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BSD Builders, Inc. Advanced Microgrid Solutions Receives California Seismic Certification for Uninterruptible Power SupplySimkovicova, a 53-year-old former television anchor, has been a controversial figure since taking office in October 2023. "I am frustrated and very angry about the way culture is being destroyed and organizations are falling apart," Svetlana Fialova, a 39-year-old visual artist and lecturer, told AFP. "What is happening in Slovakia is ... what is happening in Georgia, Hungary and other countries, where people who collaborate and play to Russian tunes are coming to power and trying to suppress democracy and culture," she said. "The culture of the Slovaks should be Slovak -- Slovak and none else," Simkovicova said in one early speech. Nominated by the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), she has also slammed "LGBT+ ideology" for causing Europe to "die out". Her views have appealed to Prime Minister Robert Fico from the centrist Smer party, whose objections to liberal values echo Viktor Orban, the prime minister of neighbouring Hungary. Simkovicova had worked notably for the Slovan TV channel, known for spreading conspiracy theories, xenophobia and pro-Russian views. Slovak National Gallery director Alexandra Kusa lost her job in August in what opponents said was part of Simkovicova's purge. "Culture ministry staff accompanied by a lawyer showed up in my office one day with a bunch of flowers and a notice," she told AFP. Kusa, who has been reduced to the post of exhibition curator, said the ministry had launched a derogatory campaign against her. She says she was punished for backing Matej Drlicka, the National Theatre director, who was sacked a day earlier. The head of the country's heritage institute was dismissed this week. "We are not compatible with the ministry. Their idea of culture is completely different from ours," Kusa said. She accuses the ministry of launching "an era of bullying and intimidation". "It's pure destruction and demonstration of power. It's terrible." The ministry did not respond to AFP's request to comment. Simkovicova also targets public media. In June, she pushed through a law reforming the state-run RTVS broadcaster into a new company, STVR, which is under her control. Analyst Pavol Hardos told AFP that wielding political influence over cultural institutions had a precedent in Slovakia. "This is something we experienced in the 1990s during the illiberal regime of Vladimir Meciar, when there were ideological tests and tests ... of who is a good nationalist, a good Slovak, and who isn't," he said. What is new is the government's "commitment to purge cultural institutions from anyone who is in any way perceived as potentially a political enemy", Hardos said. Open-minded and liberal people are "being targeted as a potential troublemaker, and people who are often enough real experts in their areas are being sidelined or thrown out," he added. Hardos said that while it was premature to talk about "an illiberal regime", Fico is walking in Orban's footsteps. The government is also targeting LGBT+ rights organisations. Early this year, Simkovicova said they would not get "a cent" from her ministry. She has recently curbed public subsidies for LGBT+ groups. "This concerns any project with links to LGBT+," said Martin Macko, head of the Iniciativa Inakost NGO. He said attacks on the minority were growing, as were the number of people being treated by the NGO's therapists. The situation has incited protests among artists, cultural institution staff and the public, who turn their backs on directors named by Simkovicova or read protest statements on theatre stages. Large rallies were held this year, mobilising tens of thousands of people. Two petitions written by artists have solicited 400,000 signatures in the EU member country of 5.4 million people. In the Slovak parliament, the opposition initiated a vote to dismiss Simkovicova, but the attempt fell through. "No culture ministry employee prevents anyone from being creative or expressing themselves," Simkovicova told the press. sc-anb-frj-kym/tw
MIAMI , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at Art Basel Miami, Blue Square X proudly announced an expansion of its art curation services to further elevate the Vision X LED series. Building on its success with collaborations featuring artists like ThankYouX, Nick Thomm , Brooke Einbender , JN Silva, and institutions such as Art Republic and BlackDove, the company continues to lead at the intersection of art and technology. Past installations include Leila Pinto at Pace Gallery, Jennifer Steinkamp at Lehmann Maupin Gallery, and Anthony Samaniego of Art Republic. A Curated Collection for Vision X Scheduled for release in Q1 2025, Blue Square X will launch exclusive contemporary art collections tailored specifically for Vision X LED displays. These collections will enable subscribers to turn their Vision X displays into immersive, gallery-quality art experiences, redefining how contemporary and digital masterpieces are enjoyed. Art Beyond Boundaries This expanded service transforms how audiences interact with art by seamlessly introducing renowned works from established and emerging artists into retail spaces, public venues, and private homes. By merging advanced technology with curated collections, Vision X offers an unmatched platform for showcasing art in visually stunning and immersive ways. Pioneering the Fusion of Art and Technology This expansion underscores Blue Square X's dedication to exploring new frontiers at the intersection of creativity and technology. By combining advanced display technology with thoughtfully curated art collections, the company is redefining how audiences access and experience art, creating deeply engaging, transformative encounters. "Our goal at Blue Square X has always been to push boundaries and explore new ways to connect people with art through technology," said Yitzy Shapiro , COO of Blue Square X. "With this new curation service, we're not just providing a product; we're creating a platform that transforms spaces and inspires deeper connections to art. We're excited to offer this next step in immersive, experiential storytelling." Experiential Marketing Through its curated art services, Blue Square X empowers clients to craft immersive, emotionally resonant experiences that foster brand loyalty and drive engagement. This experiential approach positions Vision X displays as invaluable tools for businesses aiming to captivate audiences through compelling storytelling. Redefining the Art and Technology Landscape Blue Square X redefines the intersection of art and technology through its curated art offerings, transforming audience experiences with cutting-edge display solutions. This initiative reinforces the company's role as a trailblazer, combining innovative storytelling and immersive visuals to deliver unforgettable, industry-leading experiences. For more information about Blue Square X's Vision X LED series and Art Curation Services, visit Bluesqx.com or contact marketing@bluesqx.com Media Contact: Shari Sentlowitz Blue Square X 201-951-2734 Shari@bluesqx.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-square-x-expands-art-curation-services-at-art-basel-miami-302324265.html SOURCE Blue Square XOne of the best things about exchange-traded funds ( ) is that there is something for everyone out there. Whether you are looking for income, certain sector exposure, or growth, there will be a fund for you. On this occasion, let's take a look at three ASX ETFs that could be top options for growth investors right now. They are as follows: ( ) The first ASX ETF for growth investors to look at is the . This fund provides investors with access to approximately 8,000 growth shares of all sizes from across the globe. Stocks from the United States and Australia make up the bulk of its holdings, but there are also stocks from Japan, China, Britain, India, and China, among other nations. Betashares recently tipped this ETF as one to buy. The fund manager notes that it gives investors exposure to an "all-cap, all-world" share portfolio with the potential for high growth over the long term. As a result, it thinks it could be suitable for investors with a high tolerance for risk. (ASX: MTUM) Another ASX ETF for growth investors to look at is the . It was also recently as a buy by Betashares. The fund manager points out that it is the first ETF to provide investors with a momentum strategy over Australian shares. Betashares explains that momentum investing looks for stocks that show a recent trend of outperforming the broad market. This works on the theory that rising asset prices often continue rising, and falling prices tend to continue falling. This strategy appears to work. The fund manager highlights that the index the fund tracks has outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index by an average of 2.3% per annum since its inception over 13 years ago. Importantly, through to the end of June 2024, this outperformance exists on most timeframes. Among its largest holdings are ( ), the rest of the big four banks, ( ), and ( ) ( ) Finally, another ASX ETF for growth investors to consider buy is the . It was also recently tipped as a buy by the fund manager. The BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF is invested in the best tech stocks on the Australian share market. BetaShares highlights that the "the nascent adoption of AI, cloud computing, big data, automation, and the internet of things" means that there is a "good chance that the next decade's major winners will come from the tech sector." Among its holdings are health imaging technology company ( ), logistics solutions platform provider ( ), and cloud accounting company ( ).
Injury: Trevor Zegras underwent surgery
Thousands of people took to the streets of the Slovakia capital Thursday to protest against Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova who has dismissed several heads of major cultural institutions and halted projects steered by LGBT+ associations under the pretext of promoting "Slovak culture". Simkovicova, a 53-year-old former television anchor, has been a controversial figure since taking office in October 2023. "I am frustrated and very angry about the way culture is being destroyed and organizations are falling apart," Svetlana Fialova, a 39-year-old visual artist and lecturer, told AFP. "What is happening in Slovakia is ... what is happening in Georgia, Hungary and other countries, where people who collaborate and play to Russian tunes are coming to power and trying to suppress democracy and culture," she said. "The culture of the Slovaks should be Slovak -- Slovak and none else," Simkovicova said in one early speech. Nominated by the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), she has also slammed "LGBT+ ideology" for causing Europe to "die out". Her views have appealed to Prime Minister Robert Fico from the centrist Smer party, whose objections to liberal values echo Viktor Orban, the prime minister of neighbouring Hungary. Simkovicova had worked notably for the Slovan TV channel, known for spreading conspiracy theories, xenophobia and pro-Russian views. Slovak National Gallery director Alexandra Kusa lost her job in August in what opponents said was part of Simkovicova's purge. "Culture ministry staff accompanied by a lawyer showed up in my office one day with a bunch of flowers and a notice," she told AFP. Kusa, who has been reduced to the post of exhibition curator, said the ministry had launched a derogatory campaign against her. She says she was punished for backing Matej Drlicka, the National Theatre director, who was sacked a day earlier. The head of the country's heritage institute was dismissed this week. "We are not compatible with the ministry. Their idea of culture is completely different from ours," Kusa said. She accuses the ministry of launching "an era of bullying and intimidation". "It's pure destruction and demonstration of power. It's terrible." The ministry did not respond to AFP's request to comment. Simkovicova also targets public media. In June, she pushed through a law reforming the state-run RTVS broadcaster into a new company, STVR, which is under her control. Analyst Pavol Hardos told AFP that wielding political influence over cultural institutions had a precedent in Slovakia. "This is something we experienced in the 1990s during the illiberal regime of Vladimir Meciar, when there were ideological tests and tests ... of who is a good nationalist, a good Slovak, and who isn't," he said. What is new is the government's "commitment to purge cultural institutions from anyone who is in any way perceived as potentially a political enemy", Hardos said. Open-minded and liberal people are "being targeted as a potential troublemaker, and people who are often enough real experts in their areas are being sidelined or thrown out," he added. Hardos said that while it was premature to talk about "an illiberal regime", Fico is walking in Orban's footsteps. The government is also targeting LGBT+ rights organisations. Early this year, Simkovicova said they would not get "a cent" from her ministry. She has recently curbed public subsidies for LGBT+ groups. "This concerns any project with links to LGBT+," said Martin Macko, head of the Iniciativa Inakost NGO. He said attacks on the minority were growing, as were the number of people being treated by the NGO's therapists. The situation has incited protests among artists, cultural institution staff and the public, who turn their backs on directors named by Simkovicova or read protest statements on theatre stages. Large rallies were held this year, mobilising tens of thousands of people. Two petitions written by artists have solicited 400,000 signatures in the EU member country of 5.4 million people. In the Slovak parliament, the opposition initiated a vote to dismiss Simkovicova, but the attempt fell through. "No culture ministry employee prevents anyone from being creative or expressing themselves," Simkovicova told the press. sc-anb-frj-kym/tw