On Friday night, April 4, the Rhode Island Department Transportation (RIDOT) will reduce the number of lanes on Jefferson Boulevard at the I-95 overpass in Warwick to one lane in each direction. The traffic pattern change will be in place until further notice, and is necessary as RIDOT begins replacement of the bridge that carries I-95 over Jefferson Boulevard.
The change will not affect any on or off ramps at the bridge. RIDOT does not expect this change to create any travel delays.
The replacement of this bridge is part of the I-95 15 Bridges project, which will remove 15 bridges from the state’s backlog of poor and fair to poor condition bridges along I-95 and Route 10 between Providence and Warwick.
The project takes a holistic approach to addressing these bridges to ensure the safe movement of over 185,000 vehicles, including about 9,000 trucks and heavy freight vehicles. Nine of the 15 bridges are structurally deficient. Three are rated among the top five most traveled structurally deficient bridges in Rhode Island. A total of 11 bridges will be repaired and four will be eliminated. RIDOT also will rebuild Route 10 from Elmwood Avenue to Park Avenue � transforming it into a boulevard with a shared use path to provide better connectivity for all users.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.
The replacement of the I-95 bridge over Jefferson Boulevard is made possible by RhodeWorks. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
MACON, Ga. – A resident of Macon pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge this week for illegally possessing a firearm when he was taken into custody for violating his probation.
Terico Jaques Balkcom, 46, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before U.S. District Court Judge Marc T. Treadwell on March 31. Balkcom faces a maximum of 15 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. A sentencing date will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.
“It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Our office is collaborating with our law enforcement partners to hold repeat convicted felons accountable when they are found violating federal law.”
“Ensuring public safety is our top priority, the GBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable who violate the law, especially those with a history of criminal behavior,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Balkcom was stopped by the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) for having an obscured tag on May 20, 2024. Balkcom was known to have an active warrant for violating state probation for a felony conviction out of Bibb County, Georgia, Superior Court. The GSP trooper could smell the odor of alcohol and performed a field sobriety test. Balkcom presented a false ID, claiming to be “Benjamin Brown.” When the officer asked for his date of birth, Balkcom answered that it was a different date from what was on the fake identification. A GBI agent familiar with Balkcom arrived and confirmed it was Balkcom. Balkcom was taken into custody based on the active probation warrant. Agents found a 9mm pistol inside a Crown Royal bag that also contained Balkcom’s prescription medication. Balkcom was recorded on a jail phone call discussing the gun and also three ounces of marijuana that officers found inside the vehicle. Balkcom has several prior convictions and probation violations in Bibb County Superior Court. He was on probation for a 2018 conviction in Bibb County for crossing state or county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, or drugs without consent. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with assistance from Georgia State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is prosecuting the case for the Government
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
City view of Taiyuan, China’s Shanxi
Updated: April 1, 2025 21:31Xinhua
Tourists visit Taiyuan Ancient County scenic spot in Taiyuan, north China’s Shanxi Province, Feb. 5, 2025. Taiyuan, with a history of over 2,500 years, is a renowned historical and cultural city in northern China. In recent years, the city has coordinated efforts to upgrade industrial structure, protect the environment and improve urban management, achieving coordinated progress in environmental restoration, economic development and people’s livelihoods. The forest coverage rate of the city has risen to 43 percent. Meanwhile, the water and air quality in the city have continued to improve. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 20, 2025 shows cars running on a bridge in Taiyuan City, north China’s Shanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]Visitors view exhibits at Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan, north China’s Shanxi Province, April 25, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 19, 2025 shows a wetland of the Fenhe River in Taiyuan City, north China’s Shanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]People enjoy a performance on a street in Yingze District of Taiyuan, north China’s Shanxi Province, Feb. 23, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Children play in the rice field in Beidasi Village of Jinyuan District in Taiyuan, north China’s Shanxi Province, May 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Jinyang Lake Park in Taiyuan City, north China’s Shanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows the Yongzuo Temple in Taiyuan City, north China’s Shanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]Citizens practice Tai Chi fan at Yingze Park in Yingze District of Taiyuan, north China’s Shanxi Province, March 1, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]This photo taken on July 25, 2023 shows the scenery of a park in Taiyuan City, north China’s Shanxi Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
1.KEY INFORMATION
(a)Full name of discloser:
Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
Direct Line Insurance Group PLC
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
31/03/2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
Yes, Aviva plc
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
10 10/11p ordinary
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
34,969,816
2.67
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
34,969,816
2.67
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
None
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure:
01/04/2025
Contact name:
Alex McMillan
Telephone number:
646 282 5805
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
This International Women’s Day, the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) celebrates the theme: ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’.
The ACTPS is a diverse, progressive public service within which 64.6 per cent of employees identify as female.
Women now comprise 56 per cent of the ACTPS Senior Executive Service.
A record low gender pay gap
This increased representation of women in leadership has driven the Service’s narrowing gender pay gap over the last year.
The ACTPS gender pay gap reached a record low of -0.1 per cent in June 2023. The ACT labour force sits at 10 per cent and the national gender pay gap at 13.3 per cent.
Employee spotlight
The ACTPS encourages an inclusive culture by acknowledging and showcasing the contributions of all staff.
Below, five female employees share their thoughts on International Women’s Day, working for the ACTPS and how they’ve seen the gender landscape change at work throughout their careers.
Rachael Dawes – Senior Director Urban Treescapes
Urban Treescapes Senior Director Rachael Dawes
Senior Director Rachael Dawes manages the Urban Treescapes business unit within City Services. Urban Treescapes is tasked with managing and protecting Canberra’s urban trees.
“I’m incredibly proud to be a woman working in the ACTPS caring for our urban forest, but particularly proud of the positive results of increased gender diversity in the team,” she said.
“When you have an inclusive environment, understanding and supporting each other, we can combine these diverse skills and lived experiences to respond to the changing conditions and needs of our environment”.
“There has been significant advancement in ACT urban forest management in recent years with the release of the Urban Forest Strategy and Urban Forest Act, which could not have happened without the vision and drive of the women in our team,” she said.
A career change led Rachael into forestry, and she urges women beginning their careers to look beyond perceived traditional career options.
“Explore your networks, ask questions, take chances and follow your interests and see what career path they can lead you down,” she said.
Arooj Fatima – Customer Service Operator, Access Canberra Contact Centre
Arooj Fatima of Access Canberra
Every day, Access Canberra Customer Service Officer Arooj Fatima assists Canberrans via phone.
From vehicle registration enquiries to Fix My Street requests, Fatima is the first point of contact on many issues.
First attracted to the role for its flexibility, she brings to it myriad skills including active listening, empathy, patience and problem solving.
“There needs to be an acknowledgement and inclusion of women in all aspects of society. Women need to be fully included, supported, and empowered in all fields to contribute to a more prosperous future for all,” she said.
Arooj says she has seen women make significant progress over the course of her career.
“Women are serving and being valued at all employment levels i.e., manager, team leaders and administrative roles. They are excelling in every field,” she said.
“I feel immensely proud to be a woman working for the ACTPS because of the respect, value, and recognition that I get. I feel so comfortable with the work environment, work life balance and flexibility. I feel included and appreciated for every little progress that I make. I am provided the opportunity to undertake various training and roles for my professional development,” she said.
Katie Smith – Principal, Duffy Primary School
Principal Katie Smith, right, with Deputy Principal Arilia Abell
Principal Katie Smith leads an all-female leadership team at Duffy Primary.
“By setting a strong example of supporting women, Deputy Principal Arilia Abell and I work to create a more inclusive and diverse work environment for future generations. Our presence in the school community showcases the importance of investing in women, inspiring both girls and boys to expect equality and inclusivity in their future workplaces,” she said.
Katie has seen progress in terms of gender equality during her career.
“One notable advancement is the increased representation of women in leadership roles such as principals and executive roles. Efforts to promote gender equality in education have led to greater recognition of female educators’ contributions and capabilities,” she said.
This year’s IWD theme resonates with Katie. “It speaks to our commitment to uplifting and supporting the capabilities of all women in our school community, providing opportunities for growth and success,” she said.
“For young women starting their careers: believe in yourself, set clear goals, seek mentorship, embrace learning, build a supportive network, speak up, prioritise balance, embrace challenges, stay flexible, and stay true to your values and passions.”
Rebecca Power, Project Director, CIT Woden Campus – Women in Construction advocate
Project Director Rebecca Power, third from right
Project Director Rebecca Power works describes her work as “Celebrating gender diversity, equity and inclusion in construction and on Major Projects Canberra construction sites”.
“In an industry where gender inclusion is still challenging, Major Projects Canberra strives towards our social objectives to encourage and enable women and girls to reach their potential, contribute to innovation and ideas, and be leaders in their individual fields and professions within our industry,” she said.
“I’m excited by the opportunity to continue to tell women’s stories in our industry, empower women to achieve and grow their careers while opening up mentoring pathways for women who are just beginning their careers, laying the foundations for a brighter future in infrastructure to inspire real progress. I want to continue to advocate for meaningful change and I am committed to this cause.”
“It provides guidance and leadership while empowering women to achieve their goals and aspirations in the construction industry,” she said.
Janet Zagari, Deputy CEO, Canberra Health Services
Janet Zagari is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Canberra Health Services.
With 28 years in the health industry under her belt, her focus is on the service’s strategic direction, looking at cross-government priorities, operational planning and commissioning of new services.
“We know that diversity in the workforce generates better outcomes,” Janet said.
“Acknowledging the well-documented barriers that women face to participating in employment and the under representation of women in some industries and at senior levels, investing in women to create greater opportunities and genuinely believing that there is a value add to doing so is key to moving organisations forward.”
She cites increased representation of women graduating from medical school as a pronounced change in Australia.
“It is useful to stop and look back over the course of your career to think about what has changed, because it is easy to only see how far we still have to go and not to think about how far we have come,” she said.
“There are more women in traditionally male dominated areas of clinical practice, and better recognition of the value that women bring.”
Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:
A fly-tipper has been ordered to pay £1,500 after allowing a large amount of waste to be dumped in a rural road in St Albans District.
St Albans City and District Council’s Environmental Enforcement team launched an investigation after alerted to the fly-tip and traced it to a restaurant in Central London.
Enquiries revealed that Taoufik Kouki had been hired by the business to dispose of the waste.
Interviewed under caution, he said that he had gone to a waste and recycling centre in Brent but was refused access.
He said he was then approached by two men who agreed to dispose of the waste in return for a £160 payment.
Kouki said he followed them in his van to St Albans before putting the waste on their vehicle.
He said he had been surprised to find it had been dumped on the roadside of Barley Mow Lane, near Colney Heath.
Kouki, of Hanover Road, London, denied failing to check that the waste carriers he employed had the necessary licence, a duty of care offence under the Environmental Protection Act.
He was found guilty after a trial by District Judge Aneeta Borwick at St Albans Magistrates Court on Thursday 20 March.
Kouki was fined £300 and told to pay a victim surcharge of £120 along with a contribution to the Council’s legal costs of £1.080.
Chris Traill, the Council’s Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery, said after the hearing:
I am pleased that our Environmental Enforcement team traced and successfully prosecuted another fly-tipper.
It is a further demonstration of our commitment to take action against fly-tippers and deter others from carrying out this crime.
Fly-tipping is an antisocial criminal offence and there is no excuse for it. Fly-tips are not only unsightly but are a potential health hazard and are costly to clear up.
Once again, we would also warn people who are clearing a house or other property that they must ensure their waste carrier has a proper licence and obtain a receipt. You leave yourself open to a duty of care offence if you don’t do that.
EL PASO, Texas – A Cuban national was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 111 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, conspiracy to harbor aliens, and sexual assault of an alien.
According to court documents, Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero, 30, assisted in the harboring of illegal aliens and managed a stash house in El Paso. He also was an occupant in a vehicle that fled law enforcement that was transporting more than a dozen illegal aliens in April 2023. An investigation revealed that Arriola-Rivero sexually assaulted one of the illegal aliens at the El Paso stash house. Arriola-Rivero was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 17, 2023 and was arrested Sept. 7, 2023. He pleaded guilty Aug. 27, 2024.
“It’s important to note that Arriola-Rivero is being held responsible not only for the significant role he played in human smuggling operations, but also for his abhorrent decision to further dehumanize and sexually violate one of his victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman. “This sentence makes it clear to smugglers in El Paso and across the southern border, that if you engage in alien smuggling in our district, you will be held accountable.”
“Justice was served today for a stash house operator who organized the smuggling of hundreds of illegal aliens and sexually assaulted one of them, all while cramming individuals into tractor-trailers in the sweltering Texas heat,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge for El Paso, Jason T. Stevens. “HSI is committed to aggressively targeting human smugglers and smuggling organizations that continuously exploit individuals for profit. We will relentlessly pursue these criminals who prey on vulnerable people, ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”
HSI investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol.
ANDOVER, Mass., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the automotive industry migrates to 800V batteries and a 48V zonal architecture, power system designers are looking for rapidly deployable solutions that also optimize performance, minimize size, weight and system cost. Converting from high voltage to 48V and 12V, presents a variety of complex power design challenges. The new Vicor automotive grade power modules are designed to help power engineers solve these high voltage power conversion problems using industry-leading power density and scalability, via parallel operation, for a wide range of power levels.
Vicor will be presenting at World Congress Experience (WCX) 2025 in Detroit, April 8-10. The presentation will highlight the newest high power density DC-DC converter power modules that are designed to solve today’s toughest automotive electrification challenges.This year on April 8th at 3:30pm Patrick Kowalyk, Automotive Principal Field Application Engineer, North America will present how to “Optimize High Voltage to SELV Performance While Eliminating a 48V Battery and Super Caps.” Patrick will address easy-to-implement modular solutions for converting high voltage battery voltages direct-to-load (48V and 12V). He will explain how bidirectional, high power density DC-DC converter power modules, using soft switching topology at frequencies > 1.4 MHz can downsize the power delivery network, enhance efficiency and improve overall system performance.
Vicor will be presenting at World Congress Experience (WCX) 2025 in Detroit on April 8th at 3:30pm. Patrick Kowalyk, Automotive, Principal Field Application Engineer will explain how to optimize high voltage to point of load conversion in today’s power-hungry, electrified vehicles, using new automotive grade DC-DC converter power modules (Download high res image)
About WCX The WCX™ World Congress Experience is where the engineering community convenes on mobility’s biggest hurdles from mass deployment of electric vehicles to developmental timelines for autonomous vehicles to understating of global supply chain constraints impacting the automotive industry. World Congress Experience is an event of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
About Vicor Corporation Vicor Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets modular power components and complete power systems based upon a portfolio of patented technologies. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Vicor sells its products to the power systems market, including enterprise and high-performance computing, industrial equipment and automation, telecommunications and network infrastructure, vehicles and transportation, aerospace and defense. www.vicorpower.com
TORONTO, April 01, 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 that its executive team accepted the Elite Score award from Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews at an exclusive gala reception held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on Monday night. The reception took place on the eve of the annual Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conference.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Company were POET Chairman & CEO Dr. Suresh Venkatesan and Chief Revenue Officer Raju Kankipati. A panel of judges, comprised of experts from the optical communications and broadband communities, recognized the POET Optical Interposer™ as an innovative advancement that will have a significant impact on the industry.
“We couldn’t ask for a better way to start our 2025 OFC experience than to collect this meaningful award,” Venkatesan commented. “Knowing that a recognized authority in our industry has judged our technology as one of the best on the market provides a strong amount of momentum heading into the next few days.”
POET has previously announced that it will demonstrate its latest innovations at the OFC conference. These include POET Teralight™, a line of 1.6T highly integrated transmit and receive optical engines and the new POET Blazar™, an advanced light source solution that will be viewable by invitation only. Among the customers whose products are scheduled to be showcased with POET’s products already integrated is Adtran, which commended the Company on its accolade.
“POET is deserving of industry recognition because of the innovation they have achieved with their optical engines. We value their efforts in helping us to create a next-generation optical module that addresses the demand for greater connectivity,” said Ross Saunders, General Manager, Adtran Optical Engines. Adtran will demo its highly integrated Quattro 100G LR4 in its private demo room that features POET’s optical engines.
The Lightwave+BTR award recognized the inventiveness and applicability of the POET Optical Interposer, the foundation for the Company’s highly integrated silicon-based optical engines and light sources that are designed to power AI hardware applications and data center hyperscalers to the next level of speed and performance.
The trophy will be displayed alongside POET’s other recent awards at the Company’s OFC Booth (#5315) through the conference, which ends on April 3, 2025.
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.
About Lightwave+BTR Bringing over 36 years of trusted technical insights to today’s optical communications professionals. Through our integrated media portfolio, Lightwave delivers content focused on fiber optics and optoelectronics, the technologies that enable the growth, integration and improved performance of voice, data and video communications networks and services. Our experienced editorial team provides trusted technology, application and market insights to corporate executives, department heads, project managers, network engineers and technical managers at equipment suppliers, service providers and major end-user organizations. Our unique ability to inform our audience’s business-critical decisions is based in our 35+ year relationship with the entire optical community—technology vendors, communications carriers and major enterprises—and our recognition of the interplay among its members. Lightwave’s media portfolio includes the Lightwave Direct email newsletter and LightwaveOnline magazine.
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, 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 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 meet performance requirements for 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. 120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075
A series of activities and events will be held in Portsmouth to honour veterans and engage residents in commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August 1945.
These events, organised by Portsmouth City Council, aim to keep history alive and promote civic pride and historical awareness as the number of living WWII veterans decreases and help to ensure the city is a welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive place in which to live, work, and visit.
Commemoration activities:
Multi-faith service will be held on 4 May 2025, 11:00am at Governor’s Green, Portsmouth, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at sea to honour the sacrifices made during WWII.
Exhibition at Portsmouth History Centre, Central Library to feature local WWII images with interactive engagement and also temporary plaques on lampposts across the city.
Victory in 80 Objects, is an online exhibition created and led by the D-Day Story Museum, in national partnership with six leading military museums, showcasing 80 WWII victory-related objects and their stories.
WWII veterans’ interviews will be shared by The D Day Story Museum, providing a personal and poignant insight into the experiences of those who lived through the war.
VE Day event at The D Day Story will be held on 11 May to offer an immersive experience for visitors to learn about and celebrate VE Day, including re-enactments, activities, and military vehicle exhibitions.
Leader of the council, with responsibility for culture, Cllr Steve Pitt said: “We’d like to invite all residents to join us in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day, and to take part in these activities. We’re proud to host events like these, to honour veterans, engage the community, and promote civic pride and historical awareness”.
Residents are invited to contribute to the meaningful exhibition at Portsmouth History Centre by sharing their WWII and V-E Day photographs. You can take your photos to the Portsmouth History Centre at the Central Library for copying, or by emailing them to portsmouthhistorycentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Your contributions will play a vital role in preserving and celebrating our shared history.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Rain will intensify in the capital in the coming hours. It will continue until the end of the day, and strong gusts of wind are also possible.
The city streets are staffed by teams and equipment from the State Unitary Enterprise Mosvodostok. Additionally, pumping equipment from road services and engineering companies is involved.
Emergency teams from engineering companies and prefectures of administrative districts are on duty around the clock
Residents are asked to be careful, not to take shelter under trees or park cars near them, and not to be near unstable structures.
In an emergency, you must call emergency services on a single number: 112.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) – “We share the suffering and pain of so many affected individuals and families in this difficult and devastating time. May the Lord guide those who are working for the wounded. This is a time of compassion towards the people of Myanmar. We ask everyone to pray and help Myanmar,” Father Paul Win Aung Myint (OP), a Burmese Dominican from Myitkyina, who studied and lived for years in the Diocese of Mandalay, told Fides.”The earthquake has devastated Myanmar, especially the areas of Mandalay and Sagaing, and struck a country plagued by war, violence, and floods. It is a terrible blow. We believe the number of victims will continue to rise. And in many areas where there is no civil government, the situation is even more critical,” the religious said.The priest reports on the devastation in the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing, “the two most damaged cities with the highest number of victims.” “Relief programs have been launched, and people are doing their best,” he reports. “Sagaing,” he continues, “is 80 percent destroyed. People need water, food, and medicine. Local volunteers are busy evacuating people or reaching those still buried under the rubble to save lives. In Sagaing alone, there are already over 200 dead and thousands injured. Many churches in this city have been damaged. Parts of the Catholic Church of Mary Help of Christians in Sagaing collapsed, but fortunately not during the worship.”The church of St. Vincent de Paul, the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition and the pastoral center of the Dominican Fathers in the municipality of Sintgain, in the diocese of Mandalay, were also damaged. The Dominican religious are still in shock and, due to the aftershocks, they still have to stay outdoors for safety.Father Paul appreciates the international aid: “Rescuers and aid are arriving from many countries around the world. We see that international solidarity has been mobilized, and Caritas has also activated donations. We would like to thank all the countries, communities, organizations, and all the people who are helping: The suffering people in Myanmar are very grateful. We pray and entrust to God all the volunteers who are providing aid with great humanity and courage so that they can do their work and be safe.”Father Paul concludes with a spiritual reflection on the solidarity that can be found in Myanmar at this time, where “a seed of good can be seen in the heartbreaking situation on the ground”: “When a life needs to be saved, in an emergency situation, only that human life counts and nothing else. There is no longer an enemy. Even when natural disasters bring pain and death, in such emergency situations we see that hatred, hostility, and the exploitation of others take a back seat. Now it is about saving lives. We also see this in the volunteers who have volunteered to help. There are no factions or enemies, there is no politics, no war.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 1/4/2025)
Share:
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Case study
Breaking AI to Make it Better: DASA’s investment in the future of AI assurance
Advai, an AI focussed SME, is leading the way in military and commercial AI safety.
How DASA and Dstl funding helped Advai become an AI Safety Leader
DASA’s and Dstl’s investment helped Advai build the UK’s first dedicated AI assurance capability before the generative AI boom
Advai’s solutions range from physical patches that degrade AI computer visions systems, to a system which can automatically retrain AI models out in the field
Advai’s evolution saw them develop into a UK leader in military and commercial AI safety, influencing national policy and standards
When AI assurance saves lives
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising modern life and with the boom of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI, its impact on defence and security is growing more each day. Yet as militaries worldwide rush to implement AI systems, an equally crucial challenge emerges: how to protect them.
Understanding the challenge
Advai’s CEO David Sully, who brought public sector experience to this critical challenge, explains:
Everyone was talking about AI unlocking value, but nobody was asking what happens when AI goes wrong and why it does so.
AI systems need rigorous examination to understand exactly when and how they might fail. This insight led to Advai’s simple but powerful mission: “We don’t make AI – we break it.”
Advai’s early vision: Adversarial AI
Beginning in 2020, DASA recognised the strategic importance of AI assurance and funded Advai through multiple innovative projects, starting with the development of Adversarial AI attack and defence methods for Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
What exactly is Adversarial AI? Adversarial AI involves finding ways to make AI systems fail or produce incorrect outputs, essentially “breaking” AI to understand its vulnerabilities. Similar to testing safety equipment – before trusting it, you need to know exactly under what conditions it might fail.
Advai’s initial projects aimed to develop methods of confusing AI while being undetected by humans. Such tools are invaluable for identifying weaknesses in any AI systems.
Adversarial AI in defence: Physical patches
Building on their expertise, Advai embarked on another project alongside the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to develop Physical Adversarial Patches to manipulate computer vision systems. This innovative technology uses printable patterns capable of disrupting AI recognition systems. David Sully explains:
We can apply a filter so an object is labelled as something completely different, or disappear entirely. An automated AI-based drone might read a van as a tree or fail to detect a vehicle entirely.
Advai are just completing a second phase of this work, directly with Dstl, to significantly advance the concept of adversarial patterns. Significantly, says Sully:
We can create an adversarial texture on a ‘blackbox’ as well as ‘whitebox’ basis. Additionally, the textures can be optimised to be visually similar to existing patterns, avoiding the problem of creating visually-jarring patches.
Ahead of the curve
When generative AI and large language models exploded onto the scene in 2021, Advai was already deeply experienced in AI assurance and had a head start in understanding how these systems work. Their early work provided crucial insights that transferred directly to new challenges in language model security, Advai’s leadership notes:
No one saw the generative AI explosion coming, but our focus on AI robustness gave us a huge advantage in understanding how to manage and assure these systems.
Commercial impact
From its defence origins, Advai has expanded to serve commercial customers needing to ensure their AI systems are trustworthy and secure. Some of their tools and achievements include:
Independent verification and benchmarking
Live monitoring systems for AI vulnerability detection
Automated stress testing procedures
Protection against private information extraction
The company’s work has influenced national policy, and contributed to the Turing Institute’s framework for AI security, in-turn helping to raise political awareness about AI safety. Advai also acted as an examiner for the Defence Cyber Marvel 2024 competition, organised by the Army Cyber Association.
The future of AI safety and DASA’s crucial role
Today, Advai stands at the forefront of AI assurance, planning to strengthen their defence sector credibility while promoting a “safety-first, not safety-last” approach. Their roadmap includes greater commercialisation using their scalable platform. But this evolution comes with challenges. Advai CEA, David Sully emphasises:
Most of the world’s leading AI research is happening in the private sector behind closed doors rather than in universities. For AI assurance to have a chance of keeping up, companies like Advai need support from stakeholders like DASA to help ensure the UK has a domestic capability in AI safety.
Advai is a demonstration of what is achievable by DASA. We have created a genuinely world-leading AI company, working across UK defence and security. As we expand, Advai is increasingly enabling and protecting critical commercial companies. Our ambition is for Advai to be the biggest player in AI Assurance, generating the most advanced IP and technology as a sovereign UK entity, all of which can be traced back to this initial funding and support.
Advai’s adversarial AI expertise was highlighted when they demonstrated their technology to Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey and Chancellor, Rachel Reeves during a visit to Wellington Barracks, Westminster on 26 March 2025.
The Secretary of State for Defence John Healey (left), Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin (centre) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (right), visit Wellington Barracks in London.
The road ahead
As AI technology continues to evolve, so do its potential vulnerabilities. The problems and adversaries keep changing, requiring AI safety to evolve just as quickly. Advai’s journey from research to commercial success demonstrates how early government investment in critical technologies can create lasting national capabilities. Their story shows that in the race to develop artificial intelligence, ensuring its trustworthiness and security is just as important as advancing its capabilities. Sully concludes:
The world is still coming to terms with generative AI and LLMs, let alone generative AI assurance. But thanks to DASA’s early vision, we’re ready to meet these challenges and ensure that as AI becomes more powerful, it also becomes more trustworthy.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
TORONTO, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) (“ECN Capital”) today announced that, further to its previously announced closing of the offering (the “Offering”) of C$75 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior unsecured debentures due April 30, 2030 (the “Debentures”), the syndicate of underwriters co-led by CIBC Capital Markets, National Bank Financial Markets, BMO Capital Markets and RBC Capital Markets, and including Raymond James Ltd., TD Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Cormark Securities Inc. have exercised their over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) in part and have purchased an additional C$8 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures on the same terms and conditions as the Offering. The additional gross proceeds of C$8 million from the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option brings the total gross proceeds raised from the Offering to C$83 million.
Further details concerning the Offering are set out in ECN Capital’s prospectus supplement dated March 14, 2025, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.
About ECN Capital Corp.
With managed assets of US$6.9 billion, ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) is a leading provider of business services to North American-based banks, institutional investors, insurance company, pension plan, bank and credit union partners (collectively, its “Partners”). ECN Capital originates, manages and advises on credit assets on behalf of its Partners, specifically consumer (manufactured housing and recreational vehicle and marine) loans and commercial (floorplan and rental) loans. Its Partners are seeking high-quality assets to match with their deposits, term insurance or other liabilities. These services are offered through two operating segments: (i) Manufactured Housing Finance, and (ii) Recreational Vehicle and Marine Finance.
Welcome address by Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, at the ECB conference on “The transformative power of AI: economic implications and challenges” in Frankfurt, Germany.
Frankfurt, 1 April 2025
It is a pleasure to welcome you to our conference on the transformative power of AI.
In the early stages of a new technological breakthrough, it is often hard to discern fact from fiction. We struggle to imagine the ways in which the new technology will be used. And even if we predict the direction of technological change correctly, we rarely get the timeline or the size of the impacts right.
Today, we sometimes hear claims that AI is improving so fast that we are only a few years away from the nature of work being radically reformed. But we also hear arguments that the same barriers that slowed down the adoption of all past technologies will also delay AI adoption.
I cannot claim to know which vision will prove to be correct. But the early evidence is promising and, in my view, we must act on the basis that we are facing an economic revolution. This attitude will be particularly important here in Europe.
On this side of the Atlantic, we are still paying the price for having been too slow to capitalise on the last major digital revolution, the internet. The tech sector explains around two-thirds of the productivity gap between the EU and the United States since the turn of the century.
And now we are faced with a technology that can improve its own performance through self-learning mechanisms and feedback loops, enabling even more rapid advances and innovations. The risks of underestimating the potential of AI, and falling behind again, are simply too great to be ignored.
What’s more, we are facing a new geopolitical environment in which we can no longer be sure that we will have frictionless access to new technologies developed overseas. This new reality strengthens the case for Europe to establish itself at the technological frontier.
There are two main areas where we should expect, and prepare for, major changes in the economy.
The first is productivity.
We can already see the productivity effects of AI in sectors like the US tech sector, where output is expanding while employment is falling.[1] But we are still in the early phase of the “productivity J-curve”, where new technologies diffuse to the wider economy and are reflected in GDP.
As such, estimates about the productivity gains of AI vary widely – but even at the lower end they would be a game changer for Europe.
One widely accepted methodology estimates that the euro area could see a boost to total factor productivity (TFP) of around 0.3 percentage points per year over the next ten years.[2] Compare that with the past decade, when annual TFP growth averaged just 0.5%.
Other estimates point to much larger gains, with productivity expected to grow 1.5 percentage points faster annually if AI is widely adopted over the next decade.[3]
Whether Europe can achieve such productivity gains will depend on whether we can improve the environment for AI innovation and diffusion.
This comes down to funding, regulation and energy.
As I have been arguing for some time, Europe’s relatively small venture capital ecosystem is a major hindrance to building foundational models in the EU.[4] Between 2018 and 2023, around €33 billion was invested in AI companies in the EU, compared with more than €120 billion in their US peers.[5]
Building and developing this technology also requires considerable investment in data centres, and the EU currently has around 4 times fewer dedicated sites than the US.[6]
At the same time, ECB research finds that regulation and a lack of institutional quality are particularly detrimental to the expansion of high-tech sectors relative to more mature technologies. Investing in radical technologies is highly risky and needs a different set of framework conditions.[7]
The adoption of AI, for example, depends on access to data pools to train models, which requires smart regulation to avoid data fragmentation while ensuring data protection. It also requires good institutions as, for instance, effective legal systems are needed to defend a non-patentable asset like a set of AI prompts.
Our research shows that if the EU’s average institutional delivery were raised to the level of best practice, AI-intensive sectors would see their share in investment rise by more than 10 percentage points.[8]
Finally, unless we see major breakthroughs in efficiency, Europe’s energy supply constraints could pose a challenge to the diffusion of AI through the economy in the future.
The power consumption of data centres is expected to triple in Europe by the end of the decade.[9] AI training and inference is extremely energy-intensive.[10] And this surge in demand comes at a time when the green transition is also increasing the demand for electricity, for example for charging battery electric vehicles.
There is now a clear policy agenda in Europe to address these barriers. It is widely recognised that we need to build a savings and investment union to jump-start European venture capital, that we must simplify complex digital regulations and improve permitting speeds, and that we have to massively increase investment in data centres, fibre-optic networks and electricity grids.
But for Europe to make the most of the AI revolution, how the productivity gains from AI are harnessed also matters. Labour productivity can be increased either by reducing labour inputs relative to outputs, or by raising outputs relative to inputs. The employment implications of each route are vastly different.
This brings me to the second area of major change: the effect of AI on labour markets.
According to ECB research, between 23% and 29% of workers in Europe are highly exposed to AI.[11] This does not necessarily herald a “job apocalypse”. It is reasonable to expect that AI will follow historical patterns by displacing some jobs while creating new one.[12]
But there are two new questions that this technology poses.
First, will the pace of technological change be faster than in previous transitions? This question is critical for Europe, as our social model and traditionally high levels of job protection make it hard to see how a transition that leads to massive job reallocations could avoid a major backlash.
The key factor will be whether AI leans more towards job displacement via its “automation potential”, or towards changes in the nature of work via its “augmentation potential”. In the augmentation scenario, workers will still need to adapt to changing roles and tasks, but the transition will likely be easier.
Recent research by the ILO finds that only a small share of jobs – around 5% in advanced economies – meet the criteria for high automation. But a much larger share – over 13% – meet the criteria for high augmentation.[13]
The second question is about the distribution of gains.
Early studies suggested that AI could increase the productivity of lower-skilled workers the most.[14] But newer studies looking at more complex tasks – like scientific research[15], running a business[16]and investing[17]– tell a different story. High performers benefit disproportionately and, in some cases, less productive workers see no improvements at all.
So even if AI augments more than it automates, we are likely to see an increase in labour market inequality. Demand for higher-skilled workers who can use AI most effectively will rise, while those less able to learn new skills could suffer.
All told, I do see a path for Europe to adopt AI without fracturing its social model. But it will require massive complementary investments in skills to prevent a rise in inequality.
Crucially, this will not require everyone to become coders, which would probably set the bar too high. According to the OECD, most workers who will be exposed to AI will not need specialised AI skills to get ahead in their careers.
In fact, the most sought-after skills in highly exposed jobs will be linked to management and business – skills that many people have the capacity to learn.[18]
The CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, has described the potential capabilities of AI as being like “a country of geniuses in a data centre”.[19] If this proves to be correct, it is both an awesome prospect for humanity and a daunting one for individual workers.
I believe we must act today, and especially in Europe, with the mindset that this future will likely come to pass. We must remove all the barriers that will prevent us from being at the forefront of this revolution.
But we must also prepare for the human and climate impacts of this transition, and we need to start now.
I trust that this conference will generate the ideas we need to move forwards.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
N/A
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
ALLIANCE PHARMA PLC
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
N/A
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
31 MARCH 2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
N/A
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
1p ORDINARY
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
12,028,746
2.2252
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
12,028,746
2.2252
On 27thMarch there was a transfer into our discretionary management of 1,254 shares
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
1p ORDINARY
SALE
14,387
64.22p
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
NONE
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure:
01 APRIL 2025
Contact name:
PHIL HULME
Telephone number:
01253 376551
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)
(b)Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
N/A
(c)Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC
(d)If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
N/A
(e)Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
31 MARCH 2025
(f)In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
N/A
2.POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
(a)Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security:
5p ORDINARY
Interests
Short positions
Number
%
Number
%
(1)Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:
11,912,786
5.4649
(2)Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:
11,912,786
5.4649
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b)Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
3.DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
(a)Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security
Purchase/sale
Number of securities
Price per unit
5p ORDINARY
SALE
355
235.7988p
5p ORDINARY
SALE
2,370
235.75p
5p ORDINARY
SALE
3,461
234.04p
(b)Cash-settled derivative transactions
Class of relevant security
Product description e.g. CFD
Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
(d)Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security
Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion
Details
Price per unit (if applicable)
NONE
4.OTHER INFORMATION
(a)Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(b)Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
NONE
(c)Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?
NO
Date of disclosure:
01 APRIL 2025
Contact name:
PHIL HULME
Telephone number:
01253 376551
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.
The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
QUEBEC CITY, Canada, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-powered low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, today announced that it has entered into:
a seventeenth amending agreement (the “Seventeenth Amending Agreement”) with Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (“Desjardins”) with respect to the amended and restated financing offer dated as of April 5, 2023 (the “Desjardins Credit Facility”), pursuant to which Desjardins has agreed to, among other things, (i) temporarily postpone payment of interest for the months of July through December 2024 until the earlier of (x) the date of the final disbursement of one or several equity investments in the borrower for minimum gross proceeds amount of US$35,000,000 in the aggregate (the “Short-Term Outside Date”), and (y) May 23, 2025; and (ii) decrease the minimum cash covenant under the Desjardins Credit Facility to C$1,800,000;
a fifth amending agreement (the “Fifth Amending Agreement”) with the initial bridge lenders and certain members of management and the board of directors (collectively, the “Bridge Lenders”) with respect to the bridge financing offer dated as of August 16, 2024 (the “Bridge Financing Offer”) pursuant to which the Bridge Lenders have agreed to, among other things, extend the maturity of the bridge loan to the earlier of (x) May 23, 2025 and (y) the business day following the Short-Term Outside Date.
The Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility and the Fifth Amending Agreement to the Bridge Financing Offer also provide that LeddarTech must initiate and produce a plan at the satisfaction of Desjardins and the other initial Bridge Lenders regarding a refinancing, recapitalization or any suitable transaction (the “Plan”). LeddarTech continues to fully consider all potential sources of financing and/or other alternatives. There is no certainty that LeddarTech will be able to raise additional funds and there can be no assurance that LeddarTech will be successful in pursuing and implementing any such alternatives (including the Plan), nor any assurance as to the outcome or timing of any such alternatives.
In addition, the Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility provides for a monthly payment by LeddarTech to Desjardins of C$125,000, which monthly fee is earned and payable on the first day of each month, until the Short-Term Outside Date, which must occur on or prior to May 23, 2025. The payment of the monthly fees applicable for the month of August 2024 and for the months up until (and including) January 2025 is postponed to the earlier of (x) the Short-Term Outside Date and (y) May 23, 2025.
The foregoing descriptions of the Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility and the Fifth Amending Agreement to the Bridge Financing Offer do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such amendments, copies of which will be filed under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.
Receipt of Nasdaq Deficiency Notice
LeddarTech also announces that it has received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of LeddarTech’s common shares for the 30 consecutive business day period from February 14, 2025 to March 28, 2025, LeddarTech did not comply with the minimum market value of listed securities (“MVLS”) of US$35,000,000 (the “Listing Requirement”). The letter also indicated that LeddarTech will be afforded a period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance.
LeddarTech intends to actively monitor the MVLS of its common shares and will evaluate available options to regain compliance with the Listing Requirement. However, there can be no assurance that LeddarTech will be able to regain compliance with such Listing Requirement or maintain compliance with any of the other Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing requirements. Readers should also refer to the press release issued by LeddarTech on March 21, 2025 with respect to the non-compliance with the minimum bid price of US$1.00 per share required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The letter has no immediate effect on the listing of LeddarTech’s common shares, which will continue to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LDTC,” subject to LeddarTech’s compliance with the other continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The foregoing also should be read in conjunction with the disclosures set forth in LeddarTech’s Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ profile on the date hereof, and LeddarTech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ profile on December 26, 2024, including the disclosures set forth under “Item 3.D – Key Information – Risk Factors” contained therein.
About LeddarTech
A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.
LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.
Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) our ability to continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards following our transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market; (ii) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (iii) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (iv) discussions regarding potential alternatives relating to refinancing, recapitalization or any suitable transaction (including the Plan); (v) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (vi) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (vii) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and plans; (viii) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (ix) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (x) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (xi) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xii) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xiii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xiv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact: Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.
LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”
THORNTON, Colo., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ascent Solar Technologies (“Ascent” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ASTI), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, today announced that its Director of Space Solutions, Julian Miller, will be taking meetings during the 40th Annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 7th-10th. Leading up to and throughout the event the Company will conduct tours of its 5MW production facility at its headquarters in Thornton, Colorado for symposium attendees and major defense contractors. Ascent will present its thin-film PV offerings and discuss potential space Hardware Developer Kit partnerships, as well as upcoming mission and program opportunities.
The Space Symposium unites global space professionals from all sectors to connect and explore critical space issues. Miller will have the opportunity to meet with potential customers and partners across the commercial, civil and defense space industry sectors to discuss the adept performance and benefits of Ascent’s thin-film PV in orbital and planetary surface environments.
“Our team is actively working to establish standard combined offerings to make a greater depth of test data available for prospective space industry buyers evaluating how to best interface and integrate lighter-weight, lower mass solar arrays,” said Julian Miller, Director of Space Solutions at Ascent Solar Technologies. “As we continue to hold discussions with industry-leading providers of solar array structures and deployable mechanisms that enable satellites and other spacecraft to utilize our efficient thin-film PV products, we welcome new entities to connect with us and take a tour of our facilities while they are in the area for the Symposium.”
Ascent’s 5MW production facility currently has the capacity to ship orders in excess of 100kW this summer. Meetings with prospective customers include interest in trade studies for rapidly deliverable solutions that are drop-in replacements and backward compatible with existing capabilities enabled by the Company’s most recent PV product performance increases. Other space industry discussions include the exploration of new advanced capabilities enabled by Ascent’s CIGS PV products’ combination of resiliency with mass, volume, cost and schedule efficiencies. These opportunities span across commercial, civil and defense market sectors and include emerging markets such as in-space manufacturing, distributed space power grids and Lunar surface operations, among others.
All parties interested in participating in a facility tour are encouraged to reach out via Ascent’s contact page.
About Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.
Backed by 40 years of R&D, 15 years of manufacturing experience, numerous awards, and a comprehensive IP and patent portfolio, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels for use in environments where mass, performance, reliability, and resilience matter. Ascent’s photovoltaic (PV) modules have been deployed on space missions, multiple airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, in industrial/commercial construction as well as an extensive range of consumer goods, revolutionizing the use cases and environments for solar power. Ascent Solar’s research and development center and 5-MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado. To learn more, visit https://www.ascentsolar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute “forward-looking statements” including statements about the financing transaction, our business strategy, and the potential uses of the proceeds from the transaction. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the company’s actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations, and projections about future events. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as “will,” “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “expect,” “intends,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “plan,” to be uncertain and forward-looking. No information in this press release should be construed as any indication whatsoever of our future revenues, stock price, or results of operations. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
Vertical Lift Technology at NASA Ames Research Center
Revolutionary Vertical Lift project rendering of eVTOL vehicle landing at vertiport during sunset.
Credits: NASA
The Aeromechanics Office at NASA’s Ames Research Center focuses on advancing vertical lift aircraft, including eVTOLs, through research and development in areas like acoustics, aeromechanics, and flight dynamics, aiming to improve safety and efficiency of future air transportation.
Read more about the Aeromechanics Office at NASA Ames
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
A 23-storey business centre with an area of 44.7 thousand square metres will be built on the territory of the former Vorontsovo industrial zone. The facility will appear as part of the implementation of a large-scale investment project (MaIP). This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.
“A multifunctional complex with public and office spaces will appear on Akademika Semenikhina Street near the Kaluzhskaya and Vorontsovskaya metro stations. Public spaces with commercial infrastructure with a total area of 19 thousand square meters will occupy the first five floors, with office premises located above. Construction is planned to be completed in 2026. The implementation of this large-scale investment project will create about 1.5 thousand jobs for residents of nearby areas,” said Vladimir Efimov.
MaIP is a special status that can be granted to objects that are significant for the city and aimed at increasing the number of jobs, developing the capital’s infrastructure, and increasing investment in the Moscow economy. Preference is given to multifunctional centers, modern production facilities, high technologies, social and sports infrastructure.
“To implement this large-scale investment project, the city allocated the company a land plot in the Obruchevsky district with an area of about 0.6 hectares. In addition to offices and infrastructure facilities, the business center is planned to accommodate an underground parking lot for 178 cars, including charging devices for electric cars,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of City Property
Mosgosstroynadzor has already issued a permit for the construction of the facility. Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky clarified that the 23-story building will house 123 office spaces. Their area will range from 42 to 1,400 square meters. They will be located from the sixth to the 23rd floor. The first five will house a shopping gallery, a cafe, a supermarket, a food hall, a co-working space, a medical center, and a sports complex. Both business center employees and residents of nearby houses will be able to visit them.
The atrium of the shopping gallery on the first floor of the building will be decorated with art objects. An area of 0.75 hectares will be landscaped next to the business center. The developer will carry out comprehensive landscaping and lay pedestrian routes. There will be a birch alley and front gardens with cozy recreation areas and benches.
The business center will be built as part of a program for the construction of commercial and residential real estate as part of transport hub projects near metro stations and the Moscow Central Diameters.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) facilitates collection, updation, and sharing of data related to crime and criminals in near real time basis. It facilitates various benefits to State/ Union Territory Police, Central Law Enforcement Agencies and citizens of India, as per details given below:
Benefits to Police and Central Law Enforcement Agencies(CLEAs):
Computerization of police processes, including filing of Complaints, FIRs, Investigation details, Chargesheet, Court disposal and appeals, Challans/Registers, etc.
Search on National/State database of crime & criminals
Enable sharing of data amongst Police, Central Law Enforcement Agencies (CLEAs), Courts, Prison, Forensic and Prosecution for effective justice delivery
The following services have been provided to citizens at National level through Digital Police Portal and Central Citizen Services Portal:
Missing Persons search
Generate Vehicle NOC
Proclaimed Offenders information
Locate Nearest Police Station
In addition, the following 9 mandated citizen services have been provided by State CCTNS Citizen Portals:
Filing of complaints to the concerned Police Station
Obtaining the status of complaints
Obtaining the copies of FIRs
Details of arrested persons/ wanted criminals
Details of missing/ kidnapped persons
Details of stolen/ recovered vehicles, arms and other properties
Submission of requests for issue/ renewal of various NOCs (Procession, Event / Performance, Protest/ Strike etc.)
Verification requests for servants, employment, passport, senior citizen registrations etc.
Portal for sharing information and enabling citizens to download required Forms
(c) As on 01.02.2025, all 17,171 Police Stations across the country are connected and using CCTNS.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
CALGARY, Alberta, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (TSXV:CMC; OTC PINK:CWSFF) (“Cielo” or the “Company”) provides an update on certain business and corporate matters.
First Planned Waste to Fuels Facility – ScrapRailway Ties to Green Hydrogen
In light of changes in market conditions, the Company announces its intention to relocate its first planned commercial waste to fuel facility for the processing of scrap railway ties from Carseland, Alberta to British Columbia, and a transition in fuel to be produced from Renewable Diesel to Green Hydrogen. This shift remains aligned with the Company’s commitment to commercialize renewable energy initiatives.
This strategic pivot allows Cielo to explore funding opportunities through the British Columbia Low Carbon Fuel Standard (BCLCFS) credit program, which offers financial incentives for reducing carbon emissions.
Cielo is 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.
“As Cielo completes a shift in our strategy, we also continue to be flexible in our project execution. We are willing and prepared to pivot as the political and technological landscapes change. In addition, as the demand for renewable fuels changes, Cielo understands the need to revise our approach to meet market demand,” said Ryan C. Jackson, CEO of Cielo. “This decision was not made in haste. We believe it is an important step forward in ensuring our resources are dedicated to projects that have the highest potential for success in the short term and sustainable growth in the long term.”
Rocky Mountain Clean Fuels Acquisition Update
In light of the foregoing changes, the Company also announces that it will not proceed with the previously announced proposed acquisition (the “Proposed Acquisition”) by Cielo of an Enhanced Gas to Liquids (“EGTLTM”) facility located in Carseland, Alberta (the “EGTLTMFacility”), currently owned and operated by Rocky Mountain Clean Fuels Inc. (“RMCFI”), which deploys patented Enhanced Gas-To-Liquids technology.
The Company had previously announced its intention to complete a proposed transaction with RMCFI with a view to enhancing the process deployed at the EGTL™ Facility and diversifying the inputs used to process synthetic diesel and jet fuel. Cielo had intended to build a gasifier on the land adjacent to the EGTL™ Facility.
Due to ongoing market uncertainty and after careful evaluation, Cielo has determined that the uncertainty around the regulatory landscape and shifting market conditions present significant challenges to advancing the Proposed Acquisition in a manner that aligns with the Company’s long-term strategic goals. The project development agreement between Cielo and RMCFI that had been acquired under the Asset Purchase Agreement with Expander (each as defined below) has expired.
Cielo remains focused on executing its broader strategy of sustainable and profitable fuel production, including new opportunities in Green Hydrogen and other low-carbon initiatives. The Company continues to explore alternative partnerships and funding opportunities to drive its commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability.
Expander Energy Dispute Resolution
In November 2023, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated September 15, 2023, as amended and restated on November 8, 2023 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) between Cielo and Expander Energy Inc (“Expander”), Cielo acquired certain assets and liabilities of Expander to use and operate Expander’s patented EBTL™ and BGTL™ technologies (the “Transaction”).
Concurrently with the closing of the Transaction, Cielo and Expander executed a license agreement (the “License Agreement”), providing Cielo with an exclusive license in Canada to use Expander’s patented EBTL™ and BGTL™ technologies and related intellectual property for all feedstocks, as well as an exclusive license in the United States for creosote and treated wood waste (the “Licensed Technologies”).
As a result of recent disagreements between Cielo and Expander on various matters, the Company has notified Expander of its intention to initiate a dispute resolution process in accordance with the terms of the License Agreement. Prior to this, Cielo had received from Expander notices of breach (collectively the “Notices”) with regard to the Asset Purchase Agreement, the License Agreement and a master service agreement executed between Cielo and Expander upon closing of the Transaction. Among other things, the Notices include Expander’s advice that Expander intends to terminate the License Agreement upon a second notice, which Cielo may expect to receive in or after April 2025. Cielo intends to dispute some or all of the assertions made in the Notices and intends to have its own commercial, financial and strategic concerns related to the Licensed Technologies addressed. The Company will continue to provide material updates as they become available.
“Through this challenging but in our view necessary juncture, we remain dedicated in our mission of investing in innovation in the renewable fuels sector,” said Mr. Jackson. “As we navigate these discussions, our priority is to act in the best interests of our shareholders and stakeholders while maintaining a constructive approach to resolving these matters.”
Cielo will continue to execute its existing business strategy and technological advancements, while ensuring its leadership role in sustainable waste-to-energy solutions.
Director Resignation
Cielo announces that James H. Ross has resigned from its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The Company thanks Mr. Ross for his contributions and leadership during his tenure and wishes him success in his future endeavors.
Mr. Ross was appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2023 pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement with Expander.
Annual General Meeting
As previously announced, Cielo had cancelled its rescheduled annual general meeting of shareholders (the “AGM”) to be held on December 19, 2024 due to a Canada Post Strike. Pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), the Company was required to hold the AGM on or before December 31, 2024 (the “Original AGM Deadline”), however it was determined that rescheduling the AGM for a date on or before the Original AGM Deadline was not feasible given the continuing postal strike and mailing requirements. As a result, the Company had made application to request an extension, which was granted until June 30, 2025. Cielo intends to hold the AGM in June 2025 and will provide additional details as they become available.
Corporate Update Webinar
Cielo is pleased to announce a corporate update webinar (the “Webinar”) with CEO, Ryan C. Jackson and CFO, Jasdeep K.B. Dhaliwal, scheduled for April 10th, 2025. This event is intended to provide shareholders and stakeholders with updates on the Company’s strategic initiatives and future outlook. Further details will be released prior the date of the Webinar.
ABOUT CIELO
Cielo Waste Solutions 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 we believe 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 Jackson, CEO Phone: (403) 348-2972 Email: investors@cielows.com
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 the Company, 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 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; that the Company will not proceed with the Proposed Acquisition; the Company’s strategic focus; the Company’s intention to continue to explore alternative partnerships and funding opportunities; the dispute resolutions process with Expander, Cielo’s intentions with respect thereto and that the Company will provide further updates as they become available; that Cielo will continue to execute its existing business strategy and technological advancements, while ensuring its leadership role in sustainable waste-to-energy solutions; the AGM and the timing thereof; and the Webinar and the date thereof.
Investors should continue to review and consider information disseminated through news releases and filed by the Company on SEDAR+. Although the Company has attempted to identify important 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 the Company’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, the Company 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 that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
ADDISON, Texas, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECO), a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment and industrial equipment, today announced it has completed the previously announced divestiture of its Fluid Handling business (also known as its Global Pump Solutions, or GPS, business) contained in its Industrial Process Solutions segment to May River Capital, effective March 31, 2025.
The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $110 million, paid in cash at closing. The Company intends to use the proceeds from this transaction to pay down debt and to fund future strategic growth investments.
The GPS business consists of three niche leadership severe service industrial metallic, fiberglass and thermoplastic centrifugal pump brands – Dean, Fybroc and Sethco – which joined the CECO family through an acquisition in 2013. The business operates from strategic locations in Indianapolis, Indiana and Telford, Pennsylvania, and services over 1,500 customers globally.
“I am pleased to have completed our previously announced divesture of GPS, which enables greater alignment of our portfolio of leading environmental solution businesses against our high growth opportunities in energy and industrial markets,” said Todd Gleason, CECO’s Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that the GPS business is well positioned as a niche leader in its respective end markets and applications, and we also believe that we have found the right buyer and future home to ensure its continued success and development of the GPS team. This sale will – after our recent acquisitions of Verantis Environmental and Profire Energy – create additional capacity for further investment in CECO’s growth and business expansion, and execution of our strategies in Industrial Air, Industrial Water, and the Energy Transition.”
EC M&A and Koley Jessen were the primary financial and legal advisors to CECO for the transaction. Paul Hastings and TD Securities served as legal and financial counsel to May River Capital.
ABOUT CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company, serving a broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water, and energy transition markets globally through its key business segments: Engineered Systems and Industrial Process Solutions. Providing innovative technology and application expertise, CECO helps companies grow their business with safe, clean, and more efficient solutions that help protect people, the environment and industrial equipment. In regions around the world, CECO works to improve air quality, optimize the energy value chain, and provide custom solutions for applications in power generation, petrochemical processing, refining, midstream gas transport and treatment, electric vehicle and battery production, metals and mineral processing, polysilicon production, battery recycling, beverage can production, and produced and oily water/wastewater treatment along with a wide range of other industrial applications. CECO is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “CECO.” Incorporated in 1966, CECO’s global headquarters is in Addison, Texas. For more information, please visit www.cecoenviro.com.
About May River Capital May River Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on partnering with lower middle-market industrial growth businesses. The firm invests in high-performing companies in advanced manufacturing, engineered products and instrumentation, specialized industrial services, and value-added industrial distribution services. For more information, please visit www.mayrivercapital.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Any statements contained in this Press Release, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended, and should be evaluated as such. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “should” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed under “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and may be included in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and include, but are not limited to: the effect of the divestiture of our Global Pump Solutions business on business relationships, operating results, and business generally, disruption of current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the transaction, diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations in connection with the integration of recent acquisitions, the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the transaction, the achievement of the anticipated benefits of transactions, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize the synergies from acquisitions, as well as a number of factors related to our business, including the sensitivity of our business to economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in CECO’s service areas; dependence on fixed price contracts and the risks associated therewith, including actual costs exceeding estimates and method of accounting for revenue; the effect of growth on our infrastructure, resources, and existing sales; the ability to expand operations in both new and existing markets; the potential for contract delay or cancellation as a result of on-going or worsening supply chain challenges or other customer considerations; liabilities arising from faulty services or products that could result in significant professional or product liability, warranty, or other claims; changes in or developments with respect to any litigation or investigation; failure to meet timely completion or performance standards that could result in higher cost and reduced profits or, in some cases, losses on projects; the potential for fluctuations in prices for manufactured components and raw materials, including as a result of tariffs and surcharges, and rising energy costs; inflationary pressures relating to rising raw material costs and the cost of labor; the substantial amount of debt incurred in connection with our strategic transactions and our ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and the amounts and timing of repurchases; our ability to successfully realize the expected benefits of our restructuring program; economic and political conditions generally; our ability to optimize our business portfolio by identifying acquisition targets, executing upon any strategic acquisitions or divestitures, integrating acquired businesses and realizing the synergies from strategic transactions; and the unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including cyber security threats, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities or public health crises, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. Many of these risks are beyond management’s ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only to our views as of the date the statement is made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Company Contact: Peter Johansson Chief Financial and Strategy Officer 888-990-6670
Investor Relations Contact: Steven Hooser and Jean Marie Young Three Part Advisors 214-872-2710 Investor.Relations@OneCECO.com
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
A representative of the State University of Management made a presentation at the Plenary Session of the XXXVIII National (with international participation) scientific and technical conference “Operation and maintenance of automobiles, tractors and engines”.
The conference took place in the city of Pushkin and was dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Automobiles, Tractors and Technical Service of the St. Petersburg State Agrarian University.
The plenary session was attended by over 100 people – academicians and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, including academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, director of the Center for Management of Technologies in Bioengineering of the State University of Management Otari Didmanidze, as well as famous scientists, teachers, employees of research and educational organizations and institutions, manufacturers and dealers of agricultural machinery and equipment for the agro-industrial complex and mechanical engineering of the Russian Federation, representatives of government bodies and businesses.
In his scientific report on “Methods of decision-making under uncertainty for applied problems of vehicle operation”, Chief Researcher of the Scientific Research Coordination Department of the State University of Management Alexey Terentyev presented to the scientific community original analytical models for removing uncertainty in complex organizational, economic, technical and social systems. The decision-making methods developed on the basis of these models allow expanding the capabilities of existing correlation and regression methods in terms of their application to conditions when the processes under study do not obey the known stochastic laws of distribution of random variables.
The topic of the report was recognized by the participants of the Plenary Session as relevant, and the developments were widely in demand in practice, since conditions of uncertainty currently accompany any information situations related to the functioning of research objects that are significantly influenced by environmental factors (ranging from AI models for technical objects in various external environments to management models for complex organizational systems at the level of an economic sector or state).
Other reports presented at the plenary session discussed the results of research in the field of agricultural machinery, aimed at improving the technical, economic, environmental, operational performance, technical service and repair of cars, tractors and engines.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/01/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Government ushers in new era for UK infrastructure delivery
Government delivers on manifesto commitment to reduce red tape – merging existing bodies to get a grip on delays to infrastructure delivery.
Infrastructure strategy and delivery brought together under one roof to support delivery of roads, railways, schools and hospitals, key to delivering on our Plan for Change to deliver the 1.5 million homes this country needs.
Government also publishes the Teal book, the definitive guide for project delivery in government.
Roads, railways, schools and hospitals will be delivered more efficiently as this government “gets a grip” on vital infrastructure delays and goes further and faster to kickstart economic growth and improve the lives of working people across the country.
Bringing together two bodies into one, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will accelerate the delivery of major government projects – supporting delivery of our roads, railways, schools and hospitals – by overcoming barriers and providing expertise on private finance, alongside developing and implementing the 10-year infrastructure strategy.
NISTA – launching today – will look to fix the foundations of our infrastructure system by bringing strategy and delivery under one roof, addressing the systemic delivery challenges that have stunted growth for decades.
Transforming the way we plan for and deliver major projects is essential to the government’s number one mission to grow the economy and is key to delivering on our Plan for Change to deliver the 1.5 million homes this country needs, making Britain a clean energy super-power and improving public services.
Over recent years uncertainty about infrastructure plans and policy and poor delivery has inhibited investment in programmes and supply chains, pushing up end costs for consumers.
Analysis from the Construction Leadership Council of 20,000 projects has found those with the best planning at the start of a project, had 20 per cent lower costs and were delivered up to 15 per cent faster.
The 2024 National Infrastructure Commission report on cost drivers of infrastructure projects in the UK found that a lack of a long-term strategic vision and plan for infrastructure was a root cause of higher costs. NISTA and the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will set the long-term plan needed to address many of these issues.
Alongside this, today the government has published the Teal book, the definitive guide for successful project delivery in government, which is set to transform how government projects are planned, managed, and delivered, benefitting hard-working people.
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury said:
NISTA will get a grip on the delays to infrastructure delivery that for too long have plagued our global reputation with investors. Today we are ushering in a new era for infrastructure delivery, restoring the confidence of businesses to invest and driving a decade of national renewal, powering growth across the country, and delivering on our Plan for Change.
Today’s launch of NISTA is part of a three-pronged approach to addressing the fundamental constraints to infrastructure investment, sitting alongside the 10-year infrastructure strategy, which sets out a long-term plan for the country’s infrastructure, and the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill to unblock planning constraints.
It follows last week’s Spring Statement, where the OBR concluded that the government’s landmark planning reforms will result in UK housebuilding reaching its highest level in over 40 years, bringing the UK one step closer to its Plan for Change mission to build 1.5 million homes.
The economy will be 0.2% larger in 2029-30 because of the reforms – worth around £6.8 billion in today’s money – growing to 0.4% over the next ten years. This represents the biggest positive growth effect it has ever forecasted for a policy that comes at zero-cost to taxpayers. The reforms will secure over 170,000 new homes for hard working families and leave borrowing £3.4 billion lower in 2029-30.
In priority areas like the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor, NISTA will support a strategic approach to planning for infrastructure, growth and the environment, necessary to deliver the significant economic benefits that infrastructure investment can unlock.
More information
NISTA is currently being led by Jean-Christophe Gray, who will act as interim chief executive until the permanent Chief Executive of NISTA is appointed, this will be announced shortly.
A dedicated news article has been published on projectdelivery.gov.uk detailing the launch of The Teal Book.
This article offers comprehensive insights into how The Teal Book is designed to enhance project delivery, fostering greater efficiency and productivity in alignment with the government’s Plan for Change. It highlights The Teal Book’s guidance and best practices, supporting continuous professional development, streamlined planning and delivery, risk-based control measures, and the enhancement of performance across government projects.
Today, the Chief Secretary has also appointed the National Infrastructure Commission’ Commissioners to form an Advisory Council for NISTA to support the implementation of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy and delivery of NISTA’s objectives.
A memorandum of understanding between HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office will be published shortly, which will govern the relationship between the new unit and the departments.
Sam Gould, the ICE’s director of policy and external affairs said:
The government’s decision to combine the NIC and the IPA in a new body with end-to-end responsibility for infrastructure is a huge opportunity. There’s wide acceptance that the UK needs infrastructure to meet its economic, environmental, and societal ambitions. It has faced recent delivery challenges, and NISTA has an opportunity to bridge the gap between strategic needs and delivering infrastructure that will benefit the public.
Ahead of the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, NISTA has a short window to set out how it is going to approach these tasks. The right expertise to plan and successfully deliver infrastructure existed in the NIC and the IPA, now the focus needs to be on getting the job done.
Energy UK’s Deputy Director, Policy (Systems), Charles Wood:
NISTA’s establishment, alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, offers an opportunity to streamline the strategic delivery of utility infrastructure across the UK. The UK is rapidly moving toward a cleaner energy future, requiring both public and private investment, developed supply chains, skilled workers, and a holistic strategy for delivery. We hope NISTA can support this goal and continue the work of the National Infrastructure Commission, retaining the independent expertise gathered and enabling a more coordinated and cost-effective approach to infrastructure delivery.
The government must use everything at its disposal to help deliver the energy transition at pace, continuing the coordinated decarbonisation of the power system while increasing a similar effort across the heating, transport, and industrial sectors. This will boost investment in the UK’s clean energy sector, support the connection of new demand like data centres, heat networks, and rapid electric vehicle charging – and enable cost-effective infrastructure that delivers for consumers now and in the future.
Richard Whitehead, AECOM CEO for Europe and India, said:
AECOM welcomes the launch of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority. This new body further demonstrates the government’s commitment to accelerating the delivery of essential infrastructure and marks a significant step forward in addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges in the UK.
We are pleased to see the government taking strong political leadership by integrating infrastructure strategy and policy. In addition, a stable infrastructure pipeline, insulated from political cycles, is vital for attracting private finance, maintaining long-term certainty, and ensuring the efficient delivery of major projects.
This announcement, alongside the recent streamlining of regulatory processes and reforms to the planning system, lays the foundation for growth, instils investor confidence, and advances the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy. We look forward to engaging with the NISTA leadership.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic hospitably welcomed the SVO participants who are undergoing treatment at the 442nd District Military Clinical Hospital. The fighters were given fascinating excursions with an immersion into the history of the university and the contribution of the Polytechnics to the development and prosperity of our country.
I am grateful to fate that I ended up in St. Petersburg, and also in the leading engineering university of the country. Unexpectedly for myself, I discovered many historical facts that I did not even know about. For example, about the previously classified scientist, three times Hero of Socialist Labor of the USSR, Soviet designer of armored vehicles, nuclear weapons and the hydrogen bomb Nikolai Dukhov. I have never been so impressed by what I heard. And the dedication and involvement of the director of the Museum Valery Klimov showed how you need to know history, how you can love your alma mater, – said special military operation fighter Artem.
The guests of the university visited the Polytechnic Museum, the White Hall, the Academic Council meeting room, walked through the portrait gallery on the first floor of the Main Building, and learned about its history. They learned about the outstanding contribution of polytechnicians to the development of science, technology, and industry in Russia.
Thanks to such events, we pass on historical memory, preserve the country’s heritage. This is not only a tribute to the past, but also an important step in developing the culture of volunteerism and charity that have accompanied Polytechnic for more than a century, – said Tatyana Nam, Director of the SPbPU Dobro.Center.
The tour allowed the soldiers to escape from their hospital routine, feel part of the academic community and recharge with positive emotions. For many, visiting the Polytechnic University was an opportunity to meet their brothers in arms, representing different regions of the country and combat units. At the end of the tour, the honored guests were presented with memorable gifts.
I was surprised by the great designer, inventor of the legendary T-34 tank Mikhail Koshkin, who was a successful, hereditary confectioner, director of a factory. He decided at 30 to enter the Polytechnic, and after completing his studies, he realized that his calling was to work at the Kirov Plant. What a destiny! Such people motivate you to perform feats, – said SVO participant Alexander Nikolaevich.
On March 28, the Family Living Room, a very touching and sincere meeting with the wives and mothers of SVO participants, was held at the Center for Social Assistance to Families and Children of the Kalininsky District. It was exciting to listen to their stories, to see the pride and sadness in their eyes at the same time. These families know the price of courage, because their loved ones go through difficult trials defending our country. Such meetings remind us that heroes are not only people fighting on the front lines, but also their families, who will always wait for their loved ones and believe in their victory.
Irina and Elena have both a husband and a son at the front. Angela’s husband volunteered, having a reservation, and she stayed home with five children, and still manages to help other children by teaching English at a camp. Two participants of the evening turned out to be modest winners of the family, love and fidelity contest “Bereginya” among the wives of SVO participants. One participant was awarded the public medal “Mother of the Defender of the Fatherland”.
#Mvvet provided volunteer support, presented small signs of attention to women and children, played with children, drank tea with treats, took part in pleasant master classes, talked with the fighters of the Espanyola unit.
These and other events in
The Center for Volunteer Projects “Harmony” expresses gratitude to the Polytechnic Museum, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov, Director of the Humanitarian Institute Natalia Chicherina for their support and development of volunteerism in the university environment.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Thanks to a preferential investment loan, a Moscow company will open production lines for automation systems, distribution devices for power plants, products for data centers and renewable energy. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy Anatoly Garbuzov.
“With the assistance of the Moscow Fund for Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship, the capital’s manufacturer of energy equipment attracted a preferential investment loan of about 1.5 billion rubles. With this money, the company acquired a production complex of about 25 thousand square meters in the Biryulevo Vostochnoye district. Additional workshops for the production of uninterruptible power supplies, charging stations for electric vehicles and converters for renewable energy sources will be opened there,” said Anatoly Garbuzov.
In 2024, the Parus Electro company developed the first domestic inverter for solar power plants with a capacity of 1,500 kilowatts. Currently, the company employs more than 350 specialists, in addition, it has its own R
The production complex acquired with the support of the fund was built in 2006 for the production of base stations. In 2016, the territory of the enterprise was transformed into a technology park of the same name. The company is not simply modernizing existing lines, but is creating a new high-tech production, noted its CEO Maxim Zhovner.
In total, in 2024, thanks to preferential investment loans, Moscow enterprises attracted about 120 billion rubles for production development. In 2025, the maximum size of a preferential investment loan in Moscow was increased from three to five billion rubles, and the preferential loan term was increased from three to five years. At the same time, the compensation is 50 percent of the key rate set by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
To take advantage of the benefit, you must sign a loan agreement and then contact the fund. After the application is approved, a financial support agreement is concluded to compensate for part of the costs of paying interest on the loan. Then, depending on the terms of writing off the interest, the required amount is transferred to the company’s account in the bank where the loan is opened.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Attributable to Wellington District Commander, Superintendent Corrie Parnell
One person has been taken into custody following an earlier incident in Epuni, Lower Hutt.
At about 5:25pm, Police were called to Trinity Ave after receiving a report of suspicious behaviour.
A responding Police unit observed a vehicle of interest leaving the area and signalled for it to stop. It did not stop and instead, drove into the Police vehicle and then into two other Police vehicles that arrived to assist.
A member of the public’s vehicle was also hit by the man’s vehicle. Thankfully the member of the public was uninjured.
The man exited his vehicle in an attempt to flee the scene on foot, and was taken into custody just after 5:45pm.
Three Police vehicles have sustained significant damage. Five Police staff have been assessed with minor injuries following the collisions.
Our staff go to work every day to help make our communities safer, and behaviour such as this where Police staff and vehicles are targeted is unacceptable.
I am incredibly proud of the work from our staff in this quick-moving event where a vehicle was used as a weapon against Police, creating a massive risk to the safety of everybody involved.
Police are continuing enquiries into this incident.
A 49-year-old man is due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court tomorrow, facing three charges of aggravated assault, a charge of indecent assault and failed to stop for Police.
A Cardwell man was taken to Tully Hospital on Friday 28 March 2025 after reportedly being kicked in the leg by an adult cassowary, which resulted in a 2-3 inch deep wound to his upper thigh.
The man was treated for a minor injury following the interaction with the cassowary and reported the incident to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
According to the report, the man was in his backyard with his back to the bird when the cassowary approached him and kicked him in the back of the leg.
On 31 March 2025, wildlife rangers will conduct a site visit and assess the behaviour of the cassowary if it remains in the area.
The behaviour of the cassowary is consistent of a cassowary that has become accustomed to being fed. It’s a good reminder to the public not to be complacent when they are in close proximity to these animals.
People who live in the wet tropics are reminded that cassowaries are large animals and can act in an unpredictable way, which can include dangerous behaviour.
Cassowaries should never be fed or given access to food. This can cause them to become habituated and begin to approach people expecting food. Cassowaries have been known to become aggressive when approaching people for food but not receiving any.
People can help preserve wild populations of cassowaries by being Cass-O-Wary:
Never approach cassowaries.
Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them.
Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal and can be dangerous for the birds and for humans.
Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids.
Always slow down when driving in cassowary territory.
Never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road.
Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash.
Cassowary sightings in north Queensland should be reported to QPWS by calling 1300 130 372.