Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
The admissions campaign for 32 master’s programs of the HSE online campus started on April 1, five of which are opening enrollment for the first time. We tell you more about which programs are available for study entirely online.
The Higher School of Economics is the leader among universities in the Russian Federation and the CIS in terms of the number of educational programs implemented online and the number of students studying in them. Since the launch of the country’s first English-language online Master’s degree program, Master of Data Science, in 2020, the number of students admitted to the first year has increased 12-fold.
In December 2024, HSE was among the 11 global universities that are leaders in online education according to the Online Learning Rankings 2024 of Times Higher Education magazine, and also became the only Russian university to win gold.
In 2025, five more new programs will be added to the portfolio, most of which are cross-disciplinary and meet the needs of emerging markets.
The program “Applied Linguistics: Foreign Language Teaching and Translation in the Digital Environment” includes two specializations to choose from. Students can study digital methods of teaching foreign languages or the development of educational programs EdTech and professionally oriented automated translation and language localization. The program “Instructional Design: Theory and Practice of Learning”, which is close in scope, will train specialists capable of designing educational experiences and developing programs, courses and training materials.
Another new online program, “Chinese Language in Intercultural Business Communication,” is aimed at training personnel with knowledge of the Chinese language, cultural and social aspects, as well as business approaches for effective interaction with partners from China in order to build business, scientific, and educational contacts between the countries.
The Digital Marketing program will provide future masters with knowledge and skills at the intersection of marketing, data analysis and digital technologies for the implementation of advertising campaigns in the digital environment. And graduates of the Digital Engineering for Computer Games program will have competencies in developing games and gaming software with in-depth knowledge of engine features.
A total of 32 programs became available for submission of documents from April 1, most of which are implemented entirely online, and for three, in addition to the online track, an offline track is also available. Applicants can choose an unlimited number of educational programs. The acceptance of documents for the online master’s program will last until August 8 or September 15, depending on the chosen program.
Master’s programs with application deadline until August 8, 2025:
For each program is installed list of entrance examinations, the most common format is a portfolio competition. All of them are held remotely. Training is carried out according to standards: 2 years are allocated for a master’s degree. Upon completion of the final qualifying work, graduates will receive a state diploma indicating full-time education in Russian and English. You can sign up for a consultation to learn more about the programs, the possibility of obtaining an educational loan, and ask other questions at page.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments 2
Speech
Sir Martyn Oliver’s speech at the Guildhall
Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, spoke to educational leaders from the City of London and further afield. He talked about the importance of education and how Ofsted’s inspection improvement proposals will drive ever higher standards for children.
Thank you. It’s really wonderful to be here in the City, and to be talking about education.
The square mile in which we stand has contributed so much to our nation’s history, values, and of course our economy.
The power of education
But, even that mighty influence, pales in comparison to the power of education. I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear that from a former teacher, headteacher, and the Ofsted Chief Inspector.
In a world of difficult choices, or trade-offs and compromises, education is one of those rare things that can solve so many problems whilst causing no new ones.
The journey towards any target, milestone, or mission that a government, any government, can set, will be made quicker and easier through education. There are no silver bullets however, but education is probably the closest thing we have.
It can contribute to rising growth, and falling unemployment. To reducing crime, and to increasing opportunities. To more innovation and to cutting emissions. To greater happiness and to less deprivation. To a stronger health service and less inequality. To a fairer society and a more secure nation.
I could go on for the whole speech! But you hopefully get the idea!
In short, education can help us achieve almost every goal we have for our young people, our society, and our country.
Difficult choices
But as I’ve said, we do live in a time of difficult choices. When every single penny has to be carefully considered and justified, even if there were silver bullets, there just simply isn’t enough silver.
But it’s also important to say that just throwing more money at education is not the answer. Any money needs to be carefully targeted and justified. It needs to go where it will make the biggest difference. Where it will help the most children and particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Where it will make sure that the most able, whatever their background, can soar. And where those who need it the most will get that help.
So, it’s not just about more money, and it can’t be.
Ofsted’s new proposals
That’s the context in which Ofsted is proposing a whole new approach to inspection.
So, we have built a system to drive ever higher and rising standards for children. To deliver better information for parents to help inform choices and engage them in their children’s education. To help governors and boards, authorities and trusts, to support and guide improvement. To deliver better information to government so they can make choices about where they assign resources and support. And to reduce pressure on all those working in education so they can get on with their vital work.
So that’s the ambition and the context in which we have designed our proposals. We want a better system, that improves the education of all children, with all the myriad benefits that that brings.
I believe our proposals will do this in a number of ways.
Focus on what matters
Firstly, we are focusing on the things that really matters to a good education. We have proposed a number of evaluation areas, of different things that we will look at on inspection. And these are informed by what we know, what my experience informs me, will make a difference to a child’s education, and by what we heard from parents and children in our biggest ever survey last year, the Big Listen.
This includes maintaining our strong focus on curriculum, on the substance of learning. It includes the achievements and the personal development of children. It includes the leadership of the school or educational provider, and how they develop their teachers and staff.
It includes making sure children are prepared for their next step, not least for working life. Obviously, there are many purposes of education, and being ready for work is not the only one, but it is a very important part and we will not shy away from that.
So, our inspections will specifically look at careers programmes in secondary schools. We want to see impartial advice from well-trained staff, engagement with employers, colleges and universities, and opportunities for work-experience.
On that note, we recently had, in Ofsted, a year 12 student on work experience for a week in our London office. She experienced a wide range of activities in our communications team. She actually helped me write this speech, and I encouraged her to do so. She told us how exciting it was to work within a professional office, meet people and see the variety of jobs which keep Ofsted running. Opportunities like this show students the outcomes of hard work, what working life is like, while also giving them ideas for future careers. They are invaluable and it was fantastic to support it from the employer side as well as in schools.
Returning to our inspections, they will also include the vital topics of behaviour and of attendance. We’re proposing, for the first time, to look at these areas separately to really get into the detail. Obviously, a school with better behaviour is more likely to have better attendance, but there is a lot more to it than that, and we want to identify what’s working and what’s not. And we want to empower schools to tackle the problems that they have in a way that works for them. Autonomy and innovation will be recognised and supported.
We want to avoid the problem where one issue, bullying for example, causes a sort of ‘double jeopardy’ situation where it has a knock-on impact on grades in other areas. Let me give you an example, an issue about bullying could impact leadership and management, safeguarding, the quality of education, specifically the curriculum, personal development and behaviour and attitudes. But it is entirely possible that it was a behavioural management issue alone and it should be treated as such. So, as much as possible, we want to isolate our areas and shine a laser like focus on just them.
Our proposals also include a new evaluation area for inclusion. This is something I’m particularly proud of. I’ve always said that if you get it right for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children, you get it right for everyone. And we now have the data at Ofsted to back that up.
Schools that get it right for children with SEND, children who are young carers, children in poverty, children facing an educational or personal setback, they’re not doing it at the expense of the other children. That’s just not how it works. So, Ofsted will recognise schools doing great work for all children through our inclusion evaluation area and by threading inclusion through all our other areas too.
And by reporting on each individual area, not on overall effectiveness or aggregated sub judgements, we hope to paint a far clearer picture of a school. To recognise what they do well and what they could do better. Because no school is perfect, and no school is without merit. Great schools can still have weaknesses, and poor schools can still do things really well. We will recognise this complexity, and respect the intelligence of those reading our reports to understand this.
By maintaining this focus on what matters, and by reporting on it in detail, we hope to drive ever higher standards in education. And we hope to make sure that, as standards rise, no child is left behind. No child’s potential is wasted. They only get one childhood, and they deserve every chance and opportunity.
Built around existing standards
As well as making sure we focus on what really matters, to children, to parents, and to the best possible education, we want to make sure that we’re not asking schools to do anything beyond what is already expected and asked of them. We don’t want leaders or teachers to be doing anything just for us, anything ‘for Ofsted’. If you’re doing the right things for your children, then you’re already doing the right things ‘for Ofsted’. Now, Ofsted has been saying this for years, but I know some of you may still be sceptical. But with this new approach, we have done all that we can to make it as clear and unambiguous as possible.
We have built the entire toolkit, all the documents setting out clearly what we look for, on the existing professional standards teachers and leaders should be working to. On the qualified teacher standards, on the statutory and non-statutory guidance, which already set out what schools should be doing. I hope, if you take a look, you will see nothing in there that a good school, a great school leader isn’t already doing, or at least aspires to be doing.
Let me give you an example, the Qualified Teacher Professional standards currently asks teachers to:
“Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge [and] have a secure knowledge of the relevant subject(s) and curriculum areas, foster and maintain pupils’ interest in the subject, and address misunderstandings.”
That’s the qualified teacher standards that teachers in England should work to. So, Ofsted is going to ask:
“Teachers explain new content clearly, connecting new information with what pupils already know and/or introducing new content and concepts in a meaningful context. Teachers revisit important content and concepts regularly so that pupils learn them securely and remember them. Teachers check pupils’ understanding systematically, identifying and remedying any gaps or misconceptions. They give effective feedback that supports pupils to improve.”
And this is also true for any other type of educational provision. I’ve mainly talked about schools today, because I know that’s the background of many of you in the audience. But almost everything I’ve mentioned also applies to nurseries, to childminders and to further education providers and colleges. To all the education provision we inspect. About 92,000 institutions.
We have proposed toolkits for each type of provision, tailored to what they do, to the age of their children, and to the relevant existing professional standards that they work to.
Again, I hope this will drive higher standards in education. It will make it clearer than we ever have, that schools shouldn’t be doing anything just for the days that our inspectors come in. They shouldn’t be spending a single minute or penny on anything that isn’t in the best interests of their, your, children. That’s what we want to see. That’s all.
And if we get this right, it will relieve pressure on teachers and leaders. By basing our standards around everything you should already be doing, and by spelling this out clearly, I hope we can eliminate some of these myths, some of the guesswork, and some of the confusion about what you should be doing. Children aren’t best served by stressed teachers, and educational standards aren’t improved when schools can’t recruit or retain the high-quality staff they need. So Ofsted wants to do its bit to help, and to again drive higher standards.
Recognise those going above and beyond
So, we are proposing to recognise when schools are meeting the standards expected of them through our new ‘secure’ grade. And I know there are some who want us to stop there and to say, this school has met the required standard, and that’s good enough.
But I don’t want to just say ‘that’s good enough.’ I don’t think parents want to hear that. And I don’t think leaders and governors, like many of you, really want to say that either. I don’t think that sort of model benefits children, helps parents, or drives higher standards.
So, we are proposing to have two additional grades above ‘secure.’ We are proposing a ‘strong’ grade, for those not just meeting the core standards but going beyond them. Schools will achieve this in areas where they’re really excelling for their children.
And then we are proposing a new top grade of ‘exemplary.’ This will be for truly exceptional practice. For a school or other provider doing something that we believe is worthy of national recognition, that others can learn from or be inspired by.
I believe, through these grades, we will encourage schools to always seek to improve. We will give parents a far more detailed picture of a school’s strengths and the areas to work on. And we will highlight practice that schools could look to, to inform their own improvement journeys.
Once again, I believe this will drive higher standards in education, and all of the benefits that brings.
Recognise uniqueness
Of course, every school is unique. Every set of circumstances is unique. And every set of challenges is also unique. And we will recognise this too. Our proposals will do much more to recognise the context in which a school is operating.
Because it is important to recognise what a school is achieving both in spite of and because of the picture around them, the community that they are a part of, the resources and relationships that they can draw on.
Because a school does not operate in a bubble. The quality of the feeder nurseries or primary schools has an impact. The quality of the secondary school and the colleges has an impact. The support they get from the local authority or trust, the corporation or the liveries, their governors and their PTA, has an impact. The level of education, the relative incomes, and the languages spoken by their community has an impact. The engagement of the parents and carers has an impact. The amount of support available locally for pupils with SEND has an impact. The availability of high-quality teachers and staff in the area has an impact too.
We will consider all of this and more. To recognise what a school has been able to achieve in that context, to place accountability for successes and weaknesses in the right place, and to highlight examples of great practice against the toughest backdrops.
Again, through proper and proportional accountability, we hope to drive higher standards for all children, in all areas.
Help to guide government
We also want to help to guide government, to better target their support, their resources, and their interventions.
To make sure that the right people and institutions are recognised for their success. And make sure improvements are targeting the root of the problem, not the just the symptoms.
For example, think about a secondary school with poor attendance. Obviously, that might be something government wants to offer support to the school to improve. But if all of the local primaries also have poor attendance, if the school is actually doing a bit better than other local secondaries, well then the picture changes.
If a primary school has lower than desired outcomes for their children, that obviously needs rectifying. But if many of their children are arriving unprepared for school, with little or no experience reading, perhaps not even potty trained, again the picture changes.
If a school is struggling with behaviour, then government support, behaviour experts and other interventions could be the answer. But if the local area has problems with gangs, or very few activities and resources for children, or limited support from the local authority, again the picture changes.
Of course, we cannot and will not lower standards. We must and we will expect the best for all children. But I believe our proposals will allow us to follow the threads, get to the root of the problem, and help government target limited resources where they will have the biggest impact. We again hope to drive higher standards for all.
Conclusion
I hope that I have given you a flavour of the content but also the ambition of our proposals. To focus on what matters. To make sure schools are able to dedicate everything to their children. To recognise those going beyond. To recognise every unique school in their context. And to make sure, no minute, pound, or resource is spent in the wrong place or on the wrong problem.
But I hope you will also help us make these proposals that I’ve just outlined even better. There are some fantastic educators in this room, and many more who recognise the transformative power of education. So please take part in our consultation. It’s open until 28th April and it’s available on our website.
But I hope you have also seen the ambition that we have and that I have for education in this country.
In many ways, it is already remarkable. It is already something we can be proud of as a nation. Something we should thank everyone, and I thank you, for working in education.
We are outperforming many other countries, in many ways. But we can always do better. We should never stop striving to do better. Especially for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. That’s an area where we can and must do better.
On the bottom of a purchase receipt. While scrolling through social media feeds. On flyers with QR codes, and inside official-looking letters that show up in mailboxes.
But how often do you actually take one of those surveys?
What incentives would encourage you to take a survey?
And would it be enough just knowing that your feedback on a survey could help shape the direction of a community or even an entire town – like the one that you live in, or work in, each and every day?
A group of sophomores from the Innovation House Learning Community at UConn are hoping that a mix of incentives, outreach, enthusiasm, and good old-fashioned civic mindedness will encourage members of the UConn community to take a survey that will do just that: help shape the direction of the Connecticut town that UConn Storrs calls home.
‘Our Strategic Plan’
“Anyone who thinks people will respond to a survey vastly, vastly overestimates,” says Michael Stankov ’17 (CLAS) ’18 MS, an environmental planner and inland wetlands agent for the town of Mansfield. “People don’t like surveys. They don’t do them.”
But if you can effectively encourage people to take them, surveys still represent a good way to get valuable information and feedback from a large number of people.
Mansfield Tomorrow is the town of Mansfield’s 10-year strategic plan.
Which is why Stankov and his supervisor, Jennifer Kaufman – Mansfield’s director of planning and development – have spent a good portion of the past six months developing, promoting, and encouraging participation in a town-wide survey to help support the 2025 update to Mansfield’s plan of conservation and development.
“Every town in Connecticut needs to update their plan of conservation and development, and that has to be done every 10 years,” explains Kaufman. “In Mansfield, our plan of conservation and development also serves as our strategic plan. Not only does it include items such as land use, where we want to grow, and what we want to preserve, it also includes other things, like budgetary considerations for our town council.”
Mansfield’s last strategic plan, developed in 2015, is a wide-ranging 458-page document known as Mansfield Tomorrow, and it lays out priorities for the town that range from the amenities that influence people choosing to live in Mansfield to the economic and physical development of the community.
The 2025 plan isn’t meant to be a complete rewrite, but rather an update that reflects changes in priorities and strategies that will naturally occur over the course of a decade, Kaufman says. An ad hoc committee as well as three working groups have been active since last fall, garnering feedback from the Mansfield community to help contribute to the update.
“We have the town-wide survey that we’ve sent out,” Kaufman says. “We’ve done a mailing to everyone that has a mailbox in town. We’re having a public workshop. We’re going to the Senior Center for pop-up events. I’m going to the library’s story time, the library’s game night. We’re going to be doing door-to-door door hangers.
“So, we feel like we’ve got the town’s community engagement, the town’s people.”
But the engagement they haven’t really been able to get?
It’s from UConn.
‘Very Intentional’
In the fall of 2025, UConn Storrs will house an estimated 13,800 students, Kaufman explains, and under census guidelines, those students residing on campus at UConn are considered Mansfield residents.
“In addition, besides people who are living in on-campus housing, we have about 4,000 students who live in the community in apartments, in single-family homes, and in condos,” she says. “So, the UConn population, while they only live in our town for four years, they’re a key part of the population. And they’re not necessarily plugged in to come to a town meeting, or they may not be using our library, or coming to our Mansfield Community Center, or going to the Senior Center.”
And even beyond the students who live on and around the Storrs campus, there are thousands of additional members of the UConn community – including faculty and staff – who commute to Mansfield; who visit the downtown area; who enjoy Mansfield restaurants or frequent Mansfield businesses; or who make use of Mansfield’s parks, trails, and recreation services.
The town wants to hear from those people, too.
“It’s all too easy to fragment our lives into – ‘I live in a town and that’s the only town that I should have input in,’” says Stankov. “But we live in communities that are complex and that cross lots of towns, so we need to hear what people who don’t just live and pay taxes here want, because that helps us understand how to provide more services for more people.”
But while UConn represents more than half Mansfield’s population, engagement from UConn in the 2015 strategic planning process wasn’t what Kaufman and Stankov would hope, and they want to change that this time around.
“We’re trying to be very intentional about our outreach to the UConn population,” Kaufman says. “We need to kind of crack that nut of how we can reach out to the UConn community.”
“Because of our weak penetration of the UConn bubble in 2015, we’ve really doubled down on trying to make sure that we understand what folks at UConn are thinking of,” says Stankov.
But how do you get busy students – not to mention faculty and staff, who might not even live in town – to pay attention to and take a municipal survey?
That’s where 18 undergraduates from Innovation House are playing an important part.
‘What Students Think’
Innovation House is a multidisciplinary community that brings together entrepreneurial-minded students and offers mentorship opportunities and exposure to programs that help support entrepreneurship.
That multidisciplinary nature is what drew Alishia Thompson ’27 (SFA), a digital media and design student from Putnam, to the community.
“I wanted a mix of a bunch of different people from different majors and schools in the University and from all sorts of different backgrounds,” Thompson says.
Michael Bossi ’27 (BUS), a business management major from Bristol, was drawn to the community through an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship.
“I love thinking strategically about business and really just any kind of problem that you have to think critically to solve,” Bossi says. “That’s just always what’s been fun to me. That’s why I went into business management in the first place as well, and that led me to the Innovation House this past year.”
For Carter Gay ’27 (CLAS), a double major in mathematics and physics from Canton, Innovation House seemed to align with his interests.
Mansfield’s strategic plan sets out the town’s vision for not just conservation and development but for all of the municipality’s priorities.
“You get to be part of a community of people, and they all live on the same floor,” Gay says. “I thought that was kind of cool. In the building where the housing is, there’s a maker’s space in the bottom, that’s pretty cool.”
Despite their difference in majors, the three students – and many of their fellow sophomores in Innovation House – have something in common beyond their interest in innovation.
None of them had ever really thought much about municipal planning.
Last year, the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation took over responsibility for the Innovation House Learning Community. Kathy Rocha, the institute’s associate director, and Katie Britt, it’s director of leadership development, co-teach a required course with the community’s sophomore class that’s focused on the design thinking process – ideation, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“The plan for this semester was to come up with a project based in our area, in the Mansfield area, that the students could work on creatively to solve a problem,” says Rocha. “We didn’t know what the problem was, but it was a general idea.
“I was talking with David Ouimette, and I told him about this, and he asked me if I had ever met Jennifer Kaufman. And I hadn’t. He said you should reach out to her.”
So, she did.
“Kathy made contact with me at the beginning of the semester,” says Kaufman, “and she said, ‘Hey, I want to work on a project for the town.’ And we said, ‘This is great.’”
As the semester has progressed, Stankov has visited the class a few times, taking feedback from the students about how they thought the Mansfield Tomorrow survey might be improved, and learning about and helping them refine their plans for how to engage with other member of the UConn community encourage participation in the survey.
“The goal is to figure out what students think about the surrounding area, whether that be that there’s not enough stores, not enough shops, or there’s not enough housing, there’s not enough public walkways, that sort of thing,” says Gay. “How we can develop the area better, not only to suit the needs of everybody, but really to help UConn students?”
‘Our Whole Story’
The students, who divided themselves into teams focused on each different UConn demographic – students, faculty, and staff – have developed creative plans utilizing their diverse experiences and skills in order to engage the UConn community on Mansfield’s behalf.
With the ideation phase of their project complete, they’ll soon be shifting into action, putting flyers around campus and asking their own professors and the University staff they work with to complete the survey, which is online and only takes five-to-10 minutes, before working on broader outreach to faculty and staff.
In addition to the gift-card giveaways that the town has for anyone who completes the survey, some student-only incentives will be on offer as well, including a UConn jersey, a basketball signed by Coach Auriemma, and gift cards to Barnes & Noble.
And, they’ll be out on campus on April 1 and 2 offering free cookies to any student who takes the survey.
Conn sophomores in the Innovation House will be sharing flyers around campus at events detailing incentives for students to complete the Mansfield Tomorrow survey.
“We all agreed that, if there’s one thing we know that can get college students to participate in things, it’s free food,” Thompson says.
Every response, says Bossi, adds to crucial data that the town needs to help guide its decision-making.
“Our goal is to help the town of Mansfield, really, and more measurable in our class is to get as many responses as possible,” Bossi says. “My goal is to shoot for the stars with the amount of responses we can get – I want thousands of responses on that survey, from every demographic.”
Thousands of responses might be a lofty goal, says Stankov – hundreds might be more realistic. For Kaufman, their overarching aim is to strike a balance between understanding the needs of the UConn community and building a plan that addresses the whole of Mansfield’s population.
“We value the UConn community – we, personally, have great relationships with people at UConn, like Nathan Fuerst, John Armstrong, and Phil Hunt – and I think the town and the University, over the past few years, have really done a great job in working together,” Kaufman says. “We know that UConn students make up over half of our residents, and so we are, again, being intentional so that we’ll be able to tell that as just a part of our whole story.”
‘Such An Impact’
Though it’s unlikely that most of the Innovation House students – including Bossi, Gay, and Thompson – will go on to pursue a career in municipal planning, the learning opportunities from this project go far beyond any future plans, explains Rocha.
“It’s about creative thinking,” she says. “They’re working on collaboration with each other, as well as with the town of Mansfield. Adaptability – they’ve had to be very flexible in what they’re doing. And then finally, it’s the execution, the project management, and that’s the one that students really don’t often get a chance to do.
“They get into all of this stuff, and then putting together the plan and seeing the plan through –that’s a big one.”
That aspect of the project hasn’t been lost on Thompson, the digital media and design major.
“While I’m not necessarily going to be a municipal planner in my future, there’s still a lot of skills and aspects of this that are really critical for a job in the DMD department, especially in the animation field,” Thompson says. “Animation is all about collaboration, communication, and teamwork and, in some cases, leadership as well. This project and this program, that we’re trying to – it is literally asking for all of those skills.”
For Gay, the math and physics major, and for Bossi, the business management major, participating in the project has given them a new empathy for the work that town officials are doing and a new appreciation for the role that they get to play in the process.
“I think it’s really meaningful, because it’s something real,” Gay says. “In a lot of classes, you’ll do something like this, and it’ll be a ‘mock’ something, not real. But this is legitimate, real-world. And the town really just wants information on how they can improve and help make things better.”
“I can even see myself skipping out on a survey like this,” says Bossi. “But I really, truly do mean – from the bottom of my heart – that this whole project is done with very good intentions. We aren’t seeking a financial gain; we’re just seeking to help the place that houses all of our students. Mansfield houses UConn, and taking just five minutes or less to fill out a survey can make such an impact.”
All members of the UConn Storrs community – students, faculty, and staff, regardless of town of residence – are encouraged to contribute to Mansfield’s strategic planning by completing the Mansfield Tomorrow survey atMansfieldTomorrow.org.
UConn students are invited to join the Innovation House class on Fairfield Way on April 1, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and in the Student Union on April 2, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., to take the Mansfield Tomorrow survey, get a free cookie, and be entered for a chance to win a raffle prize.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
N/A
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
ALLIANCE PHARMA PLC
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
N/A
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
31 MARCH 2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
N/A
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
1p ORDINARY
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
12,028,746
2.2252
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
12,028,746
2.2252
On 27thMarch there was a transfer into our discretionary management of 1,254 shares
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
1p ORDINARY
SALE
14,387
64.22p
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
NONE
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure:
01 APRIL 2025
Contact name:
PHIL HULME
Telephone number:
01253 376551
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
N/A
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
N/A
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
31 MARCH 2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
N/A
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
5p ORDINARY
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
11,912,786
5.4649
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
11,912,786
5.4649
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
5p ORDINARY
SALE
355
235.7988p
5p ORDINARY
SALE
2,370
235.75p
5p ORDINARY
SALE
3,461
234.04p
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
NONE
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure:
01 APRIL 2025
Contact name:
PHIL HULME
Telephone number:
01253 376551
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — While a particular brain training app —BrainHQ from Posit Science — has already been shown to prevent cognitive decline and improve brain health in older adults, researchers at the University of Rochester and Stanford University have now found that the same app can improve cognitive health in family members who are providing care to loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.
“Anyone who has been a family caregiver knows how mentally demanding and exhausting that vital role is,” observed Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. “We applaud the independent researchers who designed and ran this new study for taking these issues seriously and for recognizing that the benefits of BrainHQ shown in studies of other populations could also address the brain health challenges experienced by caregivers.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, each year more than 11 million Americans are providing an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care (valued at more than $346 billion) to people living with dementia.
The chronic stress of caregiving, this new study notes, is known to be associated with many health risks for caregivers, including accelerated cognitive aging (declines in attention, processing speed, and memory), greater risks of ill health and mortality, as well as diminished emotional well-being. Family caregivers are often older adults themselves, with challenges in adapting to the ongoing stressors of caregiving. Such stressors include watching a family member’s declining functional ability and increasing neuropsychiatric symptoms (apathy, mood disturbance, and agitation), as well as behavioral changes. Those stressors are often compounded by feelings of loss of a significant relationship with a loved one, as well as by family conflict around care.
In this randomized controlled study published in Innovation and Aging, a peer-reviewed journal of the Gerontological Society of America, the researchers reported they had enrolled 195 caregivers (aged 55-85) and randomized them into either the intervention group, which was assigned five exercises organized as a regimen on the BrainHQ app, or into an active control group, which was assigned educational videos (e.g., public television series on cooking, travel, or history, and other documentaries) that participants self-selected from a study website. Participants in both groups were asked to engage in their assigned activity for 30 minutes per session, across 3 sessions per week, for 8 weeks (12 hours, in total).
All participants were assessed (at baseline, after 8 weeks, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups) on measures of processing speed and attention, working memory under stress, and emotion reactivity to laboratory and caregiving stressors.
The researchers found that the BrainHQ group had significantly improved processing speed and attention performance as compared to the active control group, and these differences persisted through the 6-month follow-up. In the 6-month follow-up, working memory performance under stress was significantly better among the BrainHQ compared to the active control group. At 12 months, caregivers in the BrainHQ group reported less negative emotion in response to behavioral symptoms of their care recipient. There were no group differences on acute emotion reactivity to the laboratory stressor at any time point.
The researchers conclude, “Evidence from this clinical trial suggests that with continued development, targeted, neuroplasticity-based cognitive training has strong potential to strengthen stress adaptation and emotional resilience in caregivers of a family member with ADRD” [Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias].
BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 studies. Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is offered by leading health and Medicare Advantage plans, by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, and other organizations focused on peak performance. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com.
MIAMI, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Defiance ETFs introduces SMCZ, theDefiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF, a 2X inverse single-stock ETF designed to provide amplified inverse exposure to Super Micro Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMCI). This ETF offers traders a way to seek enhanced downside exposure to Supermicro without requiring a margin account.
SMCZ seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse of the daily percentage change of Super Micro Computer, Inc., a leader in high-performance server and storage solutions with a strong focus on supporting AI workloads.
“SMCZ offers investors a way to seek inverse leveraged exposure to Supermicro, a key player in the AI hardware space,” said Sylvia Jablonski, CEO of Defiance ETFs. “As Supermicro continues to support the AI revolution through its energy-efficient infrastructure and scalable server solutions, this ETF provides a tactical tool for traders looking to express a bearish or hedged view on the company’s short-term market performance.”
For more information, visit DefianceETFs.com.
The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. The Fund pursues a daily inverse leveraged investment objective, which means that the Fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund magnifies the inverse performance of the Underlying Security.The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged inverse (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance declines over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of their investment within a single day.
An investment in SMCZ is not an investment in Super Micro Computer, Inc.
About Defiance ETFs
Founded in 2018, Defiance is at the forefront of ETF innovation. Defiance is a leading ETF issuer specializing in thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs. Our first-mover leveraged single-stock ETFs empower investors to take amplified positions in high-growth companies, providing precise leverage exposure without the need to open a margin account.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Fund’s investment adviser is Tidal Investments, LLC (“Tidal” or the “Adviser”).
The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information about the investment company. Please read the prospectus and / or summary prospectus carefully before investing. Hard copies can be requested by calling 833.333.9383.
Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. As an ETF, the funds may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country, may be subject to a higher degree of risk.
There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of its investment.
Total return represents changes to the NAV and accounts for distributions from the fund.
Underlying Security Risk. The underlying security is subject to many risks that can negatively impact the Fund.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund.
Leverage Risk. Leverage may increase the risk of loss and cause fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio to have disproportionately large effects or cause the NAV of the Fund generally to decline faster than it would otherwise.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in market conditions and may amplify risks.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is likely to differ from -200% of the Underlying Security’s performance, before fees and expenses. Compounding has a significant impact on funds that are inverse leveraged and that rebalance daily.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. These risks may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund.
Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers could cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio.
New Fund Risk. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has no operating history and currently has fewer assets than larger funds. Like other new funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time.
Diversification does not ensure a profit nor protect against loss in a declining market.
Brokerage Commissions may be charged on trades.
Distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Contact Information David Hanono info@defianceetfs.com 833.333.9383
WILMINGTON, Del., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Property and Casualty insurer, Farmers of Salem, is proud to support employee involvement in community activities that improve the quality of life in those communities where our employees live. Today, we spotlight Jenni Eber, Claims Customer Service Supervisor, who will be celebrating her 20-year career with Farmers later this year.
Jenni has always had a close relationship with military veterans. Her brother, Glenn Cherry Jr, is a Navy veteran. It has always been his dream to retire, run a farm and help his military brothers and sister. Jenni says, “My love language has always been Acts of Service.” So, it was natural for the close brother and sister to team up in 2017 and give their time and energy to Gallant Heart of NJ (GH). Glenn is a founding member, and Jenni is currently the COO.
GH hopes to bring awareness to the aftercare of our military veterans. They often attend veteran sponsored events and chip in wherever needed. “Being involved for some years now, I still struggle with the words, but I feel more passionate than ever to help in any way I can.” Jenni continued, “The basic premise is to reduce veteran suicide.”
Gallant Heart is a non-profit that focuses on providing leisure activities to our nation’s heroes. The non-profit prides itself on creating a supportive environment for veterans and first responders to experience camaraderie, brotherhood and relaxation through hunting and social events. It is our mission to provide a cost-free experience and to play a role in their continued healing and quality of life.
Each GH founding member involves their children to ensure the acts of service live beyond expectations. This past summer Jenni took her 14-year-old daughter, Blair and her field hockey teammates to a Veterans picnic. They served the veterans lunch, escorted them to locations they needed to go, and cleaned up the entire event with a smile. “It was very eye opening for them, and I’m extremely grateful I was able to provide that opportunity.”
The organization recently completed their 2025 Flagship Event: The Wounded Veteran Pheasant Hunt. The weekend event hosted 24 Purple Heart recipients and/or 100% disabled veterans. This is an all-inclusive program for wounded and injured veterans which utilizes the therapeutic effects of the outdoors, camaraderie, and social engagement to help improve everyday quality of life. All food, equipment, lodging, and travel was provided.
Regarding Jenni’s career at Farmers, she stated: “I’ve worked my way up in the claims department, starting as a part time clerk. I now handle Property Loss claims and manage our Customer Service Representatives. I truly love my job, as I’ve said before, Acts of Service is my love language. Knowing that I’m helping people in their time of need is truly fulfilling.”
“When I started at Farmers, I was a 24-year-old in college. Now I’m married, with two beautiful kids, and have a beautiful home, all while building a career with Farmers of Salem. I’ve also been able to coach sports for over 20 years and never missed a school event due to Farmers of Salem believing in putting family first.”
For more information about Gallant Heart of NJ, visit wwwgallantheartnj.org
About Farmers of Salem Founded in 1851, Farmers of Salem provides insurance coverage to homeowners and businesses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland through a network of independent agents. Rated A- Excellent by A.M. Best Company and has received a Financial Stability Rating of A Exceptional by Demotech, Inc. We pride ourselves in providing Superior Service with Personal Attention.
Farmers of Salem provides compensated Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to full-time employees for use during their regular workday. Farmers’ recognizes volunteering provides employees with a valuable opportunity to meaningfully support their chosen charitable missions and is very proud of their employee’s service to others.
For more information about Farmers of Salem, visit farmersofsalem.com
As a mutual corporation, fundamentally rooted in serving our community, we engage in corporate philanthropy, giving annually to an array of organizations and causes. Through our giving, in local markets where we have a presence, Farmers of Salem has supported educational development, physical education, and health and wellness programs that provide communities in most need with essential services, opportunities to improve the quality of their lives and provide them with assets to create a better future.
A partial list of events and organizations that Farmers of Salem supports annually:
Autism Delaware
Serviam Girls Academy
Vehicles for Veterans
Salem County Humane Society
Habitat for Humanity
VFW Post #253
Operation Legacy
Keeping Hope Alive, Inc.
Temple University
Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts
Holiday Service Project – Thanksgiving Food Baskets – Salvation Army
New York, N.Y., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced the appointment Brent Hamilton as its Director of Quality Assurance.
This appointment continues a series of important additions to NANO Nuclear’s engineering, scientific and regulatory licensing personnel as the Company seeks to progress its proprietary, advanced nuclear micro reactor designs through construction, demonstration, regulatory licensing and ultimately commercialization.
Mr. Hamilton has over 26 years of quality control, quality engineering, and quality assurance experience, primarily in nuclear construction for commercial nuclear, Department of Energy projects, and nuclear fuel manufacturing. In these roles, he gained extensive experience in the development of Quality Management Systems and their implementation. Each were focused on meeting key regulatory licensing regulatory requirements, including those included as part 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B; 10 CFR Part 70; 10 CFR Part 830; DOE O 414.1D; and/or CSA N286. His experience and knowledge are expected to be of great benefit in the identification of critical project attributes and the development of processes to validate them.
“It is an honor to assume this role and contribute my expertise in implementing robust quality assurance programs for NANO Nuclear’s reactors in development,” said Brent Hamilton, Director of Quality Assurance of NANO Nuclear. “My background spans multiple nuclear initiatives, and I firmly believe that the U.S. nuclear industry’s future depends on innovative, dedicated teams like the one at NANO Nuclear. I look forward to helping ensure that all of NANO Nuclear’s technologies are built to the highest quality standards as we advance our plans.”
Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Appoints Brent Hamilton as its Director of Quality Assurance.
Mr. Hamilton is expected to bring invaluable insight and guidance as NANO Nuclear’s reactor development projects move forward. Mr. Hamilton has held quality leadership positions in projects such as: early site work for the Plutonium Processing Facility at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL); development of manufacturing scale processes for TRISO fuel and establishment of a pilot facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and construction of the Spent Fuel Handing Project (SFHP) for the Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho. Mr. Hamilton has spent many years involved with the construction of the AP1000 reactor projects in Georgia and South Carolina and the Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Facility in Kentucky.
“NANO Nuclear is rapidly expanding its roster with veteran nuclear energy professionals who have in-depth experience working closely with the U.S. Department of Energy, and Brent’s arrival reflects that trend and our commitment to retaining the best talent we can,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. “His expertise aligns perfectly with our vision to advance our reactor designs to the next stage of development and I’m confident he will be a key contributor to NANO Nuclear’s growth.”
“Brent is a highly experienced professional who brings a comprehensive understanding of nuclear reactor development, particularly our newly acquired KRONOS MMR™ Energy System and portable LOKI MMR™ from his tenure at Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “His continuity in this area will be essential as we work to quickly move our reactors through the next stages of development. I am pleased to welcome a professional of his caliber to our expanding team.”
About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.
Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR™ Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor,and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.
Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.
HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.
NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.
This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements include those related to the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of the appointment of Mar. Hamilton, as well as the Company’s regulatory plans in general, as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.
MORRISVILLE, N.C., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liquidia Corporation (NASDAQ: LQDA), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease, today announced that the company will provide an overview of the company’s business at a fireside chat at the 24th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, beginning at 8:45 a.m. ET.
An archived, recorded version of the presentation will be available on Liquidia’s website for at least 30 days following the event.
About Liquidia Corporation Liquidia Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease. The company’s current focus spans the development and commercialization of products in pulmonary hypertension and other applications of its proprietary PRINT® Technology. PRINT enabled the creation of Liquidia’s lead candidate, YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder, an investigational drug for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). The company is also developing L606, an investigational sustained-release formulation of treprostinil administered twice-daily with a next-generation nebulizer, and currently markets generic Treprostinil Injection for the treatment of PAH. To learn more about Liquidia, please visit www.liquidia.com.
HOUSTON, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Occidental (NYSE: OXY) today announced the results of its offer to exercise Occidental’s outstanding publicly traded warrants (the “Warrants”) at a temporarily reduced price of $21.30 per Warrant (the “Offer”). The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 31, 2025.
Based on the final count by Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the depositary agent for the Offer, 41,941,075 Warrants were tendered and not validly withdrawn (including 69,166 Warrants tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures available pursuant to the Offer). Occidental will issue 41,871,909 shares of Occidental’s common stock, $0.20 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and receive $891.9 million of aggregate proceeds in respect of the Warrants exercised, excluding the Warrants tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures. If all of the guaranteed deliveries are consummated in accordance with the terms of the Offer, Occidental will issue an additional 69,166 shares of Common Stock and receive an additional $1.5 million of aggregate proceeds in respect of the Warrants tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery. The Warrants that were not tendered and exercised in connection with the Offer remain in effect at an exercise price of $22.00 per Warrant.
The Offer was subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Exercise Warrants to Purchase Common Stock of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, dated March 3, 2025, filed as an exhibit to Occidental’s Schedule TO filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 3, 2025.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Common Stock.
About Occidental Occidental is an international energy company with assets primarily in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa. We are one of the largest oil and gas producers in the U.S., including a leading producer in the Permian and DJ basins, and offshore Gulf of America. Our midstream and marketing segment provides flow assurance and maximizes the value of our oil and gas, and includes our Oxy Low Carbon Ventures subsidiary, which is advancing leading-edge technologies and business solutions that economically grow our business while reducing emissions. Our chemical subsidiary OxyChem manufactures the building blocks for life-enhancing products. We are dedicated to using our global leadership in carbon management to advance a lower-carbon world.
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Yet, amid continuing public remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state and suggestions of genuine intent, the idea has become part of a broader conversation about North America’s future.
The idea of the U.S. merging with Canada outright has not been received well in Canada, especially because Trump’s threats have been accompanied by economic warfare aimed at forcing Canada into submission. After all, the U.S. already has 50 states. Canada, with its population of about 40 million and its immense geographic size, would be an outsized “51st” by any comparison.
But any serious analysis of this proposition quickly reveals that annexation would be far more complicated — and far less one-sided — than the label “51st state.”
The most important takeaway from our analysis is that a unified country would need to inaugurate a new president and Parliament. The path towards the integration of the countries would have to start with closer economic integration, not the alienation currently in place.
Based on population and the distribution of power in U.S. Congress, Canada’s 10 provinces and three northern territories would almost certainly be carved into multiple states, perhaps nine or more.
This is no small detail.
America’s unique electoral arithmetic grants each state two senators, while seats in the House of Representatives depend on population size. With around 40 million new citizens, a unified North America would reshape the balance of power in both the Senate and the House.
Critically, the new country formed via unification might end up looking far more like Canada than many Americans imagine.
Why? Canadian voters lean more centrist — or even centre-left — than the average American does. Over time, that could tilt congressional priorities in favour of policies reflecting Canada’s taste for universal health care, stricter gun control and robust social welfare.
The longstanding political tug-of-war in the U.S. could see its centre of gravity shift, likely to the chagrin of some more conservative segments of the existing union.
Some might argue that if tariffs are putting negative pressures on the economy and roiling the markets, perhaps deeper integration — or even full-blown unification — could serve as a release valve. But the path towards a friendly merger is best taken step-by-step and starts with stronger economic integration, not alienation.
Forging a genuine union goes well beyond removing trade barriers. Canada and the U.S. differ on far more than just economics: from bilingualism laws to gun regulations, from health care to environmental policy, the two countries embody contrasting visions of how society should function.
Canadians would expect to preserve elements of their social contract that many regard as superior to American norms — particularly their single-payer health-care system and comparatively strict firearms restrictions.
A process genuinely aimed at integrating the two countries would take this into account. It would extend the United States-Mexico-Canada trade deal further to strengthen economic integration, elevate the rights of French and Spanish speakers in the U.S. in order to signal compatible cultural values and extend Medicare to show an appreciation of the common denominators of the two societies.
Trump’s current rhetoric, however, does not seem to indicate a genuine desire for a unification.
Why a merger could favour Canada
As surprising as it seems, our analysis suggests that a unified North America could lean Canada’s way over time.
Even if the American Electoral College were reimagined — or scrapped — Canadian provinces transformed into states would wield significant power, influencing everything from budget allocations to Supreme Court appointments.
Over a few election cycles, these forces could converge into a more expansive welfare regime, something that would astonish traditional conservatives across the current 50 states.
A combined North America would boast one of the largest economies on Earth, including abundant natural resources and technological innovation.
The promise of frictionless trade, a single currency and vast internal markets might delight big business and certain multinational interests. Yet the path would be fraught.
Constitutional arrangements, Indigenous rights, linguistic protections and environmental regulations — all areas in which Canadian norms diverge significantly from American precedents — would have to be reconciled.
Canadians, proud of their universal healthcare, progressive climate policies and lower rates of gun violence, would worry about being subsumed by a more rambunctious, militarized neighbour. Americans, meanwhile, would fear they would be forced to adopt new taxes and policies at odds with their historic emphasis on individual freedoms.
A country more closely resembling Canada
Regardless of whether Trump’s annexation talk proves more than just bluster, the notion of a friendly U.S.–Canada merger invites reflection. It reminds us that North America’s two largest nations remain economically interlocked and geographically co-located, though culturally distinct.
With tariffs in place and cross-border tensions mounting, creative solutions are worth examining, even if a merger can — at best — be seen as a long-term vision.
A genuine offer of a merger would require that Canadians to be assured that if such a union did transpire, their voices might echo far more loudly than expected in the halls of Washington, D.C.
And Americans — facing shifting demographics and changing societal values — may discover that the annexation Trump initiated could bring surprises that tilt the new country much closer to its northern neighbour’s ideals than to the status quo below the 49th parallel.
Felix Arndt is an author of a book referred to in this article.
Barak Aharonson is an author of a book with a similar topic.
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Presidium of the round table “Additional professional education in restoration”. From left to right: Chairperson of the Russian Association of Restorers, Acting Director of the State Autonomous Cultural Institution of the Leningrad Region “International Restoration Center” Tatyana Chernyaeva; Professor of the Urban Planning Department of SPbGASU Sergey Semenov; First Vice-Rector of SPbGASU Svetlana Golovina; Director of the Higher Engineering School of RUT (MIIT) Boris Igolnikov; General Director of REMMERS LLC Andrey Babich
The anniversary 5th National (All-Russian) scientific and practical conference with international participation “Reconstruction and Restoration of Architectural Heritage” (RRAN-2025) was held at the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering from March 24 to 28.
The conference was attended by representatives of the Russian Ministry of Culture, state bodies for the protection of monuments, higher education institutions training architect-restorers, restoration specialists from all over Russia and abroad. The partners of the conference were the Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments (KGIOP) of the Government of St. Petersburg and the Non-Commercial Partnership “Russian Association of Restorers (Rosregionrestavratsiya)”. The conference was held with the participation of the companies “Friedlander Paints”, OOO “REMMERS” and OOO “RUNIT”.
Plenary session
At the plenary session “Features of Preservation and Development of Restoration Professions,” those gathered discussed prospects for cooperation, outlined development paths for the industry, and discussed new challenges facing restoration architects.
Mikhail Mamoshin, chief architect and project manager at Mamoshin Architectural Workshop LLC, spoke about the reconstruction of the Church of the Holy Blessed Princes Boris and Gleb in St. Petersburg. The church was built in 1866–1882 and operated until 1934. Then, for over 40 years, it was used for other purposes, and in 1975, the building was demolished to make way for a new route for the Sinopskaya Embankment. Interest in the reconstruction of this site arose after the publication of an album dedicated to the lost churches of the Northern capital, which was prepared at the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering by Professor Sergei Vladimirovich Semenov and Associate Professor Nadezhda Aleksandrovna Akulova. Later, the Foundation for Assistance to the Restoration of Historical and Cultural Sites in St. Petersburg, with the support of the Union of Architects of St. Petersburg, published the book “The Lost Churches of St. Petersburg”. In 2019, the foundation announced its decision to recreate this temple. The team led by Mikhail Mamoshin was entrusted with carrying out the design work.
Yulia Bogacheva, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments, gave a report entitled “Heritage Protection and Digitalization”. The audience learned about the KGIOP archive, the funds of which were formed in the 1930s and include documents from the beginning of the 18th century to the present day. In 2015–2017, 2,700 storage units were digitized and placed in the committee’s information system. Olga Olegovna reviewed the main digital systems and technologies used in the implementation of control (supervisory) activities, and emphasized the need for a modern comprehensive solution integrated with regional and federal geographic information systems (GIS). According to the speaker, digital transformation is impossible without the creation of a geographic information system of cultural heritage sites (GIS OKN). The implementation of the project will improve the quality and efficiency of recording, identifying, preserving, using, popularizing and state protection of cultural heritage sites (historical and cultural monuments) in St. Petersburg, and automate information exchange. The KGIOP representative also spoke about plans to develop solutions based on information regulation technologies (IRT) together with SPbGASU for analyzing and assessing the condition of architectural monuments, monitoring the condition of monuments, etc.
Ekaterina Tribelskaya, head of the architecture department at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute named after V. I. Surikov at the Russian Academy of Arts, presented the architecture department of her university, noting that they are attentive and careful about preserving cultural heritage sites, and research them as part of coursework and diploma theses.
Anna Smirnova, CEO of Kraski Friedlander LLC, gave a presentation entitled “Brand Cities. Cultural Heritage and Identity in Historical Cities.” The speaker listed the reasons why a city needs its own brand: this will attract investment and tourists, support traditions, create conditions for business development, and much more. In addition, this will preserve important historical foundations of color perception and preserve the identity of the environment.
Yulia Yankovskaya, Head of the Urban Planning Department at SPbGASU, gave a report entitled “Compositional and Artistic Aspects of Architectural and Urban Planning Design – History and Modernity.” Yulia Sergeevna said that the Russian architectural school has always focused on compositional and artistic training. This is our global brand, which our Western and Eastern colleagues are guided by. Its outstanding representatives worked at SPbGASU – Yuri Kurbatov (1934-2020) and Vladimir Antoshchenkov (1933-2024). Unfortunately, according to Yulia Yankovskaya, this brand has recently begun to lose ground.
In her presentation, Yulia Sergeevna showed the evolution of compositional training in architecture and architectural education and the development of ideas about extra-leftist form-building in the 20th–21st centuries, emphasizing that this is also a legacy that needs to be known, preserved and developed.
In addition, Yulia Sergeevna drew the attention of the audience to two new topics discussed at the conference. One of them is monumental art in architecture and urban development. A round table and exhibition at the Faculty of Architecture, which will last until April 4.
The conference program, in addition to five main sections in a number of areas, also included two round tables, two master classes, a lecture block, and two days of visiting restoration sites in St. Petersburg and its suburbs.
Round table “Additional professional education in restoration”
The round table began with a ceremony to sign an agreement on interuniversity cooperation between the Russian University of Transport and SPbGASU. The document was signed by Boris Igolnikov, Director of the Higher Engineering School of the Russian University of Transport (RUT (MIIT)) and Svetlana Golovina, First Vice-Rector of SPbGASU.
The parties intend to exchange experience and information, organize internships for students and postgraduates, and hold joint events. Boris Igolnikov reported that the two universities are already actively interacting. The signing of the agreement will allow this interaction to reach a new level.
Round table “Architecture, art, technology – integration mechanisms in a historical city”
The focus of the participants of the round table “Architecture, art, technology – integration mechanisms in a historical city” was the digitalization of architectural and urban planning activities, which is being actively implemented at the state level, and its impact on the creative process of the architect and artist.
Those gathered also considered the role of the architect-restorer, the architect-urban planner, who combines the compositional-artistic historical and creative principles, which are important to take into account when preserving and developing the environment, which is especially important when designing and organizing space and allows for the life of a modern person.
Participants noted the need for proper management of this process, the inclusion of an urban architect and a restoration architect, the need to correctly set boundaries between areas where digitalization is important and necessary, and those where creative search remains a priority.
Section “Experience of practical restoration and modern materials (synthesis of science and practice)”
At the section “Experience of Practical Restoration and Modern Materials (Synthesis of Science and Practice)”, participants presented modern technologies for adapting architectural monuments, ensuring the possibility of their effective and safe operation, taking into account modern requirements. Alexey Kharitonov, associate professor of the Department of Construction Materials Technology and Metrology of SPbGASU, moderator of the section, reported that these technologies provide for minimal intervention in historical structures and materials, as they are based on the continuity of traditional construction techniques.
“We exchanged experience in selecting restoration materials and technological schemes for conducting work using completed projects as an example. The participants were very interested in discussing the problem of capillary water suction in brick walls: completely new and scientifically substantiated ideas about the mechanism of moistening the walls of buildings and structures made of brickwork were presented. Draft national standards were presented, designed to regulate the requirements for the quality of work on the restoration of brickwork and plaster finishing,” said Alexey Kharitonov.
Section “Monumental art in urban planning”
At this section, experts discussed the issues of integrating works of monumental art into architecture and urban planning. If this process is well-established within the framework of restoration and reconstruction of historical monuments, then when including such works of art in modern architecture, the interaction of the architect and the monumental artist often turns out to be insufficient. Experts see the reason for this in the exclusion of this aspect from the educational process of architectural and artistic and architectural and construction universities. As a consequence, there is a lack of cooperation skills and, moreover, an understanding of the role of monumental art in modern architecture and the urban environment.
“Our colleagues from the Department of Architecture at the V. I. Surikov Moscow State Academic Art Institute told us about training in this type of interaction (work between architects and sculptors as part of a third-year course project and a diploma project (in the latter case, it is optional)). Such interaction is not observed in other educational institutions, so the initiative of the Department of Urban Development at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering to include the works of students of monumental painting in projects to transform the urban environment is very important. It is necessary to develop this area both in object design and in architectural-environmental and urban development design,” said Yulia Yankovskaya, moderator of the section.
Master classes
The highlights of the conference were the master classes from the company “Friedlander Paints”: “Lime paint as part of a systematic approach to restoration based on the principle of “like to like”” and “Restoration of brick and stonework”. Experienced professionals demonstrated work on restoring the surfaces of architectural monuments, shared advice on working with materials and tools, and original paint application techniques.
The construction company REMMERS presented an exhibition stand at the conference, telling about its restoration projects, and the magazine Vestnik Restoratsii, which it publishes. The publication was of great interest to the conference participants and students of SPbGASU.
Visiting restoration sites
Thematic excursions were organized for the conference participants. In the Yusupov Palace on the Moika Embankment, they viewed the ceremonial interiors that had recently undergone restoration. In the building of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, they got acquainted with the progress of the restoration work that was being completed. They viewed restoration objects in one of the palace and park suburbs of St. Petersburg – in Peterhof.
During the conference, specialists were also able to undergo advanced training.
Those gathered came to a general consensus on the need to create a single center for the development of restoration technologies.
Following the conference, a collection of scientific articles will be published.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
£302m for further education colleges to fix dilapidated buildings
FE college groups across England will receive a share of £302m to fix, maintain and improve their buildings under government’s Plan for Change
Leaky roofs, broken windows and dilapidated buildings at further education colleges across England will be repaired thanks to a £302m government cash injection announced today (1 April), ensuring they can continue to break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
The funding, which was announced by the Chancellor in the Budget in October, is the first condition allocation for FE colleges in two years, demonstrating the government’s commitment to investing in the next generation by fixing, maintaining and improving college buildings.
This will also ensure FE Colleges are able to attract and retain learners, helping to boost the economy.
The government has listened to feedback from the sector, and for the first time is giving FE colleges the discretion and flexibility to decide how the funding should be spent – recognising providers are best placed to determine their own priorities to improve the condition and prevent the deterioration of their estate.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:
Further education colleges are at the heart of our mission to grow the economy and train the next generation of skilled workers under our Plan for Change.
But the college estate we inherited is simply not fit for purpose. Today’s funding addresses these issues, allowing colleges to focus on what they do best: breaking down barriers to opportunity and inspiring the workforce of the future.
Colleges in Greater Manchester and Leeds will also benefit from a £20m boost to capacity funding for 16-19 year olds to address a shortage of places.
The funding will create much needed places across the two areas, ensuring more learners will be able to access crucial skills training
Among those to benefit will be Calderdale College in West Yorkshire, which will use the capital funding to expand its much-needed capacity in construction and professional trades workshops. The funding will also support the creation of an additional classroom within Mill Studios, the College’s state-of-the-art digital and creative centre.
Andrew Harrison, Vice Principal for Corporate Services at Calderdale College, said:
We welcome this investment from the Government’s Autumn budget, which will enable us to further enhance the experience for our students. This follows the success of our recent £7.5 million transformation project, completed in August 2024, which focused on refurbishing our ageing estate.
As well as modernising our facilities, the project significantly improved our energy efficiency, cutting costs by 40% and making a major step forward in our carbon reduction edits.
This follows the Chancellor’s announcement of £100 million of new investment to further build capacity in the construction sector, establishing ten new Technical Excellence Colleges. This is part of a £625m investment that will help to train up to 60,000 more engineers, electricians and builders by 2029.
The government continues to improve post-16 education, with changes to English and maths requirements that will see up to 10,000 more apprentices qualify each year in key sectors, and new shorter apprenticeships announced during National Apprenticeship Week. Changes to end point assessments will also mean it is even easier for businesses and providers to support getting people into the workforce.
Last year the Education Secretary announced new Construction Skills Hubs, funded by industry, which will also speed up the training of construction workers crucial to supporting the government’s homebuilding drive.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 45-year-old male in relation to an arson incident that occurred in Yuendumu yesterday evening.
Around 6:40pm, police received reports of a deliberately lit fire at a house in Yuendumu. Members attended the scene and the fire was extinguished. The kitchen of the residence sustained moderate damage.
No person was inside at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported to police.
A 45-year-old male was arrested in relation to the incident and a crime scene has been established.
Investigators from Alice Springs are travelling to Yuendumu to take carriage of the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or attend your local police station. Please quote reference P25087963. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Reacting to large price hikes that kick in today at the start of what has been dubbed ‘awful April’, co-leader of the Green party, Carla Denyer, said:
“Energy bills up to nearly £2000 a year. Water bills up by 31% in some areas. Basic food prices keep rising – the list goes on. People aren’t fooling around when they say today is the start of “Awful April”. Especially awful for single parents who we know will be hit hardest by these price hikes.
“These spiralling costs come on the back of axing winter fuel payments for pensioners, refusing to remove the two-child benefit cap and cutting benefits for the sick and disabled.
“These are political choices. Rather than making the poorest and most vulnerable in society bear the brunt of the cost of living crisis, Labour could have chosen instead to tax a tiny percentage of the wealth of multi-millionaires and billionaires. They’ve made a choice, to take money off the old, ill and disabled.
“Labour have again and again made the wrong choices, which has left many of the poorest households at breaking point.”
QUEBEC CITY, Canada, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-powered low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, today announced that it has entered into:
a seventeenth amending agreement (the “Seventeenth Amending Agreement”) with Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (“Desjardins”) with respect to the amended and restated financing offer dated as of April 5, 2023 (the “Desjardins Credit Facility”), pursuant to which Desjardins has agreed to, among other things, (i) temporarily postpone payment of interest for the months of July through December 2024 until the earlier of (x) the date of the final disbursement of one or several equity investments in the borrower for minimum gross proceeds amount of US$35,000,000 in the aggregate (the “Short-Term Outside Date”), and (y) May 23, 2025; and (ii) decrease the minimum cash covenant under the Desjardins Credit Facility to C$1,800,000;
a fifth amending agreement (the “Fifth Amending Agreement”) with the initial bridge lenders and certain members of management and the board of directors (collectively, the “Bridge Lenders”) with respect to the bridge financing offer dated as of August 16, 2024 (the “Bridge Financing Offer”) pursuant to which the Bridge Lenders have agreed to, among other things, extend the maturity of the bridge loan to the earlier of (x) May 23, 2025 and (y) the business day following the Short-Term Outside Date.
The Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility and the Fifth Amending Agreement to the Bridge Financing Offer also provide that LeddarTech must initiate and produce a plan at the satisfaction of Desjardins and the other initial Bridge Lenders regarding a refinancing, recapitalization or any suitable transaction (the “Plan”). LeddarTech continues to fully consider all potential sources of financing and/or other alternatives. There is no certainty that LeddarTech will be able to raise additional funds and there can be no assurance that LeddarTech will be successful in pursuing and implementing any such alternatives (including the Plan), nor any assurance as to the outcome or timing of any such alternatives.
In addition, the Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility provides for a monthly payment by LeddarTech to Desjardins of C$125,000, which monthly fee is earned and payable on the first day of each month, until the Short-Term Outside Date, which must occur on or prior to May 23, 2025. The payment of the monthly fees applicable for the month of August 2024 and for the months up until (and including) January 2025 is postponed to the earlier of (x) the Short-Term Outside Date and (y) May 23, 2025.
The foregoing descriptions of the Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility and the Fifth Amending Agreement to the Bridge Financing Offer do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such amendments, copies of which will be filed under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.
Receipt of Nasdaq Deficiency Notice
LeddarTech also announces that it has received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of LeddarTech’s common shares for the 30 consecutive business day period from February 14, 2025 to March 28, 2025, LeddarTech did not comply with the minimum market value of listed securities (“MVLS”) of US$35,000,000 (the “Listing Requirement”). The letter also indicated that LeddarTech will be afforded a period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance.
LeddarTech intends to actively monitor the MVLS of its common shares and will evaluate available options to regain compliance with the Listing Requirement. However, there can be no assurance that LeddarTech will be able to regain compliance with such Listing Requirement or maintain compliance with any of the other Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing requirements. Readers should also refer to the press release issued by LeddarTech on March 21, 2025 with respect to the non-compliance with the minimum bid price of US$1.00 per share required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The letter has no immediate effect on the listing of LeddarTech’s common shares, which will continue to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LDTC,” subject to LeddarTech’s compliance with the other continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The foregoing also should be read in conjunction with the disclosures set forth in LeddarTech’s Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ profile on the date hereof, and LeddarTech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ profile on December 26, 2024, including the disclosures set forth under “Item 3.D – Key Information – Risk Factors” contained therein.
About LeddarTech
A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.
LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.
Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) our ability to continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards following our transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market; (ii) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (iii) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (iv) discussions regarding potential alternatives relating to refinancing, recapitalization or any suitable transaction (including the Plan); (v) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (vi) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (vii) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and plans; (viii) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (ix) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (x) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (xi) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xii) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xiii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xiv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact: Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.
LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”
THORNTON, Colo., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ascent Solar Technologies (“Ascent” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ASTI), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, today announced that its Director of Space Solutions, Julian Miller, will be taking meetings during the 40th Annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 7th-10th. Leading up to and throughout the event the Company will conduct tours of its 5MW production facility at its headquarters in Thornton, Colorado for symposium attendees and major defense contractors. Ascent will present its thin-film PV offerings and discuss potential space Hardware Developer Kit partnerships, as well as upcoming mission and program opportunities.
The Space Symposium unites global space professionals from all sectors to connect and explore critical space issues. Miller will have the opportunity to meet with potential customers and partners across the commercial, civil and defense space industry sectors to discuss the adept performance and benefits of Ascent’s thin-film PV in orbital and planetary surface environments.
“Our team is actively working to establish standard combined offerings to make a greater depth of test data available for prospective space industry buyers evaluating how to best interface and integrate lighter-weight, lower mass solar arrays,” said Julian Miller, Director of Space Solutions at Ascent Solar Technologies. “As we continue to hold discussions with industry-leading providers of solar array structures and deployable mechanisms that enable satellites and other spacecraft to utilize our efficient thin-film PV products, we welcome new entities to connect with us and take a tour of our facilities while they are in the area for the Symposium.”
Ascent’s 5MW production facility currently has the capacity to ship orders in excess of 100kW this summer. Meetings with prospective customers include interest in trade studies for rapidly deliverable solutions that are drop-in replacements and backward compatible with existing capabilities enabled by the Company’s most recent PV product performance increases. Other space industry discussions include the exploration of new advanced capabilities enabled by Ascent’s CIGS PV products’ combination of resiliency with mass, volume, cost and schedule efficiencies. These opportunities span across commercial, civil and defense market sectors and include emerging markets such as in-space manufacturing, distributed space power grids and Lunar surface operations, among others.
All parties interested in participating in a facility tour are encouraged to reach out via Ascent’s contact page.
About Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.
Backed by 40 years of R&D, 15 years of manufacturing experience, numerous awards, and a comprehensive IP and patent portfolio, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels for use in environments where mass, performance, reliability, and resilience matter. Ascent’s photovoltaic (PV) modules have been deployed on space missions, multiple airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, in industrial/commercial construction as well as an extensive range of consumer goods, revolutionizing the use cases and environments for solar power. Ascent Solar’s research and development center and 5-MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado. To learn more, visit https://www.ascentsolar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute “forward-looking statements” including statements about the financing transaction, our business strategy, and the potential uses of the proceeds from the transaction. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the company’s actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations, and projections about future events. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as “will,” “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “expect,” “intends,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “plan,” to be uncertain and forward-looking. No information in this press release should be construed as any indication whatsoever of our future revenues, stock price, or results of operations. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
The cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024 is at Annexure-I. The specific details of incidents regarding number of killings, anti-social atrocities on women and children under the influence of various types of narcotics and chemical drugs in the country are not maintained.
As part of its drive against drug smuggling to make India a drug free nation, Government is taking various measures, some of which are mentioned below: –
(i) The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as amended from time to time contains stringent provision to deal with illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances as defined under Section 2 (viiib). Further, Chapter IV of the NDPS Act, 1985 provides detailed provisions for offences committed in contravention of the relevant provisions of the Act and penalties thereto.
(ii) Considering the international obligations or having regard to the available information and evidence with respect to the nature and effects of and the abuse or scope for abuse, Department of Revenue has scheduled 134 narcotic drugs under section 2(xi)(b), 173 psychotropic substances under section 3 and 45 controlled substances under section 9A in order to exercise due regulation, control or prohibition in public interest while ensuring availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific use subject to the relevant provisions to the NDPS Act and rules/ regulations made thereunder.
(iii) A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stakeholders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India has been established. An all in one NCORD portal has been developed for information related to drug law enforcement.
(iv) A dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level Police Officer has been established in each State/ Union Territory to function as the NCORD Secretariat for the State/ Union Territory and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.
(v) To monitor the investigation of important and significant seizures, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) under the Chairmanship of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up by Government of India.
(vi) Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.
(vii) Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) coordinates with other agencies like, Navy, Coast Guard, Border Security Force, State ANTF, etc., to conduct joint operations to control the drug trafficking.
(viii) Electronics scanning of consignments for drug detection at all Ports are being ensured.
(ix) Towards the capacity building of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies of the country, NCB is continuously imparting training to the officers of other Drug Law Enforcement Agencies.
(x) To strengthen NCB and to increase its pan India presence, 536 posts in different level has been created in NCB. During this restructuring, special focus has been laid on cyber, legal, and enforcement aspects for more effective drug law enforcement.
(xi) A task force on Darknet and Crypto-Currency has been set up under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) mechanism with a focus on monitoring all platforms facilitating Narco-trafficking, sharing of inputs on drug trafficking amongst Agencies/MAC members, interception of drug networks, continuous capturing of trends, modus operandi & nodes with regular database updates and review of related rules & laws.
(xii) To assist all DLEAs/other investigation agencies for investigation and proactive policing, National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) portal is developed. It provides data of narcotics offenders involved in narcotics offences under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
(xiii) A National Narcotics Helpline No. 1933 “Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra” (MANAS) has been created as 24×7 toll-free National Narcotics Call Centre helpline. Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as an integrated system providing a single platform for citizens to log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/problems through various modes of communication like call, SMS, Chat-bot, e-mail & web-link.
(xiv) A high-level dedicated group has been created in National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in November 2022 to analyze the drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions (Maritime Security Group – NSCS).
(xv) Director General level talks by NCB are organized with neighboring and other countries such as Myanmar, Iran, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, etc. to resolve various issues on drugs trafficking having international implications and issue of maritime trafficking.
(xvi) Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all districts of the country through more than 10000 master volunteers. It has reached out to more than 14.79 crore people including 4.96 crore youth and 2.97 crore women.
(xvii) Government is providing financial assistance to 350 Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), 46 Community based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 74 Outreach and Drop In Centers (ODICs), 142 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), 124 District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.
(xviii) A Toll-free Helpline No.14446 for de-addiction is operated for providing primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking help.
(xix) Government through its autonomous body National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) and other collaborating agencies like State Counsel of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), etc. provides for regular awareness generation and sensitization sessions for all stakeholders including students, teachers, parents.
(xx) Navchetna Modules, Teachers Training Modules have been developed by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) for sensitizing students (6th – 11th standard), teachers and parents on drug dependence, related coping strategies and life skills.
*****
Annexure-I
Year
Case
Arrest
Quantity (in Kg)
2020
55,622
73,841
10,82,511
2021
68,144
93,538
16,09,612
2022
1,02,769
1,26,516
12,53,662
2023
1,09,546
1,32,954
13,89,725
2024
89,913
1,16,098
13,30,600
Cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024
Source: Narcotics Control Bureau
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
To promote National Waterways (NWs) for the efficient and cost-effective transportation of cargo including food grains and other essential commodities to remote and underserved areas, 111 National Waterways (NWs) were declared in the country vide National Waterways Act, 2016. Some of the initiatives for promoting Inland Water Transport (IWT) are as under:
A scheme for providing 35% incentive to promote the utilization of inland waterways transport sector by cargo owners and for establishing scheduled service for cargo movement on NW-1 and NW-2 and NW-16 via Indo Bangladesh Protocol has been approved by the Government.
The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties / Terminals) Regulations 2025 has been notified, allowing private companies to invest and operate Inland Waterways infrastructure by providing a clear regulatory framework to attract private sector investment for facilitating the growth of inland waterways sector.
For modal shift of cargo to waterways, more than 140 Public Sector Units have been approached to plan their movement using Inland Water Transport mode. They have been requested to outline their current status of cargo movement through the waterways and their plan for modal shift of cargo.
Fairway maintenance works (river training, maintenance dredging, channel marking and regular hydrographic surveys) are taken up in various National Waterways (NWs).
49 community jetties, 20 floating terminals, 3 Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs) and 1 Inter-Modal Terminal (IMT) have been constructed on NW-1 (River Ganga) in addition to 5 pre-existing permanent terminals.
· 9 Permanent Inland Water Transport terminals with godowns and 2 Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax terminals have been constructed on NW-3 (West Coast Canal in Kerala).
This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau met National Medical Products Administration Deputy Commissioner Xu Jinghe today to have an in-depth exchange on the regulatory regime and reform of drugs and medical devices.
Prof Lo said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been ushering in immense opportunities for medical and biotechnological developments in recent years.
The National 14th Five-Year Plan, he stressed, has expressed clear support to develop Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub while biomedicine and medical innovation represent immense new quality productive forces.
The Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee also pointed out the need to deepen medical and healthcare reform and to support the development mechanisms for innovative drugs and medical devices.
Prof Lo highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strenuously works in line with the national objective of deepening medical and healthcare reform by pursuing innovation in the medical field.
“While integrating into the national development, the Hong Kong SAR will capitalise on its unique advantages of international influence and professions to the fullest to develop the city into an international health and medical innovation hub, thereby enabling the innovative medical technologies to go global and attract foreign investment and developing new quality productive forces in biomedicine.”
He added that Hong Kong will strive to give full play to its strengths to serve the country’s needs amid the comprehensive deepening of reform.
While introducing the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices, Prof Lo emphasised that the Hong Kong SAR Government will expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices to meet the institutional requirement necessary for the health and medical innovation development.
The purpose for doing so, he explained, is to strengthen the drug approval capability of the Hong Kong SAR; and take forward preparatory work for legislating for the statutory regulation of medical devices to dovetail with the timetable for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation.
WAVES ‘Create in India Challenge’ Crosses 85,000 Registrations with 1100 International Participants 750 Finalists from 32 Challenges to participate in WAVES ‘CreatoSphere’ at Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, 2025
Posted On: 01 APR 2025 3:54PM by PIB Delhi
The Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season-1, launched as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) set to take place at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, 2025, has achieved a new milestone of crossing 85,000 registrations including 1,100 International participants. Over 750 finalists, selected after a meticulous selection process, from across 32 diverse challenges, will get a unique opportunity to showcase the outcome and output of their individual challenge, their talent and skills, apart from networking opportunities with business leaders from their respective sector including pitching sessions, and learn from global stalwarts through masterclasses, panel discussions, conferences etc. The winners of the Create in India challenges will be felicitated with ‘WAVES Creator Awards’ in a grand ceremony at Mumbai.
These challenges have made a powerful entry into the creative landscape, igniting a wave of innovation and engagement across India and beyond, emerging as a premier platform for creative talent on a global scale. Featuring 32 diverse and dynamic challenges including the high-energy Reel Making Competition, the solution-oriented Truth Tell Hackathon, the visionary Young Filmmaker’s Challenge, and the imaginative Comics Creator Championship, CIC offers a unique opportunity for creators to showcase their skills. Other flagship events such as the A.I. Avatar Creator Challenge, WAM! Anime Challenge, Esports Tournament, Trailer Making Competition, Theme Music Competition, and the cutting-edge XR Creator Hackathon further establish CIC as a definitive launchpad for the next generation of storytellers, designers, and digital innovators.
By uniting creators across disciplines, borders, and generations, CIC not only celebrates India’s creative energy — it has sparked a global dialogue around the future of storytelling and digital expression. With this remarkable foundation, CIC is poised to scale new heights in the seasons ahead, continuing its mission to empower creators and shape the cultural landscape of tomorrow.
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).
The various steps taken to upgrade and modernise the shipbuilding sectors across India and the shipbuilding are as under:
(i). Ministry has amended the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy(SBFAP) guidelines on 29.01.2025 to encourage more participation in the shipbuilding activities.
(ii). The Government, in November, 2021, has released Standard Tug Designs of five variants for use by Major Ports for procurement of tugs to be built in Indian Shipyards.
(iii). To promote indigenous shipbuilding, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on 20.09.2023 has revised the hierarchy of Right of First Refusal (RoFR) to be followed in any kind of charter of a vessel which is undertaken through a tender process. The revised hierarchy of RoFR is:
(1) Indian built, Indian flagged and Indian owned
(2) Indian built, Indian flagged and Indian IFSCA owned
(3) Foreign built, Indian flagged and Indian owned
(4) Foreign built, Indian flagged and Indian IFSCA owned
(5) Indian built, foreign flagged and foreign owned
(iv) Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has launched the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) which aims to reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact by encouraging adoption of environmentally sustainable tugboat operations.
(v) Government has launched the Harit Nauka guidelines for inland vessels which aim to promote the adoption of greener technologies in inland waterway vessels.
(vi). Government of India vide Gazette Notification No. 112 dated April 13, 2016 has included ‘Shipyards’ in the updated Harmonized Master List of Infrastructure Sub-sectors.
(vii). In order to promote indigenous shipbuilding, Government has issued guidelines on 19.05.2016 for evaluating and awarding tenders for new shipbuilding orders floated by government departments or agencies including public sector undertakings for acquisition of any type of vessel(s) used by them for Governmental purposes or for their own use. Whenever acquisition of a vessel(s) is undertaken through tendering route, the qualified Indian Shipyards will have a “Right of First Refusal” to enable them to match the evaluated lowest price offered by the foreign shipyard which is aimed at increasing ship building activities in Indian shipyards.
Further, the Government entities dealing with ship building and ship-owning are advised to ensure local content as per the Government of India Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017. As per this Order, procurement of ships of less than ₹200 crores is required to be from Indian shipyards.
(viii) Government of India, in the budget speech, 2025, has made following announcements:
The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy will be revamped to address cost disadvantages. This will also include Credit Notes for shipbreaking in Indian yards to promote the circular economy.
· Large ships above a specified size will be included in the infrastructure harmonized master list (HML).
· Shipbuilding Clusters will be facilitated to increase the range, categories and capacity of ships. This will include additional infrastructure facilities, skilling and technology to develop the entire ecosystem.
· For long-term financing for the maritime industry, a Maritime Development Fund with a corpus of Rs. 25,000 crores will be set up. This will be for distributed support and promoting competition. This will have up to 49 per cent contribution by the Government, and the balance will be mobilized from ports and private sector.
· To continue the exemption of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on raw materials, components, consumables or parts for the manufacture of ships for another ten years.
Cochin Shipyard Limited, a PSU under the administrative control of MoPSW, has signed important active Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international parties and the details of which are as given below:
Fincantieri, Italy:On October 27, 2020, CSL signed an MoU with Fincantieri, Italy, to collaborate on design, shipbuilding, ship repair, and marine equipment manufacturing, as well as training and skill development.
IHC Holland BV:On November 26, 2020, CSL signed an MoU with Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and IHC Holland BV to facilitate the construction of IHC-designed Trailing
Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) for DCI in India.
Robert Allan Limited, Canada:CSL entered into an MoU with Robert Allan Limited, Canada, on February 26, 2021, for design and consultancy services related to tugs, inland vessels, harbor crafts, and specialized vessels.
SeatriumLeTourneau:CSL signed an MoU with Seatrium LeTourneau, a division of Seatrium Offshore Technology (SOT), on November 20, 2024 for the development and execution of Jack-Up Rig projects in India under the ‘Make in India’.
Shipbuilding financial assistance policy with a financial outlay of 4000 crore was amended in August 2023, to include flat 30% Financial Assistance for vessels where main propulsion is achieved by means of green fuels such as Methanol/ Ammonia / Hydrogen fuel cells etc. This amendment also included ‘flat 20% Financial Assistance for vessels fitted with fully electric or hybrid propulsion. Under this scheme, 78.23 crore has been disbursed towards construction and delivery of hybrid vessels, till date.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Sagarmala programme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes. The projects under Sagarmala Programme are categorized into five pillars – port modernization, port connectivity, port-led industrialization, coastal community development and coastal shipping & inland water transport. These projects are implemented by Central Ministries, lWAl, Indian Railways, State Government and Major Ports etc. There are 839 projects worth investment of Rs. 5.79 Lakh crores for implementation under the Sagarmala Programme, out of which, 272 projects worth ~Rs. 1.41 lakh crores have been completed. Under Modernisation pillar, 103 completed project have resulted into port capacity addition for more than 528 million tonnes per annum.
Coastal Community Development is a dedicated pillar of the Sagarmala Programme. This pillar focuses on improving the living standards of the coastal communities by enhancing their livelihood opportunities, primarily through skill development, capacity building, and increasing access to sustainable economic activities. Under the Sagarmala Programme, a comprehensive skill gap study was conducted across 21 coastal districts in 9 states and 3 Union Territories, including Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and MoPSW have entered a MoU during May 2017 to enable skilling of coastal population under DDU-GKY Sagarmala Convergence Programme. Phase I of this convergence was implemented on pilot basis between 2016-2018 in 5 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. 2079 candidates have been trained out of whom 1243 have been placed.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
This ARMD solicitations page compiles the opportunities to collaborate with NASA’s aeronautical innovators and/or contribute to their research to enable new and improved air transportation systems. A summary of available opportunities with key dates requiring action are listed first. More information about each opportunity is detailed lower on this page. University Leadership InitiativeStep-A proposals due by June 26, 2025. University Student Research ChallengeProposals for Cycle 3 are due by June 26, 2025.
Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations is using this request for information to identify technologies that address current challenges facing the wildland firefighting community. NASA is seeking information on data collection, airborne connectivity and communications solutions, unmanned aircraft systems traffic management, aircraft operations and autonomy, and more. This will support development of a partnership strategy for future collaborative demonstrations. Interested parties were requested to respond to this notice with an information package no later than 4 pm ET, October 15, 2023, that shall be submitted via https://nari.arc.nasa.gov/acero-rfi. Any proprietary information must be clearly marked. Submissions will be accepted only from United States companies. View the full RFI Announcement here.
Advanced Air Mobility Mission GENERAL ADVANCED AIR MOBILITYANNOUNCEMENT OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATIONThis request for information (RFI) is being used to gather market research for NASA to make informed decisions regarding potential partnership strategies and future research to enable Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). NASA is seeking information from public, private, and academic organizations to determine technical needs and community interests that may lead to future solicitations regarding AAM research and development. This particular RFI is just one avenue of multiple planned opportunities for formal feedback on or participation in NASA’s AAM Mission-related efforts to develop these requirements and help enable AAM. The respond by date for this RFI closed on Feb. 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. EST. View the full RFI announcement here.
NASA Research Opportunities in Aeronautics NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) uses the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) process to solicit proposals for foundational research in areas where ARMD seeks to enhance its core capabilities. Competition for NRA awards is open to both academia and industry. The current open solicitation for ARMD Research Opportunities is ROA-2023 and ROA-2024. Here is some general information to know about the NRA process.
NRA solicitations are released by NASA Headquarters through the Web-based NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). All NRA technical work is defined and managed by project teams within these four programs: Advanced Air Vehicles Program, Airspace Operations and Safety Program, Integrated Aviation Systems Program, and Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program. NRA awards originate from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, Ames Research Center in California, Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. Competition for NRA awards is full and open. Participation is open to all categories of organizations, including educational institutions, industry, and nonprofits. Any updates or amendments to an NRA is posted on the appropriate NSPIRES web pages as noted in the Amendments detailed below. ARMD sends notifications of NRA updates through the NSPIRES email system. In order to receive these email notifications, you must be a Registered User of NSPIRES. However, note that NASA is not responsible for inadvertently failing to provide notification of a future NRA. Parties are responsible for regularly checking the NSPIRES website for updated NRAs.
ROA-2024 NRA Amendments
Amendment 1 (Full text here.) Amendment 1 to the NASA ARMD Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2024 NRA has been posted on the NSPIRES web site at https://nspires.nasaprs.com. The announcement solicits proposals from accredited U.S. institutions for research training grants to begin the academic year. This NOFO is designed to support independently conceived research projects by highly qualified graduate students, in disciplines needed to help advance NASA’s mission, thus affording these students the opportunity to directly contribute to advancements in STEM-related areas of study. AAVP Fellowship Opportunities are focused on innovation and the generation of measurable research results that contribute to NASA’s current and future science and technology goals. Research proposals are sought to address key challenges provided in Elements of Appendix A.8. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are not required. A budget breakdown for each proposal is required, detailing the allocation of the award funds by year. The budget document may adhere to any format or template provided by the applicant’s institution. Proposals were due by April 30, 2024, at 5 PM ET.
Amendment 2UPDATED ON MARCH 31, 2025 (Full text here.) University Leadership Initiative (ULI) provides the opportunity for university teams to exercise technical and organizational leadership in proposing unique technical challenges in aeronautics, defining multi-disciplinary solutions, establishing peer review mechanisms, and applying innovative teaming strategies to strengthen the research impact. Research proposals are sought in six ULI topic areas in Appendix D.4. Topic 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations (Strategic Thrust 1) Topic 2: Innovation in Commercial High-Speed Aircraft (Strategic Thrust 2) Topic 3: Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports (Strategic Thrust 3) Topic 4: Safe, Quiet, and Affordable Vertical Lift Air Vehicles (Strategic Thrust 4) Topic 5: In-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance (Strategic Thrust 5) Topic 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation (Strategic Thrust 6) This NRA will utilize a two-step proposal submission and evaluation process. The initial step is a short mandatory Step-A proposal, which is due June 26, 2025. Those offerors submitting the most highly rated Step-A proposals will be invited to submit a Step-B proposal. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES at https://nspires.nasaprs.com. An Applicant’s Workshop will be held on Thursday April 30, 2025; 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET (https://uli.arc.nasa.gov/applicants-workshops/workshop9) (Page will be live closer to the event.) An interested partners list for this ULI is at https://uli.arc.nasa.gov/partners. To be listed as an interested lead or partner, please send electronic mail to hq-univpartnerships@mail.nasa.gov with “ULI Partnerships” in the subject line and include the information required for the table in that web page.
Amendment 3 (Full text here) Commercial Supersonic Technology seeks proposals for a fuel injector design concept and fabrication for testing at NASA Glenn Research Center. The proposal for the fuel injector design aims to establish current state-of-the-art in low NOx supersonic cruise while meeting reasonable landing take-off NOx emissions. The technology application timeline is targeted for a supersonic aircraft with entry into service in the 2035+ timeframe. These efforts are in alignment with activities in the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate as outlined in the NASA Aeronautics Strategic Implementation Plan, specifically Strategic Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial High-Speed Aircraft. Proposals were due by May 31, 2024 at 5 pm EDT.
Amendment 4UPDATED ON JANUARY 16, 2025 (Full text here) University Student Research Challenge seeks to challenge students to propose new ideas/concepts that are relevant to NASA Aeronautics. USRC will provide students, from accredited U.S. colleges or universities, with grants for their projects and with the challenge of raising cost share funds through a crowdfunding campaign. The process of creating and implementing a crowdfunding campaign acts as a teaching accelerator – requiring students to act like entrepreneurs and raise awareness about their research among the public. The solicitation goal can be accomplished through project ideas such as advancing the design, developing technology or capabilities in support of aviation, by demonstrating a novel concept, or enabling advancement of aeronautics-related technologies. Notices of Intent are not required for this solicitation. Proposals for Cycle 3 are due June 26, 2025. Proposals can also be submitted later and evaluated in the second and third cycles. The USRC Q&A/Info Session and Proposal Workshop will be held on the days/times below. Please join us on TEAMS using the Meeting Link, or call in via +1 256-715-9946,,317928116#.
USRC Cycle Information Session/Q&A Date Proposal Due Date
Preparations for NASA’s next Artemis flight recently took to the seas as a joint NASA and Department of Defense team, led by NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, spent a week aboard the USS Somerset off the coast of California practicing procedures for recovering the Artemis II spacecraft and crew. Following successful completion of Underway Recovery Test-12 (URT-12) on Monday, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team and their Defense Department counterparts are certified to recover the Orion spacecraft as part of the upcoming Artemis II test flight that will send NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, as well as CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon. “This will be NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon under the Artemis program,” said Lili Villarreal, the landing and recovery director for Artemis II. “A lot of practice led up to this week’s event, and seeing everything come together at sea gives me great confidence that the air, water, ground, and medical support teams are ready to safely recover the spacecraft and the crew for this historic mission.”
Once Orion reenters Earth’s atmosphere, the capsule will keep the crew safe as it slows from nearly 25,000 mph to about 325 mph. Then its system of 11 parachutes will deploy in a precise sequence to slow the capsule and crew to a relatively gentle 20 mph for splashdown off the coast of California. From the time it enters Earth’s atmosphere, the Artemis II spacecraft will fly 1,775 nautical miles to its landing spot in the Pacific Ocean. This direct approach allows NASA to control the amount of time the spacecraft will spend in extremely high temperature ranges. The Artemis II astronauts trained during URT-11 in February 2024, when they donned Orion Crew Survival System suits and practiced a range of recovery operations at sea using the Crew Module Test Article, a stand -in for their spacecraft. For the 12th training exercise, NASA astronauts Deniz Burnham and Andre Douglas, along with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, did the same, moving from the simulated crew module to USS Somerset, with helicopters, a team of Navy divers in small boats, NASA’s open water lead – a technical expert and lead design engineer for all open water operations – as well as Navy and NASA medical teams rehearsing different recovery scenarios.
“Allowing astronauts to participate when they are not directly involved in a mission gives them valuable experience by exposing them to a lot of different scenarios,” said Glover, who will pilot Artemis II. “Learning about different systems and working with ground control teams also broadens their skillsets and prepares them for future roles. It also allows astronauts like me who are assigned to the mission to experience other roles – in this case, I am serving in the role of Joe Acaba, Chief of the Astronaut Office.”
As the astronauts arrive safely at the ship for medical checkouts, recovery teams focus on returning the spacecraft and its auxiliary ground support hardware to the amphibious transport dock. Navy divers attach a connection collar to the spacecraft and an additional line to a pneumatic winch inside the USS Somerset’s well deck, allowing joint NASA and Navy teams to tow Orion toward the ship. A team of sailors and NASA recovery personnel inside the ship manually pull some of the lines to help align Orion with its stand, which will secure the spacecraft for its trip to the shore. Following a safe and precise recovery, sailors will drain the well deck of water, and the ship will make its way back to Naval Base San Diego. The Artemis II test flight will confirm the foundational systems and hardware needed for human deep space exploration, taking another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for human missions to Mars.
Vertical Lift Technology at NASA Ames Research Center
Revolutionary Vertical Lift project rendering of eVTOL vehicle landing at vertiport during sunset.
Credits: NASA
The Aeromechanics Office at NASA’s Ames Research Center focuses on advancing vertical lift aircraft, including eVTOLs, through research and development in areas like acoustics, aeromechanics, and flight dynamics, aiming to improve safety and efficiency of future air transportation.
Read more about the Aeromechanics Office at NASA Ames
UK and Vietnam sign agreement to tackle human trafficking
A new joint action plan will reduce the risks of human trafficking by discouraging dangerous journeys, disrupting trafficking gangs and supporting victims.
The UK and Vietnam are joining forces to clamp down on human trafficking by committing to a joint action plan.
The agreement was signed yesterday, 31 March, at the Border Security Summit on Organised Immigration Crime in London by the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Vietnam Minister for Public Security General Luong Tam Quang.
The agreement commits both countries to stop traffickers from exploiting vulnerable people by discouraging dangerous journeys, enhancing information sharing and co-ordinating efforts to disrupt trafficking. It builds on a memorandum of understanding signed by the 2 countries in 2018.
Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, said:
Human trafficking is a barbaric crime that exploits and dehumanises its victims. This government is using every lever to identify victims, safeguard survivors and punish their abusers.
Working closely with international partners is vital and this plan allows us to go after criminals both in the UK and Vietnam who are profiteering off people’s desperation.
Together with the Government of Vietnam, we are working to shut down these vile trafficking gangs and prevent more people from becoming their victims.
Delivery of the joint action plan is supported by up to £1 million of funding over the next year through the Home Office Modern Slavery Fund. Since 2018 the UK has invested over £7 million to strengthen Vietnam’s anti-trafficking response through the Modern Slavery Fund which has identified 720 victims of trafficking and migrants in vulnerable situations, reached over 7 million people with awareness campaigns and educated 1,936 aspiring migrants to the risks of human trafficking.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The photo exhibition “Professionals Around Us” has opened on Chistoprudny Boulevard and in Yekaterininsky Park. The exhibition features 19 inspiring stories of students from Moscow colleges who found their calling thanks to secondary vocational education. You can visit the exhibition until April 30.
“The heroes of the project include a rescuer, a builder, a teacher, and a programmer. Each of them shared their success story and talked about the opportunities that open up for college graduates. We invite everyone to meet young professionals in Moscow,” the press service of the capital’s
Polina Durova, a final-year student at the Moscow Educational Complex “West”, is a pastry chef. She started working while still a student in a prestigious restaurant. In 2023, she won the “Young Professionals” championship in the “Pastry” category. Polina masterfully creates sculptures from caramel and chocolate, and regularly improves her skills in international pastry and cooking master classes. The girl said that she began her path in the pastry business in early childhood, when she watched cooking shows with her parents. Even then, she realized that creating desserts is a real art. Polina entered college because she decided to devote herself to her favorite hobby. According to her, she became a professional there – thanks to experienced mentors and constant practice. In college, Polina began to participate and win professional skills competitions, and the doors to the world of haute cuisine opened for her. The girl began to collaborate with the best restaurants in the city. She is currently studying in college and works as a pastry chef at a private production facility, where she creates desserts for true connoisseurs.
Another hero of the exhibition, a final-year student of the Technical Fire and Rescue College named after Hero of the Russian Federation V.M. Maksimchuk, Philipp Smirnov, said that he decided on his future profession back in his school years, when he was in the cadet class. Once he helped a drowning man and realized that he would be a rescuer. Philipp is convinced that for this you need to be a professional, and the college promotes this. Now the young man already has the status of a rescuer, he works as a sailor-rescuer and industrial climber.
Muscovites will also learn the story of Yegor Burinsky, a second-year student at the P.A. Ovchinnikov Polytechnic College. He learned about his profession at a college festival in 2023. It was there that Yegor first heard about the “Machine and Equipment Adjuster in Mechanical Processing” program. He was interested in how modern CNC machines work, and he decided to master this specialty. Having chosen targeted training, Yegor signed an agreement with the United Engine Corporation “Salut”. This provided a unique opportunity to begin professional practice in his first year. After just a month of studying at the college, Yegor began working in a real production facility.
At the exhibition, you can learn about the successes of Milena Galyamova, who studies correctional pedagogy in primary school. The girl organizes events for the wards of children’s hospices of the CSKA and Vozmozhnost foundations. In addition, among the heroes is Alina Taekina, who is studying to be a graphic designer. Last year, she collaborated with one of the publishing houses and became a prize winner of the Moscow Masters and Young Professionals championships.
Earlier, a large-scale college forum was held in the capital. It was attended by 60 thousand people. The event brought together 48 colleges that presented more than 140 in-demand specialties in 10 sectors of the Moscow economy. More than 120 master classes were organized for schoolchildren. Famous TV presenters, coaches, scientists and athletes shared their experience with the guests.
Practical classes for students of Moscow colleges are held in modern workshops and laboratories. This contributes to the formation and development of professional skills in students and corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Youth and Children”.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
A 23-storey business centre with an area of 44.7 thousand square metres will be built on the territory of the former Vorontsovo industrial zone. The facility will appear as part of the implementation of a large-scale investment project (MaIP). This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.
“A multifunctional complex with public and office spaces will appear on Akademika Semenikhina Street near the Kaluzhskaya and Vorontsovskaya metro stations. Public spaces with commercial infrastructure with a total area of 19 thousand square meters will occupy the first five floors, with office premises located above. Construction is planned to be completed in 2026. The implementation of this large-scale investment project will create about 1.5 thousand jobs for residents of nearby areas,” said Vladimir Efimov.
MaIP is a special status that can be granted to objects that are significant for the city and aimed at increasing the number of jobs, developing the capital’s infrastructure, and increasing investment in the Moscow economy. Preference is given to multifunctional centers, modern production facilities, high technologies, social and sports infrastructure.
“To implement this large-scale investment project, the city allocated the company a land plot in the Obruchevsky district with an area of about 0.6 hectares. In addition to offices and infrastructure facilities, the business center is planned to accommodate an underground parking lot for 178 cars, including charging devices for electric cars,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of City Property
Mosgosstroynadzor has already issued a permit for the construction of the facility. Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky clarified that the 23-story building will house 123 office spaces. Their area will range from 42 to 1,400 square meters. They will be located from the sixth to the 23rd floor. The first five will house a shopping gallery, a cafe, a supermarket, a food hall, a co-working space, a medical center, and a sports complex. Both business center employees and residents of nearby houses will be able to visit them.
The atrium of the shopping gallery on the first floor of the building will be decorated with art objects. An area of 0.75 hectares will be landscaped next to the business center. The developer will carry out comprehensive landscaping and lay pedestrian routes. There will be a birch alley and front gardens with cozy recreation areas and benches.
The business center will be built as part of a program for the construction of commercial and residential real estate as part of transport hub projects near metro stations and the Moscow Central Diameters.
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