NewzIntel.com

Category: Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for $1.5 Million COVID-Relief Fraud

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

    CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a suburban Chicago man to more than five years in prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in small business loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

    Over a five-month period in 2021, FEROZ JALAL participated in a scheme to defraud banks and the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program allowed qualifying small businesses to receive low-interest, government-backed loans to cover a temporary loss of revenue during the Covid pandemic.  As part of the scheme, Jalal submitted to lenders and the SBA at least a dozen applications for PPP loans on behalf of businesses that he and others purportedly owned.  The applications contained false statements and misrepresentations concerning the purported entities’ employees, revenues, costs, and statuses of operations.  In support of his applications, Jalal provided, among other things, fake IRS tax filings and bogus spreadsheets that purported to document the companies’ payroll expenses.

    Jalal and co-schemers submitted fraudulent applications for PPP loans in amounts totaling $1.792 million, causing $1.644 million to be disbursed by lenders.

    Jalal, 51, of Niles, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to bank fraud and money laundering charges.  On Feb. 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge John F. Kness sentenced Jalal to five years and two months in federal prison and ordered him to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution to the SBA.

    The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations.  Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).  The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes.

    Anyone with information about attempted Covid-relief fraud can report it to the Department of Justice by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721, or by filing an online complaint at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waukee Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl and Fraud-Related Charges

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

    DES MOINES, Iowa – A Waukee man was sentenced today to 32 years in federal prison for fraud, money laundering, and fentanyl distribution.

    According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Stephan Rashad Haley, 36, also known as “Ace” and “Bosh,” acquired large quantities of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl from multiple drug sources and distributed the fentanyl-laced pills in the Southern District of Iowa. During an October 2023 search warrant at Haley’s Waukee residence, law enforcement located a stolen, loaded pistol, marijuana, cocaine, and pills containing fentanyl. Haley used the stolen pistol during an October 2023 shooting at an apartment complex in West Des Moines. At sentencing, the Court found Haley was responsible for more than 12 kilograms of fentanyl.

    From May to August 2023, Haley also participated in a vast, multi-million-dollar fraud scheme. Working with coconspirators located throughout the country, Haley recruited at least three other individuals to open fraudulent bank accounts and deposit stolen checks. The portion of the conspiracies in which Haley participated caused an intended loss of over $3.5 million to more than 10 victims.

    After completing his term of imprisonment, Haley will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Haley was also ordered to pay $66,437 in restitution.

    Ten of Haley’s co-defendants in the fraud and money laundering case remain set for trial, currently scheduled to begin on June 23, 2025. Eight co‑defendants have pleaded guilty.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and West Des Moines Police Department, with assistance from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Clive Police Department, United States Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Des Moines Police Department, Secret Service, and numerous state and local agencies from across the country.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug Distributor Caught with Massive Amounts of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine as Well as Firearms, Body Armor, and Silencer Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison

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

    Tacoma – A 32-year-old Renton, Washington resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 13 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Shawn Ellis was arrested in March 2023, when federal agents moved in following a two-year investigation of drug trafficking activities. A search of Ellis’ car turned up buckets filled with fentanyl pills and kilos of methamphetamine, as well as four firearms – including a machine gun. At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “We’re talking about a significant amount of controlled substances,” and added, “What is really significant and obviously scary for the community is the firearms.”

    According to records filed in the case, Ellis was a prolific drug redistributor. He obtained drugs from one branch of the drug conspiracy and sold the drugs to other customers for profit. Ellis would order as much as 30 pounds of methamphetamine at a time. When Ellis was arrested, agents seized the buckets of fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as cocaine and fake Xanax pills. Ellis carried four guns in the car to protect his drugs – a loaded pistol between the driver’s seat and center console, an SK-15 rifle hidden in a violin case, a shotgun and a second loaded pistol. He also had body armor in the vehicle.

    In a storage shed Ellis controlled were five additional firearms, a large amount of ammunition, additional body armor and a homemade silencer. Ellis also stored cash, jewelry, precious metals, coins and other collectibles in the shed – proceeds of his drug trafficking.

    Ellis has two prior felony drug convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

    In asking for a 15-year sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “But the danger Ellis posed to the community does not stop (with his possession of a silencer). He carried guns in his car along with his drugs, including a pistol which he kept close at hand near the driver’s seat. Ellis also kept in the car a second pistol, a shotgun, and an AR-15 type rifle that he hid in a violin case. This rifle proved to be a machinegun that fires fully automatically. As a felon, Ellis could not legally possess any firearms, much less a silencer or a machinegun.”

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Votes Against Confirming Kash Patel to be FBI Director

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted against the confirmation of Kash Patel to be the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
    “The FBI is one of the most important law enforcement agencies in the country. It prevents terror attacks, investigates drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other organized crime, and combats public corruption,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Kash Patel, however, has said he wants to gut the bureau and use the government’s power to target President Trump’s political enemies. A Patel-led FBI will not prioritize keeping Nevada families safe, and I therefore cannot vote to confirm him.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Okfuskee County Resident Pleads Guilty to Armed Felony Assault

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

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gregory Dwayne Guinn, a/k/a Gregory Dewayne Guinn, age 23, of Okemah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence.

    The Indictment alleged that on January 15, 2024, Guinn assaulted an individual with a dangerous weapon, with intent to do bodily harm.  The Indictment also alleged that on that day, Guinn knowingly used, carried, brandished, and discharged a firearm during and in relation to that crime of violence.

    The crimes occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  Guinn will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob R. Parker and Patrick M. Flanigan represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lawton Man Sentenced to Serve Life in Federal Prison for Murder After Woman’s Body is Found in Wildlife Refuge

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

    Co-Defendant Previously Sentenced to Serve 96 Months for Accessory After the Fact to Murder

    OKLAHOMA CITY – TEVIN TERRELL SEMIEN, 30, of Lawton, has been sentenced to serve life in federal prison for second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    According to public record, on May 17, 2023, Karon “Dinkers” Conneywerdy Smith, 68, was found dead in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Investigators searched Smith’s home, which was within Indian Country, and observed blood consistent with a violent struggle. Smith’s vehicle was missing as well. On May 21, 2023, Texas law enforcement observed Smith’s vehicle driving south of Dallas, Texas. Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the vehicle fled at a high speed and eventually crashed into a lake. The two occupants of the vehicle, later identified as Semien and Nicole Leigh Logsdon, attempted to flee on foot but were apprehended.

    On October 17, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a four-count Indictment against Semien and co-defendant Nicole Leigh Logsdon, 25, also of Lawton. The Indictment charged Semien with one count of first-degree premeditated murder, one alternative count of second-degree murder, and one count of illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction. Logsdon was separately charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

    On April 22, 2024, Semien pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. As part of his plea, Semien admitted to deliberately and intentionally killing Smith.

    On January 10, 2024, Logsdon pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder and admitted to helping Semien in his attempt to avoid arrest and prosecution. On July 15, 2024, Logsdon was sentenced to serve 96 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    At the sentencing hearing on February 3, 2025, U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Semien to serve life in federal prison. In announcing his sentence, Judge Friot noted the nature and circumstances of the offense, pointing out that Semien’s choices and conduct amounted to an “unfathomably cruel and depraved murder.” Judge Friot also noted Semien’s criminal history.  Public record further reflects that Semien has previous felony convictions which include burglary in Jefferson County, Texas, and conspiracy to commit second degree burglary in Comanche County District Court case number CF-2022-292.

    This case is in federal court because Smith and Logsdon are enrolled members of the Comanche Nation and the murder occurred within Indian Country.

    This case is a result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City, Dallas, and New Orleans field offices; the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the Comanche Nation Police Department; the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office; the Lawton Police Department; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Rice, Texas Police Department; and the Navarro County, Texas Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell and Trial Attorney Mark Stoneman with DOJ’s Criminal Division (former AUSA with the Western District of Oklahoma) prosecuted the case.

    The case furthers the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons efforts to address violence against Native American individuals. More information about this initiative is at https://www.justice.gov/tribal/mmip.

    Reference is made to public filings for more information. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug distributor caught with massive amounts of fentanyl and meth as well as firearms, body armor, and silencer sentenced to 13 years in prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tacoma – A 32-year-old Renton, Washington resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 13 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Shawn Ellis was arrested in March 2023, when federal agents moved in following a two-year investigation of drug trafficking activities. A search of Ellis’ car turned up buckets filled with fentanyl pills and kilos of methamphetamine, as well as four firearms – including a machine gun. At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “We’re talking about a significant amount of controlled substances,” and added, “What is really significant and obviously scary for the community is the firearms.”

    According to records filed in the case, Ellis was a prolific drug redistributor. He obtained drugs from one branch of the drug conspiracy and sold the drugs to other customers for profit. Ellis would order as much as 30 pounds of methamphetamine at a time. When Ellis was arrested, agents seized the buckets of fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as cocaine and fake Xanax pills. Ellis carried four guns in the car to protect his drugs – a loaded pistol between the driver’s seat and center console, an SK-15 rifle hidden in a violin case, a shotgun and a second loaded pistol. He also had body armor in the vehicle.

    In a storage shed Ellis controlled were five additional firearms, a large amount of ammunition, additional body armor and a homemade silencer. Ellis also stored cash, jewelry, precious metals, coins and other collectibles in the shed – proceeds of his drug trafficking.

    Ellis has two prior felony drug convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

    In asking for a 15-year sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “But the danger Ellis posed to the community does not stop (with his possession of a silencer). He carried guns in his car along with his drugs, including a pistol which he kept close at hand near the driver’s seat. Ellis also kept in the car a second pistol, a shotgun, and an AR-15 type rifle that he hid in a violin case. This rifle proved to be a machinegun that fires fully automatically. As a felon, Ellis could not legally possess any firearms, much less a silencer or a machinegun.”

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins’ Statement on Nomination of Kash Patel to Serve as FBI Director

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Published: February 20, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement on the nomination of Kash Patel to serve as Director of the FBI:
    “The nomination of Kash Patel to serve as Director of the FBI comes to the Senate against the backdrop of recent personnel actions at the Department of Justice, including the resignations of several career federal prosecutors who felt they were being instructed to act in a manner inconsistent with their ethical obligations.  In addition, a questionnaire has been sent to thousands of FBI employees regarding their involvement in certain investigations.  As I have stated previously, these initiatives raise the specter that adverse actions could be taken against FBI employees – including special agents in the field – who have dedicated their careers to public service and who do not choose their assignments.  It is critical that any efforts to promote accountability at the FBI be carefully calibrated and not have the effect of driving away dedicated public servants who keep our country and communities safe. 
    “In this context, there is a compelling need for an FBI Director who is decidedly apolitical.  While Mr. Patel has had 16 years of dedicated public service, his time over the past four years has been characterized by high profile and aggressive political activity.  Mr. Patel has made numerous politically charged statements in his book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very institution he has been nominated to lead. These statements, in conjunction with the questionnaire sent to thousands of FBI employees, cast doubt on Mr. Patel’s ability to advance the FBI’s law enforcement mission in a way that is free from the appearance of political motivation.
    “While I strongly support efforts to ensure all federal employees perform their responsibilities ethically and in accordance with the law, Mr. Patel’s recent political profile undermines his ability to serve in the apolitical role of Director of the FBI.
    “Therefore, I will vote against his nomination.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch at the FBI HQ: “Kash Patel is a crown jewel in Trump’s lawless rampage.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, joined Senate Judiciary Democrats outside of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Headquarters building to call on their Republican colleagues to block the nomination of Kash Patel, President Trump’s pick to serve as Director of the FBI. The Senators highlighted the dire consequences of Mr. Patel’s willingness to take out vengeance on behalf of President Trump and called on their colleagues to oppose his appointment as the FBI Director on the Senate Floor today. 
    Read Senator Welch’s remarks below:  
    “Since January 20th, Donald Trump has been on a lawless rampage. He has invaded the authority of Congress by canceling programs that have appropriated funds. He’s inflicted cruelty on people who have been loyal public servants in agencies across the country. He is threatening farmers with these high tariffs, calling it an emergency.  
    “Kash Patel is a crown jewel in this lawless rampage. He’s an instrument of Donald Trump’s effort to destroy the Justice Department and the FBI, so that he is absolutely and completely, not only above the law, but beyond the law. He’s called it ‘my Justice Department.’ Kash Patel agrees. He willingly agrees to carry out the vengeance tour of Donald Trump. That’s what he does. 
    “This FBI has been so revered in our country. Sure, it has issues at various times, as every agency does. But this has been a non-political agency. No longer. And when in the confirmation hearing, my colleagues…asked about the purge? He heard nothing. See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing. He didn’t know anything about it. Two days later, it comes out he was masterminding it and implementing it as he was lying to us in the committee.  
    “So, the biggest threat to our country right now is Donald Trump’s frontal assault on the rule of law, and one of the generals in that assault is Kash Patel. We must defeat his appointment as the FBI Director.” 
    Watch a livestream and view photos from the press conference below: 
    Senator Welch joined Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senate Judiciary Committee members Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) at the press conference. 
    In the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Welch has expressed reservations about Mr. Patel’s nomination. During Mr. Patel’s confirmation hearing, Senator Welch grilled him about his refusal to acknowledge that President Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election and stressed the importance of combatting any attempt to weaponize the Department of Justice and the FBI under the Trump Administration. Last week, Senator Welch reacted to reports that Mr. Patel has been personally involved in the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to target and fire career FBI agents and officials. Under oath, Mr. Patel told Senator Welch he had no recollection of the purge at the FBI. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The US has a long history of meddling in Latin America. What’s different about Donald Trump’s approach?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    Jimmy Carter, who was president from 1977 to 1981, considered the treaties signed in 1977 to cede control of the Panama Canal to Panama, ending over a century of strained relations, one of the crowning achievements of his administration.

    Today, Panamanians are uncertain whether Donald Trump will abide by these treaties – and are nervous about what could happen next. Panamanian journalists that I have spoken with are increasingly concerned that the US will invade.

    Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out using the US military to seize the Panama Canal, if necessary, despite boasting that he had an impeccable record of not starting any new wars.

    While this appears to be a huge departure in US foreign policy towards Latin America, the US has had a long history of invading, meddling, supporting coups and offering clandestine support to violent non-state actors in the region.

    One historian has noted that the US participated (directly and indirectly) in regime change in Latin America more than 40 times in the last century. This figure does not even take into account failed missions that didn’t result in regime change, such as the US’s orchestrated invasion of the Bay of Pigs in Cuba in 1961.

    When the US is not intervening, its approach to the region has been described as “benign neglect”. During these interludes, Latin America was mostly ignored while the US prioritised other geopolitical interests.

    Return to the old ways?

    But Trump’s latest threats to Panama are a return to the paternalistic era of US foreign policy towards Latin America. This arguably started with the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 — a framework that aimed to protect US interests in the region from European aggression. Latin America essentially became the US’s backyard. At the time, the Monroe Doctrine received some support from Latin American countries that were hoping for independence from Europe and republican forms of government.



    Read more:
    US pressure has forced Panama to quit China’s Belt and Road Initiative – it could set the pattern for further superpower clashes

    But this would change with the increasingly interventionist posture of US president Theodore Roosevelt during his two terms from 1901 to 1909. On November 18 1903, when Panama was just 15 days old, Roosevelt signed the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty , in which the US promised to support Panamanian independence from Colombia in exchange for rights to build and operate the Panama Canal. Reportedly the deal was engineered by a Frenchman, Philippe Bunau-Varilla, and no Panamanians were involved. This was the era of “big stick diplomacy” where the US would muscle its way into getting what it wanted with a series of credible threats.

    During the cold war, Washington’s stance in Latin America became even more interventionist. The US backed authoritarian rule by right-wing military dictatorships in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguary and Honduras.

    The US government provided organisation, financial and technical support for military regimes that were disappearing, kidnapping, torturing and murdering their political opponents, during Operation Condor in the 1970s. Democratically elected leaders Jacobo Árbenz and Salvador Allende were removed from power with the help of US covert action in Guatemala in 1954, and Chile in 1973, respectively.



    Read more:
    Operation Condor: why victims of the oppression that swept 1970s South America are still fighting for justice

    The US was also responsible for funding and training violent non-state groups such as the Contras, a rebel force which was set up in Nicaragua to oppose the Sandinista government. The US also supported the right-wing Arena government which was accused of setting up death squads during the bloody civil war in El Salvador) in which thousands of civilians were killed.

    With the Carter administration’s human rights-focused foreign policy, the US finally did the right thing when it came to returning the Panama Canal to the Panamanians. To accomplish this, Carter had to work hard to build bipartisan support to see the long-term benefits of improving US-Panamanian relations and improving US relations with Latin America more generally.

    From the US standpoint, the canal was no longer economically important. At the same time, the canal had become an issue of national pride in Panama, with mass student-led protests breaking out on January 9 1964 when Panamanians were barred from flying their national flag in the US-controlled canal zone. The day became known as Martyr’s Day after 21 Panamanians were killed by US troops.

    Relations improved after the Carter-Torrijos treaties were signed. But the US returned to an interventionist strategy when it send nearly 26,000 troops to invade Panama during Operation Just Cause in 1989 – the largest US deployment since the Vietnam war.

    Though the goal to remove Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega (who had formerly been on the CIA payroll) was achieved, more than 500 Panamanians were reportedly killed. Unofficial estimates suggest there may have been as many as 2,000-3,000 deaths.

    Six months after the 1989 invasion, I went to Panama for the summer, and saw first-hand the destruction caused. Looting had been rampant, with millions of dollars worth of goods stolen. There were concerns that the economy in Colón (Panama’s second largest city) wouldn’t be able to recover.

    The impoverished neighbourhood of El Chorillo in Panama City was overwhelmed by a massive use of firepower, including F-117 stealth bombers, Blackhawk helicopters, Apache and Cobra helicopters, 2,000-pound bombs and Hellfire missiles.

    In spite of the devastation, the US could, at least, argue that it invaded in order to restore democracy in Panama. But fast forward to today and Trump has made it clear that he doesn’t care about democracy and human rights. He does care, however, about increasing Chinese economic influence in Latin America – and this high-profile pushback is actually about bullying the Panamanian government to stop doing deals with Beijing.

    And while the seizure of the Panama Canal would probably make very little difference to the US economy, it would make a huge impact to the economy of Panama. The Panamanian government astutely made important investments to enlarge the canal from 2007-2016, and today the canal’s revenues are worth US$5 billion (£3.9 billion), or about 4% of Panama’s GDP.

    The “America first” agenda fails to understand how long-term alliances work, how soft power works, and the importance of having credibility and a vision. In the past, the US has often been aggressive, assertive and interventionist in Latin America, with Trump it looks like all these qualities are back.

    Natasha Lindstaedt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The US has a long history of meddling in Latin America. What’s different about Donald Trump’s approach? – https://theconversation.com/the-us-has-a-long-history-of-meddling-in-latin-america-whats-different-about-donald-trumps-approach-249678

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indictment Adds Murder and Other Charges Against Maryland Man Accused of Shooting a DCHA Officer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Victor Scott Terrill, 41, of Landover, Maryland, was charged in a 10-count superseding indictment, filed yesterday in U.S. District Court, with first-degree murder while armed and related counts, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

                The new charges stem from the February 23, 2024, fatal shooting of a man identified as R.C., and the nonfatal shooting of another man, while Terrill was on pre-trial release in a D.C. Superior Court matter.

                Terrill was initially arrested on February 29, 2024, for the shooting of a District Housing Authority Police Officer at a Southeast apartment building in Washington’s Navy Yard neighborhood. He was subsequently charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer (felony) while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and related offenses for that conduct. A Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun, recovered in a trashcan following his arrest, was also linked to the February 23 murder and nonfatal shooting. 

                With respect to the fatal shooting, Terrill is charged with one count of first-degree murder while armed (premeditated), one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. With respect to the nonfatal shooting of the other man, Terrill is charged with one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Terrill is further charged with committing these offenses while on pretrial release in a Superior Court matter.

                This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the MPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ariel Dean, Justin Song, Meredith Mayer-Dempsey and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Horan for the District of Columbia.

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

    24cr145

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Career Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

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

    PROVIDENCE – A 49-year-old former Rhode Island man whom court records reflect is a career offender who has spent nearly half of his life incarcerated, has been sentenced to a further ten years in federal prison for trafficking multiple kilos of methamphetamine into Rhode Island, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

    Carl Sharp, 49, of Peoria, Arizona, who formerly resided in Rhode Island, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 120 months of incarceration to be followed by five years of federal supervised release. Sharp pleaded guilty on October 15, 2024, to a charge of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

    Court records reflect that Sharp was previously convicted and incarcerated on unrelated charges involving, among other things: drug trafficking, domestic violence, and assault. Sharp also previously faced a murder charge, but was acquitted of that charge after a key witness in the case died.

    According to court documents and information provided to the court in the current federal case, during an investigation into drugs being shipped through the U.S. Mail to Rhode Island from Western states, the United States Postal Inspection Service identified thirteen packages, six of which were mailed by Sharp. Court-authorized searches of three packages, two of which were mailed by Sharp, resulted in the seizure of a total of 4.44 kilograms of methamphetamine and 249 grams of cocaine.

    One of the packages shipped by Sharp was sent to a Rhode Island residence that he had used previously for his drug trafficking activities, and another parcel was mailed to the residence of an unsuspecting 85-year-old woman who lived alone. After opening the package and finding nearly two kilos of meth wrapped in clothing inside the package, a man knocked on her back door looking for the package.  The woman told the man that she did not have the package, and he left. She then brought the package to the post office.

    A financial investigation into Sharp’s assets determined that between January 2022 and May 2024, he deposited over $320,000 in unexplained cash into his personal bank account.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.

    The matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the FBI.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Statement on Kash Patel Ahead of Confirmation Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    Published: February 20 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement ahead of the Senate’s vote to confirm Kash Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):
    “One of my top priorities is keeping Americans safe, and that’s why I will vote no on Kash Patel’s dangerous nomination to lead the FBI. The FBI Director should be someone who will prioritize the rule of law and independence from political interference. It’s obvious that Patel is unable and unwilling to do that. The Trump Administration—potentially at Patel’s direction—has already fired career agents and civil servants at the FBI who have led U.S. counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts, investigated horrific crimes, and safeguarded Americans from threats; I fear that these politically-motivated firings will only accelerate if Patel is confirmed.
    “Senate Republicans’ rubber-stamping of Patel—and other nominees for critical national security and law enforcement roles—shows that they are incapable of prioritizing the safety and security of Americans for fear that they will upset the President. It also sends a terrible message to the men and women of the FBI and other national security and law enforcement agencies who have taken the same pledge that we take as members of Congress: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  
    During his time in the U.S. Senate, Kaine has previously voted to confirm all FBI Director nominees, including during President Trump’s first term.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Providence Woman Sentenced in Conspiracy to Smuggle Contraband Inside the Wyatt Detention Center

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE – A Providence woman who previously admitted to a federal judge that she provided contraband that made its way into the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, RI, was sentenced today to two years of federal supervised release, the first six months to be served in home detention with GPS monitoring, and fined $1,500, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Yahaira Cristina Contreras, 32, admitted that in early 2021, she conspired with others to provide 201 suboxone strips containing buprenorphine that made its way to a Wyatt Detention Center correctional officer and into the facility. Contreras admitted that she provided the contraband and that she transferred $3,000 from her bank account to another person’s account to facilitate getting the suboxone strips inside the Wyatt Detention Center.

    Contreras’ sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose.

    Former Wyatt Detention Center correctional officer Kaii Almeida-Falcones, 30, of Smithfield, pleaded guilty on June 10, 2024, to a charge of providing contraband to an inmate. He was sentenced on November 19, 2024, to six months in federal prison to be followed by twenty-four months of federal supervised release – the first six months to be served on home confinement.

    The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ly T. Chin.

    The matter was investigated by the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, and the Professional Standards Unit at the Wyatt Detention Center.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Houston Resident Pleads Guilty to Laundering Proceeds From $40 Million Fraud Scheme

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

    HOUSTON – A 43-year-old man has admitted to laundering proceeds from a large-scale bank fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Bun Khath admitted that from 2016 to 2021, he conspired with others in a bank fraud scheme involving dozens of loans totaling at least $40 million in fraudulent loan proceeds.  

    As part of the plea, Khath acknowledged opening and maintaining shell companies and bank accounts to collect money from the scheme and then laundering the fraud proceeds by wiring them to bank accounts other co-conspirators controlled.

    Khath and others accomplished the bank fraud by preparing loan applications that contained false and fraudulent information and documents, including fake equipment sales invoices, income tax returns and financial and bank statements.

    U.S. District Keith Ellison will impose sentencing April 29. At that time, Khath faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 possible fine or twice the amount involved in the transaction.  

    He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

    Another Houston resident charged in the case – Hugo Villanueva, 70, – is considered a fugitive, and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000.

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Coface : 2024 results: net income at €261.1m, up 8.6%, and proposed dividend at €1.40

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    2024 results: net income at €261.1m, up 8.6%, and proposed dividend at €1.40

    Paris, 20 February 2025 – 17.35

    • Turnover: €1,845m, down -0.6% at constant FX and perimeter and down -1.3% on a reported basis
      • Trade credit insurance revenue decreased by -2.2% at constant exchange rates, with slightly positive customer activity in Q4-24
      • Client retention is still high at 92.3% but down slightly from 2023 records; pricing remained negative at -1.4%, in line with historical trends
      • Business information once again recorded double-digit growth (+16.3% at constant FX); factoring stabilised at +0.3% with solid growth in Q4-24
    • Net loss ratio at 35.2%, improved by 2.5 ppts; net combined ratio at 65.5%, up 1.2 ppt
      • Gross loss ratio at 33.4%, improved by 2.4 ppts with still high opening year reserving and high reserve releases
      • Net cost ratio increased by 3.6 ppts to 30.2%, reflecting slightly lower revenues and continued investment, in line with our strategy
      • Net combined ratio in Q4-24 at 68.7%, up 9.7 ppts due to a higher net cost ratio and a very low combined ratio in Q4-23 (59.0%)
    • Net income (group share) of €261.1m, up +8.6%, of which €53.4m in Q4-24, the highest annual figure since the adoption of IFRS 17. Annualised RoATE1at 13.9%
    • Coface continues to be backed by a solid balance sheet:
      • Estimated solvency ratio at ~196%2, above the upper end of target range (155% to 175%)
      • Proposal to distribute3 a dividend per share of €1.40 representing an 80% pay-out ratio
      • Earnings per share reached €1.75
    • Coface signed the acquisition of Cedar Rose, strengthening its capabilities in information services in the Middle East and Africa
    • Gonzague Noël has been appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer (COO)

    Unless otherwise indicated, change comparisons refer to the results as at 31 December 2023

    Xavier Durand, Coface’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:
    “2024 was marked by the launch of our Power the Core strategic plan which is deliberately focused on innovation.
    In an environment characterised by weak economic growth, a decrease of our clients’ activity and an increase in the number of bankruptcies, the discipline of our underwriting enabled us to contain the increase in the combined ratio, which rose moderately to 65.5%. Finally, we benefited from the repositioning of our investment portfolio to achieve a return on average tangible equity of 13.9%, above our mid-cycle targets. The net income of €261m marked the highest level since the transition to IFRS 17.
    All these achievements would not have been possible without the engagement of our employees.
    These good results and solid solvency ratio of 196% allow us to propose the payment of a dividend of €1.40 per share to the Shareholders’ meeting.”

    Key figures at 31 December 2024

    The Board of Directors of COFACE SA approved the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2024 at its meeting of 20 February 2025. The Audit Committee at its meeting on 18 February 2025 also previously reviewed them. Accounts are non-audited, certification is in progress.

    Income statements items in €m 2023 2024 Variation % ex. FX*
    Insurance revenue 1,559.1 1,512.9 (3.0)% (2.2)%
    Services revenue 309.2 331.9 +7.4% +7.4%
    REVENUE 1,868.2 1,844.8 (1.3)% (0.6)%
    UNDERWRITING INCOME/LOSS AFTER REINSURANCE 395.4 368.7 (6.8)% (5.3)%
    Investment income, net of management expenses, excluding finance costs 12.4 91.7 638.0% 595.7%
    Insurance Finance Expenses (40.0) (42.5) 6.4% 12.9%
    CURRENT OPERATING INCOME 367.9 417.9 +13.6% +12.8%
    Other operating income / expenses (5.0) (8.6) 74.5% 74.2%
    OPERATING INCOME 362.9 409.2 +12.8% +12.0%
    NET INCOME (GROUP SHARE) 240.5 261.1 +8.6% +6.3%
             
    Key ratios 2023 2024 Variation
    Loss ratio net of reinsurance 37.7% 35.2% (2.5)% ppts
    Cost ratio net of reinsurance 26.6% 30.2% 3.6% ppts
    COMBINED RATIO NET OF REINSURANCE 64.3% 65.5% 1.2% ppt
             
    Balance sheet items in €m 2023 2024 Variation
    Total equity (group share) 2,050.8 2,193.6 +7.0%
    Solvency ratio 199% 196%1         -3 ppt

    * Also excludes scope impact

    1This estimated solvency ratio constitutes a preliminary calculation made according to Coface’s interpretation of Solvency II regulations and using the Partial Internal Model. The final calculation may differ from this preliminary calculation. The estimated solvency ratio is not audited.

    1.   Turnover

    In 2024, Coface recorded a consolidated turnover of €1,844.8 million, down by -0.6% at constant FX and perimeter compared to 2023. As reported (at current FX and perimeter), turnover was down -1.3%.

    Revenue from insurance activities (including bonding and Single Risk) fell -2.2% at constant FX and perimeter, although the year ended on a slightly more positive note (Q4-24 revenue from insurance activities rose +3.7% and total revenue increased +4.3%). Client retention remains high at 92.3% (but down from the record level in 2023), in a competitive market where Coface implemented risk mitigation plans that impacted renewals at the beginning of the year. New business rose to €126m, up €9m compared to 2023 driven by an increase in demand and the positive effects of investments for growth, mainly in the mid-market segment.

    Client activity grew modestly at 0.5%, below the historical average with an improvement in Q4-24 (+0.4%). Over the year, the decline in activity in the metals sector, with lower prices, partially offset the positive trend in the agri-food sector. The price effect remained negative at -1.4% in 2024 (vs. -1.9% in 2023), in line with long-term trends.

    Turnover from non-insurance activities was up +8.2% compared to 2023. Factoring turnover stabilised at +0.3% with a positive Q4-24 that reversed the full-year trend. Information services turnover rose +16.3%. Fee and commission income (debt collection commissions) increased by +19.6%, from a low base, due to the increase in claims to be collected and investments made in third-party debt collection. Commissions were up +6.6%.

    Total revenue – in €m
    (by country of invoicing)    		 2023 2024 Variation % ex. FX4
    Northern Europe 379.6 362.2 (4.6)% (4.6)%
    Western Europe 380.1 391.8 +3.1% +0.4%
    Central & Eastern Europe 177.1 173.8 (1.9)% (3.2)%
    Mediterranean & Africa 526.3 538.5 +2.3% +5.6%
    North America 171.8 176.6 +2.7% (6.4)%
    Latin America 100.3 77.7 (22.5)% +4.0%
    Asia-Pacific 133.1 124.3 (6.6)% (7.1)%
    Total Group 1,868.2 1,844.8 (1.3)% (0.6)%

    In Northern Europe, turnover was down by -4.6% at constant and current FX, due to the selective non-renewal of some loss-making policies at the beginning of the year, despite the stabilisation of client activity in Q4-24.

    In Western Europe, turnover increased by +0.4% at constant FX (+3.1% at current FX and perimeter following the integration of certain African countries in the first half of the year) thanks to a sharp increase in information services sales (+30.3%) combined with a better Q4-24 in credit insurance under the effect of significant business catch-up.

    In Central and Eastern Europe, turnover fell -3.2% at constant FX (-1.9% at current FX) due to the decline in client activity, which weighed on credit insurance, despite a high client retention rate. Factoring was down -1.0% at constant exchange rates.

    In the Mediterranean and Africa region, which is driven by Italy and Spain, turnover rose +5.6% at constant FX and +2.3% at current FX driven by robust sales in credit insurance and services and a stronger economic environment.

    In North America, turnover was down -6.4% at constant FX but increased by +2.7% at current FX due to the integration of Mexico in this scope. The region saw a slowdown in client activity despite higher retention and a fairly strong economic environment.

    In Latin America, turnover rose +4.0% at constant FX but fell -22.5% at current FX. The region is benefiting from a recovery in client activity after 2023 was dominated by risk prevention actions. However, the transfer of Mexico to the North America region had a negative impact.

    In Asia-Pacific, turnover decreased by -7.1% at constant FX and -6.6% at current FX. This lower turnover was due to a slowdown in client activity that robust sales were unable to offset and selective non-renewal of certain policies.

    2.   Result

    • Combined ratio

    The annual combined ratio net of reinsurance was 65.5% in 2024, up 1.2 ppt year on year.

    (i)  Loss ratio

    The gross loss ratio stood at 33.4%, a 2.4 ppts improvement on the previous year. This improvement reflects both the gradual normalisation of the loss experience, offset by rising reserve releases. The amount of claims recorded is now higher than in 2019. The total number of claims decreased, offset by an increase in the number of mid-sized claims.

    The Group’s provisioning policy remained unchanged. The amount of provisions related to the underwriting year, although discounted, reflects the increase in the claims frequency. Strict management of past claims enabled the Group to record 51.9 ppts of recoveries.

    The net loss ratio improved to 35.2%, down 2.5 ppts compared to 2023.

    (ii)  Cost ratio

    Coface is pursuing a strict cost management policy and is continuing to invest, in line with its Power the Core strategic plan. As a result, over the full year 2024, costs rose by +5.5% at constant FX and perimeter, and by +5.3% at current FX.

    The cost ratio before reinsurance was 33.7%, up 2.2 ppts year on year. This rise was mainly due to the decline in revenues (1.0 ppt), embedded cost inflation (1.5 ppt) and ongoing investments (1.5 ppt). In contrast, the improved product mix (information services, debt collection and fee and commission income) had a positive effect. High reinsurance commissions explain the remainder of the variation.

    • Financial result

    Net financial income for 2024 was €91.7m, up sharply compared to 2023. This figure includes capital gains of +€11.4m, which more than offset negative market value adjustments on investments of -€2.9m. The FX effect remained slightly negative at -€2.7m but improved significantly compared to 2023, which was marked by the accounting effect of IAS 29 (hyperinflation) in Turkey and Argentina as well as the sharp devaluation of the Argentine peso.

    The portfolio’s current yield (i.e. excluding capital gains, depreciation and FX impact) was €96.6m, of which €25.7m in Q4-24. The accounting yield5, excluding capital gains and fair value effect, was 2.9% for 2024. The yield on new investments made year-to-date was 4.1% and fell in Q4-24 in line with the trend in market rates.

    Insurance Finance Expenses (IFE) stood at €42.5m (€40.0m in 2023).

    • Operating income and net income

    Operating income amounted to €409.2m in 2024, up +12.0% at constant FX.

    The effective tax rate was 29% for the year (vs. 27% in 2023), including the impact of Pillar 2 (global minimum tax).

    In total, net income (group share) was €261.1m, up +8.6% compared to 2023.

    3.   Shareholders’ equity

    At 31 December 2024, Group shareholders’ equity stood at €2,193.6m, up €142.8m or +7.0% (€2,050.8m at 31 December 2023).

    These changes are mainly due to the positive net income of €261.1m and the dividend payment of -€194.3m. Other items include changes in unrealised capital gains for €72.0m.

    The annualised return on average tangible equity (RoATE) was 13.9%, up 0.5 ppt mainly due to the improvement in financial income, which more than offset the decrease in underwriting income (decline in net premiums and slight increase in the combined ratio).

    The solvency ratio reached 196%6, representing a decrease of 3 ppts compared to FY-23. It remains well above the upper end of the target range (155%-175%).

    Coface will propose €1.40 dividend per share at the Shareholders’ meeting, corresponding to a payout ratio of 80%7, in line with its capital management policy.

    4.   Outlook

    Once again, the global economy experienced modest growth in 2024 (2.7%), in line with Coface’s forecasts and still driven being by the United States. The electoral calendar, which involved an unprecedented number of countries, delivered generally unsurprising outcomes, with some exceptions.

    For 2025, Coface is forecasting growth identical to that of 2024 at 2.7%. Further downgrades to European growth are likely to be offset by the good performance of the United States, while political risk remains. Donald Trump’s return to power seems to have been welcomed by economic circles so far, raising hopes of deregulation, which is stimulating in the short term but often carries longer-term risks. The announced introduction of tariffs for many countries is also a destabilising factor for global trade.

    Against this backdrop, Coface is anticipating a continued rise in bankruptcies, as businesses are caught between depleted levels of cheap financing and sluggish growth. Coface and its teams will continue to support their clients in this still uncertain environment.

    At the end of 2024, client activity finally posted a slightly positive performance after several quarters of decline. This slight rebound may give hope that the post-Covid decline in client activity has come to an end. In 2025, Coface will continue to implement its Power the Core strategic plan, which aims to develop a leading global ecosystem in credit risk management.

    5.   Governance evolution

    In the Executive Committee:

    • As of February 1st, 2025, Carole Lytton leads the Specialties Businesses, in addition to her role as General Secretary. She takes over from Antonio Marchitelli who decided to leave and take another appointment outside Coface after many years of dedication to the Group.
    • As of February 3rd, Gonzague Noël has been appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer (COO). He takes over Declan Daly, joins the Group executive committee and reports to Xavier Durand, Coface CEO.

    Conference call for financial analysts

    Coface’s results for FY-2024 will be discussed with financial analysts during the conference call on Thursday, 20 February 2025 at 18.00 (Paris time). Dial one of the following numbers:

    The presentation will be available (in English only) at the following address:
    http://www.coface.com/Investors/financial-results-and-reports

    Income statements items in €m
    Quarterly figures    		 Q1-23 Q2-23 Q3-23 Q4-23 Q1-24 Q2-24 Q3-24 Q4-24   % %
    ex. FX*
    Insurance revenue 395.3 407.8 384.7 371.3 378.6 375.6 375.9 382.7   +3.1% +3.7%
    Other revenue 79.8 76.8 73.4 79.2 85.0 83.4 78.0 85.5   +8.0% +7.6%
    REVENUE 475.1 484.5 458.1 450.4 463.7 459.1 453.8 468.3   +4.0% +4.3%
    UNDERWRITING INCOME (LOSS)
    AFTER REINSURANCE    		 95.3 103.5 91.2 105.4 100.3 94.7 88.8 84.9   (19.5)% (17.9)%
    Investment income, net of management expenses, excluding finance costs (2.6) 4.0 13.0 (2.0) 17.9 22.8 19.0 31.9   (1667)% (1568)%
    Insurance Finance Expenses (2.4) (12.3) (15.4) (9.9) (11.4) (6.7) (7.3) (17.1)   +73.3% +77.9%
    CURRENT OPERATING INCOME 90.4 95.2 88.9 93.5 106.8 110.9 100.5 99.7   +6.7% +7.9%
    Other operating income / expenses (0.3) (0.4) (0.2) (4.0) (0.1) (0.5) (2.6) (5.5)   +38.3% +36.4%
    OPERATING INCOME 90.0 94.8 88.6 89.5 106.8 110.4 97.9 94.2   +5.2% +6.6%
    NET INCOME (GROUP SHARE) 61.2 67.7 60.9 50.8 68.4 73.8 65.4 53.4   +5.1% +4.9%
    Income tax rate 25.5% 21.9% 24.2% 36.0% 27.2% 26.8% 25.5% 36.2%   +0.2 ppt

    Appendices

    Quarterly results

    Cumulated results*

    Income statements items in €m
    Cumulated figures    		 Q1-23 H1-23 9M-23 2023 Q1-24 H1-24 9M-24 2024   % %
    ex. FX*
    Insurance revenue 395.3 803.1 1,187.8 1,559.1 378.6 754.3 1,130.2 1,512.9   (3.0)% (2.2)%
    Other revenue 79.8 156.6 230.0 309.2 85.0 168.5 246.4 331.9   +7.4% +7.4%
    REVENUE 475.1 959.7 1,417.8 1,868.2 463.7 922.7 1,376.6 1,844.8   (1.3)% (0.6)%
    UNDERWRITING INCOME (LOSS)
    AFTER REINSURANCE    		 95.3 198.8 290.0 395.4 100.3 195.0 283.8 368.7   (6.8)% (5.3)%
    Investment income, net of management expenses, excluding finance costs (2.6) 1.4 14.5 12.4 17.9 40.8 59.8 91.7   +638.0% +595.7%
    Insurance Finance Expenses (2.4) (14.7) (30.1) (40.0) (11.4) (18.1) (25.4) (42.5)   +6.4% +12.9%
    CURRENT OPERATING INCOME 90.4 185.5 274.4 367.9 106.8 217.7 318.2 417.9   +13.6% +12.8%
    Other operating income / expenses (0.3) (0.7) (0.9) (5.0) (0.1) (0.5) (3.1) (8.6)   +74.5% +74.2%
    OPERATING INCOME 90.0 184.8 273.4 362.9 106.8 217.2 315.1 409.2   +12.8% +12.0%
    NET INCOME (GROUP SHARE) 61.2 128.8 189.7 240.5 68.4 142.3 207.7 261.1   +8.6% +6.3%
    Income tax rate 25.5% 23.7% 23.8% 26.8% 27.2% 27.0% 26.5% 28.7%   +1.9 ppt  

    * Also excludes scope impact

    CONTACTS

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

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

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)

    Q1-2025 results: 5 May 2025 (after market close)
    Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting: 14 May 2025
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

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

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2023 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

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

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

    www.coface.com

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

    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2023 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 5 April 2024 under the number D.24-0242 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

    1RoATE = Return on average tangible equity
    2This estimated solvency ratio is a preliminary calculation made according to Coface’s interpretation of Solvency II regulations and using the Partial Internal Model. The final calculation may differ from this preliminary calculation. The estimated solvency ratio is not audited.
    3The distribution proposal will be submitted to the Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on 14 May 2025.
    4 Also excludes scope impact
    5 Book yield calculated on the average of the investment portfolio excluding non-consolidated subsidiaries.
    6 This estimated solvency ratio is a preliminary calculation made according to Coface’s interpretation of Solvency II regulations and using the Partial Internal Model. The final calculation may differ from this preliminary calculation. The estimated solvency ratio is not audited.
    7 The distribution proposal will be submitted to the Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on 14 May 2025.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Coface appoints Gonzague Noël as Group Chief Operating Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Coface appoints Gonzague Noël as Group Chief Operating Officer

    Paris, 20 February 2024 – 17.35

    Coface announces the appointment of Gonzague Noël as Group Chief Operating Officer. This change is effective as of 3 February 2025. Based in Paris, Gonzague reports to Xavier Durand, Chief Executive Officer of Coface. He replaces Declan Daly, who is pursuing his career outside the Group.

    Previously, Gonzague was Head of Global Business Administration & Strategic Initiatives at HSBC CIB, where he was responsible for optimizing resources and improving efficiency.

    He began his career at GE Healthcare in 2001 before holding various management positions within GE Corporate and GE Capital, overseeing strategic projects, M&A operations and operational transformations in Europe, Asia and America.

    With more than 20 years of international experience, Gonzague brings to Coface solid strategic and operational expertise in the management of large-scale transformation projects.
    Gonzague holds a Master of science (MSc) from Emlyon Business School.

    CONTACTS

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

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

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)

    Q1-2025 results: 5 May 2025 (after market close)
    Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting: 14 May 2025
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

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

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2023 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

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

    COFACE: FOR TRADE
    With over 75 years of experience and the most extensive international network, Coface is a leader in Trade Credit Insurance & risk management, and a recognized provider of Factoring, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Bonding, and Information Services. Coface’s experts work to the beat of the global economy, helping ~100,000 clients in 100 countries build successful, growing, and dynamic businesses. With Coface’s insight and advice, these companies can make informed decisions. The Group’ solutions strengthen their ability to sell by providing them with reliable information on their commercial partners and protecting them against non-payment risks, both domestically and for export. In 2024, Coface employed ~5,236 people and registered a turnover of €1.84 billion.

    www.coface.com

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

    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2023 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 5 April 2024 under the number D.24-0242 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: COFACE SA: Yves Charbonneau joins the Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COFACE SA: Yves Charbonneau joins the Board of Directors

    Paris, 20 February 2025 – 17.35

    At its meeting on February 20, 2025, the Board of Directors of COFACE SA co-opted Yves Charbonneau, Senior Vice-President at Arch Insurance Company Ltd (Canada), as a non-independent director at the Board of Directors of COFACE SA.

    He replaces Nicolas Papadopoulo, who is stepping down from the Board of directors to concentrate on his current professional responsibilities at Arch.

    The composition of Coface’s Board of Directors remains otherwise unchanged. It counts 10 members, 6 women and 4 men, the majority (6) of whom are independent directors.

    ————————

    Biography

    Yves Charbonneau was appointed Senior Vice-President at Arch Insurance Company Ltd (Canada) in January 2024. He was previously a Senior Advisor within the same group in the United States.

    He joined Arch in February 2006 and spent almost 12 years as Chief Actuary and Chief Risk Officer.

    Yves Charbonneau holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics (statistics) from the Montreal University. He is also a FCIA (Fellowship from the Canadian Institute of Actuaries) & FCAS (Fellowship from the Casualty Actuarial Society) fellow.

    CONTACTS

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

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

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)

    Q1-2025 results: 5 May 2025 (after market close)
    Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting: 14 May 2025
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

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

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2023 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

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

    COFACE: FOR TRADE
    With over 75 years of experience and the most extensive international network, Coface is a leader in Trade Credit Insurance & risk management, and a recognized provider of Factoring, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Bonding, and Information Services. Coface’s experts work to the beat of the global economy, helping ~100,000 clients in 100 countries build successful, growing, and dynamic businesses. With Coface’s insight and advice, these companies can make informed decisions. The Group’ solutions strengthen their ability to sell by providing them with reliable information on their commercial partners and protecting them against non-payment risks, both domestically and for export. In 2024, Coface employed ~5,236 people and registered a turnover of €1.84 billion.

    www.coface.com

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

    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2023 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 5 April 2024 under the number D.24-0242 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Inmate Given Life Sentence for Brutal Murder of Cellmate at Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TERRE HAUTE— Lawrence Taylor, 44, formerly of Akron, Ohio, and current inmate of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, has been sentenced to life in federal prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

    According to court documents, Taylor and Jan Stevens (“Stevens”) were inmates at the Federal Correctional Complex, in Terre Haute, Indiana, and housed within the Special Housing Unit (“SHU”). Taylor and Stevens were cellmates in the SHU for just three days prior to January 12, 2019.

    On January 12, 2019, at approximately 1:25 a.m., a SHU staff member walked by Taylor’s and Stevens’s cell and observed Stevens lying on the lower bunk, partially covered with a sheet, with his head at the foot of the bed. Taylor was also inside the cell, standing in front of the door window. Upon a second glance, the staff member saw a laceration to Stevens’s neck, along with blood spattered against the wall and pooling on the floor. The next day, a forensic pathologist conducted an autopsy of Stevens and found his cause of death to be 43 stab wounds to his body, most significantly to the neck area, leading him to bleed out. During an interview with FBI agents, Taylor admitted to killing Stevens with a weapon he had possessed for the previous three months.

    At the time of the murder, Taylor was serving a 284-month sentence for a series of bank robberies in 2009.  Prior to the murder of Stevens, Taylor was projected to be released from the Bureau of Prisons in September 2031.

    “This murder extends beyond the taking of a life – it shatters the lives of those closest to the victim.  Taylor’s act was heinous; well justifying the imposition of a life sentence,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “I commend the FBI, Corrections Officers and our federal prosecutors who handled this case with such a determination for justice.”

    “This life sentence reflects the FBI’s commitment to justice for all victims including those who are incarcerated in federal correctional facilities. The brutality of this violent murder deserves the maximum penalty allowed under the law,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI will continue to work closely with the Bureau of Prisons and all of our law enforcement partners to investigate and apprehend those who commit violent acts and hold them accountable.”

    “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message – those who threaten or harm others will be held accountable,” said a Federal Bureau of Prisons Spokesperson. “The safety and security of our facilities will always be the FBOP’s top priority in our mission to ensure public safety.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath and former Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Warden, who prosecuted this case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Twenty-Nine-Year-Old Arrested, Charged With Threatening to Shoot Up Elementary School

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

    A man who threatened to shoot up a Lubbock elementary school has been arrested and charged, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham.

    Stephen Patrick Furr, 29, was charged via criminal complaint with interstate threatening communications and arrested Monday afternoon. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda ‘Amy’ R. Burch Wednesday morning.

    “The foresight of a single tipster – coupled with the prompt action of law enforcement – may have saved dozens of young lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. “The adage holds true: If you see something, say something. You may help law enforcement avert a tragedy.”

    “The defendant’s concerning social media posts were reported to the FBI, and the resulting law enforcement response ensured no one was harmed,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our partners are committed to protecting the communities we serve, and we encourage the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious or threatening behavior to law enforcement.”

    According to the complaint, on Feb. 2, the FBI received a tip about threats posted on BlueSky, a microblogging site.

    “Thinking about going out and buying a gun,” the user posted. “When in Texas, shoot [expletive] [expletive] am I right? Good thing I live next to an elementary school.”

    The posts escalated from musings about a possible future shooting to statements that the user had a gun and intended to carry out a school shooting: 

    “Will be fun to legally shoot up a school,” the user posted. “I can already smell the blood.”

    “Anyone wanna sign my gun?” he added.

    The user also posted images from the March 2019 shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 51 people and injured 89 more.

    Agents identified the user of the account as Mr. Furr and visited him at his home in Lubbock on Feb. 3.

    According to the complaint, Mr. Furr was “disheveled and unkempt.” He allegedly screamed incoherent profanities and stated that he would not talk to the agents until the President confirmed their identity.

    Officers contacted two of Mr. Furr’s family members, who stated that Mr. Furr had also threatened them.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Furr is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

    If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency conducted the investigation with the Lubbock Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag is prosecuting the case.

    Members of the public can report potential threats to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Secures Pledge from Trump’s Labor Nominee to Put American Workers First, Hold Companies Accountable for Labor Abuses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Wednesday, February 19, 2025

    Today in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Senate Committee hearing with Department of Labor nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. Senator Hawley (R-Mo.) secured commitments that, if confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer would implement President Trump’s pro-worker agenda to put American workers first and crack down on mega-corporations that are violating labor laws by exploiting children.

    “Let me just give you an example of bad corporate behavior, Tyson’s Food has closed down two major plants in my state, the state of Missouri, just in the last year and a half. They have cancelled contracts with farmers. They have put thousands of workers in my state out of business, and yet, we know from the investigations done by the New York Times and others, that they huge numbers of illegal child labor in their supply chains,” said Senator Hawley.

    “So, they’re firing American workers, but they are exploiting child workers. Will you go after companies like Tyson’s and anyone else who would violate our labor laws and exploit children while they are firing American workers?” he asked.

    Chavez-DeRemer pledged to “protect, and not exploit” all workers, and not tolerate child labor in the United States, citing the Department of Labor’s enforcement capabilities.

    [embedded content]

    Watch the full exchange here, or click the video above.

    Senator Hawley also highlighted an alarming trend from the Biden Administration: more job growth for foreign workers than American workers.

    “During one month alone, the Biden Administration allowed 370,000 illegal immigrants to cross the border. Many of these people got work permits. And started working, competing with American workers and legal residents. Many of them union members. And of course, illegal immigrants [are] not union members. Companies don’t pay them the same wages. They don’t offer them the same protections. Speak to the danger of out of control illegal immigration when it comes to wages and benefits for American workers,” said Senator Hawley.

    Chavez-DeRemer pledged that protecting American workers was a top priority for President Trump.  

    BACKGROUND

    Recently, Senator Hawley has begun working on his own package of pro-labor legislation to support American workers.
     
    Senator Hawley has long advocated to protect kids and hold mega-corporations accountable for child labor in their supply chains. Following a 2023 New York Times investigation, Senator Hawley questioned Robin Dunn Marcos, Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, about the 85,000 children the Biden Administration lost track of, leaving them vulnerable to human traffickers and dangerous child labor practices. Senator Hawley also sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray demanding a full-scale effort be made to locate the nearly 85,000 missing migrant children.

    In September of 2023, Senator Hawley sent a letter to Tyson Foods CEO Donnie King, demanding answers after a disturbing report from The New York Times exposed unsafe, illegal child labor practices within the company.

    In May of 2023, Senator Hawley introduced the Corporate Responsibility for Child Labor Elimination Act, legislation compelling large corporations to eradicate unlawful child labor from their operations in the United States.

    Senator Hawley previously introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to crack down on child labor in the United States. Last congress, the bill passed out of committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fourteen Members of Bandidos Motorcycle Gang Indicted for Offenses Including Racketeering, Assault, and Murder

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

    HOUSTON – A 22-count indictment has been unsealed in the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) following an operation targeting multiple members of an allegedly violent, transnational motorcycle gang in the Houston metropolitan area.

    Current and former members of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and Mascareros Motorcycle Club are charged for their alleged roles in a criminal enterprise engaged in violent criminal activity in and around Houston. The Mascareros is a support club of the Bandidos.

    Several of those are expected to make their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m. Feb. 20.

    A federal grand jury returned an indictment Feb. 11 against 14 members and associates of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang accusing them of various crimes, to include engaging in a conspiracy to commit racketeering activity and committing violent crimes in furtherance of the gang such as murder, attempted murder and assault. The indictment alleges the Bandidos are a self-identified “outlaw” motorcycle organization with a membership of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 in the United States and an additional 1,000 to 1,500 members internationally, including in Mexico.

    “Ensuring the safety of the public is SDTX’s paramount concern,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “The indictment here not only alleges shocking crimes of violence, but also alleges that these offenses were committed openly and wantonly, where any innocent member of the public could have been hurt or killed.” 

    “Today’s indictment is an important step in eliminating the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Bandidos declare war on rivals—and they wage that war on our streets. Criminal behavior like this has no place in America, and the Department of Justice is fully committed to bringing peace back to our communities.”

    The indictment alleges that beginning in 2019, a violent turf war erupted between the Bandidos and B*EAST, a rival outlaw motorcycle gang in the Houston area. As part of this turf war, Bandidos national leadership allegedly put out a “smash on site” order to commit physical assaults, including murder, against B*EAST members. The turf war has resulted in gunfire exchanged on public roadways and in public establishments with innocent civilians present, according to the charges.

    John M. Pfeffer aka Big John, 32, Darvi Hinojosa aka 10 Round, 35, Bradley Rickenbacker aka Dolla Bill, 37, all of Katy; Michael H. Dunphy aka Money Mike, 57, Cleveland; Christopher Sanchez aka Monster, 40, Tomball; and Brandon K. Hantz aka Loco and Gun Drop, 33, Crosby; are charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering activity. Pfeffer, Dunphy, Hinojosa, Rickenbacker and Sanchez are further charged with multiple counts of assault in aid of racketeering. Pfeffer, Hinojosa, Rickenbacker and Sanchez are also charged with using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, while Sanchez faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hantz is also charged with arson.

    Pfeffer, Hinojosa, Rickenbacker and Sanchez each face up to life in prison if convicted, while Dunphy and Hantz each face up to 20 years on each of their counts upon conviction.

    The indictment also charges David Vargas aka Brake Check and First Time, 33, Houston, with murder in aid of racketeering; using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death; attempted murder in aid of racketeering; and using, carrying, brandishing, discharging and possessing a firearm during and in relation to the attempted murders. All those charges relate to the killing of a rival and the shooting of two others. Murder in aid of racketeering carries a mandatory life sentence or the death penalty, if convicted.

    Further, Pfeffer and Rickenbacker are also charged with assault in aid of racketeering and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence  along with Marky Baker aka Pinche Guero and Guero, 40, Ronnie McCabe aka Meathead, 56, and Jeremy Cox aka JD, 37, all of Houston; Roy Gomez aka Repo, 50, Richmond; and Marcel Lett, 56, Pearland. These charges are in relation to an alleged assault and robbery that resulted in the death of a rival. If convicted, they face up to life in prison.

    Hinojosa is also charged along with John Sblendorio aka Tech9, 54, Houston, with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in connection with the shooting of a rival gang member. Hinojosa is also charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Sblendorio and Hinojosa each face up to life in prison, if convicted.

    In addition, Sean G. Christison, aka Skinman, 30, Katy, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. 

    The FBI, Texas Board of Criminal Justice – Office of Inspector General, Texas Department of Public Safety and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation with the assistance of Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Houston and Pasadena Police Departments; Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; LaMarque and Katy Police Departments; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Police Department. 

    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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

    This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Byron H. Black and Kelly Zenón-Matos of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case in partnership with Trial Attorneys Grace H. Bowen and Christopher Taylor of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division – Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe for the Southern District of Illinois departs from post

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Rachelle Aud Crowe, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, who has served as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the district, has departed from the position, effective Feb. 18. She releases the following statement:

    “It has been my honor to serve the Southern District of Illinois as the United States Attorney. Announcing my departure accompanies many emotions, but my heart is full of gratitude.

    Working for the Department of Justice and leading an office of talented attorneys, dedicated legal staff and supportive administrative employees has been a lifelong dream. It was my privilege to guide the Department on matters of policy, procedure and management as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee.

    I have been fortunate to partner with the local, state and federal law enforcement officers to seek justice for victims and improve public safety. In addition to prosecuting hundreds of criminal cases, the office represented the government effectively in civil lawsuits and recovered millions of taxpayer dollars.

    I will cherish the time I spent at the federal courthouses. I’m thankful to the district judges for their judicial oversight, it’s been my honor to work with and learn from them. The future for the office is bright, and I’m confident the employees will continue to exceed their high standard of excellence, integrity and functionality.

    Thank you for the encouragement during my service.”

    “From the beginning, USA Crowe has been a champion of the FBI mission,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “The combination of the FBI’s investigative efforts and the Southern District of Illinois’ commitment to uphold the law has brought justice for victims and made our communities a safer place to live.”

    “It’s been a pleasure working alongside U.S. Attorney Crowe,” Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “She’s been a tremendous partner and we’re grateful for her service. Her commitment to helping remove the threat of drugs and those who distribute them across Southern Illinois has been invaluable.”

    “U.S. Attorney Crowe has been a tremendous partner for the Illinois State Police,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “U.S. Attorney Crowe supported our Public Safety Enforcement Group and its work, bringing charges and winning convictions in numerous criminal cases, and was instrumental in holding people accountable and bringing them to justice.”

    “United States Attorney Rachelle Crowe has been an engaged and dedicated law enforcement partner, and we thank her for her dedication in the support of ATF’s mission in Southern Illinois,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shannon Hamm. “ On behalf of the men and women of ATF, we wish nothing but the best for United States Attorney Crow now and into the future.”

    Ali M. Summers is the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. She joined the office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2012.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Connyct App, a TikTok challenger Launching Exclusively for College Students, is available for download now on the iOS App Store after its successful test launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    As part of its launch, Connyct opens public Crowdfunding Investment Round on WeFunder

    NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Got an .edu email? Now students can exclusively join the online social app designed to enhance and enrich college life letting them find each other, share their story, plan and capture social events, and create meaningful connections. College students can download on the iOS app store and secure their handles now.

    To help students create their vibe, Connyct has a growing catalog of hit music thanks to deals with major music labels and publishers. Connyct also exclusively features the first of its kind video invites enabling users to create a video based invite with sync’d music related to what’s happening in their social lives and empower them to plan and promote their events on Connyct. Unlike apps like TikTok and RedNote, Connyct is based in the USA and hosted in the USA on AWS servers. Connyct is centered around privacy and security as opposed to other media companies that harvest data, promote sketchy AI content, or serve endless ads.

    As part of this community-driven ethos, Connyct is raising a crowdfunding round via Wefunder, making the app truly “by the people, for the people.” Investors will have the unique opportunity to help build a revolutionary company that takes a stand against the broken, toxic norms of traditional social media. Through this community crowdfunding round, Connyct is putting power where it belongs—in the hands of its users and fans. Connyct will be shaped by the very people who rely on it, ensuring a future driven by community, transparency, and accountability.

    Matt Berman, CEO and co-founder of Connyct stated, “Connyct is a video based community that champions user privacy and safety, and fosters authentic engagement to bring people together and to ‘Connyct.’ To further achieve this we are giving our users a piece of ownership of the app from its earliest stages.”

    View the campaign at WeFunder.com/connyct.

    About Connyct

    Connyct (connyct.com) is revolutionizing social networking for the college generation by connecting people to their passions. Unlike traditional social networks, Connyct addresses the craving for closer connections and streamlined community coordination by empowering students to create vibrant communities, discover events, and forge meaningful connections around shared interests and experiences. Our comprehensive suite of tools includes an innovative Events Center, group creation capabilities, and a creative toolkit for video, messaging, and music content. With an extensive library of licensed music clips, Connyct enhances every aspect of the college social experience.

    Media Contact
    Jonathan Streetman
    Senior PR Strategist
    (646) 921-0410
    jonathan@rockpaperscissors.biz

    END

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy to Present Keynote Speech and Announced as the Diamond Sponsor of the SMR Canada Summit 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Canada Summit 2025 will be held in Strathcona County, Alberta on March 4-5, 2025

    New York, N.Y., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it is the Diamond Sponsor of the upcoming SMR Canada Summit 2025, to be held in Strathcona County, Alberta on March 4-5, 2025. Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development James Walker will lead a keynote presentation titled “Finding Opportunities in the Resurgent Nuclear Energy Industry” on Tuesday, March 4th, at 9:30am.

    SMR Canada Summit serves as a vital platform for educating and informing local entrepreneurs, government officials, and the broader community about the potential of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia as pioneering sites for nuclear development in Western Canada. The Summit features in-depth discussions on a variety of critical topics, including site development, safety protocols, transportation logistics, cutting-edge technology, community engagement strategies, economic impacts, and workforce development, bringing together all the relevant stakeholders including technology suppliers, EPC’s, governments, regulators, utilities, First Nations, NGO’s and end users.

    By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across Canada, the event not only provides valuable insights but also fosters a well-informed and engaged community prepared to participate in and support the responsible growth of nuclear energy in the region.

    “The Canadian government has shown considerable support for advanced nuclear technologies as the country strives to achieve 100% net-zero carbon electricity by 2050,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “This summit reflects the nation’s commitment to fostering innovation and the eventual deployment of small modular and micro reactor energy systems. We’re pleased to play a role in driving these efforts forward with our high technology readiness level KRONOS MMR™ reactor energy system and the continuation of proactive discussions with the Canadian National Laboratory and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.”

    The recently acquired KRONOS MMR™ energy system was the first small modular reactor to enter the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) formal licensing review. Following the close of this acquisition, NANO Nuclear has focused on reestablishing and advancing discussions with the CNSC to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and to move the energy system into the next phase of review.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Announced as the Diamond Sponsor of the SMR Canada Summit 2025, to be held in Strathcona County, Alberta on March 4-5, 2025.

    “This summit will play a pivotal role in fostering a robust nuclear energy industry nationwide and I’m thrilled to engage with Canada’s leading professionals,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “NANO Nuclear aims to establish itself as the premiere small modular and micro reactor innovator in Canada. Our acquisition of KRONOS MMR™ energy system positions us to take an active role in the country’s expanding energy sector, paving the way for high-level discussions with Canadian regulators and laboratories integral to meeting Canada’s ambitious clean-energy goals. I look forward to delivering a keynote address to some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated experts in Canada’s nuclear sector and collaborating with them to establish the nation as a leader in advanced energy technologies.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors. NANO Nuclear is also developing patented stationary KRONOS MMR™ Energy System and space focused, portable LOKI MMR™.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sprout Social Recognized by G2’s Best Software Awards for the Ninth Consecutive Year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprout Social (Nasdaq: SPT), an industry-leading provider of cloud-based social media management software, has been recognized by G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards. This is the ninth consecutive year Sprout has received this recognition, which ranks the world’s best software companies and products based on authentic, timely reviews from users. Sprout Social is featured as a top company across 7 award categories, including:

    • Global Software Companies
    • Best Software Product
    • Best Product for Marketing and Digital Advertising
    • Highest Satisfaction Products

    Today’s consumers expect brands to not only be on social media but to use their social presence to provide quick and personalized care, creative and inspiring content and to engage with culture in a relevant and genuine way. Continuing to earn top recognitions by G2’s annual awards reflects the essential role of social media software in enabling brands to make the most of social in this evolving environment and create lasting impact.

    “Social media is mission critical for today’s organizations and we’ve built a platform that helps the world’s top brands build social campaigns that drive revenue, increase awareness and set their businesses up for competitive, lasting success,” said Scott Morris, Chief Marketing Officer, Sprout Social. “Being recognized by G2 for nine consecutive years is an incredible testament of Sprout’s commitment to innovation and to delivering solutions that help our customers increase their social sophistication and meet growing consumer demands on social.”

    In the past year, Sprout Social has continued to enhance its platform. Innovations include a suite of AI-powered solutions, its rebranded influencer platform—Sprout Social Influencer Marketing—and deeper integrations with industry-leading organizations like Salesforce. These advancements, along with new strategic partnerships across various sectors, have delivered ongoing value for its customers as they elevate their social strategies.

    Sprout Social earned recognition on G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards because of customer feedback, including:

    “The detailed analytics provided by Sprout give us actionable insights, helping us refine our strategies and demonstrate clear ROI to our clients. It’s not just about managing posts; it’s about having a comprehensive understanding of our social media impact, which Sprout makes possible with minimal hassle.”

    “Sprout has consistently been the best social management tool I’ve used at various organizations. I have used it since 2011. It is always improving and keeping up with the latest trends in social media without over-inflating the cost like many other services. Its integration of AI tools has been well thought out and actually adds value.”

    “The suite of tools offered by Sprout Social has helped us expand our social media program efficiently! From publishing to analytics to employee advocacy, we have used these tools to operationalize social media programs, establish efficient workflows, and make strategic decisions based on detailed analytics. These tools have also enabled us to expand our social media presence and rally the entire organization around our social media efforts.”

    Learn about G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards or read more reviews directly from Sprout users here.

    About Sprout Social

    Sprout Social is a global leader in social media management and analytics software. Sprout’s intuitive platform puts powerful social data into the hands of approximately 30,000 brands so they can deliver smarter, faster business impact. Sprout offers comprehensive publishing and engagement functionality, customer care, influencer marketing, advocacy, and AI-powered business intelligence. Sprout’s software operates across all major social media networks and digital platforms. For more information about Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT), visit sproutsocial.com.

    Social Media Profiles:
    www.twitter.com/SproutSocial
    www.twitter.com/SproutSocialIR
    www.facebook.com/SproutSocialInc
    www.linkedin.com/company/sprout-social-inc-/
    www.instagram.com/sproutsocial

    Contact
    Media:
    Kaitlyn Gronek
    Email: pr@sproutsocial.com 
    Phone: (773) 904-9674

    Investors:
    Lexi Johnson
    Twitter: @SproutSocialIR
    Email: lexi.johnson@sproutsocial.com 
    Phone: (312) 528-9166

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BsvCloud Launches 2025 Mining Contracts, Offering New Passive Income Opportunities through Cloud Mining

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UXBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BsvCloud, a leading cloud mining platform, has announced the launch of its new mining contracts for 2025. These updated contracts provide users with an accessible and eco-friendly way to earn passive income through cryptocurrency mining without the need for complex setups or large initial investments.

    Flexible and Accessible Mining Contracts
    BsvCloud’s new 2025 mining contracts offer flexible investment plans starting at just $200, making it easier for both beginners and experienced investors to start mining. Users can choose from different contract tiers that match their financial goals, with the added benefit of renewable energy-powered mining operations.

    Sustainable Cloud Mining
    BsvCloud’s 2025 contracts focus on sustainability by using renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, for mining. This reduces costs and minimizes the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining, supporting greener energy practices.

    User-Friendly and Efficient Mining

    The new contracts come with a range of benefits designed to enhance the mining experience. BsvCloud users can enjoy:

    • Flexible Investment Options: Plans starting at just $200, making it easy for anyone to get involved.
    • High Profitability: The platform offers competitive returns, enabling users to earn passive income daily.
    • Fast Payouts: Withdrawals are processed quickly, often within five minutes of the request.
    • 24/7 Customer Support: BsvCloud provides round-the-clock support to assist users with any issues they may encounter.

    How to Get Started with BsvCloud

    Getting started with BsvCloud is simple. New users can sign up for free and begin earning passive income through cloud mining in just a few steps:

    1.   Sign Up: Create a free account on the BsvCloud platform. Sign up bonus 15$.
    2.   Choose a Mining Plan: Select an investment plan based on your budget and goals.

    3.   Start Mining: BsvCloud will begin mining on your behalf, and you can start earning passive income immediately.

    The Future of Cloud Mining with BsvCloud

    As BsvCloud continues to grow, it remains committed to providing its users with reliable, efficient, and sustainable cloud mining opportunities. With over 500,000 users worldwide, the platform is positioned as a leading choice for those looking to earn passive income through cryptocurrency mining.

    For more information about BsvCloud and to explore its new 2025 mining contracts, visit www.bsvcloud.com.

    About BsvCloud
    BsvCloud is a leading cloud mining platform that offers users the opportunity to earn passive income through mining popular cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2017, BsvCloud has grown to serve over 500,000 users worldwide, providing efficient, eco-friendly, and profitable cloud mining services.

    Media Contact:

    Website: https://bsvcloud.com/
    Company: BsvCloud
    Contact person: Tomas Clark
    Email: info@bsvcloud.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by BsvCloud. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in cloud mining and related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/406dd7bb-d1d0-4022-81d4-45246fb38f4e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/745582ec-13f9-419a-8d93-da12ec441a0e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a7fc51d-b7c7-4e8f-a49b-1917ef90baeb

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: authID’s Biometric Authentication and Groundbreaking Privacy Solutions Spotlighted in New Prism Project Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Dedicated findings highlight authID’s leadership in fast, frictionless, and accurate processes that do not compromise on compliance or privacy

    DENVER, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — authID (Nasdaq: AUID), a leading provider of biometric identity verification and authentication solutions, today announced its spotlight in a comprehensive independent market report by the Prism Project, which provided important independent analysis of authID’s approach to privacy- and compliance-first biometric authentication. authID was named a “luminary” for its leading-edge platform for biometric identity verification and privacy protection.

    Published by Acuity Market Intelligence, the leading biometric digital identity research consultancy, the report titled “Biometric Digital Identity Prism Custom Report: authID” highlights how authID’s newly launched PrivacyKey™ technology reflects a paradigm shift in biometric authentication, powerfully addressing the critical balance between security and privacy. The platform boasts a one-in-one-billion false-match accuracy rate in identity verification while maintaining zero-knowledge architecture for user data protection by storing no biometric data, and joins authID solutions Proof™ and Verified™ in providing customers with an unparalleled user-identification experience.

    “authID’s technology is interesting because it isn’t just about security – it’s about creating trust in digital interactions,” said Maxine Most, founder of the Prism Project and Acuity Market Intelligence. “As the Prism Project projects a 300% growth in demand for privacy-focused biometric solutions over the next three years, authID’s platform is at the forefront of successfully bridging the gap between robust security and user privacy, and of setting new industry standards for biometric authentication.”

    Key Findings from the Prism Project Report:

    • authID’s innovative approach is “safeguarding the era of digitization” through liveness-supported face biometrics during the onboarding process as well as continuous identity verification.
    • authID’s proven leadership—composed of identity-industry veterans with decades of experience—are driving consistent adaptations and innovations in a rapidly evolving and increasingly critical landscape.
    • The verification speeds, key-management capabilities, and frictionless ease-of-use at the center of authID’s solutions position it as a leader in both performance and customer experience.

    The report highlights authID’s recent partnership with Salus, which aims to enhance credit union services for 120 million underserved individuals, demonstrating the platform’s scalability and real-world impact. authID’s innovative approach has also attracted partnerships with leading financial institutions and technology companies, as well as firms in the staffing and hiring, philanthropy, and customer-service industries.

    “The Prism Project findings validate our commitment to revolutionary identity verification solutions that prioritize both security and user privacy,” said Rhon Daguro, CEO of authID. “Our PrivacyKey™ technology represents a quantum leap forward in biometric authentication, enabling businesses to provide frictionless security while maintaining the highest standards of data protection.”

    The dedicated authID report follows the December 2024 release of the Prism Project’s highly anticipated Biometric Digital Identity Flagship Report, which evaluated more than 250 industry players and identified the key market dynamics driving extraordinary growth in the emerging global digital identity ecosystem. The annual report highlights the critical role of biometrics in reducing fraud, improving operational efficiency, preserving privacy, and enhancing user experience in the era of digital transformation.

    For more information about authID’s biometric authentication solutions, visit www.authid.ai.

    About authID

    authID (Nasdaq: AUID) ensures enterprises “Know Who’s Behind the Device™” for every customer or employee login and transaction through its easy-to-integrate, patented, biometric identity platform. authID quickly and accurately verifies a user’s identity and eliminates any assumption of ‘who’ is behind a device to prevent cybercriminals from compromising account openings or taking over accounts. Combining secure digital onboarding, biometric authentication, and account recovery with a fast, accurate, user-friendly experience, authID delivers biometric identity processing in 700ms. With our ground-breaking PrivacyKey Solution authID delivers all the benefits of biometric identity verification, with a 1-to-1-billion false match rate, while storing no biometric data. Binding a biometric root of trust for each user to their account, authID stops fraud at onboarding, detects and stops deepfakes, prevents account takeover, eliminates password risks and costs, and provides the fastest, most frictionless, and most accurate user identity experience demanded by today’s digital ecosystem. Contact us to discover how authID can help your organization secure your workforce or consumer applications against identity fraud, cyberattacks and account takeover.

    About The Prism Project

    The Prism Project (www.the-prism-project.com) is at the forefront of biometric and digital identity research and education. Created by Acuity Market Intelligence, it bridges the gap between identity technology experts and organizations seeking innovative solutions for digital transformation. Through industry collaboration and comprehensive research, The Prism Project empowers influencers and decision-makers to forge a secure, human-centric digital identity future.

    About Acuity Market Intelligence

    Acuity Market Intelligence (www.acuitymi.com) is a trusted research and strategic advisory firm specializing in biometrics, identity, and digital transformation. Known for delivering actionable insights and proprietary market forecasts, Acuity helps organizations navigate the rapidly evolving digital identity landscape with confidence and clarity.

    For further information, interviews, sponsor inquiries, or to download Prism reports, please visit www.the-prism-project.com or contact info@the-prism-project.com.

    Media Contacts

    NextTech Communications
     Walter Fowler
    1-631-334-3864
    wfowler@nexttechcomms.com

    Investor Relations Contacts
    Investor-Relations@authid.ai

    Gateway Group, Inc.
    Cody Slach and Alex Thompson
    1-949-574-3860
    AUID@gateway-grp.com

    Acuity Market Intelligence
    Maxine Most
    1-303-449-1897
    info@the-prism-project.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) Announces Readiness to Prioritize Secure Disposal of Restricted Telecommunications Equipment to Ensure Full Reimbursement Compliance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PENSACOLA, Fla., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR), a national leader in secure asset disposition and recycling, announces its immediate readiness to prioritize the compliant disposal of specified telecommunications equipment, ensuring that participating organizations meet necessary disposal requirements for full reimbursement under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Huawei Rip and Replace” initiative.

    The Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act of 2019 (Secure Network Act), signed into law on March 12, 2020, mandates the removal of specific Chinese-manufactured telecommunications equipment from U.S. networks to safeguard national security. In support of this initiative, Congress unanimously allocated $1.9 billion on July 27, 2021 and the remaining $3.8 billion was allocated in December 2024, to assist U.S. telecom firms with fewer than 10 million subscribers in replacing equipment from Huawei, ZTE, and three other Chinese companies. With the FCC now having received the necessary funding, ATR is prepared to accelerate efforts to ensure the safe and compliant destruction of covered equipment.

    ATR has worked closely with the FCC to develop stringent disposal parameters that align with national security protocols. Drawing from its extensive experience in secure electronics recycling, ATR has helped shape industry best practices that ensure telecommunications equipment containing sensitive data is destroyed beyond recovery. These guidelines are modeled after military-grade disposal methods used for ITAR (International Traffic and Arms Regulations), ensuring compliance with federal security and environmental mandates.

    ATR has already assisted a growing number of clients in successfully transporting and securely destroying Huawei and ZTE devices while maintaining 100% compliance with FCC disposal guidelines. By implementing highly controlled processes, ATR mitigates the risk of these components being resold or repurposed, thereby preventing potential cybersecurity threats.

    “As one of the few companies in the United States that fully meets all FCC requirements for managing these highly sensitive assets, ATR is uniquely positioned to handle the secure destruction of covered telecommunications equipment,” said Brodie Ehresman, Director of Marketing for ATR. “Now that full funding is in place, ATR is prioritizing these critical efforts to protect national security and ensure compliance with federal mandates.”

    The removal and destruction of this equipment are particularly vital due to the vast amounts of data and intellectual property stored within these systems. By leveraging decades of expertise in secure electronics recycling, ATR will ensure that all equipment is properly decommissioned, dismantled, and destroyed following the highest security and environmental standards.

    In addition to secure telecommunications equipment disposal, ATR offers a comprehensive suite of IT Asset Management (ITAM) services that can help affected organizations maximize value recovery. Many of these services, such as IT asset remarketing and certified data destruction, provide opportunities to offset disposal costs and generate additional revenue. These programs can be bundled with affected equipment removal to reduce logistics costs and improve overall return on investment (ROI).

    Organizations participating in the FCC’s Rip and Replace program are encouraged to contact ATR immediately to schedule secure asset disposition services. ATR’s nationwide infrastructure and specialized destruction capabilities provide telecom firms with a trusted partner in meeting federal compliance requirements.

    For more information about ATR’s services and secure disposal solutions, visit ATrecycle.com or contact our sales team at 877-781-7779 or ClientSales@ATrecycle.com.

    About Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) ATR is a leading provider of secure asset disposition, electronics recycling, and IT asset management solutions. With a nationwide presence, ATR specializes in value recovery programs and secure, environmentally responsible, and compliant disposal services for industries that require the highest levels of data security and regulatory compliance.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Šiaulių Bankas Invitation to Q4 and FY 2024 Investor Webinar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AB Šiaulių Bankas invites shareholders, investors, analysts and other stakeholders to join the Investor Webinar on 27 February, 2025 at 8:30 am (EET). The webinar will cover Q4 and FY2024 earnings results and key business highlights. The presentation will be held online in English.

    Vytautas Sinius (CEO), Tomas Varenbergas (Head of Investment Management Division), and Tautvydas Mėdžius (Strategy Partner) will host the event. They will present the financial results, discuss recent developments, and address participant questions.

    Please feel free to submit your questions in advance to investors@sb.lt

    How to join the webinar?

    To join the webinar, please register via following link https://sb.zoomtv.lt. After successful registration You will be provided with the webinar link.

    Additional information:
    Tomas Varenbergas
    Head of Investment Management & Treasury
    tomas.varenbergas@sb.lt

    The MIL Network –