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  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James and Coalition of 20 Attorneys General Condemn Planned Purge of FBI Agents

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in calling on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to demand further testimony from Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director nominee Kash Patel following reports of a planned purge of thousands of FBI agents and staff involved in investigations and prosecutions related to the January 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol. In a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Attorney General James and the coalition expressed grave concern over reports that the Trump administration is planning to fire agents and staff who participated in January 6th investigations at the FBI, eliminating approximately 15% of the FBI workforce. The attorneys general warn that these actions could have dangerous consequences for the rule of law and public safety nationwide.

    “This effort to defund the FBI to fulfill a political vendetta puts the American people at risk. The FBI is critical to keeping Americans safe from violent crime, terrorism, and threats to our democracy,” said Attorney General James. “Any effort to retaliate against career law enforcement officials for doing their jobs is unacceptable and a direct threat to our justice system. Before the Senate votes on Kash Patel’s confirmation, the American people deserve to know whether he plans to carry out a politically motivated purge of FBI agents and staff. Our nation’s safety depends on it.”

    Reports indicate that more than a dozen January 6th prosecutors have already been dismissed and that the administration is considering the removal of at least six more high-ranking FBI officials. Additionally, the acting deputy attorney general has reportedly ordered the FBI to compile a list of all FBI employees who worked on January 6th investigations. If this list is used for its reported intent of firing all agents and staffers involved in the January 6th investigations and prosecutions, it could impact more than 6,000 FBI personnel and severely weaken federal law enforcement efforts across the country, in red and blue states alike.

    At the time of Mr. Patel’s confirmation hearing, reports of the alleged FBI purge had not yet been made public. The attorneys general are urging the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to seek answers from Mr. Patel on these matters before the body votes to confirm his nomination. Senators, as representatives of the American people, should know what Mr. Patel plans to do with the list of FBI agents and staff that is being compiled before they cast their votes.

    The attorneys general argue that purging more than 6,000 FBI agents and staff will have disastrous effects for public safety nationwide and will put communities in danger. FBI employees and staff protect the country from many of the public safety harms that the administration itself has identified as law enforcement priorities, including but not limited to fentanyl, cartels, and foreign terrorist organizations. 

    Members of the FBI’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces assist federal and local law enforcement agencies in stopping cartels from smuggling fentanyl and guns into our communities. These task forces also contributed to the recent convictions of five New York members of La Cosa Nostra. The FBI also runs the Joint Terrorism Task Force across the country, protecting Americans from terrorism and other security threats. The hardworking agents, prosecutors, and staff at the FBI keep Americans safe every day, and mass firings would have a disastrous effect, undoubtedly resulting in countless criminals roaming free.

    Attorney General James and the coalition are calling on Congress to take immediate action to prevent this ridiculous attack on law enforcement and ensure that the FBI remains independent and fully operational. Congress has a responsibility to the nation to keep Americans safe and hold the administration accountable. The attorneys general urge Congress to start by calling Mr. Patel back before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions about the purported FBI purge before voting on his nomination.

    Joining Attorney General James in sending this letter to Chairman Grassley are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Provides Guidance to Students, Educators on Immigration Enforcement on School Campuses

    Source: US State of California

    Tuesday, February 4, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    SACRAMENTO – In the wake of new concerns of immigration enforcement on school campuses, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today highlighted recent guidance to students, families, educators, and school officials to help ensure a safe and secure school environment for all. The first document provides practical guidance to school officials on how to respond if an immigration officer comes to campus. The second document provides guidance and model policies for K-12 public schools to assist them in complying with state law. The final document provides immigrant students and their families with information on their educational rights and protections under the law. These resources can be found in multiple languages at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources. 

    “All children have a constitutional right to access a public education, regardless of their immigration status,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Schools are meant to be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Unfortunately, the President’s recent orders have created fear and uncertainty in our immigrant communities. My office is committed to ensuring our educators have the tools and knowledge they need to respond appropriately if immigration officers come to their campus – and that immigrant students and families understand their rights and protections under the law. I encourage schools to keep our office apprised of immigration enforcement occurring on their campuses by emailing immigration@doj.ca.gov. We’re continuing to monitor this issue closely, and we will not hesitate to act if we believe this enforcement goes beyond federal authority under the law.” 

    Guidance for School Officials if an Immigration Officer Comes to Campus 

    1. Notify the designated local educational agency administrator of the request, and advise the immigration officer that, before proceeding with the request, and absent exigent circumstances, you must first receive direction from the local educational agency administrator.
    2. Ask to see, and make a copy of or note, the officer’s credentials (name and badge number), and the phone number of his/her supervisor.
    3. Ask the officer for his/her reason for being on school grounds and to produce any documentation that authorizes school access. Make a copy of all documents provided by the officer.
    4. If the officer does not declare that exigent circumstances exist, respond according to the requirements of the officer’s documentation. 
    5. While you should not consent to access by an immigration enforcement officer unless he/she declares exigent circumstances or has a federal judicial warrant, do not attempt to physically impede an officer, even if he/she appears to lack authorization to enter. If an officer enters the premises without consent, document his/her actions while on campus. 
    6. Notify parents or guardians as soon as possible (unless prevented by a judicial warrant or subpoena), and do so before an officer questions or removes a student for immigration-enforcement purposes (unless a judicial warrant has been presented).
    7. Provide a copy of those notes, and associated documents collected from the officer to the local educational agency’s legal counsel, Superintendent, or other designated administrator.
    8. Apprise the California Department of Justice of any attempt by a law-enforcement officer to access a school site or a student for immigration-enforcement purposes by emailing immigration@doj.ca.gov.

    The complete Quick Reference for School Officials guide is available in English and Spanish.

    Rights of Immigrant Students and Families

    • Right to a Free Public Education: All children have a right to equal access to free public education, regardless of their or their parents’/guardians’ immigration status, under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
    • Information Required for School Enrollment: Schools must accept a variety of documents from the student’s parent or guardian to demonstrate proof of child’s age or residency and schools are not required to keep a copy of the document used as proof of a child’s age.
    • Confidentiality of Personal Information: Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. These laws generally require that schools obtain written consent from parents or guardians before releasing student information, unless the release of information is for educational purposes, is already public, or is in response to a court order or subpoena.
    • Right to File a Complaint: Your child has the right to report a hate crime or file a complaint to the school district if he or she is discriminated against, harassed, intimidated, or bullied because of his or her actual or perceived nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status.

    The complete Guide for Students and Families is available English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Innovate BC and NRC IRAP Invest $1.5M to Support 12 Cleantech Innovation Pilot Projects in British Columbia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Through the BC Fast Pilot program, Innovate BC and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) are investing a combined total of $1.5M in funding across twelve B.C.-based companies to pilot innovation projects. Projects areas include wildfire management, critical minerals, water treatment, artificial intelligence and data analytics in applications to clean technology and agriculture, and more. The funding will support pilot testing for new technologies.

    “Through BC Fast, local companies have the opportunity to show what they are capable of by creating new technology solutions to the challenges we’re facing in public health, resource management and so much more,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “I look forward to watching these companies grow by selling to local and diversified international markets, and increase global awareness of the talent and business opportunities available in the B.C. tech ecosystem and our rapidly expanding knowledge economy.”

    The BC Fast Pilot program helps regional small-medium sized enterprises design, build, and operate a pilot plant or small demonstration of their technology in real-world conditions. This allows B.C. technology companies to demonstrate the impact of their product, measure the value of their solution, and encourage customer adoption, with the goal of scaling their solutions while strengthening key industries, solving local and global challenges, and driving prosperity for British Columbians.

    “Innovation transforms industries and helps them remain competitive in global markets, and through the BC Fast Pilot program, we’re supporting the growth of B.C. companies creating new solutions that aim to do just that,” said Peter Cowan, President + CEO of Innovate BC. “This year’s recipients, which are addressing critical areas such as emission reduction, wildfire management, and health sciences, emphasize the immense value in advancing entrepreneurship and the impact of innovation in creating a more prosperous, future-ready British Columbia. We’re proud to deliver this initiative in partnership with NRC IRAP, strengthening the region’s innovation economy and cementing B.C.’s reputation as a global leader in technology.”

    Projects funded through this round of BC Fast Pilot are working to provide innovative solutions in support of high-impact sectors such as sustainability, resource management and public health, emphasizing pilot testing to validate effectiveness and scalability. One of this year’s recipients, FireSwarm Solutions, is working to enhance wildfire detection and management through advanced drone technology and is being piloted in Squamish. joni, piloting their project in both Victoria and Richmond, are addressing menstrual care accessibility in public spaces with an IOT-enabled technology.

    This is the sixth round of funding through the BC Fast Pilot program, which was launched in 2019. Since the program’s inception, and including this year’s awardees, $11.4M has been invested into 87 B.C. pilot demonstrations.

    “Through the BC Fast Pilot program and our partnership with Innovate BC, we are supporting Canadian innovators in bringing their ideas to life,” says Mitch Davies, President, National Research Council of Canada. “By enabling companies to demonstrate their technologies in practical applications, we are helping them gather valuable market insight. This in turn brings them closer to customer adoption, and to providing innovative cleantech solutions to address current challenges.”

    Previous program participants include Open Ocean Robotics, which, since receiving funding in 2019/20, has partnered with the Royal Canadian Navy on marine innovation, expanded to Canada’s east coast, secured $800,000 from PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program, and landed major contracts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Similarly, pH7 Technologies, a 2022/23 participant, secured $1.5M from PacifiCan, raised $16M USD in a Series A round, and was recognized as one of the Global Cleantech 100 companies in 2024 and 2025.

    This funding prioritizes regional projects, with a focus on cleantech and projects that involve physical installations and are capital intensive in nature, and those that involve Indigenous communities or organizations.

    To view and download digital assets relating to this announcement, please click here.

    Media Contact

    Michael Gleboff
    Communications + Community Manager
    mgleboff@innovatebc.ca 
    604-602-5210

    About Innovate BC

    A Crown Agency of British Columbia, Innovate BC works to foster innovation across the province and bolster the growth of the local economy through delivering a wide range of programs that help companies start and scale, access talent and encourage technology development, commercialization, and adoption. Innovate BC also harnesses crucial data collection and research, and works to forge strategic industry and community partnerships that create more opportunities for B.C. innovators.

    Learn More

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb5a1d30-493a-444a-aa44-ce1dd59987cf

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump wants Greenland – but here’s what the people of Greenland want

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gustav Agneman, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

    Kulusuk village in East Greenland. Shutterstock/Muratart

    In 2018, a colleague and I, together with a team of Greenlandic research assistants, conducted one of the most comprehensive surveys to date on public opinion in Greenland. We travelled to 13 randomly selected towns and settlements across the island nation, conducting in-person interviews with a representative sample of adult residents.

    The survey explored a wide range of topics. We asked for views on climate change, economic matters – and the prospect of independence from Denmark. Until recently, this was the latest poll on what the people of Greenland thought about this issue.

    Greenland, a former Danish colony, is currently an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. This political arrangement grants Greenland extensive self-rule, including control over most domestic affairs, as well as its own prime minister and parliament. However, Denmark retains authority over foreign policy, defence and monetary policy.

    While our survey results were covered in Greenlandic and Danish media upon their release, they received scant international attention. This changed abruptly on January 15, when newly re-elected US president Donald Trump reposted an old news article about our results. The headline stated that two-thirds of Greenlandic citizens support independence.

    Trump posting the 2018 poll in 2025.
    Truth Social

    Trump did not add a comment in the post but the insinuation was clear given his recent statements about annexing Greenland from Denmark: Greenlandic residents want independence from Denmark, and therefore, they might be open to other political or economic arrangements with the US.

    “I think we’re going to have it,” Trump recently said after a phone call with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who told him the land was “not for sale”. Trump has in the past spoken of somehow “purchasing” Greenland but has since moved on towards speaking in more assertive terms about taking control of the territory.

    Back in 2018, when we conducted the survey, Trump had not yet revealed any plans to annex the island nation. It was a scenario we could hardly even have imagined and therefore did not ask our participants about. As such, regardless of how Trump framed them, the survey results in no way indicated that the population harboured a desire to join the US.

    In fact, a recent survey conducted by Sermitsiaq (a Greenlandic newspaper) and Berlingske (a Danish newspaper) directly addressed this question and found that only 6% of respondents wanted Greenland to leave Denmark and instead become part of the US.

    In the study I published based on the 2018 data collection, I reported that a majority of the Greenlandic population aspired to independence. Two-thirds of the participants thought that “Greenland should become an independent country at some point in the future”.

    Opinions were more divergent regarding the timing of independence. When asked how they would vote in an independence referendum if it were held today, respondents who stated a preference were evenly split between “yes” and “no” to independence.

    The Act on Greenland Self-Government, passed in 2009, grants the Greenlandic government the legal authority to unilaterally call a referendum on separating from the political union with Denmark. According to the law, “the decision regarding Greenland’s independence shall be taken by the people of Greenland”.

    During the 15 years since its passage, the option to call a referendum has not been exercised. This is likely due to the potential economic consequences of leaving the union with Denmark.

    Each year, Denmark sends a block grant that covers approximately half of Greenland’s budget. This supports a welfare system that is more extensive than what is available to most Americans. In addition, Denmark administers many costly public services, including national defence.

    This backdrop presents a dilemma for many Greenlanders who aspire to independence, as they weigh welfare concerns against political sovereignty. This was also evident from my study, which revealed that economic considerations influence independence preferences.

    For many Greenlanders, the island nation’s rich natural resources present a potential bridge between economic self-sufficiency and full sovereignty. Foreign investments and the associated tax revenues from resource extraction are seen as key to reducing economic dependence on Denmark. Presumably, these natural resources, which include rare earths and other strategic minerals, also help explain Trump’s interest in Greenland.

    As Greenland’s future is likely to remain at the centre of a geopolitical power struggle for some time, it is crucial to remember that only Greenlanders have the right to determine their own path. What scarce information is available on their views suggests that while many aspire to independence, it is not driven by a desire to join the US.

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

    – ref. Trump wants Greenland – but here’s what the people of Greenland want – https://theconversation.com/trump-wants-greenland-but-heres-what-the-people-of-greenland-want-248745

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Emilia Pérez: the film’s wildly unrealistic representation of Mexican narco-violence and trans lives is insulting

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ailsa Peate, Lecturer in Latin American and Museum Studies, University of Westminster

    You would think that Jacques Audiard’s 13-time Oscar-nominated Emilia Pérez was the most watched film of the year given the discussion it has generated. The Mexican-set, French-made film’s opening weekend in Mexico tells a different story.

    Emilia Pérez sees the eponymous antagonist-heroine experience a transformation, undergoing gender-affirming procedures in order to leave behind her former dangerous, violent life as a cartel leader in Mexico.

    It came eighth at the box office in Mexico, which is hardly surprising. The effects of narco violence saw 613 murders and 626 disappearances between September and December 2024 in Sinaloa State in northwestern Mexico as its eponymous cartel’s factions fight for territory.

    Considering the context in which it was released, little positive noise has been made about Emilia Pérez within Mexico given its sensationalist, reductive representations of violence. Internationally, its representation of trans experiences has been criticised.

    Though well acted, it is thoughtless. The luxurious life Emilia lives as a trans woman is far detached from reality of most trans people in Mexico, where the average life expectancy for a trans person is 35.

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    We follow Rita Mora Castro (Zoe Saldaña), an underappreciated lawyer who works hard only for men to take the credit. Rita is hired by cartel head Juan “Manitas” del Monte (Karla Sofía Gascón) to find a surgeon for her transition to start again as Emilia Pérez. After the transition, Emilia has Manitas declared dead, leaving behind her mourning wife, Jessi (Selena Gómez) and their two young sons who she has relocated to Switzerland for their safety.

    After four years, Emilia tracks down Rita to have Jessi and the children moved back to Mexico, posing as Manitas’ distant relative. Emilia then works with Rita to launch a non-profit, “La Lucecita”, that helps the families of missing persons after Emilia becomes appalled by how many disappeared people there are in Mexico.

    Emilia’s immediate reaction to such social injustice demonstrates a naivety on Audiard’s part. Despite Manitas having destroyed lives, Emilia wants to dignify them. We are asked to believe that she had no idea about these wretched, miserable souls. But thankfully, Emilia’s “La Lucecita” is here to rescue them. The NGO will find the remains of the disappeared, making them visible again. Good thing Emilia made all that (drug) money to fund the work…

    Trailer for Emilia Pérez.

    The sheer unbelievability of Pérez not knowing about the violent reverberations of her work aside, I was gratified to see the disappeared of Mexico centralised in the film. The stories of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Guatemala and Colombia usually dominate when it comes to the consequences of human rights abuses in the region.

    Political prisoners, state terrorism, death flights and extrajudicial murders date back at least as far as the 1960s in Mexico, with the Indomitable Memory Museum in Mexico City doing fantastic work to highlight this history and dignify victims. In particular, the story of the Ayotzinapa 43, who were disappeared en route to Mexico City for an annual march against state corruption and human rights abuses in 2014.

    But, considering its direction, Emilia Pérez takes on a white saviour narrative and our heroine simply throws (drug) money at the problem. Audiard’s (admitted) lack of serious thought given to violence ,wealth and power in this context is laughable. Ask “searcher” groups, who go looking for the remains of their disappeared loved ones, like Las Rastredoras de El Fuerte to conjure up money for their work at a fancy gala (and watch I Called for You in Silence, a heartbreaking documentary on their struggles) and see what the reaction is.

    Emilia Pérez had the chance to add some nuance to the violence in Mexico today, to demonstrate that this does not exist in a vacuum. It had a chance to go beyond what the transfeminist philosopher Sayak Valencia and the expert in feminist visual culture Sonia Herrera Sánchez would term a kind of sensationalist, colonialist “pornomisery” to present gender fluidity and sexuality in a troubled and troubling context.

    I was disappointed. I found it impossible to watch the film without seeing constant instances of what Sayak Valencia deems gore capitalism in action. “Death has become the most profitable business in existence,” according to Valencia.

    She outlines that in the era of drug war Mexico (2006 to the present) power is the new capital in a moment where hyper-masculinity and levels of violence are out of control. The lifeless body signifies a capital of fear and power.

    Rather than Emilia Pérez forming any coherent commentary on this, the film contributes to it – how much will Audiard make from a film about bodies, what is done to them and how they are destroyed by Mexico’s drug war? How many awards? How much (more) power gained?

    Zoe Saldaña sings “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez.

    Bodily transition – from living to dead; from male to female – is a motif in the film, and one used as a lazy plot device. Emilia is no longer Manitas; in fact, she’s Manitas’ antithesis, who, therefore, does good for society. This dichotomy between “giving woman” and “violent man” only serves to perpetuate outdated views of womanhood. Karla Sofía Gascón was strong in this role, though I must ask why a Mexican trans actress couldn’t have played Pérez. For instance, Nava Mau of Baby Reindeer.

    We know that Emilia Pérez isn’t that bothered about nuance, being one reason the film has been so ripe for satire. It is a narco-telenovela-cum-queer musical from the perspective of a 72-year-old white French man.

    If you are looking for a show or film that does what Emilia Pérez should have, I can only recommend the one-off series Somos, a thoughtful take on the 2011 Allende massacre to temper such thoughtless representation.

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

    – ref. Emilia Pérez: the film’s wildly unrealistic representation of Mexican narco-violence and trans lives is insulting – https://theconversation.com/emilia-perez-the-films-wildly-unrealistic-representation-of-mexican-narco-violence-and-trans-lives-is-insulting-249066

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Putting DeepSeek to the test: how its performance compares against other AI tools

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Thorne, Senior Lecturer in Computing and ​Information Systems, Cardiff Metropolitan University

    Mojahid Mottakin / Shutterstock

    China’s new DeepSeek Large Language Model (LLM) has disrupted the US-dominated market, offering a relatively high-performance chatbot model at significantly lower cost.

    The reduced cost of development and lower subscription prices compared with US AI tools contributed to American chip maker Nvidia losing US$600 billion (£480 billion) in market value over one day. Nvidia makes the computer chips used to train the majority of LLMs, the underlying technology used in ChatGPT and other AI chatbots. DeepSeek uses cheaper Nvidia H800 chips over the more expensive state-of-the-art versions.

    ChatGPT developer OpenAI reportedly spent somewhere between US$100 million and US$1 billion on the development of a very recent version of its product called o1. In contrast, DeepSeek accomplished its training in just two months at a cost of US$5.6 million using a series of clever innovations.

    But just how well does DeepSeek’s AI chatbot, R1, compare with other, similar AI tools on performance?

    DeepSeek claims its models perform comparably to OpenAI’s offerings, even exceeding the o1 model in certain benchmark tests. However, benchmarks that use Massive Multitask Language Understanding (MMLU) tests evaluate knowledge across multiple subjects using multiple choice questions. Many LLMs are trained and optimised for such tests, making them unreliable as true indicators of real-world performance.

    An alternative methodology for the objective evaluation of LLMs uses a set of tests developed by researchers at Cardiff Metropolitan, Bristol and Cardiff universities – known collectively as the Knowledge Observation Group (KOG). These tests probe LLMs’ ability to mimic human language and knowledge through questions that require implicit human understanding to answer. The core tests are kept secret, to avoid LLM companies training their models for these tests.

    KOG deployed public tests inspired by work by Colin Fraser, a data scientist at Meta, to evaluate DeepSeek against other LLMs. The following results were observed:

    The tests used to produce this table are “adversarial” in nature. In other words, they are designed to be “hard” and to test LLMs in way that are not sympathetic to how they are designed. This means the performance of these models in this test is likely to be different to their performance in mainstream benchmarking tests.

    DeepSeek scored 5.5 out of 6, outperforming OpenAI’s o1 – its advanced reasoning (known as “chain-of-thought”) model – as well as ChatGPT-4o, the free version of ChatGPT. But Deepseek was marginally outperformed by Anthropic’s ClaudeAI and OpenAI’s o1 mini, both of which scored a perfect 6/6. It’s interesting that o1 underperformed against its “smaller” counterpart, o1 mini.

    DeepThink R1 – a chain-of-thought AI tool made by DeepSeek – underperformed in comparison to DeepSeek with a score of 3.5.

    This result shows how competitive DeepSeek’s chatbot already is, beating OpenAI’s flagship models. It is likely to spur further development for DeepSeek, which now has a strong foundation to build upon. However, the Chinese tech company does have one serious problem the other LLMs do not: censorship.

    Censorship challenges

    Despite its strong performance and popularity, DeepSeek has faced criticism over its responses to politically sensitive topics in China. For instance, prompts related to Tiananmen Square, Taiwan, Uyghur Muslims and democratic movements are met with the response: “Sorry, that is beyond my current scope.”

    But this issue is not necessarily unique to DeepSeek, and the potential for political influence and censorship in LLMs more generally is a growing concern. The announcement of Donald Trump’s US$500 billion Stargate LLM project, involving OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, Microsoft, and Arm, also raises fears of political influence.

    Additionally, Meta’s recent decision to abandon fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram suggests an increasing trend toward populism over truthfulness.

    DeepSeek’s arrival has caused serious disruption to the LLM market. US companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic will be forced to innovate their products to maintain relevance and match its performance and cost.

    DeepSeek’s success is already challenging the status quo, demonstrating that high-performance LLM models can be developed without billion-dollar budgets. It also highlights the risks of LLM censorship, the spread of misinformation, and why independent evaluations matter.

    As LLMs become more deeply embedded in global politics and business, transparency and accountability will be essential to ensure that the future of LLMs is safe, useful and trustworthy.

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

    – ref. Putting DeepSeek to the test: how its performance compares against other AI tools – https://theconversation.com/putting-deepseek-to-the-test-how-its-performance-compares-against-other-ai-tools-248368

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pet flea treatments may be harming wildlife – but owners can help

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cannelle Tassin de Montaigu, Research Fellow, Ecology & Evolution, University of Sussex

    Toxic substances used in flea and tick treatments pet owners give to their dogs and cats have been detected in birds’ nests, according to new UK research.

    Fipronil and imidacloprid, two common insecticides distributed by vets in pipettes to kill or stunt fleas, were previously found in nearly all English rivers. These chemicals are known to harm aquatic insects, which has repercussions for the species that eat them. Birds are also known to ingest these insecticides in their food and water.

    Our study now raises the risk of direct skin contact, as veterinary drugs were the most common insecticides colleagues and I found in bird nests. How do they get there – and what are they doing?

    Many birds, including garden visitors such as blue tits and great tits, nest in tree hollows and nest boxes. To keep their eggs and chicks warm, these birds line their nests with soft materials such as fur. In fact, around 74% of European bird species use fur as nest insulation.

    Across the UK, pet owners and wildlife enthusiasts leave brushed pet fur outside for birds to collect. But with around 80% of the country’s 22 million cats and dogs receiving regular flea and tick treatments, this well-meaning act can inadvertently expose birds to harm.

    A previous study in the Netherlands found that insecticides used in flea treatment were appearing in birds’ nests. The study I led with colleagues is the first to identify the problem in the UK.

    Banned on farms, used in homes

    We examined 103 nests of blue tits and great tits and found the residue of 17 out of 20 insecticides commonly used as flea treatments in the UK. The most prevalent were fipronil, which we found in every single nest, imidacloprid and permethrin, which were both detected in 89% of nests.

    All three of these chemicals are banned for use as pest control on EU farms due to their harmful effects on wildlife. Studies have shown that these insecticides can damage the nervous and reproductive systems of birds, and threaten their overall health. Yet they remain widely used in veterinary medicine.

    We collected nests months after the breeding season, and so the concentrations of chemicals we found are likely to be lower than what was present in the nests during spring, when birds gather material for nests. This suggests that eggs and chicks were exposed during the whole breeding season.

    The nests we found with higher concentrations of insecticides contained more unhatched eggs and dead chicks. Other factors could explain these deaths, such as predation. But the known dangers of these chemicals should make us question their wider impact on the environment. While more research is needed to fully understand their risks, the evidence already suggests that exposure could be harming nestlings, which are at a critical stage of development.

    Flea and tick treatments either kill insects or halt their development.
    Nick Alias/Shutterstock

    Scientists and conservation groups are urging the UK government to conduct a more thorough environmental risk assessment of veterinary treatments, particularly those used on dogs and cats.

    Public awareness will also be key to addressing the problem. Many pet owners do not know that their routine flea treatments affect wildlife. Small changes could help reduce this impact. For example, year-round flea treatment is not necessary, particularly in winter when fleas and ticks are less active.

    If treatment is required then tablets could be a better choice as they do not involve direct skin contact for birds and would not wash away every time a pet swims or is bathed either. They may be excreted in faeces and contaminate the soil, however – that’s why a thorough environmental risk assessment is necessary.

    Pet owners who enjoy helping birds can still leave out fur as nesting material, perhaps by saving the brushed fur from untreated pets during winter and putting it out the following spring.

    As awareness of this issue grows, pet owners, scientists and policymakers can ensure that veterinary treatments do not come at the cost of the UK’s wildlife.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Cannelle Tassin de Montaigu receives funding from UK charity SongBird Survival.

    – ref. Pet flea treatments may be harming wildlife – but owners can help – https://theconversation.com/pet-flea-treatments-may-be-harming-wildlife-but-owners-can-help-248481

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio holds a joint press availability with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio holds a joint press availability with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves in San Jose, Costa Rica, on February 4, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgAPkjNZS3U

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Statement on Voting Against RFK Jr. to Serve as Nation’s Top Health Official  

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Kennedy Has Profited Off Spreading Vaccine Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services:

    “Despite Mr. Kennedy’s troubling track record of peddling misinformation and conspiracy theories, Senate Republicans have chosen to advance his nomination to the Senate Floor. Mr. Kennedy is not only a dangerous nominee that will undermine public health, but he also has no real plan to lower costs or improve care for Americans, and elevating him to the nation’s top health position puts American lives and livelihoods at risk.

    “During his hearing, I asked Mr. Kennedy if he would stand up to President Trump to protect health care for children and families. Not only did he have a deep misunderstanding of Medicaid, he would not commit to defending it. It’s clear to me that he will answer to President Trump, not the American people.

    “Republicans and Democrats alike raised concerns about Mr. Kennedy’s nomination, yet his nomination continues to move forward. The American people deserve better.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions bill to stop government from awarding contracts to biased banks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today introduced the No Red and Blue Banks Act to stop the federal government from awarding contracts to financial institutions that discriminate against companies based on the customers’ social policy.  

    “The government shouldn’t reward banks for discriminating against businesses because of their industry or politics. The No Red and Blue Banks Act would fight political bias among banks by refusing to reward bad actors with government contracts,”said Kennedy.

    Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) cosponsored the bill.

    The No Red and Blue Banks Act would prohibit the General Services Administration from giving government contracts to insured depository institutions that refuse business to lawful companies because of the companies’ social policy. 

    The full bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy introduces resolution to undo Biden admin bureaucracy that leads to consumer uncertainty

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under Congressional Review Act (CRA) procedures for the Office of Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) rule that delays the bank merger approval process by adding more red tape that could lead to consumer uncertainty.

    The Biden administration’s rule, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, amended the Bank Merger Act of 1960 to make it harder for the OCC to approve healthy bank mergers quickly. Kennedy’s resolution would reverse the Biden administration’s misguided rule so that banks can stay in business and serve hard working Americans.

    “Big government shouldn’t stand in the way of healthy bank mergers that occur in the free market and serve consumers and job creators. In order to stabilize the banking industry and protect the Americans who depend on strong banks, Congress should quickly reverse the Biden administration’s bureaucratic rule,” said Kennedy. 

    Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) joined the resolution.

    Background:

    • Historically, federal bank regulators assumed that a potential merger passed muster. The burden of showing that a merger would harm business and consumers fell on the OCC and bank regulators. 
    • The Biden administration’s rule shifted the burden to individual banks, making it harder for them to fulfill their obligations by making smart, strategic mergers.

    Text of the resolution is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Hoeven introduce resolution to block Biden-era fee on American energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and 23 other senators in introducing a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Biden administration’s proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to implement a fee on methane emissions. 

    “Americans want our country to ‘drill, baby, drill’ to lower their energy costs. To restore American energy dominance, we need to beat back the anti-energy policies and taxes the Biden administration shackled us with,” said Kennedy. 

    The EPA’s proposed methane fee would effectively create a new tax on key parts of the American oil and gas business, including both onshore and offshore natural gas production and liquefied natural gas import, export and storage. 

    “When it comes to bringing down prices and making America energy secure again, we have our work cut out for us. The Biden-Harris administration imposed countless policies like the Natural Gas Tax that drive up the cost of production and limit the ability to fully utilize our nation’s abundant energy resources, and it will take real time and effort to undo the effects of their Green New Deal agenda. Through efforts like this CRA resolution, we are working to get our nation back on the right track, providing needed regulatory and tax relief to deliver real cost savings to American energy producers and consumers,” said Hoeven.

    The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency regulations and actions through a joint resolution of disapproval. If both houses of Congress approve such a joint resolution and the president signs it, or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto, the regulation at issue becomes invalid.

    Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced the resolution in the House.

    “As part of his war on energy, former President Biden took radical steps to end fossil fuels during his administration which hurt the hardworking energy producers in my district who have worked diligently to increase production while fueling our allies abroad. Biden’s burdensome natural gas tax has handicapped technological innovation, reduced supplies of affordable energy, and increased both costs and emissions. With President Trump back in office, it is time to restore American energy dominance—which is why I am proud to lead this CRA to rescind this ill-conceived natural gas tax,” said Pfluger.

    Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) cosponsored the resolution. 

    Text of the resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Pfluger Continue Efforts to Block Biden’s Natural Gas Tax, Alleviate Burden on U.S. Domestic Energy Production

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    02.04.25

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Congressman August Pfluger (R-Texas) today reintroduced their bicameral Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to block implementation of the Biden administration’s Natural Gas Tax, which was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend legislation in 2022.

    “When it comes to bringing down prices and making America energy secure again, we have our work cut out for us. The Biden-Harris administration imposed countless policies like the Natural Gas Tax that drive up the cost of production and limit the ability to fully utilize our nation’s abundant energy resources, and it will take real time and effort to undo the effects of their Green New Deal agenda,” said Senator Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Through efforts like this CRA resolution, we are working to get our nation back on the right track, providing needed regulatory and tax relief to deliver real cost savings to American energy producers and consumers.”

    “As part of his war on energy, former President Biden took radical steps to end fossil fuels during his administration which hurt the hardworking energy producers in my district who have worked diligently to increase production while fueling our allies abroad,” said Rep. Pfluger, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Biden’s burdensome natural gas tax has handicapped technological innovation, reduced supplies of affordable energy, and increased both costs and emissions. With President Trump back in office, it is time to restore American energy dominance – which is why I am proud to lead this CRA to rescind this ill-conceived natural gas tax.”

    This legislation comes as part of Hoeven’s broader efforts in the new Congress and with the Trump administration to unlock America’s energy potential and rescind the wide array of costly taxes and regulations imposed under President Biden. Among other priorities, Hoeven is working to:

    • Improve access to taxpayer-owned energy resources.
    • Streamline the approval process for energy development and the construction of infrastructure needed to get energy to market.
    • Reduce the cost of production, fight inflation and bring down prices for American consumers.

    The Hoeven-Pfluger bill is cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Ricketts (R-Neb.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). The full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PASSED: Sens. Moran, Daines, Heinrich Resolution Designating National Tribal Colleges & Universities Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today announced the Senate passage of the bipartisan resolution designating the week beginning February 3, 2025, as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.” This week is dedicated to the recognition of and support for the achievements of students pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities in Tribal Colleges and Universities.

    “Tribal colleges and universities, like Haskell Indian Nations University, provide native students the opportunity to receive a higher education in an environment that prioritizes their heritage and culture,“ said Sen. Moran. “This legislation provides an opportunity to applaud and support the accomplishments of tribal students and their educators – both of which are deserving of our recognition”

    “Our tribal colleges and universities play a vital role in Montana’s communities and provide incredible opportunities for higher education on or near Montana’s reservations,” said Sen. Daines. “I’m proud to introduce legislation so the hard work and great achievements of our Montana students, teachers and educational institutions can be recognized nationally.”

    “I’m pleased the Senate passed my resolution designating this week as National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week,” said Sen. Heinrich. “This resolution recognizes the vital role of Tribal colleges and universities in creating opportunities for the next generation of Tribal leaders, upholding Tribal educational sovereignty, and preparing Native students for careers they can build their families around in their home communities.” 

    Read the full text of the resolution here.

    In December, Sen. Moran released draft legislation that would federally charter Haskell Indian Nations University and transfer governance from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to the Haskell Board of Regents, while maintaining federal funding for the university.

    The Senators were also joined by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Bennett (D-Colo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: California Schools Will Remain a Welcoming, Inclusive, Safe Place for All

    Source: US State of California

    Tuesday, February 4, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement on President Trump’s executive order targeting transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and gender nonconforming students: 

    “California will continue to create a welcoming environment for all students, including transgender and gender nonconforming students. The federal government sets a floor, not a ceiling when it comes to civil rights protections — and California law has always provided additional protections beyond those that exist at the federal level. Those protections remain firmly in place.

    The right to equality in education and equal protection under the law is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. California’s Constitution sets its own separate and strong standards that clearly establish transgender and gender nonconforming individuals as a protected class. The President’s order attempts to undermine this fundamental right by threatening to prosecute educators for fulfilling their duty to provide equal education opportunities and protect the students under their care, explicitly targeting one of the most vulnerable groups of students in our country.

    Discrimination has no place in the classroom. The President’s executive order attempts to erode the sanctity of schools as a place where children learn and grow. Let me be clear: School curriculum and instructional materials are a state and local decision. The federal government does not have authority to dictate what is taught in California.

    California law requires that K-12 schools provide inclusive curriculum that reflect the roles and contributions of our diverse population, including all genders, races, person with disabilities, and members of other ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic status groups. We know that it is this culture of inclusion that has enabled us to become a hub of innovation and the fifth largest economy in the world.

    As Attorney General, I am committed to standing up for the rights of all California students, including transgender and gender nonconforming students. I stand firmly behind California educators who work tirelessly to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all of their students. 

    The President continues to use his powers to attempt to strike fear in and target the most vulnerable groups in our society. I understand that his executive orders are concerning, but I want to emphasize that California law remains unchanged. We will not be frightened or cowed by the President’s threats. We will not abandon our values. And we certainly will have no part in executing the President’s agenda. California’s resources will not be used to target teachers and school officials merely complying with the law.”

    Resources for School Officials 

    If you believe your rights are being violated as part of the enforcement of the President’s executive order, you can file a complaint with the California Attorney General’s Office here or with the California Civil Rights Department here. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: USX Cyber to Showcase Cutting-Edge XDR Solutions for MSPs at the MSP Expo 2025, Part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Va., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — USX Cyber, a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, today announced its participation as a Silver Sponsor for MSP Expo 2025, part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW, taking place February 11-13, 2025, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

    MSP Expo is the premier conference and networking summit where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) come together to explore new technologies, strategies, and business opportunities that drive success in the managed services industry.

    “We’re glad to welcome USX Cyber as a Silver sponsor of MSP Expo in 2025,” said Rich Tehrani, TMC’s CEO. “USX Cyber provides dynamic cybersecurity defense to businesses of all sizes, eliminating threats regardless of location. They are a must-see at MSP Expo.”

    USX Cyber at MSP Expo 2025

    At MSP Expo, USX Cyber will showcase GUARDIENT™, its advanced eXtended Detection and Response (XDR) platform, that integrates real-time threat detection, AI-driven analysis, and seamless compliance management.

    USX Cyber is empowering MSPs to increase revenue, reduce costs, and elevate security operations—all from a single pane of glass.

    “We’re thrilled to be part of MSP Expo 2025 and to connect with the MSP community. The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, and MSPs need solutions that are both powerful and easy to manage. With GUARDIENT™, we’re giving MSPs the ability to deliver enterprise-grade security without the complexity. We can’t wait to showcase how our technology is driving real business growth for MSPs,” said Rod Volz, Chief Growth Officer, USX Cyber.

    About USX Cyber

    USX Cyber is at the forefront of AI-powered cybersecurity innovation, delivering cutting-edge threat detection and response solutions tailored for Managed Service Providers.

    For more information about USX Cyber and our solutions, visit www.usxcyber.com.

    Join Us at MSP Expo 2025!

    Meet the USX Cyber team at Booth #2469 and discover how GUARDIENT™ is transforming MSP cybersecurity.

    Media Inquiries:

    Rod Volz
    Chief Growth Officer, USX Cyber
    Email: rod@usxcyber.com
    Phone: (703) 244-3892

    For more information or to register for MSP Expo, contact events@tmcnet.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed: Kennedy Leading HHS Would be Hazardous to Children’s Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a longtime champion for children’s health and childhood immunization programs, today issued a statement opposing President Trump’s nomination of anti-vaccination advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Reed stated:

    “The Department of Health and Human Services helps protect public health and the safety of our nation’s food and drug supply.

    “After carefully reviewing Mr. Kennedy’s record, and noting his history of stoking dangerous conspiracy theories and making false claims about vaccine safety, I strongly oppose his nomination. 

    “Putting him in charge of HHS would be hazardous to children’s health and could lead to a resurgence in measles and other childhood diseases that cause serious illness and endanger lives.”

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that routine childhood vaccinations in America have prevented over 1.1 million deaths, more than 500 million cases of illness and over 32 million hospitalizations over the past 30 years.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Fentanyl Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 04, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “The Poisoning of America: Fentanyl, its Analogues, and the Need for Permanent Class Scheduling.” During today’s hearing, Democratic Senators will speak to the negative impact that the Justice Department purges of senior law enforcement officials will have on combating the fentanyl crisis, how dragooning U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents into mass deportations will take their focus away from their drug enforcement duties, how the Trump Administration’s proposed funding freeze will affect state and local law enforcement, should it go into effect, and the need to hold social media companies accountable for peddling fentanyl to our nation’s kids.

    Key Durbin Quotes:

    “In just a decade, this synthetic opioid [fentanyl] has emerged as the deadliest drug in American history. All it takes is two milligrams—that’s a fraction of the size of a penny—to cause an overdose. It is so cheap that dealers are lacing lethal amounts into street drugs like cocaine and heroin, and their buyers are none the wiser.”

    “There is an overdose crisis in America, but we’ve learned that evidence-based solutions reduce deaths. In fact, in 2023, overdose deaths actually decreased for the first time since 2018 – going down by more than 10 percent. We need to look at every factor that contributed to this reduction. Counseling and treatment, training for first responders, and getting Naloxone to our hardest-hit communities are all making a difference.”

    “We must also address how this poison gets into the hands of the most vulnerable people in America—our kids. Too often, fentanyl is peddled in the open on some of the world’s largest social media platforms.”

    “Last Congress, the Judiciary Committee advanced several bipartisan bills that would finally hold these companies accountable and demand safeguards be put in place to protect our children. One of those bills is the Cooper Davis Act. Cooper is a 16-year-old Kansas teen who tragically lost his life to a fentanyl-laced pill he bought through Snapchat. This bill would require Big Tech companies to take a more proactive role in stopping drug dealers from using their platforms… In the coming days, I will join Senators Marshall, Shaheen, and others to reintroduce what will now be called the Cooper Davis and Devon Norring Act. I hope the Committee will again advance this critical legislation on a bipartisan basis.”

    “And I hope that Congress will finally – finally – allow these companies to be sued by their victims’ families so they can be held accountable in a court of law. Enough teens have died due to Big Tech’s deliberate indifference.”

    “We must also acknowledge the role the U.S. has played in arming cartels to the teeth. We send hundreds of thousands of firearms south of our border in an ‘iron river’… and they facilitate the use of violence to traffic fentanyl into the U.S.”

    “The federal funding freeze, which we’ve been talking about, if it is going to stop the efforts of law enforcement to combat fentanyl is a bad idea. The same is true of the recent order diverting federal law enforcement agents, including from the DEA and ATF, away from combatting fentanyl and firearms trafficked by cartels and working, instead, on a mass deportation effort.”

    “I’m also gravely concerned about the negative impact of mass removals of senior career law enforcement at the Department of Justice and FBI, and our ability to hold traffickers accountable and cut off the supply of fentanyl.”

    “The recent actions we’ve seen distract us from the need to take a comprehensive bipartisan approach to tackle this crisis—including investing in addiction prevention and treatment, enforcing and strengthening our gun laws, and giving federal, state, and local law enforcement the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.”

    “Getting fentanyl off the streets is a herculean task that will require us all to come together and work across the aisle to make this country healthier and safer.”

    Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

    Yesterday, Durbin and U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) led the bicameral introduction of the Stop Arming Cartels Act. The bill would seek to stem this “iron river” of firearms trafficking from the United States to Mexico, enabled by weak American gun laws and dangerous gun industry practices. The deadly stream of firearms trafficking exacerbates violence, enables cartels who smuggle migrants to our southern border, and facilitates the illicit trade of narcotics, including fentanyl, across the border back into the United States.  According to a 2021 study from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), 70 percent of crime guns recovered in Mexico from 2014-2018 and submitted for tracing were U.S.-sourced.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatality following crash, SH39, Ngāhinapōuri

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can confirm that a person has died following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri this morning.

    Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. In addition to the fatality, two other people were moderately injured.

    State Highway 39 is closed while the scene is cleared and Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

    Diversions are in place, motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Journey Begins

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    When I was a child, my family took an annual road trip from Ohio to Maine and back. It was a different era. No cell phones to call for help if something went wrong with the car. Paper maps and directions written on scraps of paper, instead of a phone app to give you step-by-step directions. Forget hopping on the web to book a hotel; you just had to look for signs in the distance and stop in to see if there was a vacancy. No podcasts or audiobooks, just a scratchy radio straining to find a local station. Instead of watching videos on screens in the back, my brothers and I were scanning passing cars’ license plates to “collect” the states in a no-tech road-trip game. Road trips are very different these days. In most ways, technology has made them a more enjoyable and less risky endeavor.

    The crypto road trip on which the newly announced Crypto Task Force[1] has embarked likewise should be more enjoyable and less risky than the crypto road trip the Commission has taken the industry on for the last decade. On that last trip, the Commission refused to use regulatory tools at its disposal and incessantly slammed on the enforcement brakes as it lurched along a meandering route with a destination not discernible to anyone. But just as modern technology does not eliminate the risks of taking to the open road, this new journey toward regulatory clarity still presents dangers, and both the Commission and the public need to stay alert and aware of the risks and opportunities that may lie ahead. I am delighted to be accompanied on the journey by a wonderful team of talented SEC staff, and we look forward to engaging with many enthusiastic members of the public who will help us navigate on this journey. With all that assistance, I am hopeful that we will arrive at a place that is better than we could have imagined as we were careening down the road on the previous crypto road trip. Before I discuss the promise and opportunity the task force represents, let me offer some important disclaimers.

    First, despite now being charged with leading the SEC’s new Crypto Task Force, the views that I express are my own as a Commissioner and not necessarily those of the SEC or my fellow Commissioners. Commission positions always require a vote of the Commission.

    Second, it took us a long time to get into this mess, and it is going to take us some time to get out of it. The Commission has engaged with the crypto industry in one form or another for more than a decade. The first bitcoin exchange-traded product application hit our doorstep in 2013, and the Commission brought a fraud case that had a tangential crypto element that same year.[2] In 2017, we issued the DAO Section 21(a) report, which reflected the first application of the Howey test in this context.[3] Since then, there have been many enforcement actions, a number of no-action letters, some exemptive relief, endless talk about crypto in speeches and statements, lots of meetings with crypto entrepreneurs many inter-agency and international crypto working groups, discussion of certain aspects of crypto in rulemaking proposals, consideration of crypto-related issues in reviews of registration statements and other filings, and approval of numerous SRO proposed rule changes to list crypto exchange-traded products. Throughout this time, the Commission’s handling of crypto has been marked by legal imprecision and commercial impracticality. Consequently, many cases remain in litigation, many rules remain in the proposal stage, and many market participants remain in limbo. Determining how best to disentangle all these strands, including ongoing litigation, will take time. It will involve work across the whole agency and cooperation with other regulators. Please be patient. The Task Force wants to get to a good place, but we need to do so in an orderly, practical, and legally defensible way.

    Third, the Task Force wants to travel to a destination where people have great freedom to experiment and build interesting things, and which will not be a haven for fraudsters. One of the reasons the U.S. capital markets are so robust, efficient, and effective is that we have rules designed to protect investors and the integrity of the marketplace, and we enforce those rules. We do not tolerate liars, cheaters, and scammers. As the Task Force works to help develop this regulatory framework, it will give careful consideration to antifraud protections. If the Commission spots fraud that lies outside our jurisdiction, it can refer the matter to a sister regulator. If it does not fall within any regulator’s jurisdiction, the Commission can bring that gap to Congress’s attention.

    Fourth, the Task Force is working to help create a regulatory framework that both achieves the Commission’s important regulatory objectives—including protecting investors—and preserves industry’s ability to offer products and services. This framework will be within the statutory authority given to the Commission, and we will work with other regulators operating within their own statutory authorities. The statutes already on the books do not allow a free-for-all for products that fall within our jurisdiction. Congress has put parameters in place, and the Commission will apply them. Congress also has given us exemptive authority, and the Commission will use it, as appropriate. Where Congress has directed the Commission to impose requirements on market participants, SEC rules will not let you do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want. Some of these rules will impose costs and other compliance burdens that some may find irritating, and the Commission will use its enforcement tools when necessary to pursue noncompliance.

    Fifth, the Commission staff is working hard to process applications for exemptive relief, requests for no-action letters, and registration statements, but an uptick in the volume is likely to prove challenging. Adherence to technical and legal requirements, well-reasoned legal analysis, and thorough and timely responses to staff questions help to conserve Commission resources and makes for a quicker, smoother trip toward the destination of greater regulatory clarity. As always, such diligence will help an application move through the approval process more smoothly; conversely, the absence of it may cause unnecessary delays. Being first in the door may not mean being first out the door.

    Sixth, the new commitment to a better regulatory environment should not be viewed as an endorsement of any crypto coin or token. Regardless of whether those tokens or coins fall within our jurisdiction, the Commission never endorses any product or service; there is no such thing as an SEC seal of approval. Spinning up coins and tokens is easy. If people want to buy a token or product that lacks a clear long-term value proposition, they should feel free to but should not be surprised if someday the price drops. In this country, people generally have a right to make decisions for themselves, but the counterpart to that wonderful American liberty is the equally wonderful American expectation that people must decide for themselves, not look to Mama Government to tell them what to do or not to do, nor to bail them out when they do something that turns out badly.

    Now, with those rather gruff disclaimers out of the way, let’s talk a bit about what the Task Force is working on with staff across the Commission’s policy divisions. We will collaborate with others across the federal government, with state securities regulators, and with our international counterparts. We invite builders, enthusiasts, and skeptics to engage with us to figure out what the final rules should be and what interim steps might help to foster innovation in the meantime. The Commission staff already has achieved one milestone—the rescission of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121—but there is much more to do.[4] This list is not exhaustive, nor is it presented in order of priority or order of expected completion.

    1. Security Status: The status of crypto assets under the securities laws is fundamental to resolving many other questions. The Task Force is working hard to examine different types of crypto assets.
    2. Scoping Out: The Task Force will work to help identify some areas that fall outside the Commission’s jurisdiction. As an initial step, the staff welcomes requests for no-action letters. No-action letters typically come in the form of a staff statement addressing specific circumstances spelled out in the letter under which the staff will not recommend enforcement action to the Commission. This statement is specific to the particular circumstances but gives the broader public a helpful window into the staff’s thinking.
    3. Coin and Token Offerings: The Task Force also is thinking about the possibility of recommending Commission action to provide temporary prospective and retroactive relief for coin or token offerings for which the issuing entity or some other entity willing to take responsibility provides certain specified information, keeps that information updated, and agrees not to contest the Commission’s jurisdiction in the event of a case alleging fraud in connection with the purchase and sale of the asset. These tokens would be deemed to be non-securities and thus there would be no uncertainty as to whether they would be able to trade freely on secondary markets not registered with the SEC as long as the information is kept up-to-date and accurate. This approach would bridge the gap until a more permanent rule or legislation could be finalized. It would provide a pathway for existing tokens to find their way out of the fog of uncertainty that obscures a feasible path forward and would encourage the provision of greater disclosure.
    4. Registered Offerings: The Task Force will consider working with staff to recommend that the Commission modify existing paths to registration, including Regulation A and crowdfunding, so that people interested in registering token offerings will have a viable path for doing so.
    5. Special Purpose Broker Dealer: The Task Force will explore possible updates to the special-purpose broker dealer no-action statement, which in its current form has not been a success. An initial change we may suggest is that the statement be expanded to cover broker-dealers that custody crypto asset securities alongside crypto assets that are not securities. We will work with the public to identify other obstacles to registration.
    6. Custody Solutions for Investment Advisers: We will work with investment advisers to provide an appropriate regulatory framework within which advisers can safely, legally, and practically custody client assets themselves or with a third-party.
    7. Crypto-Lending and Staking: We need to provide clarity about whether crypto-lending and staking programs are covered by the securities laws and, if so, how. We plan to work to help address how such programs can be structured consistent with the law.
    8. Crypto Exchange-Traded Products: The Commission already is receiving SRO proposed rule changes to list new types of crypto exchange-traded products. The Task Force will work with the staff to provide clear statements about the approach used when approving or disapproving these applications. The Task Force will also assist the staff and the Commission in considering requests to modify certain features of existing exchange-traded products, including to allow for staking and in-kind creations and redemptions. Before these changes can be operationalized, however, the Commission may have to make progress on custody and other issues.
    9. Clearing Agencies and Transfer Agents: The Task Force also plans to work on the intersection of crypto and clearing agency and transfer agent rules. We will continue to work with market participants interested in tokenizing securities or otherwise using blockchain technology to modernize traditional financial markets.
    10. Cross-Border Sandbox: Many crypto projects are international in scope. The Task Force is considering ways to facilitate cross-border experimentation on a limited scale and temporary timeframe, with the possibility of more permanent, long-term approaches.

    This brief overview of how the Task Force is looking at the journey ahead is not exhaustive or definitive, but I hope it has piqued your interest. Although the obstacles to getting to our final destination of a sensible, clear ruleset are daunting, if we collaborate, the journey will be exhilarating and rewarding. This is the beginning of the conversation—one we do not want to have just with ourselves. Please visit our Crypto Task Force webpage to follow what the Task Force is doing and to engage with the Task Force.

    How to Engage with the Crypto Task Force

    Written Submissions

    If you would like to provide written input on the issues the Task Force is considering, including those described above, you may submit that input by sending an email with the subject line “Crypto Task Force Input” to crypto@sec.gov. Documents submitted will generally be posted on www.sec.gov. Submissions received will be posted without change or redaction of personal identifying information. You should only make submissions that you wish to make available publicly. You may request confidential treatment following this detailed procedure. We may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene or subject to copyright. Please read our Privacy Act Notice to learn about how we may use the information you send to us.

    Meetings (In-Person or Virtual)

    The Task Force will consider requests for in-person or virtual meetings with members of the public who would like to discuss approaches to addressing issues related to regulation of crypto assets, including those described above. To request a meeting, please complete the Request Form for Meetings with the Crypto Task Force. The Task Force requests that any person or firm requesting a meeting provide a brief written summary of the issues that it plans to discuss with Task Force members. The Task Force plans to post these summaries to the Commission’s website, which will increase the transparency of its engagement with the public and promote open dialogue among parties interested in these issues.

    Summaries received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should only submit information in these summaries that you wish to make available publicly. You may request confidential treatment following this detailed procedure. We may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene or subject to copyright. Please read our Privacy Act Notice to learn about how we may use the information you send to us.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Division of Enforcement to Refocus on Fraud and Helping Victims, Stop Regulation by Enforcement

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Commodity Futures Trading Commission Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham today announced a reorganization of the Division of Enforcement’s task forces to combat fraud and help victims while ending the practice of regulation by enforcement.
    “The CFTC is strengthening its enforcement program to focus on victims of fraud, as well as remaining vigilant for other violations of law. This simplified structure will stop regulation by enforcement and is more efficient. These much-needed changes will maximize the CFTC’s resources to bring more actions to pursue fraudsters and other bad actors, and not punish good citizens. I commend the Division of Enforcement for upholding the CFTC’s mission to protect the American public.”
    “Fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics to exploit market participants and undermine the rules that provide the foundation for a vibrant, resilient and innovation-forward marketplace,” said Brian Young, CFTC Acting Director of Enforcement. “This taskforce realignment will enhance our vigorous and energetic enforcement program by empowering our talented staff to focus their expertise on matters that secure justice for victims and uphold public confidence in the integrity of our markets.”
    Previous task forces will be simplified into two new Division of Enforcement task forces: the Complex Fraud Task Force and the Retail Fraud and General Enforcement Task Force. 
    The Complex Fraud Task Force will be responsible for all preliminary inquiries, investigations, and litigations relating to complex fraud and manipulation across all asset classes. The Acting Chief will be Deputy Director Paul Hayeck. 
    The Retail Fraud and General Enforcement Task Force will focus on retail fraud and handle general enforcement matters involving other violations of the Commodity Exchange Act. The Acting Chief will be Deputy Director Charles Marvine.
    The new structure will better leverage staff expertise to more efficiently utilize the CFTC’s resources to prevent fraud, manipulation, and abuse and ensure market integrity. It also provides enhanced governance and oversight of enforcement matters to prevent overreach and enhance consistency, fairness, and due process. 
    You can report suspicious activities or information, such as possible violations of commodity trading laws, to the CFTC Division of Enforcement via a Toll-Free Hotline 866-FON-CFTC (866-366-2382) or file a tip or complaint online.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime for Threatening and Firing Shots Outside of Albany Synagogue

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, age 29, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to civil rights and firearm charges related to his firing shots outside of an Albany synagogue. 

    Alkhader pled guilty to obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, brandishing a firearm during the commission of this offense, and conspiring to purchase a firearm unlawfully.  Alkhader was arrested on December 7, 2023, and has been in federal custody since that date.

    On the afternoon of December 7, 2023, Alkhader took an Uber from his home in Schenectady to Temple Israel in Albany.  Upon arriving, he walked up the front steps of the synagogue, removed a shotgun from a duffel bag, and discharged two rounds into the air shouting, “Free Palestine!”  Still holding the shotgun, he then attempted to remove an Israeli flag from a flagpole outside of the synagogue before walking away.  He was arrested shortly after by Albany Police Officers.

    United States Attorney Carla Freedman stated: “The defendant’s violent, antisemitic and terrifying act targeted the Temple Israel congregation, the larger Jewish community, and the right of every person to practice their religion without fear of violence. I commend law enforcement for acting swiftly to arrest Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, to investigate his motives and his illegal acquisition of the shotgun, and to bring about today’s guilty plea to a crime carrying a minimum term of 7 years in prison.”

    FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Alkhader’s plea confirms his deliberate and premeditated intentions to illegally acquire a gun and use it to bring terror to the Temple Israel community as they were preparing to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Thanks to the swift actions of the Temple Israel community and our law enforcement partners, justice has been served. The FBI remains steadfast in our mission to ensure all our communities can live without fear of hateful violence.”

    Alkhader’s threatening actions forced the daycare operating inside of Temple Israel at the time of his actions to go into lockdown.  Alkhader also significantly disrupted activities that the Temple Israel community had planned to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and made congregants afraid to return to their place of worship.

    Alkhader also admitted that in November 2023, he and Andrew Miller agreed that Miller would purchase a shotgun for Alkhader by lying to a firearms dealer and falsely representing that Miller was the purchaser of the shotgun. On November 5, 2023, Alkhader and Miller drove to a federal firearms dealer in Albany and Miller purchased the Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge pump-action shotgun; Miller later gave the shotgun to Alkhader. Alkhader fired this shotgun outside of Temple Israel.

    ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller stated: “This guilty plea shows accountability for unlawfully obtaining a firearm and using it to instill fear. By stopping those who seek to use firearms to threaten and intimidate others, we are sending a message that gun violence will not be tolerated. This case demonstrates the dangerous consequences of unlawful gun possession. The cooperation between federal, state and local agencies remains critical in dismantling illegal gun trafficking. The successful resolution of this case was made possible due to collaboration between ATF NY Albany, FBI Albany, Albany PD, New York State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

    Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox stated: “The Albany Police Department wants to reassure the community that these incidents are taken very seriously, and we are dedicated to maintaining peace and safety for everyone in our community. Alkhader directly targeted the Jewish community, and I am pleased with our department’s quick action in apprehending the defendant, as well as the collective partnerships with the FBI Albany Office and the ATF who helped bring justice to this case.”

    Sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2025, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci.  Alkhader faces at least 7 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 5 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

    Andrew Miller pled guilty and was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment for his role in the straw purchase conspiracy.

    The FBI Albany Field Office, in conjunction with the ATF and the Albany Police Department, investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping for the Northern District of New York, Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, and Trial Attorney Trevor Kempner of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: World’s First Holographic 3D Ad Network Launches at Simon Malls Nationwide

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, New York, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hologram Media Network (HMN) has launched the world’s first always-on holographic advertising network, built in collaboration with Proto Hologram. Featuring next-generation Proto Luma devices, the network spans Simon® malls across the nation, offering a revolutionary platform that merges the digital and physical worlds in dynamic, interactive ways. 

    The network – which has already deployed across 30 premier Simon locations – including Los Angeles’ Del Amo Mall, New York’s Roosevelt Field Mall, Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall, Nashville’s Opry Mills, and Chicago’s Woodfield Mall – offers limited advertising inventory, featuring 3D creative advertising programmed alongside exclusive IP content collaborations. Each month’s holographic show is curated with captivating storytelling from major studios, creators, artists, and influencers, as well as live interactive hologram events with celebrities. Initial content showcased experiences for Paramount Pictures‘ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in December and Sony Pictures’ Paddington in Peru in February, immersing customers in lifelike 3D encounters with beloved characters and creating unforgettable and interactive moments.

    A Proto Luma installed by Hologram Media Networks at Simon’s Del Amo Mall in Southern California. (Credit: Steven Hong). 

    Unprecedented Engagement Metrics and Cutting-Edge Experiences 

    Early data highlights the effectiveness of HMN’s installations, with viewers engaging with holograms for an average of 24 seconds— over 500% higher than video dwell times on leading social media platforms like TikTok. This extended watch time underscores the ability of HMN’s holograms to command attention in today’s crowded media landscape. Augmented Reality (AR) experiences integrated with holographic displays are driving impressive 35% click-through rates, with thousands of customers engaging in the first two weeks of campaigns. 

    “Today’s consumers live in a world where engaging with 3D experiences is becoming second nature,” said James Andrew Felts, CEO of HMN. “Platforms like Meta Quest, Fortnite, and Roblox have normalized interacting with immersive content. HMN elevates this trend by bringing experiential media to real world spaces at scale, bridging the digital and physical spaces in ways that match changing customer expectations.”

    A Game-Changer for Advertising 

    HMN represents a leap forward in advertising optionality in the Out-Of-Home space. Unlike conventional 3D illusions or anamorphic screens, HMN offers holographic experiences that are three-dimensional and with no headsets or special equipment needed, creating captivating communal experiences. These displays bring content to life with a level of depth and realism that hasn’t been seen at scale in high traffic media locations like malls.

    “I’ve witnessed the evolution of countless mediums, but nothing compares to this,” said Proto Founder David Nussbaum, who has spent over 25 years in marketing and entertainment. “Together with HMN, we’re not just delivering ads—we’re creating personal, unforgettable moments at scale. This is a new era for interactive media, where the lines between the digital and physical worlds disappear.”

    Augmented Reality (AR) is core to HMN’s offering, seamlessly integrated into holographic promotions and content shows. Viewers can unlock exclusive AR experiences, save them to personalized accounts, and reengage with interactive features. For example, viewers of the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 showcase could scan a QR code to unlock an AR scene with characters for photos and further engagement.  

    Technology Tailored for Retail 

    The Proto Luma, Proto’s latest innovation, powers the HMN network. Designed for retail, the Luma is more compact and cost-effective than Proto’s flagship Epic, while still delivering vivid 3D holograms. Its integration with Proto’s proprietary AI Persona tools and RetailSage fleet management system ensures seamless operation at scale. 

    Proto is the original hologram device and spatial compute platform already in use by Fortune 500 companies worldwide across enterprise, healthcare, education, entertainment and more. In the retail space, Proto has previously partnered with companies including Amazon, Burberry, H&M, Walmart, Target and Verizon. 

    HMN and Proto will execute monthly live events featuring celebrities, influencers and brand ambassadors. In December, comedian Howie Mandel delighted shoppers by interacting with them in real-time via hologram, turning a routine outing into an extraordinary experience.

    Simon, a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, has a longstanding reputation for innovation and enhancing the shopping experience. Known for blending retail with entertainment and lifestyle offerings, Simon has consistently redefined what modern malls can achieve. From advanced digital wayfinding systems to integrating omnichannel retail strategies, Simon continues to lead in creating immersive environments that draw and engage shoppers. Their embrace of cutting-edge technology underscores their commitment to staying ahead in an evolving retail landscape.

    “Hologram Media Network (HMN) represents the next frontier of engagement for Simon,” said Dennis Tietjen, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Simon. “We’re excited to collaborate on bringing this revolutionary technology to our properties, transforming the way brands connect with shoppers and delivering an unparalleled experience for our guests.”

    Proto Founder David Nussbaum (Left) and HMN CEO James Andrew Felts with the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hologram. (Credit: Steven Hong)

    Future Expansion

    HMN will soon announce deployments with additional malls and plans to expand the network to 150 Proto units by the end of 2025. 

    “Our vision is not just to present holograms but to create a dynamic ecosystem where customers can interact with digital content in the real world,” Felts explained. “This is a glimpse into the future we envision, where consumers experience the blending of their online and physical worlds.”

    For Hologram Media Network distribution and ad sales contact: andrew@hologrammedia.net
    +1 818.385.5259

    For photos, videos, demonstrations, interviews and other press info contact: owen@protohologram.com 

    Proto investor Paris Hilton in one of Hologram Media Network’s Proto Luma mall installations. (Credit: Steven Hong)

    About Hologram Media Network:

    Hologram Media Network is a pioneering digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising platform specializing in immersive, 3D holographic experiences. With a mission to revolutionize consumer engagement in the real world, we deploy cutting-edge hologram units in high-traffic locations such as shopping malls and movie theaters. By combining innovative technology with strategic placement, we offer advertisers unparalleled opportunities to captivate audiences in dynamic, interactive ways. Our vision is to create a nationwide network of 200 premium hologram displays within two years, setting a new standard for DOOH advertising.

    To learn more about Hologram Media Network, visit www.hologrammedia.net

    About Proto Inc.:

    Proto Inc. is the patented leader in hologram technology and AI spatial computing. Proto devices and its platform are in use across enterprise, finance, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, sports and entertainment. Invented in Los Angeles and with showrooms and distribution partners around the globe, Proto distributes the large Proto Epic and Proto Luma, the desktop-sized Proto M, and a suite of hologram AI and spatial computing services. Learn more at protohologram.com

    About Simon:

    Simon® is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations and an S&P 100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE: SPG). Our properties across North America, Europe and Asia provide community gathering places for millions of people every day and generate billions in annual sales.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Crucial Program Supporting Rural Communities in Nevada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a bipartisan group of her Senate colleagues to introduce a bill to reauthorize a key federal program that provides funding for schools, roads, law enforcement, and other services in  rural communities across Nevada. This bipartisan legislation would extend the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools program (SRS) through Fiscal Year 2026. 
    “Rural communities across Nevada rely on the Secure Rural Schools program to secure funding for schools, roads, law enforcement, and more,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m helping introduce a bipartisan bill to reauthorize this critical program and ensure Nevada counties continue to receive this funding. I’ll keep fighting to deliver the federal resources all Nevadans need to live, learn, and thrive.”
    Senator Rosen has been a leader in efforts to support Nevada’s rural communities. Last year, she announced nearly $1 million to expand access to distance learning and skills training in rural Nevada. Senator Rosen also chaired a hearing on helping rural businesses grow domestically and compete abroad and helped introduce bipartisan legislation to expand rural telehealth and education access.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Warren Remarks on RFK Jr. Committee Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 04, 2025

    Video of Remarks (YouTube) 

    Washington, D.C. – Following the Senate Finance Committee vote to advance the nomination of Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, gave the following remarks:

    Transcript: Open Executive Session to Consider Favorably Reporting the Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services
    Senate Finance Committee
    February 4, 2025  

    As Delivered

    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since we had our hearing last week, Mr. Kennedy has amended his ethics agreement. Recall that his ethics agreement said that while he was Secretary of HHS, he intended to retain a financial interest in ongoing vaccine litigation—that he was already collecting money from—and that he wanted to continue to collect that money even though he could affect the outcome of that litigation. He has since changed his position on that. Once it was exposed, people talked about it, and expressed some serious reservations about him doing that, he said he will instead give his financial interests to his son. That is a fig leaf that is so small, it would take a magnifying glass to see it. 

    No one is fooled about what is happening here. Mr. Kennedy refuses to say that he will not participate in these lawsuits financially the day after he leaves office. And yet, Mr. Kennedy has acknowledged the American people have a right to know that the decisions he is making are decisions that are in their interest, not in his future financial interest. He has said he thinks that is the right standard, and yet, he has figured out how to make money off of his anti-vax positions. He has already raked in 2.5 million dollars. He is in a position where he can affect the outcomes by things that he does as Secretary of HHS. Yet, he refuses to say that he will delay, by even a day, taking on anti-vax lawsuits the minute he leaves. 

    That is an appalling conflict of interest, and it is one in which the American people can reasonably ask: is Mr. Kennedy’s plan to help the American people, or is he planning to use this job to further enrich himself, as he has pointed out with his son, and enrich his family? 

    The importance of this litigation cannot be overstated. This is not only about a private company that gets sued and has to pay out. Vaccine manufacturers often operate on very slim profit margins. If they get sued repeatedly and successfully, they simply move out of the vaccine space. We have already seen this happen with vaccines in the past. 20 years ago, we watched vaccines just move away if they did not have protection from these kinds of lawsuits. The consequence of Mr. Kennedy’s ability to make those lawsuits easier is also the ability to shut down access and manufacturing for vaccines for every one of us. And I think that is a terrible mistake. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Opposes RFK Jr.’s Nomination in the Senate Finance Committee: “I want a disrupter in the health care system, and the one leading it. I don’t want a destroyer.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the Senate Finance Committee today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) voted against advancing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Kennedy would be tasked with leading HHS’ ten public health service agencies and three human services agencies. In remarks following his vote, Senator Welch cited concerns about Mr. Kennedy’s character, competence, and priorities, including his views on the efficacy of vaccines.  
    Welch: “After this hearing, I did not have confidence that Mr. Kennedy would be the one to lead us to a better future.” 
    Watch a video of his remarks below: 

    Read his remarks in the Senate Finance Committee below: 
    “I want a disrupter in the health care system, and the one leading it. I don’t want a destroyer. 
    “There’s three issues before any nominee that we have to consider: one is character, another is competence, and the third is priorities.  
    “We did not have Caroline Kennedy here, but she gave a statement. And she said that Bobby was able to attract people through the strength of his personality, his willingness to take risks, and break the rules. Those might be desirable qualities if it was accompanied by sober judgment and behavior, because the person who leads a major organization has to have the confidence of the people that work for him. And, frankly, some of the things that he did that [he] never explained—a chainsaw taking off the head of a whale, dumping a bear in Central Park for his own amusement—these are just weird things. We never really got into the character issue of what is required for a person who runs such a major department.  
    “The competence question, this is all on a wing and a prayer and a hope. There’s no record of Mr. Kennedy having experience in managing a large organization, in medicine. No experience with science. And none of the prior experiences required not only to run a major organization—Health and Human Services, but also the CDC, the NIH—and all the other organizations that are under the umbrella of health care.  
    “By the way, on the competence issue, let’s be candid. This was a deal where Mr. Kennedy was running for president as a Democrat. He lost. And he approached President Trump to make a deal, and for political reasons, the deal was made. And the appointment was going to be that he’s at Health and Human Services. The president has a right to make that deal and Mr. Kennedy can seek it, but it doesn’t translate into competence.  
    “The third is priorities. The priority for Mr. Kennedy is about the vaccines and his theory of that. We need reliable vaccines and not a conspiracy theorist on that. But, you know, the health care system is not working for the American people. It is too costly. Our employers who care deeply about providing employer-sponsored health care can’t afford these premiums. The folks who are getting their insurance on their own can’t afford it. Even Obamacare is getting so expensive because prices are escalating constantly with pharma expenses, with private equity getting into health care.  
    “Mr. Kennedy’s priority was about his view of vaccines. It was not about making health care more affordable and accessible. And in response to, really, a very direct and easy, open-ended question from Senator Cassidy, Mr. Kennedy showed a woeful ignorance even between the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.  
    “We have a health care system that is not serving—as it should—the interests of American citizens, of American businesses, and American taxpayers. And I, after this hearing, did not have confidence that Mr. Kennedy would be the one to lead us to a better future.”  
    Watch Senator Welch’s questioning of Mr. Kennedy during his confirmation hearing.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Votes to Confirm Doug Collins to Head Department of Veterans Affairs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted to confirm Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    “Nevada is home to over 200,000 veterans who deserve strong, steady leadership at the VA. I voted to confirm Doug Collins to head this critical agency because of his commitments to upholding critical PACT Act requirements, focusing on preventing veteran suicide, and addressing veteran homelessness. I look forward to working with him to advocate for Nevada’s veterans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall, Cassidy Lead Reintroduction of Legislation to Combat Illegal Fentanyl

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D., and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act. This legislation makes permanent the temporary classification of fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Drug overdoses, largely driven by fentanyl, are the leading cause of death among young adults 18 to 45 years old. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl account for 66 percent of the total U.S. overdose deaths. The drug’s Schedule I classification is set to expire on March 31, 2025. 
    “Just last year, an estimated 359 Kansans were murdered through fentanyl poisoning – that’s a Kansan lost every single day,” Senator Marshall said. “We cannot allow fentanyl’s drug Schedule I classification to expire, and we must ensure law enforcement has the tools necessary to combat the overdose epidemic in our country. Lives depend on it.”
    “The Biden administration’s open border was an invitation to drug cartels smuggling Chinese fentanyl into the U.S., fueling the U.S. overdose epidemic,” Dr. Cassidy said. “Law enforcement must have the tools necessary to combat this trend. We cannot let this Schedule I classification lapse.”
    “Today, roughly 150 Americans will die from fentanyl poisoning. Cartels fuel this crisis by marketing their poison as legitimate prescription pills. They also avoid regulation by chemically altering the drugs to create powerful fentanyl knock-offs,” Senator Grassley said. “Congress closed that loophole by temporarily classifying fentanyl related substances under Schedule 1. The HALT Fentanyl Act would make permanent fentanyl related substances’ Schedule 1 classification and ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to combat these deadly drugs.”
    “We’re losing more than 100,000 Americans each year to illicit fentanyl overdoses. I refuse to accept this reality, and that’s why I’m working to deliver tools law enforcement personnel need to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets and out of our communities,” Senator Heinrich said. “Permanently scheduling fentanyl and its analogues will help federal and local law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking and allow prosecutors to build stronger, longer-term criminal cases. Our HALT Fentanyl Act will help stop the flow of these deadly drugs into our communities and save lives.”  
    Senators Marshall, Cassidy, Grassley, and Heinrich were joined by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-VW), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Kennedy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Angus King (I-ME), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in introducing the legislation.
    The legislation also removes barriers that impede the ability of researchers to conduct studies on fentanyl-related substances and allows for exemptions if such research provides evidence that it would be beneficial for specific substances to be classified differently than Schedule I, such as for medical purposes.  
    From August 2021 to August 2022, a record-breaking 107,735 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses. The surge was primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, including illegal fentanyl, which are largely manufactured in Mexico from raw materials supplied by China. In 2022, there were over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than doubling the amount seized in 2021. 
    BACKGROUND
    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023. This was primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, including illegal fentanyl, which are largely manufactured in Mexico from raw materials supplied by China. In 2022, there were over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than doubling the amount seized in 2021. 
    The U.S. House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act in March 2023. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall, Cassidy, Scott Lead Colleagues in Reintroduce Bill to Expand School Choice, Educational Opportunity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) led 19 Republican colleagues in introducing the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), bicameral legislation to expand education freedom and opportunity for students. Specifically, it provides a charitable donation incentive for individuals and businesses to fund scholarship awards for students to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education. U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    “I’m proud to join Senators Cassidy and Scott in fighting to expand education freedom and opportunity for American students,” said Senator Marshall. “Parents, not the government, know what is best for their children and should be empowered with the resources to ensure their children are getting the highest quality and best education possible.”
    “Parents want to see their child succeed. Giving them the ability to make decisions over their child’s education puts that child’s needs first,” said Dr. Cassidy. “More freedom empowers parents and allows American children to thrive in school.”
    “When you give parents a choice, you give kids a better chance at achieving their dreams,” said Senator Scott. “By empowering families with more education resources and freedom, this bill will unlock opportunities that have been out of reach for students across America who deserve every chance to succeed and a schooling system that fosters their potential.”
    The Educational Choice for Children Act:

    Provides $10 billion in annual tax credits to be made available to taxpayers. Allotment of these credits to individuals would be administered by the Treasury Department.
    Sets a base amount for each state and then distributes the credits on a first-come, first-serve basis.
    Uses a limited government approach with respect to federalism, thus avoiding mandates on states, localities, and school districts.
    Includes provisions that govern Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), as SGOs are given the ability to determine the individual amount of scholarship awards.

    An estimated two million students in any elementary or secondary education setting, including homeschool, are eligible to receive a scholarship. Eligible use of scholarship awards includes tuition, fees, book supplies, and equipment for enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Releases Statement After Finance Committee Advances Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s Nomination to be HHS Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement on President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. after the Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 to advance his nomination.
    “It is an indisputable fact that there is a chronic disease epidemic across our country. At both of his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy laid out the facts on why he is the right person at the right time to lead the U.S. Health and Human Services Department,” said Senator Marshall. “He is laser-focused on addressing the chronic diseases crisis and improving nutrition and food policy to secure healthier outcomes for all Americans. As a physician, I stand firmly behind RFK Jr.’s nomination and am pleased to see the Finance Committee advance his nomination. I look forward to voting for him on the Senate floor and working with him on our shared goal to Make America Healthy Again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –