NewzIntel.com

Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI: Stifel Completes Acquisition of B. Riley Employee Advisors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. LOUIS, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today announced the completion of its acquisition of 36 B. Riley employee advisors, representing total assets under management of approximately $4 billion.

    “We are very excited to welcome our new colleagues from B. Riley,” said Ronald J. Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel. “Adding this team of talented advisors is yet another example of our commitment to expanding Stifel’s premier Global Wealth Management business.”

    In 2024, Stifel’s Global Wealth Management business recorded record annual revenue of $3.3 billion with more than $500 billion in total client assets. Stifel was also ranked No. 1 in overall employee-advisor satisfaction for a second straight year, according to the annual J.D. Power U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study.

    Stifel Company Information
    Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit https://www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

    Media Contact
    Neil Shapiro, (212) 271-3447
    shapiron@stifel.com

    Investor Relations Contact
    Joel Jeffrey, (212) 271-3610
    investorrelations@stifel.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyoming National Guard Counterdrug Program combats drug threats through education and prevention

    Source: US State of Wyoming

    Wyoming National Guard

    By Sgt. Joseph Burns

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Since its inception in 1989, the Wyoming National Guard Counterdrug Program plays a vital part in the battle against illicit drugs and transnational criminal threats.

    Designed to harness the unique capabilities of the National Guard, the program continues to deliver measurable results through its partnerships with law enforcement, schools and community organizations.

    In the past year alone, the counterdrug program has made major strides in reducing the impact of narcotics across the state. Through close coordination with law enforcement, the program directly supported operations that led to the arrest of 207 individuals connected to drug-related crimes. These efforts also resulted in the seizure of 9.8 pounds of fentanyl and 20.27 pounds of methamphetamine—dangerous substances with the potential to devastate communities.

    “The results we’re seeing are a testament to the commitment and professionalism of our team,” said Sgt. Maj. Katherine Zwiefel, Wyoming Counterdrug coordinator. “Every pound of drugs taken off the street, every partnership we strengthen, and every student we reach—it all adds up to lives saved.”

    Beyond interdiction and law enforcement support, the Wyoming Counterdrug Program has significantly expanded its prevention and education outreach. Working closely with educators and local coalitions, Guardsmen delivered classroom presentations to more than 1,794 students, spent over 75 hours in youth mentorship and leadership development activities designed to prevent substance abuse before it begins.

    In the last year, the team dedicated over 40 hours to coalition engagement and trained 20 personnel in the administration of Narcan, enhancing Wyoming’s readiness to respond to opioid overdoses.

    “Our greatest weapon in the fight against addiction is education,” Zwiefel added. “When we connect with kids early and give them the tools to succeed, we’re building stronger communities and a healthier future.”

    The program’s holistic approach—combining military expertise, community engagement and interagency cooperation—continues to evolve in response to emerging drug threats, including the opioid epidemic.

    “The counterdrug program is an essential piece of our statewide response to the drug crisis,” said Brig. Gen. Michelle Mulberry, Cowboy Guard Director of the Joint Staff. “Their work not only helps take drugs off the streets but also builds resilience in our schools and strengthens the partnerships that protect our communities.”

    Members of the Wyoming National Guard and Colorado National Guard Counterdrug Program, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, Park County Sheriff’s Office, Powell Police Department, Cody Police Department, Healthy Park County Coalition and other partners pose for a photo and flew around the state to make neighborhoods safer by supporting the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, in Jackson, Wind-River, Riverton, Johnson County, Park County, and Sheridan, Wyoming, Oct. 28, 2024. This initiative provides a safe and anonymous way for the public to dispose of unused prescription medications, which play a significant role in prescription drug abuse. (U.S. Army National Guard photo)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California Department of Justice Investigating San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department Officer-Involved Shooting Under AB 1506

    Source: US State of California

    Monday, April 7, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    **The information provided below is based on preliminary details regarding an ongoing investigation, which may continue to evolve** 

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), is investigating and will independently review an officer-involved shooting (OIS) that occurred in Stockton, California on Monday, April 7, 2025 at approximately 11:14 a.m. The OIS incident resulted in the death of one individual and involved personnel from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department. 

    Following notification by local authorities, DOJ’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team initiated an investigation in accordance with AB 1506 mandates. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review. Anyone that has information related to this officer-involved shooting incident and wishes to report it may do so by calling (916) 210-2871. 

    More information on the California Department of Justice’s role and responsibilities under AB 1506 is available here: https://oag.ca.gov/ois-incidents.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stamford Nurse Admits Stealing and Tampering with Hydromorphone and Fentanyl Vials

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office, and Stephen P. Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that KRISTEN CAROTENUTO, 35, of Pelham, New York, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to tampering with vials of hydromorphone and fentanyl at a surgical clinic in Stamford where she was employed as a nurse.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Carotenuto was employed as a nurse at an outpatient surgical center in Stamford.  As part of her employment, she was granted access to a secure location used by the surgical center to store controlled substances, including hydromorphone and fentanyl.  In December 2024, Carotenuto removed several vials, each containing hydromorphone or fentanyl, from the secure storage area.  She then took the vials home, removed the controlled substances using a syringe, and used the drugs.  She then refilled the vials with either saline or water and returned the tampered vials to the storage area in a location where they could be distributed for patient use.

    Carotenuto pleaded guilty to tampering with a consumer product, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for June 30.

    Carotenuto is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.  She has surrendered her nursing license.

    This matter is being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; the DEA’s Hartford Diversion Control Division; and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ponte Vedra Man Indicted For Conspiracy To Traffic Firearms And Controlled Substances (DOJ)

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    acksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Braden Huston Hobbs (27, Ponte Vedra) with conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances—including 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, Hobbs faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 95 years, in federal prison.

    According to court documents and proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Hobbs when several firearms he had purchased were recovered during unrelated search warrant executions by law enforcement agencies. These firearms were recovered in the homes of drug distributors and a convicted felon. Additionally, during a series of controlled purchase operations conducted in the summer of 2024, agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from these two co-conspirators. Cellphone records later showed that at least one of the co-conspirators regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.

    Through further investigation, agents discovered that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased more than 120 firearms from 3 different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before completing the purchase of the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer.

    Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash for the firearms or traded drugs for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms and were drug users or drug distributors. Furthermore, Hobbs asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs is not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law.

    When Hobbs purchased the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false. Hobbs was not the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms, and he was a habitual user of controlled substances.

    In addition, Hobbs was distributing controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. He routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated deals. Hobbs often sold the controlled substances to the same customers to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers located approximately 330 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Meets with CBP Commissioner Nominee Rodney Scott

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) made the following remarks to media after meeting with Rodney Scott, whom President Trump has nominated to serve as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):

    “One of the things that I am confident he will do is help improve the morale of the people who are on the ground doing the hard work, who know that now the Trump administration has their back, as opposed to the last four years under President Biden.”

    “The numbers of people coming across the border have gone down dramatically, and that’s not because Congress passed any new laws. It’s because we have a President who will finally enforce the law.”

    This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

    Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, and Budget Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Canoe EIT Income Fund Announces April 2025 Monthly Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canoe EIT Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX – EIT.UN) announces the April 2025 monthly distribution of $0.10 per unit. Unitholders of record on April 23, 2025, will receive distributions payable on May 15, 2025.

    About Canoe EIT Income Fund
    Canoe EIT Income Fund is one of Canada’s largest closed-end investment funds, designed to maximize monthly distributions and capital appreciation by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of high quality securities. The Fund is listed on the TSX under the symbol EIT.UN, and is actively managed by Robert Taylor, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Canoe Financial.

    About Canoe Financial
    Canoe Financial is one of Canada’s fastest growing independent mutual fund companies managing over $20.0 billion in assets across a diversified range of award-winning investment solutions. Founded in 2008, Canoe Financial is an employee-owned investment management firm focused on building financial wealth for Canadians. Canoe Financial has a significant presence across Canada, including offices in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

    For further information, please contact:
    Investor Relations
    1–877–434–2796
    www.canoefinancial.com
    info@canoefinancial.com

    Not for Distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States of America.

    The Fund makes monthly distributions of an amount comprised in whole or in part of Return of Capital (ROC) of the net asset value per unit. A ROC reduces the amount of your original investment and may result in the return to you of the entire amount of your original investment. ROC that is not reinvested will reduce the net asset value of the fund, which could reduce the fund’s ability to generate future income. You should not draw any conclusions about the fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment funds. Please read the information filed about the fund on www.sedar.com before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed and past performance may not be repeated.

    This communication is not to be construed as a public offering to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Such an offer can only be made by way of a prospectus or other applicable offering document and should be read carefully before making any investment. This release is for information purposes only. Investors should consult their Investment Advisor for details and risk factors regarding specific strategies and various investment products.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Abacus Global Management Well-Positioned Amid Market Volatility

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORLANDO, Fla., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abacus Global Management (“Abacus” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ABL), a leader in the alternative asset management space, commented on the ongoing macro environment, noting that it remains well-positioned to capitalize on current market volatility, according to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Jackson. The Company’s unique business model provides it with clear strategic advantages in uncertain market conditions.

    In a recent earnings call, Mr. Jackson highlighted two key factors driving the Company’s strong position:

    First, market uncertainty typically prompts individuals and their financial advisors to seek alternative liquidity sources. Many clients discover untapped value in their life insurance policies that Abacus can help them access needed liquidity, creating increased origination opportunities during volatile periods.

    Second, during times of market turbulence, investors increasingly seek uncorrelated alternative assets to diversify their portfolios. Abacus’ specialized offerings, including fourth and fifth round funds, have attracted significant interest from registered investment advisors looking for differentiated yield products for their clients.

    The recent acquisition of Carlisle Management Company further strengthens Abacus’ market position by expanding its product lineup. Carlisle’s GP/LP-style funds have generated particularly strong demand from advisors seeking alternative investment options.

    This dual advantage—serving both consumers seeking liquidity and investors pursuing uncorrelated assets—creates a resilient, cycle-tested business model.

    Additionally, Abacus’ balance sheet and liquidity position remain strong with cash and cash equivalents of $128.8 million and balance sheet policy assets of $371.4 million as of December 31, 2024, and it continues to have availability under its share repurchase program.

    You can listen to Mr. Jackson’s direct response regarding the Company’s advantageous positioning in the volatile market here.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements in this press release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this press release) other than historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, many of which are outside the control of Abacus. Forward-looking information includes but is not limited to statements regarding: Abacus’s financial and operational outlook; Abacus’s operational and financial strategies, including planned growth initiatives and the benefits thereof, Abacus’s ability to successfully effect those strategies, and the expected results therefrom. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “goals,” “prospects,” “will,” “would,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).

    While Abacus believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. The factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the fact that Abacus’s loss reserves are bases on estimates and may be inadequate to cover its actual losses; the failure to properly price Abacus’s insurance policies; the geographic concentration of Abacus’s business; the cyclical nature of Abacus’s industry; the impact of regulation on Abacus’s business; the effects of competition on Abacus’s business; the failure of Abacus’s relationships with independent agencies; the failure to meet Abacus’s investment objectives; the inability to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; the effects of acts of terrorism; and the effectiveness of Abacus’s control environment, including the identification of control deficiencies.

    These forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors, forward-looking statements and challenges and uncertainties set forth in documents filed by Abacus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent periodic reports. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Abacus cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Abacus assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Abacus does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

    About Abacus Global Management

    Abacus Global Management (NASDAQ: ABL) is a leading financial services company specializing in alternative asset management, data-driven wealth solutions, technology innovations, and institutional services. With a focus on longevity-based assets and personalized financial planning, Abacus leverages proprietary data analytics and decades of industry expertise to deliver innovative solutions that optimize financial outcomes for individuals and institutions worldwide.

    Contacts:

    Investor Relations

    Robert F. Phillips – SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs
    rob@abacusgm.com
    (321) 290-1198

    David Jackson – IR/Capital Markets Associate
    david@abacusgm.com
    (321) 299-0716

    Abacus Global Management Public Relations
    press@abacusgm.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Innventure, Inc. to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results on April 11

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORLANDO, Fla., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innventure, Inc. (NASDAQ: INV) (“Innventure”), a differentiated technology commercialization platform, today announced it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results before market open on Friday, April 11, 2025. Management will host a conference call on the day of the release (April 11, 2025) at 11:00 am ET to discuss the results.

    The event will be webcasted live via our investor relations website https://ir.innventure.com/ or via this link.

    Parties interested in joining via teleconference can register using this link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIf41bc3411b8f4b8c935d6895015728c1     

    After registering, you will be provided dial in details and a unique dial-in PIN. Registration is open through the live call, but to ensure you are connected for the full call, we suggest registering in advance.

    About Innventure
    Innventure founds, funds, and operates companies with a focus on transformative, sustainable technology solutions acquired or licensed from multinational corporations. Innventure takes what it believes to be breakthrough technologies from early evaluation to scaled commercialization utilizing an approach designed to help mitigate risk as it builds disruptive companies it believes have the potential to achieve a target enterprise value of at least $1 billion. Innventure defines ‘‘disruptive’’ as innovations that have the ability to significantly change the way businesses, industries, markets and/or consumers operate.

    Media Contact: Laurie Steinberg, Solebury Strategic Communications
    press@innventure.com

    Investor Relations Contact: Sloan Bohlen, Solebury Strategic Communications
    investorrelations@innventure.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Reports March 2025 Volumes and 1Q25 Statistics

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today reported monthly volumes for March 2025, as well as quarterly volumes, estimated revenue capture, number of listings, and index statistics for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, on its Investor Relations website.

    A data sheet showing this information can be found at: http://ir.nasdaq.com/financials/volume-statistics.

    About Nasdaq

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

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    Information set forth in this communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) projections relating to our future financial results, total shareholder returns, growth, trading volumes, products and services, ability to transition to new business models, taxes and achievement of synergy targets, (ii) statements about the closing or implementation dates and benefits of certain acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic, restructuring, technology, de-leveraging and capital allocation initiatives, (iii) statements about our integrations of our recent acquisitions, (iv) statements relating to any litigation or regulatory or government investigation or action to which we are or could become a party, and (v) other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These factors include, but are not limited to, Nasdaq’s ability to implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Media Relations Contacts:

    Nick Jannuzzi
    +1.973.760.1741
    Nicholas.Jannuzzi@Nasdaq.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Ato Garrett
    +1.212.401.8737
    Ato.Garrett@Nasdaq.com

    -NDAQF-

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Range Announces Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WORTH, Texas, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) announced today that its first quarter 2025 financial results news release will be issued Tuesday, April 22 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

    A conference call to review the financial results is scheduled on Wednesday, April 23 at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT). A webcast of the call may be accessed at www.rangeresources.com. The webcast will be archived for replay on the Company’s website until May 23, 2025.

    RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) is a leading U.S. independent natural gas and NGL producer with operations focused in the Appalachian Basin. The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. More information about Range can be found at www.rangeresources.com.

    SOURCE: Range Resources Corporation

    Range Investor Contacts:

    Laith Sando, SVP – Corporate Strategy & Investor Relations
    817-869-4267
    lsando@rangeresources.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AGM Group Holdings Inc. Receives Staff Determination Notice from Nasdaq and Plans to Appeal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Beijing, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AGM Group Holdings Inc. (“AGM Holdings” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AGMH), an integrated technology company specializing in the assembling and sales of high-performance hardware and computing equipment, today announced that the Company received a staff determination notice (the “Staff Determination Notice”) from the Listings Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on April 1, 2025, notifying the Company of the Staff’s determination to delist the Company’s securities because as of March 31, 2025, the Company’s Class A ordinary shares have had a closing bid price below $0.10 for ten consecutive trading days, which subject the Company to the provisions contemplated under Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(iii) (the “Low Priced Stocks Rule”). The Company’s securities will be suspended from trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market at the opening of business on April 10, 2025, and a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which will remove the Company’s securities from listing and registration on The Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Suspension”), unless the Company requests an appeal of such determination to Nasdaq’s Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) by April 8, 2025.

    On March 13, 2025, the Company received a letter from the Nasdaq (the “Letter”), notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement as set forth under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on Nasdaq (“the Minimum Bid Requirement”) because the closing bid price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares was below the minimum of $1.00 per share for a period of 30 consecutive business days. In accordance with Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Letter provided the Company a period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Letter, or until September 9, 2025, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement.

    Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(iii) states that if during any compliance period specified in Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) a Company’s security has a closing bid price of $0.10 or less for ten consecutive trading days, the Listing Qualifications Department shall issue a Staff Delisting Determination under Rule 5810 with respect to that security. Based on the closing bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares for the 10 consecutive trading days from March 18, 2025 to March 31, 2025, the Company does not comply with the Low Priced Stocks Rule.

    The Company’s operations are not affected by the receipt of the Staff Determination Notice. The Company intends to timely appeal Nasdaq’s determination to the Panel, pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5800 Series. The Company’s hearing request will stay the Suspension and the filing of the Form 25-NSE pending the Panel’s decision.

    About AGM Group Holdings Inc.

    AGM Group Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: AGMH) is an integrated technology company specializing in the assembling and sales of high-performance hardware and computing equipment. With a mission to become a key participant and contributor in the global blockchain ecosystem, AGMH focuses on the research and development of blockchain-oriented Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chips, the assembling and sales of high-end crypto miners for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. For more information, please visit www.agmprime.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “assesses,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For more information, please contact:

    AGM Group Holdings Inc.
    Email: ir@agmprime.com 
    Website: http://www.agmprime.com

    Ascent Investor Relations LLC
    Tina Xiao
    President
    Phone: +1-646-932-7242
    Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sprout Social to Announce First Quarter 2025 Financial Results on May 8, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprout Social, Inc. (“Sprout Social”, the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SPT), an industry-leading provider of cloud-based social media management software, today announced that it will report its financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2025 after market close on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

    The financial results and business highlights will be discussed on a conference call and webcast scheduled at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Online registration for this event conference call can be found at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I191310. The live webcast of the conference call can be accessed from Sprout Social’s investor relations website at http://investors.sproutsocial.com.

    Following completion of the events, a webcast replay will also be available at http://investors.sproutsocial.com for 12 months.

    About Sprout Social

    Sprout Social is a global leader in social media management and analytics software. Sprout’s intuitive platform puts powerful social data into the hands of approximately 30,000 brands so they can deliver smarter, faster business impact. Named the #1 Best Software Product by G2’s 2024 Best Software Award, Sprout offers comprehensive publishing and engagement functionality, customer care, influencer marketing, advocacy, and AI-powered business intelligence. Sprout’s software operates across all major social media networks and digital platforms. For more information about Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT), visit sproutsocial.com.

    Availability of Information on Sprout Social’s Website and Social Media Profiles

    Investors and others should note that Sprout Social routinely announces material information to investors and the marketplace using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the Sprout Social Investors website. We also intend to use the social media profiles listed below as a means of disclosing information about us to our customers, investors and the public. While not all of the information that the Company posts to the Sprout Social Investors website or to social media profiles is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media, and others interested in Sprout Social to review the information that it shares at the Investors link located at the bottom of the page on www.sproutsocial.com and to regularly follow our social media profiles. Users may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Sprout Social when enrolling an email address by visiting “Email Alerts” in the “Shareholder Services” section of Sprout Social’s Investor website at https://investors.sproutsocial.com/.

    Social Media Profiles:
    www.twitter.com/SproutSocial
    www.twitter.com/SproutSocialIR
    www.facebook.com/SproutSocialInc
    www.linkedin.com/company/sprout-social-inc-/
    www.instagram.com/sproutsocial

    Contact

    Media:
    Kaitlyn Gronek
    Email: pr@sproutsocial.com
    Phone: (866) 878-3231

    Investors:
    Alex Kurtz
    Twitter: @SproutSocialIR
    Email: investors@sproutsocial.com
    Phone: (312) 528-9166

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon to report 1Q earnings April 22, 2025

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon to report 1Q earnings April 22, 2025

    NEW YORK – Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) will report first-quarter 2025 earnings on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

    The company will present results on a webcast beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. First-quarter 2025 materials will be available at 7:00 a.m. ET on Verizon’s Investor Relations website, https://www.verizon.com/about/investors. These materials will include:

    • Detailed information on Verizon’s first quarter results, including a recording and transcript of management’s commentary;
    • Verizon’s earnings news release; and
    • Financial tables.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens

    Source: European Investment Bank

    The Latvian capital Riga will upgrade and expand its water-supply network with the help of a €70 million European Investment Bank (EIB) loan to municipal utility SIA Rīgas ūdens. The company, serving over 600,000 residents, will use the EIB credit to curb drinking water network seepages, reduce pollution threats, rehabilitate or upgrade nearly 60 km of supply pipes, and add 27 km of new supply pipes.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group opens office in Latvia to support strategic investments

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • EIB Group inaugurates an office in Latvia to accelerate strategic investments and sustainable growth in country.
    • New presence in capital Riga to deepen cooperation with EIB Group partners in public and private sectors.
    • Move reflects reinforced commitment to Baltic region.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group opened an office in Latvia today to propel strategic investments and sustainable growth in the country. This office, located in the capital Riga, will focus on priority projects in areas including climate action, digitalisation, housing, security and defence.

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), will use its presence in Riga to deepen cooperation with Latvian partners in the public and private sectors including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    “The establishment of our office in Riga marks a milestone in our efforts to enhance financial accessibility and strengthen local financial markets,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “It will serve as a focal point, where we can listen, engage, and support domestic needs more actively. Our goal is to drive innovation, sustainable development, and economic growth across various sectors in Latvia and the broader Baltic region.”

    “The opening of the EIB Group’s office in Riga highlights Latvia’s strategic importance and our commitment to sustainable development and economic growth,” said Latvian Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens. “The EIB’s presence will enhance access to financing for public and private sector initiatives, strengthening the local financial market. We have already established successful cooperation with the EIB for affordable housing and are discussing further projects, including in the defence industry.”

    The EIB Group has invested over €4 billion in Latvia since the start of operations in the country in 1994 – with more than €3.5 billion from the EIB and over €560 million from the EIF. Last year, EIB Group financing in Latvia totalled €82 million.  

    Recent EIB operations in the country include a €200 million loan for energy utility Latvenergo to refurbish the power-distribution network and a €25 million credit for the University of Latvia to  build a state-of-the-art campus in Riga. For its part, the EIF has made recent financial commitments to a Latvian investment fund Merito Partners and to a fund managed by Latvia-based SG Capital.

    Today, the bank is lending €70 million to municipal utility Rīgas ūdens to improve and expand Riga’s water-supply network. This project aims to reduce drinking-water seepages and bolster environmental protection. 

    Future EIB Group priorities in Latvia include supporting renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and energy storage; improving infrastructure; and fostering business innovation and startups.

    The EIB Group has recently approved additional measures to support security and defence in Europe. This will allow to finance projects dedicated to military uses, such as barracks, storage facilities, drones, helicopters, radars, satellites, advanced avionics, propulsion, and optics, while maintaining strong financing capacity.

    The bank has a pipeline of 14 defence projects expected for approval across Europe, including drones, space, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies, as well as facilities enhancing Europe’s defence capabilities.

    “I warmly welcome the EIB’s decision to open an office and establish a permanent presence in Riga,” said European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis. “This move demonstrates the EIB’s strong commitment to supporting economic development in Latvia, and the broader Baltic-region, during these uncertain times. It will allow the EIB to better respond to the evolving needs of the Latvian economy, particularly in key areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure development, capital markets, and security and defence. EIB’s local presence will also enable it to offer more effective, timely support, and tailored solutions to local businesses and the national authorities, making an important contribution to Latvia’s development.”

    The new office, located in Novira Plaza, will be headed by Paulina Brzezicka, an experienced banker who had worked at EIB Group’s Luxembourg headquarters since 2013. “I am honoured to lead the EIB Group’s new office in Riga, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to the country. We have a strong pipeline of operations in Latvia and I look forward to collaborating with our local partners to support Latvia’s sustainable growth.”

    The EIB Group’s Office in Riga reflects a reinforced commitment to the Baltics as a whole, where to date the organisation has had a hub in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius covering all three Baltic States. Tomorrow the EIB Group will open an office in the Estonian capital Tallinn.        

    Background information  

    EIB 

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    Latvian capital Riga to get water-system upgrades with €70 million EIB loan to utility Rīgas ūdens
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: New Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of IDT elected

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Monday, April 7, 2025

    Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has welcomed the election of Zimbini Hill as the Chairperson and Professor Raymond Nkado as the Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Development Trust (IDT).

    Hill is the former interim chairperson of the IDT, with 20 years’ experience as an executive leader in sectors ranging from financial services to public sector governance. She holds an MBA in Finance from Cass Business School at the City University of London.

    Professor Nkado is the former Executive Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand, former President of the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professionals. He holds a PMP qualification from the Project Management Institute of the United States.

    “The Minister met with the Board this morning to welcome the latest appointments and wish them success for the remainder of their term,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement on Monday. 

    Thereafter, the Board met with just the trustees to elect a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson from among its members. 

    “Today’s board meeting brings about much needed stability to the IDT and brings an end to vacancies that have existed at the entity for the last 18 months.

    “The new board will now have to deal with several challenges currently facing the IDT, including ensuring full compliance with the ongoing PWC investigation into the PSA Oxygen Plant Tender, restoring public trusts in the IDT and putting the entity back onto a pathway of good, clean, and transparent governance,” the department said. 

    READ | Macpherson welcomes PwC probe into R800m oxygen plant tender. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa appoints Professor Mariana Mazzucato to G20 Taskforce

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed renowned economist Professor Mariana Mazzucato as Technical Expert to South Africa’s G20 Presidency and his Special Presidential Representative to Taskforce 1, focusing on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reducing Inequality.

    In a statement on Monday, The Presidency said Professor Mazzucato will also contribute to Taskforce 3: Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation for Sustainable Development.

    She will also support the Sherpa Track on Trade and Investment Working Group, and the Finance Track Sustainable Finance Working Group, and International Financial Architecture Working Group.

    Professor Mazzucato is a member of President Ramaphosa’s Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) since 2019, advising on areas such as green industrial strategy, State capacity, and reform of State-owned enterprises.

    In 2024, she co-chaired the Group of Experts for Brazil’s G20 Task Force for the Global Mobilisation Against Climate Change (TF-CLIMA).

    “This appointment underscores South Africa’s commitment to leveraging its leadership in the G20 to shape a more inclusive and sustainable global economy.

    “Professor Mazzucato, internationally recognised for her work on rethinking the State, green growth, mission-oriented innovation and public value creation, brings critical expertise to advancing South Africa’s goals on green industrialisation, inclusive growth, and long-term structural transformation,” the Presidency said. 

    Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership and the G20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, South Africa aims to lead global discussions on these key issues, advocating for policies that foster resilient economic development, particularly in developing countries.

    South Africa’s G20 Presidency is committed to advancing a global economic framework that supports green growth, economic resilience, and social equity.

    The year 2025, described by President Ramaphosa, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain as “a pivotal year for multilateralism”, will feature three major global gatherings: the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the Financing for Development Conference in Seville, and COP30 in Belém. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Individuals Face Federal Charges Following Multi-Agency Immigration Enforcement Operations (DOJ)

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TLANTA – Five individuals have been charged in the Northern District of Georgia with firearms-related offenses during a multi-agency immigration enforcement operation in metro-Atlanta during the past week. The operations involved coordinated investigations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable support from several local law enforcement partners. In addition to the individuals charged federally, law enforcement seized more than a dozen firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in connection with the operations.

    “Our office is proud to support our law enforcement partners in this effort and other enforcement initiatives to protect our communities and safeguard our national security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “This initiative sends a strong message to those engaged in criminal activity, whether regarding immigration-related or firearms offenses, that the ongoing and determined coordinated efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners will achieve measurable results in making our communities safer.”

    “The successful enforcement actions taken during this multi-agency operation underscore HSI’s unwavering commitment to upholding immigration laws and targeting illegal aliens allegedly possessing and trafficking in firearms,” said Steven N. Schrank, special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta, which covers Georgia and Alabama. “By leveraging our partnerships and resources, we are identifying and apprehending those who exploit our immigration system to engage in criminal activities that threaten public safety and national security.”

    “ATF along with our federal law enforcement partners will utilize all resources to investigate firearms trafficking by transnational criminal organizations and cartels,” said Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons. “The success of these investigative efforts could not be accomplished without cohesive partnerships, which keep our communities safe.”

    “The DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, are sending a clear message to the Mexican drug cartels and their criminal associates, that keeping our communities safe is our highest priority,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. 

    “FBI Atlanta is dedicated to supporting our federal partners in achieving our mutual objective of ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This case clearly illustrates the success that can be achieved when federal agencies unite their resources and expertise to combat violent criminals.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: From March 24 to April 2, 2025, federal law enforcement agencies conducted a series of enforcement operations targeting individuals allegedly committing firearms and other violations, including those illegally present in the United States.  During the operation, law enforcement seized 13 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  Significantly, resulting investigations revealed that many of the firearms were bound for Mexico.

    The following defendants have been charged in connection with the operations:

    Hernandez Mora made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker on April 1, 2025.  Gonzales-Hoppo made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John K. Larkins, III on March 28, 2025.  Vick, Macias Montes and Sambrano also made their initial appearances before Judge Larkins on March 27, 2025. 

    Members of the public are reminded that the Criminal Complaints and Indictment only contain charges.  The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    These cases are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, Georgia State Patrol, Sandy Springs Police Department, Doraville Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Police Department, South Fulton Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Police Department, Clarkston Police Department and East Point Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys with the Northern District of Georgia, including those assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), provided valuable support for these operations.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (Atlanta Strike Force) is to eliminate transnational organized crime syndicates and major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Atlanta Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets, Regional Priority Organization Targets, and their associates.  The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies; and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Opening remarks by SED at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Opening remarks by SED at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting 
     
    Chairman,
     
         Education is the key to nurturing talent. The Government attaches great importance to education and has all been investing heavily in education. The Government’s expenditure on education is $112.4 billion in 2025-26, accounting for about 13.7 per cent of the total government expenditure. It includes $102.9 billion of recurrent education expenditure, around 17.5 per cent of the total government recurrent expenditure, taking up a significant share of the overall government expenditure. In line with the strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, we remain committed to education, striving to promote high-quality education and develop Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talents.
     
         To enhance the quality of education, we will continue to implement new measures in 2025-26 to create new impetus for high-quality development of Hong Kong’s economy. The new measures include –
     
         To support post-secondary, and vocational and professional education and training, we will launch a new round of the Research Matching Grant Scheme totalling $1.5 billion to attract more organisations to support research endeavours of institutions, increase the quota of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme to 400 places per year, set up the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies to offer scholarships to up to 1 200 local students pursuing designated taught postgraduate programmes each academic year, and endeavour to develop Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub and to build the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
     
         To support the development of the self-financing sector, we have introduced a bill to amend the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320) into the Legislative Council for scrutiny, with a view to further enhancing the governance and competitiveness of self-financing post-secondary institutions. At the same time, we will gradually increase the admission quota for Mainland, Macao and Taiwan students for self-financing post-secondary institutions with the approval to admit Mainland students to degree programmes to 40 per cent, and to implement the new round of the Land Grant Scheme and the Start-up Loan Scheme, so as to promote the accelerated expansion of capacity and enhancement of quality of the self-financing post-secondary education sector.
     
         For primary and secondary education, we will continue to enhance the quality of teaching, promote national education, national security education and patriotic education, adopting all-round, comprehensive, cross-key stage and interdisciplinary approaches to support schools to integrate national education into daily learning and teaching and strengthen students’ affection for and sense of belonging to the country. At the same time, funds are earmarked under the Language Fund for establishing two grants to enhance the effective use of English and Putonghua among students. Additionally, the “Pilot Scheme on Other Languages for Junior Secondary Students”, supported by the Quality Education Fund, will support junior secondary students to learn other languages, further harnessing the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world. We have also launched the “AI for Science Education” Funding Programme to promote pedagogical innovation and the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence)-assisted teaching in Junior Secondary Science.
     
         In order to foster mental health of students, teachers and parents in a more holistic manner, we have launched the 4Rs Mental Health Charter in 2024, extending the Three-Tier School‑based Emergency Mechanism and implementing enhanced measures with a view to strengthening the support of students with high risks. For special education, we will replace the Personal Care Worker Grant with the Personal Care Enhancement Grant for Boarders to provide flexibility to relevant special schools in providing personal care services for boarders.
     
         To enhance the effective use of public resources, the Education Bureau (EDB) will optimise and consolidate the use of education resources as appropriate, without affecting the quality of education and the teaching profession, and streamline procedures to improve efficiency. The key measures to be implemented in the 2025-26 financial year include –
     
         The recurrent funding of University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities and Vocational Training Council will be reduced by two per cent in each of the coming three academic and financial years respectively (in line with the Government’s reduction in operating expenditure). In addition, UGC-funded universities will return a total of $4 billion of its General and Development Reserve Fund balance to the Government on a one-off basis. We believe that universities will make effective use of valuable public resources to preserve the quality and standard of teaching and research, and at the same time seize the opportunity of building our nation into a leading country in education and strive to develop Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub.
     
         We will also adjust the general subvention for publicly-funded schools and kindergartens by about two per cent, consolidate some grants and adjust the disbursement arrangements. We will set up a task force to revamp and consolidate various grants to schools in innovative ways, such as disbursing grants to schools in the form of a block grant, so that schools may utilise the resources more flexibly based on their development needs and priorities.
     
         In support of the Government’s Productivity Enhancement Programme, we reduced our recurrent expenditure by one per cent (about $1 billion) and an additional $1.5 billion (totalling $2.5 billion) in 2024-25. Such savings were wholly achieved by the EDB internally, with no reduction in funding/subvention to schools and subvented organisations (including UGC-funded universities), nor subsidies for students/parents. In the 2025-26 financial year, we will continue to support the Productivity Enhancement Programme by further reducing our recurrent expenditure by two per cent and an additional $4 billion at the same time (totalling $6.2 billion). The EDB is determined to ride out the difficult times hand in hand with the education sector.
     
         In line with the targeted poverty alleviation strategy of the current-term government and to enhance the effective use of public resources, we will adapt to evolving circumstances and abolish the non-means-tested $2,500 student grant from the 2025/26 school year. For students from families with financial difficulties, we will provide them with a safety net and appropriate assistance through various means/asset-tested financial assistance measures, including Kindergarten and Child Care Centre Fee Remission Scheme, Grant for School-related Expenses for Kindergarten Students, School Textbook Assistance Scheme, Student Travel Subsidy Scheme, Subsidy Scheme for Internet Access Charges, School-based After-school Learning and Support Programmes and Free Lunch at Schools etc., to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to receive quality education without being affected by financial difficulties.
     
         In the coming year, we will continue to adopt an innovative approach to consolidate and optimise the use of education resources, and to enhance teaching effectiveness. Building on Hong Kong’s unique status and advantages under “one country, two systems”, we will pave way for accelerated education development from a holistic and long‑term perspective, and nurture our younger generation to become virtuous and knowledgeable lifelong learners who love the country and the city and are ready for future challenges and opportunities.
     
         This is the end of my introduction. Thank you, Chairman.
    Issued at HKT 20:57

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India launches first Digital Threat Report 2024 to support cybersecurity in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector

    Source: Government of India

    India launches first Digital Threat Report 2024 to support cybersecurity in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector

    At launch of Digital Threat Report 2024, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan emphasizes need for unified cybersecurity framework to protect India’s financial backbone

    Report Identifies Sector-wide security gaps and emerging cyber risks, empowering BFSI institutions to strengthen defenses

    Report is meant to empower financial institutions to stay ahead of adversaries, adapt to emerging risks and build long-term cyber resilience: Dr. Sanjay Bahl, DG, CERT-In

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 5:27PM by PIB Delhi

    In a landmark initiative to strengthen cybersecurity resilience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, CERT-In (MeitY), CSIRT-Fin and SISA, a global Cybersecurity company,  collaborated to launch the Digital Threat Report 2024 for the BFSI sector, a comprehensive analysis of current and emerging cyber threats and defense strategies.

    The report was launched by Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Shri M Nagaraju and Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Shri S Krishnan along with Director General, Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) Dr Sanjay Bahl and Founder and CEO, SISA, Dharshan Shanthamurthy.

    Collaborative cyber defence strategy

    Speaking at the launch, Shri S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, highlighted the growing cyber risks associated with the rapid digital transformation of the financial sector, stating: ” The interconnected nature of the BFSI ecosystem means that a single cyberattack can have systemic repercussions, impacting multiple entities beyond the initial target. This underscores the urgent need for coordinated cybersecurity efforts at a national and sectoral level. CERT-In and CSIRT-Fin play a vital role in mitigating these risks by collaborating with regulators, industry stakeholders, and global cybersecurity bodies to ensure timely detection, response, and recovery from cyber incidents. This report, developed in collaboration with SISA, will enable BFSI organizations to secure defenses, minimize financial stability risks, and build a collective cybersecurity strategy to counter sophisticated cyberattacks effectively

    Cybersecurity is the foundation of financial stability

    Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, underscored the critical need for stronger cyber defenses in financial services, emphasizing the far-reaching implications of cybersecurity on economic stability and trust – “Cybersecurity is no longer an optional safeguard but the foundation of financial stability in the digital age. As India’s BFSI sector rapidly expands, securing digital transactions is not just a regulatory necessity but an economic imperative. The Digital Threat Report 2024 for BFSI as a collaborative effort between national cybersecurity agencies and industry leaders highlights the urgency of an integrated approach – one that unifies technology, regulatory compliance, and proactive threat intelligence. It serves as a strategic blueprint, equipping financial institutions with the intelligence needed to anticipate vulnerabilities, strengthen their defenses, and build cyber resilience in an era of increasingly sophisticated threats.

    The report provides a holistic analysis of the cybersecurity landscape shaping the BFSI sector. The collaborative nature of this initiative, bringing together frontline cybersecurity providers, national agencies, and financial sector incident response teams, underscores the urgency of a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to mitigating digital risks.

    The BFSI sector is at the heart of global digital transformation, with digital payments projected to generate $3.1 trillion by 2028, accounting for 35% of total banking revenues. However, the rapid shift to digital transactions has also expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals. The 2024 Digital Threat Report stands apart by not only examining current threats and emerging vulnerabilities but also offering a deep dive into adversarial tactics that impact system-level operations. It provides a unique perspective on sector-wide security gaps while delivering a forward-looking analysis of anticipated cyber risks, equipping financial institutions with the insights needed to prepare for both todays and tomorrow’s cyber threats.

    Digital Threat Report 2024 offers multi-dimensional cyber insights

    Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Ministry of Electronics and IT, Government of India on the occasion said, “Cybersecurity is not just about protecting individual entities – it’s about securing an entire ecosystem. In today’s hyper-connected world, threats evolve faster than ever, making collaborative intelligence-sharing essential. This report is meant to empower financial institutions to stay ahead of adversaries, adapt to emerging risks, and build long-term cyber resilience. Initiatives like these reinforce India’s commitment to setting global benchmarks in financial cybersecurity, ensuring that as digital transactions grow, they remain secure, trusted, and resilient against future threats.”

    The report integrates real-world cyber intelligence from SISA’s forensic investigations, CERT-In’s cybersecurity oversight, and CSIRT-Fin’s financial sector incident response expertise, offering a multi-dimensional perspective on emerging threats. By identifying key attack vectors, evolving adversarial tactics, and persistent security gaps, the report not only outlines current challenges but also provides practical, actionable recommendations to help financial organizations implement preventive and detective security measures across people, process, and technology.

    Commenting on the significance of the report, Dharshan Shanthamurthy, Founder & CEO of SISA, remarked: ” Cybersecurity resilience is built on collaboration. By integrating real-world threat intelligence, national cybersecurity insights, and financial sector incident response, this report delivers actionable intelligence that enables financial institutions to stay ahead of evolving threats. Our commitment extends beyond insights—we aim to fortify resilience in India’s BFSI sector and globally, driving a future where digital transactions are secure, seamless, and uncompromisingly protected.”

    The 2024 Digital Threat Report for BFSI is a call to action for financial institutions, regulators, and security professionals to adopt a proactive stance against cyber threats. As the sector faces growing challenges from AI-driven attacks, sophisticated fraud tactics, and compliance complexities, this report serves as a strategic guide to navigating the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

    About SISA:

    SISA is a global forensics-driven cybersecurity solutions company for the digital payments industry, trusted by leading organizations for securing their businesses with robust preventive, detective, and corrective cybersecurity solutions. SISA’s problem-first, human-centric approach helps businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture. SISA applies the power of forensic intelligence and advanced technology to offer true security to over 2,000 customers across over 40 countries.

    For Digital Threat Report, click here  

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2119801) Visitor Counter : 113

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: A Decade of Growth with PM Mudra Yojana

    Source: Government of India

    A Decade of Growth with PM Mudra Yojana

    Fueling grassroots entrepreneurship and expanding financial inclusion

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 4:44PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    On 8 April 2025, India marks 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY). Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), the Flagship Programme of the Prime Minister aimed at Funding the Unfunded micro enterprises and small businesses. By removing the burden of collateral and simplifying access, MUDRA laid the foundation for a new era of grassroots entrepreneurship.

    Across the country, lives have transformed. Kamlesh, a home-based tailor in Delhi, expanded her work, employed three other women, and enrolled her children in a good school. Bindu, who began with 50 brooms a day, now leads a unit producing 500. These are not exceptions anymore. They reflect a larger shift.

    From stitching units and tea stalls to salons, mechanic shops, and mobile repair businesses, crores of micro-entrepreneurs have stepped forward with confidence, enabled by a system that believed in their potential. PMMY has supported these journeys by offering institutional credit to non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises that form the backbone of India’s economy.

    At its core, the MUDRA Yojana is a story of trust. Trust in people’s aspirations and in their ability to build. Trust in the belief that even the smallest dreams deserve a platform to grow.

     

    Achievements under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

    Since its launch in April 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has sanctioned over 52 crore loans worth ₹32.61 lakh crore, fuelling a nationwide entrepreneurial revolution. Business growth is no longer confined to big cities—it is spreading to small towns and villages, where first-time entrepreneurs are taking charge of their destinies. The shift in mindset is evident: people are no longer job seekers; they are becoming job creators.

    MSME Credit Boom: A Stronger Business Ecosystem

    The SBI report highlights a significant rise in credit flow to MSMEs, driven by Mudra’s impact. MSME lending surged from ₹8.51 lakh crore in FY14 to ₹27.25 lakh crore in FY24, and is projected to cross ₹30 lakh crore in FY25. The share of MSME credit in total bank credit increased from 15.8 percent in FY14 to nearly 20 percent in FY24, showcasing its growing role in the Indian economy. This expansion has enabled businesses in smaller towns and rural areas to access financial support that was previously unavailable, strengthening India’s self-reliant economy and driving grassroots job creation.

    Financial Inclusion: Empowering Women

    Women account for 68 percent of all Mudra beneficiaries, underscoring the scheme’s pivotal role in advancing women-led enterprises across the country. Between FY16 and FY25, the per woman PMMY disbursement amount increased at a CAGR of 13 percent, reaching ₹62,679, while per woman incremental deposits grew at a CAGR of 14 percent to ₹95,269. States with higher disbursement shares to women have recorded significantly higher employment generation through women-led MSMEs, reinforcing the effectiveness of targeted financial inclusion in enhancing women’s economic empowerment and labour force participation.

    Financial Inclusion: Reaching Socially Marginalised Groups

    PMMY has made significant progress in breaking traditional credit barriers. According to the SBI report, 50 percent of Mudra accounts are held by SC, ST and OBC entrepreneurs, ensuring wider access to formal finance. Furthermore, 11 percent of Mudra loan holders belong to minority communities, demonstrating the scheme’s contribution to inclusive growth by enabling marginalised communities to become active participants in the formal economy.

    Progressive Lending: From Shishu to Tarun

    Over the past ten years, Mudra has facilitated the opening of over 52 crore loan accounts, marking a steady rise in entrepreneurial activity. The share of Kishor loans (₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh) has grown from 5.9 percent in FY16 to 44.7 percent in FY25, indicating a shift from micro to small enterprises. The Tarun category (₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh) is also gaining momentum, proving that Mudra is not just about starting businesses but helping them scale.

    Bigger Loans, Stronger Businesses

    A telescopic view of total loans sanctioned and disbursed under PMMY reveals that the scheme’s Unique Selling Proposition has been well received by a diverse base of intended beneficiaries, thereby strengthening the economic influence of the bottom of the pyramid.

    The average ticket size of loans has nearly tripled—rising from ₹38,000 in FY16 to ₹72,000 in FY23, and further to ₹1.02 lakh in FY25—reflecting growing economies of scale and a deepening of both market depth and width.

    Furthermore, loan disbursal rose by 36 percent in FY23, indicating a strong revival of entrepreneurial confidence across the country.

    Leading States/UTs in PM Mudra Loan Disbursal

    As of February 28, 2025, since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana in 2015, Tamil Nadu has recorded the highest disbursal among states at ₹3,23,647.76 crore. Uttar Pradesh follows with ₹3,14,360.86 crore, while Karnataka ranks third with ₹3,02,146.41 crore. West Bengal and Bihar have also seen significant disbursals of ₹2,82,322.94 crore and ₹2,81,943.31 crore respectively. Maharashtra stands sixth at ₹2,74,402.02 crore, reflecting the scheme’s broad reach and impact across key states over the past decade.

    Among Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir leads with a total disbursal of ₹45,815.92 crore across 21,33,342 loan accounts. The figures underscore the role of the scheme in expanding access to credit

    and promoting self-employment, not just across states but also in Union Territories.

    Click here for the complete list.

    Funding the Unfunded

    Micro enterprises constitute a major economic segment in our country and provides large employment after agriculture. This segment includes micro units engaged in manufacturing, processing, trading and services sector. It provides employment to nearly 10 crore people. Many of these units are proprietary/ single ownership or Own Account enterprises and many a time referred as Non-Corporate Small Business sector.

    Mission, Vision and Purpose of PMMY

    Salient Features of the Scheme

    Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) under the Micro Units Development and Refinancing Agency (MUDRA) was set up by Government of India for development and refinancing activities relating to micro units. PMMY ensures collateral-free institutional credit up to Rs 20 lakh is provided by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) i.e. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). 

     

    Under the scheme, three categories of interventions have been formulated which include:

    Tarun Plus: Loans above ₹10 lakh and up to ₹20 lakh (designed specifically for Tarun category, who have previously availed and successfully repaid loans)

    International Recognition

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has consistently acknowledged the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in expanding financial access and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship in India.

    In 2017, the IMF noted that the scheme has been instrumental in enabling women-led businesses to access finance. It highlighted how PMMY complements PMJDY’s focus on unbanked households by providing collateral-free loans to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses.

    In 2019, the IMF further praised PMMY, stating that the scheme under the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency plays a vital role in developing and refinancing micro enterprises by supporting financial institutions that lend to businesses engaged in manufacturing, trading and services.

    By 2023, the IMF highlighted that the collateral-free loan structure of PMMY, with its emphasis on women’s entrepreneurship, has significantly contributed to the growth of women-owned MSMEs, which now exceed 2.8 million.

    In its 2024 release, the IMF reaffirmed that India’s enabling policy environment for entrepreneurship, through programmes such as PMMY, is actively contributing to increased self-employment and formalisation through credit access.

    Conclusion

    In ten years, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has consistently demonstrated the power of financial inclusion and the strength of grassroots innovation. Before 2014, access to credit often favoured the well-connected, while small entrepreneurs faced hurdles like complex paperwork or were forced to rely on informal finance. Banks handed out reckless loans to large corporates, while genuine borrowers lost access to credit. MUDRA stepped into this vacuum, offering a cleaner, inclusive alternative that gave everyone an equal chance.

    With over 52 crore loans sanctioned, the scheme has empowered women, SC/ST/OBC communities, and rural entrepreneurs by expanding access to formal credit. The rise in average loan size, growing share of MSME credit, and the shift from micro to small enterprises reflect its growing impact. PMMY is not only fuelling self-employment and job creation, but also strengthening India’s grassroots economy and advancing equitable growth.

    References

    Click here to see PDF.

    *****

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Anchal Patiyal

    (Release ID: 2119781) Visitor Counter : 114

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at HKSTP Co-Acceleration Programme Fund Launch and Partnership Signing Ceremony (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the HKSTP Co-Acceleration Programme Fund Launch and Partnership Signing Ceremony today (April 7):
     
    Sunny (Chairman of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai), Albert (Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong), distinguished guests, tech ventures, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to join you all today as we celebrate the launch of the Co-Acceleration Fund by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) and witness the signing of partnership agreements between the HKSTP and leading industry players.  
     
    Innovation and technology are a key pillar of Hong Kong’s future prosperity. Over the years, we have invested substantial resources to build a dynamic and vibrant innovation ecosystem. As a result, the number of start-ups in our city has been rapidly increasing. In 2024, we were home to nearly 4 700 start-ups, representing a 40 per cent rise since 2020. We expect this number to continue growing at an impressive pace. 
     
    Just now, I am delighted to learn that I had the privilege of engaging with founders and CEOs of start-ups at the newly established ARENA platform. It is heartening to learn how our start-ups are transforming bold ideas into promising ventures, and how the HKSTP is supporting them to connect with collaborators, corporate partners and investors.
     
    We all understand that access to capital is critical as start-ups grow and develop. Hong Kong offers a full range of funding support, from angel investments, venture capital and private equity to our deep and liquid stock market. This ecosystem effectively supports the ambitions and needs of enterprises at various stages of development.

    Besides, we recognise the unique value of public-private partnerships in driving innovation. Here in Hong Kong, we aim to guide capital into sectors that are strategically important to our future, including AI and data science, life and health technology, fintech and new energy and new materials. We understand that for frontier technologies and sectors, the Government may sometimes need to take the lead to show our vision and demonstrate our commitment to bringing our vision into reality. That’s why we established the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC). Serving as patient capital, the HKIC invests in nascent-stage ventures and sectors of tomorrow. To date, it has invested in more than 90 projects, achieving a 1 to 4 co-investment ratio – meaning that for every dollar the HKIC invested, it has attracted four dollars from private investors to follow.
     
    The HKSTP’s Acceleration Fund aligns with our vision. By partnering with industry leaders to co-invest in high-potential start-ups, particularly in generative AI, intelligent connected systems and sustainability, the Fund amplifies our collective capacity to turn innovation into impact.
     
    Beyond funding, I applaud the HKSTP for offering start-ups holistic support: mentorship, technical expertise, connections, market access and global platform, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools to accelerate growth and enhance global competitiveness.
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, we live in an era of profound challenges. Now we are confronted with the impact of unilateralism and protectionism unseen in a century. Beyond tariffs and trade barriers, disruptions to global scientific collaboration are also happening. Yet, it is precisely in this very climate of fragmentation that Hong Kong must leverage its unique strengths. With our vision, agility, connectivity and strong backing from our country, we are in the position to become a global convergence point of talent, capital and know-how. We can foster more cross-sectoral and cross-boundary collaboration to advance humanity’s shared progress.
     
    For that mission, every initiative matters. In this regard, allow me to extend my appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the Co-Acceleration Fund to life. I wish you all the best of health and success in the time ahead. Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dauphin County Man Charged With Violations of Clean Air Act and Conspiring to Defraud the United States and Violate the Clean Air Act

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ryan Spencer, age 33, of Harrisburg, PA, was charged by criminal information on April 4, 2025, for conspiracy to impede the lawful functions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to violate the Clean Air Act, and individual violations of the Clean Air Act.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, between 2013 and March 12, 2024, Spencer, a Service Manager at Pro Diesel Werks, LLC, doing business as Pro Diesel Werks, along with Pro Diesel Werks owner Roy Ladell Weaver and other co-conspirators, disabled the hardware emissions control systems on the diesel vehicles of Pro Diesel Werks customers (a practice referred to as a “delete” or “deleting”), defeating the systems’ ability to reduce pollutant gases and particulate matter being emitted to the atmosphere. The information further alleges that Spencer and his co-conspirators also tampered with the emissions diagnostic systems on the vehicles to prevent the diagnostic system software from monitoring the emission control system hardware deletes (a practice referred to as a ‘tune” or “tuning).

    On February 19, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Weaver and Pro Diesel Werks for conspiracy to impede the lawful functions of the EPA and to violate the Clean Air Act, and individual violations of the Clean Air Act. 

    The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams, Environmental Crimes Section Trial Attorney Ronald A. Sarachan, and Environmental Crimes Section Senior Trial Attorney Richard J. Powers are prosecuting the case.

    The maximum total penalty under federal law for these offenses is seven years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pain Management Clinic Owners and Operators Indicted on Health Care Fraud Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE – The owners and operators of a Warwick pain management clinic have been indicted by a federal grand jury on health care fraud charges for allegedly defrauding government and private health care insurers, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Brandon Nowak, 32, and Jason Simmons, 33, both of Foster, RI, and officers and operators of Alternative Integrative Medicine, LLC, d/b/a Aim Health, are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and fourteen counts of health care fraud.

    It is alleged that beginning in October 2020, Nowak and Simmons conspired to and did intentionally and repeatedly submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, and four private insurers in order to collect payments for certain purportedly “medically necessary” services that were not actually provided to patients.

    The indictment also alleges that patients were routinely informed that massage therapy was a service covered by their insurance, when in fact it was not. In order to receive insurance payment for massage therapy provided by a massage therapist, the defendants allegedly billed insurers for covered services such as acupuncture, physical therapy, and evaluation and management office visits, none of which the patients actually received.

    Additionally, it is alleged that the defendants submitted claims for services such as infrared therapy, hot and cold therapy, therapeutic activity, and self-care/home management training that were not provided to the patients and for which AIM Health did not employ appropriate providers.

    The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court on April 11, 2025. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan, with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

    The matter was investigated by the U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Disclosure of Voting Rights in IDEX Biometrics to Chair, Morten Opstad – 07 April 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    At the close of business on 07 April 2025, Morten Opstad, chair of the board of IDEX Biometrics, held the following voting rights in IDEX, for the extraordinary general meeting on 11 April 2025.

    Total 142,779,329 shares or 17.17% of the share capital and votes, including shares held by Mr. Opstad and close relations.

    Some of the proxies may include voting instructions.

    Contact persons
    Marianne Bøe, Head of Investor Relations, Tel.: +47 918 00186
    Kristian Flaten, CFO, Tel.: +47 950 92322
    E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About IDEX Biometrics
    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity.  Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market.

    For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com (http://www.idexbiometrics.com)

    About this notice
    This notice was issued by Marianne Bøe, Head of Investor Relations, on 07 April 2024 at 21:15 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. The information shall be disclosed according to section 4‑2 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (STA) and published in accordance with section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 7 April 2025 Departmental update The multigenerational charge for women’s health and gender equality

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Photo credit: WHO/WUN/Emilie Mills

    During the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), held from 10–21 March 2025, countries from around the world reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality through a high-level political declaration. The declaration renewed the global commitment to women’s rights, acknowledged the setbacks and called for urgent, gender-responsive policy action, including the protection of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health across the life course.

    A major moment for this advocacy came on 10 March with the official WHO flagship side event, “No gender equality without women’s health”, co-sponsored by WHO, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Mexican States, UN Women and the World Economic Forum. The event drew a full house and highlighted a unified call for evidence-based approaches to address gaps in women’s health across the life course as a core component of advancing gender inequality and through health, particularly amid rising anti-rights rhetoric around the world.

    A call for holistic, life-course approaches

    The event emphasized that women’s health is not a niche concern, but a global issue that must be addressed across the life course. Without universal access to integrated care for all women, the goals associated with the key commitments of the Beijing Platform for Action will remain out of reach.

    Speakers pointed out that while women often live longer than men, they experience poorer health due to systemic barriers and lifelong disadvantage. Investing in women’s health is not only critical for gender equality but could also yield major economic gains, with national health systems potentially saving billions each year.

    Addressing data gaps

    Several speakers at the event emphasized that limited availability, analysis and use of disaggregated sex and gender data continues to hinder progress. The lack of such data contributes to underinvestment and misdiagnosis, in conditions that specifically, differently or disproportionately affect women and particularly in conditions that remain widely underrecognized, such as endometriosis. Closing this gap and ensuring women’s inclusion in clinical trials could not only improve health outcomes but also generate significant global economic savings, estimated at up to US$ 1 trillion annually.

    Young people at the forefront of change

    Lucy Fagan, WHO Youth Council member representing the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, offered a vital perspective on the role of youth in advancing gender equality and women’s health. “The Beijing agenda was created before many of us were born,” she said. “Progress is slowing, but youth are now part of the conversation. And we’re here to carry it forward.”

    Fagan highlighted that youth-led groups are not only active on the ground, but also resilient, continuing to drive momentum for issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health despite political pressures and reduced funding. As well as stressing the need for more data disaggregated by age and sex, she emphasized that “we’re driving the work forward from the ground up.” Lucy’s remarks served as a reminder that young people are essential actors in safeguarding progress from CSW through to Beijing+30, and that their voices are especially critical to countering rising anti-rights narratives, especially in digital spaces.

    Working towards more intersectional solutions

    Panellists emphasized the need for intersectional approaches that address systemic discrimination faced by marginalized groups: older women, women in detention, women with disabilities, those living in rural or indigenous communities and many others. It was also emphasized that women make up the majority of the global health workforce as well as taking 80% of health decisions at the household level, a massive yet underleveraged influence in shaping healthier societies.

    WHO at CSW69

    WHO’s engagement at CSW69 extended beyond this flagship event. Other sessions included:

    • Closing the gender nutrition gap: a key feminist approach to fight hunger and malnutrition, co-sponsored by Action contre la Faim, FHI360;
    • Digital solutions for gender equality and SRHR, which explored tech-driven innovations for advancing women’s health, co-sponsored by Norway, Colombia, UNFPA and WHO/HRP; 
    • Bridging the divide: men and boys as allies and agents of change, co-sponsored by MenEngage Alliance, UN Women, OHCHR, WHO, UNFPA, Government of Sweden, Government of Rwanda, Equimundo and others; and
    • From potential to progress: multisectoral approaches to empower adolescents, co-sponsored by UNICEF, WHO, FCDO, Plan International and BRAC. 

    These events reinforced WHO’s commitment to a rights-based and evidence-driven agenda for gender equality and women’s health. The takeaway from WHO at CSW69 is clear: investing in women’s health is not optional; it is essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda and reflects our shared values. In a time of global challenges, advancing gender-responsive health systems and policies that uphold women’s rights is more urgent than ever. And the voices of young people like Lucy Fagan, which are grounded in community action and solidarity, are joining the multigenerational charge and reminding us that there is no gender equality without women’s health and well-being.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners arrest MS-13 gang member in Virginia, wanted in El Salvador for extortion, blackmail, terrorist affiliation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, working with law enforcement partners from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Virginia State Police, apprehended an illegal Salvadoran national and documented member of the notorious MS-13 street gang wanted in El Salvador for extortion, blackmail and terrorist affiliation. Officers from ICE Washington, D.C.; agents from FBI Washington, D.C.; DEA Washington, D.C. and officials from VSP arrested Silvia Lorena Bonilla-De Jandres, 40, in Alexandria, Feb. 25.

    “Silvia Lorena Bonilla-De Jandres is not only the member of a transnational criminal enterprise known for violence, she has also apparently attempted to flee justice in her home country and hide out in Northern Virginia,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russ Hott. “We will not allow our Washington, D.C. and Virginia communities to become safe havens for the world’s bad actors. ICE Washington, D.C. remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety and protecting our residents by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders.”

    U.S. Border Patrol arrested Bonilla after she illegally entered the United States, Feb. 21, 2016, near Rio Grande Valley, Texas. USBP placed Bonilla into removal proceedings. Authorities in El Salvador issued a warrant for Bonilla’s arrest, Aug. 28, 2017, charging her with aggravated extortion, blackmail and terrorist affiliation due to her documented MS-13 membership. Interpol issued a red notice for Bonilla, Nov. 24, 2017.

    On July 11, 2025, a Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Bonilla removed from the United States to El Salvador.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROWashington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Middleton — Annapolis District RCMP investigating armed robberies

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Annapolis District RCMP is investigating two armed robberies that occurred in Middleton.

    On April 5, at approximately 11 a.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery at a restaurant on Commercial St. And at approximately 2:25 p.m., officers received another report of a robbery at the same location.

    Investigators learned that in both instances, a man wearing a mask entered the property and demanded money while brandishing a knife.

    No physical injuries were reported.

    The man believed to be responsible for both robberies is approximately 5-foot-10 and left the area on foot. He was wearing several layers of clothing, including a black hooded sweatshirt, a light-coloured hooded sweatshirt, and a dark jacket. He was also wearing dark jeans and brown-grey Blundstones.

    RCMP Forensic Identification Services is assisting Annapolis District RCMP with the ongoing investigations. Officers are investigating possible links between these incidents and a robbery that occurred on April 3.

    Anyone who recognizes the man or who has information about these robberies is asked to contact Annapolis District RCMP at 902-825-2000. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Adversaries Trying to Exploit Trump’s Mass-Firings to Recruit Ousted Gov’t Employees as Spies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – With the Trump Administration arbitrarily laying off tens of thousands of skilled government workers, many with security clearances and expertise in critical fields, foreign government intelligence agencies are ratcheting up efforts to increase spies.
    According to intelligence recently distributed by the U.S. Coast Guard Counterintelligence Service: “New intelligence indicates agents from China, Russia, and other countries have set their sights on recently fired probationary workers, or those with security clearances, hoping to obtain valuable information about U.S. critical infrastructure or national security interests.”
    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says it is just one more example of how the Trump Administration short-sighted, chaotic approach to slashing government is making America less safe.
    “Espionage threats against America are rising as Donald Trump continues to weaken U.S. national security and enable America’s adversaries to conduct foreign malign influence operations.  The Trump Administration is handing foreign-linked entities a target-rich environment to recruit willing or unwitting participation in their intelligence gathering operations.  We know China, Russia, and others are trying to exploit the Trump Administration’s missteps and they’re increasingly targeting those who have been fired or could soon be ousted – especially defense workers,” said Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an ex officio member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.  “Russia, China, and others are using sophisticated methods and deceptive techniques and fronts to try to lure unsuspecting, recently laid off U.S. government employees into divulging sensitive information.  And when U.S. government employees see how careless Trump’s Secretary of Defense, national security advisor, and National Director of Intelligence are with sensitive information on group chats, they may do the same.  We can’t let that happen.  President Trump also allows a lot of unvetted people to influence him and apparently direct him to take specific actions, like firing the head of the NSA.  That is very worrisome.”
    Last week, President Trump abruptly fired the director of the National Security Agency without explanation and has also targeted the CIA, FBI, and DOJ for mass-layoffs, including the purging of career civil servants who the Trump Administration deems insufficiently loyal to the MAGA political agenda.
    According to CNN: “A document produced by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service said the intelligence community assessed with “high confidence” that foreign adversaries were trying to recruit federal employees and “capitalize” on the Trump administration’s plans for mass layoffs, according to a partly redacted copy reviewed by CNN.
    “It added that foreign intelligence officers were being directed to look for potential sources on LinkedIn, TikTok, RedNote and Reddit.
    “At least one foreign intelligence officer directed an asset to create a company profile on Linkedin and post a job advertisement, and to actively pursue federal employees who indicate they are “open to work,” the NCIS document says.”
    All intelligence agencies use similar exploits.  Countries with high levels of internal division, economic turmoil, and vulnerable populations may be more susceptible.
    Senator Reed stressed that the increased risk of Americans becoming foreign intelligence assets is not a matter of loyalty, but a matter of sophisticated intelligence tactics designed to trick American workers, such as the use of fake job ads or realistic front companies.
    Reuters noted: “Max Lesser, a senior analyst on emerging threats with the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said some companies placing recruitment ads were “part of a broader network of fake consulting and headhunting firms targeting former government employees and AI researchers.”
    The story continued: “Asked about the research, three intelligence analysts told Reuters the network appeared to be a prime example of how foreign-linked entities are trying to gather intelligence from staff fired or forced into retirement by President Donald Trump and billionaire tech tycoon Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
    “Once employed by the network, federal employees could then be asked to share increasingly sensitive information about government operations, or recommend additional people who might be targeted for willing or unwitting participation, the analysts said.””
    The Coast Guard’s bulletin noted a telltale sign of foreign agents attempting to recruit former government officials is if something that is too good to be true, it probably is.
    “Your contact might overly praise or focus on your skills/experience, especially if your government affiliation is known,” the notice stated, adding that flattery, scarcity, and a sense for urgency might be an indicator as well.
    An active-duty U.S. army sergeant was recently charged with selling and transmitting sensitive military and national defense secrets to co-conspirators working on behalf of China.

    MIL OSI USA News –