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Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI Africa: No plans to reform SA’s mineral royalty regime – President Ramaphosa

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government remains committed to ensuring that South Africa continues to benefit equitably from its mineral wealth, while reaffirming that there are no current plans to reform the country’s mineral royalty regime. 

    Responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed concerns raised by members regarding the country’s ability to fully capture the potential fiscal benefits of its mineral resources amid a global surge in demand for metals and minerals critical to the renewable energy transition. 

    “Any company that extracts a mineral resource in our country is required to pay the South African government a mineral royalty. This is because mineral resources are finite and cannot be replaced.

    “While it is always good to review existing policies against national priorities, there is no intention at this stage to reform the current mineral royalty regime,” the President said. 

    On the issue of the resource rent taxes, the President said that such taxes aim to ensure that companies extracting minerals pay a larger share of their profits to government whenever profits are high. 

    He explained that South Africa’s mineral royalty regime incorporates an element of the principle underlying resource rent taxes.

    The royalty rate is applied to the sales value of a mineral and is determined by a formula that varies according to profitability, as well as whether the mineral has been refined or is unrefined.

    “There is a minimum rate to ensure that even if profitability is low, the country is still reimbursed for resources that are extracted. In this way, government collects more corporate tax revenue and mineral royalty revenue during commodity booms leading to a higher level of taxation,” the President said. 

    President Ramaphosa cited statistics from the South African Revenue Service which show that mineral royalties doubled from R14.2 billion to R28.5 billion between 2020/21 and 2021/22 because of the commodity boom.

    They remained elevated in 2022/23 before dropping to almost R16 billion in 2023/24, indicating that companies were not as profitable in that year.

    In addition to the payment of mineral royalties, mining companies contribute to national revenue through the payment of corporate income tax, capital gains tax on the disposal of assets, VAT and employees’ pay-as-you-earn tax contributions.

    In the past financial year, the mining industry paid 14% of all corporate taxes in South Africa. Earlier this month, Cabinet adopted a Critical Minerals Strategy for the country, which places a sharper focus on domestic mineral value addition.

    “The strategy itself aims to maximise the country’s potential particularly in the global market for critical minerals, particularly those crucial for the country’s just energy transition and the ones for which the country holds comparative advantage. 

    “This strategy aims to ensure that South Africa derives greater benefits from its mineral wealth through beneficiation, through localisation and the people who work for those companies,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Major progress in addressing Emfuleni water and sanitation challenges

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Emfuleni Local Municipality is making substantial strides in resolving its long-standing water and sanitation challenges, following decisive intervention by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

    The Vaal River System and surrounding communities have for years suffered from the persistent problem of severe sewage pollution and spillages.

    Despite several interventions by the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) and the South African National Defence Force, the problem persisted.

    In response, the Department of Water and Sanitation invoked Section 63 of the Water Services Act in 2021, and appointed Rand Water as its implementing agent, to address the situation.

    According to the department, the intervention has already achieved significant milestones. These include unblocking and replacing collapsed sewer lines; refurbishment of pumpstations and existing wastewater treatment works; and assisting the municipality with essential operational tools of trade, including vehicles, and security.

    The department said the remaining work is now on upgrading the capacity of existing Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), which are currently struggling to handle the increased amount of sewage due to population growth over the recent decades.

    The department attributed the progress to strong intergovernmental relations, including Gauteng Provincial Government, Rand Water and Emfuleni Local Municipality.

    The total estimated cost of the intervention is R7.6 billion over a seven-year period, including completion of the major capital works.

    The department highlighted that the scope of work will include the upgrades of four WWTW, which will require 3-5 years to complete, based on the engineer’s estimation of the work.

    The scope of work includes upgrading four wastewater treatment facilities, Rietspruit, Leeukuil, Sebokeng, and Meyerton, an effort estimated to take three to five years to complete.

    Rand Water has been assisting the municipality through staff training and procurement of vehicles and equipment to carry out maintenance work, among others.

    The refurbishment of four pump stations has also been completed and are now fully functional. The replacement of 50 collapsed sewer lines have also been completed.

    “As part of this work, two major projects were completed to replace and upgrade the main sewer pipeline from Rothdene pump station to Meyerton Waste Water Treatment Works, as well to replace the main sewer pipeline from pumpstation eight to pumpstation two.

    “In addition, a third project to replace the rising main sewer pipeline from pumpstation two to Leeukruil Waste Water Treatment Works, is 90% complete. Due to these interventions, the incidents of sewage spillages into the community in Emfuleni have reduced markedly,” the department said.

    According to the department, this has resulted in an improvement in the quality of the effluent from the Waste Water Treatment Works into the Vaal River.

    However, the department noted that this improvement is limited by the fact that the existing WWTW remain overloaded, and the problem will only be fully addressed, once the capacity of the treatment works is upgraded.

    The department said it is hard at work to increase the capacity of waste water treatment works, noting that the capacity of Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Works has been increased by 50 ML per day to 150 ML per day.

    Designs have been completed for a further 50 ML upgrade of Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Works.

    “Designs for the Rietspruit Waste Water Treatment Works (current capacity 36 ML per day), have been completed to increase the capacity of the WWTW by 50 ML/day. The contractor is currently on-site, [and] designs have been completed to increase the capacity of the Leeukuil Waste Water Treatment Works by 15 ML/day from the current capacity of 36 ML per day,” the department said, adding that work is expected to start anytime.”

    Work is still underway to increase the current capacity of the Meyerton Waste Water Treatment Works, from 10ML per day to 25 ML/day.

    As part of our overall intervention, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is being established to serve as a dedicated Water Service Provider (WSP) In the municipality.

    The establishment of the SPV aims to create a professionally managed, dedicated utility with full responsibility and accountability for the provision of water and sanitation services in Emfuleni.

    Discussions between the department, Emfuleni Local Municipality and Rand Water, are currently underway with National Treasury to obtain the necessary Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) approvals for its establishment.

    “The department is satisfied that these interventions are delivering the desired results. We can boldly state, without any fear of contradiction, that, as a result of Minister’s decisive intervention, incidents of sewage spillages into the community in Emfuleni have been drastically reduced.

    “Ongoing upgrading of the capacity of Waste Water Treatment Works is necessary to ensure that the problem is completely eliminated. The department will continue to fund Rand Water to complete the upgrades of the three Waste Water Treatment Works,” the department said.

    To maintain momentum, the department believes that focused attention and energy must be directed towards fighting vandalism and theft of infrastructure and addressing the scourge of non-revenue water.

    The department also acknowledged the positive role that communities and other sectors, through the political steering committee, continue to play as we intensify efforts to address the water and sewage challenges in the area. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister to launch 2025 winter customary initiation season

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, May 28, 2025

    The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, will officially launch the winter customary initiation season for 2025.

    The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs emphasised that this important cultural practice, which signifies the transition to adulthood, has encountered challenges in the past due to unregulated initiation schools and related fatalities.

    In response to these issues, the government enacted the Customary Initiation Act of 2021 to ensure safer practices.

    This year’s season will launch under the theme: “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila,” calling for the safety and well-being of all initiates.
    Hlabisa will detail the extensive preparations and important measures undertaken by government and traditional leaders to ensure that the initiation process remains a safe, dignified, and culturally significant tradition.

    Friday’s launch will be attended by key stakeholders, including the Cabinet Minister, the Deputy Ministers of CoGTA, the MECs of CoGTA, members of the Kings and Queens Forums, representatives from the National and Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, the National Initiation Oversight Committee, as well as officials from law enforcement and the health sector.

    The launch will take place at the Premier’s Auditorium, OR Tambo Building in Bloemfontein, Free State. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Tackling human trafficking

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Gone are the days when human trafficking felt like an obscure crime that occurs under the cover of night in far off places we have never heard of. 

    Every so often we hear of suspected human trafficking cases, and it is likely that you and I could have already interacted with a trafficked person(s) without even knowing it.

    This as police rescued 44 illegal immigrants who were found locked in a house in Gauteng’s Parkmore suburb recently.

    It was also reported in March that over 30 Ethiopian nationals were able to escape from a house in Johannesburg’s Lombardy East. In that case, it is suspected that the 30 were victims of a human trafficking syndicate.

    In January, over 20 Ethiopians were rescued from a house in Johannesburg. The rescue followed a similar one in August 2024 where 82 Ethiopians were also found at a house in Johannesburg.

    Additionally, human trafficking does not only take place on home soil. In March, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed that 23 South Africans who were part of a group of 7000 people from various countries, were rescued from Myanmar.

    Before leaving South African shores in 2024, the men and women were lured by an employment agency to Thailand under the pretences of lucrative jobs that were advertised on various social media platforms.
    According to DIRCO, the adverts promised the victims good salaries, free accommodation, comprehensive travel expenses, and other lucrative benefits. However, once in Thailand, they were transported to Myanmar against their will.

    They were held captive for more than four months in a cybercrime compound in Myanmar, which borders Thailand. 

    “The crime of human trafficking is a hidden one. It is a very different one in the sense that you are given promises of a better life through whatever means elsewhere. You wilfully participate in those engagements without knowing that as soon as you arrive at your destination, what you have been promised is no longer there,” said Deputy Director-General (DDG) Lucky Mohalaba.

    Mohalaba is the DDG for Court Administration at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD).

    “The courts are currently dealing with those matters [of human trafficking] and it ranges from sexual exploitation to forced labour,” he said in an interview with SAnews.

    Legislation

    He added that there are other forms of crimes in relation to the “Trafficking in Persons Act which may include harbouring, transporting [and] assisting in whatever form that those who have been trafficked are able to be moved around within our borders.”

    This as the objects of South Africa’s Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2013, among others, are to give effect to the country’s obligations concerning the trafficking of persons in terms of international agreements and to provide for the prevention of trafficking in persons and for the protection of and assistance to victims of trafficking, among others.

    According to the legislation, any person who delivers, recruits, transports, transfers, harbours, sells, exchanges, leases or receives another person within or across the borders of the Republic, by means of the threat of harm, abduction and kidnapping among others, for the purpose of any form or manner of exploitation, is guilty of the offence of trafficking in persons.

    It also states that any person who adopts a child, facilitated or secured through legal or illegal means; or concludes a forced marriage with another person, within or across the borders of the Republic, for exploitation purposes of that child or other person in any form, is guilty of an offence.

    A person convicted of an offence of trafficking (by delivering, recruiting, transporting transferring harbouring and selling among others another person by means of a threat of harm, fraud and kidnapping among others, is liable to a fine not exceeding R100 million or imprisonment, including imprisonment for life, or such imprisonment without the option of a fine or both.

    According to the National Prosecuting Agency, the passing of the trafficking legislation is a result of South Africa’s ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children.

    Additionally, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the protocol -which was adopted by the United Nations in November 2000 – is the world’s primary legal instrument to combat human trafficking.

    Mohalaba stressed that government is tackling human trafficking.

    “What we can say to the public is that government is doing quite a lot of work in relation to this matter. But working together with civil society as well as communities, as a department we are of the view that we can do a lot to further curb instances and the incidence of trafficking in persons in South Africa,” he said from his office at the DOJ&CD.

    Increased effort 

    There is tangible evidence that the work government is doing in this area is paying off with the county having moved to a better spot on the United States of America’s (USA) annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

    In 2024, South Africa moved from Tier 2 Watch List of the report to Tier 2. 

    Released in June last year, the report, which is available on the US Department of State website among others, notes that while South Africa does not “fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking… [it] is making significant efforts to do so.”

    “The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period; therefore South Africa was upgraded to Tier 2. These efforts included increasing prosecutions of traffickers; identifying and referring more trafficking victims to protection services; and increasing the number of shelters available to assist trafficking victims,” the report stated.

    It also took note of government’s National Inter-Ministerial Committee for Trafficking in Persons (NICTIP) to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts which included the Border Management Authority, the Anti-Money Laundering Integrated Task Team and the Financial Intelligence Center.

    He said that work done includes ensuring that there is domestic legislation in place that deals with trafficking in persons and that the country has in place mechanisms to identify, assess victims or suspected victims of trafficking and ensuring that there are shelters to accommodate victims while court processes continue.

    “As a result of our responses, we moved to Tier 2 as these are some of the issues the country has addressed. Of course, our aim is to ensure that we move a level higher up which will include putting more effort into ensuring that there’s appropriate training for officials that are dealing with these matters.  We are working on this,” he explained.

    According to the TIP, the placement of countries into various tiers is not based on the size of a country’s problem “but on the extent of government efforts to meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.”

    These standards include the prohibition of severe forms of trafficking in person and punishing acts of such trafficking.
    Tier 2 Watch List countries are those whose governments don’t fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards but are making moves to “bring themselves into compliance” with the standards.

    Tier 2 countries are those whose governments do not fully meet the minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance. Additionally, Tier 1 countries are those in which governments fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

    The TIP also has Tier 3 countries whereby governments do not fully meet the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.

    Mohalaba added that the NICTIP which the department and the NPA are co-chairing, is “seized with coordinating a lot of efforts around the trafficking in persons across the country.”

    “It also includes NGOs [non-government organisations] who take part in the discussions so that all of us working together are able to move our country forward and prevent this scourge in trafficking of persons.”

    The report however flagged several issues including that law enforcement did not have the capacity and training to refer victims of trafficking to care and that victim services remained insufficient among others.

    The report states that over “180 countries have ratified or acceded to the United Nations (UN) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (the UN TIP Protocol), which defines trafficking in persons and contains obligations to prevent and combat the crime.”

    Collaboration 

    South Africa’s Parliament passed the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons, 2013 Act which came into operation in August 2015.

    “Again, we must appreciate the collaboration amongst the law enforcement agencies and particularly communities and civil society to ensure that these serious matters are addressed.

    The act requires the DOJ&CD to develop the draft National and Policy Framework (NPF) which also requires the Minister of Justice to table the approved NPF in Parliament within one year after the commencement of the Act.

    Added to that, the NFP is to be reviewed within three years after its publication in the government gazette and at least once every five years thereafter. The first NPF was approved by the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster in 2019 with the revised one having been approved by Cabinet in August 2023. It was tabled in Parliament in February 2024.

    The framework comprises four pillars – namely: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships.

    “Trafficking is an international crime, and States have been encouraged to put in laws that deal with this. We are using the NFP to compliment the legislation working together with civil society to make sure that we combat and deal with issues of trafficking in persons,” said the DDG.

    The NPF states that trafficking in persons is a “serious crime and a grave violation of human rights posing a serious challenge to communities and to society at large.”

    In the document, government states that it is committed to preventing trafficking, as well as to assist and protect victims and to prosecute perpetrators.

    “People go to great lengths to ensure that when people are trafficked, that it falls within the ambit of organised crime. We really want to appeal to the public that we should be vigilant when we see instances of people being trafficked in our villages, townships, in towns or any other areas we see the potential of people being trafficked,” said the DDG.

    He added that the review of the policy framework will be made in 2027.

    “As a country, we remain resolute in working with whichever country across the globe to ensure that the issues of trafficking in persons are actually made a priority across the world.” –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government saddened by passing of Darren Scott

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government has extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of veteran broadcaster Darren Scott, who has passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

    Scott was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma, a battle he fought for many years.

    The Hot 102.7FM presenter was a household name whose voice and presence shaped South African radio for over four decades. 

    In a statement on Wednesday, Government Communication and Information System Acting Director- General Nomonde Mnukwa said Scott’s legacy as a broadcaster and passionate storyteller will forever be remembered.

    “His talent and versatility earned him over 30 Liberty Radio Award nominations and 14 wins, including multiple Best Breakfast Presenter accolades. 

    “His legacy as a broadcaster and passionate storyteller will forever be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,” Mnukwa said. 

    On Tuesday, Hot 102.7FM said he was a beloved voice on the airwaves who had showed grit, humour and determination in dealing with his illness.

    The station said he will be remembered for his passion for radio, wit, creativity and charitable work.

    Scott marked 40 years in radio last year and was inducted into the Radio Awards Hall of Fame, which Hot 102.7FM said was a fitting honour for a man who gave everything to the medium he loved.

    The station added that Scott was many things: a gifted communicator, a music lover, a sports encyclopaedia, a deeply spiritual soul, and a loyal friend. But above all, he was radio. 

    Over the course of four decades, he made his mark at some of the country’s most recognisable stations from Radio Bop and 5FM to Jacaranda, East Coast Radio, and eventually HOT 102.7FM, where his voice became a cornerstone of the brand. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: RAF CEO placed on special leave

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, May 28, 2025

    Chief Executive Officer of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with immediate effect.

    In a statement, the Department of Transport said that Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, as the delegated shareholder representative was informed by the board of the RAF of Letsoalo’s special leave.

    The decision was made at a special meeting on Tuesday, 27 May.

    “The CEO will be on special leave until the conclusion of the relevant investigations by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), or such earlier date as the board may determine. The board has indicated that this is a precautionary measure and does not constitute disciplinary action or presumption of guilt,” said the department on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, the decision was taken solely in the interest of good governance and as a precautionary step to facilitate ongoing investigative processes. 

    “It does not imply any prejudgment or adverse finding against the CEO. In making this decision, it must be noted that the board exercised its fiduciary duties in terms of the Road Accident Fund Act, 56 of 1996, the Public Finance Management Act, 1 of 1999, and in alignment with the principles of good governance as set out in King IV.”

    Meanwhile, Phathutshedzo Lukhwareni will serve as the Acting Chief Executive Officer to ensure continuity of operations.

    The Deputy Minister has directed that this matter be placed on the agenda for the board meeting he has called for 09 June 2025. –SAnews.gov.za 
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy Minister sends condolences on the passing of Chweneyagae

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, May 28, 2025

    Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has expressed deep sorrow following the passing of acclaimed actor Presley Chweneyagae.

    “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the untimely passing of Presley Chweneyagae. ‘Tobetsa’ as he was affectionately known by his friends, is one of South Africa’s most celebrated actors and a cultural icon whose artistry brought our nation global acclaim,” Morolong said.

    Presley rose to prominence through his unforgettable performance in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi, a role that not only captivated international audiences but also shone a spotlight on the depth of South African talent. 

    His contribution to the performing arts extended far beyond the silver screen. He was a passionate storyteller, a champion for youth development and a dedicated patriot who used his craft to reflect the lived realities of many South Africans.

    His death is a profound loss to the creative sector and to the entire country. His legacy must inspire us to continue investing in creative industries as a catalyst for social change and economic empowerment.

    “On behalf of the communications fraternity, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and fans. May they find comfort in the knowledge that his light will continue to shine through the stories he told and the lives he touched,” Morolong said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Rand Water conducts major maintenance work

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Rand Water is scheduled to conduct major maintenance work on its key infrastructure starting Thursday, 29 May 2025. 

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, Rand water said the maintenance is part of its commitment to ensuring a sustainable and efficient water supply.

    “The objective of this planned maintenance is to increase capacity and enhance plant availability, reliability, and operational efficiency, supporting a more resilient and adaptable water supply network in preparation of the anticipated increased supply volumes from August 2025,” Rand Water said.

    The entity said the maintenance activities will commence at different times and locations across various municipalities, with the main maintenance operation scheduled to start on Thursday at 3am, and anticipated to be concluded on Monday, 2 June, at 5pm.

    Rand Water reported that during this period, pumping capacity will be reduced at the Eikenhof, Palmiet, Mapleton, and Zwartkopjes systems. 

    Areas within the cities of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane may experience low pressure or intermittent water supply. 

    “The maintenance may also impact water provision to the local municipalities of Rand West, Mogale City, Merafong, Madibeng, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki, Rustenburg, Royal Bafokeng Administration, and Victor Khanye, Thembisile Hani, Midvaal and Emfuleni. The maintenance work has been strategically scheduled during the low consumption months of May to July 2025, to minimise disruptions and better manage the potential impact on water supply,” the entity said.

    The scope of work and associated impacts are outlined below:

    City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

    Description

    Affected system

    Planned date

    Planned duration

       Impact on supply

    Tie-in of B16 

    pipeline from 

    Zuikerbosch, 

    Station 5

    Mapleton System

    From 29 May at 

    03h00 to 02 June 

    2025 at 17h00

    107 hours

    No pumping at Mapleton Pumping 

    Station for the whole duration.

    Klipriviersberg 

    isolation for 

    cleaning & inspection

    Palmiet System

    From 03 June 

    2025 at 06h00 to 

    16h00

    10 hours

    Pumping will be reduced to 67% 

    for 10 hours.

    Russel Road 

    meter installation

    Palmiet System

    03 June 2025 

    from 06h00 to 

    18h00

    12 hours

    No supply to the following meters: 

    Southern Areas, 

    Barlow Road

    Zwartkopjes 

    Station valves 

    replacements

    Zwartkopjes 

    System

    From 30 June at 

    05h00 to 02 July 

    2025 at 07h00

    50 hours

    No pumping for the duration of the 

    maintenance work.

    The key objective for the major work is to connect the newly constructed B16 pipeline, which will be supplying water from the new Station 5A at Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant to Engine Room 3 at Mapleton Booster Pumping Station. 

    The City of Ekurhuleni will also take an opportunity to carry out their maintenance in their electrical infrastructure.

    City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

    Description

    Affected system

    Planned date

    Planned duration

    Impact on supply

    Tie-in of B16 

    pipeline from 

    Zuikerbosch, 

    Station 5

    Mapleton System

    From 29 May at 

    03h00 to 02 June 

    2025 at 17h00

    107 hours

    No pumping at Mapleton Pumping 

    Station for the whole duration.

    Klipriviersberg 

    isolation for 

    cleaning & 

    inspection

    Palmiet System

    From 03 June 

    2025 at 06h00 to 

    16h00

    10 hours

    Pumping will be reduced to 67% 

    for 10 hours.

    The above-mentioned work will affect the City of Tshwane meters that are supplied from the above[1]mentioned systems.

    City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

    Description

    Affected system

     Planned date

    Planned duration

    Impact on supply

    Klipriviersberg 

    isolation for 

    cleaning & 

    inspection

    Palmiet 

    System

    03 June 2025 from 

    06h00 to 16h00

    10 hours

    Pumping will be reduced to 67% 

    for 10 hours.

    Pipe leak 

    repairs at 

    Zuikerbosch 

    Plan

    Eikenhof 

    System

     

    48 hours

    No pumping for 6 hours. It will be 

    increased to 50% for 42 hours and 

    then be increased 80% for the 

    remaining 19 days.

    Cleaning of 

    Sedimentation 

    Tank at 

    Vereeniging 

    Plant

    Eikenhof 

    System

    30 June 2025 from 

    05h00 to 21 July 

    2025

    21 hours

    No pumping for 6 hours. It will be 

    increased to 50% for 42 hours and 

    then be increased 80% for the 

    remaining 19 days.

    Zwartkopjes 

    Station valves 

    replacements

    Zwartkopjes 

    System

    30 June from 05h00 

    to 02 July 2025 until 

    07h00

    50 hours

    No pumping for the duration of the 

    maintenance work.

    The above-mentioned work will affect the City of Johannesburg meters that are supplied from the above1] mentioned systems.

    Description

    Affected system

    Planned date 

    Planned duration

    Impact on supply

    Pipe leak repairs at 

    Zuikerbosch Plant

    Eikenhof System

    30 June 2025 

    from 05h00 to 

    02 July 2025 

    at 05h00.

    48 hours

    No pumping for 6 hours. It 

    will be increased to 50% for 

    42 hours and then be 

    increased 80% for the 

    remaining 19 days.

    Cleaning of 

    Sedimentation 

    Tank at 

    Vereeniging Plant

    Eikenhof System

     

    30 June 2025 

    from 05h00 to 

    21 July 2025

     

    21 days

    No pumping for 6 hours. It 

    will be increased to 50% for 

    42 hours and then be 

    increased 80% for the 

    remaining 19 days.

    The above-mentioned work will affect the Mogale, Merafong, Royal Bafokeng and Rand West meters that are supplied from the Eikenhof system.

    For more information on the affected areas, visit Rand Water website:

    https://www.randwater.co.za/media/media_statements/Rand%20Water%20Planned%20Maintenance%20for%20May%20to%20July%202025%20%2022%20May%202025%20_.pdf

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Notice of website maintenance

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Notice of website maintenance

    • Date：2025-05-16
    • Data Source：Public Diplomacy Coordination Council

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.mofa.gov.tw) and its subdomains, including the Youth Programs website (www.youthtaiwan.net) and the Minister’s Mailbox (eyes.mofa.gov.tw), will be unavailable due to maintenance work from Friday, May 23, 19:00 (Taipei time) to Saturday, May 24, 20:00 (Taipei time). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Former President Tsai visits UK Parliament and delivers speech at LSE, deepening bilateral ties

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    May 20, 2025  

    No. 165  

    Former President Tsai Ing-wen visited Europe from May 10 to 19, traveling to Lithuania and Denmark before continuing to the United Kingdom. On May 15, the first day of her stay in the United Kingdom, she visited the UK Parliament at the invitation of British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Cochairs Sarah Champion MP and Lord Rogan. She was warmly welcomed by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum. 

     

    The former president met with House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and took part in a reception at the House of Lords, where she delivered a speech. She exchanged greetings with nearly 50 parliamentarians and staff, including former Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza, House of Lords Deputy Speaker Baroness Finlay, Trade Envoy to Taiwan Lord Faulkner, Labour Friends of Taiwan Chair Navendu Mishra MP, former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, Conservative Shadow Minister for Innovation and Technology Ben Spencer MP, and Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP.

     

    In her address at the House of Lords, former President Tsai said that the growing threat of antidemocratic forces was testing democracy around the world, adding that this demonstrated the need for Taiwan and the United Kingdom to work together in defense of freedom and democracy. She commended the House of Commons for passing a motion last November clarifying that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 made no reference to Taiwan. This was important in countering reckless behavior in the Taiwan Strait, she explained. Highlighting Taiwan’s position on the front line of defending democracy, former President Tsai said that Taiwan was a critical deterrent to China’s expansionist ambitions and would continue to contribute to protecting democratic values.

     

    APPG Cochair Champion noted that Taiwan and the United Kingdom had a deep friendship and shared core values. She said that the United Kingdom should continue to pay attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which she added were essential to global security and prosperity. Cochair Champion noted that in recent years the Taiwan-UK partnership had deepened. She expressed hope that cooperation would expand in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, economic resilience, and other areas.

     

    Former President Tsai also delivered a speech titled “In an Era of Shifting World Order: Taiwan as a Stabilizing Force” at her alma mater, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The event was moderated by incoming LSE Law School Dean Andrew Murray, who represented the university and LSE President Larry Kramer. Around 100 people, including General Counsel Elizabeth Messud, attended the speech. In her remarks, former President Tsai noted that the international community was experiencing a reassignment of security responsibilities and a rebalancing of trade relations. She said that to appropriately respond to multiple challenges such as economic fragmentation, political extremism, and military conflict, the function of multilateralism was becoming even more important. The former president emphasized that Taiwan had shown a high degree of resilience in turbulent times in the past, such as during supply chain restructuring, and had proven to be a trustworthy and competitive strategic partner. She added that Taiwan was ready to play a more proactive role in the new world order by further deepening cooperation with democratic countries and contributing to the global trade system. Her remarks were enthusiastically received by the audience. 

     

    During her visit to the United Kingdom, former President Tsai also gave an address at Cambridge University, met with faculty and students at the School of Oriental and African Studies, attended a forum hosted by the Royal United Services Institute, and met with Taiwanese people working in the United Kingdom on technology startups and in the arts.

     

    Taiwan-UK relations have witnessed significant progress in recent years. In 2023, the United Kingdom signed the Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement with Taiwan, becoming the first European country to establish a formal economic and trade framework with Taiwan. The United Kingdom is Taiwan’s fourth-largest trading partner in Europe, third-largest source of investment, and fifth-most popular destination for Taiwanese students studying abroad. The countries collaborate closely in fields such as technological innovation, renewable energy, and societal resilience. Taiwan will further work together with the United Kingdom and other like-minded countries to advance democratic resilience and prosperity. It looks forward to the United Kingdom continuing to demonstrate its commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region by deploying naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait and taking other concrete actions. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: State visit by Palauan President Whipps concludes; successfully deepens bilateral relations

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    State visit by Palauan President Whipps concludes; successfully deepens bilateral relations

    • Date：2025-05-24
    • Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    May 24, 2025
    No. 173

    President of the Republic of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and his delegation concluded a successful state visit to Taiwan on the morning of May 24. Following President Lai Ching-te’s December visit to Pacific allies entitled “Smart and Sustainable Development for a Prosperous Austronesian Region” and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung’s January trip to Palau as special presidential envoy and head of an industrial fact-finding mission, this visit marked the further deepening of diverse and robust cooperation between Taiwan and Palau under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. It also underlined the significant accomplishments that the two countries had achieved thanks to their staunch commitment to jointly promoting sustainable development. 

    During his visit, President Whipps met with President Lai, attended a state banquet, and together with President Lai witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements on technical cooperation and diplomatic staff training and cooperation. Accompanied by Minister Lin, President Whipps also visited industries related to the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project in central and southern Taiwan. The tour reflected Taiwan’s continuing efforts to strengthen the resilience of Palau’s tourism-centered economy through integrated diplomacy and demonstrated the substantive success of bilateral collaboration.

    Leaving Taiwan today, the Palauan delegation was seen off at the airport by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus Li-kuo Chen. Since establishing diplomatic ties 26 years ago, Taiwan and Palau have enjoyed a solid friendship, mutual trust, and steadfast cooperation across all domains. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to uphold the close and cordial cooperative partnership between the two countries, promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, and deepen bilateral relations. It will also work with Palau to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Understanding Wildfire Behavior Across Alaska Using Remote Sensing of Fire Intensity

    Source: US Geological Survey

    After a wildfire, land managers need timely information about its impact to develop treatment strategies. USGS scientists investigated the utility of instantaneous satellite-derived estimates of fire intensity in Alaska, where the remoteness and inaccessibility of many wildfire sites make ground-based investigations difficult.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Armstrong pays tribute to nation’s military heroes on Memorial Day

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Gov. Kelly Armstrong released the following statement today in observance of Memorial Day. Armstrong paid tribute to the nation’s military heroes at the Memorial Day ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan.

    “Because of these selfless men and women, we live in the greatest country on Earth. And we must never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy – or forget those who died to protect them,” Armstrong said. “While today is a day for remembrance, it’s also a day for commitment. We can live our lives in a way that honors the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. To be a worthy nation, we must be worthy of their service – to continue to support and care for those who have served, making sure that they and their families have the resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Armstrong directs flags at half-staff Thursday in honor of state Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Gov. Kelly Armstrong has directed all U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, May 29, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect as state Rep. Cynthia “Cindy” Schreiber-Beck of Wahpeton is laid to rest.

    Schreiber-Beck died May 18 at age 70. She had served in the state House of Representatives since 2015 and also served as executive director of the North Dakota Agricultural Aviation Association for nearly four decades and as a commissioner on the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission from 1997 to 2022.

    Armstrong directed flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Schreiber-Beck’s burial, which will take place during a private ceremony Thursday in Wahpeton. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Fargo Air Museum, 1609 19th Ave. N., with visitation starting at 2 p.m.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Choose Europe for your startup and scaleup

    Source: European Union 2

    The Commission has launched an EU startup and scaleup strategy to make Europe a great place for starting and growing global technology-driven companies. It’s part of the broader Choose Europe initiative, and it will help strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE seminar in Turkmenistan addresses effective communication in the digital age

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE seminar in Turkmenistan addresses effective communication in the digital age

    Participants discuss a practical task during an OSCE-organized training seminar on the use of new technologies in interaction between state institutions and media, Ashgabat, 27 May 2025, OSCE (OSCE) Photo details

    The use of new technologies in interaction between state institutions and media was in focus of an OSCE-organized training seminar that took place on 27 and 28 May 2025 in Ashgabat.
    The training seminar targeted officials of Turkmenistan’s key state institutions who are in charge of communications work and websites of their institutions as well as journalists representing print, broadcast and online media.
    The training seminar familiarized participants with best communications practices of state institutions and aimed to contribute to enhancing their contacts with media though the use of new technologies.
    Guido Keel, Senior Advisor to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and Živilė Navickaitė-Babkin, strategic communication expert from Lithuania delivered the seminar focusing on core principles of effective communication and modern instruments used by state institutions in interaction with the media.
    “The OSCE commitments on freedom of information and access to information are enshrined in a number of the Organization’s key document, including the Helsinki Final Act, the fiftieth anniversary of which we celebrate this year,” said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
    “These documents commit governments to be more transparent by providing timely and reliable information and facilitate a well-informed and responsive dialogue,” emphasized MacGregor.
    The seminar participants learnt about a corporate newsroom, its traditional organization, structure and functions, and talked about the essential role of strategic thinking in communications. The experts shared most common mistakes in interaction with the media and provided recommendations for creating user-friendly content. The event also discussed opportunities and limits of multimodal communication and how artificial intelligence changes communications.
    “Our seminar highlights the importance of providing accurate reliable information to our citizens, especially in this age of digital technologies and   artificial    intelligence,” added MacGregor.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: WSO2 Acquires Leading API Analytics and Monetization Startup Moesif

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Austin, TX , May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WSO2, the leader in enterprise digital infrastructure technology, today announced it has acquired Moesif, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in advanced API analytics and monetization. The all-cash acquisition marks a strategic milestone in WSO2’s long-term plan to accelerate global growth through targeted inorganic opportunities.

    As part of the agreement, Moesif will operate as an independent subsidiary under WSO2’s API Management Business Unit. The Moesif brand and current product offering will be retained, and its leadership along with its team will continue to drive existing business and expand customer growth globally. Moesif customers will continue receiving the same level of service and support, while benefiting from WSO2’s global presence and expanded product offerings. Moesif’s advanced API analytics and monetization capabilities will also be integrated into WSO2’s product portfolio, bringing enhanced value to existing and future customers.

    “This acquisition is a first step in our strategy to establish WSO2 as a global technology leader through select inorganic opportunities,” said Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana, founder and CEO of WSO2. “Moesif brings market-leading capabilities in API analytics and monetization, areas that are increasingly critical to digital businesses today. This is just the beginning—we’re committed to exploring further opportunities that align with our long-term goal to help enterprises deliver seamless, high-impact digital experiences.”

    The acquisition enhances WSO2’s positioning in the API management space by adding best-in-class analytics and monetization tools that help businesses optimize, measure, and generate revenue from their APIs. Moesif’s offerings will complement WSO2’s comprehensive API management platform, creating a synergy that benefits both customer bases.

    “Joining WSO2 is a natural next step in Moesif’s journey,” said Derric Gilling, founder and CEO of Moesif. “We share a deep commitment to empowering developers and businesses to build powerful digital experiences. As part of WSO2, we’ll continue to innovate rapidly, serve our customers with excellence, and now reach an even broader global audience.”

    WSO2 customers will start gaining access to Moesif’s capabilities as part of an enhanced product suite, while Moesif customers will benefit from WSO2’s global support infrastructure and expanded services.

    About WSO2
    Founded in 2005, WSO2 is the largest independent software vendor providing open-source API management, integration, and identity and access management (IAM) to thousands of enterprises in over 90 countries. WSO2’s products and platforms—including our next-gen internal developer platform, Choreo—empower organizations to leverage the full potential of artificial intelligence and APIs for securely delivering the next generation of AI-enabled digital services and applications. Our open-source, AI-driven, API-first approach frees developers and architects from vendor lock-in and enables rapid digital product creation. Recognized as leaders by industry analysts, WSO2 has more than 800 employees worldwide with offices in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the US, with over USD100M in annual recurring revenue. Visit https://wso2.com to learn more. Follow WSO2 on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

    About Moesif
    Moesif is the leading AI-driven API analytics and monetization platform that helps companies build better developer experiences, monitor API usage, and drive revenue. With powerful tools for observability, governance, and product-led growth, Moesif empowers engineering and product teams to optimize APIs as a business channel. Moesif serves customers across many industries including logistics, fintech, and enterprise software including leading enterprises like UPS, Covetrus, and UK Royal Mail. Moesif was founded in 2017 and is based in San Francisco, US. Investors include Craft Ventures, Merus Capital, Heavybit, and Fresco. Visit www.moesif.com to learn more.

    Trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Scrum Alliance and Miro Forge Strategic Partnership to Empower Agile Teams and Drive Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Scrum Alliance®, the global leader in agile certification and professional membership, is thrilled to unveil a groundbreaking new partnership with Miro, the innovation workspace. This exciting collaboration, part of the recently launched Scrum Alliance Mission Sponsorship Program, represents a powerful alliance dedicated to empowering agile teams and individuals. Together, Scrum Alliance and Miro are committed to helping professionals navigate complexity, adapt to rapid change and excel in today’s fast-paced world.

    As a partner, Miro will join Scrum Alliance’s calling to deliver new resources, educational content, exclusive member benefits and high-impact initiatives aligned with the Scrum Alliance mission: to advance real-world agility.

    “At Scrum Alliance, we see agility as a catalyst for real business performance—accelerating delivery, sharpening collaboration, and strengthening leadership,” said Scrum Alliance CEO Tristan Boutros. “In an environment defined by constant and often unprecedented change, agility empowers organizations to respond with speed and confidence. Our partnership with Miro brings powerful alignment around those outcomes. As a Mission Sponsor, Miro will support our members with new, high-impact benefits and collaborate with us to advance key initiatives that fuel agility where it matters most—in the results.”

    Through this partnership, Scrum Alliance members will gain access to a range of benefits, including educational content developed in collaboration with Miro and members-only webinars designed to strengthen agile practice and collaboration.

    “Miro is deeply committed to the agile community. Its members are some of our greatest fans and champions, so it’s essential we seek out new and innovative ways to contribute meaningfully back to the community,” said Dave Ross, Chief Agile Evangelist at Miro. “We are pleased to strengthen our partnership through this sponsorship, supporting the educational journeys of agile practitioners as this community expands and evolves. We’re hugely grateful to the Scrum Alliance for making this opportunity possible.”

    Miro provides a visual workspace that enables distributed teams of any size to collaborate seamlessly across strategy, design, product development and process management. Trusted by more than 90 million users across 250,000 organizations—including leading brands such as Nike, IKEA, Deloitte and Cisco—Miro helps accelerate innovation and deliver solutions that meet customer needs.

    “The Mission Sponsorship Program represents a bold new way for Scrum Alliance to advance our mission in collaboration with values-aligned organizations, and we’re thrilled to welcome Miro as our first-ever Mission Sponsor,” said Tracee Aliotti, Chief Marketing Officer. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to empowering agile teams and driving innovation. I’m excited about the opportunity to build lasting, purpose-driven collaborations that elevate both our organizations and the global agile community.”

    Scrum Alliance and Miro will also collaborate on a new “Agility in Practice” educational series, co-branded blog articles and resource development for Scrum Alliance User Groups worldwide. These initiatives aim to provide agile practitioners with practical tools and insights for innovation in distributed and hybrid team environments.

    The Mission Sponsorship Program was created by Scrum Alliance to build long-term, symbiotic partnerships that go beyond traditional sponsorship models. By partnering with organizations that share its values and vision, Scrum Alliance seeks to expand its impact and better support its global community of agile practitioners.

    About Scrum Alliance
    As the first not-for-profit focused on agile education and professional credentialing, Scrum Alliance continues to advance its position of Agile for Anyone™ by equipping professionals and their organizations with the education, skills, and community needed to succeed in today’s ever-evolving workplaces.

    Learn more at www.scrumalliance.org.

    About Miro

    Miro is the Innovation Workspace that enables teams of any size to build the next big thing. The platform’s infinite canvas enables teams to quickly move from idea to outcome. Miro is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Amsterdam, and serves more than 90M users worldwide. Miro was founded in 2011 and currently has more than 1,600 employees in 13 hubs around the world. To learn more, please visit https://miro.com. 

    Miro and the Miro logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealtimeBoard, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact: press@miro.com

    Learn more at www.miro.com.

    Media Contact
    Bethany Rhodes
    Uproar by Moburst for Scrum Alliance
    bethany@moburst.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Charli Capital Revolutionizes Private Equity Investing with Smart Deal Finder, Offers Access to Over 2 Million Private and Public Companies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Charli Capital, the force behind the proprietary Multidimensional AI™, is excited to unveil its latest breakthrough: Smart Deal Finder—a game-changing tool designed to reshape how investors, analysts, and financial leaders identify and evaluate opportunities across public and private markets. From venture capitalists to CFOs and CEOs, Smart Deal Finder delivers powerful insights not only to guide investment decisions but also to benchmark performance, track market sentiment, and understand how companies stack up against competitors in real time.

    Smart Deal Finder introduces a frictionless, intelligent experience for surfacing investment-grade companies—without the need for complex filters, tedious prompts, or keyword gymnastics. With a single, intuitive query, users can instantly identify businesses that align with their investment strategies, accessing detailed insights that have traditionally been out of reach.

    “We’re simplifying the future of deal discovery,” said Kevin Collins, CEO of Charli Capital. “With Smart Deal Finder, users get a data-rich, analyst-quality experience—without needing a team of researchers. This is about empowering every investor to discover the overlooked, the emerging, and the exceptional—with speed and confidence.”

    What Makes Smart Deal Finder a Game-Changer?

    Charli’s signature interface now offers a “Shopify-like” marketplace for investments, where investors can explore and purchase detailed scorecards and deep-dive reports in seconds. It’s all powered by the trusted depth of Charli’s Multidimensional AI™, known for its unmatched accuracy across more than 2 million companies.

    Built for Everyone—from Private Investors to Institutional Analysts to C-Suite Executives

    • Instant Access, No Commitment
      Explore high-potential deals with no subscription required. Simply log in, search, and evaluate—when and how you want.
    • Actionable, Qualified Deal Flow
      Gain access to real-time insights across 2 M+ companies—including financials, sentiment analysis, and investment-grade indicators to validate every opportunity.
    • Ask. Discover. Invest.
      Use natural language to find exactly what you’re looking for. Charli interprets your investment goals and uncovers deals that match—no technical filters required.
    • Built for How You Work
      From desktop to mobile, the experience is fast, interactive, and built for decision-making. Add companies to watchlists, purchase insights, and download reports—all in a few clicks.
    • Enterprise-Ready Intelligence
      For enterprise clients, Smart Deal Finder integrates directly into your internal platforms, giving teams and clients the power of Charli’s investment intelligence under your own brand.

    A New Era for Investment Discovery

    Whether you’re looking to spot rising stars in emerging markets or validate targets across fragmented private equity landscapes, Smart Deal Finder removes the guesswork and delivers clarity. It’s investment intelligence—on demand.

    Try the Smart Deal Finder today by visiting www.charliai.com

    About Charli Capital
    Charli Capital is redefining the future of private investing with a first-of-its-kind dual-sided network, powered by Charli’s multidimensional AI. Our platform empowers investors to uncover hidden opportunities, access high-quality deal flow, and engage in a new era of data-driven, intelligent capital allocation. Charli Capital is where next-generation investment decisions begin.

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Fatema Bhabrawala
    Director of Media Relations
    fbhabrawala@allianceadvisors.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gevo to Sell Luverne, Minnesota Ethanol Facility to A.E. Innovation; Will Retain Isobutanol Assets for Future Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Agri-Energy, LLC (“Agri”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gevo, to A.E. Innovation, LLC (“A.E.”) for $7 million. The transaction includes Agri’s 18-million-gallon-per-year ethanol-production facility located in Luverne, Minnesota. Gevo will retain ownership of certain isobutanol-production-related assets and a portion of the vacant land at the site for future use. With these retained assets, Gevo could potentially produce up to 1 million gallons per year of isobutanol, which can be sold as a specialty chemical, or converted into isooctane and jet fuel.

    A.E., an agriculture-oriented buyer group located in Minnesota, will acquire the ethanol plant and a portion of the land with the intent to restart ethanol production, which has been idled since 2022. A.E. also intends to make the site available for other companies to scale up new technologies and ideas as an innovation hub.

    “We’re seeing rapid innovation in the direction of bio-based fuels and chemicals and Agri-Energy has the demonstrated history that it can work on the cutting edge,” says Dave Kolsrud, principal of A.E. Innovation, LLC. “We see Gevo and others making strides and we know we’ll be a part of that. We are excited to host the next generation of biofuel innovations that need a friendly, practical place where they can scale them up. That’s Luverne, with its history of innovation, its low-carbon corn supply, wind power, and great people.”

    Over the last several years, the Luverne plant, in conjunction with local farmers, has been used as a demonstration site for educating Gevo’s stakeholders about regenerative agriculture and the versatility of corn and its co-products, as well as biofuel production, including synthetic aviation fuel (“SAF”), isobutanol, and ethanol. Gevo and A.E. look forward to continuing and expanding upon this valuable stakeholder outreach.

    “We see tremendous potential for future growth and new partnerships with A.E. Innovation,” says Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “Minnesota’s farming communities, especially in places like Luverne, are leading the way with smart, sustainable agricultural practices. We believe it’s the perfect foundation for building innovative solutions in carbohydrate-based energy and chemicals that the world urgently needs.”

    Gevo notes that the sale of Agri-Energy to A.E. Innovation provides $2 million of cash upon closing and an additional $5 million of future cash under the purchase agreement, along with an estimated annual savings of approximately $3 million per year of current facility idling costs. Gevo also anticipates potential future benefits from isobutanol fermentation through a side-by-side operational model with the ethanol assets. Restarting ethanol production is expected to bring positive impacts to the City of Luverne, including support for local farmers and strengthening the regional economy.

    The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, subject to the procurement of financing by A.E. and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

    About Gevo
    Gevo is a next-generation diversified energy company committed to fueling America’s future with cost-effective, drop-in fuels that contribute to energy security, abate carbon, and strengthen rural communities to drive economic growth. Gevo’s innovative technology can be used to make a variety of renewable products, including SAF, motor fuels, chemicals, and other materials that provide U.S.-made solutions. By investing in the backbone of rural America, Gevo’s business model includes developing, financing, and operating production facilities that create jobs and revitalize communities. Gevo owns and operates one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities in the United States, turning by-products into clean, reliable energy. Gevo also operates an ethanol plant with an adjacent carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) facility, further solidifying America’s leadership in energy innovation. Additionally, Gevo owns the world’s first production facility for specialty alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) fuels and chemicals. Gevo’s market-driven “pay for performance” approach regarding carbon and other sustainability attributes, helps ensure value is delivered to our local economy. Through its Verity subsidiary, Gevo provides transparency, accountability, and efficiency in tracking, measuring and verifying various attributes throughout the supply chain. By strengthening rural economies, Gevo is working to secure a self-sufficient future and to make sure value is brought to the market.

    For more information, see www.gevo.com.

    About A.E. Innovation, LLC
    A.E. Innovation, LLC, is an agriculture-oriented buyer group located in Minnesota founded to purchase the ethanol-production assets of Agri-Energy, LLC, with the intent of operating the plant as an innovation facility providing companies with the opportunity to certify that new technologies can transition from laboratory or bench-top status to full production-level performance using locally sourced, regeneratively grown corn as a feedstock. For more information regarding innovation opportunities at the Luverne, MN facility, contact David Kolsrud (507-920-5348) email: david@dakrenewableenergy.com or Dan Heard (605-929-2047) email: dan@dakrenewableenergy.com.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected closing of the acquisition or the timing thereof, and future plans for the assets. These statements relate to analyses and other information, which are based on forecasts of future results or events and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. We claim the protection of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all forward-looking statements in this release.

    These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target” and similar terms and phrases or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would.” However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and other expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve those plans, intentions or expectations. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that we expected.

    Important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, include among others, failure to satisfy any conditions to the closing of the transaction in a timely manner or at all; the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the definitive agreement, including the inability to obtain financing; changes in legislation or government regulations affecting the proposed transaction or the parties; and other risk factors or uncertainties identified from time to time in Gevo’s filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements identified above and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 as well as other cautionary statements that are made from time to time in our other SEC filings and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this release in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

    We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not reflect all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from our expectations. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

    Media Contact
    Heather L. Manuel
    VP, Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
    PR@gevo.com

    IR Contact
    Eric Frey
    VP, Finance & Strategy
    IR@Gevo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AI-Powered Defense at the Edge: Check Point Launches New Branch Office Security Gateways with 4x Faster Threat Prevention Performance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today announced major advancements to its family of Quantum Force Security Gateways. All Quantum Force Security Gateways for the data center and perimeter are receiving a 15%-25% performance boost in threat prevention throughput – delivered automatically via software update. In parallel, Check Point is launching a new lineup of AI-powered Quantum Force Branch Office Security Gateways designed to provide enterprise-level firewall security with up to a 4x increase in threat prevention performance from previous models.

    These four new branch firewalls deliver industry-leading 99.9% block rate, lightning-fast cloud application performance, and are optimized for SD-WAN to meet the growing demands of hybrid networks and the modern distributed workforce. According to the latest data from Check Point Research (CPR), branch offices are now facing an average of 713 weekly attack attempts per location, a 36% rise from the same period last year. Additionally, 50% of branch offices encounter attempts to exploit vulnerabilities from external sources, highlighting the urgent requirement for robust branch security and scalable management in the AI era.

    “As we continue to prioritize innovation and efficiency, Check Point’s new Quantum Force Branch Office Security Gateway firewalls are built for speed, simplicity, and security,” said Nataly Kremer, Chief Product Officer at Check Point. “They’re 4x faster than previous models, optimized for SD-WAN, and backed by our latest AI-powered threat prevention. And with automatic performance upgrades, existing Quantum Force customers will receive a 15-25% performance boost with a software update — no hardware changes required.”

    Today’s branch offices play a crucial role in engaging directly with customers but often represent the most vulnerable point in network security. Their direct links to the public cloud and the internet make them more susceptible to cyber threats. With the current threat environment and a staggering 44% rise in cyber-attacks year over year, as highlighted in CPR’s 2025 Security Report, there is a significant need to implement strong enterprise firewalls that can effectively defend against online threats without impacting network performance by causing delays or disruptions.

    “World Wide Technology (WWT) provides security products and services to customers across a variety of industries including financial services, manufacturing, retail and healthcare with distributed branch offices,” said Chris Konrad, Vice President of Global Cyber at WWT. “Check Point’s new next-generation Quantum Force Branch Office Security Gateways with enhanced AI powered threat prevention, empower us to protect these customers from the latest attacks on branch offices. These innovations help our clients reduce risk, streamline operations, and scale securely across hybrid environments — turning cyber resilience into a competitive advantage.”

    Check Point’s Quantum Force Branch Office Security Gateways capabilities include:

    • Industry-leading threat prevention: A 4x boost in threat prevention throughput with a tried and tested industry leading 99.9% block rate based on Miercom’s 2025 security benchmark report.
    • Optimized for Cloud Applications: Lightning-fast security performance for SaaS apps by optimizing for SD-WAN, expanding network connectivity up to 10X to 10 GbE, and increasing port capacity 2X.
    • Unified Management: Top rated unified security management for enterprise, campus, branch, and cloud environments along with zero-trust policy across the entire enterprise.

    “Branch offices are often the soft spots in enterprise security, providing vulnerable entry-points for attacks and compromising the security posture across the enterprise,” said Pete Finalle, Security Research Manager, at IDC. “Check Point’s new Quantum Branch Office Security Gateways deliver robust threat prevention to the edge, enabling organizations to secure their branch offices from emerging cyber threats while keeping pace with the demands of the hybrid workforce.”

    Availability
    The four new Check Point Quantum Force Branch Office Security Gateways are available now through our network of global partners. For more details about Check Point Quantum Force, visit our website or check out our blog.

    Follow Check Point via:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies
    X: https://www.twitter.com/checkpointsw
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkpointsoftware
    Blog: https://blog.checkpoint.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CPGlobal

    About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 

    Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (checkpoint.com) is a leading protector of digital trust, utilizing AI-powered cyber security solutions to safeguard over 100,000 organizations globally. Through its Infinity Platform and an open garden ecosystem, Check Point’s prevention-first approach delivers industry-leading security efficacy while reducing risk. Employing a hybrid mesh network architecture with SASE at its core, the Infinity Platform unifies the management of on-premises, cloud, and workspace environments to offer flexibility, simplicity and scale for enterprises and service providers.

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding future growth, the expansion of Check Point’s industry leadership, the enhancement of shareholder value and the delivery of an industry-leading cyber security platform to customers worldwide. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Revenera’s FlexNet Publisher Enterprise Expands Ability to Rapidly Scale License Servers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ITASCA, Ill., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Revenera, producer of innovative platforms that help technology companies build better products, accelerate time-to-value, and monetize what matters, today announced the availability of FlexNet Publisher Enterprise.

    As a global leader in monetization, Revenera empowers software, SaaS and intelligent device producers with a suite of entitlement management and monetization solutions that help customers grow recurring revenue and protect their IP. FlexNet Publisher, one component of Revenera’s monetization solutions, is the de-facto standard for on-premises software licensing, enjoying broad adoption across industries.

    As demand for resource-intensive, high-performance software accelerates – primarily fueled by innovations in cloud computing and AI – companies are running large-scale on-premises license servers to keep pace. FlexNet Publisher Enterprise now allows organizations to scale capacity with fewer resources, boosting performance and reliability while significantly reducing operational costs.

    “The software industry is facing a serious capacity scaling challenge, largely driven by the demands of high-performance computing and AI/ML chip advancements,” said Priji Thomas, VP Product Management at Revenera. “Revenera’s FlexNet Publisher Enterprise meets the challenge of high-volume license management by delivering the enhanced capacity required for efficient use of computational resources, reducing operational and maintenance costs, streamlining operations, and improving customer satisfaction by ensuring seamless access to applications.”

    For industries that rely on advanced simulation, animation, and electronic design automation, FlexNet Publisher Enterprise delivers the robust, scalable infrastructure required to support increased workload demands while ensuring service continuity.

    “At Synopsys, enabling our customers to design and deliver advanced systems on chips (SoCs) is critical to meeting the growing demands of AI, silicon proliferation, and software-defined systems,” said Rajendra Kundapur, executive director of R&D at Synopsys. “By collaborating with Revenera to expand FlexNet Publisher license server capacity, we’ve strengthened our ability to efficiently manage resources, scale to meet increasing needs, and maintain our rapid pace of innovation in support of our customers.”

    Key Benefits of FlexNet Publisher Enterprise:

    • Enhanced Capacity and Lower Costs: Supports up to 12x the current capacity, dramatically reducing the need for large-scale license servers, resulting in improved performance with significantly lower maintenance and operational costs.
    • Streamlined Operations: Simplified infrastructure and improved reliability ensure customers can focus on core business priorities rather than license management.
    • Improved End-User Satisfaction: Optimized performance ensures uninterrupted access, boosting end-user satisfaction to ultimately drive higher renewal rates and recurring revenue for producers.

    For full product details about FlexNet Publisher Enterprise, please visit: https://path.revenera.com/fnl-product-track/swm-ds_flexnet-publisher-enterprise.

    Follow Revenera

    About Revenera
    Revenera helps product executives build better products, accelerate time to value, and monetize what matters. Revenera’s leading solutions help software and technology companies drive top-line revenue with modern software monetization, understand usage and compliance with software usage analytics, empower the use of open source with software composition analysis, and deliver an excellent user experience—for embedded, on-premises, cloud, and SaaS products. To learn more, visit www.revenera.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1e57c00-f9e4-4dee-8018-9a6e84941354

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Check Point Accelerates Threat Detection and Response with AI-Powered Security Management for the Modern Enterprise

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today announced the launch of its next generation Quantum Smart-1 Management Appliances, delivering 2X increase in managed gateways and up to 70% higher log rate, with AI-powered security tools designed to meet the demands of hybrid enterprises. Fully integrated within the Check Point Infinity Platform, these new appliances offer faster, more intelligent threat detection and response through a unique hybrid mesh architecture and integration with over 250 third-party solutions.

    “Security teams today face more pressure than ever — from rising AI-generated threats to managing fragmented infrastructures. Our new Quantum Smart-1 Management Appliances simplify that complexity,” said Nataly Kremer, Chief Product Officer at Check Point. “Our new Quantum Smart-1 Management Appliances combine AI, speed, precision, and automation to help organizations manage on-premise, cloud, and distributed IT deployments — faster and smarter.”

    With growing pressures on security teams, their management systems need to evolve. The rise of remote work, branch offices, and distributed teams has greatly increased the areas vulnerable to attacks. Check Point Research’s AI Security Report found that AI services are now used in over 51% of enterprise networks every month, widening security risks and making security policies vital. The new Smart-1 Management Appliances are built to give security teams the speed and agility to stay ahead, the appliances unify operations across on-premises, cloud, and remote environments — streamlining security management while enhancing visibility and control.

    Key Benefits of the New Smart-1 Management Appliances:

    • Scale with Confidence: Manage up to 10,000 gateways — supporting business growth without rearchitecting security infrastructure
    • Faster Response, Lower Risk: Achieve up to 70% higher log processing speeds to accelerate threat detection and response
    • Built-in Compliance Readiness: Store up to 70TB of logs locally for long-term data retention and regulatory requirements
    • Smarter Operations: Consolidate management functions and reduce complexity across hybrid environments
    • Open Ecosystem: Integrate with over 250 third-party solutions

    Now in their 7th generation, the Quantum Smart-1 Management appliances are available in five models — including the high-performance 7000 Ultra — enabling security teams to consolidate infrastructure, reduce operational complexity, and gain faster insights from a single device. The appliances streamline policy and firewall management and can be enhanced with AI-powered tools such as, Infinity AI Copilot, Infinity Playblocks, Policy Advisor, Policy Insights, Compliance, and Infinity AIOps.

    In its recent AI-Powered Cyber Security Platform Benchmark, Miercom recognized Check Point as the top performer across both management usability and security efficacy, validating the strength of the platform that powers Smart-1 Management Appliances. “The Check Point Infinity Platform demonstrated superior security efficacy, consistently outperforming its peers in the test category of comprehensive threat prevention and response, as well as excelling in the AI-powered testing scenarios,” said Rob Smithers, CEO at Miercom. Its AI-driven architecture, hybrid mesh deployment model, and unified security operations prove that Check Point is setting the pace for next-generation cyber security.”

    Quantum Smart-1 Management appliances are available now. For more information, please visit our website or check out our blog.

    Follow Check Point via:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies
    X: https://www.twitter.com/checkpointsw
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkpointsoftware
    Blog: https://blog.checkpoint.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CPGlobal

    About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 

    Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (checkpoint.com) is a leading protector of digital trust, utilizing AI-powered cyber security solutions to safeguard over 100,000 organizations globally. Through its Infinity Platform and an open garden ecosystem, Check Point’s prevention-first approach delivers industry-leading security efficacy while reducing risk. Employing a hybrid mesh network architecture with SASE at its core, the Infinity Platform unifies the management of on-premises, cloud, and workspace environments to offer flexibility, simplicity and scale for enterprises and service providers.

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding future growth, the expansion of Check Point’s industry leadership, the enhancement of shareholder value and the delivery of an industry-leading cyber security platform to customers worldwide. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Atomic Canyon Raises $7M led by Energy Impact Partners to bring AI-Powered Innovation to Nuclear Energy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Atomic Canyon, the developer of the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered search and generative AI tools for the nuclear power industry, today announced it has raised $7 million to accelerate deployments across the country. 

    The seed round was led by the Elevate Future Fund from Energy Impact Partners (EIP), with participation from Commonweal Ventures, Plug and Play Ventures, Wischoff Ventures, Tower Research Ventures, and previous angel investors. As part of the investment, Jenny Gao, a Vice President of Energy Impact Partners, will join the Atomic Canyon board of directors.

    Atomic Canyon’s flagship product, Neutron Enterprise, addresses a challenge in the nuclear industry. By securely connecting to internal data sources at nuclear power plants and external authoritative technical and regulatory data sources, it provides AI-powered search and generative AI capabilities across vast repositories of technical documentation. 

    The platform is being rolled out at PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant in Avila Beach, California, where it is transforming how staff access and use the plant’s estimated two billion pages of documents. Initial work shows that Neutron Enterprise reduces document search time from hours to seconds, enabling more strategic use of expert resources while improving regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

    “Our Neutron Enterprise installation at Diablo Canyon demonstrates the transformative power of AI in nuclear operations,” said Trey Lauderdale, CEO of Atomic Canyon. “Nuclear plants deal with enormous volumes of documentation required for regulatory compliance and safe operations. Where plant staff previously spent up to eight hours gathering documentation before starting critical work, our technology allows them to find the exact documents they need in seconds, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. For a typical nuclear facility, this translates to thousands of engineering hours redirected to higher-value activities monthly, enhancing overall operational excellence and allowing skilled professionals to focus on the most critical aspects of plant reliability.”

    Neutron Enterprise leverages FERMI, Atomic Canyon’s family of AI models, which are specifically trained on nuclear terminology. These models were developed in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, using their Frontier supercomputer, the world’s first to achieve exascale computing. The platform integrates with multiple data sources at nuclear facilities, including record management and work management systems, while maintaining strict role-based access controls to ensure data security.

    “Energy Impact Partners is committed to investing in technologies that can help solve our global energy challenges, and nuclear power is an essential part of that solution,” said Jenny Gao, Vice President at Energy Impact Partners. “Atomic Canyon’s innovative use of AI represents an advancement in information access and analysis in the nuclear sector. As the global demand for nuclear energy grows, innovative technologies like Neutron Enterprise at Diablo Canyon create a compelling opportunity to enhance productivity, yield substantial cost savings and make nuclear power more competitive in our energy mix.”

    The new funding will be used to expand Atomic Canyon’s team, enhance the Neutron platform, and develop additional integrations with third-party data sources and AI tools for next-generation nuclear technologies. These partnerships will further strengthen Neutron’s ability to help nuclear power professionals find and generate relevant information across internal and external sources.

    “This investment presents an exciting opportunity to have AI solve the very energy challenges that AI is creating,” added Lauderdale. “The computational demands of artificial intelligence are driving unprecedented electricity consumption, with estimates suggesting data centers could consume 20% of global electricity by 2030. By streamlining information access and knowledge management, we’re making nuclear power more attractive and accessible as a reliable energy source capable of meeting this growing demand for true, clean, energy independence.”

    With the funding, Atomic Canyon also announced its board of advisors including: Juliann Edwards, the Chief Development Officer of The Nuclear Company and the chair of U.S. Women in Nuclear; Bud Albright, the former Chair and CEO of the United States Nuclear Industry Council; David Nelson, former CIO of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Jon Guidroz, SVP of the small modular reactor technology developer Aalo Atomics and former Senior Strategy Officer and Senior Director of Energy and Resources at Microsoft.

    For more information about Atomic Canyon and the Neutron platform, visit www.atomic-canyon.com.

    About Atomic Canyon:
    Atomic Canyon is transforming the nuclear energy sector with AI-powered solutions that streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and support regulatory compliance. Neutron Enterprise, which leverages FERMI AI models that are specifically trained on nuclear terminology, is currently in use at PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant as the only dedicated AI platform for document search, retrieval, augmented generation, and knowledge management, establishing a new standard for precision, efficiency, and data management. These models were developed in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, utilizing Frontier, the world’s fastest supercomputer, along with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) ADAMS database.

    About Energy Impact Partners

    Energy Impact Partners LP (EIP) is a global energy technology investor with a proprietary model designed to drive innovation. EIP brings together entrepreneurs and some of the world’s most forward-thinking energy and industrial companies to advance innovation for a better energy future. Investing in venture, growth/private equity and credit, EIP seeks attractive risk-adjusted returns for its investors by leveraging its differentiated strategy and industrial ecosystem. With over 80 corporate partners and over $4.5 billion in assets under management, EIP invests globally with over 100 professionals based in its offices in New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Palm Beach, London, Cologne and Oslo. For more information on EIP, please visit www.energyimpactpartners.com

    Press Contact: atomiccanyon@launchsquad.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Upexi, Inc. Buys Additional Locked SOL at a Discount for $11.8 million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Purchases 77,879 locked SOL for $11.8 million

    Upexi now has 679,677 SOL, valued at $121.2 million at the current price of $178.261

    TAMPA, Fla., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Upexi, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPXI), a brand owner specializing in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of consumer products with diversification into the cryptocurrency space, today announced it purchased 77,879 locked SOL at $151.50 each for a total of $11.8 million. At the current $178.26 price of SOL, this represents a $2.1 million, or 17.7%, built-in gain for investors.

    Upexi now holds 679,677 SOL, acquired for $96.5 million and valued at $121.2 million, for a gain of $24.5 million inclusive of both SOL appreciation and the discount. 58% of Upexi’s SOL is locked and was purchased at a discount.

    Allan Marshall, CEO of Upexi, commented, “Our recent purchase both provides investors access to discounted locked Solana that they may not otherwise have, while also effectively doubling the staking yield in a safe and prudent manner. We remain laser-focused on acquiring and HODLing as much SOL as possible for the benefit of our shareholders.”

    1Spot price of $178.26 at 5:00 pm EST on May 27, 2025.

    About Upexi, Inc.
    Upexi is a brand owner specializing in the development, manufacturing and distribution of consumer products. The Company has entered the Cryptocurrency industry and cash management of assets through a Cryptocurrency Portfolio. For more information on Upexi’s treasury strategy and future developments, visit www.upexi.com.

    Follow CEO, Allan Marshall, on X – https://x.com/marshall_a22015
    Follow CSO, Brian Rudick, on X – https://x.com/thetinyant

    Forward Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. For example, the Company is using forward looking statements when it discusses the anticipated use of proceeds. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with business strategy, potential acquisitions, revenue guidance, product development, integration, and synergies of acquiring companies and personnel. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward- looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Company Contact
    Brian Rudick, Chief Strategy Officer
    Email:brian.rudick@upexi.com
    Phone: (216) 347-0473

    Investor Relations Contact
    KCSA Strategic Communications
    Valter Pinto, Managing Director
    Email: Upexi@KCSA.com
    Phone: (212) 896-1254

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aptean Expands DACH Manufacturing ERP Footprint Through Acquisition of VLEX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KULMBACH, Germany and ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aptean Inc., a global front-runner of AI-driven ERP solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Vlexgroup AG (“VLEX”), a leading provider of variant-manufacturing focused ERP solutions for SME customers in the DACH region headquartered in Kulmbach, Germany.

    The acquisition of VLEX further increases Aptean’s DACH footprint while also bolstering its ERP capabilities for the variant-manufacturing sector.

    For over 40 years, VLEX has provided mission-critical variant-manufacturing solutions designed to manage complex, diverse, and fast-moving challenges across the SME manufacturing sector in the DACH region. With deep industry expertise, VLEX’s talented team aligns with Aptean’s strategic focus on the SME manufacturing industry in the DACH region, further strengthening commitment to innovation and excellence.

    “VLEX has a proven track record with over four decades of experience delivering mission-critical variant-manufacturing solutions across the DACH market,” said TVN Reddy, CEO of Aptean. “VLEX’s product VlexPlus delivers state of the art software solutions specifically designed to manage the complex needs of the variant manufacturing industry and is backed by a team of seasoned industry experts. VLEX will be an important driver in our strategy to scale our DACH manufacturing capabilities. Welcoming the VLEX team and customers into the Aptean family marks a significant step forward in our shared commitment to innovation and success.”

    “We are delighted to join a global organization like Aptean, where together we can continue to develop and deliver innovative solutions to our customers. The combination of our businesses offers an exciting opportunity for VLEX’s future growth given our shared commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. Being part of Aptean presents our customers and our team with exciting opportunities for growth and development and we can’t wait to get started,” said Jens Pfeil-Schneider, Chairman Managing Director of VLEX.

    About VLEX

    For over 40 years, VLEX has been a reliable partner for digital transformation and automation in medium-sized manufacturing companies and wholesale businesses. At the heart of their offer is the cloud-enabled ERP software VlexPlus, which acts as a central data and process hub, mapping all processes in the Customer’s value chain right down to the shop floor. Developed for the complex requirements of variant and order manufacturers, the ERP software is based on one of the most modern technology and process frameworks available today. It enables consistently networked work across system and company boundaries. To learn more visit: https://www.vlexplus.com/

    About Aptean
    Aptean is a global provider of industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. Aptean’s solutions and services help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What’s Next, Now®. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com. Aptean and Ready for What’s Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other companies and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

    For Media Inquiries Please Contact
    MediaRelations@aptean.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Yellow Network Backs Builders at ETHGlobal Prague with $10K Bounty and Launch of New Grant Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • $10K bounty at ETHGlobal Prague for top projects using ERC-7824 and Nitrolite
    • New builder grants up to $50K launched to support long-term Web3 development
    • Global hackathon tour begins, with upcoming stops at ETHKyiv and ETHGlobal New Delhi

    San Fransisco, USA, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — – Yellow Network, a Layer 3 protocol pioneering decentralized trading through state channel technology, is deepening its commitment to Web3 development at the upcoming ETHGlobal Prague Hackathon. The company is awarding a $10,000 bounty for innovative applications built using its Nitrolite SDK and the ERC-7824 state channel standard. It is also launching a new builder grant program offering up to $50,000 in funding per project.

    The bounty will spotlight teams pushing the boundaries of off-chain computation and peer-to-peer infrastructure. The $4,000 top prize will recognize the best real-world use case built on Yellow’s stack, followed by $3,000 and $2,000 awards for technical excellence and meaningful contributions to Nitrolite or Clearnode. An additional $1,000 will be split between developers who fix open issues on Yellow’s GitHub and submit high-quality pull requests during the hackathon.

    Complementing the bounty is the official debut of the Yellow Grant Program, aimed at supporting long-term builders beyond hackathon weekends. The program offers funding, mentorship, technical support, and ecosystem exposure for projects contributing to Yellow’s mission of decentralized, chain-agnostic infrastructure. Grant applications are now open, with the first builder cohort to be selected in June.

    The newly launched grant program will prioritize projects across several categories:

    • vApps for micropayments, DeFi, social tools, and gaming
    • Developer tooling, including SDKs, dashboards, and middleware
    • UX and wallet enhancements, such as onboarding flows, plugins, and social integrations
    • Infrastructure solutions like analytics, monitoring, and cross-chain bridges

    “We’re not just supporting innovation, we’re actively co-building it with our community,” said Alexis Sirkia, Chairman of Yellow Network. “The grant program and our expanded hackathon presence reflect our belief that developers are the foundation of the decentralized web.”

    As part of its ETHGlobal Prague activation, Yellow is hosting two side events to support and engage local and global developers. On May 21, Yellow led a live online workshop, “Build to Win with Yellow at ETHGlobal Prague,” introducing the Nitrolite SDK and ERC-7824. On May 28, the team will co-host “Pre-Hack & Chill” in Prague, an informal mixer in partnership with Rootstock.

    ETHGlobal Prague kicks off a global tour for Yellow’s developer engagement strategy. The team will next appear at ETHKyiv (June 13–15), followed by ETHGlobal New Delhi (September 26–28), showcasing a growing wave of builders embracing ERC-7824 and the Nitrolite stack.

    About Yellow Network
    Yellow Network is building the first decentralized clearing network for digital assets, addressing the inefficiencies of traditional crypto trading systems. By leveraging state channel technology and chain abstraction, the protocol drastically reduces latency, enables horizontal scalability, and improves capital efficiency, providing a secure, non-custodial solution to the modern trading ecosystem.

    Yellow Network is a project under the Layer-3 Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the adoption of chain-agnostic technologies that accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain. To learn more, visit www.yellow.org. 

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    LJ@lunapr.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: NBPE – April Monthly Net Asset Value Estimate

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HEADLINE ALTERATION

    The headline for NB Private Equity Partners announcement released on 28/05/2025 at 07.00 am should read – NBPE – April Monthly Net Assety Value Estimate

    The announcement text is unchanged and is reproduced in full below.

    NBPE Announces April Monthly NAV Estimate

    St Peter Port, Guernsey 28 May 2025

    NB Private Equity Partners (NBPE), the $1.2bn1, FTSE 250, listed private equity investment company managed by Neuberger Berman, today announces its 30 April 2025 monthly NAV estimate.

    NAV Highlights (30 April 2025)

    • NAV per share was $27.29 (£20.43), a total return of 0.4% in the month
    • Approximately 62% of fair value based on private company valuation information as of Q1 2025 or based on 30 April 2025 quoted prices
    • Based on information received so far, private company valuations increased fair value by 0.4% during Q1 2025 on a constant currency basis
    • NBPE expects to receive additional updated Q1 2025 financial information which will be incorporated in future monthly NAV updates
    • $307 million of available liquidity at 30 April 2025
    • ~151k shares repurchased during April 2025 at a weighted average discount of 33% which were accretive to NAV by ~$0.02 per share. Year to date, NBPE has repurchased ~680k shares at a weighted average discount of 29% which were accretive to NAV by ~$0.10 per share
    As of 30 April 2025 Year to Date One Year 3 years 5 years 10 years
    NAV TR (USD)*
    Annualised    		 0.8% 3.4% 4.1%
    1.4%    		 87.7%
    13.4%    		 160.7%
    10.1%
    MSCI World TR (USD)*
    Annualised    		 (0.8%) 12.6% 39.0%
    11.6%    		 96.6%
    14.5%    		 157.2%
    9.9%
               
    Share price TR (GBP)*
    Annualised    		 (8.0%) (8.9%) 3.6%
    1.2%    		 99.0%
    14.7%    		 189.5%
    11.2%
    FTSE All-Share TR (GBP)*
    Annualised    		 4.3% 7.5% 22.6%
    7.0%    		 67.9%
    10.9%    		 75.9%
    5.8%

    * All NBPE performance figures assume re-investment of dividends on the ex-dividend date and reflect cumulative returns over the relevant time periods shown. Three-year, five-year and ten-year annualised returns are presented for USD NAV, MSCI World (USD), GBP Share Price and FTSE All-Share (GBP) Total Returns.

    Portfolio Update to 30 April 2025

    NAV performance during the month driven by:

    • 1.1% NAV increase ($13 million) attributable to changes in foreign exchange
    • 0.9% NAV decrease ($10 million) attributable to changes in prices of quoted holdings (which now constitute 5% of portfolio fair value)
    • 0.3% NAV increase ($4 million) from the value of private holdings
    • 0.2% NAV decrease ($3 million) attributable to expense accruals

    $53 million of realisations in 2025 year to date

    • $6 million of proceeds received during the month of April, consisting primarily of full and partial realisations of GFL, Corona Industrials and Inflection Energy

    $307 million of total liquidity at 30 April 2025

    • $97 million of cash and liquid investments with $210 million of undrawn credit line available

    2025 Share Buybacks

    • ~151k shares repurchased in April 2025 at a weighted average discount of 33%; buybacks were accretive to NAV by ~$0.02 per share
    • Year to date, NBPE has repurchased ~680k shares at a weighted average discount of 29% which were accretive to NAV by ~$0.10 per share

    Portfolio Valuation

    The fair value of NBPE’s portfolio as of 30 April 2025 was based on the following information:

    • 5% of the portfolio was valued as of 30 April 2025
      • 5% in public securities
    • 57% of the portfolio was valued as of 31 March 2025
      • 57% in private direct investments
    • 38% of the portfolio was valued as of 31 December 2024
      • 38% in private direct investments

    For further information, please contact:

    NBPE Investor Relations        +44 (0) 20 3214 9002
    Luke Mason        NBPrivateMarketsIR@nb.com  

    Kaso Legg Communications        +44 (0)20 3882 6644

    Charles Gorman        nbpe@kl-communications.com
    Luke Dampier
    Charlotte Francis

    Supplementary Information (as at 30 April 2025)

    Company Name Vintage Lead Sponsor Sector Fair Value ($m) % of FV
    Action 2020 3i Consumer 83.9 6.6%
    Osaic 2019 Reverence Capital Financial Services 66.9 5.3%
    Solenis 2021 Platinum Equity Industrials 59.8 4.7%
    BeyondTrust 2018 Francisco Partners Technology / IT 47.7 3.8%
    Monroe Engineering 2021 AEA Investors Industrials 44.7 3.5%
    Business Services Company* 2017 Not Disclosed Business Services 40.1 3.2%
    Branded Cities Network 2017 Shamrock Capital Communications / Media 38.9 3.1%
    True Potential 2022 Cinven Financial Services 35.2 2.8%
    Mariner 2024 Leonard Green & Partners Financial Services 33.7 2.7%
    FDH Aero 2024 Audax Group Industrials 32.9 2.6%
    Marquee Brands 2014 Neuberger Berman Consumer 31.4 2.5%
    GFL (NYSE: GFL) 2018 BC Partners Business Services 30.6 2.4%
    Staples 2017 Sycamore Partners Business Services 29.6 2.3%
    Auctane 2021 Thoma Bravo Technology / IT 29.1 2.3%
    Fortna 2017 THL Industrials 28.7 2.3%
    Viant 2018 JLL Partners Healthcare 27.3 2.2%
    Stubhub 2020 Neuberger Berman Consumer 26.4 2.1%
    Engineering 2020 NB Renaissance / Bain Capital Technology / IT 26.3 2.1%
    Benecon 2024 TA Associates Healthcare 25.5 2.0%
    Agiliti 2019 THL Healthcare 25.3 2.0%
    Kroll 2020 Further Global / Stone Point Financial Services 25.0 2.0%
    Solace Systems 2016 Bridge Growth Partners Technology / IT 24.6 1.9%
    Excelitas 2022 AEA Investors Industrials 24.1 1.9%
    Addison Group 2021 Trilantic Capital Partners Business Services 23.8 1.9%
    Exact 2019 KKR Technology / IT 23.3 1.8%
    CH Guenther 2021 Pritzker Private Capital Consumer 21.2 1.7%
    Bylight 2017 Sagewind Partners Technology / IT 19.9 1.6%
    Constellation Automotive 2019 TDR Capital Business Services 19.0 1.5%
    Real Page 2021 Thoma Bravo Technology / IT 18.8 1.5%
    Tendam 2017 PAI Consumer 18.3 1.4%
    Total Top 30 Investments                             $982.1 77.6%

    *Undisclosed company due to confidentiality provisions.

    Geography % of Portfolio
    North America 77%
    Europe 22%
    Asia / Rest of World 1%
    Total Portfolio 100%
       
    Industry % of Portfolio
    Tech, Media & Telecom 23%
    Consumer / E-commerce 22%
    Industrials / Industrial Technology 17%
    Financial Services 14%
    Business Services 12%
    Healthcare 9%
    Other 4%
    Energy 1%
    Total Portfolio 100%
       
    Vintage Year % of Portfolio
    2016 & Earlier 9%
    2017 16%
    2018 15%
    2019 13%
    2020 13%
    2021 18%
    2022 6%
    2023 2%
    2024 8%
    Total Portfolio 100%

    About NB Private Equity Partners Limited
    NBPE invests in direct private equity investments alongside market leading private equity firms globally. NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, is responsible for sourcing, execution and management of NBPE. The vast majority of direct investments are made with no management fee / no carried interest payable to third-party GPs, offering greater fee efficiency than other listed private equity companies. NBPE seeks capital appreciation through growth in net asset value over time while paying a bi-annual dividend.

    LEI number: 213800UJH93NH8IOFQ77

    About Neuberger Berman
    Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with over 2,800 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $515 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman’s investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last eleven years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of March 31, 2025.

    1Based on net asset value.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Launches Hot Coins Trading Week Campaign Series Ahead of 14th Anniversary Celebration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Media Snippet available here.

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, the world’s longest-serving crypto exchange, is excited to announce the launch of its Hot Coins Trading Week campaign series, marking the beginning of pre-anniversary celebrations leading up to the platform’s 14th milestone in June. The first round of the campaign focuses on carefully selected spot and futures pairs that have gained significant traction among the exchange’s user base of over 7 million.

    The first round, which runs from May 26 to June 2, 2025, features a diverse selection of trending pairs including TRUMP, PI, and AI16Z. The campaign offers substantial rewards totaling 50,000 USDT across two prize pools, including exclusive benefits for new users and trading volume-based rewards for active participants:

    • New User Exclusive Prize Pool: First-time BTCC traders can earn 10 USDT by achieving 10,000 USDT in cumulative trading volume.
    • Trading Champions: High-volume traders compete for rewards ranging from 5 USDT to 800 USDT based on trading volume.

    “These selected pairs not only reflect current market trends, but also align with our users’ trading behavior observed over the past quarter,” said Alex, Head of Operations at BTCC. “After 14 years, we know what our community wants to trade. This campaign gives our traders straightforward spot trading on the assets they’re most excited about, with more rounds featuring different coins coming as we build up to our June anniversary.”

    The timing of this campaign series strategically positions BTCC as it approaches its 14th anniversary milestone in June. The exchange has built a reputation for longevity and stability in the volatile cryptocurrency market, making it one of the industry’s most established platforms.

    Users can participate in the current round through BTCC’s platform, with additional rounds to be announced in the coming weeks. The exchange encourages traders to stay updated on campaign developments and anniversary celebrations through BTCC’s official X account.

    About BTCC

    Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

    Website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

    X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

    Contact: press@btcc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [CRANEWARE PLC – 27 05 2025] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 CRANEWARE PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 27 MAY 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 1p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 1,704,956 4.8149    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 1,704,956 4.8149    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    1p ORDINARY SALE 620 2008p
    1p ORDINARY SALE 3,831 2010p
    1p ORDINARY SALE 50 2025p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 28 MAY 2025
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –