Day: September 14, 2021

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Blackstone Completes Previously Announced Acquisition of Sphera, Leading Provider of ESG Software, Data, and Consulting Services

NEW YORK and CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sphera today announced that private equity funds managed by Blackstone (NYSE: BX, “Blackstone”) have completed their previously announced acquisition of Sphera, a leading provider of environmental, social and governance (ESG) software, data and consulting services, from Genstar Capital. The transaction, which values the company at $1.4 billion, continues Blackstone’s thematic investment focus on the ESG sector and provides Sphera with capital to help accelerate its growth and product offerings.

Spanning over 80 countries with more than 3,000 customers, Sphera combines its software as a service solution with consulting services, underpinned by proprietary data, to support businesses globally to manage and mitigate ESG risk. This support is delivered through its three product lines: Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S); Operational Risk Management; and Product Stewardship.

As part of Sphera’s strategic growth efforts, the company is also announcing the appointment of Kimberly Kolb as chief human resources officer (CHRO). As CHRO, Kolb will be responsible for developing and supporting Sphera’s global workforce as the organization continues to grow its footprint worldwide. She brings over 30 years of human resources, consulting and marketing experience from technology, professional service and financial services firms to the position, and held senior leadership roles at Whittman-Hart, CME Group and XR Trading.

Paul Marushka, CEO and president at Sphera, said, “As we enter this new stage, we are excited to be able to partner with Blackstone. Our achievements to date are a result of the dedication, hard work and effort of the team at Sphera. I am proud to collaborate with such a dedicated team as we take Sphera, with Blackstone’s investment and support, to the next level. This partnership with and capital injection by Blackstone will facilitate the next evolution of innovation, cementing our position as leaders and allowing us to push ahead with our vision for ESG software integration with extensive data and world-class consultancy services.”

Eli Nagler, a senior managing director at Blackstone, said: “We are excited to partner with Paul Marushka and his team to build on Sphera’s strong momentum as a trusted leader in the ESG solutions space. We look forward to supporting the company in the next phase of its growth journey as they continue to expand their product offerings and innovate to best serve their global customer base.”

Note to editors

About Sphera
Sphera creates a safer, more sustainable and productive world. We are a leading global provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services with a focus on Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S), Operational Risk Management and Product Stewardship. Learn more about Sphera at www.sphera.com. Follow Sphera on LinkedIn.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $684 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

Contact:

Sphera Solutions, Sphera@AspectusGroup.com

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Madison Realty Capital Originates $450 Million Construction Loan for 1,098-unit Mixed Use Development in Downtown Brooklyn

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Madison Realty Capital, a vertically integrated real estate private equity firm focused on debt and equity investment strategies, today announced it has provided a $450 million loan to The Rabsky Group, one of the largest residential and commercial developers in Brooklyn and Queens, to complete development of a 1,098-unit, 35-story multifamily and retail mixed-use property at 625-635 Fulton Street at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn, New York.

Josh Zegen, Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Madison Realty Capital, said, “This transaction represents Madison Realty Capital’s ability to deliver speed, certainty, and execution to top-tier borrowers in highly attractive submarkets. Accordingly, we are pleased to provide The Rabsky Group, a highly sophisticated and experienced developer with significant holdings throughout the New York metropolitan area, with a large and flexible financing solution. Downtown Brooklyn is an ever-expanding neighborhood and new multifamily housing options, particularly of this caliber, will be quickly absorbed. We are glad to support a property under development that will offer significant affordable housing options and look forward to expanding our relationship with The Rabsky Group for additional projects that positively impact New York City.”

Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough and is home to one of the most diverse economies in the country. Proximity to major employment hubs and education centers have made Downtown Brooklyn one of New York’s fastest growing residential markets. Moreover, Downtown Brooklyn has also become a technology and innovation hub and is home to 25 percent of New York City-based tech firms. The property is located within the Brooklyn Tech Triangle, an area comprised of Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard that has emerged as New York City’s largest cluster of tech activity outside of Manhattan and is within two blocks of ten different subway lines.

Designed with two interconnected residential towers atop a five-story podium, the property will offer 590,096 rentable residential square feet across 342 studios, 492 one-bedroom and 264 two-bedroom units and 30% of the units will be affordable through the Affordable New York program. A portion of the affordable units will be part of the Inclusionary Housing Program for lower income tenants. Residents will enjoy top-of-the-line amenities including a fitness facility, spa, recreation areas, in-unit washers and dryers, lounges, and a rooftop outdoor pool with views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. In addition to best-in-class residential units the property will have 25,988 rentable square feet of retail space along Fulton Street, 250 parking spaces and 150 storage units.

The Rabsky Group is led by Simon Dushinsky, Yadler Rabinowitz, and Joel Gluck, who also contributed significant cash equity for the construction.

Henry Bodek of Galaxy Capital served as broker for the transaction.

About Madison Realty Capital 

Madison Realty Capital is a vertically integrated real estate private equity firm that manages approximately $6 billion in total assets on behalf of an institutional global investor base. Since 2004, Madison Realty Capital has completed more than $15 billion in transactions in the U.S. providing reputable borrowers with flexible and highly customized financing solutions, strong underwriting capabilities, and certainty of execution. Headquartered in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles and Miami, the firm has over 60 employees across all real estate investment, development, and property management disciplines. Madison Realty Capital has been frequently named to the Commercial Observer’s prestigious “Power 100” list of New York City real estate players and is consistently cited as a top construction lender, among other industry recognitions. To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn and visit www.madisonrealtycapital.com.

Nathaniel Garnick/Grace Cartwright
Gasthalter & Co.
(212) 257-4170
madisonrealty@gasthalter.com
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Inauguration of Khawar Shah Youth Baseball Academy in Quetta

Quetta, September 14, 2021 (PPI-OT): To develop and promote Baseball in Baluchistan, the Baluchistan Baseball Association inaugurated the Khawar Shah Youth Baseball Academy in Quetta. Talking to media, Secretary General of the Federation Sheikh Mazhar Ahmed said that due to Corona virus, there are no sports activities in Pakistan and the government is not organizing training camps. Pakistan’s youth baseball teams are scheduled to participate in the upcoming Under-12 and Under-18 Asian Baseball Championships.

Due to lack of training of players, the Chairman of the Federation Mr. Shaukat Javed ordered to open youth baseball academies in different cities of the country. In this regard, the inauguration ceremony of Khawar Shah Baseball Academy was held at PSB Ground Quetta yesterday. Chief Guests included Secretary Sports Youth Imran Gichki, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Baluchistan Mir Haji Noorullah Lahri and President Pakistan Federation Baseball Syed Fakhar Ali Shah.

Haider Khan Lahri, Secretary General, Baluchistan Baseball Association, who is also the Vice President of Pakistan Federation Baseball welcome the Chief Guests. He was accompanied by other guests including Imran Yousuf Director PSB, Naseem Khan Director Academy and Baseball players of Baluchistan including Ahmed Yar Khan, Samiullah, Amjad, Shehryar, Yasir, Irfan, Yahya and Asfand. Chief Guest Mr. Imran Gichki Secretary Sports Youth inaugurated the academy by pitching the ball.

Addressing the inaugural function, the President of the Federation Syed Fakhar Ali Shah said that the Federation was working for the development of youth baseball in the country. In this regard, the Youth Baseball Academy in Bahria Town Lahore is already working. The players of this academy have represented Pakistan in many international competitions. He hoped that the players of Khawar Shah Baseball Academy Quetta would also brighten the name of the country and the nation. Syed Fakhar Ali Shah thanked Imran Gichki Secretary Sports Youth, Haji Noorullah Lahri Special Assistant Chief Minister Baluchistan and Haider Khan Lahri Secretary General Baluchistan Baseball Association for their cooperation in setting up the Youth Baseball Academy in Quetta.

Talking on the occasion, Chief Guest Imran Gichki, Secretary Sports Youth said that the establishment of Khawar Shah Youth Baseball Academy in Quetta would be of great help to the young players in terms of baseball training. We will do our best to cooperate with the academy for the development and promotion of baseball.

For more information, contact:

Pakistan Federation Baseball

Punjab Stadium, Ferozepur Road,

Lahore, Pakistan

Tel. +92-42-353-41121

Fax + 92-42-357-11828

E-mail: pakistanfederationbaseball@hotmail.com

 

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18th Annual Environment Excellence Awards and Conference on 16th September

Karachi, September 14, 2021 (PPI-OT): National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) is holding 18th Annual Environment Excellence Awards (AEEA 2021) and Conference on “Restore Your Natural Environment” on September 16 at local hotel Karachi. This was announced by President Naeem Qureshi in the meeting of NFEH Advisory Committee held at NFEH Office today.

Qureshi said a conference and colourful award ceremony will be held on September 16, 2021. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister Local Government Sindh, Taimoor Talpur Minister Forest and Wildlife Sindh, Ismail Rahoo Minister Environment and Climate Change, Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Shariq Vohra President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries will be the prominent guests on the occasion.

Conference will be highlighting key environmental issues of Pakistan, Industries and post pandemic challenges for the world. Secretary Environment and Climate Change Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, Dr. Naeem Mughal, Director General Environment Protection Agency, Syed Nadim Arif, CEO EMC Pakistan, Aniq Ahmed Senior Anchor-person, Shams ul Haq Memon, Faiyaz Alam Secretary General Dua Foundation and others will address on the occasion. President NFEH said more than 80 companies will be awarded the best performance on environment protection on event day.

For more information, contact:

Media Coordinator

National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH)

309, Al-Sehat Center, Hotel Regent Plaza, Shahrah-e-Faisal,

Karachi, Pakistan

Tel: +92-21-35653676, +92-21-35213853

Fax: +92-21-35651797

Email: nfehpak@gmail.com, info@nfeh.org

Website: www.nfeh.org.pk

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Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appoints office bearers of PPP KPK

Karachi, September 14, 2021 (PPI-OT): Chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has appointed following office bearers of PPP KPK with immediate effect.

District Shangla

  1. Fawad Ali Noor (General Secretary)

District Abbottabad

  1. Sarfraz Jadoon (President)
  2. Sardar Sher Afzal (General Secretary)
  3. Nasir Hussain Awan (Information Secretary)

District Swabi

  1. Ali Khan (President)
  2. Sikandar Irfan (General Secretary)
  3. Safdar Ali Adv (Information Secretary)

District Chitral Upper

  1. Amirullah (President)
  2. Hameed Jalal (General Secretary)
  3. Syed Kausar Ali Shah (Information Secretary)

District Lower Chitral

  1. Fazl e Rabi Jan (President)
  2. Qazi Faisal Ahmed Saeed (General Secretary)
  3. Nizar Wali Shah (Information Secretary)

A notification in this regard was issued from the Chairman’s Secretariat by his Political Secretary Jameel Soomro here today.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

 

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Iconic 1992 World Cup jersey up for grabs

Lahore, September 14, 2021 (PPI-OT): Pakistan cricket fans can buy the iconic ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1992 jerseys from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Online Merchandise Store, which will be launched at 1700 today. The store can be accessed at www.shop.pcb.com.pk.

The 1992 World Cup jersey is the first offering in the Champions Edition, part of the PCB Legacy Series, as the board honours the national side’s landmark achievement, which altered the course of the sport forever in the country and inspired many to take up bat and ball.

In what remains one of the most iconic World Cup tales, Pakistan, under the leadership of Imran Khan, now the Patron of the board, completed their successful campaign with a win against Graham Gooch’s England by 22 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja was also part of the squad that had recovered from an ordinary start to stun the world.

Fans from within Pakistan and all around the world are encouraged to place their orders at the earliest with the limited stock available. The PCB will provide shipping across the globe and free of cost for those based in Pakistan.

In the coming days, the fans will be able to purchase customised merchandise, Pakistan national side’s training and travel gear, fan wear, collector’s edition merchandise and hardware accessories through this one-stop shop as the PCB continues to strive to bring the fans closer to the game.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk