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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DG David Cheng-Wei Wu Attends Memorial Ceremony Marking the 88th Anniversary of the Lugou Bridge Incident

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu attended a memorial ceremony commemorating the Lugou Bridge Incident (also known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident), hosted by the KMT Australia Branch.
    In his remarks, DG Wu emphasized that Taiwan—positioned on the frontline of authoritarian expansion—is actively strengthening its readiness and building whole-of-society defense resilience in the face of potential aggression. At the same time, Taiwan’s pursuit of CPTPP accession is not only a move to enhance integration into critical supply chains, but also to bolster both economic resilience and national security.
    We are grateful for the continued support of the overseas community and look forward to working together to safeguard Taiwan’s liberal democracy.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • PM Modi welcomes Indonesia as full BRICS member at 17th Summit in Brazil

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as a full member of BRICS during the 17th BRICS Summit held in Brazil, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

    MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi, addressing a special media briefing on PM Modi’s visit, highlighted that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attached great importance to Modi’s participation at the summit.

    “Today was a full-day programme with three sessions, a working lunch, and several bilateral and pull-aside meetings. The Honourable Prime Minister thanked President Lula for his warm hospitality and welcomed the Indonesian President for joining BRICS as a full member,” Ravi said.

    Ravi underlined that PM Modi’s presence carried added significance as India is a founding member of BRICS and is set to assume the group’s chairmanship next year.

    “The Prime Minister’s visit elevated the entire summit. It reflects the value President Lula placed on India’s role and the fact that India will take over the chair next year,” he added.

    This year’s summit comes amid rapidly evolving global dynamics. “The theme of Brazil’s 17th BRICS Summit is ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,’” Ravi said.

    He noted the scale of participation this year, with 11 permanent members, nine partner countries, eight invitee nations and seven heads of international organisations attending the summit.

    Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Indonesia posted on X, “PM Modi and President Prabowo among world leaders at the BRICS Summit 2025 in Brazil — strengthening India-Indonesia ties on the global stage.”

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Members of public to select Best Home Affairs Enquiry Centre

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Members of public to select Best Home Affairs Enquiry Centre 
         A spokesman for the HAD today (July 7) said, “HAECs serve as a bridge between the department and members of the public. By holding this annual activity, the department would like to give recognition to frontline staff who excel in the delivery of public enquiry services and encourage them to serve the community in a professional manner. Through our excellent frontline staff, the service standard of HAECs could be further upgraded.”
     
         Members of the public participating in the activity will be invited to rate various key aspects of the performance of the HAECs. Awards will be determined by the scores awarded by the public.
     
         A total of eight awards will be presented. Selection results will be announced through the department’s websiteIssued at HKT 11:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Members of public to select Best Home Affairs Enquiry Centre

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Members of public to select Best Home Affairs Enquiry Centre 
         A spokesman for the HAD today (July 7) said, “HAECs serve as a bridge between the department and members of the public. By holding this annual activity, the department would like to give recognition to frontline staff who excel in the delivery of public enquiry services and encourage them to serve the community in a professional manner. Through our excellent frontline staff, the service standard of HAECs could be further upgraded.”
     
         Members of the public participating in the activity will be invited to rate various key aspects of the performance of the HAECs. Awards will be determined by the scores awarded by the public.
     
         A total of eight awards will be presented. Selection results will be announced through the department’s websiteIssued at HKT 11:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on July 04, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 7,134.10 5.11 4.50-6.25
         I. Call Money 1,279.55 5.00 4.75-5.30
         II. Triparty Repo 3,957.00 5.00 4.50-5.20
         III. Market Repo 97.00 5.00 5.00-5.00
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,800.55 5.43 5.35-6.25
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 15,216.76 5.29 4.75-5.35
         II. Term Money@@ 451.50 – 5.35-5.65
         III. Triparty Repo 4,18,556.75 5.18 4.75-5.30
         IV. Market Repo 1,98,860.25 5.24 2.50-5.58
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 04/07/2025 7 Fri, 11/07/2025 1,00,010.00 5.47
    3. MSF# Fri, 04/07/2025 1 Sat, 05/07/2025 282.00 5.75
      Fri, 04/07/2025 2 Sun, 06/07/2025 0.00 5.75
      Fri, 04/07/2025 3 Mon, 07/07/2025 1,000.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 04/07/2025 1 Sat, 05/07/2025 3,01,546.00 5.25
      Fri, 04/07/2025 2 Sun, 06/07/2025 0.00 5.25
      Fri, 04/07/2025 3 Mon, 07/07/2025 30,612.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -4,30,886.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       6,217.11  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     6,217.11  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -4,24,668.89  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 04, 2025 9,38,995.74  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 11, 2025 9,52,318.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 04, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 13, 2025 5,62,116.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/660

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Central Archives opens over 57,000 documents to public

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

    BEIJING, July 7 — China’s Central Archives on Monday opened over 57,000 documents to the public to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    The newly accessible material includes more than 40,000 items specifically chronicling the resistance period from September 1931 to September 1945.

    The wartime records — sourced from Party-led government bodies, organizations, military units and mass groups — feature telegrams, announcements, summaries, reports and other records highlighting the Communist Party of China’s leadership role.

    These documents can be accessed at the Central Archives upon presentation of an ID card or relevant credentials.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Myanmar, Thailand endeavor to eradicate telecom fraud networks

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

    A telecom fraud suspect is escorted by Chinese police officers at the Kunming Changshui International Airport in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan province, Jan. 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China, Myanmar and Thailand agreed to intensify cooperation to dismantle all telecom scam compounds and arrest all suspects in Myawaddy and other telecom fraud hubs, China’s Ministry of Public Security announced Sunday.

    The decision came during a recent ministerial meeting on a joint crackdown against telecom fraud attended by law enforcement agencies of the three countries.

    Thanks to their joint efforts, over 5,400 Chinese nationals suspected of fraud in Myawaddy have been repatriated in 2025, marking significant progress in the tripartite crackdown campaign.

    This is not the first time China has collaborated with Southeast Asian countries to combat telecom fraud.

    In November 2024, the Chinese ministry announced that all large-scale telecom fraud centers located near the China-Myanmar border in northern Myanmar had been wiped out.

    By the end of 2024, over 53,000 Chinese nationals suspected of fraud had been arrested through cooperative efforts from Chinese and Myanmar police since the Chinese ministry launched a crackdown on telecom fraud in northern Myanmar in 2023.

    During China’s cooperation with Lao police in 2024, a total of 268 people suspected of involvement in cross-border telecom fraud affecting Chinese citizens were returned from Laos and placed in Chinese police custody, the ministry said.

    China has also called on other neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam to join hands with China in a resolute crackdown on online gambling, telecom fraud and other types of cross-border crime.

    Fighting online gambling and telecom fraud is a necessary choice to safeguard the common interests of China and other regional countries, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in February.

    The sophisticated and transnational nature of telecom fraud and related crime requires concerted international efforts to address the challenges facing Southeast Asia, according to Benedikt Hofmann, acting regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

    The cooperation between China and other countries in the region has been “encouraging” and has created momentum for such collaboration, Hofmann said in an interview in February.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 7, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 7, 2025.

    The hard questions NZ must ask about the claimed economic benefits of fast-track mining projects
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenn Banks, Professor of Geography, School of People, Environment and Planning, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Much of the debate about the fast-track applications by a number of new or extended mining projects has, understandably, focused on their environmental impacts. But the other

    New US directive for visa applicants turns social media feeds into political documents
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Angel DiBiblio/Shutterstock In recent weeks, the US State Department implemented a policy requiring all university, technical training, or exchange program visa applicants to disclose their social media handles used over the

    Ageing bridges around the world are at risk of collapse. But there’s a simple way to safeguard them
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andy Nguyen, Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering, University of Southern Queensland The Story Bridge, with its sweeping steel trusses and art deco towers, is a striking sight above the Brisbane River in Queensland. In 2025, it was named the state’s best landmark. But more than an icon,

    Much to celebrate as NAIDOC Week turns 50, but also much to learn
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynette Riley, Co-chair of the National NAIDOC Committee and Professor in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work; and Chair, Aboriginal Education and Indigenous Studies.original Education & Indigenous Studies., University of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and/or images

    Just $7 extra per person could prevent 300 suicides a year. Here’s exactly where to spend it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karinna Saxby, Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne xinlan/Shutterstock Medicare spending on mental health services varies considerably depending on where in Australia you live, our new study shows. We found areas with lower Medicare spending on out-of-hospital mental health

    A Māori worldview describes the immune system as a guardian – this could improve public health in Aotearoa NZ
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tama Te Puea Braithwaite-Westoby, Tautoro Māori Engagement Advisor, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Getty Images In biomedical science, the immune system is described as a cellular defence network that identifies and neutralises threats. In te ao Māori (the Māori worldview), it can be seen as a dynamic

    We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin Alger, Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer in Global Environmental Politics, The University of Melbourne Potato-sized polymetallic nodules from the deep sea could be mined for valuable metals and minerals. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Deep-sea mining promises critical minerals for the energy

    ‘The customer is always right’: why some uni teachers give higher grades than students deserve
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ciprian N. Radavoi, Associate Professor in Law, University of Southern Queensland Pixels Effect/ Getty Images Grade inflation happens when teachers knowingly give a student a mark higher than deserved. It can also happen indirectly, when the level of difficulty of a course is deliberately lowered so students

    The Rainbow Warrior saga. Part 2: Nuclear refugees in the Pacific – the evacuation of Rongelap
    COMMENTARY:  By Eugene Doyle On the last voyage of the Rainbow Warrior prior to its sinking by French secret agents in Auckland harbour on 10 July 1985 the ship had evacuated the entire population of 320 from Rongelap in the Marshall Islands. After conducting dozens of above-ground nuclear explosions, the US government had left the

    Legends of a Nuclear-Free and Independent Pacific – Octo Mote
    Pacific Media Watch West Papuan independence advocate Octovianus Mote was in Aotearoa New Zealand late last year seeking support for independence for West Papua, which has been ruled by Indonesia for more than six decades. Mote is vice-president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and was hosted in New Zealand by the

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 6, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 6, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong’s IPO applications surge on investor confidence: Financial secretary

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

    Applications for initial public offerings (IPOs) in Hong Kong had surged to around 200 so far in 2025 as investors are bullish about the Hong Kong bourse in the second half of this year, Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, wrote on his blog on Sunday.

    Companies from the Middle East and Southeast Asia were among the applicants for IPOs, said Chan.

    A total of 42 IPOs in the first six months raised over 107 billion Hong Kong dollars (13.63 billion U.S. dollars), landing Hong Kong the top spot in the world in terms of IPO proceeds.

    The benchmark Hang Seng Index had hiked 20 percent, or more than 4,000 points, over the first half of 2025. The biggest-ever half-year increase by points was buoyed by investor preference on tech-related stocks, noted Chan.

    Brisk trading of tech-related derivatives made exchange-traded products (ETPs) a major provider of liquidity in Hong Kong’s securities market in recent years. Hong Kong has over 210 listed ETPs, according to the financial secretary.

    The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited is working to list more exchange-traded funds, one of the best-known types of ETP, to help finance the growth of the real economy, Chan said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tech, tourism fuel ‘cave economy’ in southwest China’s mountainous regions

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

    Helmet strapped and headlamp shining, 14-year-old Wang Zichen zipped into the shadowy depths of a karst cave, part of a growing wave of underground adventure tourism in southwest China’s mountainous regions.

    Beneath the towering peaks of Guizhou Province stretches a vast karst world filled with tens of thousands of ancient caves. Formed over hundreds of millions of years by persistent water erosion, these caves hold dramatic geological formations, rich biodiversity and traces of early human activity.

    In February, Guizhou rolled out a plan to promote classified management, ecological restoration and responsible development of cave resources, aiming to enhance their ecological, scientific and tourism values. An expanding range of cave-based ventures is now flourishing across the province, drawing visitors and boosting local economies.

    This photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows a sign of the Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025 in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The province’s efforts align with the theme of the ongoing Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025, which opened Saturday in the provincial capital, highlighting the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

    “Cave economy” takes off 

    “It is both exciting and informative,” said Wang, who explored the Forest Coolpark scenic spot nestled in Libo Karst — part of the South China Karst, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — with friends during his summer vacation. Inside the cave, he admired the stunning stalactites while learning about karst geology.

    According to Ren Peng, general manager of the scenic site, a variety of cave-based activities have been developed to suit diverse terrain, including caving adventures, sightseeing tours, cave camping and even cave hotpot dining. Since the May Day holiday this year, the site has welcomed nearly 10,000 tourists, generating over 7 million yuan (about 978,542 U.S. dollars) in revenue.

    “We follow an ecology-first principle in our development,” Ren said. “We preserve the caves’ natural features while designing tour routes, and avoid any construction in deeper sections. All waste is strictly managed and removed from the caves daily.”

    “It’s necessary to develop caves based on solid scientific cave research,” said Jean Bottazzi, a French caver and representative of the French Federation of Speleology in China, in an interview with Xinhua during the eco forum. He has spent over three decades studying Shuanghedong Cave, the longest known cave in Asia, located in Guizhou’s Suiyang County.

    Over the years, Bottazzi has worked with local authorities and developers to provide expert guidance on balancing cave tourism with conservation. “It’s encouraging to see that responsible development not only preserves the cave environment, but also brings economic benefits to local villagers by creating new job opportunities,” he added.

    According to incomplete statistics, the direct market size of Guizhou’s cave tourism sector has reached an estimated 1 billion yuan.

    In addition to tourism, many caves have been creatively repurposed for commercial use. Some have been transformed into restaurants, bars and homestays, while others serve as sites for winemaking, mushroom cultivation, or even data storage, taking advantage of their naturally stable temperature and humidity.

    “These caves, once dormant in the depths of the mountains, are now awakening as unique assets of the region. They are no longer just natural wonders, but also cultural and economic symbols,” said Qin Xiaokang, deputy director of the culture, radio, television and tourism bureau of Libo County.

    This photo taken on July 4, 2025 shows the intelligent tourism system of Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark in Bijie, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. [PhotoXinhua]

    Modern tech moves in 

    Speaking at a sub-forum of the ongoing event, Hassina Mouri, president of the International Union of Geological Sciences, emphasized the role of innovative technologies in promoting environmental engagement. “By using tools like big data and artificial intelligence, we detect, predict and better comprehend the interactions among different parts of our natural environment.”

    In an interview with Xinhua, Zhou Wenlong, deputy director of the Guizhou Institute of Mountain Resources, said high-tech tools are playing a key role in addressing the challenges of karst cave conservation and development.

    “Some caves have fragile ecosystems and complex terrains that are difficult to access,” Zhou said. “We use terrestrial laser scanning technology to produce high-precision 3D models of cave interiors, and leverage digital tools to offer virtual access to these delicate sites.”

    These technologies have already been applied in Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark in Guizhou’s Bijie City. According to Liu Haibo, general manager of Guizhou Zhijindong Cave Tourism Development Co., Ltd., the geopark first completed a full laser scan of the caves in 2015, with a second scan planned for next year.

    “By comparing the records, we can monitor the condition of each stalactite, whether it’s growing or damaged, and adjust our conservation and development strategy accordingly,” Liu said.

    Since 2019, the geopark has also introduced an intelligent tourism system to monitor cave temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels and visitor flow in real time, helping to ensure both landscape protection and tourist safety.

    China’s green development practices are drawing international recognition. “The ideas and approaches taken in China’s green provinces to balance economic growth and environmental protection are applicable everywhere,” said Erik Solheim, former United Nations under-secretary-general. “Many cities in the developing world could look to China for inspiration.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Optimism as sales see strong growth

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

    Visitors learn about new energy vehicles of Chinese carmaker BYD during the 27th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, June 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Major carmakers in China have concluded the first half with positive growth, bracing themselves for possible record-high deliveries in the year.

    BYD topped the chart with deliveries of 2.14 million vehicles, up 33 percent year-on-year. It sold 377,628 passenger vehicles in June, up 11 percent from a year earlier.

    Of its half-year sales, 472,000 were sold in overseas markets, up 132 percent year-on-year. That was even more than the total of its overseas sales in 2024.

    Data released by JATO Dynamics indicated the Chinese automaker almost matched Tesla’s European registrations in May, building on its initial outperformance of its US rival in April.

    It nearly quadrupled European sales in the first four months of 2025, figures from researcher Dataforce show.

    BYD was followed by SAIC, which was the second carmaker to deliver more than 2 million units in the first half.

    The Shanghai-based giant saw its wholesale figure reach 2.05 million units from January to June, up 12.4 percent year-on-year.

    Its retail figures were even higher, at 2.2 million units. SAIC’s sales target for 2025 is 4.5 million units.

    Also of note is that SAIC is now less reliant on its joint ventures with GM and Volkswagen respectively.

    In the first half, the Chinese carmaker’s indigenous brands saw their combined sales reach 1.3 million units, up 21.1 percent year-on-year.

    The figure accounted for 64 percent of its total deliveries, up 4.6 percentage points from the same period of 2024.

    FAW, which owns the iconic Hongqi brand, and has joint ventures with Toyota and Volkswagen, delivered 1.57 million units, up 6.1 percent year-on-year.

    Changan, Chery and Geely each saw record-number deliveries in the period, standing at 1.36 million units, 1.26 million units, and 1.41 million units respectively.

    Geely’s sales were up 47.45 percent year-on-year. This strong performance was primarily driven by the Geely Galaxy sub-brand and the robust performance of battery electric vehicle models.

    In the first half of 2025, Geely’s BEV sales reached 510,803 units, a year-on-year growth of 173.09 percent. Its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales for the same period were 214,348 units, up 61 percent year-on-year.

    Geely has raised its full-year 2025 sales guidance from 2.71 million units to 3 million units.

    It said that this is due to the group’s strong sales performance so far this year, and it will strive to achieve this target.

    Data showed that it sold 236,036 vehicles in June, marking the 10th consecutive month since September 2024 that sales have exceeded 200,000 units.

    The three were trailed by BAIC and Great Wall Motors, whose sales stood at 817,000 units, up 6 percent year-on-year, and 571,000 units, up 1.8 percent.

    NEV startups saw robust momentum as well. XPeng delivered 34,611 cars in June, the eighth-straight month where it delivered more than 30,000 cars.

    Nio reported 24,925 car deliveries in June, a slight increase from May, thanks to growth across its premium Nio brand and lower-priced Onvo and Firefly brands.

    Li Auto reported 36,279 vehicle deliveries in June, an 11.2 percent drop from May. But its total deliveries in the second quarter came in at 111,074 units, better than the company’s lowered guidance of 108,000 cars.

    Overseas brands are starting to catch up with Chinese rivals.

    General Motors and its joint ventures in China posted the biggest quarterly sales surge in four years in the second quarter of this year, driven by the strong performance of its growing new energy vehicle lineup and high-volume nameplates.

    The US carmaker said its Q2 deliveries exceeded 447,000 units, marking its second consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales growth in China with a 20 percent increase — the highest annual gain for a single quarter since the first quarter of 2021.

    Sales of NEVs, including pure battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and extended range electric vehicles, soared 50 percent in the quarter compared to the same period of 2024.

    Its cumulative sales in the first half of 2025 exceeded 890,000 units, up 9.4 percent from a year earlier.

    Meanwhile, GM achieved year-over-year market share growth in both the second quarter and the first half of 2025.

    “Our strong Q2 performance reflects the sustainable growth trajectory we are building in both sales and market share through local innovations,” said Steve Hill, GM senior vice-president and president of GM China.

    “We remain committed to driving profitable growth for China business by focusing on strong execution, business agility, and customer choices,” said Hill.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Pacific-Solomon Islands – 62 companies sign PSA contracts with SIG/MRD to supply materials to constituencies

    Source: Government of the Solomon Islands

    The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has completed the qualification process and recently signed legally binding agreements with 62 private companies under the Solomon Islands Government Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA).

    The PSA qualifies these Companies to supply materials, equipment, goods and services to the national government through the 50 constituencies.

    This signing marks a significant milestone toward the full implementation of the 2025 Constituency Development Funds (CDF) budget; enabling the mobilization of essential resources for rural development projects and community improvements.

    The PSA is a SIG procurement administrative process designed to streamline and fix procurement procedures particularly for commonly procured goods or equipment by engaging legally registered, genuine, and qualified companies to supply goods and services to the government. The goal is to improve efficiency and ensure the delivery of quality services to both the government and the public.

    “The PSA contracts are valid for one year, with procurement of goods and services governed by and in compliance with Sections 73 and 74 of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act 2013 and Section 28 of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) Act 2023” MRD said in an official statement.

    “The processes will be closely monitored by MRD in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) to ensure all procurement procedures under the relevant sections of the PFM Act 2013, SIG Procurement Manual and the CDF Act 2023 are complied with, guaranteeing that quality goods and services are delivered to the constituencies,” the statement added.

    It further explained that, to ensure impartiality, the PSA underwent a rigorous selection and evaluation process, including physical site inspections and assessments on suppliers conducted by the MRD Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC). The process also involved scrutiny by the Ministry of Finance (MoFT) and the Central Tender Board (CTB) before contracts were awarded to successful suppliers.

    Regarding pricing, MRD secured fixed prices for various items based on prevailing market rates, ensuring value for money and consistent quality of materials purchased by constituencies for development projects.

    Price evaluation was conducted exclusively for the 62 qualified companies across the following categories/items:

    Hardware and Building Materials
    Forestry Milling Products
    Marine, Seagoing, and Fishing Equipment
    Plant & Motor Vehicles
    Electrification Supplies
    Plumbing, Water Supply, and Sanitation Equipment
    Communication, Musical, and Sound Equipment
    Sports Equipment and Accessories
    Agriculture and Gardening Equipment
    Tailoring, Embroidery, and Fabric Printing Equipment
    Cookery, Bakery, and Kitchenware
    Retail Goods

    The CTB serves as the awarding authority, responsible for the tender awards following the completion of all technical evaluation processes undertaken by MRD. PSA contracts are prepared by MRD, with signatories including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (Chairman of the CTB), PS MRD (Chairman of the Ministerial Tender Board, MTB), and the suppliers.

    The contracts are valid for one year (12 months), with fixed prices throughout the period. The list of the qualified suppliers for the PSA will be published when all contract documentations are finalised soon.

    The Tender for the PSA was publicized in October 2024, with 68 companies submitting bids. After thorough evaluation, six companies were disqualified for failing to meet the minimum technical requirements outlined in the tender documentation, including Section VI, Schedule of Requirements. MRD also undertook a quick review of the selling prices of commonly procured goods under the PSA which resulted in some decrease in pricing on some commonly procured goods under the scheme.

    Funding for the 2025 PSA is allocated from the MRD/SIG Development Budget.

    The SIG support to the Constituency Development Program totals $250 million, which will be equally shared among the 50 constituencies—each receiving $5 million. Of this amount, $3.2 million is allocated and to be processed via the Preferred Suppliers Arrangement, while $1.8 million is provided as grants to the respective constituencies.

    Funding utilization will follow the sectoral allocations stipulated in the CDF Act 2023, Section 26. Specifically, the funding utilisation will be portioned as follows:

    40% for the Productive & Resources Sector
    20% for Essential Services
    20% for Cross-Sectoral, Inclusivity, and Gender initiatives
    20% for Social and Cultural Obligations

    The implementation of the 2025 CDF program continues to progress smoothly.  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • EAM Jaishankar holds talks on “regional developments” with Iranian Foreign Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, with discussions focused mainly on recent developments in West Asia.

    “Glad to meet FM @araghchi of Iran this evening. Our conversation focused on recent regional developments,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

    The meeting comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including conflict between Iran and Israel and recent US strikes on Iran. India has called for de-escalation and urged a return to dialogue and diplomacy to help restore regional peace and stability.

    In June, Jaishankar held a phone call with Araghchi to discuss the situation following the flare-up between Iran and Israel. He also thanked Tehran for assisting in the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Iran.

    India and Iran share centuries-old ties rooted in civilisational links, which continue to shape the contemporary relationship. Both sides maintain cooperation in trade, connectivity and cultural exchanges.

    IANS

  • BRICS: Indonesia joins as full member, 10 countries welcomed as partners

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Leaders of the BRICS nations on Sunday welcomed Indonesia as a full member of the group, along with the inclusion of 10 countries — Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan — as partner countries.

    In a joint declaration issued at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the leaders said, “We welcome the Republic of Indonesia as a BRICS member, as well as the Republic of Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Cuba, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Uzbekistan as BRICS partner countries.”

    The declaration also highlighted key initiatives adopted during the summit, including the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, and the launch of the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases. 

    During the BRICS session on ‘Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the expansion demonstrates BRICS’ ability to evolve with changing times. He called for urgent reforms in global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and Multilateral Development Banks.

    “The expansion of BRICS and the inclusion of new partners reflect its ability to evolve with the times. Now, we must demonstrate the same determination to reform institutions like the UN Security Council, the WTO, and Multilateral Development Banks. In the age of AI, where technology evolves every week, it’s unacceptable for global institutions to go eighty years without reform. You can’t run 21st-century software on 20th-century typewriters,” the Prime Minister said.

    BRICS was originally established as BRIC after the leaders of Russia, India, China, and Brazil met during the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. The grouping formalised its cooperation with the first BRIC Summit in Russia in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, expanding the group to BRICS.

    A further expansion took place in 2024 with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members from January 1. Indonesia became a full member in January 2025, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were inducted as BRICS partner countries.

    (ANI)

     

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the 17th BRICS Summit Session on “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence” [as delivered] 

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Prezado Presidente Lula, muito obrigado pelo seu amável convite e pela sua hospitalidade tão amiga.
     
    Excellencies,
     
    Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and societies.
     
    The fundamental test is how wisely we will guide this transformation.
     
    How we minimize the risks and maximize the potential for good. 
     
    I am particularly concerned with the weaponization of AI, in a world where peace is more necessary than ever.
     
    Peace in Palestine, based on building the two-State solution, starting by an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, free and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery, and the ending of the crippling annexation and violence in the West Bank.
     
    A just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.
     
    Silencing the guns in Sudan, where civilians have also suffered too much.
    And the list goes on, from the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar.
     
    Excellencies,
     
    Artificial intelligence needs a multilateral response grounded in equity and human rights.
     
    The Pact for the Future, approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations, calls for a new architecture of trust and cooperation – starting with the establishment by the UN of an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.
     
    This Panel should provide impartial, evidence-based guidance available to all Member States.
     
    The Pact also calls for a periodic Global Dialogue on AI within the UN, with all the Member States and relevant stakeholders. 
     
    The AI can’t be a club of the few, but must benefit all, and in particular, developing countries which must have a real voice in global AI governance.
     
    I will also soon present a report outlining innovative voluntary financing options to support AI capacity-building in developing countries, and I urge the BRICS’ support and your support for these efforts.
     
    But we cannot govern AI effectively – and fairly – without confronting deeper, structural imbalances in our global system.
     
    We are in a multipolar era.
     
    Power relations are shifting.
     
    A multipolar world requires multilateral governance – with global institutions tuned for the times, in particular the Security Council and the international financial architecture.
     
    They were designed for a bygone age, a bygone world, with a bygone system of power relations.
     
    The reform of the Security Council is crucial.
     
    The message from the Financing for Development Conference last week in Sevilla was clear:
     
    Ensuring that developing countries have a greater participation in global economic governance and its institutions;
     
    Putting into place an effective debt restructuring mechanism;
     
    And tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, in particular, with concessional funding and in local currencies.
     
    All this is crucial for countries, especially in the Global South – to bridge the digital divide and fully harness artificial intelligence’s potential, making AI a powerful driver for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
     
    Excellencies,
     
    At a time when multilateralism is being undermined, let us remind the world that cooperation is humanity’s greatest innovation.
     
    That begins with trust, and trust begins with all countries respecting International Law without exceptions.
     
    Let us rise to this moment – and reform and modernize multilateralism, including the UN and all the systems and institutions to make it work for everyone, everywhere.
     
    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • BRICS nations support India’s bid to host COP 33; call for stronger climate action

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Leaders of the BRICS nations on Sunday welcomed India’s candidacy to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP 33) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2028.

    In a joint declaration at the 17th BRICS Summit, the leaders said, “We express our full support to the Presidency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP-30, which will take place in Belém, Brazil, highlighting the importance of action and cooperation on all pillars of the UNFCCC as applicable, considering each country’s membership and commitments thereunder. We also underscore our full commitment to a successful COP30 that will catalyze progress in implementing the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. We welcome India’s candidacy to host COP 33 in 2028.”

    The declaration reiterated the commitment of BRICS countries to remain united in pursuing the goals of the UNFCCC and called on all countries to uphold their existing commitments under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. It urged intensified efforts in mitigation, adaptation, and providing support to developing nations, reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

    The BRICS leaders called for a stronger global response to climate change, linking it to sustainable development and poverty eradication. They endorsed the BRICS Climate Leadership Agenda as a pledge to advance solutions that support development priorities while accelerating implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

    The joint statement also highlighted the critical role of forests in conserving biodiversity, regulating water cycles, combating desertification, and serving as carbon sinks. It noted the United for Our Forests initiative and India’s proposal to form an international Big Cats Alliance, encouraging cooperation among BRICS countries on conservation efforts.

    The leaders stressed the urgent need to reform the governance of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to ensure fairer representation and easier access to resources for developing countries, including Indigenous peoples and local communities.

    The declaration praised Brazil’s BRICS Chairship in 2025 and expressed full support for India’s Chairship in 2026 and the hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders, attended the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Brazil took over the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2025, under the theme ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Global Topic: FC Barcelona and Panasonic agree contract for Espai Barça

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Global Topic: FC Barcelona and Panasonic agree contract for Espai Barça

    Wiesbaden, Germany – FC Barcelona and Panasonic have signed a sponsorship agreement whereby the Japanese multinational will become the new “Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Provider” for Espai Barça for four seasons up to 30 June 2028. This association adds another strategic partner for Espai Barça, ensuring the highest possible energy efficiency, with precision technology and a high level of interior air quality in the new installations, with a view to providing the highest possible comfort for every member and fan visiting the Spotify Camp Nou.

    Part of the sponsorship programme associated with the future Spotify Camp Nou, this agreement will see Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions provide more sustainable heating, ventilation and air conditioning solutions, with air purification (using nanoeTM X technology), and latest generation of air-to-water heat pump systems for each space in the refurbished blaugrana home. Furthermore, high precision heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment will be used in the technical areas, such as rooms containing the servers and for broadcasting games, where device reliability and quality is essential.
    This is also an opportunity for the sponsorship programme developed specifically for Espai Barça, one of the most important projects in the Club’s history, and which has provided a platform full of new opportunities for both companies that directly target consumers (B2C) and those focused on the business sector (B2B), making the most of FC Barcelona’s global prestige and outreach.

    Espai Barça is a ground-breaking project in the world of sport and entertainment, which includes the refurbishment of the iconic Spotify Camp Nou, which is set to become the best sports complex located in the centre of a major city, providing comfort for every one of its almost 105,000 spectators. Every space in the new stadium will be fitted out with Panasonic solutions, providing the highest possible comfort, energy efficiency and highest quality interior air, offering innovative and high quality solutions for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and air purification, among others.

    “The alliance with Panasonic demonstrates the Club’s willingness to equip the Spotify Camp Nou with the highest quality technology in the market, with the comfort of every member and fan visiting the stadium in mind so they can enjoy a match day in the refurbished installation. This agreement with Panasonic will mean every space is as comfortable as possible for the best possible enjoyment of the matchday experience.”

    Statement by Panasonic Heating & Cooling Europe CEO Hiroshi Komatsubara

    “Panasonic is proud to be involved in this new FC Barcelona project, which will inevitably become a global benchmark in infrastructure. Moreover, in line with the Club’s commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, Panasonic contributes to the new stadium’s design with its most innovative heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions. Using cutting-edge technology, these systems ensure comfort, high indoor air quality, and low CO2 emissions, marking a new era for major facilities in progressive cities worldwide.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • BRICS leaders back India, Brazil for bigger UN Security Council role

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Leaders of BRICS nations have reiterated their support for “comprehensive” reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient.

    In a joint declaration at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, China and Russia — as permanent members of the UN Security Council — reaffirmed their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.

    “We reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s membership so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council. We recognise the legitimate aspirations of African countries, as reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration,” the declaration said.

    “We stress that United Nations Security Council reform must lead to an amplified voice for the Global South. China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterate their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council,” it added.

    India has long sought a permanent seat in the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world. The UNSC comprises 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

    BRICS leaders also expressed serious concerns over the rise of unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures that distort trade and violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. They reiterated their support for a rules-based, open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equitable, non-discriminatory, consensus-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, with special and differential treatment (S&D T) for its developing members.

    The bloc recalled commitments made at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and reaffirmed at the 13th to work towards the necessary reform of the organisation to ensure its relevance and restore the credibility of the multilateral trading system.

    They expressed commitment to restoring an accessible, effective, fully functioning, two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement system and extended support for Ethiopia and Iran’s bids to join the WTO. The group also welcomed the BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and Strengthening of the Multilateral Trading System, adopted by trade ministers.

    The leaders condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that violate international law and reiterated that such measures — including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions — have far-reaching negative impacts on human rights, including the rights to development, health and food security.

    “We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. We reaffirm that BRICS member states do not impose or support non-UN Security Council authorised sanctions that are contrary to international law,” the declaration said.

    BRICS leaders also voiced concern over ongoing conflicts in various regions and the current state of polarisation and fragmentation in the global order. They expressed alarm at the increasing global military spending, which they said comes at the cost of financing development in the Global South.

    The BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil, has brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia.

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korea’s special counsel seeks warrant to detain ex-President Yoon

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

    South Korea’s special counsel investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived martial law imposition sought a warrant to detain the ousted president, the special counsel team’s spokesperson said Sunday.

    Cho Eun-suk, independent counsel leading the investigation into Yoon’s insurrection and other charges, requested the warrant issuance from the Seoul Central District Court.

    The charges specified in the warrant included the obstruction of justice, abuse of power and writing a bogus official document, the spokesperson noted.

    The detention warrant was sought to keep Yoon in custody for an extended period of time, or at least 20 days.

    The independent counsel team, which launched its investigation on June 18, sought a separate warrant to arrest Yoon for up to 48 hours last month, but it was dismissed by the Seoul court as Yoon showed his willingness to be questioned by the special counsel.

    Yoon rejected the third police call on June 19 to appear for questioning over his charges of ordering the presidential security service to block the attempt in January to arrest him and to delete information on security phones offered to three military commanders.

    Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15 and was indicted under detention on Jan. 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, but he was released on March 8 as prosecutors decided not to appeal against the court’s release approval.

    The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon on April 4 over his botched martial law bid last December, officially removing him from office. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi meets Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Cuba’s President Diaz-Canel on sidelines of BRICS

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    PM Modi also met Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of the summit. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials were present at the meeting.

    The BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil, has brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia.

    Brazil assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2025, with the theme ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’.

    India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.

    -ANI

  • Sakshi, Jaismine, Nupur clinch gold as India bags 11 medals at World Boxing Cup Astana 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s women boxers led the country’s best-ever show at the World Boxing Cup in Astana on Sunday, with Sakshi (54kg), Jaismine (57kg) and Nupur (80+kg) clinching gold medals to cap off a memorable campaign.

    Sakshi outclassed USA’s Yosline Perez with a unanimous verdict in the women’s 54kg final, while Jaismine edged past Brazil’s Jucielen Cequeira Romeu 4:1 in the 57kg bout. Nupur rounded off the day with a dominant 5:0 win over Kazakhstan’s Yeldana Talipova in the 80+kg final.

    India ended its campaign with 11 medals — three gold, five silver and three bronze — bettering its tally from the first leg in Brazil, where the team won six medals, including one gold.

    Sakshi set the tone for India on the final day with her aggressive approach and quick combination punches to seal the first gold. Jaismine, 23, used her reach smartly to keep her opponent at bay in a close contest before landing clean counters in the final round to pull ahead.

    Nupur, who lost the opening round to the local favourite Talipova, came back strong to dominate the next two rounds with better footwork and sharper attacks.

    Earlier, Meenakshi went down fighting to Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay in the 48kg final, losing 2:3.

    Jugnoo (men’s 85kg), Pooja Rani (women’s 80kg), Hitesh Gulia (men’s 70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (men’s 65kg) settled for silver after finishing second in their respective finals. Jugnoo lost 0:5 to Kazakhstan’s Bekzad Nurdauletov, while Pooja went down by the same margin to Australia’s Eseta Flint. Hitesh lost 0:5 to Brazil’s Kaian Oliveira and Jamwal fell short 2:3 against Yuri Falcao.

    Sanju (women’s 60kg), Nikhil Dubey (men’s 75kg) and Narender (men’s 90+kg) claimed bronze.

    (ANI)

     

  • Death toll from Texas floods reaches 78; Trump plans visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The death toll from catastrophic floods in Texas reached at least 78 on Sunday, including at least 28 children, as the search for girls missing from a summer camp entered a third day and fears of more flash flooding as rain fell on saturated ground prompted fresh evacuations.

    Larry Leitha, the Kerr County Sheriff in Texas Hill Country, said 68 people had died in flooding in his county, the epicenter of the flooding, among them 28 children. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, said another 10 had died elsewhere in Texas and 41 confirmed missing. The governor did not say how many of the dead outside Kerr were children.

    Among the most devastating impacts of the flooding occurred at Camp Mystic summer camp, a nearly century-old Christian girls camp. Sheriff Leitha said on Sunday that 10 Camp Mystic campers and one counselor were still missing.

    “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” said Abbott, who said he toured the area on Saturday and pledged to continue efforts to locate the missing.

    The flooding occurred after the nearby Guadalupe River broke its banks after torrential rain fell in the central Texas area on Friday, the U.S. Independence Day holiday.

    Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kiddsaid at the press conference on Sunday afternoon the destruction killed three people in Burnet County, one in Tom Green County, five in Travis County and one in Williamson County.

    “You will see the death toll rise today and tomorrow,” said Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, also speaking on Sunday.

    Officials said on Saturday that more than 850 people had been rescued, including some clinging to trees, after a sudden storm dumped up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain across the region, about 85 miles (140 km) northwest of San Antonio.

    “Everyone in the community is hurting,” Leitha told reporters.

    A WALL OF WATER

    Kidd said he was receiving unconfirmed reports of “an additional wall of water” flowing down some of the creeks in the Guadalupe Rivershed, as rain continued to fall on soil in the region already saturated from Friday’s rains.

    He said aircraft were sent aloft to scout for additional floodwaters, while search-and-rescue personnel who might be in harm’s way were alerted to pull back from the river in the meantime.

    The National Weather Service issued flood warnings and advisories for central Texas that were to last until 4:15 p.m. local time (2115 GMT) as rains fell, potentially complicating rescue efforts.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency was activated on Sunday and is deploying resources to first responders in Texas after President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

    U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and planes are helping the search and rescue efforts, the department said.

    SCALING BACK FEDERAL DISASTER RESPONSE

    Trump, who said on Sunday he would visit the disaster scene, probably on Friday, has previously outlined plans to scale back the federal government’s role in responding to natural disasters, leaving states to shoulder more of the burden themselves.

    Some experts questioned whether cuts to the federal workforce by the Trump administration, including to the agency that oversees the National Weather Service, led to a failure by officials to accurately predict the severity of the floods and issue appropriate warnings ahead of the storm.

    Trump’s administration has overseen thousands of job cuts from the National Weather Service’s parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leaving many weather offices understaffed, former NOAA director Rick Spinrad said.

    Spinrad said he did not know if those staff cuts factored into the lack of advance warning for the extreme Texas flooding, but that they would inevitably degrade the agency’s ability to deliver accurate and timely forecasts.

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees NOAA, said a “moderate” flood watch issued on Thursday by the National Weather Service had not accurately predicted the extreme rainfall and said the Trump administration was working to upgrade the system.

    Joaquin Castro, a Democratic U.S. congressman from Texas, told CNN’s “State of the Union” program that fewer personnel at the weather service could be dangerous.

    “When you have flash flooding, there’s a risk that if you don’t have the personnel … to do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, it could lead to tragedy,” Castro said.

    ‘COMPLETE DEVASTATION’

    Camp Mystic had 700 girls in residence at the time of the flooding.

    Katharine Somerville, a counselor on the Cypress Lake side of Camp Mystic, on higher ground than the Guadalupe River side, said her 13-year-old campers were scared as their cabins sustained damage and lost power in the middle of the night.

    “Our cabins at the tippity top of hills were completely flooded with water. I mean, y’all have seen the complete devastation, we never even imagined that this could happen,” Somerville said in an interview on Fox News on Sunday.

    Somerville said the campers in her care were put on military trucks and evacuated, and that all were safe.

    The disaster unfolded rapidly on Friday morning as heavier-than-forecast rain drove river waters rapidly to as high as 29 feet (9 meters).

    A day after the disaster struck, the summer camp was a scene of devastation. Inside one cabin, mud lines indicating how high the water had risen were at least six feet (1.83 m) from the floor. Bed frames, mattresses and personal belongings caked with mud were scattered inside. Some buildings had broken windows, one had a missing wall.

    -Reuters

  • Death toll from Texas floods reaches 78; Trump plans visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The death toll from catastrophic floods in Texas reached at least 78 on Sunday, including at least 28 children, as the search for girls missing from a summer camp entered a third day and fears of more flash flooding as rain fell on saturated ground prompted fresh evacuations.

    Larry Leitha, the Kerr County Sheriff in Texas Hill Country, said 68 people had died in flooding in his county, the epicenter of the flooding, among them 28 children. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, said another 10 had died elsewhere in Texas and 41 confirmed missing. The governor did not say how many of the dead outside Kerr were children.

    Among the most devastating impacts of the flooding occurred at Camp Mystic summer camp, a nearly century-old Christian girls camp. Sheriff Leitha said on Sunday that 10 Camp Mystic campers and one counselor were still missing.

    “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” said Abbott, who said he toured the area on Saturday and pledged to continue efforts to locate the missing.

    The flooding occurred after the nearby Guadalupe River broke its banks after torrential rain fell in the central Texas area on Friday, the U.S. Independence Day holiday.

    Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kiddsaid at the press conference on Sunday afternoon the destruction killed three people in Burnet County, one in Tom Green County, five in Travis County and one in Williamson County.

    “You will see the death toll rise today and tomorrow,” said Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, also speaking on Sunday.

    Officials said on Saturday that more than 850 people had been rescued, including some clinging to trees, after a sudden storm dumped up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain across the region, about 85 miles (140 km) northwest of San Antonio.

    “Everyone in the community is hurting,” Leitha told reporters.

    A WALL OF WATER

    Kidd said he was receiving unconfirmed reports of “an additional wall of water” flowing down some of the creeks in the Guadalupe Rivershed, as rain continued to fall on soil in the region already saturated from Friday’s rains.

    He said aircraft were sent aloft to scout for additional floodwaters, while search-and-rescue personnel who might be in harm’s way were alerted to pull back from the river in the meantime.

    The National Weather Service issued flood warnings and advisories for central Texas that were to last until 4:15 p.m. local time (2115 GMT) as rains fell, potentially complicating rescue efforts.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency was activated on Sunday and is deploying resources to first responders in Texas after President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

    U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and planes are helping the search and rescue efforts, the department said.

    SCALING BACK FEDERAL DISASTER RESPONSE

    Trump, who said on Sunday he would visit the disaster scene, probably on Friday, has previously outlined plans to scale back the federal government’s role in responding to natural disasters, leaving states to shoulder more of the burden themselves.

    Some experts questioned whether cuts to the federal workforce by the Trump administration, including to the agency that oversees the National Weather Service, led to a failure by officials to accurately predict the severity of the floods and issue appropriate warnings ahead of the storm.

    Trump’s administration has overseen thousands of job cuts from the National Weather Service’s parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leaving many weather offices understaffed, former NOAA director Rick Spinrad said.

    Spinrad said he did not know if those staff cuts factored into the lack of advance warning for the extreme Texas flooding, but that they would inevitably degrade the agency’s ability to deliver accurate and timely forecasts.

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees NOAA, said a “moderate” flood watch issued on Thursday by the National Weather Service had not accurately predicted the extreme rainfall and said the Trump administration was working to upgrade the system.

    Joaquin Castro, a Democratic U.S. congressman from Texas, told CNN’s “State of the Union” program that fewer personnel at the weather service could be dangerous.

    “When you have flash flooding, there’s a risk that if you don’t have the personnel … to do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, it could lead to tragedy,” Castro said.

    ‘COMPLETE DEVASTATION’

    Camp Mystic had 700 girls in residence at the time of the flooding.

    Katharine Somerville, a counselor on the Cypress Lake side of Camp Mystic, on higher ground than the Guadalupe River side, said her 13-year-old campers were scared as their cabins sustained damage and lost power in the middle of the night.

    “Our cabins at the tippity top of hills were completely flooded with water. I mean, y’all have seen the complete devastation, we never even imagined that this could happen,” Somerville said in an interview on Fox News on Sunday.

    Somerville said the campers in her care were put on military trucks and evacuated, and that all were safe.

    The disaster unfolded rapidly on Friday morning as heavier-than-forecast rain drove river waters rapidly to as high as 29 feet (9 meters).

    A day after the disaster struck, the summer camp was a scene of devastation. Inside one cabin, mud lines indicating how high the water had risen were at least six feet (1.83 m) from the floor. Bed frames, mattresses and personal belongings caked with mud were scattered inside. Some buildings had broken windows, one had a missing wall.

    -Reuters

  • Death toll from Texas floods reaches 69, including 21 children

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The death toll from catastrophic floods in Texas reached at least 69 on Sunday, including at least 21 children, as the search for girls missing from a summer camp entered a third day.

    Texas Governor Greg Abbott, speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, said the death toll in Kerr county, the epicenter of the flooding, had reached 59, while another 10 had died elsewhere in Texas and 41 remained missing.

    Among the most devastating impacts of the flooding occurred at Camp Mystic summer camp, a nearly century-old Christian girls camp, where 11 girls and a counselor are still missing.

    “It was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through,” said Abbott, who said he toured the area on Saturday and pledged to continue efforts to locate the missing.

    The flooding occurred after the nearby Guadalupe River broke its banks after torrential rain fell in the central Texas area on Friday, the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Larry Leitha, the Kerr County Sheriff in Texas Hill Country, said earlier that 21 children have died in the flooding.

    Officials speaking at the press conference on Sunday afternoon said the destruction killed three people in Burnet County, one in Tom Green county, five in Travis county and one in Williamson county.

    Officials said on Saturday that more than 850 people had been rescued, including some clinging to trees, after a sudden storm dumped up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain across the region, about 85 miles (140 km) northwest of San Antonio.

    “Everyone in the community is hurting,” Leitha told reporters.

    The National Weather Service issued flood warnings and advisories for central Texas that were to last until 4:15 p.m. local time (2115 GMT) as rains fell, potentially complicating rescue efforts.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency was activated on Sunday and is deploying resources to first responders in Texas after President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

    U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and planes are helping the search and rescue efforts, the department said.

    Trump has previously outlined plans to scale back the federal government’s role in responding to natural disasters, leaving states to shoulder more of the burden themselves.

    Some experts questioned whether cuts to the federal workforce by the Trump administration, including to the agency that oversees the National Weather Service, led to a failure by officials to accurately predict the severity of the floods and issue appropriate warnings ahead of the storm.

    Trump’s administration has overseen thousands of job cuts from the National Weather Service’s parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leaving many weather offices understaffed, former NOAA director Rick Spinrad said.

    Spinrad said he did not know if those staff cuts factored into the lack of advance warning for the extreme Texas flooding, but that they would inevitably degrade the agency’s ability to deliver accurate and timely forecasts.

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees NOAA, said a “moderate” flood watch issued on Thursday by the National Weather Service had not accurately predicted the extreme rainfall and said the Trump administration was working to upgrade the system.

    Joaquin Castro, a Democratic U.S. congressman from Texas, told CNN’s “State of the Union” program that fewer personnel at the weather service could be dangerous.

    “When you have flash flooding, there’s a risk that if you don’t have the personnel … to do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, it could lead to tragedy,” Castro said.

    ‘COMPLETE DEVASTATION’

    Camp Mystic had 700 girls in residence at the time of the flooding.

    Katharine Somerville, a counselor on the Cypress Lake side of Camp Mystic, on higher ground than the Guadalupe River side, said her 13-year-old campers were scared as their cabins sustained damage and lost power in the middle of the night.

    “Our cabins at the tippity top of hills were completely flooded with water. I mean, y’all have seen the complete devastation, we never even imagined that this could happen,” Somerville said in an interview on Fox News on Sunday.

    Somerville said the campers in her care were put on military trucks and evacuated, and that all were safe.

    The disaster unfolded rapidly on Friday morning as heavier-than-forecast rain drove river waters rapidly to as high as 29 feet (9 meters).

    A day after the disaster struck, the summer camp was a scene of devastation. Inside one cabin, mud lines indicating how high the water had risen were at least six feet (1.83 m) from the floor. Bed frames, mattresses and personal belongings caked with mud were scattered inside. Some buildings had broken windows, one had a missing wall.

    -REUTERS

  • You cannot be serious! Wimbledon line-calling system under fire after glitch

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling technology came under fire on Sunday after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.

    Russian Pavlyuchenkova had reached game point at 4-4 in the opening set and Kartal hit a shot that looked clearly long but there was no call and Pavlyuchenkova stopped play.

    An automated voice call of “STOP STOP” rang out and confusion reigned as umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone.

    Television replays showed that Kartal’s shot was clearly out, yet Helwerth ruled that because the Hawk-Eye technology had not tracked the ball, the point must be replayed.

    Pavlyuchenkova went on to have her serve broken and was clearly fuming at the changeover, telling the umpire: “Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me. They stole the game from me. You stole the game from me”.

    The 34-year-old quickly regrouped and showed the resilience that has marked her long career by reaching the quarter-finals with a 7-6(3) 6-4 win.

    But the main talking point was the first big glitch of Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling system that has replaced human line judges this year.

    OPERATOR ERROR

    Tournament officials later said the problem had been caused by operator error and that the umpire had followed the correct protocols, although Pavlyuchenkova felt that he should have intervened to correct an obvious mistake.

    “We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” Pavlyuchenkova told reporters.

    “Instead they just said, replay the point. It was tricky especially as it was a very crucial moment in the match.

    “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative. That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t.

    “I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

    Asked how she would have felt if the point had cost her the match, Pavlyuchenkova raised a smile: “I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and never come back here.”

    KARTAL UNSIGHTED

    Kartal said she had been unsighted as to whether her shot was out and was equally confused at the time.

    “That situation is a rarity. I don’t think it’s really ever happened,” she said. “It’s tough luck. What can you do? The umpire is trying his best. I think he handled it fine.”

    Pavlyuchenkova, who felt a back-up system should be in place, is not the first person this week to question the automated line-calling system.

    Britain’s Emma Raducanu claimed there were wrong calls during her loss to Aryna Sabalenka.

    “No, I don’t (trust the system) — I think the other players would say the same thing, there were some pretty dodgy ones but what can you do?,” she said after her defeat.

    Britain’s Jack Draper also believed it was not 100% accurate while Swiss player Belinda Bencic said this week that it was a hot topic in the locker rooms.

    Pavlyuchenkova said it was something that needed to be addressed.

    “I think since we have already automatic line-calling and so much invested into this, we should probably look into something else to have better decisions on it,” she said.

    -Reuters

  • You cannot be serious! Wimbledon line-calling system under fire after glitch

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling technology came under fire on Sunday after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.

    Russian Pavlyuchenkova had reached game point at 4-4 in the opening set and Kartal hit a shot that looked clearly long but there was no call and Pavlyuchenkova stopped play.

    An automated voice call of “STOP STOP” rang out and confusion reigned as umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone.

    Television replays showed that Kartal’s shot was clearly out, yet Helwerth ruled that because the Hawk-Eye technology had not tracked the ball, the point must be replayed.

    Pavlyuchenkova went on to have her serve broken and was clearly fuming at the changeover, telling the umpire: “Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me. They stole the game from me. You stole the game from me”.

    The 34-year-old quickly regrouped and showed the resilience that has marked her long career by reaching the quarter-finals with a 7-6(3) 6-4 win.

    But the main talking point was the first big glitch of Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling system that has replaced human line judges this year.

    OPERATOR ERROR

    Tournament officials later said the problem had been caused by operator error and that the umpire had followed the correct protocols, although Pavlyuchenkova felt that he should have intervened to correct an obvious mistake.

    “We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” Pavlyuchenkova told reporters.

    “Instead they just said, replay the point. It was tricky especially as it was a very crucial moment in the match.

    “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative. That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t.

    “I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

    Asked how she would have felt if the point had cost her the match, Pavlyuchenkova raised a smile: “I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and never come back here.”

    KARTAL UNSIGHTED

    Kartal said she had been unsighted as to whether her shot was out and was equally confused at the time.

    “That situation is a rarity. I don’t think it’s really ever happened,” she said. “It’s tough luck. What can you do? The umpire is trying his best. I think he handled it fine.”

    Pavlyuchenkova, who felt a back-up system should be in place, is not the first person this week to question the automated line-calling system.

    Britain’s Emma Raducanu claimed there were wrong calls during her loss to Aryna Sabalenka.

    “No, I don’t (trust the system) — I think the other players would say the same thing, there were some pretty dodgy ones but what can you do?,” she said after her defeat.

    Britain’s Jack Draper also believed it was not 100% accurate while Swiss player Belinda Bencic said this week that it was a hot topic in the locker rooms.

    Pavlyuchenkova said it was something that needed to be addressed.

    “I think since we have already automatic line-calling and so much invested into this, we should probably look into something else to have better decisions on it,” she said.

    -Reuters

  • You cannot be serious! Wimbledon line-calling system under fire after glitch

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling technology came under fire on Sunday after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.

    Russian Pavlyuchenkova had reached game point at 4-4 in the opening set and Kartal hit a shot that looked clearly long but there was no call and Pavlyuchenkova stopped play.

    An automated voice call of “STOP STOP” rang out and confusion reigned as umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone.

    Television replays showed that Kartal’s shot was clearly out, yet Helwerth ruled that because the Hawk-Eye technology had not tracked the ball, the point must be replayed.

    Pavlyuchenkova went on to have her serve broken and was clearly fuming at the changeover, telling the umpire: “Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me. They stole the game from me. You stole the game from me”.

    The 34-year-old quickly regrouped and showed the resilience that has marked her long career by reaching the quarter-finals with a 7-6(3) 6-4 win.

    But the main talking point was the first big glitch of Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling system that has replaced human line judges this year.

    OPERATOR ERROR

    Tournament officials later said the problem had been caused by operator error and that the umpire had followed the correct protocols, although Pavlyuchenkova felt that he should have intervened to correct an obvious mistake.

    “We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” Pavlyuchenkova told reporters.

    “Instead they just said, replay the point. It was tricky especially as it was a very crucial moment in the match.

    “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative. That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t.

    “I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

    Asked how she would have felt if the point had cost her the match, Pavlyuchenkova raised a smile: “I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and never come back here.”

    KARTAL UNSIGHTED

    Kartal said she had been unsighted as to whether her shot was out and was equally confused at the time.

    “That situation is a rarity. I don’t think it’s really ever happened,” she said. “It’s tough luck. What can you do? The umpire is trying his best. I think he handled it fine.”

    Pavlyuchenkova, who felt a back-up system should be in place, is not the first person this week to question the automated line-calling system.

    Britain’s Emma Raducanu claimed there were wrong calls during her loss to Aryna Sabalenka.

    “No, I don’t (trust the system) — I think the other players would say the same thing, there were some pretty dodgy ones but what can you do?,” she said after her defeat.

    Britain’s Jack Draper also believed it was not 100% accurate while Swiss player Belinda Bencic said this week that it was a hot topic in the locker rooms.

    Pavlyuchenkova said it was something that needed to be addressed.

    “I think since we have already automatic line-calling and so much invested into this, we should probably look into something else to have better decisions on it,” she said.

    -Reuters

  • You cannot be serious! Wimbledon line-calling system under fire after glitch

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling technology came under fire on Sunday after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.

    Russian Pavlyuchenkova had reached game point at 4-4 in the opening set and Kartal hit a shot that looked clearly long but there was no call and Pavlyuchenkova stopped play.

    An automated voice call of “STOP STOP” rang out and confusion reigned as umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone.

    Television replays showed that Kartal’s shot was clearly out, yet Helwerth ruled that because the Hawk-Eye technology had not tracked the ball, the point must be replayed.

    Pavlyuchenkova went on to have her serve broken and was clearly fuming at the changeover, telling the umpire: “Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me. They stole the game from me. You stole the game from me”.

    The 34-year-old quickly regrouped and showed the resilience that has marked her long career by reaching the quarter-finals with a 7-6(3) 6-4 win.

    But the main talking point was the first big glitch of Wimbledon‘s automated line-calling system that has replaced human line judges this year.

    OPERATOR ERROR

    Tournament officials later said the problem had been caused by operator error and that the umpire had followed the correct protocols, although Pavlyuchenkova felt that he should have intervened to correct an obvious mistake.

    “We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” Pavlyuchenkova told reporters.

    “Instead they just said, replay the point. It was tricky especially as it was a very crucial moment in the match.

    “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative. That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t.

    “I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

    Asked how she would have felt if the point had cost her the match, Pavlyuchenkova raised a smile: “I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and never come back here.”

    KARTAL UNSIGHTED

    Kartal said she had been unsighted as to whether her shot was out and was equally confused at the time.

    “That situation is a rarity. I don’t think it’s really ever happened,” she said. “It’s tough luck. What can you do? The umpire is trying his best. I think he handled it fine.”

    Pavlyuchenkova, who felt a back-up system should be in place, is not the first person this week to question the automated line-calling system.

    Britain’s Emma Raducanu claimed there were wrong calls during her loss to Aryna Sabalenka.

    “No, I don’t (trust the system) — I think the other players would say the same thing, there were some pretty dodgy ones but what can you do?,” she said after her defeat.

    Britain’s Jack Draper also believed it was not 100% accurate while Swiss player Belinda Bencic said this week that it was a hot topic in the locker rooms.

    Pavlyuchenkova said it was something that needed to be addressed.

    “I think since we have already automatic line-calling and so much invested into this, we should probably look into something else to have better decisions on it,” she said.

    -Reuters

  • Akash Deep dedicates historic Edgbaston Test win to sister battling cancer

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian pacer Akash Deep has dedicated India’s historic Test win at Edgbaston to his elder sister, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer for the past two months.

    Speaking after India’s victory over England in the second Test, the 27-year-old revealed that he had kept his sister’s illness private, focusing on cricket while his thoughts remained with his family.

    “I have not told this to anyone. My elder sister has been suffering from cancer for the last two months. She is stable now and doing fine. I think she will be the happiest seeing my performance. I want to dedicate this match to her. I just wanted to see a smile on her face,” Akash told Sony Sports after the match.

    He added, “This is for you. Whenever I held the ball in my hand, your face was on my mind. I want to see happiness on your face. We are all with you.”

    Akash Deep produced a match-winning spell at Edgbaston, claiming 10 wickets for 187 runs — four in the first innings and six in the second — to hand India their first-ever Test win at the iconic venue.

    His figures broke Chetan Sharma’s long-standing record of 10/188 (1986) for the best Test bowling performance by an Indian in England. He also became only the second Indian pacer to take a 10-wicket match haul on English soil.

    Before leaving for England, Akash Deep had spent weeks in hospital corridors attending to his sister. The pacer said his family’s struggle kept him grounded through the tour and that every delivery he bowled carried a prayer for his sister’s recovery.

    Behind the milestone, he said, was a simple wish: to see his sister smile.

    IANS

  • Alcaraz resists red-hot Rublev to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Carlos Alcaraz came through a ferocious fourth-round firefight against a red-hot Andrey Rublev to win 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 6-4 on Centre Court and keep his bid for a third successive Wimbledon title on track on Sunday.

    The Spanish second seed stuttered in his opening three rounds but found his best form to eventually subdue an inspired opponent who once again came up short against the very best.

    Rublev rocked Alcaraz by roaring into a 4-1 lead only to be pegged back but the Russian produced some astonishing tennis to snatch the tiebreak and move ahead.

    Alcaraz never looked ruffled though and levelled the match after Rublev double-faulted on a break point. Rublev continued throwing everything in his arsenal at the champion in the third set but paid for not taking some early break points as Alcaraz found another gear.

    Alcaraz looked impregnable in the fourth set and a single break of serve was enough to seal a 22nd successive match win and set up a last-eight clash with Britain’s Cameron Norrie.

    “Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball. It’s really difficult to face him, he forces you to the limit on each point,” Alcaraz, bidding to become only the fourth man to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles multiple times, said on court.

    “Really happy with the way I moved and played intelligent and smart tactically. A really good match all round.”

    With so many seeds having fallen early, this was the first match between top-20 players in the men’s singles this year and it did not disappoint as the quality scaled rare heights.

    Rublev, 27, has barely been outside of the top 10 since 2022 but has never got close to winning a Grand Slam, losing all 10 quarter-finals that he has contested.

    The 14th seed must have sighed when he saw Alcaraz in his way in the fourth round, but he came out in positive fashion, off-loading rockets at the five-time Grand Slam champion.

    With the roof closed after earlier thunderstorms the noise of the ball striking strings sounded like rifle shots.

    Rublev hit harder, then harder still and at 5-5 in the opening set launched an outrageous backhand winner off a full-blooded Alcaraz forehand and then followed with a powerful forehand of his own to the baseline to move a set ahead.

    He barely did anything wrong after that but Alcaraz, finally clicking into gear after three scratchy wins, showed why taking the title off him will be such a tough task.

    The turning point came at 3-3 in the third set when Rublev, attempting to save a break point, sent Alcaraz sliding from side to side with a barrage of power only for the Spaniard to whip a forehand cross court winner, before cupping his ear to the crowd who rose as one to salute the moment of genius.

    Rublev stuck manfully to his task but he was powerless to prevent an 11th loss from 11 matches against top-five opponents at a Grand Slam.

    -REUTERS