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  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Secures Major Settlement with Columbia University

    Source: US Whitehouse

    SECURING HISTORIC SETTLEMENT WITH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump secured a historic settlement with Columbia University to address violations of federal civil rights laws and to restore fairness, merit, and safety in higher education.

    • The agreement ensures Columbia will not engage in unlawful racial discrimination in hiring, admissions, or university programming. Columbia will provide access to all relevant data and information to rigorously assess compliance with its commitment to merit-based hiring and admissions. 
    • Columbia will pay the United States $200 million to settle claims related to discriminatory practices, marking a significant win for accountability in academia.
    • Columbia will also pay the largest employment-discrimination public settlement in almost 20 years. Over $20 million will be paid to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish Columbia employees that occurred on its campus following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks. This is also the largest ever settlement for victims of anti-Semitism and for workers of any religion.
    • The agreement secures privacy, dignity, and fairness in women’s sports, programing, facilities, and housing.
    • The agreement mandates a comprehensive review of Columbia’s portfolio of programs in regional areas, starting with those relating to the Middle East, and fosters new faculty appointments to promote intellectual diversity.
    • Columbia will strengthen oversight of international students by reviewing admission processes, including by assessing applicants’ reasons for wishing to study in the U.S., sharing relevant data with the Federal Government, and reducing financial dependence on overwhelming international student enrollment.
    • Columbia will enhance campus safety and ensure a safe learning environment by appropriately enforcing strict rules against disruptive protests, prohibiting masked protests, and maintaining trained security officers and ongoing cooperation with the New York Police Department.
    • The agreement establishes robust oversight, including with an independent Resolution Monitor and an Administrator, to ensure Columbia complies with the agreement and federal laws.
    • Consistent with Columbia’s announcement in March, student discipline and rules have been moved from an unaccountable faculty senate to the Office of the Provost, providing for stronger oversight, transparency, and accountability.
    • The agreement reinstates most terminated federal grants, restores Columbia’s eligibility for future grants and awards, and closes pending investigations into the university.

    ADDRESSING DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: The Trump Administration took action to address Columbia University’s violations of federal civil rights laws, protecting students and upholding fairness in higher education.

    • The settlement culminates after concerning public incidents and subsequent civil rights investigations and actions regarding Columbia’s alleged discrimination on the basis of race and national origin.
    • Columbia’s failure to ensure a safe, non-discriminatory campus environment, including issues with protest policies and disciplinary processes, raised urgent concerns about student safety and free inquiry.
    • By securing this settlement, the Trump Administration is ensuring that Columbia upholds merit-based standards, complies with federal law, and fosters an environment of academic excellence and safety for all students.

    ADVANCING REFORMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: President Trump is holding elite universities accountable, ensuring they prioritize fairness, merit, and American values.  

    • The Administration has challenged elite universities like Harvard and Columbia for discriminating against student and staff, failing to protect students from violent anti-Semitism, and otherwise failing to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
    • President Trump signed a Proclamation to safeguard national security by suspending the entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. 
    • The Administration successfully negotiated a resolution with the University of Pennsylvania to keep men out of women’s sports and restore the trophies and records of women.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Works to Ensure the Lava Ridge Wind Project is Blown Away

    Source: US State of Idaho

    WASHINGTON—This week, the House Committee on Appropriations voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson–Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee–authored language to prohibit any funds to approve construction activities related to the out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project from being obligated unless and until the Secretary of the Interior has completed a review of the Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision.
    “After four years of an administration that ignored the voices of Idahoans and downplayed their concerns, President Biden’s BLM tried, and failed, to ram through the out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project,” said Rep. Simpson. “Like many Idahoans, I am grateful that President Trump signed an executive order to kill this project on Day One. As Chairman of the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, my goal is to ensure that no future renewable wind project gets as close to implementation as the Lava Ridge Wind Project did. Now that we have an administration that has our backs, I am confident that Secretary Burgum understands Idahoans expect more out of the use of our public lands. The language included in my bill goes hand-in-hand with President Trump’s executive order. I look forward to working with the administration toward common-sense solutions.”
    Text of Rep. Simpson’s provision: None one of the funds made available by this Act may be obligated or expended for the purpose of processing or approving any notice to proceed with any construction activities relating to the Lava Ridge Wind Project right-of-way authorization unless and until the Secretary of the Interior has completed a review of the Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision authorizing the use of public lands through the Lava Ridge Wind Project right-of-way and, as appropriate, conducted a new, comprehensive analysis in accordance with Section 2(b) of the Presidential Memorandum titled ‘‘Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects,’’ dated January 20, 2025.
    Rep. Simpson’s Previous Actions Against the Lava Ridge Wind Project 
    Rep. Simpson has been a strong vocal opponent of the Lava Ridge Wind Project and most recently authored language in the 118th Congress that blocked the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lava Ridge Wind Project.
    Rep. Simpson also made an initial attempt to block the project by authoring language—passed by Congress and signed into law by the President—directing the Department of the Interior to reengage and incorporate feedback from the stakeholders on alternative plans before moving forward with Lava Ridge. The Department failed to meet the language requirements of that law.
    Additionally, Rep. Simpson questioned BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning on the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project on public lands in Magic Valley, Idaho, and if the pressure to increase renewable energy trumps the impacts on species and cultural sites. 
    Rep. Simpson and the Idaho Delegation introduced legislation that would prevent the Secretary of the Interior from approving a wind or solar project on public lands if the Legislature in the respective state has passed a resolution of disapproval.
    Rep. Simpson, the Idaho Delegation, Idaho Governor Brad Little, and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke sent a letter to the Idaho State Director for the BLM. They expressed concerns about the proposed Lava Ridge wind farm in south-central Idaho. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Cegedim: Like-for-like revenues grew 2.8% in the first half

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

         

    PRESS RELEASE

    First-half financial information as of June 30, 2025
    IFRS – Regulated information – Not audited

    Cegedim: Like-for-like revenues grew 2.8% in the first half

    • Revenue grew 1.1% as reported and 2.8% LFL to €322.5 million in the first half of 2025.
    • The HR, marketing, health insurance, and digitalization businesses delivered the most solid growth.

    Boulogne-Billancourt, France, July 24, 2025, after the market close

    Revenue

      First half Change H1 2025 / 2024
    in millions of euros 2025 2024 Reported Life for like(1)(2)
    Software & Services 144.4 152.1 (5.1)% (1.5)%
    Flow 53.4 49.5 +7.8% +7.7%
    Data & Marketing 63.4 59.3 +6.9% +6.8%
    BPO 43.2 39.9 +8.1% +8.1%
    Cloud & Support 18.2 18.1 +0.3% +0.3%
    Cegedim 322.5 319.0 +1.1% +2.8%

    Cegedim’s consolidated first-half 2025 revenues rose to €322.5 million, up 1.1% as reported and 2.8% like for like(1) compared with the same period in 2024.

    The HR, marketing, health insurance, and invoice & procurement digitalization businesses delivered the most solid growth over the first half. The deconsolidation of INPS in the UK on December 10, 2024, following its voluntary placement in administration, weighed on reported growth at the Software & Services division and Group level.

    Analysis of business trends by division

    • Software & Services
    Software & Services First half Change H1 2025 / 2024
    in millions of euros 2025 2024 Reported Like for like(1)
    Cegedim Santé 38.4 38.9 (1.3)% (5.7)%
    Insurance, HR, Pharmacies, and other services 87.5 86.7 +0.9% +1.0%
    International businesses 18.5 26.5 (30.3)% (3.2)%
    Software & Services 144.4 152.1        (5.1)% (1.5)%

    Revenues at Cegedim Santé fell 1.3% as reported in the first half, and 5.7% like for like. Visiodent contributed over the entire first half, vs just four months in 2024. Maiia software and the Claude Bernard database both performed well, whereas orders for more established offerings were somewhat subdued. Sales mainly slowed because a data service agreement came to an end in late 2024 and was renewed in the second quarter of 2025 at a lower rate.

    The division’s other French subsidiaries saw revenue growth of 0.9% as reported and 1.0% like for like. The division was propelled by a surge in HR business across all client segments and by Health insurance, thanks to robust project-based sales, with new signings and the start of projects won in 2024. On the other hand, business with pharmacists in France was a drag on growth.

    International businesses posted reported revenues down 30.3% owing to the deconsolidation of INPS in the UK from December 10, 2024, following its voluntary placement in administration. Like-for-like revenues fell 3.2%. The decline was again due to the UK: the Pharmacy First program in H1 2024 created a challenging comparison for pharmacy activities and a client of Activus, a UK subsidiary selling software for health and provident insurance for expats, went out of business. Even so, both businesses have clear prospects that will reverse the downward trend in the months ahead. Other international activities had a positive quarter—particularly in Spain—and remain on track.

    Flow First half Change H1 2025 / 2024
    in millions of euros 2025 2024 Reported Like for like(2)
    e-business 32.1 30.0 7.1% 7.0%
    Third-party payer 21.3 19.5 8.8% 8.8%
    Flow 53.4 49.5 7.8% 7.7%

    First-half growth in e-business, e-invoicing, and digitized data exchanges was 7.1% as reported and 7.0% like for like. Both of the division’s two main business lines contributed: “Invoicing & Procurement” (France and UK) and “Healthcare Flows” (notably in pharmaceutical supply chain security for hospitals).

    The Third-party payer business experienced 8.8% growth in H1. It was boosted by strong growth in demand for its fraud and long-term illness detection offerings, a trend that began in the second half of 2024 and continued in H1 2025 with the signing of a fourteenth client.

    • Data & Marketing
    Data & Marketing First half Change H1 2025 / 2024
    in millions of euros 2025 2024 Reported Like for like(1)
    Data 28.7 28.0 2.5% 2.3%
    Marketing 34.7 31.3 10.8% 10.8%
    Data & Marketing 63.4 59.3 6.9% 6.8%

    Data businesses were up 2.5% in the first half on the back of a strong performance in France, which offset a mixed showing abroad.

    The Marketing segment posted robust H1 growth of 10.8% owing to strong sales after new client wins and brisk business with existing clients.

    BPO First half Change H1 2025 / 2024
    in millions of euros 2025 2024 Reported Like for like(1)
    Insurance BPO 31.2 28.7 8.8% 8.8%
    Business Services BPO 12.0 11.2 6.4% 6.4%
    BPO 43.2 39.9 8.1% 8.1%

    The Insurance BPO business grew by 8.8% over the first half, chiefly owing to its overflow business, which has been flourishing because it serves a critical need for clients.

    Business Services BPO (HR and digitalization) reported growth of 6.4% in the first half, again on the back of a popular compliance offering, which is winning new clients.

    • Cloud & Support
    Cloud & Support First half Change H1 2025 / 2024
    in millions of euros 2025 2024 Reported Like for like(1)
    Cloud & Support 18.2 18.1 0.3% 0.3%

    Cloud & Support division revenues grew 0.3% in the first half. The non-renewal of a significant outsourcing contract in the second quarter was a drag on growth and obscured the fact that an expanded range of products backed by Cegedim’s sovereign cloud has been very successful.

    Highlights

    • SBTi validates Cegedim’s decarbonization targets

    The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) officially validated Cegedim Group’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets on June 12, 2025. SBTi is the global standard for measuring companies’ carbon footprints and certifying their stated action plans for reducing emissions in line with the ambitious goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Cegedim is now part of the select group of about 8,000 companies whose plans have been validated. This major step reflects the strong commitment of Cegedim’s senior management, also mobilizing all subsidiaries, to the sustainable development of the Group’s activities.

    • Switch to Euronext Growth

    At its meeting on June 13, 2025, the Board of Directors decided to move forward with the resolution approved that same day by the general shareholders’ meeting to transfer Cegedim’s shares to the Euronext Growth stock exchange. The Group is currently completing formalities so it can make the switch in early September 2025. The Group discussed the rationale for the move and its impacts in a press release dated June 13, 2025.

    • Conversion of the credit facility into a sustainability-linked loan

    On June 16, 2025, the Group negotiated an addendum with all of the parties to its loan agreement to add performance clauses related to 2030 ESG commitments, making this a sustainability-linked loan. By adhering to the annual Scopes 1 & 2 and Scope 3 decarbonization trajectory validated by SBTi, and by making progress on gender equality in senior management, the Group will be able to lower interest rate by up to 0.05 percentage points for the bank portion and by 0.10 to 0.40 percentage points for the non-bank portion. Conversely, failure to respect those commitments will increase the interest rate by a commensurate amount. The first milestone for applying this arrangement will be the 2025 ESG performance as reported in 2026.

    Significant transactions and events post June 30, 2025

    • Workforce restructuring at the pharmacy business

    The Group has decided to restructure the workforce at its pharmacy management software business in France, which will result in making around 100 positions redundant. By rethinking its organization and reconfiguring to align with market trends and client needs, the company hopes to return to a level of performance that ensures a solid foundation for its employees and allows it to innovate for its clients.
    After the semester close, the Group received approval from France’s regional labor and economics agency, DRIEETS, for the collective agreement it negotiated in the second quarter of 2025 with employee representatives. The Group is now determining what level of provision will be earmarked in the H1 2025 financial statements.

    To the best of the company’s knowledge, apart from the impact of the above items, there were no post-closing events or changes after June 30, 2025, that would materially alter the Group’s financial situation.

    Outlook

    Based on the currently available information, the Group expects 2025 like-for-like revenue(3) growth to be in the range of 2-4% relative to 2024. Recurring operating income should continue to improve, following a similar trajectory as in 2024.

    These targets are not forecasts and may need to be revised if there is a significant worsening of geopolitical, macroeconomic, or currency risks.

    ——————-

    WEBCAST ON JULY 24, 2025, AT 6:15 PM (PARIS TIME)
    The webcast is available at: www.cegedim.fr/webcast
    The H1 2025 revenues presentation is available here:
    https://www.cegedim.fr/documentation/Pages/presentation.aspx

    Financial calendar

    2025 September 25 after the close

    September 26 at 10:00 am

    October 23 after the close

    		 H1 2025 Earnings

    SFAF meeting

    Q3 2025 revenues

    Financial calendar: https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/agenda/Pages/default.aspx

    Disclaimer
    This press release is available in French and in English. In the event of any difference between the two versions, the original French version takes precedence. This press release may contain inside information. It was sent to Cegedim’s authorized distributor on July 24, 2025, no earlier than 5:45 pm Paris time.
    The figures cited in this press release include guidance on Cegedim’s future financial performance targets. This forward-looking information is based on the opinions and assumptions of the Group’s senior management at the time this press release is issued and naturally entails risks and uncertainty. For more information on the risks facing Cegedim, please refer to Chapter 7, “Risk management”, section 7.2, “Risk factors and insurance”, and Chapter 3, “Overview of the financial year”, section 3.6, “Outlook”, of the 2024 Universal Registration Document filled with the AMF on April 7, 2025, under number D.24-0233.

    About Cegedim:
    Founded in 1969, Cegedim is an innovative technology and services group in the field of digital data flow management for healthcare ecosystems and B2B, and a business software publisher for healthcare and insurance professionals. Cegedim employs nearly
    6,700 people in more than 10 countries and generated revenue of over €654 million in 2024.
    Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).
    To learn more please visit: www.cegedim.fr
    And follow Cegedim on X: @CegedimGroup, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

    Aude Balleydier
    Cegedim
    Media Relations
    and Communications Manager

    Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09 68 81
    aude.balleydier@cegedim.fr

    		 Damien Buffet
    Cegedim
    Head of Financial
    Communication

    Tel.: +33 (0)7 64 63 55 73
    damien.buffet@cegedim.com

    		 Céline Pardo
    Becoming RP Agency
    Media Relations Consultant

    Tel.:        +33 (0)6 52 08 13 66
    cegedim@becoming-group.com

    		  

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Annexes

    Breakdown of revenue by quarter and division

    in millions of euros   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
    Software & Services   72.4 72.0     144.4
    Flow   27.6 25.8     53.4
    Data & Marketing   29.9 33.5     63.4
    BPO   21.1 22.1     43.2
    Cloud & Support   10.3 7.8     18.2
    Consolidated Group revenue   161.3 161.2     322.5
    in millions of euros   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
    Software & Services   74.4 77.8 75.6 80.1 307.8
    Flow   25.4 24.2 23.7 27.0 100.3
    Data & Marketing   27.0 32.3 28.2 38.4 125.9
    BPO   20.2 19.7 21.6 21.2 82.7
    Cloud & Support   9.0 9.1 7.7 12.0 37.8
    Consolidated Group revenue   155.9 163.1 156.8 178.7 654.5

    Revenue breakdown by geographic zone, currency, and division at June 30, 2025

    as a % of consolidated revenues   Geographic zone   Currency
      France EMEA
    ex. France    		 Americas   Euro GBP Other
    Software & Services   87.2% 12.7% 0.1%   91.0% 7.0% 2.0%
    Flow   91.7% 8.3% 0.0%   94.2% 5.8% 0.0%
    Data & Marketing   97.7% 2.3% 0.0%   98.2% 0.0% 1.8%
    BPO   100.0% 0.0% 0.0%   100.0% 0.0% 0.0%
    Cloud & Support   97.2% 2.8% 0.0%   97.2% 0.0% 2.8%
    Cegedim   92.3% 7.6% 0.1%   94.5% 4.1% 1.4%

    (1)   At constant scope and exchange rates.

    (2)   The positive currency impact of 0.1% was mainly due to the pound sterling. The negative scope effect of 1.8% was attributable to the deconsolidation of INPS as of December 10, 2024, which the consolidation of Visiodent starting March 1, 2024, only partly offset.
    (2)At constant scope and exchange rates.

    (3)At constant scope and exchange rates.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gibson Ncube, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

    Zimbabwe-born, Canada-based Chido Muchemwa’s debut short story collection, Who Will Bury You?, was published late in 2024 and immediately attracted the right kind of attention.

    Here was an unexpected range of themes: queer identity, dislocation in the diaspora, the lingering complexities of family and cultural belonging. The 12 stories, set between Zimbabwe and Canada, trace moments of rupture and reconnection across time and geography. And they’re mostly about women. Women, selfhood, loss and love.

    Gibson Ncube, who researches queer African fiction, unpacks why it’s such a good read.

    What are some of the stories about?

    The recurring questions in Who Will Bury You? are: who will remain when we are gone – who will understand us, who will grieve for us, and who will honour the truths we live by? These questions are animated through emotionally layered stories that centre the lives of Zimbabwean women and queer characters.

    Written with subtlety and care, some of the stories draw on Zimbabwean folklore, allowing Muchemwa to bridge the mythical and the present-day. She demonstrates how ancestral narratives continue to shape how people experience love, loss and belonging.

    House of Anansi Press

    The title story introduces a Zimbabwean “church going woman” and her daughter, who is living in Canada and has embraced a lesbian identity. In Zimbabwe, same-sex relationships remain criminalised under laws inherited from colonial rule and reinforced by state-sponsored homophobia. Political leaders often frame queerness as un-African or morally deviant.

    The story is told through alternating perspectives and offers a portrait of intergenerational estrangement, cultural friction, and love strained by silence. What one of the characters calls “things that might never feel sayable”. The theme of queerness recurs in several other stories like This Will Break My Mother’s Heart and If It Wasn’t for the Nights.

    Muchemwa allows these stories to gather meaning through multiple vantage points. She seems to resist resolution in favour of complexity. The collection is a significant contribution to the small but growing body of Zimbabwean literature that openly addresses queerness.

    What’s Muchemwa saying about queer African life?

    One of Muchemwa’s most powerful acts in the book is to treat queer life not as peripheral, but as central to the cultural, emotional and political worlds her characters inhabit. Queer desire, intimacy and estrangement are not exceptional disruptions. They are ordinary realities that are woven into everyday life. In these stories, queerness is at once a site of tenderness, conflict and hope. The effects of religion and colonial morality continue to shape how love is expressed and denied.

    Read more: 7 queer African works of art: new directions in books, films and fashion

    The stories challenge the erasure of queer voices by positioning them at the heart of families and communities. Queer characters are neither idealised nor victimised. They are allowed to simply be joyful, ambivalent, flawed, and resilient.

    Aside from identity, what are some of the other themes?

    The book also grapples with questions of memory, history and myth. In Finding Mermaids, Muchemwa blends contemporary reportage with folklore. A journalist and her grieving mother investigate the disappearance of young girls in a rural Zimbabwean town who are suspected to have been captured by njuzu, water spirits.

    Other stories, like Kariba Heights and The Captive River, explore the legacies of colonialism and the spiritual power of the Zambezi River. In these stories, Muchemwa is attentive to how land, history and belief have an impact on personal experiences.

    Living away from home, in the diaspora, is also a theme. Zimbabwe’s collapsing economy and ongoing political instability have driven many to seek better lives abroad, looking for jobs or educational opportunities.

    Characters in Toronto grapple with cultural dislocation. They long for home as they tackle the challenges of forging new forms of kinship abroad. The Toronto that Muchemwa renders is richly textured. It’s far from a generic western backdrop. It is portrayed as a space of possibility and tension in which characters remake themselves in the face of displacement.

    Why is it a special book to you as a scholar?

    Muchemwa’s prose is precise, controlled, and emotionally resonant. She writes with confidence, trusting the power of implication and delicate shifts in tone. The plots of the stories are simple. They are not driven by dramatic revelations. Rather, by accumulative emotional insight. Her characters often seem to border on the edge of decision or reconciliation. In fact, their silences are as revealing as their speech.

    Throughout the collection, there’s a sense of hushed intensity. The question of who will be there – at the end, in crisis, in love – lingers and ties the stories together. Even as her characters move between countries, generations and identities, they remain tied by their desire for recognition and care.

    Read more: Books: folklore and fantasy combine in Langabi, a supernatural historical epic from Zimbabwe

    Muchemwa’s debut contributes to a growing body of contemporary African writing that focuses on intimacy, friendship and queerness as legitimate and urgent narrative concerns. Who Will Bury You? offers a fresh take that avoids the clichés and stereotypes often associated with African literature – what Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has famously called the single story.

    Rather than dwelling on recurrent tropes of suffering or political crisis, Muchemwa’s stories place a spotlight on private lives and emotional entanglements. They compel us to be attentive to the quiet yet consequential turmoil that takes place within families and intimate relationships.

    The collection does not avoid the cultural and religious violences that have an impact on everyday life. But Muchemwa faces them through the perspective of those who survive, and remake, these constraints on their own terms.

    Who Will Bury You? is a carefully crafted collection that demands close attention. It’s a book about women who refuse to be easily defined. With this collection, Muchemwa asserts herself as a compelling new voice in Zimbabwean and African literature. Her debut represents new African storytelling which continues to expand the narratives of African writers. It dares to centre the personal, the queer, and the emotionally complex.

    – Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined
    – https://theconversation.com/who-will-bury-you-short-stories-from-zimbabwe-about-women-who-refuse-to-be-easily-defined-261291

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Gov. Hochul’s Op-Ed in the USA Today Network

    Source: US State of New York

    oday, the USA Today Network published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul outlining her commitment to securing New York’s clean energy future, including her bold new directive to the New York Power Authority to take the next step towards building an advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York. From leading the nation in community solar to delivering major offshore wind projects, Governor Hochul lays out her vision for an energy strategy to power the next generation of jobs, technology, and economic growth and explains why advanced nuclear must be part of that future. Text of the op-ed can be viewed online and is available below:

    Affordability starts with energy.

    Whether it’s powering a home, a business, or a factory floor, reliable and reasonably priced electricity makes New York’s high quality of life possible. That’s why I’ve made it a cornerstone of our strategy to grow jobs, attract investment, and give families a reason to stay and build their lives here.

    It’s why I’ve worked to attract transformational economic development projects, like Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor campus outside of Syracuse and our nation-leading effort to create the country’s largest super computer dedicated to responsible AI in Buffalo. These investments bring jobs, opportunity, and long-overdue momentum to upstate communities.

    I grew up in Western New York. I remember when the region thrived — when energy from the Niagara River powered steel plants, car factories, and a middle class strong enough to support entire towns. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood at the opening of the Niagara hydropower plant and called it “an example to the world of North American efficiency and determination.”

    But when the economic tides shifted and innovation stalled, upstate cities were left behind. What followed was decades of disinvestment and job loss.

    Now, New York has a chance to reverse that trend — but we need to ensure we have the sufficient power to do it. I believe our state can lead the next energy revolution and, in doing so, bring a new era of prosperity to the regions that once powered America.

    NYPA must embrace advance nuclear power upstate

    That’s why I recently directed the New York Power Authority to take the next step in building an advanced nuclear power plant upstate. It’s a bold move, but one grounded in reality. If we want to power the economy of the future, we need a clean, reliable, around-the-clock source of electricity. Advanced nuclear power can deliver that.

    New York is already a national leader in renewable energy. We’ve topped the charts two years running as the number one community solar market in the country and beat our 2025 distributed solar goal a year ahead of schedule. We built South Fork Wind, the nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm, and put two more major projects — Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind — back on track after I raised their importance directly with the White House.

    These aren’t just policy wins. They represent real jobs, clean power, and progress.

    But solar only works when the sun shines, and wind turbines only spin when the weather is right. The industries of tomorrow need a fully dependable electric grid. They need certainty, which means renewables and clean baseload.

    The next chapter of New York’s economy depends on our ability to power it. Without enough clean and affordable energy, we won’t be able to support the jobs, homes and innovations we’re fighting to bring here.

    Imagine this: Microchips manufactured outside Syracuse are shipped to the University at Buffalo, where they power AI research. Those breakthroughs spark new startups in Rochester, create supply chain opportunities in Binghamton, and support robotics labs in Schenectady. That’s the future we want for upstate New York — one where our communities are connected, our workforce is empowered and our economy is firing on all cylinders.

    But that vision doesn’t run on hope. It runs on electricity, and a lot of it.

    That’s why I’ve committed to an all-of-the-above energy strategy. In just the last five years, we’ve built more than two gigawatts of renewable energy, making New York’s electric grid the second cleanest per capita in the country. But we can’t stop there.

    Advanced nuclear power can fuel New York’s future

    Advanced nuclear power offers baseload electricity without burning fossil fuels. One gigawatt can power one million homes. It’s reliable, carbon-free, and scalable. And it’s not untested — New York already has three nuclear plants that have operated safely and efficiently for decades. These next-generation reactors will be even more advanced and secure.

    I understand concerns about cost. Some projects, like the plant in Georgia, came in late and over budget. We are learning from those experiences, applying best practices and ensuring tight oversight. We can show the country that New York still knows how to build with ambition, discipline and results.

    We’re not just imagining the future. We’re constructing it. When we pair New York’s world-class workforce with forward-looking energy investments, we unlock a new era of innovation and inclusive economic growth.

    Energy helped write the story of the Rust Belt’s rise and fall. Now, it can power the comeback. Let’s seize that opportunity — and build the future that every New Yorker deserves.

    Kathy Hochul is Governor of New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint Statement on the Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Joint Statement on the Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism

    UK and 40 other countries invoke the Moscow Mechanism to address ill treatment of prisoners of war by the Russian Federation

    Thank you, Chair.   I will deliver an abridged version of this statement this afternoon. The full statement will be circulated in writing and I request that it be attached to the Journal of the Day.  

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,  Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,  Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,  San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.   

    Today, our delegations will send the following letter to ODIHR Director Maria Telalian, invoking the Moscow Mechanism, with the support of Ukraine, as we continue to have concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law following Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, including with regard to ill treatment of Ukrainian Prisoners of War (POW).   

    Director Telalian, 

    With Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in its fourth year and as Russia’s illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine has entered its eleventh year, we continue to witness large scale human suffering and alarming reports of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and of international human rights law (IHRL), many of which may amount to the most serious international crimes.  

    Against the backdrop of the full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, launched by the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, a number of credible sources, including the Moscow Mechanism expert missions, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, as well as civil society organizations, have reported that the Russian Federation has consistently violated the rights of prisoners of war (POWs) throughout their detention and at multiple detention facilities within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. There have been credible reports that the extensive and routine torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs throughout their detention constitutes a continued systematic pattern of state policy and practice by the Russian Federation. Torture follows common patterns across different locations, indicating it is a coordinated, deliberate, and systematic practice.  

    In 2022, 2023 and 2024, 45 OSCE Delegations, following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna (Human Dimension) Mechanism, invoked Paragraph 8 of the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism. The reports of the independent missions of experts, received by OSCE participating States, confirmed our shared concerns about the impact of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, its violations and abuses of IHRL, and violations of IHL in Ukraine.  

    We remain particularly alarmed by the findings of the expert missions that some of the violations may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as the identification of patterns of reported violations of IHL and IHRL regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.  

    The prohibition against torture in international law is absolute.  Parties to an armed conflict are obliged to ensure the rights of POWs as set out in the Third Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War and Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. Prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity. No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever. Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted or exposed to unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kin Torture and inhuman treatment of POWs are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, and likewise war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. 

    ODIHR’s Ukraine Monitoring Initiative has continued to identify patterns of reported IHL and IHRL violations related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs including in their Sixth Interim Report of 13 December 2024 and their Seventh Interim Report of 15 July 2025. Interviews with survivors and witnesses attested to a continued practice of systematic torture and other IHL and IHRL violations perpetrated against Ukrainian POWs  prompting serious concerns about the Russian Federation’s failure to comply with the fundamental principles that govern the treatment of POWs.  

    In equal measure, the OHCHR and the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) have reported on the systematic and widespread use of torture of Ukrainian POWs by Russian authorities. In its March 2023 report, the HRMMU documented violations of IHRL and IHL in 32 of 48 detention facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, related to torture and other ill-treatment,  dire conditions of internment  including inadequate quarters, food, hygiene, and medical care, along with restricted communication, forced labor, and a lack of access of independent monitors. .  Many were held incommunicado deprived of the possibility to communicate with family or the outside world. Russian authorities subjected Ukrainian POWs to unlawful prosecutions for mere participation in hostilities; using torture to extract confessions; and denying fair trials.   

    According to witness testimonies, there were numerous incidents whereby POWs died in captivity due to execution, torture, ill-treatment and/or inadequate medical attention as well as inhumane conditions during their captivity.   

    The OHCHR’s October 2024 Report on the Treatment of Prisoners of War further documented detailed and consistent accounts of torture or ill treatment in Russian Federation custody.   

    Survivors have described the wide-ranging methods of torture or ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs including: severe physical beatings; electrocution (including the targeting of genitalia); excessively intense physical exercise; stress positions; dog attacks; mock executions (including simulated hangings); threats of physical violence and death; sexual violence, including rape; threats of rape and castration; threats of coerced sexual acts; and other forms of humiliation.   

    Since the end of August 2024, OHCHR also has recorded a significant increase in credible allegations of executions of Ukrainian servicepersons captured by Russian armed forces, involving at least 97 individuals.   

    The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (UN COI) stated on 23 September 2024 that it has evidence of widespread and systematic torture by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and POWs in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia. They concluded that torture follows common patterns across different locations, indicating it is a coordinated practice.  In their March 2025 report, the UN COI again called on the Russian Federation to immediately end the widespread and systematic use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment committed against civilian detainees and prisoners of war  

    The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine is investigating the reported execution of 273 Ukrainian POWs, including 208 who were reportedly executed on the battlefield and 59 in the ‘‘Olenivka’’ colony. However, the real number of those executed is likely much higher. 

    We are deeply concerned about the severity and frequency of these violations and abuses. We are particularly appalled by reported executions of Ukrainian POWs and Ukrainian soldiers rendered hors de combat upon their surrender and by the desecration/mutilation of bodies.  We are also deeply concerned with the practice of filming and distributing images of these abhorrent incidents.  

    Following grave concerns over the ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs, highlighted, inter alia, by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the OSCE, we call on all parties to the armed conflict ensure that POWs are treated in full compliance with IHL.  

    We recall that OSCE participating States have committed themselves to respect IHL, including the Third Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 1949, bearing in mind that the willful killing, torture, inhuman treatment, causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health of persons protected under the Geneva Conventions, including prisoners of war, constitutes a war crime. No prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest. Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity. 

    We also recall that the prohibition of torture is a peremptory norm of international law without territorial limitation, which applies at all times and in all places.   Measures of reprisal against POWs are prohibited. 

    We call on the Russia Federation to end the torture and ill-treatment of all detainees and ensure adequate conditions of detention including the provision of basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and medical care. We further call for providing timely and accurate information on detainees’ whereabouts and legal status, and for granting international humanitarian organizations, like the International Committee of the Red Cross, unfettered access to such persons. 

    Gravely concerned by the continuing impacts of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, and gravely concerned by credible allegations of the torture, ill-treatment and executions of Ukrainian POWs, and soldiers hors de combat, the delegations of Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,  Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,  Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,  San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna Mechanism, invoke the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism under Paragraph 8 of that document.  

    We request that ODIHR inquire of Ukraine whether it would invite a mission of experts to build upon previous findings, and:  

    To establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of relevant OSCE commitments; violations and abuses of human rights; and violations of IHL, including possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by the Russian Federation ; 

    To collect, consolidate, and analyse this information including to determine if there is a pattern of widespread and systematic torture, ill-treatment and execution of Ukrainian POWs and soldiers hors de combat and/or at detention facilities by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia and 

    To offer recommendations on relevant accountability mechanisms. 

    We also invite ODIHR to provide any relevant information or documentation derived from any new expert mission to other appropriate accountability mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine or the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction.  

    Thank you for your attention.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sunderland foster carers receive royal honours for more than 20 years of service

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Two foster carers from Sunderland have become Members of Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of more than two decades of life-changing service to local children and young people.

    Jayne and Graham Carlisle, who have opened their home and hearts to more than 70 children over the past 20+ years, received the honour during a special ceremony conducted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Ms Lucy Winskell, OBE. The ceremony took place at Sunderland City Hall on Wednesday 23 July, with their children David and Holly, friends, family and the team from Together for Children fostering in attendance.

    Since 2003, the couple has offered a supportive home to children of diverse backgrounds for various durations, ranging from emergencies and holidays to short-term care arrangements and permanent care, even helping young people transition to independent living.

    “We are honoured and humbled to receive this MBE on behalf of all foster carers,” said Jayne and Graham Carlisle. “We are deeply grateful to Together for Children Sunderland, health professionals, schools, our family, and fellow foster carers – their unwavering support over 22 years has meant everything to us.

    “Fostering has been a life-changing and truly rewarding journey. We have shared countless special moments; from listening to a child sing at a school concert, watching them open presents during the holidays, and celebrating their achievements at school. Each experience reminds us of the privilege it is to be part of their lives.

    “This award really belongs to all the children and young people who have touched our hearts, to our family, and to the dedicated carers who also walk this path alongside us. Thank you for making this possible and for your shared commitment to changing lives.”

    Commenting on the award, the Lord-Lieutenant said: “I am absolutely delighted, on behalf of His Majesty the King, to present Jayne and Graham with their MBE medals in recognition of their services to foster care.

    Their unwavering commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and loving environment for so many children is truly inspiring. Jayne and Graham embody the very best of our community spirit here in Tyne and Wear, and it is a privilege to honour their service and dedication in this way.”

    As His Majesty’s representative in Tyne and Wear, the Lord-Lieutenant plays a key role in recognising outstanding service and achievements within the community. One of the most rewarding duties is presenting honours and awards on behalf of the King, celebrating individuals like Jayne and Graham who make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

    The title of MBE is awarded for achievement or service in and to the community, which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others.

    The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque said: “Jayne and Graham have given over 20 years to supporting children and young people in Sunderland during the most formative years of their lives. Seeing them receive their MBE was an honour – and testament to the difference foster carers can make. Spending time with them, their extended team, and hearing about the supportive fostering community around Sunderland was genuinely heartwarming and inspiring. Jayne and Graham’s story is a powerful reminder of the real, lasting difference foster carers can make in the lives of children and young people.”

    Foster with North East, established in September 2023, represents the first regional fostering recruitment and support hub of its kind in England. The hub was created to address the national shortage of foster carers. It encompasses all 12 local authorities across the North East and is led by Together for Children, the Children’s Services partner of Sunderland City Council.

    Foster with North East welcomes enquiries from individuals, couples, and families from all backgrounds who are interested in providing a safe and nurturing home environment for babies, children, and young people. The service accommodates a wide range of fostering options – including weekend, holiday, short-term, and long-term care – and offers comprehensive guidance to help prospective carers understand how fostering with a local council can complement their lives. The application and approval process is streamlined and can be completed within four months, ensuring that those committed to making a positive impact in the community can do so efficiently and with the support of their local fostering community.

    For further information about fostering opportunities, please call 0800 917 7771 or visit www.fosterwithnortheast.org.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cabinet backs updated Healthy City Plan

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet has backed a plan which seeks to address the current health challenges in the city.

    Four years on from its launch, Cabinet Members have endorsed Sunderland Health and Wellbeing Board’s refreshed Healthy City Plan 2020-2035.

    The updated plan, which is the statutory Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Sunderland, recognises the role everyone can play in strengthening the building blocks of health, as well as showcasing a number of achievements since it was approved in 2021.

    The “building blocks of health” are the essential conditions that shape our ability to live healthy lives.

    These include factors such as our income, education, employment, housing, social connections, the food we eat and the physical environment.

    The plan sets out how strengthening these building blocks through coordinated action will help address disparities where they exist across the city and improve health. This means thinking about health in everything we do – from schools and employers, to housing, transport, and community spaces.

    Councillor Kelly Chequer, Sunderland City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said: “Since the Healthy City Plan was launched in 2021, we’ve made real progress. Smoking rates have fallen. Breastfeeding rates are up. Fewer older people are being admitted to hospital due to falls. And alcohol-related hospital admissions for under-18s have more than halved.

    “We’re working better together. Family Hubs are supporting children and families, and Links for Life Sunderland is connecting people in communities with services, activities, and each other, including walking groups, money advice or just someone to talk to.

    “But challenges remain. Too many people in Sunderland are still being held back from good health.

    “Experiencing poverty, discrimination or having a disability are some of the things that can make accessing the key building blocks of health even harder, shaping how long and how well we live. Together, we must address the key health challenges where they exist across the city.

    “We are making improvements, but there’s more to do. We all have a role to play in making Sunderland a healthy, thriving city.

    “The people of Sunderland must be at the heart of everything we do, guiding and shaping where we prioritise our efforts.”

    The refreshed Healthy City Plan has twelve new priorities, under the themes of Healthy Places, Healthy Communities and Healthy People:

    Healthy Places

    • An accessible and friendly city
    • A green and healthy city
    • Healthy homes for all
    • Leading by example

    Healthy Communities

    • Financial wellbeing
    • Good work for all 
    • Stronger and connected communities
    • Neighbourhood support and services

    Healthy People

    • Best start in life
    • Engagement in education and training
    • Living well  all stages of life
    • Access to health and social care when we need it

    Cllr Chequer added: “We need to support people who face the greatest barriers to good health and wellbeing and tailor our work to meet their needs. The Health and Wellbeing Board is committed to leading and influencing action across the city to improve health and reduce inequalities.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Torture, threats and arbitrary arrests: UN warns of ‘serious abuses’ against Afghans forced to return

    Source: United Nations 2

    These abuses include threats, cases of torture, mistreatment and arbitrary arrest and detention, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

    The report said these violations were committed against Afghans “based on their profile” and targeted women, media workers and civil society members as well as individuals affiliated with the former government that fell in 2021 and its security forces, despite the Taliban’s claims that such individuals benefit from an amnesty.

    “No one should be returned to a country where they are at risk of being persecuted because of their identity or personal history,” said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

    “In Afghanistan, this situation is even more pronounced for women and girls, who are subjected to a series of measures that amount to persecution solely on the basis of their gender.”

    Since 2023 and the start of large-scale deportation campaigns launched by Iran and Pakistan, millions of Afghans have returned to their country. In 2025 alone, more than 1.8 million people have returned to Afghanistan, 1.5 million of them from Iran.

    Women under house arrest

    The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, recently estimated that the total could reach three million by the end of the year, returning to a country facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

    The situation of women forcibly returned is particularly dire. A former television journalist, who left the country after the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, described how, after being involuntarily returned to Afghanistan, she saw her prospects vanish.

    “I am very worried for my personal safety and feel immense frustration with the current situation imposed on women in [my province]. I can unequivocally say that I am effectively under house arrest. There are no job opportunities, no freedom of movement and no access to education – whether to learn or to teach – for women and girls,” she testified.

    Many people are also forced to live in hiding since returning to Afghanistan due to real or feared threats from the de facto authorities. This is the case for individuals affiliated with the former government and its security forces, who have had to go into hiding for fear of reprisals, despite the public amnesty announced by the de facto authorities.

    Living in hiding

    A former official described how, after returning in 2023, he was detained for two nights in a house where he was severely tortured, beaten with sticks, cables and wood, subjected to water torture and faced a mock execution.

    Other refugees returned from Iran must frequently change locations to avoid being identified, such as one former judge.

    “I try to stay hidden because I know that the prisoners who were detained because of my decisions are now senior government officials and are still looking for me. If they find me, I’m sure they’ll kill me. They already threatened me when I was a judge,” they said.

    Faced with these serious abuses, the UN is urging States not to return anyone to Afghanistan who faces a real risk of serious human rights violations.

    “Member States should expand resettlement opportunities for at-risk Afghans and ensure their protection, giving priority to those most likely to suffer human rights violations if returned to Afghanistan, including women and girls, individuals affiliated with the former government and security forces, media professionals, civil society activists and human rights defenders,” the report said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. Reports Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: NECB) (the “Company”), the parent holding company of NorthEast Community Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income of $11.2 million, or $0.85 per basic share and $0.82 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to net income of $12.8 million, or $0.98 per basic share and $0.97 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. In addition, the Company reported net income of $21.7 million, or $1.65 per basic share and $1.60 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to net income of $24.2 million, or $1.84 per basic share and $1.83 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    Kenneth A. Martinek, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, stated “We are once again pleased to be able to report continued strong performance throughout our entire loan portfolio, with continuing focus on construction lending in high demand, high absorption sub-markets, as well as our growing cooperative building lending program throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. Despite the uncertainty throughout the national economy during the first half of the year, loan demand continues to increase with outstanding unfunded commitments exceeding $636 million at June 30, 2025.”

    Highlights for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2025 are as follows:

    • Performance metrics continue to be strong with a return on average total assets ratio of 2.27%, a return on average shareholders’ equity ratio of 13.37%, and an efficiency ratio of 40.52% for the three months ended June 30, 2025. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company reported a return on average total assets ratio of 2.20%, a return on average shareholders’ equity ratio of 13.18%, and an efficiency ratio of 41.08%.
    • Asset quality metrics continue to remain strong with no non-performing loans at either June 30, 2025 or December 31, 2024, and non-performing assets to total assets of 0.04% and 0.25% at June 30, 2025 and at December 31, 2024, respectively. Our allowance for credit losses related to loans totaled $4.7 million, or 0.26% of total loans at June 30, 2025 compared to $4.8 million, or 0.27% of total loans at December 31, 2024.
    • Total stockholders’ equity increased by $18.3 million, or 5.8%, to $336.7 million, or 17.06% of total assets as of June 30, 2025 from $318.3 million, or 15.84% of total assets as of December 31, 2024.

    Balance Sheet Summary

    Total assets decreased $35.7 million, or 1.8%, to $2.0 billion at June 30, 2025, from $2.0 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in assets was primarily due to decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $18.9 million, net loans of $14.9 million, and real estate owned of $4.4 million, partially offset by an increase of $3.4 million in equity securities.

    Cash and cash equivalents decreased $18.9 million, or 24.1%, to $59.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $78.3 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was a result of a decrease in deposits of $191.2 million, partially offset by increases of $135.0 million in borrowings, decreases of $14.9 million in net loans, and increases of $3.4 million in equity securities.

    Equity securities increased $3.4 million, or 15.2%, to $25.3 million at June 30, 2025 from $22.0 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in equity securities was attributable to the purchase of $3.0 million in equity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and market appreciation of $351,000 due to market interest rate volatility during the six months ended June 30, 2025.

    Securities held-to-maturity decreased $218,000, or 1.5%, to $14.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $14.6 million at December 31, 2024 due to $128,000 in maturities and pay-downs of various investment securities.

    Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, decreased $14.9 million, or 0.8%, to $1.8 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2024.   The decrease in loans consisted of decreases of $102.7 million in construction loans, $1.6 million in consumer loans, $482,000 in mixed-use loans, $475,000 in non-residential loans, and $74,000 in one-to-four family loans. The decrease in our construction loan portfolio was due to normal pay-downs and principal reductions as construction projects were completed and either condominium units were sold to end buyers or multi-family rental buildings were refinanced by other financial institutions. The decrease in construction loans was offset by increases of $85.9 million in multi-family loans of which $43.2 million is attributed to residential cooperative building loans and $4.3 million in commercial and industrial loans.

    During the six months ended June 30, 2025, we originated loans totaling $462.7 million consisting primarily of $338.8 million in construction loans, $95.4 million in multi-family loans of which $32.9 million is attributed to residential cooperative building loans, $27.8 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $730,000 in mixed-use loans. The $338.8 million in construction loans had 41.6% disbursed at loan closing, with the remaining funds to be disbursed over the terms of the construction loans.

    The allowance for credit losses related to loans decreased to $4.7 million as of June 30, 2025, from $4.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses related to loans was due to charge-offs totaling $602,000, offset by recoveries totaling $434,000 and provision for credit losses totaling $62,000.  

    Premises and equipment increased $536,000, or 2.2%, to $25.3 million at June 30, 2025 from $24.8 million at December 31, 2024 primarily due to the purchases of additional fixed assets.

    Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased $688,000, or 173.3%, to $1.1 million at June 30, 2025 from $397,000 at December 31, 2024 primarily due to an increase in borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

    Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) increased $336,000, or 1.3%, to $26.1 million at June 30, 2025 from $25.7 million at December 31, 2024 due to increases in the BOLI cash value.

    Accrued interest receivable decreased $1.4 million, or 10.1%, to $12.1 million at June 30, 2025 from $13.5 million at December 31, 2024 due to a decrease of $14.9 million in the loan portfolio.

    Real estate owned decreased $4.4 million, or 85.0%, to $767,000 at June 30, 2025 from $5.1 million at December 31, 2024 due to the sale of a foreclosed property to an independent third party.

    Property held for investment was $1.4 million at both June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

    Right of use assets — operating increased $382,000, or 9.6%, to $4.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $4.0 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to the physical expansion of a branch office and the resulting revision to the operating lease, partially offset by the amortization of the right of use assets.

    Other assets decreased $1.2 million, or 10.5%, to $10.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $11.6 million at December 31, 2024 due to decreases of $1.2 million in tax assets and $118,000 in prepaid expenses, partially offset by an increase of $116,000 in suspense accounts.

    Total deposits decreased $191.2 million, or 11.5%, to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.7 billion at December 31, 2024. The decrease in deposits was primarily due to a decrease in certificates of deposit of $251.5 million, or 25.1%, partially offset by increases in NOW/money market accounts of $56.4 million, or 23.2%, savings account balances of $3.3 million, or 2.4%, and non-interest bearing deposits of $2.2 million, or 0.8%.   The decrease of $251.5 million in certificates of deposit consisted of a decrease in retail certificates of deposit of $134.2 million, or 26.2%, and a decrease in brokered certificates of deposit of $129.1 million, or 29.7%, partially offset by an increase in non-brokered listing services certificates of deposit of $11.7 million, or 35.0%.

    The decrease in retail certificates of deposit was due to a shift in deposits to our retail high yield money market accounts. The decrease in brokered certificates of deposit was due to management’s strategy to reduce the cost of funds by “calling” higher rate brokered deposits on their call dates.

    Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance increased $804,000, or 49.7%, to $2.4 million at June 30, 2025 from $1.6 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to accumulation of real estate tax payments from borrowers.

    Borrowings increased to $135.0 million at June 30, 2025 from none at December 31, 2024 due primarily to management’s strategy to diversify funding sources.

    Lease liability – operating increased $389,000, or 9.5%, to $4.5 million at June 30, 2025 from $4.1 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to the physical expansion of a branch office and the resulting revision to the operating lease, partially offset by the amortization of the lease liability.

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $970,000, or 6.7%, to $15.5 million at June 30, 2025 from $14.5 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to increases in accrued borrowing interest expense of $905,000, accounts payable of $666,000, deferred compensation of $312,000, suspense accounts for loan closings of $269,000, and the allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000, partially offset by a decrease in accrued expense of $1.4 million.

    The allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments increased $175,000, or 24.9%, to $879,000 at June 30, 2025 from $704,000 at December 31, 2024 due primarily to an increase of $74.5 million, or 13.3%, in off-balance sheet commitments since December 31, 2024.

    Stockholders’ equity increased $18.3 million, or 5.8% to $336.7 million at June 30, 2025, from $318.3 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in stockholders’ equity was due to net income of $21.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, an increase of $638,000 in earned employee stock ownership plan shares coupled with a reduction of $435,000 in unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, and the amortization expense of $894,000 relating to restricted stock and stock options granted under the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, partially offset by dividends declared of $5.4 million and $4,000 in other comprehensive loss.

    Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income was $25.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $26.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in net interest income of $1.1 million, or 4.4%, was primarily due to a decrease in interest income that exceeded a decrease in interest expense and a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds for interest bearing liabilities.

    Total interest and dividend income decreased $2.2 million, or 5.5%, to $38.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $40.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest and dividend income was due to a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets by 78 basis points from 8.89% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 to 8.11% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $64.9 million, or 3.6%, to $1.9 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.8 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 7.5%, to $13.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $14.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest expense was due to a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 45 basis points from 4.33% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 to 3.88% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of  $41.9 million, or 3.2%, to $1.3 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Our net interest margin decreased 44 basis points, or 7.6%, to 5.35% for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 5.79% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to a 100 basis points decrease in the Federal Funds rate from September 2024 to December 2024 that resulted in a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities.

    Credit Loss Expense

    The Company recorded no credit loss expense for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to a credit loss expense reduction of $226,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    The credit loss expense reduction of $226,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $218,000 and a credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $8,000. The credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $218,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to a reduction of $30.4 million in the level of off-balance sheet commitments and favorable trends in the economy.

    With respect to the allowance for credit losses for loans, we charged-off $485,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to charge-offs of $12,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The charge-offs during both periods were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

    We recorded recoveries of $82,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to no recoveries during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The recoveries of $82,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025 comprised of recoveries from a previously charged-off unpaid overdraft on a demand deposit account.

    Non-Interest Income

    Non-interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2025 was $858,000 compared to non-interest income of $731,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase of $127,000, or 17.4%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to increases of $71,000 in unrealized gain on equity securities, $48,000 in other loan fees and service charges, and $8,000 in BOLI income.

    The increase in unrealized gain on equity securities was due to an unrealized gain of $51,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to an unrealized loss of $20,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2024. Both the unrealized gain of $51,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2025 and the unrealized loss of $20,000 on equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2024 were due to market interest rate volatility during both periods.

    The increase of $48,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to an increase of $60,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees and an increase of $2,000 in deposit account fees, partially offset by a decrease of $14,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees. The increase in BOLI income of $8,000 was due to an increase in the yield on BOLI assets.

    Non-Interest Expense

    Non-interest expense increased $1.0 million, or 10.6%, to $10.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $9.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $398,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $220,000 in real estate owned expense, $151,000 in outside data processing expense, $111,000 in other operating expense, $69,000 in occupancy expense, $32,000 in equipment expense, and $29,000 in advertising expense.

    Income Taxes

    We recorded income tax expense of $4.3 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2025, we had approximately $210,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $199,000 in tax exempt income for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Our effective income tax rates were 27.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024.  

    Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income was $49.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to $51.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in net interest income of $1.9 million, or 3.7%, was primarily due to a decrease in interest income that exceeded a decrease in interest expense and a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds for interest bearing liabilities.

    Total interest and dividend income decreased $2.1 million, or 2.7%, to $76.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $78.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest and dividend income was due to a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets by 75 basis points from 8.83% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 8.08% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $112.3 million, or 6.3%, to $1.9 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.8 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    Interest expense decreased $242,000, or 0.9%, to $26.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $27.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in interest expense was due to a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities by 34 basis points from 4.31% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 3.97% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $95.7 million, or 7.6%, to $1.4 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    Net interest margin decreased 54 basis points, or 9.4%, to 5.23% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 5.77% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to a 100 basis points decrease in the Federal Funds rate from September 2024 to December 2024 that resulted in a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a smaller decrease in the cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities.

    Credit Loss Expense

    The Company recorded a credit loss expense of $237,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to a credit loss expense reduction of $391,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The credit loss expense of $237,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was comprised of credit loss expense for loans of $62,000 and credit loss expense for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000.

    The credit loss expense for loans of $62,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was primarily due to an increase in the multi-family loan portfolio. The credit loss expense for off-balance sheet commitments of $175,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was primarily due to an increase in unfunded off-balance sheet commitments.

    The credit loss expense reduction of $391,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was comprised of a credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $235,000, a credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000, and a credit loss expense reduction for held-to-maturity investment securities of $11,000. The credit loss expense reduction for off-balance sheet commitments of $235,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributed to a reduction of $27.2 million in the level of off-balance sheet commitments and favorable trends in the economy. The credit loss expense reduction for loans of $145,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributed to favorable trends in the economy.

    With respect to the allowance for credit losses for loans, we charged-off $602,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to charge-offs of $33,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The charge-offs during both periods were against various unpaid overdrafts in our demand deposit accounts.

    We recorded recoveries of $434,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to no recoveries during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The recoveries of $434,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2025 comprised of recoveries of $350,000 with respect to a previously charged-off non-residential mortgage loan and $84,000 from previously charged-off unpaid overdrafts on demand deposit accounts.

    Non-Interest Income

    Non-interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $2.1 million compared to non-interest income of $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase of $808,000, or 62.9%, in total non-interest income was primarily due to increases of $453,000 in unrealized gain on equity securities, $326,000 in other loan fees and service charges, $17,000 in BOLI income, and $12,000 in miscellaneous other non-interest income.

    The increase in unrealized gain on equity securities was due to an unrealized gain of $351,000 on equity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to an unrealized loss of $102,000 on equity securities during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Both the unrealized gain of $351,000 on equity securities during the 2025 period and the unrealized loss of $102,000 on equity securities during the 2024 period were due to market interest rate volatility during both periods.

    The increase of $326,000 in other loan fees and service charges was due to increases of $232,000 in other loan fees and loan servicing fees, $91,000 in ATM/debit card/ACH fees, and $3,000 in deposit account fees. The increase in BOLI income of $17,000 was due to an increase in the yield on BOLI assets.

    Non-Interest Expense

    Non-interest expense increased $1.9 million, or 10.2%, to $21.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $19.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase resulted primarily from increases of $980,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $332,000 in other operating expense, $251,000 in outside data processing expense, $238,000 in real estate owned expense, $108,000 in occupancy expense, and $43,000 in advertising expense, partially offset by a decrease of $4,000 in equipment expense.

    Income Taxes

    We recorded income tax expense of $8.3 million and $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, we had approximately $415,000 in tax exempt income, compared to approximately $394,000 in tax exempt income for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Our effective income tax rates were 27.7% and 28.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

    Asset Quality

    Non-performing assets were $767,000 at June 30, 2025 compared to $5.1 million at December 31, 2024.   The non-performing assets consisted of one foreclosed property located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We sold one foreclosed property totaling $4.3 million located in the Bronx, New York on June 30, 2025 to a third-party buyer at no loss to the Company and in connection therewith we provided the financing to complete the multi-family project.

    Our ratio of non-performing assets to total assets remained low at 0.04% at June 30, 2025 as compared to 0.25% at December 31, 2024.

    The Company’s allowance for credit losses related to loans was $4.7 million, or 0.26% of total loans as of June 30, 2025, compared to $4.8 million, or 0.27% of total loans as of December 31, 2024. Based on a review of the loans that were in the loan portfolio at June 30, 2025, management believes that the allowance for credit losses related to loans is maintained at a level that represents its best estimate of inherent losses in the loan portfolio that were both probable and reasonably estimable.

    In addition, at June 30, 2025, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet commitments totaled $879,000 and the allowance for credit losses related to held-to-maturity debt securities totaled $126,000.

    Capital

    The Company’s total stockholders’ equity to assets ratio was 17.06% as of June 30, 2025.   At June 30, 2025, the Company had the ability to borrow $740.2 million from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, $23.1 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and $8.0 million from Atlantic Community Bankers Bank.

    The Bank’s capital position remains strong relative to current regulatory requirements and the Bank is considered a well-capitalized institution under the Prompt Corrective Action framework. As of June 30, 2025, the Bank had a tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 15.87% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.99%.

    The Company completed its first stock repurchase program on April 14, 2023 whereby the Company repurchased 1,637,794 shares, or 10%, of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. The cost of the stock repurchase program totaled $23.0 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.   Of the total shares repurchased under this program, 957,275 of such shares were repurchased during 2023 at a total cost of $13.7 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.

    The Company commenced its second stock repurchase program on May 30, 2023 whereby the Company will repurchase 1,509,218, or 10%, of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had repurchased 1,091,174 shares of common stock under its second repurchase program, at a cost of $17.2 million, including commission costs and Federal excise taxes.

    About NorthEast Community Bancorp

    NorthEast Community Bancorp, headquartered at 325 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601, is the holding company for NorthEast Community Bank, which conducts business through its eleven branch offices located in Bronx, New York, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties in New York and Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk Counties in Massachusetts and three loan production offices located in New City, New York, White Plains, New York, and Danvers, Massachusetts. For more information about NorthEast Community Bancorp and NorthEast Community Bank, please visit www.necb.com.

    Forward Looking Statement

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to, changes in market interest rates, regional and national economic conditions (including higher inflation or recessionary conditions and their impact on regional and national economic conditions), legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government, including policies of the United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts, the quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and securities, competition, demand for financial services in NorthEast Community Bank’s market area, changes in the real estate market values in NorthEast Community Bank’s market area, the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company’s operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns, and changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines. Additionally, other risks and uncertainties may be described in our annual and quarterly reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available through the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

    CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Martinek
      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
       
    PHONE:  (914) 684-2500
     
    NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
    (Unaudited)
     
        June 30,   December 31,
        2025     2024  
        (In thousands, except share
        and per share amounts)
    ASSETS            
    Cash and amounts due from depository institutions   $ 19,042     $ 13,700  
    Interest-bearing deposits     40,331       64,559  
    Total cash and cash equivalents     59,373       78,259  
    Certificates of deposit     100       100  
    Equity securities     25,345       21,994  
    Securities held-to-maturity (net of allowance for credit losses of $126 and $126, respectively)     14,398       14,616  
    Loans receivable     1,797,618       1,812,647  
    Deferred loan fees, net     (62 )     (49 )
    Allowance for credit losses     (4,724 )     (4,830 )
    Net loans     1,792,832       1,807,768  
    Premises and equipment, net     25,341       24,805  
    Investments in restricted stock, at cost     1,085       397  
    Bank owned life insurance     26,074       25,738  
    Accrued interest receivable     12,119       13,481  
    Real estate owned     767       5,120  
    Property held for investment     1,352       1,370  
    Right of Use Assets – Operating     4,383       4,001  
    Right of Use Assets – Financing     345       347  
    Other assets     10,370       11,585  
    Total assets   $ 1,973,884     $ 2,009,581  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
    Liabilities:            
    Deposits:            
    Non-interest bearing   $ 287,741     $ 287,135  
    Interest bearing     1,191,420       1,383,240  
    Total deposits     1,479,161       1,670,375  
    Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance     2,422       1,618  
    Borrowings     135,000       –  
    Lease Liability – Operating     4,497       4,108  
    Lease Liability – Financing     628       609  
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses     15,500       14,530  
    Total liabilities     1,637,208       1,691,240  
                 
    Stockholders’ equity:            
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding   $ —     $ —  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 14,023,376 shares and 14,016,254 shares outstanding, respectively     140       140  
    Additional paid-in capital     111,624       110,091  
    Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares     (5,653 )     (6,088 )
    Retained earnings     230,345       213,974  
    Accumulated other comprehensive gain     220       224  
    Total stockholders’ equity     336,676       318,341  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,973,884     $ 2,009,581  
                 
    NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
     
        Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
        2025   2024     2025   2024  
        (In thousands, except per share amounts)   (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    INTEREST INCOME:                            
    Loans   $ 36,740     $ 38,634     $ 73,622     $ 75,337  
    Interest-earning deposits     1,027       1,385       2,108       2,585  
    Securities     272       218       516       436  
    Total Interest Income     38,039       40,237       76,246       78,358  
    INTEREST EXPENSE:                            
    Deposits     12,053       13,435       25,986       25,829  
    Borrowings     902       570       902       1,302  
    Financing lease     10       10       20       19  
    Total Interest Expense     12,965       14,015       26,908       27,150  
    Net Interest Income     25,074       26,222       49,338       51,208  
    Provision for (reversal of) credit loss     —       (226 )     237       (391 )
    Net Interest Income after Provision for (Reversal of) Credit Loss     25,074       26,448       49,101       51,599  
    NON-INTEREST INCOME:                            
    Other loan fees and service charges     611       563       1,351       1,025  
    Earnings on bank owned life insurance     170       162       336       319  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities     51       (20 )     351       (102 )
    Other     26       26       55       43  
    Total Non-Interest Income     858       731       2,093       1,285  
    NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:                            
    Salaries and employee benefits     5,650       5,252       11,583       10,603  
    Occupancy expense     743       674       1,489       1,381  
    Equipment     253       221       470       474  
    Outside data processing     758       607       1,494       1,243  
    Advertising     123       94       225       182  
    Real estate owned expense     247       27       277       39  
    Other     2,734       2,623       5,589       5,257  
    Total Non-Interest Expenses     10,508       9,498       21,127       19,179  
    INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES     15,424       17,681       30,067       33,705  
    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES     4,254       4,883       8,330       9,533  
    NET INCOME   $ 11,170     $ 12,798     $ 21,737     $ 24,172  
                                 
    NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
    SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
    (Unaudited)
     
        Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
        2025     2024     2025     2024  
        (In thousands, except per share amounts)   (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    Per share data:                        
    Earnings per share – basic   $ 0.85     $ 0.98     $ 1.65     $ 1.84  
    Earnings per share – diluted     0.82       0.97       1.60       1.83  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic     13,216       13,084       13,204       13,119  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted     13,568       13,181       13,563       13,205  
    Performance ratios/data:                        
    Return on average total assets     2.27 %     2.70 %     2.20 %     2.60 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     13.37 %     17.28 %     13.18 %     16.59 %
    Net interest income   $ 25,074     $ 26,222     $ 49,338     $ 51,208  
    Net interest margin     5.35 %     5.79 %     5.23 %     5.77 %
    Efficiency ratio     40.52 %     35.24 %     41.08 %     36.54 %
    Net charge-off ratio     0.09 %     0.00 %     0.01 %     0.00 %
                             
    Loan portfolio composition:                 June 30, 2025     December 31, 2024
    One-to-four family               $ 3,398     $ 3,472  
    Multi-family                 292,552       206,606  
    Mixed-use                 26,089       26,571  
    Total residential real estate                 322,039       236,649  
    Non-residential real estate                 28,971       29,446  
    Construction                 1,323,477       1,426,167  
    Commercial and industrial                 123,084       118,736  
    Consumer                 47       1,649  
    Gross loans                 1,797,618       1,812,647  
    Deferred loan fees, net                 (62 )     (49 )
    Total loans               $ 1,797,556     $ 1,812,598  
    Asset quality data:                        
    Loans past due over 90 days and still accruing               $ –     $ –  
    Non-accrual loans                 –       –  
    OREO property                 767       5,120  
    Total non-performing assets               $ 767     $ 5,120  
                             
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans                 0.26 %     0.27 %
    Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans                 0.00 %     0.00 %
    Non-performing loans to total loans                 0.00 %     0.00 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets                 0.04 %     0.25 %
                             
    Bank’s Regulatory Capital ratios:                        
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets                 14.99 %     13.92 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets                 14.71 %     13.65 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets                 14.71 %     13.65 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio                 15.87 %     14.44 %
     
    NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
    NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
    (Unaudited)
     
        Three Months Ended June 30, 2025   Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
        Average   Interest   Average   Average   Interest   Average
        Balance   and dividend   Yield   Balance   and dividend   Yield
        (In thousands, except yield/cost information)   (In thousands, except yield/cost information)
    Loan receivable gross   $ 1,754,363     $ 36,740     8.38 %   $ 1,687,029     $ 38,634     9.16 %
    Securities     37,839       265     2.80 %     33,438       199     2.38 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock     438       7     6.39 %     704       19     10.80 %
    Other interest-earning assets     83,135       1,027     4.94 %     89,736       1,385     6.17 %
    Total interest-earning assets     1,875,775       38,039     8.11 %     1,810,907       40,237     8.89 %
    Allowance for credit losses     (5,122 )                 (4,927 )            
    Non-interest-earning assets     95,651                   91,085              
    Total assets   $ 1,966,304                 $ 1,897,065              
                                         
    Interest-bearing demand deposit   $ 298,689     $ 2,401     3.22 %   $ 205,536     $ 1,930     3.76 %
    Savings and club accounts     141,238       761     2.16 %     158,292       982     2.48 %
    Certificates of deposit     815,000       8,891     4.36 %     884,626       10,523     4.76 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,254,927       12,053     3.84 %     1,248,454       13,435     4.30 %
    Borrowed money     82,712       912     4.41 %     47,276       580     4.91 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,337,639       12,965     3.88 %     1,295,730       14,015     4.33 %
    Non-interest-bearing demand deposit     274,466                   285,368              
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities     20,114                   19,641              
    Total liabilities     1,632,219                   1,600,739              
    Equity     334,085                   296,326              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 1,966,304                 $ 1,897,065              
                                         
    Net interest income / interest spread         $ 25,074     4.23 %         $ 26,222     4.56 %
    Net interest rate margin                 5.35 %                 5.79 %
    Net interest earning assets   $ 538,136                 $ 515,177              
    Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities     140.23 %                 139.76 %            
     
    NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
    NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
    (Unaudited)
     
        Six Months Ended June 30, 2025   Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
        Average   Interest   Average   Average   Interest   Average
        Balance   and dividend   Yield   Balance   and dividend   Yield
        (In thousands, except yield/cost information)   (In thousands, except yield/cost information)
    Loan receivable gross   $ 1,761,069     $ 73,622     8.36 %   $ 1,649,686     $ 75,337     9.13 %
    Securities     37,298       500     2.68 %     33,643       396     2.35 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock     418       16     7.66 %     773       40     10.35 %
    Other interest-earning assets     88,277       2,108     4.78 %     90,644       2,585     5.70 %
    Total interest-earning assets     1,887,062       76,246     8.08 %     1,774,746       78,358     8.83 %
    Allowance for credit losses     (4,978 )                 (5,009 )            
    Non-interest-earning assets     96,071                   89,972              
    Total assets   $ 1,978,155                 $ 1,859,709              
                                         
    Interest-bearing demand deposit   $ 286,726     $ 4,846     3.38 %   $ 188,510     $ 3,483     3.70 %
    Savings and club accounts     140,077       1,491     2.13 %     170,531       2,184     2.56 %
    Certificates of deposit     888,136       19,649     4.42 %     847,606       20,162     4.76 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,314,939       25,986     3.95 %     1,206,647       25,829     4.28 %
    Borrowed money     41,584       922     4.43 %     54,184       1,321     4.88 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,356,523       26,908     3.97 %     1,260,831       27,150     4.31 %
    Non-interest-bearing demand deposit     272,680                   288,639              
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities     19,107                   18,865              
    Total liabilities     1,648,310                   1,568,335              
    Equity     329,845                   291,374              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 1,978,155                 $ 1,859,709              
                                         
    Net interest income / interest spread         $ 49,338     4.11 %         $ 51,208     4.52 %
    Net interest rate margin                 5.23 %                 5.77 %
    Net interest earning assets   $ 530,539                 $ 513,915              
    Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities     139.11 %                 140.76 %            

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko, Fitzpatrick, Bacon, and Markey Introduce Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) today reintroduced H.R. 4744, the Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill that tackles the nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the extensive community trauma caused by natural disasters. This innovative legislation will empower communities through a new federal grant program to craft their own locally specific responses to the mental health problems caused by disasters and toxic stresses.

    “Extreme weather disasters don’t just wreak havoc on our homes, economies, and infrastructure — they inflict lasting trauma and mental harm for those both directly impacted and far beyond the affected area,” Congressman Tonko said. “We need to provide compassionate, evidence-informed solutions to support our communities. That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan legislation in partnership with my colleagues. We’ll continue working to further mental wellness and equip our communities with the resources they need to meet and overcome these traumas.”

    “Communities are struggling to meet the current need for mental health services, and as the climate crisis worsens, unprecedented disasters will only cause more unprecedented harm to our physical and mental health,” said Senator Markey. “Heat waves, flash floods, wildfires, and droughts leave devastation and trauma in their wake. My Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act would give communities the help they need to protect residents’ mental health, especially those in rural and underserved communities that are getting hit first and worst by disasters and have the fewest resources to deal with them.”

    “For too long, our disaster response has focused solely on physical recovery, while the mental and emotional toll has gone unaddressed. This bipartisan legislation corrects that imbalance by treating mental health as a core component of our public health and emergency preparedness strategy. By investing in evidence-based, community-driven solutions, we’re not just helping communities rebuild—we’re helping them heal,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.  

    “The mental health crisis affecting our communities is one of the most serious challenges of our time. We need comprehensive, community-driven solutions that empower local leaders to develop and implement programs that work for their specific needs,” said Congressman Don Bacon. “The bipartisan Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act puts the power back in the hands of our communities to create meaningful, lasting change in mental health care.” 

    In 2024, Mental Health America reported that nearly 23 percent of U.S. adults (~60 million people) experienced a diagnosed mental illness, with more than 5 percent facing severe conditions. Natural disasters only exacerbate the problem. Consequently, the number of people who experience a mental health problem as a result of a natural disaster often outweigh those with physical injuries by 40 to 1.

    The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act will:

    • Establish a competitive grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create, operate, or expand community-based programs that use a public health approach to build mental wellness and resilience
    • These programs will work to enhance the capacity of all residents for mental wellness and resilience to prevent and heal mental health problems generated by disasters and toxic stresses
      • Incorporates a set-aside to help address rural mental health disparities
    • Community initiatives will build their own strategies to enhance and sustain population-level mental wellness and resilience, with specific attention to high-risk individuals

    More than 110 organizations support Rep. Tonko’s legislation, including: Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Lung Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, International Transformational Resilience Coalition,  Mental Health America, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National League for Nursing, Rural Opportunity Institute, The Kennedy Forum, and YMCA of the USA.

    A full list of supporting organizations and their quotes can be found HERE.

    A fact sheet on the legislation can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government and stakeholders progressively strengthen efforts to prevent chikungunya fever (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following the meeting of the Pest Control Steering Committee yesterday (July 23), the Government and stakeholders are progressively strengthening efforts to prevent chikungunya fever (CF). The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, and Assistant Director (Operations) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) Mr Wan Chi-shun visited the area around Greig Road in the Eastern District today (July 24) to inspect the enhanced CF prevention efforts in the community.
     
         According to the discussions at yesterday’s meeting, the intensified mosquito prevention and control measures by the Government and stakeholders include: constantly updating the list of mosquito infestation hotspots to adjust and plan their work based on the actual situation, to ensure that mosquito prevention and control work is prompt and effective; carrying out a new round of actions promptly following Typhoon Wipha to thoroughly eliminate mosquito breeding places, supplemented by fogging operations (i.e. ultra-low volume spraying) to eradicate adult mosquitoes; continuing to take proactive anti-mosquito measures including clearing potential breeding grounds at least once a week during the rainy season and timely co-ordinate fogging operations until the season ends.
     
         The FEHD is convening meetings of inter-departmental task forces on anti-mosquito work through its District Environmental Hygiene Offices to strengthen mosquito control work with district stakeholders, including to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work in target areas that have drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites. The FEHD will also call on property managements to properly repairs their premises so as to minimise mosquito breeding places. Furthermore, regular ultra-low volume fogging operations have been conducted since the onset of the rainy season. The FEHD will continue to provide departments and the industry with professional advice and technical support to assist them in formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures swiftly. At the same time, the FEHD will strengthen publicity and public education.
     
         The survey area inspected today recorded gravidtrap indices reaching Level 3 alert level in May and June this year, indicating  extensive distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The FEHD has been collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to strengthen mosquito prevention and control work in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and ensuring that mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations are operating properly. The first-phase gravidtrap index for this survey area in July has dropped to 5.8 per cent.
     
         Apart from the co-ordination mechanism at district level, the Environment and Ecology Bureau will also convene a meeting with stakeholders under the regular meeting mechanism for pest control. During the meeting, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will present the latest situation of chikungunya fever and responsive measures to be taken by the public. The 15 organisations or institutions participating in this mechanism include the Hong Kong Housing Society, Link, People’s Place, the Hong Kong Property Services Alliance, the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, the Federation of Hong Kong Property Management Industry, the Hong Kong Association of Property Services Agents, the Pest Control Personnel Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Pest Management Association, the Federation of Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories Hawker Associations, the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, the Association of Restaurant Managers, the Hong Kong Construction Association, and the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association.
     
         As the hot and rainy weather approaches, the overall risk of mosquito borne diseases may rise significantly. Recently, a considerable number of CF infection cases have been reported in neighbouring regions and some overseas countries. There is also a large number of citizens and tourists frequently travelling to and from Hong Kong and different places. If people infected with CF outside Hong Kong and is bitten by mosquitoes in Hong Kong during the infectious period, and subsequently the mosquitoes bite other people, local transmission may occur. In view of this, although there have been no CF cases in Hong Kong since 2020, the industry and the public must remain vigilant and intensify mosquito prevention and control efforts to avoid the risk of local cases.
     
         The Government again appeals to members of the public to continue working with us to take early measures to prevent and eliminate mosquitoes at home and other venues early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding places, changing water in vases, scrubbing their inner surfaces, and emptying water fromsaucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and food containers, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management companies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the water accumulation. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergents at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gibson Ncube, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

    Zimbabwe-born, Canada-based Chido Muchemwa’s debut short story collection, Who Will Bury You?, was published late in 2024 and immediately attracted the right kind of attention.

    Here was an unexpected range of themes: queer identity, dislocation in the diaspora, the lingering complexities of family and cultural belonging. The 12 stories, set between Zimbabwe and Canada, trace moments of rupture and reconnection across time and geography. And they’re mostly about women. Women, selfhood, loss and love.

    Gibson Ncube, who researches queer African fiction, unpacks why it’s such a good read.

    What are some of the stories about?

    The recurring questions in Who Will Bury You? are: who will remain when we are gone – who will understand us, who will grieve for us, and who will honour the truths we live by? These questions are animated through emotionally layered stories that centre the lives of Zimbabwean women and queer characters.

    Written with subtlety and care, some of the stories draw on Zimbabwean folklore, allowing Muchemwa to bridge the mythical and the present-day. She demonstrates how ancestral narratives continue to shape how people experience love, loss and belonging.

    The title story introduces a Zimbabwean “church going woman” and her daughter, who is living in Canada and has embraced a lesbian identity. In Zimbabwe, same-sex relationships remain criminalised under laws inherited from colonial rule and reinforced by state-sponsored homophobia. Political leaders often frame queerness as un-African or morally deviant.

    The story is told through alternating perspectives and offers a portrait of intergenerational estrangement, cultural friction, and love strained by silence. What one of the characters calls “things that might never feel sayable”. The theme of queerness recurs in several other stories like This Will Break My Mother’s Heart and If It Wasn’t for the Nights.

    Muchemwa allows these stories to gather meaning through multiple vantage points. She seems to resist resolution in favour of complexity. The collection is a significant contribution to the small but growing body of Zimbabwean literature that openly addresses queerness.

    What’s Muchemwa saying about queer African life?

    One of Muchemwa’s most powerful acts in the book is to treat queer life not as peripheral, but as central to the cultural, emotional and political worlds her characters inhabit. Queer desire, intimacy and estrangement are not exceptional disruptions. They are ordinary realities that are woven into everyday life. In these stories, queerness is at once a site of tenderness, conflict and hope. The effects of religion and colonial morality continue to shape how love is expressed and denied.



    Read more:
    7 queer African works of art: new directions in books, films and fashion

    The stories challenge the erasure of queer voices by positioning them at the heart of families and communities. Queer characters are neither idealised nor victimised. They are allowed to simply be joyful, ambivalent, flawed, and resilient.

    Aside from identity, what are some of the other themes?

    The book also grapples with questions of memory, history and myth. In Finding Mermaids, Muchemwa blends contemporary reportage with folklore. A journalist and her grieving mother investigate the disappearance of young girls in a rural Zimbabwean town who are suspected to have been captured by njuzu, water spirits.

    Other stories, like Kariba Heights and The Captive River, explore the legacies of colonialism and the spiritual power of the Zambezi River. In these stories, Muchemwa is attentive to how land, history and belief have an impact on personal experiences.

    Living away from home, in the diaspora, is also a theme. Zimbabwe’s collapsing economy and ongoing political instability have driven many to seek better lives abroad, looking for jobs or educational opportunities.

    Characters in Toronto grapple with cultural dislocation. They long for home as they tackle the challenges of forging new forms of kinship abroad. The Toronto that Muchemwa renders is richly textured. It’s far from a generic western backdrop. It is portrayed as a space of possibility and tension in which characters remake themselves in the face of displacement.

    Why is it a special book to you as a scholar?

    Muchemwa’s prose is precise, controlled, and emotionally resonant. She writes with confidence, trusting the power of implication and delicate shifts in tone. The plots of the stories are simple. They are not driven by dramatic revelations. Rather, by accumulative emotional insight. Her characters often seem to border on the edge of decision or reconciliation. In fact, their silences are as revealing as their speech.

    Throughout the collection, there’s a sense of hushed intensity. The question of who will be there – at the end, in crisis, in love – lingers and ties the stories together. Even as her characters move between countries, generations and identities, they remain tied by their desire for recognition and care.



    Read more:
    Books: folklore and fantasy combine in Langabi, a supernatural historical epic from Zimbabwe

    Muchemwa’s debut contributes to a growing body of contemporary African writing that focuses on intimacy, friendship and queerness as legitimate and urgent narrative concerns. Who Will Bury You? offers a fresh take that avoids the clichés and stereotypes often associated with African literature – what Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has famously called the single story.

    Rather than dwelling on recurrent tropes of suffering or political crisis, Muchemwa’s stories place a spotlight on private lives and emotional entanglements. They compel us to be attentive to the quiet yet consequential turmoil that takes place within families and intimate relationships.

    The collection does not avoid the cultural and religious violences that have an impact on everyday life. But Muchemwa faces them through the perspective of those who survive, and remake, these constraints on their own terms.

    Who Will Bury You? is a carefully crafted collection that demands close attention. It’s a book about women who refuse to be easily defined. With this collection, Muchemwa asserts herself as a compelling new voice in Zimbabwean and African literature. Her debut represents new African storytelling which continues to expand the narratives of African writers. It dares to centre the personal, the queer, and the emotionally complex.

    Gibson Ncube receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

    – ref. Who Will Bury You? Short stories from Zimbabwe about women who refuse to be easily defined – https://theconversation.com/who-will-bury-you-short-stories-from-zimbabwe-about-women-who-refuse-to-be-easily-defined-261291

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 6 arrested for allowance fraud

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Working Family & Student Financial Assistance Agency today said Police arrested a total of six people for allegedly defrauding or intending to defraud the agency, involving an amount of about $30,000.

    The agency had recently conducted a joint operation with Police to combat fraudulent acts by those seeking to obtain the Working Family Allowance (WFA) illegally.

    The agency’s Working Family Allowance Office, when processing WFA applications in April, detected suspicious documentary proof relating to employment and income submitted by some applicants.

    The agency swiftly reported the incident and referred the cases suspected of using false documents to Police for investigation.

    After a thorough investigation, Police recently carried out an operation and arrested a total of six people so far for allegedly defrauding or intending to defraud the agency.

    The agency will continue to render full assistance to Police in the investigation and recover the overpaid allowances from the relevant persons as appropriate in a timely manner.

    The agency pointed out that it scrutinises every WFA application in a stringent manner and has established a mechanism to identify and guard against fraud cases.

    It added that it will continue to examine WFA applications in a stringent manner to ensure the proper use of public funds. People are urged not to defraud the agency.

    The WFA Scheme aims to support low-income working households. Applicants are required to submit documentary proof of working hours, income and assets to the agency for assessing their eligibility.

    Anyone obtaining the WFA by deception will be disqualified for the WFA and are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Electric boost: EV chargepoints in the UK grow by 27% in a year

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Electric boost: EV chargepoints in the UK grow by 27% in a year

    News follows last week’s announcement that drivers will soon enjoy discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric cars.

    • over 17,000 public chargepoints added to the UK charging network since July 2024
    • more than 82,000 public chargepoints now available in the UK, giving drivers peace of mind that they will be able to charge conveniently wherever their journey takes them
    • government investing £4.5 billion to make it easier and cheaper to own an EV, while backing British carmakers to create jobs and drive investment as part of the Plan for Change

    Electric car drivers and those looking to make the switch can get around with the confidence chargepoints are always close by, as more than 17,000 have been added to the UK network in the past year alone.

    Today (24 July 2025), Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, confirmed the number of chargepoints in the UK has grown by 27% in the past year, with 17,370 added since July 2024.

    The rapid growth in figures – particularly in the north-east, East of England and the West Midlands – means drivers can embark on their journeys with the peace of mind that public chargepoints are a short drive away.

    The new chargepoint numbers follow last week’s announcement that drivers will soon enjoy discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric cars, on top of a £25 million boost to help more drivers charge at home and save up to £1,500 a year when switching to electric.

    Drivers will start to benefit from discounts as soon as manufacturers successfully apply for their zero emission cars, with the scheme open to firms now and funding available until the 2028 to 2029 financial year.

    The government is investing £4.5 billion to make it cheaper and easier to own an EV, while backing British carmakers to create jobs and drive investment – all part of the Plan for Change. This is securing the UK’s position as a world-leader in electric vehicle adoption – with Britain the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and sales up a fifth on the previous year – while helping put more money in people’s pockets.

    Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

    Just last week, we announced record discounts to help make EV ownership a reality for thousands more people, alongside making it easier to charge at home so more drivers can run their EV for as little as 2p a mile – that’s London to Birmingham for £2.50.

    Today’s chargepoint figures show that alongside lowering upfront costs, we’re also making fantastic progress towards expanding our charging network across the UK. With a new chargepoint added to the network every half an hour, we’re helping put range anxiety firmly in the rear-view mirror.

    The sustained growth in the charging network in all 4 corners of the country shows government is firmly on the side of drivers, coming on top of a record £1.6 billion to tackle potholes and keeping the 5p fuel duty freeze until spring 2026, saving the average motorist between £50 and £60 a year.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • PM Modi to attend Maldives Independence Day, pushes forward India-Maldives ties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26. Following his engagements in London, the Prime Minister will arrive in Malé on July 25 for the second leg of his tour, marking his third visit to the Maldives and the first by any head of government during President Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure.

    The visit is expected to build on the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, particularly in the context of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which was adopted during President Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024.

    India and the Maldives have long shared close ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious bonds. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established soon after the Maldives gained independence in 1965, with India being one of the first countries to recognize the island nation. The geographical proximity-barely 70 nautical miles from India’s Minicoy Island-gives the Maldives strategic importance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly in the context of maritime security and commercial sea-lanes.

    Under India’s “Neighbourhood First” foreign policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, the Maldives continues to occupy a special place. India has consistently responded to the Maldives’ needs, be it during the 1988 coup attempt, the 2004 tsunami, the 2014 water crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic, earning its reputation as a trusted partner and first responder.

    The current visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to the bilateral agenda. Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu will review the implementation of the “India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,” which was adopted during President Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024.

    Over the past few years, both countries have maintained a high frequency of exchanges at various levels. In June 2024, President Muizzu had travelled to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers. This was followed by several ministerial visits, including by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who inaugurated key projects supported by India, such as water and sewerage networks across 28 islands, and community development initiatives in sectors like mental health and special education.

    The bilateral engagement has been marked by robust cooperation in areas of defence, economic development, infrastructure, health, and capacity building. India has extended multiple Lines of Credit and grant assistance to the Maldives. Initiatives like the construction of social housing units in Hulhumale, restoration of heritage sites, gifting of vessels and vehicles to the Maldivian armed forces, and the introduction of India’s UPI digital payment system in the Maldives highlight the comprehensive nature of the partnership.

    Recent interactions between ministers of both countries have furthered collaboration in sectors ranging from disaster management and cybersecurity to fisheries and civil services training. The introduction of MoUs in these areas demonstrates India’s continued commitment to the socio-economic development of the Maldives.

  • PM Modi to attend Maldives Independence Day, pushes forward India-Maldives ties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26. Following his engagements in London, the Prime Minister will arrive in Malé on July 25 for the second leg of his tour, marking his third visit to the Maldives and the first by any head of government during President Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure.

    The visit is expected to build on the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, particularly in the context of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, which was adopted during President Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024.

    India and the Maldives have long shared close ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious bonds. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established soon after the Maldives gained independence in 1965, with India being one of the first countries to recognize the island nation. The geographical proximity-barely 70 nautical miles from India’s Minicoy Island-gives the Maldives strategic importance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly in the context of maritime security and commercial sea-lanes.

    Under India’s “Neighbourhood First” foreign policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, the Maldives continues to occupy a special place. India has consistently responded to the Maldives’ needs, be it during the 1988 coup attempt, the 2004 tsunami, the 2014 water crisis, or the COVID-19 pandemic, earning its reputation as a trusted partner and first responder.

    The current visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to the bilateral agenda. Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu will review the implementation of the “India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,” which was adopted during President Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024.

    Over the past few years, both countries have maintained a high frequency of exchanges at various levels. In June 2024, President Muizzu had travelled to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers. This was followed by several ministerial visits, including by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who inaugurated key projects supported by India, such as water and sewerage networks across 28 islands, and community development initiatives in sectors like mental health and special education.

    The bilateral engagement has been marked by robust cooperation in areas of defence, economic development, infrastructure, health, and capacity building. India has extended multiple Lines of Credit and grant assistance to the Maldives. Initiatives like the construction of social housing units in Hulhumale, restoration of heritage sites, gifting of vessels and vehicles to the Maldivian armed forces, and the introduction of India’s UPI digital payment system in the Maldives highlight the comprehensive nature of the partnership.

    Recent interactions between ministers of both countries have furthered collaboration in sectors ranging from disaster management and cybersecurity to fisheries and civil services training. The introduction of MoUs in these areas demonstrates India’s continued commitment to the socio-economic development of the Maldives.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Frankel Opening Remarks at Full Committee Markup of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m going to start by recognizing the collegiality of our Chairman Mr. Diaz-Balart and the thoughtful members on both sides of the aisle. And of course, I want to thank our hardworking staff for their tireless efforts. But most of all, I want to recognize the brave and committed Americans—our diplomats, USAID workers, humanitarian teams, and public health experts and our partners around the world—who bring our country’s values to the world’s toughest places. They’re the ones who delivered vaccines to remote villages in Congo, who help girls in Ethiopia escape forced marriage and find education and safety. 

    I’ve seen their work up close–I know many of us have—and the impact of the programs we funded. Children who escaped the brutality of Assad’s Syria thriving in classrooms in Jordan. Mothers in Malawi learning skills to support their families. Pregnant women in Kenya staying healthy with support from HIV clinics. To all of these workers —past and present: You are the patriots. You represent the best of America. And those who are still serving deserve more than our thanks. They deserve the tools to get the job done.

    Mr. Chairman, I wish we had a bipartisan bill in front of us that I could support that honored that service and reflected America’s leadership. If we had a responsible allocation and a White House that understood diplomacy, development, and humanitarian aid, we could have gotten there. But instead, here we are, questioning whether any of this matters when the President just ignores the will of Congress and the laws we pass.

    So today, I strongly oppose the FY 2026 Republican bill. It’s not just a funding cut—it’s a reckless blueprint for American retreat. Our President seems to think relying on threats and bullying alone is a smart strategy. But chaotic tariffs, cruel immigration crackdowns, and this tepid foreign aid plan before us today is not going to make us more safe, secure, or more prosperous. And attention: we are ceding the world to China. And let me be clear: This bill does not lower costs for hard working families and retirees on day one as promised by President Trump—instead it puts hard earned finances at risk by hurting global stability.

    And tax breaks for billionaires is not a trade-off for millions of starving children and let me just say that this bill does not make one bit of difference in making up the $4 trillion addition to our debt when the Republicans pass what they call their Big Bill their Big Beautiful Bill I call it the Big Ugly Bill   And this bill is just adds to the list of  troubling actions by the Administration.

    Here’s what’s happened leading up: Foreign aid has been held up illegally, then justified by an inane clawback known as recission; USAID—an agency backed by Congress that fights poverty and prevents conflict—gutted; Over 10,000 development and humanitarian professionals dismissed by Elon Musk; 5,000 life-saving aid programs abruptly terminated; 1,300 State Department staff laid off; Offices shuttered. Decades of progress wiped out. How disgusting , the richest man in the world was allowed to pull the plug on programs that save the world’s poorest children.

    The infrastructure and staffing is no longer present to carry out the few programs that remain. Let me say this again with emphasis: The infrastructure and staffing is no longer present to carry out the few programs that remain.

    All while the world faces crisis after crisis: Wars and armed conflict, Extreme weather, Hunger and famine, Disease outbreaks, Mass migration, and Rising authoritarian regimes

    These aren’t distant problems. They land right at our door: Fragile states collapse and migration surges; Trade stops and U.S. farmers and businesses lose buyers ;Climate disasters destroy crops and homes; Broken health systems allow deadly viruses to spread; And when we step back, China and Russia step in—not to help, but to expand their grip.

    We’re leaving behind a gap they fill with money, weapons, and propaganda taking over the airwaves – reaching listeners who used to rely on Voice of America and our international broadcasting. They want to remake the world to fit their playbook.

    Meanwhile, sadly our allies are also slashing foreign aid —pushed to spend more on weapons by Mr. Trump. As global needs explode, democracy’s soft power is vanishing. This bill fails to meet this moment.

    Here’s what it really does:

    Cuts 22% from the international affairs budget – that’s $13 billion, diminishing funding for development and economic assistance:

    • Kids kicked out of the classroom and cut off from clean water
    • Farmers losing seeds and tools to make a living
    • Violence prevention programs vanishing
    • Local nonprofits shut down

    The bill slashes humanitarian aid by 42%:

    • In Nigeria, malnourished infants are dying without food
    • In Myanmar, hospitals are going dark
    • In The Gambia, support for survivors of female genital mutilation has ended—as the country debates making it legal again
    • In Ukraine, wounded soldiers go without care
    • In Ecuador, women entrepreneurs are losing lifelines and heading for our border

    This is a blow to our credibility, our moral standing, and our global influence. Soft power – interestingly enough – development and diplomacy – have been secret weapons abroad. Without them, we’re losing Americans on the ground who know the terrain, see trouble coming, and keep us one step ahead.

    And as always, my, my, my. Here we go again–Republicans couldn’t resist one more swipe at women: Slashing family planning programs that save hundreds of thousands of lives each year and prevent millions of unplanned pregnancies, Reinstating the Global Gag Rule—which blocks funding to foreign groups that even talk about abortion; you can’t even say the word “abortion”, not do abortion, say the word “abortion”– you lose your funding, Gutting the UNFPA—which provides basic reproductive and maternal care in over 150 countries

    And while this bill guts humanitarian programs and walks away from the world’s most vulnerable, the administration is also on the road to destroying one of the smartest, most effective tools of U.S. foreign policy: the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. WPS is not some fringe idea. It’s the law, signed by guess who, Donald Trump. It passed with strong bipartisan support. And here’s why: Women experience conflict differently than men—often bearing the brunt of sexual violence, displacement, and the burden of caring for families amid chaos—yet they are too often excluded from life changing decisions. The WPS agenda has helped train diplomats, strengthen alliances, and put more women at the center of peace and security.

    When women are at the table for peace talks, recovery, and crisis response, the results are better. Period. Peace lasts longer. Communities recover faster. And Missions succeed. And yet, this administration shut down the State Department’s office that leads that work—right when we need women’s leadership the most. That’s not just shortsighted. It makes the world less safe and works directly against our own interests.

    The bill also abandons multilateral institutions and organizations—UNICEF, the UN Development Program, the African and Asian Development Banks, the World Bank, the World Health Organization—undermining our ability to shape the global agenda and ceding ground to autocrats. Guess who? Attention: China is going to take over this world.

    So why should Americans care that these cuts are going to cost more than they save? Because these cuts hurt American families, too.  When we walk away from the world: Chaos spreads; Troops are put in harm’s way; Our adversaries gain ground; And we pay the price—in dollars, and in lives.

    And look, I say this not just as a lawmaker, but as a mother. My son served in the Marines. He was sent to two wars–Iraq and Afghanistan– I know what it means when diplomacy fails. The cost isn’t hypothetical—it hits our soldiers and their families the hardest.

    Let me remind you: the international affairs budget was already less than 1% of our federal spending. But it delivered huge returns: Markets for American goods; Stability abroad; Protection from pandemics; Fewer troops sent into harm’s way.

    Last week, we passed an $832 billion defense bill—that’s hard power. But even our top generals warn: without soft power alongside it, that number will only keep rising. So, Mr. Chairman, This bill is a lost opportunity. It’s a failure to lead. It hurts American families because when health systems collapse, people get sick.  When trade stalls, jobs vanish. When diplomacy fails, our loved ones go to war.  So let me close with this: Democrats aren’t giving up. We’re ready to work together with Republicans to reach a bill that reflects our values, keeps our promises, and protects American lives. Because we can’t bomb and drone our way to peace and prosperity.  A strong America doesn’t hide. And it doesn’t bully. A strong America leads—with vision, with courage, and compassion. And That’s the bill we should be fighting for. Thank you. I yield back.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Ranking Member Frankel Passes Amendment to Strengthen U.S.-Africa Partnership, Introduces Amendment to Improve Foreign Assistance Staffing at State Dept

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Today, during the full committee markup of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations funding bill, Ranking Member Frankel introduced two amendments to safeguard American leadership on the world stage.

    The first ensures that no less than 15% of economic development funds in the bill be directed toward programs in Africa. The amendment passed with unanimous bipartisan support. From Rep. Frankel’s remarks: “By 2050, Africa will be home to a quarter of the world’s population—and nearly half of all global youth. Some cities are booming. Startups are thriving. And across the continent, countries are leapfrogging traditional development paths through mobile banking, financial technology, and energy innovation. By 2030, Africa’s consumer market is expected to top $2.5 trillion. The question is: will the United States be at the table, or will we let others, like China, steer the ship?

    At the same time, we must be clear-eyed. Diseases still ravage vulnerable communities. Young people need access to quality education, job training, and opportunity—so that success is not reserved for elites alone. And while we weigh our options, China is not waiting. It is investing billions in African infrastructure, digital networks, mining operations, and military influence. China is writing the rules of the road—and we’re at real risk of being left behind. We cannot afford to cede this ground. Because this is about more than development assistance—it’s about protecting our shared future.”

    The second amendment aimed to ensure proper staffing at the State Department to effectively take on what remains of USAID programs after they were dismantled by the Trump Administration. The amendment directed the State Department to prioritize rehiring USAID experts who the Administration previously fired. The amendment did not pass. 

    From Rep. Frankel’s remarks: “Babies are dying—not because we lack the science or the resources—but because the Trump Administration chose to dismantle the very programs that could have saved them. The systems that once monitored health outcomes are shutting down, and the true scope of the harm—and the risk to our own national security—is becoming harder to measure.

    We may never be able to fully undo the catastrophic damage caused by the Trump Administration and its DOGE acolytes. But we can start to put things right. That’s what this amendment does. It ensures that the State Department isn’t set up to fail. It brings back the experts. It restores some measure of accountability and gives us the eyes and ears on the ground we need to ensure our humanitarian investments are effective, transparent, and actually reaching the people who need help most. This isn’t just a bureaucratic fix—it’s a moral imperative.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cliff Bentz Works with White House and Oregon’s Governor to Secure Federal Relief for Oregon Following March Storms

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– On May 22, 2025, Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-02), following a meeting with community leaders, and calls with County Commissioners and community leaders of the affected counties, sent a letter to the Acting Region 10 Administrator of FEMA, Vincent Maykovich, urging a federal emergency declaration in response to the severe weather damage in Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties. 
     
    On March 12, 2025, a state of emergency was declared by Governor Kotek, triggering the necessary process of measuring damage resulting from the storms. Congressman Bentz stayed in close contact with the Oregon Emergency Management Agency (OEM), which determined that the storms and resulting flood events had caused approximately $9.5 million in damage. On May 19, 2025, Governor Kotek made the required formal request of a presidential declaration. This step by the Governor’s office cleared the way for Congressman Bentz to request that the Executive branch provide assistance to the affected communities. On July 22nd, 2025, in response to these requests, President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Public Assistance for the counties of Coos, Curry, and Douglas, marking a critical first step in helping these communities repair and rebuild following the storms.

    Congressman Bentz issued the following statement:
     
    “In March of this year, severe storms caused significant damage to people and property in Coos, Douglas, and Curry Counties. Landslides, mudslides, flooding, and weather-related events lead to severe destruction. A Preliminary Damage Assessment by Oregon Emergency Management Agency (OEM) found that the damage caused by the storms totaled approximately $9.5 million across 25 impacted public entities. This far exceeds what these the people of these counties can bear, making the need for federal assistance essential. During the flood event, I held a round table discussion regarding the steps that would need to be taken to obtain federal assistance. The OEM, the Governor, and Commissioner Tim Freeman of Douglas County, are all to be commended for their work in gathering the facts and taking the actions necessary to support the request for this assistance. I also want to thank President Trump, his staff, and FEMA, for their essential help and support.”

    Text of letter sent to the White House available, here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SYRIA – Father Paolo Dall’Oglio’s prophecy resonates in a still-wounded Syria

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 24 July 2025

    by Gianni ValenteHoms (Agenzia Fides) – In post-Assad Syria, still bloodied by sectarian violence and terror, Father Paolo Dall’Oglio’s prophecy of coexistence echoes once again, 12 years after his mysterious and unsolved disappearance.In recent days, the figure, insights, thoughts, and words of the Roman Jesuit, founder of the al Khalil monastic community of Deir Mar Musa, are at the center of initiatives, liturgical celebrations, public meetings, conferences, and testimonies involving scholars and local authorities, Christians and Muslims, former prisoners, confreres of the Society of Jesus, his friends and companions of his journey, starting from the monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa. This is the first time this has happened since Father Paolo disappeared on July 29, 2013.”The radical change that Syria has been experiencing since December 8, 2024,” write the monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa, “allows us, for the first time in many years, to once again organize meetings and seminars and to speak publicly about Father Paolo Dall’Oglio in the country he adopted as his own.”At the Monastery of Deir Mar Musa, where Father Paolo lived and worked for over thirty years to foster Islamic-Christian harmony, a four-day interreligious seminar entitled “Open Hearts: A New Hope for Syria” is underway. The seminar will explore some of the distinctive features of Paolo Dall’Oglio’s human and Christian journey. The first day will be dedicated to hearing the testimonies of prisoners held by the former regime; the second and third days will focus on issues of peace and reconciliation; while the fourth day will focus on his journey and his insights from the perspectives of his Christian and Muslim brothers.The Figs of Idlib”On July 28,” Father Jihad Youssef, Prior of the Deir Mar Musa Community, told Fides, “will be a day dedicated to what we wanted to call the ‘Garden of Figs.’ The fig tree is the only tree that survived in the Idlib area. When people managed to return to their homes, they found everything dead and dried out, except the figs. A former prisoner, now a specialist in prison literature, with others came up with this idea: on the 28th, we will attach the name of a missing person like Father Paolo, or of people killed during the war, to a tree in our monastery and in the valley—especially olive and fig trees. We will place small photos, biographical notes, and a QR code that will allow access to a website where each person’s story is narrated in the first person by narrators. We will make a short journey through the valley, a sort of small pilgrimage with reflections, words, and shared prayers.That brief walk, the monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa write—”embodies our desire for peace; it is a symbolic journey where each person can lay down their wounds and draw strength by walking together.”On July 29, at 10 a.m., in the valley below the monastery, a tent with more than 500 seats will host a Eucharistic concelebration presided over by Syriac Catholic Bishop of Homs Jacques Mourad, a monk of Deir Mar Musa. Other bishops, along with civil authorities, security forces, and representatives of Muslim communities, will also participate. Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, and representatives of the current government in Damascus are also expected to attend. After the Mass, in the tent set up in the valley, testimonies about Father Paolo and what his story might mean for Syria’s present. future will be shared. “The focus,” insists Father Jihad, “will be precisely on this: what hope is possible for Syria’s future.”Initiatives also in HomsOther initiatives concerning Father Dall’Oglio are also planned in Homs. In the city where the Syriac Catholic Bishop is now Jacques Mourad, a monk of Deir Mar Musa, a roundtable will be held to discuss Father Paolo’s thought and personality: as a Jesuit, as a monk, and as a passionate Christian lover of Islam.On July 31st, also in Homs, the Jesuits will celebrate the Eucharist on the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, marked by reflections and prayers for Father Paolo.On the tenth anniversary of his disappearance, the monks of Mar Musa prayed for Father Paolo in their monastery, along with some of his Jesuit confreres, but without holding public events. Those instead were held in Rome: on July 29, 2023, a Eucharistic concelebration was presided over by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the Church of Saint Ignatius in Campo Marzio, attended by Archbishop Mourad, the monks of Deir Mar Musa, and Father Dall’Oglio’s relatives, including his three brothers and four sisters.Wounds re-opened by false “scoops”Work continues—and will take time—on collecting and publishing, also in Arabic, the vast body of material Father Paolo produced before his disappearance: writings, articles, lectures, and interventions, some of which have already been published in the book “My Testament.” On the occasion of the Syrian days dedicated to Father Paolo, a short volume in Arabic is also being released, entitled “A Day of Joy,” words that Pope Francis had cited in his preface to the book “My Testament.” The booklet in Arabic is a precious and simple anthology of short phrases taken from Father Paolo’s writings and speeches.The upcoming events demonstrate how alive and vibrant, despite the pain, the bond of faith remains between Father Paolo and his brothers and sisters through prayer, the Eucharist, and re-reading his writings and words. It is a bond that, at the beginning of June, was also tested by false reports about the alleged discovery of Father Paolo’s body—rumors widely spread by global media.”In those days,” Father Jihad tells Fides today, “so many people contacted me to ask what had happened. I told them I had nothing to say, because there was nothing to say. Now I can say that the episode revealed a serious lack of professionalism. Many stirred the waters without any verification. And they reopened wounds, driven only by the desire to publish a scoop.” (Agenzia Fides, 24/7/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local man sentenced for importing and supplying drugs24 July 2025 A 31-year-old man has today been sentenced before Jersey’s Royal Court to 480 hours community service and 12 months’ probation for the importation and supply of controlled drugs. Jonathan Andrew Falle,… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    24 July 2025

    A 31-year-old man has today been sentenced before Jersey’s Royal Court to 480 hours community service and 12 months’ probation for the importation and supply of controlled drugs. 

    Jonathan Andrew Falle, from Jersey, was arrested by Jersey Customs and Immigration Officers at his home address on 8 September 2024, following the postal interception of approximately 2 grams of cocaine. 

    Following his initial arrest, officers intercepted a further two packages addressed to him which were found to contain a total of 7.21 grams of cocaine. Falle was interviewed by officers but declined to answer questions put to him. 

    Analysis of a mobile phone seized from Falle showed messaging via messaging apps, Telegram, MSN and WhatsApp services relating to parcels being imported into the Island and the supply of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA (ecstasy). 

    The investigation identified that Falle ordered, advertised, bought and sold small quantities of Cocaine, Ketamine, MDMA powder and MDMA pills between February 2023 and September 2024. The approximate value of the cocaine seized was £2,250. 

    Falle appeared before the Magistrates Court on 17 April 2025 and pleaded guilty to both the importation of cocaine and the supply of cocaine, MDMA and Ketamine. He was remanded in custody until sentencing today. 

    Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, said: “The postal importation of cocaine by Falle has led Officers to discover that he had been supplying drugs for over a year to a number of individuals. Whilst the importations were small, he made money from supplying drugs.” 

    Anyone with information on drug smuggling can report it anonymously via 0800 735 5555​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pingree, Massie Introduce Bipartisan PRIME Act to Empower Local Livestock Farmers, Meet Consumer Demand

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) reintroduced the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act, bipartisan legislation to make it easier for small farms and ranches to serve consumers. The PRIME Act (H.R. 4700) would give individual states freedom to permit intrastate distribution of custom-slaughtered meat such as beef, pork, or lamb to consumers, restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, and grocery stores. 

    “Consumers at the grocery store increasingly want quality, locally-grown food, but existing regulations and supply chain vulnerabilities don’t make it easy for them to access. In rural states like Maine, farmers often have to drive hundreds of miles just to get their livestock processed. We can and must do more to bolster our local food systems,” said Pingree, a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee. “The PRIME Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that strengthens infrastructure for local meat processing, supports family farms, and gives consumers easier access to locally raised food—along with greater transparency about where that food comes from.”

    “Consumers want to know where their food comes from, what it contains, and how it’s processed. Yet federal inspection requirements make it difficult to purchase food from trusted, local farmers,” said Massie. “It is time to open our markets to give producers the freedom to succeed and consumers the freedom to choose.”

    Current law exempts custom slaughter of animals from federal inspection regulations, but only if the meat is slaughtered for personal, household, guest, and employee use (21 U.S.C. § 623(a)). This means that in order to sell individual cuts of locally raised meats to consumers, farmers and ranchers must first send their animals to one of a limited number of USDA-inspected slaughterhouses. These USDA-inspected slaughterhouses are sometimes hundreds of miles away from farms and ranches, adding substantial transportation costs and increasing the chances of locally raised meat co-mingling with industrially produced meat. The PRIME Act would expand the current custom exemption and allow small farms, ranches, and slaughterhouses to thrive.

    Original co-sponsors of the PRIME Act include: Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisc.), Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.). 

    Companion legislation, S.2409, has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

    Massie raises cattle on his off-the-grid farm in northeast Kentucky. Pingree raises grass-fed beef and chickens on her island farm in North Haven, Maine.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pingree Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Push to Protect Drinking Water as Communities Face Rising Contamination Threats

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    As drinking water contamination from toxic “forever chemicals,” also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), increasingly threatens communities in Maine and across the country, U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and David Rouzer (R-N.C.) have reintroduced the bipartisan Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or the Healthy H2O Act. The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), provides grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals and nonprofits in rural communities. Systems that improve water quality—whether installed at the faucet or within a building—can provide immediate and ongoing protections from known and emerging water contaminants, including PFAS, lead, and nitrates. 

    “The Healthy H2O Act will help make water testing and treatment technology more accessible here in Maine, and in rural communities across the country, especially for families on private wells who are too often left to navigate contamination risks on their own,” said Pingree. “As national protections face delays and uncertainty, local communities can’t afford to wait. This bipartisan bill gives them the tools to identify and address harmful chemicals like PFAS and lead at the tap—so they can be confident the water they’re drinking is safe.”

    “The Healthy H2O Act helps rural residents in the Cape Fear Valley gain access to safe, clean drinking water—free from harmful contaminants like GenX, PFAS, and PFOS,” said Rouzer. “As city and county water systems continue upgrading to address these pollutants, this legislation ensures rural communities aren’t left behind by supporting testing and the installation of effective filtration systems to remove these ‘forever chemicals.’”

    “All Wisconsin families, businesses, and communities should trust that the water coming out of their faucets is safe to drink, but across our state, rural communities are struggling to identify and treat chemicals like PFAs that endanger our health, especially for children,” said Senator Baldwin. “My bipartisan legislation ensures our small and rural communities aren’t left behind and makes sure they have what they need to find and get rid of dangerous chemicals and keep our families healthy.”

    “Maintaining and upgrading water and wastewater systems is vital to ensuring the economic and environmental health of our communities,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation will help reduce health-based contaminants like PFAS in drinking water, increase consumer confidence, and protect public health.”

    The Healthy H2O Act would provide funding for point-of-use water treatment systems, such as under-sink filters, that can deliver immediate protections. Nearly 43 million U.S. households— primarily in rural areas—depend on private wells that are not regularly monitored under federal or state drinking water programs, leaving many communities vulnerable to contamination.

    The Healthy H2O Act is supported by:

    • Water Quality Association 
    • American Supply Association 
    • Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) 
    • Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) 
    • National Groundwater Association (NGWA) 
    • High Performance Building Coalition 
    • NSF International 
    • Water Systems Council 
    • Water Well Trust 
    • The Groundwater Foundation 
    • International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) 
    • International Code Council (ICC) 
    • DigDeep 
    • California Ground Water Association 
    • Eastern Water Quality Association (EWQA) 
    • Florida Groundwater Association 
    • Florida Water Quality Association (FWQA) 
    • Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals 
    • Iowa Water Quality Association 
    • Kentucky Groundwater Association 
    • Michigan Ground Water Association 
    • Minnesota WQA (MWQA) 
    • Minnesota Water Well Association 
    • Montana Water Well Drillers Association 
    • Nebraska On-Site Wastewater Association 
    • Nebraska State Irrigation Association 
    • Nebraska Water Leaders Academy 
    • Nebraska Well Drillers Association 
    • Ohio Water Quality Association (OWQA) 
    • Ohio Water Well Association 
    • Pacific Water Quality Association (PWQA) 
    • Pennsylvania Groundwater Association 
    • Texas Water Quality Association (TWQA) 
    • Virginia Water Well Association 
    • Water Council of Milwaukee 
    • Water Quality Association of Wisconsin 
    • Well Drillers Association of Wisconsin

    “We applaud Representatives Pingree and Rouzer for introducing the Healthy H2O Act that will increase access to safer drinking water in rural communities,” said Pauli Undesser, Executive Director of the Water Quality Association. “This grant program will help Americans who are most vulnerable to contaminants in their water supply – children, the elderly, and households that rely on private wells. By increasing access to testing and water filtration products, we can support the health and safety of these communities.”

    “Too often, rural communities across the country face barriers to accessing clean, safe drinking water,” said National Ground Water Association President Eric Macias. “The Healthy H2O Act is a real step forward, delivering resources to help families test and treat their water. This legislation reflects the kind of commonsense investment that can truly improve lives, and we commend Congresswoman Pingree for her leadership on this important issue.”

    Pingree, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, has long championed PFAS clean-up and clean drinking water legislation. She proudly supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included a $55 billion investment to replace lead service lines, $10 billion to address PFAS chemicals, and investments in water infrastructure across America, including in Tribal Nations and underserved communities that need it most.

    As Chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the EPA, in the 117th Congress and as Ranking Member in the 118th and 119th Congresses, Pingree has championed funding to clean up PFAS contamination. In the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bill signed by President Biden, Pingree secured $8 million for the EPA to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to further research on PFAS contamination in agriculture, as well as $5 million to assist farmers whose land has been contaminated by PFAS.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Massie and Pingree Introduce Bipartisan PRIME Act to Empower Local Livestock Farmers, Meet Consumer Demand

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:

    John Kennedy, 202-225-3465 (Massie)
    Gabrielle Mannino, 207-509-5904 (Pingree)


    Washington, D.C    .- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announce the re-introduction of the PRIME (Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption) Act to make it easier for small farms and ranches to serve consumers. The PRIME Act (H.R. 4700) would give individual states freedom to permit intrastate distribution of custom-slaughtered meat such as beef, pork, or lamb to consumers, restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, and grocery stores. 

    “Consumers want to know where their food comes from, what it contains, and how it’s processed. Yet federal inspection requirements make it difficult to purchase food from trusted, local farmers,” said Rep. Thomas Massie. “It is time to open our markets to give producers the freedom to succeed and consumers the freedom to choose.”

     “Consumers at the grocery store increasingly want quality, locally-grown food, but existing regulations and supply chain vulnerabilities don’t make it easy for them to access. In rural states like Maine, farmers often have to drive hundreds of miles just to get their livestock processed. We can and must do more to bolster our local food systems,” said Rep. Chellie Pingree. “The PRIME Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that strengthens infrastructure for local meat processing, supports family farms, and gives consumers easier access to locally raised food—along with greater transparency about where that food comes from.”

    Current law exempts custom slaughter of animals from federal inspection regulations, but only if the meat is slaughtered for personal, household, guest, and employee use (21 U.S.C. § 623(a)). This means that in order to sell individual cuts of locally raised meats to consumers, farmers and ranchers must first send their animals to one of a limited number of USDA-inspected slaughterhouses. These USDA-inspected slaughterhouses are sometimes hundreds of miles away from farms and ranches, adding substantial transportation costs and increasing the chances of locally raised meat co-mingling with industrially produced meat. The PRIME Act would expand the current custom exemption and allow small farms, ranches, and slaughterhouses to thrive.

    Original co-sponsors of the PRIME Act include: Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. John Carter (R-TX), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Keith Self (R-TX), Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA). 

    Companion legislation, S.2409, has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY).

    Massie raises cattle on his off-the-grid farm in northeast Kentucky. Pingree raises grass-fed beef and chickens on her island farm in North Haven, Maine.

    The text of the PRIME Act is available at this link. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Massie and Pingree Introduce Bipartisan PRIME Act to Empower Local Livestock Farmers, Meet Consumer Demand

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:

    John Kennedy, 202-225-3465 (Massie)
    Gabrielle Mannino, 207-509-5904 (Pingree)


    Washington, D.C    .- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announce the re-introduction of the PRIME (Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption) Act to make it easier for small farms and ranches to serve consumers. The PRIME Act (H.R. 4700) would give individual states freedom to permit intrastate distribution of custom-slaughtered meat such as beef, pork, or lamb to consumers, restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, and grocery stores. 

    “Consumers want to know where their food comes from, what it contains, and how it’s processed. Yet federal inspection requirements make it difficult to purchase food from trusted, local farmers,” said Rep. Thomas Massie. “It is time to open our markets to give producers the freedom to succeed and consumers the freedom to choose.”

     “Consumers at the grocery store increasingly want quality, locally-grown food, but existing regulations and supply chain vulnerabilities don’t make it easy for them to access. In rural states like Maine, farmers often have to drive hundreds of miles just to get their livestock processed. We can and must do more to bolster our local food systems,” said Rep. Chellie Pingree. “The PRIME Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that strengthens infrastructure for local meat processing, supports family farms, and gives consumers easier access to locally raised food—along with greater transparency about where that food comes from.”

    Current law exempts custom slaughter of animals from federal inspection regulations, but only if the meat is slaughtered for personal, household, guest, and employee use (21 U.S.C. § 623(a)). This means that in order to sell individual cuts of locally raised meats to consumers, farmers and ranchers must first send their animals to one of a limited number of USDA-inspected slaughterhouses. These USDA-inspected slaughterhouses are sometimes hundreds of miles away from farms and ranches, adding substantial transportation costs and increasing the chances of locally raised meat co-mingling with industrially produced meat. The PRIME Act would expand the current custom exemption and allow small farms, ranches, and slaughterhouses to thrive.

    Original co-sponsors of the PRIME Act include: Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. John Carter (R-TX), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Keith Self (R-TX), Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA). 

    Companion legislation, S.2409, has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY).

    Massie raises cattle on his off-the-grid farm in northeast Kentucky. Pingree raises grass-fed beef and chickens on her island farm in North Haven, Maine.

    The text of the PRIME Act is available at this link. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Lagarde presents the latest monetary policy decisions – 24 July 2025

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Our monetary policy statement at a glance, 24 July 2025 [link to visual monetary policy statement]

    Christine Lagarde, Luis de Guindos: Monetary policy statement, 24 July 2025 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conf…6e730494.en.html

    Monetary policy decisions, 24 July 2025 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/20…bc70e13f.en.html

    Combined monetary policy decisions and statement, 24 July 2025 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conf…04c7d1262686b588

    European Central Bank
    www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html

    Published and recorded during our press conference on 24 July 2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ARHr9T90I

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New flood warning service rolled out across Greater Manchester

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New flood warning service rolled out across Greater Manchester

    Flood warning service expanded to provide early warning of flooding to communities in Cheadle, Stockport and Platt Bridge. Residents can register for free.

    Defra

    The Environment Agency has expanded its flood warning service across Cheadle, Stockport and the Platt Bridge area of Wigan to ensure more people than ever across Greater Manchester are warned about any imminent risk of flooding. 

    The new flood warnings cover almost 800 homes and businesses and will see a warning message issued when flooding is forecast and then again to warn users if impacts are likely.  

    Flood warnings tell people about the risk of flooding to their home or business, and help people make informed decisions about how to respond. There are three types of warning – Flood Alert, Flood Warning and Severe Flood Warning.  

    Residents can register for the new service for free and choose to receive notifications via phone call (voice recording), text or email and by fully registering, people can also sign up to receive warnings for multiple locations.

    Improving the Service

    The new flood warning areas have been added as part a result of new modelling and data – part of the Environment Agency’s drive to continually improve the flood warning service it provides across the country.

    Several of the new locations to receive flood warnings were places that flooded over the New Year period.

    Laila Berry, Flood Resilience Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said:  

    We know all too well the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.  

    Our staff use the latest technology to monitor rainfall, river and tide levels 24 hours a day to forecast flooding.

    The extension of our flood warning service will allow even more people across Stockport, Cheadle and Wigan to take action and stay safe if flooding is likely to occur.

    “We would encourage all of those people in new flood warning areas to fully register their preferred details via Gov UK or Floodline for free, for both their safety and peace of mind.”

    Be Prepared for Flooding

    Householders are encouraged to prepare if they receive a Flood Alert which could mean packing a bag that includes medicines, insurance documents and anything else they wouldn’t want to lose if flooding were to take place.

    A Flood Warning calls on people to act now which means turning off gas, water and electricity and moving family and pets to safety. A Severe Flood Warning means you are in immediate danger and should follow advice from the emergency services. 

    The accuracy of flood warnings improves over time as the Environment Agency gather more data and get a better understanding of how the river reacts to heavy rainfall. In the short term in new flood warning areas, there may be a higher than normal occurrence of false alarms, due to them always being issued on the side of caution.

    There are over 1.6 million users registered to receive flood warnings at the touch of a button across the country. These flood warnings are generated from river level data which is collected via an extensive monitoring network across England.

    The data is combined with weather forecasts, river models and other information to produce location specific flood forecasts. 

    Find Out More

    Home and business owners will be auto enrolled to the Flood Warning service via their mobile network. However, to get the most benefit out of the service the Environment Agency is encouraging people to register directly with them by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or visiting https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings where they can register preferred contact details and sign up for multiple locations if appropriate. 

    Know what to do when you receive a flood warning and download this flood plan – https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/what-to-do-in-a-flood

    To sign up to the new flood warning service please visit: http://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings  or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

    People can also check your long term flood risk at https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Honorary King’s Counsel nominations: deadline 19 September 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Honorary King’s Counsel nominations: deadline 19 September 2025

    The Ministry of Justice is inviting nominations for the award of King’s Counsel Honoris Causa. Please submit nominations via the digital form below, before the deadline of 19 September 2025.

    The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is inviting nominations for the award of King’s Counsel Honoris Causa.

    Nomination forms must be completed and returned to MOJ by 23:55 on Friday 19 September 2025. To make a nomination, please complete and submit a nomination form via this link..

    KC HONORIS CAUSA – HONORARY KC

    This is an honorary award unique to the legal profession. It is a dedicated opportunity, made by royal prerogative, to recognise those in the profession who have made a major contribution to, and impact on, the legal sector and the law of England and Wales outside the courtroom.

    The award is not a working rank and is separate to substantive KC appointments administered by King’s Counsel Appointments. Where someone is eligible to apply for substantive KC in their role, we would not normally consider them for an Honorary KC award.

    Please note that anyone nominated may be subject to criminal record checks with the ACRO Criminal Records Office.

    What is the award for?

    The award is for:

    A significant, positive impact either on the shape of the law of England and Wales, or on the legal profession. This is for work outside the courtroom.

    This criterion can be interpreted broadly, either as:

    • a major contribution to the development of the law of England and Wales (for example, by dedicated research, influencing case law/ legislation and promoting initiatives),
    • to how it is advanced (for example, by positively impacting the shape of the profession)

    What is most important is that nominations clearly evidence the significant, positive impact an individual’s efforts have had.

    It is not a long-service award. Honours may be awarded for a significant impact over a long period of time, but they may equally be awarded for such an impact over a shorter period – it is the scale of impact that is important.

    We are keen to recognise diversity within the profession, with awards that reflect the range of different legal careers and different backgrounds that make up the profession. You can see examples of previous successful nominees by viewing their biographies via this link.

    Examples of what these different contributions may look like

    Influencing legislation

    • Making an impact on the law by influencing legislation or case law (e.g. through outcome of research, creating awareness or campaigning, pro bono work or other advocacy outside the courtroom).

    Social mobility and diversity

    • Making a considerable impact on the legal profession (e.g. through initiatives that have an impact on social mobility or diversity and increase the competitiveness of the sector).

    Innovation

    • Making an impact through a standout achievement or through innovation (e.g. by breaking through into new territory, such as making an impact through work on Lawtech, innovation in legal education, or on promoting UK legal services overseas).

    Academic work

    • Making an impact through outstanding academic work that makes a positive contribution to the law and/or legal system.

    Who is eligible?

    • To be eligible for the award, the individual must be a qualified lawyer or legal academic.
    • The nomination must be for achievement outside practice in the courts. In other words, an award would be made for non-advocacy work.
    • The award is open to foreign qualified professionals. There is no residency requirement.

    Examples of those eligible may include (but are not limited to):

    • Solicitors without higher rights of audience
    • Legal executives
    • In-house lawyers, including Counsel
    • Non-practising lawyers
    • Legal academics

    Holding a fee-paid judicial office in addition to practice would not exclude lawyers who meet the eligibility criteria above.

    How are awards made?

    The process is administered by the MOJ. Nominations are considered against the criterion by a panel of representatives from the legal profession, civil service, judiciary, and academia, which is chaired by an MOJ official.

    The panel of representatives provide the Lord Chancellor with recommendations of appointable nominees. The Lord Chancellor will then consider and decide the final recommendations. The recommendations are then referred to the King, who grants the awards under the royal prerogative.

    How is the information about nominees used?

    To assess each nominee’s suitability for the award and support the selection process, we use the information provided to carry out:

    • Cross-Whitehall checks to confirm whether the individual or their work may be known by, or of interest to, another government department
    • Checks against nominees on the main honours system as per the eligibility criteria
    • Evaluation by the selection panel of the individual’s legal qualifications and evidence of their contribution and impact on the law of England and Wales
    • Shortlisted nominees will undergo a criminal record check

    For more information on how we use and protect personal data, please refer to our privacy notice.

    Where someone from outside the legal profession has made a significant impact on the law of England and Wales, or how it is advanced, they would not qualify for this award. We would welcome those nominations as part of the main honours system.

    Scotland and Northern Ireland

    There is a separate Honorary King’s Counsel award in Scotland. There is no exact equivalent in Northern Ireland. However, this does not mean that achievements of a similar nature cannot be recognised. If you would like to nominate someone for an honour whose work is in Northern Ireland, you can contact the Honours Secretariat for Northern Ireland.

    Nominees and recipients of national honours

    Someone who has been honoured in the official UK honours system within the last two years, or who has been nominated for such an honour this year, would not be eligible to receive an Honorary KC award. Where someone was awarded an honour more than two years ago, the panel will consider the individual’s contribution to and impact on the law since that honour was awarded.

    How to make a nomination

    Please submit your nomination form using our digital form via this link.

    Please note that we will only accept nominations made via the digital form.

    If you are unable to use our digital form, or have any other questions, please contact HonoraryKC@justice.gov.uk.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. What is the process and timelines?

    • July: Nominations open
    • September: Nominations close
    • November: Panel meet and shortlist nominees
    • November: ACRO Criminal checks are conducted
    • December: Lord Chancellor makes final recommendations to the King
    • January: Successful nominees are announced
    • March: Ceremony

    These dates are provisional and subject to change

    2.Who can make a nomination?

    Anyone can make a nomination. You do not need to have a legal background or reside in the UK.

    3.Do I need to be a practising barrister or solicitor to be nominated?

    No. You do not need to be practising, although you do need to be a qualified lawyer or legal academic to be eligible. The award is for achievements outside the courtroom.

    4.Can I make more than one nomination?

    Yes. You may nominate as many people as you like, but please ensure that you submit separate nomination forms.

    5.Is there a limit to the number of nominations for an individual?

    No. An individual can be nominated by multiple people.

    6.Can I nominate a foreign national?

    Yes. There are no nationality or residence requirements for the award.

    7.In order to be considered for the award, do I need multiple nominations?

    No. The scoring is not based on how many nominations an individual has received.

    8.Can I attach letters or statements in support of a nomination?

    No. Letters or statements of support will not be accepted. If others wish to endorse the nomination, you can list their name(s) in the relevant section of the form.

    9.What happens if I miss the deadline to apply?

    Unfortunately, we cannot consider any nomination past the deadline. We encourage you to submit your application when the next round of nominations open.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Millions more appointments as more than 2,000 extra GPs recruited

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Millions more appointments as more than 2,000 extra GPs recruited

    Boost is part of Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS by shifting healthcare from hospitals into the community and ending the 8am scramble

    • More 2,000 extra GPs have now been hired across the country after government action to slash red tape
    • Independent survey shows progress on ending the 8am scramble, with patients finding it easier to contact GP practices
    • Plan for Change is shifting care out of hospital and into the community as government brings back the family doctor

    Millions more GP appointments are now being delivered across the country and an extra 2,000 GPs have been hired nationwide since last October, as the government’s Plan for Change brings back the family doctor.

    The average GP is responsible for 2,300 patients, and the new tranche could deliver over four million additional appointments per year.

    It comes as encouraging new figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show the number of patients who found it difficult to contact their practice has fallen significantly from 18.7% in July/August 2024 to 10.6% in May/June this year.

    A total of 96.3% of patients who tried to contact their practice in the past 28 days were successful, while the number of patients who had a poor experience of their GP practice fell from 15% to 10.9% in the same period.

    In May 2025, an extra 12,000 GP appointments were delivered every working day compared to May 2024.

    The recruitment boost – which has already delivered an extra 2,000 GPs – forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which is rebuilding the NHS by shifting healthcare out of hospitals into the community and ending the 8am scramble.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    We said we’d deliver 1,000 more GPs this year – and we’ve busted that target, bringing 2,000 more GPs on board. With proper investment and reform we are turning the tide on our NHS, and patients are beginning to feel the benefit.

    We still have a long road ahead, and this government is determined to keep our foot on the gas.

    Our Plan for Change will deliver this progress, creating a Neighbourhood Health Service that puts GPs at its heart and makes sure the NHS is there for everyone, whenever they need it.

    Last month the government set out its 10 Year Health Plan which outlines the reforms government is driving forwards to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future. The plan will train thousands more GPs and create a new Neighbourhood Health Service, so millions of patients can be treated and cared for closer to their homes by pioneering teams – some based entirely under one roof.

    When the government came into office last year, unnecessary red tape was preventing practices from hiring newly qualified GPs, meaning more than 1,000 were due to graduate into unemployment.

    At the same time, there were also 1,399 fewer fully qualified GPs than a decade prior, with years of underfunding and neglect eroding GP services.

    The government took immediate action and invested an extra £82 million to allow networks of practices to hire GPs, with the funding continuing past this year.  

    This recruitment was made possible by the tough but fair decisions the Chancellor took at the budget to fix the foundations of the NHS, enabling the government to provide almost £26 billion to get the NHS back on its feet and make it fit for the future.

    The Plan for Change is already transforming the NHS for patients and staff. Backed by the government’s major cash injection of over £102 million, more 1,000 GP surgeries will receive over £102 million to create additional space to see more patients and deliver 8.3 million more appointments each year.

    An extra 4.6 million elective appointments have been delivered since July 2024 – over double the government’s target. The upgraded NHS App will also act as a digital front door to the health service, overhauling how people get advice, manage appointments and interact with services to make their healthcare more convenient and more personalised.

    ENDS

    NOTES TO EDITORS:

    • The ONS figures on general practice can be found here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –