Latest news with #NorthAmerica-based
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
103 diaspora kids clear first-ever Marathi exam based on state syllabus
MUMBAI: In a historic move to take the Marathi language beyond Indian borders, the first-ever international Marathi language evaluation exam was conducted by the North America-based Brihan Maharashtra Mandal (BMM) under the Maharashtra State Open School Board, Pune. A hundred and three students from the United States, Canada, and Denmark successfully cleared the exam, which marks a significant milestone in the efforts to connect diaspora children with their cultural roots. 103 diaspora kids clear first-ever Marathi exam based on state syllabus The exam, based on Maharashtra's Balbharti curriculum, was held in May, and results were officially announced this week. Students from Class 1 to 8 appeared for the assessment, which tested their reading, writing and comprehension of the Marathi language. The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between BMM and the state government in January 2024. Speaking about the achievement, third-grader Abir Deshmukh from Pittsburgh Marathi School shared, 'I speak to my grandparents in Marathi. During Diwali, I wrote them a letter in Marathi. They liked it very much. I like Marathi schools very much.' The success of these students is the outcome of a sustained initiative that began during the second World Marathi Literature Conference. The then school education and Marathi language minister Deepak Kesarkar played a crucial role in facilitating the agreement between BMM and the State Marathi Development Organisation. 'It began with the vision of keeping the language alive for our children growing up in the West,' said Rahul Deshmukh, head of the Marathi school department at BMM. 'But it now gives them not just a cultural experience but also academic recognition. Currently, 30 counties accept this score for college credit but we are trying to do it all across the US. We are also trying to get recognition for Marathi as a foreign language.' Of the 103 students who appeared for the exam, the highest participation was recorded in Classes 1 and 3, with 28 students each. Others included 17 from Class 2, 15 from Class 4, 11 each from Classes 5 and 6, 10 from Class 7, and five from Class 8. 'The Marathi language exam has now become an important part of schooling in America,' said Prasad Panawalkar, president of BMM. 'This is a milestone.' Rajendra Andhale, state coordinator of the Maharashtra State Board of Open Schooling, Pune which conducted the examination, said, 'The MoU not only covers textbook and curriculum distribution through Balbharti but also includes training support for teachers by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Initially focused on Classes 1 to 8, we aim to extend the programme to Class 10 in the future.' Andhale added that SCERT had trained around 40 tutors to teach and evaluate Marathi. 'In the coming academic year, we are expecting over 3,000 children to register,' he said.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FlatironDragados spins out SPC Construction for New York region
This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. Broomfield, Colorado-based FlatironDragados recently announced a spinoff of its New York and New Jersey subsidiaries to create a civil construction firm focused on the region. SPC Construction brings together Schiavone Construction, John P. Picone and E.E. Cruz to establish a transportation and water infrastructure firm targeting work on the New York metro region's maze of tunnels, bridges, roadways and water systems, according to a June 18 news release shared with Construction Dive. SPC will operate as a subsidiary of FlatironDragados. Secaucus, New Jersey-based Schiavone has long focused on tunneling, mass transit and subways, bridges and highways, deep foundations, marine work and water treatment plants, according to the release. Meanwhile, Lawrence, New York-based Picone specializes in public works, specifically tunneling, hydraulic works and water infrastructure. Whitestone, New York-based E.E. Cruz rounds out the trio with core capabilities in resiliency protection, deep foundations and geotechnical projects, per the release. 'The synergies among these three organizations enables a simplified structure that will ensure a consistent approach to operations, client success and risk management by SPC Construction,' said Javier Sevilla, FlatironDragados CEO, in the release. The news comes less than a year after the combination that created FlatironDragados itself, when Europe-based parents Hochtief and ACS Group announced they were rolling up the companies to create a North America-based infrastructure juggernaut. The company is composed of Flatiron, Dragados USA and Dragados Canada, with operations in 24 U.S. states and eight Canadian provinces. SPC Construction will be led by Managing Director Jesus Diez, who has served as executive vice president, affiliates, for Dragados USA. E.E. Cruz President Joe Sheehan will assume the role of chief operating officer. Neil Wegman, John P. Picone's president and chief financial officer, will serve as SPC's CFO. The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, is targeted for completion by the end of the second quarter, according to a separate release from Hochtief. The topic of redundancies or layoffs due to the combination was not addressed in the release. Sevilla said 'the integration will result in economies of scale and be value accretive for the shareholders of FlatironDragados.' This story has been updated to indicate that SPC will operate as a subsidiary of FlatironDragados. Recommended Reading DPR Construction taps Mark Whitson as president Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Standard
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Hindalco Inds arm inks pact to acquire 100% stake in AluChem Companies
Hindalco Industries said that its step-down wholly owned subsidiary, Aditya Holdings LLC has signed definitive agreement with AluChem Companies to acquire 100% stake for total consideration of $125 million. AluChem is a North America-based specialty alumina producer with over 45 years of legacy in delivering high-performance alumina for industrial applications. Its product range includes calcined, reactive, and tabular aluminas used in demanding environments such as refractories, ceramics, and electronics. The company operates three facilities across Ohio and Arkansas. Its turnover was $66,377,422 in CY 2024. The acquisition of AluChem Companies, as a stepdown subsidiary is a strategic move designed primarily to expand the companys global footprint for its downstream portfolio of speciality alumina and alumina products. AluChem brings Hindalco a strong presence in North America with an annual capacity of 60,000 tons across its three advanced manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Arkansas. The company is a long-established supplier of ultra-low soda calcined and Tabular Alumina, materials known for their exceptional thermal and mechanical stability used in cutting-edge applications in high precision mechanical components, and energy-intensive industrial refractories. The company said that the global specialty alumina market is projected to grow significantly, with increasing demand for tailored solutions in sectors ranging from ceramics and electronics to aerospace and medical applications. Hindalco currently operates 500 thousand tons of specialty alumina capacity and aims to scale up to 1 million tons by FY30. The transaction is expected to close in the upcoming quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of Aditya Birla Group, said, This acquisition is an important step in our global strategy to build a leadership position in value-added, high-tech materials. Our strategic foray into the specialty alumina space will not only accelerate the development of future-ready, sustainable solutions but also open new pathways to pursue highimpact growth opportunities. By integrating advanced technologies into our value chain, we are reinforcing our commitment to self-reliance, import substitution, and building scale in innovation-led businesses. Satish Pai, managing director, Hindalco Industries, said, This acquisition marks a pivotal step in strengthening our capabilities in next-generation alumina applications. As alumina gains increasing relevance in critical and clean-tech sectors, AluChems advanced chemistry capabilities will significantly enhance our ability to serve these fast-evolving markets. Importantly, it deepens our high value-added portfolio with differentiated products that drive profitability and strengthen our global competitiveness. It reinforces our commitment to innovation and to expanding our global footprint. Ronald P. Zapletal, founder, AluChem Companies, Inc., said, "This partnership with Hindalco brings AluChem the ability and capital to scale up faster and build scale in North America. Aluchem will benefit from their world-class sustainability and safety standards and practices, access to integrated operations and consistent, reliable raw material supply chain. Their ability to leverage R&D capabilities and a talented workforce adds tremendous value to our innovation pipeline, helping drive market expansion beyond North America." Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, is the world's largest aluminium rolling and recycling company, a major copper player, and one of Asia's largest producers of primary aluminium. In India, the companys aluminium manufacturing units cover the complete value chain, from bauxite mining, alumina refining, coal mining, captive power generation and aluminium smelting, to downstream value-addition of aluminium rolling, extruding, and foil making. The Aditya Birla Group companys consolidated net profit surged 66.4% to Rs 5,283 crore on 15.9% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 64,890 crore in Q4 FY25 over Q4 FY24. The scrip rose 0.22% to Rs 671 on the BSE.
Business Wire
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cleveland-Cliffs to Announce Second-Quarter 2025 Results and Host Conference Call on July 21
CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) will announce its second-quarter 2025 earnings results before the U.S. market open on Monday, July 21, 2025. The Company invites interested parties to listen to a live broadcast of a conference call with securities analysts and institutional investors to discuss the results on the same morning, July 21, 2025, at 8:30 am ET. The call can be accessed at and will also be archived and available for replay at that address. About Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North America-based steel producer with focus on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry. The Company is vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland-Cliffs employs approximately 30,000 people across its operations in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit
Business Wire
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cleveland-Cliffs Celebrates the Start-Up of New $150 Million Stainless Bright Anneal Line at Coshocton Works in Ohio
CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) today announced the commissioning of its new state-of-the-art Vertical Stainless Bright Anneal Line at its Coshocton Works facility in Coshocton, Ohio. This $150 million capital investment has been completed and will supply premium stainless steel for high-end automotive and critical appliance applications. The new annealing line uses a 100% hydrogen atmosphere, replacing the conventional acid-based processing, and includes a hydrogen recovery unit to recycle hydrogen and use a 50/50 mix of new and used hydrogen in the process. To mark the opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 2 at 11:00 a.m. ET at Cliffs' Coshocton Works facility. The event will be attended by key elected officials along with Cleveland-Cliffs' executives, employees, and key customers. Lourenco Goncalves, Cliffs' Chairman, President and CEO said: 'Since acquiring AK Steel in 2020, our stainless steel business has been the most consistent profit generating unit for Cleveland-Cliffs. This new line at Coshocton only enhances that, with an expected quick payback on this major investment. By using hydrogen and advanced automation, we're dramatically improving the quality and productivity of this critical product that our customers rely upon Cleveland-Cliffs for. As we embrace the new competitive landscape in the domestic steel industry, our profitability prospects are only getting stronger.' About Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North America-based steel producer with focus on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry. The Company is vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland-Cliffs employs approximately 30,000 people across its operations in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit
