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Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI: Alpha Sigma Capital Research Publishes New Report on XNET Mobile (XNET) and the Future of Decentralized Wireless (DeWi)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tampa, FL, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alpha Sigma Capital Research has released an in-depth report on XNET Mobile (XNET), a pioneering force in the decentralized wireless (DeWi) industry. As mobile data consumption continues to surge, traditional mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) face increasing challenges in scaling their infrastructure efficiently. XNET is addressing this critical industry need with an innovative blockchain-powered solution that enhances network capacity while reducing reliance on costly physical infrastructure.

    Key Highlights from the Report:

    • Seamless Connectivity: XNET enables over 150 million mobile devices to connect automatically, leveraging blockchain-based incentives and carrier-grade hardware.
    • Scalable Data Offloading: Provides a cost-effective solution for MNOs and MVNOs to offload data through carrier-grade WiFi and LTE/5G interconnects.
    • Strategic Partnerships: Direct partnership with AT&T exemplifies XNET’s ability to integrate with traditional MNOs and enhance network scalability.
    • Decentralized Network Expansion: Uses WiFi 6+ and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) networks to enhance connectivity in underserved and high-traffic areas.
    • Blockchain-Powered Model: Operates on Solana, allowing communities and entrepreneurs to build network infrastructure while earning tokenized incentives.
    • Industry Disruption: XNET’s approach challenges traditional mobile infrastructure models, providing a sustainable and decentralized alternative.

    Despite liquidity challenges in the broader Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) sector, which have impacted the performance of the $XNET token, XNET remains uniquely positioned for long-term growth.
    “The mobile wireless industry has remained relatively unchanged for decades, and XNET is bringing a much-needed shift in how connectivity is built and managed,” said Enzo Villani, CEO, at Alpha Sigma Capital. “By utilizing blockchain technology and a decentralized model, XNET is providing a sustainable solution to meet the growing demand for high-speed, reliable mobile connectivity.”

    To read the full research report, visit [LINK].

    Stay connected with ASC Research on Substack. Subscribe at Alpha Sigma Capital Research | Substack.

    About Alpha Transform Holdings
    Alpha Transform Holdings (ATH) is a leading digital asset investment firm, combining strategic advisory, research, and capital investment to drive innovation in Web3 and blockchain.

    About Alpha Sigma Capital Research
    Active Investing in the Blockchain Economy.™

    Alpha Sigma Capital Research is provided by Alpha Sigma Capital Advisors, LLC, the Investment Manager for the Alpha Blockchain/Web3 Fund and Alpha Liquid Fund.  Alpha Sigma Capital (ASC) investment funds are focused on emerging blockchain companies that are successfully building their user-base, demonstrating real-world uses for their decentralized ecosystems, and moving blockchain technology towards mass-adoption. ASC is focused on companies leveraging blockchain technology to provide value-add in areas such as fintech, AI, supply chain, and healthcare. Apply to receive research at www.alphasigma.fund/research.

    DISCLAIMER
    This is for informational use only. This is not investment advice. Other than disclosures relating to Alpha Transform Holdings (ATH) and Alpha Sigma Capital (ASC) this information is based on current public information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent it as accurate or complete, and it should not be relied on as such. The information, opinions, estimates, and forecasts contained herein are as of the date hereof and are subject to change without prior notification. We seek to update our information as appropriate.

    Any forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be relied upon as advice or interpreted as a recommendation. The price of crypto assets may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company’s financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Past performance is not a guide to future performance, future returns are not guaranteed, and a loss of original capital may occur. Fluctuations in exchange rates could have adverse effects on the value or price of, or income derived from certain investments. We and our affiliates, officers, directors, and employees, excluding equity and credit analysts, will from time to time have long or short positions in, act as principal in, and buy or sell, the securities or derivatives, if any, referred to in this press release.

    The information on which the information is based has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable such as, for example, the company’s financial statements filed with a regulator, the company website, the company white paper, pitchbook, and any other sources. While Alpha Sigma Capital has obtained data, statistics, and information from sources it believes to be reliable, Alpha Sigma Capital does not perform an audit or seek independent verification of any of the data, statistics, and information it receives.
    Unless otherwise provided in a separate agreement, Alpha Sigma Capital does not represent that the contents meet all of the presentation and/or disclosure standards applicable in the jurisdiction the recipient is located. Alpha Sigma Capital and its officers, directors, and employees shall not be responsible or liable for any trading decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from, or related to, the information, data, analyses, or opinions within the report.

    Crypto and/or digital currencies involve substantial risk, are speculative in nature, and may not perform as expected. Many digital currency platforms are not subject to regulatory supervision, unlike regulated exchanges. Some platforms may commingle customer assets in shared accounts and provide inadequate custody, which may affect whether or how investors can withdraw their currency and/or subject them to money laundering. Digital currencies may be vulnerable to hacks and cyber fraud as well as significant volatility and price swings.

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Farmers, investors, miners and parents: how unconventional climate advocates can reach new audiences

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Xiongzhi Wang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Environmental Social Science, Australian National University

    Max Acronym/Shutterstock

    When you think about climate advocates, you’ll likely picture left-leaning environmentalists who live in cities. This group has contributed to building public support for climate action worldwide, through protests, petitions, lobbying and so on.

    While a majority of Australians understand that climate change is happening and that humans are the main cause, there are still holdout groups. Acceptance of the fact that climate change is largely caused by humans sits at 60% of Australians, well below other countries.

    Holdout groups in Australia can include people associated with political conservatism, the business sector, farming, the resource sector, some religious groups and some sports fans. For these groups, climate advocacy by left-leaning environmentalists may be limited in its effectiveness.

    How do you reach these groups? Our new research points to one solution: unconventional climate advocates. That is, those not from the stereotypical background and who belong to holdout groups. Think of groups such as Farmers for Climate Action and the Investor Group on Climate Change.

    These individuals and groups can play a crucial role in expanding the base of the climate movement – without necessarily working with mainstream climate groups. Better still, we found these unconventional advocates tend to receive more sympathetic media coverage.

    Who are these unconventional advocates?

    We distinguish two types of unconventional climate advocates –role-based and bridge-builders.

    Role-based advocates come from groups not typically associated with climate advocacy, such as Australian Parents for Climate Action, Doctors for the Environment, Vets for Climate Action and Australian Firefighters Climate Alliance. These advocates broaden our perception of who engages in climate advocacy.

    Bridge-builders come from groups with a history of tension with environmentalists and environmental issues. They can often span the divide between their group and the broader climate movement. These groups include Farmers for Climate Action, Investor Group on Climate Change, Hunter Jobs Alliance and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.

    Why do they matter?

    Unconventional advocates are vital because they can reach a broader section of the population. This is because we are more likely to listen to insiders: people from groups we identify with who share our values and beliefs. We also pay more attention to messages when they come from a surprising source and when they go against perceived interests.

    A farmer advocating for climate action is more likely to resonate with other farmers than city-based environmentalists, for instance. Similarly, if you expect farmers to be opposed to climate action, you’re more likely to pay attention to their message than if it came from an environmentalist.

    Our research shows these groups are not mainstream environmentalists. They exist on the periphery of the climate movement.

    Using social network analysis, we mapped the connections between more than 3,000 climate advocacy groups in Australia. This showed us unconventional advocates are less connected to traditional environmental groups such as Greenpeace Australia Pacific or the Australian Conservation Foundation.

    This distance may actually be advantageous. By maintaining a degree of independence from the mainstream environmental movement, unconventional advocates can avoid being dismissed as “greenies” – an unpopular group for some people in rural areas. Farmers advocating for climate action may be more effective if they’re not seen as aligned with environmentalists who might be viewed with suspicion in rural communities.

    Does unconventional advocacy work?

    By one metric, unconventional advocacy does work. These individuals and groups broadly receive more sympathetic media coverage.

    In recent research, we analysed more than 17,000 Australian media articles published between 2017 and 2022 mentioning unconventional and more stereotypical environmentalist climate advocacy groups.

    We found Greenpeace Australia Pacific and other established groups received the most media coverage overall. Disruptive groups such as Extinction Rebellion tended to be framed negatively, with a focus on conflict and arrests. The negativity was most pronounced in articles published by News Corp, owned by the conservative media figure Rupert Murdoch.

    Unconventional advocates received less media coverage than other types of advocates. When they did receive coverage, it was generally more sympathetic. Articles tended to focus on their achievements and to use less confrontational language, even from conservative-leaning media outlets.

    This suggests unconventional advocates are well positioned to shift public opinion in holdout groups and build a broader base of support for climate action.

    Unconventional advocates for unprecedented times

    In Australia and in many other countries, climate action has become politicised – often along party lines. Holdout groups are a minority, but a large minority. To actually respond to the increasing threat of climate change will require building a bigger base of support.

    Unconventional advocates offer a way to disrupt hardened divides, expand the range of voices in the movement and engage communities and groups often left out of the conversation.

    Xiongzhi Wang works as a postdoc with his salary coming from the Australian Research Council (project DP220103155) which funds the research related to this article.

    Kelly Fielding received funding from Australian Research Council DP220103155 for the research related to this article. She currently donates to Greenpeace Australia.

    Rebecca Colvin serves on advisory/research committees/panels for: the Australian Museum’s Climate Solutions Centre; The Climate Risk Group; The Blueprint Institute; RE-Alliance; the NSW Environmental Trust. She is a non-executive member of the Board of the NSW Government’s EnergyCo. She receives funding from The Australian Research Council (DP220103155 and DE230101151).

    Robyn Gulliver receives funding from the Climate Social Science Network. She has worked for and volunteers for a range of environmental advocacy groups.

    Winnifred Louis receives funding from the Australian Research Council (project DP220103155) for the research related to this article. She has been a longstanding advocate for environmental and climate action but is not affiliated with any groups mentioned here.

    – ref. Farmers, investors, miners and parents: how unconventional climate advocates can reach new audiences – https://theconversation.com/farmers-investors-miners-and-parents-how-unconventional-climate-advocates-can-reach-new-audiences-249949

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Plea in Child Exploitation Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man pled guilty to federal charges of using social media and text messages to entice a minor into illegal sexual activity.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, between February 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021, Kenzie Roy Rockmen, 26, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, used text messages and Facebook communications to coerce a minor to engage in illegal sexual acts.

    Rockmen was charged along with his brother, Dustin Roy Rockmen. On October 15, 2024, Dustin pled guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

    At sentencing, Rockmen faces not less than 120 months and up to 135 months in prison, followed by not less than five years and up to life of supervised release.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert James Booth II and Mark A. Probasco are prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the 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, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BsvCloud Announces 2025 Cloud Mining Plans to Help Beginners Mine Bitcoin Easily

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UXBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin continues to dominate the cryptocurrency world, BsvCloud, a trusted leader in cloud mining solutions, announces its new 2025 mining plans tailored to help beginners mine Bitcoin easily. Since its founding in 2017, BsvCloud has empowered over 500,000 users globally, and now it’s breaking down barriers with user-friendly, secure, and innovative cloud mining packages designed to simplify Bitcoin mining for newcomers.

    Making Bitcoin Mining Easy for Beginners in 2025

    With Bitcoin’s popularity soaring in 2025, many beginners are eager to join the mining craze but often face complex hardware setups and technical challenges. BsvCloud’s new cloud mining plans eliminate these hurdles, offering a straightforward way for novices to start mining Bitcoin. Backed by cutting-edge technology, these plans make the process accessible, letting anyone dip their toes into the world of cryptocurrency with confidence.

    Key Features of BsvCloud’s New Cloud Mining Plans

    • Beginner-Friendly Options: Start with simple, affordable plans crafted for those new to Bitcoin mining.
    • Higher Profitability: Optimized contracts ensure returns exceed industry benchmarks.
    • Advanced Tech: Powered by renewable energy and AI-driven hardware, BsvCloud maximizes efficiency.
    • Unmatched Security: Multi-layer encryption and offline storage safeguard your assets.
    • 24/7 Support: A friendly team is available anytime to assist beginners every step of the way.

    How to Start Mining Bitcoin with BsvCloud
    Getting into Bitcoin mining has never been easier:

    1. Sign Up: Register at bsvcloud.com and claim a $15 signup bonus in minutes.
    2. Select a Plan: Pick a cloud mining package that fits your budget and goals.
    3. Start Mining: Launch your operation instantly—no hardware or expertise needed.
    4. Track Earnings: Monitor daily profits on a user-friendly dashboard, with withdrawals in under 5 minutes.

    Why BsvCloud Stands Out for Beginners

    Traditional Bitcoin mining can intimidate newcomers with its costly equipment and steep learning curve. BsvCloud changes that by leveraging green energy and smart automation to simplify the process.

    “We’re here to help beginners mine Bitcoin without the stress,” said Thomas Simatos, CEO of BsvCloud. “Our 2025 plans are all about ease and accessibility, backed by reliable technology.” Users like Sarah from London agree: “I signed up in minutes and started mining Bitcoin without any stress—BsvCloud makes it so easy!”

    Get Started with Bitcoin Mining Today

    BsvCloud’s new cloud mining plans are live now, ready to help beginners explore Bitcoin mining in 2025. Visit bsvcloud.com to learn more and take your first step into the crypto world with ease.

    About BsvCloud

    Founded in 2017, BsvCloud is a global leader in cloud mining, serving over 500,000 users across 100+ countries. Based in Uxbridge, UK, the company uses renewable energy and AI technology to make Bitcoin mining sustainable and beginner-friendly. With a focus on transparency and simplicity, BsvCloud is committed to opening up cryptocurrency mining to everyone.

    Contact Details

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by BsvCloud. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in cloud mining and related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f481c7cd-44bd-49d8-9964-2b42ac9aee96

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a29ccc22-1d4f-4f56-887f-df6c491b90f5

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to Deliver Keynote Address at 10th Powering Africa Summit

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

    LONDON, United Kingdom, February 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Department of Energy, has been confirmed as a speaker and guest of honour at the 10th Powering Africa Summit (PAS), taking place at JW Marriott Washington, D.C. across March 6-7. This is an important step to provide an answer to the question that all of African energy is now asking: how will the new Administration approach the strategic energy relationship between the U.S. and Africa?

    Under the Summit theme, The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will deliver a keynote address at the 10th annual Powering Africa Summit. Wright will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of State: Ambassador Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs; Kimberly Harrington, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources; and Stephen Banks, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy, Bureau of Energy Resources. All will share their vision for this future relationship between African countries and the US-based investors that are so vital to realizing their energy ambitions.

    “As Secretary of Energy, I am committed to unleashing all forms of affordable, reliable and secure energy here at home and advancing that mission of energy security around the world – and nowhere is that more critical than the continent of Africa. I look forward to joining the Summit to reaffirm the strategic energy partnership between the U.S. and Africa and share my vision for advancing innovation and removing barriers to energy access, both at home and around the world,” Secretary Wright said.

    Ministers and governments from 19 African countries will arrive in Washington D.C., where the Africa Welcome Address will be given by H.E. Honourable Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria. Together with H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Liberia; H.E. Honourable Dr. Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria; H.E. Honourable Mahmoud Mustafa Esmat, Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Botswana; H.E. Honourable Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum, Kenya; and Amina Benkhadra, Director General, Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), Morocco, he will meet distinguished Ministers and leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Togo, Sierra Leone and more to drive energy development across the continent.

    Flagship ministerial boardrooms and regional energy cooperation sessions will discuss and debate   derisking projects, South Africa’s energy future, the need for West African regulatory reforms, and the role of hydrogen in North Africa. New areas of opportunity such as bitcoin mining and data centers will be discussed through an East African lens. The Mission 300 initiative, set to provide electricity access to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, is also high on the agenda.

    The 10th Anniversary Gala Drinks Reception sponsored by Genesis Energy, will celebrate International Women’s Day, ahead of March 8.

    Critical to the week’s discussions will be a host of private players including Alliant Insurance Services, GE Vernova, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment, Globeleq, Africa50, Nextracker, Schneider Electric, Newmarket Capital and the summit’s general sponsor, Sun Africa, who are looking to a new future for the U.S.-Africa relationship.   

    Sun Africa CEO, Adam Cortese said: “We are seeing a sea change in how the U.S. participates in foreign infrastructure development and our unique model of development is an excellent illustration of how U.S. energy companies can thrive in emerging markets on a strictly commercial basis. Sun Africa remains committed to harnessing Africa’s immense energy resources through innovative structures, state-of-the-art technology and strong alliances while maintaining our long-standing market-based approach to development.  At Sun Africa, we believe energy development on the continent truly represents an opportunity for win-win partnerships and look forward to sharing our experience.”

    Simon Gosling, MD of EnergyNet added: “This summit has always been about bringing together African countries seeking investment with U.S.-based investors who see the vast potential on the continent.  It is more important than ever to establish the crucial energy projects that Africa needs. PAS25 will put the continent center stage and make sure that both sides have a future relationship to be excited about.”

    Media Credentials Requited for Powering Africa Summit

    The Secretary will open the Summit on 6 March, delivering a Keynote Speech at 09:45, followed by a Fireside Chat with Mission 300 Accelerator CEO, Andrew Herscowitz.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Repeat drug trafficker is heading back to prison another 15 years following ICE Rio Grande Valley, federal partner investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    MCALLEN, Texas — A South Texas man and convicted felon was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking while on federal supervision, following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in coordination with the ATF and Texas Department of Public Safety. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation was conducted with assistance from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and the Mission and Alton police departments.

    Salvador Noyola, 56, from Mission, Texas, was sentenced Feb. 20 by Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to serve 188 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. On supervised release when he committed the crime, the court included 18 months as part of the sentence for violating that term. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane warned Noyola, stating “You’ve got to get out of this business… I hope that you will find another way to make money.” Noyola pleaded guilty May 3, 2024.

    ‘Today’s sentencing of a repeat drug trafficker to 15 years underscores the serious consequences of continuous involvement in these illegal activities. This significant penalty highlights our dedication to enforcing drug laws and maintaining public safety,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Mark Lippa. “We hope this sentence acts as a powerful deterrent for others and reinforces the importance of adhering to the law. This outcome is a testament to the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies working together to uphold justice and strive for a drug-free society.”

    According to court documents, in December 2023, authorities arrested Noyola following a search at his residence. At the time of the search, law enforcement seized over a kilogram of powdered cocaine.

    Noyola remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roberto Lopez Jr., Lance Watt and Brittany Jensen from the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Rio Grande Valley, federal partner investigation results in the sentencing of illegal alien for drug trafficking in South Texas

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    MCALLEN, Texas — A illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced for trafficking cocaine following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Rio Grande Valley Office.

    Jorge Alberto Galindo-Vargas, 44, illegally residing in Mission, Texas, was sentenced Feb. 20 by Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to serve 210 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. During the hearing, Galindo-Vargas spoke to the court noting that he had previously received a large sentence for drug trafficking at the age of 17. In handing down the sentence, in response to Galindo-Vargas statements, Judge Crane stated “Unfortunately, you’re in the cocaine business again, and that’s going to cost you another chunk of your life.” Galindo-Vargas pleaded guilty June 28, 2024.

    “The sentencing of this individual underscores our unwavering commitment to combatting drug trafficking and securing our borders,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Mark Lippa. “This case is a testament to the tireless efforts of our dedicated agents and law enforcement partners who work diligently to ensure that those who engage in illegal activities are brought to justice. We remain steadfast in our mission to protect our communities from the dangers posed by drug trafficking and to uphold the rule of law.”

    According to court documents, on Nov. 1, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 12 kilograms of cocaine inside an ice chest inside the vehicle.

    Galindo-Vargas remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roberto Lopez Jr., Lance Watt and Brittany Jensen from the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

    Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE HSI’s mission to increase public safety in Central and South Texas communities on X: @HSI_SanAntonio.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tower Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Over $300K From Clients

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Tower woman has been sentenced to 28 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay nearly $430,000 in restitution to more than two dozen former payroll clients and the IRS, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, Jeana Lautigar, a.k.a. Jeana Lautigar-McGowan, 58, owned and operated an accounting and payroll service headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where she managed payroll for various small businesses. To facilitate the payroll service, Lautigar-McGowan was granted access to client bank accounts. On multiple occasions between 2016 and 2020, Lautigar-McGowan embezzled funds from her clients’ bank accounts and used the money to cover personal expenses, or to pay back money she had previously embezzled from other clients. To accomplish her scheme, Lautigar-McGowan would electronically transfer funds from a client account into an account she controlled – in an amount appearing to be consistent with clients’ payroll – and spend the money for unapproved purposes. In total, she embezzled $344,813 from her clients over a period of five years.

    According to court documents and her guilty plea, on February 6, 2020, Lautigar-McGowan tried to cover her scheme by transferring money from an account she controlled and that had been funded with embezzled money into the account of another payroll client. Lautigar-McGowan also filed false income tax returns in which she failed to report the embezzled income, resulting in a $84,746 tax loss to the United States.

    On September 27, 2024, Lautigar-McGowan pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in criminally derived property and one count of filing a false income tax return. She was sentenced last week by Judge Donovan W. Frank.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Lewis and Esther Soria prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Child Predator Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison after Transporting 14-Year-Old Michigan Girl Across State Lines for Sex and Impregnating Her

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— Larry Goldsmith., 26, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity.

    According to court documents, in 2020, Goldsmith began messaging a 14-year-old girl living in Michigan through the social media applications Spot-a-Friend and Snapchat. Goldsmith knew of the child’s age at the time yet engaged in sexually explicit conversations with her. 

    At the end of August 2020, the child got into a verbal argument with her mother and expressed to Goldsmith that she wanted to run away from home. Goldsmith drove over four hours to Michigan and picked her up at a business near her home. Goldsmith was 21 years old at the time.

    On the way back to Indiana, Goldsmith engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the child at a rest stop in Michigan and then transported her across state lines to a home he rented in Indianapolis.  During their time living together, Goldsmith had sex with the child numerous times and impregnated her.

    After committing these offenses, Goldsmith continued his sexual abuse of minors by committing essentially the same conduct with another child in Georgia – where he drugged and raped a 13-year-old. In 2022, Goldsmith pleaded guilty to those crimes in Georgia and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, which he is currently serving.

    “Goldsmith is no longer a danger to children and families in our community,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “He is a manipulative, child predator who used the tools of social media to abuse a vulnerable child over and over again. I commend the outstanding work of local law enforcement agencies in Indiana and Georgia, along with the FBI, to bring the victim home safely.”

    “The FBI is unwavering in our mission to protect the most vulnerable members of our society – our children. This case highlights the disturbing reality of sexual exploitation, and the sentence ensures this predator will remain behind bars and unable to continue to perpetrate such atrocities,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to work together to ensure no child is victimized in this way.”

    “This sentence sends a clear message—those who harm children will be held accountable,” said IMPD Chief Chris Bailey. “The dedication and diligence of our IMPD officers, along with law enforcement agencies across the country, played a critical role in getting this predator behind bars.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman. Under federal law, Goldsmith must register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school for life.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryAnn T. Mindrum, who prosecuted this case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stolen Debit Card Numbers, Illicit Purchases Lead to Guilty Plea from Massachusetts Man

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Andre Hill faces up to 30 years for bank fraud, 2 additional years for aggravated identity theft

    PORTLAND, Maine: A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland today to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

    According to court records, from January to February 2023, Andre Hill, 25, obtained and used multiple debit card numbers without the knowledge of the account holders. Hill loaded the stolen numbers into a digital wallet application on his phone and then traveled to Maine and other locations to make purchases, request cash back, and purchase money orders payable to himself. The purchases made in Maine took place at multiple retail locations and post offices in the greater Portland area.

    Hill faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $1 million on the bank fraud charge. He faces a mandatory prison term of two years and a maximum fine of $250,000 on the aggravated identity charge. Any sentence imposed on the aggravated identity theft charge will run consecutively to any other sentence imposed. Following a term of incarceration, Hill faces up to five years of supervised release. He will also be required to pay restitution to the victims. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man In Prison for Rape Sentenced to Additional 235 Months for Federal Child Exploitation Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A federal district judge in Fort Pierce has sentenced a Georgia inmate who engaged in online child solicitation while serving time on a state rape conviction to 19.5 years in federal prison. 

    During the summer of 2023, Robert Francis Gilbert, 59, was an inmate at the Rutledge State Prison in Columbus, Georgia. He was serving a life-sentence for rape and was eligible for parole. That summer, Gilbert began communicating online with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. Gilbert used threats to solicit the creation of pornographic videos and arrange a sexual encounter once Gilbert got out of state prison. Law enforcement learned of Gilbert’s acts and alerted the state prison warden. Further investigation revealed that Gilbert possessed a cell phone with evidence of the crimes.  

    During a hearing before United States District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg on August 23, 2023, Gilbert pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.  Judge Rosenberg imposed yesterday’s sentence.

    United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Division, and Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek announced the sentence. 

    HSI Fort Pierce and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Hoover prosecuted it. 

    This case was 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.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-14002.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: OMERS Earns $10.6 billion in Investment Income in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OMERS, the defined benefit pension plan for Ontario’s broader municipal sector employees, achieved a 2024 investment return of 8.3%, or $10.6 billion, net of expenses, exceeding its 7.5% benchmark for the year. Net assets at December 31, 2024, grew to $138.2 billion from $128.6 billion in 2023. The Plan reported a smoothed funded status of 98%, up from 97% in 2023. Over the past 10 years, OMERS has averaged an annual investment return of 7.1%, net of expenses, adding $70.5 billion to the Plan.

    “Our strong result in 2024 reflects the quality of our people and portfolio, our active strategic decisions, and our steady progress as a long-term investor. Since becoming CEO of OMERS, I have been incredibly proud of the work of our leaders and their teams, as well as the forward-thinking strategies we have implemented over the last four years as we emerged from the pandemic. This combination has generated an average annual net return of 8.1% during that period,” said Blake Hutcheson, OMERS President and Chief Executive Officer. “As we look to the future, we are steadfast in our view that quality will see us through an unpredictable global landscape and the cycles ahead. Our talented team is focused on delivering our pension promise and is honoured to work in service of our almost 640,000 members.”

    “Our actions to diversify the global portfolio positioned the Plan well in 2024,” said Jonathan Simmons, OMERS Chief Financial and Strategy Officer. “OMERS public equity investments delivered double-digit performance supported by strong contributions from private credit and infrastructure. Our net investment results benefitted from our active strategy to maintain currency exposure to the US dollar. Our real estate assets continue to generate strong operating income, but returns were held back due to lower valuations. Our asset mix continued to shift toward a higher exposure to fixed income, where return opportunities remain attractive. We expanded our overall use of leverage as we continued to use debt prudently to enhance our investment returns.”

    This year, we are reporting that OMERS achieved a 58% reduction in its portfolio carbon emissions intensity, relative to 2019, and we reported an increase in green investments to $23 billion. For more information on how we define green investments, please refer to the OMERS Climate Taxonomy.

    OMERS is highly rated across independent credit rating agencies, including ‘AAA’ ratings from S&P, Fitch, and DBRS.

    OMERS will publish its 2024 Annual Report on February 28, 2025.

    Media Contact:

    Don Peat
    dpeat@omers.com
    416.417.7385

    About OMERS

    OMERS is a jointly sponsored, defined benefit pension plan, with 1,000 participating employers ranging from large cities to local agencies, and almost 640,000 active, deferred and retired members. Our members include union and non-union employees of municipalities, school boards, local boards, transit systems, electrical utilities, emergency services and children’s aid societies across Ontario. OMERS teams work in Toronto, London, New York, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe – serving members and employers, and originating and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in government bonds, public and private credit, public and private equities, infrastructure and real estate.

    Net Investment Returns for the years ended December 31

      2024   2023
    Government Bonds 1.0%   5.8%
    Public Credit 6.0%   6.2%
    Private Credit 12.6%   10.0%
    Public Equities 18.8%   10.4%
    Private Equities 9.5%   3.9%
    Infrastructure 8.8%   5.5%
    Real Estate -4.9%   -7.2%
    Total Net Return 8.3%   4.6%


    2024 Asset Mix

    2024 Highlights

    By the numbers

    • 2024 investment return of 8.3%, or $10.6 billion, net of expenses
    • $138.2 billion in net assets
    • 10-year average annual net return of 7.1%
    • 639,546 OMERS members
    • 98% smoothed funded ratio
    • 3.70% real discount rate, 5 basis points lower than 2023
    • $6.5 billion total pension benefits paid
    • We are reporting a 58% reduction in the portfolio carbon emissions intensity, relative to 2019
    • $23 billion in green investments
    • 96% OMERS member service satisfaction
    • 93% of employees are proud to work for OMERS and Oxford (+5 points above best-in-class)

    Transactions in 2024

    OMERS remains focused on deploying capital in line with our target asset mix. We are a disciplined investor in high-quality assets that meet the Plan’s risk and return requirements. Please find below highlights of investments made in 2024.

    • Acquired Italy’s Grandi Stazioni Retail which manages the entirety of commercial and advertising spaces in 14 of Italy’s major railway stations and hubs for the high-speed rail network, which collectively receive over 800 million visits a year. The stations include over 800 commercial units, totaling around 190,000 Sqm of leasable space, and over 1,800 media assets.
    • Increased our stake by 13.5% in Indian roads business Interise Trust, one of the largest Indian Infrastructure Investment Trusts in the roads sector.
    • Supported XpFibre to successfully raise €5.8 billion of credit facilities, marking one of the largest multi-sourced transactions in the European digital infrastructure market to date. XpFibre is the largest independent Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) operators in France delivering high speed internet to approximately 25% of the French territory in terms of homes passed.
    • Announced an agreement to acquire Integris, a leading provider of IT services in the United States.
    • Issued $3.2 billion in bonds by OMERS Finance Trust, including our inaugural AUD offering – an AUD 750 million, 5-year note.
    • Announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Maritime Transport at West Midlands Interchange in the UK.
    • Participated in the US$15M Series A investment into Brightwave, an Al-powered research platform that delivers insightful and trustworthy financial analysis on demand. It was named as one of TIME magazine’s top inventions of 2024.
    • Participated in two follow-on investments. The first was in Medal, an online platform that lets gamers clip and share video of their gameplay and Altana, a company that applies artificial intelligence to create a dynamic, intelligent map of the global supply chain.
    • Closed our acquisition of Kenter, an energy infrastructure solutions business providing medium-voltage infrastructure and meters to over 25,000 commercial and industrial business customers in the Netherlands and Belgium.

    We rotate capital out of assets with the same level of discipline with which we invest. This activity generates capital, which we deploy into future investment opportunities that align to our strategy. In 2024, we announced or completed the following realizations:

    • Announced the sale of a stake in East-West Tie Limited Partnership which owns the East-West Tie Line, a 450-kilometre, 230 kV double-circuit transmission line spanning from Wawa to Thunder Bay, along the north shore of Lake Superior.
    • Completed the sale of LifeLabs, a trusted provider of community laboratory tests for millions of Canadians that had been owned by OMERS since 2007.
    • Completed a €182.5 million green refinancing on a comprehensively renovated Paris office asset.
    • Completed the sale of its £518 million UK retail park portfolio.
    • Completed the sale of CEDA, which had been majority-owned by OMERS since 2005.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d74c32c-3c0d-4915-af73-70788746bb63

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/136a43d0-d624-48ac-bd8c-133cd153643c

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven Charged In Central Florida Gun Trafficking Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the return of an indictment charging six individuals involved in an alleged gun trafficking operation. An additional individual was separately charged by complaint in the same conspiracy. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit specific firearms recovered in the operation. 

    Name

    (Age, City of Residence)

    		 Charge Maximum Penalties

    Victor Manuel LaFontaine Ruiz

    (31, Poinciana)

    Gun trafficking conspiracy  

    Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

    Possession of machinegun

    15 years 

    5 years 

    10 years

    Jose Emanuel Maldonado Rodriguez

    (32, Kissimmee)

    Gun trafficking conspiracy 

    Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

    Possession of machinegun

    15 years 

    5 years 

    10 years

    Freddie Geovani Cruz Batiz

    (36, Kissimmee)

    Gun trafficking conspiracy 

    Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

    15 years 

    5 years 

    Jomar Manuel Lopez Montanez

    (30, Kissimmee)

    Gun trafficking conspiracy

    Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

    Felon in possession

    15 years 

    5 years 

    15 years

    Derrick Yamil Rivera Robles

    (29, Kissimmee)

    Gun trafficking conspiracy 

    Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

    Possession of machinegun

    15 years 

    5 years 

    10 years

    Leonardo David Joseph Guerra

    (23, Orlando)

    Gun trafficking conspiracy

    Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

    Alien in possession

    15 years 

    5 years 

    15 years

    Jincheng Shi

    (27, St. Cloud)

    Unlicensed gun dealing, aiding and abetting

    Alien in possession

    5 years 

    15 years

    According to court documents, from at least as early as September 2023 onward, Lafontaine and Maldonado operated a gun trafficking ring involving hundreds of firearms, machineguns, machinegun conversion devices, and high-capacity magazines needed for fully automatic weapons. This operation did not involve any federally licensed firearms dealers. Instead, Lafontaine and Maldonado obtained firearms parts, including from Jincheng Shi, a Chinese national. Lafontaine and Maldonado allegedly assembled, manufactured, and modified semi-automatic and automatic firearms using a “ghost gunner” machine and specialized “endmill” drilling devices at a workspace on Maldonado’s property in Kissimmee: 

    From there, Lafontaine and Maldonado, along with assistance from Batiz, sold firearms, including fully automatic weapons and machine gun conversion devices (“chips” or “buttons”) that are used to convert semi-automatic weapons into machineguns. They sold those items to illegal aliens and convicted felons such as Lopez Montanez, Rivera Robles, and Joseph Guerra, who were often brokering such transactions on behalf of other unknown customers.

    On September 17, 2023, for example, Lafontaine showed a fully automatic firearm to a customer that was later sold during this operation and, on October 9, 2023, Lafontaine quoted Rivera Robles (a convicted felon) a price of $150 for a machinegun conversion device known as a “chip,” that Rivera Robles purchased in March 2024.               

    On February 7, 2025, Lafontaine sold Lopez Montanez (a convicted felon) two firearms falsely branded to appear as though they were legitimate firearms manufactured with engraved fake sequential serial numbers. When Lopez Montanez was stopped, he fled from law enforcement and attempted to hide the weapons that were eventually recovered. 

    The next day, Lafontaine delivered five similar firearms to Maldonado.           

    On February 20, 2025, law enforcement executed five search warrants at various locations associated with this conspiracy. The items are still be inventoried.  Preliminarily, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have recovered at least five AR-style pistols with sequential and identical serial numbers at Maldonado’s residence (depicted below), along with at least three machinegun conversion devices, machinery used to assemble, modify, and manufacture the firearms and machine guns sold through this operation. 

     At Lafontaine’s residence, agents recovered a completed rifle, gun parts, gun manufacturing and modification equipment, and drug distribution paraphernalia with a blender and a powder that field-tested positive for fentanyl, packaged for sale. At Batiz’s residence, agents recovered a handgun and an AR pistol, four machinegun conversion devices, along with drug paraphernalia and powders packaged for distribution that are still being tested. Eight handguns, three rifles, and eight AR-style receivers were recovered from Shi’s residence and storage lockers.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.          

    This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Police Department, Winter Garden Police Department, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Apopka Police Department, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Highway Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Apex Defi Labs Inc. Announces Strategic Partnership with Regiment Securities to Expand Tokenized Securities Investment Opportunities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EDISON, N.J., Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apex Defi Labs Inc., a leader in blockchain-based tokenized securities, proudly announces its strategic partnership with Regiment Securities, LLC (RSLLC), a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. This collaboration hopes to increase investor acceptance of tokenization, enabling issuers to raise capital on a global scale in a fully-compliant way while leveraging tokenization for enhanced efficiency.

    The partnership, led by Pramod Attarde, CEO of Apex Defi Labs Inc. and Steve Burnham, Co-Founder of RSLLC, focuses on utilizing Apex Defi Labs’ state-of-the-art Securities Issuance Platform. While real estate is the initial and primary focus, the platform also enables issuers to tokenize securities backed by common stocks, providing diverse opportunities for investors.

    “This partnership is a pivotal moment for Apex Defi Labs as we scale our real estate tokenization platform to offer issuers a comprehensive platform for securities in multiple asset classes. With RSLLC’s regulatory expertise and investor networks, we’re poised to lead the charge in democratizing access to tokenized investments,” said Pramod Attarde.

    Steve Burnham adds, “Our collaboration with Apex Defi Labs represents a new era in investment opportunities. By combining our regulatory strengths with Apex’s technological innovation, we are focusing not only on real estate but opening doors for a variety of issuers to raise capital efficiently and compliantly, while adding the benefits of tokenization.”

    The partnership also includes exciting new developments:

    1. Crowdfunding Portal Under Regulation CF: RSLLC holds Regulation CF approval, enabling Defi Assets LLC, a subsidiary of Apex Defi Labs, to join them in developing a crowdfunding portal. This portal will allow companies across industries to raise up to $5 million, democratizing access to capital for small and medium businesses while adding the benefits of tokenization.
    2. Regulation S Offerings for Non-US Investors: Issuers can also leverage this partnership to raise capital from international investors through Regulation S offerings, expanding their global reach.

    Through this collaboration, RSLLC will serve as the exclusive broker-dealer partner for Apex Defi Labs’ technology and international investor network, managing regulatory compliance, and leveraging its domestic accredited investor network. RSLLC will also support offerings listed on the platform with streamlined processes for investor due diligence and compliance filings, including Form D for Regulation D exemptions.

    This partnership reflects a shared vision of advancing financial innovation and expanding access to compliant investment opportunities globally.

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: DDB Miner Expands AI-Driven Cloud Mining Platform, Offering Stable Passive Income for Crypto Investors in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    9.23 Million Members and Growing: A New Era of Accessible and Profitable Cloud Mining

    BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DDB Miner, a global leader in cloud mining solutions, has announced a major expansion of its AI-driven platform, designed to provide stable, passive income for cryptocurrency investors. With over 9.23 million registered members worldwide, DDB Miner is setting a new standard for accessibility, transparency, and profitability in the cloud mining industry.

    Rising Above Market Volatility

    Amidst ongoing cryptocurrency market fluctuations and rising inflation, DDB Miner’s advanced cloud mining technology offers a dependable alternative to traditional trading. Unlike speculative investments, cloud mining provides consistent returns without the need for active management. Investors can earn daily profits by renting mining capacity through DDB Miner’s platform, eliminating the complexities of hardware ownership and maintenance.

    AI-driven cloud mining.

    For experienced traders, the conclusion is simple: volatility is a double-edged sword. While some try to time the market, the real winners are those who find a stable, passive income source. That’s why many people abandon volatility trading and turn to cloud mining for stable profits.

    So what is driving so many leading cryptocurrency investors to abandon cloud mining and bet on the next XRP rally? The reasons are stable profits, automation, and simplicity.

    DDB Miner has 9.23 million members worldwide. Register now to join the cloud mining contract for free. Giving yourself a chance is giving yourself a future.

    Click to download the official app and take control of your financial freedom anytime, anywhere!

    XRP Collapse – Why the Crash is Inevitable
    Once the darling of cryptocurrencies, XRP has been underperforming due to regulatory uncertainty, whale selling, and market jitters caused by inflation. Some traders had hoped that XRP would rebound, but today’s inflation report shattered expectations and XRP hit the bottom.

    XRP’s decline caught most traders off guard and forced them to revise their strategies. Instead of speculating on currencies, most people turned to cloud mining because its daily returns are not affected by market fluctuations and are very stable.

    As XRP’s volatility makes it an unsafe investment, cloud mining is becoming a refuge for savvy traders seeking long-term stable returns.

    Why traders favor cloud mining over trading
    Traditional cryptocurrency trading is hectic, unstable, and time-consuming. Bear markets can wipe out all of the previous month’s gains in a matter of minutes, and inflation data only adds to the confusion. With cloud mining, however, investors can earn hands-free, guaranteed returns without having to constantly check charts.

    Cloud mining is simple — as easy as renting mining capacity from a place like DDB Miner and watching your crypto balance increase day after day. It’s the perfect alternative to the stressful, high-risk world of crypto trading.

    For those tired of market volatility, bot trading losses, and endless stop losses, cloud mining represents a worry-free way to generate crypto gains passively — without the stress.

    DDB Miner: The Cloud Mining Giant That Will Rule in 2025
    DDB Miner: is changing the face of cloud mining, offering investors a way to easily earn passive income without any technical knowledge. Founded in 2017, the company has gained worldwide recognition for the transparency, security, and high yields of its mining activities.

    With over 9.23 million registered members, DDB Miner leverages AI mining technology to maximize profits and minimize operational costs. Unlike traditional mining, which requires expensive hardware and electricity, DDB Miner takes care of everything for you, so you just sit back and collect your daily dividends.

    Making $10,000 a day is easier than you think!
    Imagine: waking up every morning with $10,000 more in your crypto wallet—without having to do anything. That’s life for DDB Miner investors, who earn a constant passive income through AI-driven cloud mining contracts.

    With a variety of contract types available, investors can start with $100 or invest more than $100,000. With DDB Miner’s top-of-the-line mining equipment, every investor gets the best mining efficiency, guaranteeing maximum returns.

    Unlike trading, where one mistake can ruin your portfolio, DDB Miner generates steady returns with instant withdrawals, so you always have control over your profits.

    How Bitcoin Mining Works and Why It’s Still Profitable
    Bitcoin mining is the lifeblood of the cryptocurrency world, with miners responsible for confirming transactions and securing the blockchain. However, traditional mining has become too expensive and complicated for the average investor.

    That’s where cloud mining comes into play. Investors don’t have to buy expensive hardware; they can simply rent mining power from industrial-scale mining farms like DDB Miner and get first-class infrastructure without the hassle of maintenance.

    With Bitcoin’s limited supply and rising mining difficulty, cloud mining remains one of the most profitable ways to earn BTC, and DDB Miner makes it easy for you to reap those gains.

    How to Get Started with DDB Miner in Minutes
    It’s never been easier to get started with DDB Miner cloud mining. Take these simple steps to start generating passive income today:

    Sign Up in Seconds: Head to the DDB Miner website and sign up
    Choose a Mining Plan: Choose from a number of lucrative mining contracts starting as low as $12.
    Deposit: Deposit funds into your account via USDT-TRC20, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC, BNB, USDT-ERC20, BCH, DOGE, SOL (Solana), XRP or other leading cryptocurrencies.
    Start Mining: As soon as your contract is activated, your daily profits start rolling in.
    Withdraw at any time: Instantly withdraw your profits or reinvest for compound returns.
    One-click registration and app download – don’t let this opportunity slip away!
    DDB Miner is the future of passive crypto wealth, offering a high-yield, worry-free investment plan that’s better than trading in every way.

    Click the link below to download the official APP and register in one click!

    Register now and start earning daily profits!

    Media Contact:
    Katerina Audrey
    DDB Miner Media Relations
    Email: info@ddbminer.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by DDB Miner. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the DDB Miner and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in cloud mining and related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06623c0e-cec0-4617-a8d7-9f9b58ea5321
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c04f9a10-e79a-4b2e-ba27-e4bbf0f273e8
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1038269f-cefd-4f96-83ee-b236da91b65d

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Wrap Technologies Secures $5.8M in Private Placement of Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wrap Technologies (NASDAQ: WRAP) (“Wrap” or, the “Company”) today announced it that it has executed a securities purchase agreement with certain investment partnerships affiliated with the Company and certain accredited and institutional investors in a private placement for the purchase and sale of (i) an aggregate of 3,216,666 shares of common stock of the Company, at a purchase price of $1.80 per share of common stock, and (ii) accompanying warrants to purchase 3,216,666 shares of common stock, for aggregate proceeds of approximately $5.8 million. The warrants will be immediately exercisable at an initial exercise price of $1.80 per share, subject to adjustment, and expire five years from the date of issuance.

    The closing of the private placement is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to occur on or around February 28, 2025. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    Key Financing Highlights:

    • Majority investment comes from investment partnerships affiliated with insiders and several existing investors.
    • Fuels go-to-market strategy for BolaWrap and Managed Safety and Response (MSR) Connected Ecosystem, both domestically and internationally.
    • Accelerates commitment to deliver Made-in-America end-to-end public safety solutions.
    • Bolsters a federal plan for Washington, DC presence.
    • Increasing investments in training and customer support to optimize BolaWrap programs.

    The securities the private placement offering were offered and sold in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to the exemption for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, the Company has agreed to file a resale registration statement covering the securities described above.

    This press release is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Wrap Technologies, Inc.

    Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) is a leading global provider of advanced public safety solutions, integrating ultramodern technology, cutting-edge tools, and comprehensive services to address the complex, modern day challenges facing public safety organizations around the world. Guided by a no-harm principle, Wrap is dedicated to developing groundbreaking solutions that empower public safety agencies to safeguard the communities they serve in a manner that fosters stronger relationships, driving safer outcomes, empowering public safety and communities to move forward together.

    Wrap’s BolaWrap® solution encompasses an innovative and patented hand-held remote restraint device, strategically engineered with Wrap’s no-harm guiding principle to proactively deter escalation by deploying a Kevlar® tether that safely restrains individuals from a distance. Combined with BolaWrap® training, certified by the esteemed International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), Wrap enables officers from over 1000 agencies across the U.S. and 60 countries around the world, with the expertise to effectively use BolaWrap® as an early intervention measure, mitigating potential risks and injuries, averting tragic outcomes, with the goal to save lives with each wrap.

    Wrap Reality™, the Company’s advanced virtual reality training system, is a fully immersive training simulator and comprehensive public safety training platform that equips first responders with the discipline and practice to prevent escalation, de-escalate conflicts, and apply appropriate tactical use-of-force measures to better perform in the field. By offering a growing range of real-life scenarios, Wrap Reality™ addresses the dynamic nature of modern law enforcement situations for positive public safety outcomes, building safer communities one decision at a time.

    Wrap’s Intrensic solution is a comprehensive, secure and efficient body worn camera and evidence collection and management solution designed with innovative technology to quickly capture, safely handle, securely store, and seamlessly track evidence, all while maintaining full transparency throughout the process. With meticulous consolidation and professional management of evidence, confidence in law enforcement and the justice system soars, fostering trust and reliability in court outcomes. Intrensic’s efficient system streamlines the entire process seamlessly, empowering all public safety providers to focus on what matters, expediting justice with integrity.

    Connect with Wrap:
    Wrap on Facebook
    Wrap on Twitter
    Wrap on LinkedIn

    Trademark Information

    Wrap, the Wrap logo, BolaWrap®, Wrap Reality™ and Wrap Training Academy are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and abroad.  All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders.

    Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Statement
    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should”, “believe”, “target”, “project”, “goals”, “estimate”, “potential”, “predict”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Moreover, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the private placement and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the private placement, the anticipated use of proceeds therefrom, the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards; the Company’s ability to successfully implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company’s ability to manufacture and produce products for its customers; the Company’s ability to develop sales for its products; the market acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company’s product solutions; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the business impact of health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; the impact resulting from geopolitical conflicts and any resulting sanctions; the ability to obtain export licenses for counties outside of the United States; the ability to obtain patents and defend intellectual property against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors mentioned in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations.

    Investor Relations Contact:

    (800) 583-2652
    ir@wrap.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Private Sector Coordinators: Connecting Industry with the FBI

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

    Our partnerships with Bridgestone, L3Harris, and UPS are just a few examples of how private sector coordinators lead field office engagement with private industry. Our PSCs further the FBI’s mission by extending resources, providing expertise, and mitigating threats to businesses across the United States. Knowing who to connect with is essential to ensuring a timely and efficient response.

    Learn more: fbi.gov/ops

    For a full transcript and download, visit: http://fbi.gov/video-repository/ops-private-sector-coordinators-connecting-industry-fbi-022425.mp4/view
    —————————————————
    Follow us on social media:
    X: https://twitter.com/fbi
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/FBI
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/fbi
    YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

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

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Former Kansas City Police Officer of $200,000 Charity Fraud Scheme

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

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Kansas City, Mo., police officer who ran an anti-crime charity has been convicted in federal court of a scheme in which he spent more than $200,000 in donations for his own personal expenses.

    Aaron Wayne McKie, 47, was found guilty on Thursday, Feb. 20, of nine counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. McKie worked as a police officer for the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department for 24 years, assigned as a police officer to the Crime Free Multi-Housing section from 2002 through 2023.

    McKie served from 2009 to 2023 as president of Mid-America Crime Free, Inc. (MACF), a non-profit organization that claimed to provide training to persons in the rental housing industry and promote anti-crime programs. He was an officer of the charity for three years prior, from 2006 to 2009.

    Evidence produced during the trial indicated that McKie devised a scheme to defraud MACF and its donors that began in July 2009 and lasted until October 2023. Individuals and businesses contributed $387,620 to MACF, not including in-kind donations. McKie spent at least $200,060 for his own personal purposes.

    The biggest source of MACF funds was an annual golf tournament, “Fairways 4 Fuzz Golf Tournament.” Individuals and businesses donated both money and in-kind donations, such as food and beverages, to MACF via the golf tournament. At least 121 donors have been identified.

    From 2009 to 2023, the flyers soliciting donations and players for the tournament claimed the funds raised would enable MACF to provide free seminars to owners of rental properties and train police officers. In reality, those claims were false. The Kansas City Police Department paid the salaries and expenses of Crime Free Multi-Housing unit officers who may have provided training to landlords; McKie used the majority of MACF funds for personal spending; and the IRS had revoked the organization’s tax-exempt status in 2010.

    Under federal statutes, McKie is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole on each of the 10 counts on which he was convicted. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for nine hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips, ending a trial that began Monday, Feb. 10.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Hanson. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why justice for Ukraine must be at the forefront of peace negotiations

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Oleksa Drachewych, Assistant Professor in History, Western University

    On Feb. 18, representatives from Russia and the United States met in Saudi Arabia to determine if peace in Ukraine is possible. Ukrainian representatives were not invited.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media that the meeting was a step in developing an “enduring peace” between Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed in a media interview that the meeting was “very positive” and confirmed the true meaning of the talks was to start normalising relations between Russia and the U.S.

    Although U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed “the Russians want to see the war end,” Russian officials remain committed to their war aims. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov announced before the meetings that Russia would not return Ukrainian territory. After, he stated that should a peace deal be brokered, any peacekeeping forces could not come from NATO nations. The latter statement stunted growing European efforts to develop a security guarantee for Ukraine should a ceasefire be reached.

    Keith Kellogg, U.S. envoy for Kyiv and Moscow, said after his Feb. 20 meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the U.S. is aligned with the nation — and that any end to the war with Russia should ensure there is no “next war”. Yet White House officials do not seem to have Ukraine’s best interest in mind in negotiating a potential resolution to the war.

    For instance, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Feb. 12 that the U.S. government doesn’t believe NATO membership for Ukraine “is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.” He added that Ukraine would need to accept territorial concessions to Russia.

    Trump has also increasingly parroted Russian narratives — such as claiming that Ukraine started the war. He has also delegitimized Zelenskyy by claiming he is a “dictator” who refuses to hold elections — despite the nation’s constitution stating elections cannot legally be held under martial law.

    Trump also continues to demand 50 per cent of Ukraine’s natural resources to repay the United States for previous military and financial support. This has led to a deterioration in Ukrainian-U.S. relations at a time where Russian-U.S. relations appear to be improving.



    Read more:
    Ukraine’s natural resources are at centre stage in the ongoing war, and will likely remain there

    European leaders have responded with frustration. Zelenskyy has made his position clear that any negotiation must include Ukraine at the table. Ukraine would not accept an imposed peace.

    Any attempt at negotiating a lasting peace between the two nations must include accountability for Russian crimes.

    The realities of Russia’s invasion

    American overtures for peace have often referred to “stopping the millions of deaths” in Russia’s war in Ukraine. While on the surface this goal is admirable, it oversimplifies the realities of what the last three years of war have done to Ukraine. Namely, Russian forces have committed extensive war crimes and atrocity in Ukraine.

    Russian forces barrage Ukraine with drone strikes and terror bombing — including targeting civilians. Even as negotiations were happening in Saudi Arabia, Russian drones struck Odesa, injuring four civilians. This was the latest in a long line of such attacks. International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants are out for Russian military leaders on just this issue.

    The Ukrainian government has confirmed over 19,500 Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russian forces. But in July 2023, Russian officials claimed they had over 700,000 Ukrainian children in Russian territory.

    Investigative reporting confirms the Russian government is assimilating these children — forcing them to stop speaking Ukrainian and raising them with a Russian identity. These actions have also led to ICC arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Children’s Rights Commissioner who oversees the program. Russia’s actions violate the UN Genocide Convention.

    Widespread sexual assault by Russian forces has been documented against Ukrainian men and women. Torture chambers have also been found in liberated cities. Russian forces committed mass murder in multiple Ukrainian cities — underscored by the discovery of mass graves in Bucha, Izium and Lyman.

    Mariupol, once a city of over 400,000 has been reduced to a population of 120,000 as of 2023. This showcases the devastation caused by Russian forces. Russia has also started seizing buildings to give to Russian settlers to further Russify the city.

    The realities under Russian occupation are only partially known. The Russian government has demanded Ukrainians living under occupation forfeit their Ukrainian identification documents and obtain Russian passports. In schools, Russia has fully implemented its nationalistic curriculum, which includes “anti-Ukrainian propaganda” aimed at assimilating Ukrainian children.

    Against international law, forcible Russification of the Ukrainian people has become a common feature of Russian occupation during this war.

    Ukraine’s fight for justice

    Ukraine continues to fight against Russian occupation. While it’s honourable to want to stop the deaths caused by fighting, the Russian regime’s actions in Ukrainian territory must be remembered too.

    This is why justice is just as important as resolution. While it’s unlikely Russian officials will find themselves before the ICC, there must be some form of accountability for Russian crimes against Ukraine if peace is negotiated. While present frontlines may dictate where Ukraine may be forced to cede territory or freeze conflict, the realities of Russian aggression cannot be ignored.

    Here, history offers a guide for what shouldn’t be done this time when brokering a peace deal.



    Read more:
    How Russia’s fixation on the Second World War helps explain its Ukraine invasion

    During the Second World War, Soviet forces committed extensive war crimes and atrocities. Yet the Soviet Union never faced a reckoning for those acts. Russian officials remember this. As a result, Putin feels empowered to commit similar atrocities in Ukraine — believing Russia, just as the Soviet Union, won’t face any consequences.

    For any possibility of lasting peace, accountability and justice for Russian war crimes must be at the forefront of negotiations. Otherwise, Russia will have learned it can act with impunity — threatening the likelihood of enduring peace for Ukraine.

    Oleksa Drachewych 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 justice for Ukraine must be at the forefront of peace negotiations – https://theconversation.com/why-justice-for-ukraine-must-be-at-the-forefront-of-peace-negotiations-250208

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sextortionist Gets 24 Years for Victimizing Minors Online

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

    HOUSTON – A 22-year-old New York native has been sentenced for production of child pornography, coercion and enticement of minors and cyberstalking, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Tyler N. Grundstrom pleaded guilty Oct. 8, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen has now sentenced Grundstrom to a total of 288 months in federal prison. When he is eventually released, he will be on supervised release for the rest of his life, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Grundstrom will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

    “The significant sentence in this case is a reminder of how seriously the Department of Justice takes the online victimization of minors,” said Ganjei. “Gone are the days where the predator lives next door or down the street; now a would-be exploiter can be thousands of miles away. Grundstrom, and similar online predators, are the reason why parents need to know who is talking to their child online.”

    “This case is a chilling reminder there are twisted criminals, like Tyler Grundstrom, who use the internet’s anonymity to manipulate children’s innocence for their own sick ends,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “I want to remind every child and parent to remain vigilant, especially on social media, because predators regularly use these platforms to find their victims. Today’s sentencing shows the FBI will relentlessly hunt down those who harm children, no matter where they live, and ensure they face the full force of the law for their vile crimes.”

    Grundstrom used popular online communication platforms to identify and target young girls for extortion and exploitation. Grundstrom would manipulate, threaten and coerce the victims into producing explicit and offensive content. The investigation revealed more than one victim in at least two states had been targeted, and the abuse occurred from 2021 and continued through 2022.

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the future.

    FBI Houston and FBI Atlanta’s Athens Resident Agency conducted the investigation.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brazilian Extradited From Switzerland to the United States to Face Indictment Charging Involvement in $290 Million Plus Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme

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

    Tens of thousands of investors deposited bitcoin expecting an investment strategy – Instead, new investor bitcoin used to pay off other investors in a Ponzi scheme

    SEATTLE – A citizen of Brazil appeared in U.S. District Court in Seattle today, after being extradited from Switzerland to face a 13-count indictment for wire fraud and conspiracy regarding his bitcoin investment scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Douver T. Braga, 48, lived in Florida between approximately 2016 and 2021 during the bulk of the alleged fraud. The indictment alleges Braga operated a bitcoin investment scheme that was really a Ponzi scheme, as well as an illegal multilevel marketing scheme.

    The grand jury returned the indictment in October 2022. It was unsealed last week following Braga’s arrest in Switzerland. Today Braga pleaded “Not Guilty,” and trial was scheduled in front of U.S. District Judge Tana Lin on April 28, 2025.

    “Mr. Braga allegedly ran a fraud scheme that harkens back more than a century, but he updated his ‘Ponzi’ scheme with the hot new thing: bitcoin,” said U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. “The victim investors have waited years to see justice. I commend our federal partners at the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation for their diligent work on this case.”

    According to the indictment, Braga conspired with others to create a cryptocurrency trading platform called Trade Coin Club (TCC) with an office in Belize. As early as 2016, Braga worked with others to promote TCC, claiming that investors would make money because the TCC had a sophisticated software program that allowed investors to profit on the fluctuating price of bitcoin. Braga also promised that investors could make money by referring other investors to the platform. In reality, there was no investment platform and no sophisticated software. Those who invested early were paid off by later investors as in a Ponzi scheme.

    Braga traveled the world promoting TCC: In Thailand in March 2017, in Nigeria and Macau in May 2017.  TCC was promoted on social media and in videos. At various events Braga claimed TCC had as many as 126,000 members in 231 different countries.

    Through his false promises of sophisticated investments and high returns, Braga induced tens of thousands of people to entrust over 82,000 bitcoin, valued at over $290 million at the time of investment, and to deposit it with TCC. Braga continued the false representations, creating an “online portal” where investors could track the supposed activity of their investment accounts. The site was a fiction as there was no trading activity.

    Braga withdrew and misappropriated investor funds. Between December 2016 and July 2019, at least $50 million in bitcoin was transferred to accounts Braga controlled.

    However, by late 2017 and early 2018, investors had trouble accessing their funds. In January 2018, TCC announced to investors that it was ceasing to operate in the United States and was cancelling their accounts.  Many investors were located in the Western District of Washington.

    Braga allegedly profited handsomely, while failing to report the earnings to the IRS. In 2017, he received bitcoin worth $30.5 million, but only reported income of $152, 298. In 2018, he reported $73,473 in income but got $13.1 million in bitcoin and in 2019, reported $72,870 in income while he received $10 million in bitcoin.

    “The type of scheme Mr. Braga is charged with operating is not new, he just used the allure of a flashy new technology to obscure the well-worn scam.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “While the victims in this case waited and wondered about the fate of their investments, he siphoned off millions of dollars for his personal use. This case demonstrates the determination of the FBI and our partners in IRS Criminal Investigation to hold fraudsters accountable, no matter where in the world they may be.”

    “The charges against Mr. Braga and his co-conspirators reflect a well-designed scheme to solicit investment in a fake cryptocurrency trading platform from victims around the globe,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI), Los Angeles Field Office.  “Furthermore, Mr. Braga is alleged to have knowingly ignored and circumvented laws regulating multi-level marketing programs in the U.S.- laws that exist to protect investors from becoming victims in pyramid schemes.  Despite the complexity of this scheme, IRS Criminal Investigation and our partners at the FBI successfully uncovered the evidence necessary to bring forth these charges.”

    Braga is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud reflecting 12 wires investors sent to TCC for deposits in their “accounts.” Braga is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    The charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

    The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case was investigated by the IRS-CI and the FBI.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Dion and Phillip Kopczynski. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance with securing the extradition.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four men sentenced following death of man in Croydon

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Four men have been sentenced to a total of 67 years in prison following a Met Police investigation into the death of 22-year-old Lavaun Witter in Croydon.

    On 5 February 2021, officers were called to Wisbeach Road at around 20:08hrs, after a member of the public found Lavaun collapsed and seriously injured.

    He sadly died at the scene after sustaining a stab wound to the leg.

    An investigation was launched by the Met’s Specialist Crime South Unit. Enquiries revealed that prior to his death, Lavaun’s flat had been broken into by four men. The men, who were armed with long knives and swords, demanded drugs and slashed through an internal door.

    Lavaun and a 16-year-old boy were stabbed before running from the scene but Lavaun collapsed a short distance away.

    CCTV enquiries quickly identified the suspects as Tyreece Riggon, Julian Russell, Tyreece Wolfries-Parkin and Alex Pasley.

    On 18 February 2021, officers raided an address linked to Riggon and he and Russell were arrested. A subsequent search of an address linked to Russell recovered a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to Lavaun.

    Wolfries-Parkin and Pasley were also arrested in the following weeks.

    All were charged with Lavaun’s murder as well as attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm of the 16-year-old.

    Detective Chief Inspector Mike Nolan, Senior Investigating Officer in the case said:

    “These men were prepared to use extreme levels of violence and take Lavaun’s life to gain possession of drugs they believed were inside the property.

    “Lavaun was defenceless against the four men who were each armed with large knives, including a Samurai sword.

    “Levaun’s death devastated his family and his community. I commend the bravery and strength they have shown throughout this lengthy investigation.”

    A trial at the Old Bailey began on 17 July 2023 and Julian Russell (18.09.1998) of Sanfield Road, CR7 and Tyreece Wolfries- Parkins, (06.10.2002) were found guilty of murder. Alex Pasley (01.10.1995) of Paxton Grove, Coulsdon was found guilty of manslaughter.

    A re-trial began on 4 November 2024 and on Thursday, 12 December, Tyreece Riggon, 24 (29.09.2000) of Armistice Gardens, SE25 was found guilty of attempted GBH. Pasley was also found guilty of attempted GBH in relation to the attack on the 16-year-old boy.

    The group appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 19 February for sentencing.

    Julian Russell was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 24 years in prison minus the four years spent on remand.

    Tyreece Wolfries- Parkins was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum term of 20 years minus the time spent on remand.

    Alex Pasley was sentenced to 17 years in prison and Tyreece Riggon was sentenced to six years, both minus four years spent on remand.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: CoinShares Confirms Zero Exposure to Bybit Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    24th February 2024 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey | CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or “the Group”) (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), a leading global investment company specialising in digital assets, today confirms that it has no exposure to the Bybit exchange.

    ABOUT COINSHARES

    CoinShares is a leading global investment company specialising in digital assets, that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Focusing on crypto since 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, and in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Futures Association and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

    For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com
    Company | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
    Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com 

    PRESS CONTACT

    CoinShares
    Benoît Pellevoizin
    bpellevoizin@coinshares.com

    M Group Strategic Communications
    Peter Padovano
    press@coinshares.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Toobit Joins Web3 Amsterdam as Platinum Sponsor, Expands Reach in Europe

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Award-winning cryptocurrency derivatives trading platform Toobit is further expanding its presence into the Netherlands, attending and sponsoring Web3 Amsterdam 2025 on March 13-14 as a Platinum Sponsor.

    The event is a leading annual conference in the titular city, serving as a hub for Web3 enthusiasts, innovators, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, foster collaboration, and drive mass adoption of decentralized technologies.

    “In-person Web3 events provide a valuable space for industry players to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore partnerships,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer of Toobit, “Seeing eye to eye is the basis for building long-term trust. We look forward to contributing to these conversations while further exploring opportunities for collaboration within the European crypto ecosystem.”

    The conference will feature discussions on Web3 applications, and regulatory developments, offering a platform for dialogue between companies, affiliates, developers, and investors. Toobit’s team will be present throughout the event, participating in discussions and networking with local professionals.

    Web3 companies are increasingly turning to offline engagement to establish trust and strengthen their presence in key regions. By taking part in Web3 Amsterdam, Toobit joins a wider industry effort to foster transparency, innovation, and collaboration in the digital asset space.

    For more information about Web3 Amsterdam, visit https://web3amsterdam.com/.

    About Toobit

    Toobit is where the future of crypto trading unfolds—an award-winning cryptocurrency derivatives exchange built for those who thrive exploring new frontiers. With deep liquidity and cutting-edge technology, Toobit empowers traders worldwide to navigate the digital asset markets with confidence. We offer a fair, secure, seamless, and transparent trading experience, ensuring every trade is an opportunity to discover what’s next.

    For more information about Toobit, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Instagram

    Contact: Davin C.

    Email: market@toobit.com

    Website: www.toobit.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Toobit. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining and related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15b7f72a-df04-4d0d-af73-3b8d4fd2c6f2

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health – 4 ways to fix this

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh

    There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years. And, in 2020, the UK government reduced its Overseas Development Aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%.

    Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care. International funding supports everything from vaccines and HIV treatment to maternal health programmes.

    Cuts to aid, particularly unilateral ones, can have widespread implications. For instance, about 72 million people missed out on treatment for neglected tropical diseases between 2021 and 2022 due to UK aid cuts.

    The freeze of US aid to Africa in January 2025 is the latest in this trend. It’s already having significant and wide-ranging impacts across the African continent. For example, vaccination campaigns for polio eradication and HIV/Aids treatment through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) have been stopped. This puts millions of lives at risk. In South Africa alone, the cut of Pepfar’s US$400 million a year to HIV programmes risks patients defaulting on treatment, infection rates going up and eventually a rise in deaths.

    President Donald Trump’s actions have highlighted Africa’s reliance on foreign aid for health funding. I’m a global health expert who sits on various funding and advisory boards, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK government and boards of global resource mobilisation organisations. I am well aware of the competing funding priorities for international funders and have long advocated for local, sustainable health funding mechanisms.

    Long-term strategies to reduce aid dependency are critical. Breaking away from this current funding status requires concerted efforts building on proven best practice.



    Read more:
    How nonprofits abroad can fill gaps when the US government cuts off foreign aid

    Country-leadership and ownership

    African countries currently face the unique challenge of simultaneously dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

    But Africa’s health systems are not sufficiently resourced. They’re not able to provide appropriate, accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.

    African governments spend less than 10% of their GDP on health, amounting to capital expenditure of US$4.5 billion. This falls short of the estimated US$26 billion annual investment needed to meet evolving health needs.

    Aid goes towards filling this funding gap. For example, in 2021, half of sub-Saharan African countries relied on external financing, such as grants and loans, for more than one-third of their health expenditures.

    Foreign aid has helped. But it clearly leaves African countries vulnerable to the political mood swings among funders.

    It also leads to loss of self-determination in terms of health priorities as, ultimately, the funder determines the health priorities. This is one reason why many programmes in Africa focus on a single disease, such as HIV. This leads to poorly integrated health services. For instance health workers or services are channelled into managing a single disease.

    New, underutilised financing options

    The current trajectory of reduced aid to Africa is likely to continue. Global aid is being directed to other challenges, such as conflict and illegal immigration.

    The continent cannot continue on the same path while hoping for different outcomes. Africa needs to grow a range of immediately available domestic financing options. Many of these are underutilised and include:

    1.) Diversifying domestic resource mobilisation. This should include commodity taxation to fund health. For instance, tobacco taxes which are currently underutilised in Africa.

    Zimbabwe offers a successful example. It has bridged donor resource gaps through its 3% Aids levy (started in 1999). Imposed on both individual and corporate incomes, it funds domestic HIV/Aids prevention, care and treatment programmes.

    Nigeria’s another country that’s taken initiative, prioritising domestic budget allocation to health. It recently absorbed the 28,000 healthworkers formerly paid by USAid. This demonstrates that domestic health financing in Africa is possible.

    2.) More private-public partnerships. Formed between local and international philanthropies or institutions, these can bridge financing gaps.

    One successful example is the 2015 health service provision partnership between the Kenyan government and GE Healthcare. GE Healthcare provides radiography equipment and services which the government pays for over time. This allows the government to budget and plan healthcare expenditure over several years.

    3.) Promotion of regional integration to boost local production. This will reduce the need for aid-funded imported medical products.

    For instance, the African Union’s harmonised Africa Medicines Authority registration facility creates a single continental market for medicines. This supports local producers and exporters, by allowing them to operate on a larger scale. It also makes production and distribution more cost-effective. Finally, it reduces the reliance on imported medicines, strengthening Africa’s pharmaceutical industry.

    4.) Leverage development finance institutions. These are specialised financial organisations – such as the Africa Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. They can provide capital and expertise to projects deemed too risky for traditional investors. This includes support for health financing for infrastructure development, private sector development for small and medium-sized enterprises and the regional integration.

    One transformative initiative is the AfricInvest investment platform. With support from development finance institutions in the US and Europe, AfricInvest has raised over US$100 million for health investment in Africa. It has funded at least 45 dialysis facilities in Africa, delivering over 130,000 dialysis sessions annually, primarily to remote and underserved communities all at affordable costs.

    A combination of these approaches at national, regional and continental level will accelerate Africa’s withdrawal from aid dependency.

    Francisca Mutapi receives funding from the Aspen Global Innovation Programme, Scottish Funding Council funding to the University of Edinburgh, Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy and the Royal Society. Francisca Mutapi is the Deputy Director of the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) Partnership and Deputy Board Chair of Uniting to Combat NTDS. She sits on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and WHO Africa Regional Director’s Scientific Advisory Groups.

    – ref. Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health – 4 ways to fix this – https://theconversation.com/africa-relies-too-heavily-on-foreign-aid-for-health-4-ways-to-fix-this-249886

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Samaila Zubairu of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Succeeds Prof. Benedict Oramah of Afreximbank to Lead the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI)

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

    ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), also known as the Africa Club, has announced the appointment of Samaila Zubairu as its new Chairperson.

    Mr. Zubairu, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), succeeds AAMFI’s founding Chair, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). His appointment was confirmed at the fifth meeting of the AAMFI Governing Council on 16th February 2025, on the sidelines of the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

    Additionally, Dr Corneille Karekezi, Group Managing Director and CEO Africa Re Corporation (Africa Re) and Mr Manuel Moses, Chief Executive Officer of the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), were appointed as the first and second Vice Chairpersons of the AAMFI Governing Council, respectively.

    Established in 2024, AAMFI brings together Africa’s leading multilateral financial institutions to promote sustainable economic growth and financial self-reliance for the continent. The Alliance plays a critical role in strengthening intra-African collaboration, mobilising capital for development, and advocating for Africa’s economic interests on the global stage.

    Under Prof. Oramah’s leadership, AAMFI made significant strides, including its successful launch by African Heads of State in February 2024, the adoption of its governing Charter, the admission of 3 new members: Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), African Solidarity Fund (ASF), and East African Development Bank (EADB), increasing its membership from seven founding members to a total of ten members.

    Prof. Oramah’s leadership also saw the endorsement and recognition of AAMFI by key African Union organs and stakeholders, as well as successful elevation of the profile of the Alliance highlighting its key role in shaping discussions around African multilateral and development finance.

    “I want to thank the leadership of AAMFI for entrusting me with this mandate. Looking back at what we have achieved, I am reminded of the immense potential and responsibility that lies ahead. AAMFI has laid a strong foundation for Africa’s financial sovereignty, but there is still much more to be done. I am confident that under the leadership of Mr. Samaila Zubairu, the Africa will continue to drive impactful collaborations and innovative financial solutions to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation,” said Prof. Oramah, in his statement during the handover ceremony. “

    As Chair, Zubairu will drive collaborative growth by strengthening partnerships among member institutions, African governments, and global agencies to build a robust financial architecture. His agenda prioritizes youth empowerment through industrialization, financial literacy, and pension reforms, strategic investments in infrastructure, and developing capital markets to enhance liquidity and intra-African investment. He will also advocate for cross-border capital mobilization and early warning systems to prevent financial vulnerabilities, ensuring Africa’s economic resilience and long-term prosperity.

    While accepting the Chairmanship of the AAMFI for 2025, Mr Zubairu said: I am deeply honored to assume the chairmanship of AAMFI at this pivotal moment for Africa’s economic transformation. Our collective mission is clear—to build a robust financial architecture that captures and retains value within the continent, mobilizes African capital for African priorities, and accelerate the infrastructure development that enables industrialization. By fostering deeper intra-African collaboration, and strengthening our institutions, we will unlock opportunities that create high-quality jobs, drive innovation, and secure our long-term economic resilience. I look forward to working with my esteemed colleagues to chart a path toward true financial sovereignty and sustainable prosperity for Africa.”

    Mr. Zubairu’s leadership of AFC since 2018 has been pivotal to mobilising capital for infrastructure, industrialization and trade across Africa. AFC leads some of the continent’s most significant infrastructure projects, including the Lobito Corridor, Africa’s largest rail project, and transformative renewable energy initiatives such as the Lekela Power and Red Sea Power wind generation projects, and Xlinks, which is set to export electricity from the Sahara to Europe. Under his stewardship, AFC has doubled assets invested to $15 billion, and expanded membership from 18 countries to 44, representing 80% of African nations.

    Members commended Prof. Oramah on his successful leadership and tenure and pledged their commitment and support towards a successful year for Mr Zubairu as the new Chairperson of AAMFI.

    AAMFI members include AFC, Afreximbank, Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re), African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), Shelter Afrique Development Bank (SHAFDB), ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), East African Development Bank (EADB), African Solidarity Fund (ASF), and the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA).

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health – 4 ways to fix this

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh

    There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years. And, in 2020, the UK government reduced its Overseas Development Aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%.

    Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care. International funding supports everything from vaccines and HIV treatment to maternal health programmes.

    Cuts to aid, particularly unilateral ones, can have widespread implications. For instance, about 72 million people missed out on treatment for neglected tropical diseases between 2021 and 2022 due to UK aid cuts.

    The freeze of US aid to Africa in January 2025 is the latest in this trend. It’s already having significant and wide-ranging impacts across the African continent. For example, vaccination campaigns for polio eradication and HIV/Aids treatment through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) have been stopped. This puts millions of lives at risk. In South Africa alone, the cut of Pepfar’s US$400 million a year to HIV programmes risks patients defaulting on treatment, infection rates going up and eventually a rise in deaths.

    President Donald Trump’s actions have highlighted Africa’s reliance on foreign aid for health funding. I’m a global health expert who sits on various funding and advisory boards, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK government and boards of global resource mobilisation organisations. I am well aware of the competing funding priorities for international funders and have long advocated for local, sustainable health funding mechanisms.

    Long-term strategies to reduce aid dependency are critical. Breaking away from this current funding status requires concerted efforts building on proven best practice.

    Read more: How nonprofits abroad can fill gaps when the US government cuts off foreign aid

    Country-leadership and ownership

    African countries currently face the unique challenge of simultaneously dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

    But Africa’s health systems are not sufficiently resourced. They’re not able to provide appropriate, accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.

    African governments spend less than 10% of their GDP on health, amounting to capital expenditure of US$4.5 billion. This falls short of the estimated US$26 billion annual investment needed to meet evolving health needs.

    Aid goes towards filling this funding gap. For example, in 2021, half of sub-Saharan African countries relied on external financing, such as grants and loans, for more than one-third of their health expenditures.

    Foreign aid has helped. But it clearly leaves African countries vulnerable to the political mood swings among funders.

    It also leads to loss of self-determination in terms of health priorities as, ultimately, the funder determines the health priorities. This is one reason why many programmes in Africa focus on a single disease, such as HIV. This leads to poorly integrated health services. For instance health workers or services are channelled into managing a single disease.

    New, underutilised financing options

    The current trajectory of reduced aid to Africa is likely to continue. Global aid is being directed to other challenges, such as conflict and illegal immigration.

    The continent cannot continue on the same path while hoping for different outcomes. Africa needs to grow a range of immediately available domestic financing options. Many of these are underutilised and include:

    1.) Diversifying domestic resource mobilisation. This should include commodity taxation to fund health. For instance, tobacco taxes which are currently underutilised in Africa.

    Zimbabwe offers a successful example. It has bridged donor resource gaps through its 3% Aids levy (started in 1999). Imposed on both individual and corporate incomes, it funds domestic HIV/Aids prevention, care and treatment programmes.

    Nigeria’s another country that’s taken initiative, prioritising domestic budget allocation to health. It recently absorbed the 28,000 healthworkers formerly paid by USAid. This demonstrates that domestic health financing in Africa is possible.

    2.) More private-public partnerships. Formed between local and international philanthropies or institutions, these can bridge financing gaps.

    One successful example is the 2015 health service provision partnership between the Kenyan government and GE Healthcare. GE Healthcare provides radiography equipment and services which the government pays for over time. This allows the government to budget and plan healthcare expenditure over several years.

    3.) Promotion of regional integration to boost local production. This will reduce the need for aid-funded imported medical products.

    For instance, the African Union’s harmonised Africa Medicines Authority registration facility creates a single continental market for medicines. This supports local producers and exporters, by allowing them to operate on a larger scale. It also makes production and distribution more cost-effective. Finally, it reduces the reliance on imported medicines, strengthening Africa’s pharmaceutical industry.

    4.) Leverage development finance institutions. These are specialised financial organisations – such as the Africa Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. They can provide capital and expertise to projects deemed too risky for traditional investors. This includes support for health financing for infrastructure development, private sector development for small and medium-sized enterprises and the regional integration.

    One transformative initiative is the AfricInvest investment platform. With support from development finance institutions in the US and Europe, AfricInvest has raised over US$100 million for health investment in Africa. It has funded at least 45 dialysis facilities in Africa, delivering over 130,000 dialysis sessions annually, primarily to remote and underserved communities all at affordable costs.

    A combination of these approaches at national, regional and continental level will accelerate Africa’s withdrawal from aid dependency.

    – Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health – 4 ways to fix this
    – https://theconversation.com/africa-relies-too-heavily-on-foreign-aid-for-health-4-ways-to-fix-this-249886

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: QCR Holdings, Inc. Announces CEO Retirement and Executive Transition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MOLINE, Ill., Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — QCR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCRH) (“QCR Holdings” or the “Company”), today announced that, effective immediately following the annual stockholders meeting on May 22, 2025, Larry J. Helling will retire from his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust Company, one of the Company’s wholly-owned bank subsidiaries. Additionally, Mr. Helling will also retire at that time from the boards of directors of the Company and Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust Company. Upon Mr. Helling’s retirement, Todd A. Gipple, the Company’s current President and Chief Financial Officer, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Additionally, Nick W. Anderson, the Company’s current Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, will become the Company’s Chief Financial Officer upon Mr. Gipple’s move to Chief Executive Officer.

    “We were extremely fortunate to have Larry’s leadership as CEO over the past 6 years. Larry joined the organization in 2001 with the formation of Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust Company and became CEO of the Company in 2019. Larry has left an indelible mark on the entire organization,” remarked Marie Ziegler, Chair of QCR Holdings. “Larry’s focus on our clients, shareholders and employees through his emphasis on local control of our banking subsidiaries has been critical in guiding us through the past several years, which included the pandemic and the unique inflationary economic environment. We appreciate Larry’s dedication to the organization and working with the board to implement a seamless succession. We congratulate Larry on his impressive career and look forward to his continued friendship during his well-earned retirement.”

    “It’s been an honor to serve at QCR Holdings and its banking subsidiaries for more than two decades. I have been fortunate to see the positive impacts that our company has had on the communities we serve. We are a relationship-driven organization, and that is reflected in our talented employees, who work diligently to make a positive difference for our clients,” commented Mr. Helling. “Our growth and success in recent years have been possible because of Todd’s leadership and exceptional ability to work with others. I leave knowing that the organization will continue to be guided by a strong leader who embraces our culture.”

    Mr. Gipple has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since 2000, when he transitioned from a successful public accounting career. Through his years in the organization, Mr. Gipple has served in other capacities, including Chief Operating Officer, President and, since 2009, as a director of the Company, in addition to serving on the boards of the Company’s various banking subsidiaries. Mr. Gipple also is an active community leader in the Quad Cities and has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committees of several local organizations during his 40 years in the community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The John Deere Classic and is Past-Chair and a current member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley.   “I’m honored to take on the CEO role of our company following our annual meeting in May,” said Mr. Gipple. “I have been fortunate to work with Larry since he joined QCR Holdings in 2001 when he founded Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust Company, and I have enjoyed working closely with him the past six years as he has led our company as CEO. It has been very rewarding to be a part of the company’s success the past 25 years. I look forward to continuing that success by retaining our local community banking model that keeps us focused on exceeding the expectations of our clients, creating stronger communities, and sustaining our top-tier financial performance. This focus has served us well throughout the history of our company and has created long-term value for our shareholders.”  

    Mr. Anderson, an Illinois native and graduate of Western Illinois University, is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Anderson began his banking career as a teller while working his way through college. Since late 2019, he has served as Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, overseeing all of the Company’s internal and external financial reporting. He also is actively involved in his community and currently serves as the Vice President of Project Renewal of Davenport, Inc., which provides educational, recreational, and social activities for children during the school year and summer. “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Nick for over 20 years and I am fully confident that his transition into the Chief Financial Officer role will be seamless,” said Mr. Gipple. “He has the trust of the board and the executive management team and will do an excellent job overseeing the financial responsibilities at the Company while continuing to be an important part of communicating our successful story with shareholders and other constituencies.”

    Mr. Helling’s retirement and Messrs. Gipple’s and Anderson’s appointments will be effective immediately following the Company’s annual stockholder meeting, scheduled to be held on May 22, 2025.

    About Us

    QCR Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Moline, Illinois, is a relationship-driven, multi-bank holding company serving the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Valley, Des Moines/Ankeny, and Springfield communities through its wholly owned subsidiary banks. The banks provide full-service commercial and consumer banking and trust and wealth management services. Quad City Bank & Trust Company, based in Bettendorf, Iowa, commenced operations in 1994; Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Company, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, commenced operations in 2001; Community State Bank, based in Ankeny, Iowa, was acquired by the Company in 2016; Springfield First Community Bank, based in Springfield, Missouri, was acquired by the Company in 2018, and Guaranty Bank, also based in Springfield, Missouri, was acquired by the Company and merged with Springfield First Community Bank in 2022, with the combined entity operating under the Guaranty Bank name. Additionally, the Company serves the Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa community through Community Bank & Trust, a division of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Company. Quad City Bank & Trust Company offers equipment loans and leases to businesses through its wholly owned subsidiary, m2 Equipment Finance, LLC, based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and provides correspondent banking services. The Company has 36 locations in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $9.0 billion in assets, $6.7 billion in loans, and $7.1 billion in deposits. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.qcrh.com.

    PRESS CONTACT:
    Cari Henson
    VP, Corporate Communications Manager
    309.277.2668 | chenson@qcrh.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Capital Bancorp, Inc. Completes Operational Conversion of Integrated Financial Holdings, Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital Bancorp, Inc. (“CBNK”) announced that it had completed the conversion of Integrated Financial Holdings, Inc. (“IFH”) into its operations and systems. This conversion integrates IFH customer accounts into CBNK’s products and services.

    West Town Bank & Trust and Windsor Advantage previously operated as subsidiaries of IFH. In connection with the merger completed on October 1, 2024, West Town Bank & Trust merged with and into Capital Bank, N.A. and Windsor Advantage became a subsidiary of Capital Bancorp, Inc.

    “While Capital and IFH have already been effectively operating as one company, this conversion marks a major milestone,” said Ed Barry, Chief Executive Officer of CBNK. “Now that the conversion is complete, we are well positioned to better serve our customers and continue to execute on the meaningful synergies that we expect to accrue in the merger.”

    CBNK completed the conversion between the close of business on February 21st and reopening on February 24th. IFH customers – including customers of its North Riverside, IL branch – now have access to a wide selection of CBNK products and services. In addition, they can bank at any CBNK location, through digital banking or ATM. In connection with the merger, CBNK also anticipates opening a branch in Raleigh, NC on March 3, 2025.

    Information about the conversion and transition to CBNK was mailed to these customers on October 1, 2024. Since then, we have maintained ongoing communications to support a smooth transition.

    ABOUT CAPITAL BANCORP, INC.

    Capital Bancorp, Inc., Rockville, Maryland is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Maryland. Capital Bancorp has been providing financial services since 1999 and now operates bank branches in six locations including Washington D.C., Reston, VA, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Rockville, MD, Columbia, MD and N. Riverside, IL. Capital Bancorp had assets of approximately $3.2 billion at December 31, 2024 and its common stock is traded in the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CBNK.” More information can be found at the Company’s website www.CapitalBankMD.com under its Investor Relations page.

    Capital Bank, N.A.
    Media Contact:
    Bryon Stevens
    Investor Relations
    Email: bstevens@capitalbankmd.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delivery driver who spent Covid funds on drugs and gambling also withdrew cash for home renovations just before he went bankrupt

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Delivery driver who spent Covid funds on drugs and gambling also withdrew cash for home renovations just before he went bankrupt

    Bounce Back Loan fraudster handed suspended sentence and curfew

    • Amraiz Mahmood secured more than £20,000 in Covid support funds by falsely declaring he had a turnover of £81,000 as a self-employed delivery driver and courier  
    • Mahmood spent the money on drugs and gambling and also used a separate non-Covid related loan for almost £40,000 worth of renovations to his home just before he filed for his own bankruptcy 
    • Insolvency Service investigations have resulted in Mahmood being given a suspended prison sentence and 12-month curfew 

    A delivery driver who spent Covid support funds he was not entitled to on drugs and gambling has been sentenced. 

    Amraiz Mahmood fraudulently secured a £20,250 Bounce Back Loan from his bank in 2020 by overstating his 2019 turnover by more than £65,000. 

    The 31-year-old then claimed to have assets of only £100 despite withdrawing almost £40,000 in cash for home improvements in the weeks before he filed for his own bankruptcy.  

    Mahmood, of Booker Lane, High Wycombe, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 21 February. 

    He is also now subject to a 12-month daily curfew between 9pm and 7.45am which will be monitored with an electronic tag. 

    Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Amraiz Mahmood hugely inflated his turnover to secure taxpayers’ money he did not deserve. He then clearly failed to use the loan as it was intended.  

    Bounce Back Loans were designed to support small businesses through the pandemic. They were not intended to be used for personal gain and the Insolvency Service will not hesitate to take action when we identify such blatant abuse of the scheme. 

    Mahmood also concealed tens of thousands of pounds in assets from the Official Receiver when he was declared bankrupt.

    Mahmood fraudulently applied for his Bounce Back Loan in May 2020, claiming his turnover as a self-employed courier and delivery driver was £81,000. 

    His self-assessment return for 2018-19 however showed an income of only £15,018. 

    Mahmood said that he spent the majority of the money he claimed on recreational drugs and gambling. 

    In May 2021, one year on from fraudulently securing the Bounce Back Loan, Mahmood applied for bankruptcy, stating he had assets of just £100 and liabilities of more than £200,000. 

    However, just one month before his bankruptcy, Mahmood had secured a non-Covid related loan from his bank worth £25,000 having also withdrawn £2,000 from his account in the days and weeks before. 

    He then withdrew a further £37,950 in cash across several transactions before being declared bankrupt. 

    Mahmood said he withdrew the money as he needed to make repairs to his home and he knew the assets would be frozen once the bankruptcy order was made. 

    Invoices for the house renovations were dated after Mahmood’s bankruptcy however, meaning he was in possession of the funds when he told the Official Receiver he only had £100 in assets. 

    Mahmood signed an eight-year Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking in March 2022, restricting him from being able to borrow more than £500 without disclosing his bankrupt status. 

    Efforts are now being made to recover the funds from Mahmood. 

    Further information 

    • Amraiz Mahmood is of Booker Lane, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. His date of birth is 10 April 1983 
    • Sentenced for: Fraud by false representation, contrary to sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006; and concealment of assets within the 12 months preceding his bankruptcy application, contrary to section 354(1)(c) of the Insolvency Act 1986 
    • Read more about the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the action the Insolvency Service can take if it finds misconduct 
    • Guidance on the main statutory consequences flowing from a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order or Undertaking 
    • Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 25, 2025
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