Category: Machine Learning

  • MIL-OSI: LockedIn AI Launches Invisible Interview Copilot to Empower Job Seekers with Real-Time AI Support

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LockedIn AI, an AI-driven career tool provider, recently debuted its fully hidden desktop application for real-time interview support. Branded as an “invisible interview copilot,” the new tool can actively hear and see your interviews and offer instant answers, analysis, and live feedback during interviews, helping candidates confidently tackle even the trickiest technical or behavioral questions. This innovative platform leverages generative AI to offer on-the-spot solutions and coaching, positioning LockedIn AI at the forefront of AI-powered career technology.

    In remote tech interviews, candidates are often presented with LeetCode-style coding challenges, a staple of modern hiring processes. LockedIn AI’s platform instantly analyzes these questions as they appear on-screen and delivers intelligent solution suggestions and explanations in real time. For example, a candidate faced with a complex algorithm problem can get step-by-step guidance within seconds, allowing them to explain their approach clearly and solve problems faster. The application operates in complete stealth mode – remaining invisible to video platforms and screen-sharing software – so candidates can receive AI assistance discreetly without disrupting the interview flow​​.

    In addition to technical coding help, the AI copilot can listen to spoken interview questions and provide live coaching tips or even suggested answers, acting like a personal digital interview coach at the candidate’s side.

    LockedIn AI’s mission is to level the playing field for applicants,” said Caesar Gui, AKA Kagehiro Mitsuyami, founder and CEO of LockedIn AI. “Interview environments can be extremely high-pressure and over-complicated, especially for technical candidates. Our AI Copilot gives real-time answers, hints, and feedback so that no candidate has to face an interview alone or unprepared. We’re harnessing AI to not only solve coding problems but also to boost a candidate’s confidence and performance. Over the past few years recruiters have been involving more AI in their hiring process, and we hope to give candidates the ability to keep up with companies by empowering them with the right tool to be their best self. ​

    In this era where everyone is programming with the help of AI in their daily work, why not bring that support into the interview room? With LockedIn AI, job seekers can showcase their true skills with a little help in the background – like having a personal coach whispering solutions and encouragement when they need it most.”

    Key features of LockedIn AI’s Interview Copilot include:

    • Stealth Mode Privacy: An invisible interface that remains undetectable during screen sharing or video calls. Candidates can confidently use the tool on platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or coding test environments (HackerRank, CodeSignal, etc.) without the interviewer’s knowledge​. This advanced privacy-first design ensures complete discretion and lets users focus on solving problems, not worrying about detection.
    • Instant Coding Assistance: Real-time analysis of coding questions and immediate solution generation for algorithms and data structure problems. The AI not only suggests answers but also provides line-by-line explanations and time complexity analysis, mirroring the way an expert tutor would help. For instance, if a LeetCode problem appears, with the click of a button the app can quickly outline a solution approach and even highlight potential edge cases to consider.
    • Live Interview Coaching: Beyond coding, LockedIn AI offers on-the-fly support for behavioral and situational questions. It can transcribe the interviewer’s spoken questions and prompt the user with key points or model answers. This feature is like having a seasoned interview coach listening in and offering whispered advice – helping candidates articulate their thoughts, mention relevant experiences, or remember important technical concepts under pressure. Anxiety in an interview can hinder even the most skilled professionals, this tool minimizes that stress.
    • Multi-Industry & Multilingual Support: LockedIn AI is built to assist candidates across 100+ job industries and 40+ languages, from software engineering to finance to consulting. The AI can understand and respond in the user’s preferred language, and even recognize regional accents, making it a versatile tool for non-native English speakers and global job seekers​.
    • Comprehensive Career Toolset: The new interview copilot integrates with LockedIn AI’s broader platform, which includes an AI-powered resume builder and mock interview simulator. Users can thus prepare end-to-end – from crafting an ATS-optimized resume to practicing with AI-driven mock interviews, and finally using the live interview assistant for real opportunities. This all-in-one approach positions LockedIn AI as more than just a quick fix; it’s a long-term career partner for professional growth.

    This launch comes at a pivotal moment in the hiring landscape. Remote interviews have become ubiquitous since the pandemic, and candidates are increasingly turning to AI assistance in these high-stakes situations. A recent study found that more than 50% of candidates have used AI tools or large language models to aid in interviews.

    LockedIn AI directly addresses this trend by providing a reliable, secure solution built for purpose, in contrast to ad-hoc hacks or questionable cheating shortcuts. “We understand the reality – many capable candidates use AI on the job every day, yet feel handicapped in a strict interview setting,” Mitsuyami added. “LockedIn AI’s real-time support bridges that gap. It enables candidates to perform at their best, ethically and efficiently, by using AI as a confidence booster and productivity tool.”

    LockedIn AI’s Interview Copilot is available today on both Windows and macOS as a lightweight desktop application, with a complementary Chrome browser extension for web-based meeting platforms. New users can try a basic version for free, with premium subscriptions available for unlimited usage and advanced features (such as extended coding analysis and full behavioral question support). Since its initial beta release, LockedIn AI has already helped over 100,000 users prepare for interviews across tech and non-tech roles. Some early adopters have reported landing multiple job offers within weeks of using the platform — including one user who secured offers from four different companies. Feedback has been enthusiastic, with many citing the tool’s “lightning-fast responses” and the confidence of having an “AI safety net” during real interviews.

    About LockedIn AI: LockedIn AI (founded in 2024) is a New York-based startup at the forefront of AI-powered career solutions. The company offers an integrated platform for job seekers, including real-time interview assistance, AI-guided resume and cover letter building, and personalized interview practice tools. LockedIn AI’s mission is to empower professionals to achieve their career goals by leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence in a privacy-first and user-centric manner. By positioning itself as a thought leader in AI-driven career development, LockedIn AI is pioneering new ways for candidates to excel in interviews and beyond.

    Press Contact:
    James Valdez – CMO, LockedIn AI
    jamesv@lockedinai.com | (214) 229-3534

    (For more information, visit LockedIn AI’s website or follow @LockedInAI on social media.)

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7d14048-2917-4184-9c1e-fac8178c432e

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/28482f57-01ed-4eba-84f9-6c92fd83b2b5

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Maris-Tech Successfully Completes Pilot Manufacturing Project in the U.S.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Compliance with international manufacturing standards strengthens company’s position into the American defense market

    Rehovot, Israel, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Maris-Tech Ltd. (Nasdaq: MTEK, MTEKW) (“Maris-Tech” or the “Company”), a global leader in video and artificial intelligence (“AI”)- based edge computing technology, today announced that it has successfully completed a pilot assembly of one of its core products at an American manufacturing facility in Michigan. The product passed the quality assurance tests, demonstrating compliance with Company’s strict quality control tests.

    This pilot brings Maris-Tech one step closer to its strategic goal of penetrating the U.S. defense market. It follows the Company’s establishment of a subsidiary in North America, the appointment of U.S.-based marketing managers, and participation in major American defense industry exhibitions.

    By launching localized production and aligning with American quality and operational benchmarks, Maris-Tech aims to better serve its growing base of U.S. partners and customers. The Company’s solutions — including AI-powered video processing systems for drones, tactical alert systems for armored vehicles, and edge devices for special forces — are designed to enhance situational awareness and support high-performance decision-making in real-time operational environments.

    “We are proud of the successful results of this pilot and view it as an important milestone in our expansion strategy into the U.S.,” said Israel Bar, CEO of Maris-Tech. “This achievement reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality products that meet our standards. We believe that industry players will benefit from our innovative technology and localized manufacturing capabilities.”

    About Maris-Tech Ltd.

    Maris-Tech is a global leader in video and AI-based edge computing technology, pioneering intelligent video transmission solutions that conquer complex encoding-decoding challenges. Our miniature, lightweight, and low-power products deliver high-performance capabilities, including raw data processing, seamless transfer, advanced image processing, and AI-driven analytics. Founded by Israeli technology sector veterans, Maris-Tech serves leading manufacturers worldwide in defense, aerospace, Intelligence gathering, homeland security (HLS), and communication industries. We’re pushing the boundaries of video transmission and edge computing, driving innovation in mission-critical applications across commercial and defense sectors.

    For more information, visit https://www.maris-tech.com/

    Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect”,” “may”, “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we are discussing the completion of the pilot and its significance in bringing Maris-Tech one step closer to its strategic goal of penetrating the U.S. defense market and the Company’s belief that industry players will benefit from its innovative technology and localized manufacturing capabilities. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: its ability to successfully market its products and services, including in the United States; the acceptance of its products and services by customers; its continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for its products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; its ability to successfully develop new products and services; its success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; its ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations:

    Nir Bussy, CFO
    Tel: +972-72-2424022
    Nir@maris-tech.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: HUMBL, Inc. Announces Name Change Application and Ticker Symbol Updates

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Diego, CA, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL) announced today that it will be submitting an application to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to change its corporate name to HUMBL Ventures, Inc. The company has a deadline of June 30, 2025 to apply to change the legal name from HUMBL, Inc. to HUMBL Ventures, Inc. The completion of the name change is subject to final approval by FINRA. HUMBL, Inc. has also received permission from WSCG, Inc. to continue to utilize the HUMBL brand logo and trademark as a component part of its use of the name HUMBL Ventures.

    As an additional part of this transition, HUMBL, Inc. has received formal permission from WSCG (WSCG)—the entity that owns the HUMBL brand and ticker symbol (OTC: HMBL), to continue to use the ticker symbol (OTC: HMBL) following the name change. This approval ensures continuity for shareholders and market participants throughout the corporate evolution.

    “We believe the name HUMBL Ventures best reflects the company’s business model and strategic roadmap in technology joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions within the holding company, while recognizing the brand DNA of HUMBL and its powerful shareholder base,” said HUMBL, Inc. CEO, Thiago Moura.

    The company also announced today a joint venture with MultiCortex AI, a U.S. and Brazilian-based artificial intelligence company as the newest addition to its holding company portfolio.

    About HUMBL, Inc.

    HUMBL, Inc. is shifting toward a shareholder value-centric model under the leadership of CEO Thiago Moura, Principal of Ybyra Capital — a Brazilian holding company with diversified investments, such as commodities and mining.

    The company’s unique structure enables it to create two-way distribution pipelines throughout the United States and Latin America, leveraging Ybyra Capital’s established regional presence to offer strategic partners immediate access to high-growth markets.

    The company most recently announced a joint venture with a U.S. and Brazilian-based, Artificial Intelligence (AI) company – MultiCortex AI. MULTICORTEX | HPC FOR AI

    HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL)
    Investor Relations: IR@humbl.com
    Media Contact: Media@humbl.com

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the joint venture, competitive conditions, and general market dynamics. HUMBL, Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: HUMBL, Inc. Announces Joint Venture Agreement with MultiCortex to Expand its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Diego, CA, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL) is pleased to announce a joint venture agreement with MultiCortex, LLC, a U.S. and Brazilian-based company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.

    Under the terms of the agreement, HUMBL, Inc. will hold a 51% equity stake in the joint venture, while MultiCortex co-founders Bruno Ghizoni and Alessandro Faria will retain 49% and lead daily operations. HUMBL, Inc. will invest up to $3 million USD from its upcoming Regulation A+ public offering to support go-to-market initiatives and expansion.

    The partnership will enable MultiCortex to further complete and commercialize its proprietary “Forest of Algorithms” — a federated large language model (LLM) platform designed to integrate multiple AI systems into a unified, intelligent framework.

    Developed by MultiCortex CTO Alessandro Faria, the “Forest of Algorithms” enables seamless orchestration of diverse LLMs and has been recognized by NVIDIA for its innovation. The federated AI system will be distributed globally through major cloud marketplaces, including AWS, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

    Mr. Faria, a globally recognized leader in biometric AI and a member of the Intel International Council, has led the development of technologies that have processed over 100 million biometric identities. MultiCortex is a recognized partner of AWS and Intel, and is committed to delivering advanced AI solutions through global cloud ecosystems and enterprise channels.

    “This venture allows us to take cutting-edge AI and deliver it globally through our commercial reach in the United States and Latin America,” said Thiago Moura, CEO of HUMBL, Inc. “Together, the companies aim to shape the future of AI through an integrated, collaborative model that prioritizes interoperability over competition.”

    Looking ahead, the joint venture will support MultiCortex in expanding its sales, strategic partnerships, and financing capabilities within the U.S. market. It will also drive the development of tailored AI integrations for enterprise clients across specific use cases and industry verticals.

    About HUMBL, Inc.

    HUMBL, Inc. is shifting toward a shareholder value-centric model under the leadership of CEO Thiago Moura, Principal of Ybyra Capital — a Brazilian holding company with diversified investments, such as commodities and mining.

    The company’s unique structure enables it to create two-way distribution pipelines throughout the United States and Latin America, leveraging Ybyra Capital’s established regional presence to offer strategic partners immediate access to high-growth markets.

    About MultiCortex, LLC

    MultiCortex, LLC is a U.S. and Brazilian-based artificial intelligence and high-performance computing company focused on developing advanced federated AI platforms. Co-founded by Bruno Ghizoni and Alessandro Faria, the company is the creator of the Forest of Algorithms — a proprietary system designed to integrate multiple large language models (LLMs) into a unified AI environment. Mr. Faria is a globally respected innovator in biometric AI and has served on the Intel International Council. Mr. Faria has developed Forest of Algorithms for the biometric sector, processing over 100 million individuals, and the company is a trusted partner of AWS and Intel.

    MULTICORTEX | HPC FOR AI

    HUMBL, Inc. (OTC: HMBL)
    Investor Relations: IR@humbl.com
    Media Contact: Media@humbl.com

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the joint venture, competitive conditions, and general market dynamics. HUMBL, Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Strategic firms establish HQ in HK

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A new batch of 18 strategic enterprises, in the presence of Financial Secretary Paul Chan, committed to establishing global headquarters, regional headquarters or research and development centres in Hong Kong during a ceremony today held by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES).

    These firms come from high-tech industries such as advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, artificial intelligence and data science, fintech, and life and health technology.

    In his speech, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong treasures not only the investments, jobs and expertise that the strategic enterprises bring to the city, but also their products and solutions that will transform people’s way of life and inspire new innovation.

    Their presence supports Hong Kong’s vision of becoming an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, he stressed.

    “Amid rising tides of unilateralism and protectionism, Hong Kong remains steadfast in our commitment to upholding our free-port status and free trade policy; ensuring the free flow of capital, goods, information and people; maintaining our simple and low tax system; and building a dynamic and vibrant I&T ecosystem with a full range of funding support.

    “Coupled with the best connectivity and seamless access to the Mainland and Asia markets, here is the best launch pad for realising your ambition.”

    The Financial Secretary added that going forward, OASES will broaden its scope to attract cultural and creative enterprises that can fuse I&T with artistry. He also remarked that through Hong Kong’s platform, these firms can expand their businesses to various new markets.

    Together with the 66 companies previously attracted to the city, the strategic enterprises will invest about $50 billion in total in the years to come, creating over 20,000 jobs. OASES, in collaboration with government departments, provides them with comprehensive services to facilitate their business set-up and operations, thereby promoting growth in the I&T sector and contributing to Hong Kong’s economic development.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Foster Leads Bipartisan Effort to Keep STEM Graduates in America

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

    Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act to make certain advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree holders eligible for permanent resident status. This would allow these graduates to remain in the United States following their graduation and would remove barriers for them to work in the United States.

    The Senate companion bill is led by Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD). 

    “We must expand America’s STEM workforce to compete in the global economy,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “Our country gives international STEM students a world-class education, only to turn them away when they want to stay in the United States after graduation and contribute their skills to our economy. Allowing these graduates to stay would help put our country on the cutting edge of scientific research and technological development and create good-paying American jobs along the way. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to build up our STEM workforce.”

    “I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025. Our universities attract some of the brightest minds from around the world, yet too often, these students leave the United States after graduation. This bill will incentivize international STEM graduates to stay and contribute to our economy, ensuring America continues to lead the world in science and technological innovation,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

    “Maintaining a strong STEM workforce strengthens our economy, creates jobs, and enhances our ability to compete on the world stage,” Senator Dick Durbin said. “By denying international students with advanced STEM degrees the opportunity to continue their work in America, we are losing their talents to countries overseas and won’t see the positive impacts of their American education. I thank Senator Rounds for joining me in this commonsense and bipartisan effort.”

    “Legal, highly skilled STEM immigration is crucial for our nation and has opened doors for talented immigrants like Albert Einstein to come to America,” said Senator Mike Rounds. “Particularly with the advancements of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, we must keep talent in the United States and stay ahead of our near peer competitors such as China and Russia. This bill enhances national security by imposing new, stringent vetting requirements, while also making certain talent stays serving the United States, not our adversaries.”

    The Keep STEM Talent Act is endorsed by the American Mathematical Society, the American Physical Society, the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, MIT Graduate Student Council, MIT Science Policy Initiative, and the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students.

    A copy of the bill is available here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Announces Collaboration with Stanford Medicine to Advance Sleep Apnea Detection and Beyond

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Stanford University today jointly announced a research project with Stanford Medicine to initiate an innovative health solution based on Samsung’s obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) feature1 which has received De Novo — the first of its kind authorization — by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In recognition of World Health Day, this project underscores the importance of sleep in overall health by taking further steps in proactive care, beginning with a pioneering study.
    Led by professor Robson Capasso as principal investigator and professor Clete Kushida as co-principal investigator, the joint study is designed to explore potential ways to further enhance Samsung’s Sleep Apnea feature to better support sleep health through timely interventions. Looking ahead, efforts will focus on going beyond detection by leveraging AI technology for daily monitoring to sleep apnea management, empowering users with the best possible sleep tools to improve their health.

    Samsung’s Sleep Apnea feature on the Galaxy Watch2, which detects signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, previously received authorization by the US FDA following approval by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). With its latest approval by Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the feature will become available to users in Brazil in late April, increasing availability to 29 markets globally. The Sleep Apnea feature will continue to be expanded to more countries around the world, allowing more people to proactively spot symptoms earlier, which help prevent further long-term OSA health-related complications.
    “The ethical, equitable and evidence-based use of technology, after its validation through research is crucial in developing new approaches to detection and management of sleep apnea and other serious sleep-related health conditions,” said Robson Capasso, MD, FAASM, Chief of Sleep Surgery, Professor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, former Associate Dean of Research, Stanford University School of Medicine. “We are excited about this groundbreaking collaboration and proud to be initiating a study utilizing smartwatches, a friendly and commonly accepted wearable”
    “This collaboration with Stanford Medicine will combine our deep technological expertise with Stanford’s leading research capabilities to unlock new innovation in preventive care,” said Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Together, we aim to move beyond screening to also provide more meaningful daily support that helps people better understand and manage their sleep health.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: The founder kings of Silicon Valley: Dual-class stock gives US social media company controllers nearly as much power as ByteDance has over TikTok

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregory H. Shill, Professor of Law & Michael and Brenda Sandler Faculty Fellow in Corporate Law, University of Iowa

    When Congress passed a law in 2024 to ban TikTok unless it came under U.S. ownership, lawmakers argued that the app’s Chinese parent company posed national security concerns. The Trump administration, which had granted the viral video app a reprieve shortly after taking office in January 2025, extended that pause again on April 4 after the Chinese government reportedly scuttled a planned deal.

    Regardless of how this all shakes out, the TikTok fight underscores deeper concerns about who controls social media in the United States.

    Given that worry, it might surprise Americans to learn that nearly every social media giant is controlled by just one or two men. For example, Mark Zuckerberg controls Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, while Larry Page and Sergey Brin control Alphabet, which owns YouTube and Google.

    What does “control” mean? These companies are publicly traded – anybody can buy or sell their shares – but a legal mechanism known as dual-class stock gives founders extra votes in shareholder decisions. The dual-class structure crowns these men “corporate royalty,” as one former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission commissioner has put it, granting them near-absolute control of corporate policy and resources without requiring them to take on commensurate financial risk.

    While TikTok is unusual in many respects, the way it vests power in one man is actually quite banal. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is privately held, but it’s reportedly controlled by a co-founder, Chinese national Zhang Yiming, via a dual-class structure.

    As a professor of corporate law, I’d urge policymakers and the public to consider the societal risks of a system that allows a single person to wield full control over a major corporation through dual-class stock.

    The dual-class effect: Meta as a case study

    In a standard single-class structure – where voting power tracks the amount of company equity a shareholder owns – someone seeking total control of a company must ordinarily spend a lot of money buying up shares, which also means assuming a lot of risk. This “skin in the game” requirement limits how much influence a single person can exert on a company.

    That safeguard is informal, not mandatory, and dual-class structures do away with it. Ascendant among Silicon Valley firms since Google’s 2004 initial public offering in the U.S. and recently legalized in the U.K., the dual-class model is fiercely debated in corporate governance circles. To date, however, its downsides have been understood only as a problem for shareholders, not society, despite broad and bipartisan concern about the influence of Big Tech.

    Let’s pick on Meta as an example. Zuckerberg reportedly owns just 13.5% of the company’s equity, but because he owns 99.7% of the supervoting shares, he controls 61% of the company’s votes.

    This setup gives him a lock on corporate policy as a controlling shareholder, even though he only owns a bit over one-eighth of Meta stock by value. He has full control of the company without placing anywhere near an equivalent amount of money at risk.

    You don’t have to be the parent of an Instagram-addicted teenager to see that Meta has generated what might be described as social costs. For example, Amnesty International has alleged that Facebook algorithms “substantially contributed to the atrocities perpetrated by the Myanmar military” in 2017. Facebook has also been criticized for promoting misinformation during past U.S. elections and for suppressing embarrassing stories about Hunter Biden.

    These examples underscore broader social concerns around content moderation, privacy and tech titans’ outsized political influence. Notably, Zuckerberg – who has been associated with progressive causes in the past – has moved to embrace President Donald Trump strongly in recent months and asked for Trump’s support for Meta in a legal battle with the European Union.

    When corporate control meets the Supreme Court

    In a 2023 law journal article, I noted that recent Supreme Court decisions expanding corporate constitutional rights stand to give company founders unprecedented power to shape society. While the rise of founder-controlled social media giants with distinct political agendas has gotten a lot of attention, the widening scope of what is deemed protected corporate speech and religious exercise hasn’t been a part of that conversation.

    I think there’s a real possibility that these two streams will converge, granting constitutional protection to “founder kings” who wish to leverage company resources for private agendas. Two recent legal developments raise the stakes.

    First, the courts – and in particular the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts – have been expanding corporate constitutional rights, which could allow dual-class founders to carve out exceptions to generally applicable laws.

    Second, recent legal changes in Delaware – which despite its tiny size is the leading corporate law jurisdiction in the U.S. – could make it easier for dual-class controlling shareholders to exercise power within their companies.

    To get a sense of the potential consequences, suppose the controlling shareholder of a dual-class company were to cause it to defy a federal mandate – for example, a requirement to offer health insurance plans that cover contraception – on the grounds that complying would violate their religious beliefs. The Supreme Court in Hobby Lobby v. Burwell recognized exactly this sort of faith-based exception for a large family-owned but privately held business.

    Would it recognize such an exception for a company like Snap? The company, best known for its app Snapchat, is publicly traded, but just two men, Robert Murphy and Evan Spiegel, control 99.5% of the voting power.

    We can’t be sure. Hobby Lobby is different from Snap in many ways. Yet what they have in common is the ability of their owners to plausibly claim a unitary speech or religious exercise interest that would not characterize a typical large business. Snap’s public owners have no say at all – zero votes – in the company’s affairs. If the controllers of Snap asserted a religious basis for exempting the company from a regulation – and to be clear, this is a purely hypothetical example – the courts might well indulge the claim.

    The judicial system’s expanding view of corporate constitutional rights – seen not just in Hobby Lobby but in Citizens United v. FEC and a number of more recent and ongoing cases in state and lower federal courts – could empower founders to leverage their businesses for private agendas. Whether or not this is likely for Snap in particular, the combination of the dual-class model and changes in the law would seem to leave the door open.

    Elon Musk vs. the dual-class model

    A fitting contrast might be none other than Twitter – renamed X after Elon Musk acquired it and who recently merged it into xAI, another Musk-led venture.

    As a privately held company, xAI is not required to file public investor reports, and much about its ownership structure remains opaque. But let’s assume the company is majority-owned by Musk in a conventional single-class structure – the type Twitter had before he bought it. Given a chance to provoke, Musk has consistently proved eager to raise his hand. Couldn’t he use his control to get X or xAI – we’ll stick with “X” for simplicity – to exercise the same vast control that Murphy and Spiegel could at Snap, or Zuckerberg at Meta?

    Yes – but with a subtle yet important difference.

    There’s a certain logic to X’s key corporate decisions being vested in Musk. Quite famously, he ponied up US$44 billion to buy the entire company. Legal prohibitions on the deployment of private resources for influence are confined to a small universe of cases – antitrust, bribery, certain types of campaign contributions. Those resources include businesses, which are a form of property, that are owned by wealthy individuals or groups. With limited exceptions, people can use their own property as they wish.

    In a dual-class company, though, controllers use other people’s property as they wish. They can get the immense legal, economic and organizational power of the corporate form without having to put much skin in the game.

    Beyond TikTok: The conversation the US should be having

    Traditionally, questions of rich-guy influence have been seen through the lens of politics, taxes or public regulation. But seeing them as questions about the exercise of private corporate control makes clear the special social challenges posed by dual-class stock.

    Wall Street has mostly accepted the bargain: ironclad insulation of Zuckerberg in exchange for rock-solid Meta returns. But this debate is not only of interest for the investment community. Everyone has a stake in its outcome.

    It’s fair for the public to question the wisdom of allowing company founders to leverage the resources and newly jumbo-sized constitutional rights of large corporations in service of a special agenda – be it for a foreign government, a political party or a religious faith – that isn’t even connected to classical purposes of the corporation or advantages of the dual-class model.

    The distinctive risks posed by TikTok are mostly unrelated to its share structure. But the debate over the ban-or-sell law offers a reminder: The powers created by dual-class stock aren’t unique to Chinese control. America’s homegrown-found kings wield them, too.

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

    ref. The founder kings of Silicon Valley: Dual-class stock gives US social media company controllers nearly as much power as ByteDance has over TikTok – https://theconversation.com/the-founder-kings-of-silicon-valley-dual-class-stock-gives-us-social-media-company-controllers-nearly-as-much-power-as-bytedance-has-over-tiktok-253671

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: 3D Systems’ Solution Enables World’s First Facial Implant Manufacturing at Point-of-Care

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • First 3D-printed PEEK facial implant manufactured at the point-of-care using 3D Systems’ EXT 220 MED
    • Point-of-care collaboration between surgeons, engineers, and technology enables tailored solutions to address complex patient needs
    • 3D Systems’ solutions accelerating additive manufacturing use in maxillofacial reconstruction — total market anticipated to reach more than $4 billion by end of 2034

    ROCK HILL, S.C., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) announced that in collaboration with the University Hospital Basel (Switzerland) the Company’s unique point-of-care additive manufacturing solution has been used to design and produce the world’s first Medical Device Regulation (MDR)-compliant 3D-printed PEEK facial implant. Prof. Florian Thieringer and Dr. Neha Sharma, together with their team of biomedical engineers, successfully designed and manufactured a custom device to address a patient’s unique need using 3D Systems technology and product manufacturing expertise. They used this implant as part of a successful surgery completed at the hospital on March 18, 2025. Production of the first MDR-compliant facial implant was completed using VESTAKEEP® i4 3DF PEEK by Evonik on 3D Systems’ EXT 220 MED. The cleanroom-based architecture of the printer and simplified post-processing workflows enable the efficient production of patient-specific medical devices directly at the hospital.

    “Our goal is always to provide the best possible care for our patients,” said Prof. Thieringer. “Being directly involved in both the design and manufacturing of patient-specific implants — right here in our hospital — allows us to tailor treatments precisely to individual needs, respond faster, and improve surgical outcomes. The ability to produce implants on demand represents a new era in personalized care.”

    For more than a decade, surgeons have used VSP® surgical planning solutions that combine best-in-class digital workflows with the industry’s broadest additive manufacturing portfolio of printers and materials to deliver comprehensive patient-matched solutions. Bringing together surgeons, engineers, and technology in the clinical setting allows for the immediate development of patient-specific treatments, overcoming the limitations of standard medical devices. As a result, healthcare providers are improving outcomes1,2, increasing efficiency3, and lowering the cost of care4

    “The rapid adoption of the EXT 220 MED by leading healthcare institutions combined with our expanding applications pipeline, underscores the transformative power of 3D printing in clinical settings,” said Stefan Leonhardt, Ph.D., director, medical devices, 3D Systems. “We are proud to collaborate with the pioneering clinicians at University Hospital Basel and other leading hospitals worldwide to expand the applications that can be addressed with additive manufacturing. Since its launch in August 2023, our innovative solution has already been utilized in more than 80 successful cranial implant surgeries at partner hospitals, demonstrating its swift integration and real-world effectiveness in delivering personalized patient care. The successful use of the EXT 220 MED for maxillofacial implants showcases our commitment to ongoing innovation that delivers personalized healthcare solutions for new applications.”

    It is anticipated that the use of 3D-printed facial implants will accelerate based on the availability of advanced technologies. According to Market Research Future5, the 3D-printed maxillofacial implant market size was estimated at more than $2 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to more than double to over $4 billion by the end of 2034. Additive manufacturing is disrupting this sector by enabling a more cost-effective, efficient solution. As a pioneer in personalized healthcare solutions, 3D Systems has worked with surgeons for over a decade to plan more than 150,000 patient-specific cases and additively manufacture more than two million implants and instruments for 100+ CE-marked and FDA-cleared devices from its world-class, FDA-registered, ISO 13485-certified facilities in Littleton, Colorado, and Leuven, Belgium. For more information, please visit the Company’s website.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “plans” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the company’s beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About 3D Systems
    More than 35 years ago, Chuck Hull’s curiosity and desire to improve the way products were designed and manufactured gave birth to 3D printing, 3D Systems, and the additive manufacturing industry. Since then, that same spark continues to ignite the 3D Systems team as we work side-by-side with our customers to change the way industries innovate. As a full-service solutions partner, we deliver industry-leading 3D printing technologies, materials and software to high-value markets such as medical and dental; aerospace, space and defense; transportation and motorsports; AI infrastructure; and durable goods. Each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise and passion of our employees who endeavor to achieve our shared goal of Transforming Manufacturing for a Better Future. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com.

    Investor Contact:   investor.relations@3dsystems.com 
    Media Contact:      press@3dsystems.com


    1 Ballard DH, Trace AP, Ali S, et al. Clinical Applications of 3D Printing: Primer for Radiologists. Acad Radiol 2018;25(1):52–65. 
    2 Chepelev L, Wake N, Ryan J, et al. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 3D printing Special Interest Group (SIG): guidelines for medical 3D printing and appropriateness for clinical scenarios. 3D Print Med 2018;4(1):11. 
    3 Morgan C, Khatri C, Hanna SA, Ashrafian H, Sarraf KM. Use of three-dimensional printing in preoperative planning in orthopaedic trauma surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Orthop 2020;11(1):57– 67.
    4 Ballard DH, Mills P, Duszak R Jr, Weisman JA, Rybicki FJ, Woodard PK. Medical 3D Printing Cost-Savings in Orthopedic and Maxillofacial Surgery: Cost Analysis of Operating Room Time Saved with 3D Printed Anatomic Models and Surgical Guides. Acad Radiol. 2020 Aug;27(8):1103-1113.
    5 Market Research Future, 3D Printed Maxillofacial Implant Market Research Report By Application (Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction, Dental Implants, Orthognathic Surgery, Trauma Reconstruction), By Material (Titanium, POM, Polyether Ether Ketone, Glass Ceramics), By Technology (Stereolithography, Selective Laser Sintering, Fused Deposition Modeling, Computer-Aided Design), By End Use (Hospitals, Dental Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers) and By Regional (North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) – Forecast to 2034 (March 2025).

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Graduate Programs Ranked Among the Best in the Nation

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The University of Connecticut offers graduate programs across a wide variety of fields and disciplines that rank among the very best in the United States, according to rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

    Programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the Neag School of Education, and UConn School of Law were all singled out as being among the best among their peers. The recognition highlights UConn’s commitment to student excellence and support generally, as well as the efforts of the schools and colleges measured in the rankings.

    “We are proud to see our graduate programs recognized among the nation’s best in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Anne D’Alleva. “This achievement reflects the exceptional dedication of our faculty, the talent of our students, and our continued investment in graduate education.”

    The School of Business’ Flex MBA programs ranked No. 33 in the nation for the second consecutive year, up from 37 two years ago. Executive Director Mia Hawlk credits the program’s commitment to innovation for its continued success.

    “The MBA market is very competitive, and we’ve worked hard to pair the best of a traditional business education with new, relevant, and current course topics. It is a constant cycle of re-examining and updating programs,” she says.

    The MBA program offers optional “MBA Now’’ courses which have included special courses on topics such as sustainability and artificial intelligence for managers.

    “I think our success is testament to the commitment of the University and the School of Business to deliver outstanding business education to our students and to the Connecticut workforce,’’ Hawlk says.

    For the second year in a row, multiple graduate programs within UConn’s Neag School of Education have earned recognition as among the best in the country.

    In addition, the Neag School appears for the tenth consecutive year as one of the top 30 public graduate schools of education in the United States, tied at No. 28. Among all graduate schools of education across the nation, both public and private, the Neag School stands tied at No. 37.

    All of the Neag School’s three departments are represented in the 2025 specialty education program rankings: No. 18 (tie) in Special Education Programs; No. 28 (tie) in Educational Administration Programs; and No. 34 in Curriculum and Instruction programs.

    “For more than a decade, the Neag School has been recognized as one of the preeminent schools of education in the nation,” Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. “The longevity of our impressive national rankings are a direct result of the unwavering dedication of faculty, staff, and students, and I’m proud that several of our individual programs are once again featured in the specialty rankings. This achievement reflects the pride we all share in our collective commitment to excellence and further solidifies our position as a leader in higher education.”

    Among graduate programs within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ranked by U.S. News, the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences has long been renowned for its education, research, clinical practice, and public outreach missions. The new rankings reflect that, with the Audiology program rising 5 points to No. 14 in the country, and the Speech Language Pathology program rising seven points to No. 32 in the country.

    The UConn School of Public Policy, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned praise for its Public Affairs program, which was ranked No. 36 in the country, up three places from last year. The School’s Public Finance and Budgeting Program was ranked No. 9 in the country.

    UConn School of Law rose 5 points to the rank of 50, up 21 from two years ago, and the school’s part-time Evening Division rose from No. 10 to the seventh best in the country. The overall rank in the magazine’s 2024-25 Best Law Schools list reflects particular strength in bar passage and employment outcomes for UConn Law graduates.

    In addition to U.S. News, in recent years The National Jurist’s preLaw magazine has listed the UConn School of Law among the best value law schools in the nation. It has also recognized UConn Law as a top school in environmental law, tax law, intellectual property, alternative dispute resolution, child and family law, and human rights law.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Kaseya Joins Forces with Overwatch to Deliver on Brand Promise of Creating an Unfair Advantage for Partners Through Hyperautomation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BATAVIA, Ill., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI), Overwatch division announces a strategic partnership with Kaseya, the leading global provider of AI-powered cybersecurity and IT management software. Kaseya is aligned with the vision and leadership of Overwatch’s new executive team and fully supports the company’s bold commitment to its brand promise—creating an unfair advantage for partners and their customers.

    Rather than a standard vendor relationship, Kaseya is leaning in—investing directly in Overwatch’s ability to scale with speed and purpose. Their support strengthens Overwatch’s hyperautomation efforts, helping drive operational velocity and efficiency not only internally but across the partner ecosystem. These efforts simplify go-to-market activities, accelerate onboarding, and deliver faster value to partners, enabling them to serve their customers better.

    “Kaseya has agreed to strategically support our mission of creating an unfair advantage for our channel, partner ecosystem, and their customers by investing in this relationship,” said Ed Vasko, CEO of High Wire-Overwatch.

    “This strategic support empowers High Wire Overwatch to continue innovating our services and solutions while driving greater efficiencies and hyperautomation across our operating structure. By reducing costs and enabling faster, more agile responses to the needs of our partners and their customers, this partnership creates a powerful platform for ongoing innovation. It’s more than an endorsement—it’s a shared commitment to helping our partners win,” Vasko continued.

    Through this collaboration, Overwatch is expanding its cybersecurity capabilities in ways that deliver real, measurable value to its partners. The investment from Kaseya enables Overwatch to enhance its back-office operations with intelligent automation across CRM, ticketing, quoting, and payment systems, streamlining partner onboarding and enabling faster speed to market. This tight integration improves the overall partner experience while reducing the time from quote to cash, ultimately driving increased partner profitability.

    New service enhancements include augmented monitoring and management tools that support scalable vulnerability management, enabling partners to identify and mitigate risks within their own environments and their customers’ infrastructures.

    Overwatch has also launched extended threat monitoring intelligence services that include adversarial dark web monitoring by identifying compromised credentials, domains, and accounts across partner ecosystems.

    Additionally, Kaseya’s support has helped Overwatch design a cyber hygiene starter tier that focuses on the most exploited attack vectors—users, email, endpoints, and cloud productivity platforms—providing partners with a simple and effective foundation for protecting their customers.

    “At Kaseya, we’re dedicated to helping companies like High Wire Overwatch gain a competitive edge in the market,” said Joe Smolarski, President & Chief Customer Officer of Kaseya. “A complete integrated platform from Kaseya will provide unmatched operational efficiency. In addition, the cybersecurity offerings Overwatch can now offer to its customers will be integral in protecting their end-customers against the evolving threats facing small businesses today.”

    This strategic partnership and the investment behind it positions Overwatch to deliver exceptional cybersecurity solutions while creating lasting and scalable advantages for its growing network of partners and their customers.

    About Kaseya  
    Kaseya is the leading global provider of AI-powered cybersecurity and IT management software. Through its customer-centric approach and renowned support, Kaseya delivers best-in-breed technologies that empower organizations to seamlessly manage IT infrastructure, secure networks, backup critical data, manage service operations, and grow their businesses. Kaseya offers a broad array of IT management solutions from industry-leading providers: audIT, ConnectBooster, Datto, Graphus, ID Agent, IT Glue, Kaseya, RapidFire Tools, RocketCyber, SaaS Alerts, Secure Payments, Spanning Cloud Apps, TruMethods, Unitrends and Vonahi. These innovative solutions fuel Kaseya’s IT Complete platform, which addresses the challenges of multifunctional IT professionals. IT Complete empowers them to centrally command hardware, software, security, data, compliance, operations and more from within a comprehensive, integrated, intelligent (AI utilization-optimized), and affordable platform. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Kaseya is privately held with a global presence in more than a dozen countries. To learn more, visit https://www.kaseya.com/. 

    About High Wire Networks
    High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI) is a fast-growing, award-winning global provider of managed cybersecurity. Through over 200 channel partners, it delivers trusted managed services for more than 1,100 managed security customers worldwide. End-customers include Fortune 500 companies and many of the nation’s largest government agencies. Its U.S. based 24/7 Network Operations Center and Security Operations Center is located in Chicago, Illinois.

    High Wire was ranked by Frost & Sullivan as a Top 15 Managed Security Service Provider in the Americas for 2024. It was also named to CRN’s MSP 500 and Elite 150 lists of the nation’s top IT managed service providers for 2023 and 2024.

    Learn more at HighWireNetworks.com. Follow the company on X, view its extensive video series on YouTube or connect on LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    The above news release contains forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to, statements identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hope,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and other variations or negative expressions of these terms, including statements related to expected market trends and the Company’s performance, are all “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to a wide range of external factors, uncertainties, business risks, and other risks identified in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based except as required by applicable law and regulations.

    High Wire Networks Contact
    Mark Porter
    Chief Executive Officer
    High Wire Networks
    Tel +1 (952) 974-4000

    Media Contact
    Lori Aleman
    Director of Marketing
    High Wire Networks
    Tel 1+ (630) 635-8477

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Banzai to Present at the Emerging Growth Conference on Thursday, April 17, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) (“Banzai” or the “Company”), a leading marketing technology company that provides essential marketing and sales solutions, today announced that Joe Davy, Founder & CEO, and Alvin Yip, CFO, will present at the Emerging Growth Conference on April 17, 2025.

    Emerging Growth Conference Details:

    A webcast of the presentation will also be available under the Events section of the Company’s investor relations website linked here.

    To schedule a one-on-one investor meeting with Banzai management, please contact your Emerging Growth Conference representative or email MZ Group at BNZI@mzgroup.us.

    About Banzai

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

    Forward-Looking Statements

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

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

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

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Business of I&T Week upcoming

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BIT Week) will make a grand return in April, the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau announced today.

    Mega innovation and technology (I&T) events include InnoEX, the Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference, and the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.

    The third edition of InnoEX will take place from April 13 to 16 at the Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), bringing together I&T elites, enterprises and buyers from the Mainland and overseas to promote I&T advancements.

    It will showcase cutting-edge technology solutions across five key areas of low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, cybersecurity and smart mobility.

    The event’s highlight is a Hong Kong pavilion set up by the Digital Policy Office to exhibit over 100 I&T solutions, including those developed by government departments concerning citizens’ daily lives as well as award-winning projects by local innovators and students.

    The second Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and the Xiangjiang Nobel Forum 2025 will take place concurrently at the HKCEC, assembling top-notch I&T talent and renowned scientists including laureates of the Nobel Prize and Turing Award in the city.

    Through keynote speeches, roundtable forums and other formats, the conference participants will tap into global wisdom on cutting-edge topics in big data, AI, biotechnology, new materials and large models. 

    The World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit will happen on April 14 and 15 at the HKCEC, focusing on discussions in large AI models, digital finance, and digital government and smart life.

    Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Sun Dong said that BIT Week will bring together I&T elites from 29 countries and regions and over 2,800 exhibitors, adding that Hong Kong’s I&T strengths will be showcased via a series of exhibitions, forums, seminars, business networking, and talent matching.

    Other industry events during BIT Week include the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), Smart Lighting Expo, and the Hong Kong Web3 Festival, the bureau said.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: LPL Financial Welcomes Vaughn Harvey as Chief Data and AI Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC, a leading wealth management firm, announces the appointment of Vaughn Harvey as executive vice president and chief data and artificial intelligence (AI) officer. Harvey will lead the company’s data and AI initiatives, driving innovation and digital transformation across the organization.

    Harvey brings over 25 years of experience in AI-driven digital transformations and enterprise-wide data strategies. Most recently, he served as managing director and head of product and transformation for consumer and community bank finance at JP Morgan Chase. Prior to joining JP Morgan Chase, Harvey held a variety of senior analytical roles at Morgan Stanley, PwC and Jefferies.

    “Vaughn’s extensive experience and proven track record in leveraging AI and data to drive business outcomes make him the perfect fit for LPL as we continue to scale our offering and leadership in this space,” said Gary Carrai, chief product officer at LPL Financial. “We look forward to the significant contributions he will bring to our advisors who are looking to AI to streamline and grow their practices in a meaningful way.”

    “Joining LPL Financial is a unique opportunity to lead the next wave of innovation in wealth management,” said Harvey. “I am eager to work with the talented tech team here to drive digital transformation and deliver sophisticated solutions that enhance our clients’ experiences.”

    Harvey holds an MBA in finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Sydney. He is based in New York City.

    LPL has already made significant strides in helping advisors implement AI effectively and compliantly. In Q4 2024, LPL launched AI Advisor Solutions, a curated program designed to help advisors maximize their days, deliver bespoke client experiences, and leverage data to provide more sophisticated and personalized financial advice.

    Additionally, LPL’s AI Accelerator program supports the firm’s goal to incorporate and deliver AI solutions that have a tangible and immediate impact on advisors’ businesses. LPL is also actively piloting a program that applies AI to generate customized insights for personalized financial planning and a streamlined new client onboarding process powered by AI.

    About LPL Financial

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

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

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

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

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

    Tracking #: 719808

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Regula Wins Gold in the Globee Awards for Cybersecurity for Its Complete Identity Verification Solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification (IDV) solutions, has received Gold in the 2025 Globee Awards for Cybersecurity. This marks Regula’s second consecutive year of winning in the globally recognized Globee Awards program, this time upgrading its Silver award from 2024 to Gold in 2025.

    The Gold Award for Regula in the 2025 Globee Awards for Cybersecurity

    Organized annually for over 20 years, the Globee Awards accolade companies and products that demonstrate superior performance, innovation, and leadership in their field. Regula won the Gold Award in the Identity Proofing and Corroboration category. This recognition spotlights the company’s contribution to enhancing secure and seamless identity verification through its complete software solution comprised of Regula Document Reader SDK and Regula Face SDK.

    Regula’s technologies and forensic devices are used by over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities across the globe. By combining forensic-level document analysis and advanced biometric verification, Regula helps financial institutions, government agencies, and businesses from any industry prevent identity fraud, whether online or in person.

    Regula Document Reader SDK is a robust on-premise software solution that streamlines digital customer onboarding, no matter the device, and automatically reads and authenticates data from a wide range of identity documents, including passports, ID cards, driver’s licenses, etc. Empowered by the world’s largest identity document template database, owned and maintained by Regula, the solution efficiently verifies IDs from 251 countries and territories. Its advanced document liveness verification, in-depth authenticity checks, and inherent ability to cross-validate personal data from multiple ID zones, including MRZs, RFID chips, and barcodes, help detect any inconsistencies that may indicate fraud.

    Along with document verification, Regula Face SDK delivers advanced biometric checks, including face matching and liveness detection performed in accordance with the ISO 30107-3 PAD standard. This ensures that the person presenting an ID is the rightful holder of the document and is physically present at the moment of verification. This makes it possible to detect spoofing techniques such as printed images, masks, video injections, replays, or deepfakes.

    “Winning Gold at the Globee Awards is a strong validation of our endeavor to make digital and physical identity verification secure, reliable, and fraud-proof. In a world where deepfakes and sophisticated document forgery are no longer hypothetical threats, it’s essential to equip organizations with tools that can detect even the most intricate forms of identity fraud. We’re proud that our solutions deliver exactly that,” says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula.

    This Gold Globee Award adds to Regula’s growing list of industry recognitions in cybersecurity and identity verification. Most recently, the company also received a second Gold award at the Merit Awards for Cybersecurity. Additionally, Gartner named Regula a representative vendor in its latest Market Guide for KYC Platforms for Banking.

    To learn more about Regula’s breakthrough technologies and achievements, visit the official website.

    About Regula

    Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.

    Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com.

    Contact:
    Kristina – ks@regulaforensics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e00852c5-f2a4-42fb-a849-bd04af47002c

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Beat the April 15 Tax Deadline, But Don’t Leave Money Behind

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the deadline to file taxes only 7 days away, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), the company that pioneered the tax prep category 70 years ago, is providing crucial last-minute tips to help taxpayers navigate the final stretch of tax season while ensuring no dollar is left behind. According to IRS data, 2025 filings are slightly lower compared to last year1, which means millions of taxpayers will be scrambling to meet the April 15th deadline.

    “Each year, millions of taxpayers leave billions of dollars behind because they miss valuable deductions and credits they’re entitled to,” said Andy Phillips, Vice President of The Tax Institute at H&R Block. “Filing taxes can be stressful, especially when you’re facing a fast-approaching deadline, but it is important to be thorough and thoughtful when gathering documents and preparing a return because it could be the difference between owing or getting money back.”

    H&R Block’s The Tax Institute is a team of tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents who constantly monitor and analyze federal and state tax code changes to enable the company’s vast network of 60,000 tax professionals and DIY products to address each taxpayer’s unique situation, from life changes to changing tax laws.

    Tax Codes That Maximize Your Refund

    H&R Block helps over 20 million clients each year get back or keep every dollar they’ve earned. Here are the top recommendations to reduce tax liability and maximize refunds.

    • File Even If You Can’t Pay: Many people think if they can’t pay, they shouldn’t file—but that’s a big mistake. The penalty for failing to file on time is ten times the penalty for failing to pay on time. Even if you can’t pay by the due date, you will save money by filing on time.
    • Double-Check Your Dependents: Those who support an elderly parent, an adult child, or even a non-relative living in the home, might be able to claim them as a dependent and get extra credits or deductions. Many people assume only young children qualify, but taxpayers should account for all other dependents for possible tax benefits. The child and dependent care credit is another benefit that can help cover a percentage of expenses such as daycare, childcare and summer camp, for a child under 13 years old. This credit can also be available for the costs of caring for a spouse or parent if they cannot care for themselves.
    • Don’t Leave Money Behind: The most common missed credits and deductions are:
      • Education Credits: Students and parents often overlook education credits such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC).
      • Child Tax Credit (CTC): The Child Tax Credit is up to $2,000 per child under the age of 17, with up to $1,700 being fully refundable even if no taxes are owed.
      • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): This credit is designed to benefit low to moderate-income workers. Many eligible taxpayers miss out on this credit because they don’t realize they qualify.
    • Consider filing even if you aren’t required to file: Individuals who don’t meet the minimum income threshold often don’t file because they aren’t required to, but they may qualify for certain credits that result in a refund.
    • Retirement Plan/IRA Early Withdrawal Penalty: There are now two new exceptions to the 10% penalty on early withdrawals from retirement plans or IRAs for emergency personal expenses and for victims of domestic abuse.
    • Natural Disasters: Legislation passed in December allows tax filers to claim losses not reimbursed by insurance without itemizing, meaning they can deduct that loss while still claiming the standard deduction.
    • Include All Sources of Income: Everyone—and especially gig workers, side hustlers and online sellers—should pay attention to the new 1099-K rules. Many will receive a 1099-K for the first time, as the reporting threshold for online sales and third-party payment apps has lowered significantly from $20,000 to $5,000.

    Because these credits and deductions often go unclaimed, H&R Block offers a free Second Look® tax review to double-check up to three years of tax returns for missed credits or deductions. No other company offers this extensive of a review for free2.

    Expert Help No Matter How You File

    The American tax code contains nearly 10,000 sections with up to 174 pages for each, making filing taxes daunting without professional help. Filers with complex tax situations may benefit from expert assistance. H&R Block offers a range of resources and flexible filing options to help last-minute taxpayers file with confidence and get their maximum refund, guaranteed3.

    • Assisted: File in as little as one hour with options to drop off your documents, meet virtually or in-person with one of the 60,000 company tax professionals at one of 9,000 offices. H&R Block has locations in every state and within 5 miles of most Americans many of which have same-day appointments available.
    • DIY Online: File on your own with H&R Block’s DIY online filing tools, supported by AI Tax Assist and Live Tax Pro Support. Clients can ask unlimited questions through AI Tax Assist and receive live support, free of charge in all DIY paid editions.
    • Tax Pro Review: Filers using H&R Block’s intuitive DIY tax prep service, can add Tax Pro Review any time during the online filing process to have a tax pro review your tax return for any errors or missed opportunities. Once complete the tax pro will sign and file the return on the client’s behalf. This provides extra peace of mind for filers who want the flexibility of preparing their own return and the confidence of an experienced tax pro reviewing their return to ensure accuracy.
    • DIY Software: Download our award-winning desktop software trusted by millions of Americans for over twenty years.

    “Whether completing your own taxes online or getting expert assistance from one of our tax pros, we are here to help our customers file accurately, confidently and get their maximum refund guaranteed,” said Phillips.

    What To Do If You Are Unable to File On Time?

    If you are unable to file your taxes by the April 15th deadline, requesting an extension may be a good option. This will give filers until October 15th, 2025, to file a return, but it’s important to remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay.

    Filers will still need to estimate their tax liability and pay any amount due by April 15th to avoid penalties. Remember that the IRS may have already granted extensions to those affected by natural disasters. Check the IRS website to see if you qualify for automatic relief before requesting an extension.

    To learn more about H&R Block’s tax preparation services, many ways to file, and year-round financial support, visit hrblock.com. For media assets, visit hrblock.com/tax-center/newsroom and for helpful tips and information, follow H&R Block on TikTokInstagram, and Facebook. 

    1According to the IRS filing season statistics as of 3/28/2025.
    2At participating offices. Fees apply to file an amended return. The IRS allows taxpayers to amend returns from the previous three tax years to claim additional refunds to which they are entitled.
    3All tax situations are different. Not everyone gets a refund. See hrblock.com/guarantees for complete details.

    Editor’s Note:
    For media assets, visit hrblock.com/tax-center/newsroom or a downloadable Tax Season 2025 media kit, visit https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/media-kit/tax-season-2025/.

    About H&R Block 
    H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Melissa Celebrates 40th Anniversary as the Address Expert

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Celebrating an industry milestone, Melissa today announced its 40th anniversary as the Address Expert. The company is a global leader in data quality and address management solutions, and now marks four decades of innovation and market leadership in data quality, identity verification, and customer address management.

    Established in 1985 by Ray Melissa, the company started with a simple ZIP Code data offering aimed at improving address accuracy for mailers. Today, Melissa has grown into a global powerhouse, serving over 10,000 businesses worldwide with a robust suite of solutions that enhance address, email, phone, and identity verification. Melissa’s newly released catalog features a spectrum of integrations, tools, and services supporting customer data quality across key international arenas such as fintech and financial services, healthcare, public sector services, and online commerce.

    “For Melissa, 2025 is an incredibly special year,” said company founder Ray Melissa. “It’s gratifying to reflect on our journey—from a small data provider to an industry leader shaping the future of data quality and verification. Operating at the crossroads of customer data, global business operations, and emerging AI-driven platforms, we take pride in empowering enterprises to harness the full potential of clean, standardized data in an increasingly connected world.”

    Melissa has long focused on global growth, building partnerships that serve a worldwide enterprise customer base and support data professionals from developers to database managers to data end-users. In 2024 alone, the company introduced new integrations with FedRAMP®, Shopify, Microsoft AppSource, and Google Workspace, reinforcing its presence in cloud-based data services. Additionally, Melissa expanded its international footprint by opening new offices in Mexico and Brazil, further solidifying its role as a trusted partner across five continents.

    Beyond geographic expansion, Melissa has remained at the forefront of technological advancements in data quality. The company recently launched its Melissa Alert Service, a cutting-edge solution designed for continuous data monitoring and automated cleansing. Melissa’s success has also been built on strong collaborations with key postal agencies, technology providers, and recognized authoritative data sources. The company maintains USPS® CASS™, PAVE™, NCOALink® Service, and Canada Post SERP® certifications, ensuring its data solutions meet the highest postal standards worldwide. Melissa is also partnered with ESRI, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, with data integrations that support retailers with optimized address data for smarter ecommerce. Partnerships with Salesforce, Talend, Stripe, Snowflake, and other major platforms continue to enable seamless integrations for enterprise clients.

    “Our partnerships have been instrumental in driving Melissa’s reach,” added Melissa. “By working alongside leading global organizations and authoritative data sources, we ensure that businesses have access to the most accurate, up-to-date, and compliant data solutions available. We don’t plan on slowing down and can see a bright future for continued pioneering of smart, sharp data tools to empower business.”

    Click here to download Melissa’s 2025 Data Quality and Enrichment Catalog; to connect with members of Melissa’s global intelligence team, visit www.Melissa.com or call 1-800-MELISSA.

    About Melissa
    Powering clean customer data for 40 years, Melissa is the Address Expert. Providing address validation, address autocomplete, and geo-verified address data for 240+ countries, Melissa supports global businesses with its offices across five continents. Melissa’s suite of data quality, ID verification, and location data tools and services drives better decision-making, reduced costs, increased efficiency, and improved compliance. Our APIs, CRM and ecommerce integrations, and online tools help Melissa’s 10,000 customers worldwide process billions of addresses daily, fully capitalizing on the business value of customer data. For more information, visit www.Melissa.com or call 1-800-MELISSA (635-4772).

    Media contacts
    Greg Brown
    Vice President, Global Marketing, Melissa
    greg.brown@Melissa.com
    +1-800-635-4772 x1130

    MPoweredPR for Melissa
    pr@mpoweredpr.com
    +1-877-794-6777

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: LightSolver Appoints Former HSBC CEO Colin Bell to Advisory Board

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEL AVIV, Israel, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LightSolver, inventor of a new laser-based computing paradigm, today announced the appointment of financial and banking expert Colin Bell to its Advisory Board. Bell will assist LightSolver with its go-to-market strategy for the financial industry and global enterprise market.

    Colin Bell is a Non-Executive Director of Serendipity Capital. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank plc and HSBC Europe and as Executive Director of HSBC Bank plc. Bell has deep experience in the banking and financial industry, having also served as the Group Chief Compliance Officer and Group Head of Financial Crime Risk at HSBC Group and Head of Compliance and Operational Risk Control at UBS. Additionally, Bell has held appointments with the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO.

    LightSolver has developed an all-optical Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) that leverages laser interactions to compute large and complex problems faster and more efficiently than the most advanced classical HPC systems. The LPU processes at the speed of light and is ideally suited for computations that require massive numbers of iterations, such as combinatorial optimization problems encountered in transport scheduling, production and supply chain optimization, or trading and portfolio optimization, as well as physical simulations for computer-aided engineering (CAE) and scientific computations.

    “The potential of LightSolver’s all-optical technology to solve complex, compute-intensive challenges is remarkable and can open up new opportunities in the financial sector,” said Bell. “The outcomes of many challenges across risk management, investment and trading could be enhanced by this advanced computing method. I look forward to working with LightSolver to shape its offering and provide impactful solutions for financial institutes and beyond.”

    LightSolver recently announced a partnership with engineering software simulation provider Ansys focused on accelerating simulations for automotive, aerospace, and other industries. It also received a 12.5M grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to advance its all-optical supercomputer.

    “Colin Bell brings invaluable business insight and a deep network across the financial and enterprise sectors,” said LightSolver CEO and co-founder Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D. “His experience leading major institutions will be a key asset as we scale LightSolver’s commercial efforts and position our laser-based computing platform for real-world adoption. We’re excited to work with him to accelerate our growth and bring transformative computing power to the industries that need it most.”

    About LightSolver
    LightSolver is developing an all-optical supercomputer capable of solving complex and large computational problems at the speed of light. Utilizing the interference patterns of lasers, the Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) can tackle challenges that were previously constrained by the limits of electronics, while fitting into a rack unit and operating at room temperature. Dr. Ruti Ben-Shlomi and Dr. Chene Tradonsky, physicists from the world-renowned Weizmann Institute, founded the company in 2020. More than 2/3 of the team are physics, math and computer science PhDs. LightSolver has secured investment from TAL Ventures, Entree Capital, IBI Tech Fund, Angular Ventures, Maverick, and Artofin. The company has also received a €12.5M grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to advance its all-optical supercomputer. Connect with LightSolver @LightSolverCo on X and on LinkedIn. For more information, visit lightsolver.com or email info@lightsolver.com.

    Media Contact:
    Seth Menacker
    Fusion PR
    lightsolver@fusionpr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: CNB Financial Corporation Announces that ISS Recommends Shareholders Support the Proposal to Issue Common Stock in connection with the Merger with ESSA Bancorp, Inc., the Proposal to Approve the 2025 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Say-on-Pay Proposal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CLEARFIELD, Pa., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CNB Financial Corporation (“CNB”) (NASDAQ: CCNE) is pleased to announce that leading independent proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (“ISS”) is recommending that CNB shareholders vote “FOR” each of (1) the proposal to issue shares of CNB common stock in connection with the merger of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (“ESSA”) with and into CNB; (2) the proposal to approve the CNB Financial Corporation 2025 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and (3) the non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of CNB’s named executive officers in advance of the upcoming CNB Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).

    The Annual Meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Shareholders of record as of February 18, 2025 will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote, and submit questions during the Annual Meeting via live webcast by visiting web.viewproxy.com/CNBFinancial/2025. CNB’s joint proxy statement/prospectus for the Annual Meeting is available at web.viewproxy.com/CNBFinancial/2025.

    Whether or not shareholders plan to attend the Annual Meeting, CNB encourages shareholders to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus and submit their proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. Information regarding how to vote or revoke previously submitted proxies is available in the joint proxy statement/prospectus referenced above.

    If CNB shareholders have any questions or need assistance with voting, they are encouraged to contact CNB’s proxy solicitor, Alliance Advisors:

    Alliance Advisors, LLC
    200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor
    Bloomfield, NJ 07003
    (833) 215-7302
    CCNE@AllianceAdvisors.com

    About CNB Financial Corporation

    CNB Financial Corporation is a financial holding company with consolidated assets of approximately $6.2 billion. CNB Financial Corporation conducts business primarily through its principal subsidiary, CNB Bank. CNB Bank is a full-service bank engaging in a full range of banking activities and services, including trust and wealth management services, for individual, business, governmental, and institutional customers. CNB Bank operations include a private banking division, one loan production office, one drive-up office, one mobile office, and 56 full-service offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Virginia. CNB Bank, headquartered in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, with offices in Central and North Central Pennsylvania, serves as the multi-brand parent to various divisions. These divisions include ERIEBANK, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, with offices in Northwest Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio; FCBank, based in Worthington, Ohio, with offices in Central Ohio; BankOnBuffalo, based in Buffalo, New York, with offices in Western New York; Ridge View Bank, based in Roanoke, Virginia, with offices in the Southwest Virginia region; and Impressia Bank, a division focused on banking opportunities for women, which operates in CNB Bank’s primary market areas. Additional information about CNB Financial Corporation may be found at www.CNBBank.bank.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements about CNB and its industry involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements other than statements of current or historical fact, including statements regarding CNB’s future financial condition, results of operations, business plans, liquidity, cash flows, projected costs, and the impact of any laws or regulations applicable to CNB, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “should” and other similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results.

    Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following: (i) the ability to complete the proposed merger with ESSA on the proposed terms or on the anticipated timeline, or at all, including the risk that governmental approvals of the merger may not be obtained, or adverse regulatory conditions may be imposed in connection with governmental approvals of the merger and risks and uncertainties related to securing the necessary shareholder approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions to consummate the proposed merger; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement relating to the proposed merger; (iii) risks related to diverting the attention of management from ongoing business operations; (iv) failure to realize the expected benefits of the proposed merger; (v) significant transaction costs and/or unknown or inestimable liabilities; (vi) the risk of shareholder litigation in connection with the proposed merger, including resulting expense or delay; (vii) the risk that ESSA’s business will not be integrated successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; (viii) risks related to future opportunities and plans for the combined company, including the uncertainty of expected future financial performance and results of the combined company following completion of the proposed merger; (ix) the effect of the announcement of the proposed merger on the ability of CNB to operate its business and retain and hire key personnel and to maintain favorable business relationships; (x) risks related to the market value of the CNB common stock to be issued in the proposed merger; (xi) other risks related to the completion of the proposed merger and actions related thereto; (xii) the dilution caused by CNB’s issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the proposed merger; (xiii) national, international, regional and local economic and political climates and conditions; (xiv) changes in general economic conditions, including changes in market interest rates and changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; and (xv) legislative and regulatory changes. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in CNB’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and in subsequent filings CNB makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. CNB does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    In connection with the proposed merger, CNB filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-285096), that includes a document that serves as a prospectus of CNB and a joint proxy statement of CNB and ESSA (the “joint proxy statement/prospectus”). CNB and ESSA also plan to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed merger. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CNB, ESSA AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. You may obtain a free copy of the registration statement, including the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed by CNB and ESSA with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by CNB with the SEC are available free of charge on CNB’s website at www.cnbbank.bank or by directing a request to CNB Financial Corporation, 1 South Second Street, PO Box 42, Clearfield, PA, attention: Treasurer, telephone (814) 765-9621.

    No Offer

    This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    CNB and its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. You can find information about CNB’s executive officers and directors in the joint proxy statement/prospectus. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants are included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents from CNB using the sources indicated above.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Innovators in Action: How IIT Graduates at SRI-N are Shaping the Future of Technology

    Source: Samsung

    Meet the next generation of innovators—students from India’s top IITs, who are redefining what is possible at Samsung R&D Institute Noida (SRI-N).
     
    Established in 2007 with the primary focus of mobile software development and testing, SRI-N is actively involved in developing localized and advanced solutions to suit market needs for South West Asia and develop models for Middle East Asia, North America (USA and Canada), Europe & CIS regions.
     
    Nestled in a sprawling lush green campus on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway in Delhi NCR, SRI-N is a launchpad for innovation, where some of the country’s most brilliant young minds come together to push boundaries and bring ideas to life.
     
    (L-to-R) Gajendra Nawal, Subhashish Moitra, Harsh Pratik, Lalit Kumar, and Yash Verma
     
    Take for instance, Lalit Kumar, an engineer in SRI-N’s Android Application team, who always knew he wanted to work at a place that values innovation.
     
    Similarly, Yash Sharma, an engineer working on sensor drivers, said, “The brand value, the research-driven culture, and the hunger for innovation are unparalleled. At Samsung, we don’t just follow trends—we set them.”
     

    Freedom to Create and Execute Ideas
    One of the defining aspects of life at SRI-N is the freedom to think, create, and innovate. Interns and young engineers are encouraged to push the boundaries of what is possible. Whether it’s developing new AI-driven smartphone features or working on breakthrough semiconductor technologies, every idea is valued and nurtured.
     
    Harsh Pratik, an Android Application engineer, highlighted the level of support young engineers receive.
     
    Harsh Pratik, an Android Application engineer, highlighted the level of support young engineers receive. “We are completely free to share our ideas, especially when it comes to research and patents. Experienced engineers are always there to guide us, and if an idea has potential, Samsung provides every possible resource to bring it to life,” he said.
     
    “Since day one, I have been part of projects that are dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative solutions. The exposure, learning, and responsibilities keep me motivated to do my best.” – Subhashish Moitra
     
     
    Subhashish Moitra
     
    This freedom to explore and innovate extends beyond work—it is a mindset that Samsung cultivates in its employees. Shubhashish Moitra, who works in AI and machine learning, believes that Samsung’s encouragement of new ideas makes all the difference.
     

    A Culture of Mentorship and Collaboration
    For young engineers, working at Samsung means being surrounded by some of the best minds in the industry. The collaborative work environment ensures that everyone from fresh recruits to experienced mentors is constantly learning from each other. “Every day is an opportunity to learn from incredibly talented individuals who bring diverse perspectives and deep technical expertise,” said Gajendra Nawal, Chief Engineer in the Service Framework team.
     
    “Samsung has always been a hub of innovation, delivering the best and most reliable products worldwide. When I got the opportunity to be part of this culture, I knew I was exactly where I wanted to be.” – Lalit Kumar
     
    Lalit Kumar
     
    The openness of senior engineers and team leaders plays a huge role in fostering innovation. “If we get stuck on an issue, we can always reach out to our seniors. They are welcoming and always ready to help,” said Lalit Kumar.

    Patent Culture: Encouraging Young Innovators
    Samsung’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its strong focus on patents and intellectual property. The company has dedicated Ideation Teams that help young engineers refine their ideas into patentable innovations. Yash Sharma, who is actively working towards filing a patent, said, “One of the most striking aspects of Samsung’s culture is its approach to patents. Every idea, no matter how big or small, is discussed, evaluated, and supported.”
    “For those who have always dreamt of making a mark in the world of technology, this is the perfect place to start. Even engineers who have not worked on patents yet are actively exploring and learning about the process. “I am eagerly going through ideations and learning how to contribute to Samsung’s vast portfolio of innovations,” said Harsh Pratik.
     

    Impacting Millions, One Innovation at a Time
    Beyond the technical excellence and mentorship, what truly makes SRI-N special is the impact its engineers create. Every project they work on—whether it is AI-driven smartphone enhancements, advanced semiconductor technologies, or next-gen software solutions—touches millions of lives worldwide.
    For young engineers, Samsung is more than just a workplace—it is a platform to dream, build, and lead the future of technology. And, as they continue to innovate, their journey at SRI-N is shaping not only their own futures but also the future of the tech world itself.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: Abaxx Provides Q1 2025 Corporate Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE:ABXX)(OTCQX:ABXXF) (“Abaxx” or the “Company”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “Abaxx Exchange” and “Abaxx Clearing”), and producer of the SmarterMarkets™ Podcast, provides an update on operational milestones and the continued execution of the Company’s business strategy in the first quarter of 2025.

    The Company also announces that it plans to host an investor call and presentation on Thursday, April 10th. For more information, see “Q1 2025 Business Update Investor Call” below.

    Abaxx Corporate Milestone Highlights

    Commercial Development

    • Executed the Company’s first trades in Nickel Sulphate and Lithium Carbonate Futures, including the world’s first trade of a non-Chinese, USD-denominated and physically-deliverable Lithium Carbonate Futures contract.
    • The Company saw the first OTC LNG cargo trade indexed to Abaxx LNG Futures (see the Company’s press release from March 24, 2025).
    • Established active market makers in all three LNG contracts and both carbon contracts across our trading hours.
    • A total of six clearing firms, 29 trading firms, and 14 interdealer brokers (IDBs) are now connected to Abaxx Exchange and Clearing, with an additional four clearing firms, 12 trading firms, and 12 IDBs currently in progress.
    • Completed the first brand listing under the Lithium Carbonate Futures contract.
    • Finalized onboarding with a major global data distribution network expected to expand visibility of Abaxx markets to over 100 million viewers. Added six new market data partners in Q1 2025, bringing the total to six.
    • Engaged in exploratory discussions with an external exchange group seeking to use Abaxx Clearing for third-party clearing services, and also engaged in exploratory discussions with external exchange groups based in China to collaborate on cross-jurisdictional (i.e. onshore/offshore) product listing opportunities with Abaxx Exchange and Clearing.

    Exchange Product Development

    • Launched four new battery metals contracts in Q1 2025, including Nickel Sulphate Futures and three regional physically-deliverable Lithium Carbonate Futures contracts.
    • Submitted a 1-kilobar Singapore Gold Futures contract for regulatory review.
    • Currently in the final development stage of: (i) a financially-settled copper spread contract to support price transparency in global base metals markets, and (ii) the first contracts in a suite of weather futures.

    Risk and Regulatory Development

    • Applied to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for recognition as a Foreign Board of Trade (FBOT).
    • Completed public consultation on rule amendments to introduce additional currencies as acceptable margin collateral.
    • Convened the inaugural meeting of its Risk Advisory Panel and successfully executed a default management fire drill.

    Systems and Operations Development

    • Expanded system capabilities to support multi-currency settlement and collateralization, with projected completion by May 2025.
    • Completed the upgrade of Verifier+ (a digital credentials storage provider) into the Abaxx Trade Registration Platform.
    • Continued progress on ISO/IEC 27001 audit for Abaxx Exchange infrastructure, with certification targeted for June 2025.
    • Enhanced client onboarding workflows and expanded market data access to support growing participant demand.

    Abaxx Console Suite Development

    • Rolled out Verifier+ v2.0 with expanded capabilities and integrated the app with Abaxx Exchange to enable passwordless login for the Abaxx Trade Registration Platform (ATRP).
    • Advanced Abaxx Messenger into pre-release testing as a member support tool for Abaxx Exchange.
    • Reached the initial development milestone for Abaxx Sign, currently progressing through testing and feedback with design partners.
    • Initiated development of AbaxxOne, a middleware solution connecting enterprise identity systems (e.g., Auth0, Okta) to ID++ and the Abaxx Console Suite.

    Financing Development

    • On March 27, 2025, the Company announced it had closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement, securing C$22.85 million through the issuance of secured convertible debentures bearing 7.0% annual interest, convertible at C$13.00 per share and maturing in 2028. The Company is currently in discussions for a potential second tranche (see the Company’s press release dated March 27, 2025).

    Following the successful launch of Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing in mid-2024, the first quarter of 2025 marked a period of accelerated growth across product development, commercial engagement, and systems expansion. First trades were executed in the Nickel Sulphate and Lithium Carbonate markets, alongside the first OTC LNG cargo trade indexed to Abaxx LNG Futures, reflecting early adoption of our benchmark contracts.

    We launched four new contracts across our battery metals product suite and submitted a 1-kilobar Singapore Gold Futures contract to support Asia’s kilobar market, an offering not currently matched in London or New York. In parallel, we incorporated Abaxx Spot, a separate entity designed to support convergence between futures and physical gold markets. While the gold futures contract will be listed by Abaxx Exchange, Abaxx Spot enables electronic settlement and physical delivery of 99.99% purity kilobars in Singapore through a secure, transparent gold pool. Together, these initiatives advance our vision of building smarter markets for physical gold trading. Onboarding momentum continued through targeted, on-the-ground engagement at commercial events globally.

    We also scaled platform infrastructure, enhancing client onboarding workflows, expanding market data access, and progressing toward ISO 27001 certification. Core protocol development advanced with upgrades to the ID++ protocol and Verifier+, the initiation of AbaxxOne middleware, and continued development of Abaxx Messenger.

    The following sections provide further information related to these developments across business units and platform initiatives.

    Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing Developments

    Risk and Regulatory: Abaxx Exchange submitted its application to the U.S. CFTC for recognition as a Foreign Board of Trade (FBOT). Once granted, this recognition would enable U.S. trading participants to directly access products listed on Abaxx Exchange. In February, the Company completed a public consultation on rule amendments to support the introduction of additional currencies as acceptable margin collateral. These amendments are now under regulatory review, with the final list of approved currencies to be announced in due course.

    The Company also convened the inaugural meeting of its Risk Advisory Panel on March 17, 2025 with participation from all three direct clearing members. The Risk Advisory Panel serves as a forum for ongoing collaboration between the clearinghouse and its members to strengthen risk management, transparency, and operational resilience. In late March, Abaxx Clearing conducted its first default management firedrill with member participation, a process which validated its preparedness to manage member defaults and execute crisis response procedures effectively.

    Commercial: The Abaxx Commercial team secured market participation leading to the first trades in Nickel Sulphate and Lithium Carbonate Futures during the first quarter of 2025, including the world’s first trade of a non-Chinese, USD-denominated and physically-deliverable Lithium Carbonate Futures contract. The quarter also saw the first OTC LNG cargo trade indexed to Abaxx LNG Futures, reflecting growing confidence in Abaxx’s benchmark contracts. Active market makers were established across all three LNG contracts and both carbon contracts during core trading hours.

    Onboarding efforts continued across firm types. Abaxx maintained six active clearing members and non-direct clearing firm connections, with four additional clearers, that include global bank clearers, currently in progress to establish new clearing connectivity. Twenty-nine trading firms comprised of merchant traders and financial trading firms are now fully onboarded to execute Block Trades with twelve additional firms currently in the onboarding process; clients connected to Abaxx continue to be able to access Abaxx markets through the central limit order book. Fourteen interdealer brokers (IDBs) are onboarded with twelve more in progress. The quarter also included the first brand listing under the Lithium Carbonate Futures contract.

    Abaxx representatives participated in over 300 high-level meetings across 10 global industry events in Q1 2025. Executives were featured on panels at both E-World and the FT Commodities Global Summit, supporting commercial visibility and momentum. Abaxx was also shortlisted for the World LNG Award for Outstanding Contribution 2024.

    To support commercial growth in Asia in Q1, Abaxx expanded marketing efforts in China, including the launch of a dedicated Chinese-language website (https://cn.abaxx.exchange/) and the announcement of a co-hosted Mandarin-language battery metals seminar with Shanghai Metals Market, taking place April 8, 2025. The team also engaged in exploratory discussions with an external exchange group seeking to use Abaxx Clearing for third-party clearing services, and also engaged in exploratory discussions with external exchange groups based in China to collaborate on cross-jurisdictional (i.e. onshore/offshore) product listing opportunities with Abaxx Exchange and Clearing.

    To support broader market visibility, Abaxx Exchange launched abaxx.exchange/marketdata to provide access to market data publicly. Abaxx also formally launched its market data program in Q1, with six partners onboarded to date: five subscribers and one redistributor. Progress is underway to onboard multiple data distributors, including the leading global financial data provider currently in technical integration, another with a distribution network expected to extend Abaxx market visibility to over 100 million viewers, as well as additional partners supporting our broader data distribution strategy.

    Systems and Operations: Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing continued to operate reliably with no downtime since launch, supporting stable onboarding and trading. Systems testing is underway to support multi-currency settlement and collateralization, with rollout on track for completion by May 2025. The ISO/IEC 27001 audit for Abaxx Exchange infrastructure is in progress, with certification targeted for June 2025.

    The Company continues to enhance client onboarding workflows to ensure a seamless experience for market participants. In parallel, integration work is advancing across major market data vendors to expand access to Abaxx Exchange market data and meet growing participant demand.

    Exchange Product Development: Development of the Gold Singapore Futures contract progressed through Stage 3 (Industry Review/Risk/Regulatory), with launch planning underway. Abaxx also advanced a regional copper spread futures contract, a suite of weather derivatives, and carbon market contracts aligned with regional compliance programs, each currently in Stage 3. Certain weather and compliance carbon futures are expected to become the first Abaxx contracts priced in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

    Enhancements to the LNG contract suite included updates to the LNG Northwest Europe contract to incorporate Phase 2 compliance requirements under the EU Methane Regulation. Additional research is underway to update the list of eligible ports, including newly commissioned infrastructure. As of April 4, 2025, Calcasieu Pass LNG was added as an Eligible Loading Port under the Abaxx LNG Gulf of Mexico Futures Contract.

    Phase 2 work also continued on contract extensions designed to complement Abaxx benchmark products, as well as on meeting regulatory requirements for a suite of physically and financially-settled options.

    Additional Corporate Updates

    Abaxx Console Apps:   The Company released upgrades to the ID++ protocol and Verifier+ in Q1 2025, including integrations with Abaxx Exchange and SmarterMarkets Coffeehouse™. Verifier+ improvements followed its public release on the Apple App Store and Google Play, with enhanced app speed, simplified account recovery, broader device compatibility, and expanded user controls for account editing and deletion. Device-native features such as PIN entry and camera functionality were also upgraded.

    Messenger is in its final stages of pre-release testing ahead of deployment as a user support tool for Abaxx Exchange. Feature development for initial release is complete, with improvements to maintaining performance at scale now in testing. These include faster load times for messages, improved performance under load, and interface tools that help support teams manage multiple, ongoing conversations.

    Development of AbaxxOne was initiated as a middleware solution connecting enterprise identity systems (e.g., Auth0, Okta) to the Abaxx ecosystem.

    Abaxx Sign reached its initial functional milestone and is now progressing through internal testing and design partner feedback cycles.

    Integration of PrivacyCode progressed in Q1, with Verifier+ now available as a login option. This marks continued growth in the number of applications and platforms offering Verifier+ as a privacy-enabled authentication method across the Abaxx ecosystem.

    SmarterMarkets™: SmarterMarkets™ conducted on-site interviews at key industry events hosted by the Futures Industry Association and Financial Times in Q1 2025, capturing real-time insights from global market participants for upcoming compilation episodes. These conversations contribute to the ongoing dialogue around the future of energy, climate, technology, and finance — conversations that the SmarterMarkets Coffeehouse platform is designed to elevate.

    Development also began on the mobile application for SmarterMarkets Coffeehouse™, and contributor onboarding was completed for the first cohort of over 50 thought leaders across energy, AI, digital identity, carbon, and market infrastructure. Early contributors have begun publishing content on the platform. By combining verifiable credentials with tiered levels of access, Coffeehouse is designed to facilitate more open and trusted dialogue than traditional social media environments currently support.

    Those interested in joining as commenters or members can join the waitlist at https://smartermarkets.media/waitlist/.

    Q1 2025 Business Update Investor Call

    The Company plans to host a quarterly business update investor presentation, to provide a business update and respond to investor questions.

    The Company will hold the investor presentation via Zoom Meetings on Thursday, April 10th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST). The Company invites current and prospective shareholders to attend this quarterly business update and Q&A session with the Abaxx executive team. Attendees may email their questions in advance to ir@abaxx.tech.

    Registration will be required to access the meeting. Following the presentation, a recording of the session will be made available on the Abaxx Investor Relations website at investors.abaxx.tech.

    PRESENTATION DETAILS
    DATE: Thursday, April 10, 2025
    TIME: 10:00 a.m. EST
    LOCATION: Zoom Meeting
    To receive the meeting link and passcode, please register here.
    QUESTIONS: Please submit questions ahead of the presentation to: ir@abaxx.tech

    About Abaxx Technologies

    Abaxx is building Smarter Markets — markets empowered by better financial technology and market infrastructure to address our biggest challenges, including the energy transition. In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is a majority-owner of Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, subsidiaries recognized by MAS as an RMO and ACH, respectively.

    Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing are a Singapore-based commodity futures exchange and clearinghouse, introducing centrally cleared, physically deliverable commodities futures and derivatives to provide better price discovery and risk management tools for the commodities critical to our transition to a lower-carbon economy.

    For more information please visit abaxx.tech, abaxx.exchange and smartermarkets.media.

    For more information about this press release, please contact:
    Steve Fray, CFO
    Tel: +1 647 490 1590

    Media and investor inquiries:
    Abaxx Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations Team
    Tel: +1 647 490 1590
    E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward- looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

    Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes, but is not limited to: the business plans and objectives of Abaxx; the development of new products, futures contracts, markets and technologies and associated benefits; anticipated receipt of regulatory approvals; closing of a second tranche offering of secured convertible debentures; and onboarding of clearing members and firms. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: the inability to receive regulatory approvals in connection with financings or inability to finalize transaction documentation; risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; acquiring and maintaining regulatory approvals for Abaxx’s products and operations; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third-party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; and changes in the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains, and the risk factors identified in the Company’s most recent management discussion & analysis filed on SEDAR+. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business.

    Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward- looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. Cboe Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The capital has transferred more than 100 plots of land to investors for the development of sports infrastructure

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Since 2016, the city has provided investors with more than 150 hectares of land in all administrative districts of the capital for the construction of sports facilities. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “Investors and developers are actively involved in the development of the capital’s sports infrastructure. For the construction of facilities, the city regularly puts land up for open auctions and provides it as part of large-scale investment projects. Since 2016, 106 plots of land with an area of about 155 hectares have been allocated for the construction of sports complexes. The area of buildings and associated infrastructure will be about 1.2 million square meters,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    Large-scale investment projects (MaIP) have been implemented in Moscow since 2016. Objects aimed at developing urban infrastructure and creating jobs can receive this status.

    “Since 2016, 58 plots with an area of 121 hectares have been transferred to investors for the construction of sports facilities within the framework of the MAIP. In addition, entrepreneurs can obtain land for the construction of sports and recreation complexes by participating in open auctions. All the necessary information can be found on the capital’s investment portal. Over the same period, the winners of the auctions received 48 plots with a total area of almost 34 hectares,” noted the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of City Property

    Maxim Gaman.

    For example, in the Kurkino district, a large-scale investment project for the construction of an ice arena has already been implemented on a 1.8-hectare site. It is intended for ice hockey and figure skating training, as well as for choreography classes, general physical training, and team games.

    The Ramenki sports complex was built on a 0.3-hectare site within the framework of the MaIP in the district of the same name. The area of more than six thousand square meters houses a pool for recreational swimming and aqua aerobics, a children’s pool for swimming lessons, a multi-purpose games hall for basketball, volleyball, mini-football and tennis training, a gym, halls for martial arts, boxing, choreography, yoga, Pilates, rhythmic and recreational gymnastics.

    In Zelenograd on Zarechnaya Street, an investor leased a 0.6 hectare plot of land for the construction of a sports and recreation complex as a result of an auction. As a result, a private sports complex with a swimming pool and specialized areas for recreational recreation was opened for local residents.

    In Novo-Peredelkino, the investor leased a land plot of 0.28 hectares in the area of the 11th microdistrict near Borovskoye Highway. The entrepreneur is building a multifunctional sports complex on it.

    Earlier Sergei Sobyanin opened The historic Lokomotiv stadium in Lublin after modernisation.

    The construction of social facilities in Moscow corresponds to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152309073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Real World Assets (RWA Inc.) Appoints Stephen Schueler to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Real World Assets (RWA Inc.), a leader in the tokenization of real-world assets, is excited to announce the appointment of Stephen Schueler to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Schueler is a seasoned executive with a history of driving growth and innovation in global companies.

    Stephen Schueler brings unmatched experience from some of the most powerful companies in the world. At Microsoft, he served as Corporate Vice President of Global Retail Sales & Marketing, contributing to the company’s global growth across its $200B+ annual revenue operations.

    Prior to Microsoft, Stephen spent over 20 years at Procter & Gamble, where he rose to become Senior Vice President, Head of Global Retail Operations. There, he led large-scale commercial strategy and operations across international markets.

    He later served as Chief Commercial Officer at A.P. Moller–Maersk, the world’s largest shipping and logistics company, overseeing 374 offices in 114 countries and managing revenues exceeding $30B. Currently, Stephen is Chairman of Eagle AI, Inerfuel, and Board Advisor to LumeNXT and Vikand.

    “Bringing Stephen onto our board is a major moment for RWA Inc.,” said Kevin Yunai, CEO and founder. “He’s led billion-dollar divisions at the world’s most influential companies. His operational insight and global network are invaluable as we scale our platform to capture part of the $16T asset tokenization market.”

    Stephen joins RWA Inc. at a key moment. With listings on major exchanges (KuCoin, Gate.io, MEXC…), and over 50 strategic partners, RWA Inc. is positioned as a category leader in Web3 infrastructure for real-world assets.

    “Real World Assets (RWA Inc.) is a leader in the industry building tokenization supported by assets” said Schueler. “The team, technology, and the vision are thought leaders building credibility and transparency which is supporting RWA’s global expansion.”

    About RWA Inc

    RWA Inc offers end-to-end real-world asset (RWA) tokenization through a cutting-edge multi-asset platform that includes tokenization as-a service, a launchpad, and a marketplace. With a short-term focus on startup utility tokens for our go-to-market strategy, our primary emphasis is on strategically expanding into startup equity tokens, real estate, collectibles, and other asset classes via registered security tokens. As an innovator in the RWA niche, we help tech startups and established companies successfully launch utility and security compliant tokens and thrive in the Web3 market. Our approach addresses the need for extensive tokenization support for Web2 startups, fostering their dynamic growth potential. Our versatile solution aims to unlock opportunities across diverse asset classes, enhance liquidity, broaden market reach, support business development, and unlock asset value, effectively meeting market demands.

    RWA Inc Links – X | Telegram | TG Announcements | LinkedIn | Medium | Website

    Contact:
    Mike Storm
    Mike@rwa.inc

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7526472e-e636-4cf4-988f-ff9d54ef6704

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: AGF Management Limited Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    • Reported quarterly adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.48
    • Total assets under management and fee-earning assets of $53.8 billion
    • Increased quarterly dividend per share to 12.5 cents

    AGF Management Limited (AGF or the Company) (TSX: AGF.B) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2025.

    AGF reported total assets under management and fee-earning assets1 of $53.8 billion compared to $53.6 billion as at November 30, 2024 and $45.0 billion as at February 29, 2024.

    “In a challenging market environment shaped by political change, we have excelled and continued to deliver on our strategy,” said Kevin McCreadie, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, AGF. “Our long-term approach aims to deliver on our strategic imperatives; while also ensuring we can thrive through changing market cycles and uncertainty.”

    AGF’s mutual fund gross sales were $1,568 million for the quarter compared to $993 million in the previous quarter and $914 million in the prior year quarter. Mutual fund net sales were $258 million compared to $5 million in the previous quarter and net redemptions of $125 million in the prior year quarter.

    “Recent market volatility has reinforced the importance of providing investors with access to diverse capabilities and offerings,” said Judy Goldring, President and Head of Global Distribution, AGF. “With alternatives playing an increasingly important role in portfolios, this quarter we have focused on further building out our strategies with the launch of products across our lines of business.”

    1 Fee-earning assets represents assets in which AGF has carried interest ownership and earns recurring fees but does not have ownership interest in the managers.

    Key Business Highlights:

    • In January, AGF Capital Partners, AGF Management Limited’s multi-boutique alternatives business announced the launch of the AGF NHC Tactical Alpha Fund, an absolute return-oriented strategy that aims to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns across market regimes while maintaining low beta to traditional asset classes.
    • In February, AGF Investments Inc. announced the launch of AGF Enhanced U.S. Income Plus Fund, an alternative mutual fund that seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation and generate a high level of consistent income by investing in U.S. equity securities and employing dynamic options strategies such as put writing and covered call writing.
    • AGF Investments Inc. was recognized with FundGrade A+® Awards for AGF American Growth Fund, AGF Fixed Income Plus Fund and AGF Global Select Fund.
    • Taking another important step forward in our ongoing commitment to gender equity, AGF Management Limited announced a new partnership with VersaFi, (formerly Women in Capital Markets). This renowned organization is focused on addressing barriers to women’s advancement, sharing best practices and strategies for progress, and developing actionable policies and industry-leading programs to advance gender diversity in the workplace. 

    Financial Highlights:

    • Adjusted EBITDA2 for the three months ended February 28, 2025 was $47.9 million, compared to $39.6 million for the three months ended November 30, 2024 and $49.5 million for the comparative prior year period.
    • Net management, advisory and administration fees2 for the three months ended February 28, 2025 was $85.2 million, compared to $83.6 million for the three months ended November 30, 2024 and $74.9 million for the comparative prior year period.
    • Adjusted revenue from AGF Capital Partners for the three months ended February 28, 2025 was $23.6 million, compared to $18.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2024 and $24.4 million for the comparative prior year period. The decrease year over year was driven by change in fair value adjustments, offset by the consolidation of KCPL financial results. Revenue from AGF Capital Partners can be variable quarter to quarter and can be impacted by fair value adjustments, timing of monetizations and cash distributions as well as performance fees and carried interest.
    • Adjusted selling, general and administrative costs2 for the three months ended February 28, 2025 was $63.6 million, compared to $66.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2024 and $53.5 million for the comparative prior year period. The increase in adjusted SG&A from prior year reflects the consolidation of KCPL as well as increases driven by higher performance-based compensation and the market environment.
    • Adjusted net income attributable to equity owners2 for the three months ended February 28, 2025 was $32.1 million ($0.48 adjusted diluted EPS), compared to $29.8 million ($0.45 adjusted diluted EPS) and $33.7 million ($0.51 adjusted diluted EPS) for the comparative prior year period.
                       
        Three months ended
          February 28,       November 30,       February 29,  
      (in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share data)   2025       2024       2024  
                       
      Revenues                
      Management, advisory and administration fees $ 122.8     $ 120.2     $ 108.6  
      Trailing commissions and investment advisory fees   (37.6 )     (36.6 )     (33.7 )
      Net management, advisory and administration fees2 $ 85.2     $ 83.6     $ 74.9  
      Deferred sales charges   1.2       1.3       2.0  
      Adjusted revenue from AGF Capital Partners2   23.6       18.2       24.4  
      Other revenue2   1.5       2.7       1.7  
      Total adjusted net revenue2   111.5       105.8       103.0  
                       
      Selling, general and administrative   67.8       70.2       57.9  
      Adjusted selling, general and administrative2   63.6       66.2       53.5  
                       
      EBITDA2   44.2       36.9       45.1  
      Adjusted EBITDA2   47.9       39.6       49.5  
                       
      Net income – equity owners of the Company   30.9       28.7       30.5  
      Adjusted net income – equity owners of the Company2   32.1       29.8       33.7  
                       
      Diluted earnings per share   0.46       0.43       0.46  
                       
      Adjusted diluted earnings per share2   0.48       0.45       0.51  
                       
      Free cash flow2   31.6       21.4       21.2  
                       
      Dividends per share   0.115       0.115       0.110  
                       
      (end of period) Three months ended
          February 28,     November 30,     February 29,  
      (in millions of Canadian dollars)   2025     2024     2024  
                       
      Mutual fund assets under management (AUM)3 $ 31,167   $ 30,662   $ 26,186  
      ETFs and SMA AUM   2,913     2,537     1,676  
      Segregated accounts and sub-advisory AUM   6,529     6,977     7,162  
      Total AGF Investments AUM   40,609     40,176     35,024  
      AGF Private Wealth AUM   8,623     8,567     7,836  
      AGF Capital Partners AUM   2,468     2,752     48  
      Total AUM $ 51,700   $ 51,495   $ 42,908  
      AGF Capital Partners fee-earning assets4   2,142     2,111     2,104  
      Total AUM and fee-earning assets4 $ 53,842   $ 53,606   $ 45,012  
                       
      Net mutual fund sales (redemptions)3   258     5     (125 )
      Average daily mutual fund AUM3   30,853     29,173     25,197  

    2 Net management, advisory and administration fees, adjusted revenue from AGF Capital Partners, total net revenue, adjusted selling, general and administrative, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and free cash flow are not standardized measures prescribed by IFRS. The Company utilizes non-IFRS measures to assess our overall performance and facilitate a comparison of quarterly and full-year results from period to period. They allow us to assess our investment management business without the impact of non-operational items. These non-IFRS measures may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other companies. These non-IFRS measures and reconciliations to IFRS, where necessary, are included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis available at www.agf.com.
    3 Mutual fund AUM includes retail AUM and institutional client AUM invested in customized series offered within mutual funds.
    4 Fee-earning assets represents assets in which AGF has carried interest ownership and earns recurring fees but does not have ownership interest in the managers.

    For further information and detailed financial statements for the first quarter ended February 28, 2025, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which contains discussions of non-IFRS measures, please refer to AGF’s website at www.agf.com under ‘About AGF’ and ‘Investor Relations’ and at www.sedarplus.com.

    Conference Call

    AGF will host a conference call to review its earnings results today at 11 a.m. ET.

    The live audio webcast with supporting materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of AGF’s website at www.agf.com or at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4ch7jtxw. Alternatively, the call can be accessed over the phone by registering here or in the Investor Relations section of AGF’s website at www.agf.com, to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN.

    A complete archive of this discussion along with supporting materials will be available at the same webcast address within 24 hours of the end of the conference call.

    About AGF Management Limited

    Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Capital Partners and AGF Private Wealth.

    AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firm’s collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

    Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With over $52 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 815,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

    About AGF Investments

    AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). The term AGF Investments may refer to one or more of these subsidiaries or to all of them jointly. This term is used for convenience and does not precisely describe any of the separate companies, each of which manages its own affairs. AGF Investments entities only provide investment advisory services or offers investment funds in the jurisdiction where such firm and/or product is registered or authorized to provide such services.

    About AGF Capital Partners

    AGF Capital Partners is AGF’s multi-boutique alternatives business with diverse capabilities across both private assets and alternative strategies. Clients benefit from the specialized investment expertise of Affiliate Managers1 combined with the organizational support and breadth of resources of AGF Management Limited (AGF). With over 18 years average experience, AGF Capital Partners Affiliate Managers including, Kensington Capital Partners Limited, New Holland Capital, LLC and AGF SAF Private Credit, manage approximately C$13.8 billion* in alternative AUM and fee earning assets on behalf of institutional and retail clients. Affiliate Manager AUM may not be consolidated into AGF Management Limited’s reported AUM.

    *US AUM converted FX rate at February 28, 2025 (1.44)

    The term ‘Affiliate Manager’ refers to any partner regardless of relationship structures or revenue sharing agreements. The form of AGF’s structured partnership interests in Affiliate Managers differs from Affiliate Manager to Affiliate Manager. The structure of the relationship with a particular Affiliate Manager, or the revenue that AGF agrees to share in, may change. Affiliate Managers only provide investment advisory services or offer products in the jurisdiction where such firm, individuals and/or product is registered or authorized to provide such services.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.

    AGF Management Limited shareholders, analysts and media, please contact:

    Nick Smerek
    VP, Financial Planning & Analysis
    416-865-4337, InvestorRelations@agf.com

    Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements about the Company, including its business operations, strategy and expected financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as ‘expects,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘intends,’ ‘plans,’ ‘believes’ or negative versions thereof and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as ‘may,’ ‘will,’ ‘should,’ ‘would’ and ‘could.’ In addition, any statement that may be made concerning future financial performance (including income, revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, fund performance, and possible future action on our part, is also a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including expected growth, results of operations, business prospects, business performance and opportunities. While we consider these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to, among other things, risks, uncertainties and assumptions about our operations, economic factors and the financial services industry generally. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us due to, but not limited to, important risk factors such as level of assets under our management, volume of sales and redemptions of our investment products, performance of our investment funds and of our investment managers and advisors, client-driven asset allocation decisions, pipeline, competitive fee levels for investment management products and administration, and competitive dealer compensation levels and cost efficiency in our investment management operations, as well as general economic, political and market factors in North America and internationally, interest and foreign exchange rates, global equity and capital markets, business competition, taxation, changes in government regulations, unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings, technological changes, cybersecurity, the possible effects of war or terrorist activities, outbreaks of disease or illness that affect local, national or international economies, natural disasters and disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply or other catastrophic events, and our ability to complete strategic transactions and integrate acquisitions, and attract and retain key personnel. We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully and not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than specifically required by applicable laws, we are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors that may impact actual results, please refer to the ‘Risk Factors and Management of Risk’ section of the 2024 Annual MD&A.

    FundGrade A+® Awards:

    FundGrade A+® is used with permission from Fundata Canada Inc., all rights reserved. The annual FundGrade A+® Awards are presented by Fundata Canada Inc. to recognize the “best of the best” among Canadian investment funds. The FundGrade A+® calculation is supplemental to the monthly FundGrade ratings and is calculated at the end of each calendar year. The FundGrade rating system evaluates funds based on their risk-adjusted performance, measured by Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, and Information Ratio. The score for each ratio is calculated individually, covering all time periods from 2 to 10 years. The scores are then weighted equally in calculating a monthly FundGrade. The top 10% of funds earn an A Grade; the next 20% of funds earn a B Grade; the next 40% of funds earn a C Grade; the next 20% of funds receive a D Grade; and the lowest 10% of funds receive an E Grade. To be eligible, a fund must have received a FundGrade rating every month in the previous year. The FundGrade A+® uses a GPA-style calculation, where each monthly FundGrade from “A” to “E” receives a score from 4 to 0, respectively. A fund’s average score for the year determines its GPA. Any fund with a GPA of 3.5 or greater is awarded a FundGrade A+® Award. For more information, see www.FundGradeAwards.com. Although Fundata makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Fundata.

    AGF American Growth Fund won in the U.S. Equity CIFSC Category, out of 237 funds. The FundGrade A+ start date was 12/31/2014 and the FundGrade A+ end date was 12/31/2024.

    AGF Global Select Fund won in the Global Equity CIFSC Category, out of 306 funds. The FundGrade A+ start date was 12/31/2014 and the FundGrade A+ end date was 12/31/2024.

    AGF Fixed Income Plus Fund won in the Canadian Fixed Income CIFSC Category, out of 137 funds. The FundGrade A+ start date was 12/31/2014 and the FundGrade A+ end date was 12/31/2024.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vacancy for a principal inspector of marine accidents

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Vacancy for a principal inspector of marine accidents

    We are seeking a principal inspector of marine accidents. This Southampton-based role is a great opportunity for an experienced marine industry professional.

    Your key responsibilities will include:

    • Acting as duty coordinator and the branch’s initial point of contact for out of hours accident notifications within a 4-week cycle; leading and managing a team of specialist accident investigators.

    • Deploying to accident sites, at short notice during duty weeks, to manage the more demanding investigations; this could include travel worldwide.

    • Directing the progress, conduct, and quality assurance of investigations, the development of recommendations, and overseeing production of the investigation report.

    • Dealing with individuals and organisations involved in marine accidents in what can often be stressful situations.

    • Representing the branch at industry fora.

    • Contributing to MAIB’s wider management strategies.

    You must be prepared to travel throughout the UK (for which you will need a full UK driving licence) as well as overseas.

    For further information about this position and how to apply see: Civil Service Jobs, Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents, Ref: 397086

    Closing date: 4 May 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH To Launch A Statewide Health And Media Survey Recruitment Via Text Messages

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH To Launch A Statewide Health And Media Survey Recruitment Via Text Messages

    Posted on Apr 7, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

     

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

         DOH TO LAUNCH A STATEWIDE HEALTH AND MEDIA SURVEY

     RECRUITMENT VIA TEXT MESSAGES    

         

         

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 7, 2025                                                                                                              25-032

    HONOLULU — Each year, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) conducts surveys to learn about health behaviors and attitudes of Hawai‘i residents. Beginning later this month, DOH will launch the Hawai‘i Health and Media Survey to learn more about how people access and respond to health-related information. The survey will use a new method — text messaging — to reach a broader audience.

    In the coming weeks, selected adults across the state may receive a text message from 808-431-0118 or 808-431-0125, inviting them to participate in the survey. The DOH encourages anyone who receives this message to consider participating.

    The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Each text message contains a unique survey link that can only be used once. All responses are completely confidential — no personal identifiers such as phone numbers or email addresses will be linked to individual answers.

    The survey is being administered on behalf of the DOH by Professional Data Analysts. For questions or more information, email [email protected].

    # # #

    Media Contacts:

    Gail Ogawa

    Program Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    Office: 808-586-4526

    Email: [email protected]

    Kristen Wong

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    Mobile: 808-953-9616

    Email: [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION AND STATEWIDE PARTNERS PROMOTE EQUAL HOUSING AT APRIL CONFERENCE

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    NEWS RELEASE: HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION AND STATEWIDE PARTNERS PROMOTE EQUAL HOUSING AT APRIL CONFERENCE

    Posted on Apr 7, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

    KOMIKINA PONO KĪWILA O HAWAIʻI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

    MARCUS KAWATACHI

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

     

     

    HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION AND STATEWIDE PARTNERS PROMOTE EQUAL HOUSING AT APRIL CONFERENCE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 7, 2025

    HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) and agencies statewide are hosting a free Fair Housing Month Conference on April 24, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to promote awareness and understanding of fair housing laws. The event will provide key insights on Hawaiʻi’s fair housing protections, best practices for housing professionals, and resources for tenants and property owners.

    “Fair housing is more than a legal obligation—it is essential to fostering inclusive communities,” said HCRC Executive Director Marcus Kawatachi. “This conference is an opportunity to educate the public and ensure that everyone in Hawaiʻi has equal access to housing, free from discrimination.”

    Hawaiʻi’s fair housing law, established in 1967 as Act 103 and now codified as Chapter 515 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, prohibits housing discrimination based on race, sex (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, color, religion, marital status, familial status, ancestry, disability, age, or HIV status. The law aligns with the federal Fair Housing Act and remains a cornerstone of the state’s civil rights protections.

    HCRC works alongside the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority, Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Department of Hawaiian Homelands, county housing agencies and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi to uphold these protections and address fair housing violations.

    In recognition of these ongoing efforts, Governor Josh Green, M.D., has proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in Hawaiʻi, encouraging residents, businesses and organizations to uphold the principles of equal housing opportunity.

    For more information, contact the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission at 808-586-8636.

    # # #

    Equal Opportunity Employer/Program

    Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

    TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for 808-586-8842

    View DLIR news releases: http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/

    Media Contact:

    Marcus Kawatachi

    Executive Director

    Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission

    Phone: 808-586-8636

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: http://labor.hawaii.gov/hcrc

    Chavonnie Ramos

    Public Information Officer

    Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

    Phone: 808-586-9720

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: http://labor.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHHL AWARDS NEARLY 100 TURNKEY HOMES IN WAIKAPŪ, MAUI

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DHHL AWARDS NEARLY 100 TURNKEY HOMES IN WAIKAPŪ, MAUI

    Posted on Apr 7, 2025 in Featured, Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 

    DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS

    KA ʻOIHANA ʻĀINA HOʻOPULAPULA HAWAIʻI

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA 

    KALI WATSON

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE 

    KATIE L. LAMBERT

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE

    DHHL AWARDS NEARLY 100 TURNKEY HOMES IN WAIKAPŪ, MAUI

    Development of Phase II to Start in May 2025; Families to Move In Early 2026

     

    Governor Josh Green, M.D., state and county leaders greet and congratulate Puʻuhona Phase II awardees.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 7, 2025

    KAHULUI, MAUI – Within the Pilina Building at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, tables decked with vibrant purple orchid lei lay at the ready, while the melodic sounds of leo kiʻekiʻe and the distinct chatter of excitement signaled the start of a transformational day for which many have waited decades.

    On Saturday, April 5, 2025, nearly 300 beneficiaries and their ʻohana eagerly awaited the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ (DHHL) Puʻuhona Phase II lot selection where 91 turnkey homes were awarded for Maui’s newest homestead community in Waikapū.

    “The wait for a home should never be measured in decades and these 91 families have endured against all odds,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “We have a responsibility to them, and to every Native Hawaiian on the waitlist to move faster, build smarter and deliver on the promise of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.”

    For almost four hours, applicants’ names were announced in the order they applied; starting with those from the late 1980s. As awardees took their places in line to select their lots, some considered the number of bedrooms they’d need for their growing families; others considered the lots’ locations.

    Regardless of their selection, everyone was grateful for a piece of land to call home.

    “This project is not just about building homes, it’s about rebuilding ancestral connections, creating opportunities, and empowering generations to thrive on the ʻāina,” said DHHL Director Kali Watson. “Prince Kūhiō’s vision was clear – to empower Native Hawaiians through land. Through the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, he worked to return the lands to Native Hawaiians, fostering a sense of pride, identity, and belonging. We walk that same path today, guided by his vision.”

    The awarding of homes marks progress in the development of the department’s first Act 279 project. Act 279 allocated a historic $600 million in general funds to the DHHL in 2022 to specifically tackle its long-standing waitlist.

    In June of 2024, 52 homes were offered as part of Puʻuhona Phase I making it the first such award on the Valley Isle in 17 years. Phase I families are expected to move into their homes this summer.

    Construction on Phase II is set to begin in May of this year. The first homes are scheduled for completion in February 2026.

    Phase II offered 91 homes of two- to five bedrooms. Homes range in price from $411,422 to $699,000.

    Puʻuhona: Maui’s Newest Homestead Community

    Puʻuhona is the name of the first of four puʻu, or hills, that travel up to Hanaʻula, Waikapū’s highest peak. Named in likely reference to the native tree, hona was highly valued for the fibers found in its inner bark, which were used to craft rope and cordage for fishnets. The creation and intertwining of these materials represent the unity and growth of a community as individual strands come together to form a stronger bond.

    “Every day we strive to build balanced, resilient communities, and Puʻuhona is no exception,” said Dowling Company president and developer, Everett Dowling. “The needs of our Native Hawaiian community are at the forefront in the development of each homestead community, and we will continue to build until everyone on the waitlist has a house of their own.”

    The department acquired the roughly 47-acre parcel through a land transfer with the Dowling Company, Inc. in exchange for affordable housing credits from the county of Maui.

    Puʻuhona will comprise 137 turnkey homes and 24 improved vacant lots: each lot averaging 7,500 square feet in size. Groundwork on the project began in May 2023.

    More to Come on Maui

    The DHHL has six homestead projects in development on the island of Maui.

    This includes:

    • Honokōwai: 50 lots
    • Leialiʻi 1B: 181 lots
    • Wailuku single-family: 207 lots
    • Waiehu mauka: 404 lots
    • Kamalani: 400 lots
    • Kēōkea-Waiohuli: 404 lots

    “To our ‘ohana: please don’t lose hope. The department has more than 1,600 units coming to the island of Maui and we look forward to the opportunity to award leases later this year,” Watson added. “With the backing of Governor Green, our department will explore innovative ways to get our people into the homes they rightfully deserve.”

    To learn more about DHHL’s upcoming Maui projects, click here.

    Click here to download visuals, soundbites.

    B-ROLL (3:53)

    SOUNDBITES

    Tina Leikaha, Puʻuhona awardee, Kahului resident

    (:08 seconds)

    “I’m so excited, I was nervous, being patient, but when they called my name, I was like, oh my gosh, I just said chee hoo.” 

    (:12 seconds)

    “At least my kids can come home now, we have them in the mainland, some of them live in Vegas, Washington, Oregon, so now they can come home, whenever they like, we have a home for them.” 

    Sheldean Dudoit, Puʻuhona awardee, Makawao resident

    (:19 seconds)

    “I feel relieved now being able to call a place home, not only for me but for my kids, knowing that I’ve been through a lot of obstacles in my life but now I see the end and there’s the bright light at the end of the tunnel.”

    (:18 seconds)

    “I really thought like aww man, I was giving up hope, and my sister was like, no, you’re going to get something, you’re going to get something, just hang in there, so I just had to keep the faith, and it all paid off.”

    # # #

     

    About the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands:

    The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands carries out Prince Jonah Kūhiō  Kalanianaʻole’s vision of rehabilitating native Hawaiians by returning them to the land. Established by U.S. Congress in 1921 with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the Hawaiian homesteading program run by DHHL includes management of more than 200,000 acres of land statewide with the specific purpose of developing and delivering homesteading.

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: With peak fire season on horizon, California launches statewide wildfire preparedness campaign

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 7, 2025

    What you need to know: CAL FIRE is launching a new campaign supporting Californians to take steps now – including home hardening and defensible space – to prepare for peak fire season.

    SACRAMENTO – “Prepare your home and property! Start at the house and work your way out.” Millions of Californians will soon see that message as the state launches a new wildfire preparedness campaign to support preparation efforts for fire season.

    As California heads into peak wildfire season, CAL FIRE is urging residents across the state to take proactive steps now to protect their homes and communities. Today’s campaign launch follows Governor Newsom’s action last month proclaiming a state of emergency to fast-track critical projects protecting communities from wildfire, ahead of peak fire season. 

    2025 has already seen an unprecedented start to the year with January’s Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles. These fires rank as the second and third most destructive in California’s history, underpinning the importance of acting now to prepare one’s family, property, and community for wildfire.

    The Los Angeles fires are a stark reminder of the year-round threat wildfire poses for our communities. As we head into peak fire season, we’re ramping up efforts to communicate with those in areas where preparedness measures like home hardening and defensible space can save lives. Now is the time to prepare your home and property.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    This year’s campaign emphasizes two essential strategies in wildfire preparedness: home hardening and defensible space. Now through late May residents across the state will see digital and social media advertising, posters and materials at hardware and convenience stores, and messaging at gas pumps and other popular locations in Wildland Urban Interface communities. Outreach will be delivered in both English and Spanish to reach as many Californians as possible.

    Creating a five foot buffer zone of defensible space, known as Zone 0, and taking steps to harden your home has been scientifically proven to be the most effective way to increase the likelihood of your home surviving a wildfire.

    Governor Newsom has invested unprecedented resources into wildfire response and prevention, including nearly doubling CAL FIRE’s budget to $4 billion and investing 10x the amount than when the Governor took office for forest and land management. The state has also created the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, increased the use of prescribed burns, and implemented new technologies including AI and satellite technology to fight fires.

    Key tips to prepare for wildfire 

    Home hardening:

    • Install or upgrade to fire-resistant materials on roofs, vents, siding, windows, and decks.
    • Clear debris from roofs, gutters, vents, and under decks.
    • Seal all cracks and openings larger than 1/8 inch to prevent embers from entering the home.

    Defensible space:

    • Maintain a 5-foot ember-resistant zone immediately around the home—no flammable vegetation or materials.
    • Maintain 100 feet of defensible space, including trimming trees, cutting grasses, and removing dead vegetation.
    • Store combustible items (firewood, propane tanks, vehicles) at least 30 feet away from structures.

    To make preparation easier, CAL FIRE offers the firePLANNER tool at ReadyForWildfire.org, where residents can:

    • Create a custom wildfire readiness plan.
    • Access checklists, safety tips, and alerts.
    • Stay informed with real-time wildfire and evacuation updates.

    Now is the time to act. Start at the house and work your way out. Learn more at ReadyForWildfire.org

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    News What you need to know: As National Library Week begins, California is suing the Trump administration after millions of dollars in grants to the state’s libraries were terminated abruptly when the federal administration illegally dismantled a federal agency….

    News Family farmers share how these cuts will harm their businesses and communities What you need to know: Governor Newsom sent a letter of appeal today to the Department of Agriculture asking for a reversal of the termination of $47 million meant to support…

    News California Just a Nevada-Sized Economy Away from Overtaking Germany and Japan as World’s No. 3 Economy— Bloomberg News SACRAMENTO — As President Trump threatens the U.S. economy with reckless tariffs and rising uncertainty, Governor Gavin Newsom announced new…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Phillips 66 Files Definitive Proxy Statement and Issues Letter to Shareholders

    Source: Phillips

    Highlights Results of Transformative Strategy and Path to Future Value Creation
    Demonstrates Elliott’s Thesis is Based on Flawed Assumptions and Changes Would be Destructive to Long-Term Shareholder Value
    Urges Shareholders to Vote “FOR” ONLY Phillips 66’s Nominees on the WHITE Proxy Card

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) today announced that it has filed its definitive proxy materials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 21, 2025. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 4, 2025 are entitled to vote at the meeting.
    In addition, the Board wrote a letter to shareholders that highlights valuable information to make an informed voting decision, including:
    The consistent, compelling value Phillips 66 delivers for its shareholders;
    The bold steps Phillips 66 has taken to drive shareholder value under Mark Lashier’s leadership;
    Progress made across business areas and future actions that will drive continued outperformance;
    Phillips 66’s track record of allocating capital effectively and prioritizing consistent shareholder returns across economic and industry cycles; and
    How Elliott’s misguided proposals will disrupt Phillips 66’s momentum by pushing for irreversible change that will destroy shareholder value.
    Phillips 66 also published a video on Phillips66Delivers.com, which reiterates Phillips 66’s differentiated platform, transformative strategy, approach to capital allocation and history of engagement with Elliott Investment Management (“Elliott”).
    The full text of the Board’s letter to shareholders follows:
    Dear Fellow Shareholders,
    Thank you for your investment in Phillips 66 and your continued support.
    The Board is committed to protecting your investment and focused on sustainable long-term value creation. For twelve years, we reliably grew our dividend and consistently returned capital to shareholders, delivering more than $43 billion1 in cumulative shareholder distributions.
    Phillips 66’s Strategy Delivers Consistent and Compelling Long-Term Value
    Our ability to continue to deliver long-term value for you is on the line – and your vote at our 2025 Annual Meeting is very important to us.
    You face an important choice regarding your Phillips 66 investment:
    On one side isa Board and management team implementing a clear transformative strategy that has delivered results. The strategy is in its early stages and has significant room to deliver further value.
    On the other side isan activist hedge fund pushing an aggressive short-term agenda– including a rushed breakup of our Company based on flawed analysis – that would introduce unnecessary risk and disruption, slow our momentum and jeopardize your invested capital and long-term returns.
    We do not dismiss Elliott’s ideas – in fact, we’ve welcomed their ideas throughout our entire engagement with them. We encourage healthy debate in the board room and that spirit extends to how we incorporate shareholder feedback. We care about finding the right path to drive the highest value for your investment.
    Given our assessment of where Phillips 66 is in its strategy, current market conditions and specific costs and risks related to Elliott’s thesis, we believe pursuing their ideas puts your investment at risk.
    Elliott continues to use its activist playbook to avoid collaboration, cloud the discussion and drive a false narrative to promote their short-term agenda. Meanwhile, Phillips 66’s Board and management team are taking bold steps to drive shareholder value.
    Phillips 66 is in the Early Innings of a Deliberate Transformation
    Under CEO Mark Lashier’s leadership since July 2022, Phillips 66 has made a series of bold decisions for shareholders, including:
    Returning $13.6 billion to shareholders;1
    Nearly doubling EBITDA contributions from our Midstream segment from 2021 levels;
    Divesting a total of $3.5 billion in assets;
    Announcing plans to cease operations at our Los Angeles refinery; and
    Fulfilling our commitment to substantially reduce controllable costs.
    These are significant actions where the benefits to shareholders are just starting to be realized. Since Mark became CEO, we have delivered strong total shareholder returns, significantly outperforming a weighted average of our proxy peers2 – 67%3 vs 42%3.
    Phillips 66’s Strategy and Current Initiatives are Built for Consistent Returns While Providing Shareholders with Meaningful Upside
    Elliott wants a quick win by breaking up the Company, based on inflated and unrealistic assumptions. As we continue to execute our strategy, we are confident we will continue to deliver outperformance for our shareholders.
    The path to additional shareholder value is in the ongoing efforts across our business, including:
    Phillips 66 has a track record of allocating capital efficiently and generating high returns on invested capital. Since 2015, we have delivered Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”)4 of 11%, outperforming the weighted average of our proxy peers. We achieved this by being highly selective when deciding where to deploy our capital within the business. This proven and disciplined approach to capital allocation will help deliver value for our shareholders.
    Since our formation in 2012, we have returned more than $43 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases1. We have grown our dividend at a 15% Compound Annual Growth Rate (“CAGR”). The dividend we pay to our shareholders has grown every single year since we have been a publicly traded company.
    So, What is at Risk with Elliott’s Proposals?
    Elliott seeks rapid, irreversible change in pursuit of an unrealistic thesis – and risks halting the momentum on our long-term value-creating strategic plan.
    Elliott’s thesis jeopardizes shareholders’ realization of value from our long-term strategy.
    Their thesis is inherently based on short-term market fluctuations, aspirational valuations and unrealistic assumptions.
    Elliott’s analysis of a potential spin of the midstream business understates one-time costsand ongoing dis-synergies.
    Their analysis of a potential sale of the midstream business unrealistically asserts that cash buyers exist at a $50 billion price tag and would pay for 100% of synergies, both of which are highly unlikely. In addition, tax leakage costs could be as high as $10 billion.
    Elliott’s analysis notably excludes external factors, such as the timing risk of valuations in commodity businesses, which can significantly impact transactions in our industry.
    The Board is committed to thoroughly evaluating Phillips 66’s portfolio to maximize long-term shareholder value. We debate these topics rigorously and always carefully review all options, but we will not favor short-term decision making under the pressure of one shareholder at the expense of all others.
    To Sum it All Up: Long-Term Value Creation is Phillips 66’s North Star
    Phillips 66 is executing a disciplined strategy that continues to deliver tangible results and has significant room to drive further shareholder value. Our strong track record of financial performance, operational excellence and shareholder returns underscores our ability to successfully navigate industry cycles. We are well positioned to continue building on these successes to provide you with consistent and compelling long-term returns.
    We urge you to support Phillips 66 at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Your investment is best served by having a Board focused on creating reliable value, both now and in the future.
    We unanimously recommend you vote “FOR” ONLY Phillips 66’s nominees on the WHITE proxy card.
    Thank you for your continued support.
    Sincerely,
    The Phillips 66 Board of Directors

    _________________________________________

    1

    Shareholder distribution through dividends paid on common stock and repurchases of common stock.

    2

    Calculated as the weighted average of Refining (CVI, DINO, DK, MPC, PBF, VLO), Midstream (OKE, TRGP, WMB), and Chemicals (DOW, LYB, WLK) Performance Proxy Peers’ TSR based on the weighting of consensus NTM EBITDA estimates for PSX’s segments.

    3

    Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) from June 30, 2022 to March 31, 2025

    4

    Non-GAAP financial measure. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measure can be found here.

    5

    Excludes adjusted turnaround expenses. Non-GAAP financial measure. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measure can be found here.

    About Phillips 66
    Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is a leading integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn.
    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to Phillips 66’s operations, strategy and performance. Words such as “anticipated,” “committed,” “estimated,” “expected,” “planned,” “scheduled,” “targeted,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “objective,” “goal,” “project,” “efforts,” “strategies” and similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on management’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the date they are made. These statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, and you should not unduly rely on them as they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: changes in governmental policies or laws that relate to our operations, including regulations that seek to limit or restrict refining, marketing and midstream operations or regulate profits, pricing, or taxation of our products or feedstocks, or other regulations that restrict feedstock imports or product exports; our ability to timely obtain or maintain permits necessary for projects; fluctuations in NGL, crude oil, refined petroleum, renewable fuels and natural gas prices, and refining, marketing and petrochemical margins; the effects of any widespread public health crisis and its negative impact on commercial activity and demand for refined petroleum or renewable fuels products; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect programs including the renewable fuel standards program, low carbon fuel standards and tax credits for renewable fuels; potential liability from pending or future litigation; liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations under existing or future environmental regulations; unexpected changes in costs for constructing, modifying or operating our facilities; our ability to successfully complete, or any material delay in the completion of, any asset disposition, acquisition, shutdown or conversion that we have announced or may pursue, including receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals or permits related thereto; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, refining or transporting our products; the level and success of drilling and production volumes around our midstream assets; risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions of actual or potential competitive suppliers and transporters of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels or specialty products; lack of, or disruptions in, adequate and reliable transportation for our products; failure to complete construction of capital projects on time or within budget; our ability to comply with governmental regulations or make capital expenditures to maintain compliance with laws; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets, which may also impact our ability to repurchase shares and declare and pay dividends; potential disruption of our operations due to accidents, weather events, including as a result of climate change, acts of terrorism or cyberattacks; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities (such as the Russia-Ukraine war), expropriation of assets, and other diplomatic developments; international monetary conditions and exchange controls; changes in estimates or projections used to assess fair value of intangible assets, goodwill and property and equipment and/or strategic decisions with respect to our asset portfolio that cause impairment charges; investments required, or reduced demand for products, as a result of environmental rules and regulations; changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations (including alternative energy mandates); political and societal concerns about climate change that could result in changes to our business or increase expenditures, including litigation-related expenses; the operation, financing and distribution decisions of equity affiliates we do not control; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Phillips 66’s businesses generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Phillips 66 is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    Additional Information
    On April 8, 2025, Phillips 66 filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and its solicitation of proxies for Phillips 66’s director nominees and for other matters to be voted on. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Phillips 66 has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with any solicitation by Phillips 66. PHILLIPS 66 SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT SOLICITATION MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain copies of the Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and other documents (including the WHITE proxy card) filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Phillips 66’s investor relations website at https://investor.phillips66.com or upon written request sent to Phillips 66, 2331 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, TX 77042, Attention: Investor Relations.
    Certain Information Regarding Participants
    Phillips 66, its directors, its director nominees and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Phillips 66 shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of such persons and their respective interests in Phillips 66, by securities holdings or otherwise, is available in the Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 8, 2025, including in the sections captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Phillips 66 Securities” and “Appendix C: Supplemental Information Regarding Participants in the Solicitation.” To the extent that Phillips 66’s directors and executive officers who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation have acquired or disposed of securities holdings since the applicable “as of” date disclosed in the Proxy Statement, such transactions have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Ownership of Securities on Form 4 or Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
    Non-GAAP Measures — This letter includes non-GAAP financial measures, including, “adjusted EBITDA,” “refining adjusted controllable costs,” and “return on capital employed.” These are non-GAAP financial measures that are included to help facilitate comparisons of operating performance across periods and to help facilitate comparisons with other companies in our industry. Where applicable, these measures exclude items that do not reflect the core operating results of our businesses in the current period or other adjustments to reflect how management analyzes results. Click here to find reconciliations to, or further discussion of, the most comparable GAAP financial measures.
    This letter also includes forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure estimates such as, but not limited to “adjusted EBITDA,” “controllable costs” and “refining adjusted controllable costs,” which, as used in certain places herein, are forward looking non-GAAP financial measures. These forward-looking estimates or targets depend on future levels of revenues and/or expenses, including amounts that could be attributable to non-controlling interests or related joint ventures, which are not reasonably estimable at this time. Accordingly, reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest GAAP financial measure cannot be provided without unreasonable effort. Below are definitions of these non-GAAP measures and identification of the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
    EBITDA is defined as estimated net income plus estimated net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as estimated EBITDA plus the proportional share of selected equity affiliates’ estimated net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization less the portion of estimated adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests. Net income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the consolidated company and income before income taxes is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for operating segments. Refining adjusted controllable cost is the sum of operating and SG&A expenses for our Refining segment, plus our proportional share of operating and SG&A expenses of two refining equity affiliates that are reflected in equity earnings of affiliates. The per barrel amounts are based on total processed inputs, including our proportional share of processed inputs of an equity affiliate, for the respective period.
    References in this letter to shareholder distributions and returns to shareholders refer to the sum of dividends paid to Phillips 66 stockholders and proceeds used by Phillips 66 to repurchase shares of its common stock. References to run-rate cost savings or run-rate business transformation savings, include cost savings and references to run-rate synergies include cost savings and other benefits that will be captured in the sales and other operating revenues impacting gross margin; purchased crude oil and products costs impacting gross margin; operating expenses; selling, general and administrative expenses; and equity in earnings of affiliates lines on our consolidated statement of income when realized. References to run-rate sustaining capital savings include savings that will be captured in the capital expenditures and investments on our consolidated statement of cash flows when realized. References to run-rate savings represent the sum of run-rate cost savings and run-rate sustaining capital savings. References in this letter to “synergies” are supported by management’s estimates and assumptions. These estimates are derived from the Company’s internal projections and other relevant data. However, because these synergies are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), they cannot be directly reconciled to GAAP measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide valuable insight into optimization benefits, but cautions that such synergies may not be realized in full or at all.
    Basis of Presentation – Effective April 1, 2024, we changed the internal financial information reviewed by our chief executive officer to evaluate performance and allocate resources to our operating segments. This included changes in the composition of our operating segments, as well as measurement changes for certain activities between our operating segments. The primary effects of this realignment included establishment of a Renewable Fuels operating segment, which includes renewable fuels activities and assets historically reported in our Refining, Marketing and Specialties (M&S), and Midstream segments; change in method of allocating results for certain Gulf Coast distillate export activities from our M&S segment to our Refining segment; reclassification of certain crude oil and international clean products trading activities between our M&S segment and our Refining segment; and change in reporting of our investment in NOVONIX from our Midstream segment to Corporate and Other. Accordingly, prior period results have been recast for comparability.

    Source: Phillips 66

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