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Category: Technology

  • MIL-Evening Report: More than 2 in 5 young Australians are lonely, our new report shows. This is what could help

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle H. Lim, Associate Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney

    Oliver Rossi/Getty Images

    Loneliness is not a word often associated with young people. We tend to think of our youth as a time spent with family, friends and being engaged with school and work activities. Loneliness is an experience we may be more likely to associate with older people.

    In a new report looking at loneliness in young Australians, we found 43% of people aged 15 to 25 feel lonely. That’s more than two in five young people.

    While one in four felt lonely when asked, one in seven had felt lonely for at least two years (what we call persistent loneliness).

    There’s more we should be doing in Australia to address loneliness among young people and more broadly.

    What else did we find?

    In this report, we analysed data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey from 2022–23. This helped us understand what sort of factors increase the risk of loneliness among young people.

    We found having poor physical health and mental health can double (or more) the likelihood of persistent loneliness among young people.

    Life circumstances, as well as socioeconomic and behavioural factors, also play a role, as shown below.

    Worryingly, young people who report persistent loneliness are over seven times more likely to experience high or very high psychological distress compared to those who aren’t lonely.

    But loneliness in young people should not be seen just as a mental health issue. Research shows it can have consequences for physical health too. For example, a study published in 2024 found loneliness is linked to early signs of vascular dysfunction (functional changes to the arteries) in adults as young as 22.

    Why does loneliness persist?

    As well as analysing data, we also interviewed young people aged 16 to 25 from diverse backgrounds about what helps them make healthy social connections, and what hinders them.

    One of the things they flagged was a need for safe community spaces. A male participant from metro New South Wales, aged between 22 and 25, said:

    After lectures, someone’s hungry, you go to eat together. We used to go to [Name of restaurant] after almost every lecture. Talk or discuss somethings so it gave us that extra opportunity to mingle amongst each other and take that next step towards building a good friendship.

    We found technology could both help and hinder social connections. A female from regional Victoria, aged 22 to 25, who identified as LGBTIQ+, told us:

    If you’re in school or something like that and you don’t really have […] many people within your community to look to, it’s really nice being able to connect with people and make those friends online.

    On the flip side, a female participant from metropolitan Victoria, aged between 16 and 18, said:

    a lot of maybe like mean stuff or like bullying and stuff happens over the Internet […] there’s a big group chat and like everyone’s texting on it or something. And then a lot of the time, people will break off into a smaller chat […] or they’ll break off into one on one and be like, ohh, do you see what she said?

    The high cost of living was also regarded as a hindrance to maintaining social connections. As a male aged 22 to 25 from metro NSW told us:

    you’ll go on [a] drive [with friends] or whatever […] but that is so like incredibly expensive. Having to pay for your own car and like petrol and insurance and maintenance. Sometimes it’s hard to […] even like […] sit down in peace and have a chat. All the cafes will close at 2 and by the time everyone gets out of their jobs, you’re having to go to a restaurant and [you’re] spending 50 dollars.

    So what can we do?

    Loneliness has long been treated as a personal issue but it’s increasingly clear we have to shift our approach to include community-wide and systemic solutions.

    The World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection recently released a report pointing to loneliness as a public health, social, community and economic issue.

    In Australia, the economic burden of loneliness stands at A$2.7 billion each year for associated health-care costs including GP and hospital visits.

    And there are additional costs including lower workforce productivity and educational outcomes that have yet to be accounted for.

    Some countries have already developed and implemented strategies to address loneliness. In 2023, Denmark, for example, commissioned the development of a national loneliness action plan led by a consortium of organisations. This was underpinned by an investment of around 21 million Danish kroner (roughly A$5 million) over 2023–25.

    Australia now stands at a crossroads.

    Australia needs a national loneliness strategy

    A national strategy underpinned by evidence and by lived experience is crucial to effectively address loneliness. This approach would:

    • coordinate efforts across sectors: health, education, social services and business

    • identify effective strategies that should be included in a comprehensive response, and the principles to guide their delivery in communities and other settings

    • highlight sub-groups at risk of persistent loneliness who should be prioritised within population-wide strategies

    • commit to the delivery of a national awareness campaign that can educate the public and reduce stigma around loneliness.

    With the right national strategy, we will be able to increase our capacity to help all Australians, not just young people, connect in meaningful ways.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can learn more about youth loneliness and how to help at Ending Loneliness Together.

    Michelle H. Lim is the CEO and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together. She is also the Vice-Chair of the International Scientific Board of the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection, and is part of the Technical Advisory Group – Social Connection at the World Health Organization.

    Ben Smith is a member of the Management Committee and Scientific Advisory Board of Ending Loneliness Together. He is also the Conjoint Chair of Public Health with the Western Sydney Local Health District.

    – ref. More than 2 in 5 young Australians are lonely, our new report shows. This is what could help – https://theconversation.com/more-than-2-in-5-young-australians-are-lonely-our-new-report-shows-this-is-what-could-help-261260

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Big tech says AI could boost Australia’s economy by $115 billion a year. Does the evidence stack up?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Uri Gal, Professor in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney

    Imaginima / Getty Images

    AI is on the agenda in Canberra. In August, the Productivity Commission will release an interim report on harnessing data and digital technology such as AI “to boost productivity growth, accelerate innovation and improve government services”. Shortly afterward, the government will host an Economic Reform Roundtable where AI policy will be up for discussion.

    AI developers are aggressively pursuing influence over the new rules. The Chinese government wants to include AI in trade deals. Meanwhile, as the US government seeks to “win the AI race”, US-based tech companies are making their own overtures.

    The most ambitious intervention has come from ChatGPT developer OpenAI, which recently hired former Tech Council chief executive Kate Pounder as its local policy liaison. Pounder is also a former business partner of Assistant Minister for the Digital Economy Andrew Charlton.

    OpenAI’s AI Economic Blueprint for Australia makes bold projections about the new technology’s impact on the country’s economy, accompanied by a host of policy proposals. However, these claims warrant careful scrutiny, particularly given the company’s clear commercial interests in shaping Australian regulation.

    The gap between promise and evidence

    OpenAI claims AI could boost Australia’s economy by A$115 billion annually by 2030. It attributes most of this to productivity gains in business, education and government. However, the supporting evidence is thin.

    For instance, the report notes Australian workers have lower productivity than their US counterparts and then claims (without evidence) this is because Australia has invested less in digital technologies such as AI. However, it ignores numerous other factors affecting productivity, from industrial structure to regulatory environments.

    The report also describes supposed AI-driven productivity gains in companies such as Moderna and Canva. However, these narratives lack any data about improved organisational or individual performance.

    Perhaps more concerning is the report’s uniformly optimistic tone, which overlooks significant risks. These include organisations struggling with costly AI projects, massive job displacements, worsening labour conditions, and concentrating wealth.

    Most problematically, OpenAI’s blueprint assumes AI adoption and its economic benefits will materialise rapidly across the economy. However, evidence suggests a different reality.

    Economic impact from AI will unfold gradually

    Recent evidence suggests AI’s economic impact may take decades to fully materialise. Studies report some 40% of US adults use generative AI yet this translates to less than 5% of work hours and an increase of less than 1% in labour productivity.

    AI may not spread much faster than past technologies. The limiting factor will be how quickly individuals, organisations and institutions can adapt.

    Even when AI tools are available, meaningful adoption requires time. People must develop new skills, change the way they work, and integrate the new technologies into complex organisations. The economic impacts of earlier general-purpose technologies such as computers and the internet took decades to fully materialise, and there’s little reason to believe AI will be fundamentally different.

    The educational risk

    Like Google, OpenAI is also aggressively pushing for AI adoption in education. It has teamed up with edtech companies and launched a new “study mode” in ChatGPT.

    The push for AI tutoring and automated educational tools raises profound concerns about human development and learning.

    Early evidence suggests over-reliance on AI tools may condition people to depend on them. When students routinely turn to AI, they risk avoiding the mental effort required to build critical thinking skills, creativity and independent inquiry. These capacities form the foundation of a thriving democracy and innovative economy.

    Students who become accustomed to AI-assisted thinking may struggle to develop intellectual independence. This is needed for innovation, ethical reasoning and creative problem-solving.

    AI applications that help teachers personalise instruction or identify learning gaps may be useful. But systems that substitute for students’ own cognitive effort and development should be avoided.

    A multi-partner infrastructure strategy

    Australia’s digital strategy will undoubtedly include significant investment in AI infrastructure such as data centres. One challenge for Australia is to avoid concentrating our investment around a single technology provider. Doing so would be a mistake that could compromise both economic competitiveness and national sovereignty.

    Amazon plans to spend $20 billion on local data centres. Microsoft Azure already has significant local capacity, as does Australian company NextDC. This diversity provides a foundation, but maintaining and expanding it requires deliberate policy choices.

    Maintaining multiple data centre suppliers helps keep computing power that is independent of foreign governments or single companies. This approach will give Australia more bargaining power to ensure lower prices, greener power and local skills quotas.

    Diversification provides regulatory leverage as well. Australia can enforce common security standards knowing no single supplier can threaten an investment strike.

    Australia’s AI future

    AI technology is developing rapidly, driven by large corporations wielding vast amounts of capital and political influence. It presents real opportunities for economic growth and social benefit that Australia can’t afford to squander.

    However, if the government uncritically accepts corporate advocacy, these opportunities may be captured by foreign interests.

    Australia’s approach to AI policy should maintain human-centred values alongside technological advancement. This balance requires resisting the siren call of corporate promises.

    The decisions made today will shape Australia’s future for decades. These choices should be guided by independent analysis, empirical evidence, and a commitment to outcomes for all Australians.

    The Australian government must resist the temptation to let Silicon Valley write our digital future, no matter how persuasive their lobbyists or how impressive their promises. The stakes are simply too high to get this wrong.

    Uri Gal 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. Big tech says AI could boost Australia’s economy by $115 billion a year. Does the evidence stack up? – https://theconversation.com/big-tech-says-ai-could-boost-australias-economy-by-115-billion-a-year-does-the-evidence-stack-up-260705

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko Demands DHS Restore Funding for UAlbany Mesonet Weather Detection Program

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    ALBANY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), along with Representatives John Mannion (NY-22) and Joe Morelle (NY-25) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging the Trump Administration reverse its decision to terminate funding for the Exploiting Mesonet for Emergency Preparedness and Response to Weather Extremes (EMPOWER) project.

    In 2023, the DHS awarded the University at Albany $3 million for this grant project to improve emergency management and deliver accurate, real-time forecasting for severe weather. But, earlier this month, that funding was abruptly terminated.

    “Developed in partnership between DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate and the University at Albany, EMPOWER is exactly the kind of forward-looking, science-based emergency management program our nation needs as extreme weather, and natural disasters grow more frequent, intense, and deadly,” the lawmakers write.

    The letter continues, “At the core of EMPOWER’s success is the New York State Mesonet, a state-of-the-art network of 127 weather stations that supplements National Weather Service observations. This is a moment that demands leadership and bold investment in resilience. In just the past few weeks, catastrophic flooding in Texas and record-setting heat across the country have underscored the urgency of strengthening our preparedness. Cutting off funding for a proven emergency response program amid an escalating climate crisis is not just short-sighted, it is dangerous.

    “The stakes are simply too high to abandon tools and technologies that can help save lives.”

    For years, Tonko has worked to strengthen and support the nation’s weather preparedness. Last Congress, he introduced the bipartisan National Mesonet Authorization Act alongside Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK), legislation that would increase the overall coverage and accuracy of our current National Mesonet program.

    Earlier this month, UAlbany sent a letter inviting DHS Secretary Noem to visit the campus and tour their facilities to lean more about how the university’s essential research supports DHS’s work and mission. UAlbany also sent a letter to the New York congressional delegation requesting support from members in helping to reinstate a $3 million DHS research grant.

    The full letter to DHS Secretary Noem can be found HERE or below:

    Dear Secretary Noem,

    We write to express our strong objection to the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate funding for the Exploiting Mesonets for Emergency Preparedness and Response to Weather Extremes (EMPOWER) project. This action not only undermines years of progress in public safety and emergency preparedness, but it also puts lives at risk. We ask you to reverse this decision and reinstate the $3 million grant supporting this initiative without delay.

    Developed in partnership between DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate and the University at Albany, EMPOWER is exactly the kind of forward-looking, science-based emergency management program our nation needs as extreme weather, and natural disasters grow more frequent, intense, and deadly. It provides emergency managers and first responders with real[1]time, localized data to improve decision-making and response times, giving communities a better chance to prepare for and withstand extreme weather events.

    At the core of EMPOWER’s success is the New York State Mesonet, a state-of-the-art network of 127 weather stations that supplements National Weather Service observations. The Mesonet fills gaps in our national monitoring infrastructure and provides the high-resolution, real-time data that emergency response systems increasingly depend on.

    This is a moment that demands leadership and bold investment in resilience. In just the past few weeks, catastrophic flooding in Texas and record-setting heat across the country have underscored the urgency of strengthening our preparedness. Cutting off funding for a proven emergency response program amid an escalating climate crisis is not just short-sighted, it is dangerous.

    For a modest federal investment, EMPOWER is delivering high-impact results. This administration has emphasized the importance of supporting state and local partners in disaster preparedness EMPOWER embodies that collaboration, demonstrating how strategic partnerships between federal science agencies, academia, and state governments can produce innovative, life-saving solutions.

    We urge you to reinstate full funding for the EMPOWER initiative and ensure that the University at Albany and its partners can continue advancing this critical work. The stakes are simply too high to abandon tools and technologies that can help save lives.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronet and CoreCard Announce Merger Agreement to Unlock Global Opportunities in Credit Card Issuing and Processing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEAWOOD, Kan. and NORCROSS, Ga., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euronet (NASDAQ: EEFT), a global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, and CoreCard Corporation (NYSE: CCRD), a leading provider of innovative credit technology solutions and processing services to the financial technology and services market, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Euronet to acquire CoreCard in a stock-for-stock merger transaction that values CoreCard at approximately $248 million, or $30 per share of CoreCard common stock. The exchange ratio and other terms of the transaction are described below.

    The proposed transaction marks a pivotal step in accelerating Euronet’s strategic goal of a more diversified, future-ready revenue mix, that is anchored in scalable, modern platforms designed for the next generation of digital financial services across the globe.

    Acquisition to Add a Proven Credit Card Platform and Marquee Clients to Fuel Euronet’s Growth Strategy

    CoreCard’s platform is proven and trusted by some of the most respected names in finance and technology, and has been instrumental in launching one of the most successful co-branded credit card offerings in U.S. history in partnership with Goldman Sachs. This credibility, combined with CoreCard’s deep expertise in credit products, positions Euronet to compete in a sizeable market traditionally dominated by a few legacy providers.

    The CoreCard modern architecture enables faster deployment, easier integrations, and the flexibility to support rapid innovation, which are key advantages in today’s world of payments, where banks and fintechs are looking to embed financial experiences in their customer journeys. This has enabled CoreCard to support diverse, bespoke use cases for fintech innovators such as Cardless, who has recently been chosen as the partner for the Coinbase credit card.

    “More than a product expansion, this acquisition will be a catalyst for long-term growth, and we expect it to be accretive in the first full year post close,” said Michael J. Brown, Euronet’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “By integrating CoreCard’s platform with our own Ren architecture and global distribution network, we will be positioned to become a leading modern card issuer and innovation partner for the next generation of digital finance. This acquisition is a natural extension of our strategy to invest in scalable, high-margin businesses that align with long-term market trends. We also value and respect the work of CoreCard’s employees, who we are eager to welcome to Euronet, and we look forward to their contributions to our company in the future.”

    “Joining Euronet marks an exciting new chapter for CoreCard,” said Leland Strange, CEO of CoreCard. “Our team has built a modern, resilient credit card processing platform that serves some of the largest companies and financial institutions in the world. We’re excited to bring our capabilities to a global stage. We have spent a lot of time and diligence over the last year exploring the right ‘fit’ for what our team has built over many years, and we believe this is a great outcome for the team and our shareholders. We are joining with a company that has also been built on a strong foundation over many years that has kept a strong team and customer-focused culture with a focus on innovation.”

    Time and Approvals

    The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both Euronet and CoreCard, and is expected to close in late 2025, subject to approval by CoreCard shareholders and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

    Transaction Details

    Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of CoreCard common stock will be exchanged for a number of shares of Euronet common stock equal to an exchange ratio between 0.2783 and 0.3142, calculated as $30 divided by the volume weighted average share price of Euronet common stock over the 15-trading day period ending on and including the second to last trading day prior to the closing date (the “Final Euronet Stock Price”), subject to a floor of $95.48 per share and a ceiling of $107.80 per share. CoreCard shareholders will receive 0.3142 Euronet shares for each of their CoreCard shares if the Final Euronet Stock Price is at or below $95.48, and 0.2783 Euronet shares for each of their CoreCard shares if the Final Euronet Stock Price is at or above $107.80.

    Advisors

    Stinson LLP is acting as outside counsel to Euronet. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP is acting as outside counsel to CoreCard. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company, provided certain financial advice to the board of directors of CoreCard.

    About CoreCard

    CoreCard Corporation (NYSE: CCRD) provides a modern card issuing platform built for the future of global transactions in an embedded digital world. Dedicated to continual technological innovation in the ever-evolving payments industry backed by decades of deep expertise in credit card offerings, CoreCard helps customers conceptualize, implement, and manage all aspects of their issuing card programs. Keenly focused on steady, sustainable growth, CoreCard has earned the trust of some of the largest companies and financial institutions in the world, providing truly real-time transactions via their proven, reliable platform operating on private on-premise and leading cloud technology infrastructure.

    About Euronet

    A global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, Euronet moves money in all the ways consumers and businesses depend upon. This includes money transfers, credit/debit processing, ATMs, point-of-sale services, branded payments, currency exchange and more. With products and services in more than 200 countries and territories provided through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster and more secure for everyone. Visit the company’s website at www.euronetworldwide.com. 

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements and other forward-looking statements in this document by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “could,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “future,” “potential,” “intend,” “plan,” “assume,” “believe,” “forecast,” “look,” “build,” “focus,” “create,” “work,” “continue,” “target,” “poised,” “advance,” “drive,” “aim,” “forecast,” “approach,” “seek,” “schedule,” “position,” “pursue,” “progress,” “budget,” “outlook,” “trend,” “guidance,” “commit,” “on track,” “objective,” “goal,” “strategy,” “opportunity,” “ambitions,” “aspire” and similar expressions, and variations or negative of such terms or other variations thereof. Words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such statements regarding the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement’), dated as of July 30, 2025, by and among CoreCard, Euronet and Genesis Merger Sub Inc. (the “Transaction”), including the expected timing of the closing of the Transaction; future financial and operating results; benefits and synergies of the Transaction; future opportunities for the combined company; the conversion of equity interests contemplated by the Merger Agreement; the issuance of common stock of Euronet contemplated by the Merger Agreement; the expected filing by Euronet with the SEC of the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed Transaction considering the various closing conditions and any other statements about future expectations that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All such forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates, expectations and ambitions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of Euronet and CoreCard, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the Transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement; the possibility that CoreCard’s shareholders may not approve the Transaction; the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the Transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Euronet’s common stock; the risk that the Transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the parties’ business relationships and business generally, including the ability of CoreCard or Euronet to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers, and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk of unforeseen or unknown liabilities; customer, shareholder, regulatory and other stakeholder approvals and support; the risk of potential litigation relating to the Transaction that could be instituted against CoreCard or its directors and/or officers; the risk associated with third party contracts containing material consent, anti-assignment, transfer or other provisions that may be related to the Transaction which are not waived or otherwise satisfactorily resolved; the risk of rating agency actions and Euronet’s ability to access short- and long-term debt markets on a timely and affordable basis; the risk of various events that could disrupt operations, including: conditions in world financial markets and general economic conditions; inflation; the war in Ukraine and the related economic sanctions; and military conflicts in the Middle East.

    These risks, as well as other risks related to the proposed Transaction, will be described in the Registration Statement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed Transaction. While the list of factors presented here and the list of factors to be presented in the Registration Statement are considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in each company’s filings with the SEC, including each company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as it may be updated from time to time by quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, all of which are available at the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov. Euronet regularly posts important information to the investor relations section of its website. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, neither Euronet nor CoreCard intends to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

    In connection with the proposed transaction, Euronet plans to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a proxy statement of CoreCard that also constitutes a prospectus of Euronet, and any other documents in connection with the transaction. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the holders of common stock of CoreCard. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF CORECARD AND EURONET ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EURONET, CORECARD, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by Euronet or CoreCard with the SEC, when filed, will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, investors and stockholders may obtain free copies of documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by Euronet, including the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus, on Euronet’s website at https://ir.euronetworldwide.com/for-investors, and may obtain free copies of documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by CoreCard, including the proxy statement/prospectus, on CoreCard’s website at https://investors.CoreCard.com/. The information included on, or accessible through, Euronet’s or CoreCard’s website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to appropriate registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Euronet and CoreCard and their respective directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CoreCard’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. A description of participants’ direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed Transaction when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Euronet’s directors and executive officers is contained in the definitive proxy statement, dated April 4, 2025, for its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, and in Euronet’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Information regarding CoreCard’s directors and executive officers is contained in CoreCard’s definitive proxy statement, dated April 14, 2025, for its 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, and CoreCard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Additional information regarding ownership of Euronet’s securities by its directors and executive officers, and of ownership of CoreCard’s securities by its directors and executive officers, is included in each such person’s SEC filings on Forms 3 and 4. These documents and the other SEC filings described in this paragraph may be obtained free of charge as described above under the heading “Important Information for Investors and Stockholders.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Silicon Motion Announces Results for the Period Ended June 30, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Business Highlights

    • Second quarter of 2025 sales increased 19% Q/Q and decreased 6% Y/Y
      • SSD controller sales: 2Q of 2025 increased 0% to 5% Q/Q and decreased 15% to 20% Y/Y
      • eMMC+UFS controller sales: 2Q of 2025 increased 40% to 45% Q/Q and increased 10% to 15% Y/Y
      • SSD solutions sales: 2Q of 2025 increased 0% to 5% Q/Q and decreased 45% to 50% Y/Y

    Financial Highlights

      2Q 2025 GAAP 2Q 2025 Non-GAAP*
     • Net sales $198.7 million (+19% Q/Q, -6% Y/Y) $198.7 million (+19% Q/Q, -6% Y/Y)
     • Gross margin 47.7% 47.7%
     • Operating margin 11.2% 12.8%
     • Earnings per diluted ADS $0.49 $0.69

    *  Please see supplemental reconciliations of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) to all non-GAAP financial measures mentioned herein towards the end of this news release.

    TAIPEI, Taiwan and MILPITAS, Calif., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NasdaqGS: SIMO) (“Silicon Motion,” the “Company” or “we”) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. For the second quarter of 2025, net sales (GAAP) increased sequentially to $198.7 million from $166.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Net income (GAAP) decreased to $16.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted American depositary share (“ADS”) (GAAP), from net income (GAAP) of $19.5 million, or $0.58 per diluted ADS (GAAP), in the first quarter of 2025.

    For the second quarter of 2025, net income (non-GAAP) increased to $23.0 million, or $0.69 per diluted ADS (non-GAAP), from net income (non-GAAP) of $20.3 million, or $0.60 per diluted ADS (non-GAAP), in the first quarter of 2025.

    All financial numbers are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

    Second Quarter of 2025 Review
    “We experienced a strong recovery in our business during the second quarter of 2025 and delivered revenue well above our previously provided range,” stated Wallace Kou, President and CEO of Silicon Motion. “Our industry leading PCIe5 client SSD controller sales grew more than 75% quarter-over-quarter as AI-at-the-edge PCs are beginning to gain market traction and as white box AI server makers continue to leverage mainstream hardware components. Our eMMC and UFS products experienced strong growth during the second quarter of 2025, primarily driven by better-than-anticipated smartphone sales and market share gains. We are benefiting from increased product and market diversification and we believe that we are better positioned to deliver long-term, sustainable growth due to our expanding portfolio of leading consumer, enterprise, automotive, industrial and storage solutions.”

    Key Financial Results

    (in millions, except percentages and per ADS amounts) GAAP Non-GAAP
    2Q 2025 1Q 2025 2Q 2024 2Q 2025 1Q 2025 2Q 2024
    Revenue $198.7 $166.5 $210.7 $198.7 $166.5 $210.7
    Gross profit
       Percent of revenue    		 $94.7
    47.7%    		 $78.4
    47.1%    		 $96.8
    45.9%    		 $94.7
    47.7%    		 $78.4
    47.1%    		 $96.8
    46.0%
    Operating expenses $72.4 $68.6 $66.0 $69.3 $63.6 $62.1
    Operating income
       Percent of revenue    		 $22.3
    11.2%    		 $9.8
    5.9%    		 $30.7
    14.6%    		 $25.3
    12.8%    		 $14.9
    8.9%    		 $34.7
    16.5%
    Earnings per diluted ADS $0.49 $0.58 $0.91 $0.69 $0.60 $0.96


    Other Financial Information

    (in millions) 2Q 2025 1Q 2025 2Q 2024
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period $282.3 $331.7 $343.6
    Routine capital expenditures $7.4 $7.0 $6.3
    Dividend payments $16.7 $17.0 $16.8
    Share repurchases — $24.3 —

    During the second quarter of 2025, we had $15.6 million of capital expenditures, including $7.4 million for the routine purchases of testing equipment, software, design tools and other items, and $8.2 million for building construction and improvements in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

    Returning Value to Shareholders

    On October 28, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a $2.00 per ADS annual cash dividend to be paid in quarterly installments of $0.50 per ADS. On May 22, 2025, we paid $16.7 million to Silicon Motion shareholders as the third installment of the annual cash dividend.

    On February 6, 2025, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a new program for the Company to repurchase up to $50 million of our ADSs over a six-month period. In the second quarter of 2025, we did not repurchase any of our ADSs.

    Business Outlook
    “Our diversification strategy is expanding our market opportunities as we continue to invest in new products and markets. In 2025, we are benefitting from the introduction of several new products including our leading 6nm, 8-channel PCIe5 client SSD controller, our new eMMC and UFS controllers, and our MicroSD controller that is selling alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. In the second half of the year, we expect to further benefit from the initial ramp of our new 6nm, 4-channel PCIe5 client SSD controller targeting the mass market in late 2025, our first MonTitan enterprise/AI-class product, and our boot drive storage products for DPU network accelerators for the greater SSD data storage ecosystem. We expect to ramp each of these products to scale in 2026 with our customers. Additionally, we continue to experience significant design win activity and demand for our leading automotive portfolio, and we expect to benefit from a mix shift to higher ASP products moving forward as customers shift to our growing portfolio of full solutions. We expect a stronger second half of the year, and we continue to target a revenue run rate of $1 billion for 2025 as we exit the year,” stated Mr. Kou.

    For the third quarter of 2025, management expects:

    ($ in millions, except percentages) GAAP Non-GAAP Adjustment Non-GAAP
    Revenue $219 to $228
    +10% to 15% Q/Q    		 — $219 to $228
    +10% to 15% Q/Q
    Gross margin 48.0% to 49.0% Approximately $0.1* 48.0% to 49.0%
    Operating margin 8.9% to 11.5% Approximately $6.5 to $7.5** 12.3% to 14.3%

    * Projected gross margin (non-GAAP) excludes $0.1 million of stock-based compensation.
    ** Projected operating margin (non-GAAP) excludes $6.5 million to $7.5 million of stock-based compensation and dispute related expenses.

    Conference Call & Webcast:

    The Company’s management team will conduct a conference call at 8:00 am Eastern Time on July 31, 2025.

    Conference Call Details
    Participants must register in advance to join the conference call using the link provided below. Conference access information (including dial-in information and a unique access PIN) will be provided in the email received upon registration.

    Participant Online Registration:
    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI9e8eb8a4d35743cfa957757c6a1207e2

    A webcast of the call will be available on the Company’s website at www.siliconmotion.com.

    Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    To supplement the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), the Company discloses certain non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation and other items, including gross profit (non-GAAP), gross margin (non-GAAP), operating expenses (non-GAAP), operating profit (non-GAAP), operating margin (non-GAAP), non-operating income (expense) (non-GAAP), net income (non-GAAP), and earnings per diluted ADS (non-GAAP). These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with or an alternative to GAAP and may be different from similarly-titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. We believe that these non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that these measures should only be used to evaluate the Company’s results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP measure. We compensate for the limitations of our non-GAAP financial measures by relying upon GAAP results to gain a complete picture of our performance.

    Our non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user’s overall understanding of our current financial performance and our prospects for the future. Specifically, we believe the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors as these non-GAAP results exclude certain expenses, gains and losses that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results and because they are consistent with the financial models and estimates published by many analysts who follow the Company. We use non-GAAP measures to evaluate the operating performance of our business, for comparison with our forecasts, and for benchmarking our performance externally against our competitors. Also, when evaluating potential acquisitions, we exclude the items described below from our consideration of the target’s performance and valuation. Since we find these measures to be useful, we believe that our investors benefit from seeing the results from management’s perspective in addition to seeing our GAAP results. We believe that these non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financials, provide useful information to investors by offering:

    • the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s on-going operating results;
    • the ability to better identify trends in the Company’s underlying business and perform related trend analysis;
    • a better understanding of how management plans and measures the Company’s underlying business; and
    • an easier way to compare the Company’s operating results against analyst financial models and operating results of our competitors that supplement their GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures.

    The following are explanations of each of the adjustments that we incorporate into our non-GAAP measures, as well as the reasons for excluding each of these individual items in our reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures:

    Stock-based compensation expense consists of non-cash charges related to the fair value of restricted stock units awarded to employees. The Company believes that the exclusion of these non-cash charges provides for more accurate comparisons of our operating results to our peer companies due to the varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of award types. In addition, the Company believes it is useful to investors to understand the specific impact of share-based compensation on its operating results.

    Restructuring charges relate to the restructuring of our underperforming product lines, principally the write-down of NAND flash, embedded DRAM and SSD inventory valuation and severance payments. 

    Dispute related expenses consist of legal, consultant, other fees and resolution related to the dispute.

    Foreign exchange loss (gain) consists of translation gains and/or losses of non-US$ denominated current assets and current liabilities, as well as certain other balance sheet items, which result from the appreciation or depreciation of non-US$ currencies against the US$. We do not use financial instruments to manage the impact on our operations from changes in foreign exchange rates, and because our operations are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, we therefore exclude foreign exchange gains and losses when presenting non-GAAP financial measures.

    Realized/Unrealized loss (gain) on investments relates to the disposal and net change in fair value of long-term investments.

    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (in thousands, except percentages and per ADS data, unaudited)
           
      For Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
      Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,
      2024    2025    2025    2024    2025 
      ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)
    Net sales   210,670       166,492       198,675       399,981       365,167  
    Cost of sales   113,893       88,125       103,988       218,084       192,113  
    Gross profit   96,777       78,367       94,687       181,897       173,054  
    Operating expenses                  
    Research & development   50,788       55,026       58,147       105,180       113,173  
    Sales & marketing   6,777       7,115       7,093       13,081       14,208  
    General & administrative   7,215       6,460       7,118       13,689       13,578  
    Loss from settlement of litigation   1,250       –       –       1,250       –  
    Operating income   30,747       9,766       22,329       48,697       32,095  
    Non-operating income (expense)                  
    Interest income, net   4,175       2,929       2,706       7,241       5,635  
    Foreign exchange gain (loss), net   245       373       (3,302 )     833       (2,929 )
    Realized/Unrealized gain(loss) on investments   1,855       3,296       (1,051 )     247       2,245  
    Others, net   –       –       1       –       1  
    Subtotal   6,275       6,598       (1,646 )     8,321       4,952  
    Income before income tax   37,022       16,364       20,683       57,018       37,047  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   6,201       (3,099 )     4,372       10,181       1,273  
    Net income   30,821       19,463       16,311       46,837       35,774  
                       
    Earnings per basic ADS   0.92       0.58       0.49       1.39       1.06  
    Earnings per diluted ADS   0.91       0.58       0.49       1.39       1.06  
                       
    Margin Analysis:                  
    Gross margin   45.9 %     47.1 %     47.7 %     45.5 %     47.4 %
    Operating margin   14.6 %     5.9 %     11.2 %     12.2 %     8.8 %
    Net margin   14.6 %     11.7 %     8.2 %     11.7 %     9.8 %
                       
    Additional Data:                  
    Weighted avg. ADS equivalents   33,684       33,634       33,557       33,596       33,596  
    Diluted ADS equivalents   33,697       33,827       33,562       33,687       33,681  
                                           
    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results
    (in thousands, except percentages and per ADS data, unaudited)
           
      For Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
      Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,
      2024       2025       2025       2024       2025  
    ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)
    Gross profit (GAAP)   96,777       78,367       94,687       181,897       173,054  
    Gross margin (GAAP)   45.9 %     47.1 %     47.7 %     45.5 %     47.4 %
    Stock-based compensation (A)   14       73       –       86       73  
    Restructuring charges   46       –       –       46       –  
    Gross profit (non-GAAP)   96,837       78,440       94,687       182,029       173,127  
    Gross margin (non-GAAP)   46.0 %     47.1 %     47.7 %     45.5 %     47.4 %
                       
    Operating expenses (GAAP)   66,030       68,601       72,358       133,200       140,959  
    Stock-based compensation (A)   (371 )     (4,738 )     (175 )     (3,464 )     (4,913 )
    Dispute related expenses   (3,527 )     (277 )     (2,841 )     (5,059 )     (3,118 )
    Operating expenses (non-GAAP)   62,132       63,586       69,342       124,677       132,928  
                       
    Operating profit (GAAP)   30,747       9,766       22,329       48,697       32,095  
    Operating margin (GAAP)   14.6 %     5.9 %     11.2 %     12.2 %     8.8 %
    Total adjustments to operating profit   3,958       5,088       3,016       8,655       8,104  
    Operating profit (non-GAAP)   34,705       14,854       25,345       57,352       40,199  
    Operating margin (non-GAAP)   16.5 %     8.9 %     12.8 %     14.3 %     11.0 %
                       
    Non-operating income (expense) (GAAP)   6,275       6,598       (1,646 )     8,321       4,952  
    Foreign exchange loss (gain), net   (245 )     (373 )     3,302       (833 )     2,929  
    Unrealized holding loss (gain) on investments   (1,855 )     (3,296 )     1,051       (247 )     (2,245 )
                       
    Non-operating income (expense) (non-GAAP)   4,175       2,929       2,707       7,241       5,636  
                       
    Net income (GAAP)   30,821       19,463       16,311       46,837       35,774  
    Total pre-tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments   1,858       1,419       7,369       7,575       8,788  
    Income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments   (218 )     (610 )     (670 )     (365 )     (1,280 )
    Net income (non-GAAP)   32,461       20,272       23,010       54,047       43,282  
                       
    Earnings per diluted ADS (GAAP) $ 0.91     $ 0.58     $ 0.49     $ 1.39     $ 1.06  
    Earnings per diluted ADS (non-GAAP) $ 0.96     $ 0.60     $ 0.69     $ 1.60     $ 1.28  
                       
    Shares used in computing earnings per diluted ADS (GAAP)   33,697       33,827       33,562       33,687       33,681  
    Non-GAAP adjustments   18       20       18       23       33  
    Shares used in computing earnings per diluted ADS (non-GAAP)   33,715       33,847       33,580       33,710       33,714  
                       
    (A)Excludes stock-based compensation as follows:                  
    Cost of sales   14       73       –       86       73  
    Research & development   94       3,003       55       2,237       3,058  
    Sales & marketing   173       862       79       520       941  
    General & administrative   104       873       41       707       914  
                                           

                  

    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands, unaudited)
                           
        Jun. 30,       Mar. 31,       Jun. 30,  
        2024       2025       2025  
        ($)       ($)       ($)  
    Cash and cash equivalents   289,175       275,140       208,043  
    Accounts receivable (net)   191,692       206,693       220,924  
    Inventories   240,811       180,903       208,005  
    Refundable deposits – current   51,036       53,015       70,308  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   31,460       32,102       68,040  
    Total current assets   804,174       747,853       775,320  
    Long-term investments   17,301       20,636       19,620  
    Property and equipment (net)   179,550       193,603       208,826  
    Other assets   29,121       29,310       29,997  
    Total assets   1,030,146       991,402       1,033,763  
                           
    Accounts payable   36,411       23,048       37,455  
    Income tax payable   14,103       14,782       17,370  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   134,947       130,277       134,377  
    Total current liabilities   185,461       168,107       189,202  
    Other liabilities   60,182       50,968       55,620  
    Total liabilities   245,643       219,075       244,822  
    Shareholders’ equity   784,503       772,327       788,941  
    Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity   1,030,146       991,402       1,033,763  
                           
    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (in thousands, unaudited)
           
      For Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
      Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,
        2024       2025       2025       2024       2025  
      ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)
    Net income   30,821       19,463       16,311       46,837       35,774  
    Depreciation & amortization   5,802       7,225       7,445       11,411       14,670  
    Stock-based compensation   385       4,811       175       3,550       4,986  
    Investment losses (gain) & disposals   (1,855 )     (3,309 )     1,053       (247 )     (2,256 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities   (13,660 )     22,082       (42,258 )     (32,246 )     (20,176 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   21,493       50,272       (17,274 )     29,305       32,998  
                       
    Purchase of property & equipment   (10,427 )     (11,661 )     (15,551 )     (21,176 )     (27,212 )
    Proceeds from disposal of properties   –       13       –       –       13  
    Net cash used in investing activities   (10,427 )     (11,648 )     (15,551 )     (21,176 )     (27,199 )
                       
    Dividend payments   (16,820 )     (16,956 )     (16,746 )     (33,629 )     (33,702 )
    Share repurchases   –       (24,291 )     (21 )     –       (24,312 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (16,820 )     (41,247 )     (16,767 )     (33,629 )     (58,014 )
                       
    Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents & restricted cash   (5,754 )     (2,623 )     (49,592 )     (25,500 )     (52,215 )
    Effect of foreign exchange changes   86       37       124       121       161  
    Cash, cash equivalents & restricted cash—beginning of period   349,279       334,333       331,747       368,990       334,333  
    Cash, cash equivalents & restricted cash—end of period   343,611       331,747       282,279       343,611       282,279  
                       

    About Silicon Motion:

    We are the global leader in supplying NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices. We supply more SSD controllers than any other company in the world for servers, PCs and other client devices and are the leading merchant supplier of eMMC and UFS embedded storage controllers used in smartphones, IoT devices and other applications.  We also supply customized high-performance hyperscale data center and specialized industrial and automotive SSD solutions. Our customers include most of the NAND flash vendors, storage device module makers and leading OEMs.  For further information on Silicon Motion, visit us at www.siliconmotion.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements:
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on them. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual market trends or our actual results of operations, financial condition or business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the unpredictable volume and timing of customer orders, which are not fixed by contract but vary on a purchase order basis; the loss of one or more key customers or the significant reduction, postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of orders from one or more customers; general economic conditions or conditions in the semiconductor or consumer electronics markets; the impact of inflation on our business and customer’s businesses and any effect this has on economic activity in the markets in which we operate; the functionalities and performance of our information technology (“IT”) systems, which are subject to cybersecurity threats and which support our critical operational activities, and any breaches of our IT systems or those of our customers, suppliers, partners and providers of third-party licensed technology; the effects on our business and our customer’s business taking into account the ongoing U.S.-China tariffs and trade disputes; the uncertainties associated with any future global or regional pandemic; the continuing tensions between Taiwan and China, including enhanced military activities; decreases in the overall average selling prices of our products; changes in the relative sales mix of our products; changes in our cost of finished goods; supply chain disruptions that have affected us and our industry as well as other industries on a global basis; the payment, or non-payment, of cash dividends in the future at the discretion of our Board of Directors and any announced planned increases in such dividends; changes in our cost of finished goods; the availability, pricing, and timeliness of delivery of other components and raw materials used in the products we sell given the current raw material supply shortages being experienced in our industry; our customers’ sales outlook, purchasing patterns, and inventory adjustments based on consumer demands and general economic conditions; any potential impairment charges that may be incurred related to businesses previously acquired or divested in the future; our ability to successfully develop, introduce, and sell new or enhanced products in a timely manner; and the timing of new product announcements or introductions by us or by our competitors. For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2025. Other than as required under the securities laws, we do not intend, and do not undertake any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Framework to Combat Foreign Online Piracy, Protect American Copyright Holders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a discussion draft of the Block Bad Electronic Art and Recording Distributors (Block BEARD) Act of 2025 bipartisan legislation that would allow copyright owners, who have had their property stolen, to seek U.S. federal court action to block dedicated foreign online piracy operations from making that stolen content available to American households. 

    “Foreign piracy sites are stealing from American creators, threatening good-paying jobs, and exposing U.S. consumers to real online harms via malware, identity theft, and the like,” said Senator Tillis. “The Block BEARD Act gives us a smart, targeted tool to stop these criminal operations at the source without infringing on legitimate speech or due process. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan discussion to protect our creative economy and digital security and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House to address this important matter.” 

    “Foreign websites pirating American movies, TV shows, art, and books steal tens of billions of dollars from the U.S. economy each year,” said Senator Coons. “This costs our creative community hundreds of thousands of jobs. Today, the United States takes an important step to join the many other nations around the world that have taken steps to crack down on foreign IP theft. This bipartisan legislation will give Americans the tools they need to protect their intellectual property rights, while ensuring the internet remains a vibrant forum for free speech. I look forward to working with my colleagues and with stakeholders on all sides of this issue to advance this much-needed bill.”

    “Tennessee’s thriving creative community must be protected from the theft of creative works by foreign criminals,” said Senator Blackburn. “Foreign piracy operations jeopardize the American creative industry through phishing, identity theft, and financial fraud, and the Block BEARD Act would protect creators by enabling them to pursue legal action in U.S. federal courts against these criminals.”

    “I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort to protect creators and consumers alike from foreign criminal enterprises seeking to steal our intellectual property and exploit Americans,” said Senator Schiff. “As Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and a steadfast advocate for the creative community, I understand that robust protections are essential for innovation and economic growth in the digital age. This commonsense approach will provide the courts with the tools they need to combat foreign piracy operations and help level the playing field for American artists and creators who deserve to be fairly compensated for their work.” 

     “We are grateful to Senators Tillis, Coons, Blackburn, and Schiff for their leadership in crafting a carefully tailored proposal that empowers US federal courts to protect consumers, rightsholders, and markets from large scale foreign piracy while preserving the protections contained in the DMCA,” said Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO, Recording Industry Association of America. “Similar tools have been proven effective around the world over the last ten years with no harm to speech, Internet infrastructure or security, or participation online, and we strongly support this effort to create a simple, effective, judicial remedy with due process in the U.S.”

    “Piracy steals hundreds of thousands of jobs from the film and television industry, drains billions from the U.S. economy, and puts millions of American consumers at risk – and the Block BEARD Act will provide us with a safe and effective way to counter this danger and combat large-scale copyright infringement,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Association. “With bold leadership from Senators Tillis, Coons, Blackburn, and Schiff, the Block BEARD Act will equip our nation with a tool that’s worked in dozens of countries worldwide: a narrow, targeted means to fight the worst forms of foreign piracy while protecting free speech and the rule of law.”

    Background:

    The Block BEARD Act would empower copyright owners to seek U.S. federal court orders against foreign websites dedicated to digital piracy, preventing them from making stolen content accessible to American households. To obtain relief, copyright holders must present evidence of specific harm and demonstrate the criminal nature of the targeted site. Courts could then direct internet service providers block access to the identified sites, while granting those providers immunity from liability, including for claims related to the petitioner’s actions.  The legislation includes strong public interest safeguards to protect free expression, due process, and legitimate online services operating in compliance with U.S. law. This targeted legal tool mirrors successful approaches used in over 50 democratic countries to curb foreign piracy operations that undermine creative industry jobs and expose users to malware, identity theft, and fraud.  

    Full text of the Block BEARD Act is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech and Security – Gen Threat Report Reveals Rise in Crypto, Sextortion and Tech Support Scams in an AI-Powered World

    Source: Gen

    Gen in New Zealand tracks 77,721% rise in crypto scams, 170% spike in sextortion scams, and 278% increase in malicious push notifications

    Auckland, 31 July 2025 – Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, MoneyLion and more, today released its Q2/2025 Gen Threat Report. This quarter was marked by the takedown of the first known ransomware developed using AI, and globally, a 21% growth in data breaches and a 340% increase in financial scams. The team of Gen researchers also found a 100% increase in sextortion scams and a surge in Tech Support Scams spreading through Facebook.

    New Zealand’s top threats in Q2/2025 were:

    ·        Malvertising

    ·        Scams (phishing, generic scams, E-shop scams, dating scams)

    “This quarter’s global tr

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Quick Custom Intelligence Secures Eight-Figure Investment from Curve Partners to Accelerate Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of Generative AI-driven analytics and operational software for casinos and resorts, today announced that it has secured a significant minority growth investment from Curve Partners. This strategic funding backs QCI’s current management team – led by co-founders Dr. Ralph Thomas and Andrew Cardno – to continue their remarkable growth trajectory and will fuel further acceleration of product expansion and global reach markets.financialcontent.com. The investment underscores confidence in QCI’s vision and provides significant capital to extend the company’s market leadership in the gaming resort technology sector.

    QCI’s co-founders weighed multiple investment offers over the past year before selecting Curve Partners as their growth partner. “For us, finding the right investment partner was critical,” said Dr. Ralph Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO of QCI. “We engaged with several potential investors, but Curve Partners stood out with their understanding of our industry and their commitment to helping companies like ours scale responsibly. This investment is not just capital – it’s a partnership that validates our vision and gives us additional firepower to accelerate product development and customer success.” QCI’s leadership was impressed by Curve’s focus on high-growth, founder-led companies and their enthusiasm for the resort systems space – the sophisticated software and analytics powering modern casino resorts. Curve’s team recognized QCI as the clear market leader in this domain, given QCI’s extensive deployment and innovation track record markets.financialcontent.com. The growth capital infusion not only validates QCI’s success to date but also positions the company for even faster expansion in the coming years.

    Landon Jaussi, Founder and Managing Partner at Curve Partners www.curvepartners.co, expressed his excitement about the new partnership. “QCI is everything we look for at Curve,” said Jaussi. “It is a bootstrapped, founder-led, and product-first company that is deeply respected by customers. As investors, we have been looking closely at the resort systems and gaming technology sector, and QCI stands out as a clear leader. Ralph and Andrew have built a powerful vertical SaaS platform with real technical depth and multi-product scale, all while remaining high growth and profitable. Their reputations in the industry are unmatched, and Curve is proud to support them as the first institutional investor and board member.”

    QCI’s recent growth and product diversification have been nothing short of remarkable. Key milestones over the past year include:

    • Global Expansion: QCI’s platform is now deployed in over 300 casino resorts worldwide, collectively managing more than $40 billion in annual gross gaming revenue markets.financialcontent.com. The company’s operational footprint spans 17 countries and 30 U.S. states, a reach that “cements the company’s position as a global leader in casino and resort intelligence” markets.financialcontent.com.
    • Product Suite Growth: In July 2025, QCI acquired VizExplorer, a renowned casino analytics and dispatch management software provider. This acquisition expanded QCI’s product suite and capabilities markets.financialcontent.com, establishing QCI as a “powerhouse in the casino and resort data activation world” with deeper solutions for the fast-diversifying gaming industry markets.financialcontent.com.

    “Having Curve Partners on board is a huge validation of what our team has built,” added Andrew Cardno, Co-Founder and CTO of QCI. “Curve’s support will help us double down on our product roadmap and global expansion plans. We believe this partnership will translate into even greater value for our customers as we continue to lead the market with cutting-edge solutions for the casino and resort industry.” According to Cardno, the funding will enable QCI to accelerate R&D in new features and AI capabilities while maintaining the company’s focus on customer success and innovation. Both co-founders emphasized that Curve’s investment aligns with QCI’s long-term strategy of sustainable, tech-driven growth in the hospitality gaming sector.

    About Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI)

    Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence-driven solution that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful real-time tools for the gaming and hospitality industries. QCI’s advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 300 casino resorts across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America and beyond, managing more than $40 billion in annual gross gaming revenue. The QCI platform is recognized as a best-in-class solution that enables fully coordinated activities across all aspects of casino and resort operations, helping operators make swift, data-informed decisions that optimize resources, increase profits, and enhance the guest experience. Co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno, QCI is headquartered in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Denver, and Phoenix. For more information, visit the QCI website at quickcustomintelligence.com.

    About Curve Partners

    Founded by Landon Jaussi, former TCV investor, Curve Partners (www.curvepartners.co) invests in leading, bootstrapped technology companies at early-growth inflection points. The firm partners with exceptional, founder-led teams building capital-efficient businesses in B2B and B2B2C software and data platforms. Curve Partners’ investment approach centers on providing strategic support and capital to help companies scale sustainably and achieve market leadership.

    Legal counsel for Curve Partners was provided by Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

    ABOUT Andrew Cardno

    Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master’s level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew’s innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today’s mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew’s impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew’s work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors.

    ABOUT Dr. Ralph Thomas

    Dr. Ralph Thomas is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quick Custom Intelligence. Ralph is a product visionary in applied analytics and the founder of two companies that deliver solutions in casino gaming, education, and adult learning. As a gaming industry veteran, Dr. Thomas has substantial experience implementing analytics into single and multi-property gaming companies to drive tangible and measurable gains to the bottom line and has built business intelligence tools for multibillion-dollar casinos. Dr. Thomas is co-author of seven books and over 80 articles on applied analytics and data science in gaming, an inventor on dozens of patents, and understands gaming from raw data up through casino operations, giving him a unique, 360-degree view of the industry.

    Contact:

    Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence

    Phone: 858-349-8354

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Quick Custom Intelligence Secures Eight-Figure Investment from Curve Partners to Accelerate Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of Generative AI-driven analytics and operational software for casinos and resorts, today announced that it has secured a significant minority growth investment from Curve Partners. This strategic funding backs QCI’s current management team – led by co-founders Dr. Ralph Thomas and Andrew Cardno – to continue their remarkable growth trajectory and will fuel further acceleration of product expansion and global reach markets.financialcontent.com. The investment underscores confidence in QCI’s vision and provides significant capital to extend the company’s market leadership in the gaming resort technology sector.

    QCI’s co-founders weighed multiple investment offers over the past year before selecting Curve Partners as their growth partner. “For us, finding the right investment partner was critical,” said Dr. Ralph Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO of QCI. “We engaged with several potential investors, but Curve Partners stood out with their understanding of our industry and their commitment to helping companies like ours scale responsibly. This investment is not just capital – it’s a partnership that validates our vision and gives us additional firepower to accelerate product development and customer success.” QCI’s leadership was impressed by Curve’s focus on high-growth, founder-led companies and their enthusiasm for the resort systems space – the sophisticated software and analytics powering modern casino resorts. Curve’s team recognized QCI as the clear market leader in this domain, given QCI’s extensive deployment and innovation track record markets.financialcontent.com. The growth capital infusion not only validates QCI’s success to date but also positions the company for even faster expansion in the coming years.

    Landon Jaussi, Founder and Managing Partner at Curve Partners www.curvepartners.co, expressed his excitement about the new partnership. “QCI is everything we look for at Curve,” said Jaussi. “It is a bootstrapped, founder-led, and product-first company that is deeply respected by customers. As investors, we have been looking closely at the resort systems and gaming technology sector, and QCI stands out as a clear leader. Ralph and Andrew have built a powerful vertical SaaS platform with real technical depth and multi-product scale, all while remaining high growth and profitable. Their reputations in the industry are unmatched, and Curve is proud to support them as the first institutional investor and board member.”

    QCI’s recent growth and product diversification have been nothing short of remarkable. Key milestones over the past year include:

    • Global Expansion: QCI’s platform is now deployed in over 300 casino resorts worldwide, collectively managing more than $40 billion in annual gross gaming revenue markets.financialcontent.com. The company’s operational footprint spans 17 countries and 30 U.S. states, a reach that “cements the company’s position as a global leader in casino and resort intelligence” markets.financialcontent.com.
    • Product Suite Growth: In July 2025, QCI acquired VizExplorer, a renowned casino analytics and dispatch management software provider. This acquisition expanded QCI’s product suite and capabilities markets.financialcontent.com, establishing QCI as a “powerhouse in the casino and resort data activation world” with deeper solutions for the fast-diversifying gaming industry markets.financialcontent.com.

    “Having Curve Partners on board is a huge validation of what our team has built,” added Andrew Cardno, Co-Founder and CTO of QCI. “Curve’s support will help us double down on our product roadmap and global expansion plans. We believe this partnership will translate into even greater value for our customers as we continue to lead the market with cutting-edge solutions for the casino and resort industry.” According to Cardno, the funding will enable QCI to accelerate R&D in new features and AI capabilities while maintaining the company’s focus on customer success and innovation. Both co-founders emphasized that Curve’s investment aligns with QCI’s long-term strategy of sustainable, tech-driven growth in the hospitality gaming sector.

    About Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI)

    Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence-driven solution that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful real-time tools for the gaming and hospitality industries. QCI’s advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 300 casino resorts across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America and beyond, managing more than $40 billion in annual gross gaming revenue. The QCI platform is recognized as a best-in-class solution that enables fully coordinated activities across all aspects of casino and resort operations, helping operators make swift, data-informed decisions that optimize resources, increase profits, and enhance the guest experience. Co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno, QCI is headquartered in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Denver, and Phoenix. For more information, visit the QCI website at quickcustomintelligence.com.

    About Curve Partners

    Founded by Landon Jaussi, former TCV investor, Curve Partners (www.curvepartners.co) invests in leading, bootstrapped technology companies at early-growth inflection points. The firm partners with exceptional, founder-led teams building capital-efficient businesses in B2B and B2B2C software and data platforms. Curve Partners’ investment approach centers on providing strategic support and capital to help companies scale sustainably and achieve market leadership.

    Legal counsel for Curve Partners was provided by Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

    ABOUT Andrew Cardno

    Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master’s level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew’s innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today’s mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew’s impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew’s work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors.

    ABOUT Dr. Ralph Thomas

    Dr. Ralph Thomas is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quick Custom Intelligence. Ralph is a product visionary in applied analytics and the founder of two companies that deliver solutions in casino gaming, education, and adult learning. As a gaming industry veteran, Dr. Thomas has substantial experience implementing analytics into single and multi-property gaming companies to drive tangible and measurable gains to the bottom line and has built business intelligence tools for multibillion-dollar casinos. Dr. Thomas is co-author of seven books and over 80 articles on applied analytics and data science in gaming, an inventor on dozens of patents, and understands gaming from raw data up through casino operations, giving him a unique, 360-degree view of the industry.

    Contact:

    Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence

    Phone: 858-349-8354

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mrvan Holds Workforce Roundtable

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN)

    Gary, IN – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01) and Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) held a Workforce Roundtable through their roles with the New Democrat Coalition with Northwest Indiana representatives of organized labor, higher education institutions, and local nonprofit organizations to discuss the federal government’s role in strengthening the workforce through education and training initiatives.  

    The roundtable included representatives from the Center of Workforce Innovations, the Construction Advancement Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Michiana, IBEW Union 6th District, the Indiana Plan, Ironworkers Local Union 395, Ivy Tech Community College, the Northwest Indiana Building Constructions Trade Council, Operating Engineers Local Union 150, United Steelworkers Local Unions 1010 and 1014, and United Way Northwest Indiana.

    Congressman Mrvan stated, “Thank you to Rep. Budzinski, all of our colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition, and all of the participants today for this discussion on how we can continue to collaborate together to create more work and wealth in Northwest Indiana and communities across our country.  Northwest Indiana is a community of people who work hard to get ahead, and I am grateful that this conversation can focus on the invaluable contributions from labor unions and their apprenticeship programs, nonprofits with dedicated job training resources, and technical education programs offered at high schools and institutions of higher education.  This region’s commitment to education and training sends a clear message that Northwest Indiana is not only open for business, but we have the skilled workforce to get the job done.”

    Congresswoman Budzinski stated, “I was excited to join Congressman Mrvan for our seventh New Dems on the Road stop to talk about a workforce development agenda that meets the demands of the 21st century economy.  As a trade unionist, I know that a traditional four-year degree is far from the only path to a successful career – in fact, programs like registered apprenticeships offer incredible opportunities for folks to learn in-demand skills and get connected with good-paying jobs. It was great to hear from union leaders, community colleges, and local nonprofits about the work they’re doing in Indiana to expand access to these job training programs, and I look forward to bringing the insights from this conversation back to Washington, DC.”

    For additional information on the New Democrat Coalition workforce initiatives, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall & Baldwin Introduce Legislation to End Dairy Mislabeling

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) to introduce the bipartisan Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2025. This legislation will ensure that non-dairy products cannot engage in duplicitous labeling practices, such as calling non-dairy imitation products “milk” or “yogurt” that do not contain dairy and are instead from a plant, nut, or grain.
    “Consumers deserve clear, honest labels on the products they purchase. Misleading labels on non-dairy products, which are often nutritionally inferior, cause confusion and undermine the value of real dairy,” said Senator Marshall. “With 90% of Americans falling short of daily dairy intake recommendations, milk stands out as an excellent source of critical nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin D, essential for building strong bones in kids and adults. These imitation products not only fail to match the 13 essential nutrients found in whole milk but also harm dairy farmers who tirelessly meet rigorous health standards to deliver the most nutritious drink known to man.”
    “Wisconsin is known across the world as America’s Dairyland because our hardworking dairy farmers produce the best products with the highest nutritional value,” said Senator Baldwin. “But, for far too long, imitation dairy products made from plants and nuts have ridden the coattails of our dairy farmers and gotten away with using dairy’s good name without meeting those standards. I’m proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to settle this once and for all by requiring the federal government to stop these imitation products of lesser nutritional value from using labels like milk, cheese, and yogurt.”
    The legislation was cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota).
    “Dairy comes from cows, goats, and sheep—not almonds. Plant-based products’ misleading branding is a disservice to consumers and the farmers who dedicate their lives to making the nutritious dairy products Idahoans enjoy,” said Senator Risch. “The DAIRY PRIDE Act requires the FDA to enforce accurate definitions for dairy terminology, end deceptive labeling, and advocate for the farmers who feed us.”
    “As an Aroostook County native, I know how essential the dairy industry is to Maine’s economy and how hard our state’s dairy farmers work to produce nutritious milk, yogurt, cheese, and other products. It is unfair for non-dairy products to capitalize on milk’s nutritious brand,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would help protect our dairy farmers and the quality of their goods by requiring non-dairy producers to accurately label their products.”
    “Our dairy farms are the heart of Vermont’s economy, our history, and our communities.  The work they do should be protected and supported. That’s why I’m proud to join Senators Baldwin, Risch, and Collins in introducing the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act,” said Senator Welch. “This bill will give our farmers much needed support and correct FDA’s misguided efforts to allow non-dairy products to use dairy names—giving dairy farmers the protections they need to thrive.”
    This legislation is supported by the National Milk Producers Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation, EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Idaho Dairymen’s Association, and Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI).
    Click here to read the full bill text.
    Background:

    Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations define dairy products as being from animals. But the most recent FDA guidance on fluid dairy products allows plant-based alternatives to continue to use dairy terms despite not containing dairy.
    The DAIRY PRIDE Act would require the FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled imitation dairy products within 90 days and require the FDA to report to Congress two years after enactment to hold the agency accountable for this update in its enforcement obligations.
    Senator Marshall understands the nutritional importance of real, whole dairy products. He introduced the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would expand healthy milk options in schools by reversing the Obama-era law that took whole milk out of school cafeterias.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: HERE and EROAD Deepen Collaboration to Transform Trucking in Australia and New Zealand

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • EROAD to launch first-ever vehicle-aware navigation application in Oceania, powered by HERE’s advanced platform and vehicle-specific data.
    • Partnership addresses critical challenges in the freight sector, including safety, productivity and compliance.

    Australia – HERE Technologies, a global leader in digital mapping and location data, is expanding its collaboration with EROAD, a leading provider of fleet management and telematics solutions, to power EROAD’s first vehicle-aware navigation application for Oceania. The solution will be available in Australia and New Zealand and is designed to enhance driver safety, fleet efficiency and regulatory compliance. The new solution will be built on the HERE platform, leveraging advanced routing services and truck-specific data. 

    This deepened partnership reflects both companies’ shared commitment to delivering innovative transport solutions tailored to the needs of commercial vehicle and fleet operators globally. By combining HERE’s location intelligence with EROAD’s operational expertise, the partnership aims to improve delivery accuracy, simplify route planning, and elevate the day-to-day experience for both drivers and fleet managers.

    Built for Fleets, Designed for Drivers

    EROAD’s new vehicle-aware navigation application draws on key capabilities from HERE WeGo Pro, a mobile-first, professional-grade application that transforms centrally planned routes into real-time, turn-by-turn guidance. Designed specifically for commercial fleets, the new solution offers:

    • Truck-specific routing that considers vehicle dimensions, cargo type and road restrictions.
    • Real-time traffic updates are refreshed every five minutes across the entire road network.
    • Multi-stop tour planning and predictive ETAs for SLA-compliant deliveries.
    • Offline functionality for uninterrupted service in remote areas.
    • Driver-centric design that reduces stress and supports retention.

    “Our partnership with EROAD is critical in shaping the future of truck-specific navigation in the region,” said Deon Newman, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific at HERE Technologies. “With the HERE platform at its core, the vehicle-aware navigation application enables fleets to gain real-time insights, optimised truck routes, and critical alerts to prevent incidents like bridge strikes. It also helps operators remain compliant with road regulations, avoid costly fines and reduce operational risks. This level of intelligent navigation empowers fleets to operate more efficiently while enhancing safety and elevating the driver experience.”

    Growing Demand in Oceania for Smarter, Connected Vehicle Technologies

    The launch comes at a critical time for Australia and New Zealand’s transport and logistics sector. According to a recent report by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the installed base of fleet management systems in ANZ is projected to reach 2.7 million units by 20281, reflecting the growing demand for smarter, more connected vehicle technologies.

    Meanwhile, the industry faces mounting pressure from a looming driver shortage. A report by The International Road Transport Union highlights that 47% of Australia’s truck drivers are over the age of 55, with more than 21% expected to retire by 20292. The country is already short nearly 28,000 heavy vehicle drivers, underscoring the urgent need for tools that can support both new and experienced drivers on the road.

    “Oceania’s transport and logistics sector is under immense pressure – from driver shortages to rising delivery demands and increasingly complex compliance requirements,” said Mark Davidson, Chief Product Officer at EROAD. “With our expanded partnership with HERE, we’re equipping our customers with a solution that not only helps them navigate these challenges, but also positions them to operate more safely, efficiently, and competitively in a rapidly evolving market.”

    To learn more about HERE’s truck-optimised navigation capabilities, visit https://www.here.com/products/wego-pro

    Media Contacts 

    EROAD
    Rich Llewellyn
    027 523 2362
    richard@shanahan.nz

    HERE Technologies
    Vanessa Lee
    +65 9188 6199
    Vanessa.lee@here.com

    About EROAD

    EROAD (NZX/ASX: ERD) is a hardware-enabled SaaS company delivering safety, compliance, sustainability and efficiency solutions for complex fleets.
    Its connected platform is used by commercial and government operators across New Zealand, Australia and North America to manage vehicles, assets and drivers with greater visibility and control. EROAD supports demanding, highly regulated fleet operations, including those moving food, concrete and aggregates, enabling them to operate smarter, safer and more sustainably. EROAD’s platform is built on a foundation of regulatory expertise, having delivered the world’s first GPS-based road user charging system in New Zealand, where it remains the market leader today.

    About HERE Technologies
    HERE has been a pioneer in mapping and location technology for 40 years. Today, HERE’s location platform is recognized as the most complete in the industry, powering location-based products, services and custom maps for organizations and enterprises across the globe. From autonomous driving and seamless logistics to new mobility experiences, HERE allows its partners and customers to innovate while retaining control over their data and safeguarding privacy. Find out how HERE is moving the world forward at here.com.

    1Fleet Management in Australia and New Zealand – 9th Edition
    2Global Truck Driver Shortage Report 2024

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Optus partners with Nokia to strengthen reliability of Voice with cloud-native solution supporting the deployment of new 5G enhanced voice services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Optus partners with Nokia to strengthen reliability of Voice with cloud-native solution supporting the deployment of new 5G enhanced voice services

    • Optus to utilize Nokia’s cloud-native Cloud Native Communication Suite (CNCS) to drive the deployment of new highly resilient 5G voice services and streamline network activities, enhanced automation and reduced manual interventions.
    • CNCS will be deployed on the Red Hat OpenShift.
    • Deal swaps out competitor and is the latest Nokia Core win in the Oceania region.

    31 July 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Optus, the second largest operator in Australia, is extending its existing partnership with Nokia and has contracted the company to refresh its Voice Platform (IP Multimedia Subsystem – IMS) and deliver highly resilient cloud-native voice services. Voice is an important service for Australia, and with this new platform Optus will deliver highly reliable and efficient 5G voice services to over 10 million customers.

    Nokia’s IMS platform (Cloud Native Communication Suite – CNCS) is cloud native, operationally efficient and has lower energy consumption, making it the right platform for addressing the needs of Australian consumers.

    “Reliability is the cornerstone of Optus’ Network strategy, and Voice is one of the most critical services provided by Optus. Nokia CNCS provides us with a new and highly flexible pathway that will allow us to improve network resiliency, security and enhance the subscriber experience with better and faster time-to-market services, through both on-premise and cloud deployment that assists in better quality and customer experience through a matrix of intelligent automation tools,” said Tony Baird, Chief Technology Officer at Optus.

    The containerized CNCS will be run on Red Hat OpenShift, the leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes, which is also Optus’ preferred CaaS provider.

    “We are pleased to further expand our Optus collaboration with Nokia’s cloud-native CNCS architecture and accelerate the delivery of new 5G services in multi-cloud environments with intelligent automation and intent-based operations. By simplifying network complexity, CNCS allows operators to respond faster to customer needs and deliver a superior, frictionless experience,” said Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia. 

    The Nokia Core Network portfolio is fully cloud native which makes it much easier for operators to run their full 4G/5G Core in cloud-native network functions.

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Government releases important review into the Over-Representation of First Nations People in the ACT Criminal Justice System

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 30/07/2025 – Joint media release

    The ACT Government has today released the Jumbunna Institute’s final report of its Independent Review into the Over-Representation of First Nations People in the ACT Criminal Justice System.

    This comprehensive report was commissioned by the ACT Government to help address this significant issue in our community.

    The ACT Government thanks the Jumbunna Institute for this extensive and comprehensive report.

    The review contains 99 recommendations that span across the spectrum of ACT Government, including corrective services, community supports, policing, courts and sentencing, the administration of bail, youth justice, child protection, and education.

    The recommendations range across numerous themes including the need to address systemic racism, improved access to data, increased First Nations involvement in governance structures, and increased accountability.

    It has also identified the need to build on and expand important government programs and services that already exist in youth justice, child protection, the Galambany Court, bail support, post-release support and detainee programs.

    The ACT Government remains committed to reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our justice system.

    As this review shows, this is a complex challenge that will require a whole-of-government and community approach.

    Given the large number of recommendations, we will now consider the review thoroughly before providing an interim response in September.

    In developing this report, the Jumbunna Institute undertook extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and organisations, as well as non-Aboriginal organisations with First Nations programs and staff.

    Key ACT Government stakeholders were also included in the consultation process, including ACT Policing, ACT Corrective Services, ACT Courts and Tribunal and the Education Directorate.

    There is a significant amount of evidence contained in the Final Report of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s lived experience and history. The ACT Government acknowledges the courage of those sharing their perspectives and experiences and is committed to hearing and responding to their contributions.

    Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Tara Cheyne:

    “This review provides an honest and critical assessment of how our justice system affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It reinforces the need to ensure that our laws, institutions and processes deliver justice fairly and equitably for everyone.

    “As Attorney-General, I take seriously the responsibility to lead reforms that uphold human rights, build public trust, and ensure better outcomes for First Nations people. I recognise this report lays bare that for change to occur, the recommendations need to be considered in totality and through their interconnectedness, and all parts and levels of Government need to share a commitment to achieving better outcomes. We will consider the recommendations in full and work closely with community and across government to deliver meaningful change.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Suzanne Orr:

    “The over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the justice system is one of the starkest examples of where our systems and institutions are failing.

    “While other states and territories may be walking back their commitments for justice reform this report is the start of the ACT walking with community to do much much more.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Yvette Berry:

    “This report highlights the need for our education system to be a safe and supportive space for all students, and to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can thrive.

    “We are committed to embedding cultural safety, inclusive practices, and trauma-informed responses in our schools. Education must play a leading role in breaking cycles of disadvantage and ensuring every young person is supported to succeed.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections and Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Marisa Paterson:

    “The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our justice system is unacceptable and must change. This report is an important reminder of work still to be done.”

    “ACT Corrective Services has already begun work to improve outcomes, but this review provides a valuable and necessary roadmap for deeper reform. I am committed to ensuring our correctional system is safe, culturally appropriate, and genuinely rehabilitative.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Michael Pettersson:

    “This report reinforces the urgent need to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the justice system.

    “We are committed to supporting initiatives to divert young people away from the system and providing a trauma informed and culturally safe response.”

    Quotes attributable to Chris Cunneen, Professor of Criminology at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney

    “Jumbunna has provided the ACT Government with a comprehensive blueprint for tackling the problem of First Nations over-representation in the criminal legal system.

    “Our report has practical recommendations for reform related to a range of matters involving child protection, youth justice, policing, bail, sentencing, the AMC and post-release support.

    “The report also has proposals aimed at more structural issues including addressing systemic racism and improving processes for First Nations decision-making and government accountability.

    “We particularly acknowledge the wide support and participation we received from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT.”

    – Statement ends –

    Tara Cheyne, MLA | Suzanne Orr, MLA | Yvette Berry, MLA | Marisa Paterson, MLA | Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reform of import health systems begins

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is taking decisive steps to modernise New Zealand’s import health system, with a new programme aimed at significantly reducing the time it takes to develop Import Health Standards (IHSs) while maintaining the country’s world-class biosecurity protections.

    Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the current regulatory framework is over 30 years old and is struggling to adapt to today’s fast-moving global trade environment.

    “The way we develop import health standards hasn’t kept pace with the demands of modern trade and innovation. We need a system that is faster, smarter, and more responsive, without compromising our biosecurity.”

    A regulatory efficiency programme is now underway to transform the IHS development process.

    “The programme will make IHSs easier to use and understand for industry, but also much faster to develop.”  

    Mr Hoggard says one of the most promising innovations is the use of generative artificial intelligence to support pest risk analysis, standards drafting, and consultation materials.

    “We’ve already seen successful proof-of-concept trials that show AI can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete key parts of the IHS process. This is about using smart tools to do the heavy lifting, so our experts can focus on the decisions that matter most.”

    A key pilot project is the reform of the Plant Nursery Stock import system, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started work reforming the plant import system in collaboration with importers and growers.

    “Our plant-based industries need safe and efficient access to new plant material to stay competitive, improve productivity, adapt to climate change, and meet evolving consumer preferences. We’re working closely with industry to co-design a system that works for users, supports access to new plant genetics, and protects our environment.
    These protections underpin the work of our farmers and growers, and the $59.9 billion primary sector.

    Once fully delivered, this reform programme will mean faster approvals for imported goods that New Zealand businesses need and the removal of unnecessary restrictions to growth and productivity, while still maintaining strong biosecurity protections.”

    We’re committed to building a system that supports growth, innovation, and resilience for the years ahead,” Mr Hoggard says.
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Opening Remarks on Protecting Online Data

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, delivered the following opening statement at the subcommittee hearing titled “Protecting the Virtual You: Safeguarding Americans’ Online Data.”

    Testifying at the hearing was Alan Butler, Executive Director and President of the Electronic Privacy Information Center; Samuel Levine, Senior Fellow at the UC Berkeley Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice; Kate Goodloe, Managing Director at the Business Software Alliance; Paul Martino, General Counsel at the Main Street Privacy Coalition; and Joel Thayer, President of the Digital Progress Institute.

    A rough transcript of Klobuchar’s full opening statement is available below and a video can be downloaded here.

    Senator Klobuchar: Well. Thank you very much, Chair Blackburn, and thank you to all of our witnesses, and I’m really grateful for your leadership on these issues, Madam Chair, and your willingness to work with me and Senator Blumenthal and many others. 

    We all know new technologies have made it easier for people to monitor their health, collaborate with colleagues, communicate with loved ones, and more. But federal law doesn’t do enough, as we all know, to address the privacy that comes with these innovations, the privacy concerns.

    Technology companies collect an enormous amount of personal information about our daily lives. They know what we buy, who our friends are, where we live, where we work and travel, even how much we would be willing to pay for something. Yet, for too long, the big tech companies, many of which dominate the market that they operate in, have been telling American consumers, “Just trust us,” even though their business models are designed to collect personal information and to use it for profit. 

    The bottom line is that we are the product, we are, and that’s how many tech companies make their money, and a lot of it. In 2024, Google and Meta earned a combined $420 billion in advertising revenues alone. And they made a lot more money because Americans lack privacy protections. An American’s data earned Meta $68 in a single quarter last year. Think about that, all these people who don’t realize that they’re being tracked. But a European Facebook user with a comprehensive privacy protection only generated $23, and that money can be used for a lot of other things that people need right now.

    And it seems like every day we hear a new story about companies playing fast and loose with data and taking advantage of customers. Earlier this year, a whistleblower from Facebook, now Meta, testified to another subcommittee about how the company would track users so closely that it could identify when teenage girls felt emotionally vulnerable and then target them with ads exploiting these emotions. For example, when a teenage girl would delete a selfie, Facebook might serve her an ad for diet products. 

    Criminals also view huge troves of data as attractive targets for hacking. We’ve seen major data breaches ranging from the 2017 Equifax database breach that exposed sensitive financial information from more than 140 million individuals to the hack of Change Healthcare, affecting 190 million people and causing more than 100 electronic systems vital to the U.S. health care system to be shut down. 

    On my way here, I was on the phone with the mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, because they, like so many other jurisdictions, are responding to a targeted cyber-attack on their IT infrastructure, which has shut down some of the city’s digital services and may have compromised city employee data. 

    Once in the hands of criminals, data can be used for everything from identity theft to more serious crimes. And we all learned too tragically with the horrific murders in my state of my good friend Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the House, and her husband Mark how accessible personal data is, including people’s addresses, because the murderer only killed the people and went to the houses of the people whose addresses he had. 

    Businesses are also using personal data collected across the internet in novel ways, such as to set individualized prices designed to increase costs for consumers.

    Should a person, and this is a question we have to ask as Senators, really have to submit to this kind of intrusive data collection just to send a message to a friend online, to book a flight, or to order some diapers? I don’t think so. 

    That’s why more than 20 states have stepped in. I suspect today we’ll hear from some of our witnesses about the patchwork of state laws. I agree it’s a problem, but I believe we should have passed privacy legislation many, many years ago. I advocated for it back then. We tried, and in fact, in [2024], I [worked on] a comprehensive privacy bill with Senator Cantwell and Kathy McMorris Rogers, a former Republican House member. The bill would have required companies to collect only the information necessary to provide the goods and services that consumers sought, ensured consumers consented before their personal data was shared with third parties, and put consumers in control of their data by allowing them to access, correct, and even delete personal data. 

    But many of the businesses that today complain about the burden of complying with the patchwork of state laws, I have the advantage of having been there then, even before Maria Cantwell’s bill was introduced, when the companies were lobbying against a federal privacy law, and now they’re back complaining about the patchwork of laws. And I would like to change that, but I do think it’s important to know that’s why we’re in the position that we are and to understand why some of these states are looking at this going, “Wait a minute.”

    The need for federal privacy reform is even more urgent as AI continues to expand its role in to our lives. Data is both the gasoline and the engine for AI models. That means that demand for our data is skyrocketing, so it is critical that we set guardrails to ensure the data that powers AI is responsibly sourced and used for legitimate means and protected when you want to have it protected. 

    Luckily, there is a bipartisan agreement that Congress needs to act. The Commerce Committee, on which Chair Blackburn and I also sit, has seen strong bipartisan, bicameral proposals for federal privacy reform. Not everyone agrees with all of them, but there has been some start out of that committee, and I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about why we need these guardrails now. 

    Thank you, Senator Blackburn.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Telnyx expands conversational AI stack with new audio, TTS, and integration capabilities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, TX, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Telnyx, a global leader in communications infrastructure, today announced a wave of platform updates that enhance the core capabilities of its conversational AI stack. The release includes Azure Neural HD text-to-speech, built-in noise suppression, MCP server integration, embeddable AI Agent widgets, and robust tools for versioning and testing. These features give developers more power and flexibility to build high-quality Voice AI Agents at scale while simplifying deployment and improving audio quality across every interaction.

    One of the most notable updates is the addition of Microsoft Azure Neural HD voices to Telnyx’s text-to-speech (TTS) lineup. These ultra-realistic voices offer expressive, human-like delivery and are trained on millions of multilingual utterances. Developers can now toggle between Telnyx-native and Azure Neural HD voices with a single parameter. With transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing and full support for bring-your-own-carrier (BYOC) routing, this update provides premium voice quality and total flexibility across voice experiences.

    Additionally, Telnyx has refreshed its own text-to-speech portfolio with crisper NaturalHD voices that add richer emotion, handle disfluencies such as “um” and “uh,” and even deliver light laughter. Developers can toggle among voice options via the AI Assistant Builder or with a single parameter in the Voice API or TeXML, keeping existing carrier routes and pay-as-you-go pricing so they can align audio quality with call intent and budget without changing their infrastructure.

    In parallel, Telnyx has enhanced the audio experience of its Voice AI Agents by introducing built-in noise suppression. This feature is designed to make conversations feel smoother and more lifelike, especially in real-world environments like mobile networks or shared spaces. Noise suppression filters out background sounds to ensure clarity, delivering a more engaging and professional voice experience right out of the box.

    Telnyx has expanded its transcription capabilities with support for Deepgram’s Nova 2 and Nova 3 speech-to-text models, bringing low-latency, production-grade transcription to Voice AI Agents. With advanced accuracy in noisy environments and built-in support for over 30 multilingual voices and dialects, Deepgram enables teams to deliver faster, more natural conversations across global use cases.

    Voice AI Agents now support direct integration with official Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. This significantly simplifies the process of connecting to public APIs that support the MCP standard. By removing the need for middleware or manual tooling, developers can set up integrations faster, reduce complexity, and unlock a broader range of use cases powered by third-party data and services.

    On the front-end, businesses can now deploy Voice AI Agents as a widget directly on their websites with a single snippet of code. The new widget functionality enables fully interactive voice agents to go live in minutes without needing additional development lift. This makes it easier than ever to add AI-powered voice support, lead capture, and automation to customer-facing experiences.

    Finally, Telnyx has rolled out versioning and testing tools for Voice AI Agents to help teams iterate with greater control. Developers can now create and manage multiple versions of an agent, test updates without impacting production, and safely deploy changes using A/B testing or canary releases. This update simplifies prompt engineering and provides a reliable workflow for improving agent behavior while minimizing risk, especially for high-volume or regulated deployments.

    With these updates, Telnyx continues to invest in a full-stack platform purpose-built for real-time conversational AI. Whether improving audio quality, simplifying integrations, enabling rapid testing, or accelerating deployment, every feature is designed to help teams launch faster and scale with confidence. These releases mark another step towards a more flexible, production-ready infrastructure for building intelligent voice experiences at scale.

    Experience the benefit of these features in your Voice AI Agents today at telnyx.com.

    About Telnyx: Telnyx delivers global, carrier-grade communications infrastructure combined with advanced conversational AI, providing businesses with reliable, scalable, and intelligent customer interaction solutions. Organizations worldwide choose Telnyx for its robust infrastructure, intuitive tools, and unmatched support.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Chief Information Officer Announces the State’s First Chief Privacy Officer

    Source: US State of Oregon

    regon Chief Information Officer Terrence Woods, Director of Enterprise Information Services (EIS), has appointed Nik Blosser as the state of Oregon’s first Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategist. The CPO will be charged with crafting the strategic vision for the state of Oregon relating to privacy, data protection, and AI. As the first-of-a-kind position in Oregon state government, the CPO must make strategic judgements and decisions relating to developing policy and as the AI Strategist, Nik will play a pivotal role in shaping Oregon’s AI landscape.

    “Adding a Chief Privacy Officer and AI Strategist to the team at EIS has been a goal of mine for a few years and I am excited to bring Nik onboard,” said Woods. “Nik will significantly enhance our ability to safeguard data, ensure compliance with privacy regulations, prioritize workforce AI literacy, and lead efforts to promote a culture of awareness across all state agencies, ultimately making Oregon a leader in data protection, privacy management, and AI Governance.”

    Blosser brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career to his new role. A Stanford University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Aeronautical Engineering and English, he has a diverse educational background.

    He has worked in both private and public sectors, with his career highlights including serving as Chair and Board Member of Sokol Blosser Winery for 22 years, one of the oldest family-owned and operated wineries in Oregon. Blosser also held significant roles in the Executive Office of the President, Portland General Electric, The White House, and served as Chief of Staff for Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

    Blosser co-founded Celilo Group Media, Inc., a company focused on sustainable products and services, and has been actively involved in numerous volunteer roles, including board memberships with Literary Arts, Oregon Business & Industry, and the Oregon Environmental Council.

    Nik Blosser’s leadership and dedication to public service and sustainability make him an invaluable asset to EIS and the state of Oregon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Chief Information Officer Announces the State’s First Chief Privacy Officer

    Source: US State of Oregon

    regon Chief Information Officer Terrence Woods, Director of Enterprise Information Services (EIS), has appointed Nik Blosser as the state of Oregon’s first Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategist. The CPO will be charged with crafting the strategic vision for the state of Oregon relating to privacy, data protection, and AI. As the first-of-a-kind position in Oregon state government, the CPO must make strategic judgements and decisions relating to developing policy and as the AI Strategist, Nik will play a pivotal role in shaping Oregon’s AI landscape.

    “Adding a Chief Privacy Officer and AI Strategist to the team at EIS has been a goal of mine for a few years and I am excited to bring Nik onboard,” said Woods. “Nik will significantly enhance our ability to safeguard data, ensure compliance with privacy regulations, prioritize workforce AI literacy, and lead efforts to promote a culture of awareness across all state agencies, ultimately making Oregon a leader in data protection, privacy management, and AI Governance.”

    Blosser brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career to his new role. A Stanford University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Aeronautical Engineering and English, he has a diverse educational background.

    He has worked in both private and public sectors, with his career highlights including serving as Chair and Board Member of Sokol Blosser Winery for 22 years, one of the oldest family-owned and operated wineries in Oregon. Blosser also held significant roles in the Executive Office of the President, Portland General Electric, The White House, and served as Chief of Staff for Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

    Blosser co-founded Celilo Group Media, Inc., a company focused on sustainable products and services, and has been actively involved in numerous volunteer roles, including board memberships with Literary Arts, Oregon Business & Industry, and the Oregon Environmental Council.

    Nik Blosser’s leadership and dedication to public service and sustainability make him an invaluable asset to EIS and the state of Oregon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington, Sunrise, Channel 7

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Natalie Barr:

    For more, we’re joined by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Good morning to you.

    Jim Chalmers:

    Morning, Nat.

    Barr:

    So, when the godfather of AI begins to regret his contribution to the invention, should we be concerned?

    Chalmers:

    I think there’s a whole range of views about artificial intelligence. I’m optimistic that it will be transformational in a good way in our economy but only if we manage the risks right. And so our government is doing a heap of work, including with Scott Farquhar and others who will be part of our Economic Reform Roundtable, to make sure that we maximise the opportunities of AI at the same time as we manage the risks. The risks can be substantial in our labour market and more broadly as well. We need to manage those. But overwhelmingly, I think AI will be transformational in our economy and in our society, and we need to make it work for us, not against us.

    Matt Shirvington:

    It’s moving so fast, isn’t it, Treasurer? Let’s talk about that roundtable. You said tech billionaire Scott Farquhar is going to be a part of that. He’s for this. He wants more productivity, more investment to expand AI in Australia. Is that required? Is that what we’re going to do? Are we going to take advantage of the time being now?

    Chalmers:

    I think there are broadly 3 schools of thought here. There’s a group of people who say, let it rip. There’s a group of people who, I think unrealistically, say that we should kind of turn back the clock and pretend these technological developments aren’t happening. And then there’s a responsible middle path, which is the approach that the government intends to take. And that’s all about making sure that our people are beneficiaries, not victims of these big technological changes. This will be seismic. Artificial intelligence will have a massive impact on our economy and on our society. And it’s up to us as governments and as societies to work out how we make that work for us, not against us. To make people beneficiaries of these changes rather than victims of it.

    Barr:

    So this is the guy who resigned from Google because he wanted to warn the world about the dangers. Are you confident that our country has the safeguards against the bad parts of AI?

    Chalmers:

    I’m confident that we can manage the risks, but it won’t be easy. And something that is changing this quickly, the pace of change, the accelerating pace of these technological changes, is a big challenge because we need to catch up and keep up with the way that it’s changing our economy and our society. And we need to make sure that its impact is positive, not negative.

    The risks are there, they are substantial. We focus on the risks, for example, in the labour market, but also more broadly, and we need to manage that. Every country in the world is grappling with this challenge. Trying to work out how AI can be a force for good in our economy, making us more productive, making our work easier, augmenting some of the tasks that people do at work. Those are the upsides of AI.

    There are potential downsides as well, and that’s why we work so closely with the tech industry and with others – my colleague Tim Ayres and Andrew Charlton and Ed Husic before that. It’s a big focus of the government. It’ll be a big focus of our efforts at the reform roundtable next month as well.

    Shirvington:

    It’s good to hear, because you just don’t want to miss the boat. Just quickly on inflation figures. You know, you’ve been at the helm, you’ve seen them go down and down and down. Low 2s now, paving the way potentially, for a rate cut next month. What do you think?

    Chalmers:

    I try not to make predictions about decisions that the independent Reserve Bank will take about interest rates, but I’m really pleased that inflation has come down so substantially. It’s a powerful demonstration of the progress that Australians have made together in the fight against inflation. When we came to office 3 years ago, it was higher than 6 per cent and absolutely galloping. We’ve got it down now into the low 2s. That’s a good thing. But the job’s not finished. It’s not mission accomplished.

    We know that people are still under pressure and that’s why the main goal of the parliament the last 2 weeks since it’s returned after the election has been to deliver all kinds of cost‑of‑living relief to help ease some of these pressures. But inflation coming down is a very good thing. The unemployment rate staying relatively low is a very good thing. Real wages are growing as well, but we know there’s always more work to do.

    Barr:

    Treasurer, thank you very much for your time.

    Chalmers:

    Appreciate it, guys.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Band Members from Partner Nations Participating in Pacific Partnership 2025 Perform at the University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea July 2025 [Image 4 of 8]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    LAE, Papua New Guinea (July 30, 2025) Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) multination musicians perform at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology during PP-25 in Lae, Papua New Guinea, July 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Mario E. Reyes Villatoro)

    Date Taken: 07.30.2025
    Date Posted: 07.30.2025 20:36
    Photo ID: 9228707
    VIRIN: 250730-N-OJ012-1695
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Multinational Servicemembers Discuss Animal Welfare during an engagement at the Rainforest Habitat. [Image 1 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    LAE, Papua New Guinea (July 30, 2025) Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) multinational servicemembers perform a medical checkup on a snake during PP-25 in Lae, Papua New Guinea, July 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

    Date Taken: 07.29.2025
    Date Posted: 07.30.2025 20:46
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Band Members from Partner Nations Participating in Pacific Partnership 2025 Perform at the University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea July 2025 [Image 4 of 8]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    LAE, Papua New Guinea (July 30, 2025) Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) multination musicians perform at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology during PP-25 in Lae, Papua New Guinea, July 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Mario E. Reyes Villatoro)

    Date Taken: 07.30.2025
    Date Posted: 07.30.2025 20:36
    Photo ID: 9228707
    VIRIN: 250730-N-OJ012-1695
    Resolution: 4568×3045
    Size: 1.72 MB
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Multinational Servicemembers Discuss Animal Welfare during an engagement at the Rainforest Habitat. [Image 2 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    LAE, Papua New Guinea (July 30, 2025) Rainforest Habitat manager Elijah Maso Simon gives a brief of duties during Pacific Partnership 2025 in Lae, Papua New Guinea, July 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

    Date Taken: 01.20.2016
    Date Posted: 07.30.2025 20:46
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    VIRIN: 250730-N-DM179-1095
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    Size: 1.94 MB
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Multinational Servicemembers Discuss Animal Welfare during an engagement at the Rainforest Habitat. [Image 1 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    LAE, Papua New Guinea (July 30, 2025) Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) multinational servicemembers perform a medical checkup on a snake during PP-25 in Lae, Papua New Guinea, July 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

    Date Taken: 07.29.2025
    Date Posted: 07.30.2025 20:46
    Photo ID: 9228718
    VIRIN: 250730-N-DM179-1558
    Resolution: 5568×3712
    Size: 1.25 MB
    Location: LAE, PG
    Web Views: 0
    Downloads: 0

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Multinational Servicemembers Discuss Animal Welfare during an engagement at the Rainforest Habitat. [Image 2 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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    LAE, Papua New Guinea (July 30, 2025) Rainforest Habitat manager Elijah Maso Simon gives a brief of duties during Pacific Partnership 2025 in Lae, Papua New Guinea, July 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Leading National Security Dems Alarmed by Trump’s Steep Concessions to China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senate Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) joined Ranking Senate Defense Appropriator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), and several other key members of the Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committees raised the alarm over public reporting that President Trump is pausing export controls on critical technology sold to China and undermining relations with Taiwan as part of an effort to secure a trade deal with Beijing.

    The Senators are deeply concerned that President Trump’s desire for a perceived “deal” is clouding crucial U.S. export control decisions that could imperil national security, threaten U.S. artificial intelligence advantages, and put other American-generated emerging technologies critical to military programs at risk.

    The twelve U.S. Senators, who also included Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-HI), Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senate Armed Services Committee member Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senate Intelligence Committee member Michael Bennet (D-CO), Senate Armed Services Committee member Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Senate Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance Ranking Member Andy Kim (D-NJ), issued the following joint statement:

    “President Trump has spent the past six months eroding our advantages over China, but recent developments make clear how willing his administration is to sacrifice American economic and technological leadership for symbolic “wins” with China in Trump’s self-inflicted trade war.

    “In just the last two days, we have seen reporting that the Trump administration has cancelled a long-planned high-level security dialogue with Taiwan and denied the president of Taiwan the ability to transit the United States—a longstanding tradition respected by administrations of both parties. These developments come right on the heels of a decision to pave the way for the sale of advanced AI chips to China and to freeze export controls on additional American technologies enabling them to now flow to China, even as Beijing tightens export controls on the United States. Independent media reports today suggest these moves are an attempt to secure trade concessions, curry favor with President Xi Jinping, and ensure President Trump gets a visit to China. The president is demonstrating to Beijing that he can be cajoled into giving up America’s core interests.

    “In the face of lackluster domestic economic forecasts and anemic interest from Beijing in achieving a real breakthrough in talks, President Trump and his economic team have ceded leverage and negotiating power to Beijing in a desperate attempt to lure President Xi to a meeting with President Trump. Even more dangerously, they risk putting American national security, technological advantage, and economic prosperity on the chopping block in order to do so.

    “President Trump is handing our primary geopolitical adversary the keys to the castle of 21st century global technological dominance. Doing so will enable Chinese leadership in artificial intelligence, infusing the Chinese military with the technological advantage it needs to continue hostile operations across the globe. He is signaling his ambivalence about standing with Taiwan, our long-term partner in the region and a powerhouse of the global economy. And he is emboldening Beijing to take aggressive actions and seek even more aggressive concessions in whatever trade negotiations may follow.

    “President Trump and this administration must reset their dangerously weak approach to China and make clear they will no longer accept symbolic wins in exchange for steep American concessions. An administration convinced it can renegotiate the world order needs to stop negotiating against itself.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Leading National Security Dems Alarmed by Trump’s Steep Concessions to China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senate Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) joined Ranking Senate Defense Appropriator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), and several other key members of the Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committees raised the alarm over public reporting that President Trump is pausing export controls on critical technology sold to China and undermining relations with Taiwan as part of an effort to secure a trade deal with Beijing.

    The Senators are deeply concerned that President Trump’s desire for a perceived “deal” is clouding crucial U.S. export control decisions that could imperil national security, threaten U.S. artificial intelligence advantages, and put other American-generated emerging technologies critical to military programs at risk.

    The twelve U.S. Senators, who also included Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-HI), Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senate Armed Services Committee member Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senate Intelligence Committee member Michael Bennet (D-CO), Senate Armed Services Committee member Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Senate Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance Ranking Member Andy Kim (D-NJ), issued the following joint statement:

    “President Trump has spent the past six months eroding our advantages over China, but recent developments make clear how willing his administration is to sacrifice American economic and technological leadership for symbolic “wins” with China in Trump’s self-inflicted trade war.

    “In just the last two days, we have seen reporting that the Trump administration has cancelled a long-planned high-level security dialogue with Taiwan and denied the president of Taiwan the ability to transit the United States—a longstanding tradition respected by administrations of both parties. These developments come right on the heels of a decision to pave the way for the sale of advanced AI chips to China and to freeze export controls on additional American technologies enabling them to now flow to China, even as Beijing tightens export controls on the United States. Independent media reports today suggest these moves are an attempt to secure trade concessions, curry favor with President Xi Jinping, and ensure President Trump gets a visit to China. The president is demonstrating to Beijing that he can be cajoled into giving up America’s core interests.

    “In the face of lackluster domestic economic forecasts and anemic interest from Beijing in achieving a real breakthrough in talks, President Trump and his economic team have ceded leverage and negotiating power to Beijing in a desperate attempt to lure President Xi to a meeting with President Trump. Even more dangerously, they risk putting American national security, technological advantage, and economic prosperity on the chopping block in order to do so.

    “President Trump is handing our primary geopolitical adversary the keys to the castle of 21st century global technological dominance. Doing so will enable Chinese leadership in artificial intelligence, infusing the Chinese military with the technological advantage it needs to continue hostile operations across the globe. He is signaling his ambivalence about standing with Taiwan, our long-term partner in the region and a powerhouse of the global economy. And he is emboldening Beijing to take aggressive actions and seek even more aggressive concessions in whatever trade negotiations may follow.

    “President Trump and this administration must reset their dangerously weak approach to China and make clear they will no longer accept symbolic wins in exchange for steep American concessions. An administration convinced it can renegotiate the world order needs to stop negotiating against itself.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Helps Reinstate FBI Whistleblower, Delivers Keynote Address During National Whistleblower Appreciation Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – At the National Whistleblower Day celebration on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced he has succeeded in reinstating Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) whistleblower Michael DeBey’s clearance and employment with the agency. This is the sixth whistleblower Grassley has successfully restored so far this year.

    During his remarks, Grassley also spoke about his work to support patriotic whistleblowers and the important role they play in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. Grassley is the co-founder and co-chair of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus.

    Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
    “Whistleblower Appreciation Day”
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025

    It’s an honor to be among patriots here today.

    Today, nobody will be treated like a skunk at a picnic.

    Whistleblowers too often get the short end of the stick for simply telling the truth.

    Instead, whistleblowers ought to be recognized for what they are: patriots and the government’s most powerful tool to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.

    So, I’m proud to have introduced the National Whistleblower Appreciation Day resolution for the 12th year in a row.

    Throughout my career, I’ve fought for whistleblowers.

    I’m committed to ensuring that federal agencies treat whistleblowers fairly and are held accountable for retaliating against them.

    That goes for both Republican and Democratic administrations.

    When I first was elected to the Senate in 1981, I worked with brave whistleblowers like Ernie Fitzgerald.

    Ernie was fired in 1968 by President Nixon for blowing the whistle on waste and fraud in Defense Department contracts.

    I worked to pass laws to eliminate fraud that whistleblowers like Ernie told me about.

    Now, because of this work, I passed the False Claims Amendment Act in 1986.

    It’s helped recover more than $78 billion in fraud so far, and prevented countless billions more.

    My “anti-gag” provision also became law. It’s an important sword and shield to protect whistleblowers.

    Far too often, federal agencies tried to silence or intimidate whistleblowers through nondisclosure agreements.

    My anti-gag provision is designed to put a stop to that.

    I also championed laws and legislation to expand whistleblower protections for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    This Congress, I introduced much needed legislation to strengthen whistleblower protections for FBI employees.

    But just because we’ve introduced legislation and passed good laws doesn’t mean we can stop paying attention.

    I’ve worked hard to ensure individuals who retaliate against whistleblowers are held accountable. I’ve also pushed federal agencies to do right by whistleblowers.

    IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler made legally protected disclosures about government misconduct.

    They were retaliated against and sidelined from doing their job.

    This year, at my urging, they were taken out of the shadows of retaliation and were promoted by the Treasury Department.

    I also pushed the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to end the seven-year nightmare for Customs and Border Protection whistleblowers Mark Jones, Mike Taylor and Fred Wynn.

    These brave whistleblowers faced years of retaliation for blowing the whistle on the government’s failure to collect DNA at the border.

    At my urging, this year the Department of Homeland Security promoted them and restored their law enforcement credentials.

    So, they got their guns and badges back to do their job.

    I’ve also worked to restore the security clearances of FBI employees who had them suspended or revoked.

    These FBI employees were retaliated against and, as we all know, the FBI’s illegal power move is to take away security clearances.

    And it’s not just government whistleblowers who are important.

    I’ve introduced legislation to protect private sector whistleblowers from retaliation for exposing waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct.

    I’m the lead cosponsor of the bipartisan Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act.

    That bill increases whistleblower protections for employees of federal contractors and subcontractors.

    I also introduced the bipartisan Securities and Exchange Commission Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025.

    The bill protects corporate whistleblowers who report violations to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Additionally, I’m proud to have introduced the bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Whistleblower Protection Act.

    That bill is designed to increase transparency and provide whistleblower protections to employees who work in the Artificial Intelligence field.

    But like I said, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

    The task of supporting whistleblowers doesn’t start and stop with this day or depend on who’s in the White House.

    If you make legally protected disclosures, you’re a whistleblower and ought to be protected from retaliation.

    This administration has said Mr. Reuvini isn’t a whistleblower.

    I’ve publicly disagreed.

    The other two people who came forward about Mr. Bove are also whistleblowers.

    Here’s my message to all whistleblowers in this room: just because I may disagree with the conclusions in a whistleblower disclosure, it doesn’t mean that I don’t support a whistleblower’s right to come forward.

    And regardless of the content of the disclosure, every whistleblower must be protected from retaliation.

    That’s why last week, I wrote President Trump about the importance of protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.

    As this administration reduces the federal workforce, it must ensure terminations aren’t done because a protected disclosure was made. This administration, just like all the rest, has an obligation to comply with whistleblower laws.

    In my letter, I also reminded President Trump of my outstanding request that he hold a Rose Garden Ceremony for whistleblowers.

    I’ve asked every president since Ronald Reagan to have a Rose Garden ceremony honoring whistleblowers.

    I’m not giving up on that request just like I’m not giving up on any of you.

    Whistleblowers are some of the bravest people out there. It takes guts to stick your neck out and report misconduct.

    All of you here have put your careers, livelihoods and reputations on the line in service to our great country.

    God Bless you for your service and sacrifices.

    I’ll continue to fight for you.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Helps Reinstate FBI Whistleblower, Delivers Keynote Address During National Whistleblower Appreciation Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – At the National Whistleblower Day celebration on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced he has succeeded in reinstating Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) whistleblower Michael DeBey’s clearance and employment with the agency. This is the sixth whistleblower Grassley has successfully restored so far this year.

    During his remarks, Grassley also spoke about his work to support patriotic whistleblowers and the important role they play in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. Grassley is the co-founder and co-chair of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus.

    Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
    “Whistleblower Appreciation Day”
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025

    It’s an honor to be among patriots here today.

    Today, nobody will be treated like a skunk at a picnic.

    Whistleblowers too often get the short end of the stick for simply telling the truth.

    Instead, whistleblowers ought to be recognized for what they are: patriots and the government’s most powerful tool to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.

    So, I’m proud to have introduced the National Whistleblower Appreciation Day resolution for the 12th year in a row.

    Throughout my career, I’ve fought for whistleblowers.

    I’m committed to ensuring that federal agencies treat whistleblowers fairly and are held accountable for retaliating against them.

    That goes for both Republican and Democratic administrations.

    When I first was elected to the Senate in 1981, I worked with brave whistleblowers like Ernie Fitzgerald.

    Ernie was fired in 1968 by President Nixon for blowing the whistle on waste and fraud in Defense Department contracts.

    I worked to pass laws to eliminate fraud that whistleblowers like Ernie told me about.

    Now, because of this work, I passed the False Claims Amendment Act in 1986.

    It’s helped recover more than $78 billion in fraud so far, and prevented countless billions more.

    My “anti-gag” provision also became law. It’s an important sword and shield to protect whistleblowers.

    Far too often, federal agencies tried to silence or intimidate whistleblowers through nondisclosure agreements.

    My anti-gag provision is designed to put a stop to that.

    I also championed laws and legislation to expand whistleblower protections for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    This Congress, I introduced much needed legislation to strengthen whistleblower protections for FBI employees.

    But just because we’ve introduced legislation and passed good laws doesn’t mean we can stop paying attention.

    I’ve worked hard to ensure individuals who retaliate against whistleblowers are held accountable. I’ve also pushed federal agencies to do right by whistleblowers.

    IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler made legally protected disclosures about government misconduct.

    They were retaliated against and sidelined from doing their job.

    This year, at my urging, they were taken out of the shadows of retaliation and were promoted by the Treasury Department.

    I also pushed the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to end the seven-year nightmare for Customs and Border Protection whistleblowers Mark Jones, Mike Taylor and Fred Wynn.

    These brave whistleblowers faced years of retaliation for blowing the whistle on the government’s failure to collect DNA at the border.

    At my urging, this year the Department of Homeland Security promoted them and restored their law enforcement credentials.

    So, they got their guns and badges back to do their job.

    I’ve also worked to restore the security clearances of FBI employees who had them suspended or revoked.

    These FBI employees were retaliated against and, as we all know, the FBI’s illegal power move is to take away security clearances.

    And it’s not just government whistleblowers who are important.

    I’ve introduced legislation to protect private sector whistleblowers from retaliation for exposing waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct.

    I’m the lead cosponsor of the bipartisan Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act.

    That bill increases whistleblower protections for employees of federal contractors and subcontractors.

    I also introduced the bipartisan Securities and Exchange Commission Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025.

    The bill protects corporate whistleblowers who report violations to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Additionally, I’m proud to have introduced the bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Whistleblower Protection Act.

    That bill is designed to increase transparency and provide whistleblower protections to employees who work in the Artificial Intelligence field.

    But like I said, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

    The task of supporting whistleblowers doesn’t start and stop with this day or depend on who’s in the White House.

    If you make legally protected disclosures, you’re a whistleblower and ought to be protected from retaliation.

    This administration has said Mr. Reuvini isn’t a whistleblower.

    I’ve publicly disagreed.

    The other two people who came forward about Mr. Bove are also whistleblowers.

    Here’s my message to all whistleblowers in this room: just because I may disagree with the conclusions in a whistleblower disclosure, it doesn’t mean that I don’t support a whistleblower’s right to come forward.

    And regardless of the content of the disclosure, every whistleblower must be protected from retaliation.

    That’s why last week, I wrote President Trump about the importance of protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.

    As this administration reduces the federal workforce, it must ensure terminations aren’t done because a protected disclosure was made. This administration, just like all the rest, has an obligation to comply with whistleblower laws.

    In my letter, I also reminded President Trump of my outstanding request that he hold a Rose Garden Ceremony for whistleblowers.

    I’ve asked every president since Ronald Reagan to have a Rose Garden ceremony honoring whistleblowers.

    I’m not giving up on that request just like I’m not giving up on any of you.

    Whistleblowers are some of the bravest people out there. It takes guts to stick your neck out and report misconduct.

    All of you here have put your careers, livelihoods and reputations on the line in service to our great country.

    God Bless you for your service and sacrifices.

    I’ll continue to fight for you.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –