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Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI: CTRL Group Limited Announces Full Exercise of Underwriter’s Over-Allotment Option

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Kowloon, Hong Kong, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CTRL Group Limited (the “Company”) (NasdaqCM: MCTR), an integrated marketing and advertising services provider in Hong Kong specializing in mobile games promotion for the local market, today announced that R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc., which acted as the representative of the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”), has exercised the full over-allotment option and purchased an additional 300,000 ordinary shares of the Company at the IPO price of $4.00 per share. As a result, the Company has raised an aggregate of $9.2 million in gross proceeds, before underwriting discounts and other related expenses, through the issuance of a total of 2,300,000 ordinary shares in the IPO.

    R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc. acted as the representative of the underwriters, with Revere Securities LLC acting as co-underwriter (collectively, the “Underwriters”) for the Offering. The Crone Law Group, P.C. served as counsel to the Company. VCL Law LLP served as counsel to the Underwriters.

    A Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-277979) (the “Registration Statement”), was previously filed with and subsequently declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 31, 2024. The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the Registration Statement. A final prospectus relating to the Offering was filed with the SEC on January 22, 2025, and is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, electronic copies of the prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained from R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc. at 40 Wall Street, 27th Floor New York, NY 10005, or by telephone at +212.293.9090.

    This press release has been prepared for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About CTRL Group Limited

    The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary and operating company, CTRL Group Limited, is an integrated marketing and advertising services provider in Hong Kong specializing in mobile games promotion for the local market. The Company provides services to mobile game developers, principally developers of mobile gaming applications or “apps” that gamers download from the developers’ websites and applicable mobile operating systems, such as Apple Store or Android Google Play Store. The market for specialized mobile game advertising in Hong Kong is occupied by a few market players who compete with one another. The Company’s prominent market share and proven track record are indicative of its audience reach and engagement, as well as its relevance to advertisers in Hong Kong markets. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.ctrl-media.com/

    Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the Offering will be successfully completed. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and in its other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    CTRL Group Limited
    Phone: +852-3107-4887
    Email: project@ctrl-media.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Federal threats against local officials who don’t cooperate with immigration orders could be unconstitutional − Justice Antonin Scalia ruled against similar plans

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Claire B. Wofford, Associate Professor of Political Science, College of Charleston

    A fundamental tension exists between state and federal power in the United States that has not been resolved. Vladstudioraw via iStock/Getty Images Plus

    President Donald Trump has begun to radically change how the U.S. government handles immigration, from challenging long-held legal concepts about who gets citizenship to using the military to transport migrants back to their countries of origin.

    Trump’s administration is doing more than reshaping the approach of the federal government toward migrants: It has now ordered state and local officials to comply with all federal immigration laws, including any new executive orders. It has warned that if those officials refuse, it may criminally prosecute them.

    The specter of a federal prosecutor putting a city’s mayor or a state’s governor in jail will raise what may be the greatest source of conflict in the U.S. Constitution. That conflict is how much power the federal government can wield over the states, a long-standing and unresolved dispute that will move again to the front and center of American politics and, in all likelihood, into American courtrooms.

    A sign prohibiting the entry of ICE or Homeland Security personnel is posted on a door at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church in New York City.
    Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Investigate for potential prosecution

    Besides the avalanche of executive orders remaking the federal government’s policies for the nation’s borders, a new directive from the Department of Justice provoked political backlash. Legal action may very well follow.

    In the Jan. 21, 2024, memo, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, one of Trump’s former private attorneys, directs federal prosecutors to “investigate … for potential prosecution” state and local officials who “resist, obstruct, or otherwise fail to comply” with the new administration’s immigration orders.

    The memo lists multiple federal statutes that such conduct could violate, including one of the laws used to charge Donald Trump related to the Jan. 6, 2021, violence at the U.S. Capitol.

    Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove asserted in a recent memo that the Constitution and other legal authorities ‘require state and local actors to comply with the Executive Branch’s immigration enforcement initiatives.’
    Jeenah Moon-Pool/Getty Images

    Several of Trump’s executive orders, across a range of policy areas, have already provoked lawsuits. One was declared “blatantly uconstitutional” by a federal district court judge just three days after it was signed. Others fall easily within the bounds of presidential power.

    But the Department of Justice memo is different.

    By ordering federal prosecutors to potentially arrest, charge and imprison state and local officials, it strikes at a fundamental tension embedded in the nation’s constitutional structure in a way that Trump’s other orders do not. That tension has never been fully resolved, in either the political or legal arenas.

    Bulwark against tyranny

    Recognizing that division of power was necessary to prevent government tyranny, the nation’s founders split the federal government into three separate branches, the executive, legislative and judicial.

    But in what, to them, was an even more important structural check, they also divided power between federal and state governments.

    The practicalities of this dual sovereignty – where two governments exercise supreme power – have had to play out in practice, with often very messy results. The crux of the problem is that the Constitution explicitly grants power to both federal and state governments – but the founders did not specify what to do if the two sovereigns disagree or how any ensuing struggle should be resolved.

    The failure to precisely define the contours of that partitioning of power has unfortunately generated several of the country’s most violent conflicts, including the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. The current Justice Department memo may reignite similar struggles.

    As Bove correctly noted in his memo, Article 4 of the U.S Constitution contains the supremacy clause, which declares that federal laws “shall be the supreme Law of the Land.”

    But Bove failed to mention that the Constitution also contains the 10th Amendment. Its language, that “(a)ll powers not granted to the federal government are reserved to the states or to the people, respectively,” has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to create a sphere of state sovereignty into which the federal government may not easily intrude.

    Known as the “police powers,” states generally retain the ability to determine their own policies related to the health, safety, welfare, property and education of their citizens. After the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health removed federal protection for abortion rights, for instance, multiple states developed their own approaches. Marijuana legalization, assisted suicide, voting procedures and school curriculum are additional examples of issues where states have set their own policies.

    This is not to say that the federal government is barred from making policies in these areas. Indeed, the great puzzle of federalism – and the great challenge for courts – has been to figure out the boundaries between state and federal power and how two sovereigns can coexist.

    If it sounds confusing, that’s because it is. The country’s best legal minds have long wrestled with how to balance the powers granted by the supremacy clause and the 10th Amendment.

    Push and pull

    In a 1997 opinion, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that the Constitution barred the federal government from ‘impress[ing] into its service…the police officers of the 50 States.’
    Alex Wong/Getty Images

    Reflecting this tension, the Supreme Court developed a pair of legal doctrines that sit uneasily alongside each other.

    The first is the doctrine of “preemption,,” in which federal law can supersede state policy in certain circumstances, such as when a congressional statute expressly withdraws certain powers from the states.

    At the same time, the court has limited the reach of the federal government, particularly in its ability to tell states what to do, a doctrine now known as the “anti-commandeering rule.” Were the Trump administration to go after state or local officials, both of these legal principles could come into play.

    The anti-commandeering rule was first articulated in 1992 when the Supreme Court ruled in New York v. United States that the federal government could not force a state to take control of radioactive waste generated within its boundaries.

    The court relied on the doctrine again five years later, in Printz v. United States, when it rejected the federal government’s attempt to require local law enforcement officials to conduct background checks before citizens could purchase handguns.

    In an opinion authored by conservative icon Antonin Scalia and joined by four other Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices, the court held that the Constitution’s framers intended states to have a “residuary and inviolable sovereignty” that barred the federal government from “impress[ing] into its service … the police officers of the 50 States.”

    “This separation of the two spheres is one of the Constitution’s structural protections of liberty,” Scalia wrote. Allowing state law enforcement to be conscripted into service for the federal government would disrupt what James Madison called the “double security” the founders wanted against government tyranny and would allow the “accumulation of excessive power” in the federal government.

    Justice John Paul Stevens dissented, pointing out that the 10th Amendment preserves for states only those powers that are not already given to the federal government.

    What happens at the Supreme Court?

    The anti-commandeering and preemption doctrines were on display again during the first Trump administration, when jurisdictions around the country declared themselves “sanctuary cities” that would protect residents from federal immigration officials.

    Subsequent litigation tested whether the federal government could punish these locales by withholding federal funds. The administration lost most cases. Several courts ruled that despite its extensive power over immigration, the federal government could not financially punish states for failing to comply with federal law.

    One circuit court, in contrast, formulated an “immigration exception” to the anti-commandeering rule and upheld the administration’s financial punishment of uncooperative states.

    The Supreme Court has never directly ruled on how the anti-commandeering rule works in the context of immigration. While the Printz decision would seem to bar the Justice Department from acting on its threats, the court could rule that given the federal government’s nearly exclusive power over immigration, such actions do not run afoul of the anti-commandeering doctrine.

    Whether such a case ever makes it to the Supreme Court is unknown. Recent events, in which a Chicago school’s staff denied entry to people they thought were immigration agents, seem to be heading toward a federal and state confrontation.

    As a court watcher and scholar of judicial politics, I will be paying close attention to see whether the conservative majority on the court, many of whom recently reiterated their support for the anti-commandeering doctrine, will follow Scalia and favor state sovereignty.

    Or will they do an ideological about-face in favor of this chief executive? It would not be the first time the court has taken this latter option.

    In 2023, I donated $25 to ActBlue.

    – ref. Federal threats against local officials who don’t cooperate with immigration orders could be unconstitutional − Justice Antonin Scalia ruled against similar plans – https://theconversation.com/federal-threats-against-local-officials-who-dont-cooperate-with-immigration-orders-could-be-unconstitutional-justice-antonin-scalia-ruled-against-similar-plans-248276

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Suspected Baltic Sea cable sabotage by Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ is ramping up regional defence

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matthew Powell, Teaching Fellow in Strategic and Air Power Studies, University of Portsmouth

    Numerous incidents of suspected Russian-linked sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea has seen tensions rise among nearby countries, and an increased Nato presence.

    In the latest incident, on January 26, the Swedish coast guard boarded a ship in the Baltic Sea on suspicion of anchor dragging and suspected sabotage of vital undersea cables providing power and communication across the region. Latvia also sent a warship to the incident to investigate damage to fibre-optic cables. The Bulgarian vessel is now under investigation. The owner of the ship has denied any involvement with sabotage.

    The nations along the Baltic Sea coast have become increasingly worried about suspected sabotage of their undersea infrastructure in recent months by vessels deliberately dragging their using anchors along the seabed and have started to station military vessels at sea every day.

    Critical undersea infrastructure can be easily damaged by anchor dragging. Russia has denied involvement in these incidents.

    But there have also been credible reports that Russia has actively been mapping undersea infrastructure.

    In response to rising concerns about infrastructure security, Nato increased its regional naval presence by launching the Baltic Sentry mission on January 14, which includes maritime patrol vessels.

    What’s the context?

    In recent months there have been several reports of damage being caused to undersea cables by vessels as they pass through the Baltic Sea. Attacks on undersea cables are comparable to traditional espionage and information operations . This is activity conducted at the level below that of warfare, designed to send certain signals to adversarial nations. The purpose could be to send a message that the capability exists to essentially cut off and isolate nations from the outside world.

    These cables are extremely valuable. They are used to transport gas, electricity and internet traffic between nations. And recent incidents have led to a reduction in the capacity of electricity that can be transported, although this has not yet caused widespread power outages. Another concern is that damage to internet cables can hold up the passage of information generated by the financial markets. This is particularly vulnerable due to its time-sensitive nature.


    PorcupenWorks/Shutterstock

    How can cables be protected?

    Protecting the cables is a challenging task. There is little that can physically be done to prevent other vessels crossing seas and oceans due to the concept of freedom of navigation of the high seas. And Russia has a right of passage for its ships, for example, from St Petersburg to the North Sea.

    Investigations into apparent threats can be conducted without actually seizing the vessel or impeding its progress in any way. This can done through the use of GPS tracking data and combining that with other evidence such as eye witness testimony.

    While these cables can get damaged through natural means, the targeting of them could be a way for a nation to operate against its adversaries in a more covert manner and below the threshold of armed conflict.

    The Finnish navy seized a ship suspected of involvement in sabotage.

    Much of the disruption to the traffic on these undersea cables is probably the result of accidental activity. But there have been concerns about greater activity by Russian military vessels in their attempts to map the Baltic sea floor. The most likely reason for the increased Russian sea mapping activity is to gain a greater understanding of the location of these cables. But it could be sending a message that this critical infrastructure is difficult to defend and vulnerable to attack and sabotage.

    Many merchant vessels are registered in overseas territories, and ownership can be hard to track. This gives a degree of plausible deniability over who may have ordered or overseen the operations that might have damaged cables.

    It makes it more challenging for action to be taken, but has given rise to accusations that these ships are acting as Russia’s “shadow fleet”.



    Read more:
    ‘Keep nine litres of water in storage’: how Baltic and Nordic countries are preparing for a crisis or war

    But this increased naval presence in the Baltic could act as a deterrent and provide greater security to the cables. Sweden has now boarded a vessel. But another obstacle here is that the nation where the vessel is registered is under absolutely no obligation to cooperate with any investigation.

    Other factors are also involved. The Baltic states and Finland have memories of the political control imposed upon them by the Soviet government prior to, and, in some cases, after the second world war, and this will be adding to the tension.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased regional fears about what could happen next. Moscow may be hoping to deter the Baltic nations from continuing to provide the support they are giving to Ukraine by increasing pressure on them along the coast.

    But aggressive activity in the Baltic Sea may well have the opposite effect by ramping up concern about Russia’s power. It might also mean Baltic and Nordic countries are more willing to increase their defence spending and make preparations for possible military action.

    Matthew Powell 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. Suspected Baltic Sea cable sabotage by Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ is ramping up regional defence – https://theconversation.com/suspected-baltic-sea-cable-sabotage-by-russias-shadow-fleet-is-ramping-up-regional-defence-248241

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Return Preparer Charged with Preparing False Tax Returns and Obstructing the IRS

    Source: United States Attorneys General 4

    An indictment was unsealed last week charging a New Jersey return preparer with preparing and filing 55 false income tax returns on behalf of clients and obstructing the IRS.

    According to the indictment, from at least 2018 through 2023, Christopher Demba, of Hillsborough, owned and operated Demba & Associates CPA LLC, a return preparation business. Demba allegedly prepared returns for clients that claimed false deductions, credit carryforwards or fraudulently recategorized income to claim expenses that would otherwise be disallowed. The indictment further alleges that Demba obstructed the IRS by providing false working papers to IRS personnel in an attempt to justify some of the claims made on returns he prepared for clients. 

    If convicted, Demba faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Mark McDonald and Alexis Hughes of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: CareCloud Achieves Record-Breaking Shareholder Turnout and Record Yes Votes to Approve Increase in Authorized Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOMERSET, N.J., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO, CCLDP), a leading provider of healthcare technology and generative AI solutions for medical practices and health systems nationwide, today held its special meeting (“Special Meeting”) of CareCloud’s common stock shareholders. At the Special Meeting, a record-breaking 10.8 million shareholders, representing 85% of the votes cast, approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 35 million to 85 million shares.

    “We thank our shareholders for their overwhelming support of our proposal,” said Stephen Snyder, Co-Chief Executive Officer of CareCloud.

    The detailed voting results are reflected in the Form 8-K to be filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information contained in this press release is a summary of relevant portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement and other materials filed with the SEC. The entirety of the filings is available on the SEC’s website and on https://ir.carecloud.com/common-stock-special-proxy.

    About CareCloud

    CareCloud brings disciplined innovation to the business of healthcare. Our suite of AI and technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care, while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services, including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health at www.carecloud.com.

    To listen to video presentations by CareCloud’s management team, read recent press releases and view our latest investor presentation, please visit ir.carecloud.com.

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

    Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions.

    These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    SOURCE CareCloud

    Company Contact:
    Norman Roth
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com

    Investor Contact:

    Stephen Snyder
    Co-CEO
    CareCloud, Inc.
    ir@carecloud.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall joins NewsNation: The Hill to Discuss President Trump’s First Week in Office

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined NewsNation: The Hill to discuss President Trump’s first week in office, promises made and promises kept, and Cabinet confirmation hearings, including RFK. Jr who will be testifying this week in front of both the Finance Committee and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Senator Marshall sits on both committees, and has been an advocate for RFK Jr. and Making America Health Again.
    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview. 
    Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include:
    On Trump’s Removal of Inspectors General: 
    “First of all, remind everybody President Reagan did basically the same thing. Look, these inspector generals have lost their way, and this is part of President Trump’s promises made, promises kept. He said he was going to drain the swamp over the past several years, record amounts of improper payments from the federal government – $250 billion of improper payments. The inspector generals have turned from a watchdog into somebody who’s protecting the agency. So he’s cleaning house, he’s starting over, and I think it’s a great move.” 
    “There are some really good people there, right? But I think when you sit there trying to sort out the good guys from the bad guys, sometimes you have to let them all go, and then, like President Reagan, maybe you rehire some of them as well, but we’ll get the reports eventually. But we need people working for the American people, not for the agency.”
    On RFK Jr. Path Forward for Confirmation: 
    “Farmers and ranchers, just like Bobby Kennedy and myself, want America to be healthy again, and they’re all in. I think that Bobby would share with you is that the farmers and ranchers are indeed the heroes. I think that Bobby recognizes that 90% of rural America supported President Trump. Every time I see President Trump, the first thing he asks me is, Roger, how are your farmers and ranchers doing.”
    “We’re already doing so many of the things that Bobby is talking about. Precision agriculture is not a dream anymore, that we are growing more with less. We’re growing more food with less fertilizers, with less pesticides. Soil health we’re embracing, that nobody more than sorghum is in the sorghum industry… We’re doing regenerative soil practices already.”
    “Last point I’ll make is this- President Trump ran on two things, I think. He ran on making America more prosperous, and then on security. And one of the things he said is grocery prices, so we can’t do anything that’s inflationary. So we got to thread this needle. We need more innovation, but we don’t need inflation. And you know, my job is to help bridge that gap, and I’m just all in with Bobby to help Make America Healthy Again. 60% of Americans with a chronic disease right now, and I think a lot of that’s impacted by what they eat and the toxins exposed to.”
    “I think Bobby, like myself, believes in the sanctity of the relationship between the patient and the doctor, and I want to make sure that we provide the mom, whether it’s my daughter or my daughter in law… We want to make sure that they have the right information, and I don’t think the CDC has done a good job on providing us that information… mostly there’s not enough transparency around it. A little common sense is going to go a long way. And I think Bobby Kennedy will thread the needle… I think the priority will be nutrition and the toxins that we are exposed to.”
    “I think what you’re going to hear Bobby say is the President’s policies are my policies. Bobby and I don’t agree on everything, but we agree that we want to Make America Healthy Again. We share the same goals. He’s a game changer. I think that, and more importantly, is this, there is an army, a groundswell of people out there that are supporting him.”
    On Kansas Troops Deployed to Southern Border:
    “So I’m very grateful for those people that volunteered to wear the uniform, realizing that the southern border is a national security issue, if anybody understands and appreciates their families. I served my dad, served my brother, served my son is serving. I appreciate them, and some 300 soldiers are going to be going to that border.” 
    “But what I’m upset about is this summer, 3,000 soldiers from Fort Riley are going to Europe next year, another 5,000 soldiers from Fort Riley going to Europe. Why do we need 100,000 soldiers from the United States in Europe?”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Urges Senate Colleagues to Support Scott Bessent to be Treasury Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered remarks on the Senate Floor urging his Senate colleagues to support Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

    As delivered:
    “Thank you, Mr. President.
    “In about an hour or so, we are going to vote on cloture on the nomination for Scott Bessett to be the Treasury Secretary of the United States, and I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this motion.
    “A Treasury Secretary heads the agency charged with supporting economic growth, representing U.S. interests before foreign nations and global financial markets and organizations, managing the federal treasury and overseeing financial institutions, to name just a few of those important responsibilities. 
    “Past successful Treasury Secretaries have understood business and financial markets, as well as foreign policy, national security, budgets and regulation.
    “Mr. Bessent’s impressive background positions him for similar success.  He has worked for the last three decades as one of the sharpest minds in the global financial industry.  He has decades of academic, professional and leadership experience relevant to these positions.
    “When it comes to Mr. Bessent qualifications, there is no room for debate.  His background and training are tailor made for the for this role, and he has the demeanor and character to be an effective secretary.  His powerful presentation at his hearing about his desire to serve in government in order to make a meaningful difference was impressive to all.
    “It includes restoring prosperity and opportunity that our nation experienced during President Trump’s first term in office.  As Mr. Bessent stated, accomplishing key tasks like extending vital tax cuts for all Americans is literally a pass/fail exercise, and I look forward to working closely with him to ensure that we succeed.
    “I strongly agree with a sentiment my colleague Senator Graham shared at the nomination hearing that if qualifications – and I might add, character – are one’s test, voting to confirm Mr. Bessent is one of the easiest we could ever take. 
    “In prior congresses, I’ve joined with many of my Republican colleagues in voting for well-qualified Treasury Secretary candidates put forward by a Democrat president, even though I didn’t agree with all of the positions they advocated.  Mr. Bessent’s candidacy ought to enjoy similar support, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join with me in advancing his nomination.
    “He is the right person for this job, and I commend President Trump, in making such an excellent selection.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Owners of Florida Labor-Staffing Companies Sentenced for Tax and Immigration Fraud and Money Laundering

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Two Ukrainian nationals who were extradited from the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States in September 2024 were sentenced today on charges related to labor-staffing companies they operated in Florida. Oleg Oliynyk and Oleksandr Yurchyk were each sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    According to court documents, Oliynyk, Yurchyk and others owned and operated a series of labor-staffing companies in South Florida — including Paradise Choice LLC, Paradise Choice Cleaning LLC, Tropical City Services LLC and Tropical City Group LLC — from at least April 2008 and August 2021. Through these staffing companies, Oliynyk, Yurchyk and co-defendants Oleksandr Morgunov, Mykhaylo Chugay and Volodymyr Ogorodnychuk facilitated the employment of non-resident aliens in the hospitality industry who were not authorized to work in the United States and helped evade the assessment and collection of more than $25 million of federal income and employment taxes.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez ordered Oliynyk and Yurchyk to each serve three years of supervised release, pay $10,863,233.05 in restitution to the United States and to forfeit $11 million.

    Oliynyk and Yurchyk are the latest defendants sentenced as part of Operation RoomKey, a joint criminal investigation initiative led by the Tax Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

    Co-defendant Chugay, was convicted at trial in June 2022, and was sentenced in August 2022 to more than 24 years in prison. Co-defendants Morgunov and Ogorodnychuk each pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 96 months in prison and 48 months in prison, respectively.

    In March 2022, Mikus Berzins, former City of Key West Police Officer Igor Kasyanenko, Roman Riabov and Andrejs Kozlovs each pleaded guilty to their crimes in the operation of the labor staffing company, Phoenix ADB Services Inc. (Phoenix ADB), which, according to court records, facilitated the employment of aliens without work authorization.

    In May 2022, the court sentenced Igor Kasyanenko and Riabov to 22 months and 18 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the tax and immigration conspiracy. The court also sentenced Berzins and Kozlovs to 28 months and 12 months in prison, respectively, for knowingly hiring ten or more aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States. Later, in September 2023, Nataliya Vasylivna Kasyanenko, a former housekeeping manager at a large Key West hotel, was sentenced for participating in the tax and immigration conspiracy related to the operation of Phoenix ADB.

    Batyr Myatiev, the owner and operator of two labor staffing companies, AmeriHos LLC and Golden Sands Management LLC, pleaded guilty in March 2023 and was sentenced in June 2023 to 32 months in prison. According to court records, Myatiev’s labor staffing companies caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $3.5 million and facilitated the employment of aliens without work authorization.

    In July 2023, Eka Samadashvili and Davit Pavliashvili were sentenced for their respective roles in the operation of several labor staffing companies, including PSEB Services JD Inc., Paradise Hospitality Solutions LLC, Paradise Hospitality Group LLC, Paradise Hospitality Inc. and HBSM Corp. According to court records, these labor staffing companies caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $8.4 million and facilitated the employment of non-resident aliens in hotels, bars and restaurants in Key West and elsewhere who were not authorized to work in the United States.

    Finally, in March 2024, Petr Sutka was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in operating a series of labor staffing companies — including PSEB Specialty Service Inc., Perfect Service Excellent Benefits Services Inc., Starline Hospitality Inc., Norbert Janitorial Service Inc., E.S.F. Services Inc. and Expert Services F.S. Inc. — which, according to court records, caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $3.5 million and facilitated the employment of aliens without work authorization. In April 2024, Sutka’s co-defendants, Zdenek Strnad and Vasil Khatiashvili, were each sentenced to more than three years, respectively, for their roles in the tax and immigration conspiracy.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.

    HSI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.

    Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Jessica A. Kraft, Matthew C. Hicks and Wilson Rae Stamm of the Tax Division and Senior Litigation Counsel Chris Clark for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight Defendants Arrested on Federal Grand Jury Indictment Alleging Large-Scale Smuggling Scheme from China through L.A.-Area Ports

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – Federal law enforcement has arrested eight defendants charged in an indictment alleging a conspiracy among logistic companies’ executives, warehouse owners and truck drivers to smuggle hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of counterfeit and other illegal goods from China into the United States via the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the Justice Department announced today.

    The 15-count indictment, returned last month and unsealed Friday, charges nine defendants with conspiracy, smuggling and breaking customs seals. The defendants allegedly took containers flagged for off-site secondary inspection, unloaded the contraband, then stuffed the targeted containers with filler cargo to deceive customs officials and evade law enforcement.

    During the investigation into this group, investigators seized more than $130 million in contraband, and the organization is believed to be responsible for smuggling at least $200 million worth of goods. According to the indictment, a search of one warehouse used by the group led to the seizure in June 2024 of $20 million worth of counterfeit items including shoes, perfume, luxury handbags, apparel and watches.

    Seven defendants were arrested Friday, an eighth was taken into custody Saturday evening, and one defendant is a fugitive. The seven arrested last week were arraigned Friday in United States District Court, where each pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. A trial date was scheduled for March 18. The eighth defendant, who was arrested on unrelated state charges, is expected to be arraigned in federal court in the coming days.

    “Secure seaports and borders are critical to our national security,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “The smuggling of huge amounts of contraband from China through our nation’s largest port hurts American businesses and consumers. The charges and arrests here demonstrate our commitment to enforce our customs laws and keep the American public safe.”     

    “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles and its partners are committed to enforcing customs laws and practices, facilitating legitimate trade, and protecting the integrity of the nation’s supply chain,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “The $1.3 billion dollars’ worth of contraband seized during the investigation into this type of scheme illuminates how complex smuggling schemes try to exploit our legitimate trade practices and the American consumer.”

    The 15-count indictment details a conspiracy to coordinate the shipment of large quantities of contraband from China to the United States through the Port of Los Angeles from at least August 2023 to June 2024. The defendants charged are:

    • Weijun Zheng, 57, a.k.a. “Sonic,” of Diamond Bar, the lone fugitive in the case, who controls several logistics companies operating in the Los Angeles area;
    • Hexi Wang, 32, of El Monte, who manages K&P International Logistics LLC, a City of Industry-based company that hires commercial truckers to transport shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles;
    • Jin “Mark” Liu, 42, of Irvine, the owner of K&P International Logistics LLC and who managed the finances of one of the warehouses where contraband was unloaded and issued payments to truck drivers who transported smuggled goods;
    • Dong “Liam” Lin, 31, of Hacienda Heights, who – along with Zheng – controlled and operated one of the contraband warehouses;
    • Marck Anthony Gomez, 49, of West Covina, the owner and operator of Fannum Trucks LLC, a West Covina-based company that coordinated the movement of shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles, including large shipments of contraband smuggled into the United States from China;
    • Andy Estuardo Castillo Perez, 32, of Apple Valley, a driver for M4 Transportation Inc., a Carson-based company that transports shipping containers from the Port of Los Angeles;
    • Jesse James Rosales, 41, of Apple Valley, who coordinated truckers from the ports to warehouses;
    • Daniel Acosta Hoffman, 41, of Hacienda Heights, worked with Rosales to bring cargo containers from the Port of Los Angeles to warehouses; and
    • Galvin Biao Liufu, 33, of Ontario, directed and managed truck drivers to bring the contraband into the warehouses.

    According to the indictment, Zheng, Wang, Liu and others maintained and operated warehouses to store, conceal and sell large amounts of contraband goods that were illegally imported into the United States from China. When the contraband containers were selected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for inspection, the defendants hired commercial truck drivers to transport the containers from the Port of Los Angeles to locations that the conspirators controlled, including warehouses in the City of Industry that were controlled or managed by Zheng, Wang and others.

    At these locations, co-conspirators broke the security seals on the shipping containers and removed the contraband from inside. Then, they affixed counterfeit security seals onto the containers to conceal that cargo had been removed from them. Zheng, Wang and others then directed co-conspirators to transport the containers – after they had been emptied of much of their original cargo and re-secured with counterfeit seals – to CBP-authorized locations for the remaining cargo to be presented to customs officials for inspection.

    Zheng, Wang, Liu and others paid fees to co-conspirators, including Gomez and Castillo Perez, that were substantially above normal trucking fees to transport the contraband shipping containers.

    To date, law enforcement has seized more than $1.3 billion worth of counterfeit goods associated with this and similar seal-swapping schemes.

    “It was a team of CBP agriculture specialists assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport who in 2023, during a routine examination of a container made the initial discovery,” said Cheryl Davies, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “This case attests to their unwavering vigilance, upmost professionalism, and keen focus in protecting the integrity of lawful trade, a key component of our critical national security mission.”

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

    If convicted of all charges, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each conspiracy count, up to 10 years in federal prison for each count of breaking customs seals, and up to 20 years in prison for each smuggling count.

    Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Coast Guard Investigative Services are investigating this matter.

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

    Assistant United States Attorneys Colin S. Scott and Amanda B. Elbogen of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting this matter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Now Open: Free, Easy Online Tax Filing

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to consider using the Direct File program in New York State to ease the burden of filing taxes. The joint project with the IRS, available starting today, allows taxpayers to file their federal and state taxes online at no cost. Building on Governor Hochul’s initiative to make New York more affordable, this program helps the average New York taxpayers save around $260 in tax preparation fees.

    “Direct File is a common-sense approach to filing taxes,” Governor Hochul said. “If you have a basic return, you’ll find that it’s easy to complete the process and that you can save hundreds of dollars in tax preparation fees.”

    The Tax Department estimates that 3.4 million New Yorkers will be able to use Direct File this year. To find out if you’re eligible, visit the New York State Tax Department’s webpage.

    New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said, “Direct File is a safe, secure system that you can access from a smartphone or desktop computer. Qualified New Yorkers can answer simple questions instead of filling out forms or paying a preparer to complete their income return.”

    New York piloted Direct File with the IRS in 2024. In its first year, the program was open for a limited time to a limited number of taxpayers. Some 14,000 New Yorkers used Direct File last year and 96 percent reported a positive experience.

    The 2025 Direct File Program — available starting today — expands eligibility, covering more tax credits and different types of income. The Tax Department estimates that 3.4 million New Yorkers will be able to use Direct File this year. New Yorkers with 2024 wages of up to $200,000, or $250,000 if filing a joint return, may qualify.

    Direct File is part of Governor Hochul’s ongoing effort to save New Yorkers money and improve government services. As part of her FY 2026 Budget, Governor Hochul proposed a middle class tax cut to deliver nearly $1 billion in tax relief to more than 8.3 million New Yorkers. When fully phased in, the middle class tax cut will deliver hundreds of dollars in average savings to nearly 77 percent of filers — representing three out of every four taxpayers. Additionally, Governor Hochul proposed New York’s first-ever inflation refund that will put $3 billion back in the pockets of 8.6 million taxpayers. Joint tax filers who make $300,000 or less will receive a $500 payment and all single New York taxpayers who make $150,000 or less will receive a $300 payment. Governor Hochul also proposed a vast expansion of New York’s Child Tax Credit that will double or triple the current credit in many cases, offering up to $1,000 annually per child under four and up to $500 per child aged four to 16. This marks the largest increase in the credit’s history, significantly surpassing the current maximum of $330 per child.

    More information on the Governor’s Affordability Agenda is available online.

    For more information on Direct File, visit the New York State Tax Department’s webpage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong resident rescued from detention in Southeast Asian country returns to Hong Kong smoothly

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong resident rescued from detention in Southeast Asian country returns to Hong Kong smoothly
    Hong Kong resident rescued from detention in Southeast Asian country returns to Hong Kong smoothly
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Security Bureau (SB) today (January 28) said that a Hong Kong resident, who had been detained for illegal work in Myanmar and was recently rescued, has smoothly returned to Hong Kong from Thailand last night (January 27) with members of the SB’s dedicated task force.     The dedicated task force set off for Bangkok on January 21 to follow-up promptly on the case upon confirmation that a Hong Kong resident had been rescued in Myanmar and arrived in Thailand. With the co-ordination and liaison with different units by the task force over the past few days and concerted efforts by various parties, the individual was able to return to Hong Kong in a short period of time and reunite with his family before the Chinese New Year.      The dedicated task force expressed gratitude to the Thai authorities for their humane way of handling the case with the approach of special arrangements for special circumstances by compressing the procedures to within a few days, allowing the Hong Kong resident to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible. While meeting the rescued Hong Kong resident in the detention centre in Bangkok, members of the task force were moved to be able to bring the individual back to Hong Kong and return home together. The Hong Kong resident expressed gratitude for the visit to Thailand by the task force members to follow up on his case. He was also very pleased to learn that he would be able to return to Hong Kong to reunite with his family before the Chinese New Year.      The SB thanked various parties, including the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai, the Consulate-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, and the relevant Thai authorities for their support and assistance.     The dedicated task force has all along been following up proactively on the remaining 10 request-for-assistance cases in which the relevant people have not yet returned to Hong Kong, including maintaining communication, exchanging intelligence and sparing no efforts in following up on each case with the Director of Special Investigation and the Director of Human Trafficking under the Ministry of Justice of Thailand during the team’s stay in Thailand. A member of the dedicated task force will stay in Bangkok to strive to do his utmost for the early return of the remaining 10 people to Hong Kong.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2025Issued at HKT 1:29

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Credit Agricole SA : Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility finalizes the GAC Leasing equity project to support the growth of GAC Group’s electric vehicle sales in China

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Massy – January 27th, 2025

    Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility
    finalizes the GAC Leasing equity project to support the growth of GAC Group’s electric vehicle sales in China

    • CA Personal Finance & Mobility finalizes the planned acquisition of 50% of the equity interests of GAC Finance Leasing Co. Ltd. (GAC Leasing), which becomes Guangzhou GAC-Sofinco Finance Leasing Co Ltd (GAC-Sofinco Leasing), the leasing company of one of the largest Chinese manufacturers Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC Group), via a reserved capital increase.
    • With this new joint venture, CA Personal Finance & Mobility will offer financial and operational leasing solutions on the Chinese market in 2025 and will thus promote the deployment of electric vehicles in China.
    • This transaction consolidates a partnership existing since 2009 between CA Personal Finance & Mobility and GAC Group with the creation of GAC-Sofinco AFC, a 50-50 joint venture. The latter operates throughout China and offers automotive financing and services to the GAC-Honda, GAC-Toyota, AION, HYPTEC and GAC Motor networks, serving more than 3,000 dealers.

    CA Personal Finance & Mobility becomes a 50% shareholder in GAC-Sofinco Leasing

    Following a reserved capital increase, CA Personal Finance & Mobility owns 50% of GAC-Sofinco Leasing. The company has been operating on the Chinese market since 2004 and offers financial and operational leasing solutions to GAC customers and its dealer network.

    Through this transaction, CA Personal Finance & Mobility and GAC group are strengthening the leasing offer proposed to Chinese customers, thereby stimulating the sale of electric vehicles, which already represent 60% of the leasing contracts of the new GAC-Sofinco Leasing on a portfolio of more than 200,000 vehicles.

    All necessary authorizations from competition authorities and competent regulators have been obtained. The impact on the CET1 ratio of Crédit Agricole S.A. and that of the Crédit Agricole group will be very limited. 

    « This transaction reaffirms the importance of our long-standing partnership with GAC group. It will enable us to support together and over the long term the development of the particularly dynamic electric automobile market in China. »

    Stéphane PRIAMI – CEO of Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility

    Key figures:

    • In 2023, GAC group was the 4th largest automotive group in China
    • More than 2.5 million vehicles sold in 2023 worldwide
    • 39,90% of electrified vehicles sold in 2023

    Press Contact

    Adeline Tardif
    presse@ca-cf.fr
    +33 (0)1 87 38 02 88 / +33 (0)6 20 18 84 92

    About Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility

    Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility is a leader in personal financing and a provider of access to all mobility solutions in Europe. It distributes directly, at the point of sale or on its partners’ e-commerce platforms, a wide range of financing solutions – amortizable credit, revolving credit, leasing and credit buyback – with associated services including insurance, split payment solutions and services dedicated to mobility, with the aim of meeting the challenges of energy transition in mobility, housing and consumption. Its financing solutions and services are offered in France via Sofinco, in Italy via Agos, in Germany via Creditplus, in Portugal via Credibom, in Spain via Sofinco Espana, in Morocco via Wafasalaf, and in China via GAC-Sofinco (automotive financing only). Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility aims to be the leader in electric mobility in Europe and offers a mobility continuum in the 22 countries where it is present (leasing, medium and short-term rental, subscription, car sharing, installation of charging stations, etc.). The company relies on Leasys, a joint venture equally owned by Stellantis, CA Auto Bank and Drivalia, the pan-European leader in automotive financing, rental and mobility, Crédit Agricole Mobility Services, a comprehensive service offering dedicated to mobility and the development of automotive financing in its universal subsidiaries in Europe and in Crédit Agricole Regional Banks and at LCL via Agilauto. CA Personal Finance & Mobility acts every day in the interest of its 17.2 million customers and society. As of December 31, 2023, CA Personal Finance & Mobility managed €113 billion in outstanding credit. More information: www.ca-personalfinancemobility.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Planisware selected by Northrop Grumman to drive innovation and enhance operational excellence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Planisware Enterprise selected by Northrop Grumman as enterprise-wide Program Management System to drive innovation and enhance operational excellence

    San Francisco, California, January 27, 2025 – Planisware, a leading B2B provider of SaaS in the rapidly growing Project Economy market, announced today that Northrop Grumman Corporation, a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, has selected Planisware Enterprise to serve as its enterprise-wide program management system.

    “We are honored to partner with Northrop Grumman as they continue to implement digital technologies across their business,” said Loic Sautour, Chief Executive Officer at Planisware. “Planisware will act as a key partner in their digital transformation efforts, streamlining portfolio management technology across the end-to-end product lifecycle.”

    Contacts

    Investor Relations: Benoit d’Amécourt
    benoit.damecourt@planisware.com
    +33 6 75 51 41 47

    Media: Brunswick Group
    Hugues Boëton / Tristan Roquet Montégon
    planisware@brunswickgroup.com
    +33 6 79 99 27 15 / +33 6 37 00 52 57

    About Planisware

    Planisware is a leading business-to-business (“B2B”) provider of Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) in the rapidly growing Project Economy. Planisware’s mission is to provide solutions that help organizations transform how they strategize, plan and deliver their projects, project portfolios, programs and products.

    With more than 700 employees across 14 offices, Planisware operates at significant scale serving circa 600 organizational clients in a wide range of verticals and functions across more than 30 countries worldwide. Planisware’s clients include large international companies, medium-sized businesses and public sector entities.

    Planisware is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Compartment A, ISIN code FR001400PFU4, ticker symbol “PLNW”).

    For more information, visit https://planisware.com/ and connect with Planisware on LinkedIn.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: RUBIS: Transactions carried out within the framework of the share buyback programme (excluding transactions within the liquidity agreement) – 20 to 24 January 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, 27 January 2025, 06:00pm

    Issuer Name: Rubis (LEI: 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742)
    Category of securities: Ordinary shares (ISIN: FR0013269123)
    Period: From 20 to 24 January 2025

    Upon the authorisation granted by the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on 11 June 2024 to implement a share buyback program, the Company carried out, between 20 to 24 January 2025, the repurchases of its own shares in order to transfer them to employees and/or corporate officers of the Company and/or companies related to it in the context of a shareholding plan.

    Aggregate presentation per day and per market:

    Name of issuer Identification code of issuer (Legal Entity Identifier) Day of transaction Identification code of financial instrument Aggregated daily volume
    (in number of shares)    		 Daily weighted average price of the purchased shares * Market (MIC Code)
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 21/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,488 25.0174 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 21/01/2025 FR0013269123 10,558 24.9677 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 21/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,444 24.9598 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 21/01/2025 FR0013269123 23,800 24.9288 XPAR
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 22/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,508 24.9153 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 22/01/2025 FR0013269123 10,840 24.9125 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 22/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,483 24.9325 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 22/01/2025 FR0013269123 24,496 24.9205 XPAR
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 23/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,403 24.8564 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 23/01/2025 FR0013269123 11,015 24.8576 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 23/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,593 24.8509 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 23/01/2025 FR0013269123 22,660 24.8559 XPAR
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 24/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,505 25.0306 AQEU
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 24/01/2025 FR0013269123 11,520 25.0218 CEUX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 24/01/2025 FR0013269123 2,886 25.0233 TQEX
    RUBIS 969500MGFIKUGLTC9742 24/01/2025 FR0013269123 23,570 25.0212 XPAR
    * Four-digit rounding after the decimal TOTAL 158,769 24.9368  

    Detailed presentation per transaction:

    Detailed information on the transactions carried out from 20 to 24 January 2025 is available on the Company’s website (www.rubis.fr) in the section “Investors – Regulated information – Share buyback programme”.

      Contact
      RUBIS – Legal Department
      Tel. : + 33 (0)1 44 17 95 95

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Fluent, Inc. Named to Ad Age’s 2025 Best Places to Work List

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT), a leading commerce media solutions company, today announced it has been recognized as one of Ad Age’s 2025 Best Places to Work, appearing on the list as #18.

    Ad Age Best Places to Work is an annual ranking of companies that set the standard in terms of pay, benefits, corporate culture, and leadership. The 2025 list honors 50 companies that demonstrated excellence and adaptability as the advertising industry and media landscape continued to evolve over the past year.

    With nearly 200 employees across the US and Canada, Fluent will continue to invest into its commerce media team as it executes a strategic pivot toward a growing suite of commerce media solutions.

    “We are honored to be recognized in Ad Age’s 2025 Best Places to Work rankings,” said Patrick Sweeney, VP of People at Fluent. “Our commitment to cultivating top talent and fostering a performance-driven culture allows us to deliver outstanding experiences for consumers and measurable results for clients. As an emerging leader in the commerce media space, we’re proud to celebrate this milestone as we continue to drive positive momentum for our business and people.”

    Fluent is dedicated to building a collaborative and supportive work environment where innovation and creativity thrive. Offering benefits that prioritize well-being and professional growth, employees enjoy access to mental health services, flexible paid time off and work schedules, and mentorship programs that connect junior staff with senior leaders. Fluent’s commitment to giving back is equally strong, with annual community service events and a generous donation-matching program empowering employees to support the causes they care about.

    “The companies on Ad Age’s 2025 Best Places to Work list have shown a deep commitment to building workplaces where employees truly want to be—no small feat in today’s challenging labor market,” said Dan Peres, President of Ad Age. “Earning this recognition isn’t just a win for company culture; it also strengthens an organization’s reputation, making it a more attractive place for top talent.”

    Ad Age produced Best Places to Work 2025 in partnership with Workforce Research Group, a research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work. The competition was open to agencies, ad tech firms, data and research firms, brand or corporate marketing departments or groups, and in-house agencies of marketers.

    Ad Age’s scoring system factors in employee responses and a company’s policies and practices on topics including pay and benefits, work/life balance, recruitment, training, and development. The winners reflect the highest overall numerical scores based on an analysis of questionnaires submitted by employers and survey responses from their employees.

    To see current job openings at Fluent, visit https://fluentco.com/careers/.

    About Fluent, Inc.

    Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) is a commerce media solutions provider connecting top-tier brands with highly engaged consumers. Leveraging diverse ad inventory, robust first-party data, and proprietary machine learning, Fluent unlocks additional revenue streams for partners and empowers advertisers to acquire their most valuable customers at scale. Founded in 2010, Fluent uses its deep expertise in performance marketing to drive monetization and increase engagement at key touchpoints across the customer journey. For more insights visit https://www.fluentco.com/.

    About Ad Age

    Created in 1930 to cover a burgeoning industry with objectivity, accuracy and fairness, Ad Age continues to be powered by award-winning journalism. Today, Ad Age is a global media brand focusing on curated creativity, data and analysis, people and culture, and innovation and forecasting.

    Contact Information

    Investor Relations
    Fluent, Inc.
    InvestorRelations@fluentco.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harford County Man Sentenced for Aggravated Identity Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant also participated in scheme to illegally obtain $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits from the State of California during COVID-19 Pandemic.

    Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Victor Ojo, 30, of Belcamp, Maryland, to 72 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    Victor Ojo received the sentence for aggravated identity theft and his role in an attempted bank-fraud scheme that had an intended loss amount of $1.5 million. Additionally, Victor Ojo admitted to participating in a fraudulent scheme to obtain $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits. So, Judge Rubin ordered Victor Ojo to forfeit $20,014.03 and to pay $78,350 in restitution.

    Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Andrew McKay, Special Agent in Charge of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) Mid-Atlantic Field Division, and Scott Moffit, Special Agent in Charge of TIGTA’s Cybercrime Investigations Division.

    According to his guilty plea, from April 2016 through at least August 2019, Victor Ojo conspired with Damilola Ojo, Jamelia Thompson, Raissa Kaossele, and others, to commit bank fraud using the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Modernized Internet Employer Identification Number (MODIEIN) system. The MODIEIN is the IRS system that allows users to register for a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN). It requires users to enter the valid name and Social Security Number of a real living person to obtain an EIN for a business.

    The defendant and his co-conspirators created and used various EINs to carry out the scheme. They obtained many of the EINs from the IRS using stolen Personally Identifiable Information. These EINs, in conjunction with fraudulently obtained state business certificates, allowed the co-conspirators to open bank accounts at various financial institutions to deposit stolen and/or altered checks and to receive fraudulently obtained wire transfers and other funds. Many of the wire transfers were the result of Business Email Compromises. Once obtained, the co-conspirators rapidly withdrew the proceeds, transferring them to other bank accounts.

    Victor Ojo and his co-conspirators victimized individuals through identity theft, businesses through financial account compromise, and banks through misdirecting wire transfers and making fraudulent transactions. After Victor Ojo’s arrest, law enforcement discovered evidence linking him to fraudulent activity. Law enforcement found numerous financial documents; a jacket, shirt, and hat that they saw Victor Ojo wearing in bank-surveillance footage while interacting with the fraudulent accounts; and a $14,000 check with someone else’s name on it. They also found passports in other people’s names and a Colorado ID with authentication features in someone else’s name.

    In the plea agreement, Victor Ojo admitted that he engaged in additional fraudulent activities prior to his arrest for bank-fraud conspiracy. Specifically, Victor Ojo and co-conspirators fraudulently obtained $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits from the State of California using a victim’s identification.

    Around August 1, 2021, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) issued a Bank of America debit card in that victim’s name to an address in Lanham, Maryland. The card was linked to a Bank of America account that the EDD deposited a total of $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits into. 
     

    The EDD made the first deposit on August 8, 2021. On August 10, 11, 24, and 25, Victor Ojo used the card to withdraw thousands of dollars from various ATMs in Harford County, Maryland. Victor Ojo was also captured on surveillance cameras making the withdrawals on August 10, 11, and 25.

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the TIGTA for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Wenner, Paul Riley, and John D’Amico who prosecuted the federal case. He also recognized Joanna B.N. Huber, Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force Paralegal Specialist, for her assistance.

    The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

    For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Nominates Judge William Bright to the Supreme Court, Judge Robin Wilson to the Appellate Court, and 13 Other Jurists to the Superior Court

    Source: US State of Connecticut

     

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is forwarding to the Connecticut General Assembly the nominations of several jurists to serve in positions on Connecticut’s courts, including the Honorable William H. Bright, Jr. as an associate justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable Robin L. Wilson as a judge of the Appellate Court, and 13 other jurists as judges of the Superior Court.

    Additionally, the governor is nominating two jurists to serve as family support magistrates and three as administrative law judges on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

    “Nominating judges to serve on our courts is one of the most important responsibilities of a governor, especially because judges are the final authority on the interpretation of the law and the constitution, and for ensuring that justice is administered fairly and without prejudice,” Governor Lamont said. “Judge Bright has been an excellent leader of our Appellate Court over these last four and a half years, and he has had an impressive career handling all types of cases both on the trial and appellate levels. Likewise, Judge Wilson is an incredibly well-respected member of Connecticut’s legal community, having served in the Superior Court for more than two decades. I am confident that these nominees each have the high standards and qualifications the people of Connecticut deserve to have serving for them on the bench.”

    Judge Bright, 62, of Columbia, is currently the chief judge of the Appellate Court. He is being nominated to fill the associate justice seat on the Supreme Court that was most recently held by the Honorable Raheem L. Mullins, who was recently nominated by Governor Lamont to become chief justice.

    Judge Bright has served on the Appellate Court since 2017 and as chief judge since 2020. In the role of chief judge, he has been responsible for managing the operations of the Appellate Court, in addition to sitting on a full docket of cases, assigning cases to authoring judges, reviewing all opinions of the court before publication, overseeing clerks for judge trial referees, and addressing personnel and building management issues.

    Immediately prior to his nomination to the Appellate Court, Judge Bright served as a judge of the Superior Court from 2008 to 2017, presiding over criminal, civil, habeas corpus, and juvenile trials. While on the Superior Court, he served as the presiding judge of the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s statewide mediation program in 2017, chief administrative judge for civil matters from 2015 to 2017, administrative and presiding judge for the Tolland Judicial District from 2013 to 2017, and presiding judge of a civil complex litigation docket from 2011 to 2013.

    Before being nominated to the bench, he was a partner with the law firm of McCarter and English from 2003 to 2008, and with Cummings and Lockwood from 1987 to 2003. With both firms, he worked as a trial attorney, handling cases in both state and federal courts and representing individuals, government entities, and small and large businesses in environmental, property, and commercial matters.

    Judge Bright graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, summa cum laude, and earned a Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from the University of Chicago Law School. He is a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation and a member emeritus of the Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court.

    “I want to thank Governor Lamont for his faith and confidence in me,” Judge Bright said. “It is truly an honor to be nominated and considered for a position on our state’s highest court. It has been my distinct pleasure to serve the people of Connecticut as a judge of the Superior Court and the Appellate Court over the past 17 years. If confirmed, I promise to bring to my job as an associate justice of our Supreme Court the same work ethic, fidelity to the law, and respect for the parties and attorneys who appear before us that I have strived to demonstrate every day since becoming a judge.”

    Judge Wilson, 64, of New Haven, is currently a judge of the Superior Court, where she has served since 2003. She is being nominated to fill the seat on the Appellate Court that will become vacant following the confirmation of Judge Bright to serve on the Supreme Court.

    Judge Wilson is presently assigned to the Waterbury Complex Litigation Docket, presiding over complex civil cases. Prior to this, she served in the Civil Division of the New Haven Judicial District for 15 years, also presiding over complex civil cases, including medical and legal malpractice cases, motor vehicle accident cases involving catastrophic injuries, and commercial contract disputes.

    Immediately prior to her nomination to the Superior Court, she served as an administrative law judge on the Workers’ Compensation Commission from 1994 to 2003. She also worked from 1986 to 1994 as an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, serving in both the Child Support Department and the Workers’ Compensation Department.

    In recognition of her influence and leadership, Judge Wilson has been honored as one of the NAACP’s 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut and as one of the 100 Women of Color Leadership in the State of Connecticut.

    Judge Wilson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government, with honors, from Connecticut College, a Juris Doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law, and a Master of Laws degree in labor relations from New York University School of Law.

    “I am deeply honored and humbled by Governor Lamont’s nomination to serve as an Appellate Judge for the State of Connecticut,” Judge Wilson said. “It is an absolute honor and privilege to have this opportunity. If confirmed by the legislature, I am committed to upholding the principles of fairness, justice, and integrity as I take on this important responsibility and will work hard every day to prove myself worthy of the governor’s trust. Thank you, Governor Lamont, for entrusting me with this opportunity to serve our great state.”

    There are currently 22 judicial vacancies in the Superior Court. The 13 nominations Governor Lamont is making to fill those positions include:

    • David G. Bothwell, 55, of Fairfield: Bothwell graduated from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. He currently serves as legal counsel and legislative liaison to the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles. Prior to that, he spent his entire career as a criminal defense attorney in both his own private practice, as well as many years with the Connecticut Division of Public Defenders.
    • Tracie C. Brown, 53, of Windsor: Brown graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is currently the chief operating officer for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Previously, she was the assistant legal director for the Connecticut Department of Correction, where she focused on constitutional and employment law. Prior to that, she served as a principal attorney and commission counsel for the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission. In that capacity, she presided over contested cases as a hearing officer and represented the commission at the Connecticut Superior Court, Appellate Court, and Supreme Court.
    • Michael C. D’Agostino, 53, of Hamden: D’Agostino graduated from the University of Virginia and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is currently a partner at Morgan Lewis and Bockius, residing in its Hartford office, where he handles a wide range of commercial litigation matters for clients in Connecticut’s courts, as well as courts across the country. From 2013 to 2025, he served the 91st Assembly District of Hamden in the Connecticut House of Representatives, and in this capacity severed for several years as the House chair of the General Law Committee.
    • Jesse Giddings, 43, of North Haven: Giddings graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Roger Williams University School of Law. He is currently a supervisory assistant state’s attorney in the Hartford State’s Attorney Office. Prior to that, he served as an assistant state’s attorney in Hartford, focusing primarily on the prosecution of serious felony cases.
    • Diana M. Gomez, 42, of Easton: Gomez graduated from Central Connecticut State University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. She is currently an assistant public defender in the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District, specializing in criminal defense of indigent defendants. She has worked in the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services for the past eleven years. Prior to serving as a public defender, she worked in private practice. Additionally, she serves on many boards, committees and commissions.
    • Donald R. Green, 58, of Meriden: Magistrate Green graduated from Trinity College and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is currently a family support magistrate and has served in this capacity for six years. He presides over cases involving adjudication of parentage, child support, modifications, and contempt petitions. He was formerly an assistant attorney general at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, where he served primarily in the Child Protection Department.
    • Kaitlin A. Halloran, 41, of West Hartford: Halloran graduated from New York University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.  In 2010, she co-founded Halloran & Halloran, where her practice focused on personal injury, wrongful death claims, medical malpractice and business litigation. Halloran & Halloran merged with BBB Attorneys in 2021, where she litigated complex cases.  Halloran also maintains a very active pro bono special education law practice and has helped many families navigate the system and access services for their children.
    • Angeline Ioannou, 55, of West Hartford: Ioannou is a graduate of Sacred Heart University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law (now Widener University Commonwealth Law School) in Wilmington, Delaware. She is currently the managing partner of the Hartford office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith, LLP.  Ioannou has more than 25 years litigating complex tort and medical malpractice matters involving wrongful death and catastrophic injuries.
    • Kevin C. Kelly, 65, of Stratford: Kelly obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, a Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is currently an attorney and owner of Kevin Kelly and Associates, a practice that is focused on elder law, estate planning, probate administration and litigation, and municipal law. Prior to his legal career, he worked for the Connecticut Department of Social Services. From 2011 to 2025, he served the 21st Senatorial District of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton, and Stratford in the Connecticut State Senate, and in this capacity represented his caucus for several years as minority leader.
    • Daniel Shapiro, 58, of Westbrook: Shapiro graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and obtained his Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School, where he also obtained a Master of Studies in environmental law. He is currently a deputy associate attorney general and chief of health and education for the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. He has practiced law for more than 30 years with a primary focus on health and education matters. Prior to his current role, Shapiro worked as an attorney for the Connecticut Department of Public Health and as an attorney for the Connecticut Legislative Commissioners’ Office.
    • Kevin Shea, 58, of Madison: Shea graduated from the University of Connecticut and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is a partner with Clendenen and Shea, LLC in New Haven, where he has practiced for the past 24 years representing individuals, companies, institutions, and municipalities as both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of civil litigation. He was previously an associate with Delaney, Zemetis, Donahue, Durham, and Noonan, P.C., and Wiggin and Dana, LLP, and worked as an in-house litigation attorney with United States Surgical Corporation in Norwalk.
    • Latonia C. Williams, 41, of West Hartford: Williams graduated from Howard University and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is currently a partner at Shipman and Goodwin LLP, where her practice focuses on a range of commercial litigation matters in both state and federal courts, including commercial bankruptcies, landlord-tenant disputes, and commercial foreclosures. Additionally, she serves on the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Client Security Fund Committee, the board of directors for Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc., and as her firm’s hiring chair.
    • Yonatan Zamir, 48, of Woodbridge: Zamir graduated from University of Illinois and received his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law. He is currently a staff attorney at New Haven Legal Assistance Association, where his focus is on housing law and eviction prevention. He also co-teaches the Reentry Clinic at Yale Law School, through which he supervises students in serving clients facing barriers to reentry in areas such as housing and employment, as well as in assisting those clients’ seeking pardons or criminal conviction erasure. Prior to coming to Connecticut, he served as counsel to a member of Congress and a Congressional committee. He started his legal career at the Legal Aid Society of New York.

    The two family support magistrate nominees include:

    • Benedict R. Daigle, 43, of Cromwell: Daigle obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Connecticut, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He currently serves as an assistant public defender, legislative/family magistrate for the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services. Prior to that, he held roles with the City of Hartford, the Connecticut Association for Community Action, and other government and nonprofit entities. He serves in several roles within the Connecticut Bar Association, including as a member of the House of Delegates and Board of Governors and co-chair of the Legal Aid and Public Defense Committee. He has served as a board member of various nonprofit organizations.
    • LeeAnn Neal, 39, of Waterbury: Neal graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. She is currently an assistant attorney general in the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, serving in the child protection section. In this role, she represents the Connecticut Department of Children and Families in state court proceedings. Prior to her current position, she worked as a staff attorney at the Center for Children’s Advocacy, where she advocated for youth in education and delinquency cases. She also previously served as an assistant state’s attorney with the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, representing the state in both adult criminal and juvenile delinquency matters in the New Britain and Waterbury Judicial Districts.

    The three workers’ compensation administrative law judge nominees include:

    • Michael L. Anderson, 54, of North Stonington: Anderson graduated from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Connecticut, and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School. He is currently a trial lawyer with Anderson Trial Lawyers in Norwich, where he represents injured workers in the Workers’ Compensation Commission and those seriously injured due to the negligence of others. He currently serves as chairman of the Town of North Stonington Board of Finance. He has been practicing law for more than 20 years.
    • Christine Conley, 42, of Groton: Conley graduated from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is currently an attorney with McGann, Bartlett and Brown, LLC, where she represents employers and municipalities in defending work-related injuries. She has experience in worker’s compensation and personal injury, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.  She is a Connecticut board certified workers’ compensation specialist. She formerly worked for Embry, Neusner and Arscott, and the Law Offices of Lori M. Comforti, representing individuals with workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Prior to representing individuals, she was an associate at Murphy and Beane. From 2017 to 2025, she served the 40th Assembly District of Groton and New London in the Connecticut House of Representatives.
    • Colette Griffin, 66, of Newtown: Griffin graduated from the University of Bridgeport and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac School of Law. She is currently a partner with Strunk Dodge Aiken Zovas and has served as the chair of both the workers’ compensation and animal law sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. She was previously a partner with Howd and Ludorf, LLC, where she began and ran their workers’ compensation practice. She serves on the workers’ compensation legal advisory and medical advisory committees.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Record Attendance at State Parks in 2024

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced state parks, historic sites, campgrounds and trails operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) saw a record 88.3 million visits in 2024. Total visits statewide surged by over four million, which is a five percent increase compared to the previous record year in 2023. These numbers reflect Governor Hochul’s commitment to expanding access to parks and outdoor recreation, including her investment in the park system’s 100th anniversary last year, the 2024 total solar eclipse viewing events that broke state tourism records, and her free swimming initiatives.

    “This new attendance record is a result of our commitment to expanding opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy safe, healthy recreation, whether it’s through swimming, hiking, camping, or gathering to take in our world-class vistas, beaches and waterfalls,” Governor Hochul said. “We are fortunate that our state parks offer a much-needed break from the addictive digital landscape many are exposed to, and with my “Unplug and Play” strategy, we are going to make sure even more New Yorkers and future generations have access to phenomenal recreational facilities in their state parks and in their own communities.”

    Over the last two decades, State Parks’ attendance has climbed steadily, increasing 66 percent, with last year marking the 12th consecutive annual increase. Contributing to this surge in visitation was the New York State park and historic site system’s Centennial in 2024. The year-long celebration honored influential figures and milestone moments in State Parks’ development and gave the agency an opportunity to connect with local communities across the state by hosting dozens of Centennial-themed events.

    On April 8, State Parks hosted a range of events and activities to celebrate the rare total solar eclipse that passed through western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Adirondacks. Governor Hochul was one of 45,000 visitors who experienced the celestial event at Niagara Falls State Park. The eclipse brought record-setting tourism numbers in New York from April 6 to April 9 of last year.

    Governor Hochul’s free swimming initiatives fortified the new record. Prior to the July 4 weekend last year, Governor Hochul removed swimming pool entry fees at State Parks for the entire summer. Through Labor Day, pool attendance increased 36 percent, with over 542,000 people visiting a State Park pool. Twenty-two facilities hosted free swimming lessons, tripling the number of facilities from previous years and teaching over 2,000 students how to swim.

    State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “State Parks is one of the most admired parks systems in the world, welcoming many millions more visitors than ever before to unplug and play! Governor Hochul’s continued support for outdoor recreation and land conservation, paired with the passion and hard work of our State Parks team, undoubtedly helped us reach this new record. We look forward to working with partners around the state to keep the momentum going, aid in the mental and physical wellness of all, drive affordability and help deliver economic boosts to communities around the Empire State for years to come.”

    Assemblymember Ron Kim said, “I am incredibly excited to join Governor Hochul and my colleagues in continuing to invest in our state parks, recreational areas, and cultural sites. They have proven to be an essential engine for New York’s economic development, bringing millions of annual visitors and immeasurable intrinsic value to our communities, which is critical for long-term sustainable growth.”

    Camping continued to be an in-demand offering at State Parks in 2024 with 2,206,986 campers pitching their tents at New York’s state park facilities. With more than 226,000 reservations, those campers spent a collective 753,731 nights under the stars while providing a boost to local economies.

    The New York State Parks Wellness Challenge  was launched Jan. 1 to encourage both mental wellness and outdoor recreation while also educating residents and visitors on wellness-focused activities within State Parks in 2025. The challenge was designed to align with Governor Hochul’s efforts to encourage New Yorkers to get off their devices and enjoy the outdoors. The challenge includes 50 missions that can be completed at various State Parks. Once participants finish 25 of the available 50 missions, they will receive a commemorative sticker and postcard mailed to their address as a prize.

    Governor Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget proposes $200 million for State Parks to invest in and aid the ongoing transformation of New York’s flagship parks and support critical infrastructure projects throughout the park system. The Governor’s new Unplug and Play initiative also earmarks $100 million for construction and renovation of community centers through the Build Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), $67.5 million for the Places for Learning, Activity and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative helping New York communities construct new playgrounds and renovate existing playgrounds; and an additional $50 million for the Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative supporting municipalities in the renovation and construction of swimming facilities.

    The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit  parks.ny.gov, download the free  NY State Parks Explorer app  or call (518) 474-0456. Connect with them on  Facebook,  Instagram,  X (formerly Twitter), the  OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Saskatchewan — Saskatchewan RCMP SERT Year in Review: 230 firearms and more that 17,000 grams of illicit drugs seized in 2024

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    In 2024, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) continued to work diligently with frontline RCMP officers from detachments across the province to remove harms from communities and help keep Saskatchewan residents safe.

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s SERT – which includes Crime Reduction Teams (CRT), the Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit (HTCEU), Offender Management Unit (OMU), Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Teams (STRT) and Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Teams (WEST) – helps protect community well-being by tackling serious and gang-related crimes, and take dangerous drugs and weapons off the streets.

    Removing harms from Saskatchewan communities

    Illicit drugs continue to harm people across the province. In 2024, Saskatchewan RCMP’s SERT teams seized:
    – 6,572 grams of cocaine;
    – 4,732 grams of methamphetamine;
    – 130 grams fentanyl;
    – 6,349 grams of other illicit drugs; and
    – 86 tablets.

    From 2014 to 2023, violent firearms offences in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction increased 271 per cent – rising from 126 in 2014 to 467 in 2023.

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s SERT removed 230 firearms from the hands of criminals across the province in 2024.

    Investigational highlights

    In July 2024, Yorkton STRT seized approximately 161 grams of methamphetamine and 14 firearms, along with other items, from a business, a rural property and a vehicle in the Yorkton area. During a subsequent search of the rural property, RCMP officers located a severely injured, forcibly confined adult male inside a barn. Investigation determined the man had been kidnapped. Two adult males faced kidnapping, drug and firearms charges, among others.

    • Swift Current STRT laid charges against two individuals after seizing 31 firearms from a residence in Lafleche, SK and a rural yard site south of the town in November 2024.
    • In October 2024, North Battleford Crime Reduction Team – Gang Task Force (CRT-GTF) executed search warrants at two residences in North Battleford. At the residences, officers located and seized a loaded handgun, a rifle, approximately 81 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 58 grams of crack cocaine, ammunition, a sum of cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia. As a result of investigation, two adult males and an adult female were arrested.
    • While executing a search warrant at an apartment building in La Ronge in February 2024, La Ronge CRT seized a loaded handgun, 60 grams of cocaine, 31 grams of methamphetamine, a sum of cash and other drug paraphernalia. Two adults were arrested and charged.
    • In August 2024, Swift Current STRT executed two search warrants in Swift Current as part of an ongoing investigation. Officers located and seized 503 grams of methamphetamine, 52 grams of fentanyl and 105 grams of cocaine, among other evidence. An adult male was arrested at the business and charged.

    What is SERT?

    Saskatchewan RCMP SERT is made up of 108 RCMP officers and 31 civilian support staff. With different teams located in 10 Saskatchewan communities, SERT is readily mobile and able to quickly deploy to surrounding areas. Teams are also assisted every single day by over 1,500 RCMP employees, including more than 1,000 sworn officers at 80 plus detachments across the province.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Windsor County Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on January 16, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Kyle Pickett, 30, of Windsor County, Vermont, with being a felon in possession of two firearms.

    Pickett entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on January 23, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Jerome J. Niedermeier. Judge Niedermeier ordered that Pickett be detained during the pendency of this matter.

    According to court records, on November 25, 2023, Pickett possessed two loaded firearms, a Winchester Model 62 .22 rifle and a Winchester Model 42 410 shotgun, in a Ford Ranger pick-up truck, which had been stolen from a residence in Orange County, Vermont. Pickett had multiple prior felony convictions, and thus was prohibited from possessing those firearms.

    The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Pickett is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Pickett faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

    Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department.

    The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Gilman. Pickett is represented by Sara M. Puls, Assistant Federal Public Defender.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ahoskie Gang Member “Woo” Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison After Conviction for Firearm and Drug Trafficking Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – An Ahoskie gang member was sentenced to 100 months in prison and five years of supervised release, after authorities found drugs and a firearm in his home.  On September 30, 2024, Rodney Lamont Evans, a.k.a. “Woo,” pled guilty to the charges.

    “This case is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our local, state, and federal partners,” said Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes. “Their relentless efforts to investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice those who threaten the safety of our citizens reflect our shared commitment to a safer community.”

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, authorities in Ahoskie received information on August 8, 2022, that Evans, 47, a member of the Bloods gang, was distributing narcotics out of his home on McGlohon Street. On that date, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Evans’s residence.  Upon their arrival, Evans fled through a window and attempted to hide on the roof but was soon found.  Inside Evans’s home, authorities discovered nearly 360 grams of cocaine, over 5 grams of crack, over 1,700 grams of marijuana, a firearm, ammunition, multiple digital scales, and drug packaging materials.  The investigation also revealed that Evans had previously participated in the sale of homemade machinegun conversion devices, or “switches,” with a fellow member of the Bloods.

    Evans was previously convicted of indecent liberties with a child and multiple charges of possession with intent to sell cocaine in North Carolina. 

    Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF); the Down East Drug and Violent Crime Task Force; and the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Lori Warlick and Sarah Nokes prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-CR-23-BO-RN.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to over 24 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child and Destruction of Evidence

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man who attempted to solicit a minor to engage in prostitution was sentenced on January 24, 2025, to 292 months in federal prison.

    Joshua Johnson, age 50, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the sentence after an August 7, 2024, jury verdict finding him guilty of attempted sex trafficking of a child and destruction of evidence.  The evidence at trial showed that, in December 2023, Johnson responded to an ad on a website for prostitution.  He exchanged text messages with a person who stated that she was 13 years old; she actually was an undercover law enforcement officer.  Johnson sent messages describing sex acts he could perform with the minor, and he traveled to Hiawatha, Iowa, to meet with her.  After meeting with officers, Johnson wiped his cell phone.

    Johnson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Johnson was sentenced to 292 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.   

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Hiawatha Police Department.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 24-38.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 to Showcase Projects Advancing African Mining Value Addition

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

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, taking place in Cape Town from October 1-3, will center on the theme, From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth. The event will highlight initiatives aimed at enhancing Africa’s mineral value chains and promoting local processing to drive economic growth.

    Research indicates that Africa could generate up to $2 billion in additional mining revenue and create up to 3.8 million jobs by 2030 through expanded manufacturing of value-added mining products. As Africa’s premier mining platform, AMW 2025 will convene global investors, policymakers and industry leaders to explore opportunities in Africa’s midstream and downstream sectors, featuring panel discussions, project showcases and high-level deal signings.

    Africa stands as a global leader in mining, home to unparalleled reserves of the minerals essential for shaping the future of technology and industry. To harness this vast potential, African Mining Week will serve as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across the continent. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference (https://AECWeek.com/) from October 1-3, offering delegates access to the full scope of energy, mining and finance leaders in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contactingsales@energycapitalpower.com

    Africa’s push for local mineral processing is gathering momentum. In Zimbabwe, a ban on raw lithium exports implemented in 2022 has resulted in over $1 billion in processing investments. Key projects include the Rwizi Rukuru refinery, Shengxiang Investments’ lithium processing facility in Goromonzi, and Chengxin Lithium’s Sabi Star Mine concentrator, all contributing to domestic processing capacity. Similarly, Tanzania’s recent ban on raw lithium exports is driving international investment into value-added projects, while Nigeria has partnered with Avatar New Energy to establish a 400,000-ton-per-day lithium refinery launched in 2024.

    Ghana has also made headway with the inauguration of the Royal Ghana Gold Refinery last August, which represents its first facility for refining gold for export and  aligns with the nation’s strategy to drive economic growth through value addition. Guinea is collaborating with Emirates Global Aluminium to establish an alumina refinery, leveraging its substantial mineral resources.

    South Africa remains a leader in mineral beneficiation, utilizing its resources and industrial expertise to advance downstream processing. Key projects include the Thaba Joint Venture, set to begin production in early 2025, with an annual target of 13,000 ounces of platinum group metals and 400,000 tons of metallurgical-grade chrome concentrate from tailings and run-of-mine deposits. Meanwhile, the $4.5 billion KwaZulu-Natal Titanium Beneficiation Complex, led by Nyanza Light Metals, aims to produce 80,000 tons of titanium dioxide annually, reinforcing South Africa’s position in advanced mineral processing.

    AMW 2025 will be held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference, offering delegates access to key players across mining, energy, and finance industries. Together, these events will provide unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and investment, driving Africa’s vision for value-added mining development.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermediate Capital Group plc: Notification of Major Holdings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings

    1. Issuer Details
    ISIN
    GB00BYT1DJ19 
    Issuer Name
    INTERMEDIATE CAPITAL GROUP PLC
    UK or Non-UK Issuer
    UK
    2. Reason for Notification
    An acquisition or disposal of voting rights
    3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation
    Name
    BlackRock, Inc.
    City of registered office (if applicable)
    Wilmington
    Country of registered office (if applicable)
    USA
    4. Details of the shareholder
    Full name of shareholder(s) if different from the person(s) subject to the notification obligation, above

    City of registered office (if applicable)

    Country of registered office (if applicable)

    5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
    24-Jan-2025
    6. Date on which Issuer notified
    27-Jan-2025
    7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation

    . % of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A) % of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) Total number of voting rights held in issuer
    Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 5.100000 0.290000 5.390000 15731231
    Position of previous notification (if applicable) 4.730000 0.380000 5.110000  

    8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
    8A. Voting rights attached to shares

    Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible) Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1) Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1) % of direct voting rights (DTR5.1) % of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
    GB00BYT1DJ19   14840260   5.100000
    Sub Total 8.A 14840260 5.100000%

    8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a))

    Type of financial instrument Expiration date Exercise/conversion period Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted % of voting rights
    Securities Lending     22727 0.000000
    Sub Total 8.B1   22727 0.000000%

    8B2. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))

    Type of financial instrument Expiration date Exercise/conversion period Physical or cash settlement Number of voting rights % of voting rights
    CFD     Cash 868244 0.290000
    Sub Total 8.B2   868244 0.290000%

    9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation
    2. Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entities (please add additional rows as necessary)

    Ultimate controlling person Name of controlled undertaking % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) Trident Merger, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 1) BlackRock Investment Management, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Cayman 1 LP      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Group Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Finance Europe Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 2) BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Australia Holdco Pty. Ltd.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 3) BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 4) BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5) BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5) BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5) BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 5) BlackRock Fund Advisors      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 6) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Ltd.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BlackRock HK Holdco Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 7) BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Cayman 1 LP      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Group Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Finance Europe Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 8) BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9) BlackRock Canada Holdings ULC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 9) BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Finance, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Cayman 1 LP      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Group Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Finance Europe Limited      
    BlackRock, Inc. (Chain 10) BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited      

    10. In case of proxy voting
    Name of the proxy holder

    The number and % of voting rights held

    The date until which the voting rights will be held

    11. Additional Information
    BlackRock Regulatory Threshold Reporting Team

    Jana Blumenstein

    020 7743 3650
    12. Date of Completion
    27th January 2025
    13. Place Of Completion
    12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL, U.K.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Partners with Shakti Regeneration Institute to Empower Marginalised Communities and Promote Indigenous Conservation Efforts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RANAGHAT, India, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EBC Financial Group (EBC), a leading global financial brokerage, proudly announces its latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative through a strategic partnership with the Shakti Empowerment Education Foundation, part of the Shakti Regeneration Institute (SRI). This collaboration will support the Ramakrishna Vedanta Vidyapith school in West Bengal, India, providing 50 low-income students with access to essential educational materials, uniforms, vocational sewing classes, and extracurricular activities.

    Image copyright: Shakti Regeneration Institute

    This partnership forms part of EBC’s broader CSR strategy, which complements its role as a global financial brokerage, enabling access to global markets while promoting equitable education and sustainable development in communities where economic opportunities are limited.

    EBC Financial Group has supported the University of Oxford’s What Economists Really Do (WERD) public education series through the sponsorship of two episodes: The Economics of Tax Evasion in 2023 and Macroeconomics and Climate in November 2024. These episodes explore how economics can address significant societal issues and reflect EBC’s broader mission of empowering informed decision-making—a principle that also drives its global brokerage services, enabling individuals and institutions to confidently navigate financial markets. The WERD series is independently produced by the Department of Economics, showcasing its dedication to bridging academic research and real-world challenges.

    Together, these initiatives demonstrate EBC’s dedication to advancing educational access, promoting critical discourse, and addressing the interconnected challenges of socio-economic development and sustainability. Shifting focus to India, EBC’s partnership with SRI reinforces its mission to drive long-term societal change at the local level, equipping individuals with the tools to thrive and contribute to the development of their communities while promoting sustainable development at the grassroots level.

    In addition to this critical sponsorship, EBC’s leadership in global advocacy is reflected in its contributions to the upcoming documentary #TheRegenerationGeneration, an initiative of SRI directed by its founder, Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri. The film, which addresses the urgent need for regenerative finance and education, highlights the efforts of Nobel Prize-winners, innovators, business leaders, educators, and Indigenous leaders working together to protect vulnerable ecosystems and communities from the increasing threats of climate change. It also features interviews with David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd., and Professor Teytelboym from the Department of Economics, Oxford University. EBC’s involvement across both social projects underscores its commitment to not only supporting local communities but also driving global awareness and action toward sustainable and equitable futures.

    Barrett expressed the strategic importance of this partnership: “At EBC, we recognise that the true power of education creates the foundation for transforming societies and creating pathways to lasting change. Our partnership with Shakti Regeneration Institute is more than a sponsorship—it reflects our dedication to uplifting the next generation, as we support the Ramakrishna Vedanta Vidyapith school in equipping marginalised children with the tools they need to thrive. Through our involvement in the #TheRegenerationGeneration 2025 documentary, we are amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities and supporting the preservation of their cultural and environmental heritage. Similarly, our collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics on their WERD program underscores our dedication to enhancing global understanding of critical economic and societal issues. By investing in education at every level, we aim to create opportunities, promote equity, and address the challenges of our time. These efforts align seamlessly with our core values of integrity, responsibility, and sustainability.”

    Ajay Pal-Chaudhuri, Chairman and Founder of Shakti Regeneration Institute, remarked, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with EBC Financial Group, a collaboration that embodies the convergence of corporate responsibility and global impact. Together, we embark on a transformative journey, combining our strengths in education and ecological advocacy to empower communities worldwide. With EBC’s support, we are not only empowering marginalised children through education but also raising global awareness about the critical challenges facing Indigenous communities and the plight of vulnerable ecosystems.”

    Foundational Values at the Heart of EBC’s Mission
    EBC’s commitment to making a meaningful difference aligns with its core values of dedication, responsibility, and integrity. By ensuring that financial resources are directed toward impactful projects, EBC exemplifies how corporate responsibility can foster real-world change, contributing to the welfare of communities and the preservation of ecosystems that sustain vulnerable populations. Operating under top-tier regulation, EBC combines its mission to equip investors with access to global markets such as currencies, indices, and commodities with impactful social investments that contribute to community welfare and sustainability.

    The Ramakrishna Vedanta Vidyapith school, which will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its founding in January 2025, has been a vital institution in the betterment of local communities in West Bengal. Through its educational programs, the school empowers children and women from marginalised backgrounds, helping them to break the cycle of poverty and contribute positively to their communities. EBC’s support enhances the school’s mission, helping to ensure that these children receive not only basic education but also vocational training and community-building opportunities that will prepare them for long-term success. More information about SRI and its mission can be found at www.shaktiregeneration.org.

    For more information about EBC’s causes and initiatives, please visit https://www.ebc.com/ESG.

    About EBC Financial Group
    Founded in the esteemed financial district of London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its services in financial brokerage and asset management. With offices strategically located in prominent financial centres such as London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, Bangkok, Limassol, and more, EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access a wide range of global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, shares, and indices.

    Recognised by multiple awards, EBC prides itself on adhering to leading levels of ethical standards and international regulation. EBC Financial Group’s subsidiaries are regulated and licensed in their local jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

    At the core of EBC Group are seasoned professionals with over 30 years of profound experience in major financial institutions, having adeptly navigated through significant economic cycles from the Plaza Accord to the 2015 Swiss franc crisis. EBC champions a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor engagement is treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

    EBC is the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, offering specialised services in regions such as Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. EBC is also a partner of United to Beat Malaria, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, aiming to improve global health outcomes. Starting February 2024, EBC supports the ‘What Economists Really Do’ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, demystifying economics, and its application to major societal challenges to enhance public understanding and dialogue.

    https://www.ebc.com/

    Media Contact:
    Savitha Ravindran
    Global Public Relations Manager (EMEA, LATAM)
    savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

    Chyna Elvina
    Global Public Relations Manager (APAC, LATAM)
    chyna.elvina@ebc.com

    Douglas Chew
    Global Public Relations Lead
    douglas.chew@ebc.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94dc67e3-5efc-46bb-9e48-0cb8ff3bce80

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7947de34-6137-46a2-b7e8-8183ecc273c4

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a45a3118-2bc7-4f3b-af6b-c721195b1fef

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MamaBull Token to Reimagine Crypto with the Game-Changing Mamapay.io Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MamaBull Token, built on Solana, is set to revolutionize crypto for developing countries with the upcoming Mamapay.io platform, which blends blockchain with real-world finance and offers generous rewards.

    SINGAPORE, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MamaBull Token ($MAMA), a highly anticipated cryptocurrency built on the Solana blockchain, will officially launch on January 27, 2025. Designed to symbolize strength and innovation in the crypto space, MamaBull offers a unique combination of speed, affordability, and real-world utility. The project’s dedicated website, mamabulltoken.com, is live and provides insights into the token’s features and upcoming developments.

    A key component of MamaBull’s ecosystem is Mamapay.io, an upcoming financial platform scheduled for April 2025. The platform aims to transform the way users manage and transfer assets globally. By integrating blockchain with traditional banking services, Mamapay.io delivers a seamless experience for handling crypto and fiat assets. With features such as offshore bank accounts, debit cards, and compliance-focused financial solutions, the platform ensures security and regulatory adherence for a user-friendly experience.

    Why MamaBull Token?

    MamaBull sets itself apart in the crypto market by utilizing Solana’s high-speed infrastructure, guaranteeing ultra-fast transactions and low fees. Dedicated to financial inclusion, MamaBull aims to offer accessible financial services to underserved regions, connecting decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional banking systems.

    More than just a meme-inspired digital asset, MamaBull — dubbed “The Mother of All Streets” — delivers practical applications and long-term utility for holders while offering significant profit potential. As a memecoin with real utility, MamaBull presents an exciting opportunity for users to earn substantial returns by participating in its ecosystem.

    Through its staking and rewards system, MamaBull allows holders to generate passive income over time. Users who stake their $MAMA tokens on mamapay.io can expect generous returns, which will encourage long-term participation and foster ecosystem stability. The token’s design prioritizes community incentives, ensuring that loyal holders are well-rewarded for their commitment.

    Future cross-chain integrations with Ethereum and BNB Chain will further expand MamaBull’s reach. These integrations will ensure smooth connectivity across multiple blockchain networks and enhance users’ access to the DeFi ecosystem.

    Within the Mamapay.io ecosystem, $MAMA holders can access exclusive benefits, including cashback rewards, reduced transaction fees, and revenue-sharing opportunities. These benefits significantly increase the potential profits available to participants.

    Mamapay.io: A Game-Changer in Global Finance

    As a pivotal part of the MamaBull ecosystem, Mamapay.io is set to redefine global financial operations by merging blockchain technology with traditional finance. The platform will enable crypto-to-fiat conversions, simplifying cross-border transactions for users.

    By offering offshore banking solutions, Mamapay.io provides enhanced security and financial flexibility. Additionally, $MAMA-powered debit cards will allow seamless spending worldwide, integrating crypto into daily financial activities easily.

    Compliance remains a top priority for Mamapay.io. The platform fully complies with AML and KYC regulations to create a secure and trusted financial environment for all users.

    Security and Transparency

    Security and transparency are fundamental to MamaBull’s development, ensuring confidence among investors and users. The project’s smart contracts have been fully audited, and ownership has been renounced. Most importantly, minting operations have been permanently turned off to prevent potential manipulation.

    A burned liquidity pool has been implemented to support price stability and reinforce long-term sustainability within the ecosystem.

    A Roadmap for Sustained Growth

    MamaBull’s roadmap outlines a strategic path toward long-term growth and adoption. The initial phase focuses on launching the token and building a strong community through targeted marketing campaigns.

    Subsequent phases will introduce strategic partnerships with influencers and secure listings on major exchanges, increasing visibility and market reach. The rollout of governance features and staking mechanisms will empower the community to actively shape the project’s future.

    Future developments will emphasize the integration of Mamapay.io’s banking solutions, further positioning MamaBull as a key player in merging traditional and digital financial systems. Long-term initiatives include regular token burns and continuous feature enhancements to drive sustained value for holders.

    Join the MamaBull Revolution

    MamaBull is more than just a crypto; it represents a movement toward financial inclusion, empowerment, and innovation. Combining speed, affordability, and groundbreaking financial solutions, MamaBull is set to make a lasting impact in the evolving crypto-fintech landscape. With its potential for high profits and real-world utility, MamaBull offers an exciting opportunity for those looking to capitalize on the growing crypto space.

    For the latest updates and developments, visit mamabulltoken.com and follow social media accounts:

    Telegram: t.me/mamabulltoken
    Twitter/X: x.com/mamabull_token
    Instagram: instagram.com/mamabulltoken

    Media inquiries: media@mamabulltoken.com

    Contact:
    James Lissaint
    media@mamabulltoken.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by MamaBull. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72f4eb97-978f-470c-8f8b-c0eaa3ee8c59

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met launch investigation into fatal collision in Northolt

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man is in custody after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a collision in Northolt.

    An investigation has been launched and officers are appealing for witnesses and information.

    At around 04:40hrs a BMW came to the notice of a patrolling police car due to the alleged speed at which it was traveling.

    A short time later the BMW was involved in a collision with another vehicle, a Ford Focus, being driven by a member of the public in Ruislip Road.

    London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade were called and attended.

    Sadly the driver of the Ford Focus, a man aged 47, died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported.

    Two men in the BMW, a driver and a passenger, both aged 25, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. They were taken to hospital, and their conditions are not life-threatening. The passenger has since been released with no further action.

    The investigation is being led by detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit who are working to establish what happened.

    They would like to hear from anyone in the area who might have caught dash cam footage of the incident, or in the time leading up to it.

    Please call 101 or post @MetCC quoting reference ref CAD 777/27Jan,

    To remain 100 per cent anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kidnapper of Alexandria, Virginia, Couple Sentenced to 108 Months in Federal Prison

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

               WASHINGTON – Robbie Terrell Clark, 27, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 108 months in federal prison for his role in the September 2022 kidnapping and robbery of a pair of victims in Alexandria, Virginia. 

               The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. 

               Clark pleaded guilty on May 21, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. In addition to the 108-month prison-term, Judge Berman Jackson ordered Clark to serve four years of supervised release. 

               According to court documents, Clark and his co-conspirators stalked their intended victims before kidnapping and robbing them at gunpoint inside their Alexandria, Virginia apartment building. On September 2, 2022, the co-conspirators planted a GPS tracking device on one of the victim’s Mercedes, which they used to monitor the victims’ locations.  

               On September 3, 2022, the victims attended a family gathering in Maryland. Seizing the opportunity to catch their victims unaware, Clark and his co-conspirators traveled from Washington, D.C. to Virginia in a stolen white Kia and to the victim’s home, where they laid in wait, armed with guns and carrying zip ties. Clark and his co-conspirators were wearing dark clothing, masks, and latex gloves.

               When the victims returned home later that night, Clark and his co-conspirators ambushed them in their parking garage at gunpoint, stealing two Audemars Piguet watches worth $120,000, another $63,500 worth of jewelry, other clothing, and the keys to a victim’s Mercedes.

               After robbing them, and pistol-whipping them with their guns, Clark and the co-conspirators led the victim couple to one of the victim’s apartments. Inside, the co-conspirators continued to hold the victims at gunpoint and ransacked the residence, demanding money. The co-conspirators were unable to locate any money before a security alarm was triggered and the co-conspirators fled, leaving behind several plastic zip ties. 

               Clark and his co-conspirators fled the apartment building shortly before 2 a.m. on September 4, 2022, in the stolen white Kia and the victims’ Mercedes and returned to the District. Law enforcement found the stolen Mercedes hours later in Maryland with the GPS tracking device still attached. Following a lengthy investigation, Clark was identified as a participant and arrested on August 16, 2023, in Washington, D.C. He has been held since.

               At the time of the incident, Clark had a felony conviction in Maryland for possessing a handgun in a vehicle. 

               Clark’s co-conspirator, Tyree McCombs, pleaded guilty on August 14, 2024, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery in connection with this offense as well as to a separate kidnapping committed two months later. McCombs is awaiting sentencing.

               This case was investigated by FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. The Fairfax County Police Department assisted with the investigation. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones for the District of Columbia.

    22cr377

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Law Enforcement Seizes $4 Million in Property and Proceeds from Texas Woman for Smuggling and Distributing Unapproved Animal Drugs

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MEDFORD, Ore.– Nicole Randall, 37, of Cedar Park, Texas pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to one year of probation for introducing an adulterated drug into interstate commerce.

    According to court documents, between February 2020 and May 2022, Randall used fake names to smuggle GS-441524, a drug that had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human or animal consumption, into the United States disguised as facial masks, pet shampoo, beauty products, and cosmetics.

    Despite having no veterinary or prescriber licenses, Randall and others used the Facebook group “FIP Warriors 5.0” to defraud and mislead customers by diagnosing their cats and kittens with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a viral disease affecting cats, and prescribing GS-441524 for the animals’ consumption.

    In August 2021, an agent joined FIP Warriors 5.0 and submitted photographs of a cat. The healthy cat, recently examined by a licensed veterinarian, was misdiagnosed with FIP and prescribed GS-441524. Randall then instructed payment for the unapproved drugs using Paypal, Zelle, or CashApp without mentioning cat medicine, vials, pills, or brand names in the payment note.

    In July 2022, agents executed a federal search warrant at Randall’s residence in Cedar Park, Texas and seized approximately 30 boxes of glass vials containing the adulterated drug. Investigators discovered that between July 2020 and June 2022, Randall distributed 58,460 liquid vials and 236,836 pills of GS-441524.

    On June 4, 2024, Randall was charged by criminal information with introducing an adulterated drug into interstate commerce.

    Randall’s scheme was highly profitable. As part of the plea agreement, Randall agreed to forfeit four real properties, ten financial accounts, and a Tesla, worth roughly $4 million combined and traceable to her proceeds from smuggling and distributing the unapproved drugs.

    This case was investigated by the FDA. It was prosecuted by John C. Brassell and Katherine C. de Villiers, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Machine Guns

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

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

    Alonso Alfredo Nunez, also known as “Bullet,” 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Jan. 23, to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

    On April 10, 2024, Nunez pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Nunez admitted that he and co-defendant Jaloany Garcia-Medina, also known as “J. Lo,” 22, of Kansas City, Kan., working together, sold fentanyl on multiple occasions to a confidential informant working for the Jackson County Drug Task Force.

    Nunez and Garcia-Medina sold approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills to a confidential informant on each of six separate occasions during the six months of the conspiracy from July 25 to Dec. 18, 2022. A different FBI confidential source reported that Nunez was supplied 200 to 500 fentanyl-laced pills weekly from July 2022 through December 2022.

    Garcia-Medina has pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and awaits sentencing.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force and the FBI.

    MIL Security OSI –