Corporate Governance

Toronto – October 12, 2026 -- Highlander Silver Corp. (TSX, NYSE American: HSLV) has appointed Poonam Puri as an independent director, effective immediately.

Puri brings tenured law and governance credentials from Osgoode Hall

Puri is a tenured Professor of Law and Research Chair in Corporate Governance at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. She is also a corporate lawyer and Affiliated Scholar at Davies, Ward, Phillips & Vineberg, LLP. Her specialties are corporate law, corporate governance and capital markets regulation.

She is a member of the Order of Ontario. Her honors include the Institute of Corporate Directors Fellowship Award, the Ontario Law Society Medal and the Royal Society of Canada's Yvan Allaire Medal. She graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Harvard Law School.

Toronto – October 12, 2026 -- Shareholders of Highlander Silver Corp. (TSX, NYSE American: HSLV) approved every item on the agenda at the company's annual meeting, including the election of all six director nominees.

Shareholders elect all six nominees to the Highlander Silver board

Each of the six nominees put forward in the Management Information Circular dated May 12, 2026, was elected. The company published a summary of the director election results alongside its announcement.

Davidson & Company LLP stays on as Highlander Silver's auditor

Shareholders re-appointed Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors for the coming year. They also authorized the board to fix the auditors' remuneration.

President and CEO Daniel Earle, who also sits on the board, signed the announcement on behalf of the company. Arun Lamba, Vice President Corporate Development, is the designated information contact.

Dallas – October 12, 2026 -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) has appointed two sitting chief executives, Jason Liberty of Royal Caribbean Group and Varun Krishna of Rocket Companies, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

The Board said it chose directors with public company leadership experience and expertise in technology, digital innovation, commercial strategy and financial leadership. Southwest is executing its strategic priorities and aims to drive shareholder value.

Sweden – October 12, 2026 -- Sandvik has started the process of selecting the audit firm that will audit Sandvik AB and the legal entities within the Sandvik Group from 2028, with a deadline of August 14, 2026 for audit firms to notify their intent to bid.

Sandvik sets August 14, 2026 deadline for audit firms to declare interest

Firms that want to join the tender must notify Sandvik before the deadline. The appointment covers the parent company, Sandvik AB, and the Group's legal entities, so the winning firm would hold the audit mandate across the whole Group structure.

Group reporting head Marta Hafzelius named as contact for bidders

Marta Hafzelius, Head of Group Reporting and Consolidation, is the contact for further information. Placing the tender under that function points to the audit mandate's close link to Sandvik's consolidated reporting.

Toronto – – October 12, 2026 -- Profound Medical Corp. (NASDAQ:PROF; TSX:PRN) replaced its chief financial officer effective immediately, promoting Corporate Controller Matthew Sobczyk to Interim CFO after Rashed Dewan stepped down from the role.

Sobczyk, a 2020 hire, takes over the finance function

Sobczyk first joined the interventional MRI (iMRI) company in 2020 and moves up from Corporate Controller. The company did not name a permanent successor or give a timeline for a CFO search.

Dewan stays on a short-term consulting contract

Dewan will remain with Profound under a short-term consulting contract to support the handover. CEO and Chairman Arun Menawat thanked him for his years of service and his contributions to the company.

Calgary – October 12, 2026 -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: XRTX | TSXV: XRTX | Frankfurt: ANU) has appointed Depesh Narotam, a financial services executive with more than 20 years of experience, to its board as an independent director effective July 27, 2026.

Board determines Narotam meets Nasdaq and Canadian independence standards

The board determined that Narotam, 43, is independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and Canadian securities laws. He also joins the board's Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee.

Narotam is a resident of British Columbia, Canada.

Calgary – October 12, 2026 -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: XRTX | TSXV: XRTX | Frankfurt: ANU) said board chairman Anthony Giovinazzo is stepping down from the board of directors, citing personal reasons and a wish to pursue other interests.

Giovinazzo leaves after several years as chairman and committee member

Giovinazzo led the board as chairman for the past several years and also served on key committees. Co-CEO Dr. Allen Davidoff credited him with leadership and ethics of the highest standards in both roles. Davidoff said management and the board extend their appreciation for his efforts.

The company did not name a successor chairman or give a departure date. The release also did not say whether Giovinazzo's committee seats will be refilled.

XORTX advances five programs in gout and kidney disease

The late-stage clinical pharmaceutical company is developing three clinically advanced products:

Columbus – October 12, 2026 -- American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) has elected Marriott International Chairman David Marriott and Equinix Executive Chairman Charles Meyers to its Board of Directors, effective July 20, bringing the board to 12 directors, 11 of them independent.

AEP adds data center and hospitality operating experience as it invests to meet unprecedented energy demand

AEP said the two appointees will provide insight as it invests to meet unprecedented energy demand while maintaining its focus on reliability and affordability. Chairman, President and CEO Bill Fehrman said their experience aligns directly with AEP's strategy to meet growing demand, deliver reliable, affordable power and create long-term value for shareholders.

Detroit – October 12, 2026 -- Akio Toyoda, chairman of the board of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), became the fourth member of the Toyoda family inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, in a ceremony held in Detroit.

The Hall of Fame recognizes leaders, innovators and visionaries whose work has shaped the global automotive and mobility industry. Toyoda joins his grandfather Kiichiro, his father Shoichiro, and Eiji Toyoda, his grandfather's cousin. Taiichi Ohno, widely regarded as the father of the Toyota Production System, is also among Toyota's honorees.

Toyoda took TMC's presidency in 2009 during a difficult period

Toyoda became president of TMC in 2009, assuming leadership during one of the most challenging periods in the company's history. He led efforts to strengthen quality controls, rebuild trust in the Toyota brand and reinforce the company's business foundation.

Vancouver – – October 12, 2026 -- Rio Silver Inc. (TSX.V: RYO; OTC: RYOOF) won shareholder approval for every resolution at its annual general meeting on October 12, 2026, with 13,099,198 common shares, or 22.24% of issued and outstanding shares at the record date, represented in person or by proxy.

Shareholders back director slate, auditor and compensation plan

Resolutions covered the election of directors, ratification of the auditor's appointment for the year ended October 12, 2026, reappointment of the current auditor, and approval of the company's security-based compensation plan.

The source does not disclose vote percentages for individual resolutions or the names of elected directors.

Turnout stays at about one-fifth of share capital

The 22.24% representation means roughly 78% of issued shares were not voted at the meeting. Rio Silver describes itself as having a large percentage of insider, friends and family ownership.