Technology

CGTN: How China-proposed BRI helps incense-makers go global

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2024

BEIJING, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pu Lianggong knows the art of incense-making, just like his Arab ancestors.

Now nearly 70 years old, Pu produces incense in Yongchun County in Quanzhou, a coastal city in east China’s Fujian Province.

The incense-making craft has its roots in the ancient Maritime Silk Road, which served as a vital conduit for both trade and cultural exchange between China’s southeastern coastal regions and foreign countries.

Pu belongs to a 10th-generation family of Arab descent who settled in Quanzhou, known as the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, in 1646. As China’s seaborne trade thrived during Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, Quanzhou became the largest port in eastern China.

Pu’s Arab ancestors brought aromatic ingredients with them along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, made a living by selling them and gradually integrated into life in Quanzhou, marrying locals and adopting the Chinese surname Pu.

The Pu family made incense with bamboo and aromatic ingredients from their homeland, which is different from the scented chips called “bakhoor” in most Arab countries. It is similar to a Chinese incense stick, with bamboo sticks wrapped in ground aromatic ingredients.

Boosted by the Pu family’s influence, incense has become a thriving industry in Yongchun. At present, there are nearly 300 incense-producing factories there, selling products to both domestic and foreign markets.

Thanks to the increase in international orders, workers and their families are enjoying more comfortable lives, an improvement partly driven by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Proposed by China in 2013, the initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and beyond along the ancient Silk Road trade routes for common development and prosperity.

Serving as a platform to foster cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding as well, the initiative presents an opportunity to promote diversity and inclusivity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping once quoted an ancient Chinese saying, “Delicious soup is made by combining different ingredients,” to explain the importance of diversity.

A shared future for mankind

“Delicious soup is made by combining different ingredients.”

The saying comes from the Chinese classic “History of the Three Kingdoms,” literally reflecting the Chinese culinary tradition of using a variety of ingredients, such as herbs, spices and vegetables, to create a flavorful soup. It highlights the power of collaboration and that the value of diversity in human civilization is the source of human progress.

Xi cited it in a keynote speech at the United Nations Office at Geneva in January 2017, saying diversity is “an engine driving the advance of human civilizations.”

“There are more than 200 countries and regions, over 2,500 ethnic groups and multiple religions in our world. Different histories, national conditions, ethnic groups and customs give birth to different civilizations and make the world a colorful one,” said Xi.

“We should make exchanges among civilizations a source of inspiration for advancing human society and a bond that keeps the world in peace.”

Xi emphasized the necessity of building an open and inclusive world through exchanges and mutual learning, adding that exchange among civilizations is “a source of inspiration for advancing human society” and “a bond to keep the world in peace.”

The old Chinese saying is very much in line with the history of incense-making in Yongchun. Centuries ago, Arabic aromatic ingredients came to China as “messengers,” integrated and developed with Chinese aromatic ingredients, and finally spread around the world.

Nowadays, the Arab states, which were important participants along the ancient Silk Road trade routes, are crucial partners with China in the BRI.

Over the past decade, the BRI has positively impacted local residents in partner countries by providing them with job opportunities, as well as facilitating international trade.

From 2013 to 2022, the total trade between China and BRI partner countries reached $19.1 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4 percent, according to a white paper. By June 2023, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations across five continents, yielding a number of signature projects and small-scale yet impactful projects.

China has also worked to bring BRI partner countries and organizations together through joint cultural activities, including the establishment of international alliances of theaters, museums, art festivals and libraries such as the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road and the Silk Road International League of Theaters.

By connecting diverse cultures and different countries, the BRI promotes cooperation, openness and inclusivity around the world, bringing China closer to its goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind to promote common development.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-03-03/How-China-proposed-BRI-helps-incense-makers-go-global-1rFeyGs1XJS/p.html

SOURCE CGTN

Technology

Chaberton Energy RFP Seeks Farming Partners for two Maryland Agrivoltaics Projects

Published

44 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Agrivoltaics co-locates solar facilities and agricultural activity while creating access to lower-cost energy for community members during a time of spiking prices.

Chaberton is partnering with Okovate Sustainable Energy to select farmers for the Montgomery County, Md., projects.

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chaberton Energy invites Maryland farmers to respond to two requests for proposal (RFPs) to farm up to 27 acres of land in Montgomery County as part of an agrivoltaics initiative. Agrivoltaics is the practice of co-locating solar power projects with farming activities.

This opportunity will provide selected farmers with access to land at no cost as well as compensation for vegetation management at the site. Chaberton is working with Okovate Sustainable Energy to solicit and evaluate proposals from farmers interested in using the land under and between the projects’ rows of solar panels for crop farming and/or animal grazing.

The RFPs come at a time when Maryland imports more than 40% of its electricity, leaving ratepayers exposed to volatile wholesale prices. These projects bring distributed solar closer to the communities that need it most, providing lower-cost energy to nearly 1,000 local households while supporting agricultural businesses in the area.

“These projects are among Montgomery County’s first agrivoltaics projects,” said Ryan Boswell, vice president of development for Chaberton Energy. “Everybody benefits when farmers, communities, local governments and energy developers work together toward a shared set of goals.”

The solar projects align with Maryland’s renewable energy and agricultural sustainability goals. Selected farmers will develop tailored farming plans for each site and seek the required review from the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture.

“Together we’re building out the energy network we need while keeping agricultural land productive,” said Miles Braxton, CEO and co-founder of Okovate. “This is an opportunity to provide land access to local farmers looking to expand or start their operations, while also leasing land for solar that helps meet the growing energy demand.”

Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf in Dickerson, Md., will have a generating capacity of 5.23 megawatts. It spans 19 acres, with 16 acres covered by the solar array and a 3-acre buffer zone. Approximately 10 acres of land in between solar panel rows and a total of 13 acres are available for agricultural use.

Chaberton Solar Ramiere in Poolesville, Md., is a 3.88 megawatt project spanning 11 acres, with approximately 8 acres covered by the solar array and a 2-acre buffer zone. Approximately 5 acres of land in between solar panel rows and a total of 7 acres are available for agricultural use.

Farmers or agricultural operators responding to the RFPs must submit a proposal that provides a clear vision for how they will utilize one or both agrivoltaics sites and outlines their approach to vegetation management, agricultural production and sustainable practices. Complete information as well as application forms are available at chaberton.com/RFP26.

About Chaberton Energy
Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation developing community-scale energy projects, with a focus on distributed solar and battery energy storage. A national developer with roots in the communities it serves, Chaberton is a two-time Inc. 5000 awardee, ranking in 2025 as the No. 53 fastest-growing private company in America and the No. 2 energy company on the list. With a commitment to creativity, excellence, and humanity, Chaberton’s team develops distributed solar and battery energy storage projects that improve grid reliability and resilience while lowering electricity costs for community members and businesses.

Media Contact
Lia Morrison
lia.morrison@chaberton.com
412-573-9095

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chaberton-energy-rfp-seeks-farming-partners-for-two-maryland-agrivoltaics-projects-302752253.html

SOURCE Chaberton Energy

Technology

Empire Asset Finance Adds Katharine Rudzitis as Vice President, Direct Originations

Published

44 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Empire Asset Finance, LLC (“Empire”) has added Katharine Rudzitis as Vice President, Direct Originations, further expanding the firm’s direct origination capabilities as it continues to scale its equipment finance platform serving middle-market, private equity-sponsored, and non-sponsored companies.

NEW YORK, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Empire Asset Finance, LLC (“Empire”) has added Katharine Rudzitis as Vice President, Direct Originations, further expanding the firm’s direct origination capabilities as it continues to scale its equipment finance platform serving middle-market, private equity-sponsored, and non-sponsored companies.

Rudzitis brings more than a decade of experience originating and executing asset-backed transactions for North American businesses. She partners closely with corporate borrowers, private equity sponsors, and advisors to deliver flexible, tailored equipment financing solutions across a wide range of company stages and credit profiles.

Prior to joining Empire, Rudzitis spent ten years at Macquarie Group, where she focused on providing equipment finance solutions for clients across the manufacturing, industrial, commodity, and technology sectors.

“Katharine brings deep experience navigating complex equipment and asset-backed transactions and a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to serving middle-market clients,” said Rick Rockhold, CEO of Empire. “She understands how to deliver flexible capital solutions that align with sponsor and borrower objectives, and we are excited to have her join Empire as we continue to grow our direct origination platform.”

“Her institutional background and disciplined approach to sourcing and executing transactions are highly aligned with how we operate,” said Mike Miroshnikov, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Credit Officer of Empire. “Katharine brings a strong ability to navigate complex situations, combined with a structured, process-driven mindset that supports consistency and high-quality outcomes across a wide range of client needs.”

In her role, Rudzitis will focus on expanding Empire’s direct origination efforts and deepening relationships with private equity sponsors, corporate borrowers, and advisors.

Rudzitis holds a BA in Mathematics, English, and Classics from Amherst College.

About Empire Asset Finance, LLC

Empire Asset Finance, LLC is a direct private credit lender focused on mid-to large-ticket equipment financing solutions for underserved middle-market companies. Backed by Arena Investors LP, Empire delivers flexible capital structures, white-glove service, and technology-driven execution that empowers businesses to grow while preserving liquidity.

About Arena Investors, LP

Arena Investors, LP is a global institutional asset manager founded in 2015 by Daniel Zwirn, a veteran investor with over two decades of experience building alternative asset platforms. Arena is a global multi-strategy investment firm with approximately $4.6 billion of assets under management and programmatic capital as of June 30, 2025. The firm is a subsidiary of Arena Investors Group Holdings (“AIGH”). AIGH, along with its affiliate, Ceres Life Insurance, comprises the Westaim Corporation (TSXV: “WED”), an integrated asset management and life insurance and annuity provider.

Media Contact

Rick Rockhold, Empire Asset Finance, LLC, 1 7189643439, rrockhold@empireassetfinance.com, http://www.empireassetfinance.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/empire-asset-finance-adds-katharine-rudzitis-as-vice-president-direct-originations-302751354.html

SOURCE Empire Asset Finance, LLC

Technology

OverActive Media to Host Fourth Quarter 2025 Conference Call

Published

44 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

TORONTO, April 23, 2026 /CNW/ – OverActive Media Corp. (“OverActive” or the “Company”) (TSXV: OAM) (OTC: OAMCF) (WKN: A3CSPU) (FSE: 0RB), a global digital media, esports and entertainment company for today’s generation of fans will report its fourth quarter 2025 results after market close on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Company will hold a conference call the following day, call hosted by Adam Adamou, CEO and Co-Founder.

WHAT: Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET
Please connect at least 15 minutes before the conference call.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/4tu24C0 to receive an instant automated callback.

You can also dial directly to be entered into the call by an operator.

Call Details: 416-945-7677 or 1-888-699-1199

The conference call will be webcast live in its entirety at 9:00 a.m. ET at https://app.webinar.net/lqrNZlWd29V, and it will be archived for three months.

Links to SEDAR filings and press releases are available on the investor website at https://overactivemedia.com/pages/filings.

TELEPHONIC REPLAY

Call Details: 289-819-1450 or 1-888-660-6345
Encore Replay Entry Code: 96797 #
Encore Replay Expiration Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026

About OverActive Media

OverActive Media Corp. (TSXV: OAM) (OTC:OAMCF) (WKN:A3CSPU) (FSE:0RB) is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with operations in Madrid, Spain and Berlin, Germany, is a premier global esports and entertainment company for today’s generation of fan. OverActive Media owns team franchises in professional esports leagues, including the Call of Duty League, operating as the Toronto KOI, the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), operating as Movistar KOI, operating as Movistar KOI in other professional esports leagues and competitions. OverActive also operates ActiveVoices, an AI-driven content localization and monetization platform that enables creators and brands to expand their audiences globally and unlock new revenue streams through automated translation, dubbing, and distribution.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Overactive Media Corp.