Source: Asia Development Bank
After a rebound in economic growth in 2024 at 4.3% driven by both resource and non-resource sectors, Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) economy is forecast to grow by 4.2% in 2025 and moderate further to 3.8% in 2026 amid development challenges and rising geoeconomic risks, says the Asian Development Outlook 2025.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Palestinians confront Israeli forces during clashes in the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on April 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Israeli security forces arrested a senior militant in Nablus, West Bank, according to a joint statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the Israel Police on Wednesday.
The statement said that during counterterrorism operations conducted on Tuesday night, special police forces arrested Muhammad Bana, “a senior terrorist in the dismantled Lion’s Den terrorist network,” and weapons were confiscated.
It noted that during the apprehension, Bana, armed with an M-16 rifle and a spray grenade, attempted to flee and was shot in his leg.
The statement added that he was involved in shooting and explosive attacks toward the security forces in the West Bank and had planned other attacks.
In addition, the IDF’s Duvdevan Unit apprehended Khalil Hanbali, “who was wanted by security forces due to his involvement in terrorist activity,” according to the statement.
He was involved in shooting attacks against IDF soldiers, served as a key weapon supplier, and had also attempted to plan additional attacks, it added.
Israeli security forces have recently conducted frequent security operations in the West Bank.
Earlier in the day, the IDF said in a statement that its forces demolished the West Bank home of a slain Palestinian who fatally shot an Israeli soldier on March 22.
The Palestinian, Mujahid Mansour, fired at a passenger van at a junction west of Ramallah, causing damage but no casualties, and fled the scene, according to the statement.
During a chase that lasted about five hours, an Israeli soldier was killed and six other Israeli fighters were wounded. Mansour was eventually killed by a missile fired from a combat helicopter.
Israel captured East Jerusalem, along with the rest of the West Bank, in the 1967 Six-Day War. Under international law, East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory, and its annexation by Israel is deemed illegal.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) in cosponsoring the Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act. This bill requires universities to disclose gifts they receive from foreign adversaries, regardless of the amount of the gift or contract. This bill aligns with President Trump’s America First agenda by preventing foreign money and influence from infiltrating our higher education institutions.
Sen. Tuberville cosponsored this legislation in the 118th Congress.
“The Chinese Communist Party wants to brainwash our kids and destroy our country — not on my watch,” said Sen. Tuberville. “The CCP has made it clear their plan of action is to infiltrate our education system and indoctrinate our kids. It is astounding that we have allowed universities to get away with taking money from a country that hates us. I was glad to see Troy University in Alabama close its CCP-backed Confucius Institute, and hope other universities will follow their lead. Transparency about how China is funding our schools is not only vital to our national security — our kids’ futures depend on it.”
“Americans deserve to know if universities are accepting money from our enemies like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. This bill delivers that transparency and stops hostile nations from hiding their influence on our campuses,” said Sen. Banks.
Sens. Tuberville and Banks were joined by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) in cosponsoring the legislation.
Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) is leading the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Read full text of the legislation here.
BACKGROUND:
Key Provisions of the Safeguarding American Education from Foreign Control Act are:
According to the Americans for Public Trust, China donated more than $175 million to American universities last year.
In August 2023, Sen. Tuberville joined 19 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the Biden Administration’s Department of Education (ED) expressing outrage for allowing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to infiltrate U.S. classrooms through Confucius programming. Confucius programming establishes a partnership between schools, universities, or nonprofits and a Chinese government entity. Expansion of Confucius Classrooms in the United States is a top priority for the Chinese government. A report released in July 2023 shows over 143 United States schools across 34 states and the District of Columbia have received CCP-related funding. Additionally, the report shows the CCP has ties to 20 school districts near United States military bases. Read the letter here.
In February 2023, Sen. Tuberville let Troy University know that future funding opportunities would be in jeopardy if they did not end their Confucius Institute program. He was pleased when Troy announced they were closing the program.
Since assuming office in the U.S. Senate in 2021, Sen. Tuberville has led and supported numerous efforts to protect American resources, farmland, investments, intellectual property, and national security from the growing threat of Communist China.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trisura Group Ltd. (“Trisura” or “Trisura Group”) (TSX: TSU), a leading specialty insurance provider, announces the timing of its 2025 Investor Day.
Trisura will host its 2025 Investor Day on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. ET at Royal Bank Plaza – North Tower, 200 Bay Street, Suite 1600, in Toronto where management will discuss long-term strategy and market conditions.
To register for the Investor Day, or to access the live audio webcast, please follow the link below:
https://reg.lumiengage.com/trisura-2025
About Trisura Group
Trisura Group Ltd. is a specialty insurance provider operating in the Surety, Warranty, Corporate Insurance, Program and Fronting business lines of the market. Trisura has investments in wholly owned subsidiaries through which it conducts insurance operations. Those operations are primarily in Canada and the United States. Trisura Group Ltd. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “TSU”.
Further information is available at https://www.trisura.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information. Details regarding the operations of Trisura Group Ltd. are also set forth in regulatory filings. A copy of the filings may be obtained on Trisura Group’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Name: Bryan Sinclair
Tel: 416 607 2135
Email: bryan.sinclair@trisura.com
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today joined Mornings With Maria on Fox Business to discuss the Senate-passed budget resolution being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week, along with President Donald Trump’s trade agenda.
Partial Transcript
Hagerty on the budget resolution: “I’m very optimistic. The House Rules Committee will actually be meeting this morning. President Trump, as you know, met with a number of people in the House last night. I think we’ll get this moved through. This budget resolution process will then unlock the reconciliation process, which is where we’ll actually get the tax cuts extended. We’ll bring the certainty that American business needs to make the capital investments that they want to make. The optimal deadline would be sometime before the 8th of May, but I think we can definitely get this done in the next four weeks.”
Hagerty on the misunderstanding of spending cut levels in the budget resolution: “We’re going to get to work on the committee level to work through and try to bring about as many cuts as we can possibly deliver for the American people. Over time, we want to deliver at least $2 trillion worth of cuts here. There’s been some miscommunication, I think, about some of the targets that we set, but we want to make certain the hurdles are low enough that we don’t have a procedural issue, but we certainly are going to be shooting high, in terms of the cuts that we want to deliver.”
Hagerty on potential trade negotiations: “As you know, Japan’s got a team here this week on the ground. I think there’s a wonderful opportunity to see real breakthroughs and real progress. When I served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, we did two trade deals there. Our teams know the issues, and I’ve encouraged the parties to really think broadly beyond just trade, but also think about our defense relationship, to think about opportunities with energy, ways that we can make our economies much more integrated, much more harmonized, and at the same time, our national security and our energy security needs will be met as well. I’m very optimistic about what will be forthcoming here.”
Hagerty on the budget resolution passing before recess: “As we look at the House Rules Committee today, I think we certainly will [get it passed]. I hope that they’ll be able to move on this before we leave for Easter recess. Our teams are certainly working hard here in the Senate on the reconciliation process itself. So, we’ll be ready to go as soon as we get back from recess [and] get [tax reform] passed.”
Hagerty on Trump using tariffs to resolve trade imbalances: “I think we’ve got a great opportunity here, and Maria, there’s an historic reason for this. A lot of these imbalances that President Trump has been signaling, very clearly to the market, that he wants to address a lot of these imbalances dated all the way back to World War II and the reconstruction effort afterwards. Japan, European nations got very favorable terms of trade. Now is the time to rectify that, though these are fully developed economies, and what we’ve seen is a very deep imbalance. We’re in the process of getting that adjusted. We started working on that when I was Ambassador, but COVID hit. So, there’s more opportunity there on the terms of trade, but if we broaden this even further, there’s a lot more that we can do, in terms of defense production, technology development. If you think about energy, Maria, there’s a tremendous opportunity for us to cooperate with the Japanese there to send more American energy, not only to Japan, but to partner with Japan, to send it throughout Southeast Asia. I see great opportunity here, and I’ve been encouraging the parties to really focus broadly, make the problem larger, and then solve it.”
Hagerty on China’s retaliatory tariffs: “China should have seen this coming. President Trump telegraphed this throughout the campaign. He wants to rectify the situation with China. There’s an opportunity here as well. I think China needs to step up to the plate. I’m very optimistic that David Perdue, former U.S. Senator, will be confirmed as our Ambassador to China very soon. My colleague, [Senator] Steve Daines, has been working closely trying to encourage the right type of cooperation there. And when David Perdue gets into the mix, I think we’ll see a lot more opportunity to bring the parties together. That’s where we need to head with China.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today reintroduced the Stop the Nosy Obsession with Online Payments, or SNOOP, Act, a bill to strike the tax code provision inserted by the Biden Administration in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) that requires third-party payment platforms to report businesses’ gross transaction volumes totaling more than $600 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Prior to the ARP, payment providers were only required to report information when a payee had over 200 commercial transactions per year that exceeded $20,000. As a result of the new provision, thousands of small businesses will have to fill out 1099-Ks to provide their personal information to the IRS, despite the IRS’ poor history of safeguarding Americans’ personal data.
“The Biden Administration proved to be relentless in its attempt to invade the privacy of Americans’ lives and finances,” said Senator Hagerty. “It is regrettable that the Biden Administration insisted on advancing their perilous and oppressive political agenda to the detriment of taxpayers’ privacy, heedless of the IRS’s failed track record of protecting Americans’ confidential data and the deep concern of the American people that they served. Though Republican efforts to repeal these new requirements were ignored for years, the Trump Administration is thankfully now looking out for the small business owners the Biden Administration ignored. It is past time we stand up for our small business owners and put an end to this egregious and unwarranted overreach for good.”
Background:
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Communities will be safer and trust in local policing will be restored under plans to put police officers back in our neighbourhoods.
Communities will be safer and trust in local policing will be restored under plans to put police officers back in our neighbourhoods, announced by the Prime Minister today, as he delivers manifesto pledge to roll out the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
New measures will ensure every community will have dedicated and specialist neighbourhood policing teams, ending the postcode lottery on law and order.
Announcing the plan, the Prime Minister will make clear that security is the bedrock on which working families build their lives, but that in recent years visible policing has fallen dramatically, with the number of people who regularly see officers patrolling in their local area halving in the past decade. 90% of crime has been left unsolved and there were one million incidents of antisocial behaviour last year alone, including big increases in street crime.
The measures will put prevention at the heart of policing. Under the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, crimes like vandalism or antisocial behaviour will be less likely to turn into more serious and violent offences, boosting confidence and security in local communities across Britain.
The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will put 13,000 more officers into neighbourhood policing roles by 2029, an increase of more than 50%. The early focus of the plan will be to establish named local officers, target town centre crime and build back neighbourhood policing, meaning hard working people can feel safer and more secure in their daily lives.
The measures, announced today, will transform communities across Britain and will deliver the security communities deserve:
• Each neighbourhood will have named, contactable officers to tackle the issues facing their communities, helping to restore trust that policing is working to keep people safe and meaning no community feels ignored when they need help.
• Every neighbourhood in England and Wales will have dedicated teams who will spend their time on the beat with guaranteed police patrols in town centres and other hotspot areas at peak times such as Friday and Saturday nights.
• There will be a dedicated antisocial behaviour lead in every force, working with residents and businesses to develop tailored action plans to tackle record levels of antisocial behaviour, which is blighting communities.
Under these plans, communities across the country will, for the first time in 15 years, be able to hold forces to account and expect a minimum standard of policing in their area.
The government’s new Police Standards and Performance Improvement Unit will ensure police performance is consistently and accurately measured, so the government can narrow the gap between the best and worst performing forces.
This will make clear that everyone across the country, no matter where they live, can expect the same standards from the police, with a new online tool so the public are able to check how their local force is performing and hold forces to account.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure on the streets they call home. It is just about the most basic right that anyone would expect. Yet for years crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour have wreaked havoc on our neighbourhoods. Policing has become reactive, picking up the pieces after crimes have occurred.
Britain deserves better. It should not matter where you live – everyone deserves local, visible policing they can trust, and with our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee we will end this postcode lottery, putting prevention back at the heart of policing and ensuring police are back on the streets.
That’s why our Plan for Change is delivering security for working people in their communities with a return to neighbourhood policing, putting thousands of bobbies back on the beat and keeping people safe.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
The heartbeat of our Great British policing tradition is seeing bobbies on the beat, but for too long, too many communities have been feeling abandoned as crime soared and neighbourhood police disappeared, even when local crimes like shop theft, street theft or blatant drug dealing rose sharply.
That’s why this government is determined to get police back on the beat and into our town centres.
It should not matter where you live – everyone deserves local, visible policing they can trust, and with our Plan for Change and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee we will tackle this postcode lottery and restore policing to our communities.
Today’s announcement is just one part of the government’s commitment to keep communities safe.
Through the Crime and Policing Bill, new powers will be given to police so they can better tackle crimes that matter most to communities. This includes bringing in Respect Orders to clamp down on persistent antisocial behaviour and giving police the power to seize vehicles that cause havoc to communities. The Bill will also scrap the effective immunity of theft of goods below £200 and help police go after phone thieves by removing the warrant to search properties where stolen items have been electronically geolocated.
Through the Plan for Change and mission to keep our streets safe, this government will restore confidence in local policing and making towns and communities safer places to live, work and visit.
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said:
We welcome the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which builds on the bedrock of British policing. Our evidence shows that good neighbourhood policing reduces crime and builds trust with communities, and it remains a top priority for the College.
We also know how important neighbourhood policing is to the public. That’s why, this June, we’ll be rolling out the Neighbourhood Policing Pathway training for neighbourhood officers and staff in police forces right across the country. Our training will ensure these teams have the specialised knowledge and skills to tackle anti-social behaviour, engage with communities and build relationships that support intelligence gathering and crime reduction.
We will also continue to use our position as a national source of best practice to help forces to constantly improve how they approach neighbourhood policing. Through our Practice Bank and Smarter Practice examples, the College will continue to evaluate and share initiatives and interventions to help police forces provide the best possible service for their communities.
Emily Spurrell, Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and PCC for Merseyside, said:
Neighbourhood policing is vital for building trust, preventing crime and fostering community engagement. It ensures that local officers, with their unique knowledge, can swiftly address the specific needs of their communities, creating safer and more connected neighbourhoods. Residents and businesses have made it clear, time and again, that they want an accessible local policing team, with local knowledge, dealing with the unique problems in their communities.
Police and Crime Commissioners and Deputy Mayors have echoed their communities’ voices in setting the priorities for their Chief Constables and made neighbourhood policing a priority in their Police and Crime Plans. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is an opportunity to reconnect policing with the communities they serve, helping to restore the trust and confidence that is vital if we are to continue policing by consent.
The APCC welcomed the additional neighbourhood policing funding announced in January by the government, to enhance policing’s ability to deliver with additional officers and Police Community Support Officers. However, there remains significant pressure on police budgets and we will continue to work with the government to ensure policing has the resources it needs to effectively deliver neighbourhood policing for the public.
Kurtis Christoforides, Chief Executive Officer of Police Now, said:
Police Now was founded to help transform communities through outstanding neighbourhood policing and brilliant public sector leadership, so it’s tremendously exciting to be working even more closely with government and police forces to do just that.
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:
I welcome the return of dedicated neighbourhood policing and the introduction of named ASB leads in each area. Persistent anti-social behaviour blights lives and communities, and these new roles will be vital in ensuring victims’ concerns are taken seriously by officers they know and trust.
Some of the most harmful and enduring anti-social behaviour takes place in residential communities – away from the town centres and out of sight. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee has real potential, but its impact will depend on trained officers who have the support and skills to be able to respond to every report – whether from a busy high street or a quiet cul-de-sac.
Matt Hood, Co-op Managing Director said:
Creating healthy, safer high streets within resilient and durable communities is absolutely essential. We have effective partnerships with local police in several communities across the UK and we see first-hand the benefits of working together to target high impact offenders. At Co-op we have recently seen an encouraging improvement in police response and attendance, however the offenders keep coming and as retailers, we do all we can to prevent crime in our shops, but along with our communities, we need this support from the police to make it count. We welcome this new Government commitment on increasing neighbourhood policing and our store colleagues will definitely be pleased to see a higher police presence.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said:
It cannot be overstated how important it is for businesses and communities to feel confident in their own safety on the streets, and knowing their neighbourhood police officers engenders that confidence. Utilising local knowledge and relationships is critical to providing safe high streets.
Hospitality and our high streets are critical for driving economic growth and regenerating our towns and cities, and we want them to be thriving hubs of activity. The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is an important way of ensuring that.
John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch said:
The advantage of having a named officer is that it humanises the relationship between the police and the community. People report greater trust and confidence in the police when they can reach out to an officer who knows their area, and the communities who live there. Evidence suggests that patrols alone don’t make a significant difference to cutting crime, what is effective is combining them with community engagement.
Our members regularly work with the police, partners and the local people to adopt a problem-solving approach to crime and antisocial behaviour. And yet, nearly a third of people who responded to our community survey told us they lack a feeling of safety. It is especially important for younger people; they are the age group least likely to feel safe in their neighbourhoods.
Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Media Contact 202-321-9747
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) to ensure no more U.S. tax dollars fall into the hands of the Taliban after the Biden administration paid the terrorist regime millions of dollars following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
This issue has been a key focus for House Republicans since last Congress when lawmakers were made aware that weekly cash shipments of nearly $40 million were being sent to Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Central Bank.
Additionally, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction reported in May 2024 that more than $10 million had been paid to the Taliban in the form of taxes since the they over Afghanistan in August 2021. Secretary of State Antony later admitted that around $10 million had been paid to the Taliban in the form of taxes after testifying before the committee in December 2024.
“The United States has sent over $5 billion in cash to Kabul,” Rep. Burchett said. “This money has been taxed and stolen by the Taliban, yet we continue to send it oddly enough. That definitely needs to end. The State Department needs to ensure that that any aid, whether financial or material, does not go to terrorists in Afghanistan. We need to have a clear understanding of the influence the Taliban has on, not just international aid, but the Afghan banking system as well.”
Republicans, led by Rep. Burchett, introduced H.R. 6586 last Congress to oppose financial and material support from falling into the hands of the Taliban. The measure passed unanimously both in committee and on the House floor, but Senate Democrats refused to bring the bill up for final passage.
This Congress, Republicans introduced H.R. 260 – No Tax Dollars for Terrorist Act which builds upon H.R. 6586 to ensure no U.S. taxpayer dollars end up in the hands of the Taliban.
“This bill requires the Department of State to develop and implement a strategy to discourage foreign countries and non-government organizations, NGOs, from providing financial and material support to the Taliban,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast said. “That’s important for the United States of America. We don’t have an embassy there. We don’t have diplomatic relations with the Taliban – they are a terrorist organization.
“This includes by using U.S.-provided foreign assistance to discourage countries and organizations from providing support to the Taliban,” Chairman Mast added. “We don’t want American tax dollars, in any way, shape or form, going to the Taliban.”
The bill, which has 23 co-sponsors, advanced to the House floor alongside several other measures during the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s first full committee markup of the 119th Congress.
###
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: DCOM) (the “Company”) today announced that the Company expects to release its earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 before the open of the U.S. equity markets on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, during which President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Stuart Lubow, will discuss the Company’s first quarter financial performance. There will be a question-and-answer period after the CEO remarks.
Participants may access the conference call via webcast using this link: Webcast Link Here. To participate via telephone, please register in advance using this Registration Link. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a one-time confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique PIN that can be used to access the call. All participants are encouraged to dial-in 10 minutes prior to the start time.
A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available on-demand which will be available for 12 months.
ABOUT DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Dime Community Bank, a New York State-chartered trust company with over $14 billion in assets and the number one deposit market share among community banks on Greater Long Island (1).
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.
Investor Relations Contact:
Avinash Reddy
Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 718-782-6200; Ext. 5909
Email: avinash.reddy@dime.com
(1) Aggregate deposit market share for Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk counties for community banks with less than $20 billion in assets.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
EFFINGHAM, Ill., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSBI) (the “Company”) today announced that it received an expected deficiency notification letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on April 3, 2025 (the “Notice”). The Notice indicated that the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Listing Rule”) as a result of its failure to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”), as described more fully in the Company’s Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing (the “Form 12b-25”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 17, 2025. The Listing Rule requires Nasdaq-listed companies to timely file all required periodic reports with the SEC.
The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s common stock or depositary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
In accordance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, the Company has 60 calendar days after the Notice to submit a plan to regain compliance with the Listing Rule. Pursuant to the Notice, Nasdaq has the discretion to grant the Company up to 180 calendar days from the filing’s due date, or until September 29, 2025, to regain compliance. The Company intends to take the necessary steps to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules as soon as practicable.
As discussed in the Form 12b-25, the Company requires additional time and effort required to finalize its evaluation of the accounting and financial reporting of a third party lending and servicing arrangement, including obtaining third party documentation and analysis. Additionally, the Company is evaluating the impact related to its internal control over financial reporting. The Company expects to file the Form 10-K as soon as practicable.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations as to the anticipated timing of filing the Form 10-K, completion of the Company’s audit for fiscal year 2024, any impact on the Company’s previously reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, and statements relating to the Company’s plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, as well as all statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to change, and actual results may materially differ from those set forth in this press release due to certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to changes in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and results of the Company’s audit for fiscal year 2024; the risk that the completion and filing of the Form 10-K will take longer than expected; uncertainties about the timing of the Company’s submission of a compliance plan; Nasdaq’s acceptance of any such plan; the duration of any extension that may be granted by Nasdaq; and the risk that the Company will be unable to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements set forth in reports filed with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement contained herein. These statements reflect the Company’s position as of the date of this Current Report. The Company expressly disclaims any undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any statements to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change of events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
About Midland States Bancorp, Inc.
Midland States Bancorp, Inc. is a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, and is the sole shareholder of Midland States Bank. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had total assets of approximately $7.53 billion, and its Wealth Management Group had assets under administration of approximately $4.15 billion. The Company provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services and business equipment financing, merchant credit card services, trust and investment management, insurance and financial planning services. For additional information, visit https://www.midlandsb.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/midland-states-bank.
CONTACTS:
Eric T. Lemke, Chief Financial Officer, at elemke@midlandsb.com or (217) 342-7321
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
KALISPELL, Mont., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: GBCI) today announced that all regulatory approvals required in connection with its previously announced acquisition of Bank of Idaho Holding Co. (“BOID”) (OTCQX: BOID), and its bank subsidiary, Bank of Idaho, have been received. The transaction is scheduled to be completed April 30, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of remaining conditions to closing set forth in the merger agreement, including approval by BOID shareholders at a special meeting of shareholders now scheduled for April 21, 2025.
About Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company for Glacier Bank and its bank divisions: Altabank (American Fork, UT), Bank of the San Juans (Durango, CO), Citizens Community Bank (Pocatello, ID), Collegiate Peaks Bank (Buena Vista, CO), First Bank of Montana (Lewistown, MT), First Bank of Wyoming (Powell, WY), First Community Bank Utah (Layton, UT), First Security Bank (Bozeman, MT), First Security Bank of Missoula (Missoula, MT), First State Bank (Wheatland, WY), Glacier Bank (Kalispell, MT), Heritage Bank of Nevada (Reno, NV), Mountain West Bank (Coeur d’Alene, ID), The Foothills Bank (Yuma, AZ), Valley Bank (Helena, MT), Western Security Bank (Billings, MT), and Wheatland Bank (Spokane, WA).
Visit Glacier’s website at www.glacierbancorp.com.
Important Information and Where You Can Find It
This communication relates to the proposed merger transaction involving Glacier and BOID. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
In connection with the proposed merger transaction, Glacier filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) that included a Proxy Statement of BOID and a Prospectus of Glacier, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Shareholders of BOID are urged to read carefully the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included therein regarding the proposed merger transaction and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information. A free copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as well as other filings containing information about Glacier, may be obtained at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, from Glacier at www.glacierbancorp.com under the tab “SEC Filings” or by requesting them in writing or by telephone from Glacier at: Glacier Bancorp, Inc., 49 Commons Loop, Kalispell, Montana 59901, ATTN: Corporate Secretary; Telephone (406) 751-7706.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “estimate,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “will,” and similar references to future periods. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements regarding the expected closing of the transaction and its timing and the potential benefits of the business combination transaction involving Glacier and BOID, including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts regarding either company or the proposed combination of the companies. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected, including but not limited to the following: risks that the merger transaction will not close when expected or at all because shareholder approval or other conditions to closing are delayed or not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; risks that the benefits from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Glacier and BOID operate; uncertainties regarding the ability of Glacier Bank and Bank of Idaho to promptly and effectively integrate their businesses, including into Glacier Bank’s existing division structure; changes in business and operational strategies that may occur between signing and closing; uncertainties regarding the reaction to the transaction of the companies’ respective customers, employees, and contractual counterparties; and risks relating to the diversion of management time on merger-related issues. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. Glacier undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report. For more information, see the risk factors described in Glacier’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other filings with the SEC.
CONTACT: Randall M. Chesler
(406) 751-4722
Ron J. Copher
(406) 751-7706
Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission’s assessment of the former Commissioner for the internal market Thierry Breton’s envisaged post term of office activity as member of the Global Advisory Council of the Bank of America followed the procedure laid down in Article 11(2) of the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission. In line with this provision, the Independent Ethical Committee delivered its opinion, upon which the Commission built its decision[1]. Both the opinion and the Commission’s decision are available on the website ‘Former European Commissioners’ authorised occupations[2].
2. Public trust in the Commission’s independence is of paramount importance. Former Commissioners’ post term of office activities are assessed against the framework of the Treaties, namely Articles 245 and 339 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and of the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission. Their post term of office activities eventually authorised by the Commission do not impact the way the serving Members of the Commission abide by the obligations that apply to them.
3. The Commission’s rules and procedures in force are designed to ensure the integrity of the Members and former Members of the Commission and the appropriate transparency. The Commission is determined to keep its ethical standards, rules and procedures up to the highest level of comparable institutions. The Commission considers that the rules and procedures contained in the current version of the Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission ensure this high level of integrity.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SAN FRANCISCO, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) today announced a $12 million allocation for its 2025 Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) Program. For 25 years, the WISH Program has provided matching grants to help enable low- and moderate-income families and individuals achieve the dream of homeownership, opening doors to wealth building opportunities for thousands of households.
The WISH Program offers downpayment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers — those earning at or below 80% of the HUD area median income. In 2025, FHLBank San Francisco will continue its partnership with member financial institutions to provide $4-to-$1 matching grants with a maximum subsidy of $32,099 per homebuyer set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
“In today’s challenging housing market, where home prices are rising and affordable housing inventory remains tight, WISH grants are a proven tool for expanding access to homeownership,” said Joe Amato, interim president and chief executive officer at FHLBank San Francisco. “As we celebrate 25 years of impact with our WISH Program, we are proud to continue partnering with our member financial institutions to help more families and individuals turn their homeownership dreams into reality.”
The WISH Program is a key component of FHLBank San Francisco’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and homeownership. Since the first WISH grant was awarded to a first-time homebuyer in 2000, the program has delivered over $160 million to more than 10,000 low- and moderate-income homebuyers.
Making Homeownership Possible Changes Lives
Diane Fuchs, a single mother and grandmother who rented for 25 years, was able to purchase her own home thanks to a $30,800 WISH Program grant delivered by FHLBank San Francisco member Tri Counties Bank. Diane’s dream of living closer to family in Paradise, California, was made possible through this support. Owning a home has provided her with financial stability and reduced her housing costs.
“My rent was increasing by $100 every year,” Diane shared. “Now I know exactly what I’m responsible for. It’s a really secure feeling.”
Tri Counties Bank played a crucial role in guiding Diane through the homebuying process.
“At Tri Counties Bank, we’re very passionate about home affordability across our entire footprint,” said Scott Robertson, head of community banking with Tri Counties Bank. “Partnering with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and making homeownership dreams come true through the WISH program is exactly at the heart of what we do.”
WISH Program Applications Available for Bank Members
FHLBank San Francisco is now accepting applications from member institutions to participate in the WISH Program on a rolling basis through March 13, 2026. First-time homebuyers interested in learning more about WISH matching grants are encouraged to contact a participating member institution directly. Visit fhlbsf.com for more information about the WISH Program and other FHLBank San Francisco grant programs.
About Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant and resilient.
Source: European Investment Bank
EIB Group and ABN AMRO sign synthetic securitisation agreement, enabling €1.2 billion in new lending for Dutch businesses, part of the new funding is earmarked for sustainable SMEs.
ABN AMRO Bank has entered into a risk sharing agreement with the EIB Group – consisting of the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) – on a portfolio of over €1 billion in existing loans to Dutch businesses originated by ABN AMRO. Under this synthetic securitisation transaction, a guarantee structure from the EIB Group reduces ABN AMRO’s credit risk exposure, freeing up capital for new lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Caps. The Dutch lender will thus be able provide over €1.2 billion in new financing at favourable rates to companies in the Netherlands. Part of the newly available financing is earmarked for environmental sustainability projects, supporting the transition to climate neutrality and a sustainable society.
With this ground-breaking transaction, the EIB Group and ABN AMRO build on their longstanding partnership to help Dutch business secure financing at competitive interest rates.
ABN AMRO Chief Commercial Officer Corporate Banking Dan Dorner: “We have a strategic goal to support SME’s and Mid-Caps. We are therefore delighted once again to be in a position to offer EIB financing to our clients. ABN AMRO and the EIB have partnered several years to provide financing to Dutch companies. The EIB offers favourable conditions for our clients. This transaction will support the economic growth of our clients and their transition to climate neutrality and boost the SME loans in the Dutch market.”
EIB Group vice-president Robert de Groot added: “We are proud to close this landmark deal, which is the largest securitisation transaction in EIB Group history. It is also our first collaboration of this kind with ABN AMRO, leveraging on the strong relationship between both banks. This partnership will significantly enhance the availability of financing for SMEs and Mid-Caps in the Netherlands, driving economic growth and job creation.”
Framework for financing
As part of their mission to support EU policy goals, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF) work to enhance capital access for innovative companies in Europe and beyond. SMEs and mid-caps are a key part of the Dutch, European and global economy, creating jobs and driving economic development and innovation. Under the current partnership agreement with the EIB Group, ABN AMRO is able to offer Dutch borrowers a loan discount, subject to specific conditions. The final decision on lending activities under this facility rests with ABN AMRO.
Transaction details
This transaction is the first synthetic securitisation entered into between ABN AMRO and the EIB Group, referencing a portfolio of Dutch SME and corporate exposures and enables ABN AMRO to free up capital for new lending to Dutch SMEs and Mid-Caps, of which at least 30% will be allocated to projects aligned with criteria for climate action and environmental sustainability, highlighting the commitment of ABN AMRO and the EIB Group to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Both EIB and EIF are involved in the transaction. The EIF is providing protection on the mezzanine tranche of €150 million and on the senior tranche of €835 million. The EIF’s mezzanine tranche exposure as well as part of the EIF’s senior tranche exposure is in turn counter-guaranteed by the EIB. The junior tranche is fully retained by ABN AMRO. Key features of the transaction include synthetic excess spread, a three-year revolving period and pro-rata amortisation of the senior and the mezzanine tranches, subject to performance triggers.
Background information
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The Netherlands owns a 5,2% share of the EIB. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals and national priorities. More than 90% of its activity is in Europe. Over the last ten years, the EIB has made available more than €27 billion in financing for Dutch projects in various sectors, including research & development, sustainable mobility, drinking water, healthcare and SMEs. In 2024 the EIB Group, which also includes the EIB’s subsidiary, the European Investment Fund (EIF), made available more than €3 billion for Dutch projects.
The European Investment Fund (EIF) supports Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by providing equity capital, loans and guarantees through a wide network of selected financial intermediaries. The EIF was established in 1994 and is active in all EU countries, prospective member countries, Liechtenstein and Norway. The majority shareholder of EIF is EIB and other shareholders include the European Commission and a range of European financial institutions.
ABN AMRO is a Dutch bank for retail, corporate and private banking clients, offering a full range of financial products and solutions. Our focus is on Northwest Europe. ABN AMRO’s purpose is Banking for better, for generations to come. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the bank serves over 5 million clients and employs more than 19,000 people. Please visit us at www.abnamro.com.
Source: European Investment Bank
Today, EIB President Nadia Calviño, Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met to accelerate support for Ukraine with the implementation of three new EIB projects worth €300 million. The meeting and signing took place at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, with the participation of EU High Representative and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas, Commissioners Marta Kos and Valdis Dombrovskis. The financing, signed today, is backed by guarantees under the EU’s Ukraine Facility and supports Ukraine’s recovery efforts, including the restoration of essential public infrastructure and services. It follows the guarantee agreement approved just month ago with the European Commission unlocking €2 billion of investments.
These new projects build on the EIB Group’s numerous programmes across the country, reinforcing critical infrastructure such as heating and water to ensure the delivery of essential municipal services and support the functioning of the economy. Communities and households across Ukraine – particularly those affected by the destruction of key infrastructure such as the Kakhovka Dam – will benefit directly from these investments.
As highlighted during President Calviño’s visit to Kyiv in February, this €300 million investment will help to rebuild social and municipal facilities affected by the war and to improve access to heating, water and sanitation. The package includes:
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said: “I am grateful to the European Investment Bank for its substantial support of the Ukrainian Government’s efforts to ensure the rapid recovery of our country. This is not only about rebuilding what has been destroyed, but also about creating modern, resilient, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Each of the projects launched today is an investment in the development of Ukrainian communities, the stability of our economy, and the secure European future of our nation.”
EIB President Nadia Calviño said: “Just one month ago, we signed a guarantee agreement with the European Commission to unlock €2 billion of support under the EU’s Ukraine Facility. And already today, we have signed three new projects with the Ukrainian government: for water, district heating, and municipal infrastructure — for schools, hospitals, and housing for internally displaced people. This is Europe at its best, speeding up support to reinforce our collective security and strong partnerships.”
“These investments will help ensure that schools, social housing, hospitals, heating, water and energy infrastructure continue to function for millions of Ukrainians despite the challenges of war. Together with our EU partners, we are working to deliver concrete support where it is needed most,” added EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees the Bank’s operations in Ukraine.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said: “The European Union’s support for Ukraine is a cornerstone of our broader approach to European security and resilience. By backing EIB investments through the Ukraine Facility, we are enabling the swift reconstruction of essential infrastructure, from schools and hospitals to energy. These efforts are not just about recovery; they are a strategic investment in a secure and democratic Ukraine on its EU path. Ukraine’s reconstruction is Europe’s responsibility, and part of our shared future.”
European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis said: “The European Commission and the EIB Group continue to work together to deliver crucial support to Ukraine and its people in the face of Russia’s brutal, full-scale invasion. Today’s agreements will provide a further €300 million in financing to address Ukraine’s urgent recovery and reconstruction needs. This includes repairing critical infrastructure and ensuring essential public services like water and heating are maintained. This sends a clear signal that the EU is delivering on its commitments to Ukraine and its people.”
Rebuilding social infrastructure and essential services
The €100 million Ukraine Recovery III project will help to rehabilitate critical social infrastructure in over 100 communities across Ukraine. It will provide access to essential services including healthcare, education, social housing, water supply, sewerage and heating.
Improving access to safe water and sanitation
The €100 million Ukraine Water Recovery project will provide financing to repair and modernise water supply and wastewater treatment systems damaged by the war. Many communities across Ukraine have experienced severe disruptions to their access to safe drinking water and sanitation. This investment will help restore and secure access to clean water and essential sanitation services, contributing to better living conditions and public health for millions of Ukrainians.
Ensuring reliable district heating services in Ukraine
The €100 million Ukraine District Heating Ukreximbank project will be implemented in cooperation with Ukreximbank, which will act as an intermediary bank for on-lending to local authorities. The project will help to restore and improve district heating infrastructure across Ukraine. Investments will focus on decentralised heat generation, renewable energy solutions, and energy efficiency in public buildings. The project will enable outdated or damaged heat generation facilities to be restored and protected quickly to guarantee the supply of critical services during the winter and to improve Ukraine’s energy security.
“Ukreximbank’s ongoing partnership with the European Investment Bank, particularly through the Ukraine District Heating project, directly addresses the urgent need to boost energy efficiency in municipalities in order to lead them towards energy decentralisation and to enhance reliance on renewable energy sources. We are grateful for the EIB’s unwavering support for Ukraine and decades-long partnership with Ukreximbank in delivering large-scale social impact projects,” said Chairman of Ukreximbank’s Management Board Viktor Ponomarenko.
Background information
The EIB in Ukraine
The EIB Group has supported Ukraine’s resilience, economy and recovery efforts since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with €2.2 billion already disbursed since 2022. The Bank continues to focus on securing Ukraine’s energy supply, restoring damaged infrastructure and maintaining essential public services across the country. Under a guarantee agreement signed with the European Commission, the EIB is set to invest at least €2 billion more in urgent recovery and reconstruction. This funding is part of the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility for 2024–2027 and is fully aligned with the priorities of the Ukrainian government.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
HOUSTON, TX—The FBI Houston’s Violent Crime Task Force is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the man behind an “April Fools’ Day” foiled bank robbery in southwest Houston. Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the robber.
The robbery occurred at approximately 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the PNC Bank located at 7414 South Sam Houston Parkway in southwest Houston. During the robbery, the suspect entered the bank, approached the counter, and handed the teller a note threatening the robber’s own family and demanding money. The teller was able to walk to a secure part of the bank, hence foiling the bank robbery, and the suspect eventually departed without any money. No one was physically hurt during the robbery.
The robber is described as a black male in his late 40s, approximately 6’0” tall, with a slim build. During the robbery he wore a black hoodie, black pants, and black/white sneakers.
Photographs of the suspect from the robbery can be found on FBI Houston’s X and Facebook accounts.
Crime Stoppers of Houston, a non-governmental organization, is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of this robber. If you have any information, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or the FBI Houston Field Office at (713) 693-5000. Tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers through their website, www.crime-stoppers.org, or the Houston Crime Stoppers mobile phone app which can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices. All tipsters remain anonymous.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– UN Relief and Works Agency
– Sudan
– South Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Myanmar
– Dominican Republic
– Haiti
– Security Council
– Office For Project Services
– Noon Briefing Guest/Tomorrow
– Financial Contributions
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that hostilities across the Strip continue to exact a devastating toll on civilians, causing further death, further displacement and further destruction of critical infrastructure. Thousands of families are on the move yet again, fleeing bombardment, shelling and repeated displacement orders issued by the Israeli military. But as we have warned repeatedly, there is no safe place in Gaza.
OCHA stresses that civilians must be protected, whether they stay, whether they leave. Those fleeing fighting must be allowed to do so safely, and they must be allowed to voluntarily return when the situation allows.
OCHA reports that humanitarian operations remain severely constrained.
That is due to the expansion of military operations, as well as the ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, which has lasted now for five weeks. There have also been deadly attacks on aid workers and humanitarian facilities.
Meanwhile, just since yesterday, the Israeli authorities have denied eight of 14 attempts by UN aid workers to coordinate access to people needing urgent assistance. Overall, since the intensification of the hostilities on 18 March, the authorities denied 68 per cent of the UN’s 170 attempts to coordinate access to reach people across the Gaza Strip and assist them with humanitarian assistance.
They also continue to reject all attempts to pick up supplies that were brought into Gaza and dropped at the crossings prior to the decision to shut those crossings on 2 March. OCHA underscores that these denials prevent us from carrying out critical and life-saving missions.
Despite the increasingly challenging conditions, our partners report today that they have resumed services in northern Gaza, focusing on urgent case management, psychological first aid, and psychosocial support for traumatized communities.
UNRWA’s protection monitoring teams have identified severe protection risks in shelters hosting displaced people in northern Gaza, including extreme overcrowding, and acute shortages of food, water and hygiene supplies.
Physical hazards such as rubble, debris and broken glass were observed in 75 per cent of the shelters that were surveyed – posing further risks to displaced families, especially for children and older people.
UN RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY
The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said that yesterday, Israeli officials from the Jerusalem Municipality, accompanied by Israeli Security Forces, forcibly entered six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. They gave closure orders for the schools, effective in 30 days. Mr. Lazzarini said that some 800 boys and girls are directly impacted by these closure orders and are likely to miss finishing their school year.
He noted that UNRWA schools are protected by the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. These illegal closure orders come in the wake of Knesset legislation seeking to curtail UNRWA operations.
Mr. Lazzarini said that UNRWA is committed to stay and deliver education and other basic services for Palestine Refugees in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, and that is in accordance with the General Assembly resolution founding UNRWA.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=09%20April%202025
Source: Government of India
13th EFD concludes with adoption of Joint Statement by Union Finance Minister of India and Chancellor of Exchequer of United Kingdom
Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:46PM by PIB Delhi
The 13th Ministerial meeting of the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (13th EFD) was held today at London. The Indian delegation, led by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, held high-level discussions with the UK delegation led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves.
The Indian delegation comprised of the Finance Secretary, Chairman IFSCA, Whole Time Member from SEBI and other senior officers from Ministry of Finance and Indian High Commission in London. Governor RBI also attended the meeting in virtual mode. The UK delegation included the Governor of Bank of England, FCA CEO, Economic Secretary of Treasury, and senior officials from HM’s Treasury.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue collaboration in financial services sector, FinTech and Digital economy and between the respective regulatory bodies; collaboration at bilateral and multilateral fora to address mutual and global economic issues including mobilising affordable finance and investment for low carbon economic growth, taxation matters and illicit financial flows.
Both sides welcomed the recent announcement of UK universities establishing campus in India, release of report of the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP) on direct listing in IFSC GIFT City, launching of new private sector workstream on green finance, under the auspices of the IUKFP and other new areas of focus.
The 13th EFD concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement by Union Finance Minister of India and Chancellor of Exchequer of United Kingdom.
Annexure:
JOINT STATEMENT OF 13TH INDIA-UK ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DIALOGUE
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2120597) Visitor Counter : 188
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 09 APR 2025 6:37PM by PIB Delhi
NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, organised a workshop on the theme “Developing Ecosystem for Assistive Technology in India” at YASHADA, Pune today.
The workshop was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Shirsat, Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Govt of Maharashtra. Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, Smt. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra, Dr. Rajib Kumar Sen, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog, Shri Niranjan Kumar Sudhanshu, Director General, YASHADA, and Shri K.S. Rejimon, Joint Secretary, NITI Aayog, were also present among other dignitaries.
In his inaugural address, Hon’ble Minister highlighted the importance of domestic capabilty of AT industry and its role in promoting inclusivity.
Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, in his special address, emphasised the need for developing an eco-system for Assistive Technology which is critical for social inclusion in achieving the vision@2047.
The day long workshop included three sessions deliberating the challenges, gaps, best practices, initiatives and role of Central Government, State Govt., International organisation, Industry/ Start-ups etc.
The first session focused on “Improving Access to Assistive Technology in India”. The session provided a comprehensive view of how key government initiatives, policies, and inter-sectoral collaborations which are playing a transformative role in making assistive technologies more accessible for persons with disabilities (PwDs), the elderly, and other marginalised communities.
In the second session on “State Initiatives in Assistive Technology”, The representatives from state Governments of Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, highlighted how targeted policies, partnerships, and on-the-ground efforts are improving the reach and impact of AT.
The third session of the Assistive Technology workshop focused on “AT Manufacturing and Global Collaborations” brought forth significance of fostering a strong domestic manufacturing base for AT and the immense value of global partnerships. Representatives of WHO, UNDP, ATSCale (UNOPS), World Bank, AssisTech Foundation and Tynor, highlighted the key role of global collaborations in advancing AT in India, as India aspires to become a global hub for AT innovation and manufacturing.
In the Concluding session Shri Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment addressed the participants and underscored the importance of building an inclusive society.
The deliberations and suggestions emerged during the workshop will pave the way for developing an eco-system for Assistive Technology in India to achieve Viksit Bharat vision @2047 of building an inclusive society.
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MJPS/SR
(Release ID: 2120533) Visitor Counter : 89
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 09 APR 2025 6:14PM by PIB Delhi
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 6%, Projects 6.5% GDP Growth for FY 2025-26
Introduction
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its 54th meeting and the first of the financial year 2025–26, unanimously decided to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6 per cent with immediate effect. The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends money to commercial banks, and a cut in this rate is aimed at boosting lending and investment. This decision comes at a time when global economic conditions are becoming increasingly uncertain. Trade tensions have resurfaced, leading to a decline in crude oil prices, weakening of the US dollar, softening bond yields, and corrections in equity markets. While central banks across the world are adjusting their policies to address domestic concerns, they are doing so cautiously.
Within India, the outlook has shown signs of improvement. Inflation, particularly food inflation, has declined more than expected, offering some relief, though global and weather-related risks remain. Growth is recovering after a weak first half in the previous financial year, but it still falls short of the country’s potential. The Monetary Policy Report of April 2025, released alongside the MPC resolution, also outlines the GDP growth forecast and inflation projection for the coming months. This year also marks a milestone for the RBI as it completes 90 years since its establishment on 1st April 1935. Over the decades, it has evolved into a full-service central bank, balancing its roles of managing inflation, supporting growth, and ensuring financial stability.
Key Policy Decisions
Growth Assessment
The Reserve Bank of India has projected real GDP growth at 6.5 per cent for 2025–26, maintaining the same rate as estimated for 2024–25, following a strong expansion of 9.2 per cent in the preceding year. The quarterly projections stand at 6.5 per cent in Q1, 6.7 per cent in Q2, 6.6 per cent in Q3, and 6.3 per cent in Q4. This marks a downward revision of 20 basis points from the February estimate, reflecting heightened global volatility. Agriculture remains on a positive footing, supported by healthy reservoir levels and robust crop production, which is expected to sustain rural demand. Manufacturing is showing early signs of revival amid improved business sentiment, and the services sector continues to demonstrate resilience.
On the investment side, activity is gaining pace on the back of higher capacity utilisation, continued government focus on infrastructure, and strong balance sheets of banks and corporates. Easing financial conditions have also aided this recovery. While services exports are likely to remain steady, merchandise exports could face headwinds from global uncertainties and trade disruptions. Looking ahead, the RBI has projected real GDP growth at 6.7 per cent for 2026–27, suggesting continued recovery momentum.
Inflation Outlook
Headline inflation eased during January and February 2025, driven by a sharp decline in food prices. With uncertainties around the rabi crop largely resolved, and second advance estimates indicating record wheat output and higher pulse production than last year, food inflation is expected to soften further. This favourable trend is supported by robust kharif arrivals and a sharp fall in inflation expectations over the next three and twelve months, as reflected in recent surveys. The decline in crude oil prices has further strengthened the disinflationary outlook. Accordingly, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for 2025–26 is projected at 4.0 per cent, with quarterly estimates at 3.6 per cent in Q1, 3.9 per cent in Q2, 3.8 per cent in Q3, and 4.4 per cent in Q4.
While the inflation outlook appears stable, global uncertainties and the possibility of weather-related supply shocks continue to pose upside risks to the inflation path. The Reserve Bank of India has assumed a normal monsoon in framing its projections, and it considers the risks to be evenly balanced at this stage.
External Sector Snapshot
Liquidity and Financial Market Conditions
Conclusion
The Monetary Policy Report of April 2025, released alongside the 54th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, reflects a balanced approach by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to support growth while maintaining price stability. The decision to cut the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 6 per cent is underpinned by easing inflation, particularly in food prices, and a gradual recovery in economic activity. With GDP growth for 2025–26 projected at 6.5 per cent and inflation expected to remain within the 4 per cent target band, the report signals cautious optimism despite global uncertainties.
On the external front, robust services exports and strong remittance inflows have helped cushion the merchandise trade deficit, keeping the current account deficit at sustainable levels. Meanwhile, improved system liquidity, lower short-term borrowing costs, and stable foreign exchange reserves underscore the resilience of India’s financial system. The RBI has affirmed its commitment to closely monitor evolving conditions and take timely, calibrated measures to preserve macroeconomic and financial stability.
References:
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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Saurabh Kalia
(Release ID: 2120509) Visitor Counter : 27
Source: Government of India
AN INITIATIVE FOR ENHANCING “EASE OF LIVING” OF PENSIONERS AND REDUCING PENSIONERS’ GRIEVANCES
AN EXERCISE TOWARDS SPREADING AWARENESS ABOUT GOI INITIATIVES FOR IMPROVING PENSIONERS’ WELFARE
Posted On: 09 APR 2025 3:56PM by PIB Delhi
In line with the vision of Government of India’s initiative, to enhance the “Ease of Living” for pensioners and family pensioners, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has introduced several progressive measures in pension policy and the digitization of pension-related processes. As part of these ongoing efforts, the Department will be organizing the 56th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. The workshop is scheduled to be held on 10th April 2025 at Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati.
The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has been conducting Pre- Retirement Counselling workshops, throughout the country, to facilitate officials who are about to retire, in the superannuation process. The Workshop, being held for the benefit of retiring employees of the Government of India, is a revolutionary step in direction of ‘Ease of Living’ of the pensioners. In order to facilitate the smooth transition for the retiring employees, various sessions on Retirement Benefits, CGHS, Investment modes, BHAVISHYA portal, Integrated Pensioners Portal, Family Pension, CPENGRAMS, ANUBHAV and Digital Life Certificate etc. will be conducted. All these sessions have been curated to make the retirees aware of the process to be followed and forms to be filled pre-retirement and to provide information about the benefits available to them post-retirement.
It is expected that 310 retirees, due to retire in the next 12 months, will benefit hugely from this Pre-retirement Counselling Workshop. The Department will continue to hold such workshops to ensure a smooth and comfortable transition for Central Government retirees, keep them informed of the government initiatives taken for them and to enable them to avail all the benefits available post-retirement.
Department has also integrated pension portals of PNB, SBI, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India and Union Bank of India to provide seamless banking services to pensioners from a single portal. Since the major Pension Disbursing Authorities are banks, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare has started a series of Awareness Workshops for Central Pension Processing Centers (CPPCs) of Banks as well as their field functionaries handling pension related work in the Bank. In this series, the Department will also be conducting 9th Bankers’ Awareness Program for the officers of State Bank of India, posted at CPPCs/Branches of North-East, West Bengal, Bihar and Odissa, at Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati on 10th April, 2025.
The objective of these workshops is to spread awareness of the various rules and procedures relevant for Pension Disbursing Banks/Retirees and also the steps being taken by Government of India to ensure “Ease of Living” for Pensioners. The workshop shall also focus on the issues faced by Bank officials in handling these processes so that to reduce pensioners’ grievances. 70 officers from CPPC and pension dealing branches of State Bank of India are participating in these interactive programs. The Department will continue to hold such workshops, as part of Good Governance to ensure a smooth and comfortable transition for Central Government retirees, keep them informed of the government initiatives taken for them and to enable them to avail all the benefits available for them, post-retirement.
*****
NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2120394) Visitor Counter : 65
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. (“Clear Blue” or the “Company”), a leader in Smart Power solutions for the telecom and IoT sectors, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring initiative.
The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent macroeconomic challenges made equity financing particularly difficult for small-cap public companies. Despite this environment, Clear Blue has continued to invest in its industry-leading technology platform, strengthening its position as a market leader in Smart Power solutions.
This ongoing commitment to R&D has required significant capital investment, resulting in a higher debt component on the Company’s balance sheet. Beginning in November 2024, Clear Blue launched a coordinated effort to restructure its financial position, working collaboratively with shareholders, lenders, customers, suppliers, and employees.
The Company is now pleased to confirm the successful completion of this initiative. This milestone significantly enhances Clear Blue’s financial flexibility and positions the Company for long-term growth and value creation for shareholders.
“We are proud to have the support of our stakeholders through this critical process,” said Miriam Tuerk, CEO of Clear Blue Technologies. “With a stronger financial foundation, we are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities and deliver on our growth strategy.”
Outlook
Clear Blue Technologies is seeing strong momentum entering 2025, with sales orders and pipeline activity pointing toward a return to top-line growth. Management is targeting positive EBITDA for the year, reflecting the Company’s operational progress and strategic positioning across multiple markets.
Clear Blue benefits from a diversified global customer base across key verticals, including telecommunications in Africa—supported by strong international partners such as European satellite service providers—and smart city initiatives in North America. While the U.S. remains an important market, Clear Blue anticipates that more than 80% of its 2025 revenue will be generated from outside the United States.
Although recent tariff changes have introduced operational complexity, the financial impact to date has been minimal due to the Company’s global diversification.
In light of continued macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, and in line with broader market practices, Clear Blue will not be providing formal forward-looking guidance at this time. The Company remains focused on execution and is committed to transparency as conditions evolve.
The final two steps of the restructuring initiative consisted of two major developments:
Financing Agreements with RE Royalties
Clear Blue has signed a debt conversion agreement (the “Debt Conversion Agreement”), amended and restated loan agreement, and royalties agreement with RE Royalties to convert its existing banking debt obligations into a structured package comprising equity, royalty payments, and a term loan. Under the terms of the agreements:
There are no structuring, early repayment, or management fees associated with the new financing.
Completion of Share Consolidation
In tandem with the new financing structure, effective April 11, 2025 (the “Effective Date”) the Company will complete a consolidation of issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidation share for every six (6) pre-consolidation shares.
Key highlights of the consolidation include:
As stated in the Company’s press release announcing the Consolidation dated January 6, 2025, no fractional Common Shares have been issued in connection with the Consolidation. The exercise or conversion price and the number of Common Shares issuable under any of the Company’s outstanding convertible securities has been proportionately adjusted in connection with the Consolidation.
The post-consolidated Common Shares are delivered by the Company’s transfer agent to shareholders holding book shares / DRS Advice positions and their pre-consolidated shares become null and void automatically. Shareholders holding physical share certificates are required to deposit a completed Letter of Transmittal and the physical share certificates for cancellation to receive post-consolidated shares. Letters of Transmittal were mailed by the Company’s transfer agent on the Effective Date. Registered shareholders may also obtain a copy of the Letter of Transmittal by accessing the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Shareholders who hold their Common Shares through intermediaries (e.g., a broker, bank, trust company investment dealer or other financial institution) and who have questions about the Consolidation should contact their intermediaries.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
About Clear Blue Technologies International Inc.
Clear Blue Technologies (TSXV: CBLU) (FRA: 0YA) (OTCQB: CBUTF) is the Smart Off-Grid™ company, delivering clean, managed, “wireless power” solutions for telecom, lighting, security, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices in over 37 countries. Clear Blue’s systems provide reliable and sustainable power in areas where traditional energy infrastructure is costly or inaccessible.
About RE Royalties Ltd.
RE Royalties is a leader in innovative financing for renewable energy companies, offering capital in exchange for royalties from sustainable infrastructure projects around the world.
For More Information:
Miriam Tuerk, Co-Founder and CEO
+1 416 433 3952
miriam@clearbluetechnologies.com
www.clearbluetechnologies.com/en/investors
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
COMPLETION OF SOCIETE GENERALE’S 872 MILLION EUROS SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAM FOR CANCELLATION PURPOSE
Regulated Information
Paris, 9 April 2025
(In accordance with article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on Market Abuse Regulation and article 3(3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 through regulatory technical standards concerning the conditions applicable to buyback programs and stabilization measures)
Societe Generale announces the completion of its share buyback program for cancellation purpose, which began on 10 February 2025.
22,667,515 Societe Generale ordinary shares have been purchased for a total amount of 872 million euros and will later be cancelled.
The description and weekly information on the shares acquired in the context of this share buyback program are available on the Societe Generale website under the section Regulated Information and Other Important Information (societegenerale.com) and here below for the last buyback period.
The liquidity contract concluded with Rothschild has also temporarily been suspended throughout the buyback period.
Issuer name: Societe Generale – LEI O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41
Reference of the financial instrument: ISIN FR0000130809
Period: From 7 to 8 April 2025
Purchases performed by Societe Generale during the period
Aggregated presentation by day and market
| Issuer name | Issuer code (LEI) | Transaction date | ISIN Code | Daily total volume (in number of shares) | Daily weighted average price of shares acquired | Platform |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 7-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 1 026 774 | 33,0597 | XPAR |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 7-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 548 455 | 33,0694 | CEUX |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 7-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 79 250 | 33,0365 | TQEX |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 7-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 56 437 | 33,0179 | AQEU |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 8-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 903 223 | 35,2255 | XPAR |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 8-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 390 000 | 35,1024 | CEUX |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 8-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 55 000 | 34,8731 | TQEX |
| SOCIETE GENERALE | O2RNE8IBXP4R0TD8PU41 | 8-Apr-25 | FR0000130809 | 40 000 | 34,8287 | AQEU |
| TOTAL | 3 099 139 | 34,0033 |
Press contacts:
Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com
Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com
Societe Generale
Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.
The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:
Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).
In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the document’s legitimacy directly on the web page.
For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.
Attachment
Source: US State of New York
EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general sent a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and the House Financial Services Committee urging the House to vote against a resolution that would overturn the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 2024 rule limiting overdraft fees imposed by the country’s largest banks. The rule prevents big banks from charging excessive overdraft fees that can hurt their customers’ credit and sometimes lead to account closures.
“Overturning this rule will only do one thing: help big banks profit at your expense,” said Attorney General James. “Accidentally overdrawing your checking account by a few dollars shouldn’t result in an outrageous fee. The CFPB took action to protect consumers from outrageous overdraft fees, and Congress should do the same. At a time when working families are struggling to make ends meet, our leaders should be protecting Americans’ wallets, not empowering big banks to charge junk fees.”
House Joint Resolution 59 would overturn a 2024 rule issued by the CFPB that applies only to banks with over $10 billion in assets. The rule imposes reasonable limits on the overdraft fees these big banks may charge when customers overdraw their accounts. Nevertheless, late last month, the Senate narrowly passed its version of the resolution overturning the CFPB’s rule by a vote of 52-48, with Republican Senator Josh Hawley joining Senate Democrats to vote against it.
The average overdraft fee imposed by banks is about $35 and is usually significantly larger than the overdraft itself. Overdraft fees are also a major profit center for banks, accounting for about $5.8 billion in revenue in 2023. As Attorney General James and the coalition state in their letter, under the CFPB’s rule, if banks intend to continue profiting from such fees, they must treat them as interest on a loan, which is what they effectively are. Given that most overdraft fees are paid back in less than three days, a typical fee of $35 on an average overdraft of $26 is the equivalent of an annual interest rate of 16,000 percent.
As Attorney General James and the coalition argue in the letter, the CFPB’s rule plays a valuable role in protecting bank customers from excessive and often unexpected charges that can sometimes lead to involuntary account closures, damaging customers’ credit and even driving them out of the banking system altogether. In addition, excessive overdraft fees are unnecessary. As Attorney General James and the coalition point out in the letter, many banks – including Citigroup, Capital One, and Ally Bank – have already eliminated overdraft fees while still providing the convenience of overdraft protection.
Joining Attorney General James in sending this letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection also joined the coalition.
Attorney General James is a national leader in protecting consumers. In January 2025, Attorney General James secured more than $1 million from Netspend corporation, a provider of reloadable debit and payroll cards, based in part on the wide range of illegal fees Netspend charged its customers. In August 2024, Attorney General James sued predatory lender Acima for misleading consumers about the cost of its financing, including usurious “rental” fees. In April 2024, Attorney General James led a group of 17 state attorneys general in drafting a comment in support of passing the CFPB overdraft rule that is now threatened with reversal. In February 2024, Attorney General James obtained a $77 million judgment against three merchant cash advance companies and their principals for charging usurious interest rates and undisclosed fees. In January 2024, Attorney General James, along with the CFPB and six other state attorneys general, sued a debt relief company and its affiliates and principals in connection with a scam to trick consumers into paying exorbitant fees while providing nearly no useful services in return. In April 2022, Attorney General James led a coalition of 18 state attorneys general to call on the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo to eliminate all overdraft fees on consumer bank accounts.
Source: US State of California
Why would we help the big banks at the expense of working people?
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined 23 attorneys general in sending a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives urging policymakers to reject an effort to overturn a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule that would protect American consumers from predatory overdraft fees. If allowed to take effect, this rule will limit overdraft fees to $5 and will save Americans struggling with high prices billions of dollars each year by preventing the largest banks from exploiting consumers in order to rake in profits. Last month, Attorney General Bonta issued a statement after the Senate voted to overturn this rule.
“High overdraft fees serve no purpose other than to help the wealthy get wealthier, while American families who are already struggling get poorer. Banks aren’t shy about how these fees pad their wallets: a big bank CEO named his yacht Overdraft,” said Attorney General Bonta. “President Trump has promised to make life for Americans affordable — allowing expensive overdraft fees would do the complete and total opposite. Americans are counting on their elected leaders to protect them. My fellow attorneys general and I urge the House, the last line of defense, to protect its constituents’ wallets by voting “no” on the Resolution and preserving the CFPB’s overdraft rule.”
The largest U.S. banks generate billions of dollars in profits by charging burdensome fees whenever customers overdraft their accounts. In 2023, banks generated $5.8 billion in revenue from overdraft fees. These fees average around $35 for each overdraft — and are applied even where the overdraft is minimal. For example, many consumers have reported paying overdraft charges of over $30 after purchasing a $5 cup of coffee. Overdraft fees are effectively extremely high-interest loans. Most overdrafts are less than $26 and are repaid within three days. That means overdraft protection with a typical $35 fee amounts to a loan with a 16,000% APR.
Banks can manipulate the timing of deposits and withdrawals to maximize fees, charging customers even when they have enough money for an approved transaction. By creating significant barriers to maintaining a positive account balance, overdraft fees can contribute to involuntary account closures, thereby driving consumers out of the banking system altogether and damaging their credit.
In submitting today’s letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Attorney General Bonta has been an outspoken advocate of the CFPB and its essential work protecting for American consumers and their financial future.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
| Series | RIKB 26 1015 | RIKB 35 0917 |
| ISIN | IS0000034874 | IS0000035574 |
| Maturity Date | 10/15/2026 | 09/17/2035 |
| Auction Date | 04/11/2025 | 04/11/2025 |
| Settlement Date | 04/16/2025 | 04/16/2025 |
| 10% addition | 04/15/2025 | 04/15/2025 |
| Buyback issue | RIKB 25 0612 | |
| Buyback price (clean) | 99.9500 |
On the Auction Date, between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., the Government Debt Management will auction Treasury bonds in the Series, with the ISIN numbers and with the Maturity Dates according to the table above. Article 6 of the General Terms of Auction for Treasury bonds applies for the right to purchase an additional 10%. The Treasury bonds will be delivered in electronic form on the Settlement Date.
Payment for the bonds can be made in cash or with the Buyback issue at the Buyback price.
Payment in cash for the Treasury bonds must be received by the Central Bank before 14:00 on the Settlement Date. If payment is made with the Buyback issue, a notification of the amount must be received no later than by 14:00 on the Auction Date. In that case, the value of the Buyback bond is determined by the Buyback price plus accrued interest (i.e. dirty price).
No fee is paid in relation to the purchase of RIKB 25 0612.
Further reference is made to the description of the Treasury bond and the General Terms of Auction of Treasury Bonds.
For additional information please contact Oddgeir Gunnarsson, Government Debt Management, at +354 569 9635.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
| WithSecure Corporation, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, 9 April 2025 at 6.30 PM (EET) | ||
| WithSecure Corporation: SHARE REPURCHASE 9.4.2025 | ||
| In the Helsinki Stock Exchange | ||
| Trade date | 9.4.2025 | |
| Bourse trade | Buy | |
| Share | WITH | |
| Amount | 15 000 | Shares |
| Average price/ share | 0,8238 | EUR |
| Total cost | 12 357,00 | EUR |
| WithSecure Corporation now holds a total of 401 890 shares | ||
| including the shares repurchased on 9.4.2025 | ||
| The share buybacks are executed in compliance with Regulation | ||
| No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council (MAR) Article 5 | ||
| and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052. | ||
| On behalf of Withsecure Corporation | ||
| Nordea Bank Oyj | ||
| Janne Sarvikivi | Sami Huttunen | |
| Contact information: | ||
| Laura Viita | ||
| Vice President Controlling, Investor relations and Sustainability | ||
| WithSecure Corporation | ||
| Tel. +358 50 4871044 | ||
| Investor-relations@withsecure.com | ||
Attachment
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
£400m of trade and investment wins from UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue set to boost the British economy.
£400m of trade and investment wins are set to boost the British economy and deliver economic growth and security for working people as the government vows to back British business through uncertain global times.
Today (Wednesday 09 April), the Chancellor took part in the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), marking a significant moment in unlocking opportunities as the two countries look to strengthen economic ties and secure a Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:
In a changing world, it is imperative we go further and faster to kickstart economic growth. We have listened to British businesses, which is why we’re negotiating trade deals with countries across the world, including India, so we can support them and put more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.
Our relationship with India is longstanding and broad and I am delighted with the progress made throughout this dialogue to develop it further.
Today’s EFD was Chancellor Reeves’ first with India. It saw the signing of a joint statement unlocking cooperation across a range of business sectors, including defence, financial services, education and development, and strengthened governmental collaboration across growth, economic resilience and international financial issues.
The government is working to make Britain the best country in the world to do business, already bringing in more stability, offering an open trading economy and creating the right conditions for investment.
At the London Stock Exchange today, the Chancellor and her Indian counterpart set out plans to generate growth, improve our Financial Services ties and deepen policy cooperation on the UK Industrial Strategy, tax, sustainable finance and illicit finance.
The total commercial package from this dialogue is made up of new announcements worth £128m in export deals and investments, as well as recent deals worth £271m. This includes:
Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds and Minister Sitharaman also today hosted a business roundtable, bringing together key leaders from the financial and professional business services sectors including Tide, HSBC, Aviva, Vodafone, WNS, and Mizuho International. Attendees recognised the strength of the economic relationship between the UK and India, as well as the opportunity for closer collaboration – including through an ambitious trade deal.
Areas for collaboration on defence were also identified, as both sides looked forward to the finalisation of the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap, set to strengthen ties between industrial sectors and integrate supply chains.
Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds said:
I was delighted to meet with Minister Sitharaman, hear from businesses, and discuss how we can strengthen the strong economic bonds between our two nations.
Both the UK and India are committed to delivering economic growth and giving businesses the confidence and stability they need to expand.
That is why we are continuing to negotiate towards an ambitious trade deal that unlocks opportunities both at home and abroad for British businesses and supports our Plan for Change.
The UK and India have strong economic, cultural, and education links, with India being a key trading partner for the UK with over £40bn worth of UK-India trade last year alone. The UK’s long-standing programme of EFDs with India is the critical forum to deliver continuous economic gains over time.
The EFD follows a recent visit to Delhi by Jonathan Reynolds, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which relaunched UK-India trade negotiations.
Keshav R. Murugesh, Group CEO, WNS said:
The UK and India stand as natural partners, and this re-energized trade and investment relationship marks a pivotal stride in our already strong alliance. The potential before us is immense. By formalizing our collaboration in pioneering fields like AI, we will not only fuel innovation and generate high-skilled jobs in both our nations, but also solidify our joint leadership in this transformative era. This is indeed a thrilling chapter for the UK-India partnership.
Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered said:
In the face of global developments, it is imperative that we think creatively and act in partnership. The UK and India’s focus on strengthening financial ties and deepening cooperation between our governments, regulators, industry leaders and experts, plays an important role in driving economic progress, setting global benchmarks for stability and innovation and paving the way for greater trade and investment in both countries.
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Alastair King,
We had a highly constructive discussion with Hon. Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and The Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds, joined by leaders from across the financial services sector. There is a strong, shared commitment to deepen our economic partnership and drive greater prosperity—particularly in key areas such as green finance, infrastructure investment, and fintech.
Global trade is entering a new era, where strategic alliances and trade agreements are more crucial than ever. As we look ahead to the UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue and continue FTA negotiations, our focus remains on sustaining momentum and delivering tangible outcomes in the months to come.”
David Schwimmer, CEO, LSEG said:
LSEG is honoured to host the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue at the London Stock Exchange as part of our continued support for initiatives that promote collaboration and connectivity between UK and Indian financial markets. Through deepened partnership, the governments and regulators from both countries can help to build an environment which delivers real benefits to their financial markets and economies.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Iowa man was sentenced today for bank fraud.
Roger Dean Peters, 71, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to twelve months and one day in federal prison.
Peters pleaded guilty to a single count of bank fraud on May 30, 2024. In his plea agreement, he admitted that he had kited checks between accounts at Exchange Bank of Missouri and First National Bank of Hampton, Iowa, creating fictitious balances that he perpetuated by continuing to write more and more checks. When the scheme collapsed, the bank estimated the total overdraft amount to be $2,882,904.20, exclusive of unpaid fees and other expenses. During the same time, Peters also held a line of credit, and used an intermediary to make fraudulent claims on the line of credit.
Peters’s sentence also included a two year term of supervised release, and an order of restitution.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
GLEN BURNIE, Md., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Bank of Glen Burnie®, a wholly owned subsidiary of Glen Burnie Bancorp (NASDAQ: GLBZ), announced today the expansion of its lending team to position the Bank to carry out its growth strategy focused on growing the commercial banking and lending portfolios. Jonathan Shearin, who previously served in the role of vice president and director of commercial banking, was promoted to the role of chief lending officer effective March 13, 2025. Jeff Welch was named executive vice president and chief credit officer effective March 31, 2025.
“Jonathan hit the ground running and has made a significant impact to our loan portfolio since joining the bank in 2024,” said Mark C. Hanna, President and CEO. “Jonathan is out in our community every day building relationships in Anne Arundel County and the surrounding areas while constantly looking for opportunities to help local businesses obtain the financial expertise and tools they need to grow their own businesses. His energy and leadership, combined with his early success, made him a natural fit to assume the role of chief lending officer. In his new role, Shearin will be focused on driving sales and revenue to maximize return on capital invested in loans and achieve profitability. He will be tasked with helping to develop the Bank’s lending strategy, building relationships, supervising our commercial lending team, and overseeing loan production and growth objectives.”
“I’m honored to step into this role and lead our lending team as we continue to support the businesses and communities we serve,” said Shearin. “Our focus remains on building strong client relationships, providing tailored financing strategies, and driving sustainable growth for the businesses and communities we serve. I look forward to working alongside our team to strengthen our market position and create new opportunities for long-term success.”
As the Bank builds out its leadership team tasked with growing commercial loans and deposits, Jeff Welch joins The Bank of Glen Burnie in the newly created role of chief credit officer and will also serve as executive vice president. A seasoned banking executive, Welch brings more than 40 years of progressive risk management, lending, and sales management experience to lead efforts to effectively manage credit risk and help ensure the soundness of the Bank’s loan portfolio. His responsibilities as chief credit officer will include evaluating loan applications, regulatory compliance related to credit risk, and overseeing credit administration.
Welch most recently served as executive vice president and chief credit officer at Burke & Herbert Bank, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was responsible for the Credit Risk Management and Loan Administration Divisions. Welch has spent the entirety of his banking career in progressive leadership roles at financial institutions located in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. corridor, bringing a wealth of expertise about the banking environment, the economy and the credit needs of the area.
Welch holds a Master of Business Administration in finance from Marymount University and is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in operations management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to The Bank of Glen Burnie,” remarked Hanna. “His proven track record in developing and implementing strategic plans at all levels combined with his relationship building skills will prove invaluable to us as we look to grow and thrive as we set the pace for growth during our next 75 years of community banking in Anne Arundel County. Jeff’s recent retirement from Burke & Herbert Bank presented us with an opportunity to recruit a highly experienced chief credit officer with extensive experience in credit policy and risk management/portfolio oversight in addition to sales management, financial analysis, and project management expertise. Jeff is well suited to help shape The Bank of Glen Burnie’s strategic direction. We have built a stellar lending team, and I am confident that together Jonathan and Jeff will lead this team to new heights and help The Bank of Glen Burnie significantly expand our loan portfolio while successfully managing risk.”
“I am excited to join The Bank of Glen Burnie at a time when we are poised to execute our strategic planning lending objectives focused on growing our loan portfolio,” said Welch. “We have an outstanding lending team, and I look forward to working together to build new relationships in the community and to meet the credit needs of local business owners in our market.”
About Glen Burnie Bancorp
Glen Burnie Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Founded in 1949, The Bank of Glen Burnie® is a locally owned community bank with seven Anne Arundel County branches. The Bank is engaged in commercial and retail banking, including accepting demand and time deposits and originating loans to individuals, associations, partnerships, and corporations. The Bank’s real estate financing consists of residential first and second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and commercial mortgage loans. The Bank also originates automobile loans through arrangements with local automobile dealers. Additional information is available at thebankofglenburnie.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained herein that are not historical financial information may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the company’s actual results in the future to differ materially from its historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. These statements are evidenced by terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management’s good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.