Category: Americas

MIL-OSI USA: Hubble Studies a Spiral’s Supernova Scene

Source: NASA

This serene spiral galaxy hides a cataclysmic past. The galaxy IC 758, shown in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image, is situated 60 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.
Hubble captured this image in 2023. IC 758 appears peaceful, with its soft blue spiral arms curving gently around its hazy barred center. However, in 1999, astronomers spotted a powerful explosion in this galaxy. The supernova SN 1999bg marked the dramatic end of a star far more massive than the Sun.
Researchers do not know exactly how massive this star was before it exploded, but will use these Hubble observations to measure the masses of stars in SN 1999bg’s neighborhood. These measurements will help them estimate the mass of the star that went supernova. The Hubble data may also reveal whether SN 1999bg’s progenitor star had a companion, which would provide additional clues about the star’s life and death.
A supernova represents more than just the demise of a single star — it’s also a powerful force that can shape its neighborhood. When a massive star collapses, triggering a supernova, its outer layers rebound off its shrunken core. The explosion stirs the interstellar soup of gas and dust out of which new stars form. This interstellar shakeup can scatter and heat nearby gas clouds, preventing new stars from forming, or it can compress them, creating a burst of new star formation. The cast-off layers enrich the interstellar medium, from which new stars form, with heavy elements manufactured in the core of the supernova.
Text Credit: ESA/Hubble

Media Contact:
Claire Andreoli (claire.andreoli@nasa.gov)NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SBA Loans Are a Meaningful Option for Texas Storm Survivors

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: SBA Loans Are a Meaningful Option for Texas Storm Survivors

SBA Loans Are a Meaningful Option for Texas Storm Survivors

AUSTIN – Low-interest disaster loans from the U

S

Small Business Administration are available to Texas residents, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations that are recovering from the severe storms and flooding that occurred March 26-28, 2025

Residents and businesses in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties may now apply if they had damage in the March storms

FEMA partners with other agencies to help meet the needs of disaster survivors

Disaster loans are the largest source of federal recovery funds for storm survivors

They help private property owners pay for disaster losses not covered by insurance, local or state programs

SBA loans also cover deductibles and increased cost of compliance after a disaster

Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application

Interest rates on disaster loans can be as low as 2

75% for homeowners and renters, 3

62% for private nonprofit organizations and 4% for businesses, with terms up to 30 years for physical damage to real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery and equipment

Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition

Survivors are not required to begin repaying the loan and the interest does not begin to accumulate for 12 months from the date the first disaster loan disbursement is awarded

Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan of up to $500,000 for primary residence repairs or rebuilding

SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $100,000 to replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the storms

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property, destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets

Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes

Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) in the counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy and the contiguous counties of Brooks, Jim Hogg, Kenedy and Zapata

Businesses can apply for up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster

Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact

Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage

In partnership with FEMA and the state, SBA representatives are available to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at sites throughout the affected areas

SBA’s Business Recovery Centers are open at the following locations:CAMERON COUNTYBusiness Recovery CenterHarlingen Chamber of Commerce311 E

Tyler Ave

Harlingen, TX 78559Mondays – Thursdays, 8 a

m

– 5 p

m

Friday, 8 a

m

– 4 p

m

HIDALGO COUNTYBusiness Recovery CenterValley Metro Transit Center510 S

Pleasantview Dr

BoardroomWeslaco, TX 78596Monday – Friday 8 a

m

to 5 p

m

To apply online 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 an SBA physical disaster loan for the March storms is July 22, 2025

The last day for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations to apply for an SBA economic injury loan for the March storms is Feb

23, 2026

For the latest information about Texas’ recovery, visit fema

gov/disaster/4871 Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x

com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook

com/FEMARegion6/
toan

nguyen
Fri, 06/13/2025 – 12:08

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Centers in Clark, Lincoln, Mercer, Owen Counties To Close Permanently; Some Centers Close on Sundays

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Disaster Recovery Centers in Clark, Lincoln, Mercer, Owen Counties To Close Permanently; Some Centers Close on Sundays

Disaster Recovery Centers in Clark, Lincoln, Mercer, Owen Counties To Close Permanently; Some Centers Close on Sundays

FRANKFORT, Ky

–Disaster Recovery Centers in Clark, Lincoln, Mercer and Owen counties are scheduled to close permanently June 14 at 7 p

m

, but help is still available as survivors can go to any open center to get in-personal assistance, and there are other ways to apply

The centers closing permanently are located at: Clark County: Clark County Emergency Operations Center, 200 Maryland Ave

, Winchester, KY 40391 Lincoln County: Lincoln County Fire Department Training Center, 309 KY Hwy 590, Stanford, KY 40484 Mercer County: Mercer County Health Department, 900 N

College St

, Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Owen County: Three Rivers District Health Department, 60 Old Monterey Road, Owenton, KY 40359 From June12-14, working hours for these centers are 9 a

m

to 7 p

m

Eastern Time

Also, 35 centers in Kentucky counties designated for FEMA assistance as the result of the April severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides will be closed on Sundays

Centers in Laurel, Pulaski and Trigg counties remain open on Sundays

You can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to get in-person assistance

No appointment is needed

To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema

gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362

Check this DR-4864 DRC locator for specific hours of operation

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops where you can get information and advice on available assistance from commonwealth, federal and community organizations

You can get help to apply for FEMA assistance, learn the status of your FEMA application, understand the letters you get from FEMA and get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance

FEMA is encouraging Kentuckians affected by the April storms to apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible

The deadline to apply is July 25

You don’t have to visit a center to apply for FEMA assistance

There are other ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance

gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call 800-621-3362

If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service

When you apply, you will need to provide:A current phone number where you can be contacted

Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

Your Social Security Number

A general list of damage and losses

Banking information if you choose direct deposit

If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

For more information about Kentucky flooding recovery, visit www

fema

gov/disaster/4860 and www

fema

gov/disaster/4864

Follow the FEMA Region 4 X account at x

com/femaregion4

martyce

allenjr
Fri, 06/13/2025 – 12:04

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown sues five apartment complexes and their property management firm for deceiving low-income senior tenants

Source: Washington State News

SEATTLE – Attorney General Nick Brown today filed a complaint in Snohomish County Superior Court against California-based property management company FPI Management and the owners of five apartment complexes in Western Washington, alleging that they engaged in unfair and deceptive practices impacting hundreds of vulnerable senior tenants at the properties.

FPI and the property owners market their apartment complexes as “low-income” units to tenants who are 55 and older.

Over a period of several years, FPI and the property owners failed to disclose to their low-income senior tenants how their rent would be calculated and increased in the future, and misrepresented the quality of their apartment units, the availability and quality of building amenities like pools or fitness areas, and safety at the properties. These are all violations of the Consumer Protection Act.

“Housing is particularly important for older Washingtonians, and it’s hard for them to move once they’ve signed a lease,” Brown said. “It’s egregious to convince vulnerable populations they’re getting quality living when in reality they are stuck with properties in disrepair that also end up costing more than they expected over time.”

The property owners participate in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC), through which they receive valuable tax credits in exchange for setting aside a certain number of apartment units in their buildings for tenants below a certain income threshold. The maximum rental rates under this program are set annually by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, based on the rise or fall of the area median income (AMI) in the county where the property is located. This is unlike other forms of housing assistance, in which the amount of rent a tenant will pay is based on their own income, and not the income of other people in the area.

FPI and the property owners do not explain or adequately disclose to prospective tenants that their monthly rent will be calculated based on AMI, which is often significantly more than the fixed Social Security or pension incomes many senior LIHTC tenants must live on. As a result, these tenants often end up paying an unsustainable portion of their fixed income as rent, leaving little for other expenses like food, transportation, or medical expenses.

This failure to disclose key details about rent calculations and increases surprised and harmed seniors, who are less likely to move units once they’re in, even if costs become unmanageable, due to the cost and physical demands of moving.

The defendants in this case also misrepresent the quality of their buildings, marketing them as “luxury” and “resort style,” when in reality many tenants move in only to find their units dirty with broken appliances, leaks, mold, worn carpets, torn flooring, and more issues. Despite the promise of quality amenities like pools, fitness centers, and computer rooms, tenants found such amenities either did not exist, were inoperable, or were permanently closed and shut down.

The apartment complexes were also not safe and secure as defendants represented. Many have no one monitoring who is entering, which has led to trespassing and other crimes on site. Their parking lots also experience frequent prowling, theft and vandalism.

The complaint seeks an injunction preventing the defendants from continuing to engage in the unlawful conduct alleged, restitution to impacted tenants, an enhanced civil penalty of $12,500 for each Consumer Protection Act violation due to the vulnerable nature of the seniors who were targeted and impacted, and an award to the state for the costs of pursuing litigation.

Attorney General’s Office staff handling the case include Assistant Attorneys General Anthony Thach and Emily Nelson, Senior Investigator Jennifer Treppa, and Paralegal Logan Young.

A copy of the complaint is available here.

-30-

Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties.

Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

Media Contact:

Email: press@atg.wa.gov

Phone: (360) 753-2727

General contacts: Click here

Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Leads Coalition to Support SNAP for Coloradans, Urges Congress Not to Cut Food Access for Coloradans

Source: US State of Colorado

DENVER – Governor Polis led a coalition of organizations committed to food access and security to urge Congress not to cut Coloradans off from critical SNAP support. The coalition urging Congress not to cut food access includes farming, local government, state agencies, and hunger groups: Hunger Free Colorado, Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Colorado Human Services Directors Association, Colorado Counties, Inc., Feeding Colorado, Nourish Colorado, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, Mile High United Way, the Colorado School Nutrition Association, UFCW Local 7, Community Foodshare, Food Bank of the Rockies, Food Bank for Larimer County, Weld Food Bank, Care & Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Department of Human Services.

“SNAP is a longstanding lifeline providing basic food assistance for the most vulnerable Americans and supporting our agricultural producers, and the proposals included in H.R. 1 would both erode the fundamental infrastructure of our food safety net and transfer an unanticipated and severe financial burden to states at a time of extreme budgetary constraints,” Governor Polis and the groups wrote.

Monthly, approximately 617,000 Coloradans receive at least $120 million in SNAP benefits–enough to provide about 48 meals per person per month. In 2024, almost one million individual Coloradans received SNAP, half of whom were children, ten percent of whom were older Americans, and 15 percent of whom were Americans with disabilities.

SNAP injects over $486 million into the economy in wages for over ten thousand Colorado jobs, including farmers, grocers, manufacturers, delivery drivers, and other positions throughout the food supply chain. Over 21,000 Colorado grocery stores use SNAP, and almost $70 million is in turn generated in state tax revenue from enhanced local economic activity.

“These initiatives ensure our children have appropriate nutrition to support healthy growth and development, and also support the physical and mental health of our most vulnerable adults. States like Colorado are focused on improving public safety and investments in SNAP also yield public safety dividends, including decreases in theft, rates of relationship violence, and rates of recidivism,” the letter states.

“The severe impact of Congressional proposals to fundamentally alter cost-sharing cannot be overstated. The new match requirement and changes contained in H.R. 1 would cost Colorado hundreds of millions of dollars in state funds annually – up to $360 million in the House-passed version and up to $200 million in the currently proposed Senate version – a cost that represents both an abrupt reversal of the federal-state compact and an unmitigated financial burden that would likely require cuts to SNAP, extreme reductions to other critical state-funded initiatives, or likely both,” the group continued.

“As Governor Polis noted, these proposed SNAP cuts would be nothing short of devastating for communities across Colorado, especially in rural areas,” shared Joël McClurg, executive director of systems for the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger. “Shifting benefit costs and further increasing administrative shares would saddle our state with new obligations that rural and poorer counties simply cannot meet. Already operating on shoestring budgets, many of our counties would be forced to choose between absorbing new crushing costs or slashing critical services — and either path disproportionately punishes the very people who need support the most.”

“Not only is SNAP a valuable program for our communities, both rural and urban, it also provides a vital market for many of our farmers and ranchers,” said Chad Franke, President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. “The family farmers and ranchers we represent know the value of providing local food to local communities. That’s why we are urging Congress to protect the local foods components of SNAP, such as Double Up Food Bucks,” Franke continued.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Peters Leads Colleagues to Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Critical Drug Supply Chains and Mitigate Shortages

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Ted Budd (R-NC) have reintroduced the bipartisan Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug (RAPID) Reserve Act to help increase supply chain resiliency for critical generic drugs and their key ingredients by bolstering supply reserves and domestic production capacity through federal contracts. The RAPID Reserve Act would help reduce drug shortages, enhance preparedness, and mitigate national security threats from U.S. overreliance on China for critical medications and their key ingredients.

Drug shortages are lasting longer and continue to impact patients, hospitals, and health care providers, increasing the risk of medication errors, rationing, and delays in patient care. In a 2023 report, Peters found that at least 15 critical medications remained in shortage for over a decade. Many of the life-saving generic drug products that regularly experience shortages are complex to manufacture and cost pennies on the dollar. The legislation builds on recommendations from Peters’ prior investigative reports in 2019 and?2023,?which found that generic drug manufacturers’ ability to surge production and store supplies are often limited because they regularly operate at or near full capacity.?

“Every American should be able to get the medicine they need when they need it. Increasing domestic and reliable manufacturing capacity for our critical, lifesaving medications is essential to addressing drug shortages that can compromise patient care,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill will help ensure Americans receive the essential medications they need while strengthening our ability to respond to future public health crises.”

“The United States faces a national security threat from its overreliance on Communist China for vital drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients,” said Senator Blackburn. “We must boost domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and help sustain sufficient reserves of medications. The RAPID Reserve Act would ensure Americans will always have access to the medication they need.”

“While we’ve taken a lot of steps to increase domestic manufacturing of critical medicines and key ingredients, we still have more to do,” said Senator Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation would reduce our reliance on foreign countries, encourage drug manufacturers to increase domestic production, and help prevent drug shortages.”

“For far too long, America has faced a drug shortage that not only threatens patients’ health but poses a national security risk by forcing us to rely on Communist China’s supply chains for essential medications,” said Senator Budd. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan RAPID Reserve Act to bring drug manufacturing back to the U.S., prioritize sufficient medication reserves, and support increased production in emergencies to reliably meet patient demand.”

The RAPID Reserve Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award contracts to quality manufacturers of critical generic drug products who are based in the United States or in a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in order to maintain reserves of critical medications and their key ingredients while building the capacity to surge production when needed. Through these contracts, which would prioritize domestic manufacturers, the RAPID Reserve Act would help strengthen vulnerable supply chains by ensuring that when there is a disruption in supply, manufacturers can draw on reserves and surge production to meet demand.

Senators Peters, Blackburn, Budd, and Kaine have also sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting the agency examine underutilized domestic manufacturing capacity and federal efforts to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The RAPID Reserve Act is supported by the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), and Phlow. Below are quotes in support of the senators’ legislation:

“Getting the right treatment at the right time is an essential part of achieving the best possible outcome for anyone with a cancer diagnosis” said Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Board Chair Eric P. Winer, MD, FASCO. “ASCO supports the RAPID Reserve Act, because it would take steps to ensure that critical cancer drug treatments are available when our patients need them.”

“ASHP strongly supports the RAPID Reserve Act. By establishing reserves of both active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished products, the legislation creates greater resiliency in the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain and reduces the harmful impacts of shortages on patient care,” said Tom Kraus, Vice President of ASHP Government Relations.??

“?HDA is pleased to support the RAPID Reserve Act. This bill is an important step forward in supply chain resilience. By creating solutions that build more capacity and redundancy in the system, the nation will be more prepared for disasters and disease outbreaks in the future.” – Nicolette Louissaint, PhD, Chief Policy Officer, Healthcare Distribution Alliance

“Americans must have reliable access to critical essential medicines and the ingredients to make them, produced right here on U.S. soil. This access is not merely a convenience; it’s a national imperative to safeguard public health in the face of future public health emergencies, trade disruptions, conflicts with adversarial nations, or natural disasters. This bill represents a vital and long-overdue first step toward building a resilient, secure domestic pharmaceutical industrial base, one that will finally put an end to the persistent shortages of essential medicines that have long jeopardized the healthcare of every American,” said Dr. Eric Edwards, CEO and Founder of Phlow Corp.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Statement on Israeli Strikes in Iran

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding Israeli strikes in Iran last night:

“Iran’s war against Israel and the United States is decades old. Directly and by proxy, it has plotted and conducted attacks against U.S. servicemembers, diplomats, former officials, and even dissidents inside the American homeland. It has done the same against its Arab neighbors, peaceful nations around the world, and — with particular savagery — the Jewish people for daring to preserve and protect a Jewish state.

“When Tehran prescribes ‘death to Israel, death to America’, our closest ally in the Middle East takes this murderous, nuclear-obsessed regime at its word. America must do the same.

“Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s dramatic operations in Lebanon, Syria, and now Iran have given the entire region an opportunity to rid itself of Tehran’s terrorist spiderweb. I hope and pray that Israel’s bold and brave direct strikes against the Iranian death machine and nuclear program will hasten this future for a region of tremendous importance to the United States.

“In Israel’s fierce self-defense, America must recognize a broader, global lesson about the value of allies and partners. From Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific, we and our friends are stronger when we stand together.

“There must be no daylight between the United States and allies and partners defending their sovereignty, democracy, and way of life against theocratic or authoritarian aggression. America must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel. And Iran’s remaining leaders must recognize that the time has come to abandon their decades-long obsession with terror and nuclear war.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion: AUKUS update to IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion: AUKUS update to IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025

Update by Australia, the UK and the USA (AUKUS) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion programme

Thank you, Chair.

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to provide an update to the Board of Governors on Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion (NNP) program.

Chair,

Bilateral consultations between Australia and the Agency on the safeguards and verification approach for Australia’s program, including an arrangement under Article 14 of Australia’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA), are ongoing.

As the Director General stated in his report to this Board last November, these consultations are guided by the relevant provisions of the Agency’s Statute, and Australia’s CSA and Additional Protocol (AP). The topics under discussion include the structure and content of Australia’s Article 14 arrangement; provisions for advance notification, reporting and verification prior to the entry of nuclear material into the arrangement; and the circumstances under which the arrangement will apply.

Technical discussions also continue on ways to facilitate possible verification and monitoring activities, and on the structure of material balance areas, facilities and sites at relevant locations in Australia, within the framework of Australia’s CSA and AP.

Chair,

We reaffirm the fundamental commitment that ensures our approach sets the highest non-proliferation standard. Australia’s program will be subject to a robust package of safeguards and verification measures, enabling the Agency to continue to fulfil its technical objectives for Australia at all stages. Throughout the lifecycle of Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines the Agency will continue to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material, no misuse of facilities, and no undeclared nuclear material or activities in Australia.

As the Director General has stated, Australia’s Article 14 arrangement, once finalised, will be referred to this Board for appropriate action – which we fully support. When the Article 14 arrangement comes before the Board of Governors, in the fullness of time, we expect it to be judged on its non-proliferation merits, on the basis of the Director General’s technical assessment.

Chair,

We remain committed to updating the Board on relevant developments concerning our three countries’ cooperation on NNP, as we have done since September 2021.

Australia is continuing to build our capacity to operate and maintain our future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines through support and training from the US and UK. To this end, consistent with the phased approach we announced in March 2023, Australia is receiving regular port visits from American nuclear-powered submarines at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia – which will continue and be supplemented in future by UK visiting submarines. There is a long history of US and UK submarines visiting Australia, and port visits by many nations are carried out regularly around the world. Our cooperation is proceeding in full compliance with AUKUS partners’ respective international obligations, including Australia’s obligations under its CSA and AP, and under the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

As the Director General confirmed in his report last November, the Agency continues to undertake independent verification activities in relation to Australia’s program; and Australia continues to provide the Agency all information required under its CSA and AP.

Chair,

We support the Director General’s ongoing commitment to report to the Board on NNP programs, as he judges appropriate. He did this last November, and he has also done so at this Board in the Safeguards Implementation Report for 2024. We continue to welcome technically focused discussions at the Board, under agenda items proposed by the Director General and guided by his reporting.

AUKUS partners remain committed to transparency and setting the highest non-proliferation standard for Australia’s NNP program. We welcome opportunities to present information and address genuine questions regarding Australia’s NNP program. Since 2023 we have co-hosted a side event on our non-proliferation approach at each NPT PrepCom meeting – most recently on 1 May in New York. We will continue to provide updates to the Board and in other fora, as appropriate.

Thank you, Chair.

Updates to this page

Published 13 June 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Solomon concludes a successful visit to VivaTech 2025 in Paris

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

Canada’s participation as Country of the Year is a testament to the strength of its AI ecosystem

June 13, 2025 – Paris, France

Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, concluded a successful visit to Paris, France, where he met with key industry and political leaders to advance Canada’s growth agenda.

Minister Solomon led the Canadian delegation for the opening of the 9th edition of VivaTech. He welcomed President Emmanuel Macron to the Canada Pavilion on the first day of the conference and showcased some of Canada’s leading innovators to the French delegation. At President Macron’s invitation, Minister Solomon later participated in a working dinner with French business leaders at the Élysée Palace.

Minister Solomon participated in Montréal-based company Hypertec’s announcement of a $5 billion initiative to build one of Europe’s largest sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure networks, with over 2 gigawatts of data centre capacity and nearly 100,000 NVIDIA graphics processing units planned in France, Italy, Portugal and the U.K. This initiative demonstrates Canadian leadership on the world stage and will translate to a $250 million investment by the company in Quebec to build next-generation server facilities and create over 100 specialized jobs in AI-related fields.

Over the course of his visit, Minister Solomon held bilateral discussions with Clara Chappaz, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies from France; Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism from Luxembourg; and His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of the Economy from the United Arab Emirates. Their discussions reflected Canada’s commitment to develop collaborative research and development initiatives, to facilitate and accelerate the commercialization of Canadian products and services, and to build additional compute infrastructure in Canada.

In focused discussions with political and business leaders, including with Jay Puri, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations at NVIDIA, Minister Solomon advanced key Canadian AI and digital priorities, including scaling our companies and ecosystems, unlocking productivity through technology adoption, fueling trust in a digital economy, and pursuing Canadian digital sovereign capabilities.

As the Country of the Year, Canada greatly expanded its footprint at VivaTech with a Canada Pavilion of 500 square metres and a business delegation of over 230 Canadian companies. This showcase highlighted the innovation of Canadian companies and the maturity of Canada’s AI ecosystem and reinforced its reputation as a world leader in AI. The 2025 Canadian presence and business delegation was spearheaded by Scale AI, one of Canada’s global innovation clusters.

The Canada Pavilion offered a nexus for Canadian companies to feature their technology and success and to pursue the trade diversification Canada needs for its products and companies. The world was introduced to Canadian innovators like Airudi, CGI, Cohere, Farpoint Technologies, IVADO Labs, Mappedin, Pontosense, Trusting Pixels, Videns and Vooban.

As AI continues to shape our world in new and unexpected ways, the Government of Canada seeks to harness AI’s opportunities, mitigate its risks and foster trust. With strategic government investments and support for responsible AI adoption, Canada will grow its AI ecosystem and enhance productivity across the country.

MIL OSI Canada News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Georgia Tax Preparer for Fabricating Expenses and Credits

Source: US State Government of Utah

Note: View complaint here.

The Justice Department filed a complaint today to permanently bar tax preparer Tanja D. Hollis, of Griffin, Georgia, and her business, Tanja Tax Preparations LLC, from preparing federal tax returns for others.

The complaint, filed in a federal court in Newnan, Georgia, alleges that Hollis prepared and filed false federal tax returns through Tanja Tax Preparations that understated her customers’ tax liabilities by reporting false or exaggerated business expenses and claiming tax credits for false education expenses.

According to the complaint, despite knowing them to be false, Hollis prepared returns claiming business expenses for customers who did not own or operate a business and education expenses for customers who were not enrolled as students. The IRS interviewed Tanja Tax Preparations customers who said they did not give Hollis any reason to believe that the items reported on their returns were legitimate.

The complaint alleges that, by repeatedly understating her customers’ tax liabilities, Hollis caused the United States to lose substantial tax revenue.

In addition to a permanent injunction, the complaint asks the court to order Hollis to turn over the ill-gotten tax preparation fees she earned while preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns.

Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams, and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers. The IRS also has a checklist of things to remember when filing income tax returns. In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found here. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rwandan Immigrant Arrested for Concealing Role as Perpetrator of Genocide After Fraudulently Entering the United States

Source: US State Government of Utah

A federal grand jury in Ohio has returned a three-count indictment unsealed today charging Rwandan national Vincent Nzigiyimfura, also known as Vincent Mfura, 65, of Dayton, Ohio with lying on his U.S. immigration and naturalization applications. Specifically, the indictment alleges that he concealed his role as a perpetrator of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, among other misrepresentations. Nzigiyimfura was arrested Wednesday in Dayton and made his initial appearance yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura participated in the genocide that took place between April and July 1994, when members of Rwanda’s majority Hutu population killed hundreds of thousands of the country’s minority Tutsi ethnic group in an attempt to eradicate the ethnic group. An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during the three-month genocide. Nzigiyimfura, a Rwandan businessman and butcher, was allegedly a leader and organizer of the genocide against Tutsis in the area in and around Gihisi and Nyanza. Nzigiyimfura allegedly provided weapons, transportation, and material inducements to other Hutus and directed them to search for and apprehend people to be killed based on their status as Tutsis. He allegedly set up roadblocks to detain and kill Tutsis, using his personal vehicle to transport materials to build the roadblocks. According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura devised a scheme to trick Tutsis in hiding to believe that the killings had stopped only to have them rounded up and murdered.

“As alleged, Vincent Nzigiyimfura directed and encouraged murders during the genocide in Rwanda and then lied to U.S. authorities to start a new life in this country,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The United States is not a safe haven for human rights violators. Those, like the defendant, who commit immigration fraud to hide their violent pasts will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Mr. Galeotti thanked the prosecutors from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), agents from HSI Cincinnati and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio for their work in bringing this important prosecution.

“The indictment alleges this defendant facilitated the killings of Tutsis during the Rwandan genocide and then lied about it on immigration applications in the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio. “This egregious conduct will not be tolerated.”

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) is committed to pursuing justice for victims of genocide by ensuring that those who committed atrocities in foreign lands cannot hide in Ohio or any other community in the United States,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey of ICE HSI Detroit. “No one wants a war criminal as their neighbor and these allegations paint a grim picture of the horror Nzigiyimfura inflicted on the Tutsi people. His indictment and arrest is a step toward justice for those victims. ”

When the genocide ended in 1994, as alleged, Nzigiyimfura fled Rwanda and later lived in Malawi. While living in Malawi in 2008 to 2009, Nzigiyimfura allegedly submitted materially misleading applications for an immigrant visa and alien registration, including by falsely representing that he was not an alien who had engaged in genocide. In the presence of a U. S. Consular Officer, Nzigiyimfura affirmed he understood that any willfully false or misleading statement or willful concealment of material facts could subject him to criminal prosecution. Additionally, according to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura submitted an affidavit in which he misleadingly claimed he “left Rwanda in 1994 due to the Genocide,” when in fact, he fled the country because of his participation in the persecution and massacre of Tutsis. His alleged misrepresentations and omissions yielded an immigrant visa to enter the United States in 2009.

Five years later, Nzigiyimfura submitted an application to naturalize as a U. S. citizen. Here, too, according to the indictment, he knowingly made false statements and omitted material facts, including claiming he had never persecuted any person, never committed a crime or offense, and never lied to any U. S. Government official to gain entry to the United States. In a November 2014 interview with a U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, Nzigiyimfura verbally reaffirmed these false statements, as well as others, according to the indictment. His application for naturalization has not been granted. Nzigiyimfura has lived in the United States since 2009.

In 2018, according to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura submitted an application and supporting documentation for a replacement Permanent Resident Card (green card) that was due to expire in 2019 and obtained a new fraudulently procured green card with an expiration date in 2029. On July 27, 2021, Nzigiyimfura allegedly used his fraudulently procured replacement green card in connection with an application for an Ohio driver’s license.

Nzigiyimfura is charged with one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U. S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

HSI Cincinnati is investigating the case, with assistance from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers.

Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U. S. Attorney Rob Painter of the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U. S. law enforcement through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also email HRV. ICE@ice. dhs. gov or complete its online tip form at www. ice. gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips. asp.

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

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter: Strengthening Our Fight Against Child Exploitation in North Idaho

Source: US State of Idaho

Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Strengthening Our Fight Against Child Exploitation in North Idaho

Dear Friends,
This week I traveled to North Idaho to strengthen our partnerships with local law enforcement in the fight against child exploitation. The trip included meetings with police chiefs, time with our Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators, and important discussions about how we can better protect children across Idaho.
I attended the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association Conference, where I had the opportunity to thank police chiefs from across our state for their dedication to protecting Idaho communities. I wanted them to know that my office is here as a resource, ready to assist with investigations and prosecutions, especially when it comes to ICAC cases. Our ICAC investigators do incredibly demanding work to protect vulnerable children from online predators, and they can’t do it alone.
The reality is that building strong partnerships with police departments across Idaho is essential to keeping kids safe. At the conference, I spent time at our ICAC booth speaking directly with chiefs about collaboration opportunities and the resources available to their departments. These conversations matter because protecting children requires all of us working together.
I also joined our ICAC investigators and team members in Post Falls for their biannual Mental Health and Resiliency training. This training is conducted by Dr. Alex Crampton and Dr. Ross Ginkel, the contracted psychologists for our ICAC team. These investigators are heroes who work tirelessly to protect children in Idaho. Every day, they confront horrific images and disturbing cases as they conduct search warrants and arrest online predators.
What many people don’t realize is the emotional toll this work takes on the men and women who do it. My office ensures these investigators have mental health resources available whenever they need them, and it was an honor for me to join them for part of this critical training. We hold these full-team mental health trainings in different locations across Idaho to accommodate investigators statewide and bring the entire team together.
I then met with Captains Mark Brantl and Jason Mealer at the Post Falls Police Department to discuss ongoing collaboration between local law enforcement and our ICAC Task Force. Our ICAC Unit works with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and prosecute individuals who use the internet to criminally exploit children.
These partnerships aren’t just professional relationships, they’re critical lifelines in our mission to protect children in our state. When local departments have the support they need and our investigators have the mental health resources to sustain this difficult work, children in Idaho are safer.
As both a parent and your Attorney General, I know there’s no more important work than protecting children from those who would harm them. This trip reminded me that we have dedicated professionals throughout Idaho who share that commitment, and together, we’re making a difference.
Best regards,

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Federal Reserve Board announces that results from its annual bank stress test will be released on Friday, June 27, at 4:30 p.m. EDT

Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

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Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock (
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) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Trade agreements and respect of social and environmental standards – E-001653/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The Commission remains committed to its trade and sustainable development (TSD) policy as put forward in the 2022 Communication ‘The power of trade partnerships: together for green and just economic growth’[1].

It is based on an engagement-based approach grounded in international frameworks and standards with strong implementation and enforcement. This includes the use of remedies for breaches of core TSD provisions. The final outcome of each agreement is country specific.

The agreements with Kenya and Chile have strong TSD commitments, including provisions on labour matters, gender equality, environment and the fight against climate change.

These commitments are binding and enforceable through specific dispute resolution mechanisms. In addition, a review clause in the agreements also allows for the possibility to further enhance the mechanism by agreeing on the application of the temporary suspension of trade preferences (i.e. remedies). The Commission is committed to engage with Kenya and Chile as part of this review mechanism.

Trade agreements can serve the Sustainable Development Goals in various ways, with the enforcement mechanism of TSD provisions being one of the important aspects.

The Commission regularly assesses the sustainable development impact of its trade agreements, through ex-ante impact assessments[2] as well as through ex-post evaluations[3].

The Commission is committed to follow up on their conclusions as appropriate to maximise the sustainable development potential of the agreements.

[1] COM (2022) 409; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52022DC0409.

[2] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/sustainability-impact-assessments_en.

[3] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/ex-post-evaluations_en.
Last updated: 13 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance with the rule of law in Spain amid the wave of legal proceedings regarding corruption – E-002213/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002213/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dolors Montserrat (PPE)

There are an increasing number of legal proceedings involving those closest to the Prime Minister of Spain: his wife, his brother, the organisational secretary of the ruling party, and several former high-ranking government officials are all implicated in alleged cases of corruption, influence peddling, misappropriation of public funds and irregularities related to public procurement.

The most egregious examples include:

– the charges brought against the Prosecutor General of Spain for politically-motivated leaks of confidential information;

– the initiation of legal proceedings against the Prime Minister’s brother for misconduct and influence peddling;

– suspected circumvention of the law to obtain special immunity for regional leaders facing charges;

– the involvement of former ministerial officials in allegedly rigged public contracts;

– and the possible use of institutional influence to favour those associated with the ruling party who are close to Sánchez.

The principles of the rule of law, the separation of powers and accountability are under threat.

1.Does the Commission plan to include an explicit warning in its Rule of Law Report about these signs of structural corruption connected to the Spanish Government, as well as a warning about possible political interference in the legal proceedings currently under way?

Submitted: 3.6.2025
Last updated: 13 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Mfume Statement on Israel Strikes Against Iranian Nuclear and Military Targets

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

BALTIMORE, MD – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) issued the following statement regarding Israel’s strikes in Iran:

“In a region of the Middle East that has seen so much bloodshed, I urge President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio to work with great dispatch to prevent any further escalation between Israel and the un-Democratic regime in Iran which must not be allowed to develop nuclear capability,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “The United States must continue to work with all Democratic allies in the Middle East to forge a path towards stability—and to protect the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats, and innocent civilians who are the victims of war,” he concluded.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Texas Border Security Reimbursement Provision Included in Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs released their legislative text for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes provisions he authored that would provide $13.5 billion in funding to reimburse states like Texas for stepping up and trying to secure the southern border during the Biden-Harris administration:

“No state did more to protect and defend the southern border during the disastrous Biden-Harris open border crisis than Texas, and I am proud that my provision to reimburse Texas taxpayers for the more than $11 billion spent on border security has been included in the Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This is a win for Governor Abbott and the Texas Republican congressional delegation, who I worked with closely to ensure this reimbursement was made a priority and did not leave the people of Texas on the hook for the costs of Biden’s failed border policies. I was proud to lead this push in the Senate, and I look forward to voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill with this border security reimbursement for Texas included in the coming weeks.”

Background:

Senator Cornyn has led the fight in Washington to secure federal reimbursement for Texas by:

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Türkiye’s renewable power capacity to reach 38.2GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

Türkiye’s renewable power capacity to reach 38.2GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

Posted in Power

Türkiye boasts one of the world’s most rapidly expanding energy markets, driven by its robust economic growth. However, the country relies heavily on fossil and electricity imports to meet its domestic power demand. To reduce this dependency, the country is looking to expand is renewable capacity. In October 2024, Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy unveiled its 2035 roadmap for renewable energy. Against this backdrop, the country’s renewable power capacity is forecast to reach 38.2GW in 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1% during 2024-35, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, “Turkey Power Market Outlook to 2035, Update 2025 – Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape,” reveals that annual power generation in Türkiye is expected to increase at a CAGR of 8.6% during 2024-35 to reach 213.5TWh.

Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Türkiye aims to quadruple its wind and solar capacity, targeting a goal of 120GW by 2035. To achieve this, the country plans to install between 7.5 and 8GW of renewable energy capacity annually, with an investment of $80 billion. The strategy includes the addition of at least 2GW of wind capacity each year through YEKA auctions, which included 1.2GW of wind and 800MW of solar in the YEKA 2024 auction. Furthermore, the development of 5GW of offshore wind is targeted. These targets are expected to augment renewable power development.”

Saibasan adds: “Türkiye’s increasing demand for power has been driven by the nation’s expanding GDP and population growth, with projections indicating a continued upward trend. As the primary source of power generation in Türkiye, thermal power—predominantly derived from natural gas, followed by hard coal and lignite—plays a crucial role.”

However, Türkiye’s domestic fossil fuel resources are limited, necessitating a heavy reliance on imported fuels to satisfy its energy needs, including those for power generation. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye, approximately 74% of Turkey’s energy requirements are met through imports. The country sources natural gas from Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Algeria, and Nigeria, while its crude oil imports primarily come from Iraq, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria.

Saibasan concludes: “To overcome the challenge, the country has placed focus on nuclear and renewable power. Within the renewable power segment, solar PV constituted nearly 51.3% of the total renewable power capacity followed by onshore wind, accounting for 32.9% in 2024. The country is looking to add offshore wind into its capacity mix by 2032. In the Offshore Wind Roadmap, Türkiye has established a goal of achieving 5GW of installed capacity for offshore wind power by 2035.”

MIL OSI Global Banks –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada attends the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3)
Source: Government of Canada News (2)

June 13, 2025

Nice, France – Canada’s oceans are facing increasing impacts from climate change, including species decline, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, harm from aquatic invasive species, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the effects from waste and other pollutants. In response to these challenges, Canada is collaborating internationally with maritime nations across the globe to better protect our oceans for present and future generations.

From June 9-13, Fisheries and Oceans Canada led the Canadian delegation at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which took place in Nice, France. During the Conference, Canada led on a series of events including:
- An Ocean Action Panel co-chaired with Palau, leading thoughtful discussions on advancing sustainable ocean governance, conservation and responsible use of marine resources for our shared global oceans.
- An Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Action Alliance (IUU-AA) event to reinforce the importance of transparency while improving efforts to govern, enforce and work with international partners to combat IUU fishing. As the current chair of the IUU Fishing Action Alliance, Canada recognizes the challenges of IUU fishing and its devastating impacts on fish stocks, ecosystems and economies around the world.
- The launch of a High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean, co-led alongside Panama, which was endorsed by 35 other countries. This Coalition marks a significant global commitment to reduce ocean noise, a key threat to ecosystem health and marine biodiversity around the world.
Canada also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom to strengthen our long history of cooperation on the sustainable use of marine resources, ocean protection and preservation, and ocean science.

By continuing to collaborate with international partners to better understand the environmental changes we are seeing in the global ocean and create more economic opportunities for coastal and inland communities, Canada can help contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous blue economy for all.

MIL OSI Canada News –
June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: SSHRC’s Storytellers Challenge celebrates the winning narratives of innovative research
Source: Government of Canada News (2)

FREDERICTON, NB, June 13, 2025 – The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is delighted to announce the winners of its 12^thStorytellers Challenge, a national competition that asks postsecondary students to demonstrate—in up to three minutes or 300 words—how SSHRC-funded research is making a difference in the lives of Canadians. The Challenge is designed to highlight the powerful stories—told by students—emerging from research in Canadian social sciences and humanities disciplines.

After a rigorous selection process, these exceptional Storytellers have demonstrated outstanding creativity and insight in sharing their research journeys and discoveries with the broader public. The announcement was made at the SSHRC Storytellers Showcase, held at the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada conference, in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

The 2025 Storytellers Challenge winners are:
- Sarah Abouali, from University of Calgary, who shared a story about Canadian Muslim youth identity challenges, mental health and well-being.
- Maddie Brockbank, from McMaster University, who told us about co-designing a gender-based and sexual violence prevention framework to address ongoing concerns related to the prevalence of gender-based sexual violence and men’s disengagement from existing anti-violence work.
- Mélanie Letendre Jauniaux, from Bishop’s University, who explained the impacts of raising trauma awareness to build community resilience.
- Jaweria Qaiser, from University of Toronto, who described why it is important to be able to empathize in a group setting, especially when tensions are high.
- Micheal P. Taylor, from Memorial University, who shared their story about probation, parole and correctional work through practitioners’ perspectives.
Each winner receives $1,000 in addition to the $3,000 they received as finalists, national recognition and a platform to amplify their work, helping to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the vital role of social sciences and humanities research in Canada. Join us in congratulating this talented group of Storytellers.

MIL OSI Canada News –
June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer Statement on Israeli Strikes Against Iran

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after Israel carried out preemptive strikes on Iran:

“For weeks, Israel had indications that Iran was racing to advance its uranium enrichment program and develop a nuclear bomb. Despite repeated warnings from Israel, America, and the United Nations to comply with nuclear restrictions, Iran did not relent in its efforts. Yesterday, Israel determined that it was fast approaching a point of no return for stopping Iran’s nuclear program. With the window of opportunity for a preemptive strike closing, Israel made its own decision to strike key Iranian nuclear and military targets.

“The international community has long made it clear that a nuclear-armed Iran is an unacceptable threat. For Israel, that threat is existential. Iranian leaders have stated their intention to see Israel ‘wiped of the map.’ Israel has a right to defend itself and has always been transparent that it would take military action to assure its security if Iran approached nuclear capability. That is what we saw yesterday. Following Hamas’ October 7 terror attacks, Israel took similar action to defeat Hezbollah – another proximate Iranian threat to the Israeli people.

“I believe the Trump Administration’s decision to abandon the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action without an alternative agreement contributed to Iran’s enrichment progress and thus to the circumstances that necessitated Israel’s strike yesterday. I urge the Administration not to allow Iran’s nuclear program to advance so far again.

“Iran has already begun to retaliate against Israel. While our ally has successfully defended itself from initial Iranian drone and missile attacks, America needs to do its part to counter further Iranian strikes against Israeli and American targets in the region, just as the Biden Administration coordinated the defense against Iran’s missile attacks on Israel last year.

“Iran deems America one of its greatest adversaries other than Israel. We must not allow Iran to endanger us all with nuclear weapons. Every nation that wants to see peace and stability restored in the region ought to share that mission.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Bay Area Congressional Delegation Statement on CBP Activities at SFO

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

June 12, 2025

Reps. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mike Thomspon (CA-04), John Garamendi (CA-08), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), and Ro Khanna (CA-17), issued the following joint statement in response to Customs and Border Protection inexplicably detaining travelers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

“The Trump Administration’s approach to immigration has been utterly chaotic, inhumane, and disruptive to communities across the nation. Last night’s detainment of two Palestinian travelers who flew into SFO with valid visas is yet another example of Trump’s needlessly cruel actions. These visitors arrived here at the invitation of Bay Area interfaith community leaders. They traveled all the way from the West Bank to share their stories and work toward peace.

We call upon Customs and Border Protection to immediately respond to Congressional inquiries and provide the justification behind these individuals’ continued detainment and threatened deportation scheduled for later this afternoon. By inexplicably revoking visas, Trump’s CBP is discrediting America’s reputation abroad and breeding further distrust of our immigration system.”

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Previous Article

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Dental Students Showcase Educational Research Projects

Source: US State of Connecticut

This week, a group of third-year dental students gathered in Friends Hall to present education-related research projects. These projects are the culmination of the student’s experience in the year-long American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Academic Dental Career Fellowship Program (ADCFP).

The program encourages the pursuit of academic careers in dentistry through giving students insight into the life of a faculty educator or researcher. The program also provides opportunities for fellows to learn about career pathways in academic dentistry and receive hands-on training specific to teaching and research.

Each fellow works alongside a faculty mentor for the duration of the program.

“The ADEA Academic Dental Career Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the world of academic dentistry,” said Dr. Katherine Fleming, assistant professor of pediatric dentistry and faculty liaison for the UConn ADEA chapter. “Our fellows worked incredibly hard this year developing thoughtful, education-based research projects and engaging in teaching practica. Their contributions highlight the vital role that students play as stakeholders in the dental curriculum.”

“It’s been inspiring to watch their growth as future dentists and educators. I’m proud of the dedication and insight they brought to every part of this experience,” Fleming continued.

The fellows’ educational research projects focused on a wide range of topics, including evaluating the use of slides, videos, surveys, and artificial intelligence in the learning experience.

Max Marks, who presented his research, Integrating an AI Chatbot into Pediatric Dental Communication Skills Training, worked alongside Fleming.

For Marks, his research project allowed him to experience both academic and clinical dentistry.

“It’s been a great way to spark both of my interests, and keep it going,” Marks remarked after his presentation.

Alexis Vasciannie presented her work, Exploring the Relationship Between Oral Tori and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Scoping Review, and reflected positively on the program.

“Participating in the ADEA Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program was an invaluable experience that allowed me to explore the world of dental academia beyond the classroom,” said Vasciannie. “It provided me with opportunities to connect with faculty on a personal level, learn about their unique paths and see how they have successfully integrated teaching with clinical practice. Through close collaboration with my mentor on a research project and hands-on teaching, both video- based and live, I was able to further develop my own teaching skills. This experience has strengthened my passion for academic dentistry and affirmed my desire to engage in teaching and mentorship as part of my professional journey.”

Vasciannie, who worked with Dr. Seema Kurup during the fellowship, is looking to pursue a residency in orthodontics and stay involved with academia.

The UConn ADEA Fellows attended the 2025 ADEA Annual Session in Washington, DC in March.

The ADEA fellowship program at UConn has grown tremendously over the past several years, noted Dr. Eric Bernstein, associate dean for academic affairs at the School of Dental Medicine and faculty advisor for the UConn ADEA chapter.

“UConn has become one of the most robust ADCFP programs in the country and the quality of the student work and experience in the program, as evidenced by today’s presentations, is exemplary,” Bernstein said.

According to Bernstein, the School of Dental Medicine strongly supports the program because it does more than expand the pool of dental school graduates interested and eager to pursue careers academic dentistry.

“The dissemination of their research on teaching and learning through presentations like those shared today brings benefits to our entire school community,” said Bernstein.

Fleming also touted the impact the program has had on the School. The fellows, she noted, have contributed to both curriculum development and evaluation—providing valuable insights for faculty teaching and course design.

“Through participation in this program, the students not only explored careers in academia but also helped advance how we teach and learn in dental education,” said Fleming.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: UConn Medical Students Riding Coast-2-Coast to Prevent Suicide

Source: US State of Connecticut

James Marks, 25, of Gilford, and Zach Giguere, 23, of Windsor flew to Seattle to start their great bicycle adventure on June 10.

Their summer cross-country bike trek marks the 20^th year that UConn medical and dental students have made the huge bike journey across America. Every summer since 2006, a different group of students set out for the bike tour, and in doing so, raised money for and awareness of a cause.

This year’s bike riding duo of future doctors are raising awareness of suicide with the goal to help prevent it. They are raising money too for advancing mental health research via the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

UConn rising second-year medical students Zach Giguere and James Marks.

Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide, and millions more struggle in silence. Despite the devastating impact on families and communities, mental health research and resources often lack the funding and attention they desperately need, the UConn medical students share.

“We believe that investing in suicide prevention—through research, crisis support, and accessible mental health care—can save lives. We are committed to raising awareness, advocating for change, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggle,” they write.

Their cause to prevent suicide is deeply personal to Marks.

James Marks of UConn School of Medicine.

“I lost my Dad,” Marks shared from suicide back in 2022. “I am glad I can do this journey to raise awareness.”

Giguere finds it critically important to raise greater awareness of the importance of mental health.

“Recently after COVID, I have seen more people struggling with anxiety and depression. Research into these topics and supporting people who are really struggling is so important,” Giguere says.

He adds, “Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness of suicide and get people to talk about it, so we can prevent it. Help us spread awareness, follow us on social media, and donate to advance mental health research.”

The two classmates coast to coast trip is planned for a total of 48 days.

Zach Giguere of UConn’s medical school.

“A few days in we are still on track, but we know the first few weeks will be the toughest,” says Giguere, who even celebrates his June 17th birthday on the road. He remembers first hearing about the exciting annual Coast-2-Coast bike ride of UConn students when he first applied to medical school.

“I have never been out West before,” says Giguere. “I always wanted to see all of the U.S. This is the absolute best opportunity to do so!”

Marks totally agrees.

“It’s beautiful out here! We did our biggest bike climbs yet in the Cascades here in Washington state even climbing up Washington Pass with its 5,500 ft. elevation. It’s really hard but everything of America we have seen so far, has incredible views,” says Marks.

Only a few days into the trek, both riders are witnessing the spirit of the American people over and over.

One of the many beautiful views in Washington experienced by Coast-2-Coast riders from UConn School of Medicine.

“Everyone and every town we encounter are really kind and are excited to hear what we are doing. We were blessed when a stranger’s truck stopped to give us Gatorade. Americans are extremely nice out here,” says Marks.

Both UConn medical students, and their legs, are definitely looking forward to the more flat Midwest.

Good luck James and Zach. Go Huskies!

Follow their Coast-2-Coast journey on Instagram @_coast2coast25_

Donate to their suicide prevention cause.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI: Trusted Crypto Casinos Are Taking Over Online Gambling in 2025: Exclusive Report By Radcred
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Glendale, CA, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Independent Research Report Shows Why Licence-Backed, Instant-Pay Blockchain Sites Outpace Legacy Casinos

Trust, not gimmicks, now decides where U.S. players place their crypto chips. Radcred’s Crypto-Casino Research Report scrutinized more than 200 digital-currency gambling sites, stress-testing everything from licensing to ledger speed. The audit confirms that total bet volume doubled to $26 billion in Q1 2025, while payout disputes fell by 38 per cent at operators meeting tier-one compliance and provably fair standards.

Only a few platforms earned Radcred’s coveted Gold Trust accreditation; dozens were rejected for opaque bonus rules, slow withdrawals, or missing security protocols.Together, these findings outline the benchmarks that separate the best crypto casinos 2025 from the rest of the market.

How Crypto Casinos Are Revolutionising Online Gambling

The digital gambling scenario is undergoing a seismic shift as blockchain technology fundamentally transforms the way players interact with online casinos. Unlike traditional platforms that rely on centralized systems and legacy banking infrastructure, crypto casinos are redefining transparency, speed, and global accessibility by utilizing distributed ledger technology.

Immutable Gaming Records
Every bet, game outcome, and payout is permanently recorded on-chain, creating an unalterable audit trail that players can independently verify. This eliminates the opacity of traditional casinos that store critical game data in private, centralized databases.

Provably Fair Gaming
Cryptographic algorithms enable players to validate results in real time—crucial for anyone seeking provably fair crypto games.. This revolutionary approach allows independent verification of outcomes, removing the need to trust casino operators blindly.

Instant Settlement Times

Withdrawals typically clear within 5-15 minutes; the fastest test result came from an instant-withdrawal Bitcoin casino at just 4.9 minutes, compared to traditional casinos that may take days for international transfers. This speed advantage is particularly pronounced for weekend transactions when traditional banking systems are often offline.

Elimination of Payment Processors
Direct peer-to-peer transfers remove the need for third-party payment processors and their associated fees and delays. This streamlined approach reduces transaction costs while dramatically improving processing speeds.

24/7 Global Accessibility
Blockchain networks operate continuously, allowing players worldwide to access gambling services regardless of local banking hours or weekend restrictions. This constant availability particularly benefits international players who previously faced significant barriers with traditional payment methods.

Detailed Casino findings are available in Radcred’s full 2025 report.

Game Selection at the Top Crypto Casinos

Leading sites now bundle 5,000+ RNG titles, live-dealer studios, crash games, and on-chain originals providing the variety legacy brands need years to match. BitStarz alone adds 200 new releases monthly, while Jackbit’s slot lobby covers every volatility tier from low-risk warm-ups to fast-paying crypto casino jackpot chasers.

1) Slots
Crypto sites host thousands of slot titles, from three-reel classics to video machines loaded with Megaways, cascading reels, and progressive jackpots. Fan favourites such as Sweet Bonanza and Book of Dead sit alongside exclusive Bitcoin-themed slots, most posting return-to-player rates near 95-97 %. Spin wagers typically start at $0.10, yet pooled jackpots can climb into six figures.

2) Table Games
Core staples include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and multiple poker variants. European roulette carries the lower house edge (2.7 %) versus its double-zero American cousin, while crypto blackjack often supports perfect-strategy RTPs above 99 %. Minimum bets hover around $1, but VIP tables raise limits well past $5,000.

3) Live Dealer Tables
Live studios stream in 4K from providers such as Evolution and Pragmatic Play, pairing professional croupiers with real-time chat. Options span live blackjack, speed roulette, Andar Bahar, and game-show formats like Crazy Time or Monopoly Live. Entry stakes can be as low as $0.20.

4) Provably Fair Originals
Blockchain titles—Crash, Dice, Mines, and Plinko—let players verify every result through on-chain hashes. The transparency appeals to trust-minded users, while lightning-fast rounds give the genre an arcade feel. Typical wagers range from a few cents to several hundred dollars.

5) Specialty Games
Light-hearted picks such as keno, bingo, scratch cards, and virtual sports round out the lobby. Tickets often cost under $1, deliver instant outcomes, and require no complex rules—ideal for a quick session between bigger bets.

6) Sports & eSports Betting
Many crypto platforms include full sportsbooks covering NFL, NBA, soccer, UFC, and eSports titles like CS:GO and League of Legends. Odds are priced in BTC or USDT, and same-wallet payouts hit accounts within minutes after matches settle.

7) Poker Rooms & Tournaments
Dedicated poker lobbies run cash tables, sit-and-go’s, and multi-table events with buy-ins from $1 to $10,000. Players join anonymously and withdraw chips directly to their wallets once play ends.

8) Crash & Multiplier Games
Titles such as Aviator, Bustabit, and JetX let users cash out before a rising line “crashes.” RTPs hover above 99 %, and rounds last under ten seconds, popular with bankroll builders seeking quick swings.

9) Lottery & Jackpot Draws
Daily crypto lotteries and hourly jackpot wheels sell tickets for a few satoshis. Prize pools grow block-by-block, draws are blockchain-verifiable, and winnings pay out instantly to the player’s wallet.

List of Top Games Reviewed by Radcred Experts

Legal Landscape of Crypto Casinos (U.S. & Global)

While no federal statute outlaws crypto wagering, state-by-state rules vary. Offshore platforms licensed in Curaçao, Malta, or the Isle of Man can legally accept American traffic, yet players should verify state restrictions before depositing. Europe is moving toward unified licence classes, and Asia-Pacific regulators are drafting sandbox frameworks to balance innovation and consumer protection.

How Players Use Crypto Casinos

• Bankroll building: Players grind low-stake slots to clear bonuses, then switch to provably fair dice for high-volatility bursts.

• Anonymity seekers: Privacy-minded users favour no-KYC crypto casino accounts tied to self-custody wallets.

• High rollers: VIPs capitalise on daily cashback ladders and wager-back rebates that would be impossible under fiat-card fees.

Bonuses and Promotions at Crypto Casinos

Welcome packages have exploded—some platforms tout 500 % matches worth $10,000 plus 500 free spins. Radcred’s audit focuses on rollover fairness: any deal above 40×, with max-win caps mirroring deposit size, is flagged. Ongoing perks—reload boosts, rakeback, and loyalty NFTs now rival sign-up deals for overall value.

Welcome Bonuses
First deposits routinely trigger 100 %–325 % matches, often capped at 5 BTC (or 50,000 USDT) and bundled with 50–250 free spins. Wagering is usually 20×–40× on the bonus—or occasionally on “deposit + bonus,” so reading the terms is non-negotiable.

No-Deposit Bonuses
A handful of trusted crypto casinos drop tiny crypto credits (0.0002–0.001 BTC) or 10–50 free spins just for signing up. Great for testing the lobby, but expect steeper rollover—typically 40×–60×—and modest cash-out caps around 0.005 BTC.

Reload Bonuses
Weekly or VIP reloads add 25 %–100 % to subsequent top-ups, usually worth $50–$300 in coin value. Wagering mirrors welcome offers (20×–40×), though elite tiers may see requirements cut in half.

Cashback Deals
Loss rebates of 5 %–20 % appear daily or weekly. The better platforms credit these funds wager-free; others attach a light 10×–20× roll-through before withdrawals unlock.

Free Spins
Blocks of 10–200 spins (valued at $0.10–$0.50 each) accompany welcome, reload, or new-game promos. Spin winnings usually face 20×–45× wagering and may top out at roughly $100 in withdrawable value.

Loyalty & VIP Programs
Long-term play earns points that escalate through bronze-to-diamond tiers. Perks scale from birthday spins to 40 % rakeback, higher withdrawal ceilings, physical gifts, and 24/7 concierge hosts often with no extra wagering attached, though unused bonus chips expire after 30–90 days.

Full bonus data appears in the 2025 Radcred report

Crypto-Gambling Trends to Watch in 2025

Crypto-gambling is evolving fast, blending blockchain innovation with high-stakes entertainment. From Bitcoin betting platforms to NFT-based rewards, U.S. players are seeing more secure, fast, and anonymous ways to play. Here’s a look at the biggest trends shaping the future of online crypto casinos this year.

AI-Powered Personalization

Advanced artificial intelligence algorithms are revolutionizing player experiences by analyzing behavior patterns, game preferences, and betting habits to deliver tailored recommendations and dynamic bonuses. These systems enhance engagement while providing early warnings for problematic gambling behaviors.

Instant Withdrawals and Lightning Transactions

Crypto casinos are prioritizing sub-10-minute withdrawal speeds, with a few platforms processing Bitcoin withdrawals in under 12 minutes. This trend addresses traditional banking delays and attracts players seeking immediate access to winnings.

NFT Integration and Tokenized Rewards

Non-fungible tokens are being incorporated as in-game rewards, collectibles, and play-to-earn mechanisms. This creates new revenue streams and adds digital ownership elements to traditional gambling experiences.

Decentralized Casinos and Web3 Adoption

Blockchain-powered platforms are eliminating centralized control through smart contracts, offering provably fair games and transparent operations. These decentralized systems provide enhanced player autonomy and reduced operational costs.

Mobile-First Crypto Gaming

With over 59% of gaming activity occurring on mobile devices, operators are prioritizing mobile-optimized crypto gambling experiences. This includes seamless crypto wallet integration and touch-friendly interfaces designed for smartphones.

Why Crypto Casinos Are the Top Choice of Players

The digital gambling revolution has positioned crypto casinos as the preferred destination for modern players worldwide. With a market that has surged to $250 million and witnessed an 83.6% increase in crypto bets in 2024, these platforms are redefining player expectations through superior technology, enhanced privacy, and unprecedented convenience.

Identity Protection

Wallet addresses replace names and card numbers, so breaches or charge-back fraud can’t touch you. End-to-end encryption keeps every spin or hand tied only to a hash—not your personal details.

No KYC Hassles

Most leading sites skip document uploads entirely. You register with an email, set a wallet, and play in under a minute—eliminating the data-sharing risk many mainstream gamblers now avoid.

Instant Deposits & Withdrawals

On-chain transfers settle in 5-15 minutes; benchmark brand CoinCasino routinely clocks Bitcoin cash-outs below 15. Weekends or bank holidays no longer freeze bankrolls.

Minimal Fees

With processors removed, network costs often fall below $1, and some operators cover them. That translates to more spins, bets, or hands from the same budget.

Provably Fair Games

Roughly 77 percent of crypto casinos publish hashed server/client seeds. Anyone can verify randomness after every round, reinforcing trust without third-party auditors.

Super-Charged Bonuses

Welcome deals reach 500 percent plus hundreds of free spins. Reloads, daily rakeback, and loyalty NFTs push total promo value far past what fiat sites offer.

VIP Treatment

Tiered programs award up to 40 percent cashback, higher withdrawal caps, dedicated hosts, and even luxury trips for high rollers—perks unlocked through transparent point systems, not opaque invitations.

How Crypto Casinos Are Evaluated

Evaluating crypto casinos means looking beyond flashy bonuses. U.S. players prioritize secure blockchain payments, fair game mechanics, fast withdrawals, and strong user reputations. With more platforms entering the space, understanding how these casinos are evaluated helps players find trustworthy and rewarding experiences in the growing world of crypto gambling.
- Licence & Jurisdiction Verification – Analysts cross-reference licence numbers with regulators in Malta, Curaçao, and the Isle of Man, checking disciplinary dockets for unresolved complaints. Sites without a publicly searchable certificate or those linked to dormant holding companies are excluded immediately, preventing unsafe operators from reaching readers.
- Provably Fair Confirmation – Every in-house slot, roulette wheel, or dice game is hashed against its server seed, client seed, and nonce. Radcred reruns thousands of rounds to ensure the outcome history matches blockchain-published randomness proofs, hard evidence that no hidden code tilts results.
- On-Chain Transaction Speed Audit – Deposits and withdrawals are executed every six hours for a week. Analysts log confirmation counts, network fees, and manual-review delays. Platforms clearing cash-out requests in under ten minutes on at least 95 percent of attempts score the highest.
- Security & Privacy Controls – Evaluation covers mandatory two-factor authentication, SSL/TLS strength, DDoS mitigation, and cold wallet segregation. Zero-knowledge KYC methods, where available, receive bonus credit for minimizing identity exposure while still complying with anti-money laundering regulations.
- Bonus-Term Transparency – Fine print is dissected for wagering multipliers, game exclusions, and maximum-win caps. Operators hiding key conditions below the fold, or inflating advertised bonus value through unrealistic rollover hurdles, are penalised.
Visit Casino Sites Researched by Radcred’s Experts

Why Radcred Is Your Trustworthy Crypto-Casino Radar?

The modern crypto-gambling scenario demands reliable guidance through countless platforms and endless promotional claims. Radcred emerges as your definitive compass, cutting through industry noise to deliver transparent, merit-based casino evaluations that prioritize player protection over profit margins.

Comprehensive Platform Testing

Radcred’s team conducts rigorous 7-day real-money testing sessions across multiple crypto casinos, evaluating everything from deposit speeds to withdrawal reliability during peak and off-peak hours. This hands-on approach ensures authentic insights rather than surface-level promotional content that plagues many review sites.

Transparent Scoring Methodology

Unlike biased platforms that accept upfront payments from casinos, Radcred maintains editorial independence by utilizing merit-based evaluation criteria, including licensing verification, payout speeds, and responsiveness to customer service. Their 4.3-star average rating system reflects genuine user experiences rather than inflated promotional scores.

Security-First Assessment

Every reviewed platform undergoes thorough security audits, examining SSL encryption standards, regulatory compliance, and data protection measures to ensure player safety. Radcred’s commitment to 256-bit encryption standards and fraud prevention education demonstrates their dedication to consumer protection over affiliate commissions.

Real-Time Market Intelligence

The platform continuously monitors crypto casino developments, tracking regulatory changes, bonus structure modifications, and industry trends to provide up-to-date recommendations. This dynamic approach ensures players receive current, actionable information rather than outdated reviews that could lead to poor platform choices.

Community-Verified Feedback

Radcred integrates verified player testimonials and community-driven insights, creating a comprehensive feedback ecosystem that highlights both positive experiences and potential red flags across different crypto gambling platforms.

SEE HOW RADCRED SCORES YOUR FAVORITE CASINO SITE

Safe Crypto Casino Actionable Tips

Even with professional rankings, personal due diligence remains vital. Use the following four rules as a pre-deposit checklist.
- Verify Licence Details in Regulator Databases – If a licence number fails to populate official records or the corporate entity name differs from the site’s footer, treat it as a red flag.
- Stress-Test Customer Support – Send a basic payout question before making a deposit. A sub-five-minute human response often predicts smoother conflict resolution later.
- Scrutinise Bonus T&Cs – Rollover above 40×, limited game eligibility, or maximum win caps that equal the deposit can erode perceived generosity.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication Immediately – Phishing remains rampant. Hardware-key or app-based 2FA blocks account takeovers that simple passwords cannot.
Conclusion

Trust-centric design, verifiable randomness, and license-backed operations are pushing crypto casinos from fringe curiosity to mainstream entertainment. Radcred’s 2025 research report shows that when transparency meets speed, players follow. Relying on independent audits, free safety tools, and clear regulatory guidance, U.S. gamblers can enjoy blockchain wagering without unnecessary risk or confusion.

FAQs

Are crypto casinos legit?
Crypto casinos operate in a legal gray area in the U.S., with legitimacy varying by state. Platforms licensed by authorities such as Curaçao or Malta are generally considered safe. However, U.S. federal laws create uncertainty, so always verify a casino’s license and check your state’s online gambling regulations before playing.

Is it possible to win big at a crypto casino?
Big wins are absolutely possible; some players have won millions of dollars. Games with high RTPs and smart bankroll strategies can improve odds. However, gambling is risky by nature, and winning isn’t guaranteed. Play responsibly and never wager more than you can afford to lose.

How to find the best crypto casino online?
Look for licensed platforms offering secure logins, fast payouts, and thousands of games. Check for fair bonus terms and crypto support. User reviews on sites like Trustpilot and Reddit can offer honest feedback. Reputable names like JACKBIT, BitStarz, and 7Bit are strong, proven options.

How to verify the trustworthiness of cryptocurrency casinos?
Verify proper licensing and conduct third-party audits by reputable bodies, such as iTech Labs or eCOGRA. Trustworthy sites use SSL encryption, offer provably fair games, and have responsive customer support. Always read genuine player reviews and be cautious of platforms with unclear terms, fake reviews, or delayed payouts.

Disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute gambling advice or an invitation to wager. Online gaming may be illegal in some jurisdictions and involves financial risk. Always verify local laws, set personal limits, and seek help via the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

The MIL Network –
June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tomorrow Is Officially “Vets Get Outside Day” After Senators King, Cassidy Resolution Passes Senate Unanimously

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), both members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), marking Saturday, June 14th as “Veterans Get Outside Day.” The resolution encourages veterans, especially those struggling with mental health challenges, to spend time in the great outdoors. Veterans have free lifetime access to National Parks and Maine State Parks.
“From beach walks on the rocky coast to a challenging hike in the woods, Maine’s extraordinary outdoor spaces can bring moments of calm during the most difficult times,” said Senator King. “I hope that ‘Vets Get Outside Day’ will encourage Maine veterans to find a relaxing outdoor space that helps them process their daily stressors. It’s a simple way to promote two of Maine’s greatest treasures — the great outdoors and our brave veterans.”
“Resuming civilian life can be isolating,” said Senator Cassidy. “When veterans stay active and connected with their community, their mental health and quality of life improve. That is what today is all about.”
The resolution calls on veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges to walk, run, hike, bike ride, or simply spend time outside on June 14th, 2025, as part of an effort improve mental health Over 460,000 veterans were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries between 2020 and 2024, and there were 6,407 veteran suicide deaths in 2022. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors in nature can have positive impact on an individual’s mental health and lessen feelings of isolation.
Veterans can dial 9-8-8 and then press 1 to be connected with the Veterans Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24-hours a day.
Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation to help reduce suicides among veterans by providing free secure firearm storage to veterans. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families.
Senator King has also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. Earlier this year, he cosponsored the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act that would provide more combat-injured veterans with their full earned benefits. He also joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in introducing bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize a program that would expand access to veteran disability claims exams. Recently, Senator King teamed up with Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) to introduce a bipartisan bill that would make the veterans’ benefit claims process more streamlined and fair. Earlier this year, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senators Hassan, Shaheen Urge Coast Guard to Delay Removal of Navigational Buoys

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined a bipartisan cohort of the New England Senate Delegation led by Senator Angus King (I-ME) in urging the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to delay the removal of navigational buoys off the coast of New England so they can better engage with stakeholders and understand the safety impacts of the proposal. In a letter to Acting Coast Guard Commandant Kevin Lunday, the Senators ask for USCG to extend the comment period for public input, undertake more extensive outreach and enhance the compilation of data before making any final decisions on the removal of the navigational buoys.
The Senators wrote, in part: “We write regarding our concerns with the First District Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative and related efforts. Principally, we have reservations about how this would affect the safety of mariners throughout District One, the timeline the agency is proposing and the sufficiency of the agency’s communications with stakeholders of the proposed changes. We understand the need to modernize the Aids-to-Navigation (ATON) system, and we commend the agency for proactively initiating a program to assess current systems and to propose appropriate changes. However, we urge the agency to slow down this effort to ensure that the agency understands the needs of the communities and mariners in our states. Therefore, we urge you to extend the public comment period and increase public and Congressional engagement as outlined in this letter.”
They continued: “We understand that Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC), Electronic Charting Systems (ECS) and smartphone navigation applications have changed many facets of navigation. However, prudent mariners continue to depend on non-electronic and traditional means of navigating, including charts and visual navigation aids like buoys and related ATON.”
The Senators concluded: “With respect to the First District Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative, we are troubled that the current proposal would discontinue 916 buoys and beacons (309 Coastal and 607 Harbor buoys) in District One as soon as this year and into 2026. We appreciate the need to modernize, but the Coast Guard and other stakeholders need to maximize navigation safety utilizing all available means – electronic and visual. As you are well aware, mishaps continue to show the need for mariners to competently pilot their vessels, and effective coastal piloting relies on GPS, Radar and visual navigational aids including buoys, beacons, lights, ranges and lighthouses.”
The USCG launched the Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative in April 2025, a component of its broader Short-Range Aids-to-Navigation Modernization effort. This initiative proposed the discontinuation of 351 coastal buoys across New England (Maine accounts for the largest share at 145 buoys). In parallel, an additional 2,349 buoys and beacons are under review for future removal as part of the Harbor Buoy Modernization Initiative and the Shallow Water Level of Service Study (SWLOSS), scheduled for phased implementation from 2026 through 2029. In total, some 2700 buoys are up for consideration for removal along the New England coast.
These efforts collectively represent a significant reconfiguration of the region’s maritime navigational infrastructure affecting both commercial and recreational mariners; despite the technical justifications for the initiative, the USCG approach has raised concerns throughout New England’s maritime community, including commercial fisherman and recreation vessels that rely on the navigation buoys during emergencies.
Joining Shaheen, Hassan and King on the letter are Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
The full of the text of the letter can be found here.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Israeli Strikes on Iran

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC — Tonight, after Israel carried out large-scale strikes throughout Iran, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence. These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces. While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer.

“I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control. President Trump must be crystal clear with the American people and the international community in charting a way forward. The world cannot afford more devastating conflict born of short-sighted violence.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: June 13th, 2025 Heinrich’s ‘Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act’ Heads to the White House
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced that his Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs, under the Controlled Substances Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Heinrich introduced the HALT Fentanyl Act in January with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Heinrich announced passage of his bill in the U.S. Senate in March. The legislation now heads to the White House to be signed into law.

This permanent scheduling will give law enforcement added tools to help get extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets, dismantle organized criminal trafficking operations, and keep New Mexicans safe.

“I’m pleased that my HALT Fentanyl Act passed both chambers of Congress and is headed to the White House to be signed into law,” said Heinrich. “I urge the president to immediately sign the HALT Fentanyl Act, which is urgently needed to help our law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking and allow prosecutors to build stronger, longer-term criminal cases. I will never stop fighting to deliver the resources to get deadly fentanyl out of our communities and save lives.”

The HALT Fentanyl Act is endorsed by the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors Association, the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, and the National District Attorneys Association, as well as state and local law enforcement across New Mexico.

“Fentanyl has negatively impacted the city of Las Cruces in significant ways. In the past five years, we have experienced a substantial increase in crime, homelessness, and quality of life issues. I firmly believe fentanyl has been the biggest driver of these issues. It is time to take meaningful action to reverse the harm caused by this illicit substance,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department.

“Like any illegal substance, whether it be opioids or fentanyl use, there are no easy or quick solutions and often combatting their abuse requires a multi-layered approach. The HALT Fentanyl Act is just that, which is why I fully support it. We may be inclined to not concern ourselves with research, for example, but those trafficking in this market do concern themselves with research. Let us endorse this bigger picture approach to help combat fentanyl use in our country,” said Kim Stewart, Doña Ana County Sheriff.

“The HALT Fentanyl Act is another tool to go after transnational gangs and help make our community safer. Legislation is key for law enforcement to do their job,” said John Allen, Bernalillo County Sheriff.

Background:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 107,543 overdose deaths in the United States in 2023. Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances accounted for nearly 75,000 of those deaths. Since 1999, the overdose crisis has increasingly been characterized by deaths involving these illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl-related substances (FRS), which are commonly sold through illicit drug markets for their fentanyl-like effect, and are often mixed with heroin or other drugs, such as cocaine, or pressed in to counterfeit prescription pills. During this same period, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) increased 103-fold. By comparison, overdose deaths involving heroin and prescription opioids increased 2.5-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively.

Traffickers are continually altering the chemical structure of fentanyl to evade regulation and prosecution, sometimes with tragic results. Since 2013, China has been the principal source of fentanyl, fentanyl-related substances, and the precursor chemicals from which they are produced. Chinese product is commonly shipped to Mexico and smuggled into the United States’ illicit drug market via U.S. citizens. Traffickers have favored fentanyl-related substances to skirt around committing the crime of trafficking fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized nearly 12,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl, including fentanyl powder and more than 78 million pills laced with illicit fentanyl. The 2023 seizures were equivalent to more than 388.8 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

In 2018, as an initial response to this unprecedented crisis, the DEA issued a temporary scheduling order that placed FRS in Schedule I, under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), after classifying it as an imminent hazard to public safety. Previously, Congress has only closed this loophole temporarily by designating fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. Congress has extended the FRS temporary scheduling order several times, most recently on December 21, 2024, with a measure that expires on March 31, 2025.

Heinrich’s HALT Fentanyl Act will finally make permanent the scheduling of illicitly produced fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and streamline the regulatory process for scientists seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research Schedule I substances.

Clear and Enforceable Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Trafficking:

A permanent scheduling of FRS is necessary to make penalties for criminals clear and enforceable under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), reducing the supply and availability of illicitly manufactured FRS. The HALT Fentanyl Act places controls and penalties on FRS that have no accepted medical use and a high abuse potential.

Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently impose the following quantity-based federal trafficking penalties on FRS:

Mandatory minimum penalties: 5 years for 10 grams or more (10 years for second offense); and 10 years for 100 grams or more (20 years for second offense).

Discretionary maximum penalties: 40 years for 10 grams or more (life for second offense); and life for 100 grams or more.

Expanded Scientific and Medical Research:

More closely aligning the research and registration process for Schedule I substances, including FRS, with Schedule II substances will facilitate increased FRS research. By accommodating more medical research into fentanyl-related substances, the bill will establish a new, streamlined registration process for research funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or under an Investigative New Drug (IND) exemption from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will enhance our understanding of these illicitly manufactured substances by:
- Allowing researchers in the same institution to participate in multiple scientific studies.
- Permitting researchers with ongoing studies to examine newly added Schedule I substances.
- Allowing researchers to manufacture small quantities of FRS without a separate registration.
The text of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.

A section-by-section summary of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.
MIL OSI USA News –
June 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Applauds EPA Biofuels Announcement Raising RFS Volumes

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement raising Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. The announcement also proposes strengthening the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by ensuring only liquid fuels are included, not electricity, and incentivizes domestic over foreign feedstocks.

“Under the Biden administration, five biodiesel plants in Iowa closed or idled in part because RVOs were set too low. Today, President Trump and Administrator Zeldin turned the ship around, delivering a victory for American energy security and following through on their promise to support American agriculture. Biofuels lower gas prices, strengthen national security and drive economic growth in rural communities. Today’s announcement is welcome news for Iowa farmers and biofuel producers,” Grassley said.

Background:

Since he helped establish the RFS in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Grassley has worked to ensure the executive branch implements the law as intended. Grassley also supported the Energy Independence Security Act of 2007, which included requirements for cellulosic ethanol and set a mandatory RFS requiring fuel producers to use at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel in 2022. Grassley pushed ensuing administrations to keep to this number. Last Congress, Grassley joined the No Fuel Credits for Batteries Act to nullify a proposed Biden-era E-RINS rule that props up the EV industry while devaluing incentives for ethanol and biodiesel expansion. Last year, Grassley joined a bicameral push to raise 2024-25 RVOs.

Iowans who want to express comments about the proposed rule can do so HERE.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 14, 2025