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Expressing Love on Canvas: MUMs for Life Announces Mother’s Day Art Competition


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2024 – MUMs for Life is pleased to announce a Mother’s Day-inspired Art Competition, inviting budding artists from 100 pre- and primary schools to showcase their talents and express their appreciation for their mothers.

Themed ‘A Mother’s Love’, the competition aims to inspire young artists to reflect on how they have experienced their mothers’ affection and strength.

The competition will feature three categories:
Category A: Preschoolers aged 4 – 6 years
Category B: Lower Primary aged 7 – 9 years
Category C: Upper Primary aged 10 – 12 years

In addition, MUMs for Life is collaborating with Mama on Palette, a community that supports mothers’ mental wellness through art, by providing a special colouring template “Bonding with Mama in the Garden”, designed by Mama on Palette artist Khesia Kalistyatika, tailored for preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years under Category A. The illustration draws importance of the mother’s role – just like the beauty of a garden.

For Category B & C, participants create an original artwork on A3 size paper using traditional mediums such as paint, crayons, colored pencils, or mixed mediums for added creativity.

“This Art Competition celebrates the sacrificial love of mothers. ” said Dr Xander Ong, CEO, Centre for Fathering. “Through this initiative, we hope to provide an opportunity for sons and daughters to express their love for their mums, capture the mother’s love in Singapore, and share it with a larger audience”.

Selected artworks will be showcased at the Mother’s Day Art Exhibition on May 11, 2024. The exhibition celebrates the creative talents of young artists and honour the bond between mothers and children.

Entries for the Mother’s Day Art Competition are now open, and participants are invited to submit their artworks by 12 April 2024 at various partnering locations.

For more information on how to participate and submission guidelines, please visit www.fathers.com.sg/mums-day-out/
Hashtag: #CentreforFathering #MUMsforLife

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Centre for Fathering and MUMs for Life

Centre for Fathering (CFF) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2000 to promote active and involved fathering and address issues caused by fatherlessness in Singapore. The organisation turns the hearts of fathers and children towards one another by empowering more fathers to be better role models and an inspiration to their children.

Launched on Mother’s Day 2019, MUMs for Life is a ground-up movement to celebrate a mum’s unique identity as a woman, daughter, wife and mother. Together, MUMs for Life and DADs for Life highlight the irreplaceable and complementary roles mums and dads play.

CFF is Made For Families
CFF is proud to be part of the ecosystem supporting families in Singapore, and identify ourselves as an organisation that is Made For Families. Made For Families represents the different ways – big and small – in which Singapore supports families. Companies, organisations and community groups can adopt the brand mark to identify themselves as promoting the value of family in our society. Together, we can build a Singapore that is Made For Families, by laying a foundation of support, from family-friendly spaces and workplaces, products and services, and family-bonding activities.

Visit for more information.

Vantage Data Centers Secures US$64M Loan from Top Taiwanese Banks and Completes Taiwan’s First Greenfield Hyperscale Data Center Project Financing Transaction

CTBC Bank and Cathay United Bank provide strong support for Vantage’s expansion in Taiwan to meet customer demand


TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2024 – Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, announced that it has secured a US$64 million (approximately NT$2 billion) loan from CTBC Bank and Cathay United Bank to fund the development of the company’s first data center in Taipei, Taiwan (TPE11). The deal marks the first hyperscale data center financing transaction for a data center operator in Taiwan.

This transaction is Vantage’s first in Taiwan with the two banks. This is the company’s third transaction with CTBC globally and its first with Cathay United, both among the top Taiwanese banks.

The Taiwan campus, which was first announced last December, is the eighth developing or operational campus in Vantage’s APAC portfolio. Currently under development and expected to open mid-2024, TPE11 will deliver 16MW of IT capacity across a 215,000 square foot (20,000 square meters) facility. Once completed, the campus will serve hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises as the region becomes a major digital infrastructure hub.

“Vantage is proud to lead the way in marking the first financing of a greenfield data center project in Taiwan,” said Joel Cheah, Vantage’s CFO in the Asia-Pacific region. “We appreciate CTBC Bank’s continued confidence in Vantage’s data center platform and are pleased to have the Cathay United Bank team join us in this innovative financial milestone in the next phase of Taiwan’s growth as a regional data center market.”
Hashtag: #VantageDataCenters

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across five continents in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

For more information, visit.

“Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition launched in Kuala Lumpur


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2024 – The “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 5. This is the third stop of the exhibition in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following that in Indonesia and Thailand in July and October last year respectively.

The
The “Immersive Hong Kong” roving exhibition, which showcases Hong Kong’s unique strengths, advantages and opportunities with art technology, was launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as part of a promotional campaign in the ASEAN countries. The exhibition will run at Pavilion Bukit Jalil until March 10.

Organised by the Information Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and themed “Hong Kong – Where the World Looks Ahead”, the exhibition showcases the city’s unique strengths, advantages and opportunities to the valued ASEAN community and invites them to explore the potential for business, investment and tourism in Hong Kong.

Through art technology, the “Immersive Hong Kong” exhibition enables visitors to immerse in visuals representing the city in a creative twist. The five thematic zones, namely “Financial Bridgehead”, “I&T Brain Bank”, “Blossoming Creativity”, “Diversity and Greenery” and “Buzzing Sports Action”, feature multiple interactive art projections and naked eye 3D displays, presenting the multifaceted appeal of Hong Kong.

Visitors can also enjoy Hong Kong’s vibrant skyline, illustrated by Hong Kong artist Messy Desk (Jane Lee), at a photo corner. Promotional videos on Hong Kong and digital panels featuring ASEAN companies and talent are also on display, explaining why the city is one of the most desirable places to visit, live, work and invest.

“The exhibition not only showcases to the Malaysian community the unique attractions of Hong Kong as a cosmopolitan city, but also demonstrates that the city is full of creativity and character. Visitors will be able to enjoy a new experience featuring Hong Kong’s latest developments and different facets”, a spokesperson for the Information Services Department said.

An interactive game, “Snap a cool shot @Immersive Hong Kong”, is also featured as part of the exhibition. The top 400 winners will each receive an economy class round-trip air ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong.

The exhibition is set to run at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, a major shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur, until March 10. Admission is free and visitors will be offered souvenirs during the event. For more information, please visit https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/en/campaign/hkpromotion-asean2023-24.

Hashtag: #ImmersiveHK_KL

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong’s The 3rd Edition of “ReMIX” Creative Business Partnership Programme

Announcing Designer-Brand Pairings which will Ignite Creative Sparks Through Collaboration Organising Exhibition at Bangkok Design Week to Promote Hong Kong’s Creative Industries, and Visiting Thai Green Enterprises to Explore Business Opportunities for Sustainable Design


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2024 – The 3rd edition of the “ReMIX · Yesterday’s Future, Invent Tomorrow!” (“ReMIX”) Creative Business Partnership Programme, which is organised by Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong (IDSHK), with Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Create Hong Kong) as the lead sponsor, goes beyond simply connecting Hong Kong design talent and brands. It actively works towards promoting Hong Kong designers and their creative strengths, while also exploring the latest trends in sustainable design. After a thorough matching process, the ten-designer-brand pairings for the 3rd edition of “ReMIX” were announced. These collaborative teams then commenced the development of their crossover products, which are scheduled to be released by September 2024. On the other hand, “ReMIX” has accepted the invitation to set up a booth at the “Bangkok Design Week 2024” to showcase the over 40 crossover products that have shined in the previous editions of “ReMIX”, with a view to generating more overseas interests in Hong Kong’s original designs and creative industries. As part of the delegation trip to “Bangkok Design Week 2024”, the Hong Kong delegates also visited the local companies in Thailand that embrace sustainable design principles.

Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand (second from the left), Ms. Teresa Poon, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (first from the left), Ms. Yvonne Lee, Director of “ReMIX”, IDSHK (first from the right) and the representative of “ReMIX” delegation, Mr. Angus Yiu, Stork Stork Design (second from the right), posing for a photo with members of the “ReMIX” Thailand delegation trip.
Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand (second from the left), Ms. Teresa Poon, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (first from the left), Ms. Yvonne Lee, Director of “ReMIX”, IDSHK (first from the right) and the representative of “ReMIX” delegation, Mr. Angus Yiu, Stork Stork Design (second from the right), posing for a photo with members of the “ReMIX” Thailand delegation trip.

The 3rd edition of “ReMIX” Creative Business Partnership Programme features nine Hong Kong brands, namely Leung So Kee, Koon Wah Food, A-Fontane, Law Knitters, FOTOMAX, BAST Lighting, LOG-ON, Momax and INFINITE, as well as a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) brand, 伊仕利家居. Upon the completion of recruitment and matching of interested Hong Kong design teams from various fields, each of these ten brands has successfully matched up with a Hong Kong design team to collaborate on creating crossover products. These collaborations involve cross-industry partnerships, such as A-Fontane, specialising in bedding, is teaming up with InnoSphere, renowned for lifestyle accessories. Other cross-generation collaborations can be seen in the partnership between Leung So Kee umbrella factory, which has over a century of history in Hong Kong, and Studio of SAI (Brand: SO-SAI), an emerging design firm. Furthermore, there is cross-regional collaboration as demonstrated in the collaborative team formed by the GBA brand 伊仕利家居 and Hong Kong design team Soti Design Studio. All ten teams will officially launch their creative outcomes by September, promising countless creative surprises.

In an acknowledgement of the market success of and international recognition gained by the creative crossover products in the past two editions of “ReMIX”, “Bangkok Design Week 2024” extended an invitation for the Hong Kong designers and brand representatives concerned to set up a booth at Thailand Creative & Design Center during the design week, while attending its opening ceremony on 27 January earlier this year. The “ReMIX” exhibition not only successfully showcased over 40 crossover products collaborated by Hong Kong designers and brands in the 1st and 2nd editions of the Programme, but also received support from Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, who visited the “ReMIX” exhibition in person. Ms. Teresa Poon, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, Ms. Yvonne Lee, Director of “ReMIX”, IDSHK and the representative of “ReMIX” delegation, Mr. Angus Yiu, Stork Stork Design introduced the background of “ReMIX” and exchanged with them enthusiastically. As the organiser of “ReMIX”, IDSHK firmly believes that the exhibition at “Bangkok Design Week 2024” will deepen the collaborations between Hong Kong’s and Thailand’s industries, government agencies and academia, and in turn helping Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries with immense potential go international.

In addition to the exhibition at design week, this Thailand trip also organised exchange activities under the theme “Empowering Sustainable Design”. The Hong Kong delegates visited local companies in Thailand that uphold sustainable design. These included Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC), which provides shared workspace for researchers in the fields of science, engineering, industrial design, and art, as well as PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), which focuses on implementing sustainable design and producing various petrochemical products. During the visits, the Hong Kong delegates had the opportunity to exchange experiences and insights with Thai talented designers. This kind of exchange not only enriched the knowledge of Hong Kong designers themselves on waste recycling, biotechnology, and environmental-friendly materials which will contribute to the forward development of sustainable design in Hong Kong, but also strengthened the relationships between Hong Kong designers and Thai manufacturers, suppliers, and researchers. These visits helped enriching the knowledge of Hong Kong designers in this field and fostering integration between the industries of both Hong Kong and Thailand.

Mr. Ball Cheung, President of IDSHK, emphasised and stated the Society’s mission, “The Society not only acts as an intermediary, connecting Hong Kong designers and brands to launch collaborative products that captivate consumers’ attention, but also aims to bring the distinctive design styles and creative thinking of Hong Kong designers to overseas markets through delegation trips. This initiative seeks to expand global demand for Hong Kong designers and brands and foster the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s creative industries.”

More details are available on the website of “ReMIX” Creative Business Partnership Programme (https://remix.idshk.org/en-us), or please contact the “ReMIX” secretariat at 3586 8831 or email remix@idshk.org for inquiries.

The 3rd “ReMIX” Creative Business Partnership Programme

Pairing Results between Hong Kong Designers and Brands

Brand Design Unit Introduction to Design Unit Designer(s)
Leung So Kee Studio of SAI Limited (Brand: SO-SAI) SO-SAI is a multi-disciplinary creative studio that focuses on architectural and spatial inventions. Their studio works include furniture design, interior design and architecture design. Yung Sai Chun & Louis Hung Wai Yin
Koon Wah Food Head & Tail Head & Tail specialises in brand concept development, brand identity design, and visual communication. Its clients primarily come from the food industry, ranging from local startups to multinational corporations. Luke Lo Tze Chung
A-Fontane InnoSphere Ltd. Maurice is an expert at discovering product pain points and new needs from the user’s perspectives, using smart design techniques to transform them into new products. Maurice Kwok Ho Yin
Law Knitters Alex King Atelier Limited Alex King Atelier specialises in product design, letterpress, sustainable packaging design and the creation of contemporary graffiti art. Alex King Pui Yuk
FOTOMAX Palette Code Design Consultancy Palette Code Design Consultancy strives to create meaningful stories and experiences for people. Their creative expertises include consumer electronics and houseware. Asta Lok Hau Yi
BAST Lighting Stork Stork Design Limited (Brand: Stork Stork Design) Stork Stork Design strives to align technological advancements with a human-centered vision, ensuring our innovations deeply resonate with the diverse needs of our audience. Gut Yau Chit Kwan & Angus Yiu Hoi Tak
LOG-ON Blind Creation Company Limited (Brand: Blind by JW) Blind by JW is a womenswear and accessories label that is celebrated for its artistic patterns and hand-drawn prints. Its designs bridge Eastern and Western influences. Jessica Lau Yuen Ting & Walter Kong Tak Wah
伊仕利家居 SOTI Design Studio Limited SOTI Design Studio focuses on integrating art, architecture, and nature, the studio has been recognised for their innovative and sustainable designs. Maggie Wu Wai Chung
Momax Whitehole Design Limited (Brand: 100∘C) 100°C aims to become an engine of growth in the circular economy, in which people come up with solutions to share, exchange, upcycle, and recycle the Earth’s resources. Ling Wong & Davide Tonizzo
INFINITE MMM Design Studio MMM Design Studio provides space design and industrial design services. It shapes designs in the most minimalistic way, allowing product design to reflect the closest possible connection to real-life experiences. Bella Wong Ching Yi & Boris Cheung Ka Wing & Angela Chung Chi Yan

Hashtag: #ReMIX #IndustrialDesignersSocietyofHongKong

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong

Founded in 2002, Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong (IDSHK) aims to promote the state-of-the-art and professional practice of Hong Kong’s industrial design (ID), and to leverage its status. Over the years, IDSHK has been committed to promoting and striving for the rights of industrial designers by enhancing their competitiveness, providing them with industry-related knowledge and promoting exchanges with local, the Mainland and international professional organisations. IDSHK has successfully established collaborations and strategic alliance partnerships with industrial bodies and education institutes and is continuing to support industrial design education.

IDSHK grasps the pulse of the society and technology evolvements with innovative ideas to provide members with updated relevant knowledge and connections to keep pace with the times. It aims to gather all parties’ strength and cooperate to create a brilliant design prospect in future.

About Create Hong Kong

Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in June 2009 to spearhead the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. From 1 July 2022 onwards, it is under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community.

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Acknowledgments

Lead Sponsor:
  • Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Sponsors:
  • Milk Magazine
  • Tommy Li Design Workshop
Supporting Organisations:
  • Asia Pacific Chamber of New Economic Culture
  • Design 31 FHKI
  • Design Council of Hong Kong
  • Graphic Arts Association of Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Design Centre
  • Hong Kong Designers Association
  • Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association
  • Hong Kong Federation of Design and Creative Industries
  • Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association
  • Hong Kong Interior Design Association
  • Hong Kong Mould and Product Technology Association
  • Material Resource Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design
  • The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association

Signing of a binding merger for the sale of a block of shares in SMT Scharf AG

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – EQS Newswire – 5 March 2024 – Shareholder Value Beteiligungen AG (ISIN: DE000A168205) and SMT Scharf AG (ISIN: DE000A3DRAE2) announced on 1 March 2024 that some of the shareholders, including Shareholder Value Beteiligungen AG, will transfer their stake in the amount of approx. 52.66% of the share capital of SMT Scharf AG to Yankuang Energy Group Company Limited with its registered office in Shandong Province, China at a price of EUR 11.10 per share.

At the time of signing of the transaction, Shareholder Value Beteiligungen AG owns more than one-fifth of the share capital of SMT Scharf AG. The subject of the transaction is the vast majority of the above-mentioned position of Shareholder Value Beteiligungen AG. This price per share is still subject to a fixed adjustment mechanism depending on certain variables until the closing of the transaction, which may lead to a deduction of the price per share.

According to the Management Board’s current assessment, once the transaction has been completed and assuming normal business performance up to that point, this is expected to make a positive contribution to increasing the intrinsic value of the company compared to the last reporting date.

In particular, the closing of the agreement is still subject to the occurrence of customary closing conditions, in particular the conclusion of investment control proceedings in Germany and government regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions of subsidiaries of SMT Scharf AG as well as the approval of the competent Chinese authorities.

About the Purchaser

Yankuang Energy Group Company Limited was founded in 1997. The H share (ISIN CNE1000004Q8; ISIN ADR US9848461052 ) and the A share (ISIN CNE000000WV6) are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The company regards mining, high-end chemicals and new materials, new energies, high-end equipment manufacturing, and intelligent logistics as key industries of the future.

It is a major Chinese energy corporation with four major stock exchanges in China and beyond (Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York, Australia). Yankuang Energy Group Ltd ranked 69th on the 2022 Fortune Global 500 List and is part of the CSI 300 Index and the SSE 180 Index.

The company has three operating bases in Australia, Shandong and Shaanxi & Inner Mongolia.

The funds for the transaction are entirely borne by Yankuang Energy.

During the signing ceremony Yankuang Energy was represented by the Chairman Mr. Li Wei. Li Wei, born in September 1966, a research fellow in applied engineering technology and Ph.D. of engineering, is the chairman of the Company, the Party secretary, and chairman of Shandong Energy Group Company Limited.

He was appointed as vice-chairman of the Company in June 2016, the deputy Party secretary, director, and general manager of Hualu Holdings Co., Ltd. in August 2020, and Party secretary and chairman of Shandong Energy Group in June 2021. He was appointed as the chairman of the Company in August 2021. Mr. Li graduated from the University of Science and Technology Beijing.

Among others Mr. Li Wei was elected as “2022 China Economic Figure of the Year”.

Mr. Li Wei during the signing ceremony
Mr. Li Wei during the signing ceremony

In accordance with the regulatory requirements of the jurisdiction where the Company is listed and the relevant provisions of the Articles of Association of Yankuang Energy, the Transaction falls within the scope of decisions made at the general manager’s office meeting and is not required to be submitted to the Board and the general meeting of shareholders for approval.

The controlling shareholder of the purchaser is Shandong Energy Group Co., Ltd (Shandong).

Secretary of the CPC Shandong Energy Committee is Mr. Li Wei.

Other companies that belong to Shandong without claiming completeness are:

Shandong Energy Linyi Mining Group Co Ltd.,

Yankuang Energy Group Co Ltd (CNE000000WV6, US9848461052, CNE1000004Q8),

Yancoal Australia Ltd (AU000000YAL0),

Coal & Allied Industries Ltd (AU000000CNA2).

Financial Services for the Group are performed by

Yancoal Resources Ltd (AU000000FLX1)

March 31, 2021 the company emitted a bond with a placement amount of 550 Mio. USD (XS2337157510) maturing in 2028.

The link to the purchaser’s press release in Chinese (please use google translate) is as follows:
http://www.cninfo.com.cn/new/disclosure/detail?stockCode=600188&announcementId=1219218807&orgId=gssh0600188&announcementTime=2024-03-02

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Seller

The group of eleven sellers consists among others of several mutual funds (Frankfurter Aktienfonds für Stiftungen ISIN: DE000A1JSWP1; DE000A12BPQ2; DE000A2N5MA1; DE000A2N66D4; DE000A2JJ222; DE000A0M8HD2; DE000A12BPP4; DE000A2P1AS5; Frankfurter Stiftungsfonds ISIN: DE000A2DTMN6; Frankfurter- Value Focus Fund ISIN: LU0566535208; LU0399928414). Those vehicles are advised by the tied agent Shareholder Value Management AG. Shareholder Value Management AG itself is also one of the selling shareholders. Further Shareholder Value Beteiligungen AG, an exchange listed company, decided to take part in the transaction.

Future Development of SMT Scharf AG

In addition, SMT Scharf AG announces that it intends to apply for the admission of the shares of SMT Scharf AG to the Regulated Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and to the sub-segment of the Regulated Market with further post-admission obligations (Prime Standard) after completion of the transaction.

To the knowledge of Shareholder Value Beteiligungen AG, the transaction itself does not give rise to any obligation to submit a takeover offer to the free float of SMT Scharf AG.

World Hearing Day a Reminder on the Urgent Need to Address Hearing Loss and Its Link to Dementia in Australia


BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2024 – Hearing health is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of overall well-being, with significant implications for both social and cognitive functions. The connection between untreated hearing loss and dementia is particularly concerning, with recent research highlighting how auditory deprivation can accelerate cognitive decline. This connection underscores the importance of addressing hearing loss proactively, not only to enhance communication and social interaction but also to safeguard long-term cognitive health.

Hearing Loss in Australia

One in six Australians experience hearing loss impacting their ability to communicate with others, leading to social isolation, loneliness, and frustration. Unfortunately, more than half of these individuals are not taking action to address their hearing loss due to common misconceptions about hearing aids.1

Misconception 1 – Hearing aids will be noticeable. Modern hearing aids are designed with discretion in mind, many models being compact enough to fit snugly in the ear canal and remain virtually unseen. The signs of untreated hearing loss, such as asking for repetitions or misunderstanding conversations, can be more noticeable than wearing a hearing aid.

Misconception 2 – Hearing aids are expensive. While some hearing aids, particularly those requiring professional fitting, can be costly, advancements in technology have led to a range of options that are more affordable. Some models even allow users to self-fit, reducing costs associated with professional services.

Misconception 3 – Hearing aids don’t work when there is noise. Advances in hearing aid technology, such as directional microphones and noise reduction features, have significantly improved their performance in challenging listening situations, enabling wearers to focus on conversations even amidst background noise.

Misconception 4 – Hearing aids need to be professionally fitted. The advent of digital technology and smart applications has introduced the possibility of self-fitting for certain types of hearing aids. This innovation allows individuals to conduct hearing tests and adjust settings from the comfort of their homes, making hearing aids more accessible and convenient to use.

Hearing Loss and Dementia

In Australia, dementia is an increasingly pressing concern, affecting individuals with the condition as well as their families and friends. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, with the ageing and growing population, Australia is set to see the number of people suffering from dementia to reach over 800,000 by 2058. While there is no cure for dementia at present, various strategies exist to help maintain autonomy and life quality for affected individuals for an extended period.

The cognitive load of deciphering sounds and conversations, combined with the social withdrawal stemming from communication difficulties, contributes to a diminished quality of life and accelerated cognitive decline.

Emerging research suggests that the use of hearing aids may offer a promising intervention to slow the progression of cognitive decline by improving auditory input, thus reducing the cognitive load, and enhancing social engagement. Although hearing aids cannot reverse cognitive decline, they hold the potential to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss and may contribute to a delay in the onset of dementia. This preventative approach, focusing on maintaining hearing health, underscores the importance of regular hearing assessments and the early adoption of hearing aids when needed.

By addressing hearing loss proactively, we can take a significant step towards reducing the dementia burden in Australia.

Vibe Hearing in Australia – Breaking Down Barriers, Addressing Misconceptions

The Award-Winning Vibe Air from Vibe Hearing is a hearing aid technology designed to challenge misconceptions and break down the barriers to hearing care
The Award-Winning Vibe Air from Vibe Hearing is a hearing aid technology designed to challenge misconceptions and break down the barriers to hearing care

The World Health Organization’s theme for World Hearing Day 2024, Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all aims to change mindsets, break stigmas, and bring ear and hearing care for all. Vibe Hearing’s Vibe Air supports the goals of World Hearing Day by offering a solution to Australians with unaddressed hearing loss, bringing them an affordable, discreet, self-fitted solution that meets their needs and more.

——
1 Anovum 2021 – AustraliaTrak 2021

Hashtag: #VibeHearing

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Vibe Hearing

Vibe Hearing’s mission is to help those with hearing loss reclaim their social life and never miss the punchline of a story again! Our Vibe hearing aids are registered medical devices that can be bought in store or online and fitted in the comfort of users’ own homes without the help of an audiologist. The Award-Winning from Vibe Hearing is a hearing aid technology designed to challenge misconceptions and break down the barriers to hearing care. Designed for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, the Vibe Air is an affordable and convenient solution for those who may not have sought help for their hearing needs due to stigma or cost barriers.

Aon Names Rishi Mehra as Head of India to Accelerate Aon United Strategy


MUMBAI, INDIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2024 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced Rishi Mehra as head of India, effective immediately. Mehra will be based in Mumbai and report to Anne Corona, chief executive officer of Asia Pacific at Aon. He will join Aon’s Asia Pacific Executive Committee and Global Executive Leadership Team.

Rishi Mehra
Rishi Mehra

Working closely with Jon Pipe, CEO and principal officer of Aon India Insurance Brokers and Nitin Sethi, CEO of Aon Consulting Private Limited, Mehra will bring together the collective capabilities across Risk, Health, Wealth and Talent consulting under a single leadership model, to harness the combined breadth of Aon’s expertise and solutions for clients across India.

Mehra will also play a key role in the integration of Global Insurance Brokers during the year. Upon completion, the acquisition will expand Aon’s existing capabilities bringing together an integrated team of over 1,000 colleagues across Aon in India.

Corona said: “I am delighted to unite India under Rishi’s leadership. His business acumen, combined with his experience as CFO will accelerate our ability to deliver Aon United capabilities to our clients. Rishi will build on the team’s success and strengthen collaboration across India to help our clients shape business decisions for the better.”

Mehra joined Aon in 2003 holding several senior finance roles across the Asia Pacific region, most recently serving as chief financial officer, Asia and Greater China. Prior to joining Aon, he worked at PepsiCo and PWC in India in consulting and business planning roles. Mehra will begin transitioning to his new role immediately and will be based in Mumbai by mid-2024.

“I am very excited and humbled to lead an extremely talented and driven team in India”, said Mehra. “We have so much opportunity ahead of us in a very unique and thriving economy, and I look forward to working with the team to unlock India’s growth potential leveraging our Risk Capital and Human Capital capabilities to deliver insights and scalable solutions to help our clients make better decisions to protect and grow their businesses.”

Read more about Aon’s capabilities in India here.

Hashtag: #Aon

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Aon

(NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.

Follow Aon on , , and . Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s and sign up for news alerts .

First Phosphate Corp. Receives Mining Research and Innovation Grant from Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources


Saguenay, Quebec – Newsfile Corp. – March 4, 2024 – First Phosphate Corp. (CSE: PHOS) (OTC: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) (“First Phosphate” or the “Company”) is pleased to have recently received a mining research and innovation grant from the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“MRNF”).

The grant provides financial support to the Company in the way of $315,236 to continue mineralogical study on its apatite, ilmenite and magnetite concentrates. The project also includes the processing of the Company’s mine tailings for re-use in the cement construction industry.

“We are grateful to the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests for this funding as we continue to build strong relationships with Quebec-based government bodies and institutions,” said Company CEO, John Passalacqua.

The Company’s objective is to see the development of a lithium iron phosphate (“LFP”) battery valley in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec, one which can service demand for LFP battery cathode active material across North America.

The company will have a table at the Canada Investment Forum at PDAC 2024 on Monday, March 4, 2024 from 12:00 EST until 17:00 EST (MTCC North Building, Room 105). Company CEO, John Passalacqua will hold a brief live presentation on the Company at 15:00 EST.

Research studies on Quebec igneous anorthosite can be found at: https://firstphosphate.com/phosphate-industry/quebecanorthosite

Details on First Phosphate’s pilot plant for the purification of Quebec igneous anorthosite into purified phosphoric acid (“PPA”) can be found at: https://firstphosphate.com/projects/ppa-production

Details on First Phosphate’s assets in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec, can be found at: https://firstphosphate.com/projects/prized-assets

Details on First Phosphate’s strategy for the creation of a fully integrated LFP battery supply chain in North America based on establishing an LFP battery valley in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec can be found at: https://firstphosphate.com/lfp-battery-strategy

The Company has also entered into a marketing agreement with NAI Interactive Ltd. (“NAI”) for a total cash consideration of $37,500+HST, paid up front, for a twelve-month period commencing March 4th, 2024. NAI is a company headquartered in British Columbia, Canada and can be reached at 604-488-8878 or info@nai500.com. NAI does not currently hold any common shares in the Company and will not receive any options to purchase securities of the Company. NAI and the Company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities. Promotional activity will occur on NAI500.com.

About First Phosphate Corp.

First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the LFP battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, in responsible manner and with low anticipated carbon footprint. First Phosphate plans to vertically integrate from mine source directly into the supply chains of major North American LFP battery producers that require battery grade LFP cathode active material emanating from a consistent and secure supply source. First Phosphate holds over 1,500 sq. km of royalty-free district-scale land claims in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec, Canada that it is actively developing. First Phosphate properties consist of rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock that generally yields high purity phosphate material devoid of high concentrations of harmful elements.

For additional information, please contact:

Bennett Kurtz, CFO
bennett@firstphosphate.com
Tel: +1 (416) 200-0657

Investor Relations: investor@firstphosphate.com
Media Relations: media@firstphosphate.com
Website: www.FirstPhosphate.com

Follow First Phosphate:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FirstPhosphate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-phosphate

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

This news release contains certain statements and information that may be considered “forward-looking statements” and “forward looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” and other similar expressions. In addition, statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements, including, among other things, the Company’s planned exploration and production activities, the properties and composition of any extracted phosphate, the Company’s plans for vertical integration into North American supply chains and its ability to can satisfy demand for LFP battery cathode active material across North America.

These statements and other forward-looking information are based on assumptions and estimates that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, expectations of the Company’s long term business outcomes given its short operating history; expectations regarding revenue, expenses and operations; the Company having sufficient working capital and ability to secure additional funding necessary for the exploration of the Company’s property interests; expectations regarding the potential mineralization, geological merit and economic feasibility of the Company’s projects; expectations regarding drill programs and the potential impacts successful drill programs could have on the life of the mine and the Company; mineral exploration and exploration program cost estimates; expectations regarding any environmental issues that may affect planned or future exploration programs and the potential impact of complying with existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations; receipt and timing of exploration and exploitation permits and other third-party approvals; government regulation of mineral exploration and development operations; expectations regarding any social or local community issues that may affect planned or future exploration and development programs; expectations surrounding global economic trends and technological advancements; and key personnel continuing their employment with the Company.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include: limited operating history; high risk of business failure; no profits or significant revenues; limited resources; negative cash flow from operations and dependence on third-party financing; the uncertainty of additional funding; no dividends; risks related to possible fluctuations in revenues and results; insurance and uninsured risks; litigation; reliance on management and key personnel; conflicts of interest; access to supplies and materials; dangers of mineral exploration and related liability and damages; risks relating to health and safety; government regulation and legal uncertainties; the company’s exploration and development properties may not be successful and are highly speculative in nature; dependence on outside parties; title to some of the Company’s mineral properties may be challenged or defective; Aboriginal title and land claims; obtaining and renewing licenses and permits; environmental and other regulatory risks may adversely affect the company; risks relating to climate change; risks related to infrastructure; land reclamation requirements may be burdensome; current global financial conditions; fluctuation in commodity prices; dilution; future sales by existing shareholders could cause the Company’s share price to fall; fluctuation and volatility in stock exchange prices; and risks related to market demands. There can be no assurance that any opportunity will be successful, commercially viable, completed on time or on budget, or will generate any meaningful revenues, savings or earnings, as the case may be, for the Company. In addition, the Company will incur costs in pursuing any particular opportunity, which may be significant.

These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company and, though they should be considered carefully, should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors described in the Company’s other documents filed with the Canadian securities authorities, including without limitation the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form dated November 29, 2023 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking information or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About First Phosphate Corp.