NewzIntel.com

Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Plea and 15-Year Sentence for Gallup Duo in 2021 Armed Robbery Case

    Source: US FBI

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Gallup woman has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in the armed robbery of a local business in 2021, while her brother has pleaded guilty to robbery and federal firearms charges, joining two other co-conspirators involved in the crime.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, on the afternoon of December 4, 2021, Gallup Police responded to a robbery at C & R Insurance on US Highway 491. A woman and two men entered the business, demanding money while brandishing firearms. The female suspect fired a shot into the ceiling, causing panic among employees and customers. Witnesses reported hearing a loud pop and seeing the suspects dressed in dark clothing.

    Surveillance footage showed Amber Yazzie, 29, and her brother Gregory Yazzie, 28, both armed. Amber Yazzie fired a gun into the ceiling and demanded cash while Gregory Yazzie stood guard by the door as an accomplice collected over $4,000 from the registers. Following the incident, the suspects fled to Albuquerque, where they used stolen funds for shopping. Law enforcement obtained receipts and video evidence of their purchases.

    The robbery forced C & R Insurance to close for a week, significantly impacting its operations. The business serves around 60,000 customers across New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado.

    The Yazzie’s co-defendants Randy Joe and Chadyne Tohe pleaded guilty and are pending sentencing.

    At sentencing, Gregory Yazzie faces up to life in prison followed by up to five years of supervised release.

    Upon her release from prison, Amber Yazzie will be subject to three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety, the Navajo Nation Police Department, the Gallup Police Department and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BYDFi Lists SOON/USDT Trading Pair, Launches $5,000 Reward Campaign

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global crypto exchange BYDFi has officially listed the SOON token and opened spot trading for the SOON/USDT pair. To celebrate the listing, BYDFi has launched a $5,000 prize pool campaign for all eligible traders.

    SOON: Pioneering Scalable Web3 Infrastructure

    $SOON powers the Solana Optimistic Network, a high-performance Layer 2 Rollup solution built on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), delivering scalable, cost-efficient infrastructure for Ethereum, BNB Chain, and other Layer 1 ecosystems.

    • Leverages Decoupled SVM technology for seamless transaction processing and cross-chain interoperability.
    • Allocates 51% of token supply to the community via COMMing SOON NFT minting and BigBang Program, emphasizing a fair launch.
    • Integrates with data availability layers like Celestia and EigenDA for secure, low-cost asset transfers.
    • Supports Web3 application growth with a community-driven ecosystem.

    $SOON has attracted attention in the Web3 space, amplified by a social media mention from Binance founder CZ. Supported by venture capital, SOON is gaining traction for its focus on blockchain scalability and community engagement.

    Exclusive Rewards for BYDFi Traders

    BYDFi is celebrating the $SOON listing with a limited-time trading campaign. New users can also explore the platform’s welcome rewards:

    Full details are available on the official announcement page or download the BYDFi app.

    About BYDFi

    Established in 2020, BYDFi has grown to serve over 1,000,000 users across 190+ countries and regions. The platform has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Crypto Exchanges & Apps for Beginners of 2025, and offers a full suite of trading products—including spot, perpetual contracts, copy trading, trading bots, and on-chain tools—designed to support both beginners and experienced crypto users.

    BYDFi is committed to providing a world-class crypto trading experience for every user.

    BUIDL Your Dream Finance.

    • Website: https://www.bydfi.com
    • Support email: cs@bydfi.com
    • Business partnerships: bd@bydfi.com
    • Media inquiries: media@bydfi.com

    Twitter( X ) | LinkedIn | Telegram | YouTube | How to Buy on BYDFi

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana re-tables the 2025 Budget review.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

    Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana re-tables the 2025 Budget review.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTsOMIr-mBo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Firearms Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Supplying Weapons and Ammunition to Sinaloa Cartel

    Source: US FBI

    NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 18, 2023

    SAN DIEGO – Alfredo Lomas Navarrete, a prolific firearms trafficker, was sentenced in federal court today to 15 years in custody for his role in supplying hundreds of high-powered weapons and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition to the Sinaloa Cartel.

    This case is part of a long-running investigation targeting the Valenzuela Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), which is a significant component of the Sinaloa Cartel. The Valenzuela TCO is one of the largest importers of cocaine into the United States. The TCO sources cocaine and other controlled substances (including fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana) from South America and Mexico, transports the drugs to multiple locations along the U.S.-Mexico border using commercial trucking companies, smuggles the narcotics into the country, and distributes them throughout the U.S. The TCO then smuggles the bulk cash proceeds from its drug trafficking activities back to the TCO’s leadership in Mexico.

    According to court records, throughout 2020, the Valenzuela TCO, including one of its leaders, Jorge Alberto Valenzuela Valenzuela (“Jorge”), was engaged in violent conflict with another component of the Sinaloa Cartel led by Ivan Archivaldo Guzman-Salazar. During this conflict, Jorge’s brother and previous TCO leader, Gabriel Valenzuela-Valenzuela, was killed. This led the Valenzuela TCO to procure large quantities of firearms, ammunition, tactical gear, armored vehicles, and ballistic vests. A considerable number of these items were sourced from within the United States and clandestinely smuggled into Mexico, using numerous arms trafficking networks.

    During the multi-year investigation, agents identified Alfredo Lomas Navarrete as a major firearms trafficker for the TCO. Agents recovered hundreds of messages between Jorge and Lomas in which they discussed firearms trafficking. Lomas worked closely with Jorge and other high-ranking organization members to supply hundreds of firearms to the TCO. These firearms ranged from .50 caliber rifles, submachine guns, and grenade launchers, to assault rifles (AK-47s, AR-15s, FN SCARs) and handguns. In addition to the weapons, Lomas and his co-conspirators supplied tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition to the TCO. Some of these weapons and ammunition were acquired in the United States, including in California, Arizona, and Nevada, and then smuggled through the Ports of Entry in San Diego and Arizona into Mexico

    To date, this investigation has resulted in the charging of 109 defendants and the seizure of approximately 2,000 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl, over $16 million in cash, and 21,000 rounds of ammunition.

    Lomas pleaded guilty in April 2023 to conspiring to import cocaine, distribute cocaine, commit money laundering, and to smuggle goods from the United States.

    “The amount of cash, ammunition, and narcotics seized in this case is staggering,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The collaboration in this case sends a clear message that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will attack every facet of drug trafficking organizations from money to drugs to firearms. We will stay after it for as long as it takes to bring them to justice.”

    “The Venezuelan transnational criminal organization has brought death and suffering to countless people through their once prosperous criminal enterprise,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “The sentencing of this firearms trafficker sends a resounding message to traffickers and criminals around the world that HSI and the law enforcement community will vehemently pursue those who seek to harm not only Americans, but humanity as a whole with their brutality and deadly drugs.”

    “Drug cartels use drug proceeds to purchase weapons and ammunition, fueling violence in our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe.  “DEA and our federal, state, and local partners will continue to hold drug traffickers and the cartels responsible for the carnage and destruction they cause.”

    “The sentencing of Mr. Navarrete is a major milestone in federal law enforcement’s efforts to disrupt and dismantle illegal trafficking operations of all kinds,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge, Stacey Moy. “We are proud to support our law enforcement partners in all efforts that target and take down crime organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States of America.”

    “Mr. Navarrete’s enablement of violence on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border is over,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Crime leaves a money trail, and when we pool our resources we are able to find the evidence necessary to lead to conviction. Navarrete is going to prison because of a well-coordinated joint investigation we are proud to have been part of.”

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton and Mikaela Weber.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

    DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 21-cr-2960-AGS                              

    Alfredo Lomas Navarrete                                           Age: 33                                   Culiacan, Mexico

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    International Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine for Purpose of Unlawful Importation, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 959, 960 and 963.

    Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine.

    Conspiracy to Import Cocaine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960 and 963.

    Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine.

    Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846.

    Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine.

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. 1956(h).

    Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved.

    Conspiracy to Smuggle Goods, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. §§ 371 and 554(a).

    Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison, fine of $250,000.

    AGENCY

    Homeland Security Investigations

    Drug Enforcement Administration

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation

    United States Marshals Service

    Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations

    Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol

    Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

    Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations

    Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs

    San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

    San Diego Police Department

    Border Crime Suppression Team

    San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Imperial Valley Doctor Sentenced for Years-Long Use of Unapproved Cosmetic Drugs

    Source: US FBI

    NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 20, 2023

    SAN DIEGO – Tien Tan Vo, a doctor practicing in Imperial Valley, was sentenced in federal court yesterday for crimes related to his years-long use of foreign unapproved and misbranded cosmetic drugs.  According to his plea and court records, Vo injected as many as 178 patients with unapproved drugs that had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico. 

    Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard sentenced Vo to three years of probation and ordered him to pay a $201,534 fine and forfeit the $100,767 in proceeds he made from his use of unlawful cosmetic drugs.  A restitution hearing is set for December 7, 2023, to finalize an order for restitution to potential victims.

    In August, Vo pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts: receipt of misbranded drugs in interstate commerce and being an accessory after the fact to Flor Cham, who smuggled the unapproved drugs into the United States from Mexico.  Cham is charged in case number 23-cr-01926-JLS.

    In his plea agreement, Vo admitted that none of the injectable botulinum toxin or lip fillers used by his clinics between November 2016 and October 2020 were approved for use in the United States. This specifically included a botulinum toxin product called “Xeomeen” and an injectable lip filler called Probcel—both products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

    According to court papers, Vo used these unapproved drugs on approximately 178 patients over about four years.  Many were never told that they received unapproved drugs as part of their treatment. 

    “The public faith in the FDA approval process relies on medical providers adhering to those rules,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “By side-stepping the safety and approval protocols of the FDA, Dr. Vo compromised care and put profits before patients. But thanks to the hard work of the agencies and our federal restitution process, those ill-gained profits will be recovered in this case.”

    “Today’s sentencing serves as our promise to use every tool to investigate and hold accountable those who deliberately smuggle and administer products that pose a significant public health threat,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “HSI, together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work together to prosecute those individuals who deceive and threaten our communities.”

    “The FDA’s requirements help ensure that patients receive safe and effective medical treatments. Evading the FDA process and distributing unapproved drugs to U.S. consumers will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert M. Iwanicki, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Los Angeles Field Office.  “We will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who traffic in unapproved drugs.”

    A restitution hearing is set for December 7, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Allison H. Goddard. 

    Potential victims related to this case may provide or request information by emailing USACAS.Cosmetic.Case@usdoj.gov.  Individuals may submit written statements including information about potential losses or requests for refunds that may be included as part of the restitution ordered on December 7, 2023. 

    DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 23cr1700-AHG                                      

    Tien Tan Vo                                                    Age: 47                                   El Centro, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Accessory After the Fact to Entry of Goods by Means of False Statement – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 542 and 3

    Maximum penalty: one year in prison, fine of $100,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss

    Receipt in Interstate Commerce of Misbranded Drugs and Delivery for Pay or Otherwise – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 331(c) and 333(a)(1)

    Maximum penalty: one year in prison, fine of $1,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss

    AGENCIES

    Homeland Security Investigations

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former San Diego Police Officer and Three Others Sentenced for Crimes Stemming From Years-long Operation of Illicit Massage Businesses

    Source: US FBI

    NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 13, 2023

    SAN DIEGO – Peter Griffin, a retired San Diego police vice detective, attorney, and private investigator, was sentenced in federal court today to 33 months in custody for his central role in a conspiracy to operate five California- and Arizona-based illicit massage businesses that profited for years by selling commercial sex under the guise of offering therapeutic massage services. 

    Griffin’s three co-defendants – Kyung Sook Hernandez, Yu Hong Tan, and Yoo Jin Ott – who managed the illicit massage businesses in Griffin’s network and actively concealed the scheme from law enforcement, were each sentenced to six months in custody.

    According to court documents and admissions in plea agreements, the defendants owned and operated “Genie Oriental Spa,” “Felicita Spa,” “Blue Green Spa,” “Maple Spa,” and “Massage W Spa,” located in the greater San Diego area and in Tempe, Arizona, between 2013 and August 2022.  The criminal scheme included incorporating their businesses with state agencies, managing the businesses’ illicit proceeds, advertising commercial sexual services online, recruiting and employing women to perform commercial sex services in the businesses, and benefiting financially from the illegal enterprises. 

    The defendants leased multiple commercial properties as storefronts, leased and bought residential properties to use as housing for employees, and secured credit card processing equipment to facilitate the illegal businesses. Griffin oversaw nearly every aspect of the illicit businesses, making himself indispensable to their operation, and assumed the role of “boss.” 

    Through the course of the scheme, the defendants exploited the victims, mostly vulnerable, non-English speaking immigrants from Korea and China with limited employment opportunities and financial resources; pressured and expected the employees to perform commercial sex services inside the businesses; and made substantial financial profits from the illegal commercial sexual activity. When one employee initially refused to perform commercial sexual services, one of the defendants instructed her to “leave [her] morals in China” in order to “make the customers happy.” 

    Griffin, who left the department in 2002, previously worked as a detective with the Vice Operations Unit of the San Diego Police Department, a unit tasked with dismantling the very businesses he operated and promoted for personal profit.  Throughout the nine-year criminal scheme, Griffin used the experience and skills he acquired through his work as a vice detective – skills honed by his education as an attorney and work as a private investigator – and his reputation as a former police officer to help the businesses evade law enforcement; conceal evidence; pressure employees to engage in commercial sex; maintain a façade of legitimacy; and thwart regulatory inspections, investigations, and any official action against the businesses. 

    According to his plea agreement, on several occasions, Griffin used his status as a former law enforcement officer to falsely assure local authorities that his businesses would be operated legitimately. On another occasion, Griffin flashed his badge to a local officer responding to a citizen complaint regarding one of his illicit businesses.  Additionally, Griffin told an employee that he was a former police officer and instructed her not to “open [her] mouth” about working at the illicit massage business. Griffin’s co-defendants similarly informed employees of Griffin’s law enforcement background and his resulting “connections” and promised he would protect the illegal businesses from law enforcement detection. Griffin also abused resources he had access to by virtue of his private investigator license to obtain information on customers and employees on behalf of the illicit massage businesses.

    “Illicit massage businesses hide in plain sight in many communities in America, including our district,” said U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath.  “Operators of these businesses often profit through exploitation. For years, Peter Griffin used his connections as a former police officer for his own criminal profiteering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting these kinds of offenses, protecting our communities, and ensuring that legitimate local businesses are not tarnished by criminal activity.”

    “No one is above the law. I’m appalled that someone who once took an oath to protect our community could prey on the vulnerable,” said San Diego Chief of Police David Nisleit. “I’m proud of our own SDPD officers who helped make this investigation possible and I commend our partner agencies for their diligence in holding Peter Griffin and his accomplices accountable. This is an important step toward justice for the survivors of these crimes.”

    “Law enforcement professionals swear an oath to protect and defend our communities, and the spirit of that oath should live on even when we stop carrying a badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Griffin preyed on people who should have felt safer because of his presence. He and his co-conspirators failed in their attempts to conceal their illicit activities because of our special agents’ unique ability to follow the money and a strong cross-agency effort to find the evidence to bring these predators to justice.”

    “Peter Griffin abused and exploited vulnerable women by pressuring them into providing commercial sex for profit while taking advantage of his status in the community,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “This sentence sends a clear message to those who mistakenly believe they can get away with such repugnant crimes. HSI, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work vigorously to bring to justice those who exploit and victimize vulnerable members of our community.”

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill S. Streja, Trial Attorney Caylee Campbell of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, and Trial Attorney Leah Branch of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

    DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 22cr1824-JO                              

    Peter Griffin                                                    79

    Kyung Sook Hernandez                                 59

    Yu Hong Tan                                                  57

    Yoo Jin Ott                                                     46

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy, Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering (ITAR),

    Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine

    Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

    Maximum Penalty: Thirty years in prison, $1 million fine

    Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity

    Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine or twice amount of criminally derived property

    Misprision of a Felony

    Maximum Penalty: Three years in prison, $250,000 fine

    AGENCIES

    Homeland Security Investigations

    Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation

    San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, a regional, multi-agency effort led by the California Department of Justice dedicated to supporting survivors and holding traffickers accountable.  The task force is comprised of numerous federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. 

    U.S. Department of Justice, Money Laundering Asset Recovery Section, Special Financial Investigations Unit

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    San Diego Police Department

    San Diego Sheriff’s Department

    Escondido Police Department

    San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

    Tempe, Arizona Police Department. 

    Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: NHC minister meets with multiple health ministers during 78th World Health Assembly

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    Lei Haichao, minister of China’s National Health Commission who led a delegation to the 78th World Health Assembly, held separate meetings with health ministers of various countries on the sidelines of the assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 17 to 20.

    The health ministers meeting with Lei included Philippine Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, Cuban Minister of Public Health José Angel Portal Miranda, Pakistan’s Minister of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal, Moroccan Minister of Health and Social Protection Amine Tahraoui, Brazilian Federal Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha, Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, South African Health Minister Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi, and Tunisian Minister of Health Mustapha Ferjani. They engaged in in-depth discussions on advancing bilateral and multilateral health cooperation.

    Lei commended the progress made in health collaboration with these countries, noting that China is ready to promote policy communication and coordination between health departments. China is willing to provide support for further practical cooperation in areas such as universal health coverage, traditional medicine, infectious disease prevention and control, growth of the pharmaceutical industry and talent development, so as to jointly address global health challenges and promote the building of a global community of health for all, Lei added.

    Health ministers of these countries highly praised China’s achievements in the health sector. They expressed a willingness to further deepen cooperation with China in key areas and strengthen coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the World Health Organization, BRICS, G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to enhance bilateral coordination and benefit the health of their populations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Anglo American Platinum Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Confirmed to Speak at African Mining Week 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ACCRA, Ghana, May 23, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Craig Miller, CEO of mining company Anglo American Platinum, has been confirmed to speak at the upcoming African Mining Week 2025 conference. During the event, Miller is expected to shed light on the company’s strategy in Africa as well as the continent’s pivotal role in strengthening the global PGM supply chain. Miller will speak on a panel titled: South Africa’s Strategic Influence in the Global Platinum Group Metals Market.

    Taking place October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town, African Mining Week is Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders and provides a strategic platform for industry leaders, investors and companies to unlock emerging opportunities across the continent’s mining value chain. As the CEO of the world’s largest platinum group metals (PGM) producer, Miller is uniquely positioned to discuss the continent’s emergence as a global PGM supplier and the impact resource-rich nations such as South Africa will have on future supply chains.

    African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    With global demand for PGMs increasing – driven by applications in electric vehicles and clean energy technologies – Anglo American Platinum is positioning itself as an instrumental part of the continent’s PGM value chain. The company operates several of South Africa’s key PGM producing assets, including the 5.8-million-ounce (oz) Tumela Mine, the 310,000-oz Mogalakwena Mine, the 217,000-oz Kroondal Mine, the 160,000-oz Dishaba Mine, among other projects. In Zimbabwe, the company manages the Unki Platinum Mine, one of the country’s largest with an annual production capacity of 64,000 oz.

    For 2025, the company has set a refined production target of up to 3.4 million oz across its PGM projects, supported by ongoing mine expansions and new investments across its African portfolio. As such, African Mining Week 2025 will serve as a crucial platform for Miller to share insight into the company’s investments in Africa and the road ahead for the continent’s PGM production.

    Through his participation, Miller is expected to outline the company’s future direction, strategic priorities and ongoing projects, while reinforcing cooperation with African and international partners to enhance operational performance and market access. The South Africa’s Strategic Influence in the Global Platinum Group Metals Market session offers a strategic opportunity for conference attendees to gain insight into both the country’s PGM market and its future role as a global supplier.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Mining Week 2025 to Set the Stage for Investment and Innovation

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 23, 2025/APO Group/ —

    With global demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and copper reaching unprecedented heights, Africa’s vast mineral reserves have placed the continent at the center of the global energy transition. From powering electric vehicles to supplying renewable energy infrastructure, these resources are essential to the world’s low-carbon future – and Africa holds many of the keys. As the world races to secure stable, long-term access to these minerals, the spotlight is increasingly turning toward African markets.

    African Mining Week (AMW), taking place on October 1–3, 2025 in Cape Town, arrives at a critical moment. The event serves as a high-level, pan-African platform designed to unlock new investment flows, accelerate technological adoption and promote sustainable, inclusive growth across the continent’s mining landscape. By convening government leaders, mining executives, financiers and technology providers under one roof, AMW will shape strategic dialogue and dealmaking that define the next era of African mining.

    Driving Investment and Economic Growth

    AMW 2025 represents more than a conference; it’s a strategic platform designed to attract and mobilize investment into Africa’s mining industry. By bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and investors, the event will facilitate discussions on creating favorable regulatory environments, showcasing investment-ready projects and highlighting the continent’s untapped mineral potential, given that it holds about 30% of the world’s proven critical mineral reserves. The focus on value addition and local content development underscores the commitment to ensuring that mining activities translate into tangible economic benefits for African nations.

    Fostering Innovation and Technological Advancement

    In an era where technology is revolutionizing industries, AMW 2025 will spotlight the latest advancements in mining technology. The dedicated Technology Forum will showcase how digital solutions, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, are enhancing exploration and operational efficiency. By connecting African mining projects with global tech providers, the event will promote the adoption of innovative practices that can drive productivity and sustainability in the sector.

    Promoting Sustainable Development and Responsible Mining

    Sustainability is at the heart of AMW 2025’s agenda. The event will address the importance of responsible mining practices, environmental stewardship and community engagement. Discussions will explore strategies for minimizing environmental impact, ensuring fair labor practices and integrating artisanal and small-scale mining into the formal economy. In Ghana, for example, small-scale mining generates $5 billion in foreign earnings alone. By emphasizing sustainability, AMW aims to align Africa’s mining sector with global best practices and standards.

    Enhancing Knowledge Sharing and Regional Collaboration

    AMW 2025 will serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, offering a series of sessions, workshops and panel discussions led by experts and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond. Topics will range from regulatory frameworks and investment opportunities to technological innovations and sustainable practices. The event will also feature country-specific spotlights, providing insights into the unique mining landscapes of nations like Gabon, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa engages members of the media on conclusion of his working visit to the US

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa engages members of the media on conclusion of his working visit to the United States where he was meeting with President Donald Trump.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxml__yThtw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump ahead of official talks.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump ahead of official talks.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUth_rUqigw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa engages members of the media on conclusion of his working visit to the US – Q&A

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Ramaphosa engages members of the media on conclusion of his working visit to the US – Q&A

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isZUp_b4cuE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at the White House and is received by President Donald Trump.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at the White House and is received by President Donald Trump, President of the United States

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGFdBa9hhhY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Global: West Nile virus found in the UK for the first time – what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Hunter, Professor of Medicine, University of East Anglia

    Kwangmoozaa/Shutterstock.com

    For the first time, traces of the West Nile virus have been found in mosquitoes in the UK, according to a report published this week by the UK Health Security Agency.

    Here’s what you need to know about the virus and the disease it causes.

    What is West Nile virus?

    West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus first identified in Uganda in 1937. It belongs to the same viral family as dengue and yellow fever. The virus is most commonly transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, particularly the species Culex pipiens, which mainly feeds on birds.

    Birds are the primary host for West Nile virus, and the virus spreads in a cycle from infected birds to mosquitoes and then back to birds. Occasionally, mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or other animals.

    Most human infections – around 80% – cause no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are usually mild: fever, fatigue, headaches, body aches and sometimes nausea. But in rare cases, around one in 150 infections, the virus can cause severe illness, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis. Older adults, especially those over 50, are most at risk of serious complications.

    The virus cannot normally be spread from person to person, though rare cases of transmission have occurred through blood transfusions or from mother to baby during pregnancy.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    How did it get to the UK?

    Although the exact route isn’t known, experts believe the virus may have arrived in the UK via migratory birds infected elsewhere. The mosquitoes probably picked up the virus after feeding on these birds during their northward journey.

    The detection was made as part of a routine mosquito surveillance programme run by the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Mosquitoes collected from marshlands in south-east England tested positive in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which detect fragments of the virus’s genetic material.

    It’s important to note that a positive PCR test doesn’t necessarily mean the virus is infectious. After a mosquito becomes infected, the virus needs time – several days – to multiply inside the mosquito before it can be transmitted. And this process is highly temperature dependent.

    Can the virus spread in the UK?

    The UK’s relatively cool climate has, until now, helped keep mosquito-borne diseases at bay. At summer temperatures of around 15°C, it can take up to 100 days for the virus to develop inside a mosquito – longer than the insect’s lifespan. In contrast, in hotter climates (above 30°C), this process can take just a few days.

    For a local outbreak to occur, there would need to be a critical mass of infected birds and mosquitoes, with enough warm weather to sustain multiple cycles of transmission. So far, that hasn’t happened in the UK.

    But climate change could alter the equation. With rising global temperatures and longer, hotter summers, the conditions that allow viruses such as West Nile to spread may become more common in the UK.

    What’s happening elsewhere?

    West Nile virus was once limited to Africa and the Middle East but has spread significantly in recent decades. Large outbreaks have been recorded in countries including Greece, Romania, Israel, Russia and the US.

    The US outbreak began in New York City in 1999 when an unusual number of birds were found dead in a city zoo. A veterinary pathologist at the Bronx Zoo, Tracey McNamara, helped link the bird deaths to the human illnesses being reported.

    Since then, the virus has spread across most of the US, Canada and parts of South America, resulting in over 60,000 reported human cases, 28,000 hospitalisations and more than 3,000 deaths.

    In 2024, 19 European countries reported a total of 1,436 local cases, most in men over 65, with 125 deaths. Most were in Italy, Greece and Spain – countries with hot, mosquito-friendly summers.

    Outbreaks were also reported in birds and horses, which are both susceptible to the virus.

    Should UK residents be concerned?

    While the detection of West Nile virus in UK mosquitoes is noteworthy, experts emphasise that the public health risk remains very low. No human cases have been reported in the UK to date, and current summer temperatures are not yet conducive to sustained transmission.

    The greater risk for most British people probably comes from travel – particularly to southern Europe, where cases are rising.

    Travellers are advised to take standard mosquito precautions: wear light-coloured clothing, long sleeves and trousers, and use insect repellent, especially in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.

    For now, the virus is unlikely to spread widely in the UK. But as climate patterns shift, continued surveillance and public awareness will be key to staying ahead of the risk.

    Paul Hunter consults for the World Health Organization. He receives funding from National Institute for Health Research and has received funding from the World Health Organization and the European Regional Development Fund.

    – ref. West Nile virus found in the UK for the first time – what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/west-nile-virus-found-in-the-uk-for-the-first-time-what-you-need-to-know-257295

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with São Tomé and Príncipe on the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Completes 2025 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 23, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • IMF staff and the São Toméan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of the economic policies underpinned by the 40-month ECF-supported program. Most quantitative targets for the first review have been met and significant progress was made on a range of macro-structural issues.
    • The authorities have made progress in re-building macroeconomic stability, improving the fiscal position, and advancing the government’s reform agenda. Inflation has declined from recent highs, due to global disinflation and a tight monetary stance. Growth is expected to pick up and inflation to further decelerate over the medium term.
    • The authorities remain committed to the objectives established in the ECF-supported program approved by the IMF Executive Board in December 2024.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Mr. Slavi Slavov, Mission Chief for São Tomé and Príncipe, held meetings in São Tomé during May 8-21, 2025, to discuss progress on the authorities’ reforms and policy priorities in the context of the first review of São Tomé and Príncipe’s 40-month program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The arrangement was approved by the IMF Executive Board for a total amount of SDR18.5 million (around US$25 million) on December 19, 2024. The team also conducted discussions on the 2025 Article IV consultation.

    At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Slavov issued the following statement:

    “The São Toméan authorities and IMF staff team have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of São Tomé and Príncipe’s economic program supported by the ECF arrangement. Subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, São Tomé and Príncipe would have access to about SDR 4 million (US$5.3 million), bringing the total IMF financial support disbursed under the current arrangement to around SDR 8 million (about US$10.6 million).

    “Against an increasingly challenging global economic backdrop, the São Toméan economy remains relatively resilient, with growth of 1.1 percent in 2024 despite stubbornly high inflation, a tight policy mix, and the country’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. Inflation remains in the low double digits, while core inflation has declined significantly. The pegged exchange rate has served as an anchor to support domestic stability, but the inflation differential with the Euro Area has put pressures on the fragile external position of the country.

    “Growth is expected to reach 2.9 percent in 2025, accelerate further to 4.7 percent in 2026, and remain at around 3.5 percent over the medium term. This reflects the recovery of the agriculture sector and tourism, while private and public investments are expected to boost growth going forward. The IMF-supported program plays a catalytic role in mobilizing financial support and technical assistance from the country’s main development partners. Declining international oil prices are expected to reduce fiscal and external sector pressures, improving reserves accumulation and macroeconomic stability. Reforming the energy sector remains key to unlocking growth and alleviating pressures on public debt and foreign exchange reserves. The government has made significant strides in fiscal consolidation, reaching a domestic primary balance of zero in 2024, better than the targeted deficit of 0.5 percent of GDP.

    “Discussions on the 2025 Article IV consultation focused on the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure and improving public investment management to reduce the country’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. Discussions also covered improving inflation forecasting, liquidity management, and strengthening financial inclusion.

    “The IMF staff team met President Carlos Vila Nova; Prime Minister Américo d’Oliveira dos Ramos; Minister of State for Economy and Finance Gareth Haddad do Espírito Santo Guadalupe; Acting Governor of the Central Bank Lara Simone Beirão; other government officials; representatives of the private sector including banks; and development partners. The mission expresses its deep appreciation to the authorities for their cooperation, hospitality, and constructive policy discussions.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/22/pr25157-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-reaches-sla-1st-rev-under-ecf-completes-2025-aiv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 22 May 2025 Departmental update African Nations unite to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis and boost cross-border collaboration for NTDs

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In a powerful demonstration of country-driven leadership and cross-border solidarity, Ministry of Health representatives from various African countries pledged to intensify action to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

    At a side event held on the margins of the 78th World Health Assembly on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, under the leadership of the African Union Commission, several countries signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and endorsed a Call for Action to promote cross-border collaboration and accelerate progress towards elimination targets set for NTDs.

    Eliminating visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Africa

    With this MoU, the ministers or their representatives of Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan agreed to invest resources, develop effective policies and collaborate closely to achieve the ambitious targets outlined in the VL strategic framework launched in June 2024.Additional eastern African countries are expected to sign the MoU in the near future. 

    “As the global community reaches the half-way point towards the road map targets and almost one year after we launched a strategic framework for the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis, the critical role of country-led efforts and cross-border collaboration in accelerating elimination cannot be over emphasized,” said Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, Director of the

    WHO Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme  in his opening remarks.

    Of all the NTDs, VL is among the deadliest and most outbreak-prone diseases and is endemic in all six WHO regions, with 74% of its global burden in the eastern African epidemiological subregion. Half of the cases occur in children aged under 15 years. Also known as kala-azar, VL is a lethal parasitic disease that causes fever, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, and — if untreated — death.

    Ministers and delegates of Chad, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and Djibouti (left to right) holding the Memorandum of Understanding on elimination of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Africa /© Orbisswiss Photos & Press

    Accelerating elimination of NTDs through cross-border collaboration

    Like VL, many NTDs are vector-borne or waterborne, making them easily transmissible across borders. The movement of people and animals  further facilitates this spread, posing a barrier to  national elimination goals and progress towards

    road map targets.

    This was the focus of the second significant moment of the event in which a Call for Action on NTD cross-border collaboration was issued by the Ministers of Health of Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. They urged countries to share experiences in developing collaboration agreements and workplans and take collective action.

    To address this challenge, Member States are encouraged to coordinate efforts and endorse joint MoUs to enable synchronized interventions, surveillance and data-sharing across borders. Regional and multilateral agencies, along with international development partners, should advocate for increased financing, provide technical support and invest in data systems and innovation to strengthen cross-border initiatives towards elimination of all NTDs.

    Climate change adds urgency, as warming temperatures and extreme weather events create favourable conditions for the spread and re-emergence of diseases.  

    Strong cross-border coordination is therefore critical — not only to interrupt transmission in endemic areas but also to maintain elimination through effective post-elimination surveillance.

    “We know that diseases do not stop at borders — and neither should our response. More than 600 million people on our continent remain at risk of at least one of the NTDs,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC in a statement read by Dr Landry Tsague Dongmo, Africa CDC’s Director Center for Primary Health Care. “Africa CDC has been working to enhance cross-border surveillance platforms through the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response framework, in close collaboration with WHO,” he added.

    Towards an NTD-free world

    This crucial side event underscored that while individual country successes are vital, the interconnected nature of NTD transmission necessitates robust cross-border approaches, particularly in the face of challenges like climate change. The commitment of east African nations to tackle VL head-on through unified action sets a compelling precedent for accelerating the elimination of other devastating NTDs.

    These efforts build on significant advances in the fight against NTDs across Africa. As of May 2025, 56 countries have eliminated at least one NTD globally, including Togo (four NTDs) and Benin, Ghana (three NTDs). In 2024 and 2025, several other African countries have achieved this target for one or two NTDs: most recently Chad, Guinea, Mauritania and Niger were acknowledged by WHO for eliminating an NTD.

    “To reach elimination, we need more medical innovation. VL patients and their communities urgently need new, improved oral treatments. The recent successes of South Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, in eliminating kala-azar show that global elimination of this dreadful disease is within our reach, and I would like to commend the inspiring leadership, unity, and commitment shown today by our African partners,” said Dr Luis Pizarro, Executive Director of the non-profit medical research organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). 

    The event, themed “Accelerating NTD elimination through country-driven efforts and cross-border collaboration,” was spearheaded by the African Union Commission and the WHO-led Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination (GONE), and supported by The END Fund and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli Advances to Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs, South Africa’s Made By Basketball (MBB) Wins Second Straight

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    KIGALI, Rwanda, May 23, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Five players scored in double figures and Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya) beat Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya) 104-91 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda last night, which gave them their fourth straight win in the Nile Conference and a guaranteed slot in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs (https://BAL.NBA.com/). Al Ahli will join Al Ittihad (Egypt), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), 2022 BAL champion US Monastir (Tunisia), the defending champion Petro de Luanda (Angola) and Kriol Star (Cape Verde) when the BAL Playoffs tip off at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa on June 6. Tickets for the 2025 BAL Playoffs are available on www.Ticketmaster.co.za.

    Former NBA Academy Africa student-athlete Jean Jacques Boissy (Senegal) led Al Ahli with 26 points, while Mohamed Abdourahman (Libya) added 23 points and 13 rebounds. Uchenna Iroegbu (U.S./Nigeria) led Thunder with  23 points, with Eugene Adera (Kenya) adding nine points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

    In the second game last night, Made By Basketball (South Africa) defeated the home team APR (Rwanda) 94-88, winning their second straight game in the competition. Jovan Mooring (U.S.) got 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Teafale Lenard Jr. (U.S.) recorded 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Pieter Prinsloo (South Africa) added 13 points and seven rebounds. Tennessee Tech center David Craig (South Africa) played more than 24 minutes, finishing with nine points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the South African team which shot 51 percent from the floor.

    Obadiah Noel (U.S.) led APR with 23 points and Youssoupha Ndoye (Senegal) added 19 points and 10 rebounds, but APR struggled offensively down the stretch, shooting 37 percent from the floor. APR retained their second position in the Nile Conference, but will look to bounce back this weekend after two consecutive losses.

    The Nile Conference resumes on Saturday, with MBB (2-2) taking on Nairobi City Thunder (0-4) and Al Ahli Tripoli (4-0) facing APR (2-2).

    POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCES

    GAME HIGHLIGHTS

    NILE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

    1. Al Ahli Tripoli* – 4-0
    2. APR – 2-2
    3. MBB – 2-2
    4. Nairobi City Thunder- 0-4

    *Advanced to 2025 BAL Playoffs

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Omaha Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

    Source: US FBI

    United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Calvin J. Carter, 22, and Malik M. Washington, 28, both of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced on May 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Carter and Washington to 18 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Carter and Washington are released from prison, they each will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Chief Judge Rossiter also ordered both to pay restitution in the amount of $180,315.54.

    From April 2021 through December 2022, Carter and Washington recruited and obtained bank account information from individuals that owned personal bank accounts at various financial institutions in the District of Nebraska and elsewhere.  Through investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that Carter and Washington created counterfeit checks making it appear as though the checks were legitimately issued by businesses to those individuals.  They then presented the counterfeit checks to financial institutions, falsely represented the checks to be legitimate.  Carter and Washington would then withdraw cash from bank accounts into which the counterfeit checks were deposited.

    During the duration of this conspiracy, Carter and Washington caused, and attempted to cause, counterfeit checks to be deposited into bank accounts at various financial institutions resulting in the loss of $180,315.54.

    This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa concludes his working visit to the United States of America

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Stay updated, South Africa! Subscribe to The Presidency’s Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PresidencyZA/?sub_confirmation=1.

    Checkout more: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za

    Get Social
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/PresidencyZA
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    Twitter ► @PresidencyZA

    #ThePresidencyofSouthAfrica #PresidencyZA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dafix4bVP0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: Announcement of the final result of Nykredit’s recommended voluntary public tender offer for Spar Nord Bank A/S – Nykredit Realkredit A/S

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 21(3) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 636 OF 15 MAY 2020

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE DOING SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

    Announcement of the final result of Nykredit’s recommended voluntary public tender offer for Spar Nord Bank A/S

    23 May 2025

    Nykredit announces the final result of the recommended voluntary public tender offer for Spar Nord Bank A/S

    In accordance with section 4(1) of the Danish Takeover Order1, Nykredit Realkredit A/S (“Nykredit”) announced on 10 December 2024 that Nykredit intended to submit a voluntary public takeover offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all shares in Spar Nord Bank A/S (“Spar Nord Bank”), with the exception of Spar Nord Bank’s treasury shares, for a cash price of DKK 210 per share, valuing the aggregated issued share capital of Spar Nord Bank at DKK 24.7 billion. As stated in a supplement dated 2 April 2025, the offer price has subsequently been increased to DKK 210.50 per share.

    On 8 January 2025, Nykredit published the offer document regarding the Offer (the “Offer Document”), as approved by the Danish FSA in accordance with section 11 of the Danish Takeover Order. The Offer Document was most recently supplemented in a supplement of 23 April 2025.

    The offer period expired on 20 May 2025 at 23:59 (CEST), and on 21 May 2025 Nykredit announced the preliminary result of the Offer in accordance with section 21(3) of the Danish Takeover Order. The preliminary result of the Offer showed that Nykredit had obtained acceptances which, combined Spar Nord Bank shares held by Nykredit, represent 96.54 per cent of the total share capital and voting rights in Spar Nord Bank, excluding Spar Nord Bank’s holding of treasury shares.

    Final result

    In accordance with section 21(3) of the Danish Takeover Order, Nykredit hereby announces the final result of the Offer.

    The final summation of acceptances shows that Nykredit has obtained acceptances for 72,169,763 shares, equal to 62.87 per cent of the share capital and the associated voting rights in Spar Nord Bank, excluding Spar Nord Bank’s holding of 2,918,044 treasury shares. The acceptances correspond to 61.32 per cent of the total share capital and voting rights in Spar Nord Bank.

    The acceptances received combined with the total of 38,646,475 Spar Nord Bank shares owned by Nykredit represent 96.54 per cent of the total share capital and voting rights in Spar Nord Bank, excluding Spar Nord Bank’s holding of treasury shares. The acceptances received and Nykredit’s holding of Spar Nord Bank shares correspond in total to 94.15 per cent of the total share capital and the total number of voting rights in Spar Nord Bank.

    The relevant regulatory approvals have been obtained, and the final summation of acceptances confirms that the minimum condition for acceptance is also fulfilled. Nykredit therefore considers that all conditions for completion of the Offer have been fulfilled, and Nykredit intends to complete the Offer on the terms and conditions set out in the Offer Document.

    Settlement

    The Offer is expected to be completed on 28 May 2025, on which date the cash consideration will be paid to the designated account of each Spar Nord Bank shareholder who has validly accepted the Offer and who has not validly withdrawn the acceptance of the Offer.

    Compulsory acquisition, delisting and changes to the management and articles of association

    As Nykredit stands to obtain an ownership interest corresponding to more than 90 per cent of the share capital and the associated voting rights in Spar Nord Bank (excluding treasury shares) upon completion of the Offer, it is Nykredit’s intention, as described in section 7.8 of the Offer Document, to initiate and complete a compulsory acquisition of the shares held by the remaining Spar Nord Bank shareholders in pursuance of sections 70-72 of the Danish Companies Act.

    Nykredit furthermore intends to seek to have the Spar Nord Bank shares removed from trading and official listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S as described in section 7.9 of the Offer Document.

    In this connection, Nykredit will request Spar Nord Bank to convene an extraordinary general meeting at which Nykredit, as described in sections 7.4 and 7.5 of the Offer Document, will propose changes to the board of directors of Spar Nord Bank and changes to Spar Nord Bank’s articles of association.

    Detailed information on compulsory acquisition and delisting will be published in separate announcements.

    Additional information

    Contact persons:

    Investor contact:

    Morten Bækmand, Head of Investor Relations, Nykredit (+45 4455 1521)

    Media contact:

    Orhan Gökcen, Head of Press, Nykredit (+45 3121 0639)

    For further information about the Offer, please see: https://www.nykredit.com/en-gb/offer-spar-nord/

    This announcement and the Offer Document (with supplements) are not directed at shareholders of Spar Nord Bank A/S whose participation in the Offer would require the issuance of an offer document, registration or activities other than what is required under Danish law (and, in the case of shareholders in the United States of America, Section 14(e) of, and applicable provisions of Regulation 14E promulgated under, the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Offer is not made and will not be made, directly or indirectly, to shareholders resident in any jurisdiction in which the submission of the Offer or acceptance thereof would be in contravention of the laws of such jurisdiction. Any person coming into possession of this announcement, the Offer Document or any other document containing a reference to the Offer is expected and assumed to independently obtain all necessary information about any applicable restrictions and to observe these.

    This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase securities or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in accordance with the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be submitted only in the form of the Offer Document (with supplements) approved by the FSA, which sets out the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including information on how to accept the Offer. The shareholders of Spar Nord Bank are advised to read the Offer Document and any related documents as they contain important information.

    Restricted jurisdictions

    The Offer is not made, and acceptance of the Offer to tender Spar Nord Bank shares is not accepted, neither directly nor indirectly, in or from any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or any other measures with any regulatory authority not expressly contemplated by the Offer Document (the “Restricted Jurisdictions”). Neither the United States nor the United Kingdom is a Restricted Jurisdiction.

    Restricted Jurisdictions include, but are not limited to: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

    Persons obtaining documents or information relating to the Offer (including custodians, account holding institutions, nominees, trustees, representatives, fiduciaries or other intermediaries) should not distribute, communicate, transfer or send these in or into a Restricted Jurisdiction or use mail or any other means of communication in or into a Restricted Jurisdiction in connection with the Offer. Persons (including, but not limited to, custodians, custodian banks, nominees, trustees, representatives, fiduciaries or other intermediaries) intending to communicate this announcement, the Offer Document, supplements or any related document to any jurisdiction outside Denmark or the United States should inform themselves about these restrictions before taking any action. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, including securities laws. It is the responsibility of all Persons obtaining this announcement, the Offer Document, supplements, an acceptance form and/or other documents relating to the Offer, or into whose possession such documents otherwise come, to inform themselves about and observe all such restrictions.

    Nykredit is not responsible for ensuring that the distribution, dissemination or communication of this announcement, the Offer Document or supplements to shareholders outside Denmark, the United States and the United Kingdom is consistent with applicable law in any jurisdiction other than Denmark, the United States and the United Kingdom.

    Important Information for Shareholders in the United States

    The Offer concerns the shares in Spar Nord Bank, a public limited liability company incorporated and admitted to trading on a regulated market in Denmark, and is subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Danish law, including the Danish capital markets act and the Danish takeover order.

    The Offer is being made to shareholders in Spar Nord Bank in the United States in compliance with the applicable US tender offer rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “U.S. Exchange Act”), including Regulation 14E promulgated thereunder, subject to the relief available for a “Tier II” tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Danish law and practice

    Accordingly, US Spar Nord Bank shareholders should be aware that this announcement and any other documents regarding the Offer have been prepared in accordance with, and will be subject to, the disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, the Offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments of Danish law and practice, which may differ materially from those applicable under US domestic tender offer law and practice. In addition, the financial information contained in this announcement or the Offer Document has not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or derived therefrom, and may therefore differ from, or not be comparable with, financial information of US companies.

    In accordance with the laws of, and practice in, Denmark and to the extent permitted by applicable law, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, Nykredit, Nykredit’s affiliates or any nominees or brokers of the foregoing (acting as agents, or in a similar capacity, for Nykredit or any of its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase, outside of the United States, shares in Spar Nord Bank or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares in Spar Nord Bank before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be announced via Nasdaq Copenhagen and relevant electronic media if, and to the extent, such announcement is required under applicable law. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Denmark, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform US shareholders of Spar Nord Bank of such information.

    In addition, subject to the applicable laws of Denmark and US securities laws, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the financial advisers to Nykredit or their respective affiliates may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Spar Nord Bank, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

    It may not be possible for US shareholders to effect service of process within the United States upon Spar Nord Bank, Nykredit or any of their respective affiliates, or their respective officers or directors, some or all of which may reside outside the United States, or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or other US law. It may not be possible to bring an action against Nykredit, Spar Nord Bank and/or their respective officers or directors (as applicable) in a non-US court for violations of US laws. Further, it may not be possible to compel Nykredit and Spar Nord Bank or their respective affiliates, as applicable, to subject themselves to the judgment of a US court. In addition, it may be difficult to enforce in Denmark original actions, or actions for the enforcement of judgments of US courts, based on the civil liability provisions of the US federal securities laws.

    The Offer, if completed, may have consequences under US federal income tax and under applicable US state and local, as well as non-US, tax laws. Each shareholder of Spar Nord Bank is urged to consult its independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the Offer.

    NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN ANY STATE OF THE U.S. HAS APPROVED OR DECLINED TO APPROVE THE OFFER OR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE OFFER OR PROVIDED AN OPINION AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY OFFER DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.

    1 Executive Order no. 636 of 15 May 2020

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cincinnati Area Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Laundering Proceeds From Online Romance-Fraud Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    CINCINNATI – De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Fairfield, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 78 months in prison for his role as a money launderer in a romance fraud conspiracy that targeted elderly victims looking for companionship online.

    According to court documents, members of the conspiracy created fake online dating profiles using stolen photographs and false information, then communicated with the victims via chats, texts and phone calls while pretending to be the imaginary person pictured in the profile. They commonly claimed to be living abroad to explain why they could not meet in person.

    The conspirators instructed the victims to transfer money, often tens of thousands of dollars at a time, to accounts controlled by Amuzu. They also commonly instructed victims to mail Amuzu cash or other items of value, like Rolex watches and iPhones. After receiving the victims’ money, Amuzu laundered it to accounts in Ghana. Investigators tracked more than $1.1 million in fraud proceeds that flowed through Amuzu’s accounts. Amuzu was ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.

    “According to court documents, several victims lost so much money to the scheme that they were forced to declare bankruptcy,” said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Anyone who suspects they or a loved one is a victim of such a fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, or go to the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website for more information – www.Justice.gov/elderjustice.”

    A federal grand jury indicted Amuzu in 2022. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, 2024, to conspiring to launder money. His case was announced in October 2022 as part of the Justice Department’s National Elder Justice Sweep, an initiative to increase awareness of the various fraudulent schemes targeting the elderly.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser and Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black. U.S. Attorney Parker also recognized the contributions of Garrett Baker and Susan Monnin of the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as Butler County Prosecutor’s Office Investigator Steve Isgro. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chief Science Officer of Publicly Traded Health Care Company Charged for Insider Trading Scheme Utilizing 10b5-1 Trading Plans

    Source: US FBI

    Second Indictment Stemming from Fraud Section’s Data-Driven Initiative to Identify 10b5-1 Trading Plan Abuses

    Note: View a copy of the indictment here.

    An indictment was unsealed today charging a former U.S. citizen with engaging in an insider trading scheme involving the stock of Humanigen Inc., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company. Dale Chappell, 54, who was formerly the chief scientific officer and member of the Board of Directors of Humanigen, was arrested on Dec. 20 in Switzerland based on the U.S. criminal charges. The United States will seek Chappell’s extradition to stand trial in the District of New Jersey.

    According to court documents, between June and August of 2021, Chappell avoided more than $38 million in losses by selling millions of shares of Humanigen stock while in possession of material nonpublic information about Humanigen’s application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of a drug to treat COVID-19 called Lenzilumab. Chappell — who sold the Humanigen shares through funds that he controlled — is alleged to have engaged in an insider trading scheme in which he fraudulently used Rule 10b5-1 trading plans to trade Humanigen stock.

    The indictment alleges that, in March 2021, Humanigen announced that it planned to seek emergency use authorization (EUA) for Lenzilumab. However, between April and May 2021, FDA staff allegedly informed Humanigen that Humanigen was unlikely to meet the criteria for issuance of an EUA. As alleged, knowing that this information was not disclosed publicly by Humanigen, Chappell sold the funds’ Humanigen stock, and later also implemented Rule 10b5-1 plans to trade more Humanigen stock holdings. After Humanigen publicly announced that the FDA had declined EUA approval for Lenzilumab, Humanigen’s stock price declined approximately 50%.

    Chappell is charged with one count of engaging in a securities fraud scheme and four counts of securities fraud for insider trading. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on the securities fraud scheme charge and 20 years in prison on each of the insider trading charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The case is part of a data-driven initiative led by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section to identify executive abuses of 10b5-1 trading plans. Chappell’s alleged trading was identified by the Fraud Section through its data-analytics tools. A Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which allows a corporate insider of a publicly traded company to set up a plan for selling company stock, can offer an executive a defense to insider-trading charges. However, the defense is unavailable if the executive is in possession of material nonpublic information at the time he or she enters into the 10b5-1 trading plan. Additionally, a plan does not protect an executive if the trading plan was not entered into in good faith or was entered into as part of an effort or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b5‑1.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey; and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

    The FBI is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is handling the request for Chappell’s extradition.

    Trial Attorneys David Austin and Matthew Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Romano for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/KENYA – Another priest murdered in Kenya

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – Another Catholic priest has been murdered in Kenya. Father Alloyce Cheruiyot Bett was shot dead in the Tot area of the Kerio Valley, in the Elgeyo Marakwetm County, in the Western Highlands of Kenya.The murder occurred yesterday, May 22, when, at the end of the Holy Mass in the small Christian community in the village of Kakbiken, several gunmen fired shots, one of which hit Father Bett in the neck, killing him instantly.Kenyan police said they have arrested six people in connection with the priest’s murder.While it is suspected that it was an attempted robbery, a police spokesperson emphasized that Father Bett’s murder was in no way connected to the cattle thefts or other forms of banditry in the area.Local sources said the killers may have mistook the priest for a police informant who was helping law enforcement in a security operation in the area. Father Tott is the second Catholic priest killed in Kenya within a week. On May 15, Father John Ndegwa Maina, parish priest of St. Louis Parish in Igwamiti, died in hospital after being found seriously injured on the side of the Nakuru-Nairobi highway, several kilometers from his parish (see Fides, 21/5/2025). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Money Launderer Sentenced to Prison for Role in Online Scams

    Source: US FBI

    TUCSON, Ariz. – Whitney Adams, 27, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 48 months in prison and ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution to 17 victims. Adams pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering on May 16, 2023.

    Between January 2021 and April 2022, Adams laundered money for scammers who lured victims into various online frauds. In some instances, the victims believed they were sending money to support an online romantic partner who falsely stated they needed to pay taxes and fees to release an inheritance or gold bars. The stories told to the victims by the scammers were fraudulent. The scammers directed the victims’ monies into accounts controlled by Adams and her co-conspirator. When Adams and her co-conspirator received the fraudulent monies, they kept a fee for themselves, and then transferred the funds, via trade-based money laundering or other means, to Ghana. Adams and her co-conspirator set up phony businesses and then opened business bank accounts to hide the transfer of the fraudulently obtained funds. The FBI traced $4,437,604, sent by 106 victims, through Adams’ and her co-conspirator’s bank accounts. One Arizona victim lost nearly $5 million to the scams, sending over $1 million to Adams’ and her co-conspirator’s accounts and the remaining money to multiple other individuals. Adams’ co-conspirator pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 18, 2024.

    This case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Elder Justice Initiative. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This DOJ hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step and can help authorities identify fraudsters and recoup losses. The hotline is staffed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Sue Feldmeier, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
     

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-00893-JCH-2
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-002_Adams

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Nigerian Men Indicted in Multimillion-Dollar Internet-Enabled Investment Fraud Scheme

    Source: US FBI

    NEWARK, N.J. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey unsealed charges today against three Nigerian nationals for their roles in a transnational internet-enabled investment fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

    Augustine Chibuzo Onyeachonam, 30, Stanley Asiegbu, a/k/a “Stanislaus, Asiegbu”, 37, and Chukwuebuka Nweke-Eze, 29, all of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, were each charged by Indictment with one count of wire fraud conspiracy (Count One), two counts of wire fraud (Counts Two and Three), one count of securities fraud conspiracy (Count Four), one count of identity theft conspiracy (Count Five), and four counts of aggravated identity theft (Counts Six through Nine).

    These defendants not only defrauded dozens of victims out of millions of dollars of their hard-earned money, but they also impersonated licensed FINRA representatives, spoofed their websites, and misappropriated the seal of the SEC to carry out their fraud,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue these kinds of scammers no matter where in the world they are and seek justice for their victims.”

    According to the Indictment:

    From at least as early as in or around 2018 through the present, Onyeachonam, Asiegbu, Nweke-Eze, and others (the “Conspirators”) orchestrated an internet-enabled fraud scheme that targeted victims throughout the United States, including in the District of New Jersey. As part of the fraud scheme, the Conspirators impersonated dozens of individuals registered as broker-dealers with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and used those stolen identities to solicit investments from members of the public through fraudulent public-facing websites.

    The fraudulent, or “spoofed”, websites were registered in the names of the impersonated victim brokers and often included genuine credentials, such as CRD numbers, associated with the victim brokers. At times, the spoofed websites also included links to: (1) the FINRA website associated with the victim brokers that allowed any member of the public to view the victim brokers’ employment history, certifications, licenses, or prior violations; and (2) fake social media accounts created by the Conspirators in the names of the victim brokers.  At times, the spoofed websites also displayed, without authorization, the seal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The Conspirators would further use the SEC seal in email communications with victims.

    The Conspirators lured victims of the fraud scheme to the spoofed websites by touting the services of the victim brokers in the comment sections of online articles or videos discussing financial and cryptocurrency investment-related topics. At times, the Conspirators would include links to one or more of the spoofed websites.

    When a fraud victim visited a spoofed website, he or she was directed to communicate with an individual they believed to be a legitimate broker-dealer by contacting a telephone number or email address listed on the spoofed website. The Conspirators, posing as the victim brokers, then communicated with fraud victims and, among other things: (1) told fraud victims that their money would be invested in various stocks and cryptocurrencies; and (2) guaranteed fraud victims returns on their investments of up to 25%. The Conspirators used voice-changing software applications to impersonate certain female victim broker dealers when communicating by telephone.

    When a fraud victim decided to invest money with one of the Conspirators posing as a victim broker, the fraud victim was told to: (1) open an account at a particular cryptocurrency trading platform; (2) purchase cryptocurrency assets through that platform; and (3) send the cryptocurrency assets to a particular cryptocurrency wallet address for the purpose of investment. In reality, the funds transferred by the fraud victims to the Conspirators were not invested but were stolen by the Conspirators. At times, fraud victims’ funds were stolen directly from the account(s) opened by them at a particular cryptocurrency exchange.

    As part of the fraud scheme, the Conspirators further created fraudulent online investment platforms that falsely displayed monthly returns associated with the fraud victims’ investments. A fraud victim visiting one of the fraudulent investment platforms typically would observe substantial returns on their investment. At times, when a fraud victim requested to withdraw funds from their account, they would be asked by the Conspirators to pay additional money in fees or taxes to withdraw the funds. After paying these fees, the funds would still not be released.

    In total, the Conspirators caused dozens of fraud victims to transmit funds that they believed to be for investments in the aggregate amount of at least approximately $3 million.

    The wire fraud conspiracy charged in Count One carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the wire fraud charged in Counts Two and Three of the Indictment each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the conspiracy to commit securities fraud charged in Count Four of the Indictment carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the conspiracy to commit identity theft charged in Count Five of the Indictment carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and the aggravated identity theft counts charged in each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of two years and a $250,000 fine.

    The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today filed a civil complaint against all three defendants based on the same conduct.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI – Newark Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, with the investigation leading to the indictment.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony P. Torntore and Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

    The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: As more people are driven from their homes in DRC food insecurity worsens, creating heightened humanitarian needs regionally

    Source: World Food Programme

    WFP/Michael Castofas. In Bulengo camp, on the outskirts of Goma, displaced families face a dire and uncertain future as M23 authorities instruct them to dismantle their makeshift shelters.

    KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that the sheer scale of people being displaced from their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to escalating conflict, is pushing food insecurity to crisis proportions and deepening an already strained humanitarian response both internally and across the region.

    WFP is scaling up its efforts to ensure lifesaving aid reaches displaced communities, but assistance is not keeping pace with the growing needs. 

    Below is an update on food security and WFP operations: 

    Food security inside DRC 

    • Violent clashes between the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), M23, and other armed groups have uprooted more than 660,000 people since January in Goma alone, leaving these individuals without reliable access to food.
    • In the conflict-affected eastern provinces of DRC, (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika) the number of people facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above) has risen from 6.6 million to 7.9 million. Some 2.3 million of these people are in IPC phase 4.
    • Food production in North Kivu’s Grand Nord, an important agricultural hub in eastern DRC, is deeply affected by escalating insecurity and mass displacement.
    • According to the latest assessment, more than 90 percent of households in North and South Kivu are facing acute levels of food insecurity, with many families forced to reduce meal sizes, eat less nutritious food and resort to begging.
    • Local food prices have increased as insecurity disrupts trade routes and market access, leaving families struggling.
    • The DRC is now home to 28 million acutely food insecure people (IPC 3 and above).
    • Cross-border displacement is compounding the food crisis. In the first four months of 2025 nearly 140,000 Congolese fled to neighbouring countries, with Burundi and Uganda receiving the largest influxes – 70,000 and 60,000 respectively.
    • People fleeing into neighboring countries have abandoned their farms and many lack access to critical services including food, shelter and healthcare. 

    Food insecurity among Congolese displaced in neighbouring countries

    • Women, children and the elderly are among the hardest hit. They rely on food aid and face increased risks in overcrowded and under-resourced displacement sites in host countries.

    WFP response 

    • WFP has reached 1.1 million people in the eastern provinces of DRC with life-saving food and cash assistance between January and March 2025.
      • daily school meals and take-home rations provided to 115,000 schoolchildren to support learning and nutrition.
      • treatment and nutrition supplements delivered to 340,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls.
      • 14,000 people reached with livelihood support programs to rebuild their lives.
    • WFP is also providing critical logistics and supply chain support, ensuring life-saving food and relief items reach even the hardest-to-reach communities.
    • Cross border refugee response:
    • Burundi:  WFP currently supports more than 80,000 refugees, including 25,000 new arrivals who have fled violence in neighboring DRC since January. In March, WFP was forced to reduce food assistance to half rations for all refugees to adjust to the limited humanitarian funding available.
    • Rwanda – WFP supports more than 130,000 refugees, asylum seekers and returnees including 16,700 recent arrivals from DRC, with food assistance through cash, in-kind aid, and livelihood support. But due to funding shortfalls, April saw cash assistance slashed by 50 percent. With a surge in voluntary returns from DRC, WFP is also providing food during transit, and cash for reintegration. Over 2,500 returnees were recorded (?) were recorded by mid-May alone.
    • Uganda  – WFP supports over 630,000 refugees – down from 1.6 million supported in April due to funding challenges. This includes 64,000 refugees who have recently arrived from the DRC.  Acute malnutrition rates have reached emergency thresholds (above 15 percent) in reception centers receiving new arrivals from DRC. WFP supports with hot meals, food assistance, nutrition and livelihood programs.
    • Tanzania:  About 186,000 refugees from Burundi and the DRC rely on WFP for lifesaving food assistance under a strict encampment policy that limits access to livelihoods. Rations were reduced from 82 percent to 65 percent in May and will drop further to 50 percent in June. The risk of a larger refugee influxes remains high, placing further strain on an already stretched response.

    Challenges

    • WFP is working with humanitarian partners to ensure people receive life-saving assistance, but the needs are soaring, and the resources are not keeping pace.
    • Insecurity and ongoing armed clashes are limiting humanitarian access, making it difficult to reach the most vulnerable communities in eastern DRC.
    • The shortage of food commodities is significantly impacting WFP’s emergency response, particularly in South Kivu where general food distributions were not possible in April.
    • Goma airport, a key humanitarian hub, remains closed.

    Funding

    • WFP urgently requires US$433 million to sustain emergency operations in the DRC through October 2025. Without immediate support, millions risk being cut off from lifesaving assistance, further deepening the humanitarian crisis both at country and regional level.
    • Burundi:  WFP requires $16.6 million to deliver complete food assistance to refugees through the end of the year, assuming there is no additional influx. Without additional funding, food assistance for WFP’s existing caseload of refugees will be halted by October.
    • Rwanda:  WFP urgently requires US$12 million to maintain full rations for refugees through 2025. Without immediate funding, cash transfers to refugees and asylum seekers will be halted entirely by August, putting lives at risk.
    • Tanzania:  WFP requires an additional US$ 18 million through April 2026 to provide 75 percent rations for all refugees.
    • Uganda – WFP requires US$26 million to maintain life-saving food assistance at reduced rations through 2025. 

    #                             #                       #

    Note to Editors 

    Package of photos available here.

    Find more information on WFP Emergency response in the DRC

    Read As hunger soars in DRC, WFP regional chief urges joint action to reverse course

    For interviews, please contact WFP.Media@wfp.org

     

    About WFP 

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media @wfpdrc

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lackawanna Man Pleads Guilty to His Role in Kidnapping Conspiracy Attempting to Force Sister to Marry in Yemen

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Waleed Abughanem, 32, of Lackawanna, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to misprision of felony, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and Maeve E. Huggins, who are handling the case, stated that Abughanem is the son of Khaled Abughanem and the brother of Adham Abughanem. Waleed Abughanem has several other siblings, including an adult sister (Victim). On September 1, 2021, the Victim traveled from Lackawanna to Guadalajara, Mexico, to temporarily stay with her fiancé, whom she had known for several years. The Victim did so out of fear that family members would require her to enter into a non-consensual arranged marriage. Khaled and Adham Abughanem, and the Victim’s  mother traveled to Guadalajara, and told the Victim that she would be allowed to marry her fiancé if she returned to the United States, which the Victim agreed to do. Waleed Abughanem knew that Khaled and Adham Abughanem did not intend to allow the Victim to marry her fiancé after she returned to the United States.

    After the Victim returned to the United States, Khaled, Adham, and Waleed Abughanem restricted her freedom of movement and forced her to stay in the Abughanem family’s Lackawanna residence for several weeks in September and October 2021. In October 2021, Khaled and Adham tricked the Victim into thinking that she would be permitted to marry her fiancé if she traveled with Khaled and Adham Abughanem, and other family members to Egypt, and later to Yemen. Waleed Abughanem drove the Victim and other family members to an airport in Cleveland, Ohio, for the purpose of traveling to Egypt. Khaled and Adham Abughanem intended to find a man for the Victim to enter into a non-consensual arranged marriage, which Waleed Abughanem was aware of.

    The Victim was held involuntarily in Cairo, Egypt and then in Sana’a, Yemen, from October 2021 until April 6, 2023. During this time, she did not have free access to her United States passport, and, as an unmarried woman, the Victim was not permitted to freely travel or leave Yemen without the approval of family members. Waleed Abughanem knew the Victim was being held involuntarily, and during some of this period, he was present in Yemen. When he was not present in Yemen, Waleed Abughanem instructed his wife to monitor and supervise the Victim. In December 2022, Waleed Abughanem traveled from Yemen to the United States. When questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as to the whereabouts of his siblings, Waleed Abughanem told the CBP Officer that the Victim was in the United States. By making a false statement, Waleed Abughanem concealed that the Victim had been kidnapped and was being involuntarily held in Yemen.

    Charges remain pending against Khaled and Adham Abughanem. They are scheduled to go to trial in October, 2024.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Diplomatic Security Director Carlos Matus and Deputy Assistant Secretary Paul Houston. Additional assistance was provided by the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Packard, Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and CPB in Boston, Massachusetts.

    Sentencing is scheduled for January 24, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colorado Recidivist Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Crimes Against Children

    Source: US FBI

    DENVER – A Colorado man was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release for his distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and involvement with a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM.

    According to court documents, while still on parole for a 2013 Colorado conviction for sexual exploitation of a child, registered sex offender Christopher Carl Meier, 41, of Denver, became a member of a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM depicting boys and the discussion of the sexual abuse of minor boys. On July 9, Meier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute CSAM and five counts of distribution of CSAM. Meier was a member of the website for more than 18 months and made more than 600 posts on the website. On this website, Meier advertised and distributed images and videos depicting minor boys engaged in sexual conduct. He made statements on the website admitting that he produced this material by tricking the boys into thinking that they were interacting online with a girl their own age, and by enticing them to disrobe and engage in sex acts on webcam. The FBI is aware of at least 65 victims of Meier’s conduct.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch for the District of Colorado; Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Mark D. Michalek of the FBI Denver Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Denver Field Office investigated the case.

    Acting Deputy Chief Kyle Reynolds of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts for the District of Colorado prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President addresses UNESCO’s Transforming MEN’talities campaign FB:| PresidencyZA

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

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    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CEO of 500.Com (now Bit Mining Ltd.) Indicted for Role in Bribing Japanese Officials and Bit Mining Ltd. Resolves Foreign Bribery Investigation

    Source: US FBI

    NEWARK, N.J. – An indictment was unsealed today charging the former CEO of 500.com (now BIT Mining Ltd.), Zhengming Pan, a Chinese national, with violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). BIT Mining Ltd. has agreed to resolve investigations by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into related FCPA violations arising from the company’s participation in a corrupt scheme to pay bribes to Japanese government officials.

    BIT Mining entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed in the District of New Jersey charging BIT Mining with one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery and books and records provisions of the FCPA and one count of violating the books and records provisions of the FCPA.

    A federal grand jury in the District of New Jersey returned an indictment against Pan on June 18. Pan is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery and books and records provisions of the FCPA, one count of violating the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA, and two counts of violating the books and records provisions of the FCPA.

    “Paying bribes to foreign government officials is a serious crime. The top leadership of BIT Mining, then known as 500.com, directed consultants to pay bribes to Japanese government officials to win a bid to open a large resort in Japan. The illegal scheme started at the top, with the company’s CEO allegedly fully involved in directing the illicit payments and the subsequent efforts to conceal them. The company has admitted its crimes and agreed to pay a $10 million penalty, and its then-CEO has been charged for his role in the scheme. This agreement and indictment hold both the corporation as an entity and its top leadership accountable.”

    U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

    “BIT Mining, under the alleged direction of then-CEO Zhengming Pan, agreed to pay nearly $2 million in bribes to Japanese government officials to win a contract to open a lucrative resort and casino in Japan,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said. “Pan has been indicted for his alleged role in directing company consultants to pay the bribes and to conceal the illicit payments through sham consulting contracts. Today’s resolution and the charges against Pan demonstrate the department’s continued commitment to holding both corporate and individual wrongdoers accountable for their crimes.”

    “Today’s indictment against the former CEO of BIT Mining for bribing Japanese officials highlights the FBI’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for illegal conduct,” Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division said. “This type of criminal activity undermines the integrity of business practices. The FBI will relentlessly pursue those involved in illegal schemes creating unfair advantages and ensure they face the full consequences of the law.”

    According to court documents, between 2017 and 2019, BIT Mining, then known as 500.com, admitted that its -CEO Pan, employees, and agents, agreed to pay approximately $1.9 million in bribes and payments to intermediaries, knowing the money would be used to make bribe payments to Japanese government officials. The purpose of the bribes was to try to help 500.com win a bid to open an integrated resort (a large resort that includes hotels, casinos, retail, dining, convention facilities, and entertainment venues) in Japan. On behalf of 500.com, Pan allegedly engaged third-party consultants to assist 500.com in paying and concealing these bribes. 500.com, through these consultants, paid bribes in the form of cash, travel, entertainment, and gifts. Pan and others allegedly covered up the payment of these bribes by, among other things, entering into sham contracts with the consultants and falsely recording the payments as legitimate expenses, including as management advisory fees. Ultimately, despite carrying out this bribery scheme, 500.com did not win an integrated resort bid in Japan.

    Pursuant to the DPA, BIT Mining agreed, based on the application of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, that the appropriate criminal penalty is $54 million. However, due to BIT Mining’s financial condition and demonstrated inability to pay the penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, BIT Mining and the Justice Department agreed, consistent with the department’s inability to pay guidance, that BIT Mining will pay a total criminal penalty of $10 million. The Justice Department has agreed to credit up to $4 million against the civil penalty BIT Mining has agreed to pay to the SEC to resolve a parallel investigation.

    BIT Mining has also agreed to continue to cooperate with the Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey in any ongoing or future criminal investigations. In addition, BIT Mining has agreed to continue to enhance its compliance programs and provide reports to the Justice Department regarding remediation and the implementation of compliance measures for the three-year term of the DPA.

    The Justice Department reached this resolution with BIT Mining based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense. BIT Mining received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation, which included (i) voluntarily producing relevant documents, financial data, and other information, including from foreign countries, while navigating some foreign data privacy and related criminal laws, accompanied by translations of a limited number of documents; and (ii) providing the government with facts learned during its internal investigation. The cooperation was, however, reactive and limited in degree and impact.

    BIT Mining engaged in certain timely remedial measures, which included, among other things, (i) increasing governance and oversight of compliance risks and audit findings by the Board of Directors, (ii) promoting compliance and ethics through company-wide communications, (iii) incorporating compliance criteria in performance evaluations for senior management, (iv) conducting annual risk assessments, (v) creating an anti-corruption policy and engaging in company-wide training and communications to promote it, and (vi) transitioning its business model to an industry that presents a lower corruption risk and reducing its presence in high risk regions. In light of these considerations, BIT Mining’s criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 10% reduction off the bottom of the applicable guidelines fine range.

    The FBI’s International Corruption Unit is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kozar for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorneys Jil Simon and Ligia Markman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the cases.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Japan provided assistance in this matter.

    The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-practices-act.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –