NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI USA: International law enforcement cooperation leads to takedown and immigration arrests of alien smugglers in US and Brazil

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WORCESTER, Mass. – Extensive coordination and cooperation between the United States and Brazilian law enforcement and prosecution authorities culminated March 26 in a significant enforcement operation to dismantle a transnational criminal organization allegedly responsible for the illicit smuggling of hundreds of individuals from Brazil to the United States.

    The enforcement operation included the arrest of a previously convicted alien smuggler who allegedly reentered the United States illegally after deportation to Brazil and was residing unlawfully in Worcester. The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) executed multiple search warrants in Brazil and arrested an alleged Brazil-based human smuggler.

    Flavio Alexandre Alves, also known as “Ronaldo,” 41, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Worcester on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to bring aliens to and transport aliens within the United States for the purpose of commercial or financial gain in violation of law. Alves appeared in federal court in Worcester the day of his arrest.

    According to court documents, Alves conspired with others to transport aliens from Brazil through Mexico and then into the United States. Once the aliens arrived in the United States, Alves allegedly purchased airline tickets for the aliens to other U.S. destinations. Alves also allegedly transferred money from the United States to aliens and smugglers located in Mexico to pay for expenses associated with transit into the United States and collected fees from aliens for being smuggled into the United States. Alves allegedly was previously convicted of human smuggling in the Central District of California in 2004 and deported to Brazil in February 2005. Court documents indicate that Alves has been residing in the United States without an immigration status after illegally re-entering the United States.

    It is alleged that between May 2021 and August 2022, Alves purchased more than 100 individual airline tickets from Tucson or Phoenix to destination cities in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania (Boston, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia). Some of these purchases were for migrants who recently had encounters with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers or were recently released from detention.

    Additionally, ICE Homeland Security Investigations offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, supported by partner law enforcement agencies, detained four individuals associated with the alien smuggling organization on administrative immigration violations.

    The investigation and arrest of Alves was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, has been elevated and expanded by the attorney general with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 315 U.S. convictions; more than 260 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and ICE HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present national security, public safety risks or grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

    ICE HSI New England led U.S. investigative efforts, working in concert with the ICE HSI Attaché Brasilia, ICE HSI Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and the ICE HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. with substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided crucial assistance in this matter.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chicago Businessman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Defrauding Financial Institutions out of More Than $3 Million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHICAGO — A Chicago businessman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for scheming to defraud multiple financial institutions out of more than $3 million.

    DAVID IZSAK, 50, of Chicago, was a licensed real estate professional and the sole proprietor of Skokie, Ill.-based Premier Assets Inc. and Premier Properties Enterprises, Inc.  From 2005 to 2018, Izsak engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions by obtaining residential loans through false statements, concealing other unpaid loans, and falsely obtaining credit.  As part of the scheme, Izsak submitted or caused to be submitted to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds fictitious lien releases that purported to be from lenders stating the loans were paid in full.  The bogus lien releases included false names of attorneys and bank employees. In one instance, after causing a lien to be released, Izsak sold the property to an unsuspecting buyer.  In another instance, he obtained six mortgages on a single property, obtaining a new loan after fictitiously releasing the prior loan without repaying it.

    Izsak also obtained a loan to buy a 57-foot yacht known as the “Flying Lady” by submitting fraudulent tax returns and financial information to the lender.  The yacht was seized by federal authorities in 2019.

    A jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago in 2023 convicted Izsak on ten counts of financial institution fraud.  U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah imposed the prison sentence on Tuesday during a hearing in federal court.

    The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office, and Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

    “Izsak engaged in blatantly fraudulent conduct for many years,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly Moheb argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum.  “The entire purpose of the scheme was to line his own pockets, so that he could live a lifestyle he didn’t earn.”

    Two other individuals – YALE SCHIFF, of Riverwoods, Ill., and his brother, JASON SCHIFF, of Lincolnwood, Ill. – were also convicted as part of the federal investigation.  Yale Schiff was sentenced in January to three years in prison for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in mortgage and vehicle loans and using stolen identities to secure credit from financial institutions.  Jason Schiff pleaded guilty to causing a false report and statement to be made to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Jason Schiff was sentenced to three years of probation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. –  A former Kansas City, MO man plead guilty in federal court today to conspiring to commit bank fraud against two local financial institutions.

    Gerald Humphrey Jr., 30, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

    By pleading guilty today, Humphrey, Jr. admitted that he knowingly and willfully joined in an agreement to commit bank fraud by defrauding FDIC-insured financial institutions of money.  On July 1, 2022, an investigator with a local financial institution contacted FBI Kansas City to report an alleged check fraud scheme in the Kansas City area. The fraud scheme consisted of individuals being recruited via social media to voluntarily provide their debit cards and PIN numbers to the fraudsters. The fraudsters would then deposit fraudulent checks into the customers’ accounts. The investigator determined that similar check card stocks were used, similar dollar values were used on the checks, and the same two individuals, eventually identified, with one of them being the defendant, Gerald Humphrey Jr., were seen in surveillance videos making the deposits. These co-defendants would make cash withdrawals at ATMs, debit card purchases, and transfer money via Cash App. Through its investigation, the FBI was able to determine that two FDIC insured financial institutions in the Kansas City area where being targeted as victims of this scheme.  The evidence discovered in the investigation indicated the scheme began in April 2022 and continued until at least September 2022 with the actual loss incurred being approximately $90,000 with an intended loss of approximately $400,000.

    Under federal statutes, Humphrey Jr. is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentence of the defendant will be determined by the court based upon the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ketchmark. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of criminal investigators from the two financial institutions.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woburn Men Sentenced to Prison for Migrant Smuggling Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – Father and son owners of two Woburn, Mass. restaurants, Taste of Brazil—Tudo Na Brasa and The Dog House Bar and Grill, were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States from Brazil. One defendant was also sentenced for money laundering conspiracy.

    Jesse James Moraes, 67, and Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 45, both of Woburn, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs. Jesse Moraes was sentenced to eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release; and Hugo Moraes was sentenced to five months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, with the first five months in home confinement, and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine. In November 2024, the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to encourage and induce an alien to come to, enter, and reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law, for commercial advantage or private financial gain. Jesse Moraes also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder the proceeds of the migrant smuggling conspiracy.

    The conspiracy involved recruiting undocumented migrants in Brazil to come to the United States through Mexico without authorization in exchange for fees of between $12,000 and $22,000 per person. The migrants were encouraged to make fraudulent claims of asylum and familial relationship (e.g., parent and minor child) in the United States and were given fraudulent information about U.S. points of contact to give to immigration authorities when they were caught in the United States. Once migrants were in the United States, Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes helped them secure long-term housing, including in apartments owned by relatives of Hugo Moraes. The defendants arranged for some of the migrants to work at Tudo Na Brasa/Taste of Brazil and The Dog House Bar and Grill and paid the migrants either entirely or partly in cash unless and until the migrants obtained identification documents, at which point they would be paid at least partly by check.

    The defendants encouraged the migrants working for them to obtain false identification documents and referred them to a co-defendant, Marcos Chacon Gil, a/k/a Marquito,” to obtain such false identification documents. The co-conspirators agreed that some of the migrants could pay off some of their smuggling fee once they reached the United States, which they did by direct payment, having their wages withheld, or by collection by relatives and other associates within and outside the United States.

    The money laundering conspiracy to which Jesse Moraes was sentenced involved transferring funds into and out of the United States with the intent to promote the migrant smuggling conspiracy and conducting financial transactions with the proceeds of the smuggling conspiracy that were designed to conceal the ownership and control of the proceeds.  

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Woburn Police Chief Robert F. Rufo, Jr., made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James D. Herbert, Kelly Lawrence and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What users need to know about privacy and data after 23andMe’s bankruptcy filing

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Aileen Editha, PhD Candidate in Law, Queen’s University, Ontario

    News of 23andMe’s bankruptcy has reignited concerns about data privacy, particularly what happens to customers’ personal and genetic information. (Shutterstock)

    23andMe, one of the first companies to provide direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits, has filed for bankruptcy. Since its founding in 2006, it has sold over 12 million DNA kits, with high-profile users including Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett.

    The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 23 under the United States Bankruptcy Code. This means 23andMe — now considered a debtor-in-possession — will start restructuring its finances and operations under court supervision.

    Despite the bankruptcy filing, 23andMe said it’s not shutting down. Having secured US$35 million in financing for the restructure, 23andMe has stated in an open letter that it will continue operating. Customers still have full access to their accounts, reports and data.

    News of the bankruptcy has reignited concerns about data privacy, particularly what happens to customers’ personal and genetic information. Considering 23andMe’s past challenges and controversies, these concerns are understandable.



    Read more:
    The 23andMe data breach reveals the vulnerabilities of our interconnected data

    In 2023, hackers exploited old passwords to gain access to the personal information of 6.9 million people. While 23andMe said no genetic data was compromised, information like family trees, birth years and geographic locations were. Some of the stolen data was later put up for sale on a hacking forum.

    In addition to the breach and resulting legal suits, the company has been in financial trouble since 2021. In 2024, 23andMe laid off 40 per cent of its workforce and saw all its independent directors resign unanimously in response to CEO Anne Wojcicki’s decision to take the company private. Wojcicki has since stepped down.

    Data as assets

    A key concern now is what will happen to customer data during the bankruptcy process. The possibility of new ownership has some customers concerned about how their sensitive genetic information will be handled in the future.

    23andMe’s privacy policies say the following:

    “If we are involved in a bankruptcy, merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your Personal Information may be accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction and this Privacy Statement will apply to your Personal Information as transferred to the new entity.”

    This means 23andMe could technically sell customer information as part and parcel of the company to ensure competitive bids. This information includes both individual-level data, such as genotypes, diseases and traits, as well as de-identified data that doesn’t include names or addresses.

    23andMe is one of the first companies to provide direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits.
    (Shutterstock)

    The company could also expand licensing agreements with pharmaceutical companies, which would allow them to use customer information for research. For instance, 23andMe’s “discovery collaboration” with GlaxoSmithKline allows consumer data to be used for research on novel drugs.

    23andMe has stated customer data will remain protected during the bankruptcy process, since any buyer “will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to treatment of customer data.”

    It is also important to note, however, that 23andMe may emerge successful from its restructuring. Filing for bankruptcy doesn’t mean a company will necessarily cease to operate. Many companies, including rental car company Hertz, General Motors and Red Lobster, all filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but eventually recovered and continued business operations. 23andMe could follow a similar path.

    How privacy laws affect consumer data

    In commercial spheres, an individual’s genetic information is treated the same as their personal information under privacy laws. The extent to which customers should be concerned also depends on where they are located.

    For instance, the European Union and United Kingdom’s General Data Protection Regulation will provide additional protections to customers.

    Customers in Canada have some protection under the Personal Information and Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), as they are legally permitted to withdraw consent to the use of their personal information so long as they provide reasonable notice. However, this may still be limited by legal or contractual agreements.

    A 23andMe user’s ancestry results are displayed beside a saliva collection kit in Wilmington, Del. in 2018.
    (Shutterstock)

    In the U.S., however, the situation is much more complicated as there continues to be a lack of a harmonized legal approach to consumer privacy. Some U.S. states have enacted laws to better protect consumer privacy, like California’s Consumer Privacy Act and the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act.

    However, U.S. federal legislation like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, better known as HIPAA, doesn’t apply because 23andMe isn’t classified as a health-care agency or an associate of a health-care organization.

    What should consumers do?

    There are numerous uncertainties surrounding the situation, like whether or not 23andMe will eventually cease to operate and who it might sell to. Additionally, regardless of whether or not 23andMe is sold, its privacy policies can change anytime.

    In light of these uncertainties, concerned customers should err on the side of caution and delete their accounts. It is, however, important to note that 23andMe and its laboratory partners may still retain some consumers’ personal and genetic information, even after accounts are deleted.

    Concerned customers should make sure to withdraw their consent and request the deletion of both their individual-level and de-identifed data from the database. California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Ontario’s Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim have also given this advice.



    Read more:
    With 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, what happens to consumers’ genetic data?

    The anxiety and concern surrounding 23andMe’s future is an indicator that a harmonized and effective framework is needed to regulate consumer privacy.

    As legal scholars Sara Gerke, Melissa B. Jacoby and I. Glenn Cohen aptly stated in their recent research article, “a legal system that relies heavily on privacy statements to protect customer data leaves customers vulnerable to unexpected uses of their data, with limited remedies.”

    Without clear regulations, consumers are forced to rely on the word of companies. With genetic data at stake, it’s imperative that policymakers take action to protect consumer privacy in the face of uncertainty.

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

    – ref. What users need to know about privacy and data after 23andMe’s bankruptcy filing – https://theconversation.com/what-users-need-to-know-about-privacy-and-data-after-23andmes-bankruptcy-filing-253012

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call on FIFA to Take Steps to Prevent Human Trafficking at the Upcoming World Cup

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led a bipartisan group of 17 senators in a letter to officials at the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) urging the organization to ensure they are investing and working to prevent human trafficking before, during, and after the 2026 World Cup. The senators requested that FIFA share information about the steps it is taking to keep people safe in host cities and across North America, and what resources they are providing to help support communities across the continent. This letter is co-led by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).

    “The FIFA World Cup is considered the world’s largest sporting event and is expected to bring millions of fans to the United States,” wrote the senators. “[…] We want to make sure that FIFA is considering how to combat human trafficking not just in host cities, but throughout North America. This collaboration should include robust preventative measures, partnerships with law enforcement, and engagement with community organizations to ensure that this World Cup serves as a model for future events.”

    “We respectfully request information about the comprehensive efforts FIFA is taking to support the Host City Committees in combatting human trafficking in host cities, states and across the continent, in addition to any financial commitments you are providing to Host Cities, local or national organizations and any education and training you are providing to your teams, players, and staff on the issue,” they continued. “We also request information about any efforts you are making with local and federal law enforcement and non-profits in advance of, during, and after the World Cup to support anti-trafficking and survivor assistance initiatives.”

    The 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever held, with 78 matches to be hosted in 11 American cities. Millions of visitors are expected to travel to the United States for the event. Given the risks of human trafficking associated with mass travel and a large sporting event, the senators are urging FIFA to take proactive steps to prevent trafficking.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    Senator Cortez Masto is an outspoken advocate for the survivors of human trafficking and sexual assault. Before Las Vegas hosted Super Bowl LVIII and the 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Senator Cortez Masto led similar letters, working with the lead sports organizations to support initiatives to combat human trafficking in Las Vegas. Her bipartisan federal bills to help train law enforcement to identify and prevent human trafficking through airports and combat human trafficking activity on social media were signed into law. She has introduced the bipartisan Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act to help human trafficking survivors access air travel so they can escape traffickers and get the care they need. And, she has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation that would prevent the trafficking of children by providing grants for the training of students, parents, and school personnel to respond to the signs of human trafficking.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Over 10,000 people connected to life-changing supports

    Alberta’s government has been focussed on helping the most vulnerable get off the streets and into much safer environments where they can focus on building their futures. As a part of these efforts, the province continues to make it easier for vulnerable Albertans to meet their housing and recovery needs through the Navigation and Support Centres.

    The Navigation and Support Centres provide a one-stop shop where people can access a wide range of supports in one place, including financial aid, health services, housing supports and more. Since the first centre opened just over a year ago, more than 10,000 unique individuals have been connected to life-changing services at the Navigation and Support Centres.

    “We won’t turn our backs on the most vulnerable. Our goal is to get vulnerable people into much safer environments where they can access a range of supports and that’s why we created the Navigation and Support Centres. By offering a centralized place for vulnerable Albertans to access numerous services and supports, we have helped thousands of vulnerable Albertans receive the help they need, more easily.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

    In January 2024, Alberta’s government opened Edmonton’s Navigation and Support Centre to provide targeted support for vulnerable Albertans. As the province worked with its partners to remove high-risk encampments, the centre helped connect those leaving encampments with the various supports they needed under one roof, and quickly expanded to serving all homeless individuals looking for help.

    This new approach made it much easier for vulnerable people to access supports, as they no longer were forced to travel to multiple locations to get connected with the help they need. This proved to be incredibly successful, leading to Edmonton’s centre becoming a permanent fixture and the province expanding these efforts by opening a second centre in Calgary.

    “I am pleased to see that so many lives have been positively affected by the navigation and support centres. This approach is clearly working, proving to be an effective way of connecting vulnerable people with the help they need. Alberta’s innovative approach to addressing homelessness has raised the bar across Canada, and other jurisdictions are taking note of our success.”

    Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

    To date, the two centres have provided over 45,000 connections or referrals to services, assisting more than 10,000 people as of March 27. This includes:

    • More than 4,460 connections to emergency shelter spaces and housing programs such as transitional and supportive housing, affordable housing, and rent supplements.
    • Almost 9,700 identification cards issued by Service Alberta.
    • More than 8,950 connections to employment and financial services, including Income Support and AISH.
    • More than 2,090 connections to cultural supports provided by local Indigenous organizations.
    • More than 3,450 connections to health and medical supports.
    • More than 4,038 connections to mental health and addiction services.

    “The Navigation and Support Centre has provided a vast range of supports to thousands of people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton and throughout Alberta. The centre represents Alberta’s commitment and innovative approach to supporting vulnerable people in our communities.”

    Tim Pasma, director of programs, Homelessness, Hope Mission

    Alberta’s government has made unprecedented investments into supporting thousands of shelter spaces across the province and local programs for stable housing with wraparound supports, and the Navigation and Support Centres continue help connect vulnerable individuals with these valuable services.

    In many cases, people have found the centres so useful that they are returning multiple times to access services and are bringing people they know are in need along with them. Alberta’s government remains committed to working closely with its partners, including front-line service providers, Indigenous leaders and other levels of government, to ensure the continued success of the Navigation and Support Centres.

    “As a sober living service provider in Edmonton, we are very appreciative of the Navigation and Support Centre for being the innovative response to our community’s most vulnerable. The spectrum of supports and services available to be accessed in one location was something our community really needed.”

    Stephen Syskakis, executive director, 8 Pillars Recovery Foundation

    Related information

    • Navigation and Support Centres

    Related news

    • New supports for vulnerable people in Edmonton (Jan. 17, 2024)
    • Helping Calgary’s most vulnerable navigate supports (July 2, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Independent Bank Corporation Announces Date for Its First Quarter 2025 Earnings Release

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP), the holding company of Independent Bank, a Michigan-based community bank, announced that it expects to issue its 2025 first quarter results on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at approximately 8:00 am ET. The release will be available on the Internet at IndependentBank.com within the “News” section of the “Investor Relations” area of the Company’s website.

    Brad Kessel, President and CEO, Gavin Mohr, CFO and Joel Rahn, EVP Commercial Banking will review the quarterly results in a conference call for investors and analysts beginning at 11:00 am ET on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

    To participate in the live conference call, please dial 1-833-470-1428 (Access Code # 706949). Also, the conference call will be accessible through an audio webcast with user-controlled slides via the following event site/URL: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/106805636.

    A playback of the call can be accessed by dialing 1-866-813-9403 (Access Code # 746507). The replay will be available through May 1, 2025.

    About Independent Bank Corporation

    Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) is a Michigan-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately $5.3 billion. Founded as First National Bank of Ionia in 1864, Independent Bank Corporation operates a branch network across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula through one state-chartered bank subsidiary. This subsidiary (Independent Bank) provides a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage lending, investments, insurance and title services. Independent Bank Corporation is committed to providing exceptional personal service and value to its customers, stockholders and the communities it serves.

    For more information, please visit our website at: IndependentBank.com.

    Contact: William B. Kessel, President and CEO, 616.447.3933
      Gavin A. Mohr, Chief Financial Officer, 616.447.3929

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Klobuchar, and Warner Announce Expected Vote Timing on their Bill to Undo Canada Tariffs that will Raise Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Next Tuesday, April 1, the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on legislation led by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) to undo President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, which amount to a 25 percent tax on goods imported from one of America’s top trading partners and closest allies. Since President Trump announced tariffs on Canada, there has been strong pushback from Americans, businesses, trade groups, and industry leaders.

    “President Trump’s taxes on Canadian goods have sent our economy into chaos, and Americans aren’t buying what he’s selling. They know they will pay the price with higher costs for everyday items, and their confidence in the economy is the lowest it has been in recent years,” said Kaine. “Many of my Republican colleagues in Congress have already expressed concerns about these tariffs, so the Senate’s upcoming vote on our legislation provides senators with the perfect opportunity to show Americans that they will stand up for their constituents and reverse the President’s disastrous economic policies.”

    “This Administration is igniting a reckless trade war and regular Americans are paying the price,” said Klobuchar. “Costs for everyone will go up and our farmers and businesses will suffer. Canada is Minnesota’s top trading partner and is a key U.S. ally. We must reverse these damaging tariffs before it’s too late.”

    “Trump’s tariffs on Canada are a self-inflicted wound—raising prices for American consumers, hurting workers, and straining one of our closest trade partnerships,” said Warner. “Now my Republican colleagues have an opportunity to weigh in—will they stand up for the American people or continue us down this damaging path?”

    In total, the tariffs President Trump announced on February 1 would cost the average American household up to $2,000 a year, with the Canada tariffs making up a significant portion of that. These tariffs represent the largest tax increase on American families in recent history. Polls have overwhelmingly demonstrated that the American people do not support Trump’s trade wars. According to a survey by Public First, just 28 percent of American adults supported specifically applying tariffs to Canada, while 43 percent opposed.

    In Virginia in 2024, Canada was the largest export market and accounted for 15 percent of Virginia exports. In Virginia in 2022, top goods exports to Canada included motor vehicles and transportation equipment, such as medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 56.1 percent of Southwest Virginia’s economic output is dependent on trade.

    Below is what Americans are saying about Trump’s tariffs on Canada:

    AFL-CIO Director of Government Affairs Jody Calemine: “On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I urge you to support S.J. Res. 37, a resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine to terminate the national emergency that was declared to justify tariffs on imports from Canada under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)… However, imposing large, across the board tariffs on Canada aimed at non-trade objectives will only cause unnecessary economic pain for workers and businesses on both sides of the border.”

    International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Brian Bryant: “On behalf of the 600,000 active and retired members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), I write today in strong support of S.J. Res. 37… These new tariffs on Canada, one of our closest allies and largest trading partners, are unjust and will have lasting negative impacts on American and Canadian workers… The Trump administration’s erratic approach to tariffs is wreaking havoc on workers and businesses in the United States and Canada. Punishing one of our nation’s closest trading partners based on a false pretense is wrong and the action needs to be reversed.”

    International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President Matthew S. Biggs and Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson: “As the Executive Officers of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), representing 90,000 workers in the private, public, and federal sectors across North America, we are writing in support of S.J. Res. 37… Canada is America’s closest ally and number one trading partner. Our trading relationship uplifts American and Canadian working families alike. Imposing reckless tariffs on Canadian imports will harm both the U.S. and Canadian economies and do even greater harm to working families on both sides of the border. Congress must step in now to block this reckless and destructive policy.”

    National Taxpayers Union: “Canada is an important supplier of goods that strengthen U.S. security, including crude oil, natural gas, steel, and aluminum. Tariffs that restrict our access to these supplies and increase their cost will weaken our industrial base and undermine our ability to sustain our defense in the event of a national emergency.”

    Taxpayers Protection Alliance President David Williams: “TPA enthusiastically supports Sens. Tim Kaine and Rand Paul’s CRA to overturn President Trump’s February 1, 2025, national emergency declaration. This use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is fraught with issues. The ensuing trade war will inevitably raise costs for consumers. Placing a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico will harm consumers and the vast majority of American businesses.”

    United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall: “On behalf of the 850,000 active members of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW), I urge you to support S.J. Res. 37, a resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine to terminate the national emergency that was declared to impose duties on imports from Canada, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)… These new tariffs are misdirected, unsubstantiated by facts, and harmful to the very workers we represent.”

    The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: “None of this is supposed to happen under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement that Mr. Trump negotiated and signed in his first term. The U.S. willingness to ignore its treaty obligations, even with friends, won’t make other countries eager to do deals. Maybe Mr. Trump will claim victory and pull back if he wins some token concessions. But if a North American trade war persists, it will qualify as one of the dumbest in history.”

    The Washington Post Editorial Board: “Markets have plummeted since Trump announced new levies on Canada, Mexico and China, erasing nearly all gains since his election… The tariffs are still likely to be economically destructive: They will snarl global supply chains, raise costs to consumers and cause layoffs in industries that depend on imported inputs like steel… This means more than just additional pain for consumers whipsawed by inflation, higher prices on imports and, now, the possibility of a recession.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: First ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub Selected

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the selection of 1300 South Salina Street (formerly the Sears Building) as the future home of New York State’s first ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub. The flagship Hub will anchor a broader revitalization of the site, which is being led by the City of Syracuse and CenterState CEO. The Central New York location will serve as a critical gateway for both job seekers and manufacturing and construction firms, supporting the region’s growing demand for skilled workers, anchored by Micron’s $100 billion commitment in Onondaga County. Empire State Development’s Board of Directors approved $8.5 million in funding for the flagship center, part of Governor Hochul’s broader $200 million ON-RAMP initiative, with additional workforce innovation hubs being established in the Capital Region, the Mohawk Valley and the Finger Lakes.

    “Too many communities in Upstate New York have been left out and left behind for generations — and I’m fighting to bring them back,” Governor Hochul said. “This new ON-RAMP center in Syracuse will be a critical part of the new I-90 advanced manufacturing corridor, giving New Yorkers the skills and training necessary for a good-paying job. New Yorkers are already seeing the benefits of our economic development strategy: good-paying jobs, revitalized communities and more money in their pockets.”

    ON-RAMP, the groundbreaking initiative designed to expand workforce development opportunities in advanced manufacturing for more New Yorkers, was first proposed in Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State and included in the FY25 Enacted Budget. Training provided through ON-RAMP will be based on the highly successful model developed by the Northland Workforce Development Training Center in Buffalo. Northland’s model works to reduce the major barriers that prohibit students from enrolling and completing post-secondary education like transportation, child care, academic readiness and affordability. Collectively, the four centers will combine industry, academia, social services, organized labor and community organizations to provide high quality, in-demand training and the wraparound support necessary to empower more New Yorkers with the skills needed for careers in high growth industries.

    Staff for the Central New York ON-RAMP Center will be temporarily housed at CenterState CEO located at 115 West Fayette Street while the South Salina Street site is being redeveloped. Initial training programs will focus on career exploration, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), financial empowerment and trade-specific skills for construction and manufacturing. Construction training will include pathways to apprenticeship and trade-specific skills, and manufacturing training will focus on entry-level assembly and middle-skill technician training, including Onondaga Community College Electrical Mechanical Technician training. In the first year, training programs are expected to serve between 150 and 200 New Yorkers.

    Upon completion of the new facility, the Syracuse location will offer flexible programs customized to employer skill and volume needs, create engaging ways for community members to learn about the career that is right for them, and combine training with comprehensive support to reduce barriers to employment. The Central New York ON-RAMP hub will work with local partners to provide a wide array of services in a single, central location.

    Additionally, CenterState CEO plans to work with the City of Syracuse to explore how best to connect the new South Salina Street ON-RAMP location to the nearby City-owned lot, ensuring that these strategic properties are redeveloped with the community’s input. CenterState CEO will hold monthly virtual town hall meetings to report on progress and hear from partners directly.

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is building the workforce of tomorrow through comprehensive training programs that engage and prepare more New Yorkers for high-demand, good paying jobs. Today’s announcement represents the latest step in the development and deployment of the ON-RAMP program, further supporting our investments to build a dynamic 21st century economy.”

    New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “We must equip our workforce with the skills necessary to support New York State’s rapidly expanding advanced manufacturing sector. By offering comprehensive training and wraparound services, this new ON-RAMP center will offer workers in Syracuse a pathway to well-paying careers for years to come. I applaud Governor Hochul for her continued investments in our workforce as we continue building the economy of tomorrow.”

    CenterState CEO President and CEO Rob Simpson said, “This is an important project for the city and the south side as it holds high potential for workforce innovation at a time of growth in our region. At the Syracuse ON-RAMP Center, community members will be able to learn essential skills for careers in construction and advanced manufacturing, to prepare our region for the Micron project. In partnership with New York State, the City of Syracuse and all of our many community partners, CenterState CEO will work to ensure that these strategic properties are redeveloped with the community’s input.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “It’s exciting to see the continued investment in Central New York’s technology sector. The announcement of the ON-Ramp project solidifies our status as one of the leading technology hubs in the nation. This initiative is expected to attract more tech businesses, leading to high-paying jobs and economic growth, benefiting our community in many ways. Additionally, it will support Micron’s $100 billion investment in our region. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her efforts on this important investment, which will help drive Syracuse’s progress.”

    State Senator Christopher J. Ryan said, “The establishment of New York State’s first ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub right here in Central New York is a game-changer for our workforce and our economy. The ON-RAMP Initiative is about breaking down barriers and opening doors to good-paying, union careers in construction and advanced manufacturing — industries that are the backbone of our middle class. As a lifelong labor leader and worker advocate, I know firsthand the power of union jobs to transform lives, providing stability, benefits and a pathway to prosperity. With Micron’s historic investment and the growing demand for skilled workers, the ON-RAMP Hub will ensure that more Central New Yorkers, regardless of background, have access to high-quality training, apprenticeships and the support needed to secure these life-changing opportunities. This is an investment in our workers, our families and the future of our region. I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to Upstate cities and Central New York.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “Governor Hochul’s announcement today represents another exciting step towards our region’s burgeoning landscape of advanced manufacturing. The future location of Central New York’s ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub on South Salina Street promises an essential redevelopment of the local neighborhood, along with the reduction of obstacles for underserved populations to access the necessary skills needed for this growing industry. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to the actualization of a diverse and highly-trained workforce to carry the future of Central New York’s economy forward.”

    Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “The Governor’s investment in workforce development helps create a community that is equipped with skills necessary to drive economic growth especially in highly demanded industries. The ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub’s structure of providing wraparound support services empowers members of the local community to break from issues that often confine them to poverty and unemployment.”

    Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “As Central New York continues to experience unprecedented economic growth, it is critical that we invest in workforce development to ensure our residents have access to the opportunities created by projects like Micron. The ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub at 1300 South Salina Street will be a game-changer—providing high-quality training, critical support services, and clear pathways to family-sustaining careers in manufacturing and construction. I applaud Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, CenterState CEO, and the City of Syracuse for their leadership in making this investment a reality for our community.”

    Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “This announcement is great news for Syracuse and the Southside community. In alignment with Syracuse Surge, our strategy for inclusive growth in the new economy, the creation of a larger workforce training hub will accelerate our efforts to uplift residents through long-term, sustainable employment and economic growth. I look forward to continued neighborhood engagement as this project moves forward. I am grateful to Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, and CenterState CEO for their continued partnership to expand workforce opportunities for Syracuse residents.”

    Today’s announcement complements New York State’s continued investments in workforce development. In 2022, Governor Hochul reimagined the State’s approach to workforce development and established the Office of Strategic Workforce Development at ESD, which supports industry-driven workforce development programs and practices to ensure New Yorkers are prepared to meet the needs and priorities of employers. To date, more than $63 million has been awarded, leveraging more than $69 million in public and private funding, to support nearly 15,000 trainees for over 2,000 business partners.

    The announcement also supplements the State’s investments to build a modern economy in New York by growing a dynamic and innovative semiconductor industry. In 2022, the Governor signed New York’s historic Green CHIPS legislation to make New York a hub for semiconductor manufacturing, creating 21st century jobs and kick-starting economic growth while maintaining important environmental protections. As part of the FY24 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul secured a $45 million investment to create the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO-SEMI), which leads statewide efforts to develop the chipmaking sector. In December 2023, Governor Hochul announced a $10 billion public-private partnership — including $9 billion in private investment from IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other semiconductor leaders — to bring the future of advanced semiconductor research to New York’s Capital region by creating the nation’s first and only industry accessible, High NA EUV Lithography Center at the Albany NanoTech Complex which has been recently awarded $825 million in federal funding and was designated the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator under the CHIPS and Science Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sword Group : Notice of Convocation to the Shareholders for the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company on April 28 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ladies and Gentlemen shareholders are hereby notified that they are summoned to the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting on April 28, 2025, at 11:00 am at the registered office to deliberate on the following agenda:

    Under the authority of the General Meeting acting under the quorum and majority conditions of an Ordinary General Meeting:
    – Reading of the management report of the Board of Directors, including the report on the management of the Group, and report on the conclusion of the agreements referred to in article L.441-7 of the amended law of 10 August 1915 relating to the financial year ended 31 December 2024;
    – Reading of the Statutory Auditor’s report on the 2024 financial statements, the Group’s consolidated financial statements and on the performance of his assignment;
    – Approval of the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024;
    – Approval of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024;
    – Appropriation of net income for the year ended 31 December 2024;
    – Discharge of the Directors for their management during the 2024 financial year;
    – Report on the remuneration paid to the Directors during the 2024 financial year;
    – Approval of the report on the remuneration and appointments policy;
    – Appointment of a new Director;
    – Approval of Directors’ annual remuneration;
    – Discharge of the réviseur d’entreprises agréé (approved statutory auditor) in respect of its engagement for the 2024 financial year;
    – Renewal of the mandate of the réviseur d’entreprises agréé [approved statutory auditor];
    – Powers for formalities.

    Authorised by the General Meeting, under the conditions required for Extraordinary General Meetings as to quorum and majority:
    – Cancellation of the share buyback programme adopted by the Extraordinary General Meeting of 28 April 2023 and authorisation to be given to the Board of Directors for the Company to buy back its own shares as part of a new buyback programme;
    – Authorisation to be given to the Board of Directors to reduce the share capital by cancelling shares acquired as part of the Company’s purchase of its own shares;
    – Powers for formalities.

    Any shareholder, regardless of the number of shares owned, has the right to participate in the General Meetings, to be represented by proxy, or to vote by correspondence.

    For information:
    The documents and information that must be communicated to the General Meeting as well as the unique vote by correspondence and proxy form (“Unique Form”) are available on the company’s website (https://www.sword-group.com/investors) and at the registered office during an uninterrupted period starting the day of the publication of this notice and ending the day after the General Meeting. Each shareholder upon production of their title may obtain a free copy of the documents under the applicable legal conditions.

    Addition of items to the agenda and the right to submit resolution proposals:
    One or more shareholders holding together at least 5% of the company’s share capital have the right to add new items to the agenda of the General Meeting and/or propose resolution projects concerning items already included or to be included in the agenda.

    Such a request must be made in writing and addressed to the Company either by postal mail (to the registered office attention Stéphanie Desmaris) or by email (to investorrelations@sword-group.lu) for receipt no later than April 6, 2025.

    The request must include either (i) the text of the new proposed agenda item(s) and the text of the corresponding resolution(s) along with an explanation or (ii) an alternative resolution project concerning an existing agenda item with a clear indication of which agenda item it concerns and an explanation. Additionally, the request must contain contact details (name, surname, phone number, postal or email address) of a contact person to allow the Company to acknowledge receipt of the request within forty-eight (48) hours as well as proof attesting to the shareholder status and representation of at least 5% of the company’s shares in the form of a confirmation issued by a financial intermediary, provided that the requester must hold this status on the “Record Date” (see definition below).

    Right to ask written questions (via electronic means):
    Shareholders have the right to ask questions regarding items on the agenda of the General Meeting. The Company commits to responding to these questions within the limits of measures it can take to ensure the identification of shareholders, the smooth running of the General Meeting and its preparation, as well as the protection of confidentiality and its commercial interests.

    General Meeting – Participate by voting by correspondence, by proxy, or through a representative:
    Only shareholders whose shareholder status appears directly or indirectly in the company’s shareholder register on the “Record Date” will have the right to participate by voting by proxy or by correspondence at the General Meeting. The “Record Date” is set for April 15, 2025.

    The Ordinary General Meeting will validly deliberate on the agenda items if at least 25% of the issued share capital is present or represented. Resolutions concerning items on the agenda will be adopted by a simple majority of the votes validly cast by represented shareholders.

    The Extraordinary General Meeting will validly deliberate on the agenda items if at least 50% of the issued share capital is represented. Resolutions concerning items on the agenda will be validly adopted if they are approved by at least two-thirds of the votes cast.

    Conditions for voting by post, by proxy or by mandatary:
    Shareholders registered on the “Record Date” may give voting instructions to the Chief Executive Officer or to a third party of their choice to vote at the General Meeting. To give voting instructions to the Chief Executive Officer, shareholders must send to the Company (attention Stéphanie Desmaris) the Unique Form duly completed, dated, and signed along with, if applicable, the registration certificate to be received at the latest by email (to investorrelations@sword-group.lu) on April 24, 2025.

    The Chief Executive Officer will vote in accordance with the instructions given by the shareholder in the aforementioned Unique Form. If no voting instruction is given in the aforementioned Unique Form, the Chief Executive Officer will vote in favor of the resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors on the agenda.

    The above-mentioned standard form is available on the company’s website.
    Shareholders who wish to revoke a Unique Form already sent to the Company can do so at any time by delivering another completed, dated, and signed form with a later date at the latest on April 24, 2025.

    This notice shall serve as a notice of convocation unless any modifications are made to the agenda following requests for the inclusion of resolution proposals submitted by shareholders.

    Luxembourg, March 28, 2025
    For the Board of Directors
    The President

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Diopsys Inc. Agrees to Pay up to $14.25 Million to Resolve Alleged Federal False Claims Act and State Law Violations Relating to Vision Testing

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Diopsys Inc., a medical device company based in Middletown, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay up to $14.25 million to resolve allegations that the company violated the federal False Claims Act and various state laws by knowingly submitting or causing others to submit false claims for payment to Medicare and Medicaid in connection with certain vision testing services.

    The settlement resolves allegations relating to Diopsys’ NOVA device, an electrophysiological device that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared for visual evoked potential (VEP) testing. The United States alleged that, during the period from Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2021, Diopsys caused healthcare providers to submit false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for services in which the NOVA device was utilized for medically unnecessary uses, specifically electroretinography (ERG) vision testing, a substantially different vision test for which the NOVA device lacked FDA clearance. The government further contended that Diopsys made substantial changes to the NOVA device that it never submitted to FDA for clearance or approval despite knowing that such a submission was required.

    “Today’s resolution reaffirms our commitment to protect the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs,” said U.S. Attorney John Giordano for the District of New Jersey. “Health care companies must not encourage doctors to submit claims for payment for medically unnecessary tests.”

    Under the terms of the settlement, Diopsys will make guaranteed payments of $1,225,000 and contingent payments of up to $13,025,000. The settlement is based on Diopsys’ financial condition.

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Dr. Atul Jain, a California ophthalmologist. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.  Approximately $1,120,000 of the guaranteed payment and up to approximately $11,900,000 of the contingent payments constitute the federal portion of the recovery. Dr. Jain will receive at least approximately $207,000 as his share of the federal recovery in this case.

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

    The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Simunovich of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and Trial Attorney Daniel Meyler of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section.

    The case is captioned United States ex rel. Jain v. Diopsys Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 21-18151 (D.N.J.).

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Launches Nationwide Ad Campaign on March 31 with 30 Second TV Spot, Complemented by Digital Media Across Leading Websites, to Increase Exposure of the Company and its Products to Millions of Viewers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Plans to Utilize Digital Ads and Traditional Television Spots

    Nashville, TN, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), has announced that it will launch an ad campaign to raise awareness and exposure for the Company. The Company anticipates running traditional television spots on CNBC and Fox Business as well as utilizing digital ads that will appear on many top-tier financial advice and investor education websites with combined monthly traffic of over 300 million followers.

    “When I speak with individual investors and our customers, they often express amazement that American Rebel has accomplished what it has in such a short period of time,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “Part of our responsibility to our stockholders is to educate the broader investment community about the Company’s achievements. First of all, we’ve developed an incredible beer that is all natural with no corn syrup or rice extract. We’ve developed striking and unique packaging that is very identifiable. We’ve created strong awareness in the distributor community and reached significant distribution agreements in multiple states. We’re front and center in the entertainment district in Nashville where we’re told more beer is sold in this particular several square mile area than anywhere else in the world. This story needs to be shared far and wide.”

    American Rebel has developed the TV and Digital Marketing Campaign in partnership with Martini & Partners Advertising, LLC and Martini & Partners will manage the ad placements. TV spots and digital ads are expected to begin on Monday, March 31. For more information on American Rebel, go to americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    Company highlights include access to the largest co-packer in the country that has capacity to brew over 230,000,000 cases of beer annually for its customers, American Rebel Beer has an experienced team of alcohol industry professionals with over 100 years of industry experience, and American Rebel Beer benefits from support from its publicly-traded parent company, American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB).

    American Rebel has contracted with many leading beer distributors in the country, including Clark Distributing Co and Stagnaro Distributing in Kentucky; Bonbright Distributors, Tramonte Distributing Co and Stagnaro Distributing in Ohio; Dichello Distributors in Connecticut; Gray Eagle Distributors in Missouri; Adams Beverages in North Carolina, Best Brands in Tennessee, Standard Beverage in Kansas, Mahaska Bottling Co in Iowa and Clark Beverage Group in Mississippi. These industry-leading distributors are part of the Miller/Coors Network, the Anheuser Busch Network or are a major independent distributor.

    American Rebel Beer also utilizes the musical and media assets of its CEO, Andy Ross. Andy has performed for American Rebel Beer launch parties at Kid Rock’s in Nashville, The Toad in Connecticut and the MAPS Air Museum in North Canton, OH. An April launch party is scheduled for Bowling Green, KY to support American Rebel Beer’s launch in the state of Kentucky. The company also plans Rebel Light Nights throughout the country to support individual on-premise locations. One very important performance is scheduled at Fort Campbell, KY to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary at the home of the 101st Airborne – the Screaming Eagles.

    CEO Andy Ross has appeared on Fox & Friends on Fox News, and segments on Newsmax and OAN (One America Network) to share the American Rebel story. He has also appeared on numerous local morning show network television broadcasts in San Diego, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Tampa, FL; Nashville, TN; and Kansas City, MO and multiple podcasts and radio interviews.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a domestic premium light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebelbeer.com or americanrebel.com. For investor information, visit americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of Nationwide Ad Campaign, success and availability of the promotional activities and ad campaigns, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com
    info@americanrebel.com

    For Media Inquiries Contact:
    Matt@Precisionpr.co

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tourists are cancelling trips to the US – here’s how this could affect its economy

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ross Bennett-Cook, PhD Researcher, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University

    The United States is one of the top three most visited countries in the world. The big draw cards – cities such as San Francisco, New York and Chicago and national parks such as Yosemite – have attracted international tourists for decades. This combined with its role as a global business powerhouse meant it had 66.5 million visitors in 2023 – and the 2024 figure is expected to be higher still.

    But a lot has changed in recent months, and 2025’s figures may not be as strong. The 2024 reelection of Donald Trump as the president of the United States and the consequential changes in foreign diplomacy and relations, alongside internal cultural shifts, are starting to change global attitudes towards the US – attitudes that appear to be affecting tourists’ desire to visit the US.

    In a recent report by research firm Tourism Economics, inbound travel to the US is now projected to decline by 5.5% this year, instead of growing by nearly 9% as had previously been forecast. A further escalation in tariff and trade wars could result in further reductions in international tourism, which could amount to a US$18 billion (£13.8 billion) annual reduction in tourist spending in 2025.

    There is already some evidence of travel cancellations. Since Trump announced 25% tariffs on many Canadian goods, the number of Canadians driving across the border at some crossings has fallen by up to 45%, on some days, when compared to last year. Canada is the biggest source of international tourists to the US. Air Canada has announced it is reducing flights to some US holiday destinations, including Las Vegas, from March, as demand reduces.

    According to a March poll by Canadian market researcher Leger, 36% of Canadians who had planned trips to the United States had already cancelled them. According to data from the aviation analytics company OAG, passenger bookings on Canada to US routes are down by over 70% compared to the same period last year. This comes after the U.S. Travel Association warned that even a 10% reduction in Canadian inbound travel could result in a US$2.1 billion (£1.6 billion) loss in spending, putting 140,000 hospitality jobs at risk.

    An unwelcoming environment?

    Some would-be visitors have cited an unwelcoming political climate as part of a concern about visiting the US – including angry rhetoric about foreigners, migrants and the LGBTQ+ community. The Tourism Economics report also cited “polarizing Trump Administration policies and rhetoric” as a factor in travel cancellations.

    There are other factors that may influence travellers from, for instance, western Europe, which represented 37% of overseas travel to the US last year. These include US tariffs pushing prices up at home and the US administration’s perceived alignment with Russia in the war in Ukraine.

    Canadian trips to the US are going down.

    Research by YouGov in March found that western European attitudes towards the US have become more negative since Trump’s reelection last November. More than half of people in Britain (53%), Germany (56%), Sweden (63%) and Denmark (74%) now have an unfavourable opinion of the US. In five of the seven countries polled, figures for US favourability are at the lowest since polling began in November 2016.

    Border issues

    Some high-profile cases at the US border could also be putting off tourists. In March, a British woman was handcuffed and detained for more than ten days by US Customs Enforcement after a visa problem. In the same month, a Canadian tourist was detained after attempting to renew her visa at the US-Mexico border. During the 12-day detention, she was held in crowded jail cells and even put in chains.

    Mexico is the US’s second largest inbound travel market. Tourism Economics suggests that issues around new border enforcement rules will raise concerns with potential Mexican tourists. During Trump’s first term in office, Mexican visits to the US fell by 3%. In February this year, air travel from Mexico had already fallen 6% when compared to 2024.

    Many countries including Canada have been updating their travel advice for the US. For instance, on March 15 the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its advice for the US, warning visitors that “you may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules”. The previous version of advice, from February, had no mention of arrest or detention. Germany has made similar updates to its travel advisory, after several Germans were recently detained for weeks by US border officials.

    Multiple European countries, including France, Germany, Denmark and Norway have also issued specific travel warnings to transgender and non-binary citizens, as US authorities demand tourists declare their biological sex at birth on visa applications. This comes as the US has stopped issuing of passports with a X marker – commonly used by those identifying as non-binary – for its own citizens.

    Alternative destinations

    As thousands of travellers cancel their trips to the US, other destinations are seeing a spike in interest. Hotels in Bermuda have reported a surge in enquiries as Canadians relocate business and leisure trips away from the US, with some predicting a 20% increase in revenue from Canadian visits.

    Europe too has reported increased bookings from Canada, with rental properties experiencing a 32% jump in summer reservations when compared to last year, according to some reports.

    There are already growing concerns that visa and entry restrictions will disrupt fans and athletes from enjoying 2026 men’s Fifa World Cup, held on sites in the US, Canada and Mexico. Visitors from some countries, such as Brazil, Turkey and Colombia, could wait up to 700 days to obtain visas. The International Olympic Committee has also raised concerns over the 2028 Olympics Games in Los Angeles, although US officials have insisted that “America will be open”.

    With mounting visa delays, stricter border enforcement and growing concerns over human rights and anti-minority rhetoric, the United States risks losing its appeal as a top holiday destination. The long-term impact on its tourism industry may prove difficult to reverse.

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

    – ref. Tourists are cancelling trips to the US – here’s how this could affect its economy – https://theconversation.com/tourists-are-cancelling-trips-to-the-us-heres-how-this-could-affect-its-economy-252858

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawler Leads Bipartisan Group Urging State Department to Enforce Military Assistance Prohibitions on Azerbaijan

    Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

    Washington, D.C. – 3/27/2025… Today, a bipartisan coalition of representatives, led by Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Gabe Amo (RI-01), sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressing for the continued enforcement of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. Section 907 pauses U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan until Baku stops its ongoing aggression against Armenia, occupation of Armenian territory, and human rights violations, including the detention and abuse of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs). While assistance remains paused at the moment, conditions in Azerbaijan and Armenia necessitate a continuation of this. 

    The letter highlights Azerbaijan’s 2023 military assault on Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), which forcibly displaced 120,000 Armenians in an act that is widely recognized as ethnic cleansing. The letter also condemns Azerbaijan’s destruction of ancient Armenian Christian heritage and its deepening ties with Russia and Iran, which run counter to U.S. national security interests.

    “Amid the persistent threat of authoritarian expansionism throughout the region and across the world, it is imperative that the Trump Administration makes clear to governments that undermine U.S. interests that their actions will not be met with impunity – much less material financial support,” wrote the lawmakers. 

    The Armenian Assembly of America praised the effort, stating: “The Assembly welcomes this bipartisan initiative spearheaded by Congressman Lawler. As long as Azerbaijan continues unjustly to hold Christian Armenian hostages and evade accountability for its hostile acts against Armenians, including the violent ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, it is imperative that Section 907 remain firmly in place,” said Mariam Khaloyan, Congressional Relations Director of the Armenian Assembly of America. 

    “The ANCA welcomes this bipartisan Congressional call on Secretary Rubio to enforce Section 907 – ending U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan,” stated Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America. “In the wake of Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian Christians of Artsakh – amid its ongoing occupation of sovereign Armenian territory and illegal detention of Armenian hostages – we cannot ask U.S. taxpayers to subsidize this oil-rich, violent, and corrupt foreign dictatorship.  We thank Representatives Lawler, Pallone, Bilirakis, and Amo – and each of the Representatives who joined with them – for their moral clarity and strong pro-peace leadership.”

    The letter garnered 60 bipartisan signatures and specifically urges the Secretary to enforce Section 907 and refrain from using waiver authority to send aid to Azerbaijan while the government continues to engage in this malign behavior. This letter also serves as a follow-up to the leading members’ Armenian Protection Act of 2024, which aimed to prevent the Executive Branch from exercising this waiver authority.

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    A copy of the full letter can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawler Reintroduces Legislation Holding October 7th Terrorists Accountable

    Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

    Washington, D.C. – 3/27/2025… This week, Middle East Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Reps. Brad Sherman (CA-32), Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (TX-10), Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), and Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-At large) reintroduced legislation to finally sanction the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC). The bill was also introduced for the first time in the Senate by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), demonstrating the growing momentum to finally sanction the Popular Resistance Committees.

    The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) are the third-largest terror group in Gaza and, since their founding in 2000 during the Second Intifada, have carried out terror attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. The two largest terrorist groups in Gaza are Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which have long been sanctioned. It is past time that the PRC, whose ranks include former operatives from Hamas and PIJ, join their ranks on the U.S.’s list of designated terrorist groups.

    The Popular Resistance Committees participated in Hamas’s horrific October 7th massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, Americans, and others, as well as widespread torture and sexual violence as well as the abduction of some 250 hostages. The PRC proudly boasted about their involvement on their social media channels, issuing a statement on October 7th claiming joint responsibility for the massacre. The PRC’s posts showed that the group killed and took hostage a number of innocent people on October 7th. 

    The Popular Resistance Committees have a long history of carrying out terror attacks across Israel and the Palestinian territories. In 2003, the PRC bombed a United States diplomatic convoy which injured a U.S. diplomat and killed 3 American security guards. In 2004, PRC terrorists murdered pregnant Israeli woman Tali Hatuel and her 4 daughters, 11-year-old Hila, 9-year-old Hadar, 7-year-old Roni, and baby Meirav who was only 2 years old. The PRC has even targeted Palestinians in terror attacks, including the 2005 assassination of Palestinian Security Services chief Moussa Arafat.

    Despite multiple State Department reports identifying terror attacks committed by the Popular Resistance Committees, the group has never faced U.S. sanctions. This legislation would finally hold the PRC accountable for its long history of heinous terror attacks by applying long-overdue sanctions on the group. This commonsense bill picked up significant momentum in the 118th Congress, including a unanimous passage through the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a demonstration of widespread support for this long overdue measure.

    Under the Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act, the PRC would be designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization. This designation would create criminal and civil penalties for anyone willfully providing support to the PRC, including up to 20 years in prison, civil fines, and property forfeitures. In addition, the legislation would subject the Popular Resistance Committees and their members to financial asset-blocking sanctions in any financial institution connected to the U.S. financial system as well as visa-blocking sanctions. 

    “The Popular Resistance Committees have long been a dangerous and violent force in Gaza, committing heinous acts of terrorism and destabilizing the region. It is long overdue that we take decisive action to hold them accountable. The passage of this bill through the House Foreign Affairs Committee last Congress was a critical first step, and I am committed to ensuring that the PRC faces the sanctions they have long deserved in the 119th Congress,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).

    “Every day that we fail to sanction the terrorist Popular Resistance Committees – which have murdered Americans and Israelis for decades, and participated in the barbaric October 7th massacre, including by taking hostages – is another day that we fail to secure justice for their victims. It is long overdue that the Popular Resistance Committees are designated as a terrorist organization and sanctioned, alongside Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” said Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32). “I’m proud to reintroduce my legislation to finally hold these monsters accountable for the terror they have wreaked on innocents in the region.”

    “The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) is the third-largest terrorist organization in Gaza and another puppet of Iran,” said Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE). “Despite decades of attacks against Americans and Israelis, including on October 7th, the PRC has yet to be properly sanctioned for its barbarism. This bill will help hold accountable every terrorist that participated in the October 7th attacks.”

    “For years, the Popular Resistance Committees have carried out terrorist attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. They were willing and cruel participants with Hamas during the horrific October 7th massacre, killing innocent Israelis and taking and holding hostages after that terrible attack. Any organization engaging in this level of violence should be sanctioned under U.S. law and officially designated as a terrorist group. The United States stands with Israel, and this is an important step to holding those responsible for October 7th accountable,” said Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA).

    “The terrorists responsible for the barbaric October 7th attack on Israel must be held accountable for their abhorrent actions against innocent men, women, and children,” said Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08). “For years now, the Popular Resistance Committees, the third largest terror group in the Gaza strip, have terrorized Israelis and Americans in the region. Enough is enough. I am pleased to join Rep. Sherman to introduce this crucial legislation that will sanction the PRC.”

    “The horrific attacks of October 7 were a brutal assault on innocent civilians, and all perpetrators must be held accountable. The Accountability for Terrorist Perpetratorsof October 7 Act ensures the U.S. stands firmly against all groups involved – including Hamas. We will continue to support Israel and pursue justice for the victims of these barbaric acts,” said Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (TX-10).

    “For far too long, the Popular Resistance Committees have evaded the consequences of their terrorist attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. Their involvement in the barbaric October 7th massacre makes it even more urgent that the United States impose long-overdue sanctions on this terrorist organization. With this legislation, we are taking a critical step toward ensuring that the PRC is held accountable and cut off from the global financial system, just like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” said Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10).

    “The Popular Resistance Committees have committed heinous acts of terror against Israelis and Palestinians for decades but have evaded any accountability. Their role in the October 7th massacre, the murder of American citizens, and their ongoing role in the hostage crisis demands immediate action. I am proud to join Rep. Brad Sherman in leading this bipartisan, bicameral effort to finally sanction this brutal terror group and cut off its access to our financial networks. We must remain unwavering in our commitment to holding all perpetrators of terrorism accountable,” said Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-At large). 

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    A copy of the full bill text can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank and Zep-Re launch the Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA)

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    NAIROBI, Kenya, March 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and Zep-Re (PTA Reinsurance Company) today launched the Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA), a transformative initiative, designed to bridge the insurance capacity gap and empower African contractors to secure more construction and procurement projects while boosting cross-border trade and enhancing the movement of goods and investment across Africa.

    By providing robust transit guarantee mechanisms, the joint venture between Afreximbank and Zep-Re is expected to reduce trade barriers, lower costs, and improve efficiency in the movement of goods across Africa. Moreover, TABA will promote seamless cross-border trade and the growth of trade insurance business within the continent, all within the transformative framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across 54 countries. By facilitating seamless transit trade, TABA will strengthen the trade insurance sector, making it easier for businesses to operate with confidence while minimising financial risks.

    Speaking at the launch, H.E Veronica M. Nduva, CBS, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) noted, “The East African Community has long been committed to fostering regional integration and economic development. Indeed, our two pillars of the four of establishment are a customs union and a common market. The establishment of TABA aligns seamlessly with our regional integration program, which aims to enhance cross border trade, reduce trade costs and promote economic growth across the continent with simplified trade regimes.”

    Africa has around 110 borders, with 16 land-locked countries relying on complex and costly trade processes. According to African Development Bank (https://apo-opa.co/42cf7vn), transport charges in some cases exceeding the value of goods being traded. With TABA, traders can transport goods from Cape Town to Cairo using a single transit bond, significantly reducing delays and cutting trade costs. This transformative solution enhances the efficiency of African supply chains while ensuring customs authorities receive guaranteed revenue in the event of procedural breaches.

    The establishment of TABA builds on decades of efforts to bolster intra-African trade through key financial and insurance institutions. By leveraging expertise from these institutions; Afreximbank, which is playing a critical role in trade finance and facilitation since its founding in 1993, and ZEP-RE, a leading reinsurance provider supporting trade insurance solutions across Africa, TABA aims to address the challenges businesses face in navigating Africa’s diverse regulatory environments. The alliance will harmonize trade practices and introduce a standardised framework that ensures secure, predictable, and efficient trade movement.

    Mr Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, said:

    “Today we forge a new alliance to dismantle the artificial barriers and tighten the bolts and nuts of the wheels of trade and investment flows across national borders. This couldn’t have come at any other time than now, when the pillars of global cooperation and integration are being disintegrated, and fragmentation, isolationism and protectionism have taken hold in our world. Through this collaboration, our goal is not to displace local operators but to boost the capacity and efficiency of interstate transit regimes, paving the way for a continental framework under the AfCFTA.”

    Ms Hope Murera, Managing Director and CEO of Zep-Re (PTA Reinsurance Company), noted during the launch the impact TABA would make in Africa trade ecosystem. She said, “Today, we are not just unveiling a new partnership—we are ushering in a new era. One that reimagines how we facilitate trade, manage risk, and support cross-border movement across our continent. ZEP-RE’s experience and impact through flagship regional programs demonstrates what is possible when vision meets action.  TABA represents a shared vision—a vision where Africa is connected by bridges of opportunity, not barriers”.

    TABA introduces a streamlined approach to trade facilitation by leveraging Transit Bonds, Performance Bonds, and Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) to guarantee the secure movement of goods. This initiative will:

    • Enhance trade efficiency by eliminating delays caused by multiple national bond requirements,
    • Boost investor confidence through a structured and transparent customs guarantee system,
    • Reduce trade costs, making African exports more competitive on a global scale,
    • Ensure compliance with customs regulations, preventing illicit trade and securing revenue for governments and
    • Expand market opportunities for African businesses by enabling smoother cross-border trade.

    Following today’s launch, key stakeholders will engage in B2B meetings and marketplace interactions to discuss strategies for implementing TABA across Africa. The alliance will also roll out an awareness campaign to educate businesses and financial institutions on the benefits and operational framework of the new system.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Angling to Boost RI Fishing Industry, RI Delegation Introduces Bill to Give Ocean State Fishermen Greater Say on Catch Quotas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to give Rhode Island fishermen a voice and voting power on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), which manages some of the most important fish stocks for the state’s commercial fishing industry – chief among them squid, the Rhode Island congressional delegation today announced the reintroduction of the Rhode Island Fishermen’s Fairness Act (S.1152/H.R.2375).
    The legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo would add Rhode Island to the list of states with voting representation on the MAFMC. Currently, the regional management board, which establishes fishery management rules for stocks primarily caught in the federal waters adjacent to the mid-Atlantic coast, consists of 21 voting members and four non-voting members from seven states.
    In 2023 – the most recent year for which data is available – Rhode Island led Atlantic states in the harvest of squid, landing more than 30.7 million pounds in the Ocean State and helping to make Point Judith one of the most productive and valuable commercial fishing ports in the nation.
    “Every decision the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council makes has a big impact on the livelihoods of Ocean State fishermen and the state’s economy.  Ensuring that Rhode Island has a voice and voting power on the council is a critical issue of fairness that I’ve led the charge on for years,” said Senator Reed, who has been pushing this issue since 2005. 
    “As climate change warms the oceans, fish traditionally found in the mid-Atlantic are moving north to the waters off southern New England,” said Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.  “Rhode Island fishermen play an important role in our economy, and our legislation will finally get them fair representation on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, where decisions are made about fish they’re catching.”
    “Fishing supports thousands of jobs in the Ocean State, yet Rhode Island lacks a voice on one of the most important committees that oversees the industry,” said Representative Magaziner.  “Our bill finally adds Rhode Island to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, ensuring Rhode Island fishermen have a seat at the table where key decisions about their livelihoods are made.”
    “In Rhode Island, fish are friends — and also food. Rhode Island’s commercial fishing industry supports thousands of jobs and plays a key role in our Blue Economy,” said Congressman Gabe Amo, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment.  “I’m glad to introduce this bill alongside my delegation colleagues to ensure our fishermen’s voices are heard on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.”
    The catch of Rhode Island commercial fishermen represents a significant percentage of commercial landings of the Mid-Atlantic fishery, and is greater than most of the states represented on the Council.  In fact, the Port of Galilee is the fourth highest valued fishing port on the East Coast and Rhode Island commercial fishermen landed nearly $82 million of seafood in 2023 alone. And in 2022, the commercial fishing industry contributed 9,342 jobs and an economic impact of $872 million for the Ocean State.
    Without representation on the MAFMC, Rhode Island cannot participate fully in development of fishery management plans for Mid-Atlantic stocks, many of which are crucial to the Rhode Island seafood economy.
    The Rhode Island Fishermen Fairness Act would add two places for Rhode Island representation to MAFMC.  One seat would be appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under recommendations from Rhode Island’s Governor.  The second seat would be filled by Rhode Island’s principal state official with marine fishery management responsibility.  To accommodate these new members, the MAFMC would increase in size from 21 voting members to 23.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: America’s clean air rules boost health and economy − charts show what EPA’s deregulation plans ignore

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Richard E. Peltier, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, UMass Amherst

    Regulations have cleaned up cars, power plants and factories, leaving cleaner air while economies have grown. Cavan Images/Josh Campbell via Getty Images

    The Trump administration is “reconsidering” more than 30 air pollution regulations, and it offered industries a brief window to apply for exemptions that would allow them to stop following many air quality regulations immediately if approved. All of the exemptions involve rules finalized in 2024 and include regulations for hazardous air pollutants that cause asthma, heart disease and cancer.

    The results – if regulations are ultimately rolled back and if those rollbacks and any exemptions stand up to court challenges – could impact air quality across the United States.

    “Reconsideration” is a term used to review or modify a government regulation. While Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin provided few details, the breadth of the regulations being reconsidered affects all Americans. They include rules that set limits for pollutants that can harm human health, such as ozone, particulate matter and volatile organic carbon.

    Zeldin wrote on March 12, 2025, that his deregulation moves would “roll back trillions in regulatory costs and hidden “taxes” on U.S. families.“

    What Zeldin didn’t say is that the economic and health benefits from decades of federal clean air regulations have far outweighed their costs. Some estimates suggest every $1 spent meeting clean air rules has returned $10 in health and economic benefits.

    How far America has come, because of regulations

    In the early 1970s, thick smog blanketed American cities and acid rain stripped forests bare from the Northeast to the Midwest.

    Air pollution wasn’t just a nuisance – it was a public health emergency. But in the decades since, the United States has engineered one of the most successful environmental turnarounds in history.

    Thanks to stronger air quality regulations, pollution levels have plummeted, preventing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. And despite early predictions that these regulations would cripple the economy, the opposite has proven true: The U.S. economy more than doubled in size while pollution fell, showing that clean air and economic growth can – and do – go hand in hand.

    The numbers are eye-popping.

    An Environmental Protection Agency analysis of the first 20 years of the Clean Air Act, from 1970 to 1990, found the economic benefits of the regulations were about 42 times greater than the costs.

    The EPA later estimated that the cost of air quality regulations in the U.S. would be about US$65 billion in 2020, and the benefits, primarily in improved health and increased worker productivity, would be around $2 trillion. Other studies have found similar benefits.

    That’s a return of more than 30 to 1, making clean air one of the best investments the country has ever made.

    Science-based regulations even the playing field

    The turning point came with the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970, which put in place strict rules on pollutants from industry, vehicles and power plants.

    These rules targeted key culprits: lead, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter – substances that contribute to asthma, heart disease and premature deaths. An example was the removal of lead, which can harm the brain and other organs, from gasoline. That single change resulted in far lower levels of lead in people’s blood, including a 70% drop in U.S. children’s blood-lead levels.

    Air Quality regulations lowered the amount of lead being used in gasoline, which also resulted in rapidly declining lead concentrations in the average American between 1976-1980. This shows us how effective regulations can be at reducing public health risks to people.
    USEPA/Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office (1986)

    The results have been extraordinary. Since 1980, emissions of six major air pollutants have dropped by 78%, even as the U.S. economy has more than doubled in size. Cities that were once notorious for their thick, choking smog – such as Los Angeles, Houston and Pittsburgh – now see far cleaner air, while lakes and forests devastated by acid rain in the Northeast have rebounded.

    Comparison of growth areas and declining emissions, 1970-2023.
    EPA

    And most importantly, lives have been saved. The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to periodically estimate the costs and benefits of air quality regulations. In the most recent estimate, released in 2011, the EPA projected that air quality improvements would prevent over 230,000 premature deaths in 2020. That means fewer heart attacks, fewer emergency room visits for asthma, and more years of healthy life for millions of Americans.

    The economic payoff

    Critics of air quality regulations have long argued that the regulations are too expensive for businesses and consumers. But the data tells a very different story.

    EPA studies have confirmed that clean air regulations improve air quality over time. Other studies have shown that the health benefits greatly outweigh the costs. That pays off for the economy. Fewer illnesses mean lower health care costs, and healthier workers mean higher productivity and fewer missed workdays.

    The EPA estimated that for every $1 spent on meeting air quality regulations, the United States received $9 in benefits. A separate study by the non-partisan National Bureau of Economic Research in 2024 estimated that each $1 spent on air pollution regulation brought the U.S. economy at least $10 in benefits. And when considering the long-term impact on human health and climate stability, the return is even greater.

    Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles in 1984: Smog was a common problem in the 1970s and 1980s.
    Ian Dryden/Los Angeles Times/UCLA Archive/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    The next chapter in clean air

    The air Americans breathe today is cleaner, much healthier and safer than it was just a few decades ago.

    Yet, despite this remarkable progress, air pollution remains a challenge in some parts of the country. Some urban neighborhoods remain stubbornly polluted because of vehicle emissions and industrial pollution. While urban pollution has declined, wildfire smoke has become a larger influence on poor air quality across the nation.

    That means the EPA still has work to do.

    If the agency works with environmental scientists, public health experts and industry, and fosters honest scientific consensus, it can continue to protect public health while supporting economic growth. At the same time, it can ensure that future generations enjoy the same clean air and prosperity that regulations have made possible.

    By instead considering retracting clean air rules, the EPA is calling into question the expertise of countless scientists who have provided their objective advice over decades to set standards designed to protect human lives. In many cases, industries won’t want to go back to past polluting ways, but lifting clean air rules means future investment might not be as protective. And it increases future regulatory uncertainty for industries.

    The past offers a clear lesson: Investing in clean air is not just good for public health – it’s good for the economy. With a track record of saving lives and delivering trillion-dollar benefits, air quality regulations remain one of the greatest policy success stories in American history.

    This article, originally published March 12, 2025, has been updated with the administration’s offer of exemptions for industries.

    Richard E. Peltier receives funding from the US Department of Agriculture and the Rio Grande International Science Center.

    – ref. America’s clean air rules boost health and economy − charts show what EPA’s deregulation plans ignore – https://theconversation.com/americas-clean-air-rules-boost-health-and-economy-charts-show-what-epas-deregulation-plans-ignore-251203

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps Issa, Hudson and Senator Risch Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Stop Improper State Taxes on Firearms

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50)

    WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), Congressman Richard Hudson (NC), and Senator Jim Risch (ID), introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act. This bill would prohibit states from implementing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition to fund gun control programs.

    “For too many years, extreme state policies — including from my home state — have targeted our fundamental Second Amendment rights and the American citizens who exercise them,” said Issa. “The latest attack is California’s imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition. This outrageous and unfair burden on law-abiding citizens is why Sen. Risch, Rep. Hudson, and I are working to stop this and other attempts to penalize our people and put the price of self-defense out of reach of any American.”

    “Far-left politicians will stop at nothing to undermine the Second Amendment,” said Hudson. “Their latest scheme is an unconstitutional tax that seeks to price you out of your right to keep and bear arms, and this legislation will put a stop to it.”

    “Blue states that implement an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives are exploiting the Second Amendment,” said Risch. “The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act ensures states do not place a significant financial burden on law-abiding gun owners to advance their anti-Second Amendment agenda.”

    In 2024, California implemented a new 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition to discourage the purchase of firearms and fund gun control programs. Colorado is set to implement a 6.5% excise tax in April 2025. Maryland, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and New Mexico have proposed similar taxes. 

    Issa, Hudson and Risch are joined by Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA), U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Hoeven (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) in introducing the legislation.

    The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act has received support from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and National Rifle Association (NRA).

    “There is a growing effort among states to levy excise taxes to discourage firearm ownership. California and Colorado have already implemented a gun tax to fund their gun control efforts and dismantle the Second Amendment,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “Senator Risch’s bill would prevent these blatant and egregious attacks on the rights of Americans, and the National Rifle Association is proud to support this legislation.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Recognizing Veteran Service Organizations, Veteran Advocacy Groups and Their Volunteers – Issa Introduces Congressional Legislation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50)

    Escondido, CA – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the historic contributions and patriotism of our nation’s Veterans Service Organizations, Veteran Advocacy Groups and their dedicated volunteers. 

    Issa stated:

    “Millions of devoted Americans volunteer with Veterans Service Organizations and advocacy groups each year, acting as indispensable partners in delivering for our military, our veterans and their families. Without their work, necessary services including key financial support, vital personal arrangements, and critical awareness advocacy would not be the same. This resolution marks Congress’s formal recognition of their tireless dedication on behalf of veterans.”

    The resolution is also supported by:

    The American Legion:
    “Veterans of The American Legion serve their country not for recognition but out of a sense of patriotism and love for the freedom provided by the greatest nation on earth. Even so, the recognition conveyed in H. Res. 222 is appreciated by The American Legion. We are also grateful to the House of Representatives for recognizing the outstanding work of VSO Auxiliaries. The American Legion Family is a much stronger force due to the dedicated volunteerism of not just Legionnaires, but of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion.”

    VFW:
    “The members of the VFW faithfully served our country in uniform and continue to serve in their communities every single day. Since 1899 the men and women of the VFW have carried on the tradition of still serving by volunteering in towns and cities across the United States, its territories, and abroad. The VFW is honored to be among the many organizations recognized by this bipartisan resolution and will strive to continue living up to the standards set by those who came before us, and endeavor to leave behind a legacy for those who come after us.”

    AMVETS, National Executive Director Joe Chenelly:
    “For generations, AMVETS and fellow veterans service organizations have been steadfast in supporting veterans and their families. We proudly support this resolution, which honors the dedication of those who serve and advocate for our nation’s heroes.”  
     
    SOAA, Executive Director David Cook:

    “Our nation owes so much to its Veterans. Our Freedoms, yes, but also not living in fear of an invasion or threat of violence from abroad. Veteran Service Organizations, Advocates, and Volunteers, who are often themselves Veterans, work tirelessly to give back to our Troops. Thank you, Rep. Issa for recognizing this important community of champions and the impact they have in honoring our heroes.”
     
    Independence Fund
    “The Independence Fund thanks Congressman Issa and the bipartisan Members who cosponsored H.Res. 642, to recognize the patriotism and contributions of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers,” said The Independence Fund CEO, Sarah Verardo. “As a VSO who serves catastrophically wounded Veterans and their Caregivers, we work tirelessly to support our Nation’s heroes and constantly strive to enhance the quality of life for those who served. We are grateful for the acknowledgement and recognition by Congressman Issa, and his longstanding support of the Veteran community.”
     
    Paralyzed Veterans of America, Cal-Diego Chapter
    “Paralyzed Veterans of America, Cal-Diego Chapter wholeheartedly supports Representative Darrell Issa – sponsored H.Res.642 – Recognizing the patriotism and contributions of veterans’ service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers. Recognizing their contributions is a first-class bipartisan initiative.
    H.Res.642 aims to give homage to those sometimes forgotten yet some of the most deserving.”

    Paralyzed Veterans of America

    Blinded Veterans of America

    Enlisted Association of the National Guard

    Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

    Non Commissioned Officers Association

    Moral Compass Foundation

    Fleet Reserve Association

    Marine Corps Reserve Association

    USCG Chief Petty Officer Association (USCG CPOA)

    Issa is a veteran of the U.S. Army. The 48th Congressional District is adjacent to Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, near multiple Southern California military bases, and home to thousands of veterans and their families.

    Issa is a lead Congressional supporter of veterans’ initiatives.  Issa previously held Vietnam Veteran Recognition ceremonies throughout the 48th Congressional District.  He also held the first in the nation Kabul Gold Star Families Forum in Escondido in 2023.

    Read the full resolution H.Res. 222 text here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Top Producing Branch Manager Ted Edginton Joins Rate in Birmingham, MI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BIRMINGHAM, Mich., March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rate, a leader in fintech mortgage solutions, today announced the addition of Ted Edginton as its new Producing Branch Manager in Birmingham, Michigan. With over 22 years of career experience as a senior loan officer, Edginton has a track record of success, industry knowledge, and a client-first approach to Rate’s team.

    Edginton joins Rate after over two decades with U.S. Bank, where he built a reputation for top-tier service and consistent production. Recognized for his high volume and unit production year after year, he has been a member of the President’s Circle and Legends of Possible since 2008.

    “My team and I made a strategic move to Rate because of the strength of its product offerings and focus on the client experience,” said Edginton. “With Rate’s platform, I can serve my clients faster, more efficiently, and with more options tailored to their needs with less stress. I’m excited to bring this level of service to even more people in my community.”

    Known for his commitment to service, Edginton prides himself on being accessible to clients, outlining a clear path to the finish line, and treating every borrower like family. His expertise spans a wide range of products, including VA, FHA, Construction-Perm/Rehab, Reverse, Physician, programs for the self employed, and other unique Portfolio Loans.

    “We’re all very excited to welcome Ted to the Rate team,” said Jeff Nelson, Chief Production Officer-East at Rate. “His expertise and success are a wonderful addition to a great Rate family.”

    Beyond his professional accomplishments, Edginton is actively involved in the local community, including the Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors (GMAR) in Southeast Michigan and the Michigan Realtors Association. He also was the first non-Realtor inducted into the Realtor Hall of Fame in Washinton D.C. and is continually recognized in Hour Magazine as an annual Mortgage All Star. His dedicated engagement reinforces his strong referral network and commitment to supporting local agents and clients.

    With this move, Rate continues to expand its footprint in Michigan, focusing on personalized service, powerful products, and a team of trusted experts like Edginton.

    About Rate

    Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, Rate has over 850 branches across all 50 states and Washington D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Rate has helped more than 2 million homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates, and delivering unparalleled customer service. Honors and awards include: Top 5 Mortgage Lender by Inside Mortgage Finance for 2024; Best Mortgage Lender for First-Time Homebuyers by NerdWallet for 2023; HousingWire’s Tech100 award for the company’s industry-leading FlashClose℠ digital mortgage platform in 2020, MyAccount in 2022, and Language Access Program in 2023; the most Scotsman Guide Top Originators for 11 consecutive years; Chicago Agent Magazine’s Lender of the Year for seven consecutive years; and Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces list for seven straight years. Visit rate.com for more information.

    Press Contact

    press@rate.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5d5241a-e42d-4056-96eb-25926084c7ec

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronext publishes its 2024 Universal Registration Document

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Euronext publishes its 2024 Universal Registration Document

    Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 28 March 2025 – Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure, today announces that it has filed its 2024 Universal Registration Document, prepared in ESEF format (European Single Electronic Format), including the 2024 Annual Financial Statements and Directors’ Report to the Stichting Autoriteit Financiële Markten (the “AFM”), on 28 March 2025, as competent authority under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

    The 2024 Universal Registration Document has been filed in English and is available in ESEF format on Euronext’s website at:
    https://www.euronext.com/en/investor-relations/financial-information/financial-reports

    Printed copies of the official version filed to the AFM in ESEF format are available at the registered office of Euronext N.V.: Beursplein 5 1012 JW Amsterdam The Netherlands.

    CONTACTS  

    ANALYSTS & INVESTORS – ir@euronext.com

    Investor Relations        Aurélie Cohen                 

            Judith Stein        +33 6 15 23 91 97          

    MEDIA – mediateam@euronext.com 

    Europe        Aurélie Cohen         +33 1 70 48 24 45   

            Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13 

    Belgium        Marianne Aalders         +32 26 20 15 01                 

    France, Corporate        Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella        +33 1 70 48 24 45                 

    Ireland        Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13                 

    Italy         Ester Russom         +39 02 72 42 67 56                 

    The Netherlands        Marianne Aalders         +31 20 721 41 33                 

    Norway         Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund        +47 41 69 59 10                 

    Portugal         Sandra Machado        +351 91 777 68 97                

                   

    About Euronext  

    Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal.

    As of December 2024, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal host over 1,800 listed issuers with around €6 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices.

    For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

    Disclaimer

    This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

    © 2025, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved. 

    The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the “Purpose”). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HTX Announces Revolutionary Hourly Compounding on HTX Earn, Redefining Crypto Earning Efficiency with 200+ Products

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a global powerhouse in the cryptocurrency exchange arena, is proud to announce a significant leap forward in passive income solutions! In a decisive move to empower users amidst rising macroeconomic uncertainty and crypto market volatility, HTX is fortifying its commitment to stable and efficient earnings through its flagship HTX Earn platform. The platform’s latest enhancements, including a fully upgraded Auto-Earn feature and an unparalleled portfolio of over 200 high-yield products, are now live, delivering groundbreaking hourly compounding and redefining crypto earning efficiency.

    The crypto market has experienced significant fluctuations in recent months, with Bitcoin retreating from its $109K high and altcoins facing steeper declines. Investor sentiment has shifted from “greed” to “fear,” prompting a search for stable and reliable passive income solutions. HTX Earn is meeting this demand by offering top-tier yields, an extensive range of supported assets, and continuous product upgrades.

    Auto-Earn: Streamlining Trading and Earning

    HTX Earn’s upgraded Auto-Earn feature introduces a simplified, one-click subscription and redemption process, optimizing capital deployment. This system automatically subscribes users’ spot balances into corresponding Flexible Earn products hourly, maximizing returns through compound interest. When users execute spot trades, their Earn balances are automatically redeemed in real-time, facilitating seamless trading.

    This integration of trading and earning ensures that assets remain productive, even during market downturns, providing users with continuous earning potential and immediate liquidity.

    High-Yield Opportunities Across Diverse Assets

    HTX Earn offers consistently competitive Annual Percentage Yields (APYs), particularly for stablecoins and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) assets. Key offerings include:

    • USDD Flexible Earn: 8% APY, 9.4x higher than typical stablecoin products, with 1:1 USDT subscription and zero slippage.
    • ETH, TRX, and SOL Flexible Earn: Returns comparable to on-chain staking, without the technical complexities.
    • $HTX Flexible Earn: 4% APY plus automatic entry into Launchpool events, with airdrops of trending project tokens.
    • Support for over 200 cryptocurrencies, with new listings offering APYs up to 100%.

    The platform’s top-performing Flexible Earn products include USDT, USDD, BTC, ETH, and $HTX, with growing interest in DOGE and SHIB. As the TRON Meme Season 2.0 approaches, HTX anticipates further expansion of its Earn ecosystem with new asset listings.

    Additionally, HTX Earn features a monthly “Earning Day” promotion, offering APY Booster Coupons and exclusive benefits. Recent promotions included time limited fixed-term products for BTC, ETH, and USDT.

    HTX Earn: A Solution for Every Market Cycle

    HTX Earn continues to prioritize user-centric innovation and a robust passive income ecosystem. From future balance yields to hourly compounding on spot balances, and from a wide range of supported assets to $HTX-powered ecosystem incentives, HTX Earn is designed to ensure assets remain productive regardless of market conditions.

    About HTX

    Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

    As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

    To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

    For further inquiries, please Contact: Ruder Finn Asia glo-media@htx-inc.com

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bad09e71-5ee2-40bb-aadb-c0ab6fdcdfcb

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: VIRTUNE AB (PUBL) PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The annual report and audit report for Virtune AB (Publ) for the financial year 2024 are 
    now available, either via the attached PDF or on our website: https://virtune.com/ This is 
    ahead of the annual general meeting on May 21, 2025.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Equasens: 2024 annual results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Villers-lès-Nancy, 28 March 2025 – 6:00 p.m. (CET)

    PRESS RELEASE

    2024 annual results

    • Full-year results adversely affected by difficult economic conditions in H1 combined with continuing investment efforts:
      • Revenue: €216.8m (-1.4%)
      • Current Operating Income: €45.1m (-19.2%)
      • Net profit attributable to Group shareholders: €36.2m (-23.0%)
    • At the same time, profit margins remained high, and even improved over the year:
      • Current operating income / Revenue: 20.8% on a reported basis (H1: 19.3% and H2: 22.3%)
      • Solid balance sheet structure: financial surplus remains strong at €79.5m
      • Annual dividend proposal: €1.25 per share
    • 2025 outlook:
      • Return to revenue growth of close to 10% by the end of 2025
      • Deployment of new solutions integrating artificial intelligence
      • New cloud solutions generating recurring revenues
      • Strategy of external growth in France and Europe maintained
    2024 RESULTS (€m) 2023
    Reported basis    		 2024
    Reported basis    		 Change / Reported basis of which External growth
    Revenue 219.7 216.8 -3.0 -1.4% 7.2
    Current Operating Income (COI) 55.8 45.1 -10.7 -19.2% 0.1
    Net Profit 48.9 37.8 -11.1 -22.7%  
    Net Profit attributable to the Group 47.0 36.2 -10.8 -23.0%  

    On 28 March 2025, the Board of Directors of EQUASENS, chaired by Thierry CHAPUSOT, examined and approved the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in the presence of the Statutory Auditors and Sustainability Auditor. The audit procedures for the consolidated accounts have been completed. The auditors’ report will be issued after the management report has been reviewed and the procedures for filing the annual report have been completed.

    2024 COI (€m) / Division 2023
    Reported basis    		 2024
    Reported basis    		 Change / Reported basis of which
    External growth
    Pharmagest 36.7 30.7 -6.0 -16.4% 0.2
    Axigate Link 10.4 10.2 -0.2 – 2.3%  
    e-Connect 6.7 4.8 -1.9 -28.0%  
    Medical Solutions 2.2 0.2 -2.0 -92.0% -0.1
    Fintech -0.2 -0.8 -0.6 –  
    Current Operating Income 55.8 45.1 -10.7 -19.2% 0.1

    2024 highlights

    • January: Acquisition of a 70% majority stake in DIGIPHARMACIE, an expert in digitisation and management of pharmacy supplier invoices. In November, the company was registered subject to conditions for inclusion in the French electronic invoicing reporting platform (Plateforme de Dématérialisation Partenaire or PDP);
    • In December: Acquisition of a 90% stake in CALIMED, a practice management software editor for private practice surgeons, general practitioners and specialists.

    Detailed Analysis by Division

    PHARMAGEST Division: a contraction in earnings reflecting lower like-for-like sales and investments to strengthen teams in Europe (COI/Sales: 18.8% in 2024 and 20.4% for H2 alone)

    The decline in the Division’s operating income was mainly attributable to the unfavourable economic climate in the first half of the year, which led to a sharp drop in sales in France in the configuration and hardware segment.
    In this context, the Division’s business development strategy, focused on acquiring new customers and rolling out new software and hardware solutions, helped contribute to renewed momentum in the second half of the year.
    And without calling into question the efforts to ramp up teams in the first half, cost rationalization measures were implemented which contributed to a profit margin of 21.1% in H2 for historical activities.
    It should be noted that the temporary dilutive effect from the most recent changes in scope on the Division’s average profitability is 0.7% in 2024.

    AXIGATE LINK Division: a consistently high rate of profitability (COI/Sales: 31.8% in 2024 and 34.8% for H2 alone)

    The Division delivered a significant performance in H2 driven by growth in revenue in most of its businesses. This growth makes it possible to absorb the costs of deploying new SaaS solutions (TitanLink) and extending the homecare service offering (DomiLink) for the relevant regional care coordination entities (CRT).

    E-CONNECT division: current operating income declined in response to lower sales (COI/Sales: 42.9% in 2024 and 40.5% for H2 alone)

    As previously reported, the Division’s sales and earnings were boosted in 2023 by the announcement of the discontinuation of Application Reader Terminal sales and strong demand from non-Group software publishers in response.

    Despite this less favourable context, by adopting rigorous cost control and maintaining steady sales with Group software publishers, the division’s profit remained high.

    MEDICAL SOLUTIONS Division: a year of transition from the Ségur programme to a focus on new software solutions (COI/Sales: 2.2% in 2024 and 4.4% for H2 alone)

    Following the roll-out of MédiStory 4 and the Ségur programme, the Division is building a new business model based on a strategy of cross-selling and recurring revenues.
    The cost of developing new software solutions, notably the LOQUii AI voice consultation assistant, launched in Q4 2024, as well as the overhaul of distribution channels, are temporarily impacting the Division’s profitability.

    FINTECH Division: a deterioration in operating income in the second half of the year (COI/Sales: -38.1% in 2024 and -73.4% in H2 alone)

    After a rather encouraging first half, the default of a business contributor forced the Division to book a provision for impairment of €0.5m.

    2024 consolidated balance sheet highlights

    • Cash flow after interest and tax came to €46.9m.
      • In addition to dividends, financial resources are mainly devoted to R&D investments, IT infrastructure and external growth (€21.1m) and debt reduction (€12.6m).
      • Despite these significant investments, the financial surplus remains favourably oriented at €79.5m, compared with €79.3m at 12/31/2023, giving the Group considerable autonomy and investment capacity to support its growth strategy.
      • It should be noted that IFRS 16 lease liabilities and put options for minority shareholders are now recorded under “Other liabilities”.

    Proposed dividend

    The Board of Directors will propose the payment of a gross dividend of €1.25 per share for fiscal 2024 at the Annual General Meeting on June 25, 2025.

    2025 outlook

    Backed by investments in R&D, infrastructure and human capital both in France and in Europe, the Group maintains its target of a return to revenue growth in 2025, with positive momentum in H1 followed by a marked acceleration in H2, with anticipated nominal growth of close to 10%.

    This growth trajectory will be bolstered by:

    • Innovation and Artificial Intelligence as drivers of differentiation, for example LOQUii or id. genius;
    • The gradual transition of new solutions to a SaaS business model to boost recurring revenues;
    • The deployment of new high value-added solutions, such as id. express, id. pay, or solutions for large-scale deployment, like Kap-eCV;
    • The Group’s patient-focused strategy and multi-professional interoperability, with PandaLab and Multimeds.

    While profitability remains solid, it will continue to be impacted by the ongoing investments to prepare for this growth trajectory, which will be based on the Group’s ability to deliver innovative, value-creating offerings to its customers.

    Financial calendar:

    • 31 March 2025: Presentation of FY 2024 results
    • 12 May 2025: Publication of Q1 2025 revenue
    • 25 June 2025: Annual General Meeting
    • 31 July 2025: Publication of Q2 2025 revenue
    • 26 September 2025: 2025 H1 results
    • 5 November 2025: Publication of Q3 2025 revenue
    • 5 February 2026: Publication of FY 2025 revenue

    About Equasens Group

    Founded over 35 years ago, Equasens Group, a leader in digital healthcare solutions, today employs over 1.300 people across Europe.
    Equasens Group’s specialised business applications facilitate the day-to-day work of healthcare professionals and their teams, working in private practice, collaborative medical structures or healthcare establishments. The Group also provides comprehensive support to healthcare professionals in the transformation of their profession by developing electronic equipment, digital solutions and healthcare robotics, as well as data hosting, financing and training adapted to their specific needs.
    And reflecting the spirit of its tagline “Technology for a More Human Experience”, the Group is a leading provider of interoperability solutions designed to improve coordination between healthcare professionals, their communications and data exchange resulting in better patient care and a more efficient and secure healthcare system.

    Listed on Euronext Paris™ – Compartment B

    Indexes: MSCI GLOBAL SMALL CAP – GAÏA Index 2020 – CAC®SMALL and CAC®All-Tradable
    Included in the Euronext Tech Leaders segment and the European Rising Tech label

    Eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (“Service à Réglement Différé” – SRD) and equity savings accounts invested in small and mid-caps (PEA-PME).
    ISIN: FR 0012882389 – Ticker Code: EQS

    Get all the news about Equasens Group www.equasens.com and on LinkedIn

    CONTACTS

    Analyst and Investor Relations:
    Chief Administrative and Financial Officer: Frédérique Schmidt
    Tel: +33 (0)3 83 15 90 67 – frederique.schmidt@equasens.com

    Financial communications agency:
    FIN’EXTENSO – Isabelle Aprile

    Tel.: +33 (0)6 17 38 61 78 – i.aprile@finextenso.fr

    Forward-looking statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not guarantees of future performance and are based on current opinions, forecasts and assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions about Equasens’ current and future strategy and the environment in which Equasens operates. These involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results or other events, to materially differ from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those detailed in Chapter 3 “Risk factors” of the Universal Registration Document filed with the French financial market authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers or AMF) on April 29, 2024 under number D.24-0366. These forward-looking statements are valid only as of the date of this press release.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: XploraDEX $XPL Token Sparks Investor Surge as Demand Skyrockets Across XRP Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, Switzerland, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The XRP community is witnessing a breakout moment as investor enthusiasm for the $XPL Token, the native asset powering XploraDEX, surges at an unprecedented rate. Built as the first AI-powered decentralized exchange on the XRP Ledger, XploraDEX is igniting intense interest from both institutional and retail investors looking to capitalize on a new generation of intelligent trading tools.

    In less than a week, the $XPL Token Presale has already seen participation from unique wallets, with multiple whale wallets initiating large, strategic purchases—confirming what early adopters already know: XploraDEX could be the defining DeFi moment for XRPL in 2025.

    GET $XPL TOKENS ON PRESALE

    AI Meets DeFi on XRPL – A Timely Catalyst for a Bullish Ecosystem

    As XRP continues to hold its position as a top-tier blockchain for fast and low-cost transactions, the ecosystem has long lacked a sophisticated DeFi layer to compete with Ethereum and Solana. XploraDEX fills that void and goes further by introducing AI-based trading intelligence, predictive analytics, and fully autonomous liquidity management.

    We didn’t just want to build a DEX, we wanted to build a trading experience that learns, evolves, and helps every user become more profitable,” said a spokesperson from the XploraDEX team. The presale interest we’re seeing validates that vision.

    What’s Fueling the $XPL Presale Frenzy?

    Real Utility from Day One: $XPL isn’t just a governance token, it powers access to exclusive trading tools, fee discounts, staking rewards, and AI analytics modules.

    Market Timing: As AI narratives continue to dominate 2025 investment trends, XploraDEX offers the first DeFi-native opportunity to gain exposure to the AI revolution directly on XRPL.

    Community Momentum: With XRP influencers, Telegram groups, and crypto Twitter amplifying the opportunity, the $XPL presale is turning into one of the most talked-about launches this quarter.

    Whale Activity: Blockchain tracking confirms that top-tier XRP holders are participating heavily, indicating high confidence in the long-term value proposition of XploraDEX.

    BUY $XPL ON PRESALE

    A Deeper Look at $XPL Token Utility

    The XploraDEX platform is built around an ecosystem where $XPL fuels everything. Holders get:

    • Access to AI-powered auto-trading tools
    • Deep fee discounts for frequent users
    • Staking for passive income in XPL and partner tokens
    • Liquidity mining incentives for early DEX participants
    • Governance rights to shape the future of the protocol
    • Priority placement in partner IDOs and DeFi launches

    With such integrated functionality, demand for $XPL isn’t just hype—it’s utility-driven.

    Buy $XPL Tokens Now: https://sale.xploradex.io

    The Window Is Narrowing – Don’t Get Left Behind

    The $XPL Presale is unfolding in structured phases, with token prices increasing at each stage. As of this release, Phase 1 is nearly 80% filled, and momentum is accelerating with every new wallet joining the ecosystem.

    Investors looking to secure their allocation are urged to act quickly before the current tier sells out.

    Conclusion: XploraDEX Is More Than a DEX, It’s XRPL’s AI Frontier

    In a crypto market hungry for substance, XploraDEX brings together innovation, speed, and scalability, all layered with intelligence. The $XPL token represents a chance to be early—not just in a platform, but in an entire category: AI DeFi on XRPL.

    Join the $XPL Presale While Allocations Last: https://sale.xploradex.io

    Stay connected and Join the XploraDEX AI Revolution

    Website | $XPL Token Presale | X | Telegram

    Contact:
    Oliver Muller
    oliver@xploradex.io
    contact@xploradex.io

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e770c0f4-1d82-4d5d-b1c4-1700b5f759d1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BNP Paribas SA: Restatement of new 2024 quarterly series in the 2025 format

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PRESS RELEASE

    Paris, 28 March 2025

    This restatement has no impact on the Group’s published 2024 results and changes only the analytical breakdown of business lines, divisions and Corporate Centre segment. However, it impacts the risk-weighted assets of the various business lines, divisions and Group.
    ​
    In order to present a consistent reference with the presentation of the financial statements and the results applied from 1 January 2025, the quarterly series for the 2024 financial year include the main effects described below:
    ​

    • The change in the allocation of normalized equity from 11% to 12% of risk-weighted assets: as part of the coming into force of the finalisation of Basel 3 (Basel 4) on 1 January 20251, and in line with its CET1 target of 12%, the Group decided to change the normalized equity allocated to its business lines, excluding Insurance, to 12% of risk-weighted assets, from 11% previously, as of 1 January 2025;
    • The impact of this transposition (Basel 4)1 on the level of risk-weighted assets;
    • Full consolidation in the prudential scope of entities under the exclusive control of the Arval business as if it had occurred on 1 January 2024 (instead of 1 July 2024);
    • The geographical focus (sale and run-off of businesses in 10 countries) carried out by Personal Finance. It leads to the reclassification of income and business data from the non-strategic or non-core perimeter (equivalent to the activities put into run-off) in the Corporate Centre. Personal Finance’s profit and loss account therefore corresponds to the remaining strategic or core perimeter ;
    • A change in revenue allocation methodology between Wealth Management and Corporate Centre;
    • The business indicators at BNL are restated to take into account a precise breakdown of deposits by category (current, savings and term) and off balance sheet savings (assets under Discretionary Portfolio Management now included).

    ​
    ​
    ​The following non-audited appendices detail the 2024 quarterly results in line with these developments.

    • Appendix 1: 2024 restated Group profit & loss, unchanged compared to 2024 Published Group profit & loss
    • Appendix 2: Effects of the restatement on operating divisions
    • Appendix 3: Effects of the restatement on Corporate Centre
    • Appendix 4: Effects on deposits and off balance sheet savings of BNL
    • Appendix 5: New quarterly restated series​ for all operating divisions and businesses

    ​
    ​NEW QUARTERLY SERIES IN EXCEL FORMAT ARE AVAILABLE ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: HTTPS://INVEST.BNPPARIBAS.COM

    Calendar
    ​
    •      9 APRIL 2025: START OF THE QUIET PERIOD
    •      24 APRIL 2025: RELEASE OF 1Q25 RESULTS

    • 13 May 2025: Annual General Meeting
    • 19 May 2025: 2024 Dividend detachment date
    • 21 May 2025: 2024 Dividend payment date
    • 10 June 2025: Deep Dive Personal Finance
    • 26 June 2025: Deep Dive Commercial & Personal Banking in France
    • 24 July 2025: release of 2Q25 results

    Investor relations contact

    Bénédicte Thibord – benedicte.thibord@bnpparibas.com

    Equity
    Raphaëlle Bouvier-Flory – raphaelle.bouvierflory@bnpparibas.com
    Lisa Bugat – lisa.bugat@bnpparibas.com
    Didier Leblanc – didier.m.leblanc@bnpparibas.com
    Olivier Parenty – olivier.parenty@bnpparibas.com
    Guillaume Tiberghien – guillaume.tiberghien@uk.bnpparibas.com

    Debt & Rating agencies
    Didier Leblanc – didier.m.leblanc@bnpparibas.com
    Olivier Parenty – olivier.parenty@bnpparibas.com

    Retail & ESG
    Antoine Labarsouque – antoine.labarsouque@bnpparibas.com

    E-mail : investor.relations@bnpparibas.com

    1 Transposition into European law of the finalisation of Basel 3 (Basel 4) by Regulation (EU) 2024/1623 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 575/2013, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 19 June 2024.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sorensen Leads Bipartisan Effort to Secure Continued Support for Defense Communities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Blake Moore (UT-01) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) led a bipartisan letter urging Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to maintain support for the Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). 

    The OLDCC administers crucial programs, including the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP), the Community Noise Mitigation Program, and the Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) program. These initiatives provide important resources to state and local communities, helping to repair infrastructure, strengthen the defense industrial base, and support military readiness. 

    “I am committed to making sure our local communities and military families have what they need,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “Communities that support military installations, like my hometown of Moline, are vital to our defense missions. By investing in programs that upgrade infrastructure and strengthen local economies, we are protecting our national security.” 

    “The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) has been a long time and staunch advocate for the Office of Local Defense and Community Cooperation (OLDCC),” said Karen Holt, President of the Alliance of Defense Communities. “This office serves as the critical link between the Department of Defense and defense communities across the country. OLDCC programs are instrumental in maintaining the readiness of our military installations, missions, service members, and the communities they call home. ADC greatly appreciates the leadership of Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Congressman Eric Sorensen and Congressman Blake Moore for leading this effort to advocate for maintaining OLDCC funding levels. OLDCC programs are core to the idea that national security starts at home.” 

    Since its inception, the OLDCC has provided technical and financial assistance to nearly every U.S. state and territory. In the last year alone, grants have funded projects such as sewer system upgrades, emergency backup generators, runway rehabilitation, and workforce development in the defense manufacturing sector.  

    Joining Congressman Sorensen in signing the letter were Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). 

    Also included were Representatives Ed Case (HI-01), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), John Garamendi (CA-08), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Robert Scott (VA-03), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Michael Turner (OH-10), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Delegate James Moylan (Guam). 

    You can view the letter HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Revolutionizing Plastic Recycling Through Irradiation

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The IAEA is harnessing the power of radiation technologies, through its NUTEC Plastics initiative, to assist countries in dealing with plastic pollution on two fronts: at the point of source, by introducing new technologies to improve plastic recycling; and in the ocean, where the bulk of plastic waste ends up.

    “The focus on the first front is on reducing plastic waste volumes through innovative upcycling, increasing the re-purposing of hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable products and developing bio-based plastics,” said Celina Horak, Head of the IAEA Radiochemistry and Radiation Technology Section. “With the help of the NUTEC Plastics initiative, nine countries across Asia, Latin America and Africa are in the process of establishing radiation-assisted pilot plants.”

    The role of irradiation in helping beat plastic pollution will be discussed during the IAEA’s upcoming Third International Conference on Applications of Radiation Science and Technology. Gathering hundreds of experts from radiation-related physics, chemistry, materials science, biology and engineering fields in Vienna, Austria, from 7 to 11 April 2025, #ICARST2025 will be accessible to anyone interested via livestreaming.

    International events will also be held in October 2025 in the Republic of Korea, featuring IAEA tools for circular economy assessment and for technological maturity level, and in November 2025 in the Philippines, the first international high level forum on NUTEC Plastics. Both events will include the other aspect of the NUTEC Plastics initiative, the marine monitoring component, where nuclear science is used to identify, trace and monitor plastics in the ocean, particularly microplastics.

    MIL Security OSI –