NewzIntel.com

Blog

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Scandinavia has its own dark history of assimilating Indigenous people, and churches played a role – but are apologizing

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Thomas A. DuBois, Professor of Scandinavian Studies, Folklore, and Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    A church in Kiruna, Sweden, designed by architect Gustaf Wickman to resemble a Sami hut. Apolline Guillerot-Malick/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    In May 2025, Tapio Luoma, archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, delivered an apology to the Sámi, the only recognized Indigenous people in the European Union.

    Speaking on behalf of the church to which more than 6 in 10 of the Finnish populace belong, including most Sámi, Luoma acknowledged its role in past activities that stigmatized Sámi language and culture.

    The church “has not respected the rights to self-determination of the Sámi people,” his address began. “Before God and all of you here assembled, we express our regret and ask forgiveness of the Sámi people.”

    Luoma’s words were the latest in a series of apologies through which the former state churches in Scandinavia have sought to reset their relations with the Indigenous population of Sápmi, the natural and cultural area of Sámi people. Today, the region is divided between Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia.

    As a scholar of Sámi culture, and as a researcher of Nordic folklore and religion, I have studied the difficult, often painful, relations between Sámi and the various Nordic state churches.

    Church’s power

    For thousands of years, the Sámi population lived by hunting, fishing and reindeer husbandry along the northern edges of Scandinavia. The Sámi possessed their own languages and maintained distinctive spiritual traditions and healing practices, drawing on traditional ecological knowledge that they had accrued over countless generations. In times of crisis or uncertainty, for example, communities used ceremonial drums to communicate with the spirit world and divine the future.

    Conflicts emerged by the 13th century, however, as Christian realms expanded north. Christian clerics condemned Sámi spiritual traditions as “heathen devilry.”

    An 18th-century carving of a Sámi shaman with his drum.
    Beskrivelse over Finnmarkens Lapper, deres Tungemaal, Levemaade og forrige Afgudsdyrkelse/O. H. von Lode/Wikimedia Commons

    During the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, Scandinavian rulers shifted from Catholicism to Lutheranism. In addition to tending to the souls of their flocks, ministers were tasked with keeping track of the comings and goings of congregation members, collecting taxes, and administering justice for lesser crimes.

    They aimed to stamp out the spiritual practices that many Sámi continued to practice alongside Christianity. Church authorities arrested, fined and sometimes even executed practitioners, while confiscating sacred drums to be destroyed or sent to distant museums.

    The church’s ritual of confirmation, which marks the passage from adolescence into adulthood, also acquired legal status. Being confirmed required the ability to read and interpret the Bible and Martin Luther’s Catechism, a summary of the Lutheran Church’s beliefs. As the church became part of the state, people who had not received confirmation could not represent themselves in court, own land or even marry.

    Lake Pielpajarvi Wilderness Church, the oldest Sami church still in use, in Inari Municipality, Lapland, Finland.
    VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    And where Luther had called for religious instruction to occur in one’s native language, most Nordic clergy provided catechesis only in the majority language, considering Sámi language and traditions impediments to true conversion.

    Assimilation efforts

    During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the new “nation states” of Finland, Norway and Sweden emerged on the world stage. In each country, political leaders conflated what the ancient Greeks called the “demos” – members of a political nation – with an “ethnos,” a cultural group. In order to belong to the Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish political nations, political and cultural leaders of these new states asserted that it was necessary to belong to the majority linguistic and cultural community.

    Finland’s 1919 constitution made provision for Swedish, which is still used by about 5% of the population, as a national language alongside Finnish. However, the government accorded no such status to Sámi.

    Both state-run residential boarding schools and schools run by churches included Lutheranism as a subject and strove relentlessly to assimilate Sámi into the majority culture, language and worldview, teaching children to see their culture as backward and shameful. Some church and school authorities cooperated with pseudoscientific racial researchers measuring students’ heads and excavating Sámi graves.

    A ‘nomad school’ for Sami children in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in 1956.
    John Firth/BIPs/Getty Images

    As a result, many students ceased to identify as Sámi and adopted the majority language as their primary mode of communication. Today, only about half the people who identify as Sámi have any facility in Sámi languages, which are considered endangered.

    After World War II, church attendance in all the Nordic countries began to plummet. Where 98% of the Finnish population belonged to the state church in 1900, by 2024 that percentage had dropped to 62%. The bulk of defections consisted of people who registered as having no religious affiliation. Membership in the national church shifted from compulsory to voluntary.

    Yet as anthropologist David Koester shows, some elements of Lutheran tradition remain extremely popular in all the Nordic countries, particularly Confirmation. The ritual remains a key rite of passage for most Sámi today, yet many of them wrestle with whether they should remain faithful to a church that had worked to suppress their community’s language and culture.

    Reconciliation today

    Searching for a path forward, contemporary Sámi artist and Lutheran catechist Lars Levi Sunna began to produce church art that incorporated and celebrated pre-Christian Sámi symbols – some of the very traditions that had been demonized by clergy of the past.

    For example, in a church in the northern Swedish town of Jukkasjärvi, an image of the sun as it appeared on Sámi ceremonial drums now faces the altar, providing a vivid reminder of the spiritual history and past worldview of the church’s Sámi congregation. The symbol now encloses an image of a communion wafer carved of reindeer antler.

    In 2005, Sunna created a traveling art exhibit that portrayed Sámi Christianization as an act of cultural violence. The exhibit, designed for temporary installation in church sanctuaries, aimed to provoke discussion and encourage open dialogue about the past.

    Similarly, in 2008, Norwegian Sámi filmmaker Nils Gaup produced “Kautokeino Rebellion,” a film recounting clergy’s role in suppressing religious activism among followers of a Swedish Sámi minister, Lars Levi Laestadius. The so-called uprising in 1852 led to the imprisonment of several dozen Sámi and the execution of two men – whose skulls were deposited in a research institute and did not receive proper burial until 1997.

    Descended from one of the punished families, Gaup reminded his audience of past injustice shrouded in shame and silence.

    Since church attendance is infrequent in Nordic countries, art and film serve as important vehicles for raising awareness of the church’s past. In November 2021, the archbishop of Sweden, Antje Jackelén, issued a formal apology to the Sámi. Sámi artist and activist Anders Sunna was invited to temporarily redecorate the sanctuary of the Cathedral of Uppsala for the occasion. His decorations included reminders of past Sámi sacrificial traditions that took place both outdoors and around hearth fires. In place of a grand altar, Sunna erected a simple table, surrounded by an octagon of benches where the bishop and members of the Sámi community would sit face to face with a sense of equality and respect.

    As Sámi theologian Tore Johnsen notes, formal apologies are necessary first steps in a process of reconciliation. But only once they are followed by concrete acts of “restoration” can real reconciliation occur.

    When the Finnish archbishop apologized in May 2025, Sámi in attendance at the Turku Cathedral were appreciative, but they were eager to see what actions might follow, according to reporters at the ceremony. The same wait-and-see attitude characterizes Sámi responses to state-run Truth and Reconciliation processes, which occurred in Norway in 2023 and are currently ongoing in Sweden and Finland.

    The process of healing a society injured by colonialism is difficult and slow, requiring extensive discussion – much of it uncomfortable. With Luoma’s words of apology and the arrival of Sámi to listen and witness, an important step in that process occurred.

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

    – ref. Scandinavia has its own dark history of assimilating Indigenous people, and churches played a role – but are apologizing – https://theconversation.com/scandinavia-has-its-own-dark-history-of-assimilating-indigenous-people-and-churches-played-a-role-but-are-apologizing-255827

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Jews were barred from Spain’s New World colonies − but that didn’t stop Jewish and converso writers from describing the Americas

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Flora Cassen, Senior Faculty, Hartman Institute and Associate Professor of History and Jewish Studies, Washington University in St. Louis

    An auto-da-fé − a public punishment for heretics − in San Bartolome Otzolotepec, in present-day Mexico. Museo Nacional de Arte via Wikimedia Commons

    Every few years, a story about Columbus resurfaces: Was the Genoese navigator who claimed the Americas for Spain secretly Jewish, from a Spanish family fleeing the Inquisition?

    This tale became widespread around the late 19th century, when large numbers of Jews came from Russia and Eastern Europe to the United States. For these immigrants, 1492 held double significance: the year of Jews’ expulsion from Spain, as well as Columbus’ voyage of discovery. At a time when many Americans viewed the explorer as a hero, the idea that he might have been one of their own offered Jewish immigrants a link to the beginnings of their new country and the American story of freedom from Old World tyranny.

    The problem with the Columbus-was-a-Jew theory isn’t just that it’s based on flimsy evidence. It also distracts from the far more complex and true story of Spanish Jews in the Americas.

    In the 15th century, the kingdom’s Jews faced a wrenching choice: convert to Christianity or leave the land their families had called home for generations. Portugal’s Jews faced similar persecution. Whether they sought a new place to settle or stayed and hoped to be accepted as members of Christian society, both groups were searching for belonging.

    Jewish religious items at the Museo Metropolitano in Monterrey, Mexico.
    Thelmadatter/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    We are scholars of Jewish history and have been working on the first English translations of two texts from the 16th century. “The Book of New India,” by Joseph Ha-Kohen, and the spiritual writings of Luis de Carvajal are two of the earliest Jewish texts about the Americas.

    The story of the New World is not complete without the voices of Jewish communities that engaged with it from the very beginning.

    Double consciousness

    The first Jews in the Americas were, in fact, not Jews but “conversos,” meaning “converts,” and their descendants.

    After a millennium of relatively peaceful and prosperous life on Iberian soil, the Jews of Spain were attacked by a wave of mob violence in the summer of 1391. Afterward, thousands of Jews were forcibly converted.

    Synagogue of El Tránsito, a 14th-century Jewish congregation in Toledo, Spain.
    Selbymay/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    While conversos were officially members of the Catholic Church, neighbors looked at them with suspicion. Some of these converts were “crypto-Jews,” who secretly held on to their ancestral faith. Spanish authorities formed the Inquisition to root out anyone the church considered heretics, especially people who had converted from Judaism and Islam.

    In 1492, after conquering the last Muslim stronghold in Spain, monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella gave the remaining Spanish Jews the choice of conversion or exile. Eventually, people who converted from Islam would be expelled as well.

    Among Jews who converted, some sought new lives within the rapidly expanding Spanish empire. As the historian Jonathan Israel wrote, Jews and conversos were both “agents and victims of empire.” Their familiarity with Iberian language and culture, combined with the dispersion of their community, positioned them to participate in the new global economy: trade in sugar, textiles, spices – and the trade in human lives, Atlantic slavery.

    Yet conversos were also far more vulnerable than their compatriots: They could lose it all, even end up burned alive at the stake, because of their beliefs. This double consciousness – being part of the culture, yet apart from it – is what makes conversos vital to understanding the complexities of colonial Latin America.

    By the 17th century, once the Dutch and the English conquered parts of the Americas, Jews would be able to live there. Often, these were families whose ancestors had been expelled from the Iberian peninsula. In the first Spanish and Portuguese colonies, however, Jews were not allowed to openly practice their faith.

    Secret spirituality

    One of these conversos was Luis de Carvajal. His uncle, the similarly named Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva, was a merchant, slave trader and conquistador. As a reward for his exploits he was named governor of the New Kingdom of León, in the northeast of modern-day Mexico. In 1579 he brought over a large group of relatives to help him settle and administer the rugged territory, which was made up of swamps, deserts and silver mines.

    A statue in Monterrey, Mexico, of Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva.
    Ricardo DelaG/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    The uncle was a devout Catholic who attempted to shed his converso past, integrating himself into the landed gentry of Spain’s New World empire. Luis the younger, however, his potential heir, was a passionate crypto-Jew who spent his free time composing prayers to the God of Israel and secretly following the commandments of the Torah.

    When Luis and his family were arrested by the Inquisition in 1595, his book of spiritual writings was discovered and used as evidence of his secret Jewish life. Luis, his mother and sister were burned at the stake, but the small, leather-bound diary survived.

    A 19th-century depiction of the execution of Luis de Carvajal the Younger’s sister.
    ‘El Libro Rojo, 1520-1867’ via Wikimedia Commons

    Luis’ religious thought drew on a wide range of early modern Spanish culture. He used a Latin Bible and drew inspiration from the inwardly focused spirituality of Catholic thinkers such as Fray Luis de Granada, a Dominican theologian. He met with the hermit and mystic Gregorio López. He discovered passages from Maimonides and other rabbis quoted in the works of Catholic theologians whom he read at the famed monastery of Santiago de Tlatelolco, in Mexico City, where he worked as an assistant to the rector.

    His spiritual writings are deeply American: The wide deserts and furious hurricanes of Mexico were the setting of his spiritual awakenings, and his encounters with the people and cultures of the emerging Atlantic world shaped his religious vision. This little book is a unique example of the brilliant, creative culture that developed in the crossing from Old World to New, born out of the exchange and conflict between diverse cultures, languages and faiths.

    A glimpse of Luis de Carvajal’s spiritual writings, photographed in New York City.
    Ronnie Perelis

    More than translation

    Spanish Jews who refused to convert in 1492, meanwhile, had been forced into exile and barred from the kingdom’s colonies.

    The journey of Joseph Ha-Kohen’s family illustrates the hardships. After the expulsion, his parents moved to Avignon, the papal city in southern France, where Joseph was born in 1496. From there, they made their way to Genoa, the Italian merchant city, hoping to establish themselves. But it was not to be. The family was repeatedly expelled, permitted to return, and then expelled again.

    Despite these upheavals, Ha-Kohen became a doctor and a merchant, a leader in the Jewish community – earning the respect of the Christian community, too. Toward the end of his life, he settled in a small mountain town beyond the city’s borders and turned to writing.

    After a book on wars between Christianity and Islam, and another one on the history of the Jews, he began a new project. Ha-Kohen adapted “Historia General de las Indias,” an account of the Americas’ colonization by Spanish historian Francisco López de Gómara, reshaping the text for a Jewish audience.

    A 1733 edition of ‘Divrei Ha-Yamim,’ Ha-Kohen’s book about wars between Christian and Muslim cultures.
    John Carter Brown Library via Wikimedia Commons

    Ha-Kohen’s work was the first Hebrew-language book about the Americas. The text was hundreds of pages long – and he copied his entire manuscript nine times by hand. He had never seen the Americas, but his own life of repeated uprooting may have led him to wonder whether Jews would one day seek refuge there.

    Ha-Kohen wanted his readers to have access to the text’s geographical, botanical and anthropological information, but not to Spain’s triumphalist narrative. So he created an adapted, hybrid translation. The differences between versions reveal the complexities of being a European Jew in the age of exploration.

    Ha-Kohen omitted references to the Americas as Spanish territory and criticized the conquistadors for their brutality toward Indigenous peoples. At times, he compared Native Americans with the ancient Israelites of the Bible, feeling a kinship with them as fellow victims of oppression. Yet at other moments he expressed estrangement and even revulsion at Indigenous customs and described their religious practices as “darkness.”

    Translating these men’s writing is not just a matter of bringing a text from one language into another. It is also a deep reflection on the complex position of Jews and conversos in those years. Their unique vantage point offers a window into the intertwined histories of Europe, the Americas and the in-betweenness that marked the Jewish experience in the early modern world.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Jews were barred from Spain’s New World colonies − but that didn’t stop Jewish and converso writers from describing the Americas – https://theconversation.com/jews-were-barred-from-spains-new-world-colonies-but-that-didnt-stop-jewish-and-converso-writers-from-describing-the-americas-258278

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Jews were barred from Spain’s New World colonies − but that didn’t stop Jewish and converso writers from describing the Americas

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Flora Cassen, Senior Faculty, Hartman Institute and Associate Professor of History and Jewish Studies, Washington University in St. Louis

    An auto-da-fé − a public punishment for heretics − in San Bartolome Otzolotepec, in present-day Mexico. Museo Nacional de Arte via Wikimedia Commons

    Every few years, a story about Columbus resurfaces: Was the Genoese navigator who claimed the Americas for Spain secretly Jewish, from a Spanish family fleeing the Inquisition?

    This tale became widespread around the late 19th century, when large numbers of Jews came from Russia and Eastern Europe to the United States. For these immigrants, 1492 held double significance: the year of Jews’ expulsion from Spain, as well as Columbus’ voyage of discovery. At a time when many Americans viewed the explorer as a hero, the idea that he might have been one of their own offered Jewish immigrants a link to the beginnings of their new country and the American story of freedom from Old World tyranny.

    The problem with the Columbus-was-a-Jew theory isn’t just that it’s based on flimsy evidence. It also distracts from the far more complex and true story of Spanish Jews in the Americas.

    In the 15th century, the kingdom’s Jews faced a wrenching choice: convert to Christianity or leave the land their families had called home for generations. Portugal’s Jews faced similar persecution. Whether they sought a new place to settle or stayed and hoped to be accepted as members of Christian society, both groups were searching for belonging.

    Jewish religious items at the Museo Metropolitano in Monterrey, Mexico.
    Thelmadatter/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    We are scholars of Jewish history and have been working on the first English translations of two texts from the 16th century. “The Book of New India,” by Joseph Ha-Kohen, and the spiritual writings of Luis de Carvajal are two of the earliest Jewish texts about the Americas.

    The story of the New World is not complete without the voices of Jewish communities that engaged with it from the very beginning.

    Double consciousness

    The first Jews in the Americas were, in fact, not Jews but “conversos,” meaning “converts,” and their descendants.

    After a millennium of relatively peaceful and prosperous life on Iberian soil, the Jews of Spain were attacked by a wave of mob violence in the summer of 1391. Afterward, thousands of Jews were forcibly converted.

    Synagogue of El Tránsito, a 14th-century Jewish congregation in Toledo, Spain.
    Selbymay/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    While conversos were officially members of the Catholic Church, neighbors looked at them with suspicion. Some of these converts were “crypto-Jews,” who secretly held on to their ancestral faith. Spanish authorities formed the Inquisition to root out anyone the church considered heretics, especially people who had converted from Judaism and Islam.

    In 1492, after conquering the last Muslim stronghold in Spain, monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella gave the remaining Spanish Jews the choice of conversion or exile. Eventually, people who converted from Islam would be expelled as well.

    Among Jews who converted, some sought new lives within the rapidly expanding Spanish empire. As the historian Jonathan Israel wrote, Jews and conversos were both “agents and victims of empire.” Their familiarity with Iberian language and culture, combined with the dispersion of their community, positioned them to participate in the new global economy: trade in sugar, textiles, spices – and the trade in human lives, Atlantic slavery.

    Yet conversos were also far more vulnerable than their compatriots: They could lose it all, even end up burned alive at the stake, because of their beliefs. This double consciousness – being part of the culture, yet apart from it – is what makes conversos vital to understanding the complexities of colonial Latin America.

    By the 17th century, once the Dutch and the English conquered parts of the Americas, Jews would be able to live there. Often, these were families whose ancestors had been expelled from the Iberian peninsula. In the first Spanish and Portuguese colonies, however, Jews were not allowed to openly practice their faith.

    Secret spirituality

    One of these conversos was Luis de Carvajal. His uncle, the similarly named Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva, was a merchant, slave trader and conquistador. As a reward for his exploits he was named governor of the New Kingdom of León, in the northeast of modern-day Mexico. In 1579 he brought over a large group of relatives to help him settle and administer the rugged territory, which was made up of swamps, deserts and silver mines.

    A statue in Monterrey, Mexico, of Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva.
    Ricardo DelaG/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    The uncle was a devout Catholic who attempted to shed his converso past, integrating himself into the landed gentry of Spain’s New World empire. Luis the younger, however, his potential heir, was a passionate crypto-Jew who spent his free time composing prayers to the God of Israel and secretly following the commandments of the Torah.

    When Luis and his family were arrested by the Inquisition in 1595, his book of spiritual writings was discovered and used as evidence of his secret Jewish life. Luis, his mother and sister were burned at the stake, but the small, leather-bound diary survived.

    A 19th-century depiction of the execution of Luis de Carvajal the Younger’s sister.
    ‘El Libro Rojo, 1520-1867’ via Wikimedia Commons

    Luis’ religious thought drew on a wide range of early modern Spanish culture. He used a Latin Bible and drew inspiration from the inwardly focused spirituality of Catholic thinkers such as Fray Luis de Granada, a Dominican theologian. He met with the hermit and mystic Gregorio López. He discovered passages from Maimonides and other rabbis quoted in the works of Catholic theologians whom he read at the famed monastery of Santiago de Tlatelolco, in Mexico City, where he worked as an assistant to the rector.

    His spiritual writings are deeply American: The wide deserts and furious hurricanes of Mexico were the setting of his spiritual awakenings, and his encounters with the people and cultures of the emerging Atlantic world shaped his religious vision. This little book is a unique example of the brilliant, creative culture that developed in the crossing from Old World to New, born out of the exchange and conflict between diverse cultures, languages and faiths.

    A glimpse of Luis de Carvajal’s spiritual writings, photographed in New York City.
    Ronnie Perelis

    More than translation

    Spanish Jews who refused to convert in 1492, meanwhile, had been forced into exile and barred from the kingdom’s colonies.

    The journey of Joseph Ha-Kohen’s family illustrates the hardships. After the expulsion, his parents moved to Avignon, the papal city in southern France, where Joseph was born in 1496. From there, they made their way to Genoa, the Italian merchant city, hoping to establish themselves. But it was not to be. The family was repeatedly expelled, permitted to return, and then expelled again.

    Despite these upheavals, Ha-Kohen became a doctor and a merchant, a leader in the Jewish community – earning the respect of the Christian community, too. Toward the end of his life, he settled in a small mountain town beyond the city’s borders and turned to writing.

    After a book on wars between Christianity and Islam, and another one on the history of the Jews, he began a new project. Ha-Kohen adapted “Historia General de las Indias,” an account of the Americas’ colonization by Spanish historian Francisco López de Gómara, reshaping the text for a Jewish audience.

    A 1733 edition of ‘Divrei Ha-Yamim,’ Ha-Kohen’s book about wars between Christian and Muslim cultures.
    John Carter Brown Library via Wikimedia Commons

    Ha-Kohen’s work was the first Hebrew-language book about the Americas. The text was hundreds of pages long – and he copied his entire manuscript nine times by hand. He had never seen the Americas, but his own life of repeated uprooting may have led him to wonder whether Jews would one day seek refuge there.

    Ha-Kohen wanted his readers to have access to the text’s geographical, botanical and anthropological information, but not to Spain’s triumphalist narrative. So he created an adapted, hybrid translation. The differences between versions reveal the complexities of being a European Jew in the age of exploration.

    Ha-Kohen omitted references to the Americas as Spanish territory and criticized the conquistadors for their brutality toward Indigenous peoples. At times, he compared Native Americans with the ancient Israelites of the Bible, feeling a kinship with them as fellow victims of oppression. Yet at other moments he expressed estrangement and even revulsion at Indigenous customs and described their religious practices as “darkness.”

    Translating these men’s writing is not just a matter of bringing a text from one language into another. It is also a deep reflection on the complex position of Jews and conversos in those years. Their unique vantage point offers a window into the intertwined histories of Europe, the Americas and the in-betweenness that marked the Jewish experience in the early modern world.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Jews were barred from Spain’s New World colonies − but that didn’t stop Jewish and converso writers from describing the Americas – https://theconversation.com/jews-were-barred-from-spains-new-world-colonies-but-that-didnt-stop-jewish-and-converso-writers-from-describing-the-americas-258278

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • India to host 2029 World Police and Fire Games in Ahmedabad, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah on Friday expressed immense pride and joy as India has been selected to host the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games. In a post on X , Shah highlighted that this achievement is a matter of great pride for every Indian citizen and a testament to the country’s growing stature in the global sporting arena.

    The minister attributed India’s successful bid to host the event to the robust sports infrastructure developed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The World Police and Fire Games, a biennial event that brings together police, fire, and disaster services personnel to compete in over 50 sports, will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

    Shah emphasized that the selection of Ahmedabad as the venue underscores the city’s rising prominence as a key sporting destination in India.

  • India to host 2029 World Police and Fire Games in Ahmedabad, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah on Friday expressed immense pride and joy as India has been selected to host the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games. In a post on X , Shah highlighted that this achievement is a matter of great pride for every Indian citizen and a testament to the country’s growing stature in the global sporting arena.

    The minister attributed India’s successful bid to host the event to the robust sports infrastructure developed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The World Police and Fire Games, a biennial event that brings together police, fire, and disaster services personnel to compete in over 50 sports, will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

    Shah emphasized that the selection of Ahmedabad as the venue underscores the city’s rising prominence as a key sporting destination in India.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Further update: Genta-Equine 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses – Adverse events

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Further update: Genta-Equine 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses – Adverse events

    Actions following the identification of the cause of an increase of adverse event reports following the use of Genta-Equine 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses.

    As a result of the identification of elevated concentrations of histamine as the likely cause of adverse event reports relating to the use of Genta-Equine 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Horses, as detailed within our initial notification on 18 December 2024 and update notification on 14 March 2025, it has been agreed that the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) will implement a maximum limit for histamine in the active substance used within the product. 

    Due to the critical nature of Genta-Equine to equine veterinary surgeons in the UK, a recall has not been initiated in the UK and the MAH will be allowed to release one or more new batches of finished product which have been shown to contain levels of histamine below the maximum permissible limit. These will be released via the national Specific Batch Control scheme.

    We would like to remind veterinary professionals that Dechra (UK distributor) has advised that where there are concerns around using the affected batches of Genta-Equine, treatment with an alternative appropriate antibiotic should be considered. They have also advised that a refund can be received for any unopened bottles.   

    We will continue working with the MAH to monitor reports and ensure appropriate actions are carried out as required. 

    Symptoms included in adverse event reports 

    Reports received include signs of abdominal pain/colic, pawing, restlessness/agitation, groaning, shaking/shivering/fasciculation, Flehmen response, lying down or attempting to lie down, staggering, increased sweating and increased respiratory rate. 

    Adverse event reports received may include reports where more than one product was used, the product was used off-label and/or where, on further evaluation, it is considered that there is no causal association between the product and event. 

    Reporting of adverse events 

    We strongly encourage anyone who is aware of an adverse event to report directly to the MAH. Please provide all relevant information, including the batch number. 

    Contact details for the MAH or their local representative can found be on the product leaflet or on the Product Information Database.

    The reporting of adverse events is critical to our ongoing monitoring activities in order to protect animal health, public health, and the environment. Find out more about pharmacovigilance at VMD Connect – Adverse Events and Pharmacovigilance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Amid Market Volatility, Topnotch Crypto Launches Predictive Yield-Switching Contracts to Maximize Returns from Cloud Mining in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the cryptocurrency market facing a period of instability and investor uncertainty, Topnotch Crypto is proud to announce the launch of its new “Adaptive Yield” contracts. These innovative plans leverage proprietary Predictive Yield-Switching Technology to automatically shift between cloud mining and staking protocols, seeking to provide users with stable and optimized returns despite market fluctuations.

    This initiative, powered entirely by geothermal and solar energy, offers a secure and intelligent strategy for both new and experienced participants in the digital asset space.

    A Proactive Strategy for a Shifting Market

    As digital asset valuations see-saw, passive earning strategies face new challenges. Topnotch Crypto’s Adaptive Yield contracts are engineered to address this volatility head-on. The system’s underlying AI analyzes dozens of data points—including network difficulty, transaction fees, and staking reward rates—to dynamically allocate customer funds to the most profitable activity at any given moment, whether it’s mining established coins or staking emerging tokens.

    Highlights of the Adaptive Yield Contracts:

    Predictive Yield-Switching: Proprietary AI technology automatically moves between the most profitable mining and staking opportunities to maximize Annual Percentage Yield (APY).
    Diversified Portfolio: Contracts are not limited to a single cryptocurrency, offering exposure to a blended portfolio of digital assets to mitigate risk.
    Eco-Friendly Operations: All operations are backed by 100% renewable energy sources, ensuring low operational costs and a minimal environmental footprint.
    Flexible Tiers: A range of contract durations and investment levels are available to suit diverse financial goals and risk appetites.

    Contract Details:

    ⦁ New User Experience Contract : Investment amount: $100, total profit: $100 + $8.

    ⦁ Elphapex DG1+ : Investment amount: $500, total profit: $500 + $43.75.

    ⦁ WhatsMiner M30S : Investment amount: $1,100, total profit: $1,100 + $222.75.

    ⦁ Avalon Miner A1666 : Investment amount: $3,000, total profit: $3,000 + $756.

    ⦁ WhatsMiner M63 Hydro : Investment amount: $10,000, total profit: $10,000 + $4,650.

    ⦁ ANTSPACE HK3 ： Investment amount: $30,000, total profit: $30,000 + $22,275.

    ⦁ Canaan Avalon Immersion Box : Investment amount: $100,000, total profit: $100,000 + $90,000.

    Key strategies to achieve explosive returns:

    Reinvestment of profits: Daily profits (e.g. $100,000 contract, $1,800 profit per day) can be invested in other levels of contracts to increase profits.

    Click here for full contract details

    Security, Transparency, and User Experience

    Topnotch Crypto prioritizes the safety of user assets and the clarity of its operations. Key features include:

    Institutional-Grade Security: Utilizes multi-signature cold storage wallets and is fortified by advanced DDoS protection and encryption standards.
    Intuitive Dashboard: A clean, user-friendly interface allows for one-click contract activation, real-time monitoring of earnings, and transparent reporting on all automated switches between mining and staking.
    Effortless Onboarding: Getting started is simple. No hardware or technical expertise is required. Users can register, deposit funds, and activate a contract in minutes.

    How to Participate:

    Visit the official Topnotch Crypto website or download the mobile application.
    Complete the secure registration process.
    Select an Adaptive Yield contract that aligns with your investment strategy.
    Track your earnings and manage your portfolio through the user dashboard.

    Final Thoughts

    Topnotch Crypto’s launch of Adaptive Yield contracts represents a significant step forward in making passive crypto earning more resilient and intelligent. By combining predictive technology with a commitment to sustainability and security, the platform offers a robust solution for navigating the complexities of the current cryptocurrency market.

    About Topnotch Crypto

    Topnotch Crypto is a global leader in providing secure, efficient, and sustainable cryptocurrency earning solutions. By integrating cutting-edge AI with a 100% renewable energy infrastructure, Topnotch Crypto offers a transparent and powerful platform for users to maximize their digital asset returns through both cloud mining and staking.

    More information:

    Official website: https://topnotchcrypto.com

    Email: info@topnotchcrypto.com

    APP download: https://topnotchcrypto.com/xml/index.html#/app

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not intended as and does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency investment, including mining and staking, carries a high level of risk, and you could lose your entire investment. You should conduct your own due diligence and consult with a qualified professional financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LivFresh 2025: How LivFresh Dental Gel Toothpaste Is Earning Clinical and Consumer Trust in Oral Health

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Los Gatos, CA, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the rapidly evolving world of oral care, LivFresh stands out as a breakthrough that merges clinically tested results with a refreshing user experience. From dental chairs to bathroom cabinets, LivFresh Dental Gel Toothpaste is quickly becoming a trusted name, earning confidence from healthcare professionals and everyday users alike. Backed by university-led studies and growing word-of-mouth traction, LivFresh is redefining the standards of plaque control and gum support in 2025.

    The Science Behind LivFresh: What Makes This Dental Gel Different?

    At the heart of LivFresh Dental Gel is a patented formulation developed by researchers at Livionex that disrupts plaque before it can bond to teeth and gums. Unlike conventional toothpaste, which relies on physical abrasives and foaming agents, LivFresh works at the molecular level—targeting the electrostatic attraction that causes plaque to stick. This scientific approach allows the gel to break down plaque-forming proteins without irritating gums or enamel.

    What sets LivFresh apart is its clean formulation: no sodium lauryl sulfate, no triclosan, and no peroxide. Instead, the gel uses safe, non-toxic compounds that have been clinically shown to reduce plaque by over 250% compared to traditional toothpaste. These results aren’t marketing claims—they’re peer-reviewed and published in respected dental journals.

    LivFresh is not only about prevention. It enhances overall oral hygiene by creating a surface on the teeth that is less likely to attract bacteria. This provides longer-lasting cleanliness and a smoother mouthfeel. In 2025, as consumers become more ingredient-conscious, LivFresh emerges as a standout in the category—where science leads and simplicity follows.

    Dentist Approved: What Leading Oral Health Professionals Say About LivFresh

    According to official website, Dental professionals are increasingly recommending LivFresh to patients concerned about plaque buildup, gum inflammation, and post-cleaning sensitivity. The appeal lies in its evidence-backed performance and its gentler, detergent-free formula. As oral health becomes more integrated into overall wellness, dentists are favoring products that support long-term gum health without harsh ingredients.

    Dr. Andrea Peterson, DDS, a practicing periodontist in Seattle, remarks, “LivFresh is one of the few products I recommend daily. Its formulation shows real impact on oral biofilm and gingival inflammation. It’s more than a toothpaste—it’s a preventive tool.”

    LivFresh’s rising credibility within clinical circles stems from the way it shifts the paradigm of oral care. It doesn’t just clean; it alters the environment in which bacteria thrive. That distinction is key for dental professionals treating patients with periodontal risk factors or sensitive oral conditions.

    With more dental offices integrating LivFresh into their post-procedure care kits and hygienists noticing improved check-up results among regular users, this gel has firmly positioned itself as more than a trend—it’s a clinical ally. For practitioners focused on proactive care, LivFresh offers a research-driven alternative to traditional products.

    Visit Official Website To get More Information

    Consumer Trust Grows: Why LivFresh Toothpaste Is Gaining Loyal Users Nationwide

    LivFresh isn’t just winning over dentists—it’s gaining momentum with everyday users who demand more from their oral care. The feedback from consumers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting fresher breath, smoother teeth, and visibly reduced plaque in just weeks of use.

    Online forums like Reddit and dedicated oral health groups have helped spread the word organically. On platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, users are sharing before-and-after videos showcasing visibly cleaner teeth and improved gum health. One frequent sentiment: “It feels like I just left the dentist—every time I brush.”

    LivFresh is especially popular among those with sensitive mouths, braces, or a history of gingivitis. Many users express relief that the gel doesn’t burn, foam aggressively, or contain irritating ingredients. Its gentle nature combined with clinical strength results has earned the brand a reputation for trustworthiness.

    Repeat buyers now form the foundation of LivFresh’s growth, with subscription orders steadily increasing through the brand’s official site. In an age where consumer loyalty is earned, not assumed, LivFresh stands out by delivering a better brushing experience with verifiable benefits.

    Clinical Trials and Safety Profile

    LivFresh’s scientific credibility stems from its rigorous clinical validation. In multiple randomized controlled trials conducted by major dental schools, LivFresh Dental Gel demonstrated up to 2.5x greater plaque reduction compared to conventional fluoride toothpaste. These results were measured through precise plaque scoring systems used in periodontal studies.

    Importantly, these studies also showed a marked reduction in gingival bleeding and inflammation, two major indicators of gum disease. Participants noted both subjective improvements—such as smoother teeth and less sensitivity—and measurable changes validated by dental professionals.

    Safety has also been a core focus. LivFresh contains no artificial colors, sulfates, preservatives, or harsh foaming agents. Its active ingredients are considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The gel is also pH balanced to maintain the oral microbiome and reduce enamel erosion risk.

    LivFresh’s formulation has passed toxicological assessments and dermatological tests, making it suitable for daily use, even among individuals with sensitive gums or a history of periodontal treatment. In a crowded marketplace where many products lean heavily on marketing, LivFresh’s clinical pedigree makes it a rare standout—delivering both performance and peace of mind.

    How LivFresh Dental Gel Works

    According to official website, The power of LivFresh Dental Gel lies in its ability to disrupt plaque at its earliest stage. Most toothpaste cleans reactively—scrubbing off existing buildup. LivFresh, on the other hand, prevents plaque from adhering to the teeth in the first place. It does this by neutralizing the electrostatic forces that allow proteins and bacteria to stick to enamel surfaces.

    This mechanism targets the formation of oral biofilm, a key contributor to gingivitis and tooth decay. By halting this process before it starts, LivFresh reduces the bacteria load in the mouth while maintaining a healthy oral pH. The result is a cleaner mouth that stays fresh longer after each brushing session.

    Unlike traditional pastes, LivFresh has a smooth gel consistency that coats the teeth more effectively, delivering consistent coverage and longer-lasting protection. It doesn’t foam unnecessarily, making it ideal for users with braces or implants.

    The brushing experience is noticeably different—more like a protective treatment than a quick rinse. And that’s the point: LivFresh is designed not just to clean teeth, but to create a cleaner oral environment altogether. It’s preventive science in a tube.

    LivFresh in the Media

    As LivFresh gains popularity, its presence across media channels continues to grow. From dental trade journals to mainstream outlets, LivFresh is being recognized for its scientific integrity and consumer-driven design. The brand has been featured in publications such as Dentistry Today, Oral Health & Prevention, and Modern Wellness Review, often spotlighted for its innovation in plaque control.

    Television segments and online health programs have also featured LivFresh, focusing on its appeal to users with gum sensitivity or post-procedure dental care. Influencers in the dental health space on TikTok and YouTube have praised the product, comparing it to professional cleanings—and showing real-time results.

    The brand has also made appearances in medical blogs, where it’s described as “one of the few oral care products that bridges the gap between clinical research and everyday use.” LivFresh’s scientific studies have been cited by professionals and discussed at dental symposia.

    Its rapid media traction is not the result of a massive advertising push—but rather, a ripple effect from scientific credibility and real user outcomes. In 2025, LivFresh is no longer a niche product—it’s a media-recognized player in the future of oral care.

    Visit Official Website To get More Information

    Daily Use, Simple Routine

    One of LivFresh’s biggest strengths lies in its simplicity. There’s no learning curve, no complicated dosing, and no prep time. Users simply brush twice daily with the gel—just as they would with any toothpaste. Yet the results are far beyond what traditional options offer.

    The smooth texture spreads easily across the enamel, reaching difficult areas without the foaming overload. It’s particularly useful for people with dental appliances, gum sensitivity, or those recovering from deep cleanings or procedures.

    The fresh, minty taste is clean without being overpowering, making it ideal for users of all ages. There’s no need for added rinses, special mouthwashes, or accompanying treatments. LivFresh integrates seamlessly into existing habits—whether you’re brushing in the morning rush or winding down at night.

    Users report a lasting clean feeling that extends hours past brushing. For people accustomed to brushing after every meal or coffee, LivFresh provides lasting freshness and less buildup throughout the day. In short, it delivers professional-grade results with everyday convenience. That’s a combination most oral care brands simply don’t offer.

    Eco-Conscious Innovation

    In a market increasingly driven by sustainability, LivFresh Dental Gel stands out not only for its science but also for its commitment to environmentally responsible practices. The brand has minimized the use of unnecessary packaging, opting for recyclable materials and reduced plastic where possible.

    The formula itself is free from harsh detergents, parabens, triclosan, and microbeads—ingredients commonly found in mainstream toothpaste that can harm aquatic ecosystems. LivFresh is also 100% cruelty-free, never tested on animals, and free from any animal-derived ingredients.

    In 2025, eco-conscious consumers are no longer satisfied with effectiveness alone. They want brands that align with their values. LivFresh has responded by building sustainability into its product and operations without compromising on clinical outcomes.

    From its low-impact manufacturing process to shipping practices aimed at reducing emissions, LivFresh is contributing to a cleaner mouth and a cleaner planet. For consumers balancing health with environmental responsibility, this dental gel offers both. It’s a step forward in oral care—without stepping backward on sustainability.

    Where to Buy LivFresh in 2025

    To ensure authenticity and optimal results, LivFresh recommends purchasing directly from its official website. This not only guarantees product integrity but also provides access to the brand’s subscription savings, trial kits, and periodic clinical updates. In 2025, online demand continues to rise, and LivFresh has scaled its logistics to offer fast, secure delivery across the U.S.

    While select dental offices may carry LivFresh, the company warns against purchasing from unauthorized third-party sellers on platforms like eBay or unofficial Amazon listings. Counterfeit and expired products can undermine the gel’s performance and safety profile.

    First-time buyers can often take advantage of bundled offers or risk-free guarantees on the official site, making it easy to try the product without commitment. LivFresh also offers customer support channels for brushing tips, subscription adjustments, and reordering reminders.

    In a category prone to overpromising and underdelivering, LivFresh prioritizes transparency, education, and safety from purchase to brushing. For those looking to experience clinically validated oral care from a trusted source, direct access remains the best and most reliable option.

    Closing Summary: Is LivFresh Worth Watching?

    As 2025 unfolds, LivFresh is proving that oral care can be both clinically advanced and consumer-friendly. With endorsements from dental professionals, strong results from published studies, and a growing fanbase of loyal users, LivFresh Dental Gel Toothpaste is no longer just an alternative—it’s a frontrunner.

    Its science-first formulation challenges the assumptions of what a toothpaste should do. By preventing plaque before it sticks and reducing inflammation without harsh ingredients, LivFresh brings real innovation to a space long dominated by outdated formulas.

    Consumers value its safety. Dentists value its efficacy. And the media is taking notice.

    For those seeking a smarter way to care for their teeth—without sacrificing simplicity or sustainability—LivFresh is more than just a dental gel. It’s a sign of where oral health is headed. And yes, it’s absolutely worth watching.

    For more information, educational content, and direct purchasing, visit the official LivFresh website.

    Company: LivFresh
    Email: info@getlivfresh.com
    Box 320928, Los Gatos, CA 95030,
    United States
    Website: https://www.healthysmiletoothpastepro.com/

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medication. Results with Erectin may vary from person to person based on individual health factors, adherence to recommended usage, and lifestyle variables. The content herein is not written or reviewed by a licensed medical professional. 

    No responsibility is assumed for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content, nor any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this article. The publisher and its affiliates do not endorse or guarantee any product mentioned herein. All trademarks, service marks, and brand names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: CORRECTION: New Study Shows the Coca-Cola System has an Economic Impact of $10.4 Billion Across its Value Chain in Africa, Supporting More Than 1 Million Jobs

    • Across 54 African markets, The Coca-Cola Company and its authorized bottlers, collectively known as the Coca-Cola system, contributed $10.4 billion in economic activity across its value chain in 2024.
    • The Coca-Cola system and its value chain supported more than 1 million jobs in retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and services in Africa.
    • The Coca-Cola system purchased $4.3 billion from suppliers in Africa in 2024, representing 83% of the system’s total procurement on the continent.

    The Coca-Cola Company (www.Coca-ColaCompany.com) announced the results of a comprehensive, Africa-wide socio-economic impact study during the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola.

    The study shows that the Coca-Cola system, made up of The Coca-Cola Company and its authorized bottlers, working with a wide network of suppliers, manufacturers, service providers and customers, contributed $10.4 billion in value-added economic activity across its value chain in Africa in 2024.

    The Coca-Cola system supported more than 1 million jobs across its value chain on the continent in sectors like retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and services. This included 36,800 direct Coca-Cola system jobs, plus 987,000 indirect jobs that are supported across the value chain, meaning the system collectively supported 27 additional jobs for every job it directly creates.

    The study, conducted by global consultancy Steward Redqueen, shows that the system invested $4.3 billion in the African economy in 2024 through the purchase of goods and services from local suppliers, representing 83% of its total procurement.

    “Our long-standing presence in Africa, working with locally owned bottlers and suppliers, allows us to drive more sustainable growth and contribute to the continent’s development,” said Luisa Ortega, president of the Africa operating unit of The Coca-Cola Company. “Our unique operating model allows us to make a lasting impact in local communities.”

    The company’s portfolio in Africa includes a wide range of brands in several beverage categories. Ingredients and packaging used by the Coca-Cola system in Africa are mostly locally sourced, supplied, produced, manufactured and distributed.

    “The Coca-Cola Company’s commitment to Africa remains steadfast,” Ortega said. “The Coca-Cola system has announced investments of nearly $1.2 billion on the continent over the next five years, and we are hopeful that stable and predictable policy environments will enable more investments in the months and years ahead. Additionally, the Coca-Cola system will invest nearly $25 million by 2030 to help address critical water-related challenges in local communities in 20 African markets.”

    This study highlights the Coca-Cola system’s role in Africa’s long-term growth and driving more sustainable development across the continent. The approach adopted by Steward Redqueen integrates client-provided operational data with trusted third-party economic sources and industry benchmarks. More than just measuring direct contributions, the analysis uncovers economic interlinkages, showing how the Coca-Cola system drives production, generates income, and supports employment across a spectrum of industries and geographies.

    Teodora Nenova Managing Partner at Steward Redqueen added: “Our impact assessment reveals the wide-reaching economic footprint of the Coca-Cola system across Africa. The findings highlight the scale of the Coca-Cola system’s local presence and its ongoing contribution to economic opportunity and livelihoods across the continent.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola.

    Follow on Social Media:
    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3TQWol7
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3TdYNGs
    LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4nn0teB

    About The Coca-Cola Company
    The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A History of Self-Representation and How H.H. Holmes Represented Himself in His Criminal Trial

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The following is a guest post by Emily Tejada, a former intern with the Digital Resources Division of the Law Library of Congress. She is a recent graduate from Southern New Hampshire University.

    One interesting aspect of the United States’ judicial law is defendants’ right to represent themselves in court. Many may ask, “Why would someone choose to represent themselves in court?” This mainly concerns defendants wanting to manage their own court proceedings as they see fit and the belief that exercising the right to self-represent offers them the best chance of achieving their goals. Self-representation in court proceedings is a constitutional right continuously protected under the United States’ judicial law. The right to represent oneself in court has resulted in a plethora of criminal cases in which defendants chose to waive the right to an attorney and conduct their own defense. One fascinating self-representation case pertains to America’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes. Following Holmes’ court case, three major cases solidified the legal precedent for a defendant’s right to represent themself in a criminal case and the regulations that dictate these types of court proceedings.

    Self-Representation is also known as proceeding pro se, which is Latin for “for oneself, on one’s own behalf.” This term refers to a defendant’s right to advocate on their own behalf before a court by waiving their right to attorney representation. This judicial right has been strongly protected since the United States’ founding under the Judiciary Act of 1789, which established the national judicial court system and was signed into law by President George Washington himself. Section 35 of the Judiciary Act, which can be found in Statutes at Large Volume One, set forth into law the right for parties to manage their own court cases. Section 35 states “[a]nd be it further enacted, that in all the courts of the United States, the parties may plead and manage their own causes personally or by the assistance of such counsel or attorneys at law as by the rules of the said courts respectively shall be permitted to manage and causes therewithin. …”

    U.S. Statutes at Large, Volume 1 (1789-1799), 1st through 5th Congress. Law Library of Congress. https://lccn.loc.gov/mm80001287.

    The right of defendants to represent themselves in court is further protected under the Sixth Amendment, as it guarantees the rights of defendants, which include the right to a lawyer. Under this amendment, there is a basis that a defendant may acquire counsel representation by their own choice. The Judiciary Act of 1789 and the Sixth Amendment protect a defendant’s right to represent themselves in court.

    One fascinating case of self-representation in criminal court deals with America’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes. H.H. Holmes was born in 1861 as Herman Webster Mudgett in New Hampshire. Holmes developed a gruesome fascination with death – this included stealing corpses from graves and morgues during his college years at the University of Michigan, where Holmes would either sell these corpses to medical schools or burn and disfigure them to commit insurance fraud. Holmes would take out life insurance policies on these bodies before staging accidents to collect the money. He moved to Chicago in 1884 under the alias Dr. Henry H. Holmes, where he constructed a three-story hotel that would later become known as the “Murder Castle.” Holmes insisted that his guests, employees, and romantic partners were required to have life insurance policies and to list him as the beneficiary. He took advantage of the 1893 Chicago World Fair to target and lure guests to his hotel, many of whom disappeared. Once the fair ended, he and his accomplice, Benjamin Pitezel, traveled the United States, where a trail of homicides and disappearances followed Holmes, including the murder of Pitzel.

    The Ogden Standard. [volume] July 4, 1914. Library of Congress Chronicling America. https://lccn.loc.gov/sn85058396.

    Holmes was arrested in Boston in 1894 as he was suspected of committing fraud. However, through a thorough investigation, the police soon connected Holmes to the murder of Benjamin Pitzel and his three children. Holmes eventually confessed to murdering 28 people; however, it is believed he could be responsible for up to 200 murders. Holmes was only formally charged with the murder of Benjamin Pitezel, and he requested to represent himself in court. Holmes’s choice to represent himself was quite unprecedented since no accused murderer had ever done so. Holmes refused to accept the services of attorneys Everett A. Schofield and Joseph R. Fahy, who were appointed to his case by the court of Philadelphia. According to court records, Holmes was nasty to the prosecutor, asked for scientific analysis on all evidence, claimed Benjamin Pitzel had committed suicide, and often deflected questions. He made a grave error when he requested a lunch break after a detailed and grotesque description of Pitzel’s corpse, and he continuously failed to support his claims of innocence. He eventually requested the assistance of his defense attorneys but was ultimately convicted of Pitzel’s murder and was subsequently hanged for his crimes on May 7, 1896. H.H. Holmes represents America’s first recorded serial killer and the first murderer to utilize his constitutional right to represent himself.

    The Evening Times. [volume] Oct. 28, 1895. Library of Congress Chronicling America. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024441/1895-10-28/ed-1/seq-1/

    The three major court cases that have set Constitutional standards for self-representation are Faretta v. California (1975), McKaskle v. Wiggins (1982 – 1984), and Indiana v. Edwards (2008). Anthony Faretta was charged with grand theft and requested to represent himself in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Faretta stated that he was literate, had previously represented himself in criminal court, and did not wish to accept a public defender. While the presiding judge originally accepted his request, he soon determined Faretta was unable to adequately represent himself after questioning him on California state law and appointed a public defender. While the California court of appeals affirmed the judge’s ruling, stating that Faretta had no constitutional right to represent himself, the Supreme Court held that under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments, defendants in state criminal trials have a constitutional right to represent themselves when they “voluntarily and intellectually” elect to do so and that the California State courts denied Faretta that right. This 1975 decision set forth that the Sixth Amendment implies a constitutional right to represent oneself in the United States’ courts, and pro se proceedings are based on this decision.

    In the case of McKaskle v. Wiggins, Carl Edwin Wiggins was charged with robbing a Piggly Wiggly in San Antonio, Texas, and chose to waive his right to counsel. The court, however, chose to appoint Wiggins a standby counsel to assist him in understanding the basic rules of the courtroom. Wiggins frequently contested the role of his standby counsel and, after his conviction, argued for a new trial because his standby counsel interfered with his defense and deprived him of his constitutional right to represent himself, which was guaranteed under Faretta v. California. While the court of appeals held that Wiggins’ sixth amendment right to represent himself was violated by unsolicited participation of the standby counsel, the Supreme Court held that Wiggins’ constitutional right was not violated due to his ability to conduct his own defense as he saw fit and that the unsolicited intervention of the standby counsel was within reasonable limits. This case set the basic foundation for standby counsel to be allowed to participate in self-representation cases.

    In Indiana v. Edwards, Ahmad Edwards was charged with attempted murder after shooting an FBI agent, a security guard, and a bystander after stealing a pair of shoes. Edwards’s mental competency to stand trial was called into question, but after five years of psychiatric evaluation, he was deemed competent enough to stand trial. Edwards requested to represent himself in court; however, his medical records stated that he suffered from schizophrenia, and his requests were systematically denied. The

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it is free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $200M Boost for Critical Water Infrastructure

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved nearly $200 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. The Board’s approval authorizes municipal access to low-cost financing and grants to get shovels in the ground for critical water and sewer infrastructure projects, from treatment processes to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water, to replacing lead service lines and modernizing aging systems. These investments protect public health and make projects more affordable, reducing the need for higher rate increases to fund improvements, while also creating good-paying jobs.

    “Clean water is a fundamental right, and New York is leading the way in making sure communities have the resources they need to protect it,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding will help New York City and communities across the state make critical upgrades to aging infrastructure, reduce pollution, and deliver safe, reliable water, while protecting the pockets of New Yorkers.”

    The Board approved a major $50 million investment in New York City, including a $25 million grant from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding. The grant will be used by New York City exclusively for affordability programs that provide financial assistance to low-income water and sewer customers. The $25 million in interest-free financing will support a stormwater and resiliency project that is a key component of the larger Gowanus Canal Superfund Site cleanup. Construction of underground tanks and a network of improvements will fortify the City’s sewers and reduce combined sewage and stormwater overflows that have polluted the canal for a century.

    Today’s announcement builds on a longstanding State-City partnership that has advanced transformative water and sewer improvements. EFC’s financial assistance over the past 15 years has saved City ratepayers more than $2.7 billion on water infrastructure projects, including more than $400 million in direct grants. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the State continues to deliver critical financial resources to complete essential projects, ease the burden on local ratepayers, and build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods for generations to come.

    EFC’s Board approved grants and financings to local governments from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds – a mix of federal and state dollars dedicated to financing community water infrastructure projects. State Revolving Fund interest rates are below market rate, and with long repayment periods, communities may save significantly on debt service compared to traditional financing. IIJA funding bolstered the State Revolving Funds and accelerated progress on essential clean water and drinking water projects.

    The Board also approved executing previously awarded State grants from the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation programs. EFC Board approval is a critical step in the funding process and will allow communities to access these funds for project implementation. Leveraging federal funding with state investments maximizes the impact of each dollar spent, empowering local communities to make critical system improvements they need to keep their residents safe and ensuring cost is not a barrier for project implementation.

    Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are making historic investments that help communities take on complex, long-needed infrastructure projects without overburdening local ratepayers. Today’s announcement underscores the State’s unwavering commitment to affordable drinking water and wastewater service in New York City and communities statewide. We’re not just financing construction—we’re helping to deliver a cleaner, greener, more resilient future that New Yorkers deserve.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Investing in local water infrastructure and ensuring all communities have access to clean water is a top priority for New York. Across the state, municipalities large and small are challenged by aging water mains, crumbling wastewater treatment facilities, and outdated sewer systems. Governor Hochul continues to make generational investments that will help communities address critical infrastructure needs and protect water quality, water quantity, and our environment while keeping costs down for cash-strapped municipalities and New Yorkers.”

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul has made it clear that access to safe, clean drinking water is a top priority. This latest round of funding helps ensure those critical projects—like removing emerging contaminants—are both an affordable and achievable reality for communities across New York State. The State Health Department will continue to work with local municipalities and our state partners to make sure the water coming from the tap is safe and healthy for all New Yorkers.”

    New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Governor Hochul recognizes that clean water infrastructure is vital to public health, economic development and community quality of life. The Governor’s visionary commitment of $200 million in low-cost financing and grants provides local governments with the support they need to become more resilient, sustainable and prosperous well into the future.”

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “Everyone deserves access to clean drinking water. These major federal investments will ensure families from Chautauqua to Port Washington have safe drinking water and our beautiful waterways stay clean, all while creating new good-paying jobs, jobs, jobs. I am proud to deliver millions in federal funding and will fight to preserve funding to modernize drinking water and water-sewer systems in the upcoming budget. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in the fight to turn the tide on our state’s aging water infrastructure to keep our communities safe and healthy.”

    Representative Grace Meng said, “From combating flooding to ensuring clean drinking water, upgrading our water infrastructure is a crucial investment in our state’s future, and I’m always proud to fight for funding that makes these types of projects possible. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and helping to make needed improvements happen across New York.”

    Representative Joe Morelle said, “Everyone deserves to have confidence that the water from their kitchen faucet is clean and safe to use. In Washington, I’m always fighting for projects that support our community’s health and wellbeing. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued leadership and partnership in building a healthier New York for all.”

    Representative Tom Suozzi said, “The Governor and the state are effectively delivering essential funds to New York’s local water providers from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I helped negotiate as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The Port Washington project is a crucial investment that will enhance and protect our water infrastructure for future generations while reducing the financial burden on our local taxpayers. I will continue to work with the state to try and bring vital federal resources back to New York.”

    Representative Pat Ryan said, “The freedom to drink clean water is fundamentally American. Our community has been pushing hard to ensure that every Hudson Valley family – especially our kids – has access to clean, safe drinking water. We’ve made real progress, including in Poughkeepsie. Last year, I was proud to work with the Governor to secure critical funds for lead pipe removal in Poughkeepsie. This funding is another step towards ensuring clean water for all, and I thank the Governor and all our partners for their advocacy and commitment to Hudson Valley public health.”

    State Senator Pete Harckham said, “This major investment from the state ensures public health standards while supporting local municipalities. Maintaining safe, accessible drinking water sources and supply systems is integral to future growth and prosperity, and I thank Governor Hochul, my colleagues in the State Legislature and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for making the financial commitment to see this through.”

    Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, “Communities across New York are facing mounting challenges when it comes to water infrastructure—whether it’s combating contaminants like PFAS, repairing aging water and sewer systems, or replacing lead service lines. This critical funding provides much-needed support to local governments working to protect public health and ensure clean, safe water. I’m especially grateful that $50 million has been directed to support infrastructure improvements in New York City, and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued leadership in prioritizing these essential investments.”

    New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said, “New York City is home to nearly half of the State’s population and will make full and beneficial use of this grant and financing, which will help the people of Gowanus as well as low-income water customers across the five boroughs. This commitment from the State represents a new and positive development in the collaboration between EFC and DEP and I’m grateful for this partnership.”

    Funding was approved for projects in the following regions:

    Finger Lakes

    • Town of Leroy – $5 million grant for the formation of Water District No. 12, including installation of approximately 173,000 linear feet of water mains and appurtenances including hydrants, valves, and service meters.
    • Town of Milo – $366,000 grant for the installation of 4,600 linear feet of water main, gate valves, hydrants, meters, and additional appurtenances along NYS Route 54 to form Water District No. 4.
    • City of Rochester – $24 million for the replacement of 3,269 lead service lines, approximately 14% of the total lead and galvanized services lines in the water system. Rochester is one of 12 municipalities to receive a State grant as well as federal IIJA grants and interest-free financing for lead service line replacement. The State grant will reimburse costs that were not fully covered by IIJA grants, so upon completion of this project, the City won’t have to pay back the financing.

    Long Island

    • Village of Farmingdale – $4.6 million grant for the installation of an advanced oxidation process treatment system for the removal of 1,4-dioxane and a granular activated carbon treatment system for removal of PFOA and PFOS at the Ridge Road Well Site Plant No. 2.
    • Port Washington Water District – $5 million in grants for the construction of a granular activated carbon treatment system for the removal of PFOA and PFOS from Hewlett Well No. 4.
    • Suffolk County Water Authority – $1.5 million grant for the installation of approximately 7,500 linear feet of water main, gate valves, hydrants, meters, and additional appurtenances to provide public water to homes with contaminated private wells along Old Country Road.

    Mid-Hudson

    • City of Poughkeepsie – $6.7 million grant and low-cost financing package for the rehabilitation of the Fallkill Trunk portion of the sanitary sewer collection system.

    North Country

    • Village of Port Leyden – $8 million grant and interest-free financing package for the replacement of approximately 18,000 linear feet of water main and associated appurtenances, replacement of water meters, and water treatment plant upgrades.

    New York City

    • New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority – $50 million grant and interest-free financing package for the planning, design, and construction of the Gowanus Canal combined sewer overflow abatement facilities.

    Western New York

    • Village of Andover – $1.4 million grant for the development of a new groundwater well to provide needed source redundancy and replace an existing noncompliant spring source. The Board previously approved an interest-free financing in addition to the grant to support this project.
    • Town of Chautauqua – $7.7 million grant and interest-free financing package for the development of two new groundwater wells and a new treatment plant to replace the existing water source and treatment plant, and installation of approximately 14,000 linear feet of transmission and distribution water mains to extend the water district and serve 345 new residences that are currently dependent on private wells.
    • Town of Clymer – $10.5 million grant and interest-free financing package for the development and installation of a new ground water well to provide additional source capacity, replacement of approximately 26,000 linear feet of watermains, valves, hydrants, and appurtenances and a new 200,000-gallon water storage tank to replace a deteriorated tank.
    • Town of Ellicott – $6.4 million in grants for the design and construction of a sewer district extension.
    • Town of Randolph – $4.5 million grant and low-cost financing package for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements.
    • Town of Westfield – $9.5 million grant and interest-free financing for the design and construction of wastewater treatment plant and collection system improvements.

    Refinancing Completed Projects Will Achieve Long-Term Debt Service Savings
    The Board also took action to help ensure continued, long-term affordability of existing projects. EFC provides short-term financing for design and construction of projects. Once project construction is completed, the short-term financing is typically refinanced to long-term financing for up to 30 years. Based on current market conditions, these long-term interest-free financings are projected to save local ratepayers an estimated $51 million in interest payments over the life of the financings.

    The Board approved long-term financing for projects undertaken by communities in the following regions:

    Mohawk Valley

    • Village of Middleburgh – $2.5 million long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.

    New York City

    • New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority – $42 million long-term interest-free financing for the design and construction of new engine generators to utilize digester gas and natural gas to cogenerate power and heat for on-site use at the North River Water Resource Recovery Facility.

    North Country

    • Village of Lowville – $9.3 million long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements.

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. The next round of EFC’s Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants is now open at www.efc.ny.gov. Governor Hochul has announced $325 million for this round.

    With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Honoring Former Representative Carolyn McCarthy

    Source: US State of New York

    Official websites use ny.gov

    A ny.gov website belongs to an official New York State government organization.

    Secure ny.gov websites use HTTPS

    A lock icon or https:// means you’ve safely connected to a ny.gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    June 26, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Friday, June 27

    Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all State government buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of former Representative Carolyn McCarthy, who passed away on June 26. Representative McCarthy was a leading gun control advocate during her time in Congress. Flags will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, June 27.

    “Representative Carolyn McCarthy was a strong advocate for gun control and an even more fierce leader,” Governor Hochul said. “From her days as a Congresswoman to advocacy, Carolyn McCarthy touched the lives of many through her work in public service, and I join her family, loved ones and Long Islanders in mourning this loss.”

    You are leaving the official State of New York website.

    The State of New York does not imply approval of the listed destinations, warrant the accuracy of any information set out in those destinations, or endorse any opinions expressed therein. External web sites operate at the direction of their respective owners who should be contacted directly with questions regarding the content of these sites.

    Visit Site

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEBANON COUNTY – Governor Shapiro and Major General Pippy to Open New Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center outside Fort Indiantown Gap

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    June 27, 2025 – Jonestown, PA

    ADVISORY – LEBANON COUNTY – Governor Shapiro and Major General Pippy to Open New Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center outside Fort Indiantown Gap

    Governor Josh Shapiro and Major General John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center.

    The Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center provides veterans and their families with convenient, in-person access to accredited veteran service officers who can assist them in discussing and applying for military benefits. The Center also includes training facilities and meeting space for larger veterans’ advocacy groups and service organizations. The Center is open to the public for walk-in service Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
    Pennsylvania is home to nearly 700,000 veterans – the fifth-largest veteran population in the country.

    WHO:
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    Major General John Pippy

    WHERE:
    Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center
    40 Fisher Avenue
    Jonestown, PA 17038

    WHEN:
    Friday, June 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM

    LIVE STREAM:
    pacast.com/live/gov
    governor.pa.gov/live/

    RSVP:
    Press who are interested in attending must RSVP with the names and phone numbers for each member of their team to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU leaders discuss how to strengthen the EU’s position on the global stage

    Source: European Union 2

    At the European Council meeting on June 26 and 27, leaders focused on how to ramp up EU defence readiness and boost competitiveness. They also discussed ongoing efforts towards achieving peace in Ukraine and welcomed the cessation of hostilities in Iran.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU leaders discuss how to strengthen the EU’s position on the global stage

    Source: European Union 2

    At the European Council meeting on June 26 and 27, leaders focused on how to ramp up EU defence readiness and boost competitiveness. They also discussed ongoing efforts towards achieving peace in Ukraine and welcomed the cessation of hostilities in Iran.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Decisions taken by the Governing Council of the ECB (in addition to decisions setting interest rates)

    Source: European Central Bank

    June 2025

    27 June 2025

    External communication

    ECB Convergence Report 2025

    On 4 June 2025 the ECB published its Convergence Report, prepared following a request by Bulgaria on 25 February 2025. The report examines Bulgaria’s state of economic convergence and the compatibility of its national legislation with the Treaties. It was approved by the General Council and published simultaneously with the report prepared by the European Commission as foreseen by the provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The report is available on the ECB’s website, together with a related press release.

    Monetary policy

    Climate-related disclosures of the Eurosystem’s corporate bond holdings

    On 30 May 2025 the Governing Council authorised the publication of the third ECB report on the climate-related financial disclosures of Eurosystem assets held for monetary policy purposes and the ECB’s foreign reserves. The report provides information on the Eurosystem portfolios’ carbon footprint and exposure to climate risks, as well as on climate-related governance, strategy and risk management. A second report also provides information on the ECB’s euro-denominated non-monetary policy portfolios, including its own funds portfolio and its staff pension fund. Both reports, together with a related press release, were published on the ECB’s website on 12 June 2025.

    Market operations

    Postponement of reporting requirements of monetary policy counterparties for the first quarter of 2025

    On 6 June 2025 the Governing Council decided to postpone, on a one-off basis, the reporting requirements of counterparties for the first quarter of 2025 as spelled out in Article 158(3) of Guideline (EU) 2015/510 of the European Central Bank (General Documentation Guideline) with the transitional periods of the new supervisory reporting regime introduced by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3117. More specifically, the Governing Council decided to set the date for an automatic suspension on the grounds of prudence mentioned in Article 158(3) to 7 October 2025. The reporting requirements concerned relate to the transmission of own funds and leverage ratio data by eligible counterparties. A related announcement is available on the ECB’s website.

    Amendments to the third covered bond purchase programme (CBPP3) and pandemic emergency purchase programme (PEPP) Decisions

    On 11 June 2025 the Governing Council adopted Decision ECB/2025/20 amending Decision ECB/2020/8 on the implementation of the CBPP3, and adopted Decision ECB/2025/21 amending Decision ECB/2020/17 on a temporary PEPP. The amendments reflect the decisions taken by the Governing Council in April 2025 to amend, first, the provisions on counterparties eligible for the CBPP3 to allow Eurosystem central banks to participate in standard market transactions such as repurchase transactions by issuers of covered bonds (“buybacks”), and, second, the rules applicable to securities lending transactions of covered bonds held by the Eurosystem under the CBPP3 and the temporary PEPP to reflect risk management considerations.

    Market infrastructure and payments

    Decision confirming the go-live of the Eurosystem Collateral Management System (ECMS)

    On 16 May 2025 the Governing Council confirmed, following a positive assessment conducted by the Market Infrastructure Board, that the ECMS would go live on 16 June 2025. A related announcement was published on the same day on the ECB’s website. The ECB also issued a press release on 17 June 2025 confirming the successful launch over the weekend of 13-15 June 2025.

    Launch of a public consultation on a possible extension of T2 operating hours

    On 30 May 2025 the Governing Council decided to launch a public consultation on a possible extension of T2 operating hours and approved the related consultation paper and its publication on the ECB’s website. The primary objective of this consultation, which runs until 30 September 2025, is for the Eurosystem to understand current and upcoming market needs and identify any constraints that may arise if T2 operating hours were extended. Based on this feedback and a thorough analysis of the responses received, in the course of 2026 the Governing Council will discuss possible follow-up actions.

    Decision amending Decision (EU) 2025/222 on access by non-bank payment service providers to Eurosystem central bank operated payment systems and central bank accounts (ECB/2025/2)

    On 2 June 2025 the Governing Council adopted Decision (EU) 2025/1148 amending Decision (EU) 2025/222 on access by non-bank payment service providers to Eurosystem central bank operated payment systems and central bank accounts (ECB/2025/2) (ECB/2025/18). The amendment follows from the decision taken by the Governing Council to postpone amendments to the TARGET Guideline in order to avoid the legal uncertainty that would have ensued in relation to access by non-bank payment service providers to Eurosystem central bank operated payment systems, including TARGET components, as a result of delays in some euro-area Member States in transposing relevant amendments to Directive 98/26/EC on settlement finality in payment and securities settlement systems and Directive (EU) 2015/2366 on payment services in the internal market into national legislation.

    Progress report on the digital euro project

    On 3 June 2025 the Governing Council discussed the progress made on key digital euro design aspects (e.g. the sourcing of potential providers, preparation of the rulebook, experimentation and further analysis) and took note of the envisaged next steps, concluding that the project remained on track in terms of both budget and timing. More detailed information on the digital euro project is available on the ECB’s website.

    Eurosystem roadmap regarding distributed ledger technology (DLT) for wholesale central bank money settlement

    On 23 June 2025 the Governing Council approved a high-level roadmap for its two-track approach on DLT for wholesale central bank money settlement which the Eurosystem embarked on with its exploratory work in 2024. Under the first track, referred to as Pontes, the Market Infrastructure Board is mandated to deliver an operational short-term offering to settle DLT-based transactions in central bank money, for which a pilot is expected to be launched by the end of the third quarter of 2026. The second track, referred to as Appia, will focus on identifying a potential long-term approach for an innovative and integrated ecosystem in Europe that also includes international operations. A related press release with more detailed information will be published in due course on the ECB’s website.

    Report on Eurosystem’s exploratory work on new technologies for wholesale central bank money settlement

    On 25 June 2025 the Governing Council took note of a report, prepared by the Market Infrastructure and Payments Committee, on the Eurosystem’s exploratory work on new technologies for wholesale central bank money settlement. The report consolidates the key findings of this initiative, which attracted high interest with a total of 64 eligible participants, across nine jurisdictions, and almost €1.6 billion settled in 27 trials, and it showcases the various use cases identified. The report will be published in due course on the ECB’s website.

    Advice on legislation

    ECB Opinion on the composition of the decision-making bodies of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the treasury accounts managed by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank and the permitted activities of foundations established by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank

    On 27 May 2025 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2025/12 prepared on the ECB’s own initiative.

    ECB Opinion on the pensions of the Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique

    On 10 June 2025 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2025/13 at the request of the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finances and Pensions.

    ECB Opinion on access to cash and a constitutional right to payment in cash

    On 25 June 2025 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2025/14 at the request of Magyar Nemzeti Bank. The Opinion will be available in due course on EUR-Lex.

    Corporate governance

    ECB Recommendation on the external auditors of the Deutsche Bundesbank

    On 2 June 2025 the Governing Council adopted Recommendation ECB/2025/19 to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Deutsche Bundesbank.

    Membership of the ECB Audit Committee and the ECB Ethics Committee

    On 4 June 2025 the Governing Council appointed Gaston Reinesch as Governing Council member to the ECB Audit Committee to succeed Klaas Knot, whose mandate comes to an end on 1 July 2025. The Governing Council also appointed Federica Mogherini, the current Rector of the College of Europe, Director of the European Union Diplomatic Academy and former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, as a new member of the ECB Ethics Committee, to succeed Virginia R. Canter, whose mandate comes to an end at the beginning of August 2025. These appointments, which start on 1 July and 1 August 2025, respectively, are for an initial term of three years, renewable once.

    Statistics

    Recommendation for amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2533/98 concerning the collection of statistical information by the ECB

    On 22 May 2025 the Governing Council adopted Recommendation ECB/2025/17 for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2533/98 concerning the collection of statistical information by the European Central Bank. The main objective of amending Regulation (EC) No 2533/98 is to address the significant changes in the collection, compilation, dissemination and use of statistical information by the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) owing to the digital transformation. These changes have led to demands for timelier, more frequent and more detailed statistical information but have also offered new possibilities for a more efficient collection of statistical information, therefore improving its cost-effectiveness and minimising the reporting burden.

    International and European cooperation

    Report on the international role of the euro

    On 15 May 2025 the Governing Council approved the June 2025 edition of the report on the international role of the euro and authorised its publication on the ECB’s website. The report, which presents an overview of developments in the use of the euro by non-euro area residents in 2024, is available, together with a related press release, on the ECB’s website.

    ESCB response to the European Commission targeted consultation on the integration of EU capital markets

    On 4 June 2025 the Governing Council, with the benefit of the observations received from members of the General Council, approved an ESCB response to the European Commission’s targeted consultation on the integration of EU capital markets. The ESCB response, which provides detailed views of the ESCB on specific aspects regarding simplification and burden reduction, trading, post-trading, horizontal barriers to trade and post-trade infrastructures, asset management and funds, topics for consultation on supervision, as well as horizontal questions on the supervisory framework, is available on the ECB’s website.

    ECB Banking Supervision

    Compliance with the European Supervisory Authorities’ (ESA) Joint Guidelines for the exchange of information relevant for fit and proper assessments

    On 16 May 2025 the Governing Council did not object to a proposal by the Supervisory Board to notify the European Banking Authority (EBA) that, for the significant institutions under its direct supervision, the ECB already complies with the Joint Guidelines on the system established by the ESAs for the exchange of information relevant to the assessment of the fitness and propriety of holders of qualifying holdings, directors and key function holders of financial institutions and financial market participants by competent authorities (JC/GL/2024/88). The Joint Guidelines aim at establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the European System of Financial Supervision, and at ensuring the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law with regard to the use of the system established by the ESAs for the aforementioned exchange of information.

    Compliance with the ESA Joint Guidelines on the estimation of aggregated annual costs and losses caused by major ICT-related incidents under Regulation (EU) 2022/2554

    On 19 May 2025 the Governing Council did not object to a proposal by the Supervisory Board to notify the EBA that, for the significant institutions under its direct supervision, the ECB intends to comply by 30 November 2025 with the Joint Guidelines on the estimation of aggregated annual costs and losses caused by major ICT-related incidents under Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (JC/GL/2024/34).

    Compliance with the EBA Guidelines on environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks

    On 28 May 2025 the Governing Council did not object to a proposal by the Supervisory Board to notify the EBA that, for the significant institutions under its direct supervision, the ECB intends to comply by 11 January 2026 with the Guidelines on the management of ESG risks (EBA/GL/2025/01). These guidelines aim at enhancing the identification, measurement, management and monitoring of ESG risks by institutions, and at supporting their safety and soundness as they are confronted with the short, medium and long-term impact of ESG factors. They contain requirements as to the internal processes and ESG risk management arrangements that institutions should have in place, including specific plans to address the risks arising from the transition and process of adjustment to relevant sustainability legal and regulatory objectives.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man arrested for murder following death of a woman in east London

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a woman in Tower Hamlets.

    On Thursday, 26 June at 23:01hrs, police were called to an address in Monier Road, Tower Hamlets to reports of a stabbing.

    Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service, who treated a woman in her 40s for stab wounds.

    Sadly, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Her next of kin have been made aware and are currently being supported by specialist officers.

    A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder and he remains in police custody. It’s believed he was known to the victim.

    A murder investigation has been launched.

    Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney, who leads policing in Tower Hamlets, said: “We are currently supporting the family of a woman who was sadly killed in the early hours of this morning.

    “I understand the local community will feel understandably shocked by this news, but I want to reassure residents we believe this to be an isolated incident, with no wider threat to the public.

    “Although we have made significant progress by making an arrest, I would like to make it clear that our investigation does not stop here. Specialist officers are working at pace to make enquiries and understand exactly what took place.

    “Local people may notice a higher police presence within the area today and would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to officers.”

    Anyone with information which could assist with the investigation is asked to call 101 stating CAD9509/26JAN. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by submitting an online form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA – Central Asian countries seek to preserve water resources

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    unece.org

    by Cosimo GrazianiTashkent (Agenzia Fides) – At the end of May, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan signed a trilateral agreement regarding the allocation of water from the Bahri Tochik reservoir in Tajikistan during the harvest season from June to August. In the allocation of the reservoir’s resources, located on the course of the Syr Darya, one of the region’s two most important rivers, Kazakhstan was allocated 499 million cubic meters of water for agricultural irrigation, reports the Kazinform newspaper. The agreement demonstrates that the countries of the region – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – have begun to address the issue of water management, often through bilateral agreements. Water in Central Asia is becoming increasingly scarce. As a result of climate change and reckless management during the Soviet period, when canals were built to irrigate cotton fields dozens of kilometers from the riverbeds, the region’s two most important rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, have dried up in their final stretches, ultimately leading to the drying up of the Aral Sea. The summer months are the most difficult to manage: the drought is becoming increasingly severe. The agreement between the three countries has positive effects not only on agriculture, but also on the energy policies of the participating countries and, more generally, on the joint management of water resources. In the past, there have been episodes of tensions leading to real conflicts over control of waterways and lakes. Kyrgyzstan has been the most frequently involved in this type of conflict. In 2014, clashes occurred on the border with Tajikistan; a brief armed conflict erupted in 2021, and the crisis continued the following year, resulting in one hundred deaths. The water supply situation calmed down when an agreement was reached in December of last year on border demarcation and, consequently, access to water resources. This was followed by another agreement involving Uzbekistan, which also covered energy supply issues related to water use. The Amu Darya was also at the center of the agreements signed between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in 2021 and 2022. According to the 2022 agreement, any decision that could affect the river’s course, including hydropower infrastructure, must first be independently assessed by the two states. Uzbekistan signed a similar agreement with Kazakhstan the same year, likely also due to political changes, on the management of the Pretashkent groundwater, which stretches between the two countries. Although these agreements demonstrate a certain willingness to jointly address the problem of water resources, two problems hamper these attempts. First, there is a lack of consensus in the region that encompasses all states. One attempt has been made in the past with the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC), established in 1992 to protect and use the waters of the Aral Sea, and the Chu Talas Water Management Commission, which includes Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. These two initiatives, which have remained isolated, require further support to adequately address the problem. Another problem is the intention of other countries to exploit the region’s water resources. While it is relatively easy to reach an agreement for the Syr Darya, the waters of the Amu Darya form the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and Afghanistan also wishes to use them. The Taliban government plans to build the Qosh Tepa Canal, which will flow south from the river for 285 kilometers and facilitate the resumption of agriculture in the country. Construction was 80% complete in March, and the completion of the canal is causing concern for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan: the canal is expected to divert up to 20% of the river’s current water flow, reducing their water supplies by 80% and 15%, respectively. Concerns include the impact on agriculture in both countries and the maintenance of the canal, which is feared to be built using poor technology and will lead to further water problems in the region in the future. (Agenzia Fides, 27/6/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo sign a peace agreement in Washington

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 27 June 2025 peace  

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – A peace agreement to end the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is scheduled to be signed today, June 27, between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The agreement is based on a Declaration of Principles adopted between the two countries in April and includes provisions for “respect for territorial integrity and a cessation of hostilities” in the east of the DRC.The agreement will be signed at a ministerial meeting in Washington, which will also include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his counterparts from the DRC and Rwanda, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Olivier Nduhungirehe.Both will also be received by Donald Trump at the White House. A complex negotiating strategy was put in place to achieve today’s signing, involving not only the two countries concerned, but also the United States, Qatar, and the African Union. In parallel with the negotiations in Washington between Kigali and Kinshasa, negotiations have been taking place in recent months in Doha (capital of Qatar) between the Congolese authorities and the rebels of the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).The latter are supported by Rwanda and control most of the provinces of North and South Kivu in eastern DRC. The United States has an interest in achieving peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda so that its companies can exploit the immense Congolese mineral resources. In parallel with the peace agreements, the Trump administration intends to sign a mining agreement with the Congolese government. The problem is that several of the most important Congolese mines are located in North and South Kivu, provinces no longer controlled by the government in Kinshasa, but by the AFC/M23. “Furthermore, almost all Congolese mines are controlled by Chinese companies,” states the latest report by the Peace Network for Congo.”The Congolese government therefore has little to offer the United States, which will be forced to negotiate behind the scenes with the Chinese authorities and bypass Kinshasa,” emphasizes the network of missionaries working in the region. According to the missionary network, caution must be exercised regarding the validity of the newly signed agreements.”In the Great Lakes region in general, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular, the numerous conflicts have regularly led to the signing of ceasefires and peace agreements that have never definitively silenced the guns. In the last four years, about a dozen such texts have been signed, which have then been systematically violated and never respected,” the network points out. “The rumors of large-scale arms purchases by the Congolese government and the arrival of former Congolese President Joseph Kabila in Goma, the stronghold of the AFC/M23, are not a sign of a de-escalation of the Congolese crisis, which in many respects is completely beyond the control of the negotiators from Qatar and the United States,” the network’s report continues. Finally,The Peace Network for Congo emphasizes that true peace requires “restorative justice” that takes into account the rights of those affected by the violence perpetrated by all actors in the conflict. Starting with the hundreds of thousands of people (women, girls, children, but also men and boys) who have been victims of rape during the conflict. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 27/6/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/TURKEY – The Archbishop of Smyrna: “We are awaiting Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Nicaea

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Opera Roma Pellegrinaggi

    Smyrna (Agenzia Fides) – “Pilgrimages to Nicaea are being organized from Smyrna, Istanbul, and other Turkish dioceses. And from abroad, representatives of parishes from all over the world are coming to what is now Iznik, which was once Nicaea. We eagerly await the official confirmation from the Holy See regarding Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Nicaea: his presence in Turkey will be a source of great joy and grace for us believers and for the entire nation,” said Martin Kmetec, President of the Turkish Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Smyrna, in an interview with Fides. He commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD, an event that draws the attention of Christian churches around the world to the city south of Istanbul on Lake Bursa. Monsignor Kmetec explains: “The anniversary aroused great interest among the Christian community in Turkey and prompted us to explore the history of the Church in our region. Today we reflect on the treasure of faith we received from Nicaea: we are called to embrace it, preserve it, and apply it in our daily lives.”The Archbishop also recalls that the anniversary is also being celebrated by the Orthodox Church “and is therefore an opportunity for ecumenical dialogue and unity.” Referring to a recent ecumenical symposium held in Antalya, in which he personally participated, the Archbishop of Smyrna states: “I found the perspective very significant because it helped us focus on the content of the faith we proclaim and live, that is, to reflect on the Incarnation of Christ, which expresses the gift of his divine and human nature. The gift given to us is salvation: today we are called to safeguard this gift and proclaim it to the world as Christians, Catholics and Orthodox together,” he states. The then also emphasizes a second aspect: “Nicaea is not only a place for theological reflection: This Council was also the fruit of the profound witness of faith by so many people who gave their lives for the faith in the first three centuries of Christianity. This witness, in a sense, prepared the outcome of the Council. For us today, the memory of this witness of faith is the most important thing, because it inspires and strengthens us in the challenges we live in the present.” A moment of faith and witness for the small Catholic community in Turkey (in a country with a large Muslim majority, there are approximately 60,000 Catholics, representing 0.07% of the population) will also be the visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for the Feast of Saint Andrew (November 30), although the official announcement has yet to be made. Bishop Kmetec notes: “We are awaiting him in Turkey; all the details and agreements between the Holy See and the Turkish government are currently being finalized. A Vatican delegation already came here in February to prepare for the visit of Pope Francis, whom we remember in prayer, with affection and gratitude. Now we hope with all our hearts that Pope Leo can come: We are confident, there are positive signs, and everything is developing for the best.” If the Pope were to come to Turkey for his first apostolic visit abroad, “it would be a privilege for us,” he notes, but “it would be a great event for the entire nation, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.” “We were struck by the Pope’s first greeting: Peace be with you, the Archbishop concluded. “He proclaimed and will bring us the peace that is the gift of the Risen Christ. We believe that he has an open ear to the realities of the world and will bring a word of peace to a torn world. Let us pray for him that the Holy Spirit may comfort and enlighten him as father, head, and support for us, a small community in Turkey, and for the universal Church.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 27/6/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plans submitted to transform city’s iconic Cables Wynd House and Linksview House

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    The City of Edinburgh Council’s retrofit project has taken a major step forward this month with the submission of a planning application by Collective Architecture.

    Built in the 1960s and now designated as Category A listed buildings, Cables Wynd House and Linksview House collectively provide 310 homes, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent.

    These landmark buildings have served generations of residents, and this project represents a significant investment in securing their future as safe, high-quality homes.

    The proposed works are being driven by the need to meet the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2.

    Achieving compliance will require substantial upgrades to both the building fabric and mechanical systems. Alongside this, the Council has identified the opportunity to deliver wider improvements that will bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards.

    Key elements of the proposal include:

    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Improved insulation, window replacements, and energy-efficient heating systems to meet EESSH2 standards.
    • Fire Safety Enhancements: Installation of sprinkler systems, smoke ventilation, a new fire-fighting lift, and improved fire compartmentalisation in communal areas. The removal of legacy bin chutes and inclusion of internal waste management facilities will also contribute to enhanced fire safety.
    • Resident Safety and Security: Upgraded internal and external lighting, a comprehensive review of CCTV systems, and improved access control throughout the buildings.
    • Landscape and Placemaking Improvements: The refurbishment project presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the outdoor environment surrounding both towers. Proposals include new play areas, external seating, wildflower meadows, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), and a full review of parking and waste facilities.

    Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said:

    I am delighted that the proposals for the Council’s £69 million investment in Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have now been submitted to the CEC Planning Service, setting out our plans to make our residents’ homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient.  

    Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents have long campaigned for this much needed and substantive investment in their homes to happen.  Their influence and input into our consultation sessions have shaped these proposals and is hugely valued.  I look forward to continuing this positive engagement with Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents and Leith Ward Councillors as the project progresses.

    Carl Baker, Architect, Certified Passivhaus Designer – Collective Architecture said:

    Collective Architecture is proud to be working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the retrofit of Cables Wynd House and Linksview House. Our proposals place residents at the heart of the process, aiming to provide greener, warmer homes, while celebrating and sensitively enhancing the unique character of the Category A listed buildings.

    As part of a just transition, our carefully considered interventions will improve the thermal and environmental performance of the iconic structures – boosting energy efficiency and alleviating the risk of fuel poverty.

    As with many of our projects, meaningful resident engagement has been central to the design process and will remain a key focus through the final design stage and into construction.

    Subject to planning approval, the Council will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring their needs remain at the heart of the project.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EUROPE/ITALY – University and solidarity: the choice to be present

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 27 June 2025

    UER

    Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Another year of social responsibility activities, promoted by the university’s Center for Integral Formation, has come to an end at the European University of Rome (Università Europea di Roma, UER).These activities play a central role in the education and personal development of students by raising their awareness of social dynamics, the active practice of solidarity, and the recognition of the social value inherent in professional commitment. The students collaborate with various organizations operating in the social sector in the region (associations, non-profit organizations, foundations, workshops, volunteer organizations) and engage in various areas: supporting the homeless or people in socio-economic distress, helping minors and the disabled, protecting the environment, promoting culture and education, and supporting the elderly or the sick.One student describes her personal experience helping the homeless: “On our way home, we took with us much more than we gave. This encounter changed us. It broke through the invisible barrier that separates us from the pain of others. And perhaps in this small shift in our perspective lies the possibility of a greater change: in the city, in our relationships, in ourselves.” Another student reported on the “Angel for a Day” project, which she spent with children in Rome’s family homes: “The experience taught me that volunteering is not just an act of generosity. It is a mirror. It shows you the reality of others, but also your own. It forces you to examine your priorities and focus on what is truly important. It teaches you respect, gratitude, and presence.”The goal of these initiatives is to provide students with both technical and scientific training and human skills, enabling them to treat others with sensitivity and respect, and to experience their profession not only as personal fulfillment but also as a service for the transformation of society. (Agenzia Fides, 27/6/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Eurogroup presidency: three ministers put forward their candidacies

    Source: Council of the European Union

    Three ministers have put forward their candidacy to become president of the Eurogroup:Carlos Cuerpo, Paschal Donohoe and Rimantas Šadžius. The election of the new president will take place at the next meeting of the Eurogroup on 7 July. The president is elected by a simple majority of the Eurogroup ministers, in line with the Treaty’s Protocol 14 on the Eurogroup.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Gunpoint Carjacking

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Kelly Stanton, 55, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $12,500 by United States District Judge R. Barclay Surrick for carjacking a woman at gunpoint in January of 2023.

    Stanton was charged by indictment in March 2023 and pleaded guilty to the carjacking in October of last year.

    As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, around 11 p.m. on January 26, 2023, a woman had parked her car on the 1600 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue in Philadelphia to pick up a pizza. After she exited the pizza shop and was getting back in her car, Stanton approached. He put a firearm to her head and said, “give me the f[***]ing keys or I’m going to shoot you.”

    After struggling with Stanton, the victim was eventually able to get her keys out of her pocket, give them to him, and run away from the car. The defendant drove off in the vehicle, heading west on Cecil B. Moore. The victim’s car has still not been recovered.

    “The victim in this case was just going about her night when Stanton ambushed and terrorized her, putting his gun to her head and threatening to shoot,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Anyone who would violently accost a stranger like this for their car, or any other possession, is a clear threat to our community. My office will continue to work with our partners on the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force to bring these dangerous offenders to justice.”

    “Kelly Stanton’s victim was picking up a pizza when he stuck a gun to her head and demanded her car keys — he’s now facing a dozen years in federal prison,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Philadelphia Field Division. “Carjacking is a violent and dangerous crime. Together with our Carjacking Task Force partners we are using ATF’s unique forensic and investigative tools to stop criminals like this from terrorizing our neighborhoods. We hope this case deters those willing to use violence in our community.”

    The case was investigated by the ATF and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Meagan Gordon and Assistant United States Attorney Priya De Souza.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Twelve Defendants Sentenced for Drug and Firearm Offenses Related to Springfield, Vermont Drug Conspiracy

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that twelves defendants have been sentenced in connection with drug and firearm charges related to a conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl between March  and November 2022 in Springfield, Vermont. The last sentencing occurred June 16, 2025. All twelve defendants previously pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents, the drug conspiracy involved distribution of controlled substances on Valley Street in Springfield, Vermont and elsewhere. The conspirators armed themselves with firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. At certain times, firearms were discharged in Springfield in connection with the drug trafficking activity. Several of the conspirators were arrested on November 30, 2022 following the execution of federal search warrants on several addresses on Valley Street.

    Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss imposed the following sentences, each followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release:

    Anibal Castro, Sr.  – 108 months 
    Jonathan Castro – 98 months
    Alex Barnes – 47 months
    James Hines – 38 months 
    Jessica Auclair – 8 months
    Jennifer Armstrong – Time Served

    United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford imposed the following sentences, each followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release:

    Anibal Castro, Jr.  – 72 months 
    Martine Protas – Time Served

    United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. imposed the following sentence, followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release:

    Kerri Yaqoob – 75 months

    United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier imposed the following sentence, followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release:

    Todd Amell – Time Served

    United States District Judge William K. Sessions, III imposed the following sentences:

    Michael Cotter – Time Served to be followed by 2 years of supervised release
    Derek Arie  – Time Served to be followed by 1 year of supervised release

    Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory and collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vermont State Police, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Massachusetts State Police, the Springfield Police Department, and the Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office.

    The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Gilman and Joe Perella offered valuable assistance.

    Anibal Castro, Sr. is represented by Natasha Sen, Esq.; Jonathan Castro is represented by Robert Behrens, Esq.; Anibal Castro, Jr. is represented by Karen Shingler, Esq.; Derek Arie is represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.; Martine Protas is represented by Michael Shklar, Esq.; Michael Cotter is represented by Mark Oettinger, Esq.; Jessica Auclair is represented by Peter Langrock, Esq.; Kerri Yaqoob is represented by Richard Bothfeld, Esq.; Alex Barnes is represented by John-Claude Charbonneau, Esq.; James Hines is represented by Stephanie Greenlees, Esq.; Todd Amell is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.; Jennifer Armstrong is represented by Jason Sawyer, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students from Kazakhstan completed an internship on cross-border e-commerce in China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) — Thirty-two students from the International Kazakh-Chinese Language College recently completed a three-month internship on cross-border e-commerce at the China-Kazakhstan International Boundary Cooperation Center (ICBC) “Khorgos” in the city of the same name in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), the city’s press service said.

    During the internship, students from Kazakhstan mastered the skills of presenting products live, and also learned how to manage accounts on short video platforms and cross-border logistics, and tried to present specific products to consumers in the two countries in Kazakh and Chinese.

    According to Arna Alibek, one of the interns, she managed to learn how to conduct cross-border e-commerce, present products via live broadcasts, shoot videos and disseminate this knowledge in Khorgos. She added that if there was such an opportunity, she would like to go to Hangzhou, known as China’s e-commerce hub, and try to promote Kazakhstan’s products to China there.

    In recent years, the fast-growing Central Asian e-commerce market has attracted increasing interest from global e-commerce merchants. For many Chinese companies looking to enter the Central Asian market, Kazakhstan is the first port of call.

    In 2024, the volume of the e-commerce market in Kazakhstan reached about 3.2 trillion tenge, accounting for 14.1 percent of all retail trade in the country during the reporting period, The Tenge reports, citing a source from the Bureau of National Statistics.

    In May of this year, the major Chinese online trading platform Taobao, which topped the ranking of the most downloaded mobile apps in many foreign countries, began operating in Kazakhstan, allowing consumers to receive information about products and their prices in Russian, as well as pay for purchases in the national currency, without resorting to online translators. Notably, this is the first time that Taobao has launched a multilingual app in a non-English-speaking country. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China is ready to maintain trade and economic contacts with the US – Deputy Minister of Finance

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) — China is willing to maintain economic and trade exchanges with the United States on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, so as to benefit both countries and the world, Vice Finance Minister Liao Min said in a statement released by the ministry on Friday.

    Liao Min made the remarks during a meeting with Harvard University Professor Graham Allison on June 20. The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations, bilateral economic and trade ties, and issues of common interest.

    Guided by the important agreements reached by the two heads of state, the China-US negotiating teams on trade and economic issues have reached fundamental agreement on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during the telephone conversation on June 5 and on the framework of measures to consolidate the results of the trade and economic talks in Geneva, which has played an important role in stabilizing both China-US relations and bilateral trade and economic ties, Liao Min noted.

    He stressed that China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, while at the same time being willing to maintain economic and trade contacts with the United States on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, so as to benefit both countries and the whole world.

    Mr. Allison, in turn, said that relations between the US and China are one of the most important bilateral relations in the world, and it is extremely important for both sides to maintain and deepen communication.

    He noted that China has made significant progress in advancing economic reforms, expanding openness and creating a fair market environment. Given the high interdependence of the US and Chinese economies, further deepening trade and economic exchanges is in the common interests of both countries and the entire world, he concluded. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Toyota Begins Construction of Electric Vehicle Plant in Shanghai

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    SHANGHAI, June 27 (Xinhua) — Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation on Friday began construction of a plant to produce Lexus brand electric vehicles in Shanghai, east China.

    The new plant, located in Shanghai’s Jinshan District and also including a battery development and production base, will roll out its first vehicles as early as 2027, with an initial production capacity of 100,000 units per year.

    Jiang Juwang, director of the Jinshan District Investment Promotion Office, said that although Jinshan is not an auto hub, the fact that it is located in the geometric center of the Yangtze River Delta allows it to bring together component suppliers, research and development centers and auto companies based in Shanghai.

    This “one-hour supply chain radius” enables Toyota to make local purchases for key production processes, Jiang Juwang said.

    Remarkably, the entire process from the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement between the Shanghai government and Toyota on April 22 to the start of construction of the plant took just over two months. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: One killed, 11 injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIRUT, June 27 (Xinhua) — One woman was killed and 11 others were injured on Friday when an Israeli airstrike hit an apartment in the Lebanese city of Nabatieh, the local Public Health Emergency Operations Center said in a statement.

    The Israeli attack was the second largest on Nabatiyeh since a ceasefire agreement ended fighting last November, the National News Agency reported.

    The current airstrikes began on Friday at around 11:00 local time, targeting the heights of Kfar Tebnit, Upper Nabatieh and Kfar Remen, in the area of former Israeli military outposts. Warplanes reportedly carried out more than 20 strikes within 15 minutes.

    Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: 0 equipment, 0 skills, 0 threshold, RICH Miner allows you to earn while playing!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In traditional concepts, mining means investing thousands of mining machines, spending huge electricity bills, and understanding complex mining machine configuration and maintenance. For ordinary users, this high threshold almost makes the possibility of mining out of reach. But now, RICH Miner breaks this barrier and realizes true “0 equipment, 0 skills, 0 threshold” cloud mining, allowing you to easily start the cryptocurrency passive income mode with just a few clicks.

    Platform highlights

    1. 0 equipment: All mining machines are borne by the platform
    Global green mines: RICH Miner has self-built or cooperative mines in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, all of which use clean energy (wind, solar, and hydropower), without the need for users to purchase, deploy, or maintain any hardware.

    Centralized operation and maintenance: Professional teams monitor 24/7 to ensure stable computing power output and avoid any downtime or performance degradation.

    2.0 Skills: AI fully automatic mining
    Intelligent computing power scheduling: The built-in AI algorithm monitors the income status of major mining pools in real time, and automatically allocates your computing power to the mining pool with the highest output, without manual switching.

    One-click start: After registration, click “Start mining”, and the system will run immediately, without command line or server setup.

    3.0 Threshold: Free experience + flexible contract
    Register for benefits: New users can get a $15 reward and experience the mining process at zero cost.

    Multiple contracts: short-term daily settlement, 7 days, 30 days, multiple options; how much computing power to invest, freely decide, flexibly meet different budgets and needs.

        Contract Potential Profit Table
    Contract Price Contract duration Daily income Total revenue
    $100  2 $3  $100.00 + $6
    $700  8 $8.68  $500.00 + $69.44
    $1,600  15 $21.60  $1600.00 + $324
    $3,300  18 $46.20  $3300.00 + $831.60
    $5,600  22 $84.00  $5600.00 + $1848
    $8,800  28 $140.80  $8800.00 + $3942.40

    All contract income is fair and open-control your wealth freedom anytime, anywhere, and download the official APP with one click.

    (Click to download mobile APP)

    RICH Miner provides a trustworthy, transparent and environmentally friendly way to accumulate wealth with minimal effort.

    Deposits support multiple currencies: BTC, ETH, XRP, DOGE, USDT and other mainstream currencies are available.

    Revenue mechanism and user benefits
    Daily automatic settlement: The system will settle daily income in seconds according to the computing power held, without manual claiming.

    Flexible withdrawal: After reaching the minimum withdrawal threshold, you can withdraw the currency to your personal wallet or exchange with one click, and the funds flow freely.

    Invitation reward: Share the exclusive invitation link, and after your friends register and start mining, you can also get an additional 3% reward, realizing the dual benefits of “playing and earning + team”.

    User Voice
    “I have never been involved in mining before. It took less than five minutes to register RICH Miner and I didn’t even have to worry about the electricity bill. I received dozens of dollars on the first day. After a month, my side income exceeded 2,000 US dollars. It was a surprise!”
    – Laura, a user from Mexico

    “The platform can see the increase in income every day. It is much more stable than speculating in coins, and it can be operated with a mobile phone. Instead of leaving the coins in your wallet idle, it is better to use it to help you make money!”
    – Markus, a user from Germany

    Conclusion: Everyone can become a “digital miner”
    In RICH Miner, mining is no longer exclusive to technical gods, but an easy game that anyone can participate in. 0 equipment, 0 skills, 0 threshold, so that every user can enjoy the fun of passive income. Don’t let your digital assets lie in your wallet in vain, register RICH Miner now, receive your free computing power, and start a new experience of earning while playing!

    Act now: Click here to register and start your smart cloud mining journey now!
    Official website: https://richminer.com
    Official email: info@richminer.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –