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H&T thriving and expanding in first quarter

H&T Group PLC

Chris Gillespie, CEO of H&T Group PLC (AIM:HAT), discussed the thriving pawnbroking business in an interview with Chris Rhodes on Proactive London. Despite the ups and downs, H&T Group has experienced record borrowing demand and an increase in customers paying off loans to retrieve their jewellery for celebrations. The need for small-sum credit remains strong, and the company expects continued growth in its core pawnbroking product. Gillespie also emphasised expanding its geographic coverage by opening 15-20 new stores nationwide this year. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

May 16, 2023 03:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cedrus Group Signs Investment And Advisory Collaboration Agreement With Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Group

Cedrus Group

BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach - 16 May 2023 - Cedrus Group ("Cedrus"), a global Swiss financial group, is pleased to announce that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Group ("Xiuzheng") in March 2023. Xiuzheng is a renowned Chinese pharmaceutical major; namely, it engages in R&D, production and marketing of patent medicine, chemical and biological medicine, franchise operation of pharmacies, and standardized cultivation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Xiuzheng owns 130 subsidiaries, employs a workforce of over 100,000 and has more than 2,000 references of medicines and health foods. Central to the collaboration, which jointly aims to assess and conduct direct investments in the life sciences industry, is the eagerness to invest in the world's leading innovators in the sector and become their trusted partner in their expansion into the Greater China Region. Bringing these innovative companies to the region will yield a plethora of benefits for the already highly sophisticated Chinese life sciences sector. Cedrus will leverage its connectivity across the life sciences industry globally, along with its deploying its distinguished investment banking services and capitalizing on its European headquarters in Zurich, to act as a holistic enabler and connector between Xiuzheng and overseas technologies and products in the course successfully executing cross-border transactions. Additionally, Cedrus will advise Xiuzheng in order to establish itself on a global-scale and write further chapters in its success story. In addition to investment, Xiuzheng will provide valuable support to the opportunities brought to China, namely in the form of clinical trials advisory, access to manufacturing partners and utilizing its experienced work force to market and distribute products. For over a decade, Cedrus has been actively engaged in bringing foreign innovative technologies, products and treatments from across the life sciences space, in particular from Switzerland and other European countries to the Greater China region. Cedrus, in its capacity as an investor and advisor, identifies visionary companies looking to gain early access to one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world and partners with them, offering investment and ongoing advisory in their market entry and growth in China. Mr. Rani Jarkas, Chairman of the Cedrus Group, said that "We are proud to be working closely with Xiuzheng to invest and bring innovative life sciences companies to China. An investment committee has been formed and regular meetings are held to assess to robust pipeline of opportunities. Combining the unique domain expertise of Cedrus and Xiuzheng, we are creating an unparalleled and momentous win-win situation where we bring unique technologies to China and build on the esteemed reputation of our partner Xiuzheng in China and support its transition into a world-class Chinese global pharmaceutical group." About Cedrus Group Cedrus Group is a private Swiss financial group with integrated investment banking and investment capabilities. In addition to offering Private Wealth Management, Investment Management and Financial Advisory Services, Cedrus, through its group companies, invests directly and globally in businesses and projects by leveraging its specific expertise in life sciences, natural resources, nanotech and innovative technologies. Cedrus' Greater China Region headquarters are in Beijing, with European headquarters in Zurich and further offices strategically positioned across the globe. Contact Details Cedrus Group Amy Sin +852 3519 2828 information@cedrusinvestments.com

May 15, 2023 10:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Small Business Drives the US Economy

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/v0QdeVWGsMg Small business owners are the backbone of the U.S. economy and the true powerhouses behind the nation’s economic success. Entrepreneurship is booming in the United States. In fact, 5.1 million U.S. business applications were filed in 2022. These small businesses fuel the nation’s economy and drive growth. Our economy is an ecosystem where big businesses and small businesses are vendors, employees, partners, and customers to each other. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce helps to strengthen and support America’s small businesses especially during challenging and uncertain times. The Chamber’s new Prompt Pay Pledge asks companies to pay their small business suppliers and vendors quicker to ensure the nation’s economic success. Companies who sign the Prompt Pay Pledge commit to quicker payment for invoices or enabling private financing solutions, and clearly communicating payment policies and terms to their small business suppliers or vendors. Several major U.S. companies including JP Morgan Chase, Intuit, Alpha Technologies, Accion Opportunity Fund, and Vistage partnered with the U.S. Chamber to launch the Pledge. In recognition of small businesses nationwide, the U.S. Chamber recently announced it is looking for “America’s Top Small Business” of 2023. The awards program celebrates America’s small business owners who are making a meaningful contribution to the economy and job creation and embody the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and initiative. Eligible small business owners can apply for the awards online at uschamber.com/co by July 7, 2023. How the U.S. Chamber Supports Small Business The Prompt Pay Pledge and “America’s Top Small Business” is part of the U.S. Chamber’s longstanding commitment to supporting and advocating for small businesses. We work every day to give small businesses a big voice in Washington, connecting entrepreneurs and federal officials and advocating for policies that help them grow rather than holding them back. Our Small Business Council is made up of 100 small business owners from across the country that steer our work in fighting for policies that keep Main Street businesses thriving and regularly visit Capitol Hill. Since 2017, we have partnered with MetLife to survey small businesses on a quarterly basis for the Small Business Index, which provides valuable insights on current challenges and opportunities for small business that inform our advocacy in Congress. Through our small business platform CO—, which helps almost 20,000 businesses every day and had more than six million site visits last year alone, we are equipping small businesses with the tools and insights they need to ensure their own resilience in the face of any challenge. For more information visit: uschamber.com Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 12, 2023 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Preparing the Workforce for an AI-Driven Economy

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/dF-Ro-2ZuM4 Over the next 10 to 20 years, virtually every business and government agency will use Artificial Intelligence. This will have a profound impact on society, the economy, and national security. ChatGPT and autonomous vehicles are two examples of the various applications of AI that demonstrate the ability these technologies have to fundamentally transform how Americans live and work. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Commission on Artificial Intelligence Competition, Inclusion, and Innovation recently released a report outlining recommendations for how to address key risks associated with AI, while maximizing the technology’s enormous potential benefits. The report recommends that policymakers must address regulations, workforce preparation and education, global competitiveness—especially pertaining to intellectual property—and national security protections. The U.S. should not pause the development of AI, but rather take the necessary action to ensure we have trustworthy AI and maintain a competitive position in the global economy. Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President of the Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center conducted a nationwide media tour discussing the report and the state of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work. Topics that Jordan discussed included: How widespread will the use of artificial intelligence be in the coming years. How to get the U.S. workforce ready and ways to help businesses hire people. Ways the U.S. can stay competitive. Concerns about regulating artificial intelligence. Should there be a pause on development? For more information visit: www.uschamber.com/aicommission Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 12, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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mesoestetic® Selects ToolsGroup AI-Powered Planning To Support Burgeoning Business and Maximize Customer Satisfaction

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is proud to announce it has been selected by mesoestetic, a global leader in the medical cosmetics and aesthetic medicine sector, to support the company’s massive business expansion while maintaining a premier customer experience. Founded in Spain in 1985, mesoestetic has grown from a distinguished pharmacy into a world leader in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products, medical devices, and aesthetic medicine treatments. Its prolific product line – developed in close collaboration with hospitals, universities, and experience specialists – is available in 105 companies. It has a network of 94 official distributors, and 87% of its sales are international. “Thanks to the superior quality of our products, we are experiencing increasing customer demand, propelling us into the international market and spurring tremendous growth,” said Daniel Lancho Navarro, Operations Director at mesoestetic. “We needed a supply chain planning solution with unmatched forecasting to lay the foundation for customer-centric inventory and replenishment planning. Moreover, we built our business on collaborating with the leading minds in our sector. We wanted to carry this same spirit of collaboration and focus on continuous improvement into our supply chain revitalization. With its innovative AI and powerful automated solutions, ToolsGroup was the obvious choice for a supply chain collaborator who could refine our internal processes, support our continued business expansion, and maximize consumer satisfaction worldwide.” Focused on driving business performance and exceeding customer expectations, mesoestetic selected ToolsGroup Service Optimizer 99+ (SO99+), which includes Demand Planning & Forecasting, Inventory Optimization, and Replenishment. Armed with a unique, machine-learning-enhanced forecasting engine, SO99+ predicts and adapts to changes in demand for pinpoint forecast accuracy. It aligns inventory and replenishment plans with operations, improving and accelerating decision making so companies can hit business goals while increasing market share and boosting customer loyalty and satisfaction. “Amid increasing supply chain complexity, organizations are recognizing the tremendous growth potential inherent in the new economic landscape,” remarked ToolsGroup CEO, Inna Kuznetsova. “As AI and automation transition from novel to necessary, we see growth-oriented companies embracing collaborative processes and the latest technological innovations to drive profitable, customer-centric practices. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with mesoestetic on this supply chain transformation journey towards sustained business growth, higher profitability, and continued customer service excellence.” How can ToolsGroup enhance your supply chain management processes? Find out straight from our customers here. About mesoestetic At mesoestetic we are committed to bringing confidence, clarity, and scientific rigor to the world of beauty. From our beginning, 35 years ago, we have been committed to creating products of the highest quality and effectiveness backed by the results of numerous studies. We design home, aesthetic cabin and aesthetic medicine treatments to offer anti-aging, anti-acne, body reshaping, sun protection, and depigmenting solutions, where we are world leaders. We are a pharmaceutical laboratory that we design and produce at our headquarters in Viladecans (Barcelona). This differential factor is essential to guarantee the efficacy, quality and safety of all the treatments we develop, allowing us to control and take care of each step of the value chain. Thanks to all this, doctors, aesthetic professionals, consumers, and skincare experts trust us in more than 90 countries. About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

May 11, 2023 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Floe Oral Care receive £419k of grant funding from Innovate UK to combine artificial intelligence and salivary diagnostics

Floe

Floe Oral Care, a London-based healthtech startup, has won a grant for the development of its oral health test to monitor oral and systemic health through the power of saliva.The funding will enable the team to develop a machine learning algorithm that will search for patterns in order to uncover new insights and make predictions about the development of oral disease and its impact on the rest of the body. These insights will subsequently drive behaviour changes, both in terms of product and lifestyle recommendations, and the need for professional dental care. Our mouth is the primary gateway to our body, serving as the first line of defense against pathogens or, in cases of poor oral health, opening the floodgates to infection and inflammation throughout the body. A growing body of scientific literature shows how chronic inflammation of the mouth increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even Alzheimers, and yet we continue to treat our oral health as an afterthought. Floe wants to change that by giving oral health its rightful place as a fundamental pillar of overall health and wellbeing. “Everyone knows prevention is better than cure. In reality though, getting access to some of the most impactful and motivating information there is — data about how you’re really doing on the inside —is extremely difficult and costly” Floe co-founder and CEO William Welton says. The NHS is an incredible institution and is mostly ‘free’ but because it’s so challenging to access, people have to wait until they’re sick before lifting the lid on their bodies. The consequence? We’re locked in a reactive health paradigm. Until now, people haven’t been able to access the tools that enable them to take control; to own and to make better decisions about their health. By providing them with key insights, Floe’s aim is not only to empower and motivate the user but also to help the NHS direct resources to where they are most needed. Floe’s current investors include Holland & Barrett and various high-profile angels in the healthcare and commercial sectors. Recent Floe investor Avi Lasarow, who founded DNAfitand took Prenetics public on Nasdaq as CEO commented: “ Withover 20 years experience building innovative health businesses, I know you need the perfect combination of team and tech, and the guys at Floe have both in abundance. I look forward to supporting the business as they grow and seeing Floe change the way we approach oral care for years to come.” Join the waiting list for Floe’s oral health test here. Contact Details Floe Oral Care Will Welton will@getfloe.com Company Website https://getfloe.com/

May 11, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Transforming Plastic Waste Management: The Impact of SMX’s Track and Trace System

Security Matters PLC

Plastic waste has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century, posing significant threats to ecosystems and life on Earth. Each year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans, landfills, and even in remote parts of the world, causing devastating impacts on wildlife, marine life, and the overall health of our planet. These synthetic materials, designed for durability and longevity, can take hundreds of years to decompose, thereby persisting in the environment for extended periods. Microplastics, tiny fragments resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, have infiltrated even the most remote corners of the globe and are increasingly found in the food chain. Moreover, the production and disposal of plastics contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating climate change. Addressing the plastic waste crisis requires innovative solutions that not only enhance recycling efficiency but also promote a circular and sustainable economy. SMX’s Innovative Technologies Stands Ready To Help Improve The Pressing Plastic Waste Issue SMX (NASDAQ: SMX), is an innovative circular economy company, set to revolutionize the plastics industry with its cutting-edge track and trace technology. This organization is dedicated to digitizing physical objects on the blockchain, a strategy aimed at promoting a circular and closed-loop economy. Their patented technology utilizes an indelible chemical-based biomarker to "mark" any object—solid, liquid, or gas. This unique barcode can be deciphered using the company's proprietary 'reader,' which pulls up the corresponding stored data, safeguarded by the immutable nature of blockchain technology. In April 2022, the company made headlines in the recycling world after successfully concluding commercial readiness trials for their pioneering plastic tracking system. At the heart of this innovation is an industrial-grade identification, authentication, and sorting conveyor belt designed specifically for the plastics sector. As they anticipate the commercial deployment of this revolutionary technology, SMX is actively engaged in promising discussions with various strategic partners, promising a new era for plastic recycling. SMX Technology Can Track and Trace Plastic Throughout Its Lifecycle, Helping the Environment & The Plastics Industry SMX’s innovative technology stands to greatly benefit the plastics industry by reducing waste and increasing recycling, ultimately bolstering environmental sustainability while also enhancing the industry's efficiency. Their patented marking technology, which assigns a unique chemical-based biomarker to objects, enables an unprecedented level of tracking and tracing throughout the lifecycle of plastic products. This paves the way for more effective sorting and recycling, since stakeholders can now precisely identify the type of plastic, the manufacturer, the percentage of recycled content, and even the number of times it has been recycled. The revolutionary conveyor belt detector, an integral component of their comprehensive solution, provides reliable data readings at every stage of the supply chain. This allows stakeholders to seamlessly transfer ownership of materials and products, record essential data, and attach critical documents via the intuitive interface. This game-changing innovation provides unparalleled transparency, enabling users to effortlessly track and trace plastic packaging throughout every stage of the value chain, from sorting to mechanical recycling. Such heightened transparency and traceability facilitates the creation of a digital twin of the product, thus illuminating every stage of its value chain. This can drastically improve the sorting capabilities of recycling and waste management facilities, and subsequently increase the percentage of plastic that is effectively recycled. By doing so, SMX’s technology aids in driving a more sustainable future for plastics, promoting a circular and closed-loop economy that mitigates plastic waste and its associated environmental impact. Moreover, this cutting-edge system has the potential to unlock the ability to reclaim and reuse all types of plastic content, bridging the gap for plastic circularity. By offering a solution that can be customized to individual requirements, such as detecting specific "marked" polymers among other waste, SMX is well-positioned to revolutionize plastic waste management and recycling. The versatility of SMX’s technology extends its applications across a broad range of industries from automotive to electronics, fashion and food. The chemical-based marker is applicable to solids, liquids, and gases, while the conveyor belt system can be tailored to specific needs, such as reading various types of packaging, detecting marked polymers among other waste, and modifying the dimensions and speed of the conveyor belt. As global concerns about plastic waste and sustainability persist, SMX’s innovative track and trace technology offers a promising solution to increase recycling efficiency and foster a circular and closed-loop economy in the plastics industry. Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated seven hundred and fifty dollars cash by a third party, Vince Caruso and FMW Media Works Corp. for the creation and dissemination of this content. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ The Post " Transforming Plastic Waste Management: The Impact of SMX’s Track and Trace System " First Appeared On Spotlight Growth. Contact Details SMX Spotlight Growth info@spotlightgrowth.com

May 10, 2023 01:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time

What indie beauty brand do Sharon Stone, Katie Couric, Naomi Watts and Gwyneth Paltrow all love?

Biography

Sharon Stone says it’s like “caviar for the skin.” Naomi Watts posted an Instagram “shelfie” featuring her favorite, Gwyneth Paltrow chose it for her Goop gift guide and Katie Couric continues to rave about it on her social media. So, what’s the buzz all about? Linda Thompson founded her beauty brand, Biography in 2020. The line is made up of high-quality, carefully blended “active” oils for face; and now NEW oil-infused formulas for the body, all designed to protect the skin and leave it clarified, rejuvenated, hydrated and renewed. Thanks to celebrity makeup artists who constantly request Biography for their clients, in just two short years, the brand has developed a cult-like following, and has been picked up by top retailers including Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Here’s why. Actives are ingredients that actively work toward an intended purpose or specific skincare concern. These ingredients have been proven scientifically to change the structure of the skin at a cellular level. They work to repair, rejuvenate, hydrate, protect and nourish cells. Biography uses these potent “active” ingredients at carefully blended concentrations to address specific concerns. “For people with sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin, we recommend Long June calm face oil. It contains lightweight, soothing chamomile and apricot seed oil, so it absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling moisturized and soothed,” explains Thompson. One of the star ingredients in Biography’s Petty Grudges repair blend is rosehip seed oil, vitamin C phenols, and trans-retinoic acid that help repair UV damage, lighten dark spots, and soften fine lines. Biography’s Golden Ray glow face oil contains a few different actives, one of which is French marine algae. “At the concentration in Golden Ray, that algae is clinically proven to stimulate collagen production, which improves elasticity and softens wrinkles,” Thompson says. “Carrot seed oil — another active that’s packed with vitamins A, C, and E — works in tandem to help repair sun damage and scars, boost collagen, and moisturize your skin. It’s a really powerful, but gentle, product great for people with aging or damaged skin,” Thompson says. Thompson recommends applying face oil on damp skin so it locks in hydration for a longer-lasting, dewy look. Regardless of post-cleansing products, face oils should be the final step in a skincare routine. This is because oils create an occlusive layer on the skin, which not only seals in moisture but creates a smooth canvas under sunscreen and makeup. In addition to the newness of the mini size oils, created due to popular demand, the brand has just launched an oil-infused Hand and Body Wash and a Hand and Body Cream. The wash is a gel-like cleanser that gently purifies skin, while finely-ground Quartz and Pumice work to exfoliate leaving skin softened and buffed. Other actives include Butterfly Bush and White Peony. The Hand and Body Cream is instantly absorbed and offers up to 12 hours of hydration with skin-softening effects thanks to ingredients like Babassu seed oil, Butterfly Bush, Camellia seed oil, and a Watermelon/Quinoa blend. Both the Wash and Cream are available in two unique scents. First Edition is reminiscent of a private library in an old-world cathedral, with scents of leather-bound folios, pencil shavings, musty floorboards with a whiff of freshly picked early blooms. O pen Garden suggests a bursting, humid greenhouse with fresh, yet tender blossoms. Think if Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ were a clean fragrance. The full Biography line is now available at www.biographynyc.com Contact Details Biography Dianne Vavra - Spotlight Beauty PR +1 917-331-4869 Company Website https://biographynyc.com/

May 10, 2023 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder to Criticize Warren Buffett and Bill Gates for Politicized Philanthropy

National Legal & Policy Center

National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) is the sponsor of a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder proposal to separate the roles of Chairman and CEO. On April 21, we filed a proxy memo in support of our resolution, explaining why we believe the succession plan is inadequate and that the company should be less identified with Warren Buffett’s politics. Here is the statement NLPC Chairman Peter Flaherty plans to make at the Berkshire annual meeting on Saturday, April 6 in Omaha, Nebraska: I am Peter Flaherty, Chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center. If we had an independent chair, the Company would be less identified with Mr. Buffett’s political activities. He’s donated more than $100 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As Bill Gates explained when the couple was still together, “ although the foundation bears our names, basically half our resources have come from Warren Buffett.” If “woke” culture is a disease, then philanthropy is the virus. The Gates Foundation bankrolls the teaching of Critical Race Theory around the country, including that math is inherently racist. The Gates Foundation offers a Gender Identity Toolbox, which asserts that gender is the result of “socially and culturally constructed ideas.” This is a lie. Gender is not a cultural construct. It is a genetic and biological fact. We know how much Bill Gates cares about children. He met and traveled with Jeffrey Epstein MANY times AFTER Epstein was convicted of sex crimes. The Gates Foundation had a huge influence over the COVID response fiasco. Bill Gates defended China’s COVID policies and still discounts the possibility that the virus originated from a lab, even though U.S. intelligence agencies disagree. The Gates Foundation may be the largest single donor to the “dark money” machine known as Arabella Associates which funds causes like defunding the police that are making American cities unlivable. Money goes, too, to groups conducting threatening and vulgar protests at their homes of Supreme Court Justices. Mr. Buffett has quietly funneled more than $4 billion to groups supporting abortion on demand through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. That’s $4 billion, with a B. Advocacy disguised as philanthropy. Bill Gates has lamented political polarization and even worried aloud about a civil war. But it is billionaires who are funding the most shrill and extreme activists who are tearing our country apart. Ironically, Mr. Buffett has pointed out that corporate executives can make a lot of people mad when they insert themselves into controversy. Anheuser-Busch is finding that out. It cannot renounce its Dylan Mulvaney transgender promotion because it is handcuffed by its longtime support for activists who would turn on them in a minute. Anheuser-Busch gets a perfect grade on the Human Rights Campaign scorecard, as do Berkshire portfolio companies like Coca-Cola, Bank of America, and Apple. Bank of America and Apple help bankroll this group, which wants biological men to compete in women’s sports. Worse, it is currently pressuring state legislatures to allow sex change operations on children, and to keep their parents out of the decision. Let’s revisit Coca-Cola, which I discussed at last year’s meeting. CEO James Quincey, a British citizen, tried to kill Georgia’s voter integrity law in 2021 by making inaccurate and inflammatory statements about it. That’s the law that President Biden called “Jim Crow 2.0,” and which prompted Major League Baseball to move the All-Star game out of Atlanta. Mr. Buffett jumped on the bandwagon, too, by signing a statement by corporate leaders suggesting that Republicans seek to restrict ballot access based on race. Two years later, we can now evaluate that accusation. Last year, an election was held in Georgia. Turnout was record breaking. According to an independent poll, 99% of voters said they had “no problem” casting ballots. 92% said the new law either had no impact on their ability to vote or made it easier. James Quincey was wrong, and Mr. Buffett, so were you. ### To schedule an interview with Peter Flaherty, please contact Dan Rene at drene@nlpc.org or Jackie Jones at jackie@truthpr.com Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

May 05, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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