NewzIntel.com

Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Need for clear commitment and real support for the cities forming part of the ‘100 smart and climate-neutral cities by 2030’ mission and which have already received the EU mission label – E-000059/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In its communication of 2023 on EU Missions[1], the Commission stated that the ‘implementation of the current five Missions should be continued, and support should be increased, both politically and financially’.

    It also stressed that ‘a broader portfolio of instruments needs to be mobilised, with the Horizon Europe calls serving only as seed funding and orchestrators rather than the main instruments of deployment’.

    For the Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission[2], this broadening of portfolio of instruments is important as the majority of the resources needed for the deployment of their Climate City contracts will have to come from the private sector.

    Beyond Research and Innovation funding, cities within the Climate Neutral and Smart Cities mission have received more than EUR 100 million of financial support from other EU programmes, other than Horizon Europe such as Connecting Europe Facility[3], LIFE[4], the European Urban Initiative[5]_[6] and the Digital Europe Programme[7].

    The Climate City Capital Hub[8], launched in June 2024, helps cities that have received the EU Mission Label[9] (18 have been targeted so far) to get projects ready for investment. It offers them advice on the best financing solutions, in close cooperation with existing advisory services, such as those offered by the European Investment Bank, and puts cities in touch with investors.

    In addition, EUR 21 million were secured in 2024 to deploy advisory services of the European Investment Bank (including European Local ENergy Assistance (ELENA)[10] and the InvestEU Advisory Hub[11]) to the cities that have received the EU Mission Label.

    Finally, the European Investment Bank also ringfenced a lending envelope of EUR 2 billion for labelled Mission Cities.

    • [1]  COM(2023) 457, 19/07/2023.
    • [2]  https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/climate-neutral-and-smart-cities_en
    • [3]  https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/connecting-europe-facility_en
    • [4]  https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
    • [5] As regards the European Urban Initiative of Cohesion Policy, calls for innovative action proposals have included references to embed proposals in relevant urban strategies and plans such as those of the Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission
    • [6]  https://www.urban-initiative.eu/
    • [7]  https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/digital-europe-programme_en
    • [8]  https://netzerocities.eu/capital-hub/
    • [9]  https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/942e747e-3ccf-4121-a973-9cc8032fc421_en
    • [10] https://www.eib.org/en/products/advisory-services/elena/index
    • [11] https://investeu.europa.eu/investeu-programme/investeu-advisory-hub_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference Set to Take Place at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV, April 8-9, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK,, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The highly anticipated Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference will take place on April 8-9, 2025, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. This premier event will bring together leading Healthcare and Technology companies, institutional investors, and key opinion leaders to discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping both industries. We are honored to announce Eric F. Trump as our keynote speaker for the conference, with additional speakers to be announced.

    Over the course of the two-day conference, participants will have the opportunity to engage in expert-led panels, corporate presentations, dynamic fireside chats and one-on-one meetings covering the latest developments in Healthcare and Technology. The event will serve as a platform for insightful discussions on the future of these rapidly evolving sectors, offering valuable networking opportunities for investors and innovators.

    “We are thrilled to host the Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference in Las Vegas,” said Alan Hill, CEO of Jones. “This conference will provide a unique forum for collaboration, offering a deep dive into the cutting-edge innovations in healthcare and technology. As these industries continue to converge, the event will highlight the tremendous opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for both sectors.”

    Moe Cohen, Head of Investment Banking at Jones, added, “Our goal is to foster meaningful discussions that will drive forward-thinking solutions in the healthcare and technology sectors. We are excited to bring together some of the brightest minds and most influential leaders to tackle the most pressing issues and unlock the next wave of breakthroughs in these dynamic industries.”

    If you are interested in attending, please contact your Jones representative to inquire about an invitation.

    For more information about the conference, sponsorship opportunities, or to register, please email mdoyle@jonestrading.com.

    About Jones:

    JonesTrading Institutional Services, LLC (“Jones”) is a leading full-service investment banking firm, providing a comprehensive suite of services, including capital markets, M&A, and strategic advisory to corporate clients. The firm is dedicated to building lasting partnerships by delivering innovative solutions, deep industry expertise, and tailored strategies that drive value and success. Founded in 1975, Jones has established itself as the global leader in block trading and a premier liquidity provider to institutional investors. The firm’s offerings also include derivatives trading, outsourced trading, electronic trading, prime services, private markets trading, and research/market intelligence. Member FINRA and SIPC.

    For more information, please visit jonestrading.com

    Human Resources
    HR@jonestrading.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Progress towards Eradicating Poverty “Has Recently Stalled”, Chair Tells Commission for Social Development, Calling for Greater Solidarity

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Solidarity and social inclusion are more important than ever as the world grapples with multiple emergencies such as the climate crisis, democratic backsliding and repeated human rights abuses, high-level ministers said today at a panel discussion at the 2025 session of the Commission for Social Development.

    Ministers ranging from Sweden to Uganda in a panel discussion titled “Strengthening solidarity and social cohesion” spotlighted various ways their Governments were working to promote progress in health, education, gender equality, human rights, microfinance and macroeconomic measures, while also calling on the wider international community to recommit to sustainable development.  They expressed concern that trust and faith in Government and institutions had eroded in recent years just as progress faced new roadblocks.

    “Progress towards eradication of poverty has lately stalled,” said the Commission’s Chair, Krzysztof Maria Szczerski (Poland), who also moderated the discussion.  Income and wealth inequality remain, while decent work is in short supply.  These developments, together with global trends and intersecting crises, hamper social inclusion.  “Governments need to tackle these challenges, but trust in them is in decline in many countries, weakening social cohesion and limiting the effectiveness of the social policies,” he stressed.  Key to addressing these challenges is strengthening solidarity.  Stressing the need to combat mis- and disinformation, he said that citizen participation in Government and policy can indeed boost trust in the public sector.

    Kaisa Juuso, Minister for Social Affairs and Health of Finland, said that a society’s resilience to challenges and crises heavily relies on social cohesion and trust.  Universal social protection — such as health services, long-term care and education — enhances stability and security.  She went on to introduce the so-called “economy of well-being” approach, emphasizing that the policies and structures supporting human well-being are vital for inclusive economic growth.  They are linked directly to economic activity, labour market participation and productivity, she said, adding that it highlights the mutually reinforcing nature of economy and well-being and encourages collaboration across sectors.  Investing in universal health coverage, social protection, education and gender equality is key to social cohesion and inclusive economic growth.  These together with decent work and inclusive labour markets are “the best ways to tackle poverty and discrimination”, she said. Stressing the importance of leaving no population groups behind, she affirmed that “in Finland, we share a deep understanding in society that a nation can only prosper by providing an enabling environment for everyone to grow to their fullest potential”.

    “As one of the largest donors to the global development system, Sweden remains fully committed to reaching the SDG targets, but we are not happy with the progress,” said Camilla Waltersson-Grönvall, Minister for Social Services of Sweden.  According to the World Bank, almost 700 million people live in extreme poverty globally, she added, urging lawmakers and leaders to “work hard to ensure sound and inclusive social protection systems”.  This is fundamental to guarantee that those in vulnerable situations receive the support they need.  Sweden believes that gender equality is both a human right and a key driver of inclusive growth and social development.  Turning to child rights, she highlighted several national efforts and underscored evidence that suggests there is a correlation between children growing up in circumstances of parity and deprivation and increased risks in terms of worse physical and mental health, worse educational achievement and lower participation in society.  “Families and parents might be the most important tool to prevent children from ending up in negative patterns,” she added.

    Betty Amongi Ongom, Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development of Uganda, highlighted her country’s initiatives to promote social integration by prioritizing health, education, microfinance and macroeconomic measures to drive growth.  These efforts have facilitated the absorption of unemployed youth into the private sector.  Uganda has also attracted investors through prudent economic and investment policies that have bolstered foreign direct investment (FDI).  The country has reformed its labour laws and encouraged private-sector investment in health insurance policies.  To further support vulnerable groups, Uganda has made affordable financial services accessible to women, youth, persons with disabilities, older persons, refugees and the rural poor.  “We are offering online services with affordable Internet and technology, enabling the rural poor to access many services online,” she noted.  Vulnerable communities have also benefited from grants and cash transfers.  Additionally, Uganda launched free skilling programmes targeting the underprivileged and supported the establishment of shared facilities, which are freely available to help women and youth incubate their businesses.

    Maria Luisa Ramirez, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, said the Government has worked hard to improve trust in institutions, through fighting corruption, providing access to public information and encouraging citizen participation in the formulation of public policies.  “In Guatemala, around 59 per cent of the population live in conditions of poverty, with significant differences in the rural and Indigenous areas,” she added.  This has led the Government to promote policies for social protection, ensuring that the most vulnerable families have access to quality education, health services with a cultural perspective and opportunities for dignified employment.  Concentrating on this is very important “to prevent everyone having to leave rural areas to go to urban areas”, she added.  Guatemala is also seeking to promote a safe environment for investment and for entrepreneurship through generating trust in key sectors such as sustainable agriculture and the digitalization of services.

    Mahdi Mohamed Djama, Director General of the Social Development Agency in Djibouti, highlighted the significant challenges faced by his country, which has a population of just over 1 million.  These challenges include severe weather, desertification and a youth unemployment rate of 73 per cent for those under 25.  While Djibouti’s economy has shown resilience — with gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaging 6 per cent from 2011 to 2021 and reaching 6.7 per cent in 2023 — it remains marked by inequality, with a Gini coefficient of 41.6 and an extreme poverty rate of 19.1 per cent. Djibouti Vision 2035 places human capital development and social infrastructure at its core.  The Government has implemented social welfare programmes, job creation initiatives through vocational training, and support for small- and medium-sized enterprises.  It has also launched efforts to promote solidarity and transparency.  To address inequality and poverty, Djibouti is focused on diversifying its economy while strengthening its social and economic systems.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CBP Officer Arrested in El Paso, Charged with Alien Smuggling and Drug Trafficking

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

    EL PASO, Texas – A Customs and Border Protection officer was arrested in El Paso on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle undocumented noncitizens for financial gain and alleged drug trafficking activity.

    According to court documents, between on or about Dec. 21, 2023 and Feb. 5, 2025, Manuel Perez Jr., 32, of El Paso, allegedly smuggled and attempted to smuggle undocumented noncitizens into the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. The indictment alleges that, in multiple instances, Perez Jr. admitted a vehicle driven by an undocumented noncitizen at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso as part of human smuggling operations. Additionally, Perez Jr. allegedly conspired to possess a substance containing at least 5kg of cocaine from on or about Nov. 1, 2019 through and including Feb. 5, 2025, to distribute throughout Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina and elsewhere.

    Perez Jr. is charged with one count of conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States for financial gain, three counts of bringing aliens to the United States for financial gain, and one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a up to five years in federal prison for the human smuggling conspiracy charge, three to 10 years in prison for each of the three additional human smuggling charges, and 10 years to life for the drug trafficking charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    This investigation was a joint effort by FBI El Paso, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, and Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, which comprise the FBI El Paso West Texas Border Corruption Task Force, along with the assistance of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations, U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division/Texas Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations El Paso and the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney John Johnston is prosecuting the case.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Woman Pleads Guilty in Fraud Scheme That Illegally Generated $17 Million in Revenue for North Korea

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Christina Marie Chapman, 48, of Litchfield Park, Arizona, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. in connection with a scheme that assisted overseas IT workers—posing as U.S. citizens and residents—in working at more than 300 U.S. companies in remote IT positions. The scheme generated more than $17 million in illicit revenue for herself and for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea).

                The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; FBI Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez of the Phoenix Field Office, and IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick for IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office.

                Chapman pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2025. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the parties will jointly recommend that the Court impose a sentence of 94 to 111 months in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

                According to court documents, Chapman, an American citizen, conspired with overseas IT workers from October 2020 to October 2023 to steal the identities of U.S. nationals and used those identities to apply for remote IT jobs and, in furtherance of the scheme, transmitted false documents to the Department of Homeland Security. Chapman and her coconspirators obtained jobs at hundreds of U.S. companies, including Fortune 500 corporations, often through temporary staffing companies or other contracting organizations.

                Chapman received and hosted computers from the U.S. companies, creating a “laptop farm” at her home, so that the companies would believe the workers were in the United States. As a result of Chapman’s assistance, the overseas IT workers gained access to the internal systems of the U.S. companies.

                Chapman’s overseas IT workers received more than $17.1 million for their work. Much of the income was falsely reported to the IRS and Social Security Administration in the names of actual U.S. individuals whose identities had been stolen.

                As a result of the conduct of Chapman and her conspirators, more than 300 U.S. companies were impacted, more than 70 identities of U.S. person were compromised, on more than 100 occasions false information was conveyed to DHS, and more than 70 U.S. individuals had false tax liabilities created in their name.

                This case was investigated by the FBI Counterintelligence Division, the FBI Phoenix Field Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office with assistance from the FBI Chicago Field Office.

                It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Prosecutors Joshua Rothstein, Karen Seifert, Thomas Gillice, and Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. Trial Attorney Gregory J. Nicosia Jr. of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section provided valuable assistance.

    24cr220

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Farmington Woman Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud, Public Corruption Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that HELEN ZERVAS, 57, of Farmington, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in Bridgeport to health care fraud and public corruption offenses.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Zervas, an optometrist, owned and operated Family Eye Care, located in Bristol, and was a participating provider in Medicaid and Medicare.  Between approximately October 2015 and January 2020, Zervas repeatedly submitted claims to Medicaid and Medicare falsely representing that she had provided, or determined it was medically necessary to provide, certain treatment.  For example, between approximately September 2016 and January 2020, Zervas made more than 300 false claims to Medicaid and more than 30 false claims to Medicare for insertion of an amniotic membrane to the eye surface of a patient when that treatment was either not provided or was not medically necessary.

    In 2020, while the State of Connecticut was auditing Zervas’s and Family Eye Care’s Medicaid billings, Zervas conspired with both a senior official in the State’s Office of Policy and Management and a Connecticut State Representative to interfere with the audit.  In exchange for payments from Family Eye Care, Zervas, and the state representative, the senior official agreed to advise and pressure other state employees to take official action concerning the pending Medicaid audit of Zervas and Family Eye Care.

    Zervas pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

    Zervas is released pending sentencing, which is not yet scheduled.

    This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and David E. Novick.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CLAYSBURG – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis to Highlight 2025-26 Proposed Budget Investments in Childcare Workforce

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    February 12, 2025 – Claysburg, PA

    ADVISORY – CLAYSBURG – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis to Highlight 2025-26 Proposed Budget Investments in Childcare Workforce

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis will discuss the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s proposed 2025-26 budget and its plan to expand Pennsylvania’s childcare workforce at a roundtable conversation Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Sheetz Corporate Support Center, 243 Sheetz Way, Claysburg.

    The 2025-26 proposal builds on the Administration’s first two budgets with a $55 million investment in workforce recruitment and retention grants to increase childcare availability. These grants to licensed childcare centers with Child Care Works (CCW) Program agreements would provide an additional $1,000 annually per employee.

    During their first two years in office, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis have expanded the state’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit and created a new tax credit for businesses that want to contribute to their employees’ childcare costs.

    WHO:
    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis, Early Learning Investment Commission members, representatives from Sheetz and Bright Horizons Little Sproutz Early Learning Center

    WHAT:
    Roundtable conversation about childcare in Pennsylvania and investments in the Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 proposed budget

    WHEN:
    Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m.

    WHERE:
    Sheetz Corporate Support Center, 243 Sheetz Way, Claysburg

    After the roundtable, there will be a brief tour of the Bright Horizons Little Sproutz Early Learning Center childcare facility next to the corporate support center.

    RSVP: Members of the news media who are interested in attending must RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstinalv@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Speaks Out Against Attorney General Bondi’s Actions To Weaponize DOJ

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    February 11, 2025
    Durbin’s floor speech comes after the Trump Administration forced out dozens of DOJ and FBI officials and is now threatening additional action against thousands of employees across the country who worked on investigations related to January 6 and President Trump
    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against Attorney General Pam Bondi forher work to undermine the integrity and credibility of the Department of Justice, including creating a so-called “Weaponization Working Group,” a task force to investigate “the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority of the United States over the last four years.” Durbin’s concerns are especially pertinent as the Trump Administration purged dozens of senior career civil servants at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)—including longtime nonpartisan leaders of the government’s counterterrorism and counterespionage efforts—further exemplifying the need for an independent DOJ. After Attorney General Bondi was confirmed, President Trump said, “I know I’m supposed to say she’s going to be totally impartial with respect to Democrats… I’m not sure if there’s a possibility of totally.”
    Durbin said, “On day one in office, Attorney General Bondi created a so-called ‘Weaponization Working Group,’ a task force to investigate, ‘the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority of the United States over the last four years.’ Bondi said that she would ‘investigate the investigators,’ and ‘prosecute the prosecutors,’ and now she’s doing exactly that to seek ‘retribution’ against his [Trump’s] political enemies—real and perceived.”
    Durbin continued, “I wish I could say I am surprised by Attorney General Bondi’s actions, but last week, I stood in this very spot, sounding the same alarm just before her confirmation vote—the writing was on the wall. Attorney General Bondi has made it clear that her foremost loyalty is to one person—President Trump. And she kept her promise to him on day one after being sworn into office by Justice Clarence Thomas. Bondi’s directive is only one step in misusing the powers of government to carry out President Trump’s retribution against those he perceives to be his enemies.”
    Durbin went on to outline that his concerns are even more pressing because, over the last 22 days, the Trump Administration has purged dozens of senior career law enforcement officials at the Department of Justice and FBI. This purge has been particularly focused on dedicated, nonpartisan prosecutors and investigators working in the National Security Division and the FBI. Last week, FBI law enforcement personnel across the country had little over 48 hours to answer a survey about their work on any case related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol—including whether they handled arrests, led operations, testified in trials, and more.
    “The Acting Attorney General had also issued a memo firing a dozen career DOJ prosecutors, stating, ‘Given your significant role in prosecuting the President, I do not believe that the leadership of the Department can trust you in implementing the President’s agenda faithfully.’ The Bureau’s acting leaders are career FBI public servants who have reportedly resisted the push from Trump Administration officials to punish FBI agents who were simply doing the work that was assigned to them to investigate the January 6 attack,” Durbin said.
    Last Friday, the FBI turned over the names of thousands of FBI personnel. A temporary court order was issued on Friday that is keeping DOJ from revealing those names for now. Tomorrow, FBI probationary agents and personnel stationed around the world are required to submit justifications for their continued employment. This could lead to firing up to 3,000 federal law enforcement officials.
    “These mass layoffs, forced retirements, and involuntary reassignments of experienced DOJ and FBI officials represent an outright attack on public safety by President Trump—America will be less safe because of this political charade that’s going on in the Department of Justice… The purge is already leading to widespread disruption and delay in prosecutions, investigations, and sensitive operations. Joint-Terrorism Task Forces have been asked to focus on President Trump’s immigration-related initiatives, which means valuable resources and personnel have been shifted away from state, local, and federal partners fighting foreign and domestic terrorism,” Durbin continued.
    “As America faces a heightened threat landscape, these removals and reassignments are crippling not only to the Justice Department and the FBI, but the 93 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 55 FBI Field Offices across the country. The loss of potentially thousands of federal law enforcement jobs will overburden local field offices; slow ongoing case work; increase the unemployment rates nationwide; and harm local economies. President Trump may claim to ‘back the blue,’ but apparently he is only interested in doing so when it is politically convenient for his political agenda,”Durbin said.
    Durbin concluded, “Before Ms. Bondi’s confirmation, my concerns about how she would lead the Department were based on her history as President Trump’s lawyer. But the leadership of Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, is no longer hypothetical—her directives and actions are now impacting innocent people and good Americans who dedicate their lives to public service. We need to work together on a bipartisan basis to push back against these attacks on the Department of Justice and FBI to protect the national security of the United States.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Solomon Partners Expands Financial Institutions Group with the Hiring of 3 Seasoned Bankers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Solomon Partners, a leading financial advisory firm and independent affiliate of Natixis, today announced a significant expansion of its Financial Institutions Group with the hiring of Juan Guzman as a Partner, and Faiz Vahidy and Matthew Cornish as Managing Directors. The trio previously worked at Houlihan Lokey and will now collaborate with their former colleague Arik Rashkes, who started at Solomon in December as Head of the recently formed Financial Institutions Group.

    “Collectively Juan, Faiz and Matt represent a meaningful step toward rapidly building out our Financial Institutions practice. They each have substantial experience across a variety of subsectors and have successfully worked together in their prior roles,” said Marc Cooper, CEO of Solomon Partners.

    Mr. Rashkes added, “My colleagues are well known and respected across the financial services industry as talented investment bankers who are dedicated to serving clients. Together we will further develop Solomon’s Financial Institutions advisory services.”

    Mr. Guzman specializes in mortgage services and insurance, as well as the broader real estate services sector. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial services, advising clients on a diverse range of transactions, including M&A, capital raising, valuations, and special committee assignments. Prior to joining Solomon, Mr. Guzman was a Managing Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Financial Services Group focused on the mortgage services and insurance sectors. He earned an MBA with concentrations in Corporate Finance and Law & Business from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BA in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

    “I look forward to contributing to Solomon’s growth and success by expanding the Financial Institutions Group and the sub-sectors we serve. The firm’s commitment to excellence and client-focused approach aligns with my professional values and goals,” Mr. Guzman commented.

    At Solomon, Mr. Vahidy will primarily focus on advising insurance distribution companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, divestitures, fairness opinions, strategic planning, and other corporate finance engagements. He has more than two decades of experience in financial services, covering insurance distribution companies including MGAs, MGUs, BGAs, IMOs, and FMOs. He has successfully executed a wide variety of transactions for insurance carriers, insurance services providers, and insurtech companies. Mr. Vahidy received a BBA from the George Washington University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

    In his new role, Mr. Cornish will specialize in insurance services and illiquid financial assets, leveraging his extensive experience in corporate finance and advisory services. He previously served as a Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Financial Services Group & Illiquid Financial Assets Group. Over the past 15 years, Mr. Cornish executed transactions across multiple industries and asset classes, including benefits, claims, TPAs, property & casualty insurance, life settlements, tax receivable agreements, minority equity, receivership wind-downs, and private equity and hedge fund LP interests. He holds a BS in Accountancy, Economics, and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Villanova University.

    About Solomon Partners

    Founded in 1989, Solomon Partners is a leading financial advisory firm with a legacy as one of the oldest independent investment banks. Our difference is unmatched industry knowledge in the sectors we cover, creating superior value with unrivaled wisdom for our clients. We advise clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, recapitalizations, capital markets solutions and activism defense across a range of verticals. These include Business Services, Consumer Retail, Distribution, Financial Institutions, Financial Sponsors, FinTech, Grocery, Pharmacy & Restaurants, Healthcare, Industrials, Infrastructure, Power & Renewables, Media and Technology. Solomon Partners is an independently operated affiliate of Natixis, part of Groupe BPCE. For further information, visit solomonpartners.com.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/79874508-3307-43e1-87f1-c127d605658e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f447c06-0049-477a-b3da-8b11c48f3270

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99656942-b936-46d7-96bf-b495571881f4

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On holding auctions on February 12, 2025 to place OFZ issues No. 26248RMFS3 and No. 26233RMFS5

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    For bidders

    We inform you that, based on the letter of the Bank of Russia and in accordance with Part I. General Part and Part II. Stock Market Section of the Rules for Conducting Trading on the Stock Market, Deposit Market and Credit Market of Moscow Exchange PJSC, the order establishes the form, time, term and procedure for holding auctions for the placement and trading of the following federal loan bonds:

    1.

    Name of the Issuer Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
    Name of security federal loan bonds with constant coupon income
    State registration number of the issue 26233RMFS from 02/14/2020
    Date of the auction February 12, 2025
    Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
    Trade code SE26233RMFS5
    ISIN code RO000A101F94
    Calculation code B01
    Additional conditions of placement The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
    Trading time Trading hours: bid collection period: 12:00 – 12:30; bid execution period: 13:00 – 18:00.

    2.

    Name of the Issuer Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
    Name of security federal loan bonds with constant coupon income
    State registration number of the issue 26248RMFS from 08.05.2024
    Date of the auction February 12, 2025
    Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
    Trade code CO26248RMFS3
    ISIN code RO000A108EH4
    Calculation code B01
    Additional conditions of placement The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
    Trading time Trading hours: bid collection period: 14:30 – 15:00; bid execution period: 15:30 – 18:00.

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.Mom/N77536

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Manhattan Man Charged With Murder-For-Hire Plot Resulting In The Death Of His Husband In Brazil

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Antoinette T. Bacon, the Supervisory Official for the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the filing of charges against DANIEL SIKKEMA in connection with his role in a murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the death of his husband in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The charges are contained in a Superseding Indictment unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.  SIKKEMA was previously charged in the Southern District of New York for passport fraud. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos.

    U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “As alleged, Daniel Sikkema and his co-conspirator planned and carried out a cold-blooded plot to murder Sikkema’s husband, a United States citizen, in Brazil. This Office will doggedly pursue justice against those who murder United States citizens, whether at home or abroad.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “In the midst of a tense divorce, Daniel Sikkema allegedly financed the premature death of his estranged husband. The defendant allegedly hired a hitman to facilitate the international murder of his husband, and attempted to conceal his involvement in this callous plan. The FBI will continue to vigorously investigate any individual who selfishly and mercilessly orders the end to another’s life, regardless of where the crime may occur.”

    According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment:[1]

    In 2023, SIKKEMA agreed with another individual (“CC-1”) that SIKKEMA would pay CC-1 to kill SIKKEMA’s estranged husband (the “Victim”) in Brazil.  At that time, SIKKEMA and the Victim were engaged in contentious divorce proceedings and the Victim regularly traveled to Brazil and owned property in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  To facilitate the murder-for-hire plot, SIKKEMA, a U.S. and Cuban citizen, sent multiple payments to CC-1 and CC-1’s romantic partner in Cuba.  SIKKEMA also concealed the source of each of these payments by using either a stolen identity or an intermediary to send them.

    On January 14, 2024, CC-1 murdered the Victim in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  In the days that followed, SIKKEMA and CC-1 continued to communicate and SIKKEMA arranged for a payment of approximately $5,000 to be made to CC-1 and promised to make an additional payment at a later date.

    On January 18, 2024, CC-1 was arrested by Brazilian law enforcement for his involvement in the commission of the Victim’s murder.

    *                *                *

    SIKKEMA, 54, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of murder-for-hire conspiracy resulting in death, one count of murder-for-hire resulting in death, one count of conspiracy to murder and maim a person in a foreign country, and one count of passport fraud. If convicted, he faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison or death.

    The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

    Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI New York Field Office.

    The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith C. Foster and Remy Grosbard for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.

    The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.    
     

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Partners Sports Africa Investment Summit (SAIS2025), to Champion Infrastructure Investment and Grassroots Sports Development

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

    LAGOS, Nigeria, February 11, 2025/APO Group/ —“Grassroots sports represent the foundation of our nation’s sporting future. Investing in inclusive and accessible facilities is not just about playing the game; it is about fostering talent, strengthening communities, and fueling the economic potential of sports. SAIS2025 provides a vital platform to drive these conversations and unlock new opportunities for grassroots sports development in Nigeria and across Africa.”

    As Nigeria continues to position sports as a driver of economic diversification, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports remains committed to policies that expand access, promote participation, and harness sports’ transformative power to create opportunities for all.

    Join Prince Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye and other leading voices at SAIS2025 as they discuss actionable pathways to sustainable and inclusive sports development.

    Event Details

    • Dates: February 17–18, 2025
    • Venue: Lagos Continental Hotel, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
    • Time: 9:00 AM Daily

    For tickets and registration, visit www.SportNigeria.ng/SAIS, email sais@sportnigeria.ng, or contact 0706 203 8705 (Call/WhatsApp).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Auer Growth Fund [AUERX] Earns 5-Star Overall Morningstar Rating™

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SBAuer Funds, LLC, announced its Auer Growth Fund [AUERX] has earned an overall Morningstar Rating™ of 5 stars among 464 Small Value funds based upon risk-adjusted returns as of 12/31/2024.

    As of 12/31/2024, AUERX showed a 1-year return of 11.31% while its benchmark, the S&P 500, posted 25.02%; a 3-year return of 14.08% as the S&P 500 returned 8.94%; a 5-year return of 16.16% versus 14.53% by the S&P 500; and a 10-year return of 9.08% while the S&P 500 posted a 13.10% return during that same period. Within the Small Value category of funds based upon total returns, the Auer Growth Fund ranked in the 27th percentile out of 488 funds at the 1-year mark, in the 2nd percentile out of 464 funds at the 3-year mark, the 4th percentile out of 441 funds at the 5-year mark, and the 12th percentile out of 349 funds at 10 years.

    Morningstar’s 5-star rating system assigns a one- to five-star ranking to each fund based on past performance of risk-adjusted returns relative to peer funds, according to Investopedia. Graded on a curve, star ratings give the top 10% of funds 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive four stars, the middle 35% get three stars, followed by 22.5% percent receiving two stars and the bottom 10% only getting one star.

    “I have always liked the following quote from Muriel Siebert, ‘You create opportunities by performing, not complaining,’” says AUERX fund manager Bob Auer. “And I believe it’s the perfect summation of our performance rating with Morningstar, which we’re extremely excited about.”

    SBAuer was established in 2008 when, after twenty years of investing with the strategy, father and son team Bryan and Bob Auer converted their portfolio into a retail mutual fund—the Auer Growth Fund. Currently, lead manager Bob Auer and managers Eric McKenzie and Auer’s brother Paul oversee the Fund’s investment picks.

    Maintaining a disciplined investment strategy, the Auer Growth Fund selects stocks of companies whose quarterly year-over-year profit growth is 25% with quarterly year-over-year revenue growth of at least 20%; stocks must also have a price-to-earnings ratio of less than 12 times earnings. Any stock that doesn’t meet the firm’s demanding criteria on a quarterly basis is removed from the portfolio, plus a stock is sold if it doubles in value.

    About SB Auer, LLC:
    SB Auer Funds, LLC, is an SEC-registered, registered investment advisor with $59.8 million AUM as of 12/31/2024.
    All of its assets are in the Auer Growth Fund, with the sole objective being capital appreciation. Visit sbauerfunds.com for information.

    Disclosures: 
    AUERX (12/31/2024) – 1 Year: 11.31%, 3 Year: 14.08%, 5 Year: 16.16%, 10 Year: 9.09%, Total Gross Expense Ratio: 2.07% as of March 29, 2024.

    You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing. You may obtain a current copy of the Fund’s prospectus by calling 888-711-2837.

    Performance quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than what is stated. Investment return and principal value will vary with market conditions so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For current to most recent month-end performance, please visit sbauerfunds.com/performance or call us at 888-711-2837. The Fund imposes a 1% redemption fee on proceeds redeemed or exchanged within 7 days of purchase. The performance illustrated does not include the effect of the redemption charge. If it did, performance would have been lower.

    Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Small-cap and mid-cap investing involves greater risk not associated with investing in more established companies, such as greater price volatility, business risk, less liquidity and increased competitive threat. Stocks of micro-capitalization companies are more volatile, less liquid, involve substantial risks, and are subject to more abrupt or erratic movements than small, mid or large capitalization companies. The Fund invests in companies that appear to be growth-oriented companies. If the Adviser’s perceptions of a company’s growth potential are wrong, the securities purchased may not perform as expected, causing losses that will reduce the Fund’s return. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

    The S&P 500 Index is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity prices and are representative of a broader market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. The Index returns do not reflect the deduction of expenses, which have been deducted from the Fund’s returns. The Index return assumes reinvestment of all distributions and does not reflect the deduction of taxes and fees.

    © 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

    The Morningstar Rating TM for funds, or “star rating,” is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product’s monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The Morningstar Rating does not include any adjustment for sales loads. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods. As of 12/31/24, the Auer Growth (AUERX) fund received a ten-year rating of 4 stars out of 349 Small Value funds, a five-year rating of 5 stars out of 441 funds, and three-year rating of 5 stars out of 464 funds. The Auer Growth Fund inception is December 28, 2007.

    Morningstar classifies funds into categories based on similar investment objective and strategy. Morningstar percentile rankings are based on a fund’s total return compared to its Morningstar Category of exchange-traded and open-end mutual funds. The highest percentile rank is 1 and the lowest percentile rank is 100. Rankings are relative to a peer group and do not necessarily mean the fund had high or positive total returns. Morningstar updates its fund rankings daily. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

    Auer Growth Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, 225 Pictoria Dr., Suite 450 , Cincinnati, OH 45246 United States. (Member FINRA). Ultimus Fund Solutions and Auer Growth Fund are not affiliated entities.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Enfield Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KATRELL JOHNSON, 35, of Enfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 25 years of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for producing and possessing child sex abuse images and videos.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in April and May 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) received CyberTipline reports from Google and WhatsApp that accounts, which were subsequently connected to Johnson, had been used to upload images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.  A court-authorized search of two of Johnson’s Google accounts revealed approximately 1,500 child sex abuse images and videos, including images and videos of prepubescent children, and images that Johnson created of two minor victims he had abused.

    Johnson has been detained since his arrest on July 13, 2023.  On February 14, 2024, he pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

    This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Enfield Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont.

    This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Charged For Their Role In Major Theft Organization Targeting Luxury Vehicles

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the  return of an indictment charging Michel Serrano (34, Lehigh Acres) with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles and the sale and possession of stolen motor vehicles, as well as two counts of interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles. If convicted on all counts, Serrano faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Julio Sanchez (35, Redwood City, California) and Angel Mares (56, San Jose, California) were also charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles and the sale and possession of stolen motor vehicles. If convicted on this count, Sanchez and Mares each face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Serrano, Sanchez, and Mares that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture for any property, real or personal, which is traceable to the proceeds of the crimes, and an order of forfeiture in the amount of the proceeds of the crimes.

    According to the indictment, beginning at least as early as June 2020 and continuing through May 2021, Serrano, Sanchez, Mares, and their co-conspirators stole high-end vehicles from throughout the state of Florida. Vehicles were stolen from car dealerships, residences and residential parking garages, and other businesses. The conspirators altered the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) on the stolen motor vehicles, then transported the stolen vehicles on semi-trucks across state lines with the intent to sell them. The conspirators then sold the stolen motor vehicles to purchasers. For an additional fee, the conspirators would provide the purchaser a full vehicle registration and title within the state of California. The conspirators were paid by the purchasers through cash and checks for the stolen vehicles. 

    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 the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Highway Patrol, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Department, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Dade City Police Department, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Bradenton Police Department, Cape Coral Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany E. Fields.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why annexing Canada would destroy the United States

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Aisha Ahmad, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Toronto

    As United States President Donald Trump relentlessly threatens to annex Canada, some Canadians are worried that an American invasion could one day become a reality.

    How would that scenario play out? Looking at the sheer size of the American military, many people might believe that Trump would enjoy an easy victory.

    That analysis is wrong. If Trump ever decides to use military force to annex Canada, the result would not be determined by a conventional military confrontation between the Canadian and American armies. Rather, a military invasion of Canada would trigger a decades-long violent resistance, which would ultimately destroy the United States.

    But in this nightmare scenario, could Canadians successfully resist an American invasion? Absolutely. I know this because I have studied insurgencies around the world for more than two decades, and I have spent time with ordinary people who have fought against powerful invading armies.



    Read more:
    Attempting to annex Canada would spell disaster for the U.S. at home and abroad

    How insurgencies begin

    The research on guerrilla wars clearly shows that weaker parties can use unconventional methods to cripple a more powerful enemy over many years. This approach treats waging war as a secret, part-time job that an ordinary person can do.

    Guerrillas use ambushes, raids and surprise attacks to slowly bleed an invading army, and local communities support these fighters by giving them safe havens and material support. These supporting citizens can also engage in forms of “everyday resistance,” using millions of passive-aggressive episodes of sabotage to frustrate and drain the enemy.

    Trump is delusional if he believes that 40 million Canadians will passively accept conquest without resistance. There is no political party or leader willing to relinquish Canadian sovereignty over “economic coercion,” and so if the U.S. wanted to annex Canada, it would have to invade.

    That decision would set in motion an unstoppable cycle of violence. Even if we imagine a scenario in which the Canadian government unconditionally surrenders, a fight would ensue on the streets. A teenager might throw a rock at invading soldiers. That kid would get shot, and then there would be more rocks, and more gunfire. An insurgency would be inevitable.

    The myth of Canadian ‘niceness’

    This idea may shock Canadians today because they see themselves as friendly and affable people. However, Canada’s current self-image of “niceness” only exists because they’re at peace. War changes people very quickly, and Canadians are no more innately peaceful than any other human beings.

    When your child is dying in your arms, you become capable of violence. Once you lose what you love, resistance becomes as natural as breathing.

    Except for a few collaborators and kapos, my research suggests many Canadians would likely engage in various forms of everyday resistance against invading forces that could involve steal, lying, cutting wires and diverting funds.

    Meanwhile, the insurgents would unleash physical devastation on American targets. Even if one per cent of all resisting Canadians engaged in armed insurrection, that would constitute a 400,000-person insurgency, nearly 10 times the size of Taliban at the start of the Afghan war. If a fraction of that number engaged in violent attacks, it would set fire to the entire continent.

    Canada’s geography would make this insurgency difficult to defeat. With deep forests and rugged mountains, Canada’s northern terrain could not be conquered or controlled. That means loyalists from the Canadian Armed Forces could mobilize civilian recruits into decentralized fighting units that could strike, retreat into the wilderness and blend back into the local communities that support them.

    The Canada-U.S. border is also easy to cross, which would give insurgents access to American critical infrastructure. It costs tens of billions of dollars to build an energy pipeline, and only a few thousand to blow one up.

    What about American air strikes?

    But wouldn’t the Americans crush the rebellion with missiles and drone strikes? They would try, but that approach to counterinsurgency won’t work.

    In fact, it is a well-known booby trap of insurgent warfare. The harder more powerful nations strike, the larger and more fragmented the insurgency becomes, making it impossible to achieve either a military victory or negotiated agreement. Canada’s rugged terrain would protect insurgents from those types of attacks, while global outrage at the bombings would only boost support for the rebellion.

    Americans have already been defeated by insurgents in many parts of the world because they could not escape this trap. If they dare to invade Canada, they would create this unsolvable security problem on their own soil.

    Russia and China rise to power

    How could Canadians pay for this decades-long insurgency? The answer lies in every single historical example of the old adage: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

    The prospect of Americans becoming trapped by an insurgency on their own continent would delight Moscow and Beijing, which could easily establish covert northern passages to send weapons to the insurgency. Financing an insurgency is an effective way to ensnare and bankrupt a rival power, as counter-insurgency operations are exponentially more expensive than the price of a few arms shipments.

    A chronic violent insurrection in North America could financially and militarily pin down the U.S. for decades, ultimately triggering economic and political collapse. Russia and China, meantime, would enjoy an uncontested rise to power.

    Forewarned

    This scenario would guarantee the destruction of both Canada and the United States. No one in their right mind would choose this gruesome future over a peaceful and mutually beneficial alliance with a friendly neighbour.

    Nevertheless, if Trump is reckless enough to think the violent annexation of Canada is an achievable goal, then let it be known that all these horrifying outcomes were predictable well in advance, and that he was forewarned.

    Aisha Ahmad has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Why annexing Canada would destroy the United States – https://theconversation.com/why-annexing-canada-would-destroy-the-united-states-249561

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Abbeville man arrested on Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and related chargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of David Hoyt Williams, 36, of Abbeville, S.C., on six charges connected to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Abbeville Police Department made the arrest.  

     

    Investigators state Williams solicited and traveled to meet a person he believed to be a minor for sex, and sent sexually explicit material to a person he believed to be a minor.

     

    Williams was arrested on February 5, 2025. He is charged with one count of criminal solicitation of a minor (§16-15-342), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment; one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor (§16-3-655(B)(1)); and four counts of dissemination of obscene material to a person under the age of eighteen (§16-15-345), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

     

     

    This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

     

    Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

     

     

     

    * Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant.  Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Caisse Française de Financement Local: Report on asset quality as of December 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, February 11, 2025

    REPORT ON ASSET QUALITY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024

    In accordance with the regulatory requirements in force, Caisse Française de Financement Local announces that the French version of the report on asset quality as of December 31, 2024 was filed with the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) and that it can be obtained from its website: https://caissefrancaisedefinancementlocal.fr/investisseurs/publications/ (heading: Rapport sur la qualité des actifs). The English version of the report on asset quality as of December 31, 2024 can be obtained from its website: https://caissefrancaisedefinancementlocal.fr/en/investor/publications/ (heading: Report on asset quality).

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NNIT A/S: NNIT RELEASES UNAUDITED FINANCIAL FIGURES FOR 2024, 2025 OUTLOOK AND ADJUSTS FINANCIAL ASPIRATIONS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Today, NNIT releases its preliminary financial key figures for 2024, the financial outlook for 2025 and announces an adjustment of the group’s financial aspirations.

    Preliminary financial figures for 2024
    Based on unaudited financial figures, NNIT delivered results in line with the latest outlook for organic growth of around 6-7% and group operating profit margin excluding special items of 6-7%. Group revenue amounted to DKK 1,851m corresponding to organic growth of 6.0% and reported growth of 7.1%. Group operating profit excluding special items was DKK 117m equating to a margin of 6.3%. Special items amounted to DKK 69m.

    Financial outlook for 2025
    Although market conditions and the geopolitical landscape have become more uncertain, NNIT expects to continue growing its underlying business across the Life Science, Public and Private verticals in 2025. Organic growth is expected to be 7-10% with profitability anticipated to increase driven by top line growth, improving billability and cost optimization. The group operating profit margin excluding special items is expected to be 7-9%. Special items are anticipated to be at a lower level than 2024. 

    Financial aspirations adjusted
    NNIT remains committed to its strategic direction of becoming a pure-play IT consultancy company with strong positions in globally attractive markets and ample opportunities to profitably grow its business.

    NNIT adjusts its financial mid-term aspirations based on lower-than-initially-expected financial performance in 2024, the impact on expectations for 2025 and beyond from continued macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty combined with a significant downgrade of the market outlook for the Life Science industry1 from around 8% CAGR in 2023-2026 to around 5% CAGR in 2024-2028. For the mid-term strategy period 2025-27, NNIT aspires to deliver profitable growth with annual organic revenue growth between 7 to 10%, and an operating profit margin before special items above 10% in 2027.

    NNIT will release its Annual Report 2024 on February 18, 2025, and host a webcast on the following day as planned.

    1Source: Gartner data from 2023 and latest data from Everest Group, November 2024

    For more information, please contact:
    Investor Relations
    Carsten Ringius
    EVP & CFO
    Tel: +45 3077 8888
    carr@nnit.com

    Media Relations
    Sofie Mand Steffens
    Senior Communications Consultant
    Tel: +45 3077 8337
    smst@nnit.com

    ABOUT NNIT
    NNIT is a leading provider of IT solutions to life sciences internationally, and to the public and private sectors in Denmark.

    We focus on high complexity industries and thrive in environments where regulatory demands and complexity are high.

    We advise on and build sustainable digital solutions that work for the patients, citizens, employees, end users or customers.

    We strive to build unmatched excellence in the industries we serve, and we use our domain expertise to represent a business first approach – strongly supported by a selection of partner technologies, but always driven by business needs rather than technology.

    NNIT consists of group company NNIT A/S and the subsidiary SCALES. Together, these companies employ more than 1,700 people in Europe, Asia and USA.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE HSI RGV, law enforcement partners arrest member of Cartel del Golfo during routine enforcement action 

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    February 11, 2025Harlingen, TX, United StatesTransnational Gangs, Enforcement and Removal

    ICE HSI Rio Grande Valley, in partnership with our law enforcement partners arrested a member of the Cartel del Golfo. HSI is committed to strengthening our borders and protecting our communities from harm.

    HARLINGEN, Texas – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, arrested a member of the Cartel del Golfo, Feb. 6.

    The 36-year-old Mexican citizen was arrested for being in the United States illegally. During the interaction, agents discovered his prior criminal record, which includes a felony conviction for possession of marijuana and illegal entry.

    “This enforcement action is part of our relentless fight against violent cartel members who have little regard for the law and degrade the quality of life in our communities,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Our ultimate goal is to get these cartel members off the streets of South Texas and ensure they face justice for their crimes.”

    HSI further identified him as the leader of a sicario cell.

    Individuals can report suspicious criminal activity to the ICE Tip Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal immigrant convicted as part of India-based fraud conspiracy scheme targeting the life savings of elderly victims in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A southern Illinois jury convicted an illegal immigrant from India for his involvement in an imposter scam, in which victims across the Midwest were defrauded out of more than $400,000. 

    The jury convicted Nirav B. Patel, 44, an Indian citizen, of one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud and one count of illegal entry into the U.S. by an alien.

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working aggressively to prosecute illegal immigrants who break our laws and exploit elderly victims,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “An imposter scammer may call, text, or email to convince you they are someone in authority, but government agencies typically initiate conversation with you through the mail. Unexpected contact or demands through any other method are more than likely a scam.”

    Patel was convicted of acting on behalf of an imposter scam, in which the fraudsters pose as government officials to manipulate and exploit elderly victims for money. Patel traveled to the victims’ residences to pick up cash and assets to support the conspiracy.

    The scheme targeted elderly victims with text messages and emails purportedly warning that their Amazon accounts had been compromised. When the victims followed up on the messages, they were redirected to coconspirators posing as federal agents who convinced the victims that they were victims of identity theft who needed to withdraw their life savings to be held in phony U.S. Treasury or FTC trust accounts for safekeeping. In reality, the money was stolen and ultimately transferred to accounts controlled by the scammers in India.

    In addition to the fraud charges, Patel was also convicted for entering the U.S. illegally. Evidence showed that Patel snuck into the U.S. near Vancouver and moved throughout Washington, Tennessee, Georgia, New Jersey and elsewhere. Patel took the witness stand and testified that he moved to the Chicago suburbs, because he was able to acquire an Illinois driver’s license despite being in the U.S. unlawfully. Soon after, he began driving on behalf of the fraud scheme.

    “This conviction represents a significant victory in our fight against fraud schemes that target vulnerable elderly victims,” said HSI Chicago acting Special Agent in Charge Daniel Johnsen. “Patel’s reprehensible actions, along with his illegal presence in our country, underscore the critical importance of our efforts to protect our communities and bring such criminals to justice. We remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantling fraud conspiracies and ensuring that those who exploit others are held accountable for their crimes.”

    Patel was arrested in Edwardsville in April 2023 when he attempted to pick up $35,000 in cash from a retiree. In total, Patel personally made six trips picking up, or attempting to pick up, $403,400 from elderly victims in Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois.

    Patel could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 for conspiracy and each of the wire fraud counts. His sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 29 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Edwardsville Police Department, the Merrill Wisconsin Police Department, the Lincoln County Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, and the Franklin Indiana Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter T. Reed and Steve Weinhoeft are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Towanda, Illinois, Man Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Prison for Paying Adults to Sexually Assault Children During Online Video Chats

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PEORIA, Ill. – A Towanda, Illinois, man, Triston Michael Roberts, 22, was sentenced on February 4, 2025, to fifteen years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a ten-year term of supervised release, after being convicted of two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He also must register as a sex offender once he is released.At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, the government established that between April 2023 and February 2024, Roberts used his cellphone to visit online platforms where he located adults offering to engage in sexual acts with children in exchange for money. Roberts used a screen record function on his phone to produce videos of the child sex abuse as it occurred. During the video chat sessions, Roberts provided monetary “tips” in exchange for the performance of specific acts of sexual abuse. Roberts also communicated directly with a prepubescent minor and sent her lewd photographs of himself. At Roberts’s request, the minor female sent him sexually explicit photographs.During the execution of a search warrant at Roberts’s residence, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Illinois State Police located three child pornography images and 82 child pornography videos on Roberts’s phone, in addition to the videos that Roberts produced.Roberts was charged by criminal complaint in February 2024 and indicted eight days later. He entered a guilty plea to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in September 2024. Roberts has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since his arrest.The statutory penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor are 15 to 30 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years to a life term of supervised release.“Preventing the exploitation of children is a top priority for our office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore. “Predators like the defendant inflict long-lasting trauma on child victims. We are committed to seeking justice in these cases and are grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their dedicated work in investigating these crimes.”“This case underscores our relentless dedication to protecting children from exploitation,” said HSI Chicago acting Special Agent in Charge Daniel Johnsen. “The abhorrent actions of Roberts have caused severe harm, and his conviction ensures he will face justice for his vile offenses. We are committed to leveraging all resources at our disposal to prevent such heinous acts and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.”“Preying on children is a despicable crime, and ISP special agents are committed to relentlessly pursuing justice and safety for all children every day,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Illinois State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.The case against Roberts was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tiptonville, Tennessee, Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PEORIA, Ill. – A Tiptonville, Tennessee, man, Jerry Braddy, 45, was sentenced on February 4, 2025, to ten years in federal prison, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor. He also must register as a sex offender once he is released.

    At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, the government established that between June 2, 2024, and June 12, 2024, Braddy communicated via an online platform with an individual he believed to be the stepfather of a nine-year-old child. Braddy agreed to meet the child and stepfather in Bloomington, Illinois, in order to engage in a sexual encounter with the minor. Federal law enforcement agents, with assistance from the McLean County Sherriff’s Office, arrested Braddy when he arrived at the location.

    Braddy was charged by criminal complaint in June 2024 and indicted five days later. Braddy pleaded guilty in August 2024. He has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since his arrest.

    The statutory penalties for attempted enticement of a minor are a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment, followed by a minimum of five years to a maximum life term of supervised release.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.

    The case against Braddy was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Key Member of Drug Ring Associated with Aryan Prison Gang Sentenced to Seven Plus Years in Prison

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

    Defendant operated stash house and pill press making millions of fentanyl tainted pills

    Seattle – A 65-year-old Shelton, Washington resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 90 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Michael Warren was arrested in March 2023, when federal agents moved in following a two-year investigation of drug trafficking activities. A search of Warren’s home in December 2022, turned up two pill presses, more than 640,000 fentanyl pills and a kilo of fentanyl powder to make thousands more. Warren also possessed 23 firearms at the stash house.

    At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “the crime is unquestionably serious based on the amount of narcotics found at his residence and the presence of firearms.”

    “This defendant demonstrates that drug trafficking is not just a young person’s game,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Mr. Warren was a key drug transporter, manufacturer and distributor causing untold harm in our community.”

    According to records filed in the case, Warren served as a trusted co-conspirator to the leader of one of the drug distribution cells led by Bryson Gill. In addition to manufacturing pills and storing them at his Shelton home, Warren drove to Arizona on multiple occasions to pick up methamphetamine and fentanyl from the group’s drug supplier.

    Bryson Gill entered a guilty plea today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and is scheduled for sentencing on May 9, 2025.

    Law enforcement made two dozen arrests on federal charges on March 22, 2023. The coordinated takedown involved ten swat teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers. On that day law enforcement seized 177 firearms, more than ten kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona. Earlier in the investigation law enforcement seized 830,000 fentanyl pills, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of heroin, 5 pounds of cocaine, $388,000 in cash, and 48 firearms.

    The top-level leader of the drug trafficking ring, Jesse Bailey, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, 2025, and his wife and co-conspirator Candace Bailey, is scheduled for sentencing on June 13, 2025.

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

    This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies is an annual economic policy conference, held in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, organized by the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia and the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh. The conference will convene a select group of emerging markets’ ministers of finance, central bank governors, and policymakers, as well as public and private sector leaders, international institutions, and academia. It will offer a unique platform to exchange views on domestic, regional, and global economic developments and discuss policies and reforms to spur inclusive prosperity and build resilience supported by strong international cooperation.

    The sessions with an asterisk (*) will be streamed live on this page.

    Agenda

    Day 1: February 16, 2025

    09:30-09:40 – Opening remarks by H.E. Mohammed Al-Jadaan (Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia) and Kristalina Georgieva (Managing Director, IMF) *

    09:40-10:00 – Keynote Lecture: Emerging Markets Amid Structural Shifts in the World Economy

    The keynote address will discuss global trends and their potential implications for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), as well as the role of international cooperation.

    • Keynote Address: H.E. Pan Gongsheng (Governor, PBOC)

    10:00-10:50 – Emerging Markets: Policy Challenges Amid Structural Shifts in the World Economy

    The panel will delve into EMDEs’ policy challenges in the context of the rising uncertainty and the changing global economic landscape. Specifically, it will cover the implications for EMDEs of (i) more frequent external shocks; (ii) elevated uncertainty; and (iii) structural challenges in the context of high debt, weak growth, energy transitions, and new technologies.

    • Moderator: Jihad Azour (Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF)

    Panelists:

    • H.E. Olayemi Cardoso (Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria)
    • José De Gregorio (Dean, School of Economics and Business, University of Chile)
    • H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari (Minister of Finance, Qatar)
    • Jin Liqun (President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank)

    10:50-11:10 – Coffee break

    11:10-12:10 – High Debt-Low Fiscal Space—Fiscal Consolidation and Multilateral Solutions to Debt Restructuring

    Maintaining or restoring debt sustainability in EMDEs is a challenging task in the context of elevated debt, higher interest rate and weak potential growth, as well as significant spending pressures (e.g., related to sustainable development goals, defense, energy transitions, and economic diversification). The panelists will discuss the pace of the ongoing pivot towards fiscal consolidation and ways to garner support for politically difficult reforms. Potential debt restructuring mechanisms from both creditor and debtor perspectives will also be highlighted.

    • Moderator: Ryadh Alkhareif (IMFC Deputy, Saudi Arabia)

    Panelists:

    • H.E. Mohammed Al-Jadaan (Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia)
    • Mauricio Cárdenas (Professor, Columbia University, former Minister of Finance, Colombia)
    • H.E. Situmbeko Musokotwane (Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zambia)
    • H.E. Anton Siluanov (Minister of Finance, Russia)

    12:10-13:00 – Lunch

    13:00-14:00 – Monetary Policy and Capital Flows Amid Elevated Uncertainty

    The session will discuss the path of future monetary policy in EMDEs, considering the spillovers from monetary policy in advanced economies and potential swings in global market sentiment, as well as the uncertainty around the implications for inflation, the neutral rate, and capital flows of the changing economic landscape.

    • Moderator: Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas (Economic Counsellor, Director of the Research Department, IMF)
    • Author: Hélène Rey (Professor, London Business School)

    Discussants:

    • H.E. Fatih Karahan (Governor, Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye)
    • H.E. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput (Governor, Bank of Thailand)

    14:00-15:00 – Resilience of the Financial System in Emerging Markets

    The panel will focus on the implications of the changing global landscape for financial stability in emerging markets, as well as the policy priorities.

    • Moderator: Tobias Adrian (Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF)

    Panelists:

    • H.E. Ayman Mohammad Al-Sayari (Governor, SAMA)
    • H.E. Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani (Governor, Qatar Central Bank)
    • H.E. Taleh Kazimov (Governor, Central Bank of Azerbaijan)
    • H.E. Andriy Pyshnyi (Governor, National Bank of Ukraine)

    19:30-21:30 – Dinner hosted by the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia

    Day 2: February 17, 2025

    09:00-10:00 – Navigating Trade Tensions and Uncertainties

    Against the backdrop of mounting risks and uncertainty, the session will discuss (i) how geoeconomic fragmentation and geopolitical risks are affecting trade and investment globally and in EMDEs; (ii) how EMDEs can adapt to these developments and mitigate risks; (iii) what policies to enhance trade and investment flows; and (iv) what changes to the current global trade system to respond to EMDEs’ needs.

    • Moderator: Indermit Gill (Chief Economist, World Bank Group)

    Panelists:

    • H. E. Adebayo Olawale Edun (Minister of Finance, Nigeria)
    • H.E. Nadia Fettah (Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco)
    • H.E. Sergii Marchenko (Minister of Finance, Ukraine)

    10:00-11:00 – Productivity in EMDEs: Challenges and Opportunities

    Compared with the pre-pandemic period, the medium-term growth outlook has worsened significantly, including in EMDEs. The projected slowdown jeopardizes income convergence and could also lead to widening income inequality within countries. Against this backdrop, the session will take stock of EMDEs’ growth outlook, including the main headwinds, and discuss the potential challenges and opportunities from shifts in the economic landscape (e.g., AI).

    • Moderator: H.E. Muhammad Al Jasser (President, Islamic Development Bank)
    • Author: Leslie Teo (Director, AI Products, AI Singapore; Former chief economist and head of investment strategy, GIC Singapore)

    Discussants:

    • H.E. Faisal F. Alibrahim (Minister of Economy and Planning, Saudi Arabia)
    • Santiago Levy (Senior Fellow, Brookings)
    • H.E. Federico Sturzenegger (Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Argentina)

    11:00-11:20 – Coffee break

    11:20-12:20 – Closing Panel: A Path for Emerging Market Resilience *

    The concluding panel will focus on (i) how EMDEs should deal with shocks in the short term, taking into consideration the persistence of some global shocks; (ii) identifying the main trade-offs for fiscal and monetary policymakers to build resilience, maintain stability and spur growth (“rise strong”); and (iii) how the underlying concerns behind “anti-globalization” pressures can be addressed to revitalize global economic integration.

    • Moderator: Kristalina Georgieva (Managing Director, IMF)

    Panelists:

    • H.E. Muhammad Aurangzeb (Minister of Finance, Pakistan)
    • H.E. Rania Al-Mashat (Minister of Planning, Development, International Cooperation, Egypt)
    • H.E. Fernando Haddad (Minister of Finance, Brazil)
    • H.E. Mehmet Şimşek (Minister of Finance, Türkiye)
    • H.E. Hon. John Mbadi Ng’ongo (Minister of Finance, Kenya)

    12:20-12:40 – Closing remarks by H.E. Mohammed Al-Jadaan (Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia) and Kristalina Georgieva (Managing Director, IMF) *

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Suleman Lazarus, Visiting Fellow, Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science

    People find love in many ways and through diverse mediums. Online platforms have become popular meeting places for people looking to find intimate partners, making them a prime target for cybercriminals.

    Online romance fraud has become a global phenomenon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US, romance scams accounted for losses to about 24,000 Americans, exceeding US$1 billion, in 2022.

    On the African continent, Nigeria and Ghana have emerged as hubs for internet fraud. The “Yahoo Boys” operating in Nigeria and “Sakawa Boys” in Ghana have a reputation for engaging in various fraudulent schemes, including online romance scams.

    Over the past decade, I have researched cybercrime and criminology, focusing on west African online fraudsters. Coverage of romance scams often centres on victim narratives or sensational headlines, leaving offender-focused research largely unexplored.

    In a recent paper, I studied the cases of 50 people convicted of online romance in Nigeria. A separate research study I spearheaded involved interviews with active offenders in Ghana. Rather than relying solely on fragmented media accounts, the two research papers offer a robust, evidence-based understanding of the cultural, economic and historical factors driving cybercriminal behaviour.

    My findings from both papers show that romance fraud offenders frequently present themselves as white and primarily target western societies. In framing fraud as a way to reclaim wealth they believed was unjustly taken during colonial rule, many saw their actions as a civic duty. In the case file study on Nigerian fraudsters, I found that many were driven by “socioeconomic needs”.

    My findings provide insights into offenders’ tactics and motivations. This could be useful for law enforcement officials developing targeted interventions, and for policymakers wanting to frame informed strategies.

    Who, where, how and why

    This article uses “scam” and “fraud”, as well as “scammers” and “fraudsters”, interchangeably. The media, financial institutions, and the public typically use “scams” and “scammers”. Academics often prefer “fraud” and “fraudsters” to emphasise the seriousness of these crimes, as noted in my research.

    I examined case files of 50 individuals convicted of romance fraud in Nigeria following prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In a separate study I conducted interviews with active romance fraud offenders in Ghana.

    My decision to focus on Nigeria and Ghana was based on findings in research done earlier. For example, I co-authored a paper that reviewed 21 years of empirical studies (2000–2021) in which we found that many west African scammers predominantly targeted individuals in the west. Another research study I spearheaded showed how songs by Nigerian artists glamorised the actions of scammers and highlighted their preference for western victims.



    Read more:
    What Nigerian hip-hop lyrics have to say about the country’s Yahoo Boys

    Similarly, the Nigeria case file study found that over half of the romance scam victims (56%) were in the US. My interviews with offenders in Ghana further showed that romance scammers viewed their actions as “legitimate retribution for colonial injustice”. These scammers operate within a historical framework in which colonial subjugation narratives influence their motivations and societal attitudes toward cybercrime.

    Profile of an online fraudster

    The analysis of the case files of the 50 convicted romance scammers showed patterns in offender profiles and strategies. Most were young – 81.7% were under 26. Nearly 60% preferred Apple’s iPhone for their fraudulent schemes. When it came to occupation, 74% were university students.

    Offenders carefully constructed their online personas. Nearly half (46%) posed as white American males, 12% as military personnel, and 10% as white European males.

    The victims they chose were mostly women: 70% of offenders primarily targeted females, 14% targeted males, 10% targeted both genders and 6% did not specify the victim’s gender.

    Facebook was the most commonly used platform, appearing in 46% of the Nigerian cases.

    Some of the Ghanaian scammers said they saw their crimes as acts of service to a greater cause. This included loyalty to their communities or the pursuit of economic justice. They portrayed their scams as efforts to reclaim wealth from nations historically exploiting their regions.

    Policymakers and law enforcement agencies can use these findings to develop more effective prevention strategies and intervention measures.

    Suleman Lazarus 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. Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it – https://theconversation.com/online-romance-scams-who-nigeria-and-ghanas-fraudsters-are-how-they-operate-and-why-they-do-it-247916

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anderson County Man Pleads Guilty to $13 Million Ponzi Scheme and Cyber Stalking

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

    COLUMBIA, S.C. — Michael J. French, 41, of Pendleton, has pleaded guilty to operating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme and to stalking two social media content creators. 

    Evidence put forth at the plea hearing established that French owned MJF Holdings, LLC and MJF Capital, LLC.  Beginning in March 2019, through these companies, French offered promissory notes to investors that projected annual returns of 12 percent. He represented to investors that their funds would be used to provide loans to small businesses and that he had experience in the financial industry, including underwriting the loans in which the investor would be invested. French represented to investors that he would not receive compensation unless the promissory notes earned in excess of the 12 percent guaranteed to investors. 

    These were false representations. French paid previous investors with new investor monies because his investment product was not generating returns. This lulled investors into believing the product was successful, when, in fact, French was spending investor money to maintain a lavish lifestyle that included supporting female social media content creators by paying them thousands of dollars each month.

    At one point, the content creators stopped communicating with French. He became angry with the women and began harassing them through various “burner” phone numbers and fake email accounts. French claimed that he was a sniper, had killed people, and that the police could not protect them. French traveled to one woman’s home unannounced, forcing her to hide in a locked vehicle in the garage with her 2-year-old child.  She called 911 as French attempted to force his way into the home. He was arrested by local police before he could reach them. 

    United State Chief District Judge Timothy Cain accepted French’s guilty plea and will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office. French faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.

    The FBI Columbia Field Office and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Suleman Lazarus, Visiting Fellow, Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science

    People find love in many ways and through diverse mediums. Online platforms have become popular meeting places for people looking to find intimate partners, making them a prime target for cybercriminals.

    Online romance fraud has become a global phenomenon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US, romance scams accounted for losses to about 24,000 Americans, exceeding US$1 billion, in 2022.

    On the African continent, Nigeria and Ghana have emerged as hubs for internet fraud. The “Yahoo Boys” operating in Nigeria and “Sakawa Boys” in Ghana have a reputation for engaging in various fraudulent schemes, including online romance scams.

    Over the past decade, I have researched cybercrime and criminology, focusing on west African online fraudsters. Coverage of romance scams often centres on victim narratives or sensational headlines, leaving offender-focused research largely unexplored.

    In a recent paper, I studied the cases of 50 people convicted of online romance in Nigeria. A separate research study I spearheaded involved interviews with active offenders in Ghana. Rather than relying solely on fragmented media accounts, the two research papers offer a robust, evidence-based understanding of the cultural, economic and historical factors driving cybercriminal behaviour.

    My findings from both papers show that romance fraud offenders frequently present themselves as white and primarily target western societies. In framing fraud as a way to reclaim wealth they believed was unjustly taken during colonial rule, many saw their actions as a civic duty. In the case file study on Nigerian fraudsters, I found that many were driven by “socioeconomic needs”.

    My findings provide insights into offenders’ tactics and motivations. This could be useful for law enforcement officials developing targeted interventions, and for policymakers wanting to frame informed strategies.

    Who, where, how and why

    This article uses “scam” and “fraud”, as well as “scammers” and “fraudsters”, interchangeably. The media, financial institutions, and the public typically use “scams” and “scammers”. Academics often prefer “fraud” and “fraudsters” to emphasise the seriousness of these crimes, as noted in my research.

    I examined case files of 50 individuals convicted of romance fraud in Nigeria following prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In a separate study I conducted interviews with active romance fraud offenders in Ghana.

    My decision to focus on Nigeria and Ghana was based on findings in research done earlier. For example, I co-authored a paper that reviewed 21 years of empirical studies (2000–2021) in which we found that many west African scammers predominantly targeted individuals in the west. Another research study I spearheaded showed how songs by Nigerian artists glamorised the actions of scammers and highlighted their preference for western victims.

    Read more: What Nigerian hip-hop lyrics have to say about the country’s Yahoo Boys

    Similarly, the Nigeria case file study found that over half of the romance scam victims (56%) were in the US. My interviews with offenders in Ghana further showed that romance scammers viewed their actions as “legitimate retribution for colonial injustice”. These scammers operate within a historical framework in which colonial subjugation narratives influence their motivations and societal attitudes toward cybercrime.

    Profile of an online fraudster

    The analysis of the case files of the 50 convicted romance scammers showed patterns in offender profiles and strategies. Most were young – 81.7% were under 26. Nearly 60% preferred Apple’s iPhone for their fraudulent schemes. When it came to occupation, 74% were university students.

    Offenders carefully constructed their online personas. Nearly half (46%) posed as white American males, 12% as military personnel, and 10% as white European males.

    The victims they chose were mostly women: 70% of offenders primarily targeted females, 14% targeted males, 10% targeted both genders and 6% did not specify the victim’s gender.

    Facebook was the most commonly used platform, appearing in 46% of the Nigerian cases.

    Some of the Ghanaian scammers said they saw their crimes as acts of service to a greater cause. This included loyalty to their communities or the pursuit of economic justice. They portrayed their scams as efforts to reclaim wealth from nations historically exploiting their regions.

    Policymakers and law enforcement agencies can use these findings to develop more effective prevention strategies and intervention measures.

    – Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it
    – https://theconversation.com/online-romance-scams-who-nigeria-and-ghanas-fraudsters-are-how-they-operate-and-why-they-do-it-247916

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: AssetMark Welcomes Seasoned Executives Doris Meister and Lisa Opoku to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CONCORD, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AssetMark, Inc., a leading wealth management technology platform for financial advisors, today announced the appointment of Doris Meister and Lisa Opoku to its Board of Directors. The addition of these two accomplished executives reflects AssetMark’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its governance with leaders who bring deep expertise in financial services, strategic transformation, and operational excellence.

    Doris Meister is a highly respected financial services CEO with extensive experience in strategy, business transformation, finance, investments, and governance. Most recently, she served as Chairman and CEO of Wilmington Trust, a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T Bank, where she led a comprehensive transformation of the wealth and investment management business, increasing revenues by 40% and significantly expanding profitability. Throughout her career, Meister has successfully built and scaled wealth management businesses, modernized technology platforms, and developed multi-segment growth strategies that have driven meaningful client and business outcomes.

    Lisa Opoku, currently the Chief Operating Officer at FS Investments, brings over two decades of leadership experience in global financial services. Prior to joining FS Investments, Opoku held several senior leadership positions at Goldman Sachs, including Global Head of the Goldman Sachs Partner Family Office within Asset and Wealth Management. Her extensive experience in technology, operations, and strategic business transformation uniquely positions her to contribute to AssetMark’s continued growth and innovation.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Doris and Lisa to AssetMark’s Board of Directors,” said Lou Maiuri, Chairman & Group CEO of AssetMark. “Their exceptional track records in wealth management, operational excellence, and strategic leadership will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our platform, support financial advisors, and deliver exceptional value to investors. Their insights and experience will play a key role in shaping AssetMark’s future growth.”

    About AssetMark

    AssetMark operates a wealth management platform whose mission is to help financial advisors and their clients. AssetMark, together with its affiliates AssetMark Trust Company, Voyant, and Adhesion Wealth Advisor Solutions, serves advisors at every stage of their journey with flexible, purpose-built solutions that champion client engagement and drive efficiency. Its ecosystem of solutions equips advisors with services and capabilities to help deliver better investor outcomes by enhancing their productivity, profitability, and client satisfaction.

    With a history going back to 1996, AssetMark has over 1,000 employees, and its platform serves over 10,700 financial advisors and over 317,000 investor households. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had over $139 billion in platform assets. AssetMark, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.assetmark.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact

    Vesselina Davenport
    PR & Communications, AssetMark
    vesselina.davenport@assetmark.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lower Sackville — RCMP investigates fatal crash in Lower Sackville

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Lower Sackville.

    Yesterday, at approximately 9:35 a.m., RCMP officers, fire services, and EHS, responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Sackville Dr. near Hillcrest Ave. RCMP officers learned that a Mazda 3 was travelling on the road when left the roadway and struck a power pole.

    The rear passenger, a 50-year-old woman from Lake Echo, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

    The driver, a 53-year-old man from North Preston, and another passenger, a 56-year-old man from Dartmouth, both suffered life-threatening injuries. They were transported to hospital by EHS.

    A collision reconstructionist attended the scene and the investigation is ongoing. Investigators are asking anyone with dash cam footage of Sackville Dr., near the area of Hillcrest Ave., between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to come forward.

    Sackville Dr. was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

    Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones at this difficult time.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    File #: 25-19501

    MIL Security OSI –