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YouTube's Premium Lite tier gets background play and downloads
engadget40d ago

YouTube's Premium Lite tier gets background play and downloads

YouTube is adding new features to its Premium Lite plan. The tier will offer background play and downloads for the mostly ad-free plan. The update comes a year after YouTube first launched the lower-cost plan.The Premium Lite tier is notable because for $8 per month you get most videos ad-free, emphasis on most. Currently, it still uses ads for YouTube music (along with random other videos), but the new update is bringing more Premium tier features without the $14 per month price tag.As a Lite user, you will be able to use background play on most videos. Notably, this announcement comes less than a month after Google cracked down on free workarounds to access background play on YouTube. "Background playback is a feature intended to be exclusive for YouTube Premium members. While some non-Premium users may have previously been able to access this through mobile web browsers in certain scenarios, we have updated the experience to ensure consistency across all our platforms," Google told Android Authority. Now, it's for Premium Lite users as well.YouTube Premium Lite users are also getting access to downloads. They can watch — here it comes again — most videos offline. These new features will roll out starting today and in the coming weeks to Premium Lite subscribers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtubes-premium-lite-tier-gets-background-play-and-downloads-170051755.html?src=rss

#TECH
DENR supports creation of Department of Water Resources
manilatimes40d ago

DENR supports creation of Department of Water Resources

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Tuesday that it supported the passage of House Bill 6789, which proposes the creation of a Department of Water Resources.The measure, among the priority bills endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, has been approved on third reading at the House of Representatives.“We recognize that the challenges surrounding water are interconnected and evolving; therefore, strengthening governance structures today is a necessary investment in safeguarding communities, ecosystems and national development over the long term,” Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.The DENR described the measure as “a landmark reform that will finally unify and modernize the country’s fragmented water governance system.”“Its elevation to the national priority agenda reflects a growing consensus that water security is now a core driver of governance reform, climate resilience and long-term economic stability,” it added.Currently, water governance in the Philippines is scattered across multiple agencies.These include the DENR, National Water Resources Board, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, Local Water Utilities Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and local government units.These offices operate under agency-specific mandates, which result in an overlap in responsibilities, and challenges in maintaining data systems, resource allocation, coordination, planning and policy formulation.HB 6789 aims to address these institutional issues by creating a Cabinet-level body in charge of national water policy, planning, allocation and conservation.By consolidating functions and strengthening cross-sector coordination, the measure positions water security as an important element of national development.“The mandate of the President is clear, and we will continue to push for reforms aligned with his agenda,” Lotilla said.“The advancement of the Water Resources Bill to the Senate, together with key environmental measures, such as the Waste Treatment Technology Bill and the Blue Economy Bill, underscores DENR’s continuing effort to strengthen policy frameworks for resource governance,” he added.

#ECONOMY
euronext40d ago

EPC Groupe and Société Suisse des Explosifs enter into exclusive negotiations with a view to combining their civil explosives and drilling and blasting activities

EPC Groupe and Société Suisse des Explosifs enter into exclusive negotiations with a view to combining their civil explosives and drilling and blasting activities Stocks master_of_puppetsTue 24/02/2026 - 18:00 FR0014003AQ4 Press release 24/02/2026 - 18:00 Paris EPC Groupe and Société Suisse des Explosifs enter into exclusive negotiations with a view to combining their civil explosives and drilling and blasting activities Alliances and agreements Mergers, Acquisitions, Transfers 96727 ActusNewsWire EPC GROUPE Euronext Published 55201000 Chemicals: Diversified XPAR Language English EPC Groupe (Euronext - EXPL) and SSE Holding SA ("SSE Group"), one of the leading manufacturers of civil explosives in Europe, announce that they have entered into exclusive discussions with a view to combining their civil explosives and drilling & blasting activities.The transaction would take the form of (i) a contribution by SSE of all its civil explosives and drilling & blasting activities to EPC SA, in exchange for 725,000 new ordinary shares of EPC Groupe issued as part of a capital increase, and (ii) the sale by SSE of 75,000 EPC Groupe shares to 4 Décembre SAS (or one of its affiliates).The combination of the two companies would strengthen EPC Groupe's global position while enabling it to become the leader in the European market.Following completion of the transaction, SSE Group would hold nearly 25% of EPC Groupe's share capital, becoming the Group's second-largest shareholder, and would be represented on its Board of Directors.The transaction remains subject to customary due diligence, the information and consultation process with EPC Groupe's employee representative bodies, applicable regulatory approvals, and approval by the general meetings of EPC and SSE. The parties expect to finalize the transaction during Q3 2026. SSE: A MAJOR PAN-EUROPEAN PLAYER IN CIVIL EXPLOSIVESEstablished more than 125 years ago, SSE Group is a leading European player in civil explosives and drilling & blasting.SSE generates approximately CHF 135 million in revenue (around €151 million) in Central Europe. In Switzerland, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania - countries where EPC Groupe is not currently present - the company holds a leading position (ranked 1st or 2nd depending on the market). SSE is also active in Sweden. The geographic footprints of the two groups are therefore highly complementary.Like EPC Groupe, SSE has developed, in addition to a high-quality product range, a strong service-based approach in drilling & blasting, which accounts for more than 40% of revenue within the contributed business perimeter. OBJECTIVE: JOIN THE TOP 5 GLOBAL PLAYERS IN CIVIL EXPLOSIVESThis proposed combination reflects a partnership-driven approach between two leading companies, their employees, management teams, and shareholders.Through this transaction, the combined entity would become the leader in the European civil explosives market.Both companies intend to pursue sustained development in the coming years, combining organic growth and acquisitions, with the ambition of joining the Top 5 global civil explosives players. KEY TERMS OF THE PROPOSED COMBINATIONTo date, SSE's civil explosives activities are grouped within a structure wholly owned by SSE Holding SA (Eurex). The transaction would consist of the contribution to EPC Groupe of 100% of Eurex's shares, based on a valuation representing, in relative terms, 32% of EPC Groupe prior to the contribution.The contribution would be remunerated through the issuance of 725,000 new EPC Groupe shares (representing approximately 24.3% of the combined entity's share capital) in favor of SSE Holding SA, which would become EPC Groupe's second-largest shareholder.Considering the cash levels of both companies, their strong cash flow generation, and the nature of the transaction, the combined entity would significantly strengthen its financial structure, in line with its development ambitions.As part of the transaction, SSE Holding would sell a total of 75,000 EPC Groupe shares to 4 Décembre SAS (and/or one of its affiliates) at a price of €225 per share. " We are particularly enthusiastic about proposing this combination, which would enable EPC Groupe to reach a new stage in its development, building on the remarkable work carried out by SSE over many years. The combination of our teams and their expertise, our technological innovations, and our geographic and commercial footprint would significantly strengthen our position in the civil explosives market. It would also provide us with a financial structure enabling us to increase our R&D efforts while supporting the strong growth of our customers. ," says Olivier Obst, Chairman and CEO of EPC Groupe. Raymond Loretan, Chairman of SSE Group, added: " The complementarity of our expertise, locations, and teams paves the way for the creation of a leading global player. Together, we could reach a new milestone in the consolidation of the sector and sustainably support major players in quarries, construction, and mining." EPC Groupe (Euronext - EXPL) is one of the world leaders in the manufacturing, storage, and distribution of explosives. For 130 years, the Groupe has been leveraging its expertise, technical skills, and technological innovations to provide solutions that generate performance and value for its clients in the mining, quarrying, infrastructure, and underground works sectors.EPC Groupe is also one of the leading companies in France in demolition and construction waste recycling, with a presence across the entire country. It is involved in numerous renovation projects in the fields of cultural heritage, housing, and industry, and is also a recognized player in the circular economy.With revenue of more than €550 million in 2024, EPC Groupe employs over 2,900 people across its 44 subsidiaries in more than 29 countries.EPC GroupeACTUS finance & communicationCharles-Ernest ARMANDChief Financial Officer+33 1 40 69 80 00contact.actionnaires@epc-groupe.commailto:contact.actionnaires@epc-groupe.com">contact.actionnaires@epc-gr...;Lilia GONCALVESGroup Communications Director+33 1 40 69 80 00lilia.goncalves@epc-groupe.commailto:lilia.goncalves@epc-groupe.com">lilia.goncalves@epc-groupe.com;Mathieu OMNESInvestor Relations+33 1 53 67 36 92epc-groupe@actus.fmailto:epc-groupe@actus.fr">epc-groupe@actus.f;Anne-Charlotte DUDICOURTPress Relations+33 6 24 03 26 52acdudicourt@actus.frmailto:acdudicourt@actus.fr">acdudicourt@actus.fr;This publication embed "🔒 Actusnews SECURITY MASTER".- SECURITY MASTER Key: m2mek5eal2qVyW6caJ5raGljnJllm5TGbZXGlpZomJiYbp1jlmeUm8bKZnJnnGdt- Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com" title="ACTUSNEWS SECURITY MASTER Key" target="_blank">.https://www.security-master-key.com. />Regulated information:Inside Information: - Operations of the issuer (acquisitions, sales…)Full and original press release in PDF: https://www.actusnews.com/news/96727-pr-epc-groupe-sse_20260224_en_vdef...; EXPLOSIFS PROD.CHI EXPLOSIFS PRODUITS CHIMIQUES 003830 FR0014003AQ4-XPAR EXPL

#ECONOMY