Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Grants Major Disaster Declaration for South Texas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    Cornyn Wrote in Support of Gov. Abbott’s Request

    AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement thanking President Donald J. Trump for approving Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas following severe flooding in Cameron, Willacy, Starr, and Hidalgo counties in late March. This comes after the Senator wrote to the President in support of the request. 

    “The Rio Grande Valley endured devastating floods and severe storms that severely damaged Texans’ homes and businesses, and I thank President Trump for approving this request for federal disaster relief to be sent to the region,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I will continue to stay in touch with state and local officials to ensure South Texas has the resources and assistance it needs to recover and rebuild.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEW: Baldwin Releases Report on How Trump Cuts Are Hurting Veterans and Caregivers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released a new report on how President Donald Trump’s reckless cuts to staff and services are hurting our veterans.

    “When Americans serve and sacrifice for our freedom, it’s our duty to have their back when these brave men and women return home,” said Senator Baldwin. “As we spend this weekend remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us and honoring the families of the fallen, we also recommit ourselves to taking care of those in uniform, those who returned home, and the loved ones of our troops. I will work with anyone to do right by our veterans and survivors but this Administration is failing to keep their end of that sacred promise.”

    President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE are enacting deep cuts across the federal government that continue to cost veterans their jobs and jeopardize essential care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that veterans and their caregivers rely on every day. VA Secretary Doug Collins announced they plan to cut 83,000 jobs, slashing the essential workforce by over 17 percent at the federal agency. These cuts come on top of staffing shortages at the VA, including having 66,000 vacancies across the health system, and further outlined in a 2024 report that found that 137 of 139 VA health centers nationwide report a severe staffing shortage in at least one area, particularly nursing and psychology.

    NPR found that 11,273 VA employees nationwide have applied for deferred resignation, which the Trump administration is offering as part of its DOGE initiative to cut the VA’s workforce. The top positions across all networks that are requesting deferred resignation are nurses (about 1,300), medical support assistants (about 800), and social workers (about 300). In a recent poll by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, more than 4 out of 5 veterans said they are concerned that recent federal cuts could impact veteran benefits and health care.

    Veterans are also being hit hard by cuts across the federal agencies, where they make up 30 percent of the nearly 2.3 million civilian federal workforce. DOGE’s stated goal to eliminate 75 percent of the federal workforce could mean that up to 500,000 veterans could lose their jobs.

    Read the full report.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ex-Law Enforcement and Former Military Officers Charged in Alleged Sham Raid to Extort O.C. Man at Behest of Chinese National

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – Four ex-law enforcement and military officers are scheduled to be arraigned today on a four-count superseding indictment that alleges they acted as a sham law enforcement team that entered an Irvine man’s home and threatened him and his family with violence and deportation unless he turned over nearly $37 million and signed away his rights in a business – worth tens of millions of dollars – that he shared with a wealthy Chinese national who secretly financed the bogus raid.

    The superseding indictment filed on August 1, charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, one count of attempted extortion, one count of conspiracy against rights, and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law:

    • Steven Arthur Lankford, 68, of Canyon Country, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy who stopped working for LASD in 2020 and owns a Santa Clarita-based process service company;
    • Glen Louis Cozart, 63, of Upland, a former LASD deputy who owns and operates a San Bernardino County-based private investigation and security services company;
    • Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, 39, of Australia, a United Kingdom citizen and former member of the British military who owns an Australia-based private investigation and asset recovery business; and
    • Matthew Phillip Hart, 41, of Australia, an Australian citizen and former member of the Australian military who owns an Australia-based risk management services business.

    The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

    “It is critical that we hold public officials, including law enforcement officers, to the same standards as the rest of us,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is unacceptable and a serious civil rights violation for a sworn police officer to take the law into his own hands and abuse the authority of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”

    “The defendants in this case allegedly believed they could carry out vigilante justice by using official police powers to enter the home of vulnerable victims and extorting them out of millions of dollars,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate civil rights violations by anyone who takes the law into their own hands for personal gain or otherwise.”

    According to the superseding indictment, the Irvine businessman – identified as “Victim 1” – had an ongoing business dispute with an unindicted co-conspirator – the wealthy Chinese national – regarding their respective ownership interests in Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co. Ltd., a China-based rubber chemical manufacturer. Their dispute led to at least three lawsuits in China and one in Atlanta. In October 2013, the Chinese national alleged in a civil court filing that China had issued a “red notice” for Victim 1, which Victim 1 understood was linked to his business dispute with the unindicted co-conspirator.

    In December 2018, the unindicted co-conspirator allegedly contacted Turbett to help locate and recover assets from Victim 1. She said that the long and costly litigation had not been “the smart way” to handle her dispute with Victim 1 and asked Turbett to find a different “solution to finish the problem.” She promised Turbett that if he helped her, “we can both retire.”

    In June 2019, Turbett and the unindicted co-conspirator drafted purported settlement agreements calling for Victim 1 to transfer assets – including approximately $36,972,386 in cash as well as lucrative shares in Jiangsu Sinorgchem – to the unindicted co-conspirator.

    Turbett allegedly hired Cozart to locate Victim 1 and assemble a team to obtain Victim 1’s signature on the settlement agreements. Cozart, in turn, hired Lankford, then an LASD deputy, who searched Victim 1’s name and date of birth in the National Crime Information Center database using his Justice Data Interface Controller terminal at LASD, in violation of LASD policy that law enforcement databases only be used for law enforcement purposes and not for personal use.

    Turbett and Hart flew from Australia to Los Angeles, where they met with Cozart and Lankford to discuss plans for the sham raid. 

    On June 17, 2019, Lankford – in violation of LASD policy – drove an unmarked LASD vehicle to Victim 1’s home with Cozart, Hart and Turbett, the superseding indictment alleges. Lankford and Cozart then approached Victim 1 outside his home. Lankford allegedly identified himself as a police officer and showed his badge, while Cozart falsely identified himself as an “Immigration” officer.

    Under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation, the defendants allegedly entered the home, where they forced Victim 1, his wife, and their two children into one room, took their phones, and prevented them from leaving for hours. Victim 1 was slammed against a wall and choked, the superseding indictment states. Defendants allegedly also threatened to deport Victim 1 and his wife and permanently separate them from their 4-year-old son unless Victim 1 complied with their demands. 

    Fearing for his and his family’s safety, the superseding indictment alleges that Victim 1 ultimately signed the documents, thereby relinquishing his multimillion-dollar interest in Jiangsu Sinorgchem.

    Although Lankford told Victim 1 that he would be arrested and deported if he reported the incident to police, Victim 1 immediately contacted the Irvine Police Department (IPD) after defendants left his home. Lankford thereafter spoke with an IPD officer and falsely claimed that he had been at Victim 1’s home for a legitimate law enforcement purpose, that Victim 1 consented to all parties being in his home, and that no force was used.

    By November 2019, all the defendants had been paid for their efforts. The unindicted co-conspirator paid Turbett’s company approximately $419,813 for services rendered and emailed Turbett to thank him for a “very good job,” the superseding indictment alleges.

    An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each extortion-related count and up to 10 years in federal prison for each deprivation of rights-related count.  

    The FBI is investigating this matter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Irvine Police Department provided substantial assistance.

    Assistant United States Attorney Cassie D. Palmer of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Sentenced for Assaulting Law Enforcement with a Dangerous Weapon During January 6 Capitol Breach

    Source: US FBI

                WASHINGTON— A California man was sentenced to prison today after previously pleading guilty to assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous weapon during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

                David Dempsey, 37, of Santa Ana, California, was sentenced to 240 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth. Dempsey previously pleaded guilty to two felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon on Jan. 4, 2024.

                According to court documents, Dempsey traveled to Washington, D.C., with others from his home in California and, on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, attended the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse. Dempsey was later interviewed standing near a wooden structure representing a hanging gallows, which was fitted with a noose and sign stating, “This is Art.” Dempsey wore a black helmet, vest, sunglasses, and an American flag gaiter covering his neck, mouth, and nose.

                During the interview, Dempsey was asked what he thought of this “work of art” (the gallows), to which he replied, in part: This isn’t just art. This is necessary” and “Them worthless f— s—holes like f— Jerry Nadler, f— Pelosi, uh Clapper, Comey, f— all those pieces of garbage, you know, Obama, all these dudes, Clinton f— all these pieces of s—. That’s what they need. They don’t need a jail cell. They need to hang from these m—f— while everybody videotapes it and f— spreads it on YouTube, B—Tube or whatever f— social media there is.”

                Later, Dempsey walked with others toward the U.S. Capitol building and made his way to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on January 6th. Here, Dempsey joined the crowd, pushing into a line of police officers defending the Tunnel. At about 3:36 p.m., Dempsey climbed atop other rioters’ shoulders, arms, and backs to get to the front line.  Upon reaching the front, Dempsey threw a short pole-like object into the Tunnel, striking a police officer. Dempsey shouted, “F— you b—ass cops.”  Dempsey then grabbed onto a police riot shield and continued to yell insults at police.

                At approximately 3:57 p.m., Dempsey attempted to throw a flagpole at officers in the Tunnel, but his throw was inadvertently blocked by a police riot shield held by another rioter. He then grabbed onto an officer’s baton and attempted to pull it away. At about 3:59 p.m., Dempsey, using the Tunnel’s wooden frame as support, kicked the shields of law enforcement officers four times.

                At about 4:01 p.m., Dempsey took a long pole from the crowd and swung it at officers in the Tunnel, striking their shields. He then used his foot to push away a crowd member attempting to take the pole away from him. Court documents say that a short while later, at about 4:07 p.m., Dempsey sprayed two separate bursts of pepper spray into the line of officers.

                For the next several minutes, Dempsey continued his assault on officers in the Tunnel including by throwing water bottles at police, spraying pepper spray at officers, swinging a metal crutch, which struck police; swinging an aluminum people, which also struck police; throwing a folded-up metal pole; and swinging and throwing a long wooden pole, which struck police.

                At about 4:42 p.m., Dempsey retreated from the crowd to rinse pepper spray from his eyes and face. He then returned to the front line and swung a flagpole at the line of officers, striking an officer’s riot shield. Finally, at 5:03 p.m., Dempsey threw two objects at officers in the Tunnel.            

                The FBI arrested Dempsey on Aug. 26, 2021, in California.

                This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

                This case was investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices, which identified Dempsey BOLO #399 in its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

                In the 43 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 550 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

                Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to benefit from recent trade deals

    Manufacturing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to benefit from the UK’s new trade deals with India, the US and the EU that slashes tariffs and boosts access to the world’s fastest growing economy.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change
    • Delivers major jobs boost for local manufacturing that employs 16% of all people

    Manufacturing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to benefit from the UK’s new trade deals with India, the US and the EU that slashes tariffs and boosts access to the world’s fastest growing economy.  

    The deals negotiated by the Prime Minister delivers long-term certainty for local manufacturing that employs over 51,000 people – 16% of all jobs in the region.    

    Reducing tariffs on machinery and medical equipment will support employers with a significant presence in the region like Paragraf, Hutchinson and Bradshaw Electric Vehicles to grow and create more jobs – delivering on our Plan for Change.  

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:   

    The trade deals that we have closed provides certainty for 51,000 people in the region who are employed in manufacturing, delivers security for their families and puts more in people’s pockets.   

    It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.    

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

    36,116 people employed in agriculture will also benefit from our deal with the EU. It reduces checks and red tape, meaning that produce grown and farmed in East Anglia now has easy access to the UK’s biggest trading market. 

    The agreement also protects British steel exports from new EU rules and restrictive, providing further security for 1,375 people working in the steel industry across the East of England. 

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.    

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.    

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need. 

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    Our deal with India is set to benefit every corner of the UK, including manufacturing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, that according to the latest available data contributed £4.4 billion to the UK economy.  

    Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, the barriers to trading have been dropped, with India agreeing to reduce tariffs on products including advanced machinery and medical devices that are made in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.   

    Dr Uday Phadke, Executive Chairman of Accelerator India, and Chief Executive of the Triple Chasm Company, Cartezia Ltd and Director of the Research & Development Society, said:

    The recent UK trade deals are a significant step forward in strengthening the global position of UK science and technology. 

    At Triple Chasm Company, we see these agreements as a powerful enabler of cross-border innovation, expanding our commercialisation services across key markets in the US, Europe, and India. 

    These deals not only boost our growth in global innovation clusters but also reinforce our confidence to invest further in the UK. We commend the UK Government for its credibility and strategic vision in securing agreements that directly support ambitious, innovation-led businesses like ours.

    Cambridge is uniquely placed to benefit from the deals that we have secured, whether that’s the reduced tariffs from our India Free Trade Deal on medical devices that will unleash more opportunities in life sciences. 

    In another win for the region’s world class research and development sector, our agreement with the US opens the way to future technology partnership where our two science-rich nations will collaborate in biotech, life sciences, quantum computing, nuclear fusion, aerospace and space.  

    Just this week, the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, raising standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.    

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: West Midlands to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    West Midlands to benefit from recent trade deals

    The automotive sector in the West Midlands is set to benefit from new trade deals with India and the US that slashes tariffs and boosts access to the world’s fastest growing economy.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • US and India trade deals deliver a major boost for the West Midlands’ automotive industry, that employs 50,000 people.

    The automotive sector in the West Midlands is set to benefit from new trade deals with India and the US that slashes tariffs and boosts access to the world’s fastest growing economy. 

    This means long-term stability for 50,000 people employed in the sector and security for their families.  

    It will also deliver opportunities for major job creators in the region like Jaguar Land Rover to grow – the first priority of our Plan for Change.  

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  

    These trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for 50,000 workers employed in automotive manufacturing in the West Midlands.   

    It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.   

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across the West Midlands.

    40,000 people employed in agriculture across the region will also benefit from our deal with the EU. It means less checks and red tape, meaning that produce grown in the West Midlands has easy access to the UK’s biggest trading partner. 

    British steel exports are also protected from new EU rules and restrictive tariffs, through a bespoke arrangement for the UK. With this new agreement with the EU and our recent UK-US trade deal, we are helping to protect the 5,000 people working in the steel industry across the West Midlands.

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.       

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.      

    Anthony Bamford, JCB Chairman said:

    I’m very pleased that the UK Government have got both the US and India trade deals over the line. India is the world’s most populous country with over 1.4 billion people living in the world’s largest democracy. I know from JCB’s experience of making and selling machines in India that British businesses looking to trade with India will be welcomed with open arms. The opportunity is huge, and the Free Trade Agreement will open the door to much improved trade between our countries – in both directions.

    The USA is the world’s largest market for construction equipment. JCB has been manufacturing there for 50 years, so it’s vital we have a strong presence in the US market. We will carry on with our recently announced plans to double the size of our new factory in San Antonio, Texas but the USA will still remain an important export market for certain UK-made machines. Ultimately, we need the removal of that 10% baseline tariff to support the export side of our business.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    “The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need. 

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in the West Midlands, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 

    The Economic Prosperity Deal is the first such agreement made by this US administration and a testament to the deep and enduring relationship that the UK and US share.

    We are going further and faster to deliver economic growth, working with our allies around the world to drive prosperity and give certainty to businesses and customers alike.

    The trade deals with India and the US will unlock new opportunities for the West Midlands, where 32% of the automotive workforce is based.  

    Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, tariffs on cars sold to India will come down from over 100% to 10% under a quota, while other tariff reduction will support the region’s advanced manufacturing sector. 

    Our deal with the US negotiated in the same week, is set to benefit every corner of the UK, including the West Midlands that exported £8.5 billion to the US in 2024, more than any other region in the UK.  

    The benefits of the deal for local businesses and workers are relevant for Oliver Christian, a graduate of Keele University and the UK’s new Trade Commissioner to North America.   

    His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and His Majesty’s Consul General to New York, Oliver Christian, said:   

    As a Keele University graduate, I’m proud to be championing the UK and the West Midlands in North America, especially at such a crucial time.    

    The US is one of the West Midlands’ biggest export destinations. Over half of those exports come from the automotive industry, with some of the UK’s most well-known car manufacturers based in the area including Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin.   

    The deal we have negotiated will cut tariffs on cars from 27.5% to 10% for 100,000 vehicles every year, saving millions for carmakers in the region and protecting thousands of jobs.

    Just this week the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in the West Midlands, raising living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.     

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: London to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    London to benefit from recent trade deals

    London’s top job creators including Diageo are set to benefit from the UK’s trade deals with India, the US and EU that slashes tariffs and boosts international trade.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • Delivers mayor boost to job creators like Diageo that supports 100,000 jobs.

    London’s top job creators including Diageo are set to benefit from the UK’s trade deals with India, the US and EU that slashes tariffs and boosts international trade.  

    The deals negotiated by the Prime Minister deliver long-term certainty for London-based firms like Diageo that supports 100,000 jobs throughout its value chain.  

    The agreement also opens the way for London’s AI sector, that is currently worth £8.4 billion and employs 38,000 people in the city to grow – the first priority of our Plan for Change. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  

    The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability, security and opportunities for firms across London.  

    It also will create opportunities for seamless trade with our key international partners, attracting investment into the capital, that will grow the economy and make a difference to Londoners. 

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across London.

    45,592 people employed in agriculture in the Greater London and the South East of England region will also benefit from our deal with the EU. It means less checks and red tape,  meaning that food and drink exported from the capital has easy access to the UK’s biggest trading partner. 

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.   

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.   

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need. 

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in the capital, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.  

    Rohan Malik, EMEIA and UKI Government & Public Sector Managing Partner, EY said:    

    This agreement is poised to accelerate an economic partnership that is already thriving, with the value of total trade between the UK and India having more than doubled from £16.6 billion to £40 billion over the last decade.   

    British business stands to benefit substantially from enhanced access to one of the world’s largest export markets and a skills pool that can fuel strategically important UK sectors, including professional services and emerging industries based around data and AI.   

    Our increased trade with India will unlock opportunities for every part of the UK – including Greater London.  

    It delivers a major boost to London based firms like Diageo, that supports 100,000 jobs by opening up iconic UK spirits to the world’s fastest growing economy.  

    Both deals deliver significant benefits for London’s financial services hub, with the capital home to firms like EY who provide services to more than 150 countries and territories. 

    We will also support the cutting-edge AI sector in the capital – that has 52% of all firms nationwide, contributes £8.4 billion and supports 38,000 jobs by removing red tape for firms trying to export to the US and putting rocket boosters on the sector that already contributes so much to the UK economy.  

    Just this week the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the EU that will deliver on our core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in Greater London and putting more money in people’s pockets.   

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: East Midlands to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    East Midlands to benefit from recent trade deals

    Top job creators in the East Midland’s thriving aerospace industry are set to benefit from new trade deals with the US and India.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.  
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • Boost for job creators including region’s aerospace industry that employs more than 23,000 people.

    Top job creators in the East Midland’s thriving aerospace industry are set to benefit from new trade deals with the US and India. 

    Reducing India’s tariffs on machinery, reducing the US tariff on cars and removing American tariffs on UK aerospace will support employers with a significant presence in the region like Rolls Royce.  

    This also means long-term stability for 23,000 employed in the sector and security for their families, which is a cornerstone of our Plan for Change. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

    The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for the aerospace sector in the East Midlands that employs 23,000 people.

    It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.    

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across the East Midlands.

    More than 30,000 people employed in agriculture across the East Midlands are set to benefit from our deal with the EU. It means less checks and red tape, meaning farmers and producers who grow food across the region now have easy access to the EU – the UK’s biggest trading partner.  

    The agreement also protects British steel exports from EU rules and restrictive tariffs, further supporting 2,010 people working in the steel industry across the East Midlands. 

    Last year, 740 businesses in the East Midlands exported £308 million in good to India. The Free Trade Deal agreed on 6 May opens up new opportunities for fashion brands in the East Midlands to grow their business in India with zero duties on imports.   

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.      

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.     

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need. 

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in the East Midlands, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, the barriers to trading have been dropped, with India agreeing to reduce tariffs on products including advanced machinery and aerospace and medical devices that are made in the East Midlands.  

    Based on 2022 trade alone, this amounts to India cutting tariffs worth over £400 million when the deal comes into force, which will more than double to around £900 million after 10 years.    

    Just this week the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the EU that will deliver on our core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in Hull and East Yorkshire and putting more money in people’s pockets.  

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Merseyside to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Merseyside to benefit from recent trade deals

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will boost Liverpool’s automotive sector that employs 5,000 people, with tariffs on car exports slashed alongside a range of other measures.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • Boost for job creators including the region’s automobile industry that employs 5,000 people.

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will boost Liverpool’s automotive sector that employs 5,000 people, with tariffs on car exports slashed alongside a range of other measures. 

    Reducing India’s tariffs on machinery, slashing tariffs on car exports in both deals and our agreement with the US to remove the 25% tariff on steel provides stability for the biggest employers in the region like Ford and Jaguar Land Rover. 

    This means greater job security for workers, stronger economic growth to supporting more jobs and higher living standards across Merseyside – priorities that we are delivering through our Plan for Change.

    The Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for the automobile industry in Liverpool that employs 5,000 people. 

    It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.   

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across Merseyside.

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.     

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.    

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For Merseyside businesses, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    Our increased trade with India will unlock opportunities for every region in the UK to access the world’s fastest growing economy, including Merseyside. The area is renowned for its music industry, which will benefit from copyright protections enshrined in the deal and a commitment that works will continue to be protected for at least 60 years. 

    Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, tariffs on cars sold to India will come down from over 100% to 10% under a quota.

    In another win for the region, tariff reduction agreed with India on advanced manufacturing will benefit Liverpool’s port that is close to more than 50% of UK manufacturers and has the capability to service 95% of the world’s largest container ships. 

    UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said:

    The Government’s recent trade deals are welcome progress towards boosting further growth of the UK music industry which already contributes £7.6 billion annually to the economy. 

    Commitments made in the UK-EU agreement to support cultural exchange for touring artists are an important first step.

    In the same week, we negotiated a first of its kind agreement with the US that will reduce tariffs on car exports to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles per year, almost the total number of UK vehicles exported to the country last year.  

    Just this week, the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in Merseyside, raising living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.   

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tribe Member Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for the Death of a Child

    Source: US FBI

    RENO – An enrolled member of the Ely Shoshone Tribe was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, the maximum sentence, for voluntary manslaughter of a three-year-old girl.

    Colon Jackson (31) pleaded guilty in December 2022 to one count of voluntary manslaughter within Indian Country.

    According to court documents and facts presented in court, on January 9, 2019, on the Ely Shoshone Indian Reservation, the victim’s mother picked her up from day care and took her home so Jackson could care for her while her mother was at work. While the three-year-old girl was in Jackson’s care, he shook and threw the victim’s body. Jackson called the victim’s mother to tell her that the girl was unconscious. The mother came home from work and took the child to the emergency room in Ely. The girl was then flown from Ely to Salt Lake City. She died from the injuries caused by Jackson.

    “The defendant’s senseless act resulted in the death of a child,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are working steadfast to seek justice for victims. In collaboration with state, local, Tribal, and federal law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating reports of missing and murdered Indigenous people, also prioritizing the disproportionately high rates of violence against women and girls.”

    “I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort put forth to hold the defendant accountable for his actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “The FBI stands strongly with tribal and law enforcement partners in our joint commitment to bring justice for victims. Violent crimes, such as this horrendous act, will never go unchallenged.”

    The case was investigated by the FBI, BIA, the White Pine County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ely Shoshone Tribal Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Penelope Brady, Megan Rachow, and Richard Casper prosecuted the case.

    If you have information concerning a missing or murdered person in Indian Country, please contact your local FBI office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov (tips can remain anonymous).

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Heads of G7 Export Credit Agencies – Meeting Communiqué – 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Heads of G7 Export Credit Agencies – Meeting Communiqué – 2025

    The meeting of the heads of G7 Export Credit Agencies met in London, United Kingdom to discuss international trade.

    The leaders of official export credit agencies (ECAs) of the G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America) met in London on 19-20 May, hosted by UK Export Finance, to discuss recent business trends and challenges.

    Serving national customers was at the heart of the meeting. Discussions took place on strengthening supply chains with a focus on critical and raw materials, enhancing domestic support programmes, and adapting to evolving economic and policy landscapes.

    The group also talked about the evolving ECA landscape, the challenges arising from increasing overlap of trade and development, the increasing need to focus on support in emerging markets and mobilise private finance.

    There was a constructive discussion on G7 ECA business under the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits and the Group recognised the need to maintain the level playing field; transparency, relevancy and energy were key issues explored.

    We discussed how best to leverage digital innovation to improve efficiency and better meet customers’ needs. There was agreement that there is a need for investment in AI and digitalisation in order to keep pace with business.

    Acknowledging that we are operating in shifting political times, we agreed that our strength lies in our collaboration. By working together, sharing risks, and trying to resolve challenges together, we can enhance our resilience as ECAs and expand our global outreach, and in doing so we will help support economic growth and stability at home.

    A parallel Growing Professionals programme, now in its fourth year, explored practical innovations in export finance. The initiative brought together seven Growing Professionals from each organisation and aims to foster the next generation of international trade professionals.

    The next meeting is scheduled to be held in Spring 2026 and hosted by US EXIM in Washington.

    Agreed by the Heads of the G7 ECAs/Guardian Authorities.

    Atsuo Kuroda (NEXI, Japan), Bastian Kern (Export Credit Guarantees Germany), Tim Reid (UKEF), Alison Nankivell (EDC, Canada), Armel Castets (Export Finance and Trade Promotion Division, France), James C. Cruse (US EXIM), Paola Valerio (SACE, Italy).

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Northern Ireland to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Northern Ireland to benefit from recent trade deals

    Trade deals with India, US and the EU to help drive growth in Northern Ireland as tariffs on key industries slashed.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • Delivers job security for workers in Northern Ireland and will create more highly skilled jobs in communities.

    Trade deals with India, US and the EU to help drive growth in Northern Ireland as tariffs on key industries slashed.

    These deals will deliver benefits that communities across Northern Ireland will feel – supporting job creation, reducing costs and expanding export opportunities.

    This means stronger economic growth across Northern Ireland – delivering our Plan for Change.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    These trade deals deliver long term security for people in Northern Ireland. They will create opportunities for more seamless trade and attract inward investment to grow the economy, making a difference to people’s lives.   

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across Northern Ireland.

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.  

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.  

    Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): 

    An SPS deal is a win and signals the beginning of making sure that businesses in Northern Ireland face less bureaucracy.

    Three deals in two weeks is a very positive start to trade negotiations. There’s more work to be done, but let’s keep it going. An agreement with the US, greater opportunities for trade with India and the UK-EU deal mark a major reset in relationships, moving us away from the stalemate of the past. This represents progress which can help drive growth and opportunity for businesses in Northern Ireland.

    We must continue to build better relationships and work more closely with our closest trading partners. If we can harness the potential which deals with the EU, India and the US provide, we can turn ambition into success.

    Last year, 143 business exported £65 million in goods to India last year. Our deal means the total number of exports from Northern Ireland is likely to grow as it is set to halve the tariffs on Irish Whiskey from 150% to 75% before they reduce to 40% over ten years.

    In addition, advanced manufacturing that accounts for 11% of employment in Northern Ireland will benefit from India reducing or eliminating tariffs across a wide range of industrial products, including aerospace, medical technologies, or electronics.

    India’s commitment to increasing trade with Northern Ireland is further demonstrated in the opening of a Consulate in Belfast in March this year.

    For the first time ever, the landmark US-UK deal will open up exclusive access for UK beef to the US market. This is a major opportunity for Northern Ireland farmers to sell their high-quality beef to a market of over 300 million people, helping farmers grow their business.

    The deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors. The Government is continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains. 

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, said:

    These deals open the door to new export opportunities for Northern Ireland, giving businesses greater access to some of the world’s largest markets.

    With smoother trade into the EU, growing export opportunities with the US and India, as well as smoother movement of goods within the UK, Northern Ireland is uniquely positioned for investment and growth, and these deals will boost key sectors like agri-food, biotech, and whiskey—strengthening Northern Ireland’s economy and supporting jobs.

    This strategic partnership with the EU will also support jobs and growth in Northern Ireland whilst protecting Northern Ireland’s unique access to the EU single market provided by the Windsor Framework. The agri-food agreement with the EU will remove Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS) frictions, reducing costs and protecting the UK’s internal market. The security and defence deal will strengthen our security and support Northern Ireland defence businesses, and cooperation on law enforcement will help prevent crime and bring perpetrators to justice, and linking our Emissions Trading System schemes will help avoid hikes in bills and prices.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in Northern Ireland, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Health Care Staffing Executive Indicted for Fixing Wages of Nurses

    Source: US FBI

    A federal grand jury in Las Vegas returned an indictment yesterday charging a health care staffing executive with conspiring to fix the wages of Las Vegas nurses, in violation of the Sherman Act.

    According to the one-count felony indictment, Eduardo Lopez, of Las Vegas, held executive positions at three different home health agencies. For each company, Lopez oversaw recruitment, hiring, retention and assignments of nurses and other health care staff. Lopez and other unnamed co-conspirators are charged with agreeing to suppress and eliminate competition for the services of nurses between March 2016 and May 2019. Specifically, Lopez and his co-conspirators are charged with participating in a series of meetings and communications to fix wages of nurses.

    “Wage fixing is a crime that deprives workers of hard-earned wages,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division will be vigilant in protecting workers.”

    “We will continue to partner with the Antitrust Division and the FBI to protect the marketplace and the rights of workers to earn fair wages,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We will investigate and prosecute those who engage in anticompetitive activities.”

    “The wage fixing alleged in this case harmed hardworking Americans and cheated them of fair opportunity and compensation,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI is committed to rooting out anti-competitive activity and corruption.”

    A violation of the Sherman Act carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals and a maximum penalty of a $100 million fine for corporations. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by victims if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum.

    Today’s announcement is the result of a federal investigation being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office and the International Corruption Unit of the FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

    The charges in this case were brought in connection with the Antitrust Division’s ongoing commitment to prosecute anticompetitive conduct affecting American labor markets. Anyone with information on market allocation or price fixing by employers should contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258 or visit www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.

    An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Bilibili Inc. Announces Completion of US$690 Million Convertible Senior Notes and Offering of Class Z Ordinary Shares in Connection with Hedging Transactions of Certain Convertible Notes Investors and Terms of Concurrent Repurchase

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bilibili Inc. (“Bilibili” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BILI and HKEX: 9626), an iconic brand and a leading video community for young generations in China, today announced (i) the completion of its offering (the “Notes Offering”) of US$690 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), including the initial purchasers’ full exercise of option to purchase an additional US$90 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, and (ii) the completion of the previously announced concurrent offering of its 10,281,240 Class Z ordinary shares that have been borrowed from non-affiliate third parties and offered in a separate underwritten offering.

    Notes Offering

    The Notes have been offered to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

    The Notes constitute senior, unsecured obligations of the Company. The Notes will mature on June 1, 2030, unless repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. Holders may convert their Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the seventh scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 42.1747 Class Z ordinary shares per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately HK$185.63 per Class Z ordinary share and represents a conversion premium of approximately 27.1% above the closing price HK$146.00 per Class Z ordinary share of the Company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on May 21, 2025) and a premium of approximately 32.5% to the clearing share price of the Concurrent Delta Offering of HK$140.10 per Class Z ordinary share of the Company, and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. Upon conversion, subject to certain procedures and conditions set forth in the terms of the Notes, the Company will cause to be delivered the Company’s Class Z ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share. Holders may elect to receive the Company’s American depositary shares (“ADS”), each representing one Class Z ordinary share, in lieu of Class Z ordinary shares deliverable upon conversion.

    The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 0.625% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2025.

    The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Notes Offering to enhance its content ecosystem to facilitate user growth, facilitate IP asset creation, and unleash its inherent potential. The Company also plans to use the net proceeds from the Notes Offering to improve its overall monetization efficiency, fund the Concurrent Repurchase (as defined below), fund future repurchases (from time to time) under its share repurchase program, and for other general corporate purposes.

    The Notes, the Class Z ordinary shares deliverable upon conversion of the Notes or the ADSs deliverable in lieu thereof have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws. They may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons, except in reliance on the exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

    Concurrent Delta Offering

    The Company also completed the concurrent offering of its 10,281,240 Class Z ordinary shares that have been borrowed from non-affiliate third parties and offered in a separate underwritten offering by Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. and Morgan Stanley Asia Limited (the “Underwriters” and the “Concurrent Delta Offering”, respectively), each acting severally on behalf of itself and/or its respective affiliates, at HK$140.10 per Class Z ordinary share. The Underwriters used the resulting short position to facilitate hedging transactions by certain investors subscribing for the Notes, who employ a convertible arbitrage strategy (the “Convertible Arbitrage Investors”). The Company has been advised that each Underwriter has concurrently entered into off-market privately negotiated derivative transactions relating to the Class Z ordinary shares, which enabled Convertible Arbitrage Investors to establish their initial short positions in the Class Z ordinary shares to hedge market risk in the Notes. The number of Class Z ordinary shares subject to the Concurrent Delta Offering generally corresponds to such initial short positions of the Convertible Arbitrage Investors. No new Class Z ordinary shares have been issued in the Concurrent Delta Offering.

    The Company has filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (including a prospectus) with the SEC. The Concurrent Delta Offering has been made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You may obtain these documents by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, a copy of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, Attention: Prospectus Department, Email: Prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com, Telephone: 1 (866) 471-2526; or Morgan Stanley Asia Limited, c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, New York, New York 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department, Email: prospectus@morganstanley.com, Telephone: 1 (866) 718-1649.

    The Company has subscribed for and been allocated 5,588,140 of its Class Z ordinary shares offered in the Concurrent Delta Offering for an aggregate amount of approximately HK$782.9 million at the offering price (the “Concurrent Repurchase”). The Concurrent Repurchase is being made pursuant to the Company’s existing share repurchase program. The Company used part of the proceeds from the Notes Offering for the Concurrent Repurchase. The Concurrent Repurchase enables investors to establish some of their initial short positions in the Class Z ordinary shares to hedge market risk in the Notes and reflects the Company’s confidence in its long-term strategy and growth. The repurchased shares will be cancelled.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any of these securities, nor shall there be a sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident,” “potential,” “continue,” or other similar expressions. Bilibili may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its interim and annual reports to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Bilibili’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: results of operations, financial condition, and stock price; Bilibili’s strategies; Bilibili’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Bilibili’s ability to retain and increase the number of users, members and advertising customers, provide quality content, products and services, and expand its product and service offerings; competition in the online entertainment industry; Bilibili’s ability to maintain its culture and brand image within its addressable user communities; Bilibili’s ability to manage its costs and expenses; PRC governmental policies and regulations relating to the online entertainment industry, general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this announcement and in the attachments is as of the date of the announcement, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    About Bilibili Inc.

    Bilibili is an iconic brand and a leading video community with a mission to enrich the everyday lives of young generations in China. Bilibili offers a wide array of video-based content with All the Videos You Like as its value proposition. Bilibili builds its community around aspiring users, high-quality content, talented content creators and the strong emotional bonds among them. Bilibili pioneered the “bullet chatting” feature, a live comment function that has transformed our users’ viewing experience by displaying the thoughts and feelings of audience members viewing the same video. The Company has now become the welcoming home of diverse interests among young generations in China and the frontier for promoting Chinese culture across the world.

    For more information, please visit: http://ir.bilibili.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China:

    Bilibili Inc.
    Juliet Yang
    Tel: -86-21-2509-9255 Ext. 8523
    Email: ir@bilibili.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Helen Wu
    Tel: -86-10-6508-0677
    Email: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: -1-212-481-2050
    Email: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Approved Shau Kei Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Approved Shau Kei Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification. Issued at HKT 16:00

    The Town Planning Board today (June 23) announced amendments to the approved Shau Kei Wan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

    The amendments mainly involve the following items:

    (i) rezoning a site at A Kung Ngam Village and its adjacent areas from “Open Space” (“O”), “Green Belt”, “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Business” (“OU(B)”), “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Comprehensive Recreational Development Area” and areas shown as ‘Road’ to “Residential (Group A)6” for public housing development;

    (ii) rezoning a site to the north of Ming Wah Dai Ha from “O”, “Residential (Group A)” (“R(A)”) and “Government, Institution or Community” (“G/IC”) to “Residential (Group A)5” for public housing development;

    (iii) rezoning a site at 5 A Kung Ngam Village Road from “OU(B)” to “OU(B)1” to facilitate the wholesale conversion of the existing building to hospital; and

    (iv) rezoning a site at 456 Shau Kei Wan Road from “G/IC”, “O” and an area shown as ‘Road’ to “G/IC(1)” to facilitate the redevelopment of an existing social services building.

    Opportunity is also taken to amend the Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP to reflect the above amendments and to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.

    The draft Shau Kei Wan OZP No. S/H9/19, incorporating the amendments, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Hong Kong District Planning Office and (iv) the Eastern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre.

    Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before August 23. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29B on “Submission and Publication of Representations, Comments on Representations and Further Representations under the Town Planning Ordinance” (TPB PG-No. 29B).

    Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29B. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:

    * If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29B, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
    * The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.

    The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) and the Town Planning Board’s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

    Copies of the draft Shau Kei Wan OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board’s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

    Ends/Friday, June 23, 2023
    Issued at HKT 16:00

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Poland: EIB extends €700 million for development of two major new offshore wind farms

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • European Investment Bank is the largest lender by far to Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 offshore wind farms developed by Norway’s Equinor and Poland’s Polenergia.
    • The two large-scale farms in the Baltic Sea will produce enough energy to power two million homes.
    • Third major renewables investment in Poland this year highlights the EU climate bank’s leading role in driving energy transition.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement to provide €700 million for the construction of two large-scale offshore wind farms developed by Norway’s Equinor and Poland’s Polenergia off the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea. The twin Bałtyk 2 and Baltyk 3 wind farms will have a shared capacity of 1.44 GW and are expected to go online fully in 2028.

    “Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 are important projects for Poland’s decarbonisation plans as they will produce enough clean electricity to meet annual demand of two million households. The European Investment Bank has provided €350 million for each wind farm, which makes us the biggest lender by far among some 30 financial institutions involved,” said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska. “This is the EIB’s third major renewables investment in Poland only this year and our third financing for Polish offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea in general, which highlights our dedication to developing green energy in Poland as a prerequisite for both economic competitiveness and security.”

    Located some 30 kilometres off the Polish coastal towns of Ustka and Łeba, the two fixed-bottom wind farms will consist of a hundred wind turbines of 14.4 MW each. Primarily supplied by European companies, the joint venture between Equinor, a leading international player in the offshore wind sector, and Poland’s largest private energy group Polenergia will also contribute to modern development of the EU’s cohesion regions.

    Background information  

    EIB  
    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world. 

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security. In Poland, the EIB Group invested €5.7 billion euros last year, nearly half of which went to climate and environment projects, including energy transition.

    A trusted partner of the multifaceted energy transition in Poland, the EIB made a leading contribution earlier this year to the development of another offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, Baltica 2, the EU’s largest such wind park to date. In 2023, the EIB also financed Poland’s first offshore wind farm.

    InvestEU
    The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investment for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments available to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners that invest in projects, leveraging on the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increasing their risk-bearing capacity and mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – 26 May – 28 May: External parliamentary activities

    Source: European Parliament

    The week of 26 May is dedicated to external parliamentary activities. That includes work back home, in Members’ constituencies, as well as missions outside Parliament’s places of work. During this week, a delegation of the Committee on Development Members will go on a mission to Mauritania, delegates of the Committee on International Trade will travel to Washington, D.C., while the Committee on Budgets will send a delegation on mission to Montenegro. Follow the links below to discover this week’s highlights.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – DAND delegation meeting of 22 May 2025 – Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community

    Source: European Parliament

    A meeting of the EP’s Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community (DAND) took place on 22 May in Brussels.

    It focused on the preparation of the next inter-parliamentary meeting EU-Peru and the presidential and legislative elections held in Ecuador on 13 April 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kotzebue Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Incessant Stalking

    Source: US FBI

    ANCHORAGE – A Kotzebue man was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to seven years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for cyberstalking two individuals who were carrying out their professional responsibilities to protect a child from abuse or neglect. 

    According to court documents, Louis Holger Eklund, 41, relentlessly stalked and threatened two victims and their family members for nearly three years causing them to fear being attacked in their homes and seriously harmed. The victims are an attorney with the Alaska Attorney General’s office and the then-President of the Native Village of Kotzebue. Following a report from the Alaska Office of Child Services that Eklund had abandoned his infant son, the victims followed their professional responsibilities initiating the Child in Need of Aid (CINA) proceedings. Since the CINA proceeding involved an Alaska Native child, the Native Village of Kotzebue became involved per the Indian Child Welfare Act.

    Eklund caused extreme emotional distress to both victims through dozens of phone calls, voicemails and emails in an effort to intimidate their conduct in the proceedings and retaliate against the work they had already done. Even after his indictment and arrest and while trial was pending, Eklund made it clear that he believed his crimes were justified by the victims’ actions and that the laws did not apply to him. Eklund also has a criminal history and a pattern of violence, violating court orders and actively resisting law enforcement.

    Eklund is the second person to recently be sentenced for terrorizing people working in child protection. In March, the U.S. District Court sentenced Peter Lee Norris, also known as Bjorn Erik Happaniemi, to nine years in prison for stalking and threatening an Office of Children’s Services case worker, her attorney and an FBI agent who investigated the case.

    “The defendant’s incessant harassment and threats to both victims and their family members was terrifying,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “There is perhaps no higher calling than protecting children who may be in harm’s way. Stalking and threatening these individuals for carrying out their professional responsibilities is detestable and a criminal act for which we will always seek justice.”    

    “Using online tools to scare and disrupt their daily lives, the defendant tormented and caused substantial distress to both victims, who were merely fulfilling their professional responsibilities,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “In Alaska, no one should feel unsafe in their own home, workplace or community, and the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who engage in such conduct.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of the case.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas Walker prosecuted the case.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fairbanks Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Stalking and Murder for Hire Plot

    Source: US FBI

    FAIRBANKS – A Fairbanks man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline for stalking and attempting to arrange a murder for hire.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at his sentencing, Roger Keeling, 55, devised and solicited a murder for hire plot targeting his former girlfriend while he was in custody on stalking charges. He was indicted in January 2021 and found guilty by a federal jury in August 2021.

    At sentencing, the United States underscored the physical, emotional and mental abuse suffered by Keeling’s former girlfriend. In both her testimony and her victim impact statement, she described the terrifying and traumatic ordeal. As she became increasingly frightened by Keeling’s actions and mental state, she left him. He tried winning her back but when that didn’t work, his anger began to consume him as he stalked her and found someone to murder her.  

    In October 2020 Keeling placed his hands around his girlfriend’s neck, told her he should rip her heart out and threatened to burn her house down. Keeling pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in state court. The victim applied for and was granted a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) and it was served on Keeling before his release on the assault charges. Over the next six weeks, Keeling was arrested – and released by the state court – for violating this DVPO multiple times in an escalating pattern that included following the victim, slashing her tires, sending dozens of threatening emails from various “disguised” email accounts and planting disturbing handwritten notes along her usual running route.

    Keeling was arrested for stalking the victim in December 2020. While in custody, Keeling told his cellmate he wanted to find someone to harm his girlfriend. During the next few days, Keeling agreed to pay his cellmate $1,500 to arrange for a hitman to kill her, and after being released by a state court judge, he made an initial payment of $500. During a search of Keeling’s home, Alaska State Troopers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation found numerous notes and documents confirming the existence of the plot, as well as multiple documents and drawings created by Mr. Keeling that showed his desire to see her harmed, including a hand-drawn picture of her home in flames.

    “While no sentence can atone for the sense of security his victim lost, she no longer has to live in fear always looking over her back and worried about her personal safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “Every citizen has the right to feel safe as they go about their daily life and we will continue to seek justice for victims of such appalling acts.”   

    “This investigation and disruption of Mr. Keeling’s deadly plot should serve as a reminder that the FBI and our partners will vigorously hold those accountable who plan such actions,” said Antony Jung, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Soliciting a murder for hire is a federal crime, and the defendant will now spend the next 12 years in federal prison.”

    The Alaska State Troopers, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fairbanks Police Department conducted the investigated the case.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Doty and Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

    Domestic violence is a crime. If you are a victim of domestic violence or know someone who is, it is normal to feel scared, helpless and vulnerable. You are not alone. Help is available through local and state police departments as well as through national entities such as the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). 

    During a search of Roger Keeling’s home, Alaska State Troopers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation found numerous notes and documents confirming the existence of the murder for hire plot, as well as multiple documents and drawings created by Mr. Keeling that showed his desire to see his former girlfriend harmed, including a hand-drawn picture of her home in flames.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Goose Creek Correctional Center Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Bribery Charges

    Source: US FBI

    ANCHORAGE – A correctional officer at Goose Creek Correctional Center (GCCC) pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges for smuggling contraband into the prison in Wasilla, Alaska.  

    According to court documents, Angela Lincoln, 43, was a correctional officer at the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) facility from 2014 through mid-2020. Beginning in about 2019 she began smuggling contraband into GCCC including Suboxone strips and cell phones for an inmate who is serving a 100-year sentence. The inmate distributed the drugs within the prison and paid tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments to Lincoln. 

    With support from his family members and non-inmate associates, who he called “grinders,” this inmate secretly arranged to deliver the contraband and cash payments to Lincoln. His associates would secretly visit Lincoln’s home and drop the contraband and bribe payments near her fence while no one was looking. They would hide the controlled substances inside books, plastic bottles or candy wrappers to avoid suspicion when dropping the package at the fence. Lincoln would then smuggle the contraband into Goose Creek using her official position to evade security screening, knowing that doing so was in violation of her official duties and knowing that she would be paid in exchange for delivering the contraband and drugs inside GCCC. To deliver the bribe payments to Lincoln, the “grinders” would launder the funds and hide cash in phony trinkets, greeting cards and stuffed animals. Lincoln continued to conceal the conspiracy when initially questioned by FBI agents, falsely reporting that the money was payments for old DVDs, video games and an old meat grinder. None of that was true, and the payments were really bribes paid in exchange for her smuggling efforts.

    As a correctional officer she was required to protect inmates and staff by, among other things, ensuring that contraband – including drugs and cell phones – did not enter or remain in the facility where inmates could access them. 

    Goose Creek Correctional Center is an Alaska DOC-run medium-security prison for men located in Wasilla, Alaska. The facility houses up to approximately 1,300 inmates and employs approximately 333 staff members. 

    Lincoln’s sentencing hearing has not yet been set.  She faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison for the bribery and conspiracy charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson of the District of Alaska made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case with valuable assistance provided by the Alaska Department of Corrections.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Allen, Kelly Cavanaugh and Ryan Tansey are prosecuting the case.
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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anchorage Couple Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Drugs and Money Laundering

    Source: US FBI

    ANCHORAGE – Two people were sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to federal prison for distributing drugs and money laundering.

    May Saelee, aka “The First Lady,” 47, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty in August 2019 to drug conspiracy and money laundering charges. Saelee’s husband, Cher Vang, aka “The President,” 47, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Vang pleaded guilty in July 2019 to drug conspiracy and money laundering charges. The couple was arrested in August 2018 as part of a months-long federal investigation into a drug ring operating out of Mountain View.

    According to court documents, between August 2011 and 2018, Saelee and Vang distributed methamphetamine from their home and other locations in Anchorage. Through multiple drug sales during this seven-year period, they sold more than 306 grams of actual methamphetamine. The couple then used the proceeds of their drug sales to purchase various items including jewelry and personal property. Additionally, between March 2015 and August 2018, Saelee and Vang structured bank deposits totaling more than $150,000 into their accounts to avoid federal banking requirements and to conceal that the source of the money was from drug proceeds.

    As part of the plea agreement, Saelee and Vang will forfeit to the United States any property derived from their illegal activities including but not limited to: jewelry, money, guns and personal property.

    “With today’s sentencing, we have put an end to another drug trafficking ring responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Anchorage and the surrounding area,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “These dangerous drugs are destructive poisons that threaten the health and safety of our communities. We will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure that drug traffickers are held responsible for the harm they cause.”

    “Drug trafficking and money laundering cause immense harm to our communities,” said Bret Kressin, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “IRS-CI will continue to use our expertise to investigate those who knowingly traffic these damaging substances and will continue to bring these individuals to justice.”

    The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephan Collins prosecuted the case.

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

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney, FBI Announce Federal Charges Against Zuni Man for Murder

    Source: US FBI

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man has been charged with second degree murder in Indian Country.

    The indictment alleges that on or about December 1, 2024, Glendon Laate, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, allegedly killed John Doe with malice aforethought by shooting him with a homemade firearm.

    Laate will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduledIf convicted, Laate faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is 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 Security: A Las Cruces, New Mexico, Drug Leader Sentenced to 270 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking in Sitka, Alaska

    Source: US FBI

    JUNEAU – A Las Cruces, New Mexico woman was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess today to 270 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

    According to the plea agreement, Christina Quintana aka “Lete,” 35, conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in Sitka, Alaska and she possessed and discharged a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

    Beginning about May 2, 2017, and continuing until April 3, 2018, Quintana, along with her co-conspirators Andrea Avalos, Peter Krovina, Porter Treadway, Holly Chambers, Aaron Didrickson and Eric Morisky distributed methamphetamine and heroin in Sitka. Quintana and Avalos, who did not reside in Alaska, were responsible for the transportation and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin as well as coordinating and collecting drug debts. The other members of the conspiracy assisted Quintana and Avalos in their illicit activities. All member of the drug organization possessed firearms to facilitate their drug trafficking activities, as well as to extract retribution against members who owed drug debts. For example, the defendants organized and perpetrated a violent home invasion and robbery where Quintana shot an individual in both legs and Treadway attacked another individual with a claw hammer, to collect a drug debt owed to them. In issuing today’s sentence Chief Judge Burgess said Quintana’s conduct was beyond the pale on that day.  

    “Illicit narcotics are a cancer in our society and many Southeast Alaska communities have suffered at the hands of this epidemic for years,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson of the District of Alaska. “The violence committed in this case has shaken the community of Sitka and is one of the worst drug offenses committed in Southeast Alaska in the last few decades.”

    “The defendant came to Alaska for the sole financial motivation of trafficking illicit narcotics,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office.  “Drug traffickers who believe they can operate with impunity, while bringing poison and violence to Alaska’s communities, will be held accountable by the FBI and our local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement partners.” 

    “The brazenness of Quintana’s actions clearly warrant this significant sentence,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Olson. “She showed a complete disregard for the law and jeopardized the community as a whole.  The removal of Quintana and her co-conspirators from the streets will help make our communities safer.” 

    Quintana’s co-conspirators also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced:

    • Andrea Avalos, aka “Josie,” 25, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
    • Peter Krovina, aka, “Lil’ Pete,” 42, of Sitka pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and firearms charges and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.   
    • Holly Chambers, 28, of Sitka pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charge and was sentenced to time served.    
    • Aaron Didrickson, 32 of Sitka pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charge and was sentenced to time served.    
    • Eric Morisky, aka “Curly,” 33, of Juneau pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge and was sentenced to four years in prison.    
    • Porter Treadway, 39, of Sitka pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge and is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2022.    

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Sitka Police Department investigated the case with assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska Rural Alaska Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAAVEN) initiative’s ongoing efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in Alaska Native communities. The case is also part of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the South East Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) task force. HIDTA was established in 2018 to enhance and coordinate efforts among local state and federal law enforcement agencies, providing equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of Alaska. 

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures 19-Year Sentences for Defendants in 2020 Murder Case

    Source: US FBI

    ALBUQUERQUE – Two defendants have each been sentenced to 19 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $5,355.60 for their roles in the brutal 2020 murder of Jane Doe.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    On January 23, 2020, Stacey Yellowhorse, 53, and her then-boyfriend Timothy Chischilly, 51, both enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, invited Jane Doe to Chischilly’s home in Mexican Springs. That night, they restrained Doe by nailing her hands and head to the floor and then bludgeoned her to death before burning her remains and scattering them across various locations in the Navajo Nation.

    Following the murder, Yellowhorse and Chischilly misled Doe’s family about her whereabouts, falsely claiming that Yellowhorse had dropped Doe off at a local restaurant. They visited Doe’s family a few days after the murder, and Yellowhorse assured them that they would find her safe, including telling Doe’s seven-year-old daughter that Yellowhorse was going to look for the girl’s mother and would bring her back safe.

    On January 27, 2020, after Jane Doe was reported missing, Chischilly confessed to his family, detailing how he and Yellowhorse had killed Doe. This confession led to their arrest on February 1, 2020.

    Chischilly pled guilty to second-degree murder in February 2024. Shortly before trial was set to begin in March 2024, Yellowhorse also pled guilty to second-degree murder.

    Upon their release from prison, Yellowhorse and Chischilly will be subject to five years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department, Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations and the Gallup Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Brawley and Tavo Hall are prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tucson Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse

    Source: US FBI

    TUCSON, Ariz. – Eric David Marrufo, 43, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to life in prison. Marrufo was convicted of five counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact With a Child.

    A jury convicted Marrufo on August 19, 2022, of sexually abusing the victims at his home on the Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation between August 1, 2006, and August 1, 2008. Marrufo is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pascua Yaqui Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew C. Cassell and Rui Wang, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-17-0976-TUC-CKJ-EJM
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-113_Marrufo

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation Clean House

    Source: US FBI

    TUCSON, AZ—The FBI’s Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force (SAVCGTF) organized a two-week fugitive apprehension operation named Operation Clean House, that proactively arrested multiple violent offenders throughout Pima County.

    This operation ran from July 18 through July 28 and resulted in arrests and drug and weapons seizures.

    • 88 arrests
      • 4 of which were homicide suspects
    • Over 9,000 fentanyl pills seized
    • 10 firearms seized

    This operation was successful due to the dedication and partnership with our local, state, and federal partners. Our partners assisting with this operation include:

    • FBI
    • Pima County Sheriff’s Department
    • Tucson Police Department
    • U.S. Marshals District of Arizona
    • Marana Police Department
    • Oro Valley police Department
    • Pascua Yaqui Police Department
    • Tohono O’odham Police Department

    “The FBI remains committed to doing our part to combat violent crime throughout Arizona,” said Akil Davis, special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “This operation underscores our invaluable partnerships with law enforcement, and these collaborative efforts will continue to benefit Arizona as we work to eradicate violent criminals in our communities.”

    “I am extremely pleased by the cooperation of our Federal and regional partners to curtail the many outstanding arrest warrants related to violent crimes,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. “This effort demonstrates we are committed to keeping our communities safe.”

    “While the number of incidents of violent crime in the City of Tucson is continuing to trend lower this year, the numbers are not as low as they could be. Collaborative law enforcement efforts like this one developed through the Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program are playing a pivotal role in helping to make our community safer,” said Tucson Police Department Chief Chad Kasmar. “City of Tucson leadership is grateful for the regional public safety effort and many active community partners that are all contributing to a safer Tucson.”

    The Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force was created in 2020 and was designed to take advantage of the combined resources of several agencies and provide a solid foundation for addressing significant violent crime and gang violence in Southern Arizona.

    The SAVCGTF is comprised of agents and officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Tucson Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection-Office of Professional Responsibility, U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Arizona, and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

    The FBI Phoenix Field Office, Tucson Resident Agency would also like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office—District of Arizona, and the Pima County Attorney’s Office for their help on this case.

    The FBI’s goal is stopping violent crime, getting drugs and weapons off the streets, and delivering justice for crimes committed in our communities and against U.S. citizens. Violent crime is not a problem that can be solved by law enforcement alone, we need the help of the community. You can provide an anonymous tip to an FBI field office, at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York and North Yorkshire set to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    York and North Yorkshire set to benefit from recent trade deals

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will benefit a range of manufacturing sectors that employ nearly 9% of all people in York and North Yorkshire.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • Delivers a welcome boost to a range of manufacturing sectors that employ nearly 9% of people in the region.

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will benefit a range of manufacturing sectors that employ nearly 9% of all people in York and North Yorkshire. 

    Reducing India’s tariffs on machinery, slashing tariffs on car exports in both deals and our agreement with the US to remove the 25% tariff on steel provides stability for more than 1,500 businesses in the region employing 43,000 people. 

    This means greater job security for workers and stronger economic growth to create more jobs across York and North Yorkshire – delivering on the priorities in our Plan for Change.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for nearly 9% of people in York and North Yorkshire who are employed in manufacturing. 

    It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives. 

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across York and North Yorkshire.

    Over 31,000 people employed in agriculture across the region will also benefit from our agreement with the EU, which reduces red tape and burdens on business, meaning regional specialties like crab, Yorkshire Pudding and cheeses will face easy access to the UK’s biggest trading market.

    The agreement also protects British steel exports from new EU rules and restrictive, providing further security for 8,400 jobs in the steel industry across Yorkshire and the Humber.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in North Yorkshire, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.  

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.  

    Tom Richardson, Chief Commercial Officer, Warrendale Group Limited, said:  

    While we are yet to see the full detail of the agreement, having less red tape when exporting will be welcome to us as a UK beef production business; this will hopefully allow us to reduce time and costs when exporting our products and therefore could open up more markets in the EU to ultimately benefit the farmers producing beef for us.

    Our increased trade with India will unlock opportunities for every region in the UK to access the world’s fastest growing economy, including in York and North Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector.

    Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, India has agreed to remove tariffs on a wide variety of UK agri-food products. This will deliver significant benefits for the region’s farming and horticultural sector that produces 20% of all the UK’s agri-food.

    In the same week, we negotiated a first of its kind agreement with the US that will reduce tariffs on UK car exports and remove tariffs on steel, protecting two key industries in the region that employ thousands of people. 

    The US deal also opens the way to a wider UK-US Economic Deal, opening up access for our world leading services industries – including those in York and North Yorkshire. 

    Just this week, the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in York and North Yorkshire, raising living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.  

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: West of England to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    West of England to benefit from recent trade deals

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will benefit manufacturing that accounts for around 5% of all employment in the West of England.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Mayor for the West of England Helen Godwin to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • Agreement with the EU a huge boost to 64,000 people employed in agriculture across the South West.

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will benefit manufacturing that accounts for around 5% of all employment in the West of England. 

    Reducing India’s tariffs on machinery, reducing the US tariff on cars and removing American tariffs on UK aerospace will support employers with a significant presence in the region like Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace. 

    This means job security for workers, jobs creation supported in local communities and higher living standards across the West of England – priorities that we are delivering through Plan for Change.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The trade deals that we have closed provides certainty for the 5% of all working people who are employed in manufacturing, delivers security for their families and puts more in people’s pockets.  

    It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.   

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across the West of England.

    68,000 people employed in agriculture (a fifth of all agriculture workers in England) across the South West will benefit significantly from our trade deal with the EU, that removes red tape and burdens on business, meaning regional specialties like Cheddar Cheese now have easy access to the UK’s biggest trading market.

    In another win for local producers, the deal means goods like Gloucestershire sausages that previously could not be exported can now be sold to customers in the EU.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in the West of England, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.  

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.  

    John Harrison, Chair of Airbus UK, said:

    We welcome this new chapter in the UK-EU relationship. In an uncertain world, closer cooperation gives businesses greater certainty and unlocks new opportunities for investment, innovation and growth.

    For Airbus, with our unique industrial footprint across both the UK and EU, this reset provides a vital platform to strengthen partnerships in defence, space and civil aerospace, areas where collaboration is essential to Europe’s long-term security and competitiveness.

    Our increased trade with India will unlock opportunities for every region in the UK to access the world’s fastest growing major economy, including the West of England. 

    Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, the barriers to trading have been dropped, with India agreeing to reduce tariffs on products including advanced machinery, aerospace and medical devices that are made in the West of England. 

    Based on 2022 trade alone, this amounts to India cutting tariffs worth over £400 million when the deal comes into force, which will more than double to around £900 million after 10 years.    

    India reduced tariffs on medical devices and machinery exported from the UK, that will deliver significant benefits for firms across Bristol and the wider region. 

    The deals both support collaboration on green energy tech, aligning with the region’s initiatives in renewables and energy innovation. They also bring benefits to the financial, digital and services companies that are based in Bristol which employ local people and generate economic growth across the region. 

    Just this week, the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in the West of England, raising standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.  

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Teesside to benefit from recent trade deals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Teesside to benefit from recent trade deals

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will boost the Tees Valley’s manufacturing industries (9% of local jobs), with tariffs on car exports slashed alongside a range of other measures.

    • Prime Minister to meet with the Metro Mayor of the Tees Valley Ben Houchen to discuss the benefits of his recent trade deals.
    • Comes as we’ve nailed three trade deals in as many weeks to deliver growth that is a priority for the Plan for Change.
    • Delivers a welcome boost to a range of manufacturing sectors that employs 9% of local jobs.

    The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will boost the Tees Valley’s manufacturing industries (9% of local jobs), with tariffs on car exports slashed alongside a range of other measures.   

    Reducing India’s tariffs on machinery, slashing tariffs on car exports in both deals and our agreement with the US to remove the 25% tariff on steel provides stability for the biggest employers in the region like Nissan, the engine manufacturer Cummins and Caterpillar.   

    This means greater job security for workers, stronger economic growth to support more jobs and higher living standards across the Tees Valley – priorities that we are delivering through our Plan for Change.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

    The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for manufacturing in the Tees Valley that employs 9% of all people.   

    It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.   

    These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across the Teesside.

    10,123 people employed in agriculture across the North East are also set to benefit from our trade deal with the EU. It means less checks and red tape, meaning farmers and producers who grow food across the region now have easy access to the EU, the UK’s biggest trading partner.

    This deal also protects British steel exports from new rules and restrictive tariffs, helping to protect 3,050 people working in the steel industry across the North East.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.

    We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in Teesside, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.

    The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.    

    He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.   

    Our increased trade with India will unlock opportunities for every region in the UK to access the world’s fastest growing major economy, including for businesses in the Tees Valley like independent production company Wander.

    Chloe Clover, Co Founder and CEO at Wander:

    Trade deals like these are game changing for ambitious businesses because they open doors, spark innovation and make international growth possible.

    The support Wander received from DBT on our recent trade missions to SXSW Austin and Amsterdam gave us the perfect platform to expand our services globally. We connected with major industry players, explored new markets and showcased our expertise at roundtables.

    We attended bootcamps ahead of the missions and were introduced to other agencies and potential clients & partners.

    Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, tariffs on cars sold to India will come down from over 100% to 10% under a quota, while other tariff reductions on aerospace parts will also benefit Teesside’s manufacturing sector. 

    Based on 2022 trade alone, this amounts to India cutting tariffs worth over £400 million when the deal comes into force, which will more than double to around £900 million after 10 years.     

    In the same week, we negotiated the first of its kind agreement with the US that will reduce tariffs on UK car exports and remove tariffs on steel, protecting two key industries in Teesside that employ thousands of people.  

    Just this week the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in Teesside, raising living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.    

    At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom