Category: Europe

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kneecap decision should cause some to reflect

Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

Statement by TUV deputy leader Court Councillor Ron McDowell:

“I welcome the decision by the Metropolitan Police to charge a member of the rap group Kneecap with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation.

“For too long, the powers that be have turned a blind eye to this group’s open glorification of terrorism. This charge is long overdue.

“Last year, TUV lodged a formal complaint with the BBC over its uncritical and irresponsible promotion of Kneecap. It is worth revisiting what we said at that time:

“This morning on BBC Radio Ulster, both the news bulletins and the BBC Northern Ireland website provided entirely uncritical coverage of the ‘Kneecap’ film.

“They even platformed a character calling himself DJ Provai — of all things — to tell us that Irish is not just a language for one side of the community.

“There are many people in Northern Ireland who still carry the scars of being literally kneecapped by paramilitaries. Many more can testify to how ‘cross community’ the Provos truly were.

“That innocent victims should now have to watch a rap group build a career off the back of the IRA campaign is bad enough. But for a public service broadcaster to present them as inclusive cultural advocates — and report on them without so much as a whisper of criticism — is utterly intolerable.

“We wrote to the Director of BBC Northern Ireland to raise these concerns and requested a meeting where innocent victims of the Provos could express their outrage in person.”

“The truth is simple: we cannot and must not permit the glorification of terror — whether the terrorism is rooted in Northern Ireland or the Middle East.

“Kneecap crossed that line long ago.

“Those who have enabled or excused this — including figures in the media — must seriously reflect on their actions. Some have even tried to gaslight Unionists and victims by presenting these glorifiers of terrorism as cross-community ambassadors for the Irish language.

“It’s offensive. It’s dangerous. And it’s wrong.

“And while it may be too much to expect the BBC, given their track record, to apologise — they owe one to the innocent victims whose pain has been trivialised and ignored for far too long.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Council takes forward plans to explore heat networks in Inverness

Source: Scotland – Highland Council

The Highland Council is taking the next step in its journey to Net Zero by exploring the development of city-wide heat networks in Inverness, as part of the Council’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES). Members of the Council’s Climate Change Committee met today to review progress on the project.

Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Sarah Fanet, said: “This strategic study is a key part of our Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and a big step forward in helping Highland reach Net Zero. Heat networks are already common in countries like Denmark, and we’re now looking seriously at how they can work for Inverness too. Done well, they can offer more sustainable and affordable heating, especially for places like care homes, hospitals, social housing, and retirement complexes.”

The LHEES is a legally required strategy for every local authority in Scotland, setting out a clear plan for how carbon emissions can be reduced from heating buildings and improve energy efficiency across the Highlands. Through this work, Highland Council has identified areas across Inverness that may be well suited for a future heat network—an energy system that could bring long-term benefits for our communities, economy, and environment.

So far, four potential heat network zones have been identified in areas with higher energy demand. These zones include large public buildings and housing estates, where collective heating could make the biggest impact. The next phase will assess technical options, costs, and the best models for delivering heat networks in these areas.

Cllr Fanet added: “This work is about reducing emissions and making energy more affordable. But it’s also about building long-term resilience into how we heat our homes and public buildings. We’ll be working closely with partners and communities to make sure this opportunity brings real social and economic benefits for the people of Highland.”

Heat networks, also known as district heating, work by supplying low-carbon heat from a central source to a group of buildings such as homes, schools, care homes, hospitals or offices. Instead of a boiler or electric heater in each building, the heat is shared more efficiently, which can help cut energy bills and reduce our carbon footprint.

The Highland Council secured funding through the Strategic Heat Network Support programme, provided by the Heat Network Support Unit—a partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust, and Zero Waste Scotland. This allowed the Council to undertake a strategic city-wide feasibility study to assess opportunities for developing heat networks in Inverness.

Ends

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Council’s Progress Update on Net Zero Programme

Source: Scotland – Highland Council

At today’s meeting of the Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee, Members were given an update on the Council’s Net Zero Programme.

Members welcomed the development of projects that will deliver carbon reductions, operational efficiencies and financial savings.

Councillor Sarah Fanet, Chair of the Climate Change Committee said: “Delivery of the Council’s Route Map to Net Zero requires a cross-service collaborative approach. The Climate Change and Energy Team continues to work closely with services across the Council to develop and deliver projects that will accelerate the Council’s transition to Net Zero and becoming a climate-ready organisation.”

Projects include piloting reusable lunch packaging in Kingussie High School to reduce the amount of single-use canteen containers. This is part of a wider project to benchmark waste and recycling rates in schools.

A short-term working group has been formed to support High Life Highland in its ambitions to achieve gold standard in the Green Tourism Award for the Inverness Castle Experience scheduled to open in 2025. The award recognises sustainable practices in the tourism sector.

Additionally, the Council will continue to implement a fleet replacement programme to transition diesel/petrol vehicles to Ultra Low Emission Vehicles. Data relating to staff business travel was presented to the Committee with detailed analysis of the data ongoing to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, improved efficiency, and reduced emissions.

Councillor Sarah Fanet added: “The Climate Change Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Net Zero Programme including the scrutiny of progress and performance, and it is encouraging to see a number of projects coming to fruition following Member discussion.”

For more information on the Highland Council’s Net Zero Programme and to view the full reports, please visit: https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5161/climate_change_committee

21 May 2025

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Partnership working to tackle climate adaptation strengthened through Highland Adapts initiative

Source: Scotland – Highland Council

Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee has today reaffirmed its commitment to climate adaptation by supporting the continued work of Highland Adapts – a regional initiative focused on building climate resilience through partnership and community-led action.

Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Sarah Fanet, said: “The Highland region is already experiencing the effects of climate change from increased flooding to changes in biodiversity and these impacts are only expected to intensify. Highland Adapts ensures that our response is not only evidence-based but routed in the experiences and needs of the local community.”

Highland Adapts will deliver a programme of activity throughout 2025-26 to further develop the partnership, explore circular economy opportunities and support locally driven resilience projects. The initiative continues to build strong relationships across the public, private and community sectors ensuring local voices shape the region’s approach to climate risk and resilience.

Cllr Fanet continued: “By working together we can identify shared risks, develop the right actions and support investment in projects that help protect people, infrastructure and the environment. Community needs to be at the heart of our response to the climate emergency and Highland Adapts creates the space for shared learning, innovation and practical action.”

Highland Adapts is governed by nine partner organisations: The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, NHS Highland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland, Changeworks, and Verture. These partners are working together to codevelop risk assessments, identify priority areas for adaptation and ensure the Highland region is prepared for the challenges ahead.

21 May 2025

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Jason Anavitarte Appointed to High School Athletics Overview Committee

Source: US State of Georgia

ATLANTA (May 21, 2025) — Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) has been appointed by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones to serve on the High School Athletics Overview Committee, a joint legislative body tasked with examining the operations and oversight of high school athletics in Georgia.

Originally established during the 2013–2014 biennium, the High School Athletics Overview Committee was created to promote transparency, accountability, and excellence in athletic programs across Georgia’s secondary schools. Sen. Anavitarte joins a bipartisan group of appointees whose mission is to ensure student-athletes are supported by fair policies and quality programs.

“It’s an honor to be appointed to this important committee,” said Sen. Anavitarte. “High school sports play a critical role in developing leadership, discipline, and teamwork in our young people. As a former local school board member and father of daughters who play high school sports, I understand how deeply these programs shape our students’ futures. I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen athletic opportunities and uphold high standards across all school districts.”

The committee, which includes members from both the House and Senate, is charged with monitoring athletic associations, reviewing policies impacting eligibility and recruitment and ensuring the equitable treatment of all student-athletes.

Senator Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth, will also serve as committee co-chair. Additional Senate appointees include Senators Emanuel Jones (D–Decatur), Randy Robertson (R–Cataula), Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta), and Chuck Payne (R–Dalton).

# # # #

Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chairman of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 31^st Senate District, which includes Polk County and a portion of Paulding County. He may be reached via email at Jason.Anavitarte@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Joint statement by the leaders of France, the United Kingdom and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank
Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development
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Published on May 21, 2025

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We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023.

The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.

Israel suffered a heinous attack on 7 October. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.

We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.

We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.  We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.

We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve, and ensure long-term stability in the region.

We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to finalize consensus on arrangements for Gaza’s future, building on the Arab plan. We affirm the important role of the High-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN in June in building international consensus around this aim. And we are committed to recognising a Palestinian State as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end./.
MIL OSI Europe News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China’s E-Bike Trade-In Program Generates Over 6 Million New Sales

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — China’s trade-in program for electric bicycles has driven steady sales growth since early 2025, with about 6.08 million new electric bicycles sold as replacements under the program as of Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.

According to the department, new electric bicycles worth a total of 17.82 billion yuan (about 2.48 billion US dollars) were sold during the reporting period.

The trade-in program for e-bikes received a new boost after five government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, issued a joint notice in January to expand the program.

To date, approximately 79,000 retail outlets, primarily individual and small businesses, have taken part in the initiative, indicating growing market interest.

The Ministry of Commerce said the program is gaining momentum across the country, with sales of new electric bicycles in Jiangsu and Hebei provinces each exceeding 1 million units. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Renowned Chinese Russianist Becomes Honorary Doctor of IKS RAS

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

Moscow, May 21 /Xinhua/ — Leading Chinese researcher of Russia, professor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Li Yongquan has become an honorary doctor of the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICSA RAS). The corresponding sign was presented to him by the director of ICSA RAS Kirill Babaev.

Director of the Institute of European and Asian Social Development of the Development Research Center of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Vice Chairman of the China-Russia Friendship Society, Professor Li Yongquan has been researching modern Russia, Chinese-Russian relations, Eurasian integration, development of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for over 50 years. He is the author of over 200 scientific and journalistic works, and a translator of Russian book publications. He also worked as a journalist in Moscow and led numerous important applied studies at the level of ministries and departments.

In an interview with Xinhua, Professor Li Yongquan said he was flattered to be awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. “The importance of the healthy development of Chinese-Russian relations for the multipolarity of the world, the stability of the Eurasian region and the development of both sides cannot be overestimated. Chinese and Russian scientists should make their contribution to this,” he emphasized.

Director of the Institute of Crystallographic Analysis of the Russian Academy of Sciences K. Babaev noted the contribution of Professor Li Yongquan to the development of mutual understanding and friendship between Russia and China. “We hope that this event will become an incentive for further expansion of our cooperation in research, exchange of experience and training of new generations of specialists capable of building strong and mutually beneficial relations between Russia and China. We are confident that Professor Li’s contribution and dedication will serve as an inspiration for future joint projects and initiatives that will contribute to the deepening of our strategic partnership,” said K. Babaev. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China issues directive to strengthen financial support for small and micro enterprises

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — China will further boost financial support for small and micro enterprises by expanding supply and reducing financing costs, and improving the effectiveness and targeting of support measures, according to a directive issued by eight departments on Wednesday.

The document, jointly released by the State Financial Supervision Administration, the People’s Bank of China, the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments, includes 23 specific measures to strengthen financing for small and micro enterprises.

To expand the supply of financing for such companies, the country’s authorities are stepping up the issuance of first-time loans, unsecured loans, medium- and long-term loans, loans for legal entities and for private enterprises.

According to the document, financial support for small and micro enterprises in the agricultural sector will be strengthened through the use of structural monetary instruments, including refinancing.

It is indicated that China will also support small and micro enterprises in obtaining financing through the issuance of shares.

To reduce the cost of financing small and micro enterprises, the authorities will guide banks to reasonably determine loan rates for such companies, while reducing additional fees.

The directive also notes that the authorities will encourage banks to improve the efficiency of financing, simplify loan applications and streamline loan approval procedures. Additional support will be provided to small and micro enterprises of scientific, technical and innovative types, as well as those implementing new business models in the field of foreign trade. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC May 21, 2025 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

SPC AC 211631

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1131 AM CDT Wed May 21 2025

Valid 211630Z – 221200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EASTERN
NORTH CAROLINA…SOUTHERN GEORGIA/NORTHERN FLORIDA…AND THE
OZARKS…

…SUMMARY…
The most likely areas for severe storms are across parts of far
eastern North Carolina, the upper Ohio River Valley and parts of the
Southeast this afternoon, in addition to the Ozarks this evening.

…Eastern North Carolina/southern Virginia…
In the wake of early morning convection, air mass
recovery/destabilization will occur today in vicinity of the
eastward-transitioning surface wave and in vicinity of the roughly
west/east-oriented surface boundary located near/south of the
Virginia/North Carolina border. Drying westerly low-level
trajectories will exist to the south of the front and behind the
surface wave, with severe-storm favorable ingredients/potential
development tending to focus across far northeast North Carolina
where moderate buoyancy will be maximized with strong westerlies
aloft (40+ kt effective shear). While severe storm
coverage/likelihood may not be as high as previously thought, some
potential for large hail, damaging wind gusts and possibly a tornado
will still exist on an isolated basis.

…Ozarks/Mid-South…
While rich boundary-layer moisture will remain confined across south
Texas and Louisiana, a strengthening low-level baroclinic zone will
focus near the Kansas/Oklahoma border east-southeast into the
Mid-South. Guidance is rather consistent in developing at least
elevated convection to the cool side of this zone by evening. This
will be coincident with an intensifying mid-level speed max.
Forecast soundings depict potentially very strong mid to upper-level
speed shear within the slightly north of west flow regime. Coupled
with steep mid-level lapse rates, this setup could yield a few
elevated supercells capable of large hail and perhaps locally
damaging winds.

…Central Plains…
A mid-level vorticity lobe initially over Wyoming this morning will
dig east-southeastward into the lower Missouri Valley by early
evening amidst west-northwesterly flow aloft. Heating will result in
very steep 0-3 km lapse rates by mid afternoon with several hundred
J/kg SBCAPE. Elongated hodographs will support quick-moving cells
capable of an isolated risk for severe wind gusts during the late
afternoon through around sunset (roughly 20-01z).

…Upper Ohio Valley including PA/OH/WV border region…
A corridor of modest boundary-layer heating is expected ahead of the
primary surface cyclone drifting across northern Ohio toward Lake
Erie. Coupled with cooling mid-level temperatures, weak
surface-based buoyancy is expected by midday into the afternoon.
Deep-layer shear will not be strong given proximity to the mid-level
trough, but should be adequate for weak/transient mid-level
rotation. With numerous thunderstorms expected, small to marginally
severe hail and isolated damaging winds are anticipated. A brief
tornado or two is also possible with storms near the warm front,
before convection weakens as it moves east-northeastward into
less-buoyant surface conditions.

…North Florida and southern Georgia…
Along the southeastward-moving cold front, moderate buoyancy is
expected ahead of the front. A veered low-level wind profile will
limit effective bulk shear, but scattered thunderstorms could yield
multicells and perhaps a transient supercell. Isolated damaging
winds and marginally severe hail are possible with the stronger
storms. For additional short-term details, see Mesoscale Discussion
920.

…Far southern Louisiana/far southern Mississippi…
Sufficient residual elevated buoyancy in the immediate post-frontal
environment may allow for some storms to produce hail to near severe
levels, mostly over just the next few hours this afternoon and on a
very isolated basis.

…Deep South Texas…
A very moist and unstable air mass (2000-4000 J/kg MLCAPE later
today) exists across the region, aside from some higher cloud cover
spreading into the region via a slowly approaching and weakening
convective complex south of the international border. Additional
convection will likely develop in adjacent Mexico over the higher
terrain this afternoon, and some of these storms may spread east
across the lower Rio Grande Valley this evening. Isolated large hail
and severe-caliber wind gusts may accompany these storms.

..Guyer/Jewell.. 05/21/2025

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 2000Z

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Man charged with terrorism offence
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A man has been charged with a terrorism offence following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

Liam O’Hanna, 27, (16.10.97) of Belfast has been charged, via postal requisition, with displaying a flag in support of Hizballah, a proscribed organisation, namely:
- On 21 November 2024, in a public place, namely the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, displayed an article, namely a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hizballah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, 22 April of an online video from the event. An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the above charge.

O’Hanna is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 June.

MIL Security OSI –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: DOJ Press releases at OCI (Prior Years)

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

05/21/2019
December 10, 2018: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation, Former Senior Executive Plead Guilty to Distributing Endoscopes After Failing to File FDA-Required Adverse Event Reports of Serious Infections

03/26/2019
March 30, 2018: KC Paramedic Indicted for Stealing Fentanyl, Morphine from Ambulances

03/26/2019
March 30, 2018: Counterfeit Cigarette Smuggler Sentenced to Prison

03/20/2019
April 4, 2018: Canadian Pharmacist Sentenced for Distributing Counterfeit and Adulterated Botox to Local Doctors

03/20/2019
March 27, 2018: Compounding Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for $10.5 Million Health Care Fraud

03/20/2019
March 27, 2018: Federal Jury Finds Three Guilty in Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

03/20/2019
April 4, 2018: Fences Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar, Multi-State Criminal Theft Operations

03/19/2019
March 30, 2018: Lynn Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Role in Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

03/05/2019
October 1, 2018: AmerisourceBergen Corp. to Pay $625 Million to Settle Civil Fraud Allegations Resulting from Its Repackaging and Sale of Adulterated Drugs and Unapproved New Drugs, Double Billing and Providing Kickbacks

03/05/2019
October 18, 2018: Pharmacist Indicted for Taking Drugs, Carrying Firearm in Violation of Court Order

03/05/2019
October 15, 2018: Leader of Fraudulent Prescription Conspiracy Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

03/05/2019
November 29, 2018: Two Practitioners Sentenced for Drug Crimes in Connection with HOPE Clinic

03/05/2019
December 4, 2018: Medical Device Maker ev3 Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $17.9 Million for Distributing Adulterated Device

03/05/2019
November 20, 2018: Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Counterfeit Cialis and Viagra into the United States

03/05/2019
November 19, 2018: Georgia Man Charged with Social Security and Wire Fraud

03/05/2019
October 22, 2018: Medical Equipment Company Agrees to Pay $5.25 Million to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Claims for Compounded Medical Creams

03/05/2019
October 15, 2018: Four Men and Seven Companies Indicted for Billion-Dollar Telemedicine Fraud Conspiracy, Telemedicine Company and CEO Plead Guilty in Two Fraud Schemes

03/05/2019
November 5, 2018: Nurse Sentenced for Taking Fentanyl for Personal Use

03/05/2019
November 28, 2018: Former Vice President of Insys Pharmaceuticals Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Scheme

03/05/2019
October 18, 2018: Grand Jury Returns Superseding Indictment In Shamo Case; Adds Distribution Of Fentanyl Count Resulting In Death

03/05/2019
November 29, 2018: Dietary Supplement Ingredient Importers Arrested in Connection with Large-Scale Smuggling and Money Laundering Scheme

03/05/2019
December 4, 2018: Memphis Man Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Consumer Products

03/05/2019
October 22, 2018: Oklahoma Orthopedic Company to Pay $455,000 to Settle Claims of False Medical Billing

02/25/2019
December 13, 2018: Floridian Pleads Guilty in Complex Fraud Scheme Related to the Processing of Credit Card Payments

02/25/2019
December 13, 2018: Owner and Four Former Employees of New England Compounding Center Convicted Following Trial

02/25/2019
December 7, 2018: VA Nurse Admits to Fraudulently Obtaining and Tampering with Opioid Prescriptions

02/25/2019
December 4, 2018: Des Moines Residents Sentenced for Felony Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Offense

02/13/2019
October 11, 2018: Two Companies Ordered to Pay More Than $7 Million for Adulterated and Misbranded Pet Food Ingredients

02/13/2019
October 4, 2018: Troutdale Doctor Sentenced for Purchasing and Administering Foreign-Sourced Botox and Juvaderm

09/25/2018
September 24, 2018: Board Certified Ophthalmologist Agrees to Civil Fraud Settlement in Medicare Fraud Investigation

09/19/2018
September 19, 2018: Springfield Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Sharing Patient Medical Files

09/17/2018
September 11, 2018: Columbus Pharmacist Sentenced for Health Care Fraud Scheme

09/17/2018
September 8, 2017: Galena Biopharma Inc. to Pay More than $7.55 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Related to Opioid Drug

09/10/2018
September 6, 2018: Cattle Company and Veterinarian Indicted for False Health Certificates on Livestock

09/06/2018
August 31, 2018: Former Home Health Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Patients’ Drugs

09/04/2018
August 30, 2018: Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Misbranded Prescription Horse Drugs

08/30/2018
August 28, 2018: Providence Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Oxycodone

08/23/2018
August 22, 2018: Louisiana Pharmacist Convicted of Trafficking and Selling Stolen Medication

08/20/2018
August 17, 2018: Unlicensed Pharmacy Technician Pleads Guilty to Working at New England Compounding Center

08/16/2018
August 16, 2018: Genesee County Physician and Two Others Charged with Health Care Fraud

08/16/2018
August 15, 2018: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Market Dietary Supplements

08/06/2018
August 3, 2018: Northwest ENT Associates, P.C. to Pay Approximately $1.2 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

08/01/2018
July 31, 2018: Three Canadians and their Company Sentenced for Wholesale Distribution of Misbranded Prescription Drugs and Money Laundering

07/31/2018
July 30, 2018: Two People Guilty of Distributing Tramadol Pills

07/30/2018
July 26, 2018: Miami-Dade Resident Charged in Connection with Performance of Illicit Silicone Injections

07/24/2018
July 23, 2018: Springfield EMT/Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Stealing Fentanyl, Morphine

07/19/2018
July 18, 2018: Medical Device Maker AngioDynamics Agrees to Pay $12.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

07/17/2018
July 17, 2018: Former President of Cumberland Distribution, Inc. Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for $50 Million Drug Diversion Scheme

07/12/2018
July 10, 2018: Pawtucket Woman Sentenced for Participation in Opioid Prescription Conspiracy

07/11/2018
July 10, 2018: VA Medical Center Nurse Indicted, Arraigned for Allegedly Tampering with and Stealing Prescription Opioids

07/11/2018
July 10, 2018: Former Des Moines Pharmacy Technician Sentenced for Illegally Tampering with Fentanyl

07/11/2018
July 10: 2018: Former Pharmacy Technician Indicted for Stealing Fentanyl, Morphine

07/09/2018
July 6, 2018: Vero Beach Orthopedic Surgeon Sentenced to Life in Prison Following Conviction for Fentanyl Analog Drug Conspiracy Resulting in Death

07/09/2018
July 6, 2018: Internet Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling $2.3 Million Worth of Non-FDA Approved and Misbranded Botox and Juvederm-Related Products

07/05/2018
July 3, 2018: Canton Man Indicted on Fentanyl and Firearms Charges

06/28/2018
June 28, 2018: Southern District of Florida Charges 124 Individuals Responsible for $337 Million in False Billing as Part of National Healthcare Fraud Takedown

06/22/2018
June 20, 2018: Fitchburg Woman and Saugus Man Sentenced for Roles in Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

06/18/2018
June 15, 2018: Theranos Founder and Former Chief Operating Officer Charged in Alleged Wire Fraud Schemes

06/05/2018
June 5, 2018: Opioid Prescription Conspiracy Leader Pleads Guilty

05/31/2018
May 31, 2018: Notification of Stolen Fertility Drugs: Gonal-f® RFF Redi-ject® and Gonal-f® Multi-Dose

05/21/2018
May 21, 2018: Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Scheme Involving the Reselling of Food Products That Were to Be Destroyed

05/08/2018
May 8, 2018: Notification of Stolen Octagam

04/19/2018
April 13, 2018: Canadian Drug Firm Admits Selling Counterfeit and Misbranded Prescription Drugs Throughout the United States

04/19/2018
April 12, 2018: Chinese Citizen Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Related to Dietary Supplement Scheme

04/19/2018
April 6, 2018: New Hampshire Residents Sentenced for Participating in Scheme to Distribute Misbranded Drugs

03/15/2018
March 14, 2018: Meridian Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Controlled Substances by Fraud

03/14/2018
March 12, 2018: Champaign, Illinois, Resident Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Producing and Selling Over 80,000 Homemade Tramadol Capsules to Customers without Verifying Prescriptions

03/13/2018
March 12, 2018: Pharmacist and Pharmacy Employee Sentenced for Involvement in Over $30 Million Health Care Fraud

03/08/2018
March 6, 2018: Monterey Park Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Injecting Foreign Substance into Woman for Buttocks Enhancement

03/08/2018
March 8, 2018: Four Individuals Indicted for Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods

03/05/2018
March 2, 2018: Woman Sentenced for Injecting Adulterated Liquid Silicone

03/05/2018
February 23, 2018: Lake Charles Veterinarian, Pharmacy Sentenced for In-Race Horse Doping Conspiracy

03/01/2018
February 28, 2018: Two Doctors Arrested Pursuant to Federal Indictment That Alleges Bogus Sleep Studies Helped 1-800-Get-Thin Fraudulently Bill Insurance Programs Over $250 Million Related to Lap-Band Surgeries

02/27/2018
February 27, 2018: Former President of Houston-Based Drug Company Convicted in $50 Million Drug Diversion Scheme

02/22/2018
February 21, 2018: Pharmacy Tech Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Tampering with Opioids for IV Fluid

02/21/2018
February 20, 2018: U.S. Attorney Announces 69-count Indictment Charging Owners, Managers and Physicians Associated with Hope Clinic

02/21/2018
February 14, 2018: Palmer Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs from Pakistan

02/20/2018
August 19, 2016: Pharmacy Owner and Medical Doctor Charged in an Internet Scheme to Dispense Medications to Customers without Valid Prescriptions

02/14/2018
February 14, 2018: Two Indian Citizens and India-based Corporation Sentenced for Conspiring to Smuggle Counterfeit Cigarettes

02/12/2018
February 8, 2018: Queensbury Oncologist and Spouse to Pay $500,000 for Submitting False Claims to Medicare for the Administration of Unapproved Cancer Drugs

02/12/2018
February 9, 2018: Tampa Resident Convicted for Involvement with Tricare Health Care Fraud Scheme

02/05/2018
February 5, 2018: Pennsylvania Firearms Dealer Sentenced To 100 Months Imprisonment

02/05/2018
November 25, 2018: Nevada Man Indicted for Distribution of Anabolic Steroids and Drug Misbranding

02/05/2018
February 5, 2018: Three Florida Residents Sentenced for Operating an Illegal Steroid and Counterfeit Prescription Drug Lab

01/31/2018
January 31, 2018: New England Compounding Center Pharmacist Sentenced for Role in Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/24/2018
September 25, 2017: U.S. Attorney Charges Pharmacy Tech for Tampering with Opioids

01/24/2018
January 13, 2017: Two Louisiana Men Sentenced for Roles in On-line Pharmacy Scheme

01/24/2018
May 17, 2017: Gardner Man Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/24/2018
December 6, 2016: Two Sentenced for Trafficking in Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/24/2018
September 11, 2017: Knoxville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the FDA

01/24/2018
December 9, 2016: Carroll County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charge

01/24/2018
July 18, 2016: Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Illegally Importing Drugs into U.S.

01/24/2018
July 7, 2016: Johnston Resident Charged with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering

01/24/2018
January 7, 2016: Former Nurse Pleads Guilty to Stealing Narcotics from Hospital

01/24/2018
February 15, 2017: Hampton-Based Spice Dealer Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison

01/24/2018
July 13, 2017: Four Charged in Counterfeit Body Building Steroid Conspiracy

01/24/2018
December 8, 2016: Pharmaceutical Executives Charged in Racketeering Scheme

01/24/2018
December 2, 2016: Woman Arrested For Injecting Adulterated Liquid Silicone

01/24/2018
September 20, 2017: Registered Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
June 28, 2017: Registered Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
June 27, 2016: Hampton-Based Spice Retailer and Wholesaler Pleads Guilty

01/24/2018
May 31, 2016: Worcester Nurse Indicted on Federal Drug Tampering Charges

01/24/2018
August 7, 2017: Notification of Stolen Sterile Prescription Injectable Products

01/23/2018
January 23, 2018: Two Indian Citizens and India-based Corporation Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Counterfeit Cigarettes

01/17/2018
January 12, 2018: Owner of Seafood Company Charged in Atlantic Blue Crab Scam

01/17/2018
September 22, 2017: Drug Maker Aegerion Agrees to Plead Guilty; Will Pay More Than $35 Million to Resolve Criminal Charges and Civil False Claims Allegations

01/16/2018
June 30, 2017: Bath County Man Sentenced For Misbranding Drugs and Obstructing Justice

01/16/2018
June 21, 2017: Gardner Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/16/2018
August 28, 2017: Costa Rican Defendant Appears in Federal Court to Face Fraud Charges

01/16/2018
July 17, 2017: Leader of $17 Million Health Insurance Fraud Scheme Ordered to Prison

01/16/2018
October 11, 2016: Foreign National Pleads Guilty To International Wire Fraud Scheme

01/16/2018
August 30, 2017: Two Charged in Federal Court with Smuggling Counterfeit Cigarettes

01/16/2018
May 31, 2017: Men Sentenced to Combined 60 Years for Selling Spice in Hampton Roads

01/12/2018
December 20, 2016: New England Compounding Center’s National Sales Director Pleads Guilty

01/12/2018
July 19, 2017: Texas Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
March 13, 2017: Vice-President of SK Labs Found Guilty of Conspiracy, Mail Fraud Charges

01/12/2018
December 27, 2016: Providence Nurse Charged in Connection with Tampering with Oxycodone

01/12/2018
January 20, 2016: Businessman Sentenced for Marketing and Selling Unapproved Remedies for Cancer

01/12/2018
March 2, 2017: Bath County Man Convicted of Obstructing Justice and Selling Misbranded Products

01/12/2018
February 6, 2017: Arizona Man Sentenced for Trafficking in Pet Products with Counterfeit Labels

01/12/2018
January 17, 2017: Tampa-Area Medical Device Salesman Guilty of Selling Expired Lap-Band Devices

01/12/2018
August 1, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
June 2, 2016: Additional Criminal Charges Brought Against Indicted Penn National Horse Trainer

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Gloucester Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Steroids and Launder Money

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Vitamin Shop Owner Guilty of Selling Misbranded Drugs and Controlled Substance

01/12/2018
August 15, 2016: Second Trafficker Convicted of Distributing Dangerous Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/12/2018
July 17, 2017: Gloucester Woman Pleads Guilty to Her Role in Counterfeit Steroid Trafficking Scheme

01/12/2018
October 12, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims Bodies

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Westerly Resident to Plead Guilty to Trafficking Steroids, Money Laundering Charges

01/12/2018
September 22, 2016: Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
September, 22, 2016 Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
August 2, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims’ Bodies

01/12/2018
December 13, 2016: Tampa Resident Indicted for Involvement with Tricare Health Care Fraud Scheme

01/12/2018
September 5, 2017: New Hampshire Residents Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Involving Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
April 3, 2017: Printing and Packaging CEO Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Labels and Packaging

01/12/2018
March 14, 2017: Woman Admits to Causing the Death of Another Person by Injecting Her with Liquid Silicone

01/12/2018
April 12, 2017: Former Medical Product Distributor Charged with False Statements about Hormone Shipments

01/12/2018
September 29, 2016: New York Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Illegally Manufacture Designer Steroids

01/12/2018
July 1, 2016: New Hampshire Couple Indicted On Two Counts Of Illegal Distribution Of Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
September 22, 2017:Woman Admits to Illegally Selling Prescription Drugs Not Approved for Use in the US

01/12/2018
June 22, 2016: Former Nurse Sentenced to 82 Months for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications

01/12/2018
June 13, 2017: Cherry Hill Doctor and Son Admit Defrauding Medicare, Agree To $1.78 Million Settlement

01/12/2018
December 19, 2016: New York Man Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Selling Unsafe Dietary Supplements Online

01/12/2018
September 25, 2017: Pharmacy Manager Pleads Guilty to Illegal Prescription Drug Diversion and Money Laundering

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Tampa Woman Sentenced to Prison For Misbranded Drugs Used in Connection with Buttocks Injection

01/12/2018
March 28, 2017: Former Atlantic County, New Jersey, Man Charged with Smuggling and Dispensing Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
September 12, 2017: Former Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Stealing Pain-killing Drugs, Replacing Vials with Water

01/12/2018
July 29, 2016: Majority Owner of NECC and Husband Plead Guilty to Illegal Cash Withdrawals Following Outbreak

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Printing and Packaging Business Owner Convicted of Trafficking in Counterfeit Veterinary Labels

01/12/2018
July 14, 2017: Senior Executives of Medical Drug Re-Packager Plead Guilty to Defrauding Healthcare Providers

01/12/2018
July 20, 2016: Former Acclarent, Inc. Executives Convicted of Crimes Related to the Sale of Medical Devices

01/12/2018
June 6, 2016: Pharmaceutical Companies To Pay $67 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Tarceva

01/12/2018
February 16, 2017: Atlanta Man Convicted of Illegally Importing and Distributing Male Enhancement Products from China

01/11/2018
January 11, 2018: Former New Hampshire Pharmacist Pleads Guilty for Tampering with Narcotics at Bedford Pharmacy

01/11/2018
July 22, 2016: Medical Device Manufacturer Acclarent Inc. to Pay $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

01/11/2018
November 15, 2016: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to Fifteen Months in Prison for Distributing Contaminated Cheese

01/11/2018
September 25, 2017: Millions of Medicines Seized in Largest INTERPOL Operation Against Illicit Online Pharmacies

01/11/2018
January 3, 2017: Notification of Stolen Reckitt Benckiser Retail, Non-Prescription, Consumer Healthcare Products

01/09/2018
August 1, 2017: Radford Nurse Who Tampered with Liquid Morphine Intended for Nursing Home Patients Sentenced in Federal Court

01/09/2018
November 4, 2016: Two Pakistani Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Illegally Ship Pharmaceuticals into the United States

01/09/2018
November 29, 2016: Eight Defendants Convicted For Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Counterfeit 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Three Florida Residents Arrested After Law Enforcement Discover Steroid and Fake Prescription Drug Lab

01/09/2018
June 21, 2017: Counterfeiters Sentenced for Convictions in Nationwide Conspiracy to Distribute Fake 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
May 31, 2017: Drug Trafficking Organization Faces Indictment For Involvment In Manufacturing Fake Prescriptions Drugs With Fentanyl

01/09/2018
July 6, 2016: New Jersey Medical Device Manufacturer Admits Selling Contaminated Ultrasound Gel; Court Orders Permanent Injunction

01/09/2018
June 26, 2017: Owner of New England Compounding Center Sentenced for Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/09/2018
June 21, 2016: Two Pharmacists Sentenced to Prison for Adulteration of Drugs in Connection with Alabama-Based Compounding Pharmacy

01/09/2018
February 14, 2017: Two Miami-Dade Women Charged in Connection with Their Operation of a Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
June 22, 2017: Pharmacy Owner and Director of Compliance Charged with Defrauding United States and Distributing Adulterated Drugs

01/09/2018
April 12, 2017: Owners of Two Los Angeles-Area Drug Wholesale Companies Arrested in $20 Million Federal ‘Structuring’ Conspiracy

01/09/2018
December 2, 2016: Former Police Officer Sentenced in White Plains Federal Court to 8 Years in Prison for Selling Date Rape Drug

01/09/2018
February 7, 2017: Randallstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone into the Bodies of Victim Customers

01/09/2018
August 30, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Operating a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
March 28, 2017: 3 Canadians and their Vancouver Company Charged with Conspiring to Sell Foreign-Made Drugs to Western Pennsylvania Pharmacists

01/09/2018
March 9, 2017: Internet Business Owner Indicted for Selling Non-FDA Approved and Misbranded Versions of Botox and Juvederm Related Products

01/09/2018
June 8, 2017: Houston, Texas Man convicted of Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
February 16, 2017: Oncology Practice, Doctor and Practice Manager Pay $1.7 Million to Resolve Allegations They Billed Medicare for Illegally Imported Drugs

01/09/2018
June 27, 2017: Physician and Wife to Pay $1.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations That They Billed Medicare and Medicaid for Unapproved Drugs

01/09/2018
December 13, 2016: O.C. Man Charged with Selling Pet Meds Without a Prescription, Some of Which Were Not Approved for Distribution in the United States

01/09/2018
September 6, 2017: Bronx Pharmacist Pleads Guilty To Illegally Selling Millions Of Prescription Pills On The Internet And Agrees To Forfeit $9 Million

01/09/2018
November 10, 2016: Nurse Who Operated Spa in Laguna Niguel Agrees to Plead Guilty to Illegally Dispensing Botox Not Approved for Use in United States

01/09/2018
March 30, 2017: Lincoln Mother and Son Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Misbranded Substances, Drug Paraphernalia, and Related Financial Crimes

01/09/2018
January 12, 2017: Baxter Healthcare Corporation to Pay More than $18 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability Relating to Sterile Products

01/09/2018
September 20, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison for Managing a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
May 23, 2017: Citizen of Pakistan and United Kingdom Sentenced For International Wire Fraud Scheme That Sold False Cures For Multiple Illnesses

01/09/2018
April 18, 2017: SCM True Air Technologies, of Ohio and Kentucky, and Its Former Company President – Guilty of Delivering Misbranded Medical Devices from Unregistered Facilities to a Georgia V.A. Medical Center and Obstructing an FDA Investigation into their Conduct

01/09/2018
November 28, 2016: Iowa Cancer Clinic and Oncologist to Pay More Than $176,000 To Settle False Claims Act Allegations They Recklessly Billed for Cancer Drugs That Were Unapproved, Misbranded, or Counterfeit and Improperly Upcoded Office Visit Claims

01/09/2018
September 9, 2016: Owner of Major Online Colored Contact Lens Business Pleads Guilty in Largest-Ever Investigation of Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lenses in the United States

01/09/2018
November 7, 2016: Medical Device Maker Biocompatibles Pleads Guilty to Misbranding and Agrees to Pay $36 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability and False Claims Act Allegations

01/09/2018
September 26, 2017: Houston, Texas Man Sentenced to 40 Months and a $95,000 Fine for Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
December 7, 2016: GNC Enters Into Agreement with Department of Justice to Improve Its Practices and Keep Potentially Illegal Dietary Supplements Out of the Marketplace

01/09/2018
September 27, 2017: Amerisourcebergen Specialty Group Pleads Guilty to Distributing Misbranded Drugs and is Sentenced to Pay $260 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability

01/09/2018
December 5, 2016: Medical Device Saleswoman Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Charges Relating to the Transport of Stolen Medical Devices and Money Laundering

01/09/2018
May 26, 2017: Florida Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Causing the Death of One Victim and Hospitalization of Others by Injecting them With Liquid Silicone

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Owner of O.C. Pet Products Company Pleads Guilty to Selling Pet Meds without Prescriptions, Some of Which Were Not Approved for U.S. Sale

09/17/2018
September 8, 2017: Galena Biopharma Inc. to Pay More than $7.55 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Related to Opioid Drug

01/24/2018
September 25, 2017: U.S. Attorney Charges Pharmacy Tech for Tampering with Opioids

01/24/2018
January 13, 2017: Two Louisiana Men Sentenced for Roles in On-line Pharmacy Scheme

01/24/2018
May 17, 2017: Gardner Man Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/24/2018
September 11, 2017: Knoxville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the FDA

01/24/2018
February 15, 2017: Hampton-Based Spice Dealer Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison

01/24/2018
July 13, 2017: Four Charged in Counterfeit Body Building Steroid Conspiracy

01/24/2018
September 20, 2017: Registered Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
June 28, 2017: Registered Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
August 7, 2017: Notification of Stolen Sterile Prescription Injectable Products

01/17/2018
September 22, 2017: Drug Maker Aegerion Agrees to Plead Guilty; Will Pay More Than $35 Million to Resolve Criminal Charges and Civil False Claims Allegations

01/16/2018
June 30, 2017: Bath County Man Sentenced For Misbranding Drugs and Obstructing Justice

01/16/2018
June 21, 2017: Gardner Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/16/2018
August 28, 2017: Costa Rican Defendant Appears in Federal Court to Face Fraud Charges

01/16/2018
July 17, 2017: Leader of $17 Million Health Insurance Fraud Scheme Ordered to Prison

01/16/2018
August 30, 2017: Two Charged in Federal Court with Smuggling Counterfeit Cigarettes

01/16/2018
May 31, 2017: Men Sentenced to Combined 60 Years for Selling Spice in Hampton Roads

01/12/2018
July 19, 2017: Texas Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
March 13, 2017: Vice-President of SK Labs Found Guilty of Conspiracy, Mail Fraud Charges

01/12/2018
March 2, 2017: Bath County Man Convicted of Obstructing Justice and Selling Misbranded Products

01/12/2018
February 6, 2017: Arizona Man Sentenced for Trafficking in Pet Products with Counterfeit Labels

01/12/2018
January 17, 2017: Tampa-Area Medical Device Salesman Guilty of Selling Expired Lap-Band Devices

01/12/2018
August 1, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Gloucester Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Steroids and Launder Money

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Vitamin Shop Owner Guilty of Selling Misbranded Drugs and Controlled Substance

01/12/2018
July 17, 2017: Gloucester Woman Pleads Guilty to Her Role in Counterfeit Steroid Trafficking Scheme

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Westerly Resident to Plead Guilty to Trafficking Steroids, Money Laundering Charges

01/12/2018
September 5, 2017: New Hampshire Residents Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Involving Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
April 3, 2017: Printing and Packaging CEO Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Labels and Packaging

01/12/2018
March 14, 2017: Woman Admits to Causing the Death of Another Person by Injecting Her with Liquid Silicone

01/12/2018
April 12, 2017: Former Medical Product Distributor Charged with False Statements about Hormone Shipments

01/12/2018
September 22, 2017:Woman Admits to Illegally Selling Prescription Drugs Not Approved for Use in the US

01/12/2018
June 13, 2017: Cherry Hill Doctor and Son Admit Defrauding Medicare, Agree To $1.78 Million Settlement

01/12/2018
September 25, 2017: Pharmacy Manager Pleads Guilty to Illegal Prescription Drug Diversion and Money Laundering

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Tampa Woman Sentenced to Prison For Misbranded Drugs Used in Connection with Buttocks Injection

01/12/2018
March 28, 2017: Former Atlantic County, New Jersey, Man Charged with Smuggling and Dispensing Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
September 12, 2017: Former Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Stealing Pain-killing Drugs, Replacing Vials with Water

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Printing and Packaging Business Owner Convicted of Trafficking in Counterfeit Veterinary Labels

01/12/2018
July 14, 2017: Senior Executives of Medical Drug Re-Packager Plead Guilty to Defrauding Healthcare Providers

01/12/2018
February 16, 2017: Atlanta Man Convicted of Illegally Importing and Distributing Male Enhancement Products from China

01/11/2018
September 25, 2017: Millions of Medicines Seized in Largest INTERPOL Operation Against Illicit Online Pharmacies

01/11/2018
January 3, 2017: Notification of Stolen Reckitt Benckiser Retail, Non-Prescription, Consumer Healthcare Products

01/09/2018
August 1, 2017: Radford Nurse Who Tampered with Liquid Morphine Intended for Nursing Home Patients Sentenced in Federal Court

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Three Florida Residents Arrested After Law Enforcement Discover Steroid and Fake Prescription Drug Lab

01/09/2018
June 21, 2017: Counterfeiters Sentenced for Convictions in Nationwide Conspiracy to Distribute Fake 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
May 31, 2017: Drug Trafficking Organization Faces Indictment For Involvment In Manufacturing Fake Prescriptions Drugs With Fentanyl

01/09/2018
June 26, 2017: Owner of New England Compounding Center Sentenced for Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/09/2018
February 14, 2017: Two Miami-Dade Women Charged in Connection with Their Operation of a Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
June 22, 2017: Pharmacy Owner and Director of Compliance Charged with Defrauding United States and Distributing Adulterated Drugs

01/09/2018
April 12, 2017: Owners of Two Los Angeles-Area Drug Wholesale Companies Arrested in $20 Million Federal ‘Structuring’ Conspiracy

01/09/2018
February 7, 2017: Randallstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone into the Bodies of Victim Customers

01/09/2018
August 30, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Operating a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
March 28, 2017: 3 Canadians and their Vancouver Company Charged with Conspiring to Sell Foreign-Made Drugs to Western Pennsylvania Pharmacists

01/09/2018
March 9, 2017: Internet Business Owner Indicted for Selling Non-FDA Approved and Misbranded Versions of Botox and Juvederm Related Products

01/09/2018
June 8, 2017: Houston, Texas Man convicted of Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
February 16, 2017: Oncology Practice, Doctor and Practice Manager Pay $1.7 Million to Resolve Allegations They Billed Medicare for Illegally Imported Drugs

01/09/2018
June 27, 2017: Physician and Wife to Pay $1.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations That They Billed Medicare and Medicaid for Unapproved Drugs

01/09/2018
September 6, 2017: Bronx Pharmacist Pleads Guilty To Illegally Selling Millions Of Prescription Pills On The Internet And Agrees To Forfeit $9 Million

01/09/2018
March 30, 2017: Lincoln Mother and Son Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Misbranded Substances, Drug Paraphernalia, and Related Financial Crimes

01/09/2018
January 12, 2017: Baxter Healthcare Corporation to Pay More than $18 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability Relating to Sterile Products

01/09/2018
September 20, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison for Managing a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
May 23, 2017: Citizen of Pakistan and United Kingdom Sentenced For International Wire Fraud Scheme That Sold False Cures For Multiple Illnesses

01/09/2018
April 18, 2017: SCM True Air Technologies, of Ohio and Kentucky, and Its Former Company President – Guilty of Delivering Misbranded Medical Devices from Unregistered Facilities to a Georgia V.A. Medical Center and Obstructing an FDA Investigation into their Conduct

01/09/2018
September 26, 2017: Houston, Texas Man Sentenced to 40 Months and a $95,000 Fine for Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
September 27, 2017: Amerisourcebergen Specialty Group Pleads Guilty to Distributing Misbranded Drugs and is Sentenced to Pay $260 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability

01/09/2018
May 26, 2017: Florida Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Causing the Death of One Victim and Hospitalization of Others by Injecting them With Liquid Silicone

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Owner of O.C. Pet Products Company Pleads Guilty to Selling Pet Meds without Prescriptions, Some of Which Were Not Approved for U.S. Sale

12/21/2017
December 19, 2017: Senior Executives of Medical Drug Repackager Sentenced for Defrauding Healthcare Providers

12/21/2017
December 20, 2017: Fitchburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

12/18/2017
December 18, 2017: Cherry Hill Doctor and Son Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Medicare

12/14/2017
December 12, 2017: Iserve Technologies, Inc. Pled Guilty in Connection with Guilty Pleas of Former Exec and Manager of Med-Fast Pharmacy Inc.

12/04/2017
November 30, 2017: Lynn Man Pleads Guilty to Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

12/04/2017
November 30, 2017: Paramedic Sentenced for Stealing Fentanyl from Ambulance Company

12/04/2017
November 28, 2017: Champaign, Illinois, Resident Guilty of Producing and Selling Over 80,000 Homemade Tramadol Capsules to Customers Without Verifying Prescriptions

12/04/2017
November 29, 2017: Knoxville Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Defraud the FDA

11/27/2017
November 21, 2017: Williamsville Couple Pleads Guilty

11/27/2017
November 22, 2017: Former Pharmacy Compliance Director Pleads Guilty to Introducing Adulterated Drugs into Interstate Commerce and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States

11/27/2017
November 20, 2017: Vitamin Shop Owner Sentenced for Misbranded Drugs and Controlled Substance Conviction

11/21/2017
November 20, 2017:Queensbury Oncologist and Office Manager Plead Guilty in Connection with Administering Unapproved Drugs

11/21/2017
November 16, 2017: Palmer Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs from Pakistan

11/20/2017
November 7, 2017: Federal Jury Convicts Lake Charles Veterinarian, Pharmacy in Race Horse Doping Conspiracy

11/06/2017
November 3, 2017: Vero Beach Orthopedic Surgeon Charged in Drug Conspiracy Resulting in Death

11/06/2017
November 3, 2017: Five Charged in Alleged Opioid Prescription, Healthcare Fraud Scheme

11/06/2017
November 1, 2017: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Misbranded Animal Drugs Containing Steroids

11/01/2017
November 1, 2017: FDA Supervisor and Local Businessman Charged in Bribery Scheme

11/01/2017
November 1, 2017: Pair Sentenced on Federal Conspiracy

10/31/2017
October 31, 2017: South Korean Maker of Contact Lenses, Company CEO Charged with Smuggling Products into U.S. by Failing to Declare Full Value

10/31/2017
March 28, 2017: Oakland Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Conspiracy to Manufacture Counterfeit Drugs

10/30/2017
October 27, 2017: Central Kentucky Pharmacist Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone and Money Laundering

10/26/2017
October 26, 2017: Founder and Owner of Pharmaceutical Company Insys Arrested and Charged with Racketeering

10/26/2017
October 25, 2017: Five Chinese Citizens and Four Chinese Companies Indicted in Scheme to Sell Mislabeled Dietary Supplements

10/26/2017
October 25, 2017: Supervisory Pharmacist of New England Compounding Center Convicted of Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

10/17/2017
October 16, 2017: Omak, Washington Nurse Sentenced to Federal Prison for Adulterating and Misbranding Pain Medications

10/10/2017
October 4, 2017: Med-Fast Pharmacy Inc. and Former Exec Agree to Resolve Criminal and Civil Charges

10/03/2017
October 2, 2017: Compounding Pharmacy Owner Charged with $10 Million Health Care Fraud

10/02/2017
September 29, 2017: Randallstown Woman Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison For Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone Into The Bodies Of Victim Customers

09/28/2017
September 20, 2017: Pair Plead Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charge

08/29/2017
August 28, 2017: Shrewsbury Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Counterfeit Steroid Scheme

08/18/2017
August 18, 2017: Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Steroids, Money Laundering

07/18/2017
July 6, 2017: North Olmsted Man Charged with Selling Misbranded Drugs

07/03/2017
June 28, 2017: Former VA Nurse Re-Sentenced for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications

07/03/2017
June 28, 2017: Distributor of Counterfeit Medications Arrested

06/28/2017
June 23, 2017: Monterey Park Woman Arrested on Federal Charges after Allegedly Injecting Foreign Substances into Woman for Buttocks Enhancement

06/26/2017
June 22, 2017: Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Removing Liquid Fentanyl from Ambulance

06/19/2017
June 16, 2017: Leawood Woman Charged With Importing Misbranded Drugs

06/09/2017
June 9, 2017: Providence Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Oxycodone

04/24/2017
April 19, 2017: Radford Nurse, Who Tampered with Liquid Morphine Intended for Nursing Home Patients, Pleads Guilty

04/13/2017
April 12, 2017: Six Charged with Trafficking Counterfeit Steroids

04/06/2017
April 5, 2017: Worcester Nurse Sentenced for Drug Tampering

03/30/2017
March 22, 2017: Diamond Bar Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling ED Drugs that Were Sold as ‘Herbal Enhancement’ Products without Prescriptions

03/27/2017
March 22, 2017: Owner of New England Compounding Center Convicted of Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/19/2017
January 18, 2017: Owner of Major Online Colored Contact Lens Business Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison in Largest-Ever Scheme to Import and Sell Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lenses Prosecuted in the United States

01/19/2017
January 13, 2017: Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Drugs

01/17/2017
January 11, 2017: Worcester Nurse Pleads Guilty to Drug Tampering

02/20/2018
August 19, 2016: Pharmacy Owner and Medical Doctor Charged in an Internet Scheme to Dispense Medications to Customers without Valid Prescriptions

01/24/2018
December 6, 2016: Two Sentenced for Trafficking in Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/24/2018
December 9, 2016: Carroll County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charge

01/24/2018
July 18, 2016: Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Illegally Importing Drugs into U.S.

01/24/2018
July 7, 2016: Johnston Resident Charged with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering

01/24/2018
January 7, 2016: Former Nurse Pleads Guilty to Stealing Narcotics from Hospital

01/24/2018
December 8, 2016: Pharmaceutical Executives Charged in Racketeering Scheme

01/24/2018
December 2, 2016: Woman Arrested For Injecting Adulterated Liquid Silicone

01/24/2018
June 27, 2016: Hampton-Based Spice Retailer and Wholesaler Pleads Guilty

01/24/2018
May 31, 2016: Worcester Nurse Indicted on Federal Drug Tampering Charges

01/16/2018
October 11, 2016: Foreign National Pleads Guilty To International Wire Fraud Scheme

01/12/2018
December 20, 2016: New England Compounding Center’s National Sales Director Pleads Guilty

01/12/2018
December 27, 2016: Providence Nurse Charged in Connection with Tampering with Oxycodone

01/12/2018
January 20, 2016: Businessman Sentenced for Marketing and Selling Unapproved Remedies for Cancer

01/12/2018
June 2, 2016: Additional Criminal Charges Brought Against Indicted Penn National Horse Trainer

01/12/2018
August 15, 2016: Second Trafficker Convicted of Distributing Dangerous Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/12/2018
October 12, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims Bodies

01/12/2018
September 22, 2016: Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
September, 22, 2016 Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
August 2, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims’ Bodies

01/12/2018
December 13, 2016: Tampa Resident Indicted for Involvement with Tricare Health Care Fraud Scheme

01/12/2018
September 29, 2016: New York Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Illegally Manufacture Designer Steroids

01/12/2018
July 1, 2016: New Hampshire Couple Indicted On Two Counts Of Illegal Distribution Of Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
June 22, 2016: Former Nurse Sentenced to 82 Months for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications

01/12/2018
December 19, 2016: New York Man Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Selling Unsafe Dietary Supplements Online

01/12/2018
July 29, 2016: Majority Owner of NECC and Husband Plead Guilty to Illegal Cash Withdrawals Following Outbreak

01/12/2018
July 20, 2016: Former Acclarent, Inc. Executives Convicted of Crimes Related to the Sale of Medical Devices

01/12/2018
June 6, 2016: Pharmaceutical Companies To Pay $67 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Tarceva

01/11/2018
July 22, 2016: Medical Device Manufacturer Acclarent Inc. to Pay $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

01/11/2018
November 15, 2016: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to Fifteen Months in Prison for Distributing Contaminated Cheese

01/09/2018
November 4, 2016: Two Pakistani Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Illegally Ship Pharmaceuticals into the United States

01/09/2018
November 29, 2016: Eight Defendants Convicted For Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Counterfeit 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
July 6, 2016: New Jersey Medical Device Manufacturer Admits Selling Contaminated Ultrasound Gel; Court Orders Permanent Injunction

01/09/2018
June 21, 2016: Two Pharmacists Sentenced to Prison for Adulteration of Drugs in Connection with Alabama-Based Compounding Pharmacy

01/09/2018
December 2, 2016: Former Police Officer Sentenced in White Plains Federal Court to 8 Years in Prison for Selling Date Rape Drug

01/09/2018
December 13, 2016: O.C. Man Charged with Selling Pet Meds Without a Prescription, Some of Which Were Not Approved for Distribution in the United States

01/09/2018
November 10, 2016: Nurse Who Operated Spa in Laguna Niguel Agrees to Plead Guilty to Illegally Dispensing Botox Not Approved for Use in United States

01/09/2018
November 28, 2016: Iowa Cancer Clinic and Oncologist to Pay More Than $176,000 To Settle False Claims Act Allegations They Recklessly Billed for Cancer Drugs That Were Unapproved, Misbranded, or Counterfeit and Improperly Upcoded Office Visit Claims

01/09/2018
September 9, 2016: Owner of Major Online Colored Contact Lens Business Pleads Guilty in Largest-Ever Investigation of Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lenses in the United States

01/09/2018
November 7, 2016: Medical Device Maker Biocompatibles Pleads Guilty to Misbranding and Agrees to Pay $36 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability and False Claims Act Allegations

01/09/2018
December 7, 2016: GNC Enters Into Agreement with Department of Justice to Improve Its Practices and Keep Potentially Illegal Dietary Supplements Out of the Marketplace

01/09/2018
December 5, 2016: Medical Device Saleswoman Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Charges Relating to the Transport of Stolen Medical Devices and Money Laundering

12/15/2016
December 13, 2016: Conagra Subsidiary Sentenced in Connection with Outbreak of Salmonella Poisoning Related to Peanut Butter

12/13/2016
December 9, 2016: Two South Florida Residents Charged with Conspiring to Misbrand and Sell Expired Gastric Banding Systems

11/21/2016
November 18, 2016: Palm Harbor Oncologist Convicted Of Buying Unapproved Cancer Medications From Foreign Sources And Defrauding Medicare

11/08/2016
November 4, 2016: University Hospital Nurse Arrested Following Grand Jury Indictment for Illegally Obtaining and Tampering with Fentanyl and Hydomorphone

10/17/2016
October 11, 2016: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing, Distributing Performance Enhancing Drugs

09/26/2016
September 9, 2016: Medical Device Saleswoman Convicted on Charges of Conspiring to Transport Stolen Medical Devices in Interstate Commerce, Money Laundering and Other Charges

08/19/2016
August 19,2016: North Carolina Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Providing Silicone Buttocks Injections Resulting in the Death of a Client

07/26/2016
July 25, 2016: Three Charged with Manufacturing, Distributing Performance Enhancing Drugs

06/20/2016
June 20, 2016: R.I. Businessman Pleads Guilty to Running International Scheme to Label and Sell Misbranded Drugs

06/08/2016
June 2, 2016: President of Pharmaceutical Companies Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Long-Running Scheme to Sell Misbranded and Unapproved Chemotherapy and Other Prescription Drugs

05/27/2016
May 26, 2016: Owner of “The Wholesale Source” Convicted for Selling Unsafe Dietary Supplements Online

05/27/2016
May 27, 2016: North Carolina Man Admits Receiving and Selling Misbranded Silicone for Buttocks Injections Resulting in the Death of a Client

05/23/2016
May 9, 2016: California Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Unapproved Drug in Rhode Island

05/19/2016
May 18, 2016: Woman Charged with Illegally Administering Silicone Injections

05/16/2016
May 13, 2016: Two Key Players in Illegal Online Pharmacy Scheme Sentenced to Prison

05/16/2016
May 12, 2016: Windsor Mill Woman Indicted for Allegedly Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone into the Bodies of Victim Customers

05/09/2016
May 9, 2016: Owner of Bodybuilding Drug Companies Sentenced for Selling Misbranded Drugs

05/09/2016
May 9, 2016: Lodi Oncologist and Office Administrator Pay $300,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

05/06/2016
May 5, 2016: Florida Man Sentenced To Prison For Illegal Diet Pill Scheme

05/05/2016
May 4, 2016: Former Buffalo Nurse Sentenced For Stealing Pain Medications Intended For Patients From Local Hospital

05/04/2016
April 28, 2016: Jury Convicts Former Police Officer For Selling Date Rape Drug

05/04/2016
May 3, 2016: Gainesville Physician Convicted of 162 Counts of Health Care Fraud

05/02/2016
April 29, 2016: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of Black Market Distributor Of Diverted HIV Medications Worth Approximately $4 Million

04/20/2016
April 20, 2016: Norfolk Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Distributing Insulin

04/14/2016
April 7, 2016: Former Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Narcotics from Hospital

04/06/2016
April 4, 2016: Former Carlsbad Resident Jailed for Sale of Unapproved “Energy Wave” Medical Devices

03/24/2016
March 23, 2016: Federal Jury Convicts Destrehan Woman in Scheme to Sell Illegal and Mislabelled Diet Pills

03/24/2016
March 23, 2016: Detroit-Area Physician Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison for Role in $5.7 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

03/21/2016
March 18, 2016: Bookkeeper for Online Pharmacy Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Money Laundering

03/11/2016
March 8, 2016: Cincinnati Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Importing Drugs into U.S.

03/08/2016
March 7, 2016: Tehachapi Doctor Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Defrauding Patients and Insurers by Implanting Unapproved IUDs

03/08/2016
March 4, 2016: First of Seven Defendants Who Operated Illegal Online Pharmacy Sentenced to Prison

03/04/2016
March 4, 2016: Mumbai, India, Man Sentenced on Misbranding Charge

03/03/2016
March 1, 2016: Principal of Dietary Ingredient Companies Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud and Meth Precursor Scheme

02/29/2016
February 26, 2016: Florence Man Sentenced for Smuggling and Distributing Prescription Drugs

02/25/2016
February 17, 2016: Danville Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing and Distributing Illegal Dietary Supplements

02/24/2016
February 24, 2016: Former VA Nurse Pleads Guilty To Stealing Controlled Substance From Hospital Syringes

02/24/2016
February 17, 2016: Two Men Sentenced For Involvement in Scheme to Distribute Misbranded Drugs

02/23/2016
February 10, 2016: Las Vegas Resident Indicted For Running Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lens Operation

02/19/2016
February 17, 2016: United States And Vermont Doctor Resolve Matter Involving Non-FDA Approved Drugs And False Claims

02/19/2016
February 16, 2016: Swedish Medical Center Surgical Tech/Technologist Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Denver on Charges of Tampering with a Consumer Product and Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Deceit

02/19/2016
February 10, 2016: Owner of Cancer Treatment Clinic Convicted of Providing Fraudulent Medical Treatments to Patients

02/04/2016
January 28, 2016: Federal Criminal Charges Filed Against Two Pharmacists for Adulteration of Drugs in Connection with Alabama-Based Compounding Pharmacy

02/02/2016
February 1, 2016: Pakistani Man Makes Appearance in U.S. District Court in Denver Following Indictment and Arrest for Sale and Distribution of New, Misbranded and Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

02/02/2016
February 1, 2016: Worcester Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Oxycodone from Patients

02/02/2016
January 22, 2016: Counterfeit Cigarette Smuggler Receives Jail Sentence

02/02/2016
January 5, 2016: Two Defendants Sentenced to Prison in Conspiracy to Distribute Over $6.6 Million in Contraband Cigarettes

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft leads global action that’s disrupting a favored cybercrime tool

Source: Microsoft

Headline: Microsoft leads global action that’s disrupting a favored cybercrime tool

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) and international partners are disrupting the leading tool used to indiscriminately steal sensitive personal and organizational information to facilitate cybercrime. On Tuesday, May 13, Microsoft’s DCU filed a legal action against Lumma Stealer (“Lumma”), which is the favored info-stealing malware used by hundreds of cyber threat actors. Lumma steals passwords, credit cards, bank accounts, and cryptocurrency wallets and has enabled criminals to hold schools for ransom, empty bank accounts, and disrupt critical services.

Via a court order granted in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia, Microsoft’s DCU seized and facilitated the takedown, suspension, and blocking of approximately 2,300 malicious domains that formed the backbone of Lumma’s infrastructure. The Department of Justice (DOJ) simultaneously seized the central command structure for Lumma and disrupted the marketplaces where the tool was sold to other cybercriminals. Europol’s European Cybercrime Center (EC3) and Japan’s Cybercrime Control Center (JC3) facilitated the suspension of locally based Lumma infrastructure.

Between March 16, 2025, and May 16, 2025, Microsoft identified over 394,000 Windows computers globally infected by the Luma malware. Working with law enforcement and industry partners, we have severed communications between the malicious tool and victims. Moreover, more than 1,300 domains seized by or transferred to Microsoft, including 300 domains actioned by law enforcement with the support of Europol, will be redirected to Microsoft sinkholes. This will allow Microsoft’s DCU to provide actionable intelligence to continue to harden the security of the company’s services and help protect online users. These insights will also assist public- and private-sector partners as they continue to track, investigate, and remediate this threat. This joint action is designed to slow the speed at which these actors can launch their attacks, minimize the effectiveness of their campaigns, and hinder their illicit profits by cutting a major revenue stream.

Heat map detailing global spread of Lumma Stealer malware infections and encounters across Windows devices.

Splash page displayed on 900+ domains seized by Microsoft.

What is Lumma?

Lumma is a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS), marketed and sold through underground forums since at least 2022. Over the years, the developers released multiple versions to continually improve its capabilities. Microsoft Threat Intelligence shares more details around the delivery techniques and capabilities of Lumma in a recent blog.

Typically, the goal of Lumma operators is to monetize stolen information or conduct further exploitation for various purposes. Lumma is easy to distribute, difficult to detect, and can be programmed to bypass certain security defenses, making it a go-to tool for cybercriminals and online threat actors, including prolific ransomware actors such as Octo Tempest (Scattered Spider). The malware impersonates trusted brands, including Microsoft, and is deployed via spear-phishing emails and malvertising, among other vectors.

For example, in March 2025, Microsoft Threat Intelligence identified a phishing campaign impersonating online travel agency Booking.com. The campaign used multiple credential-stealing malware, including Lumma, to conduct financial fraud and theft. Lumma has also been used to target gaming communities and education systems and poses an ongoing risk to global security, with reports from multiple cybersecurity companies outlining its use in attacks against critical infrastructure, such as the manufacturing, telecommunications, logistics, finance, and healthcare sectors.

Example of phishing email impersonating Booking.com and fake CAPTCHA verification prompt. (Source:Microsoft – Phishing campaign impersonates Booking .com, delivers a suite of credential-stealing malware)

The primary developer of Lumma is based in Russia and goes by the internet alias “Shamel.” Shamel markets different tiers of service for Lumma via Telegram and other Russian-language chat forums. Depending on what service a cybercriminal purchases, they can create their own versions of the malware, add tools to conceal and distribute it, and track stolen information through an online portal.

Different tiers of service for Lumma, as well as Lumma’s logo used on marketing material. (Source: Darktrace – The Rise of MaaS & Lumma Info Stealer)

In an interview with cybersecurity researcher “g0njxa” in November 2023, Shamel shared that he had “about 400 active clients.” Demonstrating the evolution of cybercrime to incorporate established business practices, he effectively created a Lumma brand, using a distinctive logo of a bird to market his product, calling it a symbol of “peace, lightness, and tranquility,” and adding the slogan “making money with us is just as easy.”

Shamel’s ability to operate openly underscores the importance for countries worldwide to address the issue of safe havens and to advocate for the rigorous enforcement of due diligence obligations under international law.

Continuing to work together to disrupt prolific cybercrime tools

Disrupting the tools cybercriminals frequently use can create a significant and lasting impact on cybercrime, as rebuilding malicious infrastructure and sourcing new exploit tools takes time and costs money. By severing access to mechanisms cybercriminals use, such as Lumma, we can significantly disrupt the operations of countless malicious actors through a single action.

Continued collaboration across industry and government remains imperative. We are grateful for the partnership with others across government and industry, including cybersecurity companies ESET, Bitsight, Lumen, Cloudflare, CleanDNS, and GMO Registry. Each company provided valuable assistance by quickly taking down online infrastructure.

Finally, we know cybercriminals are persistent and creative. We, too, must evolve to identify new ways to disrupt malicious activities. Microsoft’s DCU will continue to adapt and innovate to counteract cybercrime and help ensure the safety of critical infrastructure, customers, and online users.

Organizations and individuals can protect themselves from malware like Lumma by using multi-factor authentication, running the latest anti-malware software, and being cautious with attachments and email links. More information for security professionals can be found here.

Tags: cyberattacks, cybersecurity

MIL OSI Economics –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Statement of Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson on Her Departure from the CFTC

Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a Commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Having completed my full term, I have notified the President of my intent to step down as a CFTC Commissioner later this year. Although this is a difficult decision, I am proud of the work that I have accomplished and am deeply grateful for the chance to develop meaningful relationships with staff and current and former Commissioners during my tenure at the CFTC.
I am exceptionally fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve our great nation and am honored that President Joseph R. Biden nominated me to serve in two critical roles as a financial market regulator. In addition to nominating me to serve a three-year term as a CFTC Commissioner in the fall of 2021, last summer, President Biden nominated me to serve as Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the United States Department of the Treasury.
As a graduate of Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, the invitation to return to Washington, D.C. as a CFTC Commissioner resonated with my life-long commitment to be “in service of others.” When I accepted the nomination to serve as a CFTC Commissioner, I requested a three-year leave of absence from Emory University School of Law where I serve as Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law. On March 28, 2022, I was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. On March 30, 2022, not long after teaching my last class for the semester at Emory Law School, I was sworn in to serve as a CFTC Commissioner.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the CFTC, a small-but-mighty agency that works daily to advance effective supervision and oversight in derivatives markets. In 1974, Congress passed and Former President Gerald Ford[1] signed into law the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Act creating the CFTC. A few months later, on April 15, 1975, four of the first five Commissioners, including the first Chairman of the Commission, were sworn in to service.
As the Commission celebrates this important milestone, I celebrated my third anniversary at the Commission. A few days after my third anniversary, my term expired.
Our derivatives markets operate as a critical resource for price discovery, risk management, and hedging functions for many sectors in our economy but, most notably, the agriculture, energy, and financial services sectors. One of the greatest strengths of our federal government and, more specifically, the federal agencies that supervise many of the largest global financial market participants in the world, is the intellectual leadership of our regulators.[2] Over the last several decades significant events have tested the resilience of our markets. In each instance, the Commission and its regulations developed through robust engagement among the Commissioners—with the support of the Commission staff—have served to address liquidity and default risk management concerns and to enhance the integrity and stability of our derivatives markets.
I have endeavored to support the Commission’s work through constructive, substantive engagement with my fellow Commissioners, Commission staff, and the diverse businesses that we supervise. I am deeply committed to encouraging the Commission to develop well-informed, research-based, data-driven regulatory solutions that are well-tailored and fit-for-purpose. Thoughtful, effective regulation ensures that our markets are resilient even during periods of significant or persistent challenges.
It has been a privilege to serve alongside my fellow Commissioners and to have had the opportunity to work with the exceptional and indefatigable staff at the Commission. The Commission staff works tirelessly to support the Commission in tackling complex and consequential issues through careful and thoughtful deliberative processes. I am confident that the Commission will continue to do important work protecting investors and customers, combatting fraud and market manipulation, and ensuring market integrity and stability.
A Survey of Service
Serving in leadership at the Commission, I have enjoyed driving intellectual and policy developments on several critical issues facing our markets. I led the Commission by advancing proposed and final rules that enhance risk management for derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs), cyber-resilience, and effective recovery, resilience, and wind-down regulations.
I have strongly advocated for careful reflection regarding the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in financial markets and advocated for a number of policies and strategies to enhance the Commission’s ability to better understand industry integration of AI, including information gathering; the creation of an inter-agency task force encouraging domestic and international harmonization and collaboration on guidance or policies addressing the adoption of AI; the creation of a CFTC AI Fraud and Market Manipulation Task Force; and efforts to ensure sufficient human capital and financial resources to enable the Commission staff to keep pace with rapidly-evolving AI technologies.
In the wake of a crypto-crisis in the fall of 2022, I delivered a keynote address at the inaugural Digital Assets @Duke conference, where I called for the Commission to organize roundtables and convene discussions to better understand the type of regulatory interventions that may lead to effective supervision of rapidly developing and evolving decentralized finance markets.[3] I encouraged the Commission to begin a multi-stakeholder dialogue on digital asset markets that would help to prepare the Commission staff to create regulation to carry out a Congressional mandate and, at the same time, offer educational workshops on foundational issues such as corporate governance, resolution planning, and customer protection features of CFTC regulation.[4] These regulatory pillars are hardwired in our supervision and should be part of the regulatory architecture for any novel assets or markets that come under Commission supervision. Same risks, same rules. Moreover, these governance and operational guardrails have historically served to ensure that firms are able to withstand anticipated shocks (for example, by promoting enterprise risk management) and that markets remain resilient—even in times of significant distress.
I am proud to have served as Sponsor of the Market Risk Advisory Committee (MRAC). I am grateful for the hard work of Alicia Crighton (Chair of the MRAC), the members of the MRAC, and the members of the MRAC Subcommittees—the Market Structure, Central Counterparty Risk & Governance, Interest Rate Benchmark Reform, Climate-Related Market Risk, and Future of Finance Subcommittees.
As Sponsor of the MRAC, I led the Commission in taking on, in real-time, emerging cyber defense and cyber resilience concerns. In March of 2023, the MRAC hosted a first-of-its-kind hearing to examine cyber threats and potential solutions in derivatives markets. Over the last three years, the MRAC has submitted three sets of recommendations and a cutting-edge report to the Commission. The recommendations and report address system safeguards, critical third-party service providers and cyber resilience for institutions at the center of our market infrastructure; the efficacy of recovery, resilience, and wind-down policies for intermediaries in our markets; risk management related to the cash-futures basis trade; and a report on the state of the futures commission merchant market.
The central tenants of the Commodity Exchange Act inform the CFTC’s mandate—to prevent fraud and market manipulation, protect investors and customers, and ensure the stability and integrity of our markets. In order to deter escalating or future misconduct, I have strongly supported efforts to ensure that the Commission upholds this mandate, enhances customer protection, and holds bad actors accountable.
Artificial Intelligence in Financial Markets
While derivatives transactions in financial markets date back to ancient Greece, none of the Greek philosophers who lived two thousand years ago had the ability to generate a philosophical tome or literary masterpiece by simply typing a few questions into ChatGPT.[5] Simply stated, today’s financial markets are evolving at an unprecedented and accelerated pace. I arrived at the Commission deeply committed to advancing the Commission’s understanding of AI and AI use cases relevant to our markets. During my tenure at the Commission, I partnered with leadership across the industry, government regulators, public interest advocates, academics, and Commission staff to initiate a dialogue on the increasing adoption of AI by our market participants as well as the incorporation of AI in regulatory oversight and supervision.
Information-Gathering
In January 2024, I rolled up my sleeves during a winter storm and worked in collaboration with talented CFTC senior staff to develop the Commission’s first request for comment on AI in CFTC-regulated markets.[6] Later in the year, I represented the Commission in the development of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s request for information on AI.[7] I also represented the Commission by serving in an association of federal regulators across government agencies engaged in understanding the implications of integrating AI in government supervision and regulation.
In June of 2023, I joined a group of market regulators reflecting on the integration of AI in supervisory technology (SupTech) at the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) Annual Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. Days after IOSCO’s Annual Meeting in June 2023, I launched an annual international roundtable to explore AI and other novel technologies and the impact of these technologies on market structures with the former U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón.[8] I have served as a keynote speaker at dozens of industry and trade association conferences as well as academic institutions including Yale, Stanford, Duke, New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, the University of Chicago, and Cornell Law Schools, as well as Rice University’s Baker Institute, among other institutions where I have been fortunate to engage in thoughtful conversations with leading experts representing diverse viewpoints.
My engagement with market participants, U.S. market and prudential regulators, and global market regulators around the world has left me with the impression that we are still in a learning phase and are continuing to develop more precise understandings of the power, potential, and limits of developed and developing applications of AI, including generative and agentic AI. I have, however, advocated for a few accessible policy initiatives that the Commission should begin to take steps to introduce.
An Inter-Agency Task Force – Collaboration and Coordination
Over the last three years, I have advocated for AI policy priorities that must be at the center of the CFTC and other regulators’ policy agenda.[9] I have called for coordination among regulators to ensure that regulators are informed and have the depth of expertise to respond effectively to emerging technologies. I have asked the Commission and other financial market regulators to create an Inter-Agency AI Task Force to establish a pathway for open dialogue through deep dive, public and closed-door roundtables among the Commission, market participants, other market and prudential regulators, and public interest advocates.[10] Shortly after the announcement of my proposal, the Commission named its first Chief AI Officer.
CFTC AI Fraud and Market Manipulation Task Force
Our markets are faced with increasingly sophisticated forms of AI driven fraud. Evidence suggests that hackers are repurposing AI-based tools previously used in cyber defense tactics to identify weaknesses in networks and cybersecurity applications. These weaknesses open back doors for cyber-attacks. Generative AI may enable sophisticated actors to execute more convincing phishing campaigns. Deep fakes and similar campaigns may be more difficult to detect, especially for less sophisticated consumers and retail participants.
I have encouraged the Commission to create an internal AI task force within the Division of Enforcement and introduce heightened civil monetary penalties in instances where bad actors use AI to engage in fraud or market manipulation. In conversations with regulators in jurisdictions around the world, I have advocated for regulators to better understand AI as a SupTech resource that may enhance our ability to more precisely target AI fueled cyber and fraud attacks that threaten to upend the integrity and stability of domestic and global financial markets causing severe market disruption.
Human Capital and Financial Resources
The CFTC continues to punch above its weight. The agency, however, must have both financial and human resources to keep pace as industry participants integrate increasingly complex iterations of AI. As our markets become more complex and reflect the incorporation of and reliance on novel technologies, the Commission must have the resources to effectively supervise more sophisticated markets. I believe that the Commission would benefit from increased resources dedicated to enabling several of the Divisions within the Commission to prepare for and meet the challenges of regulating innovative trading, clearing, and settlement technologies.[11]
The Market Risk Advisory Committee
In my role as Sponsor of the MRAC, I have convened stakeholders with diverse perspectives to address critical, complex issues facing our markets. Under my leadership and working in collaboration with industry executives representing exchanges, clearinghouses, futures commission merchants, as well as public interest advocates, academics, and many others, the MRAC examined many of the most pressing risks across our financial markets, including systemic issues that could threaten the stability of derivatives markets.
During my time as Sponsor, the MRAC has focused on increasing concerns presented by cyber threats; the significance of critical third-party service providers such as cloud-based service providers; the introduction of artificial intelligence in market infrastructure and commercial and retail transactions; and novel and nascent issues that arise with the introduction of decentralized financial products such as digital assets or cryptocurrency and other emerging markets.
In March of 2023, the MRAC hosted a first-of-its-kind post-mortem on the implications for markets following the cyberattack on back-office service provider ION. The hearing included presentations by Matthew Cronin of the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director; Tom Sexton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Futures Association; Walt Lukken, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Futures Industry Association; Julie Holzrichter of CME Group; Amanda Olear, Former Director of the Market Participants Division of the CFTC; Greg Ruppert, Executive Vice President of FINRA; Ashwini Panse of Intercontinental Exchange; Suyash Paliwal, Former Director of the CFTC Office of International Affairs (OIA); and Senior Special Counsel Kirsten Robbins of the CFTC OIA, among others.[12]
At the MRAC’s most recent meeting, the Committee voted to submit recommendations on many issues—a report and recommendation on the need to evaluate our regulations governing critical third party service providers (particularly in areas marked by concentration risks due to a limited number of competitive service providers); cyber resilience for derivatives clearing organizations; and best practices for managing market, liquidity, counterparty credit, and other risks related to the cash futures basis trade.[13] In addition to these significant contributions, the MRAC advanced important recovery and resolution proposals and published a cutting-edge report on concentration risk engendered by a decline in the market for futures commission merchant services over the last two decades.[14]
The MRAC’s work on each of these critical questions will help the Commission to address emerging issues and enhance the Commission’s ability to promote the stability and integrity of derivatives markets.
The Importance of Public Service
I began my legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Joseph A. Greenaway Jr. I am thankful that the Judge was willing to take a chance on me; the Judge hired me as a second-year law student to serve as his law clerk upon my graduation from law school. Having spent the better part of his career as a federal prosecutor and later a federal judge, Judge Greenaway taught me to value public service and the importance of building relationships in the communities in which we serve.
I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve the CFTC community. Every well-developed proposed or final rule review, open or closed meeting briefing and engagement, advisory committee meeting agenda, and policy initiative advanced by my office benefited tremendously from the tireless work and commitment of my current and former staff. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who served my office in any counsel, policy advisor or law student intern role. I am also grateful to the incomparable executive assistants who supported the administrative functions of the office.
About Commissioner Johnson
Immediately prior to joining the Commission, Commissioner Johnson served as a tenured professor with an endowed professorship (Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law) and Associate Dean for Faculty Research at Emory University School of Law. Commissioner Johnson also held a named professorship and served as Associate Dean for Faculty Research at Tulane University School of Law. Prior to law teaching, Commissioner Johnson served as a lawyer in private practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLC’s New York and London offices supporting the mergers and acquisitions, private credit and public and private capital markets practices. Upon leaving private practice, Commissioner Johnson joined J.P. Morgan Chase as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel in the Treasury Services Division supporting private funds. Before attending law school, Commissioner Johnson served as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in the Asset Management Division.
Commissioner Johnson is the co-author of two forthcoming books—The Cambridge University Press Handbook on Artificial Intelligence & The Law and Artificial Intelligence & The Law: Cases and Materials. Her recent work examines the implications of emerging innovative technologies including distributed digital ledger technologies that enable the creation of digital assets or cryptocurrency as well as networked, centralized and decentralized transaction-enabling infrastructure. Her early scholarship focuses on financial market disruptions that may create systemic risk concerns, with particular emphasis on the origination of derivatives and other complex financial products as well as secondary market trading, clearing, and settlement. She has testified before Congress on the benefits and risks of integrating emerging technologies such as blockchain or distributed digital ledger technologies and AI in financial markets.[15]

[3] Keynote Address of Commissioner Kristin Johnson at Digital Assets @ Duke Conference, Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering and Duke Financial Economics Center, Mitigating Crypto-Crises: Applying Lessons Learned in Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (January 26, 2023), https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/SpeechesTestimony/opajohnson2.

[4] See Kristin N. Johnson, Commissioner, CFTC, Federal Reserve of Chicago Financial Markets Group Fall Conference, Investing in Investor Protection (Nov. 16, 2022), available on file with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; see also Nahiomy Alvarez, Nomaan Chandiwalla, Alessandro Cocco, 2022 Financial Markets Group Fall Conference–Recap, https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/blogs/ chicago-fed-insights/2023/2022-fmg-fall-conference-recap (Feb. 6, 2023).

[5] Kristin N. Johnson, Regulating Cryptocurrency Secondary Market Trading Platforms, 1/8/2020 U. Chi. L. Rev. Online 1 (2020).

[7] See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services (Dec. 2024), https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Artificial-Intelligence-in-Financial-Services.pdf (Treasury December Report).

[15] In April of 2021, Commissioner Johnson testified before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions. In July of 2019, she testified before the House Financial Services Committee Artificial Intelligence Task Force on the implications of integrating artificial intelligence in financial technology (fintech) platforms.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rediscovering lost Gaelic words
Source: Scottish Government

Funding for Gaelic cultural projects.

An online dictionary which has rediscovered lost Gaelic phrases and word meanings is one of 12 projects set to benefit from Scottish Government funding.

Faclair na Gàidhlig (the Historical Dictionary of Scottish Gaelic) seeks to provide a better understanding of Gaelic’s history and culture. It is the first dictionary of the language which aims to detail the origins and meanings of every known Gaelic word. Compilers expect that it will contain more than 100,000 entries.

As part of the initiative, researchers have investigated historical manuscripts dating back to the 12th Century.

Rediscovered phrases and word meanings include:
- the phrase “Ciod fo na rionnagan” (“what under the stars”), which was used in the early 1900s to emphasise a point similar to “what on earth”
- the Gaelic word for prickly pear fruit, “peur stobach”, was first used in a letter documenting a visit to Saint Helena in 1900
- “uircean”, which is the Gaelic word for “piglet”, also used to mean “whale calf” in the 1800s
The investment will build on 20 years of work by helping Faclair na Gàidhlig to reach new audiences including learners, researchers, writers and speakers of Gaelic.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes announced the funding as part of a wider £500,000 package to support the language’s growth across Scotland. The investment will also support the publication of Gaelic language books, local mòd events throughout Scotland and Gaelic cultural activities including a summer school and musical events.

Ms Forbes said:

“The dictionary initiative is providing researchers, writers, speakers and learners of Gaelic with new insight into the language and it will be a valuable resource for future generations.

“Gaelic is a core part of Scotland’s culture, heritage and history. To support the language’s growth across Scotland, I am announcing funding for a range of Gaelic publishing, education, arts and community projects today.

“This will build on measures set out in the Scottish Languages Bill to strengthen Gaelic education provision and our investment of £35.7 million in initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26.”

Ola Szczesnowicz, Senior Editor of Faclair na Gàidhlig, said:

“Faclair na Gàidhlig will be the most comprehensive dictionary of Scottish Gaelic compiled on historical principles, similar to the Oxford English Dictionary. This is a big undertaking, and we welcome the Scottish Government’s funding to help continue our work. Our dictionary entries are already going online, freely available to Gaelic speakers and everyone interested in the language.”

Background

Audio clips to assist with the pronunciation of Gaelic words are available from LearnGaelic’s website online.

Faclair na Gàidhlig is available to read online.

The initiative is based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. It involves the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde. Scottish Government funding for Faclair na Gàidhlig is delivered through the Scottish Funding Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Organisations which will benefit from funding include:
- Comunn na Gàidhlig, which has been allocated £134,190 to promote Scottish Gaelic language and culture
- An Comunn Gàidhealach (organisers of the Royal National Mòd) will benefit from £74,000 to support the organisation of local mòd events
- Fèisean nan Gàidheal (National Association of Scottish Gaelic Arts Youth Tuition Festivals) will be provided £37,000 to support Gaelic music
- Tobar an Dualchais is to receive £35,000 to support the ongoing collection of online materials in Gaelic and Scots including songs, stories and rhythms
- Ceòlas is to receive £30,000 to support Gaelic cultural activities including its summer school and musical events
- Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (Gaelic Book Council), which will receive £49,000, and Acair Publishing, which will be provided £30,000, to support the publication of Gaelic books
- Ainmean Àite na h-Alba (Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland) has been allocated £20,000 to continue its work as the national advisory partnership for Gaelic place-names in Scotland
- Faclair na Gàidhlig will receive £17,500 to reach new audiences in collaboration with other Gaelic organisations
- Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle (Islay Gaelic Centre) has been allocated £17,500 to host Gaelic classes, exhibitions and early years groups
- Theatre gu Leòr will benefit from £10,000 to deliver Gaelic theatrical performances across Scotland
Faclan Gàidhlig caillte air an lorg às ùr

Maoineachadh airson pròiseactan cultarail Gàidhlig

’S e faclair air-loidhne a tha air abairtean is brìghean Gàidhlig caillte a lorg às ùr aon de 12 pròiseactan a tha gus buannachd fhaighinn à maoineachadh le Riaghaltas na h-Alba.

Tha Faclair na Gàidhlig airson a bhith a’ toirt seachad tuigse nas fheàrr de dh’eachdraidh is cultar na Gàidhlig. ’S e a’ chiad fhaclair den chànan a bhios ag amas mìneachadh a thoirt seachad air tùs agus brìgh a h-uile facal Gàidhlig air a bheil eòlas againn. Tha an fheadhainn a tha an sàs san fhaclair an dùil gum bi còrr air 100,000 facal is abairt ann.

Mar phàirt den iomairt, rinn luchd-rannsachaidh sgrùdadh air làmh-sgrìobhainnean a’ dol cho fada air ais ris an 12mh Linn.

Am measg nan abairtean is brìghean a chaidh a lorg às ùr tha:
- an abairt “Ciod fo na rionnagan”, a chaidh a chleachdadh tràth san 12mh Linn ann an seagh coltach ri “dè fon ghrèin” san latha an-diugh
- chaidh “peur stobach” a chleachdadh son a’ chiad uair mar ainm Gàidhlig airson “prickly pear fruit” ann an litir ag aithris air turas gu St Helena ann an 1900
- bha “uircean”, a tha mar as trice a’ ciallachadh muc òg, air a chleachdadh sna 1800an mar fhacal airson cuilean na muice-mara
Bidh an tasgadh-airgid a’ togail air 20 bliadhna de dh’obair le bhith a’ cuideachadh Faclair na Gàidhlig ann a bhith a’ ruighinn luchd-leughaidh ùr – nam measg luchd-ionnsachaidh, luchd-rannsachaidh, sgrìobhadairean agus luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.

Chaidh maoineachadh a’ phròiseict fhoillseachadh leis an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear agus Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson na h-Eaconamaidh agus na Gàidhlig, Ceit Fhoirbeis, mar phàirt de phacaid nas motha luach £500,000 gus taic a chur ri fàs na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba.

Cuiridh an tasgadh-airgid taic cuideachd ri bhith a’ foillseachadh leabhraichean Gàidhlig, a’ cumail thachartasan airson nam Mòd ionadail air feadh Alba is cuideachd cur-seachadan cultarail Gàidhlig – nam measg sgoil samhraidh agus tachartasan ciùil.

Thuirt a’ Bh-uas. Fhoirbeis:

“Tha iomairt an fhaclair a’ toirt sheallaidhean ùra air a’ chànan do luchd-rannsachaidh, luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh is bidh e na stòras luachmhor do ghinealaichean ri thighinn.

“Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na prìomh phàirt de chultar, dualchas agus eachdraidh na h-Alba. Gus taic a chur ri fàs a’ chànain, tha mi an-diugh a’ cur an cèill maoineachadh airson measgachadh de phròiseactan Gàidhlig ann am foillseachadh, foghlam, na h-ealainean agus aig ìre na coimhearsnachd.

“Bidh seo a’ togail air na ceumannan a tha an lùib Bile nan Cànan Albannach gus foghlam Gàidhlig a neartachadh, agus cuideachd air an tasgadh-airgid as fhiach £35.7 millean a tha sinn a’ cur ri iomairtean gus an cànan a bhrosnachadh ann an 2025-26.”

Thuirt Ola Szczesnowicz, Àrd-dheasaiche Fhaclair na Gàidhlig:

“Bheir Faclair na Gàidhlig seachad am faclair as mionaidiche a chaidh a chruthachadh don Ghàidhlig a rèir phrionnsapalan eachdraidheil, coltach ri Faclair Eachdraidheil Oxford anns a’ Bheurla. ’S e obair mhòr a tha seo agus tha sinn a’ cur fàilte air maoineachadh Riaghaltas na h-Alba is e gar cuideachadh ann a bhith a’ leantainn na h-obrach. Tha faclan is abairtean an Fhaclair mu thràth a’ dol air-loidhne is iad ri fhaighinn gu saor an-asgaidh do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig agus duine sam bith aig a bheil ùidh sa chànan.”

Cùl-fhiosrachadh

Gheibhear criomagan-fuaime air-loidhne aig LearnGaelic gus cuideachadh le bhith a’ fuaimneachadh nam facal Gàidhlig.

’S urrainnear Faclair na Gàidhlig a leughadh air-loidhne.

’S ann aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Ionad Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, a tha an iomairt stèidhichte. Tha oilthighean Obar Dheathain, Dhùn Èideann, Ghlaschu agus Shrath Chluaidh an sàs sa phròiseact. Tha am maoineachadh a tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba a’ toirt dha Faclair na Gàidhlig air a thoirt seachad tro Chomhairle Mhaoineachaidh na h-Alba agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Am measg nam buidhnean a gheibh buannachd às a’ mhaoineachadh seo tha:
- Chaidh £134,190 a chomharrachadh do Chomunn na Gàidhlig, gus cànan agus cultar na Gàidhlig a chur air adhart
- Thèid £74,000 a thoirt don Chomunn Ghàidhealach (leis a bheil Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail) gus taic a chur ri bhith ag ullachadh tachartasan nam Mòd ionadail
- Gheibh Fèisean nan Gàidheal £37,000 airson taic a chur ri ceòl Gàidhlig
- Tha Tobar an Dualchais gus £35,000 fhaighinn gus taic a chur ris an obair leantainnich aca a’ cruinneachadh stuthan air-loidhne sa Ghàidhlig agus Albais. Am measg seo tha òrain, sgeulachdan agus ruitheaman
- Tha Ceòlas gus £30,000 fhaighinn a chuireas taic ri cur-seachadan cultarail Gàidhlig mar an sgoil samhraidh aca
- Acair, a gheibh £30,000, agus Comhairle nan Leabhraichean, a gheibh £49,000, gus cuideachadh le bhith a’ foillseachadh leabhraichean Gàidhlig
- Chaidh £20,000 a chomharrachadh airson Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, gus an cùm iad orra leis an obair aca mar a’ bhuidhinn-chomhairleachaidh nàiseanta airson ainmean-àite Gàidhlig ann an Alba
- Gheibh Faclair na Gàidhlig £17,500 gus luchd-leughaidh ùr a ruighinn ann an com-pàirt le buidhnean Gàidhlig eile
- Chaidh £17,500 a chomharrachadh airson Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle gus an urrainn dhaibh clasaichean, taisbeanaidhean agus buidhnean tràth-bhliadhnaichean
- Thèid £10,000 a thoirt do Theatre gu Leòr airson dealbhan-cluiche a lìbhrigeadh air feadh Alba
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Wang Yi to chair 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting /more details/

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will chair the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be held in Xiamen, east China’s Fujian Province, from May 28 to 29, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

As noted by the official representative, the heads of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and representatives of 11 Pacific island states that have diplomatic relations with China have been invited to take part in the event, namely: the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kiribati Taneti Maamau, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niue Dalton Tagelagi, the Crown Prince and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tonga Tupoutoa Ulukalala, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Nauru Lionel Aingimea, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia Lorin Robert, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Solomon Islands Peter Chanel Agovaka, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Vanuatu Mark Ati, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Papua New Guinea Justin Tkachenko, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Cook Islands Tingika Elikana, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji Lenora Kerekeretabua, the representative of the Government of Samoa, the Ambassador of Samoa to China Luamanuvae Mariner, as well as the Deputy Secretary General of the Forum Pacific islands of Esala Nayashi.

At a regular press briefing, Mao Ning said China and the Pacific island countries are comprehensive strategic partners committed to mutual respect and common development, adding that the two sides have continuously deepened and developed friendly ties and cooperation in recent years.

Mao Ning noted that the upcoming meeting will be held in China for the first time in an offline format. According to her, the parties will discuss in detail the comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between China and the Pacific island countries, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

China attaches great importance to relations with the Pacific island countries and hopes that this event will contribute to the active implementation of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, strengthening cohesion and cooperation, joining efforts for development and prosperity, and jointly building an even closer community with a shared future for China and the Pacific island countries, the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry added. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Foreign Ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held an informal meeting in Beijing /more details/

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held an informal meeting in Beijing on Wednesday.

The meeting was chaired by Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee.

The foreign ministers of the three countries positively assessed the achieved results of the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral dialogue and held an in-depth discussion on issues of further using the potential of the trilateral mechanism and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.

As Wang Yi noted, summing up the meeting, the foreign ministers agreed that the three countries should strengthen political mutual trust and firmly adhere to the principles of good-neighborliness and friendship.

China supports Afghanistan and Pakistan in pursuing development paths that suit their national conditions and safeguarding their sovereignty, security and national dignity, he said.

Wang Yi said that the ministers agreed to hold the 6th trilateral dialogue of the foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Kabul in the near future.

As the Chinese diplomat emphasized, Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed their desire to raise the level of their bilateral diplomatic relations and agreed in principle to mutually appoint ambassadors as soon as possible.

Wang Yi said China welcomes this progress and is willing to make further contributions to improving Afghan-Pakistani relations.

Discussing the deepening of the joint construction of the Belt and Road, the ministers agreed to promote the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan and strengthen the development of regional infrastructure connectivity.

Wang Yi also said that China and Pakistan have voiced their support for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, as well as their intention to expand trade with Afghanistan to help strengthen the country’s capacity for independent development.

According to the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the three countries agreed to counter terrorism in all its forms, cooperate in law enforcement and security, jointly combat terrorist forces that are of concern to each side, remain vigilant against external interference in the internal affairs of states in the region and prevent such interference.

The ministers also called for efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the region to create a positive external environment conducive to the development and rise of the three countries. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China opposes unjustified European sanctions against Chinese companies – Chinese Foreign Ministry

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — China strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed the European Union’s groundless sanctions against Chinese enterprises, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Wednesday.

Mao Ning made the statement at a regular briefing for journalists, commenting on a new package of restrictions against Russia announced by the European Union and Great Britain. This time, the sanctions list also includes companies from China and the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking about the Ukrainian crisis, the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted that China is firmly committed to advancing peace talks. China has never provided lethal weapons to the parties to the conflict and strictly controls the export of dual-use goods, she recalled.

Normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises should not be disrupted or affected, Mao Ning stressed, noting that most countries, including European countries and the United States, continue to trade with Russia.

The European side must stop applying double standards to trade and economic cooperation with Russia and harming the legitimate interests of Chinese companies. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely protect its legitimate rights and interests, the Chinese diplomat added. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China publishes plan to protect rivers and lakes

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — Chinese authorities have released an action plan to protect and develop beautiful rivers and lakes for the 2025-2027 period, focusing on improving the quality of aquatic ecosystems.

A document jointly released Wednesday by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other government agencies sets targets to make significant progress in developing beautiful rivers and lakes by 2030 and to generally complete the process by 2035.

The plan aims to promote targeted, science-based and legal pollution control, coordinate water resources management, aquatic environment and aquatic ecology, and establish an integrated environmental management system in the upper and lower reaches of key river basins to improve the health of river and lake ecosystems.

The national list of beautiful rivers and lakes to be protected and developed includes 2,573 rivers and water bodies, including main channels of large rivers, important tributaries, key lakes and reservoirs that perform important ecological functions, have sensitive and fragile ecological environments or attract wide public attention.

The plan contains 19 specific measures aimed at strengthening and deepening the management of the aquatic environment, ensuring basic environmentally safe water use, and comprehensively promoting efforts for protection and development. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong Dies at 88

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

HANOI, May 21 (Xinhua) — Former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong died on Tuesday at the age of 88 after a long illness, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Tran Duc Luong was born in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Ngai in 1937. He served as President of Vietnam from September 1997 to June 2006. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Did humans evolve to prefer religion? Research shows many atheists intuitively favour faith

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Will Gervais, Reader in Psychology, Brunel University of London

Wikipedia, CC BY-SA

Many atheists consider themselves to be highly rational people who rate evidence and analytical thinking above religion, superstition and intuition. They might even argue that atheism is the most rational worldview.

But that doesn’t make them immune to having intuitive beliefs themselves. Science suggests the link between rationality and atheism is far weaker than is often assumed.

A study my colleagues and I conducted, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that even avowed atheists in some of the most secular countries on Earth might intuitively prefer religion to atheism. We argue this new evidence challenges simplistic notions of global religious decline and the beginning of an “atheist age”.

In his 2007 book, Breaking the Spell, the philosopher Daniel Dennett speculated that, although atheists lack belief in god(s), many of them may retain what he dubbed “belief in belief”. This is the impression that religious belief is a good thing, and the world would be better off with more of it.

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But is this true? Our research investigated belief in belief among around 3,800 people in eight of the world’s least religious countries: Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. To test for belief in belief, we turned to the “Knobe effect”, a task honed by experimental philosophers for evaluating judgements of morality and intent.

The classic Knobe effect demonstration goes something like this. Imagine a CEO mulling a new policy for their company that will increase revenue, but will also harm the environment. The CEO declares that they don’t care one way or another about the environment, they care only for the bottom line. They adopt the policy, money is made, environmental harm occurs. Here’s the crucial question: did the CEO intentionally harm the environment?

Most people (upwards of 80% in Knobe’s first demonstration) report that the CEO did, in fact, intentionally harm the environment. However, if people receive an identical vignette in which the environment is incidentally helped rather than harmed, people’s intuitions entirely reverse, with only around 20% of people thinking the CEO intended to help.

This reveals a stark asymmetry, whereby people intuitively feel that harmful side effects are intentionally caused, whereas helpful ones are not.

We presented participants with a modified Knobe effect vignette in which a journalist publishes a story that sells a lot of papers. The story either leads to more atheism in the world, or to more religious faith. Crucially, we asked our participants to rate whether the ensuing religious shifts were intentionally caused by the journalist.

Vignettes used in experiment.
Author, CC BY-SA

So, would our participants view increasing societal atheism as more intentionally caused (like harming the environment) or incidental (like helping the environment)?

Overall, our participants’ odds of rating the religious outcome as intentionally caused were about 40% higher when the news story created more atheists, as opposed to more believers. This effect persisted across most countries in our sample, and was even evident among participants who were themselves atheists.

People are more likely to judge that a news story intentionally created atheists (purple) than believers (turquoise)
Author, CC BY-SA

Participants in the original Knobe effect studies viewed environmental pollution as an intentionally caused insult. Our participants intuitively viewed creating more atheists as similarly intentionally caused – a spiritual rather than environmental pollution, perhaps.

This sounds a lot like belief in belief. Dennett illustrated this as suggesting “belief in God is a good state of affairs, something to be strongly encouraged and fostered wherever possible: If only belief in God were more widespread!”

Why might intuitions favouring religion persist among atheists in some of the world’s least religious societies?

10,000+ years of religion

Over the past few decades, markers of religious commitment – self-reported religious attendance, belief in god(s), private prayer – have steadily declined in some parts of the world. This rapid secularisation stands against a backdrop of more than 10,000 years of potent religious influence.

My recent book Disbelief: The Origins of Atheism in a Religious Species asks how a species as historically religious as Homo sapiens could nonetheless have rising numbers of atheists. It ultimately provides important context for our new study’s results.

A consideration of religion’s deep history gives us hints as to why belief in belief might exist among atheists in secular countries today. One prominent theory holds that religions may have helped unlock our species’ cooperative potential, allowing us to expand from our humble origins to become our planet’s dominant species.

As religions reshaped our lives to boost cooperation, people increasingly came to view religion and morality as largely synonymous. Over cultural evolutionary time, the association between religious belief and moral goodness has become deeply culturally ingrained. This has left its trace on individual intuitions – as illustrated in the recent study by me and my co-authors and those by other researchers.

Because religions have exerted tremendous influence on our societies for millennia, it would be genuinely surprising if some latent religious trace didn’t culturally linger as overt expressions of faith decline. Our newest results are consistent with this possibility.

Belief may be wavering in many countries, but belief in belief persists, complicating any conclusion that we’ve truly entered an “atheist age”.

Will Gervais has received funding from various organizations over the years, including The Leverhulme Trust and the John Templeton Foundation

– ref. Did humans evolve to prefer religion? Research shows many atheists intuitively favour faith – https://theconversation.com/did-humans-evolve-to-prefer-religion-research-shows-many-atheists-intuitively-favour-faith-256391

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why the UK government is opposing universities on immigration

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chris Millward, Professor of Practice in Education Policy, University of Birmingham

PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

The UK government has announced its plans for controlling immigration, and these include new rules for international students.

The recent white paper on immigration proposes that most graduates will be allowed to stay in the UK for 18 months after their course finishes. This is six months less than currently permitted.

There will be a higher bar for universities to sponsor visas, excluding those universities at which higher numbers of students fail to complete their courses. The white paper also proposes a 6% levy on universities’ income from international students.

Universities think these changes will worsen their financial problems. However, this appears less important to the government than controlling immigration.

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Universities are one of the UK’s strongest global assets, generating influence alongside export income. After the general election last year, science minister Peter Kyle vowed Labour would end what he termed the “war on universities” conducted by the previous Conservative government. That included a more welcoming approach to international students.

One reason for the change in tone and policy signalled by the white paper is common to other popular destinations for international students: the rise of nationalist parties opposed to immigration. But there is another reason specific to the UK, which is the government’s aim to reform higher education.

Politics and immigration

Two weeks before the release of the immigration white paper, the Reform party secured control of ten local authorities across England, winning 677 seats. The party’s rising popularity will be of increasing concern to the Labour government.

Reform is concerned about the effects of immigration on communities and wages. This affects international students because they figure within immigration statistics and increasingly stay for work.

Like nationalist and anti-immigration parties in other countries, Reform also gains more support from voters without a university degree.

In the US and Netherlands, similar movements have taken steps to reduce university funding and international students once in power. But these policies are not confined to nationalist parties.

Canada and Australia’s Liberal and Labour governments also signalled caps on international student recruitment before their re-election earlier this year.

This appears to be the strategy adopted by the UK’s Labour party – that it wants to assure voters who are more concerned about immigration than university finances.

Higher education policy

Alongside this, the government thinks employers are too reliant on migrant labour, and universities on international students. It wants them to focus more on developing the UK workforce. That requires employers to invest in skills development, and universities to provide courses that build crucial capabilities for the future.

The white paper states that “at a time when skills matter more than ever to the economy and people’s employment prospects, there has been a long-term lack of coordination or investment to deliver the skills and capabilities our economy needs”.

In England, coordinated higher education investment is difficult because most government funding is routed through loans to students. This encourages universities to meet demand from young people, which does not necessarily align with economic and public service priorities.

After years of anaemic economic and productivity growth but repeated increases to the minimum wage, one-tenth of graduates now earn little more than that threshold.

Higher education policy is increasingly focused on key skills.
goodluz/Shutterstock

In response, the last government encouraged young people to take apprenticeships rather than university degrees. It also allowed student maintenance loans and fees to decline in value in real terms.

Universities filled the gap in their income with international students – particularly one-year taught postgraduates from Nigeria and India who often bring family members then stay for work. This made universities reliant on short-term income, while increasing immigration statistics.

Changes to family visa rules, combined with a global economic downturn and geopolitical tensions, have led universities to forecast a 21% reduction in new international student entrants this year. And 44% of universities are expecting to be in financial deficit.

Unlike its predecessor, the government accepts that UK student fees should increase with inflation, so has allowed this for the first time since 2017. But it wants a change from universities in return. Rather than relying on international students, they should make efficiencies and focus on courses that align with government priorities.

In a system mostly financed by student fees, there are few levers for influencing this. The Office for Students, which regulates higher education, has been asked to focus on managing quality and financial risks rather than policy.

Its funding for strategic priorities has been reduced. There are, though, three measures highlighted within the white paper that could become influential.

First, the government is reforming the apprenticeships levy, so it can be used more flexibly for workforce development priorities. Second, the tightening of sponsorship rules aims to drive international recruitment towards courses supplying the highest levels of skills and knowledge. Third, the proposed levy on international student income equips the government to invest in priority courses, rather than relying on student choice.

The first measure is already being implemented. A new organisation, Skills England, has been established to determine priorities for investment.

This may include funds from the proposed levy on international student income, though the precedent of Australia suggests that may be difficult. Regardless, there is a mood in government for higher education reform.

Chris Millward is a member of staff at the University of Birmingham. He is also a board member of MEDR, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research in Wales, and a Trustee of the Academy of Social Sciences. All of these organisations are affected by the issues addressed in this article.

– ref. Why the UK government is opposing universities on immigration – https://theconversation.com/why-the-uk-government-is-opposing-universities-on-immigration-256526

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre explores what its like being human in relation to other human beings

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Leigh Wilson, Professor of English Literature, University of Westminster

The French writer Anne Serre has been very clear in interviews that she has no truck with a type of fiction that is fashionable in the UK at the moment. Readers drawn to fiction that blurs the line with autobiography – what Serre calls “the story of someone’s life, or of an episode in that life, passing itself off as a novel” – are, in her view, being “sold a lemon”.

She is clear, too, about her reason: “The whole point of a novel should be that we don’t know who is speaking.” This seemingly simple claim undoes so much new fiction in English – fiction as memoir, fiction in the first person, autofiction in which you always know who is speaking.

This feeling of Serre’s also underpins and invigorates A Leopard-Skin Hat, her fourth work, which has been translated by Mark Hutchinson and was nominated for the International Booker prize.

Published in France in 2008 as Un chapeau léopard, A Leopard-Skin Hat is a novel about a friendship between its protagonists, a woman called Fanny and a man known throughout only as “the Narrator”. However, while he is a writer, he is not the narrator of this novel.

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The narrator of A Leopard-Skin Hat is not named, although they do sometimes refer to themselves as “I”. Other than this, they are a mystery. What they tell us, though, is the story of Fanny and the Narrator’s friendship over 20 years, years during which the Narrator sees Fanny gradually lose the fight against madness (the novel’s word) and, in the end, death.

We know early on that Fanny will die at the age of 43, that isn’t a mystery, but what the novel centres on is how mysterious others are to us, and how we narrate to try to understand people who are not us, but whom we love.

What is most extraordinary about Serre’s novel is the way it shows us two friends doing very ordinary things – going out for dinner, going on holiday, walking in the countryside and swimming in lakes – but shows us through this the strangeness and complexity of friendship, love and of life.

It’s not just the mysterious narrator, though, that distinguishes Serre’s novel from so many of the orthodoxies of contemporary fiction in English. Against the advice of every creative writing course, A Leopord-Skin Hat tells rather than shows.

It is largely written in the tense that in English is known as the past habitual, which uses the conditional or a description of what used to happen. What the narrator tells us is hardly ever rooted in “scenes”, where we enter into the present of the world of the novel and listen to characters talking to each other. Describing Fanny’s pilfering of the titular leopard-skin hat, for example, we are told: “She would tell you about the theft with the amused and somewhat shamefaced air of a little girl and, were she to put on the hat, would resemble the woman she might have been”.

There is no dialogue in the novel until the last two pages. Its use of the past habitual and the almost absence of dialogue could make for a coolness or a lack of emotional engagement, but its effect is the opposite.

The narrative position is not tricksy. Actually, the best writing that experiments with narrative position – from Virginia Woolf, through W.G. Sebald to Lucy Ellman’s Ducks, Newburyport – does so in order to represent as faithfully as possible what it is like to be a human being in relation to other human beings. At the centre of such experiments is the question, how can we know other people?

While Fanny’s death is the melancholy heart of the novel, in its final, amazing chapter – which switches from the past habitual to the present tense – the narrator recounts Fanny’s experiences after death, as the narrator character cannot, and as only the unknown narrators of novels can. As she ascends into the sky, Fanny becomes Fanny:

Here she is, then, continuing her ascent, her hand still on her head, her blue eyes wide open and inhabited at last. Inhabited by someone who nobody ever saw on earth, I can assure you. Someone not unlike the woman in the leopard-skin hat, only better; less mysterious, fully present from head to toe. For the first time in I don’t know how long, Fanny is once again the woman she used to be.

The unknown narrators of novels can tell us who other people really are; we can never know that ourselves. All we can do is read novels and love those other people anyway.

Leigh Wilson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre explores what its like being human in relation to other human beings – https://theconversation.com/a-leopard-skin-hat-by-anne-serre-explores-what-its-like-being-human-in-relation-to-other-human-beings-257167

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How the UK-EU deal turns the page on Brexit – and what happens next

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster

At their first bilateral summit since Brexit, UK and EU leaders set out a range of areas they will seek to forge closer ties. European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a historic landmark deal that opens a new chapter in the EU-UK relationship.

But it is only the beginning of – potentially long – negotiations to thrash out the details of closer cooperation in areas like trade, youth mobility and energy.

As the two parties sit down at the negotiating table, they will, for the first time since Brexit, agree on how to make trade and cooperation easier. For example, one anticipated agreement will align UK food safety and animal health standards with those of the EU, thereby removing the need for most border checks and ease the flow of agriculture and food products between the two parties. And the expected youth mobility scheme will allow young people to travel, work and study in the EU and the UK for a limited period of time.

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The looming negotiations will be relatively narrow in scope. The Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement still provide the basis for the EU-UK relationship. The UK is not compromising on its red lines of not joining the single market, the customs union or allowing free movement of people.

The negotiations will consequently not fundamentally alter the current relationship. While the impact of the agreements may be significant for specific sectors, the overall economic impact is expected to be relatively modest.

This is not to say that the upcoming negotiations will be easy or void of controversies. Over the next months, negotiators will have to agree on quotas, time limits, exceptions and financial contributions. Compromises and trade-offs will have to be found.

There will be domestic resistance on both sides. Concerns have already emerged that France might oppose the participation of British defence companies in EU defence procurement programmes.

And in the UK, critics argue that the decision to dynamically align UK rules and standards with those of the EU in certain sectors will make the country a rule-taker once again.

But the answer to the question on many people’s minds: “Will this bring us back to all those years of difficult and protracted Brexit negotiations?” is no – this time around, things are different.

In comparison with the Brexit negotiations, these negotiations should be far easier and swifter. They are less consequential and backed by strong political will from both sides.

Recent polling indicates that both Britons and EU citizens favour a closer relationship between the UK and the EU.

The agreement reached at the summit is seen as the first concrete manifestation of Starmer’s long sought-after reset of the relationship.

Moving on

The Brexit negotiations focused on establishing less cooperation compared with when the UK was a member of the EU. It was a question of addressing increasing barriers to trade and cooperation – something many perceived as a lose-lose situation. The upcoming negotiations, on the other hand, are seen to lead towards a win-win reset of relations. The parties enter the negotiations with a mindset of finding solutions that increase trade and facilitate cooperation.

The UK is now negotiating as an independent, sovereign country. During the Brexit negotiations the UK was an EU member (or a closely aligned former member in the case of the negotiations of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement).

It was thus important for the EU to make the benefits of membership clear and to discourage other members from leaving. As a result, it drove a hard bargain and the UK had limited influence on the negotiations.

However, unlike the UK – where Brexit has never fully disappeared from the political debate – the EU moved on quickly after Brexit. In Brussels, many now consider the UK an independent but like-minded strategic partner.

This is seen not least in the area of security, where the two parties agreed on a security and defence partnership. They set out a framework for closer cooperation in areas of joint interest, such as sanctions, information sharing and cybersecurity, and allowing them to better respond to shared global challenges and uncertainties.

Zooming out, the geopolitical picture has changed dramatically since the Brexit negotiations. With the war in Ukraine and the resulting instability in Europe, combined with the shifting priorities of US foreign policy, there is now an even greater need for EU-UK cooperation.

Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How the UK-EU deal turns the page on Brexit – and what happens next – https://theconversation.com/how-the-uk-eu-deal-turns-the-page-on-brexit-and-what-happens-next-257158

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Ambassador meeting with Guatemalan Finance Minister
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story

British Ambassador meeting with Guatemalan Finance Minister

English

Español de América Latina

The British Ambassador to Guatemala, Juliana Correa, met today with the Minister of Public Finances, Jonathan Menkos Zeissig.
They discussed the strong UK-Guatemala relationship, highlighting opportunities of joint work that would help further advancing the transparency agenda, unleash infrastructure development projects, and boost green and sustainable development.

Ambassador Correa expressed appreciation for Guatemala’s commitment to reforms that would encourage private sector investments. The two also discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral economic partnership in strategic sectors with UK expertise, including on electric mobility.

The discussion reaffirmed the shared UK-Guatemala commitment to advancing the fight against corruption and economic prosperity.

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Published 21 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Georgia Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Tropical Storm Debby

Source: United States Small Business Administration

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations of the June 16 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by Tropical Storm Debby occurring Aug. 5 – 6, 2024.

The disaster declaration covers Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Ware, Wayne, Wheeler and Wilcox; in Georgia; Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Jefferson, Leon, Madison and Nassau in Florida as well as Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Hampton and Jasper in South Carolina.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than June 16, 2025.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Threat Actors Deploy LummaC2 Malware to Exfiltrate Sensitive Data from Organizations

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Summary

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are releasing this joint advisory to disseminate known tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with threat actors deploying the LummaC2 information stealer (infostealer) malware. LummaC2 malware is able to infiltrate victim computer networks and exfiltrate sensitive information, threatening vulnerable individuals’ and organizations’ computer networks across multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors. According to FBI information and trusted third-party reporting, this activity has been observed as recently as May 2025. The IOCs included in this advisory were associated with LummaC2 malware infections from November 2023 through May 2025.

The FBI and CISA encourage organizations to implement the recommendations in the Mitigations section of this advisory to reduce the likelihood and impact of LummaC2 malware.

Download the PDF version of this report:

For a downloadable copy of IOCs, see:

Technical Details

Note: This advisory uses the MITRE ATT&CK^® Matrix for Enterprise framework, version 17. See the MITRE ATT&CK Tactics and Techniques section of this advisory for threat actor activity mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics and techniques.

Overview

LummaC2 malware first appeared for sale on multiple Russian-language speaking cybercriminal forums in 2022. Threat actors frequently use spearphishing hyperlinks and attachments to deploy LummaC2 malware payloads [T1566.001, T1566.002]. Additionally, threat actors rely on unsuspecting users to execute the payload by clicking a fake Completely Automated Public Turing Test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA). The CAPTCHA contains instructions for users to then open the Windows Run window (Windows Button + R) and paste clipboard contents (“CTRL + V”). After users press “enter” a subsequent Base64-encoded PowerShell process is executed.

To obfuscate their operations, threat actors have embedded and distributed LummaC2 malware within spoofed or fake popular software (i.e., multimedia player or utility software) [T1036]. The malware’s obfuscation methods allow LummaC2 actors to bypass standard cybersecurity measures, such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions or antivirus programs, designed to flag common phishing attempts or drive-by downloads [T1027].

Once a victim’s computer system is infected, the malware can exfiltrate sensitive user information, including personally identifiable information, financial credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, browser extensions, and multifactor authentication (MFA) details without immediate detection [TA0010, T1119]. Private sector statistics indicate there were more than 21,000 market listings selling LummaC2 logs on multiple cybercriminal forums from April through June of 2024, a 71.7 percent increase from April through June of 2023.

File Execution

Upon execution, the LummaC2.exe file will enter its main routine, which includes four sub-routines (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. LummaC2 Main Routine

The first routine decrypts strings for a message box that is displayed to the user (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Message Box

If the user selects No, the malware will exit. If the user selects Yes, the malware will move on to its next routine, which decrypts its callback Command and Control (C2) domains [T1140]. A list of observed domains is included in the Indicators of Compromise section.

After each domain is decoded, the implant will attempt a POST request [T1071.001] (see Figure 3).

Figure 3. Post Request

If the POST request is successful, a pointer to the decoded domain string is saved in a global variable for later use in the main C2 routine used to retrieve JSON formatted commands (see Figure 4).

Figure 4. Code Saving Successful Callback Request

Once a valid C2 domain is contacted and saved, the malware moves on to the next routine, which queries the user’s name and computer name utilizing the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) GetUserNameW and GetComputerNameW respectively [T1012]. The returned data is then hashed and compared against a hard-coded hash value (see Figure 5).

Figure 5. User and Computer Name Check

The hashing routine was not identified as a standard algorithm; however, it is a simple routine that converts a Unicode string to a 32-bit hexadecimal value.

If the username hash is equal to the value 0x56CF7626, then the computer name is queried. If the computer name queried is seven characters long, then the name is hashed and checked against the hard-coded value of 0xB09406C7. If both values match, a final subroutine will be called with a static value of the computer name hash as an argument. If this routine is reached, the process will terminate. This is most likely a failsafe to prevent the malware from running on the attacker’s system, as its algorithms are one-way only and will not reveal information on the details of the attacker’s own hostname and username.

If the username and hostname check function returns zero (does not match the hard-coded values), the malware will enter its main callback routine. The LummaC2 malware will contact the saved hostname from the previous check and send the following POST request (see Figure 6).

Figure 6. Second POST Request

The data returned from the C2 server is encrypted. Once decoded, the C2 data is in a JSON format and is parsed by the LummaC2 malware. The C2 uses the JSON configuration to parse its browser extensions and target lists using the ex key, which contains an array of objects (see Figure 7).

Figure 7. Parsing of ex JSON Value

Parsing the c key contains an array of objects, which will give the implant its C2 (see Figure 8).

Figure 8. Parsing of c JSON Value

C2 Instructions

Each array object that contains the JSON key value of t will be evaluated as a command opcode, resulting in the C2 instructions in the subsections below.

1. Opcode `0` – Steal Data Generic

This command allows five fields to be defined when stealing data, offering the most flexibility. The Opcode O command option allows LummaC2 affiliates to add their custom information gathering details (see Table 1).

*Table 2. Opcode* `1` *Options*
Key	Value
p	Path to steal from
m	File extensions to read
z	Output directory to store stolen data
d	Depth of recursiveness
fs	Maximum file size

2. Opcode `1` – Steal Browser Data

This command only allows for two options: a path and the name of the output directory. This command, based on sample configuration downloads, is used for browser data theft for everything except Mozilla [T1217] (see Table 2).

*Table 2. Opcode* `1` *Options*
Key	Value
p	Path to steal from
z	Name of Browser – Output

3. Opcode `2` – Steal Browser Data (Mozilla)

This command is identical to Opcode 1; however, this option seems to be utilized solely for Mozilla browser data (see Table 3).

*Table 3. Opcode* `2` *Options*
Key	Value
p	Path to steal from
z	Name of Browser – Output

4. Opcode `3` – Download a File

This command contains three options: a URL, file extension, and execution type. The configuration can specify a remote file with u to download and create the extension specified in the ft key [T1105] (see Table 4).

*Table 4. Opcode* `3` *Options*
Key	Value
u	URL for Download
ft	File Extension
e	Execution Type

The e value can take two values: 0 or 1. This specifies how to execute the downloaded file either with the LoadLibrary API or via the command line with rundll32.exe [T1106] (see Table 5).

*Table 5. Execution Types*
Key	Value
e=0	Execute with `LoadLibraryW()`
e=1	Executive with `rund1132.exe`

5. Take Screenshot

If the configuration JSON file has a key of “se” and its value is “true,” the malware will take a screenshot in BMP format and upload it to the C2 server.

6. Delete Self

If the configuration JSON file has a key of “ad” and its value is “true,” the malware will enter a routine to delete itself.

The command shown in Figure 9 will be decoded and executed for self-deletion.

Figure 9. Self-Deletion Command Line

Figure 10 depicts the above command line during execution.

Figure 10. Decoded Command Line in Memory

Host Modifications

Without any C2 interactions, the LummaC2 malware does not create any files on the infected drive. It simply runs in memory, gathers system information, and exfiltrates it to the C2 server [T1082]. The commands returned from the C2 server could indicate that it drops additional files and/or saves data to files on the local hard drive. This is variable, as these commands come from the C2 server and are mutable.

Decrypted Strings

Below is a list of hard-coded decrypted strings located in the binary (see Figure 11).

Figure 11. Decoded Strings

Indicators of Compromise

See Table 6 and Table 7 for LummaC2 IOCs obtained by the FBI and trusted third parties.

Disclaimer: The authoring agencies recommend organizations investigate and vet these indicators of compromise prior to taking action, such as blocking.

*Table 6. LummaC2 Executable Hashes*
Executables	Type
4AFDC05708B8B39C82E60ABE3ACE55DB (`LummaC2.exe` from November 2023)	MD5
E05DF8EE759E2C955ACC8D8A47A08F42 (`LummaC2.exe` from November 2023)	MD5
C7610AE28655D6C1BCE88B5D09624FEF	MD5
1239288A5876C09D9F0A67BCFD645735168A7C80 (`LummaC2.exe` from November 2023)	SHA1
B66DA4280C6D72ADCC68330F6BD793DF56A853CB (`LummaC2.exe` from November 2023)	SHA1
3B267FA5E1D1B18411C22E97B367258986E871E5	TLSH
19CC41A0A056E503CC2137E19E952814FBDF14F8D83F799AEA9B96ABFF11EFBB (November 2023)	SHA256
2F31D00FEEFE181F2D8B69033B382462FF19C35367753E6906ED80F815A7924F (`LummaC2.exe` from November 2023)	SHA256
4D74F8E12FF69318BE5EB383B4E56178817E84E83D3607213160276A7328AB5D	SHA256
325daeb781f3416a383343820064c8e98f2e31753cd71d76a886fe0dbb4fe59a	SHA256
76e4962b8ccd2e6fd6972d9c3264ccb6738ddb16066588dfcb223222aaa88f3c	SHA256
7a35008a1a1ae3d093703c3a34a21993409af42eb61161aad1b6ae4afa8bbb70	SHA256
a9e9d7770ff948bb65c0db24431f75dd934a803181afa22b6b014fac9a162dab	SHA256
b287c0bc239b434b90eef01bcbd00ff48192b7cbeb540e568b8cdcdc26f90959	SHA256
ca47c8710c4ffb4908a42bd986b14cddcca39e30bb0b11ed5ca16fe8922a468b	SHA256

*Table 7. LummaC2 DLL Binaries*
DLL Binaries	Type
iphlpapi.dll	IP Helper API
winhttp.dll	Windows HTTP Services

The following are domains observed deploying LummaC2 malware.

Disclaimer: The domains below are historical in nature and may not currently be malicious.

Pinkipinevazzey[.]pw
Fragnantbui[.]shop
Medicinebuckerrysa[.]pw
Musicallyageop[.]pw
stogeneratmns[.]shop
wallkedsleeoi[.]shop
Tirechinecarpet[.]pw
reinforcenh[.]shop
reliabledmwqj[.]shop
Musclefarelongea[.]pw
Forbidstow[.]site
gutterydhowi[.]shop
Fanlumpactiras[.]pw
Computeryrati[.]site
Contemteny[.]site
Ownerbuffersuperw[.]pw
Seallysl[.]site
Dilemmadu[.]site
Freckletropsao[.]pw
Opposezmny[.]site
Faulteyotk[.]site
Hemispheredodnkkl[.]pw
Goalyfeastz[.]site
Authorizev[.]site
ghostreedmnu[.]shop
Servicedny[.]site
blast-hubs[.]com
offensivedzvju[.]shop
friendseforever[.]help
blastikcn[.]com
vozmeatillu[.]shop
shiningrstars[.]help
penetratebatt[.]pw
drawzhotdog[.]shop
mercharena[.]biz
pasteflawwed[.]world
generalmills[.]pro
citywand[.]live
hoyoverse[.]blog
nestlecompany[.]pro
esccapewz[.]run
dsfljsdfjewf[.]info
naturewsounds[.]help
travewlio[.]shop
decreaserid[.]world
stormlegue[.]com
touvrlane[.]bet
governoagoal[.]pw
paleboreei[.]biz
calmingtefxtures[.]run
foresctwhispers[.]top
tracnquilforest[.]life
sighbtseeing[.]shop
advennture[.]top
collapimga[.]fun
holidamyup[.]today
pepperiop[.]digital
seizedsentec[.]online
triplooqp[.]world
easyfwdr[.]digital
strawpeasaen[.]fun
xayfarer[.]live
jrxsafer[.]top
quietswtreams[.]life
oreheatq[.]live
plantainklj[.]run
starrynsightsky[.]icu
castmaxw[.]run
puerrogfh[.]live
earthsymphzony[.]today
weldorae[.]digital
quavabvc[.]top
citydisco[.]bet
steelixr[.]live
furthert[.]run
featureccus[.]shop
smeltingt[.]run
targett[.]top
mrodularmall[.]top
ferromny[.]digital
ywmedici[.]top
jowinjoinery[.]icu
rodformi[.]run
legenassedk[.]top
htardwarehu[.]icu
metalsyo[.]digital
ironloxp[.]live
cjlaspcorne[.]icu
navstarx[.]shop
bugildbett[.]top
latchclan[.]shop
spacedbv[.]world
starcloc[.]bet
rambutanvcx[.]run
galxnetb[.]today
pomelohgj[.]top
scenarisacri[.]top
jawdedmirror[.]run
changeaie[.]top
lonfgshadow[.]live
liftally[.]top
nighetwhisper[.]top
salaccgfa[.]top
zestmodp[.]top
owlflright[.]digital
clarmodq[.]top
piratetwrath[.]run
hemispherexz[.]top
quilltayle[.]live
equatorf[.]run
latitudert[.]live
longitudde[.]digital
climatologfy[.]top
starofliught[.]top

MITRE ATT&CK Tactics and Techniques

See Table 8 through Table 13 for all referenced threat actor tactics and techniques in this advisory. For assistance with mapping malicious cyber activity to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, see CISA and MITRE ATT&CK’s Best Practices for MITRE ATT&CK Mapping and CISA’s Decider Tool.

*Table 8. Initial Access*
Technique Title	ID	Use
Phishing	T1566	Threat actors delivered LummaC2 malware through phishing emails.
Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment	T1566.001	Threat actors used spearphishing attachments to deploy LummaC2 malware payloads.
Phishing: Spearphishing Link	T1566.002	Threat actors used spearphishing hyperlinks to deploy LummaC2 malware payloads.

*Table 9. Defense Evasion*
Technique Title	ID	Use
Obfuscated Files or Information	T1027	Threat actors obfuscated the malware to bypass standard cybersecurity measures designed to flag common phishing attempts or drive-by downloads.
Masquerading	T1036	Threat actors delivered LummaC2 malware via spoofed software.
Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information	T1140	Threat actors used LummaC2 malware to decrypt its callback C2 domains.

*Table 10. Discovery*
Technique Title	ID	Use
Query Registry	T1012	Threat actors used LummaC2 malware to query the user’s name and computer name utilizing the APIs GetUserNameW and GetComputerNameW.
Browser Information Discovery	T1217	Threat actors used LummaC2 malware to steal browser data.

*Table 11. Collection*
Technique Title	ID	Use
Automated Collection	T1119	LummaC2 malware has automated collection of various information including cryptocurrency wallet details.

*Table 12. Command and Control*
Technique Title	ID	Use
Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols	T1071.001	Threat actors used LummaC2 malware to attempt POST requests.
Ingress Tool Transfer	T1105	Threat actors used LummaC2 malware to transfer a remote file to compromised systems.

*Table 13. Exfiltration*
Technique Title	ID	Use
Exfiltration	TA0010	Threat actors used LummaC2 malware to exfiltrate sensitive user information, including traditional credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, browser extensions, and MFA details without immediate detection.
Native API	T1106	Threat actors used LummaC2 malware to download files with native OS APIs.

Mitigations

The FBI and CISA recommend organizations implement the mitigations below to reduce the risk of compromise by LummaC2 malware. These mitigations align with the Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) developed by CISA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CPGs provide a minimum set of practices and protections that CISA and NIST recommend all organizations implement. CISA and NIST based the CPGs on existing cybersecurity frameworks and guidance to protect against the most common and impactful threats, tactics, techniques, and procedures. Visit CISA’s CPGs webpage for more information on the CPGs, including additional recommended baseline protections. These mitigations apply to all critical infrastructure organizations.

Separate User and Privileged Accounts: Allow only necessary users and applications access to the registry [CPG 2.E].
Monitor and detect suspicious behavior during exploitation [CPG 3.A].
- Monitor and detect suspicious behavior, creation and termination events, and unusual and unexpected processes running.
- Monitor API calls that may attempt to retrieve system information.
- Analyze behavior patterns from process activities to identify anomalies.
- For more information, visit CISA’s guidance on: Enhanced Visibility and Hardening Guidance for Communications Infrastructure.
Implement application controls to manage and control execution of software, including allowlisting remote access programs. Application controls should prevent installation and execution of portable versions of unauthorized remote access and other software. A properly configured application allowlisting solution will block any unlisted application execution. Allowlisting is important because antivirus solutions may fail to detect the execution of malicious portable executables when the files use any combination of compression, encryption, or obfuscation.
Protect against threat actor phishing campaigns by implementing CISA’s Phishing Guidance and Phishing-resistant multifactor authentication. [CPG 2.H]
Log Collection: Regularly monitoring and reviewing registry changes and access logs can support detection of LummaC2 malware [CPG 2.T].
Implement authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) systems [M1018] to limit actions users can perform and review logs of user actions to detect unauthorized use and abuse. Apply principles of least privilege to user accounts and groups, allowing only the performance of authorized actions.
Audit user accounts and revoke credentials for departing employees, removing those that are inactive or unnecessary on a routine basis [CPG 2.D]. Limit the ability for user accounts to create additional accounts.
Keep systems up to date with regular updates, patches, hot fixes, and service packs that may minimize vulnerabilities. Learn more by visiting CISA’s webpage: Secure our World Update Software.
Secure network devices to restrict command line access.
Use segmentation to prevent access to sensitive systems and information, possibly with the use of Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) or virtual private cloud (VPC) instances to isolate systems [CPG 2.F].
Monitor and detect API usage, looking for unusual or malicious behavior.

Validate Security Controls

In addition to applying mitigations, the FBI and CISA recommend exercising, testing, and validating your organization’s security program against threat behaviors mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK Matrix for Enterprise framework in this advisory. The FBI and CISA recommend testing your existing security controls inventory to assess performance against the ATT&CK techniques described in this advisory.

To get started:

Select an ATT&CK technique described in this advisory (see Table 8 through Table 13).
Align your security technologies against the technique.
Test your technologies against the technique.
Analyze your detection and prevention technologies’ performance.
Repeat the process for all security technologies to obtain a set of comprehensive performance data.
Tune your security program, including people, processes, and technologies, based on the data generated by this process.

The FBI and CISA recommend continually testing your security program, at scale, in a production environment to ensure optimal performance against the MITRE ATT&CK techniques identified in this advisory.

Reporting

Your organization has no obligation to respond or provide information to the FBI in response to this joint advisory. If, after reviewing the information provided, your organization decides to provide information to the FBI, reporting must be consistent with applicable state and federal laws.

The FBI is interested in any information that can be shared, to include the status and scope of infection, estimated loss, date of infection, date detected, initial attack vector, and host- and network-based indicators.

To report information, please contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), your local FBI field office, or CISA’s 24/7 Operations Center at report@cisa.gov or (888) 282-0870.

Disclaimer

The information in this report is being provided “as is” for informational purposes only. The FBI and CISA do not endorse any commercial entity, product, company, or service, including any entities, products, or services linked within this document. Any reference to specific commercial entities, products, processes, or services by service mark, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favor by the FBI and CISA.

Acknowledgements

ReliaQuest contributed to this advisory.

Version History

May 21, 2025: Initial version.

MIL Security OSI –

May 22, 2025

MIL-OSI: ESET takes part in global operation to disrupt Lumma Stealer, one of the most prevalent infostealers
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
- ESET took part in a globally coordinated operation to disrupt Lumma Stealer.
- The operation, led by Microsoft, targeted Lumma Stealer infrastructure, including all known C&C servers from the past year, making the botnet, in large part, inoperative.
- Lumma Stealer has been one of the most prevalent infostealers over the past two years.
- ESET provided both technical analysis and statistical information, and extracted essential data from tens of thousands of samples, as Lumma Stealer developers had been actively developing and maintaining the malware.
PRAGUE and BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET has collaborated with Microsoft, BitSight, Lumen, Cloudflare, CleanDNS, and GMO Registry in a global disruption operation against Lumma Stealer, an infamous Malware-as-a-Service infostealer. The operation targeted Lumma Stealer infrastructure, specifically all known C&C servers of the past year, making the botnet, in large part, inoperative.

“ESET automated systems processed tens of thousands of Lumma Stealer samples, dissecting them to extract key elements, such as C&C servers and affiliate identifiers. This allowed us to continuously monitor Lumma Stealer’s activity, cluster affiliates, keep track of development updates, and more,” says ESET researcher Jakub Tomanek, who monitors and investigates Lumma Stealer. “Infostealer malware families, like Lumma Stealer, are typically just a foreshadowing of future, much more devastating attacks. Harvested credentials are a valued commodity in the cybercrime underworld, sold by initial access brokers to various other cybercriminals, including ransomware affiliates,” adds Tomanek. Lumma Stealer has been one of the most prevalent infostealers over the past two years, leaving no part of the world untouched.

Lumma Stealer developers had been actively developing and maintaining the malware. ESET has regularly spotted code updates ranging from minor bugfixes to complete replacement of string encryption and updates to the network protocol. The operators of the botnet also actively maintained the shared network infrastructure. Between 17 June 2024 and 1 May 2025, ESET observed a total of 3,353 unique C&C domains, with an approximate average of 74 new domains emerging each week, including occasional updates to Telegram-based dead drop resolvers. This ongoing evolution underscores the significant threat posed by Lumma Stealer and highlights the importance of the disruption efforts.

Lumma Stealer adopts the concept of malware as a service, where affiliates pay a monthly fee based on their tier to receive the latest malware builds and the network infrastructure necessary for data exfiltration. The tiered subscription model features price ranges from $250 to $1000 per month, each with increasingly sophisticated features. The operators of Lumma Stealer have also created a Telegram marketplace for affiliates, with a rating system to sell stolen data without intermediaries. Common distribution methods include phishing, cracked software, and other malware downloaders. Lumma Stealer employs a few, but effective, anti-emulation techniques that make analysis as complicated as possible. These techniques are designed to evade detection and hinder the efforts of security analysts.

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit has facilitated the takedown, suspension, seizure, and blocking of the malicious domains that formed the backbone of Lumma Stealer’s infrastructure via a court order granted by the United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia. In coordination, the U.S. Department of Justice simultaneously also seized the Lumma Stealer control panel, targeting the Lumma Stealer marketplace – and in turn the purchasers of Lumma Stealer malware. This was coordinated with Europol’s European Cybercrime Center (EC3) as well as Japan’s Cybercrime Control Center (JC3), which facilitated the suspension of locally based Lumma Stealer infrastructure.

“This global disruption operation was made possible by our long-term tracking of Lumma Stealer. The disruption operation led by Microsoft aimed to seize all known Lumma Stealer C&C domains, making the exfiltration infrastructure of Lumma Stealer non-functional. However, ESET will continue to track other infostealers while closely monitoring for Lumma Stealer activity following this disruption operation,” concludes Tomanek.

For an overview of the Lumma Stealer ecosystem and both a technical analysis and look at the evolution of Lumma Stealer’s key static and dynamic properties critical to the disruption effort, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost, “ESET takes part in global operation to disrupt Lumma Stealer” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), Bluesky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

Lumma Stealer detection rate based on ESET telemetry (data since July 2024)

About ESET
ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts, and blogs.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e248b2b-dcbf-42cb-93ac-a4b4668bbc31

The MIL Network –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mandy and Shona’s story

Source: City of Coventry

It’s Foster Care Fortnight which means it’s the perfect time to celebrate and highlight the impact that foster carers make in our city.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘the Power of Relationships’ and we are marking the fortnight by sharing stories from Coventry foster carers and the young people they have helped.

Today, we’re sharing Shona and Mandy’s Story. Shona, who is a care experienced young person, met Mandy on a trip to Plas Dol Y Moch. The two of them formed a bond which was formalised through our Fostering and Lifelong Links Programme.

To find out more about their relationship and the impact it’s had on Shona and Mandy, we met up with them and Cllr Patricia Seaman. You can watch that conversation below or on the Council’s YouTube Channel.

[embedded content]

When reflecting further on Mandy’s impact on her life, Shona had this to say: “Having Mandy and her family as my lifelong links has been such an amazing experience for me. They have welcomed me in as their own and shown me so much care, love and compassion. I will be forever grateful for them.

“They’ve taken me on holidays, had me over for Christmas and most importantly, have shown me what it means to experience the every day family things that others might not really notice.

“I think if foster carers and other life long links could be anywhere near as genuine as Mandy, children in care and care leavers would have a much better chance in life. That’s what they deserve.”

Cllr Patricia Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “I think it’s really important to talk about the importance of relationships when it comes to caring for young people. Building that trust and knowing that people are there for you is such a key part of providing young people with the support they need to thrive.

“Mandy and Shona’s story is so heartwarming because you can see the genuine affection between the two of them and just by speaking to them you get a sense of how both their lives have been enriched.

“We’re always looking for good, kind people like Mandy to join us as foster carers. The impact they can have is immeasurable. So please, if you’re interested, get in touch with us.”

Being a foster carer with the Council offers generous financial allowances, bespoke training and mentoring, strong support groups, and 24/7 help offering expert advice. People will also receive regular professional guidance and support from Supervising Social Workers.

If people want to find out more about fostering, people can come along to one of our online or drop-in information sessions, it’s a great chance to ask questions and get to know us. Details for the upcoming information sessions can be found at coventry.gov.uk/fosteringinfoevents.

For more general information about foster care, the benefits of being a carer, and how they will be supported, people can call the Council’s fostering team on 024 7683 2828 or visit coventry.gov.uk/fostering.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Former Vice President Chen attends inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

May 18, 2025

No. 161

Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, serving as special envoy of President Lai Ching-te, together with his wife and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on the morning of May 18. In an audience with the pontiff following the ceremony, Mr. Chen conveyed greetings from President Lai and the sincere congratulations of the government, people, and Catholic community of Taiwan.

Upon arriving for the ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Mr. Chen was received by a ceremonial officer for the Holy See. The inauguration, a grand and solemn occasion, took around two hours. According to statistics released by the Holy See, more than 150 delegations attended. Before the ceremony commenced, Mr. Chen exchanged greetings with Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies Speaker Raúl Latorre; Guatemalan Special Envoy and Ambassador to the Holy See Alfredo Vásquez Rivera; other officials from diplomatic allies; and delegates from the United States, Japan, Europe, and numerous other friendly countries. He also extended felicitations to and shared cordial interactions with several high-ranking members of the Vatican clergy, including Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue Monsignor Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage.

After the inauguration, Pope Leo received the heads of national delegations. Mr. Chen presented the pontiff with a congratulatory letter from President Lai, a commemorative set of postage stamps depicting four of Taiwan’s Catholic churches—St. Joseph’s Church in Jinlun Village, Taitung County; the Holy Family Catholic Church in Taipei City; the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Wanjin Village, Pingtung County; and the Holy Rosary Cathedral Basilica in Kaohsiung City—and a collection of postcards on Holy See artifacts jointly produced by Taiwan and the Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan, highlighting the close connection between the Catholic Church in Taiwan and the Holy See. Mr. Chen also presented Pope Leo with a photo taken in 2020, when the pontiff was serving as bishop of the Chiclayo Diocese in Peru. The picture showed him accepting antipandemic supplies donated by Taiwan. The materials, delivered in cartons labeled “Taiwan Box,” were donated to Cáritas Chiclayo and other Peruvian healthcare and charitable organizations by the Pingtung County Government and Dr. Lai Hsien-yung of Hualien County’s Mennonite Christian Hospital. The government and people of Taiwan provided proactive assistance to the international community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, fulfilling their international responsibilities and demonstrating that Taiwan could help and that Taiwan was helping.

When Mr. Chen arrived at the airport in Rome on May 17, he met with Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, who had also made the trip to attend the papal inauguration. Mr. Chen also attended a mass and prayer service for peace led by Bishop John Lee Keh-mien, President of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan, at St. Benedict’s Monastery. On May 18, Mr. Chen had dinner with 16 prominent members of the Catholic clergy and several key officials and ambassadors of diplomatic allies, including Special Delegate of the Holy See to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Cardinal Silvano Tomasi and Haitian Special Envoy and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Alrich Nicolas.

Since establishing diplomatic ties 83 years ago, Taiwan and the Holy See have enjoyed a profound diplomatic alliance and shared the core values of religious freedom, human rights, peace, and benevolence. The two sides will build on their existing friendship and solid foundation of cooperation in humanitarian assistance and other domains to further deepen bilateral relations and together make even greater contributions to the world. (E)

MIL OSI China News –

May 22, 2025

Category: Europe

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What is Lumma?

Continuing to work together to disrupt prolific cybercrime tools

Faclan Gàidhlig caillte air an lorg às ùr

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10,000+ years of religion

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Moving on

British Ambassador meeting with Guatemalan Finance Minister

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