HANGZHOU – From April 23 to 25, 2025, the Third UNESCO High-level Forum for Museums was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. More than 190 Chinese and foreign guests, including museum curators, experts and representatives of relevant institutions from more than 60 countries and regions, gathered in Liangzhu to discuss the innovation and development of museums.

Mr. Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture, UNESCO delivers the opening speech.

“Museums are the most visited cultural sites in the world, and their development is also facing multiple challenges.” said Mr. Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture, UNESCO in his opening speech. He likened museum to a beacon of resilience and hope, “It guards memory, stimulates creativity and builds bridges to a more equal, inclusive and sustainable society.”

The forum lasts for three days, including keynote speeches, thematic exchanges, interactive links and field visits. Representatives from Chantilly Castle in France, National Museum of Colombia, Singapore Museum, Jordan Museum, Palace Museum of China, China Arts and Crafts Museum (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum) as well as others shared their experiences and practices around the themes of “the evolution and transformative role of museums”, “the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence”, “the role of museums as educational carriers and lifelong learning platforms”.

Third UNESCO High-level Forum for Museums

The forum also conducted interactive exchanges on topics such as virtual museum of stolen cultural relics, cutting-edge technology exhibitions, the challenges and innovations in contemporary museums. Additionally, it submitted a report on the outcomes of the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, which is scheduled to take place in Spain in September 2025.

Hangzhou is a famous historical and cultural city, a city of innovation and vitality, and a city of ecological civilization. Hangzhou embodies history in every corner and cultural legacy every step. The three wonders of world cultural heritages, West Lake, Liangzhu Archaeological Ruins and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, synergize into a heritage matrix where historical legacies mutually illuminate their civilizational dimensions. Nearly 300 museums, various cultural relics’ resources and cultural products are distributed throughout the city.

Technological innovation and Liangzhu culture are two shining “golden cards” in Yuhang District of Hangzhou, “Five thousand years of Chinese civilization are epitomized in the Liangzhu Ruins”. In recent years, Hangzhou Liangzhu Archaeological Site Administrative District Management Committee has cooperated with many universities and scientific research institutions to solve the problem of “protection of earthen sites in humid environment” and provide solid support for the protection and inheritance of Liangzhu culture.

At Liangzhu Museum, global visitors use AR glasses to animate engraved black pottery from 5,000 years ago, digitally reviving ancient life ways while building inclusive cultural bridges through technology. The Liangzhu culture is radiating new vitality in the new era.

“Led by AI-driven technological and scientific revolution, the museum sector is undergoing systemic transformation. Digital technologies now serve as an important transnational connectors of civilizations. We are willing to join hands with our global counterparts to promote dialogue among civilizations through technological innovation and inject cultural impetus into sustainable development,” said Ding Pengbo, deputy curator of the National Museum of China.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Gen Z’s favorite app will nudge users toward better sleep with meditation prompts 

TikTok is launching in-app guided meditation exercises and expanding its Mental Health Education Fund after a test of its “Meditation in Sleep Hours” feature found that 98% of teen users kept it enabled.

The social media platform – used predominantly by Gen Z – is also partnering with TikTok creator and child psychiatrist Dr. Willough Jenkins to demonstrate the new feature.

“Research shows us that mindful meditation can improve sleep quality in people of all ages, so we’ll also introduce Meditation in Sleep Hours to all our users, regardless of their age,” the social media platform said in a press release. “For teens under age 18, it will be turned on by default. If a teen decides to use TikTok after 10 p.m., their For You feed will be interrupted by a guided meditation exercise, helping them wind down for the night. If a teen decides to spend additional time on TikTok after the first reminder, we show a second, harder-to-dismiss, full-screen prompt. Adults can turn on Sleep Hours at any time from the Screen Time Insettings page.”

If there’s irony in an app prompting users to disconnect for their mental health, it’s not exactly rare. In April, the Touch Grass app launched with a strict approach to screen time: users select their most distracting apps, which remain blocked until they physically touch grass and verify it with a photo taken on their phone.

TikTok has also announced $2.3 million in ad credits to 31 mental health organizations across 22 countries as part of its Mental Health Education Fund, which supports organizations in creating engaging mental health content. Recipients include the Alliance for Eating Disorders, Crisis Text Line, Peer Health Exchange and Active Minds. 

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“At Active Minds, we plan to leverage the TikTok ad credits to run a diverse mix of evergreen ads focused on mental health, including promoting the importance of mental health breaks and raising awareness for our core resources,” Active Minds chief marketing officer Jessica Mayorga said. “We’re also excited to spotlight our programs and initiatives that empower young people to prioritize their well-being. This approach will allow us to engage and educate audiences on TikTok while aligning with our mission to champion a new era of mental health.”

Continuously refreshing your wardrobe is now possible through a rental service offered by this well-known brand in France. However, be wary of the potential downsides.

On average, French people buy about 2.5 pairs of shoes each year. However, for some, this number is significantly higher according to data from the Economic Observatory of the Leather Sector. These purchases can become a serious investment as high-quality footwear can quickly cost several dozens or even hundreds of euros.

To avoid breaking the bank every time they need or want new shoes, an increasing number of consumers are turning to rental services. It’s for this reason that one of France’s leading shoe brands has decided to offer this option. Customers can sign up for a subscription either online or in-store, select a brand-new pair of shoes, enjoy them for two months, and then send them back. They can then choose another pair, and continue this cycle indefinitely. If a customer decides to keep a pair instead of returning it, they can purchase it for 50% of the original sale price.

Once worn and returned, “all pairs are reconditioned in French workshops located in Anjou,” according to the Bocage website, which offers this rental service to both men and women. “The reconditioning patent allows for a 100% antibacterial treatment and reshaping,” the brand assures. All refurbished pairs are then made available on the brand’s second-hand site, Claquettes Market.

So how does Bocage manage to be financially viable? It’s simple—through the subscription fees. Renting a pair of shoes costs 30 euros per month throughout the year. While enjoying a new pair for only 60 euros over two months may seem cost-effective, remember to return them if you don’t wish to keep them. Failing to do so will make the shoes quite expensive in the long run. Bocage calculates that a pair is automatically considered purchased after 6 months, or 6 payments of 30 euros, totaling 180 euros.

Also, be mindful of potential frustrations with rented shoes. If the shoes return with a stain or a hole, you might face additional charges. “In the event of major damages such as persistent stains, broken or missing parts, or damaged heel coating, a fee of 60 euros will be charged,” warns the brand. Finally, be careful with your calculations. If you end up not keeping any pairs, you will have spent at least 360 euros after a year, only to find your shoe closet still empty… Consider cancelling your subscription if necessary.

There are many ways that companies can keep shareholders happy, whether that be through robust financial performance or consistent dividend payouts, just for a few simple examples.

Companies can also demonstrate a shareholder-friendly nature through share repurchase programs, also commonly known as stock buybacks.

Several companies, including Arista Networks ANET, Apple AAPL, and Applied Industrial Technologies AIT, recently unveiled fresh buybacks. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and the announcements of each.

Benefits of Stock Buybacks

Stock buybacks, also known as share repurchase programs, are commonly deployed by companies to boost shareholder value. 

A stock buyback occurs when a company purchases outstanding shares of its stock. In its simplest form, buybacks represent companies essentially re-investing in themselves. Reducing the number of outstanding shares can boost earnings per share (EPS), also helping to put a floor under shares, reflective of consistent buying pressure.

Still, it’s worth mentioning that buybacks can sometimes bring out critics, as some believe the cash could be better deployed elsewhere, such as R&D. Nonetheless, buybacks are generally a net positive for shareholders, particularly those of mature companies with a much smaller growth runway.

ANET Benefits from AI

Arista Networks’ latest set of quarterly results beat our consensus EPS and sales estimates handily, with revenue of $2.0 billion showing nearly 30% growth year-over-year. The company’s sales growth has been fueled by the AI frenzy, as the company is an industry leader in data-driven, client-to-cloud networking for large AI, data center, campus, and routing environments.

The stock also sports a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with EPS expectations increasing across the board. Arista Networks unveiled an additional $1.5 billion repurchase program in the release.

Apple Unveils Massive Stock Buyback

Down 15% year-to-date, Apple shares have struggled in 2025, underperforming relative to the S&P 500 in a big way and driven lower by initial tariff headlines. Shares faced pressure as a result, but the recent de-escalation announcement between the US and China has brought back positivity.

Apple unveiled a massive $100 billion additional repurchase program in its latest quarterly report, putting some of its cash to work. The earnings outlook for the tech titan remains under pressure, with analysts taking their EPS expectations lower across the board over recent months.

The evolving EPS outlook of Apple is certainly going to be interesting, particularly so amid all the back-and-forth news we’ve received concerning tariffs and other economic developments. It’s worth remembering that the company is no longer the growth machine it used to be, with EPS forecasted to climb 6% on 3% higher sales in its current fiscal year.

AIT Generates Serious Cash

Applied Industrial Technologies exceeded both our consensus EPS and sales estimates, with EPS growing 4% YoY on the back of a 2% sales increase. The company’s cash-generating abilities saw a notable boost throughout its latest period, with free cash flow of $115 million up 50% YoY.

The cash-generating abilities have allowed the company to sport a shareholder-friendly nature, currently boasting a 5% five-year annualized dividend growth rate. AIT unveiled a new repurchase program to buy up to 1.5 million shares, replacing the prior repurchase plan.

As shown in the annual chart below, AIT’s dividend consistency is stellar. Please note that the final value is currently shown on a trailing twelve-month basis, as the company’s current fiscal year is not over yet.

Bottom Line

Companies commonly deploy repurchase programs to boost shareholder value, all of which we’ve recently seen from Arista Networks ANET, Apple AAPL, and Applied Industrial Technologies AIT.

All three companies have been aggressively buying shares over recent years, helping put in a floor while also aiding EPS. Though buybacks are criticized by some, they make great sense for mature companies with little growth left to squeeze.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Through a series of videos released on YouTube, Android has announced a raft of new features coming to your smartphone, including complete overhauls of some interfaces.

In the lead-up to the I/O conference scheduled for May 20 and 21, Android has previewed some upcoming enhancements for your smartphone. These updates include redesigned interfaces for Android phones and smartwatches, as well as new features for Gemini and device security.

Material 3 Expressive: A Fresh Look for Your Android Phone

Set for an early release on Google Pixel devices this year, “Material 3 Expressive” is the new interface that will form the foundation for Android smartphones in the future. The philosophy behind it is “everyone is unique, so smartphones should be too.”

Material 3 Expressive introduces a variety of new designs and fonts for your menus, interfaces, and notifications. Edges are more rounded while backgrounds have become more transparent.

Fully integrated with Android 16, Material 3 Expressive also includes real-time activities reminiscent of Apple’s “Dynamic Island” on its iPhones. For example, when you want to track a live activity such as a ride on Uber or Uber Eats.

Gemini Live Unveils New Features

Google’s artificial intelligence continues to advance. In a demonstration featuring a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Android’s teams showcased the latest capabilities of Gemini with live access to your screen content, as well as your camera. Simply point at an item to inquire about it with Gemini.

In the demonstration, the Android teams showed how you can get real-time information about an object, a place, or even a person. Unsure about a location in front of you? Point your camera at it and ask Gemini directly. These features remain optional and can be enabled or disabled by users.

Android also took the opportunity during its presentation to highlight Gemini’s capabilities in vehicles and on smartwatches equipped with Wear OS. This allows you to access the assistant directly from your wrist.

Enhanced Security for Android Smartphones

Finally, Google’s presentation on Android 16 introduced several new features for the security of your devices. The company highlighted recent innovations such as protection against theft and spam detection.

Google also announced “Find Hub,” a dedicated interface for locating your connected objects, as well as your contacts with whom you share your data. The app thus brings together all your trackers and connected devices compatible with the “find” function, as well as those of your approved contacts.

Satellite connectivity is also still on the agenda for Android and is expected to be available soon in certain regions of the world.

Android 16 will be available later this year with a preview on Google Pixel smartphones before a broader rollout in the following weeks. The visual overhaul will be offered soon thereafter.

MOVA Technologies, a Pulaski based AgTech company, has been awarded up to $1.3 million through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Pay-for-Outcomes Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction Grant Program. This innovative, results-based initiative funds only proven reductions in nutrient pollution flowing into the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

For MOVA, waste reduction all starts in a chicken coup. Inside the average poultry barn, there’s an invisible problem that’s costing farmers money and harming waterways.

Chicken droppings release ammonia as bacteria decompose them. This pungent-smelling gas is harmful to both chickens and humans, and high levels can cause respiratory issues, conjunctivitis, and reduced egg production.

MOVA created a filtration system that captures toxic ammonia from chicken waste before it escapes into the environment. Their system, called FEATHER, cleans the air chickens breathe while stopping their pollution from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.

MOVA’s project was one of just nine selected from 30 applications, earning eligibility for up to $19 million in total funding. Projects were evaluated based on their potential pollution reduction impact, technical readiness, and implementation feasibility.

“Recognition from DEQ reinforces the importance of practical, market-driven solutions to environmental challenges. By removing ammonia at the source, we’re not just protecting water quality—we’re creating healthier barns and stronger business outcomes for poultry producers,“ said John Schott, CEO of MOVA Technologies in an interview with 10 News.

MOVA’s FEATHER System is a next-generation air purification platform engineered to capture and reduce toxic ammonia levels inside poultry barns. The system delivers two core benefits: it enhances indoor air quality to support bird health, welfare, and farm productivity, and it significantly reduces ammonia emissions, a source of nitrogen pollution in nearby waterways.

“Recognition from DEQ reinforces the importance of practical, market-driven solutions to environmental challenges,” said John Schott, CEO of MOVA Technologies. “By removing ammonia at the source, we’re not just protecting water quality—we’re creating healthier barns and stronger business outcomes for poultry producers.”

According to DEQ projections, MOVA’s project will prevent an estimated 47,100 pounds of nitrogen from entering the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Allison said MOVA will receive funding for every pound it proves to the state it prevents from escaping into the environment.

“The grant is a paid for outcomes program. It’s a pilot program from Virginia DEQ. And the program pays for every pound of nitrogen that you prevent from going into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. For us, we capture ammonia inside poultry houses, which is a large source of nitrogen. So the way that the grant works is we capture it and we prove to them that we’ve kept it out of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and they pay us,” Allison said.

“By improving indoor air quality, we see better bird performance and lower heating costs,” said Luke Allison, Chief Advancement Officer at MOVA Technologies. “That translates to higher farm profits and a reduced environmental footprint for the industry.”

Supported by a previous grant award from the USDA, field trials of the FEATHER System are set to begin this summer at a commercial poultry facility in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Outcomes from the pilot will inform a broader rollout planned for 2026, including multi-farm implementation agreements across the region.

DEQ Director Michael Rolband emphasized the program’s broader value: “These projects push the envelope of what’s possible for the Bay—and at the lowest possible cost for nonpoint source projects.” The nine funded projects are expected to collectively eliminate approximately 580,000 pounds of nitrogen from entering the Bay, at an average cost of just $32.73 per pound.

MOVA receiving the grant is also a major milestone for Pulaski. 10 News spoke to Town Manager Todd Day who says Pulaski is working to become a hub for AgTech innovation.

“It’s the only technology, not only in Pulaski or the Commonwealth, it is the only technology in the world. So, we’re innovators of a brand new technology in the Ag development field and it’s right here in the town of Pulaski. We’re fully supportive of the program, and we look forward to big things coming out of it,” Day said.

Allison said the the area is well positioned geographically to attract more innovates in the industry.

“Here in the town of Pulaski, we’re looking at building credibility for other ag tech companies to come to this area, leveraging resources like Virginia Western Community College, Virginia Extension, Virginia Tech. We’re just in a really optimal location being here in Pulaski right off the 81 corridor. It’s really beneficial for companies like us because of all the support that we get from the town and county,” Allison said.

More information about the DEQ Pay-for-Outcomes Pilot Program and a full list of awardees can be found at:Virginia DEQ