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Pet Owners Are Spending More And More On Vet Visits, Meds And Higher Quality Pet Food – Here Are The Key Trends Investors Should Watch

Benzinga

By Rachael Green, Benzinga Pet ownership is on the rise in the United States, with an estimated five million more pets today than there were before the pandemic. But this isn’t just a pandemic boom that’s doomed to fade. The number of homes with pets has been trending upward for decades. As the number of pets grows, so, too, does the demand for supplies and services to care for them. According to Morgan Stanley, the pet services industry is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% over 2022-2030, reaching a projected total of $277 billion. Here are some of the key trends to watch in the booming pet services industry. More Pets And More Spending On Those Pets Is Creating A Surge In Demand Morgan Stanley pegs that 8% CAGR not just to the rise in the number of pets but to the rise in how much owners are willing to spend on them. The annual spend per pet is expected to increase from $980 million in 2020 to $1.9 billion in 2030 as owners take pet health and wellness more and more seriously. In addition to the increased spending, that piece of the household budget is becoming increasingly inelastic. Nearly half of pet owners in a recent Ally Consumer Research survey said they would cut spending on themselves or take on debt before cutting their pet budget. That increased pet spend isn’t just going to higher quality food or dog sweaters. It’s going toward more frequent visits to the vet, increased spending on prescription medications, pet insurance premiums and a more proactive routine of preventative and surgical care for pets. These trends have sparked a wave of new companies entering the space or expanding their reach. In April, PetMed Express (NASDAQ: PETS) acquired PetCareRX for $36 million in a bid to add new health and wellness verticals to its business. The online pet pharmacy will now add PetCareRX’s marketplace of pet wellness supplements and nutritious food to its portfolio. In September, Walmart (NYSE: WMRT) opened its very first pet services center, providing both veterinary care and grooming services to Walmart customers. The Dallas, Georgia location is Walmart’s pilot initiative, but the company says it plans to expand it to other locations in the future. In August, Wag! Group Co. (NASDAQ: PET) expanded its online platform for comparing and buying pet insurance, finding dog walkers or sitters, and getting one-on-one training into Canada as the company eyes global expansion. That same month, the vet services segment saw its first publicly traded company enter the market with the closing of Inspire Veterinary Partners Inc.’s (NASDAQ: IVP) $6.4 million IPO. The owner and operator of vet hospitals is strategically building a nationwide network of hospitals and clinics, with 13 locations across nine states so far. The fast-growing company plans to acquire 10 locations per year while also expanding into related services like emergency care, pet boarding, lab testing, and more. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 25, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AmeriLife Named to Inc.’s Second Annual Power Partner Awards

AmeriLife

Inc. Business Media has recognized AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, in its second annual Power Partner Awards, which honor business-to-business (B2B) organizations across the globe that have a proven track record of supporting entrepreneurs and helping startups grow. AmeriLife took home honors in the Insurance and Financial Services categories, a feat that was driven by high marks received from companies in both its Health and Wealth Distribution organizations. AmeriLife shared the spotlight with nearly 400 global B2B organizations, which were similarly recognized for supporting entrepreneurs across various facets of their businesses, including hiring, compliance, infrastructure development and more, allowing founders and leaders to focus on their core missions. “We’re honored to be recognized by Inc. and its Power Partner Awards,” said Scott R. Perry, chairman and CEO of AmeriLife. “This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and delivering exceptional value to our affiliated companies and the exceptional entrepreneurs that lead them. We’re proud to be acknowledged as a trusted partner in empowering businesses to thrive and succeed in today's marketplace.” “Trusted B2B partners provide guidance and expertise that founders rely on at various steps of their organization’s journey,” added Scott Omelianuk, editor-and-chief of Inc. Business Media. “Partners that possess a demonstrated ability to deliver quality support are at the core of entrepreneurship and help bring big ideas to life.” Since 2020, AmeriLife has added nearly 70 affiliates to its family of companies, an expansion that led to the January 2023 creation of distinct Health and Wealth Distribution channels. This restructuring, coupled with continued investments in best-in-class resources, such as its proprietary leads platform, LeadStar, and insights platform, Atlas, for Medicare Advantage sales, has helped deliver even stronger, more holistic support to help AmeriLife’s partners not only stay ahead of industry changes, but drive meaningful and accelerated growth. To view the complete Power Partner Awards list, visit www.inc.com/power-partner-awards. The November 2023 Issue of Inc. magazine is available online now at www.inc.com/magazine and will be on newsstands beginning October 31. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as a leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. About Inc. Business Media The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community they need to build great companies. The award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

October 25, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Roberts & Ryan partners with Allspring Global Investments to launch a new Money Market Fund share class to benefit military veterans

Roberts & Ryan, Inc.

Roberts & Ryan Inc, America’s first service-disabled veteran-owned broker-dealer, announced a partnership with Allspring Global Investments (Allspring), launching Roberts & Ryan share classes in all three of Allspring’s Government and Treasury Money Market Funds. Allspring is a global asset management firm with $551 billion* in assets under advisement. The share classes will be available on market leading cash management platforms. “Roberts & Ryan is honored to partner with Allspring and its leading Money Market Funds’ team. This addition to our suite of services provides our institutional customers with a way to manage their liquidity and generate competitive returns while also having a positive impact on the veteran community, which has provided all of us the freedoms we enjoy every day,” said Ed D’Alessandro, Roberts & Ryan Chief Executive Officer and a U.S. Navy veteran. Roberts & Ryan specializes in underwriting and executing debt and equity capital markets transactions for corporate treasuries, hosting corporate access events, and secondary fixed income and equity trading. Through its social mission, the firm donates a portion of its top-line revenue to world-class nonprofits and foundations that focus on supporting veterans in general wellness, mental health, and career transition through partner nonprofits. “We’re excited to provide cash management solutions to Roberts & Ryan’s clients,” shared Andrew Owen, President of Allspring Funds. “We are proud to work with an organization committed to supporting the veteran community.” “As part of Roberts & Ryan’s social mission and corporate ethos of supporting the veteran community, we will be donating 10% of the gross revenue from our share classes to support our nation’s veterans through our nonprofit partners like Boulder Crest, The Children of Fallen Patriots, and The Robert Irvine Foundation,” said Ed D’Alessandro. About Roberts and Ryan, Inc. Roberts & Ryan, Inc. is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVO) broker dealer providing services in debt and equity capital markets, equity and fixed-income secondary trading, as well as corporate access events. The firm was founded in 1987 by a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. With over $1.8 million in committed donations since 2018, Roberts & Ryan is active in donating to charitable foundations that make significant positive impacts in the lives of Veterans and their families, focusing on general wellness, mental health, and career transition. To learn more about Roberts & Ryan, please visit www.roberts-ryan.com. About Allspring Global Investments Allspring Global Investments ™ is an independent asset management firm with more than $551 billion in assets under advisement*, over 20 offices globally, and investment teams supported by more than 460 investment professionals. Allspring is committed to thoughtful investing, purposeful planning, and inspiring a new era of investing that pursues both financial returns and positive outcomes. For more information, please visit www.allspringglobal.com. *As of September 30, 2023. Figures include discretionary and non-discretionary assets. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is for professional, institutional, or qualified clients/investors. Not for retail use outside the U.S. THIS MATERIAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION AND IN ANY CASE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED IN ANY JURISDICTION OR TO ANY PERSON WHERE IT WOULD BE UNAUTHORIZED OR UNLAWFUL TO DO SO. Contact Details Roberts & Ryan, Inc. Michael C. Del Priore +1 646-859-4061 mdelpriore@roberts-ryan.com Company Website https://www.roberts-ryan.com

October 25, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ES Intelligence Ltd Empowers Investors with Investment Recovery Strategies

King Newswire

ES Intelligence Limited, a leading authority in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, is pleased to announce a comprehensive report aimed at helping investors globally recover their digital assets. ES Intelligence Limited is committed to providing solutions and insights to alleviate these concerns as the fear of losing one's hard-earned investments can deter individuals from participating in the exciting world of cryptocurrencies. Their newly released report, "Recovering Lost Digital Assets: A Guide for Investors," offers an in-depth exploration of strategies for recovering lost digital assets and provides invaluable insights on how to effectively grow one's crypto investments. This comprehensive resource covers various essential topics, including Bitcoin wallet recovery, lost digital assets recovery, crypto investment recovery, and digital asset retrieval, all without touching upon any unlawful activities. ES Intelligence Limited is dedicated to promoting responsible and secure cryptocurrency practices. Their report places a strong emphasis on compliance with legal and ethical standards, ensuring that investors are well-informed without resorting to any illicit activities. If an individual has forgotten their wallet password, the first step is to explore password recovery tools or services offered by their wallet provider. Some wallets offer features that allow users to reset their password through email verification or by answering security questions. Users should utilize these options to regain access to their wallet. Prevention is the key to avoiding future password-related losses. Users should always use secure and unique passwords for their wallets, avoiding easily guessable phrases or patterns. Consider using a reputable password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely. Hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor provide users with a recovery seed, typically consisting of words. This seed phrase serves as a lifeline in case a wallet is lost, damaged, or inaccessible. Users should ensure they have a backup of this recovery seed and store it in a safe and separate location, away from potential hazards such as fire or theft. It's not enough to have a recovery seed; it must also be verified for accuracy and functionality. Creating a test wallet using the recovery seed ensures it successfully restores the Bitcoin wallet. This practice can save individuals from unpleasant surprises when they need it most. In some situations, recovering a Bitcoin wallet may prove to be a complex and challenging endeavor, especially if all available options have been exhausted. This is where the expertise of digital asset recovery professionals can be invaluable. These experts specialize in retrieving lost or inaccessible digital assets. When seeking professional help, caution should be exercised to avoid falling victim to theft of bitcoin. The credentials and reputation of the chosen recovery service should be verified. Recommendations from trusted sources within the cryptocurrency community should be sought to ensure dealing with a legitimate expert. Losing access to digital assets, including various cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin, can be a distressing experience. Whether it's due to a misplaced private key, a forgotten password, or other reasons, there are strategies that can be employed for Lost Digital Assets Recovery. One of the most fundamental steps to prevent digital asset loss is meticulous record-keeping. Maintaining a detailed ledger of all cryptocurrency transactions, wallet addresses, and private keys serves as a lifeline in the event of asset loss. Both digital and physical copies should be kept in secure locations. Remember that prevention is the best cure, and organized record-keeping can help avoid loss in the first place. If individuals find themselves unable to access their digital assets, reaching out to the customer support of their cryptocurrency exchange or wallet provider is often the first line of defense. Reputable exchanges and wallet services have customer support teams dedicated to assisting users in situations like theirs. They may provide guidance on password recovery or offer alternative solutions to regain access to their assets. In cases where traditional methods fail, blockchain analysis firms can be the last resort. These specialized companies possess the expertise to trace and recover lost or stolen cryptocurrencies. They employ advanced tools and techniques to follow the blockchain's trail and identify the movement of assets. While their services come at a cost, they can be invaluable if a significant amount has been lost. It's crucial to exercise caution when engaging the services of a blockchain analysis firm. Researching their reputation and ensuring they have a track record of legitimate recoveries is essential. Unfortunately, the unregulated nature of the crypto space means there are both legitimate and unlawful service providers. Always verify credentials and seek recommendations from trusted sources. In the world of cryptocurrency investment, strategic decisions are paramount to success. As more people seek to capitalize on crypto's potential, there are three crucial factors to consider: Avoid putting all crypto assets into a single basket. Spreading investments across various cryptocurrencies helps reduce risk. Diversification means holding a mix of established coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with promising altcoins. Each crypto asset has its unique characteristics and growth potential, making diversification a key risk management strategy. Crypto markets are notorious for their volatility. Rather than attempting to time the market for short-term gains, consider a long-term investment approach. This strategy focuses on a cryptocurrency's fundamental value and utility over time. While short-term fluctuations can be wild, many early adopters who held onto their assets have reaped substantial rewards as the crypto market has generally trended upward. Knowledge is the greatest asset in crypto investment. Before investing in any cryptocurrency, invest time in thorough research. Understand the technology, team, and use cases behind each coin or token. Being well-informed will help make more informed investment decisions, increasing the chances of success in the crypto market. In addition to recovering lost assets, it's essential to take steps to protect digital assets from future losses: Consider using hardware wallets or other forms of cold storage to keep cryptocurrencies safe from online threats. These offline solutions are less susceptible to hacking. Enable 2FA on exchange accounts and wallets to add an extra layer of security. This can help prevent unauthorized access. Keep wallet software and security measures up to date to ensure protection against the latest threats. Reclaiming one's crypto kingdom is a journey that requires diligence, patience, and a proactive approach. Whether dealing with Bitcoin wallet recovery, lost digital assets recovery, crypto investment, or digital asset retrieval, taking the right steps can make all the difference. It's important to remember to keep records, seek professional assistance when needed, and protect assets from future losses. With the right strategies and a careful approach, individuals can navigate the crypto world with confidence and grow their digital wealth. Contact Details ES Intelligence Ltd Eden Shabz +44 7418 347971 contact@esintelligenceltd.com Company Website http://www.esintelligenceltd.com/

October 25, 2023 08:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SAE International Granted U.S. Patent for Digital Standards Using Machine-Learning Model

King Newswire

SAE International ®, a standards development organization dedicated to the advancement of mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity, has announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted SAE a key patent that advances the development of digital standards, revolutionizing the way they’re created, shared and consumed across industries. Granted to SAE International in partnership with Cognistx, an applied AI company, Generation of Digital Standards Using Machine-Learning Model ( Patent No. 11,645,550) is the core technology powering SAE's groundbreaking OnQue Digital Standards Solution, which provides accessible and interoperable digital standards to achieve seamless integration, speed and accuracy throughout the product-development lifecycle. “SAE is committed to working with industry, other standards development organizations, and product lifecycle and enterprise solutions providers to develop, distribute and deploy digital standards to the right people at the time of need. This patent is a big step in the journey to establish a standard for digital standards,” says David Schutt, CEO of SAE International. As industries work to transform their operations digitally, industry standards can be a challenge as they are typically only provided via PDF. Digitization of industry standards can be time-consuming and error prone. Existing documents do not always translate into a digital database. Problems can arise with sentence structure, table layouts and variable naming. The SAE newly patented model allows companies to: Convert standards to an interoperable digital form. Integrate digital standards into the tools engineers use today through an Application Programming Interface (API). More easily search for standards based on the data and content within standards. For example: “Our AI models enabled SAE to make its library of standards easily searched and used by the organization’s global community of engineers,” said Cognistx Senior Data Scientist, Uxue Zurutuza, one of five co-inventors listed on the patent. “One of the most important advancements to come out of our partnership was the creation of a reliable and proven method for creating digital standards.” A demonstration of how the patent powers SAE's OnQue Digital Standards Solution can be requested here: https://www.sae.org/onque-digital-standards. Generation of Digital Standards Using Machine-Learning Model is the second patent granted to SAE International; the first was for User Interface Functionality for Digital Standards, which pertains to the display and user interaction of standards. About SAE International ® SAE International is a global organization committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. More at http://www.sae.org. About Cognistx Founded in 2015, Cognistx is a Pittsburgh-based applied AI company founded by Carnegie Mellon University academics. The company builds multi-strategy AI products. Cognistx’s flagship products include the Data Quality Engine (DQE), which cleans noisy transactional data, and SQUARE, a question-answering (QA) platform that allows companies to find the right answers in their corpus of documents. Cognistx efficiently combines and customizes the most advanced AI/ML/NLP technologies to create applications that extract meaningful insights to produce measurable impact for its clients. Visit cognistx.com. SAE Media Contact: Jeff Laskowski SAE International 248.925.4770 pr@sae.org Cognistx Media Contact: Patricia Maldonado Cognistx 305-490-8831 patricia@cognistx.com Contact Details Cognistx Sanjay Chopra +1 724-579-5035 sanjay@cognistx.com Company Website https://www.cognistx.com/

October 25, 2023 03:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

Lawyers Predict Ripple Win and XRP Rally – Shiba Inu and Everlodge Set for Explosive Fourth Quarter

Total Media

The price of XRP has been predicted to rally as lawyers forecast a victory for Ripple in the SEC case. Also, as the crypto market enters bull territory, Shiba Inu and Everlodge are two altcoins predicted to record great gains. In this article, we will take a look at the predictions for these three trending cryptocurrencies. Join the Everlodge presale and win a luxury holiday to the Maldives Lawyers Predict Ripple Win and XRP Lawsuit The almost three-year-long Ripple lawsuit is expected to reach a conclusion soon. With the SEC recently dropping all charges against the Ripple executives, lawyers expect the verdict to go Ripple’s way. As a result, the XRP coin has been projected to embark on a major rally. Lawyer Bill Morgan gives the SEC a 3% chance of winning its appeal against Ripple and XRP. However, Jeremy Hogan is less bullish, predicting that the SEC still stands a 14% chance of winning an appeal. Regardless, Ripple and XRP still remain the overwhelming favorites to win this case. There is more positive news for the altcoin, as there are rumors that France’s CBDC efforts might involve XRP. Because of this, crypto analysts have predicted that the price of XRP could increase significantly after a Ripple victory. From $0.5338, many crypto analysts predict that the XRP price could reach its all-time high at $3. Experts Predict 600% Price Increase for Shiba Inu When the Shiba Inu layer 2 network, Shibarium, launched in August, many investors expected a price spike. The Shiba Inu coin, SHIB, would decline from $0.00001100 to $0.000006710 in October. However, SHIB is now showing signs of recovery. Joining the crypto market rally, the price of Shiba Inu has increased above the $0.000007200 resistance. However, crypto analysts predict that SHIB could see more gains in the coming days. According to Finder’s panel of analysts, the Shiba Inu price could increase by 600%. However, unlike previous bull markets where the SHIB price grew in weeks, these gains are expected to happen over two years. This will see the price of Shiba inu reach a high of $0.00004930 by 2025. Everlodge Set To Democratize the Real Estate Industry Real estate is one of the biggest industries in the world, with a valuation of over $280 trillion. However, the high cost of properties has prevented investors from joining this profitable industry. However, Everlodge is launching to democratize this industry by building a blockchain property marketplace. Everlodge would allow every investor to participate in real estate investment with as little as $100. To achieve this, Everlodge will list properties on its marketplace. The title deeds and ownership documents of these listed properties will be digitized and minted as an NFT. The platform will then use fractionalization to divide the NFTs into smaller portions. These NFT fractions will act as shares in the properties and allow investors to buy as low as $100. In addition, the ecosystem also includes a Launchpad. Property developers can use the platform's Launchpad to raise funds for their upcoming real estate projects. This hybrid property co-ownership model of Everlodge provides nearly everyone the opportunity to finally own a piece of real estate. As a result, crypto analysts are hyper-bullish about the platform’s utility token, ELDG. Now trading at $0.023, ELDG has been projected to reach a value of $0.50 before the year’s end. Find out more about the Everlodge (ELDG) Presale: Website: https://www.everlodge.io/ Telegram: https://t.me/everlodge Contact Details Everlodge Media Team marketing@everlodge.io

October 24, 2023 04:11 PM Pacific Daylight Time

HTX Shines at Blockchain Life 2023, Paving the Way for a Global Crypto Ecosystem

HTX

Singapore / October 24, 2023 / HTX participated in Blockchain Life 2023, the 11th international forum dedicated to Web3, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain mining. The event saw HTX assume the prestigious role of a platinum sponsor and exclusive registration sponsor. HTX not only attracted a myriad of crypto enthusiasts but also fostered insightful conversations, offering a firsthand look at investment possibilities through an impressive array of product showcases and enticing incentives at their visually striking booth. At the commencement of the summit, Justin Sun, a distinguished member of the HTX Global Advisory Board and Founder of TRON, delivered a speech titled "Real World Assets Unlocking Value in the Digital Age." His profound perspectives not only garnered considerable acclaim but also ignited thought provoking dialogues among the event's participants. Sun mentioned, "Today, there are already over 100 CeFi and DeFi RWA players in the industry and the market for tokenized assets could grow to $16 trillion by 2030." The momentum around RWAs will continue to grow and impact the cryptocurrency industry in the way we transfer, settle, and preserve value, he emphasized. Taking stUSDT as an example, Sun explained the additional value that Real World Assets (RWA) bring to the stablecoin arena. He expressed that stUSDT can be seen as a Web3 counterpart to Alipay’s Yu’e Bao, one of the world’s largest money market funds. By forging connections between on-chain assets with tangible real-world assets, stUSDT enriches the investment profiles of users, catering to an array of investment requirements. Furthermore, stUSDT fervently upholds the core Web3 value of decentralization, with a mission to serve a broader community. This implies that through RWA assets, every investor can effortlessly earn passive income and enjoy unfettered access to their assets whenever required, all while relishing the transparency, security, and immutable characteristics afforded by blockchain technology. Sun emphasized that in the ever-evolving digital era, Real World Assets (RWAs) will play a pivotal role in driving widespread cryptocurrency adoption. Their capacity to amalgamate real, recognizable assets with the digital innovations of the crypto sector is poised to redefine the global financial landscape. HTX remains dedicated to the pursuit of innovative opportunities, with the goal of constructing a worldwide crypto ecosystem tailored to a diversity of user requirements, and propelling the extensive utilization of cryptocurrencies. HTX will stay updated about the ever-evolving dynamics of the Real World Assets (RWA) market. Sun commented that “ HTX is one of the major Asian exchanges globally. This year, we have focused a lot of our energy on growing our user base in Asia. We have seen great momentum and great growth in the market. After 1 year of the development, HTX has become one of the very stable, top 5 exchanges in the world together with Binance, Upbit, Coinbase, and OKX.” Since its rebranding in September this year, HTX has once again left a significant imprint on the global crypto arena, marking the initiation of a new chapter in its dedicated pursuit of a global growth strategy. This underscores its strengthening foothold in the crypto market worldwide and its dedication to becoming a major player driving crypto's global development and adoption. In the future, HTX will take the center stage at more crypto events across the globe and expand its international influence. The exchange will also establish close connections with communities and users from various countries and regions, continuously exploring quality products and investment targets to attract broader participants to the crypto market. Blockchain Life 2023, taking place in Dubai October 24-25, 2023, attracted over 7,000 attendees from more than 120 countries. The event united leaders from global funds, top crypto company figures, pioneering Web3 entrepreneurs, and ardent crypto enthusiasts to delve deep into the future of the cryptocurrency market. About HTX Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a crypto exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, wallets, research, investment, incubation and other areas. HTX serves millions of users worldwide, with a business presence covering over 160 countries and regions across five continents. Its three development strategies - "global development, technology drives development, and technology for good" underpin its commitment to providing comprehensive services and values to global cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/

October 24, 2023 01:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Southern University’s World-Famous “Human Jukebox” Marching Band Partners with SIGMA to Elevate Video Production Quality

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

Southern University’s esteemed Human Jukebox Marching Band has entered into an exciting and exclusive partnership with SIGMA Corporation of America, a leading camera and lens manufacturer for both photography and cinema applications, to enhance the quality of their video production when chronicling and producing their prestigious performances. This is the third academic year that SIGMA has sponsored the Human Jukebox. A world-famous marching band with a rich history of performances at prestigious events such as the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and college and professional football games’ halftimes, the Human Jukebox is known for its captivating shows and choreography, which includes the talented Dancing Dolls ensemble. The band's reputation plays a vital role in attracting students to Southern University and cultivating valuable partnerships, and sharply capturing their performances is of utmost importance. In 2014, Eric Johnson, the Human Jukebox’s Marketing and Brand Manager, along with Jabari Morgan (marketing) and Media Director Garrett Edgerson, embarked on a journey to develop a strong brand identity and elevate the band's presence in the world of collegiate marching bands. Their success in building an impressive online presence on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond has garnered attention from notable artists such as Lizzo, Adele, 50 Cent, DJ Khaled, and Janet Jackson. The Human Jukebox's ability to capture their performances and share them with the world relies heavily on consistent high-quality video production. In 2020, the band turned to SIGMA, drawn to SIGMA's reputation for providing premium yet affordable lenses. SIGMA's dedication to customer service and a shared passion for creative excellence led to the establishment of a productive partnership. "An appreciation for art is cultivated during a person’s formative school years and is something SIGMA has always been passionately supportive of," says Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of SIGMA America. "Having the opportunity to help bring the Human Jukebox’s work to life for the past three years with crisply captured video, and to contribute to the long-term growth of this HBCU, has been an honor.” Southern University’s Media Director Garrett Edgerson, a photographer and filmmaker, heads a team of four students and three alumni responsible for creating captivating content for the Human Jukebox. To ensure top-notch video quality, Edgerson and his team have embraced SIGMA lenses as their go-to choice for capturing the band's performances. "Like many HBCUs, Southern University's marching band plays a crucial role in attracting students from all over the world," said Eric Johnson, the Human Jukebox's Marketing and Brand Manager. “SIGMA lenses have taken our production level to a whole new height with compact form factor, lighter weight, and excellent build, making it easier for the team to capture stunning footage during performances and events. Hollywood-quality video has advanced our reputation, leading to additional sponsorships and partnerships that help support students' education and band expenses.” To learn more about how the Southern University Marching Band Media team utilizes SIGMA gear for their work, please visit this behind-the-scenes piece. About SIGMA Corporation of America SIGMA Corporation of America, founded in 1984, is the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation, a family-owned manufacturer of lenses, cameras and photo accessories. With U.S. headquarters in Ronkonkoma, NY, SIGMA Corporation of America expanded with a showroom and office in Burbank, CA in 2018 to support the Hollywood filmmaking industry. Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with over 35 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA +1 631-201-7381 SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

October 24, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Shareholder Urges Microsoft to Boot Jeffrey Epstein Pal from Board of Directors

NLPC

In a letter to the lead independent director for Microsoft Corporation, National Legal and Policy Center has asked for the removal of billionaire Reid Hoffman from the company’s board of directors, due to his hyper-partisan political activities and his connections to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, whose private island Hoffman visited in 2014. NLPC owns stock in Microsoft and is also sponsoring a shareholder proposal at this year’s annual meeting, which will be held on December 7, 2023. LinkedIn, which was co-founded by Hoffman, was acquired by Microsoft in December 2016. He joined Microsoft’s board in March 2017. As NLPC’s Paul Chesser wrote in his letter to the company’s top independent director, Sandra Peterson, Hoffman has shown poor discernment in his associations, poor judgment in his political and social actions, and utter disregard for Microsoft’s reputation and shareholder value. “Reid Hoffman’s wealth and arrogance have clearly gone to his head and he appears to think he doesn’t have to be accountable to anyone,” said Chesser, who is director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project (CIP). “Whether its visiting ‘Pedophile Isle’ with Jeffrey Epstein, or calling the likely 2024 Republican presidential nominee ‘The Disease President,’ or simply advising aspiring entrepreneurs to ‘ignore your customers,’ Hoffman obviously would rather satiate his sensual impulses than properly oversee the fiduciary responsibilities of a major technology company,” said Luke Perlot, associate director and chief researcher for the CIP. In the heavily footnoted letter to Microsoft, NLPC pointed out three major reasons that make Hoffman unsuitable for the board: his close association with Epstein; his unrestrained, hyper-partisan political urges; and his hypocritical views regarding “civic participation” and his own company’s censorship practices. Excerpts from the letter: According to Axios, Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Epstein both aggressively fundraised for the [MIT Media Lab], with Mr. Hoffman also inviting Mr. Epstein to join him at an August 2015 dinner in Silicon Valley that included tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Peter Thiel. In an email to Mr. Thiel, according to the Wall Street Journal, “Hoffman wrote that Epstein was a ‘mostly fun, very interesting guy, you may find him perverse, but very smart on biology, computation, macro econ.’”… Mr. Hoffman’s extremely poor judgment leaves many unanswered questions. Recognizing Mr. Epstein as “perverse,” how did Mr. Hoffman justify ongoing collaboration with the convicted pedophile, who maintained his own luxury island to traffic underage girls to fulfill the sexual desires of himself and his associates? How could a highly educated, savvy and instinctive tech billionaire agree to visit such a place, with such a person, with such a detestable reputation, unless it was intentional, showing utter disregard for his own image and that of the businesses and organizations with which he is identified? … MotiveAI, another firm credited with “with backing from billionaire LinkedIn chairman Reid Hoffman,” ran ads through associated limited liability companies that featured offensive content and disinformation…. Facebook pages with MotiveAI associations made sexist comments about former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Republican megadonor Rebekah Mercer. One such page called Rep. Gabbard a “C.W.I.L.F.,” which stands for a “Congresswoman I’d like to f---”… Mr. Hoffman…could easily advocate for [LinkedIn] to remain open to all for reasoned political debate, but there is no evidence that he does. In fact, his own history indicates that he encourages such snubs. As a self-styled expert on venture capital-funded startups…Mr. Hoffman recommends one counterintuitive business practice for an alleged path to success: “Ignore your customers.” Is this an image that Microsoft wishes to project? NLPC called for Peterson to ask for Hoffman’s resignation, and if he refuses to do so, then to seek his removal. Hoffman is listed as a nominee for re-election to the board on the company’s proxy statement. “Reid Hoffman has been very successful in business but he has shown very poor judgment,” said Peter Flaherty, chairman of NLPC. “Wealth should not be an exemption from decent behavior. Microsoft will be a better company when Hoffman leaves the board.” Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 danrenejr@gmail.com Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

October 24, 2023 10:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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