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission successfully impacted with the asteroid Dimorphos, shortening the time it takes to orbit around its companion asteroid Didymos by 33 minutes. Didymos had no chance of hitting Earth, but the DART mission’s success means that NASA has a tested technique to consider when addressing a future asteroid potential impact threat.
To increase the chances of discovering asteroid threats to Earth well in advance, NASA is working on a new space-based observatory, NEO Surveyor, which will be the first spacecraft specifically designed to look for asteroids and comets that pose a hazard to Earth. The mission is expected to launch in the fall of 2027, and the data it collects will be available to everyone through NASA archives. “Many of the NEOs that pose a risk to Earth remain to be found,” Bauer said. “An asteroid impact has a very low likelihood at any given time, but consequences could be high, and open science is an important component to being vigilant.” For more information about NASA’s approach to sharing science data, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/open-science. By Lauren Leese Web Content Strategist for the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer
Expanding Access to Free, High-Quality Pre-K on the Valley Isle
Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke Visits North and South Maui’s New Public Preschools
MAUI, HAWAIʻI — Some of Maui’s youngest learners welcomed special visitors this week as Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke visited new public pre-kindergarten classrooms at Haʻikū Elementary and Kīhei Elementary. Luke, who leads the state’s Ready Keiki initiative to expand access to preschool statewide, was joined by Senator Lynn DeCoite and Representative Terez Amato.
The new classroom at Haʻikū Elementary marks the first public preschool on Maui’s North Shore. Similarly, Kīhei Elementary’s classroom is the first of its kind on the island’s South Shore.
“Every child in Hawaiʻi deserves a strong start—no matter their ZIP code,” saidLieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke.“We’re working to expand access to preschool in every community, especially in places like Maui where families have waited too long for these opportunities. By investing in early learning, we’re also investing in Hawaiʻi’s future and making it easier for local families to stay and thrive right here at home.”
These new classrooms not only support young learners but also help strengthen local communities and give local families a reason to stay and raise their children in Hawaiʻi.
Senator Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe, and Molokini) joined the visit to Haʻikū Elementary. “When we ensure that our keiki are ready for success from an early age, we’re not just preparing them for school—we’re preparing them for life,” says DeCoite. “Expanding preschool access in rural areas like Upcountry, Hāna, and Molokaʻi is essential for building an equitable future for all. A heartfelt mahalo to Lieutenant Governor Luke for her unwavering support and dedication to the well-being of our keiki.”
In the wake of the Lahaina fires, the need for child care and preschool has grown significantly. Kīhei Elementary has welcomed an influx of students across grade levels and continues to meet the evolving needs of the Maui community.
“I am proud that we have this new preschool, a foundation for success in life and a necessity for working parents in South Maui,” saidRepresentative Terez Amato (District 11 – Portions of Mā‘alaea, Kīhei, Keawakapu, Wailea, Mākena, Kanahena, and Keone‘ōio). “Kīhei families are grateful to Lieutenant Governor Luke for her solid support of our keiki and our community.”
The free, public pre-K classrooms are operated by the state’s Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL), with a total of seven school sites on Maui.
EOEL Public Pre-K Program Campuses on Maui:
Haʻikū Elementary School
Kīhei Elementary School
Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School
Wailuku Elementary School
Hāna High & Elementary School
Kula Elementary School
Pukalani Elementary School
The Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) is now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 school year. Children must be 3 or 4 years old on or before July 31 of the school year for which they are applying.
March 3–June 30: Priority enrollment period. Preference is given to children who live in the geographic area of the school.
July 1–End of school year: Open enrollment.
For more information on eligibility and applying, contact EOEL at (808) 784-5350.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
ABUJA, Nigeria, April 11, 2025/APO Group/ —
Multilateral Bank African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has officially commissioned its first Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) today in Abuja, Nigeria, ushering in a transformative era for trade and investment in Africa.
During the grand commissioning ceremony, speakers, including Hon. Dr. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of Federation, Nigeria representing H. E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, The Federal Republic of Nigeria, highlighted the AATC’s strategic importance, its pivotal role in shaping Africa’s economic future and the significant impact it is poised to make on Africa’s trade and investment landscape.
Speaking at the Ceremony, Dr. Akume stated, “Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) is a landmark project that embodies our shared commitment to advancing Intra-African Trade, fostering economic integration and unlocking a vast potential of our continent. This occasion is a realisation of a bold vision for Africa’s economic future. AATC stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, resilience and forward-thinking leadership. It is more than a physical structure; it is the beginning of innovation, a hub for entrepreneurship and a catalyst for sustainable development.
He added, “This centre will serve as a critical platform for trade facilitation, capacity building and investment promotion – key pillars of Africa’s economic transformation. Afreximbank’s role in shaping Africa’s trade landscape cannot be overstated because the institution has consistently demonstrated its commitment to breaking down barriers, bridging financing gaps and empowering African businesses to be competitive. All these have been accomplished through flagship projects such as the AfCFTA adjustment fund that is managed by Afreximbank’s subsidiary, Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), PAPSS and other Trade Finance Programmes. The AATC located in Abuja represents yet another milestone in this journey and this aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s strategic priorities under the Federal Government’s eight-point agenda, particularly in the areas of job creation, economic diversification, and regional integration. As we commission this remarkable edifice today, let us renew our resolve to be the stronger, more interconnected and prosperous Africa.”
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, echoed this sentiment, remarking, “The Abuja AATC is the first of several AATCs being developed across Africa and the Caribbean. Some would be Afreximbank owned while others would be supported through a franchise-scheme. With these, we expect to create a sizeable network of AATCs that will act as the lighthouses to guide the interconnections and flow of trade and investments within continental Africa and between Africa and Caribbean regions. This AATC Abuja has been a 41-month journey, one built on hope and determination. Like the other AATCs, the Abuja AATC would serve a multi-purpose goal; it will serve as a platform for fostering deeper regional and continental integration and house Afreximbank’s permanent regional office, bringing a three-decade-old aspiration to fruition. This AATC will also offer a technology incubation hub, an SME incubation facility, a Digital Africa Trade Gateway, a conference and exhibition facility and a business hotel.”
Prof. Orama thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria for its support noting that the relationship between the Bank and Nigeria has been truly mutually beneficial and most cordial. “Over the last three decades, successive governments have accorded unflinching support to Afreximbank, responding most positively to capital calls, creating a congenial environment for its smooth operations while providing the Bank significant domestic policy support that helped to execute many of the development programmes in Nigeria.” He said.
With the opening of the Abuja AATC, Afreximbank continues its mission to promote intra-African trade and investment opportunities, laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and integrated African economy.
Over 500 distinguished guests attended the commissioning ceremony, notably, Hon. William F. Duguid, J.P. Senior Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Barbados, Hon. Sylvester Grisby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Liberia, Hon. Adebayo Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Nigeria and his counterpart, Hon. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole MFR, Minister of Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Nigeria as well as Nigeria’s former Vice President Hon. Namadi Sambo. Hon. Bockaire Kalokoh, Deputy Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone and Hon. Sheilla Chikomo, Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Zimbabwe represented their respective countries. The event was also well attended by business leaders led by billionaire entrepreneur Mr. Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Transcorp Group, policymakers, pan-African CEOs, and entrepreneurs.
Their presence showcased a shared vision and determination to enhance trade across Africa, as they pledged to work together to leverage the AATC for the continent’s economic transformation.
The Abuja AATC comprises two interconnected nine-storey towers. One tower features world-class commercial A-grade office spaces, a trade and exhibition centre, a conference centre, a technology and SME incubator, a Digital Trade Gateway and a trade information services hub. The adjoining tower boasts a 148-room business hotel, seminar and meeting rooms, a wellness centre, a restaurant and other ancillary facilities. These features are designed to provide a comprehensive ecosystem for trade and business activities, catering to the diverse needs of African businesses. It will also host office spaces for local and international financial institutions and policy organisations, ensuring a complete support system for trade and business activities.
The AATC building is expected to achieve gold – and potentially platinum – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a globally recognised standard for sustainable building design and construction. This certification will make the Abuja AATC one of the few certified buildings in Nigeria and West Africa, underscoring its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The global architect Messrs SVA International developed a multifaceted global design, drawing inspiration from the concept of a bazaar, which reflects the vibrant feature of daily life in many African cities. Construction of the USD120 million project commenced in November 2021 on a prime piece of land measuring 5,856 square meters and achieved completion in 41 months.
The Abuja Afreximbank African Trade Centre (Abuja AATC) is the first of seven planned AATCs across Africa, including Kampala, Uganda, Harare, Zimbabwe, Cairo, Egypt, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Tunis, Tunisia, and Kigali, Rwanda. In addition, Afreximbank recently broke ground in Bridgetown, Barbados, to construct the first AATC outside of Africa. Through franchising and licensing arrangements, the Bank intends to partner with relevant institutions and economic development organizations to establish non-Bank owned ATCs in the rest of Global Africa. These AATCs will serve to link buyers, sellers, suppliers, service providers, enterprises, governments, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, economic development organisations and the general African and global trade and investment community.
Walton residents are being invited to explore what home means to them at a series of workshops at Spellow Community Hub and Library.
Culture Liverpool has commissioned artist Dora Colquhoun – a neurodivergent writer, facilitator, performer, and theatre maker – to deliver series of workshops, the first of which will take place this Saturday (12 April) from 11.30 – 12.45. The interactive family taster will draw inspiration from famous characters who left home to go on an adventure such as Dorothy, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Little Pigs.
The Welcome Home project will culminate with a celebration event on Saturday 21 June and living room installation in the library, featuring meaningful objects collected from residents throughout the series.
The artist residency is part of Culture Liverpool’s Creative Neighbourhoods programme of collaborative projects and creative interventions that engage with communities and neighbourhoods throughout Liverpool. The work, which includes artistic residencies, public art, events and creative engagement workshops, aims to address the needs of each community at a neighbourhood level, using co-creative practices to encourage local pride, a sense of place, inclusivity, accessibility and empowerment.
This funding has been made possible as a result of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (SPF). UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to support building a sense of pride for the people of Liverpool, contributing to increasing life chances and supporting a sense of belonging for both artists and audiences. This project is supported by recovery funding provided by Central Government and Arts Council England.
The family sessions will run from 10am – 1pm on the following days:
Saturday 3 May
Saturday 17 May
Saturday 24 May
Family sessions will be co-facilitated by Isaac Nixon AKA Og the Giant! – a Liverpool based storyteller with a wealth of experience working with families to unlock their imagination through play and storytelling.
There will also be a series of sessions aimed at adults from 10am – 1pm on the following days:
Wednesday 23 April
Wednesday 7 May
Wednesday 14 May
Wednesday 21 May
Wednesday 4 June
Saturday 7 June
Wednesday 11 June
Saturday 14 June
Wednesday 18 June
The project is the latest to engage the residents in and around County Road, who were devastated when Spellow Community Hub and Library was torched last summer. Ongoing projects include What’s Your Walton Story, a 12-week creative writing course led by Writing on the Wall. Previous projects include Our Home, Our Place, Our Space, an artist residency in collaboration with Open Eye Gallery.
Dora Colquhoun, whose past successes including writing and performing in ADHD The Musical, said:
“This will be a collaborative project, allowing us to explore what different cultures need to feel safe and comfortable. While aesthetics, food and traditions may vary across cultures, the universal desire to feel welcome and secure in our community unites us all.
“My approach is to gently explore cultural differences through creative workshops, providing an opportunity for people living in and around County Road to connect and understand one another. The goal is to create a welcoming space in the library where discussions about identity and positive hopes for the future can take place.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“Spellow Community Hub and Library is a welcoming and inclusive shared space for storytelling and connection. This project aims to give marginalised or underrepresented communities a platform to share their stories; helps individuals feel seen, valued, and heard, improving confidence and belonging; and encourage pride in cultural heritage while finding common ground with others.”
Plastic Parks in India Accelerating Growth of the Polymer-Based Industrial Ecosystem
Posted On: 11 APR 2025 1:03PM by PIB Delhi
Introduction
The Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals is implementing the Scheme for Setting up of Plastic Parks under the umbrella scheme of New Scheme of Petrochemicals, to support setting up need-based Plastic Parks, with requisite state-of-the-art infrastructure, enabling common facilities through cluster development approach, to consolidate the capacities of the domestic downstream plastic processing industry. The objective is to consolidate and synergize the capacities of downstream plastic processing industry to help increase investment, production and export in the sector as well as generate employment. Under the scheme, the government of India provides grant funding up to 50% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs.40 crore per project.
A plastic park is an industrial zone specifically designed for plastic-related businesses and industries. It aims to consolidate and synergize the capacities of the plastic processing industry, promoting investment, production, and exports while generating employment. These parks also focus on achieving environmentally sustainable growth through waste management and recycling initiatives.
Plastic Parks have emerged as an integral part of India’s strategy for managing plastic waste, promoting recycling, and supporting the chemical industry. 10 Plastic Parks have been approved so far in different States. Details of funds released to these Plastic Parks during the last five years are:
Plastic Park Location
Approval Year
Total Project Cost
(₹ crore)
Approved Grant-in-aid
(₹ crore)
Amount Released
(₹ crore)
Tamot, Madhya Pradesh
2013
108.00
40.00
36.00
Jagatsinghpur, Odisha
2013
106.78
40.00
36.00
Tinsukia, Assam
2014
93.65
40.00
35.73
Bilaua, Madhya Pradesh
2018
68.72
34.36
30.92
Deoghar, Jharkhand
2018
67.33
33.67
30.30
Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
2019
216.92
40.00
22.00
Sitarganj, Uttarakhand
2020
67.73
33.93
30.51
Raipur, Chhattisgarh
2021
42.09
21.04
11.57
Ganjimutt, Karnataka
2022
62.77
31.38
6.28
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
2022
69.58
34.79
19.13
Background and Objectives
India stands 12th in the world export of plastics, as per the 2022 World Bank estimates. It has grown exponentially from 2014, when it was worth just 8.2 million thousand USD, as compared to the 2022 estimates, where it reached 27 million thousand USD. This growth has been a result of the constant efforts by the Indian government to promote the production and export of plastics, like setting up Plastic Parks.
The Indian plastics industry was large but highly fragmented with dominance of tiny, small and medium units and thus lacks the capacity to tap this opportunity. The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals formulated this scheme with a view to synergize and consolidate the capacities through cluster development and enhance India’s plastic production and export capabilities. The scheme has the following objectives:
Increase the competitiveness, polymer absorption capacity and value addition in the domestic downstream plastic processing industry through adaptation of modern, research and development led measurers.
Increase investments in the sector through additions in capacity and production, creating quality infrastructure and other facilitation to ensure value addition and increase in exports.
Achieve environmentally sustainable growth through innovative methods of waste management, recycling, etc.
Adopt a cluster development approach to achieve the above objectives owing to its benefits arising due to optimization of resources and economies of scale.
Process of setting up a Plastic Park
For the purpose of setting up Plastic Parks, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals seeks preliminary proposals from state governments, highlighting the proposed location, financial details, broad cost estimates etc. Following in-principle approval from the Scheme Steering Committee, the State implementing agency is required to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Department, which is evaluated and final approval is given by the Scheme Steering Committee based on the viability of the proposed project.
For example, in November, 2020, the Department invited proposals from the state governments for establishing two new Plastic Parks. Proposals were received from the state governments of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh (02 proposals), Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. These were examined by an Expert Committee, based on which the setting up of Plastic Parks at Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, and at Ganjimutt, Karnataka, was approved in July, 2022 and January, 2022 respectively.
The Government provides grants-in-aid for the establishment of the Plastic Parks. The implementation of these projects as well as the process of getting them populated by industrial units is largely in the hands of the Special Purpose Vehicles set up by the State Government or State Industrial Development Corporation or their agencies. The respective States have taken several steps to promote private sector participation in these Plastic Parks, including conducting awareness and sensitization programmes for the industry, providing plots at competitive rates, giving tax incentives etc.
Under the Scheme, common infrastructure for the sustainability and eco-friendliness of industrial units is provided including effluent treatment plant, solid/ hazardous waste management, facilities for plastic recycling, incinerator etc. Some of the Plastic Parks have also established in-house recycling sheds for recycling of plastic waste.
Other Government Initiatives for promoting Plastic Production in India
The other initiatives taken by the Government to enhance plastics processing are:
Centres of Excellence (CoE): To promote the research and development in polymer and plastics the department has established 13 Centres of Excellence in various national level institutes.
Location of the Centre of Excellence (CoE)
Title of Centre of Excellence
Date of Approval
National Chemical Laboratory, Pune
Sustainable Polymer Industry to Research & Innovation
15.04.2011
Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Chennai
Green Transport Network (GREET)
01.04.2011
CIPET, Bhubaneswar
Sustainable Green Materials
06.04.2013
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
Advanced Polymeric Materials
15.03.2013
IIT, Guwahati
Sustainable Polymers (Sus-Pol)
April 2013
IIT, Roorkee
Process Development, Wastewater Management in Petrochemical Industries
12.02.2019
CIPET, Bhubaneswar
Bio-engineered Sustainable Polymeric Systems
12.02.2019
National Chemical Laboratory, Pune
Specialty Polymers for Customized Applications
12.02.2019
CSIR – North East Institute of Science & Technology (CSIR-NEIST)
Polymers, Their Composites and Polymeric Membranes for Sustainable Development of Petroleum Industries
04.12.2020
CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad
Polymer Coatings for Decorative, Protective and Strategic Applications
04.12.2020
CIPET, Bhubaneswar
Manufacturing of Next Generation Bio-Medical Devices
04.12.2020
IIT, Guwahati
Sustainable & Innovative Design and Manufacturing of Polymer-based Products
February 2022
IRMRA, Thane
Design and Development for Value added Toys of Rubber and Allied Finished Products
February 2022
These CoEs focus on various aspects such as sustainable polymers, advanced polymeric materials, bio-engineered systems, and process development for wastewater management in petrochemical industries. They aim to drive innovation, improve technology, and promote environmentally sustainable development within the sector.
Skilling of Workforce:Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology is conducting many short term and long-term courses in Plastics processing and Technology to cater to the skilling requirement of the industry.
Indian Plastic Industry and Environment Sustainability
The Government of India has taken several steps to ensure that the development of the plastic industry is environmentally sustainable and aligned with global sustainability standards.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations for plastic packaging mandate targets for minimum level of reuse, recycling and use of recycled content. This ensures accountability for waste collection, recycling, and reuse. Certainsingle-use plastics have been banned, with a focus on reducing plastic waste. The regulations also mandate to utilize minimum amount of recycled material in packaging products.
The Hazardous Waste Management Rules seek to ensure proper disposal of hazardous chemicals and promote waste minimization and resource recovery.
The Government promotes the adoption of circular economy principles in the plastic industry, including recycling and the use of biodegradable alternatives. In order to promote the latest technologies and products for circular economy, the Department supports and encourages industry in organizing discussions and exhibitions to showcase the latest technologies and machinery for waste management, recycling and up-cycling as well as the innovative products made from recycled material.
India engages with international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to enable compliance with global sustainability standards. Further, India actively participates in meetings of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) which formulates international standards for plastic products.
Conclusion
The Plastic Parks scheme, under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, represents a comprehensive and forward-looking initiative that addresses both the industrial growth and environmental sustainability of the Indian plastics sector. By providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, fostering cluster-based development, and encouraging private sector participation, the scheme not only strengthens India’s downstream plastic processing capabilities but also attracts investment, boosts exports, and generates employment. As India continues to rise in global plastic trade rankings, the Plastic Parks scheme and allied measures will remain crucial to ensuring that this growth is sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone, inaugurates development works worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh In the last 10 years, the development of Banaras has gained a new momentum: PM
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule ji worked throughout their lives for the welfare of women empowerment, their self-confidence and the welfare of the society: PM
Banas Dairy has changed both the image and destiny of thousands of families in Kashi: PM
Kashi is now becoming the capital of Good Health: PM
Today, whoever goes to Kashi, praises its infrastructure and facilities: PM
India today is carrying forward both development and heritage together, Our Kashi is becoming the best model for this: PM
Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a land of possibilities but of competence and accomplishments!: PM
Posted On: 11 APR 2025 12:56PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore today in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted his deep connection to Kashi, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the people of his family and the region for the blessings and acknowledged the love and support that has been extended to him. He emphasized his indebtedness to this love, stating that Kashi is his, and he belongs to Kashi. Noting that tomorrow is the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Janmotsav, Shri Modi expressed his honor at having the opportunity to visit Sankat Mochan Maharaj in Kashi. He highlighted how, ahead of Hanuman Janmotsav, the people of Kashi have gathered together to celebrate the festival of development.
“In the last 10 years, the development of Banaras has gained a new momentum”, exclaimed the Prime Minister, adding that Kashi has embraced modernity, preserved its heritage, and adopted a bright future. He remarked that Kashi is no longer just ancient but also progressive, now positioned at the center of Purvanchal’s economic map. He further noted that the Kashi guided by Lord Mahadev himself is now driving the chariot of Purvanchal’s development.
Mentioning the inauguration and foundation laying of numerous projects connected to Kashi and various parts of Purvanchal earlier in the event, Shri Modi emphasized the strengthening of connectivity through infrastructure projects, the campaign to provide tap water to every household, and the expansion of education, health, and sports facilities. He remarked on the commitment to provide better amenities to every region, family, and youth, stating that these initiatives will serve as milestones in transforming Purvanchal into a developed region. He noted that every resident of Kashi will benefit greatly from these schemes and extended congratulations to the people of Banaras and Purvanchal for these development efforts.
The Prime Minister marked the occasion of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s birth anniversary today, recognizing his and Savitribai Phule’s lifelong dedication to the welfare of society and the empowerment of women. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to advance their vision and commitment to women’s empowerment. He further stated that their Government treads on the mantra of ‘Sabka saath, Sabka Vikas’. He extended congratulations to the livestock-rearing families of Purvanchal, particularly the hardworking women, who have set a new example for the region. He remarked that trust, when placed in these women, has created history. The Prime Minister noted the distribution of bonuses to livestock-rearing families associated with Uttar Pradesh’s Banas Dairy Plant. He emphasized that this bonus, exceeding ₹100 crore, is not a gift but a reward for their hard work and dedication, reflecting the value of their labor and perseverance.
Emphasising the transformative impact of Banas Dairy in Kashi, which has reshaped the lives and destinies of thousands of families, Shri Modi highlighted how the dairy has rewarded hard work and given wings to aspirations. He proudly noted that the efforts have enabled many women in Purvanchal to become “Lakhpati Didis,” transitioning from concerns of sustenance to a path of prosperity. He remarked that this progress is evident not only in Banaras and Uttar Pradesh but across the country. “India has become the largest milk producer globally, with a nearly 65% increase in milk production over the past decade”, he highlighted, attributing this success to millions of farmers and livestock owners, recognizing that such achievements are the result of continuous efforts over the last ten years. He pointed out the initiatives undertaken to advance the dairy sector in mission mode, including linking livestock owners to Kisan Credit Card facilities, increasing loan limits, and introducing subsidy programs. The Prime Minister also mentioned the free vaccination program against Foot and Mouth Disease to protect livestock, as well as efforts to revive over 20,000 cooperative societies for organized milk collection, incorporating lakhs of new members. He underlined the focus on developing indigenous cattle breeds and improving their quality through scientific breeding under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. These initiatives aim to connect livestock owners with new development pathways, better markets, and opportunities. He lauded the Banas Dairy complex in Kashi for advancing this vision across Purvanchal and noted that Banas Dairy has distributed Gir cows in the region, with their numbers steadily increasing, and has begun arrangements for animal feed in Banaras. He commended the dairy for collecting milk from nearly one lakh farmers in Purvanchal, empowering them and strengthening their livelihoods.
The Prime Minister mentioned the privilege of distributing Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards to several senior citizens. He highlighted the sense of satisfaction evident on their faces, calling it a testament to the scheme’s success. He acknowledged the concerns families have had for their elders’ healthcare and recalled the difficulties faced across Purvanchal 10-11 years ago regarding medical treatment. Noting the drastic improvements in the region, he stated “Kashi is now becoming a health capital”. He remarked that advanced hospitals, once limited to cities like Delhi and Mumbai, are now accessible near people’s homes. He emphasized that this is the essence of development—bringing facilities closer to the people.
Emphasising the significant strides made in healthcare over the past decade, not only increasing the number of hospitals but also enhancing the dignity of patients, Shri Modi highlighted the Ayushman Bharat scheme as a boon for the poor, providing not just treatment but also instilling confidence. He remarked that thousands in Varanasi and lakhs across Uttar Pradesh have benefited from the scheme, with every treatment, operation, and relief marking a new beginning in their lives. He further noted that the Ayushman Bharat scheme has saved crores of rupees for lakhs of families in Uttar Pradesh, as the government has taken responsibility for their healthcare. Recalling his promise of free treatment for senior citizens, which led to the launch of the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme, the Prime Minister highlighted that this initiative ensures free treatment for every senior citizen above 70 years of age, regardless of their income. He remarked that Varanasi has issued the highest number of Vay Vandana cards, with nearly 50,000 cards distributed. He emphasized that this is not just a statistic but a commitment to service, eliminating the need for families to sell land, take loans, or face helplessness for medical treatment. He assured that with the Ayushman card, the government now bears the financial responsibility for their healthcare.
The Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable transformation of Kashi’s infrastructure and facilities, which have earned widespread praise from visitors. He noted that millions of people visit Banaras daily, offering prayers to Baba Vishwanath and bathing in the sacred Ganga, with many remarking on the city’s significant changes. He emphasized the challenges Kashi would have faced if its roads, railways, and airport had remained in the same condition as a decade ago. He recalled the traffic jams during small festivals, where travelers had to navigate through the entire city, enduring dust and heat. He remarked on the construction of the Phulwariya flyover, which has shortened distances, saved time, and brought relief to daily life. The Prime Minister also highlighted the benefits of the Ring Road, which has drastically reduced travel time for residents of rural areas in Jaunpur and Ghazipur, as well as those from Ballia, Mau, and Ghazipur districts heading to the airport, eliminating hours of traffic congestion.
Underlining the improved connectivity in the region which has led to faster and convenient travel to cities like Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, and Azamgarh with widened roads, Shri Modi remarked that areas once plagued by traffic jams are now witnessing the speed of development. He emphasized the investment of approximately ₹45,000 crore over the past decade in enhancing connectivity in Varanasi and surrounding regions. He stated that this investment has transformed not just infrastructure but also trust, benefiting Kashi and neighboring districts. He announced the expansion of infrastructure projects, including the foundation laying of projects worth thousands of crores. The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport and the construction of a six-lane underground tunnel near the airport to improve connectivity. He noted the initiation of projects connecting Bhadohi, Ghazipur, and Jaunpur, as well as the long-awaited construction of flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih. He expressed happiness over the fulfillment of these demands. He also announced the construction of a new bridge connecting Banaras city and Sarnath, which will eliminate the need for travelers from other districts to enter the city while heading to Sarnath.
The Prime Minister remarked that in the coming months, once the ongoing projects are completed, commuting in Banaras will become even more convenient, stressing that this progress will boost both speed and business activities in the region. He highlighted the enhanced ease for those visiting Banaras for livelihood and healthcare purposes. He also mentioned the commencement of the trial for the city ropeway in Kashi, which will position Banaras among the select cities globally to offer such a facility.
Underscoring that every development and infrastructure project in Varanasi benefits the youth of Purvanchal, Shri Modi highlighted the government’s focus on providing continuous opportunities for Kashi’s youth to excel in sports. He remarked on the construction of new stadiums in Banaras and the development of excellent facilities for young athletes. He noted the opening of a new sports complex, where hundreds of players from Varanasi are undergoing training. He also mentioned that participants in the MP Sports Competition have had the opportunity to showcase their talent on these grounds.
Emphasising India’s journey of balancing development and heritage, highlighting Kashi as the finest example of this model, the Prime Minister remarked on the flow of the Ganga and the consciousness of India, describing, “Kashi is the most beautiful representation of India’s soul and diversity”. He noted the unique culture in every neighborhood and the distinct colors of India visible in every lane of Kashi and expressed happiness over initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, which continue to strengthen the threads of unity. He announced the upcoming Ekta Mall in Kashi, which will showcase India’s diversity under one roof, offering products from various districts across the country.
The Prime Minister highlighted the transformation in Uttar Pradesh over recent years, noting that the state has not only changed its economic landscape but also its outlook. He remarked that Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a land of possibilities but has become a land of capability and achievements. He stressed on the growing resonance of ‘Made in India’ globally, with Indian-made products now becoming global brands. He noted the recognition of several products with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, describing these tags as more than just labels—they are certificates of identity for the land. He remarked that GI tags signify that a product is a creation of its soil, and wherever GI tags reach, they open pathways to greater market success.
Underscoring Uttar Pradesh’s leading position in GI tagging across the country, Shri Modi mentioned the growing international recognition of the state’s art, crafts, and skills. He noted that over 30 products from Varanasi and its surrounding districts have received GI tags, describing them as a passport of identity for these items. He listed products from the region that have been recognized, such as Varanasi’s tabla, shehnai, wall paintings, thandai, stuffed red chili, red peda, and tiranga barfi. He also mentioned that products like Jaunpur’s imarti, Mathura’s sanjhi art, Bundelkhand’s kathiya wheat, Pilibhit’s flute, Prayagraj’s moonj art, Bareilly’s zardozi, Chitrakoot’s woodcraft, and Lakhimpur Kheri’s Tharu zardozi have recently been awarded GI tags. “The fragrance of Uttar Pradesh’s soil is now crossing borders, spreading its legacy far and wide”, he added.
Remarking that preserving Kashi means safeguarding the soul of India, the Prime Minister concluded by emphasising the collective commitment to continually empower Kashi and to keep it beautiful and connect its ancient spirit with a modern identity.
The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath were present among others at the event.
Background
Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. In line with his commitment to infrastructure development, particularly enhancing road connectivity in Varanasi, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various road projects in the region. Furthermore, he laid the foundation stone for a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings of the city and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at the Varanasi International Airport worth over Rs 980 crore.
Giving a boost to the electricity infrastructure, Prime Minister inaugurated two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations and associated transmission lines of Jaunpur, Chandauli and Ghazipur districts of Varanasi division worth over Rs 1,045 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of a 220 KV transmission substation at Chaukaghat, Varanasi, a 132 KV transmission substation in Ghazipur and augmentation of the Varanasi city electricity distribution system worth over Rs 775 crore.
Prime Minister inaugurated a Transit Hostel at the Police Line and barracks at PAC Ramnagar Campus, to improve facilities for the security personnel. He also laid the foundation stone of new administrative buildings at various police stations and a residential hostel in Police Line.
In line with his vision to ensure education for all, Prime Minister inaugurated projects including a Government Polytechnic College at Pindra, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Government College at village Barki, 356 rural libraries and 100 Anganwadi centres also. He also laid the foundation stone for renovation of 77 primary school buildings under the Smart City Mission and the construction of a new building for Kasturba Gandhi School at Cholapur, Varanasi. Promoting sports infrastructure in the city, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a synthetic hockey turf with floodlights and spectator gallery at Uday Pratap College and a mini stadium at Shivpur.
Prime Minister also inaugurated the redevelopment of Samne Ghat and Shastri Ghat at Ganga river, 130 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission worth over Rs 345 crore, improvement of six municipal wards of Varanasi and landscaping and sculpture installations at various sites of Varanasi.
Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for MSME Unity Mall for artisans, infrastructure development works of Transport Nagar Scheme at Mohansarai, 1 MW solar power plant at WTP Bhelupur, Community halls in 40 Gram panchayats and beautification of various parks in Varanasi.
Prime Minister presented Geographical Indication (GI) certificates to various local items and products including tabla, painting, thandai, tiranga barfi among others. He also transferred over Rs 105 crore bonus to milk suppliers of Uttar Pradesh associated with Banas Dairy.
काशी का तेजी से चहुंमुखी विकास हो रहा है। इसी कड़ी में आज विभिन्न विकास परियोजनाओं का लोकार्पण-शिलान्यास करना मेरे लिए सौभाग्य की बात है। https://t.co/6vY4qCCLYp
महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले और सावित्री बाई फुले जी ने जीवन भर नारी शक्ति के हित, उनके आत्मविश्वास और समाज के कल्याण के लिए काम किया: PM @narendramodipic.twitter.com/m0hui2d0Xh
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fourteen landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance), pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $49,200 today (April 11) at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts. Since the Ordinance came into force, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) has all along strengthened enforcement actions and has prosecuted a total of 974 cases to date. Amongst the 649 cases dealt with by the court, all of them were successfully convicted, which involved a total of 557 SDU landlords with fines ranging from $400 to $34,800, amounting to a total of $1,579,910. In addition, 325 cases are pending hearing.
The offences of these 14 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; and (2) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (i.e. requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance). One of the landlords committed 26 offences under (1) and (2) and was fined $22,800.
The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon an in-depth investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlords.
A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant’s household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalties, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance.
To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to facilitate SDU tenants’ reporting to the RVD.
The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions. The landlords and tenants concerned are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.
WAVES XR Creator Hackathon Winners Bring XR Innovation to Schools, Clinics, Homes, and Beyond Five winning teams will showcase their XR projects at WAVE Summit
XR Innovators coming up in large numbers from Tier 2 and 3 cities
Posted On: 10 APR 2025 9:06PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 10 April 2025
From immersive science labs to cross-platform war games, India’s top eXtended Reality (XR) innovators are redefining how we learn, heal, shop, and travel! The winners of the XR Creator Hackathon, which is a part ofCreate in India Challenge (CIC) Season-1, launched as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with Wavelaps, have been declared. The hackathon, aimed at accelerating India’s presence in immersive technology, had five thematic categories — healthcare-fitness & well-being, educational transformation, immersive tourism, digital media & entertainment, and e-commerce-retail transformation.
More than 2,200 participants from across India registered for the hackathon. After three rounds of evaluation, five teams have emerged as winners, representing a mix of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from different cities and institutions. The winner announcement was done in a ‘Winners’ Ceremony’ which was organized virtually over a YouTube live stream.
A brief about the Winning Teams and their XR Projects
1) The winner in the theme, ‘Educational Transformation’ is the teamXR Runnerswith their project‘Eduscape XR’
The VR-based platform, developed by the students of IIT Kharagpur, EduscapeXR, allows students to perform realistic, immersive experiments in subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology using hand-tracking and AI-based feedback. It addresses the lack of laboratory infrastructure in many schools and colleges. “In many parts of the country, students study science without doing real experiments. We wanted to change that and our project aims to revolutionise education by providing STEM practicals on a virtual reality platform,” said Vedanta Hazra, who led the team with Sahil Patel and Shaurya Baranwal.
2)The Winner in the theme, ‘Healthcare, Fitness & Well-being’ is teamCognihabwith their project ‘Cognihab’
Cognihab offers XR-powered rehabilitation solutions that support recovery from lazy eye, stroke, and anxiety. “We’re focused on outcomes in real medical settings and this hackathon helped us sharpen our approach and reach new stakeholders,” said team lead Rishab Kapur. Team members include Pintu Kumar and others with a background in XR-based health tech.
3)The winners of the theme ‘Immersive Tourism’ is the teamLumeXRwith their project is ‘Immersive Travel Guide’
LumeXR developed a mixed-reality tourism guide that allows users to explore destinations virtually. The experience includes a 3D map interface, drone-shot photogrammetry, and embedded video stories, making trip planning more engaging and efficient. The platform also enables tourism brands to offer XR-based previews that go beyond traditional brochures or videos. “This isn’t just a travel app — it’s immersive cultural storytelling, with the help of our project, users can now ‘feel’ a destination before booking it,” said LumeXR’s team lead, Savio.
4)The winners of the theme ‘E-Commerce & Retail Transformation’ theme is team‘EMO’with their project ‘Heaven Estate’
Heaven Estatelets homeowners visualize interior designs in AR and 3D before making real-world decisions. What sets it apart is the focus on user-designer collaboration — where verified interior designers upload visualizations that clients can preview in their own space. “We wanted to create a real bridge between homeowners and professionals,” said EMO’s team lead Utkarsh Rai, who built the project with Himanshu Mahto, Ashutosh Mishra, and Ishita Guar. The EMO team credits the mentorship phase of the hackathon for refining their design and user experience.
5)The winners of the theme ‘Digital Media & Entertainment’ is teamYouth Buzzwith their project ‘Immersive Warfare Simulator’
Youth Buzz created The Game of Dimensions, a multiplayer tactical war game playable across VR (virtual reality) headsets and mobile, offering an immersive gameplay. “We wanted to unify the gaming experience across platforms and realities,” said team lead, Mohit Kumar Sharma. His teammates include Anish Dombale, A Shivam Raj, and Yash Sadhukhan.
XR Innovators are coming up from Tier 2 and 3 cities
The hackathon saw participation from 66% Tier 2 and 3 cities, including Chengalpet, Manipal, and Veraval. The participants ranged from 17 to 35 years. Of the 40 finalist teams, 53% were students, 33% working professionals, and 14% self-employed entrepreneurs. Notably, 19% of the finalists were women — a strong indicator of growing gender diversity in XR innovation.
With support from Wavelaps, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and the two leading XR communities, BharatXR and XDG, the finalists are now stepping onto the world stage — where ideas born in classrooms, hostels, and home studios may soon reach global users. While the winners have been declared, the XR Creator Hackathon isn’t over yet. All five teams are now preparing to showcase their projects at the WAVES Summit — a global media and entertainment event organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, scheduled from May 1–4, 2025, in Mumbai.
“The XR Creator Hackathon is not just nurturing innovation — it’s building the foundation for a new digital India. These solutions will redefine how we learn, heal, travel, and connect.” said Ashutosh Kumar, Founder & CEO of Wavelaps.
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
Hong Kong Science Museum’s new exhibition to introduce current state of local industries and explore future industry prospects Addressing the opening ceremony today (April 11), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, said Hong Kong, as an international metropolis, not only brings together Eastern and Western cultures but also harmonises innovation with tradition. Following the country’s announcement to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, Hong Kong is fully co-operating in its efforts and striving to become an international innovation and technology centre. Hong Kong’s industry has gradually transformed from early traditional manufacturing to today’s high-tech industries, embodying the wisdom and efforts of countless scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
She added that each innovation achievement in this exhibition is evidence of the new era of the Hong Kong industry, telling a “Hong Kong story” that, relying on technological strength, transforms innovative ideas into practical and sustainable solutions, continuously improving people’s quality of life. With advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics, the Hong Kong industry achieves breakthroughs in environmental technologies that convert waste into energy, cutting-edge applications in smart manufacturing and life sciences, and redefines “Made in Hong Kong”.
Ms Chan said this exhibition not only showcases technological innovation achievements but also promotes the culture of scientific research and popular science education. She hopes that the public, especially young people, can experience the myriad possibilities of technological development through the exhibits and interactive experiences, developing a passion for exploring science, learning innovative thinking for the future, and seizing the development opportunities brought about by Hong Kong’s technological innovation.
Other officiating guests today included the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), Mr Steve Chuang; the Executive Deputy Chairman of the FHKI and Chairman of the FHKI 65th Anniversary Organising Committee, Mr Anthony Lam; and the Museum Director of the HKScM, Mr Lawrence Lee.
The exhibition comprises five sections, namely “Industry Cornerstone”, “Research and Development”, “Smart Manufacturing”, “Industry 4.0” and “2030 Vision”. Through interactive exhibits and model and object displays, the exhibition introduces innovative designs that cover a wide range of areas, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation in people’s daily lives, and highlights how local teams transfer research outcomes from three key industries, namely life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data sciences, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, to contribute to the realisation of Hong Kong’s new industrialisation. Highlight exhibits include an interactive device that showcases a passive radiative cooling material that lowers indoor temperatures without relying on electricity, an injection moulding machine that utilises injection moulding technology to mass-produce plastic products, and an automated multiplex diagnostic system that can detect more than 40 respiratory pathogens simultaneously in about 1.5 hours.
The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the FHKI, organised by the HKScM and the FHKI, and funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission. The exhibition is held at the Special Exhibition Hall, G/F, HKScM (2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon). Guided tours of the exhibition will be held on weekends and public holidays from May 1 to July 1. The guided tours are free of charge with on-site enrolment. In addition, the HKScM will also organise an array of activities, including off-site guided tours, exhibit demonstrations, children’s programmes, experiments, workshops, and science lectures, with free admission. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/industrial2025.htmlIssued at HKT 18:11
SHANGHAI, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bilibili Inc. (“Bilibili” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BILI and HKEX: 9626), an iconic brand and a leading video community for young generations in China, today published a circular (the “AGM Circular”) to provide shareholders with information on the proposals that will be put forward at the Company’s annual general meeting of the shareholders (the “AGM”) for shareholders’ approval and a notice of the AGM (the “AGM Notice”). The AGM will be held at Building 3, Guozheng Center, No. 485 Zhengli Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China on June 20, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. (Hong Kong time), to consider and vote on the resolutions set forth in the AGM Notice. The AGM Circular, AGM Notice and form of proxy for the AGM are available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.bilibili.com.
Holders of record of ordinary shares of the Company at the close of business on May 13, 2025, Hong Kong time, are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM and any adjourned meeting thereof. Holders of the Company’s American depositary shares as of the close of business on May 13, 2025, New York time, who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying Class Z ordinary shares of the Company must act through the depositary of the Company’s American depositary share program, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas.
Bilibili has filed its annual report on Form 20-F, including its audited financial statements, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Bilibili’s Form 20-F can be accessed on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.bilibili.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
About Bilibili Inc.
Bilibili is an iconic brand and a leading video community with a mission to enrich the everyday lives of young generations in China. Bilibili offers a wide array of video-based content with All the Videos You Like as its value proposition. Bilibili builds its community around aspiring users, high-quality content, talented content creators and the strong emotional bonds among them. Bilibili pioneered the “bullet chatting” feature, a live comment function that has transformed our users’ viewing experience by displaying the thoughts and feelings of audience members viewing the same video. The Company has now become the welcoming home of diverse interests among young generations in China and the frontier for promoting Chinese culture across the world.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident,” “potential,” “continue,” or other similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Bilibili’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to those included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this announcement and in the attachments is as of the date of this announcement, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
Bilibili Inc. Juliet Yang Tel: +86-21-2509-9255 Ext. 8523 E-mail: ir@bilibili.com
Piacente Financial Communications Helen Wu Tel: +86-10-6508-0677 E-mail: bilibili@tpg-ir.com
£1.5 million fund to support Windrush compensation applicants
A dedicated community support will deliver justice for victims of the Windrush scandal, ensure they have their voices heard and receive deserved compensation.
Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will receive crucial support to access the compensation they deserve under a £1.5 million fund launched by the government today.
The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) will provide claimants with dedicated advocates from community organisations to work alongside them throughout the compensation application process.
Many victims have reported that while this process is not legally complex, the emotional toll of revisiting traumatic experiences can make it difficult to navigate alone.
Delivered over the next three years and offered alongside existing support for Windrush Compensation Scheme applicants, the WCASF will break down barriers to justice by ensuring victims’ voices are heard and their experiences fully documented.
The fund delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to provide additional support and work more closely with affected communities and forms part of the wider Plan for Change to deliver justice for Windrush victims.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP said:
The Home Office Windrush scandal was an appalling injustice that should never have happened. People who had built their lives here and contributed so much to our country were wrongly treated as illegal immigrants in the place they called home.
This £1.5 million fund is a decisive step in our mission to right these wrongs. By providing dedicated advocacy support, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring victims have a voice through every step of the compensation process.
We are determined that Windrush communities will finally receive the recognition and justice they deserve.
Advocates will help applicants gather supporting evidence, provide signposting to additional services, and create a trusted environment so no victim has to face the system by themselves.
The additional support will be of immense importance to victims. For many, the scandal resulted in loss of employment, denial of healthcare, threats of deportation, and in some cases, actual deportation from a country they had every right to call home. These experiences led to severe financial hardship, deteriorating mental health, broken families, and shattered trust in government institutions.
The fund has been shaped by extensive consultation with more than 20 organisations, all serving different segments of the Windrush community.
Advocates funded through this initiative will understand applicants’ cultural background and support them to articulate their stories in a safe environment. It aims to ensure applications fully capture the impact of the scandal on individuals’ lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.
Since coming into office, the government has re-established the Windrush Unit to oversee the department’s response to the scandal and embed permanent cultural change across the Home Office – keeping the voices of victims at the heart of all work undertaken to address the scandal.
Recruitment is currently underway for the vital role of Windrush Commissioner, who will represent victims’ views at the highest levels of government and drive lasting change. The appointment is expected by summer 2025.
Virtual information sessions for organisations interested in applying to the WCASF will be held on 14 and 15 April. To attend, you must register via email to WCSAdvocacySupportFund@homeoffice.gov.uk
All applications must be submitted via the Find and Apply Grant portal by 5pm on 9 May 2025.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
Moving to a big city does not always radically change daily habits. A study by the Higher School of Economics showed that an adult’s leisure preferences are largely determined in childhood and depend on where he spent his school years. This is the conclusion reached by an employee Faculty of Economic Sciences HSE Sergey Korotayev after studying the leisure habits of more than 5,000 Russians.
The environment in which a person lives shapes his daily habits: how he spends his leisure time, what cultural and social activities he chooses. However, as the employee found out Laboratories for comparative analysis of the development of post-socialist societies Faculty of Economic Sciences of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Sergey Korotaev in the newresearch, lifestyle is influenced not only by the current place of residence. The home town where a person graduated from school also plays an important role.
The study is based on a data set from the project “Social Differences in Modern Russia” and covers more than 5,000 respondents aged 24 to 55. The questionnaires took into account various activity indicators: visiting theaters, exhibitions or sports activities, drinking alcohol together, reading books in libraries and playing computer games. This approach allowed us to record a wider range of everyday behavior patterns.
The results were then divided into three axes: activity versus passivity, cultural practices versus philistine ones, and real actions versus virtual ones. Based on these data, four behavioral clusters were identified: from people with minimal involvement in leisure to those actively attending cultural events. The analysis showed that a higher level of income, education, and professional qualifications is associated with active and cultural lifestyles. Family also influences the choice of leisure in many ways: for example, having a higher education among parents increases the likelihood of cultural and active leisure, both in megacities and in small towns.
However, it is not only social status that influences behavioral style. Researchers have tracked how leisure time changed for those who moved from one type of settlement to another. It turned out that the habits formed are more than a third explained by where a person lived during their school years. Residents of megacities, as a rule, attend cultural events four times more often than those who grew up in small towns or villages.
“It can be assumed that moving itself affects leisure. For example, those who moved to a large city will value new opportunities more, and their leisure will be even more diverse and intense. However, the study showed that this does not happen: the habits of those who moved to large cities are in the middle between the habits of the natives of their hometown and the new one,” comments Sergei Korotayev, an employee of the Faculty of Economic Sciences.
“The context of the move is important: was it related to getting an education or to finding a job in adulthood. This can have a significant impact on what kind of imprint a person’s spatial trajectory leaves on them. But to take this into account, a more complex model and more data are needed,” noted Sergey Korotayev.
These findings raise important questions for regional policy and urban development. Understanding how leisure habits are formed can help to more effectively develop cultural infrastructure and offer residents of different areas and ages the most suitable leisure formats. The researcher emphasizes that in order to influence people’s daily activity, it is necessary to take into account not only their current environment, but also their biographical context.
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.
With EU citizens now living longer and healthier lives, the focus of EU policy has shifted from ageing to longevity. This demographic change has significant social and economic repercussions, such as increased demand for housing, healthcare and social services. Public spending is also expected to increase. Demographic changes are exacerbating labour shortages across various sectors and skill levels, posing a threat to the EU’s green and digital transitions, competitiveness and public services. This issue is particularly concerning in areas already struggling with a labour shortage, such as healthcare. Attracting trained foreign workers is one solution to these issues, but EU countries must balance the need for recruiting such individuals with the challenge of controlling irregular migration flows. In response to the above shifts, the EU has started including demographic concerns into the creation of relevant EU policies. Specific EU initiatives to support Member States in dealing with demographic change include the talent mobility package, which complements the skills and talent package and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Despite migration being seen as a viable solution to demographic challenges, EU Member States continue to struggle between enforcing stricter migration policies and using legal migration to fill labour shortages. While Member States will find it difficult to sustain their welfare, pension systems and productivity without attracting skilled workers from non-EU countries, it is recognised that migration by itself will not reverse the ongoing trend of population ageing across the EU.
Eight MEPs will be in Paris from Monday, meeting France’s economy minister, top central bank and treasury officials, and representatives of numerous other public and private organisations.
The delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee will be headed by Aurore Lalucq (S&D, FR), the committee’s Chair. She will be accompanied by:
During the meetings on Monday, MEP Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR) will also accompany the delegation.
Meetings
The primary objective of this mission is to visit the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), as well as representatives of the French government, regulatory authorities and stakeholders in the areas of finance and economics, to discuss issues related to economic developments, economic governance, financial services legislation and the creation of clusters, as well as taxation and competition issues.
Among others, the delegation will meet with France’s Minister for Economy and Finance, Eric Lombard and the Director General of the French Treasury, Bertrand Dumont, as well as the Governor of the Banque de France, François Villeroy de Galhau and the President of the French Court of Audit, Pierre Moscovici. Discussions are also expected to take place with the Secretary General of the OECD and the Chair of the French competition and prudential authorities. MEPs will also take part in roundtable discussions on ECON-related topics, such as the Savings and Investments Union, with academics and industry representatives.
Press conference
A press conference open to all journalists will be held by the leader of the delegation, Ms Lalucq on Wednesday at 15.00. To participate you are invited to fill in this form. The press conference is in physical presence only.
The European Affordable Housing Plan will include a dedicated European Strategy for Housing Construction to foster productivity and competitiveness in the construction sector to increase housing supply. While the Plan is not expected to alter national fire safety requirements, the Commission is already pursuing a number of relevant initiatives:
— The recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive[1] (EPBD) provides that Member States must address the issues of fire safety in new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation and may address fire safety in their national building renovation plans.
— In the context of the implementation of the EPBD, the Commission has recently launched a call for tender[2] aiming at providing the Member States with guidance on fire safety linked to the electrification and renovation of buildings.
— The Commission has published guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and charging infrastructure in covered parking spaces[3], which will feed into the guidance on fire safety in car parks required by the EPBD.
— The Fire Information Exchange Platform (FIEP) is supports exchange of information relevant for fire safety considerations.
— In the context of the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation[4] (CPR), the Commission will initiate a horizontal CPR Acquis group for fire issues. One of the subjects this forum will discuss is the new test method for fire performance of façades.
— Later this year, the Commission will launch a call for tender for preparatory action on fire safety statistics in close collaboration with the Member States.
[1] Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (recast). OJ L, 2024/1275, 8.5.2024. http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj
[3] Guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and charging infrastructure in covered parking spaces — Publications Office of the EU (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c2c1f892-f3ef-11ef-b7db-01aa75ed71a1/language-en).
The week of 14 April is dedicated to external parliamentary activities. That includes work back home, in Members’ constituencies, as well as missions outside Parliament’s places of work. During this week, the Committee on Budgets will visit Latvia from 14 to 16 of April to examine the budgetary impact of enhancing EU preparedness, focusing in particular on defence spending.
The agreed draft legislation comes in response to a number of emerging challenges, such as risks relating to digital toys and the surge in online shopping.
On Thursday evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on new EU toy safety rules to enhance the protection of children’s health and development. The deal strengthens the role of economic operators in improving toy safety, and clarifies requirements for safety warnings and the digital product passport (DPP). It expands the list of prohibited substances in toys.
Ban on harmful chemicals
In addition to the existing prohibition of carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxic (CRM) substances, the agreed text also bans chemicals that pose particular risks to children, such as endocrine disruptors, substances harmful to the respiratory system, and chemicals that are toxic for the skin and other organs. At Parliament’s insistence, the new rules will ban the intended use of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) and the most dangerous types of bisphenols. Allergenic fragrances will be banned in toys intended to be placed in the mouth for children under 36 months.
Safety assessment
Before placing a toy on the market, manufacturers will have to carry out a safety assessment on all potential hazards − chemical, physical, mechanical, and electrical. The assessment will also have to test toys’ flammability, hygiene, and radioactivity, and take children’s specific vulnerabilities into account. For example manufacturers should, where appropriate, ensure that digital toys do not pose risks to children’s mental health − as requested by Parliament negotiators.
Economic operators and online marketplaces
The agreed rules clarify the obligations of economic operators, such as manufacturers, importers, and distributors. This also includes fulfillment service providers (companies responsible for storing, packaging, and dispatching toys). Changes were also introduced to align the agreed text with other legislation, such as the General Product Safety Regulation, the Ecodesign framework and the Digital Services Act.
The text clarifies requirements for online marketplaces, reflecting their growing role in the sale and promotion of toys. For example, marketplaces will have to design their platforms so as to allow sellers to display the CE mark, safety warnings, and a link (such as a QR code) to the digital product passport, to be visible before the purchase is completed.
Digital product passport
All toys sold in the EU will have to bear a clearly visible digital product passport (DPP) showing compliance with the relevant safety rules. The DPP will enhance the traceability of toys and make market surveillance and customs checks simpler and more efficient. It will also offer consumers easy access to safety information and warnings, via a QR code, for example.
Quote
Rapporteur Marion Walsmann (EPP, Germany) said: “Although we already have the safest toys in the world in the European Union, one in five products categorised as dangerous and withdrawn from the market by the EU was a toy. It was therefore very important to revise the 2009 Toy Safety Directive. We are reducing the risks posed by hazardous chemicals in toys and ensuring better labelling, including in online retail. We have also future-proofed the regulation: the Commission will be able to react more quickly to new scientific findings on chemical substances.. The new Toy Safety Regulation sends out a strong signal: for the protection of our children, fair competition and for Europe as a business location.”
Next steps
Parliament and the Council have concluded an “early second reading agreement” (the negotiation took place after Parliament’s first reading was adopted in plenary). The Council is now expected to adopt this agreement formally, and Parliament will then have to endorse the text in plenary, in second reading.
The regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal. Member states will then have 54 months to comply with the provisions.
Briefing by Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on the situation in the Middle East.
——————————-
Briefing the Council, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari noted that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have “publicly confirmed it has built multiple positions in the area of separation on the Golan” and “Israeli officials have also spoken about Israel’s intentions to stay in Syria for the foreseeable future.”
Such facts on the ground, Khiari said, “are not easily reversed” and “threaten Syria’s fragile political transition.”
He recalled the Council’s Presidential Statement of 14 March, “which reaffirmed a strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.”
Khiari said, “Syria’s opportunities to stabilise after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected. For Syrians and for Israelis, this is the only way regional peace and security can be realised.”
SYRIA
Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari told the Security Council this morning that there have been hundreds of reported Israeli airstrikes across Syria since 8 December of last year. He added that at dawn on 3 April, there were reports that Israel carried out multiple airstrikes across Syria, including in Damascus, the Hama Military Airport, and the T4 military airport in Homs.
Mr. Khiari recalled the Security Council’s 14 March presidential statement on Syria and said that Syria’s opportunity to stabilize after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected, for Syrians and for Israelis.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix also briefed the Security Council, telling them that the Israel Defence Force (IDF) currently occupies 12 positions that they established on the Bravo side – 10 in the area of separation and two in the area of limitation in the vicinity of the Bravo line. They also continue to construct counter-mobility obstacles along the ceasefire line, and have flown, on several occasions, aircraft across the ceasefire line and helicopters into the area of separation, he said.
Mr. Lacroix emphasized that it remains critical that all parties uphold their obligations under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, including by ending all unauthorized presence in the areas of separation and limitation, as well as refraining from any action that would undermine the ceasefire and stability on the Syrian Golan.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that hostilities across the Strip are taking a horrifying toll on civilians – depriving people of safety and the means for their survival. There have been daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians.
Just yesterday in Gaza City, there were reports of dozens of people killed – including at least eight children – after an Israeli strike hit a residential building. Many are still missing under the rubble. OCHA stresses that civilians must be protected under international law and should never be a target.
For its part, the World Health Organization has been able to support some medical evacuations from Gaza. Yesterday, 18 patients and nearly 30 companions were allowed to exit to seek specialized treatment abroad. However, with some 12,500 patients in Gaza still in need of medical evacuation outside the Strip, WHO calls for them to be able to do so through all available border crossings and corridors.
As supplies inside the Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, we have seen an increase in looting over the past few days. Earlier this week, several such incidents were reported in Rafah, and Deir al Balah, and Al Zawaida.
Once again, OCHA reiterates the urgency of reopening the crossings to allow critical supplies to enter.
More than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition, at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies.
Across Gaza, partners are also warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water – together with the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock – are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations.
Meanwhile, our humanitarian partners in Gaza have identified more than a dozen unaccompanied and separated children this week. They are doing everything possible to reunite these children with their families.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=10+April+2025
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)
strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to offer Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) for individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who were legally paroled into the United States through the CHNV program. The letter highlights the unique crises in these countries and proposes DED as a solution to ensure proper vetting while maintaining America’s commitment to protecting those fleeing persecution and violence.
“We must protect the promises made to the people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela with both compassion and security in mind,” said Rep. Salazar. “These countries are plagued by communist, repressive dictatorships and gang violence. While we restore law and order here at home, DED will allow us to vet these individuals thoroughly, deport those who don’t qualify, and uphold America’s legacy as a beacon of hope.”
In her letter, dated April 9, 2025, Rep. Salazar outlines the unprecedented migration crisis in the Western Hemisphere, exacerbated by the previous administration’s policies that allowed over 10 million people to cross the southern border, many illegally. She praises the current administration’s efforts to work with countries south of the border to control the situation and emphasizes the distinct challenges in Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—nations marked by oppressive regimes and instability. Salazar argues that DED, a discretionary presidential authority, would enable case-by-case assessments, ensuring that only those genuinely fleeing harm remain, while fraudulent entrants or criminals are swiftly deported.
The full text of the letter is attachedHEREfor reference.
BROOKFIELD, Wis., April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company” or “CIB Marine”) (OTCQX: CIBH), the holding company of CIBM Bank (the “Bank”), announced its unaudited results of operations and financial condition for the quarter and three months ended March 31, 2025. Net income of $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2025, or $0.24 basic and $0.23 diluted net income per share, compares to $0.2 million during the same quarter of 2024, or $0.13 basic and $0.10 diluted net income per share.
Financial highlights for the quarter include:
Net interest margin increased to 2.62% compared to 2.44% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2.29% for the first quarter of 2024. The rising trend continues as the cost of funds reprices lower relative to the changes in yields on earning assets. Net interest income rose $0.3 million compared to the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to declining cost of funds and improved net interest margin.
Although quarter-end loan balances declined $12 million compared to December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses to loans rose from 1.26% to 1.29%, primarily due to a deterioration in forecasted short-term economic outcomes. Non-performing assets to total assets of 0.67% and non-accrual loans to loans of 0.84% on March 31, 2025, compares to 0.68% and 0.81%, respectively, on December 31, 2024. In 2024, the Bank maintained lower loan balances to support the preferred stock redemption and ensure appropriate capital ratios. Looking ahead, an increase in the loan portfolio is expected over the remainder of the year, primarily driven by growth in the commercial segments.
The Banking Division’s $0.8 million of net income for the quarter was unchanged from the same period the prior year. Due to seasonal factors and high interest rates, the Mortgage Division experienced a slow first quarter, resulting in a net loss of $0.2 million, which is an improvement of $0.2 million compared to the same period in 2024 due to cost-saving actions implemented earlier. The net remaining Other Division, comprised primarily of parent company operations, had a net loss of $0.3 million with roughly one-third of that amount attributed to subordinated debt interest expense. Although the parent company has a $2 million line of credit, no draws have been made on that potential funding source to date.
Mr. J. Brian Chaffin, CIB Marine’s President and CEO, commented, “Our banking operations have gained momentum, with our strong corporate banking group rebuilding the commercial loan pipeline and our net interest margin trending higher due to management’s diligent efforts to lower our cost of funds. Despite an improvement of $0.2 million from the first quarter of the previous year, the Mortgage Division reported a loss due to the challenging business environment for residential mortgages. We anticipate a decline in overall mortgage production for the remainder of the year compared to the previous year, primarily due to lender staff reductions, but remain confident in the capabilities of our current lending team to deliver solid mortgage production.”
He added, “In February, we announced the launch of our 2025 common stock repurchase program, which is expected to buy back up to $1 million worth of shares through the end of the year. During the first quarter of 2025, we spent $235,000 in open market transactions to buy 7,429 shares at an average price of $31.65 per share. This price was significantly lower than the tangible book value of $57.37 per share as of December 31, 2024, and the repurchases contributed to an increase in the tangible book value to $58.46 per share by March 31, 2025.”
As the Company prepares for its upcoming annual meeting, he concluded, “We look forward to discussing key topics related to our operating results and capital plans at the Annual Shareholder Meeting on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. Shareholders are encouraged to visit our website for more information about the virtual meeting and to review the meeting materials.”
CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for CIBM Bank, which operates nine banking offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and has mortgage loan officers and/or offices in six states. More information on the Company is available at www.cibmarine.com, including recent shareholder letters, links to regulatory financial reports, and audited financial statements.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CIB Marine has made statements in this release that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. CIB Marine intends these forward-looking statements to be subject to the safe harbor created thereby and is including this statement to avail itself of the safe harbor. Forward-looking statements are identified generally by statements containing words and phrases such as “may,” “project,” “are confident,” “should be,” “intend,” “predict,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect CIB Marine’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance that are subject to many uncertainties and factors relating to CIB Marine’s operations and the business environment, which could change at any time.
There are inherent difficulties in predicting factors that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements.
Stockholders should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this Earnings Release and in the documents that are incorporated by reference, could affect the future financial results of CIB Marine and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document. These factors, many of which are beyond CIB Marine’s control, include but are not limited to:
economic, political, and competitive forces affecting CIB Marine’s banking business;
the impact on net interest income and securities values from changes in monetary policy and general economic and political conditions; and
the risk that CIB Marine’s analyses of these risks and forces could be incorrect and/or that the strategies developed to address them could be unsuccessful.
These factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. CIB Marine undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and CIB Marine’s actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements.
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
Selected Statement of Operations Data:
Interest and dividend income
$
10,941
$
11,408
$
12,283
$
12,052
$
11,801
$
10,941
$
11,801
Interest expense
5,652
6,259
6,707
6,897
6,840
5,652
6,840
Net interest income
5,289
5,149
5,576
5,155
4,961
5,289
4,961
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses
42
(332
)
(113
)
10
(28
)
42
(28
)
Net interest income after provision for
(reversal of) credit losses
5,247
5,481
5,689
5,145
4,989
5,247
4,989
Noninterest income (1)
1,552
1,724
2,897
6,904
1,627
1,552
1,627
Noninterest expense
6,373
6,678
7,163
6,904
6,421
6,373
6,421
Income before income taxes
426
527
1,423
5,145
195
426
195
Income tax expense
105
123
347
1,361
17
105
17
Net income (loss)
$
321
$
404
$
1,076
$
3,784
$
178
$
321
$
178
Common Share Data:
Basic net income (loss) per share (2)
$
0.24
$
0.60
$
0.79
$
2.79
$
0.13
$
0.24
$
0.13
Diluted net income (loss) per share (2)
0.23
0.54
0.59
2.06
0.10
0.23
0.10
Dividend
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Tangible book value per share (3)
58.46
57.37
57.80
55.36
52.59
58.46
52.59
Book value per share (3)
58.51
57.42
56.06
53.61
50.84
58.51
50.84
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
1,348,995
1,357,737
1,357,259
1,356,255
1,341,181
1,348,995
1,341,181
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
1,396,274
1,507,344
1,833,586
1,833,881
1,820,498
1,396,274
1,820,498
Financial Condition Data:
Total assets
$
852,018
$
866,474
$
888,283
$
901,634
$
897,595
$
852,018
$
897,595
Loans
684,787
697,093
707,310
719,129
736,019
684,787
736,019
Allowance for credit losses on loans
(8,818
)
(8,790
)
(8,973
)
(9,083
)
(9,087
)
(8,818
)
(9,087
)
Investment securities
124,109
120,339
120,349
123,814
119,300
124,109
119,300
Deposits
692,028
692,378
747,168
768,984
772,377
692,028
772,377
Borrowings
67,214
81,735
33,583
28,222
32,120
67,214
32,120
Stockholders’ equity
79,309
77,961
92,358
89,008
85,091
79,309
85,091
Financial Ratios and Other Data:
Performance Ratios:
Net interest margin (4)
2.62
%
2.44
%
2.55
%
2.38
%
2.29
%
2.62
%
2.29
%
Net interest spread (5)
1.99
%
1.74
%
1.80
%
1.71
%
1.63
%
1.99
%
1.63
%
Noninterest income to average assets (6)
0.73
%
0.82
%
1.25
%
3.09
%
0.73
%
0.73
%
0.73
%
Noninterest expense to average assets
3.05
%
3.06
%
3.17
%
3.09
%
2.87
%
3.05
%
2.87
%
Efficiency ratio (7)
93.65
%
96.17
%
85.32
%
57.19
%
97.20
%
93.65
%
97.20
%
Earnings (loss) on average assets (8)
0.15
%
0.19
%
0.48
%
1.69
%
0.08
%
0.15
%
0.08
%
Earnings (loss) on average equity (9)
1.65
%
1.94
%
4.71
%
17.92
%
0.84
%
1.65
%
0.84
%
Asset Quality Ratios:
Nonaccrual loans to loans (10)
0.84
%
0.81
%
0.44
%
0.47
%
0.48
%
0.84
%
0.48
%
Nonperformance assets to total assets (11)
0.67
%
0.68
%
0.38
%
0.41
%
0.43
%
0.67
%
0.43
%
Nonaccrual loans, modified loans to borrowers experiencing
financial difficulty, loans 90 days or more past due and still
accruing to total loans
1.21
%
1.19
%
1.62
%
1.38
%
1.04
%
1.21
%
1.04
%
Nonaccrual loans, OREO, modified loans to borrowers
experiencing financial difficulty, loans 90 days or more past
due and still accruing to total assets
0.97
%
0.98
%
1.32
%
1.14
%
0.89
%
0.97
%
0.89
%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans (10)
1.29
%
1.26
%
1.27
%
1.26
%
1.23
%
1.29
%
1.23
%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans,
modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty loans
and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing (10)
106.25
%
105.95
%
82.53
%
91.24
%
118.77
%
106.25
%
118.77
%
Net charge-offs (recoveries) annualized
to average loans (10)
-0.01
%
-0.01
%
-0.01
%
0.03
%
0.03
%
-0.01
%
0.03
%
Capital Ratios:
Total equity to total assets
9.31
%
9.00
%
10.40
%
9.87
%
9.48
%
9.31
%
9.48
%
Total risk-based capital ratio
13.34
%
13.02
%
14.54
%
13.90
%
13.07
%
13.34
%
13.07
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
10.62
%
10.33
%
11.89
%
11.27
%
10.48
%
10.62
%
10.48
%
Leverage capital ratio
8.40
%
8.14
%
9.30
%
8.93
%
8.50
%
8.40
%
8.50
%
Other Data:
Number of employees (full-time equivalent)
152
165
170
172
177
152
177
Number of banking facilities
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
(1) Noninterest income includes gains and losses on securities.
(2) Net income available to common stockholders in the calculation of earnings per share includes the difference between the carrying amount less the consideration paid for redeemed preferred stock of $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
(3) Tangible book value per share is the stockholder equity less the carry value of the preferred stock and less the goodwill and intangible assets, divided by the total shares of common outstanding. Book value per share is the stockholder equity less the liquidation preference of the preferred stock, divided by the total shares of common outstanding. Book value measures are reported inclusive of the net deferred tax assets. As presented here, shares of common outstanding excludes unvested restricted stock awards.
(4) Net interest margin is the ratio of net interest income to average interest-earning assets.
(5) Net interest spread is the yield on average interest-earning assets less the rate on average interest-bearing liabilities.
(6) Noninterest income to average assets excludes gains and losses on securities.
(7) The efficiency ratio is noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding gains and losses on securities.
(8) Earnings on average assets are net income divided by average total assets.
(9) Earnings on average equity are net income divided by average stockholders’ equity.
(10) Excludes loans held for sale.
(11)Nonperforming assets includes nonaccrual loans and securities and other real estate owned.
CIB MARINE BANCSHARES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
March 31,
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
2025
2024
2024
2024
2024
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Shares)
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
7,717
$
6,748
$
13,814
$
10,690
$
7,727
Reverse repurchase agreements
–
–
–
–
–
Securities available for sale
121,939
118,206
118,145
121,687
117,160
Equity securities at fair value
2,170
2,133
2,204
2,127
2,140
Loans held for sale
7,685
13,291
19,472
17,897
8,048
Loans
684,787
697,093
707,310
719,129
736,019
Allowance for credit losses on loans
(8,818
)
(8,790
)
(8,973
)
(9,083
)
(9,087
)
Net loans
675,969
688,303
698,337
710,046
726,932
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
2,607
2,607
2,238
2,238
2,328
Premises and equipment, net
1,486
1,570
1,526
1,569
3,550
Accrued interest receivable
2,680
2,651
2,926
3,230
3,271
Deferred tax assets, net
12,529
12,955
12,796
14,840
14,849
Other real estate owned, net
–
200
211
283
375
Bank owned life insurance
6,486
6,437
6,388
6,340
6,291
Goodwill and other intangible assets
64
64
64
64
64
Other assets
10,686
11,309
10,162
10,623
4,860
Total assets
$
852,018
$
866,474
$
888,283
$
901,634
$
897,595
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand
$
98,403
$
86,886
$
95,471
$
95,457
$
87,621
Interest-bearing demand
77,620
84,833
90,095
86,728
92,092
Savings
232,046
224,960
234,969
244,595
261,998
Time
283,959
295,699
326,633
342,204
330,666
Total deposits
692,028
692,378
747,168
768,984
772,377
Short-term borrowings
57,444
71,973
23,829
18,477
22,383
Long-term borrowings
9,770
9,762
9,754
9,745
9,737
Accrued interest payable
1,614
1,911
2,101
2,145
1,982
Other liabilities
11,853
12,489
13,073
13,275
6,025
Total liabilities
772,709
788,513
795,925
812,626
812,504
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 5,000,000 authorized shares at periods prior to December 31, 2024; 7% fixed rate noncumulative perpetual issued; 14,633 shares of series A and 1,610 shares of series B; convertible; $16.2 million aggregate liquidation preference
–
–
13,806
13,806
13,806
Common stock, $1 par value; 75,000,000 authorized shares; 1,382,609 and 1,372,642 issued shares; 1,356,247 and 1,358,473 outstanding shares at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. (1)
1,383
1,372
1,372
1,372
1,369
Capital surplus
181,801
181,708
181,603
181,486
181,380
Accumulated deficit
(99,167
)
(99,487
)
(100,297
)
(101,373
)
(105,157
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
(3,939
)
(5,098
)
(3,592
)
(5,749
)
(5,773
)
Treasury stock, 27,084 shares on March 31, 2025 and 14,791 shares December 31, 2024 (2)
(769
)
(534
)
(534
)
(534
)
(534
)
Total stockholders’ equity
79,309
77,961
92,358
89,008
85,091
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
852,018
$
866,474
$
888,283
$
901,634
$
897,595
(1) Both issued and outstanding shares as stated here exclude 51,684 shares and 42,259 shares of unvested restricted stock awards at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(2) Treasury stock includes 722 shares held by subsidiary bank CIBM Bank.
CIB MARINE BANCSHARES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
At or for the
Quarters Ended
3 Months Ended
March 31,
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
March 31,
March 31,
2025
2024
2024
2024
2024
2025
2024
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest Income
Loans
$
9,623
$
9,999
$
10,573
$
10,582
$
10,394
$
9,623
$
10,394
Loans held for sale
137
215
300
213
142
137
142
Securities
1,150
1,151
1,183
1,217
1,231
1,150
1,231
Other investments
31
43
227
40
34
31
34
Total interest income
10,941
11,408
12,283
12,052
11,801
10,941
11,801
Interest Expense
Deposits
5,029
5,638
6,354
6,466
6,227
5,029
6,227
Short-term borrowings
504
500
232
310
493
504
493
Long-term borrowings
119
121
121
121
120
119
120
Total interest expense
5,652
6,259
6,707
6,897
6,840
5,652
6,840
Net interest income
5,289
5,149
5,576
5,155
4,961
5,289
4,961
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses
42
(332
)
(113
)
10
(28
)
42
(28
)
Net interest income after provision for
(reversal of) credit losses
5,247
5,481
5,689
5,145
4,989
5,247
4,989
Noninterest Income
Deposit service charges
59
55
63
67
66
59
66
Other service fees
(9
)
(5
)
(5
)
1
(5
)
(9
)
(5
)
Mortgage banking revenue, net
1,140
1,564
2,264
2,166
1,209
1,140
1,209
Other income
177
192
150
273
163
177
163
Net gains on sale of securities available for sale
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized on equity securities