Market Newsdesk

LUXEMBOURG, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Granite Risk Management (“Granite”), a construction risk mitigation provider, today announced the launch of its one2one Fund Control remote inspection solution. The innovative new service is designed to benefit residential construction and renovation builders and lenders by conducting live site inspections via video chat. It promotes inspection accuracy, saves time and helps lenders release funds faster, which increases builder and borrower satisfaction.

The one2one Fund Control solution utilizes video technology to perform remote inspections in real time by connecting builders with a dedicated Granite™ staff member rather than third-party inspectors. This personal attention helps improve communication and inspection accuracy throughout the construction draw process. The one2one Fund Control solution also saves time by eliminating the need for on-site inspections. Builders can schedule inspections when it is most convenient for them — avoiding delays typically associated with the dispatch of a third-party inspector and the secondary quality control review of the photos and notes. Remote inspections also help protect personnel from the risk of COVID-19 by reducing the number of people who visit the site.

By simplifying the inspection process and reducing the inspection timeline, the one2one Fund Control solution enables lenders to release funds to their builder clients sooner, in some cases on the same business day. This should improve builder satisfaction and increase the likelihood that the builder refers future loans to that lender.

“As a leader in the construction risk management space, Granite highly values the pivotal role played by builders in the funding process,” said Ben Hall, Vice President, Product at Altisource^®. “So do our lender clients who are growing increasingly conscious of promoting builder satisfaction by offering innovative solutions that shorten the draw cycle while maintaining accuracy. We’ve seen a desire from lenders to bring remote technology further into the loan process. Now they can. Granite’s one2one is uniquely positioned to deliver its ‘disruptive’ service at scale to the construction lending community. Based on early adoption and advocacy of the one2one Fund Control solution by builders and lenders, the construction draw process may never be the same.”

“The one2one video inspection process has been a game-changer for our team at Airoom, a premier design-build firm,” said Margaret Reis-Hastings, Senior Loan Originator for Lamb Financial, LLC. “The time to complete a draw request has been cut in half. Our superintendents in the field have reported they too appreciate the streamlined process — no more waiting for an inspector to call and schedule or delays in reporting inspection results. By the end of the inspection, we know immediately how much Granite will recommend for payout.”

About Granite Risk Management

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Granite Risk Management provides a full suite of construction risk mitigation services to help reduce risk without compromising profit potential. Our system of checks and balances combines in-depth review of state-by-state mechanic’s lien laws, best practices and customer service excellence to help deliver projects on time, within budget and free of liens. Granite is part of the Altisource family of businesses. To learn more, visit Granite-Companies.com.

About Altisource

^®

Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (NASDAQ: ASPS) is an integrated service provider and marketplace for the real estate and mortgage industries. Combining operational excellence with a suite of innovative services and technologies, Altisource helps solve the demands of the ever-changing markets we serve. Additional information is available at Altisource.com.

Source: Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.

Investor Contact:	Press Contact:
Michelle D. Esterman	Kevin Hosey
Chief Financial Officer	Senior Manager, Marketing
770-612-7007	770-612-7007
[email protected]	[email protected]

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liferay, Inc., which makes software that helps companies create digital experiences on web, mobile, and connected devices, today announced it will join the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Cloud for Financial Services ecosystem and intends to onboard its flagship Liferay Digital Experience solution to the platform. The IBM Cloud for Financial Services is designed to help institutions safely migrate their sensitive operations to the cloud and take advantage of cloud-native technologies from IBM’s independent software vendor (ISV) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) partners.

Liferay DXP will provide financial institutions with a single powerful platform on which to develop a host of omnichannel experiences for their customers, partners, and employees. Liferay has been recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms* for ten years and received the highest scores for the B2B Experience Use Case and the B2E Experience Use Case in the 2020 Gartner Critical Capabilities for Digital Experience Platforms**.

“Today, established commercial and retail banks are facing increased challenges from neobanks and other fintech providers for customer wallet share,” said James Shepard, Vice President of Global Services at Liferay. “Our secure, enterprise-grade digital experience, analytics, and commerce offerings have already helped notable institutions like Desjardins Group, Santander Bank, and Société Générale deliver better experiences for their customers and stave off competition. We are excited to deliver our flexible, integration-ready DXP to even more financial institutions via IBM’s cloud for financial services platform, designed to simplify deployment without sacrificing the reliability or security these organizations require.”

“We are excited to help onboard Liferay DXP to the IBM Cloud for Financial Services,” said Evaristus Mainsah, General Manager, Cloud, Cloud Pak and Edge Ecosystem, IBM. “Collaborating with ecosystem partners like Liferay can help provide financial services customers with innovative tools and solutions designed to help them migrate their critical workloads to the cloud and digitize operations.”

Liferay is joining the IBM Cloud for Financial Services ecosystem, an initiative to help Independent Software Vendor (ISV) and Software-as-a-service (SaaS) partners accelerate transactions with financial services institutions. The IBM Cloud for Financial Services is designed to help address financial services institutions requirements for their regulatory compliance, security, and resiliency. IBM’s ecosystem of partners fuels hybrid cloud environments by helping clients manage and modernize workloads from bare-metal to multicloud and everything in between with Red Hat OpenShift.

Key Takeaways:

• Liferay will join the IBM Cloud for Financial Services ecosystem to provide financial institutions a secured way to leverage its DXP, commerce, and analytics offerings.
• The IBM Cloud for Financial Services is an industry-first platform designed to enable financial institutions to securely migrate sensitive operations to the public cloud and transact with technology vendors.
• Liferay Digital Experience Platform will provide financial services customers a flexible, integration-ready platform on which to develop digital solutions for customers, partners, and employees.
• Liferay’s digital experience offerings are already being actively used by some of the most notable financial institutions in the world.

*Gartner “Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms” by Irina Guseva, Gene Phifer, Mike Lowndes, 29 January 2020.

**Gartner “Critical Capabilities for Digital Experience Platforms” by Irina Guseva, Gene Phifer, Mike Lowndes, 3 February 2020.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Liferay:

Liferay helps organizations solve digital challenges with omnichannel intranet, portal, commerce, and integration solutions. Our platform is open source, which makes it more reliable, innovative, and secure. We try to leave a positive mark on the world through business and technology. Thousands of organizations in financial services, healthcare, government, insurance, retail, manufacturing, and multiple other industries use Liferay. Liferay. One Platform. Endless Solutions. Visit us at www.liferay.com.

Statements regarding IBM’s future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only.

Yotam Levy
Liferay
1-877-LIFERAY
[email protected]

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pangolin Diamonds Corp. (TSX-V: PAN) (“the Company” or “Pangolin”) wishes to update shareholders on recent activities at its various projects in the Republic of Botswana, Africa.

Kweneng Project Highlights Include

• All 7 holes drilled intercepted the Main Dyke intrusive near surface
• Longest drill intersection of 14 metres true width
• 120 metres of Main Dyke strike confirmed through drilling
• 52.5% of chromites recovered from soils indicative of diamond stability field
• Soil sampling results indicate 1.5 kilometre strike length and remains open
• Second Dyke discovered through drilling and running parallel Main Dyke
• Dykes have been successfully mined in South Africa for diamonds to 1000 metres below the surface.
  

Kweneng Project

A percussion drilling programme of 289 metres delineated the intrusive dyke previously identified in the Kweneng Project over a horizontal strike distance of 120 metres. Seven holes were drilled targeting the intrusion. All seven holes were positive (See Table 1) The longest intersection, drilling at an angle 60° from the horizontal, was 28 metres, which is 14 metres over a horizontal distance (true width). A second hole approximately 47 metres to the northeast terminated after a 7.5 m true width intersection in the highly weathered and altered main dyke due to drilling difficulties. These intersections suggest that there are enlargements present within the main dyke. Drilling has confirmed the presence of a second dyke intruded parallel to the main dyke and a prominent regional structural feature.

Table 1

BOREHOLE No:	Result	Comment
KW04 DH01	Positive
KW04 DH02	Positive
KW04 DH03	Positive	Terminated in Dyke, > 6m width
KW04 DH04	Positive	28 m intersection, true width 14 m
KW04 DH05	Positive	2 parallel dykes
KW04 DH06	Positive	Terminated in Dyke, 2 parallel dykes. Width > 7.5 m
KW04 DH07	Positive

Samples from the boreholes will be processed through the in-house 1 TPH Dense Media plant for mantle indicators. Due to the small volumetric sizes of the individual samples diamonds are not expected to be recovered.

Dykes have been mined in South Africa for diamonds to depths exceeding 1000 metres below the surface. Significant diamonds mines have been established on the Bellsbank, Bobbejaan, Ardo, Helam, Roberts Victor, Star and Klipspringer dykes. Economic kimberlite dykes normally average 60 cm – 80 cm in width and tend to maintain their width and grade with increasing depth.

Soil sampling along the strike of the regional structural feature has produced mantle derived indicators on both sides of a drainage divide. Previously it was reported that 52.5% of chromites analyzed were classified as being derived from a “diamond friendly” environment in the mantle.

A bi-mineralic chromite/garnet fragment of a mantle xenolith has been recovered from a soil sample on the opposite side of the drainage divide to the valley where the two dykes have been identified by the drilling programme. The shape and surface textures of the bi-mineralic fragment are indicative of a proximal source. The spread of the soil sample indicator anomaly along strike of the regional structure indicates that the dykes extend for a distance of at least 1.5 kilometres along strike of the regional structural feature.

A soil sampling programme is underway to determine the extent of the mantle indicator spread along the strike of the regional structure and possible pipe like intrusions. The soil sample results will be followed up by geophysical surveys to identify additional intrusions. The next drilling programme is planned for after all the soil sample programme and geophysical results are available.

Malatswae Project

Groundmagnetic surveys and orientation soil sampling have been completed over all 30 aeromagnetic targets in the Malatswae Project area identified for follow-up. Results obtained from these surveys and sampling programmes a number of targets for additional detailed grid soil sampling programmes to assist in better identifying the potential source of the kimberlite indicators recovered from soil samples. One of these aeromagnetic targets selected for additional detailed soil sampling, PL529/D01, has reported a +1mm white resorbed diamond from the orientation samples.

Motloutse Project

All 38 selected aeromagnetic targets selected for follow up on the ground have been covered by groundmagnetic surveys. The orientation soil sampling over these targets are in progress.

Three new Prospecting Licences have been issued to Pangolin Diamonds. These prospecting licences (PL 134/2020, PL 141/2020 and PL 172/2020) covering an area of 2445.3 km² have been issued for an initial period of three years from 01 October 2020 to 30 September 2023. The prospecting licences are a northwest extension of the existing Motloutse Project.

The aeromagnetic survey data covering the three new licences have been assessed and aeromagnetic anomalies have been selected for groundmagnetic surveys and orientation soil sampling. The groundmagnetic surveys and soil sampling programmes are in progress.

Yashomann Industries Option Agreement

Pangolin Diamonds has entered into an Option Agreement with Yashomann Industries Limited Yashomann) to explore PL280/2015 for diamonds. PL280/2015 is located in the Central District of Botswana and is situated in the headwater region of the Motloutse River where the first diamonds were discovered in Botswana.  

During the Option Period Pangolin Diamonds has the right to explore for kimberlites within PL280/2015 during which geophysical surveys, soil sampling and drilling will be employed towards kimberlite discovery. The indicator mineral suite of any discovered kimberlite will be analysed to determine the diamond window signature for the individual kimberlite. Depending on the results of the Option Period work programme Pangolin may elect to enter into a Joint Venture to explore the diamond potential of discovered kimberlites within PL 280/2015.

Pangolin is entitled to earn from Yashomann within an identified Project a 51% Participating Interest by essentially producing 500 carats of acidized +1.5 mm diamonds from the defined Project during the Joint Venture Phase 1 Work Plan. Any diamonds recovered during the Option Period will be considered part of the required 500 carats required to complete the Phase 1 Work Plan of the Joint Venture.

Pangolin is entitled to earn from Yashomann within an identified Project an 80% Participating Interest by completing the requirements of the Joint Venture Phase 2 Work Plan. The requirements for the Phase 2 Work Plan is to produce a bankable feasibility study for the Project.

The Option Period shall terminate at the earlier of the JV Operative date or July, 31 2021.

A total of 47 aeromagnetic targets within PL280/2015 were selected for groundmagnetic surveys. These surveys have been completed and are currently being assessed. Orientation soil sampling has been completed over 39 targets. Rain and elephants have hampered access to some of the targets and the targets located within Sua Pan will not be sampled for indicators as there are no termites active within the salt pans. The processing of the orientation soil samples collected over the accessible aeromagnetic targets is in progress. To date orientation samples over three targets have produced anomalous kimberlite indicator results. These targets have been selected for detailed grid soil sampling.

COVID-19

Periodic COVID-19 Zonal Lockdowns, inter Covid-19 Zonal movement authorizations, Government required social practices, prescribed work environment practices and periodic fuel shortages continued to have an impact on the exploration programmes.

AK10 Kimberlite Pipe

The decision has been made not to continue with the AK-10 project due to restrictive working conditions and no extension of the Option Agreement is expected.

Quality Control and Quality Assurances


Quality assurance procedures, security, transport, storage, and processing protocols conform to chain of custody requirements.

The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Leon Daniels, PhD, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Pangolin


Pangolin Diamonds focuses on exploring and developing commercial diamond mines in the Republic of Botswana. Management and our advisors are veterans of diamond discoveries and project finance. Pangolin is managed from Toronto, Canada, and Francistown, Botswana, and trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange under the symbol “PAN”. For more information, please view the recent presentations on our website at www.pangolindiamonds.com.

Dr. Leon Daniels, President and CEO
Email: [email protected] 

Graham C. Warren, Chief Financial Officer
Email: [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.

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crisis communications firm PRCG | Haggerty LLC today unveiled its 2020 list of the worst- and best-handled crisis communications events of the year.

PRCG | Haggerty compiles its list with the help of its CrisisResponsePro database of more than 12,000 public statements issued by companies facing a crisis or litigation communications event. PRCG began creating its Worst and Best List in 2015 and, after a two-year hiatus, the list is back — in a crisis year unlike any other.

“With the year dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests and the election, we saw a number of high-profile crises related to those areas,” said James F. Haggerty, CEO of PRCG | Haggerty.

Haggerty added: “It is interesting that while the White House medical team’s response to President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis was our worst-handled crisis, sports-related PR responses were more represented than in past years — not surprising given the shutdown of the industry for months and all of the PR issues that sprang from that.”

Haggerty is author of two well-known books on crisis and legal communications: Chief Crisis Officer: Structure and Leadership for Effective Communications Response, and In The Court of Public Opinion: Winning Strategies for Litigation Communications, both published in new editions in 2019 by ABA Books.

Here are the top five worst and best:

THE TOP FIVE WORST

1.
The White House Medical Team

White House doctor Sean Conley led several disastrous press conferences in front of the hospital where Donald Trump was hospitalized with COVID-19. The physician and his team broke nearly every rule of communications during a crisis and were severely selective as to the information they would divulge about the president’s health. A bad situation quickly became worse.

2. Washington NFL Team

The professional football team formerly known as the Washington Redskins had two major crises this year: continued uproar over its name, which it finally, belatedly agreed to change, and a sexual-harassment problem, which, alas, is not unusual for sports teams. Charitably, its responses to both weren’t great.

3. U.S. Soccer Federation

The U.S. Soccer Federation’s legal response in March to a lawsuit from women players arguing they were paid less than the men was met with much derision. It was a perfect example of how a reasonable legal strategy (which prevailed) can be a terrible communications strategy.

4. Nikola

Some of Nikola Corp.’s defenses against a short-seller’s report accusing the company of being a fraud were hard to swallow. The biggest was its argument that it never actually said a prototype truck in a promotional video was moving down a hill of its own volition. At least founder Trevor Milton resigned as chairman.

5. CrossFit

CrossFit unhappily found itself in the spotlight over then-CEO Gary Glassman’s insensitive comments about the killing of George Floyd. The company was remiss in not controlling its CEO’s tweets. Glassman tried to apologize but eventually resigned.

THE TOP FIVE BEST

1. National Basketball Association

The NBA deftly responded to the Black Lives Matter protests; under commissioner Adam Silver’s leadership, the league has gained a reputation as the savviest in dealing with the crossroads of sports and politics. Its handling of the COVID-19 challenge was also astute, and it expertly communicated with its teams, players and fans.

2. LVMH/Tiffany

While the slugfest between high-end retailers LVMH and Tiffany might have appeared unseemly, the dueling litigation communications was actually quite impressive. Both companies were determined to make sure the public and investors knew exactly where they stood in the dispute, issuing multiple statements.

3. Epic Games

“Fortnite” creator Epic Games obviously planned out its litigation communications strategy when it sued Apple and Google over their app-store fees. The company released a video within “Fortnite” parodying Apple’s 1984 Macintosh commercial. Through its efforts, soon #FreeFortnite was the top-trending hashtag on Twitter.

4. Shake Shack

Shake Shack responded with honor to the mass confusion caused by the U.S. federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program created to address the COVID-19 pandemic. After a backlash, it decided to return the $10 million loan it had received, which it announced in a 2,000-word LinkedIn post. It was a smart crisis response.

5. Airbnb

With the pandemic bringing tourism to a halt in March, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky made “10 years’ worth of decisions in 10 weeks” (as he put it) that earned trust from hosts and customers alike. Six months later, more homes are offered on the platform now than before the pandemic. Airbnb touted its $219 million net profit in the third quarter as it went public this month.

For more detail on the rankings and reviews, please visit our full post on PRCG | Haggerty LLC’s blog, “The Knowledge Exchange.”

About PRCG | Haggerty LLC

PRCG | Haggerty LLC (prcg.com) is a full-service public relations firm with a global reputation in crisis and litigation communications, thought leadership, reputation management and other complex communications specialties. The firm works with a broad range of clients, from Fortune 100 corporations, to entrepreneurial start-ups and high net worth individuals and their family businesses. With headquarters in New York, PRCG also has a partner office in Los Angeles and is also a proud member of the Crisis Protection Network, a worldwide association of crisis communications firms that share a commitment to excellence in crisis management and brand protection.

The firm’s PRCG | Sports division (prcgsports.com) is a leading sports marketing and public relations practice, with particular experience in sensitive communications issues throughout the sports world.

For more information, visit prcg.com.

CONTACT:

PRCG | Haggerty LLC
212-683-8100
Alex Baldonado, [email protected]
Isaac Benjamin, [email protected]

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — US Financial 15 Split Corp (“US Financial 15”) declares its monthly distribution of $0.05475 for each Preferred share, or 10.00% annually based on the previous month end net asset value. Distributions are payable January 8, 2021 to shareholders on record as at December 31, 2020.

US Financial 15 invests in a portfolio consisting of 15 U.S. financial services companies as follows: American Express, Bank of America, Bank of New York Mellon Corp., Citigroup, CME Group Inc., Fifth Third Bancorp, The Goldman Sachs Group, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, PNC Financial Services Group Inc., Regions Financial Corp., State Street Corp., SunTrust Banks, U.S. Bancorp, and Wells Fargo.

Distribution Details
Preferred Share (FTU.PR.B)	$0.05475
Ex-Dividend Date:	December 30, 2020
Record Date:	December 31, 2020
Payable Date:	January 8, 2021

Investor Relations: 1-877-478-2372
Local: 416-304-4443
www.financial15.com
[email protected]

 

– Adds an Additional Ghost Kitchen to its Portfolio

League City, Texas, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Muscle Maker, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRIL) the parent company of Muscle Maker Grill, Healthy Joe’s and MMG Burger Bar, a fast-casual concept known for serving “healthier for you” meals, today announced the re-opening of one of its recently purchased franchise-owned locations in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The now corporate-owned restaurant, located at 70 7th Ave between 14th and 15^th, has been remodeled and features new menu boards, furniture and a large covered year-round outdoor seating area with heat lamps.

The Chelsea restaurant has historically been one of the highest volume Muscle Maker locations, boasting more than $1.1 million dollars in sales in 2019. Muscle Maker acquired this location for the opportunity to expand the business and to launch new test products to a broader audience. This location will have a contactless kiosk ordering station and also operates as a Healthy Joe’s ghost kitchen. This location will offer Chelsea residents the ability to take out, as well as have food delivered through one of the many convenient online ordering platforms including its app MMG Rewards. The brand has applied and plans to serve healthier brands of beer and wine in the near future.

Muscle Maker will continue to pursue its growth plans by adding non-traditional locations on military bases, college campuses and delivery only ghost kitchens while expanding its consumer reach through various partnerships like the recently opened REEF Neighborhood Kitchens and soon to launch Healthy Meal Prep, which ships prepared meal plans direct to consumers.

“We’re thrilled to re-open one of our highest volume locations in a very fast-paced market” said Michael Roper, CEO of Muscle Maker. “We already have brand awareness in the market and we’re looking forward to taking things to the next level by launching additional concepts and eventually beer and wine. As we have mentioned previously, we are constantly looking for opportunities to grow our corporately owned location portfolio including individual locations and potentially acquisitions. The current environment is presenting many strategic opportunities to grow the brand and we intend to pursue opportunities if appropriate.”

About Muscle Maker Grill

Founded in 1995 in Colonia, New Jersey, Muscle Maker Grill features high quality, great tasting food, freshly prepared with proprietary recipes. The menu, created with the guest’s health in mind, is lean and protein based. It features all-natural chicken, grass fed steak, lean turkey, whole wheat pasta, wraps, bowls and more. It also offers a wide selection of fruit smoothies in a variety of assorted flavors, protein shakes and supplements. For more information on Muscle Maker, Inc., visit www.musclemakergrill.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements” pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. To the extent that the information presented in this press release discusses financial projections, information, or expectations about our business plans, results of operations, products or markets, or otherwise makes statements about future events, such statements are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “should”, “may,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “expects,” “plans,” and “proposes.” Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and Muscle Maker, Inc does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

Contact:
Muscle Maker Grill Marketing:
[email protected]

Investor Relations:
[email protected]

ROCHELLE PARK, N.J., Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC), a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, today announced that Lloyd’s List Intelligence, part of Informa plc and a leading provider of maritime intelligence for the global shipping industry, has extended their contract through 2023 for ORBCOMM’s satellite Automatic Identification System (AIS) data used for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence, which has been an ORBCOMM partner since 2010, uses ORBCOMM’s satellite AIS data to augment real-time and historical vessel movements. ORBCOMM’s comprehensive AIS data is integrated with Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s Seasearcher web-based maritime intelligenceand analytics solutions, including Seasearcher Tankers, Seasearcher Risk and Compliance and Seasearcher Vigilance, as well as their API and customized data services, so that professionals connected to maritime trade can track seaborne and at-port movements, understand trends, identify risks and pinpoint commercial opportunities.

“Extending our long-time partnership with Lloyd’s List Intelligence solidifies our position as an important source of satellite AIS services and demonstrates our success in supporting their industry-leading maritime intelligence services over the last decade,” said Greg Flessate, ORBCOMM’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, Government, AIS and Business Operations. “ORBCOMM’s seasoned AIS team has over 100 years of combined experience in AIS, and we believe our extensive technical and commercial expertise offers Lloyd’s List Intelligence the highest level of service combined with the industry’s most complete view of global vessel activity.”     

“When tracking the global fleet, we have to be able to rely on fast delivery of proprietary data sets with reliable collection and distribution methods,” said Parvin Conners, Head of Content at Lloyd’s List Intelligence. “The established robustness of ORBCOMM’s AIS data helps our customers gain the transparency they need to weigh their options, respond to developments and make better decisions for their organizations. ORBCOMM’s AIS data will play a key supporting role for our compliance risk detection enhancements in 2021.”

ORBCOMM’s pioneering AIS data service has provided the most comprehensive and reliable global coverage in the market over the last decade. ORBCOMM continues to advance its AIS business by enhancing its satellite AIS service with two new, next-generation AIS CubeSats that feature advanced software defined radio receivers and unique multi-antenna implementation, and are expected to expand coverage of ORBCOMM’s constellation, increase visibility to smaller Class B ships and extend its polar footprint with launches planned on separate missions within the next year. In addition, ORBCOMM is working with AAC Clyde Space and Saab to develop a next-generation, space-based VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) satellite, expected to launch in 2022, which will enhance maritime communications by providing more extensive global coverage and increased bandwidth and versatility.

For more information about ORBCOMM’s satellite AIS service, download ORBCOMM’s whitepaper, Accelerating Digitalization in Global Maritime Trade and Supply Chains: The Evolving Role of AIS Data.

About ORBCOMM Inc.

ORBCOMM (Nasdaq: ORBC) is a global leader and innovator in the industrial Internet of Things, providing solutions that connect businesses to their assets to deliver increased visibility and operational efficiency. The company offers a broad set of asset monitoring and control solutions, including seamless satellite and cellular connectivity, unique hardware and powerful applications, all backed by end-to-end customer support, from installation to deployment to customer care. ORBCOMM has a diverse customer base including premier OEMs, solutions customers and channel partners spanning transportation, supply chain, warehousing and inventory, heavy equipment, maritime, natural resources, and government. For more information, visit www.orbcomm.com. You can also connect with ORBCOMM at https://blog.orbcomm.com, on Twitter at @ORBCOMM_Inc, at https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbcomm or at https://www.youtube.com/c/ORBCOMM_Inc.

About Lloyd’s List Intelligence

Our customers can act with speed and confidence with support from unrivalled maritime data, analysis and insight that helps professionals navigate challenges today and anticipate changes in the future. We are the industry’s trusted independent partner for 300 years, offering the expertise that keeps global trade moving safely and efficiently.

As part of Informa PLC, we belong to one of the largest global business intelligence organisations listed on the London Stock Exchange and a member of the FTSE 100, with thousands of colleagues present in more than 30 countries.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future events and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning the Company’s expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, projected, expected or implied by the forward-looking statements, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, specific consideration should be given to various factors described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other documents, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements or cautionary factors, except as required by law.

ORBCOMM Contacts
For Investors:	For Trade Media:
Aly Bonilla, VP of Investor Relations	Sue Rutherford, VP of Marketing
+1 703.433.6360	+1 613.254.5269
mailto:[email protected]	[email protected]
[email protected]	[email protected]
Lloyd’s List Intelligence Contacts	For Media:
For Service Information:	Lisa Sergent, Head of Brand
Customer Success	L isa. S [email protected]
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d14f3d2e-a34a-4a8f-b40e-1ec3a55d5898

HOUSTON, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CBTX, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBTX), the bank holding company for CommunityBank of Texas N.A., today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.10 per share of common stock. The dividend will be payable on January 15, 2021 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 4, 2021.

About CBTX, Inc.

CBTX, Inc. is the bank holding company for CommunityBank of Texas, N.A., a $3.8 billion asset bank, offering commercial banking solutions to small and mid-sized businesses and professionals in Houston, Dallas, Beaumont and surrounding communities in Texas. Visit www.communitybankoftx.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “Safe-Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which may be identified by conditional or future language such as the word “will”, among others. These statements (including future payments of dividends) are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors, including risks and factors related to our financial performance and results of operations, regulatory risks and the costs, effects, and results of regulatory examinations, reviews, or investigations, or the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals, interest rate risks, economic risks related to the impact of COVID-19 and the sustained instability of the oil and gas industry (including risks related to our customers’ ability to pay, our ability to borrow, and the impact of a resultant recession generally), and other hazards such as weather conditions, other pandemics, acts of war or terrorist acts and the governmental or military response thereto, and those additional risks and factors set forth from time to time in the documents filed or furnished by CBTX, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and CBTX, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made.

Investor Relations:

Justin M. Long
281.325.5013
[email protected]

Media Contact:

Ashley K. Warren
713.210.7622
[email protected]

HOUSTON, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apache Corporation (Nasdaq: APA) has announced the donation of more than 64,000 trees to 56 nonprofit partner organizations through the annual Apache Tree Grant Program. Since the program’s launch in 2005, the company has provided more than 4.8 million trees to partner organizations in 17 states. Plantings from this year’s grants began in October 2020 and will continue through May 2021.

“We are excited about another great group of grant recipients for this year’s Apache Tree Grant Program,” said John J. Christmann IV, Apache’s chief executive officer and president. “We thank our partners for their commitment to conservation, habitat restoration and neighborhood beautification by planting and caring for these trees.”

Among this year’s recipients, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department received more than 500 trees to benefit six state parks and across various regions including Devils River, Goliad State Park, Lake Livingston State Park, Lockhart and Palmetto State Park, Martin Dies Jr. State Park and for other projects in Region 2 and Region 3.

“The Apache Tree Grant program has provided thousands of trees to Texas State Parks and facilities over the years,” said Annalise Reichert, sustainability program specialist, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “The trees have been used for a variety of natural resources projects, such as riparian habitat restoration, erosion mitigation and those establishing wildlife habitats. TPWD is grateful to Apache and looks forward to future opportunities to further our mission of conserving the natural resources of Texas for present and future generations.”

“We are really excited to be part of the Apache Tree Grant Program,” said Bob Stokes, president, Galveston Bay Foundation, another 2020 recipient. “The 300 trees we receive this year will be used to help re-forest our new 30-acre headquarters site in Kemah. We intend to host thousands of visitors each year at the new site and look forward to having them witness the growth of these trees and the reforestation that will occur over the years.”

“Habitat restoration and reforestation on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s South Texas Refuge Complex has been an ongoing effort for over 40 years,” said Kimberly Wahl-Villareal, plant ecologist, U.S. FWS Reforestation and Restoration program and 2020 grant recipient. “This program strives to restore the ecological function of the Tamaulipan thornscrub forests and preserve the wildlife species which these forests support, such as the endangered ocelot and a host of migratory birds. Through Apache Corporation’s generous and continued support over the past six years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been able to plant 75,000 tree seedlings across 98 acres, restoring habitat for the native flora and fauna of south Texas.”

2020 Grant Recipients:

LOUISIANA

• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
• Iberia Soil & Water Conservation District
• Lafayette Central Park (Moncus Park)
• NOLA Tree Project
• Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation (Lake Charles College Prep)
• St. Mary Soil and Water Conservation District
• TreesAcadiana
• Trust for Public Land
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service
• Woodlands Conservancy

NEW MEXICO

• City of Carlsbad
• City of Las Cruces
• Tree New Mexico

TEXAS – HOUSTON METRO

• Brazoria County Parks Department
• Buffalo Bayou Partnership
• City of Baytown Parks Department
• City of Houston
• City of Mont Belvieu
• City of Pasadena Parks and Recreation
• City of Seabrook (Open Space and Trails Committee)
• Galveston Bay Foundation
• Galveston Island Tree Conservancy
• Harris County Precinct 3
• Harris County Precinct 4 Parks Department
• Harris County Precinct 4 Parks Department
• Hermann Park Conservancy
• Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful (Village of Surfside Beach)
• SPJST Lodge 88
• Texas A&M University at Galveston
• Texas Master Naturalists – Coastal Prairie Chapter
• Trees For Houston
• University of Houston

TEXAS – WEST

• Andrews County Parks Department
• City of Alpine
• City of Big Spring
• Keep Levelland Beautiful (Levelland Chamber of Commerce)
• Keep Midland Beautiful
• Keep Odessa Beautiful
• Keep San Angelo Beautiful
• The Field’s Edge

TEXAS – CENTRAL

• Bryan Noon Lions Club
• City of New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department
• City of San Marcos
• Keep Brazos Beautiful
• Lower Colorado River Authority
• Native Plant Society of Texas – Kerrville Chapter
• Paint Rock ISD
• Texas Master Naturalists – Hill Country Chapter
• Texas Parks and Wildlife – Fairfield Lake State Park
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Devils River
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Goliad SP
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Lake Livingston State Park
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Lockhart and Palmetto SP
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Martin Dies Jr. SP
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Region 2
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Region 3
• TreeFolks, Inc.

TEXAS – NORTH

• Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch
• City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department

TEXAS – SOUTH

• City of Edinburg
• Friends of the Wildlife Corridor
• Webb County
• Wildlife Conservation and Education Society

WYOMING

• Fremont County Fair Board – Fremont County Fair

For more information about the Apache Tree Grant Program, please visit www.apachelovestrees.com.

About Apache

Apache Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom and exploration activities offshore Suriname. Apache posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and all press releases on its website, www.apachecorp.com. Specific information concerning Suriname, ESG performance and other investor-related topics are posted at investor.apachecorp.com.

Contacts

Investor:   (281) 302-2286		Gary Clark
Media:      (713) 296-7276		Alexandra Franceschi
Website:   www.apachecorp.com

MONTREAL, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASTEK Canada (“ASTEK”) announces the acquisition of the Canadian subsidiary of INEAT, a French firm specializing in e-commerce and digital experience with 30 collaborators in Québec, among a total of 300 located in France and China. This third acquisition brings ASTEK’s Canadian workforce to more than 450.

“The acquisition of INEAT in Canada will allow us to expand our service offering thanks to the addition of specialized e-commerce and digital experience services, supported by cutting-edge local and global expertise,” stated Michel Boucher, co-shareholder and President of ASTEK Canada. “We are pleased to have access to new, fast-growing services that will be of considerable benefit to our clients.”
        
“We are particularly excited at the idea of joining ASTEK Canada and contributing to the group’s planned expansion in North America, where our combined strengths open up tremendous opportunities for complementarity, synergy and growth,” asserted Yves Delnatte, co-founder and President of INEAT Canada.

Jean-Luc Bernard, founder of Groupe ASTEK, is delighted with this third acquisition concluded in Canada in 2020: “The acquisition of INEAT marks another important step in our ambitious plan to expand and strengthen our presence in France, China and Canada. In all of our markets, the expertise obtained with this acquisition will increase our strength and leadership in the Internet, e-commerce and digital experience sectors. It will also enable us to generate significant technological and commercial synergies, which will position us more than ever as an undisputed leader in our industry.”

About us

ASTEK Canada (“the firm”) is part of Groupe ASTEK, which is present in 15 countries and supported by more than 5,000 highly qualified IT staffers. In Canada, the firm offers staffing services in the IT sector, making it possible to meet the needs of clients active in a number of fields including: financial, manufacturing, distribution, processing, e-commerce, insurance, and service as well as public and parapublic organizations. At a time when manpower is scarce, the firm is distinguished by its ability to quickly identify its clients’ needs and recruit the resources qualified to meet them. To this end, it relies on more than 450 staffers in Canada.

About Le Groupe ASTEK

Le Groupe ASTEK (Paris, France)

• Pro-forma revenues of 300 million Euros
• Expertise in the following fields: analysis and artificial intelligence, digital systems, network connectivity and cybersecurity, smart systems, product and process engineering, consulting and operational performance
• More than 5,000 collaborators in 15 countries
• 7 world delivery centres, including 3 overseas

About INEAT

• Established in France in 2006, INEAT now has 300 collaborators with cutting-edge expertise in the fields of e-commerce and digital marketing.
• INEAT has offices in Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux, as well as Montréal and Shanghai. In China, it boasts considerable expertise in e-commerce and social media, including WeChat.
• The company works with its clients on their digital processing systems, constantly creating and renewing unique client experiences through a combination of technological know-how, specialized strategies, marketing and information systems.    

For additional information:

MaisonBrison Communication Inc.

Quebec


Jennifer McCaughey
Vice-President, Investor Relations
514 731-0000
[email protected]

Canada


Chris Makuch
Vice-President
416 953-3337
[email protected]