Latest news with #SPC
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Every citizen has a duty to safeguard freedom: Minister R. Bindu
'The freedom we won through relentless struggle must be safeguarded with equal determination by every citizen,' said Higher Education and Social Justice Minister R. Bindu, as she hoisted the national flag at Thekkinkadu Maidan during the 79th Independence Day celebrations here on Friday. The Minister underscored the need to uphold democratic ideals rooted in compassion, inclusion, and the integration of marginalised communities into the mainstream. 'Our times demand uncompromising action to bring the excluded into leadership positions and ensure that the vision of an inclusive democracy is truly fulfilled,' she said. Cultural diversity Recalling the centuries-long British colonial rule that stripped the nation of freedom and dignity, Dr. Bindu emphasised the resilience of India's cultural diversity in overcoming oppression. She pointed out that after Independence, leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru took on the responsibility of empowering the oppressed — Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, and persons with disabilities — ensuring equality and participation for all. She urged the people to work hand-in-hand, leading the country with vibrancy, and to prepare future generations capable of resisting forces that seek to pull the nation backward. 'Passing on the flag of a free India to the next generation is an inescapable responsibility we must fulfil with precision,' she affirmed. The ceremony was attended by Mayor M.K. Varghese, district panchayat president V.S. Prince, vice-president Latha Chandran, District Collector Arjun Pandian, City Police Chief R. Ilango, Rural Police Chief B. Krishnakumar, among others. A total of 26 platoons — including police, excise, forest, SPC, and NCC—participated in the parade led by Guruvayur Temple Police Inspector G. Ajayakumar. Awards were presented to the best-performing platoons. The event concluded with the national anthem, marking the close of a fully eco-friendly Independence Day celebration.
Euractiv
07-08-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
Sweden backs EU-wide patent reform to support drug innovation
Hoping to support pharmaceutical innovation and competitiveness, Stockholm is advocating for a Unitary Patent System. Sweden is one of eleven EU Member States pushing the Danish Presidency to finalise an EU system for enhanced patent protection for medicines. Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) have been in place for several decades in the European Union. They are an intellectual property right that grants a patentholder an additional five years of patent protection, primarily for medicine patents. So far, each Member State has to implement such protection nationally, resulting in varying outcomes between countries. However, a unitary system was proposed by the EU Commission in 2023. Under this proposal, a unitary SPC would be relevant in the 18 EU states that have currently joined the so-called Unitary Patent System. 'A unitary SPC would be an important piece of the puzzle to finalise the Unitary Patent System and a reform that would boost innovation and competitiveness', Louise Petrelius, a senior advisor at the Swedish Ministry of Justice, told Euractiv. She explains that the system is expected to streamline the extension of patent protection for both medicinal and plant protection products (e.g. pesticides) in the EU by introducing a single, unified procedure across participating member states. 'This aims to simplify the current system, which requires separate applications in each country, reducing costs and administrative burden for applicants.' Longer time to market According to Petrelius, SPCs aim to compensate patent holders for the extra time it takes to bring their products to market, due to the compulsory lengthy testing and clinical trials required prior to obtaining regulatory marketing approval. The protection for patents in the EU is 20 years. An SPC could extend such a patent right for a maximum of five years. As the SPC mechanism extends the market exclusivity of a patented medicine beyond the initial patent term, it could delay the entry of generic or biosimilar competition and maintain higher prices for a longer period in the EU. According to the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV), companies producing generics and biosimilars are only allowed to start manufacturing and storing a medicine during the extra five-year protection period if their products are to be exported outside the EU. Civil society organisations, as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have previously called upon the EU to abolish the SPC mechanism, saying it contributes 'to high drug prices and hinders access to essential medicines by delaying the availability of generic and biosimilar alternatives'. No price analysis Johan Pontén, International Coordinator at the Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV), told Euractiv that 'TLV agrees with the Swedish government that a centralised SPC system creates more uniform and simpler management within the EU, which is positive,' adding, however: 'We have not been tasked with analysing how a changed system could affect the prices of medicines and therefore cannot comment on it'. Meanwhile, according to the Swedish Ministry of Justice, there is no ongoing discussion in the EU that links higher prices to the SPC proposal. 'Since the question of the existence of SPCs is not subject to negotiation, it is not discussed in this project. In general, my view is that Sweden is in favour of a system that promotes innovation and attractiveness on the pharmaceutical side, where intellectual property protection is an important component,' Petter Söderbäck, also a senior legal advisor at the Swedish Ministry of Justice, told Euractiv. Euractiv has requested a comment from the Danish Presidency, but has not received a response so far. [Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi]
Hype Malaysia
06-08-2025
- Business
- Hype Malaysia
Bang Si Hyuk Breaks Silence Over Recent HYBE Fraud Allegations
HYBE may be one of K-pop's biggest companies, but the agency has been the talk of the town for an unfortunate reason. After being accused of a series of suspicious activities, founder Bang Si Hyuk (방시혁) finally addressed the allegations. On Wednesday morning (6th August 2025), the music producer sent a company-wide email to address the recent scandal surrounding HYBE. The company and its chairman have been the target of a federal investigation over fraudulent illegal transactions during the company's initial public offering (IPO) process. According to reports, Bang Si Hyuk is accused of misleading HYBE investors about the company's IPO plans to make billions in profit. Additionally, the 53-year-old is accused of having existing investors sell their stock to a special purpose corporation (SPC) established by a private equity fund. These allegations led to an investigation under the Financial Supervisory Service's special prosecutors and a subsequent search and seizure at the HYBE headquarters. South Korean tax authorities also initiated a tax investigation against the company. Responding to the allegations, Bang Si Hyuk expressed regret over the current situation and promised to cooperate with authorities for the investigation. His email marks the first time the public figure has addressed the issue. Since the music producer is currently overseas for work, he also said he put his commitments on hold and will return to South Korea as soon as possible to participate in investigations. Bang Si Hyuk also claimed to have already provided an explanation to authorities about the company's IPO situation during a previous investigation. However, the music executive said he will continue to cooperate in the current investigation and hopefully put the allegations to rest. He concluded the email, expressing a sense of regret over burdening the company and its artists with this issue. Meanwhile, police forces are allowed to conduct additional searches at HYBE's headquarters until 16th August. What are your thoughts on this? Sources: Chosun, Korea JoongAng Daily
The Hindu
05-08-2025
- The Hindu
SPC calls for collective fight against drug menace
State Police Chief (SPC) Ravada A. Chandrasekhar has sought collective action to tackle drug menace, describing it as a national security concern that is seeping into schools, colleges, and rural communities. Speaking at the handing over of Soxtoxa analysers, a device for checking the presence of drugs, to the police in Kannur, he said that 25,000 drug cases had been registered so far this year. The SPC said drug abuse was no longer confined to dark alleys but was destabilising society by corrupting youth, destroying families, and fuelling organised crime. 'Kerala, with its high literacy rate, must not fall prey to this silent epidemic. Along with enforcement, early detection, timely intervention and strong partnership are essential,' he said. Highlighting enforcement efforts, Mr. Chandrasekhar said 30,000 cases were detected in 2023, while 27,000 cases were detected in 2024. This year alone, the police detected 3,000 ganja cases and seized 17 kg of MDMA. Pointing to large-scale drug seizures at ports and airports, he said enforcement was crucial to choking supply chains. He commended police personnel for their efforts but stressed the need for community participation. The SPC urged civic bodies, NGOs, educational institutions, parents, media, and student police cadets to join the fight against drugs. Sotoxa analysers were provided using the corporate social responsibility funds of Walker Foundation in collaboration with Kannur Seaside Rotary Club. Inspector General (North Zone) Rajpal Meena, Kannur Range Deputy Inspector General G.H. Yatheesh Chandra, District Police Chief (Kannur City) P. Nidhinraj, and Walker Foundation chairman V.K.C. Naushad were present.
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM calls on Student Police Cadets to continue fight against drug abuse
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called on the Student Police Cadets to continue their fight against drug abuse diligently. He was speaking after receiving the salute at the 15th anniversary parade of the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Project, a pride project of the Kerala Police, at the SAP Ground, Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday. Lauding the role played by SPC cadets in the State government's anti-drug campaign, the Chief Minister reminded the cadets that the fight against drug abuse should not be limited to any specific period. He said that SPC cadets should always be remembered as ambassadors of the war against drug abuse, and the cadets are the eyes and ears of the State government's anti-drug activities centered on schools. The Student Police Cadet programe, which was started in Kozhikode district on August 2, 2010, has been able to gain the complete trust and support of the Kerala society over the years. The SPC program has now completed 15 years since its inception and has achieved much recognition both nationally and internationally as the biggest youth initiative in school level in the country and the first organisation to function with gender equality. It is a matter of pride that most of the States in India are following our own project, SPC, he said. When this government came to power in 2016, it was only in 431 schools. This academic year, including the start of SPC in 70 new schools, the project is now running in 1,048 schools. About one lakh student police cadets, more than 2000 teachers, more than 3000 police officers and about two lakh former cadets are now part of the project. Through extensive social work, SPC cadets have also paved the way for exemplary changes in the society. The SPC has provided all possible assistance to the rehabilitation of disaster victims during the floods, the period of pandemics like COVID-19, and the Chooralmala disaster that occurred a year ago. The SPC has also undertaken activities to impart knowledge and literacy to children from marginalised tribal communities. During the COVID period, a Kuttipallikkudam was established for the education of children in tribal areas and TVs, newspapers, and study materials were provided to the children there. Cadets of Vithura Government Higher Secondary School undertook this activity. Today, this project is being adopted as a model by many SPC units. In addition, SPC cadets have also taken the lead in providing houses to their classmates. The Chief Minister released an e-magazine containing information about SPC's social welfare activities at the function and cut a cake with the cadets. State Police Chief Ravada Azad Chandrashekhar, Armed Police Battalion ADGP M.R, Ajithkumar, Police Headquarters ADGP S. Sreejith, Law and Order ADGP H. Venkatesh, Intelligence ADGP P. Vijayan, Thiruvananthapuram Range DIG and Student Police Cadet Project State Nodal Officer Ajeetha Begum and senior police officers were present at the function. eom
