Latest news with #APE
South Wales Guardian
7 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
NRW launches scheme to tackle farm plastic pollution
The scheme, launching in south Wales, focuses on farm plastics that often end up in rivers, posing a threat to wildlife and water quality. It is part of the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project and is being delivered in partnership with Agriculture Plastics Environment (APE), Birch Farm Plastics, and Afonydd Cymru. Chris Thomas, senior land management officer for Four Rivers for LIFE, said: "Farm plastics have been found in the Teifi, Tywi and Cleddau rivers and contribute to the overall environmental issues affecting their health. "Healthy rivers support more than just farmers and the environment – they also help communities thrive and grow. "Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste." Farmers and landowners will be able to recycle plastics such as silage wrap at reduced cost at drop-off centres located across the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau, and Usk river catchments. These rivers are designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) due to their international importance for species including salmon, lamprey, shad, and otters. Drop-off centres will be available at livestock markets and other sites in Talsarn near Lampeter, Crymych, Llandovery, Sennybridge, Raglan, and potentially Carmarthen. Ian Creasey of APE said: "Learning from successful markets in Europe, 'drop off centres' significantly help farmers in recycling their used farm plastics, and is a key focus of this trial. "This scheme is dedicated to supporting farmers to recycle their agricultural plastics, and by so doing help protect these rivers from potential plastics pollution." A 2023 report by WRAP found that the UK's agricultural plastic recycling rate is just 20 to 30 per cent, far lower than Germany (65 per cent), France (80 per cent), and Ireland (90 per cent). A survey conducted by West Wales Rivers Trust in 2024 revealed that cost remains one of the main barriers preventing farmers from recycling silage plastic waste. Cheryl Birch of Birch Farm Plastics said: "While we continue to collect directly from farms throughout Wales, by increasing the number of drop-off centres, we aim to increase the recycling rates of agricultural polythene and, through the collaboration with Four Rivers for LIFE and APE, provide a lower-cost option to farmers using the service." The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from the Welsh Government and Welsh Water. Details of eligible materials and drop-off locations are available at the Four Rivers for LIFE website.
Broadcast Pro
21-06-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Eutelsat announces $1.56bn capital increase
Eutelsat to execute $1.56bn capital increase by year-end to advance its strategic vision and long-term goals. Eutelsat has announced a Contemplated capital increase of $1.56 bn, anchored by key reference shareholders, to secure the execution of long-term strategic vision. Eutelsat is one of only two global operators with active commercial LEO (Low Earth Orbit) fleets and with a clear differentiation, being the only one exclusively focused on the B2B and B2G markets. While the global satellite connectivity market is expected to increase by 12% per annum between 2025 and 2029, the global LEO B2B connectivity market, valued at over $2.1bn in 2025, is expected to grow at a 28% CAGR through 2029 and multiply its current size fivefold over the next eight years, offering significant short to long-term growth potential. Eutelsat, the only GEO-LEO operator, and the only European operator with a fully operational LEO network, uniquely positioned to capture the momentum in the connectivity market. Eutelsat is contemplating raising $1.56bn of capital by way of (i) a reserved capital increase of 716m at a price per share of 4 corresponding to a +32% premium to the 30-day-VWAP of the shares as computed on Euronext Paris (the Reserved Capital Increase), which would be subscribed by the French State via the Agence des Participations de lEtat (APE), Bharti Space Limited, CMA CGM, and Le Fonds Stratégique de Participations (FSP), and (ii) a rights issue of 634m (the Rights Issue), which would be subscribed for their rights by the above investors. Prior to the approval of the Reserved Capital Increase by Eutelsats shareholders, the APE will acquire the shares of the Company currently held by Bpifrance Participations, at a price per share equal to the subscription price of the Reserved Capital Increase. Consequently, the Board member representing Bpifrance Participations would be replaced by a representative of the French State. This capital increase would represent a pivotal step in Eutelsats strategic and financing roadmap, enabling the execution of its strategic vision. Coupled with a dedicated debt refinancing plan, this capital increase will reinforce the Companys financial flexibility by accelerating its deleveraging and support investment in its existing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) capabilities and the future IRIS² constellation. On the back of the forthcoming capital increase, Eutelsat would reduce its leverage to c. 2.5x4 by year-end FY2025-26, and would be well placed to tap debt capital markets, raise export credit financing and extend its bank debt maturities in order to fully cover the financing needs of its medium-term plan. Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat Group, said: Eutelsat enters a new chapter, centered on the deployment of LEO, a major innovative and technological revolution for the Satellite industry. Thanks to its differentiated GEO-LEO positioning and global coverage, Eutelsat is ready to become a central player in the development of the European sovereign space of tomorrow. I welcome the contemplated capital increase which will give Eutelsat the requisite financing to implement its strategic roadmap. I am grateful for the support of the French State and the ongoing commitment of our other anchor shareholders Bharti, CMA CGM and FSP and thank them for their confidence. Eric Lombard, Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, stated: 'The French State is proud to contribute to strengthening Eutelsats capital structure and support the company at pivotal stage of its development. This transaction reflects our strong commitment towards a major player in satellite connectivity a strategic sector at the heart of Europes digital sovereignty while fostering remarkable potential for technological innovation and sustainable economic growth. Through this transaction, France reaffirms its determination to build, together with the company and its European partners, a competitive, resilient, and sovereign space industry, particularly around the IRIS² programme, which is a key pillar of our strategic autonomy. 'We are convinced that the companys solid fundamentals its recognised expertise in geostationary orbit, its innovative solutions in low Earth orbit, its committed team, and its ambitious vision are the foundations for lasting success. Eutelsat is opening a new chapter in its history, and the State will be fully present to help write it alongside the company.'
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Alaska plane that crashed and left 10 dead was more than 1,000 pounds over the weight limit, NTSB finds
The Bering Air flight that recently crashed in sea ice off Alaska, killing 10, was more than 1,000 pounds "over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions," according to a new report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The commuter flight was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome when it disappeared on Feb. 6. The U.S. Coast Guard found the plane's wreckage days later, on sea ice around 30 miles southeast of Nome. "Post-accident examination of the airplane contents indicated that the baggage and cargo weighed approximately 798 lbs. Based on that information, the airplane's estimated gross takeoff weight at departure was about 9,865 lbs, which was about 1,058 lbs over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions," the NTSB said in a preliminary report this week. "The final satellite tracking data point corresponded to a time of 1520:17 and an altitude of 200 ft," it added. What We Know About The Alaska Plane Crash Victims The NTSB said in the report that the plane, a Textron Aviation 208B, "was equipped with a TKS ice protection system that included porous titanium panels along the leading edges of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and wing struts." Read On The Fox News App "The TKS system was designed to provide ice protection fluid from a tank in the cargo pod to the panels, propeller, and windshield to prevent the accumulation of airframe ice," it continued. The NTSB cited a pilot operating handbook supplement relating to the TKS system as saying "that the maximum allowable takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions was the same as that of the basic airplane, which was 8,807 lbs." "FAA records revealed that the airplane was equipped with an Aircraft Payload Extender III (APE III) system," which "provided for an increased maximum gross takeoff weight of 9,062 lbs," the NTSB added. However, at the time of the crash, the plane was still "about 803 lbs over the maximum gross takeoff weight for any flight operation under the APE III flight manual supplement," according to the NTSB. Alaska Crews Recover Remains Of All 10 Plane Crash Victims "A senior NTSB aerospace engineer will conduct a detailed review of the airplane's performance as part of the investigation, including an evaluation of the airplane's center of gravity location," it said in the report. The NTSB also said the pilot involved in the crash "had accumulated about 2,500 hours total flight time, including 1,060 hours in 208B airplanes." Victims Rhone Baumgartner, 46, and Kameron Hartvigson, 41, boarded the flight to Nome after traveling to Unalakleet to work on a heat recovery system servicing the community's water plant, The Associated Press cited the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium as saying. The pilot killed in the crash was identified as Chad Antill, 34, of Nome. The other victims, according to the Anchorage Daily News, were Liane Ryan, 52, of Wasilla; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla; Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage; Talaluk Katchatag, 34, of Unalakleet, and Carol Mooers, 48, of Unalakleet. Fox News Digital's Pilar Arias contributed to this article source: Alaska plane that crashed and left 10 dead was more than 1,000 pounds over the weight limit, NTSB finds
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Investigators Say Alaska Flight That Killed 10 Was Overweight for Icy Conditions
The Bering Air plane that crashed in Alaska killing all 10 people on board was overweight for weather conditions, authorities have said. On Wednesday, March 19, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report about the fatal Feb. 6 crash, referencing a flight manual which noted, 'Maximum Weight for Flight into Known Icing Conditions.' The aircraft, which 'was equipped with standard support items used at outstations, such as cargo netting, tie-down straps, engine cowling plugs, a portable scale, and a tail stand,' also included 'baggage and cargo [that] weighed about 709 lbs.' The NTSB's preliminary report found that the aircraft 'was about 969 lbs over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions under the TKS system supplement.' 'It was also about 714 lbs over the maximum gross takeoff weight for any flight operation under the APE III flight manual supplement,' the report added. The commuter flight initially departed from Nome Airport (PAOM) in Nome, Alaska. It proceeded to Saint Michael Airport (PAMK) in Saint Michael, Alaska, stopping at Unalakleet Airport (PAUN) in Unalakleet, Alaska. Related: Alaska Plane Crash Victim Remembered as an 'Amazing' Mom of 2 and 'Beloved' School Counselor The plane was expected to return to PAOM that afternoon, the preliminary report said. All 10 victims were residents from Alaska between the ages of 30 and 58. Victims were identified as utility operations employees and Anchorage residents Rhone Baumgartner, 46, and Kameron Hartvigson, 41, both of whose names were already identified by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). Nome resident Chad Antill, 34, was named as the aircraft's pilot. Other fatalities were Liane Ryan, 52, and Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage; and 34-year-old Talaluk Katchatag and 48-year-old Carol Mooers, both of Unalakleet. Related: 2 Passengers of Alaska Plane Crash Identified as Utility Workers: 'They Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice for the People We Serve' According to the NTSB, Antill 'was employed by the operator as a pilot since March 2022. His most recent 12-month competency check was completed on December 9, 2024.' Authorities previously revealed during a Feb. 7 press conference that the Bering Air commuter plane began to lose elevation and speed, with its then-last-known location being 'in the vicinity of Norton Sound, approximately 30 miles southeast of Nome,' per the U.S. Coast Guard. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Nome is a strong community, and in challenging times we come together and support each other. I expect the outpouring of support to continue in the coming days as we all work to recover from this tragic incident,' Nome Mayor John Handeland said, as reported by the Associated Press. The investigation remains ongoing. A final report will be released at a later time, the outlet added on Wednesday. Read the original article on People
Reuters
21-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
KNDS considers IPO as defence sector booms, sources say
FRANKFURT, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Military defence system supplier KNDS is considering an initial public offering (IPO) as early as the end of the year, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Europe's bid to increase defence triggers a rally in the sector. The Franco-German company has held early stage talks with advisers about a possible listing in late 2025 or in 2026, potentially in Frankfurt, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Banks have yet to be appointed, they added. The French state shareholding agency (APE) declined to comment. KNDS and its German family shareholder Wegmann-Gruppe did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
