Latest news with #Lesser
Japan Forward
13-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Hidden Hands and Spies: The Job Offer You Should Definitely Refuse
Learning about a prospective employer is more important than ever when you're on the hunt for a new job. Is the company what it claims, and if not, could there be a hidden hand at play? In a May 16 report, Max Lesser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focuses on a network of five companies. Notably, they all rely on the same dedicated, Chinese-owned server to host their websites. Four of the five sites also share a single SSL certificate ー the digital identity card for a website that enables secure, encrypted communication with visitors. Lesser found that only one company, Smiao Intelligence, actually exists. The others are mere digital facades with cloned websites, fake customers, and artificial intelligence-generated text. He concludes that "one or more individuals associated with Smiao likely created the network for intelligence purposes." Lesser told Reuters, "What makes this activity significant is that the network seeks to exploit the financial vulnerabilities of former federal workers affected by recent mass layoffs." That is right out of the Chinese spy playbook. Last Part Read Part One: Need a Job? Who's a Target for Chinese Spies Among the positions advertised on these sites are "geopolitical consulting advisor," "investigative reporter in the United States," and "human rights conditions investigative research analyst," whose job is to monitor, document, and report human rights abuses. Lesser notes that the tactics employed by this network closely resemble previous Chinese intelligence operations targeting US government officials and other high-value targets in the US, Europe, and other countries. Tsubasa Insight, LLC is an especially interesting company within this network. It characterizes itself as a "boutique policy consulting firm based in Japan, dedicated to helping businesses and organizations navigate the complexities of the regulatory and policy environment." The company claimed to have a team of experienced consultants. Indeed, it promised strategic insights and practical solutions "tailored to the unique needs of our clients" to help them succeed both in Japan and the US. Tsubasa Insight also offered to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies. These were intended to advance the client's business objectives. There was all the usual language you would expect to find on such a website, including discussion of "Our Mission," "Our Expertise," and "Our Values." There was even the obligatory use of the phrase "we are passionate about." However, with a little sleuthing, I discovered some odd things about Tsubasa Insight. First, its contact link is job@ Companies registered in Japan would normally use a . domain. That domain name assures visitors that the website is operated by a genuine and credible Japanese business. Also, the company gave its ground address as 5-15-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-0002. It turned out, however, that such an address is fictitious. In Shibuya, there is no "5 [chome]," and the address as written cannot be Googled. Furthermore, the bottom of the homepage of Tsubasa Insight's website had this notice: "Copyright © 2025 Tsubasa Insight, LLC - All Rights Reserved." A check of the copyright public records portal, reveals that no such copyright exists. Finally, the company currently has no presence on LinkedIn. [The website appears to have been taken offline in early June but still appears as an option in a Google search.] Glenn Duffie Schriver (Screenshot, FBI film) icconsulting information consulting Co, Ltd, is one Chinese company overtly recruiting foreigners online. It claims to be an entrepreneurial think tank that is "the pioneer of crowdsourcing consulting in China and the Asia-Pacific area." The address given for its offices is in the hi-tech Zhongguancun quarter of Beijing. Commonly referred to as the "Silicon Valley" of China, the area is near Beijing University and Qinghua University. These are all within the sprawling Haidian urban district in northwestern Beijing. Incidentally, the same area is also home to several facilities belonging to the Ministry of State Security (MSS). The company's homepage says it has both Chinese and English versions. However, the English is rather mangled and not written by a native English speaker. Furthermore, clicking into the Chinese version on the drop-down tab brings up only a blank page. The company's address and email contact are provided, but a phone number is not listed. I was unable to confirm with Google Maps whether the address actually exists, although it appears to be incomplete. icconsulting claims that it is involved in: Analysis of Geopolitical Trends for major countries and for major countries and the degree to which they cooperate with China; Risk Assessment of Regional Hot Spots "focusing on the protection of overseas interests" (presumably China's); and "focusing on the protection of overseas interests" (presumably China's); and Consultation on Overseas Investment Policy involving "detailed interpretation of [the] macroeconomic situation, regional investment environment, industrial policy and law of countries of the Western hemisphere and along The Belt and Road." Going further, icconsulting says it is looking for "talented people from different countries." Its pitch goes like this: "If you have made achievements in international relations, international economy and trade, politics, security and other fields, or you have wide and in-depth connections in related fields, then you can spend your spare time as our part time policy analyst or consultants to obtain abundant economic returns." The website lists open positions for a "part-time policy analyst for Sino-US relations project." That position's duties are to write reports on topics of interest to the managers for remuneration ranging from $300 to $1,000 USD, depending on the "quality of the report." The company was also looking for a human resources assistant to work in Beijing. It would involve posting "recruitment information on major recruitment websites or media outlets in the United States and give feedback to recruiters." The assistant would also conduct phone interviews with relevant candidates. Reading all this immediately reminded me of the case of Glenn Duffie Shriver. He was an American student who took money from Chinese intelligence officers while living in Shanghai during the early 2000s and was convicted of conspiring to commit espionage for them. Glenn Dufie Schriver (Via Alchetron) Shriver started by writing reports on China-US relations for mysterious Chinese handlers. Those handlers paid him large sums in cash for his efforts simply because they wanted "to be his friend." The young man was nursed along until he reached the point he felt unable to break his ties with Chinese intelligence, even after returning to the US. China's MSS encouraged Shriver to seek employment with the US State Department or CIA so he could serve them as a mole. Later, the FBI produced a slick 28-minute reenactment of exactly how Shriver was lured into working for the MSS. Eventually, he received $70,000 from the MSS. Called Game of Pawns, the video is available on YouTube. Shriver himself appears at the end, describing how he got into the pay of the Chinese. He was in prison at the time, serving four years for espionage. In an extended version of the prison cell interview, Don't Be a Pawn: A Warning to Students Abroad — FBI , Shriver warns, "The recruitment is going on. Don't fool yourself." And he makes this chilling observation, "Once they've got you on videotape taking their money, they've got you. There's no going back from that." Consider that the MSS was willing to invest that much time and money on a foreign student in China with no government experience or contacts. Just imagine what they would offer a retired or terminated government official in a Western country. Especially one with a Top Secret clearance (or its equivalent) who formerly held a sensitive position in the intel community, the military, or a scientific or technical agency. But remember, too, there is no going back. That's the one offer you should definitely refuse. Author: John Carroll
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New book shows to ‘beer hike' in North Carolina
(WGHP) — Go Beer Hiking across North Carolina this summer! That's the name of a new book featuring trails and nearby craft breweries in our state, as well as Virginia and DC. The book features 42 trails coupled with a brewery, including Hanging Rock in Stokes County. The authors paired it with the Lesser Known Brewery in Downtown Winston-Salem. The Haw River Trail in Saxapahaw is also featured because Haw River Famous Ales sit right at the end of the hike. Shannon Smith spoke with the author about how this book showcases two of the best parts of our state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Campaign ME
28-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
GroupM officially rebrands to WPP Media
GroupM has officially rebranded as WPP Media and is now describing itself as an 'AI-driven media company'. Campaign UK first reported on the move to rename the media investment arm in early May. At the time, a spokesperson said that WPP doesn't 'comment on speculation'. Of the rebrand, Mark Read, chief executive at WPP, said that while 'GroupM was built for a time when media scale mattered most, WPP Media reflects the power of AI, data and technology and simpler, more integrated solutions'. Mindshare, Wavemaker and EssenceMediacom are set to continue to provide clients with dedicated teams as brands within WPP Media. Despite media agencies continuing to operate as distinct brands within WPP Media, GroupM told staff earlier this month that these brands will move to a single P&L and act as 'one voice in the market', with agency-specific titles set to 'sunset'. Last week, the media operating arm told staff which roles would be at risk of redundancy in the UK. The latest move comes after Brian Lesser, chief executive of WPP Media, told investors in March 2025 that WPP '[knows] that we have to be simpler' and laid out a five-point plan which included a shift to focus on an AI-based data strategy. Lesser added: 'By investing in our AI-powered product (WPP Open), integrating our offer with data and technology, and equipping our people with future-facing skills, we're helping our clients to stay ahead of rapidly changing consumer behaviour and unlock the limitless opportunities for growth that AI will create.' Lesser has made a series of changes to streamline the business since joining in September 2024, when he replaced Christian Juhl. For instance, he axed global agency brand chief executive roles for media agencies EssenceMediacom, Mindshare and Wavemaker in a bid to further centralise operations. GroupM EMEA chief executive Josh Krichefski left the business in March, after 14 years. Its leaders in key markets, including the UK, now report directly to Lesser.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Confirms our worst fears,' ‘Nothing too outlandish:' Connecticut lawmakers on federal Medicaid reductions
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Connecticut lawmakers offered their assessments of the plan released Sunday evening by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives that would see hundreds of billions in Medicaid spending reductions over the next decade. 'If confirms our worst fears,' State Sen. Matt Lesser, a Democrat who co-chairs the legislature's Human Services Committee, said. House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care Lesser and other leading Democrats have raised alarm bells over an estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) which predicted the bill's provisions would cause 8.6 million people would lose their health coverage over the next decade. The CBO said that the plan would reduce the federal deficit by $715 billion in the next 10 years — fulfilling a significant portion of the House Republicans' goal to find $1.5 trillion in savings. Congressional Republicans are working in tandem with President Donald Trump to craft a 'big, beautiful' cost reduction plan accompanied by $4.5 trillion worth of tax cuts. Republicans in the Connecticut legislature pushed back on the Democrats' sense of alarm. 'I don't think anything that we see in this bill is too outlandish,' State Rep. Tammy Nuccio, the top Republican representative on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, said. Nuccio said the bulk of the lost coverage would come as a result of new work requirements included in the GOP proposal. She said she generally supports such requirements. Nuccio, a senior member of the state House Republican caucus, also signaled support for a provision of the congressional Republicans' plan that would reduce overall Medicaid funding to states that provide health coverage to those in the country illegally. Connecticut is one of those states that would stand to lose if the plan goes into effect. Republicans have long criticized the Democratic-backed policy of extending the state's Medicaid program, called HUSKY, to many minors without legal status. The two parties also clashed over a provision of the GOP plan that would enact additional eligibility checks and income verification. Democrats like Lesser see it as a thinly-veiled attempt to force people off of their health coverage via bureaucratic red tape. 'What it's gonna mean is that the folks who brough you the Department of Government Efficiency are gonna be just saddling people with paperwork,' Lesser said. Nuccio fired back. 'I think if the state of Connecticut workers are doing their job and they're helping people make sure that they have their eligibility in, they're not gonna see a lot of people kicked off,' she said. The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) offered a blunt assessment of the bill. 'This is a bad bill for Connecticut hospitals and for our patients,' Paul Kidwell, CHA's senior vice president for policy, said. USDA funding cuts have harsh impact on Connecticut food pantries Kidwell zeroed in on a provision of the bill that would effectively cap the amount of federal Medicaid dollars that can flow into a state under a mechanism known as a provider tax. Most states utilize a provider tax to help boost their own Medicaid spending, which in turn leads to more federal dollars under the cost-sharing arrangement between states and the federal government that underlies the entire Medicaid system. Critics have characterized the provider tax as a loophole which allows hospitals and state governments to get more money from the federal government. Still, Kidwell said a freeze on the provider tax would mean less money for hospitals at a time when healthcare costs are rising and the rate at which providers are reimbursed for care under Medicaid has remained stagnant for years. 'When the state can't bring in those federal dollars to support Medicaid, hospitals and other providers have to go try to find those resources from other places,' Kidwell said. In other words: someone, perhaps those utilizing employer-based health plans, will end up footing the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
7-Eleven undergoes SVP shuffle
This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. 7-Eleven shuffled the roles of several of its top merchandising and franchising executives in recent weeks, continuing a busy first quarter highlighted by the convenience retailer's approaching North American IPO and potential merger with Alimentation Couche-Tard. Tom Lesser, former senior vice president of operations services, was appointed SVP of operations for 7-Eleven's franchised stores, according to the company's website and as Lesser noted this week on LinkedIn. That position was most recently held by Randy Quinn, who is now SVP of merchandising for vault and proprietary beverages, according to the company website. Lesser has held numerous operational roles since joining 7-Eleven in 1999, including managing director and COO for 7-Eleven Mexico. Quinn has also worked across various company divisions since joining in 2006, including store development, acquisition integration, merchandising and financial planning. Quinn is replacing Dennis Phelps, who is now SVP of center store and field merchandising, according to 7-Eleven's website. That position was formerly held by Jasmeet Singh Chawla, who was recently appointed SVP of merchandising for tobacco and services. Phelps has been with 7-Eleven for over 40 years, having led the retailer's frozen foods, snacks, confections, and fresh food businesses, and was responsible for introducing 7-Eleven's line of wines. Chawla, meanwhile, has held roles across 7-Eleven's merchandising, logistics, franchising, and acquisitions teams since 2004. None of these executive changes were made as of early March, according to an internal list of 7-Eleven's employees from that month obtained by C-Store Dive. That list, as well as 7-Eleven's website, reflects that Chawla's tobacco-focused leadership role is a newly created position. Representatives from 7-Eleven did not respond to multiple requests to comment on why the company made these executive changes. As 7-Eleven undergoes these shifts, parent company Seven & i Holdings has also overseen significant leadership changes in recent weeks. The Japanese conglomerate named its next CEO, Stephen Dacus, in early March, while 7-Eleven CEO Joseph DePinto resigned from Seven & i's board of directors. Recommended Reading Outlining 7-Eleven's busy first quarter Sign in to access your portfolio
