Category: DJF

MIL-OSI Security: Founder of Sexual Wellness Company “OneTaste” and Former Head of Sales Convicted of Forced Labor Conspiracy

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendants Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz Used Deception and Abuse to Obtain Their Victims’ Labor and Services

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, a federal jury convicted Nicole Daedone, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of OneTaste, Inc. (OneTaste), a sexual wellness education company, and Rachel Cherwitz, the company’s former head of sales, of forced labor conspiracy in connection with their coercive scheme to obtain the labor and services of certain OneTaste employees. To achieve their goal, the defendants and their co-conspirators subjected the victims to economic, sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse, as well as surveillance, indoctrination, and intimidation. The verdict was returned after a five-week trial before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Daedone and Cherwitz each face up to 20 years in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“The jury’s verdict has unmasked Daedone and Cherwitz for who they truly are: grifters who preyed on vulnerable victims by making empty promises of sexual empowerment and wellness only to manipulate them into performing labor and services for the defendants’ benefit,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “I commend the witnesses who testified at trial notwithstanding the trauma that they experienced at the defendants’ direction. It is my hope that the just conclusion of this process will bring them closure, and that future charlatans think twice about exploiting human beings in this manner.”

“Today’s verdict sends a clear message— controlling your labor force by relying on lies, manipulation, and abuse is a crime. The victims in this case were offered sexual empowerment and wellness as a pathway to healing past trauma, but instead received various forms of abuse and manipulation on behalf of Daedone and Cherwitz for the financial benefit of OneTaste. The FBI will continue to ensure those responsible for forced labor schemes are made to answer for their crimes,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.

OneTaste was a privately held company founded by Daedone in 2004. Its principal place of business was San Francisco, California, and it operated at various locations within New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, and London. OneTaste promoted itself as a sexually focused wellness education company that offered hands-on classes on “orgasmic mediation” (OM), which involved stroking a woman’s genitals for 15 minutes. OneTaste generated revenue by providing courses, coaching, OM events, and less-publicized courses in other sexual practices in exchange for a fee.

As proven at trial, between 2006 and May 2018, Daedone and Cherwitz obtained the labor and services of multiple young women who had turned to OneTaste for healing and spirituality by coercing them to perform labor, including sexual labor, for the defendants’ benefit. OneTaste advertised that its courses and teachings could heal past sexual trauma and dysfunction. Daedone and Cherwitz used abusive and manipulative tactics designed to control OneTaste members by making them emotionally and psychologically dependent on OneTaste, including encouraging them to incur debt by opening lines of credit to finance the expensive courses, subjecting them to constant surveillance in communal homes, collecting sensitive information about their prior trauma and sexual histories, depriving them of sleep, and subjecting them to sexual abuse.

Once they had secured the loyalty and indebtedness of certain OneTaste members, Daedone and Cherwitz engaged in abusive employment practices. They directed OneTaste members to work long hours seven days per week with little or no compensation; that work included manual labor and the provision of sexual services. For example, Daedone and Cherwitz coerced their victims to sexually service OneTaste’s current and prospective investors, clients and employees for the financial benefit of the company. Three witnesses testified about how they were coerced into becoming a “handler” for OneTaste’s initial investor, who was also Daedone’s boyfriend, which required them to live with him, perform demeaning sex acts at his direction, and cook for him. Multiple other witnesses testified that they were coerced under threat of termination, demotion, ostracism, and financial and spiritual ruin by Daedone and Cherwitz into performing various sex acts with OneTaste’s potential clients and investors. In 2017, Ms. Daedone sold OneTaste—a company built on the backs of coerced and unpaid or substantially underpaid labor—for $12 million.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Kayla C. Bensing, Kaitlin T. Farrell, Nina C. Gupta, and Sean Michael Fern are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Liam McNett and Marlane Bosler.

The Defendants:

NICOLE DAEDONE
Age: 57
New York, New York

RACHEL CHERWITZ
Age: 44
Philo, California

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian citizen sentenced in million-dollar stolen mail credit card fraud scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

HOUSTON – A 64-year-old man who illegally resided in Houston has been sentenced for his role in a large-scale mail theft and credit card fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Omokehinde Muyiwa Oyegoke-Tewogbade pleaded guilty Feb. 19.

U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen has now ordered him to serve 24 months in federal prison and to pay restitution in the amount of $839,555.75. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment as Oyegoke-Tewogbade had overstayed his visa and was unlawfully present in the United States.

Over a six-month period between November 2022 and May 2023, Oyegoke-Tewogbade and co-conspirators schemed to steal U.S. mail containing new credit cards and bank statements intended for account holders. They contacted financial institutions to activate the stolen cards, increased credit limits and altered account information. They then used the cards to purchase goods, services, gift cards, cash and merchandise at retail stores.

In total, they fraudulently activated at least 120 stolen credit cards, causing an estimated $1 million in losses to Chase Bank.

Four others had also previously pleaded guilty to the same charges – Christopher McGee, 43, Daniel Sanchez, 37, Bradley Kane Zarco, 39, and Travis Castaneda Qawasmeh, 28, all of Houston. Sanchez has already been sentenced to 41 months, while the others are pending their hearings.

Oyegoke-Tewogbade will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Lansden prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former President of Allentown Title Company Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Title Insurance Underwriter, Clients, and U.S. Government

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Louis Belletieri, 43, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl on two counts of wire fraud, charges arising from his scheme to defraud a title insurance underwriter and clients and his fraudulent application to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”).

In May of this year, the defendant was charged with those offenses by information.

As detailed in court documents, Belletieri was the president of Allentown-based Security Settlement Services of Pittsburgh d/b/a Legacy Title (“Legacy Title”), which he purported to operate for the purpose of providing title and real estate closing services to clients in connection with real estate transactions.

In or about November 2013, the defendant, as Legacy Title’s president, entered into a contract with a title insurance underwriter, in which the underwriter appointed Legacy Title as its agent for the purpose of issuing title insurance commitments, policies, endorsements for Pennsylvania properties.

Legacy Title and Belletieri maintained an escrow account to receive funds in connection with these and other client real estate transactions. The money from customers, mortgage lenders, and others was typically transferred electronically into Legacy Title’s escrow account.

Belletieri should have maintained the funds in the escrow account for the purpose of conducting real estate transactions and disbursing funds as appropriate and for the purpose for which they were entrusted, such as to pay off mortgages, pay taxes, obtain title insurance, and pay for other expenses in connection with real estate transactions.

As further detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, he instead used the funds in the escrow account for personal reasons, including, among other things, to place online sports bets.

During the course of the scheme, Belletieri regularly made and caused to be made electronic transfers of funds to and from the escrow account to, from, and among Legacy Title’s business operating account, his personal bank account, his credit card account, and online sports betting platforms.

From in or about March 2020 through in or about September 2023, Belletieri made electronic transfers of funds from the escrow account to his personal account totaling approximately $6,434,500, and from the escrow account to the business operating account totaling approximately $2,460,190, many of which were not for legitimate business purposes.

Belletieri took numerous steps to conceal his fraud upon his clients and the title insurance underwriter, including by submitting a fraudulent application to the SBA on behalf of Legacy Title to defraud the SBA and obtain funds via the EIDL program. In connection with this application, the defendant entered into fraudulent loan agreements with the SBA, falsely agreeing that he would use the proceeds of the loan solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

When the SBA disbursed the EIDL funding to Legacy Title and Belletieri pursuant to his fraudulent application, Belletieri used significant portions of the proceeds for personal uses, rather than as working capital for Legacy Title. As a result, the defendant caused the SBA to disburse a total of approximately $825,000 due to his fraud.

Belletieri is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12 and faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment.

The case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Allentown Resident Agency with assistance from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John J. Boscia and Rebecca J. Kulik.

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Woman Guilty of Wire Fraud for Fraudulent Vehicle Purchase Scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that KENDRA WALKER (“WALKER”), age 41, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on June 5, 2025 before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe on June 5, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.

According to court documents, in 2022, WALKER conspired with her father, Kenneth Richmond, to use fake and stolen personal identifying information to make fraudulent vehicle purchases from a local car dealership. The vehicle purchases were financed through a financial institution, and several of the loans went into default. WALKER also made three vehicle purchases in her own name using a fake Social Security Number in Georgia. In total, WALKER caused the financial institution to approve approximately $216,939 in loans for fraudulent applications. Richmond was also charged in this case and pled guilty for his role in this scheme in May 2025.

In pleading guilty, WALKER faces up to twenty (20) years in prison and up to three (3) years of supervised release. WALKER also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

Judge Ashe set sentencing in this matter for September 25, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Secret Service, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former state worker pleads guilty in scheme to steal nearly $900,000 in state tax dollars

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendant abused role as credit card custodian to embezzle money he then failed to report on his income taxes

Tacoma – A 48-year-old Olympia resident pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to wire fraud in connection with his scheme to steal nearly $900,000 from his former employer – the State of Washington – announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Matthew Randall Ping pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making and subscribing a false tax return. Ping is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright on September 9, 2025.

According to the charging information and the plea agreement, Ping began working for the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) in 2009. By 2017 he had been promoted to the role of Management Analyst and served as the department’s credit card custodian. Between 2019 and 2023, Ping used a sophisticated scheme to abuse his credit card access so he could embezzle at least $878,115 from the state agency.

The plea agreement and charging information detail how Ping hid the fraud from his employer. Ping opened accounts with payment processors and gave the accounts display names that indicated the accounts were associated with legitimate OAH business vendors. Between 2019 and 2021, Ping secretly charged more than $330,000 to OAH credit cards as purported payments to these vendors. In fact, the money went to accounts Ping controlled. In 2021, Ping set up an account via a different payment processor and continued the fraud, stealing approximately $530,000 in additional funds from OAH. Ping also used OAH credit cards to buy $17,359 in personal items from Verizon and Walmart.

Ping also circumvented state procedures designed to detect credit card fraud. For example, OAH required that Ping’s co-workers review and approve Ping’s credit card transactions, but Ping would provide false or incomplete lists of transactions during that review process. After the review, Ping would add in his fraudulent charges and upload and approve payment himself without the required oversight on his fraudulent transactions. He also took steps to manipulate the accounting data to make it more difficult to determine that he had violated protocol by uploading, reviewing, and approving his own transactions

In all Ping secretly executed 210 transactions with the phony vendors he created for a total loss to the state of $860,756. The improper charges on his state issued credit card total $17,359, bringing the total loss to the State of Washington to $878,115.

The embezzlement was first discovered by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. Ping resigned his position in 2023 when the theft was discovered.

Even as he was embezzling, Ping failed to report the stolen funds on his income tax returns. For tax years 2020-2023, the resulting tax loss totals $240,247. Ping has agreed to pay full restitution to the state and to the IRS for his tax obligation.

The FBI and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) worked with the Auditors Office on the criminal investigation.

The case is being Prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dane A. Westermeyer.

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police release images in Papakura wounding incident

Source: New Zealand Police

Police need your help in investigating a cowardly attack on a Papakura man last month.

Still images are being released of a person that Police is still working to identify, and we need to hear from you today.

The wounding occurred on Friday 16 May at about 11.40am on Settlement Road in Papakura.

“A man in his 70s was walking alone in a westerly direction at the time, outside Papakura Intermediate School,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, of Counties Manukau South CIB says.

“Around the same time a person was walking on the opposite side of the road heading in the other direction.”

For reasons unknown, this person crossed the road towards the victim.

“They have approached the victim and lunged towards him, making contact,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

“Immediately after the offender fled the scene, and the victim realised he had suffered a stab wound.

“The victim required hospital treatment and is recovering from this cowardly and unprovoked attack.”

Police need to hear from anyone who recognises the person in images being released.

“People in the community will know who this person is and they need to do the right thing and speak up.”

Anyone with information can update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250516/1021.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Grassroots solutions key to boosting health support for Aussie bush kids

Source:

10 June 2025

Children in rural Australia are missing out on critical early health supports, with limited access to allied health services putting them at greater risk of lifelong developmental challenges.

Now, new research from the University of South Australia shows that local communities hold the key to improving health outcomes for Aussie bush kids.

In the first study to bring together global literature, researchers assessed what helps or hinders health care in rural areas, finding that place-based strategies – those designed around the unique needs and strengths of each community – are better positioned to support rural children and their families.

Place-based health strategies are developed in partnership with community stakeholders and delivered outside traditional clinical settings – often in schools or homes – with teachers and parents playing an active role.

In Australia, about 7 million people – or 28% of the Australian population – live in rural and remote areas.

UniSA researcher and PhD candidate, Georgia Gosse, says governments must work with rural communities, including children, to ensure that country kids get the heath care they need.

“All children have the right to quality healthcare. But those who live outside of metropolitan centres are distinctly and unfairly disadvantaged,” Gosse says.

“Children in rural or remote areas are four times more likely to be developmentally vulnerable than metropolitan children and less likely to access the health services they need.

“Without access to timely and appropriate allied health services – like physio, occupational therapy or speech therapy – children with developmental delays can struggle to meet full potential.

“Allied health services are vital to putting children on the road to healthy development; but accessing one of these professionals in the bush is like herding cats. Our research is trying to change this.”

Gosse says that new rural health services are often driven by a lack of access to existing services – whether due to long waiting lists, geographical isolation, or a shortage of allied health professionals in rural areas.

“Our study found that strategies co-designed and delivered with local communities are especially effective for rural families. They take place in familiar settings – such as homes or schools – and work closely with communities to respect local needs and cultural sensitivities,” Gosse says.

“But these strategies also face challenges: parents or carers may not have the time or knowledge to support therapy at home, and teachers are often stretched with limited resources at school.

“It’s a complex issue, and while there’s no quick fix, the evidence strongly supports working alongside local communities – including children as the end users – to shape and deliver effective solutions.”

Amid renewed calls for a National Rural Health Strategy, the findings provide valuable insights to guide much needed dollars into community-led, rural health initiatives.

Senior researcher, UniSA’s Professor Saravana Kumar says, children’s needs must be at the heart of any new initiatives.

“To improve health outcomes for rural communities, we must deliver child-centred, place-based care that’s co-designed with local communities,” Prof Kumar says.

“We need to leverage the strengths of the local community, respect lived realities, and ensure that health services are built for the people who use them.

“Importantly, children’s voices must underpin the design and implementation of any models of care.

“This is about designing care that works with communities, not just for them. Because when we get it right for our bush kids, we’re getting it right for the future.”

The research has also been synthesised into an interactive evidence-informed decision-making tool to help clinicians quickly identify and understand the key drivers, enablers, and barriers to different models of care in rural areas.

To access this free tool, click here: https://unplex.com.au/evidence-informed-decision-making-tool/

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Contact for interview: George Gosse E: Georgia.Gosse@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

Other articles you may be interested in

MIL OSI News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Announces $5.75 Million for St. George Ferry Terminal Upgrades

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

(NEW YORK, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) announced $5,750,000 million in federal funding she helped secure through the Federal Transit Administration’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program to support critical upgrades at Staten Island’s St. George Ferry Terminal.

The Staten Island Ferry at the St. George Terminal is a vital component of New York City’s transit system, carrying approximately 70,000 passengers daily and millions annually between Staten Island and Manhattan. As ridership continues to grow, it serves as a critical transportation lifeline, connecting residents to essential services, economic opportunities, and commerce.

Specifically, the funding will support two key infrastructure projects led by the New York City Department of Transportation:

The first project will replace the deteriorating bus ramp passageways, which have suffered from years of water intrusion, heavy use, and an outdated design that no longer meets current operational standards. The new structures will offer enhanced weather protection, improved safety, and greater accessibility for ferry passengers. These upgrades will ensure a safer, more comfortable, and seamless intermodal transit experience for those transferring between the ferry, buses, and Staten Island Railway.

The second project involves replacing the terminal’s existing chillers with more energy-efficient models. These chillers remove heat from water, which is then circulated through a heat exchanger to cool the building. The upgraded systems will improve environmental control by maintaining optimal temperatures in maintenance areas, enhancing working conditions, increasing the safety and quality of maintenance activities, and extending the lifespan of temperature-sensitive materials.

“Securing this critical investment is a major win for our community and will help improve the daily lives of my constituents,” said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “The Staten Island Ferry is an essential transportation link, connecting nearly half a million Staten Islanders to jobs, services, and opportunities across the city. This funding will support long-overdue upgrades that enhance safety and improve the overall passenger experience.”

Malliotakis’ advocacy for the project dates back to 2024.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Schmitt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Create Defense Tech Hubs, Boost National Security
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

Colorado would be a prime location for a Defense Tech Hub

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Eric Schmitt introduced the bipartisan Defense Technology Hubs Act, which would spur defense innovation and investment across 10 regions, including states like Colorado, to modernize our defense industrial base and create good-paying jobs.

“You don’t have to look further than Colorado to see how a strong, interconnected defense tech ecosystem spurs even greater cutting-edge breakthroughs,” said Hickenlooper. “America needs to double down on our innovation advantage to compete with China’s accelerating investments.”

“We cannot deter great power conflict, we cannot protect the American way of life, and we cannot guarantee peace through strength if we cannot build the tools of defense at scale and speed. The United States faces an ever-growing challenge of maintaining our advantage amid rapid advancements and innovations from our foreign adversaries like China, and we must rise to the challenge. With Missouri serving as a key model for this program, I look forward to these tech hubs spreading across the nation to ensure our military is prepared for the next century of technological threats,” said Schmitt.

Specifically, the Defense Technology Hubs Act will:
- Require the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a program to designate and support regional DoD Tech Hubs focused on advancing defense technologies critical to national security.
- Establish the criteria for eligible consortia to receive a DoD Tech Hub, including:
  
  Capability in defense-relevant technology areas.
  
  Evidence of regional collaboration and stakeholder commitment.
  
  Presence of anchor Federal defense institutions or mission-critical military installations that support or utilize emerging defense technologies, particularly in geospatial intelligence, data fusion, and AI.
- Require the Secretary of Defense to coordinate with existing efforts such as DIU, EDA Tech Hubs, DARPA, Manufacturing USA Institutes, and NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines to reinforce the capacity of all programs.
- Bar foreign entities of concern, as identified by DoD in coordination with the intelligence community and consistent with existing federal designations, like Commerce Department’s Entity List.
- Authorize $375 million for fiscal years 2026 – 2030 and include a 1:1 cost sharing requirement with non-federal private and state sources.
“A Defense Technology Hubs program would bolster the nation’s and region’s aerospace leadership through workforce development and economic growth, not to mention building out critical defense systems to protect all Americans,” said Iain Boyd, Director of the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado Boulder. “The Hub concept recognizes that regional alliances of universities with complementary capabilities can best meet the needs of today’s defense technology challenges.”

Full text of the legislation available HERE.
MIL OSI USA News –
June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “EXTREME MAGA REPUBLICANS HAVE ZERO CREDIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES OF LAW AND ORDER”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Invitación a dos eventos gratuitos en los Condados de Klamath y Lake para crear conciencia sobre el abuso de adultos mayores

Source: US State of Oregon

l Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (Oregon Department of Human Services, ODHS por sus siglas en inglés) está colaborando con centros y organizaciones comunitarias en los condados de Klamath y de Lake para organizar dos ferias de recursos divertidas e informativas que están diseñadas especialmente para adultos mayores. Ambos eventos son gratuitos y están abiertos a todo el público. Contarán con conferencias, actividades, regalos, puestos de información y un almuerzo gratuito.

Los eventos se organizaron por el Programa de Adultos Mayores y Personas con Discapacidades Físicas (Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, APD por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon incluyendo la Unidad de Servicios de Protección de Adultos de APD junto con el Consejo sobre el Envejecimiento de los Condados de Klamath y de Lake, el Centro para Adultos Mayores de Klamath Basin, El Centro (antes el Centro para Adultos Mayores del Condado de Lake) y otras agencias asociadas. La información que se dará incluye consejos para evitar las estafas más recientes en reconocimiento del Día Mundial de Concientización sobre el Abuso y Maltrato a los Adultos Mayores en junio.

Aquí encontrará más información sobre cómo asistir:

Evento de Concientización sobre el Abuso de Personas Mayores y Feria de Recursos de Klamath Falls

Cuando: De 10 a.m. a 12:30 p.m., el martes, 10 de junio del 2025
Donde: Centro para Adultos Mayores de Klamath Basin (Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center), 2045 Arthur St., Klamath Falls, Oregon, 97603

Evento de Concientización sobre el Abuso de Personas Mayores y Feria de Recursos de Lakeview

Cuando: De 11 a.m. a 1 p.m. el miércoles, 11 de junio del 2025
Donde: El Centro – antes el Centro para Adultos Mayores del Condado de Lake (The Center – formerly Lake County Senior Center), 11 N. G St., Lakeview, Oregon 97630

Otros detalles y accesibilidad:

El almuerzo se servirá a las 11:30 a.m. en ambos eventos. Para preguntas generales incluyendo preguntas sobre accesibilidad, o para solicitar una adaptación, comuníquese con Josh Woodson llamando al (541) 273-3044 o enviando un correo electrónico a Joshua.N.Woodson@odhs.oregon.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Trump Accounts Will Chart the Path to Prosperity for a Generation of American Kids

US Senate News:

Source: US Whitehouse
Today, President Donald J. Trump joined top business leaders and lawmakers to hail the creation of “Trump Accounts” — a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill that will create tax-deferred investment accounts for all newborn American children.
Trump Accounts, which will be seeded with a one-time government contribution of $1,000 and be private property of the child’s guardian, will track a stock index and allow for additional private contributions of up to $5,000 per year. This will afford a generation of children the chance to experience the miracle of compounded growth and set them on a course for prosperity from the very beginning.
Here’s what they’re saying:
Dell CEO Michael Dell: “We see … the establishment of these Trump Accounts as a simple yet powerful way to transform lives. Decades of research has shown that giving children a financial head start profoundly impacts their long-term success. With these accounts, children will be much more likely to graduate from college, to start a business, to buy a home, and achieve lifelong financial stability.”
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon: “This initiative gets at the core of binding those future generations to the benefits and the potential of America’s great companies and markets. Early childhood investments have far-reaching benefits, and Goldman Sachs is proud to support his initiative … Our economy’s future vitality is dependent on young people understanding the power of investing for the long term.”
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: “What if we could give that same powerful, real, tangible hope that comes from having a stake in your own future and a stake in the best companies in the world to every single child that’s born in this country? That’s the promise of the Invest in America Act. It’s not just an account; it’s a launchpad. It puts the unstoppable engine of compounding to work for our kids, building a future for them from day one.”
Altimeter Capital CEO Brad Gerstner: “This is aligning every child in America with the upside of free markets and the benefits, and that is your Main Street agenda … It makes America an ownership society again because all of those kids will see the benefit of compounding interest … You are giving the shot for every American to feel like they’re in the game again.”
Speaker Mike Johnson: “If you have a 401(k), you understand the power of investing early for the future. Trump Accounts take that same principle and they apply it from the very beginning of Americans’ lives … It’s a bold, transformative policy that gives every eligible American child a financial head start from day one … Trump Accounts are all about setting up the next generation for success.”
House Ways & Means Committee Chair Jason Smith: “The Trump investment accounts will be a game-changer for new parents even before their newborn baby can walk or talk. Their child will have money saved to one day learn a trade, start a business, or to buy a home. Every child born under this policy will have a better shot at a future. It does not matter if they live on a city block or on a county road — this will make a significant difference to their lives.”
Together with historic tax cuts, an increased child tax credit, higher wages, and monumental economic growth, the One Big Beautiful Bill will change the lives of middle-class families across America.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Statement on Trump Deploying Troops to California

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

WASHINGTON, June 9 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement after President Trump bypassed California’s governor to deploy National Guard troops to California:

Let’s be clear: Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in California is not about the protests there, ICE, or immigration. It is about using extremely dubious legal authority to expand his never-ending grasp for more power and his effort to move this country toward authoritarianism. This is a president who has usurped the constitutional responsibilities of Congress; threatened to impeach judges who rule against his policies; sued media that criticize him; extorted money from law firms that have represented his opponents; and is withholding funds from universities for teaching courses he doesn’t like.

In our federalist form of government, it is the governor of a state who deploys the National Guard — not the president of the United States. It is absurd and laughable for the Trump administration to argue that they needed to mobilize the National Guard because of a threat from a “foreign invasion” or “rebellion” against the United States. This is just another example of Trump wanting more power for himself and ignoring the law. All Americans – Democrats, Republicans, independents – must stand together against this gross abuse of power.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Tells Citizens to ‘Fiercely Guard’ American Way of Life in New Naturalization Ceremony Message

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Headline: President Trump Tells Citizens to ‘Fiercely Guard’ American Way of Life in New Naturalization Ceremony Message

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today released a video message in which President Trump welcomes newly naturalized citizens into our “national family” and invokes the pride new citizens should feel to share a home and heritage with America’s most exceptional heroes and patriots.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: State Director & Chair Positions Confirmed

Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the confirmation of director and chair positions in New York State government. Joshua Norkin today was confirmed by the New York State Senate to serve as Director of the Authorities Budget Office. Additionally, Jessica García was confirmed by the New York State Senate today to serve as Chair of the Cannabis Control Board.

“New Yorkers deserve the best and the brightest individuals serving them, working to make New York safer, more affordable and more liveable — these two individuals will do just that,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration remains laser focused on ensuring experienced individuals are serving at every level of government, delivering for families statewide.”

About Director Joshua Norkin

Joshua Norkin was confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 9 to serve as Director of the Authorities Budget Office. Joshua Norkin previously served as Assistant Counsel to the Governor before being promoted to Deputy Counsel to the Governor in 2022, and Senior Advisor to the Governor in 2024. As Deputy Counsel to the Governor, Joshua oversaw the introduction, negotiation, and disposition of all legislation on behalf of the Executive Chamber.

Mr. Norkin has practiced law in both the nonprofit and private sectors since 2008. Joshua Norkin earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

About Chair Jessica García

Jessica García was confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 9 to serve as Chair of the Cannabis Control Board. Jessica García has served as a board member on the Cannabis Control Board since 2021.

Jessica García is Assistant to the President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), a national labor union representing workers along the food supply chain, as well as workers in non-food retail and healthcare. She previously served as Deputy Political Director for the RWDSU, where she worked to advance the union’s legislative and political agendas. Additionally, Jessica García currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health and a member of the Safe Passage Project. In 2021, she was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). Jessica García earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Harvard University and Master of Social Work from the Hunter College School of Social Work.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: DHS Announces It Will Forgive Failure to Depart Fines for Illegal Aliens who Self-Deport Through the CBP Home App

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

With a free flight, $1,000 stipend, and forgiveness of fines, illegal aliens have no excuse to stay in the United States 

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced illegal aliens who self-deport through the CBP Home App will receive forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the United States (U.S.). Currently an illegal alien can be fined nearly $1,000 per day they do not depart after a final deportation order. Additionally, an illegal alien can also be fined for failing to depart in a timely manner after a voluntary departure order. DHS has issued over 9,000 fine notices to illegal aliens for a total of almost $3 billion. In addition, DHS has made the CBP Home Mobile App more user friendly by eliminating certain steps and making it easier than ever for illegal aliens to self-deport. 

“If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return. If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way.”  

Illegal aliens who use the CBP Home Mobile App to self-deport also receive cost-free travel and a $1,000 exit bonus, paid after their return is confirmed through the app. Self-deportation is the safest and most cost-efficient way to leave the U.S. By self-deporting, illegal aliens take control of their departure and may preserve the opportunity to come back to the U.S. the right and legal way in the future.  

CBP Home is available for free on any Apple or Android device via Apple’s App Store and Google Play, or directly from DHS.gov. For further information, visit DHS.gov/CBPhome.  

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Capito Joins Colleagues in Introducing Energy Choice Act of 2025
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, helped introduce the Energy Choice Act of 2025, legislation led by U.S. Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.).

“America needs more energy, and our state and local governments shouldn’t discriminate against baseload energy generation that increases security, affordability, and creates good paying across the country, simply because it doesn’t align with their political agendas. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to prohibit restrictions on reliable energy that American families need,” Senator Capito said.

“I am an energy guy from an energy-rich state. I know how important freedom of energy production is – which is why I’m proud to introduce Energy Choice Act of 2025. President Trump has stated the need to unleash American energy, and this bill helps facilitate just that. We have too great an energy crisis in this country, and we don’t have the luxury of picking the winners and losers when it comes to energy production. Americans ought to have the right to choose what is best for their energy needs,” Senator Justice said.

BACKGROUND:
- West Virginia has a storied history of energy production.
- The Energy Choice Act would prohibit states and local governments from restricting or limiting the connection, reconnection, modification, installation, transportation, distribution, or expansion of a source of energy that is sold in interstate commerce to be delivered to an end-user of such services.
- Representative Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.-23) leads the House version of this bill, along with 37 cosponsors.
Read more about the bill in Fox News.
MIL OSI USA News –
June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Capito Joins Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Eating Disorder Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in reintroducing the bipartisan Nutrition CARE Act. The legislation aims to improve access to care for seniors and people with disabilities who are living with eating disorders.

Specifically, the Nutrition CARE Act would expand access to medical care for Medicare beneficiaries with eating disorders by including coverage of outpatient medical nutrition therapy through Medicare Part B, which will provide patients with a more comprehensive, specialized approach to combating eating disorders than what is currently offered under Medicare.

“Eating disorders can affect anyone. They can also be particularly life-threatening for elderly Americans and those living with disabilities. The Nutrition CARE Act will expand access to medical nutrition therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries with eating disorders, helping them get the care they need to begin the path to recovery and live healthy lives,” Senator Capito said.

The bipartisan Nutrition CARE Act would allow physicians, registered dieticians, nutrition specialists, and mental health professionals to provide medical nutrition therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries who have an eating disorder can access psychiatric, therapy, and medical services. The expanded services would include 13 hours of medical nutrition therapy – including a one-hour initial assessment and 12 hours of reassessment and intervention – during the first year that the beneficiary begins receiving services. The beneficiary would then be able to access four hours of medical nutrition therapy services during each subsequent year.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK to become world leader in drug discovery as Technology Secretary heads for London Tech Week
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

UK to become world leader in drug discovery as Technology Secretary heads for London Tech Week

New project to make the UK a leader in AI-drug discovery, as Imperial College also partners with the World Economic Forum on AI-Driven Innovation Centre.
New OpenBind consortium to make the UK a leader in AI-driven drug discovery – slashing the cost of drug discovery and development by as much as £100 billion.

Imperial College London to partner with World Economic Forum to deliver new AI-Driven Innovation Centre – boosting AI adoption and innovation to grow the economy

Peter Kyle to set out plans at London Tech Week for technology to go further and faster in unlocking the growth driving the government’s Plan for Change

People around the world are set to benefit from new breakthroughs in AI-driven drug discovery to tackle previously untreatable diseases and transforming patient outcomes using British AI and research expertise.

Announced today, the UK’s ‘OpenBind’ consortium will use breakthrough experimental technology to generate the world’s largest collection of data on how drugs interact with proteins, the building blocks of the body. This will be twenty times greater than anything collected over the last fifty years – cementing the UK’s position as a global hub for AI-driven drug discovery.

This will support the training of new AI models that can identify promising new drugs, giving researchers an unparalleled ability to open up new fronts in the fight against disease- slashing development costs by up to £100 billion and sparking the innovation and economic growth which underpins the government’s Plan for Change.

Based at Diamond Light Source – the UK’s national synchrotron facility at the Harwell Science Campus in Oxfordshire – the consortium will close critical data gaps, driving breakthroughs in healthcare which will unlock new avenues for drugs that can treat and beat diseases, as well as helping scientists harness the transformative potential of engineering biology to face down a range of other issues, such as designing new enzymes to tackle plastic waste.

The consortium, backed with up to £8 million of investment from DSIT’s newly established Sovereign AI Unit, will be led by some of the world’s leading scientific minds including Professor Charlotte Deane at the University of Oxford, Professor Frank von Delft at Diamond Light Source and the University of Oxford, and David Baker, Chemistry Nobel Prize winner and head of the Institute for Protein Design at Washington University.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle said:

London Tech Week is where we lay down a marker – not just as a government with technology at the heart of our agenda, but as a country that will harness its opportunities for the global good.

OpenBind is a prime example of how we’re doing exactly that. Through home-grown AI expertise, we will be the driving force that doesn’t just treat, but beats disease – benefitting every person in the world.

This week, we’ll have plenty more to say on how we’re using technology to drive growth, improve public services, and transform communities all over the country – delivering a Plan for Change grounded in action, not words.

This investment will also help to unlock unique strategic capabilities for UK AI and biosciences, securing the nation’s critical influence over a sector fundamental to growth, health, and wellbeing.

Investors from industry and philanthropy will be convened shortly to have the opportunity to co-invest and take the project to a point of maximum ambition. These discussion will include a roundtable at 10 Downing Street including Isomorphic Labs, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Apheris, Chai Discovery, Genentech, Genesis Therapeutics, Odyssey Therapeutix, Pfizer Inc, and Renaissance Philanthropy.

Professor Gianluigi Botton, CEO, Diamond Light Source, said:

At Diamond Light Source, a Joint Venture between the UK government through STFC and the Wellcome Trust, we are proud to be at the forefront of the UK’s ambition to lead the world in AI-driven drug discovery.

OpenBind represents an exciting step forward in harnessing our unique capabilities to generate the high-quality data that AI needs to revolutionise healthcare, helping to cement the UK’s position as a global hub for bioscience innovation.

Sir Demis Hassabis, CEO, Isomorphic Labs, said:

High-quality biochemical data supports superior AI models, which in turn helps us design new drug candidates faster.

We’re delighted to partner with the OpenBind Consortium and the UK government to cultivate this vital resource. This is a brilliant initiative for UK science, and we’re proud to support it from its inception.

Artificial Intelligence has become one of the key drivers of the government’s Plan for Change, with its adoption across the economy sparking economic growth and creating jobs. Earlier this year the Prime Minister launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan – taking forward 50 recommendations which will mainline the technology into all sectors of the economy.  

To accelerate AI’s rollout even further, Imperial College London has today announced it will partner with the World Economic Forum to deliver a Centre for AI Driven Innovation based in the UK. This dedicated centre will cement the UK’s global position as a leader in the technology, driving innovation by unlocking AI’s potential to transform economies across various sectors. The Centre will join the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network – a global network of 21 independent centres which bring together public and private sectors to maximise technological benefits while minimising risks.

The UK government will work with both organisations to co-design the Centre’s activities in alignment with the government’s ambitions to harness AI to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity.

Hugh Brady, President, Imperial College London said:

This is a pivotal moment for UK innovation where the power and creativity of our science and technology can drive economic growth. This new Centre for AI Driven Innovation will unlock AI’s potential to transform existing industries.

Anchored in the World Economic Forum global network of Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the new Centre hosted by Imperial creates a powerful multi-stakeholder platform from research through to scalable real-world innovation and adoption.

Børge Brende, President and CEO of World Economic Forum said:

We are excited to collaborate with Imperial College London and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to launch the Centre for AI Driven Innovation, the first UK-based centre in the World Economic Forum’s global Network of Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This milestone comes at a pivotal moment, as AI emerges as a powerful catalyst for prosperity and accelerated transformation across all sectors of the economy. The Centre will play a key role in helping the UK shape the global AI innovation agenda, providing a unique platform for collaboration with one of the world’s largest multistakeholder communities of AI experts.

The announcements come as the Technology Secretary prepares to deliver his keynote address to London Tech Week later today, where his speech will set out the range of actions the government is taking to harness technology to boost growth, improve public services, and unlock new opportunities for communities across the UK.

Further commentary welcoming today’s announcements:

Professor Charlotte Deane of the University of Oxford said:

OpenBind realises a major gear-shift for AI in drug discovery by investing in the data that powers it.

This funding will mean we can begin generating a catalogue that not only dwarfs in quantity everything messily accumulated over half a century, but transcends it in quality and is geared towards powering the AI algorithms.

Professor Frank von Delft of Diamond Light Source and the University of Oxford said:

OpenBind is unique double opportunity: whereas to date we experimental scientists have generated data as a byproduct of answering our scientific questions, now we combine forces with AI scientists and produce the data their AIs actually need. And to do so, we will align several very different types of experiments, harnessing recent dramatic advances, including those we’ve achieved at Diamond.

As this accelerates drug design, we will gain currently unthinkable ways to dissect how diseases work and what to do about them.

Robin Roehm, CEO and co-founder of Apheris said:

The utility of AI models in predicting protein-small molecule structure and affinity pairs hinges on the quality and scale of training data.

The life sciences sector urgently needs more comprehensive data, and collaborative networks like the AI Structural Biology Consortium where multiple Pharmas jointly collaborate are an example of this. OpenBind has the potential to transform small molecule drug discovery by developing datasets that are orders of magnitude larger than what is currently available.

Karmen Čondić-Jurkić, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Open Molecular Software Foundation (OMSF) said:

OMSF is excited to participate in OpenBind and contribute to building open datasets and infrastructure that will power the next generation of ML/AI models for drug discovery. Expanding high-quality public datasets is essential for advancing molecular science, both for training and validating new computational approaches.

We believe this collaboration is an opportunity to bring experimental and computational researchers closer together, accelerating innovation across the field.

Mohammed AlQuraishi, Founder, OpenFold; Professor, Departments of Systems Biology and Computer Science, Columbia University, said:

The task of predicting structures of molecules bound to proteins is challenged by a severe paucity of data, crucial for training data-hungry machine learning models such as OpenFold3.

The OpenBind project is poised to transform this dynamic, first by providing significant amounts of new and diverse structural data to fuel machine learning, and second by working synergistically with OpenFold to focus data acquisition on molecules and proteins with the greatest potential for improving the accuracy of predictive models.

David Rees PhD FMedSci, FRSC, Chief Scientific Officer, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, UK.

As a pioneer in fragment-based drug discovery, Astex is excited to be involved in this new initiative to build a unique database that will help the UK to remain at the forefront of developments in this field.

Training AI models with experimentally determined protein-ligand crystal structure data can significantly accelerate the drug discovery process and deliver new medicines more efficiently.

Dr Ed Griffen, Technical Director at MedChemica said:

At MedChemica we apply chemistry machine learning at scale and speed to design and analyse large data sets to give exploitable knowledge.

One of the critical areas of weakness in drug discovery is relating how protein-drug structures are related to how strongly a possible drug binds to that protein structure. The goal of OpenBind is to gather and analyse enough of the right data so that machine learning can make useful predictions. With better predictions we can run drug hunting projects faster and cheaper, bringing new therapies to the clinic more quickly.

OpenBind is a keystone in the bridge from basic science to new ways of treating the diseases and conditions that afflict patients world wide. OpenBind’s scale is globally strategic and leading beyond what is being done anywhere else. MedChemica is delighted and proud to be able to contribute to this endeavour.

Joshua Meier, Co-founder and CEO, Chai Discovery, said:

The UK’s OpenBind initiative provides the rich, open data frontier our AI models need to design better medicines faster, and we’re excited to contribute our open state-of-the-art structure prediction technology to this national effort.

Notes to editors

OpenBind will create the largest open dataset of experimentally validated drug–protein interactions in history. By addressing a long-standing gap in pharmaceutical R&D: the lack of high-quality, large-scale datasets linking small molecules to the proteins they bind. These datasets are essential for training high quality AI models for early-stage drug design.

OpenBind will deploy automated chemistry and high-throughput X-ray crystallography to eventually generate more than 500,000 protein – ligand complex structures and affinity measurements over 5 years. This would represent a 20-fold increase over all public data produced in the last half-century – filling a critical gap in the data ecosystem that has slowed the development and evaluation of modern generative models.

OpenBind provides a foundational dataset that will underpin progress across multiple areas of technology – including structure prediction, generative molecular design, docking, and active learning workflows. It is designed to work in synergy with other emerging approaches to help reduce trial-and-error experimentation, inform candidate selection, and support more systematic exploration of chemical space.

OpenBind’s senior consortium principal investigators are:

Professor Frank von Delft (Diamond Light Source and University of Oxford)

Professor Charlotte Deane (University of Oxford)

Dr John Chodera (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre)

Dr Mark Murcko (MIT and Disruptive Biomedical LLC)

Professor Mohammed AlQuraishi (Columbia University)

Professor David Baker (University of Washington)

Dr Ed Griffen (MedChemica Limited)

Professor Paul Brennan (University of Oxford)

Professor Sir David Stuart (Diamond Light Source)

Dr Martin Walsh (Diamond Light Source)

About Diamond Light Source

Diamond Light Source provides industrial and academic user communities with access to state-of-the-art analytical tools to enable world-changing science. Shaped like a huge ring, it accelerates electrons to near light speeds, producing a light 10 billion times brighter than the sun, which is then directed off into 35 laboratories known as beamlines. In addition to these, Diamond offers access to several integrated laboratories including the world-class Electron Bio-imaging Centre (eBIC) and the Electron Physical Science Imaging Centre (ePSIC).    

Diamond serves as an agent of change, addressing 21st century challenges such as disease, clean energy, food security and more. Since operations started, more than 16,000 researchers from both academia and industry have used Diamond to conduct experiments, with the support of approximately 800 world-class staff. More than 14,000 scientific articles have been published by our users and scientists.    

Funded by the UK government through the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and by the Wellcome Trust, Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.    

Diamond was set-up as an independent not for profit company through a joint venture, between the UKRI’s Science and Technology Facilities Council and one of the world’s largest biomedical charities, the Wellcome Trust – each respectively owning 86% and 14% of the shareholding.    

DSIT media enquiries

Email press@dsit.gov.uk

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 9 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Metairie Resident Sentenced for Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced today that CARSON RIESS (“RIESS”), age 41, of Metairie, Louisiana, was sentenced on May 27, 2025, to 60 months imprisonment followed by 15 years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey after previously pleading guilty to receipt of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1). Additionally, RIESS was ordered to pay $172,500 in restitution to numerous victims as well as a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court documents, the case against RIESS stemmed from an online Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). On May 20, 2024, HSI special agents, along with members of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, executed two federal search warrants at RIESS’ Metairie home. HSI agents seized a computer from RIESS’ residence during the search, confirmed this laptop contained Child Sexual Abuse Material, and subsequently arrested RIESS and charged him with the receipt of CSAM. HSI’s investigation revealed RIESS received images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Just Over Ten Years in Federal Prison for Voluntary Manslaughter

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on June 6, 2025.

Vincent Boesem, age 32, was sentenced to ten years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

A federal grand jury indicted Boesem in March 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 14, 2025.

Between July 3, 2022, and July 4, 2022, Boesem and his elderly uncle had been drinking together at the uncle’s home within the Pine Ridge Reservation. While intoxicated with alcohol and methamphetamine, Boesem became enraged and beat the victim about his head, face, and body. Although Boesem ultimately called 911 to get medical help, the victim succumbed to his injuries. Boesem acted in the heat of passion, that is, in an uncontrollable rage and with an extreme emotional disturbance.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

Boesem was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

MIL Security OSI –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: In Response To The Recent Antisemitic Attacks Across The Nation, Gillibrand, Schumer, Nadler, Goldman Stand With Jewish Community Leaders In Calling For Additional Funds To Protect The Jewish Community

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

Today, in response to a recent surge in violent antisemitic terror attacks, U.S.Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer and Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Dan Goldman stood with Jewish leaders and other faith leaders requesting that the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) be robustly funded to keep communities safe. The funding allocated by this program supports nonprofit organizations most at risk of attack through the acquisition and installation of physical target hardening measures, related preparedness and prevention planning, training, and exercises, and contracted security personnel so that religious and community-based organizations have the critical resources and tools they need to protect lives and property.

This comes in response to the recent wave of antisemitic attacks across the country, including the arson attack at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home, the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and the tragedy in Colorado last Sunday in which 15 people were injured when Molotov cocktails were thrown at them at a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of the hostages in Gaza. In 2024, there were 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States. This was an 893% increase over the previous 10 years and represents the highest number of incidents on record since the Anti-Defamation League began tracking these statistics 46 years ago.

“Since October 7, 2023, we have seen a disturbing rise in hate crimes across the country and at home in New York targeted toward members of the Jewish faith,” said Senator Gillibrand. “America was founded on the principle of the free exercise of religion. That means that every American has the right to live without fear of being attacked for their faith, and I am fighting to make sure that continues by robustly funding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. My message to the Jewish community is that I stand united with you against antisemitism, now and always.”

“The persistent cascade of intolerance and violence as the state of hate in America rises to a boiling point demands a much stronger federal response, because we are in a crisis,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “In many ways, the vulnerability and increased danger in houses of worship and not-for-profits has never been higher. That is why I am pushing for $500 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program—and increased funding for technical assistance to help organizations apply for grants—to counter, contain and ultimately crush the fear—and the threats—plaguing places of worship, religious schools, and other nonprofit organizations. We will fight hard to achieve this funding goal and do all we can to ensure places of worship are safe.”

“Just 8 days ago, we witnessed the latest in a string of horrific attacks against Jews. This attack fell against the backdrop of a surge of Antisemitism nation-wide, which has especially peaked since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th, 2023— the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. This moment demands a swift response. That is why I signed a bipartisan letter last week calling for a $500 million funding level for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program and I continue to echo that call. Such an increase is a necessary step to help ensure Jews’ physical safety. I hope both sides of the aisle and all branches of government come together to get this done,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler (NY-12). “In this time of American Jews experiencing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism, I also am sad to have to say that the Trump Administration is acting as a catalyst, not a deterrent. If President Trump were actually serious about combatting antisemitism, he’d start by firing the known antisemites in his own administration. In this unprecedented time for American Jews, we must ensure antisemites find no safe haven, no matter their political affiliations or positions of power.”

“We don’t need to look further than the murders of two young Israeli Embassy workers outside the Capital Jewish Museum or the attacks on Jews during a peaceful protest in Boulder to understand that antisemitic hate is not just rising — it’s exploding into deadly violence,” said Karen Paikin Barall, Vice President, Government Relations, Jewish Federations of North America. “These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a deeply troubling trend that threatens the safety, dignity, and freedom of the Jewish community. By providing adequate funding, we can help protect places of worship, education, and community gatherings from the growing threats they face. Silence and inaction are not options — lives are on the line.”

“In the face of sharply escalating antisemitic violence nationwide, including the horrific recent antisemitic attacks, the NSGP is a lifeline that enables synagogues, Jewish community centers, and other vulnerable institutions to take meaningful steps to protect their congregants and staff,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York. “UJA is urgently calling for a significant increase in funding for the NSGP and we are deeply grateful for the steadfast leadership of Senator Gillibrand and Leader Schumer, and members of the New York House delegation, who continue to champion the safety and security of Jewish New Yorkers.”

“Our Jewish communities are reeling from a wave of horrific, antisemitic acts of terror—part of an unprecedented surge in antisemitism we’ve witnessed since October 7th across the country and here in New York. In the face of persistent threats targeting Jewish individuals and institutions, it is imperative that the federal government provide robust funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which is already the law but needs resources to be fully operationalized,” said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY. “Increasing Nonprofit Security Grant funding is a vital step toward ensuring that all vulnerable communities can gather and live in safety. JCRC-NY will continue working to uproot antisemitic hate before it takes hold and to build a future grounded in mutual respect and shared humanity. While we continue this important work, we also urge our leaders to call out the inflammatory rhetoric that has predictably led to this surge in antisemitic acts of terror. We are deeply grateful to Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and members of the Congressional delegation for their leadership on this urgent matter”

“In the aftermath of the horrific attacks against Jewish Americans in Washington, D.C. and Boulder, there’s no more compelling argument for robust federal funding for Jewish institutional security. It’s time. Last year ADL recorded over 1,700 antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish institutions,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO, ADL. “In this climate of escalating threats, every additional dollar for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a lifeline — right now, the demand far outpaces the available resources. I’m proud to be standing with these Congressional leaders pushing for an increase in funding to ensure that synagogues, schools, and community centers can take basic steps to protect themselves.”

“Years ago, a police car in front of a synagogue was a rarity, and today it is a reality,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President, New York Board of Rabbis. “Years ago, standing up for the Jewish people was most venerable; today it makes you most vulnerable. Thus, we are most grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for seeking additional funding for security purposes. Their steadfast support is most reassuring, especially during this difficult period.”

Every year, Congress must specifically allocate funding for the NSGP, which helps nonprofits deemed by the Department of Homeland Security to be at risk of attack plan for and ready themselves against potential attacks. In addition to hardening facilities, this program has improved efforts to keep at-risk nonprofit organizations safe by promoting emergency preparedness coordination and collaboration activities between public and private community representatives, as well as with state and local government agencies.

For years, Senator Gillibrand has successfully pushed to include funding for the NSGP in the budget. In Fiscal Year 2024, Gillibrand and Schumer successfully secured $454.5 million in funding for the NSGP. The Jewish community remains one of the top targets of faith-based hate crimes in the U.S., and that danger has only increased since October 7, 2023. Senators Gillibrand and Schumer will continue to prioritize the safety of these and other faith communities throughout New York State.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Rep. Pressley Condemns Trump’s Authoritarian Assault on Harvard, Nonprofits

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Trump Admin. Weaponizing Tax Laws to Silence Dissent, Attack Nonprofits Providing Essential Services to Vulnerable People

“This is about Trump and Republicans punishing people who disagree with them. It is about attacking nonprofits of all sizes that serve the vulnerable and marginalized and stand in the gap for our communities. It’s about trying to intimidate every charity and nonprofit in this country and spark a fear that if you speak up – if you do something the Republicans don’t like – you could be next.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, in a House Oversight Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) condemned Donald Trump’s targeted, authoritarian assault on nonprofit organizations it disagrees with. Congresswoman Pressley discussed the Trump Administration’s efforts to revoke the tax-exempt status of Harvard University as part of Republicans’ broader campaign to punish dissent and attack organizations that serve vulnerable communities.

A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks is below and the video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Condemns Trump’s Authoritarian Assault on Harvard, Nonprofits

House Oversight DOGE Subcommittee

June 4, 2025

REP. PRESSLEY: Thank you to our witnesses for being here today.

What we are witnessing from Occupant Trump, his Administration, and Republicans writ-large is not governance – it is a targeted, dangerous assault on the independence of our nonprofit organizations.

We’ve seen these attacks take many forms, perhaps most visibly in my own district – the Massachusetts 7th – as the administration continues its unlawful campaign against Harvard University. Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, freeze billions in federal funding for scientific research to save lives, might I add, and publicly vilify students and faculty – all part and parcel of his attacks on education.

But let me make it plain: this isn’t just about Harvard and it’s definitely not about government efficiency – the name of this subcommittee.

This is about Trump and Republicans punishing people who disagree with them.

It is about attacking nonprofits of all sizes that serve the vulnerable and marginalized and stand in the gap for our communities.

It’s about trying to intimidate every charity and nonprofit in this country and spark a fear that if you speak up – if you do something the Republicans don’t like – you could be next.

A hospital that provides abortion care. A local food pantry that feeds immigrants. Or an advocacy group that fights for civil rights.

Donald Trump is weaponizing our tax laws to attack nonprofits at the same time he is pushing for tax cuts for Elon Musk and billionaires.

Ms. Yentel, can the President or Executive Branch legally revoke a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status simply because it disagrees with that organization’s lawful speech or mission?

DIANE YENTEL: They can’t. The statute is very clear that that is illegal.

REP. PRESSLEY: Thank you. Republicans think the answer is yes, but that would mean every nonprofit in America is just one tweet away from being targeted by the federal government.

I am proud that in the Massachusetts 7th, community-based organizations are speaking up and fighting back against Republican attacks. And I know they are doing it at risk of serious threat.

Ms. Yentel, can you make plain what are the consequences to charities and nonprofits losing tax-exempt status?

MS. YENTEL: Well, tax exempt status is given to nonprofit organizations that do essential work to meet needs in their local communities, in exchange for significant transparency and accountability. And if nonprofit organizations lose their tax exempt status, it could create significant challenges for them to be able to do their work related to how and where they get their funding, and it could cause them to have to shut down their work altogether.

REP. PRESSLEY: Their work which is to the betterment of us all, which is to the collective, our shared constituents.

MS. YENTEL: Yes.

REP. PRESSLEY: Very good. Let’s put this in perspective:

Trump is firing government workers that administer programs like Head Start and Social Security while also attacking non-profits that provide resources and supports to vulnerable populations.

Trump and his Republican cult do not care about helping people who are struggling. Instead, they want to make them suffer more.

Now, before I yield back, let me ask the Republican witnesses: if you all think Trump is right for revoking tax-exempt status for nonprofits for their political views, raise your hand then if you think the Heritage Foundation – who wrote Project 2025 – should also lose their tax-exempt status?

Show of hands, by the logic that is being applied.

MR. WALTER: I’m not aware of any nonprofit that’s had its status revoked.

REP. PRESSLEY: Again, the question that I’m posing is, would you please raise your hand if you think the Heritage Foundation who wrote Project 2025 should also lose their tax exempt status?

Show of hands.

MR. WALTER: It’s a perfectly a reasonable speech by a nonprofit.

REP. PRESSLEY: So none of you, so none of you, none of you.

The shame and the sham of it all.

Before I yield back, Ms. Yentel, I know that you have been harangued intensely throughout today’s proceedings. Is there anything that you would like to set the record straight on or respond to in my remaining time?

MS. YENTEL: Thank you, Congresswoman. I would like to use the remaining time to remind us all and every member of this committee of the vital, essential work that nonprofit organizations do in each of your communities, for your constituents, and the work that we do to support them in that work. Nonprofit organizations are local. They are transparent and accountable. They are non-partisan, by law and in practice, and they do essential work to meet the needs of all of your communities and all Americans. Thank you.

REP. PRESSLEY: Thank you. I yield back.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lauren Underwood Delivers Remarks at Agriculture Subcommittee Markup to Highlight How Republicans are Increasing Costs for Farmers and Rural Communities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

During today’s House Appropriations subcommittee markup of the 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered the following remarks:

““Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Appropriations bill we are considering today.

While the Trump Administration and my Republican colleagues on this Committee like to talk about reducing chronic disease and protecting children’s health, their actions speak louder.

With the dangerous funding cuts in this bill, they are turning their backs on working families, rural communities, and public health.

At a time when tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in America and poses a grave threat to American youth – with over 2 million middle and high school students reporting tobacco use in 2024 – we should be prioritizing the data-driven public health investments that are proven to work, not undermining FDA’s power to regulate Big Tobacco.

This bill is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s focus destroying the tools that help FDA hold Big Tobacco accountable to the American people.

This bill is so extreme that it even blocks FDA from finalizing a commonsense rule to ensure that tobacco products are not contaminated with foreign substances like glass, fingernails, rocks, direct, and mold.

If my Republican colleagues cannot even take a stand against cigarettes with fingernails in them, then their position is clear — they are not willing to regulate the President’s friends and donors in the tobacco industry and they are not serious about protecting public health.

So instead of devoting FDA resources to regulating tobacco, this bill proposes to waste agency resources—and taxpayer funds—on an unnecessary review of mifepristone.

We already have decades of evidence showing that mifepristone is a safe and effective medication that safeguards women’s health and lives.

Medical experts describe mifepristone as among the safest medications being used today.

Yet FDA Commissioner Makary has recently “committed to conducting a review of mifepristone,” and this bill includes report language supporting this wasteful review that is based on fraudulent junk science.

So, let’s be honest about what this bill does. It’s not going to make women safer. It’s a waste of taxpayer resources and another attack from this Administration on our bodily autonomy.

Throughout this appropriations process, we have heard so much about using federal dollars wisely, controlling costs, and supporting everyday Americans.

Yet another way that this bill fails to deliver on those goals is by flat-funding the WIC program despite rising costs for the mothers and children who rely on it.

WIC is one of the most cost-effective public health programs we have. If my Republican colleagues actually cared about government efficiency, they would invest in programs like WIC that we know improve health outcomes for families.

Instead, this bill reverses the progress we have made on child nutrition and puts eligible moms and kids on waiting lists. That’s not efficient—it’s just irresponsible.

This bill slashes the cash-value benefits for fruits and vegetables, cutting access to healthy food for children during their most critical growth years while hurting American farmers.

Under this bill, a toddler’s fruit and veggie benefit is lower than it was last year. That’s not fiscal discipline—it’s nutritional sabotage. You don’t balance a budget on the backs of babies.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t saving money long-term. When we deny healthy food to pregnant moms and young kids, we increase the risk of preterm birth, developmental delays, and chronic illness. That’s more hospital visits, higher Medicaid costs, and worse outcomes for families.

WIC needs to be fully funded—not frozen—and benefits need to reflect the science. That’s what the families we represent deserve.

So I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided bill, and to work together on a smarter funding plan that genuinely supports American families and protects public health”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Action Taken by Governor Phil Scott on Legislation – June 9, 2025
Source: US State of Vermont

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott announced action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly.

On June 9, Governor Scott signed bills of the following titles:
- S.53, An act relating to certification of community-based perinatal doulas and Medicaid coverage for doula services
- S.59, An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law
When signing S.53, Governor Scott issued the following statement:

“While I support greater access to perinatal care in Vermont, I believe outstanding operational concerns must be addressed before we seek to amend our Medicaid plan to allow Medicaid reimbursement for community-based perinatal doulas. We must ensure that community-based perinatal doula professional certification standards are consistent with federal expectations before Medicaid reimbursement is finalized. If this requires further legislation next year, it’s my hope the Legislature will address this area of concern.”

On June 9, Governor Scott returned without signature and vetoed S.125, An act relating to collective bargaining and sent the following letter to the General Assembly:

Dear Mr. Bloomer:

Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, I am returning S.125, An act relating to collective bargaining, without my signature because of my objections described herein:

This bill would effectively unionize a group of Judiciary employees with a simple definitional change. I’m concerned that despite unions testifying this was a priority for their organization, employees who would be impacted by this bill were not consulted or asked to testify.

The Judiciary has advised this change could have a negative impact on the effective management of courthouses and fear a workplace marked by divisiveness and angst were this bill to pass. At a time when our court system is managing a significant backlog, we should be focusing on improving efficiencies within the system.

Further, this bill seeks to bolster existing unions by significantly increasing the voting threshold for union decertification. This means it will be much more difficult for employees who do not feel well represented to consider their alternatives.

I support collective bargaining, but I believe employees should have choices for which union they belong to. This bill seeks to make it harder for employees, if they choose, to seek union representation from other organizations. I believe the threshold to trigger a vote for certification should be the same as decertification.

Our employees should be heard and respected and for this reason I cannot allow this bill to go into law.

Sincerely,

/s/

Philip B. Scott

Governor

To view a complete list of action on bills passed during the 2025 legislative session, click here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
June 10, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Some economists have called for a radical ‘global wealth tax’ on billionaires. How would that work?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Venkat Narayanan, Senior Lecturer – Accounting and Tax, RMIT University

Rudy Balasko/Shutterstock

Earlier this year, I attended a housing conference in Sydney. The event’s opening address centred on the way Australia seems to be becoming like 18th-century England – a country where inheritance largely determines one’s opportunities in life.

There has been a lot of media coverage of economic inequities in Australian society. Our tax system has been partly blamed for this problem. The case for long-term, visionary tax reform has never been stronger. And one area of tax reform could be a wealth tax.

First, let’s be clear about one thing. Unlike the superannuation tax reforms currently being debated for those with more than A$3 million in superannuation, the wealth tax we’re talking about would apply to a very different cohort: billionaires.

A recent article in the Financial Times re-examined a proposal to impose such a tax on the world’s highest-net-worth individuals. It also pointed out these efforts would need to be globally coordinated.

Such taxes could collect significant sums of money for governments. It’s previously been estimated a billionaire tax could raise US$250 billion (more than A$380 billion) globally if just 2% of the net worth of the world’s billionaires was taxed each year.

The case for a wealth tax

Inequality is on the rise and the argument for a wealth tax can’t be ignored – not least here at home. According to the Australia Institute, the wealth of Australia’s richest 200 people has soared as a percentage of our national gross domestic product (GDP) – from 8.4% in 2004 to 23.7% in 2024.

If that sounds dramatic, the picture is far worse in the United States. So, what would a wealth tax look like in Australia (noting that in reality a globally coordinated effort would be needed)?

The starting point for this is understanding of why high-net-worth individuals seemingly pay very low taxes.

High net worth, low tax rate

Income taxes only take into account any amounts that are received in the hands of the taxpayer – whether that is a company, a person or a trust.

Most high-net-worth individuals do not receive much income directly but “store” their wealth in companies and other corporate structures.

In Australia, the maximum applicable tax rate for companies is 30%. Note that the highest tax rate in Australia for individuals is 45% plus the 2% medicare levy, effectively 47%.

Assets such as real estate may also be held by companies or trusts, and the increase in value of these assets is not taxed until they are sold (through capital gains tax).

Even then, those gains may not be paid out directly to the high-net-worth individual who owns these entities.

Unrealised gains

So, how do we tax wealth that is sitting in various businesses (company structures) or other entities, but isn’t taxed at present because the “income” or “gains” from these are not taxable in the hands of the wealthy individuals who own them?

This goes into the murky area of taxation of unrealised gains. Here, we need to tread very carefully. But we also need to recognise that we already do this, albeit rather subtly, and most of us are not billionaires.

In your rates notice from your local council, for example, the increase in value of your residence or investment property is used to calculate your rates.

The real difficulty, to carry on with this example, is that your residence or investment property is typically held in your name and so the tax can be directly levied on you.

A luxury residence in Miami Beach, Florida, owned by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. The US is home to the most billionaires of any country in the world.
Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock

Making tax unavoidable

As we’ve already explained, the bulk of the assets or net worth of wealthy individuals is not directly attributable to them. Does this mean we should give up altogether?

Not quite. UNSW professor Chris Evans has pointed out that while we may not be able to effectively tax all the net worth of the wealthy, there are some things we can tax and they can’t avoid it.

An obvious example is real estate. You can pack your bags and bank accounts and move to a low-tax country, but you can’t move your mansion overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Real estate, both residential and commercial, provides one clear way in which we could implement a partial wealth tax. This method (which also has fewer valuation issues than value stored in a company in the form of retained profits) also counters the argument that the wealthy will simply move to other jurisdictions that won’t tax them.

There is plenty of academic research looking at various wealth tax initiatives in other countries. We should learn from these, including the experience in Switzerland and Sweden.

In Sweden, for instance, research found the behavioural effects of wealth taxation were less pronounced than those of income taxation, but the system had so many loopholes that evasion was an option for some people.

Change faces headwinds

In a very uncertain world that features ongoing wars and an unpredictable US president, any change that seeks to address issues of inequity is going to be met with resistance by those who hold power.

Some billionaires in the US, however, have expressed their support for being taxed more in a letter signed by heirs to the Disney and Rockefeller fortunes. That offers some hope, and suggests the discussion about wealth taxes should not be relegated to the “too hard” basket.

Some steps towards taxing the uber-rich would be better than the status quo.

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

– ref. Some economists have called for a radical ‘global wealth tax’ on billionaires. How would that work? – https://theconversation.com/some-economists-have-called-for-a-radical-global-wealth-tax-on-billionaires-how-would-that-work-257632

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 10, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Fake news and real cannibalism: a cautionary tale from the Dutch Golden Age

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato

The Corpses of the De Witt Brothers, attributed to Jan de Baen, c. 1672-1675. Rijksmuseum

The Dutch Golden Age, beginning in 1588, is known for the art of Rembrandt, the invention of the microscope, and the spice trade of the Dutch East India Company. It ended a little under a century later in a frenzy of body parts and mob justice.

In 1672, enraged by a fake news campaign, rioters killed the recently ousted head of state Johan de Witt and his brother Cornelis. The mob hung them upside down, removed their organs, ate parts of the corpses, and sold fingers and tongues as souvenirs.

Even in a period characterised by torture and assassination, this grisly act stands out as extreme. But it also stands as a warning from history about what can happen when disinformation is allowed to run rampant.

The attack on Johan and Cornelis de Witt was fuelled by a relentless flood of malicious propaganda and forgeries claiming the brothers were corrupt, immoral elitists who had conspired with enemies of the Dutch Republic.

The anonymous authors of the smear campaigns blamed Johan for war with England and “all the bloodshed, killing and injuring, the crippled and mutilated people, including widows and orphans” that allegedly kept him in power.

According to one pamphlet, the violence was legitimate because the ends justified the means: “Beating to death is not a sin in case it is practised against a tyrant.” The sentiment echoes a quote frequently attributed to Napoleon, recently shared by US President Donald Trump on social media: “He who saves his country does not violate any law.”

‘Fight like hell’

These days, of course, we’ve become accustomed to the dangers fake news (and deepfakes) pose in the promotion of political violence, hate speech, extremism and extrajudicial killings.

In March, for example, historical footage of war crimes in Syria was manipulated by generative AI to appear as current events. Combined with disinformation in chat rooms and on social media, it incited panic and violence.

The effects were magnified in a country with no reliable independent media, where informal news is often the only source of information.

But even in a superpower with an established media culture, similar things happen.
Before the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol in 2021, Trump called on thousands of supporters at a “Save America” rally to “fight like hell” or they were “not going to have a country anymore”.

This was shortly before Congress verified the presidential election result, which Trump alleged was invalid because of voter fraud. Addressing the same crowd, Trump advisor Rudolph Giuliani called for “trial by combat”.

What happened might not have been as extreme as the events in the Netherlands 350 years earlier, but a violent mob fired up on disinformation still shook the foundations of US democracy.

Historical echoes: supporters of Donald Trump march through Washington DC to the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.
Getty Images

The ‘disaster year’

The deeper forces at work in the US were and still are complex – just as they were in the 17th-century Dutch Republic. What brought it down was a volatile mix of power struggles, geopolitical rivalries and oligarchy.

William of Orange had been excluded from the office of stadtholder, the hereditary head of state, by a secret treaty with England under Oliver Cromwell to end the First Anglo-Dutch War.

When the English monarchy was restored, however, the treaty became invalid and the Orangists attempted to reinstate William. Johan De Witt represented the States Party, made up of wealthy oligarchs, whereas William was seen as a man of the people.

The republic had built an impressive navy and merchant fleet but neglected its army. A land invasion by France and allies was supported by the English navy. To prevent the invasion from advancing, land was flooded by opening gates and canals.

The combination of floods and an occupying army threw the economy into chaos. The Orangists wouldn’t cooperate with the States Party, and the republic was on the brink of collapse. The Dutch referred to 1672 as the Rampjaar, the “disaster year”.

Historical rhymes

Satirists, pamphleteers and activists seized on the crises as an opportunity to ramp up their campaign against the de Witt brothers. Political opposition turned into personal attacks, false accusations and calls for violence.

Johan was assaulted and stabbed in an attempted assassination in June 1672, resigning from his role as head of state two months later. Cornelis was then arrested for treason. When Johan went to visit him in prison, the guards and soldiers disappeared, and a conveniently positioned mob dragged the brothers into the street.

The rest, as they say, is history. William III was strongly suspected of orchestrating the brothers’ gruesome murder, but this was never confirmed.

Is there is a moral to the story? Perhaps it is simply that, in a time of crisis, a campaign of disinformation can transform political opposition and rebellion into assassination – and worse.

Pamphlets – the social media of their day – manipulated public perception and amplified popular anxiety into murderous rage. A golden age of prosperity under a republic headed by oligarchs ended with ritualised political violence and the return of a monarch who promised to keep the people safe.

They say history doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme. As ever, the need to separate fact from fiction remains an urgent task.

Garritt C. Van Dyk has been a recipient of Getty Research Institute funding.

– ref. Fake news and real cannibalism: a cautionary tale from the Dutch Golden Age – https://theconversation.com/fake-news-and-real-cannibalism-a-cautionary-tale-from-the-dutch-golden-age-257104

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 10, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: The Racial Discrimination Act at 50: the bumpy, years-long journey to Australia’s first human rights laws
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Azadeh Dastyari, Director, Research and Policy, Whitlam Institute, Western Sydney University

On June 11, Australia marks 50 years since the Racial Discrimination Act became law. This important legislation helps make sure people are treated equally no matter their race, skin colour, background, or where they come from.

But the act didn’t happen overnight. It took nearly ten years for Australia to follow through on the promises it made to the world to fight racism when it signed the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1966.

When Australia first signed that agreement, it still had laws and attitudes shaped by the White Australia Policy.

Even after Australia started moving away from the White Australia Policy, federal leaders held off on making anti-racism laws. They weren’t sure it was allowed under the Constitution, worried about the cost, and didn’t want to upset the states. Many also feared that Australians wouldn’t support it.

It took the courage of Gough Whitlam, Australia’s 21st prime minister, to pass Australia’s first anti-discrimination law. Between 1973 and 1975, Whitlam and his government made four attempts to pass laws against racial discrimination. The act was the result of their fourth try – this time, it worked.

An uphill battle

The first time the Racial Discrimination Bill was introduced was in 1973, it was alongside a Human Rights Bill. Together, they were part of a bigger plan to give people in Australia more rights and fair treatment.

People had mixed feelings about the idea of a law to protect individual rights. Most of the concern was about the Human Rights Bill, but some also doubted whether a Racial Discrimination Act was needed.

There was debate about whether it would really work or just be a symbolic step, and whether or not it would take away from people’s freedoms.

In the end, the 1973 bill lapsed and did not become law.

The Whitlam government reintroduced the bill twice more in 1974, once in April and then again in October.

The April version added protections for immigrants and focused more on conciliation and education, but it wasn’t debated before an election.

The bill returned in October with minor updates, mainly to strengthen education efforts and clarify that it used civil, not criminal, enforcement.

Still, it was withdrawn in early 1975 because of ongoing political instability.

The 1975 Racial Discrimination Bill was the Whitlam government’s final, and successful, push to make laws tackling racism.

Familiar debates

Labor MPs backed the 1975 version of the bill, highlighting its importance for Indigenous people and other marginalised groups.

But the Liberal–Country Party Coalition, then in opposition, pushed back hard.

While the opposition claimed to support equality, they questioned the legal basis of the bill, feared it gave too much power to the race relations commissioner and warned it might threaten free speech.

Some opposition voices, especially in the Senate, went further, downplaying racism altogether. Senator Ian Wood claimed Australia was “singularly free of racial discrimination”.

Senator Glen Sheil argued immigration was the issue:

Australia over recent years has adopted an immigration policy that has allowed the immigration into this country of blacks, whites, reds, yellows and browns […] because of these problems, once again created by governments, we are now faced with this Racial Discrimination Bill. In my opinion if this bill is implemented it will create more discrimination, not less.

The opposition successfully weakened the bill by removing several key parts, including:
- criminal penalties for inciting racial discrimination
- the ability of the commissioner to start legal proceedings in court or ask a court to make someone give evidence
- and criminal penalties for publishing, distributing or expressing racial hostility.
Despite these setbacks, the Racial Discrimination Act passed.

Change takes time

Even with all the compromises, the passing of the act was a major moment in Australian history.

As Whitlam acknowledged:

it is of course extraordinarily difficult to define racial discrimination and outlaw it by legislative means. Social attitudes and mental habits do not readily lend themselves to codification and statutory prohibition.

The act has not erased racial discrimination, nor is it perfect.

It continues to spark debates and needs to be further strengthened to meet the changing needs of our society.

However, the laws have been used in real cases to protect people’s rights, shown the federal government does have the power under the Constitution to make laws about human rights, and has sent a strong message that everyone deserves to be safe and free from discrimination, regardless of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

The story of the Racial Discrimination Act is a reminder that real change takes time, resolve and tenacity.

While the laws finally passed, the Human Rights Bill introduced alongside it in 1973 did not.

More than 50 years later, Australia still does not have a national Human Rights Act. As more people call for stronger human rights protections in our laws, the Racial Discrimination Act stands as both a reminder of what progress can look like and a challenge to imagine what bold leadership could achieve today.

A Human Rights Act is now needed more than ever to protect those most at risk. It will take the same political will, moral clarity, and bravery that brought the Racial Discrimination Act to life.

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

– ref. The Racial Discrimination Act at 50: the bumpy, years-long journey to Australia’s first human rights laws – https://theconversation.com/the-racial-discrimination-act-at-50-the-bumpy-years-long-journey-to-australias-first-human-rights-laws-257245
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
June 10, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: For the first time, fossil stomach contents of a sauropod dinosaur reveal what they really ate

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Poropat, Research Associate, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University

Artist’s reconstruction of Judy. Travis Tischler

Since the late 19th century, sauropod dinosaurs (long-necks like Brontosaurus and Brachiosaurus) have been almost universally regarded as herbivores, or plant eaters.

However, until recently, no direct evidence – in the form of fossilised gut contents – had been found to support this.

I was one of the palaeontologists on a dinosaur dig in outback Queensland, Australia, that unearthed “Judy”: an exceptional sauropod specimen with the fossilised remains of its last meal in its abdomen.

In a new paper published today in Current Biology, we describe these gut contents while also revealing that Judy is the most complete sauropod, and the first with fossilised skin, ever found in Australia.

Remarkably preserved, Judy helps to shed light on the feeding habits of the largest land-living animals of all time.

Plant-eating land behemoths

Sauropod dinosaurs dominated Earth’s landscapes for the entire 130 million years of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Along with many other species, they died out in the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous 66 million years ago.

Ever since the first reasonably complete sauropod skeletons were found in the 1870s, the hypothesis that they were herbivores has rarely been contested. Simply put, it is hard to envisage sauropods eating anything other than plants.

Their relatively simple teeth were not adapted for tearing flesh or crushing bone. Their small brains and ponderous pace would have prevented them from outsmarting or outpacing most potential prey.

And to sustain their huge bodies, sauropods would have had to eat regularly and often, necessitating an abundant and reliable food source – plants.

Although the general body plan of sauropods seems pretty uniform – stocky, on all fours, with long necks – these behemoths did vary when we look more closely.

Some had squared-off snouts with tiny, rapidly replaced teeth confined to the front of the mouth. Others had rounded snouts, with much more robust teeth, arranged in a row that extended farther back in the mouth. Neck length varied greatly (with some necks up to 15 metres long), as did neck flexibility. In addition, a few of them had taller shoulders than hips.

Absolute size varied too – some were less enormous than others. All of these factors would have constrained how high above ground each species could feed and which plants they could reach.

Food in the belly

Sauropod discoveries are becoming more regular in outback Queensland, thanks largely to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Winton.

In 2017, I helped the museum unearth a roughly 95-million-year-old sauropod, nicknamed Judy after the museum’s co-founder Judy Elliott.

We soon realised this find was extraordinary. Besides being the most complete sauropod skeleton and skin ever found in Australia, Judy’s belly region hosted a strange rock layer. It was about two square metres in area and ten centimetres thick on average, chock-full of fossil plants.

The fact this plant-rich layer was confined to Judy’s abdomen and located on the inside surface of the fossil skin, made us wonder – had we unearthed the remains of Judy’s last meal or meals?

If so, we knew we had something special on our hands: the first sauropod gut contents ever found.

Multi-level feeding

Analysis of Judy’s skeleton, which was prepared out of the surrounding rock by volunteers in the museum’s laboratory, enabled us to classify her as a Diamantinasaurus matildae.

We scanned portions of Judy’s gut contents with X-rays at the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne and at CSIRO in Perth, and with neutrons at Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Sydney.

This enabled us to digitally visualise the plants – which were preserved as voids within the rock – without destroying them.

We did destructively sample some small portions of the gut contents to figure out their chemical make-up, along with the skin and surrounding rock.

This revealed the gut contents were turned to stone by microbes in an acidic environment (stomach juices, perhaps), with minerals likely derived from the decomposition of Judy’s own body tissues.

Judy’s gut contents confirm that sauropods ate their greens but barely chewed them – their gut flora did most of the digestive work.

Most importantly, we can tell Judy ate bracts from conifers (relatives of modern monkey puzzle trees and redwoods), seed pods from extinct seed ferns, and leaves from angiosperms (flowering plants) just before she died.

Conifers then, as now, would have been huge, implying Judy fed well above ground level. By contrast, flowering plants were mostly low-growing in the mid-Cretaceous.

Based on other specimens (especially teeth), scientists previously thought Diamantinasaurus browsed plants relatively high off the ground. The conifer bracts in Judy’s belly support this.

However, Judy was not fully grown when she died, and the angiosperms in her belly imply lower-level feeding, as well. It seems likely, then, that the diets of some sauropods changed slightly as they grew. Nevertheless, they were life-long vegetarians.

Judy’s skin and gut contents are now on display at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Winton. I’m not sure how I’d feel about having the remains of my last meal publicly exhibited for all to see posthumously, but if it helped the cause of science, I think I’d be OK with it.

Stephen Poropat receives funding from the Australian Research Council through an ARC Laureate awarded to Prof. Kliti Grice, “Interpreting the molecular record in extraordinarily preserved fossils”.

– ref. For the first time, fossil stomach contents of a sauropod dinosaur reveal what they really ate – https://theconversation.com/for-the-first-time-fossil-stomach-contents-of-a-sauropod-dinosaur-reveal-what-they-really-ate-258183

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Joly and Petrina Gentile to discuss the future of the Canadian auto industry at the 2025 Canada Automotive Summit

Source: Government of Canada News

June 9, 2025 – Vaughan, Ontario

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, will be participating in a discussion with Petrina Gentile, automotive reporter with The Globe and Mail, at the 2025 Canada Automotive Summit.

Minister Joly will take part in a media scrum following the discussion.

Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Time: 4:00 p.m. (ET) fireside chat
4:45 p.m. (ET) media scrum

Location: Vaughan, Ontario

Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to receive event location details and confirm their attendance.

MIL OSI Canada News –

June 10, 2025