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Thirty Years of Surveillance Ends Without Finding the Threat Germany Claimed Existed

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LOS ANGELES, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Church of Scientology International released the following statement:

The truth is simple: The threat never existed.

For nearly 30 years, Germany’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution subjected the Church of Scientology and thousands of Scientologists to intelligence surveillance under the claim that the religion represented a threat to democracy.

Today, that surveillance ends exactly where it always should have ended: with the complete failure of the allegations on which it was built.

After decades of investigations, intelligence operations, informant recruitment, infiltration attempts, political campaigns, blacklisting, “sect filters,” public warnings and extraordinary state scrutiny, German authorities have produced no extremist network, no conspiracy against the state, no campaign to undermine democracy, no acts of violence and no evidence that Scientologists were ever the threat they were portrayed to be.

Because the truth is simple: The threat never existed.

What did exist was 30 years of institutionalized discrimination directed at a peaceful minority religion and the people who practiced it.

Scientologists in Germany lost jobs, careers and business opportunities because of their faith. Families were stigmatized. Children of Scientologists faced discrimination in schools. Artists, professionals and public figures were attacked and ostracized solely because of their religious beliefs. Government-backed “sect filters” spread throughout German public and private life, warning employers and institutions away from Scientologists as though ordinary religious association itself constituted danger.

And all of this was justified through a narrative that has now completely collapsed.

Not because investigators lacked time.

Not because authorities lacked resources.

But because the allegations themselves were false from the beginning.

During these same decades, Scientology continued to gain recognition, protection and vindication throughout the democratic world.

In 1993, following one of the most extensive examinations ever conducted of a religious organization, the United States Internal Revenue Service granted full religious recognition to Scientology Churches and related entities.

In 1997, Italy’s Supreme Court recognized Scientology as a religion and rejected efforts to criminalize its practices.

In 2007, Spain’s National Court affirmed Scientology’s status as a religion entitled to the protections of religious freedom under European law.

In 2013, the United Kingdom Supreme Court unanimously condemned discrimination against Scientologists as “illogical, discriminatory and unjust” while recognizing Scientology chapels as places of religious worship.

In 2016, after an 18-year prosecution filled with sensational allegations, Belgian courts fully acquitted Scientology and condemned the proceedings themselves as fundamentally incompatible with basic human rights protections.

At the same time, courts and governments across Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia recognized Scientology and protected the rights of Scientologists as members of a legitimate religion.

Meanwhile in Germany, the surveillance apparatus continued.

Even as courts repeatedly ruled against discriminatory actions tied to these policies.

Even as internal findings acknowledged the absence of evidence.

Even as multiple German states quietly discontinued surveillance after finding no actionable wrongdoing.

Even as international human rights organizations, foreign officials and major media questioned Germany’s treatment of Scientologists.

History has shown the danger that arises when governments and institutions systematically distort the beliefs of a minority religion in order to justify exceptional treatment against it. Once suspicion replaces evidence and propaganda replaces objectivity, constitutional protections themselves begin to erode.

That is the true lesson of this history.

Because this was never simply about Scientology.

It became a test of whether democratic societies would uphold religious liberty when political fear, stigma and opportunism made doing so unpopular.

Now, after nearly 30 years, the final result stands in stark contrast to the rhetoric that fueled this campaign.

No democracy was saved.

No hidden conspiracy uncovered.

No constitutional threat exposed.

Only the reality that an enormous machinery of surveillance, suspicion and discrimination had been directed against a peaceful religious community that was innocent of the claims used to justify it.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s announcement does not erase the damage inflicted on thousands of Scientologists over three decades.

But it does mark the collapse of one of the longest-running campaigns of state-sponsored religious discrimination in modern democratic Europe.

History has now rendered its verdict.

And that verdict is not on Scientology.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thirty-years-of-surveillance-ends-without-finding-the-threat-germany-claimed-existed-302808136.html

SOURCE Church of Scientology International

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Landis+Gyr Secures Major Contract with Leading US Utility

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October 26, 2026

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CHAM, Switzerland and ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Landis+Gyr Group AG (SIX: LAND), a global energy technology leader driving intelligent innovation across the grid, today announced that it has secured a major contract with a leading US investor-owned electric utility. The agreement covers more than 3 million advanced metering endpoints.

Under the agreement, Landis+Gyr will provide Revelo meters and associated network and head-end system technologies, complemented by advanced security solutions, premium support, and software maintenance and services. The deployment is expected to advance the utility’s grid modernization objectives by enhancing security, grid visibility and operational performance.

“This important win reflects the strong momentum of our Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio and the trust customers place in Landis+Gyr to support large-scale grid modernization programs. By combining advanced metering, integrated technology, security and support capabilities, we look forward to helping this utility enhance grid visibility, reliability and operational performance,” said Peter Mainz, Chief Executive Officer of Landis+Gyr.

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is a global energy technology leader, delivering intelligent solutions that connect devices, data, and decisions across the grid. Trusted by more than 2,000 utilities worldwide, we transform traditional devices into intelligent, networked sensors, giving utilities real-time grid visibility and system control. With these combined insights, electric, gas, and water companies can anticipate demand, optimize operations, and deliver energy that’s more reliable, resilient, accessible, safe, and sustainable for everyone. For more information, please visit our website www.landisgyr.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/landisgyr-secures-major-contract-with-leading-us-utility-302919687.html

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In HelloNation, Electrical Expert Sean McGahy Breaks Down How a Whole Home Surge Protector Works

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40 minutes ago

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October 26, 2026

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The Article Explains How This Type of System Protects a Home’s Electronics From Power Surges Throughout the Day.

WAKE FOREST, N.C., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does a whole home surge protector do? A HelloNation article answers that question and explains how this type of device defends a home’s wiring and electronics from voltage spikes.

The article explains that many power surges happen quietly throughout the day, often without anyone noticing. Large appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators create small voltage spikes every time they cycle on and off.

According to the article, a whole home surge protector is installed directly at the electrical panel, where it can monitor voltage across the entire house. Unlike a power strip, which protects a single outlet, this device works at the source.

The article notes that modern homes rely on sensitive electronics, including smart thermostats, entertainment systems, and connected appliances. Repeated voltage fluctuations can damage this circuitry over time, even when a homeowner never notices it happening.

External surges from lightning strikes or utility grid fluctuations tend to be more severe than everyday cycling surges, the article explains. A whole home system is designed to respond quickly and redirect excess voltage away from a home’s circuits.

Installation is typically straightforward for a licensed electrician and does not usually require major changes to existing wiring, the article states. Many systems include indicators that let homeowners confirm the device is functioning properly.

The article points out that surge protectors are rated by how much energy they can absorb, often measured in joules. Homes with more electronics generally benefit from a protector with a higher rating.

A protector does not last forever, the article notes. Absorbing a large surge can wear down its internal components, even if the device still looks functional. Periodic testing by an electrician can confirm the system is still working as intended.

Electrical Expert Sean McGahy of Zar Electric is featured in the article. The article explains how periodic testing can confirm that a whole home surge protector is still providing the level of protection it was designed for.

The article adds that surge protection works best as one part of a broader approach to electrical safety. Homes should still have properly functioning breakers, updated wiring, and routine inspections alongside this added layer of defense.

Homes in areas prone to storms or frequent power fluctuations may see added value from this protection, the article notes. New construction offers a convenient time to add it, though retrofitting an existing home is described as achievable and usually quick.

The article notes that cost varies depending on the type of system installed and the complexity of a home’s existing electrical setup. Many homeowners view the expense as reasonable compared to the potential cost of replacing damaged electronics after a serious surge event.

Some insurance providers take note of these systems when evaluating a home’s overall risk profile, the article adds, though policies vary from carrier to carrier. This is described as one more reason homeowners weigh the value of this type of protection.

The article closes by noting that deciding whether this protection makes sense often comes down to a home’s electronics, its location, and a homeowner’s comfort level with risk. A licensed electrician can walk through these considerations before a final decision is made.

How Does Whole Home Surge Protection Safeguard Your Home? features insights from Sean McGahy, Electrical Expert of Wake Forest, North Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-electrical-expert-sean-mcgahy-breaks-down-how-a-whole-home-surge-protector-works-302919589.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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In HelloNation, Building Materials Expert Andy Maetzold Explains How Freeze-Thaw Cycles Affect Minnesota Homes

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October 26, 2026

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The Article Shows How Moisture, Temperature Swings, and Hail Shape Material Choices for Roofs, Windows, Walls, and Decks.

WACONIA, Minn., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — How do freeze-thaw cycles damage a home in Minnesota? The answer appears in a HelloNation article that was newly published for homeowners choosing building materials for a cold climate. The article features insights from Building Materials Expert Andy Maetzold, a fourth-generation member of the family behind Mayer Lumber.

The HelloNation article explains that a Minnesota home faces a wider range of weather than houses in most of the country. Below-zero nights, humid summers, and hailstorms all test the products used to build and repair it.

According to the article, moisture often does more harm than cold by itself. Water seeps into small gaps, freezes overnight, and expands, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles slowly push joints and seams apart.

The article also notes that large temperature swings make many products expand in summer and shrink in deep cold. Materials installed without room to move can buckle, crack, or pull loose from their fasteners.

The roof takes more of this stress than any other part of the house, the article explains. Asphalt shingles remain the most common choice because they are affordable and familiar to most roofing crews. In areas that see hail, many homeowners look at impact-resistant shingles that earn a Class 4 rating.

The article points out that some insurance companies offer lower premiums for Class 4 roofs, though discount rules vary by insurer. Metal roofing is another option that sheds snow quickly, and snow guards are often added above doors and walkways.

Ice dams get special attention in the piece. The article explains that no shingle stops them alone, because the real cause is warm air leaking into the attic and melting snow on the upper roof. Air sealing, attic insulation, and steady ventilation deal with that heat directly.

Cold-climate building codes also call for an ice barrier membrane under the shingles along the eaves, according to the article. This layer helps keep backed-up water away from the roof deck and the ceilings below.

For windows, the article points readers to the National Fenestration Rating Council label and its U-factor, which measures how easily heat passes through the whole unit. A lower number means better insulation and a warmer glass surface on a January night.

The article compares double-pane windows with triple-pane units, which cut heat loss further but cost and weigh more. It also notes that vinyl and fiberglass frames insulate well, while aluminum frames need a thermal break to suit Minnesota winters.

Walls, decks, and lumber are covered as well. The article explains that house wrap and flashing protect wall framing from water, and that wood touching concrete or soil generally needs pressure treatment.

The insights from Building Materials Expert Andy Maetzold also address cost. The article encourages comparing the full life of a product rather than the purchase price alone, since a cheaper material that needs frequent repairs can cost more over 20 or 30 years.

Finally, the article advises checking with local building officials about code rules. It also stresses following manufacturer installation instructions, since many warranties depend on them.

How Do Freeze-Thaw Cycles Affect Building Materials in Minnesota? features insights from Andy Maetzold, Building Materials Expert of Waconia, Minnesota, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-building-materials-expert-andy-maetzold-explains-how-freeze-thaw-cycles-affect-minnesota-homes-302919645.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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