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Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Who Molested Teen on Flight Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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

    Seattle – A 42-year-old Los Angeles County, California man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two years in prison for abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft enroute to Seattle from Burbank, California, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Justin Baker was arrested March 14, 2024, when the Alaska Airlines plane arrived at SEA.  Baker has been in custody since the jury returned its guilty verdict on October 23, 2024.  At sentencing U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour imposed the maximum sentence allowed by law saying, “I was particularly struck by the candor of the victim and her bravery in testifying.”

    “This was a calculated and predatory sexual assault on an 18-year-old girl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “Mr. Baker underestimated the victim’s strength in testifying, as well as the commitment we have in the Western District of Washington to hold these aircraft offenders accountable.”

    According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, Baker was in the middle seat, with the victim seated to his right next to the wall of the plane. Baker learned the victim was preparing to go to college and was just 18 years old. According to testimony at trial, Baker showed the teen sexually explicit text messages he had on his phone and then draped his jacket over his lap as well as her lower body. The victim attempted to move away from Baker and closer to the wall. He reached under the jacket and groped her leg. Despite the victim saying “No” and moving away when he first tried to touch her, he continued to grope her genitals over her clothing. Then he reached into her top and groped her breast

    Ultimately, the victim got out of her seat to contact the flight crew. As she tried to pass by Baker, he groped her buttocks and pulled her back down into her seat. Ultimately the victim was able to leave and report the assault.

    Speaking in court today, Assistant United States Attorney Grace Zoller said Baker, “treated the victim like an object… He dehumanized her.”

    The victim shared how the assault has “shattered the trajectory of her life.” She told the court about anxiety around airports and flying, and how her family and loved ones “have watched me change in ways I have never imagined.” Her goal she said is to “hold Baker accountable.”

    Judge Coughenour said he was imposing the maximum two-year sentence because of the “seriousness of the crime, the harm to the victim and the danger (Baker) poses to the community.”

    When released from prison, Baker will be on five years of federal supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.

    The case was investigated by the FBI and the Port of Seattle Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Grace Zoller.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Winnebago Woman for Second Degree Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that on February 7, 2025, a jury found Michelle Lee Marr, 49, of Winnebago, Nebraska, guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with documents or evidence after an almost five-day federal trial in Omaha, Nebraska. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher presided over the trial. Marr faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the second-degree murder charge and a maximum 20 years in prison for the tampering with documents or evidence charge.

    On March 12, 2022, Marr contacted Winnebago EMS to report the victim was not waking up and requested an ambulance respond to her residence. EMS transported the victim to Twelve Clans Unity hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, the victim was taken by helicopter to Mercy One Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  The medical treatment team at Mercy determined the victim had brain trauma and swelling. Nurses also noted significant amounts of makeup applied to the victim’s face, which revealed bruising when removed, as well as numerous bruises on the victim’s body. On March 13, 2022, the victim succumbed to his injuries. A subsequent autopsy determined the victim’s cause of death to be blunt force trauma and the manner of death to be homicide. The pathologist testified the victim’s injuries were consistent with inflicted trauma as opposed to trauma which might result from some type of fall.

    Marr claimed to have been passed out from approximately 5:00 PM on March 11, 2022, until finding the victim on March 12, 2022. Social media evidence and evidence from Marr’s phone, found during the investigation, contradicted Marr’s claims. During the trial, witnesses testified to observing previous incidents of Marr physically assaulting the victim. 

    Marr will be sentenced on June 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM, before Judge Buescher in Omaha.

    This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lowell Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Methamphetamine Pills

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant sold thousands of the counterfeit “Adderall” pills supplied by the Asian Boyz gang

    BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty on Feb. 14, 2025 to trafficking methamphetamine pills supplied by three fellow Asian Boyz gang associates.

    Bill Phim, a/k/a “Bonez,” 36, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine, and two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine.  U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for May 14, 2025.

    A long-term investigation proved that Asian Boyz gang members and associates had access to a plentiful supply of homemade methamphetamine pills marketed as the pharmaceutical product, Adderall. These pills were similar in shape, size, and appearance to genuine Adderall. On 12 different dates in 2022, Phim sold these counterfeit “Adderall” pills to an undercover agent. In total, Phim sold the undercover agent over 10,000 pills for more than $36,000.

    Phim’s supplier for the first five pill deals with the undercover agent was Asian Boyz gang member, Erickson Dao. Between February and May 2022, Dao gave Phim the pills from his home in Lowell shortly before Phim was planning to meet the undercover agent for the sales.  After the deals, Phim either returned to Dao’s house to split the cash paid by the undercover agent, or he used an electronic payments service to send Dao his share of the drug proceeds.

    For the next five deals, Phim conspired with Asian Boyz gang associate, Brian Gingras, to source the pills. Between May 2022 and September 2022, Gingras met Phim prior to the planned deals with the undercover agent to deliver the pills personally. The investigation revealed that Gingras was stashing the pills in a nearby storage unit.  

    For the final two pill sales with the undercover agent, alleged Asian Boyz gang member Marcus Holder allegedly delivered pills to Phim in Lowell immediately before Phim met the undercover agent, on Sept. 30, 2022, and again on Oct. 18, 2022.  

    The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine. The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million.

    In January 2025, both Gingras and Dao pleaded guilty. Gingras is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2025. Dao is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13, 2025. Holder has pleaded not guilty and his case is pending trial.  
     
    U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division and Superintendent Gregory C. Hudon of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Billerica, Haverhill, North Andover and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.

    This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant in the case is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Man Sentenced for Dog Fighting

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Jose Miguel Carrillo, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court filings, Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for use in dog fights. Carillo also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to dog fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.

    A June 2023 search warrant was executed at Carrillo’s home and led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type dogs, most of which were later adopted by new owners, as well as a firearm and ammunition. Carrillo also possessed dog fighting paraphernalia including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications.

    “To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message that the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these cases.”

    “Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served.”

    “The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG).

    To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the USDA-OIG’s complaint hotline at: usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.

    The USDA-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Police Department investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section assisted with the transfer of the seized dogs to new owners. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Florida Man Sentenced for Dog Fighting

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    Jose Miguel Carrillo, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court filings, Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for use in dog fights. Carillo also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to dog fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.

    A June 2023 search warrant was executed at Carrillo’s home and led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type dogs, most of which were later adopted by new owners, as well as a firearm and ammunition. Carrillo also possessed dog fighting paraphernalia including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications.

    “To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message that the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these cases.”

    “Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served.”

    “The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG).

    To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the USDA-OIG’s complaint hotline at: usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.

    The USDA-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Police Department investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section assisted with the transfer of the seized dogs to new owners. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: 6 tips on how to run a company in turbulent times – lessons from emerging markets

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Felipe Monteiro, Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy, INSEAD

    Global risks are rising, and many companies are struggling with how to adapt. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Risks Report makes it clear that challenges like escalating global tensions and conflicts, climate change, economic instability and supply chain disruptions are interconnected and build on one another. And they’re here to stay.

    Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump’s tariff threats are creating more unpredictability in global trade.

    Companies – mostly medium sized and large companies – have no choice but to constantly adjust their strategies. For several companies in emerging markets, this way of thinking is second nature. Firms often operate in environments with fragile institutions, volatile currencies, unreliable infrastructure and political instability. They have become used to designing strategies with turbulence in mind.

    Instead of assuming every piece of global supply chains will fall into place as planned, and just-in-time strategies will always deliver, these companies have diversified and distributed their operations across multiple regions. They have been quick to build flexible, global supply chains, ensuring that if one part of the supply chain is disrupted, other regions can pick up the slack.

    While this may seem like common sense, many companies are still finding it difficult to reorganise and adapt to a less predictable and reliable world.

    So, how can companies look to build resilience and operate in uncertainty? By taking inspiration from those that have long navigated instability.

    Over the past 17 years of teaching global strategic management, I’ve developed and taught case studies on numerous companies in developing countries that have successfully adapted and reworked their strategies in times of uncertainty. Many of these examples – from Embraer in Brazil, to Haier in China – are featured in my book, Global Strategic Management (Fifth Edition), with more to come in the upcoming sixth edition.

    Based on these insights, I explore six key lessons companies can learn from firms in emerging markets.

    Six ways resilient firms adapt to disruption

    1. Learn, humbly, and adapt at lightning speed.

    Companies in emerging markets have always had to be more adaptable. They are fast learners and quick to pivot, starting from the understanding that things may not always go as planned. As a result, they design their operations to be resilient from the start. They anticipate disruptions rather than wait for them to happen.

    A classic example of this is M-Pesa. The mobile payments platform was first launched in Kenya in 2007. Initially it aimed to provide microloans to people without bank accounts. However, when users began using it for money transfers and bill payments, the company quickly adapted to meet this new demand. This ability to learn fast and change direction helped M-Pesa become a leader in mobile payments. It now serves as a global benchmark for success in the industry.

    Humility is essential for this kind of swift and effective adaptation. Companies that often face tough, unpredictable conditions tend to approach challenges with a humble mindset. Instead of assuming they have all the answers, they remain open to learning and adjusting.

    2. Lean on local partnerships.

    When entering unfamiliar or unpredictable markets, firms often approach operations with a transactional mindset – focusing on short-term, one-off exchanges – rather than forming deep partnerships with local stakeholders. This limits their ability to understand and deal with political or social disruptions.

    Natura & Co, the Brazilian cosmetics giant, offers helpful lessons. It has long focused on localising production and sourcing materials from nearby suppliers. Its focus is in the Amazon region, where it works with local communities to sustainably harvest raw materials like açaí (purple berries from South American palm trees) and Brazil nut oil. This approach:

    • reduces reliance on distant sources

    • increases flexibility, allowing the company to quickly adapt to regional challenges

    • builds trust which in turn stabilises supply chains and helps firms gain on-the-ground intelligence.

    3. Make room for redundant infrastructure.

    Firms often delay investments in redundant infrastructure until after a crisis exposes vulnerabilities. For instance, firms may rely on a single data centre or power grid, assuming infrastructure reliability.

    For companies like MTN Group, a telecommunications giant based in South Africa, redundancy is a necessity, not a luxury. Investing in backup power solutions and alternative communication links is essential to ensure MTN can maintain services during frequent power outages.

    In critical sectors like telecommunications and technology, parallel networks, alternative energy sources and backup systems ensure uninterrupted operations in the face of infrastructure failures, climate risks or other unforeseen disturbances.

    4. In unstable environments, build your own stability.

    In unpredictable markets, companies have to take matters into their own hands to ensure their operations run smoothly. They fill “institutional voids” common in such markets by forming diversified business groups. These provide critical support, such as internal financing, talent development and logistical infrastructure, to work around the challenges of their operating environments.

    The Tata Group, which operates across multiple industries from steel to software, is perhaps the most prominent example of this.

    Another great example is MercadoLibre, Latin America’s leading e-commerce platform, which faced the challenge of fragmented transport networks that made 24- or 48-hour deliveries near impossible. The only way to improve delivery speed was for the company to build its own logistics network. By doing so, it gained greater control over its supply chain, improved its ability to scale and greatly improved delivery reliability.

    5. Localise production, sustainably.

    Localised production reduces reliance on complex, long-distance global supply chains and helps minimise the environmental impact of transportation. When production and sourcing are local, companies are able to cut emissions and are less vulnerable to external shocks, as they are not reliant on the smooth functioning of distant suppliers or transport routes.

    Dilmah Tea took this hands-on approach by owning tea gardens, factories and packaging facilities in Sri Lanka. The company controls every step of the process, ensuring high-quality, single-origin Ceylon tea while cutting costs and emissions.

    This localised approach minimises dependence on external suppliers, protecting them from problems that can arise in global supply chains, like delays or shortages.

    6. Empower employees to be agile and responsive to change.

    Giving employees greater responsibility can make a big difference in how well a company handles unexpected changes. Chinese home appliances and electronics company Haier took this to the next level by famously transforming into an organisation of thousands of micro-enterprises, each responsible for decision-making, resource management and profit generation.

    This decentralised approach allows teams to swiftly adapt their strategies when disruptions arise. For instance, during the COVID pandemic, Haier maintained operational efficiency by enabling employees at local and product levels to make rapid, informed decisions.

    By staying close to users and gathering constant feedback, Haier’s micro-enterprises are able to anticipate potential disruptions before they become major threats and develop products and services that satisfy evolving needs.

    While it might not always be possible to completely shift power to individual teams, when people have the freedom to make decisions and take ownership of their work, they can respond quickly to new challenges and come up with creative solutions.

    Anticipation and adaptation

    The challenges that seem new and overwhelming are simply part of the daily reality for those in emerging economies. For decades, companies in these regions have been anticipating and adapting. As risks grow and intertwine, companies can learn from the resilience built by businesses in emerging markets.

    It all begins with a shift in mindset – recognising these challenges as the new reality and accelerating our own pace of learning and adaptation accordingly.

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

    – ref. 6 tips on how to run a company in turbulent times – lessons from emerging markets – https://theconversation.com/6-tips-on-how-to-run-a-company-in-turbulent-times-lessons-from-emerging-markets-248914

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Wealth Fund makes first investment in Scotland

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scottish Secretary welcomes £43.5m boost for sustainable packaging firm that will encourage growth, creating jobs and prosperity

    The National Wealth Fund has made its first investment in Scotland since its transformation to help boost growth as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.

    The NWF is committing £43.5m in direct equity for sustainable packaging company Pulpex, which is to build its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow. A further £10m co-investment is coming from the Scottish National Investment Bank with an additional boost coming from existing investors to take the total funds behind the firm to £62m.

    The company has developed a unique fibre-based bottle as an alternative to glass and plastic. The product is manufactured from sustainably-sourced wood pulp and designed to be recycled in the same way as paper or card in normal household recycling streams. Its patented technology results in a recyclable and biodegradable end-product with a lower carbon impact than current glass or plastic packaging.

    Pulpex’s Glasgow plant, which will produce 50 million bottles per year and create the UK’s first fibre bottle supply chain, will create 35 new jobs in Scotland.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    Our Plan for Change is about going further and faster to kickstart economic growth so working people have more money in their pockets.  That’s why we established the National Wealth Fund which in the last six months has fuelled 8,600 jobs and unlocked £1.6 billion of private investment in the industries that turbocharge growth in our economy. This latest NWF investment is welcome news, creating jobs, sustainable growth and opportunity in Scotland.  

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

    I’m delighted to see this first investment in Scotland from the new National Wealth Fund. Boosting business is a cornerstone of our Plan for Change and will create jobs and opportunities to raise living standards.

    Just last month, we announced that Glasgow had been chosen as one of four areas where the UK Government will develop investment pipelines and this new Pulpex facility, to be built on the outskirts of the city, is a prime example of how supporting regional growth will benefit people right across the UK. The firm’s innovative bottling solution will aid the decarbonisation of our packaging industry and help accelerate our Net Zero goals as we drive delivery of clean power by 2030.

    Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

    “This investment by the Scottish National Investment Bank will build on Glasgow’s rich history of innovation and deliver more green jobs for the future. To drive investment into Scotland, we have allocated £200 million to the Bank for the next financial year. The Bank has a strong track record of success and has generated more than £1.4 billion of private sector investment since opening for business in 2020.”

    The investment announced today will enable the construction of Pulpex’s first manufacturing facility to reach commercial-scale capacity. The financing will help create the conditions for growth in both Scotland and the wider alternative packaging sector. 

    A move from plastic and glass to paper packaging will enable a step change in decarbonising the packaging industry and its efforts to increase the recycling rates of consumer goods, with the material benefiting from the highest recycling rates and most sophisticated infrastructure compared to other packaging alternatives.

    In the UK alone, over 38.5 million plastic bottles are used every day, with around 16 million ending up in landfill, being burnt, or littering the environment and waterways, according to Water UK. The UK’s 25 Year Environment Plan aims to double resource productivity and eliminate all avoidable waste, including plastic, by 2050. This means investments in economically viable and ready-to-go options like Pulpex are critical interventions for the future sustainability of the consumer goods industry.

    John Flint, National Wealth Fund CEO, said:

    “We need to recycle more and unlock the growth potential of the circular economy. That requires sophisticated, long-term investment, both in infrastructure and packaging innovation. Exciting technological advancements like Pulpex are a great example of that potential, but they need catalytic investment to scale and commercialise. Through financing Pulpex’s new facility in Glasgow, we will help remove barriers to future investment from private capital and lay the foundations for further growth.”

    Scott Winston, Pulpex, said:

    “Thanks to the National Wealth Fund, the Scottish National Investment Bank, our Pulpex team and to our stakeholders for their continued support. This investment will drive the decarbonisation of the packaging sector using leading edge Material Bioscience to ensure this much-needed alternative to glass and plastic will deliver its ambition. Accelerated by the incredible business ecosystem that flourishes within Glasgow, this will be a visible shining star demonstrating the scalability of Pulpex technology for partners to adopt globally.”

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    Published 19 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Illegal tobacco and vapes seized in shops across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay

    Source: City of Plymouth

    More than £37,000 of illegal tobacco, vapes and cash was seized by Trading Standards officers during a recent operation.

    The five-week operation during January and February saw officers from the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, supported by Devon and Cornwall Police and Avon and Somerset Police,  look for illegal tobacco.

    During the operation officers visited 14 shops across the region including in Brixham, Crediton, Kingsbridge, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Plymouth, Taunton, Teignmouth and Wellington.

    They used detection dogs to look for hidden stashes.

    Only one shop was found to not be selling illegal products. All but one of the 14 shops were found to be selling illegal products.

    Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said: “The removal of illegal tobacco and vapes from the marketplace is a high priority for us and we have conducted a number of intelligence-led operations over the last few weeks.

    “The service uses detection dogs so regardless of where it is hidden, in a storage container or retail premises, the dogs have the ability to sniff out even small quantities of tobacco and vapes that are hidden from view.

    “The sale of counterfeit and illicit tobacco and illegal vapes is big business and those shops involved can undercut other local general stores who are trying to operate legally during difficult economic conditions.”

    Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, said: “We are working hard to make Plymouth a healthier city and removing cheap, illegal tobacco and vapes from our shops is a high priority.

    “This is not a victimless crime. The availability of these products at pocket money prices encourages children to start smoking and vaping and the proceeds are often used to fund other criminal activities.

    “We are finding increasingly elaborate methods to hide illegal tobacco but no matter where it’s hidden on the premises our detection dogs can find it.”

    Investigations into those premises found selling the items are ongoing. To report concerns of counterfeit or other illegal products email [email protected] or phone 01392 383000.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Jamf named as a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Endpoint Management Tools

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Jamf (NASDAQ: JAMF) the standard in managing and securing Apple at work, announced it has been included as a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Endpoint Management Tools.

    As the report points out:  “Using a unified endpoint management (UEM) tool remains the best approach to managing the entire employee device fleet. However, Gartner clients frequently report UEM feature gaps with nonstandard devices and challenges with patching speed, custom reporting and complex migrations.” 

    “We’re proud to be named in this latest report,” said Henry Patel, Chief Strategy Officer at Jamf. “We’re seeing more and more market validation of what we’ve long known at Jamf – that specialized expertise matters when it comes to Apple device management. Jamf’s speed, reliability, and feature completeness allow us to close those feature gaps experienced by customers attempting to apply traditional UEM tools to Apple devices.”

    Dedicated Apple-first solutions like Jamf remain essential. Jamf is the only security and management platform for the Apple ecosystem. This strategic approach addresses the feature gaps of traditional UEMs by providing the following:

    • Seamless support for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and visionOS with same-day compatibility for Apple updates, which is not always the case for platform-agnostic UEM vendors.
    • Security capabilities—such as endpoint and network protection, compliance enforcement, and Zero Trust Network Access—that are designed to complement Apple’s built-in security stack rather than overlap with it.
    • Patching and update capabilities for Apple devices that outperform general-purpose UEMs, ensuring immediate security updates without waiting for third-party integrations.
    • Automated Mac provisioning, compliance monitoring, and streamlined workflows to ensure IT teams can manage Macs with minimal effort beyond enrollment.
    • Integrations with Microsoft Entra ID, Intune, Okta, Google, and other security tools to ensure Apple devices fit seamlessly within enterprise security stacks.

    Gartner, Market Guide for Endpoint Management Tools, By Tom Cipolla, Lina Al Dana, Sunil Kumar, 13 January 2025. 

    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    About Jamf
    Jamf’s purpose is to simplify work by helping organizations manage and secure an Apple experience that end users love and organizations trust. Jamf is the only company in the world that provides a complete management and security solution for an Apple-first environment that is enterprise secure, consumer simple and protects personal privacy. To learn more, visit www.jamf.com.

    Media Contact:
    Liarna La Porta | media@jamf.com

    Investor Contact:
    Jennifer Gaumond | ir@jamf.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Dinewise, Inc. (DWIS) Releases Corporate Update for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Discussion of New Initiatives and Plans for the Future

    ATLANTA, GA, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dinewise, Inc (OTC PINK-DWIS) (referred to as “Dinewise”, “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) a fintech company operating as PawnTrust Inc., providing solutions to the pawn shop industry today announces its corporate update for Q1/2025.

    The PawnTrust Marketplace

    The development team is in the testing phase of the PawnTrust Marketplace, which is expected to go live in April 2025. Management is focused on creating the first-ever pawn partner network, seamlessly integrating pawn shop inventory onto the PawnTrust platform. This initiative will allow local pawn shops to display their inventory nationally overnight, significantly increasing their exposure. PawnTrust will leverage its marketing expertise and financial strength to drive additional engagement for its Pawn Partner network. With nearly 11,000 pawn shops nationwide, the company aims to onboard 10% of them initially. The platform integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance sales through AI-driven descriptive tags and a context-based search function. This user-friendly interface ensures an immersive and engaging shopping experience, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and driving sales growth. AI remains a key component in the company’s strategy to stay competitive and compliant in the evolving financial industry.

    TitlePal Acquisition

    PawnTrust is in the final stages of negotiations to acquire TitlePal, a fintech company that has developed an innovative online solution for Title Pawn transactions The Company expects to finalize the acquisition in early Q1 2025. TitlePal is actively processing loans and has successfully tested its online platform with favorable results. This acquisition will enable TitlePal to expand into Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi, effectively doubling its receivable base by year-end. The platform has streamlined the title loan process to a 30-minute online transaction, significantly reducing the time typically required in traditional methods.

    Registration Statement & Compliance

    The company is finalizing its 2023 and 2024 audits and expects to file its registration statement by April 2025. As part of its growth strategy, Dinewise has identified board members with the necessary expertise to facilitate market penetration. Additionally, the company is in discussions with regulators to implement both a name and ticker symbol change. Dinewise remains current in its filings and is committed to maintaining transparency with its shareholder base.

    CEO Corner

    To reinforce its commitment to transparency, the company has launched “CEO Corner,” a weekly update from CEO Michael Farr on the company’s YouTube channel (@PawnTrust). Initially scheduled for February 7, the first episode will now premiere on February 28, following a decision to enhance production quality through a partnership with Bellamar Pictures; an Atlanta-based film company. This exclusive agreement ensures professional-grade production that aligns with PawnTrust’s commitment to excellence.

    “When I accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer, my goal was to build a strong and enduring foundation. We have been diligently reinforcing the core of this company. When our investors assess our progress, they will recognize a company built on stability, capable of navigating any challenge with confidence,” Michael Farr, CEO.

    About PawnTrust

    PawnTrust is an exclusively tailored marketplace for the estimated 11,000 pawn shops nationwide. The online marketplace (www.pawntrust.com) digitizes the inventory using advanced image recognition algorithms to automate item descriptions of the participating pawn shops and markets them on a national scale. The marketplace contains cutting-edge technology that streamlines the borrowing, buying, and bartering transactions typically found at a pawn shop. The platform plans to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize pricing, reduce fraud, and create personalized search recommendations to enhance the customer’s experience. These enhancements let consumers experience a frictionless shopping experience on their mobile app that gives them instant access to this nationwide inventory of pawn shops. Not only does this provide a more efficient way for consumers to shop, eliminating the need to visit multiple stores, but it also amplifies the reach of individual pawn shop owners. By joining the PawnTrust- ‘Pawn Partners’ network, shop owners gain access to a broader audience, enhancing their visibility and sales opportunities. This innovative approach aligns customer convenience with business growth, reshaping how people interact with the pawn industry. Consumers that purchase items outside of their local area will have their items conveniently shipped to them. As the intermediary in each transaction, PawnTrust earns a fee on every item sold in the marketplace. Many of these local pawn shops lack an online presence or the capital to market their inventory on a national scale. By bridging this gap, PawnTrust opens up opportunities for incremental sales from a wider buying base, effectively transforming the pawn shop and micro-lending industries. This model not only supports local businesses but also extends their reach, driving growth and innovation within the market.” 

    Forward-Looking Information

    This release includes statements that may constitute ”forward-looking” statements, usually containing the words ”believe,” ”estimate,” ”project,” ”expect” or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While the Company believes the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made in this release. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, acceptance of the Company’s current and future products and services in the marketplace, the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive regulatory approvals of such products, competitive factors, dependence upon third-party vendors, risks and uncertainties related to the current unknown duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks detailed in the Company’s periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

    Investor Relations:
    Resources Unlimited
    718-269-3366
    mike@resourcesunlimitedllc.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Investors value corporate tax responsibility – at least when the company is based somewhere with a lot of inequality, research shows

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Erica Neuman, Assistant Professor of Accounting, University of Dayton

    When corporations based in areas of above-average income inequality pay more taxes, it’s not just the public that appreciates it – investors do, too. That’s the key finding of our recent research published in the journal Accounting and the Public Interest.

    Our finding challenges traditional economic theory holding that investors see corporate taxes as a transfer of wealth from shareholders to the state. That would suggest investors value only strategies that minimize taxes. The reality isn’t so simple.

    As accounting professors at the University of Dayton, we study the intersection of corporate taxes and corporate social responsibility. We wanted to better understand how corporate taxes affect firm value and stock prices, and whether that relationship changes if a company is headquartered in an area with high income inequality.

    So we looked at financial data from over 1,500 firms over a 10-year period between 2011 and 2019, as well as the income inequality in the metro areas where they’re headquartered. For the latter point, we used the Gini coefficient, a measure of income distribution in a given place. This is a particularly useful context for looking at corporate taxes, since one of the key functions of taxation is to counter inequality.

    We found that there’s a negative relationship between corporate taxes and firm value for companies headquartered in areas of average inequality. In other words, paying more corporate taxes lowers firm value. That’s in line with previous research and traditional economic theory.

    However, we found that when local income inequality rises above the average, the relationship between corporate taxes and firm value flips. This flip suggests that some companies actually receive a financial benefit from paying corporate taxes.

    Why? We found that these companies enjoy a reputational benefit for being socially responsible taxpayers. Indeed, our results were driven by businesses that are are otherwise widely viewed as good corporate citizens. For those companies, paying taxes represents one of many socially responsible behaviors.

    Why it matters

    Our research offers evidence that investors view corporate taxes positively when they’re consistent with other socially responsible behaviors. Given that corporations have a fiduciary duty to their shareholders, this finding suggests that corporate taxes can play a role in a company’s corporate social responsibility, or CSR, efforts.

    Our findings also align with a 2023 KPMG survey of more than 300 chief tax officers that found more than half said they cared more about looking like good corporate citizens than reducing their tax burdens.

    An extensive body of research has shown that companies’ investments in CSR activities aren’t just selfless – they’re linked with improved operational and financial outcomes. There’s evidence that businesses that prioritize CSR are better able to attract quality employees; have improved corporate reputations; and are more profitable as judged by return on assets, return on equity and return on sales.

    While work on tax responsibility has lagged behind other CSR research, evidence is mounting that paying corporate taxes has positive effects. Much of this research indicates that companies that aggressively minimize tax payments and gain a reputation as “tax avoiders” face harm to their reputation – and therefore, the bottom line.

    Our study dovetails this research and identifies a specific context in which investors view corporate taxes favorably. At a time of tax reform both globally and in the U.S., and as lawmakers and pundits continue to call for greater tax transparency, companies should be aware of the role of corporate tax responsibility in their overall CSR portfolio.

    What’s next

    Corporate tax responsibility is complex and not yet well defined. Our current research examines other circumstances that lead investors to value corporate taxes, which will help companies to quantify the value of including taxes in their CSR portfolios.

    The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Investors value corporate tax responsibility – at least when the company is based somewhere with a lot of inequality, research shows – https://theconversation.com/investors-value-corporate-tax-responsibility-at-least-when-the-company-is-based-somewhere-with-a-lot-of-inequality-research-shows-225961

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Silvercrest Appoints J. Allen Gray as Head of Institutional Business

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silvercrest Asset Management Group Inc. (NASDAQ:SAMG) is pleased to announce that J. Allen Gray has been promoted to Head of Institutional Business. In this role, he will oversee Silvercrest’s institutional business, as well as consultant and client relations. Since joining Silvercrest in 2008, Mr. Gray has played a pivotal role in the success of the firm’s institutional equity business. He is a Silvercrest Partner and Managing Director, and a member of the company’s Executive Committee.

    Richard Hough, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Silvercrest, remarked, “We are immensely proud of Allen Gray’s success and of our talented equity management teams, with whom he has worked so closely for over 15 years. We are thrilled to have Allen leading our institutional business efforts.”

    About J. Allen Gray

    J. Allen Gray is a Managing Director and Head of Institutional Business. Prior to Silvercrest, Mr. Gray served as a Managing Partner and a Member of the Management Committee of Osprey Partners Investment Management, LLC and as President of the Osprey Concentrated Large Cap Value Equity Fund. At Osprey he was responsible for Sales, Marketing and Client Relations. Prior to Osprey Partners, Mr. Gray served as a Managing Director with Radnor Capital Management, a start-up investment firm, where he was responsible for the firm’s sales, marketing and client relations activities. Mr. Gray began his career with Kidder, Peabody & Co. as a financial advisor before accepting a position with Wheat, First Securities, Inc. as Vice President for institutional equity sales as well as continuing to work as a financial advisor to families and individuals. Mr. Gray remained with Wheat, First Securities until the founding of Radnor Capital Management. Mr. Gray received his B.A. in Political Science from Randolph-Macon College.

    About Silvercrest Asset Management

    Silvercrest was founded in April 2002 as an independent, employee-owned registered investment adviser. With offices in New York, Boston, Virginia, Atlanta, New Jersey, California and Wisconsin, Silvercrest provides traditional and alternative investment advisory and family office services to wealthy families and select institutional investors. As of September 30, 2024, the firm reported assets under management of $35.1 billion.

    Contact:
    Richard R. Hough III
    Chairman & CEO
    212-649-0601
    rhough@silvercrestgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Ashtrom Renewable Energy Announces Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with CPS Energy for El Patrimonio Solar Project in Texas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ashtrom Renewable Energy, a global independent power producer and renewable energy developer and subsidiary of Ashtrom Group, has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to sell electricity to the municipality of San Antonio, Texas through CPS Energy, the city’s local utility company.

    According to the signed agreement, CPS Energy (Aa2 Moody’s) will purchase approximately 70% of the electricity produced by the project, along with purchasing green certificates (RECs), for a period of 20 years at a predetermined fixed price. Under the agreement, Ashtrom has committed to achieve the commercial operation of the El Patrimonio project by the second half of 2027. The remaining electricity produced by the project is expected to be sold within Texas’s open electricity market. The project will produce electricity equivalent to the annual consumption for about 37,500 households.

    “We are proud to announce a significant collaboration and the signing of an important agreement with CPS Energy, the largest municipal utility company in the U.S.,” said Yitsik Mermelstein, CEO of Ashtrom Renewable Energy. “The agreement is not only an expression of our great partnership with CPS Energy, but also a central pillar in realizing our strategic vision to expand renewable energy activities in the country. This step strengthens our position as a leading player in the industry and is a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey.”

    El Patrimonio is Ashtrom’s second solar project in Texas, marking a key achievement for the company that further deepens its presence in the ERCOT market. The completion of the PPA is expected to accelerate the project’s development and construction processes. The solar project is expected to be constructed in Bexar County, Texas, with a planned capacity of approximately 150 megawatts (AC).

    In addition to delivering electricity to San Antonio, the El Patrimonio project will support the local economy and community through educational activities. Ashtrom will establish an annual scholarship program, offer field tours of the El Patrimonio site for local students, and host job fairs on-site. Through these efforts, Ashtrom aims to enhance community knowledge of renewable energy and the role people can play in its future.

    About Ashtrom Renewable Energy

    Ashtrom Renewable Energy is delivering clean energy at scale. We build best-in-class renewable energy projects in the United States and around the globe. With a hands-on, risk-informed approach that emphasizes strategic and cost-effective execution, the company is an independent power producer (IPP) led by a team of energy experts with decades of experience in solar and wind siting, development, construction, financing, and operation. Ashtrom Renewable Energy leverages the financial stability and culture of excellence cultivated by Ashtrom Group (TASE: ASHG), a leading infrastructure, construction, and real estate development company with a 60-year legacy of success. With a development pipeline of ~1.8 GWdc in the U.S. and ~2.5 GWdc worldwide, Ashtrom Renewable Energy is poised to rapidly scale its development and investment activities in the U.S. market for the long term. Learn more about Ashtrom Renewable Energy at https://www.ashtromrenewableenergy.co.il/en

    About Ashtrom Group 
    Ashtrom is one of Israel’s leading construction and real estate companies whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange 90 index The group operates in several operating sectors: Construction and infrastructure contracting in Israel – including, inter alia, residential and infrastructural contract constructions; Franchise – participation in tenders and executing planning, operations and financing activities for large-scale infrastructure and residential projects; Housing entrepreneurship in Israel, through Ashdar, a subsidiary that is a leader and among the oldest companies in the field; Investment and entrepreneurial real estate, through Ashtrom Properties, a subsidiary operating in Israel, Germany and England, holding and managing shopping malls and commercial centers, office buildings and employment centers, industrial structures and more; Industries – mainly manufacturing, marketing and selling raw materials to the construction industry and importing and marketing finishing products for the construction industry; Construction and infrastructures contracting abroad, as well as residential real estate development in the U.S. and Europe – performed by Ashtrom International; Renewable energy – investment in wind, solar, storage and other energy related projects in Israel and worldwide. Ashtrom Group chairperson is Mr. Rami Nussbaum, and the group’s CEO is Mr. Gil Gueron.

    Media Contact
    Nic Savo
    nic@teamsilverline.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Varonis Named to CRN’s 2025 Security 100 List

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Varonis Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRNS) announced it has been named by CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, to its Security 100 list. The annual list recognizes security vendors committed to working with channel partners to protect organizations from cyber threats.

    Varonis was named in the Identity, Access and Data Security category for its ongoing innovation as a top-rated Data Security Platform. Varonis’ extensive channel partner network helps customers achieve effortless security outcomes with automation and secure what matters most — data.

    “Our partners recognize that data security is a critical and urgent challenge facing organizations. Together, we are aiding customers in preventing data breaches by securing data across the cloud and in SaaS applications,” said John Siverd, Vice President of Channel at Varonis. “We are beyond pleased to be included for the seventh consecutive year on the CRN Security 100 list, a testament to the outstanding and ongoing collaboration with our global partners.”

    “Each company on the Security 100 list provides cutting-edge security offerings through solution providers in the IT channel,” said Jennifer Follett, Vice President, U.S. Content and Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. “Robust cybersecurity is essential for modern businesses, and these vendors are committed to keeping their security portfolios ahead of bad actors and emerging threats. We congratulate them and look forward to seeing how they advance cybersecurity innovations in the future.”

    The 2025 Security 100 list will be featured in the February 2025 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/security100. 

    Additional Resources

    About Varonis
    Varonis (Nasdaq: VRNS) is a leader in data security, fighting a different battle than conventional cybersecurity companies. Our cloud-native Data Security Platform continuously discovers and classifies critical data, removes exposures, and detects advanced threats with AI-powered automation.

    Thousands of organizations worldwide trust Varonis to defend their data wherever it lives — across SaaS, IaaS, and hybrid cloud environments. Customers use Varonis to automate a wide range of security outcomes, including data security posture management (DSPM), data classification, data access governance (DAG), data detection and response (DDR), data loss prevention (DLP), and insider risk management.

    Varonis protects data first, not last. Learn more at www.varonis.com.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Tim Perz
    Varonis Systems, Inc.
    646-640-2112
    investors@varonis.com 
    News Media Contact:
    Rachel Hunt
    Varonis Systems, Inc.
    877-292-8767 (ext. 1598)
    pr@varonis.com 

    About The Channel Company 
    The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world’s top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com.

    Follow The Channel Company: LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.

    © 2025 The Channel Company, Inc. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 

    The Channel Company Contact: 
    Kristin DaSilva
    The Channel Company
    kdasilva@thechannelcompany.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: Duracell Selects Georgia for New R&D Headquarters

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Duracell, one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers, will establish its new Global Headquarters for Research and Development at Science Square in Atlanta, creating 110 jobs and investing approximately $56 million. Duracell currently has a manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia, that has been in operation since 1980 and a logistics and distribution plant in Fairburn, Georgia, that began operations in 2020.

    “Georgia has set itself apart as a leader in attracting innovative companies with our research institutions, world-class logistics network, and pro-business environment,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “I want to thank our local and state partners who are leveraging those assets to their fullest to bring new opportunities across the state. We are excited to welcome Duracell’s R&D headquarters to Atlanta and continue building on this great relationship.”

    Duracell is an American manufacturer of alkaline, lithium coin, and hearing aid batteries. Duracell’s LaGrange facility currently supports approximately 400 jobs, while the Fairburn plant supports an additional 275 jobs.

    “We’re excited about the opportunities the move to Atlanta will bring and we’re confident this new chapter will strengthen our position as a global leader in the industry,” said Dr. Liben Hailu, Chief Technology Officer at Duracell. “This move is a significant milestone for Duracell as we continue to drive innovation in battery technology for many years to come.”

    Duracell’s new Global Headquarters for Research and Development will be located at 101 Nerem Street NW in Atlanta. Adjacent to Georgia Tech’s Midtown Atlanta campus, Science Square is an 18-acre multi-phase development centered on innovation and featuring more than 1.8 million square feet of lab and office space.

    “Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure, diverse talent pool from top-tier universities and a thriving tech ecosystem make the city an ideal environment for corporate innovation and growth,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “We appreciate Duracell’s confidence in Atlanta, including the investment of more than 100 new jobs that will provide the opportunity for more Atlanta residents to build promising careers.”

    “The impact of Duracell’s decision to locate their R&D headquarters in Atlanta goes beyond the 110 new innovation jobs in the region: as they make Science Square their new home, Duracell strengthens our region’s powerful reputation as a hub for innovation and furthers Georgia’s growing battery ecosystem,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “Duracell is locating literally next door to the world-class talent at Georgia Tech and in close proximity to the other tens of thousands of new graduates in the region, setting them up for long-term success.” 

    “Duracell’s choice to set up its Global R&D Headquarters in Fulton County solidifies Fulton’s leadership in innovation and talent attraction,” said Robb Pitts, Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. “This will bring unique jobs and investment – a win for Fulton County and Georgia.”

    Assistant Director of Statewide Projects John Soper represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with Invest Atlanta, Select Fulton, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power, and the University System of Georgia.

    “For decades, Georgia has been home to Duracell, and it’s exciting that they are looking to invest their future back into our state,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “For a company like Duracell that is on the cutting edge of innovation, research and development is critical to their long-term success. Locating the new Global Headquarters for Research and Development in Atlanta makes it clear that Duracell sees the State of Georgia as a long-term partner in their success strategy.”

    About Duracell

    Started in the 1920s, the Duracell brand and company was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.  (NYSE-BRK.A, BRK.B) in 2016 and has grown to be a leader in the primary battery market in North America. Duracell’s products serve as the heart of devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them, and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a $250 billion holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in diverse business activities. Visit www.duracell.com  for more information; follow Duracell on X.com/Duracell and like Duracell on Facebook.com/Duracell.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Latest Council Budget plans include £5m boost for neighbourhoods

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester City Council is set to invest around £5 million extra funding to keep neighbourhoods clean, green and tidy. 

    The move, proposed in newly-published reports about the Council’s 2025/26 budget to be considered at its Executive meeting on 19 February, will be funded from Manchester’s £5.4 million share of a rebate to councils from Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s waste reserve which was announced last week.  

    The extra funding, to be spent over three years, will be used to improve and support the upkeep of neighbourhoods across the city. In the council’s recent budget consultation this was the top priority identified by residents – with 77.5% of residents putting it among the issues which mattered the most to them.  

    £4.6 million of the extra funding will be invested to boost services to keep neighbourhoods clean, including cleaning, combatting flytipping, maintenance of green spaces and leaf collection. 

    A further £400,000 will be used to overturn a decision taken last year to start charging for replacement recycling bins which would have applied from this April.  

    The remainder will be invested in other neighbourhood priorities including an extra £338,000 towards improved enforcement to tackle damp and mould in private rented sector properties.  

    While significant challenges remain, the Council’s position has improved since planning for its 2025/26 budget began in spring 2024. At that point the then Government had indicated there would be real terms funding cuts for local government which, together with emerging pressures, would have required deep cuts.  

    The incoming Government’s Autumn Statement reversed this position with a real terms increase in Core Spending Power instead. The Government’s financial settlement for the Council, which it received just before Christmas, was better than expected with a number of increases, especially in recognition of the nationwide pressures in social care. Manchester’s Core Spending Power increase of 10.4% is the highest nationally, reflecting a ministerial decision to direct resources to places with high deprivation levels and low council taxbases which had been the hardest hit since 2010. 

    This has meant that while £18.2m of savings from previously published savings identified for 2025/26 are required, the Council will be able to set a balanced budget for 2025/26 which also takes account of ongoing pressures. The savings relate to efficiencies and increased income generation not service reductions.  

    The budget assumes a 4.99% increase in the Council’s element of Council Tax, 2% of which is specifically to support adult social care.  

    Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “We are still dealing with the brutal legacy of 14 years of austerity and cuts to our funding under the previous Government, and that can’t be turned around overnight.  

    “But the improved funding under the current Government, which recognises this legacy, is a step in the right direction. Together with our careful planning, it means we’re able to bring forward a budget which looks to make lives better and improve the city.”  

    Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Executive Member for Finance, said: “Residents told us loud and clear in our recent budget consultation that keeping neighbourhoods clean was their top priority and we have responded to that with this extra investment. 

    “We are pleased to be in a position where can deliver a budget that works for Manchester people.”  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Dave to Host Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results Conference Call on March 4, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dave Inc. (“Dave” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: DAVE), one of the nation’s leading neobanks, will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s results will be reported in a press release after market close on the day prior to the conference call.

    Dave management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period. The conference call details are as follows:

    Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
    Time: 8:30 a.m. Eastern time
    Dial-in registration link: here
    Live webcast registration link: here

    The conference call will also be available for replay in the Events section of the Company’s website, along with the transcript, at https://investors.dave.com.

    If you have any difficulty registering for or connecting to the conference call, please contact Elevate IR at DAVE@elevate-ir.com.

    About Dave

    Dave (Nasdaq: DAVE) is a leading U.S. neobank and fintech pioneer serving millions of everyday Americans. Dave uses disruptive technologies to provide best-in-class banking services at a fraction of the price of incumbents. Dave partners with Evolve Bank & Trust, a FDIC member. For more information about the company, visit: www.dave.com. For investor information and updates, visit: investors.dave.com and follow @davebanking on X.

    Investor Relations Contact

    Sean Mansouri, CFA
    Elevate IR
    DAVE@elevate-ir.com

    Media Contact

    Dan Ury
    press@dave.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Fluent, Inc. Appoints Adrian Stack as Chief Product Officer; Accelerates AI-Powered Innovation in Commerce Media

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT), a leading commerce media solutions company, today announced the appointment of Adrian Stack as Chief Product Officer. Stack will lead the Company’s product vision and strategy, advancing Fluent’s AI-powered Commerce Media Solutions to elevate consumer engagement and enhance partner and advertiser success.

    With over 15 years of experience in product development leadership, Stack has a proven track record of driving growth through AI-driven technologies. Most recently, he led Data Engineering (Data Science & AI) at Zillow. Previously, as SVP of Product at Rokt, he played a key role in scaling the company’s commerce media business, overseeing data engineering, machine learning, and analytics.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Adrian as we continue to build a world-class product team to strengthen Fluent’s AI-powered marketplace,” said Don Patrick, Chief Executive Officer at Fluent. “Adrian’s leadership will accelerate investment in our data infrastructure and product capabilities, while leveraging Fluent’s unique competitive advantages to deliver more impactful commerce media solutions and results for partners, advertisers, and consumers.”

    As commerce media evolves, brands require more intelligent, scalable solutions to reach and convert high-intent consumers. Fluent’s investments in AI, identity resolution, and bidding technology position the Company to enhance ad relevance for consumers and maximize ROI for advertisers.

    “I’m excited to help drive the next wave of product innovation at Fluent,” said Stack. “We are building an AI-powered marketplace that seamlessly connects brands with high-value consumers at scale.” By leveraging our proprietary first-party identity graph and advanced machine learning models, we are driving higher ad relevance, increased conversions, and more profitable brand-consumer connections.”

    Supported by 14 years of expertise in customer acquisition, Fluent continues to differentiate itself in the commerce media space through its owned and operated marketplaces and robust first-party data assets. Building on this foundation, Stack will play a key role in enhancing data strategies, driving product innovation, and unlocking new opportunities for long-term growth and profitability.

    About Fluent, Inc.

    Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) is a commerce media solutions provider connecting top-tier brands with highly engaged consumers. Leveraging exclusive ad inventory, robust first-party data, and proprietary machine learning, Fluent unlocks additional revenue streams for partners and empowers advertisers to acquire their most valuable customers at scale. Founded in 2010, Fluent uses its deep expertise in performance marketing to drive monetization and increase engagement at key touchpoints across the customer journey. For more insights visit https://www.fluentco.com/.

    Contact Information

    Investor Relations

    Fluent, Inc.

    InvestorRelations@fluentco.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Inuvo to Host Fourth Quarter and Year End 2024 Financial Results Conference Call on Thursday, February 27th at 4:15 P.M. EST

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inuvo, Inc. (NYSE American: INUV), a leading provider of intelligent advertising technology, will host a conference call on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 4:15 PM Eastern Standard Time to discuss its financial results and provide a business update for the fourth quarter and year-end 2024.

    Conference Call Details: 
    Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
    Time: 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
    Toll-free Dial-in Number: 1-800-717-1738
    International Dial-in Number: 1-646-307-1865
    Conference ID: 11158080
    Webcast Link: HERE

    A telephone replay will be available through Thursday, March 13, 2025. To access the replay, please dial 1- 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international). At the system prompt, please enter the code 11158080 followed by the # sign. You will then be prompted for your name, company, and phone number. Playback will then automatically begin.

    About Inuvo

    Inuvo®, Inc. (NYSE American: INUV) is a market leader in Artificial Intelligence built for advertising. Its IntentKey AI solution is a first-of-its-kind proprietary and patented technology capable of identifying and actioning to the reasons why consumers are interested in products, services, or brands, not who those consumers are. To learn more, visit www.inuvo.com.

    Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Inuvo’s quarter-end financial close process and preparation of financial statements for the quarter that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, without limitation risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and represent our views only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading “Risk Factors” in Inuvo, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 as filed on February 29, 2024, and our other filings with the SEC. Additionally, forward looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends, and uncertainties including the continued impact of Covid-19 on Inuvo’s business and operations. Inuvo cannot provide assurances that the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based will prove to have been correct. Should one of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of this date. Inuvo does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Inuvo further expressly disclaims any written or oral statements made by a third-party regarding the subject matter of this press release. The information which appears on our websites and our social media platforms is not part of this press release.

    Inuvo Company Contact:
    Wally Ruiz
    Chief Financial Officer
    Tel (501) 205-8397
    wallace.ruiz@inuvo.com

    Investor Relations :
    David Waldman / Natalya Rudman
    Crescendo Communications, LLC
    Tel: (212) 671-1020
    inuv@crescendo-ir.com  

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Top KingWin Ltd Announces $1,000,000 Convertible Promissory Note Offering and Up to $28,500,000 Additional Note Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shenzhen, China, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Top KingWin Ltd (“Top KingWin” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: WAI) today announced that on February 18, 2025, it entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) to issue a convertible note in the original principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Note”) to an institutional investor (the “Purchaser”), convertible into its class A ordinary shares, par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), for gross proceeds of $900,000 (the “Offering”).

    R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc. acted as the Company’s exclusive placement agent for this Offering.

    The Note bears interest at a rate of 11.75% per annum, subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Note. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note will become due and payable twelve months after the issuance of the Note (“Issuance Date”), and the Purchaser has the option to extend the maturity term for another twenty-four months upon mutual agreement of the Company and the Purchaser. The Note includes an original issue discount of 10%. The Company may not prepay any portion of the outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest or accrued and unpaid late charges on principal and interest, if any. At any time after the Issuance Date, the Note is convertible into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Ordinary Shares, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Note. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, as defined in the Note, the Purchaser may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the Note by delivering written notice thereof.

    The Note will be issued to the Purchaser upon satisfaction of all closing conditions. The issuance of the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes is pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form F-3, as amended (File No. 333-283030), which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 13, 2024.

    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the SPA, the Purchaser and the Company plan to participate in seven additional tranches of closings for the purchase by such Purchaser, and the sale by the Company, including (i) six tranches of a Note (or Notes) in an aggregate original principal amount of up to $4,000,000 each, and (ii) one tranche of a Note (or Notes) in an aggregate original principal amount of up to $4,500,000, as set forth in the Schedule of Buyers to the SPA, with the aggregate original principal amount of these additional closings up to $28,500,000.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Top KingWin Ltd

    Top KingWin’s main clients are entrepreneurs and executives in small and medium-sized enterprises in China. Services provided by Top KingWin to its clients including (i) corporate business training services, which mainly focus on providing training services of advanced knowledge and new perspectives on the capital markets, (ii) corporate consulting services, which mainly focus on providing a combination of customized corporate consulting services to fulfill client’s unique financial needs, and (iii) advisory and transaction services, which mainly focus on connecting entrepreneurs and businesses with diversified sources of capital. Its mission is to provide comprehensive services to address clients’ needs throughout all phases of their development and growth.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the use of proceeds from the Company’s offering, the intent, belief or current expectations of Top KingWin and members of its management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends 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 “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update 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 in its other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    Bonnie

    Email: IR@tcjhgw.cn

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Condor Well in Uzbekistan Flows at 1,300 boepd After Workover Operation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Condor Energies Inc. (“Condor” or the “Company”) (TSX: CDR), a Canadian based energy transition company is pleased to provide an update on the eight gas fields production enhancement project it operates in Uzbekistan.

    On a recent workover operation, a potential gas pay section was identified using advanced cased-hole logging tools and reprocessed existing 3-D seismic data which provided significant formation imaging improvements. Prior to the workover, the well had watered out and was not producing. After perforating 23 meters of this newly identified 60-meter interval, the well began flowing at over 1,100 boepd based on a 24-hour production test and has increased to 1,300 boepd during the past 5 days as the completion fluid has now been recovered.

    At least five additional well candidates have been identified with similar geologic characteristics using a combination of legacy data and reprocessed 3-D seismic data. Over the coming weeks, these wells will be evaluated to identify potential pay intervals and perforated accordingly. The Company is currently operating two workover rigs and a wireline unit. A third workover rig and second wireline unit with advanced evaluation tools from a North American based services provider is mobilizing to Uzbekistan.

    Average production for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 10,510 boepd, up 5% from the third quarter of 2024 and yielded Q4 sales revenues of CA$20.9 million. Production was hampered in the latter part of December 2024 and January 2025 mainly from natural decline rates, as the two workover rigs focused on evaluating shallower Cretaceous-aged, stacked channel sands that had not previously been penetrated on the fields. Despite gas flowing to surface, wellhead pressures were not sufficient to match the existing flowline gathering system pressures. This was likely due in part to having limited zonal isolation to prevent water flows and also not having perforating charges that fully penetrated through two existing casing strings to provide unimpeded access to these gas reservoirs. Given that gas presence was confirmed at surface, Condor will further evaluate these Cretaceous channel sands as part of its 2025 infill well drilling campaign. Both workover rigs have now resumed work on Carbonate formation intervals and production for the past 5 days has averaged 11,455 boepd as newly perforated Carbonate zones begin flowing.

    Don Streu, President and CEO of Condor commented: “The material production gains from the ongoing workover program and facility enhancements highlights the capital efficiencies realized from our production enhancement approach. We are continuing to execute our production growth plans in 2025 by adding a third workover rig, drilling a four well vertical and horizontal infill program, continued artificial lift and in-field water separation installations, expanded regions of 3D seismic reprocessing, and field compression. The collaborative working relationship with the national company, JSC “Uzbekneftegaz (“UNG”) and national technical institutes has been instrumental in these early successes.”

    ABOUT CONDOR ENERGIES INC

    Condor Energies Inc is a TSX-listed energy transition company that is uniquely positioned on the doorstep of European and Asian markets with three distinct first-mover initiatives: increasing natural gas and condensate production from its existing fields in Uzbekistan; an ongoing project to construct and operate Central Asia’s first LNG ‘lower carbon fuel’ diesel substitution facility in Kazakhstan; and a separate initiative to develop and produce critical minerals from brines in Kazakhstan. Condor has already built a strong foundation for reserves, production and cashflow growth while also striving to minimize its environmental footprint.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities legislation. Such statements are generally identifiable by the terminology used, such as “anticipate”, “appear”, “believe”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “estimate”, “budget”, “outlook”, “scheduled”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “in the process of” or other similar wording. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, information concerning: the timing and ability to complete workovers on the next five well candidates and have them produce at commercial gas rates; the timing and ability to mobilize a third workover rig and second wireline unit; the timing and ability to access and evaluate future Cretaceous channel sands; the timing and ability to execute the 2025 work plan, including adding a third workover rig, drilling a four well vertical and horizontal infill program, continued artificial lift and in-field water separation installations, expanded regions of 3D seismic reprocessing, and field compression; and the timing and ability to maintain a collaborative working relationship with UNG and national technical institutes.

    ABBREVIATIONS

    The following is a summary of abbreviations used in this news release:

    boepd barrels of oil equivalent per day*
    CA$ Canadian dollar
    MM million
       

    * Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) are derived by converting gas to oil in the ratio of six thousand standard cubic feet (“Mscf”) of gas to one barrel of oil based on an energy conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6 Mscf to 1 barrel, utilizing a conversion ratio at 6 Mscf to 1 barrel may be misleading as an indication of value, particularly if used in isolation.

    The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    For further information, please contact Don Streu, President and CEO or Sandy Quilty, Vice President of Finance and CFO at 403-201-9694.

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Gevo to Report Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results on March 6, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that it will host a conference call on March 6, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. MT) to report its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    To participate in the live call, please register through the following event weblink:
    https://register.vevent.com/register/BIfe02700a31384d12946e60bf35964cb8

    After registering, participants will be provided with a dial-in number and pin.

    To listen to the conference call (audio only), please register through the following event weblink: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/h9wkbjf5

    A webcast replay will be available two hours after the conference call ends on March 6, 2025. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of Gevo’s website at www.gevo.com.

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

    For more information, see www.gevo.com.

    PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT
    Heather Manuel
    VP of Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
    PR@gevo.com

    INVESTOR CONTACT
    Eric Frey, PhD
    VP of Corporate Development
    IR@gevo.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Asset Entities Inc. Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Asset Entities Inc. (“Asset Entities” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ASST), a provider of digital marketing and content delivery services across Discord, TikTok, and other social media platforms, and a Ternary Payment Platform company, today announced that it has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires minimum stockholders’ equity of $2.5 million.

    On February 18, 2025, the staff (the “Staff”) of the Listing Qualifications department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notified the Company that based on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2025, the Staff has determined that the Company complies with Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). The Staff further advised the Company that if the Company fails to evidence compliance upon filing its periodic report for the period ending March 31, 2025, it may be subject to delisting. Asset Entities expects that its stockholder’s equity will be at least $2.5 million as of March 31, 2025, as required by the Staff in its February 18, 2025, letter.

    On August 21, 2024, the Staff notified the Company that it did not comply with the minimum $2.5 million stockholders’ equity requirement for companies listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). In response, the Company took immediate steps to fully comply by aggressively working to improve its financial strength and operations. These efforts included ongoing cost reduction initiatives, raising additional capital for future acquisitions and operations, and implementing and utilizing its at-the-market offering, which resulted in Asset Entities exceeding the $2,500,000 stockholders’ equity requirement.

    Arshia Sarkhani, CEO of Asset Entities, stated: “We are pleased that the Company successfully implemented a plan to regain compliance and meet the equity requirement, and is continuing to execute that plan going forward. Our team is committed to staying on course and ensuring continued regulatory compliance. As stated previously, our goal is to ensure that we continue our expansion and further development of our Discord, TikTok, and social media services, as well as expand our presence in the TikTok Shop space as a new TikTok Shop Partner. We are strongly encouraged by the significant increase in revenues over the last year, and we expect that trend will continue to grow with the anticipated future acquisitions and the new AE.360.DDM contracts.”

    To learn about Asset Entities, please go to www.assetentities.com. To learn about the Ternary payment platform, please go to www.ternarydev.com. To learn about Asset Entities 360 suite of discord services, go to www.ae360ddm.com and https://discord.gg/ae360ddm.  

    About Asset Entities Inc.

    Asset Entities Inc. is a technology company providing social media marketing, management, and content delivery across Discord, TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and other social media platforms. Asset Entities is believed to be the first publicly traded Company based on the Discord platform, where it hosts some of Discord’s largest social community-based education and entertainment servers. The Company’s AE.360.DDM suite of services is believed to be the first of its kind for the Design, Development, and Management of Discord community servers. Asset Entities’ initial AE.360.DDM customers have included businesses and celebrities. The Company also has its Ternary payment platform that is a Stripe-verified partner and CRM for Discord communities. The Company’s Social Influencer Network (SiN) service offers white-label marketing, content creation, content management, TikTok promotions, and TikTok consulting to clients in all industries and markets. The Company’s SiN influencers can increase the social media reach of client Discord servers and drives traffic to their businesses. Learn more at assetentities.com, and follow the Company on X at $ASST and @assetentities.

    Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, representatives of the Company may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations and projections about future events, which are derived from the information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or the Company’s future performance, including its financial performance and projections, growth in revenue and earnings, and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements can be identified by those statements that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors including those that are described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic reports which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These and other factors may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release, except in accordance with applicable law.

    Company Contacts:
    Arshia Sarkhani, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Michael Gaubert, Executive Chairman
    Asset Entities Inc.
    Tel +1 (214) 459-3117 
    Email Contact

    Investor Contact:
    Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC
    Scott Powell, President
    1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor
    New York, NY 10036
    Office: (646) 893-5835
    Email: info@skylineccg.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Compass Diversified Director James Bottiglieri Announces Retirement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WESTPORT, Conn., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Compass Diversified Holdings (NYSE: CODI) (“CODI” or the “Company”), an owner of leading middle market businesses, announced today that current director James J. Bottiglieri (“Jim”) advised the Board of Directors (the “Board”) on February 14, 2025 that he plans to retire prior to the Company’s 2025 annual shareholders meeting (the “2025 Annual Meeting”). Mr. Bottiglieri will remain on the Company’s Board and as a member of each of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Audit Committee up and until the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting. Mr. Bottiglieri joined the Board in December of 2005. He served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and as an Executive Vice President of the Company’s Manager from 2005 to 2013. The Company does not currently intend to fill the Board vacancy created by Mr. Bottiglieri’s retirement.

    Elias Sabo, CEO of CODI, commented: “It has been an absolute honor and privilege to work with Jim over the past 20 years. He has been a great leader, director, mentor, and friend. It is difficult to measure the many contributions Jim has made to our organization, beginning with our initial public offering in 2006. His accounting expertise and superior integrity were fundamental in establishing the groundwork we rely on today to ensure strong financial controls and provide transparency to our shareholders. On behalf of our entire organization, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Jim for his years of dedicated service and wish him all the best following his retirement.”

    Larry Enterline, Board Chair, added: “I am happy for Jim to have the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned retirement. Jim is a consummate professional and has worked collaboratively during his tenure to pass along his significant institutional knowledge and assist with the development of the next generation of Board leadership. Although Jim will be missed, his retirement is the culmination of a years-long strategy to refine CODI’s Board and recruit and retain a highly capable group of leaders who are well-equipped to oversee our business and represent the interests of our shareholders.”

    Jim Bottiglieri stated: “I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been afforded during my tenure with CODI. Being able to support this unique organization through its transformational growth over the past 20 years has been a highlight of my career. At its core, CODI is an organization comprised of exceptional people and has many exciting opportunities for growth in the years ahead.”

    About Compass Diversified (“CODI”)

    Since its IPO in 2006, CODI has consistently executed its strategy of owning and managing a diverse set of highly defensible, middle-market businesses across the branded consumer, industrial, healthcare, and critical outsourced services sectors. The Company leverages its permanent capital base, long-term disciplined approach, and actionable expertise to maintain controlling ownership interests in each of its subsidiaries, maximizing its ability to impact long-term cash flow generation and value creation. The Company provides both debt and equity capital for its subsidiaries, contributing to their financial and operating flexibility. CODI utilizes the cash flows generated by its subsidiaries to invest in the long-term growth of the Company and has consistently generated strong returns through its culture of transparency, alignment and accountability. For more information, please visit compassdiversified.com.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements with regard to the expectations related to the future performance of CODI. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “will,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “continue,” “projects,” “potential,” “assuming,” and “future” or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions, some of which are not currently known to CODI. In addition to factors previously disclosed in CODI’s reports filed with the SEC, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements: changes in the economy, financial markets and political environment; risks associated with possible disruption in CODI’s operations or the economy generally due to terrorism, natural disasters, social, civil and political unrest or the COVID-19 pandemic; future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities); general considerations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the markets in which we operate; and other considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in CODI’s publicly disseminated documents and filings. Further information regarding CODI and factors which could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein can be found in CODI’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, CODI undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Investor Relations

    Compass Diversified
    irinquiry@compassdiversified.com

    Gateway Group
    Cody Slach
    949.574.3860
    CODI@gateway-grp.com

    Media Relations

    Compass Diversified
    mediainquiry@compassdiversified.com

    The IGB Group
    Leon Berman
    212.477.8438
    lberman@igbir.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Locafy Limited Highlights Growth and Strategic Partnerships in Recent Investor Presentations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PERTH, Australia, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locafy Limited (Nasdaq: LCFY, LCFYW) (“Locafy” or the “Company”), a globally recognized leader in location based digital marketing solutions, with market leading SEO capabilities, recently participated in two investor-focused presentations, highlighting its latest business developments and strategic initiatives.

    Breakout Investors Presentation with Fathom Holdings (NASDAQ: FTHM)
    Locafy CEO Gavin Burnett joined Breakout Investors alongside Fathom Holdings CEO Marco Fregenal to discuss their partnership, which is designed to enhance real estate professionals’ digital presence through advanced SEO solutions. The collaboration leverages Locafy’s proprietary Localizer technology to help real estate agents and brokerages improve their search engine rankings, attract more leads, and convert online visibility into business growth.

    During the presentation, Locafy and Fathom Holdings provided insights into how Locafy’s innovative SEO technology is supporting Fathom’s rapidly expanding network of real estate professionals. The discussion covered the integration of Locafy’s local SEO solutions into Fathom’s existing technology ecosystem, driving increased visibility and engagement for agents and clients.

    A recording of the presentation and further details are available on the Breakout Investors platform here.

    Locafy Featured on Planet MicroCap Podcast
    Locafy was also recently featured on the Planet MicroCap Podcast, hosted by Robert Kraft, where Burnett discussed the Company’s latest advancements and growth strategies.

    During the interview, Burnett provided insights into:

    • Locafy’s Competitive Edge: How its proprietary local SEO technology is helping businesses secure Page 1 Google rankings with minimal effort.
    • Growth Strategy & Market Expansion: The Company’s capital-efficient approach to scaling its operations and revenue.
    • Recent Partnerships & Industry Impact: Including the collaboration with Fathom Holdings to enhance the real estate sector’s digital presence.
    • AI & SEO Innovations: The increasing role of AI-driven search and how Locafy is positioning itself at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.

    The full podcast episode can be accessed here.

    Locafy will be attending the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 being held April 22-24, 2025 at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Investors interested in scheduling a one-on-one meeting with Locafy management can contact Locafy’s investor relations team at LCFY@gateway-grp.com.

    “We appreciate the opportunity to engage with the investment community and showcase how Locafy’s technology is driving real business impact,” said Burnett. “Our partnership with Fathom Holdings highlights the increasing demand for effective local SEO solutions in the real estate sector, and our conversation on Planet MicroCap allowed us to share how we’re positioning Locafy for sustained growth.”

    For more information about Locafy’s technology, including educational blogs and case studies, please visit Locafy’s investor relations website at investor.locafy.com.

    About Locafy
    Locafy (Nasdaq: LCFY, LCFYW) is a globally recognized software-as-a-service technology company specializing in local search engine marketing. Founded in 2009, Locafy’s mission is to revolutionize the US$700 billion SEO sector. We help businesses and brands increase search engine relevance and prominence in a specific proximity using a fast, easy, and automated approach. For more information, please visit www.locafy.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “subject to”, “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “can,” the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2024, as amended, and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Matt Glover
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    (949) 574-3860
    LCFY@gateway-grp.com 

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Abacus Life Completes the Rebranding of FCF Advisors with New ETF and Fee Reductions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abacus Life, Inc. (“Abacus” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ABL), a pioneering global alternative asset manager specializing in leveraging longevity data and actuarial technology to offer uncorrelated investment opportunities, today announces the rebranding of FCF Advisors to Abacus FCF Advisors, a subsidiary of ABL Wealth.

    This rebrand highlights the manager’s position as a leader in free cash flow investing and analytics by pioneering the FCF Leaders Model, which serves as the foundation for the firm’s quantitative investment process that identifies the most profitable companies. As part of the rebrand, Abacus FCF Advisors announced the launch of the Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF (ticker: ABLS), and management fee reductions of 5-10 basis points across all ETFs. An 18-month fee waiver of 20 basis points was also introduced on four of the ETFs.

    Ticker Fund Name
    ABFL Abacus FCF Leaders ETF
    ABLG Abacus FCF International Leaders ETF
    ABLD Abacus FCF Real Assets Leaders ETF*
    ABOT Abacus FCF Innovation Leaders ETF*
    ABLS Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF*
    ABHY Abacus Tactical High Yield ETF*

    *Effective 2/1/2025, a fee waiver of 20 basis points will be offered to these funds for 18 months.

    To celebrate this iconic event, the Abacus FCF Advisors team, along with other executives from ABL Wealth, is ringing the Cboe Global Markets Exchange opening bell today, Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

    “We are thrilled to ring the Cboe bell,” said Jay Jackson, CEO of Abacus Life. “The FCF acquisition, including the rebranded funds and new ETF, constitute significant milestones in Abacus’ ongoing expansion of ABL Wealth and its suite of innovative products, as well as our goal of delivering comprehensive, lifespan-based financial advisory services and products. FCF aligns perfectly with our strategy of providing clients with holistic and tailored financial solutions throughout their lives.”

    About Abacus FCF Advisors

    Abacus FCF Advisors is a leader in free cash flow investing and analytics, having pioneered the Free Cash Flow Leaders Model, which serves as the foundation for the firm’s quantitative investment process. Based on our research for the past decade, constructing a high-conviction portfolio through comprehensive analysis of Free Cash Flow Return on Invested Capital has historically outperformed and delivered superior long-term capital growth. This model prioritizes prudent capital expenditure, low accruals, high cash flow margins, and strong asset turnover. Abacus FCF Advisors has a suite of core and thematic free cash flow equity strategies and offers over 50 customizable free cash flow index strategies covering 8 global equities allocation categories available in ETFs, SMA/white label SMA and model delivery.

    www.abacusfcf.com

    About Abacus

    Abacus is a pioneering global alternative asset manager and market maker specializing in uncorrelated financial products. The company leverages its proprietary, cutting-edge longevity data and actuarial technology to purchase life insurance policies from consumers seeking liquidity. This creates a high-return asset class uncorrelated to market fluctuations for institutional investors.

    With nearly $3 billion in assets under management, including recently-completed acquisitions, Abacus is the only publicly traded global alternative asset manager focused on lifespan-based financial products.

    Abacus is expanding its leading expertise in longevity and lifespan into new growth areas:

    • ABL Wealth – Leverages decades of data and proprietary algorithms to offer longevity-based wealth management platforms that enable financial advisors to create customized plans and provide access to uncorrelated investments.
    • ABL Tech – A groundbreaking technology service that delivers advanced real-time data tracking and analysis for pension funds, governments, insurance companies, retirement associations, and more.

    Through each new channel, Abacus is revolutionizing the future of asset management and financial planning, centered on longevity and lifespan.

    www.Abacuslife.com

    Contacts:

    ABL Wealth

    Fei Xue, CAIA – Vice President, ABL Wealth
    fei@abacuslife.com
    (321) 710-5957

    Abacus Life Investor Relations

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

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

    Abacus Life Public Relations
    press@abacuslife.com

    Important Information:

    Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the statutory and summary prospectuses, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting the Fund’s website at www.abacusfcf.com/ABFL, www.abacusfcf.com/ABLG, www.abacusfcf.com/ABLD, www.abacusfcf.com/ABOT,  www.Abacusfcf.com/ABLS, www.Abacusfcf.com/ABHY. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, carefully before you invest.

    Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

    Free Cash Flow (FCF) represents the cash that a company is able to generate after accounting for capital expenditures.

    Distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC. Quasar is not related to Abacus or ABL.

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: LM Funding America, Inc. Upgrades Fleet Efficiency and Hashrate with Luxor Firmware by 10-15%

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LM Funding America, Inc. (NASDAQ:LMFA) (“LM Funding” or the “Company”), a Bitcoin mining and technology-based specialty finance company, today announced a strategic partnership between its US Digital Mining and Hosting Co subsidiary (“USDM”) and Luxor Technology Corporation (“Luxor”), a leader in Bitcoin mining software services, for the deployment of LuxOS firmware on the Company’s Bitcoin mining fleet.

    The LuxOS firmware upgrade was completed in early February 2025 and is expected to optimize the Company’s machines, increase efficiency and hashrate, and improve overall system reliability across various operational conditions. LM Funding expects this software upgrade to enhance its Bitcoin mining efficiency by 10-15%, directly resulting in higher profitability and extending machine life.

    Bruce M. Rodgers, Chairman and CEO of LM Funding, stated, “We are very pleased about this partnership as it enhances our hashrate by another 10-15% without any additional hardware investment. This enables us to mine more Bitcoin at higher margins and increase profitability.”

    Aaron Foster, Director of Business Development at Luxor, added, “This partnership represents a critical step forward in optimizing USDM’s mining operations, maximizing uptime, reducing costs, and ensuring systems operate reliably even in challenging conditions. Together with Luxor, the Company is setting a new standard for mining efficiency, profit maximization and performance.”

    About LuxOS
    Technology: LuxOS’s intelligent auto-tuning, machine voltage and frequency are precisely adjusted to maximize hashrate while reducing power consumption. Additionally, LuxOS’s Advanced Thermal Management system proactively maximizes fleet uptime by dynamically adjusting performance based on temperature thresholds, ensuring long-term operation stability.

    Audit and Compliance: Luxor is the only U.S. based firmware to achieve SOC 2 (Type II) certification, demonstrating the Company’s commitment to security, reliability, and compliance. Luxor’s certification ensures that institutional Bitcoin mining operations meet the highest standards set by the industry’s top auditors and best practices.

    About LM Funding America
    LM Funding America, Inc. (Nasdaq: LMFA), operates as a Bitcoin mining and specialty finance company. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Tampa, Florida. For more information, please visit https://www.lmfunding.com.

    About Luxor Technology Corporation
    Luxor Technology Corporation is a Bitcoin mining software and services company that offers a suite of products catered toward the mining and compute power industry. Luxor’s suite of software and services includes an Antminer ASIC Firmware, an ASIC Marketplace, a Bitcoin mining pool, a Hashrate Derivatives Desk, and a Bitcoin mining data platform.

    Forward-Looking Statements 
    This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” and “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guaranties of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainty created by the risks of operating in the cryptocurrency mining business, uncertainty in the cryptocurrency mining business in general, problems with hosting vendors in the mining business, the capacity of our Bitcoin mining machines and our related ability to purchase power at reasonable prices, the ability to finance and grow our cryptocurrency mining operations, our ability to acquire new accounts in our specialty finance business at appropriate prices, the potential need for additional capital in the future, changes in governmental regulations that affect our ability to collected sufficient amounts on defaulted consumer receivables, changes in the credit or capital markets, changes in interest rates, and negative press regarding the debt collection industry. The occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:  

    LM Funding America, Inc.
    Investor Relations  
    Orange Group  
    Yujia Zhai  
    LMFundingIR@orangegroupadvisors.com  

    Luxor Technology Corporation
    Director, Business Development
    Aaron Foster
    aaron@luxor.tech

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Oxford Lane Capital Corp. Announces Offering of Notes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWICH, Conn., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxford Lane Capital Corp. (NasdaqGS: OXLC) (NasdaqGS: OXLCP) (NasdaqGS: OXLCL) (NasdaqGS: OXLCO) (NasdaqGS: OXLCZ) (NasdaqGS: OXLCN) (NasdaqGS: OXLCI) (the “Company”) today announced the commencement of a registered public offering of notes (the “Notes”). The public offering price and other terms of the Notes are to be determined by negotiations between the Company and the underwriters. The Company also plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional Notes on the same terms and conditions to cover over-allotments, if any.

    The Notes are expected to be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and to trade thereon within 30 days of the original issue date.

    The Company expects to use the net proceeds from this offering to acquire investments in accordance with its investment objective and strategies and for general working capital purposes.

    Lucid Capital Markets, LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering, and Clear Street LLC, InspereX LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. are acting as lead managers for the offering.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this offering or any other securities nor will there be any sale of these securities or any other securities referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

    A shelf registration statement relating to these securities is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and effective. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus and a related prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained, when available, from the following investment banks: Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, 570 Lexington Ave, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10022 or by telephone number (646) 362-0256; Piper Sandler & Co., Attn: Debt Capital Markets, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10020 or by e-mailing fsg-dcm@psc.com. The preliminary prospectus supplement, dated February 19, 2025, and accompanying prospectus, dated November 8, 2024, each of which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, contain a description of these matters and other important information about the Company and should be read carefully before investing. Investors are advised to carefully consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses of the Company before investing.

    About Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

    Oxford Lane Capital Corp. is a publicly-traded registered closed-end management investment company principally investing in debt and equity tranches of collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles. CLO investments may also include warehouse facilities, which are financing structures intended to aggregate loans that may be used to form the basis of a CLO vehicle.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions, including statements with regard to the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the Company’s offering of the Notes. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates” and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These factors are identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect subsequent events, except as may be required by law.

    Contact:

    Bruce Rubin
    203-983-5280

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Data443 Partners with TierPoint to Expand Data Center Footprint

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Collaboration Triples Infrastructure Capacity to Support Rapid Customer Growth and AI Initiatives

    RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. (OTCPK: ATDS) (“Data443” or the “Company”), a data security and privacy software company for “All Things Data Security,” today announced a strategic agreement with TierPoint, a premier provider of secure, connected data center and cloud solutions. This agreement will enable Data443 to triple its data center infrastructure capacity, supporting the company’s rapid customer growth, operational efficiency initiatives, and upcoming artificial intelligence programs.

    Through this collaboration, Data443 will leverage TierPoint’s state-of-the-art facilities to enhance its infrastructure capabilities while optimizing operational expenses. The expansion addresses increasing customer demand for Data443’s comprehensive suite of data security, privacy, and compliance solutions.

    Jason Remillard, Founder and CEO of Data443 commented: “Our partnership with TierPoint came together out of necessity in tripling our data center capacity to meeting the current demands of our growing customer base. Working with TierPoint positions us for future expansion, particularly in the realm of AI-driven security solutions. TierPoint’s robust infrastructure and proven track record make them the ideal partner for these initiatives.”

    “Our support for Data443 highlights TierPoint’s ability to deliver scalable and reliable data center solutions,” said Gus Hoover, Director Data Center Operations at TierPoint. “By scaling quickly to support Data443’s growth and leveraging redundant infrastructure, we’re providing a cutting-edge solution tailored to their needs.”

    The expanded infrastructure will support Data443’s continued innovation in data security and privacy solutions and is expected to generate substantial operational cost savings through improved efficiency and economies of scale.

    The collaboration delivers multiple strategic advantages that will strengthen Data443’s market position and operational capabilities. The immediate tripling of data center capacity will accommodate the company’s rapid customer growth, while enhanced infrastructure capabilities will power next-generation AI initiatives. Additionally, the expanded infrastructure will enable accelerated deployment of new services and solutions, allowing Data443 to respond more quickly to evolving market demands.

    Recently the company announced its acquisition of leading AI email managment provider Breezemail.ai as it continues innovation in the data security realms.

    About TierPoint

    TierPoint (tierpoint.com) is a leading provider of secure, connected IT platform solutions that power the digital transformation of thousands of clients, from the public to private sectors, from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises. Taking an agnostic approach to helping clients achieve their most pressing business objectives, TierPoint is a champion for untangling the complexity of hybrid, multi-platform approaches to IT infrastructure, drawing on a comprehensive portfolio of services, from public to multitenant and private cloud, from colocation to disaster recovery, security, and more. TierPoint also has one of the largest and most geographically diversified U.S. footprints, with dozens of world-class, cloud-ready data centers in 20 markets, connected by a coast-to-coast network.

    About Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc.

    Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. (OTCPK: ATDS) provides software and services to enable secure data across devices and databases, at rest and in flight/in transit, locally, on a network or in the cloud. We are All Things Data Security™. With over 10,000 customers in over 100 countries, Data443 provides a modern approach to data governance and security by identifying and protecting all sensitive data regardless of location, platform or format. Data443’s framework helps customers prioritize risk, identify security gaps and implement effective data protection and privacy management strategies. For more information, visit: https://data443.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by use of terms such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursuant,” “target,” “continue” or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding Data443’s plans, objectives, future opportunities for Data443’s services, future financial performance and operating results, and any other statements regarding Data443’s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance, or regarding the anticipated consummation of any transaction, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are difficult to predict or are beyond Data443’s control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. They may relate to the outcome of litigation, settlements and investigations; actions by third parties, including governmental agencies; volatility in customer spending; global economic conditions; inability to hire and retain personnel; loss of, or reduction in business with, key customers; difficulty with growth and integration of acquisitions; product liability; cybersecurity risk; anti-takeover measures in the Company’s charter documents; and the uncertainties created by global health issues, such as the ongoing outbreak of COVID, and political unrest and conflict, such as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. These and other important risk factors are described more fully in the Company’s reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”), including in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 17, 2024, and subsequent filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Data443 undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

    “DATA443” is a registered trademark of Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc.

    All product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this press release are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

    For further information:
    Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/data443-risk-mitigation-inc/
    Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZXDhJcx-XgMBhvE9aFHRdA
    Sign up for our Investor Newsletter: https://data443.com/investor-email-alerts/

    To learn more about Data443, please watch the Company’s video introduction on its YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/1Fp93jOxFSg

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Matthew Abenante
    ir@data443.com
    919.858.6542

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Result of tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on February 19, 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Result of tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on February 19, 2025
    Result of tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on February 19, 2025
    ******************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     Result of the tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on February 19, 2025: 

    Tender Result

    *********************************************************************

    Tender Date
    :
    February 19, 2025

    Bonds available for Tender
    :
    2-year RMB Bonds

    Issuer
    :
    The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China

    Issue Number
    :
    BCMKFB25004

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    February 21, 2025

    Maturity Date
    :
    February 21, 2027 (or the closest coupon payment date)

    Application Amount
    :
    RMB 9,899 million

    Issue Amount
    :
    RMB 3,500 million

    Average accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    1.69 per cent

    Highest accepted Coupon Rate(Bonds’ Coupon)
    :
    1.75 per cent

    Lowest accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    1.55 per cent

    Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)
    :
    Approximately 7.41 per cent

    Tender Result

    *********************************************************************

    Tender Date
    :
    February 19, 2025

    Bonds available for Tender
    :
    3-year RMB Bonds

    Issuer
    :
    The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China

    Issue Number
    :
    BCMKFB25005

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    February 21, 2025

    Maturity Date
    :
    February 21, 2028 (or the closest coupon payment date)

    Application Amount
    :
    RMB 8,249 million

    Issue Amount
    :
    RMB 3,000 million

    Average accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    1.71 per cent

    Highest accepted Coupon Rate(Bonds’ Coupon)
    :
    1.80 per cent

    Lowest accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    1.60 per cent

    Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)
    :
    Approximately 2.28 per cent

    Tender Result

    *********************************************************************

    Tender Date
    :
    February 19, 2025

    Bonds available for Tender
    :
    5-year RMB Bonds

    Issuer
    :
    The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China

    Issue Number
    :
    BCMKFB25006

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    February 21, 2025

    Maturity Date
    :
    February 21, 2030 (or the closest coupon payment date)

    Application Amount
    :
    RMB 8,055 million

    Issue Amount
    :
    RMB 3,000 million

    Average accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    1.81 per cent

    Highest accepted Coupon Rate(Bonds’ Coupon)
    :
    1.88 per cent

    Lowest accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    1.70 per cent

    Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)
    :
    Approximately 22.94 per cent

    Tender Result

    *********************************************************************

    Tender Date
    :
    February 19, 2025

    Bonds available for Tender
    :
    10-year RMB Bonds

    Issuer
    :
    The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China

    Issue Number
    :
    BCMKFB25007

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    February 21, 2025

    Maturity Date
    :
    February 21, 2035 (or the closest coupon payment date)

    Application Amount
    :
    RMB 6,185 million

    Issue Amount
    :
    RMB 2,000 million

    Average accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    2.00 per cent

    Highest accepted Coupon Rate(Bonds’ Coupon)
    :
    2.08 per cent

    Lowest accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    1.85 per cent

    Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)
    :
    Approximately 2.50 per cent

    Tender Result

    *********************************************************************

    Tender Date
    :
    February 19, 2025

    Bonds available for Tender
    :
    30-year RMB Bonds

    Issuer
    :
    The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China

    Issue Number
    :
    BCMKFB25008

    Issue and Settlement Date
    :
    February 21, 2025

    Maturity Date
    :
    February 21, 2055 (or the closest coupon payment date)

    Application Amount
    :
    RMB 3,336 million

    Issue Amount
    :
    RMB 1,000 million

    Average accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    2.27 per cent

    Highest accepted Coupon Rate(Bonds’ Coupon)
    :
    2.37 per cent

    Lowest accepted Coupon Rate
    :
    2.00 per cent

    Allocation Ratio (At Highest accepted Coupon Rate)
    :
    Approximately 52.14 per cent

     
    Ends/Wednesday, February 19, 2025Issued at HKT 12:55

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 20, 2025
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