Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government launches regulatory review into telecommunications

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister for Regulation David Seymour and Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith have today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s fourth sector review will be into the telecommunications sector. 
    “Telecommunications touch almost every part of modern life. With 7.22 million active connections—around 1.4 per New Zealander—this sector is as essential as electricity and water,” Says Mr Seymour.
    “From education and healthcare to e-commerce and entertainment, reliable digital infrastructure powers economic growth and daily life. But when regulation falls behind, innovation slows and costs rise.
    “In a high-cost economy like ours, regulation isn’t neutral—it’s a tax on growth. That’s why it’s time to take a fresh look.
    “The Ministry for Regulation and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will work closely with industry leaders, consumer groups, and regulators to develop terms of reference for Cabinet consideration. Hearing from everyday New Zealanders will be a cornerstone of the review process.”
    The Ministers have decided to implement the review on the back of concerns raised with them by the sector.
    “Telecommunications are used by almost every New Zealander every day. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry contributing to around 2.5 per cent of New Zealand’s GDP,” Mr Goldsmith says.
    “We want to ensure we have the right regulatory settings in place for this important market, to support competition, foster innovation and help stimulate economic growth. 
    “Better connectivity means improved reliability for businesses, people accessing digital healthcare, and remote learning for kids. Reliable and high-quality digital connectivity networks improve productivity and are essential to growing our economy and easing the cost of living.”
    Note to editors: the review scope will not include:

    the Telecommunications Development Levy (TDL)
    the Radiocommunications Act 1989 (radio spectrum)
    the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013
    the vertical separation of wholesale and retail fibre services that applies to Chorus and the other local fibre companies.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rosen in Las Vegas Sun: Trump abandoned his promise to lower prices, but I won’t

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) penned an op-ed in the Las Vegas Sun criticizing President Trump for abandoning his promise to lower costs for Nevada families and reaffirming her support to provide families financial relief. In the piece, she highlighted how President Trump’s reckless tariffs and cuts to essential services are hurting hardworking Nevadans.
    Las Vegas Sun: Sen. Rosen: Trump abandoned his promise to lower prices, but I won’t
    By Jacky Rosen
    Throughout the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump promised to bring down costs for Americans on Day 1. It’s the reason many people in our state voted for him. Unfortunately, he’s broken that promise. As president, he’s abandoned efforts to ease the financial burden so many Nevada families are facing. Instead, he’s focused on giving major tax breaks to ultra-wealthy individuals like Elon Musk.
    At the beginning of his term, I stood ready to work with President Trump to bring down costs. But I am not going to support policies or politicians that will hurt families in our state.
    A nonpartisan report recently found that Trump’s new taxes will cost the average family nearly $4,000 per year, increase home prices by roughly $20,000, and car prices by $3,000.
    Our state’s economy is fueled by travel and tourism, which rely on visitors coming to our city and spending money. If families are squeezed and their disposable incomes are decimated, fewer visitors from around the country will be able to afford a trip to Las Vegas.
    Just recently, Republicans rammed through a budget resolution in the middle of the night that puts Medicaid on the chopping block to pay for more tax cuts for billionaires. Medicaid is not just a health care program; it’s a lifeline for Nevadans in need.
    There’s a key difference between Trump and me: He may break his promise to lower costs and make things affordable for Nevada families, but I won’t.
    I helped pass bipartisan legislation in the Senate to reverse Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
    I wrote a letter calling on the administration to reverse its tariffs and sounding the alarm about the impact Trump’s tariffs would have on housing costs in our state and nationwide.
    And I’ve spoken out wherever I can — on the Senate floor, in committee hearings and back home in Nevada — to put pressure on this administration to keep its promise and do something to lower costs for our state.
    It’s time for Trump and Republicans to stop putting the ultra-wealthy ahead of working families. It’s time for them to put aside their hyper-partisan actions that are raising costs. It’s time to deliver meaningful financial relief for Nevadans. I’m ready to get that done.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: 04.15.2025 WTAS: Sen. Cruz Leads the Fight for Cryptocurrency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) continues to make news for his leadership in the cryptocurrency space. Last week, President Trump signed his resolution into law overturning a Biden-era rule that would have undermined American leadership in cryptocurrency. Significantly, this is also the first cryptocurrency bill to ever be signed into law.
    Read more about Senator Cruz’s leadership and accomplishments for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency below.
    THE DALLAS EXPRESS: Cruz Control: Celebrating Cryptocurrency Win After Trump Signs New Law
    “Senator Ted Cruz declared a win for the cryptocurrency community when President Donald Trump signed his Congressional Review Act into law.
    Cruz has emerged as one of crypto’s most vocal advocates in the Senate. The senator has introduced a series of bills aimed at boosting the industry, and fending off what he views as federal overreach into digital financial systems.”
    CRYPTO IN AMERICA: Trump Makes History Signing First Crypto Bill into Law
    “The bill, introduced under the Congressional Review Act by Republican Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to repeal the IRS’s so-called ‘DeFi broker rule,’ passed the Senate on March 26 with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 70–28 vote.
    ‘This rule would have undermined American leadership on cryptocurrency, and I am grateful to President Trump for signing my resolution into law,’ Cruz, who attended the signing ceremony Thursday afternoon, told Crypto In America. ‘The resolution is a victory for innovation, privacy, and economic freedom.’”
    INSIGHTS: The First U.S. Crypto Law is Now in Effect! Trump Has Eliminated DeFi Regulations!
    “The rules faced quick backlash. Critics argued they would hinder DeFi development. Republican Senator Ted Cruz pushed to repeal these rules, and now he has Trump’s support. Cruz attended the signing ceremony and stated, ‘This regulation will undermine America’s leadership in crypto. I thank President Trump for signing my resolution into law.’
    Cruz added, ‘We are protecting developers building the future of cryptocurrency. We clearly state that America will not cede digital leadership to China. We will preserve the ability for Americans to trade without government interference.’”
    DECRYPT: Ted Cruz Introduces FLARE Act to Repurpose Flared Gas for Bitcoin Mining
    “U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has introduced a new bill aiming to turn waste energy into electricity for Bitcoin mining.
    Cruz specifically pointed to crypto mining as a direct output of this extra energy. In a statement announcing the bill’s introduction, he said that it, ‘takes advantage of Texas’s vast energy potential, reinforces our position as the home of the Bitcoin industry, and is good for the environment.’”
    THE STREET ROUNDTABLE: Senator Ted Cruz proposes bill to power Bitcoin mining with wasted gas
    “With Bitcoin mining still at the center of the debate over cryptocurrency’s environmental footprint, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced legislation intended to change the narrative — and the power source.
    Cruz emphasized the bill’s environmental and economic angles in a statement released when it was announced…Cruz’s measure could be considered part of a larger political drive to keep crypto innovation — and energy consumption — inside U.S. limits with a climate-conscious touch to mining.”
    CRYPTO.NEWS: Ted Cruz introduces FLARE Act to incentivize Bitcoin mining with waste gas
    “United States Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a new bill that offers tax incentives for cryptocurrency miners using flared natural gas to power mining operations.
    By turning stranded gas into usable energy, Cruz and supporters argue the bill would not only cut emissions but also boost energy innovation and grid resilience, especially during periods of peak demand or extreme weather.”
    CRYPTOSLATE: Senator Ted Cruz introduces FLARE Act to repurpose flared gas for Bitcoin mining
    “Senator Ted Cruz introduced legislation on April 1 to repurpose flared gas and use it to generate ‘value-added products,’ like mining Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital assets.
    According to Cruz, the bill simultaneously addresses two challenges: reducing oil and gas industry emissions and encouraging energy use innovation.”
    BACKGROUND
    Sen. Cruz introduced the Facilitate Lower Atmospheric Released Emissions (FLARE) Act, incentivizing entrepreneurs and crypto miners to use natural gas that would otherwise be stranded.
    Sen. Cruz introduced the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, legislation that prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This bill passed with an overwhelming bipartisan support.
    Sen. Cruz passed a joint resolution of disapproval overturning the IRS’s Gross Proceeds Reporting rule for brokers handling digital asset sales.
    Sen. Cruz authored the Adopting Cryptocurrency in Congress as an Exchange of Payment for Transactions Resolution, also known as the ACCEPT Resolution.
    Sen. Cruz introduced an amendment to repeal a provision from the 2021 infrastructure package that created new reporting requirements for many cryptocurrency and blockchain companies in both the 117th and 118th Congresses.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine & Warner Demand Answers from Departments of State and Homeland Security on Sudden and Unexplained Revocations of Virginia Students’ Visas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Mark R. Warner (both D-VA) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding information and action on the growing number of Virginia college and university students whose visas or records have been abruptly terminated without due process, a means of seeking recourse, or even notification to the students or their schools.
    “We write to you today expressing extreme concern after hearing from institutions of higher education throughout Virginia and the country that the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security are working together to revoke the nonimmigrant (F-1, M-1, or J-1) visas of their students. Such revocations are then used to terminate these students’ records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), potentially affecting their ability to attend school,” wrote the senators. “Worse, State and DHS are taking such actions without providing any notice to the affected students or their schools, with only vague, non-individualized reasons given for terminations in SEVIS.”
    “The chaos caused by your actions is not acceptable. We believe in the rule of law and that immigration laws should be enforced. That starts with the Constitution and its guarantees of free speech and due process. These Constitutional protections apply to noncitizens in the United States, including people in nonimmigrant status,” continued the senators. “If there are international students in the United States in violation of our criminal or immigration laws, they should be removed. But summarily revoking these students’ visas and/or terminating their records in SEVIS without any notice to the students or their schools undermines confidence in State and DHS’s judgment and erodes Americans’ trust in the immigration system and the rule of law. Such distrust will be exploited by the very people who want to harm the United States.”
    The senators posed the following questions:
    Since January 20, 2025, how many F-1, M-1, or J-1 nonimmigrant visas have the State Department revoked for people attending schools in Virginia? For each revoked visa, please provide the justification given for the revocation.
    For those whose F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas were revoked in question 1, how many had their records terminated in SEVIS?
    Since January 20, 2025, has the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) terminated the SEVIS records of any students attending school in Virginia whose nonimmigrant visas have not been revoked by the State Department? For each such termination, please provide the specific reason why their SEVIS records were terminated, and specify what evidence SEVP reviewed before terminating each record.
    How would a Virginia student whose visa has been revoked and/or had their SEVIS record terminated be notified that this has happened? How would their schools be notified that this has happened? If a student or school believes that such revocation and/or termination has been made in error, what are the avenues for review or appeal of the revocation and/or termination? How long would such process take?
    Full text of the letter can be found here and below:
    Dear Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem:
    We write to you today expressing extreme concern after hearing from institutions of higher education throughout Virginia and the country that the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security are working together to revoke the nonimmigrant (F-1, M-1, or J-1) visas of their students. Such revocations are then used to terminate these students’ records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), potentially affecting their ability to attend school. Worse, State and DHS are taking such actions without providing any notice to the affected students or their schools, with only vague, non-individualized reasons given for terminations in SEVIS. Furthermore, there is no clear process for these students to ascertain why their record was terminated in SEVIS, then to challenge the termination if they believe that DHS or State has made an error in their case. To date, over 1,000 international students have had their student visas revoked and/or SEVIS records terminated nationwide, including in the Commonwealth of Virginia.[1]  
    The chaos caused by your actions is not acceptable. We believe in the rule of law and that immigration laws should be enforced. That starts with the Constitution and its guarantees of free speech and due process. These Constitutional protections apply to noncitizens in the United States, including people in nonimmigrant status.
    If there are international students in the United States in violation of our criminal or immigration laws, they should be removed. But summarily revoking these students’ visas and/or terminating their records in SEVIS without any notice to the students or their schools undermines confidence in State and DHS’s judgment and erodes Americans’ trust in the immigration system and the rule of law. Such distrust will be exploited by the very people who want to harm the United States.
    Over 1.1 million international students matriculated to U.S. colleges and universities in 2023-2024, contributing over $40 billion into the U.S. economy and supporting 378,175 jobs.[2] Virginia is proud to be home to more than 170 colleges and universities, including community colleges and highly prestigious research universities that enroll international students. These students pay for the privilege and contribute tremendously to the academic intuitions and the communities in which they live.
    We want all our students to feel safe, supported, and secure in their studies so they can focus on their education. As such, we are deeply concerned that this administration’s policies surrounding student visas will result in severe consequences to universities and colleges, and their surrounding communities.
    To better assist us in understanding the impacts of State and DHS’s action, no later than April 30, 2025, please provide us with the following information:
    Since January 20, 2025, how many F-1, M-1, or J-1 nonimmigrant visas have the State Department revoked for people attending schools in Virginia? For each revoked visa, please provide the justification given for the revocation.
    For those whose F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas were revoked in question 1, how many had their records terminated in SEVIS?
    Since January 20, 2025, has the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) terminated the SEVIS records of any students attending school in Virginia whose nonimmigrant visas have not been revoked by the State Department? For each such termination, please provide the specific reason why their SEVIS records were terminated, and specify what evidence SEVP reviewed before terminating each record.
    How would a Virginia student whose visa has been revoked and/or had their SEVIS record terminated be notified that this has happened? How would their schools be notified that this has happened? If a student or school believes that such revocation and/or termination has been made in error, what are the avenues for review or appeal of the revocation and/or termination? How long would such process take?
    We look forward to hearing from you.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Deal Box and OroBit Make Bitcoin the Foundation for Secure Asset Tokenization, Targeting $30 Trillion Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Carlsbad, CA, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Carlsbad, CA – April 15, 2025 – Deal Box, a leading digital securities investment platform, and OroBit, an innovative Bitcoin Layer-2 entity, today announced a strategic initiative aimed at the rapidly growing $30 trillion market for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and private equity. Leveraging Bitcoin’s unmatched security, reliability, and decentralization, the partnership provides institutional investors and asset managers with a secure and robust solution for digital asset ownership and management.

    As institutions increasingly digitize high-value assets such as fine art, gold reserves, and private equity stakes, the choice of blockchain infrastructure becomes critical. Bitcoin, with over 15 years of continuous uptime (99.99%), no successful protocol-level hacks, and resistance to censorship and shutdown, offers unmatched stability for assets demanding absolute security and longevity.

    Expanding Bitcoin’s Capabilities with OroBit’s Layer-2 Innovation

    OroBit’s Layer-2 technology enables Bitcoin to securely support sophisticated financial transactions traditionally reserved for newer blockchains. OroBit combines off-chain computations and its proprietary Simple Contract Language (SCL) with Bitcoin’s secure Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) model, directly anchoring crucial data to Bitcoin’s blockchain. This ensures institutional-grade security, stability, and transaction efficiency without relying on external tokens or validators.

    Thomas Carter, founder of Deal Box, emphasized the partnership’s strategic rationale:
     “Bitcoin is uniquely positioned to become the safest possible infrastructure for tokenizing and managing highly valuable real-world assets. Our collaboration with OroBit makes Bitcoin’s reliability accessible to institutional investors and asset managers who require long-term assurance that their digital assets are secure and immutable.”

    Real-World Asset Tokenization: Fine Art and Commodities

    Deal Box and OroBit were recently selected to tokenize fractional ownership of an authentic Andy Warhol artwork. Each fractional stake is permanently recorded on Bitcoin’s immutable ledger, democratizing access to fine art previously limited to ultra-high-net-worth collectors.

    Securing Private Equity with Bitcoin’s Blockchain

    Leveraging Deal Box’s rigorous compliance framework, OroBit’s Bitcoin-based technology brings institutional-grade private equity onto the security and permanence of the Bitcoin blockchain. This ensures that investors’ private equity assets benefit from Bitcoin’s unmatched stability, security, and resilience over the long term. Accredited investors can now confidently access high-quality private market opportunities, knowing their digital ownership is safeguarded by the most secure and reliable blockchain infrastructure available.

    Bitcoin’s Proven Institutional Appeal

    Bitcoin’s unmatched resilience was best demonstrated following China’s 2021 mining ban, where Bitcoin quickly rebounded from a significant drop in mining power. Major institutions, including Fidelity Investments, acknowledge Bitcoin’s strategic role, recently endorsing Bitcoin’s Lightning Network as “the most efficient way to transact in the digital asset ecosystem.”

    This growing institutional confidence validates Bitcoin—and OroBit’s strategic use of its infrastructure—as an ideal foundation for tokenizing and safeguarding valuable long-term assets.

    A New Era in Asset Management

    “Institutions holding priceless artworks, precious metals, and private securities cannot risk relying on unstable or centralized blockchains,” said Carter. “Bitcoin’s unmatched uptime and proven security, combined with OroBit’s advanced capabilities, deliver exactly the infrastructure required to support asset management at an institutional scale.”

    Media Contact:
     Deal Box: PR@DealBox.io
     OroBit: PR@orobit.ai

    About Deal Box

    Deal Box is venture capital that fits your life. By merging institutional-grade diligence with flexible investment options, Deal Box empowers accredited investors to craft portfolios that align with their financial ambitions. For more information, visit https://www.dealbox.io/

    About OroBit
    OroBit delivers secure, scalable Bitcoin Layer-2 solutions, enabling sophisticated smart-contract capabilities specifically tailored to institutional and private market asset tokenization.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ensuring National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (the “Act”), it is hereby ordered:
         Section 1.  Policy.  A strong national defense depends on a robust economy and price stability, a resilient manufacturing and defense industrial base, and secure domestic supply chains.  Critical minerals, including rare earth elements, in the form of processed minerals are essential raw materials and critical production inputs required for economic and national security.  Critical mineral oxides, oxalates, salts, and metals (processed critical minerals), as well as their derivative products — the manufactured goods incorporating them — are similarly foundational to United States national security and defense.
         But processed critical minerals and their derivative products face significant global supply chain vulnerabilities and market distortions due to reliance on a small number of foreign suppliers.  These vulnerabilities and distortions have led to significant United States import dependencies.  The dependence of the United States on imports and the vulnerability of our supply chains raises the potential for risks to national security, defense readiness, price stability, and economic prosperity and resilience.
         Processed critical minerals and their derivative products are essential for economic security and resilience because they underpin key industries, drive technological innovation, and support critical infrastructure vital for a modern American economy.  They are key building blocks of our manufacturing base and foundational to sectors ranging from transportation and energy to telecommunications and advanced manufacturing.  These economic sectors are, moreover, foundational to America’s national security.
         Processed critical minerals and their derivative products are essential for national security because they are foundational to military infrastructure, energy infrastructure, and advanced defense systems and technologies.  They are key building blocks of our defense industrial base and integral to applications such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, advanced computing, radar systems, advanced optics, and secure communications equipment.
         The United States manufacturing and defense industrial bases remain dependent on foreign sources for processed critical mineral products.  Many of these foreign sources are at risk of serious, sustained, and long-term supply chain shocks.  Should the United States lose access to processed critical minerals from foreign sources, the United States commercial and defense manufacturing base for derivative products could face significant shortages and an inability to meet demand. 
         Associated risks arise from a variety of factors.  First, global supply chains are prone to disruption from geopolitical tensions, wars, natural disasters, pandemics, and trade conflicts.
         Second, major global foreign producers of processed critical minerals have engaged in widespread price manipulation, overcapacity, arbitrary export restrictions, and the exploitation of their supply chain dominance to distort world markets and thereby gain geopolitical and economic leverage over the United States and other competitors that depend on processed critical minerals to manufacture derivative products essential to their economic and national security and national defense. Therefore, the import dependence of the United States on processed critical minerals from foreign sources may pose a serious national security risk to the United States economy and defense preparedness.
         Third, the risks arising from America’s import dependence on processed critical minerals also extend to derivative products that are integral to the United States economy and economic and national security. 
         For the United States to manufacture derivative products, it must have ready access to an affordable, resilient, and sustainable supply of processed critical minerals.  Simultaneously, a resilient and sustainable manufacturing base for derivative products is vital to creating a stable demand base for processed critical minerals.  Both must coexist to ensure economic stability and national security.
         Finally, overreliance on a small number of geographic regions amplifies the risks posed by geopolitical instability and regional disruptions.
         In light of the above risks and realities, an investigation under section 232 of the Act (section 232) is necessary to determine whether imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products threaten to impair national security. 
         Sec. 2.  Definitions.  As used in this order:        (a)  The term “critical minerals” means those minerals included in the “Critical Minerals List” published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) pursuant to section 7002(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606) at 87 FR 10381, or any subsequent such list.  The term “critical minerals” also includes uranium.        (b)  The term “rare earth elements” means the 17 elements identified as rare earth elements by the Department of Energy (DOE) in the April 2020 publication titled “Critical Materials Rare Earths Supply Chain.”  The term also includes any additional elements that either the USGS or DOE determines in any subsequent official report or publication should be considered rare earth elements.        (c)  The term “processed critical minerals” refers to critical minerals that have undergone the activities that occur after critical mineral ore is extracted from a mine up through its conversion into a metal, metal powder or a master alloy.  These activities specifically occur beginning from the point at which ores are converted into oxide concentrates; separated into oxides; and converted into metals, metal powders, and master alloys.         (d)  The term “derivative products” includes all goods that incorporate processed critical minerals as inputs.  These goods include semi-finished goods (such as semiconductor wafers, anodes, and cathodes) as well as final products (such as permanent magnets, motors, electric vehicles, batteries, smartphones, microprocessors, radar systems, wind turbines and their components, and advanced optical devices).
         Sec. 3.  Section 232 Investigation.  (a)  The Secretary of Commerce shall initiate an investigation under section 232 to determine the effects on national security of imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products.     (b)  In conducting the investigation described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall assess the factors set forth in 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), labeled “Domestic production for national defense; impact of foreign competition on economic welfare of domestic industries,” as well as other relevant factors, including:             (i)    identification of United States imports of all processed critical minerals and derivative products incorporating such processed critical minerals;             (ii)   the foreign sources by percent and volume of all processed critical mineral imports and derivative product imports, the specific types of risks that may be associated with each source by country, and those source countries deemed to be of significant risk;            (iii)  an analysis of the distortive effects of the predatory economic, pricing, and market manipulation strategies and practices used by countries that process critical minerals that are exported to the United States, including the distortive effects on domestic investment and the viability of United States production, as well as an assessment of how such strategies and practices permit such countries to maintain their control over the critical minerals processing sector and distort United States market prices for derivative products;             (iv)   an analysis of the demand for processed critical minerals by manufacturers of derivative products in the United States and globally, including an assessment of the extent to which such manufacturers’ demand for processed critical minerals originates from countries identified under subsections (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) of this section;             (v)    a review and risk assessment of global supply chains for processed critical minerals and their derivative products;             (vi)   an analysis of the current and potential capabilities of the United States to process critical minerals and their derivative products; and             (vii)  the dollar value of the current level of imports of all processed critical minerals and derivative products by total value and country of export.     (c)  The Secretary of Commerce shall, consistent with applicable law, proceed expeditiously in conducting the investigation as follows:             (i)    Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit for internal review and comment a draft interim report to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Senior Counselor to the President for Trade and Manufacturing.             (ii)   Comments to the Secretary of Commerce from the officials identified in subsection (c)(i) of this section shall be provided within 15 days of submission of the draft interim report described in subsection (c)(i) of this section.             (iii)  The Secretary of Commerce shall submit a final report and recommendations to the President within 180 days of the investigation’s commencement.     (d)  In considering whether to make recommendations for action or inaction pursuant to section 232(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1862(b)), the Secretary of Commerce shall consider:             (i)    the imposition of tariffs as well as other import restrictions and their appropriate levels;             (ii)   safeguards to avoid circumvention and any weakening of the section 232 measures;             (iii)  policies to incentivize domestic production, processing, and recycling; and             (iv)   any additional measures that may be warranted to mitigate United States national security risks, as appropriate, under the President’s authority pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
         Sec. 4.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:             (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or             (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.     (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
                                  DONALD J. TRUMP
    THE WHITE HOUSE    April 15, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Bremerton, Washington women indicted in massive identity theft and bank fraud scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Allegedly used stolen mail to take over identities and steal from bank accounts, running up credit card debt in victims’ names

    Tacoma – A Bremerton, Washington woman was arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on a 14-count indictment charging conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Heather Marquis, 36, entered pleas of ‘not guilty’ on all counts. Marquis remains detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac. Marquis’ co-defendant Emily Vranic, 33, was arraigned and released to the custody of her parents last week. Trial is scheduled in front of U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright on June 16, 2025.

    “With an estimated 278 victims, these defendants left a broad swath of damage across Kitsap and Mason Counties,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The Bremerton Police Department and Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office did important work with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to identify victims and trace the financial harm they suffered in this case.”

    According to records filed in the case, between April 2019 and November 2024, Vranic and Marquis would steal identities in several different ways. Most often, they would steal victims’ mail and use personal documents inside to activate credit cards, open new lines of credit, or gain wholesale access to online bank accounts. The pair would have documents related to their activities mailed to a third-party victim’s address, where they would intercept the mail again. Once they had fully taken over a stolen identity, statements and other records were mailed directly to their own Bremerton address.

    Armed with their victims’ identities, the pair ran up credit card debt, made transfers from victim accounts to their own, and even used victim accounts to make their monthly mortgage payments. In one instance, the pair attempted to transfer $35,000 from a vulnerable victim’s account, after a successful transfer of almost $33,000 from the same account. When the transfer was rejected, they repeatedly called the bank posing as the account holder to try to get the fraud alert removed.

    The estimated loss from their financial fraud is approximately $620,000.

    “The U.S. Mail remains one of the most trusted forms of commerce and communication in this country.  Working to protect the mail system and the citizens it serves from those who wish to harm others while enriching themselves remains our steadfast mission,” said Tony Galetti, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The allegations made against Vranic and Marquis are staggering. The process to undo the harm done to members of our community, not just financially but emotionally, can be agonizing. From fixing bank accounts to rebuilding credit reports, the harm lasts far longer than the initial crime. I thank Bremerton PD and Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office for the assistance in this case; partnerships across all levels of law enforcement are what bring these kinds of results.”

    Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and bank fraud are punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory minimum two years in prison for each count to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed in the case.

    The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by the Bremerton Police Department, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Victoria Cantore.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Orca Announces Signing Settlement Agreement for the Payment of Arrears Owing by Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orca Energy Group Inc. (“Orca” or the “Company” and includes its subsidiaries and affiliates) (TSX-V: ORC.A, ORC.B) announces that PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited (“PAET”) signed a Settlement Agreement with Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (“TPDC”) and Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (“TANESCO”) for TANESCO to pay PAET and TPDC US$52.0 million for unpaid amounts owing by TANESCO for deliveries of natural gas from the Songo Songo gas field.

    PAET and TPDC (collectively, the “Seller“) agreed with TANESCO in the Portfolio Gas Supply Agreement (as amended) (the “PGSA”) to supply it with Additional Gas (as defined in the Production Sharing Agreement (“PSA”) between PAET, TPDC and the Government of Tanzania). TANESCO, a parastatal organization wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Tanzania with oversight by the Ministry of Energy, has lifted, but not paid for, certain Additional Gas volumes supplied by the Seller. The parties acknowledged in the Settlement Agreement that these unpaid amounts totaled US$104,164,507.41 (the “TANESCO Arrears”) as of January 9, 2025, comprised of US$33.7 million of the principal amount owing and approximately US$70.5 million of default interest.

    The Settlement Agreement requires TANESCO to pay the Seller the Tanzanian Shilling equivalent of US$52.0 million (the “Settlement Amount”) comprised of the US$33.7 million principal amount and US$18.3 million representing a portion of the default interest owed by TANESCO to the Seller. The Seller agreed to waive the balance of the default interest owing by TANESCO to the Seller if TANESCO pays the Settlement Amount when required and in full. TANESCO must pay the Settlement Amount to PAET in weekly installments commencing in April 2025 and ending in October 2025. Payments on account of the Settlement Amount will be allocated between PAET and TPDC in accordance with the PSA. Pursuant to the PSA, and assuming payment in full of the Settlement Amount, Orca expects to retain approximately US$29.4 million of the Settlement Amount with TPDC retaining the balance.

    If TANESCO breaches its payment obligations under the Settlement Agreement, the Settlement Agreement terminates and the Seller will be entitled to enforce its rights to receive payment of the net amount of the TANESCO Arrears owing plus default interest.

    Jay Lyons, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

    “We are pleased to announce that a financial settlement has been reached for the Additional Gas volumes historically supplied but not paid for under the PGSA with TANESCO. Since Orca first entered Tanzania, the Company has always strived to act in the best interests of the country. This situation was no different. Despite Orca not being fully paid by TANESCO for certain volumes supplied, dating back to 2013, the Company chose to continue supplying natural gas to TANESCO in order to help protect the Tanzanian economy through sustained power generation.

    The Group is pleased to have resolved the ongoing arrears situation, with a clear payment plan now laid out that will enable TANESCO to pay the reduced amount agreed by all parties and stop incurring further arrears. It is important to note that in the event the payment schedule is not adhered to, the Group retains the right to pursue other avenues of legal recourse available to it in order to safeguard the interests of its investors.”

    Orca Energy Group Inc.

    Orca Energy Group Inc. is an international public company engaged in natural gas development and supply in Tanzania through PAET. Orca trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this news release, which address activities, events or developments that Orca expects or anticipates to occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often contain terms such as may, will, should, anticipate, expect, continue, estimate, believe, project, forecast, plan, intend, target, outlook, focus, could and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. More particularly, this news release contains, without limitation, forward looking statements pertaining to the following: timing as to payment of the Settlement Amount; that the Seller will receive the full Settlement Amount in accordance with the terms of the Settlement Agreement; that the Settlement Agreement will not be terminated; the estimated portion of the Settlement Amount to be received by PAET; and whether TANESCO will pay some or all of the Settlement Amount in Tanzanian Shillings at the Bank of Tanzania Selling Rate on the date of payment. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, operational, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.

    These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control, and many factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but not limited to: risks as to timing of payment of the Settlement Amount; risks that the Seller will not receive the full Settlement Amount in accordance with the terms of the Settlement Agreement; risks that the Settlement Agreement will be terminated; uncertainty around the portion of the Settlement Amount to be received by PAET; and uncertainty whether TANESCO will pay some or all of the Settlement Amount in Tanzanian Shillings at the Bank of Tanzania Selling Rate on the date of payment. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

    Such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including, but not limited to: the Company’s relationship with TANESCO; that TANESCO will abide by the terms of the Settlement Agreement; that the amount of receivable by PAET pursuant to the Settlement Agreement will be in line with expectations; and other matters.

    The forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable Canadian securities laws.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: River Valley Community Bancorp Announces 1st Quarter Results (Unaudited)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    YUBA CITY, Calif., April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — River Valley Community Bancorp (OTC markets: RVCB) with its wholly owned subsidiary, River Valley Community Bank (collectively referred to as the “Bank”), today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The full earnings release can be found on the Bank’s Investor Relations website at Investor Relations – River Valley Community Bank.

    The Bank remains highly rated with BauerFinancial, and Depositaccounts.com and serves its customer base through its offices located at:

    • 1629 Colusa Avenue, Yuba City, CA
    • 580 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley, CA
    • 905 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA
    • 904 B Street, Marysville, CA
    • 401 Ryland Street, Reno, NV (Loan Production Office)
    • 1508 Eureka Rd., Ste. 100, Roseville, CA (Loan Production Office)

    The Bank offers a full suite of competitive products, services, and banking technology. For more information please visit our website at www.myrvcb.com or contact John M. Jelavich at (530) 821-2469.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Kentucky Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Excessive Rain

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Kentucky who sustained economic losses caused by excessive rain, flash flooding and high winds occurring July 30 through August 2, 2024. 

    The disaster declaration covers the primary county of Breckinridge; and the adjacent counties of Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Meade and Ohio in Kentucky; as well as Perry in Indiana. 

    Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises. 

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

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.250% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. 

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is December 1, 2025. 

    ### 

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Utah Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Utah who sustained economic losses due to the drought occurring Feb. 11.

    The declaration covers the Utah counties of Beaver, Box Elder, Davis, Juab, Millard, Salt Lake, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Utah and Weber as well as the Nevada counties of Elko, Lincoln and White Pine.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 8.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Nevada Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Nevada who sustained economic losses due to the drought occurring Feb. 11.

    The declaration covers the Nevada counties of Elko Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Nye and White Pine as well as the Idaho counties of Cassia, Owyhee and Twin Falls, and in Utah counties of Box Elder, Juab, Millard and Tooele.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 9.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Texas Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Texas who sustained economic losses due to the drought beginning April 1.

    The declaration covers the Texas counties of Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Concho, Crockett, Edwards, Glasscock, Irion, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, Midland, Reagan, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton, Taylor, Tom Green, Upton and Val Verde.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 8.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Nebraska Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Nebraska who sustained economic losses due to the drought beginning April 1.

    The declaration covers the Nebraska counties of Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Brown, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Keya Paha, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux and Thomas as well as the South Dakota counties of Bennett, Fall River, Oglala Lakota, Todd and Tripp, and in Wyoming counties of Goshen, Laramie and Niobrara.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 9.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Energy Secretary Chris Wright Delivers Remarks in Riyadh Following U.S.-Saudi Energy Cooperation MOU Announcement

    Source: US Department of Energy

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA —  U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright delivered remarks at a press conference in Riyadh on Sunday and announced the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a later date to advance cooperation across key areas of energy. The non-binding agreement outlines a framework for collaboration in both traditional and emerging energy sectors, reinforcing shared strategic priorities without financial or legal commitments.

    Secretary Wright’s full remarks from the press conference are below: 

    I want to start by thanking my fabulous hosts, the Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They’ve been so welcoming for myself and our delegation from the United States to come talk about our nations, our road to cooperation, our road for mutual beneficial progress going forward. We’ve made very wide-ranging dialogs for a day and a half now, and they’re going to continue.

    We’ve talked about energy and all aspects of energy. We’ve talked about mining critical materials. We’ve talked about processing and industry. We’ve talked about climate change. We’ve talked about human lives and what drives their improvement and how best to achieve those ends.

    We’ve talked about some of the obstacles that both of our countries have struggled with in the last several years, particularly on energy. You know, we’ve had a growing global movement, including in my country, the United States, that stood in opposition to energy development—somehow thought the road to a better world was less energy, less empowerment of individuals, and therefore less economic prosperity and less freedom.

    So, our broader objectives, which we share, are prosperity at home and peace abroad. We’ve also talked about geo-politics. Peace abroad is every bit as critical as prosperity at home, but they’re linked together. They’re linked together.

    Our newly elected President Trump was elected very much on a platform of removing barriers in the United States to the prosperity of our citizens. And by making America stronger and our people more prosperous, our relationships with our allies stronger, we can achieve peace abroad.

    As the broader agenda— we discussed, we came at the end to an agreement. We’re coming together on a memorandum that’s broad, and I will announce that right now. We will sign it at a later date, but we’ve developed a broad memorandum of so many areas that the two countries will work together in cooperation to better develop energy resources, energy infrastructure, both in the United States and here in the Kingdom—mining cooperation, civilian nuclear technology and energy production.

    We’re going to work on that as well. There’s simply so many aligned interests of our two nations. So, I will announce the agreement of a memorandum. There’ll be a separate date where we’ll sign that memorandum and announce more of the specific efforts that are going to be launched based on that.

                                                                                            ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Synaptics to Report Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results on May 8, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synaptics® Incorporated (Nasdaq: SYNA) today announced that it will report financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 on Thursday, May 8, 2025, after the market closes. The Company will host a corresponding conference call for analysts and investors at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET), to discuss the results.

    To participate on the live call, analysts and investors should pre-register at Synaptics Q3 FY2025 Earnings Call Registration.
    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI116ee59c921049ac96b9faa761d08c9c

    Registrants will receive dial-in information and a unique passcode to access the call. We encourage participants to dial-in into the call ten minutes ahead of scheduled time.

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be accessible from the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at https://investor.synaptics.com.

    About Synaptics Incorporated:
    Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA) is leading the charge in AI at the Edge, bringing AI closer to end users and transforming how we engage with intelligent connected devices, whether at home, at work, or on the move. As a go-to partner for the world’s most forward-thinking product innovators, Synaptics powers the future with its cutting-edge Synaptics Astra™ AI-Native embedded compute, VerosTM wireless connectivity, and multimodal sensing solutions. We’re making the digital experience smarter, faster, more intuitive, secure, and seamless. From touch, display, and biometrics to AI-driven wireless connectivity, video, vision, audio, speech, and security processing, Synaptics is the force behind the next generation of technology enhancing how we live, work, and play. 

    Follow Synaptics on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, or visit www.synaptics.com.

    For further information, please contact:
    Munjal Shah
    Synaptics
    +1-408-518-7639
    munjal.shah@synaptics.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: XWELL Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XWELL, Inc. (Nasdaq: XWEL) (“XWELL” or the “Company”), a pioneer in democratizing wellness, today reported results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    Recent Highlights:

    • XWELL delivered 2024 revenue growth of approximately 13% versus 2023.
    • Gross margin more than doubled, increasing from 12.2% in 2023 to 26.3% in 2024.
    • The Company reduced operating and overhead expenses in 2023 and 2024, while it continues to focus on returning to overall profitability. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company:
      • Reduced salaries and benefits by approximately 5% versus 2023.
      • Reduced general and administrative expenses by approximately 4% versus 2023.
      • Reduced total operating expenses by approximately 19% versus 2023, even with substantial non-recurring expenses incurred in 2024.
    • XWELL announced a three-year extension of its Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance Program in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reinforcing its critical role in national biosecurity.
    • Accelerating its expansion outside of airport locations, XWELL launched a new Naples Wax Center in Estero, Florida in December 2024.
    • Strengthening its capital structure, XWELL successfully closed a $4 million private placement in January 2025, comprising of convertible preferred stock and warrants.
    • Leveraging its recent capital raise, XWELL announced plans to acquire select medical spas to expand into the high-growth wellness and beauty sector.
    • As part of its brand evolution, XWELL announced that it plans to unite all of its wellness offerings under a single, cohesive XWELL brand identity.

    “We believe that XWELL’s improved 2024 financial and operational performance reflects the successful execution of our growth and productivity initiatives,” said Ezra Ernst, CEO of XWELL. “We continue to capitalize on compelling growth opportunities across our brands and remain focused on achieving sustainable expansion alongside our relentless focus on wellness and our customers.”

    “We’re also grateful and proud to continue the work we developed with our partners at the CDC and Ginkgo Bioworks for another three years. An early warning system for dangerous pathogens, the Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance Program plays a crucial role in protecting national security and public health.” Mr. Ernst added, “Looking ahead, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead for XWELL. By accelerating growth both in and out of the airport, unifying our offerings under the XWELL brand, and reinforcing our role in U.S. biosecurity and exploring biosecurity opportunities outside of the United States, I believe that we’re positioning XWELL for continued growth and long-term value creation.”

    Bringing A Unified Wellness Brand to the Market
    Committed to capitalizing on compelling growth opportunities in the wellness market, XWELL has developed and communicated a clear vision, mission, and purpose-driven forward-looking plan.

    • Our vision is to liberate wellness, making it a mainstream category synonymous with health, balance, and self-care.
    • Our mission is to create environments that inspire confidence, self-improvement, and wellness for everyone, everywhere.
    • Our purpose is to reshape the way people think about wellness by showing how accessible and effortless it can be.

    The Company’s forward-looking plan focuses on expanding and integrating offerings across its brands, with a key emphasis on unifying airport and off-airport locations under the XWELL brand. This strategic alignment will enable the development of membership and loyalty programs like Priority Pass that provide seamless access to XWELL locations, fostering deeper customer relationships and enhancing brand loyalty. Additionally, a strong customer community will support targeted marketing initiatives and cross-promotional opportunities, strengthened by advanced technology and customer relationship management capabilities from the HyperPointe unit.

    At the same time, XWELL is actively broadening its retail product portfolio to feature a range of cutting-edge wellness offerings. These offerings include state-of-the-art wellness devices, nutritional supplements, and innovative wellness patches — each designed to support holistic health and cater to the evolving needs of today’s wellness-conscious consumers.

    Planned Strategic Investment in Medical Spas
    In March 2025, XWELL unveiled plans to acquire select medical spas during 2025, leveraging its recent $4 million private placement to expand into the high-growth wellness and beauty sector.

    This strategy aligns with XWELL’s mission to liberate wellness by creating a seamless continuum of care, extending beyond airports and into metropolitan areas where demand for advanced beauty and wellness treatments is rising.

    XWELL will initially focus on select metropolitan areas with strong demand for medspa services, including Orlando, Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City.

    Operating At the Intersection of Travel, Health and Wellness
    Operating at the intersection of travel, health and wellness, the Company’s brands currently include XWELL™, XpresSpa®, Treat™, Naples Wax Center®, XpresCheck® and HyperPointe™. 

    Travel Wellness Portfolio – XpresSpa®
    XpresSpa is the leading airport retailer of wellness services and related retail offerings. As of December 31, 2024, there were 18 domestic XpresSpa locations in total, comprised of 17 Company-owned locations and one franchise. The Company also had 10 international locations operating as of December 31, 2024, including two XpresSpa locations in the Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, one XpresSpa location in the Zayad International Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, three XpresSpa locations in the Schiphol Amsterdam Airport in the Netherlands and four XpresSpa locations in the Istanbul Airport in Turkey.

    Out-of-Airport Wellness Portfolio – Naples Wax Center®
    XWELL’s first off-airport brand, Naples Wax Center, is a group of upscale hair removal and aesthetic services boutiques. Acquired in mid-September 2023, Naples Wax Center provides core products and service including face and body waxing as well as a range of skincare and cosmetic products from its current three locations.

    In December 2024, the Company announced the ongoing expansion of its out-of-airport spas with the opening of a new Naples Wax location in Estero, FL. This opening is the first in a series of strategic growth initiatives to expand the XWELL brand beyond airports. Looking ahead, in addition to its Estero location, XWELL has plans to open 6 additional locations across Florida during 2025.

    New York City’s Penn Station XpresSpa®
    Consistent with XWELL’s strategy to extend its footprint into transportation hubs, the Company is executing plans to open an XpresSpa location in New York City’s Penn Station in 2025. The tech-forward spa will serve commuters, neighborhood locals, and tourists with wellness-focused retail, autonomous massage, and nail care services, enabling seamless and efficient experiences for time-crunched New York City travelers.

    Life Sciences & Biosurveillance — XpresCheck® and HyperPointe™
    XpresCheck in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and Ginkgo Bioworks, currently operates biosurveillance stations in 8 of the nation’s busiest airports.

    In March of 2025, XWELL announced that the CDC extended its Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance Program for three years. The contract has a total base value of $53.7 million over three years, with a maximum ceiling value of $85.7 million within the same timeframe. This program has been supported in whole or in part by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention under contract number 75D30125C20439.  

    The TGS program functions as an early detection platform for emerging pathogens. By providing multimodal data, it enhances global biosecurity and illuminates migratory disease origin, to inform medical countermeasure research and development. The program utilizes wastewater samples from inbound international aircraft and airport triturators, along with nasal swab samples from volunteers arriving in the U.S. on select international flights.

    Additionally, the Company began reporting operating results for HyperPointe within its XpresCheck business. Beginning in June 2020, and following its acquisition by XWELL in January 2022, HyperPointe’s management team and suite of services and technology have been utilized to develop and deploy the technological infrastructure necessary to scale the growth of the XpresCheck business. HyperPointe’s experience in this space continues to play a critical role in the expansion of ongoing biosurveillance efforts created in partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks and the CDC.

    Liquidity and Financial Condition
    As of December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately $4.6 million of cash and cash equivalents (excluding restricted cash), approximately $7.3 million in marketable securities, total current assets of approximately $15.3 million, and no long-term debt.

    The Company significantly reduced operating and overhead expenses in the 2023 and 2024, while it continues to focus on returning to overall profitability.

    In January 2025, the Company announced the closing of its private placement offering of $4.0 million of the Company’s newly designated Series G Convertible Preferred Stock. The Company also issued to the investors in the private placement Series A warrants and Series B warrants exercisable for the Company’s common stock. The gross proceeds of the private placement were approximately $4.0 million, before deducting other offering expenses payable by the Company.

    Summary 2024 Financial Results

    Total Revenue
    Total revenue for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 was $33.9 million compared to $30.1 million in the prior year.

    Revenue for 2024 primarily consisted of approximately $18.3 million from XpresSpa locations, $430,000 from Treat locations and approximately $13.1 million from XpresTest, which includes XWELL’s bio-surveillance partnership and its HyperPointe business. Naples Wax Center accounted for approximately $2.1 million.

    Total Cost of Sales
    Total cost of sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $25.0 million compared to approximately $26.4 million in the prior year.

    General and Administrative Expenses; Salaries and Benefits
    General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $12.5 million compared to approximately $13.0 million in the prior year.

    Salaries and benefits for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $7.5 million compared to approximately $8.0 million in the prior year.

    Total Operating Expenses
    Total operating expenses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $25.6 million compared to approximately $31.9 million in the prior year.

    Operating Loss
    The operating loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 totaled approximately ($16.7) million compared to approximately ($28.2) million in the prior year.

    Net Loss Attributable to XWELL
    Net loss attributable to XWELL for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 totaled approximately ($16.9) million compared to approximately ($27.7) million in the prior year.

    About XWELL, Inc. 
    XWELL, Inc. (Nasdaq: XWEL) is a leading global wellness holding company operating multiple brands: XWELL™, XpresSpa®, Treat™, Naples Wax Center®, XpresCheck® and HyperPointe™.  

    • XpresSpa is a leading retailer of wellness services and related products.  
    • Naples Wax Center is a group of upscale skin care boutiques.  
    • XpresCheck, in partnership with the CDC and Ginkgo Biosecurity, conducts biosurveillance monitoring in its airport locations.
    • HyperPointe is a leading digital healthcare and data analytics relationship company serving the global healthcare industry.  

    For more information on XWELL’s offerings, visit www.XWELL.com

    Forward-Looking Statements  
    This press release may contain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “seeks,” “future,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relating to expectations about future results or events are based upon information available to XWELL as of the date of this press release, and are not guarantees of the future performance of the Company, and actual results may vary materially from the results and expectations discussed. Additional information concerning these and other risks is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning XWELL, or other matters and attributable to XWELL or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. XWELL does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof.

    Media
    Heather Tidwell
    MWW
    htidwell@mww.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Democrats Highlight How DOGE Social Security Takeover Hurts Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 15, 2025
    Democrats mark “Save Social Security Day of Action”
    Trump, Musk, DOGE continue to fire staff, close offices, cut vital services
    Washington, D.C. – On the “Save Social Security Day of Action,” Senate Democrats are highlighting how Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) takeover of the Social Security Administration is hurting Americans. 
    Read these stories from communities across the country:
    New York Times: ‘Just a Mess’: Staff Cuts, Rushed Changes and Anxiety at Social Security: “‘I didn’t know he was going to pull this,’ said Teresa Boswell, whose vote for Mr. Trump in November helped flip Arizona, but who found herself fuming outside the Social Security office in Glendale last week, unable to sign up for $1,200 in monthly benefits after she retired from her job processing legal papers. ‘This is a joke.’
    Virender Kanwal, a biology professor in New Jersey, applied for retirement benefits online at the end of February, a few months before her 70th birthday. She said she knew she would have to provide proof of her citizenship to complete the process but did not want to risk mailing in her passport, so she planned to visit a field office. To do so, she needed an appointment, and those need to be secured over the phone. Ms. Kanwal said she called daily for weeks but never got through…She began calling every few minutes, and said she was eventually placed on hold for six and a half hours before an agent finally answered just before midnight and gave her an appointment. “This is not what we expect from our country,” Ms. Kanwal said.
    In Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a 90-year-old man using a walker came to a field office because he thought he had to prove he was still alive. In Clinton, S.C., a woman with one leg fell down in the parking lot after coming into the office to show her identification.
    In Southern California, older people with disabilities are spending hours taking public buses to get to Social Security offices only to be turned away, nonprofit groups said.
    ‘People just don’t know what’s going to happen,’ said Bob Kelley, founder of the San Diego Seniors Foundation. ‘Everything is up in the air, so it’s just confusion right now.’
    Bonnie Baum, 68, a resident of the sprawling 55-and-older community Sun City West, decided to stick it out in the hopes of talking to someone. She said her application for $1,800 in monthly retirement benefits had been rejected because she did not file the paperwork on time. She had been unable to reach anyone on the phone, and said she had enough difficulty navigating her smartphone, much less Social Security’s online system. ‘It’s just a mess,” she said.”
    Washington Post: Social Security website keeps crashing, as DOGE demands cuts to IT staff: “The [Social Security] website has crashed repeatedly in recent weeks, with outages lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to almost a day, according to six current and former officials with knowledge of the issues. Even when the site is back online, many customers have not been able to sign in to their accounts — or have logged in only to find information missing. For others, access to the system has been slow, requiring repeated tries to get in.
    In Upland, California, 72-year-old Kathy Stecher began trying to apply for retirement benefits more than a week ago. One of her first steps was to visit the Social Security website to book a required appointment at her local field office, because she believed she had to authenticate her identity in person first. But over several days stretching from last month through Wednesday, the website wouldn’t let Stecher schedule a visit…When she finally reached someone on the phone, the website’s booking tool wasn’t working, she said. The employee sighed and told her that similar problems have become routine, forcing customers to wait on hold for hours.
    In recent weeks, Robert Raniolo, 67, a retired financial analyst in New York, found himself stuck when he tried to update his emergency contact by designating his niece instead of his wife, who has dementia. Since he began receiving retirement benefits five years ago, Raniolo has never missed a payment or had trouble getting online, he said. But this time he got an error message — and kept getting them. ‘Bad Request,’ read one notification, according to a screenshot he provided to The Washington Post. ‘There has been an unexpected system error,’ read another. He was directed to try again during ‘regular service hours’ on the East Coast. So Raniolo kept trying…Nothing worked.’
    CBS: Social Security wrongly told disabled people and some seniors their benefits ended, causing alarm: “Chris Hubbard, whose 37-year-old disabled adult son relies on the program to pay for his group home, told CBS MoneyWatch she became aware of the problem on March 31, when people in a Facebook group for mothers of autistic children flagged the problem. 
    Hubbard, who lives with her husband in Westborough, Massachusetts, said she checked her son’s account and was alarmed to find a similar message, leading her to stay up through the night to keep refreshing the page. She fell asleep at 5 a.m. without seeing a change, she said.
    ‘I was continuing to be worried because the message was still on the site, saying this beneficiary doesn’t receive payments,’ Hubbard said.
    The next morning, however, the correct information was on her son’s page, and the money was deposited on April 1, as scheduled. But she and her husband say they received no outreach from Social Security about the problem, or an explanation of the error. They opted against calling the agency because of the long waits now often required to get someone on the phone.
    The Hubbards said they’re worried the glitch could signal more problems with the service, pointing to the potential impact of cuts to SSA’s workforce.”
    Washington Post: Long waits, waves of calls, website crashes: Social Security is breaking down: “The Social Security Administration website crashed four times in 10 days this month because the servers were overloaded, blocking millions of retirees and disabled Americans from logging in to their online accounts. In the field, office managers have resorted to answering phones in place of receptionists because so many employees have been pushed out. Amid all this, the agency no longer has a system to monitor customer experience because that office was eliminated as part of the cost-cutting efforts led by Elon Musk. And the phones keep ringing. And ringing.
    The recording that 66-year-old Kathy Martinez heard when she called the toll-free number two weeks ago from the San Francisco Bay Area said her hold time would be more than three hours — she was calling to ask what her retirement benefits would come to if she filed for them now or waited until she turned 70. She hung up and tried again last week at 7 a.m. Pacific time. The wait was more than 120 minutes, but she was offered a callback option, and in two hours she spoke with a ‘phenomenally kind person who called me,’ she said. Martinez said she wants to wait to file for benefits to maximize her check. But ‘I’m kind of thinking, I wonder if I should take it now. When I apply, I will do it over the phone. But will there still be a phone system?’
    In one office in central Indiana, the phone lines are jammed by 9 a.m. with hundreds of retirees, further taxing a staff of less than a dozen that is responsible for nearly 70,000 claimants across the state, according to one employee. That worker, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said the questions have become predictable: What is the U.S. DOGE Service doing to Social Security? Will the office close? Will my benefits continue?
    In one Philadelphia office, the federal government’s return-to-office edict has left 1,200 staffers competing for about 300 parking spots, according to an employee. Staffers wake up as early as 4:30 a.m. to try to snag a space, and some are buying backup spots for $200 a month nearby. As morale has cratered, some employees have stopped wearing business clothes and now come to work in jeans and a T-shirt because, as they tell colleagues, they no longer take pride in their work, the employee said.
    In Baltimore, an employee who works on critical payment systems said nearly a quarter of his team is already gone or will soon be out the door as a result of resignations and retirements. Talented software developers and analysts were quick to secure high-paying jobs in the private sector, he said — and the reduction in highly skilled staff is already having consequences. His office is supposed to complete several software updates and modernization processes required by law within the next few weeks and months, he said. But with the departures, it seems increasingly likely that it will miss those deadlines.”
    Today, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) published an op-ed in Fox News arguing that Trump and Musk gutting Social Security isn’t “efficiency” — it’s a broken promise to the American people.
    Senate Democrats’ Social Security War Room is a coordinated effort to fight back against the Trump administration’s attack on Americans’ Social Security. The War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders; encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them; and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Presenting at the Planet MicroCap Showcase on April 23, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) (“Intermap” or the “Company”), a global leader in 3D geospatial products and intelligence solutions, today announced that its Chairman and CEO, Patrick A. Blott, will present at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025, in partnership with MicroCapClub on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 12:30 pm PT / 3:30 pm ET.

    To access Intermap’s Planet MicroCap presentation
    Date Wednesday, April 23, 2025
    Time 12:30 pm PT / 3:30 pm ET
    Webcast Watch here

    In addition to his presentation, Mr. Blott will host one-on-one investor meetings on Thursday, April 24, 2025, providing an opportunity to discuss the Company’s strategic initiatives and ongoing performance. Interested parties can watch a pre-conference interview with Mr. Blott.

    Intermap is executing on its global strategy following its upsized C$12 million bought deal in February. The Company’s multidimensional partnership with Indonesia continues to expand as demand grows from governments and insurers for its proprietary elevation data. In addition, expanding military collaborations are fueling the development of next-generation technologies, for which Intermap will hold exclusive commercial rights. These strategic initiatives underpin the Company’s 2025 revenue guidance of $30 to $35 million—with 70% growth at the low end—and are expected to boost the adjusted EBITDA margin to approximately 28% compared with 23% in 2024.

    “We’ve never been in a stronger position to accelerate growth and create long-term value for our shareholders,” Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. “I look forward to updating investors at the Planet MicroCap Showcase on the full potential of Intermap.”

    If you are unable to attend the live presentation, all Company webcasts will be available on the conference event platform under the Agenda tab.

    To book a meeting with Intermap’s Chairman and CEO Patrick Blott
    If you would like to book a one-on-one investor meeting with Intermap and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025, in partnership with MicroCapClub, please make sure to register.

    One-on-one meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

    Intermap Reader Advisory 
    Certain information provided in this news release, including reference to revenue growth, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “will be”, “will consider”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap’s forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap’s Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

    About Planet MicroCap
    Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks who are interested in learning about and staying ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space. The Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 in partnership with MicroCapClub website is available here.

    About Intermap Technologies 
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Rivalry Announces Application for a Management Cease Trade Order for Late Filing of Annual Filings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rivalry Corp. (TSXV: RVLY) (OTCQB: RVLCF) (“Rivalry” or the “Company”), the leading sportsbook and iGaming operator for digital-first players, today announces that it will be late in filing its audited financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 and related certifications (the “Annual Filings”).

    In response to the Annual Filings delay, the Company has applied to the Ontario Securities Commission for a management cease trade order (the “MCTO”) under National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders (“NP 12-203”) that will prohibit the management of the Company from trading in the securities of the Company until such time as the Annual Filings are filed. No decision has yet been made by the Ontario Securities Commission on this application. The Ontario Securities Commission may grant the application and issue the MCTO or it may impose an issuer cease trade order if the Annual Filings are not filed in a timely fashion. If the MCTO is granted, such an order would not generally affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade the securities of the Company pending the filing of the Annual Filings on SEDAR+.

    As previously announced, the Company has initiated a review of strategic alternatives to maximize long-term stakeholder value (the “Strategic Review”). The Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to utilize its current management resources to advance the Strategic Review, resulting in a delay of completing the Annual Filings by the April 30, 2025 deadline.

    The Company is working on the preparation of the Annual Filings and expects to complete the Strategic Review and the Annual Filings by June 30, 2025. Until the Annual Filings are filed, the Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the Alternate Information Guidelines as set out in NP 12-203 for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release.

    The Company confirms that it is not subject to any insolvency proceeding as of the date hereof. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date hereof.

    Company Contact:
    Steven Salz, Co-founder & CEO
    ss@rivalry.com

    Investor Contact:
    investors@rivalry.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

    This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “project” and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Strategic Review, the anticipated filing of the Annual Filings, the application for the MCTO and the granting thereof by the Ontario Securities Commission.

    Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Company at the date the statements are made based on information then available to the Company. Various factors and assumptions are applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown, variables, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to obtain and maintain required licenses; the esports and sports betting industry being a heavily regulated industry; the complex and evolving regulatory environment for the online gaming and online gambling industry; the success of esports and other betting products are not guaranteed; changes in public perception of the esports and online gambling industry; negative cash flow from operations and the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern; failure to retain or add customers; the Company having a limited operating history; operational risks; cybersecurity risks; reliance on management; reliance on third parties and third-party networks; exchange rate risks; risks related to cryptocurrency transactions; risk of intellectual property infringement or invalid claims; the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and general economic, market and business conditions. For additional risks, please see the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 under the heading “Risk Factors”, and other disclosure documents available on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    No assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Southside Bancshares, Inc. Announces First Quarter Earnings Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TYLER, Texas, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Southside Bancshares, Inc. (“Southside”) (NYSE: SBSI), the holding company for Southside Bank, announced today it will release its first quarter financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Southside will host a conference call to discuss its results on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CST.

    The call will be hosted by Lee R. Gibson, CEO, Keith Donahoe, President, Julie Shamburger, CFO, and Lindsey Bailes, VP, Investor Relations. Following prepared remarks there will be a question and answer session for the analyst community.

    The Conference Call Details

    The conference call can be accessed by webcast, for listen-only mode, here or on the company website, https://investors.southside.com, under Events.

    Those interested in participating in the question and answer session, or others who prefer to call-in, can register using this online form to receive the dial-in number and unique code to access the conference call seamlessly. While not required, it is recommended that those wishing to participate register 10 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure a more efficient registration process.

    For those unable to attend the live event, a webcast recording will be available here or on the company website, https://investors.southside.com, for at least 30 days, beginning approximately two hours following the conference call.

    About Southside Bancshares, Inc.

    Southside Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Tyler, Texas, with approximately $8.52 billion in assets as of December 31, 2024. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Southside Bank, Southside currently operates 53 branches and a network of 72 ATMs/ITMs throughout East Texas, Southeast Texas and the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas. Serving customers since 1960, Southside Bank is a community-focused financial institution that offers a full range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses. These products and services include consumer and commercial loans, mortgages, deposit accounts, safe deposit boxes, treasury management, wealth management, trust services, brokerage services and an array of online and mobile services.

    To learn more about Southside Bancshares, Inc., please visit our investor relations website at https://investors.southside.com. Our investor relations site provides a detailed overview of our activities, financial information and historical stock price data. To receive e-mail notification of company news, events and stock activity, please register on the website under Resources and Investor Email Alerts. Questions or comments may be directed to Lindsey Bailes at 903-630-7965 or lindsey.bailes@southside.com.

    For further information:                                
    Lindsey Bailes
    903-630-7965

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs Bacon & Chu Statement on White House’s Proposed Budget Cuts to NASA Science

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

    Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs Bacon & Chu Statement on White House’s Proposed Budget Cuts to NASA Science

    WASHINGTON 
    Recently, President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reportedly sent a preliminary budget plan to NASA that proposes a 50% cut to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and to eliminate funding for the Mars Sample Return (MRS) mission led by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is owned by NASA and administered by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

    Rep. Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Judy Chu (CA-28), who both co-Chair the bipartisan Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, released the following joint statement today in response:

    “As Co-Chairs of the Planetary Science Caucus, we are extremely alarmed by reports of a preliminary White House budget that proposes cutting NASA Science funding by almost half and terminating dozens of programs already well underway, like the Mars Sample Return mission and the Roman Space Telescope. NASA Science is a cornerstone of our nation’s space program, supporting thousands of jobs nationwide and driving countless scientific discoveries and technological advancements. If enacted, these proposed cuts would demolish our space economy and workforce, threaten our national security and defense capabilities, and ultimately surrender the United States’ leadership in space, science, and technological innovation to our adversaries. The United States must be the first to land and return samples from Mars and return humans to the moon for the first time in more than half a century. We will work closely with our colleagues in Congress on a bipartisan basis to push back against these proposed cuts and program terminations and to ensure full and robust funding for NASA Science in Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations. Together, we must maintain America’s preeminence in space.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Virginia Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Power Outage and Boil Water Advisory

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON  – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations who sustained economic losses caused by the severe storms resulting in power outage and boil water advisory occurring Jan. 5-11. The SBA issued the administrative declaration for an economic injury disaster on April 9. 

    The declaration covers primary counties of Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond City; and the adjacent counties of Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Fluvanna, King William, Louisa, New Kent, Powhatan, and Spotsylvania in Virginia. 

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises. 

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

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

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. 

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan. 

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

    The filing deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 9, 2026. 

    ### 

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. Schedules Earnings Release and Quarterly Earnings Call to Discuss its Financial Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (“Carlyle Secured Lending”) (NASDAQ: CGBD) will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 to announce its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company will report its quarterly financial results on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

    The conference call will be available via public webcast via a link on Carlyle Secured Lending’s website at carlylesecuredlending.com and will also be available on the website soon after the call’s completion.

    About Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.

    Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: CGBD) business development company (“BDC”) which began investing in 2013. The Company focuses on providing directly originated, financing solutions across the capital structure, with a focus on senior secured lending to middle-market companies primarily located in the United States. Carlyle Secured Lending is externally managed by Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C., an SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Carlyle.

    Web: carlylesecuredlending.com

    About Carlyle   

    Carlyle (“Carlyle,” or the “Adviser”) (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $441 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

    Contacts:

    Investors:   Media:
    Nishil Mehta   Kristen Ashton
    +1-212-813-4900   +1-212-813-4763
    publicinvestor@carlylesecuredlending.com   kristen.ashton@carlyle.com
         

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Banzai Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Revenue of $16.7 Million on a Consolidated, Pro-forma Basis for the Twelve Months Ending December 31, 2024, Representing 267% Annual Growth; Exceeded Guidance of $10 Million by 67%

    Q4 2024 Adjusted Net Loss Improved by $7.8 Million from ($9.2) Million in Q4 2023 to ($1.4) Million, Bringing the Company Closer to Profitability

    Management to Host Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results Conference Call Today, Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time

    SEATTLE, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) (“Banzai” or the “Company”), a leading marketing technology company that provides essential marketing and sales solutions, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 and Subsequent Key Financial & Operational Highlights

    • Completed two acquisitions: ClearDoc, Inc. (“OpenReel”) on December 19, 2024, and Vidello, Ltd. (“Vidello”) on January 31, 2025.
    • Signed a definitive agreement to acquire Act-On Software Inc. (“Act-On”), an enterprise marketing automation platform (MAP) provider, which is projected to increase revenue by $27 million for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2025, on a pro-forma basis, when completed; acquisition subject to closing conditions.
    • Completed ahead-of-schedule repayment of $20.3 million of outstanding liabilities as of March 31, 2025, pursuant to the $24.8 million debt payoff and restructuring agreements announced on September 24, 2024.

    Pro-Forma, As Consolidated Highlights of Banzai International, Inc; ClearDoc, Inc. (d/b/a OpenReel); and Vidello, Ltd.

    • Revenue of $16.7 million on a consolidated, pro-forma basis, for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing 267% annual growth compared to Banzai’s stand-alone revenue in FY 2023.
    • Expanded customer base to over 90,000 total customers.

    Highlights of Banzai International, Inc.

    • Revenue of $4.5 million for FY 2024, a decrease of $0.03 million over FY 2023 of $4.6 million on a GAAP basis.
    • Revenue of $1.3 million for Q4 2024 compared to $1.1 million for Q3 2024, a 20% sequential increase.
    • Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of $6.8 million for Q4 2024. This represents a 54% annualized ARR growth rate compared to Q3 2024.
    • Q4 2024 Adjusted Net Loss was ($1.44) million, a $(0.03) million sequential improvement from Q3 2024 Adjusted Net Loss of ($1.47) million. This represents an annualized improvement of $0.12 million.
    • FY 2024 Adjusted EBITDA improved by $5.4 million to ($6.5) million in FY 2024 from ($11.9) million in FY 2023.
    • Launched a comprehensive initiative designed to improve net income by up to $13.5 million annually while maintaining growth outlook.
    • Demio’s AI-powered webinar platform recognized with multiple accolades from the Gartner Digital Markets brands – Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp.

    Highlights of ClearDoc Inc. (d/b/a OpenReel)

    • OpenReel demonstrated profitable financial results in FY 2024.
    • FY 2024 Revenue of $6.3 million
    • FY 2024 Net Income of $0.1 million

    Highlights of Vidello, Ltd.

    • Vidello demonstrated profitable financial performance in CY 2024.
    • CY 2024 Revenue of $6.1 million
    • CY 2024 Net Income of $1.5 million
    • Launched CreateStudio 4.0, the latest version of its award-winning video creation product.
    • Vidello, Ltd. FY 2024 ends March 31, 2024. CY 2024 results included audited financials for the period January 1, 2024, through March 31, 2024, and include reviewed, unaudited financials for the period April 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

    “The fourth quarter was underscored by significant consolidated, pro-forma revenue growth enabled by the recently closed acquisitions of Vidello and OpenReel, and continued strong performance for our products,” said Joe Davy, Founder and CEO of Banzai. “Pro-forma revenue was $16.7 million for the full year 2024 including the recently closed acquisitions, representing a 267% increase from the prior year’s standalone results. Vidello’s next-generation video creation, editing, and marketing suite, and OpenReel’s digital video creation platform combined to add approximately $12.4 million in revenues that enabled us to exceed our previously announced 2024 guidance. In addition, we are making continued progress toward closing the acquisition of Act-On Software, which is projected to increase revenue by $27 million for the full year 2025 on a pro-forma basis when completed, which remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions and therefore there is no guarantee it will be completed or provide such revenue.

    “For the fourth quarter, we achieved a 54% annualized Annual Recurring Revenue growth rate. Growth was driven by our focus on mid-market and enterprise customers, and on the Reach product through re-engineering and expanded sales efforts. In total, we now serve over 90,000 customers.

    “To better serve our customers, we have continued to invest in our products and growth initiatives. We recently launched CreateStudio 4.0, with major A.I. enhancements for video creation including new A.I. builders, hook generators and assistant, and improved audio visualizer, call-to-action, and UI improvements. We added significant enhancements to our Demio platform through deeper integration with Salesforce, and key enhancements designed to maximize efficiency and scalability. Demio’s success was further validated with accolades including the Capterra Shortlist, the Software Advice Frontrunners, the GetApp Category Leaders, and Forbes.

    “In 2024 we developed a completely re-engineered Reach offering, that we feel positions us for future growth in that category, as well as Curate, an AI-powered newsletter product which has already gained meaningful early customer traction.

    “We made significant improvements to our balance sheet and cost structure, which we believe will position us for sustainable profitability in the future. With the investment in our Vidello acquisition, we further improved our financial position and flexibility with a $34.3 million year over year improvement in stockholders’ equity, expected to be positive $3.4 million as of March 31, 2025. We also implemented a strategic initiative that we expect will enable us to significantly improve net income, substantially extend our cash runway, and invest in growth. We are making significant progress toward these goals and overall improvement in net income is expected to be approximately $13.5 million annually when fully implemented, while maintaining our growth outlook.

    “Looking ahead, combined with our new acquisitions we are fueling marketing results with an integrated platform of AI-powered MarTech solutions that will continue to drive growth. We are launching exciting new products and capabilities that will provide innovative solutions for our clients and further our market reach. We continually strive to manage costs efficiently while investing in our software platform, sales and marketing, and product development. We look forward to additional updates on our anticipated milestones in the weeks and months to come,” concluded Davy.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Banzai believes its non-GAAP financial measure ARR is more meaningful in evaluating its performance. The Company’s management team evaluates its financial and operating results utilizing this non-GAAP measure. For the three months ended December 31, 2024, ARR increased to $6.8 million, representing a 54% annualized ARR growth rate.

    Total GAAP revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024, was $1.3 million, a sequential increase of 20.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2024, and an increase of 20.1% compared to the prior year quarter.

    Total cost of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $0.4 million, compared to $0.3 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 19.9%. The increase was proportional to the revenue for the corresponding period.

    Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2024, was $0.9 million, compared to $0.8 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin was 71.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 71.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Total operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024, were $4.8 million, compared to $4.0 million in the prior year quarter.

    Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2024, was $7.9 million, compared to $6.4 million in the prior year quarter. The greater net loss is primarily due to higher Pubco expense & overall operating expenses.

    Adjusted Net Loss for the three months ended December 31, 2024, was ($1.4) million, compared to ($9.2) million in the prior year quarter. This was driven by improvements to the Company’s efficiency and by write-off agreements entered into for certain liabilities, substantially reducing the Company’s current and future cash liabilities.

    Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2024, was ($4.1) million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of ($23.7) million for the prior year quarter, representing an improvement of $19.6 million.

    Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, was $4.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, a decrease of 0.7%. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower Reach revenue which declined by approximately $19 thousand due to a shift in Banzai’s focus to its Demio product and decision to phase out the legacy Reach offering, which decision was reversed in the later part of Q1 2024, with the launch of Reach 2.0. In 2024 Banzai revitalized its focus on the Reach offering through re-engineering and expanded sales efforts. Demio revenue was lower by approximately $223 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 due to churn and lower new sales period-over-period, and due to the company’s strategic shift to focus on mid-market customers, which the Company expects will ultimately result in higher Average Customer Value and Net Retention Rate for the Demio product.

    Cost of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 was $1.42 million and $1.44 million, respectively. This represents an improvement of approximately $22 thousand, or approximately 1.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This improvement is due primarily to a higher average customer value that led to an approximately 5% lower average cost per customer, driven by lower contracted services and infrastructure costs of approximately $84 thousand and $90 thousand, respectively.

    Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 was $3.11 million and $3.12 million, respectively. This represents a decrease of approximately $11 thousand, or approximately 0.4%, which was due to the decreases in revenue of approximately $33 thousand and decreases in the cost of revenue of approximately $22 thousand described above. Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 68.6% and 68.3%, respectively.

    Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, were $16.6 million and $12.9 million, respectively, an increase of 28.4%. This increase was due primarily to an overall increase in salaries and related expenses of approximately $0.5 million, marketing expenses of approximately $0.6 million, costs associated with audit, technical accounting, and legal and other professional services of approximately $2.6 million. On September 16, 2024, the Company implemented a reduction in force (the “Reduction”) intended to decrease expenses and maintain a streamlined organization to support key programs and customers, that is expected to conserve cash. As part of the Reduction, the Company reduced its headcount by 24 employees, which represented approximately 34% of the Company’s full-time employees as of September 16, 2024. The cost-saving measures from the Reduction are expected to reduce annual operating expenses by approximately an additional $1.3 million beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company estimates that it will incur total restructuring charges of approximately $0.1 million, including severance payments in connection with the Reduction. The Company completed the reduction in October, 2024.

    Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was $31.5 million and $14.4 million, respectively. The greater net loss is primarily due to an increase in total other expenses of approximately $13.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, in addition to an increase in operating expenses of approximately $3.7 million.

    Adjusted Net Loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was ($6.5) million and ($11.9) million, respectively, representing an improvement of $5.4 million.

    Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $9.6 million, compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Cash totaled $1.1 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $2.1 million as of December 31, 2023.

    Annual Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) refers to annual run-rate revenue of subscription agreements from all customers in the last month of the measured period. These statements are forward-looking and actual ARR may differ materially. Refer to the “Forward-Looking Statements” section below for information on the factors that could cause Banzai’s actual ARR to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results Conference Call

    Banzai Founder & CEO Joe Davy and Interim CFO Alvin Yip will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer session. The conference call will be accompanied by a presentation, which can be viewed during the webcast or accessed via the investor relations section of the Company’s website here.

    To access the call, please use the following information:

    A replay of the webcast and the presentation utilized during the call will be available in the Company’s investor relations section here.

    Note About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Adjusted EBITDA

    In addition to our results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure as defined below, is useful in evaluating our operational performance distinct and apart from certain irregular, non-cash, and non-operational expenses. We use this information for ongoing evaluation of operations and for internal planning purposes. We believe that non- GAAP financial information, when taken collectively with results under GAAP, may be helpful to investors in assessing our operating performance and comparing our performance with competitors and other comparable companies.

    Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. We endeavor to compensate for the limitation of Adjusted EBITDA, by also providing the most directly comparable GAAP measure, which is net loss, and a description of the reconciling items and adjustments to derive the non-GAAP measure.

    Adjusted EBITDA should only be considered alongside results prepared in accordance with GAAP, including various cash-flow metrics, net income (loss) and our other GAAP results and financial performance measures.

    Net Income/(Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

        Year Ended
    December 31,
        Year Ended
    December 31,
        Year-over-     Year-over-  
    ($ in Thousands)   2024     2023     Year $     Year %  
    Net loss   $ (31,513 )   $ (14,406 )   $ (17,107 )     118.7 %
    Other expense (income), net     88       (63 )     151       -239.7 %
    Depreciation expense     24       7       17       242.9 %
    Stock based compensation     1,166       1,246       (80 )     -6.4 %
    Interest expense           1,068       (1,068 )     -100.0 %
    Interest expense – related party     3,047       4,486       (1,439 )     -32.1 %
    Income tax expense                     nm  
    GEM settlement fee expense     200             200     nm  
    Gain on extinguishment of liabilities     (681 )           (681 )   nm  
    Loss on debt issuance     653             653     nm  
    Loss on issuance of term notes     1,072             1,072     nm  
    Loss on conversion and settlement of Alco promissory notes – related party     4,809             4,809     nm  
    Loss on conversion and settlement of CP BF notes – related party     6,529             6,529     nm  
    Change in fair value of warrant liability     (626 )     (1,807 )     1,181       -65.4 %
    Change in fair value of warrant liability – related party     (573 )     115       (688 )     -598.3 %
    Change in fair value of simple agreement for future equity           (208 )     208       -100.0 %
    Change in fair value of simple agreement for future equity – related party           (2,752 )     2,752       -100.0 %
    Change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative liabilities           (1,405 )     1,405       -100.0 %
    Change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative liabilities – related party     (51 )     (3,063 )     3,012       -98.3 %
    Change in fair value of convertible notes     693       (34 )     727       -2138.2 %
    Change in fair value of term notes     89             89     nm  
    Change in fair value of convertible bridge notes     (10 )           (10 )   nm  
    Yorkville prepayment premium expense     81             81     nm  
    Goodwill impairment     2,725             2,725     nm  
    Transaction related expenses     5,772       4,746       1,026       21.6 %
    Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)   $ (6,506 )   $ (11,944 )   $ 5,438       -45.5 %


    About Banzai

    Banzai is a marketing technology company that provides AI-enabled marketing and sales solutions for businesses of all sizes. On a mission to help their customers grow, Banzai enables companies of all sizes to target, engage, and measure both new and existing customers more effectively. Customers who use Banzai’s product suite include Autodesk, Dell Technologies, New York Life, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thinkific, and ActiveCampaign, among thousands of others. Learn more at www.banzai.io. For investors, please visit https://ir.banzai.io.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “target,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “propose,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar variations and expressions. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Examples of forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding Banzai International, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”): future financial, business and operating performance and goals; annualized recurring revenue and customer retention; ongoing, future or ability to maintain or improve its financial position, cash flows, and liquidity and its expected financial needs; potential financing and ability to obtain financing; acquisition strategy and proposed acquisitions and, if completed, their potential success and financial contributions; strategy and strategic goals, including being able to capitalize on opportunities; expectations relating to the Company’s industry, outlook and market trends; total addressable market and serviceable addressable market and related projections; plans, strategies and expectations for retaining existing or acquiring new customers, increasing revenue and executing growth initiatives; and product areas of focus and additional products that may be sold in the future. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and development of the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, investors should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the markets in which the Company operates, customer demand, the financial markets, economic, business and regulatory and other factors, such as the Company’s ability to execute on its strategy. More detailed information about risk factors can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors,” and in other reports filed by the Company, including reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

    Investor Relations
    Chris Tyson
    Executive Vice President
    MZ Group – MZ North America
    949-491-8235
    BNZI@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    Media
    Rachel Meyrowitz
    Director, Demand Generation, Banzai
    media@banzai.io

     
    BANZAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
     
        December 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
    ASSETS            
    Current assets:            
    Cash   $ 1,087,497     $ 2,093,718  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $24,210 and $5,748, respectively     936,321       105,049  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     643,674       741,155  
    Total current assets     2,667,492       2,939,922  
                 
    Property and equipment, net     3,539       4,644  
    Intangible assets, net     3,883,853        
    Goodwill     18,972,475       2,171,526  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     72,565       134,013  
    Bifurcated embedded derivative asset – related party     63,000        
    Other assets     11,154       38,381  
    Total assets     25,674,078       5,288,486  
                 
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT            
    Current liabilities:            
    Accounts payable     7,782,746       6,439,863  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     3,891,018       5,194,240  
    Convertible notes (Yorkville)           1,766,000  
    Convertible notes – related party     8,639,701       5,233,932  
    Convertible notes     215,057        
    Notes payable – related party, net of discount           9,164,924  
    Notes payable, carried at fair value     3,575,000        
    Deferred underwriting fees           4,000,000  
    Deferred fee           500,000  
    Warrant liability     15,000       641,000  
    Warrant liability – related party     2,300       575,000  
    Earnout liability     14,850       59,399  
    Due to related party     167,118       67,118  
    GEM commitment fee liability           2,000,000  
    Deferred revenue     3,934,627       1,214,096  
    Operating lease liabilities, current     22,731       234,043  
    Total current liabilities     28,260,148       37,089,615  
                 
    Deferred revenue – long-term     117,643        
    Deferred tax liability     10,115        
    Operating lease liabilities, non-current     49,974        
    Other long-term liabilities           75,000  
    Total liabilities     28,437,880       37,164,615  
                 
    Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)            
                 
    Stockholders’ equity (deficit):            
    Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 275,000,000 (250,000,000 Class A and 25,000,000 Class B) shares authorized and 8,195,163 (5,884,029 Class A and 2,311,134 Class B) and 2,585,297 (274,163 Class A and 2,311,134 Class B) issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively     800       259  
    Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 1 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023            
    Additional paid-in capital     75,515,111       14,889,936  
    Accumulated deficit     (78,279,713 )     (46,766,324 )
    Stockholders’ equity (deficit)     (2,763,802 )     (31,876,129 )
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)   $ 25,674,078     $ 5,288,486  
     
    BANZAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
     
        For the Years Ended December 31,  
        2024     2023  
    Operating income:            
    Revenue   $ 4,527,879     $ 4,561,300  
    Cost of revenue     1,422,542       1,444,618  
    Gross profit     3,105,337       3,116,682  
                 
    Operating expenses:            
    General and administrative expenses     16,548,902       12,905,073  
    Depreciation and amortization expense     24,179       7,160  
    Total operating expenses     16,573,081       12,912,233  
                 
    Operating loss     (13,467,744 )     (9,795,551 )
                 
    Other expenses (income):            
    SEPA commitment fee and deferred fee expense           3,826,176  
    GEM warrant expense           2,448,000  
    GEM commitment fee expense           2,000,000  
    GEM settlement fee expense     200,000        
    Other expense (income), net     88,329       (62,985 )
    Interest income     (10 )     (813 )
    Interest expense           1,068,447  
    Interest expense – related party     3,047,101       4,486,027  
    Gain on extinguishment of liabilities     (680,762 )      
    Loss on debt issuance     653,208        
    Loss on extinguishment of term notes     1,071,563        
    Loss on conversion and settlement of Alco promissory notes – related party     4,808,882        
    Loss on conversion and settlement of CP BF notes – related party     6,529,402        
    Change in fair value of warrant liability     (626,000 )     (1,807,000 )
    Change in fair value of warrant liability – related party     (572,700 )     115,000  
    Change in fair value of simple agreement for future equity           (207,570 )
    Change in fair value of simple agreement for future equity – related party           (2,752,430 )
    Change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative liabilities           (1,404,863 )
    Change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative liabilities – related party     (51,000 )     (3,063,278 )
    Change in fair value of convertible notes     693,000       (34,000 )
    Change in fair value of term notes     88,588        
    Change in fair value of convertible bridge notes     (10,176 )      
    Yorkville prepayment premium expense     80,760        
    Goodwill impairment     2,725,460        
    Total other expenses, net     18,045,645       4,610,711  
    Loss before income taxes     (31,513,389 )     (14,406,262 )
    Income tax expense            
    Net loss     (31,513,389 )     (14,406,262 )
                 
    Deemed dividend – Series A and Series B warrant modification (net of tax)     (418,360 )      
                 
    Net loss attributable to common shareholders   $ (31,095,029 )   $ (14,406,262 )
                 
    Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders            
    Basic and diluted   $ (6.97 )   $ (6.00 )
                 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding            
    Basic and diluted     4,458,169       2,401,988  
     
    BANZAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     
        For the Years Ended December 31,  
        2024     2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:            
    Net loss   $ (31,513,389 )   $ (14,406,262 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:            
    Depreciation and amortization expense     24,179       7,160  
    Provision for credit losses on accounts receivable     18,462       (102,112 )
    Non-cash shares issued to Yorkville for aggregate commitment fee           3,288,000  
    Non-cash issuance of warrants accounted for as liabilities           2,448,000  
    Non-cash share issuance for marketing expenses     245,252        
    Non-cash settlement of GEM commitment fee     200,000       2,000,000  
    Non-cash share issuance for Yorkville redemption premium     80,760        
    Discount at issuance on notes carried at fair value     747,962       686,016  
    Non-cash interest expense – related party     1,532,475       513,977  
    Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs           958,822  
    Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs – related party     1,393,785       2,410,735  
    Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets     137,717       173,245  
    Stock based compensation expense     1,165,680       1,245,796  
    Gain on extinguishment of liability     (680,762 )      
    Loss on conversion and settlement of Alco promissory notes – related party     4,808,882        
    Loss on conversion and settlement of CP BF notes – related party     6,529,402        
    Loss on debt issuance     653,208        
    Loss on extinguishment of term notes     1,071,563        
    Impairment loss     2,725,460        
    Excise tax           305,719  
    Change in fair value of warrant liability     (626,000 )     (1,807,000 )
    Change in fair value of warrant liability – related party     (572,700 )     115,000  
    Change in fair value of simple agreement for future equity           (207,570 )
    Change in fair value of simple agreement for future equity – related party           (2,752,430 )
    Change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative liabilities           (1,404,863 )
    Change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative liabilities – related party     (51,000 )     (3,063,278 )
    Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes     693,000       (34,000 )
    Change in fair value of term notes     88,588        
    Change in fair value of convertible bridge notes     (10,176 )      
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
    Accounts receivable     15,828       65,479  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     551,645       (407,648 )
    Other assets     27,227        
    Deferred offering costs           (1,708,163 )
    Accounts payable     1,012,281       5,339,614  
    Due to related party           67,118  
    Deferred revenue     (6,315 )     283,660  
    Accrued expenses     498,051       4,448,867  
    Operating lease liabilities     (237,607 )     (284,963 )
    Earnout liability     (44,549 )     (229,700 )
    Deferred fees           500,000  
    Deferred revenue – long-term     10,573        
    Deferred tax liability     10,115        
    Other long-term liabilities     (75,000 )      
    Net cash used in operating activities     (9,575,403 )     (1,550,781 )
    Cash flows from investing activities:            
    Cash acquired in acquisition of OpenReel     82,219        
    Net cash provided by investing activities     82,219        
    Cash flows from financing activities:            
    Effect of Merger, net of transaction costs (Note 4)           (7,615,462 )
    Payment of GEM commitment fee     (1,200,000 )      
    Repayment of convertible notes (Yorkville)     (750,000 )      
    Proceeds from term notes, net of issuance costs     2,782,438        
    Repayment of term notes     (1,939,583 )      
    Partial repayment of convertible notes – related party     (283,315 )      
    Proceeds from Yorkville redemption premium     35,040        
    Proceeds from advance from related party     100,000        
    Proceeds from issuance of GEM promissory note            
    Proceeds from issuance of notes payable, net of issuance costs – related party           4,387,701  
    Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of issuance costs     2,602,000       3,235,000  
    Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of issuance costs – related party           2,583,000  
    Proceeds received for exercise of Pre-Funded warrants     2,072        
    Proceeds from issuance of shares to Yorkville under the SEPA agreement     880,943        
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock     6,257,368       30,761  
    Net cash provided by financing activities     8,486,963       2,621,000  
    Net decrease in cash     (1,006,221 )     1,070,219  
    Cash at beginning of period     2,093,718       1,023,499  
    Cash at end of period   $ 1,087,497     $ 2,093,718  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Patria Announces First Quarter 2025 Investor Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Patria (Nasdaq:PAX) announced today that it will release financial results for the first quarter 2025 on Friday, May 2, 2025, and host a conference call via public webcast at 9:00 a.m. ET.

    To register, please use the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ah6qnzkp

    For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, there will be a webcast replay on the Shareholders section of Patria’s website at https://ir.patria.com/.

    Patria distributes its earnings releases via its website and email lists. Those interested in firm updates can sign up to receive Patria press releases via email at https://ir.patria.com/ir-resources/email-alerts.

    About Patria

    Patria is a global alternative asset manager and industry leader in Latin America. Founded over 35 years ago, Patria has total assets under management of $41.9 billion, and offices in 13 cities on 4 continents. Patria aims to generate attractive long-term investment returns and, through a diversified platform with strategies that include Private Equity, Infrastructure, Credit, Real Estate, Public Equities and Global Private Markets Solutions, serve as the gateway to alternative investments for both local investors in Latin America, as well as global investors. Further information is available at www.patria.com.

    Contact

    Patria Shareholder Relations
    PatriaShareholderRelations@patria.com
    t +1 917 769 1611

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Eightco announces Full-Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • 2024 revenues of $39.6 million down from $67.6 million, driven by reduction in capital available for cell phone sales after repayment of the previously outstanding convertible note
    • 2024 Gross Profit of $6.0 million, down from $6.2mn

    Easton, PA, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: OCTO) (the “Company” or “Eightco”), today announced financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

    Paul Vassilakos, CEO of Eightco and President of Forever 8 Fund, LLC (“Forever 8”), the Company’s largest subsidiary, said “We continue to improve all aspects of our cost structure and focus on our highest growth priorities to deliver long-term value to shareholders. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company announced the repayment of a highly dilutive debt security and repurchased and cancelled a significant amount of outstanding warrants. We believe we now have a much cleaner capital structure that will help support our future advancements.”

    2024 financial highlights

    2024 fiscal year end (December 31, 2024) compared to 2023 fiscal year end (December 31, 2022).

        2024     2023  
    Revenues, net   $ 39,621,272     $ 67,568,353  
    Cost of revenues     33,639,274       61,308,561  
    Gross profit     5,981,998       6,259,792  
                     
    Operating expenses:                
    Selling, general and administrative expenses     12,759,719       14,805,627  
    Restructuring and severance     1,414,838       2,133,982  
    Total operating expenses     14,174,557       16,939,609  
    Operating loss     (8,192,559 )     (10,679,817 )


    About Eightco Holdings, Inc.

    Eightco (NASDAQ: OCTO) is committed to growth of its subsidiary, Forever 8 Fund, LLC, an inventory capital and management platform for e-commerce sellers. In addition, the Company is actively seeking new opportunities to add to its portfolio of technology solutions focused on the e-commerce ecosystem through strategic acquisitions. Through a combination of innovative strategies and focused execution, Eightco aims to create significant value and growth for its stockholders.

    For additional information, please visit www.8co.holdings and www.forever8.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact could be deemed forward looking. Words such as “plans,” “expects,” “will,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “expand,” “advance,” “develop” “believes,” “guidance,” “target,” “may,” “remain,” “project,” “outlook,” “intend,” “estimate,” “could,” “should,” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: Eightco’s ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements; unexpected costs, charges or expenses that reduce Eightco’s capital resources; Eightco’s inability to raise adequate capital to fund its business; and Eightco’s inability to innovate and attract users for Eightco’s products and services. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause Eightco’s actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, see Eightco’s filings with the SEC, including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Eightco undertakes no duty to update this information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.

    For further information, please contact:
    Investor Relations
    investors@8co.holdings

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: LPL Financial Announces Promotion of Five Executives to New Managing Director Roles

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC (Nasdaq:LPLA), today announced that five of its executives have been promoted into new Managing Director roles. Christa Carone, Gary Carrai, Brett Goodman, Scott Posner and Brent Simonich have been elevated from Executive Vice President positions and will become Managing Directors at the firm.

    These roles represent a new management level for the firm and demonstrate an acknowledgement of the broadening scope and impact of the firm’s leaders in a variety of functions. Current Managing Directors Althea Brown, Marc Cohen, Matthew Enyedi, Greg Gates and Aneri Jambusaria will become Group Managing Directors and will continue in their roles on LPL’s Management Committee alongside CEO Rich Steinmeier and President and CFO Matt Audette.

    “LPL is a firm that attracts the best talent in the industry. As the firm grows, the scope and impact of our executive management team grows along with it, offering an opportunity to empower more of our incredible leaders to guide the firm’s strategic direction and champion the culture we aspire to uphold” said LPL Financial CEO Rich Steinmeier. “Each of these exceptional leaders embodies our corporate values and has demonstrated influence across the firm and the broader industry in their respective areas of expertise. We are thrilled to elevate and expand the leadership of LPL in alignment with our vision to be the best firm in wealth management.”

    Promoted Executives

    Christa Carone, Managing Director, Chief Marketing and Communication Officer
    As Chief Marketing and Communication Officer for LPL, Christa Carone is responsible for leading the firm’s brand and growth marketing initiatives, digital content experiences, and communication strategies across all audiences. Prior to joining LPL, she held marketing leadership roles at a variety of companies including Fidelity Investments and Xerox.

    Gary Carrai, Managing Director, Chief Product Officer
    Gary Carrai leads LPL’s technology product teams. He is responsible for driving the design and delivery of the operating platform used by all advisor and institutional clients. Gary has held several leadership roles at LPL, including leading advisor business lines, and divisions within the wealth management solutions team.

    Brett Goodman, Managing Director, Corporate Development, Treasury, and Investor Relations
    Brett Goodman leads the firm’s M&A strategy and execution, serves as LPL’s treasurer, and oversees the firm’s engagement with shareholders. Prior to LPL, Brett served as a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and Chief Development Officer at E*TRADE.

    Scott Posner, Managing Director, Business Development
    Scott Posner leads Business Development for LPL and is responsible for organic growth initiatives across the firm including advisor recruiting, institutional sales, external liquidity and succession, and business transitions. He has been instrumental in evolving the firm’s recruiting team and structure and for delivering extraordinary results. Prior to joining LPL, Scott was a partner in business services at IBM and held leadership roles at BNY Mellon.

    Brent Simonich, Managing Director, Chief Risk Officer, Head of Business Operations
    Brent Simonich leads LPL’s Risk, Compliance, Operations and Transformation teams and has a proven track record of establishing strong governance programs, delivering outcomes and creating scale. Prior to joining LPL, Brent served as executive vice president and chief risk officer at E*TRADE.

    Managing Directors were elevated following a robust formal evaluation process. Going forward, LPL will continue to review candidates for Managing Director roles as part of an annual development and advancement process.

    About LPL Financial

    LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports nearly 29,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.7 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 6 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com.

    Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC.

    Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial.

    We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

    Media Contact: 
    Media.relations@LPLFinancial.com 
    (402) 740-2047 

    Tracking #: 725567

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Provident Bank’s Community Partnership Program Donates Over $931,000 to Local Non-Profits Since 2006

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RIVERSIDE, Calif., April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Provident Financial Holdings, Inc., NASDAQ GS: PROV, the holding company for Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B. (“Provident Bank”) has donated over $931,000 to local non-profits with their Community Partnership Program (“Program”) since the Program’s inception in 2006. For the calendar year 2024, Provident Bank donated more than $39,000 to local non-profit organizations such as service groups, parent teacher associations, homeowner’s associations, booster clubs, foundations, church groups, and societies, among others in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

    “The Bank realizes the importance of giving back to local, non-profit organizations that improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. By empowering our customers to help direct the Bank’s charitable campaigns, we assist in fulfilling the goals of these admirable organizations,” stated Gwen Wertz, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking.

    Provident Bank’s Community Partnership Program allows participating non-profit organizations to receive annual donations by simply linking their unique ID number to their members who are customers of Provident Bank. Organizations can earn more as more of their members link their accounts to their unique ID. Of course, some restrictions apply and interested groups are encouraged to contact Provident Bank for more information about the Program. You can reach Provident Bank at (800) 745-2217 to ask about the Community Partnership Program or by visiting www.myprovident.com.

    With approximately $1.3 billion in total assets, Provident Bank is the largest independent community bank headquartered in Riverside County, California, and has been serving the financial needs of its customers since 1956.

    Safe-Harbor Statement

    Certain matters in this News Release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may relate to, among others, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding the Company’s mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations, and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, the general business environment, interest rates, the California real estate market, competitive conditions between banks and non-bank financial services providers, regulatory changes, and other risks detailed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

    Contacts:

    Donavon P. Ternes
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Haryanto “Lee” Sunarto
    Interim Chief Financial Officer

    (951) 686-6060

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Montauk Renewables, Inc. Announces Share Repurchase Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PITTSBURGH, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Montauk Renewables, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTK) (“Montauk” or the “Company”), announced today that the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program to repurchase up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, effective immediately with no date for termination.

    Repurchases under the program may be made through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The timing, number and purchase price of shares repurchased under the program, if any, will be determined by a Repurchase Committee, comprised of Board members and management.

    The repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason, including market conditions, the cost of repurchasing shares, the availability of alternative investment opportunities, liquidity, and other factors deemed appropriate. These factors may also affect the timing and amount of share repurchases. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any number of shares and there is no assurance that purchases will take place under the program.

    About Montauk Renewables, Inc.

    Montauk Renewables, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTK) is a renewable energy company specializing in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into RNG. The Company captures methane, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, and converts it into either RNG or electrical power for the electrical grid (“Renewable Electricity”). The Company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has more than 30 years of experience in the development, operation and management of landfill methane-fueled renewable energy projects. The Company has operations at 13 projects and ongoing development projects located in California, Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The Company sells RNG and Renewable Electricity, taking advantage of Environmental Attribute premiums available under federal and state policies that incentivize their use. For more information, visit https://ir.montaukrenewables.com.

    Company Contact:

    John Ciroli
    Chief Legal Officer (CLO) & Secretary
    investors@montaukrenewables.com
    (412) 747-8700

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Georg Venturatos
    Gateway Group
    MNTK@Gateway-grp.com
    (949) 574-3860

    Forward Looking Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding share repurchases. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our estimates, expectations or intentions only as of the date hereof, and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. These statements involve a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties. If the risks materialize, assumptions prove incorrect, or we experience unexpected changes in circumstances, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, expectations of the economic environment, material adverse changes in economic conditions, alternative uses of capital, and the other risks contained in our other public disclosures discussing our business and financial condition and results. As a result, we caution against placing undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. For information on potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ, please see the “Risks Factors” section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent quarterly reports and other filings filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so.

    The MIL Network