Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This photo taken on July 3, 2025 shows cars for sale at a port in Yokohama, Japan. [Photo/Xinhua]
Global trade grew by an estimated 300 billion U.S. dollars in the first half (H1) of 2025, despite showing a slower growth pace, the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in a report released Tuesday.
In its latest Global Trade Update report, the UNCTAD warned that the global trade outlook remains uncertain due to persistent policy instability, geopolitical tensions, and signs of weakening global growth in the second half of the year.
According to the report, global trade rose by about 1.5 percent in the first quarter and was expected to grow by 2 percent in the second quarter.
The report noted that price increases contributed to the overall rise in trade value, while trade volumes grew by just 1 percent. Prices for traded goods edged up in the first quarter and continued to rise in the second quarter.
Services trade remained the primary driver of growth, rising 9 percent over the last four quarters.
The report showed mixed trends in merchandise trade among major economies in the first quarter of 2025, with developed economies outpacing developing countries. The report attributed this to a 14 percent surge in imports by the United States and a 6 percent rise in exports from the European Union.
Meanwhile, the United States has seen a widening trade deficit over the last four quarters, contributing to deepened trade imbalances.
The report also highlighted the heightened risks of trade fragmentation brought by recent U.S. tariffs, including a 10 percent baseline tariff and additional duties on steel and aluminum. It warned that a further wave of unilateral actions could trigger trade tensions.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Joao Pedro scored twice against his former club as Chelsea reached the FIFA Club World Cup final on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Fluminense.
Less than a week after joining Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion, Pedro struck either side of halftime to set up a meeting with either Real Madrid or reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final.
The game ended on a worrying note for Chelsea after midfielder Moises Caicedo limped off with an ankle injury.
Both sides began with high intensity at MetLife Stadium despite the temperature reaching 35 degrees Celsius at kickoff.
Chelsea dominated the early stages and got its reward in the 18th minute when Pedro Neto’s cross into the box was cleared straight to Pedro, who curled a shot into the far corner.
Malo Gusto almost doubled the lead moments later, winning a header in the box but directing his effort straight at goalkeeper Fabio.
Fluminense had its best scoring chance of the first half when Hercules beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to the ball and fired a shot that was hooked away on the line by Marc Cucurella.
The Brazilian outfit then had a penalty for a Trevoh Chalobah handball overturned after the referee reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and ruled the defender’s arm was in a natural position.
Chelsea regained the initiative after halftime as Caicedo and Cucurella both went close with shots from distance.
Pedro scored his team’s second goal in the 56th minute, cutting inside on the counterattack before lashing a drive that bounced in off the underside of the bar.
Fluminense looked deflated as Chelsea continued to press forward in the oppressive conditions.
Gusto’s long-range attempt narrowly missed the top-right corner and substitute Nicolas Jackson sent an angled shot into the side-netting when Cole Palmer was free inside the six-yard box.
Playing against his former club, 40-year-old defender Thiago Silva was arguably Fluminense’s best player, blocking and repelling a number of Chelsea attacks.
His clearing header from a Cucurella cross in the 75th minute almost certainly denied the Premier League club a third goal.
Fluminense pushed to get back into the match but struggled to break down Chelsea’s organized defense. Substitute Keno almost broke the English team’s resistance in the final minutes, steering a header wide after beating Reece James in the air.
ALEM, Oregon— The work to prepare Oregon’s more than 250 state parks and campgrounds for the 2025 season has been going all year long.
Behind the scenes, park rangers have moved mountains of sand, cleared thousands of downed trees and repaired roofs, bridges and trails around the state to keep parks well maintained and ready for visitors.
Visitors might think that parks stay pristine because they look just like they left them, but maintaining beautiful landscapes in some of Oregon’s harshest climates takes some work:
Cape Lookout State Park cleared more than 1.5 million pounds of sand after winter winds buried one camp loop in six-inch drifts. The park is not alone. Many coastal parks must dig out campsites, sidewalks and parking lots after the winter season.
Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area removed a dump truck load of slime, algae, branches, leaves and trash, which coated the campground when the lake receded. The lake floods every year, and rangers clean up the muck left behind.
In the Mountain Region and other areas where it freezes, rangers reinstall plumbing components and restart the plumbing to the campgrounds, buildings and picnic shelters, which includes restarting water to thousands of campsite spigots.
At Fall Creek State Recreation Area east of Eugene, rangers cleared eight dump truck loads of fir needles, cones, branches and debris to make the roads passable at Winberry Park when it reopened this spring.
Nehalem Bay State Park cleared nearly 180 downed trees in one winter storm alone. Parks across the state repaired winter storm damage, including clearing downed trees, repairing roads, fixing roofs and mending bridges.
In the Columbia River Gorge, parks cleared thousands of pounds of woody debris from paved trails and created wood chips to spread around trees and shrubs.
Overall, Oregon State Parks rangers spend nearly 800,000 hours a year cleaning bathrooms, building and repairing trails and bridges, fixing old and new pipes and wiring, keeping parks safe, preserving Oregon’s history and natural resources and sharing knowledge on everything from mushrooms to the night sky.
“Rangers work tirelessly to keep these landscapes beautiful and accessible for the approximately 56 million visits each year at Oregon State Parks. We’re thankful for the work they do every day,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.
Oregon State Parks welcome as many as 17,000 guests on the busiest nights, which means moving a city roughly the size of Canby in and out of campgrounds on almost a daily basis statewide.
“Oregon State Parks are like small cities. They run sewer, water and electrical systems; maintain roads and structures, all while managing campgrounds. When one system goes down, our staff manage the necessary emergency repairs to keep parks open. I’m proud of the work they do to keep parks safe, welcoming and ready for everyone to enjoy,” said Oregon Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Sumption.
Help rangers this season by following all safety signs and barriers; staying on trail and checking campfire restrictions in advance at stateparks.oregon.gov. Interested in what rangers do? Check out the Oregon State Parks episode of “Odd Jobs” by SAIF Corporation at https://youtu.be/NUqCmEe38Uw?feature=shared
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
NT Police are calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Rapid Creek early this morning.
Around 2:15am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a stolen motor vehicle on Aralia Street. It is alleged that when the victim was exiting his parked car, he was approached by a male who was armed with a knife and demanding his vehicle keys.
The victim subsequently surrendered his keys, and the alleged offender entered the victim’s Mitsubishi X-Trail and fled the scene. The victim observed multiple other unknown individuals enter the vehicle a short distance away.
Police attended and patrols of the area were conducted; however, the stolen vehicle and offenders remain outstanding.
Crime have carriage and investigations are ongoing.
Police urge anyone with information or CCTV in the area to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25183138. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
What little fuel remains is powering essential operations, but it is running out fast, and there are virtually no additional accessible stocks left, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said, citing reports from the UN relief coordination office, OCHA.
“Hospitals are rationing. Ambulances are stalling. Water systems are on the brink. And the deaths this is likely to cause could soon rise sharply unless the Israeli authorities allow new fuel to get in,” said Mr. Dujarric.
“We need fuel urgently and we need it in large quantities to power the most essential parts, notably water desalination, hospitals and telecommunications,” he added, noting fuel has not entered the enclave in the last few months.
Khan Younis displacement
Meanwhile Israeli forces continue to attack civilian infrastructure in Gaza and issue new displacement orders.
On Tuesday, such orders were issued for parts of Khan Younis, specifically ordering those staying in tents to move, Mr. Dujarric reported.
The map published alongside the order indicates that some areas included had not been subject to displacement orders since before the March ceasefire, he said.
“The issuance of a displacement order does not relieve any party from the imperative to spare civilians, including those who are unable or unwilling to move.”
Safeguard hospitals
Mr. Dujarric also reiterated the UN World Health Organization’s (WHO) call to protect the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, warning that the hospital is overwhelmed with trauma injuries at double its capacity.
In a video message sent from the hospital on Monday, Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said the facility is running critically low on trauma supplies, essential medicines, equipment and fuel, and that staff are exhausted.
Humanitarian movements
Meanwhile, OCHA reported that humanitarian movements inside Gaza remain heavily restricted: only four out of 12 attempts on Monday to coordinate movements with the Israeli security authorities were fully facilitated, and just one delivered supplies.
Four more attempts were rejected by Israeli authorities, halting efforts to evacuate patients, retrieve disabled trucks or clear debris.
Although the remaining four were initially approved, ground-level impediments ultimately undermined the ability to carry out the missions.
A Cedar Rapids man who conspired to distribute controlled substance was sentenced July 7, 2025, to more than 25 years in federal prison.
James Colquhoun, age 40, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 10, 2025, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony, carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that between January 2024 and February 13, 2024, Colquhoun knowingly conspired with others to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine in the Cedar Rapids area. On February 13, 2024, officers stopped Colquhoun’s vehicle and searched it. During the search, officers located over 500 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, over $25,000, and a firearm. Colquhoun knowingly possessed those controlled substances with the intent to distribute them. After the traffic stop, officers searched Colquhoun’s hotel room where he resided. During the search of his hotel room, investigators located over 600 grams of heroin, over 50 grams of methamphetamine, and another firearm. In 2014, Colquhoun was convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa of distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and carrying a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Colquhoun was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Colquhoun was sentenced to 336 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Colquhoun is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson, and it was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Marion Police Department.
Seattle – A 48-year-old member of the Lummi Nation was arraigned in federal court today on an indictment charging him with assault by strangulation, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Marc Cagey Oreiro entered a plea of not guilty. Trial is scheduled in front of U.S. District Judge Lauren King on August 25, 2025.
According to records filed in the case, on May 23, 2025, Oreiro assaulted the victim in the master bedroom of a home on Lummi Nation tribal land. Oreiro pushed the victim onto the bed and alternated strangling her with his hands and forearm causing the victim to experience difficulty breathing. While she was pinned to the bed, Oreiro hit her multiple times, punching her in the head, back, stomach, side, and ear. He struck her in the ribs with his knee and knelt on her chest and repeatedly threatened to kill her.
Lummi Police officers arrived at the door after a housemate called police. After searching the home, police arrested Oreiro who physically fought with officers. The victim was found crying in the master bedroom closet where Oreiro had ordered her to hide from police. The victim was transported by medics for treatment of her injuries. She had bruises on her face, ears, and bruising and abrasions on her neck.
Oreiro was originally charged in tribal court. Following the initial FBI investigation, Oreiro was charged by criminal complaint, and on June 25, 2025, the grand jury returned an indictment.
Assault by strangulation is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Safe Trails Task Force and the Lummi Nation Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee. Ms. Lee serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 38-year-old Georgia woman has been sentenced today for smuggling several firearms and magazines hidden in a vehicle’s gas tank, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Mirna Luna pleaded guilty April 1.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. has now handed Luna a 46-month term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the seriousness 0f trafficking of firearms.
Luna traveled from her Canton, Georgia, residence Dec. 15, 2024, and attempted to cross at the Brownsville/Matamoros port of entry into Mexico.
Once there, authorities had referred her to secondary inspection where they discovered 17 firearms and 27 magazines hidden in the gas tank of the Nissan car she was driving.
Luna claimed ownership of the car and admitted she is the only person who drives it. She does not have a license to export firearms and has not applied for one.
She will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose Esquivel and Ana Cano prosecuted the case.
SAN JOSE – A California man was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison for a decade-long scheme to avoid paying over employment taxes to the IRS.
The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: John Comeau, of Santa Clara, was the CEO of Vivid Inc., a company that provided metal coating services to industrial customers in California and elsewhere. Vivid Inc. employed as many as 40 employees at any given time.
Comeau was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.
From the first quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2019, Vivid Inc. paid its employee a total of over $8.8 million in wages. During this period, Comeau collected and withheld taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees but did not pay over all the taxes owed to the IRS. He also caused false quarterly employment tax returns to be filed with the IRS, underreporting Vivid’s wages by more than $5 million.
To conceal his scheme, Comeau caused accurate tax forms to be issued to certain employees. These tax forms reported higher wages than the amounts Vivid had reported to the IRS. Comeau also issued tax forms, such as Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2, to other Vivid employees that underreported their wages. When an employer underreports wages paid to their employees, it may negatively impact those employees’ Social Security benefits, as those forms are used by the Social Security Administration to compute benefits owed to an employee.
Instead of paying his taxes, Comeau used some of the funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle that included a $3 million home and luxury cars.
In total, Comeau caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.1 million.
In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts ordered Comeau to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,153,948 in restitution to the IRS.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Oakland Field Office Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen made the announcement.
IRS-CI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilham Hosseini and Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.
Quebec City, Quebec, July 8, 2025 – Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, met with her provincial and territorial counterparts at the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting in Québec City to advance shared priorities and strengthen Canada’s domestic economy.
Over the past six months, the federal government worked with the CIT to facilitate internal trade and labour mobility across Canada by:
Removing unnecessary exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses to buy and sell interprovincially and compete for government procurement.
Reaching an agreement in principle to include the financial services sector into the CFTA by end of Fall 2025.
Expanding the Mutual Recognition Project in the trucking sector to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Minister Freeland invited transportation officials and experts to a Trucking Hackathon on July 15-16 in Toronto to identify new opportunities to make it easier to transport goods across Canada by aligning regulations in the trucking sector.
Advancing mutual recognition for goods (except for food) by December 2025, making it easier to buy and sell Canadian goods across the country.
Committing to implement an Action Plan on labour mobility, including a 30-day service standard to process labour mobility applications.
Signing a Memorandum of Understanding to implement a direct-to-consumer alcohol sales system by May 2026, at the latest.
Agreeing to launch internal trade missions to foster business growth and promote trade across Canada.
In addition, the federal government recently announced the elimination of all federal exceptions in the CFTA. The government has also successfully passed the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act as part of Canada’s new One Canadian Economy Act. This legislation will eliminate federal barriers to the movement of goods, services and labour within Canada, while upholding the health, safety and security of Canadians, their social and economic well-being, and the environment.
The federal government will continue to work toward the removal of remaining barriers to internal trade and labour mobility to ensure all Canadian businesses and workers have access to a seamless and integrated domestic market.
An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Puerto Rico charging two men for their alleged roles in operating and promoting OmegaPro, an international investment scheme that defrauded victim investors of over $650 million.
According to court documents, Michael Shannon Sims, 48, of Georgia and Florida, was a founder, strategic consultant, and promoter of OmegaPro, and Juan Carlos Reynoso, 57, of New Jersey and Florida, led OmegaPro’s operations in Latin America and parts of the United States, including Puerto Rico.
“As alleged, the defendants preyed upon vulnerable individuals in the U.S. and abroad, defrauding them of over $650 million by making false promises of substantial returns and that their money was safe,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to prosecuting these bad actors and pursuing justice for their many victims. Thanks to the dedicated work of our multiagency and international law enforcement partners, we are leading efforts to combat these complex and insidious digital asset investor scams.”
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants operated a global fraud scheme through OmegaPro that deceived investors with false promises of extraordinary returns, only to misappropriate hundreds of millions of victim funds,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to dismantling international financial schemes that target U.S. victims — including here in Puerto Rico — and to recovering illicit proceeds through criminal prosecution and asset forfeiture.”
“The FBI will not stand by while the American public is defrauded,” said Assistant Director Joe Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Through coordination with our partners, these individuals will have to defend their actions in a court of law.”
“This case exposes the ruthless reality of modern financial crime,” said Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “OmegaPro promised financial freedom but delivered financial ruin – stealing over $650 million from everyday people and vanishing it into virtual currency. These weren’t just scams; they were precision-engineered betrayals. Our job is to stand up for those who’ve been exploited and continue our cross-agency collaboration until those responsible are brought to justice.”
“This case highlights the critical role international partnerships play in dismantling transnational financial fraud schemes that exploit global markets and victimize unsuspecting investors,” said International Operations Assistant Director Ricardo Mayoral of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI remains committed to working with our partners worldwide to disrupt criminal networks that weaponize emerging technologies to conceal illicit profits and defraud the public.”
Sims and co-conspirators established OmegaPro in or about January 2019, and Reynoso joined a few months later, in or about April 2019. As alleged, the defendants and others operated and promoted OmegaPro as a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme for investors to purchase “investment packages,” which the defendants and others falsely promised would generate 300% returns over 16 months through foreign exchange (forex) trading by elite traders. Investors were instructed to purchase these investment packages using virtual currency.
According to court documents, Sims allegedly misled victims by vouching for OmegaPro’s trading performance and the skills of the hired traders and by falsely advertising the safety of investment in OmegaPro. Reynoso allegedly falsely and misleadingly represented that OmegaPro was operating pursuant to a legitimate license and, at other times, that OmegaPro was not subject to any country’s legal rules. The indictment alleges that Sims and Reynoso, together with co-conspirators, hosted lavish OmegaPro promotional events and trainings all over the world including, for example, projecting the OmegaPro logo onto the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, at an event in Dubai. The objective of these promotional events allegedly was to convince existing and prospective investors that OmegaPro was a legitimate enterprise that offered a path to wealth and a luxurious lifestyle.
Further, Sims, Reynoso, and their co-conspirators used social media to display their expensive vacations and cars, as well as their designer clothes and watches. The indictment alleges that through the defendants’ and others’ misrepresentations, OmegaPro raised over $650 million in virtual currency from thousands of investors. After OmegaPro announced that it had suffered a network hack, Reynoso and others told victims in or about January 2023 that their investments were secure and that OmegaPro was transferring their investments to another platform called Broker Group. Despite these representations, victims were unable to withdraw money from either their OmegaPro accounts or their accounts at Broker Group, resulting in millions in victim losses.
The more than $650 million in funds raised from victims allegedly was first sent to virtual currency wallet addresses controlled by OmegaPro executives and then allegedly transferred to OmegaPro insiders and high-ranking promoters to disperse the funds and obscure their origins. As alleged, Sims and Reynoso both profited millions from this scheme.
Both defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Sims and Reynoso each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.
The FBI, IRS-CI, and HSI New York are investigating the case, with assistance from FBI’s Virtual Asset Unit, HSI Bangkok, HSI Bogota, HSI Frankfurt, HSI Istanbul, HSI London, HSI Miami, HSI New Delhi, HSI The Hague, the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia, and the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), an alliance between the Australian Taxation Office, the Canada Revenue Agency, the Dutch Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs from the U.K., and IRS-CI.
Trial Attorneys Ariel Glasner and Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gottfried for the District of Puerto Rico and on detail to the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.
If you believe you were potentially victimized by OmegaPro or have information relevant to this investigation, please visit the FBI’s Victim Witness website at forms.fbi.gov/victims/omegaprovictims or contact OmegaProVictims@fbi.gov.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
S. 582 would authorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide transportation for specified purposes for government astronauts after they return to Earth until they are medically cleared to operate a motor vehicle. Using information from NASA, CBO estimates that implementing S. 582 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Johnny Willing. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Puerto Rico charging two men for their alleged roles in operating and promoting OmegaPro, an international investment scheme that defrauded victim investors of over $650 million.
According to court documents, Michael Shannon Sims, 48, of Georgia and Florida, was a founder, strategic consultant, and promoter of OmegaPro, and Juan Carlos Reynoso, 57, of New Jersey and Florida, led OmegaPro’s operations in Latin America and parts of the United States, including Puerto Rico.
“As alleged, the defendants preyed upon vulnerable individuals in the U.S. and abroad, defrauding them of over $650 million by making false promises of substantial returns and that their money was safe,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to prosecuting these bad actors and pursuing justice for their many victims. Thanks to the dedicated work of our multiagency and international law enforcement partners, we are leading efforts to combat these complex and insidious digital asset investor scams.”
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants operated a global fraud scheme through OmegaPro that deceived investors with false promises of extraordinary returns, only to misappropriate hundreds of millions of victim funds,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to dismantling international financial schemes that target U.S. victims — including here in Puerto Rico — and to recovering illicit proceeds through criminal prosecution and asset forfeiture.”
“The FBI will not stand by while the American public is defrauded,” said Assistant Director Joe Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Through coordination with our partners, these individuals will have to defend their actions in a court of law.”
“This case exposes the ruthless reality of modern financial crime,” said Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “OmegaPro promised financial freedom but delivered financial ruin – stealing over $650 million from everyday people and vanishing it into virtual currency. These weren’t just scams; they were precision-engineered betrayals. Our job is to stand up for those who’ve been exploited and continue our cross-agency collaboration until those responsible are brought to justice.”
“This case highlights the critical role international partnerships play in dismantling transnational financial fraud schemes that exploit global markets and victimize unsuspecting investors,” said International Operations Assistant Director Ricardo Mayoral of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI remains committed to working with our partners worldwide to disrupt criminal networks that weaponize emerging technologies to conceal illicit profits and defraud the public.”
Sims and co-conspirators established OmegaPro in or about January 2019, and Reynoso joined a few months later, in or about April 2019. As alleged, the defendants and others operated and promoted OmegaPro as a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme for investors to purchase “investment packages,” which the defendants and others falsely promised would generate 300% returns over 16 months through foreign exchange (forex) trading by elite traders. Investors were instructed to purchase these investment packages using virtual currency.
According to court documents, Sims allegedly misled victims by vouching for OmegaPro’s trading performance and the skills of the hired traders and by falsely advertising the safety of investment in OmegaPro. Reynoso allegedly falsely and misleadingly represented that OmegaPro was operating pursuant to a legitimate license and, at other times, that OmegaPro was not subject to any country’s legal rules. The indictment alleges that Sims and Reynoso, together with co-conspirators, hosted lavish OmegaPro promotional events and trainings all over the world including, for example, projecting the OmegaPro logo onto the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, at an event in Dubai. The objective of these promotional events allegedly was to convince existing and prospective investors that OmegaPro was a legitimate enterprise that offered a path to wealth and a luxurious lifestyle.
Further, Sims, Reynoso, and their co-conspirators used social media to display their expensive vacations and cars, as well as their designer clothes and watches. The indictment alleges that through the defendants’ and others’ misrepresentations, OmegaPro raised over $650 million in virtual currency from thousands of investors. After OmegaPro announced that it had suffered a network hack, Reynoso and others told victims in or about January 2023 that their investments were secure and that OmegaPro was transferring their investments to another platform called Broker Group. Despite these representations, victims were unable to withdraw money from either their OmegaPro accounts or their accounts at Broker Group, resulting in millions in victim losses.
The more than $650 million in funds raised from victims allegedly was first sent to virtual currency wallet addresses controlled by OmegaPro executives and then allegedly transferred to OmegaPro insiders and high-ranking promoters to disperse the funds and obscure their origins. As alleged, Sims and Reynoso both profited millions from this scheme.
Both defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Sims and Reynoso each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.
The FBI, IRS-CI, and HSI New York are investigating the case, with assistance from FBI’s Virtual Asset Unit, HSI Bangkok, HSI Bogota, HSI Frankfurt, HSI Istanbul, HSI London, HSI Miami, HSI New Delhi, HSI The Hague, the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia, and the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), an alliance between the Australian Taxation Office, the Canada Revenue Agency, the Dutch Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs from the U.K., and IRS-CI.
Trial Attorneys Ariel Glasner and Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gottfried for the District of Puerto Rico and on detail to the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.
If you believe you were potentially victimized by OmegaPro or have information relevant to this investigation, please visit the FBI’s Victim Witness website at forms.fbi.gov/victims/omegaprovictims or contact OmegaProVictims@fbi.gov.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A California man was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison for a decade-long scheme to avoid paying over employment taxes to the IRS.
The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: John Comeau, of Santa Clara, was the CEO of Vivid Inc., a company that provided metal coating services to industrial customers in California and elsewhere. Vivid Inc. employed as many as 40 employees at any given time.
Comeau was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.
From the first quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2019, Vivid Inc. paid its employee a total of over $8.8 million in wages. During this period, Comeau collected and withheld taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees but did not pay over all the taxes owed to the IRS. He also caused false quarterly employment tax returns to be filed with the IRS, underreporting Vivid’s wages by more than $5 million.
To conceal his scheme, Comeau caused accurate tax forms to be issued to certain employees. These tax forms reported higher wages than the amounts Vivid had reported to the IRS. Comeau also issued tax forms, such as Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2, to other Vivid employees that underreported their wages. When an employer underreports wages paid to their employees, it may negatively impact those employees’ Social Security benefits, as those forms are used by the Social Security Administration to compute benefits owed to an employee.
Instead of paying his taxes, Comeau used some of the funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle that included a $3 million home and luxury cars.
In total, Comeau caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.1 million.
In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts for the Northern District of California ordered Comeau to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,153,948 in restitution to the IRS.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilham Hosseini for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case.
A California man was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison for a decade-long scheme to avoid paying over employment taxes to the IRS.
The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: John Comeau, of Santa Clara, was the CEO of Vivid Inc., a company that provided metal coating services to industrial customers in California and elsewhere. Vivid Inc. employed as many as 40 employees at any given time.
Comeau was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.
From the first quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2019, Vivid Inc. paid its employee a total of over $8.8 million in wages. During this period, Comeau collected and withheld taxes from the wages of Vivid’s employees but did not pay over all the taxes owed to the IRS. He also caused false quarterly employment tax returns to be filed with the IRS, underreporting Vivid’s wages by more than $5 million.
To conceal his scheme, Comeau caused accurate tax forms to be issued to certain employees. These tax forms reported higher wages than the amounts Vivid had reported to the IRS. Comeau also issued tax forms, such as Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2, to other Vivid employees that underreported their wages. When an employer underreports wages paid to their employees, it may negatively impact those employees’ Social Security benefits, as those forms are used by the Social Security Administration to compute benefits owed to an employee.
Instead of paying his taxes, Comeau used some of the funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle that included a $3 million home and luxury cars.
In total, Comeau caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.1 million.
In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts for the Northern District of California ordered Comeau to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,153,948 in restitution to the IRS.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilham Hosseini for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Swell, a leading Mexican credit provider, has received a BBB- with a Stable Outlook credit rating from firm HR Ratings.
It closed with a 35.3% capitalization ratio at year-end 2024, a clear indicator of the firm’s sustained financial resilience.
“This new rating conveys a validation that the Strategic Plan we announced in 2024, coupled with prudent risk management and our financial discipline, is leading to successful results,” explained Ethel Mora, who took over as the company’s CEO in 2023.
“The fact that HR Ratings have reaffirmed our favorable rating shows how ready we are to grow in the near future,” she added.
With over 20 headstrong and around two hundred active clients, Swell currently manages a total loan portfolio valued at approximately 245 million Mexican pesos (13,14 million USD) as of June 2025.
In 2024, the company’s pre-tax earnings remained stable, closing at 10.8 million pesos compared to 10.6 million pesos in the previous year.
The credit rating, bylined by analysts Oscar Herrera, Ana Landgrave, Angel García, and Roberto Soto, explains Swell’s strong credit position and its ability to consistently generate shareholder profit and add value to the market.
In its report, the rating agency also noted some deterioration in Swell’s loan portfolio quality, with overdue loans of 45.9 million pesos, resulting in a delinquency rate of 19.1 percent at the end of 2024.
Long-term delinquencies (over ninety days) remained essentially unchanged year-over-year at 33.9 million pesos.
Net profit declined to 5.6 million pesos due to higher tax expenses related to non-deductible provisions, which became irrecoverable, resulting in an average ROA of 1.7 percent.
Swell was founded in 2010 and specializes in lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). While most of its loans are focused on machinery and transportation equipment, auto leasing for cars and commercial vehicles, the company also provides financing for working capital, capital expenditures, asset acquisitions, and investment projects.
Swell operates under the supervision of Mexico’s National Banking and Securities Commission and the National Commission for the Protection of Users of Financial Services.
Forward-Looking Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Swell (SWELL FINANZAS EN MOVIMIENTO SAPI DE CV SOFOM ENR) and its credit ratings assigned by HR Ratings. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” the future tense, and similar terms. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including changes in market conditions, credit performance, regulatory impacts, and other financial uncertainties. This information does not constitute an offer or solicitation to investors in the United States or any jurisdiction where such an offer would be unlawful. The statements reflect current beliefs and forecasts as of the date of this release. Swell assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements due to new information, future events, or other circumstances.
Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
ICYMI: Mullin Highlights Historic Border Security and Air Traffic Control Modernization in ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’
“This will put us in in the driver’s seat again and put us where we need to be.”
Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined SiriusXM’s Patriot’s David Webb on The David Webb Show to unpack the enormous border security wins in President Trump’s historic ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB) in the wake of recent violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Senator Mullin also spoke about the importance of modernizing the air traffic control industry.
Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
On how the Democratic Party is fueling the attacks on our ICE agents:
“What’s really damning here is that the people who call on violence on the ICE agents have been absolutely silent about that. That’s the Democrat leaders. I mean, they have been the ones that stirred this fire. They’re the ones that have [stoked] the flames, and I would say, led to this…
“The Democrat Party has still said nothing about it. But are we surprised? Because this lawless activity is what they received in their own hometowns, which most these people are not from that, they’re from a blue state, from a blue city. When you start looking at their backgrounds, these are the leaders that have actually [stoked] these flames, that brought these people into this rage, that thinking that this is okay.”
On how the OBBB restores America’s sovereignty at the southern border:
“Keep in mind that the Biden administration, over the last four years, gutted the ICE agents, gutted the retention centers, they gutted the Border Patrol, and they handcuffed, I would say not literally, but dang near, anybody from being able to enforce border law and border security, meaning that the people that were crossing, 89% of the individuals crossing illegally was detained and released into the United States on parole, which means they was never actually in the hearing, which they should have been, in less than 24 hours. And so the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ restored that. We put $46 billion to finish the wall…
“God forbid something happens in three and a half years, and God forbid we get a Democrat back in the White House, they can’t stop this. This wall is going to be completed, and honestly probably be completed before President Trump leaves office, and then we put just over $4 billion for new agents, up to 10,000 ICE agents and those agencies related to ICE, because ICE isn’t the only one going in and arresting illegals. We also use local law enforcement, and we want to reimburse local law enforcement that’s willing to work with us.”
On the importance of $12.5 billion in OBBB to modernize our air traffic control industry:
“Air and Space has become our second largest industry in our state. But also, what a lot of people don’t realize is, in Oklahoma City, we train all the air traffic controllers across the United States. We have a huge facility there. And one thing you’d be surprised when you go into these towers, they’re using technology from the 80s, literally from the 80s, instead of using a true GPS system that we all have in our vehicles…
“With the $12 billion, we’ll be able to start going into these towers systematically and upgrading the systems to technology that every other aviation system in the world is using…
“This will put us in in the driver’s seat again, and put us where we need to be. And luckily, we have an actual Transportation Secretary that knows what they’re doing, not, you know, Pete Buttigieg.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)
TAMPA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) called on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to immediately reinstate Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon following his abrupt removal from the Department of Justice. Gordon had been leading the prosecution of Leo Govoni, a St. Petersburg man accused of stealing over $100 million from medical trust funds meant to help individuals with disabilities, injured workers and retirees across Florida.
“These funds—managed by nonprofits Govoni helped found—were systematically siphoned into shell companies and fraudulent investment vehicles, allegedly to support his lavish personal lifestyle. Victims were blindsided when their accounts were drained, leaving them without the resources they relied on for housing, therapy, medication, and basic dignity,” wrote Castor. “The victims of Govoni’s alleged fraud number in the thousands—each with painful and personal stories. Mr. Gordon’s removal places this case, and their hope for accountability, in jeopardy.”
Castor closed, “I respectfully request that you stand up for the victims of the Govoni crimes, reinstate Mr. Gordon immediately and allow the prosecution of Leo Govoni to proceed unimpeded. The victims deserve closure, and the public deserves a justice system free from intimidation and partisan retribution.”
Castor’s letter also raises concerns about Gordon’s dismissal as potential political retaliation for previously prosecuting January 6 insurrection cases. Castor calls the firings of Gordon and other career prosecutors “a deep stain of callous disregard for the U.S. Constitution and rule of law… These actions appear petty and vindictive, aimed at punishing those who upheld the rule of law.”
The Trump Administration’s action to remove a prosecutor in charge of holding a serial fraudster accountable for preying on vulnerable Floridians runs contrary to his claims of rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in health care and across the federal government.
Read the full letter here and below:
Dear Attorney General Bondi:
I urge you to reconsider the recent dismissal of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon from the Department of Justice. His removal—documented in your June 27 memo—comes at a pivotal moment in the federal prosecution of St. Petersburg fraudster Leo Govoni, who stands accused of orchestrating one of the largest fraud schemes in Florida’s recent history. The timing and circumstances of Mr. Gordon’s termination raise serious concerns about political retribution and threaten to derail justice for victims who have already suffered for far too long.
Mr. Govoni is charged with embezzling over $100 million from medical trust funds intended to safeguard the long-term care of vulnerable individuals, including individuals with disabilities, injured workers, and retirees across Florida. These funds—managed by nonprofits Govoni helped found—were systematically siphoned into shell companies and fraudulent investment vehicles, allegedly to support his lavish personal lifestyle. Victims were blindsided when their accounts were drained, leaving them without the resources they relied on for housing, therapy, medication, and basic dignity
The harm inflicted is especially profound in the Tampa Bay area:
In St. Petersburg, Rebekah Bowman trusted Govoni with $800,000 from a settlement meant to care for her disabled son, Kienan Freeman, who requires lifelong support due to a severe seizure disorder. Govoni personally assured her the funds would be protected and grown. Instead, federal investigators found the account partially emptied, and the nonprofit declared bankruptcy. Rebekah shared: “He promised that he would take care of the money and help it grow… and then I shouldn’t have to worry about the money.” After watching Govoni remain free while her son’s care became uncertain, she said: “He gets to walk free and the rest of us still have to struggle.”
In Tampa, Melissa Beck witnessed her father, Thomas Hancock, denied chemotherapy despite having over $347,000 in a Medicare Set-Aside account Govoni’s nonprofit claimed to manage. Hancock, permanently disabled after a fall in 2007, died on May 16, 2025, from complications of cancer and COPD. Melissa discovered the alleged theft only after his death and now seeks justice. She said: “My feeling is this man killed my father… My father could’ve gotten treatment. Maybe he could have survived?” And added: “There’s no amount of money that is going to bring my dad back… but my dad deserves justice, and I will fight until my last breath to get it.”
The victims of Govoni’s alleged fraud number in the thousands—each with painful and personal stories. Mr. Gordon’s removal places this case, and their hope for accountability, in jeopardy.
Equally alarming is the dismissal of a highly regarded Department of Justice prosecutor for purely politically vindictive reasons. Mr. Gordon previously served as senior trial counsel for the Capitol Siege Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. His team prosecuted individuals involved in the January 6 violent insurrection, during which nearly 140 police officers were injured, suffering broken bones, burns, and blunt trauma. Officer Brian Sicknick died from strokes after being assaulted; four others died by suicide in the aftermath. Rioters committed serious crimes, including:
Assaulting law enforcement officers with flagpoles, bear spray, and blunt weapons
Seditious conspiracy, as in the case of Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio
Obstruction of congressional proceedings
Destruction and theft of government property
Unlawful entry into restricted federal buildings, often while armed
As of January 20, 2025, 1,575 individuals were charged in connection with the attack. Yet on his first day back in office, in what is a deep stain of callous disregard for the U.S. Constitution and rule of law, President Trump pardoned over 1,500 convicted rioters, including violent offenders. He has since fired prosecutors and FBI agents who worked on these cases. Your dismissal of Mr. Gordon—alongside two other career prosecutors—marks the first time that non-probationary federal attorneys were removed for their role in these prosecutions. These actions appear petty and vindictive, aimed at punishing those who upheld the rule of law.
I respectfully request that you stand up for the victims of the Govoni crimes, reinstate Mr. Gordon immediately and allow the prosecution of Leo Govoni to proceed unimpeded. The victims deserve closure, and the public deserves a justice system free from intimidation and partisan retribution.
Question for written answer E-002666/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Tomas Tobé (PPE), Jörgen Warborn (PPE)
In its communication entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’[1], the Commission sets a target of reducing the cost of all administrative burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by 35 %. In its communication on decarbonising corporate fleets, reducing the reporting and administrative burden is stated as one of the key aspects in the preparation of the coming legislative proposal[2].
The measures presented in the communication on decarbonising corporate fleets are intended to boost demand for zero-emission vehicles and support the decarbonisation of the transport sector. However, it is of the utmost importance that the Commission deliver on its promises of simplification, including as part of this initiative.
1.What measures will the Commission take to ensure that its legislative proposal on decarbonising corporate fleets is in line with the priorities of the competitiveness compass regarding simplification and a reduction in the administrative burden on SMEs?
2.What other measures will it take to support SMEs in their transition to a decarbonised corporate fleet?
An Auckland man faces a slew of charges after allegedly repeatedly ramming a Police vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police have been investigating since the incident occurred during a traffic stop in Mt Wellington at around 2.20am on 8 July.
Relieving Counties Manukau East Area Commander, Inspector Rakana Cook, says the stolen vehicle was seen running a red light near Carbine Road.
“One of our frontline units signalled this vehicle to stop, and after driving erratically it came to a stop,” he says.
“It’s at this point the four-wheel drive was allegedly used to repeatedly ram our patrol vehicle before fleeing the scene.”
Fortunately, no Police staff were injured.
A determined Police investigation was soon underway with positive lines of enquiry on the driver.
“Our enquiries led a team of Police to an address on Puhinui Road in Papatoetoe yesterday evening, locating the person of interest,” he says.
“The man attempted to flee on foot from our staff but he was all out of options.”
The 44-year-old man was arrested.
Inspector Cook says the man faces serious charges in the Manukau District Court today.
Those charges include two counts of assault with a blunt instrument, resisting Police, failing to stop, unlawfully taking a vehicle and reckless driving.
“We have no tolerance for such reckless and violent behaviour directed at our staff,” Inspector Cook says.
“I’d like to acknowledge our staff involved who were going about their duties in keeping our community safe.”
Headline: Two Weeks Left to Apply for Disaster Assistance for South Texas Severe Storms and Flooding
Two Weeks Left to Apply for Disaster Assistance for South Texas Severe Storms and Flooding
AUSTIN, Texas – South Texas residents who have been affected by the March severe storms and flooding have two weeks left to apply for disaster assistance
Homeowners and renters in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties who were displaced or have property damage from the March 26-28 storms have until Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to apply for FEMA Assistance
To date, more than $70
5 million in state and federal assistance has been approved for South Texas survivors
This includes: $39
2 million for Housing Assistance and $31
3 million for Other Needs Assistance
There are many types of assistance available for survivors with uninsured losses
Assistance may include money for rent, home repair or replacement, vehicle damage, medical expenses, moving and storage, and temporary housing
While FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, it may be able to help where insurance did not
File your insurance claim first, then apply for FEMA Assistance
There are several ways to apply or check the status of your application:The fastest is by going online to DisasterAssistance
govDownload the FEMA App for mobile devices Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a
m
and 10 p
m
CT
Help is available in most languages
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center for in person support
To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Ex: DRC 78552)
To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTubeResidents and businesses in the four eligible counties can also apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U
S
Small Business Administration (SBA) to help recover
Texas residents can apply for a disaster loan online at SBA
gov/disaster or by calling 800-659-2955
To find a Texas location for in-person assistance, visit appointment
sba
gov/schedule/
No appointment is necessary
The filing deadline to return applications for SBA low interest disaster loans physical property damage due to the March severe storms and flooding is July 22, 2025
For the latest information about Texas’ recovery, visit fema
Headline: Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Cheatham and Dickson Counties
Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Cheatham and Dickson Counties
Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are now open in Cheatham and Dickson counties to assist Tennesseans who experienced damage or loss from the April 2-24 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding
Cheatham County: Kingston Springs City Hall, 396 Spring Street, Kingston Springs, TN 37082Hours: 8 a
m
-3:30 p
m
CT Today; 8:00 a
m
-6:00 p
m
Wednesday-Saturday
Closed Sunday Dickson County: Dickson County Government Building, 303 Henslee Drive, Dickson, TN 37005Hours: 8 a
m
–6 p
m
CT Tuesday-Friday; Saturday 9:00 a
m
-1:00 p
m
Closed SundayWhen the above recovery centers move to a new location or a new recovery center opens, details will be provided to the public
To find a center near you, visit fema
gov/drc
Homeowners and renters in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties can apply for FEMA assistance at a recovery center
FEMA representatives will help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources
The deadline to apply for assistance is Aug
19
FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, vehicle, medical needs, funeral expenses or the replacement of personal property
In addition to FEMA personnel, representatives from the U
S
Small Business Administration and state agencies will be available to assist survivors
It is not necessary to go to a center to apply for FEMA assistance
Apply online at DisasterAssistance
gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362
Lines are open seven days a week and specialists speak many languages
To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube
Headline: Two Weeks Left to Apply for Federal Assistance for April Storms
Two Weeks Left to Apply for Federal Assistance for April Storms
LITTLE ROCK, Ark
– Time is running out
Only two weeks are left for homeowners, renters and businesses to apply for federal disaster assistance if you had damage or losses in the April 2-22 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas
You may qualify for federal assistance if you are a resident of Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Greene, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, St
Francis, Saline, Sharp or White County
Disaster survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage or losses to their primary homes, personal property and vehicles before applying for FEMA assistance
FEMA grants do not have to be repaid and FEMA assistance is not taxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits
FEMA assistance may include rental assistance, lodging expenses reimbursement, home repair assistance, and home replacement assistance
The Individual Assistance program is designed to help you with basic home repair costs and temporary housing if you are unable to live in your home while you look for a long-term or permanent housing solution
You may qualify for FEMA disaster assistance even if you have insurance
However, you will need to file a claim with your insurance carrier and submit the insurance settlement or denial letter to FEMA
By law, FEMA cannot pay for losses covered by your insurance
Low-interest disaster loans from the U
S
Small Business Administration are also available to Arkansas residents, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations that are recovering from the April storms
To apply to SBA or to download an application, go to SBA
gov/disaster
You may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba
gov
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance or an SBA loan for physical property damage is Tuesday, July 22 toan
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHANGSHA, July 8 (Xinhua) — China, which is among the countries with the largest lithium reserves in the world, has discovered a super-large lithium ore deposit with reserves of 490 million tons in central China’s Hunan Province, the provincial department of natural resources said Tuesday.
The deposit, discovered in the Jijiaoshan mining area of Linwu County, was classified as an altered granite lithium deposit containing about 1.31 million tons of lithium oxide, according to the department.
It also contains other mineral elements such as rubidium, tungsten and tin.
According to the Hunan Provincial Mineralogical Survey Institute, which carried out the exploration, given the complex geological conditions, the discovery of the deposit was made possible by advances in exploration technology and many years of exploration work.
Xu Yiming, a professor at the institute, said the discovery of the lithium deposit provides a solid resource foundation for the construction of a new energy base in Chenzhou City, Hunan Province.
Lithium is an extremely important element with a wide range of applications, including in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and mobile communication systems.
According to the Geological Survey Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, released in January, the share of confirmed lithium reserves in China reached 16.5 percent of the world’s total, which put the country in second place in the world in this indicator. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
As Aviation Continues To See Greater Demand, NASA and NREL Show How Regional Airports Can Become Energy Nodes
Photo from Getty Images
Between fleets of rental vehicles and ground support equipment, electricity demand at U.S. airports might quintuple in the next 20 years.
Smaller regional and general aviation airports, which often have simple rural electric connections, are part of that overwhelming growth. Major airport electric investments are incoming, to say nothing of battery-powered electric aircraft that require substantial charging supplies on the ground.
With 30-year decision-making in the air, researchers at NREL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, are using the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform and other capabilities to analyze energy options for airports, utilities, and public regulators. In many cases, they find a win-win for on-site energy generation and storage.
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On-Site Power To Offset Costs
For any utility, a fivefold expansion in electric infrastructure is serious work. Adding new generation, lines, and substations quickly becomes an expensive project, especially with a regional airport budget. But NREL researchers say there might be a better way.
“Airports—which are often public entities—are figuring out whether there will be enough demand to pay for the infrastructure,” said Scott Cary, project manager of ports and airports at NREL. “To offset some of that cost and increase resilience, part of that conversation should be, ‘What should we generate locally?’”
On-site power from distributed energy resources can lower operating costs by letting airports sell electricity back into the grid. But perhaps more important to regional airports, the on-site resources can serve a local source of stability and energy backup: They can form energy nodes.
“Many of our small, rural airports have available land. Cost-effective distributed energy resources can potentially supply all loads and a majority of the charging loads at the airport. This could generate revenue while also helping the region with power reliability,” Cary said.
That value proposition could resonate with aviation stakeholders, but some may see it as a leap of faith. For that reason, NREL and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are evaluating the costs, policies, and operations in a research activity named Airports as Energy Nodes (ÆNodes). Starting with two partner airports, the research team will build a repeatable research model for the 5,000 other U.S. regional and general aviation airports to explore their energy horizons.
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Exact Answers to Airport Energy Buildout
To get an idea for how regional and general aviation airports will become energy nodes, researchers at NASA and NREL simulated thousands of hypothetical flight itineraries in which electric aircraft offer short-distance service for high-demand routes relative to existing traffic. These results provided a baseline concept of electricity requirements and options, enabling the next stage of research: replicating the power systems of partner airports, including Winchester Regional Airport in Virginia and Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut.
Airports across the United States are planning expansions, including Tweed New Haven Airport (blueprint illustrated above), and ÆNodes will help them assess electrical options to become energy nodes. Image from Tweed New Haven Airport
“First, we’ve forecasted electric loads and mapped those to typical regional airport buildout. Next, we’ll look at the system in coordination with the utility and ask how we can make it better,” Cary said. “Where do we site energy assets? What adjustments to airport policies or configuration are needed? We can test those questions virtually with power hardware in the loop. We forecast electrical behavior, so utilities can see there’s a way to safely bring those assets online.”
The two airports, which are seeing continued growth, are expanding services including electrified aircraft, and NREL’s expertise and research capabilities will deliver confidence around those intrepid investments. A significant challenge is showing the utilities that the electric plan will work, and for that, NREL will use the ARIES platform.
The Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform is capable of replicating power systems and will be used for that purpose in the ÆNodes activity for utilities and airports to understand expansion plans. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL
With data from both airports and their respective utilities, researchers have modeled the partners’ electric systems and loads in detail. Soon, they will translate that information to real utility hardware with ARIES, which they can use to emulate charging fleets of electric aircraft and ground equipment. This will show how utility components handle large loads and surprise disruptions. It will also show how airport electrical systems can be configured for local use: as a source of energy backup and potential economic revenue.
“ÆNodes is about easing the transition for the aviation, utility, and greater airport ecosystems. By looking at this now, we are identifying potential solutions proactively to improve resilience from economic, energy, and transportation perspectives,” Cary said.
Gates Are Closing, Prepare for Takeoff
Given the harmony between electric aircraft and short-distance flights, and constant developments in aviation technology, the next steps at airports could be consequential. NREL and NASA want to make sure aviation decision makers can see clearly down the runway.
“Electric aircraft are in certification—now is the time to prepare,” Cary said. “There is a whole adoption cycle for getting a network in place and scaling it to the demand that airports expect to see. NREL can help airports make those decisions effectively.”
By NREL’s analysis, airports can optimize the value of their energy investments by building local generation—like battery storage—and by supplying electricity back to the local grid to bolster its reliability. To realize this vision of airports as energy nodes, NREL will show that transformative electrical buildouts are safe and valuable and will utilize insights from its partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration around electric aircrafts.
“ÆNodes is focused on all loads at an airport. We’re taking the results from electrical emulations to the utility and saying, ‘Here’s the load, and based on your system, you can do it in this way,’” Cary said. “Then we can apply the same model from airport to airport.”
Learn more about NREL’s aviation, energy security and resilience, and broader transportation and mobility research.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
​The Guangdong Provincial Executive Committees for the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Preparatory Office for the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG in Macao (Preparatory Office in Macao) today (July 8) held a press conference on the topic of “open to inclusive, progress together” in Guangzhou to introduce the details of preparation progress for the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG, and the upcoming operational work plan among the three places.
​The Director of the Office of the Organising Committee of the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG and Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Mingzhong; the Head of the NGCO, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; and the Head of the Preparatory Office in Macao, Mr Pun Weng-kun, addressed the conference, highlighting the collaborative progress of the three places. Hong Kong cyclist Wong Kam-po and Macao martial arts athlete Li Yi also shared their aspirations.
​Mr Huang said at the press conference that the cohosting of the 15th NG by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, under the steer of the central ministries including the General Administration of Sport of China and the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has built an innovative co-ordination mechanism. Through close liaison and co-ordination, alignment has been reached in six key areas: cross-boundary events, port clearance, manpower and vehicle accreditation, food safety, green initiatives, and competition schedule. The three places have pioneered a “three-place three-integration” cohosting approach – integrated communication, direction, and operation.
​Mr Yeung said, “Hong Kong firmly adheres to the principles of ‘green, inclusive, open and clean’ while implementing the requirement of organising a ‘simple, safe and wonderful’ event. We maintain strict budget control, optimise resource allocation, and prudently scale events to ensure practical preparations.” He highlighted that the cross-boundary athletics marathon and road cycling events, which will be co-organised by Hong Kong, are signature events of the 15th NG, requiring meticulous tripartite planning and co-ordination in route design and expedited clearance for athletes, spectators and vehicles. This cross-boundary collaboration enhances the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)’s overall competitiveness and fosters people-to-people exchanges in the GBA. Wong said that with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as the race course, the cross-border road cycling race is an iconic event with beautiful scenery and a challenging course as well.
​Mr Pun said that preparations for the 15th NG have entered the countdown phase. They will collaborate with different sectors of society to strengthen the organisational work for the events, enhancing the atmosphere of community-wide participation in the 15th NG. This includes ongoing visits to communities and schools, connecting with promotional activities for culture, tourism, and sports, and launching franchised products in Macao.
​Various franchised products were also showcased at the press conference, with designers explaining their creative concepts. Hong Kong will soon set up sales points in various districts to sell a variety of franchised products related to the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG, including products with unique Hong Kong features.
AG hosts second roundtable to discuss the impacts of Trump’s disruptive tariffs on front-line industries
LOS ANGELES — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today hosted business leaders for a roundtable conversation to discuss the impacts of President Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs across industries in California. The roundtable in Los Angeles follows California’s lawsuit against the Trump Administration over its use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to illegally impose tariffs, and included leaders from the trucking and shipping industries, ports, and small businesses and business chambers. President Trump’s erratic tariffs are wreaking havoc on the U.S. financial system and causing uniquely immense harm to California’s economy, which as the fourth largest economy in the world, remains a major driver of our national economy. The tariffs challenged under California’s current lawsuit are projected to shrink the U.S. economy by $178 billion, cost California consumers $25 billion, and result in the loss of over 64,000 jobs throughout California.
“President Trump’s destructive and unpredictable tariff regime has sent shockwaves through financial markets, businesses, and consumers in every corner of the globe — and especially here in California, home to the fourth largest economy in the world,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today, I heard from leaders on the front lines concerned about the disastrous impact of tariffs on their industries and businesses. These folks are sounding the alarm — and I sincerely thank Los Angeles business and industry leaders for being open about the challenges Angelinos are facing on the ground. As the People’s Attorney, I will continue to fight for California’s vibrant economy, businesses, workers, and families.”
“The erratic tariff policies have created unprecedented uncertainty for harbor businesses, making it impossible to plan shipments or investments,” said Henry Rogers, Executive Director, Harbor Association of Industry & Commerce. “As representatives of companies on the front lines of global trade through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, we need the predictability our industry requires to continue supporting California’s economy and the jobs that depend on efficient international commerce.”
“Tariff increases are straining essential drivers of the LA economy, including the construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors,” said Nella McOsker, President & CEO, Central City Association. “Combined with immigration raids that terrorize small businesses, their employees, and potential patrons—especially in Downtown LA—these federal actions are unnecessarily destabilizing our workforce, hindering economic growth, and jeopardizing the well-being of our communities.”
BACKGROUND
Attorney General Bonta is committed to challenging the illegal tariffs that threaten California jobs, businesses, and consumers. On April 16, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of power to impose tariffs and direct agencies within the administration to implement and enforce those tariffs without the consent of Congress. In May, California filed a motion for a preliminary injunction with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to stop the Trump Administration’s illegal tariffs while litigation in their case proceeds and filed an amicus brief in the Court of International Trade in Oregon v. Trump, another case also challenging President Trump’s illegal imposition of tariffs. In June, a judge granted California’s request for dismissal to allow the state to appeal its case challenging the Trump Administration’s illegal tariffs after the Administration asked that the case be transferred to the Court of International Trade — a motion that California opposed. The dismissal kept the case in California and allowed California to appeal to the Ninth Circuit. This case remains ongoing.
More information about the lawsuit can be found here.
ANDOVER, Mass., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vicor Corporation (NASDAQ: VICR) announced today it will hold its second quarter 2025 earnings conference call and webcast on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern). Prepared remarks regarding the company’s financial and operational results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 will be followed by a question and answer period with Patrizio Vinciarelli, Chief Executive Officer, Jim Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer, and Phil Davies, Corporate Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing.
Results for the second quarter will be released over GlobeNewswire at the close of the NASDAQ Market Session on July 22, 2025, and the press release and a summary of the company’s financial statements will be available shortly thereafter on the Investor Relations page of Vicor’s website.
Vicor encourages investors and analysts who intend to ask questions via the conference call to register with Notified, the service provider hosting the conference call. Those registering on Notified’s website will receive dial-in info and a unique PIN to join the call as well as an email confirmation with the details. Registration may be completed at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. on July 22, 2025.
For those parties interested in listen-only mode, the conference call will be webcast via a link that will be posted on the Investor Relations page of Vicor’s website prior to the conference call. Please access the website at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to register and, if necessary, download and install any required software.
For those who cannot participate in the live conference call, a webcast replay of the conference call will also be available on the Investor Relations page of Vicor’s website.
About Vicor
Vicor Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets modular power components and complete power systems based upon a portfolio of patented technologies. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Vicor sells its products to the power systems market, including enterprise and high performance computing, industrial equipment and automation, telecommunications and network infrastructure, vehicles and transportation, and aerospace and defense electronics.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla, Booker Unveil New Bill to Require Immigration Officers to Display Clear Identification
Padilla also leads 13 Democrats in letter to DHS requesting information about ICE’s use of unidentified plainclothes agents
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced new legislation to require immigration enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across California and the nation.
Under the Trump Administration’s mass deportation agenda, civil immigration enforcement operations have increasingly involved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers engaging with the public while wearing unmarked tactical gear, concealing clothing, and face coverings that obscure both agency affiliation and personal identity. Without visible badges, names, or insignia, members of the public often have no way to confirm whether they are interacting with legitimate government officials.
This lack of transparency endangers public safety by causing widespread confusion and fear, especially in communities already subject to heightened immigration scrutiny. It also increases operational and safety risks for law enforcement personnel by creating an opportunity for immigration enforcement impersonators and compounding uncertainty in high-stress situations. Clear, consistent, visible identification helps reduce miscommunication during enforcement encounters, strengthens officer credibility, and improves public cooperation, all of which are vital to mission success. The VISIBLE Act would place a critical check on the government’s power, ensuring basic transparency safeguards that protect public trust and legitimacy in immigration enforcement operations.
“When federal immigration agents show up and pull someone off the street in plainclothes with their face obscured and no visible identification, it only escalates tensions and spreads fear while shielding federal agents from basic accountability,” said Senator Padilla. “Immigration agents should be required to display their agency and name or badge number — just like police and other local law enforcement agencies. The VISIBLE Act’s commonsense requirements will restore transparency and ensure impersonators can’t exploit the panic and confusion caused by unidentifiable federal immigration enforcement agents.”
“For weeks, Americans have watched federal agents with no visible identification detain people off the streets and instill fear in communities across the country. Reports of individuals impersonating ICE officers have only increased the risk to public and officer safety. The lack of visible identification and uniform standards for immigration enforcement officers has created confusion, stoked fear, and undermined public trust in law enforcement,” said Senator Booker. “The VISIBLE Act is a necessary response grounded in law enforcement best practices that will prohibit immigration enforcement officers from wearing face coverings and require them to display their name or badge number and the agency they represent. We must act to maintain trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and this legislation is a necessary step toward a more transparent, accountable, and safe immigration enforcement system.”
“This bill is an important step toward keeping immigration enforcement officers and all the people in America safe. Masked, plainclothes officers create an unreasonable risk of escalating violence and unnerve everyone who sees them,” said Scott Shuchart, Former ICE and DHS (Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties) Official. “As much as the cop in blues is a staple of American life, the masked bandit is a symbol of fear, and having government agents dressed like paramilitaries is un-American. Based on my experience in government, the VISIBLE Act makes good sense and would be straightforward for DHS officials to implement.”
The ongoing immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles County by unidentified federal agents have stoked fear and uncertainty throughout the region amid President Trump’s unprecedented escalation of militarized tactics. Recently at Dodger Stadium, plainclothes immigration agents parked outside of the stadium lot without identifying themselves. In Bell, masked agents wearing fatigues detained at least three people at a car wash, and in Pasadena, an agent exited an unmarked vehicle in the middle of the road and aimed his pistol at a group of pedestrians without identifying himself. From June 6 to June 22, immigration enforcement agents — many lacking identifying information — arrested 1,618 immigrants for deportation in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
Specifically, the VISIBLE Act:
Requires immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing;
Prohibits non-medical face coverings (such as masks or balaclavas) that obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations; and
Requires DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
The bill does not apply to covert or non-public facing operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.
The VISIBLE Act is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
The bill is endorsed by the ACLU and Public Counsel.
A one-pager on the bill is available here.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Senator Padilla also led 13 Democratic Senators in a letter criticizing ICE for engaging in counterproductive, theatrical enforcement activities — including raids on courthouses and restaurants — and requesting information from the agency on its mask and uniform policies. The Senators argued that these tactics are designed to sow fear and chaos and that allowing masked, plainclothes officers to engage in public raids creates situations where bad actors can commit crimes while claiming to be ICE agents.
In addition to Padilla, the letter was also signed by Senators Blumenthal, Booker, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Hirono, Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Murray, Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Schiff, Smith, Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Welch, and Wyden.
Full text of the letter is available here.
Senator Padilla has been outspoken in criticizing Trump’s mass deportations and unprecedented militarization and escalation of tensions by deploying National Guard troops and active-duty U.S. Marines to respond to overwhelmingly peaceful protests in Los Angeles. Padilla recently led the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding that President Trump immediately withdraw all military forces from Los Angeles and cease all threats to deploy the National Guard or active-duty servicemembers to American cities. Padilla spoke on the Senate floor following his forcible removal from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s press conference, where he was thrown to the ground and handcuffed after attempting to ask a question. He has spoken at a spotlight hearing and on the Senate floor multiple other times to blast President Trump for manufacturing a crisis by launching indiscriminate ICE raids across Los Angeles and using that crisis to dramatically expand executive power. Padilla is also leading legislation to restrict the President’s authority under the 217-year-old Insurrection Act and limit the domestic deployment of military troops for law enforcement purposes.
Newark, NJ – The U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, in coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, has concluded Operation Apex Hammer, a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative resulting in the arrest of 264 violent offenders, including murder suspects, sex offenders, and known gang members.
Launched in early June 2025, Operation Apex Hammer targeted the nation’s most dangerous fugitives and individuals wanted for crimes including homicide, armed robbery, assault, weapons trafficking, and sexual offenses involving children. The month-long operation spanned throughout the state of New Jersey focusing on areas with high rates of violent crime and outstanding felony warrants with most arrests taking place in Camden and Newark.
“Operation Apex Hammer sent a clear message,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey Juan Mattos Jr. “The U.S. Marshals and our partner agencies will never stop pursuing those who threaten the safety of our communities. This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to protect communities by targeting and removing the most dangerous individuals from our streets.”
Among the notable arrests:
Lorenzo Benitez, 54, an illegal alien from Guatemala, wanted out of Keansburg for multiple counts of sexual assault, arrested June 4 in Plainfield.
Darlin Franco-Guzman, 25, an illegal alien from Honduras, wanted out of Baltimore County for burglary and attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old female, arrested June 10 in Trenton.
Stephen Bullock, 32, wanted for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 76-year-old woman in Camden County, arrested June 13 in Hi-Nella.
Shawn Davis, 38, wanted for a 2024 homicide in Trenton, arrested June 13 in Brooklyn, New York.
Luis Duval-Jimenez, 31, wanted for attempted murder after he ran over a South Brunswick police officer with his vehicle in May 2025, arrested June 18 in North Arlington.
Trasuf Bennett, 20, and a juvenile accomplice, wanted for the drive-by shooting murder of a 20-year-old male victim in Milleville, arrested June 19 in Trenton.
Francisco Ruiz, 67, wanted for sexual assault by contact, terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal restraint, arrested June 20 in Bayonne.
In addition to the arrests of 17 homicide suspects and 95 gang members, a total of 14 illegal firearms were seized. Of the 264 arrested, 31 were captured out-of-state and 2 overseas. Emphasizing the seriousness of the criminality of these 264 fugitives, they combined for an astounding total of 2,625 prior arrests.
“This was a unified effort,” said Mattos. “Our task force, federal agencies, local, and state partners worked side-by-side to ensure this mission’s success. The results speak for themselves.”
“I have seen firsthand the unwavering dedication of our law enforcement partners, and I proudly stand with them in this fight,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba. “Operation Apex Hammer is proof of what we can accomplish when we come together to drive violent crime out of our communities. I especially commend the U.S. Marshals Service for their relentless pursuit of dangerous fugitives and their commitment to bringing those who terrorize our neighborhoods to justice.”
Operation Apex Hammer was focused on identifying and apprehending high-threat fugitives using intelligence-led policing, community engagement, and interagency collaboration. The U.S. Marshals Service remains committed to pursuing justice and ensuring that the nation’s most dangerous fugitives are brought to justice.
The U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of individuals from the following agencies:
New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Parole, New Jersey Department of Corrections, Port Authority Police Department, Passaic County Sheriff, Essex County Sheriff, Union County Sheriff, Mercer County Sheriff, Monmouth County Sheriff, Ocean County Sheriff, Burlington County Sheriff, Camden County Sheriff, Hudson County Sheriff, Gloucester County Sheriff, Salem County Sheriff, Atlantic County Sheriff, Somerset County Sheriff, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Newark PD, Jersey City PD, Trenton PD, Camden Metro PD, Atlantic City PD, Asbury Park PD, Vineland PD, Pennsauken PD, Flemington PD, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.