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  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Announce $87 Million In Federal Funding For Illinois Rail System Improvements

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    11.01.24
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $87,078,200 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program for four rail infrastructure improvement projects across Illinois.
    “Illinois holds a unique position as the converging point for railroads that cross our nation,” said Durbin. “This significant federal investment will ensure our state remains not just a crossroads, but a thriving nexus that efficiently connects people, goods, and ideas. I’m proud to have helped bring local officials, the State, and other stakeholders together to improve our rail network for passengers in Illinois and throughout the Midwest.”
    “Illinois is a national epicenter of passenger, commuter and freight rail, and improving rail service and reliability across the Midwest is critically important,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to see these significant federal investments coming to our region to help make it easier, faster, safer and more efficient for people and goods to get where they need to go. I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin to ensure that our state and region are receiving the federal resources they deserve to remain a national leader in the transportation sector.”
    Recipients of CRISI funding include:
    OmniTRAX Holdings Combined, Inc. – Yard Area Rail Decongestion and Safety Project ($40,955,000)
    Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC – Bridge Replacements in Iowa and Illinois to Develop Green Energy and Safety ($29,883,200)
    Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission – Invest Midwest: The Future of Midwest Passenger Rail-Phase 1 ($1,840,000)
    National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) – Mechanical Craft Workforce Development Apprenticeship Training Program ($14,400,000)
    CRISI grants are funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand and improve passenger rail. Last week, Durbin and Duckworth announced that the Springfield Rail Improvements Project would receive $157,126,494 in CRISI grant funding for its final segment.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: OnStation Welcomes Former Infotech VP Ward Zerbe to Accelerate Public Sector Adoption

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OnStation Announces Ward Zerbe as Their New Director of Public Sector Programs

    Ward adds over 40 years of wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the OnStation team.

    CLEVELAND, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OnStation, the leading provider of digital stationing solutions for the heavy highway industry, today announced the appointment of Ward Zerbe as its new Director of Public Sector Programs.

    With more than 40 years of experience of successfully driving innovation and delivering information technology solutions, Ward’s experience covers federal, state, local, and international government. Prior to OnStation, Ward spent over 20 years with Infotech, Inc in several roles driving business growth in the transportation infrastructure sector working with state and local governments and contractors. Most recently Ward was Infotech’s Executive Relationships Officer engaging senior customer and industry executives to develop long term relationships that span the transportation infrastructure industry. Previously, Ward served as the Vice President for the AASHTOWare Products Division overseeing the software development and maintenance, implementation services, and support for the AASHTOWare Project suite of applications for construction contract management. As an Account Manager at Infotech, he was instrumental in creating the account management structure that resulted in unprecedented growth.

    As the transportation construction industry continues to evolve, the necessity of accurate stationing data is critical to any construction project. It is central to construction administration, digital project delivery, eTicketing, and asset management. OnStation’s digital stationing tool has been embraced in the industry to provide a common, accurate reference from bidding through closeout. Now is the time to accelerate the presence of OnStation’s solutions wherever transportation infrastructure projects are executed.

    Ward brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience as a trusted advisor to customers throughout the US. “After hearing about OnStation several times from various colleagues, my research led me to determine their solution was going to be a game changer. I see a lot of possibilities for the product even beyond its current use today. Also, OnStation has the right approach to working with public sector customers. I had to be a part of this important venture.”

    The opportunity to add Ward to the OnStation Team was an easy decision, said CEO Patrick Russo. “Ward originally connected with Dave Thomas, our Director of Business Development, and expressed interest in joining OnStation. After a couple of direct conversations, I could tell Ward fit into the OnStation culture of operating with high integrity and shared the same goals of continuing to transform our industry with innovative, worker first tools that easily tie stationing, documentation and inspection together. Full gas ahead!”

    For more information about OnStation and its solutions, please visit www.onstationapp.com.

    About Ward Zerbe

    Ward graduated from The George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and information systems and he holds the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute. Ward’s career highlights include implementing the first nationwide network infrastructure for the Federal Highway Administration, delivering intelligent transportations systems for the Maryland Department of Transportation, and delivering a SaaS data analytics module as the capstone for AASHTOWare Project. Ward also spent a year overseas as an adviser to the Royal Thai Government implementing a project management system. For Ward, it’s the relationships that are key to making technology successful.

    Ward and his wife Kim have been married over 41 years and have 4 grown married children and 2 granddaughters. They enjoy traveling, making new friends, and working on their farm in Virginia.

    About OnStation

    OnStation is a collaborative digital stationing platform that offers location-based project records from bid to close. Specifically designed for the heavy highway industry, OnStation’s mobile app centralizes communication, boosts productivity, enhances worker safety, and improves project quality. Users benefit from live jobsite stationing, milepost, and LRS capabilities. They can overlay design layers on the project map and communicate via a custom chat platform that organizes and records project events at their locations. OnStation is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and is supported on all desktop systems.

    Contact
    Jessica Kodrich
    jkodrich@onstationapp.com 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ecb230e-7164-403e-acbb-14bf56514960

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Still Kickin’ Since the ’70s: NASA’s Voyager Mission Keeps Exploring

    Source: NASA

    This archival photo shows engineers working on NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft on March 23, 1977.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    NASA’s Voyager mission launched in the 1970s. Today, it’s making history as it conducts new science. But how are two spacecraft from the ’70s not just surviving, but thriving farther out in space than any other spacecraft has been before?

    A Little Mission Background

    Voyager is a NASA mission made up of two different spacecraft, Voyager 1 and 2, which launched to space on Sept. 5, 1977, and Aug. 20, 1977, respectively. In the decades following launch, the pair took a grand tour of our solar system, studying Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — one of NASA’s earliest efforts to explore the secrets of the universe. These twin probes later became the first spacecraft to operate in interstellar space — space outside the heliosphere, the bubble of solar wind and magnetic fields emanating from the Sun. Voyager 1 was the first to enter interstellar space in 2012, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018.  

    Today, Voyager continues not just because it can, but because it still has work to do studying interstellar space, the heliosphere, and how the two interact. “We wouldn’t be doing Voyager if it wasn’t taking science data,” said Suzanne Dodd, the mission’s current project manager and the director for the Interplanetary Network at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

    But across billions of miles and decades of groundbreaking scientific exploration, this trailblazing interstellar journey has not been without its trials. So, what’s the Voyager secret to success? 

    In short: preparation and creativity.  

    As NASA’s two Voyager spacecraft travel out into deep space, they carry a small American flag and a Golden Record packed with pictures and sounds — mementos of our home planet. This picture shows John Casani, Voyager project manager in 1977, holding a small Dacron flag that was folded and sewed into the thermal blankets of the Voyager spacecraft before they launched 36 years ago. Below him lie the Golden Record (left) and its cover (right). In the background stands Voyager 2 before it headed to the launch pad. The picture was taken at Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Aug. 4, 1977.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    We Designed Them Not to Fail

    According to John Casani, Voyager project manager from 1975 to launch in 1977, “we didn’t design them to last 30 years or 40 years, we designed them not to fail.”

    One key driver of the mission’s longevity is redundancy. Voyager’s components weren’t just engineered with care, they were also made in duplicate. 

    According to Dodd, Voyager “was designed with nearly everything redundant. Having two spacecraft — right there is a redundancy.” 

    “We didn’t design them to last 30 years or 40 years, we designed them not to fail.”

    John Casani
    Voyager Project Manager, 1975-1977

    A Cutting-Edge Power Source

    The twin Voyager spacecraft can also credit their longevity to their long-lasting power source. 

    Each spacecraft is equipped with three radioisotope thermoelectric generators. These nuclear “batteries” were developed originally by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the Atoms for Peace program enacted by President Eisenhower in 1955. Compared to other power options at the time — like solar power, which doesn’t have the reach to work beyond Jupiter — these generators have allowed Voyager to go much farther into space. 

    Each of NASA’s Voyager probes are equipped with three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), including the one shown here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The RTGs provide power for the spacecraft by converting the heat generated by the decay of plutonium-238 into electricity. Launched in 1977, the Voyager mission is managed for NASA by the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Voyager’s generators continue to take the mission farther than any before, but they also continue to generate less power each year, with instruments needing to be shut off over time to conserve power. 

    Creative Solutions  

    As a mission that has operated at the farthest edges of the heliosphere and beyond, Voyager has endured its fair share of challenges. With the spacecraft now in interstellar space running on software and hardware from the 1970s, Voyager’s problems require creative solutions.  

    Retired mission personnel who worked on Voyager in its earliest days have even come back out of retirement to collaborate with new mission personnel to not just fix big problems but to pass on important mission know-how to the next generation of scientists and engineers.

    “From where I sit as a project manager, it’s really very exciting to see young engineers be excited to work on Voyager. To take on the challenges of an old mission and to work side by side with some of the masters, the people that built the spacecraft,” Dodd said. “They want to learn from each other.” 

    After receiving data about the health and status of Voyager 1 for the first time in five months, members of the Voyager flight team celebrate in a conference room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on April 20. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Within just the last couple of years, Voyager has tested the mission team’s creativity with a number of complex issues. Most recently, the thrusters on Voyager 1’s thrusters, which control the spacecraft’s orientation and direction, became clogged. The thrusters allow the spacecraft to point their antennae and are critical to maintaining communications with Earth. Through careful coordination, the mission team was able to remotely switch the spacecraft to a different set of thrusters. 

    These kinds of repairs are extra challenging as a radio signal takes about 22 ½ hours to reach Voyager 1 from Earth and another 22 ½ hours to return. Signals to and from Voyager 2 take about 19 hours each way.

    Voyager’s Interstellar Future

    This brief peek behind the curtain highlights some of Voyager’s history and its secrets to success. 

    The Voyager probes may continue to operate into the late 2020s. As time goes on, continued operations will become more challenging as the mission’s power diminishes by 4 watts every year, and the two spacecraft will cool down as this power decreases. Additionally, unexpected anomalies could impact the mission’s functionality and longevity as they grow older.

    As the mission presses on, the Voyager team grows this legacy of creative problem solving and collaboration while these twin interstellar travelers continue to expand our understanding of the vast and mysterious cosmos we inhabit. 

    Read More

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Announces $649,968 NIFA Grant to MOVA Technologies

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded MOVA Technologies, based out of Pulaski, Virginia, a $649,968 grant. The funding will support new research to address critical scientific challenges and opportunities in agriculture. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “This USDA NIFA research grant for $649,968 helps MOVA Technologies complete a project that advances ammonia capture solutions for concentrated animal feeding operations, namely the poultry industry.”

    BACKGROUND

    The funding is made available through the USDA Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

    The goals of the project include reduction of indoor ammonia concentrations to improve animal performance and lowering environmental emissions to the atmosphere.

    MOVA Technologies cultivates an accomplished team of engineers, scientists, business leaders and advisors to produce innovative technologies related to advanced air emissions filtration.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Foundation Communities Prepared to Help Thousands of Central Texans Enroll in Health Insurance During 12th Open Enrollment Season

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

    The Open Enrollment period for 2025 HealthCare.gov Marketplace plans offer high levels of affordability, quality, and choice

    AUSTIN, TX – Central Texans have an exciting opportunity to access high-quality, affordable health insurance starting November 1st through HealthCare.gov. The 2025 Open Enrollment period runs from November 1, 2024 to January 15, 2025, offering a wide range of plans with options for as little as $0 a month after subsidies.

    Helping to expand access to health insurance and lowering health care costs for Central Texas families is a top priority for local leaders Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Travis County Judge Andy Brown, and District 4 Councilmember José “Chito” Vela, who joined Foundation Communities (FC) and the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) host a press conference, on Wednesday, October 30 to kick off this year’s anticipated 12th Open Enrollment period.

    “Thanks to the dedicated and effective team at Foundation Communities, Central Texans can obtain valuable, objective, free help to enroll in the affordable health insurance plan that best meets their needs,” said Rep. Doggett. “In Congress, I continue working to make health care more affordable and to ensure local nonprofits like Foundation Communities are supported in their vital services.”

    For 2025, community members in Travis County have hundreds of plans to choose from, provided by multiple insurers. Consumers with existing coverage through HealthCare.gov are also highly encouraged to return and shop to see if another plan better meets their needs at a lower cost.

    As Texas remains the most uninsured state and thousands of our neighbors lack health insurance, Foundation Communities is leading the way as a key enrollment resource for the twelfth straight year, helping to connect thousands of people to coverage through the Marketplace. Last year, Foundation Communities successfully helped over 4,600 people enroll in quality health coverage, with 27% of them securing insurance for the first time.

    The Prosper Health Coverage team at Foundation Communities will continue their work of guiding consumers through the Marketplace application and securing the maximum financial assistance. As the largest Navigator program in Central Texas, Foundation Communities is poised to help thousands of local community members enroll in affordable health insurance from November 1, 2024 to January 15, 2025.

    Health insurance can be complicated, and making sense of which plan is best for individuals and families can be stressful. The experts at Foundation Communities are here to help Central Texans select the best plan and find increased savings on their monthly premiums. Our team of more than 100 Navigators are offering thousands of appointments during Open Enrollment, in- person and by phone. Community members are welcome to schedule an appointment or walk in to one of our two Prosper Centers during program hours:

    Prosper Center – North

    5900 AirportBlvd

    Austin, TX 78752

    Monday – Thursday, 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. Friday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Prosper Center – South 2900 S. I-35Frontage Road Austin, TX 78704

    Monday – Thursday, 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. Friday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Foundation Communities helps thousands of Central Texans enroll in health insurance each year and has helped more than 60,000 people enroll in affordable Marketplace health plans since the first Open Enrollment period.

    “At Foundation Communities, over 99% of those we assist in enrolling in Marketplace health plans receive financial aid to cover monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Every Marketplace plan guarantees comprehensive, high-quality health coverage,” says Erika Leos, Director of Prosper Programs. “Our expert Navigators are dedicated to making the process easier, guiding you to the plan that best fits your budget and healthcare needs.”

    Open Enrollment is the only time of year people can enroll in a health plan unless they have a qualifying life event such as moving, getting married, or having a baby. “We urge anyone looking for health insurance in 2025 to start with Foundation Communities.” Leos says. “We take the stress out of finding the best insurance plan, helping you secure affordable, comprehensive coverage so you can focus on staying healthy and enjoying the peace of mind that comes with it.”

    Foundation Communities encourages consumers to schedule an appointment online at ProsperHealthCoverage.org or by calling 512-381-4520 to meet with one of their trained and certified marketplace Navigators to update, select and sign-up for their 2025 health plan. Walk- Ins are also welcome at one of FC’s two Prosper Centers in Austin.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE TO DONALD TRUMP AND SPEAKER JOHNSON: “DEFEND DEMOCRACY BY HONORING ELECTION RESULTS”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25)

    (Rochester, N.Y.)—With Election Day approaching, Congressman Joe Morelle, Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee, is calling on Speaker Mike Johnson—who has repeatedly denied the results of the 2020 election and raised questions about accepting the 2024 results—to uphold his responsibility to democracy by committing to honor the results of Tuesday’s election. As threats to election integrity grow, Morelle underscores the vital importance of respecting voters’ decisions and safeguarding the democratic process.

    “At a time when Republicans have placed our electoral system under attack, it’s crucial that our leaders demonstrate an unwavering commitment to democracy,” saidCongressman Joe Morelle. “I urge Speaker Johnson to break with the former President and respect the will of the people by joining with me in defending our democratic values by standing behind the election results.”

    As a key voice on election integrity in Congress, Morelle remains dedicated to ensuring that the foundations of our democracy remain strong.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Original Cosponsor of Bills Introduced to Assist Disaster Relief Efforts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) is an original cosponsor of the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act and the Helene Recovery Support Act.

    The Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act will cut bureaucratic red tape and expedite the mobilization of disaster recovery resources to an area affected by a “major disaster” as declared by the President of the United States.

    The Helene Recovery Support Act will authorize the delivery of $15 billion to provide additional resources for disaster relief and help small businesses in their recovery efforts. Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:

    “Because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, many lives in Virginia’s Ninth District have been impacted. And I am proud to be an original cosponsor to both these critical measures to ensure the necessary resources are in place to assist persons and businesses afflicted by these natural disasters and to prepare our region and the country for future major disasters.”

    BACKGROUND

    On Friday, November 1, U.S. Congressman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Congressman Griffith introduced the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act, while Congressman Foxx, Congressman Griffith and U.S. Congressman Neal Dunn (R-FL) introduced the Helene Recovery Support Act.

    Bill text to the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act can be found here.

    Bill text to the Helene Recovery Support Act can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Aguilar Announces $600,000 for Mental Health and Substance Use Services in the Inland Empire

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

    Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced a $600,000 grant award for Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. to expand its mental health and substance use treatment services. The funding comes as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Behavioral Health Services Expansion (BHSE) Grant Awards. 

    “We need to improve access to health services that address addiction and improve the health and well-being of the Inland Empire,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “This grant will empower Inland Behavioral Health and Services, Inc. to expand treatment and support for urgent mental health and substance use needs, helping individuals find stability and opening doors to brighter futures and more job opportunities.”

    This funding comes as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda for the Nation. It includes a historic $240 million investment to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services in more than 400 community health centers nationwide that provide care for more than 10 million people. 

    The grant award will help Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. expand its mental health and substance abuse services by hiring certified substance use counselors and Peer Support Specialists and training providers to treat opioid use disorders. 

    Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. (IBHS) is a community-centered nonprofit and federally qualified healthcare provider that has served the Inland Empire since 1978. IBHS offers primary healthcare and social services, including physical health care, substance abuse treatment, mental health improvement, homeless services and prevention education.

    Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Palmer Leads Letter Demanding Answers from HHS Regarding Radical Gender-Identity Ideology

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra raising concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to embed radical gender-identity ideology into 13 federal grants serving vulnerable populations. The letter demands Secretary Becerra justify this policy change and provide a prompt response to ensure HHS remains focused on its mission to ensure public safety while also respecting and protecting religious freedom and the integrity of care for vulnerable populations. Rep. Palmer issued the following statement:

    “Under the guise of inclusivity, this administration is forcing radical ideological changes into programs that should focus on care, not politics,” said Rep. Palmer. “This new rule threatens to undermine the safety of vulnerable populations, including women escaping abuse and young children needing care, who must not be subjected to policies forcing them to share spaces with individuals of the opposite sex. Additionally, faith-based institutions and community organizations play a vital role in delivering services to those in need. The religious exemption does not clearly provide protections to ensure some groups are not forced to choose between violating their beliefs and losing critical funds.”

    Rep. Palmer continued, “Pushing their radical transgender policies, especially on children, will never be accepted by a broad range of faith-based and common-sense based organizations. Standing up against the Biden-Harris radical agenda will likely result in many very effective organizations being denied grants, including grants supporting medical care. These grants are meant to strengthen healthcare access, not mandate controversial procedures that many providers, and parents, oppose. Forcing healthcare providers to administer irreversible treatments under the banner of gender-affirming care undermines both medical ethics and patient safety.”

    “This is another example of the Biden-Harris administration putting their radical agenda over the well-being of our people. Their overreach into gender identity policies threatens to turn essential services into ideological battlegrounds, placing the most vulnerable Americans at risk,” concluded Rep. Palmer.

    The letter is co-signed by 20 members of Congress including Reps. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Ben Cline (VA-06), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Eric Crawford (AR-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Bob Good (VA-05), Michael Guest (MS-03), Harriet Hageman (WY-At Large), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Greg Lopez (CO-04), Richard McCormick (GA -06), Carol Miller (WV-01), Ralph Norman (SC-05), August Pfluger (TX-11), John Rose (TN-06), Chip Roy (TX-21), Glenn Thompson (PA-15), and Randy Weber (TX-14).

    Read the letter here.

    BACKGROUND

    HHS has expanded the definition of “sex” in federal grants, based on the Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court decision, to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Recent regulations impact 13 key federal grant programs serving vulnerable populations and funding medical care. The letter raises concerns about the policy’s reliance on Bostock v. Clayton County, which was limited to employment law, arguing its extension to HHS grants lacks legal authority and creates confusion by ignoring congressional intent. Requiring shelters to admit biological males identifying as women and forcing group homes to house children of opposite sexes in shared spaces could compromise safety and disrupt care for vulnerable populations.

    In May of this year, HHS finalized a regulation applying the Biden administration’s interpretation of Bostock (redefining the meaning of “sex”) to several grants that assist vulnerable populations and health care delivery. The final rule can be found here: Federal Register :: Health and Human Services Grants Regulation

    Last month, HHS added this same language to their universal grant guidance, as part of a push by the Biden-Harris administration to embed their radical policies across all federal grants. This change was finalized immediately through an interim final rule without public comment, which is a process usually used for emergency regulatory actions. Link to interim final rule: Federal Register :: Health and Human Services Adoption of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

    Some of the grants impacted by the new HHS rule support medical care, such as nursing workforce development and clinical training programs. These grants could require healthcare providers to implement gender-transition procedures, including hormone therapies and surgeries on minors, even in the 26 states that prohibit these procedures for children. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: The Achieving Society, and Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai

    Source: ACT Party

    The Haps

    The media and the usual suspects are breathless at David Seymour’s school lunch success. He’s halved the cost and delivered for more children, despite believing it’s the parents’ job in the first place. If Labour had done it the same way, they could have saved over $800 million. First they said he’d cancel it. Then they said he couldn’t do it. Now they say the savings are too great, and not enough businesses will make money from the scheme. Moaning Report managed to hang their coverage of the Government saving $170m off one Principal who didn’t like it.

    The Achieving Society, and Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai

    David McClelland was a psychologist who analysed children’s books to understand the values of different cultures. His work is summarised in Richard Prebble’s classic I’ve Been thinking.

    The basic conclusion is that societies who tell their children they can make a difference in their own lives, if they take responsibility and make an effort, will grow wealthy and peaceful. Those who tell their children that life is a bit like bad weather, something you’re powerless to change, have difficult times ahead.

    It worked. Writing in the 1950s, McClelland was able to forecast Japan’s economic miracle based on his study of their nursery rhymes. It was a big call for a war-torn country under foreign occupation.

    That basic story has become the kernel of the modern ACT Party. Own your future, change your future, real change, change makers, make a difference in your own life and the lives of those you care about… Individuals matter because they’re the only entity that can choose to act, and sometimes the most unlikely people have insights that will benefit us all.

    Why does the Party care about property rights? Because it’s hard to make a difference if everything you acquire gets nicked by criminals, or the IRD, or if you can’t use your property the way you want to because of red tape. It’s also why education matters, and you shouldn’t be discriminated against on any personal characteristic.

    What, then to make of Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai? Apparently the best picture book at the book awards for children this year, by McClelland’s standards it shows New Zealand is stuffed.

    The story has barely been covered in New Zealand, with two exceptions. A beautiful op-ed by Josie Pagani, that contrasts the book with Barack Obama’s liberalism, and a gushing interview with the author published by the parallel state-funded universe that is The Spinoff.

    The story is a stream of consciousness from a young boy. My name is Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai, you can call me Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai. And he’s off. The usual reason for saying ‘you can call me…’ is to offer an alternative. It’s a sign of friendship and a will to get on with one another. Instead Paku uses the phrase to insist right off the bat that you must use his 13 syllables.

    The book carries on in this vein, Paku believes that he was created at the same time as the universe and everyone was created at the same time. He doesn’t understand why there are rules or anyone is required to follow them, but he’s sure they shouldn’t apply to him.

    Then the author has him say “I will hit all the English people in the face because they stole the land”. And “My Dad is Māori like me. I feel sorry for my Mum. She’s only Pākehā.”

    The kind interpretation, that the author sells (and may genuinely believe) is that the book is designed to ‘stimulate conversations.’ The voice is simply the musings of a child, why be so hard on him?

    As Pagani says, ‘those sound like adult words.’ The author doesn’t challenge the tropes that she puts in the mouth of the young child. There’s no conclusion that racially motivated violence is actually a bad thing. There’s only reference to Nana, who says you shouldn’t hit people, but she is abandoned as a quaint figure.

    Parents (Paku is modelled on the author’s son) are apparently not to guide their children, they’re there to be their friends. Rather than passing on values of achievement, cooperation, respect for the dignity of others, Paku’s worst instincts (or is that the author’s prejudices?) are amplified.

    Besides winning the Picture Book award, this book was funded by Creative New Zealand. This is the same Creative New Zealand that funded Tusi’ata Avia’s poem that cast Captain Cook as an avatar for Europeans in New Zealand and celebrated stabbing him with a pig knife.

    Of course, the Government, and specifically Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith, is turning over appointments in these outfits and setting new expectations. Nonetheless this book, its taxpayer funding, and its national award show how deeply ingrained is New Zealand’s appetite for self-destruction.

    Only by recommitting ourselves to universal human rights—equal rights—for each and every person can we overcome such corrosive thinking. Thankfully, there is a whole political party committed to doing just that.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order Directing State Agency Surplus Goods to Western North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order Directing State Agency Surplus Goods to Western North Carolina

    Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order Directing State Agency Surplus Goods to Western North Carolina
    mseets

    Last week, Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order directing donations of state surplus goods to Western North Carolina to help counties impacted by Hurricane Helene.

    “Hurricane Helene caused immense damage to property owned by state and local governments, schools and nonprofits,” said Governor Cooper. “This Executive Order helps get them replacement property quickly and efficiently so they can continue with their missions.”

    State agencies, local governments, public school and nonprofits in western North Carolina have lost property due to the storm and many state agencies have surplus property that may be beneficial in aiding recovery. This Executive Order lessens regulations on donations of state surplus property both to governmental entities and to non-profits aiding in recovery to expedite the process and help Western North Carolina recover from this storm.

    The Secretaries of DOA and DIT are authorized to carry out these actions. All agencies, political subdivisions and public-school systems affected by Helene are encouraged to contact the State Surplus Property Agency to identify what inventory is available. This Executive Order is effective immediately and will remain in effect throughout the State of Emergency.

    The North Carolina Council of State unanimously concurred with this Executive Order.

    You can see the Concurrence Record here.

    Read the Executive Order here.

    ###

    Nov 4, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: WISDOMTREE MULTI ASSET ISSUER PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY (a public company incorporated with limited liability in Ireland) WISDOMTREE GOLD 3X DAILY SHORT SECURITIES ISIN: IE00B6X4BP29

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    4 November 2024

    LSE Code: 3GOS

    WISDOMTREE MULTI ASSET ISSUER PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    (a public company incorporated with limited liability in Ireland)
    WISDOMTREE GOLD 3X DAILY SHORT SECURITIES ISIN: IE00B6X4BP29

    RESULTS OF MEETING OF THE ETP SECURITYHOLDERS

    WisdomTree Multi Asset Issuer Public Limited Company (the “Issuer”) wishes to announce that the Extraordinary Resolution regarding the reduction in the principal amount of the WisdomTree Gold 3x Daily Short Securities (the “Affected Securities”) from USD 2 to USD 0.2, as set out in a notice to holders of the Affected Securities dated 18 September 2024, was passed at an adjourned meeting of the holders of the Affected Securities held at 11am on 4 November 2024.

    As a result, the Deed of Amendment has been duly executed by the Issuer, the Manager and the Trustee to put the proposed amendments to the Trust Deed into effect from 4 November 2024.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Coface SA: Disclosure of total number of voting rights and number of shares in the capital as at 31 October 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COFACE SA: Disclosure of total number of voting rights and number of shares in the capital as at 31 October 2024

    Paris, 4thNovember 2024 – 17.45

    Total Number of
    Shares Capital    		 Theoretical Number of Voting Rights1 Number of Real
    Voting Rights2
    150,179,792 150,179,792 149,420,056

    (1)   including own shares
    (2)   excluding own shares

    Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust. You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.
     

    About Coface

    COFACE SA is a société anonyme (joint-stock corporation), with a Board of Directors (Conseil d’Administration) incorporated under the laws of France, and is governed by the provisions of the French Commercial Code. The Company is registered with the Nanterre Trade and Companies Register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) under the number 432 413 599. The Company’s registered office is at 1 Place Costes et Bellonte, 92270 Bois Colombes, France.

    At the date of 31 October 2024, the Company’s share capital amounts to €300,359,584, divided into 150,179,792 shares, all of the same class, and all of which are fully paid up and subscribed.

    All regulated information is available on the company’s website (http://www.coface.com/Investors).

    Coface SA. is listed on Euronext Paris – Compartment A
    ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Announcement of the total number of voting rights as at 31 October 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Regulated information, Leuven, 4 November 2024 (17.40 hrs CET)

    In application of Article 15 of the Act of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of major shareholdings in issuers whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market, KBC Ancora publishes on its website and via a press release on a monthly basis the total capital, the movements in the total number of voting shares and the total number of voting rights, in so far as these particulars have changed during the preceding month.

    Situation as at 31 October 2024
    Total capital :         EUR 3,158,128,455.28
    Total number of voting shares :            77,011,844
    Number of shares with double voting rights :        39,855,415
    Total number of voting rights (= denominator) :        116,867,259

    The total number of voting rights (the ‘denominator’) serves as the basis for the disclosure of major shareholdings by shareholders.

    On the basis of this information, shareholders of KBC Ancora can verify whether they are above or below one of the thresholds of 3% (threshold set by the Articles of Association), 5%, 10%, and so on (in multiples of five) of the total voting rights, and whether there is therefore an obligation to notify the company that they have exceeded this threshold.

    ———————————

    KBC Ancora is a listed company which holds 18.6% of the shares in KBC Group and which together with Cera, MRBB and the Other Permanent Shareholders ensures the shareholder stability and further development of the KBC group. As core shareholders of KBC Group, they have to this end signed a shareholder agreement.

    Financial calendar:
    31 January 2025                        Interim financial report 2024/2025
    29 August 2025                        Annual press release for the financial year 2024/2025
    23 September 2025 (17.40 CEST)        Annual report 2024/2025 available

    This press release is available in Dutch, French and English on the website www.kbcancora.be.

    KBC Ancora Investor Relations & Press contact: Jan Bergmans
    tel.: +32 (0)16 27 96 72 – e-mail: jan.bergmans@kbcancora.be or mailbox@kbcancora.be

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bigstack Opportunities I Inc. Enters Into Non-Binding Letter of Intent for Qualifying Transaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    TORONTO, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bigstack Opportunities I Inc. (“Bigstack”) (TSXV: STAK.P) is pleased to announce it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent dated November 3, 2024 (the “Letter of Intent”) with Reeflex Coil Solutions Inc. (“Reeflex”), pursuant to which Bigstack and Reeflex intend to complete a business combination, which will constitute a reverse take-over of Bigstack (the “Business Combination”). In connection with the Business Combination, Reeflex intends to acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Coil Solutions Inc. (“Coil”) (the “Acquisition” and together with the Business Combination, the “Transaction”).

    Overview of Bigstack

    Bigstack is a “capital pool company” under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) and it is intended that the Transaction will constitute the “Qualifying Transaction” of Bigstack, as such term is defined in Exchange Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies. The common shares of Bigstack (the “Bigstack Shares”) are currently listed on the Exchange and Bigstack is a reporting issuer in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Bigstack was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on November 25, 2020.

    Overview of Reeflex

    Reeflex is a privately-held corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) on June 14, 2024. Reeflex currently has no business operations or assets other than cash. Reeflex prioritizes developing partnerships between management and capital with the intention to create compelling value creation opportunities in the resource industry.

    Overview of Coil

    Coil is a privately-held corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). Coil is an industry leader and innovator in coil tubing solutions and downhole tools, including stimulation technology, and offers custom solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients in both local and international markets.

    The Transaction

    There are no relationships between any non-arm’s length party of Bigstack, Reeflex and Coil or its assets and the Transaction will be an arm’s length transaction.

    Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Letter of Intent, Bigstack and Reeflex intend to negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) that is expected to supersede the Letter of Intent. Trading in the Bigstack Shares has been halted and is not expected to resume until the Transaction is completed or until the Exchange receives the requisite documentation to resume trading.

    A more comprehensive news release will be issued by Bigstack in due course disclosing details of the Transaction, including financial information respecting Reeflex and Coil, the names and backgrounds of all persons who will constitute insiders of Bigstack upon completion of the Transaction, the issued and outstanding securities of each of Bigstack and Reeflex, the terms of the exchange of securities of Bigstack and Reeflex, the applicable security exchange ratios, the details of any concurrent financing by the parties (as applicable), the details of any meeting of the shareholders of Bigstack required to approve the Transaction and matters related thereto (as applicable) and information respecting sponsorship.

    Forward Looking Information

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” (“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this press release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

    More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Transaction (including the structure, terms and timing thereof), the Definitive Agreement, the issuance of additional news releases describing the Transaction, the trading of the Bigstack Shares on the Exchange and the holding of shareholder meetings in connection with the Transaction. Although Bigstack believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. There can be no certainty that the Transaction will be completed on the terms set out in the Letter of Intent or at all. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Bigstack disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

    Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, execution of a binding definitive agreement relating to the Business Combination, execution of a binding definitive agreement relating to the Acquisition, Exchange acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

    Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

    The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

    Bigstack Opportunities I Inc.

    For further information, please contact Eric Szustak, the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and a director of Bigstack.

    Eric Szustak
    President, CEO, CFO, Corporate Secretary and Director
    Email: eszustak@jbrlimited.com 
    Telephone: (905) 330-7948

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

    The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. 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 the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey Subsidiary WISeSat.Space Prepares for a January 2025 Launch of Next-Generation Satellite, Supporting European Satellite Independence and IoT Connectivity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey Subsidiary WISeSat.Space Prepares for a January 2025 Launch of Next-Generation Satellite, Supporting European Satellite Independence and IoT Connectivity

    Launch Timed with WISeKey’s Davos Roundtable on Space Technology

    Geneva, Switzerland – November 4, 2024: WISeKey International Holding Ltd. (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and Internet of Things (IoT) innovations operating as a holding company, today announces that its subsidiary, WISeSat.Space, is preparing for the mid-January 2025 launch of its next-generation satellite. This satellite, initially planned for Q4 2024, will now launch just days ahead of WISeKey’s January 22, 2025 event in Davos, which includes a roundtable focused on advancements in space technology.
    For more information about the Davos annual event visit: https://www.wisekey.com/davos25/howspacewillbethenextinternet/.

    This launch represents a significant development in WISeSat.Space’s mission to provide secure IoT connectivity, advance climate change monitoring capabilities, and support European satellite independence with cutting-edge technology.

    WISeSat.Space’s new generation of low-orbit satellites leverages compact picosatellites equipped with SEALSQ Corp. (“SEALSQ”) (NASDAQ: LAES) semiconductor technology and WISeKey’s renowned cryptographic keys. These integrated solutions enhance the security, performance, and resilience of satellite-based IoT systems, and support a diverse range of applications including environmental monitoring, disaster management, smart agriculture, and industrial IoT solutions. The satellites are specifically designed to support low-power sensors, enabling data collection in remote and off-grid areas. WISeSat.Space’s picosatellites, which are smaller and more cost-effective than traditional satellites, make global IoT connectivity feasible by reducing launch costs and optimizing data transmission. The satellite technology incorporates Quantum-Resistant cryptographic keys, and offers future-proof security against potential quantum computing threats, a step critical to the long-term security of global IoT ecosystems.

    An essential component of WISeSat.Space’s strategy is the creation of a European-based, neutral satellite constellation. By anchoring operations in Europe, WISeSat.Space is able to ensure data sovereignty and reduce reliance on non-European providers for critical IoT and environmental data. This independence not only strengthens data security but also allows for robust, unencumbered international cooperation. A neutral European constellation addresses global trust concerns, positioning Europe as a leader in secure and autonomous satellite technology. This approach further aligns with EU objectives for strategic autonomy and technological resilience, fostering economic growth and high-tech job creation within the region.

    The advanced satellite set for January 2025 launch includes key enhancements to bolster connectivity for diverse IoT applications. The satellites’ upgraded semiconductor technology, developed by SEALSQ, optimizes both processing and communication capabilities. This facilitates faster data relay and enhanced responsiveness, crucial for applications in real-time environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and smart agriculture. For climate change monitoring, the WISeSat constellation allows for the real-time tracking of environmental variables, enabling early detection and response to extreme weather events. The satellites contribute to disaster management through early warning systems, aiding vulnerable communities and ecosystems by providing timely, high-quality data. These capabilities not only support critical disaster preparedness but also allow policymakers to make informed decisions about climate resilience and adaptation.

    WISeSat.Space’s picosatellites employ a unique design focused on compactness and cost-effectiveness. Through the combination of low-orbit satellite networks and low-power, long-range sensors, WISeSat.Space provides a reliable network with low latency and high data accuracy—ideal for continuous tracking and monitoring across large, remote areas. These picosatellites are designed to operate with minimal power consumption, which is crucial for sustainable, long-term deployment in remote locations. Each satellite is embedded with WISeKey’s advanced cybersecurity protocols, ensuring that data is encrypted and secure from unauthorized access throughout its journey from sensor to end-user.

    The launch’s timing aligns with WISeKey’s annual event in Davos, where industry leaders, policymakers, and technologists will convene for a roundtable on space technology and its applications in IoT and climate monitoring. This roundtable will provide a platform to discuss how space-based systems can address global challenges and explore the role of satellite technology in building a sustainable and secure digital future. With the upcoming launch of this next-generation satellite, WISeSat.Space reaffirms its commitment to pioneering secure, scalable IoT solutions and advancing European autonomy in space technology. WISeKey looks forward to this critical addition to its constellation as it leverages space to enhance secure connectivity, climate resilience, and technological independence for the global community.

    About WISeSat.Space

    WISeSat AG is pioneering a transformative approach to IoT connectivity and climate change monitoring through its innovative satellite constellation. By providing cost-effective, secure, and global IoT connectivity, WISeSat is enabling a wide range of applications that support environmental monitoring, disaster management, and sustainable practices. The integration of satellite data with advanced climate models holds great promise for enhancing our understanding of climate change and developing effective strategies to combat its impacts. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, initiatives like WISeSat’s IoT satellite constellation are essential for creating a more resilient and sustainable future.

    About WISeKEY:

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, and (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people.
    For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611 / lcati@equityny.com
    Katie Murphy
    Tel: +1 212 836-9612 / kmurphy@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Rubis: Transactions carried out within the framework of the share buyback programme (excluding transactions within the liquidity agreement) – 28 October to 1st November 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, 4 November 2024, 06:00pm

    Issuer Name: Rubis (LEI: 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742)
    Category of securities: Ordinary shares (ISIN: FR0013269123)
    Period: From 28 October to 1st November 2024

    In accordance with the authorisation granted by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on 11 June 2024 to implement a share buyback programme, the Company operated, between 28 October and 1st November 2024, the purchases of its own shares in view of their cancelation presented below.

    Aggregate presentation per day and per market

    Name of issuer Identification code of issuer (Legal Entity Identifier) Day of transaction Identification code of financial instrument Aggregated daily volume (in number of shares) Daily weighted average price of the purchased shares* Market
    (MIC Code)
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 28/10/2024 FR0013269123 3,000 24.9000 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 28/10/2024 FR0013269123 21,600 25.0319 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 28/10/2024 FR0013269123 3,000 24.9600 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 28/10/2024 FR0013269123 9,614 25.0480 XPAR
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 29/10/2024 FR0013269123 2,900 24.9000 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 29/10/2024 FR0013269123 21,000 24.9686 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 29/10/2024 FR0013269123 3,300 24.8400 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 29/10/2024 FR0013269123 30,000 24.9427 XPAR
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 30/10/2024 FR0013269123 486 24.8824 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 30/10/2024 FR0013269123 19,783 24.8944 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 30/10/2024 FR0013269123 4,265 24.9232 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 30/10/2024 FR0013269123 11,039 24.9077 XPAR
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 31/10/2024 FR0013269123 2,668 23.8258 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 31/10/2024 FR0013269123 20,606 23.6341 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 31/10/2024 FR0013269123 3,396 23.1625 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 31/10/2024 FR0013269123 35,947 23.0416 XPAR
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 01/11/2024 FR0013269123 224 22.4577 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 01/11/2024 FR0013269123 284 22.4200 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 01/11/2024 FR0013269123 8,351 22.3955 XPAR
    * Four-digit rounding after the decimal TOTAL 201,463 24.3203  

    Detailed presentation per transaction

    Detailed information on the transactions carried out from 28 October to 1st November 2024 is available on the Company’s website (www.rubis.fr) in the section “Investors – Regulated information – Share buyback programme”.

      Contact
      RUBIS – Legal Department
      Tel. : + 33 (0)1 44 17 95 95

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Revenue as of September 30, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • €742.8 million in revenue over 9 months, down 3.5%, reflecting the group’s strategic orientations
      • Implementation of a strategy to prioritize margins over revenue growth
      • Continuing diversification into activities related to the energy transition, with strong growth of +28%
      • Accelerating growth in Germany, the group’s future third pillar, at +28%.
    • Third quarter: €225.4 million in revenue, down 10.1%, reflecting the continuation of 2nd quarter trends
      • Impact of selectivity measures implemented in Q2 in French and Spanish telecom sectors in France and Spain .
      • Temporarily reduced fiber activity in Belgium as negotiations continue between telco service providers looking to pool their investments
      • Sustained strong growth in Germany: +33%.
      • Strong growth in Energy activity, despite unfavorable seasonal effects in Q3: +26 %
    • 2024 full-year outlook confirmed   
      9 months Q3
    In millions of euros (unaudited data) 2024 2023 % change 2024 2023 % change
    Group 742.8 769.7         -3.5% 225.4 250.7         -10.1%
    Benelux 278.9 269.6         3.5% 82.1 89.6         -8.3%
    France 270.2 297.8         -9.3% 81.7 98.4         -16.9%
    Other Countries 193.8 202.4         -4.3% 61.6 62.7         -1.8%

    Gianbeppi Fortis, Chief Executive Officer of Solutions30, stated: “The evolution of Solutions30’s revenue since the beginning of the year reflects the strategic orientations we shared at our Capital Markets Day last September. We are prioritizing margins over revenue growth, with an increased selectivity in our mature markets. At the same time, we are continuing our expansion in Germany, which is set to become a profitable growth pillar for Solutions30, as well as our diversification into energy transition-related services, buoyed by favorable structural trends. The decrease in revenue in the third quarter was a continuation of trends seen in the second quarter, with the deepening impact of measures to reduce our exposure to certain insufficiently profitable contracts in France and Spain and a temporary slowdown in the fiber business in Belgium. In the current contrasted market environment, we are confident that our strategic choices are fully relevant.”

    Consolidated revenue

    In the first nine months of 2024, Solutions30’s consolidated revenue amounted to €742.8 million, down 3.5% from €769.7 million in the same period of 2023. This includes an organic contraction of -4.2%, a +0.3% impact from acquisitions, and a +0.4% favorable currency effect.

    This decrease reflects the group’s strategic orientations, as presented at the Capital Markets Day held on September 26, 2024. Namely, the prioritization of margins over revenue growth with the measures taken in Q2 to reduce exposure to certain telecoms contracts, notably in France and Spain, which no longer met the Group’s profitability requirements. Solutions30’s growth drivers, however, maintained strong momentum: Germany, which is proving to be its best-performing market in terms of growth, and energy-related services, which continue to develop successfully, confirming the relevance of the strategic diversification undertaken.

    Third-quarter consolidated revenue totaled €225.4 million, compared with €250.7 million in Q3 2023, representing a decline of -10.1% (-10.5% organically). This sharper decline than in Q2 (-4.5%) mainly reflects (i) the deepening impact of selectivity measures implemented in Q2 in the telecoms sector in France and Spain, and (ii) ongoing negotiations between Belgian telecom service providers, begun in Q2, with a view to pooling their fiber deployment investments.

    Benelux

    Revenue in Benelux for the first nine months of the year totaled €278.9 million, representing 38% of total revenue, up 3.5% (+3.4% organic growth). Following a year of exceptional growth (+77.2% in the first nine months of 2023), which set a particularly high comparison basis, business in the Benelux countries remains slowed down by ongoing negotiations between Belgian telecoms service providers to streamline the rollout of fiber nationwide. Although the Belgian market’s potential remains high, these negotiations are causing delays for Solutions30’s business. In Q4, these effects will be amplified due to the merger of two of the Group’s customers, Proximus and Fiberklaar, impacting the pace of the connection market.

    In the third quarter of 2024, Benelux revenue totaled €82.1 million, down 8.3% (-8.6% organic). Connectivity activity posted revenue of €61.3 million, down -15.3%. This decline reflects the full impact of delays in fiber roll-out in Belgium from the 2nd quarter onwards, due to the above-mentioned negotiations, as well as, to a lower extent, the impact of the Belgian communal and provincial elections, which was limited by efficient planning.

    The development of Energy activity continues, with growth accelerating to +23% in the third quarter of 2024 and revenue reaching €15.8 million. In September 2024, Solutions30 announced its acquisition of Xperal, a Netherlands-based photovoltaic project specialist (see press release dated September 23, 2024). This acquisition significantly enhances the group’s offering in the sector, providing an integrated range of energy services in the Benelux countries that cover smart meters, electric vehicle charging stations, low-voltage electricity grids, photovoltaic installation, and energy storage solutions. The acquisition of Xperal is fully in line with the Group’s strategy to become a leading energy services player in all the regions where it operates.

    Technology activity posted revenue of €5.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, up +16.1%.         

    France

    In France, revenue for the first nine months of the year was €270.2 million, or 36% of total revenue, down
    -9.3%. This change includes an organic contraction of -9.9% and a +0.6% positive impact from the acquisition of Elec-ENR, consolidated since July 2023.

    In the third quarter of 2024, revenue amounted to €81.7 million, a purely organic decline of -16.9%, driven by the sharp -35.3% decrease in Connectivity revenue to €45.8 million. This reflects the deepening impact of the selective measures implemented in the 2nd quarter, which led the Group to significantly reduce its exposure to certain contracts that no longer met its profitability standards. It also reflects a slowdown in the fiber roll-out market, which is set to continue in the quarters ahead.

    Revenue from Energy activity continued to grow strongly, rising by +42.5% in the third quarter to €18,6 million. Solutions30 continues to successfully diversify in this sector, which is buoyed by favorable structural trends, and is gradually establishing itself as a leading player. Growth, however, was less strong than in the second quarter (+56%), due to the seasonal nature of these services, which usually experience lower activity during the summer period, before tending to rebound in the fourth quarter.

    Technology activity’s revenue was €17.3 million, rising sharply by +19.8% and reflecting a temporary increase in business linked to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Drawing on its expertise in these fields, Solutions30 was on call at all Olympic sites to provide technical assistance for IT and payment systems.

    Other countries

    In other countries, the Group generated €193.8 million in revenue over the first nine months of the year, or 26% of total revenue, down -4.3%. This includes an organic decline of -5.8% and a positive currency effect of +1.5%, reflecting the appreciation of the zloty and the pound sterling against the euro during this period. In the third quarter of 2024, revenue was €61.6 million, down -1.8% (-3.0% organic) but with highly contrasting situations from one country to another.

    In Germany, Solutions30 is benefiting from exceptional market momentum, with revenue increasing +33.2% in the third quarter of 2024 to €21.8 million. Coaxial network activity remains strong, while fiber activities continue to ramp up. Solutions30 is now firmly established as a trusted partner for the six national telecom service providers.

    In Poland, growth remained solid at +24.2%, with revenue reaching €14.5 million in the third quarter.

    In Italy, revenue amounted to €12.8 million in the third quarter. Normal activity has resumed with more favorable economic conditions, after the Group voluntarily limited its call-outs with its main fiber customer from the second half of 2023. Solutions30 returned to slight growth of +0.8% in the third quarter, and will benefit from a favorable base effect in the fourth quarter.

    In Spain, revenue fell by -43.5% to €7.3 million, reflecting the full impact of measures taken in the second quarter to reduce the Group’s exposure to the mature fiber market. The Connectivity business is currently being restructured, while the Group refocuses its development on Energy and Technology. In the third quarter, it won a strategic contract with Atlante to install an initial set of 50 electric vehicle charging stations (see press release from September 30, 2024).

    Lastly, in the United Kingdom, revenue fell by -42.5% to €5.2 million, reflecting the continued refocusing of Connectivity activities on the fiber market. Solutions30 is also focusing on developing its Energy business, as demonstrated by the multi-year contract signed with Connected Kerb to develop its electric vehicle charging infrastructure network (see press release from September 24, 2024).

    2024 full-year outlook confirmed

    For the full year 2024, Solutions30 expects slightly lower revenue compared to 2023, along with improvement in the Group’s adjusted EBITDA margin, leading to an overall increase in adjusted EBITDA.

    2026 Roadmap

    At the Capital Markets Day held on September 26, 2024, Solutions30 shared its 2026 roadmap, with concrete action plans and objectives tailored to each of its markets.

    In the Benelux, the group is confident it will be able to capitalize on its leading market position and return to a profitable growth trajectory as early as 2025, whatever the outcome of the current negotiations with service providers. It is targeting an adjusted EBITDA margin above 10% by 2026.

    In France, Energy activity revenue is set to triple compared with 2023, reaching €150 million by 2026. In Connectivity activity, the Group is working to stabilize its business while applying strict contract selectivity. It is also positioning itself to seize future opportunities such as the forthcoming dismantling of the copper network. Adjusted EBITDA margin, benefiting from the global transformation plan launched in 2022, should exceed 10% by 2026.

    In Germany, Solutions30 is aiming for a first milestone in 2026, with revenue of between €150 and €200 million, and an adjusted EBITDA margin well above 10%. The country should then continue to grow faster than the rest of the Group, becoming one of its biggest contributors.

    In the rest of Europe, Solutions30 has adopted a differentiated approach, with the aim of maintaining profitable growth in Poland, continuing to improve performance in the United Kingdom, and restoring margins in Italy and Spain by 2026, or else envisaging strategic actions for its activities in these two countries.

    Webcast for investors and analysts
    Date: Monday, November 4, 2024
    6:30 PM (CET) – 5:30 PM (GMT)

    Speakers
    Gianbeppi Fortis, Chief Executive Officer
    Jonathan Crauwels, Chief Financial Officer
    Amaury Boilot, Group General Secretary

    Connection details
    Webcast in English: https://channel.royalcast.com/solutions30-en/#!/solutions30-en/20241104_1

    Upcoming events

    Gilbert Dupont Forum Valeurs Familiales  (Paris) – November 5, 2024

    CIC Forum (Virtual Day)  – November 21, 2024

    2024 Q4 Revenue  – January 29, 2025

    About Solutions30 SE

    Solutions30 provides consumers and businesses with access to the key technological advancements that are shaping our everyday lives, especially those driving the digital transformation and energy transition. With its network of more than 16,000 technicians, Solutions30 has completed over 65 million call-outs since its inception and led over 500 renewable energy projects with a combined maximum output surpassing 1600 MWp. Every day, Solutions30 is doing its part to build a more connected and sustainable world. Solutions30 has become an industry leader in Europe with operations in 10 countries: France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
    The capital of Solutions30 SE consists of 107,127,984 shares, equal to the number of theoretical votes that can be exercised. Solutions30 SE is listed on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN FR0013379484- code S30).
    Indices: CAC Mid & Small | CAC Small | CAC Technology | Euro Stoxx Total Market Technology | Euronext Tech Growth.
    Visit our website for more information: www.solutions30.com.

    Contact

    Individual Shareholders:
    shareholders@solutions30.com – Tel: +33 (0)1 86 86 00 63

    Analysts/investors:
    investor.relations@solutions30.com

    Press – Image 7:
    Charlotte Le Barbier – Tel: +33 6 78 37 27 60 – clebarbier@image7.fr

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gaia Partners with EigenLayer to Bring Powerful AVS Security to Decentralized AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    By integrating Gaia’s AI Agent deployment framework with EigenLayer’s AVS security, developers can now build more secure, robust, incentive-aligned AI systems.

    NEW YORK, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gaia, a decentralized, open-source AI infrastructure platform, is partnering with EigenLayer to integrate Gaia’s AI services with EigenLayer’s Active Validator Services (AVS) framework. This collaboration will enhance AI inferencing, enable multitoken staking, and deliver advanced security for decentralized AI applications.

    Gaia’s AI agents will integrate with EigenLayer’s AVS validators to monitor and provide security for nodes on the Gaia network. This system will ensure the accuracy of AI model updates, proper execution of AI tasks, and consistent node performance and uptime. Additionally, the partnership with EigenLayer will verify that AI Agents deployed on the Gaia network are behaving in a way that encourages positive actions across the network. By leveraging EigenLayer’s security infrastructure, Gaia can ensure that its AI tasks and models are safeguarded within a decentralized and secure environment.

    “At Gaia, we see AI’s future rooted in decentralization, security, and shared innovation,” said Matt Wright, CEO of Gaia. “Our collaboration with EigenLayer strengthens this vision by combining Gaia’s decentralized AI infrastructure with EigenLayer’s advanced security model. Together, we’re enabling developers to build intelligent, secure, and scalable applications that prioritize both transparency and community engagement within a trusted ecosystem.”

    The partnership will also allow for integrations between Gaia’s AI framework and EigenDA, a decentralized data availability network. This integration will enable shared datasets to be used for AI inference, improving both speed and accuracy. EigenLayer has already implemented a Gaia integration to filter user-submitted ideas on the EigenDA feedback board, demonstrating the practical impact of this collaboration.

    Gaia and EigenLayer will offer tools and SDKs to facilitate the deployment of AI-powered decentralized applications. These resources will allow developers to quickly and easily deploy AI dApps using both Gaia and EigenLayer, benefiting from streamlined, one-click deployment and security via EigenLayer’s AVS.

    By integrating with EigenLayer, Gaia aims to allow developers to build more secure and scalable AI-driven applications.

    To stay up-to-date on developments and opportunities through Gaia, follow Gaia on Twitter @Gaianet_AI and visit the website: www.Gaianet.ai.

    About Gaia
    Gaia is a pioneering decentralized AI platform dedicated to transforming knowledge into a dynamic, secure, and collaborative ecosystem. By addressing the issues introduced by centralized AI solutions, such as censorship, bias, and IP infringement, Gaia offers a knowledge-sharing ecosystem and foundation for new applications that protects information and rewards knowledge sharers. With a commitment to privacy, adaptability, and collaboration, Gaia is redefining the future of AI, making knowledge a vibrant, protected, and accessible resource for all.

    Website: www.Gaianet.ai
    Github: https://github.com/Gaia-AI
    Twitter: @Gaianet_AI

    About EigenLayer

    EigenLayer is a decentralized re-staking protocol that enhances the security and scalability of blockchain ecosystems by allowing Ethereum validators to extend their security guarantees to additional networks and services. By leveraging the existing Ethereum staking infrastructure, EigenLayer enables developers and decentralized applications to benefit from Ethereum’s robust security without the need to establish separate validator networks.

    Website: eigenlayer.xyz
    Twitter: @eigenlayer

    Contact:

    Gaia
    Ali Adkins
    Email: hello@gaianet.ai

    EigenLayer
    Nader
    nader@eigenlayer.xyz

    MEDIA CONTACT:
    Melrose PR
    gaia@melrosepr.com
    (310) 260-7901

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Gaia. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64c8ffe8-fb65-402d-bb30-0b7dde2b31fb

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Security Bancorp, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MCMINNVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Security Bancorp, Inc. (“Company”) (OTCBB: “SCYT”), the holding company for Security Federal Savings Bank of McMinnville, Tennessee (“Bank”), today announced its consolidated earnings for the third quarter of its fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

    Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $1.0 million, or $2.77 per share, compared to $859,000, or $2.30 per share, for the same quarter last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s net income was $2.9 million or $7.84 per share, compared to $2.4 million, or $6.52 per share, for the same period in 2023.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net interest income increased $359,000, or 14.3%, to $2.9 million from $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net interest income increased $838,000, or 11.4%, to $8.2 million from $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily the result of increases in loan balances and interest income on loans that was partially offset by a smaller increase in interest expense. Net interest income after provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $2.8 million, an increase of $357,000, or 14.6%, from $2.5 million for the same period in the previous year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net interest income after provision for loan losses increased $857,000, or 12.0%, to $8.0 million from $7.2 million for the same period in 2023. The primary reason for the increase during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was an increase in net interest income.

    Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased to $635,000 compared to $410,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased to $1.6 million compared to $1.2 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase in non-interest income was primarily attributed to incentive income related to the Bank’s card processing contracts.

    Non-interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $2.0 million, an increase of $341,000, or 20.0%, from $1.7 million for the same period of the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest expense was $5.6 million, an increase of $501,000, or 9.8%, compared to the same period in 2023. The increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in consulting fee expense related to renegotiation of the Bank’s data processing contracts.

    The Company’s consolidated assets were $346.6 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $324.4 million at December 31, 2023. The $22.1 million, or 6.8%, increase in assets was a result of an increase loans receivable, net.   Loans receivable, net, increased $26.8 million, or 11.4%, to $262.2 million at September 30, 2024 from $235.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in loans receivable was primarily attributable to an increase in residential mortgage and commercial real estate loans.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024 the provision for loan losses was $65,000 compared to $63,000 for the same period in 2023. The provision for loan losses was $164,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $183,000 in the comparable period in 2023, a decrease of $19,000.

    Non-performing assets decreased $359,000, or 98.9%, to $4,000 at September 30, 2024 from $363,000 at December 31, 2023. The decrease is attributable to a decline in non-performing loans and the sale of $139,000 of real estate owned. Based on its analysis of delinquent loans, non-performing loans and classified loans, management believes that the Company’s allowance for loan losses of $2.6 million at September 30, 2024 was adequate to absorb known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. At September 30, 2024, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets was 63,750.0% compared to 664.19% at December 31, 2023.

    Investment and mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale at September 30, 2024 increased $1.3 million, or 2.8%, to $47.1 million from $45.8 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was due to purchases of investment securities that was partially offset by maturities of investment securities and paydowns. There were no investment and mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

    Deposits increased $15.1 million, or 5.2%, to $304.9 million at September 30, 2024 from $289.8 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in certificates of deposit.  

    Stockholders’ equity increased $3.7 million or 11.7% to $34.8 million, or 10.05% of total assets at September 30, 2024 compared to $31.2 million, or 9.6%, of total assets, at December 31, 2023.

    Safe-Harbor Statement

    Certain matters in this News Release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may relate to, among others, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates and projections of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations, and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, the general business environment, interest rates, competitive conditions, regulatory changes, and other risks.

    Contact: Michael D. Griffith
      President & Chief Executive Officer
      (931) 473-4483
    SECURITY BANCORP, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    (unaudited) (dollars in thousands)
    OPERATING DATA Three months ended
    Sept 30,    		 Nine months ended
    Sept 30,
      2023 2024 2023 2024
    Interest income $4,023 $5,085 $11,326 $14,459
    Interest expense 1,509 2,212 3,978 6,273
    Net interest income 2,514 2,873 7,348 8,186
    Provision for loan losses 63 65 183 164
    Net interest income after provision for loan losses 2,451 2,808 7,165 8,022
    Non-interest income 410 635 1,233 1,555
    Non-interest expense 1,705 2,046 5,110 5,611
    Income before income tax expense 1,156 1,397 3,288 3,966
    Income tax expense 297 359 850 1,027
    Net income $859 $1,038 $2,438 $2,939
    Net Income per share (basic) $2.30 $2.77 $6.52 $7.84
             
    FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA At Sept 30, 2024 At December 31, 2023
    Total assets $346,585 $324,440
    Investments and mortgage- backed securities – available for sale 47,125 45,837
    Loans receivable, net 262,195 235,411
    Deposits 304,897 289,810
    Federal Funds Sold 3,000 -0-
    Federal Home Loan Bank Advances -0- -0-
    Stockholders’ equity 34,829 31,179
    Non-performing assets 4 363
    Non-performing assets to total assets 0.001% 0.11%
    Allowance for loan losses 2,550 2,411
    Allowance for loan losses to total loans receivable 0.96% 1.01%
    Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets 63,750.0 664.19

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CORRECTION: Alpine Banks of Colorado announces financial results for third quarter 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alpine Banks of Colorado (OTCQX: ALPIB) (“Alpine” or the “Company”), the holding company for Alpine Bank (the “Bank”), today announced results (unaudited) for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The Company reported net income of $13.6 million, or $127.16 per basic Class A common share and $0.85 per basic Class B common share, for third quarter 2024.

    Highlights in third quarter 2024 include:

    • Basic earnings per Class A common share increased 16.8%, or $18.28, during third quarter 2024.
    • Basic earnings per Class A common share increased 16.8%, or $18.30, compared to third quarter 2023.
    • Basic earnings per Class B common share increased 16.8%, or $0.12, during third quarter 2024.
    • Basic earnings per Class B common share increased 16.8%, or $0.12, compared to third quarter 2023.
    • Net interest margin for third quarter 2024 was 2.98%, compared to 2.87% in second quarter 2024, and 2.87% in third quarter 2023.

    “Third quarter 2024 results show a continuation of our improving financial performance,” said Glen Jammaron, Alpine Banks of Colorado President and Vice Chairman. “Alpine successfully grew customer deposit balances, paid down brokered CDs and decreased the cost of our funding during the third quarter. Both our net interest margin and return on assets saw improvements over the first and second quarters of 2024.”

    Net Income

    Net income for third quarter 2024 and second quarter 2024 was $13.6 million and $11.7 million, respectively. Interest income increased $1.9 million in third quarter 2024 compared to second quarter 2024, primarily due to increases in yields on the loan portfolio and increased balances in due from banks. These increases were slightly offset by decreased yields and volumes in the securities portfolio and decreased rates on due from banks, along with decreased volume in the loan portfolio. Interest expense increased $0.3 million in third quarter 2024 compared to second quarter 2024, primarily due to increased balances in deposit accounts. This increase was partially offset by decreases in costs on, and volume of, the Company’s trust preferred securities. Noninterest income increased $1.3 million in third quarter 2024 compared to second quarter 2024, primarily due to increases in service charges on deposit accounts, and other income. Noninterest expense decreased $0.8 million in third quarter 2024 compared to second quarter 2024, due to decreases in other expenses and salary and employee benefit expenses slightly offset by increases in occupancy expenses and furniture and fixture expenses. A provision for loan losses of $1.2 million was recorded in third quarter 2024 compared to a $0.2 million provision recorded in second quarter 2024.

    Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, was $35.9 million and $46.0 million, respectively. Interest income increased $18.5 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to increases in volume in the loan portfolio and balances due from banks, along with increases in yields on the loan portfolio, the securities portfolio, and balances due from banks. These increases were slightly offset by a decrease in volume in the securities portfolio. Interest expense increased $31.8 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to increases in costs on the Company’s trust preferred securities, other borrowings, and cost of deposits, along with increases in volume in deposit balances. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the volume of other borrowings. Noninterest income increased $3.3 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to increases in earnings on bank-owned life insurance, service charges on deposit accounts and other income. Noninterest expense increased $3.0 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, due to increases in salary and employee benefit expenses and occupancy expenses. These increases were partially offset by decreases in furniture and fixture expenses and other expenses. Provision for loan losses decreased $0.3 million in the first nine months of 2024 due to loan portfolio declines and a small volume of loan charge-offs, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    Net interest margin increased from 2.87% in second quarter 2024 to 2.98% in third quarter 2024. Net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, was 2.89% and 3.17%, respectively.

    Assets

    Total assets increased $107.0 million, or 1.7%, to $6.58 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2024, primarily due to increased cash and due from banks and investment securities balances, partially offset by decreased loans receivable. Total assets increased $110.6 million, or 1.7%, from September 30, 2023, to September 30, 2024. The Alpine Bank Wealth Management* division had assets under management of $1.34 billion on September 30, 2024, compared to $1.09 billion on September 30, 2023, an increase of 23.3%.

    Loans

    Loans outstanding as of September 30, 2024, totaled $4.0 billion. The loan portfolio decreased $36.3 million, or 0.9%, during third quarter 2024 compared to June 30, 2024. This decrease was driven by a $22.9 million decrease in real estate construction loans and a $33.7 million decrease in residential real estate loans, partially offset by a $13.7 million increase in commercial and industrial loans, a $5.0 million increase in commercial real estate loans, a $1.6 million increase in consumer loans, and a $0.1 million increase in other loans.

    Loans outstanding as of September 30, 2024, reflected a decrease of $5.0 million, or 0.1%, compared to loans outstanding of $4.0 billion on September 30, 2023. This decrease was driven by a $102.8 million decrease in real estate construction loans, partially offset by a $54.9 million increase in commercial real estate loans, a $20.8 million increase in residential real estate loans, a $20.0 million increase in commercial and industrial loans, a $1.8 million increase in consumer loans and a $0.3 million increase in other loans.

    Deposits

    Total deposits increased $74.1 million, or 1.3%, to $5.9 billion during third quarter 2024 compared to June 30, 2024, primarily due to a $110.1 million increase in demand deposits and a $49.5 million increase in money market accounts. This increase was partially offset by a $36.4 million decrease in certificate of deposit accounts, a $3.8 million decrease in savings accounts, and a $45.4 million decrease in interest-bearing checking accounts. Brokered certificates of deposit totaled $330.7 million on September 30, 2024, compared to $390.5 million on June 30, 2024. Noninterest-bearing demand accounts comprised 30.7% of all deposits on September 30, 2024, compared to 29.3% on June 30, 2024.

    Total deposits of $5.9 billion on September 30, 2024, reflected an increase of $38.5 million, or 0.7%, compared to total deposits of $5.8 billion on September 30, 2023. This increase was due to a $248.2 million increase in money market accounts, partially offset by a $41.6 million decrease in certificate of deposit accounts, a $111.6 million decrease in interest-bearing checking accounts, a $27.0 million decrease in demand deposits and a $29.5 million decrease in savings accounts. Brokered certificates of deposit totaled $330.7 million on September 30, 2024, compared to $563.7 million on September 30, 2023. Noninterest-bearing demand accounts comprised 30.7% of all deposits on September 30, 2024, compared to 31.4% on September 30, 2023.

    Capital

    The Bank continues to be designated as a “well capitalized” institution as its capital ratios exceed the minimum requirements for this designation. As of September 30, 2024, the Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 9.62%, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 14.15%, and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 15.30%. On a consolidated basis, the Company’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 9.23%, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 13.59%, and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 15.85% as of September 30, 2024.

    Book value per share on September 30, 2024, was $4,787.58 per Class A common share and $31.92 per Class B common share, an increase of $294.62 per Class A common share and $1.96 per Class B common share from June 30, 2024.

    Each Class A common share is entitled to one vote per share. Except as otherwise provided by the Colorado Business Corporation Act, each Class B common share has no voting rights.

    Dividends

    Each Class B common share has dividend and distribution rights equal to one-one hundred and fiftieth (1/150th) of such rights of one Class A common share. Therefore, each one Class A common share is equivalent to 150 Class B common shares for purposes of the payment of dividends.

    During third quarter 2024, the Company paid cash dividends of $30.00 per Class A common share and $0.20 per Class B common share. On October 10, 2024, the Company declared cash dividends of $30.00 per Class A common share and $0.20 per Class B common share payable on October 28, 2024, to shareholders of record on October 21, 2024.

    About Alpine Banks of Colorado

    Alpine Banks of Colorado, through its wholly owned subsidiary Alpine Bank, is a $6.6 billion, independent, employee-owned organization founded in 1973 with headquarters in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Alpine Bank employs 890 people and serves 170,000 customers with personal, business, wealth management*, mortgage, and electronic banking services across Colorado’s Western Slope, mountains and Front Range. Alpine Bank has a five-star rating – meaning it has earned a superior performance classification – from BauerFinancial, an independent organization that analyzes and rates the performance of financial institutions in the United States. Shares of the Class B non-voting common stock of Alpine Banks of Colorado trade under the symbol “ALPIB” on the OTCQX® Best Market. Learn more at www.alpinebank.com.

    *Alpine Bank Wealth Management services are not FDIC insured, may lose value, and are not guaranteed by the Bank.

    Contacts:  Glen Jammaron   Eric A. Gardey
      President and Vice Chairman   Chief Financial Officer
      Alpine Banks of Colorado     Alpine Banks of Colorado
      2200 Grand Avenue 2200 Grand Avenue
      Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
      (970) 384-3266 (970) 384-3257
         

    A note about forward-looking statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “reflects,” “believes,” “can,” “would,” “should,” “will,” “estimates,” “continues,” “expects” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding our evaluation of macro-environment risks, Federal Reserve rate management, and trends reflecting things such as regulatory capital standards and adequacy. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward- looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to:

    • The ability to attract new deposits and loans;
    • Demand for financial services in our market areas;
    • Competitive market-pricing factors;
    • Changes in assumptions underlying the establishment of allowances for loan losses and other estimates;
    • Effects of future economic, business and market conditions, including higher inflation;
    • Adverse effects of public health events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, including governmental and societal responses;
    • Deterioration in economic conditions that could result in increased loan losses;
    • Actions by competitors and other market participants that could have an adverse impact on expected performance;
    • Risks associated with concentrations in real estate-related loans;
    • Risks inherent in making loans, such as repayment risks and fluctuating collateral values;
    • Market interest rate volatility, including changes to the federal funds rate;
    • Stability of funding sources and continued availability of borrowings;
    • Geopolitical events, including acts of war, international hostilities and terrorist activities;
    • Assumptions and estimates used in applying critical accounting policies and modeling, including under the CECL model, which may prove unreliable, inaccurate, or not predictive of actual results;
    • Actions of government regulators, including potential future changes in the target range for the federal funds rate by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve;
    • Sale of investment securities in a loss position before their value recovers, including as a result of asset liability management strategies or in response to liquidity needs;
    • Any increases in FDIC assessments;
    • Risks associated with potential cybersecurity incidents, data breaches or failures of key information technology systems;
    • The ability to maintain adequate liquidity and regulatory capital, and comply with evolving federal and state banking regulations;
    • Changes in legal or regulatory requirements or the results of regulatory examinations that could restrict growth;
    • The ability to recruit and retain key management and staff;
    • The ability to raise capital or incur debt on reasonable terms; and
    • Effectiveness of legislation and regulatory efforts to help the U.S. and global financial markets.

    There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release or in any subsequent written or oral statements attributable to the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Key Financial Measures

    The attached tables highlight the Company’s key financial measures for the periods indicated (unaudited).

    Key Financial Measures 09.30.2024

    Consolidated Statements of Income 09.30.2024

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition 09.30.2024

    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 09.30.2024

    Contact:         
    Eric A. Gardey, Chief Financial Officer
    Alpine Banks of Colorado
    (970) 384-3257
    ericgardey@alpinebank.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Serstech Secures 9.7 MSEK Orders from Chilean Partner Aerotech

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Serstech has today received two orders totaling 9.7 MSEK from its Chilean partner, Aerotech. The orders include the Serstech Arx mkII and ChemDash software, with delivery and invoicing scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024.

    The final recipients of these orders are the Carabineros and the Investigations Police of Chile (PDI). PDI is the nation’s primary civilian police force specializing in criminal investigations, intelligence operations, and counterterrorism, with a particular focus on areas such as drug trafficking and organized crime.

    These orders represent the fourth and fifth in 2024 from Chilean law enforcement through Aerotech, underscoring the growing demand for Serstech’s solutions in the region.

    For further information, please contact:

    Stefan Sandor,                                                                              

    CEO, Serstech AB Phone: +46 739 606 067

    Email: ss@serstech.com

    or

    Thomas Pileby,

    Chairman of the Board, Serstech AB Phone: +46 702 072 643

    Email: tp@serstech.com

    or visit: www.serstech.com

    This is information that Serstech AB (publ.) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above at 18:50 CET on November 4, 2024.

    Certified advisor to Serstech is Svensk Kapitalmarknadsgranskning AB (SKMG).

    About Serstech

    Serstech delivers solutions for chemical identification and has customers around the world, mainly in the safety and security industry. Typical customers are customs, police authorities, security organizations and first responders. The solutions and technology are however not limited to security applications and potentially any industry using chemicals of some kind could be addressed by Serstech’s solution. Serstech’s head office is in Sweden and all production is done in Sweden.

    Serstech is traded at Nasdaq First North Growth Market and more information about the company can be found at www.serstech.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Launches Female-Centric Pitching Competition during DevCon 24′ with Access Up to $100K Funding Opportunities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has launched “Pitch n Slay,” a special initiative under its Blockchain4Her program organized to provide exposure for female entrepreneurs in the blockchain space. Building on Bitget’s larger $10 million Blockchain4Her project, the program extends targeted support to promising women-led startups by offering them a chance to secure up to $100,000 in funding by Foresight Ventures. This funding is accompanied by valuable mentorship from experienced professionals in the blockchain industry.

    The “Pitch n Slay” program, created in partnership with organizations such as World of Women, Women in Web3, and Bitget Wallet, is structured to offer a pathway for women entrepreneurs to receive the capital, guidance, and exposure necessary to scale their projects. Additional partnerships with Foresight Ventures and Morph highlight Bitget’s emphasis on uniting resources and mentorship from leaders within the blockchain ecosystem.

    Throughout the program, selected participants will undergo a rigorous mentorship and development journey. After an initial pitching round, finalists will receive support in market strategy, scaling, and technology, led by industry experts including Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, Taya A, CEO of World of Women, Min Xue, Partner of Foresight Ventures, Tess Hau, Founder of Tess Ventures, and other prominent Web3 leaders. Hosted on 15th November, in Bangkok, Thailand the “Pitch n Slay” program finalists will present their refined projects to a panel of investors and judges. Out of the shortlisted women-run startups top 3 winners will get grants to further their startup journey. The first winner takes home $5000, the second place will be rewarded with $3000 and the third will get $2000 subsequently. All three will be qualified for further pitching to Foresight Ventures, if the deal goes through each can receive funding up to $100K in pre-seed.

    Bitget’s constant focus on supporting women in Web3 is part of its strategy of creating accessible pathways for funding and growth for women entrepreneurs led by the company’s CEO, Gracy Chen “Bitget is a proudly gender-inclusive organization, with over 45% of our management roles held by women. Through Blockchain4Her, it’s our honor to support women founders with opportunities for exposure, mentorship, and funding. We’ll continue to expand this platform, creating pathways for growth and amplifying women-led startups in Web3,” said Chen.

    The Pitch n’ Slay initiative directly addresses the underrepresentation of female entrepreneurs in blockchain, providing both the financial and professional support essential for success in a competitive landscape.

    Applications are open for eligible women-led startups. For more details, visit the application page here

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 45 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM market, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience volatility. Investments should only be made with funds that can be afforded to lose. The value of investments may be impacted, and there is a possibility of not achieving financial goals or recovering the principal investment. Independent financial advice should be sought, and personal financial experience and standing should be carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any losses incurred. This information is not intended as financial advice.

    Contact

    PR team

    media@bitget.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WisdomTree Foreign Exchange Limited Publication of Prospectus

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WisdomTree Foreign Exchange Limited
    LEI: 213800X2UDCFSIYXXR28
    4 November 2024

    WisdomTree Foreign Exchange Limited
    Publication of Prospectus

    The following prospectus has been approved by the Central Bank of Ireland and the Financial Conduct Authority:

    Prospectus for the issue of Collateralised Currency Securities by WisdomTree Foreign Exchange Limited.

    To view the full document, please paste the following URL into the address bar of your browser.

    https://www.wisdomtree.eu/en-gb/-/media/eu-media-files/key-documents/prospectus/etf-securities/prospectus—etfs-foreign-exchange-limited.pdf

    For further information please contact europesupport@wisdomtree.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aviva Canada encourages municipalities to apply for funding for Level 2 EV charging stations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aviva Canada is pleased to announce it has opened the application period for the third year of its Charged for Change program. With installations in 15 municipalities already completed or underway, this year’s funding will support public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure projects in even more communities that currently lack sufficient access.

    Presented in partnership with Earth Day Canada, Aviva’s $3M Charged for Change program allows municipalities and Indigenous communities to apply for funding to install Level 2 electric vehicle chargers for their residents and visitors. Municipalities across Canada can submit applications via the Charged for Change homepage until February 20, 2025.

    “We are thrilled to open applications for the third year of our Charged for Change program and are looking forward to helping even more Canadian communities install public EV infrastructure for their residents. We know that a lack of publicly available EV charging infrastructure can be a barrier to EV adoption and want to support Canadians, particularly those in communities with little to no access, in making the switch to an EV,” said Aviva Canada’s Chief Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications Officer, Pascal Dessureault.

    In its first year, the Charged for Change program funded Level 2 charging stations for seven Ontario municipalities and is expected to deliver 37 charging heads across 16 sites in the Town of Pelham, Township of Selwyn, The County of Prince Edward, Town of Thessalon, Municipality of East Ferris, Township of Manitouwadge, and Township of Essa. As of September 15, this year, the charging stations installed in these communities have delivered 2,600 charging sessions and 8,300 charging hours.

    The program expanded across Canada in its second year, where eight municipalities received funding; Town of Okotoks, AB, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB, Municipality of Lakeshore, ON, Municipalité des Hautes-Terres, NB, Municipalité de Chertsey, QC, Village de Bois-Joli, NB, Communauté rurale de Kedgwick, NB, and Ville régionale de Cap-Acadie, NB. Those projects are either underway or completed and in use.

    “We know that access to public charging infrastructure is a key deciding factor for consumers considering the purchase of an EV. We also know that there is a disparity between levels of infrastructure in larger, urban centres versus smaller, often rural communities. Charged for Change hopes to level that playing field so that Canadians who want to make the climate-conscious decision to switch to an EV feel confident that it can meet their needs,” said Valérie Mallamo, Executive Director, Earth Day Canada.

    Aviva’s partnership with Earth Day Canada supports municipalities in working with utility suppliers directly to install the charging station infrastructure in selected communities. Communities across Canada are encouraged to apply for year three funding now via the Charged for Change homepage.

    To help more Canadians transition to EVs, Aviva’s EV insurance solution offers customers up to 10 per cent off their premium when they insure an EV.1

    Testimonials from year one Charged for Change recipient municipalities:

    Municipality of East Ferris:
    “The installation of charging stations provided by the Charged for Change Program allowed the Municipality of East Ferris to install our first public EV charging stations in the community. It also allowed us to start the transition of our vehicle fleet to electric vehicles with the purchase of our first EV municipal vehicle taking place in early 2024. We are fortunate to have been selected for the program and the infrastructure that we installed will have lasting impacts on municipal operations for years to come.” – Greg Kirton, Director of Community Services, Municipality of East Ferris

    Town of Thessalon:
    “Our first EV station users stopped in on their road trip from Whistler, British Columbia. They told us that they would have by-passed Thessalon if it weren’t for these charging stations. Since they were able to charge their vehicle in Thessalon they stayed at local accommodations and spent time exploring other town amenities.” – Lindsay MacFarlane, Deputy Clerk, Town of Thessalon

    The County of Prince Edward:
    “Working with Earth Day Canada and Aviva on this project helped me gain an understanding of the world of electric vehicles and helped me come to the conclusion that yes, EV ownership in a rural community is very possible! After doing a test drive with Plug n Drive at our inauguration event and speaking firsthand to EV drivers and suppliers of EV charging equipment through this project, I felt really confident in my choice to make my next car an EV. I ditched the ICE and signed a leased an EV this spring. I wouldn’t have felt so sure of my decision without the experience working with Earth Day Canada and Aviva.” – Julianne Snepts, Programs Supervisor, The County of Prince Edward

    About Aviva Canada

    Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country, providing home, automobile, lifestyle, and business insurance to 2.4 million customers. As a subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, Aviva Canada has more than 4,000 employees focused on creating a sustainable future for our people, our customers, our communities and our planet. In 2021, Aviva plc announced Aviva’s global ambition to become a net zero carbon emissions company by 2040.

    For more information, visit aviva.ca or Aviva Canada’s blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

    *Note: Media may arrange interviews by contacting:

    Media Contact: Kelsie Ludlow, Communications Specialist, Aviva
    Email: kelsie.ludlow@aviva.com
    Tel: 437-331-7209

    1 Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.aviva.ca for more details.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget lists BitSmiley (SMILE) on Innovation, BTC Ecosystem and DeFi Zone for Spot Trading

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has listed BitSmiley (SMILE) in the Innovation, BTC Ecosystem, and DeFi Zone, with trading set to commence on 6 November 2024. This listing aligns with Bitget’s ongoing mission to broaden market accessibility to pioneering blockchain projects, offering users exposure to emerging DeFi protocols on the Bitcoin network. With this development, Bitget is expanding its range of supported assets in a space traditionally dominated by Ethereum-based tokens.

    BitSmiley represents a unique integration of lending and stablecoin functionality built directly on the Bitcoin blockchain, a first in the realm of decentralized finance. The platform’s proprietary technology, Fintegra, provides a seamless ecosystem that leverages the security and resilience of Bitcoin while introducing users to a new form of decentralized lending. The BitSmiley protocol addresses scalability and liquidity, allowing users to participate in DeFi with reduced friction. The listing of BitSmiley at Bitget provides enhanced opportunities for traders interested in Bitcoin-based financial products that blend stability with lending capabilities.

    Following this listing, deposits for BitSmiley have already been activated, providing users time to prepare for trading, which will officially launch at 10:00 (UTC) on 6 November. Withdrawals will be enabled on 7 November at 11:00 (UTC), facilitating seamless movement of assets. This early access and preparation phase allows Bitget’s users to familiarize themselves with the platform’s trading dynamics and further engage with decentralized finance innovations.

    The BitSmiley initiative contributes to reshaping financial inclusion and decentralization on Bitcoin. With its focus on a robust financial infrastructure, BitSmiley’s unique stablecoin-lending framework seeks to expand the functionality and versatility of Bitcoin as an asset class. Through its listing on Bitget, users can explore new avenues for portfolio diversification within the security of a Bitcoin-based ecosystem, reflecting a growing market appetite for diversified DeFi options beyond Ethereum.

    As Bitget continues to explore and support pioneering assets across blockchain networks, the addition of BitSmiley emphasizes its commitment to building an inclusive, cross-chain ecosystem where users can engage with the forefront of decentralized financial technology.

    Bitget continues to expand its offerings, positioning itself as a leading platform for cryptocurrency trading. The exchange has established a reputation for innovative solutions that empower users to explore crypto within a secure CeDeFi ecosystem. With an extensive selection of over 800 cryptocurrency pairs and a commitment to broaden its offerings to more than 900 trading pairs, Bitget connects users to various ecosystems, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Base, and TON. The addition of SMILE into Bitget’s portfolio marks a significant step toward expanding its ecosystem, allowing users to access new tools and opportunities in the evolving DeFi landscape.

    For more information on SMILE tokens listing on Bitget, please visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 45 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM market, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices may fluctuate and experience price volatility. Only invest what you can afford to lose. The value of your investment may be impacted and it is possible that you may not achieve your financial goals or be able to recover your principal investment. You should always seek independent financial advice and consider your own financial experience and financial standing. Past performance is not a reliable measure of future performance. Bitget shall not be liable for any losses you may incur. Nothing here shall be construed as financial advice.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/60e6db26-e892-426a-978e-f3c7dfe3ec95

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Alpine Credits Ltd. Expands Philanthropic Efforts with $200,000 Initiative for Local Charities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SURREY, British Columbia, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alpine Credits Ltd., a leader in alternative home equity financing, is proud to announce its 2024 philanthropy initiative, committing up to $200,000 to charitable organizations through parent company Amur Financial Group.

    This initiative underscores the company’s dedication to making a meaningful impact in local communities across B.C.

    In its continuous effort to support those in need, Alpine Credits has chosen to collaborate with Mom2Mom Vancouver this year. This organization bridges the gap for mothers and children facing economic hardships by providing essential resources and fostering vital connections.

    “We pride ourselves on trying to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families within our community,” said the VP of Sales for Alpine Credits. “Our employees are passionate about giving back, and this initiative allows us to support causes that matter to them while helping organizations like Mom2Mom fulfill their mission.”

    The partnership with Mom2Mom Vancouver holds special significance, reflecting Alpine Credits’ commitment to social responsibility and enhancing community well-being. By assisting in the provision of essential resources, Alpine Credits aims to improve the lives of vulnerable families and ensure they receive the support needed during challenging times.

    Alpine Credits has a long-standing tradition of philanthropy, having previously raised over $80,000 for various organizations, including the Children’s Wish Foundation and Family Services of Greater Vancouver.

    In addition to Mom2Mom, Amur Financial Group, Alpine Credits’ parent company, is supporting three other charities that were selected by different teams across the organization.

    Since its inception in 1969, Alpine Credits has facilitated over $5 billion in home equity financing, establishing itself as Canada’s leading alternative lender.

    By unlocking the value of their homes, Canadians can meet financial obligations, fund renovations, and invest in new home repair projects.

    About Alpine Credits

    Alpine Credits is a leading provider of home equity financing solutions in Canada. With over 50 years of experience, the company focuses on providing quick support and flexible lending products, helping Canadians unlock the value of their homes.

    For more information, please visit Alpine Credits.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0d483ff-6574-4cca-8093-219fa05a4970

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Expands GameFi Offerings with Legend of Arcadia (ARCA) Listing and Airdrop Events

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company has listed Legend of Arcadia (ARCA) in its Innovation and GameFi Zone, offering users an opportunity to participate in ARCA-related activities and share a pool of 2,375,000 ARCA tokens. As a unique addition to the gaming ecosystem, Legend of Arcadia brings an engaging blend of casual gameplay with blockchain-driven rewards, attracting both traditional gamers and Web3 enthusiasts alike. The listing marks a significant expansion in Bitget’s GameFi offerings, inviting users to explore new avenues in the evolving digital economy.

    ARCA token’s deposits, withdrawals and trading are currently open. This listing introduces a new asset to Bitget’s platform and provides an interactive way for users to earn ARCA through a series of airdrop activities. By locking ETH on PoolX, participants can secure a portion of 1,500,000 ARCA tokens. The allocation formula ensures a fair distribution based on each participant’s locked ETH proportion within the pool, fostering a competitive yet equitable system for acquiring tokens.

    Another airdrop opportunity awaits through the CandyBomb promotion, where users can gain access to 875,000 ARCA tokens by engaging in ARCA spot and futures trading. This initiative incentivizes both new spot and futures users, with 437,500 ARCA tokens reserved for each trading category. Participation is streamlined through the CandyBomb page, where users simply need to join the activity to start accumulating rewards based on their net deposits and trading volumes, enhancing user engagement with the ARCA ecosystem.
    Legend of Arcadia offers a captivating gameplay experience by merging traditional gaming elements with blockchain-based incentives, presenting a novel approach to the gaming sector. Set in a multi-chain universe, Legend of Arcadia is both free-to-play and play-to-earn, allowing players to immerse themselves in a strategic, card-based environment where they can earn rewards through staking, battling, and mining. The game introduces users to the whimsical world of “toy heroes,” collectible NFT characters that are central to the gameplay. With eight classes and six factions of these toy-like characters, players can build diverse teams, compete strategically, and earn in-game assets, creating a dynamic ecosystem that merges the entertainment of gaming with the financial opportunities of Web3.

    As Bitget continues to broaden its GameFi portfolio, the listing of ARCA shows the platform’s dedication to fostering accessible, rewarding digital experiences for its global user base. With an extensive selection of over 800 cryptocurrency pairs and a commitment to broaden its offerings to more than 900 trading pairs, Bitget connects users to various ecosystems, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Base, and TON. The addition of ARCA into Bitget’s portfolio marks a significant step toward expanding its ecosystem, allowing users to access new opportunities in the evolving DeFi landscape.

    For more information on ARCA tokens listing on Bitget, please visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 45 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM market, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices may fluctuate and experience price volatility. Only invest what you can afford to lose. The value of your investment may be impacted and it is possible that you may not achieve your financial goals or be able to recover your principal investment. You should always seek independent financial advice and consider your own financial experience and financial standing. Past performance is not a reliable measure of future performance. Bitget shall not be liable for any losses you may incur. Nothing here shall be construed as financial advice.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/929aede6-1e17-4464-99b7-d407fcf59b31

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EXL to Participate in J.P. Morgan 2024 Ultimate Services Investor Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ExlService Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXLS), a leading data analytics and digital operations and solutions company, today announced that Maurizio Nicolelli, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will participate in the J.P. Morgan 2024 Ultimate Services Investor Conference in New York. A simultaneous webcast will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14.

    J.P. Morgan Ultimate Services Investor Conference
    Presenter: Maurizio Nicolelli, CFO
    Date: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024
    Time: 1:10 PM (Eastern)
    Location: New York, NY

    A link to the webcast is available in the Investor Relations section of EXL’s website at ir.exlservice.com. A replay will be available for approximately 30 days on the company’s website.

    About ExlService Holdings, Inc.
    EXL (Nasdaq: EXLS) is a leading data analytics and digital operations and solutions company. We partner with clients using a data and AI-led approach to reinvent business models, drive better business outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, analytics, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform operations for the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have more than 57,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

    Contacts:

    Investor Relations
    John Kristoff
    Vice President, Investor Relations
    +1 212 209 4613
    ir@exlservice.com

    Media – US
    Keith Little
    Assistant Vice President, Media Relations
    +1 703 598 0980
    media.relations@exlservice.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mountain America Foundation Launches Public Voting for GivingTuesday

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

    SANDY, Utah, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mountain America Credit Union announces the launch of its 2024 GivingTuesday initiative, aimed at providing essential support to nonprofits across its six-state footprint. This year, the initiative will donate a total of $28,000 to various nonprofits.

    Voting for the initiative began on Nov. 4 and will continue through Nov. 22, giving the community a chance to actively participate in deciding which local nonprofits will receive the donations. Both Mountain America members and nonmembers are encouraged to vote for their preferred nonprofit by scanning a QR code at their nearest branch location or by visiting Mountain America’s GivingTuesday page.

    “Join us in making a difference this GivingTuesday by casting your vote and supporting the nonprofits making a positive impact in our communities,” said Suzanne Oliver, executive director of the Mountain America Foundation. “We are excited to see which organizations will receive the $28,000 based on your votes. Together, we can create a brighter future for those in need.”

    At the conclusion of the voting period, all votes will be tallied, and the nonprofit organizations with the highest number of votes in each area will be declared the winners. These grants will be awarded on GivingTuesday, which falls on Dec. 3.

    GivingTuesday, created in 2012, aims to encourage people to spread goodwill throughout their communities. Over the past 12 years, it has grown into a global movement, inspiring millions to be generous in their giving, collaboration, and celebration of generosity year-round.

    The Mountain America Foundation, along with the credit union and its team members, remains committed to serving the community. The Foundation seeks to partner with organizations that make a significant impact in the communities served by the credit union.

    “Mountain America has shown an unwavering commitment to helping our members define and achieve their financial dreams for nearly 90 years,” said Sharlene Wells, senior vice president of public relations and organizational communications at Mountain America. “Our Foundation is guided by the principle of ‘people helping people’ within the communities our members call home. Supporting the Foundation’s local giving efforts continues to be a cornerstone of our mission.”

    For more information about the Mountain America Foundation’s GivingTuesday initiative, please visit https://www.macu.com/foundation.

    To learn more about Mountain America’s community involvement, visit macu.com/newsroom.

    About Mountain America Credit Union
    With more than 1 million members and $20 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 100 branches across six states, and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America—guiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com.

    The MIL Network –