BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Summer is the busiest season at Qinghai Lake, the largest saline lake in China.

Birds feed and nurture their young, herders drive yaks to the alpine pastures. Meanwhile, an army of naked carp, a species unique to the lake, gather to start their annual migration.

The fish swim in the lake, which lies in northwest China’s Qinghai Province, at an average depth of 18 meters. But the high saline and alkaline content of the lake water inhibits their gonad development, so every year from May to August the mature naked carp head to the fresh waters of the Buha River and Shaliu River, that flow into the lake, to spawn. This forms one of the great wonders of Qinghai Lake – the migration of the naked carp.

The ‘lost and found’ naked carp

The naked carp has a special place in the hearts of people in Qinghai, because it once helped save countless lives. In the 1950s and 1960s, food shortages led locals to rely on the fish for survival. The large-scale development of Qinghai Lake’s naked carp population began.

But in just a few decades, the “gift of the divine lake,” as the fish was known, was in danger of extinction due to overfishing and habitat loss. By the early 21st century, the number of naked carp in Qinghai Lake had fallen to less than 1 percent of the historical peak.

The local government implemented fishing bans and cracked down hard on illegal fishing and trading. Combined with artificial breeding and the improvement of the ecology of the lake, the carp population bounced back despite a low fertility rate.

Over time, the efforts have paid off. As of 2023, the total tonnage of naked carp in the lake had reached about 120,300 – about 44 times that of 2002. The fish’s protection status has since been downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”

The protection of the naked carp is just one example of the success of China’s conservation efforts. From giant pandas and crested ibises to golden snub-nosed monkeys, the populations of rare species have gradually grown as the country’s system of nature reserves has developed.

China is home to some of the richest biodiversity on Earth and is the only country with nearly all ecosystem types. Its natural protected areas have boosted biodiversity conservation and play a primary role in safeguarding national ecological security.

Nature reserves of various types have been established in the People’s Republic of China since its founding in 1949. Protection of endangered species has been continuously strengthened, international cooperation has grown, and the network of natural protected areas is bearing fruit.

Ecological civilization was incorporated into China’s integrated development plan in 2012, when Xi Jinping became China’s top leader. Since then, greater changes have been seen across the country as Xi emphasized the importance of seeking harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

“The Book of Changes (l Ching) says, ‘We should learn about the changes of the season by studying natural phenomena and foster social development by studying human phenomena. Wealth arises from following the way of heaven and earth and assisting the natural order’,” Xi said at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection on May 18, 2018.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, by June 2024, the country had restored over 100 million mu (about 6.7 million hectares) of ecosystems that include mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts.

China’s protected areas cover 18 percent of its land area and 4.1 percent of its maritime area, corresponding to 90 percent of its terrestrial ecosystem types, 85 percent of wild animal populations, 65 percent of higher plant communities and nearly 30 percent of important geological relics.

The country’s nature reserves are a solid foundation for ecological environmental protection, and the “China Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030)” has clarified priority areas and actions for biodiversity conservation.

China has also shouldered its international responsibilities, participated in global environmental governance and biodiversity conservation cooperation, and been the driving force for the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasizing the interdependence and common challenges faced by all countries.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-27/Why-has-China-s-nature-reserve-network-proved-invaluable–1xezv2eED4c/p.html

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SOURCE CGTN

VAN NUYS, Calif., Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ChoiceCash, a leading title loan brand offering auto equity loans to subprime borrowers in more than 20 states, has published two new data studies highlighting title loan application trends.

Published on September 10th 2024, the first data study covering average credit scores for title loan applicants reveals that the ChoiceCash product offers consumer credit to applicants with a credit profile that is well below the national average. The product-wide credit score average of 557.6 for year-to-date applications through end of August is largely consistent for applicants from all regions within the United States, ranging from 545.3 in the Northeast to 559.6 in the West.

Published on September 18th 2024, the second data study highlights title loan customer payment trends by payment method, region and loan disbursement method. This study reveals that ChoiceCash title loan customers have a clear preference for making payments using electronic payment channels, accounting for more than 90% of payments. Looking at payment channel preferences based on how the loan proceeds were disbursed at the inception of the loan, the study finds that customers’ preferences for receiving loan funds also reflect in the channels they choose for making loan payments. The study concludes that ChoiceCash’s online title loan product offer, which includes multiple ways to both receive loan proceeds and make loan payments, allows title loan customers to transact consistent with their financial preferences.

About ChoiceCash:

ChoiceCash is a vehicle-secured loan option for borrowers from all walks of life. Serving customers in more than 20 states, ChoiceCash has grown to be a premier funding option, with more than a million loan inquiries processed.

The ChoiceCash loan is made by Capital Community Bank, a Utah Charted bank, located in Provo, Utah, Member FDIC. All loans will be serviced by LoanMart. Loan proceeds are intended primarily for personal, family and household purposes. All loan applications are subject to meeting Capital Community Bank’s credit criteria, which include providing acceptable property as collateral. Customers need to demonstrate ability to repay the loan.

Contact information: media@choicecash.com

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SOURCE ChoiceCash Title Loans

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – TELUS Corporation (“TELUS”) today announced that it has acquired, through a wholly owned subsidiary, an aggregate of 2,593,631 subordinate voting shares (the “Purchased Shares”) in the capital of TELUS International (Cda) Inc. (“TELUS Digital”) by way of market purchases over the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange. As a result of the acquisition of these subordinate voting shares, TELUS has acquired an additional 2.35% interest in the TELUS Digital subordinate voting shares since TELUS’ prior early warning report filed on August 16, 2024. When added to the 4,031,191 subordinate voting shares held prior to the last report, TELUS now holds approximately 5.99% of the outstanding subordinate voting shares.

“We continue to hold confidence in TELUS Digital and its long term profitable growth strategy,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS. “In recognition of the considerable opportunities ahead, we are once again increasing our existing share ownership of the subordinate voting shares in the public market. These purchases are not part of a strategy to privatize the business, but rather, a reflection of our strong belief in the meaningful and sustainable value that TELUS Digital will create for stakeholders in the years to come.”

The purchase of the Purchased Shares is being made pursuant to the normal course purchase exemption set forth in section 4.1 of National Instrument 62-104.

Before giving effect to the purchase subsequent to our August 15th news release, TELUS held an aggregate of 152,004,019 multiple voting shares of TELUS Digital and 4,031,191 subordinate voting shares. These securities represented approximately 92.5% of the outstanding multiple voting shares and 86.9% of the outstanding voting rights attached to all shares of TELUS Digital and approximately 56.8% of the total shares outstanding, reflecting the conversion by Riel B.V. of multiple voting shares into subordinate voting shares. The 2,593,631 Purchased Shares were acquired at an average purchase price of C$4.90, representing a total additional investment, before trading commissions, of C$12,703,197. After giving effect to the market purchases, TELUS holds an aggregate of 152,004,019 multiple voting shares and 6,624,822 subordinate voting shares. The shares held by TELUS now represent approximately 92.5% of the outstanding multiple voting shares, 6.0% of the outstanding subordinate voting shares, 57.7% of the outstanding shares of TELUS Digital and 87.0% of the outstanding voting rights of TELUS Digital. The multiple voting shares of TELUS Digital may be converted into subordinate voting shares on a one-for-one basis at any time.

TELUS purchased the Purchased Shares for investment purposes and may or may not purchase or sell multiple voting shares, subordinate voting shares or other securities of TELUS Digital in the future on the open market or in private transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors. TELUS currently has no other plans or intentions that relate to its investment in TELUS Digital. Depending on market conditions, general economic and industry conditions, TELUS Digital’s business and financial condition and/or other relevant factors, TELUS may at any time develop other plans or intentions in the future relating to one or more of the above items. A copy of the early warning report to be filed by TELUS in connection with the acquisition will be available on TELUS Digital’s profile on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca. Alternatively, you may contact TELUS Investor Relations at 1-800-667-4871 in order to obtain a copy of the report.

The headquarters and principal executive offices of TELUS Digital are located at Floor 5, 510 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 0M3

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with more than $20 billion in annual revenue and over 19 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. The numerous, sustained accolades TELUS has earned over the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms showcase the strength and speed of TELUS’ global-leading networks, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better.

Operating in 32 countries around the world, TELUS Digital Experience (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that designs, builds, and delivers next-generation solutions, including AI and content moderation, for global and disruptive brands across strategic industry verticals, including tech and games, communications and media, eCommerce and fintech, banking, financial services and insurance, healthcare, and others.

TELUS Health is a global healthcare leader, which provides employee and family primary and preventive healthcare and wellbeing solutions. Our TELUS team, along with our 100,000 health professionals, are leveraging the combination of TELUS’ strong digital and data analytics capabilities with our unsurpassed client service to dramatically improve remedial, preventive and mental health outcomes covering over 75 million lives, and growing, around the world. As the largest provider of digital solutions and digital insights of its kind, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods enables efficient and sustainable production from seed to store, helping improve the safety and quality of food and other goods in a way that is traceable to end consumers.

Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS and our team to contribute $1.7 billion, including 2.2 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us at @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.

Investor Relations
Robert Mitchell
(647) 837-1606
ir@telus.com

Ian McMillan
(604) 317-8768
ir@telus.com 

Media Relations
Steve Beisswanger
(514) 865-2787
Steve.Beisswanger@telus.com

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SOURCE TELUS Corporation