Market Newsdesk

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN), a public and private nonprofit created for the purpose of coordinating and building the bridges between the healthcare providers throughout the state of Michigan, and it’s majority owned subsidiary, Velatura Public Benefit Corporation (Velatura), yesterday gathered a national panel of experts to discuss the bioethics of sharing big data, including how ethics may influence our country’s pandemic response.

“As electronic health information exchange becomes more prominent today, many questions surrounding the bioethics of sharing that information have come to the forefront,” said Tim Pletcher, CEO, MiHIN and Velatura. “It’s important to discuss the salient issues that are facing health care today, especially in the context of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and the quickly approaching compliance dates set by the Department of Health and Human Services.”  

The panel, consisting of leaders in the field, offered expert insight on the current landscape of data sharing in health information technology. Contributors included Ammon R. Fillmore, J.D., General Counsel and Privacy Officer, Indiana Health Information Exchange, Shreya Patel, J.D., Chief Privacy and Policy Officer, MiHIN, and Harm J. Scherpbier, MD, MS, FAMIA Chief Medical Information Officer, HealthShare Exchange.

The hour-long virtual discussion which took place January 27, 2021, was free and had nearly 100 registered participants. 

Watch a replay of the panel discussion here.

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About Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services

The Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN) is Michigan’s state-designated entity to improve healthcare quality, efficiency, and patient safety by sharing electronic health information statewide, helping reduce costs for patients, providers, and payers. MiHIN is a nonprofit, public-private collaboration that includes stakeholders from the State of Michigan, Health Information Exchanges serving Michigan, health systems and providers, health plans/payers, pharmacies, and the Governor’s Health Information Technology Commission. For more information, visit https://mihin.org. 

About Velatura Public Benefit Company

Velatura Public Benefit Corporation creatively connects and aligns people, organizations, technology, ideas, and information in both the public and private sectors to improve healthcare, reduce costs and to increase satisfaction of stakeholders in the health IT value chain. Through its operating units of Velatura Services, Velatura HIE Corp and USQHIN, Velatura Public Benefit Corporation looks to service the landscape of needs across the country for sustainable interoperability. 

 

Attachment

• Velatura-webinar- release-FINAL

Courtney Meister
Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services
517-336-5714
[email protected]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Futura Corporation (“Futura”) announces that it has acquired 2,000,000 common shares of CanWel Building Materials Group Ltd. (“CanWel”) (TSX:CWX).

Based on CanWel’s latest reporting, Futura, along with joint actors, now owns 16,369,105 common shares representing approximately 20.99% of the issued and outstanding common shares of CanWel. Futura acquired these common shares for investment purposes. Futura may from time to time acquire additional securities of CanWel, dispose of some or all of the existing or additional securities, or continue to hold securities of CWX in the normal course of its investment activities.

Futura relied on Section 4.1 of Multilateral Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids in purchasing these common shares.

About Futura

The Futura Corporation is a Vancouver, British Columbia based private asset management and investment company. Futura has interests in numerous private and public companies, and specializes in the building materials sector.

Contact Information

The Futura Corporation
Amar S. Doman
President and CEO
(604) 608-6600
PO Box 10017, Pacific Centre
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1A1

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NV5 Global, Inc. (the “Company” or “NV5”) (Nasdaq: NVEE), a provider of compliance, technology, and engineering consulting solutions, will announce its financial results for the fourth quarter ended January 2, 2021 on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, following the close of the markets. The Company will host an earnings conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time the same day.

NV5 Chairman and CEO, Dickerson Wright, and Chief Financial Officer, Edward Codispoti, will host the call followed by a question and answer session.

Date:	Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Time:	4:30 p.m. Eastern
Toll-free dial-in number:	+1 (833) 900-1538
International dial-in number:	+1 (236) 712-2278
Conference ID:	4096283
Webcast:	http://ir.nv5.com

Participants joining by phone are requested to call the conference line ten minutes early to avoid wait times while connecting to the call. The conference call will be webcast live and available for replay via the “Investors” section of the NV5 website. The press release announcing financial results and the presentation slides to be covered during the conference call will also be posted on the site.

About NV5

NV5 Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVEE) is a leading provider of compliance, technology, and engineering consulting solutions for public and private sector clients supporting infrastructure, utility, and building assets and systems. The Company primarily focuses on six business verticals: testing, inspection & consulting, infrastructure support services, utility services, buildings & program management, environmental health sciences, and geospatial technology services. NV5 operates out of more than 100 offices nationwide and abroad. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.NV5.com. Also visit the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Vimeo.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such factors include: (a) changes in demand from the local and state government and private clients that we serve; (b) general economic conditions, nationally and globally, and their effect on the market for our services; (c) competitive pressures and trends in our industry and our ability to successfully compete with our competitors; (d) changes in laws, regulations, or policies; and (e) the “Risk Factors” set forth in the Company’s most recent SEC filings. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact

NV5 Global, Inc.
Jack Cochran
Vice President, Marketing & Investor Relations
Tel: +1-954-637-8048
Email: [email protected]

Source: NV5 Global, Inc.

Gaithersburg, MD, Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Remote work remains a trend this New Year and 91% of workers who worked from home because of the pandemic would like to continue to do so, according to Sodexo’s recent Harris Interactive survey. Today, Sodexo is responding to ever-changing workplace shifts with the expansion of its award-winning workplace dining solution featuring locally sourced, bespoke food solutions, Good Eating Company (GEC) to North America and the acquisition of Nourish Inc., a commissary kitchen model with 25 diverse cuisine options and an emphasis on fresh, vegetable-forward dishes.

These new offers will help strengthen Sodexo’s presence and delivery options in urban markets, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. and create workplace solutions with top quality, healthy options.

“At Sodexo, we recognize the importance of being innovative and anticipating the needs of our clients and their workforce. Never before has that need been so urgent than in a pandemic year; our clients want to provide their employees with the best infrastructure and support, irrespective of where they physically work from,” said David Bailey, CEO, Corporate Services, Sodexo North America. “Our new food solutions will empower them to not just improve the existing dining solutions, but to eat well, while working from anywhere.” 

Good Eating Company offers locally sourced, bespoke food solutions

In 2017, Sodexo acquired the Good Eating Company and its 20 years of workplace dining experience across creative, media and arts, investment and financial management and pharmaceutical industries and has helped to successfully grow the company’s food offerings and services in the U.K and Ireland. GEC is a premium food-only brand and its flex model allows chefs to work onsite or from a central location.

Each breakfast, lunch and grab-and-go option uses locally sourced ingredients to offer fresh, sustainable, and healthy options daily. GEC’s food program and its delivery service, Good Eating Delivered, will be powered by Sodexo’s digital app, creating an easy, safe, contactless experience. Customers will have the option to pick up food at a client site or have it home delivered, if offered by their employer. Good Eating Delivered will debut in Toronto and Montreal in February and New York City this Spring.

Nourish, Inc. chefs create seasonally organic, veggie-forward dishes

Nourish, Inc. is a well-established brand in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its offsite commissary design allows its expert chefs to create up to 25 cuisine options, including American, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and Mexican and provides convenient grab-n-go options and healthy snacks. Nourish, Inc. will also be powered by Sodexo’s app and meals will be delivered to companies and employees onsite or offsite daily.

“Nourish is delighted to be a part of Sodexo,” said Jeff Kraft, CEO, Nourish, Inc. “It will allow us to expand our business, access exciting new technologies, and be part of an ecosystem that improves the quality of life for our clients. All while continuing to offer the highest quality food, be creative in everything we present, and remain conscious in our procurement, production, and service.”

Nourish Inc.’s menus are created based on the highest possible percentage of seasonally available organic, non-GMO ingredients. This leads to an immense variety of fresh, healthy meals with an emphasis on vegetable-forward dishes.

“We are excited to bring these new powerful, innovative brands under the Sodexo fold in North America,” said Mike Gillespie, President, Corporate Services West, Sodexo North America. “Many of our corporate dining accounts are perfectly aligned to quickly adapt and bring these concepts to market. The onsite food model has changed. We have been able to bring forth contemporary, relevant brands that we feel will complement the return to office or work from anywhere strategies of our clients and customers.”

For more information on Sodexo’s Corporate Services, visit our website.

 

About Sodexo North America

Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 64 countries. Sodexo is a leading provider of integrated food, facilities management and other services that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate, education, healthcare, senior living, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., in 2020, the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation mobilized 10,000 Sodexo volunteers to distribute 4.1 million meals to help 5.9 million children and adults meet their immediate food needs. Since 1996, the Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed $36.7 million to help feed children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo, visit us.sodexo.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

Attachments

• GEC3
• GEC2

Dasha Ross-Smith
Sodexo
[email protected]

ATLANTA, Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray” or “we”) (NYSE: GTN) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Quincy Media, Inc. (“Quincy” or “QMI”) for $925 million in cash.  Upon closing the transaction, Gray will own television stations serving 102 television markets that collectively reach 25.4 percent of US television households, including the number-one ranked television station in 77 markets and the first and/or second highest ranked television station in 93 markets according to Comscore’s average all-day ratings for calendar year 2020.

“We are honored and humbled to be selected by Quincy’s shareholders to acquire their terrific company,” said Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Gray’s Executive Chairman and CEO.  “We are very excited to welcome their dedicated journalists, account executives, and technologists to the Gray family.  With the addition of these professionals and their stations, Gray will become a stronger company with an even larger platform of high quality television stations to better serve the public interest first.”

“Many of our shareholders, board members and employees are descendants of two families who have been in the company for 95 years and in the media business for over 100 years.  The focus has always been on serving our communities with the best in news, public service and community involvement.  It is a legacy of which we are very proud,” said Ralph M. Oakley, President/CEO of QMI.  “While this is the end of a long and successful chapter, it also represents a wonderful new chapter for the communities we serve and our employees with the acquisition of the stations by Gray.  They are great operators and people and our philosophies very much mirror one another.”

QMI is a family-owned media company headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, that owns and operates high quality television stations and leading local digital platforms in 16 markets primarily in the Midwest.  Like Gray, Quincy’s portfolio of best-in-class television stations maintain local control over programming and operational decisions and have reputations for a commitment to excellence in local news operations, programming, community engagement and public service.  Gray believes that the deep similarities between Gray and Quincy in terms of company cultures, award-winning journalistic commitments, and exceptional community service will help ensure a smooth integration of the acquired stations.

Through the transaction announced today, Gray will acquire the following television stations:

WPTA (ABC/NBC) and WISE (CW) in Fort Wayne, Indiana (DMA 104)
WEEK (NBC/ABC/CW) in Peoria, Illinois (DMA 118)
WREX (NBC/CW) in Rockford, Illinois (DMA 132)
KBJR (NBC/CBS) and KDLH (CW) in Duluth, Minnesota (DMA 136)
KTIV (NBC/CW) in Sioux City, Iowa (DMA 147)
KTTC (NBC/CW) in Rochester-Mason City, Minnesota-Iowa (DMA 156)
WBNG (CBS/CW) in Binghamton, New York (DMA 158)
WVVA (NBC/CW) in Bluefield-Beckley, West Virginia (DMA 162)
WGEM (NBC/FOX/CW) in Quincy, Illinois (DMA 172)

To facilitate prompt regulatory approvals, Gray has elected to divest Quincy’s high quality television stations in the following markets in which Gray also owns a full-power television station:

Tucson, Arizona (DMA 75)
Madison, Wisconsin (DMA 80)
Paducah-Harrisburg, Kentucky-Illinois (DMA 91)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (DMA 92)
La Crosse-Eau Claire, Wisconsin (DMA 123)
Wausau-Stevens Point, Wisconsin (DMA 134)

Upon the issuance of this press release, Wells Fargo Securities will begin a formal process to market the divestiture stations to qualified third parties.  The divestitures may take the form of cash sales, swaps involving other television stations, or a combination of cash and swaps.  Interested parties should contact Wells Fargo Securities directly and should not contact Gray or Quincy about the divestiture opportunities. 

In addition to the stations above, Gray will acquire Quincy’s Heroes & Icons affiliate WSJV in South Bend, Indiana (DMA 98) as well as WGEM(AM)/-FM in Quincy, Illinois.  Gray will not acquire Quincy’s newspaper operations, which will be divested prior to the Gray/Quincy closing.

The parties expect to close their transaction following receipt of regulatory and other approvals in the second or third quarter of 2021.  Gray expects that the Quincy transaction will be immediately accretive to Gray’s free cash flow per share.  Including expected year-one annualized synergies of approximately $23 million, the transaction purchase price represents a multiple of approximately 6.9 times a blended average of Quincy’s 2019/2020 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Gray intends to finance the transaction, net of divestiture proceeds, with cash on hand and/or new debt.  Wells Fargo has provided a debt financing commitment for an incremental loan to finance  up to the full purchase price of $925 million.  Gray anticipates that its expected strong free cash flow generation throughout 2021 should allow Gray to continue to deleverage its capital structure following the closing.  Gray expects that its total leverage ratio, net of all cash and net of proceeds from divestiture sales, would approximate 4.0 times trailing eight-quarter operating cash flow (as defined in our current senior credit facility), including estimated synergies, at year-end 2021.

The transaction has been approved unanimously by the Boards of Directors of both Gray and Quincy.  No Gray shareholder vote will be required. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as financial advisor to Quincy. Cooley LLP served as primary legal counsel for Gray.  Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP and Scholz, Loos, Palmer, Siebers and Duesterhaus LLP served as legal counsel for Quincy. 

Gray currently owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties in 94 television markets.  Gray’s television stations cover approximately 24 percent of US television households and broadcast over 400 separate programming streams, including roughly 150 affiliates of the Big Four broadcast networks.  Gray also owns video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content.

Gray Contacts:



www.gray.tv


Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 404-266-5512
Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, 404-266-8333
Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 404-504-9828
Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, 404-266-8333

Quincy Contact:



https://www.quincymedia.com


Ralph M. Oakley, President and Chief Executive Officer, 217-221-3404

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains certain forward looking statements that are based largely on Gray’s current expectations and reflect various estimates and assumptions by Gray. These statements are statements other than those of historical fact, and may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “implied,” “assume” and similar expressions. Forward looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond Gray’s control, include Gray’s inability to complete its pending acquisition of Quincy, on the terms and within the timeframe currently contemplated, any material regulatory or other unexpected requirements in connection therewith, or the inability to achieve expected synergies therefrom on a timely basis or at all, the impact of recently completed transactions, estimates of future retransmission revenue, future expenses and other future events. Gray is subject to additional risks and uncertainties described in Gray’s quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including in the “Risk Factors,” and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations sections contained therein, which reports are made publicly available via its website, www.gray.tv. Any forward looking statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. This release reflects management’s views as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Gray undertakes no obligation to update or revise any information contained in this release beyond the published date, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

#          #          #

Attachment

• Markets

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A.I.S. Resources Limited (TSXV: AIS, OTCQB: AISSF) (the “Company” or “AIS) is delighted to report that it has signed a 90 day option agreement to acquire the exploration licence EL006958 known as Casterton in the Glenelg zone, in Western Victoria, Australia. The option agreement has provision for extensions to 31 July 2021. If the option is exercised AIS can acquire the property for AUD$1,500,000 in cash and shares. This brings the total square kilometres AIS is exploring to 852 sq km.

Phil Thomas, CEO commented, “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to develop a multi-commodity project stream. The famous Hummocks Nickel, Chromite mine still has part of the infrastructure there and a sample from the feed chute was assayed by AIS at On-site Laboratories at 1,200ppm nickel and 1,100 ppm chromium. The base metal prospects are in the bright red staurolite zone in the schist that can be mineralized with copper and nickel. Low-grade nickel in serpentinite occurs at The Hummocks, north of Casterton (Bush et al. 1995b). With significant past exploration this will significantly enhance our portfolio.”   

Fig 1 – Earth Resources Victoria historical location of mineralization, magnetic survey, EL boundary in aqua.
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/abf4411c-5958-4740-a0f5-6ce30bfc6f73

Fig 2 – Tenement boundary and major towns in the EL006958
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a3e6379-de19-4d57-96e3-c19353fe2625               

Fig 3a Hummocks nickel chromite mine and Fig 3b Serpentinite intrusion
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ff953fe9-35b4-498e-8b52-1d3b3b834139
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aae17a42-cda1-460e-bcb0-5383adecf6bb

Fig 4 Analysis of rock chip sample from Hummocks Mine, Casterton
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f414e73-fa73-46c3-94e1-b38719c946e8

Past Historical Exploration

Gold	BHP Gold Mines in 1987 found gold in the volcanics in the Cavendish Area
Gold	Baracus Pty Ltd in 1988 found Gold in the Pigeon Ponds area.
Diamonds	Ashton Mining in 1980-81 found diamonds and prospective rocks in PigeonPonds area
Gold Silver	Asarco Australia found precious and base metals in Casterton area
Diamonds	CRA Exploration found in 1980 heavy mineral sands and diamonds
Gold	CRA exploration found gold in the Brolga Downs area in 1991-93
Gold	CRA targetted gold in the Glenelg River Metamorphic complex and gold associated in the burthong area with tertiary laterization in 1991-93
Gold	Newmont Holdings found gold in the laterite hosted gold deposits in the Balmoral area in 1986
Gold	Norgold in 1988-89 found hypogene gold mineralisation in the Coleraine-Balmoral-Harrow region
Gold	PS Forwood found major gold deposits through gold and arsenic geochemical anomalies in laterites in the Balmoral area. Models used included breccia pipe, greenstone, granite and boddington style mineralisation. Gold was also found in the Mather Creek area.
Base Metals	Rosscraft Minerals in 1983-1988 found base metal sulphide mineralisation in the Dergholm Casterton area.
Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn	Stawell Gold Mines in 1993-95 found polymetallic skarn mineralisation associated with the contact with the Wando granodiorite.
Base metals	Western Mining found in 1973-74 massive or disseminated base metal sulphides
Nickel	Westpoint exploration found in 1970-71 nickel and allied mineralisation in ultra basic rocks in the Coleraine area.
Coal	Western mining explored the Pashendale area for cretaceous black coal seams in 1978-82

Previous mining for Zinc and Lead occurred in the Nolans Creek area in 1908.

About A.I.S. Resources Limited

A.I.S. Resources Limited is a publicly traded investment issuer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on precious and base metals exploration. AIS’s value add strategy is to acquire prospective exploration projects and enhance their value by better defining the mineral resource with a view to attracting joint venture partners and enhancing the value of its portfolio. The Company is managed by a team of experienced geologists, with a track-record of successful capital markets achievements. In November 2020, AIS received TSX-V approval to acquire the New South Wales Yalgogrin Gold Project JV, the Fosterville-Toolleen Gold Project and the Kingston Gold Project in Victoria Australia which settled in January 2021.

A.I.S. Resources Limited

For further information, please contact:
Phillip Thomas, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +1-747-200-9412
Email: [email protected]
Or
Martyn Element, Executive Chairman
Tel: +1-604-220-6266
Email: [email protected]  
Website: www.aisresources.com

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

ADVISORY:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release contains statements concerning the anticipated use of the proceeds of the Private Placement. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The
intended use of the proceeds of the Private Placement by the Corporation might change if the board
of directors of the Corporation determines that it would be in the best interests of the Corporation to deploy the proceeds for some other purpose. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 

Brings communities across the country together for The Big Concert for Small Business, the ultimate Super Bowl LV after-party supporting small business

What you need to know:

• Verizon is making a multi-year commitment to bring one million small businesses forward by 2030 with resources to help them succeed in the digital economy
• The Verizon Big Concert for Small Business, the ultimate livestreamed Super Bowl LV after-party, will be hosted by Tiffany Haddish and feature performances by Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Christina Aguilera, Eric Church, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Luke Bryan and Miley Cyrus on Sunday, February 7
• Verizon is committing $10 million to small business support through the nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), focusing on business owners in historically underserved communities
• Verizon has partnered with select Tampa-area small businesses to equip them with 5G connectivity and tools to accelerate their digital transformation and aid in their recovery

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. , Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As small business owners across the country continue to face uncertainty amid the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verizon announces a number of initiatives to support their recovery and aid in their survival through the pandemic and beyond. The company is committing $10 million to provide grants to small businesses through LISC, a national nonprofit that invests in affordable housing, economic development, health, education and jobs nationwide, and will launch a customized multi-week training program for small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering tools, technology and resources. These initiatives are part of Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, social and environmental advancement.

“For small business owners today, we know that opening a digital front door is as important as a physical one,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “This multi-year effort underscores the role financial assistance, technology and training will play in rebuilding small businesses for both short-term and long-term economic recovery.”

To kick off the program, Verizon is producing The Big Concert for Small Business, the ultimate after-party for Super Bowl LV on Sunday, February 7 at 11:00 p.m. ET. Hosted by Tiffany Haddish and featuring performances by Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Christina Aguilera, Eric Church, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Luke Bryan and Miley Cyrus, the concert will be livestreamed on Yahoo, Fios, @Verizon on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube and TikTok, and broadcasted on BET, CBS Sports Network, CMT, MTV2 and MTV Live, as well as aired on iHeart and Sirius. The event is curated and produced by Roc Nation.

“Small businesses are so important and we need to do whatever we can to keep them alive; our communities can’t recover without them,” said Alicia Keys. “I’m excited to be partnering with Verizon and the rest of these amazing artists to not only be able to take the stage and bring that good music and light but to do it for such a meaningful cause.”

“When we launched Pay It Forward Live, the weekly entertainment series that supported small businesses last March, we had no idea the need for help would still be so critical almost a year later,” said Diego Scotti, CMO, Verizon. “We made magic happen by collaborating with the entertainment industry and mobilizing the public, impacting thousands of businesses. We’re doing it again, in an even bigger way, with the Big Concert for Small Business, bringing people together after Super Bowl LV to help the small businesses that are the heart of the American economy.”

Verizon’s training program will provide in-depth assistance through end-to-end resources – including curriculum, mentorship, networking and incentives, such as 5G products and services and connection to affordable capital – with the goal of engaging 100,000 businesses per year. Full details will be available in May. For the latest information, please visit Verizon.com/smallbusinesstraining.

To rally support, Verizon is asking the public to share what local small businesses they can’t live without. From February 1-7, individuals can tag their favorite small business on Twitter using #BigConcertSmallBiz for a virtual spotlight during Verizon’s Big Concert for Small Business. Verizon is also supporting a text-to-give campaign. Wireless users on any carrier can text SMALLBIZ to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10 to LISC.

As 5G technology continues to advance, Verizon is helping small business owners realize the potential of 5G to revolutionize the way they operate, increasing productivity and lowering operational costs. In a recent Verizon Business 5G Enterprise Report, 63% of small business decision makers felt that businesses that do not adopt 5G will fall behind their peers. Additionally, nearly a third (31%) are either currently or planning to, within the next six months, provide employees an allowance or stipend to upgrade their wireless device and service to 5G.

Coinciding with Super Bowl LV, Verizon Business has partnered with select small businesses in Tampa and other markets to empower them with connectivity, security and support with the power of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. This program will provide small businesses with customized Verizon Business connectivity, tools and products to digitally transform their businesses and help them navigate today’s business landscape.

These efforts to impact the long-term survival of small businesses and the kick off concert the night of the game are part of Verizon’s actions to bring the Super Bowl LV experience forward with 5G built right. After a year like no other, innovation to move the world forward and bring people together safely is more important than ever. More information here.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

About Citizen Verizon
Citizen Verizon is the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Citizen Verizon empowers Verizon to deliver on its mission to move the world forward through action by expanding digital access and resources, protecting the climate, and ensuring people have the skills needed for jobs of the future. Through Citizen Verizon, and the key pillars of Digital Inclusion, Climate Protection and Human Prosperity, the company is committed to providing 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030, supporting 1 million small businesses with resources to help them thrive in the digital economy by 2030, achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2035, and preparing 500,000 individuals for jobs of the future by 2030. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at www.verizon.com/about/news/. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contacts:

Emily Vicker


[email protected]

Lauren Schulz


[email protected]

ASML reports transactions under its current share buyback program

VELDHOVEN, the Netherlands – ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) reports the following transactions, conducted under ASML’s current share buyback program.

Date	Total repurchased shares	Weighted average price	Total repurchased value
25-Jan-21	69,071	467.03	32,258,077.17
26-Jan-21	69,788	462.23	32,257,890.90
27-Jan-21	72,519	444.82	32,257,713.03
28-Jan-21	73,218	440.57	32,257,698.19
29-Jan-21	72,464	445.16	32,257,755.40

ASML’s current share buyback program was announced on 22 January 2020, and details are available on our website at https://www.asml.com/en/news/share-buyback

This regular update of the transactions conducted under the buyback program is to be made public under the Market Abuse Regulation (Nr. 596/2014).

Media Relations Contacts	Investor Relations Contacts
Monique Mols, phone +31 6 528 444 18	Skip Miller, phone +1 480 235 0934
	Marcel Kemp, phone +31 40 268 6494

MONTREAL, Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TFI International Inc. (NYSE and TSX: TFII), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, today announced the acquisition of Fleetway Transport Inc. (“Fleetway”). Founded in 1983 and based out of Brantford, Ontario, Fleetway is a full-service provider of truckload and heavy-haul transportation solutions and logistics services, with flatbeds, roll-tites, step decks, and other transportation modes among its offerings. Fleetway provides both warehousing and transportation for refrigeration equipment.

Serving all of North America from its three facilities in Brantford that include its headquarters / terminal, a warehouse and a storage yard, Fleetway’s workforce of more than 100 professionals operates over 80 tractors and more than 250 vans, flatbeds, drop decks and floats. Fleetway’s revenue mix is derived from the transportation of forestry equipment, refrigeration equipment and consumer packaged goods for various industries. Fleetway, which generates approximately CAN$25 million in annualized revenue, will operate as a standalone business unit within TFI International’s Specialized Truckload segment and continue to be led by its President, David Rees, and VP of Finance, Scott Walker.

“Fleetway operates a unique and profitable heavy-haul and specialized van business that’s highly synergistic with our existing network”, stated Alain Bédard, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TFI International. “Expansion of Fleetway’s strong customer relationships built over the years is one of multiple growth opportunities we see, which include expanding Fleetway’s business into regions such as Mexico leveraging our affiliates, and utilizing our brokerage capabilities to drive business their way. Consistent with our longstanding approach to the business, we also see potential opportunities to improve asset utilization. We welcome David, Scott and their entire team, and look forward to supporting the expansion of Fleetway’s business as an exciting new member of the TFI family of companies.”

ABOUT TFI INTERNATIONAL

TFI International Inc. is a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, operating across the United States, Canada and Mexico through its subsidiaries. TFI International creates value for shareholders by identifying strategic acquisitions and managing a growing network of wholly owned operating subsidiaries. Under the TFI International umbrella, companies benefit from financial and operational resources to build their businesses and increase their efficiency. TFI International companies service the following segments:

• Package and Courier;
• Less-Than-Truckload;
• Truckload;
• Logistics.

TFI International Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TFII. For more information, visit www.tfiintl.com.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as “expects”, “estimates”, “projects”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends”, “will”, “look forward to” and similar terms and phrases. In this press release, the statements regarding the acquisition and expected financial results and future operations of the acquired business are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include without limitation: the closing of the acquisition may not occur due to failure of closing conditions, including required governmental and/or third party consents, the closing may occur but expected results of operations may not be achieved due to a variety of factors including those disclosed in our filings with Canadian regulatory authorities and the Commission. TFI disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking information.

For further information:

Alain Bédard
Chairman, President and CEO
TFI International Inc.
647-729-4079
[email protected]

TAIPEI, Taiwan and MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NasdaqGS: SIMO)(“Silicon Motion” or the “Company”), a global leader in designing and marketing NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices, confirms today its quarterly cash dividend.

On October 26, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company declared payment of an annual dividend of US$1.40 per ADS¹, equivalent to US$0.35 per ordinary share, which will be paid in four quarterly installments of $0.35 per ADS, equivalent to US$0.0875 per ordinary share.  According to the previously announced record and payment dates, the next quarterly installment will be paid on February 26, 2021 to all shareholders of record on February 16, 2021. Our depository bank’s DR Books will be closed for issuance and cancellation on February 16, 2021.

The declaration and payment of future cash dividends are subject to the Board’s continuing determination that the payment of dividends are in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and are in compliance with all laws and agreements of the Company applicable to the declaration and payment of cash dividends.
__________________________________
¹ One ADS is equivalent to four ordinary shares.

About Silicon Motion:
We are the global leader in supplying NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices and the merchant leader in supplying SSD controllers.  We have the broadest portfolio of controller technologies and our controllers are widely used in storage products such as SSDs and eMMC+UFS devices, which are found in data centers, PCs, smartphones, and commercial and industrial applications. We have shipped over six billion NAND controllers in the last ten years, more than any other company in the world.  We also supply customized high-performance hyperscale data center and industrial SSD solutions.  Our customers include most of the NAND flash vendors, storage device module makers and leading OEMs.  For further information on Silicon Motion, visit us at www.siliconmotion.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

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. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on them. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual market trends or our actual results of operations, financial condition or business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the unpredictable volume and timing of customer orders, which are not fixed by contract but vary on a purchase order basis; the loss of one or more key customers or the significant reduction, postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of orders from these customers; general economic conditions or conditions in the semiconductor or consumer electronics markets; the effects on our business and our customer’s business taking into account the ongoing US-China tariffs and trade disputes and recent global outbreak of COVID-19; decreases in the overall average selling prices of our products; changes in the relative sales mix of our products; changes in our cost of finished goods; the payment, or non-payment, of cash dividends in the future at the discretion of our board of directors and any announced planned increases in such dividends; changes in our cost of finished goods; the availability, pricing, and timeliness of delivery of other components and raw materials used in our customers’ products; our customers’ sales outlook, purchasing patterns, and inventory adjustments based on consumer demands and general economic conditions; any potential impairment charges that may be incurred related to businesses previously acquired or divested in the future; our ability to successfully develop, introduce, and sell new or enhanced products in a timely manner; and the timing of new product announcements or introductions by us or by our competitors. For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2020. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release.

Investor Contact:         Christopher Chaney         Director of IR and Strategy         E-mail: [email protected]		Investor Contact: Selina Hsieh Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected]
Media Contact: Sara Hsu Project Manager E-mail: [email protected]