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VICTORIA, British Columbia, May 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerald Health Therapeutics, Inc. (TSXV:EMH) (OTCQX:EMHTF) (Emerald) today announced that members of its executive team will present at upcoming investor conferences. BMO Capital Market’s Inaugural Cannabis Conference Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 Presenter: Dr. Avtar Dhillon, Executive Chairman Time: 9:10 am ET Location: Ritz-Carlton Toronto Webcast: https://bit.ly/2kdJDQX LD Micro 8 th Invitational Date: Monday, June 4, 2018 Presenter: Chris Wagner, CEO Time: 11:00 am PT Location: Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, Bel Air, CA Webcast: https://bit.ly/2IY5Znp A replay of both presentations will be archived for 90 days following the conclusion of the event. About Emerald Health Therapeutics, Inc. Emerald Health Therapeutics (TSXV:EMH) (OTCQX:EMHTF) (Frankfurt:TBD) is a Licensed Producer under Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations and produces and sells dried cannabis and cannabis oil for medical purposes. Emerald owns 50% of a joint venture with Village Farms International, Inc. that is converting an existing 1.1 million square foot greenhouse in Delta, BC to grow cannabis. It owns a 75,000 square foot indoor facility in St. Eustache, QC and is adding a 500,000 square foot greenhouse in Metro Vancouver to serve the anticipated legal Canadian adult-use cannabis market starting in 2018. Emerald’s team is highly experienced in life sciences, product development and large-scale agribusiness. Emerald Health Therapeutics is part of the Emerald Health group , which includes multiple companies focused on developing cannabis and cannabinoid products with potential wellness and medical benefits. Please visit www.emeraldhealth.ca for more information or contact: Rob Hill, Chief Financial Officer (800) 757 3536 Ext. #5 Ray Lagace, Investor Relations Manager (800) 757 3536 Ext. #5 [email protected] Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are "forward-looking statements". We caution you that such "forward-looking statements" involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual and future events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the filing and effectiveness of the prospectus supplement; the use of proceeds from the Offering; the anticipated closing date of the Offering and the Secondary Sale; the development, expansion and conversion of greenhouse facilities; and the starting of adult-use cannabis market in 2018. Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc. does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, failure to meet the conditions of closing of the Offering; uncertainty with respect to the completion of the Offering; filing of the shelf prospectus supplement; the ability to obtain applicable regulatory approval for the Offering and the Secondary Sale; the ability of the Company to negotiate and complete future funding transactions; variations in market conditions; and other risk factors described in the Prospectus and the Company's other filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sedar.com. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc.

Emerald Health Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

May 6, 2018 / 10:35 AM / Updated 3 hours ago Seven Indian engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan: police Reuters Staff 2 Min Read KABUL (Reuters) - Seven Indian engineers and an Afghan national working for a power plant in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan were kidnapped on Sunday, officials said. Zabihullah Shuja, spokesman for Baghlan police, said the engineers were traveling to a government-run power station in a minibus when unknown gunmen abducted them and their Afghan driver. Two officials at the Indian embassy in Kabul confirmed the kidnapping of the engineers, all working for the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) that operates power generating stations. A senior Indian embassy official said over 150 Indian engineers and technical experts are currently working across Afghanistan on large infrastructure projects. “We are working out ways to ensure the release of our engineers,” an official said. It is not known who is responsible for the kidnapping or whether a ransom has been sought for their release. Kidnapping of locals for extortions are common in Afghanistan. Rampant poverty and rising unemployment has worsened the situation. In 2016, an Indian aid worker was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days. The Indian government regularly issues a security alert for Indians residing in Afghanistan and traveling to the war-torn country. Reporting by Qadir Sediq, Sardar Razmal, Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi, Writing by Rupam Jain, Editing by Adrian Croft

Seven Indian engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan: police

Microsoft Opens Up the Video Game World to Millions of Disabled Players The Xbox adaptive controller for players with disabilities Courtesy of Microsoft By Chris Morris 11:22 AM EDT Microsoft and Apple have launched high profile inclusive projects in observation of 2018’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day, helping people with disabilities both shape the technological future and better enjoy it. Microsoft has introduced an adaptive controller for its Xbox console and PCs, which will help gamers with disabilities play games. Apple, meanwhile, is bringing its Everyone Can Code program to schools for people who are deaf, blind, or have some other accessibility limitation . Microsoft’s controller, which will cost $100 when it’s released later this year, does away with things like directional pads, triggers, and the standard A/B/Y/X buttons. Instead, it has two large buttons and a number of ports on the back, letting players customize the controller to their individual needs. The buttons can be mounted to a wheelchair or table and the large black buttons can be controlled by a user’s foot. The Xbox Adaptive Controller welcomes more gamers to Xbox One consoles and Windows 10 PCs. Find out more: https://t.co/n8qnvSVFHh pic.twitter.com/9JamGzpNuL — Xbox (@Xbox) May 17, 2018 I am super proud of the work this team put into creating the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Designed in partnership with the community, it makes gaming more accessible to people with limited mobility. The result of the relentless dedication of incredible people https://t.co/uYdIHJMc8i — Panos Panay (@panos_panay) May 17, 2018 “In the U.S. we estimate that 14% of Xbox One gamers have a temporary mobility limitation and that 8% of gamers have a permanent mobility limitation,” said Navin Kumar, director of product marketing for Xbox accessories. “We felt like we needed to do more for this audience.” The company worked with The AbleGamers Charity, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, SpecialEffect, Warfighter Engaged, and Craig Hospital in the design of the adaptive controller to ensure it met a wide variety of needs. Apple, meanwhile, will roll out the free courses for blind and deaf app coders this fall. It will work, initially, with eight schools for the blind and deaf in California, New York, Austin, and three other sites. The company is also hosting accessibility-related events and sessions for customers all month. Apple is celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day by making coding more inclusive for students across the country. Because when we say Everyone Can Code, we mean everyone. #GAAD https://t.co/Ew16JtxzJh — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 17, 2018 “Apple’s mission is to make products as accessible as possible,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “We created Everyone Can Code because we believe all students deserve an opportunity to learn the language of technology. We hope to bring Everyone Can Code to even more schools around the world serving students with disabilities.” SPONSORED FINANCIAL CONTENT

Microsoft, Apple Open Video Games, Coding to Disabled Players | Fortune

0 COMMENTS S&P Global is searching for potential bolt-on acquisitions. Photo: AP S&P Global Inc. is on the hunt for smaller, bolt-on deals and is considering whether to buy or build a presence in China, said Chief Financial Officer Ewout Steenbergen. The New York-based ratings and information provider is looking for acquisition targets for under $100 million to add to its data analysis capabilities. “I could see us doing more acquisitions in this space,” Mr. Steenbergen said in an interview with CFO Journal. Mr. Steenbergen is looking for a company that can analyze unstructured datasets, similar to Panjiva Inc., a machine-learning and analytics firm that S&P Global bought in February for an undisclosed sum. S&P Global plans to expand its suite of benchmarks and indexes and to extend the offering of its fixed income business, particularly in areas such as environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) and smart beta, a type of exchange-traded fund, Mr. Steenbergen said. The company also is preparing to make a decision on whether to acquire a credit ratings firm in China or to set up its own presence there. “We are currently not present in the domestic market in China,” said Mr. Steenbergen. Chinese authorities recently relaxed the rules around foreign ratings firms in China, a shift that presents S&P with the choice to either buy an existing domestic ratings firm or start up its own, Mr. Steenbergen said. “Chinese regulators want the market to become more mature,” he said, adding that foreign players like S&P Global could help achieve that goal. A decision could be made soon, Mr. Steenbergen said, without providing more detail. He is traveling to China this week, his second trip this year. S&P Global also plans to take a minority stake in several emerging markets ratings firms, Mr. Steenbergen said. S&P Global already owns stakes in ratings companies in India, Taiwan and Thailand, he said. Share this: MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS Previous CFO Moves: United, Blue Apron, Ferrari, Dunelm

S&P Global Looking for Acquisitions, Weighing China Options, CFO Says

StanChart still faces long haul on road to recovery 3:01pm BST - 01:39 Standard Chartered has beat expectations with a 20 percent rise in first quarter pre-tax profit, but disappointing income showed the long road ahead for its returns to meet targets after years of restructuring. Francis Maguire reports. ▲ Hide Transcript ▶ View Transcript Standard Chartered has beat expectations with a 20 percent rise in first quarter pre-tax profit, but disappointing income showed the long road ahead for its returns to meet targets after years of restructuring. Francis Maguire reports. Press CTRL+C (Windows), CMD+C (Mac), or long-press the URL below on your mobile device to copy the code https://reut.rs/2rfFBdP

StanChart still faces long haul on road to recovery

Feeling the need to improve its store fleet amid intense competition in the sandwich industry, Subway is planning to close 500 U.S. locations this year, according to Bloomberg News . Subway restaurants are small in size, but ubiquitous. The chain is the largest in the U.S. by store count of any quick-service chain with nearly 26,000 locations, well above the 14,000 McDonald’s (mcd) restaurants in this country. This has long been a point of pride for the company. But as Subway faces more intense competition from everyone from a stronger McDonald’s to Panera Bread to Starbucks (sbux) , the company is finding it preferable to have nicer restaurants even if that means fewer of them. And competition isn’t limited to direct competitors—everyone from Target (tgt) to Walgreens (wba) has been adding take-out sandwiches to their food offering. “We want to be sure that we have the best location,” Subway Restaurants CEO Suzanne Greco told Bloomberg News in an interview. “Store count isn’t everything.” The 2018 closings will come on the heels of similar moves in the last two years. A Subway spokeswoman told Fortune the company expects “having a slightly smaller, but more profitable footprint in North America” but with far more stores overseas. The company, owned by Doctor’s Associates, has a 53-year history, but has more recently hit turbulence. According to Technomic data cited by Bloomberg , Subway’s U.S. sales fell 4.4% last year, compared to a 3.4% increase at McDonald’s, that chain’s best performance in years. Subway recently unveiled a new loyalty program offering $2 off as part of its turnaround plan, with the goal of getting existing customers to come by more regularly. That plan also includes adding stores outside North America, Subway told Bloomberg . And Subway has also been ramping up its tech, adding a mobile phone app last year and adding touchscreen kiosks in its stores. There too, Subway is facing stiff competition: McDonald’s mobile app has 20 million users in the United States, while Panera was an early adopter of mobile payments.

Subway Is Closing 500 More U.S. Stores | Fortune

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese e-commerce company Suning.Com Co Ltd ( 002024.SZ ) has sold $1.5 billion worth of shares in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd ( BABA.N ), cutting its stake in the tech giant to 0.51 percent. Suning.Com is expected to make a net profit of about 5.6 billion yuan ($872.3 million) from the sale, it said in a filing with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Wednesday. Suning.Com did not specify how many Alibaba shares it had sold or what price it achieved. In May, the Nanjing-based company said it planned to sell up to 7.66 million shares in Alibaba Group, equivalent to a 0.3 percent stake. The plan was then approved at Suning.Com’s 2017 annual shareholders’ meeting. Gains from the share sale will be used in areas such as product development and business expansion, Suning.Com said. Alibaba Group also has a 19.99 percent stake in Suning.Com, according to the filing. Reporting by Min Zhang in Beijing and Lee Chyen Yee in Singapore; Editing by Adrian Croft Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Chinese e-commerce firm Suning.Com sells $1.5 bln of Alibaba shares

May 25, 2018 / 4:09 PM / Updated 2 hours ago Europe and U.S. lurch closer towards trade war Leigh Thomas 4 Min Read PARIS (Reuters) - With Italy in political turmoil, oil prices on the rise and North Korea tensions back on the burner, the last thing the global economy needs is a big lurch towards a trade war further clouding the outlook. FILE PHOTO: A steel-worker is pictured at a furnace at the plant of German steel company Salzgitter AG in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony on March 17, 2015. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo But that is exactly what the Trump administration faces if it does not extend temporary exemptions on steel and aluminium imports from Europe that expire on Thursday. The Europeans have opportunities for last minute diplomacy when the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development holds its annual ministerial council in Paris on Wednesday. For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron is to due to make the case for breathing new life into the international economic order in a speech before the OECD on Wednesday. But there are few signs of U.S. appetite for that ahead of talks between U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and EU trade chief Ceclia Malmstrom on the sidelines of the OECD meeting. “The question is how can we accept a situation where the Americans manage their dialogue with a rival like China the same way as with their allies without special treatment for being a U.S. ally,” a senior French diplomat said. Even before Trump raised the spectre of import tariffs, trade flows faced an increasing number restrictions as economies struggled to get back on their feet following the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. G20 economies have put up 1,400 new trade restrictions over the last decade against only 200 liberalisation measures during the same period, according to an OECD tally. OECD chief Angel Gurria said some governments were blaming globalisation, and by extension the broader multilateral trading system, rather than fixing bad policies that have failed to address voters’ concerns about jobs going overseas. “Globalisation does not have a face, globalisation does not have a neck from which you can hang it, so you use a proxy, the closest proxy is multilateralism,” Gurria told journalists. There is little prospect for a quick fix in the trade standoff between Washington and its allies after the Trump administration opened a new front on Wednesday by also threatening tariffs on auto imports. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will likely take flak over trade threats from his counterparts from other members of the Group of Seven economies when they meet in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on Friday and Saturday. DATA CLUES The prospect of a trade war is particularly a concern in Europe where the economy is already losing steam, complicating the European Central Bank’s return to more conventional monetary policy as rising oil prices drive inflation higher. “In this context, the ECB now faces a classic stagflationary shock, with higher inflation and slower growth,” Oxford Economics Chief European economist James Nixon said in a research note. “Nevertheless, we continue to believe the ECB will end quantitative easing this year in order to avoid the risk of second round effects at a time when there is clear evidence of increasing labour shortages,” he added. Preliminary May euro zone consumer price data due on Thursday will offer evidence of how close inflation has come to the ECB’s just-below-2 percent target. Economists in a Reuters poll predict on average that it rebounded to a 13-month high of 1.6 percent from 1.2 percent in April. Among other data on the horizon next week are U.S. non-farm payrolls on Friday for the month of May. Economists polled by Reuters forecast on average the world’s biggest economy added 185,000 new jobs this month, up from 164,000 in April. Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Toby Chopra

Europe and U.S. lurch closer towards trade war

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial and Business Highlights Cogent approves a 4.0% increase of $0.02 per share to its regular quarterly dividend to $0.52 Service revenue increased by 2.8% from Q4 2017 to Q1 2018 to $128.7 million and increased from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018 by 9.8% On-net revenue increased by 3.4% from Q4 2017 to Q1 2018 to $92.4 million and increased from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018 by 10.5% Off-net revenue increased by 1.4% from Q4 2017 to Q1 2018 to $36.1 million and increased from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018 by 8.3% Cash flow from operations for Q1 2018 increased by 28.3% from Q1 2017 to $30.2 million EBITDA for Q1 2018 increased by 16.9% from Q1 2017 to $44.1 million EBITDA margin for Q1 2018 increased by 210 basis points to 34.3% from Q1 2017 Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) today announced service revenue of $128.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of 9.8% from the three months ended March 31, 2017 and an increase of 2.8% from the three months ended December 31, 2017. Foreign exchange positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 by $1.0 million and positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 by $3.3 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue grew by 2.0% from the three months ended December 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 and grew by 7.0% from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. On-net service is provided to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to Cogent's network by Cogent facilities. On-net revenue was $92.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018; an increase of 3.4% from the three months ended December 31, 2017 and an increase of 10.5% over the three months ended March 31, 2017. Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent's network using other carriers' facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers' premises to Cogent's network. Off-net revenue was $36.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018; an increase of 1.4% over the three months ended December 31, 2017 and an increase of 8.3% over the three months ended March 31, 2017. GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. GAAP gross profit increased by 12.6% from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $54.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and increased by 4.0% from the three months ended December 31, 2017. GAAP gross margin was 42.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, 41.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 41.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 11.1% from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $74.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and increased by 3.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2017. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 57.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, 56.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 57.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Cash flow from operating activities increased by 28.3% from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $30.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and decreased by 3.8% from the three months ended December 31, 2017. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 16.9% from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $44.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and increased by 2.0% from the three months ended December 31, 2017. EBITDA margin was 34.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, 32.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 34.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2017. EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 10.9% from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $44.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and increased by 1.5% from the three months ended December 31, 2017. EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 34.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, 34.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 34.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share was $0.15 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, $0.09 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $(0.14) for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Total customer connections increased by 15.1% from March 31, 2017 to 73,914 as of March 31, 2018 and increased by 3.2% from December 31, 2017. On-net customer connections increased by 15.6% from March 31, 2017 to 63,366 as of March 31, 2018 and increased by 3.3% from December 31, 2017. Off-net customer connections increased by 13.1% from March 31, 2017 to 10,241 as of March 31, 2018 and increased by 2.9% from December 31, 2017. The number of on-net buildings increased by 135 on-net buildings from March 31, 2017 to 2,541 on-net buildings as of March 31, 2018 and increased by 35 on-net buildings from December 31, 2017. Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved On May 2, 2018, Cogent's board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.52 per common share payable on June 1, 2018 to shareholders of record on May 17, 2018. This second quarter 2018 regular dividend represents a 4.0% increase of $0.02 per share from the first quarter 2018 regular dividend of $0.50 per share. The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital will be at the discretion of Cogent's board of directors and may be reduced, eliminated or increased and will be dependent upon Cogent's financial position, results of operations, available cash, cash flow, capital requirements, limitations under Cogent's debt indenture agreements and other factors deemed relevant by Cogent's board of directors. Conference Call and Website Information Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on May 3, 2018 to discuss Cogent's operating results 2018 and to discuss Cogent's expectations for full year 2018. Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the earnings call in the "Events" section of Cogent's website at www.cogentco.com/events . A replay of the webcast, together with the press release, will be available on the website following the earnings call. About Cogent Communications Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high speed Internet access, Ethernet transport, and colocation services. Cogent's facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides services in over 195 markets globally. Cogent Communications is headquartered at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. For more information, visit www.cogentco.com . Cogent Communications can be reached in the United States at (202) 295-4200 or via email at [email protected] . COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES Summary of Financial and Operational Results Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Metric ($ in 000's, except share and per share data) – unaudited On-Net revenue $83,586 $85,586 $87,898 $89,374 $92,387 % Change from previous Qtr. 0.1% 2.4% 2.7% 1.7% 3.4% Off-Net revenue $33,386 $33,980 $34,865 $35,662 $36,144 % Change from previous Qtr. 4.8% 1.8% 2.6% 2.3% 1.4% Non-Core revenue (1) $231 $211 $206 $190 $175 % Change from previous Qtr. 3.1% -8.7% -2.4% -7.8% -7.9% Service revenue – total $117,203 $119,777 $122,969 $125,226 $128,706 % Change from previous Qtr. 1.4% 2.2% 2.7% 1.8% 2.8% Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (4) 1.6% 1.7% 1.2% 1.8% 2.0% Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (4) 8.7% 9.6% 7.7% 6.6% 7.0% Network operations expenses (2) $50,551 $50,974 $53,405 $53,745 $54,686 % Change from previous Qtr. 1.2% 0.8% 4.8% 0.6% 1.8% GAAP gross profit (3) $48,003 $49,765 $50,238 $51,964 $54,043 % Change from previous Qtr. 5.7% 3.7% 1.0% 3.4% 4.0% GAAP gross margin (3) 41.0% 41.5% 40.9% 41.5% 42.0% Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6) $66,652 $68,803 $69,564 $71,481 $74,020 % Change from previous Qtr. 1.5% 3.2% 1.1% 2.8% 3.6% Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6) 56.9% 57.4% 56.6% 57.1% 57.5% Selling, general and administrative expenses (5) $28,925 $28,704 $29,360 $28,238 $29,928 % Change from previous Qtr. 1.2% -0.8% 2.3% -3.8% 6.0% Depreciation and amortization expense $18,538 $18,897 $19,147 $19,344 $19,788 % Change from previous Qtr. -7.6% 1.9% 1.3% 1.0% 2.3% Equity-based compensation expense $2,647 $3,225 $3,734 $3,684 $3,784 % Change from previous Qtr. -8.0% 21.8% 15.8% -1.3% 2.7% Operating income $18,666 $19,000 $17,891 $20,534 $20,637 % Change from previous Qtr. 26.2% 1.8% -5.8% 14.8% 0.5% Interest expense $11,891 $12,090 $12,266 $12,222 $12,408 % Change from previous Qtr. 12.2% 1.7% 1.5% -0.4% 1.5% Net income (loss) $4,136 $4,317 $3,650 $(6,227) $6,784 Basic net income (loss) per common share $0.09 $0.10 $0.08 $(0.14) $0.15 Diluted net income (loss) per common share $0.09 $0.10 $0.08 $(0.14) $0.15 Weighted average common shares – basic 44,649,645 44,717,372 44,767,163 44,844,469 44,923,973 % Change from previous Qtr. 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% Weighted average common shares – diluted 44,917,014 44,988,655 45,118,607 44,844,469 45,294,697 % Change from previous Qtr. 0.3% 0.2% 0.3% -0.6% 1.0% EBITDA (6) $37,727 $40,099 $40,204 $43,243 $44,092 % Change from previous Qtr. 1.8% 6.3% 0.3% 7.6% 2.0% EBITDA margin 32.2% 33.5% 32.7% 34.5% 34.3% Gains on asset related transactions $2,124 $1,023 $397 $319 $117 EBITDA, as adjusted (6) $39,851 $41,122 $40,601 $43,562 $44,209 % Change from previous Qtr. 5.6% 3.2% -1.3% 7.3% 1.5% EBITDA, as adjusted, margin 34.0% 34.3% 33.0% 34.8% 34.3% Fees – net neutrality $2 $188 $824 $260 $14 Net cash provided by operating activities $23,514 $28,045 $28,783 $31,360 $30,179 % Change from previous Qtr. -30.6% 19.3% 2.6% 9.0% -3.8% Capital expenditures $12,249 $12,007 $10,927 $10,618 $14,905 % Change from previous Qtr. 70.2% -2.0% -9.0% -2.8% 40.4% Principal payments on capital leases $3,854 $2,194 $3,320 $1,833 $2,304 % Change from previous Qtr. 37.3% -43.1% 51.3% -44.8% 25.7% Dividends paid $18,999 $19,946 $20,879 $21,833 $22,819 Purchases of common stock $ - $ 1,829 $ - $ - $ - Gross Leverage Ratio 4.64 4.62 4.57 4.44 4.33 Net Leverage Ratio 2.94 2.98 3.00 2.94 2.94 Customer Connections – end of period On-Net 54,805 57,307 59,357 61,334 63,366 % Change from previous Qtr. 3.7% 4.6% 3.6% 3.3% 3.3% Off-Net 9,055 9,355 9,724 9,953 10,241 % Change from previous Qtr. 5.3% 3.1% 4.2% 2.4% 2.9% Non-Core (1) 383 340 336 326 307 % Change from previous Qtr. 9.4% -11.2% -1.2% -3.0% -5.8% Total customer connections 64,243 66,982 69,417 71,613 73,194 % Change from previous Qtr. 3.9% 4.3% 3.6% 3.2% 3.2% On-Net Buildings – end of period Multi-Tenant office buildings 1,601 1,618 1,635 1,653 1,672 Carrier neutral data center buildings 752 767 784 800 816 Cogent data centers 53 53 53 53 53 Total on-net buildings 2,406 2,438 2,472 2,506 2,541 Square feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net 864,432,176 872,293,092 881,184,145 893,580,297 911,283,287 Network – end of period Intercity route miles 57,213 57,403 57,403 57,403 57,403 Metro fiber miles 30,190 30,516 31,071 31,254 31,850 Connected networks – AS's 5,949 5,983 6,076 6,152 6,247 Headcount – end of period Sales force – quota bearing 432 434 444 455 432 Sales force - total 554 559 565 574 555 Total employees 900 909 919 929 908 Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep ("FTE") per month 6.1 6.5 5.7 5.8 5.7 FTE – sales reps 416 410 420 429 427 (1) Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent, primarily including voice services (only provided in Toronto, Canada). (2) Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $111, $141, $179, $173 and $189 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 through March 31, 2018, respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $2,604, $2,672, $2,691, $2,943 and $3,157 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 through March 31, 2018, respectively. (3) GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. (4) Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross profit margin are relevant metrics to provide investors, as they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure of the efficiency of the Company's network. (5) Excludes equity-based compensation expense of $2,536, $3,084, $3,555, $3,511 and $3,595 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 through March 31, 2018, respectively. (6) See schedule of non-GAAP metrics below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures below. Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures EBITDA and EBITDA, as adjusted EBITDA represents net cash flows from operating activities plus changes in operating assets and liabilities, cash interest expense and cash income tax expense. Management believes the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, is cash flows provided by operating activities. The Company also believes that EBITDA is a measure frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of issuers. EBITDA, as adjusted, represents EBITDA plus net gains (losses) on asset related transactions. The Company believes that EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand its business. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are not recognized terms under GAAP and accordingly, should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for the analysis of results as reported under GAAP, but rather as a supplemental measure to GAAP. For example, these metrics are not intended to reflect the Company's free cash flow, as it does not consider certain current or future cash requirements, such as capital expenditures, contractual commitments, and changes in working capital needs, interest expenses and debt service requirements. The Company's calculations of these metrics may also differ from the calculations performed by its competitors and other companies and as such, its utility as a comparative measure is limited. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are reconciled to cash flows provided by operating activities in the table below. Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 ($ in 000's) – unaudited Net cash flows provided by operating activities $23,514 $28,045 $28,783 $31,360 $30,179 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 3,192 950 721 300 2,919 Cash interest expense and income tax expense 11,021 11,104 10,700 11,583 10,994 EBITDA $37,727 $40,099 $40,204 $43,243 $44,092 PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions 2,124 1,023 397 319 117 EBITDA, as adjusted $39,851 $41,122 $40,601 $43,562 $44,209 EBITDA margin 32.2% 33.5% 32.7% 34.5% 34.3% EBITDA, as adjusted, margin 34.0% 34.3% 33.0% 34.8% 34.3% Constant currency revenue is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below. Constant currency impact on revenue changes – sequential periods ($ in 000's) – unaudited Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Service revenue, as reported – current period $117,203 $119,777 $122,969 $125,226 $128,706 Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue 195 (531) (1,701) 16 (981) Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (1) $117,398 $119,246 $121,268 $125,242 $127,725 Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period $115,596 $117,203 $119,777 $122,969 $125,226 Constant currency increase $1,802 $2,043 $1,491 $2,273 $2,499 Constant currency percent increase 1.6% 1.7% 1.2% 1.8% 2.0% (1) Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. Constant currency impact on revenue changes – prior year periods ($ in 000's) – unaudited Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Service revenue, as reported – current period $117,203 $119,777 $122,969 $125,226 $128,706 Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue 503 743 (1,257) (2,055) (3,280) Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (2) $117,706 $120,520 $121,712 $123,171 $125,426 Service revenue, as reported – prior year period $108,291 $109,955 $113,057 $115,596 $117,203 Constant currency increase $9,415 $10,565 $8,655 $7,575 $8,223 Percent increase 8.7% 9.6% 7.7% 6.6% 7.0% (2) Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the comparable prior year period. The Company believes that disclosing year over year revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin are reconciled to GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin in the table below. Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 ($ in 000's) – unaudited Service revenue total $117,203 $119,777 $122,969 $125,226 $128,706 Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and including depreciation and amortization expense 69,200 70,012 72,731 73,262 74,663 GAAP Gross Profit (1) $48,003 $49,765 $50,238 $51,964 $54,043 Plus - Equity-based compensation – network operations expense 111 141 179 173 189 Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense 18,538 18,897 19,147 19,344 19,788 Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2) $66,652 $68,803 $69,564 $71,481 $74,020 GAAP Gross Margin (1) 41.0% 41.5% 40.9% 41.5% 42.0% Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2) 56.9% 57.4% 56.6% 57.1% 57.5% (1) GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. (2) Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant metrics to provide to investors, as they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin and amount available to the Company after network service costs, in essence these are measures of the efficiency of the Company's network. Gross and Net Leverage Ratios Gross leverage ratio is defined as total debt divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted. Net leverage ratio is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted. Cogent's gross leverage ratio was 4.44 at December 31, 2017 and 4.33 at March 31, 2018 and Cogent's net leverage ratio was 2.94 at December 31, 2017 and 2.94 at March 31, 2018 and as shown below. ($ in 000's) – unaudited As of December 31, 2017 As of March 31, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $247,011 $236,026 Debt Capital leases – current portion 7,171 7,003 Capital leases – long term 150,333 150,939 Senior unsecured notes 189,225 189,225 Senior secured notes 375,000 375,000 Note payable 10,748 11,349 Total debt 732,477 733,516 Total net debt 485,466 497,490 Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted 165,136 169,494 Gross leverage ratio 4.44 4.33 Net leverage ratio 2.94 2.94 Cogent's SEC filings are available online via the Investor Relations section of www.cogentco.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MARCH 31, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 236,026 $ 247,011 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,110 and $1,499, respectively 38,015 39,096 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 33,508 20,011 Total current assets 307,549 306,118 Property and equipment, net 385,770 381,282 Deferred tax assets 11,241 17,616 Deposits and other assets - $756 and $736 restricted, respectively 11,893 5,572 Total assets $ 716,453 $ 710,588 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 12,964 $ 11,592 Accrued and other current liabilities 46,198 47,947 Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discount of $355 and $337, respectively 8,309 7,816 Current maturities, capital lease obligations 7,003 7,171 Total current liabilities 74,474 74,526 Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,769 and $1,870, respectively and including premium of $360 and $382, respectively 373,591 373,512 Senior unsecured 2021 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,917 and $2,060, respectively 187,308 187,165 Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities 150,939 150,333 Other long term liabilities 27,196 27,596 Total liabilities 813,508 813,132 Commitments and contingencies: Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 46,283,140 and 45,960,799 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 46 46 Additional paid-in capital 461,154 456,696 Accumulated other comprehensive income — foreign currency translation (1,989) (4,600) Accumulated deficit (556,266) (554,686) Total stockholders' deficit (97,055) (102,544) stockholders' deficit $ 716,453 $ 710,588 COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND MARCH 31, 2017 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Service revenue $ 128,706 $ 117,203 Operating expenses: Network operations (including $189 and $111 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) 54,875 50,662 Selling, general, and administrative (including $3,595 and $2,536 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively) 33,523 31,461 Depreciation and amortization 19,788 18,538 Total operating expenses 108,186 100,661 Gains on equipment transactions 117 2,124 Operating income 20,637 18,666 Interest income and other, net 1,694 854 Interest expense (12,408) (11,891) Income before income taxes 9,923 7,629 Income tax provision (3,139) (3,493) Net income $ 6,784 $ 4,136 Comprehensive income: Net income $ 6,784 $ 4,136 Foreign currency translation adjustment 2,611 1,328 Comprehensive income $ 9,395 $ 5,464 Net income per common share: Basic and diluted net income per common share $ 0.15 $ 0.09 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.50 $ 0.42 Weighted-average common shares - basic 44,923,973 44,649,645 Weighted-average common shares - diluted 45,294,697 44,917,014 COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND MARCH 31, 2017 (IN THOUSANDS) Three months Ended March 31, 2018 Three months Ended March 31, 2017 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 6,784 $ 4,136 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 19,788 18,538 Amortization of debt discount and premium 370 280 Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized) 3,784 2,647 Gains — equipment transactions and other, net (484) (2,172) Deferred income taxes 2,623 3,229 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 1,355 43 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,213) (1,067) Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities (2,005) (1,660) Deposits and other assets (823) (460) Net cash provided by operating activities 30,179 23,514 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (14,905) (12,249) Net cash used in investing activities (14,905) (12,249) Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid (22,819) (18,999) Proceeds from exercises of stock options 297 300 Principal payments on installment payment agreement (1,965) (218) Principal payments of capital lease obligations (2,304) (3,854) Net cash used in financing activities (26,791) (22,771) Effect of exchange rates changes on cash 532 383 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (10,985) (11,123) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 247,011 274,319 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 236,026 $ 263,196 Except for historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cogent's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including future economic instability in the global economy or a contraction of the capital markets which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attract new customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangements on favorable terms; our reliance on an equipment vendor, Cisco Systems Inc., and the potential for hardware or software problems associated with such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber providers; our ability to retain certain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; and outcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cogent undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time. View original content with multimedia: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cogent-communications-reports-first-quarter-2018-results-and-increases-regular-quarterly-dividend-on-common-stock-300641480.html SOURCE Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

Cogent Communications Reports First Quarter 2018 Results and Increases Regular Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - OPEC is more focused on identifying the right level of oil inventory at its next meeting than the impact on supplies of new U.S. sanctions on Iran, the United Arab Emirates said. FILE PHOTO: People walk past the logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in front of its headquarters in Vienna, Austria September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo President Donald Trump said last week that the United States was exiting an international nuclear deal with Iran and would impose new sanctions on OPEC’s third-largest producer. Asked on Sunday about oil supply worries as a result of the sanctions UAE energy minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui told reporters: “That’s not what we are concerned about now”. “What we are concerned about in the next (OPEC) meeting is what is the right level of inventory that we should see, and (how) can we put this group together for longer,” he said. OPEC has a self-imposed goal of bringing inventories in industrialized countries down to their five-year average. The exporting group needs to identify that inventory target in June to gauge the success of the deal, OPEC officials have said. A decline in Iranian oil exports would add upward pressure on prices, which have already gained this year due to a global supply cut deal between OPEC and non-OPEC producers. Brent crude rose further after Trump’s announcement on Tuesday and settled at $77.12 on Friday. OPEC is set to meet in June to set oil policy together with non-OPEC producers participating in the supply cut deal. Mazroui said there was no reason to worry about supply, adding that this was not the first time an OPEC member had been in such a situation. “We managed to solve the supply issue but we still believe we have the buffer (in oil supplies)... We will meet in June to discuss it,” he said. “If history tells us, (when) this happens the whole organization will get together and they can find a solution.” Reporting by Rania El Gamal, Writing by Katie Paul; Editing by Alexander Smith

UAE expects next OPEC meeting to focus on inventory not sanctions

(Fixes grammatical error in paragraph 1) LOS ANGELES, May 25 (Reuters) - The creators of “Sesame Street” have filed a lawsuit against the distributor of an upcoming raunchy Hollywood film “The Happytime Murders” to halt an advertising tagline that it claims falsely associates itself with the children’s television show. An early trailer release for the film shows Muppet-like characters engaged in sex, coarse language, drugs and violence. Sesame Workshop alleges in the lawsuit, filed on Thursday in New York state court, that STX Productions has created confusion among the public into believing the film is connected to the show and infringed on the “Sesame Street” trademark. “As evidenced by a parade of social media posts, emails and public comments, the ‘No Sesame. All Street.’ tagline has confused and appalled viewers because of what they believe to be a serious breach of trust,” the lawsuit alleges. In response, STX issued a statement in the name of one of the film’s characters, the attorney Fred. “STX loved the idea of working closely with Brian Henson and the Jim Henson Company to tell the untold story of the active lives of Henson puppets when they’re not performing in front of children,” the statement said. “While we’re disappointed that ‘Sesame Street’ does not share in the fun, we are confident in our legal position,” it added. “The Happytime Murders,” scheduled for an Aug. 17 release, is directed by Brian Henson, the son of “The Muppet Show” creator Jim Henson who also helped develop the puppet characters of “Sesame Street” when it launched in 1969. The film stars comedian Melissa McCarthy as a detective who is tasked with tracking down a serial killer in a world in which puppets and humans coexist. The lawsuit also asks for punitive damages and a jury trial. (Reporting by Eric Kelsey; editing by Diane Craft)

REFILE-'Sesame Street' creators sue backer of raunchy puppet film

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CA Technologies (NASDAQ: CA) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular, quarterly cash dividend of $0.255 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on June 5, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2018. About CA Technologies CA Technologies (NASDAQ:CA) creates software that fuels transformation for companies and enables them to seize the opportunities of the application economy. Software is at the heart of every business in every industry. From planning, to development, to management and security, CA is working with companies worldwide to change the way we live, transact, and communicate – across mobile, private and public cloud, distributed and mainframe environments. Learn more at www.ca.com . Follow CA Technologies Twitter

CA Technologies Declares Quarterly Dividend

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied below 3-1/2 year highs on Monday as resistance emerged in Europe and Asia to U.S. sanctions against major crude exporter Iran, while rising U.S. drilling pointed to higher North American production. A burn-off flare is seen at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation's (CPS) Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 11, 2018. REUTERS/ Dinuka Liyanawatte/Files Brent crude was up 20 cents at $77.32 a barrel by 1315 GMT and U.S. light crude rose 10 cents to $70.80. Both oil futures contracts hit their highest since November 2014 last week at $78 and $71.89 a barrel respectively as markets anticipated a sharp fall in Iranian crude supply once U.S. sanctions bite later this year. It is unclear how hard U.S. sanctions will hit Iran’s oil industry. A lot will depend on how other major oil consumers respond to Washington’s action against Tehran, which will take effect in November. China, France, Russia, Britain, Germany and Iran all remain in the nuclear accord that placed controls on Iran’s nuclear programme and led to a relaxation of economic sanctions against Iran and companies doing business there. Some oil analysts have said they expect Iranian crude exports to fall by as little as 200,000 barrels per day (bpd), while others put the figure closer to 1 million bpd. Michael Wittner, analyst at Societe Generale, forecasts U.S. sanctions will remove 400,000-500,000 bpd of Iranian crude from the global oil market. “In 2012 the reduction in Iranian crude production and exports was around 1 million bpd,” Wittner said. “This time around, we expect much less of an impact.” Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader, says it is still “far from certain” that sanctions “will bite in the way intended”. “Germany has said it will protect its companies from U.S. sanctions, Iran has said French oil giant Total has yet to pull out of its fields and all the while it seems the Chinese are ready to fill the void created by the U.S.” The surge in oil prices comes at a time of tight supply amid record Asian demand and voluntary output restraint by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC producers including Russia. On Monday, however, markets were held in check by news of a rise in U.S. drilling for new oil production. U.S. drillers added 10 oil rigs in the week to May 11, bringing the total to 844, the highest level since March 2015, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday. “Soaring U.S. shale output will continue to put a cap on prices,” said Hussein Sayed, chief market strategist at futures brokerage FXTM. Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by David Goodman

Oil ebbs from multi-year highs on surge in U.S. drilling, Iran sanctions opposition

May 30, 2018 / 4:14 AM / Updated 7 hours ago Endangered whale shark fins found in Singapore Airlines shipment to HK Reuters Staff 3 Min Read HONG KONG (Reuters) - Shark fins from endangered species including the giant, placid whale shark were found in a Singapore Airlines shipment to Hong Kong in May, highlighting the widespread challenges the Chinese territory faces in regulating the trade. FILE PHOTO: Bags of shark fins from a Singapore Airlines shipment are seen in Hong Kong, China May 11, 2018. Sea Shepherd Global/Handout via REUTERS The 980 kgs (2,150 pounds) shipment of assorted fins came from Colombo, Sri Lanka via Singapore. Singapore Airlines, which bans shark fin cargo, said in an emailed statement on Wednesday that the shipment had been labeled as “Dry Seafood”. Hong Kong permits imports of shark fins, viewed as a delicacy, but shark species listed by the U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) must be accompanied by a permit. Hong Kong is the world’s largest trading hub for shark fins and has moved to stop illegal trading. On the fringes of the former British colony’s industrial Western district where the Singapore Airline’s shipment was sent to, warehouses brim with bags of shark fins while dried seafood stores are stacked high with the product. Gary Stokes, Asia director at Sea Shepherd, who discovered the endangered fins within the shipment, said: “This is another case of misleading and deceiving. The shipment came declared as ‘dried seafood’ so didn’t flag any alarms.” FILE PHOTO: Bags of shark fins from a Singapore Airlines shipment are seen in Hong Kong, China May 11, 2018. Sea Shepherd Global/Handout via REUTERS Singapore Airlines said it had sent out a reminder to all its stations to immediately conduct sampling checks on shipments labeled ‘dried seafood’ and had blacklisted the shipper. The airline was not able to provide further details. A Sea Shepherd investigation last year revealed that Maersk, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Australia Cargo, which ban transport of shark fins, were targets of shark fin smuggling including those from endangered species. Viewed as a status symbol, shark fin is typically consumed in a shredded jelly like soup believed to have nourishing benefits. Restaurants across Hong Kong serve the delicacy, including one of the biggest chains, Maxims, which is half-owned by a unit of conglomerate Jardine Matheson Group. Over 70 million sharks are killed annually, pushing over a quarter of species into extinction according to WWF. FILE PHOTO: Bags of shark fins from a Singapore Airlines shipment are seen in Hong Kong, China May 11, 2018. Sea Shepherd Global/Handout via REUTERS Despite activists helping to dent the volume of shark fins coming into Hong Kong by 50 percent over the past 10 years, illegal supply has continued to boom with the government seizing thousands of kilograms including those from threatened hammerhead and oceanic white tip sharks. Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Michael Perry

Endangered whale shark fins found in Singapore Airlines shipment to Hong Kong

ZURICH (Reuters) - LafargeHolcim ( LHN.S ), the world’s largest cement maker, will close its head offices in Paris and Zurich, eliminating 200 jobs as part of a cost-cutting drive. FILE PHOTO: The logo of LafargeHolcim, the world's largest cement maker, is seen at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann Chief Executive Jan Jenisch said the cuts, announced by the Franco-Swiss company on Friday, were part of a plan to simplify the company’s structure and improve performance. “This painful but necessary simplification step is key to creating a leaner, faster and more competitive LafargeHolcim,” he said in a statement. LafargeHolcim, which employs 80,000 people globally, is at the start of a new strategy under Jenisch following the company’s underperformance in recent years. Closing the Paris office, which was first reported by Reuters on Thursday, could spark opposition in France, where the merger of France’s Lafarge with Switzerland’s Holcim in 2015 was promoted as a merger of equals. The economy ministry in Paris did not respond immediately to a request for comment. A French unionist said that while the announcement came as no surprise following regular staff cuts in recent years, the move laid bare where the balance of power lay in the company. “This makes it quite clear that it is the Swiss who hold the reins of power,” Sylvain Moreno of the hard-left CGT union told Reuters. Under the plan, the group will move its operations in Zurich to its site in Holderbank, in Switzerland, where LafargeHolcim’s predecessor company Holcim opened its first cement plant in 1912. Other functions would be shifted to a new corporate office in the Swiss town of Zug, LafargeHolcim said in a statement. MORE LOCALISED STRATEGY According to the plan, 107 jobs in the Zurich area and Holderbank will be cut, and 97 in Paris will go. No other sites in France will be affected, the company said. The cuts are part of a 400 million Swiss franc ($403 million) cost-reduction program announced by the group in March when it said it would close its Singapore and Miami offices by the middle of this year. LafargeHolcim has lost 27 percent since the merger was completed in 2015, trailing a 32 percent gain by the Stoxx Euro 600 construction & materials index .SXOP. Earnings have disappointed and the company has also been embroiled in a scandal after it admitted paying armed groups to keep a cement factory running in war-ravaged Syria. The affair, which is being investigated by legal authorities in France, triggered the departure of CEO Eric Olsen and his replacement by Jenisch last year. Olsen denies any wrongdoing. The company said on Friday that it was on track to hit the 400 million franc savings goal by the first quarter of 2019, adding the closure of the Miami and Singapore offices had been completed. Bernd Pomrehn, an analyst at Bank Vontobel in Zurich, said the office closures fit with Jenisch’s more localised strategy. “Jan Jenisch is now again giving the regions more responsibilities, which requires less overhead in Zurich and Paris,” he said. Additional reporting by Gilles Guillaume in Paris; Editing by Susan Fenton

LafargeHolcim to close Paris, Zurich head offices, axing 200 jobs

Breakingviews TV: Tiffany shines 6:32pm BST - 03:31 May 23 – The jewelry chain gave shareholders a gem of a quarter, with earnings jumping 53 pct. Antony Currie and Tom Buerkle explain how new CEO Alessandro Bogliolo pulled it off – and why Tiffany’s turnaround may not be the right blueprint for other struggling retailers. 23 – The jewelry chain gave shareholders a gem of a quarter, with earnings jumping 53 pct. Antony Currie and Tom Buerkle explain how new CEO Alessandro Bogliolo pulled it off – and why Tiffany’s turnaround may not be the right blueprint for other struggling retailers. //reut.rs/2IEMuB8

Breakingviews TV: Tiffany shines

May 3 (Reuters) - Travelport Worldwide Ltd: * TRAVELPORT WORLDWIDE LIMITED REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2018 RESULTS * Q1 EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.47 * Q1 EARNINGS PER SHARE VIEW $0.36 — THOMSON REUTERS I/B/E/S * REITERATE FINANCIAL GUIDANCE FOR FULL YEAR 2018 Source text for Eikon: Our

Travelport Worldwide Q1 Earnings Per Share $0.47

2 COMMENTS A pair of Federal Reserve reports released in the last several days should bolster officials’ confidence that inflation will continue to rise. On Monday, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported in its monthly Survey of Consumer Expectations that the public sees price pressures accelerating in the next year and over the next three years. For both time horizons, the bank found expectations of a 3% inflation rate in April. That compares with expected 2.8% year-ahead inflation and 2.9% for three years ahead in the March survey. The New York Fed noted those are the highest readings since early 2017. The rise was described as broad-based among the survey’s income and demographic groups. Meanwhile, on Thursday the Cleveland Fed reported that a model it uses to predict long-term inflation expectations is also moving higher. The bank said its latest estimate of the average inflation level expected over the next decade moved to 2.09% . That is up from 1.98% in April and is the highest reading in this series since January 2010. The bank’s estimate is derived from government data, surveys and market expectations. Inflation expectations are important to the Fed. Central bankers believe where inflation is expected to go exerts a strong influence over where it is today. The Fed has struggled to push low inflation up to its official 2% target for years. New signs of life on the expectations front may strengthen officials’ belief that rising price pressures seen in recent data are for real. The Fed’s preferred price measure, the personal-consumption expenditures price index, hit 2% in March. But official Fed projections don’t see a sustained increase until next year, when policy makers on balance see inflation overshooting their target at 2.1% for the year. Recent vigor in inflation has driven some central bankers to say monetary policy could become more aggressive in the long term, especially considering strength in the job market along with tax cuts and government spending increases that could boost already robust economic activity. “In order to maintain our policy goals, we may need to move the fed-funds rate , for a time, a bit above the level of the funds rate that is expected to prevail over the longer run,” Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said in Paris on Monday. Still, not all central bankers are on board with this outlook, in part because a strong job market hasn’t led to robust wage growth. Meanwhile, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard bases part of his opposition to rate rises on the relatively low level of inflation expectations seen in financial markets. While Fed officials look at market expectations, many policy makers consider them to be too volatile to put at the center of their thinking about future inflation pressures. Write to Michael S. Derby at [email protected]

New Fed Reports Show Rising Inflation Expectations

BERLIN, May 8 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel signalled on Tuesday that she thought the chances were increasing of German carmakers building up battery production for electric cars in Europe. Europe has no significant production of the constituent cells of battery packs - a market currently dominated by a handful of firms including China’s and Korean rivals LG Chem and Samsung. “I’m detecting a certain rethink among carmakers,” Merkel said at an event in Berlin hosted by the National Academy of Science and Engineering, known as acatech. She said she backed a call from Henning Kagermann - the academy’s outgoing president - who said Europe needed such battery production. Merkel argued that battery production would form a significant part of the value-added chain for electric cars, so if Europe lacked a home-grown battery industry, it would have a smaller share in the value-added chain of the car industry in future. She said it might still be possible to “achieve something” in Europe in this field but added that businesses would need to be willing. Merkel said she was in favour of doing more for Germany as a research location and boosting innovation there. She pointed to the government’s intention to raise the proportion of research and development spending in Germany to 3.5 percent of economic output by 2025, adding that the automobile industry played an important role in that. Last month, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said the German government was ready to offer support to the makers of batteries for electric vehicles, adding that one possibility might be to exempt them from some energy levies. Volkswagen-owned truckmaker Scania said in January it would invest 10 million euros in a 4 billion euro ($4.75 billion) project to build Europe’s biggest battery cell plant in northern Sweden. ($1 = 0.8418 euros) (Reporting by Gernot Heller Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Adrian Croft)

Germany's Merkel sees chance for electric car battery production in Europe

May 2, 2018 / 4:49 PM / Updated 12 minutes ago BRIEF-Cognizant Acquires Hedera Consulting May 2 (Reuters) - Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp : * COGNIZANT ACQUIRES HEDERA CONSULTING, A BELGIAN ADVISORY AND ANALYTICS COMPANY * TERMS OF TRANSACTION WERE NOT DISCLOSED. Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Cognizant Acquires Hedera Consulting

HSBC, BNP, SocGen stumble on weak results 8:28am EDT - 01:49 Investors punish HSBC shares despite an announcement of a possible $2 billion share buyback and, as Silvia Antonioli reports, Societe Generale and BNP Paribas both fall sharply on disappointment over a weak-looking set of first-quarter results. Investors punish HSBC shares despite an announcement of a possible $2 billion share buyback and, as Silvia Antonioli reports, Societe Generale and BNP Paribas both fall sharply on disappointment over a weak-looking set of first-quarter results. //reut.rs/2FHpL10

HSBC, BNP, SocGen stumble on weak results

(New throughout with comments, details from Agroconsult) SAO PAULO, May 24 (Reuters) - A severe drought has compromised Brazil’s second corn, the country’s largest crop of the cereal, which is now expected to be 10 million tonnes lower than last season, consultancy Agroconsult said on Thursday. The firm, which is leading a crop tour of Brazil’s top producing areas, forecast the second corn crop will likely fall to around 57 million tonnes, reducing its previous view by more than 3 million tonnes. Brazil’s second corn, which is planted after soybeans, accounts for roughly 70 percent of the country’s entire production and make it the world’s third largest producer after the United States and China. “The drought eased,” said André Pessoa, partner at Agroconsult, during an event in São Paulo, referring to dryness during April and early May, which caused significant losses. Still, he said Agroconsult’s estimate may be cut further pending a survey of fields in producing states like Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná and Goiás. The corn tour will last through June 8 and will cover 83 percent of Brazil’s second corn area. Before the tour kicked off two weeks ago, Agroconsult had estimated 60.2 million tonnes for second-corn production. Brazil is expected to sell 28 million tonnes of corn this year in global markets, Agroconsult said. This compared with 29.2 million tonnes, according to data from national grain exporters group Anec. (Reporting by Roberto Samora; writing by Ana Mano; editing by Grant McCool)

UPDATE 1-Brazil's second corn crop seen 10 mln tns lower than last season -consultancy

KINGSEY FALLS, QC, May 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Cascades Inc. (TSX: CAS) reports its unaudited financial results for the three-month period Q1 2018 Highlights Sales of $1,098 million (compared to $1,082 million in Q4 2017 (+1%) and $1,006 million in Q1 2017 (+9%)) As reported (including specific items) Operating income of $112 million (compared to $45 million in Q4 2017 (+149%) and $31 million in Q1 2017 (+261%)) Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD) 1 of $167 million (compared to $104 million in Q4 2017 (+61%) and $78 million in Q1 2017 (+114%)) Net earnings per common share of $0.65 (compared to net earnings of $0.60 in Q4 2017 and net earnings of $1.70 in Q1 2017) Adjusted (excluding specific items) 2 Operating income of $50 million (compared to $46 million in Q4 2017 (+9%) and $28 million in Q1 2017 (+79%)) OIBD 1 of $105 million (compared to $105 million in Q4 2017 (stable) and $75 million in Q1 2017 (+40%)) Net earnings per common share of $0.13 (compared to net earnings of $0.14 in Q4 2017 and net earnings of $0.13 in Q1 2017) Net debt 2 of $1,534 million as at March 31, 2018 (compared to $1,522 million as at December 31, 2017) and net debt to adjusted OIBD ratio 2,3 at 3.6x. 1 OIBD = Operating income before depreciation and amortization. 2 For further details, please refer to the "Supplemental Information on non-IFRS Measures" section. 3 Pro-forma basis to include 2017 and 2018 business combinations on a LTM basis. Mr. Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Our consolidated first quarter performance improved both year-over-year and sequentially in terms of sales levels, shipments and operating income. Changes in raw material prices were positive on a consolidated basis both sequentially and year-over-year, while higher transportation costs negatively impacted profitability in our North American operations. Year-over-year, first quarter results were supported by a strong performance from our European boxboard subsidiary Reno de Medici, driven by strong market conditions, selling price improvement and lower raw material costs. The containerboard packaging division similarly generated stronger results, reflecting the April 2017 consolidation of the Greenpac Mill, strong industry fundamentals and higher average realized selling prices. As disclosed in early March, first quarter production levels in this segment were impacted by unplanned downtime at several mills at the beginning of the year, which resulted in a production shortfall of 15,000 short tons during the period. These production and mechanical issues were resolved before the end of the quarter. Results in the specialty products segment were below last year due to the lower recycled material prices, most notably OCC, which reduced sales in the recovery sub-segment. Finally, the tissue papers division increased shipments by 7% year-over-year within the ongoing context of challenging market conditions and market related downtime taken at the beginning of the year. Results in this segment, however, were impacted by lower average selling prices driven by increased competitiveness in several markets, higher raw material prices, and negative operating margin related to the Oregon converting facility that was started in the second quarter of 2017. On a sequential basis, consolidated first quarter results reflected improvements in capacity utilization, sales, and operating income. This was largely driven by a strong performance from the European boxboard division and was supported by a slight progress in tissue. Although production levels in containerboard reflected seasonally softer volumes and the downtime as described above, this division generated improvements in operating income and adjusted OIBD, reflecting higher realized average selling prices and lower raw material costs. Conversely, results from the specialty products segment decreased, due primarily to the impact of lower recycled paper pricing on the performance of its recovery activities. On the strategic front, the construction of our new containerboard converting facility in NJ progressed on time and on budget, with start-up scheduled for the end of May. The containerboard division finalized the sale of the NY converting facility for US$72 million in January, and the acquisition of the 66.67% interest in the Italian boxboard processing company PAC Service S.p.A, was concluded by the European boxboard division at the beginning of the year. At the end of the first quarter, the leverage ratio stood at 3.6x 1 , unchanged from the end of 2017." 1 Pro-forma basis to include 2017 and 2018 business combinations on a LTM basis. Financial Summary Selected consolidated information (in millions of Canadian dollars, except amounts per common share) (unaudited) Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 Sales 1,098 1,082 1,006 As Reported Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD) 1 167 104 78 Operating income 112 45 31 Net earnings 61 57 161 per common share $ 0.65 $ 0.60 $ 1.70 Adjusted 1 Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD) 105 105 75 Operating income 50 46 28 Net earnings 12 13 12 per common share $ 0.13 $ 0.14 $ 0.13 Margin (OIBD) 9.6 % 9.7 % 7.5 % 1 - Refer to the "Supplemental Information on Non-IFRS Measures" section. Segmented Operating Income (loss) as reported (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 Packaging Products Containerboard 121 51 33 Boxboard Europe 19 11 5 Specialty Products 2 9 13 Tissue Papers (2) (6) 8 Corporate Activities (28) (20) (28) Operating income as reported 112 45 31 Segmented adjusted OIBD 1 (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 Packaging Products Containerboard 77 74 45 Boxboard Europe 28 19 14 Specialty Products 7 14 18 Tissue Papers 13 12 23 Corporate Activities (20) (14) (25) Adjusted OIBD 105 105 75 1 - Refer to the "Supplemental Information on Non-IFRS Measures" section. Analysis of results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 (compared to the same period last year) Sales of $1,098 million increased by $92 million or 9% compared to the same period last year. This was driven by a 22% increase in the containerboard division, reflecting the Greenpac consolidation and higher average realized sales prices during the period, and a 17% sales increase in the European boxboard segment following implemented price increases and the January 2018 acquisition of PAC Service. These benefits were partially offset by lower sales in recovery activities attributable to the significant year-over-year decrease in raw material prices. Sales generated by the tissue segment were essentially unchanged compared to prior year levels, as the beneficial impact of higher volumes was offset by a less favourable product mix and weaker Canadian dollar - US dollar exchange rate. First quarter operating income stood at $112 million, a notable improvement from the $31 million generated last year. This increase was largely driven by improvements in the containerboard segment, where results benefited from the consolidation of Greenpac, a higher average selling price and lower raw material costs. First quarter performance similarly reflected a higher contribution from the European boxboard segment, driven by strong industry fundamentals and lower raw material costs. Partially offsetting these benefits was a lower contribution from the specialty products division attributable to the impact of lower raw material prices on the performance of the recovery sub-segment, and a weaker tissue performance reflecting the more challenging marketplace and rising virgin pulp price. Higher amortization and depreciation expense as a result of business combinations and the Scappoose facility start-up also negatively impacted operating income compared to the prior year period. On an adjusted basis 1 , first quarter operating income stood at $50 million, versus $28 million in the prior year. The specific items, before income taxes, that impacted our first quarter 2018 operating income and/or net earnings were: a $4 million unrealized loss on financial instruments (operating income and net earnings). a $66 million gain related to the sale of the Maspeth, NY containerboard converting facility (operating income and net earnings). a $5 million gain on fair-value revaluation of investment related to the European boxboard acquisition of PAC Service (net earnings). a $1 million foreign exchange gain on long-term debt and financial instruments (net earnings). The Corporation generated net earnings of $61 million, or $0.65 per common share in the first quarter of 2018, versus net earnings of $161 million, or $1.70 per common share in the comparable period of 2017. On an adjusted basis 1 , net earnings were $12 million, or $0.13 per common share, during the first three months of 2018, compared to net earnings of $12 million or $0.13 per common share in the same period of 2017. 1 For further details, please refer to the "Supplemental Information on non-IFRS Measures" section. Near-Term and Strategic Outlook Discussing the outlook for Cascades, Mr. Plourde commented: "Our near term outlook is positive. The second quarter is seasonally favourable for all of our business segments, and we would expect sales levels to reflect as much. In the case of our containerboard segment, strong industry demand, lower raw material costs, and the gradual implementation of the announced price increases should provide significant support for performance in the coming months. Conversely, we expect profitability levels in our tissue paper division to remain under pressure as a result of the heightened competitive marketplace and rising raw material costs. While external factors remain challenging in this segment, we remain focused on managing inventory, growing sales levels in our targeted markets, incorporating lower cost materials in our production processes when possible, and increasing sales levels in our Oregon tissue converting facility where we continue to make positive and measurable progress. In Europe, underlying industry fundamentals suggest continued strength, raw material prices continue to be favourable, and both order backlog and order intake levels remain healthy. Operationally, we will concentrate on managing raw material costs and countering the trend of increasing transportation costs through optimization of our transport strategies. Looking to the remainder of 2018, we are focused internally on the optimization of our new business platform, and monetizing the efficiency, productivity and cost-saving initiatives that have been implemented through the centralization of our administrative processes. At the corporate level, attention will be centered on the smooth and successful execution of the company's planned 2018 investment program focused on improving our tissue platform, reinforcing our operational efficiency and productivity with a view to enhancing profitability and maximizing cash flow generation, and maintaining our strategic capital allocation commitment to reduce leverage." Dividend on common shares and normal course issuer bid The Board of Directors of Cascades declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share to be paid on June 6, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 23, 2018. This dividend is an "eligible dividend" as per the Income Tax Act (R.C.S. (1985), Canada). During the first quarter of 2018, Cascades purchased 435,580 common shares for cancellation at a weighted average price of $14.20. 2018 First Quarter Results Conference Call Details Management will discuss the 2018 first quarter financial results during a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The call can be accessed by dialing 1-888-231-8191 (international dial-in 1-647-427-7450). The conference call, including the investor presentation, will be broadcast live on the Cascades website ( www.cascades.com under the "Investors" section). A replay of the call will be available on the Cascades website and may also be accessed by phone until June 10, 2018 by dialing 1-855-859-2056, access code 6789174. Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The Corporation employs 11,000 employees, who work in more than 90 units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to serve its clients with innovative products. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol CAS. Certain statements in this release, including statements regarding future results and performance, are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined under the 1995) based on current expectations. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the effect of general economic conditions, decreases in demand for the Corporation's products, increases in raw material costs, fluctuations in selling prices and adverse changes in general market and industry conditions and other factors listed in the Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents (including $25 million of restricted cash in 2018) 137 89 Accounts receivable 633 608 Current income tax assets 16 18 Inventories 555 523 Current portion of financial assets 10 9 Assets held for sale — 13 1,351 1,260 Long-term assets Investments in associates and joint ventures 77 78 Property, plant and equipment 2,183 2,104 Intangible assets with finite useful life 209 212 Financial assets 24 23 Other assets 59 73 Deferred income tax assets 153 149 Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful life 542 528 4,598 4,427 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities Bank loans and advances 23 35 Trade and other payables 671 683 Current income tax liabilities 11 6 Current portion of long-term debt 66 59 Current portion of provisions for contingencies and charges 9 7 Current portion of financial liabilities and other liabilities 94 101 874 891 Long-term liabilities Long-term debt 1,582 1,517 Provisions for contingencies and charges 34 36 Financial liabilities 36 18 Other liabilities 180 178 Deferred income tax liabilities 207 186 2,913 2,826 Equity attributable to Shareholders Capital stock 491 492 Contributed surplus 16 16 Retained earnings 1,035 982 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (20) (35) 1,522 1,455 Non-controlling interests 163 146 Total equity 1,685 1,601 4,598 4,427 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS For the 3-month periods ended March 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars, except per common share amounts and number of common shares) (unaudited) 2018 2017 Sales 1,098 1,006 Cost of sales and expenses Cost of sales (including depreciation and amortization of $55 million (2017 — $47 million)) 946 880 Selling and administrative expenses 103 96 Gain on acquisitions, disposals and others (66) — Impairment charges and restructuring costs — 1 Foreign exchange loss (gain) (1) 1 Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments 4 (3) 986 975 Operating income 112 31 Financing expense 22 21 Interest expense on employee future benefits 1 1 Foreign exchange gain on long-term debt and financial instruments (1) (8) Fair value revaluation gain on investments (5) (145) Share of results of associates and joint ventures (1) (28) Earnings before income taxes 96 190 Provision for income taxes 24 27 Net earnings including non-controlling interests for the period 72 163 Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests 11 2 Net earnings attributable to Shareholders for the period 61 161 Net earnings per common share Basic $ 0.65 $ 1.70 Diluted $ 0.63 $ 1.66 Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding 95,013,041 94,554,104 Weighted average number of diluted common shares 97,801,090 97,237,972 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the 3-month periods ended March 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) 2018 2017 Net earnings including non-controlling interests for the period 72 163 Other comprehensive income Items that may be reclassified subsequently to earnings Translation adjustments Change in foreign currency translation of foreign subsidiaries 40 (6) Change in foreign currency translation related to net investment hedging activities (23) 6 Cash flow hedges Change in fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts (1) — Change in fair value of commodity derivative financial instruments 1 (1) Equity investment — 12 Share of other comprehensive income of associates — 17 Provision for (recovery of) income taxes 3 (9) 20 19 Items that are reclassified to retained earnings Actuarial gain on employee future benefits 1 2 Recovery of income taxes — (1) 1 1 Other comprehensive income 21 20 Comprehensive income including non-controlling interests for the period 93 183 Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests for the period 18 2 Comprehensive income attributable to Shareholders for the period 75 181 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY For the 3-month period ended March 31, 2018 (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) CAPITAL STOCK CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS RETAINED EARNINGS ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS NON- CONTROLLING INTERESTS TOTAL EQUITY Balance - Beginning of period 492 16 982 (35) 1,455 146 1,601 New IFRS adoption — — (2) 2 — — — Restated Balance - Beginning of period 492 16 980 (33) 1,455 146 1,601 Comprehensive income Net earnings — — 61 — 61 11 72 Other comprehensive income — — 1 13 14 7 21 — — 62 13 75 18 93 Dividends — — (4) — (4) — (4) Issuance of common share upon exercise of stock options 2 — — — 2 — 2 Redemption of common shares (3) — (3) — (6) — (6) Capital contribution from a non-controlling interest — — — — — 1 1 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests — — — — — (2) (2) Balance - End of period 491 16 1,035 (20) 1,522 163 1,685 For the 3-month period ended March 31, 2017 (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) CAPITAL STOCK CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS RETAINED EARNINGS ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS NON- CONTROLLING INTERESTS TOTAL EQUITY Balance - Beginning of period 487 16 512 (31) 984 90 1,074 Comprehensive income Net earnings — — 161 — 161 2 163 Other comprehensive income — — 1 19 20 — 20 — — 162 19 181 2 183 Dividends — — (4) — (4) — (4) Issuance of common share upon exercise of stock options 1 — — — 1 — 1 Balance - End of period 488 16 670 (12) 1,162 92 1,254 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the 3-month periods ended March 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) 2018 2017 Operating activities Net earnings attributable to Shareholders for the period 61 161 Adjustments for: Financing expense and interest expense on employee future benefits 23 22 Depreciation and amortization 55 47 Gain on acquisitions, disposals and others (66) — Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments 4 (4) Foreign exchange gain on long-term debt and financial instruments (1) (8) Provision for income taxes 24 27 Fair value revaluation gain on investments (5) (145) Share of results of associates and joint ventures (1) (28) Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests 11 2 Net financing expense paid (37) (38) Net income taxes received (paid) 3 (5) Dividends received — 2 Employee future benefits and others (2) — 69 33 Changes in non-cash working capital components (31) (39) 38 (6) Investing activities Investments in associates and joint ventures (2) (16) Payments for property, plant and equipment (83) (61) Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment 81 3 Change in intangible and other assets (4) (5) Net cash acquired in business combinations 3 — (5) (79) Financing activities Bank loans and advances (13) (3) Change in revolving credit facilities 36 103 Increase in other long-term debt 8 6 Payments of other long-term debt (9) (5) Settlement of derivative financial instruments (1) (7) Issuance of common shares 2 1 Redemption of common shares (6) — Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (2) — Capital contribution from non-controlling interests 1 — Dividends paid to the Corporation's Shareholders (4) (4) 12 91 Change in cash and cash equivalents during the period 45 6 Currency translation on cash and cash equivalents 3 — Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period 89 62 Cash and cash equivalents - End of period 137 68 SEGMENTED INFORMATION The Corporation analyzes the performance of its operating segments based on their operating income before depreciation and amortization, which is not a measure of performance under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS); however, the chief operating decision-maker (CODM) uses this performance measure to assess the operating performance of each reportable segment. Earnings for each segment are prepared on the same basis as those of the Corporation. Intersegment operations are recorded on the same basis as sales to third parties, which are at fair market value. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Corporation's accounting policies described in its most recent audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Corporation's operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the CODM. The Chief Executive Officer has authority for resource allocation and management of the Corporation's performance, and is therefore the CODM. The Corporation's operations are managed in four segments: Containerboard, Boxboard Europe, Specialty Products (which constitutes the Corporation's Packaging Products) and Tissue Papers. SALES For the 3-month periods ended March 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) 2018 2017 Packaging Products Containerboard 421 346 Boxboard Europe 246 211 Specialty Products 159 173 Intersegment sales (24) (22) 802 708 Tissue Papers 305 306 Intersegment sales and Corporate Activities (9) (8) 1,098 1,006 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION For the 3-month periods ended March 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) 2018 2017 Packaging Products Containerboard 141 45 Boxboard Europe 28 13 Specialty Products 7 18 176 76 Tissue Papers 13 23 Corporate (22) (21) Operating income before depreciation and amortization 167 78 Depreciation and amortization (55) (47) Financing expense and interest expense on employee future benefits (23) (22) Foreign exchange gain on long-term debt and financial instruments 1 8 Fair value revaluation gain on investments 5 145 Share of results of associates and joint ventures 1 28 Earnings before income taxes 96 190 PAYMENTS FOR PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT For the 3-month periods ended March 31, (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) 2018 2017 Packaging Products Containerboard 59 6 Boxboard Europe 3 8 Specialty Products 6 3 68 17 Tissue Papers 9 27 Corporate 3 3 Total acquisitions 80 47 Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment (81) (3) Capital lease acquisitions (3) (3) (4) 41 Acquisitions for property, plant and equipment included in "Trade and other payables" Beginning of period 28 25 End of period (22) (8) Payments for property, plant and equipment net of proceeds from disposals 2 58 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON NON-IFRS MEASURES SPECIFIC ITEMS The Corporation incurs some specific items that adversely or positively affect its operating results. We believe it is useful for readers to be aware of these items, as they provide additional information to measure performance, compare the Corporation's results between periods and assess operating results and liquidity, notwithstanding these specific items. Management believes these specific items are not necessarily reflective of the Corporation's underlying business operations in measuring and comparing its performance and analyzing future trends. Our definition of specific items may differ from those of other corporations, and some of them may arise in the future and may reduce the Corporation's available cash. They include, but are not limited to, charges for (reversals of) impairment of assets, restructuring gains or costs, loss on refinancing and repurchase of long-term debt, some deferred tax asset provisions or reversals, premiums paid on long-term debt refinancing, gains or losses on the acquisition or sale of a business unit, gains or losses on the share of results of associates and joint ventures, unrealized gains or losses on derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting, unrealized gains or losses on interest rate swaps, foreign exchange gains or losses on long-term debt, specific items of discontinued operations and other significant items of an unusual, non-cash or non-recurring nature. RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS MEASURES To provide more information for evaluating the Corporation's performance, the financial information included in this analysis contains certain data that are not performance measures under IFRS ("non-IFRS measures"), which are also calculated on an adjusted basis to exclude specific items. We believe that providing certain key performance measures and non-IFRS measures is useful to both management and investors as they provide additional information to measure the performance and financial position of the Corporation. It also increases the transparency and clarity of the financial information. The following non-IFRS measures are used in our financial disclosures: Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD): Used to assess operating performance and contribution of each segment when excluding depreciation & amortization. OIBD is widely used by investors as a measure of a corporation's ability to incur and service debt and as an evaluation metric. Adjusted OIBD: Used to assess operating performance and contribution of each segment on a comparable basis. Adjusted operating income: Used to assess operating performance of each segment on a comparable basis. Adjusted net earnings: Used to assess the Corporation's consolidated financial performance on a comparable basis. Adjusted free cash flow: Used to assess the Corporation's capacity to generate cash flows to meet financial obligation and/or discretionary items such as share repurchase, dividend increase and strategic investments. Net debt to adjusted OIBD ratio: Used to measure the Corporation's credit performance and evaluate the financial leverage. Net debt to adjusted OIBD ratio on a pro-forma basis: Used to measure the Corporation's credit performance and evaluate the financial leverage on a comparable basis including significant business acquisitions and excluding significant business disposals, if any. Non-IFRS measures are mainly derived from the consolidated financial statements but do not have meanings prescribed by IFRS. These measures have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered on their own or as a substitute for an analysis of our results as reported under IFRS. In addition, our definitions of non-IFRS measures may differ from those of other corporations. Any such modification or reformulation may be significant. The reconciliation of operating income (loss) to OIBD, to adjusted operating income (loss) and to adjusted OIBD by business segment is as follows: Q1 2018 (in millions of Canadian dollars) Containerboard Boxboard Europe Specialty Products Tissue Papers Corporate Activities Consolidated Operating income (loss) 121 19 2 (2) (28) 112 Depreciation and amortization 20 9 5 15 6 55 Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 141 28 7 13 (22) 167 Specific items: Gain on acquisitions, disposals and others (66) — — — — (66) Unrealized loss on financial instruments 2 — — — 2 4 (64) — — — 2 (62) Adjusted operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 77 28 7 13 (20) 105 Adjusted operating income (loss) 57 19 2 (2) (26) 50 Q4 2017 (in millions of Canadian dollars) Containerboard Boxboard Europe Specialty Products Tissue Papers Corporate Activities Consolidated Operating income (loss) 51 11 9 (6) (20) 45 Depreciation and amortization 22 8 5 18 6 59 Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 73 19 14 12 (14) 104 Specific items : Impairment reversal — — — — (2) (2) Restructuring costs — — — — 1 1 Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments 1 — — — 1 2 1 — — — — 1 Adjusted operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 74 19 14 12 (14) 105 Adjusted operating income (loss) 52 11 9 (6) (20) 46 Q1 2017 (in millions of Canadian dollars) Containerboard Boxboard Europe Specialty Products Tissue Papers Corporate Activities Consolidated Operating income (loss) 33 5 13 8 (28) 31 Depreciation and amortization 12 8 5 15 7 47 Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 45 13 18 23 (21) 78 Specific items: Restructuring costs — 1 — — — 1 Unrealized gain on financial instruments — — — — (4) (4) — 1 — — (4) (3) Adjusted operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization 45 14 18 23 (25) 75 Adjusted operating income (loss) 33 6 13 8 (32) 28 Net earnings, as per IFRS, is reconciled below with operating income, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization: (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 Net earnings attributable to Shareholders for the year 61 57 161 Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests 11 6 2 Provision for (recovery of) income taxes 24 (57) 27 Fair value revaluation gain on investments (5) — (145) Share of results of associates and joint ventures (1) (3) (28) Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt and financial instruments (1) 4 (8) Financing expense, interest expense on employee future benefits and loss on repurchase of long-term debt 23 38 22 Operating income 112 45 31 Specific items: Gain on acquisitions, disposals and others (66) — — Impairment reversals — (2) — Restructuring costs — 1 1 Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments 4 2 (4) (62) 1 (3) Adjusted operating income 50 46 28 Depreciation and amortization 55 59 47 Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization 105 105 75 The following table reconciles net earnings and net earnings per common share, as per IFRS, with adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per common share: (in millions of Canadian dollars, except amounts per share) (unaudited) NET EARNINGS NET EARNINGS PER SHARE 1 Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 As per IFRS 61 57 161 $ 0.65 $ 0.60 $ 1.70 Specific items: Gain on acquisitions, disposals and others (66) — — $ (0.51) — — Impairment reversals — (2) — — $ (0.01) — Restructuring costs — 1 1 — $ 0.01 $ 0.01 Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments 4 2 (4) $ 0.03 $ 0.01 $ (0.03) Loss on repurchase of long-term debt — 14 — — $ 0.10 — Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps — (2) — — $ (0.01) — Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt and financial instruments (1) 4 (8) $ (0.01) $ 0.04 $ (0.08) Fair value revaluation gain on investments (5) — (145) $ (0.03) — $ (1.33) Share of results of associates and joint ventures — — (16) — — $ (0.14) Tax effect on specific items, other tax adjustments and attributable to non-controlling interest 1 19 (61) 23 — $ (0.60) — (49) (44) (149) $ (0.52) $ (0.46) $ (1.57) Adjusted 12 13 12 $ 0.13 $ 0.14 $ 0.13 1 Specific amounts per common share are calculated on an after-tax basis and are net of the portion attributable to non-controlling interests. Per common share amounts in line item ''Tax effect on specific items, other tax adjustments and attributable to non-controlling interests'' only include the effect of tax adjustments. The following table reconciles cash flow from (used for) operating activities with operating income and operating income before depreciation and amortization: (in millions of Canadian dollars) Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 Cash flow from (used for) operating activities 38 95 (6) Changes in non-cash working capital components 31 (18) 39 Depreciation and amortization (55) (59) (47) Net income taxes paid (received) (3) 4 5 Net financing expense paid 37 11 38 Premium paid on long-term debt repurchase — 11 — Gain on acquisitions, disposals and others 66 — — Impairment reversals and restructuring costs — 2 — Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments (4) (2) 4 Dividend received, employee future benefits and others 2 1 (2) Operating income 112 45 31 Depreciation and amortization 55 59 47 Operating income before depreciation and amortization 167 104 78 The following table reconciles cash flow from (used for) operating activities with cash flow from operating activities (excluding changes in non-cash working capital components) and adjusted cash flow from operating activities. It also reconciles adjusted cash flow from operating activities to adjusted free cash flow, which is also calculated on a per common share basis: (in millions of Canadian dollars, except amount per common share or otherwise mentioned) Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q1 2017 Cash flow from (used for) operating activities 38 95 (6) Changes in non-cash working capital components 31 (18) 39 Cash flow from operating activities (excluding changes in non-cash working capital components) 69 77 33 Specific items, net of current income taxes if applicable: Restructuring costs — 1 1 Premium paid on long-term debt repurchase — 11 — Adjusted cash flow from operating activities 69 89 34 Capital expenditures & other assets 1 and capital lease payments, net of disposals of $81 million in Q1 2018 (9) (63) (64) Dividends paid to the Corporation's Shareholders (4) (4) (4) Adjusted free cash flow 56 22 (34) Adjusted free cash flow per common share $ 0.59 $ 0.24 $ (0.36) Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding 95,013,041 94,744,841 94,554,104 1 Excluding increase in investments The following table reconciles total debt and net debt with the ratio of net debt to adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (adjusted OIBD): (in millions of Canadian dollars) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 Long-term debt 1,582 1,517 1,625 Current portion of long-term debt 66 59 36 Bank loans and advances 23 35 24 Total debt 1,671 1,611 1,685 Less: Cash and cash equivalents (including $25 million of restricted cash in 2018) 137 89 68 Net debt 1,534 1,522 1,617 Adjusted OIBD (last twelve months) 423 393 372 Net debt / Adjusted OIBD ratio 3.6 3.9 4.3 Net debt / Adjusted OIBD ratio on a pro forma basis 1 3.6 — N/A 1 Pro-forma to include adjusted OIBD of 2017 and 2018 business acquisitions on a last twelve months basis. Follow us on social media: Website: www.cascades.com Twitter: twitter.com/CascadesInvest Facebook: facebook.com/Cascades YouTube: youtube.com/Cascades View original content: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cascades-announces-results-for-the-first-quarter-of-2018-strong-containerboard-fundamentals-driving-positive-outlook-for-remainder-of-year-300645929.html SOURCE Cascades Inc.

Cascades Announces Results for the First Quarter of 2018; Strong containerboard fundamentals driving positive outlook for remainder of year

May 11, 2018 / 6:15 AM / Updated 11 hours ago Broadway's 'Mockingbird' play to go ahead after dispute settled Reuters Staff 1 Min Read (Reuters) - The producer of a Broadway adaptation of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” and the author’s estate have settled a legal dispute over the Aaron Sorkin-penned script, which will allow the production to go head on schedule. In a joint statement on Thursday, the production company Rudinplay and Lee’s estate said they had “amicably settled ongoing litigation” following a court battle over the estate’s objections that Oscar-winner Sorkin’s script deviated too much from the 1960 novel about race relations in Depression-era U.S. South. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The months-long dispute staved off a potential loss of millions of dollars for producers if the play had to be scrapped or delayed. It is due to open for previews on Nov. 1 in New York and will be directed by Tony-winner Bartlett Sher. Lee died in 2016 at age 89. “To Kill a Mockingbird” won a Pulitzer Prize and Gregory Peck earned an Academy Award for best actor in the 1962 film adaptation. Reporting by Eric Kelsey in Los Angeles

Broadway's 'Mockingbird' play to go ahead after dispute settled

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New Senior Investment Group Inc. (“New Senior” or the “Company”) (NYSE:SNR) announced today that it will release its first quarter 2018 financial results on Thursday, May 10, 2018 prior to the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. A copy of the press release will be posted to the Investor Relations section of New Senior’s website, www.newseniorinv.com . In addition, management will host a conference call on May 10, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time. The conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 694-6694 (from within the U.S.) or (970) 315-0985 (from outside of the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call; please reference “New Senior First Quarter 2018 Earnings Call.” A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.newseniorinv.com . Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the website and download any necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available approximately two hours following the call’s completion through 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 10, 2018 by dialing (855) 859-2056 (from within the U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (from outside the U.S.); please reference access code “1498898.” ABOUT NEW SENIOR New Senior Investment Group (NYSE: SNR) is a publicly-traded real estate investment trust with a diversified portfolio of senior housing properties located across the United States. As of December 31, 2017, New Senior is one of the largest owners of senior housing properties, with 133 properties across 37 states. New Senior is managed by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, a global investment management firm. More information about New Senior can be found at www.newseniorinv.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180502006950/en/ For New Senior Investment Group David Smith, 212-515-7783 Source: New Senior Investment Group Inc.

New Senior Announces First Quarter 2018 Earnings Release Date and Conference Call

EditorsNote: rewords seventh graf Carlos Gonzalez looped a two-out, two-strike, two-run single to center field in the 12th inning Thursday night, delivering the visiting Colorado Rockies a 5-3 win over the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a four-game series. The Giants fell despite first baseman Brandon Belt hitting a home run for the fourth consecutive game, a two-run shot that tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth inning. With his 10th home run of the season, Belt became the first Giant since Randy Winn in 2005 to hit a home run in four straight games. Neither team scored again until Chris Iannetta and Charlie Blackmon drew consecutive one-out walks off the sixth Giants pitcher, Pierce Johnson (2-2), in the 12th. Cory Gearrin came on to get Gerardo Parra to fly to left field before walking Nolan Arenado to load the bases and set the stage for Gonzalez’s game-winning hit. Rockies closer Wade Davis worked a hitless bottom of the 12th for his major-league-leading 16th save. He struck out Brandon Crawford looking to open the inning, prompting the ejection of the San Francisco shortstop and Giants manager Bruce Bochy for arguing a low called strike on a full count. Jake McGee (1-2), who pitched scoreless ball in the 10th and 11th innings, got the win. Belt’s homer came after the Rockies scored three runs in the second inning, on a two-run double by Daniel Castro and on starting pitcher Chad Bettis’ two-out RBI single for a 3-0 lead. Neither starting pitcher got a decision, although both padded their offensive stats. Bettis was lifted after six innings, having allowed three runs and five hits. He walked two and struck out five. Bettis’ run-scoring single in the three-run second produced his first RBI of the season and the fifth of his career. San Francisco’s Jeff Samardzija worked two outs into the seventh inning. He also gave up three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out three. One of the top run-producers at the plate among pitchers with 11 in the last two seasons, Samardzija set up Gorkys Hernandez’s sacrifice fly in the third with a single that advanced Austin Jackson from second to third. It was his first hit of the season. Parra, Arenado and Castro had two hits apiece for the Rockies, who improved to 2-1 on a nine-game trip. Belt and Jackson had two hits each for the Giants, who have lost two straight following a three-game winning streak. —Field Level Media

Gonzalez's 12th-inning single lifts Rockies over Giants

Leading Pharmaceutical Industry Executive Brings Prescription Drug Pricing Expertise to New Role NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blink Health , the technology company solving for America’s prescription drug price crisis, today announced that Susan Lang, one of the country’s foremost experts in prescription medication pricing, benefits management, and pharmacy networks, has joined Blink Health as Chief Strategy Officer. Lang spent six years as the Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain officer at Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefit management company in the U.S., where she managed over $50B in drug spend and founded Econdisc, one of the largest group purchasing organizations of generic medications in the country. In her new role, Lang will lead Blink Health's strategic development process and oversee the company's supply chain efforts, including the company’s pharmacy network. Most recently, Lang founded healthcare consulting firm XIL Consulting, where she serves as an industry consultant specializing in market access and drug pricing. Earlier in her career, she spent 15 years on the clinical side managing hospitals and working with caregivers. “Susan’s unmatched experience in prescription medication pricing, strategic business development, and health economics will help us accelerate our ability to make prescription medications affordable for everyone,” said Geoffrey Chaiken, co-founder and CEO, Blink Health. “In addition, Susan’s work in clinical settings with caregivers and patients gives her a rich understanding of people’s healthcare needs. Susan shares our passion for making the prescription drug market more equitable and is an outstanding addition to our executive team." “Blink Health’s technology, values, and business model uniquely positions the company to make the complicated pharmaceutical supply chain more transparent and patient-friendly,” said Lang. “I’m excited to join Blink Health’s world-class team to help develop new models and partnerships that create value for patients and pharmacies while offering the lowest prices on prescription drugs to Americans who need them most.” About Blink Health Blink Health makes prescriptions affordable for everyone with the guaranteed lowest prices on nearly all generic medications commonly prescribed. As the first e-commerce service of its kind, Blink Health negotiates directly with prescription medication suppliers on behalf of all Americans and uses technology to bypass powerful intermediaries. Patients simply purchase their medications through Blink’s website or app and pick up their prescriptions at a local pharmacy. Geoffrey and Matthew Chaiken founded Blink Health in 2014. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180517005336/en/ For Blink Health Brooke Matthews [email protected] Source: Blink Health

Blink Health Appoints Susan Lang as Chief Strategy Officer

May 3 (Reuters) - Scandi Standard AB (publ): * Q1 NET SALES SEK 2.12 BILLION VERSUS SEK 1.59 BILLION YEAR AGO * Q1 ADJUSTED. EBITDA SEK 148 MILLION VERSUS SEK 113 MILLION YEAR AGO Source text for Eikon: (Gdynia Newsroom) Our

Scandi Standard Q1 Adjusted EBITDA Rises To SEK 148 Mln

Royal fans flock to Windsor Thursday, May 17, 2018 - 01:18 More than 100,000 people are expected to flock to Windsor where Prince Harry will marry his U.S. fiancee Meghan Markle in a glittering ceremony on Saturday. More than 100,000 people are expected to flock to Windsor where Prince Harry will marry his U.S. fiancee Meghan Markle in a glittering ceremony on Saturday. //reut.rs/2wYDoKf

Royal fans flock to Windsor

May 7 (Reuters) - Blackstone Group LP said on Monday it would buy Gramercy Property Trust, which is an asset manager of commercial real estate, in a deal valued at $7.6 billion in cash. The $27.50-per-share offer represents a premium of 15.4 percent to Gramercy Property’s close on Friday at $23.82. Reporting by Arunima Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernard Orr Our

Blackstone to buy Gramercy Property in $7.6 billion deal

NEW YORK, Spherix Incorporated (NASDAQ: SPEX), a technology company committed to advancing innovation by participation in the development of new technology, today announced that its CEO, Anthony Hayes is scheduled to appear live on Cheddar TV ( www.cheddar.com ) on May 9 th at 12:50 p.m. Mr. Hayes is expected to discuss the Company's recent announcement related to the acquisition of DatChat, an encrypted personal privacy platform, along with general cyber security related topics. DatChat participates in the rapidly expanding multi-billion dollar mobile instant messaging market. Cheddar is a live streaming financial news network focused on covering the most innovative products, technologies, and services transforming our lives. The network covers this news through the lens of the companies and executives driving these changes. Cheddar is broadcast daily from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, with exclusive CEO and founder interviews, and profiles of the technologies and companies transforming our lives. Cheddar distributes content for the modern audience and is available on: Cheddar.com , Sling TV, Amazon, Philo, Pluto TV, Comcast X1, Twitch, Facebook, Twitter, and 60% of smart TVs in the U.S. About Spherix Spherix Incorporated was launched in 1967 as a scientific research company. Spherix is committed to advancing innovation by participation in the development of new technology. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact : Investor Relations: Hayden IR Brett Maas, Managing Partner Phone: (646) 536-7331 Email: [email protected] www.haydenir.com Spherix: Phone: 212-745-1373 Email: [email protected] www.spherix.com with multimedia: releases/spherix-ceo-anthony-hayes-set-to-appear-live-on-cheddar-tv-interview-to-take-place-from-the-floor-of-the-nyse-on-may-9th-1250-pm-300644296.html SOURCE Spherix Incorporated

Spherix CEO, Anthony Hayes, Set to Appear Live on Cheddar TV Interview to Take Place From the Floor of the NYSE on May 9th 12:50 p.m.

AstraZeneca hit by falling Crestor sales, higher costs Published 12 Hours Ago Reuters Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images Generic competition to cholesterol fighter Crestor and higher costs hit AstraZeneca in the first quarter, despite good sales of new drugs, but the group said on Friday it remained on track for a promised return to sales growth in 2018.Its latest arrivals - Imfinzi for cancer and Fasenra for severe asthma - both sold well and total product sales in the three months rose a modest 3 percent, helped by a weaker dollar.Total revenue, however, was down 4 percent at $5.18 billion, due to investment in new drug launches and a lack of divestments compared with a year earlier. Core earnings per share, which exclude some items, slumped 51 percent to 48 cents.Analysts, on average, had forecast earnings of 60 cents on revenue of $5.28 billion, Thomson Reuters data showed. Related Securities

AstraZeneca hit by falling Crestor sales, higher costs

May 1 (Reuters) - Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd: * TOTAL NEW ZEALAND DAIRY EXPORTS IN FEB ROSE 4 PERCENT, OR 11,000 MT, COMPARED TO SAME MONTH LAST YEAR * TOTAL NZ MILK PRODUCTION IN MARCH WAS DOWN 1 PERCENT COMPARED TO THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR * FONTERRA’S MILK COLLECTION ACROSS NEW ZEALAND 143 MILLION KGMS IN MARCH, 3 PERCENT LOWER THAN MARCH LAST SEASON * MILK COLLECTION ACROSS AUSTRALIA IN MARCH REACHED 11 MILLION KGMS, 3 MILLION KGMS HIGHER THAN MARCH LAST SEASON Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Fonterra Co-Operative Group Says Total NZ Dairy Exports In Feb Rose 4 Percent

May 7 (Reuters) - Zhangjiagang Freetrade Science & Technology Group Co Ltd: * SAYS IT PLANS TO BUY CHENGDU LANDTOP TECHNOLOGY FOR ABOUT 880.0 MILLION YUAN ($138.24 million) VIA SHARE ISSUE * SAYS IT PLANS TO RAISE UP TO 200 MILLION YUAN IN SHARE PRIVATE PLACEMENT TO FUND PROJECT, ACQUISITION Source text in Chinese: bit.ly/2rpbB02 ($1 = 6.3659 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom) Our

Zhangjiagang Freetrade Science & Technology To Buy Chengdu LandTop Technology Via Share Issue

May 7 (Reuters) - Andersons Inc: * Q1 REVENUE $636 MILLION * Q1 EARNINGS PER SHARE VIEW $0.07 — THOMSON REUTERS I/B/E/S * Q1 REVENUE VIEW $840.6 MILLION — THOMSON REUTERS I/B/E/S Source text for Eikon: Our

Andersons Inc. Reports Q1 Loss Per Share $0.06

× × Futures Now: We could retest February lows as the Fed sticks to its rate hike plans, says Peter Boockvar 11 Hours Ago Is more market pain ahead? The market's next move, with Peter Boockvar, Bleadley Advisory Group, CNBC's Eric Chemi and the Futures now traders,

Futures Now: We could retest February lows as the Fed sticks to its rate hike plans, says Peter Boockvar

April 30 (Reuters) - Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd CEO Uday Kotak says: * SEES PROVISIONING COSTS TRENDING DOWN * CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR INORGANIC OPPORTUNITIES Further company coverage: (Reporting By Devidutta Tripathy)

BRIEF-India's Kotak Mahindra Bank CEO Says Expects 20 Pct Plus Loan Growth In 2018/19

NEW YORK, May 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Golub Capital BDC, Inc., a business development company (NASDAQ: GBDC), today announced its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms "we," "us," "our," and "Company" refer to Golub Capital BDC, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. "GC Advisors" refers to GC Advisors LLC, our investment adviser. SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (in thousands, expect per share data) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Investment portfolio, at fair value $ 1,759,807 $ 1,723,372 Total assets $ 1,816,033 $ 1,807,327 Net asset value per share $ 16.11 $ 16.04 Quarter Ended March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Investment income $ 36,897 $ 36,450 Net investment income $ 18,528 $ 18,511 Net gain (loss) on investments $ 4,504 $ 2,804 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $ 23,032 $ 21,315 Earnings per share $ 0.39 $ 0.36 Net gain (loss) on investments per share $ 0.08 $ 0.05 Net investment income per share $ 0.31 $ 0.31 Accrual for capital gain incentive fee per share $ 0.01 $ 0.01 Net investment income before capital gain incentive fee accrual per share (1) $ 0.32 $ 0.32 (1) As a supplement to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") financial measures, the Company has provided this non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful as it excludes the accrual of the capital gain incentive fee, including the portion of such accrual that is not contractually payable under the terms of the Company's investment advisory agreement with GC Advisors. (the "Investment Advisory Agreement"). As of March 31, 2018, the capital gain incentive fee accrued by the Company in accordance with GAAP is $7.2 million, of which $0.0 million was payable as a capital gain incentive fee pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement as of March 31, 2018. Any payment due under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement is calculated in arrears as of the end of each calendar year or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Company paid a $1.2 million capital gain incentive fee calculated in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement as of December 31, 2017. The Company did not pay any capital gain incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement for any period ended prior to December 31, 2017. Although this non-GAAP financial measure is intended to enhance investors' understanding of the Company's business and performance, this non GAAP financial measure should not be considered an alternative to GAAP. Second Fiscal Quarter 2018 Highlights Net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $23.0 million, or $0.39 per share, as compared to $21.3 million, or $0.36 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2017; Net investment income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $18.5 million, or $0.31 per share, as compared to $18.5 million, or $0.31 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2017; Net investment income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, excluding a $0.8 million accrual for the capital gain incentive fee under GAAP, was $19.3 million, or $0.32 per share, as compared to $19.2 million, or $0.32 per share, excluding a $0.7 million accrual for the capital gain incentive fee under GAAP, for the quarter ended December 31, 2017; Net gain on investments for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $4.5 million, or $0.08 per share, as compared to a net gain of $2.8 million, or $0.05 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2017; and Our board of directors declared on May 4, 2018 a quarterly distribution of $0.32 per share payable on June 28, 2018 to stockholders of record as of June 8, 2018. Portfolio and Investment Activities As of March 31, 2018, the Company had investments in 189 portfolio companies with a total fair value of $1,664.8 million and had investments in Senior Loan Fund LLC ("SLF") with a total fair value of $95.0 million. This compares to the Company's portfolio as of December 31, 2017, as of which date the Company had investments in 190 portfolio companies with a total fair value of $1,631.8 million and investments in SLF with a total fair value of $91.6 million. Investments in portfolio companies as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following: As of March 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 Investments Percentage of Investments Percentage of Investment at Fair Value Total at Fair Value Total Type (In thousands) Investments (In thousands) Investments Senior secured $ 198,138 11.3 % $ 193,459 11.2 % One stop 1,403,395 79.7 1,380,000 80.1 Second lien 9,435 0.5 9,435 0.6 Subordinated debt 62 0.0 * 60 0.0 * LLC equity interests in SLF 94,991 5.4 91,591 5.3 Equity 53,786 3.1 48,827 2.8 Total $ 1,759,807 100.0 % $ 1,723,372 100.0 % * Represents an amount less than 0.1%. The following table shows the asset mix of our new investment commitments for the three months ended March 31, 2018: For the three months ended March 31, 2018 New Investment Commitments Percentage of (In thousands) Commitments Senior secured $ 27,383 19.8 % One stop 106,456 76.9 LLC equity interests in SLF 3,062 2.2 Equity 1,519 1.1 Total new investment commitments $ 138,420 100.0 % Overall, total investments at fair value increased by 2.1%, or $36.4 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2018 after factoring in debt repayments, sales of securities, net fundings on revolvers and net change in unrealized gain (loss). Total investments at fair value held by SLF decreased by 8.5%, or $23.8 million, after factoring in debt repayments, sales of securities, net fundings on revolvers and net change in unrealized gain (loss). For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the weighted average annualized investment income yield (which includes interest and fee income and amortization of capitalized fees and discounts) and the weighted average annualized income yield (which excludes income resulting from amortization of capitalized fees and discounts) on the fair value of earning portfolio investments on the Company's portfolio were 8.8% and 8.2%, respectively. Consolidated Results of Operations Total investment income for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $36.9 million and $36.5 million, respectively. This $0.4 million increase was primarily attributable to an increase in London Interbank offered Rate ("LIBOR") and an increase in the average earning investment balance. These increases were partially offset by a decline in dividend income from equity investments, excluding our investment in SLF. Total expenses for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were $18.4 million and $17.9 million, respectively. This $0.5 million increase was primarily attributable to higher interest and other debt financing expenses caused by an increase in the weighted average of outstanding borrowings and an increase in LIBOR. During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded a net realized loss of $0.6 million and recorded net unrealized appreciation of $5.1 million. The net realized loss was primarily due to the write off of one non-accrual portfolio company investment which was partially offset by the sale of an equity investment. The net unrealized appreciation was due to the reversal of unrealized depreciation associated with the write off of the portfolio company investment coupled with the rise in market prices on several middle market debt and equity investments. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's liquidity and capital resources are derived from the Company's debt securitizations (also known as collateralized loan obligations), U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") debentures, revolving credit facilities and cash flow from operations. The Company's primary uses of funds from operations include investments in portfolio companies and payment of fees and other expenses that the Company incurs. The Company has used, and expects to continue to use, its debt securitizations, SBA debentures, revolving credit facilities, proceeds from its investment portfolio and proceeds from offerings of its securities and its dividend reinvestment plan to finance its investment objectives. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5.9 million, restricted cash and cash equivalents of $42.5 million and $835.2 million of debt outstanding. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $63.3 million of remaining commitments and $63.3 million available for additional borrowings on its senior secured revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as lender and administrative agent, subject to leverage and borrowing base restrictions. As of March 31, 2018, through our licensees, we had $37.5 million of SBA debenture commitments, of which $9.5 million was available to be drawn, subject to customary SBA regulatory requirements. On May 4, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly distribution of $0.32 per share, payable on June 28, 2018 to holders of record as of June 8, 2018. Related Party Stock During the first calendar quarter of 2018, the Golub Capital Employee Grant Program Rabbi Trust (the "Trust") purchased approximately $7.2 million, or 396,099 shares, of our common stock, for the purpose of awarding incentive compensation to employees of GC Advisors LLC and its affiliates. Portfolio and Asset Quality GC Advisors regularly assesses the risk profile of each of the Company's investments and rates each of them based on an internal system developed by Golub Capital and its affiliates. This system is not generally accepted in our industry or used by our competitors. It is based on the following categories, which we refer to as GC Advisors' internal performance ratings: Internal Performance Ratings Rating Definition 5 Involves the least amount of risk in our portfolio. The borrower is performing above expectations, and the trends and risk factors are generally favorable. 4 Involves an acceptable level of risk that is similar to the risk at the time of origination. The borrower is generally performing as expected, and the risk factors are neutral to favorable. 3 Involves a borrower performing below expectations and indicates that the loan's risk has increased somewhat since origination. The borrower may be out of compliance with debt covenants; however, loan payments are generally not past due. 2 Involves a borrower performing materially below expectations and indicates that the loan's risk has increased materially since origination. In addition to the borrower being generally out of compliance with debt covenants, loan payments may be past due (but generally not more than 180 days past due). 1 Involves a borrower performing substantially below expectations and indicates that the loan's risk has substantially increased since origination. Most or all of the debt covenants are out of compliance and payments are substantially delinquent. Loans rated 1 are not anticipated to be repaid in full and we will reduce the fair market value of the loan to the amount we anticipate will be recovered. Our internal performance ratings do not constitute any rating of investments by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or represent or reflect any third-party assessment of any of our investments. The following table shows the distribution of the Company's investments on the 1 to 5 internal performance rating scale at fair value as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Internal Investments Percentage of Investments Percentage of Performance at Fair Value Total at Fair Value Total Rating (In thousands) Investments (In thousands) Investments 5 $ 219,056 12.4 % $ 137,146 8.0 % 4 1,362,836 77.4 1,411,330 81.9 3 174,033 9.9 170,010 9.9 2 2,702 0.2 3,720 0.2 1 1,180 0.1 1,166 0.0* Total $ 1,759,807 100.0 % $ 1,723,372 100.0 % * Represents an amount less than 0.1%. Conference Call The Company will host an earnings conference call at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 to discuss the quarterly financial results. All interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (800) 736-4610 approximately 10-15 minutes prior to the call; international callers should dial (212) 231-2911. Participants should reference Golub Capital BDC, Inc. when prompted. For a slide presentation that we intend to refer to on the earnings conference call, please visit the Investor Resources link on the homepage of our website ( www.golubcapitalbdc.com ) and click on the Quarter Ended 3.31.18 Investor Presentation under Events/Presentations. An archived replay of the call will be available shortly after the call until 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on June 7, 2018. To hear the replay, please dial (800) 633-8284. International dialers, please dial (402) 977-9140. For all replays, please reference program ID number 21887410. Golub Capital BDC, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (In thousands, except share and per share data) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets (unaudited) (audited) Investments, at fair value (cost of $1,738,586 and $1,707,273, respectively) $ 1,759,807 $ 1,723,372 Cash and cash equivalents 5,868 5,750 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 42,488 71,380 Interest receivable 7,640 6,536 Other assets 230 289 Total Assets $ 1,816,033 $ 1,807,327 Liabilities Debt $ 835,200 $ 828,300 Less unamortized debt issuance costs 3,920 3,514 Debt less unamortized debt issuance costs 831,280 824,786 Interest payable 2,662 6,132 Management and incentive fees payable 15,159 15,506 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 2,147 1,973 Payable for open trades 350 550 Accrued trustee fees 79 78 Total Liabilities 851,677 849,025 Net Assets Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized, zero shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2017 — — Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 59,867,531 and 59,741,248 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 60 60 Paid in capital in excess of par 944,318 942,179 Undistributed (over distribution of) net investment income (976) (387) Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 23,889 18,767 Net realized gain (loss) on investments (2,935) (2,317) Total Net Assets 964,356 958,302 Total Liabilities and Total Net Assets $ 1,816,033 $ 1,807,327 Number of common shares outstanding 59,867,531 59,741,248 Net asset value per common share $ 16.11 $ 16.04 Golub Capital BDC, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except share and per share data) Three months ended March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) Investment income Interest income $ 34,369 $ 33,354 Dividend income 1,866 2,562 Fee income 662 534 Total investment income 36,897 36,450 Expenses Interest and other debt financing expenses 7,906 7,714 Base management fee 5,929 5,930 Incentive fee 3,011 2,871 Professional fees 775 688 Administrative service fee 621 618 General and administrative expenses 127 118 Total expenses 18,369 17,939 Net investment income 18,528 18,511 Net gain (loss) on investments Net realized gain (loss) on investments (618) 481 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 5,122 2,323 Net gain (loss) on investments 4,504 2,804 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $ 23,032 $ 21,315 Per Common Share Data Basic and diluted earnings per common share $ 0.39 $ 0.36 Dividends and distributions declared per common share $ 0.32 $ 0.40 Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 59,744,054 59,584,421 ABOUT GOLUB CAPITAL BDC, INC. Golub Capital BDC, Inc. ("Golub Capital BDC") is an externally-managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Golub Capital BDC invests primarily in one stop and other senior secured loans of U.S. middle-market companies that are often sponsored by private equity investors. Golub Capital BDC's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, GC Advisors LLC, an affiliate of the Golub Capital group of companies ("Golub Capital"). ABOUT GOLUB CAPITAL Golub Capital is a nationally recognized credit asset manager with over $25 billion of capital under management. For over 20 years, the firm has provided credit to help medium-sized U.S. businesses grow. The firm's award-winning middle market lending business helps provide financing for middle market companies and their private equity sponsors. Golub Capital's credit expertise also forms the foundation of its Late Stage Lending and Broadly Syndicated Loan businesses. Golub Capital has worked hard to build a reputation as a fast, reliable provider of compelling financing solutions, and we believe this has inspired repeat clients and investors. Today, the firm has over 350 employees with lending offices in Chicago, New York and San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.golubcapital.com . FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Golub Capital BDC, Inc. undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. View original content: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/golub-capital-bdc-inc-declares-fiscal-year-2018-third-quarter-distribution-of-0-32-per-share-and-announces-fiscal-year-2018-second-quarter-financial-results-300643887.html SOURCE Golub Capital

Golub Capital BDC, Inc. Declares Fiscal Year 2018 Third Quarter Distribution of $0.32 Per Share and Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Second Quarter Financial Results

MILAN, May 7 (Reuters) - European shares were supported in early trading on Monday by some good earning updates and gains in Nestle after the Swiss-based food giant agreed a tie-up with Starbucks. A 12 percent drop in Air France on management turmoil and weakness among financials weighed, however, keeping the pan-European STOXX 600 index up only 0.1 percent, while UK markets were closed for a public holiday, reducing activity. Nestle rose 0.6 percent after news it will pay $7.15 billion as part of a global coffee alliance in which the food group is getting the rights to market Starbucks products around the world outside U.S. coffee company’s shops. Air France fell 12 percent after its CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac said on Friday he would resign after staff rejected a pay deal, plunging the airline into turmoil amid a wave of strikes at its French brand that has cost the company 300 million euros. Over the weekend, the French government urged Air France managers and unions to resolve the stand-off. Elsewhere, shares in Danish healthcare equipment maker Ambu and in Norway-focused independent oil company Aker BP rose 8.3 and 4.9 percent respectively following well-received earning updates. (Reporting by Danilo Masoni Editing by Alison Williams)

European shares buoyed by Nestle, updates; turmoil hammers Air France

May 11 (Reuters) - Ditech Holding Corp: * SAMUEL MARTINI REPORTS 8.87 PERCENT PASSIVE STAKE IN DITECH HOLDING CORP AS OF MARCH 27, 2018 - SEC FILING Source text: ( bit.ly/2wyNhOk ) Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Samuel Martini Reports 8.87 Pct Passive Stake In Ditech Holding Corp

JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bel Fuse Inc . (NASDAQ:BELFA) and (NASDAQ:BELFB) today announced preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2018. First Quarter 2018 Highlights Net sales of $118.3 million, representing year-over-year growth of 4.0% $178.3 million in backlog represents gain of $31.8 million, or 22%, from December 31, 2017 GAAP net loss of $1.3 million compared to net earnings of $0.7 million in first quarter 2017 Adjusted EBITDA of $5.3 million, or 4.5% of sales, versus $7.9 million, or 6.9% of sales, in first quarter 2017 First quarter 2018 book-to-bill ratio of 1.27 Non-GAAP financial measures, such as Non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, exclude the impact of costs associated with ERP system implementation costs and restructuring charges. Please refer to the financial information included with this press release for reconciliations of GAAP financial measures to Non-GAAP financial measures and our explanation of why we present Non-GAAP financial measures. CEO Comments Daniel Bernstein, President and CEO, said, “While first quarter sales showed modest growth from the same period last year, we are more encouraged by the continued growth in our backlog with heightened activity across all of our major product groups and within each of our major end markets. Since year-end, we saw a 33% increase in the backlog at Connectivity Solutions, driven by recent awards on key military programs, and a 25% increase at Magnetic Solutions, driven by demand for our multi-gig variants of ICMs from our key networking customers. Our Power Solutions and Protection backlog grew by 12%, led by higher demand for our power supplies in the industrial and rail industries, and orders from new customers within the E-Mobility, Internet of Things and Blockchain segments. "The majority of the sales growth in the first quarter related to strong demand for our Magnetic Solutions products, particularly our integrated connector modules within industrial, Ethernet and server markets. Sales of our Connectivity Solutions products were also higher in the first quarter of 2018 with an increase in demand related to various military programs and within the industrial market for oil and gas, test and measurement, and broadcasting applications. Our Power Solutions and Protection group, excluding the effects of our divested NPS business, also contributed to our year-over-year sales growth. "While we are optimistic on the revenue front for 2018, our results continue to be impacted by the weakening of the U.S. Dollar, minimum wage increases in the PRC and increased material costs related to certain of our purchased components. Furthermore, our Power Solutions business has also had an unfavorable impact on our bottom line, and we continue to work on our plan to restore this business to a position of profitability. Lastly, there have been recent tariff proposals on U.S. imports that may impact our business. We are carefully monitoring the status of these proposals and evaluating various options in the event they are put into effect. "With our new credit facility in place and the ability to cost-effectively repatriate foreign earnings under the recent U.S. tax reform, we continue to evaluate acquisition targets and believe this will be a key component of our strategic development plan going forward,” concluded Mr. Bernstein. Financial Summary All comparative percentages are on a year-over-year basis, unless otherwise noted. First Quarter 2018 Results Net Sales Net sales were $118.3 million, up 4.0% from last year’s first quarter. By geographic segment, Europe was up by 15.8%, Asia was up by 7.8%, and North America was down by 1.6%. By product group, Magnetic Solutions sales were up by 9.3%, Connectivity Solutions sales were 3.0% higher and Power Solutions and Protection sales was up slightly by 0.2%. During the first quarter of 2018, 36% of our sales related to our Connectivity Solutions products (versus 37% in 2017), 32% related to our Magnetic products (versus 31% in 2017) and 32% related to our Power Solutions and Protection products (versus 32% in 2017). On a consolidated basis, sales increased by $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period of 2017, despite a $1.6 million decline in sales related to the winding down of our NPS product sales within the Power Solutions Business. Gross Profit Gross profit margin decreased to 17.9%, from 20.6% in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations, as the Chinese Renminbi and Mexican Peso each appreciated by approximately 8% against the U.S. Dollar in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017. Approximately 70% of the Company’s associates and contract labor are located in the PRC and paid in Renminbi and an additional 8% is located in Mexico and paid in Pesos. Effective February 1, 2018, the PRC also issued an increase to the minimum wage in a region where one of Bel’s factories is located. We anticipate this increase in minimum wage to result in higher labor costs of approximately $1.0 million - $1.4 million per year at this facility going forward. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A) SG&A expenses were $20.7 million, down from $21.0 million in the first quarter of 2017. The reduction in SG&A expenses primarily related to a $0.9 million reduction in legal and professional fees compared to the first quarter of 2017, largely offset by an increase in foreign exchange loss of $0.5 million and higher salaries and fringe benefit costs of $0.3 million. Operating Income Operating income was $0.4 million, down from $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, with an operating margin of 0.4% compared to 2.1% in the first quarter of 2017. Income Taxes The provision for income taxes was $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2018 as compared with a tax benefit of less than $0.1 million during the same period of 2017. This resulted in an effective tax rate of -33.2% during the first quarter of 2018, compared to an effective tax rate of -3.2% during the same quarter last year. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to a decrease in the benefit arising from the losses in the North America segment due to the reduction in the U.S. tax rate from 35% in 2017 to 21% in 2018. Additionally, there was an increase in the liability for uncertain tax positions in the 2018 period. The Company continues to evaluate updates to the new tax law and may adjust its initial estimate of the transition tax throughout 2018 as further information becomes available. Net Earnings The above factors resulted in a net loss of $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2018 as compared with net earnings of $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2017. Balance Sheet Data As of March 31, 2018, working capital was $184.1 million, including $66.9 million of cash and cash equivalents with a current ratio of 3.1-to-1. In comparison, as of December 31, 2017, working capital was $178.8 million, including $69.4 million of cash and cash equivalents with a current ratio of 3.0-to-1. Total debt at March 31, 2018 was $122.0 million as compared to $122.7 million at December 31, 2017, reflecting $0.7 million of debt repayments made during the first quarter of 2018. Conference Call Bel has scheduled a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET today. To participate in the conference call, investors should dial 866-548-4713, or 323-794-2093 if dialing internationally. The presentation will additionally be broadcast live over the Internet and will be available at https://ir.belfuse.com/events-and-presentations . The webcast will be available via replay for a period of 20 days at this same Internet address. For those unable to access the live call, a telephone replay will be available at 844-512-2921, or 412-317-6671 if dialing internationally, using access code 3268259 after 2:00 p.m. ET, also for 20 days. About Bel Bel ( www.belfuse.com ) designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits. These products are primarily used in the networking, telecommunications, computing, military, aerospace, transportation and broadcasting industries. Bel's product groups include Magnetic Solutions (integrated connector modules, power transformers, power inductors and discrete components), Power Solutions and Protection (front-end, board-mount and industrial power products, module products and circuit protection), and Connectivity Solutions (expanded beam fiber optic, copper-based, RF and RJ connectors and cable assemblies). The Company operates facilities around the world. Forward-Looking Statements Non-historical information contained in this press release (such as the statements regarding future acquisitions and increased labor costs in the PRC) are (as described under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could Bel's projections. Among the factors that could cause actual results to such statements are: the market concerns facing our customers; the continuing viability of sectors that rely on our products; the effects of business and economic conditions; difficulties associated with integrating recently acquired companies; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; product development, commercialization or technological difficulties; the regulatory and trade environment; risks associated with foreign currencies; uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; the market's acceptance of the Company's new products and competitive responses to those new products; our ongoing evaluation of the consequences of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. In light of the risks and uncertainties impacting our business, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will in fact prove to be correct. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The non-GAAP measures identified in this press release as well as in the supplementary information to this press release (Non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA) are not measures of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These measures should not be considered a substitute for, and the reader should also consider, income from operations, net earnings, earnings per share and other measures of performance as defined by GAAP as indicators of our performance or profitability. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other similarly-titled captions of other companies due to differences in the method of calculation. We present results adjusted to exclude the effects of certain unusual or special items and their related tax impact that would otherwise be included under U.S. GAAP, to aid in comparisons with other periods. We may use Non-GAAP financial measures to determine performance-based compensation and management believes that this information may be useful to investors. Website Information We routinely post important information for investors on our website, www.belfuse.com , in the "Investor Relations" section. We use our website as a means of disclosing material, otherwise non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document. [Financial tables follow] Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information (1) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) Three 2018 2017 (Revised) Net sales $ 118,251 $ 113,668 Cost of sales 97,118 90,305 Gross profit 21,133 23,363 As a % of net sales 17.9 % 20.6 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 20,692 20,975 As a % of net sales 17.5 % 18.5 % Restructuring charges 4 33 Income from operations 437 2,355 As a % of net sales 0.4 % 2.1 % Interest expense (1,177 ) (1,424 ) Other income/expense, net (238 ) (208 ) (Loss) earnings before benefit for income taxes (978 ) 723 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (3) 325 (23 ) Effective tax rate -33.2% -3.2% Net (loss) earnings $ (1,303 ) $ 746 As a % of net sales -1.1% 0.7 % Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Class A common shares - basic and diluted 2,175 2,175 Class B common shares - basic and diluted 9,856 9,845 Net (loss) earnings per common share: Class A common shares - basic and diluted $ (0.11 ) $ 0.05 Class B common shares - basic and diluted $ (0.11 ) $ 0.06 (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2018 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (2) The statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflects immaterial reclassifications related to the retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance related to presentation of pension costs within the statement of operations. There was no impact on net earnings in connection with the adoption of this guidance. Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information (1) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, unaudited) March 31, December 31, 2018 2017 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 66,852 $ 69,354 Accounts receivable, net 76,787 78,808 Inventories 102,693 107,719 Other current assets 23,647 10,218 Total current assets 269,979 266,099 Property, plant and equipment, net 43,322 43,495 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 88,705 89,543 Other assets 33,388 32,128 Total assets $ 435,394 $ 431,265 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 48,169 $ 47,947 Current portion of long-term debt 2,642 2,641 Other current liabilities 35,073 36,712 Total current liabilities 85,884 87,300 Long-term debt 119,390 120,053 Other liabilities 65,945 65,952 Total liabilities 271,219 273,305 Stockholders' equity 164,175 157,960 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 435,394 $ 431,265 (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2018 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bel Fuse Inc. Supplementary Information (1) Reconciliation of GAAP Net Earnings to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (2) (in thousands, unaudited) Three 2018 2017 GAAP Net (loss) earnings $ (1,303 ) $ 746 Interest expense 1,177 1,424 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 325 (23 ) Depreciation and amortization 4,776 5,227 EBITDA $ 4,975 $ 7,374 % of net sales 4.2 % 6.5 % Unusual or special items: ERP system implementation consulting costs 323 449 Restructuring charges 4 33 Adjusted EBITDA $ 5,302 $ 7,856 % of net sales 4.5 % 6.9 % (1) The supplementary information included in this press release for 2018 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (2) In this press release and supplemental information, we have included Non-GAAP financial measures, including Non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. We present results adjusted to exclude the effects of certain specified items and their related tax impact that would otherwise be included under GAAP, to aid in comparisons with other periods. We may use Non-GAAP financial measures to determine performance-based compensation and management believes that this information may be useful to investors. The following tables detail the impact of certain unusual or non-recurring items had on the Company's net earnings per common Class A and Class B basic and diluted shares ("EPS") and the line items these items were included on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Three 2018 Three 2017 Reconciling Items (Loss) earnings before taxes Provision for income taxes Net (loss) earnings Class A EPS Class B EPS Earnings before taxes Benefit from income taxes Net earnings Class A EPS Class B EPS GAAP measures $ (978 ) $ 325 $ (1,303 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.11 ) $ 723 $ (23 ) $ 746 $ 0.05 $ 0.06 Items included in SG&A expenses: ERP system implementation consulting costs 323 61 262 0.02 0.02 449 140 309 0.02 0.03 Restructuring charges 4 1 3 - - 33 (2 ) 35 - - Non-GAAP measures $ (651 ) $ 387 $ (1,038 ) $ (0.09 ) $ (0.09 ) $ 1,205 $ 115 $ 1,090 $ 0.07 $ 0.09 Investor Contact: Darrow Associates tel 516.419.9915 [email protected] Company Contact: Daniel Bernstein President [email protected] Source:Bel Fuse Inc.

Bel First Quarter Results

THOOTHUKUDI/MUMBAI India (Reuters) - One person died and others were wounded by gunfire in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday in fresh violence related to protesters’ demands that a copper smelter be shut on environmental grounds. The day before at least ten people were killed by police during a mass demonstration against the plant. A bus on fire is seen during a protest against the construction of a copper smelter by Vedanta Resources, in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India in this still image from May 23, 2018 video footage. ANI via REUTERS TV As the struggle continued on the streets of the port city of Thoothukudi, located at the tip of the subcontinent in Tamil Nadu, an Indian court ordered a halt, at least for a few months, to plans to double the size of the plant. The Vedanta Resources-run smelter is already one of the two biggest in the country. The Madras High Court told authorities to hold a “mandatory” public hearing over Vedanta’s application for environmental clearance and said a decision on environmental approval would be looked into by “appropriate authorities”. “One person was brought dead today, and up to eight cases of injuries due to gun shot are undergoing treatment,” said a doctor in charge of the casualty ward at Thoothukudi government hospital. It was not immediately clear if the dead person and the injured were protesters who had been shot by police. Two policemen were also injured, doctors at the hospital said, adding that all injured were stable. There had been instances of sporadic violence earlier on Wednesday, officials said. “The situation is tense, but under control,” said an official at the Thoothukudi police control room, who did not wish to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. Multiple doctors working in the casualty and accident ward alleged that stones were pelted at the medical team, and a senior doctor was manhandled. They blamed protesters. Shops and ATMs were shut and vehicles stayed off the roads on Wednesday amid patrolling by police vans. Charred vehicles could still be seen on the deserted roads with hundreds of policemen stationed outside the government hospital. The city’s Eral Bazaar, which is usually bustling with economic activity on a regular day, was almost deserted late evening. PETITIONED THE COURT The plan by the London-listed firm to double the capacity of the smelter to 800,000 tonnes ignited the demonstrations and prompted activists to petition the court to intervene. Police try to remove people protesting against the construction of a copper smelter by Vedanta Resources from the road, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India in this still image from May 23, 2018 video footage. ANI via REUTERS TV “Vedanta shall cease construction and all other activities on-site proposed Unit-II of the Copper Smelting Plant at Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) with immediate effect,” the order from the Madras high court said. The plant has already been shut for more than 50 days and will remain closed until at least June 6 because the local pollution regulator has said the facility is not complying with environmental rules. Residents of the city and activists say emissions from the smelter are polluting the air and the water, affecting the health of residents and pose a risk to fisheries. “Truth and reasoning have prevailed,” said Fatima Babu, who had petitioned the court. On Tuesday, protesters set vehicles on fire and threw stones at police as they stormed the district government headquarters and an apartment block for Vedanta employees, the police and a company official said. Police said they opened fire to control the situation. Vedanta says the protests were based on “false allegations”. “We are shocked and saddened to hear about the incident and we are working with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of our employees, facilities and the surrounding community,” said Kuldip Kaura, CEO of Vedanta Resources during a call with reporters. A Vedanta official said a majority of the employees from the copper smelter have been moved out of Thoothukudi to keep them safe. Vedanta shares were down 7.3 percent in London trading as of 1300 GMT. “Copper contributes almost 7-8 percent to the consolidated operating profit and as much as 30 rupees (44 cents) to the share price, therefore it definitely hurts the company’s numbers,” said Goutam Chakraborty, analyst with Emkay Global. Slideshow (8 Images) The shutdown of the smelter could lead to higher imports of copper into the country and benefit rival Hindalco Industries Ltd , said securities analysts. India consumes close to 1.5 million tonnes of copper a year, of which almost 50 percent in imported into the country. Vedanta and Hindalco provide almost all of the rest between them. Additional reporting by Derek Deepak Francis, Justin George Varghese and Arnab Paul in Bengaluru; Editing by Martin Howell

Vedanta hits over 10-month low as protests against copper plant in Tamil Nadu turn violent

May 1 (Reuters) - Tencent Holdings Ltd: * HUYA INC SAYS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED THAT IPO PRICE OF 15 MILLION ADS WILL BE BETWEEN $10.00 PER ADS AND $12.00 PER ADS - SEC FILING Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Huya Expects IPO Of 15 Mln ADS To be Priced Between $10-$12/ADS

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sesen Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: SESN), a late-stage clinical company developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugate therapies for the treatment of cancer, today announced that it intends to offer and sell, subject to market conditions, shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. All of the shares to be sold in the offering will be offered by Sesen Bio. The offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. In addition, Sesen Bio intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15 percent of shares of its common stock offered in the public offering. Sesen Bio intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for the clinical development of Vicinium™ for the treatment of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and the development of commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities for Vicinium for the treatment of high-grade NMIBC by Sesen Bio’s third-party contract manufacturer (including the technology transfer to support such efforts), and general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures and funding Sesen Bio’s working capital needs. Jefferies and Canaccord Genuity are acting as joint book-running managers for the proposed offering. A shelf registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and became effective on March 20, 2015. The offering is being made only by means of a written prospectus and a preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering that form a part of the registration statement, which will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained, when available, by contacting Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (877) 821-7388; or by contacting Canaccord Genuity LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, 99 High Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, or by telephone at (617) 371-3900. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Sesen Bio Sesen Bio, Inc. is a late-stage clinical company advancing next-generation antibody-drug conjugate therapies for the treatment of cancer based on the company’s Targeted Protein Therapeutics platform. The company’s lead program, Vicinium™, also known as VB4-845, is currently in a Phase 3 registration trial, the VISTA Trial, for the treatment of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Vicinium incorporates a tumor-targeting antibody fragment and a protein cytotoxic payload into a single protein molecule designed to selectively and effectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, the Company’s strategy, future operations, and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks and uncertainties associated with market conditions and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed offering and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to this Offering and of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180530006364/en/ THRUST Strategic Communications Monique Allaire, 617-895-9511 [email protected] or Alicia Davis, 910-620-3302 [email protected] Source: Sesen Bio, Inc.

Sesen Bio Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock

The Kilauea volcano erupted Thursday on Hawaii’s Big Island, prompting local authorities to issue mandatory evacuations for more than 1,500 residents as an active lava flow threatened homes. The eruption began shortly before 5 p.m. local time after earthquakes shook the island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Gov. David Ige mobilized...

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Shoots Lava Into the Sky; Evacuations Ordered

May 25 (Reuters) - ESOTIQ & HENDERSON SA: * REPORTED ON THURSDAY Q1 NET PROFIT OF 0.2 MILLION ZLOTYS VERSUS LOSS OF 1.0 MILLION ZLOTYS YEAR AGO * Q1 REVENUE 33.7 MILLION ZLOTYS VERSUS 37.7 MILLION ZLOTYS YEAR AGO Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Gdynia Newsroom)

BRIEF-Esotiq & Henderson Q1 Net Result Turns To Profit Of 0.2 Mln Zlotys

PHOENIX, May 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cavco Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:CVCO) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. On April 3, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Lexington Homes, Inc., which operates a manufactured housing plant in Lexington, Mississippi. Since the acquisition date, the results from this new business are included in Cavco's consolidated financial statements presented herein. Three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended April 1, 2017 Net revenue was $242.5 million, up 22.5% from $198.0 million. The increase was the result of higher home prices and sales volume. The Company recognized $14.8 million of home sales revenue and $1.8 million of income from operations from early commercial loan payoffs received under Cavco's wholesale lending programs. This revenue was previously deferred in prior periods in the normal course of business. Income before income taxes was $30.7 million, an 86.1% increase over $16.5 million. Current quarter results include $4.5 million of other income from gains realized in the sale of corporate investments. Income tax expense was $8.6 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 27.9% compared to $5.6 million and an effective tax rate of 33.9%. Net income was $22.1 million compared to $10.9 million, a 102.8% increase. Net income per share , based on basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, was $2.45 and $2.40, respectively, versus $1.21 and $1.19, respectively. Twelve months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the twelve months ended April 1, 2017 Net revenue was $871.2 million, 12.6% higher than $773.8 million. The increase was primarily from a larger proportion of higher priced homes sold and improved home sales volume. Income before income taxes increased 42.0% to $78.5 million as compared to $55.3 million. In addition to the investment gain described above, the improvement was from increased home sales volume and pricing, a $3.4 million favorable dispute settlement resolution in the third fiscal quarter and improved earnings in the financial services segment. Income tax expense was $17.0 million, creating an effective tax rate of 21.7% compared to income tax expense of $17.3 million and an effective rate of 31.3%. The current fiscal year benefited from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which made broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code. In connection with lower federal income tax liability related to the Tax Act and requisite revaluation of the net deferred income tax balance, the Company recorded a net income tax benefit of $4.8 million (or $0.52 per diluted share). Additionally, the Company recognized benefits of $2.1 million (or $0.23 per diluted share) from the current year adoption of accounting standards that required excess tax benefits on stock option exercises to be recorded as a reduction of income tax expense instead of equity as was previously required. Net income was $61.5 million, up 61.8% from net income of $38.0 million. Net income per share , based on basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, was $6.82 and $6.68, respectively, versus basic and diluted net income per share of $4.23 and $4.17, respectively. Commenting on the results, Joseph Stegmayer, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "We were pleased to complete the fiscal year with improved income from operations and growth in product sales. Fourth quarter gross profit as a percentage of revenue improved from home sales prices gradually increasing throughout the year to address rapidly rising material and labor input costs. Still, we work to keep prices competitive and affordable through efficient factory production processes and cost controls. We are also focused on improving production workforce size and productivity to raise home building levels further." Mr. Stegmayer continued, "Fiscal year 2019 begins with optimism about demand for housing as home ownership rates, currently at a low 64.2%, are reported to be trending higher. With housing prices and rental rates also on the rise, we believe systems-built housing will be an increasingly sought after option for affordable living." Cavco’s management will hold a conference call to review these results tomorrow, May 30, 2018, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time). Interested parties can access a live webcast of the conference call on the Internet at www.cavco.com under the Investor Relations link. An archive of the webcast and presentation will be available for 90 days at www.cavco.com under the Investor Relations link. Cavco Industries, Inc., headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, designs and produces factory-built housing products primarily distributed through a network of independent and Company-owned retailers. The Company is one of the largest producers of manufactured homes in the United States, based on reported wholesale shipments, marketed under a variety of brand names including Cavco Homes, Fleetwood Homes, Palm Harbor Homes, Fairmont Homes, Friendship Homes, Chariot Eagle and Lexington Homes. The Company is also a leading producer of park model RVs, vacation cabins, and systems-built commercial structures, as well as modular homes built primarily under the Nationwide Homes brand. Cavco’s mortgage subsidiary, CountryPlace Mortgage, is an approved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seller/servicer, a Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities issuer that offers conforming mortgages, non-conforming mortgages and home-only loans to purchasers of factory-built homes. Our insurance subsidiary, Standard Casualty, provides property and casualty insurance to owners of manufactured homes. Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In general, all statements that are not historical in nature are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are typically included, for example, in discussions regarding the manufactured housing and site-built housing industries; our financial performance and operating results; and the expected effect of certain risks and uncertainties on our business, financial condition and results of operations. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. As a result, our actual results or performance may differ materially from anticipated results or performance. Factors that could cause such differences to occur include, but are not limited to: adverse industry conditions; our ability to successfully integrate past acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of Lexington Homes, and any future acquisition or the ability to attain the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; the risk that any past or future acquisition may adversely impact our liquidity; involvement in vertically integrated lines of business, including manufactured housing consumer finance, commercial finance and insurance; a constrained consumer financing market; curtailment of available financing for retailers in the manufactured housing industry; our participation in certain wholesale and retail financing programs for the purchase of our products by industry distributors and consumers may expose us to additional risk of credit loss; significant warranty and construction defect claims; our contingent repurchase obligations related to wholesale financing; market forces and housing demand fluctuations; net losses were incurred in certain prior periods and there can be no assurance that we will generate income in the future; a write-off of all or part of our goodwill; the cyclical and seasonal nature of our business; limitations on our ability to raise capital; competition; our ability to maintain relationships with independent distributors; our business and operations being concentrated in certain geographic regions; labor shortages; pricing and availability of raw materials; unfavorable zoning ordinances; loss of any of our executive officers; organizational document provisions delaying or making a change in control more difficult; volatility of stock price; general deterioration in economic conditions and continued turmoil in the credit markets; increased costs of healthcare benefits for employees; governmental and regulatory disruption; information technology failures and data security breaches; extensive regulation affecting manufactured housing; together with all of the other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are specifically referred to the Risk Factors described in Item 1A of the 2017 Form 10-K, as may be amended from time to time, which identify important risks that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Cavco expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors should not place any reliance on any such forward-looking statements. CAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 ASSETS (Unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 186,766 $ 132,542 Restricted cash, current 11,228 11,573 Accounts receivable, net 35,043 29,448 Short-term investments 11,866 11,289 Current portion of consumer loans receivable, net 31,096 31,115 Current portion of commercial loans receivable, net 5,481 7,932 Inventories 109,152 93,855 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 27,961 29,806 Deferred income taxes, current — 9,204 Total current assets 418,593 356,764 Restricted cash 1,264 724 Investments 33,573 30,256 Consumer loans receivable, net 63,855 64,686 Commercial loans receivable, net 11,120 17,901 Property, plant and equipment, net 63,355 56,964 Goodwill and other intangibles, net 83,020 80,021 Total assets $ 674,780 $ 607,316 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 23,785 $ 24,010 Accrued liabilities 126,500 109,789 Current portion of securitized financings and other 26,044 6,417 Total current liabilities 176,329 140,216 Securitized financings and other 33,768 51,574 Deferred income taxes 7,577 21,118 Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; No shares issued or outstanding — — Common stock, $.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; Outstanding 9,044,858 and 8,994,968 shares, respectively 90 90 Additional paid-in capital 246,197 244,791 Retained earnings 209,381 148,141 Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,438 1,386 Total stockholders’ equity 457,106 394,408 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 674,780 $ 607,316 CAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 Net revenue $ 242,529 $ 197,998 $ 871,235 $ 773,797 Cost of sales 188,225 155,864 690,555 615,760 Gross profit 54,304 42,134 180,680 158,037 Selling, general and administrative expenses 28,404 25,112 106,907 101,231 Income from operations 25,900 17,022 73,773 56,806 Interest expense (1,092 ) (1,059 ) (4,397 ) (4,443 ) Other income, net 5,896 511 9,147 2,918 Income before income taxes 30,704 16,474 78,523 55,281 Income tax expense (8,564 ) (5,586 ) (17,021 ) (17,326 ) Net income $ 22,140 $ 10,888 $ 61,502 $ 37,955 Net income per share: Basic $ 2.45 $ 1.21 $ 6.82 $ 4.23 Diluted $ 2.40 $ 1.19 $ 6.68 $ 4.17 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 9,039,815 8,994,233 9,024,437 8,976,064 Diluted 9,240,296 9,122,235 9,201,706 9,105,743 CAVCO INDUSTRIES, INC. OTHER OPERATING DATA (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 March 31, 2018 April 1, 2017 Net revenue: Factory-built housing $ 228,074 $ 184,458 $ 815,519 $ 720,971 Financial services 14,455 13,540 55,716 52,826 Total net revenue $ 242,529 $ 197,998 $ 871,235 $ 773,797 Capital expenditures $ 5,361 $ 952 $ 8,386 $ 5,295 Depreciation $ 959 $ 833 $ 3,658 $ 3,319 Amortization of other intangibles $ 92 $ 92 $ 368 $ 368 Total factory-built homes sold 4,063 3,697 14,537 13,820 For additional information, contact: Dan Urness CFO and Treasurer [email protected] Phone: 602-256-6263 On the Internet: www.cavco.com Source:Cavco Industries, Inc.

Cavco Industries Reports Fiscal 2018 Fourth and Year End

May 17, 2018 / 10:45 AM / Updated an hour ago Netanyahu does 'chicken dance' with Israeli Eurovision winner Reuters Staff 1 Min Read JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t resist doing the “chicken dance” with Netta Barzilai when the Eurovision song contest winner visited the Israeli leader and his wife, Sara, in his official residence. “What fun to meet Netta Barzilai in Jerusalem!,” Netanyahu tweeted after the meeting on Wednesday. “We all love you. You brought great honour to our country.” A video clip he posted on Twitter showed a beaming Netanyahu flapping his arms with Barzilai as they did her trademark moves. Wearing a Japanese-style kimono and geisha hairdo, the 25-year-old Israeli singer won the glitzy Eurovision pageant, watched by more than 200 million people around the world, in Lisbon on Saturday. [L2N1SK00H] Her song, “I’m Not Your Toy”, has a woman’s empowerment twist, and it began with Barzilai mimicking chicken clucking. Thousands of her Israeli fans took to the streets of Tel Aviv to celebrate after her victory, and Israel will host the song contest next year. Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Alison Williams

Netanyahu does 'chicken dance' with Israeli Eurovision winner

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) today announced 30-year retail veteran Doug Howe has been named the company’s chief merchandising officer. In this role, Howe will be responsible for Kohl’s overall merchandise strategy and all merchandising functions, including buying, planning, product design and development, sourcing, and merchandising transformation efforts. He will continue to drive the company’s key strategies of cultivating a strong portfolio of national and proprietary brands, accelerating speed to market, and delivering strong inventory management. Howe will report directly to CEO-elect Michelle Gass. “Doug is a proven merchant and a visionary leader with a strong track record of driving growth through compelling products, brands, and customer experiences,” said Gass. “He brings a unique combination of skills given his extensive background in working across digital retail channels, department stores, and mass retailers.” “I am impressed by Doug’s collaborative leadership style and his passion for developing talent,” Gass continued. “He has a deep respect for Kohl’s and the journey we are on, and I am confident that he will bring great value to our thinking and our plans for the future.” “I’m very excited to join Kohl’s – a company I’ve admired for many years,” said Howe. “Specifically, I’m motivated by the unwavering focus placed on product, and the importance of providing customers with quality brands at compelling values. As Kohl’s continues to transform, the future looks very bright, and the evolution in recent years is exciting and inspiring as they are standing out in the industry.” Prior to joining Kohl’s, Howe was Global Chief Merchandising Officer at the Qurate Retail Group, leading QVC’s and HSN’s product leadership agenda by identifying emerging trends and white spaces for growth, developing category strategies, and attracting top vendors and providing product services to the Group’s businesses. Prior to being named Chief Merchandising Officer for Qurate Retail Group, he led QVC’s Merchandising efforts for ten years and played an instrumental role in the growth of QVC’s fashion business and development of the company’s proprietary businesses. Prior to QVC, Howe held leadership roles with Gap Inc. in product design and development. He also held various merchandising leadership roles at Walmart, including SVP of Strategy, Design and Development. Howe started his retail career at May Department Stores, where he held several successive positions in the merchandise division, including Senior Vice President & GMM. Howe earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Creighton University. About Kohl’s Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer with more than 1,100 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, Kohl’s offers amazing national and proprietary brands, incredible savings and an easy shopping experience in our stores, online at Kohls.com and on Kohl's mobile app. Throughout its history, Kohl's has given more than $650 million to support communities nationwide. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit Kohls.com . For more information about Kohl’s impact in the community or how to join our winning team, visit Corporate.Kohls.com or follow @KohlsNews on Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180502005324/en/ Kohl's Corporation Jen Johnson, 262-703-5241 [email protected] or Julia Fennelly, 262-703-1710 [email protected] Source: Kohl’s Corporation

Kohl’s Names Doug Howe Chief Merchandising Officer

May 25 (Reuters) - For other diaries, please see: Top Economic Events Emerging Markets Economic Events Government Debt Auctions Political and General News U.S. Federal Reserve Today in Washington - This Diary is filed daily. ** Indicates new events - MONDAY, MAY 28 JERUSALEM - Bank of Israel announces interest rate decision - 1300GMT TUESDAY, MAY 29 ** LIMA - Peru finance minister David Tuesta and central bank president Julio Velarde will deliver presentations at separate economic events. WARSAW - National Bank of Poland holds Monetary Policy Council Meeting (No interest rate announcement). WEDNESDAY, MAY 30 YEREVAN - Armenian central bank to publish inflation report. SANTO DOMINGO - Central Bank of the Dominican Republic publishes the monetary policy report. THURSDAY, MAY 31 ** KIEV - Swedish central bank deputy governor, Cecilia Skingsley participates in a panel call at the conference of “Interaction of fiscal and monetary policies” organized by the Central Bank of Ukraine – 1130 GMT. SUVA - Reserve Bank of Fiji holds board meeting to announce interest rates. MEXICO CITY - Mexico Central Bank issues the minutes of its monetary policy meeting. MONDAY, JUNE 4 ASTANA - National Bank of Kazakhstan releases monetary policy statements – 1100 GMT. TUESDAY, JUNE 5 MELBOURNE, Australia - Panel participation by Michele Bullock, RBA assistant governor (financial system), at the Melbourne Business School - Competition in Banking conference, Melbourne – 2300 GMT. KOKOPO, Papua New Guinea – APEC Second Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting (to June 8). CHISINAU - National Bank of Moldova announces interest rate decision. WARSAW - National Bank of Poland holds Monetary Policy Council Meeting (to June 6). SYDNEY - Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) holds interest rate meeting – 0430 GMT. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6 BUDAPEST - Hungarian Central Bank to publish the minutes of its May 2018 rate-setting meeting – 1200 GMT. MUMBAI - Reserve Bank of India holds Monetary Policy Committee Meeting. THURSDAY, JUNE 7 ANKARA - Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey holds monetary policy meeting. LIMA - Central Bank of Peru announces interest rate decision. BELGRADE - National Bank of Serbia interest rate decision. TUESDAY, JUNE 12 BUENOS AIRES - Central Bank of Argentina releases monetary policy statement. SANTIAGO - Central Bank of Chile holds monetary policy meeting (to June 13). WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 MELBOURNE, Australia - Speech by Philip Lowe, RBA Governor, at the Australian Industry Group event, Melbourne – 0200 GMT. ZAGREB - Croatia National Bank holds monetary policy meeting. TBILISI - National Bank of Georgia holds monetary policy meeting. WINDHOEK - Central Bank of Namibia holds monetary policy meeting. THURSDAY, JUNE 14 BISHKEK - Bank of Lithuania holds monetary policy meeting of the ECB Governing Council. ANKARA - Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey releases minutes of its June monetary policy committee meeting. KAMPALA - Bank of Uganda announces interest rate decision FRIDAY, JUNE 15 SYDNEY - Speech by Luci Ellis, RBA assistant governor (economic), at the Infrastructure Partnerships event, Sydney - 0332 GMT. MOSCOW - Central Bank of Russia announces interest rate decision – 1030 GMT. TUESDAY, JUNE 19 GABORONE - Bank of Botswana Monetary Policy Committee Meeting. SYDNEY - Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will release the minutes of June monetary policy meeting – 0130 GMT. WARSAW - National Bank of Poland holds Monetary Policy Council Meeting (no interest rate announcement). BRASILIA - Central Bank of Brazil holds Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (to June 20). BUDAPEST - Hungarian Central Bank holds its rate-setting meeting – 1200 GMT. RABAT - Bank of Morocco holds monetary policy meeting. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 BANGKOK - Bank of Thailand monetary policy committee meeting THURSDAY, JUNE 21 MEXICO CITY - Central Bank of Mexico publishes monetary policy statement. WARSAW - National Bank of Poland release the minutes of its monitory policy meeting. MANILA - Philippines Central Bank holds Monetary Policy Meeting. FRIDAY, JUNE 22 ULAANBAATAR - Central Bank of Mongolia holds Monetary Policy Committee Meeting. MONDAY, JUNE 25 BISHKEK - National Bank of the Kyrgyzstan holds board meetings on monetary policy rate. TUESDAY, JUNE 26 SYDNEY - Speech by Tony Richards, RBA head of payments policy, at the Australian Business Economists (ABE) event on cryptocurrencies. BUENOS AIRES - Central Bank of Argentina releases monetary policy statement. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 BISHKEK - Bank of Lithuania holds non-monetary policy meeting of the ECB Governing Council. LILONGWE - Reserve Bank of Malawi monetary policy committee meeting (to June 28). KINGSTON - Bank of Jamaica holds interest rate announcement and monetary policy report. BEIRUT - Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh and other government officials and business leaders from the country and the region participate in the annual Euromoney Lebanon Conference 2018. PRAGUE - Czech National Bank holds monetary policy meeting. Statement and presentation will be published – 1100 GMT. JAKARTA - Indonesia Central Bank holds Board of Governors Meeting. (to June 28). THURSDAY, JUNE 28 CAIRO - Central Bank of Egypt holds monetary policy committee meeting. JAKARTA - Indonesia Central Bank holds board of governors meeting. SUVA - Reserve Bank of Fiji holds board meets to announce interest rates. FRIDAY, JUNE 29 COLOMBO – Central bank of Sri Lanka announces monetary policy report. SANTO DOMINGO - Central Bank of the Dominican Republic publishes the monetary policy report. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 ** BUDAPEST - Hungarian Central Bank to publish the minutes of its June 2018 rate-setting meeting – 1200 GMT. THURSDAY, JULY 5 ** MEXICO CITY - Mexico Central Bank issues the minutes of its monetary policy meeting. MONDAY, JULY 9 ** ASTANA - National Bank of Kazakhstan releases monetary policy statements – 1100 GMT. MONDAY, JULY 9 ** JERUSALEM - Bank of Israel announces interest rate decision. TUESDAY, JULY 10 ** WARSAW - National Bank of Poland holds monetary policy council meeting (to July 11). ** BUENOS AIRES - Central Bank of Argentina releases monetary policy statement. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 ** KUALA LUMPUR - Central Bank of Malaysia announces interest rate decision. ** ZAGREB - Croatia National Bank holds monetary policy meeting. THURSDAY, JULY 12 ** SEOUL - Bank of Korea holds monetary policy meeting to announce interest rates. ** KIEV - National Bank of Ukraine holds monetary policy meeting. ** LIMA - Central Bank of Peru announces interest rate decision. FRIDAY, JULY 13 ** PRAGUE - Czech National Bank will release the minutes of its June 2018 monetary policy meeting. TUESDAY, JULY 17 ** CAPE TOWN - South Africa Reserve Bank starts its three day monetary policy committee meeting (to July 19). WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 ** JAKARTA - Indonesia Central Bank holds board of governors meeting (to July 19). THURSDAY, JULY 19 ** BUENOS AIRES - Central Bank of Argentina holds press conference on monetary policy report. MONDAY, JULY 23 ** ABUJA - Central Bank of Nigeria holds monetary policy meeting (to July. 24). TUESDAY, JULY 24 ** ANKARA - Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey holds monetary policy meeting. ** BUDAPEST - Hungarian Central Bank holds its rate-setting meeting - 1200 GMT. ** BUENOS AIRES - Central Bank of Argentina releases monetary policy statement. WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 ** TBILISI - National Bank of Georgia holds monetary policy committee meeting. ** DUSHANBE - National Bank of Tajikistan holds monetary policy committee meeting. THURSDAY, JULY 26 ** CHISINAU - National Bank of Moldova announces interest rate decision. ** SUVA - Reserve Bank of Fiji holds board meets to announce interest rates. FRIDAY, JULY 27 ** MOSCOW - Central Bank of Russia announces interest rate decision - 1030 GMT. TUESDAY, JULY 31 ** ANKARA - Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey releases minutes of its July monetary policy committee meeting. ** BRASILIA- Central Bank of Brazil holds monetary policy committee meeting (to August 1).

DIARY-Emerging Markets Economic Events to July 31

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration doesn’t intend to give any special treatment or outreach to California while it drafts new federal rules on vehicle emissions, according to people familiar with the matter. Mr. Trump had suggested last week that his team would work on a deal with the state, and past federal overhauls have included advanced collaboration with California, which has unique power to police vehicle pollution. But Mr. Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency is sticking with a plan to finalize its proposal before... To Read the Full Story Subscribe Sign In

Trump Administration Won’t Consult California on Vehicle Emissions Rules

May 15, 2018 / 5:21 AM / Updated 12 minutes ago Allianz first quarter profit up 6.8 percent on investments, lower taxes Reuters Staff 2 Min Read BERLIN (Reuters) - The German insurer Allianz ( ALVG.DE ) said it was on track to meet its 2018 goals as it posted a forecast-beating 6.8 percent rise in first quarter net profit, lifted by higher investment results and lower tax rates. The logo of insurer Allianz SE is seen on the company building in Puteaux at the financial and business district of La Defense near Paris, outside Paris, France, May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau Net profit of 1.939 billion euros (1.7 billion pounds) was better than the 1.787 billion euros forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll and above the 1.816 billion euros earned during the same period last year. Allianz and the insurance industry is bouncing back from a difficult 2017 that was marked by a spate of natural disasters in North America which resulted in record payouts to customers. “This good performance puts Allianz on track to meet its 2018 yearly targets,” said Oliver Baete, chief executive officer of Allianz. Baete said last week operating profit would be similar to the 11.1 billion euros the insurer posted in 2017, or possibly 500 million euros more or less than that. He also said that Allianz was cautious in its outlook given global economic uncertainties and the strong euro. The combined ratio, a measure of profitability, improved in the first quarter by 0.8 percentage point to 94.8 percent. Allianz also said that lower restructuring costs helped its bottom line in the quarter. Reporting by Tom Sims; Editing by Edward Taylor

Allianz first quarter profit up 6.8 percent on investments, lower taxes

NICOSIA (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran on Tuesday of deploying “very dangerous weapons” in Syria as part of a campaign to threaten Israel. FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, May 6, 2018. Jim Hollander/Pool via Reuters Iran, “openly calls, daily, for the destruction, the elimination of Israel from the face of the earth and practices unmitigated aggression against us,” Netanyahu told reporters during a visit to Cyprus. “It is now seeking to plant very dangerous weapons in Syria … for the specific purpose of our destruction.” Reporting by Michele Kambas, Editing by Dan Williams

Netanyahu says Iran deploying arms in Syria to threaten Israel

Regarding Stephen Budiansky’s review of “Fair Chase” by Philip Dray (Books, April 28): It figures that someone who writes a hunting book, but also admits he is “ethically opposed to any human use of animals” would get even the most basic elements of terminology wrong. Mr. Dray believes a “Fudd” is what some hunters call other hunters who don’t use military-style hardware in the field. Nothing could be further from the truth. Almost no hunter would ever deride another for their personal choice of a lawful firearm. For the 40 years I’ve been hunting, a “Fudd” was someone who was so old school that they didn’t abide by the...

Prejudice Blinds an Author About Sport Hunting Terms

May 14, 2018 / 4:24 AM / Updated 11 minutes ago Newcastle owner Ashley eager for Benitez to stay Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is keen for manager Rafa Benitez to stay at the Premier League club, with the English businessman promising investment in the squad ahead of the next campaign. Britain Soccer Football - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Sky Bet Championship - Molineux - 11/2/17 Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Ed Sykes Livepic Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss Benitez, who took charge of Newcastle in 2016, helped the club secure a 10th-placed league finish this season, ending the campaign with a thumping 3-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday. The Spaniard, who has a year left on his contract, has been critical of Newcastle’s poor transfer dealings throughout the season. “Rafa, as always, has my full support, and contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him,” Ashley said on Newcastle’s website. “I hope very much that Rafa will remain at Newcastle United.” Ashley previously promised investment at the end of the 2016-17 campaign after Newcastle won promotion from the Championship but the funds did not materialise, leading Benitez to deal with a thin squad throughout the season. Bengaluru

Newcastle owner Ashley eager for Benitez to stay

May 25, 2018 / 7:21 PM / Updated 42 minutes ago Dozens of Palestinians injured by Israeli gunfire, tear gas in Gaza border protests Nidal al-Mughrabi 3 Min Read GAZA BORDER (Reuters) - Dozens of Palestinians demonstrating at the Gaza border were injured by Israeli gunfire and tear gas on Friday, as the latest round of protests drew several thousand participants to the frontier. Dubbed the March of Return, the protests were launched on March 30 to demand the right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to family lands or homes lost to Israel during its founding in a 1948 war. Protests along the border reached a peak on May 14 when Gaza medical sources said at least 60 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire. The violence has tapered off since but there are still sporadic flare-ups. Since the border protests began, 113 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, Gaza medical officials said. Most of the participants on Friday kept their distance and remained about 800 metres from the fence. Dozens of youths, however, advanced to around 300 meters distance and burned tyres at one protest spot. East of Gaza City some youths came right up to the fence and tried to pull it apart. Israeli troops fired tear gas and live rounds. Soldiers also fired at kites with flaming tails to try to bring them down before they landed in Israeli farmland and set crops alight. Gaza health ministry officials said at least 109 protesters were hurt. Medics said at least 10 were wounded by live rounds. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and the group’s Gaza leader, Yehya Al-Sinwar, joined separate protest encampments raising cheers from the assembled crowds. “The marches of return are not over. They may be smaller but we are continuing,” said Ali, a participant who masked his face with his t-shirt at a protest east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Protesters dispersed as dusk fell to prepare to break their daytime fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Gaza has been controlled since 2007 by the Islamist group Hamas. Israel and Egypt, citing security concerns, maintain a de facto blockade on Gaza, which has reduced its economy to a state of collapse. Israel has blamed Hamas for provoking the violence. “They’re pushing civilians – women, children – into the line of fire with a view of getting casualties. We try to minimize casualties. They’re trying to incur casualties in order to put pressure on Israel, which is horrible,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS News last week. Salah al-Bardaweel, a Hamas official in Gaza, told a Palestinian television channel that the majority of those killed on May 14 were Hamas members. Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Writing by Ori Lewis; CATEGORY: WORLD

Dozens of Palestinians injured by Israeli gunfire, tear gas in Gaza border protests

CNBC International Afternoon Briefing: May 17, 2018 1 Hour Ago CNBC market reporters bring you the latest on the stock markets throughout the day as well as fast, accurate, and actionable business news.

CNBC International Afternoon Briefing

Trump mentions London knife stabbings in NRA speech 12:12am BST - 02:03 During his speech at the National Rifle Association convention in Dallas, President Donald Trump mentions knife stabbings in London and compares a hospital there to a ''military war zone'', as he vowed to protect Second Amendment rights. Rough Cut (no reporter narration). During his speech at the National Rifle Association convention in Dallas, President Donald Trump mentions knife stabbings in London and compares a hospital there to a "military war zone", as he vowed to protect Second Amendment rights. Rough Cut (no reporter narration). //reut.rs/2KEtxMo

Trump mentions London knife stabbings in NRA speech

By Natasha Bach 5:08 AM EDT Some 2,640 lucky members of the public were invited to join the royal wedding festivities from the grounds of Windsor Castle last Saturday. And as part of the deal, each of them received a gift bag with items commemorating Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle. But some of the attendees appear to not care much for the gift bags, seeing instead an opportunity to make an extra buck. At least 34 gift bag recipients have listed the goodies on eBay (ebay) so far—with prices ranging from £112 (around $150) all the way up to £10,100 (approximately $13,552). And people appear to be biting—many of the listings already have dozens of bids. The highest priced listing has received over 50 bids and is described as a “limited once in a lifetime opportunity to have a piece of royal history.” The gift bag contents include: a tote bag with the initials “HM” and the date and venue of the wedding , an order of service booklet, a commemorative fridge magnet, a gold chocolate coin, a tub of “handbag shortbread”, a postcard, a bottle of spring water, and a 20% off voucher for the Windsor Castle gift shop. Some of the hawkers have included only a selection of the items, while others are throwing in everything—including their entry tickets and wristbands from the wedding. It’s not just the gift bag recipients who are cashing in on the wedding, however. A number of eBay users have listed a PDF version of the order of service from the wedding for sale. It’s probably best to avoid bidding on that item, however; it’s available for free download from the Royal Family’s website. SPONSORED FINANCIAL CONTENT

Royal Wedding Gift Bags Are Being Auctioned On eBay | Fortune

May 3, 2018 / 5:28 AM / Updated 9 hours ago GM bets on 3D printers for cheaper and lighter car parts Nick Carey 3 Min Read DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co said on Thursday it was working with design software company Autodesk Inc to manufacture new, lightweight 3D-printed parts that could help the automaker meet its goals to add alternative-fuel vehicles to its product lineup. FILE PHOTO: The GM logo is seen at the General Motors Warren Transmission Operations Plant in Warren, Michigan, U.S., October 26, 2015. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo Last year, the company announced ambitious plans to add 20 new electric battery and fuel cell vehicles to its global lineup by 2023. Chief Executive Mary Barra has made a bold promise to investors that the Detroit automaker will make money selling electric cars by 2021. The ability to print lightweight parts could be a gamechanger for the electric vehicle industry. With consumer concerns over the limited range of electric vehicles a major obstacle to their mass adoption, making them lighter improves fuel efficiency and could help extend that range. GM executives this week showed off a 3D-printed stainless steel seat bracket developed with Autodesk technology - which uses cloud computing and artificial intelligence-based algorithms to rapidly explore multiple permutations of a part design. Using conventional technology, the part would require eight components and several suppliers. With this new system, the seat bracket consists of one part - which looks like a mix between abstract art and science fiction movie - that is 40 percent lighter and 20 percent stronger. Other manufacturers such as General Electric Co have also beefed up their use of 3D printers in manufacturing. GM rival automaker Ford Motor Co said last year it was testing lightweight 3D printing for mass production. GM has used 3D printers for prototyping for years, but Kevin Quinn, the automaker’s director of additive design and manufacturing, said within a year or so GM expects these new 3D-printed parts to appear in high-end, motorsports applications. Within five years, GM hopes to produce thousands or tens of thousands of parts at scale as the technology improves, Quinn said. “That is our panacea,” Quinn said. “That’s what we want to get to.” In the long run, Quinn said the 3D printed parts would help reduce tooling costs, cut the amount of material used, the number of suppliers needed for one part and logistics costs. The 3D-printing based manufacturing industry is working toward mass production and trying to address issues with “repeatability and robustness,” said Bob Yancey, Autodesk’s director of manufacturing. GM getting into the game “will put tremendous pressure” to make that happen, Yancey said. Reporting By Nick Carey, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien

GM bets on 3D printers for cheaper and lighter car parts

SUGAR LAND, Texas, May 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CVI) today announced a second quarter 2018 cash dividend of 75 cents per share. The increase of the quarterly dividend from 50 cents to 75 cents per share each quarter, or $3.00 annually, represents an annualized increase of $1.00 per share. The dividend, as declared by CVR Energy’s Board of Directors, will be paid on Aug. 13, 2018, to stockholders of record on Aug. 6, 2018. “Increasing CVR Energy’s quarterly dividend to 75 cents a quarter, or $3.00 annually, reflects the strength of our balance sheet and the exceptional operating performance of our business segments,” said Dave Lamp, chief executive officer. “CVR Refining’s strategically located assets, coupled with flexible refining configurations and reliable operations, are well positioned to capture constructive refining market conditions, including regional crude spreads and diesel cracks. Going forward, CVR Energy will remain committed to providing outstanding value to its stockholders.” Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain 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. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “evaluate,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” or “will,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. For a discussion of risk factors which may affect our results, please see the risk factors and other disclosures included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other SEC filings. These risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. CVR Energy disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. About CVR Energy, Inc. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the petroleum refining and nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing industries through its holdings in two limited partnerships, CVR Refining, LP and CVR Partners, LP. CVR Energy subsidiaries serve as the general partner and own 66 percent of the common units of CVR Refining and 34 percent of the common units of CVR Partners. For further information, please contact: Investor Contact: Jay Finks CVR Energy, Inc. (281) 207-3588 [email protected] Media Relations: Brandee Stephens CVR Energy, Inc. (281) 207-3516 [email protected] Source:CVR Energy, Inc.

CVR Energy Announces Cash Dividend of 75 Cents Per Quarter, Raising Dividend to $3.00 Annually

Good business activity during first quarter, says BNP Paribas CFO 2 Hours Ago

Good business activity during first quarter, says BNP Paribas CFO

May 9 (Reuters) - Synaptics Inc: * SYNAPTICS REPORTS RESULTS FOR THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2018 * Q3 NON-GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.92 * Q3 GAAP LOSS PER SHARE $0.40 * Q3 REVENUE $394 MILLION VERSUS I/B/E/S VIEW $401.8 MILLION * Q3 EARNINGS PER SHARE VIEW $0.91 — THOMSON REUTERS I/B/E/S * SEES Q4 2018 REVENUE $370 MILLION TO $410 MILLION Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Synaptics Reports Q3 Loss Per Share Of $0.40

May 4 (Reuters) - Zhejiang Cheng Yi Pharmaceutical Co Ltd * Says it will pay a cash dividend of 0.42 yuan per share (before tax) for 2017 to shareholders of record on May 10 * The company’s shares will be traded ex-right and ex-dividend on May 11 and the dividend will be paid on May 11 Source text in Chinese: goo.gl/Dyvg81 Further company coverage: (Beijing Headline News)

BRIEF-Zhejiang Cheng Yi Pharmaceutical to pay cash dividend of 0.42 yuan per share

(Adds Kvitova interview news item from Sunday) PRAGUE, May 28 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Monday. ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 2 hours) ECONOMIC DATA Real-time economic data releases Summary of economic data and forecasts Recently released economic data Previous stories on Czech data **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: here #/2E/events-overview NEWS/EVENTS CENBANK: The Czech National Bank (CNB) Governor Jiri Rusnok believes the crown will return to appreciation in the coming weeks backed by economic fundamentals and lack of reasons to follow the Turkish lira or other emerging markets, he told Reuters on Friday. CEFC: Czech financial firm J&T said on Friday it had struck a deal with Chinese state conglomerate CITIC Group to settle debts owed by troubled Chinese company CEFC, ending a dispute. UNIPETROL: Refiner Unipetrol board decided not to propose a dividend for 2017 earnings. KVITOVA: Petra Kvitova said it was "great news" that a suspect had reportedly been held in custody in connection with the 2016 stabbing that left her with career-threatening injuries. INTERVIEW-KVITOVA: Seventeen months after being attacked in her home by a knife-wielding intruder, Petra Kvitova has come to accept that she may always have that "weird feeling" whenever she is out alone and that her left playing hand will never fully recover. CEE MARKETS: The crown trimmed its losses against the euro on Friday after Czech Central Bank (CNB) Governor Jiri Rusnok said its weakness may bring forward the next interest rate hike. PRESS DIGEST MOBILE: Prime Minister Andrej Babis said it was "unacceptable" to have such high mobile data costs in the Czech Republic and that competition needs to rise in the market. Babis met the head of operator O2 Czech Republic last week and will also meet the country heads of T-Mobile and Vodafone. Hospodarske Noviny, page 4 BEER: Pilsner Urquell will be one of the key export brands for owner Asahi Breweries Europe and will only be produced in its home of Plzen. Hospodarske Noviny, page 12 FLATS: The average price of existing apartments in Prague rose 11.3 percent y/y in the first quarter to 82,710 crowns per square meter. Hospodarske Noviny, page 14 (Reuters has not verified the stories, nor does it vouch for their accuracy.) ***For real-time stock market index Quote: s click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX For updates on CEE markets TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets Prague Newsroom: +420 224 190 477 E-mail: [email protected] (Reporting by Prague Newsroom)

UPDATE 1-Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on May 28

May 8 (Reuters) - Easterly Government Properties Inc : * EASTERLY GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2018 RESULTS * Q1 FFO PER SHARE $0.31 * SEES 2018 FFO PER SHARE – FULLY DILUTED BASIS $1.27 TO $1.31 * FY 2018 GUIDANCE ASSUMES $450 MILLION OF ACQUISITIONS, WEIGHTED HEAVILY TOWARDS SECOND HALF OF 2018 * QTRLY TOTAL REVENUES $36 MILLION VERSUS $29.9 MILLION * FY2018 FFO PER SHARE VIEW $1.33 — THOMSON REUTERS I/B/E/S * Q1 FFO PER SHARE VIEW $0.32 — THOMSON REUTERS I/B/E/S Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Easterly Government Properties Reports Q1 AFFO Per Share $0.26

May 2 (Reuters) - Urban One Inc: * Q1 LOSS PER SHARE $0.48 * Q1 REVENUE FELL 1.6 PERCENT TO $99.6 MILLION Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Urban One Reports Q1 Loss Per Share $0.48

FRANKFURT, May 15 (Reuters) - A consortium of western companies and Russia’s Gazprom that is due to build the controversial subsea Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany said on Tuesday it was starting preparatory work in the Greifswald bay off Germany’s Baltic coast. “Five dredgers are now working on the trench for the two pipeline strings,” the consortium, based in Switzerland’s Zug, said in a press release. Nord Stream 2 will consist of two pipelines running in parallel. “Preparatory works are in accordance with the Stralsund mining authority’s planning approval,” it said. The regulatory authority granted the consortium a permit in January to build the pipeline in German territorial waters. There have been years of political wrangling over whether the additional route to bring Siberian gas to Germany directly from next year is in Europe’s interest, economically and geopolitically. Environmentalists in Germany and Finland are still trying to halt licensing, saying authorities should take more care the pipeline does not endanger marine life. The consortium has said it will mitigate environmental problems, while arguing for the economic case of the project, as Europe will need more imported gas in future. Nord Stream 1, of an identical 55 bcm to the planned new pipeline and opened in 2010, has proved successful, it says. The Nord Stream 2 project has said it will tap banks for financing in the fourth quarter of 2018 or early next year. Denmark still has to rule whether the pipeline can be built near its coast, for which there is no concrete timing. Other routine permissioning processes are still under way in Sweden and Russia. Gazprom’s Western partners are energy companies Uniper , Wintershall, Engie, Austria’s OMV and Anglo-Dutch group Shell. Poland’s anti-monopoly office said last week it had launched proceedings against Gazprom and the five European firms financing Nord Stream 2 over a potential breach of anti-monopoly laws. Poland sees the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would double Russia’s gas export capacity via the Baltic Sea, as a threat to Europe’s energy security and argues it will strengthen Gazprom’s already dominant position in the market. (Reporting by Vera Eckert; editing by Adrian Croft) Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Nord Stream 2 company says starting preparatory work off German coast

BEAVERTON, Ore., May 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Opus Agency, a leading provider of global event experiences, today announced it has joined with MAS Event + Design, an innovator in the area of experiential event design and implementation. The founders of MAS, Mia Choi and Sneha Bhatia, will both join the Opus executive team and lead all aspects of experiential design and production. MAS Event + Design has offices in both Brooklyn, N.Y., and Los Angeles. Established in 2007, MAS is renowned for their creativity, agility, and innovative events. They conceive, design, and execute extraordinary solutions to meet the challenges of today's modern brand. MAS supports marquee clients including Google, YouTube, Nespresso, and Spotify. "Through this strategic acquisition, Opus is combining the best of two great event companies—a creative force to be reckoned with and a logistical powerhouse—to form a different kind of agency. One whose big ideas will be backed by big resources," stated Monte Wood, CEO of Opus. "While Opus is known as a strategic event adviser to some of the world's most influential brands, MAS inspires customers with creative solutions that are redefining the industry." "The ability to add the scale and operational excellence Opus brings to the incredibly creative and talented collaborators at MAS was just too good for us to pass up," said Sneha Bhatia, Co-Founder and COO of MAS. Mia Choi, Co-Founder and CEO at MAS added, "At MAS, we pride ourselves on the quality, originality, creativity, and thoughtfulness that goes into the work we produce. By joining forces with Opus, we're taking a huge leap forward in terms of the team and resources available to us, and we are very excited about what we'll be able to achieve together for our clients." The combined company will have local offices in Brooklyn, N.Y., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Beaverton, Ore., and Seattle. About Opus Agency Opus Agency is a strategic experiential marketing advisor to some of the world's most influential brands. We partner with our clients to create remarkable events around the world, tying unforgettable experiences to unmistakable business results. Every idea we implement is guided by our passion to drive our customers' business success. And in the dynamic world of event marketing, Opus makes the complex simple for our clients. Opus Agency has over 300 employees and is a portfolio company of private equity firm, Growth Catalyst Partners. To learn more, visit www.opusagency.com or www.maseventdesign.com . Media Contact : Spencer Allison 971-223-7908 [email protected] View original content: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/opus-agency-makes-a-big-move-with-the-acquisition-of-mas-event--design-300646167.html SOURCE Opus Agency

Opus Agency Makes a Big Move with the Acquisition of MAS Event + Design

VANCOUVER, British Columbia , May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The following issues have been halted by IIROC / L'OCRCVM a suspendu la negociation des titres suivants: Company / Société : PATIENT HOME MONITORING CORP TSX-Venture Symbol / Symbole à la Bourse de croissance TSX : PHM.DB Reason / Motif : At the Request of the Company Pending News / À la demande de la société en attendant une nouvelle Halt Time (ET) / Heure de la suspension (HE) 8:00 IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension of trading in a security of a publicly listed company, usually in anticipation of a material news announcement by the company. Trading halts are issued based on the principle that all investors should have the same timely access to important company information. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada. L'OCRCVM peut prendre la decision d'imposer une suspension provisoire des negociations sur le titre d'une societe cotee en bourse, habituellement en prevision d'une annonce importante de la part de la societe. Les suspensions de negociations sont imposees suivant le principe que tous les investisseurs devraient avoir un acces egal et simultane a l'information importante au sujet des societes dans lesquelles ils investissent. L'OCRCVM est l'organisme d'autoreglementation national qui surveille l'ensemble des societes de courtage et l'ensemble des operations effectuees sur les marches boursiers et les marches de titres d'emprunt au Canada. Please note that IIROC is not able to provide any additional information regarding a specific trading halt. Information is limited to general enquiries only. Veuillez prendre note que l'OCRCVM n'est pas en mesure de fournir d'informations supplementaires au sujet d'une suspension des negociations en particulier. L'information est restreinte aux questions generales. IIROC Inquiries 1-877-442-4322 (Option 2) Source:Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada

IIROC Trading Halt / Suspension de la negociation par l'OCRCVM - PHM.DB

May 21, 2018 / 5:01 PM / Updated 16 minutes ago Barack and Michelle Obama to produce content for Netflix Reuters Staff 2 Min Read LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement with Netflix Inc to produce films and series, the online streaming company said on Monday. Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama react to the crowd during an unveiling ceremony for their portraits at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Bourg/Files Under the name Higher Ground Productions, the Obamas have the options to produce scripted and unscripted series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix said in a statement. The deal suggests a wider post-White House public role for the Obamas than is typical. The agreement with Netflix, which boasts some 125 million subscribers worldwide, will give the Obamas a voice outside of the traditional public speaking, books and charity work that recent ex-presidents have relied on. “One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” Barack Obama said in a statement. “That’s why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix - we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world,” he added in the statement. Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Additional reporting by Mekhla Raina in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Trott

Barack and Michelle Obama to produce content for Netflix

Washington, DC, May 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recall Release CLASS II RECALL HEALTH RISK: LOW Congressional and Public Affairs Mitch Adams (202) 720-9113 [email protected] FSIS-RC-038-2018 KENT QUALITY FOODS, INC. RECALLS HOT DOG AND SAUSAGE PRODUCTS DUE TO MISBRANDING AND AN UNDECLARED ALLERGEN WASHINGTON, May 16, 2018 – Kent Quality Foods, Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 308,430 pounds of ready-to-eat hot dog and sausage products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The ready-to-eat (RTE) hot dog and sausage items were produced on various dates from September 9, 2017 through April 29, 2018. The complete list of products with lot codes and labels can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/4a2fea08-4c76-4b29-8d4a-b75fa9477eb4/038-2018-label.pdf?MOD=AJPERES The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 5694” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distribution and restaurant locations nationwide. The problem was discovered on May 12, 2018 by the establishment during product inventory activities. The establishment noticed that the label for the spice mixture used in the production of one of their Beef Polish sausage contained hydrolyzed soy protein as an ingredient. However, the Beef Polish Sausage does not list the soy ingredient on the finish product label. Although the Beef Polish sausage product is the only product that is formulated with the spice mix containing the soy ingredient, there are several other ready-to-eat sausage and hot dog products that are implicated in this recall action due to potential cross contamination via shared equipment during the raw and ready-to-eat processing steps. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. The restaurants cook and prepare the product for consumers, who may take the product home as leftovers. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms are notifying their customers of the recall and that actions are being taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Stephen Soet, with Kent Quality Foods Inc., at (616) 459-4595. Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov . The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem . ### NOTE: Access news releases and other information at FSIS’ website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls . Follow FSIS on Twitter at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at: twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es . USDA RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS Class I This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product. Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA FSIS USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (202) 720-9113 [email protected] Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

Recall Release 038-2018 Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is “flattening the management structure” as part of a reorganization aimed at streamlining the electric automaker’s operations as it continues to burn through capital and tries to ramp up production of its mass-market Model 3 car, according to a memo sent to employees Monday. In the memo reviewed by Fortune , Musk writes that the move is meant to improve communication and efficiency of its operations. The memo is below: To ensure that Tesla is well prepared for the future, we have been undertaking a thorough reorganization of our company. As part of the reorg, we are flattening the management structure to improve communication, combining functions where sensible and trimming activities that are not vital to the success of our mission. To be clear, we will continue to hire rapidly in critical hourly and salaried positions to support the Model 3 production ramp and future product development. Musk talked about a reorganization during the company’s first quarter earnings call that took a bizarre turn after the CEO stopped taking questions from analysts and instead turned to a YouTube blogger who was on the call to represent retail investors. Musk said that a reorganization would help the company achieve profitability. But at the time, it appeared Musk was directing his reorganizational efforts on contractors. “The number of sort of third-party contracting companies that we’re using has really gotten out of control, so we’re going to scrub the barnacles on that front,” Musk said on the call. “It’s pretty crazy. We’ve got barnacles on barnacles. So there’s going to be a lot of barnacle removal.” The memo follows the departure of Tesla executives, including senior vice president of engineering Doug Field, who is taking a break from but is not leaving the company, and Matthew Schwall, who left as director of field performance engineering and joined self-driving car company Waymo.

Elon Musk Is Restructuring Management at Tesla

Endangered shark fins seized in H.K. shipment 12:39pm BST - 01:44 Shark fins from endangered species including the giant, placid whale shark were found in a Singapore Airlines shipment to Hong Kong in May, highlighting the widespread challenges the Chinese territory faces in regulating the trade. Shark fins from endangered species including the giant, placid whale shark were found in a Singapore Airlines shipment to Hong Kong in May, highlighting the widespread challenges the Chinese territory faces in regulating the trade. //reut.rs/2IV8aJw

Endangered shark fins seized in H.K. shipment

KIGALI/ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Early last year, weeks after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, a little known American trade association filed a petition with the U.S. Trade Representative. A worker prepares thread at the the Utexrwa garment factory in Kigali, Rwanda April 17, 2018. Picture taken April 17, 2018. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana That seven-page letter set Africa in the cross-hairs of the new administration’s ‘America First’ trade ideology, pitting the world’s largest economy against tiny Rwanda over an unlikely U.S. export: cast-off clothes. In March, the USTR warned Rwanda it would lose some benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), America’s flagship trade legislation for Africa, in 60 days after it increased tariffs on second-hand clothes to support its local garment industry. “The president’s determinations underscore his commitment to enforcing our trade laws and ensuring fairness in our trade relationships,” Deputy U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney said, announcing the decision. The 60-day grace period expires on May 28. But no matter the outcome, the row is further straining Washington’s relations with Africa at a time when it is being aggressively courted by America’s global competitors, not least China. Beijing has invested tens of billions of dollars in the continent, most recently as part of its huge Belt and Road foreign trade strategy. Under AGOA, enacted in 2000 with the aim of using trade to boost development, qualifying African countries are granted duty-free access to the U.S. market for 6,500 exported products. The current dispute, which also initially involved Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, has received none of the attention of Trump’s trade war with China or his haggling with North American neighbors. Yet critics – including former U.S. trade officials – see in it a worrying indication of how Washington will approach trade relations with Africa. “It delegitimizes so much of what we’ve worked for for so many years,” said Gail Strickler, who served as the top U.S. trade official on textiles until 2015. “I think it’s horrible. I think it’s sad. I think it’s pathetic and I think it’s obscene.” MADE IN RWANDA Since her husband was murdered in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, Devotha Mukankusi has relied heavily on the UTEXRWA garment factory in the capital Kigali. “I survived the genocide together with my kids. But it’s thanks to this job that they have grown up,” she said, her voiced raised above the drone of sewing machines as she supervised a group of women assembling police uniforms. Some 800,000 people - 10 percent of Rwanda’s population - were killed in the genocide. The economy was crushed. Rwanda has bounced back in the past decade or so. As part of a drive to become a middle-income country by 2020, it is nurturing a garment sector it hopes can create 25,000 jobs. Ritesh Patel, Managing Director of the Utexrwa garment factory speaks during a Reuters interview in Kigali, Rwanda April 17, 2018. Picture taken April 17, 2018. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana But domestic demand for locally produced clothes has been stifled, east African governments say, by the ubiquity of cheap, second-hand garments imported from Europe and the United States. The manager of the factory where Mukankusi works says the facility is only running at 40 percent capacity and second-hand garments, which can sell at well below his production costs, are at least partly to blame. In response, East African Community (EAC) members Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda increased tariffs on used clothing in July 2016. Rwanda hiked import duties from 20 cents to $2.50 per kilogram. At Kigali’s Biryogo market, where shoppers pick through bales of used garments, the downside of the increase in duties was immediate. “Before, even with a little money, you could buy enough second-hand clothes for a child. But some children in my neighborhood are now naked,” Fillette Umugwaneza, 24, a mother of two told Reuters. “It is a disgrace to our country.” Rwanda’s government argues such hardships will be short-lived. Opening new factories will create more, better paid jobs, while expanding domestic consumption will cut its external trade deficit, it says. That will take time, admits Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, but early results are encouraging. “Just in the last two or three years ... we’ve seen almost three times growth in production of garments and textiles for the economy,” she said. The government is also seeking to attract companies targeting the export market, like U.S. designer Kate Spade which assembles high-end handbags in Rwanda. It’s a strategy that has flourished elsewhere in Africa under AGOA, with duty-free exports from the continent to the U.S. market almost quadrupling to over $1 billion since the law was enacted. The ultimatum from the office of the USTR, however, has thrown up a potential roadblock to further growth. It acted after receiving a complaint in March last year from the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), a U.S.-based organization which represents companies that collect and resell Americans’ used clothing. Selling America’s used clothing - much of it donated to charities and the bulk of it originally made outside the United States - is a nearly $1 billion industry. Exports typically end up in poor nations. Africa is a key destination. SMART said the EAC duty increase violated AGOA. “It basically was a shutdown in the market for my members,” SMART Executive Director Jackie King told Reuters. “When Rwanda particularly wanted the duties increased by 1,100 percent, it just wasn’t possible to do business there.” Slideshow (5 Images) The USTR agreed to review the AGOA status of all four countries. That decision shocked some veteran trade officials in Washington. “AGOA clearly has a criterion that the beneficiary countries must be eliminating barriers to U.S. trade,” said Florie Liser, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. “That’s kind of always been there, but no one was looking to go after the AGOA countries.” SELF-RELIANT The mere prospect of losing AGOA benefits was enough to push Kenya, which in 2017 exported nearly $340 million worth of apparel duty-free to the United States, to back down. The remaining east African nations initially tried to defend their position at a USTR hearing in July, rejecting SMART’s assertion that the new tariffs had cost 24,000 American jobs in the first nine months. Using U.S. trade data, they pointed out that the decline in exports to the EAC that SMART blamed for the job losses had already begun four years before the 2016 duty increase. Data compiled by agoa.info, an online information portal about AGOA run by the South Africa-based Trade Law Centre, indicates that U.S. used clothing exports to Rwanda in particular actually increased slightly in 2016. SMART has not publicly disclosed the survey of its members used to calculate the job losses, saying it contains proprietary information. The EAC also accused SMART of inflating the importance of the east African market to the industry. Trade data showed the United States shipped around $24 million worth of used clothing to the EAC in 2016. SMART, however, added another $100 million in exports it said were shipped to third countries for processing before being re-exported. By its calculation the EAC represented over a fifth of the U.S. industry’s global market. After the July 2017 hearing, Uganda and Tanzania followed Kenya’s example and capitulated, agreeing to roll back tariffs to pre-2016 levels. Rwanda has held out. If it does not concede by the end of this month it faces losing duty-free access for its garment exports. “The United States has been explicit about what Rwanda must do to adhere to the AGOA eligibility criteria,” a U.S. official told Reuters. “It is up to Rwanda to make a decision.” The dispute has provoked dismay in Washington and Africa. “(Africans) are watching. They’re shocked and they’re livid,” said Rosa Whitaker, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the United States’ first Assistant Trade Representative for Africa and helped draft the original AGOA legislation. She called the Trump administration’s actions bullying and predicted they would backfire. “African countries, from what they’re telling me, are feeling abandoned. We’ve just ceded it to China.” Devotha Mukankusi is more matter of fact about the trade tiff. She’s survived genocide and the Trump administration doesn’t worry her, she said. “My message for Trump is that it won’t affect us. We are determined to be self-reliant. We’ll make our own clothes.” Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Giles Elgood

Trump versus Rwanda in trade battle over used clothes

Wall Street rarely likes to talk about its mistakes, but Apple analysts are now admitting in notes to clients that they repeatedly messed up their analysis and forecasts for the smartphone maker. Apple reported fiscal second-quarter earnings above expectations Tuesday, despite a slight miss in its iPhone unit sales number versus estimates. Investors are also relieved due to the company's much better than feared June quarter sales guidance range of $51.5 billion to $53.5 billion versus $51.61 billion expected by the Thomson Reuters consensus. The company's stock rose 4.2 percent Wednesday. Apple's forecast came in contrast to Wall Street's concerns over iPhone demand in recent weeks. Analysts went into a "full panic" mode as several iPhone X component suppliers gave cautionary warnings over high-end smartphone demand. The supply chain warnings spurred Morgan Stanley to significantly lower its June quarter iPhone estimate to 34 million from 40.5 million on April 20, suggesting overall iPhone demand weakness. But Morgan Stanley's analyst admitted Wednesday she was way off on her projections. "Weaker iPhone supplier results suggested meaningful downside in the June quarter which didn't come to fruition," analyst Katy Huberty wrote in note to clients. "While forecasted iPhone shipments of 39M units is lower than our 42M estimate a month ago, it's far better than our 34M estimate which reflected the weaker June quarter outlook from suppliers like TSMC and AMS." Huberty reiterated her overweight rating and $200 price target for Apple shares, representing 18 percent upside from Tuesday's close. Bank of America Merrill Lynch explained demand shifted to cheaper iPhones as revealed by Apple's lower-than-expected iPhone average selling price of $728 versus the $742 Wall Street consensus for its March quarter. "We attribute the disconnect of iPhone unit guide from supply chain data points given lower iPhone X demand (focus of supply chain) transferred to higher iPhone 8/7 demand (hence lower adjusted ASP)," analyst Wamsi Mohan wrote in a note to clients Wednesday. Mohan reiterated his buy rating on Apple shares and increased his price target for the company to $225 from $220. Another analyst agreed that the declining average selling price is a sign consumers are buying more cheaper iPhones than expected. "ASP came in light, down 9% q/q despite a full quarter of iPhone X availability, which echoes our concerns about mix weakening," BMO Capital Markets analyst Tim Long wrote in a note to clients Tuesday. "ASP of $728 missed both our/consensus expectations, reflecting our concern that iPhone X mix faded vs. earlier expectations." Citi Research said the lower-than-expected ASP shows demand for the older iPhones is strong. "While this could be viewed as a negative we note the fact that Apple sales came inline with expectations as did the iPhone units shows that the legacy iPhone are doing well in emerging markets," analyst Jim Suva wrote in a note to clients Wednesday. But Suva admitted the widely anticipated iPhone X "super cycle" will not occur this year. "There is No iPhone 'Super Cycle'. Apple units increased 3% year over year and while positive it stops short of investor expectations for a super cycle," he wrote. "About a year ago there was the belief that the iPhone X could create a super upgrade cycle and now it appears that the iPhone X is a great high end product but priced too high at $999 with memory configurations over $1,000 is aimed for the high end market and Apple is positioning its product in various price tiers with high, mid and lower end prices." — CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this story. Disclaimer

Wall Street analysts were panicking before Apple's earnings and got it dead wrong

(Reuters) - Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield appointed Maarten de Haas and Tina Parfitt to its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) asset services team. De Haas, who most recently worked at Deloitte’s global strategies group, will serve in the newly created role of chief customer officer. Parfitt joins the firm from Countrywide Plc and has been appointed chief information officer. Reporting by Tamara Mathias

Cushman & Wakefield makes new appointments to EMEA asset services team

WASHINGTON, May 11 (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday Iran’s “reckless actions” pose a threat to regional security and urged other countries to press Tehran to change its behavior. “It is time for responsible nations to bring pressure on Iran to change this dangerous behavior,” the White House said in a statement. It cited rockets fired at Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria and a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the Saudi capital Riyadh this week. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Writing by Mohammad Zargham Editing by Phil Berlowitz)

White House urges 'responsible nations' to press Iran to change behavior

May 1, 2018 / 5:07 PM / in 34 minutes BRIEF-Airbus Aerial Says Partnership With Dronebase for Multi-Source Data Services Solution Reuters Staff 1 Min Read May 1 (Reuters) - Airbus Aerial: * AIRBUS AERIAL - PARTNERSHIP WITH DRONEBASE THAT DELIVERS MULTI-SOURCE DATA SERVICE SOLUTION FOR AERIAL IMAGERY, DATA FROM SINGLE PROVIDER * AIRBUS AERIAL - PARTNERSHIP WITH DRONEBASE WILL ALLOW COS TO WORK WITH ONE GLOBAL SOURCE TO PROVIDE DATA FROM DRONES, MANNED AIRCRAFT, OR SATELLITES Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Airbus Aerial Says Partnership With Dronebase for Multi-Source Data Services Solution

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel’s defense minister said on Thursday he plans to seek approval next week for the construction of some 2,500 new homes in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, prompting Palestinian condemnation. FILE PHOTO: General view shows houses in Shvut Rachel, a West Bank Jewish settlement located close to the Jewish settlement of Shilo, near Ramallah October 6, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner//File Photo Avigdor Lieberman, writing on Twitter, said a regional planning board would be asked to designate 1,400 of the housing units for immediate construction. “We will promote building in all of Judea and Samaria, from the north to south, in small communities and in large ones,” Lieberman said, using the Biblical names for the West Bank. He issued the announcement two days after the Palestinians asked prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to launch a full investigation into accusations of Israeli human rights abuses on Palestinian territory. “Lieberman’s decision is an Israeli message to the world, the ICC, the United Nations and human rights organizations that Israel is foiling all international efforts exerted to rescue the peace process,” said Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman attends the Herzliya Conference, in Herzliya, Israel, May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Nir Elias/File Photo Settlements are one of the most heated issues in efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, frozen since 2014. Palestinians want the West Bank for a future state, along with East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Most countries consider settlements that Israel has built in territory it captured in the 1967 Middle East war to be illegal. Israel disputes that its settlements are illegal and says their future should be determined in peace talks with the Palestinians. The Trump administration has been working on a new peace proposal. David Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, said on Israeli Channel 10 News on Wednesday that the plan has not been finalised and he believed it would be presented “within months”. Some 500,000 Israelis live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas that are also home to more than 2.6 million Palestinians. Palestinians have long argued that Israeli settlements could deny them a viable and contiguous state. Reporting by Jeffrey Heller, editing by Larry King, William Maclean

Israel plans 2,500 new settler homes in West Bank: defense minister

Three Morrison & Foerster associates in California hit the firm with a $100 million gender bias lawsuit on Monday accusing the firm of systematically discriminating against pregnant women and mothers in pay and promotions. The unnamed plaintiffs, represented by Sanford Heisler Sharp, alleged in their lawsuit filed in San Francisco federal court that the firm, sometimes known as MoFo, relegates female attorneys who become pregnant, have children and take maternity leave to the “mommy track,” denying them opportunities for advancement and higher pay. To read the full story on Westlaw Practitioner Insights, click here: bit.ly/2KmsDUp

Morrison & Foerster hit with $100 mln gender and pregnancy bias lawsuit

Walmart buys a major stake in India's Flipkart 3:05pm EDT - 02:14 Walmart said on Wednesday it will pay $16 billion for a roughly 77 percent stake in Indian e-commerce firm Flipkart in an effort to compete with rival Amazon in an important growth market. Walmart said on Wednesday it will pay $16 billion for a roughly 77 percent stake in Indian e-commerce firm Flipkart in an effort to compete with rival Amazon in an important growth market. //reut.rs/2KOKt2x

Walmart buys a major stake in India's Flipkart

VENLO, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) announces that it will initiate the repurchase of a first tranche of shares under the share repurchase program which was announced by an ad hoc announcement dated January 31, 2018. In the time period between May 15, 2018 until August 20, 2018, at the latest, a first tranche of up to 1.65 million common shares of the Company having a total purchase price of up to USD 50 million (or the equivalent Euro amount thereof, in each case without ancillary purchasing costs) shall be repurchased exclusively on the electronic trading platform of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (XETRA). The maximum purchase price per share (excluding ancillary purchase costs) will not exceed the average closing price for the last five trading days prior to the day of purchase on the electronic trading platform of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange by more than 10%. The purpose of the share repurchase is to hold the shares in treasury in order to satisfy obligations from exchangeable debt instruments and/or employee share-based remuneration plans. The Managing Board of QIAGEN N.V., upon authorization of the Supervisory Board, is thus exercising the authorization by the Annual General Meeting on June 21, 2017 to acquire own shares. The full statement can be found here ### View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180514006013/en/ QIAGEN Investor Relations John Gilardi e-mail: [email protected] +49 2103 29 11711 or Public Relations Dr. Thomas Theuringer e-mail: [email protected] +49 2103 29 11826 Source: QIAGEN

QIAGEN: Disclosure according to Article 5 Section (1) and (6) of the EU Regulation 596/2014 and Article 2 Section (1) of the Delegated EU Regulation 2016/1052/ Share Repurchase

(Reuters) - A small 3.8 magnitude earthquake shook buildings in Oakland, California on Monday evening, a Reuters witness and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said. There were no immediate signs of damage from the quake, said Reuters witnesses in both Oakland and San Francisco. The quake struck about 1.8 miles (three kms) east-northeast of Oakland, at a shallow depth of 5.5 miles (nine kms), said the USGS. Reporting by Michael Perry Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. 0 : 0 narrow-browser-and-phone medium-browser-and-portrait-tablet landscape-tablet medium-wide-browser wide-browser-and-larger medium-browser-and-landscape-tablet medium-wide-browser-and-larger above-phone portrait-tablet-and-above above-portrait-tablet landscape-tablet-and-above landscape-tablet-and-medium-wide-browser portrait-tablet-and-below landscape-tablet-and-below Apps Newsletters Reuters Plus Advertising Guidelines Cookies Terms of Use Privacy All Quote: s delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. © 2018 Reuters. All Rights Reserved.

Small quake shakes buildings in Oakland, California

LAFAYETTE, La., April 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viemed Healthcare, Inc. (the “ Company ” or “ Viemed ”) (TSXV:VMD), a home medical equipment supplier that provides post-acute respiratory care services in the United States, announced today that it will host its Quarterly Conference Call on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Conference Call Details The details of the call are: Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. EST US & Canada Toll Free: Dial In: 1-800-239-9838 Meeting ID Number: 5970283 Financial professionals are invited to call in to register in advance to ask questions. To pre-register as a qualified caller, please e-mail [email protected] by 5 p.m. EST Monday, May 7, 2018. ABOUT VIEMED HEALTHCARE, INC. Viemed, through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries Sleep Management, L.L.C. and Home Sleep Delivered, L.L.C., is a home medical equipment supplier that provides post-acute respiratory care services in the United States. Sleep Management, L.L.C. focuses on disease management and improving the quality of life for respiratory patients through clinical excellence, education and technology. Its service offerings are based on effective home treatment with respiratory care practitioners providing therapy and counseling to patients in their homes using cutting edge technology. Home Sleep Delivered focuses on providing in-home sleep testing for sleep apnea sufferers. Visit our website at www.viemed.com . For further information, please contact: Glen Akselrod Bristol Capital 905-326-1888 [email protected] Todd Zehnder Chief Operating Officer Viemed Healthcare, Inc. 337-504-3802 [email protected] 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. Source:Viemed Healthcare, Inc.

Viemed Healthcare Announces Date and Time for Conference Call

Union accuses Tesla CEO Musk of threatening workers Reuters 9 hrs ago Daniel Wiessner Click to expand Replay Video UP NEXT How rich is Prince Harry and the rest of the British royal family? Get the details on the net worth and glamorous lifestyle of the British royal family. GOBankingRates Netflix surpasses Disney as most valuable media company Netflix's market cap surpassed Disney's for the first time, making the streaming service more valuable than the entertainment giant. Newsy Facebook lays out plans to tackle 'fake news' issue Facebook has announced a new three-pronged effort to combat misinformation on its site. The approach includes a news literacy campaign and providing tips on how to spot false news. Facebook also posted a 'Facing Facts' video to explain how its dealing with recent mistakes. Politicians have threatened that DC will act if Facebook does not fix the ‘fake news’ issue on its own. Wochit Tech 1 Cancel SETTINGS OFF HD HQ SD LO Elon Musk Claims Tesla Employees Not Interested In Union Status Wochit Business See more videos SHARE SHARE TWEET SHARE EMAIL What to watch next How rich is Prince Harry and the rest of the British royal family? GOBankingRates 0:59 Netflix surpasses Disney as most valuable media company Newsy 1:12 Facebook lays out plans to tackle 'fake news' issue Wochit Tech 0:40 President Trump lays groundwork for new global trade battle Fox Business 0:58 The boom and bust of Michael Cohen's taxi business The Washington post 2:25 Uber shuts down Arizona self-driving tests Reuters America 0:40 Seattle's Space Needle gets $100 million-plus makeover CBS News 5:39 NTSB says all new school buses should have seat belts Newsy 0:47 Chinese investments in US tech could be causing national security concerns CBS News 7:09 3 satellite cities poised to thrive in 2018 Kiplinger 0:40 Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran invest $400K in an avocado restaurant Business Insider 3:06 The secret fee that's stealing your retirement Money Talks News 1:42 Sears has closed half of its stores in five years and more closures are coming Wochit Business 0:35 4 pets that make millions for their owners GOBankingRates 0:44 Saddam's superyacht ends up as sailors' hotel Reuters America 1:11 Fed report says 40% of US adults can't cover $400 unexpected expense Newsy 0:55 UP NEXT Video by Wochit Business "> The United Auto Workers union has filed a complaint accusing Tesla chief executive Elon Musk of illegally threatening to take away benefits from workers who join the union. The UAW, which is seeking to represent workers at Tesla's facility in Fremont, California, filed the complaint with the National Labor Relations Board late on Wednesday. Musk in a tweet on Monday said there was nothing stopping Tesla workers from joining a union, but "why pay union dues & give up stock options for nothing?" The union says Musk violated the National Labor Relations Act, which prohibits employers from making threats or promises to workers to discourage them from joining unions. Tesla in a statement said Musk's comment simply recognized that other automakers whose workers are represented by the UAW do not provide stock options. "UAW organizers have consistently dismissed the value of Tesla equity as part of our compensation package," the company said. In a separate tweet on Tuesday, Musk accused the UAW of driving General Motors and Chrysler to bankruptcy and losing "200,000+ jobs for people they were supposed to protect." He was apparently referring to effects of the crisis in the U.S. auto industry in 2008-2010. UAW President Dennis Williams during a press briefing in Detroit on Thursday called Musk's comments "ridiculous." "I don’t know what the hell Musk is up to," Williams said. "Sometimes I scratch my head."

Union accuses Tesla CEO Musk of threatening workers

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MyoKardia, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYOK), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a precision medicine approach for the treatment of heritable cardiovascular diseases, today announced that it will report first quarter 2018 financial and operating results after the U.S. financial markets close on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Management will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss these results and provide a business update at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). Conference Call and Webcast Analysts and investors are invited to participate in the conference call by dialing 844-494-0193 (domestic) or 508-637-5584 (international) using the conference ID 1678364. The webcast may be accessed live on the Investor Relations section of MyoKardia’s website at http://investors.myokardia.com . A replay of the webcast will be available on the MyoKardia website for 90 days following the call. About MyoKardia MyoKardia is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a precision medicine approach to discover, develop and commercialize targeted therapies for the treatment of serious and rare cardiovascular diseases. MyoKardia’s initial focus is on the treatment of heritable cardiomyopathies, a group of rare, genetically driven forms of heart failure that result from biomechanical defects in cardiac muscle contraction. MyoKardia has used its precision medicine platform to generate a pipeline of therapeutic programs for the chronic treatment of two of the most prevalent forms of heritable cardiomyopathy – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). MyoKardia’s most advanced product candidate is mavacamten (formerly MYK-461), a novel, oral, allosteric modulator of cardiac myosin intended to reduce hypercontractility. Mavacamten is advancing into a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, known as EXPLORER-HCM in patients with symptomatic, obstructive HCM. MyoKardia is also developing mavacamten in a second indication, non-obstructive HCM, in the Phase 2 MAVERICK clinical trial. MYK-491, MyoKardia’s second product candidate, is designed to increase cardiac output in DCM patients by increasing the overall extent of the heart’s contraction cardiac contractility. MyoKardia is currently evaluating MYK-491 in a Phase 1b study in DCM patients. A cornerstone of the MyoKardia platform is the Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry (SHaRe), a multi-center, international repository of clinical and laboratory data on individuals and families with genetic heart disease, which MyoKardia helped form in 2014. MyoKardia’s mission is to change the world for patients with serious cardiovascular disease through bold and innovative science. Contacts: Michelle Corral Corporate Communications & Investor Relations MyoKardia, Inc. 650-351-4690 [email protected] Beth DelGiacco (Investors) Stern Investor Relations, Inc. 212-362-1200 [email protected] Source:MyoKardia, Inc.

MyoKardia to Report First Quarter 2018 on Tuesday, May 8, 2018

May 1 (Reuters) - Community Health Systems Inc: * COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES PROPOSED EXCHANGE OFFERS * COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS - TO COMMENCE OFFERS TO EXCHANGE UPTO $1,925 MILLION PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NEW 9.875% JUNIOR-PRIORITY SECURED NOTES DUE 2023 * TO COMMENCE OFFERS TO EXCHANGE UP TO $1,200 MILLION PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NEW 8.125% JUNIOR-PRIORITY SECURED NOTES DUE 2024 * MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NEW NOTES ISSUED IN EXCHANGE OFFERS WILL NOT EXCEED $3,125 MILLION Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:

BRIEF-Community Health Systems Announces Proposed Exchange Offers

When the concept of “Chimerica” first appeared in these pages 11 years ago, it was intended to encapsulate a new economic world order—one based on Chinese export-led growth and American overconsumption. That put the U.S., the sole global superpower, in an unlikely financial relationship with its most likely future rival. Now, after the non-meeting of minds between American and Chinese trade negotiators last week in Beijing, is that marriage finally on the rocks? The foundation of Chimerica came in the years after China joined...

Trump and the ‘Chimerica’ Crisis

GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli troops killed one Palestinian and wounded at least 170 protesters in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical workers said, bringing to 44 the number killed during a six-week protest at the Gaza-Israel border. The man killed was protesting east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, said medics, who said that seven other people were critically injured, including a 16-year-old youth who was shot in the face. Organisers of the protest, called the “Great March of Return,” said they expected tens of thousands of Gazans at tented border encampments in the coming days. The protests peak on Fridays and are building to a climax on May 15, the day Palestinians call the “Nakba” or “Catastrophe”, marking the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the conflict surrounding the creation of Israel in 1948. Witnesses said Israeli soldiers used a drone to down flaming kites that protesters flew over the border in a bid to torch bushes and distract snipers. A report by the aid charity Save the Children, published on Friday, said that at least 250 Gazan children had been hit with live bullets during the protests, among nearly 700 children injured overall. The analysis was based on data collected by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel has been criticised by human rights groups for its lethal response to the protests. The Israeli military said on Friday its troops were defending the border and “firing in accordance with the rules of engagement”. Tear gas canisters are fired by Israeli forces at Palestinian demonstrators during a protest demanding the right to return to their homeland, at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip, May 11, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Protesters were “violent, burning tires and hurling rocks,” it said in a statement. Israel’s military “will not allow any harm to the security infrastructure or security fence and will continue standing by its mission to defend and ensure the security of the citizens of Israel and Israeli sovereignty, as necessary.” The Gaza Strip, home to 2 million people, is run by the Islamist group Hamas which has fought three wars against Israel in the past decade. Israel and Egypt maintain an economic blockade of the strip, which has the highest unemployment rate in the world and has become far poorer than the other main Palestinian territory, the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Thursday in Gaza, Hamas leader Yehya Al-Sinwar described the protests as peaceful, and said: “We hope these incidents will pass without a large number of martyrs and wounded, and the occupation forces must restrain themselves.” Samir, a refugee whose grandfather originally came from Jaffa, which now lies 40 miles up the coast in Israel, rolled tyres towards the area close to the fence where he later burned them. “My grandfather told me about Jaffa, where he came from, he said it was the bride of the sea, the most beautiful of all. I want to go back to Jaffa,” he said. Palestinian demonstrators run for cover from tear gas fired by Israeli forces during a protest demanding the right to return to their homeland, at the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City May 11, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem “Killing me will not change anything, Jaffa will remain Jaffa. They need to kill every last one of us to change the facts.” Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Catherine Evans and Peter Graff

Gaza protester wounded in border demonstration

Published 2 Hours Ago CNBC.com New York resident Rodney Nelson said that his 77-year-old mother, Dever Taylor, receives medical support from her one-bedroom apartment in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Under Taylor's Medicare plan she is able to have a trained home aide come to visit her daily to help with tasks such as cooking and cleaning, Nelson said. The aide will also check in on Taylor and provide social support. Every three months, a registered nurse will visit Taylor to evaluate her health. "If she feels she needs to see her nurse sooner, she can call her primary-care physician from her smartphone and that may trigger an earlier evaluation," Nelson told CNBC. Nelson said the home accommodations, set up between him and his mother's health-care providers, allow Taylor to maintain her independence while also getting the support she needs. He said his mother, who is now retired, preferred to stay at home rather than in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility. Taylor's situation is one example of how health care looks for the elderly and disabled patients at home in the U.S., some of whom are reporting signs of increased quality of care. A recent report from The Commonwealth Fund found the percentage of home-health patients who got better at walking or moving around, a key measure of quality of care, rose in every state from 2013 to 2016. The group, which tracks performance in health systems nationwide, also found that hospital readmission rates for elderly Medicare beneficiaries continued to fall in nearly half the states from 2012 to 2015. The improvement in care at home comes at a time when hospitals are forced to alter the way they deliver care, which can include providing more outpatient services or consulting patients online. Hospital admissions and length of stays have slumped in the U.S. over the years as more people are seeking cheaper alternatives or looking to fulfill their health-care needs more conveniently. Additionally, the improvement in home-based care comes as incentives created under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, are encouraging cooperation among health-care providers, including hospitals, to reduce unnecessary health costs and keep people from being readmitted. Under the Medicare Shared Savings Program, providers can form what is known as an Accountable Care Organization, or ACO. Under ACOs, health-care providers take on the responsibility for coordinating medical care for patients from the doctor's office to home care, in an effort to improve health outcomes and reduce overall costs. ACOs that successfully lower costs for their patient population are rewarded through bonuses. This program is good news for people on the receiving end of care too, David Grabowski, a health-care policy professor at Harvard Medical School, told CNBC. Because providers are attempting to avoid that costly trip to the hospital, they will regularly come to the patient's home to assess safety risks and ensure there is a good quality of life through activities and medication reminders, Grabowski said. Moreover, Medicare patients, who are older and typically have weakened immune systems, are less at risk of getting infections at home as opposed to a nursing facility or hospital, he said. There's an added physiological benefit from being at home as well, Grabowski said. Patients who are at home, sometimes surrounded by family, typically feel more satisfied with their health situations, said Grabowski, whose research examines post-hospital care, including home care and nursing facilities. "I'm sure everyone would rather stay at home than in some random hospital bed." Separately, it's worth mentioning that consumer technology such as smartphones has also played a role in improving care at home, said Cindy Krafft, a care consultant who helps families and agencies figure out how to care for their elderly or injured relatives at home. Krafft, CEO of Kornetti & Krafft Health Care Soultions, said home care "feels less isolated" and ACOs and other providers are able to provide a higher level of care than they were able to a several years ago. What's next for home-based care More patients who want to stay at home should be able to as the Medicare Shared Savings Program has continued to add several ACOs each year. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said there are 561 ACOs participating in the program so far this year, up from 480 in 2017 and 433 in 2016. And there is a desire among ACOs to continue to improve the quality of care at home. Dr. Steven Strongwater, president and CEO of Massachusetts-based ACO Atrius Health, told CNBC that his company is working with a health-care technology and services company, Medically Home Group, to help patients avoid hospitalizations all together and receive advanced medical care at home. "I believe health-care generally will continue to move from the hospital to the home over time, said Strongwater, who helps deliver coordinated medical, home health and hospice care to 720,000 patients across eastern Massachusetts. Mark Wagar, president of Northridge, California-based Heritage Medical Systems, one of the largest pioneer ACOs, told CNBC that his company recently began operations in New York for health-care workers to visit patients at home. He said, among other benefits, visiting patients at their home allows providers the chance to educate patients about their health. "Helping [patients] understand their home situation is critical if you want to make a difference," Wagar said.

Hospital pressures are improving quality of care for patients at home

ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JetPay Corporation (“JetPay” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:JTPY) announced Diane (Vogt) Faro, CEO of JetPay Corporation, was awarded the Women in Payments ® Distinguished Professional Award at the fifth annual Women in Payments ® USA Awards Dinner Monday evening in Arlington, Virginia. The event honors and celebrates achievements of women across the payments industry. The Distinguished Professional Award is a lifetime achievement award recognizing a leading woman who has made significant contributions to the payments industry – an acknowledged trend-setter, role model, and positive contributor. In four decades in payment services, Ms. Faro has accumulated an impressive resume, including President of National Benefit Programs, President of First Data Global Merchant Services, and CEO of Chase Merchant Services LLC. Ms. Faro was appointed CEO of JetPay in May 2016, after serving on its board of directors for two years. JetPay is a leading single vendor provider of vertically integrated payments, human resource and payroll solutions. Utilizing state of the art technology, JetPay designs and delivers to its customers and partners unique and cost-effective payment solutions for organizations of all sizes. When Ms. Faro joined the Company, she brought a new vision of simplified business solutions that would unite the Company’s Payment and HR & Payroll Segments under a “One JetPay” umbrella. Under her leadership, JetPay delivered an increase in consolidated revenues of 35.0% in 2017, including a 44.5% increase in Payment Services revenues. Ms. Faro is passionate about leadership development, with a special focus on mentoring female professionals. She is one of the founding members of Women’s Networking in Electronic Transactions (Wnet), a national organization that provides networking and growth opportunities for women in the payments industry. Ms. Faro has also served on the Wnet board since its inception in 2005. About JetPay Corporation JetPay Corporation, based in Allentown, PA, is a leading provider of vertically integrated solutions for businesses including card acceptance, processing, payroll, payroll tax filing, human capital management services, and other financial transactions. JetPay provides a single vendor solution for payment services, debit and credit card processing, ACH services, and payroll and human capital management needs for businesses throughout the United States. The Company also offers low-cost payment choices for the employees of these businesses to replace costly alternatives. The Company's vertically aligned services provide customers with convenience and increased revenues by lowering payments-related costs and by designing innovative, customized solutions for internet, mobile, and cloud-based payments. Please visit www.jetpay.com for more information on what JetPay has to offer or call 866-4JetPay (866-453-8729). Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. JetPay’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Many of these factors are outside JetPay’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 28, 2018, the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q and the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K. JetPay cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in JetPay’s most recent filings with the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning JetPay or other matters and attributable to JetPay or any person acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. JetPay cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. JetPay does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Contacts JetPay Corporation Peter B. Davidson Vice Chairman and Corporate Secretary (610) 797-9500 [email protected] JetPay Corporation Gregory M. Krzemien Chief Financial Officer (610) 797-9500 [email protected] Source:JetPay Corporation

JetPay CEO Diane (Vogt) Faro Receives Women in Payments® Distinguished Professional Award

May 7 (Reuters) - Destination Maternity Corp: * DESTINATION MATERNITY CORP SEES FY 2018 COMPARABLE RETAIL SALES TO BE UP IN THE LOW SINGLE DIGITS * DESTINATION MATERNITY CORP SEES FY 2018 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES TO BE IN THE $5 MILLION TO $7 MILLION RANGE * DESTINATION MATERNITY CORP SEES FY 2018 GROSS MARGIN TO BE FLAT TO DOWN APPROXIMATELY 100 BASIS POINTS * DESTINATION MATERNITY CORP - PLAN TO OPEN THREE NEW STORES AND CLOSE 20 TO 25 STORES DURING 2018 Source text: ( bit.ly/2rpwBUw ) Our

Destination Maternity Sees FY 2018 Comparable Retail Sales To Be Up In The Low Single Digits

NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - More than a third of girls in South Asia miss school during their periods, often because they lack access to toilets or pads, and many receive no education about menstruation before reaching puberty, a study showed on Tuesday. The report by charity WaterAid and UNICEF found most countries in the region fell well short of the World Health Organization standard of one toilet for every 25 girls, making it difficult for students to attend school during their periods. In one district in Nepal there was just one toilet for every 170 girls, it said. “Girls have an irrevocable right to education, which is lost if they feel unable to attend lessons because of a lack of sanitary products or clean, private toilets at school,” said WaterAid Chief Executive Tim Wainwright. “Governments simply need to ensure that every school has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.” Education about menstruation is lacking across the region, the report said. In Sri Lanka, two-thirds of girls said they received no information before starting their periods. That can be damaging in a region where taboos surrounding menstruation already exist, said Thérèse Mahon, the report’s co-author. “Girls often turn to their mothers and teachers for support, but if they lack the confidence and information themselves, they may instead perpetuate taboos,” said Mahon, who is WaterAid’s regional program manager. “A common perception is that periods are a dirty secret.” Some South Asian cultures consider women to be impure during menstruation, when they are barred from religious shrines, subjected to dietary checks or forced to live in isolation. They often face social discrimination, reproductive health problems and low self-esteem due to a lack of awareness about periods. The topic is rarely discussed openly, and the silence burdens young girls by keeping them ignorant and subject to social exclusion, campaigners say. Many end up suffering from infections and disease since they are not informed early enough about the physiological process and hygiene practices to follow. Several South Asian nations have begun to add menstrual information in school curriculums but the report, launched ahead of World Menstrual Hygiene day on May 28, said there was still much to be done. “Removing the stresses associated with menstruation can help girls and boys adjust and contribute better to the world around them,” UNICEF’s regional director Jean Gough told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Reporting by Annie Banerji @anniebanerji, Editing by Claire Cozens. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian issues, conflicts, land and property rights, modern slavery and human trafficking, gender equality, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories

Third of girls in South Asia miss school during periods - study

May 3, 2018 / 12:07 PM / Updated 3 hours ago Commentary: Climate resolution at Rio meeting heralds coming climate avalanche Clyde Russell 5 Min Read LAUNCESTON, Australia (Reuters) - It may not sound like a lot, but the 18 percent of Rio Tinto shareholders that voted in favour of a resolution that effectively called on the company to do more to address climate change have launched a snowball at the top of a large mountain. File photo: Mining operations can be seen at the Rio Tinto alumina refinery and bauxite mine in Gove, also known as Nhulunbuy, located 650 kilometers east of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory. REUTERS/David Gray The vote at Rio’s May 3 annual general meeting called upon the world’s second-largest mining company to review its membership of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and other lobby groups. While the vote was easily defeated, it sends a very clear message to natural resource companies that investors are going to be paying more attention to environmental credentials in the future. The 18 percent support was said by the resolution’s lead sponsor, Brynn O’Brien of the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, to be the “highest vote ever on a similar issue,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported. It’s also worth noting that among the supporters of the resolution were life assurers such as Aegon and Legal & General, as well as pension funds like the Church of England Pensions Board. Investors such as these make up the backbone of institutional shareholders of companies such as Rio Tinto, and the clear trend in recent years has been toward calling on company boards to be clearer in their commitment to the health of the global environment. For its part Rio defended its climate stance, with new chairman Simon Thompson acknowledging that the company’s exit from coal mining has been partially driven by climate change concerns. But he also said Rio preferred to engage with groups such as the MCA rather than walk out over differences in climate change policies. But as can be seen from BHP’s recent decision to leave the World Coal Association, it’s becoming increasingly hard for mining companies that are trying to nurture progressive public images to remain engaged with groups that promote fossil fuels, and are often sceptical of scientific evidence that burning such fuels contributes to climate change. In some ways, targeting Rio is a tad odd given the company recently completed its exit from coal mining with the $2.25 billion sale in March of its Kestrel mine in Australia’s Queensland state. Rio, unlike BHP, decided that coal was no longer a long-term fit for its portfolio and took advantage of strong prices for the polluting fuel to sell its portfolio of mines. COAL SCARCITY It’s inevitable that companies that remain in coal mining, especially those with listings in developed countries, such as BHP, Glencore and Anglo American, will face rising shareholder pressure. This will make it harder for companies to develop or expand coal mines and related infrastructure facilities, which is the obvious aim of the environmental groups and their supporters. The struggles of Indian conglomerate Adani Enterprises to build its planned Carmichael mine in Queensland and export the coal through its existing Abbot Point terminal is a case in point. Despite having all the necessary government approvals and claimed customers for the coal, Adani has so far been unable to attract financing for the project. In fact, the Carmichael mine looks increasingly unlikely to be developed as political support starts to wane in Australia, with Queensland’s Labor Party-led state government ruling out support and the Liberal Party of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, which backs the mine, behind in the polls ahead of next year’s likely election. Coal’s difficulties are also amplified by policies in the two major importing nations, China and India. China wants to use less of the fuel in order to improve air quality, and India wants to import less in order to improve its current account balance, however, it’s dreadful pollution may well result in more stringent environmental policies in the future. The irony of the success of anti-coal activism and stricter environmental rules is that coal is likely to become a scarcer commodity. Demand for seaborne supplies is likely to increase in coming years because of investment decisions made in previous years to build coal-fired plants, particularly in Asia. But it’s becoming harder to see coal-exporting countries being able to boost output, given political challenges in top shipper Australia and diversion of exports to local demand in number two exporter Indonesia. Coal prices have responded to this by remaining robust, with the Newcastle Weekly Index, a benchmark for Australian thermal coal, ending at $95.25 a tonne on April 27, the 40th straight week it has been above the $90 level. Perhaps the final irony for coal is that it is dying, but its going to be a profitable death for those who can stick it out to the end. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters. Editing by Richard Pullin

Commentary: Climate resolution at Rio meeting heralds coming climate avalanche

(Adds comments on China, Precision Castparts) long

May 16, 2018 / 9:14 PM / Updated 3 hours ago EU leaders to woo west Balkan states but road to membership bumpy Tsvetelia Tsolova , Ivana Sekularac 5 Min Read SOFIA (Reuters) - When EU leaders pose for a “family picture” with counterparts from six western Balkan nations hoping to join the bloc, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will stay away in protest - highlighting how long and hard their road to membership is likely to be. French President Emmanuel Macron walks past Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and German Chancellor Angela Merkel before an informal dinner ahead of a summit with leaders of the six Western Balkans countries in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 16, 2018. Nikolay Doychinov/EU2018BG/Handout via REUTERS Thursday’s summit, the first such meeting in 15 years, is meant to demonstrate the European Union’s renewed commitment to a region that remains fragile two decades after the ethnic wars that followed the break-up of Yugoslavia. Spain does not even recognise the independence of Kosovo, which will attend the Sofia summit along with Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia, and EU governments also worry about a string of other problems afflicting the region. But after years of neglecting the six, the EU has been spurred into action by the growing influence of other powers in the region, which in 2015-16 also became a main route for a wave of migrants from the Middle East and Africa heading to wealthier European nations to the north. EU chairman Donald Tusk made this point before the summit. “It will be an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm that the European perspective remains the Western Balkans’ geostrategic choice,” he said. “I hope to bring our Western Balkan friends closer to the EU.” As Britain is on the way out, the bloc’s executive European Commission has proposed that EU leaders decide in June to open formal membership negotiations with Albania and Macedonia. “The risks to Europe are zero,” said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov of Bulgaria, which itself joined the EU in 2007 with neighbouring Romania. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives an informal dinner ahead of a summit with leaders of the six Western Balkans countries in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 16, 2018. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov/Pool “If we do not embrace... the Western Balkans and do not help them - yes, many of them are not ready and they have yet to catch up - then there is no reason to be angry that the influence of the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia will be greater than that of Europe,” Borissov added. But many in the EU feel differently. As the bloc is still recovering from economic and migration crises that have fuelled euro-scepticism among its own voters, doubters point to problems ranging from organised crime in Albania to Macedonia’s dispute with EU member Greece over its name, which is blocking Skopje’s aspirations. Rajoy has decided to leave Sofia before the western Balkans meeting and EU officials say no one from the Spanish delegation will pose for the symbolic joint photograph on Thursday - a reminder that Madrid is just one of five member states that do not regard Kosovo as a sovereign nation. Madrid, locked in a dispute with Catalan separatists at home, refuses to recognise Kosovo’s split from Serbia in 2008. Slideshow (6 Images) TIMING IN DOUBT Two ex-Yugoslav republics, Slovenia and Croatia, have already joined the EU. But lawlessness and crime flourished in the Balkans during the wars of the 1990s, leaving the region awash with weapons and a transit route for drug and human traffickers. “The direction of travel is very clear - the European perspective,” a senior EU official said. “What really matters is the determination of applicants in implementing reforms. And patience because also on the EU side you need to have the right window of opportunity to take the decision.” The EU and Balkan six will sign a declaration on improving infrastructure including electricity and gas connections, as well as countering radicalism, improving security and controlling migration. Brussels also sees building good neighbourly relations as vital to a region where wartime hostilities still burden relations and threaten the fragile peace. To join the EU, Serbia - the biggest market among the six - must settle its borders with Kosovo and with Bosnia, where tensions between rival communities often paralyse decision-making. Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev warned that a clear perspective was needed to prevent the region from sliding back into conflict. “We saw that the status quo brings an erosion of democracy, a lack of economic opportunity,” he told a meeting in Sofia. “Negative influence from third parties is increasing.” Editing by Gabriela Baczynska and David Stamp

EU leaders to woo west Balkan states but road to membership bumpy

May 4 (Reuters) - Shenzhen Kinwong Electronic Co Ltd : * Says it will pay cash dividend of 0.50 yuan(before tax)/share for 2017 to shareholders of record on May 10 * The company’s shares will be traded ex-right and ex-dividend on May 11 and the dividend will be paid on May 11 Source text in Chinese: goo.gl/zd4Gkm Further company coverage: (Beijing Headline News)

BRIEF-Shenzhen Kinwong Electronic to pay A shares div for FY 2017 on May 11

May 9 (Reuters) - Commonwealth Bank of Australia on Wednesday admitted to “unconscionable conduct” and said it would settle with the Australian corporate regulator over allegations it manipulated the Bank Bill Swap Rate (BBSW). “As part of the settlement, CBA will acknowledge that, in the course of trading on the BBSW market in Australia on five occasions between February and June 2012, CBA attempted to engage in unconscionable conduct in breach of the ASIC Act,” the bank said in a statement. CBA added that the impact of the settlement, which totals about A$25 million ($18.6 million), would be reflected in the bank’s 2018 financial year results. ($1 = 1.3428 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Chris Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Australia's CBA settles with regulator over rate-manipulation

Real estate market is totally different than stock market now, says Robert Shiller 53 Mins Ago Richard Kovacevich, former Wells Fargo CEO, and Robert Shiller, Yale University economics professor, discuss the what the rise in Treasury yields and mortgage rates mean for the markets and the economy.

Real estate market is totally different than stock market now, says Robert Shiller