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Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Show your Alberta side. Buy Local.

    [. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.  

    The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.

    “It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”

    RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

    Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.

    Quick facts

    • This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food. 
    • In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
    • Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.

    Related information

    • Buy Local Alberta
    • Made in Alberta Product Catalogue
    • Alberta Agri-Food Products and Services Export Catalogue

    Multimedia

    • Watch the Minister’s ‘Buy Local’ video
    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Celebrating Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 14, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is proclaiming April 13-19, 2025, as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the hard work and commitment of 9-1-1 call takers, dispatchers and technicians across the province.

    “Telecommunicators are essential in saving lives,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “They ensure that the information you provide during a 9-1-1 call is accurately relayed to the emergency personnel who are coming to your aid. We recognize and appreciate their vital role in keeping our citizens safe.”

    This week is an opportunity to acknowledge and express gratitude to those who devote their lives to serving the public.

    In Saskatchewan, 9-1-1 calls are taken by highly trained professional staff in Regina, Saskatoon and near Prince Albert. These telecommunicators received over 570,000 calls in 2024. 

    The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) provides monitoring and dispatching services across the province. The SPSA works with volunteer and professional first responders, as well as provincial and municipal government ministries and agencies to support public safety, protection and enforcement. 

    National Public Safety Telecommunicators week is observed annually during the second full week of April. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New Regina Breast Health Centre Ready to Welcome Patients

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 14, 2025

    Saskatchewan Government Delivers on Commitment to More Timely Access and Enhanced Breast Health Services

    The highly anticipated Regina Breast Health Centre will officially open its doors to patients next week on April 23rd. The new centre will provide a variety of services, including diagnostic imaging, biopsies, specialist consultations, patient education and navigation, as well as other future on-site post treatment therapies and rehabilitation.

    “Women will now have improved access to a full range of breast health services and the supports they need to help them through the difficult journey of diagnosis, treatment and recovery in a centralized way,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “Regina’s new Breast Health Centre represents a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of Saskatchewan women and will have a positive impact to breast health services in our province.” 

    Co-location of essential services at the Breast Health Centre will allow family physicians and nurse practitioners to provide a single referral rather than coordinating multiple referrals. This streamlined approach will reduce wait times and improve the patient experience in what can often be a challenging time.

    “The new Breast Health Centre is going to have an incredibly positive impact on anyone facing a breast cancer diagnosis in Regina and surrounding areas,” breast cancer survivor and Inpower Committee Member Briana Bolduc said. “I think the familiarity of having appointments in the same location will provide a much-needed sense of comfort and help reduce anxiety during a really difficult time. Anything that makes the cancer journey a bit more manageable is a win, and I am grateful this centre will exist for those who need it.”

    Patients will receive coordinated care from the time they are referred by a primary care provider through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment if required (including surgery and/or referral to an oncologist), as well as connections to other services for therapies, rehabilitation or reconstructions. 

    Multi-disciplinary teams will include breast radiologists, breast specialized surgeons, nurse navigators, diagnostic imaging professionals, physiotherapists, a social worker and support administrative staff all working together and closely collaborating as a team to provide timely care and a better patient experience.

    “The opening of the Regina Breast Health Centre reflects our commitment to timely, compassionate, high-quality care for women facing breast health concerns,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller said. “By bringing key services together under one roof, we are making care more coordinated, accessible, and supportive for every patient.”

    Government has invested $8.5 million to open the new Breast Health Centre including building renovations, diagnostic equipment and staffing.

    “We continue to deliver on our commitment to improve access and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients through a number of ongoing initiatives to enhance breast care,” Cockrill said. “We are also grateful to the Hospitals of Regina Foundation for their support in funding two radiologists to receive fellowship training for breast imaging and intervention specialties and deliver highly specialized care to Saskatchewan women.”

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Media
    Health
    Regina
    Phone: 306-787-4083
    Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Coal in Alberta: Neither public outrage nor waning global demand seem to matter to Danielle Smith

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ian Urquhart, Professor Emeritus, Political Science, University of Alberta

    “We heard you, Albertans.” With those words, Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean put coal mining in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains back on the table last December. Common sense might suggest Jean meant that Albertans are in favour of resuscitating metallurgical coal mining there, but that’s not the case.

    Instead, the public strongly opposes reviving metallurgical coal mining — also known as coking coal mining — to supply Asian steelmakers. December’s Coal Industry Modernization Initiative sadly exemplifies what has become too common in politics today — using misinformation to try to win the public’s willingness to accept the unacceptable.

    In this case, the government’s treatment of expert opinion compounds its misinformation. It’s blind to expert advice from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Australian government questioning the rosiness of metallurgical coal’s future.

    Bringing coal miners back to Alberta’s Rockies was extremely contentious between 2020 and 2022. Jason Kenney’s Conservatives removed the de facto exploration and exploitation restrictions in place there since the 1970s. At the same time, Benga Mining Limited proposed to resume coal mining in southwest Alberta. Together, these events ignited a public furore.

    Public opposition

    Andrew Nikiforuk, a journalist whose books and articles focus on epidemics and the energy industry, was one of the first to bring coal miner ambitions to the public’s attention. He told me the outrage was “probably the most important environmental protest I have ever witnessed in this province.”

    Benga’s Grassy Mountain project was summarily dismissed by government regulators in 2021. Eleven weeks before that decision, Alberta created the Coal Policy Committee. It consulted Albertans about the 2020 decision to invite coal miners to return to the Rockies.

    The committee gave anyone with a view on coal — positive or negative — the opportunity to contribute to its deliberations. The response was impressive. The committee received nearly 4,400 pieces of correspondence, 176 detailed written submissions and conducted 67 virtual and public meetings.

    The consultation confirmed what polling firms had already found: “A significant number of respondents are apprehensive about coal development in Alberta.”

    Albertans didn’t believe coal’s economic benefits justified its risks to landscapes and water quality. Only eight per cent of those who answered the committee’s survey question about the economic benefits of coal mining felt they were very important; 64 per cent regarded those benefits as “not important at all.”

    This unambiguous public opposition repeated what the federal-provincial review panel into Benga’s Grassy Mountain coal mine proposal revealed in 2020-2021. Ninety-eight per cent of the more than 4,400 public comments left on the review panel’s website opposed the proposal to bring coal mining back to the Crowsnest Pass.

    Second, the committee concluded that land-use planning, with public consultation, needed to take place before a decision could be made about permitting coal exploration in the Rockies.

    Premier Danielle Smith’s government hasn’t listened. It doesn’t intend to conduct the land-use planning called for by the committee.

    Jean has also said he will consult industry — and only industry — as he tries to get his new policy in place this year. He promised “targeted” engagement with coal industry stakeholders. The public and other interests will be mere spectators.

    Global coal demand is a myth

    Alberta’s coal initiative has an optimistic view of future metallurgical coal demand.

    Jean markets his proposal by saying Alberta coal is needed “given the current and anticipated future global demand for coal.” But the IAE doesn’t share that optimism. Nor do experts from the Australian government, the world’s largest exporter of metallurgical coal.

    The IEA’s annual coal report is a benchmark for understanding the medium-term global outlook for coal. Its most recent report projects metallurgical coal production will fall by 4.2 per cent from 2024 to 2027. The IEA’s 2024 World Energy Outlook predicted steelmaking coal production would fall over the next two decades as steelmakers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    In 2050, it expects world coking coal production to drop 35.8 per cent from the 2024 level.

    Australia’s pre-eminence comes from producing 46 per cent of global metallurgical coal exports. The Australian government’s March 2025 Resources and Energy Quarterly confirms the general thrust of the IEA’s analyses. A slight increase in the amount of steel produced without metallurgical coal “will likely result in a slight fall in global metallurgical coal demand through to 2030.”



    Read more:
    Australia urgently needs to get serious about long-term climate policy – but there’s no sign of that in the election campaign

    Asian demand

    The IEA makes it clear that Australian producers don’t intend to relinquish market share willingly. Forty-seven Australian coal projects are in the pipeline, with most focused on metallurgical coal or metallurgical/thermal coal combined. Three-quarters of Australia’s metallurgical coal exports feed the Asian steel industry.

    Then there’s Mongolia. After its “recent extraordinary export growth” into China, Mongolia now supplies nearly one-half of China’s imports. The country is the world’s second largest metallurgical coal exporter. Mongolia’s high-quality coal, proximity to China and improved rail infrastructure will make its production difficult to displace.

    It’s unlikely, then, that new coal production from Alberta will gain easy access to Asian markets.

    Alberta’s Coal Industry Modernization Initiative illustrates two dangerous trends in politics today — the refusal to heed both the public and experts.

    The stakes here are large. Coal mining will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on the headwaters that serve people in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Smith’s Conservatives should in fact embrace common sense and the spirit of party policy from the 1970s. Prohibit coal mining in Alberta’s Rockies.

    Ian Urquhart 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. Coal in Alberta: Neither public outrage nor waning global demand seem to matter to Danielle Smith – https://theconversation.com/coal-in-alberta-neither-public-outrage-nor-waning-global-demand-seem-to-matter-to-danielle-smith-252551

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Water Security Agency Self Declares Westside Irrigation Project for Environmental Assessment

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 14, 2025

    Today, the Water Security Agency announced it would be proactively self-declaring the Westside Irrigation Rehabilitation Project (WIRP) for a provincial environmental assessment. 

    “The Water Security Agency is committed to ensuring the environment is protected as this project develops through the provincial environmental assessment process,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Daryl Harrison said. “We are committed to engaging with rights holders and stakeholders in an open and transparent way and this formalizes the work that we have started.”

    Baseline data collection and the planning and design work will go into a proposal, which is then submitted to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. Collecting feedback with rights holders and stakeholders through various engagements will help incorporate their input into the design of the project as part of the environmental assessment. 

    “Irrigation Saskatchewan is pleased to see this project moving forward and the government’s commitment to doing it in the right way,” Irrigation Saskatchewan Chair David Bagshaw said. “Our members are producers and strong stewards of the land they farm, and we believe in responsible irrigation expansion while protecting the environment.”

    Announced in July 2024, the planning and engineering design work for WIRP is being worked on by Prairie Engineering Partners, a joint venture from Stantec and MPE engineering firms. Baseline work was commissioned as part of the environmental assessment field work for both aquatic and terrestrial components, including water quality and quantity. 

    WIRP has the potential to add 100,000 acres of irrigated land. A recent analysis of the 100,000 acre project was done by KPMG LLP. It shows an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $5.9 billion while generating over 30,000 jobs (person years of employment) and 9,500 jobs during the construction phase. 

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Truro Homicide Case Added to Rewards Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the homicide of 23-year-old Zachery Vaughan Kellock.

    On January 16, 2024, police responded to a report of a missing person who was last seen at an address on Millbrook First Nation. The investigation has led police to believe that criminality was involved in Mr. Kellock’s disappearance. His body has not been recovered, and charges have not been laid.

    “Someone may have the missing piece that investigators need,” said Becky Druhan, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “I urge anyone with details about what happened to Mr. Kellock to contact the rewards program and help bring justice and closure for his family, friends and loved ones.”

    Anyone with information regarding this crime should call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090. People who come forward must provide their name and contact information, and they may be called to testify in court. All calls will be recorded.

    People who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Nova Scotia at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

    Quick Facts:

    • the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program is an additional tool to help police in major unsolved crime cases
    • the reward amount will be based on the investigative value of the information provided
    • including this case, there are now 120 active cases in the program
    • employees of law enforcement and correctional agencies are not eligible to collect this reward

    Additional Resources:

    A photo of Mr. Kellock is available at: https://novascotia.ca/just/Public_Safety/Rewards/case_detail_zachery_vaughan_kellock.asp

    Cases under the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program are listed at: https://novascotia.ca/just/Public_Safety/Rewards

    RCMP release, April 11, 2025 – RCMP continues to seek tips on the 2024 disappearance of Zachery Kellock: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2025/rcmp-continues-seek-tips-2024-disappearance-zachery-kellock

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media accreditation now open for the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 14, 2025

    From May 20 to 22, Canada will host the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Banff, Alberta.

    Media representatives who wish to cover this meeting must obtain media accreditation.

    The media accreditation process is open to journalists (print, radio, television, news agencies and online media) who are on assignment with a bona fide media organization.

    Individuals performing journalistic functions who do not work for a media organization and are unable to provide a letter of assignment will have to provide proof of recent publications under the applicant’s by-line that can be readily found in the public realm and under a bona fide media organization.

    Government officials, representatives, or observers will not be accredited as media.

    To apply, please complete the form here https://accreditationcanada.gc.ca/Registration-Enregistrement/, and be sure to upload all documentation, as requested in the form. The registration code for media is: 6EJr?x$uH94d.

    Only applications that include all requested information will be considered. 

    The application period will close on May 9, 2025. Please note that accreditation does not guarantee access to all events. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: G20 Development Working Group meeting to get underway

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The South African Presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) is this week convening the second Development Working Group (DWG) meeting in the Western Cape.

    “The G20 DWG plays a pivotal role in shaping global development priorities, focusing on reducing inequalities, promoting sustainable growth, and strengthening international partnerships,” the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation said.

    Starting on Monday, 14 April and ending on Wednesday, 16 April, the meeting will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions on key development challenges and cooperative solutions.

    The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries, which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues. 

    South Africa’s G20 Presidency commenced on 1 December 2024 and will run until 30 November 2025. 

    The gathering will bring together representatives from G20 member states, invited countries, and international organisations to deliberate on policies that foster inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. 

    In alignment with the theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, the discussions will focus on three high-level priorities:
    •    High-Level Principles on Global Public Goods and Global Public Investment.
    •    Mobilising Finance for Development and Means of Implementation.
    •    Building Resilience through Universal Social Protection Floors.

    The G20 members represent around 85% of the global Gross Domestic Product, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

    It comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and United States) and two regional bodies, namely the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU).

    The three-day meeting is taking place at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset. –SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Plantro Ltd. Files Amended and Restated Offer Documents in Respect of Premium All-Cash Tender Offer to Acquire up to 15% of Class A Limited Voting Shares of Information Services Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Offer Documents relate to amendment and extension of the Tender Offer, which were previously announced on April 8, 2025
    • Tender Offer is an opportunity for shareholders to de-risk their investment in ISC for an attractive all-cash premium in the face of ongoing business and dilution risks, and the lack of trading liquidity of the Class A Shares
    • Plantro believes Board refreshment is necessary to unlock ISC’s potential to allow it to become a made-in-Saskatchewan success story

    ST. MICHAEL, Barbados, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plantro Ltd. (“Plantro”) today announced that it has filed amended and restated offer documents in respect of its offer (the “Tender Offer”) to acquire up to 2,777,242 Class A Limited Voting Shares (the “Class A Shares”) in the capital of Information Services Corporation (TSX: ISC) (“ISC” or the “Company”) at a price of $27.25 per Class A Share, payable in cash. The amendments and extension, which will benefit ISC shareholders, were previously announced on April 8, 2025, and were made following constructive engagement with the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan and the Ontario Securities Commission.

    Shareholders depositing Class A Shares pursuant to the Tender Offer should utilize the amended and restated Letter of Transmittal filed today. Any deposits of Class A Shares utilizing the prior form of Letter of Transmittal must be resubmitted using the amended and restated Letter of Transmittal to be accepted as valid.

    Plantro’s Premium Offer Provides Shareholders a Rare Opportunity for Cash Liquidity in a Company With ‘Upside Down Economics’

    Plantro believes that the economics of ISC are ‘upside down’ and do not benefit long term shareholders. Since ISC’s IPO in 2013, there has been a clear troubling trend, expense growth has consistently outpaced revenue growth. When expenses consistently outpace revenue, it sets the stage for serious financial challenges over the long term.

    The Risk of Shareholder Dilution

    On April 10, 2025, despite recommending against the Tender Offer as “highly undervalued”, ISC filed a $275 million preliminary short form base shelf prospectus with the Canadian securities regulators (the “Prospectus”). Plantro believes it is impossible for ISC to fund its ‘buy-to-grow’ strategy to meet its 2028 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets through cash flow generation or without incurring significant new debt, and would have to sell equity. Plantro is concerned that the Prospectus provides ISC flexibility to issue up to $275 million in equity – more than half of its current market capitalization, which would massively dilute ISC shareholders.

    Board Refreshment Will Drive Shareholder Returns

    Plantro believes that the board of directors (the “Board”) must be refreshed, so that it can drive accretive growth for shareholders and derive true operating leverage and economies of scale. Plantro believes the Board requires an infusion of relevant skills and experience, and directors that can hold management accountable and drive operational execution. The interests of the directors, who collectively own little stock, differs from that of other shareholders. The Board has little incentive to prioritize shareholder returns and avoid unnecessary equity dilution.

    The Opportunity for a Made-in-Saskatchewan Success Story

    As a first step, a refreshed Board should fulfil ISC’s true potential to be a made-in-Saskatchewan success story. Saskatchewan has developed a business-friendly tech ecosystem and ISC should take full advantage of these benefits. However:

    The number of employees ISC has based in Saskatchewan appears to have steadily declined since its IPO1.

    Today, most of its remaining workforce, which make up the majority of ISC employees, is concentrated in high-cost global hubs, such as Toronto and Dublin, Ireland, where it appears new positions continue to be added.

    Plantro believes that a refreshed Board should commit to relocating at least 100 of these positions back to Saskatchewan over the next year.

    This move would establish a “center of excellence”, in Saskatchewan, driving enhanced operational performance and enabling opportunities for margin expansion. Plantro believes this would deliver significant near-term value to both the Company and its shareholders. Centralizing and repatriating jobs to Saskatchewan is just good business sense.

    The Board Should Engage with Plantro and Stop Attacking Constructive Shareholders

    From the outset, Plantro has made every effort to resolve these matters confidentially, in good faith, and behind closed doors. Unfortunately, the ISC Board has chosen a different path—pursuing public litigation of these matters and resorting to inappropriate personal attacks and mischaracterizations in the media.

    Despite the path chosen by the ISC Board to date, Plantro hopes to accomplish the refreshment of the Board through constructive engagement, and has not nominated individuals for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). Plantro continues to make repeated requests to meet with the Chair, other members of the Board, and management. Unfortunately, all such outreaches have been ignored to date. If the Board does not engage constructively, and continues its current approach, Plantro may withhold votes, including those acquired through the Tender Offer, from the Board at the Annual Meeting, and it reserves all of its rights as a shareholder to take action in the future.

    An Opportunity for Long Term Shareholders to Receive an Attractive Risk-Adjusted Cash Premium

    Since the Class A Shares are so illiquid, even long term shareholders have no prospect of being able to sell stock without meaningfully affecting the price of the Class A Shares. The changes outlined above will take time, and for shareholders who been in the stock for many years, this is a unique opportunity – if they so choose.

    Important Amendments for ISC Shareholders

    The amendments to the terms of the Tender Offer include, among other things:

    • Extended Tender Offer Period – The Tender Offer is now open for acceptance by shareholders of the Company until 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on April 28, 2025 (the “Expiry Time”), unless the Tender Offer is further extended, varied or withdrawn.
    • Tender Offer Made to All Shareholders – Plantro is making the Tender Offer to all shareholders of the Company, including shareholders who were not holders of record on March 24, 2025 and the Crown Investment Corporation of Saskatchewan.
    • No Longer Acquiring Shares on a First Come First Serve Basis – Plantro will only take up and pay for Class A Shares that are deposited pursuant to the Tender Offer as at the Expiry Time, and not on a “first come, first served” and/or “rolling” basis. As a result, if more than the maximum number of Class A Shares for which the Tender Offer is made are delivered in accordance with the Tender Offer and not withdrawn at the time of take up of the Class A Shares, the Class A Shares to be purchased from each depositing shareholder will be determined on a pro rata basis according to the number of Class A Shares delivered by each shareholder, disregarding fractions, by rounding down to the nearest whole number of Class A Shares.
    • Shareholders Have the Right to Opt Out of Voting Tender – Plantro has further amended the Tender Offer to allow Class A Shareholders of record on March 24, 2025, to opt out of appointing representatives of Plantro as their nominees and proxy in respect of such shares owned by a shareholder that are not deposited pursuant to the Tender Offer and ultimately taken up and paid for. For clarity, such opt out right will not apply to Class A Shares of record on March 24, 2025, which are deposited pursuant to the Tender Offer and ultimately taken up and paid for, and the holder of such shares will be required to appoint representatives of Plantro as its nominees and proxy for the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 24, 2025 in respect of such shares.

    In addition to the above amendments, the size of the Tender Offer has been reduced by 100 Class A Shares to reflect that Plantro has acquired such number of shares in the market, all in compliance with the terms of the Tender Offer.

    Plantro is relying on the exemption under section 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations to the circular requirements of applicable Canadian proxy solicitation laws. For further details, please see below under the heading “Information in Support of Public Broadcast Exemption Under Canadian Law”. The Tender Offer is not a formal or exempt take-over bid under Canadian securities laws and regulations. In no event will Plantro (or its affiliates or associates) make any such purchases of Class A Shares that would result in Plantro, together with its affiliates and associates, beneficially owning or exercising control or direction over more than 15% of the outstanding Class A Shares upon completion of the Tender Offer.

    Full details of the Tender Offer are included in the Offer Documents and are available online on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Plantro’s Advisors

    Plantro has engaged Goodmans LLP as its legal advisor, Carson Proxy as its information agent, Odyssey Trust Company as depositary, and Gagnier Communications as its strategic communications advisor.

    About Plantro

    Plantro is a privately-held company, with an established track record of making successful investments in undervalued and high quality legal, financial, and information services businesses.

    Shareholder Questions

    Shareholders who have questions with respect to the Tender Offer, or who need assistance in depositing their Class A Shares, please contact the depositary and information agent for the Tender Offer:

    Depositary: Odyssey Trust Company

    Toll Free (US & Canada): 1-888-290-1175
    Calls (All Regions): 587-885-0960
    Email: corp.actions@odysseytrust.com

    Information Agent: Carson Proxy

    North America Toll Free: 1-800-530-5189
    Local and Text: 416-751-2066
    Email: info@carsonproxy.com

    Information in Support of Public Broadcast Exemption Under Canadian Law

    Plantro is relying on the exemption under section 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations to make this public broadcast solicitation. The following information is provided in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations.

    This solicitation is being made by Plantro, and not by or on behalf of management of ISC. The information agent will receive a fee of up to $250,000 for its services as information agent under the Tender Offer, plus ancillary payments and disbursements. Based upon publicly available information, ISC’s registered and head office is located at 300 – 10 Research Drive, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 7J7, Canada. Plantro is soliciting proxies in reliance upon the public broadcast exemption to the solicitation requirements under applicable Canadian corporate and securities laws, conveyed by way of public broadcast, including press release, speech or publication, and by any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian securities laws. In addition, this solicitation may be made by mail, telephone, facsimile, email or other electronic means as well as by newspaper or other media advertising and in person by representatives of Plantro. All costs incurred for such solicitation will be borne by Plantro.

    A registered shareholder who has given a proxy under the terms of the Letter of Transmittal may, prior to its Class A Shares being taken up and paid for under the Tender Offer, revoke the proxy by instrument in writing, including a proxy bearing a later date. The instrument revoking the proxy must be deposited at the registered office of ISC at least 48 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, preceding the date of the meeting or an adjournment or postponement thereof, or with the Chair of the meeting on the day of the meeting, or in any other manner permitted by law, provided that, in each circumstance, a copy of such revocation has been delivered to the depositary, at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada prior to the Class A Shares relating to such proxy having been taken up and paid for under the Tender Offer.

    A non-registered shareholder may revoke a form of proxy or voting instruction form given to an intermediary at any time by written notice to the intermediary in accordance with the instructions given to the non-registered shareholder by its intermediary. Non-registered shareholders should contact their broker for assistance in ensuring that forms of proxies or voting instructions previously given to an intermediary are properly revoked.

    None of Plantro nor, to its knowledge, any of its associates or affiliates, has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of ISC’s most recently completed financial year, or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or will materially affect ISC or any of its subsidiaries. None of Plantro nor, to its knowledge, any of its associates or affiliates, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at any upcoming shareholders’ meeting, other than as set out herein.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This press release may contain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Specifically, certain statements contained in this press release, including without limitation statements regarding the Tender Offer, taking up and paying for Class A Shares deposited under the Tender Offer, and the expiry of the Tender Offer, contain “forward-looking information” and are prospective in nature. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements.

    Statements containing forward-looking information are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future outcomes expressed or implied by the statements containing forward-looking information.

    Although Plantro believes that the expectations reflected in statements containing forward-looking information herein made by it (and not, for greater certainty, any forward-looking statements attributable to the Company) are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in formulating the forward-looking information contained herein include the assumption that the business and economic conditions affecting the Company’s operations will continue substantially in the current state, including, without limitation, with respect to industry conditions, general levels of economic activity, continuity and availability of personnel, local and international laws and regulations, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, inflation, taxes, that there will be no unplanned material changes to the Company’s operations, and that the Company’s public disclosure record is accurate in all material respects and is not misleading (including by omission).

    Plantro cautions that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. While these factors and assumptions are considered by Plantro to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances as of the date of this press release, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Plantro and there is no assurance that they will prove correct.

    Important facts that could cause outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information include, among other things, actions taken by the Company in respect of the Tender Offer, the content of subsequent public disclosures by the Company, the failure to satisfy the conditions to the Tender Offer, general economic conditions, legislative or regulatory changes and changes in capital or securities markets. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Although Plantro has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to Plantro or that Plantro presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information.

    Statements containing forward-looking information in this press release are based on Plantro’s beliefs and opinions at the time the statements are made, and there should be no expectation that such forward-looking information will be updated or supplemented as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, and Plantro disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements.

    1405-7479-8102

    1 Based on 2014 Annual Information Form vs. 2025 Annual Information Form and current LinkedIn Data.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MNP Consumer Debt Index Rebounds (+9 Pts) as Canadians Take Steps to Safeguard their Finances Amid Economic Uncertainty

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Canadians take steps to safeguard their finances amid ongoing economic uncertainty, the MNP Consumer Debt Index—conducted quarterly by Ipsos—has rebounded to 88 points this quarter, marking a nine-point increase from the previous quarter and signaling a more optimistic outlook on personal finances. Reflecting Canadians’ shift toward financial caution, three-quarters (74%) say they have cut back on spending due to uncertainty, with women (77%) and those aged 35-54 (81%) being the most likely to have reduced spending. Around the same proportion (73%) say they are delaying major purchases or investments.

    “The improvement we are seeing in Canadians’ feelings toward their personal finances follows two Bank of Canada interest rate cuts this year. And while uncertainty remains around U.S. tariffs, their on-again, off-again nature may be providing Canadians with some optimism for the future—especially since these tariffs have yet to make a full impact on household budgets,” explains Grant Bazian, president of MNP LTD, the country’s largest insolvency firm.

    Lower Interest Rates Offer Relief, but Many Remain Concerned

    The proportion of Canadians concerned about the impact of rising interest rates remains near the highest level on record (60%, +1pt). However, thanks in part to the interest rate reductions this year, overall concerns about the broader impact of interest rates have declined. Fewer Canadians this quarter are worried about their ability to repay debts, even if rates decrease (43%, -7pts). Nearly a quarter (24%, +4pts) now feel better equipped to absorb a one-percentage-point rate increase, while the percentage (21%, -6pts) who feel less prepared has decreased. More than half (52%, -5pts) continue to worry about falling into financial trouble if rates rise, and nearly two in five (38%, -8pts) fear that rising rates could push them toward bankruptcy.

    “Lower interest rates, along with the budget adjustments Canadians have already made, seem to be providing some breathing room,” says Bazian.

    A majority of Canadians (81%) say the current economic uncertainty has made them more cautious about taking on new debt – a sentiment that is consistent across genders, age groups, regions and income levels. A higher proportion this quarter believes they will be able to cover living expenses in the next year without needing more credit (58%, +9pts) and fewer regret the amount of debt they have taken on (43%, -6pts).

    “In comparison to the previous quarter, the results suggest that Canadians are taking proactive steps to reduce spending and lessen their reliance on credit as they brace for potential financial challenges on the horizon,” says Bazian.

    He points to the fact that Canadians’ net personal debt rating (positive minus negative) has rebounded 14 points from last quarter’s all-time low. Additionally, fewer Canadians (43%, -7pts) report being just $200 or less away from financial insolvency, unable to meet their bills and debt obligations each month. This is due to significantly fewer saying they are already insolvent (26%, -9pts).

    “Four in ten Canadians still report being on the brink of insolvency, and more than a quarter have no financial cushion, no flexibility, or wiggle room in their budgets. Individuals without a safety net will likely face economic hardship when faced with rising costs and housing expenses, or a potential loss of income,” says Bazian.

    Well over half (58%) of Canadians express heightened concern about their ability to pay off debt due to ongoing uncertainty. This concern extends to broader financial stability, with about two in five worried about the possibility of someone in their household losing their job (38%, -3pts).

    Canadians Bracing for Increased Housing Costs

    Two in five (44%) Canadians say they are bracing for an increase in housing costs within the next year. Renters have a higher expectation of rising costs than homeowners, with two in three (65%) expecting their housing costs to increase within the next year, and nearly one-third of homeowners (30%) agreeing their housing costs will rise. Lower income earners may be impacted the most, with half (52%) of those earning under $40,000 expecting an increase, compared to one-third (34%) of those earning $100,000 or more. Younger Canadians under the age of 55 are more likely to expect an increase compared to those 55 and older.

    “More than four million mortgages—roughly 60% of all outstanding mortgages in Canada—are set to renew by the end of 2026 at potentially higher rates. This is just one example of the rising expenses, compounded by ongoing economic uncertainty, that those teetering on the edge can’t afford,” says Bazian.

    Bazian says that there is help for those struggling to manage debt repayment, missing monthly payments or simply unable to make ends meet.

    “Licensed Insolvency Trustees provide unbiased advice to help Canadians make informed decisions to address both short-term pressures and long-term debt management, especially during times of financial instability,” says Bazian.

    Licensed Insolvency Trustees play a vital role in helping Canadians navigate financial challenges and make decisions about managing their debt. As the financial landscape remains unpredictable, seeking guidance from a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can provide individuals with a clear understanding of their debt-relief options, including debt consolidation, consumer proposals, and bankruptcy.

    MNP’s extensive network of Licensed Insolvency Trustees provides free consultations across more than 200 offices nationwide, offering Canadians personalized, local support to help them explore debt relief options.

    As a result of the uncertain economic environment, half (50%) of Canadians say they are relying more on financial advice and planning.

    About MNP LTD

    MNP LTD, a division of the national accounting firm MNP LLP, is the largest insolvency practice in Canada. For more than 50 years, our experienced team of Licensed Insolvency Trustees and advisors have been working with individuals to help them recover from times of financial distress and regain control of their finances. With more than 240 Canadian offices from coast-to-coast, MNP helps thousands of Canadians each year who are struggling with an overwhelming amount of debt. Visit MNPdebt.ca to contact a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or use our free Do it Yourself (DIY) debt assessment tools. For regular, bite-sized insights about debt and personal finances, subscribe to the MNP 3 Minute Debt Break Podcast.

    About the MNP Consumer Debt Index

    The MNP Consumer Debt Index measures Canadians’ attitudes toward their consumer debt and gauges their ability to pay their bills, endure unexpected expenses, and absorb interest-rate fluctuations without approaching insolvency. Conducted by Ipsos and updated quarterly, the Index is an industry-leading barometer of financial pressure or relief among Canadians.

    Now in its 32nd wave, the Index has rebounded to 88 points, up nine points since last quarter. Visit MNPdebt.ca/CDI to learn more.

    The data was compiled by Ipsos on behalf of MNP LTD between March 11 – 14, 2025. For this survey, a sample of 2,000 Canadians aged 18 years and over was interviewed. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ±2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadian adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

    Provincial data is available upon request.

    CONTACT

    Angela Joyce, Media Relations

    p. 1.403.681.9286
    e. angela.joyce@mnp.ca

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d64985f7-0b02-45ea-a904-ae2b56c256ab

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: AGNICO EAGLE LAUNCHES NEW PODCAST SERIES – THE ARCTIC EDGE

    Source: Agnico Eagle Mines

    New podcast showcases stories from Canada’s frontier and the unique identity of Nunavut

    April 14, 2025, Toronto, ON – Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (Agnico Eagle) is proud to introduce a special podcast series, The Arctic Edge: Stories from Canada’s Frontier. The trailer is live, and listeners can subscribe now to be notified when the first two episodes drop on May 1, 2025. Hosted by award-winning journalist, Hannah Thibedeau, the podcast focuses on a series of engaging stories and insightful interviews that explore Nunavut’s, and the broader Canadian North’s, social, economic and environmental opportunities and responsibilities, highlighting the importance of sustainable change.

    “As the Arctic region grows in strategic importance, not only for Canadians, but for many of our neighbours, it is vital that we come together as a nation to implement a comprehensive Arctic vision and strategy,” says Sean Boyd, Chair of the Board, Agnico Eagle. “Our goal is that listeners of The Arctic Edge will leave with a deeper appreciation for the North’s rich heritage and its immense potential.”

    “Agnico Eagle is deeply honoured by the opportunity to help share stories from Canada’s North to a broader audience,” says Ammar Al-Joundi, President & Chief Executive Officer, Agnico Eagle. “The stories shared on this podcast are engaging, insightful and moving. I am confident the podcast will spark curiosity and pride across Canada and beyond.”

    Nunavut is a land of immense potential, stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. While the future holds great promise, challenges remain that need to be addressed. Through this podcast, Agnico Eagle aims to foster meaningful discussions, and believes it is essential to ensure that Inuit voices are heard and respected.

    Special guests that will be heard throughout the series include:

    • Kono Tattuinee, President of Kivalliq Inuit Association
    • Peter Tapatai, President of Peter’s Expediting Limited
    • Dennis Patterson, Former Senator for Nunavut
    • Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council
    • Scott Clancy, Former Director General for the Royal Canadian Air Force
    • Sean Boyd, Chair of the Board, Agnico Eagle

    Listen to the trailer and subscribe to The Arctic Edge so you don’t miss the first two episodes dropping on May 1, 2025, by visiting: https://thearcticedge.ca/.

    The podcast will be available in English wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The podcast will also be available in Inuktitut, date of release to be announced.

    About Agnico Eagle

    Agnico Eagle is a Canadian-based and led senior gold mining company and the third largest gold producer in the world, producing precious metals from operations in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with a pipeline of high-quality exploration and development projects. Agnico Eagle is a partner of choice within the mining industry, recognized globally for its leading sustainability practices.

    For further information regarding Agnico Eagle, contact:

    Natalie Frackleton
    Director, External Communications, Agnico Eagle
    Email: natalie.frackleton@agnicoeagle.com

    For media enquiries, contact:

    Taylor Jantzi
    Global Public Affairs
    Email: tjantzi@globalpublic.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: APA Corporation Announces Executive Leadership Updates; Ben C. Rodgers Promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Operational Leaders Added to Support Key Priorities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — APA Corporation (Nasdaq: APA) today announced key updates to its executive leadership team.

    Ben Rodgers has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective May 12, 2025. In this role, he will oversee all financial activities and departments, including Accounting, Audit, Investor Relations, Planning, Tax and Treasury. Rodgers joined APA in 2018 and previously served as SVP, Finance and Treasurer. He also served as CFO of Altus Midstream and later as a director on the board of Kinetik Holdings Inc. He currently serves on the board of Khalda Petroleum Company, a joint venture between APA subsidiary Apache Corporation and Egypt Petroleum Company.

    Steve Riney will continue in his role as president, overseeing asset development and operations. As part of Steve’s team, the company has added two key executives to help oversee operations.

    Shad Frazier has joined as senior vice president, U.S. Onshore Operations, effective immediately. Shad has nearly 30 years of industry experience, most recently as vice president, Production Operations at Endeavor Energy Resources, LP. Previously, he held various leadership positions at Legacy Reserves and SandRidge Energy. He holds a petroleum engineering degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma University.

    Donald Martin will also be joining the company as vice president, Decommissioning, effective May 26, 2025. Donald has 20 years of operations and decommissioning portfolio experience, most recently as the head of decommissioning & projects at Spirit Energy E&P. He has also managed decommissioning at Canadian Natural Resources E&P. Donald holds a master’s degree with distinction in major programme management from Oxford University.

    “I am pleased to welcome Ben to our executive leadership team. He has done a tremendous job and will bring valuable expertise to our financial operations,” said John J. Christmann, APA Corporation CEO. “I am also excited to welcome both Shad and Donald to the team. Their extensive experience and leadership will be instrumental in driving our operations forward.”

    About APA

    APA Corporation owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for and produce oil and natural gas in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom and that explore for oil and natural gas offshore Suriname and elsewhere. APA posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website, www.apacorp.com.

    Contacts
    Investor:  (281) 302-2286
    Media: (713) 296-7276  
    Website:  www.apacorp.com 
       

    APA-G

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS Announces ExpertBook P1, P3 and P5 Now Available in Canada

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced that the new ExpertBook P1 (P1403 and P1503) laptop models are now available in Canada through the ASUS Store, selected retailers, and B2B channels. These additions join the high-performance ExpertBook P5 (P5404), already available online on the ASUS Store, Amazon, Canada Computer, Costco, Memory Express, Staples, and Walmart, and precede the upcoming ExpertBook P3 (P3405), set to be available for order later this May.

    Designed to meet the evolving needs of professionals and SMBs with limited IT support, the new ExpertBook P series combines sleek portability, enterprise-grade security, and robust AI collaboration tools. Each device is MIL-STD-810H military-grade tested1, features Windows Secured-core PC compliance, and includes a one-year subscription to McAfee+ Premium with Smart AI™ for 24/7 protection, identity monitoring, and privacy tools.

    All three series also feature ASUS-exclusive AI ExpertMeet2, a powerful productivity suite offering real-time translation, multilingual transcription, AI-generated meeting summaries, speaker differentiation, and on-screen watermarks — all processed locally for enhanced security.

    ExpertBook P1: Practical Performance for Everyday Business

    The ASUS ExpertBook P1 series is built for professionals who value reliability and essential performance. Available in 14-inch and 15-inch Full HD options and weighing as little as 1.4 kg3, the P1 is powered by up to 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processors, with support for up to 64 GB RAM4 and 1 TB of dual-SSD RAID storage for enhanced data speed and reliability. 

    A refined, durable design ensures it can handle commutes and daily use, while thoughtful security touches like TPM 2.0, BIOS-level protections, and BIOS setting recovery tools ensure peace of mind. Designed for organizations seeking affordable yet powerful solutions, the P1 balances performance and durability for professionals on the move.

    ExpertBook P3: Versatile and Ready for Hybrid Work

    Designed for hybrid professionals and SMBs, the ExpertBook P3 blends portability and performance in 14-inch sizes starting at 1.36 kg5. It’s equipped with up to an Intel® Core™ i7-13620H processor, 64 GB of DDR5 memory, and dual PCIe 4.0 SSDs for smooth multitasking.

    With an optimized layout, spill-resistant keyboard, optional IR camera, and exclusive ASUS ExpertCool thermal system, the P3 ensures comfort, performance, and quiet operation all day long. It’s an ideal choice for flexible work and learning environments where reliability and privacy matter.

    ExpertBook P5: Advanced AI Power for the Future of Work

    At the top of the lineup, the ExpertBook P5 is designed for high-demand professionals who require cutting-edge AI performance. Featuring up to the Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor (Series 2) with 47 TOPS of NPU performance, the P5 delivers up to 3X faster AI capabilities than previous generations.

    A sleek 1.29 kg6 aluminum chassis houses a 2.5K 144 Hz display, advanced cooling, and a workspace designed for productivity and comfort. With support for NIST-compliant BIOS, a five-year BIOS update policy, and a focus on sustainability (featuring 50% recycled materials), the P5 is engineered for forward-thinking businesses that want speed, security, and style.

    ASUS Business Support

    Understanding the critical needs of modern professionals, ASUS Business Support is not merely a warranty — it’s a comprehensive service package that includes on-site repairs, dedicated technical assistance and 24/7 customer support. This robust support framework ensures that every ExpertBook user experiences minimal downtime and receives personalized solutions to their technical issues.

    AVAILABILITY & PRICING

    The ExpertBook P1 is now available on the ASUS Store, selected retailers and through B2B channels, with detailed specifications below.

    The ExpertBook P5 is already available online on the ASUS Store, Amazon, Canada Computer, Costco, Memory Express, Staples, and Walmart with different configurations available below.

    The upcoming ExpertBook P3 is set to be available for order later this May in different configurations on the ASUS Store and selected retailers.

    For detailed specifications, availability, pricing, and where to buy links, please see below.

    Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

    SPECIFICATIONS

    ExpertBook P1 (P1503CVA and P1403CVA)

    Model P1503CVA-H716512-CA P1503CVA-H716512-CB P1503CVA-H516512-CA P1503CVA-H516512-CB
    Operating system Windows 11 Home
    Processor Intel® Core™ i7-13620H Processor
    2.4 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 4.9 GHz, 10 cores, 16 Threads)    		 Intel® Core™ i5-13420H Processor
    2.1 GHz (12MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz, 8 cores, 12 Threads)
    Graphics Intel® UHD Graphics for Intel® Core™ with 64-bit memory populated
    Memory SO-DIMM: 16 GB DDR5 5200 MHz

    2x SO-DIMM, up to 64 GB DDR5 5200 MHz
    Storage 512 GB M.2 PCIe® 4.0 SSD

    1 x M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe® 4.0, up to 1TB PCIe® Gen4 SSD
    1 x M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe® 4.0, up to 512GB PCIe® Gen4 SSD
    Display 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) TN, 16:9, 60Hz, wide view, Anti-Glare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC
    I/O ports 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C® (PD, DP)
    2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A
    1 x HDMI® 1.4b
    1 x 3.5 mm Combo audio jack
    1 x Kensington® nano lock slot
    1 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
    Camera HD camera, webcam shield
    Wireless WiFi 6 (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.2 Wireless Card
    Audio 2 x speaker with Dirac technology support
    2 x Array microphone
    ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Technology
    Weight 1.65 kg (3.64 lbs)
    Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.95 x 23.22 x 1.99 ~ 1.99 cm (14.15″ x 9.14″ x 0.78″ ~ 0.78″)
    Battery 50 Wh-3 cell, Li-Polymer
    Security Nano Kensington® lock slot
    Fingerprint Sensor (combo touchpad)
    Webcam Shield
    TPM 2.0
    Keyboard and touchpad Full-size keyboard with 1.35 mm key travel / spill-resistant to 66cc*

    *Quantity used during testing, with duration of 3 minutes
    Keyboard English Bilingual English Bilingual
    Featured software ASUS Control Center (optional), MyASUS, ExpertMeet
    AC adapter 65 W AC Adapter, USB Type-C® (Output: 20 V DC, 3.25 A, 65 W / Input: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal)
    Product Availability ASUS ASUS ASUS

    CDW

    		 ASUS
    Model P1503CVA-P516512-CA P1503CVA-P516512-CB P1403CVA-P516512-CA P1403CVA-P516512-CB
    Operating system Windows 11 Pro
    Processor Intel® Core™ i5-13420H Processor
    2.1 GHz (12MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz, 8 cores, 12 Threads)
    Graphics Intel® UHD Graphics for Intel® Core™ with 64-bit memory populated
    Memory SO-DIMM: 16 GB DDR5 5200 MHz

    2x SO-DIMM, up to 64 GB DDR5 5200 MHz
    Storage 512 GB M.2 PCIe® 4.0 SSD

    1 x M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe® 4.0, up to 1TB PCIe® Gen4 SSD
    1 x M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe® 4.0, up to 512GB PCIe® Gen4 SSD
    Display 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) TN, 16:9, 60Hz, wide view, Anti-Glare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC 14″ FHD (1920 x 1080) TN, 16:9, 60Hz, wide view, Anti-Glare, 300 nits, 45% NTSC
    I/O ports 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C® (PD, DP)
    2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A
    1 x HDMI® 1.4b
    1 x 3.5 mm Combo audio jack
    1 x Kensington® nano lock slot
    1 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
    Camera HD camera, webcam shield
    Wireless WiFi 6 (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.2 Wireless Card
    Audio 2 x speaker with Dirac technology support
    2 x Array microphone
    ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Technology
    Weight 1.65 kg (3.64 lbs) 1.43 kg (3.15 lbs)
    Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.95 x 23.22 x 1.99 ~ 1.99 cm (14.15″ x 9.14″ x 0.78″ ~ 0.78″) 32.45 x 21.44 x 1.97 ~ 1.97 cm (12.78″ x 8.44″ x 0.78″ ~ 0.78″)
    Battery 50 Wh-3 cell, Li-Polymer
    Security Nano Kensington® lock slot
    Fingerprint Sensor (combo touchpad)
    Webcam Shield
    TPM 2.0
    Keyboard and touchpad Full-size keyboard with 1.35 mm key travel / spill-resistant to 66cc*

    *Quantity used during testing, with duration of 3 minutes
    Keyboard English Bilingual English Bilingual
    Featured software ASUS Control Center (optional), MyASUS, ExpertMeet
    AC adapter 65 W AC Adapter, USB Type-C® (Output: 20 V DC, 3.25 A, 65 W / Input: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal)
    Product Availability ASUS

    Amazon

    CDW

    		 ASUS

    Amazon

    		 ASUS ASUS

    ExpertBook P5 (P5404)

    Model P5405CSA-P73-CB P5405CSA-DH71-CA P5405CSA-P53-CA P5405CSA-CH51-CB
    Operating system Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home
    Processor Intel® Core™ 7 Processor 258 V 32 GB 1.8 GHz (12 MB Cache, up to 4.8 GHz, 8 cores, 8 Threads); Intel® AI Boost NPU up to 47 TOPS Intel® Core™ 5 Processor 226 V 16 GB 1.6 GHz (8 MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz, 8 cores, 8 Threads); Intel® AI Boost NPU up to 40 TOPS
    Graphics Intel® Arc™ 140 V GPU (16GB) Intel® Arc™ 130 V GPU (8GB)
    Memory 32 GB LPDDR5X-8533 MOP 16 GB LPDDR5X-8533 MOP
    Storage 1 x 1 TB M.2 PCIe® 4.0 2280 SSD (Upgradeable to 2 TB)

    1 x M.2 2230 SSD, up to 1 TB PCIe® 4.0 SSD User upgradeable

    		 1 x 512 GB M.2 PCIe® 4.0 2280 SSD (Upgradeable to 2 TB)

    1 x M.2 2230 SSD, up to 1 TB PCIe® 4.0 SSD User upgradeable
    Display 14.0″ 2560 x 1600 Anti-Glare, 100% sRGB, 400 nits
    I/O ports 2X Thunderbolt™ 4, USB 3.2 Gen2, support wide range 5–20 V

    1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen2, support BC1.2

    1 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen2

    1 x HDMI® 2.1

    1 x Audio combo jack

    1 x Kensington® Nano lock slot
    Camera 1080p FHD IR camera, Webcam Shield
    Wireless WiFi 6E (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.3 Wireless Card
    Audio 2 x speaker

    2 x multi-array microphone with intelliGO beam forming

    Smart amp technology

    Dolby Atmos certified
    Weight 1.65 kg (3.64 lbs)
    Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.2 cm x 22.3 cm x 1.645 cm (12.28” x 8.78” x 0.65”)
    Battery 63 Wh, 3-cell, Li-polymer
    Touchpad ASUS ErgoSense touchpad

    Smart gesture touchpad

    Silent touchpad technology
    Keyboard Full-size keyboard with 1.5 mm key travel; backlit, spill-resistant 78 cc
    Keyboard Bilingual English English Bilingual
    Featured software ASUS Control Center (optional), MyASUS, ExpertMeet
    AC adapter 65 W non-wall mount Type-C® power jack, Input : 100–240 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz universal
    Product Availability ASUS

    Amazon

    Insight

    Memory Express

    		 ASUS

    Amazon

    CDW

    		 ASUS

    Amazon

    CDW

    Memory Express

    		 ASUS

    Costco

    ExpertBook P3 (P3405)

    Model P3405CVA-H7321-CA
    Operating system Windows 11 Home
    Processor Intel® Core™ i7-13620H Processor
    2.4 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 4.9 GHz, 10 cores, 16 Threads)
    Graphics Intel® UHD Graphics for Intel® Core™ with 64-bit memory populated
    Memory SO-DIMM: 32 GB DDR5 5200 MHz

    2x SO-DIMM, up to 64 GB DDR5 5200 MHz
    Storage 1 TB M.2 2280 MVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD

    Includes 1x M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 for extension
    Display 14″ WQXGA 2.5K (2560 x 1600), 16:10, 144Hz, Anti-Glare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC
    I/O ports 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A

    2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support display / power delivery

    1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS

    1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

    1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
    Camera 1080p FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello

    With webcam shield
    Wireless Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.4 Wireless Card
    Audio Audio by Dirac

    Smart Amp Technology

    Built-in speaker

    Built-in array microphone
    Weight 1.39 kg (3.06 lbs)
    Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.51 x 22.68 x 1.79 ~ 1.80 cm (12.41″ x 8.93″ x 0.70″ ~ 0.71″)
    Battery 63WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion
    Security Nano Kensington® lock slot
    Fingerprint Sensor (combo touchpad)
    Webcam Shield
    TPM 2.0
    Keyboard English
    Featured software ASUS Control Center (optional), MyASUS, ExpertMeet
    AC adapter 65 W AC Adapter, USB Type-C® (Output: 20 V DC, 3.25 A, 65 W / Input: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal)
    Product Availability ASUS (available later in May)

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    Where to buy links:

    ASUS ExpertBook P1: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-work/expertbook/expertbook-p1-p1503/where-to-buy/

    ASUS ExpertBook P3: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-work/expertbook/asus-expertbook-p3-p3605/

    ASUS ExpertBook P5: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-work/expertbook/expertbook-p5-p5405/where-to-buy/

    ASUS ExpertBook P1 (P1503): https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-work/expertbook/expertbook-p1-p1503/

    ASUS ExpertBook P1 (P1403): https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-work/expertbook/expertbook-p1-p1403/

    ASUS ExpertBook P3 (P3405): https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-work/expertbook/asus-expertbook-p3-p3405/

    ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405): https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-work/expertbook/expertbook-p5-p5405/

    ASUS ExpertBook laptops: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/business/laptops/expertbook/

    ASUS Business website: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/business/

    ASUS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asus/posts/

    ASUS Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/asus-business/

    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

    ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/

    ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca

    ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube

    ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.

    1 The testing regime includes the requirements of both military-grade standards and ASUS quality tests, and varies depending on device. MIL-STD-810H testing is conducted on selected ASUS products only. Note that the MIL-STD-810H testing helps to ensure the quality of ASUS products but does not indicate a particular fitness for military use. The test is performed under laboratory conditions. Any damage caused by attempts to replicate these test conditions would be considered accidental, and would not be covered by the standard ASUS warranty. Additional coverage is available with ASUS Premium Care.
    2 For the full AI feature experience, 12 GB of memory is required.
    3 Weight may vary according to configuration.
    4 Memory is upgradable up to 64 GB.
    5 Weight may vary according to configuration
    6 Weight may vary according to configuration

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/55d33a2c-870a-49ca-be18-b986e1500401

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: POET Broadens Customer Engagements Following Showcase of Groundbreaking Products

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company“) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), a leader in the design and implementation of highly-integrated optical engines and light sources for artificial intelligence networks, today announced significant new customer engagement in response to live demonstrations of the POET Teralight™ line of 1.6T transmit and receive optical engines that broke performance expectations at the 2025 Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.

    POET also debuted POET Blazar™, a groundbreaking external light source (ELS) that promises to shrink costs by an order of magnitude with the potential to disrupt the AI connectivity ecosystem at a time when the industry is in need of viable new solutions.

    “Blazar represents a new class of laser and is designed to drive AI connectivity to the next level. It can transform the economics of AI connectivity with an architecture that reduces costs and increases scale and manufacturing efficiency,” said Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, the Company’s Chairman & CEO. “With the massive amount of compute power that AI demands, we believe that Blazar offers an economically superior solution for co-packaged optics (CPO) applications and, more importantly, for chip-to-chip, light-based connectivity in AI clusters.”

    “The period immediately following OFC is a crucial one for POET and we are seeing robust engagement with existing and new customers alike,” commented Raju Kankipati, POET’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We are laser focused on driving revenue this year and preparing for substantial revenue growth in 2026.”

    About POET Technologies Inc.
    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers.  POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET’s Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems.  POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained “Edge” computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles.  POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore.  More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Company’s expectations with respect to the success of the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, including its Teralight and Blazar product lines, operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products and expectations regarding its successful development of high speed transceiver solutions and its penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets.

    Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the completion of its development efforts with its customers, the ability to build working prototypes to the customer’s specifications, and the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure of its technology to meet performance requirements, the failure to produce optical engines on time and within budget, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Company’s products to be included in products aimed at AI and datacom networks, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s projects, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, and the ability of its customers to deploy systems that incorporate the Company’s products. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

    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.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8eba04a-f0cf-41fc-b1ac-23060775218c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NowVertical to Present at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS in partnership with MicroCapClub on Wednesday, April 23, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NowVertical Group Inc. (TSXV: NOW) (“NowVertical” or the “Company”), a leading data and AI solutions provider, today announced that it will be presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM (Local Time -PST). Sandeep Mendiratta, CEO of NowVertical will be hosting the presentation and answering questions at the conclusion.

    To access the live presentation, please use the following information:

    Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub
    Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
    Time: 5.30 PM (Las Vegas, NV Local Time PST)
    Webcast: https://event.summitcast.com/view/YNz6mnmEsXyrdRxb78w2nX/3nmzTFQfbrWziDqFNpwV5A

    If you would like to book 1×1 investor meetings with NowVertical, and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub, please make sure you are registered here: REGISTER

    1×1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV

    The Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub website is available here: HOME PAGE

    If you can’t make the live presentation, all company presentations “webcasts” will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab “Agenda”: AGENDA

    About NowVertical Group Inc.

    The Company is a global data and analytics company which helps clients transform data into tangible business value with AI, fast. Offering a comprehensive suite of solutions and services the Company enables clients to quickly harness the full potential of their data, driving measurable outcomes and accelerating potential return on investment. Enterprises optimize decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and unlock long-term value from their data using the Company’s AI-Infused first party and third-party technologies. NowVertical is growing organically and through strategic acquisitions. For further details about NowVertical, please visit www.nowvertical.com.

    Neither the 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.

    For more information, visit www.nowvertical.com.
    For further information, please contact:
    Andre Garber, CDO
    IR@nowvertical.com

    Investor Relations: Bristol Capital Ltd. 
    Stefan Eftychiou
    stefan@bristolir.com
    (905) 326-1888 x60

    About Planet MicroCap

    Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space.

    If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub, please register here: REGISTER

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (together “forward-looking statements“), including, the alignment of the Company’s leadership and shareholders, and the associated results of the transactions contemplated in this press release on NowVertical’s business, finances and operations. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies, certain of which are unknown. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by inherent risks and uncertainties, including: adverse market conditions; risks inherent in the data analytics and artificial intelligence sectors in general; regulatory and legislative changes; that future results may vary from historical results; inability to obtain any requisite future financing on suitable terms; any inability to realize the expected benefits and synergies of acquisitions or dispositions; that market competition may affect the business, results and financial condition of the Company and other risk factors identified in documents filed by the Company under its profile at www.sedarplus.com, including the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 180 Degree Capital Corp. Notes Preliminary Net Asset Value per Share of $4.42 as of March 31, 2025, and Portfolio Company Updates From Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTCLAIR, N.J., April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 180 Degree Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: TURN) (“180 Degree Capital”) provided the following update regarding its portfolio company holdings during the first quarter of 2025.

    “As we mentioned in our press release on March 24, 2025, that noted the filing of our preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus, Q1 2025 has been positive for a number of portfolio holdings,” said Kevin M. Rendino, Chief Executive Officer of 180 Degree Capital. “Our preliminary net asset value per share (“NAV”) as of March 31, 2025, of $4.42, is the result of strong performance from our public investments that outperformed the Russell Microcap Index by approximately 1900bps offset by expenses related to our proposed all-stock merger with Mount Logan Capital, Inc. (the “Business Combination”). On a relative basis, our gross total return of +4.5% compares favorably to the –14.4% total return for the Russell Microcap Index.1 The difference between our gross total return and our net total return, or change in NAV, of -4.7% was primarily the result of expenses related to our Business Combination and included almost $300,000 in additional professional fees resulting from the public efforts to derail our proposed Business Combination. Our day-to-day operating expenses declined by over 30% from Q1 2024.”

    Mr. Rendino continued, “We are certainly open and interested in the perspectives of our shareholders and are always available to speak with any and every shareholder. That said, we would prefer to allocate our capital to efforts to grow our NAV rather than adding unnecessary expense to this proposed Business Combination. While the direct merger-related expenses incurred in Q1 2025 were material, we continue to believe that this investment will result in significant future value creation for 180 Degree Capital shareholders through their material ownership of the merged company. We believe the capabilities of Mount Logan will greatly advance our ability to provide more comprehensive solutions to public companies, and we remain fully convinced that this is the right path for value creation for 180 Degree Capital’s shareholders.”

    Daniel Wolfe, President of 180 Degree Capital added, “Along with providing this preliminary NAV as of March 31, 2025, we thought it would also be useful to note the performance of our individual portfolio companies in the quarter. Q1 2025 provided a lot of positive momentum, overall, in our efforts on the investment front to build maximum net asset value for 180 Degree Capital shareholders as we head into our proposed Business Combination with Mount Logan Capital. As Kevin noted above, our gross total return during Q1 2025 that was approximately 1900 basis points above the benchmark represents extraordinary gross performance for us. Q2 2025 has started off with significant headwinds resulting from the potential impacts of tariffs and increases in the probability of a recession. While our largest investments have little to no direct exposure to the proposed or implemented tariffs, they are not immune to potential collateral impacts, including a recession and/or material declines in consumer spending. Even with these headwinds, as of the close of the public markets on April 11, 2025, our estimated gross and net total return in 2025 continues to be approximately 1800bps and 1000bps ahead of the Russell Microcap Index.1 As always, we are laser-focused on our resolve to navigate these uncertain times and set a floor for potential future value creation for our collective shareholders.”

    Exited Positions:

    • Intevac, Inc. (IVAC) – On February 13, 2025, IVAC announced it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Seagate Technology Holdings plc. The acquisition closed on March 31, 2025. In addition to the acquisition price of $4.00 per share, IVAC issued aggregate distributions to shareholders of an additional $0.102 per share. The total proceeds of $4.102 per share was a 20.6% premium to the closing price of IVAC on December 31, 2024, and increased NAV by $0.07.
    • Brightcove, Inc. (BCOV) – On February 4, 2025, Bending Spoons completed its acquisition of BCOV for $4.45 per share, or a 2.3% premium to the closing price of BCOV on December 31, 2024, and increased NAV by 0.01.

    Ongoing Positions (Largest to Smallest by Value):

    • Potbelly Corporation (PBPB) – While PBPB reported Q4 2024 results that beat guidance and analyst estimates, Q1 2025 guidance included negative comps that were weaker than analyst estimates due to inclement weather in January and February in key market areas in the Midwest, DC and Texas. Weeks in Q1 2025 with no weather impact showed year-over-year growth in comps, and without inclement weather, PBPB believed comps for Q1 would have been positive. March comps were communicated to be back on track with positive comps. Even with the weather-related headwinds in Q1 2025, PBPB’s full-year 2025 guidance included comps to increase between 1.5-2.5% and EBITDA was in-line with estimates. PBPB expects to open at least 38 stores this year, with about 85% of that number being franchised shops. PBPB’s stock price increased from $9.42 on December 31, 2024, to $9.51 on March 31, 2025, or +1.0%, and increased NAV by $0.01.
    • Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (SNCR) – SNCR reported results for Q4 2024 that exceeded all analyst estimates. Guidance for 2025 included strong EBITDA and free cash flow generation enabled by increasing gross margins and continued subscriber growth amongst its largest customers. SNCR also reported progress towards the receipt of an expected $28 million plus interest tax refund from the IRS. SNCR’s stock price increased from $9.60 on December 31, 2024, to $10.89 on March 31, 2025, or +13.4%, and increased NAV by $0.12.2
    • Ascent Industries Co. (ACNT) – ACNT’s Q4 2024 results showed continued improvement in operating efficiency led to dramatic improvements in GM, EBITDA and profitability. The unlock of working capital and inventory led to an increase in cash on hand from $8m to $16m. ACNT also renegotiated a major chemical contract that, when combined with other operational improvements is currently expected to more than offset continued soft demand in the chemicals market—the recovery of which ACNT currently expects to H2 2025 or 2026. On March 12, 2025, ACNT announced the sale of its Bristol Metals subsidiary for $45 million as part of its continued effort to become a pure-play chemicals business. ACNT’s stock price increased from $11.18 on December 31, 2024, to $12.66 on March 31, 2025, or +13.2%, and increased NAV by $0.06.
    • comScore, Inc. (SCOR) – SCOR reported Q4 2024 results that included a return to top-line growth and meaningful EBITDA growth. Growth was strongest in its cross-platform and activation businesses at approximately 20%+, and such growth rate is currently expected to continue and potentially expand in 2025. In January 2025, SCOR announced a revised data licensing agreement with Charter that saves a minimum of $35 million over the remaining life of the data contract. Additionally, SCOR secured additional debt capital from Blue Torch to enable investment in growing businesses. SCOR’s stock price increased from $5.84 on December 31, 2024, to $6.87 on March 31, 2025, or +17.6%, and increased NAV by $0.04.
    • RF Industries, Ltd. (RFIL) – RFIL reported strong performance in its fiscal first quarter that ended on January 31, 2025, that exceeded analyst estimates and included strong year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter growth. RFIL’s management noted improving visibility across its customer base along with demand for its higher-gross-margin products. RFIL’s management noted that improvements in its operations to date and further optimization of its manufacturing over the ensuing quarters are expected to enable RFIL to reach its goal of EBITDA margins of at least 10%. RFIL’s stock price increased from $3.91 on December 31, 2024, to $4.69 on March 31, 2025, or +19.9%, and increased NAV by $0.04.
    • Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (AREN) – AREN currently expects to report its Q4 2024 and full year 2024 results on or before April 15, 2025. During Q1 2025, AREN announced the appointment of Paul Edmondson as Chief Executive Officer. AREN’s stock price increased from $1.34 on December 31, 2024, to $1.73 on March 31, 2025, or +29.1%, and increased NAV by $0.04.
    • Lantronix, Inc. (LTRX) – While LTRX’s FYQ2 25 (CYQ4 24) report beat estimates, FYQ3 (CYQ1 25) guidance trailed consensus estimates largely because estimates had revenue from Gridspertise continuing at similar levels to first two fiscal quarters of 2025 and instead no revenue is expected in FYQ3 and Q4 2025. This was the second quarter of beat on prior quarter, but guide down on subsequent quarter, which impacted credibility of management with investors. LTRX’s core out-of-band business is doing well with high margins. Overall margins are expected to improve as low-margin Gridspertise business rolls off. Even with the below consensus guide, LTRX expects to remain adj. EPS positive and cash flow positive. LTRX’s stock price decreased from $4.12 on December 31, 2024, to $2.49 on March 31, 2025, or -39.6%, and decreased NAV by $0.11.
    • Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (CVGI) – While CVGI reported results in Q4 2024 and EBTIDA guidance for 2025 that exceeded analyst estimates, revenue guidance for 2025 was materially below analyst estimates due to continued expected softness in construction and agricultural equipment markets. While CVGI expects to be able pass-through tariff costs to its customers, it is possible that such uncertainty may delay or reduce customer demand. CVGI has been able to obtain covenant relief from its lenders and is proactively taking steps to refinance its outstanding term loan and ABL facilities well ahead of the term loan maturity in 2027 and to establish a new set of covenants that better align with the current state of its business. The substantial decline in CVGI’s stock price during 2024 and continuing into 2025 will likely lead to CVGI being removed from the Russell Indices. CVGI’s stock price decreased from $2.48 on December 31, 2024, to $1.15 on March 31, 2025, or -53.6%, and decreased NAV by $0.05.

    New Positions:

    • 180 Degree Capital began building new positions in three publicly traded companies during Q1 2025, that it looks forward to discussing in future communications with investors.

    Mr. Wolfe concluded, “We have used, and plan to continue to actively use, the ongoing volatility in the public markets to identify and take advantage of investment opportunities that we believe can lead to appreciation in 180 Degree Capital’s net asset value ahead of our proposed Business Combination. The timing of the sales of BCOV and IVAC could not have been better as they have provided us with substantial capital to take advantage of these opportunities as they present themselves. Meanwhile, this cash provides a cushion to the impact of the volatility on our current holdings and interest income. With regard to merger-related expenses, we currently believe that a substantial portion of these expenses were front-end loaded, and as such, future merger-related expenses will be materially lower than those incurred to date. We are actively managing these and our day-to-day expenses to minimize the impact to NAV as much as possible. We look forward to further discussions with shareholders including after we update our joint preliminary proxy statement/prospectus to include the U.S. GAAP financials for Mount Logan and to our continued progress toward the planned completion of our proposed Business Combination in the ensuing months.”

    About 180 Degree Capital Corp.

    180 Degree Capital Corp. is a publicly traded registered closed-end fund focused on investing in and providing value-added assistance through constructive activism to what we believe are substantially undervalued small, publicly traded companies that have potential for significant turnarounds. Our goal is that the result of our constructive activism leads to a reversal in direction for the share price of these investee companies, i.e., a 180-degree turn. Detailed information about 180 Degree Capital and its holdings can be found on its website at www.180degreecapital.com.

    Press Contact:
    Daniel B. Wolfe
    Robert E. Bigelow
    180 Degree Capital Corp.
    973-746-4500
    ir@180degreecapital.com

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    In connection with the agreement and plan of merger among 180 Degree Capital Corp. (“180 Degree Capital”), Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“Mount Logan”), Yukon New Parent, Inc. (“New Mount Logan”), Polar Merger Sub, Inc., and Moose Merger Sub, LLC, dated January 16, 2025, as it may from time to time be amended, modified or supplemented (the “Merger Agreement”) that details the proposed combination of the businesses of 180 Degree Capital and Mount Logan and any other transactions contemplated by and pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (the “Business Combination”), 180 Degree Capital intends to file with the SEC and mail to its shareholders a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”), containing a form of WHITE proxy card. In addition, the surviving Delaware corporation, New Mount Logan plans to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) that will register the exchange of New Mount Logan shares in the Business Combination and include the Proxy Statement and a prospectus of New Mount Logan (the “Prospectus”). The Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus) will each contain important information about 180 Degree Capital, Mount Logan, New Mount Logan, the Business Combination and related matters. SHAREHOLDERS OF 180 DEGREE CAPITAL AND MOUNT LOGAN ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT 180 DEGREE CAPITAL, MOUNT LOGAN, NEW MOUNT LOGAN, THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents and other documents filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov and the website maintained by the Canadian securities regulators at www.sedarplus.ca. Copies of the documents filed by 180 Degree Capital are also available free of charge by accessing 180 Degree Capital’s investor relations website at https://ir.180degreecapital.com.

    Certain Information Concerning the Participants

    180 Degree Capital, its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Business Combination. Information about 180 Degree Capital’s executive officers and directors is available in 180 Degree Capital’s Annual Report filed on Form N-CSR for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 13, 2025, and in its proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2024 Annual Meeting”), which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024. To the extent holdings by the directors and executive officers of 180 Degree Capital securities reported in the proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting have changed, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Forms 3, 4 or 5 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the 180 Degree Capital shareholders in connection with the Business Combination will be contained in the Proxy Statement when such document becomes available.

    Mount Logan, its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Mount Logan in favor of the approval of the Business Combination. Information about Mount Logan’s executive officers and directors is available in Mount Logan’s annual information form dated March 13, 2025, available on its website at https://mountlogancapital.ca/investor-relations and on SEDAR+ at https://sedarplus.ca. To the extent holdings by the directors and executive officers of Mount Logan securities reported in Mount Logan’s annual information form have changed, such changes have been or will be reflected on insider reports filed on SEDI at https://www.sedi.ca/sedi/. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the Mount Logan shareholders in connection with the Business Combination will be contained in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement when such document becomes available.

    Non-Solicitation

    This letter and the materials accompanying it are not intended to be, and shall not constitute, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of 180 Degree Capital and Mount Logan, may contain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “forecasts,” “seeks,” “future,” “proposes,” “target,” “goal,” “objective,” “outlook” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions). Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s current views about future events. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about the benefits of the Business Combination involving Mount Logan and 180 Degree Capital, including future financial and operating results, Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Business Combination, and other statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to future results of operations, projected cash flow and liquidity, business strategy, payment of dividends to shareholders of New Mount Logan, and other plans and objectives for future operations. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will occur as projected, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the ability to obtain the requisite Mount Logan and 180 Degree Capital shareholder approvals; the risk that Mount Logan or 180 Degree Capital may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the Business Combination (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect New Mount Logan or the expected benefits of the Business Combination); the risk that an event, change or other circumstance could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination; the risk that a condition to closing of the Business Combination may not be satisfied; the risk of delays in completing the Business Combination; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that synergies from the Business Combination may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that any announcement relating to the Business Combination could have adverse effects on the market price of Mount Logan’s common shares or 180 Degree Capital’s common shares; unexpected costs resulting from the Business Combination; the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the risk of litigation related to the Business Combination; the risk that the credit ratings of New Mount Logan or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect; the diversion of management time from ongoing business operations and opportunities as a result of the Business Combination; the risk of adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Business Combination; competition, government regulation or other actions; the ability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals; risks associated with the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions; natural and man-made disasters; civil unrest, pandemics, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes; and other risks inherent in Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s businesses. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports, which 180 Degree Capital has filed or will file from time to time with the SEC and Mount Logan has filed or will file from time to time on SEDAR+.

    Neither Mount Logan nor 180 Degree Capital undertakes any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Any discussion of past performance is not an indication of future results. Investing in financial markets involves a substantial degree of risk. Investors must be able to withstand a total loss of their investment. The information herein is believed to be reliable and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made, expressed or implied, with respect to the fairness, correctness, accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of the information and opinions. The references and link to the website www.180degreecapital.com and mountlogancapital.ca have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites are not incorporated by reference into this press release. Neither 180 Degree Capital nor Mount Logan is responsible for the contents of third-party websites.

    1. Past performance is not an indication or guarantee of future performance. Gross unrealized and realized total returns of 180 Degree Capital’s cash and securities of publicly traded companies are compounded on a quarterly basis, and intra-quarter cash flows from investments in or proceeds received from privately held investments are treated as inflows or outflows of cash available to invest or withdrawn, respectively, for the purposes of this calculation. 180 Degree Capital is an internally managed registered closed-end fund that has a portion of its assets in legacy privately held companies that are fair valued on a quarterly basis by the Valuation Committee of its Board of Directors, and 180 Degree Capital does not have an external manager that is paid fees based on assets and/or returns. Please see 180 Degree Capital’s filings with the SEC, including its 2024 Annual Report on Form N-CSR for information on its expenses and expense ratios.

    2. Inclusive of restricted stock units and options for the purchase of restricted stock issued to Kevin Rendino as compensation for service on the board of directors of SNCR. All economic benefit from these securities has been assigned to 180 Degree Capital.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cielo Provides Update on Corporate Matters

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (TSXV: CMC; OTC PINK: CWSFF) (“Cielo” or the “Company”) today provides an update on certain business and corporate matters.

    Corporate Update Webinar

    Cielo is pleased to announce that the corporate update webinar (the “Webinar”) with CEO Ryan C. Jackson and CFO Jasdeep K. B. Dhaliwal, as previously announced on April 1, 2025, and re-scheduled on April 9, 2025, will now take place on April 17, 2025. The Webinar will provide Cielo’s shareholders and stakeholders with updates on the Company’s strategic initiatives and future outlook.

    Webinar Details

    Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
    Time: 2:00PM Mountain Standard Time
    Registration Link: Cielo Webinar (Posted on the Cielo Website under News and Media)

    Duration: 1 Hour

    A recording of the Webinar will be made available on Cielo’s website following the event.

    Corporate Strategy

    As previously announced on April 1, 2025, Cielo intends to relocate its first planned commercial waste-to-fuel facility for the processing of scrap railway ties from Carseland, Alberta to British Columbia, and transition fuel to be produced from renewable diesel to green hydrogen. This strategic pivot allows Cielo to explore funding opportunities through the British Columbia Low Carbon Fuel Standard (BCLCFS) credit program as well as revises the Company’s approach as the demand for renewable fuels changes to better meet market demand.

    Cielo continues to be engaged in advanced discussions with a technology provider on a project in British Columbia that will utilize scrap railway ties as feedstock to produce green hydrogen for use in the British Columbia market and is pleased to announce that it has also identified two proposed additional projects for development in the United States.

    Cielo is excited to continue executing its broader strategy of providing solutions that address processing waste into useful products, including in green hydrogen, renewable natural gas and other low-carbon initiatives. Cielo continues to explore other projects and funding partners to drive its commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability and achieve success in the short-term and sustainable profitable growth in the long-term. Further updates will be provided in the Webinar.

    Dispute Resolution

    As previously announced on April 1, 2025, as a result of recent disagreements between Cielo and Expander Energy Inc. (“Expander”) on various matters, the Company notified Expander of the Company’s intentions to initiate a dispute resolution process in accordance with a licence agreement (“License Agreement”) between the Company and Expander. Cielo had previously received notices of breach from Expander with regard to the License Agreement as well as an asset purchase agreement and a management services agreement (“Management Services Agreement”), each between the Company and Expander, which notices had, among other things, announced Expander’s intentions to terminate the License Agreement.

    On April 11, 2025, Cielo received termination notices (“Termination Notices”) from Expander terminating both the License Agreement and the Management Services Agreement, effective immediately. Concurrently, Cielo also received statements of claim (“Statements of Claim”) from Expander in connection with the License Agreement, the Management Services Agreement and a supply and services agreement between the Company and Expander. Cielo is in the process of reviewing the contents of the Termination Notices and the Statements of Claim and is working diligently with legal and other professional advisors with respect to same to ensure the interests of shareholders are protected.

    Cielo will continue to provide material updates as they become available. As previously announced on April 9, 2025, Cielo has retained Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP as legal advisor.

    ABOUT CIELO

    Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. is a publicly traded company focused on transforming waste materials into high-value renewable fuels. Cielo seeks to address global waste challenges while contributing to the circular economy and reducing carbon emissions. Cielo is fueling renewable change with a mission to be a leader in the wood by-product-to-fuels industry by using environmentally friendly, economically sustainable and market-ready technologies. Cielo is committed to helping society ‘change the fuel, not the vehicle’, which the Company believes will contribute to generating positive returns for shareholders. Cielo shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “CMC,” as well as on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol “CWSFF.”

    For further information please contact:

    Cielo Investor Relations

    Ryan C. Jackson, CEO
    Phone: (403) 348-2972
    Email: investors@cielows.com

    CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should” or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Cielo, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements and information are based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and are subject to certain factors and assumptions. Cielo is making forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, with respect to: the Webinar and the date thereof; the change of location of the first planned commercial facility and the focus on green hydrogen; the exploration and use of financial incentives in British Columbia; the Company’s strategic focus; the Company’s intention to continue to explore alternative partnerships and funding opportunities; the dispute resolution process with Expander, including the Company’s review of the Termination Notices and Statements of Claim, Cielo’s intentions with respect thereto and that the Company will provide further updates as they become available.

    Investors should continue to review and consider information disseminated through news releases and filed by Cielo on SEDAR+. Although Cielo has attempted to identify crucial factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

    Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Cielo’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Cielo assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Public protesters are our socially connected friends and neighbours, not angry loners

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Shelley Boulianne, Professor in Communication Studies, Mount Royal University

    For some people, protests don’t seem like rational and responsible forms of political participation in a democratic system. According to the latest World Values Survey (2017-2022), 28.6 per cent of Canadians and 27.7 per cent of Americans said they’d would never, under any circumstances, attend a peaceful demonstration.

    Yet citizens often lack opportunities to influence government decisions outside of voting during elections, leaving them feeling powerless about the direction of their elected government.

    From this perspective, it’s easy to understand why millions may attend protests against Donald Trump’s tariffs, his annexation threats and other policy decisions.

    Some argue that citizens should email, call or write letters to political leaders, but these individualistic activities are easily ignored because they occur behind closed doors. The visibility of protests, combined with a large turnout, helps raise awareness of issues among other citizens and political leaders.

    Protests serve a critical function in a democratic system — they offer a collective and visible method for citizens to express their political views. These events can attract millions of people — many more than the number of respondents to public opinion polls or attendees at government public consultation events.

    Perceptions of effectiveness

    When deciding whether to participate in a march or demonstration, anger, grievances and discontent are important, but these sentiments alone are insufficient to motivate people to act.

    Instead, citizens must interpret their experiences as unjust or unfair to feel compelled to participate in a protest. Likewise, people must believe that the protest will be effective in influencing political leaders.

    In 2019, I conducted an online survey in four countries — the U.S., Canada, the U.K and France — asking respondents to rate the effectiveness of street marches and demonstrations in influencing political leaders.

    Across the four countries, the averages were similar, based on the five-point scale ranging from “not at all” to “a great deal.” And those who believed that protests were effective were far more likely to report having participated in a march or demonstration in the past 12 months compared to those who did not view protests as effective.

    Who protests and why?

    The decision to take part in a protest involves weighing a variety of factors that may encourage or discourage participation, as well as views about the effectiveness of public protests.

    People will often join if they’re asked to, and whether they’re asked to depends on their ties to others who are also interested in attending, or if they’re a member of an organization that encourages its members to attend.

    This social network effect is as important, if not more important, than simply being angry or frustrated.

    People who identify as left-wing are more likely to participate in marches and demonstrations. Historically, this has been true in the United States, but in contemporary research, individuals on both the right and the left sides of the political continuum participate in protest.

    Furthermore, these ideological differences vary by country and time period. Whether a protest attracts those from the right versus the left depends on the issue. Liberals tend to protest against racism, for example, while conservatives protested COVID-19 restrictions.

    Paying attention

    Rather than focusing on left vs. right, research should pay attention to political interest. Are people paying attention to current events or what’s going on in government? Political interest precedes the development of ideological views.

    Furthermore, people can only form their views about the effectiveness of protest once they start paying attention to politics.

    The recent global Hands Off protests attracted citizens who are dissatisfied with Trump’s newly imposed tariffs and other recent government decisions, such as firing thousands of federal civil servants, dismantling of the Department of Education, changes to immigration enforcement and Social Security administration and the termination of health and science funding, especially those with a diversity, equity and inclusion focus.

    These demonstrations were part of a cycle of protests, similar to those observed in 2017 after Trump’s first election.

    To truly understand who participates and who does not in public protests, we need to consider social connections, views about the effectiveness of protest and people’s interest in politics.

    Shelley Boulianne received funding for the administration of the survey from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Public protesters are our socially connected friends and neighbours, not angry loners – https://theconversation.com/public-protesters-are-our-socially-connected-friends-and-neighbours-not-angry-loners-254044

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five lessons from Perugia’s global gathering of journalists, climate changemakers and media leaders

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Turns, Senior Environment Editor

    Perugia, Italy. Anna Turns, CC BY-NC-ND

    Last week, I travelled to the historic city of Perugia in Umbria, Italy. With clear blue skies, wisteria hanging over ancient Roman walls, plenty of gelato and beautiful vistas from the hilltop, the setting was pretty special. More inspiring though, were the people I spoke to during my visit. Perugia is the home of the annual international journalism festival, a meeting of media movers and shakers from all over the globe. These are my five biggest takeaways.

    1. In-person connections are irreplaceable

    Yes, I see the irony of flying to talk about climate journalism, but sometimes face-to-face connections, impromptu chats and dinner table discussions are just impossible to replicate on a video call. I caught up with journalists from my Oxford Climate Journalism Network cohort. Run by the Reuters Institute, this six-month programme is proving invaluable, not only for seminars from guest speakers at the top of their game, but for the collaborations that are developing within the network. Learning from my peers working in Austria, Brazil, Canada and way beyond has opened my eyes so much to the diversity of challenges we all face – and the creative possibilities.

    Kevin Burden (European media leaders fellowship project manager), Nina Fasciaux (director of Solutions Journalism Network) and Anna Turns.
    Kevin Burden, CC BY-NC-ND

    During my discussions with colleagues from my European media leaders climate solutions fellowship visiting from France, Italy and the Czech Republic, I listened to the lightbulb moments others have had and reflected on my own progress – internally, in terms of what leadership means to me and how I can effect meaningful change, plus externally, in terms of supporting my own team and encouraging more collaboration within this organisation.

    By sharing joys and worries over a margarita pizza or scoop of nocciola (hazelnut icecream – my favourite), I was struck that authenticity is the most important attribute. All else follows and every single one of those real, honest and open in-person connections deepens my appreciation for that.

    2. Environmental journalism is thriving

    So many early career journalists approached me, keen to chat and wanting to know more about how to immerse themselves in this specialism. When I first started out as a biology graduate, I worked in wildlife TV production and magazine journalism. Back then, environment coverage tended to be an outlier, an afterthought at best. Climate journalists were few and far between; willing mentors were difficult to find.

    Anna Turns chatted to lots of environmental journalists after her conference event.
    Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND

    That landscape has shifted so much over the past 20 years and I’m proud that this part of our industry is growing, and becoming richer for it. Now, people want to cover climate stories in so many creative formats and that’s invigorating.

    3. Science doesn’t have to stay in silos

    With growing misinformation, (both inadvertent misinterpretation and deliberate miscommunication) online, combined with widespread disengagement from mainstream news sources, social media has a big role to play in how we engage with climate, or not.

    I hosted an event with Adam Levy about how to make climate science shine on social media. With a PhD in atmospheric physics from the University of Oxford, Levy now works as a science journalist and broadcaster, while producing jargon-free videos that make complex climate issues relatable and succinct.

    Anna Turns interviewed Adam Levy at the International Journalism Festival.
    Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND

    Climate communication is definitely not just about imparting facts. There’s space for nuance, even humour. We chatted about bridging the gap between science and storytelling, how to apply a rigorous journalistic approach to all forms of content and how integrity must be the top priority. That all builds precious trust and creates connection.

    4. Time is ticking

    The next UN climate summit (Cop30) is coming and we’re getting ready. One of my favourite sessions was a talk by Daniel Nardin, another solutions journalist member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. He lives in Belem, the Brazilian city that will be hosting Cop30 in November, where negotiators will continue to debate how best to tackle and adapt to climate change. But those strategies, frameworks and commitments can seem dry, dense and hard to digest.

    Nardin’s publication, Amazonia Vox, platforms the voices of the people living in the Amazon, in forested, deforested and urban areas. He explained that the environmental, social and political issues in the Amazon are complex and full of nuance, which is why he makes local voices central to the narrative.

    None of this is rocket science. But Nardin is proactively cracking on with it, because there isn’t time to wait.

    Mark Hertsgard from Covering Climate Now (far left) talks about how newsrooms can make climate training effective.
    Alexa Cano #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND

    5. Newsroom culture is transforming

    The Conversation is already highly respected. So many expert communicators, academics and readers told me how much they love what we do and what we stand for. Tackling misinformation in engaging ways is what we do best. Connecting you, our audience and community, with the most accurate and evidence-based knowledge is our purpose. We’re already bridging the gap between research and the real world. But there’s still scope to evolve and embrace change.

    Looking ahead, The Conversation can help shift the way climate stories can be told. The climate crisis has gone way beyond being an environmental issue. It’s linked to all aspects of our lives, from health and education to business and democracy, as well as conflicts and culture. Newsrooms don’t have to function like they have done for decades. By being curious, we can experiment, find out what works and reinvent the norm.

    At the New York Times, the climate team is physically in the centre of the office. At the French newswire Agence France-Presse, job titles such as “future of the planet, global editor” reflect big ambitions to integrate climate into everything. At CBC, the Canadian public broadcaster, the science and climate unit has made climate literacy training a top priority for all staff – not because it’s worthy, but because future proofing makes business sense.

    As the executive director of Covering Climate Now, a media community based in the US, Mark Hertsgard said: “Every journalist in the 21st century will need to be a climate journalist.”

    Now, my job is to turn Perugia’s inspiration into action. Watch this space.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    – ref. Five lessons from Perugia’s global gathering of journalists, climate changemakers and media leaders – https://theconversation.com/five-lessons-from-perugias-global-gathering-of-journalists-climate-changemakers-and-media-leaders-254457

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Offshoring solutions provider Yempo to run 2025 Australia roadshow

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From 12 May to 10 June, industry-leading specialist offshoring solutions company Yempo will be running its 2025 roadshow in Australia, where its story began 11 years ago.

    Yempo is a specialist provider of Philippines-based accounting, finance, and Information Technology (IT) professionals to businesses in Australia, UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Japan. It is led by Australian CEO Michelle Fiegehen, an experienced senior director.

    “Each year, we make it a point to visit clients in Australia to understand how they are doing and how we can serve them better. But this year’s trip is extra special as we celebrate a decade of excellence in providing offshore IT and accounting talent, and we are introducing outsourcing to more businesses in my home country,” said Fiegehen.

    Yempo has received multiple citations in the industry, including the Best Offshoring Solutions Provider from the Global Business Awards in 2023, and the ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems certification. According to the ISO website, implementing the ISO 9001 means that an organisation has “put in place effective processes and trained staff to deliver flawless products or services time after time.”

    Fiegehen, meanwhile, was named one of the Top Emerging Women Leaders of 2024 by the Victory Magazine, APAC’s 10 High-Performing CEOs from the Philippines in 2023, and the Best CEOs of the Year by The CEO Views in 2022.

    Among the company’s satisfied clients in Australia is SDJA Audit Specialists, whose Director Simon Joyce says, “Yempo provides peace of mind, and a one-stop shop from job spec to ad, interview, employment, admin, tech, payroll.​ Its fully integrated model means they are an extension of our local team.”

    In keeping with Yempo’s commitment to giving back to community, clients are also able to contribute to its highly regarded Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which benefits children’s charities and animal rescue foundations.

    Register to meet Yempo’s CEO in Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth here or visit yempo-solutions.com today, to learn more about the company’s IT and accounting offshoring services. 

    Contact person:

    Michelle Fiegehen, CEO

    michelle@yempo-solutions.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 2023 Australian CRS reportable accounts by jurisdiction

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Limitations of the CRS report

    The Total accounts column represents the number of Financial Accounts held by foreign tax residents; it does not represent the number of foreign tax residents holding accounts. An account holder may be a tax resident of multiple jurisdictions, so accounts may be reported more than once.

    The Balance ($A) column represents the total balance or value of the Financial Assets held in the accounts. The figure includes:

    • cash
    • securities
    • bonds
    • commodities
    • partnership interests
    • debt interests and equity interests.

    Where an account is held by more than one account holder, the balance or value is attributed in full to each account holder. Where an account is held by a passive non-financial entity, such as a trust, the value of the equity interest is attributed in full to each controlling person. These accounts will be reported in the Total accounts and Balance ($A) columns more than once.

    Table: CRS statistics tabled by the Minister

    Jurisdiction

    Total Accounts

    Balance (AUD)

    Afghanistan

    11070

    $95,581,415

    Aland Islands

    693

    $3,871,473

    Albania

    728

    $10,764,088

    Algeria

    515

    $10,363,535

    American Samoa

    555

    $7,413,499

    Andorra

    1355

    $101,244,778

    Angola

    296

    $10,861,848

    Anguilla

    166

    $1,170,312

    Antigua and Barbuda

    234

    $3,613,577

    Argentina

    43207

    $239,451,920

    Armenia

    725

    $5,711,104

    Aruba

    510

    $18,999,978

    Austria

    16740

    $394,878,370

    Azerbaijan

    893

    $29,236,263

    Bahamas

    1044

    $232,452,443

    Bahrain

    1944

    $70,119,634

    Bangladesh

    29473

    $229,111,457

    Barbados

    378

    $15,992,240

    Belarus

    564

    $6,673,642

    Belgium

    11622

    $328,051,334

    Belize

    141

    $1,882,633

    Benin

    147

    $4,016,713

    Bermuda

    802

    $1,003,121,189

    Bhutan

    33564

    $129,472,928

    Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

    644

    $4,267,066

    Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

    65

    $320,289

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    1015

    $18,562,691

    Botswana

    1551

    $74,047,155

    Brazil

    115912

    $665,938,179

    Brunei Darussalam

    4830

    $175,136,606

    Bulgaria

    1168

    $30,359,474

    Burkina Faso

    209

    $6,083,998

    Burundi

    359

    $1,251,294

    Cabo Verde

    57

    $801,533

    Cambodia

    13543

    $310,460,409

    Cameroon

    286

    $12,837,192

    Canada

    131945

    $4,655,911,312

    Cayman Islands

    1261

    $2,287,140,562

    Central African Republic (The)

    65

    $1,886,237

    Chad

    47

    $1,931,612

    Chile

    34790

    $184,569,286

    China

    1168312

    $35,846,564,031

    Colombia

    117549

    $329,328,309

    Comoros

    202

    $1,192,041

    Congo (Democratic Republic of The)

    955

    $15,603,703

    Congo (The)

    592

    $5,826,658

    Cook Islands

    966

    $15,755,625

    Costa Rica

    737

    $9,190,245

    Cote d’Ivoire

    154

    $12,847,535

    Croatia

    2570

    $91,851,975

    Cuba

    270

    $3,587,708

    Curacao

    63

    $489,577

    Cyprus

    2728

    $174,738,630

    Czech Republic

    5737

    $138,163,643

    Denmark

    13370

    $711,421,080

    Djibouti

    56

    $94,469

    Dominica

    118

    $20,557,976

    Dominican Republic

    6717

    $219,006,335

    Ecuador

    4375

    $24,093,968

    Egypt

    7828

    $130,461,587

    El Salvador

    549

    $4,583,826

    Equatorial Guinea

    43

    $5,787,039

    Eritrea

    574

    $3,235,597

    Estonia

    5283

    $19,768,874

    Ethiopia

    2203

    $22,578,132

    Falkland Islands [Malvinas]

    100

    $662,808

    Faroe Islands (The)

    45

    $320,055

    Fiji

    33661

    $418,588,501

    Finland

    7518

    $243,196,353

    France

    88770

    $1,312,556,582

    French Guiana

    63

    $1,169,649

    French Polynesia

    1466

    $144,692,251

    Gabon

    95

    $254,579

    Gambia

    98

    $1,040,902

    Georgia

    519

    $14,078,846

    Germany

    97566

    $2,136,961,996

    Ghana

    3662

    $45,920,708

    Gibraltar

    271

    $98,559,288

    Greece

    18433

    $874,732,119

    Greenland

    34

    $1,090,263

    Grenada

    45

    $860,469

    Guadeloupe

    59

    $1,397,246

    Guam

    567

    $22,049,141

    Guatemala

    609

    $4,477,478

    Guernsey

    709

    $188,289,280

    Guinea

    467

    $16,333,658

    Guinea-Bissau

    22

    $52,235

    Guyana

    145

    $5,865,208

    Haiti

    79

    $3,315,500

    Holy See (The)

    31

    $223,543

    Honduras

    284

    $3,912,750

    Hong Kong

    417259

    $19,652,979,316

    Hungary

    4166

    $89,013,732

    Iceland

    706

    $9,559,465

    India

    541071

    $3,337,392,017

    Indonesia

    141551

    $2,447,310,574

    Iran (Islamic Republic of)

    25484

    $220,602,656

    Iraq

    5657

    $47,263,403

    Ireland

    99386

    $1,184,004,246

    Isle of man

    755

    $77,412,757

    Israel

    14404

    $870,500,826

    Italy

    61111

    $1,042,858,008

    Jamaica

    502

    $10,346,693

    Japan

    122031

    $2,930,986,700

    Jersey

    1191

    $1,500,635,721

    Jordan

    3192

    $51,114,032

    Kazakhstan

    2762

    $76,557,742

    Kenya

    19121

    $167,004,133

    Kiribati

    1728

    $27,628,158

    Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of)

    1300

    $11,985,623

    Korea (The Republic of)

    120329

    $692,796,653

    Kuwait

    2278

    $59,151,943

    Kyrgyzstan

    253

    $10,798,328

    Lao Peoples Democratic Republic

    3950

    $56,663,831

    Latvia

    662

    $19,990,384

    Lebanon

    4658

    $77,228,058

    Lesotho

    76

    $1,552,742

    Liberia

    331

    $7,577,445

    Libya

    321

    $5,848,095

    Liechtenstein

    115

    $2,373,413

    Lithuania

    1572

    $17,114,640

    Luxembourg

    1269

    $1,281,207,061

    Macao

    8485

    $557,432,905

    Madagascar

    302

    $4,468,823

    Malawi

    602

    $7,546,068

    Malaysia

    207495

    $9,736,791,971

    Maldives

    1145

    $9,633,668

    Mali

    204

    $6,447,711

    Malta

    3940

    $266,412,830

    Marshall Islands (The)

    142

    $267,119,933

    Martinique

    54

    $348,133

    Mauritania

    107

    $2,254,652

    Mauritius

    7436

    $190,515,176

    Mayotte

    43

    $89,402

    Mexico

    12583

    $107,075,070

    Micronesia (Federated States of)

    147

    $15,869,862

    Moldova (The Republic of)

    251

    $2,923,446

    Monaco

    655

    $148,818,123

    Mongolia

    18288

    $90,339,348

    Montenegro

    244

    $25,032,609

    Montserrat

    5287

    $264,020,964

    Morocco

    919

    $34,620,243

    Mozambique

    551

    $16,987,061

    Myanmar

    10713

    $94,691,582

    Namibia

    852

    $28,134,752

    Nauru

    1258

    $71,353,711

    Nepal

    151948

    $530,415,177

    Netherlands (The)

    38960

    $5,741,717,769

    New Caledonia

    14843

    $946,289,722

    New Zealand

    593810

    $13,924,735,966

    Nicaragua

    212

    $1,863,857

    Niger (The)

    118

    $4,131,203

    Nigeria

    8518

    $59,998,862

    Niue

    63

    $457,441

    Northern Mariana Islands (The)

    86

    $1,940,793

    Norway

    12085

    $116,151,200

    Oman

    2919

    $53,732,678

    Pakistan

    40606

    $233,873,735

    Palau

    90

    $2,489,305

    Palestine, State of

    490

    $4,307,127

    Panama

    817

    $22,319,621

    Papua New Guinea

    20645

    $1,000,357,988

    Paraguay

    611

    $4,606,315

    Peru

    8102

    $93,464,956

    Philippines

    149788

    $1,081,032,048

    Pitcairn

    42

    $2,255,280

    Poland

    10216

    $183,398,727

    Portugal

    8340

    $364,367,730

    Puerto Rico

    111

    $1,240,149

    Qatar

    5561

    $199,292,806

    Republic of North Macedonia

    2098

    $48,970,081

    Reunion

    198

    $5,016,186

    Romania

    2257

    $33,817,593

    Russian Federation

    13479

    $311,237,493

    Rwanda

    349

    $2,900,073

    Saint Barthelemy

    43

    $132,991

    Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

    19

    $53,689

    Saint Kitts and Nevis

    164

    $65,704,365

    Saint Lucia

    99

    $11,339,027

    Saint Martin (French part)

    24

    $1,272,193

    Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

    54

    $648,955

    Samoa

    5642

    $12,252,804

    San Marino

    22

    $225,736

    Sao Tome and Principe

    16

    $47,212

    Saudi Arabia

    17461

    $290,408,054

    Senegal

    246

    $17,019,253

    Serbia

    2765

    $61,671,117

    Seychelles

    747

    $66,081,694

    Sierra Leone

    518

    $59,985,702

    Singapore

    216492

    $16,932,866,043

    Sint Maarten (Dutch)

    44

    $2,030,457

    Slovakia

    2683

    $34,211,553

    Slovenia

    1143

    $31,256,112

    Solomon Islands

    5670

    $107,624,274

    Somalia

    419

    $883,615

    South Africa

    85705

    $3,036,112,507

    South Sudan

    409

    $1,439,169

    Spain

    34964

    $615,458,859

    Sri Lanka

    59417

    $496,470,828

    Sudan

    1369

    $9,428,890

    Suriname

    99

    $808,495

    Swaziland

    491

    $11,837,248

    Sweden

    24838

    $395,550,321

    Switzerland

    27602

    $2,522,289,323

    Syrian Arab Republic

    3146

    $16,259,175

    Taiwan (Province of China)

    215091

    $5,182,123,415

    Tajikistan

    150

    $6,070,527

    Tanzania, United Republic of

    1483

    $28,785,672

    Thailand

    115526

    $1,671,533,990

    Timor-Leste

    5625

    $103,220,105

    Togo

    50

    $392,068

    Tokelau

    34

    $94,511

    Tonga

    10335

    $27,905,071

    Trinidad and Tobago

    429

    $10,964,301

    Tunisia

    505

    $42,954,529

    Turkey

    12815

    $123,250,809

    Turkmenistan

    80

    $269,557

    Turks and Caicos Islands (The)

    62

    $12,992,454

    Tuvalu

    332

    $24,161,951

    Uganda

    1469

    $26,010,162

    Ukraine

    6358

    $57,835,515

    United Arab Emirates

    34016

    $1,525,677,609

    United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (The)

    650226

    $15,897,900,722

    United States Minor Outlying Islands (The)

    616

    $17,009,421

    United States of America (The)

    607512

    $32,140,613,865

    Uruguay

    2967

    $20,416,335

    Uzbekistan

    843

    $14,924,835

    Vanuatu

    12745

    $166,367,754

    Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

    3429

    $16,703,255

    Vietnam

    108399

    $1,368,106,502

    Virgin Islands (British)

    664

    $1,583,993,488

    Virgin Islands (U.S.)

    86

    $12,262,261

    Wallis and Futuna

    79

    $735,705

    Western Sahara

    54

    $172,955

    Yemen

    436

    $3,698,663

    Zambia

    2508

    $52,915,353

    Zimbabwe

    8557

    $181,025,534

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: International travel: February 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    International travel: February 2025 – 14 April 2025 – International travel covers the number and characteristics of overseas visitors and New Zealand resident travellers (short-term movements) entering or leaving New Zealand.

    Key facts

    Monthly arrivals – overseas visitors
    Overseas visitor arrivals were 354,400 in February 2025, a decrease of 8,400 from February 2024. The biggest changes were in arrivals from:

    • United States (up 8,200)
    • Australia (up 7,600)
    • United Kingdom (up 3,100)
    • Canada (up 1,600)
    • Japan (up 1,100)
    • China (down 18,400)
    • Taiwan (down 1,500)
    • Malaysia (down 1,200).

    Further Information:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Opening remarks by SITI at Welcome Dinner of InnoEX 2025 (English only)(with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Welcome Dinner of InnoEX 2025 today (April 12):
     
    Margaret (the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Margaret Fong), å¾�常委 (Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Ms Xu Xiaolan), 任秘書長 (the Secretary General of the World Internet Conference (WIC), Mr Ren Xianliang), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         Hello! 你好! What a thrill to have you all here this evening! A very warm welcome to friends from around the world to the InnoEX 2025 in Hong Kong. 
     
    This welcome dinner is a prelude to the InnoEX 2025, Hong Kong’s signature exhibition on innovation & technology (I&T) to start tomorrow. Also an anchor event of our vibrant Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week), InnoEX 2025 can be “digitised” into the magic figure of “12345” –
     

    • 1 vision to connect global I&T power;
    • 2 much to anticipate;
    • 3 years in a row;
    • 4 incredible days of a full programme from April 13 to 16; and
    • 5 frontier tech areas we are going to focus on.

         InnoEX returns stronger and bigger this year, from countries and regions – from Hong Kong, Macao, and 16 Mainland provinces and cities, to France, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and across ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Joining us first-time also include those from Australia, the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Malaysia, Sweden, and Luxembourg. 

    To the familiar faces and all new friends, thank you so much for bringing your tech, your creativity and your interest to our city!

    This year’s theme of InnoEX – “Innovate • Automate • Elevate” says it all: only with innovation powering the engine, automation steering the course, our journey towards a more prosperous economies and societies could be elevated to the next higher level. 

    The five tech areas we focus this year, namely artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, low-altitude economy, and smart mobility, are the components of this autonomous vehicle, leading us to a better and smarter future.

    Indeed, these aren’t just tech and small parts of an engine. They fundamentally change the way we work, connect, interact and grow. They change how we see the future.

    And right here at InnoEX, you’ll see how these agents are applied in different places around the globe, and how ideas translate into impact on industries and people.

    As the brand InnoEX implies, Hong Kong is also witnessing the exponential power of innovation. We may be like a GPU (graphics processing unit) in terms of physical size, but Hong Kong is huge in terms of innovative power – top-notch R&D (research and development), five world-class universities, 16 State Key Laboratories, and a staunch supporter of free economy and international partnerships. This is how we fuel novel ideas, groom talents, attract investment, and build an increasing robust I&T ecosystem.

    And we believe innovation thrives when people come together – across sectors and borders, and blending cultures and values. That’s what the BIT Week and InnoEX are all about: a global stage with no boundaries and limits. This spirit of connection is echoed at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit happening soon at this convention centre.

    So this evening, we are here to start conversations; to cultivate friendships; and to scale possibilities. Whether you are a policymaker, buyer, exhibitor or tech leader – there is always a space here in InnoEX for you to spark something big.

    Before I close, my heartfelt thanks to our incredible partner, HKTDC, and my fellow colleagues at the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Digital Policy Office for their hard work. You have made this possible.

    To our guests: please enjoy the evening, get ready for four exciting days ahead, and make the best out of InnoEX! Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lakelands — Missing person: Help the RCMP find John (Joao) Medeiros

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    April 13, 2025, Lakelands, Nova Scotia… East Hants District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 47-year-old John (Joao) Mederios, from New Minas, who was reported missing on April 13, 2025. He was last seen near the variety store in Lakelands, on Piggot Lake Road.

    Medeiros is described as 5-foot-10 and a medium build. He has light coloured hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black Columbia jacket, back hoodie, black pants, brown boots and carrying a black gym bag.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of John (Joao) Mederios is asked to contact the East Hants District RCMP at 902-883-7077. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca , or use the P3 tips app.

    Note: Photo of John (Joao) Mederios is attached.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Middleton — UPDATE: Nova Scotia RCMP asks for public assistance to locate suspect in armed robbery

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Update: Annapolis District RCMP arrested the suspect in an armed robbery that occurred on April 9 in Middleton. On April 10 at approximately 2:20 p.m., officers located and safely took one person into custody on Commercial Dr. in Middleton. He will be held for an upcoming court appearance. More information will be shared when available.

    Original text below:

    RCMPNS is looking for public assistance to identify and locate a man in relation to an armed robbery involving a knife that occurred earlier this afternoon at a grocery store on Commercial St. in #Middleton. During the robbery, an employee of the store was assaulted and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The man fled the store on foot.

    The man is described as being in his 20s and was wearing a blue plaid jacket, light coloured sweatpants, black Addidas sneakers, and a mask at the time of the incident. The blue jacket and sneakers have been recovered.

    Anyone who sees this man is asked to call 911 and to not approach him. Anyone who can identify the man or who has information about this incident is asked to contact Annapolis County District RCMP at 902-825-2000.

    RCMPNS is actively searching for the man and investigating the incident. RCMP Police Dog Services and an RCMP drone operator are engaged in addition to general duty officers. Residents can expect to see a heavy police presence. There are no road closures at this time, however, the public is asked to avoid Commercial St. to allow officers to do their work.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Enfield — Missing person: Help the RCMP find Paul Joseph Creel

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    East Hants District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 45-Year-Old Paul Joseph Freel, from East Uniacke, who was reported missing on April 13, 2025. He is believed to have been last seen on April 4, 2025.

    Freel is described as 5 foot 11 and approximately 250 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Paul Freel is asked to contact the East Hants District RCMP at 902-883-7077. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca , or use the P3 tips app.

    Note: Photo of Paul Joseph Freel Westcott is attached.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Terminations at U.S. government agencies that monitor extreme weather events will have negative effects

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Gordon McBean, Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography and Environment, Western University

    A weather station in Santa Cruz, Calif. Cuts to government agencies monitoring the weather will increase the impacts of extreme weather events. (Shutterstock)

    In August 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report confirmed that the climate is warming and the impacts will be widespread and more intense than anticipated.

    In 2023, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the Weather, Water, and Climate Strategy (2023-27) for the United States and around the world.

    The strategy addresses the risks to lives, property, economies and ecosystems that are increasing at an alarming rate due to the warming planet. It highlights that U.S. citizens are in harm’s way, infrastructure is increasingly outdated and at risk and, in many places, not designed for new environmental realities and extreme weather events.

    In February 2025, Donald Trump’s administration reduced the government’s size. The NOAA was severely affected, experiencing budget cuts and the termination of about 800 employees’ positions. NOAA is a critically important government organization, and includes the National Weather Service (NWS).

    Recent developments regarding science and scholarship in the U.S., including major reductions in federal research funding and censorship around topics such as climate change and gender, are forcing many U.S. science agencies and research organizations to abruptly suspend normal operations.

    As former assistant deputy minister of the Meteorological Service of Environment Canada between 1994 and 2000, I regularly met with my colleagues at the NWS and other weather agencies. We worked together to share information to provide the best weather services possible in our countries.

    Climate and misinformation

    In January of this year, the World Economic Forum released its Global Risks Report. This ranked the global risks that could have major impacts on the global population, GDP or natural resources in the short term (two years) and long term (10 years).

    For the short term, the top risk identified is “misinformation and disinformation,” with “extreme weather events” being the second-highest risk. Extreme weather events include storms, floods, wildfires, heat and others, with a warming climate leading to more severity and impacts. By geography, extreme weather events is ranked as the highest risk for Northern America and most other regions.

    The risks due to misinformation and extreme weather events are interconnected. If an extreme weather event is about to occur and people are not informed, or are misinformed, about the occurrence and risks, they do not take actions to reduce exposure and vulnerability, resulting in higher impacts.

    Impacts of layoffs

    Because of the importance of the NOAA, NWS and other climate research bodies, many have spoken out about the negative impacts of these job terminations and budget reductions.

    The NWS has developed leading weather forecast models by working with the academic and global science communities, and partners with others beyond national borders to share their data. The multi-year development and implementation of these weather systems has led to high quality and reliable information for weather, climate and ocean situations.

    One example is science journalist Andy Revkin, who referred to Trump’s actions as “The Dangerous Trump Purge of Weather and Climate Expertise.” In his Substack, Revkin writes:

    “There’s an enormous, and justified surge of criticism from private-sector and academic meteorologists from across the political spectrum over the purge of expertise and supporting staff under way at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service.”

    Meteorologists Jeff Masters and Bob Henson wrote that “cuts to U.S. weather and climate research could put public safety at risk… and slow emergency disaster response and weaken resilience efforts.”

    Ilan Kelman, professor of disasters and health at University College London, stated that the “mass job termination” will have major negative impacts across the U.S. and nearby countries, such as Canada. This will be due to reduced aviation and shipping safety; lack of information for communities to respond to severe weather; safety assessments for search-and-rescue; and other concerns.

    Alarming increases

    With a warming climate, the impacts of extreme weather events are rising around most of the world. The year 2024, the warmest on record, was also the single-most expensive year on record in terms of Canadian insurance payouts of C$8.5 billion, with the number of catastrophe claims exceeding 273,000. Disaster costs in the U.S. also increased with many billion-dollar events.

    On Oct. 17, 2024, NOAA shared initial imagery from the GOES-19 lightning mapper showing lightning activity in two extremely hazardous hurricanes – Helene and Milton — on Sept. 24.
    (GOES-19/NOAA)

    In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused 228 deaths and economic losses assessed at US$78.7 billion. In advance of Helene’s landfall, states of emergency in Florida and Georgia were declared by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

    The U.S. Air Force Weather Reconnaissance Squadron provided information for the NHC to upgrade the storm to Tropical Storm Helene. Follow-up research by the World Weather Attribution concluded with “high confidence” that Helene was made worse by climate change.

    Reliance on observation and collaboration

    Forecasting extreme weather events relies on observational systems that provide weather information over a significant area which extends beyond a country. In North America, the U.S. weather forecasts rely on information from Canada, Mexico and countries across the Gulf of Mexico, and vice versa.

    The World Meteorological Organization, the UN’s lead agency on weather and climate, co-ordinates international co-operation for the free and unrestricted exchange of data and information, products and services in real time. This is critical for the safety and security of society, economic welfare and protection of the environment.

    With the NOAA’s reductions in resources, there will be negative impacts across all services in the U.S. and on the effective sharing of data between internationally collaborating weather services.

    These cuts to NOAA also relate to broad concern about impacts on science. The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities has expressed grave concern over the escalating threats to academic freedom, both in the U.S. and beyond.

    Gordon McBean receives funding from Western University and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction to undertake research on building climate resilient communities. None of my affliations are relevant to this paper.

    – ref. Terminations at U.S. government agencies that monitor extreme weather events will have negative effects – https://theconversation.com/terminations-at-u-s-government-agencies-that-monitor-extreme-weather-events-will-have-negative-effects-251314

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: U.S. tariffs are about to trigger the greatest trade diversion the world has ever seen

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Wolfgang Alschner, Hyman Soloway Chair in Business and Trade Law, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs have shaken the global trading system. Canadians have rightly been preoccupied by the tariff’s devastating impact on U.S.-Canada relations, but the wider ripple effects could prove just as damaging.

    The tariffs have redirected billions of dollars in exports originally bound for the U.S., which are now poised to flood global markets — including Canada’s. This will trigger a historic trade diversion that will put even the most free trade-minded nations to the test.

    Around 15 per cent of global imports went to the U.S. in 2024. The country has long been the world’s biggest consumer market, in part, due to its low average tariffs of just 3.3 per cent.

    These days are now over. On April 2, the U.S. increased its average tariff rate seven-fold to a staggering 22 per cent — by far the highest among countries with a major economy.



    Read more:
    Canada was mostly spared from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, but it must not grow complacent

    Even though the U.S.’s “reciprocal” tariffs have since been suspended for all countries except China and Trump has now exempted smartphones, computers and microchips, a 10 per cent baseline rate and several sectoral duties remain in place.

    Together, they form a tariff wall around the U.S. unlike anything seen in generations.

    The Great Trade Diversion

    Much of the trade disruption stems from China. In 2024, China exported US$438.9 billion worth of goods to the U.S. Millions of parcels, sent via e-commerce platforms like Shein, entered the U.S. duty-free because they fell below the US$800 “de minimis” threshold.

    On April 2, Trump eliminated this exemption for low-value Chinese exports and imposed a reciprocal tariff on all Chinese imports of 34 per cent.

    This rate was increased further after China vowed to retaliate on April 4, and is now stacked on top of a 20 per cent fentanyl-related tariff. The result is an effective tariff rate exceeding 100 per cent, making it prohibitively costly for China to export to the U.S.

    Last time U.S.-China trade tensions escalated, China rerouted many of its exports through Southeast Asia. This time, however, Southeast Asian countries were hit hard, too.

    Vietnam, a major destination of Chinese export-oriented foreign investment, exported US$137 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024. While the 46 per cent reciprocal tariff against Vietnam has since been suspended, the U.S. is unlikely to tolerate such circumvention this time around.

    The U.S. has also imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all imported automobiles. South Korea, Japan and Germany all export cars to the U.S. market. While some of these exports may continue as tariff costs are absorbed or passed on to customers, others will divert their vehicles to alternative markets.

    All told, billions of dollars in trade are being rerouted, with a tidal wave of diverted goods now headed for markets around the world.

    A repeat of the Great Depression

    The world has been here before. In the 1930s, the U.S. enacted the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs on thousands of imported goods in an effort to shield American industries during the Great Depression. The result was a rapid contraction of global trade.

    What ultimately tipped the world over the edge wasn’t direct retaliation against the U.S. Instead, global trade collapsed as U.S. trading partners turned on each other. Faced with a flood of diverted goods, they rushed to protect their own manufacturing by enacting trade restrictions of their own.

    Similarly, today, we face a similar risk. The greater concern is not Trump’s tariffs themselves or even the retaliation they provoke, but rather the resulting trade diversion and wave of protectionism it can trigger.

    Old fears, new pressures

    In some respects, the world may be in a more precarious position today than it was in the early 1930s.

    For close to a decade, western policymakers, including G7 members, have sounded alarm bells over “Chinese overcapacity.” China consumes too little at home and exports too much abroad, often using unfair non-market practices such as covert subsidization to undercut local prices.

    Fears of deindustrialization have already led some governments to put new trade barriers in place. Canada, for example, placed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles to protect its own nascent industry in 2024. A flood of diverted Chinese imports will only heighten these pre-existing concerns.

    At the same time, global trade rules meant to safeguard against protectionism have become brittle. The U.S. has blocked the appointment of judges to the World Trade Organization’s highest court, which is tasked with enforcing trade rules.

    The resulting impunity has emboldened countries beyond the U.S. to openly flout WTO rules. Indonesia, for example, continues to maintain a WTO-inconsistent export ban on nickel. Canada’s electric vehicle tariff will likely be judged illegal under trade rules as well.

    Global trade system at a crossroads

    The Great Trade Diversion is set to put an already strained system to the test. There is still time for countries to reaffirm their commitment to international trade rules. Those same rules also allow countries to temporarily restrict trade when faced with a flood of imports.

    The Canadian government can proactively identify sectors at risk of disruption and call on the Canada Border Services Agency to self-initiate investigations into vulnerable sectors to swiftly clear the procedural hurdles for imposing temporary import restrictions.

    If countries stick to these rules, the global trading system can weather the storm. Just as possible, though, is a slide toward protectionism. Faced with a deluge of goods coming from China, the temptation to erect illegal trade barriers like the U.S. already has will be high.

    The global economy stands at a crossroads: one path leads to a reassertion of international co-operation and global rules; the other to a cascade of protectionist measures and a weakening of the very system that has enabled decades of economic growth and stability.

    Wolfgang Alschner receives funding from the SSHRC.

    – ref. U.S. tariffs are about to trigger the greatest trade diversion the world has ever seen – https://theconversation.com/u-s-tariffs-are-about-to-trigger-the-greatest-trade-diversion-the-world-has-ever-seen-254049

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s record-breaking contract with the Toronto Blue Jays is a win-win deal for both sides

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ryan Clutterbuck, Assistant Professor in Sport Management, Brock University

    After missing out on the Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto sweepstakes in 2023 and 2024, the Toronto Blue Jays and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have reportedly agreed to a record-breaking 14-year US$500 million extension to his contract with the team.

    The deal will likely prove to be a win-win for both sides.

    For the Blue Jays, the win, as articulated by current Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer, means “you just solidified your organization, and you know who’s playing first for the next 14 years.”

    One of Guerrero Jr.’s wins (that doesn’t include a dollar sign), according to teammate Bo Bichette, is that he gets to remain at a team he wants to keep playing for.

    In terms of lessons learned, this contract offers future sport managers and negotiators from across disciplines several reminders to reflect on and incorporate into future deals.

    Dealing with time pressures

    Time pressure arises in auctions or negotiations when people feel like they are running out of time.

    It can lead to people making unwise decisions, such as the winner’s curse, where someone ends up overpaying for something because they overestimated its value. However, in negotiations, there are real time pressures and imagined time pressures, and recognizing each is important.

    For example, we can imagine an alternate universe in which the Blue Jays accepted and then acted upon Guerrero Jr.’s Feb. 18 deadline to negotiate a contract extension.

    In that universe, there’s no win-win potential. Instead, negotiations between the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. end and the conversation turns to possible trading partners and timelines to secure the greatest possible return.

    The Blue Jays recognized Guerrero Jr.’s Feb. 18 deadline represented an imagined rather than a real time pressure. Faced with an imagined time pressure, the Blue Jays executed a clever act of negotiation jiu-jitsu.

    Over a month after Guerrero Jr.’s Feb. 18 deadline had passed, Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro said: “I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him. The reason I feel that way is because we have such a clear alignment on the desired outcome.”

    Whereas other, perhaps less experienced negotiators may have been tempted to meet Guerrero Jr.’s demands with reciprocal force, for example, by issuing their own counter-ultimatum (as in: take it or leave it!), Shapiro simply ignored the demand and reinforced the team’s desire to make Guerrero Jr. a Blue Jay for life.

    Even experienced negotiators can fall into repetitive action-reaction cycles in which every demand, ask and ultimatum is met with equal or increased resistance from the other side. Of course, in every negotiation, either side will have to stand up for their interests and push back at times. But sometimes it can be more useful to simply step aside than it is to push back.

    Time value of money

    There were also financial issues that had to be resolved via negotiation. Notable, as well, is the time-value-of-money concept that entered into the sport lexicon with hitter Shohei Ohtani’s uniquely structured contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers (US$700 million over 10 years with US$680 million deferred until 2034). This may have been a major factor for Guerrero Jr. too.

    To understand how the time-value-of-money concept can impact negotiations, it may be helpful to reflect on how far $50 used to go 10 years ago and far it does today. Just as $50 in 2015 was more valuable then than it is today, the same will be true for hundreds of millions of dollars.

    Much has been made of Guerrero Jr.’s reported contact and its compensation structure that, similar to outfielder Juan Soto’s deal with the New York Mets, does not include such team/ownership-friendly deferrals.

    Ohtani may be more comfortable and uniquely positioned, by virtue of his lucrative off-the-field endorsements in North America and Japan, to defer a large chunk of his US$700 million deal with the LA Dodgers. However, the message from Soto and Guerrero Jr.’s camps seems to have been: show me the present value.

    What is interesting from a negotiation standpoint and worth reflecting on here and for the future is how showing Guerrero Jr. the present-value-of-money facilitated the deal.

    Despite challenges to securing a long-term win-win, that included an arbitration hearing in February 2024, the application of time pressure by Guerrero Jr. a year later and a reported deadlock over $50 million in the late stages of the negotiation, the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. can now each claim victory. It’s a classic win-win.

    Ryan Clutterbuck 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. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s record-breaking contract with the Toronto Blue Jays is a win-win deal for both sides – https://theconversation.com/vladimir-guerrero-jr-s-record-breaking-contract-with-the-toronto-blue-jays-is-a-win-win-deal-for-both-sides-254055

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How I’m teaching Holocaust literature in light of Canadian recommendations around combatting antisemitism

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Regan Lipes, Extended Sessional Instructor, English and Comparative Literature, MacEwan University

    As university students encounter hate speech, like statements perpetrated by music industry personalities they may have once enjoyed, they have questions about antisemitism — and what it really is.

    I research and teach Jewish literature with a focus on Holocaust narratives. With rising tensions on both sides of the Israel-Hamas War, and 24 hostages still in captivity, Canadian communities feel the continued conflict domestically.

    In December 2024, the House of Commons’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights released a comprehensive document: Heightened Anisemitism in Canada and How to Combat It.

    Since Oct. 7, 2023, societal tolerance for blatant acts of antisemitism has risen. This makes this document all the more timely, especially as it reports: “Many witnesses noted that the rise in antisemitism has been particularly acute on university campuses.”

    Among the document’s 19 recommendations is guidance around Holocaust education and remembrance. While there is longstanding scholarly discussion around best practices and ethics pertaining to teaching the Holocaust and remembrance, educators must also be responsive to our current — and evolving — contexts.

    Here, I share ways I have sought to adapt my own approach to teaching Holocaust literature. For educators wondering how to begin approaching the integration of Holocaust topics, a 2020 collection of articles on the subject, Understanding and Teaching the Holocaust, edited by Laura Hilton (professor of history) and Avinoam Patt (professor of Holocaust studies), could be a launching point.

    Modern-day antisemitism, trajectories

    The committee’s sixth recommendation is that the government of Canada work with provinces and territories to “ensure that Holocaust education in public schools and other institutions includes explanations of modern-day antisemitism and integrates a Jewish community-centered lens.”

    For a course teaching film adaptations of the Holocaust, I solicited the assistance of a colleague, historian Carson Phillips, at the Azrieli Foundation, a charity whose eight funding areas include Holocaust education and legacy, to tackle this recommendation.

    Working with Phillips brought an additional voice to the discussion of how Holocaust denial and Holocaust distortion are connected to antisemitism. Holocaust denial is a form of antisemitism with all its malignant intentions.



    Read more:
    How Hitler conspiracies and other Holocaust disinformation undermine democratic institutions

    Phillips suggested I try to additionally focus on survivor memoirs that explore life prior to the Holocaust to illustrate the trajectory of antisemitic agendas. He noted I should concentrate on memoirs with a connection to Canada so this message would be more relevant for my students.

    He provided me with A Cry in Unison by Judy Cohen,
    Flights of Spirit by Elly Gotz and Memories in Focus by Pinchas Gutter. I also applied his advice in the fiction I taught and incorporated the 1970 novel, Crackpot, by Adele Wiseman, to show that between the First and Second World Wars in Canada, there was societal antisemitism and social isolation of Jews.

    To further connect this to a Canadian context, and to consider trajectories of hate, in the future I may include content around how there were plans to export the “final solution” from Europe to North America. This illustrates that tolerance of antisemitism can quickly threaten societal stability.

    Antisemitism far predates Nazism

    I wanted my students to see that although the Holocaust was caused by antisemitism, antisemitism long predated the rise of Nazism and survives today because of a lack of shared awareness.

    The Art Gallery of Alberta recently hosted an exhibit Here to Tell of photograph portraits of Holocaust survivors and their recorded testimonies.



    Read more:
    Holocaust survivor stories are reminders of why we need to educate against antisemitism

    In three of my courses, I gave the extra credit option to visit the exhibition and reflect on ideas, themes and concepts that resonated. Similar engagement is being implemented in high school classes to address Alberta’s curricular requirements.

    This has the aim of better informing learners about what can occur when xenophobia and hate are allowed to proliferate.

    The documentary connected to the exhibit vividly illustrates why antisemitism is dangerous when left to fester and breed, or if misinformation masquerades as fact.

    ‘Here to Tell: Faces of Holocaust Survivors’ project.

    As recent events in a suburb of Edmonton suggest, not combating antisemitism allows the tentacles of white supremacy and xenophobia to affect other communities too. There, masked demonstrators stood with an apparent anti-immigration sign while one gave a Nazi salute.

    Addressing Holocaust remembrance

    The eighth recommendation of Heightened Antisemitism calls for the government of Canada, “in line with its commitment to build strong communities and celebrate multiculturalism,” to “provide funding to develop a five-year program to enhance the literacy of post-secondary students regarding the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.”

    For me as an educator, this made the marking of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD) especially meaningful in the context of classroom learning in Alberta.

    After all, Alberta was the province where James Keegstra first began teaching Holocaust denial to high school students in the 1980s. After Prof. Anthony Hall of the University of Lethbridge finally retired in 2018, it seemed like Holocaust denial and baseless vilification of Zionism was on the decline in Alberta. As reported by CBC, in 2016 Hall was suspended without pay for “allegedly promoting conspiracy theories and denying the Holocaust in online articles and videos.”

    This year was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and to to mark IHRD, I organized two guest speakers to present their research to students. Speakers helped contextualize the immediate legacy of the Holocaust and how this contributes to contemporary antisemitism.

    With Yom HaShoah (Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day) soon approaching, these discussions should be at the forefront of Canadian human rights awareness.



    Read more:
    How Jan. 27 came to be International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

    Wider implications

    Although my students are likely not familiar with the report’s broader recommendations for how to combat antisemitism, a sizeable portion of the report’s advice does focus on university campuses. There are implications far beyond teaching the Holocaust or Jewish subject matters which may potentially impact students.

    Recommendations include:

    • Calls for more robust and effective strategies to combat antisemitism and safeguard Jewish communities across Canada;

    • For action to address antisemitic incidents;

    • That the “full diversity of the Jewish identity be acknowledged within Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) frameworks, including Jewish peoplehood, ethnicity, nationality, multi-denominational religion, cultural diversity, and language, as well as Zionist and Indigenous aspects of Jewish identity.” This point notes that “this includes the recognition of Zionism as the self-determination of Jewish people in their ancestral homeland of Israel.”

    It has yet to be seen how a change in federal Canadian leadership will uphold the values articulated in this important committee report, but the document does provide hope for Holocaust educators and broader Canadian communities isolated by a rise in hate.

    Regan Lipes 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. How I’m teaching Holocaust literature in light of Canadian recommendations around combatting antisemitism – https://theconversation.com/how-im-teaching-holocaust-literature-in-light-of-canadian-recommendations-around-combatting-antisemitism-247747

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –