Market Newsdesk

December 14, 2020 9:45 am

Hudson Resources Reports Assays From 35 Grab Samples Returning an Average of 19.35% Nb2O5 Along a 112 Meter Mineralized Structural Zone at the Nukittooq Niobium Project in West Greenland

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HUDSON RESOURCES INC. (“Hudson” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture Exchange “HUD”; OTC “HUDRF”) is pleased to announce that it has received the assays from its niobium and tantalum exploration project (the “Project”) located in its wholly owned Sarfartoq exploration license in southwestern Greenland. The niobium project is called Nukittooq which means “strong man” in Greenlandic to reflect the key characteristic of niobium as a strengthener of steel.

Hudson collected 38 samples from outcrop on the Project area (NR2020-13) which sits on the southern margin of the large Sarfartoq Carbonatite Complex which also hosts the Company’s ST1 Rare Earth Element (“REE”) deposit (https://hudsonresourcesinc.com/projects/sarfartoq-rare-earth-element-project/).

A total of 35 grab rock samples were taken from the outcrop approximately every three meters along the 112 meters of the roughly east-west trending structure that is coincident with an elevated radiometric anomaly. Three additional samples were also collected for mineralogical work along the same outcrop. Assay results for the key elements of niobium, tantalum and uranium are shown below in Table 1.

Highlights of the sampling program include:

35 grab samples reported an average grade of 19.35% Nb₂O₅, 0.27% Ta₂O₅, 0.38% U₃O₈
Including a 30-meter section with 12 grab samples with an average grade of 32.35% Nb₂O₅
The highest-grade grab sample reported a value of 48.50% Nb₂O₅, 1.21% Ta₂O₅, 1.08% U₃O₈

The mineral of economic interest in the Project area is pyrochlore (Na, Ca)₂Nb₂O₆(OH,F), a sodium – calcium niobate with common but minor substitution by tantalum, titanium, and uranium. The Nukittooq project is one of several niobium targets within a one square kilometer area that the Company is evaluating. The targets have similar geology supported by historical high-grade niobium assays.

Pyrochlore mineralization at Nukittooq occurs as massive replacement, thin veins and disseminations within dilational zones of shear/breccia structures that cut Precambrian granite gneiss and diabase dikes. The pyrochlore is co-crystalline with aegirine, alkali feldspar, and ferric-biotite formed during metasomatism and mineralization by ultra-alkaline (fenite) solutions and coeval with dolomitic carbonatite stringers and veinlets. Some of the pyrochlore has undergone remobilization during later hydrothermal activity as evidenced by alteration overprinting.

Niobium and tantalum are vital to a wide range of products in the energy, infrastructure, transportation, medical and defense sectors. The EU and the United States have designated niobium and tantalum as critical to their security and wellbeing. There are only three primary producers of niobium in the world with typical mine grades ranging from 0.56% Nb₂O₅ to 2.5% Nb₂O₅.

The niobium price has averaged US$42/kg over the past five years with expected demand growth of 8%/annum. Tantalum currently trades at US$150/kg.

The grab samples were analysed by SGS Lakefield, Canada, and the laboratory has commenced mineralogical work, including QEMSCAN and microprobe analysis, which will assist to drive a metallurgical testwork program.

Jim Cambon, President commented: “These results are exceptional and confirm our belief that our Sarfartoq license hosts some of the highest-grade niobium mineralization reported by a public company. Mineralogical work has commenced which will allow us to rapidly move towards a metallurgical testwork program. We will be exploring similar targets in the near vicinity with an objective to commence a drill program in the first half of 2021. We are excited to be advancing this project which is an important part of our portfolio of critical and strategic minerals in Greenland.”

Table 1. Assay Result for the 35 grab samples

Tag #	Nb ₂ O ₅ %	Ta ₂ O5 %	U ₃ O ₈ %	Tag #	Nb ₂ O ₅ %	Ta ₂ O ₅ %	U ₃ O ₈ %	Tag #	Nb ₂ O ₅ %	Ta ₂ O ₅ %	U ₃ O ₈ %
1	0.02	< 0.01	0.0	13	14.50	0.07	0.22	25	0.55	< 0.01	0.01
2	4.76	0.02	0.09	14	47.10	0.77	1.06	26	18.50	0.41	0.52
3	4.87	0.03	0.10	15	36.00	0.53	0.68	27	42.40	0.54	0.81
4	28.50	0.12	0.58	16	4.54	0.03	0.09	28	41.60	0.54	0.83
5	46.70	0.21	0.53	17	7.87	0.05	0.15	29	29.10	0.18	0.28
6	5.11	0.02	0.09	18	26.10	0.40	0.46	30	4.06	0.03	0.09
7	1.48	0.02	0.03	19	43.00	0.80	1.02	31	6.99	0.08	0.15
8	16.20	0.05	0.24	20	36.80	0.67	1.05	32	3.75	0.03	0.07
9	7.63	0.04	0.14	21	48.50	1.21	1.08	33	13.20	0.08	0.18
10	4.33	0.02	0.06	22	40.80	0.92	1.05	34	9.11	0.07	0.20
11	2.69	0.02	0.04	23	32.30	0.38	0.52	35	6.50	0.06	0.14
12	13.20	0.07	0.19	24	28.60	0.38	0.58

A map showing locations of the samples can be found on the company website at: https://hudsonresourcesinc.com/projects/niobium-and-tantalum/.

Hudson owns 100% of the Sarfartoq exploration license which hosts the Sarfartoq Carbonatite Complex, this includes the Company’s advanced Sarfartoq ST1 Rare Earth Element project which hosts 24 million kg of neodymium oxide and 8 million kg of praseodymium oxide which are key components in permanent magnets. Hudson also holds a 31.1% interest in Hudson Greenland A/S which owns the White Mountain Anorthosite mine in Greenland, where the Company provides operational, marketing and sales support.

Dr. Michael Druecker is a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and reviewed the preparation of the geological and technical information in this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“Jim Cambon”

President and Director

For further information:

Ph: 604-628-5002

Forward-Looking Statements

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This News Release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company’s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, or “plan”. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to complete the Offering on the terms or on the timeline as announced or at all, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

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.

December 14, 2020 9:45 am

System Surveyor Upgrades Cable Infrastructure Design Capabilities

New Flex Cable system design feature lets security professionals depict all the twists and turns of cabling

Austin, Texas, Dec. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Simplifying one of the most challenging aspects of system design and installation, System Surveyor has enhanced the Cable Infrastructure functionality in its customer engagement and system design platform. Security professionals can now easily and quickly configure cable runs between planned devices on the digital software. The Cable Path tool estimates cable lengths for a bill of materials and provides details for installation and cable pulls.

The System Surveyor Infrastructure system type connects cabling (CAT5, Access Control, HDMI, Fiber, etc.) with the many other systems the platform supports. These include video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, fire alarm, audio-visual systems, IT and communications, and more. Using the new “Flex Cabling” feature, system integrators, enterprise security staff, and other industry experts can:

Show exactly how cable paths will run through a building;
Bundle multiple cable types within the same cable path run;
Estimate cable path lengths, enabling comparison with industry standard design guidelines and including allowance for up and down segments;
Determine the total length of each cable type required for a project; and
Run a cable path report that breaks out each run showing connected devices, each cable element in the cable path, and termination details on each end.

“Our new Flex Cabling feature was driven by customers, who can now more precisely design cabling on their digital floor plan and automate a bill of materials,” said Chris Hugman, System Surveyor CEO. “Many of our customers use outside contractors for system cabling. This enhancement makes it even easier to collaborate, plan, and capture cabling ‘as-built’ records with these important business partners. It all translates into faster installs, lower costs, and higher customer satisfaction.”

As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to its user community, System Surveyor has also added 25 new icon elements for easy drag-and-drop system design. These include elements in high demand such as Video Doorbells, Health Scan Kiosks, and Vape Sensors that are gaining significant adoption in the industry. Every element in System Surveyor has intelligent attributes to help guide users through critical data capture to improve pre- and post-sales implementation.

For more information about Flex Cabling and the new icon elements, watch the video: https://systemsurveyor.com/flex-cable-path/.

System Surveyor announced new survey comments, accessories, and advanced reporting features in September, enabling project teams to better streamline the system design process and collaborate virtually.

“Our users will see many other platform enhancements in 2021 to help them manage system installation, reduce costs, and improve the overall experience for all stakeholders from system planning to long-term maintenance,” said Hugman.

A new customer impact study found that System Surveyor integrator customers achieve a 20 percent increase in sales conversions, 35 percent increase in time and efficiency savings, and a 10 percent increase in gross profit margin.

About System Surveyor

The System Surveyor mobile, SaaS-based platform enables everyone involved in system design, installation, and maintenance to collaborate on an unprecedented scale. Working together in one system of record, professionals can better plan and manage the systems organizations rely on every day: video surveillance, CCTV, access control, fire alarm, IT, building automation, AV, healthcare, and more. From system integrators to end customers to subcontractors, the benefits are increased sales, faster project completions, higher satisfaction, and enhanced long-term service levels. Try all features and collaboration of the product for free with a 5-person team for up to 21 days. Based in Austin, Texas, System Surveyor can be found at http://www.SystemSurveyor.com.

Attachment

New-Element-Icons-1024×815

Maureen Carlson
System Surveyor
512-600-3161
[email protected]

Chandra Hosek
H2 Strategic Communications
512-524-9652
[email protected]

December 14, 2020 9:44 am

Association of American Physicians & Surgeons (AAPS) Warns of Surprise Attack on Patients’ Choices

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an Action Alert to its members, the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons (AAPS) warns that the so-called No Surprises Act is really an insurance company protection bill. “Poised to be rushed through in the final days of the lame duck Congress, [it] is a surprise attack on patients’ access to independent physicians.”

The alert states: “Proponents claim the bill (which does not yet have a bill number) is needed to protect patients from so-called surprise bills. Unfortunately, this problem caused in large part by past policy failures like [the Affordable Care Act] is not going to be fixed by 357 new pages of federal regulation. In fact the legislation is full of bad surprises that will result in decreased patient choice and the closure of more independent medical practices.”

Among the bad surprises, the Alert lists the following:

“It adds red tape to both patients seeking care out-of-network and independent physicians providing that care.”
“Insurers and government bureaucrats will exert even greater control over patient care, especially care that is needed in emergency life or death situations.”
“Section 115 creates a federal claims database inimical to patient privacy.”
“Section 117 may require any independent physician to submit an insurance claim for patients who have commercial insurance…. This provision has unclear and potentially harmful implications for the ability of patients and physicians to enter into third-party-free relationships.”

AAPS concludes that the bill “greatly increases the power of government over American medicine” and urges members to tell Congress that the “[‘No Surprises Act’] should not be added to bills being rushed through before Christmas and that it will reduce patient access to independent physicians who work for the patient and not for the benefit of the insurance plan’s bottom line.”

AAPS has represented physicians of all specialties in all states since 1943. The AAPS motto is omnia pro aegroto, meaning everything for the patient.

Contact: Jane M. Orient, M.D., (520) 323-3110, [email protected]

December 14, 2020 9:43 am

Mercedes-Benz Production network goes electric: Six new MERCEDES-EQ launches by 2022

Major MERCEDES-EQ Model offensive

PR Newswire

STUTTGART, Germany, Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ —

Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant (Germany): Launch of electric luxury sedan EQS in Factory 56 in first half of 2021
Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant (Germany): Production of first all-electric compact SUV EQA started – also at Beijing plant (China) in 2021
Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét (Hungary): Decision to locate second all-electric compact SUV EQB. Production launch in 2021 – also at Beijing plant (China)
Mercedes-Benz Bremen plant: Production launch of electric EQE business sedan in 2021 – at Beijing plant soon thereafter (China)
Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa plant (USA): SUV variants EQS und EQE begin in 2022
Mercedes-Benz battery production network: Production start of battery systems for EQS and EQE in Untertürkheim/Hedelfingen (Germany) imminent. Production of compact SUV battery systems in Kamenz (Germany), Jawor (Poland) and Beijing (China) plants. Tuscaloosa battery plant will produce batteries for SUV variants of EQS and EQE beginning 2022

Mercedes-Benz is targeting leadership in electric drives and vehicle software. The consistent electrification of the entire product portfolio is a key element of the strategic focus “Ambition 2039” and a prerequisite on the way to CO₂ neutrality. In 2022 the portfolio includes eight all-electric Mercedes-EQ models. The global Mercedes-Benz production network is ready for the company’s electric product offensive and is integrating its Mercedes-EQ models into series production in its existing plants.

Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Daimler Group Research and COO Mercedes-Benz Cars: “With its ‘Electric First’ strategy, Mercedes-Benz is consistently on the path to CO₂ neutrality and is investing heavily in transformation. Our vehicle portfolio becomes electric and thus also our global production network with vehicle and battery factories. We intend to lead in the field of e-mobility and focus in particular on battery technology. We are taking a comprehensive approach, ranging from research and development to production, and also including strategic cooperation.”

The EQS, the first electric luxury sedan from Mercedes-Benz, will start in the first half of 2021 in Factory 56 at the Sindelfingen site (Germany). With the production launch of the electric compact SUV EQA at the Rastatt plant (Germany) and the current decision to locate EQB production in the Hungarian plant in Kecskemét, the company is taking further important steps toward making its product portfolio CO₂ neutral. The course has also been set toward “Electric First” in the global powertrain production network as well. High-efficiency battery systems will also be manufactured and assembled within the production network.

Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, Production and Supply Chain: “The Mercedes-Benz production network is global, digital and flexible, and ready for the upcoming electric offensive – thanks, of course, to our highly qualified and motivated employees worldwide. We are now beginning a real Mercedes-EQ fireworks display. Six electric product launches by 2022 underscore the strength and competence of our Mercedes-Benz production sites worldwide. The production network will have a total of six Mercedes-EQ car locations. Local production of highly efficient battery systems plays a central role in the Mercedes-Benz strategy – coupled with a comprehensive sustainability concept that spans the entire life cycle of the battery all the way to recycling.”

Mercedes-Benz vehicle plants consistently implement electric offensive

In May 2019 production of the EQC (combined power consumption: 21.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km)¹ at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen (Germany) was integrated into ongoing series production. Just a few months later the German-Chinese production joint venture, Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. (BBAC), launched EQC production for the local market in China. In 2020 production of the EQV premium electric MPV (combined power consumption: 26.4 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km)¹ started in Vitoria, northern Spain.

Compact car class customers can look forward to two fully electric compact SUVs in the EQA and EQB in 2021. EQA will celebrate its world premiere on January, 20 2021 as the first fully electric derivative of this compact car. The EQA production launch at the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant went smoothly. As with the EQC from Bremen and Beijing and the EQV from Vitoria, which are already on the market, the fully electric models at the Rastatt plant run on the same production line as compact vehicles with conventional and hybrid drives. That means all five vehicles produced in Rastatt are electrified: In addition to the fully electric EQA, the A–Class, A-Class sedan, B-Class and the compact SUV GLA are also produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt – with classic combustion engines as well as plug-in hybrid drive. With that the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant is making an important contribution on the road to a CO₂ neutral vehicle fleet and to the Mercedes-Benz AG electric offensive. EQA production will also follow next year (2021) at BBAC in Beijing for the Chinese market.

EQB production will launch in 2021 at two locations in the global Mercedes-Benz Cars production network: in the Hungarian Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét for the world market and in the German-Chinese joint venture BBAC in Beijing for the local market. Plant preparation, including employee training and renovation work, is already underway. The compact SUV EQB will be the first purely electrically powered production vehicle from Hungary and will complement the plug-in hybrid portfolio consisting of the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake. The A-Class will also be produced in Kecskemét with a plug-in hybrid drive, in addition to production in the German Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt.

Furthermore, in the first half of 2021 production of the EQS electric luxury sedan will begin in Factory 56 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen (Germany). EQS is the independent, fully electric member in the new S-Class program and is the first to use the new electric architecture for luxury and upper-class electric vehicles at Mercedes-Benz. In Factory 56 the S-Class and, in the future, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, and the EQS will be produced in a fully flexible manner on the same line. Factory 56 embodies the future of production at Mercedes-Benz and sets new standards for automobile construction. In Factory 56 efficiency gains of around 25 percent are achieved compared to the previous S-Class assembly. This is made possible by optimizing the entire value chain and full digitalization with MO360, the digital Mercedes-Benz production ecosystem. For further information on this: https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/ko/en/47014243

Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen will begin production of the EQE business sedan in the second half of 2021, followed shortly thereafter at the Beijing plant. The EQE thus complements the all–electric portfolio of the two plants. The Beijing plant will then produce a total of four Mercedes-EQ models for the local market.

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa (USA) is also preparing for production of the EQE SUV and EQS SUV in 2022, which will be produced in the future on the same line with SUVs with conventional and plug-in hybrid drives.

In 2022 a total of eight Mercedes-EQ electric vehicles will be produced at seven locations on three continents. This is possible because the company made early investments worldwide in flexibility and technical equipment with future-oriented Industry 4.0 solutions. In the Mercedes-Benz AG plants, vehicles with different drive types can be produced in parallel thanks to highly flexible structures. With a view to the strategic goal of generating more than half of sales with so-called xEVs, i.e. plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, from 2030 on and gradually increasing the purely electric share, the high degree of flexibility is a decisive advantage. It enables production to be adjusted at short notice depending on market demand.

smart rounds off the electric Mercedes-Benz Cars portfolio with three additional models. The smart EQ fortwo (combined power consumption: 16.5 kWh/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km)¹ and smart EQ fortwo Cabrio (combined power consumption: 16.8 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km)¹ are produced in Hambach, France, and the smart EQ forfour (combined power consumption: 17.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km)¹ in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. The next generation of smart electric vehicles will be produced by the joint venture smart Automobile Co., Ltd. in China. This is a joint venture of Mercedes–Benz AG and the Zhejiang Geely Group (Geely Holding).

Plug-in hybrid drive is important as a key technology and intermediate step toward a purely electric product portfolio. More than 20 plug-in hybrid model variants are already an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz product portfolio. The portfolio will be expanded to include more than 25 model variants by 2025. Their production therefore also plays an important role in the global production network. Plug-in hybrid vehicles are already rolling off Mercedes-Benz Cars assembly lines in almost all car plants.

Global battery production network: a key success factor in the Mercedes-Benz electric offensive

The batteries for the Mercedes-EQ electric vehicles are supplied by a global battery production network with plants on three continents. Local battery production is a key success factor for the Mercedes-Benz electric offensive.

Two plants in Kamenz (Germany), have been producing battery systems for hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles since 2012. The second battery factory at the site began operations in 2018 and has been producing the EQC’s battery systems since 2019. It was designed from the start as a CO₂ neutral plant and combines, among other things, solar energy, geothermal energy and a combined heat and power plant. The battery systems for the EQA have also recently rolled off the production line at the site. Since the start of production at Accumotive, more than a million batteries based on lithium-ion technology for electric, plug-in hybrid vehicles and 48-volt systems have been produced at the Kamenz site.

Mercedes-Benz and BAIC have jointly set up local battery production at the existing location in the Yizhuang Industrial Park in Beijing (China). This supplies the nearby vehicle plant, which has also added all-electric Mercedes-EQ models to its portfolio with the EQC. Production of battery systems for the EQC started there in 2019. With the start of production of the EQA, EQB and EQE, the plant will manufacture battery systems for a total of four Mercedes-Benz EQ models beginning in 2021.

This year the battery plant in Jawor (Poland) started producing plug-in hybrid batteries for the C, E and S–Classes. In the coming year the location will expand its portfolio to include battery systems for the compact Mercedes-EQ models, the EQA and the EQB. Much like the battery plant in Kamenz, the plant was designed from the outset for CO₂ neutral production.

In the future at the Untertürkheim (Germany) site two plants will produce battery systems. Final preparations for the production of the battery systems for the EQS, which will roll off the production line in nearby Sindelfingen in the first half of 2021, are currently underway at the Hedelfingen plant. The battery system for the EQE will also be produced in Hedelfingen. Another battery plant is currently being built in the Brühl facility, which will manufacture battery systems for Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrids starting 2022. The work on the building has already been completed. The battery plant in Brühl will be fitted with the corresponding equipment in the coming months.

Production of the EQS and EQE SUV models will start in 2022 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa (USA). A battery plant is currently being built in the immediate vicinity and will supply highly efficient battery systems for both models. Work on the building has already been completed. The ultra-modern systems will be installed in the coming months.

In addition, the Mercedes-Benz production strategy currently provides for another battery plant at the Sindelfingen site.

Together with local partner Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant (TAAP), Mercedes-Benz Cars set up a battery production facility in Bangkok (Thailand) and began operations in 2019. Battery systems for the current C, E and S-Class plug-in hybrids are manufactured at the site. Preparations are also being made there to manufacture drive batteries for all-electric Mercedes-EQ brand vehicles.

Electric First und Ambition2039: CO₂ neutral mobility und production

Under “Electric First,” Mercedes-Benz is pursuing the consistent electrification of all model variants and vehicle types as a clear objective. The decisive factor here over the next few years is the gradual increase in the purely electric share of the vehicle portfolio. So-called xEVs, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, should account for more than half of sales by 2030 – and the trend is rising. Electrically powered vehicles from Mercedes-Benz are enjoying increasing popularity. The company delivered a total of 45,000 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (xEVs) worldwide in the third quarter of 2020.

With “Ambition2039,” Mercedes-Benz introduced its path to CO₂ neutrality over a year ago. Vehicle production plays a crucial role in this regard. As early as 2022 the company’s Mercedes-Benz car and van plants will produce CO₂ neutrally around the world. This includes more than 30 car and van plants, as well as battery plants.

Brief interview

“We’re producing the Mercedes-EQ models the Mercedes way: Completely digital and flexible, highly efficient and maximally sustainable.”

Questions for Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, Production and Supply Chain

Mr. Burzer, are you equipped for the production of electric vehicles in your production network?

The Mercedes-EQ production network is ready for our electric offensive. We started this transformation several years ago and set up our plants with maximum flexibility. The Mercedes-EQ electric models are gradually being integrated into our existing vehicle plants worldwide. They come off the same lines as vehicles with combustion engines or plug-in hybrid drives. The same applies to all of our Mercedes-Benz car plants – a total of six on three continents. This concept is particularly advantageous because demand for electric and electrified vehicles is developing very differently by region and we can adjust our production planning accordingly on short notice. In this way we can manufacture exactly what our customers want.

What specifically does your production planning for the upcoming model offensive look like?

One thing is certain: the proportion of all-electric vehicles in our portfolio will increase sharply in the coming years. By 2030 more than fifty percent of our vehicles will roll off the assembly line as so-called xEVs. Plug-in hybrids and hybrids will therefore continue to play an important role in our production planning over the next few years. However, our target is clearly designed for 100 percent Mercedes-EQ and we are directing our capacity precisely in this direction. We are preparing our production, as well as our employees, step by step for this change. Our sustainability concept is also a central focus: from 2022 on we will produce CO₂ neutral in our Mercedes-Benz plants worldwide.

What, specifically, were the challenges?

Every vehicle launch during ongoing production comes with challenges. That, of course, also applies to electric vehicles. However, thanks to the know-how in our plants and cross-location system planning, we could quickly develop and implement flexible solutions. The consistent digitalization of our processes through our digital production ecosystem MO360 also made a significant contribution. An important factor here, of course, is attaining targeted qualifications for our colleagues in our plants, which we consistently promote.

How will powertrain production continue in the future?

For the global Mercedes-Benz powertrain production network, the shift toward e-mobility poses a special challenge. However, we are determined to continue aligning our drive division to this change and make it sustainable for the future. We have already built up extensive know-how in our powertrain plants in recent years. It starts with the expansion of our battery production network and includes, among other things, manufacturing and assembling parts of the electric drivetrain ourselves. Still, it’s also clear that the drivetrains of the future will differ significantly from those of today.

You will manufacture the batteries for the Mercedes-EQ models in house?

The local production of batteries is an essential success factor in our electric offensive. With a view to steadily increasing demand and, in accordance with our production planning, we are setting up our global battery production network to be flexible worldwide. Today we already produce batteries in Kamenz, Bangkok and Beijing. The ramp-up of our battery plants in Hedelfingen and Jawor is imminent and our colleagues in Brühl and Tuscaloosa are already preparing to start production in 2022. Our production network is very well positioned for the Mercedes-EQ model offensive.

Which new electric model are you personally most looking forward to?

Basically, I look forward to every new Mercedes-Benz. A very special milestone is certainly the upcoming EQS production launch. It will roll off the assembly line, together with the S-Class, in our new Factory 56 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. Here we’re setting the course for our entire production network: With the most modern production technologies Factory 56 is a blueprint for our global network. At the same time, it bolsters our claim – the Mercedes way – to the production of the Mercedes-EQ models: completely digital and flexible, highly efficient and maximally sustainable.

Mercedes-Benz AG at a glance
Mercedes-Benz AG is responsible for the global business of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans with over 173,000 employees worldwide. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG. The company focuses on the development, production and sales of passenger cars, vans and services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be leading in the fields of connectivity, automated driving and alternative drives with its forward-looking innovations. The product portfolio comprises the Mercedes-Benz brand with the sub-brands Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes me – as well as the smart brand, and the EQ product and technology brand for electric mobility. Mercedes-Benz AG is one of the largest manufacturers of premium passenger cars. In 2019 it sold nearly 2.4 million cars and more than 438,000 vans. In its two business divisions, Mercedes-Benz AG is continually expanding its worldwide production network with over 40 production sites on four continents, while aligning itself to meet the requirements of electric mobility. At the same time, the company is developing its global battery production network on three continents. Sustainable actions play a decisive role in both business divisions. To the company, sustainability means creating value for all stakeholders on a lasting basis: customers, employees, investors, business partners and the society as a whole. The basis for this is the sustainable business strategy of Daimler in which the company takes responsibility for the economic, ecological and social effects of its business activities and looks at the entire value chain.

¹ Electricity consumption was determined on the basis of VO 692/2008/EG. Power consumption depends on vehicle configuration. The figures are provided in accordance with the German regulation ‘PKW-EnVKV’ and apply to the German market only. Further information on official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the EU guide ‘Information on the fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and energy consumption of new cars’, which is available free of charge at all sales dealerships, from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH and at www.dat.de.

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SOURCE Daimler North America – Corporate Communications

December 14, 2020 9:41 am

IIROC Trading Halt – MJRX

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 14, 2020 /CNW/ – The following issues have been halted by IIROC:

Company: Global Health Clinics Ltd

CSE Symbol: MJRX

All Issues: Yes

Reason: Pending News

Halt Time (ET): 9:23 AM

IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.

SOURCE Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) – Halts/Resumptions

December 14, 2020 9:37 am

Victory Square Technologies Portfolio Company Enters Into Sales & Distribution Contract with Brazilian Company for an Initial Order of 3.7 Million Covid-19 Rapid Tests for Brazil

This sales and distribution contract between Victory Square Health and the Brazilian production and distribution company will provide the company with an initial order of 3.7 million Covid-19 Rapid Tests over the next 24 months
This agreement is in addition to the previously announced business development and sales agreement with Molkom Pharmaceuticals on November 18, 2020

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Victory Square Technologies Inc. (“Victory Square” or the “Company“) (CSE:VST) (OTC:VSQTF) (FWB:6F6) — portfolio company Victory Square Health (VSH) has entered into a new sales and distribution contract with a Brazilian medical production and supply company on December 14, 2020. The contract will provide for an initial order of 3.7 million Covid-19 Rapid Tests to be supplied from Victory Square Health subject to ANVISA approval. The order is to be filled over a 24-month period.

“This newly announced 3.7 million unit contract for our Covid-19 Rapid Testing kits is an important new sales agreement as we ramp up production supply to Brazil,” said Felipe Peixoto, CEO of Victory Square Health. Peixoto goes on to say, “We are confident that this order will provide the country of Brazil with critical and accurate assistance in identifying and fighting this pandemic while also generating further sales opportunities for VSH in Brazil.”

Today’s announced sales and distribution agreement is in addition to the business development & sales agreement with Molkom Pharmaceuticals announced on November 18, 2020. Molkom has established strong relationships throughout South America and beyond with strategic business connections with distributors, sales supply chains, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and with agencies at all level of government. The Company’s strategic business & sales agreement with Molkom Pharmaceuticals has opened doors to access new sales and supply leads and has been successful with the company’s announcement of today’s 3.7 million unit sales contract.

VS Health was founded in 2016 to accelerate the development of personalized medicine and technology solutions including diagnostic tests to support patient’s care and improve health outcomes. Its first product, the Leishmaniasis Rapid Test, was developed in partnership with the UFMG, Federal University of Minas Gerais. Safetest took advantage of its expertise in the subject to develop other antibody-based tests and a robust R&D pipelines of diagnostic kits for Hansen’s Disease, Brucellosis, HTLV and Blood samples screening tests.

Disclaimer:

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the Covid-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.

Check out VictorySquare.com and sign up to VST’s official newsletter at

www.VictorySquare.com/newsletter

On behalf of the board,

Shafin Diamond Tejani
Chief Executive Officer
Victory Square Technologies

For further information about the Company, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact – Alex Tzilios

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 778-867-0482

Media Relations Contact – Howard Blank, Director

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 604-928-6066

ABOUT VICTORY SQUARE TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Victory Square (VST) builds, acquires and invests in promising startups, then provides the senior leadership and resources needed to fast-track growth.

VST’s sweet spot is the cutting-edge tech that’s shaping the 4th Industrial Revolution. Our portfolio consists of 20 global companies using AI, VR/AR and blockchain to disrupt sectors as diverse as fintech, insurance, health and gaming.

What we do differently for startups

VST isn’t just another investor. With real skin in the game, we’re committed to ensuring each company in our portfolio succeeds. Our secret sauce starts with selecting startups that have real solutions, not just ideas. We pair you with senior talent in product, engineering, customer acquisition and more. Then we let you do what you do best — build, innovate and disrupt. In 24-36 months, you’ll scale and be ready to monetize.

What we do differently for investors

VST is a publicly traded company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (VST), Frankfurt Exchange (6F6) and the OTCQX (VSQTF).

For investors, we offer early-stage access to the next unicorns before they’re unicorns.

Our portfolio represents a uniquely liquid and secure way for investors to get access to the latest cutting-edge technologies while also tapping into emerging global trends with big upsides. For more information, please visit www.victorysquare.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the outlook of the business of Victory Square, including, without limitation, statements relating to future performance, execution of business strategy, future growth, business prospects and opportunities of Victory Square and its related subsidiaries, including Victory Square Health Inc., and other factors beyond our control. Such forward-looking statements may, without limitation, be preceded by, followed by, or include words such as “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “continues”, “project”, “potential”, “possible”, “contemplate”, “seek”, “goal”, or similar expressions, or may employ such future or conditional verbs as “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should” or “would”, or may otherwise be indicated as forward-looking statements by grammatical construction, phrasing or context. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this news release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Victory Square. Although Victory Square believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Victory Square can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Victory Square disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

December 14, 2020 9:34 am

Marimaca Copper Files Preliminary Base Shelf Prospectus

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

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marimaca Copper Corp. (“Marimaca Copper” or the “Company”)(TSX: MARI) announced today it has filed a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus with the securities regulators in each province of Canada, except for the Province of Quebec. When made final, the prospectus will allow the Company to offer up to $100 million of common shares, warrants, units, subscription receipts or any combination thereof (“Securities”) during the 25 month period that the shelf prospectus is effective. The specific terms of any offering of Securities, including the use of proceeds from any such offering, will be set forth in a shelf prospectus supplement.

Marimaca Copper has filed the shelf prospectus in order to provide the Company with greater financial flexibility going forward, but has no immediate plans to offer or issue any Securities at this time.

The shelf prospectus filed with the Canadian securities regulators has not been made final. Securities may not be sold pursuant to the shelf prospectus prior to the prospectus becoming final. A copy of the preliminary short form base shelf prospectus can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The Securities have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such Securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.

Contact Information

For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact:

Tavistock

+44 (0) 207 920 3150

Jos Simson/Emily Moss
[email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities, anticipated advancement of the Company’s Marimaca Project and future exploration and development plans of the Company. Actual future results may differ materially. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated April 8, 2020, the preliminary short form base prospectus and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

December 14, 2020 9:34 am

Thinking about trading options or stock in General Electric, Carnival Corp, United Airlines, Electrameccanica Vehicles, or Workhorse Group?

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for GE, CCL, UAL, SOLO, and WKHS.

Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.

Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.

Stock Report – Measures a stock’s suitability for investment with a proprietary scoring system combining short and long-term technical factors with Wall Street’s opinion including a 12-month price forecast.

(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-in-general-electric-carnival-corp-united-airlines-electrameccanica-vehicles-or-workhorse-group-301192093.html

SOURCE InvestorsObserver

December 14, 2020 9:34 am

Thinking about buying stock in Inseego Corp, Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Marathon Patent Group, Regulus Therapeutics, or BioCryst Pharmaceuticals?

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for INSG, AMPE, MARA, RGLS, and BCRX.

To see how InvestorsObserver’s proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver’s PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.

(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)

InvestorsObserver’s PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock’s overall suitability for investment.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thinking-about-buying-stock-in-inseego-corp-ampio-pharmaceuticals-marathon-patent-group-regulus-therapeutics-or-biocryst-pharmaceuticals-301192087.html

SOURCE InvestorsObserver

December 14, 2020 9:34 am

Thinking about trading options or stock in Tesla, American Airlines, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Alibaba, or Apple?

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for TSLA, AAL, RCL, BABA, and AAPL.

Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.

Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.

(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-in-tesla-american-airlines-royal-caribbean-cruises-alibaba-or-apple-301192095.html

SOURCE InvestorsObserver