Almost all Saskatchewan producers have completed their seeding operations with 100 per cent of the 2025 crop seeded. Rain was welcome in many parts of the province this week. However, in areas that did not receive as much rain, topsoil moisture is continuing to decline.
Rain fell in many areas of the province over the last week with the southeast and east-central regions receiving the highest amounts. The Calder area reported the highest rainfall amount at 36 millimeters (mm) followed by the Stockholm area at 35 mm and the Rocanville area at 34 mm. Regions that did not receive significant amounts of precipitation have noted that rainfall is needed soon to avoid serious crop damage.
With sporadic rain across the province, moisture conditions overall remained at similar levels as last week. However, some areas continued to see a decline in topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 44 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at 38 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 29 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short and 26 per cent very short.
Varying stages of crop development are reported given the varied amounts of rain throughout the province.
Thirteen per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 20 per cent at stem elongation, 26 per cent at flag leaf, 36 per cent are heading and five per cent are in the dough stage.
Nine per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with 47 per cent at the seedling stage, 38 per cent are tillering and six per cent in the stem elongation stage.
Eight per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 48 per cent at the seedling stage and 44 per cent reported at the vegetative stage of development.
Eighteen per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, with 67 per cent at the seedling stage and 15 per cent at the rosette stage.
Eighteen per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 68 per cent at the seedling stage and 14 per cent starting stem elongation.
Environmental conditions contributing to crop damage this week include dry conditions, heat and wind. Damage overall was reported as minor to moderate. In addition to damage caused by hot, dry and windy conditions, producers also note that some minor damage was being caused by frost and wildlife in many regions of the province. Flea beetles, grasshoppers, cutworms and pea leaf weevil continue to cause crop damage throughout many regions with some areas reporting minor to moderate crop damage.
As producers have mostly wrapped up seeding, they are moving on to applying in-crop herbicides during appropriate weather. Crops will continue to be monitored for insects and environmental damage. As cattle are moved out to pasture, producers will monitor and fix fence where required.
For many producers, this is still a stressful time of year and producers are encouraged to take safety precautions in all the work they do. The Farm Stress Line can help by providing support for producers toll free at 1-800-667-4442.
A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online: Download Crop Report.
Follow the 2025 Crop Report on X/Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Stonehouse Agriculture Tisdale Phone: 306-878-8807 Email: kim.stonehouse@gov.sk.ca
Vancouver, British Columbia, June 12, 2025 — Natural infrastructure improvements to Canyon Creek in Spanish Banks Beach Park will create naturalized habitats, strengthen climate resilience, and enhance public access to nature following an investment of $992,800 from the federal government through the Natural Infrastructure Fund.
The project will restore greenspace and support local biodiversity by planting native species and creating habitats for birds, aquatic life, and pollinators. It includes daylighting the historic Canyon Creek and constructing new wetlands and riparian features to reconnect it through Pacific Spirit Regional Park to Spanish Banks West Extension Park, helping improve water quality in English Bay.
Improvements along the shoreline will benefit fish populations and their habitats, while stormwater measures, such as a sewer connection and bioswales, will help manage runoff and reduce the risk of flooding.
To improve accessibility and connectivity, the project will realign the bikeway separately from the pedestrian path and upgrade the multi-use path to provide access to the viewing deck. Interpretive signage will also be added to support public education and ecological awareness.
Once complete, the restoration will encourage the return of native species, expand community access to nature, and contribute to the long-term health and sustainability of the local ecosystem.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)
Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) announced that Brooke Justus, an 11th-grade student at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology in Salem, has been named the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Virginia’s Sixth District. Her piece, titled “A Roanoke Forest,” will be displayed in the United States Capitol for the next year.
The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide initiative to showcase the creativity and talent of high school students. In Virginia’s Sixth District, students from across the region submitted impressive works of art. In addition to the winning entry, artwork from the three runners-up will be displayed in the Congressman’s district offices.
As part of her recognition, Brooke traveled to Washington, D.C., this week, where she met with Congressman Cline and saw her artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol.
“Each year, the Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity to recognize the talent of students across Virginia’s Sixth District, and Brooke’s piece, ‘A Roanoke Forest,’ is a proud representation of our region,” said Rep. Cline. “It was a pleasure to meet her in Washington and see her artwork displayed in the Capitol for visitors from across the country to enjoy.”
Below are the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition:
First Place: Brooke Justus
School: 11th Grade, Burton Center for Arts and Technology
Title: “A Roanoke Forest”
Southern RegionalRunner-Up: Maddie Grow
School: 10th Grade, Grow Classical School
Title: “Downtown Lexington”
Central RegionalRunner-Up: Claudia Allemeier
School: 11th Grade, Harrisonburg High School
Title: “Crowned Cranes”
Northern RegionalRunner-Up: Mariska Sharma
School: 9th Grade, John Handley High School
Title: “Vivaldi”
For more information about the Congressional Art Competition, click here.
A new law will go into effect immediately that extends the exemption from the ban on polystyrene foam food containers to allow raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs to be sold in polystyrene foam containers until July 1, 2027. It also extends the exemption to allow retailers to sell food or beverages in or on disposable food service containers composed of polystyrene foam that is prepackaged at wholesale until July 1, 2027. This law does not make any change to the ban on polystyrene foam disposable food service containers for take-out foods, bakery products, and leftovers from partially consumed meals that is currently in effect. Disposable food service containers are service ware designed for one-time use, and include bowls, plates, trays, carton, cups, lids sleeves, or other items for containing, transporting, and serving foods. Additional information regarding the polystyrene ban can be found on the Department’s Polystyrene Foam webpage.
A “frequently asked questions” guidance sheet has been prepared by the Department to provide additional information regarding who and what must comply with the ban can be found on the Departments web page at the link above.
This change in the law only extends the exemption. After July 1, 2027, all food and beverage products sold in Maine, including food prepackaged out of State by wholesalers for retail sale, cannot be packaged in polystyrene foam.
For additional information, contact: David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner david.madore@maine.gov
The joint IAEA and FAO Assessment Mission team examine new rice varieties during the first Atoms4Food Initiative Assessment Mission in Burkina Faso. (Photo: Victor Owino/IAEA)
In a critical step toward addressing food insecurity in West Africa, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have launched their first joint Atoms4Food Initiative Assessment Mission in Burkina Faso.
This mission aims to identify key gaps and opportunities for delivering targeted technical support to Burkina Faso for food and agriculture in a country where an estimated 3.5 million people—nearly 20% of the population—are facing food insecurity. By leveraging nuclear science and technology, Atoms4Food seeks to bolster agricultural resilience and agrifood systems in one of the region’s most vulnerable nations.
The mission, conducted from 26 May to 1 June, assessed how nuclear and related technologies are being used in Burkina Faso to address challenges in enhancing crop production, improving soil quality and in animal production and health, as well as human nutrition.
The Atoms4Food Initiative was launched jointly by IAEA and FAO in 2023 to help boost food security and tackle growing hunger around the world. Atoms4Food will support countries to use innovative nuclear techniques such as sterile insect technique and plant mutation breeding to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food safety, improve nutrition and adapt agrifood systems to the challenges of climate change. Almost €9 million has been pledged by IAEA donor countries and private companies to the initiative so far.
As part of the Atoms4Food initiative, Assessment Missions are used to evaluate the specific needs and priorities of participating countries and identify critical gaps and opportunities where nuclear science and technology can offer impactful solutions. Based on the findings, tailored and country-specific solutions will be offered.
Burkina Faso is one of 29 countries who have so far requested to receive support under Atoms4Food, with more expected this year. Alongside Benin, Pakistan, Peru and Türkiye, Burkina Faso was among the first countries to request an Atoms4Food Assessment Mission in 2025.
A large proportion of Burkina Faso’s population still live in poverty and inequality. Food insecurity has been compounded by rapid population growth, gender inequality and low levels of educational attainment. In addition, currently, 50% of rice consumed in Burkina Faso is imported. The government aims to achieve food sovereignty by producing sufficient rice domestically to reduce reliance on imports.
“Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise globally, and Burkina Faso is particularly vulnerable to this growing challenge,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “This first Atoms4Food assessment mission marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to harness the power of nuclear science to enhance food security. As the Atoms4Food Initiative expands worldwide, we are committed to delivering tangible, sustainable solutions to reduce hunger and malnutrition.”
The mission was conducted by a team of ten international experts in the areas of crop production, soil and water management, animal production and health and human nutrition. During the mission, the team held high-level meetings with the Burkina Faso Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment and conducted site visits to laboratories including the animal health laboratory and crop breeding facility at the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, the crop genetics and nutrition laboratories at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, and the bull station of the Ministry of Agriculture in Loumbila.
“The Government of Burkina Faso is striving to achieve food security and sovereignty, to supply the country’s population with sufficient, affordable, nutritious and safe food, while strengthening the sustainability of the agrifood systems value-chain,” said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and head of the mission to Burkina Faso. “Though much needs to be done, our mission found strong dedication and commitment from the Government in developing climate-resilient strategies for crops, such as rice, potato, sorghum and mango, strengthening sustainable livestock production of cattle, small ruminants and local poultry, as well as reducing malnutrition among infants and children, while considering the linkages with food safety.”
The Assessment Mission will deliver an integrated Assessment Report with concrete recommendations on areas for intervention under the Atoms4Food Initiative. This will help develop a National Action Plan in order to scale up the joint efforts made by the two organizations in the past decades, which will include expanding partnership and resource mobilization. “Our priority now is to deliver a concrete mission report with actionable recommendations that will support the development of the National Action Plan aimed at improving the country’s long term food security,” Feng added.
“If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” – Secretary Noem
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released video footage of the arrest of a Christian Damian Cerna-Camacho, a United States (U.S.). citizen, for allegedly assaulting a federal law enforcement officer during the Los Angeles (LA), California (CA) riots. When officers tried to make the arrest, Cerna-Camacho tried to flee.
“Homeland Security Investigations arrested Christian Damian Cerna-Camacho for punching a federal law enforcement officer,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Our officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murders, rapists, and gang members. Secretary Noem’s message to the LA rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Additionally, this week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Emiliano Garduno-Galvez—an illegal alien from Mexico—for attempted murder after he threw a Molotov cocktailat law enforcement during the LA riots.
Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Elpidio Reyna for allegedly throwing rocks and explosives at federal officers.
Elpidio Reyna
If you see Reyna or have any information that could help lead to his arrest, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit http://tips.fbi.gov.
Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, has been ranked 141st in Europe’s Most Innovative Companies 2025, a list published by Fortune and Statista. Among 300 top innovation leaders, Sidetrade is highlighted for the strength of its innovation culture, recognized as its key differentiator.
The Europe’s Most Innovative Companies 2025 list, compiled by Fortune in partnership with Statista, is based on more than 108,000 evaluations by experts and employees, enriched by the LexisNexis® patent portfolio index. Each company is assessed across three dimensions: product innovation, process innovation, and innovation culture. Sidetrade stood out for the strength of its innovative mindset, a key driver in its ability to reshape financial practices across the Order-to-Cash field.
This recognition crowns a continuous innovation trajectory that began with the company’s founding in 2000. This momentum originated in Paris, France, where the company built its technological foundation within an ecosystem that has since achieved global recognition. As of 2025, the French capital’s technology ecosystem ranks fourth globally, according to Dealroom, surpassing London, Munich, and Stockholm.
“Since its inception 25 years ago, Sidetrade has been at the forefront of technological disruption,” said Olivier Novasque, Founder and CEO of Sidetrade. “This recognition by Fortune comes at a pivotal moment, as we enter the era of agentic AI. For our clients, this marks the era of augmented finance, with virtually unlimited capabilities that can absorb business complexity. For us, it reflects a technological lead we estimate to be over three years ahead of our market.”
By equipping finance departments with autonomous agents capable of acting, communicating, and adapting in real time, Sidetrade is redefining the foundations of the Order-to-Cash process. This shift from assistive AI to executional AI represents a strategic inflection point, described by several analysts as a business model transformation.
“The emergence of agentic AI marks a turning point in the operating model of corporate finance,” noted Jean-Pierre Tabart, Analyst at TP ICAP. “With its technological lead, mastery of real-time behavioral data, and ability to industrialize autonomous intelligence at scale for large enterprises, Sidetrade stands out as a strategically undervalued asset, poised to capture increasing value in an under-equipped market.”
About Sidetrade(www.sidetrade.com) Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its next-generation AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of more than 40 million buyers worldwide. Aimie recommends the best operational strategies, dematerializes and intelligently automates Order-to-Cash processes to enhance productivity, results and working capital across organizations. Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Amongst them: AGFA, Bidcorp, BMW Financial Services, Bunzl, DXC, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Morningstar, Page, Randstad, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Siemens, UGI, Veolia. Sidetrade is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, adhering to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow us on LinkedIn at @Sidetrade. In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, the French version shall prevail.
Amsterdam, June 12, 2025 – Aegon Ltd.’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) today approved all resolutions on the agenda. This included the final dividend for 2024 of EUR 0.19 per common share, bringing Aegon’s total dividend for 2024 to EUR 0.35 per common share. The meeting also approved all proposed appointments to the Board of Directors, including the reappointment of three existing members and the election of three new members.
The full details of the resolutions approved during the AGM can be found in the AGM archive on Aegon.com.
Aegon is an international financial services holding company. Aegon’s ambition is to build leading businesses that offer their customers investment, protection, and retirement solutions. Aegon’s portfolio of businesses includes fully owned businesses in the United States and United Kingdom, and a global asset manager. Aegon also creates value by combining its international expertise with strong local partners via insurance joint-ventures in Spain & Portugal, China, and Brazil, and via asset management partnerships in France and China. In addition, Aegon owns a Bermuda-based life insurer and generates value via a strategic shareholding in a market leading Dutch insurance and pensions company.
Aegon’s purpose of helping people live their best lives runs through all its activities. As a leading global investor and employer, Aegon seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues. Aegon is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, domiciled in Bermuda, and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange. More information can be found at aegon.com.
Forward-looking statements The statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions and trends and involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, any statements that refer to sustainability, environmental and social targets, commitments, goals, efforts and expectations and other events or circumstances that are partially dependent on future events are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:
Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom and in relation to Aegon’s shareholding in ASR Nederland N.V. and asset management business, the Netherlands;
Civil unrest, (geo-) political tensions, military action or other instability in a countries or geographic regions that affect our operations or that affect global markets;
Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to:
The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in Aegon’s fixed income investment portfolios;
The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of equity and debt securities Aegon holds;
The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that Aegon holds;
The impact from volatility in credit, equity, and interest rates;
Changes in the performance of Aegon’s investment portfolio and decline in ratings of Aegon’s counterparties;
The effect of tariffs and potential trade wars on trading markets and on economic growth, globally and in the markets where Aegon operates.
Lowering of one or more of Aegon’s debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on Aegon’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;
Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of Aegon’s insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium, policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries;
The effect of applicable Bermuda solvency requirements, the European Union’s Solvency II requirements, and applicable equivalent solvency requirements and other regulations in other jurisdictions affecting the capital Aegon is required to maintain and our ability to pay dividends;
Changes in the European Commissions’ or European regulator’s position on the equivalence of the supervisory regime for insurance and reinsurance undertakings in force in Bermuda;
Changes affecting interest rate levels and low or rapidly changing interest rate levels;
Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates;
The effects of global inflation, or inflation in the markets where Aegon operates;
Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness;
Increasing levels of competition, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, emerging markets and in relation to Aegon’s shareholding in ASR Nederland N.V. and asset management business, the Netherlands;
Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt Aegon’s business;
The frequency and severity of insured loss events;
Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of Aegon’s insurance products and management of derivatives;
Aegon’s projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results;
Reinsurers to whom Aegon has ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations;
Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products Aegon sells, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations;
Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels;
Third-party information used by us may prove to be inaccurate and change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve impacting our results and disclosures;
As Aegon’s operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which Aegon does business, may disrupt Aegon’s business, damage its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
Aegon’s failure to swiftly, effectively, and securely adapt and integrate emerging technologies;
The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including Aegon’s ability to complete, or obtain regulatory approval for, acquisitions and divestitures, integrate acquisitions, and realize anticipated results from such transactions, and its ability to separate businesses as part of divestitures;
Aegon’s failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies, as well as other management initiatives related to cost savings, Cash Capital at Holding, gross financial leverage and free cash flow;
Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments;
Litigation or regulatory action that could require Aegon to pay significant damages or change the way Aegon does business;
Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for Aegon’s products;
Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European Monetary Union in whole or in part, or further consequences of the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential consequences if other European Union countries leave the European Union;
Changes in laws and regulations, or the interpretation thereof by regulators and courts, including as a result of comprehensive reform or shifts away from multilateral approaches to regulation of global or national operations, particularly regarding those laws and regulations related to ESG matters, those affecting Aegon’s operations’ ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of Aegon companies, the products Aegon sells, the attractiveness of certain products to its consumers and Aegon’s intellectual property;
Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, insurance industries and enforcing adjustments in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates;
Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors or changes to such standards that may have an impact on regional (such as EU), national (such as Bermuda) or US federal or state level financial regulation or the application thereof to Aegon;
Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by Aegon in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect Aegon’s reported results, shareholders’ equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels;
The rapidly changing landscape for ESG responsibilities, leading to potential challenges by private parties and governmental authorities, and/or changes in ESG standards and requirements, including assumptions, methodology and materiality, or a change by Aegon in applying such standards and requirements, voluntarily or otherwise, may affect Aegon’s ability to meet evolving standards and requirements, or Aegon’s ability to meet its sustainability and ESG-related goals, or related public expectations, which may also negatively affect Aegon’s reputation or the reputation of its board of directors or its management;
Unexpected delays, difficulties, and expenses in executing against Aegon’s environmental, climate, or other ESG targets, goals and commitments, and changes in laws or regulations affecting us, such as changes in data privacy, environmental, health and safety laws; and
Reliance on third-party information in certain of Aegon’s disclosures, which may change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve. These factors, as well as any inaccuracies in third-party information used by Aegon, including in estimates or assumptions, may cause results to differ materially and adversely from statements, estimates, and beliefs made by Aegon or third-parties. Moreover, Aegon’s disclosures based on any standards may change due to revisions in framework requirements, availability of information, changes in its business or applicable governmental policies, or other factors, some of which may be beyond Aegon’s control. Additionally, Aegon’s discussion of various ESG and other sustainability issues in this document or in other locations, including on our corporate website, may be informed by the interests of various stakeholders, as well as various ESG standards, frameworks, and regulations (including for the measurement and assessment of underlying data). As such, our disclosures on such issues, including climate-related disclosures, may include information that is not necessarily “material” under US securities laws for SEC reporting purposes, even if we use words such as “material” or “materiality” in relation to those statements. ESG expectations continue to evolve, often quickly, including for matters outside of our control; our disclosures are inherently dependent on the methodology (including any related assumptions or estimates) and data used, and there can be no guarantee that such disclosures will necessarily reflect or be consistent with the preferred practices or interpretations of particular stakeholders, either currently or in future.
Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2024 Integrated Annual Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after meeting with Memphis Mayor Paul Young today to discuss the importance of local and federal cooperation to expand economic opportunity in Memphis and efforts to crack down on violent crime:
“It was a pleasure to meet with Mayor Paul Young this afternoon to discuss ways we can continue working together to grow Memphis’s economy and fight violent crime that has blighted the city for too long,” said Senator Blackburn. “FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi are working closely with me to Make Memphis Safe Again, and Mayor Young will be a critical part of our federal efforts to address the unacceptable violence in this city that we all love.”
Click hereto download this photo of Senator Blackburn and Mayor Young.
BACKGROUND
Last year, Tennessee was ranked among the top ten states for motor vehicle thefts, and Tennessee saw a nearly 200% increase in auto theft crime by juveniles in 2023.
The current federal carjacking statute requires prosecutors to prove defendants had an “intent to cause death or bodily harm,” which has made it harder to bring federal carjacking prosecutions and accounts for the decrease in federal carjacking prosecutions in certain parts of the country.
The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act would fix this drafting error by requiring prosecutors only have to prove the knowing taking of a motor vehicle.
In cases in which death results following a carjacking, the bill would maintain the higher “intent to cause death or bodily harm” requirement.
Senator Blackburn introduced the AFTER SCHOOL Actto establish a grant program administered through the U.S. Department of Justice for localities to receive funds to establish, maintain, and strengthen after school programs proven to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.
Much of the crime committed in Memphis is driven by juvenile offenders, who are committing more and more aggravated assaults, robberies, and carjackings against innocent city residents;
The gap of time after school and before their parents get home is prime time for violent behavior among youth, and the four hours following the end of the school day (around 2:00 to 6:00 PM) is typically the peak of violent crime.
Senator Blackburn also introduced the Restoring Law and Order Actto increase funding for law enforcement and help keep violent criminals behind bars by establishing a “Make America Safe Again” federal grant program to:
Hire more police officers and detectives, so that states can better target violent crime;
Provide funding for law enforcement agencies to target drug-related crimes such as fentanyl;
Detain and deport illegal aliens who have committed crimes in the United States;
Use public safety tools such as bail and pretrial detention to prevent dangerous offenders from returning to communities; and
Give state and local governments the funds to eliminate investigatory backlogs and more-quickly process criminal evidence.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released a statement following peaceful protests in Chicago against the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE):
“Yesterday, thousands of people exercised their constitutional right to peacefully assemble in Chicago to defend their immigrant neighbors. Unlawful detentions and arrests by ICE in the city have caused fear, chaos and untold grief in immigrant communities. The separation of families and random deportation quotas are cruel. I will continue to defend the human dignity of those who choose to call Illinois their home and the civil rights of protestors.
“As protests in Chicago continue to remain peaceful, I warn against any similar actions taken by President Trump in Los Angeles. He deployed the Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles, calling protestors ‘violent, insurrectionist mobs.’ Where was the National Guard when MAGA extremists stormed the Capitol? I still remember crawling on my hands and knees on the House gallery with my colleagues as we escaped on January 6 – that was a violent insurrection. President Trump needs to stop escalating the situation in Los Angeles and pull out the Marines and National Guard. These abuses of power against our democracy would not be welcomed in Chicago.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today announced that the Congressionally funded Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has approved a $224,000 grant to the West Lauderdale Water and Fire Protection Authority for the installation of emergency backup generators at six critical booster pump stations. The project, located in Florence, Alabama, will benefit communities in both the 4th and 5th Congressional Districts by ensuring uninterrupted water service during power outages.
“This new grant means thousands of families and businesses in West Lauderdale County will no longer have to worry about losing water access when the power goes out,” said Congressman Aderholt. “Reliable infrastructure is the bedrock of strong communities, and this investment ensures not only basic services, but also public safety through uninterrupted fire protection.”
The six diesel-powered generators—expected to produce more than 540,000 kWh annually—will serve over 5,000 households and 120 businesses. In addition to greater resilience during inclement weather, the project will generate an estimated $58,900 in annual cost savings by reducing service disruption and damage from outages
This water infrastructure grant follows an earlier ARC award in March of nearly $1 million to the Florence-Lauderdale Port Authority to restore aging mooring cells at the city’s vital inland port on the Tennessee River. That project, part of ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), will help preserve essential river-based commerce and protect jobs tied to transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing in the region.
“These back-to-back ARC grants show a strong commitment to Lauderdale County’s infrastructure and economy,” Aderholt added. “From clean water to reliable ports, we are securing the assets that support daily life and long-term opportunity in northwest Alabama.”
For more information about ARC’s mission and programs, visit www.arc.gov.
WASHINGTON — A Tennessee man was sentenced yesterday in the Western District of Kentucky for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; obstructing a sex trafficking investigation; interstate transportation for prostitution; and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Portier Q. Govan, 37, of Memphis, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release after a jury found Govan guilty in December 2024.
Evidence presented during the trial established that Govan and his co-defendant, Brittany R. Howard, 25, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, recruited and enticed the victim to engage in commercial sex by preying on her young age and financial situation, and by making false promises of easy money. To establish his control over the victim, Govan threatened to kill her by pressing a pistol against her head while she was in the front passenger seat of a car, and then lowered and discharged the gun, firing a bullet across her lap and missing her body by inches. Govan also showed her a video of himself torturing a defenseless man tied to a chair. He sexually assaulted her and compelled her to engage in commercial sex acts for his profit by making her fear for her life.
“The defendant used brazen acts of violence to compel the 18-year-old victim to engage in commercial sex, even holding a gun to the victim’s head,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This significant sentence reflects the severity of the defendant’s conduct and sends a clear message that the DOJ will relentlessly prosecute and hold accountable human traffickers who abuse and exploit others for financial gain.”
The FBI Louisville Field Office, Bowling Green Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Bowling Green Police Department.
“This sentence is the culmination of a tremendous joint effort between the Bowling Green Police Department and the FBI’s Bowling Green Resident Agency,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky Kyle G. Bumgarner. “Thanks to their efforts, Portier Govan will spend a significant portion of his adult life in federal penitentiary for his depraved conduct. While his sentence is lengthy, there is no sentence that sufficiently remedies the trauma he inflicted on his victim—who will continue to have unwavering support from our office”
“Depriving an innocent victim of their civil rights by violently forcing them to engage in commercial sex is unconscionable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Portier Govan’s criminal activity. The FBI, in collaboration with our state and local law enforcement partners, will never stop working to identify and hold accountable violent criminals and to help victims receive the support needed as they recover from significant trauma.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking
The Online Streaming Act, passed in 2023, amended the Broadcasting Act to “ensure that online streaming services make meaningful contributions to Canadian and Indigenous content.”
This is a pivotal moment to think about the important role of policy to support Canada’s independent artists, as well as public and community media, and the increasing power of global streaming companies when it comes to setting the terms of cultural policy. One way to do this is to consider the trajectory of satellite radio.
As I discuss in my new book, Music in Orbit: Satellite Radio in the Streaming Space Age, the launch of subscription satellite radio services in the United States in 2001, and their subsequent entry into the Canadian market in 2005, raised questions about how to regulate these new services.
Canadian content regulations had been established for broadcast radio in 1971, and these needed to be sorted out for satellite radio channels. Many artists and music industry workers were keen to allow the service to enter the country, while others were concerned with the lack of substantial cultural protectionism.
Critics felt that relegating Canadian music to a small selection of channels higher on the channel lineup (in the 160s and 170s) was a disservice to Canadian content regulations, as those channels were easy to ignore. They also thought that, overall, the domestic music content featured on satellite would be lower than what was heard on terrestrial radio.
During the 2004 CRTC public hearing before the licensing of Sirius and XM in Canada, Neil Dixon, the president of Canadian Music Week, argued that “one of the most difficult things we had to do in promoting independent music on an independent label was getting it outside this country.”
Dixon championed the advantages of satellite radio in comparison to terrestrial radio, as did several creatives entities. They spoke of the belief and hope in seeing Canadian, as well as Indigenous artists, heard beyond Canadian borders and in areas not served by broadcast radio.
CBC Radio 3 and satellite
Among the Canadian satellite channels was CBC Radio 3, a channel programming 100 per cent independent Canadian music. It served as a beacon of hope for Canadian artists because its music programming drew from a wide variety of artists who had not yet received commercial radio play. This channel came from a financial and programming partnership between CBC, the public broadcaster, and Sirius Canada.
Years after the 2011 merger of Sirius and XM in Canada, SiriusXM Canada was restructured in 2016, with 70 per cent of the company now owned by U.S. SiriusXM. This also meant that the CBC would cease being a shareholder in SiriusXM Canada.
The cutting of CBC channels sparked uproar among artists in Canada, namely independent ones. SiriusXM had become a major income source for Canadian artists, particularly by comparison to the low royalty payments from Canadian commercial radio and streaming platforms.
Among the new channels introduced by SiriusXM when it simultaneously cut CBC channels was Mixtape North, devoted to Canadian hip hop and R&B.
Such a channel has the potential to support upcoming Canadian artists in these genres. However, the Mixtape North channel description mentions massively successful commercial artists: “Playing the newest hits from Drake and Jessie Reyez to classic throwbacks from Kardinal Offishall and K-OS to emerging voices.” In late May 2025, according to xmplaylist.com, the most played artists were The Weeknd and Drake, as well as Melanie Fiona, who has a new song with American artist LaRussell.
A balance between superstar artists and smaller or independent artists is evident. The channel seems designed for more superstar artists than Radio 3, because it is without the CBC’s public media mandate to play independent artists.
Precarity of public media institutions
SiriusXM is a massive commercial subscription radio company with a long history of working to alter cultural policy in its favour. Some have argued that it didn’t make sense for a public media company to partner with a commercial subscription radio service in this way.
The story of satellite radio exemplifies an imperfect approach to supporting Canadian culture across the digital and streaming music era, as well as the competing commercial and public interests in policymaking.
We need to pay careful attention to the uneven power dynamics between major media companies and then the musicians and music lovers who live by the rules established through policymaking.
Brian Fauteux receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
(NEW YORK, NY)– Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for New York’s 11th Congressional District. Tammy Liang, a student at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, was selected as this year’s Washington DC winner. Her artwork titled“Thank You Mother,”will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year alongside artwork from each Congressional District across the nation.
This year’s district winner, Chen Xi He of Brooklyn’s Evergreen Art Studio, has been recognized for her artwork titled “Meringue,” which will be proudly displayed at one of Congresswoman Malliotakis’ District Offices for the next year.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors this nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition’s inception in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated with over 10,000 works of art exhibited.
“It’s a pleasure to congratulate Tammy and Chen, two incredibly talented artists, on winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition,”said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “Their pieces not only showcase exceptional skill through delicate brushwork, but also reflect the creativity and excellence of our community.”
For the latest information on the process for next year, visit the link HERE.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today welcomed Graciana Allen from Red Creek Central School to the nation’s Capital to witness the unveiling of her artwork,Inevitable, in the halls of Congress.
As this year’s winner of the Congressional Art Contest, Graciana Allen was flown to Washington, DC, to attend the Congressional Art Competition Reception and will have her artwork displayed in the halls of the United States Capitol for a full year.
This year, Tenney’s office received 30 submissions from 12 different schools for the Congressional Art Contest. Additional awardees include Ayden Kaufman, Phung Cao, and Kaitlyn Dougherty.
“It was a pleasure to welcome this year’s Congressional Art Contest winner, Graciana Allen, to the United States Capitol to see her artwork displayed in the halls of Congress. Inevitable is a three-dimensional artwork crafted from intricately coiled paper, showcasing the young artist’s remarkable talent. Congratulations to Graciana, and thank you to the NY-24 High Schoolers who participated in this year’s competition, as well as the teachers who supported these young artists,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
Top leaders of the world continue to express their heartfelt condolences and deep grief at the tragic crash of an Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The London-bound aircraft, carrying over 200 people, crashed shortly after takeoff near Meghani Nagar.
“To my friend PMO India Narendra Modi and the people of India, I was saddened to learn of the tragic Air India crash. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic crash of Air India flight with the civilian casualties on the ground being equally heartbreaking.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 near Ahmedabad today. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of all those affected onboard. Equally heartbreaking are the civilian casualties on the ground, including young medical students whose lives and futures were struck by this tragedy. At this moment of deep sorrow, the people of Sri Lanka stand in solidarity with India. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted,” Dissanayake posted on X.
Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, mentioned that Canada is deeply saddened by the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad.
“Devastated to learn of the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board. Canada’s transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts and I am receiving regular updates as the response to this tragedy unfolds,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Canada for the G7 Summit, next week. Cyprus, another country PM Modi is expected to visit en route to Canada, also expressed shock over the Ahmedabad air crash.
“Dear PM Narendra Modi, I express my heartfelt condolences to you and the people of India following the devastating loss of Air India Flight AI171. The people of Cyprus mourn with you. In this time of sorrow, we stand by our Indian friends with solidarity and compassion,” stated Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.
Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was visiting India recently, also took to X to offer his condolences.
“Akshata and I are deeply shocked and distressed by the news of the Air India tragedy. There is a unique bond between our two nations and our thoughts and prayers go out to the British and Indian families who have lost loved ones today,” he stated.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, who had just hosted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Brussels, said that he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the crash of the Air India flight near the airport in Ahmedabad.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, the rescuers on the ground, and the people of India in these painful moments. Belgium stands in solidarity with India and all affected communities. Our services are closely following developments,” he said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolence to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad..
“Please accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe,” said Putin
President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu also expressed grief and extended solidarity with the Government and people of India.
“I express profound sadness at the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad. At this difficult time, the government and people of Maldives stand in solidarity with the people and the Government of India,” Muizzu posted on X.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, too expressed shock over the “heartbreaking news” from India.
“My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss. We share your pain. Dear Narendra Modi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow,” she said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.
“I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” Starmer posted on X.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also took to X, offering his deepest condolences on the tragic accident.
“Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims’ relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief on this tragic day. We all pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” Zelensky posted on X.
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that he is releasing $18.8 million in state grants that will be used for the assessment and remediation of 227 acres of contaminated land across Connecticut. The funding will support 23 properties in 19 towns and cities, helping cover the costs of cleaning up these parcels so they can be redeveloped and returned to productive use.
The grants are being released through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD)Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. This round of funding is projected to attract $218 million in private investment and facilitate the creation of 450 housing units. Approximately 52% of the total funding will be allocated to distressed municipalities.
“Old, polluted, blighted properties that have sat vacant for decades do nothing to stimulate our economy, grow jobs, and support housing growth,” Governor Lamont said. “With these grants, we are partnering with towns and developers to take unused, lifeless properties and bring them back from the dead, rejuvenating land that can be used for so much more and can bring value back to these neighborhoods.”
“Our brownfield redevelopment efforts continue to produce great results, not only for the communities that can now capitalize on new opportunities for growth and vibrancy but also for the residents who directly benefit from the new end uses for these reclaimed properties, whether it be housing, parks, commercial space, or community centers,” DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe said.
The grants announced today under this funding round include:
Ansonia: $200,000 grant to the city for the assessment of the 4.21-acre site located at 35 and 65 Main Street, the former Farrel Ansonia Facility that has been vacant since 2018. These assessment activities will enable the city to determine the best use for the site.
Bridgeport: $200,000 planning grant to the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) for planning activities on the western bank of the Yellow Mill Channel along Waterview Avenue. These planning activities will enable MetroCOG and the city to advance a comprehensive plan for development of a Waterfront Pathway.
Danbury: $200,000 grant to the city for the environmental assessment of the former Fairfield County Courthouse. This assessment will enable future reuse of the building as municipal office space in the historic district.
Danbury: $200,000 grant to the city for assessment activities at 13 Barnum Court, which was formerly used for hat manufacturing. The assessment work will help identify potential end uses and developers to cleanup and reuse the site.
Derby: $200,000 grant to the city to further evaluate site conditions and planning activities for the O’Sullivan’s Island (OSI) property at Caroline Street, a 17.25-acre peninsula of land located south of the downtown commercial district at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers. The former regional fire training center is now part of the Naugatuck River Greenway and accessible to the public as a park. The assessment and planning activities will enable the city to further investigate the site to address previously identified contamination and open up the property for additional recreational activities.
East Lyme: $200,000 grant to the town to conduct assessment activities at 278 Main Street. These assessment activities will help to identify contamination and evaluate the cost of remedial action.
Hartford: $4,000,000 grant to the city for the demolition and abatement of the existing structure at the 2.95-acre site at 150 Windsor Street. Remediation of this strategic downtown property will open the site to future development opportunities.
Monroe: $100,000 grant to the town to complete assessment activities at the 7.74-acre site of the former Saint Jude School located at 709 Monroe Turnpike. The town is proposing to adaptively reuse the building for use as a community center and town offices.
Naugatuck: $200,000 grant to the borough for assessment work on the 36.2-acre site that was formerly a Hershey & Peter Paul Cadbury manufacturing site. This assessment will enable the site to be returned to productive use after 18 years of vacancy.
New Britain: $2,000,000 grant to the city for abatement and clean-up activities at the New Britain Business Park located at 221 South Street. The 54.91-acre site has historically been a commercial and industrial park and was home to the New Britain Machine Company. These cleanup activities will facilitate the adaptive reuse of 123,000 square feet of existing building space, providing new manufacturing, R&D, warehousing/distribution, and office spaces to meet local and regional market demands.
New Haven: $880,000 grant to the city for the remediation of the 1.13-acre vacant lot located at 275 South Orange Street. The site was formerly a portion of the New Haven Coliseum and is currently used for parking. The remediation will enable the construction of phase 1B of a multi-use development that will include 7,159 square feet of amenity and retail space and 120 residential units.
New Haven: $947,500 grant to the city for the demolition and abatement of blighted buildings and excavation of petroleum-impacted soil at 185, 212, and 213 Front Street. The 1.34-acre site, located along the Quinnipiac River, has a history of industrial use, including a coal yard, fuel tank farm, and metalworking shop. The remediation will pave the way for the construction of 70 residential units, retail spaces, and a 29,000 square foot green space and boardwalk to improve pedestrian access.
New Milford: $150,000 grant to the New Milford Economic Development Corporation for assessment activities at the Former East Street School, a 4.63-acre site located at 50 East Street. These assessment activities will enable the repurposing of the historical former school into a Cultural Center for the Arts and Community Hub, which could include affordable living spaces for creative professionals.
Norwich: $100,000 grant to the Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) for the assessment of the former Norwich State Hospital, located at 628 and 705 Laurel Hill Road. The funding will enable the NCDC to complete a Phase III ESA, along with a conceptual remedial action plan, structural assessment, hazardous building materials assessment, and estimates of remediation, abatement, and cleanup costs. The NCDC is looking to renovate the property in concert with the neighboring Preston Riverwalk Development.
Redding: $200,000 grant to the town to conduct assessment activities at 19 North Main Street, which will help identify contamination at the former wastewater treatment facility of the Gilbert and Bennett Wire Mill and inform redevelopment efforts.
Shelton: $2,975,500 remediation grant to the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments for groundwater and soil cleanup, excavation, and disposal at 113 and 125 Canal Street, sites that were previously used for electroplating and other industrial operations. These remediation efforts will enable the development of two mixed-use complexes with a total of more than 120 residential units, retail space, and a parking garage. In addition, the walkway along the Housatonic River to Veterans Memorial Park will be extended.
Stonington: $177,000 grant to the town to conduct assessment activities at the Former Campbell Grain Facility, a 1.86-acre project site located at 27 West Broad Street and 15 Cogswell Street in Stonington. These assessment activities will help identify the level of contamination and the cost of a remedial action plan.
Torrington: $600,000 grant to the city for the abatement and demolition of the remaining buildings (buildings 21 and 24) at the 9.39-acre site located at 70 North Main Street. The proposed grant funds will be used for the remaining abatement and demolition. Upon completion, conceptual plans include construction of new commercial/industrial/light manufacturing buildings with a possible installation of a fuel-cell to generate necessary site power.
Torrington: $200,000 grant to the New Colony Development Corporation for the completion of assessment and planning activities at 100 Franklin Drive. The funding will enable the city to identify and partner with a potential developer to repurpose the former manufacturing site for potentially residential development.
West Hartford: $200,000 grant to the town for assessment activities of the Former AC Petersen Ice Cream Production Facility, a 1.02-acre site located at 240 Park Road. The assessment and subsequential cleanup will allow the building’s existing businesses, including the Playhouse on Park, a performing arts theater, to expand into the environmentally affected areas which have been unused or underused for several decades.
West Hartford: $688,000 grant to the town for demolition and remediation of the 1.21-acre site located at 579 New Park Avenue. The remediation activities will enable the construction of a mixed-use/TOD project consisting of 70 residential units.
Winchester: $200,000 planning grant to the Northwest Hills Council of Governments to examine a stretch/corridor of vacant and blighted industrial properties along the Mad River. Funds will be used to address potentially contaminated structures and create a comprehensive plan.
Windsor Locks: $4,000,000 grant to the town for abatement, demolition, and remediation activities at 255 Main Street, which is adjacent to the proposed location of the new train station. The cleanup activities will enable the construction of the first phase of a 120-unit mixed-use/TOD development.
For more information on Connecticut’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program, visitwww.ctbrownfields.gov.
Governor Dan McKee and the Governor’s Overdose Task Force announced today that overdose deaths in Rhode Island dropped 25% since 2022 – continuing a two-year decline and falling to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the newly released data from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Substance Use Epidemiology Program, 329 people lost their lives to accidental overdoses during 2024. This is an 18.6% decrease in overdose deaths compared to 2023.
These data indicate that Rhode Island is showing notable progress in its 2030 Action Plan goal to reduce overdose deaths by 30%.
“This is a sign of hope,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We know there is still much work ahead, but the steps we are taking are saving lives. We must keep engaging, listening, and providing support to individuals, families, and communities. We will stay vigilant to prevent further loss of lives.”
The Governor’s Overdose Task Force focuses on four key areas guided by the State’s Strategic Plan: Prevention, Rescue and Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Recovery. This work is centered in racial equity, ensuring that diverse community voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes. Additionally, the Task Force combines data-driven insights and community engagement to connect Rhode Islanders to local resources.
“At the heart of this work is our deep commitment to addressing the stigma that prevents individuals and families from accessing lifesaving resources,” said Governor’s Overdose Task Force Director Cathy Schultz. “The Task Force and its nine work groups continue to normalize conversations about substance use disorder and overdose. That is what it will take to help end this crisis.”
“Together, we can amplify the voices of the community who have lived experience, creating judgment-free environments where people can feel heard and valued. By doing so, we can help empower our fellow Rhode Islanders to feel safe to reach out and connect with local services and supports,” said Governor’s Overdose Task Force Community Co-Chair Alex Gautieri.
“The fact that we are still losing people tells us that we still have much work to do,” said Richard Leclerc, Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals.”That means all of us have to continue to work together strategically to help people understand that overdose deaths are preventable, that help and care are available, that people can and do recover from substance use disorders.”
“Every single overdose death is preventable. Recovery is within reach for every person living with the disease of addiction,” said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. “We need to keep coming together as families, as communities, and as a state to build on this momentum and continue reducing the number of drug overdose deaths in Rhode Island.”
Overview of 2024 Rhode Island Fatal Overdose Data
Fatal drug overdose data in Rhode Island are collected by the Office of the State Medical Examiners and State Health Laboratories. Because many cases require complex drug testing, it can take several months to complete and confirm yearly overdose data.
These data show:
– Most people who died from a drug overdose were male (70%), similar to previous years. – In 2024, individuals age 45 to 54 experienced the highest burden of overdose (59.3 per 100,000 residents), followed by those age 55 to 64 (55.6 per 100,000 residents). – The rate of fatal overdose decreased among all age groups except for Rhode Islanders age 55 to 64. – In 2024, the rate of fatal overdoses decreased among all race and ethnicity groups in Rhode Island. – Non-Hispanic, Black Rhode Islanders still experience the highest burden of fatal overdose followed by non-Hispanic, white Rhode Islanders, and Hispanic or Latino Rhode Islanders. – Opioids and fentanyl continue to drive the overdose epidemic in Rhode Island. – In 2024, 69% of overdose deaths involved any opioid (including fentanyl), while 57% involved fentanyl specifically. – The total number of opioid-involved fatal overdoses in 2024 decreased by 36% compared to 2022. – Cocaine-involved overdose deaths surpassed fentanyl-involved overdose deaths for the first time since 2013, with 6 in 10 (61%) involving cocaine. – In most of these cases, another substance was also present with cocaine in an individual’s system according to toxicology reports. – Eight in 10 overdose deaths took place in private settings like homes. – The municipalities with the highest rates of fatal overdoses were Woonsocket (58.1 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents); Providence (45.4 per 100,000 residents); Pawtucket (33.3 per 100,000 residents); Cranston (25.5 per 100,000 residents); and Warwick (21.7 per 100,000 residents). Please note: Rates are calculated only for municipalities with 15 or more fatal overdoses occurring in 2024.
The following are several examples of statewide overdose prevention and intervention efforts:
– Rhode Island’s opioid settlement funds, secured through national opioid settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and the consultants advising, is bringing?more than $285 million in cash and lifesaving medication to Rhode Island. All funds recovered through Rhode Island’s opioid settlements are used for opioid treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts to address the opioid overdose epidemic. – Community-based harm reduction organizations continue to deploy teams to communities most impacted by overdose, including underserved individuals and families. Peer outreach specialists connect individuals to harm reduction resources (i.e., naloxone), basic needs, and treatment/recovery services. – Centralized naloxone supply hubs are available for community-based organizations to access free naloxone. In 2024, 60,741 naloxone kits were distributed by pharmacies, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to individuals across the state, including 43,655 naloxone kits distributed by community-based organizations. – The Rhode Island Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative designated 40 new workplaces during 2024, all of them receiving support for policies and training to create a healthy and supportive work environment for people in recovery. There are now 180 workplaces working with our Recovery-Friendly Workplace team. – Recovery community centers across the state saw 2,066 individuals attending individual, group, and recreational peer-based recovery support services during 2024. – 988 individuals participated in the State’s recovery housing program during 2024. The program includes 472 grant-funded beds at 41 total recovery houses. – Vending machines offer low-barrier access to free supplies that support Rhode Islander’s health needs, including reduction of fatal overdoses, HIV, hepatitis C, oral and lung cancers, and bacterial skin infections. Additionally, the vending machines provide basic needs supplies to support hygiene. In 2024, these vending machines were available in several locations in the state and distributed 21,673 supplies. – Project Weber/RENEW opened the nation’s first state-regulated overdose prevention center in 2024. The center is a place for people to access comprehensive services and use pre-obtained substances under the supervision of medical professionals and trained staff. – Women of childbearing age and pregnant and parenting people who use substances are served by perinatal peer recovery support specialists and women’s health street outreach teams. – Multi-channel public awareness campaigns continue to educate Rhode Islanders about fentanyl, naloxone, safe medicine/substance storage, and local treatment and recovery support services. – Local-level overdose response planning and implementation is underway for the development of community overdose engagement (CODE) plans and activities, focusing on youth substance use prevention, racial equity, recovery (including supporting families), and emerging issues.
Learn More and Connect with 24/7 Help
– Visit PreventOverdoseRI.org for more overdose data and local resources for treatment, recovery support, and overdose prevention supplies and services.
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – “China is willing to work together with the Vatican to promote the continuous improvement of China-Vatican relations (…) This appointment has enhanced understanding and mutual trust through constructive dialogue”, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing held today, Thursday, June 12.Following the “satisfaction” reported by the Director of the Vatican press office Matteo Bruni after the “recognition of the civil effects and the taking possession of the Office” of Joseph Lin Yuntuan as Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou, the Chinese government has also presented this first episcopal appointment regarding a Chinese bishop by Pope Leo XIV as a new and significant step in the ongoing dialogue between Beijing and the Holy See.Pope Leo XIV appointed Lin Yuntuan as Auxiliary Bishop of Fuzhou on June 5, less than a month after the beginning of his Pontificate. Lin Jian remarked that “China and the Vatican have maintained communication and enhanced understanding and mutual trust through constructive dialogue strengthened mutual in recent years”.The official installation ceremony took place yesterday, June 11, on the feast of the Apostle Barnabas, and was presided over by Vincent Zhan Silu, Bishop of Mindong, who had participated in the Synod of Bishops Assembly in Rome last October. Following the inauguration ceremony, a Holy Mass was celebrated, presided over by Joseph Cai Bingrui, Bishop of Fuzhou. Several Bishops from the dioceses of Fujian Province took part in the concelebration: in addition to Bishop Zhan Silu, Bishop Lin Yuntang and Bishop Wu Yishun of Minbei, along with about 80 priests and more than 200 nuns and lay people.Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, China has shown a cautious openness toward a Pope of American origin, at a time when relations between China and the USA are going through a complicated phase from a geopolitical point of view. Yesterday’s event and the statements from both sides suggest that the path between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China can continue on the path of dialogue.After the election of Pope Prevost, Lin Jian himself, as the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed in a singular way the congratulations on behalf of China, starting with the unusual length of the text pronounced: “China congratulates Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as the new Pope. We hope that, under his leadership, the Vatican will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with China, engage in in-depth communication on international issues of common concern, jointly promote the continued improvement of China-Vatican relations, and contribute to peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the world”. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 12/6/2025)
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), in partnership with Democratic leaders, hasintroduced legislation to posthumously award the esteemed Congressional Gold Medal to former Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represented New York’s 13th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives for nearly 50 years. His congressional career included a Chairmanship tenure on the influential Ways and Means Committee and countless legislative achievements.
The following Members join Rep. Meeks as original cosponsors of the legislation: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Congressman Adriano Espaillat,Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Congressman Ritchie Torres, and Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal.
“Congressman Charles Rangel embodied the true spirit of uplifting one’s community,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. “Known as the ‘Lion of Lenox Avenue,’ he proudly represented the people of Harlem with unparalleled passion. He was a fierce advocate for justice and equity, consistently using his platform to uplift those whose voices too often went unheard. He authored more landmark legislation than anyone in Congress. He continuously broke barriers as a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and serving as the first Black Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. Through the creation of the historic Rangel Fellows Program at the U.S. Department of State, he helped pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive Foreign Service. Most importantly to me, he was a mentor and dear friend who will be greatly missed. His legacy will certainly inspire generations of leaders to come.”
“Charlie Rangel was a giant — a force of nature who helped shape the soul of New York, the heart of Harlem, and the conscience of the Congress,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “From the battlefields of Korea, to the halls of Capitol Hill, where he became one of the most influential voices for justice, equality, and opportunity, Charlie never stopped fighting for those too often left out, looked over and left behind. A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a longtime leader of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Charlie Rangel made history not for its own sake, but to open the doors of power and opportunity to others. He gave voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless, and his beloved Harlem — and our entire nation — are better for his service. I was proud to serve with Congressman Rangel for my 18 years in the House and to call him a friend for many more; so it is a privilege to introduce legislation to award him the Congressional Gold Medal to honor his legacy and to inspire future generations of leaders.”
“Congressman Charles B. Rangel served our nation with distinction and honor, fighting for the American people and delivering for the constituencies of Harlem, El Barrio, Upper Manhattan, and the Northwest Bronx, which he represented in Congress for nearly 50 years,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “A renowned feat, impactful in his service and commitment to our nation and dedication to all whose lives he touched along the way. It is with gratitude and a tremendous level of respect that I introduce this legislation with the support of my U.S. Senate and House colleagues to recognize the extraordinary life and legacy of Congressman Rangel, the Lion of Lenox Avenue, forever enshrining his indelible mark on American policy and our nation’s history.”
“Charles Rangel was a true New Yorker and a beloved son of Harlem, who earned his recognition as ‘the Lion of Lenox Ave,’ through a lifetime of tireless service to the community he held so close to his heart,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “This devoted public servant was a mentor to many and a friend to many more, and I’ll always consider it one of the great blessings of my life to have called him both. As a decorated war hero, founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, and leader within Congress for decades, Charlie’s legacy is absolute and undeniable. And it deserves to be celebrated. I can think of no man more deserving of a Congressional Gold Medal, and I am proud to join this effort to ensure his name is forever tied to Congress’ highest honorific.”
“Charlie Rangel was a lion of Harlem, a legend of Congress, and a proud son of New York,” Congressman Ritchie Torres.“He spent nearly five decades in the House lifting up the voices of those too often unheard. His leadership in civil rights and public service left an indelible mark on our city and our country. I’m proud to support the effort to honor his towering legacy with a Congressional Gold Medal, a fitting tribute to a life of extraordinary service.” “Charlie Rangel will be remembered as a brilliant legislator and a devoted public servant who spent his life fighting for fairness and justice,” said Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal. “Whether it was his decorated service in Korea or his trailblazing ascent and tenure as a Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, he was a steward of change who redefined what was possible for millions of Americans. His impact and legacy on the development of landmark legislation, most notably, the Affordable Care Act, speak louder than any award ever could, but there is no one more deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal.”
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apex Labs Ltd. (APEX or the Company), a pharmaceutical company transforming the standard of mental health care with psilocybin is pleased to announce the approval by the Israeli MoH and IRBs to open two additional clinical trial sites for SUMMIT-90. The trial is a double-blind, placebo controlled phase 2b study evaluating multiple doses of APEX-90, a psilocybin macrodose utilizing APEX’s US patent pending capsule. APEX-90 is administered in-clinic with study-assisted psychotherapy for severe depression within diagnosed PTSD. Israel is facing a severe mental health crisis: 44% of adults report depression and 42% PTSD, far above the 8–13% depression and 6–10% PTSD rates seen in the US and Canada.
This MoH approval leverages the expertise of TAU’s renowned SGI and Merhavim Hospital, which both have a rich history of pioneering research in neurological sciences. Their cutting-edge facilities and teams profound understanding of PTSD dynamics are poised to add patient recruitment expertise.
“I am honoured to have been able to facilitate this new partnership; another example of building important bridges between Canada and Israel in innovative clinical research, which will result in advancing patient access to emerging treatments,” says Sharon J. Fraenkel, TAU Canada’s CEO for Ottawa, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, on behalf of the organization.
“As someone deeply connected to Israel, witnessing the toll of PTSD among my loved ones, I’m driven to lead research that brings hope and healing,” says Alysa Langburt, APEX’s VP of Global Clinical Development. “This marks more than a clinical milestone, it represents a fundamental step towards transforming the mental health landscape in Canada and Israel, where the need has never been greater. Through our incredible partnerships, we aim to catalyze a shift in access, care and outcomes for those suffering with PTSD.”
“SUMMIT-90 offers a beacon of hope for the significant numbers suffering from PTSD in Canada and Israel,” says Tyler Powell, co-Founder and CEO of APEX. “It underscores our commitment to global mental health innovation and our belief in the opportunity for clinically proven psilocybin therapies to transform mental health care.”
About Apex Labs Ltd. APEX is a patient-driven pharmaceutical company focused on revolutionizing the standard of mental health care with psilocybin. APEX’s strategy is two-pronged, clinical evaluation of drug assets alongside a robust Early Access Program. APEX recognizes and prioritizes Veterans as a patient base with the most severe unmet medical need.
Forward-Looking Statements This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability to control or predict, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: receiving authorization of Health Canada Dealers Licence; filing US provisional patent, the Company evaluating the safety and efficacy of APEX-52 (psilocybin) and APEX-90 (psilocybin) in treating depression in Veterans and patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; statements related to APEX-52 and APEX-90, including manufacturing, dosing, and trial details; statements made by the Company’s executives with respect to Health Canada’s Dealer’s Licence and capsule patent filing; the Company’s efforts around the Early Access Program; statements made relating to Canadian Veteran patients; approvals by the Israeli Ministry of Health and ethics; the inherent risks involved in the general securities markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
Headline: The case for investment in Canadian clean power
Growing Canada’s clean electricity advantage means investing in our energy security.
By Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association
In 2025, global capital flows to the energy sector are set to rise to USD 3.3 trillion, a two percent rise in real terms compared to 2024.
Of that amount, around USD 2.2 trillion is going to renewables, energy storage, electrical grids, electrification and other clean energy technologies. [Source: IEA’s World Energy Investment]
Canada can also expect, and will require, significantly increased investment in wind energy, solar energy and energy storage, as electricity demand grows from coast to coast to coast.
Demand in the Age of Electricity
As the International Energy Agency (IEA) stated in its 2024 World Energy Outlook, we have now entered the Age of Electricity. In Canada, and all around the world, we can expect electricity demand to grow quickly as we digitize and electrify our economies.
Ontario, for example, is expecting to see 75% growth in electricity demand by 2050.
For the new federal government to achieve its goal of building the strongest economy in the G7, we must build out every part of the electricity system—generation, storage, transmission, distribution, smart energy management—and do so in advance, before we fall short of the electricity we need. Canada’s clean electricity advantage will be our energy security.
How will we get there? Largely by building new clean energy projects, like wind, solar and energy storage. These technologies are not only clean, but low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s urgent and long-term needs.
Canada is open for business
Another key driver of the big build will be Canada’s Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs), which will help increase the pace of the clean investment we need in Canada.
We’ve already started building. More than 18 GW of upcoming procurements are currently either underway, being procured or being planned. This represents about $34B in investment. CanREA is tracking Canada’s electricity procurements in this procurement calendar.
Indigenous equity is propelling growth
In Canada, Indigenous equity partners can and do directly contribute to the success of renewable energy and energy storage projects.
Take, for example, the Oneida Energy Storage Project, a 250 MW / 1,000 MWh battery energy storage project in Haldimand County, Ontario, which achieved commercial operation on May 7, 2025. This project’s majority owner is CanREA Industry Leader member Northland Power Inc., who shares ownership with an Indigenous equity partner, CanREA Megawatt member Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.
Or consider the recent 2024 B.C. Call for Power, which resulted in ten new renewable-energy projects, each with First Nations asset ownership between 49 and 51 percent.
These are but two examples of many, with more to come.
We have a long way to go on Canada’s national journey of Reconciliation, but in the clean electricity sector, we are getting started on economic reconciliation.
The federal government’s recent announcement expanding the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program from $5B to $10B is another step in the right direction.
Join CanREA at Clean Power Finance Canada
Is it all tailwinds with no headwinds? Of course not. We are seeing risks to project development in Canada, including supply chain disruptions, policy and regulatory barriers, misinformation and more.
As an industry, we’re tackling these challenges. We all benefit when we work together on solutions. And a great place to do that is at Canada’s only national conference dedicated to clean energy finance.
Happening on June 25, 2025, in Toronto, the second annual Clean Power Finance Canada—CanREA Summit makes the case for investment in Canadian clean power projects.
Presented by CIBC, Clean Power Finance Canada brings together the finance world (including bankers, lenders, investors, finance professionals, tax experts and insurers) andthe clean energy sector (including project developers, asset owners and managers), to learn from one another about project financing and clean power markets.
This year’s speakers will provide insights into revenue streams and risks for clean energy projects, up-to-date information on policy directions and regulatory hurdles, updates on the new federal ITCs and financing opportunities for Indigenous clean energy projects, and much more.
I hope you’ll join me in Toronto! Bring your questions and ideas for a full day of learning, followed by the CanREA Connects—Ontario, our popular annual Summer Solstice networking reception.
Pro tip: Last year’s Summit sold out, so be sure to register in advance.
The post The case for investment in Canadian clean power appeared first on Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, and Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chair of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, announced the reconstitution of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group. Last Congress, Senator Luján launched the original bipartisan, bicameral working group to evaluate and propose potential reforms to the USF.
In the House, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Richard Hudson (R-NC9) and Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA7) are spearheading the effort. Senators Moran (R-KS), Klobuchar (D-MN), Capito (R-WV), Peters (D-MI), Sullivan (R-AK), and Rosen (D-NV) have joined as members.
“The Universal Service Fund has been a lifeline for rural, Tribal, and underserved communities in New Mexico and across the country – connecting schools, hospitals, and families to affordable, reliable internet. For nearly 30 years, the Universal Service Fund has been instrumental in expanding broadband access across the country. I’m glad to once again join bipartisan, bicameral leaders to modernize and strengthen the USF and ensure it remains well-equipped to connect Americans no matter where they live. I’ll keep fighting to protect this vital program for the communities that depend on it,” Luján said.
“All Nebraskans deserve to have access to critical communication and Internet services, regardless of their zip code. That’s why I’m proud to announce we are reorganizing and utilizing this bipartisan, bicameral working group. Our goal is to evaluate broadband programs and the USF to help support the mission of connecting unserved and underserved communities across the country. I look forward to this important work alongside my colleagues in the Senate and House,” Fischer said.
“Expanding access to broadband is a top priority for me. By launching this bipartisan working group alongside Congresswoman Matsui and Senators Lujan and Fischer, we’ll gain the insights needed to ensure the Universal Service Fund is reaching the Americans who need it most – while also protecting it from waste, fraud, and abuse,” Hudson said.
“Reliable, high-speed broadband isn’t a luxury—it’s a fundamental pillar of modern life. For decades, the Universal Service Fund has helped connect millions of families, schools, and libraries through critical programs like Lifeline, E-Rate, and rural broadband deployment. But the digital divide still persists, and the stakes for getting this right have never been higher. That’s why we’re relaunching this bipartisan, bicameral working group—to modernize and strengthen the Universal Service Fund, and ensure it continues to meet the evolving connectivity needs of all Americans,” Matsui said.
Background:
This bipartisan, bicameral working group—originally launched in 2023—was established to evaluate and propose potential reforms to the USF with the goal of developing a forum to guide education, awareness, and policymaking. Today’s reorganization of the USF Working Group highlights the continued commitment to close the digital divide with solutions that support sustained access to universal connectivity while improving interagency coordination.
Note: In the coming weeks, a USF Working Group request for comment portal will be open on Senator Fischer’s website to allow for the submission of updated comments regarding the future outlook of the USF in the near and long terms.
Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, sent letters to multiple organizations launching an investigation into the funding behind the Los Angeles riots and requesting the preservation of key information. The letter also condemns the demonstrations’ “lawless mob actions” and calls for their end.
“Credible reporting now suggests that your organization has provided logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions,” Senator Hawley wrote. “Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct.”
He sent letters to Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Union del Barrio.
Read the full letter here or below.
June 11, 2025
Angélica SalasExecutive DirectorCoalition for Humane Immigrant Rights2533 West 3rd St, Suite 101Los Angeles, CA 90057
Dear Ms. Salas,
I write in my capacity as Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism regarding your organization’s alleged role in financing and materially supporting the coordinated protests and riots that have engulfed Los Angeles in recent weeks. While peaceful protest is a cornerstone of American democracy, these demonstrations have escalated into lawless mob actions. They have obstructed federal law enforcement, endangered public safety, and disrupted the rule of law. This lawlessness is unacceptable. It must end.
Credible reporting now suggests that your organization has provided logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions. Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct. Accordingly, you must immediately cease and desist any further involvement in the organization, funding, or promotion of these unlawful activities.
Furthermore, please preserve the following records from November 5, 2024 to present:
All internal communications, including emails, text messages, chat logs, and messaging applications, relating to protest planning, coordination, or funding.
All financial documents related to protests, demonstrations, or mobilization efforts in Los Angeles or elsewhere relating to immigration enforcement.
All third-party contracts or vendor agreements, including any arrangements with event organizers, transportation providers, security personnel, or communications consultants relating to immigration enforcement or the Los Angeles protests, or similar protests elsewhere.
Grant applications and funding proposals that relate to or reference immigration enforcement.
Travel and lodging records for individuals or groups supported or reimbursed in connection with protest activities.
Media or public relations strategies, including talking points, press releases, and coordination with journalists or influencers relating to immigration protests.
Donor lists.
Failure to comply will result in additional action by this Subcommittee, including potential referral for criminal investigation.
Sincerely,Josh HawleyChairmanSubcommittee on Crime and CounterterrorismU.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) criticized Joseph Selsavage—the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Accounting Officer of ancestry service 23andMe—for his company’s lack of transparency in retaining consumers’ information ahead of its imminent bankruptcy sale.
“I hope [consumers] will rush to the court house, even as we are here today, to sue you into oblivion,” Senator Hawley said to Selsavage, who failed to provide an adequate explanation for 23andMe’s byzantine privacy policy. The CEO ultimately admitted that 23andMe does, in fact, retain customers’ personal information—even after consumers opt to delete it.
The CEO of 23andMe just got exposed. They KEEP your genetic information, even if you “delete” it. And now they’re about to sell it.
23&Me hasn’t been honest to their customers or the public. I hope consumers sue them into oblivion pic.twitter.com/fmzO5P3YaH
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 11, 2025
“What you’re doing here has all kinds of implications—national security implications, all of it—but nothing is worse than taking the personal, identifiable information of American consumers and keeping it, and lying to them about it, while you make a huge profit off of it,” the Senator continued.
Senator Hawley also called out Selsavage for repeatedly looking to his legal counsel throughout the course of their exchange: “Don’t talk to your suit behind you. Talk to me.”
June 12, 2025United Nations, New York City Employment and Social Development Canada
Canada is a dynamic country that celebrates our diversity, cares for the most vulnerable among us, and strives for a better future for all.
This week, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, brought that message to the United Nations (UN) where she led Canada’s delegation to the 18th session of the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which took place from June 10 to 12 in New York City.
As global challenges intensify, the Government of Canada is working with domestic and international partners to remove barriers for persons with disabilities to help create a more inclusive future for everyone.
Delegates from various countries met around this year’s overarching theme, “Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the Second World Summit for Social Development.” Important discussions also took place on innovative ways to finance disability inclusion, inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI), and protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities.
During the opening session of the Conference, Minister Hajdu reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing disability inclusion. The Minister highlighted the importance of collaborating with the disability community to develop key elements of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, such as the Canada Disability Benefit and the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities. When it comes to advancing disability-inclusive AI, Minister Hajdu noted that Canada introduced a national standard on accessible and equitable AI, which helps ensure no one is left behind in technological progress. The Minister also emphasized Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and justice for Indigenous persons with disabilities, guided by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
As part of the Conference, Canada hosted a side event on inclusive AI, where participants shared best practices on how AI can be leveraged to foster meaningful workforce participation for persons with disabilities. The Minister also participated in bilateral meetings with her counterparts from France, Ireland and Brazil to share valuable insights and learn from other countries’ experiences in advancing disability inclusion.
This letter responds to a request for an analysis of the distributional effects of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and updates the preliminary analysis the Congressional Budget Office provided in the letter dated May 20, 2025.
CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) recently estimated the budgetary and distributional effects of H.R. 1 as passed on May 22, 2025. On the basis of those estimates, CBO allocated the effects on revenues and spending to households. The agency also allocated to households the effects of states’ estimated responses to changes to health programs—primarily Medicaid—and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
CBO estimates that if the legislation was enacted, U.S. households, on average, would see an increase in the resources available to them over the 2026– 2034 period. The changes would not be evenly distributed among households. The agency estimates that in general, resources would decrease for households toward the bottom of the income distribution, whereas resources would increase for households in the middle and top of the income distribution.
This analysis includes most, but not all, provisions of H.R. 1. The distributional analysis of changes to taxes and tax-related outlays is based on analysis done by JCT. Therefore, the analysis in this letter excludes any tax provisions not allocated in JCT’s distributional analysis of H.R. 1. Also, CBO’s analysis does not reflect the effects of the additional debt-service costs or the macroeconomic effects of the bill.
CBO estimates that the budgetary effects of the legislation would affect household resources through four channels over the 2026–2034 period:
Federal taxes and cash transfers would increase household resources by $3.1 trillion, on net (in 2025 dollars). In particular, changes to federal tax provisions, especially extensions of provisions of the 2017 tax act and reductions in subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, would affect household resources. Changes to student loan programs would also affect those resources.
Federal and state in-kind benefits would decrease household resources by $1.0 trillion, primarily because federal spending on benefits provided through Medicaid and SNAP would be lower. Changes to program benefits that states made in response to changes in federal policy would also reduce household resources.
States’ fiscal responses would increase household resources by $10 billion, on net. Those responses consist of the tax and spending changes implemented by states in response to changes to their fiscal position. In CBO’s assessment, Medicaid eligibility changes under the legislation would reduce states’ spending on Medicaid benefits. Those decreases would be largely offset by the new matching requirements for SNAP, which would increase state spending. In CBO’s analysis, states, in the aggregate, would use the resulting overall reduction in benefit spending to increase spending in other areas and to reduce taxes, both of which would increase household resources.
Other spending and revenues would increase household resources by $129 billion, on net. The spending and revenues in this category were allocated as if they were public goods. This category includes federal spending on defense, border security, and infrastructure. Those outlays are partially offset by reductions in federal pensions, receipts from spectrum auctions, and changes in receipts and outlays associated with changes to emissions regulations.
Cash transfers consist of Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, income from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and State General Assistance programs, and changes to cash flows resulting from changes to student loan policy.
Deciles are created by ranking households by their size-adjusted income after transfers and taxes. A household consists of people who share a housing unit, regardless of their relationships. Each income decile (tenth) contains approximately equal numbers of people but slightly different numbers of households. If a household has negative income (that is, if its business or investment losses are larger than its other income), it is excluded from the lowest income group but included in totals.
Federal taxes consist of individual income taxes, payroll taxes, corporate income taxes, and excise taxes. In this analysis, taxes for a given year are the amount a household owes on the basis of income received that year, regardless of when the taxes are paid. Taxes from those four sources accounted for over 90 percent of federal revenues. The remaining federal revenue sources not allocated to U.S. households include states’ deposits for unemployment insurance, estate and gift taxes, net income earned by the Federal Reserve, customs duties, and miscellaneous fees and fines.
Income after transfers and taxes consists of market income, social insurance benefits, and means-tested transfers minus federal taxes.
Market income consists of labor income, business income, capital income (including capital gains), income received in retirement for past services, and other nongovernmental sources of income.
Means-tested transfers are cash payments and in-kind services provided through federal, state, and local government assistance programs. Eligibility to receive such transfers is determined primarily on the basis of income, which must be below certain thresholds. The largest transfer programs are Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP, measured as the average cost to the government of providing those benefits), SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamp program), and Supplemental Security Income.
Public goods are goods and services that share two main traits: If they are consumed by one person, the amount available to other people is not reduced; and it is difficult to prevent people from consuming them once they are available.
Social insurance benefits consist of benefits from Social Security (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), Medicare (measured as the average cost to the government of providing those benefits), unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.
May and March–May were much warmer than normal for the globe.
Global land average precipitation in May was record high, according to preliminary data.
Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent was below-normal for the month.
Sea ice extent was below average for both poles.
Global tropical cyclone activity was below normal with two named storms.
Map of global selected significant climate anomalies and events in May 2025.
Temperature
Globally, May 2025 was the second-warmest May in NOAA’s 176-year record, with a temperature 1.98°F (1.10°C) higher than the 20th-century baseline. This is 0.14°F (0.08°C) cooler than the record set last May (2024). According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, it is very likely that 2025 will rank among the five warmest years on record, with less than a 1% chance of ranking as the warmest year on record.
Land and Ocean Temperature Percentiles for May 2025 (°C). Red indicates warmer than average and blue indicates colder than average.
May temperatures were above average across much of the globe’s surface, in particular across most ocean areas and parts of every continent. Warm temperature departures were most notable in northern North America, the central and southern parts of South America, the British Isles and surrounding ocean, northern and southwestern Asia and across much of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Pockets of below-average temperatures were present across parts of Alaska, eastern Europe, India and Antarctica.
Regionally, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and the Arctic all saw their May temperature rank among the 10 highest on record. Europe, Oceania and the Antarctic region also had above-average May temperatures, although they did not rank among the 20 warmest on record. India, parts of the northern Atlantic Ocean, the eastern and southeastern Pacific Ocean, central and eastern Europe and eastern Antarctica had May temperatures that were below average.
Globally, the March–May 2025 surface temperature was the second-highest in NOAA’s 176-year record, just behind the record set in 2024. This three-month period, defined as meteorological spring for the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, was also the second warmest on record for both hemispheres individually.
Surface Temperature Departure from the 1991–2020 Average for May 2025 (°C). Red indicates warmer than average and blue indicates colder than average.
Precipitation
May saw varied precipitation patterns globally. Many regions experienced drier-than-average conditions, including parts of North and South America, as well as northern Europe, southwestern Asia, southern Australia and areas in Russia and China. Southern Alaska, the eastern U.S., northern and southern parts of South America, northern and southeastern Australia and widespread parts of Asia had wetter-than-average conditions. Preliminary data indicate that the May 2025 globe land, averaged as a whole, had the wettest May in the historical record, which spans from 1979 to present.
Snow Cover
The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent was the 15th-smallest May extent on record, with 370,000 square miles below average. Snow cover over North America and Greenland was below average by 200,000 square miles and was the 10th-smallest snow cover extent in the 59-year record. Eurasia was also below average by 170,000 square miles–the 16th-smallest extent for May. Below-normal snow cover was observed over Canada, parts of the Rockies in the United States and northern parts of Eurasia, as well as a band from western Mongolia through western China.
Sea Ice
Global sea ice extent was 550,000 square miles below the 1991–2020 average, ranking as the fifth-smallest May extent in the historical record. Arctic sea ice extent was also below average by 140,000 square miles, tying with 2004 as the seventh-smallest extent in the 47-year record. The Barents, Okhotsk and Bering Seas had lower than normal sea ice extent. The Antarctic sea ice extent was the fifth-smallest for May at 410,000 square miles below average.
Map of the Arctic (left) and Antarctic (right) sea ice extent in May 2025.
Tropical Cyclones
Globally, tropical cyclone activity was below normal during May, with only two named storms. Neither storm reached tropical cyclone strength. One storm formed in the East Pacific basin, while the other formed in the Australian region.
For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see our May 2025 Global Climate Report or explore our Climate at a Glance Global Time Series.
As AI tools disrupt conventional subject boundaries, educators face a dilemma: some seek to ban these tools, while others are seeking ways to embrace them in the classroom.
Both approaches risk missing a deeper transformation that was predicted 60 years ago by Canadian communication theorist Marshall McLuhan.
McLuhan’s insights can help educators — and all of us grappling with the meaning, uses and misuses of AI — to think about how to cultivate a new mindset, one that integrates human agency and machine capabilities consciously and critically.
‘Oracle of the electric age’
In the mid-1960s, McLuhan published Understanding Media, earning a reputation as the “oracle of the electric age.”
In the chapter, “Automation: Learning a Living,” McLuhan opens with a provocative observation: “Little Red Schoolhouse Dies When Good Road Built.” Technological change, he suggested, doesn’t merely augment existing systems — it transforms them.
While roads once expanded access to specialized education, automation reverses this logic, he argued.
This is because disciplinary boundaries are dissolved, and the intersection of learning and work is redefined. He wrote:
“Automation … not only ends jobs in the world of work, it ends subjects in the world of learning.”
McLuhan foresaw that computing would enable new forms of pattern recognition, requiring fundamentally different ways of thinking — more integrative, relational and responsive — rather than simply accelerating old methods.
Automation makes the arts mandatory
Crucially, McLuhan argued that far from making the liberal arts obsolete, automation makes them mandatory. In an age where machine intelligence is integrated into communication and creativity, the humanities, with their focus on cultural understanding, ethical reasoning and imaginative expression, become more essential than ever.
The “adjacent possible” refers to the set of opportunities and innovations that become accessible when new combinations of existing ideas and technologies are explored.
This gives rise to what I refer to as AI-adjacency: a framework that treats artificial intelligence not as a replacement for human intelligence, but as a partner in strategic collaboration and creative inquiry.
6 ways AI can be a partner in creative inquiry
1. Critical discernment
AI-adjacent learning begins with critical discernment: the ability to assess intellectual and cultural value regardless of whether AI was involved in the creation process.
When game designer Jason Allen’s AI-assisted image, Théâtre D’opéra Spatial, won first place in a digital arts competition at the 2022 Colorado State Fair — and Allen shared information about it on social media — controversy ensued.
Commenters were unsure how to evaluate artistic merit when creative direction is shared with AI. Allen reportedly spent more than 80 hours crafting over 600 text prompts in Midjourney, and also digitally altered the work. The debate illustrates how critical discernment moves beyond detecting AI use to asking deeper questions about authorship, effort and esthetic judgment.
2. Strategic collaboration
Strategic collaboration requires nuanced decision-making about when and how to involve AI tools in a creative process. A recent study reports that “the impact of ChatGPT as a feedback tool on students’ writing skills was positive and significant.”
As one student in the study noted: “When you use ChatGPT in a classroom with your classroom, you’re doing it with several people. So much talk going on simultaneously! It’s kinda cool. The conversations are so meaningful and without noticing, we are working together and writing.”
The value here is in an AI-facilitated collaboration that encourages students to become more interested in learning how to express themselves through writing.
3. Voice and vision stewardship
Stewarding voice and vision means ensuring that technology serves individual expression, not the other way around. At Berklee College of Music in Boston, with varied instructors, students are encouraged to explore AI’s varied potential uses in enhancing their creative process. If it’s used, instructors emphasize outputs must reflect the artist’s own style, not just the algorithm’s fluency. This fosters self-awareness and creative authorship amid technological collaboration.
4. Cultural and social responsibility
AI tools are not neutral, but they can be powerful allies when developed with cultural and social responsibility. Researchers on Vancouver Island are developing AI voice-to-text technology specifically for Kwak’wala, an endangered Indigenous language.
Unlike existing systems designed for English, this AI must be built from scratch because Kwak’wala is verb-centred rather than noun-based.
The project demonstrates how AI can amplify marginalized voices. In this case, Indigenous communities control the development process and cultural knowledge remains in community hands.
5. Adaptive expertise
Adaptive expertise means knowing when to innovate beyond routine solutions. Medical education researchers Brian J. Hess and colleagues define it as “the capacity to apply not only routinized procedural approaches but also know when the situation calls for creative innovative solutions.”
In an AI-integrated world, students must distinguish between when AI-generated responses are appropriate and can enhance productivity, versus when situations require human, slower, in-depth thinking and creative analysis.
Students must distinguish between when AI-generated responses can enhance productivity, versus when situations require human thinking. (Allison Shelley for EDUimages), CC BY-NC
For example, history students can use AI to quickly process archival materials and identify patterns, but must also learn how to use AI to help them interpret the cultural significance of those patterns, which requires innovative analytical approaches grounded in a liberal arts education.
6. Creative and intellectual agency
Creative and intellectual agency represents a central pillar of humanities education, rooted in the German concept of Bildung, which is developing oneself through critical engagement with complex ideas.
This principle of cultivating independent thinking and deep attention to challenging problems remains essential in an AI-integrated world. The challenge facing higher education is find ways to amplify intellectual agency through creative collaboration with AI tools. At Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, humanities students work with computer scientists to develop interdisciplinary courses like “Algorithms and Social Justice,” which involves applying humanistic perspectives throughout data analysis processes.
McLuhan’s warning: loss of self-awareness
‘Narcissus,’ by Italian baroque painter Caravaggio, circa 1597–99. (Wikimedia Commons)
McLuhan also offered a powerful warning through the myth of Narcissus in Understanding Media.
Contrary to popular view, McLuhan argued Narcissus didn’t fall in love with himself; instead, he mistook his reflection for someone else.
This “extension of himself by mirror,” McLuhan writes, “numbed his perceptions until he became the servomechanism of his own extended … image” — meaning, Narcissus became dependent on his own reflection.
The real danger of AI isn’t replacement. It’s the loss of self-awareness. We risk becoming passive users of our own technological extensions and allowing them to shape how we think, create and learn without realizing it. In McLuhan’s terms, we become tools of our tools.
AI-adjacent practices offer a way out. By engaging consciously with technology through the six dimensions, students learn to use AI critically and creatively — without surrendering their agency.
Gordon A. Gow receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.