Category: Technology

MIL-OSI USA: NEW REPORT: Trump’s Mass Firings at NIOSH Spokane Research Lab Put Americans at Risk, Jeopardize Progress to Keep Workers Safe on the Job
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

ICYMI: Senator Murray Presses Secretary Kennedy on Decimation of NIOSH and Mass Firings at NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory

***NEW REPORT with testimonials from Spokane employees HERE***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a new report on how President Trump and Elon Musk’s decimation of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including their effective shuttering of the NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory, will jeopardize on-the-job safety for firefighters, miners, agricultural workers, commercial fishermen, in Washington state and across the country. The report details the work that was done at the NIOSH Spokane Research laboratory, the Spokane Mining Research Division in particular, and outlines how the Trump administration’s mass firings across NIOSH will jeopardize the pipeline to train the next generation of workplace safety and health professionals, including those studying at Gonzaga University in Spokane and University of Washington in Seattle. Senator Murray’s report features testimonials from Washington state residents, including employees at NIOSH who were recently fired through no fault of their own.

The release of the report comes as the Trump administration’s large-scale reduction in force (RIF) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which includes NIOSH, has been put on hold by a U.S. District Court judge in San Francisco, who ruled that the administration violated separation of powers principles with its agency restructuring.

“The Trump administration’s unfathomable decision to gut NIOSH and fire nearly every person at the Spokane Research Lab is a devastating and shortsighted move that puts workers everywhere at risk,” Senator Murray said upon releasing the report. “In Spokane alone, President Trump abruptly fired nearly a hundred people working to protect those in high-risk professions including mining, firefighting, health care and emergency medicine, and the maritime industry—bringing their research to a screeching halt and creating a ticking time bomb for disasters in the workplace.”

“These thoughtless firings don’t just risk Americans’ health and safety in the workplace today, but threaten decades of progress toward preventing workplace hazards,” Senator Murray continued. “Researchers in Spokane who have dedicated their careers to protecting workers across the country are being kicked to the curb because Donald Trump and his conspiracy theorist Health Secretary don’t have a clue what NIOSH does and don’t care to learn—no one should be treated like this. We need answers and accountability. I’m going to keep fighting to hold the Trump administration to account and shine a bright spotlight on how this administration is hurting people and communities like Spokane and forcing critical, lifesaving research to go to waste.”

Senator Murray has been a leading voice in Congress against RFK Jr.’s destruction of HHS and America’s health infrastructure, raising the alarm over HHS’ unilateral reorganization plan and slamming the closure of the HHS Region 10 office in Seattle and the NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory. Senator Murray has sent oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans health and safety and will set our country back decades, and lifting up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

The full report is available HERE and below:

Report: Mass Firings in Spokane and Beyond: How Gutting the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Harms Workers

This report is part of a series detailing the harm President Trump and Elon Musk’s reckless and devastating attacks on the federal workforce are causing on the ground in Washington state. The Trump administration’s mass firings and harmful actions have real consequences for Washington’s residents, their communities, and for the entire United States.

This report focuses on the mass firings of employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effectively shuttering the NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory. These Reductions in Force (RIFs) will lead to increased health and safety risks for firefighters, miners, agricultural workers, commercial fishermen, and so many others. No one should have to worry about whether they will come home safe from their job or not come home at all – NIOSH is vital to keeping workers safe.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is Dedicated to Keeping Workers Safe Across America

NIOSH is the only government agency statutorily authorized to conduct workplace health and safety research. In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. terminated about 900 of NIOSH’s approximately 1,100 employees, effectively shuttering the agency. Among these firings, the Trump administration eliminated 90 scientific positions at the Spokane Research Laboratory. In addition to NIOSH’s Spokane location, the agency also conducts research at campuses in Cincinnati, Ohio; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Due to recent outcry over these firings, the Trump administration has recently agreed to bring back around 300 NIOSH workers, but primarily in West Virginia and Ohio, leaving the Spokane Research Laboratory’s programming and research work shuttered.

By firing and then only bringing back a small portion of NIOSH workers, and almost none from Spokane, the Trump administration is jeopardizing decades of progress in improving worker health and safety. Over the course of NIOSH’s history, worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses in America have gone down—on average, from about 38 worker deaths a day in 1970 to 15 a day in 2023, and from 10.9 incidents of worker injury and illness per 100 workers in 1972 to 2.4 per 100 in 2023. However, workplace hazards still kill and disable approximately 125,000 workers each year—5,190 from traumatic injuries and an estimated 120,000 from occupational diseases. Workplace injuries and illnesses cost businesses between $174 billion and $348 billion a year, which is still likely an underestimate given underreporting of workplace injuries.

Kyle Zimmer, recently retired from International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 and current Chair of the Mine Safety Health Research Advisory Committee stated, “Losing these researchers will result in the loss of safety for every worker in the United States. This research turns into standards that become guidelines that every safety professional uses throughout the country in every industry, from health care, to auto body shops, to mining and firefighting. Once your workforce really understands what you are doing, that is when you get results and changes in workplace safety culture.”

NIOSH’s $362.8 million budget represents only 0.2% of the discretionary portion of the HHS budget. NIOSH’s lifesaving research has also saved more than $1 billion annually. For example, NIOSH research supporting improved protective equipment for firefighters is associated with an estimated $71 million in annual savings in medical and productivity losses.NIOSH work produces a tremendous return on investment, and the Trump administration’s firings have huge costs both for worker safety and the nation.

Tristan Victoroff, a union steward and epidemiologist in the NIOSH Western States Divisions, pointed out: “The 900 people fired from NIOSH are scientists, mainly. We are industrial safety scientists, epidemiologists, engineers…. The goal is to work with industry to protect workers’ health and safety and find solutions to the problems. We do research and development. It’s not duplicative. [The Occupational Safety and Health Administration] doesn’t do this. They don’t have the capacity or the mandate. All of these cuts are supposedly to save costs. What costs are we going to tolerate? What are the costs of increased workers’ compensation claims? What are the costs of disabling injuries and chronic diseases from workplace exposures? What is the cost to a family of losing a parent to a workplace accident?”

The NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory is Critical to Keeping Workers Safe

NIOSH was created by Congress to address and prevent work-related injury and illness and was created in the same statute that authorized the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the Department of Labor. While OSHA sets and enforces safety standards, NIOSH is required to conduct or fund research, experiments, and demonstrations on occupational safety and health; produce criteria identifying toxic substances including setting exposure levels that are safe for various periods of employment, and publish annually a list of all known toxic substances and the concentrations at which such toxicity is known to occur; disseminate information about occupational safety to employers and employees; conduct education programs about occupational safety; and contract with state personnel to provide compliance assistance for employers.

In Washington state, NIOSH conducts research to understand and promote safe job conditions and develop science-based products and interventions that support worker health, safety, and well-being, prevent future occupational injuries and deaths, and train new generations of health and safety professionals. This work is done through the Spokane Research Laboratory (which houses the Spokane Mining Research Division and the Western States Division) and the Region 10 Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research Center.

Tristan Victoroff, a union steward and epidemiologist in the NIOSH Western States Divisions, explained: “The NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory in Washington State is the only NIOSH facility west of the Mississippi. Its two divisions— the Western States Division and the Spokane Mining Research Division — conduct safety research for natural resource industries across the western U.S. and Alaska, including commercial fishing, wildland firefighting, oil and gas extraction, and mining. They’re working directly with naval shipyards to assess exposures from new technology for corrosion control. They track commercial fishing deaths nationwide. They have major research efforts in high wall safety, rockfall and slope stability, and seismic monitoring using advanced fiber optic technology, to name just a few examples. This work is not duplicative, and it’s not wasteful. If we’re expanding domestic energy, mineral, and seafood production, we need to protect the people doing that work. These workers deserve to come home safe and be healthy enough to work again tomorrow. Cutting this research does not keep us competitive — it puts workers in danger.”

The Spokane Mining Research Division Keeps Washington Miners Safe on the Job

The Spokane Mining Research Division (SMRD) is part of the NIOSH Mining Program, which aims to eliminate mining fatalities and injuries. Since 1990, total injuries in mining have significantly decreased, reflecting safer practices industry-wide, strongly linked to NIOSH’s research and prevention programs. SMRD partners with labor, mining associations, equipment manufacturers, and mine operators to study worker health and safety problems in the field. Washington’s mining industry is vital to the state’s economy, supporting 18,845 jobs, directly and indirectly, and providing $4.07 billion in economic benefits to the state.

SMRD also conducts laboratory research at the Spokane, WA facility, where highly specialized scientists in unique laboratories develop products and interventions that offer solutions to mining challenges.Scientists in Spokane have been doing innovative laboratory work to:
- Simulate ground stresses to test rock samples to determine the strength of the environment and whether bolts, steel, mesh or shotcrete are needed to support the mining efforts and keep workers safe on the job.
- Simulate mining conditions and tasks to study health effects, such as heat and stress;
- Examine field samples to understand miners’ exposure to respiratory and other health hazards; and more.
Dr. Art Miller, a research engineer who retired from SMRD after 34 years, explains: “No one else in the world is doing this time-sensitive, cutting-edge research that will make workers safer. We conduct research in a lot of different ways. Our lab is a unique environment of cutting-edge technology and brain power aimed at improving worker health and safety. Discontinuing our work would be a huge loss to the future health and safety of workers. Workplace safety is dynamic, and our work is never going to be done. NIOSH is small relative to the federal government but it’s a well-run entity. Why would we want to get rid of something like that?”

Spokane Research Laboratory’s SMRD also runs the Miner Health Program, created in 2016 to collaborate with the mining community to improve workers’ physical and mental health.Prevention of opioid misuse is just one of many examples of the collaborative work being produced by the Miner Health Program. The mining industry has been hit particularly hard by drug overdoses. Work-related pain and injury increase workers’ chances of being prescribed an opioid and subsequent risks of worker prescription opioid misuse, long-term opioid use, and opioid use disorder (OUD). These overdoses and especially deaths related to opioid use have had a significant impact on mine workers, their families, and communities. This program is now archived on the CDC website, indicating that this program is no longer operating.

In Fall 2024, Spokane’s SMRD experts launched a new guide, Implementing Effective Workplace Solutions to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder: A Resource Guide for the Mining Industry. This guide provides a model for planning and implementing prevention efforts to normalize conversations about OUD, reduce stigma, and break down barriers to treatment and recovery. Losing this Miner Health Program focused on preventing OUD will lead to increased overdoses and preventable deaths in the mining community.

The impact of the Trump administration’s cuts to NIOSH are already being felt in the mining industry. NIOSH is the only federal agency that can test and supply approved and certified respirators and personal dust monitors to keep miners safe on the job. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) at the U.S. Department of Labor announced a temporary enforcement pause of mine operators’ respiratory protection programs. Given that NIOSH’s National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory has been effectively eliminated, the “Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection,” (“Silica Rule”), is now paused until at least August 2025.Without NIOSH, the Silica Rule cannot go into effect and workers will continue to be exposed to extremely harmful silica dust that results in the debilitating and often fatal condition of silicosis.

These respirators are not just used in mining; they are used across industries. As explained by Tristan Victoroff, union steward and epidemiologist in the NIOSH Western States Divisions: “There will be no NIOSH-certified respirators, if there’s no NIOSH. NIOSH certifies all the respiratory protection equipment used in healthcare — and not just the N95 masks we’ve all become familiar with in recent years. That includes reusable respirators that filter oils and vapors… even supplied air systems. NIOSH is the only organization in the country equipped to perform all the required testing — more than 150 test procedures — to certify respirators that protect firefighters, miners, shipyard workers — anyone who needs respiratory protection on the job. In fact, any employer in general industry — from construction to manufacturing — if they have an OSHA-approved respiratory protection program, they must use NIOSH-certified equipment. Only NIOSH can certify that equipment to meet those standards. Rebuilding these labs somewhere else would take years, and there’s no guarantee we could replicate the expertise and facilities we currently have at NIOSH. NIOSH also monitors products on the market to spot counterfeits. Without that oversight, fake and substandard products will increasingly flood the market. That’s not theoretical. NIOSH recently found that every counterfeit product it purchased off the open market failed to meet established standards. These products were not fully protective. Workers using those products on the job could be exposed to dangerous particulates or chemicals. If these labs shut down, it will put workers at risk and stifle innovation in protective technology. Workers won’t know which products they can trust. The NIOSH certification is essential.”

The Western States Division of NIOSH Conducts Critical Research Focusing on Hazards in the Western States

Workers in the Western U.S. face hazards and issues unique to their industries and environment, including commercial fishing, agriculture, and firefighting. Many of these occupations include climate extremes, working at altitude, long distance commutes, remote locations, and wildland forest fires. NIOSH’s Western States Division (WSD)employs a diverse group of public health and safety scientists with expertise in industrial hygiene, epidemiology, engineering, occupational medicine and health communication, working together to reduce and eliminate workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. WSD is headquartered at the Spokane Research Laboratory, but also has staff at offices in Denver, Colorado, and Anchorage, Alaska. WSD in Spokane focused on health and safety research for several industries, including commercial fishing, firefighting and wildfires, maritime, and emergency medical services.

Commercial Fishing. NIOSH’s work has decreased the number of fatalities in the commercial fishing industry in Washington, which is recognized as one of the most hazardous work settings. Many operations are characterized by strenuous labor, long work hours, harsh weather, and moving decks with hazardous machinery and equipment. This industry generates nearly $46 billion and more than 170,000 jobs. The annual number of fatalities has declined over the past two decades because of the prevention work carried out by NIOSH.For 30 years, WSD has operated the Commercial Fishing Safety Program, working in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and the Gulf Coast in Southeastern states to keep fishermen safe from vessel disasters, falls overboard, onboard hazards, and more. WSD operates maintains the Commercial Fishing Incident Database, which tracks commercial fishing fatalities and provides statistics by region, fishery, type of vessel, and type of incident.This is the only national source for details of commercial fishing fatalities; neither the Bureau of Labor Statistics nor the U.S. Coast Guard report this type of information. Collecting this data is crucial for reducing the number of injuries and fatalities among the nation’s fishermen. Through NIOSH-funded research, WSD has developed solutions to prevent winch entanglements on commercial fishing boats, reducing loss of limb accidents. This critical research has come to a standstill with the Administration putting these scientists on administrative leave and scheduling them to be fired as of June 2, 2025.

Outdoor Workers and Wildfires. Washington is one of the five states with the highest average annual burned acreage in the U.S., and the state is home to over 8,500 firefighters. Washington’s firefightersput themselves at enormous risk to keep Washington residents safe. Wildfire smoke is also dangerous to outdoor workers like the state’s 8,280 farmworkers whose jobs have been made safer through the work of NIOSH. For example, NIOSH scientists were instrumental in developing Washington’s Wildfire Smoke Rule, put in place January 15, 2024, which protects the health of workers who are exposed to the small particles contained in wildfire smoke. NIOSH recently developed a comprehensive hazard assessment on exposure to wildland fire smoke among outdoor workers. If NIOSH is eliminated, this document might never be finalized, and necessary revisions to the Washington Wildfire Smoke Rule may not happen, threatening firefighters, farmworkers, and other outdoor workers.

NIOSH Provides Valuable Resources to Employers to Help Them Keep Workers Safe

NIOSH’s Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program has provided 11 technical assistance evaluations to businesses and industry in Washington over the last 20 years. The HHE program was established with the passage of the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act. The HHE program includes evaluations of occupational exposure to illicit drugs in toxicology laboratories, health effects in commercial airline employees associated with new, mandatory uniforms, transmission of tuberculosis to zoo employees working with Asian elephants, and respiratory effects following acute exposure to chlorine gas at a metal recycling facility. These evaluations and publications are at no cost to industry or the public, and recommendations from these reports are used to establish health and safety protocols throughout the state.

WSD conducts research to evaluate toxic exposures associated with removal and application of marine coatings on vessels at the U.S. Navy’s Trident Retrofit Facility near Bangor, WA, and at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, as part of the Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies. Moreover, WSD evaluates exposures from rehabilitation of hydroelectric turbines, such as the Little Goose Dam on the Snake River in Southeast Washington.A timely WSD project involves assessing mental and physical health issues in emergency medical service (EMS) responders in Tribal communities in the Puget Sound area. The Trump administration RIFs have effectively shut down each of these programs.

NIOSH Trains the Next Generation of Occupational and Safety Health Professionals

Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require funding for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health. NIOSH funds 18 Education and Research Centers (ERCs), which provide high-quality interdisciplinary graduate and post-graduate training in occupational safety and health disciplines.The Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research (NWCOHS) at the University of Washington is an ERC, housed in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, bringing together faculty from the UW Schools of Public Health, Nursing and Medicine. The program, funded continuously since 1977, has an annual budget of $1.8 million and serves four states (Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon), preparing students for careers in occupational medicine, nursing, health services research, industrial hygiene and more. Funding supports an average of 20 graduate students per year, and continuing education for an average of 1,000 occupational health and safety professionals per year.

As Lawrence Sloan, Chief Executive Officer of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), a membership organization for occupational and environmental health and safety professionals says, “NIOSH’s work is foundational in protecting American workers. Without adequate support for these programs, achieving the goal of a healthier American workforce will be challenging. Specifically, for AIHA, our members will be disadvantaged by the inability to leverage research on various worker populations to advance our understanding of the profession. Additionally, the absence of funding for Education & Research Centers (ERCs) will significantly impact our pipeline of future talent and hinder the funding of academic research studies that benefit the American worker.”

NIOSH engineers have worked with Gonzaga University’s Mechanical Engineering Department to guide student senior design projects for the past 15 years. Many of these projects were entered into national American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) competitions, with several teams winning awards and presenting at national ASME conventions. This collaboration has led to increased scientists seeking positions supporting mining safety and health, both in Spokane and around the country, creating a pipeline of the next generation of professionals ensuring workplace safety and health.

NIOSH Protects Firefighters in Washington State and Nationwide

As a nationally-based program, the NIOSH Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-Being supports all 50 states to protect firefighters and to identify and prevent new and emerging hazards in the fire service earlier and faster. NIOSH-funded research has:
1. Increased our understanding of the 200-plus carcinogenic chemicals involved in byproducts of combustion, leading to better respiratory protection standards;
2. Identified the presence of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals,” in firefighter foam and turnout gear and how these impact cancer risk levels;
3. Created and provided for continuous enrollment in the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, the largest effort ever undertaken to understand and reduce the risk of cancer among U.S. firefighters; and
4. Provided for the development of the Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which conducts independent investigations of firefighter line-of-duty deaths and recommends prevention methods.
After being shutdown in April 2025, the registration portal of the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer is now operational, following the questioning of HHS Secretary Kennedy by members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee on May 14, 2025.

Spokane Firefighters Union Local 29 is very worried about the cuts to NIOSH and has called for the continuation of NIOSH-funded research, specifically the study on how high heat affects firefighters’ cognitive abilities, using the highly technical and sophisticated labs in the SMRD. Much of this research is conducted in partnership with Washington State University, where researchers have expertise in the impacts of sleep, fatigue, circadian rhythm, and heat on the ability to be safe at work. These grants to WSU were some of the first to be terminated by HHS.

Conclusion: The Time is Now to Return NIOSH Spokane Scientists to their Jobs

NIOSH Spokane Research Laboratory scientists were set to be fired on June 2, 2025, but on May 22, 2025, a U.S. District Court judge ordered a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from carrying out its RIFs. However, if the RIFs legally continue, President Trump and HHS Secretary Kennedy will eliminate the NIOSH Spokane office. Without the Congressionally-mandated occupational health and safety research conducted by NIOSH scientists, Washington workers, as well as workers across the country, in commercial fishing, mining, firefighting, manufacturing, and other industries will experience preventable and potentially fatal injuries. Through NIOSH-funded research, Spokane Research Laboratory scientists promote evidence-based safety protocols that are implemented through strong industry collaborations that create productive workplaces that contribute to Washington’s and America’s economic prosperity. President Trump and HHS Secretary Kennedy need to bring back the Spokane Research Laboratory scientists now and fully fund NIOSH research to maintain the promise of healthier and safer workplaces, communities, and families.
MIL OSI USA News –
June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Address to Lawmakers: Positive, Lasting Impact Serves Nebraskans Well
Source: US State of Nebraska

. Pillen Address to Lawmakers:

Positive, Lasting Impact Serves Nebraskans Well

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen shared with members of the 109th Nebraska Legislature the headline he felt best summarized this session: Positive, lasting impact serves Nebraskans well. During his sine die, or end-of-session address, the Governor hit on multiple areas of achievement, including passage of the overwhelming majority of his own priority bills.

On two occasions during his speech, Gov. Pillen gave recognition to special guests in attendance. Members of the Nebraska State Patrol, friends of Trooper Kyle McAcy, were applauded for their service to the state. They were on scene the day Trooper McAcy died while assisting motorists in a snowstorm.

The second recognition was of WWII veteran Wayne Davy of Columbus. The former Marine was there to represent the many veterans who have been honored with special medallions as part of a program involving the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs (NDVA). Gov. Pillen has worked with the agency to present the medals to veterans, signifying the 80th anniversary since the end of the war.

Below are some of the legislative highlights from the 2025 session including those that align with his four priority areas – kids, taxes, agriculture and values:

Passage of one of the most historically conservative and fiscally responsible state budgets, accomplished by cutting wasteful spending and putting idle pillowcase money to work while also maintaining investments in education, property tax relief, and the safety of the state.

Gov. Pillen signed the following bills into law that protect our kids from online distractions and harm and to give parents more control over kids’ use of social media.
- LB140 – Requires public school boards to adopt policies for restricting cell phone use bell to bell
- LB383 – Creates the Parental Rights in Social Media Act, requiring parental consent for creation of social media accounts for minors and establishes criminal penalties for AI-generated child pornography
- LB504 – As part of the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act, online services are required to protect user data, implement design features that reduce harm resulting from compulsive use and it gives parents access to their child’s privacy and account settings
Gov. Pillen signed the following bill into law to review and recommend changes to Nebraska’s TEEOSA school funding formula to help keep property taxes under control.
- LB303 – Creates the 18-member School Finance Review Commission, which will evaluate the current TEEOSA formula governing Nebraska school funding
- LB261 – Increases property tax relief by $105 million in 2026 and $170 million in 2027
Gov. Pillen signed the following bills into law designed to grow agriculture and the economy.
- LB246 – Bans lab-grown meat from being manufactured, distributed, or sold in Nebraska
- LB317 – Merges the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources with the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy to create the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment
- LB650 – Eliminates or adjusts sales tax exemptions and provides and changes sunset dates for a variety of tax incentives
- LB526 – Preserves needed electrical service to homes, businesses and other Nebraska customers by establishing requirements for cryptocurrency mining operations
Gov. Pillen signed the following bills into law that defend conservative Nebraska values.
- LB89 – The Stand With Women Act protects girls and women by prohibiting biological males from joining female sports teams
- LB645 – Puts an additional $1,000 in teachers’ pockets annually, stabilizes contribution rates to the School Employees Retirement System and increases survivor benefits through the Nebraska State Patrol Retirement System
- LB346 – “Cleans out the closets” by ending or reassigning the duties of over 40 different boards, commission, committees or councils
- LB 644 – Creates the Foreign Adversary & Terrorist Agent Registration Act and the Crush Transnational Repression in Nebraska Act to establish registration and reporting requirements for certain foreign entities
In addition to the legislative achievements outlined above, Gov. Pillen made several new appointments to key state agencies including Department of Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber, Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Bryan Waugh, and Department of Water, Energy and Environment Director Jesse Bradley.

MIL OSI USA News –
June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Will surging sea levels kill the Great Barrier Reef? Ancient coral fossils may hold the answer

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jody Webster, Professor of Marine Geoscience, University of Sydney

marcobriviophoto.com

In the 20th century, global sea level rose faster than at any other time in the past 3,000 years. It’s expected to rise even further by 2100, as human-induced climate change intensifies. In fact, some studies predict a rise of up to 1.6 metres and possibly more due to the rapid melting of the Antarctic ice sheets.

These changes will have huge impacts on coastal ecosystems around the world, including coral reefs. To understand these future impacts, it can be useful to understand similar events from history.

Our new research, published today in Nature Communications, does just that. It reveals how the Great Barrier Reef in northern Australia responded to a dramatic rise in sea level some 13,000 to 10,000 years ago.

A hotly debated event

Several “meltwater pulse events” have been documented in the past. These occur when ice sheets disintegrate in a catastrophic fashion, resulting in a rapid surge in global sea levels.

One of these events, known as “meltwater pulse 1B”, remains hotly debated. It occurred roughly 11,500 years ago.

Early evidence from reef cores in Barbados suggested a sharp sea-level rise of approximately 14 metres between 11,450 and 11,100 years ago, with rates of roughly 40 millimetres per year.

Remarkably, this rate is about ten times faster than the current global rise.

However, this record conflicts with others, including from Tahiti and now from the Great Barrier Reef, which suggests a more gradual rise in sea levels.

Learning from geological archives

Somewhat paradoxically shallow-water reef systems can “drown” because corals, and other reef organisms, depend on light for photosynthesis. If the water gets too deep too fast, the reef will no longer keep up with the rise and it will drown.

But drowning can also occur due to other factors, such as increased temperature, sediment and nutrients, which can also add extra environmental stress to the reef – again making it more difficult to grow vertically and keep up with sea level rise.

Cores gathered from drowned fossil coral reefs preserved along the continental shelf edge of the Great Barrier Reef contain crucial information about historic corals, coralline algae and microbial reef structures known as microbialites. They offer a unique geologic time machine to better understand how past periods of rapid global sea level rise affected reef growth.

These geological archives also provide important clues about how ice sheets behaved in response to rapid global warming.

In 2010, an expedition of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program used a geotechnical drill ship to sample below the seafloor and reconstruct the growth and demise of the Great Barrier Reef over the past roughly 30,000 years. Five distinct stages were identified in response to major global climatic and oceanographic disturbances.

In this new study, we focused on a key reef stage called Reef 4. It formed between 13,000 and 10,000 years ago, just prior to the start of the modern reef as we know it.

We refer to this reef as the “proto-Great Barrier Reef”. Once a shallow-water barrier reef system, it now exists in a fossilised form at roughly 50 metres water depth and is now the home to deeper reef communtites in the mesophotic zone 30 to 150 metres below the surface.

The RV Great Ship Maya was used to recover fossil reef samples from the Great Barrier Reef in 2010.
G.Tulloch/European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling/Integrated Ocean Drilling Program

An impressive ability to keep pace

Our study shows the Great Barrier Reef didn’t drown during meltwater pulse 1B. In fact, it continued to thrive with clear evidence of healthy, shallow-water reef assemblages (living in waters less than ten metres deep) persisting right through the rise in sea levels.

The reef not only survived but continued to grow upwards at rates between 4–6 millimetres per year. This rate of growth is comparable to modern healthy reef growth rates, demonstrating an impressive ability to keep pace.

We also calculated that the maximum possible sea-level rise during meltwater pulse 1B was between 7.7 and 10.2 metres over roughly 350 years. This equates to between 23 and 30 millimetres per year, but was likely less.

This is less than the Barbados estimate, and more consistent with observations from Tahiti where no sharp sea-level jump was found.

Importantly, this indicates that even the upper sea level rise bounds are within the survival limits of resilient reef systems such as the Great Barrier Reef – especially when environmental stressors, such as ocean warming, ocean acidification and sedimentation are low.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee recently expressed utmost concern about the current state of the Great Barrier Reef.
Darkydoors/Shutterstock

Limits to a reef’s resilience

Although the Great Barrier Reef survived sea level rise roughly 11,000 years ago, the world was very different back then.

Coral reefs faced less stress from human impacts. And ocean temperatures were rising more slowly.

But today’s reefs are already struggling, with UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee recently expressing “utmost concern” about the state of the Great Barrier Reef in particular.

This is due to warming, acidification and pollution. And these additional challenges decrease reefs’ ability to cope with rapid sea-level rise.

Our findings suggest abrupt sea-level jumps of more than 11 metres are unlikely to occur without major instabilities in ice sheets. The fact that such collapses likely didn’t happen during meltwater pulse 1B offers some reassurance. But we’re in uncharted territory now, particularly with the Antarctic ice sheet displaying early signs of instability.

Our study also shows the Great Barrier Reef has been remarkably resilient, adapting to changing sea levels and continuing to grow even as the ocean rose rapidly. This resilience, however, had limits. Ultimately, the reef we examined drowned roughly 10,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of environmental stressors, including increased sediment flux. At this time the shallow water reef ecosystem migrated landward to form the modern Great Barrier, leaving behind only deeper, mesophotic reef communities.

The lessons from the past are clear: reefs can adapt to environmental changes but there are limits.

Protecting modern reefs will require more than understanding their past. It means reducing emissions and limiting other environmental stresses such as sediment and nutrient runoff where possible.

Jody Webster receives funding from the Australian Research Council and ANZIC IODP.

Juan Carlos Braga receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Spanish Government.

Marc Humblet receives funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Stewart Fallon receives funding from the Australian Research Council and ANZIC IODP.

Yusuke Yokoyama receives funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Japan Science and Technology Agency.

– ref. Will surging sea levels kill the Great Barrier Reef? Ancient coral fossils may hold the answer – https://theconversation.com/will-surging-sea-levels-kill-the-great-barrier-reef-ancient-coral-fossils-may-hold-the-answer-257830

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK demonstrates commitment to high-quality education for all as ASEAN ministers convene at London forum
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

World news story

UK demonstrates commitment to high-quality education for all as ASEAN ministers convene at London forum

The roundtable highlighted country-led reforms and global lessons that can support inclusive and lasting progress.
The UK co-hosted the ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable on Foundational Learning during the Education World Forum 2025, bringing together education ministers and experts from Southeast Asia to address the urgent challenges in foundational learning.

Participants shared practical, evidence-based strategies to improve early literacy and numeracy.

UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said:

This expert-level discussion builds on Southeast Asia’s progress and helps ensure every child has the opportunity to master foundational skills. The UK is proud to work with ASEAN to tackle this issue head-on. This aligns with our commitment to gender equality and inclusive development.

We’re proud to support ASEAN partners in delivering real results on the ground, such as our co-investment in the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), a regional collaboration aimed at assessing and improving learning outcomes.

Former UK Prime Minister and UN Special Envoy for Global Education, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown, praised ASEAN’s achievements but called for urgent action to address the ongoing issue, especially among disadvantaged children. He stressed the importance of using proven approaches and innovative financing to scale up impact.

Experts from the Gates Foundation, University of Oxford, SEAMEO, and others shared insights on what works in foundational learning. The event also featured contributions from ASEAN Member States’ representatives and the ASEAN Secretariat, who reinforced the importance of peer learning and regional cooperation.

The Roundtable was organised by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the What Works Hub for Global Education, and the Global Coalition for Foundational Learning—including UNICEF and the Gates Foundation. It was held under the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girl’s Education (SAGE) Programme, which supports foundational learning for girls and marginalised groups across ASEAN and Timor-Leste.

Through the ASEAN-UK SAGE programme, the UK has helped to getting more children, especially girls and the most vulnerable, in school and learning the basics – with a focus on reading by age 10 or the end of primary school.

This event marks another step in strengthening ASEAN-UK cooperation under the health and education pillars of the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action, reaffirming the UK’s commitment as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner to inclusive and high-quality education for all.

For more information on the ASEAN–UK SAGE Programme, please visit: https://www.britishcouncil.id/en/programmes/education/sage

For media inquiries, please contact:
UK Mission to ASEAN at Annissa.Mutia@fcdo.gov.uk
ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme at naomi.nunn@britishcouncil.org

Editor note:

Education World Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering of education and skills ministers and provides an unparalleled opportunity for knowledge sharing and ensuring best practice in education is disseminated globally.

About the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme

The ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education Programme or ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme is a five-year UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) funded programme for ASEAN and Timor-Leste running between 2023 and 2028 with funding up to GBP 30 million.

The UK’s Dialogue Partner status with ASEAN was formalised in August 2021. A five-year ASEAN – UK Plan of Action (PoA) 2022–2026 was agreed in August 2022. The ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme is the first ASEAN-UK cooperation programme implemented under the PoA.

The ASEAN–UK SAGE Programme aims to provide evidence-based technical input that enables key players in the region including the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), and ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to develop effective policies and programmes that improve foundational learning for all and that tackle exclusion and constraints limiting the achievement of girls and marginalised groups. The Programme is delivered through the following workstreams/pillars:

Foundational learning

Out-of-school girls and marginalised groups

Gender barriers to digital skills and employment

Integration of education technology will crosscut the three pillars.

The ASEAN–UK SAGE Programme is implemented by the British Council (www.britishcouncil.org), SEAMEO Secretariat (www.seameo.org), Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) (www.acer.org), and EdTech Hub (www.edtechhub.org).

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Published 3 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 3, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Google’s SynthID is the latest tool for catching AI-made content. What is AI ‘watermarking’ and does it work?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University

HomeArt/Shutterstock

Last month, Google announced SynthID Detector, a new tool to detect AI-generated content. Google claims it can identify AI-generated content in text, image, video or audio.

But there are some caveats. One of them is that the tool is currently only available to “early testers” through a waitlist.

The main catch is that SynthID primarily works for content that’s been generated using a Google AI service – such as Gemini for text, Veo for video, Imagen for images, or Lyria for audio.

If you try to use Google’s AI detector tool to see if something you’ve generated using ChatGPT is flagged, it won’t work.

That’s because, strictly speaking, the tool can’t detect the presence of AI-generated content or distinguish it from other kinds of content. Instead, it detects the presence of a “watermark” that Google’s AI products (and a couple of others) embed in their output through the use of SynthID.

A watermark is a special machine-readable element embedded in an image, video, sound or text. Digital watermarks have been used to ensure that information about the origins or authorship of content travels with it. They have been used to assert authorship in creative works and address misinformation challenges in the media.

SynthID embeds watermarks in the output from AI models. The watermarks are not visible to readers or audiences, but can be used by other tools to identify content that was made or edited using an AI model with SynthID on board.

SynthID is among the latest of many such efforts. But how effective are they?

There’s no unified AI detection system

Several AI companies, including Meta, have developed their own watermarking tools and detectors, similar to SynthID. But these are “model specific” solutions, not universal ones.

This means users have to juggle multiple tools to verify content. Despite researchers calling for a unified system, and major players like Google seeking to have their tool adopted by others, the landscape remains fragmented.

A parallel effort focuses on metadata – encoded information about the origin, authorship and edit history of media. For example, the Content Credentials inspect tool allows users to verify media by checking the edit history attached to the content.

However, metadata can be easily stripped when content is uploaded to social media or converted into a different file format. This is particularly problematic if someone has deliberately tried to obscure the origin and authorship of a piece of content.

There are detectors that rely on forensic cues, such as visual inconsistencies or lighting anomalies. While some of these tools are automated, many depend on human judgement and common sense methods, like counting the number of fingers in AI-generated images. These methods may become redundant as AI model performance improves.

Logical inconsistencies, such as extra fingers, are some of the visual ‘tells’ of the current era of AI-generated imagery.
T J Thomson, CC BY-NC

How effective are AI detection tools?

Overall, AI detection tools can vary dramatically in their effectiveness. Some work better when the content is entirely AI-generated, such as when an entire essay has been generated from scratch by a chatbot.

The situation becomes murkier when AI is used to edit or transform human-created content. In such cases, AI detectors can get it badly wrong. They can fail to detect AI or flag human-created content as AI-generated.

AI detection tools don’t often explain how they arrived at their decision, which adds to the confusion. When used for plagiarism detection in university assessment, they are considered an “ethical minefield” and are known to discriminate against non-native English speakers.

Read more:
Can you spot the AI impostors? We found AI faces can look more real than actual humans

Where AI detection tools can help

A wide variety of use cases exist for AI detection tools. Take insurance claims, for example. Knowing whether the image a client shares depicts what it claims to depict can help insurers know how to respond.

Journalists and fact checkers might draw on AI detectors, in addition to their other approaches, when trying to decide if potentially newsworthy information ought to be shared further.

Employers and job applicants alike increasingly need to assess whether the person on the other side of the recruiting process is genuine or an AI fake.

Users of dating apps need to know whether the profile of the person they’ve met online represents a real romantic prospect, or an AI avatar, perhaps fronting a romance scam.

If you’re an emergency responder deciding whether to send help to a call, confidently knowing whether the caller is human or AI can save resources and lives.

Where to from here?

As these examples show, the challenges of authenticity are now happening in real time, and static tools like watermarking are unlikely to be enough. AI detectors that work on audio and video in real time are a pressing area of development.

Whatever the scenario, it is unlikely that judgements about authenticity can ever be fully delegated to a single tool.

Understanding the way such tools work, including their limitations, is an important first step. Triangulating these with other information and your own contextual knowledge will remain essential.

T.J. Thomson receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is an affiliated researcher with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making & Society.

Elif Buse Doyuran receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a research fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society.

Jean Burgess receives funding from the Australian Research Council including the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S), and from the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Council.

– ref. Google’s SynthID is the latest tool for catching AI-made content. What is AI ‘watermarking’ and does it work? – https://theconversation.com/googles-synthid-is-the-latest-tool-for-catching-ai-made-content-what-is-ai-watermarking-and-does-it-work-257637

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 3, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Community-led projects get a boost from Ngā Hapori Momoho grant allocations

Source: Auckland Council

A range of projects led by community groups have been allocated a share of $303,119 from Auckland Council in the latest round of Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities grants for 2024/2025, approved by the Community Committee on 27 May.

The grants support regional goals in the council’s Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-2032, with the vision for a fairer, more sustainable Tāmaki Makaurau where every Aucklander belongs. The goals aim to improve financial security, improve health outcomes, and grow community and intercultural connection.

Committee chair, Councillor Angela Dalton says the funding recognises the organisations behind these projects as experts at what they do, changing lives for the better in line with council objectives.

“Initiatives funded in this round include a transitional housing service for women, a programme teaching traditional Māori parenting skills, and a support service for young people experiencing sexual harm,” Cr Dalton says.

Deputy chair, Councillor Julie Fairey agrees that this year’s successful applicants will provide a broad spectrum of community benefits, from strengthening wellbeing for rainbow youth to supporting food rescue.

“The council is proud to be able to support a wide range of community activities through these grants, acknowledging the skills of local groups and supporting them in their important mahi. This is the stuff that helps our communities to thrive,” says Cr Fairey.

Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities grants are allocated to regionally significant groups, services, events and activities to benefit residents across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

General Manager Community Wellbeing Kenneth Aiolupotea says demand for council funding continues to grow with the highest number of applications ever received for the current round of Ngā Hapori Momoho grants, up 25 per cent from last year, with a total of 119 applications submitted.

“It is really great news that each of the 11 successful applicants have been approved for close to maximum funding, with grants ranging from $26,000 to $28,500 allocated,” Kenneth says.

Organisations delivering strong Māori outcomes were among 11 community groups that each receive a welcome boost this year for their work to improve welfare, health and belonging for Aucklanders in need.

“In addition, four of the successful applicants are Māori organisations and another two are delivering projects with strong Māori outcomes. Together, these six applicants account for 56 per cent of the total recommended funding, which is an important measure for the council.”

In the last funding round for 2023/2024, six of the 13 applicants funded were from Māori organisations or delivered strong Māori outcomes, and together they received 50 per cent of the allocated funding.

All applications were assessed by a panel to determine eligibility, capability, and how well they meet the grants funding criteria, which is available online. Unsuccessful applicants will be supported to reapply for future funding.

The Community Committee has reviewed whether change is needed for future funding rounds to keep meeting the best outcomes. Members have resolved to continue investing in projects that increase whānau and community financial security, improve health outcomes and grow community and intercultural connection for allocations from 2026 through to 2028.

Find out more

The full eligibility criteria and funding priorities are explained in the Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants Guidelines, available on the Auckland Council website.

Key dates

Applications for the next round of the 2022-2032 Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants are expected to open in November 2025.

The Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Strategy 2023-2024 document is available on the Auckland Council website.

Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities grants for 2024/2025:

Applicant	Project	Amount Recommended
Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai	Te Whare Hīnātore – a transitional housing service to reconnect wāhine with their whānau and provide the skills to live independently	$28,500
Auckland Pride Incorporated	Strengthening connections and wellbeing for Rainbow Youth	$28,500
Breathing Space Charitable Trust	Creative wellbeing professional development program for community organisations working alongside at-risk youth and young women	$28,500
EcoMatters Environment Trust	Improving health outcomes through teaching Aucklanders how to keep their house warm and dry and how to save money by reducing water and energy usage	$26,629
ECPAT Child Alert Trust (ECPAT NZ)	Youth engagement programme – supporting youth who are at risk of or have survived sexual exploitation	$28,500
KiwiHarvest	Food rescue and distribution to recipient charities	$28,500
Momentum Charitable Trust	Life and financial skills at Auckland Region Probation Centres	$27,374
Mya Steele-Fonokalafi	Ngākau Aroha parenting – inspiring and empowering whānau to apply tūpuna parenting skills	$26,104
TAIORA	Hauora training for Ngāti Whātua Iwi – training iwi and marae leaders with skills to support young people	$28,500
Te Whare Hukahuka Ltd	Ka Eke Poutama – rangatahi governance skills and pathways into governance roles programme	$28,263
OKE Charity	Working with schools – building outdoor classrooms, hands-on workshops, and community events	$23,750
Total recommended		$303,119

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Anandasangaree to announce new measures to strengthen border security
Source: Government of Canada News

Members of the media are invited to join the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, for a press conference on new measures to strengthen border security.

Prior to the press conference, Government of Canada officials will host a media technical briefing. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions to officials attending in a not-for-attribution capacity.

1. Media Technical Briefing

Event: Hybrid (In-person and virtual)
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. EDT
Location: National Press Theatre, 180 Wellington Street, Room 325, Ottawa, Ontario

2. Press conference

Event: In-person
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. EDT
Location: Parliament of Canada, Foyer, 3^rd floor, West Block, Ottawa, Ontario

Notes for media:
- Participation in the question and answer portion of these events is in-person or via Zoom, and is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.
- Accredited media representatives who wish to take part in the briefing at the National Press Theatre may attend in person and must arrive 15 minutes in advance to sign-in and present photo ID and credentials. Photo ID must be visible at all times. Media who join in-person will have an opportunity to ask questions. Simultaneous translation and audio feed will be available for media on-site.
MIL OSI Canada News –
June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Ukraine, Russia make modest progress in Istanbul peace talks, agree on largest prisoner swap

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Ukrainian and Russian delegations made modest but concrete progress in renewed peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, raising cautious hopes for a potential easing of hostilities through expanded humanitarian measures, including the largest prisoner exchange since the onset of the conflict.

The second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is held in Istanbul, Türkiye, June 2, 2025. Ukrainian and Russian delegations resumed peace negotiations on Monday in Istanbul, aiming to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, television footage showed. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye/Handout via Xinhua)

The roughly 90-minute session marked the second round of direct talks between the two sides in recent weeks. Turkish officials described the outcome as “cautiously optimistic.”

“The talks did not end negatively,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said, characterising the tone as constructive despite persistent divisions over the broader conflict.

AGREEMENTS ON HUMANITARIAN MEASURES

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who chaired the negotiations, said on the social media platform X that the delegations built on previously agreed points, including measures related to humanitarian exchanges.

“There is an agreement on new categories and an increased number of prisoner swaps,” Fidan said.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, leading Kiev’s delegation, proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, the return of displaced children and young soldiers, and the release of prisoners. Umerov called for “real efforts to end the war,” and suggested holding a third round of talks between June 20 and 30, as part of a broader push toward a possible leaders’ summit.

Russia’s delegation, led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, confirmed agreement on what he described as the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began. “All severely wounded and seriously ill soldiers will be exchanged, along with all captured servicemen under the age of 25,” he said.

Medinsky added that Moscow would return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers and proposed a two- to three-day ceasefire in specific front-line areas to enable body recovery. He also confirmed that discussions on the return of displaced Ukrainian children were underway, with Kiev submitting a list of 339 names. “We will work on this,” he said.

Medinsky noted that a preliminary meeting with Umerov had helped set the stage for Monday’s negotiations.

INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS

The United Nations (UN) welcomed the progress on humanitarian issues. “We obviously welcome any agreement that will bring the exchange of prisoners or remains,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the meeting as a “significant achievement,” saying the number of prisoners exchanged had surpassed 1,000, with some bodies returned outside formal channels. Erdogan also said Türkiye was prepared to host a high-level summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and potentially U.S. President Donald Trump.

Russian media, citing unnamed sources, reported that the next round of talks was likely to be held again in Istanbul.

TALKS SHADOWED BY ESCALATING AIRSTRIKES

The renewed negotiations come amid a backdrop of intensified military actions. Ukrainian officials said more than 40 Russian warplanes were damaged or destroyed in a drone strike on Sunday that targeted air bases deep inside Russian territory, including in the Arctic, Siberia, and Far East regions.

Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service, described the operation, which hit sites in three time zones simultaneously, as “a major slap in the face to Russia’s military power.” Ukrainian officials claimed nearly a third of Moscow’s strategic bomber fleet was either destroyed or rendered inoperable.

The Russian Defense Ministry accused the “Kiev regime” of launching first-person-view drone attacks on multiple airfields. It said airstrips in the Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were targeted, but that the strikes were repelled. Fires at airfields in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions were extinguished, with no casualties reported.

In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump believes the conflict in Ukraine “needs to come to an end.”

MIL OSI China News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Stansbury Fights to Secure Millions for New Mexico

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01)

$158.45 million in federal Community Project Funding (CPF) requests will support essential local projects

WASHINGTON D.C. — As the U.S. House of Representatives begins marking up appropriations bills in the House this week, Representative Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) submitted 15 Congressionally funded community projects, totaling $158,450,000 for communities across New Mexico in the upcoming 2026 budget process. Since coming to office, Rep. Stansbury has secured CPF funding for 37 projects focused on tackling New Mexico’s biggest challenges in public safety, housing, healthcare, education, protecting our lands and waters, and investing in our future.

“I came to Congress to support the needs of New Mexico using every tool available,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “As the Administration targets funding and resources our communities depend on, Community Project Funding is one of the most powerful tools we have to deliver investments necessary to support lasting and generational change for communities across our state. These 15 projects will help deliver vital healthcare and behavioral health services in rural communities, help seniors and families experiencing homelessness, help tackle the fentanyl crisis and public safety issues, protect our cultural heritage, and deliver water to communities across the state. I am proud to work with the state, local, and tribal leaders who are working every day to address these needs on the ground.”

After more than a decade, Congress resumed congressionally directed spending for community projects four years ago. Since then, Rep. Stansbury has secured millions in funding for fire, emergency, and public safety services, housing and food assistance, healthcare and behavioral health programs, economic development, and youth and education programs across the state. Past submissions for Fiscal Year 2022,Fiscal Year 2023, and Fiscal Year 2024 budgets are available online. Last year, Rep. Stansbury submitted $104 million in CPF requests to support New Mexico, but Republicans stripped FY25 Community Project Funding from their Continuing Resolution.

This year Rep. Stansbury submitted 15 projects to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration, pending approval through the Congressional budget and appropriations process. Projects this year were restricted to a limited number of federal programs, and only state, local, and Tribal governments and eligible entities are permitted to receive funding. The House Appropriations Committee will consider these requests alongside other submissions as part of the FY 2026 appropriations process, which begins with Appropriations Committee markups this week.

Once the Appropriations Committee approves projects, they will be subject to passage in both Chambers of Congress before being signed into law. This process will likely extend into fall, with the Fiscal Year 2016 beginning on October 1.

A summary of the 15 projects submitted by Rep Stansbury is provided below:

Investing in Public Safety Across the State

Lincoln County, Regional Wildfire Mitigation Public Safety and Training Complex – $3,000,000
Funding will support building a new Regional Public Safety and Training Center to help address wildfires and boost the region’s ability to hire, train, certify, and retain firefighters.

Fort Sumner, Fire and Rescue Fire Station – $ 1,300,000
Funding will support building a new fire station in Fort Sumner to serve the community on the West side of the Pecos River, allowing timely emergency response and a new community hub in the Sunny Side subdivision.

State Police Department, Technical Capabilities Improvements – $1,650,000
Funding will enable NM State Police to improve wireless and other technical capabilities statewide. This includes improving 5G technologies, cellular routers, and Automated License Plate Readers, increasing real-time situational awareness and allowing for more informed and rapid decision-making for first responders.

Albuquerque Police Department, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Mobile Lab Vehicle – $800,000
Funding will enable the City of Albuquerque to add a new CSI Mobile Lab vehicle to update its current fleet and help meet expanded public safety needs across the Albuquerque metro area.

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety Vehicles – $1,000,000
Funding will support BCSO’s replacement of an aging fleet of vehicles to enhance operations and reduce maintenance costs to meet public safety needs across the Bernalillo County area.

Addressing Rural Healthcare and Behavioral Health Needs

Valencia County, Acute Care Hospital – $8,000,000
Funding will support construction of a state-of-the-art acute care hospital in Los Lunas, designed to meet the healthcare needs of the growing rural communities of Valencia County. This hospital will be a critical lifeline for local residents increasing access to both emergency and inpatient care.

Sandoval County, Behavioral Health Clinic – $8,000,000
Funding will support the construction of a comprehensive behavioral health and resource center in the Town of Bernalillo, in partnership with a broad set of local, tribal, and county stakeholders to address community needs related to addiction, housing, mental health and family services. This center will serve a large number of rural and remote communities across Sandoval County, providing a first-of-its-kind regional hub for urgent and ongoing medical and behavioral health needs.



Addressing Homelessness, Housing Insecurity, and Supporting Vulnerable Families

Bernalillo County, Affordable Housing – $2,000,000
Funding will provide housing for low- and moderate-income families in Downtown Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. This project will provide safe and stable temporary housing for seniors and families in need of housing support.

Albuquerque, Transitional Housing for Families – $1,000,000
Funding will support the purchase and rehabilitation of transitional housing for vulnerable families experiencing crisis. This project will help families grow out of emergency and short-term shelters and into longer term housing while they continue to get back on their feet.

Albuquerque, Senior Stability Shelter – $1,700,000
Funding will support building a new permanent shelter for seniors who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Albuquerque. This project will provide safe and stable permanent housing in a vulnerable part of the city.

Protecting Our Water Infrastructure

Middle Rio Grande Pueblos, Rio Grande Pueblo Irrigation Infrastructure – $82,700,000
Funding will provide long-overdue support for improving acequia and irrigation infrastructure for the six middle Rio Grande Pueblos and addressing deferred maintenance, repairs, and upgrades needed for improvements in agricultural irrigation on Pueblo lands.

City of Santa Rosa, Drinking Water Pipelines Project – $4,000,000
Funding will support construction of a major project for improving drinking water supplies in the City of Santa Rosa and replacing aging infrastructure impacting drinking water pipelines.

Town of Bernalillo, Wastewater Project – $20,000,000
Funding will support the rehabilitation of the Town of Bernalillo’s aging wastewater treatment plant, extending the service life of its infrastructure and future growth in the community to protect water supplies.

Village of Corrales, Wastewater Treatment Facility – $20,000,000
Funding will help install a treatment facility and expand wastewater collection across the Village of Corrales to protect local groundwater from septic system contamination, conserve water resources by recycling treated wastewater, and supporting long-term sustainability.

Protecting our Cultural Heritage and Historic Buildings

Estancia and East Mountains, Estancia Town Hall Renovation – $3,300,000
Funding will support planning and capital improvement repairs of the historic Estancia Community Center. The community center serves as a vital hub, offering access to essential services, educational programs, and support for generations of New Mexicans.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER INVESTIGATION: The M&A Class Action Firm Is Investigating the Merger: SSBK, LNSR, iCAD and BSGM
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:
- Southern States Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSBK), relating to the proposed merger with FB Financial Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, Southern States’ shareholders will receive 0.800 shares of FB Financial common stock for each share of Southern States stock.
ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for June 26, 2025.

Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/southern-states-bancshares-inc-ssbk/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
- LENSAR, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNSR), relating to the proposed merger with Alcon. Under the terms of the agreement, LENSAR shareholders will receive $14.00 per share, with an additional non-tradeable contingent value right offering up to $2.75 per share in cash conditioned on the achievement of certain milestones.
ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for July 2, 2025.

Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/lensar-inc-lnsr/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
- iCAD, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICAD), relating to the proposed merger with RadNet, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, iCAD stockholders will receive 0.0677 shares of RadNet common stock for each share of iCAD common stock held at the closing of the merger.
ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for July 14, 2025.

Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/icad-inc-icad/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
- BioSig Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: BSGM), relating to the proposed Merger with Streamex Exchange Corporation, pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement, the Company, through ExchangeCo, will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Streamex (the “Purchased Shares”) from the Shareholders.
Click here for more info https://monteverdelaw.com/case/biosig-technologies-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:
1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?
About Monteverde & Associates PC

Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

Contact:
Juan Monteverde, Esq.
MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
New York, NY 10118
United States of America
jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

The MIL Network –
June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: Cooperation between Tajikistan and China is actively developing thanks to the Belt and Road initiative – Vice-Rector of the Tajik Technical University named after Academician M. Osimi R. Jurakhonzoda

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Dushanbe, June 2 /Xinhua/ — Tajik-Chinese relations are currently at a high level of strategic partnership, Vice-Rector for International Relations of the Tajik Technical University named after Academician M. Osimi Rauf Jurakhonzoda said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua recently.

“Cooperation between our countries is actively developing thanks to the Belt and Road initiative, especially in key areas such as science and education,” he stressed.

According to R. Jurakhonzoda, within the framework of this initiative, quotas for studying in Chinese universities are allocated annually for Tajik students. The two countries are actively implementing joint educational and scientific projects and carrying out academic exchanges. Thus, the Tajik Technical University named after Academician M. Osimi has established a partnership with the Tianjin Vocational and Technical College of Urban Construction Management, the vice-rector said.

R. Jurakhonzoda noted that in recent years there has been a positive trend in cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries. A striking example of this, according to him, is the launch in Tajikistan of the first “Lu Ban Workshop” in Central Asia, aimed at training engineering personnel for the industrialization and modernization of the country. The activities of this workshop cover such areas as geodesy, intelligent cartography, construction, architecture, water and heat supply, as well as renewable energy sources.

“We plan to introduce new formats of cooperation with Chinese universities. This is not only a contribution to the development of education, but also strengthening the friendship between our peoples,” he added.

Speaking about the upcoming 2nd China-Central Asia Summit, which will be held in June, the Vice-Rector expressed hope for further deepening of the strategic partnership, especially in the field of high technology.

He emphasized that the Tajik Technical University is interested in developing cooperation with Chinese universities in such areas as digitalization of education, artificial intelligence and smart technologies. Within the framework of the Lu Ban Workshops, it is planned to implement new joint programs that will allow training specialists in demand in various sectors – from agriculture to energy and industry, added R. Jurakhonzoda. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Results of the exhibition “Metalloobrabotka-2025”

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

The traditional industry exhibition “Metalloobrabotka-2025” has ended in Moscow’s Expocentre. It is safe to say that SPbPU successfully presented its developments to ensure technological leadership in the direction of “Materials, Technologies, Production”. The Polytechnic University demonstrated a real technological process for manufacturing parts of power engineering for civil and special purposes. The exhibition participants got acquainted with special-purpose technologies and the technology of highly efficient repair of critically loaded parts of power engineering.

Director of IMMiT and Chief Designer of the Scientific and Technical Complex “New Materials, Technologies, Production”, Professor Anatoly Popovich, noted: Development of technologies for manufacturing parts of gas-pumping units using modern digital additive manufacturing technologies, in particular the technology of high-temperature selective laser melting of domestically produced metal powder materials, will reduce the cost price, terms of technological preparation of production and repair of critical units and parts, improve the quality of manufacturing components of drive gas turbine engines of gas-pumping units for enterprises of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation. In particular, redesigning taking into account the advantages of additive technologies and manufacturing parts of the hot gas turbine tract will significantly increase the performance characteristics of parts and units, and the developed new materials for protective coatings, such as high-entropy alloys, will increase the service life between repairs of the units.

Thus, notes Anatoly Popovich, this will provide Russia with technological leadership in the market for the production of units and assemblies of gas turbine engines. The automated repair and restoration system will increase productivity at the surfacing stage up to five times and reduce the cost of repairs by half. Technologies for laser surfacing of difficult-to-weld and non-weld heat-resistant alloys and the developed specialized tool will expand the range of repaired parts.

On the final day of the exhibition, a series of meetings between key executors of the Peter the Great SPbPU project in the direction of “Materials, Technologies, Production” and future customers took place at the Polytechnic stand.

Mikhail Kuznetsov, Head of the Research Laboratory “LiAT” of the SPbPU Institute of Metallurgy and Metallurgy, held talks with representatives of the company JSC “EZTM” and colleagues from the State Corporation “Roscosmos”. The partners discussed current projects and prospects for joint work in the field of laser welding and additive technologies.

At the SPbPU stand, the NIL employees presented samples created using laser and additive technologies. The specialists presented components of the hot tract of gas turbine engines repaired by laser cladding, samples 7 and 10 mm thick, welded in one pass without edge preparation by laser welding and hybrid laser-arc welding, and other equally interesting exhibits.

Head of the Laboratory of Light Materials and Structures Oleg Panchenko held meetings with representatives of NPO Luch, PI Science and Innovations, NPK Morsvyazavtomatika and others. The participants discussed the possibilities of robotization of production, friction stir welding, electric arc growing, joint projects on reverse engineering in the areas of compressor and propulsion devices.

The staff of the Laboratory of Light Materials and Structures of the Institute of Metallurgy and Engineering at SPbPU demonstrated the process of producing a conical gear for heavy engineering using the electric arc growing method right at the exhibition. This method is based on melting metal wire under the influence of the energy of an electric arc.

The installation, created by engineers specifically for this exhibition, is a unique solution for reducing production costs. The technological process allows achieving record-high speeds of obtaining products (for aluminum alloys (Al) – 2.2 kg/hour, for Fe – 6 kg/hour). In addition to record productivity, the key advantage of the technology is the absence of geometric limitations of the printed product. This is the reason for the concept of the “open type” cell: the manipulator is easily installed on the rails and follows the part being grown.

The Polytechnic University stand presented a selective laser melting installation for metals (3D metal printer) “Mercury”, jointly developed by specialists from SPbPU and 3DLAM.

The peculiarity of this complex is the platform heating up to 1300 degrees, which allows printing with heat-resistant nickel alloys. During the exhibition, engineers printed samples for further laboratory tests and analysis of metal properties.

Visitors to the exhibition could see the advanced developments of the polytechnics in the unified catalog of SPbPU. It was entirely dedicated to the projects of the divisions of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport.

The debut at the Metalloobrabotka-202 exhibition is a significant event for IMMiT specialists. The event became a platform for demonstrating breakthrough solutions and the latest technologies that the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is developing in the field of laser and additive technologies. Our achievements are not just ideas, but ready-to-manufacture solutions that shape the future, – summed up the Director of IMMiT and the Chief Designer of the KNTN “New Materials, Technologies, Production” Anatoly Popovich.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: EY Regional CEO David Larocca on weaving Microsoft 365 Copilot into his day’s DNA

Source: Microsoft

Headline: EY Regional CEO David Larocca on weaving Microsoft 365 Copilot into his day’s DNA

As the EY Regional Managing Partner and CEO of Oceania, David Larocca saw AI’s potential to transform the organization and how its 9,000 people work, and that he needed to learn a lot more about it to realize that promise.

When the EY member firms across Oceania became some of the earliest adopters of Microsoft 365 Copilot in 2024, Larocca immersed himself in AI. He regularly dedicates at least one precious hour each fortnight to it, reading, listening to podcasts, connecting with other leaders and using Copilot.

“Particularly when it comes to change and new tools and new ways of doing things, I think it’s important that all of our leaders lead from the front here and actually show that you’re rolling the sleeves up and doing, not just telling,” Larocca, who is based in Sydney, Australia, said.

Copilot can do a lot more

Initially, Larocca started with simple tasks like asking Copilot to organize his emails. Quickly he saw Copilot could do more, a lot more, and he began using the AI assistant to summarize meetings and materials.

Soon, he was turning to Copilot on Friday afternoon or Sunday evening to help him plan his busy week ahead.

The more Larocca learned about Copilot, the more he wove it into his day’s DNA. He turned to Copilot for help preparing for client meetings, using prompts to quickly summarize materials, and share the latest developments about a client and the people he’d meet.

If a challenging conversation loomed, Larocca would sometimes turn to Copilot for help.

“I want to have this conversation…I’m feeling this way about it,” Larocca would tell Copilot. “Can you write a first cut for me? And it’s pretty good. And then I’ll sort of tailor it to my language.”

It “really enabled me to be faster at focusing on what’s important,” Larocca said.

Larocca is even known for breaking out Copilot on stage. During a panel on the EY alliance with Microsoft, he pulled out his phone and asked Copilot: “What does success look like for the EY / Microsoft alliance? What does being great in this alliance mean?”

Larocca’s AI use set an important tone from the top, as EY member firms across Oceania — which spans Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji — pushed forward with their AI adoption strategy. Executive leadership meetings, for example, became more efficient because Copilot could share summaries, discussion points, agreements or disagreements, suggest actions and answer questions in real time. This meant executives could jump out of a meeting and then catch up quickly when they returned.

Copilot delivered what many senior executives need: more time.

Copilot has spread far beyond the C-suite — nearly 70 percent of 9,000 EY people have adopted the AI assistant. A year into adoption, Copilot is freeing EY people from mundane tasks, such as finding and collating credentials in large proposals. Instead, they can spend their time on higher value work like developing strategies for clients.

A team can focus on “what do we need to make this proposal a winning proposal?” Larocca said. “There’s a real opportunity, a massive opportunity, for our people and our business to be even more impactful with our clients.”

Simply put, Copilot is helping EY people across Oceania provide value to clients, faster.

Lessons from an early AI adopter

After a year studying AI and Copilot, Larocca has learned a few things about how to deploy AI and Copilot.

It’s critical that leaders are clear about why Copilot and AI are essential for their business, according to Larocca. The answer will vary among different businesses, he added, “but I think there is no sector or business in my view that shouldn’t be engaging” with AI.

And it starts in the C-suite.

Leaders should make learning about AI a habit, Larocca recommended. Set aside a regular time to experiment with tools like Copilot, try new prompts and learn about AI. Then share what you’re learning with your teams. To tap Copilot’s true potential, you need to engage it and do the training.

“If we have this discussion in six months, I’m sure I’ll come up with six, seven or eight other things that I didn’t think about.”

Top image: David Larocca, EY Regional Managing Partner and CEO of Oceania. Photo: EY. Image background generated with Microsoft Copilot.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Johnson Earns High Marks For Voting Record, Engagement on Intellectual Property Policies

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

Congressman receives “A” on Council for Innovation Promotion Congressional Scorecard for Working to Strengthen America’s IP Ecosystem

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet, announced June 2 that he received an “A” from the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) for consistently introducing and supporting bills and policies that strengthen America’s IP framework.

“Intellectual property laws protect the rights of inventors and creators by granting them patents, trademarks, and copyrights,” said Johnson. “In doing so, these laws boost America’s competitiveness and export growth, create millions of jobs, and affect virtually every segment of the U.S. economy. In many ways, IP laws are the drivers of the American Dream. I will continue to focus on intellectual property policies that foster the innovation and creativity we need to drive human progress. I am proud to represent so many hardworking artists, innovators, and small businesses working to make their dreams a reality.”

C4IP is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that are necessary for innovation, increased economic competitiveness, and improved lives everywhere.

The Scorecard evaluated Congress across three dimensions: political, legislative, and policy activity. It assesses both current congressional activity and relevant past activity by current members across 116th, 117th and 118th Congresses.

The report highlighted some of Congressman Johnson’s most important legislative priorities, including his SHOP SAFE Act, and bills he’s cosponsored such as the RESTORE Patent Rights Act.

“The United States is not only the world’s largest economy — it is also, by scale and substance, the global leader in innovation and creativity,” the report states. “Indeed, many, if not most, of the revolutionary technologies developed globally over the past half-century originated in the United States. A robust innovation-driven economy relies on a strong system of intellectual property (IP) rights, both now and in the future.”

To read the report, click HERE. To learn more about C4IP, click HERE.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Man Charged with Hate Crime in Attack on Boulder Gathering

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Mohammed Sabry Soliman, age 45, of Colorado Springs, has been charged with one count of a hate crime involving actual or perceived race, religion, or national origin.

According to the criminal complaint, on June 1, 2025, at approximately 2pm, Soliman threw two lit Molotov cocktails at individuals participating in a gathering near the Boulder Courthouse of members of “Run for Their Lives,” which organizes weekly walks to call attention to the Israeli hostages in Gaza. When he threw the Molotov cocktails, Soliman yelled “Free Palestine!” The Molotov cocktails ignited in the crowd of people, causing burn injuries to eight individuals.

The complaint also alleges that when Soliman was detained by local law enforcement, at least fourteen unlit Molotov cocktails and a backpack weed sprayer, potentially containing a flammable substance, were found nearby. A car registered to Soliman, parked a block away, contained a red gas container, red material consistent with rags used in the Molotov cocktails, and paperwork with the words, “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID.”

The complaint further alleges that, during an interview with local and federal law enforcement, Soliman stated that he had researched on YouTube how to make Molotov cocktails, purchased the ingredients to do so, and constructed them. He traveled to Boulder in his vehicle with the Molotov cocktails and threw two of them at individuals participating in the gathering. He stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead. He stated that he would do it (conduct an attack) again. Throughout the interview, Soliman stated that he hated the “Zionist group” and did this because he needed to stop them from taking over “our land,” i.e., Palestine. He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year.

The charges in the complaint are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Denver Field Office and the Boulder Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the Civil Rights Division and the National Security Division, both of the Department of Justice, and in coordination with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office (Twentieth Judicial District).

Case Number: 25-mj-000108-NRN

MIL Security OSI –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Nimanode Positions To Become The OpenSea of AI Agents On XRP Blockchain – Presale Momentum Accelerates
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LEEDS, United Kingdom, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Excitement is building across the XRP community as Nimanode ($NMA), the first AI agent platform on the XRP Ledger, positions itself as the premier destination for intelligent automation within the Ripple ecosystem.

Amid growing bullish sentiment around XRP — driven by XRP Futures trading going live seasoned investors from major ecosystems like Cardano ($ADA) and Solana ($SOL), are turning their attention to the Nimanode Presale, eager to secure early exposure to what many see as a foundational layer for on-chain AI infrastructure.

Pioneering AI Agents on XRP

Nimanode is strategically emerging as the leading marketplace and launch platform for autonomous AI agents on the XRP Ledger. Just as OpenSea redefined digital ownership through NFTs, Nimanode is redefining utility through AI agents that work, evolve, and earn on-chain.

Designed specifically to offer a no-code gateway to intelligent, on-chain automation at scale. Nimanode offers services from solo builders to enterprises — to deploy intelligent agents that automate smart contracts, optimize DeFi strategies, assess protocol risk, and manage tokenized real-world assets (RWAs).

This transformative model brings a new dimension to DeFi and AI adoption in the XRP ecosystem, by combining modular AI technology with XRPL’s unmatched speed and low transaction costs, opening up a new era of AI x Blockchain, with real monetization potential built into every deployment.

Join Nimanode Presale

Why Investors are Flocking to The Nimanode Presale

The presale surge has captured the attention of prominent crypto investors including notable whales from the BNB, ADA and SOL communities. All looking to position themselves early in what many believe could be the next DeFi breakout project.

From the desk of the development team at Nimanode, they are set to deliver an Agentic workforce handling various tasks autonomously. Features of these ecosystem include but not limited to

Zero-Code Agent Builder – Easily create and configure AI agents through a drag-and-drop interface

Autonomous Execution – Agents perform on-chain tasks, react to data feeds, and interact across dApps

Agent Marketplace – Build, deploy and monetize AI agents within a Nimanode ecosystem

XRPL Integration – High-speed, low-cost, and eco-friendly infrastructure to power scalable agent activity

$NMA Token – Powering the Nimanode Ecosystem

The native $NMA token is the backbone of the Nimanode platform, unlocking utility and benefits across their ecosystem through:
- Agent Deployment: Lower fees for launching and customizing AI agents.
- Staking Rewards: Earn passive income by staking $NMA tokens.
- Marketplace Access: Use $NMA to buy, license, or upgrade agents.
- Governance: Participate in DAO proposals and help shape platform evolution.
At the end of the presale, $NMA will list on DEXs at a 25% higher price, offering early participants immediate upside on their investments.

How to Join The Nimanode Presale

Joining in the NimaNode Presale is quite straightforward for anyone seasoned investors and newbies alike.

Setup an XRP-Compatible Wallet: Ensure you have a non-custodial wallet capable of receiving XRP native tokens like Xaman Wallet.

Purchase XRP: Acquire XRP from reputable exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bybit.

Participate in the Presale: Visit the NimaNode presale page (https://nimanode.com/presale), send your XRP to the provided presale address, and secure your $NMA tokens.

The last cycle gave us DeFi protocols and NFTs. This cycle is shaping up to be about autonomous infrastructure and Nimanode is at the heart of it.

Don’t Miss Out – Secure your $NMA Tokens

Learn more about Nimanode

Website: https://nimanode.com

Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

Whitepaper: https://docs.nimanode.com

Contact:
Nick Lambert
contact@nimanode.com

Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Nimanode. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/675f22df-2345-47a3-9ac2-1187fab5183a

The MIL Network –
June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed Delivers $29.6 Million for RI Economic Development & Housing Initiatives
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to help strengthen local neighborhoods and support economic development and affordable housing programs throughout the state, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that Rhode Island will receive $29,614,503 in new federal aid from several federal housing and community development programs.

Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, who helped secure the funds in the fiscal year 2025 continuing resolution (CR) appropriations bill, noted this year’s funding levels are based on the Biden Administration’s final budget, which was untouched by cuts from the Trump Administration when Congress passed the full-year CR in March.

As a result, Rhode Island’s allocations include:
- $16,616,289 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
- $5,825,296 from the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program
- $3,001,259 from the Housing Trust Fund
- $1,469,265 from the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program
- $1,484,128 from the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
- $1,218,265 through the Recovery Housing Program (RHP)
The federal investments are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which Senator Reed oversees as both an authorizer on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and as an appropriator on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD).

“This federal funding will help strengthen neighborhoods, advance opportunities for local economic development, and ensure more Rhode Islanders have a healthy and safe place to live. These programs help cities and towns expand housing options and move forward with capital improvement projects that can spur economic growth and development. Unlike President Trump, whose Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal calls for the elimination of many of these essential government programs. I’m committed to improving public infrastructure, boosting housing supply, and upgrading community assets. From increasing affordable housing opportunities, to repairing roads and extending sidewalks, to enhancing parks and clean water infrastructure, these funds help revitalize neighborhoods and enhance economic development. With Rhode Island experiencing an alarming affordable housing supply shortage, this critical funding will also bring millions to our state to help preserve and build more affordable housing,” said Senator Reed.

President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 preliminary budget request to Congress would eliminate the CDBG and HOME programs and devastate HUD with a 43 percent cut in funding. Furthermore, it would place a massive burden on state and local budgets by cutting HUD rental assistance programs by nearly half and shrinking federal homeless assistance programs.

CDBG provides local communities with a flexible source of federal funding to address a wide range of neighborhood development needs. The funds may be used for capital-improvement projects or distributed to non-profit organizations to increase housing, supportive service, and job opportunities. Eligible communities may also apply to the state, which annually allocates federal CDBG funds through a competitive process. CDBG funds may also be used to address a variety of needs from revitalizing distressed areas by removing blight and assisting with infrastructure projects.

Several Rhode Island cities will split over $16.6 million from this round of CDBG funding, including allocations for:
1. Cranston: $1,085,975
2. East Providence: $772,761
3. Pawtucket: $1,776,064
4. Providence: $5,227,138
5. Warwick: $948,131
6. Woonsocket: $1,050,583
7. Rhode Island statewide: $5,755,637
8. TOTAL: $16,616,289
HOME is a major federal block grant program providing funding to state and local governments to expand and preserve the supply of quality, affordable housing for working families. Providence will receive $1,414,533 in HOME funds, while Pawtucket will receive $520,010, Woonsocket will receive $333,115, and a pot of funds for communities across the state will total $3,557,637.

Senator Reed created the national Housing Trust Fund (HTF) in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The HTF is an affordable housing production and preservation program. Under the law, government-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are required to contribute annually to the HTF.

ESG provides annual grants to state and local governments to upgrade and expand emergency homeless shelters. In this round of funding, Providence will receive $476,119 in ESG funds, Pawtucket will receive $155,836, Woonsocket will receive $93,908, and communities across the state will share an additional $743,402.

Providence will also receive $1,484,128 in HOPWA funds, which help communities and nonprofit organizations offer housing assistance and related supportive services to low-income individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

To help more effectively combat the opioid crisis and ensure people with substance abuse disorders can access safe housing, Rhode Island will also receive $1,218,265 in Recovery Housing Program (RHP) funds. Senator Reed backed this program as part of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act. This federal funding will help Rhode Island provide stable, temporary housing to individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder.
MIL OSI USA News –
June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Boozman Propose Tax Credit to Assist Blind Americans with Obtaining Access Technology

US Senate News:

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

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced the bipartisan Access Technology Affordability Act to create a refundable tax credit to help blind Americans afford the technology and tools that can enhance their ability to perform daily, necessary functions.

According to the American Community Survey, 64 percent of blind Americans in 2022 were unemployed or underemployed, in part due to the expenses surrounding access technology that are often not covered by medical insurance. The Access Technology Affordability Act would create a tax credit to offset the cost of “qualified access technology,” which includes hardware, software and other information technology with the primary function of adapting information represented in visual formats unusable by blind Americans.

“Obtaining necessary technology is a life-changing opportunity for blind and visually impaired Americans – but high costs often stand in the way,” said Luján. “I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to make this essential technology more affordable and accessible. By removing financial barriers, we can ensure more Americans have a fair shot at education, employment, and staying connected.”

“As an optometrist, I know first hand how vital these tools are to the blind and visually impaired community – especially in an increasingly technical world,” said Boozman. “Providing financial support that helps put access technologies in their hands is a strong step forward in ensuring blind Americans can utilize them to not only secure gainful employment, but also live fulfilling, active lives.”

The Access Technology Affordability Act has been endorsed by the National Federation of the Blind.

“Blind Americans want to work among our non-blind peers. The Access Technology Affordability Act will provide more people access to the technology needed to compete equally in the workforce and it will shrink the staggeringly high ratio of the blind community who are not working or underemployed, which is currently 65 percent of our working-age population,” said President of the National Federation of the Blind Mark A. Riccobono.

The bill text is available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: California Man Sentenced to 12 Months and One Day for Federal Cares Act Fraud

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that NIPUN DESAI (“DESAI”), formerly of Hammond, La., but now a California resident, age 56, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter for making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the CARES Act, which provided emergency assistance, administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), to small business owners affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The two primary sources of funding for small businesses were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.

According to court records, on or about January 25, 2021, DESAI made false statements to an approved lender in order to obtain an SBA backed PPP loan in the amount of $146,947.50 for a hotel in Metairie, LA. At the time of the loan application, DESAI’s hotel was permanently closed and had no employees or payroll.

In addition to incarceration, which is to be divided between time in the Bureau of Prisons and home incarceration, DESAI was sentenced to 2 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to repay the SBA approximately $234,000 and the Louisiana Workforce Commission $26,000. He also paid a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 and a fine of $25,000.

For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

As part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Task Force, this investigation was conducted by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending, including spending via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee’s Office (Region 5) in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit was in charge of the prosecution.

MIL Security OSI –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Angus Gold Reminds Shareholders of Upcoming Special Meeting and Provides Additional Disclosure Regarding Shareholder Approval Requirements

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Angus Gold Inc. (TSX-V: GUS | OTC: ANGVF) (“Angus” or the “Company”) reminds shareholders of its upcoming special meeting (the “Special Meeting”) to vote on the proposed arrangement transaction (the “Arrangement”) with Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (“Wesdome”), announced on April 7, 2025 and to be held on June 19, 2025. Shareholders must submit proxies by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on June 17, 2025. Angus encourages all shareholders to vote as soon as possible.

Following a review of the Company’s information circular dated May 7, 2025 (the “Circular”) by the Ontario Securities Commission (“OSC”), Angus is also providing additional disclosure regarding the shareholder approval requirements under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). At the date of the Arrangement agreement and as of the record date of May 7, 2025 (the “Record Date”), Wesdome owned 6,300,000 common shares of Angus, representing 10.4% of the outstanding shares. As a result, Wesdome is a “related party” under MI 61-101, and, as noted in the Circular, the Arrangement constitutes a “business combination.” Accordingly, in addition to the 66 2/3% shareholder approval required under corporate law, the Arrangement requires “minority approval”—meaning approval by a majority of votes cast at the Special Meeting, excluding shares held by interested parties and related parties (each as defined under MI 61-101.

All 6,300,000 Angus common shares held by Wesdome will be excluded from minority approval given it is a related party to the Company. In addition, as disclosed in the Circular, Patrick Langlois and Dennis Peterson, who collectively hold 5,375,000 Angus common shares, are considered interested parties under MI 61-101, and their Angus shares will therefore be excluded from the minority approval vote. Each of the members of the Angus special committee and board of directors were aware of, and received advice with respect to, the application of MI 61-101 to the Arrangement in light of Wesdome’s related party status.

As of the Record Date, 60,331,050 Angus common shares were outstanding. Shareholders holding approximately 36.5% of these common shares have entered into voting support agreements in favour of the Arrangement, representing approximately 34.3% of the common shares eligible to vote for purposes of minority approval under MI 61-101.

The OSC also requested clarification of a reference to the mix of cash and share consideration in the “Background to the Arrangement” section of the Circular. During negotiations, Wesdome proposed that Angus shareholders receive a mix of cash and Wesdome shares instead of all Wesdome shares. After a thorough review by the special committee and its independent legal and financial advisors, the special committee recommended—and the Angus board agreed—that this mixed‐consideration approach would provide greater certainty of value while still allowing shareholders to benefit from any upside in Wesdome’s share price. As the definitive agreements progressed, the parties agreed to finalize the exact cash and share mix, with the price and exchange ratio fixed on April 5, 2025.

About Angus Gold:

Angus Gold Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company’s flagship project is the Golden Sky Project in Wawa, Ontario. The Project is immediately adjacent to the Eagle River Mine of Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (“Wesdome”).

On behalf of Angus Gold Inc.,

Breanne Beh
President and Chief Executive Officer

INQUIRIES:
Lindsay Dunlop, Vice President Investor Relations
Email: info@angusgold.com
Phone: 647-259-1790
Company Website: www.angusgold.com

TSXV: GUS | USOTC: ANGVF

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial and operating performance of the Company and its projects. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Forward-looking statements or information contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to: (i) expectations regarding whether the proposed Arrangement will be consummated, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Arrangement will be satisfied, or the timing for completing the Transaction, (ii) expectations for the effects of the Arrangement or the ability of the combined company to successfully achieve business objectives, including integrating the companies or the effects of unexpected costs, liabilities or delays, (iii) the potential benefits and synergies of the Arrangement, and (iv) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors including those risk factors discussed in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information” and “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form. Readers are urged to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company’s website.

The MIL Network –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: ibex to Present at Baird’s 2025 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IBEX Limited (NASDAQ: IBEX), a leading global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) and AI-powered customer engagement technology solutions, today announced that CEO Bob Dechant and CFO Taylor Greenwald will participate in Baird’s 2025 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference in New York City.

Dechant and Greenwald will host a “Fireside Chat” on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET to speak about the company and answer questions. They will also participate in one-on-one investor meetings.

About ibex
ibex delivers innovative business process outsourcing (BPO), smart digital marketing, online acquisition technology, and end-to-end customer engagement solutions to help companies acquire, engage and retain valuable customers. Today, ibex operates a global CX delivery center model consisting of approximately 30 operations facilities around the world, while deploying next generation technology to drive superior customer experiences for many of the world’s leading companies across retail, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech, utilities and logistics.

ibex leverages its diverse global team of more than 31,000 employees together with industry-leading technology, including the AI-powered ibex Wave iX solutions suite, to manage nearly 175 million critical customer interactions, adding over $2.2B in lifetime customer revenue each year and driving a truly differentiated customer experience. To learn more, visit our website at ibex.co and connect with us on LinkedIn.

IR Contact: Michael Darwal, EVP, Investor Relations, ibex, michael.darwal@ibex.co
Media Contact: Dan Burris, VP, Marketing and Communications, ibex, daniel.burris@ibex.co

The MIL Network –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Grassley introduce AI Whistleblower Protection Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Whistleblower Protection Act, which provides explicit whistleblower protections to those developing and deploying AI. Currently, AI companies’ restrictive severance and nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) create a chilling effect on current and former employees looking to make whistleblower disclosures to the federal government, including Congress.

The legislation establishes employment protections for current and former AI employees who make disclosures of violations of law or of failures to respond to substantial dangers that AI may pose to public safety, public health, or national security. This includes relief for AI whistleblowers who suffer retaliation, including applicable reinstatement, back pay, and compensation for damages incurred. The bill would reinforce other efforts that Senator Coons has led, including the bipartisan Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, to provide regulators, independent researchers, and the public important information about the dangers of technology that are currently known only to tech companies.

“AI is rapidly evolving in ways that have the potential to radically reshape our society and transform our world for the better and for the worse,” said Senator Coons. “I have long been concerned with how much more tech companies know about the risks and harms of their products compared with regulators, independent researchers, and the public. The AI Whistleblower Protection Act is a critical tool, among others, that Congress must enact to ensure that we can get the best out of AI while also learning when it poses a substantial danger to public safety.”

“Transparency brings accountability. Today, too many people working in AI feel they’re unable to speak up when they see something wrong. Whistleblowers are one of the best ways to ensure Congress keeps pace as the AI industry rapidly develops. We need to act to make these protections crystal clear. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to increase accountability and protect AI whistleblowers,” said Senator Grassley.

Additional co-sponsors include Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) are introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The legislation is endorsed by the National Whistleblower Center, Government Accountability Project, Center for AI Policy, Encode AI, Americans for Responsible Innovation, and The Anti-Fraud Coalition.

“The introduction of the [AI Whistleblower Protection Act] answers the call for AI industry employee whistleblower protections that will serve to protect the public, marking a turning point in guaranteeing transparency and accountability over AI companies,” said Stephen Kohn, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the National Whistleblower Center. “National Whistleblower Center extends its sincere appreciation to [Senator Grassley], and [his] fellow sponsors and cosponsors, for championing this bill and taking a stand for all AI employees.”

“In a time when AI technologies are advancing faster than many institutions can keep up, it’s absolutely vital that the federal government has access to accurate, truthful information about the dangers AI poses to public health and public safety,” said Jason Green-Lowe, Executive Director of the Center for AI Policy.

“[This] bill offers crucial protection for AI whistleblowers,” said Jacklyn DeMar, President & CEO of The Anti-Fraud Coalition. “Sector-based whistleblower protections are desperately needed to allow insiders within the AI industry to best protect investors and ensure proper safety protocols are implemented. Given the rapid development and adoption of AI throughout our society, insiders working within the industry need to be properly protected when they blow the whistle.”

“As AI systems grow more powerful and autonomous, we must shield those who sound the alarm about emerging risks. The engineers and researchers closest to these systems are the first to spot dangerous vulnerabilities or safety gaps,” said Sunny Gandhi, Vice President of Political Affairs at Encode AI. “The AI Whistleblower Protection Act creates a vital safety valve for our AI ecosystem, ensuring that legitimate national security concerns reach regulators before they spiral into preventable harm.”

“Ensuring transparency and accountability in the rapidly evolving field of AI is a public interest and national security imperative,” said Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation. “Employees in the industry have firsthand knowledge of practices that may jeopardize public safety and our national security. The AI Whistleblower Protection Act ensures they aren’t silenced by a fear of retaliation.”

Senator Coons is a member and former Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Intellectual Property Subcommittee. He has led legislative efforts related to AI, focusing on American leadership in the sector, intellectual property, and potential threats associated with AI.

The text of the bill is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Construction Manager Sentenced to Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Embezzlement and Tax Evasion

Source: US FBI

Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JOSE GARCIA was sentenced to 27 months in prison for committing two lengthy fraud crimes—a $4.5 million embezzlement crime and a $2.1 million tax evasion crime. In the embezzlement scheme, GARCIA had a lucrative no-show job with a technology company from 2012 to 2019. GARCIA did no work for the technology company, but GARCIA’s co-conspirator, a technology executive, approved millions in payments to GARCIA and GARCIA’s shell entities. In the tax evasion scheme, GARCIA neither filed tax returns nor paid income taxes from 2011 through 2019. GARCIA previously pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and tax evasion before U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho, who imposed today’s sentence. Three other members of the embezzlement conspiracy have also pled guilty to date.

“Jose Garcia engaged in a lengthy embezzlement scheme that involved a no-show job, fraudulent billings, and largescale cash kickbacks,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Garcia then doubled-down and sought to conceal his embezzlement activities by committing another crime – tax evasion. In all, Garcia stole millions at the expense of hard-working, tax-paying Americans. He then used the proceeds of his frauds to fund a lavish lifestyle. For these brazen crimes, Garcia has been sentenced to prison.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, the Superseding Information to which GARCIA pled guilty, and statements made in public filings and in public court proceedings:

The Embezzlement Scheme

From approximately May 2010 through February 2019, GARCIA’s co-defendant, Mark Angarola, spearheaded a large fraud scheme to unlawfully enrich himself and his co-conspirators (the “Conspirators”) by submitting and causing to be submitted fraudulent invoices and expenses to an information technology (“IT”) services company (the “Contractor”), at which Angarola was employed in a senior position. In total, the embezzlement scheme caused a loss of more than $7 million. GARCIA received the majority of the scheme’s fraud proceeds: $4,554,950.

Angarola was a New York-based Global Account General Manager at the Contractor. He was responsible for managing the Contractor’s relationship with a particular client, which was a subsidiary of a global financial institution (the “Client”). The Contractor had a service contract with the Client, pursuant to which the Contractor provided IT support services to the Client at locations across the U.S. The Contractor subcontracted certain of this work to a technology solutions company (the “Subcontractor”). Pursuant to the agreement between the Contractor and the Subcontractor (the “Subcontract”), the Subcontractor provided certain IT support services directly to the Client in the place of the Contractor. Angarola was responsible for oversight of the Subcontractor’s performance on the Subcontract, which included approving payment to the Subcontractor on invoices submitted for work purportedly performed and expenses purportedly incurred in the Subcontractor’s performance on the Subcontract.

Angarola abused his position to fraudulently enrich himself, his family, and his friends. For instance, he arranged for the Subcontractor to hire certain of his family members, friends, and subordinates, despite the fact that these individuals lacked apparent qualifications to perform deskside IT work. He arranged for the Subcontractor to hire, among others, his wife (a homemaker); his former college roommate (a police sergeant); and his close friends, including GARCIA (a construction manager) and GARCIA’s wife (a schoolteacher). Thereafter, various Conspirators falsely reported to the Subcontractor that they had performed work under the Subcontract and incurred business expenses. The Subcontractor submitted invoices to the Contractor for the hours purportedly worked and business expenses purportedly incurred by several of the Conspirators, and Angarola, in turn, caused the Contractor to pay the Subcontractor on these fraudulent invoices. The purported business expenses incurred by several Conspirators, and ultimately paid for by the Contractor at the direction of Angarola, included restaurant meals, hotel stays, transportation fees, a cruise, and gentlemen’s clubs. In fact, the expenses were personal expenses and were not reimbursable under the Contractor’s policy.

GARCIA was a central beneficiary of the embezzlement scheme and received the majority of the fraud proceeds. These fraud proceeds were paid in part to GARCIA personally, and in part to his shell entities. GARCIA did no work whatsoever for the Contractor or Subcontractor, but invoiced the Subcontractor, month after month, requesting payment for purported “Management Fees.” For instance, at different points in the scheme, GARCIA requested monthly payment of $36,000, $45,000, $51,000, or $60,000. Angarola approved these payments to GARCIA on behalf of his employer, the Contractor. In return, GARCIA paid Angarola cash kickbacks exceeding $1 million. GARCIA participated in the embezzlement scheme despite having fulltime, gainful employment elsewhere as a consultant and project manager in the construction industry.

Financial records reveal that GARCIA spent fraud proceeds on, among other things, private school tuition, rent, luxury travel, luxury items, gym memberships, and sports memorabilia. For instance, GARCIA paid for stays at luxury hotels such as the Ritz Carlton (in four different cities), the Waldorf Astoria, and the Plaza. And GARCIA spent more than $50,000 on luxury items, including expensive purchases at Cartier, Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Burberry, Bianca Jewelers, a glass blower in Venice, and a violin shop specializing in Stradivarius models.

Tax Evasion

From 2011 through 2019, GARCIA also committed tax evasion, resulting in a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) of approximately $2,116,605. For this nine-year period, GARCIA neither filed tax returns nor paid income taxes. As such, GARCIA failed to report to the IRS the income he derived from the embezzlement scheme as well as the income he derived from other business interests and sources. GARCIA used shell entities to conceal his receipt of income, including by creating such entities, diverting income to such entities, and using entity bank accounts to pay for his personal expenses.

* * *

In addition to his prison term, GARCIA, 53, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. GARCIA was also ordered to forfeit $4,554,950 and pay restitution in the amount of $7,007,055.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; the IRS-Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office; and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office.

This matter is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, along with the Justice Department’s Tax Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Neff, Timothy V. Capozzi, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jorge Almonte of the Tax Division are in charge of the prosecution.

MIL Security OSI –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Turtle Beach Corporation to Participate in Fireside Chat Hosted by Maxim Group

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN DIEGO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: TBCH), a leading gaming accessories brand, today announced that Cris Keirn, Chief Executive Officer, and Mark Weinswig, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Maxim Group 2025 Virtual Tech Conference, on Wednesday, June 4 at 2:00p.m. ET.

A live webcast of the event will be available through the “Events & Presentations” section of TBCH’s website at corp.turtlebeach.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the investor relations website for two weeks.

About Turtle Beach Corporation
Turtle Beach Corporation (the “Company”) (corp.turtlebeach.com) is one of the world’s leading gaming accessory providers. The Company’s namesake Turtle Beach brand (www.turtlebeach.com) is known for designing best-selling gaming headsets, top-rated game controllers, award-winning PC gaming peripherals, and groundbreaking gaming simulation accessories. Innovation, first-to-market features, a broad range of products for all types of gamers, and top-rated customer support have made Turtle Beach a fan-favorite brand and the market leader in console gaming audio for over a decade. Turtle Beach Corporation acquired Performance Designed Products LLC (www.pdp.com) in 2024. Turtle Beach’s shares are traded on the Nasdaq Exchange under the symbol: TBCH.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Except for historical information contained in this release, statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions, or beliefs about future events. Statements containing the words “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “estimate”, “target”, “goal”, “project”, “intend” and similar expressions, or the negatives thereof, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of performance. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any person, that the objectives of the Company will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management.

While the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that its goals and strategy will be realized. Numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties, may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company or on its behalf. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs on imported goods and other trade restrictions, the release and availability of successful game titles, macroeconomic conditions affecting the demand for our products, logistic and supply chain challenges and costs, dependence on the success and availability of third-parties to manufacture and manage the logistics of transporting and distributing our products, the substantial uncertainties inherent in the acceptance of existing and future products, the difficulty of commercializing and protecting new technology, the impact of competitive products and pricing, general business and economic conditions, risks associated with the expansion of our business including the integration of any businesses we acquire and the integration of such businesses within our internal control over financial reporting and operations, our indebtedness, liquidity, and other factors discussed in our public filings, including the risk factors included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Company’s other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement after the date of this release whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

CONTACTS

Investors:
tbch@icrinc.com

Public Relations & Media:
MacLean Marshall
Sr. Director, Global Communications
Turtle Beach Corporation
(858) 914-5093
maclean.marshall@turtlebeach.com

The MIL Network –

June 3, 2025

MIL-OSI: XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust Declares its Monthly Common Shares Distribution of $0.070 per Share

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CHICAGO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust (the “Trust”) has declared its regular monthly distribution of $0.070 per share on the Trust’s common shares (NYSE: XFLT), payable on July 1, 2025, to common shareholders of record as of June 16, 2025, as noted below. The amount of the distribution represents a 9.09% decrease from the previous month’s distribution amount of $0.077 per share.

The Trust’s investment objective is to seek attractive total return with an emphasis on income generation across multiple stages of the credit cycle. Due to recent market volatility, the loan and CLO asset classes have experienced drastic interest rate spread compression, which has negatively impacted asset class yields. In the most recent quarter, market conditions were marked by heightened volatility stemming from tariff developments and ongoing trade tensions. With the new distribution amount of $0.070 per share, the Trust’s annualized distribution rate on market price was 14.51% and the annualized distribution rate on NAV is 13.86% as of market close on May 30, 2025.

The following dates apply to the declaration:


Ex-Dividend Date		June 16, 2025

Record Date		June 16, 2025

Payable Date		July 1, 2025

Amount		$0.070 per common share

Change from Previous Month		9.09% decrease

Common share distributions may be paid from net investment income (regular interest and dividends), capital gains and/or a return of capital. The specific tax characteristics of the distributions will be reported to the Trust’s common shareholders on Form 1099 after the end of the 2025 calendar year. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Trust is net income or profit. For further information regarding the Trust’s distributions, please visit www.xainvestments.com.

XFLT Q1 Webinar

The Trust plans to host its Quarterly Webinar on June 4, 2025, at 12:00 pm (Eastern Time). Kevin Davis, Managing Director at XA Investments will moderate the Q&A style webinar with Kimberly Flynn, President at XA Investments, and Lauren Law, Senior Portfolio Manager at Octagon Credit Investors.

TO JOIN VIA WEB: Please go to the Knowledge Bank section of xainvestments.com or click here to find the online registration link.

TO USE YOUR TELEPHONE: After joining via web, if you prefer to use your phone for audio, you must select that option and call in using a number below, based on your current location.

Dial: (312) 626-6799 or (646) 558-8656 or (267) 831-0333 or (213) 338-8477 or (720) 928-9299

Webinar ID: 817 1030 7383

REPLAY: A replay of the webinar will be available in the Knowledge Bank section of xainvestments.com.

The Trust’s net investment income and capital gain can vary significantly over time; however, the Trust seeks to maintain more stable common share monthly distributions over time. The Trust’s investments in CLOs are subject to complex tax rules and the calculation of taxable income attributed to an investment in CLO subordinated notes can be dramatically different from the calculation of income for financial reporting purposes under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), and, as a result, there may be significant differences between the Trust’s GAAP income and its taxable income. The Trust’s final taxable income for the current fiscal year will not be known until the Trust’s tax returns are filed.

As a registered investment company, the Trust is subject to a 4% excise tax that is imposed if the Trust does not distribute to common shareholders by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Trust’s fiscal year). In certain circumstances, the Trust may elect to retain income or capital gain to the extent that the Board of Trustees, in consultation with Trust management, determines it to be in the interest of shareholders to do so.

The common share distributions paid by the Trust for any particular period may be more than the amount of net investment income from that period. As a result, all or a portion of a distribution may be a return of capital, which is in effect a partial return of the amount a common shareholder invested in the Trust, up to the amount of the common shareholder’s tax basis in their common shares, which would reduce such tax basis. Although a return of capital may not be taxable, it will generally increase the common shareholder’s potential gain, or reduce the common shareholder’s potential loss, on any subsequent sale or other disposition of common shares.

The distribution shall be paid on the Payment Date unless the payment of such distribution is deferred by the Board of Trustees upon a determination that such deferral is required in order to comply with applicable law to ensure that the Trust remains solvent and able to pay its debts as they become due and continue as a going concern, or to comply with the applicable terms or financial covenants of the Trust’s senior securities.

Future common share distributions will be made if and when declared by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, based on a consideration of a number of factors, including the Trust’s continued compliance with terms and financial covenants of its senior securities, the Trust’s net investment income, financial performance and available cash. There can be no assurance that the amount or timing of common share distributions in the future will be equal or similar to that described herein or that the Board of Trustees will not decide to suspend or discontinue the payment of common share distributions in the future.

The investment objective of the Trust is to seek attractive total return with an emphasis on income generation across multiple stages of the credit cycle. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a dynamically managed portfolio of opportunities primarily within the private credit markets. Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in floating rate credit instruments and other structured credit investments. There can be no assurance that the Trust will achieve its investment objective.

The Trust’s common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “XFLT,” and the Trust’s 6.50% Series 2026 Term Preferred Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “XFLTPRA”.

About XA Investments

XA Investments LLC (“XAI”) serves as the Trust’s investment adviser. XAI is a Chicago-based firm founded by XMS Capital Partners in 2016. XAI serves as the investment adviser for two listed closed-end funds and an interval closed-end fund. The listed closed-end funds, the XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust and XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund both trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the interval fund, Octagon XAI CLO Income Fund is available via direct subscription and through select broker/dealers and wealth management platforms.

In addition to investment advisory services, the firm also provides investment fund structuring and consulting services focused on registered closed-end funds to meet institutional client needs. XAI offers custom product build and consulting services, including development and market research, sales, marketing, fund management.

XAI believes that the investing public can benefit from new vehicles to access a broad range of alternative investment strategies and managers. XAI provides individual investors with access to institutional-caliber alternative managers. For more information, please visit www.xainvestments.com.

About XMS Capital Partners
XMS Capital Partners, LLC, established in 2006, is a global, independent, financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory and asset management services to clients. It has offices in Chicago, Boston and London. For more information, please visit www.xmscapital.com.

About Octagon Credit Investors
Octagon Credit Investors, LLC (“Octagon”) serves as the Trust’s investment sub-adviser. Octagon is a 25+ year old, $32.1B below-investment grade corporate credit investment adviser focused on leveraged loan, high yield bond and structured credit (CLO debt and equity) investments. Through fundamental credit analysis and active portfolio management, Octagon’s investment team identifies attractive relative value opportunities across below-investment grade asset classes, sectors and issuers. Octagon’s investment philosophy and methodology encourage and rely upon dynamic internal communication to manage portfolio risk. Over its history, the firm has applied a disciplined, repeatable and scalable approach in its effort to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its investors. For more information, please visit www.octagoncredit.com.

XAI does not provide tax advice; please consult a professional tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. Income may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as the federal alternative minimum tax.

Investors should consider the investment objectives and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of the Trust carefully before investing. For more information on the Trust, please visit the Trust’s webpage at www.xainvestments.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

NOT FDIC INSURED		NO BANK GUARANTEE		MAY LOSE VALUE

Paralel Distributors, LLC – Distributor

Media Contact:

Kimberly Flynn, President
XA Investments LLC
Phone: 888-903-3358
Email: KFlynn@XAInvestments.com
www.xainvestments.com

The MIL Network –

June 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Internet-enabled orgasms: How teledildonics are changing the way we have sex

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Madison E. Williams, PhD Student, Experimental Psychology, University of New Brunswick

Sex toys are no longer limited to the analogue dildos and masturbators of the past. Today, they have become increasingly sophisticated.
(Shutterstock)

Sex toys are fairly common in people’s sex lives, and broadly accessible both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. In the United States, more than 40 per cent of heterosexual women and men have incorporated vibrators into the bedroom.

More than three-quarters of Canadians have used a sex toy with a partner at least once, including vibrators, anal toys and penile masturbators. Reported rates also vary widely across western countries — for instance, 16 per cent of Australians say they’ve used sex toys while up to 52 per cent of people in Germany say they have.

However, sex toys are no longer limited to the analogue dildos and masturbators of the past. Today, they have become increasingly sophisticated.

Internet-connected toys, known as teledildonics, are novel devices designed to enhance sexual experiences by mimicking elements of real human intimacy — such as genital touch, body warmth, synchronized movements or orgasmic sensations — without a partner being physically present.

They can be synced with online pornography, integrated with virtual reality or even controlled remotely by a partner, allowing for intimacy at a distance.

One question remains as this burgeoning technology becomes integrated in individuals’ lives: Can teledildonics promote sexual well-being?

Why people use sex toys

Research reveals that using sex toys, whether on their own or with a partner, is linked with greater sexual satisfaction. One study also found that using a vaginal vibrator helped women experience stronger arousal, better lubrication and reach orgasm more easily.

People use sex toys for all sorts of reasons. In one Canadian study, the most popular reason people used sex toys was to spice up their sex life with a sexual partner.

Other commonly reported motivations included wanting to boost sexual arousal during masturbation and partnered sex, and to reach orgasm more easily. For a smaller proportion, sex toys also served to help them relax or release tension.

What about teledildonics?

In one survey, nine per cent of U.S. adults reported they’ve used teledildonics, with more men (15 per cent) reporting usage than women (five per cent) and gender-diverse individuals (13 per cent).

Although more and more people are turning to teledildonic devices, we still know relatively little about why they use them or how they relate to well-being — especially compared to the growing body of research on traditional, non-connected sex toys.

Our research team at the Université du Québec à Montréal surveyed 617 men between the ages of 19 and 75 years old. They were customers of the teledildonics company, Kiiroo, which specializes in interactive, app-connected sex toys, particularly for men, such as masturbatory sleeves and strokers. Kiiroo’s marketing team helped recruit participants for the survey.

This industry collaboration allowed us to explore, for the first time, who uses these devices, why they use them, and how certain usage patterns like using it alone or with a partner may support greater sexual well-being.

More than three-quarters of Canadians have used a sex toy with a partner at least once, including vibrators, anal toys and penile masturbators.
(Interactive Life Forms/Wikimedia), CC BY-SA

Most of our participants resided in North America (74 per cent) and Europe (22 per cent), while a minority were in Australia, Asia and Central America (three per cent combined). They primarily identified as white (75 per cent), Asian (17 per cent), Latin American (10 per cent) and Black (four per cent).

In our study, nearly all the men used their teledildonic devices alone, but 21 per cent of them also reported incorporating them into partnered sex.

We found that people who use teledildonics with a partner tend to own a greater number of these devices compared to those who use them solely for solo play.

Partnered use was also associated with a higher number of previous sexual partners, which may suggest that greater sexual experience increases one’s comfort in sharing sex toy use with a partner.

Finally, partnered use was associated with greater sexual well-being in men. Those who used their toys with a partner reported having greater sexual desire, more ease in reaching orgasm with a partner and increased confidence as a sexual partner.

In other words, men who use their teledildonics with a partner may experience greater sexual well-being than men who only use their devices alone.

Research reveals that using sex toys, whether on their own or with a partner, is linked with greater sexual satisfaction.
(Shutterstock)

Why do men use teledildonics?

Our study was the first to uncover the motivations behind men’s teledildonic sex toy use.

For 57 per cent of the men in our study, teledildonics were used primarily to relax or relieve tension. Just over half also reported using teledildonics to fantasize about sexual activities that are not possible in real life and to increase sexual arousal during masturbation.

More than one third of participants (38 per cent) shared that their teledildonics usage was specifically motivated by the ability to connect their toys with other technologies (like virtual reality headsets or online pornography).

Other motivations for using teledildonics appear to mirror many of those that drive traditional sex toy use, notably relaxation and tension relief and to increase arousal.

What’s next for teledildonics?

Taken together, these findings offer promising evidence that using teledildonics, particularly with a partner, can have sexual benefits. They also invite us to reflect on how such technologies could improve the sex lives of people facing challenges such as sexual dysfunction, physical disabilities or a lack of access to sexual partners — although further research is needed to understand how teledildonics can meet their specific needs.

In addition, this growing industry raises important questions around data security, ethics and digital consent, including how to address concerns about the devices being hacked or remotely controlled without permission.

Ensuring that these technologies are developed with privacy and safety in mind is essential to maximizing their impact as tools that support sexual well-being in a rapidly changing sexual landscape.

As teledildonics and other sex technologies become more sophisticated, they will continue to transform the future of sex, intimacy and well-being.

Madison E. Williams consults for Kiiroo.

David Lafortune received funding from Kiiroo to conduct this study.

Éliane Dussault consults for Kiiroo.

– ref. Internet-enabled orgasms: How teledildonics are changing the way we have sex – https://theconversation.com/internet-enabled-orgasms-how-teledildonics-are-changing-the-way-we-have-sex-252856

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: ILUS Provides Update on Shareholder Meeting

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, NY, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ilustrato Pictures International Inc. (OTC: ILUS) (“ILUS” or the “Company”), a mergers and acquisitions company focused on acquiring and scaling businesses in the public safety and industrial sectors, is pleased to provide shareholders with further details regarding its previously announced Annual Shareholder Meeting scheduled for Friday, June 20, 2025.

The meeting will include updates from ILUS leadership on key business developments, strategic plans, and progress on current initiatives. Shareholders will have the opportunity to engage directly with the Company during a dedicated Q&A session.

Meeting Details
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM EDT
Location: Trump International Beach Resort,18001 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, United States

To participate in the meeting, shareholders are required to register in advance using ILUS’ official event portal:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ilus-shareholder-meeting-tickets-1353057223579

Shareholders of record will be eligible to attend. Upon registration, participants will receive further instructions and access credentials for the event. Shareholders may also submit questions in advance through the portal.

Additional meeting materials, including the formal notice and agenda, will be distributed in line with Regulation requirements and made available at https://ilus-group.com.

For further information on ILUS, please see its communication channels:
Website: https://ilus-group.com
X: @ILUS_INTL
Email: IR@Ilus-Group.com
Source: ILUS

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain information set forth in this press release contains “forward-looking information”, including “future-oriented financial information” and “financial outlook”, under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company’s business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company’s vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company’s projects; (vi) completion of the Company’s projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vii) renewal of the Company’s current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (viii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management’s beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material nonpublic information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information via official Press Releases, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, Questions & Answers sessions, public conference calls, and webcasts also may take time from time to time. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services, and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, considering the SEC’s guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following social & media channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com X: @ILUS_INTL

Contact:
IR@Ilus-group.com
(917) 522-3202

The MIL Network –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 354

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL4

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 354
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
230 PM CDT Mon Jun 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Central and North-Central Minnesota

* Effective this Monday afternoon and evening from 230 PM until
700 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms associated
with a mid-level disturbance will likely continue east-northeastward
across the Watch area this afternoon. The stronger thunderstorm
cores and outflow will be potentially capable of severe gusts and
wind damage.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 55
statute miles north and south of a line from 15 miles south
southwest of Alexandria MN to 50 miles east southeast of Brainerd
MN. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch
outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 353…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
25035.

…Smith

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW4
WW 354 SEVERE TSTM MN 021930Z – 030000Z
AXIS..55 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
15SSW AXN/ALEXANDRIA MN/ – 50ESE BRD/BRAINERD MN/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM N/S /74NNW RWF – 38ESE BRD/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25035.

LAT…LON 46479552 46929317 45329317 44879552

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU4.

Watch 354 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low ( 2 inches

Low (20%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (70%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Romanian Citizen Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Numerous Members of Congress, Churches, and Former U.S. President

Source: US State of California

Leader of Online Swatting Ring Admits to Targeting over 75 Public Officials, Four Religious Institutions, and Multiple Journalists in Nationwide Bomb Threat Spree

Thomasz Szabo, also known as Plank, Jonah, and Cypher, 26, of Romania, pleaded guilty today to being the leader of a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims across the United States with “swatting” and bomb threats. Szabo and his co-conspirators falsely reported ongoing violent emergencies at government buildings, houses of worship, and private residences, including the homes of senior government officials.

“This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy, deliberately threatening dozens of government officials with violent hoaxes and targeting our nation’s security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people and working with international partners to stop these threats at their source.”

“Today, Szabo pleaded guilty to a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims with swatting and bomb threats, including to government buildings, houses of worship and homes of government officials,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Swatting endangers lives and will not be tolerated by the FBI. We are fully committed to working with our partners to bring to justice those criminals hiding behind keyboards and threatening violence.”

“This defendant’s targeted and ruthless behavior put countless people in danger, including law enforcement, public officials, and ordinary citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “Swatting attacks, that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims’ home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there, drain precious resources and can result in major injury or even death. Anyone who hijacks police resources for senseless crimes like these will have to answer for their actions.”

According to court documents, Szabo was the founder and leader of an online community that, starting in late 2020, engaged in a pattern of bomb threats and “swatting” — that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims’ home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there.

As leader of the group, Szabo made false reports to U.S. law enforcement including a threat in December 2020 to commit a mass-shooting at New York City synagogues, and a threat in January 2021 to detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and kill the President-elect. Szabo publicized his “swatting” activity to his followers and encouraged them to engage in similar behavior.

Beginning on Dec. 24, 2023, and continuing through early January 2024, subordinate members of Szabo’s group perpetrated a spree of swatting and bomb threats that included, as its victims, at least 25 Members of Congress or family members of Members of Congress; at least six then-current or former senior U.S. Executive Branch officials, including multiple cabinet-level officials; at least 13 then-current or former senior federal law enforcement officials, including the heads of multiple federal law enforcement agencies; multiple members of the federal judiciary; at least 27 then-current or former state government officials or family members of such officials; at least four religious institutions; and multiple members of the media.

During that time period, one of those subordinates bragged to Szabo: “I did 25+ swattings today,” and “creating massive havoc in [A]merica. $500,000+ in taxpayers wasted in just two days.”

Szabo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of threats involving explosives, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024.

The U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office and Criminal Investigative Division, the FBI’s Washington and Minneapolis Field Offices, and the U.S. Capitol Police are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing Szabo’s arrest and extradition and assisted with securing evidence from abroad, including through mutual legal assistance requests. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Secret Service’s Bucharest Resident Office, Miami Field Office, Syracuse Resident Office, Springfield Resident Office; the FBI’s Legat Office in Bucharest; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Washington, the District of South Dakota, the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Southern District of Illinois, and the Northern District of New York. The Romanian authorities’ assistance was critical to the successful investigation of the case and extradition of Szabo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor Mulroe for the District of Columbia is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Romanian Citizen Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Numerous Members of Congress, Churches, and Former U.S. President

Source: United States Attorneys General 1

Leader of Online Swatting Ring Admits to Targeting over 75 Public Officials, Four Religious Institutions, and Multiple Journalists in Nationwide Bomb Threat Spree

Thomasz Szabo, also known as Plank, Jonah, and Cypher, 26, of Romania, pleaded guilty today to being the leader of a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims across the United States with “swatting” and bomb threats. Szabo and his co-conspirators falsely reported ongoing violent emergencies at government buildings, houses of worship, and private residences, including the homes of senior government officials.

“This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy, deliberately threatening dozens of government officials with violent hoaxes and targeting our nation’s security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people and working with international partners to stop these threats at their source.”

“Today, Szabo pleaded guilty to a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims with swatting and bomb threats, including to government buildings, houses of worship and homes of government officials,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Swatting endangers lives and will not be tolerated by the FBI. We are fully committed to working with our partners to bring to justice those criminals hiding behind keyboards and threatening violence.”

“This defendant’s targeted and ruthless behavior put countless people in danger, including law enforcement, public officials, and ordinary citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “Swatting attacks, that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims’ home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there, drain precious resources and can result in major injury or even death. Anyone who hijacks police resources for senseless crimes like these will have to answer for their actions.”

According to court documents, Szabo was the founder and leader of an online community that, starting in late 2020, engaged in a pattern of bomb threats and “swatting” — that is, falsely reporting an ongoing threat of violence at a victims’ home address for the purpose of provoking a police response there.

As leader of the group, Szabo made false reports to U.S. law enforcement including a threat in December 2020 to commit a mass-shooting at New York City synagogues, and a threat in January 2021 to detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and kill the President-elect. Szabo publicized his “swatting” activity to his followers and encouraged them to engage in similar behavior.

Beginning on Dec. 24, 2023, and continuing through early January 2024, subordinate members of Szabo’s group perpetrated a spree of swatting and bomb threats that included, as its victims, at least 25 Members of Congress or family members of Members of Congress; at least six then-current or former senior U.S. Executive Branch officials, including multiple cabinet-level officials; at least 13 then-current or former senior federal law enforcement officials, including the heads of multiple federal law enforcement agencies; multiple members of the federal judiciary; at least 27 then-current or former state government officials or family members of such officials; at least four religious institutions; and multiple members of the media.

During that time period, one of those subordinates bragged to Szabo: “I did 25+ swattings today,” and “creating massive havoc in [A]merica. $500,000+ in taxpayers wasted in just two days.”

Szabo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of threats involving explosives, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Szabo was extradited from Romania in November 2024.

The U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office and Criminal Investigative Division, the FBI’s Washington and Minneapolis Field Offices, and the U.S. Capitol Police are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing Szabo’s arrest and extradition and assisted with securing evidence from abroad, including through mutual legal assistance requests. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Secret Service’s Bucharest Resident Office, Miami Field Office, Syracuse Resident Office, Springfield Resident Office; the FBI’s Legat Office in Bucharest; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Washington, the District of South Dakota, the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Southern District of Illinois, and the Northern District of New York. The Romanian authorities’ assistance was critical to the successful investigation of the case and extradition of Szabo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor Mulroe for the District of Columbia is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

MIL Security OSI –

June 3, 2025

Category: Technology

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Editor note:

About the ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme

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Where AI detection tools can help

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Key dates

1. Media Technical Briefing

2. Press conference

Notes for media:

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