NewzIntel.com

Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province is on the right track toward safer roads in B.C.

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People in British Columbia will benefit from further road and pedestrian safety measures in their communities through the Vision Zero Grant Program.

    The grants are awarded directly to communities in B.C. to improve local road safety, make active transportation more accessible and prevent injuries. In 2025, a total of $794,991 has been distributed to 50 communities. This includes 15 projects in First Nations communities.

    “Putting the prevention of serious injuries and fatalities at the heart of our transportation systems makes our communities healthier and safer,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Through the Vision Zero Grant Program, communities are receiving the resources they need to make meaningful road-safety improvements. By working together, we are creating safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone, whether they walk, cycle or drive.”

    This is the fourth year of the Vision Zero Grant Program, a joint initiative between the provincial government, the regional health authorities, First Nations Health Authority and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU). The grants are provided by the Province through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, with additional funding top-ups provided by the regional health authorities. The Vision Zero Grant Program has funded more than 200 projects, totaling more than $3 million in awards disbursed since its inception in 2021.

    By implementing Vision Zero, the Province is working toward making roads in British Columbia safer by preventing vulnerable road-user injuries or reducing their severity. Making roads safer for all users also contributes to:

    • helping address the disproportionate number of traffic injuries occurring in underserved communities, neighbourhoods and populations, as well as within Indigenous communities;
    • reducing health-care system usage, lowering health-care costs and improving health-system capacity by freeing up health-care space when injuries are prevented;
    • building capacity in the public-health system in an area of injury that represents one of the two largest sources of trauma presented at British Columbia emergency departments; and
    • supporting provincial climate change efforts by shifting people to transportation with lower carbon footprint, such as walking, cycling and micro-mobility (e.g., e-scooters, e-bikes), and by taking specific steps to make these modes safer and more attractive.

    “Keeping people safely on the move is a top priority for our ministry,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “These grants will upgrade the infrastructure that makes it safer to walk, cycle and use other forms of active transportation, and improve road safety in our communities.”

    This initiative builds on the $24 million recently provided to 53 active transportation infrastructure projects and nine transportation network plans through the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program, helping to increase safety and improve active transportation options in the province. 

    Quotes:

    Dr. Shelina Babul, director, BCIRPU –

    “It takes foresight and recognition to identify a problem in your community and then to try and do something about it. The BCIRPU is responsible for co-ordinating the Vision Zero Grant Program in the province. We’re pleased that these applicants took the initiative to improve road safety in their communities and encourage active transportation in a tangible way.”

    Chief Alice Mackay, Matsqui First Nation –

    “Our First Nation is very happy that we have received funding from the BC Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program for our Máthxwi Temexw Bus Connector project. Many of our members don’t own cars, so having a safe public-transportation option for our members will fill a long-time mobility gap for our community. Currently, the nearest bus stop is a four-kilometre walk away along a very unsafe, narrow, fast road with lots of traffic and no shoulder at all. With this funding secured, we can now work with BC Transit, the City of Abbotsford and other partners to start a transit-service pilot project to show that this service is needed and will be used, and to get real-world learnings about what would make a permanent service successful for our community.”

    Patrick Johnstone, mayor of New Westminster –

    “The City of New Westminster is grateful to receive funding to support the comprehensive redesign of this section of Princess Street. These improvements result from consultation with concerned community members and advance our goal of providing safe, comfortable and accessible mobility options for people of all ages and abilities, especially vulnerable road users. Thank you to the Vision Zero Grant Program for this opportunity to make our streets safer.”

    Ken Popove, mayor of Chilliwack –

    “The BC Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant will help us improve safety for people using the Lickman Park and Ride, a very well-used transit facility connecting Chilliwack to Abbotsford, Langley and Burnaby. Improving the pedestrian crossing at this location will really help to create a safer and more comfortable environment for people who are interested in using transit here. We are thankful that the BC Vision Zero Grant Program has provided us with this opportunity to improve pedestrian safety in our community.”

    Learn More:

    For more details about the program, visit: https://www.visionzerobc.ca/

    For information about the list of communities receiving funding, visit: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/678ef2b34de2f87c67fbbdaa/67f970573dd5008f6429b8ca_Vision%20Zero%20BC%20-%202025-2026%20Projects%20List.pdf

    For information about each funded project, visit: https://www.visionzerobc.ca/our-projects

    For information about B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/funding-grants/active-transportation-infrastructure-grants

    For more information about BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, visit https://injuryresearch.bc.ca

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: UPDATE — HP Announces 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator Cohort

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    News Highlights:

    • Eight nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain selected for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator.
    • Organizations are serving disconnected adolescents and adults through digital skills training, education access, and other community-driven initiatives.
    • Each nonprofit will receive $100,000 of HP technology and solutions, capacity-building cash grants, and six–months of training and programming to support scale.
    • In its first three years, the Accelerator helped 27 participating organizations expand their reach by more than 9 million people.
    • The Digital Equity Accelerator, a joint initiative of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation, helps power the future of work by improving access to technology, digital literacy, and AI-driven skills development.

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) and the HP Foundation announced the selection of 8 nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator (Accelerator). The Accelerator will provide the 2025 cohort with a USD $100,000 grant, HP technology (~USD $100,000 value), and six months of virtual training to strengthen capacity and drive digital inclusion.

    “The future of work depends on equitable access to technology, digital skills, and opportunity,” said Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc. and Executive Director, HP Foundation. “Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP is empowering nonprofits to bridge the digital divide, ensuring disconnected adolescents and adults have the tools and training needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. By investing in these organizations, we are not just expanding access—we are powering the future of work.”

    A $1 trillion-plus digital divide is limiting billions from achieving equal access to education and economic opportunities. Through the Accelerator, HP collaborates with a network of partners to help nonprofit organizations scale digital equity solutions.

    “We are fortunate to work with companies like HP that are committed to scaling tech for good through this Accelerator,” said Hala Hanna, Executive Director, MIT Solve. “Our support programs are designed to meet nonprofit leaders where they are – providing capacity building workshops, executive coaching, peer-to-peer collaboration, and a library of in-kind resources to help them fully benefit from the program.”

    Accelerating Digital Equity in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain
    The Accelerator helps nonprofits scale digital equity programs for disconnected adults and adolescents to power the future of work. Meet the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator cohort:

    Greece:

    • Socialinnov (Social Impact and Innovation) – Leveraging technology to drive social change, Socialinnov has equipped more than 40,000 people in underrepresented communities in Greece with digital skills training that expands access to the digital economy.
    • The Smile of the Child (TSoC) – Founded in 1995 by 10-year-old Andreas Yannopoulos, The Smile of the Child (TSoC) is a non-profit organization supporting more than 2.2 million adults and adolescents with tools, technology and other resources.

    Indonesia:

    • Solve Education Foundation – Focusing on empowering Indonesian youth with 21st century skills through its AI-powered learning platform, edbot.ai, an innovative enrichment program, helping students succeed in school and beyond.
    • Markoding (Daya Kreasi Anak Bangsa Foundation) – Helps equip underprivileged youth with 21st-century skills to foster a generation of innovators. Its flagship program, Perempuan Inovasi, has empowered over 35,000 women with STEM training, mentorship, and access to job opportunities.

    Nigeria:

    • She-Code Africa Women Tech Initiative (She Code Africa) – Provides participants across Africa with in-demand digital and technical skills. Since 2016, its training, mentorship, scholarships, and career programs have helped more than 62,000 people receive the digital skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.
    • The Slum to School Initiative (Slum2School Africa) – Addressing Africa’s education crisis, this volunteer-driven organization provides quality education, skills development, and psychosocial support to underserved children and youth, empowering them to drive sustainable development.

    Spain:

    • AlmaNatura Foundation – Founded in a small village in Southern Spain, AlmaNatura designs and implements projects that revitalize rural areas through employment, education, health, and sustainability, fostering opportunities for local communities to thrive.
    • Fundación Esplai Ciudadanía Comprometida (Committed Citizenship Esplai Foundation) – Focuses on promoting citizen empowerment through inclusive, rights-based projects and programs. It collaborates with local, national, and international organizations to support socio-educational initiatives in information and communication technologies (ICT).

    Since 2022, the Accelerator has helped expand the reach of 27 nonprofit organizations in Brazil, Canada, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, and the U.S. by more than 9 million people.

    HP’s Commitment to Digital Equity and Sustainable Impact
    As nearly half of the world’s population remains offline, equipping youth and adults with critical skills reflects HP’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting economic inclusion. The Digital Equity Accelerator is one way HP is delivering progress toward its goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.

    For more information on the Digital Equity Accelerator, please visit the website.

    About HP
    HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.hp.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Hosts Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day to Celebrate State’s Strong Trade, Tourism & Cultural Partnership

    Source: US State of Colorado

    Mexico is one of Colorado’s biggest trade partners

    DENVER – While President Trump’s tariffs barrels the U.S. toward a recession and raises costs on hardworking Coloradans, Colorado Governor Jared Polis seeks to strengthen economic prosperity  with Mexico and Canada, Colorado’s largest trading partners, and has been outspoken against the national tariffs and about the important partnerships that Colorado has with both countries. That’s why Governor Polis today hosted Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day alongside Mexican Consul General Pavel Meléndez Cruz. This comes after the Governor hosted Colorado Canada Friendship Day in March alongside Sylvain Fabi, Consul General of Canada in Denver.

    “Trump’s tariff tax increase is raising costs on hardworking people, businesses, housing, agriculture, manufacturing, and creating uncertainty for businesses. I hope our state and country do not fall into a recession because of the economic uncertainty caused by these reckless tariffs. In Colorado, we are doing everything we can to help ensure our economy, jobs, and our future are not destroyed by President Trump’s tariff tax. Republicans and Democrats in Congress can and must stop these federal tariffs,” said Governor Polis. “Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day is a great opportunity for businesses and Coloradans to celebrate the strong trade partnerships with our allies.”

    Mexico and Canada are significant economic partners for Colorado, representing 38.5% and 31% of the state’s imports and exports in 2024. Mexico was the top export destination for Colorado goods, valued at $1.7 billion, or 17% of total exports, followed by Canada at $1.6 billion. Combined, the two countries also account for 46% of Colorado’s international visitation, with Mexico leading at over 250,000 visitors, followed by Canada at 183,000 visitors. The economic impact of international travel from these two countries in 2024 was over $265 million.

    The President’s tariff tax has created uncertainty for Colorado’s thriving industries, from agriculture to manufacturing and small businesses. People in Colorado are deeply concerned about how the President’s tariff tax will increase the costs of everyday life, from gas to groceries. Much of the fruit sold in Colorado grocery stores is imported from Mexico and could see a price spike.

    Governor Polis has taken strong steps to support Colorado’s farmers and ranchers accessing new markets across the world. For instance, Governor Polis helped open exports into Mexico for Colorado’s potato growers. The Trump tariffs could threaten the livelihoods of our farmers in places like the San Luis Valley if Mexico imposes retaliatory tariffs. We have already seen damaging retaliatory tariffs put in place that hit other commodities as well as agricultural equipment. This is another way the Trump tariffs will continue raising the costs of doing business for our nation’s farmers and ranchers.

    “Recently announced widespread tariffs will harm agriculture. History tells us that farmers and ranchers will bear the burden because they rely on imports on inputs and retaliatory tariffs by other countries will lower commodity prices. Higher input costs and lower market prices are going to cause the loss of more family farms and ranches, which will further hurt our rural communities and our country. We call on the administration to use a more thoughtful and less widespread approach to trade policy,” said Chad Franke, Farmer and President of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

    “The tariffs will increase expenses and cut revenues for America’s agricultural producers. The most vulnerable producers are the younger folks, who already face a huge challenge in gaining a foothold in this industry. We have already been losing producers and rural businesses for many years.  I believe if the administration continues to institute these policies this will lead to the need for them to institute a massive government bail-out program to mitigate the economic damage they are inflicting on the agricultural community and rural America. The average American consumer will also feel the pain of these tariffs through their continually increasing grocery bill,” said Kent Peppler, Former Colorado State Director for the Farm Services Agency and former President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

    Colorado is 5th in the nation for beef exports. Beef is among Colorado’s largest exports and is a top driver of Colorado’s agricultural economy. In 2024, the U.S. exported a total of $10.45 billion in beef and beef products around the world. Colorado’s top export countries for beef are Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan, China, all countries now facing Trump’s on-again off-again tariffs. Colorado’s other largest agricultural commodities, including dairy, wheat, and corn, all rely on export markets to do business.

    In 2024, Colorado exported a record $10.5 billion of goods to the world and imported $16.8 B in goods. Colorado’s top export partners are Mexico ($1.7B), Canada ($1.6B), China ($0.8B)  South Korea ($0.6B), and Malaysia ($0.6 B), accounting for half of all Colorado exports in 2024. Top export commodities include meat (17%); nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery (15%); electric machinery (13%); optic, photo, medical or surgical instruments (11%); and aircraft, spacecraft, and related parts (5%). In 2022, exports from Colorado supported an estimated 40 thousand jobs.

    An estimated 820,200 jobs in Colorado are supported by international trade, representing 20.8% of all jobs in the state.

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports advanced manufacturing of forestry products

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    New support for forestry-sector manufacturers in the province is creating sustainable jobs, strengthening local supply chains, establishing new made-in-B.C. products and reinforcing B.C.’s position as a leader in mass-timber innovation.

    “These timely investments into our province’s manufacturing and forestry value-added sectors will help strengthen homegrown B.C. companies, which in turn creates stronger local economies and sustainable jobs,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “We’re working alongside industry to build a stronger, more resilient economy that works better for people and communities.”

    Through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF), the Government of B.C. is contributing as much as $11 million toward four forestry-sector capital projects in the province. The projects are helping B.C.-based forestry-product manufacturers grow their businesses by constructing new production facilities, purchasing new equipment and adding new high-value product lines, while creating and protecting hundreds of jobs.

    Spearhead Timberworks Inc., near Nelson, specializes in the design and fabrication of highly advanced timber architecture. Spearhead is strengthening its capabilities, backed by as much as $7.5 million from the B.C. government to drive its expansion. This includes construction of a new purpose-built facility and implementation of advanced technology that will increase its competitiveness on the international stage, adding state-of-the-art production lines for specialized curved and double-curved glulam. The project will strengthen Spearhead’s capacity to fabricate high-complexity, high-value timber projects using B.C. wood, while creating more than 60 skilled jobs in the Nelson area.

    Spearhead’s cutting-edge technology and high-value products demonstrate how B.C.’s fibre can be used to generate significant economic benefits and highly skilled jobs in a high-demand sector. The Kootenay region is quickly establishing itself as a hub for British Columbia’s growing mass-timber economy, uniting a network of local sawmills. The network includes but is not limited to Harrop-Procter Community Cooperative and J.H. Huscroft Ltd., value-added wood manufacturers, such as Kalesnikoff Mass Timber Inc., and progressive training in wood design, digital fabrication and sustainable construction delivered through Selkirk College.

    “Over the past 35 years, we’ve honed our craft in advanced timber fabrication, completing over 450 projects worldwide and building a reputation as trailblazers in our field,” said Josh Hall, partner at Spearhead Timberworks Inc. “This investment from the Province will help us showcase B.C.’s remarkable wood resources globally, while creating long-term jobs at home. We’re honoured by the trust placed in us and excited to continue contributing meaningfully to our community and timber industry.”

    More forestry-sector manufacturers receiving funds from the BCMJF include:

    • Langley – Westlam Industries Ltd. is a wood-product manufacturer that specializes in construction-grade plywood. Westlam’s products play an important role in the housing and commercial building sector in B.C. and Canada, ensuring a strong local supply of key building materials. It will receive as much as $1.5 million to construct a new production facility and install new automated equipment that will introduce automation, improve fibre utilization, and increase output and productivity, while creating 46 jobs.
    • Castlegar – Mercer Celgar Limited Partnership is a kraft pulp mill and biorefinery that produces premium pulp and generates bioenergy for the BC Hydro power grid. The company will receive as much as $1.75 million to modernize its small-log line and install equipment capable of processing smaller-diameter logs and a wider range of low-grade fibre. This investment will help maximize the value of fibre inputs and secure more than 400 jobs at the facility, making it one of the largest employers in the region.
    • Penticton – Greyback Construction Ltd. is a commercial, residential and industrial construction contractor that is diversifying into prefabricated housing construction. It will receive as much as $235,000 to renovate a former mill site and purchase equipment that will vertically integrate and streamline production of prefabricated exterior walls and floors while creating 12 jobs, helping to create more homes quicker in B.C.

    “British Columbia’s forestry companies and workers show what innovation, craftsmanship and hard work looks like,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Spearhead, Westlam, Mercer Celgar, Greyback Construction, and many, many more across the province are stepping up and investing in their workers and their communities, and we’re right there with them. The Manufacturing Jobs Fund creates jobs, strengthens supply chains and supports people in their incredible work around this province.”

    The BCMJF is helping manufacturers throughout the province scale and grow their operations to make more made-in-B.C. products that create good jobs and strengthen the economy. BCMJF has also accelerated transition within the forestry-product sector to high-value manufacturing. The program has incentivized more than $680 million flowing into forestry-product manufacturing, leading to the direct creation and protection of more than 3,500 forestry-sector jobs, many in regional, remote and Indigenous communities. Nearly one-quarter of all wood-product manufacturers in B.C have applied to the program, demonstrating that producers are investing in the future of forestry in the province.

    BCMJF has also led to increased production of mass timber, engineered wood and bioproducts, with B.C.-based companies leading the way in innovative uses of waste wood, residuals and available fibre for high-value, high-demand products and exports. The Province has partnered with 73 forestry-product manufacturers with more to come, dedicating more than $97 million to the industry in collaboration toward a stable, sustainable forestry sector in B.C.

    Quick Facts:

    • The BCMJF supports high-value industrial and manufacturing capital projects in all sectors that create and protect well-paying jobs.
    • The BCMJF has committed $146 million toward 132 projects to date, unlocking more than $1 billion in private-sector and other public investment.
      • Every million dollars invested results in $7 million in total direct capital investments in B.C., $590,000 in tax revenue to the Province and $5.3 million in provincial gross domestic product (GDP) during the capital construction phase alone.
    • Funded projects will create and protect more than 4,700 jobs throughout B.C. 

    Learn More:

    To learn about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, including a list of recipients and updated application deadline information, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/ManufacturingJobsFund     

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Uranium Production and Sales Reach all Time Highs

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 23, 2025

    Saskatchewan’s uranium industry is responding to growing global demand by setting new records for annual sales and production in 2024.  

    Last year, uranium sales reached a new high of $2.6 billion, exceeding Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan target of increasing the annual value of uranium sales to $2 billion dollars by 2030. Uranium production also reached a new record high of 16.7 thousand tonnes in 2024, up 28 per cent from 2023.  

    “The strong growth of our world-class uranium industry is great news for Saskatchewan,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “With our abundant, high-quality reserves and stable regulatory approach to resource development, our government is very optimistic about Saskatchewan’s increasing role in global energy security in the coming years. We expect uranium production will continue to rise with the McClean Lake mine resuming operations this year and other major projects approaching construction.”  

    In 2024, uranium exploration spending is estimated to have reached $200 million and is expected to remain strong in 2025. With this increased exploration investment targeting uranium, Saskatchewan is projected to reach its Critical Minerals Strategy goal of securing 15 per cent of Canadian mineral exploration spending this year, well ahead of the 2030 target.  

    Saskatchewan potash production also reached record highs in 2024. Last year, 15.1 million metric tonnes potassium oxide (K2O) of potash was produced in Saskatchewan, an eight per cent increase from 2023. Saskatchewan is the world’s leading potash producer, accounting for approximately one-third of global production.

    Saskatchewan is the world’s second-largest producer of uranium and has the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world in the Athabasca Basin. The province’s uranium industry employs over 3,400 people and procures hundreds of millions of dollars in goods and services from Saskatchewan businesses.  

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Construction of New, Larger Yarmouth Emergency Department to Begin

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Construction of the new emergency department at Yarmouth Regional Hospital will start next week, a project that will provide better access to emergency healthcare for people in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties.

    The new facility will have twice the capacity of the current department – able to care for 30 people at a time, up from the current 14. It will also have space for four ambulances, up from two.

    “Investing in healthcare infrastructure is how we support the healthcare needs of our growing population and recruit and retain the best and brightest healthcare professionals to our communities,” said Nick Hilton, MLA for Yarmouth, on behalf of Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “A new, modern and larger emergency department will improve care for Nova Scotians in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties.”

    Some of the other features of the new emergency department will include:

    • two triage spaces
    • a resuscitation/trauma area
    • two virtual-care exam rooms and a dedicated kids’ waiting area
    • mental health facilities
    • a dedicated ear-nose-throat exam room.

    The new facility is scheduled to open in 2027.

    Quotes:

    “Our emergency department team, our patients and our community have been looking forward to work getting started on the Yarmouth Regional Hospital emergency department redevelopment. We will be excited to see boots on the ground and work happening. We are confident it will ultimately allow for better care in a more spacious, modern environment, resulting in an enhanced patient and provider experience. Bring it on.”
    — Dr. Joe Gillis, site medical lead, Yarmouth Regional Hospital

    Quick Facts:

    • during construction, patients will be able to access all hospital services as usual; as work proceeds, there will be some adjustments to things such as parking and patient drop-offs/pickups, but any disruptions will be minimized
    • PCL Constructors Canada Inc. was awarded the construction tender through a competitive process; it is valued at $77.8 million
    • the total cost of the project will be released once it is complete

    Additional Resources:

    News release – Yarmouth Emergency Department Expansion Update: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/02/23/yarmouth-emergency-department-expansion-update

    More, Faster: The Action for Health Build: https://buildns.ca/healthcare/more-faster-the-action-for-health-build/

    Department of Public Works on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NS_PublicWorks

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: HP Announces 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator Cohort

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    News Highlights:

    • Eight nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain selected for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator.
    • Organizations are serving disconnected adolescents and adults through digital skills training, education access, and other community-driven initiatives.
    • Each nonprofit will receive $100,000 of HP technology and solutions, capacity-building cash grants, and six–months of training and programming to support scale.
    • In its first three years, the Accelerator helped 27 participating organizations expand their reach by more than 9 million people.
    • The Digital Equity Accelerator, a joint initiative of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation, helps power the future of work by improving access to technology, digital literacy, and AI-driven skills development.

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) and the HP Foundation announced the selection of 8 nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator (Accelerator). The Accelerator will provide the 2025 cohort with a USD $100,000 grant, HP technology (~USD $100,000 value), and six months of virtual training to strengthen capacity and drive digital inclusion.

    “The future of work depends on equitable access to technology, digital skills, and opportunity,” said Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc. and Executive Director, HP Foundation. “Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP is empowering nonprofits to bridge the digital divide, ensuring disconnected adolescents and adults have the tools and training needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. By investing in these organizations, we are not just expanding access—we are powering the future of work.”

    A $1 trillion-plus digital divide is limiting billions from achieving equal access to education and economic opportunities. Through the Accelerator, HP collaborates with a network of partners to help nonprofit organizations scale digital equity solutions.

    “We are fortunate to work with inspiring innovators to amplify their impact through a six-month learning journey for the Accelerator,” said Hala Hanna, Executive Director, MIT Solve. “Our capacity-building workshops are designed to meet nonprofit leaders where they are – providing executive coaching, peer-to-peer collaboration, and a library of in-kind resources to help them fully benefit from the program.”

    Accelerating Digital Equity in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain
    The Accelerator helps nonprofits scale digital equity programs for disconnected adults and adolescents to power the future of work. Meet the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator cohort:

    Greece:

    • Socialinnov (Social Impact and Innovation) – Leveraging technology to drive social change, Socialinnov has equipped more than 40,000 people in underrepresented communities in Greece with digital skills training that expands access to the digital economy.
    • The Smile of the Child (TSoC) – Founded in 1995 by 10-year-old Andreas Yannopoulos, The Smile of the Child (TSoC) is a non-profit organization supporting more than 2.2 million adults and adolescents with tools, technology and other resources.

    Indonesia:

    • Solve Education Foundation – Focusing on empowering Indonesian youth with 21st century skills through its AI-powered learning platform, edbot.ai, an innovative enrichment program, helping students succeed in school and beyond.
    • Markoding (Daya Kreasi Anak Bangsa Foundation) – Helps equip underprivileged youth with 21st-century skills to foster a generation of innovators. Its flagship program, Perempuan Inovasi, has empowered over 35,000 women with STEM training, mentorship, and access to job opportunities.

    Nigeria:

    • She-Code Africa Women Tech Initiative (She Code Africa) – Provides participants across Africa with in-demand digital and technical skills. Since 2016, its training, mentorship, scholarships, and career programs have helped more than 62,000 people receive the digital skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.
    • The Slum to School Initiative (Slum2School Africa) – Addressing Africa’s education crisis, this volunteer-driven organization provides quality education, skills development, and psychosocial support to underserved children and youth, empowering them to drive sustainable development.

    Spain:

    • AlmaNatura Foundation – Founded in a small village in Southern Spain, AlmaNatura designs and implements projects that revitalize rural areas through employment, education, health, and sustainability, fostering opportunities for local communities to thrive.
    • Fundación Esplai Ciudadanía Comprometida (Committed Citizenship Esplai Foundation) – Focuses on promoting citizen empowerment through inclusive, rights-based projects and programs. It collaborates with local, national, and international organizations to support socio-educational initiatives in information and communication technologies (ICT).

    Since 2022, the Accelerator has helped expand the reach of 27 nonprofit organizations in Brazil, Canada, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, and the U.S. by more than 9 million people.

    HP’s Commitment to Digital Equity and Sustainable Impact
    As nearly half of the world’s population remains offline, equipping youth and adults with critical skills reflects HP’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting economic inclusion. The Digital Equity Accelerator is one way HP is delivering progress toward its goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.

    For more information on the Digital Equity Accelerator, please visit the website.

    About HP
    HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.hp.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Yom HaShoah: Premier Smith

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Changes to lobbying rules will make compliance more manageable

    Organizations in British Columbia will benefit from simplified reporting requirements when lobbying government.

    Amendments to the Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA), passed in April 2024, will officially come into force on May 27, 2025. The changes were informed by concerns from smaller organizations, such as non-profits, about the administrative burden they bear when complying with the act’s reporting requirements. These amendments will apply to all organizations covered by the act.

    The LTA requires individuals and organizations that engage in lobbying activities and meet specific criteria to register their efforts in an online public registry, ensuring citizens can see who is attempting to influence government decisions. The changes to the act are not intended to curb transparency, but to make compliance more manageable.

    The amendments remove the requirement to report funding requested from a government body, reduce the reporting frequency for funding received from monthly to every three months, and clarify reporting requirements for organizations that lobby as part of an informal group.

    These changes were designed to help smaller organizations more easily comply with the law and express their views, needs and concerns through open lines of communication with government.

    Separately, a parliamentary committee must undertake a review of the act every five years and submit a report with recommendations for future reform within one year of beginning its review. A committee is expected to be appointed for this purpose in the coming weeks. Information about the work of this committee and potential opportunities to engage in its work will be available on the legislative assembly’s website following its appointment and initial meetings.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about the online lobbyists registry, visit: https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/

    To learn more about parliamentary committees, visit: https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Northern Community Shuttle Program approves services

    People in the northern rural communities of the province will have access to reliable, safe and affordable regional transportation options with eight community shuttles.

    “People with limited transportation options rely on the Northern Community Shuttle Program to get them around and connect to their friends and family,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “This program ensures people in communities can continue to access the services they need and when they need them in small northern communities.”  

    The Northern Community Shuttle Program enables local governments, First Nations communities and not-for-profit organizations to develop small-scale transportation solutions that connect to services, amenities and long-haul transportation services, such as BC Bus North. Shuttle services in and between communities support the mobility of people who live and work in northern B.C., allowing them to visit family and friends and access the services they need.

    “Having eight organizations support their communities through the operation of inter-community shuttle services is an important piece of supporting the social fabric of northern B.C.,” said Ben Campbell, CEO, Northern Development. “Reliable, affordable and safe transportation options between rural communities is crucial to the well-being of individuals for social, economic and health reasons. The continuation of seven services and addition of Yekooche First Nation as a shuttle operator demonstrates the value of this work for residents and visitors of northern B.C.”

    Northern Development Initiative Trust manages the Northern Community Shuttle Program, which provides grants to communities and organizations to operate community shuttles. This program will ensure the continuation of services provided by seven organizations and the addition of one new service provider. Funding of more than $1.3 million is allocated to the eight approved shuttles for a two-year operating term until 2027.

    Learn More:

    For a backgrounder about the eight community shuttles, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Northern_Community_Shuttle_Backgrounder.pdf

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Dreams delayed’ no longer: Report identifies key changes needed around Black students’ education

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Tanitiã Munroe, PhD candidate (ABD) and researcher, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

    As Langston Hughes, the influential Harlem Renaissance poet, playwright and social activist, once wrote: “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”

    This poignant question is echoed in the title of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s recently released Dreams Delayed report, which shines a spotlight on how systemic racism has continued to derail the educational aspirations of Black students across Ontario.

    Laying out a clear and urgent roadmap, Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System captures both institutional responsibilities — for example, what the provincial government, school boards, faculties of education and educators must do — and the long-standing demands of Black families, students and communities who have been calling for meaningful change for decades.

    Call for important benchmarks

    The report’s title reflects a painful truth: the dreams of Black students have too often been deferred by persistent barriers in classrooms, hallways and boardrooms.

    For generations, Black families, students and community advocates have chronicled these injustices. By weaving their testimonies with data and legal analysis (including 83 reports), Dreams Delayed brings their struggle into sharp focus and translates it into a concrete policy blueprint.

    Its benchmarks are for measurable improvement in graduation rates, fewer suspensions, an elimination of biased academic streaming and an increase in Black teacher representation within four years.

    I am a doctoral researcher specializing in the kindergarten to Grade 12 experiences of Black students and their families. I also serve as senior research co-ordinator at the the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement (CEBSA) with the Toronto District School Board.

    I’ve seen the very principles this report highlights in action at CEBSA. By grounding our work in evidence and partnering closely with students, families and communities, sustained effort can transform long‑deferred dreams into meaningful, lasting change. In this process, students’ voices and agency must be at the heart of every decision.

    Turning commitments into action

    Over multiple generations, parents and activists have pushed schools to treat Black students fairly.

    In 1992, provincial adviser and former politician Stephen Lewis reported that Black students felt unwelcome and overlooked in their schools. Unfortunately, many of the same issues kept appearing in study after study over the next 30 years.

    Researchers found that Black students were often treated differently by teachers and administrators, leading to feelings of not belonging at school. They noted a lack of Black teachers and lessons that did not include Black history or contributions, which made it hard for Black youth to see themselves reflected in their education.



    Read more:
    Black History: How racism in Ontario schools today is connected to a history of segregation

    Black students and their families have consistently described varied unfair treatment. Discipline is one major example. For a long time, Black children have been punished more harshly at school. One Toronto study found that between 2006 and 2011, 42 per cent of Black high school students were suspended at least once, compared to 18 per cent of white students. This huge disparity showed that Black youth were far more likely to be removed from class for what educators judged as misbehaviour.

    Anti-Black racism, alienation in schools

    In daily school life, many Black students across Ontario have faced anti-Black racism and bias.

    They’ve endured racial slurs like the “n-word” from peers (and occasionally staff), and too often these incidents were not taken seriously by schools. Being one of the few Black students in a classroom, or studying a curriculum focused almost entirely on European or white perspectives, can make school feel alienating.



    Read more:
    Anti-Black racism is not a ‘consensual schoolyard fight’

    These conditions — disproportionate suspensions, low expectations, not enough Black representation among staff and repeated racist incidents — have undermined Black students’ well‑being and achievement for years. Awareness of these systemic problems is growing.

    Despite the slow pace of change, community advocacy has led to important victories. In 2017, the Toronto District School Board ended the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.

    This decision came after Black students, families and advocacy groups like Black Lives Matter, Education Not Incarceration and Policing-Free Schools voiced concerns about the program’s harmful and criminalizing impact on Black and racialized youth.

    This decision underscored the power of organized resistance and the importance of listening to students’ lived experiences.

    However, to address anti-Black racism in schools meaningfully, we need sustained action, transparent accountability and continued school, family and community involvement. Every day, Black students should learn in an environment where they are safe, respected and empowered to succeed.

    Recommendations for systemic change

    Dreams Delayed outlines specific recommendations across three main areas: accountability, data monitoring and student well-being.

    Accountability and transparency: Under accountability, the report emphasizes openly recognizing anti-Black racism. It recommends creating human rights offices in school boards to handle discrimination complaints effectively. Schools and teachers’ unions must hire more Black educators and address workplace racism to create representative and supportive environments. The Ministry of Education must establish clear anti-racism frameworks and hold schools accountable for human rights standards.

    Monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring data is crucial because we can’t fix what isn’t measured. The OHRC recommends standardized data collection across all school boards, tracking suspensions, academic outcomes and incidents of discrimination. Publicly available data allows communities to hold schools accountable and track progress transparently. An innovative recommendation is implementing early intervention systems to identify and address patterns of racial harassment proactively.

    Student well-being is central. Ultimately, the goal is for Black students to feel fully supported and able to succeed. The Dreams Delayed plan calls for expanding initiatives that directly support Black youth, including the graduation coach for Black Students. This program places dedicated coaches (often Black mentors) in schools to help Black students with academics and career planning, and has shown promise in improving graduation rates.

    Another recommendation is to grow student and family advocate programs so that more Black families have access to advocacy when dealing with schools, and creating affirming education spaces for Black students. Such spaces and important resources are offered through CEBSA, such as programs to connect Black students with STEM opportunties and post-secondary pathway planning.

    Turning advocacy into action

    By acting on the report’s key recommendations — building accountability, collecting race‑based data, transforming curriculum and expanding student supports — those long‑deferred dreams can finally begin to materialize.

    Meaningful progress, however, will demand collective resolve and sustained action. Educators, policymakers and communities must move beyond acknowledging the problem and dedicate themselves to reshaping the system so every Black student is seen, heard, valued and afforded an equal chance to succeed.

    The next few years will be critical. The measure of success will be simple: when Black students across Ontario no longer have to fight for the basics — dignity, safety, respect — but can focus fully on learning, growing and pursuing their futures with confidence.

    Dreams Delayed offers a pivotal opportunity to transform Ontario’s schools into spaces of belonging and possibility.

    Embracing its recommendations with urgency and sincerity would honour generations of advocacy and finally create an education system where every student, especially every Black student, is empowered to thrive.

    Tanitiã Munroe is a Senior Research Coordinator at the Toronto District School Board.

    – ref. ‘Dreams delayed’ no longer: Report identifies key changes needed around Black students’ education – https://theconversation.com/dreams-delayed-no-longer-report-identifies-key-changes-needed-around-black-students-education-254439

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta joining global wildlife council

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: 21 New Officers Hired to Support Frontline Policing in Saskatchewan

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 23, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is funding 21 new police officer positions filled over the past year as part of the province’s $11.9 million Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods commitment to hire approximately 100 new municipal police officers. 

    “Saskatchewan residents expect and deserve to feel safe in their communities and that means having enough police officers on the ground where they are needed the most,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “We are proud to support municipal police services in expanding their frontline capacity to prevent and respond to criminal activity in their communities.” 

    Officers have been hired and are currently training at the Saskatchewan Police College before they begin serving in Saskatchewan municipalities – seven each in Saskatoon and Regina, three in Moose Jaw, and two each in Estevan and Weyburn. Additional officers will enhance policing and law enforcement capabilities to improve overall community safety and wellbeing for Saskatchewan residents.

    “This investment under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods initiative is a vital step forward in our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety across all Saskatchewan communities,” Saskatoon Chief of Police Cameron McBride said. “The addition of seven frontline officers will strengthen our ability to proactively address criminal activity and improve quality of life in our communities. We are grateful for the government’s support as we continue working to ensure our neighbourhoods remain safe places to live, work and raise families.”

    This marks the first step toward fulfilling Saskatchewan’s commitment to hire approximately 100 new officers across the province.   

    “The residents of Weyburn and Saskatchewan are very fortunate to have a provincial government that recognizes the current law enforcement needs and takes appropriate action to address those needs, in order to ensure our communities are safe and Saskatchewan continues to remain a great place to live in,” Weyburn Police Service Chief Brent VanDeSype said. “Funding under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods initiative enabled the Weyburn Police Service to hire two new police officers. This is a very welcome and significant boost that enhances our service and our ability to better meet the safety needs of our community.”

    In 2024-25 and 2025-26, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested $2 billion in public safety to support policing and community safety in the province and enhance access to justice services. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat training in Parry Sound, Ontario

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 23, 2025

    Parry Sound, ON. – The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) program will hold search and rescue training for crews between April 25 and May 12, 2025 in Parry Sound, Ontario.

    Training will be carried out during daytime and nighttime hours at the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Base in Parry Sound and surrounding waters south to Midland, and north to Britt. The public can expect to see upwards of 10 CCG Zodiac Fast Rescue Craft and helicopters throughout the area. There is no real emergency or danger to the public.

    This training certifies and prepares students to respond to marine emergencies during the summer months, such as, but not limited to, medical emergencies, missing persons/boaters, vessels aground, vessels taking on water, and disabled vessels.

    Each summer, the Canadian Coast Guard hires post-secondary students and trains them as IRB crews at stations across Canada. These stations provide supplementary search and rescue services during the busy summer boating season. The IRB program provides employment experience and mentorship to post-secondary students.

    On the Great Lakes, the Canadian Coast Guard operates six IRB stations. They are located at Britt (Georgian Bay), Brebeuf Island (Georgian Bay), Hill Island (St. Lawrence River), Port Lambton (St. Clair River), Thames River (Lake St. Clair) and Long Point (Lake Erie). IRB stations are open annually from May to October.

    For more information on the IRB program, visit: Inshore Rescue Boat service

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Holyrood — Excessive speeder ticketed by RCMP Traffic Services East

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 37-year-old man was ticketed by RCMP Traffic Services East for excessive speeding yesterday.

    Shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, police observed a vehicle travelling 165 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the Trans Canada Highway near Butter Pot Park. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was ticketed for excessive speeding. His license was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded. During the traffic stop, police received complaints from motorists regarding the same vehicle, which had luckily already been located.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador. We thank the public for continuing to report incidents of excessive speed, dangerous driving, impaired driving, and crimes within their communities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: CORRECTION – Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a release issued today by Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF (TSX: MDIV), please note the source should have read as Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF. The corrected release follows:

    Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF (TSX: MDIV) (the “Fund”) is pleased to announce that distributions for the second quarter of 2025 will be payable to unitholders of Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF as follows:

    Record Date Payable Date Distribution Per
    Trust Unit
    April 30, 2025 May 15, 2025 $0.06
    May 31, 2025 June 13, 2025 $0.06
    June 30, 2025 July 15, 2025 $0.06


    The trust units trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol     MDIV.

    The Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) for unitholders which provides unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest distributions, commission free, and realize the benefits of compound growth. Unitholders can enroll in the DRIP program by contacting their investment advisor.

    Middlefield

    Founded in 1979, Middlefield is a specialist equity income asset manager with offices in Toronto, Canada and London, England. Our investment team utilizes active management to select high-quality, global companies across a variety of sectors and themes. Our product offerings include proven dividend-focused strategies that span real estate, healthcare, innovation, infrastructure, energy, diversified income and more. We offer these solutions in a variety of product types including ETFs, Mutual Funds, Closed-End Funds, Split-Share Funds and Flow-through LPs.

    For further information, please visit our website at www.middlefield.com or contact Nancy Tham in our Sales and Marketing Department at 1.888.890.1868.

    This press release contains forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on historical information concerning distributions and dividends paid on the securities of issuers historically included in the portfolio of the Fund. Actual future results, including the amount of distributions paid by the Fund, may differ from the monthly distribution amount. Specifically, the income from which distributions are paid may vary significantly due to: changes in portfolio composition; changes in distributions and dividends paid by issuers of securities included in the Fund’s portfolio from time to time; there being no assurance that those issuers will pay distributions or dividends on their securities; the declaration of distributions and dividends by issuers of securities included in the portfolio will generally depend upon various factors, including the financial condition of each issuer and general economic and stock market conditions; the level of borrowing by the Fund; and the uncertainty of realizing capital gains.  The risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results are described under “Risk Factors” in the Fund’s prospectus and other documents filed by the Fund with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The forward-looking information contained in this press release constitutes the Fund’s current estimate, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered hereby. Investors and others should not assume that any forward-looking statement contained in this press release represents the Fund’s estimate as of any date other than the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s statement on Yom HaShoah

    Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Yom HaShoah:

    “At sundown tonight, British Columbians join people around the world in observing Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day.

    “We stand with Jewish communities everywhere in remembrance and mourning. We honour the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. Today we also mourn the lives of millions more who died because of their ethnicity, sexual identity, disability or opposition to the Nazi regime.

    “During the Holocaust, known in Hebrew as the Shoah, Jewish communities across Europe were systematically persecuted, confined to ghettos and sent in cattle cars to concentration camps built solely for the purpose of human extermination.

    “We must reject the poison of disinformation and denial and ensure that all future generations know the truth of this dark period in human history. Our government is working with the Jewish community here in B.C. to ensure that all high school students in the province learn about the Holocaust as part of their education about injustices and discriminatory practices in Canada and around the world.

    “Our government condemns the rise in antisemitic acts that followed the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel, and we are committed to ensuring that our province is safe and welcoming for people of all faiths and backgrounds.

    “Each of us has the right to safety, dignity and a life without fear of unjust persecution. On this solemn day of reflection, we must recommit ourselves to the eternal pledge of ‘Never again.’”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Double Deposit Bonus. 100x Leverage. No KYC. Crypto Futures Trading Made Easy on BexBack.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin’s price fluctuating below $100,000, many analysts predict a prolonged period of high volatility in the crypto market. Holding spot positions may struggle to generate short-term profits in such conditions. As a result, 100x leverage futures trading has become the preferred tool for seasoned investors looking to maximize potential gains in this volatile market. BexBack Exchange is ramping up its efforts to offer traders unmatched promotional packages. The platform now features a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading, providing exceptional opportunities for investors.

    Advantages of 100x Leverage Crypto Futures

    1. Amplified Profits: Control large positions with a small amount of capital, capturing more profits from market fluctuations.
    2. Low Capital Requirement: Participate in high-value trades with minimal investment, lowering the entry barrier.
    3. Increased Market Opportunities: Profit quickly from price fluctuations, especially in volatile markets.
    4. High Capital Efficiency: Leverage enables better use of your capital, expanding your investment potential.
    5. Profit from Both Up and Down Markets: Adapt to any market conditions, with opportunities to profit whether the market goes up or down.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $100,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $105,000, your profit will be (105,000 – 100,000) * 100 BTC / 100,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

    BexBack offers a 100% deposit bonus. If the initial investment is 2 BTC, the profit will increase to 10 BTC, and the return on investment will double to 1000%.

    Note: Although leveraged trading can magnify profits, you also need to be wary of liquidation risks.

    How Does the 100% Deposit Bonus Work?
    The deposit bonus from BexBack cannot be directly withdrawn but can be used to open larger positions and increase potential profits. Additionally, during significant market fluctuations, the bonus can serve as extra margin, effectively reducing the risk of liquidation.

    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform that offers 100x leverage on BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and XRP futures contracts. It is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. It holds a US MSB (Money Services Business) license and is trusted by more than 500,000 traders worldwide. Accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe. There are no deposit fees, and traders can get the most thoughtful service, including 24/7 customer support.

    Why recommend BexBack?

    No KYC Required: Start trading immediately without complex identity verification.

    100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds, double your profits.

    High-Leverage Trading: Offers up to 100x leverage, maximizing investors’ capital efficiency.

    Demo Account: Comes with 10 BTC in virtual funds, ideal for beginners to practice risk-free trading.

    Comprehensive Trading Options: Feature-rich trading available via Web and mobile applications.

    Convenient Operation: No slippage, no spread, and fast, precise trade execution.

    Global User Support: Enjoy 24/7 customer service, no matter where you are.

    Lucrative Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission, perfect for promoters.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss Another Opportunity!

    If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users (complete one trade within one week of registration), you can be a winner in the new bull run.

    Sign Up Now on BexBack — Break the 100x Leverage and KYC Barriers, Get Double Deposit Bonus and $50 Welcome Bonus Instantly

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.
    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97e079f0-51fe-4aa5-b650-32ad25c0ed46

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bbe9b29b-6864-4490-9a02-19682e29647f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/938714d4-0d45-4127-8bbe-a1186c371fe9

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/899c3f9f-d215-4359-a869-2814e0aa694c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EverGen Infrastructure Corp. Announces Private Placement of Common Shares and Entering Into of Share Purchase and Reorganization Agreement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities Laws.

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EverGen Infrastructure Corp. (“EverGen” or the “Company”) (TSXV: EVGN) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase and reorganization agreement (the “Agreement”) on April 22, 2025, with Ask America, LLC (the “Purchaser”), an arm’s length limited liability company existing under the laws of New Jersey. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to act as the lead investor in a private placement of common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) for total gross proceeds of up to CAD$7,000,000 (the “Private Placement”). A copy of the Agreement will be accessible on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Private Placement

    Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company intends to complete the Private Placement of up to an aggregate of 11,666,667 Common Shares at a price of $0.60 per Common Share with the Purchaser and other subscribers for total gross proceeds of up to CAD$7,000,000. In connection with the Private Placement, Purchaser has agreed to subscribe for and purchase 8,333,333 Common Shares in the Private Placement, for gross aggregate proceeds of CAD$5,000,000 (the “Share Purchase”) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement. Upon execution of the Agreement, the Purchaser paid a deposit of CAD$1,800,000 to the Company for the Share Purchase, with the remaining CAD$3,200,000 to be paid by the Purchaser to the Company upon closing of the Private Placement. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four month hold period. The Company anticipates using the proceeds of the Private Placement for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, subject to and concurrent with the closing of the Private Placement, the majority of the executive officers and directors of the Company will resign and be replaced with a new management team consisting of Chase Edgelow as Chief Executive Officer, Ron Green as Chief Operating Officer, with Sean Hennessey continuing as Chief Financial Officer and a new board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) consisting of: Chase Edgelow, Varun Anand, Blake Almond, and Mischa Zajtmann (collectively, the “Change of Management”). The foregoing changes will constitute a “Change of Management” (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange). The closing of the Private Placement may also result in the Purchaser becoming a new “Control Person” of the Company (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange). The completion of the Private Placement and the Change of Management is expected to occur in early May 2025.

    It is also anticipated that, prior to closing of the Private Placement, 1,211,026 options, warrants and other equity settled incentive securities held by current and former members of the Company’s management and the Board will be surrendered for cancellation. Upon completion of the Private Placement, EverGen will have issued and outstanding up to 25,686,352 Common Shares (up to 25,806,225 Common Shares on a fully diluted basis).

    New Management Team & Board

    The new management team and board brings unparalleled knowledge of the Company and its assets, a focused strategy dedicated to improving operational efficiencies and cost structure, and a long-term vision to continue to grow EverGen into a highly strategic and valuable infrastructure platform.

    Chase Edgelow (Director & Chief Executive Officer): Brings a direct hands-on approach as co-founder and former CEO of EverGen, along with 20 years of financial and operational expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He is the founding partner of Chase Capital, a private capital platform dedicated to investing in, advising and growing businesses with a focus on the circular economy and energy transition. He spent over a decade with Macquarie Group specializing in sourcing, structuring and managing private energy and infrastructure investments on behalf of Macquarie and other co-investment partners, in addition to providing traditional M&A, capital raising and advisory services for corporate clients. Holds a degree in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Professional Engineer of Alberta (non-practising).

    Ron Green (Chief Operating Officer): An accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in the energy & infrastructure sectors, specializing in operational excellence and team development. Proven track record of driving success in turnaround situations, with expertise in optimizing operations and aligning strategic incentives. Throughout his career, Mr. Green has held key executive roles, including CEO of Promeita Energy, Vice President of Rockwater Energy Solutions, Chief Operating Officer of Pure Energy Services Ltd., and Executive Vice President of Delaney Energy. In addition to his executive leadership roles, Mr. Green is a founding board member of Beyond Energy Services & Technology Corp, which he has guided from a start-up to a >$100m revenue business. He is a graduate of Queens University’s Executive Program and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. With extensive experience in operational leadership and people management, he is a trusted expert in driving sustainable growth and value creation.

    Sean Hennessy (CFO): Sean is a chartered accountant with over 15 years of finance and accounting experience in the clean energy and infrastructure industries, which includes ten years at Altera Infrastructure (previously Teekay Offshore Partners), a global energy infrastructure group and a Brookfield Business Partners portfolio company. Sean obtained his Chartered Accountant designation at PwC New Zealand, where he worked in both the tax and assurance practices, before transitioning to Canada. He is experienced with financial reporting for public companies under both IFRS and US GAAP, on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Sean completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Accounting, Finance and Commercial Law) degree and a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) degree at Victoria University of Wellington.

    Varun Anand (Director): Varun serves as the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer and representative of ASK America LLC. He brings over a decade of global investment experience across public and private markets, with a strong track record of identifying and executing high-quality infrastructure opportunities. An award-winning portfolio manager, Varun has developed particular expertise in the renewable energy sector, having invested extensively in both Canadian and international renewable energy assets. During his tenure at Starlight Capital, he led the investment in the Company’s IPO in 2021 and built one of its largest shareholder positions by 2022. Varun holds a Bachelor of Mathematics with a Finance specialization from the University of Waterloo and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

    Blake Almond (Director): Blake has 17 years of experience in M&A and private & public capital markets including 8 years focused on organics, bioenergy and other circular economy infrastructure assets. He spent 10 years with Macquarie Capital in Sydney where he executed M&A and public & private capital markets deals in bioenergy and natural resources. Today he leads the financial advisory business Circ Partners where he advises global infrastructure private equity funds and industrial sponsor clients on circular economy infrastructure investments. Notably, while at Macquarie Capital, Blake advised on cross-border M&A transactions between Canada and Australia including Viterra Inc on the A$1.6bn acquisition of ABB Grain Ltd and Eldorado Gold Corporation on the A$2.1bn acquisition of Sino Gold Mining Limited. Blake is a Member of the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) and the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR).

    Mischa Zajtmann (Director): Mischa has 15 years of experience providing consulting and executive management expertise for Canadian and American listed companies in the resource sector with projects in South America, Africa, and Asia. He is a co-founder of EverGen. Mischa was a corporate securities lawyer who began his career at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, focused primarily on corporate securities transactions, including M&A and corporate finance. He has advised both purchasers and target companies in a wide variety of M&A transactions—including issuers listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange and underwriters, in connection with public offerings and private placements of equity securities, regulatory compliance, and general corporate and commercial matters. Mischa has a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Saskatchewan Law School and is a member of the British Columbia Bar.

    Corporate Strategy

    With a strengthened balance sheet following the private placement and the appointment of the new management team and board, EverGen is strategically positioned to unlock substantial shareholder value. The Company’s immediate focus is on driving operational excellence, enhancing capital efficiency, and establishing a foundation for scalable growth through the following key pillars:

    Operational Excellence to Maximize Returns: Deployment of performance-driven systems and accountability frameworks across core facilities to drive margin expansion and operational reliability.

    Cost Optimization and Capital Discipline: Allocation of capital to high-impact optimization projects aimed at reducing operating volatility and improving unit economics. Overhead will be streamlined, and opportunities to lower financing costs will be actively pursued to reinforce a lean, agile cost structure.

    Strategic Growth: Upon stabilization of core operations, the Company will leverage industry relationships and execution capabilities to re-initiate disciplined project development and pursue accretive partnership opportunities that support long-term growth and shareholder value creation.

    Shareholder and Stock Exchange Approvals

    Completion of the Private Placement and the Change of Management is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and disinterested holders of Common Shares holding more than 50% of the Common Shares giving consent to the Private Placement and the Change of Management, in accordance with the policies and requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange by executing a written consent (the “Shareholder Written Consent”).

    EverGen Board Approval and Recommendation

    EverGen previously announced on February 28, 2025 that the Board formed a special independent committee (the “Special Committee”) to evaluate and review potential strategic transactions with the goal of maximizing value for EverGen shareholders and other stakeholders of the Company. Based on the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board has unanimously approved the Agreement and the Private Placement and has determined that the completion of the Change of Management and the Private Placement is in the best interests of EverGen. The Board recommends that the EverGen shareholders execute the Shareholder Written Consent. Any EverGen shareholder wishing to obtain and execute the Shareholder Written Consent should contact EverGen as set forth below.

    About EverGen Infrastructure Corp.

    EverGen, Canada’s Renewable Natural Gas Infrastructure Platform, is combating climate change and helping communities contribute to a sustainable future. Headquartered on the West Coast of Canada, EverGen is an established independent renewable energy producer which acquires, develops, builds, owns and operates a portfolio of Renewable Natural Gas, waste to energy, and related infrastructure projects. EverGen is focused on Canada, with continued growth expected across other regions in North America and beyond.

    For more information about EverGen Infrastructure Corp. and our projects, please visit www.evergeninfra.com.

    About ASK America LLC

    ASK America LLC is backed by a multi-generational U.S. family office with several decades of investment experience across a broad spectrum of asset classes. The family office has amassed substantial assets under management, fueled by the success of its wholly owned consumer products business as well as the consistent growth of its investment portfolio. Through ASK America LLC, the group brings a combination of operational acumen and patient, long-term capital to its partnerships, with a steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable growth and delivering superior risk-adjusted returns.

    Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

    This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “will”, “estimates”, “believes”, “intends” “expects” and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning: the completion of the Private Placement and the terms thereof, including the issuance of Common Shares, the completion of the Change of Management, the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange of the Private Placement and the Change of Management, the offering price of the Common Shares, the cancellation of certain options, warrants and other equity settled incentive securities of the Company, and receipt of the Shareholder Written Consent. EverGen cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of EverGen, including expectations and assumptions concerning EverGen, the Private Placement, the Change of Management, the timely receipt of all required TSX Venture Exchange, shareholder and regulatory approvals and exemptions (as applicable, including the Shareholder Written Consent) and the satisfaction of other closing conditions. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of EverGen. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and EverGen does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.

    This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”)) or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirement of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Contacts
    EverGen Infrastructure Corp.
    Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer
    Mischa Zajtmann
    604-202-7004
    mischa@evergeninfra.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s obsession with trade deficits has no basis in economics. And it’s a bad reason for tariffs

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nigel Driffield, Professor of International Business, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick

    Those of us who study trade and investment for a living are, I suspect, becoming exasperated with both the White House stance on tariffs and the way that this is reported in much of the media. US president Donald Trump believes that if a country has a trade surplus with the US it is somehow playing unfairly and needs to be dealt with. But anyone who understands the basics of international economics will recognise the fallacy in both of these beliefs.

    Trade takes place based on what economists call “comparative advantage” – countries import those goods that are otherwise relatively expensive for them to produce. And they export what they produce cheaply relative to other countries.

    So the UK, for example, has a trade surplus in services but a deficit in goods that are made in low-cost locations. This is similar to the position of the US.

    To understand what the US is seeking to achieve, the first questions must be: what are tariffs designed to do? And when are they typically applied? These issues lead to another point. If Trump is so convinced that his tariffs will produce a win-win, why haven’t they succeeded before?

    Trade policy in the form of tariffs is designed to make imports more expensive and encourage buyers to switch to domestic producers. This may be an attempt to protect or support local industry, or as part of a bargaining strategy to access others’ markets.

    But this assumes two things. First, that the demand for such imports is relatively price sensitive (that is, buyers will be put off by price rises). And second, that there are domestic producers able to fill this gap at an appropriate price.

    But tariffs can also cause what is known as “trade substitution” – where the country imports the goods from alternative sources instead.

    To illustrate how this can work in practice, the US has long applied tariffs on European whisky, ranging from 10% to 25% in recent years.

    The US already produces various drinks that are considered to be similar to whisky. So the reason for importing is likely for variety, or possibly the allure of consuming a premium product like a Scottish single malt. As such, price increases may not encourage substitution away from imports – or it may trigger substitution to other imports with lower tariffs.

    An alternative example of the case for tariffs is the steel industry. Many countries believe that they should have a steel industry for strategic reasons, but also because steel is an input into so many aspects of the economy.

    There have also been concerns globally in the industry about the pricing of Chinese steel, and whether it should attract tariffs to balance what is seen as unfair competition. Chinese steel receives subsidies from the Chinese government, after all.

    While this may be a valid concern, it also forces governments to make choices about what they see as “strategic industries”. A good example of this is the desire to protect steel jobs in richer countries, in contrast to the willingness to import cheap clothes from Asia in order to keep inflation down.

    This is typically why, if tariffs are used at all, they tend to be targeted to certain industries.

    The wrinkle in Trump’s plan

    So will the US tariffs plan work? Unfortunately for Trump, the answer is probably not. This type of trade policy has been tried, but has seldom been shown to be effective.

    The second point is whether the president of a large global power should be concerned about its trade balance with another country. Unless he believes that the country is engaging in large-scale subsidy in order to dump goods on foreign markets, the answer is almost certainly no.

    Casual inspection of trade statistics for the US and Canada suggests that the most common exports from Canada to the US include crude petroleum, petroleum gas, refined petroleum and motor vehicle parts and accessories.

    Tariffs on the first three will simply push prices up for US consumers. The last one demonstrates, often to the frustration of policymakers who seek to intervene on trade, that there is little that governments can do to influence modern supply chains, unless they seek to break them all together.

    ‘We don’t need anything Canada has.’

    Firms will locate activities based on combinations of efficiency and where their customers are. So seeking to change these patterns through tariffs will simply increase the cost of imported inputs and make production in the US less competitive.

    In simple terms, complaining that you have a trade deficit with one country is like complaining that you have a trade deficit with your corner shop. They sell you things, you give them money, but they never buy from you. They provide goods that you want for money that you earn elsewhere.

    You could shop elsewhere (and have a deficit with the new shop), you can give up your job and even grow your own food. But were you to impose a “tariff” on your corner shop, it would simply put up the prices that you have to pay.

    That the US has a trade deficit is not a sign that the rest of the world is “ripping it off”. It is a reflection of an affluent society with relatively high wages buying products from countries that can produce them more cheaply. Trump’s tariffs will hurt Americans first – basic international economics is clear on that too.

    Nigel Driffield receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. He is an inactive member of the Labour Party and an advisor to the mayor of the West Midlands

    – ref. Trump’s obsession with trade deficits has no basis in economics. And it’s a bad reason for tariffs – https://theconversation.com/trumps-obsession-with-trade-deficits-has-no-basis-in-economics-and-its-a-bad-reason-for-tariffs-254512

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Charli Capital Acclaimed in the 2025 WPC 5-Star WealthTech Providers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Charli Capital, a leader in AI-powered market intelligence, today announced its recognition as a 5-Star WealthTech Provider by Wealth Professional Canada—a prestigious honor that highlights the most innovative and impactful firms shaping the future of the wealth industry. Wealth Professional Canada conducted a far-reaching analysis of the wealth industry, recognized Charli Capital as one of the standout performers, and celebrated their exemplary professional abilities and expertise.

    Following an in-depth analysis of the sector, Wealth Professional Canada named Charli Capital as a winner, citing its trailblazing technology and tangible results for wealth management professionals.

    Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor for Special Reports at Wealth Professional, shared his insights on the selection process, stating, “The standard of innovation and solutions across the nominees was thoroughly impressive. Charli Capital stood out for their ability to solve problems for wealth management professionals, by delivering a product that is unique and also a proven success.”  

    Wealth Professional Canada’s 30+ strong Intelligence Unit compiled the final winners list after the completion of a rigorous process, canvassing the opinions of objective industry experts and collating leading-edge research. The prestigious list of honourees was then matched with the 5-Star WealthTech Providers’ precise criteria.

    Charli Capital receives this honor with pleasure and is delighted to be included among the wealth management industry’s top performers.

    “Charli AI provides in-depth automated analysis for both public and private companies, driving 80% + productivity gains and enabling customers to grow their business by handling a greater number of clients, client portfolios, and assets under management.”, said Kevin Collins, Chief Executive Officer.

    This award is a true testament to the professionalism and commitment Charli Capital brings to the industry and showcases their desire to maintain their first-rate standards.

    About Charli Capital
    Charli Capital is redefining the future of private investing with a first-of-its-kind dual-sided network—powered by Charli’s multidimensional AI. Our platform empowers investors to uncover hidden opportunities, access high-quality deal flow, and engage in a new era of data-driven, intelligent capital allocation. Charli Capital is where next-generation investment decisions begin.

    About 2025 WPC 5-Star WealthTech Providers:
    Wealth Professional invited technology service providers from around Canada to submit nominations, detailing the problems or pain points their offering is designed to solve or relieve for wealth management professionals and how their solution differs from those offered by competitors. The WP team objectively assessed each entry for detailed information, true innovation, and proven success – along with benchmarking against the other entries – to determine the 5-Star Wealth Tech Providers. 

    Media Contact:
    Fatema Bhabrawala 
    Director of Media Relations
    fbhabrawala@allianceadvisors.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Premium Global Income Split Corp. Announces Successful Overnight Offering of Preferred Shares and Class A Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

    TORONTO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: PGIC.PR.A; PGIC) – Premium Global Income Split Corp. (the “Fund”) is pleased to announce a successful overnight treasury offering of 2,100,000 Preferred Shares and 2,100,000 Class A Shares for gross proceeds of approximately $35,175,000. The Preferred Shares and Class A Shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) under the existing symbols PGIC.PR.A and PGIC, respectively.

    The offering is expected to close on or about April 30, 2025, and is subject to certain closing conditions including approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”). The Preferred Shares were offered at a price of $10.35 per Preferred Share and the Class A Shares were offered at a price of $6.40 per Class A Share.

    The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of primarily large capitalization global equity securities actively selected by the Manager. To generate additional returns above the dividend income earned on the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund will selectively write covered call and put options in respect of some or all of the common shares in the Fund’s portfolio. The manager and investment manager of the Fund is Mulvihill Capital Management Inc.

    The Preferred Shares pay fixed cumulative preferential monthly cash distributions in the amount of $0.0625 per Preferred Share representing a yield of 7.50% on the original issue price of $10.00. The Class A Shares pay monthly cash distributions targeted to be 12% per annum based on the initial $8.00 net asset value per Class A Share.

    The syndicate of agents for the offering was co-led by National Bank Financial Inc., CIBC Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets and Scotiabank.

    For further information, please contact Investor Relations at 416.681.3966, toll free at 1.800.725.7172, email at info@mulvihill.com or visit www.mulvihill.com.

    A short form base shelf prospectus containing important detailed information about the securities being offered has been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. Copies of the short form base shelf prospectus may be obtained from a member of the syndicate. The Fund intends to file a supplement to the short form base shelf prospectus and investors should read the short form base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplement before making an investment decision. There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities being offered until the prospectus supplement has been filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada.

    You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell shares of the investment fund on the TSX. If shares of the Fund are purchased or sold on the TSX, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying shares of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

    There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the investment fund in these documents. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor will there be any sale of such securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    John Germain, Senior Vice-President & CFO                      Mulvihill Capital Management Inc.
    121 King Street West
    Suite 2600
    Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3T9
         

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US universities lose millions of dollars chasing patents, research shows

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University

    Every year, American universities spend millions of dollars patenting inventions developed on their campuses. Big names such as Stanford and the University of California system lead the pack in patent activity, but hundreds of other universities are also trying to strike gold by monetizing intellectual property. The idea is simple: By investing in patents and selling or licensing them to industry, the university will profit.

    But in practice, this strategy rarely pays off.

    Indeed, the results of a recent study I conducted using full-cost accounting shows the average American research university is losing millions of dollars on patents annually. One school I examined as a case study lost a staggering $9 million on intellectual property investments in one year.

    These findings come at a critical moment. Universities across the U.S. are under serious financial strain and at risk of losing federal funding under the current administration. Speaking as an engineer and innovation expert, I believe universities can no longer afford to be losing money on schemes meant to generate revenue.

    How universities got into the patent business

    The current system was born out of the 1980 Bayh-Dole Act, which standardized federal policy to encourage university grant recipients to patent their inventions. The goal was to commercialize taxpayer-funded research and to make universities money in the process.

    One result was the rapid expansion of technology transfer offices at universities across the country. These offices are designed to support the commercialization of academic research and development.

    On the surface, this strategy might seem promising. Years of data from the Association of University Technology Managers, which surveys tech transfer offices, suggested large, growing revenues from licensing intellectual property.

    But there’s a major caveat: It costs money for a university to do all this, and the association’s figures don’t take all of those costs into account. They exclude big expenses such as the costs of running technology transfer offices and litigation. When these are included, previous research has shown, just under half of the tech transfer offices pay for themselves.

    And even these analyses are incomplete, as they ignore the opportunity costs to faculty participating in the time-consuming patenting process. After all, every hour a professor spends on patenting is an hour not spent writing grant proposals.

    This raises a crucial question: Do university investments in patenting, taking into account all the costs, actually deliver a positive return on investment?

    To answer this, I developed a formula to determine exactly how much universities spend in patenting, including the costs of faculty time. I then applied that formula to an average R1 research university − about halfway down the list of annual National Science Foundation funding − using real numbers.

    The hidden cost of faculty time

    For the case study university, I found that every single cost category exceeded the intellectual property-related income. The opportunity cost for writing patents instead of grants was more than 33 times the income realized.

    This means that the average U.S. university is literally losing millions of dollars pursuing patents. Research universities could increase research income by simply ignoring intellectual property entirely.

    Using this full-cost accounting method is something university administrators would be wise to consider in their decision-making, given the real opportunity costs of faculty time.

    Administrators may argue that because faculty are salaried, there’s no additional cost to making them spend time writing patents. But this ignores reality: Faculty are among the university’s most productive assets. They generate income through tuition and research grants. Their time isn’t free − and using it inefficiently can come at a steep cost.

    My study looked only at one university that happens to have a very high invention disclosure rate and would, if viewed from afar, seem to be doing really well on intellectual property investment. When all costs are accounted for the university, it becomes apparent that its intellectual property policy is causing the school to hemorrhage money.

    The easy-to-follow methodology I set up can be used by any university to determine its intellectual property’s real return on income. Each university will be slightly different, but for the vast majority, the return on investment will be strongly negative.

    As the costs of university education become increasingly challenging for many Americans, I think it’s time to take a hard look at university “investments” in technology transfer with a negative return.

    Joshua M. Pearce has received funding for research from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Mitacs, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation. His past and present consulting work and research is funded by the United Nations, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and many companies in the energy and solar photovoltaic fields. He does not have any direct conflicts of interest.

    – ref. US universities lose millions of dollars chasing patents, research shows – https://theconversation.com/us-universities-lose-millions-of-dollars-chasing-patents-research-shows-244270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Celebrity Traitors: my research shows voting behaviour could help identify faithfuls

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Robin Kramer, Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, University of Lincoln

    With the lineup of the upcoming celebrity series of The Traitors recently leaked online, people are once again debating the best strategies that players might use to succeed. But a player’s voting history can also reveal the psychological dynamics at play, particularly alliances they may be subconsciously forming.

    For those who aren’t familiar, the premise of the show is that each player is given the role of either “faithful” or “traitor”. Only the traitors know everyone’s roles in the game. If the faithful players eliminate all of the traitors by the end of the game, they divide the prize money equally among themselves. However, if one or more traitors remain by the end, all of the money goes to them instead.

    There are two ways for someone to be eliminated from the game. First, all of the players vote on who to “banish” at the round table each day. Second, the traitors decide on one person to “murder” overnight, who is then removed from the game before breakfast the following morning. There are also occasional tweaks to this format depending on the stage of the game.

    Ideally, faithful players would spot the lies that traitors tell. However, research shows that people don’t fare much better than chance at doing this, although certain individuals (who are often found to be working in law enforcement) or specialised groups, such as members of the US Secret Service, may be.



    Read more:
    Why we’re so bad at spotting lies – most of us only perform slightly better than chance

    Instead, players may base their decisions on unreliable biases. In a game where there’s so little to go on, they risk being blinded by the trustworthiness of a (fake) Welsh accent, for example, or drawing suspicions for simply being too quiet or too noisy. After all, there is a lot of behaviour that people often incorrectly link with deception. For instance, westerners commonly associate someone averting their gaze with lying but researchers have shown that looking away isn’t linked to deception.

    Spotting traitors is no easy task if you’re a faithful.
    Andrii Yalanskyi/Shutterstock

    Using voting behaviour as evidence

    Information from interactions with other players can be unreliable, but players also get to see how others vote at the round table. And this is where real evidence can be found.

    The faithful players have little to go on, so they end up voting for anyone – faithful and traitors alike. In contrast, traitors can direct their votes only at the faithful. If we combine these ideas, we see that traitors are more likely to be voted for by faithful players, even if this is by accident.

    The traitors don’t tend to vote for each other because they naturally form an alliance, working together to shape the game. Their secret meetings in Traitors’ Tower, shared uniform (a cloak and hood), and power to murder the faithful, construct a sense of “us versus them”. In fact, very little is needed for people to start behaving this way. Known as the minimal group paradigm, research has shown that simply segregating people based on their preference for certain artists or their eye colour is enough to change the way they behave towards each other.

    They may be happy to deceive the faithful, but the traitors are generally willing to trust each other. This mirrors a 2018 study where “deviant” study participants (who cheated on a task) felt connected to their team and trusted its members when the team engaged in coordinated acts of deviance (helping each other to cheat). Although they knew logically that their team shouldn’t be trusted, their sense of connection led to a feeling of trust nonetheless.

    Do voting records actually reveal players’ roles?

    Conveniently, all of the voting records for the show have been collated online. Let’s first exclude voting rounds which restrict the traitors’ options. During a round table which results in a traitor’s banishment, most players have voted for that traitor. There is good reason for other traitors to jump on the bandwagon at that point, to blend in and appear more faithful. Similarly, voting is limited after a tie, where the remaining options may force particular decisions.

    After excluding these two types of voting context, I investigated the votes for players who were traitors at the time of voting (rather than switching to this role later on) for the three series of the UK show. I also considered other completed series of English-language versions of the show: the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

    Altogether, 95% of the 76 votes for traitors were cast by faithful players. Remember Jake from series three earlier this year? As a faithful player, he voted for Linda right at the beginning of the game. When Linda was later revealed as a traitor, Jake’s abilities were championed by the other players, earning him the nickname “traitor hunter” and convincing them that he was faithful.

    So whenever a traitor is banished, players should consider who voted for that traitor in previous round tables – as we’ve seen, those votes probably came from the faithful. However, as the game progresses, there’s always the possibility that a faithful player could later be “seduced” into becoming a traitor, so it’s important to keep this in mind too.

    Players may not be able to rely on spotting “tells” or other cues to deception in the game, but there are always patterns in the ways people behave. You just need to know where to look.

    Robin Kramer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Celebrity Traitors: my research shows voting behaviour could help identify faithfuls – https://theconversation.com/celebrity-traitors-my-research-shows-voting-behaviour-could-help-identify-faithfuls-223229

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Distillate and jet fuel contribute to record U.S. petroleum product exports in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    April 23, 2025

    In 2024, U.S. exports of total petroleum products increased to a record 6.6 million barrels per day (b/d) annual average. Annual U.S. petroleum product exports increased by 495,000 b/d as U.S. exports of distillate fuel oil, typically sold as diesel, and jet fuel increased compared with 2023, while exports of total motor gasoline decreased. Imports of major petroleum products, including gasoline, distillate fuel oil, and jet fuel, decreased by 210,000 b/d in 2024 compared with 2023.

    Distillate fuel oil accounts for the largest share of U.S. transportation fuel exports and is the second-largest petroleum export by volume, after propane. Distillate exports increased 182,000 b/d to about 1.30 million b/d in 2024, still less than the annual record of 1.38 million b/d in 2017.

    The largest destination for U.S. distillate exports is Mexico, which accounted for 272,000 b/d (21%) in 2024. Other major destinations included Chile (110,000 b/d), the Netherlands (103,000 b/d), the UK (81,000 b/d), and Peru (74,000 b/d).

    Brazil was the second-largest destination for U.S. distillate exports over the previous 10 years (2014–23), but it only received 41,000 b/d of U.S. exports in 2024. This decrease indirectly reflects sanctions by European countries on Russia’s distillate imports. Brazil increased imports of discounted and displaced distillate from Russia last year, reducing its own imports from the United States. At the same time, major European hubs in the Netherlands and the UK imported significantly more distillate from the United States. The Netherlands imported 103,000 b/d of distillate from the United States in 2024, and UK distillate imports averaged 81,000 b/d. In 2021, the Netherlands imported just 12,000 b/d of U.S. distillate, and the UK imported only 23,000 b/d.

    In 2024, exports of U.S. motor gasoline, including both finished motor gasoline and motor gasoline blending components, totaled 877,000 b/d, or 24,000 b/d less than in 2023. Mexico is the largest destination for U.S. gasoline exports, accounting for more than half of 2024 exports at 495,000 b/d. Other destinations for U.S. gasoline exports are generally concentrated in the Western Hemisphere, such as Guatemala, Colombia, Canada, and Panama—the next-largest destinations by volume in 2024.

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly
    Note: Total motor gasoline exports are calculated as the sum of exports of finished motor gasoline and exports of motor gasoline blending components.

    Jet fuel exports in 2024 increased relative to 2023, rising to a total of 209,000 b/d but remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Major destinations for jet fuel exports are elsewhere in the Americas, and as with the other fuels, Mexico has historically been the largest single destination, constituting 63,000 b/d (30%) of 2024 exports. U.S. annual exports of jet fuel to Mexico were their highest on record last year.

    Principal contributor: Kevin Hack

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: EY US Unveils Balaji Sreenivasan of Aurigo Software as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Finalist

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Gulf South Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most groundbreaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.

    The Gulf South program celebrates entrepreneurs from Central and South Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. An independent panel of judges selected Balaji Sreenivasan for his entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and lasting impact in building long-term value.

    “Building Aurigo has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Entrepreneurship, to me, is about solving meaningful problems and creating something that lasts. We’re building AI-powered software that’s transforming how the world plans and delivers infrastructure, and I’m grateful every day to work with such a brilliant, passionate team. This recognition is really a reflection of our team and what we’ve built together.”

    — Balaji Sreenivasan, Founder and CEO, Aurigo Software Technologies Inc.

    Aurigo Software is a leading AI-powered software company that helps infrastructure and facility owners around the world plan and build better. With a vision to build a better tomorrow, Aurigo’s platform supports some of the largest capital improvement and infrastructure programs globally, transforming how critical assets are managed, delivered, and optimized.

    Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

    Regional award winners will be announced on June 12 during a special celebration in Houston and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

    Sponsors
    Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh McLennan Agency, and SAP. In the Gulf South, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors ADP, DFIN, DLA Piper, and VCFO and Silver sponsors Big Picture and Pierpont Communications.

    About Entrepreneur Of The Year
    Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.

    The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November, where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.

    About EY
    EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

    Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

    EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy, and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network, and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

    All in to shape the future with confidence.

    EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.

    About Aurigo Software
    Aurigo builds software that helps build the world. Aurigo provides modern, cloud-based solutions for capital infrastructure and private owners to help them plan with confidence and build with quality. With more than $450 billion of capital programs under management, Aurigo’s solutions are trusted by over 300 customers in transportation, water and utilities, healthcare, higher education, and the government, with over 40,000 projects across North America. Aurigo helps capital program executives make better decisions based on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. Aurigo is a privately held U.S. corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, with global offices in Canada and India. Learn more at www.aurigo.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be9703fc-711e-48cb-a5d5-8ea80e2a73de

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BTQ Technologies Corp. to Present at the OTCQX Best 50 Virtual Investor Conference April 24th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTQ Technologies Corp. (OTCQX: BTQQF) (CBOE CA: BTQ) (FSE: NG3), a global quantum technology company focused on securing mission-critical networks, today announced that Nicolas Roussy Newton, Co-Founder and COO will present live at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on April 24th, 2025.

    This live presentation, led by COO Nicolas Roussy Newton, will cover BTQ’s strategic growth plan, outline its global research initiatives currently underway and detail recent acquisitions and partnerships aimed at accelerating the commercialization of its advanced post quantum solutions.

    DATE: Thursday April 24, 2025
    TIME: 1:00am EST
    LINK: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent BTQ Highlights:

    About BTQ
    BTQ was founded by a group of post-quantum cryptographers with an interest in addressing the urgent security threat posed by large-scale universal quantum computers. With the support of leading research institutes and universities, BTQ is combining software and hardware to safeguard critical networks using unique post-quantum services and solutions.

    Connect with BTQ: Website | LinkedIn

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    BTQ Technologies Corp.
    Bill Mitoulas
    Investor Relations
    +1.416.479.9547
    bill@btq.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    Neither CBOE Canada nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Volta Finance Limited – Net Asset Value(s) as at 31 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Volta Finance Limited (VTA / VTAS)
    March 2025 monthly report

    NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, OR PUBLICATION, IN WHOLE OR PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

    Guernsey, April 23rd, 2025

    AXA IM has published the Volta Finance Limited (the “Company” or “Volta Finance” or “Volta”) monthly report for March 2025. The full report is attached to this release and will be available on Volta’s website shortly (www.voltafinance.com).

    Performance and Portfolio Activity

    Dear Investors,

    Volta Finance’s net performance for the month of March was negative -2.9%, taking the Aug 2024-to-date performance at +9.7%. Both our investments in CLO Debt and CLO Equity were impacted by the broader volatility and risk repricing across global markets. In line with its dividend policy, Volta declared a 15.5c quarterly dividend through the month.

    CLO markets exhibited classic cyclical patterns characterized by spread tightening in January followed by some widening towards the end of the Quarter. However, market movements in March extended beyond typical seasonal dynamics as geopolitical tensions and uncertainties surrounding President Trump’s trade policies had a significant impact. The announcement of tariffs targeting Canada, Mexico and increased levies on China in February shook Equity markets across the globe and triggered a general repricing of risk. March saw additional tariff threats hinting towards a total revamp of US trade agreements in the making. Major Equity indices sold off, with pressures on technology, automotive and consumer discretionary sectors notably. These announcements overshadowed positive news on the inflation front (cooling PCE), while the Fed maintained its key rate on March 19. Lower GDP growth projections were on everybody’s mind, while markets were left in limbo ahead of the tariff announcements of the US administration due to take place on April 2nd.

    It was no surprise to see Credit markets repricing in March as well: the European High Yield index (Xover) closed around 40bps wider at 328bps. In the loan market, Euro Loans dropped c. 1pt to about 97.80px (Morningstar European Leveraged Loan Index) while US Loans felt by 85cts down to 96.30px. The primary CLO market remained active as many transactions were executed, although levels moved wider across the capital structure, notably BBs towards +600bps (from +475bps context). In terms of performance, BBs had a total return of -1.5%, US High Yield returned -1.07% and Euro High Yield were down by -1%.

    Looking at Volta Finance’s cashflow, the portfolio generated c. €28m equivalent of interests and coupons over the last six months, representing c.21% of February’s NAV on an annualized basis. Over the month, Volta’s CLO Equity tranches returned -4.3%** while CLO Debt tranches returned -0.5% performance**, cash representing c. 10% of the NAV.

    Volta is around 21% exposed to USD, the March currency moves having a meaningful impact on the overall funds’ performance (-0.94%).

    As of end of March 2025, Volta’s NAV was €269.6m, i.e. €7.37 per share.

    *It should be noted that approximately 0.29% of Volta’s GAV comprises investments for which the relevant NAVs as at the month-end date are normally available only after Volta’s NAV has already been published. Volta’s policy is to publish its NAV on as timely a basis as possible to provide shareholders with Volta’s appropriately up-to-date NAV information. Consequently, such investments are valued using the most recently available NAV for each fund or quoted price for such subordinated notes. The most recently available fund NAV or quoted price was 0.18% as at 28 February 2025, 0.11% as at 30 September 2024.

    ** “performances” of asset classes are calculated as the Dietz-performance of the assets in each bucket, taking into account the Mark-to-Market of the assets at period ends, payments received from the assets over the period, and ignoring changes in cross-currency rates. Nevertheless, some residual currency effects could impact the aggregate value of the portfolio when aggregating each bucket.

    CONTACTS

    For the Investment Manager
    AXA Investment Managers Paris
    François Touati
    francois.touati@axa-im.com
    +33 (0) 1 44 45 80 22

    Olivier Pons
    Olivier.pons@axa-im.com
    +33 (0) 1 44 45 87 30

    Company Secretary and Administrator
    BNP Paribas S.A, Guernsey Branch
    guernsey.bp2s.volta.cosec@bnpparibas.com 
    +44 (0) 1481 750 853

    Corporate Broker
    Cavendish Securities plc
    Andrew Worne
    Daniel Balabanoff
    +44 (0) 20 7397 8900

    *****
    ABOUT VOLTA FINANCE LIMITED

    Volta Finance Limited is incorporated in Guernsey under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market for listed securities. Volta’s home member state for the purposes of the EU Transparency Directive is the Netherlands. As such, Volta is subject to regulation and supervision by the AFM, being the regulator for financial markets in the Netherlands.

    Volta’s Investment objectives are to preserve its capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis. The Company currently seeks to achieve its investment objectives by pursuing exposure predominantly to CLO’s and similar asset classes. A more diversified investment strategy across structured finance assets may be pursued opportunistically. The Company has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris an investment management company with a division specialised in structured credit, for the investment management of all its assets.

    *****

    ABOUT AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS
    AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is a multi-expert asset management company within the AXA Group, a global leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA IM is one of the largest European-based asset managers with 2,800 professionals and €859 billion in assets under management as of the end of June 2024.  

    *****

    This press release is published by AXA Investment Managers Paris (“AXA IM”), in its capacity as alternative investment fund manager (within the meaning of Directive 2011/61/EU, the “AIFM Directive”) of Volta Finance Limited (the “Volta Finance”) whose portfolio is managed by AXA IM.

    This press release is for information only and does not constitute an invitation or inducement to acquire shares in Volta Finance. Its circulation may be prohibited in certain jurisdictions and no recipient may circulate copies of this document in breach of such limitations or restrictions. This document is not an offer for sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States or to persons who are “U.S. persons” for purposes of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or otherwise in circumstances where such offer would be restricted by applicable law. Such securities may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration from the Securities Act. Volta Finance does not intend to register any portion of the offer of such securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of such securities in the United States.

    *****

    This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The securities referred to herein are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

    *****
    This press release contains statements that are, or may deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “anticipated”, “expects”, “intends”, “is/are expected”, “may”, “will” or “should”. They include the statements regarding the level of the dividend, the current market context and its impact on the long-term return of Volta Finance’s investments. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Volta Finance’s actual results, portfolio composition and performance may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. AXA IM does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements.

    Any target information is based on certain assumptions as to future events which may not prove to be realised. Due to the uncertainty surrounding these future events, the targets are not intended to be and should not be regarded as profits or earnings or any other type of forecasts. There can be no assurance that any of these targets will be achieved. In addition, no assurance can be given that the investment objective will be achieved.

    The figures provided that relate to past months or years and past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance or construed as a reliable indicator as to future performance. Throughout this review, the citation of specific trades or strategies is intended to illustrate some of the investment methodologies and philosophies of Volta Finance, as implemented by AXA IM. The historical success or AXA IM’s belief in the future success, of any of these trades or strategies is not indicative of, and has no bearing on, future results.

    The valuation of financial assets can vary significantly from the prices that the AXA IM could obtain if it sought to liquidate the positions on behalf of the Volta Finance due to market conditions and general economic environment. Such valuations do not constitute a fairness or similar opinion and should not be regarded as such.

    Editor: AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS PARIS, a company incorporated under the laws of France, having its registered office located at Tour Majunga, 6, Place de la Pyramide – 92800 Puteaux. AXA IMP is authorized by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers under registration number GP92008 as an alternative investment fund manager within the meaning of the AIFM Directive.

    *****

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Asure Software Launches New Canadian Payroll Tax Solution to Support Global Enterprises

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Asure Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASUR), a leading provider of cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions, today announced the launch of its new Canadian payroll tax filing solution, designed specifically for large Canadian companies and global enterprises with employees in Canada.

    This innovative solution expands Asure’s capability to serve enterprise clients with international workforces, seamlessly integrating payroll tax services into major platforms such as Workday, Oracle, and SAP. Asure’s Canadian tax product leverages Luna, the company’s proprietary AI-powered virtual agent, marking a significant advancement as the first of its kind in the Canadian market.

    “We developed this product incredibly fast due to our API-first approach and strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS),” said Pat Goepel, CEO of Asure Software. “The scalability, reliability, and flexibility provided by AWS have been instrumental in accelerating our innovation cycle and enabling rapid delivery to our customers.”

    The Canadian payroll tax solution addresses critical compliance needs for organizations managing cross-border payroll processes, reducing complexity and ensuring accurate, timely filing. The integration of Luna provides intelligent automation, further simplifying workflows and improving operational efficiency.

    “Our focus remains on empowering organizations to thrive by simplifying complex payroll and tax compliance challenges, especially across international borders,” Goepel continued. “This solution reinforces our commitment to innovation and our ability to quickly respond to evolving market needs.”

    To learn more about Asure Software’s Canadian Payroll Tax Solution and broader suite of international payroll and HCM offerings, visit www.asuresoftware.com.

    About Asure Software
    Asure (NASDAQ: ASUR) provides cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) software solutions that assist organizations of all sizes in streamlining their HCM processes. Asure’s suite of HCM solutions includes HR, payroll, time and attendance, benefits administration, payroll tax management, and talent management. The company’s approach to HR compliance services incorporates AI technology to enhance scalability and efficiency while prioritizing client interactions. For more information, please visit www.asuresoftware.com. 

    Investor Relations Contact: 
    Patrick McKillop
    Asure Investor Relations 
    617-335-5058
    patrick.mckillop@asuresoftware.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Announces the Launch of Brompton Wellington Square AAA CLO ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: BAAA; BAAA.U) Brompton Funds Limited (the “Manager”) is pleased to announce that Brompton Wellington Square AAA CLO ETF (“BAAA”) will commence trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) today. A final prospectus dated April 10, 2025 has been filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each province and territory in Canada.

    The investment objectives of BAAA are to provide unitholders with high monthly income and capital preservation through investment in a portfolio of primarily AAA rated collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). BAAA seeks to hedge substantially all of its direct exposure to foreign currencies back to the Canadian dollar. However, any exposure that BAAA’s assets allocable to the USD units have to foreign currencies will not be hedged back to the Canadian dollar. BAAA will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing in a portfolio of CLOs selected by Wellington Square Advisors Inc., the investment sub-advisor to BAAA, generally ranging in credit quality from AAA to BBB, with a minimum of 75% of BAAA’s portfolio invested in AAA rated CLOs. Up to 10% of BAAA’s portfolio may from time to time be tactically invested in CLOs rated less than BBB. All ratings are measured as at the time of investment.

    Wellington Square Advisors Inc. (“Wellington Square”) is a Toronto-based independent investment advisory led by portfolio managers Jeff Sujitno and Amar Dhanoya. Wellington Square has invested in CLOs for over 10 years with certain staff having specialized expertise gained from working for CLO managers.

    The Manager has assigned BAAA a risk rating of “low”. For further details, please refer to BAAA’s ETF Facts document available on www.sedarplus.ca or on BAAA’s home page at www.bromptongroup.com.

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other TSX traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

    Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange-traded fund investments.  Please read the prospectus before investing. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this press release and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the fund, to the future outlook of the fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –