Category: Economy

MIL-OSI: 114 Million Reasons to Keep Moving Forward on Industry-Led Standard for Secure Data Sharing
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SALT LAKE CITY, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Financial Data Exchange (FDX) is pleased to report that the use of standardized APIs to enable secure, permissioned data sharing continues to grow. According to a recent survey, roughly 114 million customer connections are now happening through APIs aligned to the FDX standard.

This represents a remarkable 50% increase from the comparable figure of 76 million a year ago, and a sizable jump from 96 million just 6 months ago.

Here’s what this means for the industry:
- More and more consumers are connecting their financial accounts with third-party apps and services.
- More and more institutions are seeing benefits from building standardized, FDX-aligned API integrations to protect their customers’ sensitive financial data.
- The FDX API standard is solidly rooted as the leading method in North America for building APIs to enable safe, user-permissioned connections.
- Industry-led standard-setting and collaboration at FDX is helping companies to improve interoperability when they integrate. Achieving this level of adoption wouldn’t be possible without many organizations working together at FDX to create and evolve standards that meet the needs of the industry.
- Amid a shifting regulatory environment, API adoption continues to move forward as more firms see benefits for their customers.
- There’s still more work ahead. Tens of millions of consumers and small businesses in North America are still sharing financial data through methods that require sharing login credentials with third parties and may offer less customer control. FDX remains committed to making it easier for companies of all sizes to build interoperable, secure integrations in the months ahead.
“Hitting 114 million customers connections reflects both the scale of FDX’s impact and the power of industry-led collaboration to drive interoperability,” said Kevin Feltes, CEO of FDX.

The data reflects findings from FDX’s Spring 2025 Adoption Metrics Survey.

About FDX
Financial Data Exchange (FDX) is a non-profit organization operating in the US and Canada that is dedicated to unifying the ﬁnancial industry around a common, interoperable, royalty-free standard for secure and convenient consumer and business access to their financial data. FDX empowers users through its commitment to the development, growth, and industry-wide adoption of the FDX API, according to the principles of control, access, transparency, traceability, and security. Membership is open to financial institutions, fintech companies, financial data aggregators, consumer advocacy groups, payment networks and other industry stakeholders. For more information and to join, visit www.financialdataexchange.org.

Contact Info:
Porche Matthews
Marketing Manager
pmatthews@financialdataexchange.org

The MIL Network –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: In 2024, more than 450 billion rubles were allocated for geological exploration

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting of the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use. The event summed up the results of the agency’s work in 2024 and outlined plans for 2025.

“Our country has a unique mineral resource base, including about 230 types of minerals. Thanks to this, the Russian Federation is among the world leaders in reserves of natural gas, diamonds, gold, nickel, coal and other resources. Raw material extraction is one of the leading areas of our economy. It forms a third of the consolidated budget revenues and allows industry to develop sustainably,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the main task of Rosnedra is to ensure effective management of the state subsoil fund. At present, the federal agency administers almost 24 thousand licenses for prospecting, exploration and production of minerals.

“The most important thing is to ensure control over the quality of license execution. Rosnedra must ensure the continuity of exploration and prospecting, since the timely replenishment and sufficiency of reserves for the needs of the economy depend on this. The state creates conditions for attracting investment in geological exploration of the subsoil. In 2024, a record amount was allocated for exploration – more than 450 billion rubles,” Dmitry Patrushev emphasized.

Due to the influx of investment from businesses in the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in reserves of the most popular types of minerals, including gold, copper, iron and oil. Large deposits have been explored, including deposits of rare and rare earth metals.

At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister set the task of ensuring a search reserve for scarce types of minerals. To this end, the Government plans to allocate more than 50 billion rubles for geological exploration in the next three years.

Dmitry Patrushev drew attention to the need to involve only qualified and experienced companies in the study and development of subsoil resources.

“We must not forget about increasing the responsibility of subsoil users themselves, including by preventing the emergence of so-called dormant licenses. Their list includes deposits of scarce raw materials. This must be corrected at the interdepartmental level, including involving supervisory authorities. In the near future, each such license must be analyzed. In this case, resources are idle, although they should bring profit. If an entrepreneur is not ready to develop a project, the right of use must be terminated, and the site must be transferred to a bona fide company,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that measures of economic stimulation of business are also necessary. Subsoil users should be interested in high-quality development of deposits, and payments for use should correspond to the value of the deposits.

Dmitry Patrushev placed special emphasis on the President’s order to form chains for the search and development of mineral deposits in the Arctic. In particular, it is necessary to ensure the extraction and deep processing of rare and rare earth metals in this zone.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted the need to attract young, highly qualified specialists to the industry. According to him, at the level of higher and secondary vocational education, great emphasis should be placed from the very start on practical training and the development of targeted training.

In conclusion, Dmitry Patrushev added that the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of the Mineral Resource Base until 2050 largely depends on the high-quality solution of all the tasks outlined. Its key task is to ensure the accelerated growth of mineral reserves, which will guarantee the country resource independence.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: In Wake of Severe Storms Pummeling Michigan, Stevens Introduces Bill to Help Families and Small Businesses Weather Prolonged Power Outages
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act to help families, communities, and small businesses weather the financial fall out of prolonged power outages.

The bill amends the Small Business Act to include prolonged power outages as a basis to declare a federal disaster if more than 25 homes or businesses in a close area are without power for more than 48 hours. Such a declaration would allow those affected to apply for low-interest loans to repair or replace appliances, machinery, or equipment or purchase generators or other alternative power sources to mitigate the impact of future power outages.

“After ice storms and tornadoes swept our state earlier this month, it is more important than ever to make sure Michiganders have the support they need to continue to care for their families,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “That’s why I introduced the Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act, because at a time where prices are on the rise, families and small businesses shouldn’t have to shoulder the cost of power outages alone. Keeping businesses open and families fed is key to ensuring that storms don’t cause long-term financial hardship for Michiganders, and I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation to get the job done.”

“The historic ice storm in northern Michigan, coupled with 10 confirmed tornadoes in the southern and central Lower Peninsula, underscore how the state’s energy customers face growing challenges from increasingly frequent and severe weather brought about by climate change,” said Michigan Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps. “We appreciate Congresswoman Stevens’ efforts to ensure Michigan’s residential and business customers have more resources to help them recover and rebuild from the impact of these storms and power outages.”

“I commend Congresswoman Stevens for introducing this crucial bill,” said Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich. “This legislation empowers mayors to declare a disaster when power outages extend beyond 48 hours, providing a lifeline to residents and businesses through low-interest loans. These financial resources can be instrumental in sustaining a business and assisting community members in times of adversity.”

“Power outages often lead to significant losses of product, equipment, and revenue,” said Rifino Valentine, President & Founder, Valentine Distilling Co. “I really appreciate Rep. Stevens’ attention to this issue by introducing solutions that can really help a small manufacturer like us during challenging times.’”

“Prolonged power outages are not just inconveniences – they represent a significant threat to Michigan’s, and the country’s, economy,” said Brad Williams, Vice President of Government Relations for the Chamber. “Every hour of downtime for a manufacturing facility translates to lost production, lost wages, and lost tax revenue. By prioritizing grid modernization and emergency response plans, we can mitigate these risks and ensure that Michigan’s economic engine continues to hum.”

Background:

The Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act amends the Small Business Act to recognize prolonged power outages as a basis for declaring a disaster. In the event of such a declaration, the legislation provides access to various forms of assistance, which include:
- Real Property Disaster Loans: Households can receive up to $500,000 to repair or restore their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition.
- Personal Property Disaster Loans: Homeowners and renters in a declared disaster area are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property, including furniture, appliances, clothing, and automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
- Physical Disaster Business Loans: Businesses of all sizes, including nonprofits, can access up to $2 million to repair or replace uninsured or underinsured disaster damages to physical property. This covers machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory, and leasehold improvements.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and small agricultural cooperatives located in a declared disaster area can apply for EIDLs. These loans, amounting to up to $2 million, are aimed at helping entities that have suffered substantial economic injury, are unable to secure credit elsewhere and meet SBA size regulations for being defined as small. EIDL proceeds, limited to working capital, can be used to fulfill financial obligations and operating expenses that would have been met under normal circumstances, allowing the business or organization to recover from the specific economic injury and resume normal operations.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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MIL OSI USA News –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Stevens Recognized as Most Effective Michigan Democrat

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Birmingham, MI – U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) was recognized by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as the most effective Michigan Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 118th Congress.

According to the analysis published in the Lansing State Journal, “Stevens was a sponsor on 26 pieces of significant or substantial legislation” and was the most effective Member of Congress “on science and technology issues.”

“Being recognized as one of the most effective Members of Congress is an honor, but this is not about me — it’s about the people of Michigan and what we can achieve when we come together and fight for what’s right,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “I will continue working tirelessly to strengthen Michigan’s manufacturing economy, create more jobs, and make sure that all of us, no matter where we live in our state, have the resources we need to thrive.”

In total, six of Rep. Stevens’ bills passed the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress, including the unanimous passage of H.Res.793, a resolution calling on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during the October 2023 attack on Israel.

Of these six, two bills and portions of a third bill were subsequently signed into law by President Biden. The FAA Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act of 2023, was signed into law as part of the 2024 FAA reauthorization and the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act and provisions from the Countering Wrongful Detention Act were included in the fiscal years 2024 and 2025 National Defense Authorization Acts respectively.

Retiring Senator Gary Peters was ranked as the most effective Senator for the 118th Congress.

Read the full Lansing State Journal article here.

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MIL OSI USA News –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: The EBA issues criteria to determine when Crypto Assets Service Providers have to appoint a central contact point to help fight financial crime
Source: European Banking Authority

The European Banking Authority (EBA) today published new draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) that define when crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) have to appoint a central contact point. A central contact point can be an important tool in the fight against financial crime.

CASPs established in one EU Member State can provide services in another EU Member State. In some cases, where they have a local ‘establishment’, for example a crypto ATM, they must comply with local anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations as well as those that apply in the home Member State. In those situations, central contact points can help mitigate the money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks associated with the cross-border provision of crypto asset services and facilitate adequate AML/CFT supervision and oversight.

The draft RTS set out:
- The conditions under which CASPs should appoint a central contact point; and
- The roles and responsibilities of that central contact point.
In line with the EBA’s legal mandate, the draft RTS do not define the form a central contact point should take, or where in the EU it should be based.

Legal basis, background

Article 45(10) of Directive (EU) 2015/849 requires the EBA to develop RTS setting out the criteria for determining the circumstances in which the appointment of a central contact point is appropriate, and the functions of the central contact points.

A first version of such draft regulatory standards was issued in 2017. This Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1108 was published in the Official Journal of the EU in 2018. The scope was limited to Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs).

Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets applies from 30 December 2024. It amends Directive (EU) 2015/849, inter alia by extending its scope to crypto-asset service providers. Consequently, Article 45(9) of this Directive extends provisions that Member States may require EMIs and PSPs established on their territory in forms other than a branch, and whose head office is situated in another Member State, to appoint a CCP point in their territory to CASPs. This means that the EBA has to update the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1108.
MIL OSI Europe News –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: Advantage Solutions Announces Date for its First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Conference Call

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ST. LOUIS, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Advantage Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: ADV) announced today that it will release financial results for the first quarter at 7 a.m. EDT on May 12, 2025, followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT on the same day.

The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-800-267-6316, or for international callers, 1-203-518-9783. The conference ID is ADVQ1. Approximately three hours after the call, a replay will be available by dialing 1-844-512-2921, or for international callers, 1-412-317-6671. The passcode is 11158789. The replay recording will be available until May 19, 2025.

Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous conference call webcast by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Advantage Solutions website at ir.youradv.com/. The online replay will be available for a limited time shortly following the call.

About Advantage Solutions

Advantage Solutions is the leading omnichannel retail solutions agency in North America, uniquely positioned at the intersection of consumer-packaged goods (CPG) brands and retailers. With its data- and technology-powered services, Advantage leverages its unparalleled insights, expertise and scale to help brands and retailers of all sizes generate demand and get products into the hands of consumers, wherever they shop. Whether it’s creating meaningful moments and experiences in-store and online, optimizing assortment and merchandising, or accelerating e-commerce and digital capabilities, Advantage is the trusted partner that keeps commerce and life moving. Advantage has offices throughout North America and strategic investments and owned operations in select international markets. For more information, please visit youradv.com.

Investor Contacts:
Ruben Mella
investorrelations@youradv.com

Media Contacts:
Peter Frost
press@youradv.com

The MIL Network –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Plan ahead’ message as city gears up for 2025’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Source: City of Leeds

Thousands of runners are set to take part in the third Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in partnership with Clarion, which is being held on Sunday, May 11.

Organised by the not-for-profit sporting events company Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All with support from Leeds City Council, the marathon will raise funds for a whole host of good causes while giving people an opportunity to celebrate the life and achievements of the late rugby league legend Rob Burrow.

Large crowds are expected to line the 26.2-mile route to cheer on the runners as they make their way through some of the city’s most scenic communities and picturesque areas of countryside.

As is standard practice for an event on this scale, a wide-ranging programme of temporary road closures and other traffic measures will be in place to help ensure the day goes safely and smoothly.

E-mails and letters giving details of the restrictions have already been sent directly to people living or working along the route.

And, with the event just over a fortnight away, the wider Leeds public are now being asked to take the time to familiarise themselves with how the traffic and travel plans could affect any journeys they might be looking to make on the day.

The marathon will start and end at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, with runners following a circular route that initially winds around Woodhouse Moor before striking out for Adel, Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley. The Leeds Half Marathon, which is also on May 11, will use much of the same route. The two events have together attracted more than 12,000 entrants.

Part of St Michael’s Lane in Headingley will close to vehicles from 4am on the 11th before sections of Cardigan Road and Kirkstall Lane/North Lane follow suit at 6am. Closures of selected roads will kick in between 6am and 8am in other parts of Headingley and Far Headingley.

Further closures will then come into force from 8.30am in the Adel, Lawnswood and Bramhope areas, and from 9am around Pool in Wharfedale and Otley.

The marathon will get under way at 9am, with competitors in the half marathon setting off from Headingley at 10am.

Affected roads along the route will be reopened on a rolling basis through the day as soon as it is safe to do so.

Further road closure information – including a list of vehicle crossing points and leaflets giving access details for individual areas – can be found here.

People travelling to Headingley – either to take part or support the runners – are being encouraged to use park and ride services that will be operating from Elland Road and Stourton. Shuttle buses will also be operating between the city centre and Headingley. There will be no dedicated event parking in Headingley itself.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

“The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is a wonderful occasion that has to date raised more than £9m for charity while shining a really positive light on our city.

“We have been working hard alongside our partners at Run For All to ensure that this year’s event is another huge success, with traffic planning forming an important element of those preparations.

“We’re encouraging everyone to find the time between now and May 11 to see how they might be affected by the temporary road closures that are needed for the safe and smooth delivery of the marathon.

“We will be doing everything we can to minimise the impact of these measures, and thank residents in advance for their patience and understanding.

“Having taken part in the first two marathons, I’m looking forward to running again next month and enjoying the fantastic sense of camaraderie and excitement that the event brings.”

The marathon’s partner charities and good causes are the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, 4Ed, Alzheimer’s Society, Candlelighters, Happy Days Children’s Charity, Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Leeds North & West Foodbank, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Stand Against MND and St Gemma’s Hospice.

After being diagnosed with MND in 2019, Leeds Rhinos great Rob worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition and deliver improved care for those affected by it.

This year’s marathon will be the first since his death and as a result the atmosphere out on the course is expected to be even more emotional than usual.

The day will feature a new addition for 2025 in the shape of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon Relay, which will see teams of seven tackling different legs of the full route.

And, in another first, Run For All have teamed up with Leeds Beckett University to organise the inaugural MND Mile. Taking place at Leeds Beckett’s Headingley campus on Saturday, May 10, the event’s mile-long course has been designed to cater for participants of all ages and abilities.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, operations director at Run For All, said:

“Here at Run For All, we’re once again honoured to be organising the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in partnership with Clarion, which not only showcases the strength and spirit of the running community but also raises crucial awareness and funds in the fight against MND.

“The addition of the MND Mile and Relay provides a fantastic opportunity for everyone to be part of such an inspirational weekend and we encourage as many as possible to come along and get involved.

“As with other events of this scale, significant road closures will be in place to ensure the safety of all involved and we’re working in partnership with Leeds City Council, emergency services and multi-agency planning groups to make sure the event is operated safely and securely.

“We would like to thank all residents in advance for their understanding and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. Please be assured that all closures will be lifted as soon as possible.”

Note to editors:

Run For All is a not-for-profit company that forms part of the lasting legacy of the late amateur athlete and fundraiser Jane Tomlinson CBE. Jane, from Leeds, made headlines around the world by taking part in a series of incredible endurance events despite being diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

ENDS

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Charged With Providing Material Support to a Conspiracy to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

So-Called “Garri Master,” or Master of Mutilation, called for violent attacks against Cameroonian civilian population and raised funds to supply AK-47s to separatist groups.

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Eric Tano Tataw, 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Cameroonian national, also known as “the Garri Master,” is charged with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist groups in Cameroon and making threatening communications to injure or kidnap Cameroonian civilians.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Maryland.

According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are fighting to form a new country called “Ambazonia.” The armed separatist groups sought to achieve secession by not only attacking the Cameroonian military, but also intentionally attacking the civilian population in Cameroon in an attempt to coerce and intimidate the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede. These separatist fighters are frequently referred to as “Amba Boys.”

“Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda,” Hayes said. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who attempts to inflict mayhem on others. Tataw and his co-conspirators demonstrated a total disregard for human life so now they must pay the price.”

“The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement,” Galeotti said. “This indictment represents the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable human rights violators who direct brutal political violence and fundraise for armed militias from the comfort of the United States.”

“The Justice Department will not tolerate those who help murder, maim, and kidnap,” Bai said. “We will continue to hold accountable those who aim to turn American soil into a staging ground for political violence abroad.”

As alleged in the indictment, Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning no later than April 2018, Tataw conspired to provide material support and resources — including money, weapons, and personnel — to Amba Boys in Cameroon, and called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of Cameroonian civilians. Tataw and his co-conspirators directed the maiming of Cameroonian civilians by severing their limbs, a practice Tataw called “Garriing.” Tataw used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people. Additionally, Tataw referred to himself as the “Garri Master,” or master of mutilation.

Tataw and his co-conspirators targeted those believed to be working for or collaborating with the government, including municipal officials, traditional chiefs, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a government-owned company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil, and rubber. As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the Cameroonian government. These social media posts were regularly viewed by tens of thousands of people, including Amba Boys and their leaders, and were often further disseminated by third parties allegedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.

Tataw and his co-conspirators solicited and raised funds to supply Amba Boys with firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, and other equipment for enforcing lockdown or “ghost-town” orders and carrying out violent attacks. A fundraising campaign, known as the “National AK Campaign,” was designed to arm each Amba Boy in Cameroon with an AK-47 rifle. From about September 2018 through December 2020, Tataw and his co-conspirators raised more than $110,000. Tataw and co-conspirators transferred portions of these funds — either directly or through intermediaries — to Amba Boys located in Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria. Additionally, Tataw communicated directly with Amba Boy leaders on the ground in Cameroon. Tataw also, on multiple occasions, personally took credit for Amba Boys murdering, kidnapping, and maiming civilians in connection with the separatists’ cause.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. All defendants charged by indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding. If convicted, Tataw faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of making threatening communications to injure or kidnap. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI Maryland’s Document and Benefit Fraud/El Dorado Task Force, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation – Baltimore Field Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina A. Hoffman and Joseph Wenner; Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section; and Michael Dittoe and Andrew Briggs, National Security Division, who are prosecuting this case, along with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for their valuable assistance.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach. To report a Maryland-based hate crime, contact the FBI Baltimore field office at (410) 265-8080 or www.tips.fbi.gov.

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MIL Security OSI –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former Trinidad ISD business manager sentenced to federal prison for theft from school district

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

TYLER, Texas – An Orange, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for theft from the Trinidad Independent School District, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

Brandon Delane Looney, 39, pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on April 24, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Looney stole nearly $340,000 from Trinidad ISD between 2017 and 2023 while he served as Trinidad ISD’s business manager. Federal law makes it a crime for someone to steal from an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal funds annually. Looney used the stolen funds to purchase personal trips to Walt Disney World and on spending sprees at the Disney Store. Trinidad ISD is one of the poorest school districts in Texas and suffered adverse financial consequences as a result of Looney’s theft.

Looney worked with the Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to liquidate his available assets, including his home, to pay $200,000 of the restitution before sentencing. The remaining balance of the restitution judgment will be collectible for 20 years after the termination of Looney’s incarceration.

This case was investigated by FBI’s Tyler Field Office, with assistance from the Tyler Police Department and the Trinidad ISD. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.

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MIL Security OSI –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Newtown Man Admits Stealing Nearly $3 Million to Fund His Day Trading Activity

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that on April 18, 2025, TIMOTHY MINGIONE, 33, of Newtown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to an offense related to his theft of nearly $3 million to fund his day trading activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mingione assisted investors in the purchase of real estate and then became the designated asset manager for the acquired properties, including overseeing the properties, addressing tenancy issues associated with the real estate, and reviewing property financials. In this role, Mingione had access to bank accounts required for property management. Mingione provided purchase and asset manager services for a New York-based real estate company, worked with a syndicate of investors involved in the purchase and management of five real estate properties in Connecticut and Florida, and worked as an asset manager for various other limited liability companies.

Beginning in approximately April 2023, to fund his day trading activity, particularly in S&P 500 options, Mingione stole from the various business bank accounts he had access to by writing checks against the accounts or by wiring monies from the accounts to his personal trading account with TD Ameritrade. Mingione tracked the monies he stole and, at times, returned funds to the accounts he had stolen from. However, by late spring 2024, he had amassed more than $1 million in trading losses and, by the end of September 2024, had stolen nearly $3 million.

Mingione pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transmission of stolen money, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for July 15.

Mingione has agreed to pay restitution of $ 2,958,203.

Mingione is released on a $40,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

MIL Security OSI –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: New Mexico Congressional Delegation Urges Trump Administration to Keep Hands Off of New Mexico’s National Monuments

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

Luján, New Mexico Congressional Delegation: “Honor the voices of New Mexicans and confirm that you will leave the Organ Mountains, Rio Grande del Norte, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, and all other national monuments intact”

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee led the New Mexico Congressional Delegation — U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), members of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) — in urging the Trump-Musk Administration to leave New Mexican national monuments intact.

The letter comes in anticipation of a number of harmful executive orders to be announced tomorrow by the Trump Administration, including one that will purportedly target America’s national monuments.

“Our national monuments in New Mexico protect some of the most significant landscapes and cultural resources in the nation. The monuments were carefully curated and represent a balance of public land protection negotiated between local leaders, communities, Tribes, and our constituents. The areas protected under national monument status across the state are culturally valuable, archeologically and geologically unique, and represent a conservation legacy that should not be erased,” the lawmakers wrote. “National monuments are vitally important to our history and any proposals to reduce their boundaries will not be reflective of the voices of New Mexicans.”

The lawmakers emphasized how crucial New Mexico’s national monuments are to the state’s economy, underscoring the significant revenue particular monuments under threat of elimination generate annually, “In New Mexico, we have a $3.2 billion outdoor recreation sector and monuments are a significant contributor to this robust economy. In 2022 alone, monument visitation resulted in $1.9 million in tax revenue. The economic impacts of visitation to Organ Mountains — Desert Peaks National Monument (OMDP) surpassed the initial prediction by more than 50 percent. In just one year after its establishment, the Rio Grande del Norte (RGDN) National Monument saw a 40 percent increase in visitors, resulting in a 21 percent increase in Town of Taos lodgers’ tax revenue.”

The lawmakers continued, highlighting the immeasurable cultural and economic impact of three national monuments in New Mexico under consideration for reduction or elimination: Organ Mountains — Desert Peaks, Rio Grande del Norte, and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, “In OMDP in southern New Mexico, you will find significant petroglyph and archeological sites and walk among historic travelers’ routes. In northern New Mexico, RGDN boasts some of New Mexico’s most prized recreational opportunities in an area where the Rio Grande carves an 800-foot gorge through historic volcanic activity. RGDN offers immense economic value to northern New Mexico and provides access for traditional use like piñon nut collection. As for the third monument under review, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, the Bureau of Land Management recently celebrated the monument’s inclusion on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025. Not only is Tent Rocks “geologically surreal,” but it is also a sacred landscape to the Cochiti Pueblo.”

The lawmakers concluded by demanding the Administration keep New Mexico’s national monuments intact, “There is no greater value to these natural landscapes than what is brought to the community through their continued protection. Withdrawing protections from these sites would threaten the economic benefits associated with New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy and it undermines our community and tribal voices. We urge you to honor the voices of New Mexicans and confirm that you will leave the Organ Mountains, Rio Grande del Norte, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, and all other national monuments intact.”

Read the full letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 26, 2025

MIL-OSI: Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Earnings

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PWOD)

Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. achieved net income of $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, resulting in basic earnings per share of $0.97 and diluted earnings per share of $0.95.

Highlights

Net income, as reported under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $7.4 million, compared $3.8 million for the same period of 2024. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 2024 were impacted by an increase in net interest income of $2.4 million, as the net interest margin expanded. The three month period ended March 31, 2025 has been impacted by after-tax merger related expenses of $948,000 resulting from the announced acquisition of the company by Northwest Bancshares, Inc. The disposal of assets related to two former branch properties resulted in a one time after-tax loss of $261,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2024.
The allowance for credit losses was impacted for the three months ended March 31, 2025 by a negative provision for credit losses of $3.0 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $138,000 for the 2024 period. The recognition of a negative provision for credit losses for the 2025 period was due primarily to a recovery on a commercial loan of $1.3 million. The recovery, coupled with a decline in the historical loss rates over the look back period, reduced the probability of default and loss given default applied to the loan portfolio when determining the level of the allowance for credit losses.
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $0.97 and $0.95, respectively. This compares to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.51 for the three month period ended March 31, 2024.
Annualized return on average assets was 1.31% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 0.69% for the corresponding period of 2024.
Annualized return on average equity was 14.76% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 8.03% for the corresponding period of 2024.

Net Income

Net income from core operations (“core earnings”), which is a non-GAAP measure of net income excluding net securities gains or losses and merger expenses, was $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $3.8 million for the same period of 2024. Core earnings per share (non-GAAP) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were basic $1.06 and diluted $1.04. Basic and diluted core earnings per share for the same period of 2024 were $0.51. Annualized core return on average assets and core return on average equity (non-GAAP) were 1.43% and 16.15%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 0.69% and 8.09% for the corresponding period of 2024. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures of core earnings, core return on assets, core return on equity, core earnings per share and tangible book value per share to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this press release.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 3.13% compared to 2.69% for the corresponding period of 2024. The increase in the net interest margin for the three month period was driven by an increase in the rate collected on interest-earning assets of 38 basis points (“bps”). The overall market conditions over the periods resulted in increases to the yield on the earnings asset portfolio and a decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits. Driving the increase in the yield and interest income on the earning assets portfolio was the repricing of legacy assets, portfolio growth, and the recognition of $223,000 in interest from a recovery on a commercial loan. The average loan portfolio balance increased $41.8 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2025 compared to the same period of 2024 as the average yield on the portfolio increased 40 bps, resulting in an increase in taxable equivalent interest income of $2.2 million for the period. The three month period ended March 31, 2025 was impacted by an increase of 30 bps in the yield earned on the securities portfolio as legacy securities matured, which offset the impact of a decrease in average securities balance of $15.0 million. Short-term borrowings decreased leading to a decrease of $949,000 in expense for the three month period ended March 31, 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased 4 bps, or $781,000, in expense for the three month period ended March 31, 2025 compared to the corresponding period of 2024 due to the rate environment, an increase in competition for deposits, increased utilization of brokered deposits, and a migration of deposit balances from core deposits to higher rate time deposits. The average balance of time deposits increased $99.9 million from the three month period ended March 31, 2024 to 2025 as the rate paid on the funds decreased 9 bps. In addition, brokered deposits have been utilized to assist with funding the loan portfolio growth and contributed to the increase in time deposit balances, while lowering the reliance on higher cost short-term borrowings.

Assets

Total assets increased to $2.3 billion at March 31, 2025, an increase of $42.1 million compared to March 31, 2024. Net loans increased $43.3 million to $1.9 billion at March 31, 2025 compared to March 31, 2024, as continued emphasis was placed on commercial loan growth and indirect auto lending. The investment portfolio decreased $14.3 million from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 as the portfolio cash flow is being utilized to fund loan growth. Short-term and long-term borrowings decreased $28.3 million and $47.2 million, respectively, from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 as deposit growth allowed for a reduction in total borrowings.

Non-performing Loans

The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans ratio increased to 0.53% at March 31, 2025 from 0.43% at March 31, 2024, as non-performing loans increased to $10.0 million at March 31, 2025 from $8.0 million at March 31, 2024. The majority of non-performing loans involve loans that are either in a secured position and have sureties with a strong underlying financial position or have been classified as individually evaluated loans that have a specific allocation recorded within the allowance for credit losses. Net loan recoveries of $957,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, impacted the allowance for credit losses, which was 0.54% of total loans at March 31, 2025 compared to 0.62% at March 31, 2024. Exposure to non-owner occupied office space is minimal at $13.7 million at March 31, 2025 with none of these loans being delinquent.

Deposits

Deposits increased $105.4 million to $1.7 billion at March 31, 2025 compared to March 31, 2024. Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $5.7 million to $465.8 million at March 31, 2025 compared to March 31, 2024. Core deposits increased $3.6 million with growth in money market accounts offsetting a decline in savings and NOW accounts. Core deposit gathering efforts remained focused on increasing the utilization of electronic (internet and mobile) deposit banking by our customers. Core deposits have remained stable at $1.2 billion over the past five quarters. Interest-bearing deposits increased $111.1 million from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 due to growth in the time deposit portfolio of $50.6 million as customers sought a higher rate of interest. Brokered deposit balances increased $51.2 million to $177.0 million at March 31, 2025 as this funding source was utilized to supplement funding loan portfolio growth, while reducing the need to draw upon available borrowing lines. A campaign to attract time deposits with a maturity of five to twenty-four months commenced during the latter part of 2022 and has continued throughout 2024 and 2025.

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity increased $18.5 million to $212.0 million at March 31, 2025 compared to March 31, 2024. Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3.5 million at March 31, 2025 decreased from a loss of $9.2 million at March 31, 2024 as a result of a decrease in net unrealized loss on available for sale securities to $2.8 million at March 31, 2025 from a net unrealized loss of $6.4 million at March 31, 2024, coupled with a decrease in loss of $2.0 million in the defined benefit plan obligation. The current level of shareholders’ equity equates to a book value per share of $27.85 at March 31, 2025 compared to $25.72 at March 31, 2024, and an equity to asset ratio of 9.41% at March 31, 2025 and 8.76% at March 31, 2024. Tangible book value per share (a non-GAAP measure) increased to $25.67 at March 31, 2025 compared to $23.50 at March 31, 2024. Dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $0.32 per share.

Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Jersey Shore State Bank, which operates sixteen branch offices providing financial services in Lycoming, Clinton, Centre, Montour, Union, and Blair Counties, and Luzerne Bank, which operates eight branch offices providing financial services in Luzerne County, and United Insurance Solutions, LLC, which offers insurance products. Investment and insurance products are offered through Jersey Shore State Bank’s subsidiary, The M Group, Inc. D/B/A The Comprehensive Financial Group.

NOTE: This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Management uses the non-GAAP measure of net income from core operations in its analysis of the company’s performance. This measure, as used by the Company, adjusts net income determined in accordance with GAAP to exclude the effects of special items, including significant gains or losses that are unusual in nature such as net securities gains and losses. Because these certain items and their impact on the Company’s performance are difficult to predict, management believes presentation of financial measures excluding the impact of such items provides useful supplemental information in evaluating the operating results of the Company’s core businesses. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” including statements concerning plans, objectives, future events or performance and assumptions and other statements, which are statements other than statements of historical fact. The Company cautions readers that the following important factors, among others, may have affected and could in the future affect actual results and could cause actual results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company herein: (i) the effect of changes in laws and regulations, including federal and state banking laws and regulations, and the associated costs of compliance with such laws and regulations either currently or in the future as applicable; (ii) the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or of changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans; (iii) the effect on the Company’s competitive position within its market area of the increasing consolidation within the banking and financial services industries, including the increased competition from larger regional and out-of-state banking organizations as well as non-bank providers of various financial services; (iv) the effect of changes in interest rates; (v) the effects of health emergencies, including the spread of infectious diseases or pandemics; (vi) the effect of changes in the business cycle and downturns in the local, regional or national economies; or (vii) any potential adverse events or developments resulting from the merger agreement, dated December 16, 2024, between Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. and Northwest Bancshares, Inc., including, without limitation, any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement or the possibility that the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the merger within the expected timeframes or to successfully integrate the business and operations of Jersey Shore State Bank and Luzerne Bank with those of Northwest Savings Bank after closing. For a list of other factors which could affect the Company’s results, see the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Previous press releases and additional information can be obtained from the Company’s website at www.pwod.com.

Contact:	Richard A. Grafmyre, Chief Executive Officer
	110 Reynolds Street
	Williamsport, PA 17702
	570-322-1111	e-mail: pwod@pwod.com

PENNS WOODS BANCORP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

	March 31,
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)		2025			2024		% Change
ASSETS:
Noninterest-bearing cash	$	26,604		$	23,488		13.27	%
Interest-bearing balances in other financial institutions		10,841			9,055		19.72	%
Total cash and cash equivalents		37,445			32,543		15.06	%

Investment debt securities, available for sale, at fair value		175,721			187,245		(6.15	)%
Investment equity securities, at fair value		1,128			1,112		1.44	%
Restricted investment in bank stock		20,613			23,420		(11.99	)%
Loans held for sale		2,583			3,360		(23.13	)%
Loans		1,897,376			1,855,347		2.27	%
Allowance for credit losses		(10,236	)		(11,542	)	(11.32	)%
Loans, net		1,887,140			1,843,805		2.35	%
Premises and equipment, net		27,441			28,970		(5.28	)%
Accrued interest receivable		10,871			11,344		(4.17	)%
Bank-owned life insurance		45,982			32,853		39.96	%
Investment in limited partnerships		6,466			7,515		(13.96	)%
Goodwill		16,450			16,450		—	%
Intangibles		82			184		(55.43	)%
Operating lease right of use asset		2,761			2,922		(5.51	)%
Deferred tax asset		2,067			4,546		(54.53	)%
Other assets		15,485			13,847		11.83	%
TOTAL ASSETS	$	2,252,235		$	2,210,116		1.91	%

LIABILITIES:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	1,258,188		$	1,147,111		9.68	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		465,766			471,451		(1.21	)%
Total deposits		1,723,954			1,618,562		6.51	%

Short-term borrowings		82,910			111,208		(25.45	)%
Long-term borrowings		214,542			261,770		(18.04	)%
Accrued interest payable		3,908			4,174		(6.37	)%
Operating lease liability		2,841			2,987		(4.89	)%
Other liabilities		12,057			17,898		(32.63	)%
TOTAL LIABILITIES		2,040,212			2,016,599		1.17	%

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued		—			—		n/a
Common stock, par value $5.55, 22,500,000 shares authorized; 8,124,439 and 8,035,597 shares issued; 7,614,214 and 7,525,372 shares outstanding		45,134			44,641		1.10	%
Additional paid-in capital		62,931			62,215		1.15	%
Retained earnings		120,261			108,642		10.69	%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities		(2,762	)		(6,425	)	57.01	%
Defined benefit plan		(726	)		(2,741	)	73.51	%
Treasury stock at cost, 510,225 shares		(12,815	)		(12,815	)	—	%
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		212,023			193,517		9.56	%
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	2,252,235		$	2,210,116		1.91	%

PENNS WOODS BANCORP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)		2025			2024		% Change
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Loans including fees	$	26,014		$	23,860		9.03	%
Investment securities:
Taxable		1,723			1,594		8.09	%
Tax-exempt		60			97		(38.14	)%
Dividend and other interest income		581			679		(14.43	)%
TOTAL INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME		28,378			26,230		8.19	%

INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits		8,744			7,963		9.81	%
Short-term borrowings		1,056			2,005		(47.33	)%
Long-term borrowings		2,438			2,516		(3.10	)%
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE		12,238			12,484		(1.97	)%

NET INTEREST INCOME		16,140			13,746		17.42	%

(RECOVERY) PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		(2,969	)		138		(2,251.45	)%

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER (RECOVERY) PROVISION OF CREDIT LOSSES		19,109			13,608		40.42	%

NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Service charges		483			515		(6.21	)%
Net debt securities gains (losses), available for sale		305			(23	)	1,426.09	%
Net equity securities gains (losses)		17			(10	)	270.00	%
Bank-owned life insurance		301			463		(34.99	)%
Gain on sale of loans		408			305		33.77	%
Insurance commissions		152			153		(0.65	)%
Brokerage commissions		167			186		(10.22	)%
Loan broker income		252			222		13.51	%
Debit card income		308			329		(6.38	)%
Other		175			322		(45.65	)%
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME		2,568			2,462		4.31	%

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits		6,483			6,422		0.95	%
Occupancy		874			905		(3.43	)%
Furniture and equipment		997			939		6.18	%
Software amortization		419			190		120.53	%
Pennsylvania shares tax		413			320		29.06	%
Professional fees		505			552		(8.51	)%
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance		397			359		10.58	%
Marketing		47			71		(33.80	)%
Intangible amortization		25			26		(3.85	)%
Merger expense		1,093			—		n/a
Other		1,341			1,839		(27.08	)%
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE		12,594			11,623		8.35	%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION		9,083			4,447		104.25	%
INCOME TAX PROVISION		1,716			639		168.54	%
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’	$	7,367		$	3,808		93.46	%
EARNINGS PER SHARE – BASIC	$	0.97		$	0.51		90.20	%
EARNINGS PER SHARE – DILUTED	$	0.95		$	0.51		86.27	%
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING – BASIC		7,589,592			7,512,520		1.03	%
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING – DILUTED		7,728,688			7,512,520		2.88	%

PENNS WOODS BANCORP, INC. AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES (UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2025						March 31, 2024
(Dollars in Thousands)	Average Balance (1)		Interest		Average Rate		Average Balance (1)		Interest		Average Rate
ASSETS:
Tax-exempt loans (3)	$	68,615	$	556	3.28	%	$	69,349	$	463	2.69	%
All other loans		1,824,502		25,575	5.68	%		1,781,962		23,494	5.30	%
Total loans (2)		1,893,117		26,131	5.60	%		1,851,311		23,957	5.20	%

Taxable securities		191,040		2,188	4.64	%		200,275		2,144	4.35	%
Tax-exempt securities (3)		10,751		76	2.87	%		16,529		123	3.03	%
Total securities		201,791		2,264	4.55	%		216,804		2,267	4.25	%

Interest-bearing balances in other financial institutions		14,699		116	3.20	%		10,199		129	5.09	%

Total interest-earning assets		2,109,607		28,511	5.48	%		2,078,314		26,353	5.10	%

Other assets		138,990						130,958

TOTAL ASSETS	$	2,248,597					$	2,209,272

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Savings	$	209,025		234	0.45	%	$	218,722		268	0.49	%
Super Now deposits		208,537		904	1.76	%		215,870		1,084	2.02	%
Money market deposits		317,306		2,468	3.15	%		292,707		2,359	3.24	%
Time deposits		507,085		5,138	4.11	%		407,169		4,252	4.20	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,241,953		8,744	2.86	%		1,134,468		7,963	2.82	%

Short-term borrowings		95,339		1,056	4.49	%		144,350		2,005	5.59	%
Long-term borrowings		230,682		2,438	4.29	%		259,697		2,516	3.90	%
Total borrowings		326,021		3,494	4.35	%		404,047		4,521	4.50	%

Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,567,974		12,238	3.17	%		1,538,515		12,484	3.26	%

Demand deposits		449,384						451,877
Other liabilities		31,524						29,260
Shareholders’ equity		199,715						189,620

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	2,248,597					$	2,209,272
Interest rate spread (3)					2.31	%					1.84	%
Net interest income/margin (3)			$	16,273	3.13	%			$	13,869	2.69	%

_1.	_{Information on this table has been calculated using average daily balance sheets to obtain average balances.}
_2.	_{Non-accrual loans have been included with loans for the purpose of analyzing net interest earnings.}
_3.	_{Income and rates on fully taxable equivalent basis include an adjustment for the difference between annual income from tax-exempt obligations and the taxable equivalent of such income at the standard tax rate of 21%}

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025		2024
Total interest income	$	28,378	$	26,230
Total interest expense		12,238		12,484
Net interest income (GAAP)		16,140		13,746
Tax equivalent adjustment		133		123
Net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) (non-GAAP)	$	16,273	$	13,869

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)	Quarter Ended
	3/31/2025			12/31/2024			9/30/2024			6/30/2024			3/31/2024
Operating Data
Net income	$	7,367		$	3,741		$	4,801		$	5,390		$	3,808
Net interest income		16,140			15,563			15,056			14,515			13,746
(Recovery) provision for credit losses		(2,969	)		420			740			(1,177	)		138
Net security gains (losses)		322			(44	)		36			(19	)		(33	)
Non-interest income, excluding net security gains (losses)		2,246			2,754			2,385			2,044			2,495
Non-interest expense		12,594			12,980			10,884			10,996			11,623

Performance Statistics
Net interest margin		3.13	%		2.98	%		2.88	%		2.83	%		2.69	%
Annualized cost of total deposits		2.07	%		2.22	%		2.27	%		2.14	%		2.01	%
Annualized non-interest income to average assets		0.46	%		0.48	%		0.43	%		0.37	%		0.45	%
Annualized non-interest expense to average assets		2.24	%		2.32	%		1.95	%		1.98	%		2.10	%
Annualized return on average assets		1.31	%		0.67	%		0.86	%		0.97	%		0.69	%
Annualized return on average equity		14.76	%		7.28	%		9.60	%		11.12	%		8.03	%
Annualized net loan (recoveries) charge-offs to average loans	(0.20		)%		0.05	%		0.07	%	(0.09		)%		0.08	%
Net (recoveries) charge-offs		(957	)		228			328			(396	)		380
Efficiency ratio		68.36	%		70.73	%		62.26	%		66.25	%		71.41	%

Per Share Data
Basic earnings per share	$	0.97		$	0.50		$	0.64		$	0.72		$	0.51
Diluted earnings per share		0.95			0.49			0.64			0.72			0.51
Dividend declared per share		0.32			0.32			0.32			0.32			0.32
Book value		27.85			27.16			26.96			26.13			25.72
Tangible book value (Non-GAAP)		25.67			24.97			24.77			23.93			23.50
Common stock price:
High		31.90			34.06			23.98			21.08			22.64
Low		27.61			23.74			19.29			17.17			18.44
Close		27.91			30.39			23.79			20.55			19.41
Weighted average common shares:
Basic		7,590			7,555			7,544			7,529			7,513
Fully Diluted		7,729			7,693			7,544			7,529			7,513
End-of-period common shares:
Issued		8,124			8,067			8,065			8,052			8,036
Treasury		(510	)		(510	)		(510	)		(510	)		(510	)

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)	Quarter Ended
	3/31/2025			12/31/2024			9/30/2024			6/30/2024			3/31/2024
Financial Condition Data:
General
Total assets	$	2,252,235		$	2,232,338		$	2,259,250		$	2,234,617		$	2,210,116
Loans, net		1,887,140			1,865,230			1,863,586			1,855,054			1,843,805
Goodwill		16,450			16,450			16,450			16,450			16,450
Intangibles		82			107			133			158			184
Total deposits		1,723,954			1,706,081			1,700,321			1,648,093			1,618,562
Noninterest-bearing		465,766			456,936			452,922			461,092			471,451
Savings		211,136			208,340			211,560			218,354			220,932
NOW		203,191			212,687			218,279			209,906			208,073
Money Market		323,869			308,977			321,614			320,101			299,916
Time Deposits		342,983			340,844			328,294			310,187			292,372
Brokered Deposits		177,009			178,297			167,652			128,453			125,818
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,258,188			1,249,145			1,247,399			1,187,001			1,147,111

Core deposits*		1,203,962			1,186,940			1,204,375			1,209,453			1,200,372
Shareholders’ equity		212,023			205,231			203,694			197,087			193,517

Asset Quality
Non-performing loans	$	9,987		$	8,904		$	7,940		$	6,784		$	7,958
Non-performing loans to total assets		0.44	%		0.40	%		0.35	%		0.30	%		0.36	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans		10,236			11,848			11,588			11,234			11,542
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans		0.54	%		0.63	%		0.62	%		0.60	%		0.62	%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to non-performing loans		102.49	%		133.06	%		145.94	%		165.60	%		145.04	%
Non-performing loans to total loans		0.53	%		0.47	%		0.42	%		0.36	%		0.43	%

Capitalization
Shareholders’ equity to total assets		9.41	%		9.19	%		9.02	%		8.82	%		8.76	%

* Core deposits are defined as total deposits less time deposits and brokered deposits.

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures (UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)		2025			2024
GAAP net income	$	7,367		$	3,808
Net securities (gains) losses, net of tax		(254	)		26
Merger expenses, net of tax		948			—
Non-GAAP core earnings	$	8,061		$	3,834

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024
Return on average assets (ROA)		1.31	%		0.69	%
Net securities (gains) losses, net of tax	(0.04		)%		—	%
Merger expenses, net of tax		0.16	%		—	%
Non-GAAP core ROA		1.43	%		0.69	%

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024
Return on average equity (ROE)		14.76	%		8.03	%
Net securities (gains) losses, net of tax	(0.51		)%		0.06	%
Merger expenses, net of tax		1.90	%		—	%
Non-GAAP core ROE		16.15	%		8.09	%

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024
Basic earnings per share (EPS)	$	0.97		$	0.51
Net securities (gains) losses, net of tax		(0.03	)		—
Merger expenses, net of tax		0.12			—
Non-GAAP basic core EPS	$	1.06		$	0.51

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024
Diluted EPS	$	0.95		$	0.51
Net securities (gains) losses, net of tax		(0.03	)		—
Merger expenses, net of tax		0.12			—
Non-GAAP diluted core EPS	$	1.04		$	0.51

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data, Unaudited)	Quarter Ended
	3/31/2025			12/31/2024			9/30/2024			6/30/2024			3/31/2024
Total shareholders’ equity	$	212,023		$	205,231		$	203,694		$	197,087		$	193,517
Goodwill		(16,450	)		(16,450	)		(16,450	)		(16,450	)		(16,450	)
Intangibles		(82	)		(107	)		(133	)		(158	)		(184	)
Tangible shareholders’ equity	$	195,491		$	188,674		$	187,111		$	180,479		$	176,883

Shares outstanding		7,614,214			7,556,743			7,554,488			7,541,474			7,525,372

Book value per share	$	27.85		$	27.16		$	26.96		$	26.13		$	25.72
Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP)	$	25.67		$	24.97		$	24.77		$	23.93		$	23.50

The MIL Network –

April 26, 2025

MIL-OSI: Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results, Declares Dividend

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

First Quarter 2025 Highlights

Net income of $205 million
Affordable Housing Program (AHP) assessments of $23 million
Voluntary community and housing contributions of $12 million
Advances totaled $93.8 billion
Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net totaled $12.3 billion
Letters of credit totaled $19.2 billion
Retained earnings totaled $3.6 billion

Dividend

The Board of Directors approved a first quarter 2025 dividend to be paid at an annualized rate of 9.75% on average activity-based stock and 6.00% on average membership stock, unchanged from the prior quarter. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (the Bank) expects to make dividend payments totaling $135 million on May 13, 2025.

Liquidity Mission

The Bank provides liquidity to its members to support the housing, business, and economic development needs of the communities they serve. Members pledge collateral to access our core liquidity products of advances, letters of credit, and purchased mortgage loans under the Mortgage Partnership Finance^® Program. During the first quarter of 2025, advance balances averaged $100.2 billion, and purchased mortgage loan balances averaged $12.0 billion. The liquidity provided through these products allows our members to:

meet mortgage and other loan demand in their communities when deposits alone are insufficient;
originate mortgage loans without holding them on their balance sheet; and
reduce interest rate risk by structuring advances to match their assets.

In addition, the Bank provides a reliable source of contingent liquidity for its members. During the first quarter of 2025, the Bank held an average of $27.9 billion of short-term assets as a source of liquidity for this purpose.

Affordable Housing and Community Impact

The Bank’s housing and community development programs are central to its mission by providing reliable liquidity and funding to help its members build strong communities and support their housing affordability needs. The Bank contributes 10% of its net income each year to its AHP, a grant program that supports the creation, preservation, or purchase of affordable housing. This program includes a competitive AHP and two down payment assistance products called Home$tart and the Native American Homeownership Initiative. During the first quarter of 2025, the Bank accrued statutory AHP assessments of $23 million and voluntarily accrued $1 million, to be awarded in 2026 through this program.

In addition to its AHP, the Bank offers its members voluntary programs to further its housing mission. During the first quarter of 2025, the Bank recorded a total of $12 million in voluntary community and housing contributions, including the voluntary AHP contribution. Through its voluntary programs, the Bank:

provided $18 million in 0% rate advances to members that originated or purchased mortgage loans from a Habitat for Humanity^® affiliate and recorded $4 million in subsidy expense;
funded $14 million of loans with an interest rate lower than the current market rate under the Mortgage Rate Relief program, which provided $1 million in grants to those seeking affordable homeownership; and
recorded a $6 million contribution to its Member Impact Fund to match member donations to local housing and community development organizations during the first quarter of 2025.

Financial Results Discussion

Net Income – For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Bank recorded net income of $205 million compared to $274 million for the same period in 2024.

Net Interest Income – For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Bank recorded net interest income of $248 million, a decrease of $101 million when compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease was due to the yield on interest-earning assets declining at a quicker pace than the cost of interest-bearing liabilities driven by a decline in longer-term advances, decreases in market value adjustments on the Bank’s fair value hedge relationships, and changes in interest rates, which also reduced earnings on invested capital.

Net Interest Spread and Margin – Net interest spread and margin were 0.32 percent and 0.59 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2025, decreases of 0.11 percent and 0.15 percent when compared to the same period in 2024. The declines in net interest spread and margin were driven by the decrease in net interest income discussed above. The Bank’s cost of funds does not include net interest settlements on economic hedges, which are recorded in other income (loss). As a result, net interest spread and margin do not reflect the full impact of the Bank’s funding and hedging strategies and may experience volatility as interest rates change.

Other Income (Loss) – For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Bank recorded other income of $41 million, an increase of $37 million when compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to the net changes in fair value on the Bank’s trading securities, fair value option instruments, and economic derivatives.

Other Expense – For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Bank recorded other expense of $61 million, an increase of $11 million when compared to the same period in 2024, primarily driven by an increase in voluntary community and housing contributions of $12 million.

Assets – The Bank’s total assets increased to $167.5 billion at March 31, 2025, from $165.3 billion at December 31, 2024, driven primarily by an increase in investments, offset in part by a decline in advances. Investments increased primarily due to an increase in short-term investments, mainly federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell, as well as the purchase of agency mortgage-backed securities. Advances decreased $6.2 billion due mainly to a decline in borrowings by depository institution members, offset in part by an increase in borrowings by insurance companies.

Capital – Total capital decreased to $9.3 billion at March 31, 2025, from $9.5 billion at December 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in activity-based capital stock resulting from a decline in advance balances.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Financial Highlights (preliminary and unaudited) *Dollars in millions*
Selected Balance Sheet Items	March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024
Advances	$	93,790		$	99,951
Investments		60,775			52,032
Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net		12,263			11,896
Total assets		167,471			165,253
Consolidated obligations		155,838			153,251
Capital stock – Class B putable		5,730			5,989
Retained earnings		3,558			3,491
Total capital		9,329			9,451
Total regulatory capital¹		9,297			9,489
Regulatory capital ratio		5.55	%		5.74	%
1 Total regulatory capital includes capital stock, mandatorily redeemable capital stock, and retained earnings. The regulatory capital ratio is calculated as regulatory capital as a percentage of period end assets.

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
Operating Results		2025			2024
Net interest income	$	248		$	349
Provision (reversal) for credit losses on mortgage loans		—			(1	)
Other income (loss)		41			4
Other expense		61			50
Affordable Housing Program assessments		23			30
Net income	$	205		$	274
Performance Ratios
Net interest spread		0.32	%		0.43	%
Net interest margin		0.59			0.74
Return on average equity (annualized)		8.56			11.36
Return on average assets (annualized)		0.48			0.57

The financial results reported in this earnings release for the first quarter of 2025 are preliminary until the Bank announces unaudited financial results in its First Quarter 2025 Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, expected to be available next month at www.fhlbdm.com and www.sec.gov.

The Bank is a member-owned cooperative whose mission is to be a reliable provider of funding, liquidity, and services for its members so that they can meet the housing, business, and economic development needs of the communities they serve. The Bank is wholly owned by nearly 1,250 members, including commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions. The Bank serves Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Bank is one of 11 regional banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System.

Statements contained in this announcement, including statements describing the objectives, projections, estimates, or future predictions in the Bank’s operations, may be forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as believes, projects, expects, anticipates, estimates, intends, strategy, plan, could, should, may, and will or their negatives or other variations on these terms. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk or uncertainty, and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied or could affect the extent to which a particular objective, projection, estimate, or prediction is realized. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. A detailed discussion of the more important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ from such forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of the Bank’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date they are made, and the Bank undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact: Amber Pringnitz
515.412.2306
apringnitz@fhlbdm.com

The MIL Network –

April 26, 2025

MIL-OSI: SiriusPoint Welcomes AM Best Outlook Revision to ‘Positive’ from ‘Stable’
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AM Best has revised the outlook of the rated operating subsidiaries of SiriusPoint Ltd (“SiriusPoint” or “the Company”) (Bermuda) [NYSE: SPNT] to Positive from Stable, citing the Company’s “very strong balance sheet”.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” (Excellent) of SiriusPoint’s rated operating subsidiaries. Additionally, the rating agency has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “bbb-” (Good) of SiriusPoint.

AM Best said the revision of the outlook to Positive from Stable reflects SiriusPoint’s improved balance sheet strength following actions taken by management including the derisking of the investment portfolio, reduction in catastrophe exposure, and the recent buy-back of shares and warrants previously held by CM Bermuda Ltd.

“This outlook revision is a reflection of our journey towards stability, underwriting profitability, and becoming a best-in-class insurer and reinsurer,” said Scott Egan, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusPoint. “This is further recognition of SiriusPoint’s achievements and the work we have done to reshape our future. I am proud of the team at SiriusPoint who have worked with dedication and commitment to improve our company profile, balance sheet strength, and underwriting performance.”

In a press release issued today, AM Best said: “The ratings reflect SiriusPoint’s consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.”

The rating agency added: “AM Best expects that the group will maintain its risk-adjusted capitalization comfortably at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supported by prudent capital management, effective underwriting exposure management and positive operating results.”

The financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a-” (Excellent) have been affirmed with the outlooks revised to positive from stable for the following subsidiaries of SiriusPoint:
- SiriusPoint America Insurance Company
- SiriusPoint Bermuda Insurance Company Ltd.
- SiriusPoint International Insurance Corporation (publ)
- SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation
AM Best’s revised outlook for SiriusPoint comes just one month after Fitch Ratings announced it had affirmed the ratings of SiriusPoint, including its Long-Term Issuer Default Rating at ‘BBB’, its senior debt rating at ‘BBB-‘ and its Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating at ‘A-‘ (Strong) of SiriusPoint’s subsidiaries. It has also revised the Company’s Outlook to Positive from Stable.

Click here for full details in AM Best’s press release.

Contacts

Investor Relations
Liam Blackledge, SiriusPoint
Liam.Blackledge@siriuspt.com
+44 203 772 3082

Media
Sarah Hills, Rein4ce
sarah.hills@rein4ce.co.uk
+44 7718 882011

About SiriusPoint

SiriusPoint is a global underwriter of insurance and reinsurance providing solutions to clients and brokers around the world. Bermuda-headquartered with offices in New York, London, Stockholm and other locations, we are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (SPNT). We have licenses to write Property & Casualty and Accident & Health insurance and reinsurance globally. Our offering and distribution capabilities are strengthened by a portfolio of strategic partnerships with Managing General Agents and Program Administrators within our Insurance & Services segment. With over $2.6 billion total capital, SiriusPoint’s operating companies have a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from AM Best, S&P and Fitch, and A3 from Moody’s.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make statements in this press release that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry; the adequacy of our reserves; fluctuation in the results of operations; pandemic or other catastrophic event; uncertainty of success in investing in early-stage companies, such as the risk of loss of an initial investment, highly variable returns on investments, delay in receiving return on investment and difficulty in liquidating the investment; our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market and investment income fluctuations; trends in insured and paid losses; regulatory and legal uncertainties; and other risk factors described in SiriusPoint’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024.

Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, or new information, data or methods, future events, or other circumstances after the date of this press release.

The MIL Network –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK stands with the Syrian people as they seize this historic moment: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

The UK stands with the Syrian people as they seize this historic moment: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and ASG Msuya for their briefing.

Let me also welcome Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani to the Council.

On the day the new Syrian flag was raised here at the UN, your presence is a powerful reminder of the opportunity that lies ahead for Syria to carve out a more secure, peaceful and prosperous future.

The UK stands with the Syrian people as they seize this historic moment.

President, I will make three points today.

First, we have already seen welcome progress in Syria’s political transition.

This includes the formation of a new Government, creation of a Constitutional Committee and work to address immediate security threats, including from chemical weapons.

We have seen important steps towards reconciliation amongst Syria’s diverse communities, including the recent agreement signed with the Syrian Democratic Forces.

It is important that this outreach and consultation continues to help build a stable and unified country working in the interests of all Syrians.

And after years of war and brutality under the Assad regime, issues of transitional justice and accountability must be prioritised.

This includes steps to find missing persons, and provide much-needed peace of mind to the families that have paid the ultimate price.

Second, economic recovery will be a crucial part of efforts to build a more prosperous Syria.

This week’s meetings of the International Financial Institutions, with the participation of the Syrian Government are an important step in boosting international community support to drive investment and economic growth.

And this week, the UK has lifted sanctions on sectors including trade, energy production and finance.

We hope these steps will help remove barriers to investment in Syria’s economy, especially in the energy and electricity generation sector, which is essential for Syria’s reconstruction.

Finally, we reiterate that respect for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for both Syrian security and that of its neighbours.

We are concerned by Israeli actions which risk restabilising the region.

We call on all actors to uphold the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

President, Syrians have already suffered greatly from years of conflict and misrule.

As we heard from the briefers, they face considerable political, economic and humanitarian challenges as they emerge from this dark chapter in their history.

They deserve a better and more secure future.

The UK will continue to support the Syrian government and its people in their efforts to achieve this.

Updates to this page

Published 25 April 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: World Trading Tournament (WTT) Partners with AIMS Group to Expand Global Trading Engagement

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HOCKESSIN, Del., April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The World Trading Tournament (WTT), a leading platform for global trading competitions, today announced a strategic partnership with AIMS Group, a renowned financial brokerage known for its cutting-edge trading execution, clearing services, and technical support across 17 countries.

WTT and AIMS Group: A Powerful Partnership for Global Trading

This collaboration aims to elevate the trading experience by enhancing accessibility to trading tools and fostering skill-based competitions on a global scale.

Through this partnership, WTT continues to build on its mission of empowering traders with opportunities to compete in fair, transparent, and skill-focused trading environments.

“AIMS Group’s commitment to transparency, reliable trading conditions, and exceptional service perfectly aligns with WTT’s vision of creating a global platform that helps traders enhance their skills in a competitive, educational setting,” said Mr. Arthur, CEO of WTT.

The strategic collaboration will leverage AIMS Group’s advanced infrastructure to provide seamless trade execution and broader market access. Known for its sponsorships with leading sports organizations such as Tottenham Hotspur FC and the ASEAN Football Federation U23, AIMS Group’s role in this partnership extends beyond financial services, reinforcing its dedication to supporting the global trading community.

“At AIMS Group, we are focused on providing traders with the tools and resources necessary for success in an increasingly competitive market,” said Mr. Aaron Chang, CEO of AIMS Group. “Partnering with WTT gives us the opportunity to nurture the next generation of traders by supporting their education and creating new competition formats that push the boundaries of trading excellence.”

The partnership is set to bring new innovations to WTT participants, including enhanced competition features, educational content, and access to AIMS Group’s global resources. By working together, WTT and AIMS Group aim to provide a more dynamic and inclusive platform for traders worldwide.

WTT & AIMS Group: A Winning Partnership

About AIMS Group

AIMS Group is a global financial brokerage providing institutional-grade trading services to retail and institutional clients across 17 countries. With a strong emphasis on transparency, technology, and client service, AIMS Group plays an active role in shaping the future of global trading practices.

About World Trading Tournament (WTT)

The World Trading Tournament (WTT) is an international platform that hosts annual, gamified trading events. It brings together traders, financial institutions, retail investors, and fintech communities from around the globe, creating a space for networking, innovation, and learning. WTT’s mission is to foster a competitive yet educational environment where traders can hone their skills and expand their knowledge.

Media Contact:
Clement Metz
World Trading Tournament
admin@worldtradingtournament.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eacb29c2-bc3f-4ca8-9013-d182923268b2

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/42f36fe3-cdf1-4cb8-993d-518f6179eefb

The MIL Network –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Maryland Man Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Armed Separatist Fighters to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon and For Making Threats

Source: US State of North Dakota

A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned an indictment yesterday charging a Cameroonian national, Eric Tataw, also known as “the Garri Master,” 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist militias in Cameroon and threatening violence against Cameroonian civilians. He surrendered and will make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson today.

According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are fighting to form a new country called “Ambazonia.” The armed separatist militias sought to achieve secession by not only attacking the Cameroonian military, but also intentionally attacking the civilian population in Cameroon in an attempt to force the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede. These separatist fighters are frequently referred to as “Amba Boys.”

“The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This indictment represents the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable human rights violators who direct brutal political violence and fundraise for armed militias from the comfort of the United States.”

“The Justice Department will not tolerate those who help murder, maim, and kidnap,” said Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who aim to turn American soil into a staging ground for political violence abroad.”

“Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who attempts to inflict mayhem on others. Tataw and his co-conspirators demonstrated a total disregard for human life so now they must pay the price.”

As alleged in the indictment, Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning in April 2018, Tataw and others sought to raise funds for the Amba Boys to finance violent attacks in Cameroon. Tataw also allegedly called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of civilians and the destruction of public, educational, and cultural property in Cameroon. Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly directed the maiming of Cameroonian civilians by severing their limbs, a practice Tataw called “Garriing.” Tataw allegedly used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people. Additionally, Tataw allegedly referred to himself as the “Garri Master,” or master of mutilation.

Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly targeted those believed to be working for or collaborating with the government, including municipal officials, traditional chiefs, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a public company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil, and rubber. As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the government of Cameroon. These social media posts were regularly viewed by tens of thousands of people, including Amba Boys and their leaders, and were often further disseminated by third parties allegedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.

Tataw is charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support and four counts of interstate communication of a threat to harm. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of communication of a threat to harm. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Maryland made the announcement.

HSI and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the FBI, are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman and Joseph Wenner for the District of Maryland, and Trial Attorneys Michael Dittoe and Andrew Briggs of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: OEM Says Federal Cancellation of Grant Program Impedes Oregon’s Ability to Prepare for Disasters
Source: US State of Oregon

strong>SALEM, OR – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program has on Oregon. The cancellation, detailed in a memo from Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton, outlines a review of BRIC programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 for programs communities depend on across the state.

In addition, FEMA issued an updated advisory on April 16 further clarifying that: “as the program is concluding, the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC funding opportunity is cancelled, no applications submitted will be reviewed and no funds will be awarded. In addition, for all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023, if grant funds have not been distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, funds will be returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.”

The BRIC grant program gives money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. For example, BRIC funds can be used to build better levees to help prevent the kind of flooding we’ve seen recently in Harney County. BRIC helps build safer roads, buildings, and other important things to keep people and property safe during a disaster. Currently, the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is unaffected in Oregon.

What this means:
- Projects that were selected but not yet awarded won’t receive funding.
- Ongoing projects may be delayed or stopped short of construction.
- Money set aside for managing these efforts could be pulled back.
- Without extensions or continued support, communities across Oregon will face delays or cancellations in vital infrastructure improvements designed to reduce risk and protect lives.
FEMA is conducting a full review of active and obligated BRIC projects before further work to help Oregonians prepare for disasters in the future can continue.

“These decisions will significantly impact communities across Oregon working to reduce disaster risk and invest in safer, more resilient infrastructure,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “We are actively working with federal and state legislators to communicate these financial impacts and with FEMA partners to gain clarity on next steps and timelines. I have directed my team to conduct our own review to see what projects may fit within other Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants through federal partners that are currently funded like the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant or other state grant programs.”

The Impact on Oregon:
- Federal share of BRIC projects: $140 million
- Local matching share of BRIC projects: $90 million
- Total local sunk costs: 8 of the 26 projects have a combined total of $8 million in sunk costs (details below).
- Impact on submitted budgets: Due to funding delays and their effect on project timelines, even if the grants were reinstated, some projects will be priced out as they locked cost estimates years ago when inflation and tariffs were lower, but those locked in prices are set to expire and the new cost could be significantly higher.
During remarks yesterday to the media, Governor Kotek referenced cuts to the BRIC grants: “These are bipartisan or nonpartisan community projects that everybody supports. I have not heard one rationale from the Trump Administration as to why they cancelled the BRIC grants.” She was speaking specifically about a project in Mapleton that received grant funding to assist with necessary upgrades to the town’s water infrastructure. You can view the full remarks at around the 25-minute mark here.

To stay informed, OEM encourages interested parties to sign up for alerts when updates are posted on the federal action webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Pages/Federal-Changes.aspx

Details about the 8 projects with sunk costs:

City of Port Orford

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project aims to address vulnerabilities in the City of Port Orford’s drinking water supply infrastructure caused by earthquakes, drought, and wildfire. It includes the installation of water meters, as well as the design, replacement, and retrofit of strategic sections of the water distribution system. The grant would ensure that the city has sufficient water to meet average daily demand while maintaining adequate emergency storage to withstand and respond to natural hazards. The project would impact a population of 1,146 residents.
- Federal Share: $6,566,537
- Local Share: $691,214
- Sunk cost: $273,350
Medford Water Commission

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project will conduct critical infrastructure improvements at four system locations as part of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program (RVWSRP). The goal is to enhance the resilience of the water system against seismic events, wildfires, and droughts caused by extreme weather conditions.
- Federal Share: $34,806,505
- Local Share: $14,516,834
- Sunk cost $1,875,370
City of Grants Pass

Water Treatment Plant Relocation Project. This project aims to relocate the Water Treatment Plant outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to prevent system failure during a flooding event. The City of Grants Pass has made substantial investments in the comprehensive design of the project, contributing over 50% of the required cost match. The loss of federal grant funds jeopardizes the broader system project scope, which exceeds twice the federal contribution. To date, the city has invested over $5 million in pre-award technical engineering and design, in addition to sunk costs incurred during the subapplication process.
- Federal Share: $50,000,000
- Local Share: $60,800,302
- Sunk cost: $5,000,000
Clatsop County Government / City of Astoria Columbie Memorial Hospital

Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) Project. This project integrates a Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) into the Columbia Memorial Hospital expansion, creating a multi-purpose facility designed to shelter the impacted population at an elevated level above tsunami inundation zones.
- Federal Share: $13,897,122
- Local Share: $5,955,909
- Sunk cost $817,846
Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Updates to the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans (NHMP) for the Burns Paiute Tribe, as well as Columbia and Umatilla Counties, aim to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts while mitigating the future impacts of natural disasters.
- Federal Share: $488,653
- Local Share: $152,704
- Sunk cost $8,347
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY2021 Grant Management Costs
- Federal Share: $488,257
- Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $39,500
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY 2022 Grant Management Costs
- Federal Share: $19,695,731
- Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $73,141
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY 2023 Grant Partnership Costs
- Federal Share: $1,261,848
  Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $79,029
MIL OSI USA News –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Armed Separatist Fighters to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon and For Making Threats

Source: United States Attorneys General 13

A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned an indictment yesterday charging a Cameroonian national, Eric Tataw, also known as “the Garri Master,” 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist militias in Cameroon and threatening violence against Cameroonian civilians. He surrendered and will make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson today.

According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are fighting to form a new country called “Ambazonia.” The armed separatist militias sought to achieve secession by not only attacking the Cameroonian military, but also intentionally attacking the civilian population in Cameroon in an attempt to force the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede. These separatist fighters are frequently referred to as “Amba Boys.”

“The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This indictment represents the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable human rights violators who direct brutal political violence and fundraise for armed militias from the comfort of the United States.”

“The Justice Department will not tolerate those who help murder, maim, and kidnap,” said Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who aim to turn American soil into a staging ground for political violence abroad.”

“Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who attempts to inflict mayhem on others. Tataw and his co-conspirators demonstrated a total disregard for human life so now they must pay the price.”

As alleged in the indictment, Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning in April 2018, Tataw and others sought to raise funds for the Amba Boys to finance violent attacks in Cameroon. Tataw also allegedly called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of civilians and the destruction of public, educational, and cultural property in Cameroon. Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly directed the maiming of Cameroonian civilians by severing their limbs, a practice Tataw called “Garriing.” Tataw allegedly used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people. Additionally, Tataw allegedly referred to himself as the “Garri Master,” or master of mutilation.

Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly targeted those believed to be working for or collaborating with the government, including municipal officials, traditional chiefs, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a public company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil, and rubber. As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the government of Cameroon. These social media posts were regularly viewed by tens of thousands of people, including Amba Boys and their leaders, and were often further disseminated by third parties allegedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.

Tataw is charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support and four counts of interstate communication of a threat to harm. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of communication of a threat to harm. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Maryland made the announcement.

HSI and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the FBI, are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman and Joseph Wenner for the District of Maryland, and Trial Attorneys Michael Dittoe and Andrew Briggs of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL Security OSI –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Pontiac Man Pleads Guilty in $4 Million Identity Theft and Unemployment Fraud Case

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

DETROIT – A Pontiac man has pleaded guilty to committing aggravated identity theft and wire fraud as part of large-scale, multi-state Unemployment Insurance benefit fraud scheme in which he and co-conspirators fraudulently obtained debit cards loaded with more than $4 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds, Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced today.

Joining in the announcement were Megan Howell, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent-in-Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, Charles Miller, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Douglas Zloto, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector-in-Charge, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and Director Jason Palmer, State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Terrance Calhoun, Jr., 36, of Pontiac, Michigan, pleaded guilty to committing aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and to possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, all in relation to acts of unemployment insurance fraud.

According to his plea agreement, Calhoun Jr., and others, used stolen personal identification and filed hundreds of false unemployment claims with state unemployment insurance agencies in Michigan, Arizona, and Maryland over a six-month period in the names of other individuals without their knowledge or consent. Those false claims resulted in hundreds of debit cards loaded with over $4 million in unemployment insurance funds being mailed to addresses controlled by Calhoun Jr. and his co-conspirators. Roughly $1.6 million dollars in purchases and cash withdrawals were then successfully made from the cards.

As described within a prior complaint, when agents executed search warrants at the principal mailing addresses used for the fraudulent unemployment insurance benefit claims, including the residence of Calhoun Jr., agents seized numerous documents containing the personal identification information of other individuals, multiple debit cards in the names of numerous other individuals, and firearms.

Calhoun now faces a possible sentence of up to 20-years’ imprisonment for each of the wire fraud counts to which he has pleaded guilty, a possible sentence of up to 10-years’ imprisonment for possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, and a mandatorily consecutive 2-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft charge to which he has pleaded guilty.

Sentencing is set for August 27, 2025 before United States District Court Judge Judith E. Levy.

“Taxpayer money diverted into the pockets of criminals means less money going to Michiganders who actually need help getting through difficult financial times and who follow the rules when seeking assistance,” said Acting US Attorney Beck. “These charges reflect our office’s ongoing commitment to the community by investigating such schemes and bringing those who commit these crimes to justice.”

“Terrance Calhoun Jr and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud state workforce agencies in Michigan, Arizona, and Maryland by filing hundreds of fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims. As a result, Calhoun enriched himself by stealing taxpayer resources intended for unemployed American workers. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the UI program from those who seek to exploit it,” said Megan Howell, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

“Individuals who commit identity theft and unemployment insurance fraud of this magnitude deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Charles Miller, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Terrance Calhoun, Jr. and Jermaine Arnett demonstrated a blatant disregard of the integrity of the multiple states’ unemployment insurance systems and caused immeasurable hardship to innocent victims. IRS-CI remains committed to the pursuit of identity theft and financial fraud, and together with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will hold those who engage in similar crimes accountable.”

“The FBI in Michigan, alongside our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in protecting the community and investigating individuals who violate federal law,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Today’s guilty plea by Terrance Calhoun, whose involvement in a multi-state fraud scheme, is a clear reminder that bad actors will be stopped, and we will ensure integrity will prevail.”

The case was jointly investigated by agents from the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, and the State of Michigan -Unemployment Insurance Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carl D. Gilmer-Hill and Jessica A. Nathan.

MIL Security OSI –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Magaziner & Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan New England Offshore Drilling Ban

Source: US Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

Bill would protect ocean and coastal resources responsible for over $17.5 billion annually in the region

Washington, DC – On Earth Day, Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are leading bipartisan group of New England members of Congress in announcing the introduction of legislation to bar offshore drilling along the New England coast. The New England Coastal Protection Act is cosponsored by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). In the House, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Gabe Amo, Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jared Golden (D-ME), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), Bill Keating (D-MA), John Larson (D-CT), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Richard Neal (D-MA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

“Rhode Islanders take pride in being the Ocean State, and in our clean waterways that support good jobs and quality of life,” said Magaziner. “The New England Coastal Protection Act will help safeguard our environment by preventing new offshore drilling that would threaten the coastline that is so essential to our state.”

“Offshore drilling would enrich the fossil fuel industry at the expense of the Ocean State’s coastal economy and the health of our Narragansett Bay,” said Whitehouse, who originally introduced the legislation during the first Trump administration. “With President Trump scrambling to grant the looters and polluters swarming around his administration every item on their wish list, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to stop reckless oil and gas drilling off Rhode Island’s coast.”

“Offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean poses tremendous risks for the Ocean State’s environment and economy. This legislation is about protecting critical natural resources and the livelihoods of New Englanders in countless industries who rely on a clean, healthy Atlantic Ocean,” said Reed.

“Offshore drilling has no place in the Atlantic Ocean — thanks to the New England Coastal Protection Act, it won’t,” said Amo, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment. “On Earth Day, I am thankful to partner with Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Magaziner to generate bipartisan momentum to protect our ocean from the harms of offshore drilling.”

According to NOAA Fisheries, ocean and coastal industries, including tourism, fishing, and recreation, generate more than $17.5 billion in New England annually. Expanding drilling in the Atlantic would harm New England’s key industries, and significantly increase the chance of environmental disaster in the region.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: University of Dundee Taskforce holds first meeting
Source: Scottish Government

Commitment to ensure vital institution thrives.

An external advisory group established to advise on the future success of the University of Dundee held its first meeting in the city.

The group, which is chaired by Sir Alan Langlands, agreed on the urgency of action required to advise and support the university to address its current financial difficulties during the meeting yesterday.

Representatives from the University, Dundee City Council, business, trades unions, student union, enterprise and skills bodies and the Scottish Government were among those who took part.

Sir Alan Langlands, chair of the Advisory group, said:

“All members were clear that the University of Dundee is a leading research intensive institution, providing highly rated education, and playing a crucial role in the economic, cultural and social life of the City, region, and the country as a whole. There was a collective commitment to support the University in ensuring its short, medium and long term sustainability.

“Our discussion focussed on the context in which it is operating, and the urgent need to tackle its financial difficulties, build on its strengths, and set out a clear plan for the medium and long term future.

“The group respects the autonomy of the University, the decision making responsibilities of the University Court, and the role of the Scottish Funding Council in navigating the future. We hope that the support and advice we provide will be considered by the decision makers in a timely manner.”

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:

“I am determined that the University of Dundee – with a vibrant community of staff and students at its heart – will thrive long into the future and the work of this Taskforce will help contribute to that.

“The Scottish Funding Council has already provided £22 million to University of Dundee as support for liquidity, which is giving them the space and time to work through a plan for financial stability. Ministers have been clear we will carefully consider any further asks made to the Government.

“Students should accept their offers from the University and can be confident in its future.”

Professor Shane O’Neill, Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said:

“We welcome the support of Sir Alan and all parties involved with the Advisory Taskforce, which reflects the importance of the University to Dundee, the Tay Cities region and beyond, and the collective will to establish a more sustainable and successful future for the University.

“We will work with the Taskforce, the Scottish Government, the Scottish Funding Council and others to ensure we achieve that goal.”

Background

Attendees at the meeting included:
- trade union representatives , including national and local representation
- the leader of Dundee City Council
- principals of Abertay and St Andrews Universities and Dundee & Angus College
- the Convenor of Universities Scotland
- the Dundee University Student Association President
- local representatives of Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce
- the Chair of NHS Education for Scotland
- for business interests, Tim Allan, Chair of V&A Dundee
In addition to the advisory Taskforce, the Deputy First Minister is chairing a cross-Ministerial group to consider what further action the Scottish Government may be able to take to support the University as it continues to develop its Financial Recovery Plan.
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: BexBack Revolutionizes Crypto Trading with 100x Leverage, No KYC, and Exclusive Bonuses
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SINGAPORE, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BexBack, a rapidly expanding cryptocurrency derivatives platform, is setting new standards in the crypto trading industry. Since its launch in May 2024, BexBack has attracted over 500,000 registered users worldwide by offering features that appeal to both novice traders and seasoned investors. With its innovative offerings, including 100x leverage, no KYC requirements, and a variety of generous bonuses, BexBack is reshaping the landscape for crypto futures traders.

100x Leverage: A Game-Changer in Crypto Trading

At the core of BexBack’s appeal is its powerful 100x leverage, which allows traders to open larger positions with less capital. Whether the market is volatile or stable, this leverage amplifies potential profits, allowing traders to make the most out of even small price movements. This level of leverage can open the door for higher gains—turning an average trade into a potentially lucrative one. For example, with 100x leverage, a $1,000 trade can control $100,000 in value, giving traders the chance to earn massive profits in a fraction of the time.

No KYC: Trade Anonymously and Efficiently

Unlike many other platforms, BexBack operates with no KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements, providing a seamless, anonymous trading experience. This unique feature enables users to trade crypto without going through lengthy identity verification processes, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer privacy and simplicity in their trading activities.

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With its powerful features, commitment to user satisfaction, and constant innovation, BexBack is poised to be the go-to platform for crypto futures trading in 2025 and beyond.

About BexBack

BexBack is a cryptocurrency derivatives exchange platform that offers high-leverage crypto futures trading with no KYC requirements. Headquartered in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina, BexBack provides a seamless, anonymous trading experience for its global user base. Trusted by over 500,000 traders worldwide, the platform continues to grow by offering its users attractive bonuses, cutting-edge technology, and low-cost trading solutions.

For more information about BexBack and to start trading today, visit www.bexback.com.

Website: www.bexback.com

Contact: business@bexback.com

Contact:
Amanda
business@bexback.com

Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/777151c3-1d82-4a51-908c-73307ede7db7

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f4a280a-211f-4fd4-98c8-151a50d2ac28

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12713dbb-635d-470b-b7f2-5f9abc76a97c

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/01351182-873c-4e92-9665-3f8d6b048cd5

The MIL Network –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Miller-Meeks Urges Army Secretary to Protect Rock Island Arsenal

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)

Davenport – Amid reports of a potential reduction in force at the Rock Island Arsenal, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks today urged U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to protect the military site. A member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Miller-Meeks is a proud 24-year Army veteran advocating for those who served our nation.

According to the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, the Rock Island Arsenal supports upwards of 54,000 active & reserve components, retired military, civilian employees, and family members within a 150-mile radius. It impacts over 15,000 jobs and has a $1.2 billion impact on the local economy.

A full text of the letter is below:

Dear Secretary Driscoll:

I write to you today to express my strong support for the continued investment in Rock Island Arsenal and have serious concerns with proposed changes to the workforce. Rock Island Arsenal is a key component in our national defense and is a key pillar of the Quad Cities region. It has recently come to my attention that RIA Joint Munitions Command (JMC) and the Army Sustainment Command (ASC) will be consolidated under the ASC. It is my understanding that this consolidation could lead to a reduction of force at Rock Island Arsenal, resulting in the loss of hundreds of vital jobs.

Rock Island Arsenal plays a unique role for our nation’s defense. As a command post for integral units such as Army Contracting, Army Corps of Engineers, and Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal is a key player in sustainment and procurement. Changes or reduction in force would be a net negative to our nation’s defense overall. This base is a significant weapons manufacturing arsenal for our military, and its role has been amplified with the recent depletion of our armaments. It is also a major player in military manufacturing, especially in 3-D printing supporting our forces deployed abroad. The Rock Island Arsenal plays a critical role in ensuring the readiness and resilience of the United States Armed Forces.

Rock Island Arsenal is a significant presence for the Quad Cities, having a $1.2 billion impact on the local economy. With around half of the more than 5,000 Arsenal employees calling Iowa home, the Arsenal has been the lifeblood of the Quad Cities community for many years. Many of these employees are veterans who have continued serving our nation as civilians.

I have heard directly from concerned constituents on potential reductions. Furthermore, such concerns have been amplified by multiple media outlets on both sides of the Mississippi. As the representative for southeast Iowa and a 24-year Army veteran, it is imperative I relay this issue to the highest echelons of the U.S. Army.

All Americans depend on the safety, strength, and stability that the Arsenal helps provide. While you consider the reorganization of JMC and ASC, I urge you to consider the positive impact Rock Island Arsenal plays in our nation’s defense, as well as the crucial role it plays in Iowa’s economy. I will continue to lead the efforts to strengthen Rock Island Arsenal in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act. I look forward to continuing our shared mission on military readiness and advocating for America’s service members and their families.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: Sagtec Global to Announce Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results on April 30, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sagtec Global Limited (NASDAQ: SAGT) (“Sagtec” or the “Company”), today announced that it will release its financial results for fiscal year 2024, ended December 31, 2024, before markets open on April 30, 2025. Sagtec’s management team will hold an earnings call at 08:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 30, 2025, to discuss the Company’s financial and business outlook.

What: Sagtec Global Limited Announces Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results and Q&A Webcast When: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 p.m. Malaysia Time
Webcast: Registration link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/yemp8vxy

Approximately 24 hours after the Q&A session, an archived version will be available on the Company’s website for approximately twelve months thereafter.

“We are excited and look forward to sharing the progress and growth our company has experienced during the fiscal year 2024 with our investors,” said Kevin Ng, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sagtec.

About Sagtec Global Limited

Sagtec is a leading provider of customizable software solutions, primarily serving the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector. The Company also offers software development, data management, and social media management to enhance operational efficiency across various industries. Additionally, Sagtec operates power-bank charging stations at 300 locations across Malaysia through its subsidiary, CL Technology (International) Sdn Bhd.

For more information on the Company, please log on to https://www.sagtec-global.com/.

Contact Information:

Sagtec Global Limited Contact:
Ng Chen Lok
Chairman, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Telephone +6011-6217 3661
Email: info@sagtec-global.com

The MIL Network –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Clients award GAD high ratings in feedback
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Clients award GAD high ratings in feedback

Clients award GAD 4.8 stars out of 5 for being highly valued. The findings are from our latest client feedback exercise which surveyed our clients about GAD.
Credit: Shutterstock

In the latest client feedback exercise about the work of the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD), 99% of respondents have rated us 4 or more stars for being highly valued.

The survey included clients’ views on their overall perception of our how well we undertake our work and fulfil our objectives. We also asked for ratings on how clients assessed that we demonstrate value for money.

The survey was conducted across the 2024 to 2025 financial year. A total of 165 questionnaires resulted in 100 responses, indicating a 61% response rate.

The client feedback shows high performance ratings across key metrics, with respondents scoring us 95% and over (indicating high satisfaction) with GAD’s:

timely delivery

adherence to budget

scope compliance

clear communication

overall value for money

Feedback and comments

In a separate research exercise, we sought detailed, qualitative feedback from clients and received positive comments about our work and client relationships.

In the original client survey 62 people out of 100 provided comments offering insights into GAD’s performance across various areas of expertise. These range from established sectors such as pensions and provisioning through to data insights and specialist advice on investment and climate risk.

Positive responses

GAD actuary Ian Rogers, who led on the client feedback exercise, said: “The results indicate that more clients this year consider GAD to be highly valued, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues. As an organisation, we are pleased with the overall feedback, which reflects strong scores across the board.”

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Published 25 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE promotes HK in Ningbo

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee attended the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference – Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum & Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum today in Ningbo, Zhejiang.

The conference was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Ningbo Municipal Government.

Mr Lee led the Hong Kong SAR Government delegation to attend the opening ceremony and related activities today to promote to Mainland enterprises Hong Kong’s unique advantages and dual roles as a platform in going global and attracting foreign investment, fostering investment and co-operation.

The Zhejiang (Ningbo) forum, with the theme of “Hong Kong, joining hands with Zhejiang and meeting in Ningbo, the channel for more opportunities”, brought together a number of business leaders from various sectors including finance, supply chain, innovation and technology (I&T) and professional services to share their insights on Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities in different areas and attracted more than 600 participants.

The concurrent Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum has been held alternately in Hong Kong and Ningbo every year since 2002 to facilitate bilateral exchanges and co-operation on economic, trade and investment and has been well received by the business communities of the two places.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Lee noted that Ningbo in Zhejiang Province is a manufacturing and port hub in the Yangtze River Delta, while Hong Kong is an international financial, trade and shipping centre.

Both Ningbo and Hong Kong are important gateways in the opening up of the country, with complementary advantages and limitless opportunities for collaboration.

Hong Kong is the largest source of external investment in Ningbo and more than 1,000 enterprises and institutions from Ningbo have been established in Hong Kong, reflecting the close economic and trade ties between the two places.

The Chief Executive said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong possesses the unique advantages of having the country’s strong support while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world, serving as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. Hong Kong acts as a two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises to go global and for attracting overseas enterprises.

He pointed out that despite the US’ bullying and unjustified imposition of tariffs, and the emergence of unilateralism that disrupted the global landscape and geopolitics and posed risks of economic destruction and recession, the country’s immense economic strength and vast market provide certainty for global investors, and a new economic and trade order is taking shape.

Mr Lee added that Hong Kong will continue to proactively serve Mainland enterprises in going global to explore international markets, and attract overseas enterprises to tap into the Mainland market.

Members of the Hong Kong SAR Government delegation attending the Conference included Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip and Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan.

In his remarks on promoting Hong Kong’s advantages at a themed promotion activity, Mr Wong said that on finance, Hong Kong is the most trusted international financial safe haven for Mainland enterprises, offering diversified financing channels and financial services for companies to expand their businesses internationally.

Furthermore, Invest Hong Kong held a signing ceremony of a number of key Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong co-operation projects, covering various sectors including finance, technology, transportation, aviation, I&T and consumer goods.

In the afternoon, the Hong Kong SAR Government, the HKTDC and relevant authorities of the Ningbo Municipal Government jointly organised three special promotion activities on finance, multinational supply chain management centre and I&T to promote investment in Hong Kong.

Mr Lee and the delegation departed for Hong Kong this afternoon.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: Maris-Tech to Unveil Diamond Ultra at DEFEA 2025: Advanced 360° 3D Situational Awareness Platform for AFVs

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Live Demos of Diamond Ultra and Tactical Edge AI Solutions at Hall 2, Stand C12

Rehovot, Israel, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Maris-Tech Ltd. (Nasdaq: MTEK, MTEKW) (“Maris-Tech” or the “Company”), a global leader in video and artificial intelligence (“AI”)- based edge computing technology, today announced that it will be participating in the upcoming DEFEA 2025 exhibition, taking place on May 6–8, 2025, at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, Greece. Maris-Tech will present its latest AI-based edge computing video intelligence solutions at Hall 2, Stand C12, including live demonstrations of its new situational awareness platform, Diamond Ultra.

Diamond Ultra provides 360° 3D situational awareness and advanced airborne threat protection, integrating up to 11 HD and SD camera inputs. Powered by dual AI acceleration, Diamond Ultra enables real-time monitoring across all cameras simultaneously, delivering instant alerts on potential threats. Designed for mission-critical environments, Diamond Ultra enhances threat detection and response for urban and open terrain combat, supporting armored fighting vehicles (“AFVs”), observation posts, and various defense and surveillance applications.

Visitors will see this high-performance platform in action and explore additional solutions like Opal, Coral, and Jupiter Drones. Built to perform in high-risk environments, Maris-Tech’s solutions combine ultra-low latency streaming, AI-powered threat classification, and ruggedized form factors optimized for defense and homeland security (“HLS”) applications.

“We invite defense professionals to experience our 360° 3D situational awareness platform – Diamond Ultra – first hand, as well as explore our full suite of solutions at our booth,” said Israel Bar, Chief Executive Officer of Maris-Tech. “Our products are designed to deliver mission-critical insights where every second counts, ensuring defense teams are equipped with precise, actionable intelligence.”

Attendees can book a face-to-face meeting with the Maris-Tech’s team in advance by emailing sales@maris-tech.com.

About Maris-Tech Ltd.

Maris-Tech is a global leader in video and AI-based edge computing technology, pioneering intelligent video transmission solutions that conquer complex encoding-decoding challenges. Our miniature, lightweight, and low-power products deliver high-performance capabilities, including raw data processing, seamless transfer, advanced image processing, and AI-driven analytics. Founded by Israeli technology sector veterans, Maris-Tech serves leading manufacturers worldwide in defense, aerospace, Intelligence gathering, HLS, and communication industries. We’re pushing the boundaries of video transmission and edge computing, driving innovation in mission-critical applications across commercial and defense sectors.

For more information, visit https://www.maris-tech.com/

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect”,” “may”, “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it is discussing the Company’s presentation and demonstration of its new AI-based platform, Diamond Ultra, and additional solutions like Opal, Coral, and Jupiter Drones at the DEFEA 2025 and future benefits of the Company’s products including mission-critical insights ensuring defense teams are equipped with precise, actionable intelligence. The Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: its ability to successfully market its products and services, including in the United States; the acceptance of its products and services by customers; its continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for its products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; its ability to successfully develop new products and services; its success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; its ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Investor Relations:

Nir Bussy, CFO
Tel: +972-72-2424022
Nir@maris-tech.com

The MIL Network –

April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: XRP News: Investors Rush Into XenDex Presale As Momentum Builds Across the Ripple Ecosystem
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SYDNEY, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The XRP Ledger is heating up, and XenDex is at the center of the storm. As one of the most advanced decentralized finance platforms to launch on XRPL, XenDex is capturing major attention from both retail investors and whales, and its $XDX presale is moving fast.

Within days of going live, XenDex has already surpassed key early milestones, filling a significant portion of its soft cap and igniting serious interest across the XRP community. As excitement surrounding Ripple’s expanding DeFi capabilities grows, many now view XenDex as the project leading XRP’s transition into full-featured decentralized finance.

Join $XDX Presale Round

Why the XenDex Presale Is Gaining Traction

XenDex is the first cross-chain DEX on the XRP Ledger with AI-powered copy trading, non-custodial lending & borrowing, staking, and DAO governance, all wrapped in a sleek, beginner-friendly user experience.

Here’s why investors are flocking to XenDex:
- Cross-Chain Trading – Seamless asset swaps across chains
- AI Copy Trading – Follow and mimic elite trader strategies in real-time
- Lending & Borrowing – Borrow and lend your XRP native tokens or XDX tokens to earn rewards
- Governance – $XDX holders vote on listings, upgrades, and protocol changes
- Staking & Farming – Earn passive income while providing liquidity to our pool.
Presale Details

With early traction accelerating and limited token supply, the window to participate is closing quickly:
- Token: $XDX
- Exchange Rate: 1 XRP = 10 XDX
- Minimum Buy: 150 XRP (1,500 XDX)
- Soft Cap: 30,000 XRP
- Presale Link: https://xendex.net/presale
Tokens will be automatically airdropped after the presale ends.

XenDex Is More Than Just a DEX — It’s a DeFi Gateway for XRP

While others are waiting on exchange listings or hoping for market momentum, XenDex is already building and delivering. The platform isn’t just another trading interface, it’s an infrastructure layer for next-gen projects launching on XRPL.

Buy $XDX Token On Presale

$XDX token holders get early access to premium opportunities, powered by a smart, secure, AI-integrated exchange.

Momentum is growing. Listings are coming. And the presale won’t stay open forever.

Whether you’re an XRP holder, a DeFi enthusiast, or a smart investor looking for the next breakout project — this is your moment.

Follow Us Below:

Website: https://xendex.net
Presale: https://xendex.net/presale
Telegram: https://t.me/xendexcommunity
Twitter/X: https://x.com/xendex_xrp
Docs: https://xdxdocs.gitbook.io

Contact:
Frank Richards
Frank@xendex.net

Disclaimer: This is a paid post provided by XenDex. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/42ea91e1-bade-4267-a658-565872e57372

The MIL Network –
April 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: BloFin Launches Mastercard Crypto Card Enabling Secure and Effortless Payments

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BloFin, a global leading cryptocurrency exchange, is proud to announce the official launch of the BloFin Card. The BloFin Card, now available as a virtual offering, enables select users to integrate digital assets into global online payment scenarios. It is accessible via both web and mobile platforms within the BloFin ecosystem.

BloFin Launches the BloFin Card — Bringing Crypto into Everyday Payments

The BloFin Card offers users a streamlined way to incorporate digital assets into their everyday spending. Built on secure infrastructure with advanced protection protocols, the BloFin Card ensures user confidence with every transaction. Integrated across both web and mobile interfaces, it allows users to manage their card and monitor usage with ease from any device within the BloFin ecosystem. Though not yet publicly introduced, the card has been made available by invitation to a limited group of VIP users. A phased rollout is underway, with broader access expected to follow.

The BloFin Card marks an essential step in expanding the real-world usability of digital assets. In addition to the current virtual card, a physical card version will be introduced soon, providing users with greater flexibility in payment scenarios.

Further updates will be available on www.blofin.com.

Keep Building: Rapid Growth and Innovation of BloFin 2025

As of 2025, BloFin continues to lead in product evolution and user-focused infrastructure. From launching Sub-Accounts to becoming one of the first four global exchanges to introduce the Unified Trading Account (UTA), BloFin is setting new standards for flexibility, performance, and accessibility in the digital asset space.
In celebration of its latest milestones and global expansion, BloFin — Title Sponsor of TOKEN204 Dubai — is hosting the Whales Rave Side Event, bringing together top-tier partners, traders, builders, and creators from around the world.

Follow us X（Twitter）｜Instagram ｜Telegram｜YouTube

About BloFin

BloFin is a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange that specializes in futures trading. The platform offers 480+ USDT-M perpetual pairs, spot trading, copy trading, API access, unified account management, and advanced sub-account solutions. Committed to security and compliance, BloFin integrates Fireblocks and Chainalysis to ensure robust asset protection. By partnering with top affiliates, BloFin delivers scalable trading solutions, efficient fund management, and enhanced flexibility for professional traders. As the constant sponsor of TOKEN2049, BloFin continues to expand its global presence, reinforcing its position as the place “WHERE WHALES ARE MADE.” For more information, visit BloFin’s official website at https://www.blofin.com.

Contact:
Annio W
annio@blofin.io

Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by BloFin. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/80fe29b8-af67-4e95-a97d-c0f00119c7aa

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c341298b-64e2-4e80-8d3f-d381e9f0ad86

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be8f1149-079e-44e2-9194-e74eb7df0bdc

The MIL Network –

April 26, 2025

Category: Economy

Legal basis, background

The UK stands with the Syrian people as they seize this historic moment: UK statement at the UN Security Council

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City of Port Orford

Medford Water Commission

City of Grants Pass

Clatsop County Government / City of Astoria Columbie Memorial Hospital

Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development

Bill would protect ocean and coastal resources responsible for over $17.5 billion annually in the region

Clients award GAD high ratings in feedback

Feedback and comments

Positive responses

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