🔥 Raisi is Dead

Good Morning. Russia continues to add to its ever-growing most wanted list, now adding the name of a former Gazprombank executive to the pile.

While he may be a Russia citizen, Igor Volobuyev was born in Ukraine and spent his first 18 years there. He’s now back in Ukraine fighting against Russia for his country.

Russia also decided to freeze the assets of two German banks in the ongoing gas project dispute, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS, the Associated Press reported.

With so many names, and so much corruption being add to Russia’s black list, it seems that analysts were right. Prigozhin has had the last laugh from beyond the grave.

— 🐈‍⬛ Acoustic Kitty

THE BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT

Iran’s President Killed in Helicopter Crash

Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi is dead, Iran’s state media reported.

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reportedly made a hard landing on Sunday due to harsh weather conditions, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s state media said.

The IRI’s foreign minister was killed along with the late president. A CNN update following initial reports of the crash noted that the helicopter was carrying “nine passengers” when it crashed. No survivors have been found.

Futile Rescue Attempts

At least 40 rescue teams, including drones and search dogs, were initially deployed to attempt a rescue. However, dense fog and severe weather obstructed access to the crash site. The incident occurred as the group traveled in the mountainous region of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, as the group returned from a visit to the neighboring republic of Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam.

Hardliner Legacy

Raisi is remembered for his hardline, clerical stance on the political doctrine of the Islamic Republic, including a strict enforcement of women’s dress codes, following protests of the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, at the hands of IRI police. Considered a potential successor to the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Raisi’s death will hold political upheaval implications for Iran.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY & DIPLOMACY

Counterterrorism

• The Pakistani Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, seeks Beijing's assistance in persuading Kabul to crack down on terrorist groups targeting Pakistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government aims to revitalize CPEC despite challenges like security issues.

• Russia and Ukraine launched drone and airstrikes against each other's urban centers and energy facilities on Sunday, aiming to inflict damage beyond the battlefield. Ukraine targeted an oil refinery and a military airfield in southwest Russia, while Russia's strikes on Kharkiv killed at least 10 civilians and wounded more than 20, according to Ukrainian officials.

• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in life-threatening condition after being shot multiple times in an assassination attempt, according to Slovak government officials. Fico, who was initially in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery, is now stable but remains under close medical supervision.
  

Military & Defense

• The Pentagon plans to partner with commercial Space companies through the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) program, embedding their equipment into military units for deployment during conflicts. 

• The U.S. Army has given Lockheed Martin a contract of $410 million, potentially reaching $861 million, to speed up the production of HIMARS launchers for enhanced mobile firepower capabilities.

• Ukrainian drones have carried out an attack on the port of Novorossiysk, causing a fire and power outages, escalating tensions after Russia relocated its Black Sea Fleet there due to risks in Crimea.

Cybersecurity

• A ransomware operation has been luring Windows system administrators using PuTTY and WinSCP fake download sites advertised on search engines like Google. These utilities are popular among admins, who are prime targets due to their high network privileges.

• The Grandoreiro banking trojan has resurfaced in a large-scale phishing campaign targeting over 1,500 banks across 60 countries. Despite previous takedown efforts, the malware has been enhanced with new capabilities, posing a significant threat globally.

• The 2024 State of Security Posture Report highlights key insights and trends related to security posture. Expert security analysts have sent out the alert that understanding exposure remediation plans is crucial for staying ahead of potential cybersecurity threats and protecting sensitive data.

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• Two Chinese warships visiting Cambodia spark concern and intrigue.The visit raises questions about China's strategic interests in the region and its influence over smaller countries like Cambodia.

• U.S. officials have warned that undersea internet cables across the Pacific could be at risk of tampering by Chinese repair ships from S.B. Submarine Systems, which have been hiding their locations from tracking services, The Wall Street Journal wrote in an exclusive report. This concern arises due to the strategic importance of these cables, partially owned by companies like Google and Meta, and the opaque activities of the Chinese state-controlled company.

• Ana Montes, known as the "Queen of Cuba," reportedly infiltrated the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and shared secrets with Havana for nearly two decades, becoming one of the most damaging spies in American history. Her arrest and the subsequent capture of another spy, Victor Manuel Rocha, highlight ongoing concerns about Cuban espionage and its impact on U.S. national security.

Transnational Organized Crime

• The U.S. authorities have detained three individuals for allegedly aiding North Korea in using American funds to support its weapons programs through securing remote IT jobs in the United States.

• As Japan's yakuza groups weaken, police are shifting their focus to unorganized crime facilitated through social media. These "tokuryu" gangs, often comprised of tech-savvy individuals hired for specific tasks, present new challenges for law enforcement in tackling crimes like swindling and illegal betting.

• At least 14 people have been killed in recent days in Chiapas, Mexico, amid a surge in violence targeting political candidates ahead of the June 2 elections. The attacks include a shooting that wounded mayoral candidate Nicolás Noriega and killed five of his campaign team, as well as a separate incident that resulted in the deaths of six people, including a candidate, at a campaign rally. The violence is attributed to conflicts between major cartels vying for control of the region.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadiv Sadikin introduced Starlink in Indonesia to enhance internet access, especially in remote regions.

Revolutionizing Data Input 

Improving connectivity in healthcare can revolutionize data input, helping address health issues like malnutrition efficiently.

Musk and the Indonesian Health Minister launched SpaceX’s satellite internet service at three health centers.  

Starlink's Introduction 

Starlink's introduction in Indonesia could significantly impact healthcare by providing better connectivity for handling health challenges effectively.  

Bridging the digital divide through initiatives like Starlink can have profound benefits, especially in crucial sectors like healthcare.

In other news…

🚀 Blue Origin successfully completed its NS-25 mission, resuming crewed flights for the first time in nearly two years, bringing six tourists to the edge of space, including artist and former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight. The mission marks a significant milestone for the company, which had paused flights following an anomaly in 2022.

🤟 AI technology is evolving to include emotional intelligence, studies show. Reports from last week found that new innovations are allowing bots to understand and respond to human emotions through voice and facial expression analysis. Hume AI's advancements in this field, supported by significant funding, aim to improve AI interactions by integrating nonverbal communication cues, potentially revolutionizing applications from customer service to companionship for the elderly.

🤖 NVIDIA showcased its new geometric fabric controllers for robots at ICRA, which improve real-world deployment and training by integrating nonverbal communication cues. These advancements promise enhanced stability and safety for robots, paving the way for more robust and reliable AI-driven robotic applications.

DEALS & FUNDING

Since 2017, tech billionaires have been secretly purchasing 60,000 acres of farmland in Solano County, California, intending to build a new city called California Forever. The project, backed by prominent Silicon Valley figures, aims to create a walkable city for 400,000 residents, though it faces significant local opposition and legal challenges.

Silicon Valley Visionaries' Ambitious Plans

The initiative is led by Jan Sramek and supported by investors like Reid Hoffman, Laurene Powell Jobs, and Marc Andreessen.

The project intends to offer a middle-class affordable living space by continuing to build extensively.

Voters in Solano County will decide the project's fate in November, which requires overturning a longstanding development restriction law.

Local Resistance and Legal Battles

California Forever has faced accusations of pressuring landowners and legal disputes over land prices.

Despite challenges, Sramek is confident in the project's success, envisioning a future economic model for the country.

In other news…

💋 A machine learning researcher has alleged that OpenAI is linked to drug-fueled sex parties within Silicon Valley's hacker community, suggesting a problematic culture in the AI industry. The claims, highlighting a troubling atmosphere for female researchers, emerge amid broader concerns about the ethical landscape surrounding advanced AI development.

⚒️ BlackRock CEO Larry Fink stated that his firm is in discussions with various governments to secure funding for AI-related infrastructure, emphasizing the immense power needs of data centers and semiconductor plants. Speaking at the B7 meeting in Rome, Fink highlighted the critical role of private investment in meeting these demands, estimating the necessary investment to be in the trillions of dollars.

🪖 A new wave of early-stage startups, such as Overland AI and Potential, emerges in the autonomous vehicle sector with a focus on off-road applications. Overland AI, supported by a substantial investment from the U.S. Army, aims to develop autonomous systems for military use, while Potential is advancing driver assistance systems for off-road environments, attracting significant venture capital.