Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Fugitives Arrested in San Juan and Carolina, Puerto Rico

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Three individuals who were fugitives since December 2024 were arrested today in the municipalities of San Juan and Carolina, PR, on criminal charges related to their alleged participation on drug trafficking and violent crimes associated to a drug trafficking organization that operated in San Juan, Carolina, and other areas nearby, from in or about 2021 through December 2024, when the arrest operation took place. The three fugitives had been charged in the case of United States v. Victor J. Pérez-Fernández, a.k.a. “La Cone/Vitu/Vitikin/Enano,” et al., Case No. 24-453 (MAJ).

    Defendants [10] Gerald O. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Patrón;” [18] Ángel L. Sanjurjo, a.k.a. “Vaca;” and [33] Ramsell Maldonado-Tatis, a.k.a. “R” were arrested by FBI special agents, Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the Carolina Municipal Police Department. They are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession and distribution of heroin, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl; and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Defendant Maldonado-Tatis is also facing one count for possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    “As alleged in the indictment, these individuals were engaged in violent crime and spread deadly drugs through our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow.  “Today’s arrests make clear that this Office will work tirelessly to keep the law-abiding residents of Puerto Rico safe and hold accountable those who bring violence to our streets.”

    “The arrests carried out this morning reaffirm our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal organizations. The message is clear: if you’re part of a violent criminal enterprise, the FBI will work relentlessly to find you and bring you to justice,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The residents of Puerto Rico deserve safe communities, and through close collaboration with our local and federal partners, we will continue to bring fugitives to justice and restore peace where it is most needed.”

    According to the charging documents, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, crack, cocaine, marijuana, Tramadol, and Clonazepam within 1,000 feet of the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project (PHP), the Luis Lloréns Torres PHP, the Los Mirtos PHP, the Lagos de Blasina PHP, the La Esmeralda PHP, the El Coral PHP, the Monte Hatillo PHP, and other areas near those locations, all for significant financial gain and profit. The drug trafficking organizations that operated in and around these areas (known as The Alliance) reached an agreement to conduct their drug trafficking operations as allies, which they referred to as “La Paz” (The Peace). At that time, each housing project organization was controlled by their own leadership and structure. As part of The Alliance, there would not be war between these organizations and members would be able to rely on each other for protection, drugs, and weapons.

    Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort; Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares; and AUSAs Laura Díaz-González, R. Vance Eaton, and Joseph Russell are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: 344 Immigration Cases Filed in the Western District of Texas This Week

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today that federal prosecutors in the district filed 344 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from April 18 through April 24.

    Among the new cases, Henry Cruz-Lemas, an illegal alien and a Honduran national previously convicted of aggravated kidnapping in September 2011 and sentenced to five years in prison. Cruz-Lemas was arrested on April 18 during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE ERO) investigation in San Antonio.  He is charged with one count of illegal reentry of an alien.

    Jose Angel Escarcega-Briones, an illegal alien from Mexico, was found approximately 4 miles west of the Tornillo Port of Entry. Border Patrol Agents determined that he did not have immigration documents allowing him to be in the United States legally and that he has previously been removed from the United States 5 times.  He has 3 prior convictions for illegal reentry as well as a federal drug trafficking conviction.

    Jose Alfonso Deras-Valle, a citizen of El Salvador, was found near mile marker 87 of Interstate 10 in Fort Hancock, Texas.  U.S. Border Patrol determined that Deras-Valle had recently been deported to El Salvador on February 21, 2025.  His criminal record includes a murder conviction in Florida for which he received fifteen years in prison.

    U.S. Border Patrol Agents performing line watch operations in an area near Sierra Blanca, Texas encountered three people attempting to conceal themselves in a culvert.  After questioning and investigation, the agents determined the group was in the United States illegally.  Sergio Aguirre-Isidro was determined to be a foot guide for the group and that he was to collect 10,000 Mexican Pesos if the group arrived in the U.S. successfully.

    Junior Enrique Garcia-Escobar, a Honduran national with a prior conviction out of the State of New York for Burglary using/threatening use of a dangerous instrument, was arrested on illegal reentry charges near Eagle Pass, Texas.  He had been sentenced to five years in prison on the burglary charge and was deported in 2019.

    Raul Rodriguez-Morales was arrested by Border Patrol Agents in Del Rio, Texas on April 18, 2025, for illegal reentry after having been deported in January 2025.  Rodriguez-Morales has previous drug convictions in California as well as a conviction for felon in possession of a firearm and two previous convictions for illegal reentry of an alien in 2011 and 2019.

    In Carrizo Springs, Texas, Devarick Dewayne Benson was arrested for conspiring to transport two illegal aliens further into the United States.  Benson was driving a vehicle with fictitious plates and was pulled over for driving 10 miles over the speed limit.  He had two illegal aliens in the trunk of his car.

    A Honduran citizen, Angel Almendarez-Ulloa, was arrested on April 19, 2025, by Border Patrol Agents near Eagle Pass, Texas. Almendarez has been deported from the United States 10 times, with his last deportation to Honduras being on April 21, 2023.

    These cases were referred or supported by our federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) v1.1

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) v1.1

    An updated version of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) is available.

    An updated version of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), referred to as v1.1, has been published on GOV.UK.

    RAM v1.1 has been created following feedback from industry on RAM v1, which was published on 23 December 2024.  

    Simplifications informed by the value chain  

    PackUK carried out a RAM simplification sprint in February 2025. The aim of the sprint was to reduce complexity of the RAM and increase the viability of producers being able to fully complete RAM assessments in 2025.   

    The sprint involved gathering feedback on the first iteration of the RAM and offering up simplifications, which have been incorporated into the newly released v1.1.  

    The sprint was positively received by industry. A broad range of stakeholders contributed a variety of comments and content suggestions for v1.1, including targeted feedback from retailers and brands with large and complex product portfolios.      

    The suggestions were cross-referenced against industry standards and technical feedback was sought from industry material associations to ensure accuracy and consistency.     

    On 8 April 2025, PackUK sent a final technical draft of RAM v1.1 out to packaging producers. The technical draft aimed to provide stakeholders with as much lead in time as possible, ensuring they can apply the guidance in 2025.     

    What this means

    The RAM methodology will enable large packaging producers to assess the recyclability of their household packaging and produce a red/amber/green output which will inform the level of fee modulation payable for that material from year 2 of pEPR.  

    Producers are required to apply the methodology for household packaging placed on the market from 1 January 2025, with the first reporting deadline being 1 October 2025.   

    Only large producers (also known as ‘large organisations’) must report their recyclability assessment data. Find out about small and large producers.  

    You only need to collect and report recyclability assessment data if you are responsible for household packaging.  

    Join the Circular Economy stakeholder forum   

    At the May stakeholder forum, we will deliver a presentation on RAM v1.1. There will also be an opportunity for stakeholders to ask in-depth questions and relay feedback.   

    • date: Tuesday 6 May 2025  

    • time: 2:30pm to 4pm  

    • registration: Please register for the forum on Microsoft Teams Live  

    Please direct any questions about RAM v1.1 to the EPRCustomerService@defra.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New powers already tackling anti-social behaviour in Leicester

    Source: City of Leicester

    NEW powers to help the city council keep Leicester’s public spaces free from anti-social behaviour are already having a positive impact on the city centre.

    Since the beginning of April, a team of city wardens and community safety officers has been patrolling the city centre to raise awareness of the new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) – a suite of new powers that allows the council to take swift enforcement action against those causing a nuisance.

    Easy to spot in their branded uniforms, the authorised officers have spoken to hundreds of people in a month-long period of engagement and education, with their high-profile presence already helping to address nuisance behaviour in the city centre.

    In the past month, the team has issued more than 100 verbal warnings relating to begging in the city centre. Officers also dealt with 49 unauthorised charity collections, 220 bike and scooter offences, 73 incidents of problem street drinking, 79 incidents of unauthorised amplification and 82 unpermitted structures, such as gazebos.

    Everyone spoken to has been warned that from Thursday (1 May), anyone breaching the PSPO risks facing a fixed penalty notice of £100, rising to £1,000 if prosecution leads to a conviction.

    People found begging in the city centre have been signposted to services offering food and shelter, while those riding scooters and e-bikes have been given leaflets, advising them that illegal machines will be confiscated by the police as part of their ongoing Op Pedalfast campaign.

    City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Every day for the past four weeks, our city wardens and community safety officers have been out on the streets, making sure that everyone using the city centre knows that nuisance behaviour will not be tolerated in Leicester.

    “And the good news is, the message seems to be getting through.

    “People are coming up to our officers to tell them that their presence is making a difference, and that problems associated with street drinking or begging, or the irresponsible use of e-bikes and scooters, appear to be receding. That sentiment is also reflected in the feedback we’ve received, and we’ve certainly noticed fewer complaints about the city centre in the past four weeks.

    “From 1 May, we’ll be reinforcing that message by introducing enforcement.

    “Anyone breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order from Thursday will be committing a criminal offence and risks facing a £100 fine.

    “I hope that we don’t need to issue any fixed penalty notices on Thursday. My hope is that the risk of a fine is enough to rid Leicester of the sort of anti-social behaviour that’s been spoiling people’s enjoyment of our historic city centre for too long.”

    Introduced on 2 April, the PSPO covers the city centre within the inner ring road, together with the area around Leicester railway station, the entirety of New Walk, and the area between London Road and Regent Road as far as Granville Road.

    Within the area covered by the PSPO, an individual is in breach of the order – and committing a criminal offence – if they cause a nuisance by:

    • begging
    • collecting for charity without the council’s permission
    • using an e-bike, bike, skateboard or scooter irresponsibly
    • consuming alcohol when asked to stop by an authorised officer
    • using amplification equipment without authorisation
    • putting up a gazebo or other temporary structure without authorisation

    The full order can be seen at leicester.gov.uk/pspo

    Public Spaces Protection Orders were introduced by the government as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 and can be used by councils to target a range of issues in a defined public area.

    Once adopted, each PSPO is valid for three years.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Best Online Casinos Australia: 7Bit Casino Ranked Top Choice for Aussie Players in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    24/7 live chat support  
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    Payment Options Available At The Best Online Casinos in Australia

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    PayID Yes Yes 1-24 hours
    Bank Transfer Yes Yes 3-7 days
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    Bitcoin Yes Yes <1 hour
    Litecoin Yes Yes <1 hour
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    Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Online Casinos Australia

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    EMAIL: Support@7bitCasino.com

    Disclaimers and Affiliate Disclosure

    General Disclaimer
    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, not legal or financial advice. Content is based on research and user reviews as of April 24, 2025. No warranties are made, and users must verify information before acting.

    Casino and Gambling Disclaimer
    Online gambling carries risks and isn’t suitable for everyone. Confirm you’re of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We don’t promote gambling; participation is at your risk. 7Bit Casino is a third-party platform, and we’re not liable for losses or disputes.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may include affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content. Our reviews are unbiased, and we recommend only valuable products. Do your own research before signing up or playing real money pokies in Australia.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e955b95c-b051-4108-9d06-23bb3d13cbcd

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Best Online Casinos Canada 2025: 7Bit Casino Recognized as the Best Overall Choice

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    5. Deposit Funds: Fund your account using fiat or crypto payment methods.
    6. Claim Bonus: Activate the welcome bonus of up to 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins.

    This streamlined process gets you gaming in minutes, a hallmark of the best online casinos in Canada.

    7Bit Casino Features

    7Bit Casino stands out as one of the best online casinos in Canada, licensed by the Curacao eGaming Commission for a secure, fair experience. Its mobile compatibility ensures seamless access to games, account management, and withdrawals on the go. With over 10,000 games from 100+ providers, it offers a diverse selection of slots, table games, and live dealers.

    Supporting both fiat and cryptocurrency payments, 7Bit provides flexibility for all players. Fast payouts, especially via Pay ID and crypto, make it a leader in quick transactions, while its VIP program rewards loyalty with cashback, free spins, and bonuses.

    Additional features include:

    • Provably Fair Games: Many crypto-based games allow players to verify outcomes, enhancing trust and transparency.
    • Multi-Language Support: Available in English, French, and other languages, catering to Canada’s multicultural audience.
    • Regular Tournaments: Slot and table game tournaments offer cash prizes and free spins, adding competitive excitement.
    • Advanced Game Filters: Players can sort games by provider, theme, or features like Megaways, Bonus Buy, or high volatility.
    • Customizable Interface: Options to adjust themes and layouts for a tailored gaming experience (Bitcoin Casino Kings).

    Pros and Cons of 7Bit Casino

    Pros Cons
    Over 10,000 games, including top slots and live dealer options High wagering requirements on some bonuses
    Instant withdrawals via crypto and Pay ID Occasional regional game restrictions
    Generous welcome bonus: 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins  
    Supports fiat and crypto payments  
    Robust VIP program with exclusive rewards  


    Pros Explained:

    • Game Variety: 7Bit’s extensive library offers endless entertainment, from the best online pokies to immersive live dealer experiences, catering to all player preferences.
    • Speedy Payouts: As a pay ID casino, 7Bit ensures instant withdrawals, particularly for crypto users, setting a high standard for efficiency.
    • Bonuses: The welcome package and frequent free spins promotions enhance player value, making every session rewarding.
    • Payment Flexibility: Support for multiple currencies ensures accessibility for diverse players.
    • VIP Program: Personalized rewards, including higher cashback and dedicated account managers, foster loyalty.

    Cons Explained:

    • Wagering Requirements: Some bonuses come with high playthrough conditions, which may challenge players aiming to withdraw winnings quickly.
    • Bank Transfers: While crypto and e-wallets are instant, bank transfers can take 3–5 days, lagging behind faster methods.
    • Regional Restrictions: Certain games may be unavailable in specific regions due to licensing or provider restrictions.

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    Regulation of the Best Online Casinos in Canada

    The best online casinos in Canada adhere to stringent regulations to ensure player safety and fairness. Key regulatory aspects include:

    • Licensing Requirements: Casinos like 7Bit must hold valid licenses, such as from the Curacao eGaming Commission, to operate legally. These licenses enforce oversight, fair play, and financial accountability.
    • Provincial Oversight: Ontario regulates online gambling through iGaming Ontario, requiring specific licensing for operators in the province. Offshore casinos, like 7Bit, serve other provinces under international licenses, offering broader access.
    • Age Restrictions: Players must be 19 or older to gamble online in Canada, aligning with federal and provincial laws to protect minors.
    • Responsible Gambling Measures: Licensed casinos provide tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and cooling-off periods to promote responsible play and prevent addiction.
    • Taxation Policies: Recreational gambling winnings are tax-free in Canada, but professional gamblers may face taxation on consistent profits, as per CRA guidelines.
    • Security Standards: Mandatory SSL encryption, TLS1.3 protocols, and fairness audits by organizations like eCOGRA protect player data and ensure game integrity.
    • Advertising Compliance: Casinos must follow strict advertising guidelines, avoiding promotions targeting vulnerable groups or minors, and ensuring ethical marketing practices.

    These regulations create a secure and transparent environment, making platforms like 7Bit trusted choices among the best online casinos in Canada.

    How We Selected 7Bit as the Best Online Casinos in Canada

    Our selection process for the best online casinos in Canada is meticulous, focusing on critical criteria to ensure quality and reliability:

    • License and Security

    A valid license, such as 7Bit’s Curacao eGaming certification, is non-negotiable, guaranteeing regulatory oversight and fair play. Advanced security measures like TLS 1.3, SSL encryption, and two-factor authentication safeguard player data and transactions, making 7Bit a secure choice (Zamsino).

    • Bonuses and Promotions

    We prioritize casinos offering fair and transparent bonuses. 7Bit’s generous welcome package and ongoing free spins promotions provide significant value, though players should note the wagering requirements.

    • Casino Games

    A diverse game library is essential, encompassing slots, table games, live dealer options, and instant-win games. 7Bit’s 10,000+ titles ensure variety for all players.

    • Casino Game Providers

    Partnerships with top providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming ensure high-quality, innovative games. 7Bit’s collaboration with over 100 providers sets it apart.

    • Banking Methods

    Support for multiple payment methods, including fiat and crypto, enhances accessibility. 7Bit’s instant crypto and Pay ID withdrawals are a major draw.

    • Customer Support

    Responsive 24/7 support via live chat, email, and comprehensive FAQs is crucial. 7Bit excels in this area, ensuring player satisfaction.

    How We Choose the Top-Rated Casino Sites

    Our evaluation criteria for top-rated casino sites like 7Bit include:

    • Reputation and Trustworthiness: Positive player reviews and valid licensing build credibility.
    • Game Quality and Variety: High-RTP games and a diverse library cater to all preferences.
    • Bonuses and Promotions: Fair, valuable offers enhance player experience.
    • Payment Options: Secure, varied methods with fast processing times ensure convenience.
    • Customer Support: Responsive, multi-channel assistance resolves issues quickly.
    • Mobile Compatibility: Seamless app or browser play is essential for modern gaming.
    • Security and Fairness: Advanced encryption and third-party audits guarantee safety and integrity.

    7Bit excels across these metrics, solidifying its place among the best online casinos Canada.

    The Selection Process: Defining Excellence in Online Gaming

    Excellence in online gaming, as demonstrated by 7Bit, involves a holistic approach:

    • Player-Centric Design: Intuitive interfaces, fast payouts, and generous bonuses prioritize user satisfaction.
    • Innovation and Updates: Regular game additions and crypto integration keep the platform cutting-edge.
    • Security and Transparency: Robust encryption, provably fair games, and clear terms build trust.
    • Accessibility Across Platforms: Seamless desktop and mobile experiences cater to diverse player needs.This comprehensive strategy positions 7Bit as a leader among the best online casinos in Canada for 2025.

    About Gaming in 7Bit Casino

    Gaming at 7Bit is immersive, intuitive, and endlessly engaging. The user-friendly interface simplifies navigation, allowing players to explore the vast library with ease. Frequent game additions ensure a fresh experience, while high-RTP titles maximize winning potential.

    Whether spinning the best online pokies, strategizing in live dealer games, or enjoying instant win thrills, players benefit from a platform designed for entertainment and fairness. The crypto focus makes 7Bit a best no KYC casino, offering anonymous play without sacrificing security.

    Additional 7Bit Features

    • Loyalty Program: A multi-tiered VIP system offers escalating rewards, including higher cashback percentages, free spins, and dedicated account managers for top-tier players.
    • Seasonal Promotions: Holiday-themed offers, such as Christmas or Halloween bonuses, provide exclusive free spins and deposit matches.
    • Community Engagement: Active Telegram and social media channels deliver real-time updates, exclusive free spins, and a sense of community among players.
    • Low Minimum Deposits: Starting at $10 for fiat and lower for crypto, 7Bit is accessible to players of all budgets.
    • Multi-Currency Accounts: Players can manage balances in multiple currencies, simplifying transactions across fiat and crypto.
    • Eco-Friendly Initiatives: By promoting low-energy crypto transactions, 7Bit appeals to environmentally conscious players, a unique selling point.
    • Cross-Platform Syncing: Progress syncs seamlessly across desktop and mobile, ensuring uninterrupted play.
    • Player Feedback Integration: 7Bit actively incorporates user suggestions, adding requested games and improving features.
    • Crypto Tutorials: Guides for new crypto users simplify deposits and withdrawals, enhancing accessibility.
    • Responsible Gambling Resources: Links to organizations like GamCare and tools like deposit limits promote safe play.
    • High RTP Focus: Many games boast RTPs above 96%, increasing player win potential (Bitcoin Casino Kings).

    Bonuses and Promotions of 7Bit Casino

    7Bit’s welcome bonus is a standout among the best online casinos Canada, offering up to 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins across four deposits:

    • 1st Deposit: 100% match up to 1.5 BTC + 100 free spins
    • 2nd Deposit: 75% match up to 1.25 BTC + 100 free spins
    • 3rd Deposit: 50% match up to 1.5 BTC
    • 4th Deposit: 100% match up to 1 BTC + 50 free spins

    Ongoing promotions include:

    • Weekly Cashback: Up to 20% based on weekly losses, rewarding consistent play.
    • Monday Reload: 25% match up to 6.5 mBTC + 50 free spins, kicking off the week with a boost.
    • Wednesday Free Spins: Up to 100 free spins on Snoop Dogg Dollars, based on deposit size.
    • Friday Bonus: 111 free spins for a 0.52 mBTC deposit, perfect for weekend gaming.
    • Weekend Offer: 99 free spins
    • Telegram Offers: Exclusive bonuses, including 50–111 free spins for specific deposits.
    • Pre-Release Offers: 35 free spins on new titles like Gold Nugget Rush, giving early access to fresh games.
    • Spring Elite Offer: Up to 100 free spins, celebrating seasonal events.

    These promotions make 7Bit a top new online casino, keeping players engaged with frequent rewards (CasinoOnlineCA).

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    Payment Options

    7Bit offers a versatile range of payment methods, catering to all player preferences:

    • Fiat Options:
      • Visa: Secure card payments with quick deposits.
      • Mastercard: Widely accepted for deposits and withdrawals.
      • Interac: Popular in Canada for fast, local transactions.
      • Skrill: E-wallet for rapid transfers.
      • Neteller: Trusted e-wallet with global reach.
      • Paysafe Card: Prepaid option for secure deposits.
      • Bank Transfer: Reliable but slower for withdrawals.
      • Neosurf: Prepaid voucher for anonymous deposits.
      • EcoPayz: Eco-friendly e-wallet with low fees.
      • MuchBetter: Mobile-friendly payment app for quick transactions.
    • Cryptocurrencies:
      • Bitcoin (BTC): Industry-standard for fast, anonymous transactions.
      • Ethereum (ETH): Smart contract-based crypto for secure payments.
      • Litecoin (LTC): Lightweight crypto with low fees.
      • Dogecoin (DOGE): Popular altcoin for microtransactions.
      • Tether (USDT): Stablecoin for consistent value.
      • Binance Coin (BNB): Versatile crypto for fast transfers.
      • Cardano (ADA): An eco-friendly blockchain for secure payments.
      • Ripple (XRP): Low-cost, high-speed transactions.
      • Tron (TRX): Scalable crypto for efficient transfers.
      • Bitcoin Cash (BCH): An enhanced Bitcoin variant for quick transactions.

    Crypto transactions are instant and anonymous, reinforcing 7Bit’s status as a best no KYC casino. Fiat options like Interac and Skrill are also fast, with Pay ID withdrawals processed in under an hour, making 7Bit a leading Pay ID casino.

    Customer Support

    7Bit provides robust 24/7 support through:

    • Live Chat: Instant, multilingual assistance for real-time issue resolution.
    • Email: Detailed support for complex inquiries, with responses typically within 24 hours.
    • FAQ Section: Comprehensive self-help resources covering account management, payments, and bonuses.

    While phone support is absent, the responsive live chat and email systems ensure player satisfaction. The FAQ section is regularly updated based on player queries, reflecting 7Bit’s commitment to user experience, a key trait of the best online casinos Canada.

    Games Available in 7Bit Casino

    7Bit’s expansive library of over 10,000 games includes:

    Slots

    Featuring the best online pokies, with high-RTP titles and diverse themes:

    • Mega Moolah: Progressive jackpot with life-changing payouts, ideal for jackpot hunters.
    • Starburst: Vibrant, fast-paced slot with frequent wins.
    • Book of Dead: Adventure-themed favorite with immersive storytelling.
    • Johnny Cash: Music-inspired slot with engaging features.
    • Raging Lion: Safari-themed game with big win potential.

    Table Games

    Classic and modern variants for strategic players:

    • Blackjack: Includes Classic, Multi-Hand, and European variants for varied gameplay.
    • Roulette: European, American, and French versions with distinct betting options.
    • Baccarat: Punto Banco and Speed Baccarat for quick, elegant play.
    • Craps: Fast-paced dice game with multiple betting strategies.
    • Poker: Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, and Video Poker (Jacks or Better) for skill-based fun.

    Live Dealer Games

    Powered by Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play, offering immersive real-time experiences:

    • Live Blackjack: Multi-table options with interactive dealers.
    • Live Roulette: HD streaming for authentic spins, with European and American variants.
    • Live Baccarat: Elegant gameplay with professional croupiers.
    • Live Poker: Casino Hold’em and Three Card Poker for strategic battles.
    • Game Shows: Dream Catcher, Crazy Time, and Monopoly Live for entertainment-driven play.

    Instant Win Games

    Quick-play options for instant thrills:

    • Scratch Cards: Simple games with instant prize reveals.
    • Keno: Number-based game with customizable bets.
    • Bingo: Classic and themed variants for casual fun.

    This diverse selection makes 7Bit a top destination among the best online casinos Canada (Casino.org).

    The Most Popular Pay-out Methods at 7Bit Casino

    The most preferred payout methods at 7Bit include:

    • Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin offer instant withdrawals with low fees, ideal for anonymous transactions.
    • E-wallets: Skrill, Neteller, and Interac provide quick processing, typically within 1–24 hours.
    • Pay ID: Near-instant withdrawals, highly popular among Canadian players for speed and convenience.
    • Bank Transfers: Reliable but slower, taking 3–5 days, suitable for larger withdrawals.

    Crypto’s speed and anonymity make it a favorite, aligning with 7Bit’s anonymous online casino appeal. Pay ID’s efficiency further enhances its status as a leading pay ID casino.

    Additional 7Bit Casino Highlights

    • Award Recognition: 7Bit has been nominated for “Best Crypto Casino” in recent industry awards, reflecting its excellence in the crypto gaming space.
    • Global Accessibility: Supports players from multiple countries, with region-specific promotions tailored to Canadian users.
    • High Volatility Options: A dedicated section for high-volatility slots caters to risk-takers seeking big wins.
    • Player-Driven Updates: Regular platform enhancements based on user feedback, such as improved navigation and new game categories.
    • Crypto Staking Rewards: Experimental feature allowing players to earn small rewards by holding certain cryptocurrencies in their 7Bit wallet.
    • Exclusive Game Releases: Early access to new titles from providers like BGaming, often paired with free spins promotions.
    • Social Responsibility: Partnerships with responsible gambling organizations and in-house tools to promote safe play (Bitcoin Casino Kings).

    Final Thoughts On Best Online Casinos Canada

    7Bit Casino, rated 4.8/5 for 2025, offers innovation, security, and entertainment with a vast game library, crypto-friendly platform, instant payouts, and player-focused features. Ideal for free spins, online pokies, or live dealer games, it excels as a leading pay ID and anonymous casino, delivering a secure, rewarding, and cutting-edge experience.

    ✅NO ID? NO PROBLEM! PLAY ANONYMOUSLY WITH JUST ONE CLICK!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Is 7Bit Casino legal in Canada?
      Yes, 7Bit Casino is licensed by the Curacao eGaming Commission, making it legal for Canadian players outside Ontario, where iGaming Ontario regulates local operators. Always verify local laws before playing.
    2. What’s the welcome bonus?
      New players can claim up to 5.25 BTC + 250 free spins across four deposits. The bonus is structured to reward initial deposits, with free spins usable on select slots.
    3. How fast are withdrawals?
      Crypto and Pay ID withdrawals are processed instantly, often within minutes. E-wallets like Skrill take 1–24 hours, while bank transfers may require 3–5 days.
    4. Is there a mobile version?
      Yes, 7Bit offers a seamless mobile platform compatible with iOS and Android. Players can access the full game library and manage accounts without downloading an app.
    5. Are there no deposit bonuses?
      Yes, 7Bit occasionally offers no-deposit bonuses, such as free spins for new players or Telegram promotions. Check the promotions page or social channels for updates.
    6. Can I play anonymously?
      Yes, crypto transactions allow anonymous play, requiring minimal personal information. This makes 7Bit a top choice for privacy-conscious players.

    EMAIL: Support@7bitCasino.com

    Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure

    General Disclaimer
    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, not legal or financial advice. Content is based on research and user reviews as of writing. No warranties are made, and users must verify information before acting.

    Casino and Gambling Disclaimer
    Online gambling carries risks and isn’t for everyone. Confirm you’re of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We don’t promote gambling; participation is at your risk. 7Bit Casino is a third-party platform, and we’re not liable for losses or disputes.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may include affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content. Our reviews are unbiased, and we recommend only valuable products.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee7b7996-5711-4ded-8c48-d7d20368a86a

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Allies Against Slavery Releases Landmark State Human Trafficking Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Allies Against Slavery released its first-ever State Human Trafficking Report, analyzing anti-trafficking policies and federal prosecution patterns across all 50 states. The report offers policymakers, law enforcement officials, and service providers the most comprehensive picture to date of how states are addressing human trafficking through legislation and criminal justice responses.

    “This groundbreaking report illuminates the progress our country has made and the gaps that remain in the fight against human trafficking,” said John Nehme, President and CEO of Allies Against Slavery. “For the first time, we’ve assembled data on 695 state policies and over two decades of federal prosecution records to create a more complete picture of America’s anti-trafficking landscape. This report shows that while states have made remarkable progress in establishing basic anti-trafficking frameworks, significant gaps remain in prevention policies that could stop trafficking before it starts.”

    The report examines 20 specific policies across prevention, protection, and prosecution for each state, while also analyzing federal prosecution data from 2000 to 2022.

    Key findings include:

    • States have enacted a total of 695 anti-trafficking policies since 2003, demonstrating significant momentum in legislative responses.
    • States with the most comprehensive policy frameworks include Florida, Tennessee, and Washington, while others like Idaho have significant policy gaps.
    • Prevention policies continue to lag behind prosecution and protection policies, with many states missing critical prevention measures.
    • Prosecution data reveals a significant bias toward cases involving minor victims of sex trafficking, which account for over double the number of adult sex trafficking and labor trafficking cases combined.
    • The most populated states in the U.S. also have the highest numbers of federally prosecuted cases. This includes California (n=222), Florida (n=215), Texas (n=206), and New York (n=184).
    • South Dakota has prosecuted the most federal human trafficking cases per capita, while states like Colorado, Delaware, and Alabama have prosecuted the fewest per capita.

    Dr. Vanessa Bouché, Chief Impact Officer at Allies Against Slavery, emphasized the importance of this data for informing policy decisions: “This report doesn’t just document what states have done—it provides a roadmap for what they should do next. By analyzing policies across prevention, protection, and prosecution, we’ve created a strategic framework states can use to strengthen their anti-trafficking response and close critical gaps.”

    The State Human Trafficking Report will be updated annually to track policy progress and prosecution trends. The full report, along with individual state profiles, is available for download at https://bit.ly/stateHTreport25

    About Allies Against Slavery

    Allies Against Slavery harnesses data to illuminate and eradicate human trafficking through its innovative data platform and strategic partnerships. Since 2010, they have worked to dismantle silos, build networks, and shine a light on the vulnerabilities that lead to exploitation. Their pioneering software, Lighthouse, aggregates national and statewide data to help professionals, leaders, and policymakers identify victims, coordinate care, and understand trafficking trends. To date, Allies’ solutions have helped identify over 20,000 victims of trafficking across the United States. Allies is building a future where every community has the data it needs to combat and prevent human trafficking.

    Learn more about Allies Against Slavery: https://www.alliesagainstslavery.org/

    Media Contact:  Tad Druart (512) 497-9880, tdruart@piercom.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: AML Go Showcased at MFSA’s Virtual Workshop: Mastering FICA Compliance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JOHANNESBURG, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AML Go (Pty) Ltd (“AML Go”), a South African subsidiary of UPAY Inc. (OTCQB: UPYY) and a leading provider of AML compliance and screening solutions, was honored to be invited to present at the MicroFinance South Africa (MFSA) Virtual Workshop on Mastering FICA Compliance, held on Tuesday, April 16, 2025.

    The high-impact virtual workshop brought together more than 380 delegates from across the country, including compliance officers, executives, and representatives from the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and various accountable institutions. Tailored for the credit and microfinance sector, the event delivered practical, high-value insights on navigating South Africa’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations.

    Empowering the Sector with Practical FICA Insights

    The MFSA workshop addressed key areas of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), equipping professionals with actionable strategies to strengthen institutional compliance. Topics included:

    • Core FICA obligations and recent legislative developments
    • Effective implementation of Risk Management and Compliance Programs (RMCPs)
    • Execution of a Risk-Based Approach and Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
    • Employee screening procedures to enhance internal controls
    • FIC investigative practices and audit expectations

    The comprehensive sessions highlighted the growing need for technology-enabled compliance tools that streamline implementation while maintaining high regulatory standards.

    AML Go’s Role and Live Demonstration

    During its live session, AML Go demonstrated how its platform empowers accountable institutions—particularly in the microfinance space—to:

    • Automate RMCP workflows
    • Perform comprehensive client screening and risk profiling
    • Generate audit-friendly reports and maintain real-time monitoring

    Participants gained hands-on exposure to AML Go’s intelligent compliance engine and witnessed how the solution simplifies complex regulatory processes while reinforcing operational integrity.

    Driving Innovation in Financial Compliance

    “We’re honored to have participated in this important industry event,” said a spokesperson for AML Go. “Workshops like these play a critical role in ensuring that institutions remain equipped to uphold their compliance responsibilities in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. AML Go remains committed to supporting the sector with powerful, accessible, and locally relevant tools.”

    About AML Go

    AML Go (Pty) Ltd provides cutting-edge, automated AML compliance, client screening, credit vetting, and risk management solutions. Serving financial and non-financial sectors across Africa, AML Go enables institutions to meet regulatory obligations while optimizing operational efficiency.

    www.amlgo.co.za

    About UPAY

    UPAY Inc. is a publicly traded fintech holding company focused on delivering innovative financial software platforms, data intelligence, and compliance automation. Through its portfolio of solutions—including AML GO, HUNTPAL and ACPAS—UPAY helps clients navigate complex financial ecosystems with confidence and precision.

    www.upaytechnology.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under applicable securities laws. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements because of new information, future events, or other circumstances. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company’s future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

    Contact Information
    UPAY INC.
    Media Relations
    info@upaytechnology.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched after man dies in Mitcham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A murder investigation is under way following the death of a man in Mitcham.

    Around 19:30hrs on Monday, 28 April, officers attended an address in Maple Close, Mitcham, alongside the London Ambulance Service. A 39-year-old man was treated at the scene for stab injuries. He was taken to hospital, where he sadly died.

    No arrests have been made, and officers are making urgent enquiries to locate the suspect. It is understood the victim and the suspect were known to each other.

    In light of the incident, patrols are being stepped up in the local area to provide reassurance to residents.

    Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, from Specialist Crime South – who is leading the investigation – said: “The victim’s loved ones are being supported by specially trained officers. They have our deepest sympathies following this terrible loss.

    “Anybody who witnessed the incident – or who has information – should contact the police on 101, quoting CAD reference 6812/28APR.

    “To remain 100 per cent anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UPDATE: Call for witness – Aggravated robbery – Darwin CBD

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for a witness in relation to an aggravated robbery in Darwin CBD on Tuesday 15 April.

    Serious Crime detectives believe the man pictured could assist with enquiries and are requesting he contact police.

    Anyone with information on this man’s whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500038888.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Twelve arrested in MHRA’s biggest ever crackdown on organised medicines trafficking

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Twelve arrested in MHRA’s biggest ever crackdown on organised medicines trafficking

    Dawn raids in four counties across the West Midlands and the Northwest of England this morning (29 April) dismantle major criminal network trafficking unlicensed medicines.

    Some of the medicines seized in raids today. Credit: MHRA

    Twelve suspects have been arrested in dawn raids in four counties across the West Midlands and the Northwest of England this morning (29 April) in the largest criminal investigation into organised medicines trafficking in the history of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

    The individuals have been arrested on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to sell or supply controlled drugs and unlicensed medicines, and money laundering. Suspects are being held for questioning at police stations across the two regions.

    The raids across the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Merseyside follow a lengthy intelligence-led investigation, codenamed ‘Operation Subaru’, by the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit. Around 150 officers were deployed in today’s operation, with MHRA staff supported by West Midlands and North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, the National Crime Agency, Staffordshire Police and Greater Manchester Police.

    In searches of 22 residential and commercial premises, hundreds of thousands of doses of medicines have been seized including controlled drugs such as opioid painkillers and anti-anxiety medicines, around £100,000 in cash, luxury watches and suspected criminal assets held in cryptocurrency. The MHRA has also obtained restraint orders for more than £3.5 million in assets suspected to be linked to criminal activity.

    Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, said:

    “Today’s search and arrest operation follows a long, complex and thorough investigation by the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit. Operation Subaru is the largest investigation we’ve ever undertaken and demonstrates the MHRA’s commitment to protecting the public by dismantling the organised international criminal networks that cause so much harm.

    “Trafficking in medicines destroys lives and places a huge financial burden on wider society. Our dedicated team will stop at nothing to tackle this illegal trade by taking potentially harmful medicines off the street and bringing those responsible to justice. As today’s operation shows, there is nowhere to hide.”

    “I’m extremely grateful to each of our law enforcement partners involved today for their substantial, enthusiastic and unwavering support.

    “I would also urge the public to be extremely cautious when buying medicines online. Medicines should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. Taking medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health – there are no guarantees about what they contain, and some may even be contaminated with toxic substances.

    The MHRA #FakeMeds website offers helpful guidance and advice for staying safe when buying medicines online.

    This operation is the latest step in the MHRA’s crackdown on illegal medicines trafficking. In 2024, the Agency’s Criminal Enforcement Unit and its partners in the Home Office’s Border Force removed more than 17.5m doses of trafficked medicines from circulation. The seized medicines, including painkillers, sleeping tablets and erectile dysfunction treatments, had a potential street value of more than £40 million.

    Notes to editors 

    1. The Criminal Enforcement Unit is the MHRA’s in-house law enforcement function, leading the Agency’s response to medicines crime. Its strategic mission is to protect the public, maintain confidence in regulation and uphold the rule of law by preventing offending where it can, disrupting offending where it cannot, and bringing offenders to justice where it should. It uses the full range of its powers and capabilities, including intelligence analysis, online disruption, covert techniques and asset recovery to tackle criminal threats to the UK public, working closely with the police and law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas.

    2. Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from a medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the Yellow Card website or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.

    3. The MHRA’s Accredited Financial Investigators are authorised by the National Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). They support investigations by tracing, freezing, and confiscating assets linked to crime, including money laundering and the illegal supply of medicines. Their work includes seizing cash, valuable items, and freezing bank accounts or cryptocurrency suspected of criminal origins. The Home Office’s Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) allows a proportion of the proceeds of crime recovered under POCA, to be redistributed to agencies involved in the asset recovery process.

    4. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.

    5. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

    6. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Take It Down Act Passes the House and Heads to President’s Desk

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

    strong>(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the bipartisan, bicameral TAKE IT DOWN Act (S.146), completing its passage through Congress. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate in February 2025. The TAKE IT DOWN Act protects victims of real and deepfake ‘revenge pornography’ by criminalizing the publication of these harmful images, in addition to requiring websites to quickly remove them. The rising popularity of AI requires decisive federal legal protections that will empower victims of these heinous crimes, most of whom are women and girls.

    You can see Rep. Salazar’s remarks in front of the House of Representatives here. 

     

    “This is a historic day for parents and children facing unprecedented new challenges with technology. My TAKE IT DOWN Act will finally give innocent victims real protection from online exploitation. Websites and platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok must remove fake, compromising pornographic images within 48 hours or face consequences. No more inaction. No more excuses: if you exploit an innocent child, you will face jail time,” said Rep. Salazar (FL-27).

     

    “The TAKE IT DOWN Act’s passage is a significant step forward in Congress’ responsibility to protect the privacy and dignity of Americans against bad actors and the most harmful developments of AI. It takes only minutes to create a deepfake or share intimate images without consent, yet the lasting consequences devastate its victims — often girls and women. Our bill requires platforms to remove these horrifying images and videos from the internet within 48 hours. I’m deeply grateful to work with Sen. Klobuchar, Sen. Cruz, and Rep. Salazar to create this bipartisan federal law,” said Rep. Dean (PA-04). 

     

    “The publication of sexually exploitative images—including AI-generated deepfakes—is a terrifying reality of the digital age. I applaud the First Lady for her leadership and the Problem Solvers Caucus for working across party lines to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act. This is a critical first step, and we must continue working together to protect people from these reprehensible acts,” said Rep. Suozzi (NY-03). 

     

    “As a father, husband, and proud South Texan, I’m glad we got this important bill across the finish line in the House and the Senate in a bipartisan way. The TAKE IT DOWN Act is a vital step in safeguarding the dignity and safety of individuals, particularly our most vulnerable. It ensures the swift removal of harmful content and holds perpetrators accountable—prioritizing the protection and well-being of those affected by deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery,” said Rep. Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28). 

    “The increasing use of artificial intelligence to create and circulate deep fake pornography threatens the wellbeing and security of its victims, primarily women. Perpetrators have used deep fake pornography as a tool to harass, humiliate, and intimidate women and children online, and we need to work together to protect against these threats. This is a serious and growing issue that requires urgent action, which is why I introduced the Take It Down Act. I am thankful it has been passed by the House, and I look forward to it promptly being signed into law,”said Rep. Dingell (MI-12) 

    “In an age where personal privacy can be violated with a click, the House’s passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act marks a critical step forward. This bipartisan legislation creates long-overdue federal safeguards against non-consensual intimate imagery and the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. It establishes a clear legal standard: victims have the right to have these exploitative images removed, and perpetrators will be held accountable. This is a commonsense, essential measure to protect Americans, empower survivors, uphold justice, and bring our laws in line with the realities of the digital era,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

    “There is nothing more personal than one’s image and dignity. NCII is a cruel and deeply violating issue, and with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, there has been a disturbing increase in these images online. The Take It Down Act is a crucial step in personal and internet security, and I am proud to help send this bill to President Trump’s desk. By introducing new protections against NCII content and criminalizing the publication of such content, we are making our world, both in person and online, safer for everyone,” said Rep. Bresnahan (PA-08) 

    “Congress must make sure there are protections in place, especially for minors, as technology rapidly evolves. Bipartisan support for and House passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act is a critical step toward providing individuals who are victimized and inappropriately distorted through AI strong mechanisms to take action and remedy such traumatic situations,” said Rep. Edwards (NC-11). 

    “The passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act is a historic win in the fight to protect victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse. This victory belongs first and foremost to the heroic survivors who shared their stories and the advocates who never gave up. By requiring social media companies to take down this abusive content quickly, we are sparing victims from repeated trauma and holding predators accountable. This day would not have been possible without the courage and perseverance of Elliston Berry, Francesca Mani, Breeze Liu, and Brandon Guffey, whose powerful voices drove this legislation forward. I am especially grateful to my colleagues—including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Maria Salazar, Rep. Madeleine Dean, First Lady Melania Trump, and House Leadership—for locking arms in this critical mission to protect Americans from online exploitation,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (TX). 

    We must provide victims of online abuse with the legal protections they need when intimate images are shared without their consent, especially now that deepfakes are creating horrifying new opportunities for abuse. These images can ruin lives and reputations, but now that our bipartisan legislation is becoming law, victims will be able to have this material removed from social media platforms and law enforcement can hold perpetrators accountable,” said Sen. Klobuchar (MN). 

    Over 120 organizations representing victim advocacy groups, law enforcement, and leaders in the tech industry have voiced their support for the TAKE IT DOWN Act, including Meta, Snap, Google, Microsoft, TikTok, X, Amazon, Bumble, Match Group, Entertainment Software Association, IBM, TechNet, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Internet Works, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE).

    The TAKE IT DOWN Act addresses these issues while protecting lawful speech by:

     

    • Criminalizing the publication of non-consensual intimate images (NCII), or the threat to publish NCII, in interstate commerce;
    • Permitting the good faith disclosure of NCII to assist victims including for law enforcement or medical treatment purposes;
    • Requiring websites to take down NCII within 48 hours of receiving notice from victims; and
    • Requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a “reasonable person” standard for appearing to realistically depict an individual, consistent with current First Amendment jurisprudence.

     

    Rep. Salazar reintroduced this bill in January and led the effort in the House to get it signed into law. President Trump endorsed the TAKE IT DOWN Act during a recent address to Congress. You can see his remarks here. The Act has been a legislative priority of former First Lady Melania Trump. Thanks to her strong advocacy, including a roundtable on Capitol Hill last month, this bill has now passed. 

     

    More information about the TAKE IT DOWN Act can be found here.

     

    The full text of the bill can be found here.

     

    The passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act is Congresswoman Salazar’s ninth bill to be signed into law. Other key policies sponsored by Rep. Salazar that have been enacted into law include:

     

    • The COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Relief Act to provide economic relief for Floridians. Implemented by the Biden Administration in March 2021.
    • The Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act to sanction the Ortega Regime in Nicaragua. Signed into law in November 2021.
    • The PRICE Act to make it easier for small businesses to get federal contracts. Signed into law in February 2022.
    • The Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act to reauthorize critical funding for programs that address mental health and substance abuse issues. Signed into law in December 2022.
    • The REEF Act to incentivize retired Navy ships to be sunk and used as artificial reefs in marine ecosystems across America. Signed into law in December 2023.
    • The RECLAIM Taxpayer Funds Act to recover billions in fraudulent government loans and restore fiscal responsibility and government accountability. Implemented by the Biden Administration in December 2023.
    • The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act to protect migratory birds and their habitat, which is critical for the Everglades. Signed into law April 2024.
    • The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act honors 60 diplomats who risked their lives during World War II to save Jews from Nazi persecution. Signed into law December 2024.

    You can read more about Congresswoman Salazar’s legislative victories here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Madagascar: Improving Infrastructure Resilience to Reduce Climate-Related Economic Losses

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Madagascar: Improving Infrastructure Resilience to Reduce Climate-Related Economic Losses

    (In collaboration with UNDRR and CDRI)

    One of the world’s largest islands, located in the tropical south-west Indian Ocean, Madagascar needs new roads, schools, electricity networks, and more to lift large portions of its 30 million population out of poverty. But even as it builds this new infrastructure, its progress remains fragile. Tropical cyclones and other extreme hazard events can wipe out these development gains, and climate change multiplies that threat. 

    The challenge is significant. Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island, and its relatively small population is spread out, much of it in rural hard-to-access areas. Most villages are isolated and they lack access to decent roads, drinking water or electricity, preventing sustainable development and poverty reduction too. Rapid population growth increases the pressure to build new infrastructure fast, but Madagascar must also find new ways to protect its transport networks, energy supplies, water supplies, and more from the growing threat of climate change. 

    Building resilience into infrastructure will bring significant benefits. Madagascar’s infrastructure currently suffers damage worth roughly USD 100 million each year. Cyclones account for 85 percent of this damage and are expected to increase with climate change.  

    With that in mind, Madagascar has become one of four countries – together with Bhutan, Chile, and Tonga – to pioneer the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review. Developed by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the methodology helps countries to identify and prioritize strategies that will make their infrastructure more resilient through a five-step approach. 

    • Developing the plan
    • Developing the plan

      “With this new way of looking by zooming out, we have more of an overall vision of everything that makes infrastructure vulnerable,” Randrianandrasana Lila Norolalaina, Head of Disaster Risk Reduction at the Ministry of Education, says.

      Together, these stakeholders looked at six specific sectors – transport, energy, water, telecommunications, health and education – analyzing them against ten key hazards. Cyclones account for most of Madagascar’s recorded losses, but floods, rising sea levels, variations in rainfall patterns, and heatwaves also have an impact. 

      Cascading disasters were central to the analysis, since a failure in one infrastructure sector can spread to others. Electricity failure impacts communication, transportation, and water supply systems, for example. And pumping equipment loses power and is unable to keep floodwaters under control around the capital Antananarivo, then an electricity failure would lead to other disasters, for example. Understanding these interdependencies helps to prevent a chain of failures and thus much bigger crises

      The UNDRR stress testing tool simulated various scenarios and assessed the potential impact on different sectors. It helped decision-makers to understand their vulnerabilities and to analyse the possibilities for cascading disasters. Finally, it concluded that telecommunications and energy were the sectors most likely to trigger further failures, while wastewater management was the most vulnerable to disruptions from elsewhere. 

      Interdependencies of Functions and Cascading Effects

    • Energy
    • Energy

      Discussed within the context of resilient infrastructure, energy is also vital for Madagascar’s human development. It is, however, in short supply throughout the country and this shortage prevents the country from industrialising its key sectors, especially farming. Some 80 percent of the workforce is involved with subsistence farming, for example, while failure to industrialise prevents the creation of higher paying jobs. The lack of energy also slows the modernisation of Madagascar’s young mining sector, a major contributor to GDP, through exports of nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, and heavy metals.

      Madagascar aims to connect 70 percent of its population to electricity by 2030, from just 15 percent at present. For those who are connected, however, power cuts and voltage fluctuations are frequent, causing serious disruptions to daily life and economic development alike. The issue is often acute in rural areas, where just 5 percent of the population is connected.

      Stress-testing analysis, Energy

      Inadequate maintenance is part of the problem, but cyclones, heavy rains, landslides, and strong winds all lead to widespread interruptions and power outages. Two of six power stations are vulnerable to rising water levels, while earthquakes and cyber-attacks can also damage production. Droughts and fires threaten serious impacts to water supplies. They can therefore limit the production of electricity from hydropower, which accounts for 31 percent of Madagascar’s energy. 

      Resilience is a vital priority. Part of Madagascar’s resilience plan is to move away from imported fossil fuels towards renewables. Oil and coal, for example, account for 49 and 19 percent respectively of the island’s energy production, but they depend heavily on Madagascar’s transport, which is also vulnerable to storms. Madagascar wants renewables to account for 80 percent of its energy production by 2030, up from 33 percent at present. 

      Even before the review of infrastructure resilience, Madagascar had already begun to improve its energy infrastructure, through its 2015-2030 New Energy Policy (NPE). One key element of NPE is to integrate disaster risk management into the energy sector. In case of emergency, Madagascar has also developed a contingency plan to ensure continuity of essential services. With support from the World Bank, Madagascar is enhancing its energy sector management and improving service quality.

      These opportunities mainly link to information and data. Stakeholders discussed the need to strengthen and update data for monitoring and evaluation, as well as to request information and disaster risk best practices from private operators in the sector. By mapping the state of energy infrastructure, including an assessment of vulnerability and resilience levels, Madagascar will be better placed to prioritise its interventions.

      Following the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review, therefore, Madagascar has already begun to work with other partners. The Global Risk Modelling Alliance (GRMA), for example, is working with Madagascar to improve their data through better hazard modelling.

    • Transport
    • Transport

      Made up of four sub-sectors – air, sea, road, and rail – Madagascar’s transport illustrates the country’s challenges effectively too. Even without the natural hazards, Madagascar’s transport networks are limited. To the south, for example, one single trainline connects a region of roughly 100,000 people to the rest of the country. Also in the South, covering 500km by road can take three days. 

      With limited internal roads and railways, Madagascar uses its air network to connect different parts of the vast country, especially in the rainy season or when humanitarian aid is needed urgently. Its ports are also vital for the country’s economy, exporting vanilla and other agricultural products, together with minerals and seafood products. 

      Much of this infrastructure is, however, vulnerable to disasters, such as cyclones, cyber-attacks, fire hazards, and even pandemics. Cyclones, landslides, and flooding routinely damage roads and – in the wake of Cyclone Gamane in March 2024 – reconstruction of road infrastructure was set to cost USD 76 million.

      International financial institutions, such as the World Bank and European Investment Bank, support Madagascar to recover from cyclone damage and to make their transport infrastructure more resilient. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting the USD 640 million expansion of Toamasina port, the gateway for about 75 percent of Madagascar’s international freight, while the African Development Bank (AfDB) is also considering rehabilitation of the port at Manakara. 

      Policies on rigorous maintenance, disaster planning, and construction or rehabilitation of new infrastructure, such as Ivato International Airport, will also help Madagascar to strengthen its infrastructure resilience. 

      Stress-testing analysis, Transportation

      However, the Infrastructure Resilience Review brought new insights, enabling Madagascar to prioritise its interventions. Data analysis identified:

      Stakeholders discussed the need to improve regulations and institutions alike, including by incorporating resilience principles. More work is needed on climate adaptation, while Madagascar would also benefit from better engagement with financial institutions and the insurance sector too. Better coordination would improve national adaptation plans and coastal area management. 

      Stakeholders also discussed the need for more data analysis, preventive maintenance, capacity building, and emergency planning, as well as the need to involve the private sector and facilitate more competition. 

      One key topic was the importance of resilience norms, especially in the transport sector. How does Madagascar develop these and then ensure compliance? These norms – and stakeholder compliance – are essential in reducing the amount of substandard construction, a major boost for resilience. 

    • Lessons for other countries
    • Lessons for other countries

      The Infrastructure Resilience Review represents an important step forward by Madagascar towards infrastructure resilience. Stakeholders hope it will also benefit donors and provide key lessons for other countries. 

      Resilient infrastructure is important because it enables and protects sustainable development. All too often, ferocious storms have destroyed donor-financed infrastructure, which means – in other words – that insufficient resilience puts development progress at risk.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Chile: Strengthening infrastructure resilience to face new and emerging hazards

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Chile: Strengthening infrastructure resilience to face existing and emerging hazards

    (In collaboration with UNDRR and CDRI)

    Stretching along Latin America’s Pacific coast from tropics in the north to freezing micro-climates in the south, Chile faces an array of natural hazards. Home to 20 million people, its location in the Ring of Fire and proximity to major tectonic plates exposes Chile to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

    A high-income country recognized for its good governance, Chile has reduced many of the risks associated with earthquakes and tsunamis. However, the country must also adapt to the new and intensifying hazards related to climate. 

    Chile was one of the first countries, together with Bhutan, Madagascar, and Tonga, to implement the new Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review. Developed by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) the methodology helps countries to identify and prioritise the strategies that will build their infrastructure resilience through a five-step approach: 

    • Early start
    • Early start

      Within the disaster risk community, Chile stands out for its proactive approach to disaster risk. While saving lives is the top priority, the motivations are also economic. Between 2000 and 2019, damage to infrastructure accounted for 53 percent of all economic losses from disasters in the Latin American and Caribbean region. By enhancing its infrastructure resilience, Chile also protects its economy.

      Chile had already begun its search for new solutions to its disaster risk by the time Chile engaged with UNDRR and CDRI. In 2021, Chile replaced its National Emergency Office of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Safety (ONEMI) with SENAPRED, a new National Disaster Prevention and Response Agency, shifting the emphasis from recovery and reconstruction to disaster prevention

      Meanwhile, Chile’s new policies are also improving the resilience of Chilean infrastructure. New infrastructure projects require a disaster risk analysis, for example. Also, Chile’s 2022 Law on Climate Change (LMCC) requires sectoral, regional, and municipal authorities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote resilience to climate change. Such laws complement SENAPRED’s focus on disasters by focusing on hazards that can be slower to develop, such as water scarcity and desertification. 

    • The process
    • The process

      The Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review builds on UNDRR’s six Principles for Resilient Infrastructure, which set out the key conditions for sustainable infrastructure resilience. In doing so, the principles support the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the G20 Principles for Investing in Quality Infrastructure. 

      However, each country needs its own paths to infrastructure resilience, which is why the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review is important. It provides a structured approach for every country to review and enhance their infrastructure governance, identifying the opportunities to create resilience across government levels. 

      Chile implemented the methodology’s five steps at the national level from June 2023 to May 2024. A deep dive was then completed for the Biobío region in December 2024, adapting the Global Methodology to the regional level. The analysis focused on six sectors – water, energy, transportation, telecommunications, health and education. 

      The government was well represented throughout the process, bringing together stakeholders from the ministries of public works (MOP), transport and telecommunications (MTT), energy (MINEN), education (MINEDUC), health (MINSAL), social development (MIDESO), housing and urban planning (MINVU), international relations (MINREL), finance, defence, and environment (MMA). 

      While this broad representation in the assessment and workshops created a truly multi-stakeholder approach, the Chile pilot also looked at the role of the private sector, which manages a large portion of the country’s infrastructure. This raised questions in terms of coordination, information asymmetries, and the incentives for private companies to invest in disaster risk reduction. When a private company is managing public assets, for example, how can incentives be aligned so that the private company puts the public interest before its desire for profit?

    • Recognising drought
    • Recognising drought

      Stakeholders highlighted discussions of risk as a major strength, noting that the stress testing allowed for a broader assessment of existing infrastructure vulnerabilities, including pandemics and cyber risks. While other threats—such as violence, sea level rise, atmospheric pollution, invasive exotic species, and diseases—were considered, they were ultimately excluded from further analysis due to their limited impact on infrastructure.

      Click to download the Prioritization of Threats in Chile table in PDF

      Drawing from data analysis and workshop discussions, participants ranked the greatest threats to Chilean infrastructure in the following order: drought, fires, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, heat waves, tidal waves, and volcanic eruptions.

      Drought and water scarcity emerged as a priority because of their interdependent nature and potential cascading impacts on infrastructure systems. Around 53 percent of Chile’s territory is considered at high risk of drought, and 23 percent is at high risk of desertification. The central areas of Chile have experienced a nearly continuous megadrought since 2010.

      “The application of the global methdology allowed us to break new ground by conducting a hazard analysis in Chile specifically targeted to infrastructure, consolidating a systemic view and adding new elements that had previously gone unnoticed, such as droughts,” stated Luis Doñas, Project Coordinator, SENAPRED

      “Chile must now analyse these factors more closely to generate appropriate investment and make progress on key issues identified by stakeholders: territorial application, unification of information systems, strengthening intersectoral resilience training, and more decisive private sector involvement,” add Doñas

    • Protecting water
    • Protecting water

      Throughout the assessment, stakeholders distinguished between their infrastructure’s direct economic value and its critical functions. They also examined vulnerabilities, highlighting how the frequency and impact of different hazards can vary significantly between the regions. 

      Beyond these individual risks, the discussions also explored interdependencies between sectors and the potential for cascading failures. One key example is the relationship between water and energy in Chile. 

      After more than a decade of mega-drought, water supply companies have implemented contingency measures to limit the impacts in urban areas. However, the sustained dry conditions have seriously affected drinking water, irrigation, and other vital needs in rural areas. The proposed infrastructure assessment integrates advanced technology – such as desalination plants – with ongoing training and public education. Through a combination of short-, medium-, and long-term actions, the plan aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of Chile’s water resources. 

      Water supply is not an isolated system, of course. It relies on other critical infrastructure, such as energy and transportation. Energy, in particular, is a priority as every other sector depends on it. A failure in the energy sector could trigger widespread cascading effects. To protect its energy infrastructure, Chile’s plan promotes advanced technologies and renewable energy solutions, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and strengthening long-term resilience.

    • Next steps
    • Next steps

      The process initiated in Chile concluded with establishing a Roadmap for Infrastructure Resilience, a strategic guide that will shape actions in this area for years to come. While the Roadmap outlines a series of proposals across six key infrastructure sectors, it also lays out a broader pathway for Chile to strengthen its infrastructure governance. 

      This includes better coordination, the incorporation of risk analysis into infrastructure planning and investment, better compliance, and more available and accessible risk data, including interactive platforms and information exchanges. In other words, Chile is committed to building more resilience into its infrastructure. 

      With this in mind, Chile has come up with three immediate actions.

      Click to download the Immediate Intervention scheme in PDF

      First, the Roadmap suggests establishing an intersectoral working group so that the necessary sectors and ministries can develop shared definitions and guidelines for resilient infrastructure. This group will receive extra training from a “Resilience Academy” involving both national and international experts. 

      Second, recognizing the sheer variety of hazards and territorial conditions across the country, Chile launched a regional-level infrastructure assessment to deepen risk analysis and develop improvements to governance. This process began in the Biobío Region, one of Chile’s 16 regions.

      Roughly 40 percent of Chile’s population and 40 percent of its economic activity are concentrated in the central region, where Santiago, the capital, is located. As a result, this area has a higher density of critical infrastructure increasing the infrastructure exposure to hazards. At the same time, remote regions remain highly vulnerable, as they often lack the resources and preparedness to withstand disasters effectively. 

      Each territory has its own unique needs, making it essential to tailor disaster risk reduction to local context.

      Distribution of hazards in micro-zones over the period 2000-2023

      Third, Chile will design and pilot an integrated data hub to consolidate risk-related information, enabling better monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making in risk management. The integrated data centre will serve as a unified system for tracking, reporting, and verifying the fragmented infrastructure resilience assessments and diagnostics currently dispersed across different sectors and agencies. By centralising this information, Chile will strengthen infrastructure planning and enhance its disaster risk reduction. 

      Implementing these and other measures will also move Chile towards a more resilient infrastructure, aligning with UNDRR’s principles for resilient infrastructure. This will better position the country to tackle current challenges, but also to enhance its ability to adapt to new and emerging hazards. 

      Collaboration will be key to success. Achieving resilience will require continued collaboration between government, business, and civil society. By enabling new analyses and multi-stakeholder workshops, the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review has played a crucial role in fostering vital trust between the different stakeholders. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Tonga: Building infrastructure resilience in an isolated, hazardous world

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Tonga: Building infrastructure resilience in an isolated, hazardous world

    (In collaboration with UNDRR and CDRI)

    When an underwater volcano erupted about 65 kilometres north of Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, in January 2022, it sent ash high into the atmosphere and triggered a tsunami that struck the archipelago nation with waves as high as 15 metres. While the waves killed four people directly in Tonga, the eruption and consequent tsunami smashed into residential and non-residential buildings alike, damaged other infrastructure such as submarine cables, and contaminated water supplies with ashfall.

    The event also highlighted how Tonga must quickly build more resilience into its infrastructure and economy if it wants to improve the quality of life for its roughly 100,000 population.

    The country is a lower-middle income nation, constrained by its geographic isolation, small market size, and high cost of basic services. A Pacific archipelago of 172 islands, whose nearest neighbours – Fiji and Samoa – are more than 700 kilometres away, Tonga is highly dependent on climate sensitive-sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Its economy is sensitive to external shocks. 

    Cyclones, tsunamis, and volcanoes cause serious damage every time they hit Tonga, and yet – in recent years – the Pacific nation has experienced more extreme weather events than usual. Cyclone Gita, a category 4 tropical cyclone which hit Tonga in February 2018, was one of the most powerful storms to hit Tonga in decades, killing two, destroying at least 171 homes, and damaging more than 1,100 others. 

    This immense vulnerability to multiple natural hazards – and the dangers of cascading impacts – led Tonga to become one of four countries – together with Bhutan, Chile, and Madagascar – pioneering the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Review. Developed by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the methodology helps countries to identify and prioritise the strategies that will build their infrastructure resilience through a five-step approach.

    • The process
    • The process

      In 2021, Tonga enacted the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) 2021 Act, replacing the Emergency Management Act 2007, signaling a new ambition to manage risk instead of reacting to disaster

      After the 2022 volcano eruption, it also connected quickly with international partners. With World Bank support, it upgraded its ports, roads, and an airport, making them more resilient to storm surges, floods, and high winds. The Asian Development Bank has also helped with grants to help the country recover from disasters and health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

      The infrastructure resilience assessment approach in the Global Methodology, provided Tonga with the opportunity to take a holistic look at their infrastructure and risk, identify the gaps, and then fill them.

      Stress-testing of Critical Infrastructure against Identified Hazard, Tonga

      In the first phase, a technical working group was set up with representatives from 21 departments and agencies across six ministries. Supported by this working group, the review process began with a kick-off meeting that included key stakeholders for infrastructure development, disaster risk reduction, and sectoral operations. Next, in phase two, it reviewed existing policies and regulations, assessing the extent to which they address disaster risks and support infrastructure resilience.

      In the third phase, stakeholders conducted stress tests and gap analysis on ten critical infrastructure functions against a range of hazards, including cyclones, droughts, underground water / seawater intrusion, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, non-communicable diseases, land degradation and erosion, floods, sea level rises, and cybersecurity breaches. By identifying these vulnerabilities, interdependences, and cascading risks, the participants were able to seriously consider the economic impacts and interdependences of different hazards throughout. 

    • Water sector
    • Water sector

      One of the sectors examined was the water sector, including a deep dive analysis. Water is everywhere in a small island development state (SIDS) like Tonga, of course, but securing a stable supply remains difficult. Water in Tonga comes from ground water and rainwater, which are both vulnerable to impacts from climate change. 

      Rising sea-levels mean that many assets are at risk of flooding, while soil erosion is also a threat. When sea levels rise, salt water can enter some freshwater supplies, reducing the available water for drinking. 

      Funding the necessary upgrades, however, is a challenge. The Tonga Water Board (TWB) operates without subsidies, making capital investment difficult.

      Meanwhile, the lack of a centralised infrastructure database complicates the assessment and management of existing resources. Multiple institutions manage water resources across the archipelago’s 45 or so inhabited islands, doing so with varying levels of expertise. While integrated planning and coordination should be essential for efficiency, the system is fragmented. Integrated planning and management are urgently needed to ensure resilience in the water sector. Equally as importantly, there’s a need for more data and information, and for a better understanding of how to use the already available data, which does not capture all boreholes and rainwater harvesting.

      Finally, the water pumping stations are dependent on electricity. This means that if a cyclone damages the power lines and impacts electricity supply, then water supply would also be affected. The disaster responses are complicated by limited standard operating procedures (SOPs) as cyclones, volcanoes, and tsunamis all affect the water infrastructure in different ways. Take a look at how some of the most recent events have affected Tonga’s water infrastructure:

      TROPICAL CYCLONES:

      Cyclone Gita (2018) damaged water distribution systems and rainwater tanks, while other cyclones have led to extensive system failures.

      VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS AND ASHFALL:

      The 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai severely impacted water punps and contaminated rainwater tanks, leading to supply disruptions.

      DROUGHTS:

      Prolonged droughts in 2023 have affected rainwater collection systems, exacerbating water shortages.

      TSUNAMIS:

      The 2022 tsunami contamined groundwater sources in southern islands and destroyed coastal water infrastructure.

      Several resilience measures do exist. Desalination units provide emergency water, even if their maintenance or repairs sometimes fall on untrained community members, causing delays and potential safety issues. Overall, however, these are uneven and insufficient.

      Some development support has been provided, but the projects are also unevenly distributed. They tend to focus mostly on the main island, leaving outer islands underserved. 

      From the Infrastructure Resilience Review, several recommendations emerged:

    • Transport
    • Transport

      The Infrastructure Resilience Review also looked at transport, given the importance and vulnerabilities of Tonga’s ports, airports, and roads. 

      On the one hand, Tonga’s geographic isolation makes it highly dependent on its ports and airports for imports of food, fuel, and spare parts. In 2000, the last available energy balance showed that 75 percent of the country’s energy depends on imported petroleum products. Over 98 percent of Tonga’s grid-supplied electricity is generated using imported diesel. 

      On the other hand, those ports and airports are highly vulnerable to disruption of the other critical infrastructure functions, including transport. The ports and airports both depend on Tonga’s roads, for example, to connect them with the rest of the country.

      Multi Hazards Disaster Risk Assessment, ARUP 2021

      However, while Tonga’s climate is already tropical, climate change is expected to bring heavier and more frequent rainfall, damaging roads in the low-lying areas. Inadequate drainage will compound this damage, disrupting transport and mobility to the ports and airports. 

      In turn, this could also disrupt Tonga’s electricity, which relies heavily on diesel imports, as well as the delivery of clean water to remote areas or even – in case of emergencies – access to evacuation centres. 

      “The infrastructure resilience review reminds us that we are not passive actors, but that to a much greater extent we are masters of our own destiny,” said Sione Pulotu ‘Akau’ola, CEO for Ministry of MEIDECC.

      “In the long run, building resilience into our infrastructure will save us lives, destruction, and economic damage,” he said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal Visits Netherlands to Strengthen Bilateral Trade and Economic Partnership

    Source: Government of India

    Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal Visits Netherlands to Strengthen Bilateral Trade and Economic Partnership

    Commerce Secretary Engages with Port of Rotterdam Authority, Explores Green and Digital Corridor Cooperation to Boost Maritime and Trade Ties

    Posted On: 29 APR 2025 11:17AM by PIB Delhi

    Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India,Shri Sunil Barthwal, visited the Netherlands from 24–26 April 2025 to advance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and the Netherlands. The visit underlined India’s commitment to strengthening its economic engagement with the Netherlands, a key European partner. During his visit, Mr. Barthwal engaged in high-level discussions, industry interactions and toured places of economic importance.

    The visit of the Commerce Secretary yielded several tangible outcomes. It reinforced the strategic importance of the India-Netherlands partnership in addressing global economic challenges and fostering innovation-driven growth. The discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Affairs laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration through institutional mechanisms like the JTIC. The CEOs Roundtable fostered new business connections, with Dutch companies expressing keen interest in India’s growing market and investment opportunities. The engagements at the Port of Rotterdam and ASML opened new avenues for cooperation in maritime infrastructure and semiconductors, aligning with India’s economic priorities. Commerce Secretary Barthwal’s visit has injected fresh momentum into India Netherlands partnership, setting the stage for deeper economic collaboration.

    Mr. Barthwal commenced his visit with a productive discussion with Mr. Michiel Sweers, Director General for Foreign Economic Relations, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in The Hague. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties, inter alia, through setting up of the Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) mechanism.  Further, the meeting covered diverse issues of bilateral trade and economic relationship, advancing strategic economic cooperation, fostering policy alignment, and addressing trade barriers to facilitate smoother market access for Indian and Dutch businesses. The dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment to creating a conducive environment for trade and investment, leveraging the complementary strengths of both economies.

    A highlight of the visit was the CEOs Round-table Conference organized by the Embassy of India. Attended by approximately 40 representatives from leading Dutch and Indian companies, as well as business chambers and trade organizations, the round-table facilitated discussions on trade opportunities, challenges and actionable solutions. Participants offered valuable suggestions, with the Government of India and the Embassy pledging to address concerns. The Conference provided a platform for industry leaders to share insights, explore synergies, and identify opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, waste management and urban development. Mr. Barthwal emphasized India’s ambitious economic reforms, including initiatives to boost manufacturing, exports and ease of doing business, which resonated strongly with Dutch stakeholders. The Roundtable also featured the showcasing of One District One Product (ODOP) handicrafts by the Embassy, celebrating India’s rich artisanal heritage. The subsequent networking session acted as a platform for corporate leaders and trade bodies to forge meaningful connections, with Commerce Secretary Barthwal and Ambassador Tuhin actively engaging the participants.

    Mr. Barthwal visited the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest and one of the world’s most advanced ports. Received by Mr. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, at the World Port Center, Mr. Barthwal held in-depth discussions on enhancing cooperation between the Indian ports and Rotterdam. The talks explored opportunities for knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and sustainable port management practices. A tour of the port facilities, including the fully automated APM Terminals at Maasvlakte II, provided insights into Rotterdam’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and operational efficiencies. Mr. Barthwal highlighted the potential for collaboration in modernizing Indian ports, aligning with India’s Maritime Vision 2030, which aims to enhance port capacity and logistics efficiency. Both sides expressed interest in deepening ties through joint initiatives in port digitalization, green shipping, and logistics optimization, which are critical to boosting bilateral trade flows. The visit laid the groundwork for setting up of a Green and Digital Corridor between the Port of Rotterdam and Indian ports like the Deendayal Port Authority Kandla, and export of Green Hydrogen and carriers like Ammonia and Methanol from India to Europe, with the Port of Rotterdam acting as a gateway to Europe.

    Later, Mr. Barthwal traveled to Veldhoven to visit the headquarters of ASML, a global leader in photolithography systems for the semiconductor industry. In a productive meeting with ASML’s CEO, Mr. Christophe Fouquet, Mr. Barthwal discussed deepening India-Netherlands cooperation in the semiconductor sector. The discussions focused on leveraging ASML’s expertise to support India’s ambitions to become a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, as outlined in the India Semiconductor Mission.  Mr. Barthwal emphasized India’s robust policy framework to attract investments in semiconductors, including production-linked incentives and infrastructure development. The engagement with ASML highlighted India’s interest in fostering innovation and building a resilient semiconductor ecosystem, with the Netherlands as a key partner.

         

    Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Shri Saket Kumar, who accompanied Commerce Secretary, met Mr. Tjerk Opmeer, Deputy Director General for Enterprise and Innovation, at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Hague. The discussions centered on fostering innovation-driven partnerships, particularly in technology and startup ecosystems. Both sides committed to deepening collaboration in the startups and innovation ecosystem through mutual efforts under the Indo-Dutch Startup Link. The meeting also explored collaboration in entrepreneurship, tech exchange and space cooperation. These engagements highlighted India’s growing role as a hub for innovation and the Netherlands’ expertise in cutting-edge technologies, paving the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation.

                  

     ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan

    (Release ID: 2125060) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chair appointed for public inquiry into Nottingham attack

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Chair appointed for public inquiry into Nottingham attack

    Former senior circuit judge, Her Honour (HH) Deborah Taylor, has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor to chair the statutory inquiry into the Nottingham attacks.

    HH Deborah Taylor

    • Her Honour Deborah Taylor to chair Nottingham inquiry
    • Holistic review to provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents
    • Full Terms of Reference to be published in due course

    Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were tragically killed and three other survivors were seriously injured by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in June 2023.

    Speaking in the House of Commons today (April 22), the Lord Chancellor confirmed HH Deborah Taylor would undertake a thorough, independent assessment of the events that culminated in these brutal attacks, and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

    The statutory inquiry will have the power to examine all the agencies involved, including the Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service; compel witnesses, and establish the facts. The Prime Minister has committed that the inquiry should report within two years.

    The bereaved families and survivors of the attack were present in the public gallery during the Lord Chancellor’s announcement.

    Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said:

    The bereaved families and survivors of the Nottingham Attack, who have suffered so much, deserve to know how these horrific attacks were able to happen.

    I am pleased to appoint Her Honour Deborah Taylor as the Chair of this inquiry. She brings deep experience to the role, and I know she will undertake a fearless and thorough examination of the facts.

    The Chair, a retired senior circuit judge, has already engaged with survivors and victims’ families, and taken views on the draft Terms of Reference, which will be laid in due course.

    Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Alex Davies-Jones, said:

    My thoughts remain with the bereaved families and survivors of this terrible incident, who in the face of such tragedy, have consistently called for an Inquiry.

    It is important for the bereaved families and survivors that this Inquiry reports without undue delay which is why the Prime Minister has committed the inquiry should report in two years.

    Notes to editors:

    • With the Chair in place and the inquiry being formally established today, it can begin preliminary work immediately. The final terms of reference will be published as soon as possible.
    • There have been nine separate reviews into various elements of the Nottingham attacks including: Valdo Calocane’s healthcare and the healthcare institution; actions by Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Police; and decisions of the CPS.  IOPC investigations into the actions of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire police are ongoing.
    • The Law Commission is undertaking a review into homicide law and will consider the partial defence of diminished responsibility.
    • HH Deborah Taylor was a Senior Circuit Judge, Resident Judge at Southwark Crown Court and Recorder of Westminster until her retirement from the Judiciary in December 2022. In 2022 she was Treasurer of Inner Temple, where she advocated for greater diversity at the Bar.
    • Deborah will continue in her role as Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board which she has held since July 2023

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight countries launch Operational Taskforce to tackle violence-as-a-service

    Source: Europol

    The exploitation of young perpetrators to carry out criminal acts has emerged as a fast-evolving tactic used by organised crime. This trend was underlined in the European Union Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2025 (EU-SOCTA), which identified the deliberate use of youngsters as a way to avoid detection and prosecution.Recruitment, manipulation, exploitationViolence-as-a-service refers to the outsourcing of violent acts…

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tarakinikini appointed as Fiji’s ambassador-designate to Israel

    By Anish Chand in Suva

    Filipo Tarakinikini has been appointed as Fiji’s Ambassador-designate to Israel.

    This has been stated on two official X, formerly Twitter, handle posts overnight.

    “#Fiji is determined to deepen its relations with #Israel as Fiji’s Ambassador-designate to Israel, HE Ambassador @AFTarakinikini prepares to present his credentials on 28 April, 2025,” stated the Fiji at UN twitter account.

    Tarakinikini is also Fiji’s current Ambassador to the United Nations.

    In a separate post, Deputy Director-General Eynat Shlein of Israel’s international development cooperation agency said she was “honoured” to meet Tarakinikini.

    “We discussed the vast cooperation opportunities, promoting & enhancing sustainable development, emphasizing investment in capacity building & human capital,” she said on X.

    Fiji is only the seventh country in the world to open an embassy in Israel.

    Republished from The Fiji Times with permission.

    Centre of controversy
    Pacific Media Watch
    reports that Lieutenant-Colonel Tarakinikini was at the centre of controversy in Fiji in 2005 when he was declared a “deserter” by the Fiji military.

    However, from 1979 to 2002, he served in the Fiji Military Forces, including eight years in United Nations peacekeeping missions, among them, south Lebanon and the Multinational Force in Sinai, Egypt.

    Beginning in 2003, he was the UN Department for Security and Safety’s (UNDSS) Chief Security Adviser in Jerusalem, as well as in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 2006 to 2008.

    From 2008 to 2018, he served in numerous United Nations integrated assessment missions, programme working groups, restructuring and redeployments and technical assessment missions.

    ‘Weapons of war’
    Yesterday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began week-long hearings at The Hague into global accusations of Israel using starvation and humanitarian aid as “weapons of war” and failing to meet its obligations to the Palestinian people in Gaza as the occupying power in its genocidal war on the besieged enclave.

    Forty countries are expected to give evidence.

    The ICJ has been tasked by the UN with providing an advisory opinion “on a priority basis and with the utmost urgency”.

    Although the ICJ judges’ opinion is not binding, it provides clarity on legal questions.

    In January 2024, the ICJ ruled that Israel must take “all measures” to prevent a genocide in Gaza.

    Then in June, it said in an advisory opinion that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza was illegal.

    Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant are wanted on arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI: Amundi: Results for the First quarter of 2025 – Record inflows at +€31bn

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Amundi: Results for the First quarter of 2025 

    Record inflows at +€31bn

    Record
    inflows
      Assets under management1at an all-time high of €2.25tn at end of March 2025, +6% year-on-year

    Highest quarterly net inflows since 2021, at +€31bn in Q1

    • +€37bn in medium- to long-term assets excluding JVs, new quarterly record
    • Positive inflows in active management (+€6bn)
    • Strong ETF net inflows and gain of a big ESG equity index mandate with The People’s Pension (UK): +€21bn
         
    Strong growth in profit before tax   Profit before tax2of €458m, up +11% Q1/Q1, driven by:

    • revenue growth (+11%)
    • positive jaws effect
    • improved cost-income ratio to 52.4%2

    Adjusted net income2,3 close to €350m excluding impact of exceptional tax surcharge4 in France (-€46m)

         
    Confirmed strategic pillars
    success
      Strong inflows in growth areas:

    • Third-party distribution +€8bn
    • Asia +€8bn
    • ETF +€10bn

    Amundi Technology: strong organic growth, integration of aixigo and revenues up +46% Q1/Q1

    Paris, 29 April 2025

    Amundi’s Board of Directors met on 28 April 2025 chaired by Philippe Brassac, and approved the financial statements for the first quarter of 2025.

    Valérie Baudson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “After a record year in 2024, Amundi continued this momentum in the first quarter of 2025. Quarterly net inflows are at their highest since 2021: our clients, whether they are individuals or institutions, have entrusted us with +€31bn more to manage. In particular, we won a major mandate from one of the UK’s largest pension funds in the fast-growing market for Defined Contribution pension plans.

    The business continues to reflect the relevance of our main growth pillars: net inflows were dynamic with Third-Party Distributors, in Asia and on ETFs, and Amundi Technology continues its sustained growth.

    The three transactions signed in 2024 reinforce this solid organic growth: Alpha Associates and aixigo have already contributed positively to the quarter’s results, the partnership with Victory Capital, closed on 1 April, now allows us to offer more US strategies while creating value for our shareholders.

    Amundi’s diversified model and agility allow us to effectively support our clients in all market environments and provide them with long-term growth opportunities. We continue to invest, redeploy our resources and optimise our cost base to adapt our platform, meet the changing needs of clients and develop new services for them. »

    * * * * *

    Highlights

    Continued organic growth thanks to confirmed successes in the strategic pillars

    2025 is the last year of implementation of the 2025 Ambitions plan, which sets a number of strategic pillars to accelerate the diversification of the Group’s growth drivers and exploit development opportunities. After a year 2024 during which several objectives were achieved a year ahead of schedule, the first quarter confirmed the momentum:

    • Third-Party Distribution recorded assets under management up over +15% year-on-year and net inflows over 12 months of +€33bn, of which +€8bn5 in the first quarter of 2025, mainly in MLT assets6, (+€7.6bn); net inflows this quarter were driven by ETFs and active management, diversified by geographical areas and positive in almost all countries in terms of MLT assets6, particularly in Asia (+€1.7bn); it is also diversified by types of client, with a confirmed commercial momentum with digital platforms, which account for c.25% of net inflows; it should be noted that a Workshop presenting the Third-Party Distribution business line will be held on Thursday 19 June in London, with the entire division’s management team;
    • Asia: assets under management were up +9% year-on-year despite the fall in the US dollar and the Indian rupee, to reach €462bn; net inflows for the quarter reached +€8bn, mainly from direct distribution (+€5bn compared to +€3bn for JVs), and is balanced between major client segments in direct distribution and JVs; it is also diversified by countries: Korea (+€3bn) thanks to the JV, China with the two JVs and institutional clients, Hong Kong (+€1.6bn) and Singapore (+€1.4bn) thanks to institutional and third-party distributors;
    • ETFs raised +€10bn this quarter, thanks to the success of US equity underlying strategies at the beginning of the quarter, and then in March with the success of the Stoxx Europe 600 ETF, which collected +€1.3bn in one month and exceeded €10bn in assets under management; innovative products were launched, with the ETF invested in short-duration eurozone sovereign green bonds, capitalising on the success of its long-duration big brother, which reached €3bn in assets under management;
    • Amundi Technology continues to grow: its revenues increased by +46% Q1/Q1, driven in equal parts by the integration of aixigo and strong organic growth; the business line has signed a partnership with Murex to offer in ALTO the functionalities of this company’s integrated OTC derivatives management and valuation platform, MX.3, which has more than 60,000 users in 65 countries; the partnership includes cross-selling and joint business development agreements.

    After the end of the first quarter

    • On 1 April, the partnership with Victory Capital, was closed and Amundi received 17.6 million shares, i.e. 21.2%7 of Victory Capital’s capital. In accordance with the Contribution Agreement and the completion of the remaining adjustments, we expect Amundi’s stake in Victory Capital to reach 26.1%7 in the next few months. This investment will be consolidated using the equity method and will start contributing to the Group’s results from the second quarter.
    • It should be noted that as of 8 April, after the drop in the equities and bond markets and at the trough of European equity markets since the end of the first quarter (Stoxx 600 -9%), the Group’s assets under management excluding JVs8 were down by just below -3% compared to 31 March 2025; as of 25 March, they had recovered to less than -2% vs. end March.
    • After the success of Ambitions 2025, a new three-year strategic plan will be presented in the fourth quarter.

    Focus on operations in the UK

    The winning of a large mandate with a pension fund illustrates the strong development of Amundi’s operations in the United Kingdom. Amundi has management and marketing/sales teams there and is experiencing strong growth in its business:

    • London is one of Amundi’s 6 global investment hubs, with €49bn under management for the entire Group, in charge of all emerging markets strategies as well as global and GBP fixed income strategies;
    • The distribution platform for local clients represents €66bn under management, balanced between institutional and third-party distribution; the commercial platform is complemented by Amundi Technology sales teams to serve British clients.

    The €21bn equity index mandate for The People’s Pension, one of the leading Master Trusts (multi-employer pension funds) in the Defined Contribution pension plan market, was won thanks to the depth and consistency of Amundi’s responsible investment methodology, applied in this case to an index management solution. It amplifies the strong commercial momentum in this Master Trust market segment, as Amundi is now a close partner of the two largest players.

    Activity

    Capital markets still up Q1/Q1, decline in the dollar and Indian rupee

    In the first quarter of 2025, both equities9and bond10markets continued to rise. Year-on-year, they gained +13% and +3% respectively in average. The market effect is therefore positive on the Group’s assets under management and revenues compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    The Indian rupee and the US dollar were both down -4% quarter-on-quarter, and -3% year-on-year for the Indian rupee while the US dollar is stable over the same period. The foreign exchange effect, which was neutral year-on-year, was therefore negative by around -1% on Amundi’s end-of-period assets under management in the first quarter.

    European fund management market in slow recovery

    Investor risk aversion persists in the European fund management market. In the first quarter of 2025, net inflows in open-ended funds11 continued their slow recovery compared to the beginning of 2024, at +€221bn in the first quarter, down slightly compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 (+€232bn) due to lower net inflows from money market funds (+€60bn). Active management continued its recovery, with +€70bn net inflows, and its rebalancing compared to passive management (+€91bn, of which +€82bn in ETFs). As in previous quarters, net flows were positive thanks to fixed income, and grew only as a result of lower outflows in equities and multi-assets.

    Highest quarterly net inflows for MLT assets6in Q1

    Assets under management1as at 31 March 2025 increased by +6.2% year-on-year, to reach the new record of €2,247bn. Over 12 months, in addition to market appreciation, they benefited from a high level of net inflows, at +€70bn, higher than the market & forex effect of +€53bn. The increase in assets under management also benefited from the integration of Alpha Associates since the beginning of April 2024 (+€7.9bn).

    In the first quarter of 2025, the forex effect was negative by -€26bn due to the fall of the US dollar and the Indian rupee against the euro. It was very slightly offset by a small positive market effect (+€2bn). The strong net inflows in the quarter were much higher than this negative forex effect.

    The first quarter net inflows totalled +€31bn, the highest level for a quarter since 2021, of which +€37bn in MLT assets6 excluding JVs, an all-time record.

    These net inflows benefited from the gain of the mandate of The People’s Pension (+€21bn). The rest of the MLT net inflows6 (+€16bn) comes from passive management, in particular ETFs (+€10bn) and active management (+€6bn). As in previous quarters, the latter was driven by fixed income strategies (+€11bn), in all client segments.
    The three main client segments contributed to net inflows of +€31bn:

    • the Retail segment, at +€6bn, thanks to Third-Party Distributors (+€8bn); net inflows were slightly positive at Amundi BOC WM while risk aversion continued to affect net inflows from Partner Networks: slightly positive in France (+€0.2bn) and negative in International business (-€3bn), due in particular to multi-asset strategies: -€2bn;
    • The Institutional segment, at +€22bn, of which +€33bn in MLT assets6, benefited from The People’s Pension mandate and a good level of net inflows, particularly bonds, in all sub-segments except the seasonal effect for Corporates and Employee Savings;
    • Finally JVs (+€3bn) benefited from dynamic net inflows in NH-Amundi (South Korea, +€3bn), while SBI FM (India, -€1bn) recorded outflows linked to end-of-fiscal-year operations and client caution after the correction in local equities markets since October 2024, even though net flows remained positive in the retail segment; ABC-CA (China) net inflows confirmed the stabilisation of the local market, and were positive by +€1bn excluding discontinued Channel Business operations, mainly driven by treasury products.

    Treasury products posted outflows of -€8.7bn, mainly due to particularly strong seasonal outflows from Corporates in the first quarter of this year (-€11.6bn) and to a lesser extent from arbitrages by CA & SG insurers (-€1.6bn) in favour of products with longer durations. All other client segments posted slightly positive net inflows in treasury products, reflecting the wait-and-see attitude in the face of volatility in risky assets markets.

    First quarter 2025 results

    Sharp increase in profit before tax2+11% Q1/Q1 thanks to top line growth

    Adjusted data2

    Profit before tax2reached €458m, up +10.7% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    It includes contributions from Alpha Associates as well as aixigo, acquisitions of which were finalised in early April and early November 2024 respectively, and were therefore not included in the first quarter 2024. Their cumulative contribution to the profit before tax2 in the first quarter reached +€4m, i.e. +1pp of Q1/Q1 growth.

    The growth in profit before tax2 was mainly due to the increase in revenues.

    Adjusted net revenue2 amounted to €912m, up +10.7% compared to the first quarter of 2024, +9% at constant scope, driven by all sources of revenues:

    • net management fees increased by +7.7% compared to the first quarter of 2024, to €824m, which reflects the good level of activity, the increase in average assets under management excluding JVs (+8.8% over the same period), but also the negative product mix effect on revenue margins;
    • performance fees (€23m), which are traditionally more moderate in the first quarter due to the lower number of fund anniversaries during this period, nevertheless rose by +30.7% compared to the first quarter of 2024; they reflect the good performance of Amundi’s investment management, with c.70% of assets under management ranked in the first or second quartiles according to Morningstar12 over 1, 3 or 5 years, and 244 Amundi funds rated 4 or 5 stars by Morningstar12 as at 31 March;
    • Amundi Technology’s revenues, at €26m, continued to grow steadily (+46.2% compared to the first quarter of 2024), amplified this quarter by the consolidation of aixigo (+€4m); excluding aixigo, these revenues were up +21.2% organically;
    • finally, the Financial and other revenues2 amounted to €39m, up sharply compared to the first quarter of 2024 thanks to capital gains on the private equity portfolio in seed money and a positive mark-to-market from equity holdings, despite the impact of the fall in short-term rates in the euro zone.

    The increase in adjusted2operating expenses, €478m, is +8.8% compared to the first quarter of 2024, +6% at constant scope. It remains lower than that of revenues, thus generating a positive jaws effect of nearly 3 percentage points excluding the scope effect related to the acquisition of Alpha Associates and aixigo, reflecting the Group’s operational efficiency.

    In addition to the scope effect, this increase is mainly due to:

    • investments in the development initiatives of the 2025 Ambitions plan, including technology, third-party distribution and Asia;
    • provisioning for individual variable remuneration, in line with the growth in results.

    The cost-income ratio at 52.4% on an adjusted data basis2, improved compared to the same quarter last year and is in line with the Ambitions 2025 target (<53%).

    The adjusted2gross operating income (GOI) amounted to €434m, up +12.9% compared to the first quarter of 2024, +11.8% at constant scope, reflecting revenue growth.

    Share of net income of equity-accounted companies13, at €28m, down slightly compared to the first quarter of 2024, reflects the decline in net financial income of the main contributing entity, the Indian JV SBI FM. The decline in the Indian equities markets resulted in negative mark-to-market in the JV’s financial income, which nevertheless continues to benefit from strong growth in its activity with management fees up of over +20% Q1/Q1.

    The adjusted2corporate tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 reached -€155m, a very strong increase – +60.8% – compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    In France, in accordance with the Finance law for 2025, an exceptional tax contribution must be booked in fiscal year 2025. It is calculated on the average of the profits made in France in 2024 and 2025. This exceptional contribution is estimated14 to -€72m for the year as a whole, but it will not be accounted for on a straight-line basis over the quarters. It amounted to -€46m in the first quarter of 2025, with the rest spread over the next three quarters. Excluding this exceptional contribution, the adjusted2 tax expense would have been -€109m and the adjusted2 effective tax rate would be equivalent to that of the first quarter of 2024.

    Adjusted2net income amounts to €303m. Excluding the exceptional tax contribution, it would have been close to €350m, up +10% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    The adjusted2net earnings per share in the first quarter of 2025 was €1.48, including -€0.22 related to the exceptional tax contribution in France. Excluding this exceptional tax contribution, adjusted2 earnings per share would therefore have been €1.70, up +9.6% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    Accounting data in the first quarter of 2025

    Accounting net income, Group share amounted to €283m. It includes the exceptional tax contribution in France of -€46m.

    As in other quarters, accounting net income includes non-cash charges related to the acquisitions of Alpha Associates and aixigo and the amortisation of intangible assets related to distribution agreements and client contracts (including the corresponding new charges related to Alpha Associates), for a total of -€14m after tax. Integration costs related to the partnership with Victory Capital, closed on 1 April 2025, were also recorded in the first quarter, for a total of -€5m after tax. Furthermore, amortisation of intangible fixed assets adjustments after the integration of aixigo was also recognised in operating expenses -€1m after tax (See the details of all these elements in p. 11).

    Accounting net earnings per share in the first quarter of 2025 was €1.38, including the exceptional tax contribution in France.

    A solid financial structure, €1.2bn in surplus capital

    Tangible net assets15 amounted to €4.8bn as at 31 March 2025, up +€0.3bn or +7% compared to the end of 2024, in line with the quarter’s net income.

    The CET1 solvency ratio stood at 15.5%16 as at 31 March 2025.

    As indicated at the time of signing in July 2024, the partnership with Victory Capital will have no material effect on the ratio.

    The capital surplus at the end of the first quarter amounted to €1.2bn, taking into account the dividend to be paid for 2024, the net income for the first quarter and the related dividend provision.

    Future investments and operational efficiency

    This quarter, Amundi demonstrated its ability to:

    • Be agile and accompany its clients in different market contexts, thanks to its wide range of high-performing investment management expertise and product innovation;
    • Develop services to offer technological or investment management solutions to players in the entire savings value chain;
    • Offer a full range of Responsible Investment solutions, in order to adapt to all client demands;
    • Develop in Europe including in the United Kingdom;
    • Invest and accelerate on the growth pillars of its strategic plan: Asia, third-party distribution, ETFs, technology, services.

    To finance future investments and accelerate the reallocation of our resources towards our growth drivers, we set ourselves a cost optimisation target of €30 to €40m, to be achieved as from 2026.

    * * * * *

    APPENDICES

    Adjusted income statement2of the first quarter of 2025

    (M€)   Q1 2025 Q1 2024 % var.
    Q1/Q1
             
    Net revenue – Adjusted   912 824 +10.7%
    Net management fees   824 766 +7.7%
    Performance fees   23 18 +30.7%
    Technology   26 18 +46.2%
    Financial income and other income – Adjusted   39 23 +68.5%
    Operating expenses – Adjusted   (478) (439) +8.8%
    Cost/income ratio – Adjusted (%)   52.4% 53,3% -0.9pp
    Gross operating income – Adjusted   434 385 +12.9%
    Cost of risk & others   (4) (0) NS
    Share of net income of equity-accounted companies   28 29 -3.7%
    Income before tax – Adjusted   458 413 +10.7%
    Corporate tax – Adjusted   (155) (97) +60.8%
    Of which exceptional tax contribution in France   (46) NS
    Non-controlling interests   1 1 +14.3%
    Net income Group share – Adjusted   303 318 -4.5%
    Amortisation of intangible assets, after tax   (14) (15) -7.4%
    Amortisation of aixigo PPA, after tax   (1)
    Integration costs, after tax   (5)
    Net income Group share   283 303 -6.6%
    Earnings per share (€)   1.38 1.48 -7.0%
    Earnings per share – Adjusted (€)   1.48 1.55 -4.9%

    Change in assets under management from the end of 2021 to the end of March 202517

    (€bn) Assets under management  

    Net

    inflows

    Market and forex effect Scope
    Effect
      Change in AuM
    vs. prior quarter
    As of 31/12/2021 2,064         +14%18
    Q1 2022   +3.2 -46.4    
    As of 31/03/2022 2,021         -2.1%
    Q2 2022   +1.8 -97.7    
    As of 30/06/2022 1,925         -4.8%
    Q3 2022   -12.9 -16.3    
    As of 30/09/2022 1,895         -1.6%
    Q4 2022   +15.0 -6.2    
    As of 31/12/2022 1,904         +0.5%
    Q1 2023   -11.1 +40.9    
    As of 31/03/2023 1,934         +1.6%
    Q2 2023   +3.7 +23.8    
    As of 31/06/2023 1,961         +1.4%
    Q3 2023   +13.7 -1.7    
    As of 30/09/2023 1,973         +0.6%
    Q4 2023   +19.5 +63.8   -20  
    As of 31/12/2023 2,037         +3.2%
    Q1 2024   +16.6 +62.9    
    As of 31/03/2024 2,116         +3.9%
    Q2 2024   +15.5 +16.6   +8  
    30/06/2024 2,156         +1.9%
    Q3 2024   +2.9 +32.5    
    30/09/2024 2,192         +1.6%
    Q4 2024   +20.5 +28.2    
    31/12/2024 2,240         +2.2%
    Q1 2025   +31.1 -24.0    
    31/03/2025 2,247         +0.3%

    Total year-on-year between 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025: +6.2%

    • Net inflows        +€70.0bn
    • Market effect        +€63.8bn
    • Forex effect        -€10.5bn
    • Scope effects        +€7.9bn        
      (Alpha Associates’ first consolidation in Q2 2024, the acquisition of aixigo has no effect on assets under management)

    Details of assets under management and net inflows by client segments19

    (€bn) AuM
    31.03.2025
    AuM
    31.03.2024
    % change /31.03.2024 Inflows
    Q1 2025
    Inflows
    Q1 2024
    French Networks 139 137 +1.3% +0.2 +1.5
    International networks 162 165 -1.6% -2.7 -2.0
    Of which Amundi BOC WM 2 3 -21.2% +0.3 -0.2
    Third-Party Distributors 398 345 +15.6% +8.3 +7.0
    Retail 700 647 +8.2% +5.8 +6.5
    Institutional & Sovereigns (*) 550 511 +7.5% +30.1 +9.7
    Corporates 111 108 +2.1% -10.3 -4.2
    Employee savings plans 95 90 +6.0% -0.9 -0.9
    CA & SG Insurers 430 427 +0.7% +3.6 +1.0
    Institutional 1,186 1,137 +4.3% +22.4 +5.6
    JVs 362 332 +8.9% +2.9 +4.5
    Total 2,247 2,116 +6.2% +31.1 +16.6

    (*) Including funds of funds

    Details of assets under management and net inflows by asset classes19

    (€bn) AuM
    31.03.2025
    AuM
    31.03.2024
    % change /31.03.2024 Inflows
    Q1 2025
    Inflows
    Q1 2024
    Equities 564 505 +11.7% +26.4 -2.6
    Multi-assets 271 280 -3.1% -1.0 -7.6
    Bonds 759 700 +8.4% +14.3 +13.9
    Real, alternative, and structured products 111 107 +4.2% -2.8 -0.3
    MLT ASSETS excl. JVs 1,705 1,591 +7.2% +36.9 +3.4
    Treasury products excl. JVs 180 193 -6.5% -8.7 +8.7
    TOTAL excluding JVs 1,885 1,784 +5.7% +28.2 +12.1
    JVs 362 332 +8.9% +2.9 +4.5
    TOTAL 2,247 2,116 +6.2% +31.1 +16.6
    Of which MLT assets 2,034 1,892 +7.5% +39.7 +7.7
    Of which Treasury products 213 224 -5.1% -8.6 +8.9

    Details of assets under management and net inflows by type of management and asset classes19

    (€bn) AuM
    31.03.2025
    AuM
    31.03.2024
    % change /31.03.2024 Inflows
    Q1 2025
    Inflows
    Q1 2024
    Active management 1,149 1,117 +2.9% +6.3 +1.3
    Equities 204 209 -2.1% -3.9 -2.8
    Multi-assets 260 270 -3.6% -1.0 -8.0
    Bonds 685 639 +7.3% +11.2 +12.0
    Structured products 42 41 +3.7% -2.0 +0.6
    Passive management 445 368 +21.0% +33.4 +2.5
    ETFs & ETC 272 227 +19.8% +10.4 +5.0
    Index & Smart beta 173 140 +23.0% +23.0 -2.5
    Real and Alternative Assets 69 66 +4.5% -0.7 -0.9
    Real assets 65 61 +5.8% -0.6 -0.2
    Alternative 4 4 -12.8% -0.1 -0.7
    TOTAL MLT assets excluding JVs 1,705 1,591 +7.2% +36.9 +3.4
    Treasury products excl. JVs 180 193 -6.5% -8.7 +8.7
    TOTAL excluding JVs 1,885 1,784 +5.7% +28.2 +12.1
    JVs 362 332 +8.9% +2.9 +4.5
    TOTAL 2,247 2,116 +6.2% +31.1 +16.6

    Details of assets under management and net inflows by geographic area19

    (€bn) AuM
    31.03.2025
    AuM
    31.03.2024
    % change /31.03.2024 Inflows
    Q1 2025
    Inflows
    Q1 2024
    France 1,001 978 +2.3% +0.5 +10.0
    Italy 198 208 -4.6% -1.9 -1.1
    Europe excluding France & Italy 456 391 +16.6% +23.7 +4.0
    Asia 462 423 +9.3% +7.8 +6.8
    Rest of the world 130 116 +11.7% +1.0 -3.0
    TOTAL 2,247 2,116 +6.2% +31.1 +16.6
    TOTAL outside France 1,246 1,138 +9.5% +30.6 +6.6

    Methodological appendix – APM

    Accounting and adjusted data

    Accounting data – They include

    • amortisation of intangible assets, recorded as other revenues, and from Q2 2024, other non-cash charges spread according to the schedule of payments of the price adjustment until the end of 2029; these expenses are recognised as deductions from net revenues, in financial expenses.
    • integration costs related to the transaction with Victory Capital and PPA amortisation related to the acquisition of aixigo recorded in the fourth quarter as operating expenses. No such costs were recorded in the first nine months of 2024.

    The aggregate amounts of these items are as follows for the different periods under review:

    • Q1 2024: -€20m before tax and -€15m after tax
    • Q4 2024: -€38m before tax and -€28m after tax
    • Q1 2025: -€29m pre-tax and -€20m after tax

    Adjusted data – In order to present an income statement that is closer to economic reality, the following adjustments have been made: restatement of the amortisation of distribution agreements with Bawag, UniCredit and Banco Sabadell, intangible assets representing the client contracts of Lyxor and, since the second quarter of 2024, Alpha Associates, as well as other non-cash charges related to the acquisition of Alpha Associates; these amortisations and non-cash expenses are recognised as a deduction from net revenues; restatement of the amortisation of a technology asset related to the acquisition of aixigo recognised in operating expenses. The integration costs for the transaction with Victory Capital are also restated.

    Acquisition of Alpha Associates

    In accordance with IFRS 3, recognition on Amundi’s balance sheet as at 01/04/2024 of:

    • a goodwill of €288m;
    • an intangible asset of €50m, representing client contracts, amortised on a straight-line basis until the end of 2030;
    • a liability representing the conditional price adjustment not yet paid, for €160m before tax, including an actuarial discount of -€30m, which will be amortized over 6 years.

    In the Group’s income statement, the following is recorded:

    • amortisation of intangible assets for a full-year charge of -€7.6m (-€6.1m after tax);
    • other non-cash expenses spread according to the schedule of payments of the price adjustment until the end of 2029; these expenses are recognised as deductions from net revenues, in financial expenses.

    In Q1 2025, amortisation of intangible assets was -€1.9m before tax and non-cash expenses were -€1.5m before tax (i.e. -€2.5m after tax).

    Acquisition of aixigo

    In accordance with IFRS 3, recognition on Amundi’s balance sheet at the date of acquisition of:

    • goodwill of €121m;
    • a technological asset of €36m representative of the goodwill attributed to aixigo’s software solutions, amortised on a straight-line basis over 5 years;

    The full-year amortisation expense of the technology asset was -€7.2m (-€4.8m after tax); in Q1 2025 the amortisation expense was -€1.8m (-€1.2m after tax); it is recognised in operating expenses.

    Alternative Performance Measures20

    In order to present an income statement that is closer to economic reality, Amundi publishes adjusted data that are calculated in accordance with the methodological appendix presented above.

    The adjusted data can be reconciled with the accounting data as follows:

    = accounting data
    = adjusted data
    (M€)     Q1 2025 Q1 2024   Q4 2024
                 
                 
    Net revenue (a)     892 804   901
    – Amortisation of intangible assets before tax     (18) (20)   (22)
    – Other non-cash expenses related to Alpha Associates     (1) 0   (1)
    Net revenue – Adjusted (b)     912 824   924
                 
    Operating expenses (c)     (486) (439)   (496)
    – Integration costs before tax     (7) 0   (13)
    – Amortisation of aixigo-related PPA before tax     (2) 0   (1)
    Operating expenses – Adjusted (d)     (478) (439)   (482)
                 
    Gross Operating Income (e)=(a)+(c)     406 364   405
    Gross operating income – Adjusted (f)=(b)+(d)     434 385   443
    Cost/income ratio (%) -(c)/(a)     54.5% 54.6%   55.1%
    Cost/income ratio – Adjusted (%) -(d)/(b)     52.4% 53.3%   52.1%
    Cost of risk & other (g)     (4) (0)   (3)
    Share of net income of equity-accounted companies (h)     28 29   29
    Profit before tax (i)=(e)+(g)+(h)     429 393   431
    Profit before tax – Adjusted (j)=(f)+(g)+(h)     458 413   469
    Corporate tax (k)     (147) (91)   (83)
    Corporate tax – Adjusted (l)     (155) (97)   (93)
    Non-controlling interests (m)     1 1   1
    Net income Group share (n)=(i)+(k)+(m)     283 303   349
    Net income Group share – Adjusted (o)=(j)+(l)+(m)     303 318   377
                 
    Earnings per share (€)     1.38 1.48   1.70
    Earnings per share – Adjusted (€)     1.48 1.55   1.84
                 

    Shareholding

        31 March 2025   31 December 2024   31 March 2024
    (units)   Number
    of shares
    % of capital   Number
    of shares
    % of capital   Number
    of shares
    % of capital
    Crédit Agricole Group   141,057,399 68.67%   141,057,399 68.67%   141,057,399 68.93%
    Employees   4,128,079 2.01%   4,272,132 2.08%   2,869,026 1.40%
    Treasury shares   1,961,141 0.95%   1,992,485 0.97%   1,259,079 0.62%
    Free float   58,272,643 28.37%   58,097,246 28.28%   59,462,130 29.06%
                       
    Number of shares at the end of the period   205,419,262 100.0%   205,419,262 100.0%   204,647,634 100.0%
    Average number of shares since the beginning of the year   205,419,262   204,776,239   204,647,634
    Average number of shares quarter-to-date   205,419,262   205,159,257   204,647,634

    Average number of shares pro rata temporis.

    • The average number of shares increased by +0.1% between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, and by +0.4% between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025.
    • A capital increase reserved for employees was recorded on 31 October 2024. 771,628 shares were created (approximately 0.4% of the share capital before the transaction).
    • Amundi announced on 7 October 2024 a buyback programme of up to 1 million shares (i.e. ~0.5% of the share capital before the transaction) to cover performance shares plans. It was finalised on November 27, 2024.        

    Financial communication calendar

    • Workshop to presenting the Third-Party Distribution business line – Thursday 19 June in London
    • General Shareholders’ Meeting – Tuesday 27 May 2025
    • Q2 and H1 2025 earnings release – Tuesday 29 July 2025
    • Q3 and 9-month 2025 earnings release – Tuesday 28 October 2025
    • New strategic three-year plan – in the fourth quarter 2025

    2024 dividend schedule: €4.25 per share

    • Ex dividend date: Monday 10 June 2025
    • Payment: from Wednesday 12 June 2025

    About Amundi

    Amundi, the leading European asset manager, ranking among the top 10 global players21, offers its 100 million clients – retail, institutional and corporate – a complete range of savings and investment solutions in active and passive management, in traditional or real assets. This offering is enhanced with IT tools and services to cover the entire savings value chain. A subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole group and listed on the stock exchange, Amundi currently manages more than €2.2 trillion of assets22.

    With its six international investment hubs23, financial and extra-financial research capabilities and long-standing commitment to responsible investment, Amundi is a key player in the asset management landscape.

    Amundi clients benefit from the expertise and advice of 5,700 employees in 35 countries.

    Amundi, a trusted partner, working every day in the interest of its clients and society.

    www.amundi.com   

    Press contacts:        
    Natacha Andermahr 
    Tel. +33 1 76 37 86 05
    natacha.andermahr@amundi.com 

    Corentin Henry
    Tel. +33 1 76 32 26 96
    corentin.henry@amundi.com

    Investor contacts:
    Cyril Meilland, CFA
    Tel. +33 1 76 32 62 67
    cyril.meilland@amundi.com 

    Thomas Lapeyre
    Tel. +33 1 76 33 70 54
    thomas.lapeyre@amundi.com 

    Annabelle Wiriath

    Tel. + 33 1 76 32 43 92

    annabelle.wiriath@amundi.com

    DISCLAIMER

    This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or purchase, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any securities of Amundi in the United States of America or in France. Securities may not be offered, subscribed or sold in the United States of America absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof. The securities of Amundi have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and Amundi does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States of America or in France.

    This document may contain forward looking statements concerning Amundi’s financial position and results. The data provided do not constitute a profit “forecast” or “estimate” as defined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/980.

    These forward looking statements include projections and financial estimates based on scenarios that employ a number of economic assumptions in a given competitive and regulatory context, assumptions regarding plans, objectives and expectations in connection with future events, transactions, products and services, and assumptions in terms of future performance and synergies. By their very nature, they are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could lead to their non-fulfilment. Consequently, no assurance can be given that these forward looking statement will come to fruition, and Amundi’s actual financial position and results may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward looking statements.

    Amundi undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward looking statements provided as at the date of this document. Risks that may affect Amundi’s financial position and results are further detailed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Universal Registration Document filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The reader should take all these uncertainties and risks into consideration before forming their own opinion.

    The figures presented were prepared in accordance with applicable prudential regulations and IFRS guidelines, as adopted by the European Union and applicable at that date. The financial information set out herein do not constitute a set of financial statements for an interim period as defined by IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” and has not been audited.

    Unless otherwise specified, sources for rankings and market positions are internal. The information contained in this document, to the extent that it relates to parties other than Amundi or comes from external sources, has not been verified by a supervisory authority or, more generally, subject to independent verification, and no representation or warranty has been expressed as to, nor should any reliance be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, correctness or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Neither Amundi nor its representatives can be held liable for any decision made, negligence or loss that may result from the use of this document or its contents, or anything related to them, or any document or information to which this document may refer.

    The sum of values set out in the tables and analyses may differ slightly from the total reported due to rounding.


    1        Assets under management and net inflows including assets under advisory, marketed assets and funds of funds, and taking into account 100% of assets under management and net inflows from Asian JVs; for Wafa Gestion in Morocco, assets under management and net inflows are reported in proportion to Amundi’s share in the capital of the JV.
    2        Adjusted data: see p. 11
    3        Net income Group share
    4        Total tax expense in Q1 2025 of -€155m, of which the exceptional tax contribution (surcharge) in France booked in Q1 for -€46m; the total amount of the exceptional contribution estimated to be paid in fiscal year 2025 is estimated at -€72m; Q1 2025 adjusted net income including this surcharge was €303m.
    5        The inflows presented in this section are not cumulative, as they may overlap in part, for example an ETF sold to a third-party distributor in Asia.
    6        Medium to Long-Term Assets, excluding JVs
    7        4.9% voting rights
    8        Adjusted for the deconsolidation of Amundi US assets distributed to US clients
    9        Composite Index for equities: 50% MSCI World + 50% Eurostoxx 600
    10        Bloomberg Euro Aggregate for Fixed Income Markets
    11        Source: Morningstar FundFile, ETFGI. European & cross-border open-ended funds (excluding mandates and dedicated funds). Data as of endMarch 2024.
    12        Source: Morningstar Direct, Broadridge FundFile – Open-ended funds and ETFs, global fund scope, March 2025; as a percentage of the assets under management of the funds in question; the number of Amundi’s open-ended funds rated by Morningstar was 1071 at the end of March 2025. © 2025 Morningstar, all rights reserved
    13        Reflecting Amundi’s share of the net income of minority JVs in India (SBI FM), China (ABC-CA), South Korea (NH-Amundi) and Morocco (Wafa Gestion),
    14        Under the assumption that FY 2025 taxable profit in France will be equivalent to that of 2024, before adjusting the average for actual FY 2025 results
    15        Shareholder’s equity excluding goodwill and other intangible assets
    16        According to the new definition of the ratio resulting from the CRR3 regulation (Capital Requirements Regulation 3) of the European Union; ratio calculated excluding Q1 accounting net income
    17        Assets under management and net inflows including assets under advisory, marketed assets and funds of funds, and taking into account 100% of assets under management and net inflows from Asian JVs; for Wafa Gestion in Morocco, assets under management and net inflows are reported in proportion to Amundi’s share in the capital of the JV.
    18        Lyxor, integrated as of 31/12/2021; sale of Lyxor Inc. in Q4-23
    19        Assets under management and net inflows including assets under advisory, marketed assets and funds of funds, and taking into account 100% of assets under management and net inflows from Asian JVs; for Wafa Gestion in Morocco, assets under management and net inflows are reported in proportion to Amundi’s share in the capital of the JV; as of 01/01/2024, reclassification of short-term bond strategies (€30bn of assets under management) as Bonds ; previously classified as Treasury products until that date; assets under management up to this date have not been reclassified in this table
    20        See also the section 4.3 of the 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on 16 April 2025 under number D25-0272
    21Source: IPE “Top 500 Asset Managers” published in June 2024 based on assets under management as of 31/12/2023
    22Amundi data as at 31/03/2025
    23Paris, London, Dublin, Milan, Tokyo and San Antonio (via our strategic partnership with Victory Capital)

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bipartisan Klobuchar Bill to Protect Online Privacy and Combat Explicit Deepfakes Passes Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    The TAKE IT DOWN Act criminalizes the nonconsensual publication of explicit images, real and AI-generated, and requires websites to remove them

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ted Cruz (R-TX)  announced that their bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act passed the House and is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) led the companion legislation that passed today.

    The bill unanimously passed the Senate in February, and it includes the Klobuchar and Senator John Cornyn’s (R-TX) Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act, which addresses the online exploitation of explicit, private images and passed the Senate last July. 

    The TAKE IT DOWN Act would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII, and require social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content within 48 hours of notice from a victim. 

    “We must provide victims of online abuse with the legal protections they need when intimate images are shared without their consent, especially now that deepfakes are creating horrifying new opportunities for abuse,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “These images can ruin lives and reputations, but now that our bipartisan legislation is becoming law, victims will be able to have this material removed from social media platforms and law enforcement can hold perpetrators accountable. ”

    “The passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act is a historic win in the fight to protect victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse. This victory belongs first and foremost to the heroic survivors who shared their stories and the advocates who never gave up. By requiring social media companies to take down this abusive content quickly, we are sparing victims from repeated trauma and holding predators accountable,”said Sen. Cruz. “This day would not have been possible without the courage and perseverance of Elliston Berry, Francesca Mani, Breeze Liu, and Brandon Guffey, whose powerful voices drove this legislation forward. I am especially grateful to my colleagues—including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Maria Salazar, Rep. Madeleine Dean, First Lady Melania Trump, and House Leadership—for locking arms in this critical mission to protect Americans from online exploitation.”

    “The TAKE IT DOWN Act’s passage is a significant step forward in Congress’ responsibility to protect the privacy and dignity of Americans against bad actors and the most harmful developments of AI,” said Rep. Dean. “It takes only minutes to create a deepfake or share intimate images without consent, yet the lasting consequences devastate its victims — often girls and women. Our bill requires platforms to remove these horrifying images and videos from the Internet within 48 hours. I’m deeply grateful to work with Sen. Klobuchar, Sen. Cruz, and Rep. Salazar to create this bipartisan federal law.”

    “The TAKE IT DOWN Act’s passage is a bipartisan victory to protect victims of real and deepfake revenge pornography,” said Rep. Salazar. “This bill shows Congress at its best, working together to empower victims, especially women and girls. It equally holds offenders and Big Tech accountable.” 

    The TAKE IT DOWN Act would protect and empower victims of real and deepfake NCII while respecting speech by:

    • Criminalizing the publication of NCII in interstate commerce. The bill makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly publish, or threaten to publish, NCII on social media and other online platforms. NCII is defined to include realistic, computer-generated pornographic images and videos that depict identifiable, real people. The bill also clarifies that a victim consenting to the creation of an authentic image does not mean that the victim has consented to its publication. 
    • Protecting good-faith efforts to assist victims. The bill permits the good-faith disclosure of NCII, such as to law enforcement, in narrow cases.  
    • Requiring websites to take down NCII upon notice from the victim. Social media and other websites would be required to have in place procedures to remove NCII, pursuant to a valid request from a victim, within 48 hours. Websites must also make reasonable efforts to remove copies of the images. The FTC is charged with enforcement of this section.  
    • Protecting lawful speech. The bill is narrowly tailored to criminalize knowingly publishing NCII without chilling lawful speech. The bill conforms to current First Amendment jurisprudence by requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a “reasonable person” test for appearing indistinguishable from an authentic image.

    The legislation is co-sponsored by Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Todd Young (R-IN), John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Gary Peters (D-MI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

    In 2024, at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis,” Senator Klobuchar was part of a hearing that questioned the CEO of Discord Inc., Jason Citron, the CEO of TikTok Inc., Shou Chew, the Co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc., Evan Spiegel, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), Linda Yaccarino, and the Founder and CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), Mark Zuckerberg, about their companies turning a blind eye when young children joined their platforms, the risk of sexual exploitation, using algorithms that push harmful content, and providing a venue for drug traffickers to sell deadly narcotics like fentanyl.

    In 2017, Klobuchar and former Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), introduced the first version of this legislation, the bipartisan Ending Nonconsensual Online User Graphic Harassment (ENOUGH) Act. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Norteño Gang Member Who Fled Days Before 2024 Sentencing Date Sentenced To Seven Years In Federal Prison For Illegal Firearms Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN FRANCISCO – Nicholas Addleman was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm.  U.S. District Judge James Donato handed down the sentence.

    According to court documents, Addleman, 38, of Vallejo, Calif., a longtime member of the San Francisco Mission District Norteños, previously served five years in state custody following convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at an inhabited dwelling.  Addleman was released on parole in July 2022.  A few months after his release, on Oct. 14, 2022, police officers conducted a parole search of Addleman’s vehicle and recovered two Glock firearms, including one with a loaded extended magazine, in a hidden compartment behind the center console.  Addleman admitted to officers that the firearms were his, and his DNA was found on the grip of one of the guns.  

    Addleman was charged by complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) in November 2022.  He pleaded guilty to the offense in September 2023, and was originally scheduled to be sentenced on his federal firearms conviction in February 2024.  Days before the sentencing, Addleman absconded from pretrial supervision, and the Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.  At the time of his arrest in December 2024, a search of his Vallejo residence found multiple assault rifles, large capacity magazines, and suspected gun silencers.

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Donato ordered Addleman to serve three years of supervised release and to forfeit the firearms and ammunition seized by police.  

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    This prosecution was brought by the Violent Crime Strike Force and is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Leif Dautch prosecuted this case, with the assistance of Nina Burney.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the San Francisco Police Department, and Vallejo Police Department.  
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE and U.S. Border Patrol assist in local sex crime investigation involving previously deported illegal alien

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HOUGHTON LAKE, Mich – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol assisted the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation and arrest of an illegal alien accused of raping an 18-year-old girl April 25.

    ICE Homeland Security Investigations Traverse City special agents and USBP agents from USBP Station Sault Ste Marie assisted in the apprehension of Leocado Hernandez-Garcia, an illegal alien from Mexico who has been removed from the United States twice.

    Hernadez-Garcia faces five felony counts of criminal sexual conduct.

    Hernandez-Garcia was deported from the United States in 2014. He was encountered again in 2023 and expelled under Title 42. He reentered the United States a third time at unknown date and location without inspection by an immigration official.

    “ICE HSI Detroit is committed to assisting our local partners like the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office on crimes involving illegal aliens in their jurisdiction,” said ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “Our thoughts are with the victim at this time, and we hope that these recent steps toward justice and accountability can help her on the road to recovery and healing.”

    “This is another example of the results we achieve through strong partnerships with our local and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Javier Geronimo, Jr., Detroit Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent. “Thanks to this collaboration, a repeat immigration offender accused of raping a teenager is now under arrest, along with two other illegal aliens. We remain committed to protecting our community through teamwork and vigilance.”

    The Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office investigation remains ongoing with the continued assistance of ICE HSI and USBP.

    ICE HSI and USBP encountered two additional illegal aliens during this investigation that were taken into custody pending immigration proceedings.

    ICE established the Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office to acknowledge and serve the needs of victims and families who have been affected by crimes committed by individuals with a nexus to immigration violations.

    The VOICE has a toll-free hotline staffed by operators to ensure victims receive the support they need. The number is 1-855-48-VOICE.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens

    Source: The White House

    EMPOWERING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to empower state and local law enforcement to relentlessly pursue criminals and protect American communities. More specifically, the Order directs the Attorney General to:

    • Create a mechanism to provide legal resources and indemnification for officers facing unjust legal expenses from official duties, including pro bono assistance. 
    • Maximize the use of Federal resources to improve training, increase officer pay and benefits, strengthen legal protections, seek tougher sentences for crimes against officers, enhance prison security and capacity, and improve crime-data uniformity.
    • Review Federal consent decrees, out-of-court agreements, and post-judgment orders involving State or local law enforcement agencies and modify or rescind any that impede the performance of law enforcement functions.
    • Increase the provision of surplus military assets to support local law enforcement and evaluate their use in crime prevention.
    • Use recently established Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) to advance Federal and local coordination.

    KEEPING AMERICANS SAFE: President Trump’s Executive Order empowers law enforcement to do their jobs, relentlessly pursue criminals, and protect innocent citizens.

    • Millions of Americans live in fear, worried that surging crime will destroy their lives, homes, or businesses.
    • Crime increases when local leaders demonize law enforcement and impose legal and political handcuffs that make aggressively enforcing the law impossible; reversing this dynamic is essential to restoring public safety.
    • Democrat-led soft-on-crime policies have fueled chaos.
      • In many local jurisdictions, officers are forced to comply with DEI policies or are wrongly accused of misconduct, which diverts their attention from fighting crime.
      • Some use “bail reform” to free dangerous felons without ensuring they face trial, leaving communities vulnerable to repeat offenders.
      • Some ignore shoplifting, vagrancy, and urban encampments, allowing disorder to spread unchecked in cities.
      • Certain jurisdictions excuse violent riots when it’s fashionable and demonize law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect citizens.
    • President Trump is committed to reversing these failed policies, empowering law enforcement, and ensuring every American can live in safety and security.

    STOPPING CRIME AND UPHOLDING JUSTICE: President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise to Make America Safe Again.

    • President Trump sealed the border and initiated the largest deportation operation in U.S. history to remove criminal illegal aliens and protect American communities.
    • President Trump created a task force to make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful.
    • President Trump designated international cartels and other violent organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
    • President Trump marshalled Federal resources to combat the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and in our streets.
    • This Executive Order will restore law and order and ensure that every community is better protected from crime and lawlessness.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Protects American Communities from Criminal Aliens

    Source: The White House

    CRACKING DOWN ON SANCTUARY CITIES: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to enforce federal law with respect to sanctuary jurisdictions to protect their citizens from dangerous illegal aliens.

    • The Order directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a list of States and local jurisdictions obstructing federal immigration law enforcement and notify each sanctuary jurisdiction of its non-compliance, providing an opportunity to correct it.
    • Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not comply with federal law may lose federal funding.
    • The Order directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement measures to bring non-compliant jurisdictions into compliance.
    • It instructs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to develop mechanisms for proper eligibility verification in sanctuary jurisdictions to prevent illegal aliens from receiving federal public benefits.
    • The Order ensures illegal aliens are not being favored over American citizens by directing the Attorney General to address state or local laws that unlawfully prioritize aliens.
      • This includes in-state tuition benefits for aliens or criminal sentencing factors that favor aliens.

    ENFORCING FEDERAL LAW: President Trump believes it is imperative that the federal government restore the enforcement of United States immigration law to protect national sovereignty and security.

    • Millions of illegal aliens entered the United States under President Biden’s watch, including human smugglers, gang members, criminals, and terrorists.
    • Some state and local officials are choosing to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws, a lawless insurrection against the Federal Government’s constitutional authority to protect the territorial sovereignty of the United States and conduct a unified national policy on immigration.
      • The sanctuary state of Massachusetts released several illegal aliens accused of raping kids back into the community while refusing to hold them for ICE.
      • Jose Ibarra was arrested and released twice before going on to murder Laken Riley.
      • The sanctuary city of Philadelphia ignored an ICE detainer and released a previously deported illegal alien from Honduras, who then went on to rape a child.
    • Beyond creating enormous national security risks, these efforts often violate federal criminal laws, including those prohibiting obstruction of justice, harboring or hiring illegal aliens, conspiring against the United States, and impeding federal law enforcement.

    SECURING OUR HOMELAND: President Trump is following through on his promise to rid the United States of sanctuary cities.

    • President Trump: “No more Sanctuary Cities! They protect the Criminals, not the Victims. They are disgracing our Country, and are being mocked all over the World. Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!!”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Accountant Pleads Guilty to $8 Million Tax Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Rodney Ermel, 71, of Colorado entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Court Judge Mark Kearney on charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Ermel owned and managed a Colorado-based accounting firm. Along with co-defendant Kenneth Bacon, Ermel provided accounting and tax preparation services for co-defendant Joseph LaForte, LaForte’s wife and co-defendant Lisa McElhone, and their business entities. Ermel conspired with LaForte, Bacon, and others to hide approximately $20 million in income.

    He did this through various fraudulent accounting practices, such as fabricating shareholder loans and “bad debt” deductions. Ermel also filed tax returns which he knew underreported taxable income by over $20 million between 2016 and 2018. Ermel’s fraud caused a loss to the United States of over $8 million.

    Ermel is the fourth defendant to plead guilty to criminal conduct related to this tax scheme. Sentencing is scheduled for September 3.

    The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Newcomer and John J. Boscia for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Arrests Alleged South Lake Tahoe Fentanyl Distributor

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office announces the arrest of Timothy Austin Pannell, 31, of South Lake Tahoe on a federal complaint for alleged distribution of fentanyl, a felony. An FBI special agent took Pannell into custody on Friday, April 25, 2025, in South Lake Tahoe. This arrest was made possible with assistance from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Probation, and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

    On February 12, 2024, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI responded following a 911 call reporting multiple overdoses at a residence in South Lake Tahoe. Three men and one woman were found deceased in the residence. A fifth individual survived the overdose.

    According to court documents, Pannell, a.k.a. “Frog,” allegedly sold fentanyl that he represented as cocaine to two of the men in the parking lot of a church in South Lake Tahoe, California, on the night of February 11, 2024.

    The charge against Pannell is a mere allegation. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Corpus Christi man guilty of sexual exploitation of a child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 19-year-old Corpus Christi resident has admitted to distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    The investigation began in December 2023, when Angel Valdez left a comment on a social media page supporting the work of an individual who had recently been sentenced to prison in Australia for animal cruelty.

    Australian law enforcement investigated further and began conversations with Valdez in an undercover capacity. In those communications, Valdez spoke about his interest in animal cruelty which later developed into child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

    On Feb. 14, 2024, Valdez sent a video depicting CSAM which included a video of a nude prepubescent girl and a nude adult female wearing a mask. The depiction showed the young child being forced to perform oral sex on the adult female.

    Law enforcement executed a search warrant June 28, 2024, which resulted in the discovery of a laptop containing CSAM. Valdez also admitted he had participated in the online conversation and to distributing the CSAM.

    U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing Aug. 12. At the time, Valdez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

    He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of authorities in Australia.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nevada Printer and Mailer Pleads Guilty to Participating in Elder Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Nevada woman pleaded guilty today for engaging in a prize notice fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of consumers, many of whom were elderly, across the United States and abroad. Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

    According to the indictment, Trickle and her co-conspirators prepared and mailed millions of fraudulent prize notices that led their victims to believe that they had been individually selected to receive a large cash prize and would receive their prize if they paid a $20 to $50 fee. In reality, no victim ever received a large cash prize from Trickle or her co-conspirators. Instead, victims received a “report” describing sweepstakes opportunities or a trinket of minimal value. After victims responded to one fraudulent prize notice mailing, Trickle and her co-conspirators inundated them with additional fraudulent mailings. Trickle and her co-conspirators used the scheme to steal more than $15 million from victims.

    The fraud scheme operated from 2012 to February 2018, when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) executed multiple search warrants and the Justice Department obtained a court order shutting down the fraudulent mail operation. Trickle was the owner and operator of a printing and mailing business that produced the fraudulent prize notice mailings for the scheme. Trickle supervised the lasering, printing, and mailing of the fraudulent mailings.

    “The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch is committed to protecting elderly consumers from fraudulent mass-mailing schemes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We are grateful to the Postal Inspection Service for their thorough investigation in this matter.”

    “The defendant and her co-conspirators used the promise of sweepstakes winnings to defraud the most vulnerable members in our communities,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the  U.S. Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations Group. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively investigate mass-mailing schemes and other types of fraud to protect older Americans from financial exploitation and bring criminals to justice.”

    The USPIS conducted the investigation.

    Trial Attorneys Carolyn Rice and Charles Dunn of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

    The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for fraudulent lottery, prize notification, sweepstakes, and psychic scams. If you receive a phone call, letter or email promising a large prize in exchange for a fee, do not respond. Fraudsters often will use official-sounding names or the names of real lotteries or sweepstakes or pretend to be a government agent purportedly helping to secure a prize.

    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 U.S. Department of Justice 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. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

    More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/  or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nevada Printer and Mailer Pleads Guilty to Participating in Elder Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Nevada woman pleaded guilty today for engaging in a prize notice fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of consumers, many of whom were elderly, across the United States and abroad. Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

    According to the indictment, Trickle and her co-conspirators prepared and mailed millions of fraudulent prize notices that led their victims to believe that they had been individually selected to receive a large cash prize and would receive their prize if they paid a $20 to $50 fee. In reality, no victim ever received a large cash prize from Trickle or her co-conspirators. Instead, victims received a “report” describing sweepstakes opportunities or a trinket of minimal value. After victims responded to one fraudulent prize notice mailing, Trickle and her co-conspirators inundated them with additional fraudulent mailings. Trickle and her co-conspirators used the scheme to steal more than $15 million from victims.

    The fraud scheme operated from 2012 to February 2018, when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) executed multiple search warrants and the Justice Department obtained a court order shutting down the fraudulent mail operation. Trickle was the owner and operator of a printing and mailing business that produced the fraudulent prize notice mailings for the scheme. Trickle supervised the lasering, printing, and mailing of the fraudulent mailings.

    “The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch is committed to protecting elderly consumers from fraudulent mass-mailing schemes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We are grateful to the Postal Inspection Service for their thorough investigation in this matter.”

    “The defendant and her co-conspirators used the promise of sweepstakes winnings to defraud the most vulnerable members in our communities,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the  U.S. Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations Group. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively investigate mass-mailing schemes and other types of fraud to protect older Americans from financial exploitation and bring criminals to justice.”

    The USPIS conducted the investigation.

    Trial Attorneys Carolyn Rice and Charles Dunn of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

    The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for fraudulent lottery, prize notification, sweepstakes, and psychic scams. If you receive a phone call, letter or email promising a large prize in exchange for a fee, do not respond. Fraudsters often will use official-sounding names or the names of real lotteries or sweepstakes or pretend to be a government agent purportedly helping to secure a prize.

    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 U.S. Department of Justice 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. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

    More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/  or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

    MIL Security OSI