Latest news with #Ek
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
State to host techno-cultural fest connecting North East
Hyderabad: In a significant step towards strengthening inter-regional ties, a high-level coordination meeting was convened at Raj Bhavan to finalise preparations for the upcoming Telangana–North East Connect: A Techno-Cultural Festival. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma stated that the festival, envisioned as a confluence of culture and knowledge between Telangana and the eight North Eastern States — the seven sisters (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura) and Sikkim — is scheduled to unfold in two phases from 25 to 27 November and 2 to 4 December 2025, across key locations in Hyderabad. Describing the initiative as a vibrant expression of the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' vision, the Governor underscored the importance of integrating the North East into the heart of India's cultural and economic mainstream. 'This festival will be a celebration of unity through shared heritage, creativity, and innovation,' he affirmed. The Telangana–North East Connect Festival is poised to become a landmark initiative, fostering meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, and a celebration of India's rich cultural mosaic. Additionally, it aims to create a multi-sectoral platform to strengthen socio-cultural and long-lasting economic bonds between the eight North Eastern States and Telangana.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Spotify faces global boycott over CEO's military investments
For many, going a day without music feels unthinkable because it has become a vital part of their lives. Imagine having to power through an intense workout session without your favorite playlist, or commuting to work without the voice of your favorite podcast host to keep you company. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Spotify is a Swedish audio streaming service for digital music, podcasts, and video that allows users to access a wide range of content worldwide. Since launching in 2008, it has become the most popular music streaming service, with over 678 million users and 268 million paying subscribers. Related: Walmart, Sam's Club makes major donation for Texas flood relief Over the last few months, major ongoing global conflicts have taken over the news, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Palestinian crisis, the civil war in Sudan, and the Israel-Iran tensions, to name a few. With so much chaos worldwide, music has been the only thing keeping people sane, allowing an outlet for those struggling with their emotions during these challenging times. However, a shocking revelation has completely shattered people, putting Spotify at the center of a major controversy. Recently, it was discovered that Spotify's CEO, Daniel Ek, is leading an investment of around $700 million into the European defense tech startup Helsing through his venture capital firm Prima Materia. Founded in 2021, Helsing is a German military tech firm that develops AI-based warfare systems, such as battlefield drone surveillance, cybersecurity tools, aircraft, submarines, and more. Related: Spotify makes huge strategy change that will impact its business This significant investment has prompted a global boycott of Spotify (SPOT) by many users and artists, who view this move as a conflicting action promoting war rather than world peace and unity. "As Europe rapidly strengthens its defence capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges, there is an urgent need for investments in advanced technologies that ensure its strategic autonomy and security readiness," said Ek in a statement. Thanks to its latest investment rounds, Helsing is valued at around $12 billion, which places it among one of Europe's most valuable tech startups. In response, many outraged independent musicians, including Deerhoof, Skee Mask, and Poolroom, have willingly removed their music from the platform to speak out against Ek's support for European military technology. More Business News: T-Mobile makes harsh decision to lock in crucial deal approvalsStarbucks executives to get huge bonus as baristas demand better payCheesecake Factory faces truly disturbing charges Those who oppose the CEO's recent investment, including music critic Anthony Fantano, are asking Spotify to donate to more peaceful causes, such as those that support struggling artists and the music economy. "If you care about music as a cultural necessity…put some of that cash back into the artists, not battle tech," Fantano posted on social media. This move prompted users, especially in the U.S., to use their personal social media platforms to raise awareness of this topic and call for a boycott of Spotify Premium, asking users to cancel their subscriptions. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
UP to make record by planting over 37 crore saplings in a day
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that the state is set to create a new record by planting more than 37 crore saplings in a single day under the ongoing 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. In a post on social media platform X, the chief minister said, 'Under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, Uttar Pradesh will create a new milestone today, July 9, 2025. 'Under the visionary leadership and inspiring guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state has successfully planted more than 204 crore trees in the last eight years, increasing forest cover by an additional five lakh acres.' 'In continuation of this effort, we aim to plant more than 37 crore saplings across the state in a single day,' the chief minister said, urging people to participate in the campaign and express gratitude to Mother Earth and their own mothers through environmental conservation. Using the campaign hashtag #Ek_Ped_Ma_Ke_Naam, Adityanath invited citizens to join the drive as a symbolic gesture of devotion to maternal figures and nature. In another post, the chief minister shared an article penned by him in a leading Hindi daily, titled 'Aaiye Karen Vasudha Ka Harit Shringaar' (Let us adorn the earth with greenery). Referring to the state's annual plantation campaign, he wrote, 'From July 9, the Plantation Campaign-2025 begins. We are not just planting saplings, we are planting the future, we are planting values.'
Sinar Daily
08-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
US$650 million Spotify share sale funds 'military AI,' activist slams CEO Ek
SHAH ALAM – Spotify's co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Ek is significantly increasing his investment in Europe's defence ambitions, leading a nearly US$700 million funding round into Helsing, an Artificial Intelligence-powered military tech start-up, as war escalations and geopolitical tensions fuel investor interest in the global arms race. The investment, led by Ek's venture firm Prima Materia, also drew support from prominent investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, Accel, Saab and General Catalyst. This announcement comes at a time when global conflict, from Ukraine to the genocide in Gaza, has pushed military tech into the spotlight. - AFP file photo Helsing, founded in 2021 and operational in Germany, France and the UK, builds AI software to process battlefield data in real-time and recently expanded into drone manufacturing with its HX-2 model. The company states this new capital will be channelled towards strengthening Europe's technological sovereignty, particularly in critical areas like defence AI. "As Europe rapidly strengthens its defence capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges, there is an urgent need for investments in advanced technologies that ensure its strategic autonomy and security readiness,' Ek said in a statement recently. This announcement comes at a time when global conflict, from Ukraine to the genocide in Gaza, has pushed military tech into the spotlight. However, the decision by Spotify's top executive to invest heavily in military AI has also reignited ethical concerns about the intersection of tech, warfare, and capitalism, especially in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. Filmmaker and activist Sadia Hannan, known on social media as @naleybynature, voiced serious concern over Ek's investment in Helsing, drawing connections between tech funding and the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. "Something really disturbing is happening at Spotify and I want to talk about it. I used to work at Spotify when it was still a small start-up. "It was exciting back then, the platform was creating space for artists around the world. But the way it has grown has been violent and insidious," she said in a video uploaded to her Instagram. Hannan pointed out that Ek has sold nearly US$650 million worth of Spotify shares to fund what she called 'military AI', referring to Helsing. Her criticism extends beyond Ek, citing a UN report by Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese that named several global tech companies, including IBM, Microsoft, Amazon and Palantir, as aiding Israel's military operations in Gaza. 'These tech companies are not just testing their toys on Palestinians. They're killing Palestinians. And what's even worse is that they're profiting off of it. "Military AI is big money. What we allow them to do to Palestinians is ultimately what we allow them to do to us," she said. She also added that Spotify's largest institutional shareholders, BlackRock and Vanguard, are among the biggest global backers of companies profiting from the arms industry, including those supporting Israel's military.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Tree ambulances to bamboo barriers: NDMC's vision for a greener Delhi
Multiple campaigns, smart watering systems, and tree ambulances are at the heart of an extensive plantation drive launched Monday by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to expand the city's green cover. Initiatives such as 'Gap Filling Campaign' and 'End-to-End Green Cover' have been kicked off, aimed at eliminating brown patches across 80 major roads, junctions, and roundabouts. It is expected to reduce air pollution. 'Places where there was no green cover at all earlier, or where digging has taken place, have been identified as brown patches,' said an official. NDMC Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal said in a press conference that the civic body will now use a 'smart watering' system to save water. 'A drip irrigation system will be in place. Water sprinklers, like the one present in Nehru Park, will be set up in other lawns and gardens,' the official explained. Chahal also announced that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' 3,000 trees, 35 lakh shrubs, and 3,946 bamboo plants will be planted across 89 sites. To keep the already planted trees healthy and safe, a tree ambulance has been deployed. 'The Plant Protection Cell at Lodhi Garden is equipped to conduct tree surgeries, termite and pest control, and soil treatments, supported by a dedicated team of one supervisor and four staff members,' Chahal said. The prominent places included in the plantation drive are Shankar Road, Hailey Road, Barakhamba Road, Feroz Shah Road, Janpath, Mahadev Road, Sansad Marg, KG Marg, Peshwa Road, Tansen Marg, Udyan Marg, Bangla Sahib Road, RK Ashram Marg, Tilak Marg, Maulana Azad Road, Akbar Road, Panchsheel Marg, among others. Tree species selected for plantation include varieties such as Arjun, Peepal, Champa, Jamun, Imli, Neem, Cassia Fistula (Amaltas), Ashoka, Khirni, Silver Oak, Harsingar, and Gulmohar. Shrub species include Murraya, Hemelia, Karonda, Bougainvillea, Calliandra, Justicia, Canna, and other patterned varieties. The bamboo plants of Golden and Budha Valley will be planted at four selected locations — Akbar Road, Subramanium Bharti Marg, Krishna Menon Marg, and Mandir Marg. 'These will be planted along boundary walls to act as natural green screens and enhance biodiversity,' Chahal said. 'Despite covering only 3% of Delhi's total geographical area, NDMC contributes nearly 55% of the city's green cover,' Chahal said, adding that efforts are made by the civic body to keep the tag of the 'greenest urban local body in the country.' The plan also includes installing 4,000 flower hanging baskets made from biodegradable coconut shells and promoting rooftop gardening. Chahal added that the civic body plans to construct nine new decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) at Bapu Dham, Nehru Park, Akbar Road, AIIMS, among other places. The civic body plans to rope in Union Ministers, foreign embassies, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Market Traders Associations (MTAs), Bar Associations, hospitals, private institutions, as well as both government and private schools. Meanwhile, on July 27, 240 trees and 36,200 shrubs will be planted across 20 key locations to mark the festival of Hariyali Teej.
