NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Nimanode AI Agent Marketplace Nears Launch as Presale Surges Through Major Investors Demand

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Something surreal has been rumbling inside the XRP ecosystem and early participants and major investors are currently taking advantage of it. Nimanode, the pioneering no-code AI agent platform built natively on the XRP Ledger, is nearing the launch of its Zero-Code AI Agent Builder and AI Agent Marketplace.

    Quickly becoming one of the hottest opportunities in the DeFi space this year, the in native $NMA token has quickly filled almost 30% of it’s Presale allocation which has given investors confidence in the potential DeFi breakout of the year.

    Why the Hype about Nimanode

    Nimanode agents aren’t just simple bots.Their agents think, analyze, and execute on-chain tasks ranging from:

    Smart Contract Generation: AI that turns plain-English prompts into executable XRPL Hook contracts.

    DeFi Yield Optimization: Self-directed agents that shift capital between pools to maximize APY.

    Risk Monitoring: Agents that scan wallets and contracts to flag malicious activity in real-time.

    Web3 Customer Support: Deployable support agents that run 24/7 across DAO forums, dApps, and more.

    RWA Compliance: Regulatory agents that keep tokenized assets aligned with local frameworks.
    And all of it can be created from a zero-code interface, allowing creators, DAOs, or institutions to launch an entire automated ecosystem in minutes.

    $NMA Token: Offering Real Utility

    At the heart of the Nimanode ecosystem lies $NMA, the platform’s native utility token. $NMA will be used for:

    • Activating and deploying AI agents
    • Accessing customized modules and agent logic
    • Participating in DAO governance for platform upgrades
    • Powering transactions within the agent marketplace
    • Rewarding top-performing and widely-used agents

    Early Participants are already getting positioned in one of the most talked about DeFi opportunities, expected to deliver exceptional returns as a 25% return on DEX Listing is already planned for $NMA.

    $NMA Presale

    What’s Next for Nimanode

    The launch of its Zero-Code AI Agent Builder and AI Agent Marketplace will be coming shortly after the Presale has been concluded. Community members will be granted first perks as platform creators, earn staking bonus, and gain rewards for beta testing their protocol.

    Nimanode’s emergence offers a timely opportunity to capture investor interest who missed out on early rally of FET, RNDR and AGIX. Nimanode is building an ecosystem that thrives on its infrastructure to rival top AI platforms.

    Don’t miss out! Head to the Nimanode Presale Page now and claim your $NMA tokens before this early opportunity slips away! Participation details are easy and can be clearly seen on their page.

    Stay Connected with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

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

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/081e3ace-c939-4cfa-9321-9a2fe4244ec0

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Broadband target exceeded

    Source: Scottish Government

    R100 delivers more than 27,000 faster, ultra-reliable connections in a year. 

    The Scottish Government has surpassed it’s commitment to deliver gigabit-capable broadband connections to 20,000 homes and businesses last year.

    A record 27,000 premises were equipped with faster broadband in 2024-25 through the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) programme, exceeding a Programme for Government commitment by more than a third.  

     Connections have been made right across the country, from the Killantringan Lighthouse in Dumfries and Galloway to Stornoway in the Western Isles and Baltasound on Shetland.  

     The R100 contracts, being delivered by Openreach, have now enabled more than 80,000 faster broadband connections across the country, with 80% of all R100 contract build to take place in rural areas.  

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited Loch Katrine in the Trossachs to hear how access to faster broadband speeds is helping transform opportunities for local businesses.  

    He said:  

    “Fast, reliable broadband is a fundamental building block for economic growth. The Scottish Government’s R100 programme is one of the most ambitious and complex digital infrastructure programmes in Europe, rolling out connections in some of the most challenging locations in the country to help businesses and communities prosper.

    “Despite telecommunications being reserved to the UK Government, our commitment to the R100 programme illustrates this government’s commitment to delivering the digital connectivity people and businesses need to succeed.

     “Exceeding our 2024-25 delivery target was helped by record Scottish Government funding and an ongoing partnership with Openreach maximising the opportunities to deliver fast broadband to even more homes and businesses.”  

    CEO and Lead Trustee of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust, James Fraser said:   

    ”The impact of the introduction of fibre cable connections at Loch Katrine has been transformative for many aspects of our core business and our tenants. With an increasing trend to digital bookings for cruises, eco lodges, cycle hire and meals out, having high speed digital connections is critical to the success of our business and other businesses on the lochside.  

    “Previously our digital speeds were very poor leading to customer dissatisfaction, loss of bookings and customer complaints, particularly from guests staying overnight in our eco lodges or in campervans in our car parks. With the higher speeds now available there has been a marked improvement in digital services with increased customer satisfaction levels.”  

    Openreach Partnership Director for Scotland, Robert Thorburn, said:   

    “It’s brilliant to see businesses like the Steamship Sir Walter Scott benefitting from full fibre. We’re committed to making sure that the hardest-to-reach homes and businesses in Scotland are connected to the latest generation of broadband technology, giving them access to the same fast, reliable services available in our cities.

    “While building new full fibre networks in rural areas throws up many challenges, our engineers have the skills and experience to overcome these and deserve an enormous amount of credit for their work. We’re proud of the role we’ve played, working alongside the Scottish Government, in hitting this significant milestone – but we know that our work isn’t done yet, and we’ll continue to connect communities across the country.”  

    Background  

    The commitment to connect over 20,000 premises to gigabit capable broadband in areas of market failure by March 2025, through delivery of three regional, multi-year contracts with Openreach is set out in the Programme for Government 2024-25: Serving Scotland  

    Originally conceived as a superfast broadband programme, R100 is now providing a gigabit-capable connection – a speed more than 30 times faster than superfast broadband – in around 99% of cases. Building to some of the hardest-to-reach parts of Scotland, a total of 78,000 connections have enabled access to faster broadband as a result of the R100 contracts.      

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: West End LIVE celebrates 20 years of show-stopping performances in Trafalgar Square | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    West End LIVE returned to Trafalgar Square for its 20th anniversary on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June, drawing thousands of theatre lovers to the heart of Westminster to enjoy world-class musical performances. 

    Organised by Westminster City Council in partnership with the Society of London Theatre, West End LIVE has grown over two decades to become Europe’s largest free musical theatre festival. Over the weekend, 70,000 people attended and there have been 1.46 million views on the YouTube videos from the event. 

    This year’s line-up featured over 60 performances with a mix of beloved classics and recent hits, delivering an unforgettable showcase of the most iconic songs across all West End musicals. A special performance celebrating two decades of West End LIVE took centre stage on Sunday afternoon with memorable songs from musicals of the last 20 years, some of which are no longer running in West End.

    For the first time, working alongside our power provider, Film and TV Services, the entire event was powered by 100% green energy using grid-supplied electricity, Battery Energy Storage Systems, and state-of-the-art Stage V backup generators. 

    This year, we also made improvements to our pre-allocated accessibility viewing area and worked with Nimbus Disability to provide guests with greater clarity on the documentation they needed. 

    In addition to showcasing the very best of the West End to visitors from across the world, the event was a community celebration and attended by guests from community organisations across Westminster in line with our aim of increasing cultural access for local residents. 

    Cllr Ryan Jude, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture, said:  

    “West End LIVE is one of the highlights of Westminster’s cultural calendar, and it was fantastic to see Trafalgar Square filled with so much energy, talent, and thousands of theatre lovers.

    “This year, we’re especially proud that the event was powered by 100% green energy, reflecting our commitment to creating a Fairer Environment by reducing the carbon footprint of large-scale cultural events.

    “Through our partnership with the Society of London Theatre, the impact of West End LIVE reaches far beyond a single weekend.  Working together, we’re proud to be increasing access to cultural opportunities for residents and young people in Westminster. West End LIVE is a wonderful example of how we are ensuring everyone has the chance to experience the amazing cultural opportunities we have on offer in our city.” 

    Emma De Souza, Executive Director (Audiences & Commercial) at Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, said:  

    “Our 20th West End LIVE was truly memorable, welcoming so many brilliant shows to the stage from the West End and beyond. International stage and screen celebrities such as Corbin Bleu, Kevin McHale, Keala Settle, Vanessa Williams and Rachel Zegler took to the stage, alongside some of our best-loved West End and Broadway stars including Carrie Hope Fletcher, Lee Mead, Andy Nyman, Orfeh and Marisha Wallace, and an abundance of home-grown talent including acclaimed singer Fleur East. 

    “This event would not be possible without the unique relationship we have forged with Westminster City Council over the past 20 years, and we are very grateful to them, to all of the shows involved, and to our sponsors for their ongoing support.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council to work with partners to improve outdoor sports facilities across the city

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Friday, 27th June 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council is set to strengthen its commitment to improving outdoor sports facilities as it approves the latest version of its Playing Pitch Strategy.

    The updated strategy will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday 24 June and sets out where sports provision across the city currently meets demand, alongside where improvements are needed.

    The council will continue to work closely with national governing bodies, Sport England, local clubs and schools to deliver improvements.

    The strategy focuses on making the most of existing facilities, investing in those that need attention, and creating new ones where they are needed.

    This work supports the council’s wider aim to improve people’s physical and mental health and help communities connect through sport and physical activity.

    Key recommendations include:

    • Protecting existing sports facilities
    • Improving the quality of facilities, especially those that are overused or in poor condition
    • Working with schools and others to open up more spaces for community use
    • Helping clubs secure long-term access to the places they play
    • Exploring opportunities to transfer suitable sites to clubs to manage
    • Upgrading changing rooms and other support facilities, especially to support mixed-gender use
    • Adding more sports lighting to increase access and extend playing times
    • Using funding from new housing developments to improve sports provision
    • Maintaining strong partnerships to help secure funding and deliver the improvements

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Playing sports has so many benefits for our physical and mental health and it also fosters a sense of community by connecting with residents through the power of sport.

    “That is why it is so important that the city’s outdoor facilities are fit for purpose and available to use, which is why we are looking at measures to ensure they are continually improved.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for the Special Rapporteur on Burundi

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for the Special Rapporteur on Burundi

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you, Mr. President.

    We thank the Special Rapporteur for his timely update and again recognise the ongoing importance of his mandate. We reiterate our call on Burundi to grant him full access to the country.

    Mr President, the UK welcomes the peaceful conduct of Burundi’s recent legislative elections, as reported by the African Union observer mission.

    However, we are concerned by reports of serious irregularities, including voter intimidation, duplicate and fraudulent registrations and the early opening of polling stations without the presence of officials. Opposition parties must be allowed to engage meaningfully in democratic processes.

    We call on the government of Burundi to address these issues transparently, to enable the people of Burundi to fully exercise their civil and political rights.

    We also remain deeply concerned by ongoing restrictions on human rights defenders and journalists. We urge Burundi to take further steps to protect civic space, and to ensure inclusive governance and political pluralism.

    Special Rapporteur,

    How can the international community best support Burundi in strengthening its existing democratic processes?

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement on the Situation of Human Rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement on the Situation of Human Rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on the Situation of Human Rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you, Mr Vice President.

    Nearly a year has passed since the July 2024 presidential elections, yet instead of transparency, Venezuelan authorities have deepened repression. An alarming cycle of human rights violations continues to take place.

    Over 900 Venezuelans remain arbitrarily detained, with reports of enforced disappearances targeting opposition members, human rights defenders and the independent media. Many detainees are held incommunicado, denied access to legal counsel and subjected to due process violations. The justice system, far from protecting victims, has become a tool of repression. Civil society has been stifled, worsened by the so-called ‘anti-NGO’ law, which undermines the ability of organisations to operate freely. 

    The UK strongly condemns the continued erosion of human rights and calls for an immediate end to the repression. 

    We commend the OHCHR’s vital work. We remain deeply concerned by the limited return of its office in Venezuela. Now more than ever, its presence in Caracas is essential: to monitor the worsening human rights situation, ensure accountability, and uphold fundamental freedoms.

    We are keen to hear any assessment the OHCHR has made of the impact of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances on families in Venezuela, especially on women and girls.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: Yakutia will present the Ice Age Park technological testing ground on the Far East Street

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) will present its cultural, traditional and everyday life features, investment and tourism opportunities at the exhibition “Far East Street”, which will be held in Vladivostok from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth anniversary Eastern Economic Forum. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “Thousands of people from dozens of countries become participants and guests of the Eastern Economic Forum. And only a few of them have visited all regions of the Far East. The exhibition “Far East Street” is a good opportunity to tell about how and by what the Far Eastern regions live, to attract investors and tourists to their territories. Yakutia is a unique region with a rich culture, traditions and natural attractions. There are unique natural objects and places of power, different peoples with their own cultural characteristics and traditions live here. Yakutia is a confident leader in the field of creative technologies. Recently, an international forum of creative industries was held here, which gave creative people the opportunity to show their work to the general public. A separate area was the development of the cinematography sector. Films by Yakut directors receive prizes at film festivals, deserved attention from critics, and gain fans not only in Russia, but also in other countries. I am sure that after visiting the pavilion, which tells about the beauty of the northern nature, the sights and features of the republic, visitors will want to come to Yakutia and find out how it lives”, emphasized the Deputy Chairman of the Government – Plenipotentiary Representative President in the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    This year, the area of the Yakutia pavilion will be more than 1 thousand square meters and will be divided into three zones: the main pavilion, the trade and exhibition area and the stage. The exhibition and presentation exposition will be dedicated to the presentation of the World Mammoth Center in the Republic of Sakha, the idea of which, by decree of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, is included in the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and Ensuring National Security for the Period up to 2035.

    A presentation area of the scientific complex with a cryogenic storage facility for mammoth fauna, monitoring stations, museum, exhibition and laboratory buildings, the Ice Age Park technological testing ground and a tourist and leisure center will be prepared for visitors.

    “The Eastern Economic Forum is the main event for the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District. We are signing many agreements here. The investment projects implemented within their framework have set the dynamics of Yakutia’s development for years to come. Since the first forum, 4 trillion rubles have been invested in the republic, and the gross regional product has increased fourfold and reached 2.3 trillion rubles. The main result of all this is an improvement in the quality of life of people. New industries have been created, thousands of jobs have been opened, infrastructure is developing: housing, roads, and social facilities are being built. And at the EEF sites, we also have the opportunity to demonstrate the culture, traditions of the peoples, and the originality of the Far Eastern regions. This year, the Sakha Republic pavilion will be dedicated to the World Mammoth Center, which is planned to open in Yakutsk. The capital of our region is one of the largest scientific centers in the northeast of Russia, where paleontological research is actively developing with the involvement of foreign and Russian scientists. You will be able to learn about all this and more at the exhibition “Far East Street”. I am confident that VEF-2025 will be fruitful for us, and all planned events will be held at the highest level,” noted the head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Aisen Nikolaev.

    The exhibition and presentation exposition is planned to present projects dedicated to the problem of preserving the eastern population of the Siberian Crane – a symbol of untouched northern nature, one of the rare species of cranes that is under threat of extinction. Special attention will be paid to the investment potential of the region and the initiatives of large companies in its territory.

    The pavilion will also house a tourism zone. Visitors will be able to get information about popular tourist routes, including learning about the Lena Pillars National Nature Park, the tukulan sand dunes, Lake Labynkyr and the Buluus Glacier.

    In addition, popular regional brands will be presented in the trade and exhibition area – jewelry and souvenirs, clothing and accessories will be on display here. Guests and participants of the “Far East Street” will be able to visit the exhibition and fair of products of Yakut manufacturers and buy a memorable souvenir.

    The cultural program will attract special attention of visitors, which will have a thematic direction according to the days of the forum. Its basis will be the theme of patriotism and love for the native land, it will unite unique national folklore and modern trends of music, high classical art.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition “Far East Street” will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Cardano News, Updated Dogecoin Price Prediction & Hype Grows For Remittix, which offers something rare: A real-world solution for Cross-border Payments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The crypto market never sleeps—just ask anyone who’s watched Cardano slide while Dogecoin wobbles under bearish pressure. Fresh Cardano news shows ADA leading the downturn alongside XRP, and if current Dogecoin price prediction models hold, DOGE might be in for rougher seas. But here’s the twist: Amid the chaos, Remittix is quietly stealing the spotlight. With global remittances poised to hit $250 trillion by 2027, this project could rewrite the rules for cross-border payments.

    Remittix – The sleeper hit of 2025?

    Let’s be honest—when Cardano stumbles and Dogecoin feels the squeeze, investors start hunting for real utility. Enter Remittix, a PayFi platform that’s not just another crypto project but a potential game-changer for the $183 trillion banking industry. Its presale is buzzing, and for good reason: Imagine converting 100+ cryptos into fiat, then zapping it directly to any bank account. No wonder the crypto-to-fiat market (worth $1.5 billion and climbing at 16-20% yearly) is taking notice.

    What sets Remittix apart? Try flat fees with no surprises, near-instant transfers, and support for 30+ fiat currencies. Add a flawless audit (no red flags here), and suddenly traditional players like Stripe and Wise look sluggish.

    Remittix unpacked: More than hype

    So, what exactly is Remittix? Think of it as the missing link between crypto and your grandma’s bank account. Built on Ethereum, it taps into local payment networks to bridge the gap—fast crypto speed meets everyday fiat convenience. With 100+ cryptos and 30 fiats supported, it’s arguably the most versatile payment tool out there.

    Tokenomics matter, too: only 1.5 billion RTX tokens exist, half up for grabs in the presale. Scarcity + real-world use = a recipe even skeptics might find tempting.

    How Remittix Works (Without the Jargon)

    Here’s the magic: Connect your wallet via Remittix’s dApp, pick your crypto, punch in the recipient’s bank details—done. No waiting days for wires or deciphering fee structures. Traditional transfers? They’re riddled with middlemen; Remittix cuts them out, slashing costs and delays.

    Businesses win big, too. The Pay API lets merchants accept crypto but get paid in fiat. For global commerce, that’s not just convenient—it’s revolutionary.

    Cardano: The Rocky Road Ahead

    Cardano isn’t having its best month. Recent Cardano news highlights ADA’s slump, mirroring XRP’s struggles. Technical charts hint at more pain unless key supports hold. Regulatory clouds and rivals like Ethereum aren’t helping.

    Source: CoinMarketCap

    But there’s a silver lining: Ukraine’s push to add Bitcoin to reserves could lift the entire market, ADA included. Long-term? It hinges on Cardano delivering its roadmap—no small feat.

    Dogecoin: When Memes Meet Reality

    Born as a joke, Dogecoin outgrew its meme roots thanks to Elon Musk and a diehard community. But now? DOGE is down 7%, flirting with a make-or-break $0.175 support. Geopolitics and risk-off moods are hitting meme coins hard, and Dogecoin price prediction models aren’t optimistic.

    Source: CoinCodex

    Sure, bulls dream of $2 DOGE, but today’s charts scream caution. Volatility isn’t going anywhere.

    The Bottom Line

    While Cardano news spells turbulence and Dogecoin wobbles, Remittix offers something rare: A real-world solution with staggering potential. Its presale is a golden ticket to the PayFi revolution—before exchanges send prices soaring. More than $15.7 million raised so far. 420% gains for initial-price investors. Another price rise imminent. Get a 50% token bonus for a limited time! Use promo code SPRINT50 now.

    The takeaway? In a market obsessed with hype, Remittix delivers substance. And that might just be the smartest bet of 2025. Ready to dive in at $0.0781?

    Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their presale here:

    Website: https://remittix.io/

    Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cardano News, Updated Dogecoin Price Prediction & Hype Grows For Remittix, which offers something rare: A real-world solution for Cross-border Payments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The crypto market never sleeps—just ask anyone who’s watched Cardano slide while Dogecoin wobbles under bearish pressure. Fresh Cardano news shows ADA leading the downturn alongside XRP, and if current Dogecoin price prediction models hold, DOGE might be in for rougher seas. But here’s the twist: Amid the chaos, Remittix is quietly stealing the spotlight. With global remittances poised to hit $250 trillion by 2027, this project could rewrite the rules for cross-border payments.

    Remittix – The sleeper hit of 2025?

    Let’s be honest—when Cardano stumbles and Dogecoin feels the squeeze, investors start hunting for real utility. Enter Remittix, a PayFi platform that’s not just another crypto project but a potential game-changer for the $183 trillion banking industry. Its presale is buzzing, and for good reason: Imagine converting 100+ cryptos into fiat, then zapping it directly to any bank account. No wonder the crypto-to-fiat market (worth $1.5 billion and climbing at 16-20% yearly) is taking notice.

    What sets Remittix apart? Try flat fees with no surprises, near-instant transfers, and support for 30+ fiat currencies. Add a flawless audit (no red flags here), and suddenly traditional players like Stripe and Wise look sluggish.

    Remittix unpacked: More than hype

    So, what exactly is Remittix? Think of it as the missing link between crypto and your grandma’s bank account. Built on Ethereum, it taps into local payment networks to bridge the gap—fast crypto speed meets everyday fiat convenience. With 100+ cryptos and 30 fiats supported, it’s arguably the most versatile payment tool out there.

    Tokenomics matter, too: only 1.5 billion RTX tokens exist, half up for grabs in the presale. Scarcity + real-world use = a recipe even skeptics might find tempting.

    How Remittix Works (Without the Jargon)

    Here’s the magic: Connect your wallet via Remittix’s dApp, pick your crypto, punch in the recipient’s bank details—done. No waiting days for wires or deciphering fee structures. Traditional transfers? They’re riddled with middlemen; Remittix cuts them out, slashing costs and delays.

    Businesses win big, too. The Pay API lets merchants accept crypto but get paid in fiat. For global commerce, that’s not just convenient—it’s revolutionary.

    Cardano: The Rocky Road Ahead

    Cardano isn’t having its best month. Recent Cardano news highlights ADA’s slump, mirroring XRP’s struggles. Technical charts hint at more pain unless key supports hold. Regulatory clouds and rivals like Ethereum aren’t helping.

    Source: CoinMarketCap

    But there’s a silver lining: Ukraine’s push to add Bitcoin to reserves could lift the entire market, ADA included. Long-term? It hinges on Cardano delivering its roadmap—no small feat.

    Dogecoin: When Memes Meet Reality

    Born as a joke, Dogecoin outgrew its meme roots thanks to Elon Musk and a diehard community. But now? DOGE is down 7%, flirting with a make-or-break $0.175 support. Geopolitics and risk-off moods are hitting meme coins hard, and Dogecoin price prediction models aren’t optimistic.

    Source: CoinCodex

    Sure, bulls dream of $2 DOGE, but today’s charts scream caution. Volatility isn’t going anywhere.

    The Bottom Line

    While Cardano news spells turbulence and Dogecoin wobbles, Remittix offers something rare: A real-world solution with staggering potential. Its presale is a golden ticket to the PayFi revolution—before exchanges send prices soaring. More than $15.7 million raised so far. 420% gains for initial-price investors. Another price rise imminent. Get a 50% token bonus for a limited time! Use promo code SPRINT50 now.

    The takeaway? In a market obsessed with hype, Remittix delivers substance. And that might just be the smartest bet of 2025. Ready to dive in at $0.0781?

    Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their presale here:

    Website: https://remittix.io/

    Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cardano News, Updated Dogecoin Price Prediction & Hype Grows For Remittix, which offers something rare: A real-world solution for Cross-border Payments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The crypto market never sleeps—just ask anyone who’s watched Cardano slide while Dogecoin wobbles under bearish pressure. Fresh Cardano news shows ADA leading the downturn alongside XRP, and if current Dogecoin price prediction models hold, DOGE might be in for rougher seas. But here’s the twist: Amid the chaos, Remittix is quietly stealing the spotlight. With global remittances poised to hit $250 trillion by 2027, this project could rewrite the rules for cross-border payments.

    Remittix – The sleeper hit of 2025?

    Let’s be honest—when Cardano stumbles and Dogecoin feels the squeeze, investors start hunting for real utility. Enter Remittix, a PayFi platform that’s not just another crypto project but a potential game-changer for the $183 trillion banking industry. Its presale is buzzing, and for good reason: Imagine converting 100+ cryptos into fiat, then zapping it directly to any bank account. No wonder the crypto-to-fiat market (worth $1.5 billion and climbing at 16-20% yearly) is taking notice.

    What sets Remittix apart? Try flat fees with no surprises, near-instant transfers, and support for 30+ fiat currencies. Add a flawless audit (no red flags here), and suddenly traditional players like Stripe and Wise look sluggish.

    Remittix unpacked: More than hype

    So, what exactly is Remittix? Think of it as the missing link between crypto and your grandma’s bank account. Built on Ethereum, it taps into local payment networks to bridge the gap—fast crypto speed meets everyday fiat convenience. With 100+ cryptos and 30 fiats supported, it’s arguably the most versatile payment tool out there.

    Tokenomics matter, too: only 1.5 billion RTX tokens exist, half up for grabs in the presale. Scarcity + real-world use = a recipe even skeptics might find tempting.

    How Remittix Works (Without the Jargon)

    Here’s the magic: Connect your wallet via Remittix’s dApp, pick your crypto, punch in the recipient’s bank details—done. No waiting days for wires or deciphering fee structures. Traditional transfers? They’re riddled with middlemen; Remittix cuts them out, slashing costs and delays.

    Businesses win big, too. The Pay API lets merchants accept crypto but get paid in fiat. For global commerce, that’s not just convenient—it’s revolutionary.

    Cardano: The Rocky Road Ahead

    Cardano isn’t having its best month. Recent Cardano news highlights ADA’s slump, mirroring XRP’s struggles. Technical charts hint at more pain unless key supports hold. Regulatory clouds and rivals like Ethereum aren’t helping.

    Source: CoinMarketCap

    But there’s a silver lining: Ukraine’s push to add Bitcoin to reserves could lift the entire market, ADA included. Long-term? It hinges on Cardano delivering its roadmap—no small feat.

    Dogecoin: When Memes Meet Reality

    Born as a joke, Dogecoin outgrew its meme roots thanks to Elon Musk and a diehard community. But now? DOGE is down 7%, flirting with a make-or-break $0.175 support. Geopolitics and risk-off moods are hitting meme coins hard, and Dogecoin price prediction models aren’t optimistic.

    Source: CoinCodex

    Sure, bulls dream of $2 DOGE, but today’s charts scream caution. Volatility isn’t going anywhere.

    The Bottom Line

    While Cardano news spells turbulence and Dogecoin wobbles, Remittix offers something rare: A real-world solution with staggering potential. Its presale is a golden ticket to the PayFi revolution—before exchanges send prices soaring. More than $15.7 million raised so far. 420% gains for initial-price investors. Another price rise imminent. Get a 50% token bonus for a limited time! Use promo code SPRINT50 now.

    The takeaway? In a market obsessed with hype, Remittix delivers substance. And that might just be the smartest bet of 2025. Ready to dive in at $0.0781?

    Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their presale here:

    Website: https://remittix.io/

    Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister of State for International Cooperation Meets Under-Secretary of State for Africa at UK Foreign Ministry

    Source: Government of Qatar

    London, June 26, 2025

    HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Thursday with HE Under-Secretary of State for Africa at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Lord Collins of Highbury, on the sidelines of the World Humanitarian Forum, held in London, UK.

    During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to several topics of mutual interest.

    HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani attended the meeting.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister of State for International Cooperation Meets British Officials

    Source: Government of Qatar

    London, June 26, 2025

    HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Thursday with HE CEO of the World Humanitarian Forum Feraye Ozfescioglu, HE Lord of Wimbledon, former Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia and United Nations at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Tariq Ahmad, and member of the Advisory Board of the World Humanitarian Forum Richard Hawkes, on the sidelines of the World Humanitarian Forum, held in London, UK.

    During the meeting, cooperation relations were discussed, as well as ways to support and enhance them, in addition to several topics of mutual interest.

    HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani attended the meeting.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by President Meloni on International Day against Drug Abuse

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    Drugs destroy people’s lives, enslaving them and making them powerless. Addiction doesn’t have the last word, and those who have fallen into it can find hope again. We do not intend to give in to indifference, and will do everything necessary to give dignity and a future back to those who have fallen into the abyss of drug abuse.

    These are some of the key messages we intend to reiterate today, on the International Day against Drug Abuse established by the United Nations.

    This Government has undertaken extraordinary efforts to combat drugs and prevent addiction, accompanying this work with a record financial investment of approximately EUR 165 million, around double what was available in previous years.

    We still have a lot of work to do in order to overcome this challenge but, as Pope Leo XIV highlighted during today’s audience with Italy’s anti-addiction system, the key word is “together”.

    Together with communities, third sector entities, scientific organisations, doctors, healthcare professionals, public addiction services, regional and local authorities. Together with all those who pursue the common good, and care about the dignity of each and every person. This has been the spirit behind the Government’s work ever since it took office, and it will continue to drive its efforts. 

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: At SPbGASU, schoolchildren were presented with certificates of their first profession

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Congratulations to the graduate

    On June 24, a ceremony was held in the meeting room of the Academic Council of SPbGASU to present certificates, certificates of obtaining the first profession and certificates of completion of training at SPbGASU to ninth-grade graduates of School No. 334 in the Nevsky District of St. Petersburg.

    The dean of the automobile and road engineering faculty of SPbGASU Andrey Zazykin addressed the graduates with welcoming words, conveying congratulations from the rector Evgeny Rybnov and noting that the students have many professional achievements and personal victories ahead of them, and the experience they have gained will help them make the right choice of their future profession.

    Advisor to the General Director of St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise “Passazhiravtotrans” Sergey Maevsky invited the guys to join his enterprise in the future – the largest passenger transport operator in the North-West region.

    Principal of School No. 334 Natalia Nagaichenko addressed the graduates with a farewell speech: “Remember the names of those who made our country famous with their discoveries and inventions, whose works became the foundation for the development of science and technology. They left us a rich heritage, which we can rightfully be proud of! But pride in the past is only a starting point. True strength is in the desire to surpass what has been achieved, in the desire to make a contribution to the future. Believe in yourself, in your potential, in the power of Russian science and engineering! Go forward, to new heights, for the benefit of the city and the country!”

    In autumn 2023, SPbGASU, in cooperation with the Center for Advanced Professional Training, SPb GBPOU “Academy of Transport Technologies” and key partners – Renga Softvea LLC, St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise “Passazhiravtotrans” and EVROAVTO LLC, began implementing the Engineering Classes project.

    On the basis of the 334th school, a TIM class and the first motor transport class in the Northern capital were created. The main goal of the engineering classes is early career guidance and training of engineering personnel, as well as building a chain of sustainable interaction “school – college – university – employer”.

    Over the course of two years, schoolchildren mastered additional general development programs and a vocational training program, for which they successfully passed the final certification.

    In a ceremonial atmosphere, Anna Samodelkina, Senior Methodologist of the Center for Advanced Professional Training of St. Petersburg, Natalia Khlebova, Head of the Career Guidance and Employment Department of the Academy of Transport Technologies, Igor Chernyaev, Head of the Department of Technical Operation of Vehicles of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Roman Litvin, Associate Professor of the Department of Ground Transport and Technological Machines of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and Ekaterina Kopylova, Deputy Director of the Institute of Continuing Education of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, presented graduates with certificates of completion of training in additional general development programs of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering and certificates of the first profession of “Automobile Repair Mechanic”, “Draftsman-Designer” and “Inspector of Purchased Components”.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU took part in the Engineering Assembly of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    Employees of the Department of Technosphere Safety and the Smart Labor testing ground of SPbGASU took part in the forum and exhibition “Engineering Assembly of Russia 2025”. The event took place in St. Petersburg on June 25-26 and was dedicated to the development of domestic industry.

    At the forum, specialists from our university presented a virtual reality training program, “Zero Cycle. Concrete Works,” developed within the framework of the innovative educational project of SPbGASU “Modern Educational Technologies for Ensuring Occupational Safety in the Construction Industry.” In addition, innovative personal protective equipment, industrial exoskeletons for construction work, were presented at the SPbGASU stand, the capabilities and efficiency of which are being studied by specialists from the Department of Technosphere Safety.

    Dean of the Faculty of Construction, Head of the Department of Technosphere Safety Andrey Nikulin presented a report on “Using information modeling technologies (TIM) to ensure safe work during the construction cycle.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Michelin Guide scrutiny could boost Philly tourism, but will it stifle chefs’ freedom to experiment and innovate?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jonathan Deutsch, Professor of Food and Hospitality Management, Drexel University

    Chef Phila Lorn prepares a bowl of noodle soup at Mawn restaurant in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

    The Philadelphia restaurant scene is abuzz with the news that the famed Michelin Guide is coming to town.

    As a research chef and educator at Drexel University in Philadelphia, I am following the Michelin developments closely.

    Having eaten in Michelin restaurants in other cities, I am confident that Philly has at least a few star-worthy restaurants. Our innovative dining scene was named one of the top 10 in the U.S. by Food & Wine in 2025.

    Researchers have convincingly shown that Michelin ratings can boost tourism, so Philly gaining some starred restaurants could bring more revenue for the city.

    But as the lead author of the textbook “Culinary Improvisation,” which teaches creativity, I also worry the Michelin scrutiny could make chefs more focused on delivering a consistent experience than continuing along the innovative trajectory that attracts Michelin in the first place.

    Ingredients for culinary innovation

    In “Culinary Improvisation” we discuss three elements needed to foster innovation in the kitchen.

    The first is mastery of culinary technique, both classical and modern. Simply stated, this refers to good cooking.

    The second is access to a diverse range of ingredients and flavors. The more colors the artist has on their palette, the more directions the creation can take.

    And the third, which is key to my concerns, is a collaborative and supportive environment where chefs can take risks and make mistakes. Research shows a close link between risk-taking workplaces and innovation.

    According to the Michelin Guide, stars are awarded to outstanding restaurants based on: “quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques and flavors, the personality of the chef as expressed in the cuisine, value for money, and consistency of the dining experience both across the menu and over time.”

    The criteria do not mention innovation.

    It’s possible the high-stakes lure of a Michelin star, which awards consistent excellence, could lead Philly’s most vibrant and creative chefs and restaurateurs to pull back on the risks that led to the city’s culinary excellence in the first place.

    Local food writers believe Vernick Fish is a top contender for a Michelin star.
    Photo courtesy of Vernick Fish

    The obvious contenders

    Philadelphia’s preeminent restaurant critic Craig LaBan and journalist and former restaurateur Kiki Aranita discussed local contenders for Michelin stars in a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

    The 19 restaurants LaBan and Aranita discuss as possible star contenders average just over a one-mile walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

    Together they have received 78 James Beard nominations or awards, which are considered the “Oscars” of the food industry. That’s an average of over four per restaurant.

    And when I tried to book a table for two on a Wednesday and Saturday before 9 p.m., about half were already fully booked for dinner two weeks out, in July, which is the slow season for dining in Philadelphia.

    If LaBan’s and Aranita’s predictions are right, Michelin will be an added recognition for restaurants that are already successful and centrally located.

    Black Dragon Takeout fuses Black American cuisine with the aesthetics of classic Chinese American takeout.
    Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-SA

    Off the beaten path

    When the Michelin Guide started in France at the turn of the 19th century, it encouraged diners to take the road less traveled to their next gastronomic experience.

    It has since evolved into recommendations for a road well traveled: safe, lauded and already hard-to-get-into restaurants. In Philly these could be restaurants such as Vetri Cucina, Zahav, Vernick Fish, Provenance, Royal Sushi and Izakaya, Ogawa and Friday Saturday Sunday, to name a few on LaBan and Aranita’s list.

    And yet Philadelphia has over 6,000 restaurants spread across 135 square miles of the city. Philadelphia is known as a city of neighborhoods, and these neighborhoods are rich with food diversity and innovation.

    Consider Jacob Trinh’s Vietnamese-tinged seafood tasting menu at Little Fish in Queen Village; Kurt Evans’ gumbo lo mein at Black Dragon Takeout in West Philly; the beef cheek confit with avocado mousse at Temir Satybaldiev’s Ginger in the Northeast; and the West African XO sauce at Honeysuckle, owned by Omar Tate and Cybille St.Aude-Tate, on North Broad Street.

    I hope the Michelin inspectors will venture far beyond the obvious candidates to experience more of what Philadelphia has to offer.

    The Michelin Guide announced it will include Philadelphia and Boston in its next Northeast Cities edition.
    Matthieu Delaty/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

    Raising the bar

    In the frenzy surrounding the Michelin scrutiny, chef friends have invited me to dine at their restaurants and share my feedback as they refine their menus in anticipation of visits from anonymous Michelin inspectors.

    Restaurateurs have been asking my colleagues and me for talent suggestions to replace well-liked and capable cooks, servers and managers whom owners perceive to be just not Michelin-star level.

    And managers are texting us names of suspected reviewers, triggered by some tell-tale signs – a solo diner with a weeknight tasting menu reservation, no dietary restrictions or special requests, and a conspicuously light internet presence.

    In all, I am excited about Philadelphians being excited about Michelin. Any opportunity to spotlight the city’s restaurant community and tighten its food and service quality raises the bar among local chefs and restaurateurs and makes the experience better for diners. And the prospect of business travelers and culinary tourists enjoying lunches and early-week dinners can help restaurants, their workers and the city earn more revenue.

    But in the din of the press events and hype, let’s not forget that Philadelphians don’t need an outside arbiter to tell us what we already know: Philly is a great place to eat and drink.

    _Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

    Jonathan Deutsch 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. Michelin Guide scrutiny could boost Philly tourism, but will it stifle chefs’ freedom to experiment and innovate? – https://theconversation.com/michelin-guide-scrutiny-could-boost-philly-tourism-but-will-it-stifle-chefs-freedom-to-experiment-and-innovate-256752

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • 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 –

  • 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 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 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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)
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  • 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)
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  • 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)
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  • 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)
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