Altru Health System honored with Grand Forks EDC's Klaus Thiessen Impact Award
The health care provider received the award at the outset of the EDC's annual meeting in front of approximately 275 people at the Alerus Center ballroom.
"We really felt they had risen to the top with the new hospital and all their contributions to the community," EDC CEO and President Keith Lund told the Herald.
Altru's crowning achievement this year has been its brand-new $500 million hospital in Grand Forks. The health care provider is also in the process of acquiring CHI St. Alexius Health hospital in Devils Lake.
Altru CEO Todd Forkel, President Josh Deere and the Altru Foundation's Chief Partnership and Philanthropy Officer Kristi Hall-Jiran were on hand to receive the award, named for the EDC's retired longtime CEO.
Forkel told Lund the provider was "humbled and really grateful" to receive the award, and thanked Altru's many employees for their work.
"We really look at it as a privilege to be able to not only serve Grand Forks, but the greater Grand Forks area," Forkel said.
Altru moved out of its 52-year-old home and into its new facility next door in January. Lund presented the Altru executives with a painting by Eric Castle, depicting generations of Grand Forks hospitals, with the latest addition towering over the other two.
Prompted by Lund, Deere said the new hospital made Grand Forks into a medical destination and was a tool for bringing more workers to Grand Forks.
"We have a huge recruiting tool right now," Deere said. "We have the most state-of-the-art hospital in the Midwest."
Thursday's event also served as an opportunity for Lund and Director of Workforce Development Becca Cruger to highlight growth and success in Grand Forks.
Highlights included Belgian potato processor Agristo's plans to open a $450 million plant in Grand Forks, the temporary bed-down of the 28th Bomb Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base (Lund: "If you think that isn't economic development, ask any hotel owner in Grand Forks") and UND's third-largest class of all time.
"That is your future workforce," Cruger said as a picture of the class of 2028 flashed onscreen.
Discussing Grand Forks Public Schools' soon-to-open Career Impact Academy, Hall-Jiran reminded Lund of his fundraising request that helped bring the career and technical education center to fruition.
"I remember that phone call, Keith," Hall-Jiran told Lund. "You did a great job of asking for a million dollars."
EDC primary sector businesses continued to report 10-year increases in employment, average salary and payroll.
Payroll from EDC client businesses added $645 million to the region, Lund said, plus another $216 million in company spending, adding up to a regional combined impact of $861 million for the region.
The theme of Thursday's event was "Plant and Prosper," in reference to Grand Forks' origins as an agricultural community.
"We would not be here as a community, in the fashion we're in, without the agricultural community that supports Grand Forks," EDC Board Chair Shawn Gaddie said.
In an acknowledgment of the theme, Gaddie presented past chair John Oncken with a painting of a tractor in a field, rendered in the style of Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night."
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Llama Group SA: Convening Notice to the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on August 28, 2025
The Board of Directors of Llama Group SA (the ' Company ') (Paris: ALLAM) (Brussels: ALLAM) is pleased to invite shareholders to attend the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held on (Belgian time) at the Company's headquarters. This extraordinary general meeting is convened following the absence of a quorum at the first meeting held on August 07, 2025, in accordance with Article 28 of the company's articles of association. The agenda remains unchanged. Agenda and proposed decisions Issuance of subscription rights Agenda (i) Review of the special report of the board of directors prepared in accordance with Articles 7:180 in conjunction with 7:179, 7:191 and 7:193 of the Companies and Associations Code relating to the issue of (x) 833,334 subscription rights in favor of Alumni Capital Limited, with its registered office at 601 Brickell Key Dr Suite 700, Miami, FL 33131, United States of America ('Alumni'); and (y) 833,334 subscription rights in favor of L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund, with its registered office at 161A Shedden Road, 1 Artillery Court, PO Box 10085, Grand Cayman KY1-1001, Cayman Islands ('L1 Capital'), entitling each to subscribe, upon exercise, for 833,334 new shares; (ii) Review of the special report of the auditor prepared in accordance with Articles 7:180 in conjunction with 7:179, 7:191, and 7:193 of the Companies and Associations Code relating to the issuance of 833,334 subscription rights in favor of Alumni and 833,334 subscription rights in favor of L1 Capital, allowing each to subscribe, upon exercise, to 833,334 new shares; (iii) Issuance of 833,334 subscription rights in favor of Alumni, and decision on a possible deferred capital increase resulting therefrom, with the removal, in the interest of the company, of the preemptive rights of the company's existing shareholders; immediate allocation and acceptance; (iv) Issuance of 833,334 subscription rights in favor of L1 Capital, and decision on a possible deferred capital increase resulting therefrom, with the removal, in the interest of the company, of the preemptive rights of the company's existing shareholders; immediate allocation and acceptance; (v) Powers. Proposed decisions First resolution: Acknowledgment of special reports The general meeting exempts the chairman from reading: - the special report of the board of directors prepared in accordance with Articles 7:180 in conjunction with 7:179, 7:191 and 7:193 of the Companies and Associations Code relating to the issue of (x) 833,334 subscription rights in favor of Alumni Capital Limited, with its registered office at 601 Brickell Key Dr Suite 700, Miami, FL 33131, United States of America ('Alumni'); and (y) 833,334 subscription rights in favor of L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund, with its registered office at 161A Shedden Road, 1 Artillery Court, PO Box 10085, Grand Cayman KY1-1001, Cayman Islands ('L1 Capital'), allowing each to subscribe, upon exercise, for 833,334 new shares; - the special report of the auditor prepared in accordance with Articles 7:180 in conjunction with 7:179, 7:191 and 7:193 of the Companies and Associations Code relating to the issue of 833,334 subscription rights in favor of Alumni and 833,334 subscription rights in favor of L1 Capital, allowing each to subscribe, if exercised, to 833,334 new shares. Each shareholder acknowledges having had the opportunity to review these reports. A copy of these reports will be filed with the clerk of the Brussels Commercial Court at the same time as a copy of this document. Second resolution: Issuance and allocation of subscription rights Issuance of subscription rights The general meeting decides to issue, under the conditions set out in the board of directors' report referred to above, of 833,334 subscription rights in favor of Alumni, enabling it to subscribe to 833,334 new shares in the company, identical to the existing shares, with the rights conferred on them by the articles of association and which will participate in dividends declared after the date of exercise of the subscription rights. To this end, the general meeting decides to cancel, in the interest of the company, the pre-emptive rights of the company's existing shareholders. The general meeting decides to issue, under the conditions set out in the above-mentioned report of the board of directors, of 833,334 subscription rights in favor of L1 Capital, enabling it to subscribe to 833,334 new shares in the company, identical to the existing shares, with the rights conferred on them by the articles of association and which will participate in dividends declared after the date of exercise of the subscription rights. To this end, the general meeting decides to cancel, in the interest of the company, the pre-emptive rights of the company's existing shareholders. Allocation and acceptance of subscription rights The general meeting decides that 833,334 subscription rights shall be allocated free of charge to Alumni, represented as stated above, which immediately and expressly accepts this allocation in its entirety. The general meeting decides that 833,334 subscription rights shall be allocated free of charge to L1 Capital, represented as stated, which immediately and expressly accepts this allocation in its entirety. Terms and conditions of capital increases The general meeting decides to increase the company's capital, in one or more installments, subject to the condition precedent of the exercise of subscription rights, up to the number of subscription rights exercised multiplied by their exercise price. Any capital increases will result in the issuance of 833,334 new shares for Alumni and 833,334 new shares for L1 Capital. In accordance with Article 7:187 of the Companies and Associations Code, capital increases resulting from the exercise of subscription rights will be recorded in notarized deeds drawn up at the request of the board of directors upon presentation of a statement of exercised subscription rights. The formalities for authentic recording will be carried out by the board of directors or by any special representative duly authorized for this purpose, upon the exercise of subscription rights, and will entail the amendment of the clauses of the articles of association relating to the amount of capital and the number of shares representing it. Third resolution: Powers The general meeting authorizes each director and Mr. Olivier Van Gulck, CFO, each acting alone and with the power of substitution, to register the Warrants in a register of subscription rights established for this purpose, and to date and sign said registrations. The general meeting grants power to each director and to Mr. Olivier Van Gulck, CFO, each of whom may act alone and with the power of substitution, to have the exercise of subscription rights, the corresponding increase in the company's capital, and the number of new shares issued in consideration thereof, as well as the resulting amendments to the articles of association, duly recorded. 1. Approval of the Loan Agreement entered into on April 25, 2025 between Maxximum SA and the Company, and in particular the contribution of Maxximum SA's claim on the Company arising from the said Loan Agreement and the formula on the basis of which the number of shares to be issued to Maxximum SA in connection with the said contribution will be calculated. Agenda 1.1. Pursuant to a Loan Agreement entered into on April 25, 2025 between the Company and Maxximum SA (the 'Loan Agreement'), Maxximum SA will sell a maximum of 1,307,818 shares of the Company that it owns during the year 2025. Immediately after each sale, 90% of the proceeds from each of these sales will be made available to the Company in the form of a loan to finance its development (the remaining 10% will be used to cover the costs associated with the implementation of the transaction). Maxximum SA's claim on the Company arising from this loan will be contributed to the Company's capital by December 31, 2025, at the latest. 1.2. As indicated in the press release published by the Company on April 25, 2025, Maxximum SA and the Company have agreed that the number of shares to be issued to Maxximum SA in connection with the contribution of Maxximum SA's claim on the Company arising from the Loan Agreement will be determined on the basis of the volume-weighted average price of sales initiated by Maxximum SA under the Loan Agreement, less 3%. 1.3. Due to the potential conflict of interest that may exist with regard to Mr. Alexandre Saboundjian and Ms. Pioch, directors of Maxximum SA and the Company, the Company's board of directors, in accordance with best practices and the spirit of Article 7:96 of the Code of Companies and Associations, has decided to submit for approval of the Company's general meeting of shareholders the Loan Agreement entered into on April 25, 2025 between Maxximum SA and the Company, and in particular the contribution of Maxximum SA's claim on the Company arising from the said Loan Agreement and the formula on the basis of which the number of shares to be issued to Maxximum SA in connection with the said contribution will be calculated. Proposed decision The general meeting resolves to approve the Loan Agreement entered into on April 25, 2025 between Maxximum SA and the Company, as well as all of its terms and conditions. The general meeting specifically approves the contribution of Maxximum SA's claim on the Company arising from the said Loan Agreement and the formula according to which the number of shares to be issued to Maxximum SA in connection with the contribution of Maxximum SA's claim on the Company arising from the Loan Agreement will be determined on the basis of the volume-weighted average price of sales initiated by Maxximum SA under the Loan Agreement, less 3%. In order to be validly adopted, the resolutions listed under item 1 of the agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting require a quorum of half of the share capital and approval by a majority of three-quarters of the votes cast at the Extraordinary General Meeting. The resolutions listed under item 2 do not require any quorum and must be approved by an absolute majority of the votes present or represented at the Extraordinary General Meeting. In accordance with Article 7:153 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, no attendance quorum is required for this second Extraordinary General Meeting convened with the same agenda. As the Extraordinary General Meeting held on August 7, 2025, was unable to validly deliberate on first convening due to the lack of a quorum representing at least half of the share capital, this new Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held on August 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (Belgian time), may validly deliberate on the same items, regardless of the proportion of the share capital represented. 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Individuals participating in the meeting as owners of securities, agents or organs of a legal entity must be able to prove their identity in order to gain access to the meeting. Representatives of legal entities must provide documents establishing their status as organs or special agents. Participants are invited to come to the Company's headquarters on August 28, 2025 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to complete the registration formalities. Each shareholder may be represented at the general meeting by a proxy . Original proxies, drawn up in accordance with the model prescribed by the Company, must be submitted to the Company's registered office no later than Thursday, August 21, 2025. Proxies may also be sent no later than Thursday, August 21, 2025 by email to legal@ provided that the signed originals are submitted to the office of the general meeting at the latest before the start of the meeting. The proxies, drawn up in accordance with the model prescribed by the Company, are available on the Company's website at Shareholders' Right to Ask Questions In accordance with Article 7: 139 of the Companies and Associations Code, a shareholder may submit written questions to the directors and/or the auditor prior to the extraordinary general meeting. These questions must be submitted by Thursday, August 21, 2025, by email to legal@ Shareholder questions will only be considered if the shareholder has complied with all admission formalities to participate in the general meeting. Available documents All documents relating to the extraordinary general meeting that the law requires to be made available to shareholders may be consulted on the Company's website at the following address: from the publication of this notice. A copy of these documents will also be sent by email to shareholders who, no later than seven days before the extraordinary general meeting, have completed the formalities to be admitted to the general meeting. For the Board of Directors, Alexandre Saboundjian, Managing Director
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Maximize Savings with the Best Fuel Credit Cards
Every time you fill your tank, a hidden charge often goes unnoticed — the fuel surcharge. While it may seem minor, over time, it adds up significantly. Fortunately, the right credit card can help you save on this recurring expense. If you're looking to cut down on your fuel costs, opting for the best fuel credit card can be a smart financial move. In this blog, we'll explore how fuel surcharge waivers work, how to take advantage of them, and why certain credit cards stand out in offering these benefits. When you use a credit card to purchase fuel, petrol pumps typically add a fuel surcharge — usually around 1% of the transaction amount. A fuel surcharge waiver is a feature offered by certain credit cards that reimburses this extra charge, helping you save on every refuel. With the right best fuel credit card, you could save up to INR3,000 annually just by using your card at the pump. That's money that would otherwise go unnoticed and untapped. Brands offer a fuel surcharge waiver on eligible credit cards, helping cardholders save whenever they pay for fuel. For example, the waiver applies to purchases between INR400 and INR4,000 per transaction. If your transaction falls within this range, the 1% surcharge will be refunded to your account in the following statement cycle. Only existing cardholders of the eligible credit cards mentioned above can enjoy the fuel surcharge waiver. To make the most of this feature, ensure that one fulfills the general criteria listed below: Your fuel transactions are between INR400 and INR4,000. Your credit card account is in good standing (i.e., not delinquent, over-limit, or closed). You use petrol pumps with Electronic Draft Capture (EDC) machines. Understanding the terms and limitations is key when using a fuel credit card: Transactions below INR400 or above INR4,000 are not eligible for the waiver. Service Tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on fuel transactions will not be reversed. While the surcharge is refunded, you won't earn reward points on fuel purchases. The refund appears in your next statement cycle, not immediately after the transaction. Even though there are a few exclusions, the savings from eligible transactions can be substantial, especially for regular drivers. Choosing the best fuel credit card goes beyond just getting a waiver. The ideal card should offer: Low or competitive credit card interest rates Transparent billing and transaction processing Easy access to account summaries and statements No hidden charges or surprise deductions Fuel cards are particularly beneficial for individuals who travel frequently for work or leisure, families with multiple vehicles, and anyone who commutes daily. Over time, the savings stack up, leading to better monthly budgeting and improved financial discipline. Here are a few simple tips to make the most of your fuel credit card: Refuel Smartly – Ensure your fuel purchase amount stays within the eligible transaction range. Track Limits – Be mindful of the INR250 monthly waiver cap if you're using a Visa Platinum or RuPay Platinum card. Avoid Over-Spending – Don't overshoot INR4,000 per transaction to remain eligible. Stay Updated – Keep an eye on your credit card statements to confirm surcharge refunds. Maintain Good Credit – Regular payments ensure you continue enjoying waiver benefits without interruption. Fuel expenses are a regular part of life, but they don't have to drain your wallet. By opting for the best fuel credit card, you can enjoy cashback-like benefits, reduce monthly outflows, and simplify your spending. While you should always consider the credit card interest rates and fee structures before choosing a card, the surcharge waiver alone makes credit cards an excellent option for frequent drivers. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Hill
5 days ago
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US plans to incinerate $9.7M in USAID contraceptives
The Trump administration plans to incinerate more than $9.7 million worth of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded contraceptives that have been lying in a warehouse in Belgium since President Trump's order freezing foreign aid and shutting down USAID. The U.S. government is spending more than $160,000 to burn the mix of birth control pills, shots, implants, and IUDs at a facility in France that destroys medical waste, according to The New York Times. A spokesperson for the Department of State did not immediately respond to questions from The Hill on when the incineration will take place. State in a statement confirmed to the Times that there was a plan to incinerate the products. State also said the products to be incinerated were 'aborifacient,' meaning they induce abortions. But the Times reported that none of the supplies registered for storage in the Belgian warehouse fit that description, and USAID under the law isn't allowed to purchase products that induce abortions. European governments and activist groups have decried the decision. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), a nonprofit, estimates incinerating contraceptives will leave 1.4 million women and girls across Africa with access to life-saving care. For the past nine years, USAID has spent $607.5 million on global family planning and reproductive programs, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Those funds have helped operate family planning and reproductive health programs in more than 30 countries. France is currently under pressure to stop the impending destruction of the stockpile from French reproductive rights groups and family planning organizations, although officials said earlier this month they cannot legally seize the contraceptives. IPPF estimates that 77 percent of the supplies are earmarked for five African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DNC). More than 40 percent of the soon-to-be destroyed supplies were meant for Tanzania alone, according to the nonprofit. IPPF wrote in a statement the supplies are being 'needlessly and egregiously' destroyed and that many of the contraceptives will not expire until 2027 at the earliest and 2029 at the latest. 'This decision to destroy ready-to-use commodities is appalling and extremely wasteful,' said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, Africa regional director of IPPF. 'These life-saving medical supplies were destined to countries where access to reproductive care is already limited, and in some cases, part of a broader humanitarian response, such as in the DRC.' Destroying the contraceptive supplies will result in 362,000 unintended pregnancies which can force some to seek out unsafe abortions, and will cause 161,000 unplanned births, according to the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC). IPPF estimates that once the contraceptives are destroyed, Tanzania will have more than 1 million fewer injectable contraceptives and 365,100 fewer implants to distribute—or about 28 percent of the country's total annual need. Mali will experience a shortage of more than 1,100,000 oral contraceptives and 95,800 implants or roughly 24 percent of the country's annual need. Zambia will have 48,400 fewer implants and 295,000 injectable contraceptives to distribute to women. In Kenya, nearly 14 percent of the country's annual contraceptive need will not be met, and more than 100,000 women will not be able to access contraceptive implants this year.
