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Powering Canada’s Future: Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable and Clean Electricity in New Brunswick

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DIEPPE, NB, Dec. 8, 2024 /CNW/ – In the 21st century, a reliable and affordable clean electricity grid is the backbone of a strong economy. Today more than 80 per cent of Canada’s electricity is generated from clean sources like hydropower, wind, solar, and nuclear – and it’s a big part of the reason why companies are choosing to invest in Canadian workers and business. In New Brunswick, renewables projects are already creating good jobs and delivering more affordable power to the grid. By taking action to expand clean power, new economic opportunities are being unlocked while families and workers are getting ahead.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault and the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc announced over $1 billion in additional investments to ensure that as New Brunswick’s electricity demands grow substantially over the coming years, we meet demand with clean electricity that is both reliable and affordable. NB Power estimates the following investments could help power up to 140,000 homes.

Up to $1 billion in federal support for up to 670 megawatts of Indigenous-led wind projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Clean Power priority sector and Indigenous Equity Initiative as well as Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program (SREPs).$25 million from SREPs for the 25-megawatt Neweg Energy wind project, a partnership with the New Brunswick Mi’kmaq First Nations.$500,000 to the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council to provide seven Mi’kmaq Nations in New Brunswick resources and technical support and enable direct participation in clean energy opportunities.A commitment from Canada to work with New Brunswick and NB Power to support the conversion of the Belledune Generating Station from coal-fired power to biomass.$1.6 million from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to further investigate the conversion through engineering and planning studies, this is in addition to a previously announced $2 million from ACOA to evaluate different biomass fuel options.$25 million to NB Power for predevelopment work for up to 600 megawatts in new small modular reactor (SMR) capacity at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generation Station through NRCan’s Electricity Predevelopment Program.$1.3 million to NB Power for predevelopment work on the modified Atlantic Loop transmission line between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia through NRCan’s Electricity Predevelopment program.

The Ministers also announced that the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick have reached a common understanding on the forthcoming Clean Electricity Regulations that will provide the flexibilities needed to enable New Brunswick’s electricity system to grow and decarbonize all while ensuring it will be affordable, reliable, and non-emitting. 

The federal and provincial governments, in collaboration with First Nations partners, have already been partnering through the New Brunswick Regional Table to identify and accelerate shared economic priorities for a net-zero future in the province’s energy and resource sectors. Investments announced today demonstrate the commitment to continue to collaborate and to take action to grow and decarbonize the electricity grid.

As demand for electricity grows, the opportunity to power our communities and the world with clean, affordable, and reliable power is a win-win-win – for workers, for affordability, and for the environment. The Government of Canada’s plan is working to drive GHG pollution down while the economy grows and inflation cools. Together, with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, municipalities, industry and workers, the Government of Canada is seizing the opportunity ahead to build a strong economy with good jobs, and to ensure a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren.   

Quotes

“Canadians are leaders in generating clean electricity that powers our communities and beyond. Today’s shared commitment with New Brunswick is a clear signal that investing in clean electricity in New Brunswick creates jobs, drives economic growth, and positions New Brunswickers to take advantage of the economic opportunities presented by the clean economy, now and into the future. The federal government is a partner as we build a 21st century economy, underpinned by a clean electricity system, that places affordability and reliability at its core.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“This is a very exciting day for New Brunswick. Our two governments are united by a common goal of building a clean grid in New Brunswick that can power homes and businesses with clean, reliable and affordable electricity. Switching to clean electricity can save New Brunswickers money on their monthly bills, while building that cleaner grid means more quality unionized jobs. Making sure our grid is zero-emitting is a major step to fighting climate change, truly a win-win-win for everyone.”

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Across Canada, the Canada Infrastructure Bank is making investments in provincial energy systems which will enable new generation, storage and transmission while minimizing ratepayers impacts and creating greater Indigenous ownership opportunities. We are pleased to play lead role in helping New Brunswick with its call for a significant increase in the use of renewable energy which will ensure the province’s grid has enough power to meet future demand.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

“Across Canada, the Canada Infrastructure Bank is making investments in provincial energy systems which will enable new generation, storage and transmission while minimizing ratepayers impacts and creating greater Indigenous ownership opportunities. We are pleased to play lead role in helping New Brunswick with its call for a significant increase in the use of renewable energy which will ensure the province’s grid has enough power to meet future demand.”

Ehren Cory
CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank

“This Government of Canada investment will help power New Brunswick’s shift from coal to renewable energy, that means more affordable and more reliable power for families, not to mention good jobs for energy workers across the province.”

The Honorable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“We are very happy to be collaborating with federal and First Nations partners to grow our economy and decarbonize our electricity grid. Ensuring affordable and reliable energy for New Brunswickers and making progress on our clean energy commitments are priorities for our government.”

The Honourable Susan Holt
Premier of New Brunswick

“We have exciting opportunities before us that will lead to a cleaner environment, more economic growth, and most importantly, an affordable and secure energy supply for New Brunswickers. Here in New Brunswick, as well as throughout the Atlantic provinces, we face the highest rates of energy poverty in the country. This new federal funding for our priorities as well as investment in Indigenous led wind projects takes a step closer to meeting our clean energy goals and commitments.”

The Honourable René Legacy
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Energy, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) is a $4.5-billion program designed to support the deployment of clean electricity to ensure a reliable, affordable and decarbonized electricity system.The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is supporting renewable power procurements in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The CIB’s Clean Power sector has a target to invest at least $10 billion in projects which allow Canadians to access more reliable and secure energy, create jobs and cut emissions.In addition, the CIB’s Indigenous Equity Initiative provides loans to Indigenous communities to provide them with access to capital to purchase equity stakes in projects in which the CIB is also investing. Economic returns from these projects can be reinvested, narrowing the economic and infrastructure gap among Indigenous communities.In Atlantic Canada, ACOA is delivering $55 million under the Canada Coal Transition Initiative. The initiative is set to end on March 31, 2025.NRCan’s Electricity Predevelopment Program is a $250-million program to support pre-development activities of clean electricity projects such as inter-provincial electricity transmission projects and small modular reactors, critical for supporting economic development through investments in new infrastructure and the enhanced security and reliability of our clean energy supply.Powering Canada’s Future combines historic investments and balanced, fair regulations to ensure new electricity production in Canada is built with the affordable, reliable, clean, and renewable energy sources that Canadians expect.Across Canada, electricity operators are taking advantage of the more than $60 billion over the next decade in federal support to help build 21st century electricity grids.All G7 countries have committed to build a net-zero grid as a foundational measure for enabling achievement of net zero economies by 2050.Electrification is helping to save families money on their energy bills, such as by driving hybrid trucks or installing all-season heat-pumps that have lower operating costs. These cost-saving technologies are supported by purchase incentives and rebates programs from the Government of Canada, helping to put hundreds of dollars more in the pockets of Canadian families every month.Besides significant cost savings, several studies have found that clean electricity can enable lower and more stable electricity bills, since the shift away from fossil fuel electricity also protects ratepayers from volatile electricity prices caused by global price shocks associated with coal and natural gas-powered electricity. For example, Manitoba, Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario largely operate cleaner electricity grids that provide stable and affordable power and energy reliability during the coldest winter days.

Related Information

Statement: Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable and Clean Electricity in New BrunswickJoint Policy Statement on Developing and Transmitting Clean, Reliable and Affordable Power in Nova Scotia and New BrunswickSmart Renewables and Electrification Pathways ProgramCanada Infrastructure Bank’s Clean Power Priority Sectors Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region in Canada2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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Galaxy Digital Inc. Announces Pricing of $3.507 Billion of Senior Secured Notes

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NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Galaxy Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GLXY) (“Galaxy” or the “Company”), a global leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, today announced that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Galaxy Helios Data Centers II LLC (the “Issuer”), has priced a $3.507 billion private offering (the “Offering”) of 9.875% senior secured notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Offering is expected to close on July 28, 2026, subject to market and other conditions.

The Issuer intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to finance a portion of the development and construction of two buildings containing eight data halls with a combined total of 400 megawatts (“MW”) of utility capacity and 260 MW of critical IT capacity (the “Project”) to be built on an approximately 260-acre property in Dickens County, Texas and to fund debt service reserves.

The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 9.875% per annum payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2027 and will mature on August 1, 2031. The Notes will amortize at a rate of 4.00% per annum of the original principal amount subject to adjustment, with amortization payments payable semi-annually with the first payment date to occur at least ten months after the completion of the Project.

The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Galaxy Helios II LLC, a wholly owned direct subsidiary of the Issuer (the “Guarantor”), and will constitute the senior secured obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor. The Notes and related note guarantee will be secured by first-priority liens on (i) substantially all assets of the Issuer and the Guarantor, other than certain excluded property and (ii) all equity interests of the Issuer held by the direct parent company of the Issuer.

The Offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms the Offering may be completed.

The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The Notes will be offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Galaxy

Galaxy Digital Inc. (Nasdaq: GLXY) is a global leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, delivering solutions that accelerate progress in finance and artificial intelligence. Our digital assets platform offers institutional access to trading, advisory, asset management, staking, self-custody, and tokenization technology. In addition, we develop and operate cutting-edge data center infrastructure to power AI and HPC workloads. Our 1.63 GW Helios campus in Texas positions Galaxy among the largest and fastest-growing data center developers in North America. The Company is headquartered in New York City, with offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the completion, size and timing of the Offering, the terms of the Notes and the intended use of proceeds. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Among those risks and uncertainties are market conditions, including market interest rates, the satisfaction of the closing conditions related to the Offering and risks relating to the Company’s business, including those described in periodic reports that the Company files from time to time with the SEC. The Issuer may not consummate the proposed Offering described in this press release and, if the proposed Offering is consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding the final terms of the Offering or the Notes or its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds as described above. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update the statements included in this press release for subsequent developments, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

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SOURCE Galaxy Digital Inc.

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The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an

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BEIJING, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on the Long March, and what it means for China today:

 

Every journey has a destination.

But some destinations become the beginning of something even greater.

This is Yan’an.

Over 90 years ago, an army of soldiers embarked from Yudu, Jiangxi Province, on a journey that would go down in history.

They crossed snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands and raging rivers, eventually arriving in northern Shaanxi.

Across this grueling 12,500-kilometer journey, they wrote a magnificent epic in human history with willpower and courage.

Here, their Long March came to a victorious end. But a new chapter of history was only beginning.

In Yan’an, the Red Army found time to recover and rebuild, and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China regrouped, gathering strength for the next chapter.

Here, new ideas were debated, new strategies were shaped, and a vision for China’s future gradually took form.

Today, while preserving its revolutionary legacy, Yan’an has grown into a vibrant, modern city — with a greener environment, thriving industries and happier lives for its people.

Nearly 90 years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow came to northern Shaanxi, seeking to uncover a story that few outside China knew. He later chronicled it in his book “Red Star Over China,” which carried the story of the Long March to the world.

Today, people from around the world are once again retracing those steps.

As part of China International Communications Group (CICG)’s “Together on the Long March” international communication project, participants have spent more than a month retracing the route across six key regions.

From Jiangxi to Shaanxi, they followed the Red Army’s journey and witnessed the remarkable changes that have taken place along the way.

I asked them one simple question: What does this journey mean to you?

Zhavier Harris, marketing and communications manager at the Springfield Urban League, said conversations with local residents and descendants of the Red Army made history feel far more immediate than he had expected.

He said history isn’t as distant as we often think. “We’re only one or two generations from these great sacrifices that led to the development and the greatness that we see from the Communist Party of China and China as a whole.”

David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor at Foreign Languages Press under CICG and a recipient of the 2021 Chinese Government Friendship Award, said the journey deepened his understanding of the Long March.

He said the journey helped him understand not only the historical facts, but also what the Red Army endured. “If you see the Long March merely as a military campaign, it ended in Yan’an. But as a spirit, it has never truly come to an end.”

We came to retrace history. We leave with something more: a deeper understanding of China’s past, a clearer view of its present, and perhaps a greater appreciation for the stories that connect us across cultures.

Edgar Snow called the Long March “an Odyssey unequalled in modern times.” He believed that what sustained it was a flame — consisting of an undimmed ardor, an undying hope and an amazing revolutionary optimism.

Ninety years later, that flame still burns.

Passed down through generations, the spirit of the Long March continues to light China’s path forward.

And as it crosses borders and cultures, it offers the world a glimpse of a nation defined by resilience, perseverance and an enduring drive to move forward.

China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm 

The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2026-07/23/content_118614941.shtml

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SOURCE China.org.cn

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Visa and Lianlian Advance Trusted B2B Agentic Commerce Through LoopXPay’s First Live B2B Agentic Transaction

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First live B2B agentic transaction in Greater China highlights how AI-enabled commerce can help SMBs streamline purchasing and payments, supported by Visa’s Agentic Directory for trusted AI agent interactions

SINGAPORE, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, and Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian”), an AI-native global financial infrastructure provider, today announced the first live B2B agentic transaction completed using LoopXPay, Lianlian’s AI agent. 

Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) often lack dedicated procurement teams and spend valuable time sourcing, purchasing and making payments themselves. In the transaction, the LoopXPay agent was used to source a product sample from a supplier and complete the purchase in a single workflow. The agent identified the purchasing requirement, recommended suitable suppliers, compared options, placed the order and securely executed the payment within a single workflow, while operating within pre-defined spending controls and approval parameters.

The milestone highlights how AI-powered commerce experiences can help SMBs simplify purchasing and payment activities while maintaining appropriate controls and oversight. By enabling AI agents to operate within pre-defined spending parameters and approval controls, businesses can reduce manual effort while retaining visibility into commercial decision-making.

As AI agents become more involved in purchasing and payment activities, businesses will require confidence that transactions are being executed by verified participants, within approved parameters and with appropriate oversight. Capabilities aligned with Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol can help provide the identity, transparency and controls needed to support these interactions.

As part of the collaboration, LoopXPay has been registered in Visa’s Agentic Directory, enabling participating businesses and merchants to identify verified AI agents within the ecosystem. Supporting the implementation of Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol, the Agentic Directory helps provide greater transparency into agent-driven interactions and confidence that participating agents have met Visa’s requirements.

“AI-powered commerce experiences can help businesses simplify purchasing and payments while maintaining the controls and oversight they require,” said Darren Parslow, Global Head, Visa Commercial Solutions, Visa. “For SMBs, that means less complexity in managing day-to-day commercial activities and more time focused on growth. As businesses increasingly look to embed intelligence into purchasing and payment experiences, trust will become a critical enabler of adoption. Through our collaboration with Lianlian, we are helping advance the trusted foundations that businesses will need to participate in this next era of commerce with confidence.”

Building on this milestone, Visa and Lianlian are exploring how AI agents can support a broader range of commercial activities, including procurement, digital advertising optimisation and B2B platform payments, helping advance trusted commerce through greater efficiency, transparency and control.

Zhang Zhengyu, Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Lianlian DigiTech, said, “AI is reshaping the entire commercial value chain, where a growing number of business activities will be autonomously executed by AI agents, with payments serving as the critical infrastructure connecting them to global commerce. Leveraging its experience in global cross-border payments, compliance, as well as payment network, LianLian is actively building AI-native financial infrastructure, delivering an integrated suite of capabilities for the Agent Economy, spanning identity verification, transaction authorisation, intelligent payment, and global fund settlement. Through this collaboration with Visa, we aim to combine Lianlian’s AI-native capabilities with Visa’s trusted global network and commercial payment expertise to help businesses transact more securely, intelligently and efficiently in an increasingly agent-driven commerce environment.”

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

About Lianlian

Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian DigiTech” or “Lianlian”) was founded in 2009 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2024 (stock code: 2598.HK). As China’s leading global provider of digital and intelligent payment services, Lianlian adheres to its mission of “Connecting the world, empowering global commerce” and pursues an “AI-Native + Globalization” strategy. The Company is committed to building a trusted global intelligent financial infrastructure, enabling seamless connectivity between Chinese enterprises and global businesses.  As of now, Lianlian has established a global licensing portfolio comprising 68 payment licenses and related qualifications, and holds a VATP license issued by the Hong Kong SFC. It supports services in more than 200 countries and regions and enables transaction settlement in over 140 currencies, connecting over 180 global e-commerce platforms and serving a cumulative total of over 13.3 million customers. Learn more at www.lianlian.com.

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SOURCE Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited

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