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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Montenegrin Police Directorate and Police Academy exchange good practices on strengthening responses to violence against women and girls with their counterparts in Spain

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Montenegrin Police Directorate and Police Academy exchange good practices on strengthening responses to violence against women and girls with their counterparts in Spain

    Montenegrin Police Directorate and Police Academy exchange good practices on strengthening responses to violence against women and girls with their counterparts in Spain | OSCE
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    Home Newsroom News and press releases Montenegrin Police Directorate and Police Academy exchange good practices on strengthening responses to violence against women and girls with their counterparts in Spain

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Great British Energy legislation passes through Parliament

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Great British Energy legislation passes through Parliament

    Landmark bill passes in Parliament as Great British Energy takes another major step forward.

    • Landmark Great British Energy Bill passes in Parliament
    • Publicly-owned energy company to benefit working people by accelerating clean power, bringing energy security and jobs as part of the Plan for Change
    • £4 million renewable scheme opens to give Scottish communities a stake in energy

    Working people will benefit from cleaner, homegrown power, as Great British Energy takes another major step forward today. Legislation for Britain’s new publicly-owned energy company has passed through Parliament and Great British Energy is set to deliver for working people.

    Great British Energy will invest in clean power projects across the UK as part of the government’s Plan for Change to become a clean energy superpower – helping to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and protect families’ finances.

    Backed by £8.3 billion over the course of this parliament, the company will speed up the delivery of strategic energy projects and invest alongside the private sector to get new technologies like floating offshore wind up and running as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

    The Energy Secretary is today visiting a hospital in Hull where solar power is saving the hospital hundreds of thousands of pounds each month, allowing money to be reinvested in frontline services. 

    That’s why Great British Energy is investing £200 million in funding for new rooftop solar power and renewable energy schemes for schools, hospitals and communities – saving hundreds of millions on their energy bills. In April NHS Humber Health Partnership was awarded nearly £8.5 million from this fund, which will deliver up to £14.2 million in lifetime bills savings.

    As part of this, yesterday Scotland’s community energy fund opened for applications, backed by £4 million from Great British Energy for local clean energy projects – from community-led onshore wind, to solar on rooftops and hydropower in rivers – generating profits which could be reinvested into community projects or take money off people’s bills.

    Meanwhile people in Wales will benefit from nearly £3 million of Great British Energy funding for local renewable projects.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    “Great British Energy comes from a simple idea: British people should own and benefit from our own natural resources.

    “We are giving people a stake in clean energy and delivering profits for the British people.

    “As part of our Plan for Change, this will make us a clean energy superpower and help bring down energy bills for good.”

    Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said:

    “Great British Energy was created to ensure British people reap the benefits of clean, secure, homegrown energy.

    “We now have full backing to scale up the company, crowd in investment, and back clean energy projects across the country.”

    Today Great British Energy will host a roundtable in Edinburgh alongside the Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, focussed on the supply chain opportunities in Scotland. It follows Great British Energy’s initial £300 million funding for offshore wind supply chains. This will support Britain’s engineers, technicians, and welders and invest in offshore wind manufacturing components such as floating offshore platforms and cables in the UK’s industrial heartlands.

    As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in the UK’s key sectors including clean energy, this investment is part of the Prime Minister’s drive to ensure that the clean energy future is ‘built in Britain’.

    The Energy Secretary will soon outline Great British Energy’s strategic priorities – including which technologies the government expects the company to focus on and how it should consider the public benefits from investment decisions.

    The Great British Energy Bill received legislative consent from all three devolved governments, the first Bill to under this parliament. This will allow Great British Energy to operate more effectively in every devolved nation and benefit people across the UK.

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    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NASA to Launch Saudi CubeSat into Orbit as Part of Artemis 2 Test Flight

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    LOS ANGELES, May 14 (Xinhua) — NASA and the Saudi Arabian Space Agency have signed an agreement to launch a Saudi Arabian CubeSat as part of an upcoming test flight of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission, the U.S. space agency said Tuesday.

    The agreement was signed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

    The CubeSat, developed by the Saudi Space Agency, will measure space weather parameters at different distances from Earth. It will be launched into high Earth orbit after the Orion spacecraft carrying four astronauts separates from the SLS /Space Launch System/ rocket, NASA explained.

    A CubeSat is a shoebox-sized satellite designed to demonstrate technology or conduct scientific research to obtain data that will help better understand the space environment.

    According to NASA, the CubeSats will collect data on cosmic radiation, solar X-rays, solar energetic particles and magnetic fields.

    The Artemis 2 mission’s test flight is scheduled for April 2026. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In Russia, the volume of online trade in the first quarter grew by 36 percent.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, May 15 /Xinhua/ — The volume of online trade in Russia reached 2.6 trillion rubles in the first quarter of 2025, which is 36 percent more than in the same period last year, RIA Novosti reported on Friday, citing the Association of Internet Trade Companies (AKIT).

    According to AKIT, the share of online trade in the total volume of retail trade was 18.3%. Of the total amount of online sales, 97% were purchases in Russian online stores and marketplaces.

    During the specified period, food products were in first place in terms of sales volume in online trade. Russians spent almost 530 billion rubles on them, which is 71 percent more than the same indicator in 2024. The top 5 in terms of the amount of online purchases are also home goods and furniture, clothing and footwear, electronics and household appliances, auto parts and auto accessories.

    Among the regions, the leaders in terms of online trade volumes are Moscow, the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar Krai and Sverdlovsk region. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Deputy Secretary General to visit Estonia

    Source: NATO

    On Friday, 16 May 2025, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms Radmila Shekerinska, will visit Tallinn, Estonia.

    Ms Shekerinska will participate in the Lennart Meri Conference, ​visit the NATO DIANA Regional Hub and​​ the military exercise “Hedgehog” (“Siil”)​.

    The Deputy Secretary General will also meet the President, Mr Alar Karis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Margus Tsahkna, and the Minister of Defence, Mr Hanno Pevkur.

    There will be no media opportunity.

    For more information:

    For general queries: contact the NATO Press Office

    Follow us on X: @NATO, @DepSecGenNATO and @NATOPress

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EBA updates list of other systemically important institutions

    Source: European Banking Authority

    The European Banking Authority (EBA) today updated the list of other systemically important institutions (O-SIIs) in the EU, which, together with global systemically important institutions (G-SIIs), are identified as systemically important by the relevant authorities according to harmonised criteria laid down in the EBA Guidelines. This list is based on year-end-2024 data and includes the overall score calculated according to the EBA Guidelines and the capital buffer rate that the relevant authorities have set for the identified O-SIIs. The list is available also through a user-friendly visualisation tool.

    The EBA Guidelines define the size, importance, complexity and interconnectedness as the criteria to identify O-SIIs. They also provide flexibility to relevant authorities to apply their supervisory judgment when deciding to include other institutions, which might have not been automatically identified as O-SIIs. This approach ensures a comparable assessment of all financial institutions across the EU, whilst still not excluding those firms that may be deemed systemically important for one jurisdiction on the basis of certain specificities.

    The list published today aims to increase transparency in the EU by providing an overview of OSIIs, including some key facts about the banks identified. 175 banks were identified as systemically important in 2024 (at the highest level of consolidation in each country) with buffer rates ranging from 0.25% to 3%, as shown in the chart below. Relevant authorities disclose further details on the underlying rationale and identification process for their respective jurisdictions. This additional information may be relevant to understand the specific features of each O-SII and to get some insight in terms of supervisory judgment, optional indicators used, buffer decisions and phase-in implementation dates. As underscored in the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD), the assessment of systemic importance necessary to identify O-SIIs remains under the remit of the national competent or designated authorities.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: BRICS countries agree to promote cooperation in transport and sustainable mobility

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BRASILIA, May 15 (Xinhua) — BRICS countries signed a joint declaration on Wednesday pledging to deepen cooperation in transport infrastructure, sustainable mobility and logistics.

    The agreement was reached at a meeting of the BRICS transport working group in Brasilia.

    The declaration includes commitments on decarbonisation, sustainable fuels and integration of different transport modes, while rejecting unilateral restrictions that could impede access to essential technologies.

    A key proposal is the establishment of a BRICS Institute for Sustainable Transport, Mobility and Logistics to promote best practices and design climate-resilient infrastructure.

    Brazil holds the BRICS presidency until December 2025. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since the beginning of 2025, the volume of cargo transportation through the Khorgos railway checkpoint has exceeded 5 million tons

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    URUMQI, May 15 (Xinhua) — The cargo turnover through the Horgos railway checkpoint on the China-Kazakhstan border in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has exceeded 5 million tons since the beginning of 2025, up 21.1 percent year on year as of May 14, according to data from the Horgos Customs Office.

    During the reporting period, the number of freight trains running on the China-Europe/China-Central Asia international railway freight transportation routes via the Khorgos railway checkpoint continued to increase. A wider range of Chinese-made goods, including daily necessities, electromechanical equipment, electronic products, agricultural products and by-products, are shipped from Xinjiang railway border crossings to Central Asian and European markets.

    At present, a total of over 45,000 China-Europe/China-Central Asia freight trains have passed through the Khorgos railway checkpoint, with the total number of such routes reaching 87, covering 46 cities and regions in 18 countries. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Arts carnival tickets to go on sale

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The annual summer arts festival International Arts Carnival will be held from July to August and tickets will go on sale from tomorrow.

     

    This year, overseas artists will come from the Netherlands, Korea, Norway and the US. Together with their Mainland and local counterparts, they will present a wide variety of performing arts programmes covering martial arts, acrobatics, dance, music, theatre, multimedia and more.

     

    The opening programme will be the martial arts theatre performance Soul of Shaolin featuring elite performers of the Henan Provincial Shaolin Wushu Center from July 11 to 13.

     

    To celebrate the upcoming 15th National Games, the carnival will present Sounds of Sports on August 2 and 3, in which local musicians and athletes will combine karate, rugby, wushu and table tennis with jazz drums, shakuhachi, erhu, cello and piano.

     

    Films from around the world for families will also be screened under the Summer Family Cine Fest.

     

    Tickets will be available at URBTIX.

     

    The carnival also offers a wide range of parent-child workshops, an online programme, an outreach performance and an exhibition.

     

    For enquiries, call 2370 1044.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Craig Collingswood becomes city’s 166th Mayor

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Councillor Craig Collingswood has been officially appointed Wolverhampton’s 166th Mayor.

    He took over the chains of office from outgoing Mayor Councillor Linda Leach at the inauguration, which took place during last night’s Annual Council Meeting. His daughter Abby, a cardiothoracic nurse at New Cross Hospital’s Heart and Lung Centre, is Mayoress.

    Councillor Paul Singh was appointed Deputy Mayor for 2025 to 2026, with his wife Ranjit Dhillon becoming the new Deputy Mayoress.

    Councillor Collingswood, who has served the Park Ward since 2012 and was Deputy Mayor for the 2024 to 2025 municipal year, said: “I am immensely proud and deeply grateful to become the First Citizen of our great city.

    “As a born and bred Wulfrunian, it is an incredible honour and I pledge to dedicate my time, energy and commitment to serving this amazing place to the best of my ability.

    “Wolverhampton has a rich and proud history. It has witnessed remarkable changes and transformations and has long been a place where innovation and industry have thrived – and today it continues to be a city which embraces diversity, progress and opportunity.

    “Our city’s motto, out of darkness cometh light, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. It reminds us that, even in the face of adversity, we have the power to advance, innovate and shine brightly, and this resonates today more than ever as we continue to work together to bring light to every corner of our city.

    “My theme for the year is ‘City and Wulfrunians ascend together’. This symbolises the collective ambition towards growth and progress. It represents the city’s regeneration, whether through urban development or cultural revival, and highlights the resilience and aspiration of our residents.

    “This ascension points towards collaboration, a shared sense of pride, community and empowerment as Wulfrunians rise together to shape the city’s destiny on a local, national and even global stage.”

    He added: “Abby will be a wonderful Mayoress and, together, we promise to act with integrity and put the interests of our city and Wulfrunians first and foremost. Let us work together to make Wolverhampton an even better place for future generations, guided by the light that our motto so brilliantly embodies.”

    Councillor Collingswood has chosen 4 charities to support during his Mayoral year. These include:

    • SAFFA, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, a military charity which provides lifelong support to veterans, serving personnel and their families
    • The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity, which is committed to supporting the Trust’s work by raising essential funds to improve patient care and healthcare services across the city
    • Compton Care, which provides specialist palliative care to adults with life limiting illnesses
    • Acorns Children’s Hospice, which provides specialist care for children and young people with life threatening conditions, along with support for their families

    This year’s inauguration was sponsored by 2 local firms, Burke Brothers and Gills Mix Concrete, and Councillor Collingswood added: “I would like to thank Burke Brothers and Gills Mix Concrete for their generosity.”

    Councillor Collingswood, who attended Manor Primary and Parkfields Secondary schools, worked in occupational health in local government for many years before becoming a lecturer. His father was a Bilston councillor for 17 years and, following in his footsteps, Councillor Collingswood has served as the council’s Cabinet Member for Resident Services and the Environment and as chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.

    Councillor Collingswood is also Chair of the Wolverhampton Armed Forces Covenant Board – his son, Jack, is a Trooper serving with the British Army in The Queen’s Royal Hussars regiment and is currently in Germany.

    For more information please visit The Mayor of Wolverhampton. The website includes details of how to invite the Mayor to events.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Find out about courses for adult learners with additional needs

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Its SEND Open Event takes place next Thursday 22 May from 1.30pm to 6pm at The Maltings, Herbert Street, Wolverhampton.

    Visitors will be able to view the facilities and meet the tutors, support workers and current students, take part in activities and find out more about courses for people with disabilities.

    These include:

    • Life Skills English, Maths and Digital Skills; students learn essential everyday key skills for their personal lives and potential voluntary and paid employment.
    • Life Skills Cookery; students learn the basics of simple food preparation, food safety, the safe use of tools, and important skills helping students to move closer to living independently.
    • Everyday Life Skills; students focus on exploring the community, citizenship, independent travelling and much more about what it is to live in the UK today.
    • Keep Learning and Move On courses; students focus on taking the next steps towards independence and work ready skills.
    • Supported Internships and Supported Employment; a personalised model for supporting people with significant disabilities to secure and retain paid employment.

    Refreshments will be available from a student run ‘pop up’ café, while a craft fair will showcase the talents of students on the Supported Internship and Supported Employment programmes.

    Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “Our students speak very highly of the various programmes that Adult Education Wolverhampton offer to learners with additional needs, such as the very popular Life Skills programmes, which are helping them develop the skills they need to live as independent a life as possible.

    “The open event next week is a great opportunity to find out more about these courses, and about studying with Adult Education Wolverhampton, so please come along and find out more.”

    For more details, please email katherine.jones@aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 553870, 01902 558163 or 07436 904526.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping sends response letter to responsible person of Danish Chamber of Commerce in China /detailed version-1/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has responded to the person in charge of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China by calling on the chamber and its member enterprises to make new contributions to strengthening China-Denmark and China-EU friendship and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

    Xi Jinping praised the chamber’s official’s deep affection for China and the confidence of Danish enterprises operating in China in China’s future development.

    China has been, remains and will be an ideal, safe and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China means believing in a better future, and investing in China means investing in the future, Xi Jinping said in his response letter.

    Xi Jinping expressed the hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member enterprises will continue to play the role of a bridge between China and Denmark as well as between China and Europe, thereby contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.

    The person in charge of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China recently wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping on his own behalf and on behalf of the chamber, congratulating him on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark and expressing hope for further deepening cooperation with China. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Bologna beat AC Milan to win the Italian Cup

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

    AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez (R) vies with Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini during the final football match of Italian Cup between AC Milan and Bologna in Rome, Italy, May 14, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

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    MIL OSI China News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Piero Cipollone: Harnessing the digital future of payments: Europe’s path to sovereignty and innovation

    Source: European Central Bank

    Speech by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the France Payments Forum event “Digital euro and the future of payments in Europe”

    Paris, 15 May 2025

    Thank you for inviting me to discuss the future of payments and the digital euro.

    Most people associate the adoption of the euro with the launch of euro banknotes and coins. While the euro was introduced for accounting purposes in 1999, we tend to feel it only became our money three years later once we started paying in euro cash around Europe. Euro banknotes and coins made the currency the tangible symbol of a united Europe.

    A strong currency also comes in tandem with strong payment systems. We offer payment infrastructures that form the plumbing of the financial system. Though less visible than banknotes and coins, these infrastructures are key to our monetary and financial integration.

    Retail and wholesale payments are hence an integral part of our tasks at the central bank. We issue cash, supply reserves – the ultimate liquid asset – to banks and operate payment systems, thereby supporting our economy by enabling euro area transactions that are secure, risk-free and European. This is what preserves our economic stability and our monetary sovereignty.

    Building on this reliable base, private sector firms can then offer their own solutions, without their customers having to worry about the money they use. One euro is one euro, because private money can be converted to cash at all times and because financial transactions can be settled in central bank money – the only risk-free asset there is.

    So today, I want to focus on how we can make our currency future-proof and enhance the integration, competitiveness and resilience of European payments in the digital era.

    As people increasingly prefer to pay digitally and online commerce expands, the role of cash as a universal payment solution is declining. We thus risk being left without a European solution that allows us to pay throughout the euro area in all situations. To restore the central role of cash, we need to complement physical cash with its digital equivalent, a digital euro. Making central bank money available in digital form might seem like a small and obvious step, but it is in fact an essential one for overcoming the entrenched and longstanding fragmentation of our payment market. The digital euro will achieve this directly by modernising the supply of public money and indirectly through its infrastructure and acceptance network, which private payment service providers can leverage to expand and innovate on a European scale. Ultimately, a digital euro will enhance the competitiveness of European providers and their ability to offer all types of digital payments to European consumers.

    The situation is different for wholesale financial transactions as we already offer settlement in digital central bank money and do not face the same dependencies. However, market participants increasingly expect that tokenisation and distributed ledger technology (DLT) will transform financial transactions by enabling assets to be issued or represented as digital tokens. We are currently expanding our initiative to settle DLT-based transactions in central bank money. By making central bank money available, we avoid the risk of other settlement assets being used, such as US dollar stablecoins, which would reintroduce credit risk, fragmentation and a dependency on non-European solutions.

    We are progressing on the retail and wholesale fronts in parallel. In both cases, Europe needs its own, sovereign money for the digital era, so that it can harness the benefits of integration, innovation and independence. In the words of the late French economist Michel Aglietta, money is not just a technical device, it is an essential institution.[1]

    A digital euro for everyday payments

    Let me first discuss the rationale for the digital euro and the benefits it will bring.

    Currently, cash is the sole sovereign payment method across the euro area. It offers Europeans a convenient, secure and universally accepted way to pay and store value, ensuring financial inclusion. Cash also upholds the resilience of our payment systems and economies, acting as a reliable fallback during crises such as cyberattacks or power outages. This is why we remain strongly committed to cash.[2]

    However, digital payments have gained popularity, with online shopping accounting for more than a third of our retail transactions. This means that acceptance of and access to cash are no longer sufficient to cover a growing share of payment situations. In value terms, cash payments made up only 24% of day-to-day payments in the euro area last year.[3]

    Lacking a genuine European payment solution that works across the euro area, we are left critically dependent on foreign payment providers.[4] Currently, nearly two-thirds of euro area card-based transactions are processed by non-European companies while 13 euro area countries depend entirely on international card schemes or mobile solutions for in-store payments.[5] And even where national card schemes are available, they require co-badging with international card schemes to facilitate cross-border payments within the euro area or online shopping. Moreover, mobile apps and e-payment solutions are dominated by foreign solutions like PayPal, Apple Pay or Alipay. And they partner with international card schemes to further reinforce their position and expand their reach: PayPal has just announced that it will start enabling contactless payments in Germany, using Mastercard technology.[6] Looking ahead, our dependency could soon extend to foreign stablecoins, 99% of which are dollar-denominated in terms of total value.[7]

    As a result, European payments face three significant challenges.

    First, we need to ensure our strategic autonomy and monetary sovereignty. Our overreliance on foreign payment providers makes us dependent on the kindness of strangers at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. I trust that this risk is well understood in the country of De Gaulle. There is no true sovereignty without sovereign money.[8] As my dear colleague Banque de France governor François Villeroy de Galhau has remarked, this is as true in the 21st century as it was in the past.[9]

    Second, we should simply ask ourselves why there is no Europe-based international card scheme. I would say it’s because we suffer from a lack of competitiveness and innovation. European payment service providers focus on their home country and struggle to compete on a European level, let alone on a global one, limiting their ability to drive large-scale innovation. The cost of investing in a European-wide acceptance network has often discouraged European payment service providers from offering a European card payment solution.

    These failures come at a high price: the dominance of non-European providers stifles competition, leading to higher costs for merchants and consumers. And when transactions are conducted through international card schemes, European banks lose fees. When transactions are made on apps such as Apple Pay or PayPal, they lose fees and data. And if the use of US dollar stablecoins becomes more widespread, the banks could lose, fees, data and deposits.

    Third, user experience is still poor for Europeans, who juggle multiple payment solutions to meet various needs. Despite the euro’s 25-year legacy, we still lack a digital payment solution that can be used across all euro area countries.

    By introducing the digital euro, we aim to tackle these challenges head-on.

    Importantly, the digital euro would make payments more convenient. It would provide a digital payment method that complements cash, extending its benefits into the digital realm. For instance, it would have legal tender status, meaning that it would be accepted wherever one can pay digitally. And it would also be available offline, offering users similar privacy to paying with cash and allowing them to pay even in the absence of a network connection. A digital euro would give European consumers a simple and safe digital payment option, free for basic use, that covers all their payment needs everywhere in the euro area.

    In fact, one simple reason for introducing the digital euro is that people want it. Even at this early stage, surveys show that close to half of respondents would be likely to use the digital euro – a number that has significantly increased over time.[10] This trend is confirmed by several surveys[11] conducted by national central banks which suggest that many Europeans are open to the idea of using a digital euro.

    Launching the digital euro would also ensure that the euro area retains control over its financial future. By offering a secure and universally accepted digital payment option which would be suitable for all use cases – and, crucially, under European governance – it would reduce our dependence on foreign providers. This would protect European merchants from excessive charges, strengthening their bargaining power with those providers and offering an attractive alternative.[12] At the same time, European banks would be able to retain their customer relationship and be remunerated for their role in distributing the digital euro. And the digital euro would limit the likelihood of foreign currency stablecoins becoming widely used for retail payments within the euro area.

    Moreover, the digital euro would be based on a core public-private partnership that would leverage synergies, enabling private initiatives to scale up across the euro area. For instance, domestic card payment solutions could co-badge with the digital euro to cover transactions currently beyond their reach. At the same time, banks’ wallets and internet banking solutions could integrate the digital euro as an alternative way to pay that is accepted throughout the euro area and supports both contactless and QR-based payments.[13] The open digital euro standards – which can be finalised as soon as the regulation on the digital euro is adopted and can start being used even before the digital euro is issued – would facilitate cost-effective standardisation, allowing private providers to launch new products and functionalities on a European scale. This would unlock innovation and create new business opportunities. In fact, research shows that stock prices of European payment firms increase in response to positive announcements on the digital euro, whereas those of US payment firms decrease.[14]

    Last October we issued a call for expressions of interest in innovation partnerships for the digital euro. Some 70 merchants, fintech companies, start-ups, banks and other payment service providers – including four from France[15] – have now joined us in exploring the potential of the digital euro to drive innovation.[16] Our innovation platform simulates the envisaged digital euro ecosystem, in which the ECB provides the technical support and infrastructure for European intermediaries to develop digital payment features and services at European level. One of the areas we are exploring is broadening the set of possible conditional payments, such as making payments dependent on successful delivery of goods or services.

    In July we will release a report on these innovation partnerships. It will include the technical information shared with the participants, enabling the entire market to replicate these activities, thereby further supporting innovation by the private sector. Additionally, based on the positive feedback from the pioneers, we will extend the exercise until the end of June, which will allow us to test new functionalities of conditional payments, incorporating fresh ideas and suggestions from our private sector counterparts.

    The digital euro’s success in reclaiming our autonomy in the retail payment space and boosting innovation capacity hinges on collaboration. In recent years we have engaged extensively with market stakeholders, gathering input from consumers, merchants, banks and payment service providers. We have also started working with market participants on the digital euro rulebook – a single set of rules, standards and procedures for digital euro payments.[17]

    This inclusive approach helps us to address everyone’s needs and perspectives, crafting a robust payment solution and platform that will benefit all Europeans, support private sector innovation and preserve the future of our money – the euro.

    The role of central bank money in shaping a European market for digital assets

    Let me now turn to wholesale transactions, a domain where technology holds tremendous potential for transformation.

    Currently, we facilitate transactions between financial institutions through our TARGET Services: T2 processes over 90% of large payments, while T2S handles securities transactions.

    These services have significantly enhanced the efficiency and integration of post-trade platforms in Europe. And we plan to continue improving them: in 2023 we extended T2 operating times to 22.5 hours on weekdays and we are about to launch a consultation paper investigating stakeholder needs and their interest in a further extension of operating hours. In a month’s time we will also launch the European Collateral Management System, which will provide a single, harmonised framework for handling collateral in the 20 euro area countries.[18] And in October 2027 we will move to T+1, shortening the settlement cycle from two days to one. Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as DLT and tokenisation have the potential to bring about a step change in wholesale markets.

    These technologies are no incremental improvement: they represent a fundamentally new way of operating by allowing assets to be issued or represented in digital token form. This innovation would enable market participants to manage trading, settlement and custody on a single platform, available 24/7, 365 days a year. It would also synchronise trading and settlement. And it would enable new business models, as tokenised money can be used to automate conditional transactions. DLT and tokenisation could also reduce the cost and barriers to access capital markets, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises.

    In fact, the emergence of these new technologies is an opportunity to establish an integrated European capital market for digital assets from the outset – a digital capital markets union – which would contribute to better channelling our savings into productive uses and boosting Europe’s innovation potential.[19] It could help European capital markets to become a hub for DLT-based financial services.

    European banks are active in this space, with over 60% exploring or using DLT and 22% already implementing DLT applications. On the securities front, there is a growing number of high-profile issuances on DLT.

    The availability of central bank money for settling transactions using these new technologies is crucial for two reasons. First, without central bank money, other settlement assets like stablecoins or tokenised deposits may be used, reintroducing credit risks and fragmentation into the financial system. Second, the market views the ability to settle in central bank money as a key factor in adopting new technologies.

    Last year the Eurosystem conducted exploratory work with DLT for settling wholesale transactions in central bank money, using three different solutions to ensure interoperability between our infrastructures and market DLT platforms.[20] The results were highly promising, with 60 industry participants settling real transactions in central bank money or conducting experiments with mock transactions. A wide range of securities and payments use cases were covered, including the first issuance of an EU sovereign bond using DLT. A total of €1.6 billion was settled over a six-month period, exceeding values settled in comparable initiatives in other parts of the world.

    As the next step, we have already announced plans to provide a solution to settle DLT-based transactions in central bank money in the short term.[21] Looking further ahead, the Eurosystem will explore a more integrated, long-term solution. A critical risk is indeed that DLT application fragmentation and a lack of interoperability could hinder the development of liquid DLT-based markets in Europe, imposing high costs on investors and issuers connecting to multiple platforms. So we need to create a more harmonised and integrated ecosystem.

    One way to achieve this would be to move towards a shared ledger: a programmable platform bringing together token versions of central bank money, commercial bank money and other assets, on which market players can provide their services. Another option could be the coordinated development of an ecosystem of fully interoperable technical solutions, which might better serve specific use cases and enable the coexistence of both legacy and new solutions.

    This approach will help us enhance the efficiency of European financial markets through innovation, aligning with the Eurosystem’s goal of achieving a more harmonised and integrated European financial system.

    However, we cannot do this alone. As we enter this new exploration phase, collaboration with public and market stakeholders will be crucial.

    Conclusion

    Let me conclude.

    The journey toward a digital euro and the integration of new technologies in wholesale transactions represents a pivotal moment for Europe. By embracing these innovations, we can strengthen our monetary sovereignty, enhance our competitiveness and pave the way for a more integrated and resilient financial system.

    The digital euro will ensure that Europeans have access to a secure, reliable and universally accepted digital payment solution that complements cash while reducing our reliance on foreign providers. Meanwhile, leveraging central bank money in DLT-based transactions will foster a dynamic and unified digital asset market, driving innovation and unlocking new business opportunities across the continent.

    In this transformative era, collaboration is key. We must bring together all stakeholders – public and private, national and European – to craft solutions that reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of all Europeans. Together, we can harness these technological advancements to build a financial ecosystem that is not only more efficient and innovative but also more inclusive and secure.

    We have inherited a united Europe and a currency embodying this unity. Our legacy should be European sovereignty and a euro that is fit for the future. This is our collective responsibility, in the public and private sector alike.

    Thank you for your attention.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: The new leader of the Greens sits in the Senate. Why is that so unusual in Australian politics?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney

    The 2025 federal election resulted in some unexpected outcomes, including the loss by the Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, of his seat in the House of Representatives. The new Greens leader is Senator Larissa Waters.

    Does it matter that a party leader sits in the Senate, and why do the leaders of major parties almost always come from the lower House?

    The answer is that by convention, rather than an express constitutional requirement, the prime minister sits in the lower house of parliament. Parties with aspirations to form government therefore choose leaders from among their members in the lower house.

    Prime ministers in the House of Lords

    Historically, in the United Kingdom, prime ministers could sit in either house. In the 19th century, most prime ministers sat in the House of Lords, and two started in the House of Commons and ended their prime ministership in the Lords.

    But in the 20th century, the convention developed of the prime minister holding a seat in the House of Commons.

    This was for three reasons. First, as a matter of practicality, the House of Commons is where the main work of government occurs, and the prime minister’s involvement is needed.

    Second, according to convention, the monarch appoints as prime minister the person who commands the confidence of the lower house, which is hard to do from outside it.

    Third, the House of Lords is not elected, and therefore does not have a democratic mandate. It ceased to be acceptable in the United Kingdom for an unelected person to govern as prime minister.

    When the Conservative prime minister, Harold Macmillan, resigned suddenly for health reasons in 1963, Lord Home was appointed as Conservative Party leader and prime minister. He renounced his earldom and then ran successfully in a byelection for a seat in the House of Commons.

    A prime minister in the Senate?

    In Australia, the position is different because the Senate is elected by the people. A senator can therefore be regarded as having a democratic mandate, although he or she represents a state, rather than being elected by a particular electorate.

    Section 64 of the Commonwealth Constitution requires ministers to be either a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate, with a three month leeway period to become elected. But it does not require that the prime minister sit in the House of Representatives. It is instead a matter of custom, practicality and convention.

    When the prime minister, Harold Holt, went missing while swimming in the ocean in December 1967, the Liberal Party chose Senator John Gorton as its new leader.

    Gorton was appointed prime minister on January 10 1968, despite being a Senator, but resigned from the Senate on February 1 1968 and was elected to fill the vacancy in Holt’s lower House seat on February 24.

    Gorton was therefore prime minister while being a Senator for three weeks, and prime minister without a seat in parliament at all for just over three weeks. It was generally accepted that as prime minister, he should sit in the lower house.

    Premiers in state upper houses

    At the state level, premiers have sometimes sat in the upper house, at least for a short period.

    One notable example is that of Hal Colebatch in Western Australia. In 1919, Colebatch, who was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Council, was acting premier, while the premier, Henry Lefroy, was at a conference in Melbourne. There was an outbreak of Spanish flu in the eastern states. In scenes reminiscent of the COVID pandemic, Colebatch gained immense popularity by slamming shut the state border. His own premier was even prevented from returning home.

    Lefroy eventually resigned as premier, and Colebatch replaced him, despite sitting in the Legislative Council. But Colebatch did not last long in the job. He tried, but failed, to find a lower house seat to move to. In addition, his health was failing, as was his popularity after rioting during a wharf strike led to the death of a worker. So Colebatch resigned as premier, having spent his entire premiership as a member of the Legislative Council.

    In New South Wales, when the Labor premier, Neville Wran, surprised his colleagues by resigning in May 1986, the party elected Barrie Unsworth as its leader.

    Unsworth was a member of the Legislative Council. He was nonetheless appointed as premier. A Labor backbencher in the Legislative Assembly resigned to allow Unsworth to contest his safe Labor seat. Despite a large swing against him, Unsworth narrowly won the seat by 54 votes and continued as premier until 1988.

    Leaders of major and minor parties

    The main problem with a prime minister or premier sitting in the upper house is that the government is formed from the lower house, and the prime minister or Premier must be the person who holds its confidence. This is difficult when there is no direct accountability to the lower house, as it cannot question a prime minister or premier who sits in the other house.

    For this reason, parties that could potentially win government will ordinarily choose a leader from among their members in the lower House, and politicians with leadership ambition will often seek to transfer from the upper to the lower house to enhance their chances to lead.

    Due to the Senate’s proportional voting system, minor parties are more likely to have greater numbers in the Senate than the House of Representatives. It is therefore logical that their leadership should come from the Senate, especially when they are unlikely to have the numbers in the lower House to form a government. But for major parties, their leader is ordinarily chosen from among the members of the House of Representatives, in case government beckons.

    Anne Twomey has received funding from the ARC and sometimes does consultancy work for Parliaments, governments and inter-governmental bodies.

    – ref. The new leader of the Greens sits in the Senate. Why is that so unusual in Australian politics? – https://theconversation.com/the-new-leader-of-the-greens-sits-in-the-senate-why-is-that-so-unusual-in-australian-politics-256578

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/BAHRAIN – Meetings of the Women Program of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia on the “Theology of the Body” inspired by John Paul II

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 14 May 2025

    Avona

    Manama (Agenzia Fides) – “Theology of the Body (TOB): A Transformative Journey of Hope, Healing & Human Dignity” represents a further step forward made by the Women Program (WP) of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (AVONA) which offered a series of meetings in the parishes of Manama and Awali, aimed to deepen the understanding of human dignity, femininity and the sacredness of the body, addressing topics often overlooked in traditional settings.The initiative, held under the patronage of the Apostolic Vicar of Avona, Msgr. Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., offered a profound reflection on the human person in God’s plan for love and life.Drawing heavily from the profound teachings of Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Adeline Khouri’s sessions were designed to be both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant. Her approach fostered an environment where participants felt comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to sexuality, relationships, and personal identity within a faith-based framework. The core messageemphasized how the human body, far from being merely a biological entity, serves as a “roadmap to God,” revealing divine truths about love, communion, and our ultimate purpose.One of the most significant moments of the initiative, which involved the entire Catholic community in Bahrain, was the launch of the Training of Trainers Initiative, a significant step for the future of TOB formation in the region. This gathering, held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, marked the beginning of a long-term “Training of Trainers” program that aims to equip and empower local leaders to continue disseminating TOB teachings within their ministries. A session was dedicated to the Arabic-speaking community, in Arabic. “By offering TOB teachings in the native language of a significant portion of the community, the mission successfully broke barriers of language and culture, ensuring that the message of human dignity and God’s plan for love,” reads the note released by Avona.Another event of great impact was the women’s conference on the Theology of the Body and the spiritual insights found in the Song of Songs.Beyond the scheduled sessions, Adeline Khouri engaged in crucial discussions with clergy and pastoral leaders. These meetings focused on practical ways to integrate Theology of the Body into existing church programs, specifically mentioning marriage preparation courses and school curricula. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EUROPE/UKRAINE – Father Luca Bovio, IMC, at the head of the newly established national direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 14 May 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), appointed Father Luca Bovio, IMC, as director of the national direction of the newly established Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Ukraine on March 25, 2025, for the five-year period 2025-2030.Born in Milan on October 19, 1970, Father Bovio experienced missionary volunteering as a lay person in Tanzania before joining the Consolata Missionaries in 1996. He completed his philosophical studies at the Interdiocesan Theological Study of Fossano, affiliated with the Faculty of Theology of Northern Italy (1998-2000), and his theological studies at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome (2001-2004). He was ordained a priest in Milan in 2006. He obtained a degree in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University (2005-2007). In 2008, together with two confreres, he founded the first community of Consolata Missionaries in Poland.Since 2012, he has served as National Secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union within the Polish PMS, playing a key role in organizing missionary congresses and in the formation of local clergy. He has been responsible for the Kielpino community since 2013 and has also been the Province’s Delegate to the Conference of Major Superiors of Poland.In 2019, he obtained his doctorate in Missiology at the University named after Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński in Warsaw. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Father Bovio has visited the country many times, providing humanitarian support to several dioceses and strengthening his ties with the local Church. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Li Hongzhong Visits Austria

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    VIENNA, May 15 (Xinhua) — A Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC Standing Committee), visited Austria from May 11 to 14.

    In Vienna, he attended a welcoming ceremony for the new pair of giant pandas along with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker. Li Hongzhong also held separate talks with the President of the Austrian National Council (lower house of parliament) Walter Rosenkranz, Second President Peter Haubner and Third President Doris Bures.

    The China-Austria friendly strategic partnership continues to develop smoothly under the leadership of the two heads of state, the vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee said. The new round of international cooperation on the protection and research of giant pandas reflects the results of exchanges between the two countries, he added.

    Adhering to the principles of mutual respect and equal treatment, China and Austria should take into account each other’s core interests and concerns, unleash the potential of cooperation and promote mutual benefit and win-win results, Li Hongzhong said.

    According to him, the NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Austrian National Council at all levels and in all fields to promote the development of relations between the two countries.

    The Austrian side said that Vienna values friendly relations with Beijing, will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, and continuously promote practical Austrian-Chinese cooperation and exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: JLT Mobile Computers launches JLT6015, an industry-first rugged vehicle-mount computer with a 15” full HD widescreen

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Image description: JLT6015 
    Image available: pr@jltmobile.com

    Setting a new benchmark, JLT6015 is the first rugged vehicle-mount computer to feature a 15-inch full high-definition widescreen display that delivers exceptional clarity and visual detail. Built for increased durability and productivity in the toughest environments, its compact and rugged design is ideal for mining, agriculture, sawmills, and container terminals.

    Växjö, Sweden, 15thMay 2025 * * * JLT Mobile Computers, a leading developer and supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, introduces the JLT6015 vehicle-mount computer, as the first of its kind to combine a superior full high-definition display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio in a compact, rugged form factor. Designed for reliable performance in harsh and space-constrained environments, it gives operators the visibility and performance needed to stay productive in the field.

    Builds on a pioneer: JLT6012

    Built on the innovation of the JLT6012 computer, JLT6015 represents the next evolution and complements JLT’s portfolio. The JLT6012 computer was the first in a new generation of rugged vehicle-mount computers with an innovative platform concept, collaborating with developers and customers to address customer requirements. JLT6015 continues that legacy with enhanced programmability, embedded microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), including a gyro and accelerometer, and the ability to support custom solutions that improve workflow efficiency, uptime, safety, and more.

    Enables performance, security, and connectivity

    Equipped with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC operating system and certified for carrier-grade 5G in Europe and Wi-Fi 6E for enhanced security and connectivity, the JLT6015 computer delivers high-performance computing power with the reliability needed in harsh environments. The operating system’s split-screen capability allows simultaneous monitoring of systems such as equipment diagnostics, navigation, and multiple data and video streams, optimizing uptime and operations.

    Rugged and durable in any condition

    Engineered as a one-piece, dock-free solution, the JLT6015 is shock—and vibration-proof, weather-resistant, and sunlight-readable (up to 1000 NIT). With the user-friendly and virtually unbreakable capacitive JLT PowerTouch technology, the JLT6015 is operable while wearing gloves. The multi-touch display functionality with two-finger zoom, pinch, swipe, etc., makes the operator’s workday smoother and efficient. Its compact design is optimized to fit into tight vehicle cabins without compromising functionality.

    “We have listened carefully to our customers’ needs and responded by enhancing our JLT6012 computer,” says Per Holmberg, CEO of JLT Mobile Computers. “With the launch of the JLT6015, we are strengthening our position as a leader in rugged computing solutions, harnessing the full potential of the latest software applications and opening new opportunities to boost productivity – particularly in the mining, agriculture, and sawmill industries.”

    Key highlights of JLT6015

    • Brilliant 15” Full HD Display: High-resolution widescreen supports simultaneous video, data, and text with exceptional clarity.
    • Compact, Ruggedized Design: Fits tight spaces and thrives in extreme conditions, with a glove-friendly touchscreen and 1000 NIT brightness.
    • Dock-Free Simplicity: One-piece construction avoids downtime from docking station failures—reliable, efficient, and always ready.
    • Future-Ready Platform: Equipped with Trusted Platform Module security, programmable I/O, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Windows 11 IoT for long-term flexibility and performance.
    • Real time operational data: Embedded sensors delivering critical operational data regarding vehicles, IT-devices, and network/access points

    For more information and technical specifications visit JLT6015 on our website. 

    To learn more about JLT Mobile Computers and the company’s products, services, and solutions, visit jltmobile.com. Financial information is available on JLT’s investor page.

    About JLT Mobile Computers

    JLT Mobile Computers is a leading developer and supplier of rugged mobile computing devices and solutions for demanding environments. 30 years of development and manufacturing experience have enabled JLT to set the standard in rugged computing, combining outstanding product quality with expert service, support and solutions to ensure trouble-free business operations for customers in warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, mining, ports and agriculture. JLT operates globally from offices in Sweden, France, and the US, complemented by an extensive network of sales partners in local markets. The company was founded in 1994, and the share has been listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market stock exchange since 2002 under the symbol JLT. Eminova Fondkommission AB acts as Certified Adviser. Learn more at jltmobile.com.

    The MIL Network –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump signed plenty of contracts in the Middle East, but he’s no closer to the two ‘deals’ he really wants

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor, Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Deputy Director (International), Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University

    US President Donald Trump’s visit to Arab states in the Middle East this week generated plenty of multibillion-dollar deals. He said more than US$1 trillion (A$1.5 trillion) worth of deals had been signed with Saudi Arabia alone, though the real total is likely much lower than that.

    Qatar also placed an order for 210 Boeing aircraft, a deal worth a reported US$96 billion (A$149 billion). Trump will no doubt present these transactions as a major success for US industry.

    The trip also helped counter concerns about US disengagement from the Middle East. For more than a decade, local elites have viewed Washington’s attention as shifting away from the region.

    This trip was a reaffirmation of the importance of the Middle East – in particular the Gulf region – to US foreign policy. This is an important signal to send to Middle Eastern leaders who are dealing with competing interests from China and, to a lesser extent, Russia.

    And from a political standpoint, Trump’s lifting of sanctions on Syria and meeting with the former rebel, now president, Ahmed al-Sharaa was very significant – both symbolically and practically.

    Until recently, al-Sharaa was listed by the United States as a terrorist with a US$10 million (A$15 million) bounty on his head. However, when his forces removed dictator Bashar al-Assad from power in December, he was cautiously welcomed by many in the international community.

    The US had invested considerable resources in removing Assad from power, so his fall was cause for celebration, even if it came at the hands of forces the US had deemed terrorists.

    This rapid turn-around is dizzying. In practice, the removal of sanctions on Syria opens the doors to foreign investment in the reconstruction of the country following a long civil war.

    It also offers an opportunity for Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Turkey, to expand their influence in Syria at the expense of Iran.

    For a leader who styles himself a deal-maker, these can all be considered successful outcomes from a three-day trip.

    However, Trump avoided wading into the far more delicate diplomatic and political negotiations needed to end Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and find common ground with Iran on its nuclear program.

    No solution in sight for the Palestinians

    Trump skirted the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and offered no plans for a diplomatic solution to the war, which drags on with no end in sight.

    The president did note his desire to see a normalisation of relations between Arab states and Israel, without acknowledging the key stumbling block.

    While Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have no love for Hamas, the Gaza war and the misery inflicted on the Palestinians have made it impossible for them to overlook the issue. They cannot simply leapfrog Gaza to normalise relations with Israel.

    In his first term, Trump hoped the Palestinian issue could be pushed aside to achieve normalisation of relations between Arab states and Israel. This was partially achieved with the Abraham Accords, which saw the UAE and three other Muslim-majority nations normalise relations with Israel.

    Trump no doubt believed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreed to just before his inauguration would stick – he promised as much during the US election campaign.

    But after Israel unilaterally broke the ceasefire in March, vowing to press on with its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, he’s learned the hard way the Palestinian question cannot easily be solved or brushed under the carpet.

    The Palestinian aspiration for statehood needs to be addressed as an indispensable step towards a lasting peace and regional stability.

    It was telling that Trump did not stop in Israel this week. One former Israeli diplomat says it’s a sign Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his leverage with Trump.

    There’s nothing that Netanyahu has that Trump wants, needs or [that he] can give him, as opposed to, say, the Saudis, the Qataris, [or] the Emiratis.

    More harsh rhetoric for Iran

    Trump also had no new details or initiatives to announce on the Iran nuclear talks, beyond his desire to “make a deal” and his repeat of past threats.

    At least four rounds of talks have been held between Iran and the United States since early April. While both sides are positive about the prospects, the US administration seems divided on the intended outcome.

    The US Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have called for the complete dismantling of Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium as a sure safeguard against the potential weaponisation of the nuclear program.

    Trump himself, however, has been less categorical. Though he has called for the “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program, he has also said he’s undecided if Iran should be allowed to continue a civilian enrichment program.

    Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium, albeit under international monitoring, is a red line for the authorities in Tehran – they won’t give this up.

    The gap between Iran and the US appears to have widened this week following Trump’s attack on Iran as the “most destructive force” in the Middle East. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi called Trump’s remarks “pure deception”, and pointed to US support for Israel as the source of instability in the region.

    None of this has advanced the prospects of a nuclear deal. And though his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE was marked by pomp and ceremony, he’ll leave no closer to solving two protracted challenges than when he arrived.

    Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australian Research Council. He is affiliated with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, a non-profit research centre in Doha, Qatar.

    – ref. Trump signed plenty of contracts in the Middle East, but he’s no closer to the two ‘deals’ he really wants – https://theconversation.com/trump-signed-plenty-of-contracts-in-the-middle-east-but-hes-no-closer-to-the-two-deals-he-really-wants-256778

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: IFS selects TomTom’s location technology to enhance planning and scheduling solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TomTom (TOM2), the location technology specialist, today announced that it has been selected by IFS, the leading provider of enterprise cloud and Industrial AI software, to enhance their Planning and Scheduling Optimization (PSO) platform, delivering precise route calculations and travel time estimations across asset- and service-intensive industries globally.

    IFS’ PSO solution addresses the various challenges associated with Field Service Management by efficiently processing customer requests, such as emergency repairs, installation appointments, and planned maintenance. By integrating TomTom’s maps, traffic data, and routing algorithms into its proprietary, Industrial AI-fueled PSO solution, IFS can better account for and optimize travel distances, costs, value, and time. As such, the PSO solution delivers enhanced plans that include staff assignments, work shifts, and travel costs, while also facilitating ad-hoc planning, long-term staffing strategies, and ‘what-if’ scenario analyses to proactively address potential challenges and boost efficiency. By using these plans, supported with TomTom’s location technology, field service teams minimize drive times, fuel costs, and emissions, while increasing their schedules’ adaptability to changing traffic conditions and spontaneous requests. This ensures that businesses maintain high service levels and great customer satisfaction.

    “IFS proudly empowers complex asset- and service-centric organizations worldwide to deliver faster and smarter customer service, with data-led insights and Industrial AI at the core of our solution,” said Christian Pedersen, Chief Product Officer, IFS. “Through our collaboration with TomTom, we significantly improve the consistency and reliability of our mapping data, leading to greater automation, enhanced efficiency, and better service outcomes for customers.”

    “Our location data is a crucial element in helping IFS lead the field in service optimization,” said Mike Schoofs, Chief Revenue Officer, TomTom. “TomTom’s robust global map coverage, highly accurate, traffic-aware routing services, and historical traffic patterns significantly enrich the planning experience for IFS customers and help them enhance their operations.”

    About TomTom: 

    Billions of data points. Millions of sources. Thousands of communities.

    We are the mapmaker bringing it all together to build the world’s smartest map. We provide location data and technology to drivers, carmakers, businesses and developers. Our application-ready maps, routing, real-time traffic, APIs and SDKs empower the dreamers and doers to move our world forward.

    Headquartered in Amsterdam with 3,600 employees around the globe, TomTom has been shaping the future of mobility for over 30 years.

    www.tomtom.com

    About IFS:

    IFS is the world’s leading provider of Industrial AI and enterprise software for hardcore businesses that make, service, and power our planet. Our technology enables businesses which manufacture goods, maintain complex assets, and manage service-focused operations to unlock the transformative power of Industrial AI™ to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

    IFS Cloud is a fully composable AI-powered platform, designed for ultimate flexibility and adaptability to our customers’ specific requirements and business evolution. It spans the needs of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Field Service Management (FSM). IFS technology leverages AI, machine learning, real-time data and analytics to empower our customers to make informed strategic decisions and excel at their Moment of Service™.

    IFS was founded in 1983 by five university friends who pitched a tent outside our first customer’s site to ensure they would be available 24/7 and the needs of the customer would come first. Since then, IFS has grown into a global leader with over 7,000 employees in 80 countries. Driven by those foundational values of agility, customer-centricity, and trust, IFS is recognised worldwide for delivering value and supporting strategic transformations. We are the most recommended supplier in our sector. Visit ifs.com to learn why.

    For further information: 

    Media Relations 

    mediarelations@tomtom.com 

    Investor Relations 

    ir@tomtom.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/047a817a-fc23-460f-9d03-af04009261e2

    The MIL Network –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: As the Latrobe Valley moves away from coal jobs, could a green worker’s cooperative offer a solution?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Patmore, Emeritus Professor of Business and Labour History, University of Sydney

    Workers at Earthworker Energy Manufacturing Co-op

    Worker cooperatives may sound like something out of the 19th century, but they still exist in the age of global capitalism.

    In Spain, for instance, the Mondragon Corporation is a huge worker-run cooperative based around 95 collectives – the largest cooperative in the world.

    Worker cooperatives produce products or services. But they are run very differently. Workers can become members of the cooperative they work for by buying a share of the business. This gives them a vote in how the business is run and a share of net income, after costs have come out.

    Co-ops do not have external shareholders – the profits stay with workers. Rather than bosses deciding and workers carrying out the tasks, worker cooperatives are based on democratic principles. Big decisions are discussed and then voted on, and each member gets one vote. They offer a direct way for workers to control their production and shape the economy.

    In Australia, these models peaked in the 1980s. Most are gone, though a few older cooperatives are still running, such as Tasmanian recycling cooperative Resource Work Collective, founded in 1993.

    In recent years, there’s been renewed interest in the model. The Earthworker cooperative network focused on Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. The goal: find new types of employment and products in a coal area undergoing transition.

    Coal plants in the Latrobe Valley provided jobs for generations of workers. Their closure poses real challenges. Pictured: worker hardhats left on the fence at Hazelwood Power Station after it closed in 2017.
    Dorothy Chiron/Shutterstock

    How well does the model work?

    Mondragon is the most well-known example. Founded in 1956 in the Basque region of northern Spain, Mondragon grew and became self-sustaining. It has developed supporting institutions such as research and development companies and even a university. It also established a credit union, which attracted capital and provided loans to cooperatives.

    While Mondragon is a successful example, these organisations face a number of barriers to their survival.

    Critics have argued worker cooperatives tend to fail as workers do not understand the market for their products, but Mondragon undercuts this criticism.

    Worker cooperatives can have difficulties raising capital. Some banks can be reluctant to invest as they may lack familiarity or sympathy with the model.

    Instead, workers may put some or all of their savings into the organisation to get it started. Taking these kinds of risks means some workers may be focused on getting immediate rewards, rather than investing surplus funds or building up cash reserves.

    Workers can sometimes choose to transform a successful cooperative into a capitalist enterprise to achieve greater capital gains.

    Surprisingly, trade unions are generally hostile and suspicious of worker cooperatives. Union organisers may fear worker-owners could see little need for trade unions in representing their interests, or that cooperatives could undercut union wages and conditions to remain competitive.

    To date, worker cooperatives have had a limited impact in Australia, despite the relatively strong historical position of workers.

    Compared to member cooperatives and other types, worker’s cooperatives tend to be short lived in Australia. That’s because most were formed by workers after an industrial dispute or to maintain employment during economic downturns.

    In 1987, for instance, workers retrenched by a major communications company decided to form a co-op which became the Electronic Service Centre in Fairfield, New South Wales. A later example is Abrasiflex, a NSW company bought by workers facing retrenchment in 1993. Both cooperatives failed by the early 2000s.

    Their popularity peaked in the 1980s, when the model was promoted by state Labor governments. Policymakers saw them as a short term means to resolve unemployment, rather than a long term means to secure economic democracy.

    The model lost traction in the early 1990s due to an economic downturn, capital shortfalls and changing political circumstances.

    New energy

    The idea for Earthworker came from discussions between unionists and environmentalists over job creation and the environment. Earthworker founders were influenced by the Green Bans.

    As the project’s website states:

    Conflict can occur between environmentalists who want to shut down certain industries, and unionists who want to protect jobs […] we should work together for a “just transition” and create jobs that aren’t just better for the earth, but for workers too.

    In this respect, Earthworker has much in common with the Cleveland Model in the United States, which links green business, local economic development and fair labour practices.

    Earthworker only formally became a cooperative in 2011, though discussions date back to the late 1990s. In 2016, the network bought a hot water tank manufacturer in Morwell and began making their own tanks and solar hot water systems as the Earthworker Energy Manufacturing Co-operative. The cooperative is aimed at helping the Latrobe Valley’s transition away from coal power jobs.

    Morwell and other Latrobe Valley towns are losing coal jobs. But new industries and business models are emerging.
    AustralianCamera/Shutterstock

    Earthworker promotes the payment of trade union wage rates and conditions. The goal is to build a network of cooperatives supporting each other to build economies of scale.

    Their other cooperatives include Earthworker Construction (residential construction, landscaping and maintenance) and Earthworker Smart Energy (improving thermal efficiency and comfort in homes). These cooperatives are generally small, with 10 members or fewer.

    Another cooperative, Redgum Cleaning, closed down in 2023. It was not viable due to staff shortages, increased costs and work cancellations during the pandemic. Paying union rates in a competitive industry also assisted its demise.

    By contrast, the Earthworker Energy Manufacturing Co-operative has found a way to survive in a competitive market.

    Niche or mainstream?

    Australian worker cooperatives ensure manufacturing and services remain locally owned and controlled. Could they expand? It’s possible.

    Capital remains a major issue for Australian worker cooperatives such as Earthworker. Without capital, it’s hard to scale. Government efforts to expand domestic manufacturing often overlook this model.

    The Earthworker network points to one future for Australian worker cooperatives. Despite the failures of the past, Earthworker’s focus on building a network of sustainable businesses rather than a single cooperative is a promising path.

    Gregory Patmore has received funding from the Australian Research Council and the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals.

    – ref. As the Latrobe Valley moves away from coal jobs, could a green worker’s cooperative offer a solution? – https://theconversation.com/as-the-latrobe-valley-moves-away-from-coal-jobs-could-a-green-workers-cooperative-offer-a-solution-245850

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi replies to founder of Danish Chamber of Commerce in China

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

    BEIJING, May 15 — Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter from the founder of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, encouraging the chamber and its member enterprises to make new contributions to enhancing China-Denmark and China-Europe friendship and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

    Xi expressed appreciation for the founder’s deep affection for China and the confidence of Danish enterprises in China regarding the country’s future development.

    China has been and will remain an ideal, secure and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future, Xi said in the letter.

    Xi expressed his hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member enterprises will continue to play the role of a bridge between China and Denmark as well as China and Europe, and contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, as well as deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.

    Recently, the founder wrote to President Xi in both his personal and chamber capacities, congratulating on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark and expressing the hope to continue deepening cooperation with China.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Viennese welcome panda pair from China

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

    Children welcome a giant panda pair from China at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, May 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A welcoming ceremony for a pair of Chinese giant pandas took place in Vienna’s Schoenbrunn Zoo on Wednesday, marking the official start of a decade-long stay in the Austrian capital of the panda pair for scientific research purposes and as friendship envoys.

    The two giant pandas — male He Feng and female Lan Yun — arrived in Austria on April 23.

    Addressing the ceremony, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said giant pandas are a symbol of the friendship between his country and China. The cooperation on giant panda protection like this creates trust and brings nations closer together.

    Van der Bellen said that he is very happy to officially welcome the giant pandas to the new home and that the Chinese giant panda is deeply loved by the Austrian people.

    Chinese Ambassador to Austria Qi Mei attended the ceremony.

    As part of the ceremony, the Schoenbrunn Zoo staged a traditional Chinese lion dance performance to celebrate the panda pair’s arrival, to the cheers of the audience. Among the crowds were dozens of local school children holding signs reading “Warmly Welcome” to demonstrate their love for the Chinese giant panda.

    The panda pair’s arrival marks the latest 10-year round of the scientific collaboration between China and Austria on giant panda conservation, which started in 2003. The past years of cooperation saw the birth of five panda cubs in Austria, a record for Europe on breeding, alongside achievements made in disease control, staff training and public education. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU to Open Joint Educational Program in Physics with Chongqing University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Novosibirsk, May 15, 2025: Novosibirsk State University and Chongqing University, one of the leading universities in China, will open a joint educational program in physics in September 2025. The Chinese Ministry of Education approved the application of the two universities. This program will be the first joint program with a Russian university at Chongqing University. The pilot student intake will be 60 people with the prospect of increasing to 120 students.

    The program will be a bachelor’s program, and the training will be conducted according to the 3:1 scheme: students study at Chongqing University for three years, and in the fourth year, two trajectories are provided – to continue their studies in China or to go to Russia.

    — We and our partners have done a lot of preparatory work to collect information and describe the project, and have passed a two-stage selection process. At present, we have received approval from the Ministry of Education of China. This will be an English-language program, it will start working in September 2025, the pilot enrollment will be 60 people. In the future, we plan to double the number — up to 120 people. At least 30% of the disciplines in the curriculum will be taught in person by teachers Physics Department of NSU: they will start going to Chongqing University already in the new academic year, said Evgeny Sagaydak, head of the education export department at NSU.

    The launch of the educational program is part of the comprehensive cooperation between NSU and Chongqing University. In November 2024, the two universities opened a joint center for fundamental research in physics, mathematics and mechanics.

    — It was a smart and strategically correct decision when we simultaneously began working in both the educational and scientific research areas. The teachers and scientists who will come to Chongqing will not only teach students, but also conduct joint scientific research with their Chinese colleagues, — added Evgeny Sagaydak.

    NSU and Chongqing University are also discussing the creation of a master’s program in physics so that students can continue their education at the second stage of higher education. In the future, NSU does not rule out the possibility of opening joint bachelor’s programs in other areas of training.

    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 –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Justice Minister He Rong Meets with Chairman of Belarus State Forensic Examination Committee

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese Justice Minister He Rong met with Chairman of the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus (SFE RB) Alexei Volkov in Beijing on Wednesday, according to a statement published on the official website of the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China.

    He Rong expressed readiness to jointly implement the important agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries with the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus and develop practical cooperation in the field of forensic examination, including scientific research, application of technologies, training and personnel preparation, as well as provide relevant services for the socio-economic development of the two countries.

    Alexey Volkov noted that cooperation between the two sides has achieved fruitful results, and Belarus is ready to further deepen exchanges, mutual learning and cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 21 killed in Mexico road accident

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    MEXICO CITY, May 14 (Xinhua) — At least 21 people were killed in a major traffic accident in the Mexican state of Puebla on Wednesday, the region’s interior minister Samuel Aguilar said on social media.

    According to him, several more people were injured and are undergoing treatment.

    The accident occurred Wednesday morning at kilometer 31 of the Cuacnopalán-Oaxaca highway. Ambulances and other emergency services are on the scene.

    Local media reported that the truck attempted to overtake another vehicle, crossed into the opposite lane and crashed into a bus, before colliding head-on with a van. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Escalating violence in Tripoli threatens nearly half a million children – UNICEF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TRIPOLI, May 15 (Xinhua) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday said the escalation of violence in and around the Libyan capital Tripoli over the past two days threatens to affect nearly half a million children.

    “UNICEF has received reports of children, families and medical staff being held for hours in hospitals, including Al-Jalaa Children’s Hospital, as fighting raged nearby. For several hours, emergency services were unable to access the facility to provide the care they needed. Families are reporting that their children are in critical condition due to the ongoing violence,” UNICEF said in a statement.

    The organization urged all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect children and their infrastructure.

    “We call for a lasting cessation of hostilities to ensure the safety and well-being of every child,” the statement said.

    Violent clashes broke out in Tripoli on Monday evening between forces loyal to Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, including the 444th Brigade, and a radical group affiliated with the Presidency Council’s Security and Stability Administration. The escalation was sparked by the reported death of the administration’s chief, Abdelghani al-Kikli, also known as Ghaniwa. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s first RRR cut for financial institutions in 2025 comes into effect

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) — A 0.5 percentage point reduction in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for eligible financial institutions took effect on Thursday, which is expected to provide about 1 trillion yuan (about 139 billion U.S. dollars) of long-term liquidity to the financial market.

    Last week, the People’s Bank of China (the central bank of China) announced it was prepared to cut the RRR, which was the first such move since the beginning of this year.

    The RRR cut is one of a host of support measures, which also include interest rate cuts and increased financial support through additional lending, recently announced by monetary and financial authorities as the world’s second-largest economy steps up efforts to stabilize markets and support the economic recovery amid challenges to the external environment.

    In addition, starting Thursday, the reserve requirement for companies engaged in auto finance and financial leasing fell to zero from the previous 5 percent, effectively increasing their credit supply in these sectors. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Best Ethereum Casinos: JACKBIT Listed As Top ETH Casino Site For Fast Payouts And Instant Withdrawal!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JACKBIT has earned its reputation as the best Ethereum casino through a rigorous evaluation by iGaming experts. Assessed across critical player-focused criteria, JACKBIT delivers a seamless, secure, and rewarding experience. Whether you’re looking to gamble with Ethereum or explore the best Ethereum gambling site, JACKBIT stands out for its innovation and dedication to players.

    <<>>

    The casino offers a compelling welcome package, featuring a 30% Rakeback and 100 wager-free spins on the first deposit. This promotion, combined with access to over 7,000 games, makes JACKBIT a top choice among the best Ethereum casinos for players.

    “Our goal is to connect players with platforms that are safe, engaging, and rewarding,” said a review panel expert. “JACKBIT excels as the best ETH online casino due to its extensive game variety, instant payouts, and commitment to player privacy.”

    For crypto enthusiasts, the search for the best Ethereum casino often begins with speed, security, and flexible rewards. JACKBIT embraces these priorities, offering ETH-friendly bonuses, no-deposit promotions, and smooth, anonymous gameplay with no KYC barriers.

    In 2025, JACKBIT elevated the Ethereum casino experience by delivering lightning-fast ETH payouts, full mobile compatibility, and a loyalty program designed to reward every level of play- all while maintaining top-tier privacy, fairness, and a vast selection of games that appeal to both casual users and high rollers.

    Getting Started with JACKBIT

    Joining JACKBIT is simple and fast and perfect for casino players ready to experience one of the best Ethereum casinos has to offer:

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    Whether you’re a casual player or a crypto-savvy gamer, JACKBIT’s seamless setup and fast rewards make it a standout choice in Canada’s online casino scene.

    Bonuses and Promotions

    JACKBIT’s promotional offerings are a key reason it ranks among the best Ethereum casinos for players. Newcomers are welcomed with a 30% Rakeback and 100 wager-free free spins on their first deposit. Ongoing promotions include:

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    These bonuses are designed with fair terms, ensuring players maximize value when they gamble with Ethereum. The wager-free free spins, in particular, are a rare and valuable feature, setting JACKBIT apart from competitors.

    The platform also runs seasonal promotions, such as holiday-themed tournaments, keeping the experience fresh and engaging. These creative incentives make JACKBIT a leader in the best Ethereum casino sites.

    <<>>

    Why Choose JACKBIT for Ethereum Casino Gaming?

    JACKBIT’s rise to the top of the best Ethereum casinos is no accident. Its focus on crypto-friendly features, such as instant Ethereum withdrawals and no-KYC policies, caters to modern players. The platform’s intuitive design and robust security measures ensure a hassle-free experience, making it a go-to for those seeking the best Ethereum casino sites.

    A Comprehensive Review of JACKBIT’s Strengths

    The selection of JACKBIT as a leader among top Ethereum casinos in 2025 was based on an in-depth review of key factors:

    • Licensing and Regulation
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    • Bonuses and Promotions
    • Payment Speed and Flexibility
    • Security and Fairness
    • Mobile Gaming Experience
    • Customer Support
    • Sportsbook Features
    • Responsible Gambling Tools
    • No-KYC Benefits
    • Community Engagement
    • VIP and Loyalty Program
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    • User Interface and Navigation
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    This thorough evaluation confirms JACKBIT as a trusted platform that excels across all aspects, making it a prime destination for players seeking the best Ethereum casinos online.

    Licensing and Regulation

    JACKBIT operates under a Curacao Gaming License, a respected credential in the crypto gambling industry. This license guarantees adherence to fair play and security standards, with regular audits ensuring transparency. While some players may favor stricter licenses like those from Malta or the UKGC, the Curacao framework enables JACKBIT to serve a global audience, reinforcing its status as a secure choice among the best Ethereum casinos.

    The Curacao license also allows JACKBIT to offer flexible features like no-KYC gaming, which is a significant draw for players prioritizing privacy. This regulatory balance makes JACKBIT a standout in Ethereum casino gaming.

    Game Variety and Quality

    A cornerstone of the best Ethereum casinos, JACKBIT boasts an impressive library of over 7,000 games from 85 top-tier providers, including NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, and Pragmatic Play. The platform caters to diverse preferences, offering:

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    This extensive range ensures JACKBIT remains a top Ethereum casino for players seeking variety and quality. The platform’s partnerships with leading providers guarantee high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

    <<>>

    Payment Speed and Flexibility

    As a premier ETH casino, JACKBIT supports over 17 cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Tether, Solana, and Dogecoin. Crypto transactions are instant and fee-free, providing unmatched convenience. Traditional banking options include:

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    Security and Fairness

    Security is a top priority at JACKBIT, one of the best Ethereum gambling sites. The platform employs SSL encryption and blockchain technology to safeguard player data and transactions. Provably fair games and Random Number Generators (RNGs) ensure unbiased outcomes, making JACKBIT a trusted choice for Ethereum casino gaming.

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    Mobile Gaming Experience

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    Customer Support

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    Sportsbook Features

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    Responsible Gambling Tools

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    <<>>

    Community Engagement

    JACKBIT fosters a vibrant community through:

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    VIP and Loyalty Program

    JACKBIT’s VIP program rewards dedicated players with tailored benefits:

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    Cryptocurrency Integration

    JACKBIT’s support for over 17 cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, positions it as a leader in crypto gambling. The platform’s seamless integration of blockchain technology ensures secure and transparent transactions. Players can deposit and withdraw using Ethereum with zero fees, making JACKBIT a top ETH casino.

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    User Interface and Navigation

    JACKBIT’s intuitive user interface simplifies navigation, allowing players to find games, promotions, and support effortlessly. The clean design and fast load times enhance the experience, making it ideal for both new and experienced players. This user-friendly approach is a hallmark of the best Ethereum casinos online.

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    Global Accessibility

    With multilingual support and a mobile-optimized platform, JACKBIT serves players worldwide. The casino’s global reach, combined with its crypto-friendly features, makes it a top choice for international players seeking the best Ethereum gambling site. The Curacao license further enables JACKBIT to operate in multiple jurisdictions.

    Exploring JACKBIT’s Game Categories in Depth

    • Slots: A World of Spins

    JACKBIT’s slot collection, with over 5,000 titles, ranges from classic fruit machines to modern video slots like Gold Party and Chilli Heat. Progressive jackpots like Mega Moolah and Divine Fortune offer life-changing payouts. Regular tournaments and free spins promotions make slots a core part of the best Ethereum casinos’ appeal.

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    The table games section is regularly updated with new variants, keeping the experience fresh. This commitment to innovation is a key strength of the best Ethereum casino sites.

    • Live Dealer Games: Real Casino Vibes

    JACKBIT’s live dealer section, powered by Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play, delivers an authentic casino atmosphere. Live Blackjack and Live Roulette offer multiple tables for all budgets, while game shows like Dream Catcher and Mega Wheel add interactive fun. High-definition streaming and real-time chat create an immersive experience, making JACKBIT a leader among the best Ethereum casinos for live gaming.

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    • Specialty Games: Casual Fun

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    These games are perfect for players looking to unwind, offering a relaxed alternative to high-stakes gaming. Their inclusion broadens JACKBIT’s appeal.

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    The virtual sports section is ideal for players who enjoy fast-paced betting, complementing the casino’s broader offerings. This variety strengthens JACKBIT’s position among top Ethereum casinos.

    The Future of Ethereum Casino Gaming with JACKBIT

    Since its launch in 2022, JACKBIT has rapidly become a frontrunner among the best Ethereum casinos. Its integration of 17+ cryptocurrencies and provably fair games positions it as a trailblazer. The no-KYC policy and instant payouts cater to the growing demand for privacy and speed, ensuring JACKBIT remains a leader in Ethereum casino gaming.

    As the crypto gambling market evolves, JACKBIT plans to expand its game library, introduce new promotions, and enhance its platform. The casino’s commitment to innovation and player satisfaction makes it a reliable choice for both new and experienced players seeking the best ETH online casino.

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    Comparing JACKBIT to Competitors

    To understand why JACKBIT leads among the best Ethereum casinos, consider its advantages over competitors:

    • Game Library: JACKBIT’s 7,000+ titles and 85 providers offer unmatched variety.
    • No-KYC Policy: Instant withdrawals without verification are a rare feature.
    • Payout Speed: Instant crypto payouts surpass platforms with slower processing times.
    • Bonuses: The 30% Rakeback and weekly giveaways provide superior value.

    These strengths highlight why JACKBIT is the best Ethereum casino for 2025. While competitors offer strong features, JACKBIT’s combination of privacy, speed, and variety sets it apart.

    Tips for Maximizing Your JACKBIT Experience

    To get the most out of JACKBIT, consider these strategies:

    • Claim All Bonuses: Start with the welcome offer and stay active to unlock weekly giveaways and VIP rewards.
    • Explore the Game Library: Try different categories, from slots to live dealer games, to find your favorites.
    • Use Cryptocurrencies: Ethereum deposits and withdrawals are faster and fee-free, enhancing your experience at this top Ethereum casino.
    • Engage on Social Media: Follow JACKBIT on Twitter and Telegram for exclusive bonuses.
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    These tips will help you fully enjoy the best Ethereum casinos online. Staying active and exploring all features ensures a rewarding experience.

    Conclusion: JACKBIT – The Best Ethereum Casino

    JACKBIT’s unique blend of no-KYC gaming, instant Ethereum payouts, and a vast game library makes it unmatched. Its player-centric features, from generous bonuses to robust security, ensure a rewarding and safe experience. The Curacao license, backed by transparency and responsible gambling tools, builds trust among players seeking the best Ethereum gambling site.

    As a relatively new platform, JACKBIT has quickly established itself as an innovator, offering a seamless experience for casual players and high rollers alike. Its global accessibility and vibrant community make it the best Ethereum casino for 2025 and beyond.

    <<>>

    Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Ethereum Casinos

    1. Can I play at JACKBIT without verifying my identity?

    Yes, JACKBIT supports anonymous crypto gaming with no mandatory KYC for most withdrawals, ensuring full privacy.

    2. Are JACKBIT’s Ethereum payouts quick?

    JACKBIT processes Ethereum transactions within minutes, especially for verified or frequent users.

    3. Can I use bonuses right after signing up?

    Absolutely. New players can instantly claim crypto welcome bonuses upon their first deposit.

    4. Does JACKBIT work smoothly on mobile?

    Yes, JACKBIT’s mobile platform runs seamlessly on Android and iOS, with full access to games and crypto payments.

    5. Can I earn rewards for consistent play?

    Definitely. JACKBIT’s VIP program offers cashback, free spins, and faster payouts for loyal players.

    Email: support@JACKBIT.com

    Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure

    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. The content is based on research and user reviews, with no warranties as to accuracy or completeness. Users must verify information before acting.

    Online gambling involves risks and is not suitable for everyone. Confirm you meet the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We do not promote gambling; participation is at your own risk. JACKBIT is a third-party platform, and we are not liable for losses or disputes.

    This article may contain affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content, but our reviews remain unbiased. Always conduct your own research before signing up.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bff779d-ad87-4c32-bd23-8d6d659a19bb

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d09554fd-d795-47f1-93cf-23bf653e508f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/afc0ff34-13cc-49c8-a49c-0bf8a71c2277

    The MIL Network –

    May 15, 2025
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