NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI China: China greenlights 13 foreign firms for pilot value-added telecom services

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 — In a significant move to open its telecommunication sector further, China has approved 13 foreign-invested companies for pilot operations in value-added telecom services in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan and Shenzhen.

    The companies are permitted to engage in value-added telecom activities such as internet access and information services in accordance with the approval, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said on Friday.

    Another major step in the opening-up of China’s information and communication sector, the approval is an important move for the country to align actively with high-standard international economic and trade rules, the MIIT said.

    The related businesses by these firms are expected to provide Chinese consumers with a more diverse range of telecom services and products. This development is anticipated to further stimulate market vitality, enhance service quality and standards, and better meet the growing digital lifestyle needs of the public.

    Among the approved companies are affiliates of well-known multinationals such as T-Systems P.R. China Ltd., which is affiliated with Deutsche Telekom in China, and Siemens Digital Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.

    By the end of February 2025, the number of foreign-invested telecom enterprises increased by 30 percent year on year to exceed 2,400, latest data showed.

    For firms like Deutsche Telekom, the approval will promote the iterative upgrading of various products within China’s data center industry, and help establish a more comprehensive data center service system.

    “It brings unprecedented opportunities for us,” said Li Wenfang, vice president of T-Systems P.R. China Ltd.

    “We can better integrate global resources, enhance technological innovation and service capabilities, and provide higher-quality solutions and services for multinational corporations, as well as industries operating in China such as the manufacturing and automotive industries, thereby leading more German companies to enter the Chinese market,” Li said.

    Similarly, Airbus China, which operates a large digital platform for the analysis of global aircraft performance data, sees the approval as a crucial step in enhancing its offerings for China’s aviation industry.

    “With this new policy, we can introduce more sophisticated digital solutions for fleet management and operational efficiency,” said Xu Gang, CEO of Airbus China, noting that the approval will simplify the time and resources required for business operations in the country significantly, and accelerate the introduction of digital products and services.

    “This will not only lead the digital transformation of the aviation industry to new heights, it will also support the entire sector in achieving more efficient and safer development amid the digital wave,” he added.

    Airbus China has completed the initial development and local deployment of its first digital products and services for Chinese airlines, and plans to launch them later this year, responding to the Civil Aviation Administration’s strategy for smart civil aviation that aims to provide intelligent technical support for airlines.

    Friday’s approval came not long after the MIIT launched a pilot program in last October to expand opening-up in value-added telecom services in four designated areas in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan and Shenzhen.

    It allows foreign investors to operate wholly-owned businesses in fields such as internet data centers, and engage in online data processing and transaction processing within designated areas. They can also gain greater access to China’s cloud computing service and computing power service markets.

    Despite simmering global trade tensions and a global surge in protectionism, China is ramping up efforts to expand its high-standard opening-up and reinforce its appeal to foreign investment. On Feb. 19, an action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025 was unveiled.

    Per the plan, devised by the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission, China will support pilot regions in effectively implementing opening-up policies related to such areas as value-added telecommunication, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, providing whole-journey services for foreign-invested projects in these sectors.

    The country will also continue expanding its pilot programs to open up fields such as telecommunication and medical services in a timely manner.

    According to the Beijing Communication Administration, Friday’s approval will inject new vitality into economic growth and offer a wider range of telecommunication services options and other differentiated services to users.

    “It will also encourage local enterprises to actively innovate and grow through healthy competition and collaboration in the market, enhancing their competitiveness and influence in the international market,” the administration said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s ‘two sessions’ to offer clear policy signals for high-quality development

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s ‘two sessions’ to offer clear policy signals for high-quality development

    A journalist works at a press center for China’s annual “two sessions” in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 — China will unveil its annual GDP growth target and policy arrangements for high-quality development at the upcoming national “two sessions” in Beijing.

    Contrary to slowdown forecasts by certain Western naysayers, the Chinese economy is well-positioned to sustain its recovery and maintain steady growth this year.

    During the “two sessions,” the annual meetings of China’s national legislature and top political advisory body, measures to expand domestic demand and promote sci-tech innovation and high-standard opening up are expected to be outlined.

    As a priority, domestic demand will be expanded comprehensively. China has huge potential in consumption and investment. The record highs seen in the domestic Spring Festival holiday box office and the number of trips made during the 40-day festival travel rush attest to the vitality of China’s consumption and economy. More targeted steps are expected to uplift consumption further. Fruitful campaigns such as large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs will be expanded. Investment will gain steam in projects to implement major national strategies and build up security capacities in key areas.

    This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2025 shows a poster for the Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” at a cinema in Chaoyang District of Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The private sector, in particular, is expected to gain more momentum in its healthy, high-quality development. In February, a symposium on private enterprises in Beijing lent a significant boost to morale in the sector, which contributes more than 60 percent of GDP and 80 percent of urban employment in China. The country plans to promulgate a private sector promotion law this year, which will stimulate the sector’s development momentum and promote high-quality development.

    Fresh efforts are expected to develop new quality productive forces through scientific and technological innovation. Startups DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics, both of which have caught global attention, highlight China’s technological progress. Under the country’s AI Plus initiative and other programs, the integrated development of technology and industry will generate new sources of growth for the Chinese economy. China’s new energy industries and overall green transition, driven by its cutting-edge technologies, will continue to be important growth drivers.

    A humanoid robot is on display in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, Feb. 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Amid rising global trade protectionism, China remains committed to expanding its high-standard opening up. An action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025 has outlined 20 measures to attract foreign investment, such as those related to upgrading pilot free trade zones and expanding pilot programs in fields such as telecommunication and medical services. China will also work to ensure new progress in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with partner countries.

    This year is important in terms of the further, comprehensive deepening of reform to advance Chinese modernization. Reform measures planned for this year are expected to boost high-quality development by optimizing resource allocation and improving the market environment.

    Last year, the Chinese economy met its annual growth target of around 5 percent, outperforming other major economies and remaining the biggest engine of global economic growth. The 2025 growth target will be a key indicator of the projected operations of the world’s second-largest economy.

    A central economic work conference last December set the tone for a more proactive policy stance, and called for the enrichment of the national policy arsenal this year, as well as improved policy coordination.

    With the pro-growth policies rolled out since last September and a raft of new pragmatic measures for the year ahead at hand, there should be little doubt that China will be capable of navigating challenges at home and abroad, and of securing steady growth while promoting high-quality development. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: TWFG Announces Unaudited Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TWFG, Inc. (“TWFG”, the “Company” or “we”) (NASDAQ: TWFG), a high-growth insurance distribution company, today announced preliminary unaudited financial highlights for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The following results are preliminary, unaudited estimates and are subject to change. The Company is currently finalizing its fourth quarter and year end 2024 results, and as a result, these preliminary estimates are based solely on information available to management as of the date of this press release. The Company’s actual results may differ from these estimates due to the completion of its closing procedures, final adjustments and developments that may arise or information that may become available between now and the time the Company’s financial results are finalized.

    Preliminary highlighted results:

    • Expects total fourth quarter revenue to be between $49 million and $51 million, an increase of 23.8% and 28.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023
    • Anticipates total full-year 2024 revenue to be between $201 million and $203 million, an increase of 16.5% and 18.2% compared to full-year 2023
    • Expects total fourth quarter written premium to be $361 million, an increase of 20% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 
    • Anticipates total full-year written premium of approximately $1.5 billion, an increase of 18% compared to full-year 2023
    • Anticipates fourth quarter Organic Revenue Growth Rate to be between of 20.2% and 20.8% and full-year 2024 Organic Revenue Growth Rate of between 14% and 15% 

    * Organic Revenue Growth Rate is a non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation of Organic Revenue Growth Rate to total revenue growth rate, the most directly comparable financial measure, is outlined in the reconciliation table accompanying this release.

    Conference Call and Full Earnings Release Date

    TWFG expects to release its full fourth quarter and full-year 2024 results mid-March followed by a conference call and webcast to discuss these results. Details for the call will be provided in the forthcoming earnings release.

    About TWFG

    TWFG (NASDAQ: TWFG) is a leading independent distribution platform for personal and commercial insurance in the United States, representing hundreds of insurance carriers. The Company provides innovative insurance solutions through its network of agents, carriers, and technology-driven distribution models. For more information, visit www.twfg.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicator

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Organic Revenue Growth included in this release is not a measure of financial performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and should not be considered a substitute for any GAAP measures, including revenue which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing our operating performance, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as substitutes for revenues, net income, or other consolidated financial statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

    Organic Revenue Growth. Organic Revenue Growth is the change in Organic Revenue period-to-period, with prior period results adjusted to include revenues that were excluded in the prior period because the relevant acquired businesses had not reached the twelve-month-owned milestone but have reached the twelve-month owned milestone in the current period. We believe Organic Revenue Growth is an appropriate measure of operating performance because it eliminates the impact of acquisitions, which affects the comparability of results from period to period.

    A reconciliation of our expected Organic Revenue and Organic Revenue Growth Rate to Total Revenue and Total Revenue Growth Rate, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, is as follows (in thousands):

      Three Months Ended 
    December 31, 2024    		   Twelve Months Ended 
    December 31, 2024
      Low End   High End   Low End   High End
    Total revenues $ 49,000     $ 51,000     $ 200,500     $ 203,400  
    Acquisition adjustments(1)   (100 )     (150 )     (3,650 )     (3,700 )
    Contingent income   (2,700 )     (3,850 )     (6,400 )     (7,550 )
    Fee income   (2,500 )     (3,000 )     (10,400 )     (10,900 )
    Other income   (200 )     (300 )     (1,300 )     (1,400 )
    Organic Revenue $ 43,500     $ 43,700     $ 178,750     $ 179,850  
    Organic Revenue Growth(2) $ 7,323     $ 7,523     $ 22,025     $ 23,125  
    Total Revenue Growth Rate(3)   23.8 %     28.9 %     16.5 %     18.2 %
    Organic Revenue Growth Rate(2)   20.2 %     20.8 %     14.1 %     14.8 %
                   
                   
    (1)  Represents revenues generated from the acquired businesses during the first 12 months following an acquisition.
    (2)  Organic Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, used to calculate Organic Revenue Growth for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, was $36.2 million and $156.7 million, respectively, which is adjusted to reflect revenues from acquired businesses with over $0.5 million in annualized revenue that reached the twelve-month owned mark during the year ended December 31, 2024. Organic Revenue Growth Rate represents the period-to-period change in Organic Revenue divided by the total adjusted Organic Revenue in the prior period.
    (3)  Represents the period-to-period change in total revenues divided by the total revenues in the prior period.
     

    Key Performance Indicator

    Total Written Premium. Total Written Premium represents, for any reported period, the total amount of current premium (net of cancellation) placed with insurance carriers. We utilize Total Written Premium as a key performance indicator when planning, monitoring, and evaluating our performance. We believe Total Written Premium is a useful metric because it is the underlying driver of the majority of our revenue.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These statements reflect management’s expectations based on currently available information and involve significant risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the finalization of the Company’s year-end financial results, economic conditions, and other risks detailed in the Company’s SEC filings. TWFG undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    Gene Padgett, CAO
    TWFG, Inc.
    gene.padgett@twfg.com

    Media Contact:
    Alex Bunch
    TWFG, Inc.
    alex@twfg.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Diego Man Who Ran $35 Million Securities Fraud and COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme Sentenced to Almost 20 Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Denny Thakorbhai Bhakta, who was convicted by a federal jury in October 2024 of securities fraud, bank fraud and money laundering in connection with a $35 million swindle that left his own elderly uncle bankrupt, was sentenced in federal court today to 235 months in custody. Bhakta was convicted of all 25 charges after a two-week trial.

    The evidence at trial showed Bhakta solicited investors in his companies Fusion Hotel Management LLC and Fusion Hospitality Corporation (collectively “Fusion”). Between at least 2016 and up to 2021, Bhakta falsely told investors that Fusion routinely acquired discounted blocks of hotel rooms from Hilton, which Fusion then sold to United Airlines at a higher price for a significant profit.

    To support these lies, Bhakta provided fabricated bank statements, fake contracts, and profit and loss statements purporting to show millions in revenue and profit. Instead of buying blocks of hotel rooms with investors’ funds, however, Bhakta used the money he obtained from investors for gambling, to make Ponzi-style payments to other investors, and to pay for Bhakta’s personal expenses, including luxury vehicles.

    According to court documents, Bhakta targeted friends, family members and close acquittances during the multi-year fraud scheme. Among the victims was Bhakta’s uncle, who was swindled out of $4.5 million, and who testified during the trial that he came to the U.S. as an immigrant with a suitcase and $8 in his pocket, and because of the defendant, he “lost everything he had worked for in 57 years in America. Everything.”

    Bhakta’s other victims included a childhood friend who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars; his former boss and his wife; a friend of his family who lost $1.6 million; a high school classmate and her father who together lost more than $800,000; and an 88-year-old investor who lost $50,000.

    During the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence that Bhakta was flown to Las Vegas on the Wynn Las Vegas private jet. And in just one 7.5-hour gambling binge in 2018, Bhakta lost $1 million at the casino. Through a trove of casino records, prosecutors demonstrated how Bhakta repeatedly took investors’ money straight to casinos and gambled (and lost) millions of investor money.

    “I haven’t seen a case quite like this,” said U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino, who found Bhakta’s conduct “could not have been more deliberate [and] could not have been more calculated.”  In pronouncing the 235-month prison sentence, Judge Sammartino noted Bhakta’s only apparent motive was “greed and gambling,” his victims included his own friends and relatives, and he showed “nothing resembling remorse” for his criminal conduct that spanned years.

    “This defendant didn’t just betray investors—he callously swindled his own family and closest friends, leaving his elderly uncle bankrupt,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “Instead of safeguarding their hard-earned money, he funneled millions straight to casinos, gambling away their futures along with his own. His lies, deceit, and reckless greed have finally caught up to him. Today’s sentence makes clear that those who gamble with other people’s trust and livelihoods will face the consequences.”

    “Denny Bhakta orchestrated an elaborate investment fraud scheme that caused extensive financial harm to unsuspecting victims, including close family and friends, all for his own personal gain,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy.  “Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his greed and deceitful conduct, bringing justice to the victims he exploited.”

    According to the government’s sentencing materials, in 2020, Bhakta doubled down on the fraud. Through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Bhakta applied for 18 separate PPP loans totaling $4.4 million. To fraudulently obtain the PPP loans, Bhakta created fake W-2 and other IRS documents and used the names and personally identifying information of his victim-investors to claim them as employees of Fusion and other entities under Bhakta’s control.  Bhakta used the more than $4.4 million he received in PPP loans to keep the Ponzi scheme going and to continue gambling and losing money at casinos.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mokhtari and Eric Olah.

    DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 21cr3352-JLS                            

    Denny Thakorbhai Bhakta                             Age: 42                                   San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Securities Fraud—Title 15, U.S.C. §§ 78j(b), 78ff; Title 17, C.F.R. § 240.10b-5

    Maximum penalty:  Twenty years in prison and $5,000,000 fine

    Bank Fraud—Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1344(2)

    Maximum penalty:  Thirty years in prison and $1 million fine

    Money Laundering– Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1957

    Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and fine twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Cotton, Scott urge SEC to review Consolidated Audit Trail

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and colleagues in sending a letter to the acting chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mark Uyeda, urging him to conduct a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT). 
    The SEC requires brokers to submit investors’ personally identifiable information (PII) to its CAT database. Earlier this month, the Trump administration’s SEC issued an order that exempts certain PII consisting of investors’ names, addresses and years of birth from CAT reporting.
    “The Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) has been a highly controversial endeavor that has raised many concerns from Members of Congress . . . We are pleased that you and fellow Commissioner Peirce have repeatedly acknowledged these longstanding concerns and applaud the Commission for its recent steps to protect the financial privacy of American investors,” the lawmakers wrote.
    “However, there is more work to be done. The prohibition on collecting investor PII must be formally codified (rather than via rescindable exemptive relief) and already-collected PII must be expunged. Cybersecurity measures for the remaining data must be enhanced. And the CAT’s bloated out-of-control budget must be addressed,” they continued.
    “Given these continuing concerns, the Commission should launch a comprehensive review that covers all aspects of the CAT. In doing so, the Commission should take additional steps to pause the CAT’s most controversial elements—not only the collection of customer PII, but also the problematic funding structure that a majority of the current Commission voted against. Further, it would appear appropriate for the Commission to pause and reconsider its position with respect to ongoing litigation related to the CAT, as it has done for other cases commenced during the Biden administration,” the lawmakers concluded. 
    Background:
    Earlier this month, Kennedy introduced the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act.
    Kennedy’s bill would prohibit the SEC from requiring market participants to submit investors’ personally identifiable information to the CAT. 
    The bill would also require the SEC to delete personally identifiable information once the agency resolves the investigation or issue that required that information. 
    Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) also joined the letter. 
    The full letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: HUMBL, Inc. Announces $2 Million Share Exchange Agreement and Strategic Partnership With NUBURU, Inc. to Accelerate Growth and Shareholder Value

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Diego, CA, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL) announced the execution of a $2,000,000 Equity Swap Agreement and strategic partnership with NUBURU, Inc. (NYSE: BURU) designed to accelerate both companies’ growth strategies and deliver immediate value to shareholders.

    Transaction Details

    Under the terms of the Equity Swap Agreement:

    • NUBURU will issue $2,000,000 in common stock to HUMBL (subject to applicable exchange cap, stockholder approval, and registration requirements); and
    • HUMBL will issue an equal dollar amount of Series C Preferred Stock to NUBURU.

    Following satisfaction of any required stockholder or regulatory approvals and registration requirements, it is anticipated that 70% of the shares of NUBURU will be distributed to the stockholders of HUMBL as a dividend. The issuance of the shares by both parties is contingent upon both parties obtaining any required regulatory or stockholder approval and satisfying any applicable registration requirements.

    The companies have also entered into a Master Distribution Agreement, appointing HUMBL as the exclusive distributor in Brazil for both NUBURU’s existing business and its recently announced defense and security portfolio companies. The parties may also negotiate in the future performance-based incentives that would allow HUMBL to expand its exclusivity to all of Latin America upon achieving certain revenue and market penetration targets.

    Strategic Alignment for Accelerated Growth

    “This partnership represents the convergence of two companies with newly transformed business models and leadership teams,” said Thiago Moura, CEO of HUMBL, Inc. “NUBURU, under its new management team, is expanding its business within its defense and security portfolio into new markets. HUMBL, having divested its Web3 assets and transformed into a Berkshire-inspired holding company in partnership with Ybyra Capital, is now executing a shareholder-centric strategy focused on cross-border strategic partnerships and value creation.”

    Alessandro Zamboni, Executive Chairman of NUBURU, Inc., stated: “This partnership with HUMBL provides NUBURU shareholders with dual benefits – exclusive distribution in Brazil’s robust market with potential for all of Latin America, and exposure to HUMBL and Ybyra Capital’s extensive regional network. Our entirely new management team is focused on rapid expansion, and this partnership enables us to leverage HUMBL and Ybyra’s established presence in Brazil to accelerate the deployment of our defense and security portfolio.”

    The alliance builds on NUBURU’s established track record of technological excellence and HUMBL’s revitalized presence in emerging markets, bolstered by Ybyra’s regional expertise and substantial real assets.

    About HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL)

    HUMBL, Inc. has transformed into a strategic holding company, operating with a business model focused on high-value joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, and progressive economic structures. Following the divestiture of its Web3 technology assets, HUMBL has pivoted to a shareholder value-centric approach under the leadership of CEO Thiago Moura, principal of Ybyra Capital—a Brazilian holding company with diversified investments in real estate, commodities, and mining. The company’s unique structure enables it to create two-way distribution pipelines throughout Brazil and Latin America, leveraging Ybyra Capital’s established regional presence to offer strategic partners immediate access to these valuable markets.

    About NUBURU, Inc. (NYSE: BURU)

    NUBURU, Inc. was founded in 2015 as a developer and manufacturer of industrial blue laser technology that is transforming the speed and quality of laser-based manufacturing. Under its new management team led by Executive Chairman Alessandro Zamboni, NUBURU is executing a comprehensive growth and diversification strategy, expanding into complementary domains such as defense-tech, security, and operational resilience solutions. Headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, NUBURU is leveraging strategic partnerships and acquisitions to accelerate growth in high-value sectors. For more information, visit www.nuburu.net.

    Investor and Media Contacts

    NUBURU, Inc. (NYSE: BURU)
    Investor Relations: alessandro.zamboni@nuburu.net
    Media Contact: press@nuburu.net
    Website: www.nuburu.net

    HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL)
    Investor Relations: ri@ybyracapital.com.br
    Media Contact: media@humbl.com
    Website: www.humbl.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include descriptions of the future strategic plans and growth expectations for HUMBL, including the potential benefits of their partnership, anticipated market expansions, and any statements regarding potential uplisting or future exchange listings. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations, and actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the ability of HUMBL to successfully collaborate and realize the expected synergies of the partnership, market acceptance of new initiatives, regulatory approvals and compliance related to registration, exchange listings, economic conditions in the industries in which they operate, and general market volatility. HUMBL disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Bhutan: Development of an Interest Rate Corridor Framework

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    At the request of the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMA), an IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) visited Thimphu during August 20-29, 2024. The mission’s objectives were to assist the authorities in setting up interest rate corridor (IRC) and operationalizing the related instruments, operations, liquidity forecasting, and collateral frameworks.

    Subject: Asset and liability management, Central Banks, Financial regulation and supervision, Interest rate corridor, Liquidity forecasting, Liquidity management, Monetary policy, Open market operations

    Keywords: Central bank policy rate, Interest rate corridor, International organization, Liquidity forecasting, Liquidity management, Monetary policy, Money markets, Open market operations

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Iowa Private Nonprofits Affected by May Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Iowa of the March 27, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the May 20‑31, 2024, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Cedar, Cherokee, Clay, Dallas, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Humboldt, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Kossuth, Marshall, Mitchell, Montgomery, Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Shelby, Story, Tama and Wright.

    Under the declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature and suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Examples of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs cause by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    Interest rates can be as low as 3.25% with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than March 27, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two brothers from India arraigned on indictment for selling counterfeit cancer drugs and adulterated medications

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Men are extradited from Singapore following their 2023 arrest after FDA and ICE undercover probe

    Seattle – Two brothers from India appeared in court today on a 2022 indictment for multiple counts related to their scheme to sell counterfeit and adulterated drugs in the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Avanish Kumar Jha, 38, and Rajnish Kumar Jha, 35, were arrested in Singapore on April 20, 2023, based on a request from the United States. In January 2025, a judge in Singapore ruled the men could be extradited to the U.S. to face 28 felony charges and the Minister for Law ordered their surrender on February 24, 2025. Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty and trial was scheduled for May 5, 2025, in front of U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez.

    “The defendants in this case allegedly made hundreds of thousands of dollars while defrauding people who were clinging to hope that a late-stage cancer medication could save their life. Because of this fraud, victims received counterfeit medication that contained none of the cancer-fighting substance they thought they were ordering,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “This fraud scheme didn’t just steal money; it stole the prospect of more time with loved ones for those battling cancer.”

    The investigation of the Jha brothers began in 2019, when investigators reviewed internet postings and other evidence indicating that the Jha brothers and their company, Dhrishti Pharma International, were offering to sell prescription drugs to buyers in the United States and elsewhere. Undercover agents with the Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began communicating with the Jha brothers and ordered some of their products.  Of particular concern was a “medication” labeled as “Keytruda,” a Merck drug for late-stage cancer. An analysis revealed that the Jha brothers were selling counterfeit Keytruda that contained none of active ingredient that made the authentic product effective. Other products contained contaminants.

    The brothers allegedly shipped the counterfeit and adulterated drugs from India. They accepted various means of payment including wire transfers and direct money exchanges. In some cases, they used intermediaries in the United States to pick up cash payments. The drugs were packaged in such a way to avoid detection by international customs or other regulators.

    Both men had been detained in Singapore since their arrest in April 2023 based on a provisional arrest request from the United States. The United States submitted a formal extradition request to Singapore in June 2023.

    “This case highlights ICE HSI’s commitment to protecting the public from dangerous and fraudulent practices that put vulnerable individuals at risk,” said acting Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Seattle Matthew Murphy. “The company in question preyed on those in desperate need of lifesaving treatments by offering counterfeit medications that provided nothing but false hope. Thanks to the diligent work of our special agents and our law enforcement partners, we are taking swift action to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

    The case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and ICE HSI.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Kopczynski. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance with securing the extradition. Significant assistance was provided by law enforcement partners at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, including the ICE HSI Attaché and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Office of Overseas Criminal Investigations, and Singaporean authorities, particularly the Singapore Police Force and Attorney-General’s Chambers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Stoneham Police Officer Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison for Bribery Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant defrauded a company to obtain tens of millions of dollars of Mass Save funds through paying bribes and kickbacks to company employees

    BOSTON – A former Stoneham Police Officer has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for a bribery and kickback scheme that netted millions of dollars in Mass Save contracts.  

    Joseph Ponzo, 51, of Stoneham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 27 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Joseph Ponzo was also ordered to pay $115,528 in restitution and a $100,000 fine. In November 2024, Joseph Ponzo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud; 24 counts of honest services wire fraud; one count of making false statements to government officials; and four counts of causing false tax returns to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service from 2016 to 2019. Joseph Ponzo was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023 along with his brother Christopher Ponzo.

    “Joseph Ponzo was a sworn officer, who pledged an oath to uphold the law, not violate it. However, he chose greed over integrity,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Joseph Ponzo’s greed came at the cost of consumers who were left paying the bill. A prison sentence is the price he will now pay for taking bribes and kickbacks.”

    “When an officer shrugs off his sworn oath and breaks the law to pad his paycheck like Joseph Ponzo did, he betrays the people of his community – and all of us who wear a badge,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Every year, Massachusetts homeowners spend millions of dollars to fund energy conservation projects for consumers. Joseph Ponzo and his brother cheated them by shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars in a steady stream of bribes and kickbacks to an insider who steered contracts their way, ignoring all ethical boundaries. Know that the FBI will continue to tenaciously investigate such corruption, and bring those involved to justice.”

    “Today’s sentencing of Joseph Ponzo demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to routing out corruption from all levels of the government.” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Ponzo orchestrated an elaborate kickback scheme to improperly obtain contracts from a government backed program designed to aid the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Programs like Mass Save are designed to help all citizens of Massachusetts, especially the less fortunate, who otherwise would not be able to afford these upgrades to their homes.”

    Joseph Ponzo, along with his brother and co-conspirator Christopher Ponzo, conspired to pay, and did pay, tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, kickbacks, and other in-kind benefits, including a John Deere tractor, a computer, home bathroom fixtures and free electrical work, among other things, to Company A employees (Associates 1 and 2) in exchange for the Associates’ assistance in getting the defendants millions of dollars in Mass Save contracts.

    Massachusetts law requires utility companies to collect an energy efficiency surcharge on all Massachusetts energy consumers. These funds, which amount to hundreds of millions of dollars each year, are to be disbursed by the utility companies to fund energy efficiency programs and initiatives in Massachusetts. Under the Mass Save program, the utility companies select lead vendors, like Company A, to approve and select contractors to perform energy improvement work for residential customers. This contracting work – performed by contractors at no-cost or reduced cost to the customer – is then paid for by Company A with Mass Save funds.

    On a weekly basis, from 2013 to 2017, Christopher Ponzo paid Associate 1 $1,000 in cash. At times, Christopher Ponzo paid Associate 1 $5,000 to $10,000 in cash, telling Associate 1 that the extra money was from Joseph Ponzo for his part in the bribery scheme. In return for these payments, Associate 1, among other things, helped Joseph Ponzo set up a shell company, Air Tight, to do insulation work and get approved as a Company A contractor under the Mass Save program. Joseph Ponzo put his spouse’s name on Air Tight incorporation documents and contracting licenses in order to conceal his involvement in his corrupt side business. Despite having no professional experience in residential insulation work, Joseph Ponzo collected over $7 million under the Mass Save program.    

    After Associate 1 left Company A in 2017, Christopher Ponzo and Joseph Ponzo recruited Associate 2 to the bribery-kickback scheme from approximately 2018 to 2022, paying Associate 2 thousands of dollars in cash and hiring a relative of Associate 2 as part of the ongoing scheme.

    During the course of the bribery-kickback scheme, Joseph Ponzo aided in the filing of false tax returns from 2016 to 2019 by claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in false business deductions. To disguise personal expenses as business deductions, Joseph Ponzo used his company credit card to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in purchases at The Home Depot, Lowes and Staples, claiming to his tax preparers that charges at those establishments were business-related. In reality, Joseph Ponzo used the company credit card at those stores to purchase gift cards that he and his spouse then used to make thousands of dollars in personal expenditures.  

    In April 2022, both Joseph Ponzo and Christopher Ponzo falsely denied making bribe payments to any Company A employees when interviewed by federal agents.

    In February 2025, Christopher Ponzo was sentenced to 27 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Christopher Ponzo was also ordered to pay a $300,000 fine.

    U.S. Attorney Foley; FBI SAC Cohen; and IRS Acting SAC Demeo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Dustin Chao of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: First Savings Financial Group, Inc. Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind., Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSFG) (the “Company”), the holding company for First Savings Bank (the “Bank”), announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share. The dividend will be paid on or about March 31, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business March 14, 2025.

    The Bank is an entrepreneurial community bank headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which is directly across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky, and operates fifteen depository branches within Southern Indiana. The Bank also has two national lending programs, including single-tenant net lease commercial real estate and SBA lending, with offices located predominately in the Midwest. The Bank is a recognized leader, both in its local communities and nationally for its lending programs. The employees of First Savings Bank strive daily to achieve the organization’s vision, We Expect To Be The BEST community BANK, which fuels our success. The Company’s common shares trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “FSFG.”

    Contact:

    Tony A. Schoen
    Chief Financial Officer
    (812) 283-0724

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Announces Temporary Absorption of Series F and Series A Management Fees of Purpose Premium Money Market Fund

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) announced today that it has temporarily absorbed a portion of the management fees on Series F and Series A shares of Purpose Premium Money Market Fund (the “Fund”). Until Purpose confirms otherwise, the annual management fee payable by investors in Series F shares of the Fund will be 0.20%; the annual management fee for Series A shares will be 0.45%.

    There are no changes to the investment objective of the Fund. Current shareholders of the Fund are not required to take any actions as a result of this absorption.

    About Purpose Investments Inc.

    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with over $23 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent, technology-driven financial services company.

    For further information, please email us at info@purposeinvest.com

    Media inquiries:
    Keera Hart
    keera.hart@kaiserpartners.com
    905-580-1257

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurances that the fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you. Past performance may not be repeated.

    Forward-looking information        

    Purpose cautions the reader not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date they are made. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “on pace”, “anticipates”, or “does not anticipate”, “believes”, and similar expressions or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might”, or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.

    Forward-looking statements are based on information available to management at the time they are made, management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions, judgments and expectations. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Purpose to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical, technological and social uncertainties. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on assumptions that Purpose believes to be reasonable at the date such statements are made, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Purpose does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Markey Warns Against Rolling Back Access to Capital for Underserved Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (February 28, 2025) – Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) on February 26 delivered opening remarks during a committee hearing on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) flagship 7(a) lending program. 7(a) encompasses the Community Advantage Small Business Lending Company (CA SBLC) program, which serves small business owners in underserved communities, levels the playing field, and provides capital for people who have difficulty securing it elsewhere. Ranking Member Markey warned against attacks on programs like Community Advantage. Watch the full opening remarks HERE.

    Democratic witnesses included:

    • Mr. Raymond Lanza-Weil, President of Common Capital, Springfield, MA
    • Ms. Mayrena Guerrero, Founder and CEO of Colorful Resilience, West Springfield, MA

    In his remarks, Ranking Member Markey said: “SBA has a responsibility to address the inefficiencies in private lending to support true competition. It is the government’s responsibility to make sure that there is capital for all entrepreneurs, regardless of background. The Biden administration understood this. They doubled the amount of small dollar loans, maintained a healthy 7(a) loan program, and ensured a 99 percent repayment rate. My witness here today from Massachusetts, Ms. Guerrero, is a clear example of an entrepreneur who just wanted to serve her community, but struggled to get the funding to do so. She was unable to receive funding from her community bank, who is also an SBA lender, and she did not have generational wealth to rely on. That’s where Common Capital, a Massachusetts-based lender in SBA’s Community Advantage program, stepped in. Thank you, Ms. Guerrero for taking the time to share your experience with the committee. Your story is just one example of why SBA programs, like the Community Advantage program, are so important.”

    Mr. Lanza-Weil noted: “Common Capital serves a four-county region with 820,000 residents. Our annual operating budget is just shy of $2 million. Even though we are a small organization serving only a fraction of the state’s geography and population, Common Capital is the leading SBA Microlender and SBA Community Advantage lender in Massachusetts… Our continued success, and the success of the small business community in Western Massachusetts, depends upon the availability of SBA Microloans and the SBA CA program. I urge you to continue supporting the Community Advantage program, and to expand it so that more mission-focused lenders like Common Capital can increase access to capital for low-to-moderate income and low-wealth entrepreneurs.”

    Ms. Guerrero remarked: “I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and entrepreneur in Massachusetts. I am honored to be here to talk about my experience with the SBA Community Advantage loan through Common Capital. My business is Colorful Resilience, a mental health clinic that provides outpatient mental health services to Black Indigenous People of Color, Lesbian, Gay Bi Trans Queer, and others with various sexual and gender identities, immigrants, first-generation people, and our allies… The SBA Community Advantage loan changed my life and the lives of many others. I am grateful that this program exists and was lucky to have access to it. Please continue to provide organizations like Common Capital with the support necessary to make businesses like mine possible.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Dan Sullivan Announces Leadership Roles in 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    02.28.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) announced his leadership roles for the 119th Congress: deputy whip for the Senate Republican Conference, chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, and chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries.

    “The new Senate Republican majority has a great opportunity to enact President Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy, build up our military readiness, strengthen our national security, and revitalize our economy,” said Senator Sullivan. “The Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee serves an incredibly vital role in overseeing the Defense Department and supporting our military’s readiness as we face one of the most dangerous periods since World War II with dictators on the march and increasingly working together. As chair of this subcommittee, I will be intently focused on our military’s lethality and ensuring our service members are as well-trained and equipped as possible should they ever be called upon to defend our nation. Similarly, I look forward to building up Alaska and America’s infrastructure, broadband, and maritime capabilities to maximize our national security and commercial and economic opportunities through my leadership role on the Commerce Committee. I will also continue this focus on Senator Barrasso’s team as a deputy whip. I am looking forward to working with this administration and with my Senate colleagues to get our country back on track.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: Farm Matters on the Menu

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    Q: What ag policies are on your radar in the new Congress?
    A: While work is underway on writing a new farm bill, I’m also rolling up my sleeves on legislative proposals and oversight efforts to address key issues facing the farm economy and rural communities. Since the new Congress started in January, I’m working on issues that matter to the bottom lines of Iowa farmers, including: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI); Prop 12 restrictions; foreign ownership of U.S. farmland; renewable fuels, including nationwide year-round sales of E15 and sustainable aviation fuel; and tax relief, including a permanent repeal of the death tax.
    Let’s start with the HPAI outbreak that’s ravaging the livelihoods of Iowa’s poultry and egg producers and leading to egg shortages and higher prices for consumers. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I participated in two hearings in February gathering feedback from farmers and ranchers about their operations. I asked representatives from turkey growers and egg producers about the importance of vaccines for egg-laying hens and how USDA’s indemnity program helps producers stay afloat during this crisis in the farm economy. I also pushed for swift confirmation in the U.S. Senate to get Secretary Brooke Rollins at the helm of the USDA. During her first week on the job, Secretary Rollins visited an egg farm in Texas and announced a comprehensive strategy to tackle the crisis that’s wiped out 166 million laying hens since 2022. I’ll continue keeping in touch with Iowa farmers as the USDA rolls out its plan to get this outbreak behind us. I’ll also keep pushing to reduce regulatory burdens that restrict market access and add costly decisions for producers to do business in states like California and Massachusetts. California’s Prop 12, what I call its “War on Breakfast” has jacked up the price for eggs and bacon, making protein-rich nutrition unaffordable for American families. I’ll continue working to restore common sense and economic freedom to the farm economy.
    Q: What is the Farmland Security Act?
    A: Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland has increased 85 percent in the last 15 years. Decades ago, when I represented Iowans in the House of Representatives, I co-sponsored the first-ever reporting requirement called the Agricultural Foreign Investment Act of 1978. It required foreign persons who purchase, transfer or hold interests in crop acres to report transactions to the USDA. They must file an FSA-153 in the local Farm Service Agency office where the land is located, within 90 days of the transaction. Our bipartisan law also directed the Secretary of Agriculture to analyze the information and its impact on family farms and rural communities.
    The upward trend of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland comes up regularly at my annual 99 county meetings. Farmland is finite, once it’s paved over with suburban sprawl or sold to foreign owners, America has one less acre to feed and fuel our people. In addition, foreign buyers needlessly increase competition for young and beginning farmers. There are also serious national security implications if a foreign adversary buys up farmland near U.S. military installations. Last year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report that showed as foreign investment in U.S. farmland climbs, the USDA’s processes to collect, track and report key information are flawed. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 included my bipartisan proposal that required the USDA to adopt an online submission process and public database by 2025. Currently, real-time data isn’t available for federal agencies, including the Departments of Treasury and Defense and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review for potential national security risks.
    I’ve teamed up again with Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin to beef up existing federal law. Our Farmland Security Act of 2025 builds on our previous efforts to protect America’s rural communities from shady foreign investments. It would ensure all foreign investors, including “shell companies” who buy U.S. farmland must report their holdings and strengthens penalties for those who evade or misreport their filing obligations. Plus, it invests in research to better understand the impact foreign ownership of farmland has on agricultural production. As a lifelong farmer in the U.S. Senate, I’m proud to champion the livelihoods and way of life in rural America. Food security is national security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Finnish Skiing in Finland

    Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

    —————
    @usarmy soldiers with @10thMountainDivision and 11th Airborne Division train on Finnish skis to enhance warfighting readiness, tactical proficiency and integration during Arctic Forge 25 in Finland.

    For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
    —————
    Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!

    Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Instagram: http://instagram.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DeptofDefense

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-ATGWfl5-s

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Oversight of Foreign Ownership of American Agriculture

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act to increase scrutiny surrounding the purchase of agricultural land by foreign adversaries like China. The bipartisan bill would permanently add the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to add additional scrutiny of farmland and agricultural industry purchases by foreign adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran and help prevent improper foreign disruption to the U.S. agriculture industry.
    “Wisconsin’s farms are the backbone of our state,” said Senator Baldwin. “They’re not just about food, they’re about people’s livelihoods, our economy, and our way of life. That’s why I’m fighting to protect our family farms and agricultural communities from bad actors like China that threaten our food supply, economy, and national security. I’m proud to work with Democratic and Republican colleagues to protect our farmers and rural communities and ensure our Made in Wisconsin agricultural economy stays strong for the next generation.”
    CFIUS is the governmental body that oversees the vetting process of foreign investment and acquisition of American companies. In addition to permanently adding the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS, the bill would require that the Secretary report any transaction that could threaten national security, specifically concerning purchases made by adversarial nations like China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
    Over the past few years, the United States has experienced a rapid increase in foreign investment in the agricultural sector, particularly from China. Growing foreign investment in agriculture and other essential industries, like health care and energy, threatens our country’s national security. 
    According to USDA data from December 2023, foreign investors own approximately 45 million acres of U.S. agricultural land. This represents an increase of over 1.5 million acres in one calendar year. Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land increased modestly from 2012 to 2017 at an average increase of 0.6 million acres per year. However, since 2017, this number skyrocketed to an average of 2.6 million acres annually. Additionally, between 2010 and 2021, entities or individuals from China increased their ownership of U.S. agricultural land more than twentyfold, from 13,720 acres to 383,935 acres.
    Data from the 2023 Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) report shows that Kansas agricultural land with foreign interest totals over 1.3 million acres.
    CFIUS is authorized to oversee and review foreign investment and ownership in domestic businesses as it relates to national security. Currently, the Committee does not directly consider the needs of the agriculture industry when reviewing foreign investment and ownership in domestic businesses.
    Specifically, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act would:
    Add the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of CFIUS
    Protect the U.S. agriculture industry from foreign control through transactions, mergers, acquisitions, or agreements
    Designate agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical technologies
    Require a report to Congress on current and potential foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural industry from USDA and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 
    The bill is led by Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and also co-sponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Todd Young (R-IN), and Deb Fischer (R-NE). U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04) also introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Oak Valley Community Bank Announces Commercial Credit Officer Hiring

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OAKDALE, Calif., Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oak Valley Community Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY), announced that Jean Turpen has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Credit Officer. She is based out of the Roseville Office located at 1478 Stone Point Drive.

    Turpen has 21 years of banking experience and a distinguished career in the banking industry, having held various leadership positions in commercial credit and lending. Her understanding of commercial lending, credit risk management, and financial analysis makes her an invaluable addition to the bank. In her new role, she will be responsible for client relationship management, portfolio management, and credit analysis. She will work closely with the Greater Sacramento Region team to drive sustainable growth and maintain our commitment to excellence in service and performance.

    “We’re excited to welcome Jean to our team. Her experience and proven track record in the banking sector will be instrumental in driving our commercial credit strategies and supporting our growth objectives,” said Gary Stephens, EVP Commercial Banking Group.

    Turpen earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University of Alaska Anchorage. She is a member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). Turpen resides in Orangevale with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys fitness, gardening, orchestral music, and reading.

    Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank & their Eastern Sierra Community Bank division, through which it offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small businesses. They currently operate through 18 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, Tracy, Sacramento, Roseville, two branches in Sonora, three branches in Modesto, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop. The company will open its 19th branch location in Lodi later this year. For more information, call 1-866-844-7500 or visit www.ovcb.com.

    Date: February 28, 2025
    Contact: Chris Courtney/Rick McCarty
    Phone: (209) 848-BANK (2265) 
      Toll Free (866) 844–7500
      www.ovcb.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CalAmp Welcomes Thomas Polan as Product Director for Student Safety Business Unit

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CalAmp, a leading provider of telematics and connected intelligence solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Polan as Product Director for its Student Safety Business Unit. Polan, a co-founder of the Synovia K-12 solution acquired by CalAmp in 2019, brings extensive expertise in student transportation technology and a proven dedication to innovation.

    Polan’s leadership in developing Synovia’s industry-leading solutions transformed school transportation by improving safety, efficiency, and transparency for school districts, contractors, and transportation consortiums. In his new role, he will spearhead product strategy, focusing on customer-centric solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and student safety.

    “Thomas Polan is a recognized leader in student transportation technology, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to drive our Student Safety product strategy,” said Mark Gaydos, General Manager of Student Safety at CalAmp. “His deep industry insight and passion for innovation align perfectly with our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions to school districts, contractors, and consortiums.”

    Polan’s appointment reflects CalAmp’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its education offerings through advanced telematics, fleet management, and safety technologies. His expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of student transportation solutions and solidifying CalAmp’s market leadership.

    “I’m excited to rejoin CalAmp and continue advancing solutions that matter to the student transportation industry,” said Polan. “School districts rely on dependable, innovative technology to ensure student safety and operational efficiency. I look forward to collaborating with CalAmp’s talented team to deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

    About CalAmp

    CalAmp provides flexible solutions to help organizations worldwide monitor, track, and protect their vital assets. Our unique device-enabled software and cloud platform enables commercial and government organizations worldwide to improve efficiency, safety, visibility, and compliance while accommodating the unique ways they do business. With over 10 million active edge devices and 220+ approved or pending patents, CalAmp is the telematics leader organizations turn to for innovation and dependability. For more information, visit calamp.com, or LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube or CalAmp Blog.

    CalAmp, LoJack, TRACKER, Here Comes The Bus, Bus Guardian, CalAmp Vision, CrashBoxx and associated logos are among the trademarks of CalAmp and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Spireon acquired the LoJack® U.S. Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) business from CalAmp and holds an exclusive license to the LoJack mark in the United States and Canada. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Innovator ETFs® Announces Closure of ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovator Capital Management, LLC (Innovator), pioneer and provider of the largest lineup of Defined Outcome ETFs™, today announced its intention to close four ETFs. Please reference the table below for important dates surrounding the closure of each ETF.

    Name Ticker End of ETF
    Outcome Period    		 Trading
    Halts    		 Liquidation
    Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated ETF® – April XDAP 3/31/25 4/1/25 4/4/25
    Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF™ – April HAPR 3/31/25 4/1/25 4/4/25
    Innovator Premium Income 10 Barrier ETF™ – April APRD 3/31/25 4/1/25 4/4/25
    Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF™ – April APRQ 3/31/25 4/1/25 4/4/25

    The closing of the ETFs coincides with the end of their respective outcome periods. Shareholders may sell their ETF shares at any point during trading hours prior to the market close on its last day of trading. If investors do not sell their shares before trading is halted, the shares will be automatically redeemed on the liquidation date. After shares are redeemed, shareholders will receive cash equal to the amount of the net asset value (NAV) of their shares on the liquidation date. Payment will be made in the form of a liquidating distribution that is electronically credited to shareholders’ brokerage or other applicable financial-intermediary accounts on or around the liquidation date.

    The ETFs may pay one or more dividends or other distributions prior to, or along with, any redemption payment. As is the case with any redemption of ETF shares, these liquidation proceeds will generally be subject to federal and, as applicable, state and local income taxes if the redeemed shares are held in a taxable account and the liquidation proceeds exceed the shareholder’s adjusted basis in the shares redeemed. Shareholders should consult with their tax adviser for further information regarding the federal, state and/or local income tax consequences of this liquidation that are relevant to their specific situation.

    Innovator also intends to close the July and October series of the funds listed above during the 2025 calendar year. More information about those closures will be released in the coming months.

    The combined assets under management in the four ETFs listed above was $37 million as of February 13, 2025, representing 0.16% of Innovator’s total AUM.

    Media Contact
    Frank Taylor / Stephanie Dressler
    (646) 808-3647 / (949) 269-2535
    Frank@dlpr.com / Stephanie@dlpr.com

    The Funds have characteristics unlike many other traditional investment products and may not be suitable for all investors. For more information regarding whether an investment in the Fund is right for you, please see “Investor Suitability” in the prospectus.

    Investing involves risks. Loss of principal is possible. The Funds face numerous market trading risks, including active markets risk, authorized participation concentration risk, buffered loss risk, cap change risk, capped upside return risk, correlation risk, liquidity risk, management risk, market maker risk, market risk, non-diversification risk, operation risk, options risk, trading issues risk, upside participation risk and valuation risk. For a detail list of fund risks see the prospectus.

    The Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contains this and other important information, and it may be obtained at innovatoretfs.com. Read it carefully before investing.

    The following marks: Accelerated ETFs®, Accelerated Plus ETF®, Accelerated Return ETFs®, Barrier ETF™, Buffer ETF™, Defined Income ETF™, Defined Outcome Bond ETF®, Defined Outcome ETFs™, Defined Protection ETF™, Define Your Future®, Enhanced ETF™, Floor ETF®, Innovator ETFs®, Leading the Defined Outcome ETF Revolution™, Managed Buffer ETFs®, Managed Outcome ETFs®, Stacker ETF™, Step-Up™, Step-Up ETFs®, Target Protection ETF™, 100% Buffer ETFs™ and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are the trademarks of Innovator Capital Management, LLC, its affiliates or licensors. Use of these terms is strictly prohibited without proper written authorization. All rights reserved.

    Innovator ETFs® are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    Copyright © 2025 Innovator Capital Management, LLC | 800.208.5212

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Upstate CEO Sentenced to Federal Prison After Defrauding Company to Build a $2.5M Beach House

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, S.C. — Joseph Edward Gallagher, 67, of Greenville was sentenced to more than three years in federal for committing wire fraud after defrauding his company to build a beach house. 

    Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing established that Gallagher served as the president and CEO of AFL Telecommunications, which is owned by Fujikura, Inc. Despite receiving yearly compensation in excess of $2 million, Gallagher devised a scheme to have AFL pay for the construction of a personal beach house. Gallagher created a false business documents indicating EPIC Development Group, LLC, was serving as a consultant for AFL Telecommunications in the field of government contracts and optical infrastructure. In truth, EPIC was a builder and was constructing Gallagher’s beach house on Kiawah Island. 

    When EPIC submitted invoices for construction costs, Gallagher would alter them to indicate that the recipient of the services was AFL and that the services involved consulting rather than construction. Gallagher would further submit the altered invoices to AFL for payment. Gallagher succeeded, through fraud and deceit, in obtaining approximately $2.5 million from AFL for the construction of the beach house. EPIC had no knowledge that Gallagher was defrauding his employer.  

    “Gallagher’s actions represent a serious breach of trust. He abused his position of authority diverting millions from his company to fund a personal luxury,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “This sentence underscores that such brazen acts of fraud, regardless of an individual’s status, will be met with serious consequences.”

    U.S. District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Gallagher to 41 months imprisonment. She also ordered Gallagher to pay a $34,000 fine. She will decide the issue of restitution at a later hearing.  

    This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case. 

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Triumph Financial Announces Dividend for 7.125% Series C Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triumph Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: TFIN) today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $17.81 per share on its 7.125% Series C Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, represented by depositary shares (Nasdaq: TFINP), each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will receive $0.44525 per depositary share. The dividend is payable on March 30, 2025, to holders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2025.

    About Triumph Financial

    Triumph Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFIN) is a financial holding company focused on payments, factoring and banking. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, its diversified portfolio of brands includes TriumphPay, Triumph and TBK Bank. www.tfin.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Triumph Financial’s expected financial results or other plans are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” and the forward-looking statement disclosure contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2025. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and Triumph Financial undertakes no duty to update the information.

    Source: Triumph Financial, Inc.

    Investor Relations:
    Luke Wyse
    Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations
    lwyse@tfin.com
    214-365-6936

    Media Contact:
    Amanda Tavackoli
    Senior Vice President, Director of Corporate Communication
    atavackoli@tfin.com
    214-365-6930

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LZ Technology Holdings Limited Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HUZHOU CITY, China, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LZ Technology Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: LZMH) (“LZ Technology” or the “Company”), an information technology and advertising company, today announced the successful closing of its initial public offering of 1,800,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.000025 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”), at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. The offering generated total gross proceeds of approximately $7.2 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. The Company’s Class B Ordinary Shares started trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 27, 2025 under the ticker symbol “LZMH.”

    In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 270,000 Class B Ordinary Shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts. LZ Technology intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for research and development, international expansions, strategic acquisitions, marketing efforts and working capital.

    The offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. Benjamin Securities, Inc. and D. Boral Capital LLC acted as underwriters for the offering (the “Underwriters”). Bevilacqua PLLC acted as U.S. securities counsel to the Company, and Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC acted as U.S. securities counsel to the Underwriters in connection with the offering.

    A registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-276234) relating to the offering, as amended, has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and was declared effective by the SEC on February 26, 2025. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus, forming part of the registration statement. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the final prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Benjamin Securities, Inc. by email at info@benjaminsecurities.com, by standard mail to 3 West Garden Street, Suite 407, Pensacola, FL 32502, or by telephone at +1 (516) 931-1090; or from D. Boral Capital LLC by standard mail to D. Boral Capital LLC, 590 Madison Ave 39th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by email at info@dboralcapital.com, or by telephone at +1(212)-970-5150.

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

    About LZ Technology Holdings Limited

    LZ Technology Holdings Limited is an information technology and advertising company operating through its subsidiaries in China. The Company’s business spans three key verticals: Smart Community, Out-of-Home Advertising, and Local Life. Its Smart Community services provide intelligent access control and safety management systems, installed in thousands of residential communities in China. Its Out-of-Home Advertising division offers multi-channel advertising solutions through a vast network of monitors across approximately 120 cities in China, with ad placements on access control screens, SaaS platforms, and third-party advertising spaces. The Company’s Local Life vertical connects businesses with consumers through online promotions, social media marketing, and retail sales of various products and services. LZ Technology is committed to providing high-quality services to communities and businesses.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” as defined under the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, the Company’s statements regarding the use of proceeds from the sale of the Company’s shares in the offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “should”, “seek”, “estimate”, “will”, “aim” and “anticipate”, or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    For further information, please contact:

    Michael Wu
    Investor Relations
    LZ Technology Holdings Limited
    michael@lzmh.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Condemns the Reopening of ICE’s Delaney Hall Detention Facility

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    NEWARK, NJ – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement in response to the imminent reopening of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
    “In June of last year, I sent a letter to then DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and ICE Acting Director Patrick Lechleitner expressing my dismay and firm opposition to proposed plans to open a new ICE detention center in Newark. Today, those plans became a reality with the announced reopening of the Delaney Hall Facility.
    “Not only am I opposed to the premise of mass warehousing thousands of people, I am concerned that GEO Group, a private, for-profit prison company, will continue to run the facility. This 15-year, $1 billion contract, announced the very same day that GEO Group released its fourth-quarter earnings, is not about making New Jerseyans safer or fixing our broken immigration system. Instead, it demonstrates this administration’s driving motive to enrich its favored corporations while wasting taxpayer dollars. GEO Group has a documented history of gross neglect, including malnourishment, inhumane living conditions, forced labor, and the physical and sexual abuse of people detained at its facilities. Yet this administration is cutting them a $1 billion check. Put plainly, the reopening of the Delaney Hall Facility is an insult to immigrant communities and advocates in New Jersey, New York, and around the country who have fought tirelessly to document the human rights abuses at private detention centers and repeatedly pushed administration after administration to ensure the humane treatment of detained people. Geo Group’s presence in our community will yield chronic insecurity among the communities I represent, and all communities across the state will be less safe because of it.”
    To read the full text of the June 2024 letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: BERKS COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Highlight 2025-26 Proposed Budget Investments in Safer Communities

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    March 03, 2025 – Reading, PA

    ADVISORY – BERKS COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Highlight 2025-26 Proposed Budget Investments in Safer Communities

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis will discuss the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s proposed 2025-26 budget and its investments to make Pennsylvania communities safer on Monday, March 3, at 1 p.m. at Reading Hospital, 420 S. Fifth Ave., West Reading.

    The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which Davis leads, recently approved $45 million in Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grants. This program supports a wide range of models focused on reducing community violence and relies on community groups that are most in tune with specific local needs. Reading Hospital is receiving more than $600,000 to expand and enhance its Violence Recovery Program.

    The proposed 2025-26 budget includes a $10 million increase for the VIP program, as well as $10 million more for the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time program, which provides funding for afterschool programs that help keep kids safe and give them enrichment opportunities.

    WHO:
    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, state Sen. Judy Schwank, state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams, representatives from Reading Hospital and Safe Berks

    WHAT:
    Roundtable conversation about gun violence prevention and the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s proposed state budget

    WHEN:
    Monday, March 3, at 1 p.m.

    WHERE:
    Reading Hospital, 420 S. Fifth Ave., West Reading

    RSVP:
    Members of the news media who are interested in attending must RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstinalv@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Raised voices and angry scenes at the White House as Trump clashes with Zelensky over the ‘minerals deal’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    The visit of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House has not gone to plan – at least not to his plan. There were extraordinary scenes as a press conference between Zelensky and Trump descended into acrimony, with the US president loudly berating his opposite number, who he accused of “gambling with world war three”.

    “You either make a deal or we’re out,” Trump told Zelensky. His vice-president, J.D. Vance, also got in on the act, accusing the Ukrainian president of “litigating in front of the American media”, and saying his approach was “disrespectful”. At one point he asked Zelensky: “Have you said thank you even once?”

    Reporters present described the atmosphere as heated with voices raised by both Trump and Vance. The New York Times said the scene was “one of the most dramatic moments ever to play out in public in the Oval Office and underscored the radical break between the United States and Ukraine since Mr Trump took office”.

    Underlying the angry exchanges were differences between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government over the so-called “minerals deal” that Zelensky was scheduled to sign. But any lack of Ukrainian enthusiasm for the deal is understandable.

    In its present form, it looks more like a memorandum of understanding that leaves several vital issues to be resolved later. The deal on offer is the creation of what will be called a “reconstruction investment fund”, to be jointly owned and managed by the US and Ukraine.

    Into the proposed fund will go 50% of the revenue from the exploitation of “all relevant Ukrainian government-owned natural resource assets (whether owned directly or indirectly by the Ukrainian government)” and “other infrastructure relevant to natural resource assets (such as liquified natural gas terminals and port infrastructure)”.

    This means that private infrastructure – much of it owned by Ukraine’s wealthy oligarchs – is likely to become part of the deal. This has the potential of further increasing friction between Zelensky and some very powerful Ukrainians.

    Meanwhile, US contributions are less clearly defined. The preamble to the agreement makes it clear that Ukraine already owes the US. The very first paragraph notes that “the United States of America has provided significant financial and material support to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022”.

    This figure, according to Trump, amounts to US$350 billion (£278 billion). The actual amount, according to the Ukraine Support Tracker of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, is about half that.

    Western and Ukrainian analysts have also pointed out that there may be fewer and less accessible mineral and rare earth deposits in Ukraine than are currently assumed. The working estimates have been based mostly on Soviet-era data.

    Since the current draft leaves details on ownership, governance and operations to be determined in a future fund agreement, Trump’s very big deal is at best the first step. Future rounds of negotiations are to be expected.

    Statement of intent

    From a Ukrainian perspective, this is more of a strength than a weakness. It leaves Kyiv with an opportunity to achieve more satisfactory terms in future rounds of negotiation. Even if any improvements will only be marginal, it keeps the US locked into a process that is, overall, beneficial for Ukraine.

    Take the example of security guarantees. The draft agreement offers Ukraine nothing anywhere near Nato membership. But it notes that the US “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace”, adding that: “Participants will seek to identify any necessary steps to protect mutual investments.”

    The significance of this should not be overstated. At its bare minimum, it is an expression of intent by the US that falls short of security guarantees but still gives the US a stake in the survival of Ukraine as an independent state.

    But it is an important signal both in terms of what it does and does not do – a signal to Russia, Europe and Ukraine.

    Trump does not envisage that the US will give Ukraine security guarantees “beyond very much”. He seems to think that these guarantees can be provided by European troops (the Kremlin has already cast doubts on this idea).

    But this does not mean the idea is completely off the table. On the contrary, because the US commitment is so vague, it gives Trump leverage in every direction.

    He can use it as a carrot and a stick against Ukraine to get more favourable terms for US returns from the reconstruction investment fund. He can use it to push Europe towards more decisive action to ramp up defence spending by making any US protection for European peacekeepers contingent on more equitable burden-sharing in Nato.

    And he can signal to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, that the US is serious about making a deal stick – and that higher American economic stakes in Ukraine and corporate presence on the ground would mean US-backed consequences if the Kremlin reneges on a future peace agreement and restarts hostilities.

    That these calculations will ultimately lead to the “free, sovereign and secure Ukraine” that the agreement envisages is not a given.

    For now, however, despite all the shortcomings and vagueness of the deal on key issues –– and the very public argument between the parties – it still looks like it serves all sides’ interests in moving forward in this direction.

    This article has been updated with details of the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Raised voices and angry scenes at the White House as Trump clashes with Zelensky over the ‘minerals deal’ – https://theconversation.com/raised-voices-and-angry-scenes-at-the-white-house-as-trump-clashes-with-zelensky-over-the-minerals-deal-250855

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: WE OWN THE NIGHT! | U.S. Army

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    : AEMO

    About the U.S. Army:

    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #NightVision

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltVAG8gnnlI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: BDTCOIN: The Rising Star Defying Crypto Market Trend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The cryptocurrency market has been experiencing one of its most challenging phases. Even the biggest players, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have witnessed steep corrections of 15-30% from their recent highs. During such volatile times, most digital assets struggle to maintain value—but not BDTCOIN. Defying the odds, this emerging cryptocurrency has surged an astonishing 5x in just 15 days since its listing on LBank, turning heads in the crypto world.

    At a time when uncertainty looms over the industry, BDTCOIN is rewriting the narrative. It’s not just another token riding speculative waves—it’s a revolutionary digital asset with a purpose. Built on the principles of financial inclusion, cross-border accessibility, and blockchain transparency, BDTCOIN is proving that true innovation thrives even in bear markets.

    “In a sea of red, BDTCOIN’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary,” states renowned crypto analyst, Dr. Anya Sharma. “Its gold-backed foundation and quantum-resistant technology provide a level of security and stability that’s crucial in today’s volatile market. I am telling my clients that this is a must-have asset.”

    A Market Outperformer in a Bearish Climate

    Despite the ongoing market-wide correction, BDTCOIN has emerged as a beacon of resilience, showcasing strong demand and adoption. But what makes BDTCOIN stand out in a sea of digital assets? The answer lies in its unique value proposition—utility-driven innovation designed for real-world impact.

    Michael Carter, Senior Crypto Analyst, adds: “While most cryptocurrencies struggled amid February’s market crash, BDTCOIN stood strong, proving itself as one of the most resilient digital assets in the industry. Its gold-backed nature provides a unique hedge against volatility, making it a standout investment.”

    The BDTCOIN Difference: More Than Just a Coin

    BDTCOIN isn’t just another speculative asset; it’s a cryptocurrency built to redefine financial inclusion, streamline cross-border transactions, and foster economic empowerment. Unlike many cryptos that merely serve as digital gold or investment vehicles, BDTCOIN aims to bridge gaps in the financial ecosystem, making transactions seamless, accessible, and affordable.

    Financial Inclusion for the Unbanked : Millions worldwide remain excluded from the traditional banking system due to high costs, accessibility issues, and bureaucratic hurdles. BDTCOIN leverages blockchain technology to provide secure, low-cost financial services, allowing individuals to send remittances, save funds, and access credit without relying on traditional banks.

    Cross-Border Transactions Made Easy: Remittance services often charge high fees and take days to process transactions. BDTCOIN eliminates these inefficiencies with near-instant, low-cost cross-border payments, revolutionizing the way migrant workers send money home.

    Decentralized and Transparent: BDTCOIN operates on a decentralized blockchain, ensuring transparency and security. By reducing reliance on intermediaries, it minimizes fraud and corruption—critical factors in regions where trust in financial institutions is low.

    A Focus on Emerging Markets: While many cryptocurrencies primarily cater to developed nations and institutional investors, BDTCOIN is tailored for emerging markets, where financial innovation is most needed. The coin is gaining traction as a practical alternative to traditional banking systems from Africa to Southeast Asia.

    Raj Mehta, Financial Expert, affirms: “BDTCOIN is not just another cryptocurrency; it’s a financial revolution. In a market where volatility reigns, this asset has demonstrated unwavering strength, making it one of the top contenders for long-term adoption.”

    Transaction Processing: Speed, Security, and Scalability

    BDTCOIN’s underlying blockchain infrastructure is built for efficiency, ensuring rapid, secure, and cost-effective transactions.

    • Rapid confirmation times: Transactions are processed almost instantly, eliminating long wait times.
    • Minimal processing fees: Unlike traditional banking systems, BDTCOIN enables low-cost transfers, making financial transactions more accessible.
    • Scalable infrastructure: Designed for mass adoption, BDTCOIN’s blockchain can handle high transaction volumes without congestion.
    • 24/7 operation: No banking hours or delays—BDTCOIN transactions run around the clock, ensuring seamless financial interactions worldwide.

    The Road Ahead for BDTCOIN

    As the crypto market remains turbulent, BDTCOIN’s ability to not only withstand the downturn but thrive in it is a testament to its strong fundamentals and growing adoption. With a clear mission to democratize finance and a robust technological backbone, BDTCOIN is poised to redefine how people interact with money in a digital-first world.

    With increasing adoption, strategic partnerships, and a focus on real-world utility, BDTCOIN is more than just another cryptocurrency—it’s a movement towards a more inclusive and efficient financial system.

    Thus, In a world where the gap between the haves and the have-nots continues to widen, BDTCOIN offers a glimmer of hope. It’s a reminder that technology when used responsibly, can be a force for good.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency investments are subject to market risks. Investors should conduct their own research before making any financial decisions.

    Company Details:

    Website: https://bdtcoin.co/

    Explorer: https://bdtcoin.info

    Development: https://bdtcoin.org

    Email: Admin@bdtcoin.co

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BDTCOIN. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5eee057-fed6-4e39-b779-4a99722fb74a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2cfc07e0-4ddf-46a5-9217-a7b81722ab06

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Silvercrest Asset Management (SAMG) to Announce Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Results and Host Investor Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silvercrest Asset Management Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SAMG) announced today it will host a teleconference at 8:30 am Eastern Time on March 7, 2025, to discuss the company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. A news release containing the results will be issued before the open of the U.S. equity markets and will be available on http://ir.silvercrestgroup.com/.

    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Richard R. Hough III and Chief Financial Officer Scott A. Gerard will review the quarterly results during the call. Immediately after the prepared remarks, there will be a question and answer session for analysts and institutional investors.

    Analysts, institutional investors and the general public may listen to the call by dialing 1-844-836-8743 or for international callers please dial 1-412-317-5723. A live, listen-only webcast will also be available via the investor relations section of www.silvercrestgroup.com. An archived replay of the call will be available after the completion of the live call on the Investor Relations page of the Silvercrest website at http://ir.silvercrestgroup.com/.

    About Silvercrest
    Silvercrest was founded in April 2002 as an independent, employee-owned registered investment adviser. With offices in New York, Boston, Virginia, New Jersey, California and Wisconsin, Silvercrest provides traditional and alternative investment advisory and family office services to wealthy families and select institutional investors. As of September 30, 2024, the firm reported assets under management of $35.1 billion.

    Contact: Richard Hough
    212-649-0601
    rhough@silvercrestgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Announces Updated Presentation Schedule for the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced an update to the timing of its previously announced presentation at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. Nasdaq CFO Sarah Youngwood will now be presenting at 4:05pm PT (7:05pm ET) on Monday, March 3, 2025. All updated details are included below.

    A webcast will be available at Nasdaq’s Investor Relations website: ir.nasdaq.com/events.cfm.

    Who:       Sarah Youngwood, EVP & CFO, Nasdaq
         
    What:   Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference
         
    When:   Monday, March 3, 2025
    4:05pm PT (7:05 PM ET)
         

    About Nasdaq

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

    Media Relations Contact:

    Nick Eghtessad
    +1.929.996.8894
    Nick.Eghtessad@Nasdaq.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Ato Garrett
    +1.212.401.8737
    Ato.Garrett@Nasdaq.com

    -NDAQF-

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