NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Charges Filed After Deadly Shooting of Israeli Diplomats in D.C.

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, has been charged with federal and local murder offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Jewish National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025.

                Rodriguez is charged in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with the murder of foreign officials, causing death through the use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He is also charged with two counts of first-degree murder under the D.C. criminal code.

                The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen, and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith.

                “This brutal, anti-Semitic violence has no place in our country or anywhere in civilization,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will follow the facts and secure the most severe possible punishment for the perpetrator of this heinous crime, which robbed two wonderful young people of a bright future together.”

                “Our community is reeling. Because of one person’s actions, two families are left to grieve for dreams that will never be realized,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable. Senseless acts that take innocent lives are intolerable. We will hold accountable anyone who inflicts harm on our families, our neighbors, the citizens of our nation, or the visitors to our great capital city. We are united in that purpose, and we hold strong against those whose reckless actions claim as victim any part of our community.”

                “This Civil Rights Division is aggressively pursuing every avenue to investigate this crime,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon.” Let me be clear: hateful violence against Jewish Americans will be met with the full force of the Justice Department. We are expanding enforcement, increasing our outreach, and holding perpetrators accountable wherever they act.”

                “Make no mistake: This attack was targeted, antisemitic violence,” said Assistant Director in Charge Jensen. “The FBI will continue to pursue all leads and use all available resources to investigate this heinous murder.”

                “We continue to work closely with our federal partners and want to assure our community that the safety of all residents and visitors remains our top priority,” said Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith. “Out of an abundance of caution we are increasing our presence at religious institutions citywide.”

                According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Rodriguez allegedly opened fire on the victims as they were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, which brought together Jewish professionals and members of the diplomatic community. Both victims were employed by the Israeli Embassy. One was an Israeli citizen and an official guest of the U.S. government.

                Surveillance footage reportedly shows Rodriguez walking past the victims before turning and firing multiple rounds. After the victims fell, he allegedly continued firing at close range, including as one attempted to crawl away. Investigators recovered a 9mm handgun and 21 spent shell casings at the scene.

                Rodriguez entered the Museum after he committed the murders. Witnesses and surveillance video reportedly confirmed his involvement. He had flown from Chicago to Washington the day prior with the firearm declared in his checked luggage.

                The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with assistance from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

                A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman Caught Dealing Drugs While on Supervised Release Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Gabriela Abundiz, age 45, was sentenced after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 180 months to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in 2017 Abundiz was convicted of selling drugs in Montana and sentenced to 70 months in prison. Following her sentence, and during the period of her supervised release in that case, Abundiz was found to be selling drugs in the Eastern District of Washington. A warrant was issued for her arrest.

    On April 2, 2024, officers and detectives with the Omak Police Department (OPD) saw Abundiz go into an apartment. OPD obtained a warrant to enter the apartment and arrest Abundiz. Inside the apartment OPD located two backpacks that contained methamphetamine, 2,649 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, marijuana, a digital scale, and a pipe used for smoking drugs. Abundiz had two cellphones when she was arrested. One of the phones contained pictures of large sums of cash, fentanyl pills, and text conversations regarding illegal drugs.

    “Ms. Abundiz returned to drug trafficking even while under federal supervision for a prior conviction,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “Her continued criminal conduct, especially involving fentanyl, posed a serious threat to the safety and health of Eastern Washington communities. Her sentence reflects the consequences of violating the Court’s trust and our office’s continuing commitment to combating drug trafficking in communities and neighborhoods throughout Eastern Washington.”

    “DEA’s core mission is to protect Americans from drug traffickers like Ms. Abundiz and we will go to any legal length to ensure traffickers like her are accountable for their crimes,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Despite serving a lengthy prison term, Ms. Abundiz would not stop selling poison to her community and ultimately paid a heavy price for continuing her wicked ways.”

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omak Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.

    2:24-cr-00071-SAB

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sacramento Man Indicted Twice in Four Months for Firearms and Controlled Substance Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Gabriel Erasmo Cabrera, 22, of Sacramento, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, Cabrera was originally indicted on Feb. 6, 2025, for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The second indictment now charges that on March 28, 2025, Cabrera was in possession of fentanyl, a semiautomatic Sig Sauer handgun, and .45‑caliber ammunition. Cabrera is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to multiple felony convictions for sale of a controlled substance, infliction of corporal injury on a spouse, and willfully discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas Harman and Justin Lee are prosecuting the case.

    If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, Cabrera faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $$250,000 fine for each count. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    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. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. 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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kansas City Woman Sentenced for COVID-19 Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for filing a false claim as part of a scheme to fraudulently receive approximately $62,811.75 in COVID-19 relief funds from the government.

    Robin Brooks, 55, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 15 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $62,811.75 in restitution to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to Jackson County, Missouri.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was a federal law enacted in or around March 2020 and designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a part of the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created to provided forgivable loans to small businesses that were administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through corresponding financial institutions. The purpose of PPP was to provide support to small businesses and assist their payroll to their employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

    In her guilty plea, Brooks admitted that, in 2021, she two submitted fraudulent applications to the Small Business Administration for the loans using fake businesses. In fact, Brooks’ business never actually existed and did not have any employees.  In a related scheme, Brooks submitted approximately $30,345 in false invoices to Jackson County, Missouri, to receive CARES Act Funds for a non-profit organization she created to provide food to people negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Based on these false claims, the SBA issued payments totaling $32,466 to Brooks and Jackson County issued payments totaling $30,345. 

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by United States Secret Service.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Illegal Possession of a Firearm.

    Jose Montero-Barradas, 34, was charged in a one-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo.

    Today’s indictment charges that Montero-Barradas, a citizen of Mexico, knew he was present in the United States illegally and unlawfully, when he knowingly possessed two firearms on March 23, 2025.  According to an affidavit previously filed in support of a federal criminal complaint against Montero-Barradas, members of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department were dispatched to a residential area in Kansas City following a report of shots fired.  Officers arriving on the scene observed Montero-Barradas walking into a residence with two firearms, which were later recovered. Witnesses stated Montero-Barradas and another male had been firing shots into the air and the ground, and provided a cell phone video showing, among other things, Montero-Barradas holding firearms.

    Under federal law it is illegal for an alien to possess a firearm or ammunition.

    The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

    Operation Take Back America

    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).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sierra Pacific Industries to Pay for Damages Caused by Forest Fire in El Dorado County

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) has agreed to pay $204,284.42 to resolve the United States’ claim for damages resulting from a 2021 wildfire that burned about 29 acres, including National Forest System lands on the Eldorado National Forest, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced today.

    The wildfire, known as the “Cold Fire,” ignited on Jan. 19, 2021, on SPI land in El Dorado County. U.S. Forest Service fire investigators determined that the fire originated from one of SPI’s timber slash piles that escaped containment during a wind event.

    “Our office will continue to hold individuals and corporations responsible for damages caused by wildfires,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Beckwith. “Every fire impacting federal lands, no matter the size, is a priority.”

    “These settlements are essential in restoring our landscapes after wildfires,” said U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Acting Regional Forester Jason Kuiken.

    The investigation was conducted with the U.S. Forest Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Amin handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran Man Charged With Re-Entry Of Removed Alien

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ERIK ROBERTO MACHADO-MENCIA, a/k/a “ROBERTO MACHADO-MENCIA,” (“MACHADO-MENCIA”), age 36, a native of Honduras, was indicted on May 22, 2025, for re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8 United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.

    According to the indictment, MACHADO-MENCIA was found in the United States on May 15, 2025, having reentered the United States, without authorization from the Attorney General of the United States, after being previously deported on December 16, 2019.

    MACHADO-MENCIA faces up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    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).

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hattiesburg Man Pleads Guilty to SNAP Benefits Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Hattiesburg, MS – A Hattiesburg man pleaded guilty today in federal court to stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits intended for low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Velton Taylor Williams, Jr., 31, of Hattiesburg unlawfully acquired and used SNAP benefits in November 2023. Williams admitted to selling the benefits to others and using them for himself. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federally funded, national benefit program to help qualifying low- and middle-income families buy food, thus reducing hunger. Williams also admitted to using TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash benefits intended for low-income families with children under the age of 18.

    Williams pleaded guilty to Food Stamp Fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Dax Roberson of United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General made the announcement.

    The United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in Federal Pandemic Fraud Unemployment Benefits Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    ABINGDON, Va. – The final defendant charged in a 17-member conspiracy that defrauded the United States, committed program fraud and mail fraud in connection with a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits pled guilty today in U.S. District Court in Abingdon.

    Jason Dale Worley, 47, of Meadowview, Virginia, pled guilty today to filing a fraudulent claim for pandemic unemployment benefits. He will be sentenced on August 29, 2025.

    Earlier this month, Crystal Shaw was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy. Shaw, one of the lead organizers of this conspiracy, was sentenced to the statutory maximum term of imprisonment. She was also ordered to pay $287,459 in restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission for her role in this conspiracy.

    Previously sentenced as part of the conspiracy were: Christopher Webb, 20 months; Russell Stiltner, 24 months; Jessica  Lester, 19 months; Cara Camille Bailey, 19 months; Justin Meadows, 18 months; Terrence Vilacha, 18 months; Joseph Hass, 27 months; Daniel Horton, 21 months; Brian Addair, 24 months; and Stephanie Amber Barton, Hayleigh McKenzie Wolfe, Clinton Michael Altizer, and Jeramy Blake Farmer were each sentenced to 12 months and 1 day.

    Jonathan Webb, the individual charged with recruiting others to file fraudulent claims, mostly inmates at local jails, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and was ordered to pay $150,218 in restitution. Josef Brown, another incarcerated individual who recruited others to file fraudulent claims, was sentenced to 35 months in prison and was ordered to pay $119,660 in restitution.

    All defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission for the fraudulent claims.

    According to court documents, between March 2020 and September 2021, Josef Brown, Jonathan Webb, and Crystal Shaw developed a scheme to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment befits via the Virginia Employment Commission website. The scheme involved the collection of personal identification information (PII) of inmates housed at SWVRJA-Haysi and Abingdon, as well as personal friends and acquaintances of Brown, Webb, and Shaw. The conspirators used that information to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment benefits for incarcerated individuals and others who were ineligible for the benefits.

    In total, the defendants stole $341,205 in pandemic relief to which they were not entitled.

    As part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Task Force, this investigation was conducted by the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General were charged with identifying major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending. According to the United States Department of Labor, Virginia paid approximately $1.1 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

    Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee, Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, Syreeta Scott, Special Agent in Charge, Mid-Atlantic Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the sentences.

    Agencies that assisted with this investigation included the Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office, the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, the FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Virginia Employment Commission.

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Danielle Stone are prosecuting the case for the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Solon-based Manufacturer to Pay $6M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    CLEVELAND – The Justice Department has announced that Cosmax USA, a corporation having previously done business as two separate entities, Cosmax USA and Nu-World Corporation, has agreed to pay $6 million, of which $3 million is restitution, to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act (FCA) that they knowingly provided false information to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and loan forgiveness. The companies are part of a global conglomerate that supplies cosmetics and nutritional supplements. Nu-World was merged into Cosmax USA in 2023.

    Cosmax USA operated a manufacturing facility in Solon, Ohio up until 2023. This settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by a former employee who worked at that location. Under the whistleblower provisions of the FCA, an individual, known in legal terms as the “relator,” may file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The relator in this case, Alexander Novik, served as Cosmax USA’s controller and also in its human resources department.

    The PPP was launched through the Small Business Administration (SBA), with the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020. The program provided eligible companies with financial support as businesses faced unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This resolution addresses two alleged violations in which the United States contended that Cosmax USA and Nu-World submitted false information to be eligible to receive PPP funds.

    First, the resolution addresses allegations that Nu-World submitted an application in April 2020 for a First-Draw PPP loan, and an application for forgiveness of that loan in 2021, based on a calculated loan amount that was partially based on payments to temporary employees who were not employees of Nu-World.

    Second, the resolution addresses allegations that Cosmax USA falsely certified that it was a small business with fewer than 300 employees (including employees at affiliated companies) when it submitted its Second-Draw PPP loan application. In reality, the number of Cosmax USA’s employees, when combined with the number of employees working at its affiliate Nu-World, exceeded the PPP program’s 300-employee limit.

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, with assistance from the SBA’s Office of General Counsel (SBA-OGC) and Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG).

    Trial Attorney Graham D. Welch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Jackson Froliklong for the Northern District of Ohio handled the matter, with assistance from Thomas W. Rigby and Arlene P. Messinger Lerner of the SBA.

    Anyone with information about allegations of CARES Act fraud may submit a report with the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or online at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking in Eastern Panhandle

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Juan Manuel De La Rosa-Tejeda, also known as “Little Papi,” age 39, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for cocaine distribution.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, De La Rosa-Tejeda was one of the leaders of the drug trafficking conspiracy, selling large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Berkeley County and using a business in Hagerstown, Top 3 Sources Appliances, as a central hub for the drug sales. De La Rosa-Tejeda’s home was searched, and officers found $121,670. A search of Top 3 Sources yielded nearly nine kilograms of cocaine and more than one kilogram of heroin.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    The FBI; the U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative (agencies included are the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Ranson Police Department, Charles Town Police Department, and Martinsburg City Police Department); West Virginia State Police; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Hagerstown Police Department; the National Resources Police Department; FBI-New York Safe Streets Task Force; the New York Police Department; the New Jersey State Police; the Washington County (Maryland) Drug Task Force; the Maryland State Police; the  U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland;  and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania investigated.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gang Member Sentenced to 16.5 Years After Conviction at Trial for Leadership Role in Memphis Mob Drug Conspiracy

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Memphis, TN – A federal judge has sentenced a Memphis man to more than 16 years in federal prison for his involvement in an armed drug trafficking operation.  Jeffery “Bud B” Sevier, 48, of Memphis, was sentenced to 198 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine.  U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris also ordered Sevier to serve four years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Interim United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. announced the sentence today.

    According to information presented at trial and the sentencing hearing, while looking into drug trafficking activity by members of the Memphis Mob, investigators identified a North Memphis home from which narcotics were being sold.  On March 4, 2019, someone allegedly stole narcotics from the house which led to shots being fired.  A Memphis police officer responded and witnessed someone with a gunshot wound to the head running away from the house.  Surveillance video from the house showed Sevier at the location, with co-conspirators firing into a vehicle occupied by five people including a minor child. One person was injured from the shooting but survived. Sevier was arrested on the scene and provided false information to the police. 

    In addition, the surveillance video showed Memphis Mob members distributing narcotics from the North Memphis house daily until the shooting, after which the group relocated operations.

    In July 2022, Sevier was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  At sentencing, the Court held Sevier responsible for 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, holding a leadership role in the Memphis Mob directing others to sell narcotics on the gang’s behalf, and maintaining control over the gang’s drug distribution house.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz stated, “The ATF will continue to use its resources to combat illegal firearm possession, drug distribution, and violent acts of crime. We will continue to work closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure public safety in the communities that we serve.”

    This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Memphis Police Department, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Allen and Michelle Kimbril-Parks prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.   

    ###

    For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Sentenced For Drug Trafficking and Machinegun Crimes

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –TIERON PRICE (“PRICE”), age 22, was sentenced on May 20, 2025 U.S. District Judge Darrel J. Papillion to 106 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to two counts of possessing a machinegun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(o) and 924(a)(2); possession with intent to distribute tapentadol, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

    According to court documents, on May 22, 2023, PRICE was driving a stolen vehicle in New Orleans.  When Louisiana State Police troopers attempted to pull him over, PRICE  led troopers on a seven-minute car chase, during which PRICE ran several red lights, disregarded stop signs, and drove the wrong way on one-way streets at high speeds.  The chase ended when PRICE struck a vehicle stopped at a red light.  PRICE and two other occupants fled but were caught.  Inside a backpack carried by one of the other occupants, there was a Glock Model 17, nine-millimeter caliber pistol, equipped with a Glock auto-sear, making the firearm a fully-automatic machinegun.  The machinegun had a bullet in the chamber and was loaded with an extended magazine containing 23 rounds of ammunition.  PRICE’s DNA was on the firearm and he later admitted ownership.

    PRICE was arrested after the car chase but subsequently released on bond.  On January 19, 2024,  New Orleans Police Department detectives executed a search warrant at PRICE’s residence in connection with an auto theft investigation.  During the search, officers found a Glock Model 19, nine-millimeter caliber pistol, a black Glock auto-sear hidden in a baby bassinet, and a drum magazine loaded with 49 rounds.  PRICE had been observed on a social media app the day before the search with the same gun equipped with the auto-sear, and the drum magazine attached.  During the search officers also found over $6,000 in cash and 95 tapentadol pills that PRICE intended to distribute.

    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.  On May 26, 2021, the Department 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.

    The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Prairie Provident Reports on AGM Voting Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prairie Provident Resources Inc. (“Prairie Provident” or the “Company”) (TSX:PPR) announces voting results from its annual and special shareholders’ meeting held today (the “Meeting”). A total of 1,216,965,050 common shares, representing approximately 86.8% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

    All of the matters put forward to the shareholders, as set out in the Company’s notice of meeting and information circular dated April 15, 2025 (the “Information Circular”), a copy of which is available from the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca or the Prairie Provident website at www.ppr.ca, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the Meeting.

    Election of Directors

    At the Meeting, each of Glenn Hamilton, Dale Miller, Matthew Shyba and Kathy Turgeon was elected, by ordinary resolution, as a director of Prairie Provident for the ensuing year, to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders.

    Following are details as to the number of votes cast ‘for’ the election of each director nominee at the Meeting, and the percentage that figure represented of the total shares voted or withheld from voting in respect of that nominee.

    Director Number of votes FOR election % of total votes FOR
    Glenn Hamilton 1,207,754,472 99.9%
    Dale Miller 1,207,856,769 99.9%
    Matthew Shyba 1,207,691,265 99.9%
    Kathy Turgeon 1,207,736,113 99.9%


    Other Matters

    Shareholders also passed at the Meeting a series of resolutions approving, in each case by a majority of over 99% of votes cast, all other items of business set out in the Information Circular These other items of business consisted of: (i) appointing Ernst & Young LLP as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year; (ii) approving unallocated entitlements under the Prairie Provident stock option plan and incentive security plan, as well as certain amendments to such plans; (iii) approving a consolidation of the outstanding common shares, and authorizing the Company’s board of directors to determine a consolidation ratio between 20-to-1 and 30-to-1; and (iv) approving amendments to the Company’s authorized share capital to create a new class of non-voting common shares.

    No further determinations have been made with respect to the proposed share consolidation, which remains subject to acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Upon the Prairie Provident board of directors determining to proceed with the consolidation, the Company will issue a news release to announce the consolidation ratio, the timing for implementation and the commencement of TSX trading on a post-consolidation basis, and the process for registered shareholders to exchange certificates evidencing pre-consolidation shares for new certificates or direct registration system (DRS) advice statements evidencing post-consolidation shares.

    ABOUT PRAIRIE PROVIDENT

    Prairie Provident is a Calgary-based company engaged in the development of oil and natural gas properties in Alberta. The Company’s strategy is to optimize cash flow from our existing assets to fund low risk development, maintain stable cash flow, while limiting its production decline.

    For further information, please contact:

    Dale Miller, Executive Chairman
    Phone: (403) 292-8150
    Email: investor@ppr.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Collins, Baldwin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Lifesaving Cancer Screenings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced their bipartisan Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act to reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), a lifesaving program that provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for women who are low-income, uninsured, and underinsured and do not qualify for Medicaid.
    “Cancer prevention and screening programs are vital because the earlier the disease is caught, the better the prognosis,” said Senator Collins. “The NBCCEDP provides thousands of uninsured and underinsured Mainers with breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services each year. Our bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and strengthen this critical program, which has helped nearly 4,000 women in Maine receive a total of 8,198 screening tests over the past five years.”
    “Nearly every American’s life has been touched by a devastating cancer diagnosis, and early detection is one of the best tools we have to save lives. No Wisconsinite should miss regular screenings because of cost,” said Senator Baldwin. “That’s why I’m proud to lead this legislation with my Republican colleague to help detect cancers earlier, save lives, and ensure more Americans get the care they need at a price they can afford.”
    “Everyone should be able to get the breast health care they need when they need it, but barriers remain for far too many—the SCREENS for Cancer Act can change that,” said Molly Guthrie, VP of Policy & Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “To support healthier communities across the country, we must make high-quality screening and diagnosis more readily available to those who need it. This bill will provide access to vital services so that cancers can be caught earlier.”
    “Reducing the cancer burden for everyone requires improving access to cancer early detection and prevention services,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “By reauthorizing the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, the SCREENS for Cancer Act will ensure that program grantees can continue to receive critical resources and maintain the flexibility needed to provide access to lifesaving screening, diagnostic and treatment services to those who need them most.”
    An estimated 319,750 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 43,000 will die from the disease this year alone. Since 1991, the NBCCEDP, a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state departments of health, has provided lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to more than six million women who are low-income, uninsured and underinsured who do not qualify for Medicaid.
    NBCCEDP has a proven record of cancer detection, detecting nearly 80,000 breast cancers and over 25,000 premalignant breast lesions. The program also provides public education, outreach, patient navigation, and care coordination to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates and reach underserved populations. Without access to early detection programs, many people who are uninsured are forced to delay or forgo screenings, which could lead to late-stage breast cancer diagnoses.
    The SCREENS for Cancer Act would reauthorize the NBCCEDP for the first time in more than a decade and make improvements that help ensure that the program reaches more eligible women. This reauthorization would provide flexibility to NBCCEDP grantees, allowing for a greater emphasis on implementing innovative evidence-based interventions and aggressive outreach to underserved communities through media, peer educators, and patient navigators. The bill authorizes $235 million per year for FY26 through FY30.
    The SCREENS for Cancer Act is endorsed by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Indian Cancer Foundation, Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer, Cancer Support Community, Check for a Lump, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Men Supporting Women with Cancer, NAACP, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, National Consortium of Breast Centers, Oncology Nursing Society, Prevent Cancer Foundation, SHARE Cancer Support, Society of Breast Imaging, Susan G. Komen, Tigerlily Foundation, Triage Cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, and Young Survival Coalition.
    The complete text of the bill can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar to Join Bipartisan Delegation to Ottawa, Canada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will travel to Ottawa, Canada as a part of a bipartisan delegation with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
    While in Ottawa, the Senators will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Minister of National Defense David McGuinty, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, the Business Council of Canada, and other leading Canadian companies and business groups. 
    “Canada is Minnesota’s neighbor, top trading partner and close friend. We share a deep bond grounded in trust and a shared commitment to democracy,” said Klobuchar. “I look forward to meeting with Canadian leaders to discuss how we can strengthen our partnership and bolster our trade relationship in the wake of President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs.”
    Senator Klobuchar is Co-Chair of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group.
    This week, Klobuchar joined Cramer and Kaine in introducing a bipartisan resolution to recognize the U.S.-Canada partnership and its shared interests in economic, energy and critical minerals, and national security.
    In April, Klobuchar’s bipartisan resolution with Kaine and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) to reverse President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs on Canadian goods passed the Senate. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Volunteers get back as much as they give, survey finds – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Volunteering to help individuals can build skills and knowledge, enhance employment opportunities, provide new and challenging experiences as well as deliver feelings of personal satisfaction through contributing, a new survey has found.

    It also delivers measurable benefits to those being supported; including help in finding work and acquiring skills as well intangible and benefits such as friendship and building connections within communities, the survey found.

    To mark National Volunteer Week 2025, the survey was commissioned by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia. It canvased the attitudes of 85 of the organisation’s volunteers in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, working mostly one-on-one with newly arrived refugees and migrants.

    It found that overwhelmingly, volunteers believed they, themselves, benefitted directly through helping others.

    Asked whether they benefitted from their volunteering work, 32 per cent of volunteers said they benefitted ‘significantly’ and 78 per cent said they benefitted ‘somewhat’.

    Among the top benefits listed were ‘a feeling of satisfaction through contributing’ (96 per cent), ‘learning about new cultures (77 per cent), ‘building social and professional networks’ (59 per cent), ‘improving personal and communication (soft) skills’ and ‘enhancing employment opportunities’ (39 per cent).

    The survey also found that volunteers believed their work delivered practical and intangible benefits to those being supported.

    Ninety-six per cent of volunteers said their work delivered either ‘significant’ or ‘some’ benefits to those being supported and just 4 per cent were ‘not sure’.

    Among the top benefits to those being supported listed were ‘language acquisition support’ (91 per cent), ‘friendship’ (96 per cent),  ‘building connections with local communities’ (68 per cent), ‘practical support in navigating life in Australia’ (53 per cent), ‘understanding how to access services’ (56 per cent) and ‘help in finding employment’ (38 per cent).

    The survey found broad satisfaction with the experience of volunteering and a general feeling that it was productive.

    Fifty-four per cent of volunteers were ‘very satisfied’ with the experience, while 38 per cent were ‘somewhat’ satisfied and 8 per cent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

    Sixty-nine per cent of respondents said they felt their volunteering was ‘very productive’ and 21 per cent said it was ‘somewhat productive’ while ten per cent were ‘not sure’.

    Among the challenges in volunteering cited in the survey were ‘time restrictions’ (39 per cent) and ‘language barriers’ (27 per cent).

    Overwhelmingly, volunteers surveyed were likely to recommend the experience to family and friends with 62 per cent saying they were ‘very likely’ to do so and 23 per cent saying they were ‘likely’ to do so. Ten per cent said they were neither likely nor unlikely to do so.

    More than half (47 per cent) of the volunteers surveyed were aged between 45 and 64 and 20 per cent were aged 25 to 34.

    As a migrant from Greece who arrived in Australian in 1964, Dimitra Kimakidis understands the isolation and confusion that can come with moving to a new country.

    That’s why she has been volunteering with migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia since 1989 helping newly arrived women refugees and migrants settle in and feel welcome.

    “I enjoy volunteering to help ‘my girls’ and sometimes I can share their problems,” said Ms Kimakidis, who was honoured at recent AMES Australia volunteer week event.

    “It makes me happy to support people who maybe don’t have any relations or many friends here,” she said.

    “When I first arrived in this country, I went through the same experience of isolation and with no family here.”

    Ms Kimakidis helps Afghan women in Noble Park to learn English; and she also teaches them knitting and sewing.

    AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the survey showed the added value volunteers can bring to an organisation.

    “Our volunteers at AMES Australia to an amazing job in supporting our refugee and migrant clients and making a real difference in their lives. This gives our organisation extra reach and extra capacity,” Ms Scarth said.

    “But the survey shows that volunteers also get benefits out of volunteering; and not just the feel-good effect of doing something selfless but also valuable skills, experiences and knowledge,” she said.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: May 22, 2025 Why I voted NO on Republicans’ Tax Scam Congress must do more to support working families. That’s why I voted NO on President Trump’s big ugly budget bill – because it hurts everyday Americans by taking away health care, food assistance, and economic stability, all so Republicans can… Read More

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Mullin California (15th District)

    Congress must do more to support working families. That’s why I voted NO on President Trump’s big ugly budget bill – because it hurts everyday Americans by taking away health care, food assistance, and economic stability, all so Republicans can give massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

    Trump’s Big Ugly Bill Highlights:

    • 13.7 million Americans will lose health care coverage due to cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act
    • 18 million children will lose their school lunches and experience food insecurity
    • $3.8 trillion will be added to America’s national debt – bringing our already ballooning debt to $40 trillion

    According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, 13.7 million Americans would lose their health coverage under this plan, including seniors, children, and people with disabilities. It also proposes the deepest cuts to food assistance in our nation’s history, stripping SNAP benefits from at least 3 million people a month and putting 18 million children at risk of losing their school lunches.

    Republicans have decided to give benefits to the uber wealthy at the expense of the people who are already hurting the most. Under Trump’s plan, someone making over $1 million a year gets an $82,000 tax cut, while hard working Americans are left to pay more for groceries, health care, and energy. It’s a clear case of billionaires winning and working families losing.

    Despite cutting vital services, the Republicans’ budget still adds $3.8 trillion to the national debt, threatening our economic stability and driving up inflation. Our kids and grandkids are going to be paying for Republicans’ utterly irresponsible budget.

    For months, my Democratic colleagues and I have advocated against these proposed budget cuts. Last week, when Republicans jammed their Medicaid cuts through the Energy & Commerce Committee in the middle of the night, I fought to defend Americans’ health care for over 26 hours straight.

    The American people deserve better. That’s why I voted NO today. This fight is not over: along with fellow House Democrats, I will continue to oppose any budget that prioritizes the wealthy few at the expense of the many.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More Teachers to benefit from flexible working

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    More Teachers to benefit from flexible working

    Government extend successful programme that supports teachers to plan lessons from home, job-share or work flexible hours.

    More teachers are expected to benefit from flexible working thanks to a successful initiative that will help improve teacher retention and deliver high standards for pupils. 

    The Government’s Flexible Working Ambassadors Programme has been extended for a further year to support more schools across the country, enabling teachers to plan lessons from home, job-share or work flexible hours – so they have the time and energy to be at the front of the classroom, delivering high and rising standards for children.

    As part of its Plan for Change, the Government is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 expert teachers over the course of this Parliament, so every young person has access to an excellent education. The quality of teaching is the single biggest driver of higher standards in schools.

    Hundreds of millions of pounds are also being invested by Government to offer tax free financial incentives and professional development to attract and keep the best and brightest teachers across the country, alongside targeted action to improve teachers’ workload and wellbeing.

    This action is working, with two thousand more secondary school teachers training this year than last, a 25% increase in the number of people accepting teacher training places in STEM subjects, and more teachers forecasted to stay in the profession.

    The announcement today follows the Government accepting the schoolteachers’ pay body recommendation which will give teachers a pay boost of 4% from this September, taking a major step towards re-establish teaching as an attractive, expert profession. 

    This builds on the work already underway to drive high and rising standards for all schools, including a stronger accountability system through reforms to Ofsted inspection, new regional improvement teams to tackle poorly performing schools, and a new, rich and broad curriculum so pupils are set up for life, work and the future.

    Schools Minister, Catherine McKinnell said:

    My number one priority is making sure every child has an expert teacher at the front of their classroom, as we know high-quality teaching makes the biggest difference to education outcomes.

    We highly value our brilliant teachers, and they deserve working conditions that recognise their professionalism and support their wellbeing. 

    I’ve seen first-hand how working flexibly can transform teachers’ lives for the better and drive high and rising high standards for their pupils. Our Flexible Working Ambassadors Programme will help make sure we deliver on our pledge to recruit and retain more teachers.

    The latest figures show that 46 per cent of teachers had a flexible working arrangement in place in 2024, up by 6 percentage points since 2022. But with 47 per cent of teaching staff who said they were considered leaving state education citing a lack of flexible working opportunities as one of the reasons, the Government is going further and faster to ensure every school supports their staff’s working lives in modern, practical ways – delivering the best possible education for children and young people.

    Evidence shows a high-quality teacher can make around half a GCSE grade difference per pupil per subject, showing the importance of allowing teachers to work flexibly, to retain the best teachers and help children achieve and thrive. 

    Research also found 82 per cent of school leaders offering flexible working agreed that it had helped to retain teachers who might otherwise leave. 62 per cent of parents said children being taught by two teachers in a job-share arrangement had no impact, or a positive impact, on their child

    CEO of Reach Schools, Rebecca Cramer said:

    Flexible Working is imperative to keep great teachers in the classroom.  Through the FWAMS programme we have supported schools to employ a culture of openness and communication around how teachers work.

    Schools that think innovatively and embrace change around teachers’ work arrangements enhance teacher well-being and productivity and ultimately have a positive impact on the young people in our classrooms.

    Director of Humanities and Social Sciences at Reach Academy Feltham, Sarah Corrigan said:

    Flexible working has allowed me to stay in the classroom doing something that I love. Without the option of part-time work and some full-time flex, I would have struggled with my work life balance and would have left the teaching profession. 

    Reach has supported me to return from maternity leave on a part-time basis. Also, like all other teachers in our school, I have been encouraged to take advantage of flex to ensure that I don’t miss the big events in my and my family’s lives by using term time annual leave and compressed hours.

    The programme is free to all schools and helps to drive the culture change needed, by offering a range of practical support and resources for schools and teachers.

    The extension means more schools can get involved in every region of the country, with a focus on supporting schools in disadvantaged areas, as well as special and alternative provision schools where there can be additional challenges. 

    The Government is also leading the way in modernising the education sector by harnessing the power of AI to free up teachers’ time and unlock more pupil interactions.

    Using AI can reduce time spent on admin by several hours a week which is critical to retaining good teachers and bringing more people into the profession – so that teaching can once again be a profession that sparks joy, not burnout.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thousands of young people set to benefit from new support into work and training

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Thousands of young people set to benefit from new support into work and training

    Thousands of young people across England will receive targeted support into work, under a new £45 million scheme launched by the Work and Pensions Secretary.

    • Landmark programme to support thousands of 18 to 21 year olds into education, work and training officially launches in Liverpool.
    • Marks major win in the Government’s Youth Guarantee to ensure all young people have the chance to upskill, earn or learn.
    • Comes as part of the Government’s Plan for Change to drive growth and break down barriers to opportunity by helping people into work.

    Thousands of young people across England will receive targeted support into work, under a new £45 million scheme launched by the Work and Pensions Secretary.

    The Youth Guarantee trailblazers will match young people to job or training opportunities and will provide all-important foundations for the national roll-out of the programme, ensuring all 18 to 21 year olds in England can access help to find work – breaking down barriers to opportunity as part of the Plan for Change.

    The trailblazers will play a key role in helping the government understand which local structures are most effective and in identifying the organisations best placed to deliver targeted support.

    They will also develop innovative ways to identify, engage and sustain contact with young people most at risk of falling out of education, employment or training.

    It comes as new ONS figures published today (Friday 23 May 2025) will reveal the number of young people not in education, employment or training, with the current figure standing at 987,000.

    Liverpool City Region is one of eight areas across England set to receive a £5 million investment into work with 18 to 21 year olds most at risk of falling out of education or employment.

    In its first year, the City Region aims to support tens of thousands of young people. Within this, the trailblazer will focus on vulnerable young people often facing the most complex barriers, including care leavers, nearly 40% of whom are not in employment, education or training.

    They will receive a range of support including work and training opportunities, free travel passes, mental health support and money advice.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    Young people are our future – and yet for too long they have been denied access to the opportunities and support they need.

    At Liverpool FC, the home of champions, we are championing young people to get the skills, education and jobs they require to achieve their ambitions.

    We are investing £45 million – including almost £5m here in Liverpool – to deliver our Youth Guarantee, so every young person across England gets the chance to earn or learn, as we boost living standards and get Britain working under the Plan for Change.

    Further to this, Liverpool will work with over 600 employers to develop tailored roles and placements, and through the region’s BeMore portal which brings career and skills advice straight into your pocket. A panel made up of young people to ensure they are at the heart of decision making will also be set up.

    The city has already had success in tailoring support to meet the needs of young people, including:

    • Ethan who has cerebral palsy and had just finished university with no work experience. With the help of Liverpool, including support with housing, mental health and navigating familial challenges, Ethan gained part-time experience as a youth support worker and has since been offered a job with the Civil Service.
    • Luke who felt he was in a black hole searching for jobs but not being successful. He has since received an apprenticeship levy from Liverpool which meant he was able to do his Level 4 Marketing apprenticeship and now works in Product & Operations Market at Liverpool Football Club.
    • Ellie who decided to explore new career paths following mental health challenges. Through engaging with Liverpool, she was provided with a laptop in order to join the Movement to Work programme and has since been offered a job at the DWP.

    Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:

    When I travel across our region, I feel fortunate to meet some of the best and brightest young people in the country. But for too long, too many of them have been held back from getting on in life, not because of a lack of talent, but by a lack of opportunity – and I have made it my mission to put that right.

    It’s because of the investments we’ve made, through initiatives like my Young Person’s Guarantee and BeMore, that we’ve been able to connect tens of thousands of people in our area with jobs and training opportunities. Now, backed by the government’s Plan for Change, we can go even further, giving even more young people the best possible start in life.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    Through our Plan for Change we are breaking down barriers to opportunity so every young person can get on in life, regardless of their background.

    The Youth Guarantee is a genuine game changer for young people in England. I’m delighted Liverpool is leading the way as one of our trailblazers – ensuring every young person has support to develop essential skills for work and life at the critical early stage of their careers.

    Every young person deserves the best life chances — and we won’t stop until everyone has a level playing field to succeed.

    Liz Kendall and Mayor Steve Rotheram unveiled the landmark programme at a careers fair in partnership with key Youth Guarantee partner, the Premier League.

    Hosted at the iconic Anfield Stadium, three days before the champions lift the Premier League Trophy, around one thousand 18 to 21 year olds attended with opportunities on offer from around 40 employers – including Liverpool FC Foundation, Everton in the Community, John Lewis, and Google.

    Clare Sumner, Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer at the Premier League, said:

    The Premier League and our clubs continue to support young people across the country with a range of positive opportunities that help them build self-confidence and fulfil their potential.

    The jobs fair at Anfield is the latest initiative supporting those who need it most in clubs’ local communities, and we will continue to work with Government to deliver similar events as part of the Youth Guarantee.

    The programme comes alongside an unprecedented £1 billion investment to support disabled people and those with long-term health conditions back into work, as well as major reforms to Jobcentres to better align their services with the needs of employers.

    Two youth trailblazers have already launched in London with more beginning to start work in the West of England, Tees Valley, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West Midlands, and East Midlands

    As well as this, nine inactivity trailblazers backed by £125 million have been rolled out across England and Wales. These programmes will help areas with the highest levels of economic inactivity by connecting work, health and skills offers.

    Richard Rigby, Head of UK Government Affairs at The King’s Trust said:

    With almost one million young people across the UK waking up today with no job, no training, and no education to go to, the prominence being given to developing a Youth Guarantee is not only very welcome, but absolutely vital.

    Young people’s futures are worth fighting for. By getting behind them, we can all help to make the UK a healthier, wealthier, more positive, more cohesive place. The King’s Trust looks forward to working with local areas, including Liverpool City Region, to understand how we can help to deliver the Guarantee.

    Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, Founder and CEO of Youth Employment UK, said:

    It is great to see the Youth Guarantee launch in Liverpool. The focus on providing young people with the tools that they need to transition into education, employment or training is critical.

    Young people, particularly those who are care experienced or care leavers face multiple barriers to accessing employment so I am pleased to see those barriers be recognised and tailored support put in place.

    Young people when in good quality employment not only add huge value to an employer but they are also much more like to feel fulfilled and happier.

    Susannah Hardyman MBE, CEO of Impetus, said:

    The Youth Guarantee Trailblazers are a vital step toward ensuring every young person – regardless of background – has the opportunity to thrive in employment. Targeted interventions are critical to reaching the young people furthest from the labour market.

    Our research shows that factors like socioeconomic disadvantage, lower educational qualifications, and geographic location can combine to make a young person nearly three times more likely to be not in education, employment, or training than average – but this is not inevitable.

    By connecting these young people with the right support and resources, we can spur economic growth, deliver on the Government’s opportunity mission, and transform lives.

    Sarah Yong, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the Youth Futures Foundation said:

    The launch of the eight trailblazers represents a positive first step in Government’s plans for its Youth Guarantee; we will await the learnings from these place-based approaches from this pilot year with interest.

    The voices and experiences of young people alongside high-quality evidence of what works will be crucial for the Government in further developing the Guarantee for national rollout.

    This comes as the government has, for the first time, linked immigration policy to our plan to deliver a higher skilled economy that backs British workers.

    Alongside boosting the National Living Wage, we are also creating more secure jobs through the Employment Rights Bill and overhauling Jobcentres as we Get Britain Working as part of the Plan for Change.

    Additional information:

    • The latest ONS young people not in education, employment or training statistics will be published on Friday 23 May at 9.30 here: Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK: May 2025 – Office for National Statistics
    • The eight youth trailblazers will be in: Liverpool, West Midlands, Tees Valley, East Midlands, West of England, and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and two in London
    • Employment support measures are fully transferred to Northern Ireland. Jobcentre Plus services is reserved in both Scotland and Wales, but the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government also deliver other forms of employment support. The funding announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper is UK wide, the share of funding for devolved Governments will be calculated in the usual way.
    • The Youth Guarantee is an England only initiative, and trailblazer locations will reflect this since Skills, Education and Employment support are devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
    • We will work closely with the devolved governments to share experiences and lessons learned.
    • Additionally, Wales have developed their own Young Persons Guarantee and Scotland also had one until recently (now a comprehensive offer for all age-groups)
    • The UK Government also plans to establish new governance arrangements with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to help frame discussions around the reform of Jobcentres and agree how best to work in partnership on shared employment ambition across devolved and reserved provision.
    • Movement to Work is a voluntary collaboration of leading employers in the UK, including the Department for Work and Pensions to help support young people into employment by providing vocational employment and work placement opportunities.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CWA Statement on eBay’s Syracuse Closure Announcement

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    eBay’s first union, TCGunion-CWA Local 1123, condemns the company for illegal action to avoid union contract bargaining; CWA files unfair labor practice charge in response to abrupt closure

    Syracuse, N.Y. – This morning, eBay subsidiary TCGplayer abruptly announced plans to shut down its authentication center in Syracuse, N.Y., eliminating the jobs of hundreds of union workers who have been bargaining their first contract with the company. In response, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleging that the company has terminated its union employees to evade its bargaining obligations and to keep the company union-free.

    “We are outraged. Since we launched our union, eBay has waged a relentless campaign to silence us and stop our efforts to make TCGplayer better for everyone, including card enthusiasts and sellers,” said Eric Tillotson, a member of TCGunion-CWA Local 1123. “Like other tech giants and oligarchs, eBay and TCGplayer think that they can disregard workers’ rights under the current administration by deploying illegal tactics to silence us and put an end to contract negotiations. They should realize by now that we will never stop fighting.”

    TCGplayer CEO Rob Bigler called a meeting to announce the news at 8:30 a.m. ET this morning, and workers were then ordered by security to vacate the building until Saturday. Bigler did not take any questions.

    The news comes just days after eBay and TCGplayer cancelled this week’s meeting with members of the bargaining committee to finalize a fair, first contract. The collective bargaining agreement would cover authentication center workers who are responsible for ensuring that every shipment in and out of TCGplayer matches quality standards. The workers, who are the first group from eBay to form a union, have been fighting for a contract for over 600 days.

    “Many of us decided to organize because we wanted to do something about the unlivable wages and economic hardship we’ve experienced while working at TCGplayer. Now, in just a few months, we will be without jobs and will have to scramble to find employment,” said 

    Matthew Schlicht, a member of TCGunion-CWA Local 1123. “I love working at TCGplayer. Instead of respecting our union efforts, TCGplayer is upending our livelihoods.”

    Last year, TCGunion-CWA Local 1123 released a “Tapped Out at TCGplayer” report, providing shocking evidence that eBay workers are struggling to make ends meet financially. The majority of authentication center workers earn less than a living wage in Syracuse, and a majority of survey respondents have to rely on friends, family, and the government to make ends meet. TCGplayer is one of the largest online marketplaces for verification services, card games, and collectible trading cards.

    “This decision is blatant retaliation against the union organizing and a slap in the face to those who built TCGplayer from the ground up,” said Douglas Johnson, former TCGplayer seller and owner of Cardgarden. “It’s clear that they value profits over people. Sellers should think hard about whether or not they should continue using TCGplayer’s services.”

    According to eBay’s most recent proxy statement, eBay CEO Jamie Iannone’s total compensation was $21 million in 2024, which is 536 times the median annual wage for a TCGunion-CWA member in Syracuse earning $18.25 an hour. Iannone’s compensation has also increased 48% since 2022, the year that TCGplayer workers formed their union. The growing disparity between the backbone of the workplace and the oligarchs who take advantage of their labor was further emphasized in a recent Economic Policy Institute report showing that Americans’ sentiment toward unions continues to become more positive, while sympathy for large corporations is at a record low.

    “For a company that makes billions of dollars off the backs of hard-working employees, it is a shame that eBay has decided to close the sole authentication center in Syracuse. This extreme action is the result of the company’s single-minded obsession with preventing workers from having a voice on the job,” said CWA Local 1123 President James A. Leone Jr. “I am proud of the Local 1123 members at TCGplayer who are continuing to fight for a seat at the table. They deserve a voice at work and in their future.”

    “eBay and TCGplayer have spent years resisting our members’ good faith efforts to reach an agreement on a fair contract. Rather than engaging in a transparent process to find solutions that meet the needs of their employees and customers, eBay’s leaders gathered behind closed doors and decided to fire their entire workforce in Syracuse. It’s abominable,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor.

    ###

    About CODE-CWA

    The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) is a network of worker-organizers and their staff working every single day to build the voice and power necessary to ensure the future of the tech, game, and digital industries in the United States and Canada. CODE-CWA is a project of the Communications Workers of America, which represents hundreds of thousands of workers throughout tech, media, telecom, and other industries who stand together to fight for justice on the job and in our communities.

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Governor Josh Stein on FEMA Ending Direct Assistance

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Statement from Governor Josh Stein on FEMA Ending Direct Assistance

    Statement from Governor Josh Stein on FEMA Ending Direct Assistance
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Governor Josh Stein today released the following statement regarding FEMA’s notification that it will no longer provide direct federal assistance for the US Army Corps of Engineers:

    “I want to thank FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers for its hard work to clear debris all over western North Carolina. I am pleased that they will stay in North Carolina to finish existing missions, and my team looks forward to working closely with them to get those jobs done quickly. Together, we have removed more than 12 million cubic yards of debris from our roads and waterways. Unfortunately, there remains vast amounts of work yet to be done. Our state’s debris removal program is prepared to contract and execute the remaining debris removal and will work diligently and with urgency to complete those jobs as soon as possible.

    “We continue to ask President Trump to respond favorably to the state’s appeal for 100% FEMA reimbursement. This is a critical part of the state’s successful recovery. If not, North Carolina taxpayers will be responsible for a portion of the cost to remove the remaining debris, which could total hundreds of millions of dollars.” 

    May 22, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces Industrial Manufacturer Will Create More Than 325 Jobs in Charlotte

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Announces Industrial Manufacturer Will Create More Than 325 Jobs in Charlotte

    Governor Stein Announces Industrial Manufacturer Will Create More Than 325 Jobs in Charlotte
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Josh Stein announced that AVL Manufacturing (AVL USA, Inc.) will establish a new production facility in Charlotte to build enclosures for industrial power generators, creating more than 325 jobs. The company will invest $56 million in Mecklenburg County.

    “North Carolina’s reputation for advanced manufacturing continues to attract great companies like AVL Manufacturing to our state,” said Governor Josh Stein. “With the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeast and excellent community colleges, North Carolina is home to the resources that world-class companies depend on.” 

    AVL USA, Inc. is a new company established by AVL Manufacturing, a Canadian company with headquarters in Hamilton, Ontario. AVL specializes in the manufacture of custom industrial enclosures for large format standby power generators. The company’s products find use in a wide variety of applications, such as supplying backup power to large and hyper-scale data centers. The company’s project in Charlotte will establish a manufacturing operation in the United States to produce and assemble generator enclosures for power redundancy. The large metal casings include electric inputs, switchgear, and enclosures required for data center servers and equipment. In addition to data center power generation, AVL’s products find use in several other industries, such as the automotive, automation, construction, and emergency management sectors.

    “After considering many markets, we are thrilled that AVL’s entrance into the U.S. market is in Charlotte, a vibrant, tech-forward city perfect for us to lay down roots,” said Vince Dicristofaro, president, AVL. “We didn’t just choose a location; we chose a community. Charlotte’s spirit of collaboration and its talented workforce made it the clear choice for our American-based home. We are excited to tap into this talent pool as we establish our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and create meaningful careers for the residents of this city and deliver unparalleled products to our customers.” 

    “Investments from international companies are an important part of the state’s economy,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “It’s great to see the confidence AVL and its parent company have placed in North Carolina by establishing their first U.S.-based location in Charlotte. Our team will work hard to help them succeed in our state.”

    A performance-based grant of $100,000 from the One North Carolina Fund to AVL USA, Inc. will help facilitate the company’s project into Mecklenburg County, based on the creation of 122 jobs tied to the grant. The OneNC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All OneNC grants require a matching grant from local governments, and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

    Although wages for the 122 grant-tied jobs will vary depending on the position, the average salary for those new jobs will be $90,088. The current average wage in Mecklenburg County is $86,830.                      

    “We welcome AVL to Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, where they will join a growing list of businesses moving to the area that have found the key ingredients to reach the next level of growth and success for their companies,” said Representative Terry Brown, Jr. “These new jobs and the company’s capital investment will also bring greater economic success to our community. AVL’s decision only highlights the fact that Steele Creek is becoming the economic engine for our region.” 

    “Economic development takes a collaborative effort from state, regional, and local partners,” said Senator DeAndrea Salvador. “I applaud the behind-the-scenes work from the many groups that supported AVL during its search for a U.S. location. Companies recognize and reward North Carolina’s collaborative approach, as today’s news demonstrates.”

    Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the Commerce Department’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Mecklenburg County, and the City of Charlotte. 

    May 22, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State selects 24 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship  – West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    Incoming college freshmen will receive $40,000 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars award 

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Twenty-four high school seniors who graduated this year have been selected as West Virginia’s sixth cohort of Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars. These students will receive the state’s newest and most prestigious scholarship of up to $10,000 per year – or $40,000 total – for their college education as they prepare to pursue rewarding careers as West Virginia teachers. 

    The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship for high school seniors and recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching and a history of high academic achievement, community service, and active involvement in extracurricular activities while in high school.

    “I’m incredibly proud of these young scholars, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next four years and beyond,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “This is West Virginia’s preeminent scholarship that is helping produce new generations of outstanding teachers who are eager to make a difference in their hometowns and in the Mountain State. We now have about 150 scholars pursuing their teaching careers right here at home, and we want them to know how important they are to the future of this great state.”

    The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is designed to help West Virginia address ongoing teacher shortages in the fields of math, science, special education, and elementary education. Recipients commit to teaching in one of these high-demand fields in West Virginia for at least five years after graduation. To give students the greatest chance at success, each is paired with a practicing classroom teacher mentor, who provides guidance throughout their college careers. 

    The 2025 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars beginning their studies in West Virginia this fall are:  

    • Caelyn Bartley from Berkeley Springs High School will be studying elementary education at Shepherd University.
    • Haylee Chapman from Cabell Midland High School will be studying math at Marshall University.
    • Molli Taylor from East Fairmont High School will be studying special education at Fairmont State University.
    • Jenna Groves from Greenbrier East High School will be studying math at Concord University.
    • Donavin Penn from Greenbrier East High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.
    • Madison Sherman from Fisher will be studying elementary education at Shepherd University.
    • Abigail Lynch from Midland Trail High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.
    • Julia Oliverio from Morgantown High School will be studying math at West Virginia University.
    • Amelia Morgan from North Marion High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.
    • Kailyn Humphrey from Oak Hill High School will be studying elementary education at Concord University.
    • Sydney Davis from Parkersburg High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.
    • Grace Martin from Petersburg High School will be studying elementary education at Shepherd University.
    • Audrey Mongold from Petersburg High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.
    • Lucas Posey from Philip Barbour High School will be studying math at West Virginia University.
    • Miranda Gum from Pocahontas County High School will be studying elementary education at Glenville State University.
    • Elizabeth Handley from Point Pleasant High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.
    • Lukas Herrell from Sherman High School will be studying math at West Virginia State University.
    • Mary Morrison from St. Marys High School will be studying elementary education at WVU at Parkersburg.
    • Joshua Copley from Tug Valley High School will be studying science at Marshall University.
    • Carley Bryan from University High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.
    • Madalyn Brown from Westside High School will be studying elementary education at Concord University.
    • Ciera Faulstick from Wheeling Park High School will be studying elementary education at Wheeling Park High School.
    • Abigail Howard from Wheeling Park High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.
    • Allison Hoffman from Winfield High School will be studying math at Marshall University.

    Scholar highlights will be featured throughout the month of July on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Facebook page.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Job Scam Fusion Cell disrupts fake job networks targeting Australians

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The National Anti-Scam Centre’s Job Scam Fusion Cell removed more than 29,000 scam social media accounts and 1850 fake job advertisements in a crackdown on employment scams targeting vulnerable Australians looking to ease cost of living pressures.

    The fusion cell, which ran from September 2024 to March 2025, has published its report highlighting the combined efforts of government, law enforcement, academics, and the private sector in a coordinated effort to tackle the sharp rise in job and employment scams.

    From 2022 to 2023, financial losses due to job scams increased by 151 per cent. In 2024, Scamwatch received more than 3000 reports of job scams, with reported losses totalling $13.7 million. Average losses to these scams were 5.1 per cent higher than the average for all other scam types.

    “Job scams have been one of the fastest growing scam types, as scammers are increasingly preying on people seeking relief from cost-of-living pressures,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

    “These scams disproportionately impact people on low incomes, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, international students, non-resident visa holders, people with caring responsibilities, and others with limited employment options.”

    “Job scams result in significant financial losses and put people at risk of identity theft through loss of personal information. That’s why we’ve worked collaboratively to disrupt these scams through intelligence-sharing, awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions,” Ms Lowe said.

    Key initiatives undertaken and implemented by the Job Scam Fusion Cell include:

    • Working with Meta to remove 29,000 accounts sharing job scam content
    • Referring 836 scammer cryptocurrency wallets to digital currency exchanges for analysis and investigation, leading to blocking and blacklisting of wallets
    • Referring 1850 scam enablers such as websites and scam job advertisements for removal
    • Disrupting scammers’ impersonation of Australian Government entities, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Home Affairs, and APSJobs
    • Holding awareness and prevention forums with organisations across the tertiary education sector to enable them to deliver scams awareness messaging
    • Coordinating a social media campaign, tailored for at-risk groups
    • Creating guides for businesses, including about how to protect themselves and the community from impersonation of their business and regarding identification and disruption of Job Scam Payments
    • Establishing data sharing arrangements with cryptocurrency platforms

    The fusion cell identified key risks with the impersonation of healthcare providers in scam job advertisements being used to harvest personal information and extract money from job seekers.

    The National Anti-Scam Centre provided tailored advice to more than 40 organisations in the sector, including major state and territory hospitals, and small healthcare services, to help better protect job seekers. These efforts contributed to a near elimination of Scamwatch reports involving impersonation of healthcare organisations by March 2025.

    In addition to these specific initiatives, the fusion cell provides a great sandbox environment – participants can move beyond saying to doing, to try different techniques and see what works.  A number of Job Scam Fusion Cell initiatives are now being examined for their application to other scam types.  Others have become part of business-as-usual activity past the life of the fusion cell.

    “The work of the job scam fusion cell has been strategically targeted, drawing on data from victims’ experiences, Scamwatch and ReportCyber reports, stakeholder insights, and intelligence from participants. This approach has helped prevent and disrupt scams and has achieved significant and encouraging results,” Ms Lowe said.

    The National Anti-Scam Centre continues to work with partners across sectors to analyse emerging threats, raise awareness, and implement targeted interventions that disrupt scams before they reach consumers.

    Job and employment scams

    • Scammers advertise job opportunities so they can steal money and personal information. Stop and check any job ad that requires payment of money to make money. It could be a scam.
    • Scammers offer jobs that claim to pay well with low effort. But it’s only the scammer that will make money in the end. Often the job doesn’t exist at all.
    • Scammers pretend to be hiring on behalf of high-profile companies and online shopping platforms. They also impersonate well-known recruitment agencies.
    • Scammers may make contact unexpectedly through text message or encrypted message platforms like WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram.
    • Scammers often ask for payment claiming it is required so you can start the role and get the income they’ve promised. Don’t enter any arrangement that asks for up-front payment via bank transfer, PayID or cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or USDT. It’s rare to get money back that is sent this way.
    • Don’t trust a job ad is real just because it appears on a trusted platform or website – scammers post fake ads too. If you come across a scammer, report it to the platform or agency and to scamwatch.gov.au.
    • Never send passport, identity documents, or bank account details to an employer or recruitment firm unless certain they are genuine.

    How to spot and avoid scams

    STOP – Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if you’re unsure. Scammers will create a sense of urgency. Don’t rush to act. Say ‘no’, hang up, delete.

    CHECK – Ask yourself could the call or text be fake? Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Contact the organisation using information you source independently, so that you can verify if the call is real or not.

    PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. Contact your bank immediately if you lose money. If you have provided personal information call IDCARE on 1800 595 160. The more we talk the less power they have. Report scams to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service at scamwatch.gov.au when you see them. If you’re contacted on a messaging platform like WhatsApp or iMessage, please also report the scam in the app.

    Background

    Fusion cells are time-limited taskforces designed to bring together expertise from government and the private sector to take timely action to address specific, urgent scam issues. The National Anti-Scam Centre is coordinating a series of fusion cells with different participants to address significant scam issues.

    The second fusion cell was announced in July 2024, following the first fusion cell on combatting investment scams.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Secures Two Leadership Positions in 3GPP

    Source: Samsung

    ▲ (From left) Rajavelsamy Rajadurai and Lixiang Xu
     
    Samsung Electronics has secured new chair and vice-chair positions in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the world’s largest telecommunications standards organization.
     
    Established in 1998, 3GPP develops global mobile communications standards with participation from major companies and organizations including Samsung, Qualcomm, Apple, Ericsson, Nokia and Huawei. The international body consists of three Technical Specification Groups (TSGs) — Service and System Aspects (SA), Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network and Terminals (CT) — each overseeing four to six Working Groups (WGs) for a total of 15 WGs across the organization.
     
    Rajavelsamy Rajadurai, Principal Architect at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI–B), has been elected chair of 3GPP’s Service and System Aspects Working Group 3 (SA WG3). Meanwhile, Lixiang Xu, Principal Engineer at Samsung R&D Institute China-Beijing (SRC-B), has been elected vice chair of 3GPP’s Radio Access Network Working Group 3 (RAN WG3). SA WG3 defines standards related to network security and user privacy, whereas RAN WG3 develops base station interface protocol technologies. 
     
    In March, Dr. Younsun Kim, Master at Samsung Research, was elected chair of 3GPP’s Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network (TSG RAN) — leading standardization across all areas of wireless technology including the physical layer, protocol aspects and radio resource control.
     
    With these latest appointments, Samsung now holds three chair positions (SA WG2, SA WG3 and TSG RAN) and five vice-chair positions (SA WG4, SA WG6, RAN WG2, RAN WG3 and CT WG3) within 3GPP.
     
    Beginning in the second half of 2025, 3GPP will initiate research into 6G technologies. SA WG3 plans to explore security enhancements to counter cyberattacks, including those from quantum computers, and to develop privacy protection technologies for mobile communications networks. RAN WG3 is expected to research AI-powered solutions to reduce energy consumption at base stations and improve service quality. These groups are positioned to play a crucial role in advancing the use of AI, strengthening security and promoting sustainability — all key focus areas in the development of 6G.
     
    Through its expanded leadership within 3GPP, Samsung has established a framework to help drive standards across the mobile industry and collaborate with partners to shape the future of next-generation communications.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Retail activity up in the March 2025 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Retail trade survey: March 2025 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Retail activity up in the March 2025 quarter – 23 May 2025 – The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand increased by 0.8 percent in the March 2025 quarter compared with the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Figures are adjusted for price inflation and seasonal effects.

    “Growth in retail activity was modest in the March quarter, with the majority of industries contributing positively,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said.

    “Motor vehicle retailing, and pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing saw the largest increases this quarter.”

    Ten of the 15 retail industries had higher retail sales volumes in the March 2025 quarter, compared with the December 2024 quarter, after adjusting for price and seasonal effects.

    Files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sessions Votes “YES” on President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.–Following an early morning vote, Congressman Sessions released this statement regarding the passage of H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    Congressman Sessions said, “I am proud that we came together as a team to deliver real results for the American people by passing legislation that prevents the return of burdensome Obama-era tax policies and strengthens Medicaid by ensuring it is no longer extended to illegal immigrants. This bill also secures reimbursement for the State of Texas’s vital efforts to protect the border through Operation Lone Star, a top priority for the entire Republican Texas Delegation. Texas has been on the front lines of the previous administration’s irresponsible open-border policy and has apprehended over 531,700 illegal aliens, at a significant cost to Texas taxpayers. I am pleased to see this victory achieved and remain committed to delivering more results for Texans and all Americans in the 119th Congress.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: U.S.-funded firms welcome to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China: vice premier

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    U.S.-funded firms welcome to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China: vice premier

    BEIJING, May 22 — China welcomes U.S.-funded enterprises to continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and to continue contributing to the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Thursday.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Jamie Dimon, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase.

    He said that the economic and trade talks between China and the United States have seen substantive progress, creating conditions for the two countries to continue their economic and trade cooperation.

    China is making efforts to build a unified national market and form a new development paradigm, and will continue to expand its high-level opening-up to the outside world, He said.

    Speaking positively of the results of the U.S.-China economic and trade talks, Dimon said JPMorgan Chase will continue to deepen its engagement in China’s capital market, and better serve multinational companies in conducting business in China and Chinese companies in developing overseas.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China calls for int’l solidarity, mutual support for healthy world on WHA

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    GENEVA, May 22 — Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has called for international solidarity and mutual support to forge a healthy world.

    Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the call on Tuesday when delivering a speech at a high-level welcome ceremony of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Five years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all countries to join hands in building a global community of health for all at the 73rd World Health Assembly, Liu said. China has firmly honored this commitment with concrete actions as the international community widely recognizes China’s role in and contributions to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

    Noting that global public health security is now facing significant challenges under the impact of unilateralism and power politics, Liu emphasized that China has always put people and their lives first, implemented a health-first strategy, actively participated in global health governance, and promoted the building of a global community of health for all.

    The international community should uphold multilateralism, firmly support the World Health Organization (WHO) in playing its leading and coordinating role in global public health governance, uphold fairness and equity, and firmly support the legitimate demands of developing countries in areas such as public health arrangements, vaccine distribution and technology transfer, he said.

    The international community should also uphold openness and innovation and seize the historic opportunities brought by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation to deepen cooperation in health innovation, Liu added.

    As the WHO’s highest decision-making body, the WHA is attended by heads of state or government, high-profile representatives from over 100 countries, and leaders of international organizations.

    MIL OSI China News –