NewzIntel.com

Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. invests in planning for northern youth support centre

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Children and youth in northern B.C. will benefit from a provincial investment of $500,000 to Lheidli T’enneh First Nation for a feasibility study to help design a new service hub in the region.

    “The first phase of work required extensive consultation with municipalities, First Nations, and partners throughout the North. This process informed the clear need to meet children and youth where they are at,” said Chief Dolleen Logan, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “Phase 2, focused on feasibility, will inform how this project may come to life, the services, care, and programs needed, as well as location and infrastructure needs. This is critical work we are pleased to lead with support from government, First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health, and others with a direct interest in seeing youth at the centre of future care options.”

    This builds on previous consultation and engagement led by the Nation with support from the Province to seek input from communities on a new Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth in the North. That consultation and engagement concluded there is a demand for more holistic, equitable and culturally safe wellness supports for children and youth that are connected and build on existing programs and services in communities.  

    “Investing in youth is investing in our future,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Ensuring they get the culturally appropriate supports and programs they need now will lead to healthier lives for children and youth, laying a foundation for healthier future generations. Lheidli T’enneh has been leading the project to better support youth in the North, and through this feasibility study, their collaboration with partners will help determine the best services that children and youth need.”

    Lheidli T’enneh First Nation conducted a three-month engagement program and consulted with municipalities, First Nations and individuals from communities of interest with knowledge, experience, information and expertise in child and youth development. Consultations were held in person in communities across the North and in a variety of online formats.

    The goal of the study is to provide a clear description of the scope of services for the Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth and how they fit within existing services in the region.

    The feasibility study will be led by Lheidli T’enneh First Nation in close collaboration with government, Northern Health Authority, First Nations Health Authority and other partners. The study is expected to be complete in 2025.

    “The First Nations Health Authority is driven by the needs of First Nations communities, and right now we hear the need for more child and youth supports in the North,” said Monica McAlduff, CEO, First Nations Health Authority. “We are excited to work with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and the Province to bring more accessible and more appropriate care to our young ones – to our future.”

    This work is part of the Province’s efforts to provide culturally safe and trauma-informed programs and services to people in B.C., including First Nations people.

    Learn More:

    Learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C.: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: School of Pharmacy 2025 Commencement Speakers

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The School of Pharmacy is excited to announce JoAnn Trejo as the commencement speaker for the 2025 Pharm.D. ceremony. As the Honorary Degree Recipient and Keynote Speaker for the School of Pharmacy, Trejo is a professor of pharmacology and senior assistant vice chancellor for health sciences faculty affairs at the University of California San Diego. She completed her undergraduate at UC Davis, her PhD and MBA at UC San Diego and her postdoctoral training at UCSF. 

    Headshot of JoAnn Trejo

    Committed to research with passion and dedication, Trejo has expertise in cell signaling in the context of vascular inflammation and cancer. With her research published in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and continuously being funded by the NIH, Trejo is an excellent educator, mentor, and leader. Through her work advancing the fields of science and pharmacology, Trejo is the recipient of an NIH R35 Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) and the American Heart Association Established Investigator Award.  

    Beyond her research, Trejo is the director of five NIH-supported training programs and served as an elected member of the leadership Council for the ASCB and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. As a current member of the scientific advisory boards for Septerna and Versiti and the NIGMS Advisory Council, Trejo has received numerous awards for leadership and service. Trejo is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) among other organizations. 

    Joe Honcz, the B.S. ceremony commencement speaker, is a distinguished expert in managed care and market access as a Registered Pharmacist and currently serves as the Senior Vice President at Petauri Advisors. With a 25-year career that spans various sectors of the healthcare industry, Joe played a critical role in the launch of Medicare Part D and had instrumental involvement in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and an MBA from UConn and continues to serve the UConn community as an AMCP diplomat to the School.  

    Headshot of Joe Honcz

    Recently leveraging his understanding of managed care to deliver strategic market access insights, Joe has empowered over 20 biotech and pharmaceutical clients to effectively navigate complex dynamics. Joe’s contributions have been important in the launch of innovative products in traditional and rare disease categories and he continues to drive innovation while supporting the emerging pharmaceutical and health tech industries as a “pharmacy futurist.”  

    Outside of his role as Senior Vice President, Joe is involved at Yale Ventures and UConn Technology Commercialization Services as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor and is on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and Avery’s Little Army. 

    Joe’s background includes diverse roles at Pfizer, Walgreens, CVS, and more.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Law Enforcement Seizes 9 DDoS-for-Hire Webpages as Part of Global Crackdown on ‘Booter’ and ‘Stresser’ DDoS Services

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – The Justice Department today announced the court-authorized seizure of nine internet domains associated with some of the world’s leading DDoS-for-hire services. Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau simultaneously announced the arrests of four administrators of such services, investigations which were assisted by U.S. authorities. Several of the arrested administrators operated websites seized pursuant to previous operations by the Central District of California. 

    Federal law enforcement continues to seize websites that allow paying users to launch powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks flood targeted computers and servers with information to prevent them from being able to access the internet.

    Booter services such as those named in this action allegedly attacked a wide array of victims in the United States and abroad, including schools, government agencies, gaming platforms, and millions of people. In addition to affecting targeted victims, these attacks can significantly degrade internet services and completely disrupt internet connections. 

    The websites targeted in this operation were used for hundreds of thousands of actual or attempted DDoS attacks targeting victims worldwide. While some of these services claimed to offer “stresser” services that purportedly could be used for network testing, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) determined these claims to be a pretense, and “thousands of communications between booter site administrators and their customers…make clear that both parties are aware that the customer is not attempting to attack their own computers,” according to an affidavit filed in support of court-authorized warrants to seize the booter sites.

    Today’s announcement builds on the success of the prior cases by targeting all known booter sites, shutting down as many as possible, and undertaking a public education campaign. In the last four years more than 11 defendants have been charged in Los Angeles and Anchorage for facilitating DDoS-for-hire services. More than 75 domains associated with such services have been seized.

    “Booter services facilitate cyberattacks that harm victims and compromise everyone’s ability to access the internet,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “This week’s sweeping law enforcement activity is a major step in our ongoing efforts to eradicate criminal conduct that threatens the internet’s infrastructure and our ability to function in a digital world.”

    “DDoS for hire criminal booter services impact internet services for victims in every corner of the United States, including Alaska,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “This threat highlights the continued need to pursue cybercrime services like booter providers. We remain committed to bolstering our collaborative partnerships in the U.S. and abroad to address threats to critical internet infrastructure and services.”

    “The enforcement actions launched today, made possible by enduring partnerships between law enforcement and private industry, represents continued pressure on DDoS-for-hire services and the cybercriminals and hacktivists who use them.” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “This success demonstrates the resolve of the DCIS to relentlessly pursue those who target our warfighters and their information systems.”

    In conjunction with the website seizures, Homeland Security Investigations, DCIS, and the Netherlands Police have launched an advertising campaign using targeted placement ads in search engines, which are triggered by keywords associated with DDoS activities. The purpose of the ads is to deter potential cybercriminals searching for DDoS services in the United States and around the globe, and to educate the public on the illegality of DDoS activities.

    In recent years, booter services have continued to proliferate as they offer a low barrier to entry for users looking to engage in cybercriminal activity. These types of DDoS attacks are so named because they result in the “booting” or dropping of the targeted computer from the internet.

    For additional information on booter and stresser services and the harm that they cause, please visit: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/anchorage/fbi-intensify-efforts-to-combat-illegal-ddos-attacks.

    The seizures announced today were performed by DCIS’s Cyber-West Resident Agency.

    These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation PowerOFF, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling criminal DDoS-for-hire infrastructures worldwide, and holding accountable the administrators and users of these illegal services. Principal partners in Operation PowerOFF include EUROPOL; the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska; The Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS); FBI’s Anchorage and Los Angeles field offices; HSI’s Columbus field office; Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA); United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA); Netherlands Police; Polish Central Cybercrime Bureau; Brazilian Federal Police, Japan’s National Police Agency, France’s Police Nationale, and many others.

    Assistance was provided by Akamai, Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare, Digital Ocean, Flashpoint, Google, PayPal, The University of Cambridge, and Unit 221B.

    Assistant United States Attorneys James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section and Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section are handling this investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison for the Murders of Four Young Men in a Central Islip Park

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    The Defendant, Omar Antonio Villalta, a.k.a. “Anticristo,” Also Committed a Fifth Murder in Virginia After Fleeing Long Island to Evade Law Enforcement

    Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Omar Antonio Villalta, also known as “Anticristo,” a member of the Guanacos Lil Cycos Salvatruchas (Guanacos) clique of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 55 years’ imprisonment. On May 26, 2023, Villalta pleaded guilty to racketeering, including predicate acts of murder and conspiracy to murder rival gang members.  The charges stemmed from his involvement in the April 11, 2017 murders of Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobos, who were hacked to death in a Central Islip park, and his involvement in the July 3, 2017 murder of Marvin Rivera Guevara, in Charlottsville, Virginia.

    Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence.

    “My Office and our law enforcement partners have worked endlessly to hold MS-13 accountable for their unspeakable crimes and the harm they’ve caused to countless victims and their loved ones,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “This sentencing and others demonstrate our relentless pursuit to dismantle MS-13 and other violent criminal organizations in totality.”

    “Omar Antonio Villalta, an MS-13 member, repeatedly played judge, jury, and executioner by unlawfully issuing death sentences to five victims perceived to be disrespectful or rivals to the gang,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “These slaughters reflect the gang’s gruesome retributive tactics while demonstrating utter disregard for life with the rapid succession of murders.  May today’s legitimate sentencing reflect the FBI’s steadfast commitment to dismantling any gang from plaguing our communities with rampant violence.”

    “The torture carried out at the hands of Villalta was inconceivable and sadistic— all because of his devotion to MS-13,” stated Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.  “His crimes sent shock waves through our communities but thanks to our collaboration with our law enforcement partners, Villalta was apprehended, and we will continue to target violent gang members who are a threat public safety.”

    As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum, prior court filings, and statements during the sentencing, Llivicura, Lopez, Tigre, and Villalobos were lured to their deaths by Villalta and more than a dozen other members and associates of the MS-13.  Specifically, the victims were led to a community park in Central Islip (the Park) by two female associates of the MS-13, Leniz Escobar and Keyli Gomez, where they were attacked by members and associates of the gang, including Josue Portillo, Freiry Martinez, Alexis Hernandez, Edwin Rodriguez, Sergio Segovia-Pineda, Henry Salmeron, Anderson Sanchez, and others.

    The MS-13 members believed the victims to be members of a rival gang and at least two of the victims had offended the MS-13 by posting photos on social media in which they wore certain items and flashed hand signs that signified membership in the MS-13 gang.  After the gang-related photos were brought to their attention by Escobar and Gomez, Villalta and several other MS-13 members formulated and carried out a plan to kill the victims.  On the night of the murders, Villalta and more than a dozen other MS-13 members and associates gathered in the woods adjacent to the Park.   Once there, the members who had been planning the attack, including Villalta, instructed the others to prepare themselves, as the female associates were luring a group of rivals to the Park for them to attack and kill.

    Villalta distributed weapons to certain gang members, including knives and machetes, while others took clubs made of tree limbs as the group waited for the victims to arrive.  Meanwhile, Escobar and Gomez met the victims, drove with them to the Park, led them to a predetermined wooded area, and sent the MS-13 members text-messages notifying them of their arrival.  The MS-13 members and associates proceeded to the designated location and encircled the victims under the cover of darkness.  One of the intended victims immediately fled and was able to escape. Llivicura, Lopez, Tigre, and Villalobos were surrounded by the MS-13 members, who attacked them with machetes, knives, an axe, and wooden clubs.  After the attack, the MS-13 members dragged the victims’ bodies to a more secluded spot in the woods, piled them up, and fled.  The victims’ bodies were discovered the following evening.

    Following the murders, Villalta fled to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he connected with local MS-13 members.  He soon began work at a pizzeria with a fellow MS-13 member. Within days of starting work, Villalta reported to other MS-13 members, including the leader of the Guanacos clique, that a co-worker, Marvin Rivera Guevara, had flashed an 18th Street gang hand sign indicating his membership in one of the MS-13’s principal rivals.  Villalta was given authorization to kill the victim and a plan was quickly developed to carry out the murder.  On the evening of July 3, 2017, the MS-13 member who worked at the pizzeria convinced the victim to drive with him to a remote location under the guise of smoking marijuana and meeting women.  Once they arrived at the designated location, Villalta and other MS-13 members forced the victim at gunpoint deeper into the woods where they attacked him with a machete and knives. Villalta and the others then threw the victim’s body off a nearby bridge into the river below.

    More than a dozen MS-13 members and associates have been charged in connection with the April 11, 2017 quadruple murder, including the individuals listed above.  Of these defendants, Villalta is the sixth person to be sentenced.  Josue Portillo was sentenced to 55 years’ imprisonment; Freiry Martinez to 50 years’ imprisonment; Leniz Escobar to 50 years’ imprisonment; Anderson Sanchez to 32 years’ imprisonment; and Alexis Hernandez to 29 years’ imprisonment. The remaining defendants are awaiting sentence.

    Today’s sentencing is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of MS-13.  Since 2010, the Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 70 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders.  These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

    This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Automated Litigation Support Specialist Michael Compitello.

    The Defendant:

    OMAR ANTONIO VILLALTA (also known as “Anticristo”)
    Age: 29
    Central Islip, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-403 (S-8) (GRB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Serial Bank Robber Convicted by Federal Jury

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Fayetteville man on Friday on one charge of bank robbery, three charges of armed bank robbery, and three charges of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

    According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Karim Brown, 32, engaged in a serial bank robbery spree that spanned a month from December 2021 to January 2022. The robberies occurred in Hope Mills, Angier, Fuquay-Varina, and Fayetteville.  Karim Brown was the robber who entered each of the banks and brandished a firearm in three of them. Shiheem Brown, who pled guilty to one of the armed bank robberies and a charge of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison on December 11, 2024.

    Karim Brown began his spree by robbing the PNC Bank in Hope Mills.  He entered the bank and demanded money from the teller, which totaled $4,674.  On New Year’s Eve 2021, Shiheem Brown was captured on surveillance footage scouting the First Bank in Angier, before Karim Brown entered, brandished a firearm, and demanded cash.  He got away with $4,611.  Two weeks later, on January 14, 2022, Karim Brown robbed the PNC on Main Street in Fuquay-Varina, brandishing a firearm and getting away with $9,000. For the final act in their spree, Shiheem Brown was again captured on surveillance footage scouting the Fidelity Bank on Village Drive in Fayetteville. Karim Brown then entered the bank, brandished a firearm equipped with a laser sight, and demanded cash. During this robbery he passed a note to the teller indicating that he was willing to shoot her.  A bank manager at Fidelity exited her office to see what the commotion was about, and Karim Brown pointed his firearm at her and ordered her to walk across the bank to the teller counter while the tellers placed $15,336 in a bag.   Karim Brown then fled, but during the flight, Shiheem Brown took a selfie as he drove away, capturing himself driving and Karim Brown removing his disguise in the back seat. The selfie was taken approximately 7 minutes after the robbery (pictured below).

    Police broke the case open when they were able to track the vehicle used in the Fuquay-Varina bobbery back to Shiheem and Karim Brown. Shiheem Brown was arrested at an apartment in Fayetteville by Fayetteville PD and the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force on January 27, 2022. During the arrest, Shiheem Brown threw a loaded firearm off the balcony of the apartment, which was recovered. The firearm matched the description of the firearm used in the robberies. Police also recovered $2,650 cash during Shiheem Brown’s arrest. Karim Brown was arrested at this residence the same day.

    Karim Brown faces a mandatory minimum of 31 years’ imprisonment and a statutory maximum of life in prison when sentenced on a later date.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the verdict. The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Hope Mills PD, Angier PD, Fuquay-Varina PD, Fayetteville PD and the United States Marshals Service helped investigate the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Kimberly Dixon prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:23-CR-251.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pendleton County Man Facing Child Pornography Charges as a part of Nationwide Initiative “Operation Restore Justice”

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jerry Lewis Ayres, age 55, of Franklin, West Virginia, was arrested on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography as a part of the nationwide effort Operation Restore Justice.

    According to court documents, the West Virginia State Police, on a tip from the Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, opened an investigation into Ayres. On multiple occasions, Ayres downloaded child pornography depicting minors, some under the age of 12, in sexual acts and positions. Investigators searched Ayres’ home, phone, and computer and discovered nearly 1500 images.  He is charged with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

    Ayres’ arrest is a part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown.  The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

    “As a nation, we are measured by how well we protect our most vulnerable citizens including our very young as well as our elderly populations,” stated Randolph J. Bernard, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.  “Operation Restore Justice is a testament to our solemn duty to ensure that our children are safe from those who would exploit and abuse them.  The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to seek the most serious charges and severe penalties for those who commit these crimes.”

    Ayres is facing at least five years and up to 20 years on the receipt count and facing up to 20 years on the possession count. He is currently being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Utt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the West Virginia State Police are investigating.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office works with the FBI and other law enforcement to bring those who prey upon children to justice. In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 23 individuals with crimes involving sexual offenses against children, one of whom was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison for his crime. See the press release here: www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/brooke-county-man-sentenced-decade-prison-child-pornography-charge

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

    The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the tiplines at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including Four in the Western District of Missouri

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.  The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown.  The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

    “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

    “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

    In the Western District of Missouri four individuals, Clinton Gray, 47, Joplin, Mo., Andrew Charles Nicholls, 38, Columbia, Mo., and Trevor Scott Teegarden, 34, Liberty, Mo., along with one additional defendant were arrested last week in separate cases. Charges include attempted production of child pornography, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and receipt and possession of child pornography. All charging documents have been unsealed following their arrests last week.

    These Western District of Missouri cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner, and Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. They were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI Kansas City Child Exploitation Task Force, Boone County Sheriff’s Cyber Crime Task Force, Joplin, Missouri, Police Department, Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

    Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

    In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.

    This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.

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

    The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org. The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

    Other online resources:

    Electronic Press Kit

    Violent Crimes Against Children

    How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Arrests 205 Alleged Child Sex Abuse Offenders in Five Day Nationwide Crackdown

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

    In an unprecedented nationwide operation to protect our children and mark April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the FBI announces Operation Restore Justice, a five-day, sweeping FBI initiative to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators across the country in coordination with all 55 of our FBI field offices.

    FBI Cleveland Field arrested 11 people as part of this operation. Since the start of 2025, the division identified and arrested 28 individuals for violent crimes against children and in 2024, identified and arrested 37 individuals. 

    “Preying on children, the most vulnerable members of our community, is appalling. These arrests highlight the importance of strong partnerships and unwavering collaboration with members of our federal, state, and local agencies,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “The FBI and our partners are fully committed to protecting children from abuse while ensuring those who exploit or harm them are identified and investigated, and their networks of nefarious activity are dismantled.”  

    Last week alone, the FBI arrested 205 subjects and rescued 115 children across the country during the surge of resources deployed for Operation Restore Justice. The subjects arrested in this operation included those in positions of public trust–law enforcement, members of the military and teachers. Others are your neighbors, proving criminal activity can be found even in the most familiar places. They’re accused of various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking.

    But our work didn’t just happen last week. Throughout the entire month of April, the FBI along with our state and local law enforcement partners, additionally arrested more than 190 perpetrators on charges related to crimes against children. With nearly 400 arrests in one month, these actions are the direct result of the FBI’s continued efforts to track down and stop sexual predators before they can harm more victims.

    While the number of arrests is significant, the details of the cases underscore the disturbing nature of the crimes. In Minneapolis, MN, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for producing sexual abuse material of a young child while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal immigrant from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former MPD Police Officer previously convicted for sex trafficking was again arrested for doing the same thing. He’s accused of trafficking additional young victims while on supervised release. In Louisville, KY, two teachers were charged in separate incidents after alleged misconduct with students involving inappropriate communication and behavior. 

    In some cases, it was the vigilance of parents and community outreach efforts that played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. In one case, a California man was arrested eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, NY. In another case, a tip from the victim’s parents led to a man accused of coercing a minor into sending inappropriate images over social media.

    This operation was the result of a dedicated and targeted effort, reflecting countless hours of work by hundreds of special agents, intel analysts and other FBI personnel. It further emphasizes the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Bureau works relentlessly to investigate these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prevention, community education and the FBI’s never-ending pursuit of criminals who exploit our children.

    The FBI proactively identifies individuals involved in child sexual exploitation and the production of child sexual abuse material through our far-reaching, nationwide network of personnel and law enforcement partners. The Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) program provides a rapid, proactive, and comprehensive capacity to counter all threats of abuse against children. This capacity leverages partnerships within the FBI’s 89 Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Forces (CEHTTFs) across the country. Additionally, the FBI has Intelligence Analysts assigned to address the VCAC threat, both at Headquarters and the field. The FBI also leads a Violent Crimes Against Children International Task Force, which includes nearly 100 International Task Force Officers representing over 60 countries to expand our ability to address the threat worldwide. 

    The FBI also partners with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org. In further partnership and collaboration with NCMEC, the FBI launched the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) in 2004 to identify individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. To date, ECAP has identified 36 individuals. 

    For more information about the crimes investigated by the FBI as well as the variety of resources we provide to protect and keep children safe, please visit:  

    As always, the FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspect crime against a child to 911 and local law enforcement immediately, as well as the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), online at tips.fbi.gov, or by contacting your local FBI field office.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Proposition 123 Land Banking Funds to Support New Housing Options Coloradans can Afford Across the State

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Gov. Jared Polis, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) announced 21 recipients of voter-approved Proposition 123 Land Banking funds. This funding is intended to support Colorado communities as they acquire and preserve land for an estimated 1,892 home ownership and multi-family rental apartments, including plans in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Fruita, Montrose, and Pagosa Springs.

    “These funds are an important first step to create 1,892 homes people can afford across the state, helping more Coloradans live where they want to live — close to their jobs, schools, and the places they love.” said Gov. Jared Polis. 

    Among the recipients, the Boulder Housing Coalition plans to acquire and convert an historic Denver mansion into affordable housing supporting households with incomes 30 – 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). A Montrose project by Community Options Inc. plans to serve neurodiverse households with incomes 40 – 60% of AMI. And the proposed Bradley Ridge Apartments in Colorado Springs will include an early childhood education center and serve households earning at or below 60% AMI. 

    “A strong economy includes good-paying jobs and housing for every income level. The recipients announced today will introduce new home ownership and rental opportunities in communities across the state, meeting a wide variety of needs, including those transitioning out of homelessness, neurodiverse families, and childcare opportunities. We are excited to support strong economies across the state,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director. 

    Availability of land is considered one of the most significant barriers to affordable housing development. The Land Banking program provides grants to local and tribal governments and forgivable loans to nonprofits with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing to support the acquisition and preservation of land for affordable for-sale and rental housing development. 

    “The funds awarded through the Land Banking program are an investment in a stronger Colorado, supporting communities in securing the land they need to respond to local housing needs. These efforts lay the foundation for greater housing stability and economic prosperity,” said Thomas Bryan, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CHFA.

    A total of $47,994,762 will be awarded to 21 recipients, who will be required to complete statutory milestones over the coming years including achieving proper zoning, finalizing development plans, and securing development funding and permits. The Area Median Incomes (AMIs) proposed by the recipients range from 20% AMI for those transitioning out of homelessness up to 100% AMI for homeownership. The awardees include: 

    • Boulder Housing Coalition: 19 rental units for the 1350 N Logan, Denver, $430,000 Broomfield Housing Alliance: 72 rental units for the 11795 Colmans Way,
    • Broomfield, $3,500,000
    • Commerce City Housing Authority: 120 rental and homeownership units for The Foundry, Commerce City, $4,750,000
    • Commun Denver: 173 rental and homeownership units for the Loretto Commons, Denver, $2,500,000
    • Community Options Inc.: 50 rental units for the TBD Hilltop Apartments, Montrose, $1,250,000
    • Elevation Community Land Trust II: 44 homeownership units for the Miners Haus, Golden, $1,400,000
    • Fairview Housing Partners Ltd: 144 rental units for the Flats at Sand Creek, Colorado Springs, $4,050,000
    • Foothills Regional Housing: 220 rental units for the Ridge Road, Wheat Ridge, $2,100,000
    • GES Coalition, Inc.: 60 rental and homeownership units for the Brighton Blvd-GESC, Denver, $3,571,429
    • Habitat for Humanity Fort Collins: eight homeownership units for the Bloom Cottages, Fort Collins, $600,000
    • Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, Inc.: 40 homeownership units for the Calvary Flats Affordable Homes, Golden, $1,200,000
    • Habitat for Humanity St Vrain: 35 homeownership units for the Habitat 15th and Terry Street Neighborhood, Longmont, $1,558,333 Metro Caring: 139 rental units for the Metro Caring Affordable Housing, Denver, $3,485,000 Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation: 11 rental and homeownership units for the Affordable Housing Phase 4, Bonita Dr., Pagosa Springs, $200,000 Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation: 336 rental units for the Bradley Ridge Apartments, Colorado Springs, $4,850,000 The City of Fruita: 100 rental and homeownership units for The Fruita Commons, Fruita, $1,500,000
    • The Inn Between of Longmont: 40 rental units for the 1886 Hover, Longmont, $1,750,000 The NHP Foundation: 158 rental units for the Liora, Denver, $3,850,000
    • Thistle Community Housing: 48 rental and homeownership units for the Fairways Phase II, Boulder, $2,600,000
    • Urban Land Conservancy II: 66 rental units for the Liberty House, Denver, $2,450,000
    • West Colfax Lampstand: 9 homeownership units for the Flats at Harlan, Lakewood, $400,000 

    Applications were evaluated according to priorities outlined in statute, including high-density housing, mixed-income housing, and environmental sustainability. The selection process also considered accessibility to transit and walkable access to community services, readiness to proceed, financial feasibility, geographic distribution, and total number of units proposed, all priorities outlined by the Governor’s Executive Order to address Colorado’s housing supply. 

    The Land Banking program is part of the Affordable Housing Financing Fund, established by Proposition 123, managed by OEDIT and administered by CHFA. Ongoing updates are available by signing up to receive newsletter updates. 

    About the Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund 

    Passed by voters in November 2022, Proposition 123 established the State Affordable Housing Fund to advance the development and preservation of affordable housing in Colorado. The measure directs 40% of those funds to the Colorado Affordable Housing Support Fund administered by the state Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and 60% of funds to the Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund managed by OEDIT. OEDIT selected Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to serve as the Affordable Housing Financing Fund third-party administrator. The Affordable Housing Financing Fund consists of three programs: Land Banking, Equity and Concessionary Debt. 

    About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) 

    The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT. 

    About Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) 

    For more than 50 years, CHFA has strengthened Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. CHFA invests in affordable homeownership, the development and preservation of affordable rental housing, helps small- and medium-sized businesses access capital, offers technical assistance and financial support to strengthen local communities, and supports mission-aligned nonprofits through philanthropic investment. CHFA is not a state agency. CHFA is a self-sustaining public enterprise. For more information about CHFA, please visit chfainfo.com or call 1.800.877.chfa (2432).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice of Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NB Private Equity Partners Announces the Notice of Annual General Meeting

    Peter Port, Guernsey, 7 May 2025

    NB Private Equity Partners (“NBPE” or the “Company”) announces that its Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) will be held at 1.45pm on the 12 June 2025, at Oak House, Hirzel Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey.

    The Notice of AGM will be dispatched to all shareholders and an electronic copy of the Notice of AGM will also be available on the Company’s website https://www.nbprivateequitypartners.com and at the National Storage Mechanism website at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    For further information, please contact:

    NBPE Investor Relations        +44 20 3214 9002
    Luke Mason        NBPrivateMarketsIR@nb.com

    Kaso Legg Communications        +44 (0)20 3882 6644

    Charles Gorman        nbpe@kl-communications.com
    Luke Dampier
    Charlotte Francis

    About NB Private Equity Partners Limited
    NBPE invests in direct private equity investments alongside market leading private equity firms globally. NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, is responsible for sourcing, execution and management of NBPE. The vast majority of direct investments are made with no management fee / no carried interest payable to third-party GPs, offering greater fee efficiency than other listed private equity companies. NBPE seeks capital appreciation through growth in net asset value over time while paying a bi-annual dividend.

    LEI number: 213800UJH93NH8IOFQ77

    About Neuberger Berman

    Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with over 2,800 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $515 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman’s investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last eleven years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of March 31, 2025.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Same Day Loans Online No Credit Check Instant & Guaranteed Approval 2025 – Payday Ventures

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Payday Ventures, a leading provider of online loans, owns platforms offering same day loans online with no credit check, helping Americans manage urgent financial needs without delays or credit-related obstacles. Borrowers can access same day emergency loans, $255 payday loans online same day, and payday loans online through trusted platforms offering instant approval and quick payouts all without lengthy applications or hard credit pulls.

    Top 5 Best Same Day Payday Loans Guaranteed Approval 2025: Quick Overview

    • Viva Payday Loans – Best for $255 Payday Loans Online Same Day No Credit Check
    • Green Dollar Loans – Top Choice for Same Day Loans for Bad Credit with Fast Deposit
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    • Big Buck Loans – Fast Borrow Money From Cash App Online Same Day Deposit Up to $5,000

    How We Selected the Online Same Day Loans Providers For Bad Credit Borrowers

    We reviewed dozens of online lenders offering same day loans for bad credit and ranked them based on approval speed, loan flexibility, no credit check options, same day deposit availability, and customer support.

    Click Here to Apply for Same Day Loans >>

    Here’s why Choose Same Day Loans

    Same day loans online are ideal for urgent cash needs no long forms, no credit score stress. Whether it’s emergency same day loans, same day loans for bad credit, or quick payday loans, the platforms above make borrowing simple in 2025.

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    Types of Same Day Loans Available

    $255 Payday Loans Online Same Day: Perfect for small cash needs. Fast approval and no credit check required.

    Same Day Personal Loans for Bad Credit: Ideal for borrowers with poor credit. Quick approval and flexible repayment.

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    Borrow Money From Cash App Loans : Fast funding for small business needs—inventory, payroll, or repairs.

    Fast Cash Loans Online Same Day Deposit: Need instant cash? Get approved and funded the same day.

    Same Day Loans No Credit Check: No hard credit pull. Lenders assess based on income, not your score.

    Tips to get same day loans with bad credit

    Yes. Many provider now offer same day loans for bad credit, focusing on your income and ability to repay rather than your credit score. Platforms like Viva Payday Loans and Heart Paydays are great for same day personal loans for bad credit with quick approvals.

    These mentioned brands are part of Payday Ventures, with all platforms mentioned in this release being fully owned and managed in-house.

    –

    Name: Mukesh Bhardwaj
    Email: mukesh@paydayventures.com

    Disclaimer: This announcement contains general information about Payday Ventures loan services and should not be considered financial advice. Loans are available to US residents only.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Trump fails to understand China’s trade war tactics, and what his negotiators should be reading

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Harper, Lecturer in International Relations, University of East London

    As US and Chinese representatives prepare to meet in Switzerland in an effort to ease their escalating trade war, a potential sign of Beijing’s approach has emerged in an opinion piece published in the state-owned journal Beijing Daily.

    Articles in the publication are often seen as a reflection of Beijing’s official stance. The latest piece – Today, it is necessary to revisit On Protracted War – argues that the trade war is an American attempt to strangle China’s economic growth and that it is necessary to perceive the current trade tensions as a long-term development.

    What’s particularly important here is that the title refers to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong’s 1938 essay On Protracted War, a piece of writing that set out Mao’s approach to combating the invading Japanese during the second Sino-Japanese war between 1937 and 1945.

    This strategy was also key to the subsequent establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, after the communist victory in the long-running Chinese civil war. Mao became the chairman of the Chinese Communist party from 1943 until his death in 1976 and created a set of political theories referred to as Maoism. He wrote extensively on political strategy.

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

    Chinese policymakers and media figures often invoke the nation’s history to justify domestic and foreign policy. And the decision to reference Mao’s text reflects not only China’s strategy in the current trade war but also the lasting influence of his ideas.

    Mao’s 1938 essay described a struggle that might seem, at first glance, a world away from the current China/US tariff conflict. His key thesis was that guerrilla warfare was a long-term affair with little chance for a quick victory.

    Mao’s argument was that a war of attrition would end with a Chinese victory as it would slowly bleed the conventionally stronger Japanese forces of resources.
    Such an approach has been a key feature of insurgencies throughout the modern world, with movements such as the Taliban in Afghanistan using the long war of attrition against larger or more technologically advanced foes.

    By invoking On Protracted War, it would appear that Beijing perceives its economic struggles with the US as a conflict without a swift resolution, something that may come as a shock to Donald Trump who is clearly signalling that he now wants a deal.

    This long view approach has also been reflected in how Beijing has been preparing for a second Trump trade war ever since its experiences in the first Trump presidency.

    How US/China tariff war is affecting US markets.

    In contrast to China, the US administration appears to have banked on the trade war being a comparatively brief affair that should be ended by a quick and decisive knock-out blow against Beijing. And a public relations coup for Trump. This explains the showmanship behind the “liberation day” announcements, and the speed at which Washington deployed its key moves.

    But by preparing its citizens for a protracted trade war, it would appear that China’s strategy, similarly to Mao’s, is to slow down the process and grind out the best deal it can over time.

    Beijing believes that Chinese consumers are more capable of “eating bitterness” (coping with hardship) than Americans. So US diplomats would be well advised to dip into On Protracted War to understand more of China’s president Xi Jinping’s intentions.

    Mao’s long shadow

    However, this is not the only way in which Mao’s strategies are relevant to global politics right now.

    Another of Mao’s political ideas was what he termed the “people’s war”. This envisioned a slow movement where one group creates “shadow institutions” that gradually displace established ones in order to build support from the local population.

    This echoes part of China’s approach to globalisation, where China has supported, or created, alternatives to US-led institutions.

    Many of Beijing’s international institutions, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the belt and the road initiative are created to be alternatives to more established international bodies, such as the IMF and the World Bank. These Beijing felt were too dominated by the US.

    While China has worked on this policy for decades, it seems to chime with Trump’s lack of commitment to US involvement in international institutions, such as the IMF and Nato. In this aspect of international politics, Xi and Trump seem to have somewhat similar goals, and could open up more space for Chinese leadership of these institutions.

    It’s becoming clear that the Trump administration has severely miscalculated by assuming that Beijing would quickly capitulate, showing a lack of understanding of Chinese culture and political history. The expected instant deal has failed to materialise, and US stores are now warning that shelves may soon be empty of many goods.

    The trade war has become a war of attrition, and whatever moves Xi makes now are likely to be only his first in what he sees as a very long game, in the great Maoist tradition.

    Tom Harper 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. Why Trump fails to understand China’s trade war tactics, and what his negotiators should be reading – https://theconversation.com/why-trump-fails-to-understand-chinas-trade-war-tactics-and-what-his-negotiators-should-be-reading-256126

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Farmers Back President Trump’s Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    American farmers are behind President Donald J. Trump and his relentless push to restore fairness in global trade and secure new markets for homegrown producers.
    According to the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer:
    70% of farmers expect the President Trump’s tariffs to strengthen the agricultural economy in the long-term.
    Farmer sentiment improved in April, marked by rises in current and future expectations.
    The Farm Capital Investment Index rose to its highest reading since May 2021.
    “This month, one out of four respondents said it was a good time to make large investments, nearly double the percentage of respondents who said it was a good time to invest when surveyed from May through October of last year.”

    The Farm Financial Performance Index “marked the fourth month in a row that the index was above 100, indicating that producers expect financial performance this year to equal or slightly exceed the year-ago level.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard offloads $5.4 million in seized cocaine following drug-smuggling vessel interdiction off Puerto Rico

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    05/07/2025 12:30 PM EDT

    The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier offloaded approximately 725 pounds of seized cocaine worth an estimated $5.4 million to Coast Guard Investigative Service and Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agents custody in San Juan, Wednesday. The interdiction is the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier crew transferred custody of five suspected smugglers apprehended in this case, Dominican Republic nationals, to the Dominican Republic Navy off Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Saturday.  “This was an excellent case that would not have been possible without the support provided by Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch,” said Lt. John M. Groen, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier commanding officer. “Their flight remained on scene for several hours and communicated flawlessly with the pursuit team. I am so incredibly proud of the entire Joseph Napier crew’s outstanding performance. The interdiction highlights Sector San Juan and the Seventh Coast Guard District’s unwavering commitment to combat drug trafficking organizations and secure America’s maritime borders.”

    For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Arizona, multiagency case sends Nigerian national to prison for international fraud scheme that defrauded elderly US victims

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    TUCSON, Ariz., – A Nigerian national was sentenced April 25 to 97 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Europol, and authorities from the UK, Spain, and Portugal all provided critical assistance.

    “It’s inconceivable to imagine any human being robbing from those who’ve spent a lifetime working and building a life, and then are duped out of it all,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola. “Together, with our law enforcement partners, we will not tolerate this kind of behavior – we will bring justice to those who have wronged and stolen from so many people.”

    According to court documents, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, 36, was a member of a group of fraudsters that sent personalized letters to elderly victims in the United States over the course of several years. The letters falsely claimed that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died overseas years before. Ogbata and his co-conspirators told a series of lies to victims, including that, before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees, taxes, and other payments to avoid questioning from government authorities. Ogbata and his co-conspirators collected money victims sent in response to the fraudulent letters through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims, whom the defendants convinced to receive money and forward to the defendants or persons associated with them. Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds. In pleading guilty, Ogbata admitted to defrauding over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable.

    “The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime. I want to thank our U.S. law enforcement partners, as well as those who assisted across the globe, including the Portuguese Judicial Police and Public Prosecution Service of Portugal, for their outstanding contributions to this case.”

    “The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations, to include the elderly,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “We will not allow transnational criminals to steal money from the public we serve. Individuals who defraud American consumers will be brought to justice, no matter where they are located.”

    “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has a long history of protecting American citizens from these types of schemes and bringing those responsible to justice,” said Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Steven Hodges of the USPIS Miami Division. “Today’s sentencing is a testament to the dedicated partnership between the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, HSI and USPIS to protect our citizens from these scams.”

    Senior Trial Attorney and Transnational Criminal Litigation Coordinator Phil Toomajian, and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.

    If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

    More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. Visit the Consumer Protection Branch to learn more about the agency and its enforcement efforts. File elder fraud complaints with the FTC or call 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, multiagency case dismantles active identity of theft mill, organized retail scheme spanning 7 California counties

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    LOS ANGELES – Felony charges were filed April 24, against three people involved in a suspected identity theft mill, where stolen identities were used in an organized retail crime scheme. This investigation began with a referral from a Signet Jeweler’s Corporate Fraud Investigator and led by the California Department of Justice with collaboration from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Santa Maria Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol and Westminster Police department.

    “These arrests are the result of excellent collaboration between HSI, private industry, state and local law enforcement partners,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Orange County Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bracken. “HSI will work tirelessly with our partners in California to ensure that those who commit fraud will be held accountable.”

    The scheme involved suspects applying for store credit cards using stolen identities, then using those credit lines to purchase merchandise with no intention to pay them back. The scheme was carried out in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties.

    As a result of the investigation, a 34-count felony complaint was filed against three defendants by DOJ. The charges include organized retail theft, grand theft, and identity theft of 13 victims.

    “I am committed to using the full force of the California Department of Justice to fight organized retail crime both in the field and in the courtroom,” said Attorney General for California Rob Bonta. “This was not a one-off shoplifting offense, it was a malicious, coordinated scheme. These crimes hurt our businesses and pose a serious threat to our communities. I am thankful to Signet Jewelers as well as our local and state law enforcement partners for their collaboration in the battle against organized retail crime. We will not give up until we put a stop to this criminal activity all together.”

    From March 2023 to July 2023, the defendants fraudulently obtained over $100,000 worth of merchandise from high end retail stores and Harbor Freight retailers.

    “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is deeply committed to tackling organized retail crime through strategic multiagency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and targeted enforcement,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Division Chief Joe Mendoza. “By working closely with our local, state, and federal partners, we continue to strengthen our efforts, disrupt criminal networks, protect both businesses and our communities, while holding individuals accountable.”

    An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    A copy of the criminal complaint in this case is available here. Photos related to this investigation can be found here, here and here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Newark Announces Arrests in National Crimes Against Children Operation: Restore Justice

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

    Newark, NJ – FBI Newark and our state and local law enforcement partners arrested five people as part of a national surge of resources to arrest accused child sex abuse offenders and combat child exploitation. In a coordinated effort by all 55 FBI field offices called Operation Restore Justice, 205 people were arrested nationwide. Six children were rescued.

    This initiative was a joint effort with federal, state, and local partners to coincide with the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month and highlight the FBI’s ongoing efforts to confront these crimes. Investigating child sex abuse is an ongoing, high-priority mission of the FBI. Agents and task force officers made the following five arrests in New Jersey from April 28 and May 2, 2025:

    • David Tuytjens, age 69, was arrested for possession of child pornography.
    • Natasha Rivas, age 23, was arrested for the distribution of child pornography.
    • Dwayne Smalls Jr., age 24, was arrested for the distribution of child pornography.
    • Elliott Souder, age 52, was charged with receipt and possession of child pornography.
    • Keshawn Harley, age 38, was charged with possession and production of child pornography and sex trafficking of a minor.

    “This week was a snapshot of the never-ending work our agents and TFOs do day in and day out to apprehend and hold accountable the vilest of criminals,” says Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly. “Though this marks the conclusion of Child Abuse Awareness Month, our mission is omnipresent: to protect vulnerable children from these predators by bringing them to justice. Let this be a continued reminder to guardians of children everywhere to stay present and vigilant in your young one’s lives. FBI Newark would like to thank the tireless work of our partner agencies; together, we will continue to weed these monsters out of society.”

    The FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) program coordinates and bolsters efforts to counter all threats of abuse and exploitation of children that fall under FBI jurisdiction—including the production, sharing, and possession of child sexual abuse material; domestic or international travel to engage sexually with children; and the extortion of children to provide sexually explicit material of themselves. The VCAC program also strives to identify, locate, and recover child victims and to strengthen partnerships that are critical to prevent abuse and capture offenders.

    The FBI investigates cases through Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces (CEHTTFs) located in each field office, allowing the FBI to combine resources with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The FBI also partners with the nonprofit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

    If you are a victim or know a victim of a crime involving children, call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, the FBI Newark Field Office at 973-792-3000, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

    FBI Newark would like to thank its partners for their assistance in these cases, including New Jersey State Parole Board, Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the IRS, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Cincinnati Announces Arrests as Part of Nationwide Operation Restore Justice

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

    FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola today announced four arrests made as part of Operation Restore Justice—a sweeping FBI initiative to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators across the country. Operation Restore Justice is a joint effort with federal, state, and local partners to coincide with the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month and highlight the FBI’s ongoing work to confront these crimes.

    “I hope the message is clear – crimes against children will not be tolerated,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “The FBI will always protect the vulnerable, especially the children in our community. We will continue to prioritize these investigations and support our partners in pursuing predators and delivering justice.”

    “This nationwide operation serves as a significant reminder that, if you are a child predator, you will be identified and prosecuted, no matter where you are,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris. “The Southern District of Ohio is proud to join our law enforcement partners across the nation in the efforts to protect children and bring justice to victims.”

    Last week alone, the FBI arrested 205 subjects and rescued 115 children across the country during the surge of resources deployed for Operation Restore Justice.

    The local arrests made during this operation include:

    William Clark Shepherd, a former Cincinnati-area resident, was arrested in Orange County, CA on April 28, 2025. He is charged with coercion and enticement of a minor after contacting a minor male victim on Roblox and later exchanging sexually explicit photos. These alleged acts occurred while Shepherd was living in Warren County, OH. The case was investigated by FBI Cincinnati with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Aurora (Illinois) Police Department, and supported by the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.

    Brett Jarrett Farley, of Delaware, OH, was arrested by the FBI on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Farley is accused of production/manufacturing of child sexual abuse material involving a minor in Louisiana. According to court documents, Farley contacted the minor victim via Snapchat and requested nude photographs. The FBI New Orleans Field Office provided significant assistance in this investigation.

    Philip Michener, of Cambridge, OH, was arrested by the FBI on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Michener is accused of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography after prior conviction. FBI special agents seized several electronic devices from Michener which contained over 1,000 images and 400 videos of suspected child pornography. In 2016, Michener was convicted of state offenses related to possession of child pornography. The Cambridge Police Department and the FBI Charlotte Field Office aided in the investigation.

    Dakota Michael English, of Middletown, OH, was taken into custody on Friday, May 2, 2025. English is charged with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He is accused of using the Kik app to share child pornography. A court-authorized search of his phone revealed over 700 images and videos containing suspected child pornography.

    The FBI proactively identifies individuals involved in child sexual exploitation and the production of child sexual abuse material through a far-reaching, nationwide network of personnel and law enforcement partners. The Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) program provides a rapid and comprehensive capacity to counter threats of abuse against children. This capacity leverages partnerships within the FBI’s 89 Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Forces (CEHTTFs) across the country. The FBI Cincinnati Field Office leads CEHTTFs in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus.

    As always, the FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected crimes against a child to 911 and local law enforcement immediately, as well as the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), online at tips.fbi.gov, or by contacting your local FBI field office.

    FBI Cincinnati thanks all the law enforcement partners involved in these efforts and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio for prosecuting these cases.

    Charging documents merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation Restore Justice

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

    In an unprecedented nationwide operation to protect children and mark April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announces Operation Restore Justice, a five-day, sweeping FBI initiative to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators across the country with all 55 FBI field offices participating, including FBI Boston.

    Last week alone, the FBI arrested 205 subjects and rescued 115 children across the country during the surge of resources deployed for Operation Restore Justice. This was a joint effort with local, state, and federal partners to highlight our ongoing efforts to confront these crimes. The subjects arrested in this operation included those in positions of public trust – law enforcement, members of the military, and teachers. Others are your neighbors, proving criminal activity can be found in the most familiar places.

     “There are few situations more urgent than when a child is physically at risk, and as ‘Operation Restore Justice’ has shown, child predators come in many different forms,” said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “As horrific as these alleged crimes are, they are not rare. Make no mistake, FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to finding these child sex abusers, locking them up, and ensuring those they have victimized are safe and well-supported.” 

    “Protecting children from exploitation is among the most sacred responsibilities we have as law enforcement. Each case serves as a difficult reminder that child predators are embedded in our communities – often in roles that increase their direct exposure to or contact with children or allow them to hide behind a keyboard online. But make no mistake, we will uncover them, arrest them, and hold them accountable, no matter how long it takes or how far we have to go,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “As Child Abuse Prevention Month came to a close, Operation Restore Justice delivered a powerful and urgent message: protecting children is not just a worthy cause we recognize, it is a mission we carry out every day. We will not relent in our pursuit of those who exploit children, and we are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their tireless work to bring these predators to justice. This work will not stop.”

    “Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society and can suffer the effects of sex abuse for a lifetime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine Craig M. Wolff. “My deepest thanks to FBI Boston and its state and local partners for their efforts in identifying and arresting those who allegedly preyed on these vulnerable victims.”

    As part of this operation, FBI Boston arrested and charged seven people, including:

    • Jacob Henriques, of Boston, a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Emmanuel College, is charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Henriques is accused of soliciting an underage college applicant to engage in commercial sex with him. 
    • Registered sex offender David Fernandes III, of New York, is charged with allegedly sending obscenity to an 11-year-old in Massachusetts and being a registered sex offender when he did it.
    • Registered sex offender Joseph A. Maile, of Presque Isle, Maine, is charged by criminal complaint for allegedly attempting to sex traffic a child, and enticement of a minor. Maile allegedly used social media accounts to offer various minors’ money to engage in sex acts with him.
    • Level 1 sex offender Justin Ouimette, of Holyoke, Mass., who was previously convicted by the state for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), has been charged federally with possessing CSAM. According to the court documents, in July 2024, during a search of Ouimette’s residence and person, over 200 files that appeared to depict CSAM, including children as young as three years old, were allegedly located on Ouimette’s electronic devices. A search of Ouimette’s Dropbox resulted in the discovery of an additional 200 files allegedly depicting CSAM.
    • Cess Frazier, of Boston, is charged with allegedly receiving child sexual abuse material.  During a search of Frazier’s cell phone, approximately 100 media files that depicted CSAM were allegedly found saved in Telegram Messenger. The minor victims in the files are alleged to be between approximately three and 10 years old. 
    • Warren Messeck, of Agawam, Mass., is charged with allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material. During a search of his residence, the FBI recovered over 40 electronic devices including a laptop, hard drives and other electronic storage devices. A forensic examination allegedly revealed over 10,000 files depicting CSAM on six devices.
    • Brandon Bendall, of Wareham, Mass., is charged with allegedly possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material. During a search of Bendall’s residence and cell phone, approximately 9,400 images and videos of CSAM, including images of children as young as infants being sexually assaulted, were allegedly located.

    Throughout the entire month of April, including the weeks leading up to this surge, the FBI, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, arrested an additional 190 perpetrators on charges related to crimes against children. They are accused of various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. With nearly 400 arrests in one month, these actions are the direct results of the FBI’s continued efforts to track down and stop sexual predators before they can harm more victims. 

    Here in the Boston Division, special agents and officers on FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force arrested 26 people last month, including: 

    • Level 3 Sex Offender Carl Norton, of Chicopee, Mass., who was previously convicted of attempted rape of a minor and unlawful contact with a minor, was charged federally for allegedly transferring obscene material to a minor female victim who he believed to be 12 years old.
    • Level 2 Sex Offender Dache Barros, of Raynham, Mass., was charged by the Raynham Police Department with allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material following an investigation by FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force and the Boston Police Department. 
    • Daniel Debreczeni, of Duxbury, Mass., was charged federally with allegedly distributing child sexual abuse material. Debreczeni is accused of distributing three videos containing child pornography by posting the videos on a file sharing site. The children in the three videos appeared to be between approximately two, three and eight years old.
    • David Kaufman, of Maryland, was charged federally for allegedly coercing and enticing an 18-year-old from Massachusetts to travel to his penthouse at the Four Seasons and engage in in sex acts with him, which he video-recorded. According to court documents, Kaufman has allegedly been victimizing teenage minors, paying them to travel and engage in sex acts with him.
    • Sven Knudsen Ljaam, a physician employed at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Bedford, Mass., was charged federally for allegedly receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
    • Shakera “Stacks” Pina, of Boston, was charged by the Boston Police Department for allegedly engaging in Human Trafficking, deriving support from prostitution, resisting arrest, and possession of a Class D Substance (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, following a joint operation between Boston Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit and FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force.
    • Miguel Gietany, of Douglas, Mass., was arrested in Rhode Island on state charges following a joint operation with the Rhode Island State Police and the FBI. Gietany is charged with two counts of indecent solicitation of a child. He allegedly traveled to Rhode Island to have sex with whom he believed was a 14-year-old boy.
       

    FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Forces investigate these cases and coordinate and bolster efforts to counter all threats of abuse and exploitation that fall under FBI jurisdiction in our region– including the production, sharing, and possession of child sexual abuse material; domestic or international travel to engage sexually with children; sex trafficking, and the extortion of children to provide sexually explicit material of themselves. They also work to identify, locate, and recover child victims; and strengthen partnerships that are critical to prevent abuse and capture offenders. 

    The FBI also partners with the nonprofit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation reported via its 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org. In further partnership and collaboration with NCMEC, the FBI launched the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) in 2004 to identify individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. To date, ECAP has identified 36 individuals.

    This operation was the result of a dedicated and targeted effort, reflecting countless hours of work by hundreds of special agents, intel analysts, and other FBI personnel. It further highlights the FBI’s commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Bureau works relentlessly to investigate these crimes every day, this effort also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prevention and community education. 

    For more information about the crimes investigated by the FBI as well as the variety of resources the FBI provides to protect and keep children safe, please visit: 

    As always, FBI Boston urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected crime against a child to 911 and local law enforcement immediately, as well as the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Wyden Introduce Bill to Improve Wetland Habitats in the Pacific Northwest

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve wetland habitats in the Pacific Northwest.

    “Preserving critical wetland habitat is vital to protecting open landscapes for the diverse species–including numerous varieties of birds and fish–that call Idaho home,” Crapo said.  “Investments in public-private partnerships in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest will help keep wild spaces wild and protect the natural wonders that Idahoans treasure.”

    “Restoring our wetlands is about more than just providing habitat for birds and other wildlife living along the Pacific Northwest coast.  It is about investing in the watersheds where Tribes, farmers and other local Pacific Northwest communities have maintained their way of life for generations,” Wyden said.  “Our bipartisan bill will make sure Oregonians and people across the Pacific Northwest can continue to benefit from healthy landscapes that provide the clean water and habitat that make our region so special.”

    The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act would establish a federal grant and assistance program empowering government agencies, tribes, nonprofits and landowners, among other entities, to work together in both restoring and enhancing habitats for wetland-dependent birds living in the Columbia River Basin and along the coast of Oregon and Washington. These projects include water infrastructure and management and enhancement of vegetative habitat, which could be implemented on public, private, Tribal and other land determined by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.    

    The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act is endorsed by Idaho Wildlife Federation, Idaho Sportsmen, Ducks Unlimited, Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts and Oregon Agricultural Trust.

    “We appreciate Senators Crapo and Wyden introducing the NW Wetlands VIP Act.  Sportsmen and the wildlife we work to conserve–as well as area farmers that are such critical partners in landscape conservation–will benefit from the habitat restoration opportunities and infrastructure improvements that this legislation will provide,” said Nick Fasciano, Executive Director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation.  “As our wetland habitats face long-term threats of degradation and fragmentation, this legislation is all the more critical.”

    “Access and opportunity for the sportsmen and women of Idaho who hunt, fish, trap and recreationally shoot, is paramount.  In a state where water is our most precious resource, Idaho farmers and landowners are working hard to provide more managed wetlands and habitat,” said Benn Brocksome, Founder and Chairman of Idaho Sportsmen, Access & Opportunity.  “Many landowners in Idaho, and across the West, share our conservation goals and work with sportsmen in a pragmatic and collaborative way to meet the needs of Idaho.  These efforts should be supported, bolstered and recognized with the passage of this important bill.”

    “This important legislation will bring much needed resources for improving water infrastructure to provide multi-benefits for agricultural lands and wetland habitats in the Northwest and Columbia River Basin,” said Jeff McCreary, Operations Director for the Western Region of Ducks Unlimited.  “We are thankful to Senators Wyden and Crapo for introducing the Northwest Wetlands VIP Act.”

    “The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act is strongly aligned with the priorities of Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture (Pacific Birds).  The bill supports wetlands conservation on the coast of Oregon and Washington and within the Columbia River Basin; areas that are vital for millions of waterbirds and wetland-dependent species.  The proposal represents a smart federal investment in durable ecosystems, strong partnerships, and natural and working landscapes,” said Glenn Lamb, Vice Chair of the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture Board of Directors.  “It offers an actionable way to advance Pacific Birds’ priorities and deliver real benefits for wildlife, communities and the economy of the Pacific Northwest.  The NW Wetlands VIP Act emphasizes collaboration among Tribes, nonprofits, local governments and landowners–consistent with Pacific Birds’ partnership-driven approach.  This bill will provide resources for the installation, maintenance and replacement of critical infrastructure, which aligns with Pacific Birds’ goal to support long-term habitat management while emphasizing multi-species benefits and multi-benefit projects, and empowering collaborative on-the-ground action.”

    “The Columbia River?Basin holds critical habitat for migratory birds and other wetland dependent species,” said Joe Buttafuoco, Executive Director at Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT).  “COLT and our members are thrilled about the bipartisan NW?Wetlands VIP?Act.  This bill would offer grants that land trusts, Tribes, private landowners and nonprofits can use to improve habitat, manage invasive species and restore floodplain connectivity.  Thank you to Senators?Wyden and?Crapo for advancing this important legislation.”

    “The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act would bring critical infrastructure dollars to Pacific Northwest farmers and ranchers. These water management projects not only enhance and restore wetland habitat for migratory birds, but help producers improve agricultural production on parts of their properties,” said Nellie McAdams, Executive Director of Oregon Agricultural Trust.  “The Act also provides funding to support conservation easements (up to 10% of the total grant award) which protect farms and ranches for agriculture and associated habitat.”

    The text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Coface SA: Publication of Group and Standalone SFCR as of 31 December 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COFACE SA: Publication of Group and Standalone SFCR as of 31 December 2024

    Paris, 7 May 2025 – 17.45

    COFACE SA has published today its Solvency and Financial Condition Report (SFCR) for COFACE SA (Group) and Compagnie française d’assurance pour le commerce extérieur (the « Compagnie »), in compliance with the Solvency II requirements1.

    The Board of Directors of COFACE SA and the Compagnie, respectively approved the SFCR for the financial year 2024. This report is produced on an annual basis:

    • for Coface Group, involving COFACE SA and its main subsidiaries in France and outside France;
    • for the Compagnie, on a standalone basis.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • To assess its solvency, COFACE SA uses the partial internal model approved by the ACPR in 2019. The Compagnie’s solvency is still assessed using the interpretation of the standard formula.
    • As of 31 December 2024, eligible own funds to cover the Group’s SCR amounted to €2,630 million, which broke down as follows:
      • 75% of Tier 1 capital;
      • 24% of Tier 2 capital;
      • 1% of Tier 3 capital, representing deferred tax assets.
    • The Group’s SCR coverage ratio of 196%2 at the end of 2024 reflects a solvency ratio above its target range (155% -175%). This level supports the Group’s decision to distribute 80% of its net profit for 2024 by a €1.403 dividend per share.
    • The coverage ratio of the Compagnie SCR (Solo) at the end of 2024 is 237%4.

    The full report is available on the website of the Company at the following address:
    https://www.coface.com/investors/regulated-information/annual-reports

    CONTACTS

    ANALYSTS / INVESTORS
    Thomas JACQUET: +33 1 49 02 12 58 – thomas.jacquet@coface.com
    Rina ANDRIAMIADANTSOA: +33 1 49 02 15 85 – rina.andriamiadantsoa@coface.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Saphia GAOUAOUI: +33 1 49 02 14 91 – saphia.gaouaoui@coface.com
    Adrien BILLET: +33 1 49 02 23 63 – adrien.billet@coface.com

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)

    Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting: 14 May 2025
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    This press release, as well as COFACE SA’s integral regulatory information, can be found on the Group’s website: http://www.coface.com/Investors

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2024 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

    Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust.
    You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.
     

    COFACE: FOR TRADE
    As a global leading player in trade credit risk management for more than 75 years, Coface helps companies grow and navigate in an uncertain and volatile environment.
    Whatever their size, location or sector, Coface provides 100,000 clients across some 200 markets with a full range of solutions: Trade Credit Insurance, Business Information, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Surety Bonds, Factoring.
    Every day, Coface leverages its unique expertise and cutting-edge technology to make trade happen, in both domestic and export markets.
    In 2024, Coface employed ~5,236 people and registered a turnover of €1.84 billion.

    www.coface.com

    COFACE SA is quoted in Compartment A of Euronext Paris
    Code ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 5 April 2024 under the number D.25-0227 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

    1 The Solvency II Directive (i) formalises and organises information requests, and (ii) clarifies the governance requirements and processes to be followed by insurers. In particular, the regulations provide for the establishment of two narrative reports: one for the Regulator (RSR) and one for the public (SFCR).
    2 Final calculation of the SCR coverage ratio using the partial group internal model. Non audited.
    3 Ex-dividend date is on 20 May 2025 and Payment date is on 22 May 2025. The proposed distribution of €1.40 per share is subject to approval of the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting that takes place on 14 May 2025.
    4 Final calculation of the SCR coverage ratio according to Coface’s interpretation of Solvency II standard formula. Non audited.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: International Petroleum Corporation Announces 2025 Annual General Meeting Voting Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    International Petroleum Corporation (IPC or the Corporation) (TSX, Nasdaq Stockholm: IPCO) is pleased to announce the voting results from the Corporation’s 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on May 7, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta.

    Number of Directors

    The number of Directors of the Corporation was set at eight.

    Votes For % For Votes Against % Against
    62,055,815 99.98 10,847 0.02

    Election of Directors

    The eight nominees listed in the Corporation’s management information circular dated March 24, 2025 (the Circular) were elected as Directors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected or appointed, unless the office is earlier vacated, as described in the Circular.

    Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld
    C. Ashley Heppenstall 60,675,041 97.76 1,391,621 2.24
    William Lundin 61,771,676 99.52 294,986 0.48
    Chris Bruijnzeels 55,217,620 88.97 6,849,042 11.03
    Donald Charter 61,638,931 99.31 427,731 0.69
    Lukas H. (Harry) Lundin 61,665,996 99.35 400,666 0.65
    Emily Moore 61,832,709 99.62 233,953 0.38
    Mike Nicholson 61,665,366 99.35 401,296 0.65
    Deborah Starkman 61,673,369 99.37 393,293 0.63

    Appointment of Auditor

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as auditor of the Corporation until the next annual meeting of shareholders and the Directors of the Corporation were authorized to fix the auditor’s remuneration.

    Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld
    62,220,145 99.98 12,337 0.02

    International Petroleum Corp. (IPC) is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with a high quality portfolio of assets located in Canada, Malaysia and Europe, providing a solid foundation for organic and inorganic growth. IPC is a member of the Lundin Group of Companies. IPC is incorporated in Canada and IPC’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol “IPCO”.

    For further information, please contact:

    Rebecca Gordon
    SVP Corporate Planning and Investor Relations
    rebecca.gordon@international-petroleum.com
    Tel: +41 22 595 10 50

    Or

    		 Robert Eriksson
    Media Manager
    reriksson@rive6.ch
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains statements and information which constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward-looking statements”) relate to future events, including the Corporation’s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, unless otherwise indicated. IPC does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

    All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, forecasts, guidance, budgets, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “budget” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Shareholders’ Meeting of May 7, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Media relations:
    Victoire Grux
    Tel. : +33 6 04 52 16 55
    victoire.grux@capgemini.com

    Investor relations:
    Vincent Biraud
    Tel. : +33 1 47 54 50 87
    vincent.biraud@capgemini.com

    Shareholders’ Meeting of May 7, 2025

    Paris, May 7, 2025 – The Shareholders’ Meeting of Capgemini SE, held today at the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, adopted all the resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors.

    Shareholders approved the proposed distribution of a dividend of 3.40 euros per share in respect to the 2024 financial year, to be paid from May 22, 2025, with an ex-dividend date of May 20, 2025.

    The Shareholders’ Meeting also approved the renewal of the terms of office of Mr. Patrick Pouyanné and Mr. Kurt Sievers, independent directors, and the appointment of Mr. Jean-Marc Chéry as member of the Board of Directors, for a term of four years.

    Mr. Jean-Marc Chéry, a French national, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor company at the heart of the Intelligent Industry, committed to manufacturing sustainable technologies and offering its customers innovative solutions. He also brings to the Board his expertise in technology, artificial intelligence, and industry knowledge, particularly in the automotive and energy sectors. The Board has indicated that it considers Mr. Jean-Marc Chéry to be an independent director in accordance with the criteria of the AFEP-MEDEF Code to which the Company refers.

    At the end of this Shareholders’ Meeting, the Board of Directors of Capgemini SE has 15 directors1, including two directors representing employees and one director representing employee shareholders. Of its members, 83% are independent directors2, 40% are international directors, and 42% are women2.

    Moreover, the Shareholders’ Meeting approved, by a vast majority, the 2024 compensation components and benefits paid or granted to Paul Hermelin, Chairman of the Board, as well as to Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer. The report on the compensation of corporate officers and the various 2025 compensation policies for executive corporate officers and directors was also approved.

    Finally, the Shareholders’ Meeting approved the amendment of the Company’s bylaws and all the financial delegations granted to the Board of Directors.

    A detailed breakdown of voting results as well as full webcast of the Shareholders’ Meeting can be found on the Capgemini website: https://investors.capgemini.com/en/event/2025-shareholders-meeting/.

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.
    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    APPENDIX 1

    Composition of the Capgemini SE Board of Directors and of its committees following the Shareholders’ Meeting of May 7, 2025

    Composition of the Board of Directors:
    Paul Hermelin – Chairman
    Aiman Ezzat – CEO
    Jean-Marc Chéry
    Megan Clarken
    Ulrica Fearn
    Maria Ferraro
    Pierre Goulaieff – Director representing employees
    Siân Herbert-Jones
    Hervé Jeannin – Director representing employees
    Christophe Merveilleux du Vignaux – Director representing employee shareholders
    Belen Moscoso del Prado Lopez-Doriga
    Xavier Musca
    Frédéric Oudéa – Lead Independent Director and Vice-Chairman
    Patrick Pouyanné
    Kurt Sievers

    Composition of the committees of the Board:

    Audit & Risk Committee: Xavier Musca (Chair), Ulrica Fearn, Maria Ferraro, Siân Herbert-Jones. 

    Compensation Committee: Patrick Pouyanné (Chair), Pierre Goulaieff, Christophe Merveilleux du Vignaux, Belen Moscoso del Prado, Kurt Sievers.

    Ethics & Governance Committee: Frédéric Oudéa (Chair), Siân Herbert-Jones, Xavier Musca, Patrick Pouyanné.

    Strategy & CSR Committee: Paul Hermelin (Chair), Jean-Marc Chéry, Megan Clarken, Aiman Ezzat, Hervé Jeannin, Kurt Sievers.

    1 See the composition of the Capgemini SE Board of Directors and its committees in the appendix.
    2 The directors representing employees and employee shareholders are not taken into account in calculating this percentage, in accordance with the provisions of the AFEP-MEDEF Code and the French Commercial Code currently in force.

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  • MIL-OSI: Societe Generale: shares & voting rights as of 30 April 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NUMBER OF SHARES COMPOSING CURRENT SHARE CAPITAL AND TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTING RIGHTS AS OF 30 APRIL 2025

    Regulated Information

    Paris, 7 May 2025

    Information about the total number of voting rights and shares pursuant to Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulations.

    Date Number of shares composing current share capital Total number of
    voting rights
    30 April 2025 800,316,777

    Gross: 888,385,614

    Press contacts:

    Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com
    Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com

    Societe Generale

    Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.

    The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

    • French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
    • Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
    • Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.

    Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

    For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Announces Convictions and Sentencings of Central New York Gun Traffickers

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the convictions and sentencings of four defendants charged for selling illegal ghost guns and other firearms in Central New York. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) recovered 34 firearms and receivers, including 21 ghost guns or parts used to make ghost guns, dozens of high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The OAG charged the four defendants with 35 crimes spanning two separate indictments in April 2024. All four defendants have pleaded guilty to Felony Possession of Firearms and have received years-long prison sentences.

    “Gun traffickers who flood our communities with illegal untraceable ghost guns put all New Yorkers in danger,” said Attorney General James. “This investigation took dozens of weapons off of our streets and brought dangerous gun traffickers to justice. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their hard work with this investigation as we continue to protect New Yorkers from gun violence.”

    “This case is a testament to the results we can achieve when agencies work together to combat the flow of illegal weapons and dismantle violent trafficking networks,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “The individuals involved in this operation posed a significant threat to public safety, and I commend our Community Stabilization Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and all law enforcement partners for their tireless work in bringing them to justice. We remain committed to targeting the sources of gun violence and holding those responsible fully accountable.” 

    The convictions were the result of a joint investigation between OCTF and the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit, with assistance from the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit’s Rochester and Syracuse offices and the Syracuse Police Department. In April 2024, four individuals were charged with 35 crimes for their involvement in the sale and possession of firearms. The investigation included law enforcement subpoenas, covert physical surveillance, the use of undercover investigators and other intelligence gathering techniques.  

    In June 2022, OCTF began an investigation into two sources of illegal firearms trafficking, including ghost guns, in the Syracuse area. The investigation revealed that Brian Lawson, a/k/a “P’Nut,” Jeremy Baker, a/k/a “Rico,” and Charles Baker possessed and distributed firearms in and around Onondaga County. During the course of the investigation, OCTF detectives recovered numerous firearms alleged to have been sold by Lawson and the Bakers, including Polymer80 9mm pistols with no serial numbers and several serialized but unregistered handguns.

    All three individuals pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, before Judge Matthew J. Doran in Onondaga County Court. On March 3, 2025, Charles and Jeremy Baker were each sentenced to six years in prison, to be followed by five years of post-release supervision. Both Bakers also forfeited $4,100 for firearm sales they made to undercover investigators. On February 5, 2025, Lawson was sentenced to three and a half years in state prison with five years of post-release supervision for his role in the transactions.

    John Leone, Jr., who was charged in a second indictment with firearm possession and sale in Onondaga County, entered a guilty plea before Judge Doran to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. He was sentenced this week to two and a half to five years in state prison.

    Over the course of the investigation, authorities seized the following firearms and components:

    • Nine Polymer80 and AR-15 style unfinished frames/receivers, used to assemble ghost guns;
    • Nine unserialized and unregistered Polymer80 ghost gun pistols;
    • Nine serialized unregistered firearms;
    • Three AR-15 style rifles;
    • One 7.62 assault rifle;
    • Three ghost guns, including an assault rifle;
    • Dozens of magazines, including several extended magazines classified as high-capacity ammunition feeding devices; and
    • Hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

    This investigation marks another major gun bust in Attorney General James’ ongoing mission to recover unregistered firearms and prosecute those responsible for the proliferation of gun violence in New York.

    The investigation was led by now-retired NYSP Investigator Todd Grant of the Community Stabilization Unit and OCTF Detective William Elsenbeck and Supervising Detective John T. MacConaghy, under the supervision of OCTF Upstate Chief Detective John Monte and Deputy Chief Andrew Boss. The Attorney General’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.

    The case was prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Geoffrey Ciereck, with the assistance of Legal Support Analyst Sean McCauley and OCTF Confidential Clerk Theresa Rowe, under the supervision of Upstate OCTF Deputy Chief Maria Moran. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. The OCTF is part of the Criminal Justice Division, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado.  Both the Investigations Division and the Criminal Justice Division are overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kvika banki hf.: Financial Results for Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    At a board meeting on 7 May 2025, the Board of Directors and the CEO approved the condensed interim consolidated financial statements of Kvika banki hf. (“Kvika” or “the bank”) group for the first quarter of 2025.

    Highlights of performance in the first quarter (Q1 2025)

    • Post-tax profit of the group amounted to ISK 2,086 million in Q1 2025, compared to ISK 1,083 million in Q1 2024, an increase of ISK 1,003 million or 92.6% from previous year.
    • Pre-tax profit from continuing operations, adjusted for non-recurring items, amounted to ISK 1,590 million in Q1 2025, compared to ISK 1,215 million in Q1 2024, and increases by ISK 375 million or 31% from previous year. Unadjusted pre-tax profit for the quarter was ISK 701 million.
    • Net interest income amounted to ISK 2,917 million in Q1 2025, compared to ISK 2,326 million in Q1 2024, an increase of ISK 590 million or 25.4% from previous year.
    • Net interest margin was 4.4% in Q1 2025, compared to 3.8% in Q1 2024. Year-on-year increase is largely due to strong liquidity, improved funding terms, and a growing loan book.
    • Net fee and commission income was ISK 1,520 million in Q1 2025, compared to ISK 1,633 million in Q1 2024, a decrease of ISK 113 million or 6.9% from previous year.
    • Other net operating income amounted to ISK 12 million in Q1 2025, compared to ISK 110 million in Q1 2024, a decrease of ISK 98 million or 89.1% from previous year.
    • Administrative expenses amounted to ISK 3,090 million in Q1 2025, compared to ISK 2,666 million in Q1 2024, an increase of ISK 424 million or 15.9% from previous year. Adjusted for one-off items, operating expenses were ISK 2,865 million in Q1 2025.
    • Pre-tax return on tangible equity (RoTE), adjusted for one-off items, was 17.7%. Unadjusted pre-tax RoTE per the income statement was 7.8%.
    • Earnings per share were ISK 0.45 in Q1 2025, compared to ISK 0.23 in Q1 2024.

    Income from assets held for sale:

    • Post-tax profit from assets held for sale consists of profit from the sale of TM tryggingar hf. and related income and expenses.

    Key balance sheet figures as at 31.3.2025:

    • Deposits from customers amount to ISK 168 billion, compared to ISK 163 billion at year-end 2024, an increase of 2.8% during the quarter.
    • Loans to customers amount to ISK 161 billion, compared to ISK 150 billion at year-end 2024, an increase of 6.9% during the quarter.
    • Total assets amount to ISK 343 billion, compared to ISK 355 billion at year-end 2024, a decrease of 3.4% during the quarter.
    • Total equity of the group was ISK 68 billion, compared to ISK 90 billion at year-end 2024, materially reduced following the sale of TM. On the reporting date, shareholder approval for a special dividend, not yet paid out, had been granted. The dividend is recorded as unpaid dividend under other liabilities.
    • The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) was 23.9%, compared to 22.8% at year-end 2024, as determined on the basis of the unaudited net earnings in the quarter. Kvika’s capital ratio as calculated under the Financial Undertakings Act No. 161/2002 was 23.0% at the end of March 2025.
    • Total liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) of the group was 279%, compared to 360% at year-end 2024.
    • Total assets under management were ISK 441 billion, compared to ISK 456 billion at year-end 2024.

    Ármann Þorvaldsson, CEO of Kvika:

    “The bank delivered strong performance in the first quarter, when adjusted for non-recurring items. Net interest income increased by 25%, while overall cost growth was more moderate, with wage expenses increasing by just under 5%. However, other expenses rose year-on-year, partly driven by non-recurring costs related to the sale of TM.

    The sale of the insurance company TM to Landsbankinn was successfully completed during the quarter. A large part of the sale proceeds, totaling over ISK 32 billion, was returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. A considerable portion, however, remains as equity in the bank, providing a solid foundation for growth in the coming years.

    The acquisition of the remaining management stake in Ortus Secured Finance was also finalized, making the bank the sole owner of the company. This acquisition allows for further integration of the UK operations, cost reductions, refinancing of inefficient debt, and lays the groundwork for continued growth in the UK.

    Non-recurring items related to these transactions had a significant impact on the bank’s operating results in the quarter. Excluding these, the profit from the bank’s core operations before tax was very good.

    Net interest income increased substantially year-on-year, rising by over 25%. This growth was driven by an expanding loan portfolio, reduced funding costs, and a temporarily elevated liquidity position following the sale of TM, which was reduced after the dividend payout in April. The portion of the sale proceeds retained by the bank will continue to generate returns, and interest income is expected to remain strong going forward.

    Fee and investment income reflected challenging conditions in the securities markets, leading to a slight year-on-year contraction. Concurrently, efforts to contain cost increases, excluding non-recurring items, have been successful, and the number of employees remain unchanged from the previous quarter.

    Kvika is now in an enviable position to advance and expand in line with its business plan. Following the sale of TM, the bank enjoys a very strong capital and liquidity position, and steady interest income has replaced the more volatile insurance-related income. The bank’s infrastructure, which has been adapted to TM’s departure from the group, is both robust and scalable, providing a solid foundation for continued growth in Iceland and the UK.”

    Presentation for shareholders and market participants

    A presentation for shareholders and market participants will be held on Thursday, 8 May, at 08:30 at Kvika’s headquarters on the 9th floor at Katrínartún 2, 105 Reykjavík. The presentation will be conducted in Icelandic and a live stream can be accessed at:

    https://kvika.is/kynning-a-uppgjori-3m-2025/

    Questions can be sent before or during the meeting via ir@kvika.is or through the Slido app here.

    An investor presentation is attached. Additionally, a recording with English subtitles will be made available on Kvika’s website.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NEURONES: 3.9% increase in organic growth in the 1st quarter of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PRESS INFORMATION
    Heading: 1st quarter revenues 2025        Nanterre, May 7, 2025 (after trading)

    3.9% increase in organic growth in the 1stquarter of 2025

    (in millions of euros) Q1 2024 Q1 2025 Growth of which organic
    Revenues 204.9 214.1 + 4.5% + 3.9%

    Achievements

    Driven by its cloud, digital and data activities, the Group’s organic growth increased by 3.9% over the first three months of the year.

    Operating profit (*) totaled 8.2% of revenues. The increase in taxation (the fixed social security charge on bonus shares rose from 20% to 30%) represented an expense of one million euros, entirely entered into the books at the start of the year (i.e. 0.5% of 1st quarter revenues).

    Compared to the 2024 Universal Registration Document (www.neurones.net – Investors), the financial position has not changed significantly.

    Outlook

    Taking into account limited visibility, NEURONES’ forecasts for the full financial year 2025 are as follows:

    • revenues between €840 and €850 million,
    • operating profit between 8.5% and 9% of revenues.

    These forecasts may be adjusted when the Group publishes its revenues for the first half of the year.

    (*) not audited and after inclusion of 1.2% of expenses related to bonus shares.

    About NEURONES
    With 7,250 experts, and ranking among the French leaders in management consulting and digital services, NEURONES helps large companies and organizations make their transition to a digital and sustainable economy, implement their digital projects, transform their IT infrastructures and adopt new uses.

    Euronext Paris (compartment B – NRO) – Euronext Tech Leaders – DSS mid-caps – PEA-PME eligible
    www.neurones.net

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Statement by IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke at the Conclusion of His Visit to Zambia

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 7, 2025

    Lusaka, Zambia: Mr. Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement at the conclusion of his visit to Zambia from May 4-6:

    “I would first like to thank H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, and Central Bank Governor Denny H. Kalyalya for their warm hospitality and constructive discussions on my first visit to Zambia as Deputy Managing Director of the IMF.

    “Progress on Zambia’s economic reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility has been strong, despite repeated external shocks. Since the program was approved in August 2022 and augmented in 2024 (See Press Release 24/242), it has provided critical support—both financial and policy-based—and helped to anchor Zambia’s landmark debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework and navigate last year’s severe drought.

    “Zambia’s remarkable progress has centered on restoring macroeconomic stability, including fiscal and debt sustainability, and implementing reforms. Notable reforms include the removal of fuel subsidies, strengthened debt management, and the roll-out of a reformed agricultural input subsidy—the e-voucher system—which increased competition in input delivery, reduced costs, and supported job creation.

    “These achievements have been particularly impressing given the challenging external and domestic environment. In my discussions with the authorities, I also welcomed their commitment to strengthen governance and anti-corruption policies.

    “Going forward, the policy environment remains challenging. As in many sub-Saharan African economies, Zambia must navigate weaker global trade, elevated uncertainty, and declining external assistance. Continued reform momentum will be essential to build resilience, mobilize domestic revenues, and create fiscal space to support inclusive growth. Structural reforms to improve productivity and support private sector activity will help boost inclusive growth, delivering the much-needed jobs for Zambia’s vibrant youth.

    “I am also grateful for the opportunity to engage with University of Zambia students and faculty, representatives of the private and banking sectors, and Zambia’s development partners. I appreciated the candid discussions on the impact of recent global and domestic economic developments on Zambia and exchanged views on how we can best partner with Zambia on its journey towards a more resilient and inclusive future.

    “I leave Zambia optimistic about the country’s future—encouraged by the authorities’ determination to continue on their reform path, and reassured by the Zambian people’s resilience. The IMF remains a close partner in supporting the country’s journey to lift the living standards of the Zambian people.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/07/pr-25131-zambia-statement-by-imf-deputy-managing-director-nigel-clarke-after-his-visit

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jefferson County Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison on Gun and Drug Charges

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

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  A Jefferson County man has been sentenced for drug trafficking and possessing firearms as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. 

    U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Michael Roman Black, 32, of Bessemer, Alabama, to 212 months in prison. In January, Black pleaded guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to the plea agreement, between July 2021 and September 2022, Black committed crimes on three separate occasions:

    On July 22, 2021, a Bessemer police officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Black after discovering it had a switched tag. As the officer approached the vehicle, Black opened the door. The officer observed several syringes lying in the driver’s side door pocket. After Black exited the vehicle pursuant to the officer’s orders, the officer searched the vehicle and recovered syringes, two vacuum sealed bags containing 892.6 grams of methamphetamine, and 60 rounds of Blackout .300 caliber ammunition. Officers searched Black’s person and recovered $8,254 in cash and a plastic bag containing 12 hydrocodone pills. 

    On December 22, 2021, Black sold 435 grams of pure methamphetamine to an undercover officer.

    On September 7, 2022, an FBI Task Force Officer and FBI agents went to arrest him at a residence in Bessemer, Alabama. During the arrest, agents observed drug paraphernalia, cocaine, rifles, a handgun, and marijuana in plain view. After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, FBI agents and the Bessemer Police Department Special Operations Unit recovered cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a Blackout .300 caliber rifle loaded with 100 rounds of ammunition, an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 (assault style) rifle loaded with 100 rounds of ammunition, four magazines that fit the AM-15 rifle, two loaded Glock 9mm pistols, an unloaded Glock 9mm pistol, ammunition, various magazines, and cash totaling $8,438. At the time of the search warrant, Black was a convicted felon prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, along with the Bessemer Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy M. Peoples prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation Restore Justice: FBI Arrests 205 Alleged Child Sex Abuse Offenders in Nationwide Crackdown

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

    In an unprecedented nationwide operation to protect our children and mark April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the FBI announces Operation Restore Justice, a five-day, sweeping FBI initiative to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators across the country in coordination with all 55 FBI field offices.

    Last week alone, the FBI arrested 205 subjects and rescued 115 children across the country during the surge of resources deployed for Operation Restore Justice. The subjects are accused of various crimes, including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking.

    The FBI’s efforts didn’t just occur last week. Throughout the entire month of April, the FBI, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, additionally arrested more than 190 perpetrators on charges related to crimes against children. With nearly 400 arrests in one month, these actions are the direct result of the FBI’s continued efforts to track down and stop sexual predators before they can harm more victims.

    Throughout late April, and as part of this operation, the FBI Anchorage Field Office identified and arrested three men in Kenai, Utqiaġvik, and California for committing alleged child exploitation or child pornography crimes in Alaska. As part of this joint effort between the FBI Anchorage Field Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and law enforcement partners throughout the state, these three individuals are now facing federal charges alleged through separate indictments in the District of Alaska.

    “Through collaborative efforts, this wide-ranging operation was designed to identify and apprehend those accused of child sexual exploitation crimes, regardless of where they live or operate,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Protecting our children is one of the highest callings in law enforcement. I commend the outstanding work by members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as our law enforcement partners across Alaska, in their commitment to fostering safer communities for our children.”

    Locally, this operation was conducted by the FBI Anchorage Field Office with substantial assistance from the Anchorage Police Department, as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Operational assistance was provided by the Alaska State Troopers, the North Slope Borough Police Department, and the Kenai Police Department in conducting the arrests.

    The FBI proactively identifies individuals involved in child sexual exploitation and the production of child sexual abuse material through its far-reaching, nationwide network of personnel and law enforcement partners. The Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) program provides a rapid, proactive, and comprehensive capacity to counter all threats of abuse against children. This capacity leverages partnerships within the FBI’s 89 Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Forces across the country. Additionally, the FBI has Intelligence Analysts assigned to address the VCAC threat, both at Headquarters and the field. The FBI also leads a Violent Crimes Against Children International Task Force, which includes nearly 100 International Task Force Officers representing over 60 countries to expand our ability to address the threat worldwide. 

    The FBI also partners with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org. In further partnership and collaboration with NCMEC, the FBI launched the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) in 2004 to identify individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. To date, ECAP has identified 36 individuals.

    For more information about the crimes investigated by the FBI, as well as the variety of resources we provide to protect and keep children safe, please visit:

    As always, the FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected crime against a child to 911 and local law enforcement immediately, as well as the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), online at tips.fbi.gov, or call the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441.

    Additional online resources:

    MIL Security OSI –