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  • MIL-OSI USA: Sixty Years in Canberra: NASA’s Deep Space Network

    Source: NASA

    Deep Space Station 43 (DSS-43), a 230-foot-wide (70-meter-wide) radio antenna at NASA’s Deep Space Network facility in Canberra, Australia, is seen in this March 4, 2020, image. DSS-43 was more than six times as sensitive as the original antenna at the Canberra complex, so it could communicate with spacecraft at greater distances from Earth. In fact, Canberra is the only complex that can send commands to, and receive data from, Voyager 2 as it heads south almost 13 billion miles (21 billion kilometers) through interstellar space. More than 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) away, Voyager 1 sends its data down to the Madrid and Goldstone complexes, but it, too, can only receive commands via Canberra.
    As the Canberra facility celebrated its 60th anniversary on March 19, 2025, work began on a new radio antenna. Canberra’s newest addition, Deep Space Station 33, will be a 112-foot-wide (34-meter-wide) multifrequency beam-waveguide antenna. Buried mostly below ground, a massive concrete pedestal will house cutting-edge electronics and receivers in a climate-controlled room and provide a sturdy base for the reflector dish, which will rotate during operations on a steel platform called an alidade.
    When it goes online in 2029, the new Canberra dish will be the last of six parabolic dishes constructed under NASA’s Deep Space Network Aperture Enhancement Program, which is helping to support current and future spacecraft and the increased volume of data they provide. The network’s Madrid facility christened a new dish in 2022, and the Goldstone, California, facility is putting the finishing touches on a new antenna.
    Image credit: NASA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Style Guidelines for ‘The Earth Observer’ Newsletter 

    Source: NASA

    Introduction

    The Earth Observer Editorial Process

    Types of Articles in The Earth ObserverGeneral article format— Announcement article— Feature article— Hybrid article— In Memoriam article— Kudos article— Summary article

    Guidelines for Preparing Articles for The Earth Observer— Writing for the web— Catchy headline— Naming files— Use visuals to draw the reader in— Search engine optimization—— Headline and subheads—— Links—— Alternate text for graphics— Submitting An Outline— Submitting Your Draft

    Specific Style Guidelines— Acronyms— Affiliations— Capitalize Earth, Moon, Sun— Chemical formulas— Compound words— Cross-references— Dates, months, and seasons— Directions and regions— Footnotes— Formal titles— Hyperlinks, the how and the why—— How to insert a hyperlink— Hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes—oh my!!— Italics and quotes— Items in a series— Numbers— Ordinal numbers— References— References to teams— State abbreviations— Typographical emphasis

    Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations— Inserting figures, photos, animations, and visualizations— Caption, credit, and tags— Graphic/photo requirements

    Final Thoughts

    Introduction
    This document contains guidelines to assist you as you prepare articles for The Earth Observer (EO) newsletter. Our Editorial Team appreciates your cooperation in keeping these guidelines in mind as you prepare articles for submission. Our team reviews every article, but following the style guidelines will expedite the editorial process.
    Please be aware that this style guide is a living document and as such continues to evolve. If it has been a while since you have submitted an article for The Earth Observer, please be sure you are using the latest version of the Style Guide. The date of the most recent update is printed in the footer of the document to make it easier to maintain the most current version of the document.
    Editing is sometimes more art than science, and while the Editorial Team will endeavor to follow the rules that follow in most cases, there may be specific cases where the Executive Editor may decide to deviate from these guidelines.
    The Earth Observer Editorial Process 
    The EO has a robust editorial team to assist with the editorial process to maintain the quality and style of the publication.
    The EO editorial staff includes:

    The editorial process is iterative. The author will typically go through two rounds of edits with the EO Editorial Team. The text is then put into a preview layout on a staging server for the author’s final review before the story is published on the EO website.
    Types of Articles in The Earth Observer
    The Earth Observer provides authors an opportunity to tell their compelling stories of Earth Science. As such it does not impose strict word count limits, but the EO has established certain general guidelines that provide a framework to follow for several types of articles.
    General article format
    Please write articles in MS Word and save as a .doc file.
    The article should begin with an introduction that provides the essentials – who, what, where, when, and why – to provide the reader with an overview of the topic to be discussed. For articles about meetings include the number of people who attended (e.g., in-person and virtual) and the objective of the meeting.
    The introduction paragraph is followed by a transition paragraph that takes the reader into the main content of the article. The article should wrap up with a conclusion.
    The suggested page length for each type of article includes inserted visual elements. In addition to the Word file, please also send separate higher resolution files for graphics, photos, animations, or visualizations. More specific requirements are available in the Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.
    Announcement article
    Announcement articles promote a variety of topics. Historically this type of article includes releases of new or updated Earth Science data products, information on new tools for processing and viewing data, previews of outreach activities for the Science Support Office (e.g., AGU, Earth Day), and details on upcoming science meetings or workshops (i.e., beyond the information conveyed on the NASA science calendar).
    The article is structured like a Feature article, but it is shorter, no more than two pages, including graphics and captions – see Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.

    For Example: NASA Invites You to Create Landsat-Inspired Arts and Crafts, The Earth Observer, Mar–Apr 2021, 33:4, 13–14. Other examples are available on the archived issues of The Earth Observer.

    If you have an idea for an Announcement article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Feature article
    Feature articles cover a wide range of Earth science topics, including satellite mission launches and historic milestones, field campaign updates, data processing tool tutorials, and summaries of NASA Science Support Office outreach events. Typically, these articles span ~8–14 pages (3000–4000 words). There are cases where longer or shorter articles are acceptable.
    A photo essay format for some topics, such as outreach event summaries, offer an option to convey a significant portion of the information using a collection of photos and descriptive captions.

    For Example: Looking Back on Looking Up: The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

    If you have an idea for an Feature article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Hybrid article
    Hybrid articles combine elements of a Feature and a Summary article. Often, these articles start with a few pages of descriptive text about the subject, followed by a summary of a particular meeting. Owing to their hybrid nature, these articles tend to run a bit longer than the standard Summary article. These articles typically range between 8–12 pages (3000–5000 words.)
    If you have an idea for a Hybrid article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    In Memoriam article
    In Memoriam articles recognize individuals who have played prominent roles in NASA Earth Science. These articles tend to include biographical information about the deceased individual, a brief mention of their education, and a summary of their major career achievements – with emphasis on achievements related to NASA. A typical In Memoriam article layout includes one or more photos, including one of the person being memorialized.

    For Example: In Memoriam: Mary Cleave [1947–2023] The In Memoriam link provides recent examples of In Memoriam articles published in The Earth Observer. Other articles are available by searching the publication’s archived issues.

    This type of article is structured like a Feature article with the exception that the subject is referred to by their first name. In Memoriam drafts should be no more than two pages in Word – including graphics and captions – see Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.
    If you know someone to eulogize in The Earth Observer for their contributions to NASA Earth Science, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Kudos article
    Kudos articles acknowledges individuals or groups either within or connected to (funded by) NASA who receive significant NASA-wide awards.
    A Kudo article follows a structure similar to a Feature article. It should be a maximum of one page in Word – including a photo of person(s) or group being honored – see Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations.

    For Example: MOPITT Canadian Principal Investigator Receives Two Awards, The Earth Observer, Mar–Apr 2021, 33:2, 28 [bottom]. Other examples are available by searching through archived issues of The Earth Observer.

    If you know an individual or a group of people worthy of recognition for their NASA-related achievement, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft submission. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Summary article
    Summary articles provide an overview of recent scientific meetings and/or workshops. Ideally, a Summary article should be no more than 6 pages (~2500 words).
    Provide the flavor of the event rather than describe it in detail. Summarize the overall nature and sense of sessions. The Editorial Team has found that a mix of narrative descriptions of key (usually programmatic) presentations (e.g., plenary sessions) and summaries with less detail for the remaining (e.g., technical) presentations is optimum.
    Now that The Earth Observer is published online, it is the view of the Editorial Team format summary articles using a “minutes-style” report of the meeting. While space no longer precludes publishing such an article as it did in the past, the format does not translate well to the online communication medium. Unless a reader is really interested in the specific topic(s) discussed in the article, it is likely that they will not scroll through to the end – no matter how nice the layout looks.
    If you have an idea for a Summary article, please email the EO Editorial Team who will work with you on a draft. The EO Editorial Team emails are available in the section – The Earth Observer Editorial Process
    Guidelines for Preparing Articles for The Earth Observer
    EOis a hybrid publication, landing somewhere between a science journal and popular science magazine. Therefore, the focus should be on phenomena rather than data. The article provides an opportunity to publicize your mission, research to ~1653 subscribers (as of August 2024) around the world. Please review the content in this guideline before writing your article and reach out to the Editorial Team if you have any questions.
    Writing for the web
    The EO audience ranges from scientists to the general public. When writing an article, use plain language and active voice. When in doubt, write the article so that it would be understandable to a friend or relative not in the field.

    For Example:
    Passive voice: The rate of evaporation is controlled by the size of an opening.
    Active voice: The size of an opening controls the rate of evaporation.

    Avoid using jargon and technical language. When it is necessary to use technical language, please use ITALICS to offset the word in the text. Follow the italicized word with a brief definition or explanation.

    For Example: Inference – formally derived uncertainty for area estimates of biomass, height, or other metrics – can take different forms, each of which includes specific assumptions. In this breakout session, participants considered the strengths and limitations of different inference types (e.g., intensity of computation or the ability to use different models).

    Writing content for a website differs from print. The human eye is more inclined to read shorter paragraphs separated by breaks. It is ideal to keep sentences and paragraphs short.
    Use one space after a period. The two spaces after a period is an artifact of conventional type writers.
    Avoid editorializing in the article. For example, do not characterize a spacewalk as “daring” or “dangerous.” Describe the events factually. If things are described well, readers easily can decide for themselves whether they are daring or dangerous. Never, under any circumstances, insert any personal, political, ideological, or religious opinions or beliefs into NASA news media products.
    Catchy headline
    Write a headline that is short, searchable, and shareable. Try to keep the headline to 60 characters (including spaces). Longer headlines may be invisible to search engines.
    Unlike journal articles, The Earth Observer only includes individuals who made a significant contributions to the EO article. A typical article should only lists one or two authors. In some occasions, an article may have up to four authors. The authors should be formatted as follows:
    First Last, Organization, author email
    If there are more you wish to give credit, consider doing so in an Acknowledgment section, as discussed in the next paragraph.
    Naming files
    For consistency moving documents through the editorial process, please name the file by the file type, the topic, and the author’s last name.

    For Example: announcement_topic_author
     feature_topic_author
     hybrid_topic_author
     memoriam_topic_author
     kudos_topic_author
     summary_topic_author

    Use visuals to draw the reader in
    The Earth Observer is now published online. Visual elements are critical to all EO stories and are a required element to submissions. The Editorial Team would prefer having too many graphics (i.e., photos, figures, animations, and visualizations) than too few. It is helpful to insert this content into the Word file as well as include the graphics as separate files at the time of the initial submission of the draft for editorial review. See the Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations section for more information.
    Search engine optimization
    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a broad set of techniques to capitalize how search engines, such as Google, scrub content on the internet. By optimizing how articles are written, it is possible to influence where content shows up in an organic, online search. The different approaches can fill an entire book. This style guide provides a few pointers to help tweak articles to optimize how the content appears in online searches.
    Headline and subheads
    A headline should be clear and compelling to reveal what the content is about as well as entice the searcher to click for more. A SEO headline is a ranking factor in search engine results. A headline can be crafted to rank higher in search results, which increases an article’s visibility and generate more clicks. This can be done by using SEO search terms — those terms that a person would type into a search box — in the headline. Shorter headlines (i.e., 60 characters including spaces) are often more effective during searches.
    Subheads provide a way to organize an article and separates the content into digestible sections. Like headlines, subheads can be optimized for SEO searches. Subheads may include key takeaways from the specific section. Keep subheads clear and concise.
    Links
    Earth Observer articles are now being posted online. Footnotes are no longer a functional option, which is a significant change for authors who have published articles in our print issues in the past. It is helpful to hyperlink words or short phrases in the article that directs the reader to additional content from the meeting, such as presentations, poster sessions, talks by attendees, programs/satellites, journal articles, etc. Relevant links should also be added to captions. See the Hyperlinks section for guidance on how to insert and format a hyperlink in the article.
    Internal links tie content in the article to other pages within an organization, such as NASA, to boost site authority. External links direct a reader to sites outside the organization. This approach also drives up site authority in SEO searches. By connecting relevant pages, it will improve article navigation and ensure users can locate relevant information.
    Alternate text for graphics
    Alternate text, or alt text, is the small description added to visual elements on the back end of a website. Search engines use the alt text to identify relevant content. Alt text also improves accessibility for all users. Tools that read webpages aloud can read alt text to help explain what visual elements contain for the visually impaired.
    Alt text should be concise, accurate, and use keywords. Keywords are highly relevant words or phrases associated with the picture and the content of the article.

    For Example: Figure 1. Forty SWOT Early Adopter (EA) teams span the globe with a wide range of operational and applied science project topics.
    Figure credit: NASA
    Key word tag: A global map showing the locations of early adopter organizations.

    Submitting An Outline
    An outline is not requiredprior to submitting the first draft of an article, but an outline may be beneficial for lengthy articles (i.e., features, hybrids). Outlines are particularly helpful for first-time authors or when an author is seeking guidance about the appropriateness of content for The Earth Observer. It is hard for the team to comment without seeing something in writing. More generally, submitting an outline presents an opportunity for the editorial team to provide input on the article during the writing process – as opposed to waiting until the first draft is submitted.
    Submitting Your Draft
    Do not submit a draft for review unless it is complete (i.e., contains all visual elements, captions, credits, and content). Unless you clearly indicate otherwise, the Editorial Team will assume your submission is ready for them to review. Version control problems result when text is updated after reviews have started.
    The initial draft submitted for editorial review should include graphics. including captions and credits. The editorial process is delayed when graphics, credits, and captions are added iteratively once the process has begun.
    Specific Style Guidelines
    Over more than 35 years as a NASA publication, The Earth Observer has developed its own unique style. Please review these specific guidelines detailed below, and let the Editorial Team know if you have any questions. In addition, The Earth Observer also adheres to the NASA Stylebook and Communications Manual, 9th edition (June 2020), which is closely aligned with the AP Stylebook.
    Acronyms
    Science is rife with acronyms. On first usage, always spell out the acronym and follow with the acronym in parenthesis. From that point on in the article, use the acronym. To ensure photos, figures, visualizations, and animations are understandable if removed from the larger text, please spell out acronyms in captions.
    Well-known acronyms (e.g., NASA, U.S., etc.) do not need to be spelled out. Separate the acronym for United States (e.g., U.S.) and United Kingdom (e.g., U.K.) with periods.

    For Example: Level-1 (L1), Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), International Space Station (ISS), Precision Orbit Determination (POD), etc.

    Only capitalize proper nouns as defined by the dictionary or AP style. The Earth Observer style does capitalize the first letter of a specific product that will be turned into an acronym.

    For Example: Do not capitalize the first letter of each word in “solid rocket booster (SBR),” even though the subsequent use of the acronym SRB will appear in the article.

    A compound acronym arises when parentheses occur inside of parentheses. In this situation, use [BRACKETS] for the outer set of parentheses and (PARENTHESES) for those inside.

    For Example: Thomas Neumann [GSFC—Deputy Director of GSFC’s Earth Sciences Division (ESD)] welcomed meeting participants on behalf of the ESD.

    Affiliations
    Use a possessive for an organization when it is part of NASA. Do not use a possessive when using the agency as an adjective.

    For Example: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC); subsequent references would just use “GSFC.”

    For Example: SWOT data products available through PO.DAAC provides centralized, searchable access that is available using an in-cloud commercial web service through the NASA EarthData portal.

    Write out an organization that is not part of NASA.

    For Example: Gustavo Oliveira [Clark University] presented details on the project “Irrigation as Climate-Change Adaptation in the Cerrado Biome of Brazil.”

    When multiple “levels” of affiliation are listed, start with the “top-level” affiliation as a possessive followed by lower level. If the affiliations are mentioned again later in the article, only the acronym for the lowest level needs to be repeated.

    For Example: For NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), subsequent references to this entity would be “GMAO.”

    For Example: For University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), subsequent references to this entity would be “ESSIC.”

    When a person is affiliated with two (or more) distinct entities, separate the two entities by slashes.

    For Example: Project Scientist Felix Landerer (NASA/JPL), followed by detailed assessments of the G-FO mission and operations status from the core SDS centers and flight operations teams.

    When a NASA Center and contractor are listed, please list the NASA Center followed by contractor and separate the two entities by a slash.

    For Example: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)/Global Science & Technology, Inc. (GST).

    Capitalize Earth, Moon, Sun
    NASA capitalizes the first letter in Earth, Moon, and Sun.In addition, do not use the modified ‘the’ before Earth.

    For Example: This strategy acknowledges the urgency of global changes, such as accelerating environmental shifts, understanding Earth’s interconnected systems, and developing scalable information.

    Chemical formulas
    Chemical formulas should be treated like acronyms. Spell out a chemical formula upon first use in an article followed by the chemical formula in parenthesis. Use appropriate subscripts and superscripts in the chemical formula. From that point onward, use the chemical formula in the article.

    For Example: The data show that global and East Asian emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) have decreased since 2010, contrasting India and Southeast Asia’s rising trends. In Southeast Asia, NOx and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions increased from 1990–2018, while black carbon (BC) emissions peaked in 2007.

    Compound words
    Make one word out of all compound words (e.g., multipurpose, multiangle).
    Exception: Hyphenate cases where the same vowel repeats (e.g., bio-optical, multi-imager).
    Cross-references
    It is common to reference a previous EO article to provide context and background for the current story. The Editorial Staff recommends authors cross-reference prior EOarticle. The title of the article, volume, issue, and page range in parenthesis. The information should be italicized, except for “The Earth Observer,” which should be plain text.
    The name of the cross-referenced article should be hyperlinked to that article. You can find past Earth Observer newsletters on the archive page.

    For Example: ESIP was created in response to a National Research Council (NRC) review of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). (To learn more about EOSDIS, see Earth Science Data Operations: Acquiring, Distributing, and Delivering NASA Data for the Benefit of Society, in the March–April 2017 issue of The Earth Observer [Volume 29, Issue 2, pp. 4–18].) As NASA’s first Earth Observing System (EOS) missions were launching or preparing to launch, the NRC called on NASA to develop a new, distributed structure that would be operated and managed by the Earth science community and would include observation and research, application, and education data.

    Dates, months, and seasons
    When referencing a date, spell out the month, followed by the day (if included) and year. This style differs from AP. A comma always follows a year if the date is written in-line of the sentence.

    For Example: January 27, 2022; January 2022
    For Example: PACE launched on February 8, 2024, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

    Capitalize a season followed by a year, but not when just referring to a season.

    For Example: Spring 2022; summer

    Spell out time zones, such as Eastern Daylight Time, and thereafter replace with the acronym (i.e., EDT).

    For Example: In Cleveland, the eclipse began at 1:59 PM. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), with totality spanning 3:13–3:17 PM.

    Directions and regions
    EO articles follow AP style for directions (e.g., north, south, east, west, northeast, southwest, norther, western, southern, eastern). The directions should be lowercase when indicating a compass direction and when it is used to describe sections of states or cities.

    For Example: The cold front is moving east.

    The direction should be capitalized for a proper name or large regions. 

    For Example: NASA’s South/Southeast Asia Research Initiative (SARI) is a regional initiative under the LCLUC program that addresses the critical needs of the South/Southeast Asia region.
    For Example: West Virginia or North Dakota

    Footnotes
    The Earth Observer has transitioned to an online publication. Footnotes will no longer be used in articles. Instead of footnotes, the publication will use hyperlinks to direct readers to additional content. Refer to the section on Hyperlinks for more information on how to include a hyperlink in an article. A good mantra to follow – if you are unsure if a reference is needed, leave it out.
    Formal titles
    Formal titles, such as Ms. or Dr., are used in articles that are more personal, such as Kudos, In Memoriam, and The Editor’s Corner. For all other articles, the professional title is not used. When you introduce a person in the story, present the name in BOLD followed by their agency and position in ITALICS, offset by brackets.

    For Example: First Last [Agency—Job Title] began by providing an update on the status of the new launch date for the. . . .

    After the individual is introduced in the article, EO style follows a particular style for using the name again. If the individual’s name is included in the same paragraph where the person was introduced, only use the last name [UNBOLD]. If the individual is mentioned later in the article, several paragraphs removed from introduction, use the full name [FIRST LAST, UNBOLD].
    Hyperlinks, the how and the why
    Prior to moving online, The Earth Observer used footnotes to reference information in an article. The online publication will now use hyperlinks to refer the reader to additional content on a topic. As a general rule, hyperlink content regarding missions, instruments, field campaigns, models, papers, and other programs named in the article. It is not necessary to link to each individual institution mentioned when individuals are identified in summaries.
    How to insert a hyperlink
    The first step in this process is to identify the anchor text to highlight in the sentence. The anchor text includes a word or phrase that points the reader to additional content.

    For Example: Anchor text: Volume 35 Issue 6 of The Earth Observer

    Find the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the webpage. The URL is an address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet.

    For Example: URL: https://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/eo_pdfs/EO%20Nov-Dec%202023-Digital%20508.pdf

    Note: When inserting a link to a prior published article from The Earth Observer’s archive, be certain to capture the URL for the first page of the referenced article, as opposed to the issue’s first page.
    To insert a hyperlink, copy the URL from the website where the additional content can be found. Select the word or phrase to use as anchor text. Do not include an acronym as part of the anchor text for a hyperlink. Select the hyperlink command under the Insert dropdown menu. Paste the URL into the link box. Be sure the ‘Web Page or File’ tab is selected (not the Email tab). The hyperlinked text will appear blue and underlined.

    For Example: It is possible to find this information in Volume 35 Issue 6 of The Earth Observer.
    For Example: The Hyperwall presentation highlighted recent discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) mission.

    Hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes—oh my!!
    Hyphen: – A hyphen is used to separate compound adjectives or words.

    For Example: The satellite reached a near-Earth orbit.

    En Dash: – An en dash spans the length of a typed lowercase ‘n.’ This special character is used to separate numbers.

    For Example: The meeting was held March 5–8 in Denver, CO. [Note there is no space between the numbers in this example.]

    The Earth Observer style follows the NASA style guide that uses an en dash to insert a pause in the sentence. The en dash is set apart by a space on either side. In this instance, the en dash is used instead of an em dash.

    For Example: The passport identified six hidden images – all six posters from the Science Explorers Poster Series– strategically placed within the exhibit’s perimeter.

    You can insert an en dash in Word on a Mac by typing the “Option” and “hyphen/dash” keys simultaneously.
    You can also insert an en dash in Word using the Insert tab and select Advanced Symbols. A box will open with a variety of characters. Select “Garamond” from the Font pulldown menu (Garamond is the newsletter’s preferred font), then select the – symbol (or “en dash”) from the array of options displayed. You will then see a confirmation of your selection appear below the symbol options (i.e., “Insert [Garamond] character 150 (Unicode character 2013).” Please note: the character number (150 in the case of Garamond) could be different. For example, an en dash in Palatino font is character 208.

    Em Dash: — An em dash spans the length of a typed lowercase ‘m.’ This special character is used when separating the organization and the job title when introducing a person in the article. In other styles, the em dash is used as a pause in a sentence. Following NASA style guidelines, the pause is provided by the en dash.

    For Example: Thomas Neumann [GSFC—Deputy Director of GSFC’s Earth Sciences Division (ESD)] welcomed meeting participants on behalf of the ESD.

    You can insert an em dash in Word by going to the Insert tab and selecting Advanced Symbols. A box will open with a variety of characters. Select character 151. For more detailed guidance, please refer to the section above regarding how to insert an en dash.

    Italics and quotes
    Place Latin phrases in ITALICS (e.g., in situ, a priori, ad hoc, ex officio) on every appearance in the article. Do not italicize abbreviated Latin phrases (e.g., i.e., a.k.a., et al.). Use the Latin phrase i.e., instead of ‘such as’ and e.g., instead of ‘that is to say.’

    For Example: The Afternoon Satellite Constellation, a.k.a., the“A-Train,” can see Earth in a whole new dimension.
    For Example: Guy Schumann [Water in Sight]explained this Swedish start-up company uses SWOT data to validate in situ gauge data in Malawi.

    Place technical language in the text in ITALICS followed by a definition. Only use the italics on the first usage of the word.

    For Example:There were several large polynyas – areas of open ice where sea ice would be expected – detected.

    Items in a series
    The Earth Observerdeviates from AP style in the use of commas in a list or series. Use the Oxford comma in a series of items.

    For Example: The sensor measures at three different wavelengths corresponding to blue, green, red, and infrared light.

    In more complex series where one of the items is a series of items within a series, it is permissible to use semi-colons to separate the series (see below).

    For Example: The blue, green, and red channels; the two-infrared channels; and ultraviolet channel were all impacted.

    Numbers
    In the article, spell out zero to nine. Use numerals for any number greater than or equal to 10. If a sentence contains several numbers, excluding a year, that are both greater than and less than 10, use the numerals for all numbers.

    For Example: Improving the data calibrations of the acceler­ometer measurements – which are noise contaminated on one of the two G-FO spacecraft – remains a core focus of the project SDS team.
    For Example: The NASA Hyperwall served as the backdrop for 57 Hyperwall Storiesat the meeting, including 8 presentations delivered by the 2023 winnersof the AGU Michael Freilich Student Visualization Competition.
    For Example: Following the project team’s status presentations, there was a 30-minute session to answer questions from the science community and discuss in more detail the mission performance, near-term operations and data processing plans, as well as to gather suggestions and feedback from the community.

    Ordinal numbers
    Ordinal numbers are words representing position or rank in sequential order. The EO follows AP rules in how to present ordinal numbers in an article. Spell out one through nine and use figures for 10 and above. This rule holds for article headlines and subheads.

    For Example: AEOIP Holds Third Annual Workshop
    For Example: As GPM is now well into its 10th year in orbit, the time is fitting to reflect on and celebrate what this mission has accomplished and showcase its contributions to science and society.

    References
    The Earth Observer is not a peer-reviewed journal and typically does not include a list of references. It is helpful to hyperlink key words/phrases to other resources, such as journal articles. See Hyperlinks section to learn how to insert and format this text.
    In rare instances when a formal reference is required (e.g., referencing a Figure that originally appeared in another journal article), please use theAmerican Meteorological Society format.
    References to teams
    In a story, spell out “Science Team (ST)” in the first instance and use the team acronym from that point forward in the story.

    For Example: The Precipitation Measurement Mission (PMM) Science Team (ST) includes more than 20 international partners.

    For other named teams, use the initial caps for the team name and then use “Team” as shorthand afterwards (e.g., “Informatics Team” first time, then abbreviate as “Team” subsequently).
    Do not capitalize generic references to a team (e.g., a team of experts).
    State abbreviations
    The Earth Observer differs from AP style in how it presents state abbreviations. This publication uses the two-letter postal code for state abbreviations.

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    Guidelines for Graphics, Photos, Visualizations, Animations
    The EO supports several visual options to enhance the text of an article. A figure refers to a visual display of data. An photo refers to a photograph. An animation is a series of images or model results that illustrate a concept. A visualization is a video of content.
    To maintain a consistent design for The Earth Observer, please insert the graphic, photo, animation, or visualization in the appropriate location in the Word document. Along with the Word document, please submit the photo, graphic, visualization, or animation as separate files.
    Inserting figures, photos, animations, and visualizations
    Upon first usage in the text, include the correct graphic descriptor (i.e., figure, photo, animation, or visualization) and appropriate number in the text in bold. Restart numbering for each visual element type (e.g., Figure 1, Photo 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Photo 2, Visualization 1).

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    Caption, credit, and tags
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    For Example:
    Photo 1. Group photo of 2024 Quadrennial Ozone Symposium in-person attendees at the University of Colorado, Boulder’s University Memorial Center.
    Photo credit: Chelsea Thompson [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]
    Photo 2. Sophie Godin-Beekman presents awards during the QOS dinner. Luke Western accepts the Dobson Award [left]; [Herman Smith receives the Farman award [middle]; and Valerie Thouret accepts the Farman award on behalf of Philippe Nédélec [right].
    Photo credits: Irina Petropavlovskikh [CIRES Global Monitoring Laboratory]
    Figure 1.Annual mean anomalies of ozone (%) in the upper stratosphere [top three panels] near 42 km (26 mi) altitude or 2-hPa pressure, and for the lower stratosphere, [bottom three panels] near 22 km (14 mi) or 50 hPa for three zonal bands: 35°N–60°N [top graph in each grouping] , 20°S–20°N [middle graph in each grouping], and 35°S–60°S [bottom graph in each grouping]. Anomalies are with respect to the 1998–2008 baseline. Colored lines correspond to different long-term satellite records. The black line is the merged ground-based dataset. The gray-shaded area shows the range of chemistry–climate model simulations from CCMI-1 refC2 (SPARC/IO3C/GAW 2019).
    Figure credit: from the BAMS State of the Climate in 2023

    Along with the caption, please include alternate keywords to include with the graphic. The alternative text does not appear with the article, but is added to the backend of website (i.e., Content Management System). The alt text aids in SEO. See the section on Search Engine Optimization for additional guidance.

    Key word tag: A global map showing the locations of early adopter organizations.

    If a figure or photo contain multiple elements, provide directionals in the caption to direction the reader to the different elements. The directionals should be italicized and in brackets. When referencing multiple Figures at once, use an en dash to separate the figure numbers.

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    For Example: Photos 6–7. Former NASA astronaut Paul Richards takes audience questions at the NASA Earth Day event. Credit: NASA
    For Example: Figure 2. The Ghana Climate Hazards Center Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 climate projection dataset map of temperatures exceeding 41 °C (106 °F) [left], future climate projection (SSP) for 2050 [middle], and the difference between the two [right]. Figure credit: Williams et al. 2024

    Graphic/photo requirements

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    Provide high-resolution graphics source files of all graphics. Submit graphics and photos as a .gif, .tif, or .eps file.
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    Final Thoughts
    There are many style topics not specified here. As stated earlier, the NASA Stylebook and Communications Manual and AP Style Guide (in that order) should be followed when something is not explicitly described in this guide.
    In addition, previous articles from The Earth Observer (particularly those from recent years) can serve as templates for future articles. It is a good idea when preparing to submit an article to look at some previous articles available in The Earth Observer archive.
    The Earth Observer: Editorial GuidelinesLast Updated: 01/30/25 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: FormFactor Introduces the EVOLVITY™ 300 Probe System

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LIVERMORE, Calif., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), a supplier of electrical test and measurement technologies, has introduced the EVOLVITY™ 300, a semi-automated engineering wafer probe system that complements the company’s proven CM300 product line. The EVOLVITY 300 simplifies on-wafer probing with its compact, easy-to-use design, developed specifically for RF/DC modeling and device characterization.

    While the CM300 is a modular platform adaptable to a wide range of use cases and customer-specific applications, supporting both manual and automated wafer loading, the EVOLVITY 300 includes the most commonly required features as standard, ensuring ease of use and quick deployment. Building on the trusted legacy of the Cascade S300 and Elite systems, the EVOLVITY 300 provides a flexible, space-efficient platform that integrates into existing setups. Its compact design optimizes lab space and enables easy switching between applications such as advanced RF measurements, DC characterization, and probe cards. Additionally, the system offers automation options that simplify operations and provide greater flexibility for users.

    “We believe on-wafer testing systems should be as straightforward as possible,” said Jens Klattenhoff, VP and GM of the Systems Business Unit at FormFactor. “That is why we designed the EVOLVITY 300 with ease of use in mind – offering simple configuration, quick setup, and long-term support. Its intuitive interface and streamlined processes reduce setup time and complexity, allowing even less experienced users to focus on testing and development instead of tedious setup work.”

    Key Features of the EVOLVITY 300:

    • Mechanical Platen Lift: Enhances safety during complex RF set-ups, increasing operator confidence and minimizing the risk of errors.
    • Ease-of-use and Advanced Automation: Full compatibility with FormFactor’s Autonomous RF and DC measurement assistants as well as Velox Dash companion app control.
    • Reconfigurable Platen Inserts: Quickly switch between TopHat, PCH, and IceShield inserts within minutes to support a wide variety of test configurations.
    • Spacious Platen Design: Provides flexibility for both RF and DC setups without space limitations, ensuring easy integration of different configurations.
    • Compact Design: Small footprint with field-upgradable components for smooth integration into existing test cells.

    For more information about the EVOLVITY 300, visit https://www.formfactor.com/product/probe-systems/300-mm-systems/evolvity-300/.

    About FormFactor

    FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full IC life cycle – from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design debug, to qualification and production test. Semiconductor companies rely upon FormFactor’s products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge. The Company serves customers through its network of facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.formfactor.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the impact of this new test system. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” and “continue,” the negative or plural of these words and similar expressions and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in demand for the Company’s products; customer-specific demand; market opportunity; anticipated industry trends; the availability, benefits, and speed of customer acceptance or implementation of new products and technologies; and other factors, including those set forth in the Company’s most current annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, there are varying barriers to international trade, including restrictive trade and export regulations such as the US-China restrictions, dynamic tariffs, trade disputes between the U.S. and other countries, and national security developments or tensions, that may substantially restrict or condition our sales to or in certain countries, increase the cost of doing business internationally, and disrupt our supply chain. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements within this press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or revise its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    FormFactor Investor Contact
    Stan Finkelstein
    Investor Relations
    (925) 290-4273
    ir@formfactor.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: DDG Hill stresses trade’s role in innovation at IP and Innovation Researchers of Asia event

    Source: WTO

    Headline: DDG Hill stresses trade’s role in innovation at IP and Innovation Researchers of Asia event

    DDG Hill reflected on the symbolic timing of the negotiations of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which coincided with the release into the public domain of the World Wide Web, developed at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. She noted how these two developments reshaped the global economy, embedding intellectual property into trade policy just as digital technology began redefining how knowledge is created and shared.
    DDG Hill also emphasized how a balanced IP framework can support innovation ecosystems and attract investment. “Well-conceived and balanced IP regimes enable global collaboration, particularly in regions that have embraced technology as a strategic driver of growth,” she noted.
    Now in its 7th year, the annual IPIRA conference serves as an important platform for supporting emerging IP scholarship and research. This year’s edition saw the presentations of over 200 papers from scholars from 150 institutions focusing on a wide range of themes related to IP and innovation. Hasan Kleib, Deputy Director General at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) also addressed participants in the conference. The event brought together over 300 legal scholars and intellectual property (IP) researchers from across Asia and beyond.
    Participants praised IPIRA’s role in shaping the regional intellectual property landscape. “IPIRA has significantly helped us refine our research and elevate the overall quality of our scholarship,” said Associate Professor Althaf Marsoof of the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
    Dr. Henny Marlyna, Assistant Professor at Universitas Indonesia, echoed this sentiment: “IPIRA has encouraged me to view intellectual property not just as a legal field, but as a powerful tool for shaping innovation policy and fostering economic and social development.”

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In “Era of Savage Cuts’, UN Aid Chief Urges Security Council to Provide Security, Resources for Saving as Many Survivors Possible of Russian Airstrikes in Ukraine

    Source: United Nations 4

    Strike in Dnipro Region Last Friday Marks Deadliest Attack Involving Children 

    Russian Federation airstrikes in Ukraine continue to kill and maim civilians — including children at a playground last week — the United Nations top humanitarian official told the Security Council today.  In what he called an “era of savage cuts”, he also appealed to Council members to provide at least the security and resources needed to save as many survivors of this war as possible. 

    “A massive strike in the densely populated city of Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipro region last Friday resulted in multiple civilian casualties,” said Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator addressing the 15-member Council. 

    According to local authorities, 18 civilians were killed — including nine children — and 75 others injured when a children’s playground and nearby residential area were struck.  The Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) in Ukraine, which verified many of the casualties, confirmed it was the single deadliest attack involving children since the start of the war in February 2022. 

    Fighting has also continued unabated in the frontline regions of Kherson, Kharkiv, Donetsk and in the border areas of Sumy, where more than 90 civilian casualties were recorded last week alone.  From 24 February 2022 to 31 March 2025, OHCHR has verified at least 12,910 civilian deaths, including 682 children, and nearly 30,700 injuries across Ukraine, he said.  Meanwhile, 3.7 million people remain internally displaced, with new waves of displacement in the country’s north-east, and nearly 7 million Ukrainian refugees recorded worldwide.  The UN remains unable to access an estimated 1.5 million civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia. 

    Underscoring the plight of women in this war, he said that since February 2022, pre-term births have accounted for nearly half of all deliveries, putting both mothers and newborns at high risk.  Gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, has surged by 36 per cent, with displaced and refugee women suffering the most severe mental health challenges and facing critical gaps in protection and care, he warned.  

    Despite Scale of Crisis, $2.6 Billion Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan for 2025 Only 17 Per Cent Funded 

    Despite the scale of this crisis, only 17 per cent of the $2.6 billion required for the 2025 Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has been secured.  As a result, the UN is prioritizing limited resources for frontline support, emergency response, evacuations, and aid for the displaced — but more funding is urgently needed.  

    “We welcome the announcement of a ceasefire focused on energy infrastructure, as well as negotiations to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea,” Fletcher said.  But as talks continue, so do the bombardments.  Indiscriminate attacks are strictly prohibited under international law, he recalled.  “Even wars have rules,” he also stressed, urging the Council to ensure that “this era of increasingly belligerent, transactional, self-defeating, nationalism is not also remembered as one of callous impunity and brutal indifference, in which the rights of civilians are discarded again and again with a shrug”.  

    Russian Federation’s Representative:  Strike on Kryvyi Rih was Precision Missile strike on Military Meeting of Unit Commanders and Western Instructors 

    In the ensuing discussion, the Russian Federation’s delegate said the strike on Kryvyi Rih was a precision missile strike on a military meeting of unit commanders and Western instructors.  The strike succeeded in damaging the command of the Ukrainian forces, he said, adding that a gathering of service members and Western officers is a legitimate target for his country’s army.  The fact that a military meeting was happening in a civilian area shows that the Ukrainian army is using civilians as human shields, he said, adding that Ukrainian eyewitnesses have confirmed that a cluster munition was not used.  Dismissing the efforts of the “Ukrainian propaganda machine” regarding this and other strikes, he said video clips by ordinary citizens refute their claims. 

    Civilians must stay far away from gatherings of military officers, he said, adding that Ukrainians are not being told the truth — Kyiv is milking the tragedy that it is responsible for.  Nor will the Ukrainians be told of the continuous shelling of Russian border towns, he said.  The goal of Ukraine and Western countries is to undermine the Russian Federation-United States dialogue, he said, adding:  “What you are doing is far too obvious.”  The ceasefire cannot be misused so “Ukraine can lick its wounds and resume its war”, he said, adding that it is essential to do away with the root causes.  No one will be allowed to use the negotiation process to strengthen Ukraine’s military — the demilitarization of that country is essential, he stressed. 

    United States Representative:  Russian President Vladimir Putin Does Not Want to End War

    The United States representative said that in its bilateral engagements between both Russian Federation and Ukraine, the United States had tabled a proposal in March.  While Ukraine was ready to accept, she recalled, Russian Federation representatives insisted on a more limited agreement which would cover only strikes on energy infrastructure and the elimination of the use of force in the Black Sea.  She called on both the Russian Federation and Ukraine to exercise restraint and demonstrate their commitment to peace.  The Russian Federation must bear in mind that strikes like the one on Kryvyi Rih and executions of prisoners of war have the potential to damage peace efforts.  “We will ultimately judge President Putin’s commitment to peace by Russia’s actions,” she stated. 

    “We can see that Putin does not want to end the war; he is looking for ways to preserve the option of reigniting it in any moment with even greater force,” Ukraine’s delegate said.  Moscow has “not moved one inch away from its genocidal and maximalist war aims”.  On the other hand, Ukraine has taken concrete steps towards peace, while the Russian Federation “continues to drag its feet and commit atrocities”.  “Every missile, every strike killing people every day proves that Russia only wants war,” she went on to say.  Moscow has not only failed to cease its attacks on Ukrainian civilians, but it has also significantly escalated the scale of its assaults. 

    On 4 April, a missile landed near a playground, tearing through homes, schools and restaurants, killing 20 people, including nine children.  She rejected Moscow’s falsehoods about alleged military targets in the area.  “All witnesses and footages from cameras inside and outside the local restaurant debunk Russian representatives’ lies and disinformation,” she said.  It confirms that there was no military presence in the restaurant or in the surrounding area at the time of the strike.  Staying silent about the fact that the Russian Federation is killing children with ballistic missiles is wrong and dangerous.  “It only emboldens the scum in Moscow to continue the war and keep ignoring diplomacy,” she said. 

    Several European Speakers Criticize Russian Federation

    Several speakers from Europe strongly criticized the Russian Federation, with Denmark’s delegate stating that Moscow’s deliberate delays and new preconditions raised for even a partial ceasefire seem particularly cynical given reports that the missile that struck Kryvyi Rih was fired from the Black Sea. “Russia has said it only attacks military targets”, but the missile strike on Kryvyi Rih on 4 April hit residential buildings and a playground.  “We heard claims that a high precision strike has been launched to target a military group that was meeting at a restaurant at the time — trying to justify it as a military target,” Slovenia’s delegate said.  But these claims have been disproved. 

    “Russia is not negotiating in good faith; it’s procrastinating, and its goal continues to be the capitulation of Ukraine,” echoed France’s delegate, Council President for April.  But France and other Europeans “are not sitting on our hands” and continue to work to secure a just and lasting peace.  “It is time for the Kremlin to end its aggression against Ukraine and to uphold its obligations under the UN Charter and it is time for President Putin to agree to a full and immediate ceasefire,” added the United Kingdom’s representative. 

    The representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, stressed that “there can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no negotiations that affect European security without Europe”.  He reaffirmed the bloc’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.  There is no doubt “who truly seeks peace and who instead is determined to prolong a ruthless war of territorial conquest”, Czechia’s delegate added.  “Moscow is trying to falsely present itself as a victim” and expecting the world to provide security assurances, “preferably at the expense of legitimate security interests of its neighbours”, Poland’s representative also stated. 

    Focus on Plight of Children

    Estonia’s delegate, speaking also for Latvia and Lithuania, said that Moscow has killed over 600 Ukrainian children since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, while the real numbers might be higher.  That country deserves to be listed in the annexes of the annual Children and Armed Conflicts report for carrying out grave violations against children in Ukraine.  Other Council members, including the delegates of Pakistan, Guyana and Panama, echoed concerns for children living under conflict in Ukraine, with the latter underscoring that “children must never be targets in a war”. 

    Global Impact of War in Ukraine:  Food Insecurity, Energy Crises 

    Some speakers shared ways the war in Ukraine was affecting them with Algeria’s delegate stating that the food insecurity and energy crises resulting from this conflict also hits the civilian population in other regions around the world.  Greece’s delegate pointed out that freedom of navigation in the Black Sea will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains.  The representative of the Republic of Korea expressed concern that the military cooperation between the Russian Federation and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea “is intensifying rather than waning”, as exemplified by last month’s high-level reaffirmation in Pyongyang to implement their Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

    Momentum for Peace Talks 

    Other Council members, including the delegate from China, said that although the situation on the battlefield remains complicated, the momentum for peace talks has emerged.  “The window of peace is opening,” he stated, adding that talks must address the root causes of the crisis.  The Ukraine conflict is complex and restoring peace will require persistent efforts. 

    “The path forward requires sustained commitment to diplomatic solutions and unwavering adherence to intentional humanitarian law,” echoed Somalia’s delegate.  His counterpart from Sierra Leone urged negotiators and intermediators to approach ceasefire discussions objectively, mindful of the contextual underpinnings of this conflict. “We call on all parties to negotiate in good faith in the US-led talks, taking into consideration the legitimate concerns involving both parties,” she said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – What to make of the 2025 US tariff policy? – 08-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    When Donald Trump was elected President of the United States (US) for the second time in 2024, the world knew that tariffs would again be the US trade policy instrument of choice. Two months into his second term, the President announced universal tariffs on aluminium and steel; a month later, on cars and car parts; and on 2 April 2025, reciprocal tariffs ranging from 11 % to 50 % on imports from countries running a trade in goods deficit with the US, and universal tariffs of 10 % on imports from almost all other countries. As the US Congress is working on a long-term budget reconciliation bill, it is unclear whether the US import tariffs are meant as a permanent source of revenue to partly fund tax cuts, to be renewed and extended in that bill, and/or as ‘incentives’ for bilateral deals. While the latest tariffs may not even mark the last step, the responses to them fall into three categories: China has opted to retaliate; India and Israel have entered into negotiations to reach a deal with President Trump; and the EU has pursued a staged approach of targeted retaliation and openness to negotiation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Bonamici, Salinas Join Colleagues Demanding McMahon Reverse Abrupt Policy Change Halting Funding for Schools Nationwide

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    April 08, 2025

    Lawmakers press Trump’s Department of Education about its abrupt halt of funding for state governments and school districts that adds an unnecessary hurdle to reimbursement and will harm students following the pandemic.

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., said today they have  joined Senate and House colleagues in a letter demanding a reversal of a new federal Department of Education policy that imposes new red tape on Oregon and other states that  prevent their access to  pandemic relief funds they are counting on to support students’ learning.

    In their letter  to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the lawmakers press McMahon for immediate reversal of the department’s revision to its longstanding liquidation extension policy for COVID-19 education recovery funding—warning that the department’s change, along with its myriad other harmful actions recently, seriously jeopardizes students’ learning and growth. 

    “We write to request the immediate reversal of the Department of Education’s recent March 28, 2025, action to revise the liquidation extension policy for COVID-19 relief funds,” the lawmakers wrote. “Just over a month ago, the Department announced a policy change to the longstanding extension policy that imposed an additional step for processing of extension reimbursements. … However, on March 28, 2025, with many state extension requests having been approved more than six months ago,  the Department suddenly announced on March 28 that ‘the Department is modifying the liquidation period to end on March 28, 2025,’ the very same day as the announcement.” 

    “In short,” the lawmakers state, “the Department changed the spending rules it affirmed just one month ago, without providing any notice, and imposing more federal red tape.”

    The lawmakers note that the abrupt change—coupled with the mass firings at the Department of Education—seriously threaten the ability of schools to support students’ learning: “When combined with the massive reduction in force announced earlier this month, the Department jeopardizes an estimated $4 billion from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in nearly all of our states and outlying areas and roughly 1,000 school districts nationwide. This action is particularly harmful to rural school districts that faced the greatest disruptions during the authorized program period. This will also have a disproportionate impact on $800 million reserved for identification and support for students experiencing homelessness, which was implemented slowly in many states. The March 28th decision of the Department improperly imposes its will on state and local budget decisions in a manner not contemplated by Congress.”

    The lawmakers also called out that while the Trump administration works to cut off this funding for schools, it is pushing to pass new tax cuts for billionaires: “Let’s be very clear: The abrupt change in the liquidation extension policy is yet another way this administration is seeking to strip educational opportunities for students in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations. President Trump and Congressional Republicans are intent in claiming any savings they can in the federal budget that they intend to use to pay for their tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations.”

    “We believe there is a better way,” they conclude. “We urge you to immediately rescind your March 28 revision to the longstanding liquidation extension policy. Further, we believe you should work with us to start properly executing our federal education laws as Congress intended.”

    The letter was led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Patty Murray, D-Wash., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. In addition to Wyden the letter was signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Angus King, I-Maine, Ed Markey, D-Mass., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Jeanne Shaheen, D-Mo., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

    In the House, the letter was led by U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, D-Va. In addition to Bonamici and Salinas, the letter was signed by Representatives Alma Adams, D-N.C., Donald Beyer, D-Va., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, André Carson, D-Ind., Greg Casar, D-Texas, Sean Casten, D-Ill., Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Joe Courtney, D-Conn., Danny Davis, D-Ill., Diana DeGette, D- Colo., Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., Dwight Evans, D-Pa., Shomari Figures, D-Ala., Jesús García, D-Ill., Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., Hank Johnson, D-Ga., Robin Kelly, D-Ill., Timothy Kennedy, D-N.Y., John Larson, D-Conn., Summer Lee, D-Pa., Lucy McBath, D-Ga., Sarah McBride, D-Del., Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., Jim McGovern, D-Mass., LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., Donald Norcross, D-N.J., Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, Mark Pocan, D-Mich., Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., Terri Sewell, D-Ala., Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., Lateefah Simon, D-Calif., Darren Soto, D-Fla., Haley Stevens, D-Mich., Mark Takano, D-Calif., Dina Titus, D-Nev., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.Y., Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., and Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.

    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS to visit Beijing

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CS to visit Beijing 
    The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, will accompany Mr Chan to Beijing.

    The three officials, together with members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) search and rescue team, will return to Hong Kong on the same day and are expected to arrive at night. The HKSAR Government will organise a welcome ceremony for the members at Hong Kong International Airport.Issued at HKT 23:00

    NNNN

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IEPFA and IPPB Sign MoA to Launch Phase 2 of “Niveshak Didi” to Boost Rural Women’s Financial Literacy

    Source: Government of India

    IEPFA and IPPB Sign MoA to Launch Phase 2 of “Niveshak Didi” to Boost Rural Women’s Financial Literacy

    “Niveshak Didi” trains women postal workers and community leaders to act as financial educators within their local regions

    The initiative Empowers Women, Promotes Financial Literacy and reaches 55,000 beneficiaries in Rural India

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:07PM by PIB Delhi

    New Delhi, April 8, 2025 — In a landmark step toward financial inclusion and rural empowerment, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), operating under the Department of Posts, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to jointly launch Phase 2 of the “Niveshak Didi” initiative. This strategic collaboration aims to scale financial literacy among women in rural, semi-urban, and underserved areas through grassroots mobilization and community-driven education.

     

    “Niveshak Didi” is a unique initiative that trains women postal workers and community leaders to act as financial educators within their local regions. During Phase 1, more than 55,000 beneficiaries participated in IPPB Financial Literacy Camps across India, with approx. 60% female beneficiaries mostly in the youth & economically active age group. Every 2 out of 3 such beneficiaries belonged to deep rural locations ensuring maximum penetration at the grassroots levels.

    Building on the success of Phase 1, this new phase will see the deployment of over 4,000 financial literacy camps across India. These camps will be led by almost 40,000 women postal workers trained as Niveshak Didis, who will conduct sessions on responsible investing, fraud awareness, savings habits, and digital banking tools.

     

    Lt Col Aditya Sinha (Retd.), General Manager, IEPFA, highlighted the mission behind the initiative, “Niveshak Didi goes beyond being a campaign — it drives a grassroots movement that delivers financial knowledge directly to the last mile. We aim to empower rural women with the skills and confidence to make informed financial decisions. By partnering with IPPB, we ensure that awareness turns into action and that financial education becomes a catalyst for real community transformation. We believe that when women gain financial literacy, entire families and communities benefit.”

    Mr. Gursharan Rai Bansal, Chief General Manager & CSMO, IPPB, added with conviction, “We see women as natural community influencers. When we provide them with the right knowledge and tools, they don’t just manage their own finances better — they lead change in their communities. Through this partnership with IEPFA, we are deepening our mission to bring inclusive, accessible banking to every doorstep. Niveshak Didi enables us to build trust, inspire & share financial discipline, and create a lasting impact at the grassroots level.”

    About Investor Education And Protection Fund Authority

    The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. It was established with a key objective to ensure that investors across the country are both informed and protected. In today’s dynamic financial landscape, where products and services are constantly evolving, the role of IEPFA becomes even more significant.

    IEPFA plays a crucial role in promoting financial literacy, making it easier for individuals to understand the importance of managing personal finances. From budgeting and saving to making informed investment decisions, IEPFA empowers citizens with the knowledge needed to make sound financial choices.

    One of its primary missions is to educate people about their rights and responsibilities as investors. This becomes particularly important for individuals living in rural and underserved areas, who may have limited access to reliable financial education or resources. By reaching out to these communities, IEPFA ensures that no one is left behind in the journey toward financial empowerment.

    IEPFA’s vision is to build a financially aware and confident India, where every individual, regardless of background, has the tools and knowledge to secure their financial future.

    About India Post Payments Bank

    India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by the Government of India. IPPB was launched on September 1, 2018. The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India. The fundamental mandate of India Post Payments Bank is to remove barriers for the unbanked & underbanked and reach the last mile leveraging the Postal network comprising ~1,65,000 Post Offices (~140,000 in rural areas) and ~3,00,000 Postal employees.

    IPPB’s reach and its operating model is built on the key pillars of India Stack – enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presence-less banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers’ doorstep, through a CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device. Leveraging frugal innovation and with a high focus on ease of banking for the masses, IPPB delivers simple and affordable banking solutions through intuitive interfaces available in 13 languages to 11 Crore customers across 5.57 lakh villages & towns in India.

    IPPB is committed to provide a fillip to a less cash economy and contribute to the vision of Digital India. India will prosper when every citizen will have equal opportunity to become financially secure and empowered. Our motto stands true – Every customer is important, every transaction is significant and every deposit is valuable.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves proposed acquisition of shares of Shriram Asset Management Company Limited by Sanlam Emerging Market (Mauritius) Limited and Shriram Credit Company Limited

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:05PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of shares of Shriram Asset Management Company Limited by Sanlam Emerging Market (Mauritius) Limited and Shriram Credit Company Limited.

    The proposed combination relates to subscription of equity shares of Shriram Asset Management Company Limited (SAMC) constituting 23% of the expanded voting share capital of SAMC by Sanlam Emerging Market (Mauritius) Limited (SEMM) by way of preferential allotment and further acquisition of up to 26% shareholding of SAMC from the public, as required under Section 3 of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeover) Regulation, 2011, by way of an open offer to be made by SEMM along with Shriram Credit Company Limited (SCCL).

    SEMM, incorporated in Mauritius, belongs to Sanlam Group, South Africa. SEMM is the existing strategic partner of Shriram Group. It holds 40.70% stake in Shriram Capital Private Limited, which is the ultimate holding company of SAMC.

    SCCL, also a part of Shriram Group, is the subsidiary of Shriram Investment Holdings Private Limited and is presently the promoter and sponsor of SAMC.

    SAMC is also a part of Shriram Group and is engaged in the asset management business and registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SAMC has also obtained license for portfolio management services (PMS) from SEBI, though SAMC has not started PMS business as on date. 

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses News18 Rising Bharat Summit

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses News18 Rising Bharat Summit

    The world’s eyes and expectations are on India: PM

    India has sprinted ahead at double the speed, doubling the size of its economy in just one decade: PM

    Those who thought that India would progress slow and steady, will now witness a fast and fearless India: PM

    Delay is the enemy of development: PM

    When growth is driven by aspirations, it becomes inclusive and sustainable: PM

    Waqf legislations ensure dignity for all, especially the marginalised: PM

    WAVES will empower Indian artists to create and take their content to the global stage: PM

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 10:26PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the News18 Rising Bharat Summit in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering,  he expressed gratitude to Network18 for providing him the opportunity to connect with esteemed guests from India and around the world through this summit. He appreciated the focus of this year’s summit on the aspirations of India’s youth. Underlining the significance of the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ held earlier this year on Swami Vivekananda Jayanti at Bharat Mandapam, he remarked on the dreams, determination, and passion of the youth to make India a developed nation. He emphasized the roadmap for India’s progress by 2047, stating that continuous deliberation at every step will yield valuable insights. He noted that these insights will energize, guide, and accelerate the Amrit Kaal generation. He extended his congratulations and best wishes for the success of the summit.

    “The world’s eyes and expectations are on India”, said Shri Modi,  highlighting that within a span of a few years, India has risen from being the 11th to the 5th largest economy. He emphasized, “despite numerous global challenges, India has sprinted ahead at double the speed, doubling the size of its economy in just one decade”. He remarked that those who once believed India would progress slowly and steadily are now witnessing a ‘Fast and Fearless India’. He expressed confidence that India will soon become the world’s third-largest economy. “This unprecedented growth is being driven by the ambitions and aspirations of India’s youth”, he said, emphasising that addressing these ambitions and aspirations is now a national priority.

    Noting that as of today, April 8, 2025, the first 100 days of the year are nearing completion in a couple of days, the Prime Minister highlighted that the decisions made during this period reflect the aspirations of India’s youth. “These 100 days were not just about decisions but about laying the foundation for the future”, he emphasised. He stated that policies have been transformed into pathways for possibilities. He highlighted key initiatives, including zero tax on income up to ₹12 lakh, benefiting young professionals and entrepreneurs. He noted the addition of 10,000 new medical seats and 6,500 new IIT seats, marking an expansion in education and acceleration in innovation. Shri Modi also mentioned the establishment of 50,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs, ensuring innovation reaches every corner of the country. He remarked that these labs will ignite a chain reaction of innovation. Highlighting the creation of Centers of Excellence for AI and skill development, providing youth with opportunities to become future-ready, Shri Modi also announced 10,000 new PM Research Fellowships to simplify the journey from ideas to impact. He remarked that just as the space sector was opened, the nuclear energy sector will now also be opened, removing boundaries and fostering innovation. He mentioned the introduction of social security for youth engaged in the gig economy, ensuring that those previously invisible are now at the center of policies. He also highlighted term loans of up to ₹2 crore for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs, emphasizing that inclusivity is now a policy, not just a promise. These decisions will directly benefit India’s youth, as the progress of the nation is tied to the progress of its youth, he added.

    “The achievements of the past 100 days demonstrate that India is unstoppable, unyielding, and unwavering in its progress”, said Shri Modi underscoring that during this period, India became the fourth country in the world to achieve satellite docking and undocking capabilities. He noted the successful testing of the semi-cryogenic engine and the milestone of surpassing 100 gigawatts of solar capacity. He also emphasized the record coal production of 1,000 million tons and the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission. Shri Modi also mentioned the decision to establish the 8th Pay Commission for Central Government employees and the increase in fertilizer subsidies for farmers, underscoring the government’s priority for the welfare of farmers. He highlighted the mass housewarming ceremony for over 3 lakh families in Chhattisgarh and the distribution of more than 65 lakh property cards under the Swamitva scheme. The Prime Minister remarked that in these 100 days, one of the world’s highest tunnels, the Sonamarg Tunnel, was dedicated to the nation. He noted the addition of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer to the Indian Navy’s strength. He also cited the approval for the purchase of ‘Made in India’ light combat helicopters for the Army. He highlighted the passage of the Waqf amendment bill as a significant step toward social justice. He added that these 100 days represent not just 100 decisions but the fulfillment of 100 resolutions.

    “This mantra of performance is the true energy behind a rising India”, exclaimed the Prime Minister, sharing his recent visit to Rameswaram, where he had the opportunity to inaugurate the historic Pamban Bridge. He highlighted that over 125 years ago, the British constructed a bridge there, which witnessed history, endured storms, and suffered significant damage from a cyclone. Despite years of public demand, previous governments failed to act. He emphasized that it was under his government that work on the new Pamban Bridge began and the nation now has its first vertical lift rail-sea bridge.

    Emphasising that delaying projects hampers the nation’s progress, while performance and swift action drive development, the PM said, “delay is the enemy of development, and our government is committed to defeating this enemy”. He cited the example of Assam’s Bogibeel Bridge, whose foundation was laid by former Prime Minister Shri Deve Gowda in 1997 and initiated by Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. However, the project stalled under subsequent governments, causing hardships for millions in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, he added. He highlighted that his government restarted the project in 2014 and completed it within four years, in 2018. He also mentioned Kerala’s Kollam Bypass Road project, which had been pending since 1972. He noted that the previous governments worked on it for 50 years, while the project was completed within five years,  under his government.

    Shri Modi remarked that discussions on Navi Mumbai Airport began in 1997, and it received approval in 2007. However, he highlighted that the Congress government did not take action on the project. He stressed that his government expedited the project, and the day is not far when commercial flights will commence from Navi Mumbai Airport.

    Highlighting the significance of April 8, marking the 10th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, the Prime Minister remarked that earlier, even opening a bank account without a guarantor was a challenge, and bank loans were a distant dream for ordinary families. He emphasized that the Mudra Yojana addressed the aspirations of marginalized groups, including SC/ST, OBC, landless laborers, and women, who had nothing to pledge but their hard work. Questioning whether their dreams, aspirations, and efforts were any less valuable, Shri Modi highlighted that over the past decade, 52 crore loans have been disbursed under the Mudra Yojana without any guarantee. He noted the remarkable scale and speed of the scheme, stating that 100 Mudra loans are cleared in the time it takes for a traffic light to turn green, 200 loans are approved while brushing one’s teeth, and 400 loans are sanctioned during a favorite song on the radio. He further remarked that in the time taken for an instant delivery app to fulfill an order, 1,000 Mudra loans are sanctioned. Similarly, by the time one finishes an episode on an OTT platform, 5,000 Mudra businesses are established.

    “Mudra Yojana did not demand guarantees but placed trust in the people”, said Shri Modi, highlighting that the scheme has enabled 11 crore individuals to receive loans for self-employment for the first time, transforming them into first-time entrepreneurs. He emphasized that over the past decade, 11 crore dreams have been given wings through the Mudra Yojana. He noted that approximately ₹33 lakh crore has been disbursed under the scheme, reaching villages and small towns—a figure surpassing the GDP of many countries. “This is not merely micro-finance but a mega transformation at the grassroots level”, he stressed.

    Highlighting the transformative example of Aspirational Districts and Blocks, the Prime Minister remarked that previous governments had declared over 100 districts as backward and left them neglected, many of which were in the Northeast and tribal belts. Instead of deploying the best talent to these districts, officials were sent there as punishment postings, reflecting the outdated mindset of keeping the “backward” regions stagnant. He emphasized that their government changed this approach by designating these areas as Aspirational Districts. He stated that the administration in these districts was prioritized, flagship schemes were implemented in mission mode, and growth was monitored across various parameters. He highlighted that these Aspirational Districts have now surpassed several states and national averages in performance, benefiting the local youth the most. He noted that the youth in these districts now confidently say, “We can also achieve, we can also progress.” The Prime Minister remarked that the Aspirational Districts Program has received global recognition from reputed institutions and journals. Inspired by its success, the government is now working on 500 Aspirational Blocks. “The growth driven by aspirations is both inclusive and sustainable”, he emphasised.

    Emphasising that peace, stability, and a sense of security are essential for a nation’s rapid development, the PM quoted Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a fearless and confident mind, stating, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.” He stated that for decades, India faced an atmosphere of fear, terror, and violence, which caused the greatest harm to the youth. He highlighted that in Jammu and Kashmir, generations of young people were consumed by bombings, gunfire, and stone-pelting, while previous governments lacked the courage to extinguish this fire. He emphasized that their government’s strong political will and sensitivity have transformed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that today, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are actively engaged in development.

    Underscoring the significant progress made in combating Naxalism and fostering peace in the Northeast, the Prime Minister remarked that over 125 districts were once engulfed in violence, with government boundaries effectively ending where Naxalism began. He noted that a large number of youth were victims of Naxalism. He emphasized his government’s efforts to bring these youth into the mainstream. Over the past decade, more than 8,000 Naxalites have surrendered and abandoned the path of violence, he added, highlighting that the number of Naxal-affected districts has now reduced to fewer than 20. Shri Modi remarked that the Northeast had also endured decades of separatism and violence. Over the last 10 years, his government has signed 10 peace agreements, leading to over 10,000 youth laying down arms and joining the path of development. He emphasized that the success lies not only in thousands of youth abandoning weapons but also in saving their present and future.

    Shri Modi remarked that for decades, national challenges were swept under the political carpet instead of being addressed. He emphasized that it is time to confront such issues and not burden the 21st-century generations with the political mistakes of the 20th century. He highlighted that appeasement politics has been a significant challenge to India’s growth. Referring to the recent amendment to the Waqf-related laws, the Prime Minister noted that the debate surrounding Waqf stems from the politics of appeasement, which is not a new phenomenon. “The seeds of appeasement were sown during India’s freedom struggle”, he added. He questioned why India, unlike other nations that gained independence, had to face partition as a condition for freedom. He attributed this to the prioritization of power over national interest at the time. He stated that the idea of a separate nation was not rooted in the aspirations of ordinary Muslim families but was propagated by a few extremists, supported by certain Congress leaders to secure sole claims to power.

    The Prime Minister said that appeasement politics granted power to Congress and strength and wealth to certain extremist leaders. However, he questioned what the common Muslim received in return. He highlighted that poor and marginalized Muslims were left with neglect, illiteracy, and unemployment. He emphasized that Muslim women faced injustice, citing the Shah Bano case where their constitutional rights were sacrificed to appeasement. He noted that women were silenced and pressured not to question, while extremists were given free rein to suppress their rights.

    “Appeasement politics is fundamentally against the core concept of social justice in India”, said Shri Modi criticizing some parties for using it as a tool for vote-bank politics. He highlighted that the 2013 amendment to the Waqf Act was an attempt to appease extremist elements and land mafias. He noted that the amendment created an illusion of being above the Constitution, restricting the very pathways to justice that the Constitution had opened. He emphasized the adverse consequences of this amendment, which emboldened extremists and land mafias. He cited examples such as Waqf claims on Christian community lands in Kerala, disputes over Gurudwara lands in Haryana, and claims on farmers’ lands in Karnataka. He pointed out that entire villages and thousands of hectares of land across states are now entangled in NOC and legal complexities. The Prime Minister remarked that whether it was temples, churches, gurudwaras, farms, or government lands, people lost confidence in retaining ownership of their properties. A single notice would leave individuals scrambling for documents to prove ownership of their own homes and fields. He questioned the nature of such a law, which was meant to deliver justice but instead became a source of fear.

    Congratulating the Parliament for enacting a remarkable law that serves the interests of all communities, including the Muslim community, Shri Modi emphasized that the sanctity of Waqf will now be preserved, and the rights of marginalized Muslims, women, and children will be safeguarded. He highlighted that the debate on the Waqf Bill was the second-longest in India’s parliamentary history, with 16 hours of discussion across both houses. He noted that the Joint Parliamentary Committee held 38 meetings and engaged in 128 hours of deliberation. Additionally, nearly one crore online suggestions were received from across the country. “This demonstrates that democracy in India is no longer confined to Parliament alone but is being strengthened through public participation”, he added.

    Emphasizing the importance of focusing on art, music, culture, and creativity—elements that distinguish humans from machines—as the world rapidly advances in technology and AI, Shri Modi highlighted that entertainment is one of the largest global industries and is set to expand further. He announced the creation of WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit), a global platform to encourage and celebrate art and culture. He shared that a major event for WAVES will be held in May 2025 in Mumbai. He spoke about India’s vibrant and creative industries, including movies, podcasts, gaming, music, AR, and VR. He highlighted the “Create in India” initiative, aimed at taking these industries to the next level. WAVES will encourage Indian artists to create content and make it global, while also inviting artists from around the world to collaborate in India, he added. The Prime Minister urged Network 18 to popularize the WAVES platform and encouraged young professionals from creative domains to join this movement. “WAVES should reach every home and every heart”, he emphasised.

    The Prime Minister commended Network 18 for showcasing the creativity, ideas, and determination of the nation’s youth through this summit. He lauded the platform for engaging young minds, encouraging them to think about national challenges, provide suggestions, and find solutions. He highlighted that the summit transformed youth from mere listeners to active participants in change. The Prime Minister urged universities, colleges, and research institutions to take the engagement from this summit forward. He emphasized the importance of documenting, studying, and channeling the insights and suggestions into policymaking to ensure the summit becomes a lasting impact rather than just an event. He remarked that the enthusiasm, ideas, and participation of the youth are the driving force behind India’s resolve to become a developed nation. He concluded by extending his best wishes to all those associated with the summit, especially the young participants.

    The Prime Minister also unveiled the ‘Samadhan’ document, a compendium of solutions and proof of concepts developed by the selected youths and colleges across India on challenges like air pollution, waste management, cleaning up of rivers, education for all and decongestion of streets of India.

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed acquisition of shareholding in Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited, APAC Financial Services Limited, and Quantiphi, Inc by Multiples Plenty Private Equity GIFT Fund

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:02PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of shareholding in Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited, APAC Financial Services Limited, and Quantiphi, Inc by Multiples Plenty Private Equity GIFT Fund.

    The proposed combination envisages the acquisition by Multiples Plenty Private Equity GIFT Fund (Multiples GIFT Fund/Acquirer) of certain shareholding in: (i) Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited (Vastu) currently held by Plenty Private Equity Fund I Limited (Plenty), Multiples Private Equity Fund II LLP (Multiples Fund II), and Plenty CI Fund I Limited (Plenty CI); (ii) APAC Financial Services Limited (APAC) currently held by Plenty and Multiples Fund II; and (iii) Quantiphi, Inc (Quantiphi) currently held by Plenty and Multiples Fund II.

    Multiples GIFT Fund is a newly incorporated trust, formed under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 and registered with International Financial Services Centres Authority as a Restricted Scheme. It is managed by Multiples Asset Management IFSC LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. Plenty, Multiples Fund II, and Plenty CI, and the Acquirer are all funds belonging to the Multiples Group.

    Vastu is a housing finance company, and is engaged in the provisions of retail loans, namely, home loans and loans to small and medium enterprises (MSME). Vastu is also present in the segments of provision of auto loans and loans against property through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vastu Finserve India Private Limited.

    APAC is a Nonbanking Financial Company – Middle Layer registered with the Reserve Bank of India since February 2018. APAC is engaged in the provision of retail loans to MSMEs.

    Quantiphi is incorporated in the United States, and is engaged in, inter alia, the provision of various artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, and data analytics. Quantiphi is present in India through its subsidiary, Quantiphi Analytics Solutions Private Limited.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MeitY Notifies Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme; Strengthening India’s position as a global hub for electronics manufacturing.

    Source: Government of India

    MeitY Notifies Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme; Strengthening India’s position as a global hub for electronics manufacturing.

    Scheme Aims to Deepen India’s Electronics Ecosystem; Draft Guidelines Released for Stakeholder Feedback

    Electronics production Sees Five-Fold and Export Six-fold Growth in the Last Decade, says Union Minister

    India’s Smartphone Exports Cross ₹2 Lakh Crore Milestone; iPhone Alone Contributes ₹1.5 Lakh Crore for the FY 24-25

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 9:49PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of  Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY) today notified the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s position as a global hub for electronics manufacturing.

    Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the notification of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, is in continuation of the recent Cabinet decision. He further emphasized, ‘Our government has always been open-minded, consultative, and inclusive. We take everyone’s views into account before finalizing any law or policy.’

    Rapid Growth in Electronics Exports

    The Minister also highlighted the sector’s impressive growth trajectory. In the last financial year, smartphone exports surpassed ₹2 lakh crore, with iPhone exports alone accounting for approximately ₹1.5 lakh crore. Over the past decade, electronics production has grown five-fold and exports have grown more than six-fold, with export CAGR exceeding 20% and production CAGR over 17%.

    “Within a short time, the electronics manufacturing ecosystem—comprising component manufacturers and a diverse range of players—has developed substantially. Today, there are more than 400 production units, both big and small, manufacturing a variety of components,” he stated.

    Reflecting global industry trends, the Union Minister said that India’s journey in electronics manufacturing has evolved through distinct phases: beginning with finished goods, progressing to sub-assemblies, and now entering the critical phase of deep component manufacturing. The sector is steadily advancing into this third phase, which marks a significant leap in value addition, self-reliance, and ecosystem depth.

    Focus on Horizontal Expansion and Component Manufacturing

    Outlining the structure of the scheme, the Minister said that it is designed as a horizontal initiative with benefits spanning multiple sectors such as consumer electronics, medical devices, automobiles, power electronics, and electrical grids, thereby creating a strong multiplier effect across the economy.

    The scheme focuses particularly on passive electronic components, which will be supported under the new initiative. In contrast, active components fall under the purview of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). The indicative list of passive components includes resistors, capacitors, connectors, inductors, speakers, relays, switches, oscillators, sensors, films, lenses, and many more—underscoring the depth and breadth of the scheme.

    Support for Capital Equipment and Tooling Industry

    Recognizing the importance of precision tools and capital goods in manufacturing, Shri Vaishnaw announced that the scheme will also support the design and manufacturing of capital equipment used in electronics production. “Just like the Semiconductor Mission encouraged companies like Applied Materials and Lam Research to invest in India, this scheme will promote a similar model for the electronics component ecosystem,” he said. Chemical and gas majors such as Linde has already begun establishing facilities in India, and several global players are in discussions to join the ecosystem.

    Tailored Incentives to Reflect Sector Needs

    Highlighting the structural nuances of the components sector, the Minister noted that electronic component manufacturing typically requires higher investment and has a longer gestation period compared to finished goods. Accordingly, the scheme will offer three incentive structures: i)Turnover-linked incentive ii) Capex-linked incentive iii)Hybrid incentive model

    The Minister emphasized that employment generation will be a mandatory requirement for all applicants, including both component manufacturers and capital equipment producers. This emphasis on job creation underlines the government’s continued commitment to inclusive growth and the development of a robust electronics manufacturing ecosystem in India.

    The notification can be accessed here

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith/ Shatrunjay Kumar

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MSDE partners with World Economic Forum to launch India Skills Accelerator

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:56PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move towards accelerating India’s skilling goal, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), deliberated on the “India Skills Accelerator” initiative during a high-level roundtable at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi.

    The India Skills Accelerator will function as a national public-private collaboration platform designed to enable cross-sectoral efforts in unlocking innovative ideas and driving systemic progress on complex challenges that demand a multi-stakeholder approach. At its core, the Accelerator aims to catalyze change across three critical levels: i) by improving awareness and shifting mindsets around future skills needs, ii) increasing collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, and iii) committing to upgrade institutional structures and policy frameworks to support a more adaptive and responsive skilling ecosystem.

    As India navigates rapid technological and economic change, skill gaps – cited by 65% of organisations as a major barrier – threaten to slow progress. The Accelerator aims to close these gaps through inclusive upskilling and reskilling, mobilizing investment in lifelong learning, and fostering government-industry collaboration. By enabling agile career transitions, promoting scalable training, and aligning education with industry need – especially in high-growth sectors like AI, robotics, and energy – the initiative will empower India’s youth and drive future-ready workforce development.

    The initiative’s governance structure includes key stakeholders from public and private sectors, led and co-chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education and co-chaired by Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Development of North-Eastern Region. It will also have two private co-chairs – Ms Shobana Kamineni, Executive Chairperson of Apollo HealthCo; and Shri Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv.

    In his opening remarks, Shri Jayant Chaudhary underscored the need for collective ambition and structural reform in skilling to meet the aspirations of a young, dynamic nation. He emphasized that India’s demographic potential can only be realized if skilling systems remain agile, inclusive, and closely aligned with global opportunities and national priorities. “India today stands at the confluence of three powerful forces – demographic advantage, digital transformation, and a deep developmental commitment. With the world’s largest youth population and a vibrant skilling ecosystem, we are uniquely positioned to become the Skill Capital of the World,” Shri Chaudhary added. He noted that the Accelerator is not just a platform for dialogue, but a catalyst for systemic transformation, anchored in shared accountability, innovation, and targeted solutions. “This is a chance to engage in candid assessments and meaningful dialogue – anchored in data and focused on results,” said the Minister.

    Shri Jayant Chaudhary further highlighted the importance of sectoral focus, mapping our current standing through surveys and evidence, and prioritizing emerging areas such as GCCs, advanced manufacturing, and the formalization of the informal workforce.

    Co-chair Dr. Sukanta Majumdar articulated India’s strategic opportunity to position itself as the global epicenter of next-generation talent. He underscored the need to embed competitiveness in India’s skills architecture—particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing—so that India is not only skilling for its domestic economy but for the world. The Accelerator, he added, will play a critical role in translating this global ambition into measurable outcomes. “Through the National Education Policy, we have initiated transformative changes—promoting flexibility, vocational pathways, and digital skilling. Our federal model of implementation, involving both Centre and States, can serve as a valuable learning for global platforms like the WEF as well,” he said.

    Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum (WEF), said, “In the face of rapid technological and labour market changes, India’s launch of the Skills Accelerator reflects a strong commitment to equipping its workforce with the skills needed for the future. By strengthening alignment across the skills ecosystem, this initiative will help close critical skills gaps, support the growth of India’s digital and innovation-driven economy, and enable more people to thrive in a rapidly evolving world of work. We are pleased to support this important step and look forward to the impact it will deliver at scale.”

    During the roundtable, the experts underscored the significance of a comprehensive analysis of India’s skilling ecosystem and identifying a set of 10 to 12 high-impact priorities with clear and measurable outcomes. They also emphasized establish dedicated working groups to guide implementation and ensure progress is tracked through WEF’s Global Learning Network – enabling peer learning and global benchmarking. Equally emphasized was the importance of thematic working groups, drawing on the expertise of diverse stakeholders, to translate strategy into coordinated action. The participants also deliberated on aligning the newly launched initiative with insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report.   

    The session saw active participation from senior leadership of the World Economic Forum, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), as well as key representatives from the Ministry of Education, University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

    Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri PiyushGoyal addresses Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri PiyushGoyal addresses Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai

    India-UAE partnership a model of prosperity, trust and shared vision, says Shri Goyal

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 9:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri PiyushGoyal addressed the Dubai-India Business Forum organised by Dubai Chambers in Mumbai on Monday. The event was graced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.

    Welcoming His Highness on his first official visit to India, Shri Goyal said the presence of Sheikh Hamdansymbolises the deep historical connect and generational continuity between Mumbai and Dubai. Recalling that this year marks the centenary of the visit of Sheikh Saeed, the grandfather of Sheikh Hamdan, to India, the Minister noted that both cities share a welcoming spirit rooted in centuries-old cultural and commercial ties.

    Shri Goyal lauded Dubai’s contributions to social welfare, including the establishment of the first hospital for Indian workers in Dubai. “This is a heartwarming initiative, and we thank you on behalf of all Indians,” he added.

    Highlighting the special relationship between India and the UAE, Shri Goyal said it is built on trust and personal rapport between the leadership of both nations. “There have been six high-level visits between India and the UAE in just two years—three by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and three by top leaders of the UAE. This reflects the intimacy and strategic importance of our partnership,” he stated.

    Shri Goyal placed on record India’s appreciation for the UAE’s support in building the iconic Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, calling it a symbol of mutual respect and shared values.

    The Minister acknowledged the UAE’s pivotal role in India’s outreach to Africa, investments in logistics and infrastructure, and efforts to build digital and commercial connectivity. He particularly appreciated the role of DP World in transforming India’s logistics ecosystem.

    Referring to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE as a defining moment, Shri Goyal said, “Our goal to take non-oil trade to $100 billion is within reach. The speed and scale at which our partnership is growing is truly inspiring.”

    The Minister also spoke of new avenues of collaboration in education. “We have already launched an IIT campus in Dubai and are now planning campuses of Indian Institute of Management and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. These initiatives reflect our commitment to deeper engagement in education and skill development,” he said.

    Shri Goyal said Dubai serves as a vital gateway for India’s trade and cultural exchange with the Middle East and expressed gratitude for the UAE’s support to the Indian diaspora, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Over 2 million Indians call the UAE home, and you have cared for them like your own family,” he noted.

    Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shri Goyal said, “India is not just a workforce, we are a world force.” He pointed out that India is the fastest-growing major economy and is poised to become the fourth-largest economy by the end of 2025 and third-largest by 2027. “From a $4 trillion economy today, we aim to reach $30-35 trillion by 2047,” he said, inviting Dubai to partner in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by its centenary of independence.

    Shri Goyal encouraged businesses from both countries to tap the immense potential in sectors such as nuclear energy, critical minerals, renewable energy, green hydrogen, fintech, AI, food security, and advanced manufacturing. He said, “This is just the tip of the iceberg. We have many mountains yet to climb, and I’m confident that the leadership and business communities of both nations will continue to inspire even greater achievements.”

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    Abhishek Dayal, Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation,Shri Amit Shah chairs a high-level security review meeting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation,Shri Amit Shah chairs a high-level security review meeting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is committed to establishing lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir and completely eradicating terrorism

    Union Home Minister lauds the efforts of security agencies for significant reduction in terror-related incidents, infiltration and recruitment of youth into terrorist organisations

    Due to sustained and coordinated efforts of the Modi Government, the entire terror eco-system nurtured by elements against our country in Jammu and Kashmir has been crippled

    Home Minister directed all security agencies to continue efforts with a coordinated approach to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

    Implementation of Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan must be ensured in mission mode

    All agencies should continue to work in a coordinated manner so that the gains made after the abrogation of Article 370 in the Union Territory can be sustained

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:43PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director (IB), Chief of Army Staff, GOC-in-C (Northern Command), Chief Secretary &DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, heads of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other senior officials attended the meeting.

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is committed to establishing lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir and completely eradicating terrorism. During the meeting, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah lauded the efforts of security agencies for significant reduction in terror-related incidents, infiltration and recruitment of youth in terrorist organisations. He reiterated the zero tolerance policy against terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Shah said that Due to sustained and coordinated efforts of the Modi Government, the entire terror eco-system nurtured by elements inimical to our country in Jammu and Kashmir has been crippled.

    Shri Amit Shah directed all security agencies to continue efforts with a coordinated approach to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He also directed that the implementation of Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan must be ensured in mission mode. Home Minister said that all agencies should continue to work in a coordinated manner so that the gains made after the abrogation of Article 370 in the Union Territory can be sustained and the goal of ‘terror free J&K’ can be achieved at the earliest. Home Minister said that the Modi Government is providing all resources necessary to achieve this goal.

    Union Home Minister also reviewed the preparedness of Shri Amarnathji Yatra which is scheduled from 3rdJuly to 9thAugust this year and directed concerned agencies to take all necessary action for conducting holy yatra peacefully.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for departure of concert spectators at Kai Tak Sports Park (3)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

    Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

         The Transport Department (TD) today (April 8) said that the last train to Lo Wu Station on the East Rail Line (ERL) via interchanging at Tai Wai Station has departed from Sung Wong Toi Station and Kai Tak Station. Cross-boundary travellers who missed the last train to Lo Wu Station may take the ERL to Sheung Shui Station and then the KMB route No. 276B or N73 to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange, and transfer to the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) for their journey to the Mainland.

         Spectators are advised to take heed of the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the “Easy Leave” platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk) as well as the latest traffic news through the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the “HKeMobility” mobile application and radio and television broadcasts.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs a review meeting on development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs a review meeting on development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today

    The Modi government is working with an unwavering resolve towards building a developed Jammu and Kashmir

    The tireless efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi are ushering in a new era of prosperity for every citizen through development and welfare initiatives

    Untiring efforts of the Modi Government to accelerate the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in comprehensive changes in all sectors in the Union Territory

    During the review meeting, the achievements of the Union Territory in the fields of power, connectivity, industry, tourism, agriculture etc. were presented before the Union Home Minister

    All- inclusive development in every aspect of public welfare underlines the commitment of the Modi Government to transform Jammu and Kashmir

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary and senior officials of the Central and Jammu and Kashmir Governments.

    Union Home Minister said that the Modi government is working with an unwavering resolve towards building a developed Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi are ushering in a new era of prosperity for every citizen through development and welfare initiatives. Shri Shah said that Jammu and Kashmir is accelerating on the path of growth in every sector.

    Untiring efforts of the Modi Government to accelerate the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in comprehensive  changes in all sectors in the Union Territory. During the review meeting, the achievements of the Union Territory in the fields of power, connectivity, industry, tourism, agriculture etc. were presented to the Union Home Minister. Apart from this, the financial assistance given to Jammu and Kashmir so far by the Union Home Ministry and the financial assistance allocated to the Union Territory under various heads in the financial year 2024-25 was also mentioned in the presentation. The Home Minister directed to take all necessary steps to further accelerate the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir so that the full potential of the Union Territory can be utilized.

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Government of India is fully committed to establishing new dimensions of development in  Jammu and Kashmir and paving the way for prosperity for the local people. The all- inclusive development in every aspect of public welfare underlines the Modi government’s commitment to transform Jammu and Kashmir through positive reforms.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sarbananda Sonowal Reviews Kochi Water Metro; Approves Tech Feasibility Study for 24 Cities, Including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tezpur

    Source: Government of India

    Sarbananda Sonowal Reviews Kochi Water Metro; Approves Tech Feasibility Study for 24 Cities, Including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tezpur

    Execution Plan to Follow Based on Findings

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:41PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed operations of the Kochi Water Metro during a ride across key terminals in the city. The visit marked a step toward assessing the viability of replicating the water-based transit model in 24 cities across India, including Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Tezpur in Assam. The Ministry has approved for conducting Technical Feasibility Study in these 24 cities.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said, “The success of the Kochi Water Metro is a shining testament to India’s ability to blend tradition with innovation. It demonstrates how clean, comfortable, and efficient water-based transport can transform the way people commute in urban spaces. Inspired by this achievement, our ministry has approved technical feasibility studies in 24 cities across the country—including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Tezpur in Assam—to explore the replication of this model.”

    After the ride aboard Kochi Water Metro, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s transformative leadership in reviving India’s long-neglected national waterways. “Before 2014, our rivers were overlooked and left in ruins. It is under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi that we have reclaimed the lost glory of India’s riverways,” he said. “The Water Metro is a testament to this transformation—it provides an economical, comfortable, environmentally friendly, and modern travel experience that reflects the government’s commitment to green and inclusive growth.”

    The Union Minister boarded the Water Metro at the High Court Junction terminal and travelled to Fort Kochi and Vypeen before returning. He was accompanied by senior government officials, including Joint Secretary Sri Nath, as well as representatives from Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., and other maritime agencies.

    Elaborating on the Water Metro project, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “This initiative will pave the way for a modern and sustainable public transport system that not only reduces traffic congestion and pollution but also reconnects our people with the country’s historic waterways. Rooted in our civilisational legacy of river navigation, the Water Metro concept is designed to meet the demands of today—with cutting-edge technology, top-notch safety protocols, and commuter-friendly amenities that make every journey efficient and enjoyable. The expansion of Water Metro services aims to provide last-mile connectivity, ease of travel, and an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional transport—setting the stage for a greener and more inclusive future of urban mobility in India.”

    During the visit to Kochi Water Metro, the Union Minister was accompanied by Loknath Behera, Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.; B. Kasiviswanathan, Chairperson of Cochin Port Trust; Dr. Divya S. Iyer, Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport; directors of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.; the Chief Operating Officer of Kochi Water Metro Ltd.; and Dr K K Nath, Advisor, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) among other senior officials.

    In a message penned in the visitor’s book, Shri Sonowal described the Kochi Water Metro as “unique,” noting that “it makes a real difference to water travel—more exciting, comfortable, and enjoyable.”

    The Water Metro, the first of its kind in India, integrates water transport with the city’s urban mobility systems and is being considered a model for future projects across the country. The proposed expansion through techno-feasibility studies aims to boost connectivity, reduce road congestion, and promote sustainable transit in key urban centres.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MeitY and the Government of Himachal Pradesh organized a Cyber Security iCAST-25 Workshop to enhance the cyber security posture of state government departments

    Source: Government of India

    MeitY and the Government of Himachal Pradesh organized a Cyber Security iCAST-25 Workshop to enhance the cyber security posture of state government departments

    State Cyber Security workshop as a part of NeGD’s Capacity Building Project, to manage and mitigate cyber risks effectively

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Department of Digital Technology & Governance, Himachal Pradesh and CID, Department of Police, Government of Himachal Pradesh, organised a two-day Cyber Security Workshop iCAST-25 (Integrated Cyber Advanced Security Techniques-2025) for State Police Leaders of the Himachal Pradesh Government at Police Head Quaters, Shimla, from April 3 – 4, 2025. The workshop brought together over 45 physical & 100 online participants from various  units of state police departments.

    Dr. Atul Verma, IPS, DGP, Government of Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated the workshop and in his address, emphasized the importance of cyber security in protecting digital infrastructure and e-governance services within the state. He highlighted the need to build capacities among government officers to address the evolving cyber threats faced by their departments. Attendees included Shri Ajay Kumar Yadav, IPS, ADGP (Crime); Shri Gyaneshwar Singh, IPS, ADGP, CID, Himachal Pradesh; Ms. Rakhi Kahloon, IAS, Secretary, Department of Digital Technologies & Governance, Himachal Pradesh; Shri Mohit Chawla, IPS DIG, Cyber Crime State CID Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Nipun Jindal, IAS, Director, Department of Digital Technologies & Governance, Himachal Pradesh and Shri Vipan Kumar DSP, CID (Cyber Crime) Himachal Pradesh, SeMT HP alongside other senior officers.

    Dr. Nipun Jindal shared the state’s preparedness in the areas of cyber hygiene and the establishment of an Incident Response Team. He emphasized that the state has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Digital Literacy Campaign. This initiative aims to promote digital literacy, empower individuals, and bridge the digital divide across Himachal Pradesh.

    The State leadership has vowed to take this workshop (iCAST-25) to the state and regional levels next year onwards.

    NeGD, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched a comprehensive series of state capacity-building workshops nationwide. These workshops are crafted to empower state-level leadership, CISOs, and officials by providing hands-on training and best practices in managing cyber threats, adopting secure IT frameworks, and reinforcing digital governance. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s mission to create a cyber-resilient public sector, ensuring a robust digital infrastructure and resilient e-governance services across states. Through this program, NeGD aims to enable states with customised, practical approaches to strengthen their cyber defence mechanisms, ultimately enhancing the collective cyber security posture of India’s digital ecosystem.

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates ₹67.7 Cr Projects in IMU Campuses; Lays Foundation for Girls’ Hostel at Kochi

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates ₹67.7 Cr Projects in IMU Campuses; Lays Foundation for Girls’ Hostel at Kochi

    “India Aims for 5 Lakh Seafarers by 2030, laying the anchor for India’s Pursuance to be Top Global Maritime Nation”: Sarbananda Sonowal

    “Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti to Propel India Towards Viksit Bharat:” Sarbananda Sonowal

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:39PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated 26 projects worth ₹67.77 crore across six Indian Maritime University (IMU) campuses nationwide, marking a significant push toward strengthening maritime education and empowering women in the sector. The ceremony also included the foundation stone laying for a Girls’ Hostel-cum=Library building at IMU’s Kochi campus.

    Calling the event a “very special occasion,” the Union Minister said it reflected the Government’s collective commitment to transform maritime education. “The maritime sector is the backbone of global trade and economic growth. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India is making rapid strides to emerge as a global maritime powerhouse. These 17 projects mark a significant step in our mission to strengthen India’s maritime education landscape. With modern infrastructure and advanced facilities, we are enabling students to excel and meet global maritime standards,” Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said.

    Shri Sonowal inaugurated 17 key infrastructure projects across IMU campuses in Chennai, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai Port, and Visakhapatnam, including advanced simulators, solar power plants, improved sports facilities, and hostel upgrades—aimed at enriching academic and campus life. The ₹13.11 crore Girls’ Hostel at IMU Kochi will enhance residential facilities for female students, reinforcing Government’s commitment to gender inclusion in maritime education.

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted flagship initiatives like the Maritime India Vision 2030, the Sagarmala Programme, and the ‘Maritime Amritkaal Vision 2047’, describing them as central to modernising ports and developing sustainable infrastructure. He pointed out that between 2014-15 and 2023-24, India’s major ports doubled their cargo-handling capacity.

    Highlighting India’s Maritime sector’s growth, the Union Minister said, “Nine Indian ports are now ranked among the top 100 globally”.  He also emphasised the rise in maritime employment, stating that the number of Indian seafarers increased by 170% in the past decade — from 1.17 lakh in 2014 to over 3.17 lakh in 2024. “Our target is to reach five lakh active seafarers by 2030, and we are firmly on that path,” Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said.

    The Union Minister further hailed the progress made in women’s participation in maritime careers, noting a 700% increase in women seafarers—from 1,699 in 2014 to 13,756 in 2024. “This foundation stone for the Girls’ Hostel at IMU Kochi is a step forward in promoting gender equity in the maritime sector.  ‘Nari Shakti’ and ‘Yuva Shakti’ are the backbone of our nation as well as for our aspiration to become a global maritime major. Their active role as nation builders will propel our country to become ‘Viksit Bharat’,” Shri Sonowal said, adding that the IMU actively supports women students through scholarships offered by corporate houses and government agencies.

    The Indian Maritime University (IMU) also received praise from the Minister for expanding its footprint and contributions to workforce development. “With a current enrolment of 7,156 students and over 21,000 alumni since its inception in 2008, IMU has seen an 80% rise in admissions over the past decade. With our rich talent pool, our endeavour to become a global maritime nation is going to be a reality soon. This is very inspiring towards realisation of Atmanirbhar Bharat — the vision of PM Narendra Modi ji,” the Union Minister said.

    Among the newly inaugurated projects are flood mitigation structures, RFID-enabled libraries, solar power installations, and simulators at multiple campuses. These upgrades aim to provide students with a holistic, environmentally sustainable, and technologically advanced learning environment. “The future of global shipping lies in automation, Artificial Intelligence, and green technologies. IMU must incorporate these innovations into its curriculum to prepare our youth for a rapidly evolving industry,” suggested Shri Sonowal, during the event at IMU. He further urged IMU to integrate emerging domains such as shipbuilding, ship recycling, inland water transport, and advanced sailing technologies like hydrofoils into its training programmes. “We want a dedicated, professional human resource base to drive India’s maritime ecosystem forward. IMU must lead this transformation,” he added.

    The Union Minister also commended the faculty and staff of IMU for their unwavering commitment. “Your efforts are invaluable in shaping the future of India’s maritime sector and ensuring we remain at the forefront of global maritime education,” the Union Minister said. In a message to students, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “You are the future of India’s maritime vision. The knowledge and skills you gain here will not only shape your careers but also contribute to the growth and prosperity of the nation. With the guidance and experience of our educators, combined with the passion and dedication of our youth, India, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, is on course to become a leading global maritime power by 2030,” said Sarbananda Sonowal.

    Expressing hope that the newly inaugurated infrastructure would catalyse further excellence in training, research, and industry collaboration, the Union Minister concluded, saying, “this is just the beginning, may this milestone lead to many more achievements for India’s maritime sector”.

    The ceremony was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Ernakulam, and Dr. Malini V. Shankar, Vice Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University (IMU). The event concluded with an engaging interactive session that brought together experts, faculty, and policymakers to explore the future of maritime education, innovations in seafarer training, and the development of sustainable infrastructure across IMU campuses.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for departure of concert spectators at Kai Tak Sports Park

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

    Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

         The concert at Kai Tak Stadium of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is scheduled to end later tonight (April 8). As a large number of spectators is expected to disperse at the same time, the Transport Department (TD) urges those leaving the venue to take the MTR if possible. The TD has been steering public transport service arrangements and the overall traffic conditions have mostly been smooth so far:

         MTR:

    • The interval between trains of the Tuen Ma Line will be further enhanced to about 2.5 minutes and the service level of the northbound East Rail Line (ERL) will also be enhanced accordingly;
    • Of note, for cross-boundary travellers, the last train to Lo Wu Station on the ERL via interchanging at Tai Wai Station will depart from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm;

         Special bus routes:

    • Eleven special bus routes have been arranged at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area departing for ports and major districts across the territory;
    • Cross-boundary travellers may take route No. SP12 to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange and transfer to the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port; or route No. A25S to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and transfer to the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to Macao and Zhuhai; and

         Taxis:

    • In view of an outflux of spectators, the waiting time is anticipated to be longer. Patience is appreciated. The TD has made all-out efforts with the taxi trade to mobilise more taxis for picking up passengers, including disseminating to the trade directly real-time information on passengers queuing. The KTSP has also mobilised taxis via the instant messaging platform.

         Spectators are advised to take heed of the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the “Easy Leave” platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk) as well as the latest traffic news through the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the “HKeMobility” mobile application and radio and television broadcasts.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Defence Secretary highlights role of integrated financial advisors in driving transparency; Lauds Defence Accounts Department’s tech-driven reforms

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

    Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh lauded the role of Integrated Financial Advisors (IFA) as crucial enablers of transparency, accountability and responsiveness in defence financial system, while addressing a two day Integrated Financial Advisors Conference 2025, organised by Defence Accounts Department (DAD), Ministry of Defence (MoD), from April 03-04, 2025, in Hampi, Karnataka. He highlighted Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh’s directive for DAD to become a Centre of Excellence in Defence Finance & Economics, calling for research-based policy inputs, cost-benefit analysis in procurement, and AI-driven financial analytics.  

    The Defence Secretary emphasized strengthening outcome-oriented mechanisms, promoting emerging technologies, and foster collaboration across the departments to enhance operational efficiency. He noted that DAD achieved 100% capital budget utilization in 2024–25, which was a first in the last five years. He also highlighted the importance of Project SAMPURNA (System Automation for Procurement, Payment and Uniform Raksha Accounting), which integrates AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science into financial management ushering in a new era of automation and efficiency.

    The conference featured six focused business sessions under which the role of financial advisors was highlighted to enhance capital acquisition outcomes, multifaceted challenges confronting the recently implemented IFA system in Military Engineer Services and the prospective pathways for their resolution, complexities associated with the Army Commander Special Financial Powers & merits and potential challenges of outsourcing in the defence sector.

    Shri S.G. Dastidar, Financial Advisor (Defence Services), in his inaugural address highlighted the expansion of the IFA system amid growing defence capabilities and greater delegation of financial powers to Service Headquarters and lower levels. Emphasizing Aatmanirbharta, he called for standardized procedures, better data systems, and stronger coordination between IFAs and CDAs to enhance financial efficiency. Dr. Mayank Sharma, CGDA, talked about the changing role of financial advisors and highlighted Project SAMPURNA.

    Senior officials from the MoD and DAD, along with Principal Integrated Financial Advisors and Integrated Financial Advisors from across the country, participated in the conference.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Two days Chintan Shivir of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment concludes; ⁠Saw participation of 34 States/UTs and 19 Ministers across India

    Source: Government of India

    Two days Chintan Shivir of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment concludes; ⁠Saw participation of 34 States/UTs and 19 Ministers across India

    Chintan Shivir promotes Constructive Dialogue, drives Collaborative Thinking, paving path for evidence-based Policy Refinement: Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

    Dehradun/ New Delhi, 8th April, 2025

    The second day of Chintan Shivir 2025, organised by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Dehradun, continued with a strong emphasis on constructive dialogue, policy coherence, and grassroots transformation. Building on the momentum of Day 1, discussions focused on finding solutions to practical issues, collaboration amongst Central Government, State Governments and other implementing partners, today. It aimed at ushering more effective governance and deepening impact, ensuring inclusivity, and strengthening delivery mechanisms across various schemes and initiatives under the Ministry.

    34 States/UTs and 19 Ministers from across India participated in the event. The Valedictory Session featured addresses by Ministers from States and Union Territories, reinforcing the spirit of federal cooperation. Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E), Dr. Virendra Kumar, in his concluding remarks, highlighted the significance of Chintan Shivir as a platform that promotes constructive dialogue, drives collaborative thinking, and paves the path for evidence-based policy refinement. Other dignitaries included MoS (SJ&E), Shri B.L. Verma, along with senior officials of the Ministry.

    The day began with a session on social empowerment, highlighting national efforts under the National Action Plan on Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA). States presented field-level challenges and innovations in tackling substance abuse, emphasising the role of community mobilisation and awareness campaigns. This was followed by discussions on comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging, with States contributing valuable inputs on practical issues on the ground and strategies for integration into mainstream society.

    The Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) was also discussed, with participating States presenting best practices and identifying key areas for expansion, especially in rural and remote regions. These sessions showcased the importance of working together, as Centre and States aligned efforts to ensure no individual is left behind.

    A technical session enabled detailed deliberations on Single Nodal Agency (SNA) systems, social audits, and capacity-building initiatives led by NISD. These discussions reflected a collective approach towards collaboration and coordination, aimed at improving transparency, monitoring, and efficient implementation of schemes.

    The review of the Ministry’s four national finance and development corporations — NSFDC, NBCFDC, NDFDC, and NSKFDC — provided insights into income generation efforts and livelihood promotion across SCs, OBCs, PwDs, and sanitation workers. Stakeholders engaged in ideation on streamlining access to finance and upscaling entrepreneurship among marginalised groups.

    There were 11 presentations from the States on the first day and 10 on the second day, some of which were presented by the Ministers of the States in charge of respective Social Justice and Empowerment Departments. In addition to the presentations, the State governments representatives raised the issues affecting the implementation of the existing schemes and also gave suggestions for improvement in future.

    Across the themes and sessions, the States and UTs shared their experiences, challenges, and achievements, contributing to a Chintan Shivir’s valuable pool of shared learning and best practices. This participatory environment enabled robust inputs on practical issues on the ground – from digital infrastructure gaps to the need for skilling and awareness drives — leading to actionable takeaways.

    The event concluded on a note of shared vision and responsibility, with all stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to building a Viksit Bharat that is inclusive, just, and empowering for every citizen.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AI is the New Industrial Revolution, Says Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw; Urges Stakeholders to Share Ideas on Integrating AI with Digital Public Infrastructure

    Source: Government of India

    AI is the New Industrial Revolution, Says Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw; Urges Stakeholders to Share Ideas on Integrating AI with Digital Public Infrastructure

    Aadhaar is the ‘Aadhaar’ of Many Initiatives and the Core of DPIs: Union Minister

    UIDAI Hosts Third Aadhaar Samvaad in Delhi; Brings Together Over 750 Officials and Experts Innovation, Inclusion, and Integration for Smarter Governance and Secure Identities

    UIDAI Unveils New Aadhaar App for Secure Digital Verification and QR-Based Data Sharing; Enhances User Privacy and Reduces Dependence on Physical Copies

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) concluded a day long stakeholders meet with ecosystem partners including from central government departments and states to deliberate and share ideas to further enhance service delivery by using Aadhaar.

    Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Railways and lnformation and Broadcasting Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the conference.

    Nearly 750 senior policy makers, experts, technocrats, sectoral leaders and professionals came together for the ‘Aadhaar Samvaad’ in New Delhi on Tuesday.

    Aadhaar serves as the foundation of multiple initiatives

    In his inaugural address, the honourable minister Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw underlined how AI is like a new industrial revolution. He said Aadhaar is the ‘aadhaar’ of many initiatives and is the core of DPIs. He asked the stakeholders to share ideas on how we to integrate AI with DPIs to drive the growth further. All this, while preserving the privacy, he added.

    Union Minister stated that the Central Government has a primary focus on improving ease of living further. He gave the example of Aadhaar face authentication in this context and how it is an enabler.   

    Addressing the stakeholders, Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said Aadhaar is allowing speed up inclusion and aiding economic growth. He said Aadhaar is a sophisticated system that preserves privacy and authenticates identity.

    Addressing the meeting, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), appreciated UIDAI for enabling the expansion of Aadhaar usage, and underlined the rapid growth of Aadhaar authentications. Garg touched upon how data is for development.

    Shri Neelkanth Mishra , Chairman UIDAI spoke about Aadhaar’s role in the expansion of DPIs. UIDAI and Aadhaar have achieved a lot and there is a lot to do, he added. He said Face authentication is very helpful and it’s becoming more and more robust.

    CEO UIDAI Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar said Aadhaar Face authentication is becoming the hallmark of the authentication landscape. He said Aadhaar ecosystem has grown big and UIDAI is prepared for future be it technology adoption or service delivery. He also mentioned a humane side of Aadhaar and how it is uniting hundreds of missing children with their families.

    About Aadhaar Samvaad series

    This is the third episode of the Aadhaar Samvaad series. At Bengaluru in November 2024, UIDAI focused around industries and technologies involved in digital identity space, the second edition, in January 2025 at Mumbai, focused on FinTech sector bringing together BFSI, fintech and and Telecom sectors. In this edition here in Delhi, the focus theme was Innovation, Inclusion and Integration, and how Aadhaar can be of more help in strengthening governance and bring more benefits to people.

    After the inaugural session, the meet had focused discussions covering areas and themes like — Adoption of new technologies and processes in Aadhaar enrolment and authentication; Expanding Aadhaar usage for good governance; Strengthening Aadhaar enrolment and update ecosystem, data privacy.

    UIDAI also showcased demos of some new products including the Sandbox and an upcoming new mobile app that will allow people to have more control on how much information they will to share while availing services.

    UIDAI’s technology centre showcased the new Aadhaar app that will empower Aadhaar number holders to share only the necessary data while availing services of their choice. It will give Aadhaar number holders complete control over their personal information. The app allows digital verification and exchange via a requesting application or by scanning a QR code, eliminating the need for physical photocopies while ensuring privacy.

    A major innovation in the app is the integration of Aadhaar Face Authentication, which is witnessing rapid adoption across sectors and have clocked over 15 crore transactions per month.

    This app is an early adopters’ release for a small group of users including all the registered participants of this Aadhaar Samvaad event. Based on the feedback received from users and ecosystem partners, UIDAI will soon make it accessible to all.

    UIDAI is hopeful that the outcome of this event will bring actionable insights which will enhance the Aadhaar usage and authentication services, and will also lay the foundation for implementation in new use cases further benefiting people.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Today India Opens New Frontiers in Himalayan Climate Research, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Today India Opens New Frontiers in Himalayan Climate Research, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Jammu & Kashmir spearheads India’s global initiative in climate research in Himalayas, says the Minister

    India’s First-ever “High-Altitude Climate Research Station” Inaugurated in J&K by Union Minister, Launches Indo-Swiss Project ICE-CRUNCH

    Jammu & Kashmir Joins Global Climate Leadership with Cutting-Edge Himalayan Research Centre

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 6:36PM by PIB Delhi

    Today India opens a gateway into climate forecast and research in the Himalayas, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh while inaugurating the first-ever “Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre”  in the higher hill reaches of Nathatop, near here today.

    This is a move that marks a significant milestone in India’s global leadership in climate science, said the Minister, adding that Jammu & Kashmir spearheads India’s global initiative in climate study and research in the Himalayas.

     The state-of-the-art facility, situated at one of the highest altitudes in the region, is expected to serve as a crucial gateway for cutting-edge climate research in the north-western Himalayas.

    Coinciding with the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh also flagged off the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project “ICE-CRUNCH(Ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the North-Western Himalayas)” – a collaborative study between Indian scientists and researchers from ETH Zürich, Switzerland, aimed at exploring the properties of ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei in the region.

    “This is not just a scientific milestone—it is a historic moment,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said, adding, “With the setting up of this station, we are opening up a new gateway into climate research and studies in the Himalayas. And India will be pioneering it.”

    The minister underscored that the choice of Jammu and Kashmir for this facility was a conscious one, leveraging its high-altitude advantage for more accurate atmospheric and climate measurements. “The implication is that J&K also joins India’s global headways in addressing the climate concerns,” he said.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh reflected on how, India is now regarded seriously on the global stage in matters of climate action and research. “Today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have become a leader,” he asserted, citing India’s commitment to net-zero targets and the increasing credibility of its climate strategies worldwide.

    The Nathatop centre is a product of multi-tier collaboration—between the Government of India (through the Ministry of Science & Technology), the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (which provided the land), the Central University of Jammu (whose scientists will participate in research), and the Swiss National Science Foundation (which is providing international expertise).

    Calling it a “synergised model” of governance and global partnership, Dr. Jitendra Singh said this collaboration mirrors India’s broader approach to climate resilience through coordinated efforts. He cited dedicated Himalayan missions such as the Aroma Mission and the Floriculture Mission, which are unlocking the region’s potential and adding value to India’s economy.

    “Preserving the Himalayas is not a regional concern but a global imperative,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said, emphasizing that the region’s vast unexplored resources could play a pivotal role in India’s future economic growth.

    He also highlighted major strides taken by the government in meteorological infrastructure, including the installation of three weather radars in Jammu and Kashmir, the setting up of a seismological observatory in Udhampur, and a massive 185% hike in budgetary allocation for climate and atmospheric research under Mission Mausam.

    The newly Inaugurated Centre, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the J&K Forest Department, and the Central University of Jammu, is located at an altitude of 2,250 meters above sea level. The site was strategically chosen for its clean air and minimal pollution, providing a rare opportunity to study atmospheric processes in free tropospheric conditions — a key requirement for understanding cloud formation, weather patterns, and aerosol interactions.

    The Centre’s first set of measurements will be conducted under ICE-CRUNCH, bringing together Indian and Swiss scientists to study ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei. These studies are crucial in understanding the role of aerosols in cloud microphysics and their broader implications on climate systems and precipitation in the Himalayan region.

    According to experts, the Centre will serve as a long-term research hub affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Programme. In partnership with the Indian Meteorological Department, the aim is to conduct continuous atmospheric monitoring and eventually integrate data into global climate models.

    Beyond scientific research, the Centre is expected to contribute to capacity building, training of young scientists, and development of climate modelling capabilities in India. It will also serve as a knowledge hub, offering training schools for students and professionals in atmospheric sciences.

    As the curtains rose on this high-altitude research centre and the Indo-Swiss partnership took shape, it became clear that the Himalayas are no longer just the ‘water towers’ of Asia—they are fast becoming the nerve centre of global climate inquiry, with India leading the charge from the frontlines of Jammu and Kashmir.

    ***

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NITI Aayog Workshop on “Developing Ecosystem for Assistive Technology in India” on 9th April 2025 at YASHADA, Pune

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 1:41PM by PIB Mumbai

    April 8, 2025

    NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra is organising one-day workshop on the theme “Developing Ecosystem for Assistive Technology in India” on 9th April 2025 at YASHADA, Pune.

    Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, will inaugurate the workshop in the presence of Shri Sanjay Shirsat, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Govt of Maharashtra and Dr. V.K. Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog.

    The requirement for assistive devices and products in India is becoming critical, given the rising number of persons with disabilities, older persons and persons who have chronic health conditions. These assistive devices and products enhance their quality of life and help develop a more equitable and inclusive society. The country’s strides in technological advancements and vibrant start-up ecosystem promise an immense potential for India to become an Assistive Technology (AT) manufacturing hub not only for meeting the domestic demand but also cater to other countries.

    Around 200 delegates will be participating in the event. This workshop will provide a platform for different stakeholders, such as Senior Officials in the Central and State Governments, International organisations, research organisations and AT industry/ startups to deliberate upon the present and future scenario of assistive technology in India and suggestions for developing an ecosystem for promoting AT in the country. The workshop will have deliberations on the themes, Improving Access to Assistive Technology in India, State Initiatives in Assistive Technology, AT Manufacturing and Global Collaborations.

    The suggestions and deliberations of the workshop will contribute towards formulating a framework for developing an ecosystem for assistive technology in India and true implementation of ‘leaving no one behind’ and build and inclusive society.

    ***

    ShilpaP/DY

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH urges public to stay vigilant against new Mpox strain following detection of suspected local case in UK

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    In response to the detection of a confirmed case of new Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) strain (Clade Ib) who was suspected locally infected in the United Kingdom (UK), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 8) reminded members of the public to heighten vigilance, avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox and seek medical advice as soon as possible if symptoms appear. High-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations.

    According to the UK Health Security Agency, a patient residing in the North East of the UK was confirmed positive for new Mpox strain (Clade Ib) last month (March). The patient had no travel history prior to the onset of symptoms and no reported link with previously confirmed cases. The UK health authority has followed up contacts of the patient and no further cases identified. This is the first case in which a new Mpox strain has been detected outside Africa but without links with case in Africa.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SITI at GS1 Hong Kong 2025 Annual Member Dinner (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SITI at GS1 Hong Kong 2025 Annual Member Dinner (English only)???
    The wonders of the black and white lines that make up a barcode have empowered businesses to grow and thrive in a fast-paced digital world, where barcodes are not only a tool for sales tracking, but also provide invaluable data for inventory management, pricing and logistics as well as being a cornerstone in the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT). Issued at HKT 20:42

    NNNN

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NEW INDIA IS “LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES” WITH RAPID REFORMS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Source: Government of India

    NEW INDIA IS “LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES” WITH RAPID REFORMS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INDIAN STUDENTS ABROAD ARE AMBASSADORS OF INDIAN VALUES AND CULTURE: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INITIATIVES LIKE AYUSHMAN BHARAT HAVE CREATED ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTHCARE SECTOR ACROSS INDIA: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INDIA CARES DEEPLY ABOUT WELFARE OF INDIANS LIVING IN EVERY CORNER OF WORLD: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER INTERACTS WITH INDIAN STUDENTS AT SAMARKAND MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

    Posted On: 08 APR 2025 6:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today stressed that New India has emerged as the “Land of Opportunities” with rapid reforms in every field. National initiatives like Ayushman Bharat have created abundant opportunities in the healthcare sector across India, he added. Addressing the Indian students at Samarkand Medical University, he said, “As Ayushman Bharat is expanding to include both government and private hospitals, there are ample opportunities for FMG doctors to gain valuable experience and contribute to the nation’s healthcare system.” The rapid growth in medical research and education in India has created numerous opportunities for the students to work in academic and research institutions, he noted.

    Shri Birla lauded the Indian students studying abroad as ambassadors of Indian values and culture. Despite staying thousands of miles away, these students continue to be deeply rooted in Indian values and spread them in their host countries, he observed. As cultural and educational representatives of India, they also serve as key figures in strengthening the friendship and cooperation between India and Uzbekistan, he said. Shri Birla is on a four day visit to Uzbekistan leading the Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) for the 150th Assembly of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).

    Shri Birla conveyed to the students that the Government of India cares deeply for the welfare of Indians living in every corner of the world. He mentioned that India is dedicated to assisting and supporting overseas Indian students. Through initiatives like the ‘Help’ portal and the active involvement of Indian embassies abroad, the government ensures that Indian students face no obstacles in their education, safety, and career prospects. He noted with pride that, “Indian doctors have a global identity, and you should continue this tradition.” He added that India has always produced exceptional doctors, and these students will enhance healthcare systems worldwide with their knowledge and skills. He added that their global experience will pave the way for greater success in their medical careers and will make important contribution in deciding the future of global healthcare system.

    Shri Birla urged the students to not only enhance their knowledge and skills but also embrace values such as dedication and compassion in their lives.

    LOVE AND AFFECTION OF INDIAN DIASPORA IN UZBEKISTAN TOWARDS INDIA IS INSPIRATIONAL: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    During his visit to Uzbekistan, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla interacted with members of Indian Diaspora on Monday. Observing that the love and affection of the Indian Diaspora in Uzbekistan towards India is inspirational, Shri Birla noted that the efforts of the Indian community help strengthen India’s global identity.

    Speaking about India’s growing economic might, Shri Birla highlighted that India today is the fastest-growing economy in the world, and its global reputation and innovation have created countless new opportunities. He added that the Indian Diaspora can contribute to this growth through investment and innovation. Shri Birla also encouraged the Diaspora to take full advantage of these opportunities as part of India’s drive for ‘Viksit Bharat.’

    Shri Birla emphasized that the relationship between India and Uzbekistan goes beyond official visits and documents, and is also based on the people to people ties, cultural exchanges, and mutual respect between the people of both countries. He added that the role of the Indian Diaspora has been vital in strengthening the historical ties between India and Uzbekistan as they have contributed to the development of both the countries through their hard work and dedication. Shri Birla noted that language, cuisine, traditions, and cultural exchanges serve as the foundation of these strong ties. He added that the growing partnership between India and Uzbekistan in the fields of science, health, education, trade and technology is proving to be vital for the progress of both countries.

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER MEETS CHAIRMAN OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA

    On the sidelines of the 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union at Tashkent, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met H.E. Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia. On this occasion, Shri Birla shared his thoughts on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, and innovation. He also lauded Georgia’s support for India at multilateral fora and also to the Indian community there. Mentioning that India and Georgia share a deep cultural bond which opens immense avenues for future, Shri Birla called for enhancing youth exchange programmes, digital collaboration & people-to-people ties.

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    AM

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