Tag: PR Newswire

New report reveals 150,000+ uninsured households in California’s highest-risk areas as spring fire conditions hit 10-year records

MONTREAL, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Deep Sky, the Canadian carbon removal project developer, has published new research revealing a home insurance crisis unfolding across North America as wildfire risk reaches dangerous levels in 2025. The comprehensive analysis shows insurance companies are abandoning homeowners in the highest-risk areas, with over 150,000 households now uninsured in California’s most fire-prone regions alone.

Deep Sky Research’s latest report, “Wildfires 2025,” analyzes insurance market data from California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington alongside advanced fire weather modeling to reveal how climate change is reshaping both wildfire risk and financial markets. The research builds on Deep Sky’s previous wildfire analysis from 2024, which found that extreme fire risk frequency had grown 20-fold across the United States.

Insurance Markets as Climate Indicators

The research reveals insurance companies are using sophisticated catastrophe modeling to predict wildfire risk, leading to dramatic market retreats from high-risk areas. The Los Angeles fires in January demonstrated the financial stakes, with insurance losses potentially reaching $44.5 billion across major carriers.

“Insurance markets are leading indicators of how financial systems will respond to climate change,” said Max Dugan-Knight, Deep Sky Climate Data Scientist. “When insurers can no longer price risk effectively, they exit the market entirely. This creates a cascade effect that will ultimately impact property values, mortgage availability, and regional economic stability.”

The analysis shows that California’s FAIR plan and similar government programs in other states are becoming overextended as private insurers retreat. These “insurers of last resort” provide subsidized coverage but face mounting financial pressure as more homeowners are forced into their programs.

Dangerous Spring Conditions

Deep Sky Research’s Fire Weather Index (FWI) analysis reveals that 2025 spring conditions are abnormally dangerous across large portions of North America. The research calculates FWI anomalies by comparing current conditions to 30-year historical averages, showing widespread areas experiencing fire weather conditions not seen in over a decade.

In Canada, early-season fires have already forced thousands of evacuations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with both provinces declaring states of emergency. The data indicates that Alberta and British Columbia face even higher fire risk as the peak season approaches.

Building on Previous Research

This analysis extends Deep Sky Research’s ongoing work on climate risk prediction. The company’s 2024 wildfire report found that extreme fire weather conditions that previously occurred once every 100 years now happen every five years on average – a 20-fold increase in frequency.

“Our 2024 analysis showed how dramatically fire frequency was increasing,” Dugan-Knight noted. “This year’s research demonstrates that the financial and human costs of these changes are already materializing. Insurance markets are telling us what climate scientists have been warning about – the risks are accelerating faster than our systems can adapt.”

Market Implications

The research suggests that the insurance crisis foreshadows broader financial market responses to climate risk. As private insurers retreat and government programs become overextended, property values in high-risk areas face potential collapse. Banks are unlikely to approve mortgages without insurance coverage, creating a cycle that will soon strain property markets.

“A vicious cycle is emerging” the report states. “Climate change causes worse fire conditions, which cause larger wildfires, which create massive carbon emissions, contributing to further climate change…Insurance markets may be the first to show the effects of the climate crisis but the disruption won’t stop there.”

The full report, including detailed methodology and risk maps, is available at deepskyclimate.com/research.

Key Findings:

Insurance Market Crisis:

• One in five homes in California’s most extreme fire risk areas has lost coverage since 2019
• Home insurance premiums have skyrocketed 42% in the highest-risk areas since 2009
• Over 30,000 households in extreme fire risk parts of California have had policies non-renewed since 2018
• Growth in government-subsidized FAIR plans: California (121%), Texas (54%), Oregon (39%) since 2020

Record-Breaking Fire Conditions:

• Spring fire risk in the US Southwest and Northern Mexico has reached a 10-year record
• Northwestern Alberta is facing a 15-year record for spring fire risk
• Severe drought across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Southern California is driving unprecedented conditions
• Over 200 active fires are burning across Canada, with half classified as “out of control”

Climate Impact Acceleration:

• “Hydroclimate whiplash” – extreme swings between wet and dry years – is worsening fire conditions
• The relationship between precipitation extremes and fire risk is creating dangerous fuel loads

About Deep Sky

Montreal-based Deep Sky is the world’s first tech-agnostic carbon removal project developer aiming to remove gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere and permanently store it underground. As a project developer, Deep Sky brings together the most promising direct air and ocean carbon capture companies under one roof to bring the largest supply of high-quality carbon credits to the market, commercializing and catalyzing carbon removal and storage solutions like never before. With $130M in funding, Deep Sky is backed by world class investors including Investissement Québec, Brightspark Ventures, Whitecap Venture Partners, OMERS Ventures, BDC Climate Fund, BMO, National Bank of Canada, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, and more. For more information, visit deepskyclimate.com

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SOURCE Deep Sky

PARIS, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As the 2025 Roland-Garros (French Open) enters its final stretch, the iconic clay courts of Paris are once again alive with the intensity and elegance that define the Grand Slam. At the heart of this prestigious tournament, Haier celebrates the third year of its strategic partnership with Roland-Garros, first launched in 2023.

This enduring collaboration reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and resilience, values that resonate both on the court and across Haier’s global vision for premium living.

Forging Strength and Grace: A Shared Journey of Excellence

While every Grand Slam tournament tests a player’s determination and skill, Roland-Garros stands apart for its demand for finesse, resilience, and endurance on clay. Similarly, Haier’s journey in building a global brand began in 1990 and it took 25 years of unwavering commitment to achieve financial self-balance in overseas markets, reflecting the endurance and long-term vision that define both sport and business.

Beyond endurance, Roland-Garros stands as a beacon of global prestige and refined standards, while Haier has cultivated a reputation as a leading high-end brand in Europe. Together, they embody a powerful synergy of perseverance and sophistication on the global stage.

Where Heritage Meets Innovation: Haier’s Premium Presence in France

As global momentum toward intelligent and sustainable innovation accelerates, the 2025 AI Action Summit in Paris exemplifies a shared international ambition for inclusive, energy-efficient, and human-centered technology. In this context, Haier continues to lead the way.

In France, Haier’s Langjing X11 washing machine exemplified its commitment, delivering 60% energy savings compared to Europe’s rigorous A-class standards—a critical advantage amid rising energy concerns. With premium pricing (reflected in a price index of 275 in Poland and 375 in the UK), the Langjing X11 reinforces Haier’s innovative, high-end positioning. In 2024, Haier achieved 47% brand awareness in France, highlighting its growing influence among discerning consumers.

Strategic Expansion of Haier in Europe: Deep Roots and Localized Excellence

The success of Haier in France is the result of a long-term commitment to deep localization and strategic expansion across Europe. Since entering Germany in the 1990s, Haier has built a strong and steady presence across the continent, driven by a consistent focus on innovation and user needs.

At the core of the European growth of Haier is the 3-in-1 strategy (localized R&D, manufacturing, and marketing), enabling the brand to respond quickly and effectively to local demand. For instance, in the European market where air conditioner penetration remains below 5%, Haier introduced a smart air solution with simplified installation to meet local needs with precision and efficiency. The spirit of persistence and dedication to innovation, grounded in a deep understanding of local markets, has propelled the steady rise of Haier across multiple European countries.

Haier continues to lead in Europe. This success story reflects the ongoing dedication of Haier to innovation and localization, anchored by the 3-in-1 strategy, which continues to drive its strong market presence and recognition, with brand awareness reaching approximately 30% across Europe in 2024.

Haier ESG Commitment: Empowering a Greener, More Inclusive Future

The partnership between Haier and Roland-Garros goes beyond the court and represents a shared commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, advancing social responsibility, and creating sustainable value for communities across the globe.

At Roland-Garros, Haier brought its ESG values to life through an immersive pop-up experience, showcasing its latest advancements in sustainable technology. Demonstrating a firm commitment to nurturing the next generation, Haier partnered with Open Stade Français to launch the “Haier Fans Cup”, offering young winners the unique opportunity to attend the tournament and meet former WTA Number one champion Ana Ivanovic.

Further reflecting its people-centric and innovation-driven approach, Haier France was awarded the Gold certification for Great Onboarding from Workelo, demonstrating its dedication to building a future-ready workplace.

From homes to communities, from sustainable technologies to human-centered governance, Haier is setting a new standard for global brands.

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SOURCE Haier Group

TAIPEI, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Delta Electronics Foundation announced a new collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute and the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST) to promote coral restoration education. Using the science picture book ‘Saving Our Coral Reefs‘, published by the Delta Electronics Foundation, as the core teaching material, the program will be introduced into elementary schools across Taiwan as part of their lesson plan structure. Dr. Jane Goodall, the world-renowned ecologist and conservationist, visited Chaojing Coral Conservation Center in Keelung — a joint effort between the Delta Foundation and NMMST. Together with Delta’s founder, Mr. Bruce Cheng, she planted her first batch of corals in Taiwan at the facility, showcasing their commitment to marine conservation.

Dr. Jane Goodall remarked, ”All ecosystems are intricately connected, from land to sea, from corals to humanity. I’m pleased to see the enterprise in Taiwan actively promoting ocean conservation. Visiting the Chaojing Coral Conservation Center today gave me a fuller understanding of Delta’s transnational coral restoration efforts. I hope this collaboration, through the coral picture book and our Roots & Shoots program, will help more people learn about corals and marine conservation.”

Mr. Bruce Cheng, Delta’s founder and Chairman of the Delta Electronics Foundation, said, “Delta has long been committed to energy conservation, decarbonization, and environmental sustainability. In recent years, we have also focused on biodiversity conservation, using Delta’s technological strengths to support researchers in coral restoration efforts. Our project has successfully preserved over 40 species of Taiwanese corals and aims to restore 10,000 coral fragments by this summer. We are honored to work with the Jane Goodall Institute and NMMST to use the ‘Saving Our Coral Reefs‘ picture book as a platform to promote awareness and inspire children and the public to care more about Taiwan’s oceans—from the perspective of the science behind coral restoration.”

At the end of 2024, Dr. Jane Goodall was invited to attend the launch event of a coral culture facility as the base for coral restoration at the St. John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML), jointly established by Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) and the Delta Foundation. This year, the partnership between the Jane Goodall Institute and Delta has further deepened, with the goal of promoting coral and marine ecological awareness through the picture book and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Program. 

‘Saving Our Coral Reefs‘ blends real-life photos with illustrations and scientific commentary from experts involved in Delta’s coral restoration project. The book provides an approachable and comprehensive way to build readers’ knowledge on coral reefs, their ecological roles, and the existential threats they face due to global warming. Through this collaboration, the book will be integrated into NMMST’s coral conservation curriculum and the Jane Goodall Institute’s school outreach programs, raising public awareness and encouraging broader participation in marine conservation. Looking forward to the future, the three parties plan to continue exploring new models that integrate technology, education, and nature conservation to advance the sustainable development of marine ecosystems.

About Delta

Delta, founded in 1971, and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (code:2308), is a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a thriving portfolio of IoT-based smart energy-saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data center infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display, to nurture the development of smart manufacturing and sustainable cities. As a world-class corporate citizen guided by its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta leverages its core competence in high-efficiency power electronics and its ESG-embedded business model to address key environmental issues, such as climate change. Delta serves customers through its sales offices, R&D centers and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across 5 continents.

Throughout its history, Delta has received various global awards and recognition for its business achievements, innovative technologies and dedication to ESG. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index (formerly the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices) for 14 consecutive years. Delta has also won CDP with double A List for 4 times for its substantial contribution to climate change and water security issues and has been named Supplier Engagement Leader for its continuous development of a sustainable value chain for 7 consecutive years.

For detailed information about Delta, please visit: www.deltaww.com

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SOURCE Delta Electronics

This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of the Company’s prospectus supplement dated June 5, 2025 to its short form base shelf prospectus dated May 7, 2025

TORONTO, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – SolarBank Corporation (Nasdaq: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: GY2) (“SolarBank“ or the “Company“) announces that following the filing of its new short form base shelf prospectus, it is proceeding with a renewal of its at-the-market equity program (the “ATM Program“). The Company is required to renew the ATM Program due to the expiry of the Company’s 2023 short form base shelf prospectus. The Company has entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Distribution ‎Agreement“) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”), Research Capital Corporation (“RCC“), Research Capital USA Inc. (together with Wainwright and RCC, the “Agents“) to renew the ATM Program. There can be no assurance that the Company will issue and sell any common shares under the ATM Program. The timing of any sales and the number of shares sold, if any, will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company.

Under the Distribution Agreement, the Company may issue common shares of the Company having an aggregate offering price of up to US$15,000,000 (the “Offered Shares“) under ‎the ATM Program. The Offered Shares will be issued by the Company to the public from time to time, ‎through the Agents, at the Company’s discretion. The Offered Shares sold under the ATM Program, if ‎any, will be sold at the prevailing market price at the time of sale. Since the Offered Shares will be distributed at trading prices prevailing at the time of the sale, prices may vary between purchasers and during the period of distribution. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from sales of Offered Shares under the ATM Program, if any, to advance the Company’s business objectives and for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, funding ongoing operations or working capital requirements, repaying indebtedness outstanding from time to time, discretionary capital programs and potential future acquisitions.

Sales of Offered Shares, if any, will be made through the Agents in transactions that are deemed to be “at-the-‎market distributions” as defined in National Instrument 44-102 – Shelf Distributions and an “at-the-market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the Cboe Canada Inc. (“Cboe“) and the Nasdaq Stock Market, or any other applicable “marketplace” for the common shares in Canada. The Company is not obligated to make any sales of Offered Shares under the ‎ Distribution Agreement.

The Company will pay the Agents a commission of up to 3.0% of the gross offering proceeds from each ‎sale of Offered Shares and has agreed to provide the Agents with customary indemnification and ‎contribution rights. The Company will also reimburse the Agents for certain specified expenses in ‎connection with the entering into and performance of the Distribution Agreement. ‎

The ATM Program is being made in Canada pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated June 5, 2025 (the “Prospectus Supplement“) to the Company’s final short form base shelf prospectus dated May 7, 2025‎ (the “Base Prospectus“), and in the United States pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated June 5, 2025 (the “U.S. Prospectus Supplement“) to the Company’s final base shelf prospectus contained in the Company’s effective registration statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-287070) (the “Registration Statement“) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC“). Prospective investors should read the Base Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement and other ‎documents the Company has filed with the SEC (some of which are incorporated by reference into ‎the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement) for more complete information about the ‎Company and the ATM Program, including the risks associated with investing in the Company. ‎

Copies of the Prospectus Supplement, Base Prospectus and Distribution Agreement are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and copies of the U.S. Prospectus Supplement and the Registration Statement are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Agents will send copies of the relevant documents to investors upon request by contacting RCC by mail at Research Capital Corporation, 1075 West Georgia Street, Suite 1920, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3C9, by email at schiu@researchcapital.com or by telephone at (778) 373-4088.

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

ABOUT SOLARBANK CORPORATION

SolarBank Corporation is an independent renewable and clean energy project developer and owner focusing on distributed and community solar projects in Canada and the USA. The Company develops solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects that sell electricity to utilities, commercial, industrial, municipal and residential off-takers. The Company maximizes returns via a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple leading North America markets including projects with utilities, host off-takers, community solar, and virtual net metering projects. The Company has a potential development pipeline of over one gigawatt and has developed renewable and clean energy projects with a combined capacity of over 100 megawatts built. To learn more about SolarBank, please visit www.solarbankcorp.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “expects”, “will continue”, “is anticipated”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimated”, “intends”, “plans”, “forecast”, “projection”, “strategy”, “objective” and “outlook”) are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements including statements with respect to the Offered Shares sold under the ATM ‎Program; the use of proceeds from ‎any such sale of Offered Shares; the use by the Company of the ATM Program; future development, ‎production, cash flow and other anticipated or possible future developments of the Company’s business‎ as well as those listed under “Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Base Prospectus, and other public filings of the Company. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. In making the forward looking statements included in this news release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including but not limited to: obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals; that regulatory requirements will be maintained; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its plans and intentions; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and services offered by the Company’s competitors; that the Company’s current good relationships with its service providers and other third parties will be maintained; and government subsidies and funding for renewable energy will continue as currently contemplated. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Company’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including those listed under “Forward- Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recently completed Annual Information Form, and other public filings of the Company, which include: the Company may be adversely affected by volatile solar power market and industry conditions; the execution of the Company’s growth strategy depends upon the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements; the Company’s future success depends partly on its ability to expand the pipeline of its energy business in several key markets; governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar and battery storage power; general global economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations; the Company’s project development and construction activities may not be successful; developing and operating solar projects exposes the Company to various risks; the Company faces a number of risks involving Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) and project-level financing arrangements; any changes to the laws, regulations and policies that the Company is subject to may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use of solar power; the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive and evolving quickly; an anti-circumvention investigation could adversely affect the Company by potentially raising the prices of key supplies for the construction of solar power projects; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; a change in the Company’s effective tax rate can have a significant adverse impact on its business; seasonal variations in demand linked to construction cycles and weather conditions may influence the Company’s results of operations; the Company may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or have access to external financing; the Company may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future; the Company is subject to risks from supply chain issues; risks related to inflation and tariffs; unexpected warranty expenses that may not be adequately covered by the Company’s insurance policies; if the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively in the renewable energy market; there are a limited number of purchasers of utility-scale quantities of electricity; compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be expensive; corporate responsibility may adversely impose additional costs; the future impact of any global pandemic on the Company is unknown at this time; the Company has limited insurance coverage; the Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks; the Company may become subject to litigation; there is no guarantee on how the Company will use its available funds; the Company will continue to sell securities for cash to fund operations, capital expansion, mergers and acquisitions that will dilute the current shareholders; and future dilution as a result of financings.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

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SOURCE SolarBank Corporation

ELIZABETH, N.J., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The location where Dianetics author and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard established the first Foundation 75 years ago reopens to the world, restored and dedicated as a historical Landmark Site.

Nestled in a quiet part of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is an unassuming, three-story building—a structure that once unquestionably became the nexus of a global awakening.

Just 15 miles from New York City, this rejuvenated Colonial-Revival setting at 42 Aberdeen Road now joins the distinguished ranks of L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) Landmark Sites around the world.

During a spring afternoon celebration attended by Scientologists, community leaders and restoration specialists, guests weren‘t just honoring a historic moment. In fact, they were able to take the very first steps inside the exact rooms where Mr. Hubbard had personally taught the first Dianetics auditors, delivered the first Dianetics lectures and set in motion the first Dianetics Research Foundation.

“To be here, at this historic site on L. Ron Hubbard‘s path of discovery, is an honor and in a class of its own,” one guest said.

Now completely restored to its 1950 appearance, 42 Aberdeen Road is more than a building, it is the precise cornerstone where the world first turned a page and a revolution of the human mind all began.

With the May 9, 1950 publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, what unfolded within these walls was nothing short of explosive—as the book began its unprecedented run of 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Almost overnight, crowds from across America began arriving without invitation, eager to meet and learn in person from the author of what was rapidly becoming the most popular book ever written on the human mind.

This site of universal influence now stands as it once did—complete with original furniture, vintage crystal doorknobs and refinished wood floors with mahogany Celtic pattern inlays. All have been restored to their glorious past, including the desk where Mr. Hubbard once wrote and the fireplace before which students gathered.

The Remington typewriter and SoundScriber dictation recorders Mr. Hubbard worked with are also on display—even his prized Ford Deluxe “Woody” Wagon is parked outside.

Officiating the ceremony was the Church of Scientology Preservationist who oversaw the meticulous restoration. “This site became the epicenter of a movement—one that grew from Dianetics, the first workable science of the mind, into the Scientology religion, with Churches and Missions spanning the globe,” he said. “And for the first time, beginning today, you will be able to walk inside and stand right where it all began!”

Fittingly, and just days before the 75th Anniversary of the publication of Dianetics, dignitaries honoring the site‘s Grand Opening spoke of the impact of L. Ron Hubbard, both locally and globally.

The day‘s first guest speaker, Ms. Jennifer Costa, President and CEO of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the opening as a milestone for the city. “Here in Elizabeth, we pride ourselves on a theme that we think says everything: ‘It all starts here.‘ And that is so very true. Elizabeth is a city of many firsts—from the first capital of the state of New Jersey to the home of our first governor and even the first submarine. Well, today we stand here in front of this breathtaking site, another first that claims Elizabeth with pride as the very place where the first Dianetics Foundation was born. We can‘t wait to welcome all of you to this landmark that belongs to all of us—because this is where your history and our history meet—right here at 42 Aberdeen Road.”

Mr. Thomas B. Connolly, who served as historical architect on the project, emphasized the importance of preserving the site‘s original character. “Working with your team to restore this landmark was a dream. Your commitment to quality and authenticity was evident from day one and your goal was clear: to return the site to exactly how it was when Mr. Hubbard was here. As just a single example, when we peeled back the white aluminum siding that had been on the façade for decades, we uncovered a century-old surprise: the original cedar shingles, right where they had been since 1910.” Mr. Connolly added, “And that‘s only one of the countless details that brought this heritage site back to life, transforming it into what you see today: the gem of the block!”

Dr. Apostle Lemmew Samuel, Founder of an Evangelical Assembly in New York City, has spent a lifetime in religious service—and spoke to the spiritual power of the Landmark Site. “Just like those first readers who drove here back in 1950 to learn from Mr. L. Ron Hubbard himself, I now find myself on the same doorstep, drawn by the same truth from the pages of Dianetics,” Dr. Samuel said. “I‘m just getting started with Dianetics. But I know I have in my hands a way to help the people I serve—couples in crisis, youth searching for direction, anyone trying to hold their life together. I can help them find their way out of the darkness of the mind and into the light!”

Dr. Monica Sanchez, a United Nations Cultural Ambassador and Humanitarian, spoke not just of the legacy of this storied location, but of the enduring imprint L. Ron Hubbard left on Mankind. “Sometimes we think we know the way, until life gives you a detour—one without signs. But Mr. Hubbard‘s work says: Here‘s another road. Here‘s the best road. That‘s why I call L. Ron Hubbard a GPS for humanity,” she said to the crowd. “If I had been here on Aberdeen Road back in 1950, I would have told him: ‘Take me as your student!‘ I would have felt very privileged just to learn by his side. But, thanks to everything he left behind and your incredible work to preserve it, we can all be his students.”

Captain Steve Nagiewicz, Executive Director Emeritus of the world-famous Explorers Club—where Mr. Hubbard was an exalted member and carried three official expedition flags—praised LRH‘s work as nothing short of bold discovery. “Mr. Hubbard explored the oceans, he crossed continents, he set a course for distant stars. But his final frontier was the most uncharted territory of all: conducting a journey inside the human mind,” he said. “Exploring the unknown, living on the edge, going where no one has gone before … it requires a rock-solid state of mind, leaving no margin for error.” Mr. Nagiewicz added, “It‘s my hope that this day and this site will always remind us to push farther, reach deeper, keep exploring. And as future explorers venture to the stars, no doubt L. Ron Hubbard will be with them in spirit!”

Historic 42 Aberdeen Road has a sister in Bay Head, New Jersey, 50 miles away, where LRH wrote Dianetics. Mr. Hubbard worked in both locations during the same time period, in Bay Head for part of the year and Elizabeth for the other. The Bay Head property was previously opened as an L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site in 2011—Mr. Hubbard‘s centennial year.

All told, there are seven such Landmark Sites now open on three continents around the world, including L. Ron Hubbard‘s heritage site at the base of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona—known as the Birthplace of Scientology; the original Founding Church that Mr. Hubbard established in Washington, DC; the original Hubbard Communications Office on Fitzroy Street in London, England; his Linksfield Ridge estate overlooking Johannesburg, South Africa; and his headquarters at Saint Hill in East Grinstead, England.

Each Landmark Site offers a literal and visual history of the work and advances Mr. Hubbard achieved during the time he was at that particular location. Each also features a room devoted to the wider story of Mr. Hubbard‘s life of global exploration and research—including his revolutionary work here in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In full, the sites mark Mr. Hubbard‘s progressive steps to the founding of Dianetics and Scientology.

Two more Landmark Sites are set to open by this summer—one in the US and another in Southern Africa—carrying forward the legacy of places like 42 Aberdeen Road, a global tribute that echoes for generations to come.

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SOURCE Church of Scientology International

WELLESLEY, Mass., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dan Fishbein, M.D., president, Sun Life U.S., released the following statement in support of the Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act, introduced today by Congressmen Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) and Robert Scott (VA-03). This legislation would enhance long-term disability insurance benefits by requiring that mental health conditions be covered similarly to most physical conditions. Sun Life first called on Congress in 2023 to make these improvements to disability coverage.

“This legislation rightly recognizes that mental health is health, and makes sure that workers will have the financial security they need to take care of themselves and their families, regardless of the cause of their disability. Mental health conditions must be given the same consideration as physical conditions in healthcare and in workplace benefits, especially disability coverage. A mental health condition can be just as disabling as a physical one, and can last just as long. Currently, most long-term disability benefits are typically capped at 24 months for mental health conditions. There should be a uniform federal standard to ensure long-term disability benefits cover mental health and physical conditions at the same level and length.

This is an opportunity to evolve the way we address mental health diagnoses in the assessment of a person’s ability to work. Stronger mental health expertise and management, paired with the vocational support already embedded in disability insurance, will help more people get the care and support they need to return to work and wellness.

A market-wide legislative solution is the best way to ensure coverage for workers while supporting a strong and sustainable market for disability insurance.

Disability coverage must evolve to meet the current needs of American workers. We applaud Congressmen DeSaulnier and Scott for introducing this important piece of legislation and stand ready to work with members of Congress and other partners to support its passing. Getting people back to health and work whenever possible remains the goal. Society benefits by helping more workers get the mental healthcare they need, and we now have the opportunity to do just that.”

About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.55 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

Media contacts
Devon Fernald
Sun Life U.S.
Devon.Portney.Fernald@sunlife.com
781-800-3609

Connect with Sun Life U.S.
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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

Tour’s Goal to Reach One Million Fans and Save One Million Cups

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Ocean Conservancy and its partner GOAL announced the “Protect Where We Play Tour” launch, a partnership across GOAL’s network of venues to reduce their plastic footprint by deploying a reusable cup program during concerts and sporting events. The Protect Where We Play Tour will kick off at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, which is hosting Coldplay on June 6-7. Other tour stops this summer will include Savannah’s Enmarket Arena for The Lumineers, two nights of Billie Eilish at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York and others.

It is estimated that this tour will prevent 1,000,000 single-use cups from entering the waste stream. Bold Reuse, a leading reuse service provider, is supporting the tour by managing all reusable cup operations at participating venues.

“We’re so excited about this activation because it’s the perfect combination of mission alignment and funding for operational changes. We’re grateful for Ocean Conservancy’s collaboration and openness to fund tangible solutions that help facilities implement sustainable change, while also elevating their mission. These are the types of win-win partnerships that enable the positive change that our sports and entertainment industry really needs,” said Kristen Fulmer, Executive Director of GOAL.

“With 50% of our oxygen coming from the ocean, whether you live on the coast or hundreds of miles inland, the future of your favorite game, concert, or event depends on a healthy, plastic-free ocean. By tapping into the joy of what it means to be a fan, we can inspire action and create a global movement that protects our planet for the next generation,” said Ocean Conservancy’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer Jenna DiPaolo.

Select tour dates include:

• June 6-7: Coldplay at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
• September 27: Lumineers at Enmarket Arena, Savannah, GA
• October 25-26: Billie Eilish at UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY
• More stops coming soon!

In February, Ocean Conservancy launched the Protect Where We Play Initiative, aimed at rallying sports and entertainment fans to protect the future of our planet, leveraging the reach of athletes, artists, and events to mobilize millions of fans in support of ocean conservation. The program features “Team Ocean Captains” including WNBA’s Napheesa Collier, NFL’s Kelvin Beachum, MLB’s Brent Suter, Paralympian Ezra Frech, and American ballerina Katherine Barkman.

The Protect Where We Play Initiative is the newest Ocean Conservancy program among decades of work to protect the ocean from plastic pollution. Since 1986, Ocean Conservancy has led the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), mobilizing nearly 19 million volunteers to remove 395 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide. Ocean Conservancy has also led advocacy efforts to prevent plastic pollution through policies at the state, federal, and international levels.

Learn more about Protect Where We Play HERE.

You can find the Protect Where We Play media kit HERE.

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY 

Ocean Conservancy has been working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram. 

ABOUT PROTECT WHERE WE PLAY

Protect Where We Play is Ocean Conservancy’s bold, new initiative that aims to inspire a new wave of fan engagement and action by leveraging the sports and entertainment industries as a first entry point to activate a broader and more diverse array of “Team Ocean” advocates. You can watch the sizzle reel here, read Forbes’ coverage of the launch here, and Pollstar’s Earth Day coverage on the origin story of this initiative here. For more information, visit protectwhereweplay.com.

ABOUT GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership)

GOAL is a pioneering sustainability-driven membership and support network of over 55 global members from sports, entertainment, and live event venues, including stadiums, arenas, theaters, and convention centers. The GOAL Medals Awards program is the first industry-wide benchmarking and recognition tool to validate incremental sustainability efforts across 10 ESG topics. GOAL utilizes Salesforce Net Zero Cloud for carbon accounting and customized industry comparisons, which informs action-planning, goal-setting, and corporate partnership support, including connections to vetted vendors. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and offering tailored support, GOAL empowers organizations to enhance their sustainability efforts, no matter where they are in their journey. The Founding Partners of GOAL are Oak View Group, the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena, Fenway Sports Group, and green building trailblazer Jason F. McLennan, founder of McLennan Design.

Roya Fox
Sr. Communications Manager
rfox@oceanconservancy.org
202.280.6285

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SOURCE Ocean Conservancy

LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Unlikely Collaborators has awarded a Spark grant to fund an innovative collaboration between Crim Fitness Foundation and Prison Yoga Project to support From Inside Out: Transforming Justice Through Mindfulness, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at sparking systemic change within the Genesee County justice system. Phase One of this project will strengthen the existing partnership between the Crim and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, enhancing the weekly mindfulness programming offered to incarcerated individuals through I.G.N.I.T.E.® (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education).

This first phase includes a new collaboration with the Prison Yoga Project to train the Crim team in evidence-based, trauma-informed mindfulness practices tailored to the needs of incarcerated populations, as well as providing the Prison Yoga Project’s Mindfulness Immersion Curriculum to the Crim’s existing program. By equipping participants with tools for emotional regulation, stress reduction, and self-awareness, the initiative seeks to shift perceptions and promote healing from within the jail environment. The first phase will run throughout 2025 and lay the foundation for future phases that will expand mindfulness programming to include re-entry workers and correctional officers. The goal is to build a more compassionate and conscious justice system from the inside out. It is important to note that this project is not a research study and that incarcerated individuals are in no way being used as research subjects. Rather, participation is voluntary and focused solely on supporting personal growth and emotional well-being.

Unlikely Collaborators’ sister organizations, Tiny Blue Dot and Unlikely Collaborators Foundation, have previously supported both the Crim and Prison Yoga Project. The Spark grants, launched in 2024, support bold, collaborative projects that integrate the Perception Box^TM lens to reimagine narratives and create meaningful change. Each grant prioritizes 501(c)(3) partnerships between organizations and individuals who have not worked together before, fostering innovation and unexpected synergy.

Unlikely Collaborators is a nonprofit organization, founded and chaired by Elizabeth R. Koch, dedicated to fostering transformative storytelling, developing human connection, and resolving internal conflict. UC’s perspective is that external conflict is the direct result of unconscious, unresolved internal conflict inside each and every one of us. Founded on the belief that the way we perceive the world is highly subjective, Unlikely Collaborators supports projects that challenge assumptions, spark meaningful dialogue, and invite humans into deeper self-awareness – in community.

Central to this mission is the groundbreaking Perception Box framework developed by Koch. More than just a metaphor, it represents the often unseen matrix of biases, beliefs, and personal narratives that influence how we interpret reality. Rooted in cognitive science and psychological research, this framework illustrates how each person’s unique mental model shapes their understanding of the world—often limiting their ability to connect with new perspectives and ideas. By investigating and untangling our Perception Box beliefs, individuals and communities can unlock compassion, creativity, and new ways of thinking.

“This support from Unlikely Collaborators allows us to deepen our commitment to the well-being and growth of individuals impacted by the justice system,” said Ka’Sella Matière, Mindfulness Coordinator at the Crim. “By integrating the Perception Box framework with our trauma-informed mindfulness practices, we’re not just teaching tools for stress reduction — we’re inviting people to shift how they see themselves and their potential. That’s the first step toward real transformation.”

“We’re honored to partner with the Crim and bring our experience into such a visionary initiative,” said Nicole Hellthaler, Executive Director of Prison Yoga Project. “Our work is rooted in the understanding that healing begins with self-awareness. This project offers a meaningful opportunity for incarcerated individuals to access that healing, through embodied movement practices, while also challenging the systems and perceptions that often stand in the way of compassion and change.”

“The only way to change the prison system is to address the Perception Box limitations of everyone in the system,” said Koch. “And that’s exactly what this spark between the Crim Fitness Foundation and Prison Yoga Project aims to do – turn the focus away from the punishment model and toward one of healing, so everyone from inmates to correction officers to re-entry workers can come alive into their full potential.”

The Crim is a participant in the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation’s neuroscientific research projects related to “The Science of Perception Box,” having been awarded funding of a study being conducted with Brown University and Mindful Badge. Titled  Courageous Connection: Changing Perceptions and Reducing Bias by Building Mindful Awareness and Compassionate Relationships among Police and Black Community Members, the project aims to address the broken trust and violent encounters between police officers and Black community members in the United States, by developing mindfulness-based interventions for both police officers and Black community members.

Unlikely Collaborators Foundation awarded Prison Yoga Project a grant to support Prison Yoga Project initiatives through 2026, including a wellness program for correctional staff and others working across the justice system – such as judges, officers, and treatment professionals – who are impacted by secondary trauma, and the development of a youth graphic novel designed to bring accessible, trauma-sensitive yoga practices into juvenile detention settings and diversion programs.

For more information on the Crim, please visit https://crim.org/; for more information on Prison Yoga Project, please visit https://www.prisonyoga.org/; and for more information about Unlikely Collaborators, please visit https://www.unlikelycollaborators.com/.

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SOURCE Unlikely Collaborators

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sierra Northern Railway (SERA) today received the West Sacramento Civic Leadership Award for Progress for its recent success in developing the first four-axle hydrogen-fueled zero-emission switching locomotive. The award was presented by West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero at the annual West Sacramento State of the City event.

The Civic Leadership Award for Progress recognizes those who continue to make West Sacramento, year after year, a great place to live, work, and play.

Sierra Northern, based in West Sacramento, on April 8, 2025, received industrywide attention when the company announced that it had successfully completed testing in West Sacramento of the first four-axle zero-emission hydrogen-fueled switching locomotive. That successful test puts hydrogen-fueled locomotives within realistic commercial reach for the short line industry in California and around the world.

“We’re very excited about the cutting-edge work Sierra Northern Railway is doing in West Sacramento that will provide huge benefits to our own community, and many others throughout California and elsewhere,” said Mayor Guerrero. “Sierra Northern is the type of company we want here, and we look forward to supporting its continued efforts.”

Expanded use of hydrogen-fueled switching locomotives will help improve local air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and odors for communities where short lines operate. Most switcher locomotives in California use an average of approximately 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, potentially leading to an annual statewide reduction of more than 12 million gallons, about the same amount of fuel used each year by 20,000 light-duty vehicles.

“We’re extremely pleased to have our hard work on the hydrogen-fueled switching locomotive recognized by the City of West Sacramento,” said Ken Beard, CEO of Sierra Northern. “It’s nice to know we have strong local backing as we push to dramatically expand the use of this environmentally beneficial technology that we believe will fundamentally change our industry for the better.”

Sierra Northern’s hydrogen-fueled switching locomotive project was funded through a $4 million grant from the California Energy Commission and administered through GTI Energy. Other funding partners include the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, SoCalGas, and the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative. Other project partners include Velocity Strategies, Railpower Tech, WHA International, Inc., OptiFuel Systems, Ballard Power Systems, UC Riverside, and Valley Vision.

Sierra Northern has started the process to assemble and test three additional hydrogen-fueled switching locomotives in West Sacramento with funding from the California State Transportation Agency. That project will be administered through the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District with technical leadership from Railpower, Inc. When the CalSTA project is completed in late 2027, it will expand Sierra Northern’s hydrogen-fueled switching locomotive fleet to four and pave the way for the company to eventually convert its entire fleet of 40 switchers, and potentially all 260 switchers estimated to be in use statewide.

Sierra Northern Railway (https://www.sierranorthern.com) is the freight division of privately owned Sierra Railroad Company, which also is the principal owner of Sierra Energy Corporation that has developed a proprietary waste-to-clean hydrogen technology: FastOx^® gasification. Sierra Northern Railway currently operates approximately 75 miles of track in Northern California and 30 miles of track in Southern California, including through several prime industrial areas, and serves a wide variety of customers while interchanging with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.

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SOURCE Sierra Energy Corporation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Advanced Biological Research Group (ABRG), a 501c3, has announced its second study to determine the effects of mRNA on women’s reproductive systems. The group’s 2024 pilot study focused on abnormal vaginal bleeding after exposure to mRNA and also the impact of mRNA shedding.

The new 2025 study will investigate the causes of the decrease in ovarian egg reserve and the overall decline in female fertility, as reported by a growing number of OB/GYNs globally.

The ABRG team includes founding members Kimberly Biss, MD, Kirstin Cosgrove BM, CCRA, Ryan Cole, MD, Dan McDyer, MD, noted specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, James A. Thorp, MD. and Dr. Steven J. Hatfill Emeritus, who now serves as Senior Adviser to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Dr. Thorp recently testified in front of the Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations (Senator Ron Johnson, WI [Chairman]; Senator Richard Blumenthal, CT [Ranking Member]) on the issue of mRNA vaccine adverse effects in the most vulnerable patients: pregnant woman, the unborn and newborn children. Members Dr. Biss and Dr. Cole had testified previously on several topics, including adverse effects in reproduction and the mRNA platform.

For information on supporting ABRG and its studies, please contact:
396338@email4pr.com or visit abrg.org.

Please direct all media inquiries to RECURSION MEDIA GROUP Inc. 396338@email4pr.com or 352-282-0778, or visit recursionmediagroup.com.

Recursion Media Group, Inc. (RMG) owns and operates Recursion Publishing, RMG Innovations, Recursion.Live, and RMG News Daily. For more information, please visit recursionmediagroup.com

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SOURCE Advanced Biological Research Group