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Canada is connecting more than 150 Northwest Territories households to high-speed Internet and bringing mobile connectivity to remote areas

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$2.3 million investment from the federal government will bring high-speed Internet to Whatì and mobile coverage to traditional hunting and fishing areas

HAY RIVER, NT, March 1, 2024 /CNW/ – Everyone needs reliable and affordable connectivity, no matter where they live in Canada. That is why the Government of Canada is bringing high-speed Internet access and mobile connectivity to underserved communities across the country.

Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, together with Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, announced over $1.9 million in federal funding for a Northwestel project that will bring high-speed Internet access to 152 Indigenous households in Whatì. They also announced $480,000 in federal funding for a project by SSi Micro Ltd. to provide cellular access to a repositionable communications shelter, located in hunting and fishing grounds near Fort Providence, that will allow communities to stay connected, no matter where they are on the land.

This funding is provided through the Universal Broadband Fund, a program designed to ensure that Canadians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities have access to reliable Internet and mobile connectivity.

These projects are helping the Government of Canada exceed its commitment to ensure that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100% by 2030. Ensuring access to secure and reliable mobile connectivity for Indigenous communities is also a top priority for the government, particularly in an increasingly digital world. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Canada for everyone.

Quotes

“Connectivity is an essential tool to access education and health care and to grow a business. It also improves safety and provides peace of mind. Your government is on track to exceed its historic commitment to connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026. This investment will bring access to 152 Indigenous households in Whatì and secure important mobile coverage in hunting and fishing grounds near Fort Providence.”
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“Today’s announcement that we are investing over $2.3 million is a significant milestone in bridging the digital gap. These projects will mean faster and more reliable Internet service for Whatì and increased safety for hunters and fishers near Fort Providence. Connecting Indigenous communities to high-speed Internet and mobile coverage is a top priority. These projects bring us closer to our goal and honour our commitment to ensure that Indigenous communities are not left behind.”
Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

“Connecting Whatì with fibre-to-the-home Internet is a testament to the power of partnership in the North. We’re grateful for the support from the Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Government of Canada that enabled us to bring 500 Mbps unlimited Internet service to the community. We’re proud to bring the very best technology available in Canada to connect communities across the North.”
Paul Gillard, Vice President of Business Markets, Northwestel

“The Land Life Link (L3) provides state-of-the-art telecommunications and monitoring systems, with safety equipment and supplies, that are packaged in an autonomous portable shelter for rapid deployment. In consultation with the Chief and Council of the Deh Gáh Got’îê First Nation of Fort Providence, we will be deploying this L3 down the river from the community, providing on-the-land safety for hunters and trappers as well as visitors to the area. Other applications for the L3 rapid deploy include providing critical mobile communications and situational awareness for front-line workers responding to forest fires and natural disasters in areas where coverage never existed or has been knocked out. I am very pleased that this project is being led by my home community of Fort Providence, with the support of the Chief and Council of Deh Gáh Got’îê First Nation. The L3 will improve the safety of residents and tourists. Along with SSi’s design and investments, the investments from the Government of Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund are allowing the benefits of the Land Life Link to become a reality.”
Jeff Philipp, CEO and Founder, SSi Canada

Quick facts

Canada’s Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.
The Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion investment by the Government of Canada designed to help provide high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadians by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% access by 2030.
Today, 93.5% of Canadian households have access to high-speed Internet, compared to just 79% in 2014.
Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested $80 million in connectivity projects in the Northwest Territories.

Associated links

Universal Broadband Fund
High-Speed Access for All: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy
High-Speed Internet Access Dashboard
National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map
High-speed Internet for all Canadians
Rural economic development

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XTransfer and OCBC Jointly Announce Comprehensive Partnership

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“Global Multi-Currency Accounts” Empowers SMEs with New Market Opportunities

SHANGHAI, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — XTransfer, the World’s Leading & China’s No.1 B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, and OCBC, the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia, jointly announced the comprehensive partnership. OCBC China will leverage the OCBC Group’s extensive regional network and resources in its key markets of Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia and Indonesia to collaborate with XTransfer to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaging in international trade with one-stop innovative cross-border financial solutions, including payment, FX, risk control and wealth management. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 18 December 2024 by Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, and Ang Eng Siong, CEO of OCBC China.

Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, stated, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for XTransfer, greatly enhancing our global payment capabilities. By leveraging OCBC’s extensive global payment network, XTransfer saves a substantial amount of market costs and accelerates our business expansion in Southeast Asia, saving on local expansion efforts. XTransfer looks forward to expanding its business with OCBC in the future in a variety of areas, including wealth management and lending, and is looking forward to working with them to capture the vast opportunities in Greater China and ASEAN.”

Ang Eng Siong, CEO of OCBC China, said, “OCBC uses Singapore and Hong Kong as our twin-hubs, radiating out to Greater China and ASEAN regions. XTransfer’s business development plans in these areas align closely with our network layout. As XTransfer’s global account manager, OCBC China will support XTransfer and its clients in facilitating cross-border settlements through close collaboration with various business subsidiaries of the group. This will help meet the growing demand for cross-border development and business growth, helping them achieve their aspirations in Greater China and ASEAN.”

XTransfer and OCBC collaborate in several areas of cross-border business. In particular, XTransfer leverages the strong banking networks and service capabilities of OCBC to offer its customers the “Global Multi-Currency Account” provided by OCBC Hong Kong, allowing clients to make payments and collect funds globally. The Global Multi-Currency Account supports not only major currencies, such as the Renminbi, US Dollar, British Pound, Euro, etc., but also currencies from ASEAN and various countries and regions. This will benefit SMEs in foreign trade settlement in the corresponding countries and enhance global cross-border trade efficiency. The partnership will provide XTransfer’s over 550,000 clients and their buyers with more payment and collection options. Additionally, clients can make payments and collect funds through CHATS or FPS, the local clearing network in Hong Kong, offering convenience similar to local bank transfers.

In recent years, trade exchanges between China and ASEAN have become increasingly close. According to data from XTransfer, from January to September 2024, the amount received by small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises on the XTransfer platform from ASEAN grew by 80% compared to the previous year. The partnership between XTransfer and OCBC will address this growth in international trade by SMEs, and help them capture opportunities in trade and capital flow between China and ASEAN.

XTransfer continues to build its global payment infrastructure for foreign trade through partnerships with renowned international banks and financial institutions. This partnership with OCBC brings XTransfer a new upgrade in its global payment infrastructure, offering substantial benefits to global cross-border traders. By utilising the Global Multi-Currency Account provided by OCBC Hong Kong, buyers can easily make payments in various currencies to overseas suppliers and collect funds from worldwide customers. This partnership is expected to enhance cross-border trade by significantly broadening the payment methods and scope for SMEs.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/xtransfer-and-ocbc-jointly-announce-comprehensive-partnership-302338240.html

SOURCE XTransfer

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TECHTRONIC INDUSTRIES JOINS THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT

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DEMONSTRATES TTI’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS AND PRACTICES

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Global cordless power tool, outdoor power equipment and floorcare company Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (“TTI” or the “Company”) (stock code: HK:0669, ADR symbol: TTNDY) today announced that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact, reaffirming its dedication to sustainability and social responsibility. With over 25,000 signatories in over 160 countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability reporting initiative. By joining, TTI is committing to communicating its progress to stakeholders annually through our ESG Report and UN Global Compact’s website. 

TTI’s CEO Steve Richman remarked: “As the industry pioneer in lithium-ion battery-powered, energy efficient power tools and outdoor power equipment, TTI’s commitment to sustainable products and business practices has long been a fundamental part of the way we do business. We began publishing ESG reports in 2015 and we aligned our goals and targets with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2018. Every year we make progress in areas including safety solutions, noise reduction, supply chain traceability, decarbonization, and governance. While we have demonstrated our commitment, by joining the UN Global Compact, we have officially aligned our sustainability strategy with the Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.”

As part of TTI’s ongoing sustainability efforts, our objective is to implement initiatives that deepen our support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace culture. We are dedicated to advancing our sustainability journey, setting measurable goals, and continuously monitoring our progress.

Learn more about TTI’s efforts by reading our latest ESG publications here. Our 2024 ESG report will be published in March 2025.

About TTI

Techtronic Industries Company Limited (“TTI” or the “Company”), founded in 1985 by German entrepreneur Horst Julius Pudwill, is a world leader in cordless technology. As a pioneer in Power Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment, Floorcare and Cleaning Products, TTI serves professional, industrial, Do It Yourself (DIY), and consumer markets worldwide. With more than 50,000 employees globally, the company’s relentless focus on innovation and strategic growth has established its leading position in the industries it serves.

MILWAUKEE is at the forefront of TTI’s professional tool portfolio. With global research and development headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, the historic MILWAUKEE brand is renowned for driving innovation, safety, and jobsite productivity worldwide. The RYOBI brand, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, remains the top choice for DIYers and continues to set the standard in DIY tool innovation. TTI’s diverse brand portfolio also includes trusted brands like AEG, EMPIRE, HOMELITE, and leading floorcare names HOOVER, ORECK, VAX, and DIRT DEVIL (based in Charlotte, North Carolina).

TTI’s international recognition and renowned brand portfolio are supported by a strong ownership structure that underscores the company’s global reach and stability. The Pudwill family remains the company’s largest shareholder, with the remaining ownership held largely by institutional investors at North American and European-owned firms. TTI is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index, operating globally with a strong commitment to environmental, social, and corporate governance standards. For more information, visit www.ttigroup.com.

All trademarks listed other than AEG and RYOBI are owned by the Company. AEG is a registered trademark of AB Electrolux (publ.) and is used under license. RYOBI is a registered trademark of Ryobi Limited and is used under license.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/techtronic-industries-joins-the-un-global-compact-302338242.html

SOURCE Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

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New 2025 ezPaycheck Paycheck Payroll Software Is Now Available from Halfpricesoft.com

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REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Halfpricesoft.com has just announced the release of 2025 ezPaycheck payroll software for support for small businesses, freelancers, and sole proprietors as well as many other clients. The new ezPaycheck includes 940, 941, W2 and W3 forms and 2025 tax tables.

 

Clients can still acquire the 2024-2025 bundle version at a cost reduction for a limited time. For those utilizing the 2024 ezPaycheck please note:

Do NOT install this new version before you complete 2024 paychecks. ezPaycheck 2025 installation will update the tax tables. With ezPaycheck 2025, you can still access your 2024 paychecks, view reports and print 2024 W2 forms.

Dr. Ge stated, “The software, ezPaycheck 2024 and 2025 is still available for purchase to those clients that need to process year-end tax forms.”

Priced at just $169 per installation for a single installation of 2025 ezPaycheck software. The bundle 2024-2025 version is $199 for a limited time. ezPaycheck payroll software is affordable for any business. With paycheck software, business owners can easily calculate taxes, deductions, and other payroll-related tasks. Potential clients are welcome to download ezPaycheck free demo version with no obligation and no risk at halfpricesoft.com

Despite its cost and ease of use, Accountants, CPA and Tax Professionals should not assume ezPaycheck 2024 runs short on features. ezPaycheck 2025 is packed with all the features a business needs to run payroll quickly and easily, including:

Supports daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly payroll periods. Features report functions, print functions, and pay stub functions.Automatically calculates Federal Withholding Tax, Social Security, Medicare Tax and Employer Unemployment Taxes.Includes built-in tax tables for all 50 states and the District of ColumbiaEasily calculates differential payPrints miscellaneous checks as well as payroll calculation checksPrints payroll checks on blank computer checks or preprinted checksCreates and maintains payroll for multiple companies, and does it simultaneouslyPrints Tax Forms NEW 943 Form, 940, 941, W2, and W3 (Copy A preprinted form required)Supports multiple accounts at no additional chargeSupports network access to share data from different computers and locations (additional cost)30 day no cost trial. No registration required and absolutely no obligation

ezPaycheck is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and other Windows systems. We also sell a MAC version separately.

ezPaycheck payroll software is affordable for any size business. Customers seeking a way to simplify payroll processing with more accuracy to start the no-obligation 30-day test at https://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp

About halfpricesoft.com

Halfpricesoft.com is a leading provider of small business software, including online and desktop payroll software, online employee attendance tracking software, accounting software, in-house business and personal check printing software, W2, software, 1099 software, accounting software, 1095 form software, and ezACH direct deposit software. Software from halfpricesoft.com is trusted by thousands of customers and will help US Business owners simplify payroll processing and streamline business management.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-2025-ezpaycheck-paycheck-payroll-software-is-now-available-from-halfpricesoftcom-302332837.html

SOURCE Halfpricesoft.com

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