by | May 2, 2025 | Business
Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced that its Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) program achieved a score of 7.95 out of 10 for the first quarter of 2025, toward a target of 8.80/10 by the end of the year. Recognised in January as the world’s most sustainable corporation by Corporate Knights, Schneider Electric remains committed to driving significant progress toward its sustainability goals as it embarks on the final year of its current SSI program.Throughout the first quarter, Schneider Electric has made substantial progress in various areas:
The company has helped its customers save and avoid nearly 700 million tonnes of CO2 emissions through its solutions. This concurs with the launch of the second Energise Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) cohort, enabling four global healthcare companies to buy 245 GWh of renewable electricity annually for the next 10 years. Efforts to reduce upstream carbon emissions have also been accelerated, achieving a 42% decrease from the company’s top 1,000 suppliers.
Already surpassing targets more than a year in advance, Schneider Electric’s commitment to fighting poverty and supporting communities remains strong. To date, 56 million people have gained access to energy through initiatives that develop clean energy solutions for education, healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses. Moreover, by signing the Rise Ahead Pledge recently, Schneider Electric is also working to expand access to essential services and promote socio-economic development, by focusing on energy poverty and impact investing in underserved markets.
Zone and country presidents continue to drive local impact initiatives, following the advancement of over 200 initiatives started in 2021. These programs aim to enhance the company’s sustainable impact by supporting and empowering local communities with training and mentoring, energy resiliency, environmental action, and more. For example, Schneider Electric UK and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation have recently launched a STEM educational program to inspire local pupils with interactive workshops and digital resources, equipping them with essential skills for a sustainable future.
“At Schneider, we believe in strong partnerships with corporations, governments, local partners, and communities to uplift livelihoods, boost incomes, and expand access to education and reliable, clean energy,” said Chris Leong, Chief Sustainability Officer. “I’m especially proud of our people’s relentless pursuit to turn ambition into action, from innovating solutions for environmental impact to giving back to our communities. Together, we’re making progress and sustainability a reality for all.”
For more details, please refer to the Q1 2025 report of Schneider’s Sustainability Impact program, including the progress dashboard: 
Recent recognition
Schneider Electric’s factory in Wuxi, China was recognised by the World Economic Forum as the company’s fourth Sustainability Lighthouse, due to its significant reductions in emissions while promoting a circular economy.
Schneider Electric has been ranked #1 in Europe and among the Top 10 globally in the 2025 Carbon Clean 200 list of publicly traded companies that are leading the transition to clean energy solutions.
Schneider Electric is included in Ethisphere’s Top 100 World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2025, demonstrating 14 years of unwavering commitment to business integrity.
Schneider Electric is recognised as a Top-Rated ESG performer out of more than 5,000 companies in Sustainalytics’ ratings universe.
Schneider Electric was honored with the Gold Seal of the Capital Goods industry for Gender Equality by Equileap in 2025.
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by | Apr 30, 2025 | Business
Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. is a Silver Partner of the Expo’s Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART” and a Premium Partner of the “Osaka Healthcare Pavilion” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. As part of its participation in both pavilions, Glico held a press briefing on April 30 to share two key announcements: a newly obtained patent related to its “Cellular-care” research, and the development of “Rice soft candy” for the Expo 2025. At the “Osaka Healthcare Pavilion”, Glico is presenting an exhibition focused on “Cellular-care”. The company has been accelerating research on aging prevention and has announced that it has obtained a patent for demonstrating the senescent cell–removing effect of Persian silk tree. In addition to the details of the research that led to the patent, the briefing also covered the story behind “Rice soft candy”, which is being distributed exclusively at the Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART”. This newsletter provides a summary of the press releases announced today.
① Accelerating Research on Aging Prevention
Glico demonstrates senescent cell removal by Persian silk tree and obtains patent —Discovered from Glico’s Library of 6,000 Curated Ingredients —
Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. conducted research to identify ingredients that act on the causes of aging, selecting approximately 6,000 candidates from its curated ingredient library, with a focus on those suitable for food applications. As a result, Glico demonstrated that Persian silk tree removes senescent cells (senolysis*1), and has now obtained a Patent (Patent No. 7659690). This marks the first patent in Japan for the removal of senescent cells using Persian silk tree. Moving forward, the Glico Group will continue its research, including validation in humans, to further explore its potential in aging-related applications.
For more information, please visit https://www.glico.com/global/news/46993/.
② Each Piece Encapsulates the Gentle Essence of Rice and a Vision for the Future of Our Planet
Glico develops “Rice soft candy” using rice-derived ingredients To be distributed exclusively inside “EARTH MART” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai from the End of May
Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. is a Silver Partner of the Expo’s Signature Pavilion “EARTH MART” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Under the pavilion’s theme, “Thinking about the lives through eating”, Glico has developed “Rice soft candy” by applying the soft-candy-making technology it has cultivated since its founding—using rice, Japan’s staple food, as the key ingredient. “Rice soft candy” will be offered free of charge to pavilion visitors exclusively within “EARTH MART”, starting from the End of May. The Glico Group will continue to share the value of Japanese food culture with the world and offer new ideas that contribute to “Healthier days, Wellbeing for life”.
For more information, please visit https://www.glico.com/global/news/47011.
*1 Senolysis: Refers to the selective removal of senescent cells. The term is derived from seno (senescence) and lysis (destruction or breakdown).
[Notes of caution]
This document is an English translation of the Japanese original. In the event of any differences or inconsistencies between the Japanese and English versions, the Japanese language version shall take precedence.
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by | Apr 30, 2025 | Business
The SEC has approved ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs, signaling a major shift in U.S. crypto regulation. Discover what this means for XRP, Ripple’s legal battle, and the future of spot ETFs.
In a major development for the cryptocurrency sector, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC) has approved ProShares’ launch of XRP futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with trading set to begin on April 30, 2025.
This move is poised to reshape the landscape for XRP investors and highlights a broader shift in U.S. regulatory attitudes toward digital assets.
Understanding XRP and Ripple
XRP is a digital token created by Ripple Labs, a company focused on revolutionizing cross-border payments. Ripple’s network aims to connect international banks, enabling instant money transfers without the inefficiencies of traditional systems like SWIFT. XRP serves as a bridge currency within this network, offering rapid, low-cost transactions. A single cross-border transfer using XRP costs just a fraction of a cent, demonstrating its utility in real-world financial ecosystems.
Ripple’s ongoing legal battles with the SEC, which began in 2020, had cast a long shadow over XRP’s price. However, a more crypto-friendly political environment under President Donald Trump and recent developments hinting at a settlement have significantly improved sentiment around XRP.
What Are XRP Futures ETFs?
ProShares, already known for its Bitcoin Futures ETF (BITO), proposed three XRP-linked ETFs back in January 2025:
- Ultra XRP ETF (2x leveraged)
- Short XRP ETF (inverse -1x leveraged)
- UltraShort XRP ETF (inverse -2x leveraged)
These futures ETFs will track XRP prices based on the XRP Index, allowing investors to speculate on XRP’s price movements without owning the actual token. This differs from spot ETFs, which require the fund to hold the underlying asset itself.
The ETFs will invest in a combination of XRP futures contracts, swaps, and cash balances in money market instruments, including U.S. Treasuries. Importantly, this offers a regulated pathway for investors to engage with XRP price trends while reducing direct exposure risks.
Why This Approval Matters
The approval of ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs is a watershed moment for several reasons:
1. Regulatory Recognition: It marks increasing acceptance of XRP as a legitimate asset class within regulated U.S. financial markets.
2. Institutional Interest: The move could unlock substantial institutional capital, mirroring patterns observed after the introduction of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
3. Market Sentiment: XRP prices have already reacted positively, surging over 6% to $2.28 in early trading on April 28, with daily trading volume soaring by more than 53%.
In contrast, Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies saw price declines during the same period, highlighting XRP’s relative strength.
Ripple’s Legal Saga and Future Prospects
The backdrop of these developments is Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC. However, recent reports indicate that Ripple and the SEC have reached an agreement to settle the case. As part of the settlement:
- Ripple will pay $50 million of a previously escrowed $125 million penalty.
-
The SEC will withdraw its appeal regarding the “Programmatic Sales of XRP” ruling.
-
Judge Analisa Torres may lift the injunction on XRP sales to institutional investors.
If finalized, this settlement could remove a significant overhang on XRP and further boost its market credibility.
Broader Implications for XRP Spot ETFs
ProShares has also filed for a spot XRP ETF, which is currently pending SEC approval. A spot ETF would involve holding actual XRP tokens rather than futures contracts, offering a more direct exposure option to investors.
The precedent set by Brazil — where Hashdex recently launched the world’s first spot XRP ETF — suggests that once one major market opens the gates, others tend to follow. Betting platform Polymarket now places the odds of a U.S. XRP-spot ETF approval by December 2025 at 78%, up from 68% earlier this month.
Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst James Seyffart maintains high confidence in an eventual approval, predicting final decisions by October 2025.
XRP Price Outlook
Following the SEC’s announcement and broader market enthusiasm:
- Current Price: $2.2335
-
Market Cap: $136 billion
-
52-Week Range: $0.39 to $3.38
XRP is currently consolidating above key support levels near $2.10, with resistance around $2.22. A decisive breakout above $2.40 could set the stage for a retest of previous highs at $3.3999 and eventually its all-time high of $3.5505.
Still, downside risks remain, particularly if the Ripple-SEC settlement faces delays or if macroeconomic conditions worsen. A bearish scenario could see XRP retreat toward the $1.50 mark.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for XRP and Crypto Markets
The launch of ProShares’ XRP futures ETFs is more than just a new investment product, it signals the maturing of the crypto industry and growing mainstream acceptance of alternative digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
With Ripple nearing a possible resolution with the SEC, rising institutional interest, and the growing likelihood of spot ETF approvals, XRP is well-positioned for a significant evolution in 2025 and beyond. However, investors should remain cautious and monitor legal and regulatory developments closely.
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by | Apr 29, 2025 | Business
COMINT Consulting supports more than 70 Allied countries’ SIGINT / COMINT efforts. We continually add new SIGINT solutions and tools to the many high-priority targets facing military and civilian intelligence agencies and warfighters today. With hundreds more digital signal decoders than its closest competition and parsers for extraction of maximum actionable intelligence, the software has resulted in numerous battlefield and law enforcement successes worldwide. Its digital signal decoding software for COMINT, SIGINT, Electronic Warfare – both Electronic Attack (EA) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and can be used in ANY mission platform – manned or unmanned.
Even more DECODING POWER – New features include these new decoders
and tools:
- Selex CNR-2000 Stanag5066 variant
- Codan Sentry variant Mil-Std 188-110
- CCIR493-4 variant Selcall
-Thales MSN8200 variant Mil-Std 188-141B 3G ALE
- Additional data formats added to Saab/Grintek TR2400 parser
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by | Apr 29, 2025 | Business
GUESS, the iconic international fashion brand founded in Los Angeles, is bringing an exhilarating experience to the streets of Sydney with its very first experiential double-decker bus campaign in Australia. Taking GUESS fashion onto Sydney streets, this must-see event will surely captivate Sydney fashion enthusiasts and passersby alike, offering an immersive, high-impact fashion experience like no other.
A GUESS branded double-decker bus featuring larger than life images of Georgina Rodriguez, Argentinian model and reality television personality dressed in a series of stunning GUESS ensembles. The campaign, shot by renowned photographer Nima Benati, perfectly captures the combination of Georgina’s dynamic personality and the vision of winter luxury, timeless femininity, and sophistication.
The GUESS double-decker bus will roll into Sydney’s vibrant city streets, transforming a standard retail hub into a moving work of art and retail experience. This exciting activation will be the ultimate destination for all shoppers to discover GUESS’s Winter collection in a dynamic, immersive environment throughout Sydney.
The bus will be transporting a hand-curated selection of this season’s essentials alongside the Georgina Rodriguez edit, including ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, footwear, fragrances and more. Customers will have the chance to preview the collection before some of the pieces make their way in-store and online.
The lower deck of the bus will be designed with sleek, modern styling, showcasing on-trend handbags, shoes, jewellery, home products and GUESS iconic fragrances. The upper deck will house a selection of stunning ready-to-wear and iconic pieces with Instagram-opportune try-on, the perfect backdrop for photo opportunity.
What to Expect:
Exclusive Collections: Discover GUESS’s latest fashion-forward limited-edition pieces.Interactive Collection Preview:See, touch and try-on the collection in an exciting and intimate way.Exciting Giveaways: Complimentary GUESS merchandise and exclusive offers.Rich Photo Opportunities: Step into vibrant and creative installations, perfect for your social media.
BRINGING GUESS TO YOU will be a retail highlight in Sydney offering people a fresh, fun, and interactive customer experience to view and try pieces from the collection. Whether you’re a fashion aficionado or simply looking for a new way to shop, this event promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Activation Details:
Locations and dates:29thApril – Parramatta Centenary Square -11am – 4.00pm1stMay – Bondi Beach- 11am – 3.00pm3rdMay – Overseas Passenger Terminal- 11am – 4.00pm
This experiential retail event marks a milestone in GUESS’s commitment to creating immersive, memorable experiences for consumers and fans, and is the first of its kind in Australia.
Join us for this iconic moment in fashion and get ready to experience GUESS in an entirely new way.
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by | Apr 29, 2025 | Business
Singapore, 29 April 2025 – In response to
recent US tariff actions that affect several Asian economies, CRIF, a global
leader in credit bureau, business information, and credit risk solutions, today
announced the launch of Tariff
Impact Assessment Score, a new analytics feature designed to assess the
potential impact of US tariffs on a company’s credit profile.
The introduction of
this assessment score marks a strategic enhancement to CRIF’s suite of business
information offerings, providing clients with a targeted, data-driven
evaluation of how tariffs may influence a company’s creditworthiness, cash
flow, and operational resilience.
Novi Rolastuti, Regional
Head of Sales for Business Information Services, Asia of CRIF said: “We
developed the Tariff Impact Assessment Score to give our clients early,
actionable insights into trade-related vulnerabilities. With global trade
dynamics shifting fast, the ability to anticipate risk and build resilience is
a competitive advantage. This score enables our clients to take proactive steps
– whether rebalancing supply chains, adjusting trade strategy, or screening new
partners.”
A Smart Gauge for
Credit Risk and Trade Exposure
The Tariff
Impact Assessement Score is a dedicated section available in CRIF
business information reports, designed to provide a clear indicator of
tariff-related vulnerabilities. The score is built on a multi-dimensional model
that takes into consideration:
· Industry Affiliation
CRIF’s market and analytics experts have
conducted scenario-based evaluations across countries to identify industries
most affected by US tariffs. This analysis helps companies better understand
sector-specific risks and dependencies.
· Company Size
Recognizing that company scale influences
agility and market responsiveness, CRIF incorporates size into its assessment
using country-specific thresholds. Larger enterprises typically posses greater
capacity to shift production or explore alternative markets, whereas smaller
businesses may face heightened exposure.
· Company-specific USA Exposure Investigation
Through direct investigation, CRIF
analysts assess a company’s reliance on US trade, measuring its exposure to
cross-border clients and suppliers to deliver a precise picture of tariff
sensitivity.
The scoring model integrates public trade data, proprietary research,
and CRIF’s structured investigation methodology. Countries and sectors with a
high export share to the US and persistent trade deficits are flagged as having
elevated tariff-related risk.
Navigating
Disruptions, Seizing Opportunity
The Tariff
Impact Assessment Score is part of CRIF’s broader framework to empower
businesses to proactively manage risks and uncover new growth opportunities
across three strategic phases:
· Early Warning (1–3
months): Monitoring emerging risks through payment delays
and identifying vulnerable clients or supplier.
· Risk Escalation (3–6
months): Triggering real-time credit alerts and
supporting contingency planning.
· Adaptation Phase
(6–12 months): Facilitating portfolio rebalancing, sourcing alternative
supplier, and identifying new growth opportunities.
Available to CRIF
clients via business information reports, the new Tariff Impact
Assessment Score is especially valuable for multinational corporations,
financial institutions, and export-driven businesses seeking to proactively
manage credit and trade risk in today’s shifting geopolitical landscape.
For more
information or to request a sample report, please contact your local CRIF
representatives or visit www.crifasia.com.
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