Leading cement producer Heidelberg Materials has launched the sixth edition of the Quarry Life Award, offering a prize fund of around €300,000 and partnering with organizations like BirdLife International. The competition aims to engage researchers, students, communities, and nature enthusiasts in developing sustainable solutions for quarry management and enhancing biodiversity. The initiative aligns with the company's commitment to the Global Goal for Nature and has thus far successfully spurred over 450 projects in biodiversity protection. New participants like Turkey, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia will join the 2025 edition as Heidelberg Materials opens its quarries for selected projects.
Headline: Heidelberg Materials Launches Quarry Life Award 2025 with Enhanced Focus on Biodiversity and Sustainable Quarry Management
Introduction: Heidelberg Materials, a leading cement producer, has announced the launch of the sixth edition of its prestigious Quarry Life Award. With a prize fund of around €300,000, the award aims to encourage innovation and sustainable practices in quarry management.
Background: The Quarry Life Award was established in 2012 to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable quarry management. It has since grown into a globally recognized competition, attracting participants from various backgrounds. The initiative supports researchers, students, communities, and nature enthusiasts who contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for quarry operations.
2025 Edition Expansion: This year's edition marks a significant expansion, with Turkey, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia joining the competition. Heidelberg Materials will open its quarries in these countries to facilitate selected projects.
Partnership with BirdLife International: The 2025 Quarry Life Award has partnered with BirdLife International, a global conservation organization. This collaboration strengthens the competition's focus on biodiversity protection and sustainable quarry management.
Commitment to Global Goal for Nature: The initiative aligns with Heidelberg Materials' commitment to the Global Goal for Nature, which aims to protect, restore, and sustainably use nature by 2030. By engaging a wide range of stakeholders, the Quarry Life Award supports this goal through innovative solutions that enhance biodiversity and promote sustainable quarry operations.
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Conclusion: The Quarry Life Award 2025 is an exciting opportunity for individuals and organizations to contribute to biodiversity protection and sustainable quarry management. By engaging a diverse range of participants, the competition fosters innovation and promotes responsible practices in the quarry industry.
Category: Technology Title: "Google Reveals Exciting Updates for Android 16 and Set Timeline for Release" Google announces the launch of the second Developer Preview for Android 16, with a confirmed release between April and June 2025. The new preview introduces a range of updates, including enhanced performance tools, advanced accessibility options, and improved security measures. The timeline for the platform's release has been set, with a major SDK release expected in Q2 and smaller updates throughout the year. The updates aim to streamline app development and improve functionality for Android 16.
Rohan Mirchandani, the co-founder of Epigamia, a popular yogurt brand, passed away at the age of 42 due to a sudden cardiac arrest. The senior leadership of Drums Food International, the parent company of Epigamia, confirmed the news and expressed their sorrow. Mirchandani, an alumnus of prominent universities, was a mentor, friend, and leader to many in the startup community, and his death has shocked and saddened them. This comes just a month after the sudden passing of Ambareesh Murty, co-founder of Pepperfry, and earlier this year, the untimely death of Rohan Malhotra, co-founder of Good Capital.
Amid uncertainty and concerns about the displacement of lakhs of Dharavi locals, the controversial Dharavi Development Project has become a major issue in Maharashtra's election politics. The Adani Group's involvement has raised questions about the prioritization of profit over people. With locals taking to the streets to protest the project, The News Minute's Pooja Prasanna investigates the consequences and dynamics underlying the contentious redevelopment.
Despite long-standing interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United's manager, Eddie Howe, is confident that Alexander Isak will remain at the club. The Sweden international recently scored a hat-trick in their match against Ipswich Town, showcasing his goalscoring abilities and attracting more attention from top clubs. However, Howe remains determined to keep Isak and build a successful team around him, with no plans to let him leave anytime soon. Talks of a potential contract extension are also being put on hold for now, as there is no urgency to get a new deal done.
In the 55th GST Council meeting, the latest changes to GST rates were announced for various items. Ready-to-eat popcorn will now have varying GST rates depending on how it is prepared and sold. Pre-packaged popcorn will have a higher GST rate of 12%, while popcorn sold loose will have a lower rate of 5%. In the automotive sector, the GST rate for used cars sold by businesses will be increased from 12% to 18%. Additionally, vouchers will not be considered goods or services, and hence, will not be subject to GST.
During the 55th GST Council meeting, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Goods and Services Tax on rice kernels has been reduced from 18% to 5%, while life-saving gene therapy will now be exempt from tax. Additionally, parts used in manufacturing surface-to-air missiles will continue to be exempt from GST. However, the tax rate on caramelised popcorn has been increased to 18%, citing its harmful effects on health. The Finance Minister also clarified that payment aggregators will be eligible for exemptions, but this does not apply to payment gateways and fintech services.
In an effort to bring joy and togetherness to the holiday season, Amazon India has announced the 8th edition of its Holiday Toy List. The thoughtfully curated store features over 1.6 million products from more than 10,000 brands, including popular options like LEGO, Hot Wheels, and Hasbro. Director Rajarshi Guin states that the store is focused on elevating the gifting experience for families and gift-givers, making every gift an unforgettable highlight of the season.
Bajaj Auto, the Pune-based motorcycle specialist, has introduced the new 35 Series of the popular Chetak electric scooter with three variants. With a starting price of Rs 1.27 lakh, the feature-loaded 3501 variant aims to compete with its counterparts like TVS iQube, Ola S1, and Ather Rizta in the Indian market. With the customer-friendly delivery schedule, Bajaj Auto is confident to retain its leadership position in the electric two-wheeler segment. This strategic move by the company not only caters to the needs of young riders but also showcases its commitment to providing cutting-edge technology with neo-classic style.
Amidst all the excitement surrounding Trump's U.S. election victory, fund manager Sean Peche is urging investors to take a closer look at Europe. According to Peche, there are some "very attractively priced" companies in the region that have been overshadowed by the Trump euphoria. Peche believes that stocks such as French bank BNP Paribas and Dutch investment bank ABN Amro, with consistent growth and high dividends, are being ignored by investors. He also points out "attractive" stocks in the UK, such as Associated British Foods, which owns retail giant Primark. While political turmoil in France and the UK may raise concerns, Peche remains unfazed and advises against overlooking these opportunities.
The city of Pune, India has seen a sharp rise in tree falling incidents despite efforts to increase the green cover. Data from the Pune Municipal Corporation's Fire Department revealed that in the past four years, tree falling incidents have increased, with 1,664 cases reported from January to November of this year. Experts and activists have cited the covering of tree bases with paver blocks and concretisation around their roots as the main reasons for this rise. The PMC's Garden Department and Tree Authority Department have been blamed for their neglect in upkeep and the imbalance caused by construction near tree bases. Exotic species are particularly vulnerable to these incidents, while indigenous trees are sturdier and fall less frequently. Urgent measures need to be taken to address this issue and protect Pune's urban trees.