Author: jezzabellemente

NANJING, China, Dec. 29, 2023 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

On December 27, the classic Wuxi Opera “The Pearl Pagoda” was performed in Nanjing, featuring seven generations of distinguished opera artists from Wuxi Opera Troupe of Jiangsu Performing Arts Group, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the troupe’s establishment, according to the Information Office of Jiangsu Province.

“The Pearl Pagoda” tells the story of a young man, Fang Qing, who, facing family decline, is ridiculed after borrowing from his aunt. His cousin gives him the family heirloom, a pearl pagoda, to help him succeed in his studies. The story is rich in traditional Chinese values and distinctive local characteristics. Over 400 years, it has been widely spread through various traditional Chinese artistic forms including Pingtan, Wuxi Opera, Kunqu Opera, and farce.

The new version of Wuxi Opera “The Pearl Pagoda,” creatively interpreted by Jiangsu Wuxi Opera Troupe in the year of 2000, features excellent script and seamless cooperation among performers. It blends the common with the refined, satisfying the aesthetic needs of audiences at different groups. This classic production, after adaptation, has been hailed as the “Pearl Pagoda Phenomenon.”

Subsequently, Zhou Dongliang, a Wuxi Opera actor who gained fame for his portrayal of Fang Qing, won the Plum Blossom Award, the highest Chinese award for performing arts. He is revered by fans as the “Wuxi Opera Prince.” Since 2010, he has been serving as the director of Jiangsu Wuxi Opera Troupe, and the troupe’s performances have gained widespread recognition.

Zhou Dongliang mentioned that the successful innovative adaptation of “The Pearl Pagoda” implies the need to move beyond traditional plays or specific scripts. In recent years, Jiangsu Wuxi Opera Troupe has created numerous original, traditional, and new plays, accumulating nearly 300 scripts as the foundation for the troupe’s development. They have also expanded beyond the limitations of themes restricted to romance between gifted scholars and beauties. For instance, they produced “Dafengge,” a historical drama about Liu Bang, founder of Han Dynasty, demonstrating that the troupe has adequate talents to handle such large-scale productions.

As one of the most representative regional opera genres in east China’s Jiangsu Province, Wuxi Opera originated from the southern shores of Taihu Lake, with a history of over two centuries. It is included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. Rooted in the Wuxi dialect, Wuxi Opera possesses a rich cultural heritage of Wu culture and continues to captivate audiences in the Yangtze River Delta.

Founded in 1953, Jiangsu Wuxi Opera Troupe has cultivated a large number of Wuxi Opera performing artists, such as Yao Cheng, Wang Lanying, Shen Peihua, Ni Tongfang, Zhou Dongliang, and more. They have excavated, created, and performed over 200 productions.

Currently, Zhou holds the position as Chairman of Jiangsu Performing Arts Group, tasked with promoting the revival of 10 art troupes, including the Wuxi Opera Troupe.

Taking Wuxi opera as an example, the interest class dedicated in Wuxi opera over ten years, has expanded to places like Jiangyin, Yixing, and Wuxi, scouting many talented individuals. The class has also cultivated a large group of young Wuxi opera fans, becoming a vibrant force among the audience. Zhou Dongliang is committed to uniting Wuxi Opera troupes from various regions, helping each other and jointly protecting the art of Wuxi Opera.

“In recent years, Wuxi Opera has been developing in a positive direction, and I am confident in its future,” said Zhou.

Source: The Information Office of Jiangsu Province

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=443906

Caption: Wuxi Opera “The Pearl Pagoda”

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) — St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew has delivered a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s fiscal performance and outlined future economic plans during his 2024 Budget Address.

The central theme of the 2024 budget speech, “Marching Forward on the Journey to a Sustainable Island State”, underscored the government’s commitment to transforming into a sustainable island state.

Dr Drew outlined the seven pillars forming the foundation of a sustainable island state, namely, water security; energy transition; food security; sustainability industry; sustainable settlements; circular economy; and social protection.

According to a statement, these pillars serve as the focal points for the 2024 budget address, laying the groundwork for sustainable development in St Kitts and Nevis.

Dr Drew also acknowledged the achievements in tourism that received international recognition, positioning St Kitts and Nevis as a prominent destination in the Eastern Caribbean.

The 2024 Budget Address reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable development, fiscal responsibility, and the well-being of St Kitts and Nevis’ citizens. The outlined initiatives and improvements aim to strengthen the nation’s economy, infrastructure and overall prosperity.

Furthermore, he highlighted the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme’s remarkable contribution, exceeding budget expectations by 54.9 per cent, as well as emphasised the importance of supporting the CBI Programme for sustainable economic development.

The Prime Minister also announced the imminent launch of a Contributory Pension Plan, aimed at enhancing the welfare and financial security of public sector employees, in which the plan is strategically designed for a secure and sustainable pension system.

Meanwhile, the economic benefits of a higher minimum wage were also highlighted, empowering workers and stimulating local businesses, in which effective Jan 1, 2024, the minimum wage will rise from EC$9 per hour to EC$10.75 per hour, reflecting the government’s dedication to improving the financial well-being of minimum wage earners. (EC$1=RM1.72)

— BERNAMA

Legendary Skateboarder Tony Hawk, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Human Rights Activist Fallu Sowe, and Social Justice Artist Omaid Sharifi were honored by Philanthropist & Fashion Designer Diane von Furstenberg and Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson for their work in advancing gender equality.

New York, N.Y., Dec 13 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — To mark the 75th Anniversary of International Human Rights Day, this week Vital Voices Global Partnership proudly honored male allies who have shown remarkable courage and commitment to advocating for women’s rights. 

Philanthropist and Fashion Designer Diane von Furstenberg and Vital Voices Co-founder, President & CEO Alyse Nelson hosted the 10th Annual Voices of Solidarity Awards on Monday evening at the historic IAC building in New York City – just one day after the 75th Annual Human Rights Day. They honored Legendary Skateboarder Tony Hawk, U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Artist & Activist Omaid Sharifi, and Human Rights Activist Fallu Sowe. 

Tony Hawk was recognized for championing girls in sports, particularly through his foundation, Skatepark Project, and working withSkateistan in Afghanistan. 

Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California’s 34th District was honored for championing equality for caregivers in U.S. national policies and for leading by example in creating the first-ever U.S. Congressional Dads’ Caucus.
Omaid Sharifi, a pioneering artist and activist, was honored for his worldwide efforts to call attention to the oppression of Middle Eastern women and girls through his group, ArtLords, a global grassroots movement founded in Afghanistan to promote peace, women’s rights, and social transformation through street art.
Fallu Sowe, a fearless human rights activist from The Gambia, was recognized for his work in providing critical care services to survivors of gender-based violence.

“For the last decade, it’s been hugely encouraging to count more and more remarkable men as partners in this work. Men’s voices are absolutely critical if we want to accelerate the pace of change — and prove that nothing is impossible,” said Vital Voices Co-founder, President & CEO, Alyse Nelson. 

“This year’s honorees are incredible examples of solidarity in action. Each in their own way, they’ve decided to join the fight for gender equality — a fight that women have been leading for decades, especially the women leaders of Vital Voices,” said Founder and Co-Chairwoman, DVF and Vital Voices Board Member, Diane Von Furstenberg.

Presenting the awards to this year’s honorees were President & CEO of Equimundo Dr. Gary Barker, Ph.D., Zainab Husseini of Afghanistan’s Skateistan, Vital Voices Board Chair Kate James, and Tunisian Human Rights Activist, Entrepreneur & Vital Voices Board Member Amira Yahyaoui.

Photo highlights of the event can be found here.
For more information about the event, contact:media@vitalvoices.org. 

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About Vital Voices Global Partnership
Now celebrating 26 years, Vital Voices Global Partnership has directly invested in more than 20,000 women leaders across 185 countries and territories since its inception in 1997. Driven by the universal truth that women are the key to progress in their communities and nations cannot move forward without women in leadership positions, Vital Voices has provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, U.S. Youth Poet Laureates, prime ministers, award-winning innovators, pioneering human rights defenders and breakthrough social entrepreneurs, including Amanda Gorman and Malala Yousafzai. To advance and expand this work, in 2022 Vital Voices opened the doors to the world’s first global embassy for women, the Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women’s Leadership. It is a first-of-its-kind space that allows for convening, innovation, planning, and action—all in the pursuit of serving women leaders who are taking on the world’s greatest challenges.

Find Vital Voices Online:
Facebook:facebook.com/vitalvoices
Twitter: @vitalvoices
Instagram: @vitalvoices
LinkedIn:Vital Voices Global Partnership

Attachments

• Voices of Solidarity
• Vital Voices 10th Annual “Voices of Solidarity” Awards Honorees

Vital Voices
Media@vitalvoices.org

SOURCE: Vital Voices

–BERNAMA

• Acquisition adds smelting capability to serve spent automotive catalyst customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa
   
• Complements ECMS recycling operations and global precious metal services
   
• Broadens range of materials that can be processed by ECMS
   
• Closing of transaction expected in early first quarter 2024

ISELIN, N.J., Dec 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) has signed an agreement to purchase the assets of Arc Metal AB in Hofors, Sweden. The company currently conducts toll smelting and processing of spent automotive catalyst, among other services, and will further complement ECMS’s existing global precious metal recycling operations in Cinderford, UK, Seneca and Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Caldwell, Texas, USA. The closing of the transaction is expected early in the first quarter of 2024.

“This investment will allow us to grow our recycling business in Europe and bring in best-in-class pyro-metallurgical technology providing flexibility to process high carbon containing materials, like Silicon Carbide found in spent automotive catalyst materials as well as access to new markets,” said Tim Ingle, Senior Vice President, Precious Metal Services and Recycling, ECMS. “We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues who bring vast experience in smelting and processing of spent automotive catalysts.”

The additional smelting capacity at the Sweden site will also increase utilization of the new refinery capacity in Seneca, South Carolina. Recycled catalysts go through a smelting process and are then refined to produce the high purity precious metal needed to make new catalysts and other end use products, supporting a circular economy. Recycled platinum group metals can also lower carbon emissions by up to 97 percent, in comparison to refining mined or primary materials¹.

“The asset purchase will enable ECMS to meet increased customer demand for spent automotive catalyst recycling and position ECMS more competitively in the region,” said Dirk Bremm, President and CEO, ECMS. “The acquisition also aligns with our sustainability efforts and those of our customers since catalyst recycling as a secondary supply is a significant source of precious metals, preserving our critical resources.”

To learn more about BASF’s recycling business, visit www.basf.com/ecms.

¹ Source: Sphera Solutions GmbH (2022): GaBi Database Edition 2022, SP37

About BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions
Leveraging its deep expertise as a global leader in catalysis and precious metals, BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) serves customers in many industries including automotive, aerospace, indoor air quality, semiconductors, and hydrogen economy, and provides full loop services with its precious metals trading and recycling offering. With a focus on circular solutions and sustainability, ECMS is committed to helping our customers create a cleaner, more sustainable world. Protecting the elements of life is our purpose and this inspires us to ever-new solutions. ECMS operates globally in 15 countries with over 4,500 employees and 20 production sites.

Media Relations contact:
Betsy Arnone
Phone: +1 973-519-9808
betsy.arnone@basf-catalystsmetals.com 

SOURCE : BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions LLC

BANGKOK, Dec 11 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — 12Go has prepared a list of the best travel destinations for the winter season in Asia. This list is based on the internal ticket data gathered by 12Go. Analyzing the tickets sold throughout the year, 12Go identified the top travel destinations suitable for different groups of travelers, including solo travelers, couples, families, and friends.

The top 10 countries that stand out are Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Malaysia, and Japan.

Thailand tops the list, with Chiang Mai and Bangkok offering great options for all travelers. The top spot for solo adventurers is Koh Phangan, while families prefer Koh Samui. Vietnam secures the second spot, with Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. Sapa provides a winter retreat for families, while Hanoi’s bustling streets await solo adventurers.

The Philippines claims the third position, promising a unique New Year celebration. Manila and El Nido are popular destinations for all travelers. Solo travelers often opt for Legazpi, while friends and couples prefer Coron, and families find El Baguio appealing.

India takes the fourth spot, where India, Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi stand out as the primary choices for New Year travel among all travelers. However, many families are also opting to explore Goa during this season. Cambodia secures the fifth spot, with travel destinations for New Year celebrations, including Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap.

In sixth place, Indonesia offers the top travel spots, Bali and the Gili Islands. Solo travelers and families often go to Sanur, while Nusa Penida is a great pick for friends and couples. Sri Lanka captures the seventh position, enchanting travelers with these top destinations: Ella, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. Colombo is another solo travel choice, while Nuwara Eliya is ideal for couples and families.

Laos secures the eighth spot with Vang Vieng, Vientiane, and Luang Prabang. Malaysia, with its famous destinations, such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi, offers a unique vacation and claims the ninth position. In the tenth spot, Japan – Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto are excellent choices for a New Year getaway, appealing to all travelers.

Source: 12Go https://12go.com/en/articles/top-new-year-destinations

About: 12Go is a leading travel platform that offers transportation booking services that give travelers easy access to various buses, ferries, trains, transfers, and flights.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231208089452/en/

Contact

Tetiana But, PR & Marketing tetiana.but@12go.asia

Source : 12Go