Do you find Nevada’s ballot questions difficult to read? They are, according to science.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to vote, but Nevada’s ballot questions might make you feel like you need to be one in order to understand them.
A new analysis by Ballotpedia of the 159 ballot measures to be decided by voters across 41 states this November found that Nevada’s questions on average require a higher reading level than ballot questions in all but one other state.
Ballotpedia analyzed readability using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Flesch Reading Ease formulas, which assess readability using the number of syllables, words and sentences. The measures do not analyze the complexity of any idea being presented to voters, but do offer some insight into how easily comprehensible the idea might be to voters, particularly low-information ones.
The national average FKGL score for ballot questions was 16, which correlates with 16 years of schooling (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree). Scores ranged from grade level 7 in New Hampshire to grade level 28 in Alabama.
Nevada’s seven ballot measures averaged to a whopping score of 25. Only one state, Alabama, scored higher, with a grade level 28. A second state, New Mexico, tied with Nevada at 25.
All but one of the ballot questions in front of Silver State voters this year scored above the national average. But the state’s overall score was driven up primarily by two ballot measures — Question 1 and Question 3. Both had readability scores among the most inaccessible in the nation.
Question 1, which would remove the Board of Regents from the state constitution, scored 36, suggesting it takes at least three dozen years of schooling to comprehend. Supporters of the 69-word ballot question have acknowledged that an inability to easily understand what the question is asking may lead to its failure as voters default to a “no” or skip the question altogether.
A similar ballot measure to remove the regents from the constitution narrowly failed in 2020. That question was considered to be written at a grade level 39. For comparison, the ballot measure requiring the highest level of reading in the entire United States was Maine Question 2, which had a score of 42.
Drafters of Nevada’s Question 1 say they attempted to simplify the language but could only do so much.
Ballot questions are typically written by attorneys and must use the same language used in existing state law or the constitution. Ballot questions stemming from an initiative petition are often challenged in court by opponents, and their language can sometimes be altered by the court as part of that process..
Nevada’s Question 3, which would establish an open primary/ranked choice voting system for most statewide races, is written at a grade level 32. Voters were apparently not turned away by the readability in 2022 when the question first appeared before them. Nevadans approved the measure, which must be approved a second time because it changes the state constitution.
Question 6, which would enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution, came in at a 29 grade level.
On the easier end, Question 5, which would exempt diapers from sales tax, is written at a grade level 15. It was the only Nevada question to score below the national average of 16. (Florida, meanwhile, earned the distinction of having the easiest to read ballot question. Florida Amendment 2’s title is simply “right to fish and hunt” and considered a grade level -2, the lowest score Ballotpedia has recorded in the seven years of analyzing readability. Its summary, which fully explains the proposal, was scored at grade level 14.)
Nevada’s Question 2, which removes antiquated references for people with disabilities from the state constitution, scored 18. Question 4, which removes slavery and indentured servitude from the state constitution, scored slightly worse at 20.
Question 7, which would establish a voter id requirement and require voters to print additional personal information on their mail ballot, scored 23.
Nevadans have the opportunity to weigh in on seven ballot measures this year. Only five states have more questions on their ballots — Colorado (14 questions), Arizona (13), California (11), New Mexico (8), and Missouri (8).
The Nevada Current’s 2024 Voter Guide breaks down all seven ballot measures.

Scientists explain Lake Geneva’s unique carbon footprint

Scientists find reasons for Lake Geneva’s CO2 emissions

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Swiss scientists have unlocked the carbon cycle of Lake Geneva, explaining why it releases CO2 despite containing little organic matter.

This content was published on

October 31, 2024 – 10:42

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Traditional scientific theories previously attributed CO2 emissions from lakes to the massive input of organic material from the surrounding soils into the lake, as the University of Lausanne (UNIL) wrote in a press release on Wednesday.

This material from plant and animal residues in the soil is washed into the water by rainfall. As soon as it reaches the lakes, it is decomposed by the microorganisms living there. This produces CO2.

+ Read why fish species are disappearing from Swiss lakes

Lake Geneva works differently

Although this theory can explain the activities of some lakes, it does not work for Lake Geneva. This is because it receives very little organic material from its shores.

The CO2 balance of Lake Geneva over a year should therefore be neutral: With CO2 production in winter (through the decomposition of organic material and the recirculation of water) and CO2 uptake in summer (through photosynthesis by algae).

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Invasive quagga mussel could profoundly change Swiss lakes

This content was published on

Mar 24, 2022

The invasive quagga mussel, originally from the Black Sea region, is spreading rapidly in Swiss lakes.

Read more: Invasive quagga mussel could profoundly change Swiss lakes

Mechanism deciphered

The reasons why this is not the case in Lake Geneva have now been deciphered by a team of scientists from UNIL in a study published in the journal “Science Advances”: According to the study, a large proportion of the emissions actually come from the natural erosion of the rock on the upper shore of the lake.

This is because the rainwater releases bicarbonate and calcium ions when it hits the rocks, which then enter the lake. In summer, the ions form micro-calcium particles due to the heat and algae growth. This is known as calcite precipitation.

Algae activities are not enough

This chemical reaction releases CO2 and gives the lake its milky blue-green appearance in the warm season. Although the many algae continue to absorb CO2, this is not enough to compensate for the massive production from rock weathering. The additional emissions are therefore the result of a geological process and not just a biological one, as previously assumed.

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Climate change poses risks to Swiss lake ecosystems

This content was published on

Feb 19, 2021

New research shows that climate change risks altering the temperature, ice cover and mixing of many Swiss lakes, especially at medium altitudes.

Read more: Climate change poses risks to Swiss lake ecosystems

“These findings reveal a universal process that applies to several large, emblematic lakes around the world,” said Marie-Elodie Perga, Professor of Limnology at UNIL and co-author of the study, in the press release.

The team used the LéXPLORE experimental platform near Pully VD to observe the processes on a very small scale, model them and convert them into equations. These have now provided the missing piece of the puzzle to the conventional models of the carbon cycle. The new data could also help to properly combat global warming, UNIL wrote.

Translated from French by DeepL/mga

How we work

This news story has been written and carefully fact-checked by an external editorial team. At SWI swissinfo.ch we select the most relevant news for an international audience and use automatic translation tools such as DeepL to translate it into English. Providing you with automatically translated news gives us the time to write more in-depth articles.

If you want to know more about how we work, have a look here, if you want to learn more about how we use technology, click here, and if you have feedback on this news story please write to [email protected].

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Tariq Ramadan court appeal won’t delay victim compensation

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Oct 31, 2024

Compensation and damages of CHF95,000 for the victims of Tariq Ramadan will not be postponed by the Islamic scholar’s appeal against his rape conviction.

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Climate change alters natural hazards in Swiss Alps

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Alpine rockfalls have increased in recent decades as permafrost thaws and glaciers recedes.

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Swiss attend Ukraine humanitarian summit in Montreal

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Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis is attending a Canadian-hosted conference that will focus on humanitarian issues in war-torn Ukraine.

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Swiss central bank posts CHF62.5bn profit

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Oct 31, 2024

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has generated a CHF62.5 billion profit in the first nine months of this year.

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US Treasury sanctions two Swiss lawyers for aiding Russian clients

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The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has added two Swiss lawyers to the sanctions list.

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Experts pessimistic about the Swiss economic outlook

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Oct 30, 2024

According to financial analysts and economists, the outlook for the Swiss economy remains bleak.

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Swiss social welfare drops for people from non-EU countries

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Oct 30, 2024

In Switzerland, 6.7% of the 669,100 people from third countries received social assistance in 2022.

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Swiss National Bank launches competition to design new banknotes

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Oct 30, 2024

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is launching a competition to design a new banknote series on the theme of “Switzerland and its altitudes”.

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Swiss government boosts grain imports after poor harvest

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Oct 30, 2024

The Swiss grain harvest in 2024 was significantly lower than average. The government now plans to boost imports.

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Swiss federal prosecutor receives Credit Suisse papers on Mozambique scandal

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Oct 30, 2024

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has received documents from Credit Suisse relating to the Mozambique debt scandal.

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Western political science professor breaks down U.S. Electoral College process

The U.S. presidential election is Nov. 5, when millions of Americans will cast their vote for the country’s next leader — whoever earns more votes though, may not end up in the Oval Office.

That’s because of the Electoral College, a long-standing group of electors responsible for choosing the U.S. president and vice president.

“Instead of calculating the popular vote and seeing who got the most votes, it’s done on a state-by-state basis,” said Matthew Lebo, a political science professor at Western University.

Every state has a certain number of electoral votes, which all add up to 538. Each state historically assigns all of its electoral votes to the candidate who wins that state. Whichever candidate gets 270 of those votes, or more, wins the presidency.

Lebo pointed out Donald Trump lost the national popular vote in each of the last two elections, but won the presidency over Hillary Clinton in 2016 because of the Electoral College.

“He’s been more efficient in terms of turning votes into Electoral College votes,” said Lebo.

Swing states will play an important role on election day.

“I could tell you who’s probably going to win 43 out of 50 states, but there are seven that are just total coin flips at this point,” said Lebo.

“The three key ones are probably Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Donald Trump won those three states in 2016, but Joe Biden won them back in 2020,” he added. “If Kamala Harris can win those three states this year, then that’s enough for her to win the presidency.”

The Electoral College has long been criticized as a mechanism for choosing the U.S president, because it forces campaigns to focus their messaging on a small number of states that could go either way, rather than campaign to the broader American public.

Any efforts to abolish the Electoral College likely face a difficult task in amending the Constitution. “Right now, it benefits the Republican Party,” said Lebo. “You have one party that sees it as an advantage, and they’re not going to go and change it.”

Some primarily Democrat-leaning states are trying to get around the Electoral College though, with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Those states include California, New York, and Colorado.

They’re trying to convince enough states to agree to cast all of their electoral votes for whichever candidate wins the national popular vote, instead of their individual state.

“If you get enough states whose total Electoral College votes added up to 270,” said Lebo, “then the Electoral College might become irrelevant.”

A total of 17 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the agreement, totalling 209 of the 270 necessary votes. It’s also currently under consideration in four more states with a total of 50 Electoral College votes. 

From ‘Intermezzo’ To ‘ The Striker’, Here Are Our Top Books To Binge Read This Long Weekend

It’s finally that time of year when everyone is busy choosing their festive outfits or planning the menu for their Diwali parties. But there are some folks similar to me who are far from home, trying to meet deadlines while fighting off homesickness.Being alone during the festive season can be a little sad for a lot of us, but there is a crowd who loves and enjoys this little time of solitude. If you are a bookworm like me, whose favourite thing is to binge read a book until late at night, see the sunrise (don’t tell my mom), this is the best time to grab a comfy blanket and escape into an alternative universe where we have a green flag man pinning over a quirky lady for a year, making us go aww with every page turn.Looking at the bookshelves in stores, we have something new released for everyone, whether you’re craving a heartwarming romance, a thrilling paranormal love story (yes, please keep scrolling), or any other genre. Here are our recommendations for you:1. Intermezzo by Sally RooneyIn her latest novel, Sally Rooney explores grief, love, and family through the lives of two brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek. Peter, a successful lawyer in Dublin, grapples with his father’s death while managing complex relationships with his first love, Sylvia, and college student Naomi. Meanwhile, socially awkward Ivan, a competitive chess player, finds unexpected connection with Margaret, an older woman with her own struggles. As they navigate their intertwined lives, the brothers confront desire, despair, and the possibility of healing in the wake of loss.Shop here.2. The Striker by Ana HuangFrom the author who gave us the iconic Twisted Series. Ana Huang bring us Asher Donovan, a legendary footballer, is forced to bond with his rival-turned-teammate during off-season training after a controversial transfer. Things get complicated when he meets Scarlett DuBois, a former prima ballerina and his rival’s sister. Despite their undeniable chemistry, Scarlett has sworn off footballers and is haunted by her past. As they spend the summer together, they must navigate their growing attraction while dealing with the consequences of forbidden love.Shop here.3. Two Can Play by Ali HazelwoodP.S: This is an audiobook.Call me cliched but I will get tired of another refrigerator-sized MMC with filthy thoughts, pining for a quirky, tiny FMC who thinks he hates her for no reason. She jumps to wild conclusions, and he can only express himself with grunts. It’s my kryptonite. In this enemies-to-lovers spicy romance from the bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, Viola Bowen has the chance to design a video game based on her favourite book series—only to find her co-lead is her arch-nemesis, Jesse F-ing Andrews. Forced to attend a winter retreat for team-building, Viola dreads being snowed in with Jesse. But as they spend time together, she uncovers a different side to him, and the heat between them ignites in unexpected ways.Shop here.4. Little Lovely Lily by Ahmad RizaqThis book is not just a ghost story; it’s a love story. When Lily moves to the Netherlands for her mother’s diplomatic work, she faces teenage turmoil and a local legend about the Heartbreaker, a ghost who ensnares girls into eternal love. After a cruel prank by her bullies leads to a haunting, Lily finds herself caught in a complex relationship with the ghost, who oscillates between tormenting and protecting her. As external forces threaten their bond, Lily must confront whether their love can bridge the gap between reality and the supernatural.Shop here.5. Perfect Fit by Clare GilmoreIn this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com book, Josephine Davis has dedicated her twenties to building her fashion brand, Revenant, in Austin. When her biggest investor insists she hire a consultant, she’s shocked to find it’s Will Grant, her ex-best friend’s twin brother. Their past includes a regrettable kiss, and they’ve never been friends—Josie sees Will as moody, while he thinks she’s shallow. As they navigate their complicated work dynamic, unexpected chemistry sparks between them. But with Will’s sister in the mix and their long-distance situation, Josie grapples with her priorities: continue her relentless grind as a CEO or slow down to embrace love.Shop here.6. Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun YunIn this enchanting bestseller from Korea, Jieun, the owner of a magical laundromat called the Marigold Mind Laundry, erases painful memories for her customers while searching for her vanished family. With the ability to transfer sadness into T-shirt stains that turn into flower petals, she helps five troubled souls: a frustrated filmmaker, a spiraling influencer, a betrayed mother, a jilted woman, and a talented photographer stuck in a mundane job. As Jieun listens to their stories, she discovers that the power to heal resides within us all, offering both wonderment and comfort in this joyous tale.Shop here.Also, read: TBR Update: We Asked AI To Suggest Popular Romance Books Based On Your Zodiac SignStars And Storylines: We Asked AI To Assign K-Drama Personalities Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Aduro Clean Technologies Reports Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Results

(MENAFN- GlobeNewsWire – Nasdaq) NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES LONDON, Ontario, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aduro Clean Technologies Inc . (“ Aduro ” or the“ Company ”) (CSE: ACT ) (OTCQX: ACTHF ) (FSE: 9D5 ), a clean technology company using the power of chemistry to transform lower value feedstocks, like waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils, into resources for the 21st century, has filed its interim consolidated financial results for the three months ended August 31, 2024, and has provided the following highlights. All financial information in this press release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Ofer Vicus, CEO of Aduro, remarked,“This quarter, Aduro continued to achieve essential milestones that underscore our technical progress towards higher market readiness. We advanced our engagement with TotalEnergies from an extended technical evaluation phase into an augmented research and collaboration agreement. In addition, we continue to make great progress on the design of our Next Generation Process, while filing a new patent application, further strengthening our intellectual property and expanding our addressable market.” “Q1 featured notable financial and structural improvements that strengthen Aduro’s operational foundation,” remarked Mena Beshay, CFO of Aduro.“The successful private placement significantly strengthened our capital structure and bolstered our research and development and scale-up up activities. These steps collectively place Aduro in a stronger financial position to continue advancing our technology applications and customer engagement initiatives.” First Quarter 2025 – Financial Highlights Quarterly revenue was $55,000 for Q1 2025, a slight decrease of 6% compared to revenue of $58,545 generated in Q1 2024. Loss from operations was $2,462,532 for Q1 2025, as compared to loss from operations of $1,570,322 in Q1 2024. Property, plant, and equipment carrying cost as of August 31, 2024, was $3.92 million representing an increase of approximately $0.313 million over Q1 2025, signifying an increased investment in research and laboratory equipment. The Company maintained a strong cash position of approximately $5.95 million as of August 31, 2024. First Quarter 2025 – Corporate Highlights and Subsequent Events Private Placement : Completed a $3.52 million non-brokered private placement, bolstering funds for ongoing R&D and operational growth. Stock Option Grants : Issued 2,685,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees, and a consultant, exercisable over five years with monthly vesting over 24 months, aligning incentives with corporate growth and execution. Investor Engagement : Engaged KCSA Strategic Communications, a leading New York-based communications firm, to provide investor relations and digital services. Using the AmplifIR platform to expand investor outreach and strengthen brand presence, the Company expects that KCSA will be able to facilitate greater awareness and widespread dissemination of the Company’s news and progress. Conversion of Class B Warrants and Share Consolidation : Upon reaching the Second Milestone in the Securities Exchange Agreement between the Company and Aduro Energy Inc. dated October 22, 2020, as amended, the Company converted the Class B Special Warrants and issued 4,102,563 post-consolidation common shares. Additionally, the Company executed a 3.25-to-1 common share consolidation effective August 20, 2024, reducing the common shares issued and outstanding from 88,316,467 shares to 27,174,297 common shares inclusive of the Class B warrant conversion. Entered New Phase of Collaboration with TotalEnergies : After two positive technical evaluation programs with TotalEnergies, Aduro has advanced to a new research and development collaboration phase with TotalEnergies to optimize HydrochemolyticTM technology for complex multi-polymer waste, establishing parameters for potential commercial deployment. Next Generation Process (NGP) : Conducted semi-industrial experiments to finalize reactor configurations for the NGP. Aduro aims to complete NGP design by calendar year-end, advancing its scale-up program and expanding its capabilities to expand collaborations within its Customer Engagement Program. New Patent Filing : Submitted a patent for a cost-effective and efficient process to produce BTX chemicals (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) from waste plastics and renewable oils, strengthening Aduro’s IP and addressing high-demand markets. BTX compounds are essential building blocks for a wide array of high-value chemicals and materials, including plastics, paints, sealants, coatings, and pharmaceuticals. Aromatic chemicals like BTX are key building blocks, accounting for 40% of petrochemical production by volume. The new patent application marks significant progress towards a key objective set out by Aduro at the beginning of 2024, the expansion of the Company’s technology and intellectual property position. Conference Participation : Participated in the International Refining & Petroleum Conference 2024 (IRPC), highlighting advancements and fostering potential partnerships to support ongoing innovation and commercialization efforts. These achievements underscore Aduro’s commitment to scaling innovative technology solutions and positioning itself as a leader in sustainable chemical processing. For a more detailed discussion of Aduro’s Q1 2025 results, please refer to the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements and interim management discussion & analysis for the three months ended August 31, 2024, which are available at . Upcoming Annual General Meeting The Company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for November 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and will be accessible via Zoom and teleconference. Shareholders will vote on important matters, including the election of directors and auditor appointments. The AGM circular, containing the access link and agenda, has been sent to shareholders of record as of October 16, 2024. Shareholders are encouraged to vote by proxy in advance and join the AGM via Zoom or teleconference. To access the Meeting by Zoom, please join via the following link:Meeting ID: 810 8606 1737 Passcode: 010600 To dial-in by phone find your local number here: About Aduro Clean Technologies Aduro Clean Technologies is a developer of patented water-based technologies to chemically recycle waste plastics; convert heavy crude and bitumen into lighter, more valuable oil; and transform renewable oils into higher-value fuels or renewable chemicals. The Company’s HydrochemolyticTM technology relies on water as a critical agent in a chemistry platform that operates at relatively low temperatures and cost, a game-changing approach that converts low-value feedstocks into resources for the 21st century. For further information, please contact: Abe Dyck, Investor Relations…+1 226 784 8889 KCSA Strategic Communications Jack Perkins, Vice President… Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects, or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. In this news release, the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ongoing progress of the design of the Company’s Next Generation Process, strengthening the Company’s intellectual property and expansion of the total addressable market; the plan to continue strengthening the Company’s capital structure and bolster research and development and scale-up activities; the anticipated stronger financial position and continued advancement of the Company’s technology applications and customer engagement initiatives; the intended use of proceeds from private placement financings for ongoing R&D and operational growth; the issuance of stock options intended to align employee incentives with corporate growth and execution; the engagement of KCSA Strategic Communications with an intention to expand investor outreach and strengthen brand presence, including facilitation of greater awareness and widespread dissemination of the Company’s news and progress; the anticipated collaboration phase with TotalEnergies aimed to establish parameters for potential commercial deployment; the participation by the Company in conferences aimed to highlight advancements and foster potential partnerships to support ongoing innovation and commercialization efforts; the Company’s intention to scale innovative technology solutions and position itself as a leader in sustainable chemical processing; and the Company’s plans for the upcoming annual general meeting. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, the various factors that may impede or prevent the Company’s ongoing progress for the design of the Next Generation Process, the strengthening its intellectual property and expansion of the total addressable market; that the Company may for various reasons fail to strengthen its capital structure or bolster research and development and scale-up activities; that the Company’s financial position may not continue to improve as anticipated for various reasons; that the advancement of the technology applications and customer engagement initiatives of the Company may fail to progress for various reasons; that the proceeds from private placement financings may be used for other unanticipated purposes; that the incentive equity awards may not incentivize employees to align with corporate growth and execution; that the engagement of KCSA may fail to expand the investor outreach or strengthen brand presence as anticipated; that the collaboration phase with TotalEnergies may not proceed as anticipated or may fail to establish any viable parameters for potential commercial deployment; that the participation by the Company in conferences may not achieve desired results or foster partnerships supporting commercialization; that the Company may be unsuccessful in scaling its technology solutions and be unable to establish itself as a leader in sustainable chemical processing due to other competing technologies or unforeseen circumstances; and that adverse market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the parties may negatively affect the company and its business. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The CSE has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the content of this news release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN31102024004107003653ID1108837492